The UIW Pop Culture Magazine

MEET THE STAFF

Head Editor

Mackenzie Conant

Assistant Layout Designer

Aldo Palacios

Contributing Writer

Danna Ramos

Assistant Editor Aislyn Bradford

Assistant Layout Designer

Angelina Rodriguez

Contributing Writer Andrea Inestroza

Assistant Editor Paige Heller

Contributing Writer

Natalia Valenzuela

Head Layout Designer Klarysa Saldana

Contributing Writer McKenna Moczygemba

Social Media Manager Nydia Perez Photographer Matthew Jurenovich

Contributing Writers: Zoe Del Rosario

EDITOR’S NOTE

AISLYN BRADFORD MEET

“Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?” But, most definitely, “I have been changed for good.”

Welcome back, RED readers!

We are now nearing the end of yet another semester. Some of our Cardinals are approaching the end of their journey here at UIW, while others are only just settling in at the Nest. Either way, I hope this semester has brought you joy and a sense of gratitude despite any hardships you may have faced along the way. As a junior, my favorite part of UIW by far is its culture. Here in the heart of Alamo Heights, I have found my own “home-awayfrom-home.” There is something special about the sense of community at our university, which values connection and fosters friendship. Even as our school continues to grow each year, there is still an intimacy in our familiar halls and campus celebrations. No matter how far along you are in this chapter of your life, remember that you’re not walking it alone—there are mentors, family, and friends here to encourage and support you along the way.

I am not the same person I was when I first set foot on the brick pathways of this campus. I have done things I didn’t expect, made friendships that continue to blossom, and endured some of the most difficult challenges yet. Not every part of the journey was wonderful, but I would do it again a thousand times over. As beautifully sung in Wicked, “who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?” But, most definitely, “I have been changed for good.” So, readers, as you read through this edition of RED Magazine, I invite you to reflect on how you have changed since the start of your journey here and who you will continue to become. Here’s to change, challenge, community, and the many chapters ahead.

@galvezphysique @galvezphysique

CARLOS GALVEZ

By: Andrea Inestroza Rodríguez

Carlos Galvez, known on Instagram as @galvezphysique, has become one of the standout fitness personalities followed by UIW students. With partnerships like Celsius and Evogen Nutrition, Carlos has built a brand rooted in discipline, authenticity, and a genuine love for the gym. But what makes him even more recognizable is the unexpected balance he brings to fitness culture by mixing intense training content with funny, relatable reels that show his personality beyond the weights.

Carlos first started posting to track his own progress, but quickly realized people connected with the honesty of his journey. His videos highlight real training sessions, lifestyle moments, and the mindset behind building a stronger version of yourself. At the same time, his humorous reels that go from gym jokes to playful POVs show a lighter side of the fitness world, helping followers see that growth doesn’t always have to be serious. When asked about his impact, Carlos keeps things grounded. “I don’t think of myself as famous,” he says. “I just try to lead by example and show people what consistency can do.” His mix of motivation and humor has made his page a go-to spot for students looking for both inspiration and a good laugh between classes. His audience connects not only to his work ethic, but to the vulnerability he occasionally shares. Carlos openly talks about the importance of patience, growth, and the internal battles that come with self-development. His storytelling allows followers to see the real person behind the perfect workouts, someone who shows up every day, even when motivation is low. This honesty is what continues to draw people in, allowing his brand to stand out in a saturated fitness space. As his platform continues to grow, Carlos hopes to expand into more training guides and collaborations while staying true to what made people follow him in the first place: authenticity, discipline, and a sense of fun. Whether viewers come for the workouts or stay for the funny relatable reels, @ galvezphysique stands out as a creator who brings both strength and personality to the UIW community.

created by Angelina Rodriguez

A lot of people say “ a boys room is full of all the things he’s ever loved” and I feel like my personal style shares that same type of idea

My name is Teejan Diallo and I was ecstatic once I heard about this.

I draw a lot of inspiration from skate culture at times, comfor table but also like cool

To be honest, I kinda aim to dress like how I thought teenagers dressed when I was a kid. That has led to a lot of long sleeves under t-shir ts and Converse I sometimes like to “experiment ” with outfits, and tr y something different I feel like that ’ s pretty impor tant in fashion to be honest

One thing I love is fashion and expressing yourself through what you wear

It ’ s a big confidence booster and conversation star ter when going around in something that makes you comfor table and confident!

As a kid I was mostly styled by my mom but as I grew up I was excited to experiment with my own style.

-Teejan Diallo

I’ve always loved dressing up, and I love it more now because it ’ s a way I express myself, since my style is so varied For me, fashion is a way to express yourself and I love showing it off because it gives a sense of who I am I don’t focus on one style, I love experimenting with ever y style there is

I think now that I have a grasp on who I am as a person and what I like I’ve found how I like to dress and express myself through that

I think the biggest thing I’ve noticed about my style is just how broad it is, especially when I was younger. It was a combination of what my friends wore, w parents bought, and what I found comfor tabl

I wasn’t all too serious about fashion growing up, even though I was a well dressed baby.

