mustang messenger vol 4 issue 1

MUSTANG MESSENGERvolume four | issue one | feb/mar 2009

• SPORTS • EVENTS • STUDENT ARTWORK •

the

F O R S T U D E N T S , B Y S T U D E N T S

MUSTANG MESSENGERthe

Welcome BackNEW YEAR, NEW SEMESTER, NEW POSSIBILITIES

Welcome Back

FeaturedStudent

STUDENT, BUSINESS OWNER& NATURE ENTHUSIAST

FeaturedStudent

NewSGA OfficersNewSGA OfficersMEET THE STUDENT LEADERS OF TSTC

TheBorder WallThe

Border WallSTUDENTS ATTEND A RALLY ABOUTTHE CONTROVERSIAL POLITICAL ISSUE

Under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Actof 1974, the following is designated as directoryinformation and may be made public unless thestudent desires to withhold all or any portion of it:name, local address, classification of courseworklevel, enrollment status, major field of study,participation in officially recognized activities andsports, weight and height of members of athleticteams, dates of college attendance, degrees,certificates and awards received and most recentprevious educational agency or institution attendedby the student.

A currently enrolled student may prohibit therelease of directory information by completing anappropriate request form in the Office ofAdmissions and Records during registration orwithin the first five (5) class days of each term.Under the Privacy Act of 1974, official records arenot open to the public and will not be divulgedwithout consent from the student.

Minors attending the college have the same rightregarding their records as adult students. If astudent is still a legal dependent of a parent orguardian, the parent has the right to access the

records of the dependent student provided theparent can establish this dependency as defined bythe Internal Revenue Code of 1954, section 152. Thisrequest must be made in person at the Office ofAdmissions and Records by providing a copy of themost recent federal income tax return and requiredpicture identification.

TSTC Harlingen complies with the FamilyEducational Rights and Privacy Act and informsstudents of their rights under the act. Student’srights covered by the act are as follows:

1. the right to inspect and review the academicrecord.

2. the intent of TSTC Harlingen is to limit thedisclosure of information contained in a student’sacademic record under the following circumstances:

a. with the student’s prior written consent;b. as an item of directory information which the

student has not refused the college to disclose; orc. under the FERPA provisions which allow a

college to disclose information without the student’sprior written consent.

3. the right of a student to consent to the release ofsemester credit hours taken at other institutions tothe Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

4. the right of a student to petition TSTC Harlingento amend or correct any part of his/her academicrecord which is believed to be inaccurate,misleading, or in violation of the privacy or otherrights of the student. When the college decides itwill not amend or correct a student’s record, thestudent has the right to a hearing to presentevidence that the record is inaccurate, misleading, orin violation of the privacy or other rights of thestudent.

5. the right of any person to file a complaint with theFamily Education Rights and Privacy Act Office,Department of Education, Family PolicyCompliance Office, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,Washington, DC 20202-4605, ifTSTC Harlingen violates the FERPA.

If you have any questions concerning disclosure ofinformation, contact the Office of Admissions andRecords at 956.364.4320.

‘ Cause school doesn’t have to be boring.

myspace.com/tstcharlingen youtube.com/tstcharlingen

connectONLINEW

ITH

US

add us!

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

02 Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009

• View our calendar • Check out photos • See our videos • Leave a comment •

FF EE AA TT UU RR EE SS TT OO RR II EE SSNew SGA PresidentGeorgeann Calzada introduces herself

TSTC Community Gardenon National Make A Difference Day

SkillsUSA competes at Nationalsin Kansas City, Mo.

CC OO LL LL EE GG EE EE VV EE NN TT SS‘Tis the Season of SharingStudents help families in need

Event Sneak PeakUpcoming events for February and March

SS TT UU DD EE NN TT FF EE AA TT UU RR EE SSStudent SpotlightMarisa Navarrete

Remembering Eric ChavezFriends and family say goodbye

New SGA Officers 2008-2009Get to know the new SGA officers

Student Leadership ConferenceYour passport to success

Environmental ClubStudents attend Border Wall rally

Green Tip of the MonthSee how you can help the environment

EE NN TT EE RR TT AA II NN MM EE NN TTNew Releases at the LRCSee what new books are available to you

The Messenger Staff PlaylistCheck out what students are listening to

Student Poetry CornerRead the works of local poets

Intramural SportsSports, schedules and more

contents

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07

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15

14

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feb/mar 2009

20

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1 2Scholarship Deadline

Summer 2009

3 4How To Lead

with a Purpose andManage Your Time*

5Maintaining Eligibility for

Financial Aid*

619th Class Day

Last Day to Dropwith a Refund

7

8 9 10Financial Aid

Pre-Loan Session

11Second Installment Due

SGA Dating Game

Let’s Be Flexible

12Emergency Tuition

Loan Due

Valentine’s Bash andCasino Night

13Last Day To

Apply for Graduation

Softball LeagueRoster Deadline

14

15 16 17 18Sensitivity Awareness:

