2-17-2026 Issue

Texas State furthers push to R1 status

By Arabella DiChristina Assistant News Editor

Focusing on five areas of research, Texas State continues to meet the requirements in order to become an R1 research institution.

R1 institutions are defined by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as institutions having high research activity, spending at least $50 million annually and graduating 70 doctoral students a year for three consecutive years. Texas State is set to achieve R1 status by 2027.

Vice President for Research Shreekanth Mandayam said Texas State intentionally selected the five main research areas to reinvest in the university.

Mandayam said the five research areas are: Semiconductors, artificial intelligence, aging and dementia, digital humanities, and water and the environment.

“We chose these five areas based on that ambition to be able to recruit

SEE RESEARCH PAGE 3

Drought conditions worsen in San Marcos

A sign that reads “AI runs us dry” hangs on a truck during a press conference held by the

Coalition, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at 904 Francis

By Arabella DiChristina Assistant News Editor CITY

Amid worsening drought conditions and a potential data center in San Marcos, government officials call for stricter water control.

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra called for Stage 4 restrictions and a moratorium, or pause, on permits for industrial developments that request more than 25,000 gallons of water per day.

Additionally, during its Feb. 17 meeting, the San Marcos city

council will hold its first vote on the data center proposed by Armbrust & Brown, PLLC, on behalf of Highlander SM One, LLC, with John Mayberry. As stated during its first presentation on Aug. 19, 2025, the proposed data center would have up to five separate buildings with an estimated total water usage of 20,000 to 35,000 gallons per day.

“However, relying solely on residential conservation is insufficient and unfair when high water demand industrial developments continue to be approved,” Becerra said.

Student releases debut thriller novel

By Linae Lewter Life and Arts Contributor

Charles Reynolds, criminal justice senior, didn’t plan to write an entire book by the end of 2025. However, he published his debut psychological thriller “Still Mine” on Jan. 20, all while being a full-time student.

Pulling inspiration from the criminal justice and forensic psychology principles he studies at Texas State, Charles used this book as equal parts creative outlet and case

study, funneling it all into his 500-plus page novel.

“I wanted to show the community that you can do more, you’re not just a student full-time,” Charles said.

“With the New Year, I kind of wanted to try new things … I was like, ‘You know what, let’s be creative, let’s put something together and go for it.’”

The novel follows Cassandra Blake, a college student who is haunted by the legacy of her killer father and the presence of a possessive ex-lover who was thought to be dead. Later,

she finds herself the prime suspect in a murder case and must uncover who framed her to clear her name.

When he was young, Charles watched classic shows like “Law and Order” and “Criminal Minds.” This began his long-standing interest in true crime, leading him to documentaries and podcasts. Though he had no writing experience, Charles felt a novel would be the best avenue to explore his creativity and all he’d learned at Texas State.

Filmmakers shine at local film festival

By Anaiya Brannon Life and Arts Contributor

From surviving a winter storm among friends to describing the complexities of love, three up-andcoming filmmakers had their films showcased at this year’s Lost River

Film Festival. The films explored the intricacies of friendships and romantic relationships while using distinct visuals to strengthen their themes.

The festival began on Feb. 5 at the Price Center in downtown San Marcos, with later showings on Feb. 8 at Texas State’s Theatre Center.

Feb.

Community members and organizations like the San Marcos Data Center Action Coalition have been organizing forums, protest and public comments to oppose data center applications before the San Marcos city council.

Becerra said the temporary pause will ensure long-term water security for residents and agriculture.

“We cannot allow our aquifers to be depleted in a single generation,” Becerra said. “What takes a millennium to recharge can be lost so quickly.”

SOFTBALL

Bobcats open home stand with States Up Invitational

By Ayden Oredson Assistant Sports Editor

As the softball season gets well underway, the Texas State Bobcats (5-4) returned to San Marcos to begin their month long home field advantage, starting with the States Up Invitational, which featured then-No. 18 Clemson, then-No. 11 Arkansas, BYU and Wichita State.

With the Bobcats playing against some of the best programs in the sport in this early stretch of the season, head coach Ricci Woodard emphasized the experience her squad needs as Texas State looks to compete in the NCAA Tournament at the end of the season.

“There’s not many mid-majors playing the schedule we have,” Woodard said. “We’ve got to understand what we have to do between now and May to get better.”

