TUESDAY September 3, 2024 VOLUME 114 ISSUE 4 www.UniversityStar.com
Incoming TXST student’s message lives on after death to fentanyl overdose By Lesdy Hernandez News Reporter Driven, well-spoken and loyal are only some of the words Angela and Gavin Wright used to describe their 18-year-old son Matthew Wright who died from fentanyl poisoning on May 2, 2024. Texas State welcomed 8,182 new freshmen this fall, making it the largest freshman class in university history, however Matthew is one student absent amongst the class of 2028. The youngest of three boys, he had just been accepted into Texas State University when he unexpectedly died from taking counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. He planned to pursue a degree in psychology to advocate for mental health and help others who were struggling.
Weed decriminalized in San Marcos but not TXST By Ryan Claycamp Senior News Reporter The T exas O ffice of the Att orney Gen eral (OAG) has appealed the dismissal of its lawsuit against San Marcos over marijuana decriminalization. However, neither the dismissal nor the appeal affect m arijuana e nforcement a t Texas State. The a ppeal w as fi led ju st on e da y af ter Ju dge Sherri Tibbe of the 453rd Judicial District in Texas ruled the state did not have the jurisdiction to sue. The lawsuit will now go before the 3rd Court of Appeals. “I think the appeals about [the case] being appealed are like any of the concerns we had previously, I think it is ultimately up to a judge’s interpretation of the law,” Eric Martinez, executive director of Mano Amiga said. The l awsuit w as o riginally fi led by At torney General Ken Paxton against Austin, Killeen, Denton, Elgin and San Marcos on Jan. 31. The OAG believes cities cannot decriminalize marijuana without violating state drug laws. Mano Amiga was one of the organizers behind Proposition A, the 2022 ballot measure that decriminalized up to four ounces of marijuana in San Marcos.
“From the moment we were visiting the campus he said, ‘oh this is definitely more my vibe and they gave me a bigger scholarship’,” Angela said. “He was really looking forward to it and we were excited for him.” Matthew grew up in Cedar Park with his older brothers, Nathan and Sean, who shared what Gavin and Angela described as a typical, spirited sibling rivalry. “I am also the youngest of three, so I bonded with him on that and you could see there were definitely times he would show off trying to impress his brothers,” Gavin said. “You could see he was definitely trying to make them proud and they were.”
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PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGELA WRIGHT
Matthew Wright poses with University Interscholastic League medal after his win with the Cedar Park High School Band in November 2021.
Texas State dean brings Olympic values, experience to campus By Brendan Fielding Assistant Sports Editor With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in the rear-view, many around the world have renewed senses of hope and competition, but John Fleming, Texas State’s Dean for the College of Fine Arts and Communication, always has them. As an Olympic torch bearer, Fleming strives to bring the foundational values of the Olympic games to Texas State. Approaching the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Fleming received an entry form from his teacher for an application to a Milwaukee business competition. The prize was participating as one of 10,000 Americans and 675 Greeks to escort the Olympic flame to Los Angeles via torch-running. “[The competition] was basically based on grades, community service and an essay,” Fleming said. “It just happened that I was also a distance runner at the time, that I ran track and cross country at the same time.” The 18-year-old Fleming earned his place in the competition by excelling in his academics and being an active member of his community. However, the thoughtful values he displayed in his entry pushed him over the line, bringing him the opportunity to run for his country and the world as a whole. “The Olympics represent a time when countries can set aside their differences and come together to engage in peaceful competition,” Fleming said in his 1984 competition entry. “The Olympic torch is a ray of hope for unity and shows the burning desire for peace. I want to be a part of this movement that carries the torch of peace.”
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PHOTOS BY KOBE ARRIAGA
Texas State Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, John Fleming, hangs his plaque and Olympic torch in his office, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Old Main.
Though 4 0 y ears p assed s ince t his e ntry, t hese values have held true to Fleming, and he uses them to propel Texas State’s College of Fine Arts and Communication to a higher level with strengthened merit.
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kicks off football season By Chloe Rawlinson Life and Arts Contributor Throughout The Square, local businesses decorated their storefronts in spirited shades of maroon and gold, preparing for the start of the college football season. Back the Bobcats, an event aimed to boost school spirit across San Marcos, returned for its second year to kick off the 2024 Bobcat
Football season from Aug. 23-31. Presented by Texas State Athletics, Zelicks Icehouse and the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, local businesses were encouraged to participate in a decorating contest by demonstrating school spirit on the inside and outside of their buildings. Many of them painted windows and hung decorations on their buildings on The Square.
KnD’s Boutique, located at 312 N LBJ Drive, participated in the contest this year. The store was decorated with a balloon arch and maroon and gold streamers. Boko also made an appearance, dancing with the San Marcos High School drill team to music played by the high school’s drumline. Kristan Machado, KnD’s Boutique owner, said she hoped to win Most Spirited this year.
SEE SCHOOL SPIRIT PAGE 6 ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH MANNING