Sexual Orientation*

19 20Scholarship Workshop

21

22

College Goal SundayFinancial Aid Workshop

23 24 25Mr. And Ms. TSTC

Scholarship Competition

Financial Aid Pre Loan Session

Healthy Heart*

27Last Day to Apply for

Spring Graduation

Scholarship Workshop

28THEA Testing

sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday

1 4Non-Traditional Expo

Calling All RosiesNational Women’s

History MonthCelebration

5 6Mid-Term Grades Due

Skills USAMarch 6-7

7

8Day Light Savings Time

9 10 11Spring Break

Safety Awareness*

Financial Aid Pre-Loan Session

12 13Doubles Tennis and

Doubles Table TennisRoster Deadline

14Saturday Classes Meet

15 16

Spring BreakMarch 16-20

STUDENTS ONLY

17 18 19 20 21Saturday Classes

Will Not Meet

22 23Registration Begins

Summer & Fall 09

24Financial Aid

Pre-Loan Session

25Final Installment

Payment Due

Racing Tragedy*

26Movie On The Lawn

28

29 30 31

Announce your events!E-mail your events to [email protected] and have them featured on the calendar!

sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday

FFeebbrruuaarryy2009

MMaarrcchh2009* Critical Thinking

Student Workshop

26

2 3

27

ey there fellowMustangs! I’msure most ofyou have

already seen mearound campus andyou’re wonderingwhat’s my purposefor being here somuch. To answerthat, it’s for YOU.My job is to make

your stay here at TSTC a great one filledwith tons of great memories.

Let me introduce myself to you all. Myname is Georgeann Calzada and I amyour newly elected SGA President for

2008 – 2009 school year. I can’t expresshow excited I am to kick off my tenurewith such great events and activities foryou all. I spent a couple of months asyour SGA Secretary and loved it so muchI decided that I wanted to be a part of thisgreat team again. I have met someoutstanding people already and plan tocontinue on that path throughout myterm.

I graduated with my Associates degree inAdministrative Assistant and amcurrently continuing my education in theEA program. I have one son, Aidan, whois now officially a toddler at 2 years-old. Ilove to watch football and basketball, butthese days there isn’t much time with so

many events going on, so update me ifyou see me around campus; my favoriteteams are the Colts and the Spurs.

As your SGA President, I hope to gain atremendous amount of knowledge inleadership and teamwork while being anexemplary example as to what MustangPride truly is. I have enormous shoes tofill (not literally) and I am willing to dothe necessary work to make you all proudto have chosen TSTC Harlingen as yourkey to success and education.

H

- Georganne Calzada

from yourSGA presidentGeorgeann Calzada - Student Government Association President

SGA Breakfast Clubstudent club officers prepare for the spring semester by Shannon Padilla

TSTC Spring Semester ’09 started outwith a bang with the first event of thesemester being Breakfast Club. This wasa gathering of presidents and officers ofall the active clubs at TSTC to discuss upand coming events on campus and alsothe items required before starting a newfund-raiser. The affair was held inBuilding U’s Culinary Arts dining roomand featured a four-course breakfastprepared and served by our very ownCulinary Arts students.

Clubs were paired up for this year’sfirst Club Olympics, which willemphasize the importance of getting toknow other clubs here at TSTC. Twostudents, Hilda Prieto and ShannonWilliams, were chosen by TSTC

Chancellor Dr. Bill Segura to represent thestudents on the Texas Higher EducationCoordinating Board.

The event ended with all the participantslooking for a “winner” tag under theirchairs for a chance to win the movie “TheBreakfast Club” or a flash drive.

Shannon Williams (left) andHilda Prieto.

Students chosen by TSTCChancellor Dr. Bill Segura torepresent the all TSTC studentson the Texas Higher EducationCoordinating Board.

Mustang Messenger | February/March 2009 05

college

eventststc community garden

by Laura Amaro

we hear ya!Everyone can be great because anyonecan serve....You only need a heart full of

grace. A soul generated by love.

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


ver 100 TSTC studentsgathered on the beautifulmorning of Saturday, October

25 for a National Make A DifferenceDay project that SGA put together.The plan was to help beautifyHarlingen’s Le Moyne Gardenscommunity, which ironically lackeda garden.

With the help of the BuildingConstruction Technology program,who built the planters for thegarden, and the manpower that ourTSTC students provided, an emptytriangular piece of land wastransformed into a safe haven fortheir community.

SGA also recruited the help oflocal businesses and organizationsfor donations.

o National Make ADifference DayContributors

TThhaannkk yyoouuAdam’s Garden

Asplundt

Country Inn and Suites

Earthwise Organics

Fairview Farms

Girl Scouts Troop

Harlingen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Harlingen Family Dentistry

Harlingen Proud

Home Depot - Harlingen

Liz Silva

Lowe’s - Harlingen

Southwest Key Program

Stuart Place Nursery

The Key Family

TSTC Association of

General Contractors Club

TSTC Student Clubs

Wal-Mart - Harlingen

students get together for national make a difference day


‘Tis the seasonof sharing

Children attending TSTC’s EarlyChildhood and Head Start Centersreceived an early visit from SantaClaus on December 2.

Accompanied by TSTC President Dr.Cesar Maldonado, TSTC VicePresidents and College Police, Santahanded out gifts to all children inattendance.

Santa also gave presents to childrenliving in TSTC family housing.

Dental Assistant students donated four baskets filled withvarious food items such as bread, canned goods, cereal,cookies and more. All items, packaged in a laundry basket,were given to Support Services families in need.

Chemical-Environmental Technology studentscollected over 500 cans of non-perishable items to help theTSTC Staff Senate annual canned food drive. Cans weredonated to the RGV Food Bank.