Here’s how Texas State fared in its first home series of the year.

Junior pitcher Madison Azua (22) pitches against Clemson, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. SEE DROUGHT PAGE 3

In Texas State’s 2026 home opener,

Hays County Primary Election Voter’s Guide

By Ryan Claycamp News Editor

The Texas Democratic and Republican parties will hold joint primary elections on Tuesday, March 3. Early voting runs from Tuesday, Feb. 17, to Friday, Feb. 27.

Primary elections are elections held by political

parties to decide who will appear on the November ballot. Winners of the March 3 primaries will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, midterm election ballot. Texas has open primaries, meaning voters do not need to register as a member of either party to vote in the primaries. Voters can only vote on one party’s primary ballot.

The Star compiled a list of all races with two or more candidates across both ballots.W. A full voter’s guide including every race and survey questions is available online.

Democratic Party Ballot Republican Party Ballot

U.S. Senator (Dem)

• James Talarico

• Ahmad R. Hassan

• Jasmine Crockett

U.S. Representative, District 21 (Dem)

• Regina Vanburg

• Kristin Hook

• Gary Taylor

U.S. Representative, District 27 (Dem)

• Wayne Raasch

• Tanya Lloyd

• “Stock” Castro-Menodza

Governor (Dem)

• Carlton W. Hart

• Jose Navarro Balbuena

• Bobby Cole

• Zach Vance Angela “TíaAngie” Villescaz

• Gina Hinojosa

• Andrew White

• Chris Bell

• Patricia Abrego

Lieutenant Governor (Dem)

• Marcos Isaias Velez

• Vikki Goodwin

• Courtney Head

Attorney General (Dem)

• Nathan Johnson Joe Jaworski

• Anthony “Tony” Box

Comptroller of Public Accounts (Dem)

• Sarah Eckhardt

• Michael Lange

• Savant Moore

Commissioner of the General Land Office (Dem)

• Benjamin Flores

• Jose Loya

Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Texas (Dem)

• Maggie Ellis

• Cory L. Carlyle

• Gordon Goodman

• Kristen Hawkins

Member, State Board of Education, District 5 (Dem)

• Victor Sampson

• Kevin Jackson

• Neto Longoria

• Stephanie Limon Bazan

• Allison Bush

• Abigail Gray

State Senator, District 21 (Dem)

• Judith Zaffirini

• Cortney Jones

District Judge, 428th District (Dem)

• Cassie Benoist-Templeton

• Joe Pool

• Bill Henry

Criminal District Attorney (Dem)

• Alfonso O. Salazar

• Landon Bryan Campbell

County Judge (Dem)

• Michelle Gutierrez Cohen

• Joel W. Martin

• Ruben Becerra

County Court-at-Law #2 (Dem)

• Chris Johnson

• W. David Friesenhahn Thomas Just

County Clerk (Dem)

• Cynthia A. Millonzi

• DeeDee Rodgers

• Nicholas “Nico” Costilla

County Commissioner, Precinct 2 (Dem)

• Johnny Flores

• Bryan Escobar

County Commissioner, Precinct 4 (Dem)

• Angie Unger

• Laurie Brown

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2 (Dem)

U.S. Senator (Rep)

• Ken Paxton

• Wesley Hunt

• Gulrez “Gus” Khan

• Virgil John Bierschwale

• John Cornyn

• Sara Canady

• John O. Adefope

• Anna Bender

U.S. Representative, District 21 (Rep)

• Weston Martinez

• Mike Wheeler

• James “Trey” Trainor, III

• Jason Cahill

• Paul Rojas

• Mark Teixeira

• Jacques DuBose

• Kyle Sinclair

• Peggy McCormick Wardlaw

• Daniel W. Betts Zeke Enriquez

• Heather Tessmer

U.S. Representative, District 27 (Rep)

• Chris Hatley

• Michael Cloud

Governor (Rep)

• Mark V. Goloby

• Arturo Espinosa

• Greg Abbott

• Evelyn Brooks Ronnie Tullos

• Kenneth Hyde

• Nathaniel Welch

• Pete “Doc” Chambers

• Stephen Samuelson

• R.F. “Bob” Achgill

• Charles Andrew Crouch

Lieutenant Governor (Rep)

