Students show their Vaquero pride

The first week back to school was filled with music, free food, organization booths and activities for new incoming students to enjoy.

 To welcome new UTRGV students to a new year, UTRGV’s Student Activities, along with other organizations, hosted the Week of Welcome. The week offered various events that ranged from informative info depots to activities such as lotería at Viva Vaqueros.

 On Wednesday at the Edinburg campus, Viva Vaqueros took place. This event also happened on the Brownsville campus Jan. 13 on the Library lawn. Viva Vaqueros is a brand-new event that provides students the opportunity to meet representatives from different student organizations such as the Chess Club or the Delta Psi Alpha Fraternity. Students participated in games such as lotería, Twister and the ringtoss and were served free popcorn, water and mangonadas. 

Justin Alvarado, a finance junior, strives to have more Vaquero pride and is excited to see how much more he will have in the fall.

“Free water, free drinks, free food … a lot of cool activities,” Alvarado said about Viva Vaqueros. “It’s cool that there’s a lot of events, it’s not only in one spot, it’s all throughout the campus.”

 On the same day, The Rumble prepared students for Thursday’s basketball game as The Herd, UTRGV’s official student section of UTRGV Athletics, taught them how to cheer for their team. This event happened at the Vaquero Village on the Edinburg campus. 

Rie Gardner, a freshman anthropology major, showed off her Vaquero pride at The Rumble and said she is a committed Vaquero fan.

“I like to go to different events that are going on throughout the school so I can meet new people,” Gardner said. “I have a lot of spirit. … I think we could have more pride by bringing out more events. … College is a great experience to meet new people, make new friends.”

The Back to School Bash took place at the Vaquero Village on the Edinburg campus. Students enjoyed free s’mores, popcorn, hot Cheetos and cheese. Music blasted through the speakers, making the atmosphere vivid for everyone. Student organizations greeted the students as they passed by their booths and invited them to join their club. Inflatables were also available for students to enjoy. They could play soccer or baseball games with their friends. This event also took place on the Brownsville campus last Tuesday on the Student Union lawn. 

 Info depots were also part of the Week of Welcome. With various locations across both Edinburg and Brownsville campuses. These booths helped students with any questions they had for their first two days of school. They also offered drinks and pan dulce.

 The Week of Welcome ended with two women’s basketball games, one taking place last Thursday night after the Back to School Bash and another last Saturday night on the Edinburg campus.

“I think it’s a great turnout,” said Lauren Contreras, assistant director for Student Activities. “We are seeing a lot of students who don’t normally come to our events. We are really excited and we hope the students enjoy the event.”