Toys forTSTC Tots


K I C K - O F F E V E N T

March 4Student Quad Area10AM - 12PM

Special presentation at 11:30AM.For more information call Support Services at 364.4520.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact theSupport Services Office at 956.364.4520 one week prior to the event.

SGA President Receives Recognition

Georgeann Calzada, president of the StudentGovernment Association at Texas State TechnicalCollege Harlingen, left, recently received a plaque ofrecognition from Mia de la Garza-Fields, president ofthe Harlingen Proud Board of Directors, on behalf ofthe TSTC student body.

Several college clubs and college employees helpedHarlingen Proud organize a project that led to thecreation of a new outdoor landscape recreation areaat the LeMoyne Garden public housing project in thecity. LeMoyne Garden is located along FM 508 justwest of Marine Military Academy and TSTC.


studentfeaturesmarisa navarrete we hear ya!

Innovation distinguishes between aleader and a follower.

- Steve Jobs

by Dave Ralph

ulti-tasking isn’t a job for Marisa Navarrete;it’s part of her character to pursue a varietyof interests.

The Dental Assistant student at Texas StateTechnical College holds the position of officemanager for Lifeline Medical Supply in Harlingen;plus, she owns and operates Hieroglyphix, a graphicsdesign and printing business. On her own time,Navarrete likes to read and experience life outdoors.

She spends 25 hours per week handling tasks forLifeline Medical Supply, which sells health-careproducts. For example, she recently conducted bloodsugar screenings to test for diabetes at theCommunity Resource Fair on campus.

Her father, Luis Navarrete, owned Hieroglyphix formore than 30 years until his death about four yearsago. She assisted him by creating computerized formsfor printing and now she maintains service for severalclients. While working at Hieroglyphix for her father,she served 11 years as project manager for theHomeland Security / Border Patrol detention facilitynear Bayview.

“It all worked out OK for me,” she said. “I still get a lotof free time, but college is my number one priority.”

She enrolled full time at TSTC in 2006 to seek adiploma involving business management. She’s takingnine credits for fall semester 2008 and Navarrete saidthat she will take 12 credits in spring semester 2009.She plans to advance into the Dental Hygiene program.

Her outdoor interests include relaxation, fishing andyard work, and she continues to find time for readinga wide range of publications. She explained, “I enjoystaying informed.”

M

Remembering Eric ChavezJune 17, 1987 - May 31, 2008

Eric, We had some crazy times together; you were there in my time of need. We met Sandie together, and then she laterbecame my wife. I know the last couple of months we did not spend that much time together but I think you finallyrealized the busy life style I have. The day you told me “Man Tio, I understand…” that hurt but yet it made me feel good.With finishing up school, working and your music, yeah I think you did understand. All those times I bugged you aboutfinishing school finally started to sink in. Although you weren’t attending TSTC yet I know how close you were to starting. Iwant to tell you how proud I am of you! I admire your persistence and determination. Your music was your life line, andyou are “…in tha dirt” and that will always be around, because you will always be around, I miss you so much, I love you.As far as making it, as much lives as I’ve seen you touch, you have made it! Keeping “…in tha dirt” alive!

Love, Tio David

Hello My Sunshine,Here I am missing you. You made me so happy and proud of you. Ijust wish I could hug and tell you how much I love you once again.Pray to God that I will see you in those pearly gates someday.Love You Christopher Eric Chavez “Young Teke”

Love, Grandma Josie

My son-Eric,There has not been a day that goes by that I don’t think about you. I know I am not the most perfect Mother, but when youwere little I attended parental classes that taught “Tough Love” and that is what I used on you. I wanted the best for you,and I thank God when you matured you understood what I meant. There was more “I love you’s.” The best part, I got tospend the very last day with you, May 30th, 2008.

I miss you, Mom

Eric, my son,I know that I wasn’t a perfect dad, but I always triedto give you everything I could. But I didn’t think lifewould be this short. But I know now how it feels tobe without a son. But someday we will see each otheragain, and you will always be my son.

Love, Dad

Eric, From the very start you’ve been my everything, andyou’ve taught me all that I know and showed me how tostack them papa’s by spittin out my flows. Now you’re intha sky shinin like a star forever a mark always kept inmy heart. I LOVE AND MISS YOU, MY BIG BRO.

Yo lil sista Mendy aka Baby Carleone I.T.D

Eric, My little bro, you and I have had our ups and downs butthat just made us stronger. Even though you’re inheaven you will always be my little brother.

Gilberto Briseno, Jr.

Big Brother,I miss you. Are you having a good time? Because Iwant to see you one more time, because I love you.Because I was worrying how you were doing?

Carlos your little “C”

Christopher Eric Chavez had justreceived his GED, had a part-time job atTSTC's media center and was ready toenroll at TSTC. He was looking intopursuing a career in digital sound orbusiness. Music was his passion andChavez would write and produce hiphop songs with his friends in his ownstudio under his record label In Tha Dirt.

Tragically, less than a month away fromhis 21st birthday, Chavez was the victimof a fatal car incident. While walkingalong the Highway 77 frontage roadbetween Combes and Harlingen, he wasstruck by a car that failed to immediatelyrender aid. Later that night, a policereport was made.

"We can't blame [the driver]," Chavez'suncle Joe Vela said, "because we don'tknow the full story, but I just wished [thedriver] could have stopped."