• Dan Patrick

• Esala Wueschner

• Perla Muñoz Hopkins

• Timothy Mabry

Attorney General (Rep)

• Joan Huffman

• Chip Roy

• Aaron Reitz

• Kelly Hancock

• Christi Craddick

• Don Huffines

• Michael Berlanga

• Commissioner of Agriculture (Rep)

• Nate Sheets

• Sid Miller

Railroad Commissioner (Rep)

• Hawk Dunlap

• Katherine Culbert

• Bo French

• Jim Wright

• James (Jim) Matlock

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3 (Rep)

• Lesli Fitzpatrick

Brent Coffee

• Alison Fox

• Thomas Smith

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9 (Rep)

• John Messinger

• Jennifer Balido

• Rob McClelland

• Wm. Travis Crow

Justice, Supreme Court of Texas Place 7 (Dem)

• Maggie Hernandez Moreno

• Elizabeth Trevino Amaya

Editor-in-Chief: Blake Leschber stareditor@txstate.edu

Managing Editor: Rhian Davis starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu

News Editor: Ryan Claycamp starnews@txstate.edu

Life & Arts Editor: Carlene Ottah starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

Opinions Editor: Andrew Bencivengo staropinion@txstate.edu

Design Editor: Carson Rodgers stardesign@txstate.edu

Sports Editor: Adrian Ramirez starsports@txstate.edu

• Mayes Middleton Comptroller of Public Accounts (Rep)

Multimedia Editor: Meg Boles starmultimedia@txstate.edu

Engagement Editor: Tatum Pou starengagement@txstate.edu

PIR Director: Keely Florez starpr@txstate.edu

Web Editor: Alejandra Sosa-Lopez starweb@txstate.edu

Creative Service Director: Sophie Gerke starcreative@txstate.edu

TV News Director: Maci Gambrell startvnews@txstate.edu

Director: Laura Krantz, laurakrantz@txstate.edu

County Commissioner, Precinct 4 (Rep)

Scan the QR code view the full voter’s guide.

Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, February 17, 2026. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor-in-chief.

Corrections Policy: Errors appearing in the pages of The University Star and brought to our attention will be corrected as soon as possible. Publication

Contact

FROM FRONT RESEARCH

people from outside, across the country, compete for them and bring them to Texas and to Texas State,” Mandayam said.

During the State of Texas State speech, Texas State President Kelly Damphousse said 80 new doctoral students are starting in the fall. Additionally, Mandayam said Texas State exceeded $183 million in research expenditures in the fiscal year 2025.

Mandayam said Texas State wants to be known as the water university, especially with experts already at the university, and the state setting aside the Texas Water Fund.

“We have a lot of expertise in everything related to water and the environment, which includes water policy, water purification, dealing with the harmful effects of water, like flooding, sentinel species that depend on water, drought conditions, so water is huge,” Mandayam said.

Edwin Piner, professor and chair of the physics department, co-director for the material application research center, said semiconductors have electrical behavior engineered into devices, creating the heart and soul of all electronics.

“The interest in these [Ultra Wide Bandgap] materials in terms of devices would be in high power and high frequency, but more so high power electronics,” Piner said. “So what does that mean? I guess the example that most people could relate to would be like in an electric vehicle ... the way the power is distributed around the vehicle is different from one component to the next.”

Piner said he recently became the director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish the CREST Center for UWBG semiconductor device materials, semiconductors that are designed to perform under extreme conditions.

“The [UWBG] are based on the physics of these materials, we’ll have the best power conversion capability ... and therefore be able to operate at higher efficiencies and therefore less waste in energy to be able to do hundreds of volts, if not thousands of volts of power conversion in these types of systems,” Piner said.

Texas State was awarded a $7.5 million NSF grant to start the research for UWBG in August 2025. According to Piner, Texas State is still at the beginning stages of developing the materials.

Tahir Ekin, professor in the department of information systems and analytics and director of the Texas State center for analytics and data science, wrote in an email to The Star that AI research strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration, increases access to grants and enhances our national visibility.

“If we do not rigorously study AI—its

FROM FRONT DROUGHT

Becerra’s call for Stage 4 drought restrictions follows Gov. Greg Abbott’s renewal of a drought disaster proclamation on Jan. 28, aiming to combat the worsening drought in Central Texas.

