LIFE & ARTS
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HOOKMAN CREATES BLOOD FOR SPECIAL EFFECTS
SPRING FOOTBALL GAME SHOWCASES QB ROOM
SAN MARCOS OFFER LABOR COURSES
TUESDAY April 15, 2025
VOLUME 114 ISSUE 29
TEXAS STATE MAKES A SPLASH AT
RIVER FEST ‘25 By Diego Medel and Hope Jimenez Engagement Editor & News Contributor
“I’ve done thousands of shows over the past 10 years,” Mike Posner said, looking out over the crowd gathered at Sewell Park. “And I truly believe they were all for this moment. Right now.” Moments like these defined River Fest 2025, an evening of music, mud and motion at Texas State’s beloved Sewell Park. The festival brought out thousands of students for a day by the San Marcos River, filled with live performances, food trucks, floating crowds and sun-drenched activities spread across the park.
Airbrush tattoos buzzed beside booths selling thrifted tees, bags and refreshments. Students lounged on blankets across the lawn, floated in kayaks and waded knee-deep in the San Marcos River while DJs spun remixes on the stage. Somewhere between the euro bungee, the caricature station and the lines for tacos, River Fest created an atmosphere that felt less like a concert and more like a campus-wide block party. “I love being out in the sun, and I got to get in for free,” Cayden Potter, a first-year transfer student volunteering at the event, said. “I really think this is cool.” For many, the riverside setting
added to the experience. “There were people swimming and people in kayaks watching it,” Nora Parkhurst, an English junior attending her first River Fest, said. “Honestly, I thought having it by the river made it more fun.” Beyond the crowd, local vendors added another layer to the event. From student organizations fundraising for philanthropy to small business owners selling handmade goods, the park transformed into a temporary marketplace.
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KATE MADDISON | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
(Top Left) Journalism junior Maci Gambrell reacts as she notices her friends on the other side of the river at River Fest in Sewell Park, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in San Marcos. NATHAN MOYA | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
(Top Right) Loud Luxury takes the stage during River Fest at Sewell Park, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in San Marcos. DIEGO MEDEL | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
(Bottom) Students wave their hands to the left during DJ and producer ACRAZE’s set at River Fest 2025 in Sewell Park, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in San Marcos.
International students face immigration, visa changes By Ryan Claycamp Assistant News Editor
Editor’s Note: The international student who spoke with The Star was granted anonymity due to concerns about their legal status. Two Texas State students had their immigration statuses changed revocations of visas and legal status for international students across Texas. On April 11, Jayme Blaschke, a university spokesperson, confirmed in an email to The Star that two students were notified that there was a change in their immigration status and Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) status. “To protect student privacy, we are not sharing individual details,” Blaschke wrote in his email. “However, we are assisting the affected students by connecting them with appropriate resources. TXST is committed to supporting our international students while complying with all state and federal laws.” When asked to clarify what resources would be provided, the university reaffirmed their previous statement, but did not provide additional details.
SEE GOVERNMENT PAGE 7
ALLISON DRINNON | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
Bobcat Pride Scholarship Fund (BPSF) staff member Morgan Bennett (Right) and Simeon Kalvin (Left) dance together at the BSF 15th Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Wake the Dead Coffee House.
Bobcat Pride Scholarship Fund marks 15 years of advocacy, love for community By Cady Clements Life and Art Contributor
Sounds of laughter and joy filled Wake the Dead Coffee House on Saturday afternoon as the San Marcos community celebrated the continuous support of LGBTQ+ residents in Hays County. The Bobcat Pride Scholarship Fund (BPSF) is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that dedicates itself to the LGBTQ+ residents of San Marcos. On April 12, BPSF reflected on 15 years of supporting LGBTQ+ residents with the theme ‘Love Will Keep Us Together.’ Speakers at the event said the theme was chosen for its powerful resonance with the community, reflecting the spirit of inclusivity and unity that defined the organization’s mission for the past 15 years. Todd Papke, BPSF’s marketing director and Texas State alumnus, said the organization experienced many
changes over the years. “It’s amazing that [BPSF] is still going after so long,” Papke said. “There are a lot of things that can trip up a nonprofit organization like this.” For its 15th birthday bash, the BPSF held a silent auction and hosted live music by Vic Cole. Heather Aidala, BPSF executive director, said her favorite part of the day was seeing a community committed to getting involved and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. “It just brings a lot of joy to be able to be in community, especially in such a time that can be so distressful,” Aidala said. BPSF provides two types of scholarships for LGBTQ+ residents: the Jeremy O Torres Emergency Stabilization Fund and the Victor Saldivar Academic Scholarship.
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