I didn’t star t to care more until the end of high school when I died my hair pink and star ted to dress more “cutesy ”

But then I saw The Lost Boys for the first time and knew that I wanted an edgier look

My style is still all over the place- but it ’ s me, bo of ever yone around me.

Now I hate leaving the house without a full fit

I moved to Austin after I graduated and it ’ s there where I found a love for thrifting and outfit building

-Katelyn Padalecki

Fashion has always been a fun and creative way to express myself and explore different feelings in the form of new styles.

Even the simplest of pieces mean something when paired with new textures and colors. To me, fashion is expression!

-Ava Hernandez

Tstudent life culture student life culture

by McKenna Moczygemba

living in living in the loop the loop

ikTok and Instagram are at the center of Generation Z Through individually crafted algorithms and user-friendly devices, the apps have become a cornerstone of not only our individuality but our society as a whole Due to this, you can see trends circulating with huge popularity on each app You have your staple videos, such as 'day in life' and 'fit checks'. On the other hand, you have your new and current trending videos, which are altered to capitalize on current popularity and seasonal trends.

Mariah Carey has defrosted and so has our childhood hearts. As an example of the current trend, I assume most readers have noticed the recent surge in nostalgia, particularly with the approaching Christmas season. We see this on TikTok, specifically as the platform approaches the subject with early 2000s photos of classrooms decked out for Christmas. Or photos of what it looks like to be a child through the lens of seeing our childhood homes in a warm yellow filter, which is often connected with the feeling of happiness.

By taking it back in time, TikTok viewers can also see trends like the 'trad wife' trend, where women are seen doing things like making sourdough bread with perfect hair, makeup, and outfit on. A great example of this is the Ballerina Farms TikTok, which shows her lifestyle on the ranch Growing her family, chickens, and even her long hair Or Nara Smith in her cooking videos, where she seems to have it all together at the young age of 24, making meals, toothpaste, and even lotion all from scratch Showing the perfect life of sorts, in combination with her model husband, Lucky Blue Smith

Ultimately, time comes and goes. But at the root of our society lies the trends and nostalgia that revisit us.

-Aislyn Bradford

Looking Back and Inspiring the Nex t Generation

If there is a perfect word to describe my time at UIW, it would be foundational Starting my freshman year, I was determined to join UIWtv because I had an interest in television, but little did I know it would mark the beginning of my career as a sports journalist When I first volunteered for UIWtv, I was amazed by the studio, the cameras, the lights, and the talent; I knew I had to be a part of the organization At the beginning of my sophomore year, I was blessed to be hired as UIWtv ’ s program director, and the rest is history

My tenure as UIWtv ’ s program director started alongside an entirely new group of officers in the middle of the COVID -19 pandemic. Despite the challenging times we were living in, we all had the same hunger to rebrand and take UIWtv to the next level. Even with the campus being almost empty due to the pandemic, we still produced five newscasts in the fall and in the spring, all while raising the production value with brand new graphics, including a new show open and teases.

UIWtv was my introduction to TV news and sparked my passion for broadcasting. As program director, I learned to be a manager, producer, reporter, and anchor P utting together more stories boosted my reporting confidence I found joy telling the stories of our athletic teams As we produced more newscasts, I grew to understand what made a solid producer, and I wanted to do even more In the spring of my junior year, I produced my own sports show, The Cardinal Huddle, with a talented team, which became one of my biggest accomplishments

I feel extremely proud of the work my friends and I did at UIWtv. We made history after winning the station’s first L one Star Emmy NATAS Student P roduction Awards in various categories, including best college newscast. I am honored to have won the best sports story category with a report I produced featuring the Vision Enhancement Clinic on campus However, my biggest accomplishment was not the awards: it was finding my career path

This is why my biggest advice for students in Comm Arts is to get involved If it were not for my work at UIWtv, I would not have gotten the internships that led me to land my first TV job straight after graduation Getting involved with the incredible student media organizations we have on campus allows you to gain experience, build relationships, and, most importantly, find your passion I cannot stress enough how important it is to have experience and exposure in the field of communications, and what better way to acquire it than by taking advantage of what our great school offers. And if there is not an organization that truly speaks to you, start one, but whatever you choose, be sure to take full advantage of your time in school. Go Word!

-Zoe Del Rosario

How to Have a Christma s

By: Mackenzie Conant

If there was ever a trend to be biased about, the “Ralph Lauren Christmas” one takes the cake for me every time From tartan decorations, bronze brass, and tailored blazers and Polo hats, the vibe is absolute class and elegance with hints of cinnamon mixed in to really express a holiday vibe

The trend began mid-July as a foreshadowing of what would be trending come the holiday season due to the Ralph Lauren (RL) brand’s increasing popularity this year. For so long, the fashion brand screamed exclusivity and only available to the elite, but now with the resurgence of thrifting vintage Ralph Lauren pieces and dupes of their Americana style home decor available every where, anyone can achieve a Ralph Lauren Christmas.