Most water management authorities in Texas have five levels of drought restrictions, with one being the lowest and five the highest. However, the city of San Marcos only has three levels of restrictions and has been on Stage 3 restrictions for over a year.

capabilities, vulnerabilities, biases and resilience— we risk deploying systems that are powerful but fragile. Research ensures that AI is reliable, ethical and robust,” Ekin wrote.

Ekin wrote that AI is no longer a niche domain and studying it can influence decision-making systems, organizational processes, cybersecurity, healthcare diagnostics, financial markets, and public policy.

“My research focuses on the resilience and robustness of AI systems—particularly text-centric models—under adversarial conditions,” Ekin wrote. “As AI becomes embedded in organizational and cybersecurity infrastructures, we must understand how these systems behave when attacked or manipulated.”

Ekin said his goal is to ensure AI systems

The San Marcos River is fed by the San Marcos Springs, Canyon Lake and the Edwards Aquifer. Canyon Lake is currently under Stage 3 water restrictions, while the Edwards Aquifer is at a Stage 4 water restriction.

Jason Julian, professor in the department of geography and environmental studies, said he doesn’t believe San Marcos will run out of water, but the San Marcos River normally flows at 180 cubic feet per second, and it’s now at 80 and declining.

“Roughly 75% of our water comes from Canyon Lake, which is fed by the Guadalupe River, but during a drought like this, I think it’s higher,” Julian said. “We get more than 80% of our water from Canyon Lake right now.”

Julian said the Edwards Aquifer is approaching Stage 5 restrictions, the most severe on its scale. Stage 5 is triggered when the 10-day average Edwards Aquifer index well level reaches below 625 feet above mean sea level.

As of Jan. 16, the San Antonio

remain reliable in high-stakes environments.

Mandayam stated that aging and dementia research will cover everything from Alzheimer’s prevention to property design to help improve the quality of life as people age.

According to Mandayam, digital humanities is the bridge to all other disciplines, taking digital technology and bringing a deep humanities concept to it to figure out the ethics of it all.

Mandayam said he wants Texas State to reach $300 million in research expenditure, which would allow new scholarships, new equipment in labs for students, and for students to train with state-ofthe-art facilities and obtain skills that would better them in the workforce.

pool, which includes San Marcos, sits at an average of 628.7 feet.

According to Julian, the best way for San Marcos to find a new water source to pull from would be a water study to figure out how much water is available in the area. Hays County recently launched a countywide water study to plan for future needs for the first time since 2011.

Eunsang Cho, assistant professor of civil engineering in the Ingram School of Engineering, said increasing the population leads to a decrease in water quality and the amount of water available.

“If we can imagine, San Marcos River at some point is completely dry, the drought itself [is an] impact on its own; it disappears our playground,” Cho said. “... As a part of the community [we need] to be interested in how to make these rivers to continue and to make a kind of more sustained source of water.”

Cho said the drought is out of the direct control of residents; however, with effective and holistic management and planning

of infrastructure can lead to a better understanding of the drought and minimize people’s water needs.

According to Cho, one of his ongoing research projects is utilizing satellites to capture groundwater patterns and comparing them to the San Marcos River and nearby areas to understand what resources are around.

Virginia Parker, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation, wrote in an email to The Star that over 2.5 million people get their drinking water from the Edwards Aquifer.

“The population increase means that more people need drinking water and everyday uses, and the increase in industry means that more consistent users of water will depend on a natural resource that is subject to weather patterns,” Parker wrote.

Parker wrote that the San Marcos River Foundation hopes for a shift toward La Niña conditions, which will bring much-needed rain to the area, but also result in an increase in evaporation as the temperatures rise through the spring and summer months.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Opinions in The University Star are not necessarily those of our entire publication, Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

River protection vital for San Marcos’ future

By Editorial Board

Drought conditions in San Marcos are worsening, and soon they could dry up the city’s very identity.

The river has served as the lifeblood of the area for generations. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas in North America, and is central to the university and university life. At Texas State, the river remains front-and-center for students, from recreation to the university’s graduation ceremony, but now it is in dire need of help.

