TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022 VOLUME 112 ISSUE 4 www.UniversityStar.com
DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911
Students Seek Change in San Marcos playing cards Financial Aid Requirements
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Opinion: Loan Forgiveness
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SOCCER
Boko's Army: By Carson Weaver Sports Editor
Next to the bleachers and in front of the pitch, fans and players alike can hear the constant drum beat and the deafening cheers of Texas State soccer's most diehard fans, Boko's Army. They don't need to be there, but the Hill Country Church student organization, known as Boko's Army at soccer games, feels it's their obligation to keep crowd spirits high in order to support the Bobcats. Most of them have been coming to the soccer games for years. Jared Messick, a PhD biology student and member of the fan section, said that by being a loud presence at the games, members of Boko's Army feel that they make a big difference for the soccer team. "Keep the energy up for the girls," Messick said. "It's for the girls... we're just kind of cheering them on." Although the public enthusiasm and support for the team started last year on the sidelines, behind-the-scenes work for the
Soccer Gallery
Texas State soccer's biggest supporters soccer team started 16 years ago. Elizabeth Darnell, the "group mom" of Boko's Army, emailed former Texas State soccer coach Kat Conners looking for soccer lessons for her then five-year-old daughter. The players on the team at that time began giving Darnell's daughter lessons, attending her games and bringing snacks for her team. To return the favor, Darnell has been bringing snacks for the Texas State soccer team at the end of every home game since 2006. "I try to use... things that incorporate a little bit of healthy but a little bit of sweet," Darnell said. "Today, they're oatmeal jam bars... last week I did Rice Krispies." Last year, Boko's Army started bringing out all the stops to show their love for the Bobcats. A giant drum, a megaphone, flag carriers and colorful smoke devices are a few of the things the enthusiastic fan section has incorporated into their home game celebration.
SEE SOCCER PAGE 6 San Marcos resident Nick Martin leads Boko's Army into a chant on the sidelines before the start of a soccer game against Houston Baptist, Sunday, August 28, 2022, at Bobcat Soccer Complex. PHOTOS BY VANESSA BUENTELLO
Students express concern over recent monkeypox case MONKEYPOX
By Katie Smith Assistant News Editor
Texas State announced its first confirmed case of monkeypox on August 23, raising mixed emotions among students about the upcoming school year. As of last Tuesday, the Texas State campus has been buzzing with questions surrounding the individual who tested positive for monkeypox. How this infectious disease could potentially affect the university is an objective school staff is working toward addressing. Texas State Chief Medical Officer Dr. Emilio Carranco is working with the Hays County Local Public Health Department to protect and inform students about the disease. "Our job is to make sure that anyone who is infected in our community understands how to properly isolate so we can identify close contacts as quickly as possible," Carranco said. "Being aware of symptoms, getting tested as
soon as there's a concern, isolating yourself from others until you know for sure what's happening and wearing a mask are all things students should be doing." Students like Alexis Runnels, a wildlife biology junior, have no understanding of Texas State's current plan regarding outbreaks. "I would say I'm slightly concerned. I know a lot of people have various beliefs on its origin and really I would need to get more educated on the matter myself. But I am a little concerned on how Texas State is going to address it," Runnels said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the main cause of monkeypox transmission is close skin-to-skin contact, primarily through intimate activities. Carranco said the disease can take anywhere from two to four weeks to run its course, making it even more crucial to isolate and get tested immediately if symptoms appear.
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INFOGRAPHIC BY CHRIS SWANN