Vela described Chavez as "a thug with abig heart."

"He'd give you the shirt off his back. Hetook care of his friends, and they tookcare of him. Kids loved him and hismagnetic personality.”

“He was a really hard worker,” said BillCisneros, Instructional EquipmentTechnician I for TSTC’s Media Center. “Henever complained about a job he wasasked to do and he was eager to learn.”

Chavez's family would like to thankeveryone for their support.

For those willing to make a monetarydonation to help Chavez’s family withfuneral expenses, please visitwww.inthadirt.com.

CHRISTOPHER ERIC CHAVEZa.k.a.YOUNG TEKE, TWIN, KIDD CARLEONE, and most important of all MIJO,

I know I taught you a lot of things, but I believed it was you who have taught mefar more than you will ever know. Your desire to fit somewhere was eluding till youbecame one with your trade, handing over the definition of lyfe defined by yourwritings/ music enlightening many with your style of thug poetry.

We will carry on your legacy, as we are all Family in this rap game. Your "IN THADIRT…” You will forever have my respect.

I love you mijo. Tío Wally


Eric, You touched so many people in your short life,especially mine. I always admired your persistencein all that was important to you, even thoughsometimes it drove me crazy. Your dedication toyour music proved just that. I am sure you nowunderstand why God put you “a little in all of ourlives” – something you and I always talked about. Ithought I could not have been more proud of youthan when we hung your GED diploma on the wall,but I was wrong because when I received the letterof acceptance for you from TSTC I could not havebeen more proud. I love and miss you so much – ifnot more everyday.

Love “Tia”


SkillsUSA Goes to Kansas City

bbyy DD

aavvee

RRaallpphh

success.” Dr. J. Gilbert Leal

pride


edals eluded six Texas State Technical College Harlingen students at the national SkillsUSAcompetition, but each participant learned lessons applicable toward their education and careers.

Categories, participants and their national ranking include: CNC Milling, Marco Rodriguez, 13; CollisionRepair Technology, Chester McCloskey, 8; Heating/Ventilation/Air-Conditioning/Refrigeration, RobertoMonfil, 19; Precision Machining, Raul Pruneda, 24; Sheet Metal Fabrication, Billy Jack Weaver, 8, andTeacher Assistant, Heather Fears, 6. More than 300,000 post-secondary and college students are membersof SkillsUSA and there were 91 events with approximately 5,000 students attending the national event inKansas City, Mo.

“The national SkillsUSA competition is the equivalent of the Super Bowl of technical education,” said Dr.J. Gilbert Leal, former president of TSTC Harlingen. “Our students and faculty work hard to improve theirknowledge and talents for the national events, which put them among the top students in these careerfields. It’s a great achievement to qualify for Kansas City and our college takes pride in the team’s success.”

McCloskey, of San Benito, who graduated from the Auto Collision Technology Department with anAssociate of Applied Science degree in April, said that the experience gave him insight into how SkillsUSAadds to his education and expands his professional opportunities. “It should really, really help my jobapplication status to put on the resume that I finished eighth in the nation,” he said.

“At TSTC, we work on projects developing parts to meet blueprint specifications similar to the PrecisionMachining event,” said Raul Pruneda, of Raymondville, a Machining Technology major who plans toreceive his AAS in April 2009. “Grinding was the most difficult station I went to because the event dealtwith a three-dimensional part.” Other stations included computerized lathe and milling, drill pressure andmeasuring tolerances.

Pruneda’s event started at 7:30 a.m. and finished at 5:30 p.m. He will consider another attempt atSkillsUSA competition because he gained a better understanding of time limit expectations and qualitystandards to practice.

Fears, who lives in Harlingen, did research, chose hands-on manipulative materials and developed athree- to four-minute lesson that she presented to a toy Care Bear, designed to simulate a 4- or 5-year-oldchild. “Next time, I will not be so nervous at competition and I will slow down my talking pace. I also willpractice talking to a big Care Bear so the toy won’t throw me off because it was tough to improvise or playout the interaction,” she explained. “But, I met a lot of interesting people from a lot of places. I liked thepin exchange as state representatives swap SkillsUSA symbols.”

Hess said that he made new, personal contacts with industry officials that should be useful in the future.He also discovered new perspectives on robotics and new methods to create robot programs by picking thebrains of Mexican students and Festo representatives.

“The experience was fantastic – great. People might not always remember the computer programmingand demonstrations we did there, but they will remember our initiative,” he said, seated in the Kansas Cityairport waiting for the return flight. “It was one of my best education experiences and well worth it to trainand push for the opportunity because I can use what I learned.”

SkillsUSA 2009 regional competition will be held at TSTC Harlingen February 20-21.

M

besteducation John Hess


meet your new sga officers President Georgeann Calzada

Vice President Veronica Sanchez

My name is Georgeann Calzada and I am oneof the four returning officers in StudentGovernment. Unfortunately, I’m notreturning as Secretary but fortunately I havebeen entrusted with the Presidency this year.I am looking forward to a fun filled year withtons of learning experiences. On mydowntime, which doesn’t happen too often, Ilove to hang out with my son, Aidan. I amworking toward my Bachelors Degree in

Applied Technology and have already attained my Associates Degreein Administrative Assistant. I hope to provide to my fellow Mustangsthe great college experience I’ve received here at TSTC Harlingen.