Nearly four years of worsening drought conditions have begun to fundamentally reshape San Marcos’ environment, demanding a new level of awareness and action from both students and longtime residents. The city is currently under the most severe drought restrictions and the Edwards Aquifer approaching historic lows.

Years of declining aquifer levels and rapid population growth have placed increasing strain on San Marcos’ water supply, reflecting challenges facing communities across the Hill Country. Yet, despite these warning signs, many residents and businesses continue to operate as usual, making few changes to their water use, which furthers the drought conditions.

For students, aiding in the drought may seem out of reach, but on a campus of thousands, even small individual choices can collectively make a measurable difference. With three feet left before the Edwards

Aquifer reaches Stage 5 drought restrictions, the most critical stage, the community cannot afford inaction.

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said during a press conference on Feb. 16 that the current trajectory is unsustainable, warning that immediate action is needed.

“We must act now. Protecting our water today secures our children’s future. To ensure we move forward with clarity and responsibility,” Becerra said. “We can no longer afford to make decisions without clear data and coordinated planning.”

Preserving the city’s water is

preserving its future. Without even small actions, the heart of the city could stop flowing.

Virginia Parker, Executive Director San Marcos River Foundation, wrote in an email to The Star that residents can make small changes to conserve water.

“The San Marcos River has been flowing about half of its average rate for a few years now due to the severe drought we are experiencing … without significant rain to refill the aquifer, the river will continue to subside.” Parker wrote.

With each drop in the river’s

flow, pressure mounts on local businesses and on the city’s ability to supply fresh water. Yet, hope has not completely diminished.

Students and residents can take simple, yet effective, steps to conserve water and lessen their impact. Checking apartments or homes for leaks, running the dishwasher only when full, and tracking utility usage through the San Marcos Utilities customer portal are all effective ways to reduce consumption, according to San Marcos Utilities.

Even these small actions, though seemingly trivial, have a significant impact when practiced by hundreds of people. For San Marcos, any action helps protect the river and the very future of the city.

The San Marcos River and the surrounding ecosystem have long been the heart of the city, drawing students and tourists to appreciate its beauty. Yet for all the river has given, far too little has been given in return.

Now, students and residents can ensure its preservation, and the city’s, for years to come. Ultimately, the city’s future will be defined by the choices made now.

“Whatever challenges we face, we must face them together. Because when we come together, that’s where we have a meaningful impact ... Hold your breath and count your dollars. See how far you can go. People first,” Becerra said.

Honoring our past, while building our future

Black History Month is a celebration as much as it is a call to reflection. It is a time to honor, remember and recognize that these spaces we occupy today were not always open to us.

At TXST one of the most defining moments in the university’s history happened on Feb. 4, 1963, when five Black students enrolled at what was then Southwest Texas State College. These students are now known as the “First Five.” Their courage opened the doors for generations after them and today their legacy is still honored through the First Five Freedom Hall,

a residence building for first year students that stands as a reminder that education was not always guaranteed for people like us.

We also recognize Shirley R. Harris, the first Black student to graduate from Southwest Texas State College, earning her bachelor’s degree in education in May of 1967. Her accomplishment was during a time when the university had only recently desegregated the years prior.

In their time of uncertainty they chose courage and because of them, the doors were opened for generations of Black students.

Black excellence has also thrived through student leadership organizations. Chapters of Historically

Letters to the Editor Policy

The University Star welcomes letters from our readers. Letters must be

300 words or fewer to be considered for publication. Writers must include their full name, mailing address, major and academic year designation (for students), phone number and e-mail address when submitting a letter. Submissions that do not include this information cannot be published. This information is seen only by the editors and is used to verify the identify of the letter writer. It is

Black Greek-letter organizations have played major roles in service and community.

For BSA, Black History Month is about honoring the foundation of those before us while continuing to build on it. We host educational programs, community events, or events that allow us to all be in the room together. Our goal is to ensure that Black students feel seen, supported, and heard.

Black history at Texas State is a story of students who walked on this campus in 1963 knowing they were going into something unfamiliar. It is the story of perseverance in the face of feeling unwanted. Black History Month reminds us that representation matters and remembering our campus

not used for any commercial purpose.

Interested in submitting a guest column? Scan the QR code.

Letters become the property of The Star and may be republished in any format. The letter may be edited for length and clarity. An editor will contact the letter writer if their letter is a candidate for publication. The Star will not run letters that are potentially libelous, discriminatory, obscene, threatening or promotional in nature.