As I mentioned, one doesn’t need to shop at the Polo Outlet or online at Ralph Lauren to make their home and their wardrobe feel classy On the contrary, the tools they need to create the polished look of an RL Christmas are right at their fingertips Influencers on TikTok and Instagram have been doing their due diligence in sharing their own finds from HomeGoods, Amazon, or even Goodwill with their followers. Whether it was a vintage Polo crewneck or a red and green plaid table runner, they saw the vision and set out to create it on a friendly budget, of course.

itself focuses more on the home, the allure of winter wardrobe is not too far behind The Ralph calls for moodier colors like navy, burgundy, deep of tartan here and there to incorporate into your riding boots with belted dresses and a trench coat makes for the perfect “old money ” look that Ralph for If anything, the aesthetic is rooted in layers So, Oxford button down to go with your straight leg nd add a sweater on top of that, and while you’re at ored blazer to top it all off If all else fails, simply urn on an episode of Gilmore Girls (season 4-5 preferably) to garner ome inspiration for the look After all, Rory Gilmore’s college outfits never fail

Whether you are strictly decorating like Ralph or dressing like him, I hope you fully take part in this fun and classic trend this holiday season because YOU can This aesthetic is for all and the more creative you are in accomplishing it, the more fun it becomes I personally think the man behind the brand would be proud So, from me to you, happy holidays and have a merry Ralph Lauren Christmas!

Nobody’s Son, Everybody’s Princess

Sabrina Carpenter solidifies her talent in saturday night live

by danna ramos

One thing SNL has done right these last few seasons is getting hosts and musical guests that are appealing to their younger audience. A great example of this is Sabrina Carpenter acting as both host and musical guest this season. Now, I’m extremely biasedd as I’ve been a fan of Sabrina’s since her start on Disney Channel and the Eyes Wide Open debut (never forget this diva), but this girl knows how to put on a great show for all audiences.

Starting with the cold open, although the Domingo sketch may be stretched at this point, only Sabrina can execute it right to keep me giggling. Her opening monologue was a little bit rushed, probably due to the delay of the start of the show, but she knew how to joke about herself. The thing a lot of people don’t know or understand is the type of humor Sabrina has; It’s very dry, and very sarcastic, and that’s why her dirty jokes and wittiness always hit the mark.

Next up, I think it is important to highlight some of the sketches like the Podcast, where Carpenter and the cast members poke fun at how boys talk online today, the Girlboss Seminar that shows the extremes of absurdity some people take the “girlboss” mentality, and the Surprise skit that, in my opinion, rectifies how solid of a comedian Ashley Padilla is (but that’s a conversation for later). All these sketches show how the writers and comedians are up to date with online trends and know how to read their audience and make them laugh.

Of course, I cannot go without mentioning Sabrina’s performances. The first song she sang was the first single off Man’s Best Friend, “Manchild.” With a setting that mirrored a bedroom and wardrobe that added to her cheeky, provocative, yet playful style, the pop singer gave us vocals, her viral dance, and an overall great performance! Later in the show, she performed “Nobody’s Son,” one of her most popular songs on TikTok, where she focused a lot on the storytelling through the visuals. The setting was in a dojo ,and that helped her match the music to her actions. Such a fun and fresh way to perform a song live for the first time on national television!

Overall, Sabrina Carpenter had a great and fun episode of Saturday Night Live. Like I said, I am very biased, but it would be ridiculous to not accept that she is a well-rounded show woman! Her humor, her vocals, and her wit fit perfectly with what SNL is and looks for, and I have no doubts that she’ll be back soon!

-xoxo, danna <3

Closing Rema rks Closing Rema rks

"There are places I'll remember. All my life, though some have changed" – The Beatles

Red has been an amazing part of my college journey. I still remember the exact moment that the idea for this publication came. I was talking to students at other universities at TIPA in 2024 when they had mentioned their student-ran magazine. It was in that exact moment that I knew this was something that we needed at our university. Later that day I spoke to fellow students and the professors about the idea which sparked a fire to bring it to life and who better to run it than Mackenzie with the help of me and others. Since we’ve started it, we have seen the growth of it from new writers to covering more than just communication arts.

I am so thankful that I have gotten to be a part of Red journey and I cannot wait to see where it goes. With graduation around the corner this will be my last edition. Filled with so many emotions, the one I feel the most is gratitude. I want to give thanks to our readers who continue to inspire us, to the staff who continues to make this dream a reality, to the professors who gave us the okay to pursue this idea, and to Mackenzie who has done amazing with this publication. Here is to an amazing year with hopes that next year is even better. I hope you enjoyed this edition of Red!

All my love,

Paige Heller