For the first time since UTRGV was formed, the campus community participated in Spirit Week, a series of events promoting school pride from Oct. 15 last Thursday.
Janet Peña, UTRGV spirit adviser, said The Herd members organized the Spirit Week events.
“They just took with it and looked at it as a university, then what to do and how to collaborate with other departments on campus,” Peña said.
The Herd is the official student organization that promotes school pride and ownership in the Vaquero nation.
It worked in collaboration with several departments, such as the Student Union, Campus Programing Board, Student Activities, Athletics and the Cheer and Dance Spirit Program.
Besides the events offered for students throughout the week, the departments at UTRGV showcased their school pride with an office decorating contest.
Departments had until Oct. 15 to decorate their offices, and photos of the decorations were published on The Herd’s Facebook page.
The UTRGV community could vote until 5 p.m. last Thursday and the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability were announced the winners during the “BelieVe in a Cure” volleyball game later that day.
DIY Trucker Hats with Student Athletes
Spirit Week kicked off with DIY Trucker Hats Oct. 15 in the Student Union on both campuses.
Students were invited to decorate their free trucker hats with UTRGV spirit-themed stencils and iron-ons. A selection of candies and soft drinks were provided as well.
“We wanted to do something fun that the students could have with them the whole week,” said Mabel Cortina-Matos, Student Union event manager.
The UTRGV Women’s Basketball Team arrived during the event and decorated their own hats. They wanted to get involved with the student body, according to Head Coach Lane Lord.
“We want all students [to] come out and support not only the basketball teams, but the other students that are involved in the Madness production,” Lord said.
Orange Out for Hunger
As part of Spirit Week, “Orange Out for Hunger” took place last Tuesday at the Student Union on both campuses.
Oct. 16 is World Food Day, celebrated in honor of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and to bring awareness of world hunger.
Students were encouraged to attend the event and donate two nonperishable foods that will go to the UTRGV Food Pantry.
On the Brownsville campus, Alejandra Ramirez, Cultural Committee chair for the Campus Programming Board, said CPB and Student Activities partnered with the UTRGV Food Pantry to educate students on the free services the food pantry offers.
“All the cans raised today will be donated to the food pantry and like we said, we brought the food pantry out to show that students could also have that opportunity to sign up for the services,” Ramirez said.
Sharon Martinez, Student Food Pantry attendant on the Brownsville campus, said that it is important to donate food to support students and people in the community who suffer from hardships.
“To donate food is a very kind of special gift for somebody,” Ramirez said.
A total of 21 cans were donated on both campuses.
Herd Birthday Bash
Student Activities hosted a celebration for The Herd’s first birthday last Wednesday in PlainsCapital Bank El Gran Salón on the Brownsville campus. On the Edinburg campus, the event took place on the Chapel Lawn.
Tony Forina, vice president of marketing for The Herd, said they wanted to keep the basketball theme for the upcoming UTRGV Madness by showing the new movie, “Uncle Drew,” and celebrating their birthday bash.
“Today is a year since the organization has formed and been created,” Forina said. “It’s kind of special to us, just kind of sharing this bond with other students here on both campuses.”
During the event, cupcakes, popcorn and soft drinks were provided.
BelieVe in a Cure
More than 400 people attended the “BelieVe in a Cure” Breast Cancer Volleyball Awareness game last Thursday in the Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus.
Adolios lounge in Brownsville hosted a watch party for the community.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to show support and create awareness, the volleyball players wore pink jerseys and fans wore pink T-shirts.
Analyssa Gonzalez, social work senior, said she attended the event as a member of The Herd.
“I’m one of The Herd wranglers, so it’s my job to motivate the students, to kind of keep them engaged throughout the game and we created cheers and keep the game going and pumped,” Gonzalez said.
The UTRGV’s Women’s Volleyball Team won 3-0 against California State University, Bakersfield in an intense match.
The event also served as a preview for UTRGV Madness, since a representative of each organization participating in Friday’s event had to do a solo performance between sets 2 and 3.
John Paolo, a graphic design freshman, represented the Filipino Student Organization and won the solo dance-off.
“I actually just knew about this tonight, it was kind of like a surprise,” Paolo said.
UTRGV Spirit Week culminated with UTRGV Madness last Friday in the Fieldhouse.
For photos of the event, visit utrgvrider.com.
—Ana Trujillo and Aaliyah Garza contributed to this report.
Angelica Portales an accounting junior attended the Orange Out for Hunger event to create awareness for as part of UTRGV’s Spirit Week on the Brownsville campus. JESSICA MENDEZ/THE RIDER