Letters can be submitted to staropinion@txstate.edu or by mail to Attn: Opinion Editor, The University Star, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

FROM FRONT FESTIVAL

“I just kind of saw it as like a cool framing device for what could be a fun comedy movie. So, I wrote the script way back then in 2021,” Davis said.

The 15-minute film follows Jaden, Ezra and Alex: a group of three young adults struggling after a winter storm limits their access to food, water and power. Ezra and Alex have a mutual disdain for each other, creating tension throughout the film. The two constantly butt heads, with Jaden being the mediator. The uncomfortable dynamic between these characters, combined with the winter storm, builds to an explosive confrontation.

“The Burrito” was a passion project for Davis, and he was heavily involved in the creation of the film. He served as director, writer, producer and actor, as he played the role of Jaden. Davis also named films like “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “Perks of Being a Wallflower” as some of his directorial influences.

Davis shot the film in Los Angeles, though it canonically takes place in San Marcos. The influences of Texas State and San Marcos are in the final product with a line in the film referencing the “Sarah Street House,” a real house at 407 Sarah St. that Davis said is used by Texas State’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

Davis submitted his film to several different film festivals, though he said he was particularly interested in the Lost River Film Fest due to its connection to Texas State.

“A lot of the DNA of San Marcos and my love for where I went to school and that experience in my life is in the film,” Davis said. “And I couldn’t think of a better festival to play the film at other than Lost River.”

A Very Crowded Room

San Marcos-based filmmaker and geoscience alumnus Nate Wilburn

FROM FRONT THRILLER

directed “A Very Crowded Room,” featured at Lost River Film Fest on Feb. 8. The film centers around Violet Plight, played by Katherine Carabine, and her rambling phone call with Mark, played by Slade Allen, who remains off-screen.

Wilburn shot the film in one take. During the phone call, several strange characters appear in the background, such as clowns, arguing businessmen and men wearing colorful bags.

Wilburn started in music before branching off into directing. He said he has a wide variety of creative interests and believes directing allowed him to apply those interests all in one place.

He described the phone call between Violet and Mark as a constant throughout the film. He purposely included loud and visually interesting elements in the background to distract the viewer from Violet’s phone call. The contrasting background elements make the short film nonlinear and open for interpretation by the audience.

“I want to be able to take people’s eyes and put them from the left side of the frame, to the right side of the

“I’m not a reader, I never have been, but I think I’ve always had this part of my brain that is creative that I never knew how to fully express,” Charles said. “I think being interested in true crime and criminal justice, I was like … ‘What if I wrote a book? What if I put these ideas on paper?’”

Charles’ mother and social work alumna, Heidi Reynolds, was initially surprised that her son was penning a novel. After the shock wore off, she said she felt pride and joy as she watched her son move through the writing process and eventually selfpublish his first book.

“The greatest joy in my life has been watching my son grow into the man he is destined to become,” Heidi said. “Every parent wants their child to be not only successful but to find what brings them joy. It looks like he has found his passion, and I could not be more pleased [or] proud.”

For Charles, writing a novel during a busy fall semester was no easy task. He said his sudden passion for writing was strong, and it really mattered to see this novel through.

“There were times where my friends wanted to go out, and I’m like, ‘You know what, I’m not really feeling it, I want to stay home and write,’” Charles said. “I would be up until 4 a.m. sitting on my couch writing, throwing ideas on the wall, seeing what sticks, then waking up for an 11 a.m. class …

frame, back to the center of the frame or whatever it might be, and not have to tell you where to look,” Wilburn said.

The film has a host of nonsensical background characters and elements, some of which aren’t meant to be understood by the audience and others that are up for interpretation. Wilburn wanted the project to have an anti-AI message and made some characters embody the message, particularly a mad scientist character who appears near the end of the film.

“I think humanity within people is important,” Wilburn said. “I feel like that’s something that’s going away, funny enough. We like to do things that are very individualistic and forget that we’re all just better together, and I think AI perpetuates that individuality.”

When We Lock Eyes

“When We Lock Eyes” is a music video directed by Brianna Gapsiewicz, a film and journalism student at Southern Methodist University. The music video showcases original music

Sometimes I’d be writing during class like, ‘I can’t put this down!’”