Hi, I’m Veronica Sanchez and this has beenthe second year I have been part of SGA. I ama Dental Hygiene student here at TSTC and aproud mother of three beautiful little girls. Iam proud to be representing the TSTCstudent body as your new SGA VicePresident. I will continue in my duty to makesure SGA provides the students with a voicewhile working hard to make your collegeexperience unforgettable.

Secretary Alison Parra

Treasurer Hilda Prieto

Hi there, everyone! My name is Alison. I amhonored to say that I am the new SGASecretary for 2008-2009. I am also a clubmember of SADHA II. Currently, I am in theDental Hygiene Program and I plan ongraduating this spring! I hope I get to see youall at upcoming events and hopefully we canall make a positive difference on campus, aswell as our community, together!

Hello everyone, I’m Hilda and this is mysecond year with SGA as your Treasurer. I amworking on my Associates Degree in DentalHygiene and also a member of SADHA.Along with being a full-time student, I’m alsoa mother of three wonderful children. I enjoyspending time with friends, family, and myfellow SGA officers. I’m looking forward toanother exciting year with SGA and the TSTCstudent body. See you around!

Parliamentarian Eli Torres

Historian Shannon Padilla

Hi, my name is Eli Torres, I’m returning asyour SGA Parliamentarian. I’m currentlyworking on my certificate in AirConditioning and Refrigeration. My job asParliamentarian is to keep order at themeetings, to head up the legislativecommittee, and to research any concernsstudents have and report back at the nextmeeting. I’m honored that I’m able torepresent the student body once more. I’d

like to say that I’ll do my best to help you with any concerns you mayhave. Just stop by the office and our door is always open.

My name is Shannon Padilla. I'm 24 yearsold. I live in San Benito, but am originallyfrom California. I’m in my first year of thedental hygiene program and plan ongraduating in 2010. I'm your new studentgovernment Historian and am excited aboutparticipating and having fun at all the SGAevents. Join us and make the most of yourspring semester.

Want to be involved?CCoommee ttoo tthhee SSGGAA mmeeeettiinnggss!!Meetings held every other Tuesday at Noon inthe Student Center’s VIP room.

GGeett mmoorree iinnffoo oonnlliinnee!!students.harlingen.tstc.edu

VViissiitt oouurr ooffffiiccee!!Our office is located in the Student Center,Room122 or call 956.364.4304.

BBee oouurr ffrriieenndd!!myspace.com/tstcsga

conference to develop leadership skills and motivateleaders drew students and advisors from several TexasState Technical College Harlingen organizations onJanuary 8.

“Leadership: Your Passport to Success,” sponsored by theOffice for Student Success and the Student Life Office, combinedcooperative group activities with insights shared by Harlingenpublic schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Flores and CollegePresident Dr. Cesar Maldonado. Plans are under way to makethe conference an annual event and its content ties into anupcoming series of student leadership workshops, said JoshuaHernandez, general studies and technology advisor.

“The conference is related to what we’re trying to learn asstudent mentors. I needed and wanted help when I wasyounger, and this experience will enable me to help others,”Karina Ingram, a student mentor, said.

Before entering Digital Media Design at TSTC, she graduatedfrom San Benito High School in 2008. “This conference reallyshowed me that leaders sometimes encounter hard times, butan effective leader mustfind ways to overcomedifficulties,” she added.

Dr. Maldonado said thatindividuals areresponsible for shapingtheir leadership roles andfuture plans. They alsoface the opportunity toestablish a positive attitude each day. Many people watch aperson’s involvement in civic issues and that often causes agrowth in the person’s network of connections. He cited some ofhis education and business interests that led to appointmentsfrom Gov. Rick Perry to more public service commitments.

“What I learned as an engineer arethinking skills and how to makedecisions,” he explained. “Amongyour potential resources, you willfind that people are valuablecapital. I enjoy working with thestaff and students in a teamenvironment.”

He advised individuals to tapinto experts’ knowledge byabsorbing and using their ideas.Leaders tend to gravitate towardpeople who share similar values,

he said, and together they find ways to achieve common goals.

“Learn from failureby converting it intoan educational lessonthat contributes tofuture success,” hesaid.

Dr. Flores urgedstudents to exploreleadership topics andlive up to theirresponsibilities as rolemodels. “Leadership isnot about you and it’snot about obtainingmaterial possessions.Leadership is about thepeople you serve.”

He recalled that his third grade teacher told him he was apretty smart boy and thecomment launched hisself-confidence. Leadersshould believe inthemselves, take a stand,ignore doomsayers, andprove them wrong, headvised. He alsocautioned that a leadershould possess thestrength to recognize

mistakes and admit those mistakes before moving forward.

Student Government Association President GeorgeannCalzada said that the teamwork activities demonstrated howlistening to each other leads to progress because it encouragesmore participation. Veronica Sanchez, SGA vice president, saidthat students - whether in leadership or follower roles - shouldopenly communicate.

“Students got the idea that they could come to the SGA,mentors and tutors as resources so they could work together,”SGA Treasurer Hilda Prieto said.

