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SATURDAY, JANUARY 11

LIFE & ARTS Two Bush School professors host podcast discussing American politics A2

@THEBATTONLINE

SPORTS No. 10 men’s hoops to face historically good SEC in one of its best seasons in years B1

LAST DAY TO ADD/ DROP CLASSES

JANUARY 17

Republicans to regulate school choice, DEI in legislature State conservatives prepare renewed mandate following last year’s elections

By Nicholas Gutteridge Editor-in-Chief The 89th Texas Legislature convenes on Jan. 14 for the first time in two years, kicking off a monthslong session that will see Republican lawmakers attempt to pass school choice legislation, reinforce anti-DEI laws and review the role faculty senates play at universities. Following last November’s elections, Republicans enter the biennial meeting with an 88-62 majority in the Texas House of Representatives and 20-11 majority in the state Senate, a strengthened makeup for

Gov. Greg Abbott as he pushes his top priority: school choice legislation. “The governor is pushing the ESA school vouchers, the education savings accounts,” Bush School professor Ann Bowman said. “That is certainly an issue that was big during [election] campaigns in summer and fall, so that’s going to be at the top of the list.” If Abbott’s vision for the controversial legislation passes, Texas families would receive access to a state-funded account that can be used to fund private education. His last attempt to pass the initiative

in the 88th Legislature failed after fierce opposition from Democrats and rural Republicans who argued that funding private education would divert sorely needed money from public schools. The governor’s largest barrier, the Texas House of Representatives, fell during last year’s election after Republicans targeted school choice opponents in elections statewide. A day after the voting, Abbott said at least 79 of the 150 representative-elects supported the initiative and reaffirmed his commitment to passing it. LEGISLATURE ON A3

File photo by Robert O’ Brien — THE BATTALION

Gov. Greg Abbott on the sideline before the start of Texas A&M’s game against Ole Miss at Kyle Field on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.

Connecting with creatures

Tour Aggieland Safari, Brazos Valley’s zoo By Isa Chan Tack Life & Arts Writer There is a wild side to Aggieland waiting to be discovered — besides the crowds of people at Aggie football games. From small, playful otters and striped zebras to towering giraffes and grazing livestock, fascinating animals are eager to be met at Aggieland Safari. Originally a hunting range, the Aggieland Safari has since transformed into a place for wildlife education and entertainment that features everything from exotic animals to barnyard livestock. “We opened in 2019,” Matthew McIntyre, an Aggieland Safari manager, said. “They were originally a wild game ranch, and they converted it to a safari. We were purchased in 2020 by Parks America, so we have three parks total.” Covering several hundred acres, the safari offers participants opportunities to feed the animals in drive-thru stops and stroll the walkable areas to see the different species of birds, reptiles, otters and more that litter the area. “In the drive-thru, the animals come right up to the car,” McIntyre said. “They can feed them. For the walk-thru, we actually have feeding experiences, so they can actually feed the giraffes and our tortoises, our parakeets and our goats and pigs.” As for the safari’s most popular activities, the capybara encounters often come out on top. Led by a professional zoo keeper, attendees can enter the animal’s enclosure, pet them and even feed the largest rodents in the world their favorite treats.

Lillian Lopez — THE BATTALION

A visitor pets George the Giraffe at the Aggieland Safari on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.

SAFARI ON A3

Student finds voice through music Jessica Pardede uses passion, newfound confidence to build recording career

By Sophia Munoz Life & Arts Writer Her siblings are fast asleep in their beds, but Jessica Pardede is wide awake. Melodies often find the English junior at unexpected moments, keeping her restless until she captures them. Lyrics have been intertwined with her thoughts from a young age, making songwriting habitual. To Jessica, crafting an album as a full-time student seemed like the only natural response. In the summer of 2021, Olivia Rodrigo released her first album

“Sour”, which topped the charts and was one of the best-selling albums that year. Exploring themes of adolescent love, heartbreak and jealousy, the album serves as an important piece to young adults across the country. To Pardede, “Sour” inspired her to step outside her comfort zone and share her music with the world. “She’s very shy, reserved,” Jessica’s sister, biology senior Gwyneth Pardede said. “That’s always just been her from a very young age. So her starting to put out music — that was actually shocking to me. The first time she was just like, ‘Gwen

can you listen to my voice memo?’ I was like, ‘Voice memo?’ and then she played it for me. And I was like, this is so good, not even from a biased like, ‘You’re my sister. I’m gonna like it.’” Eva and Gerry Pardede raised their children with a love for music. Eva taught them how to play piano and enrolled them in lessons. Their father, Gerry, taught chords on his guitar, beats on drums and tips for singing. Despite all of the Pardede children being musically inclined, it was clear Jessica had a gift. SINGER ON A3

Chris Swann — THE BATTALION

English junior and musician Jessica Pardede sits for a photo in The Battalion’s studio on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024.