Not only did Charles self-publish “Still Mine” this January, he also started a club called “True Crime Collective” (TCC), where Bobcats can engage in evidence-based discussion of real cases. He hoped taking the initiative to create his club would inspire other students to make the college life they want real, but he also did it to show himself that it was possible.

Jaymi Elsass, TCC advisor and Charles’ media and crime professor, said she was impressed with his ingenuity to “fill a gap” by starting his club and with his penchant for research.

“Students will say, ‘Yeah, I like that podcast’ … [Charles] goes beyond that and researches the background of these cases,” Elsass said. “He looks into stuff that didn’t get published. How many people listen to a podcast on their commute and take the time to look at the show notes and look at the links provided, and use those links to find other links that are relevant? He does all that on his own accord.”

Charles said he hopes this will inspire other students struggling with identity within the monotonous work and school cycle. He wants other students to see how much more they can be.

“If you have some ideas, you can definitely

by Emma Kate and first premiered at Lost River Film Fest on Feb. 8.

The music video is an exploration of love and the intense emotions that come with it. The video switches between dream sequences and reality and is shot using a gimbal to get visually complex shots.

Gapsiewicz first became interested in filmmaking in high school when she was a camera operator at her church. From there, she started her own freelance cinematography business called “BG Video Designs,” where she mostly works on documentaries.

“I just realized that I really loved [camera operation] and wanted to explore it on my own,” Gapsiewicz said. “So I started my own freelance cinematography business to teach myself more about camera techniques and editing.”

Kate and Gapsiewicz are close friends and students at Southern Methodist University, located in Dallas. They created the film for a class at the school, and from there, they sent the film out to different film festivals to have its first public showings.

Gapsiewicz used mood boards to plan the visuals before filming. She also worked closely with Kate to ensure the video fit Kate’s vision for the song.

“I had most of the creative control,” Gapsiewicz said. “I verified everything with her to make sure like, ‘Hey, does this fit your song?’ and she confirmed everything throughout the way. And if she had critiques, I implemented those and we kind of moved forward with that.”

accomplish them,” Charles said. “It’s going to take time, it’s going to take resources; however, it’s doable if you put your mind to it.”

“Still Mine” is book one in the Cassandra Blake Series and is available for order on Amazon. True Crime Collective meets at 6:30 p.m. every other Wednesday in Hines 206.

Scan the QR code to see more about the book.

Parra smashes multiple school records

By Luke Landa Sports Reporter

Senior distance runner Abigail Parra did not enter Texas State as a highly touted recruit expected to become a star. However, over four years of belief and grit, she has become exactly that.

Now the reigning 2025 Sun Belt Women’s Outdoor Track Performer of the Year, Parra has blossomed into one of the best distance runners in the conference, with a season that has turned the heads of many all over the country.

Parra specializes in the 3,000meter and the mile events. She has rewritten the Texas State history books on both races this year.

At the Ted Nelson Invitational in College Station on Jan. 24, Parra ran a 9:29.24 in the 3,000-meter event. This historic time broke the indoor school record, previously held by Leslie Romero, by more than 10 seconds and slotted her into first place in the Sun Belt with a 15-second lead over the next-fastest conference mark.

At her next meet, the Charlie Thomas Invitational on Feb. 7, Parra broke another indoor school record, this time in the mile. Parra ran a 4:40.41, surpassing her own record set last indoor season. She ranks first in the Sun Belt in the event.

“I want to continue to try to break records, whether they’re mine or not, and get well-balanced in all of my events,” Parra said. “I don’t want to just focus on one [event], I want to have a good range of distance.”

The foundation of the past two seasons was laid in a race that nearly slipped away two years ago. During her sophomore year in a 3,000-meter

race at the University of Houston, Parra fell behind the pack. Rather than conceding defeat, she clawed her way back into contention and crossed the line in third place.

Randal Grizzle, Texas State track and field distance coach, who has worked closely with Parra, said he remembers the day clearly.

“She had to dig deep,” Grizzle said. “That ended up being a defining moment in her career because she learned to trust her fitness and that she had more in the tank than she had given herself credit for.”