Organizations and programs represented at the conferenceincluded Chemical-Environmental Technology, BiomedicalEngineering Technology, Astronomy Club, Dental Explorers,Mechatronics Technology, Students Promoting Anime & Manga,Computer Drafting & Design Technology and BusinessProfessionals of America.

student leadership conferenceby Dave RalphTSTC Students Gain and Share Leadership Concepts

Dr. Cesar Maldonado, TSTC President

Students participate in a team-building activity, “TheHuman Knot”

““““Learn from failure by converting it into an educational lesson thatcontributes to future success.

a



student clubopinion feature

environmental club we hear ya!

- Ansel Adams

by Dr. Sarah Merrill, Professor (Communication and Humanities)

he Environmental Club remained active during summer semesterby participating in events associated with the ecological, culturaland political impact related to construction of the new borderwall that will separate the United States from Mexico.

Last summer, former Environmental Club President Veronica Wickattended a rally opposed to the border wall and featured speeches atthe World Birding Center in historic Roma. Club members were invitedto dine on cabrito with the mayor of Roma’s sister city across the river,Miguel Aleman. This summer, a dedicated group of TSTC students,alumni, and the club mascot Ladybird - a cream colored Labbymute dog - finished the anti-border wall march from theUniversity of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, downInternational Boulevard to the Hidalgo CountyCourthouse accompanied by many UTPA and SouthTexas College students and a few hundred othermarchers. TSTC Harlingen was represented by ourstudents at the No Border Wall Rally and March,and students learned a great deal from attendingthe lectures and speeches held in the UTPAauditorium before the march.

Club President Karissa Carrera, Jerome Bonno,Walter Vasquez, and alumna Cristina marched on a veryhot day. Signs made and carried by other students werehumorous and effective by referring to the increasingly intensehurricanes caused by global warming and students at the marchexpressed concern about the ecological naivete of the Border Fence(wall and levee/wall combination plan). The sign on a large funnelshaped board read, “Hurricane Salinas,” naming the feared storm afterthe Hidalgo County judge who agreed to Homeland Security proposalsto build a combination levee and fence.

Opponents of the Border Fence argue that taking down the levees,thinning them and then installing a steel wall in the riverside or frontof the levee will cause the wall to breach from water, which willundermine and collapse the wall forward. Similar problems have

happened farther west where this border wall design has beenconstructed. Engineers predict that this design defect and wall or fencecollapse will happen eventually to all segments of the new structure.Flood waters will surely affect the segment of fence constructed duringthe week of Hurricane Dolly around the former U.S. community ofGranjeno. Local residents effectively resisted installation of the BorderFence, but they were forced to compromise and have a border wallbuilt. The town of Granjeno contains lands that local families haveowned since before the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Environmentalists are especially concerned about theecological harms that could result from the fence. Naturalwatershed drainage will be disturbed, causing floodingthat would threaten many species - including humans -and endangered U.S. species like the ocelot will beprevented from swimming across the Rio Grande tobreed with Mexican populations. The ocelots willsoon die out from inbreeding or loss of habitat. Therare Ringed Kingfishers - visited by thousands ofWinter Texan visitors who love to “bird” the Valleyas they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars here- nest in the riverbanks. So, all riverbankdisturbances also threaten these rare species.

Ecotourists don’t like fences and opposition to theborder wall from Winter Texans and students has made an

impact on the project. The Economist magazine (an international newsand commentary publication) reported that South Texas has the onlyviable resistance to the border wall, although citizens are resisting it allthe way west through California and Arizona.

Students interested in a good student club with kind people in it andfun activities (for example, another Green Film Festival on the Logicand Science of Global Climate Change and some field trips to wildliferefuges or preserves) should contact Karissa Carerra or Dr. Merrill(364.4840) and look for signs announcing our first meetings. All speciesare welcome but especially Mustangs!

Environmentalists areespecially concernedabout the ecologicalharms that could result

from the fence.

It is horrifying that we have tofight our own governmentto save the envinronment.

t


green tip of the monthby Sebrina Schultz

you’re a tstc student if...by Ara Stevens

1. You play your car music loud enough for the whole parking lot to hear.

2. Your idea of a complete meal is Mustang Burger with drink and fries.

3. You consider Stripes to be a four star restaurant.

4. You probably wear the same shirt for 3 days straight and no one notices.

5. You’ve gone to every building in the school and compared it to yours. (I know I have.)

6. You usually wear black or band t-shirts.

7. You can’t work without an MP3 player and chewing gum.

8. You’ve made friends with the vending machines.

9. You think Rusty has a height deficiency.

10. You still don’t know where Building A is.

For several years now, various organizations have beenencouraging us to unplug those chargers when our electronics arefully juiced up. The benefits of this have been proven time andtime again. A study conducted by FutureForest states that “Only 5% of thepower drawn by cell phone chargersare actually used to charge phones.The other 95% is wasted when youleave it plugged into the wall, butnot into your phone. The lesson?Unplug your charger when you arenot using it. If you don’t, it’s justwasting your money and adding tothe pollution created by burningfossil fuels.”

Sure unplugging your chargers is a habitthat will take a while to get used to; I’ll admit I even forgetsometimes. But in the long run it is just one small step we can taketo decrease the footprint we are leaving on our planet. Plus you’llbe saving money on your electric bill. A win-win if I ever saw one.

Unplug your cell phone chargers when not in use.

check out what thePhotojournalism and Design Club

is currently listening to!

THESTAFFPLAYLIST

The Thermals“Pillar of Salt”from the albumThe Body The Blood The Machinewww.mypace.com/thethermals

Old 97s“Busted Afternoon”from the albumFight Songswww.mypace.com/theold97s

Aerosmith“Back Back Train”from the albumHonkin’ On Bobowww.mypace.com/aerosmith

Kenny Chesney“Don’t Blink”from the albumJust Who I Am: Poets & Pirateswww.mypace.com/kennychesney

Lily Allen“Alfie”from the albumAlright, Stillwww.mypace.com/lilymusic

Skinny Puppy“Politikil”from the albumMythmakerwww.mypace.com/skinnypuppy

The Raveonettes“Dead Sound”from the albumLust, Lust, Lustwww.mypace.com/theraveonettes

Deerhoof“Spiral Golden Town”from the albumGreen Cosmoswww.mypace.com/deerhoof

The Wrecking Crewby Thomas Frank

Casting back to the early days ofthe conservative revolution, TheWrecking Crew describes the riseof a ruling coalition dedicated todismantling government. Butrather than cutting down the biggovernment they claim to hate,conservatives have simply sold itoff, deregulating some industries,defunding others, but alwaysturning public policy into aprivate-sector bidding war.

A Tale out of Luckby Willie Nelson & Mike Blakely

Retired Texas Ranger CaptainHank Tomlinson intends to spendthe rest of his days raising cattleon his Broken Arrow Ranch, andnurturing his frontier town of

Luck, Texas. But when the brutalmurder and scalping of amysterious drifter leads to a clashbetween cavalry soldiers and aband of Comanche Indianssuspected of the killing, a full-scale Indian uprising seems likely.

Polanskiby Christopher Sandford

This dramatic account weavestogether the rich and complex lifeof the celebrated and controversialfilm director, Holocaust survivor,and exile, Polanski. Acclaimedbiographer Sandford draws ondozens of interviews with actorswho have worked with Polanski,as well as previously sealedtranscripts of his criminal hearings,testimony before the Californiagrand jury following theaccusations that led to his exile,and personal reflections on themurders of Sharon Tate and otherfriends of the couple.

New revelations about Polanski'slife include the connection betweenhis mother’s death in Auschwitzand wife Sharon Tate’s murder, hisradical transition from childhoodpoverty to a glamorous Hollywoodlife among socialites, and aculmination of tragedies inPolanski’s life.

TrafficWhy We Drive the Way We Do

(and What it Says About Us)

by Tom Vanderbilt

Based on exhaustive research andinterviews with driving expertsand traffic officials around theglobe, Traffic gets under the hood ofthe everyday activity of driving touncover the surprisingly complexweb of physical, psychological,and technical factors that explainhow traffic works, why we drivethe way we do, and what ourdriving says about us.

Tetheredby Amy Mackinnon

Clara Marsh is an undertaker whodoesn’t believe in God. She spendsher solitary life among the dead,preparing their last baths and

bidding them farewell with abouquet from her own garden. Hercarefully structured life shifts whenshe discovers a neglected little girl,Trecie, playing in the funeral parlor,desperate for a friend. It changeseven more when a detective startsquestioning her again about a bodyshe prepared three years ago, anunidentified girl found murderedin a nearby strip of woods.

for your

New Releases at your local Learningresource center

we hear ya!I find television very educating. Everytime somebody turns on the set, I gointo the other room and read a book.”

entertainment- Groucho Marx

WHAT IS THE LRC?

The TSTC Dr. J. Gilbert Leal LearningResource Center (LRC) provides avariety of services aimed to helpstudents and faculty meet educationalgoals. The LRC houses the library, mediacenter and board conference room.

Whether for work or leisure, there are • 93 computers• 4 printers• a scanner • 10,000+ journals• 58,000+ electronic books• DVDs• 10 study rooms• orentation room• display cases

To see what software is offered at theLRC, please visit its Web site atwww.harlingen.tstc.edu/library.

To reserve the Orientation Room,please call the circulation desk at364.4609.

Display cases are available to showcaseTSTC activities, services, programs andto commemorate special observances.To reserve a display case, call AnnaCortez at 364.4608.

The Learning Resource Center staffencourages cultural and informationliteracy by organizing events such asdatabase orientations, puppet shows,art exhibits, poetry readings,workshops and seminars.

All you need at the LRC to borrow abook is a valid TSTC student ID.

Summer Love Lost

Tony Garza, CA

I dream about you in my nights

as twilight drifts in and out of

incandescent waves

honey water tasted on your lips

tears produce the sweetest honey

IMperfect

Benjamin Roberts

on

I wish I could be

water, when you’ r

e in the desert.

I wish I could be

air, when you’ re

underwater.

I wish I could be

the map, when yo

u’ re searching fo

r your

destination.

I wish I could be

fuel, when you’ re

driving your car

.

I wish I could be

a light, when your

walking down a

dark and

abandoned path.

I wish I could be

a blanket, when

you lay your hea

d to rest on a

chilly night.

I wish I could be

the wings, when y

ou dream of flyi

ng through the

clouds.

I wish I could be

the canopy, when

you flee from t

he rainstorm.

I wish I could be

the bandage, when

you've cut your

self.

I wish I could be

the ground you

walk on, when you

've reached

your destination

.

I wish I could be

the ounce of blo

od, which gives yo

u your last

breath of air.