The growth and determination displayed by Parra over her tenure as a Bobcat has been consistent. In the 2023 indoor season, Parra recorded a personal best time of 10:59.30 in the

What followed was a dominant performance in the circle from junior pitcher Madison Azua.

The Sun Belt Conference’s Preseason Pitcher of the Year tossed a complete-game shutout against the Tigers, finishing with seven strikeouts and two walks. She gave up seven hits in the process, but Azua kept the Tigers at bay.

While Clemson’s bats were unable to produce runs, the Bobcats had timely hits that put them on top quickly and early in the bottom of the first. As Azua dominated in the circle, senior second baseman Katarina Zarate provided most of the scoring.

Zarate extended the lead from 1-0 to 3-0 with a two-RBI single into center field in the third before launching a line drive home run into left field in the fifth as the exclamation point.

“I’m just trusting the work that I do in practice, just trying to keep it simple and not trying to be someone I’m not,” Zarate said.

Friday: Wichita State, 10-3 L & BYU, 10-2 W

The Bobcats played a doubleheader on the second day of the tournament, going 1-1 against the competition.

The first game of the day was against the Wichita State Shockers, a contest that got out of hand almost immediately in the second inning when the Shockers chased starting pitcher Emma Strood from the circle early and proceeded to score five runs, all with two outs.

Wichita State retaliated quickly after the Bobcats struck back via a two-run shot from sophomore infielder Mayson Garrett, responding with three straight home runs and effectively putting the game out of reach.

When Texas State returned later that day to face BYU, the results were much different.

The first five innings between the Cougars and Bobcats were a pitchers’ duel between Azua and BYU senior Kaysen Korth. Entering the bottom of the sixth, the game was tied at two apiece.

The dam finally broke as Texas State’s offense broke through with a barrage of RBI singles, capped off by a Zarate home run that ended the game in a run-rule victory for the Bobcats, allowing them to rebound from the earlier loss.

“I didn’t think that we had anything really going for us all day until the last inning,” Woodard said. “But again, it’s a sign of a good team that can come out and figure out a way to win a ballgame when things aren’t going our way.”

Sunday: No. 11 Arkansas, 9-0 L

Following a rain delay on Saturday that pushed the game to early Sunday, the Bobcats anticipated

3,000 meter. Now in her 2026 indoor season, Parra has improved her time by a minute and a half, reflecting years of development.

Teammates see the effort Parra puts in, and many say they are inspired. Junior Alexia Macias, who competes in the distance medley relay with Parra, said she praises her teammates character and work ethic. Macias said working alongside Parra has motivated her to set personal goals of her own.

“I definitely do look up to [Parra]. She’s very kind, even when the race is really hard, she’s always very positive,” Macias said. “We train together, so I’m thinking like if [Parra] is breaking these records, I’m pretty motivated to have my own records.”

Parra said the results are a product of time put into perfecting her craft.

“It gets easier to be more consistent when you do it longer, so since I’ve stacked another year of experience and training onto this one, it’s just continuing to build,” Parra said. “It’s the process that we have to trust, you’re gonna gradually get there, it may take time, but you’ll eventually get to where you want to be.”

Parra and the Bobcats will look to continue racking up achievements when they compete at the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championships Feb. 23-24 at Birmingham Crossplex in Birmingham, Ala.

getting even with a squad they lost to in their season opener last year.

However, Texas State was met with a team that was scorching hot over the weekend and, on top of that, the Bobcats were dealing with some inconveniences, including the absence of star senior first baseman Aiyana Coleman from the lineup.

The offense was blanked while the Razorbacks took advantage of windy conditions and launched multiple long balls, scoring runs in every inning but the first.

In the end, the Bobcats were run-ruled but were the only team to not give up double-digit runs to Arkansas this weekend. Additionally, multiple players who aren’t usually in the starting lineup came in and got valuable experience against one of the top programs in the country.

Texas State’s long stretch at home will continue as the Bobcats host the River State Classic this coming week. The Bobcats will open the tournament at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

State

San Marcos

Mardi Gras King Jude Prather (left) and Queen Kathy MartinezPrather (right) ride with their daughter in the Annual Mistick Krewe of Okeanos San Marcos Mardi Gras Parade, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Downtown San Marcos. The Prathers were elected the 2026 King and Queen at the Twelfth Night Party.

THIS WEEK IN SMTX