The

Poetry Desk


New Year' s KissSebrina Schultz, DMD

It started simpleWith corny pick-up linesThings changed unnoticedGmail chats over 3 months timeI was differentI had my dreams6th floor walk-upsDusty shelves filled to the brimsSchuster & SimonLullaby of calico and sirensMy dreams changed somehowThose belong to only back thenBecause this country boyWith his New Year' s kissChanged into my Prince CharmingFrom his brazen frog princeAnd I find myself dreamingSomething crazy and newBig yards and guard dogsI' m blaming this on you

I wasn' t the typeFor steaming hot bathsAnd I' m dreaming of lullabiesFrom our curly-haired boy' slaughs

Helene & GaericSuch a silly odd pairWorst couple everBut I really don' t care

Because this country boyWith his New Year' s kissChanged into my Prince Charming

From his brazen frog princeAnd I find myself dreaming

Something crazy and newBig yards and guard dogsI' m blaming this on youI used to be differentSecretly looked for signsFell in love, fell out of love

Rinse & repeat 2 1/2 timesI changed my mind.I changed my hair.I changed my room.I learned to play fair.I adopted pets.Just to give them away.I wrote a book.So I forgot my regrets.And then I found you.And now this country boy

With his New Year' s kissChanged into my Prince Charming

From his brazen frog princeAnd he' s my Prince Charming

It' s my New Year' s kiss

PLEASEDONOTWRITEONACTUALTSTCDESKS

EEvveerr wwoonnddeerr wwhheerree tthhee ccoonntteenntt ooff tthhee MMuussttaannggMMeesssseennggeerr aanndd TTSSTTCC’’SS yyeeaarrbbooookk,, TThhee MMuussttaannggccoommeess ffrroomm??

It comes from YYOOUU! The Mustang Messenger is compiled of stories, reviews andartwork submitted by TSTC students. If you’d like to submit your creative work for the next issue, e-mail it topphhddcclluubb@@ggmmaaiill..ccoomm.

For more information call 956.364.4116.

Get involved inStudent Publications!

Intramural SportsIntramural Sports

Indoor SportsBasketballVolleyball

SoccerDodgeballRaquetball

Kickball

Outdoor SportsFlag Football

SoftballSoccer

Kickball

FitnessCardio RoomWeight RoomWalking Trail

Aerobic ClassesMuscle Toning Classes

TSTC Fieldhouse intramuralsportsschedule

SPORT/EVENT DIVISION SPECIFICATIONS DEADLINE

basketball league open 5 on 5 1/30/09

softball league open roster limit - 15 2/13/09

raquetball tourney open doubles 3/13/09

table tennis tourney open doubles 3/13/09

dodgeball tourney open 5 on 5 4/3/09

spring2009

� A Captain’s Meeting will be called before the game. A teamcaptain/representative must attend the Captain’s Meeting.

� Contact the Fieldhouse staff at 364.4340 for more details.

STUDENT WORKSHOPLet’s Be FlexibleA focus on the importance of stretching before anytype of physical activity in order to encourageflexibility and help prevent injury.

February 11, 2009 | 12 - 1PMCall 364.4301 for more information.

aerobicsmonday - friday: 12 noonwednesdays: 5:15PM

TSTC GamesApril 18, 2009TSTC Harlingen

Like to dance? Call 364.4346 for more information about the TSTC Silver Spurs dance team.

FIELDHOUSE HOURSMonday - Thursday 10AM - 9PMFriday 10AM - 2 PMSaturday 1PM - 5PM


creditsEDITORSMelani ZunigaCoordinator of Publications

Keri GutierrezDirector of Public Information & News

STAFF WRITERDave RalphCommunications Writer

DESIGNERSLaura AmaroDigital Media Design Technology

Sebrina SchultzDigital Media Design Technology

CONTRIBUTING WRITERScredited

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERScredited

TSTC Harlingen is a two-yearhigher education institutionemphasizing courses of studyin technical education forwhich there is a demandwithin the state of Texas.

1902 N. Loop 499Harlingen, TX 785501.800.852.8784

www.harlingen.tstc.edu

Armando “Brany” Dominguez, SupervisorRoom 101

Phone: 956.364.4341Email: [email protected]

Intramurals Department Personnel:

Write a story. Write a poem. Take apicture. State your opinions. Coveran event. Review a restaurant. Takemore pictures. Show off your

digital or traditional art. Review amovie. Promote your club. Review

a game. Be creative!

Send your submissions [email protected], or call956.364.4116 for more

information.

get involved!


Get ffiitt andhave ffuunn!

Zumba fuses hypnotic latin rhythms andeasy to follow moves to create a dynamicworkout system that will blow you away.

Belly dance is properly known as RaksSharki or Oriental dance. It is a uniqueactivity that will work your entire body.

Belly dance fitness is for

FieldhouseTuesday | ThursdayRoom 129 | 6:30PM

Vie

w t

he M

usta

ng M

esse

nger

onl

ine

at h

arlin

gen.

tstc

.edu

/mus

tang

S T U D E N T A R T G A L L E R YA R T A N D P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y T S T C S T U D E N T S

Patti Quiroga, CSMT

YellowButterfly onLightbulbDIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Sebrina Schultz, DMDT

Viewing LifeFrom a TreeDIGITAL ART

Sarah Maldonado, DMDT

TulipDIGITAL ART

Ara Stevens, DMDT

Forgotten AngelDIGITAL ART

mustang messenger vol 4 issue 1

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