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The Student News Site of Texas State University

The University Star



The Student News Site of Texas State University

The University Star
The Student News Site of Texas State University

The University Star









All content by Haley Velasco
Texas State journalism senior Haley Velasco poses with her stories, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at the Trinity Building.

Shining bright at The Star

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
December 5, 2023
Public administration senior Jacob Graybill (left) assists students with voter registration forms, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in front of Alkek Library.

Texas Rising at TXST encourages students to vote, find individual voices

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
November 8, 2023
A student decorates the Día de los Muertos display, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, at the Education Building.

TXST celebrates Día de los Muertos in display

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
November 6, 2023
Robert Jimenez (left) carries his son Adam Jimenez (right) while making jewelry at the first shop for San Jose Jewelers, 1995, in Waco, Texas.

Southwest Texas State alumnus provides hidden jewel for Texas State students

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
October 23, 2023
Post-Hardcore band End of Evergreen preforms at the Frights & Sounds Music Festival, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, Sean Patrick's Brew Pub, Alley Stage.

San Marcos celebrates music with annual Frights and Sounds festival

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
October 19, 2023
Texas State professor Eraldo "Dino" Chiecchi flips through his book "Josue: A Young Man's Life Lost to Suicide," Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in his office at Old Main.

Texas State professor spreads suicide awareness with his new book

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
October 5, 2023
Karina Bozanich (left), actress for Tilly in "She Kills Monsters," and Hatlyn Barricklow (right), actress for Agnes in "She Kills Monsters," rehearse a scene in "She Kills Monsters," Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at the Performing Arts Center.

[Photo] Theatre department handles grief in new play

Bianca Thomas, Life and Arts Contributor
October 3, 2023
Festival goers share a laugh before the Mermaid Promenade starts, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in San Marcos.

Mermaids dive into Mermaid Society’s annual festival

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
September 28, 2023
Gabriella Thurow, an exploratory freshman, climbs up a rock wall, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at The Rec.

[Photo] Climbing Club reaches new lengths for more members

Bianca Thomas, Life and Arts Contributor
September 22, 2023
Business management junior, Bailey Stewart checking dishes, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023 at Grins Restaurant.

Sharing smiles at Grins: Customers reflect on San Marcos’ long-time staple

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
September 17, 2023
Stellar Coffee Co. barista Isabella Anderson helps a customer, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 at Stellar Coffee Co. in San Marcos

Stellar Coffee Co. closes its doors after more than decade-long history

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
September 13, 2023
TXST programs to host events for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

TXST programs to host events for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
September 5, 2023
Lauren Rosenberger, interior design junior, and her horse jump over the wall, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at Sunny Fox Farms in San Marcos.

TXST Equestrian Team gallops to a new season, competition

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
September 3, 2023
TXST Theatre to host 21st annual Black and Latino Playwright Celebration

TXST Theatre to host 21st annual Black and Latino Playwright Celebration

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
August 31, 2023
Students reflect on summer adventures

Students reflect on summer adventures

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
August 23, 2023
Firefighters work inside the new fire station Friday, July 21, 2023, in San Marcos.

SMFD opens sixth fire station

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
July 21, 2023
Stephen Ramirez and San Marcos bird walkers explore different bird species on the monthly bird walk, Saturday, July 1, 2023, at the River Recharge Natural Area.

TXST alumnus leads in bird walks and nature

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
July 19, 2023
Texas State graduate student Carlos Espindola prepares chemicals for the advanced water purification system, Friday, June 2, 2023, at the Ingram School of Engineering.

Students and professor seek to purify dirty water in San Marcos

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
June 15, 2023
juneteenth

San Marcos celebrates Juneteenth

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor & Marisa Nunez, Life and Arts Reporter
June 14, 2023
Local San Marcos artist Topher Sipes' kite hangs from the ceiling in front of kites from the Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition, Sunday, June 4, 2023, at the San Marcos Public Library.

Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition takes a flight to San Marcos

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
June 12, 2023
dirt dauber

Annual clay festival brings out artistry and community

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
May 15, 2023
Old Faithful sits in the San Marcos Fire Department garage, Thursday, Apr. 20, 2023, at the San Marcos Fire Department Station 5.

First motorized fire truck returns to SMFD

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
May 12, 2023
Performance and production senior Amber Gipson sits in her cap and gown, Saturday, Apr. 22, 2023, at the Performing Arts Center.

TXST graduate to film with Grammy winning director

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Editor
May 9, 2023
Awad Abdelgadir (left) and Kathleen Fite pose for a picture with a product from Nile Valley Herb Inc., Sunday, May 22, 2022, at Abdelgadir's home in Austin, Texas.

Remembering Awad Abdelgadir: Sudan’s giving tree

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
April 21, 2023
MY BARKING DOG - 1

Student-directed show to challenge America’s societal system

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
April 15, 2023
Marleny Martinez poses with her dog Nebula, Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at her apartment in San Marcos.

Student veterinarians pave the way for the future of animals

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
April 15, 2023
Jerry Lee sits in front of his shop, Jerry's Tattoo Shop, Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Local San Marcos tattoo artist portrays art through Buddhism

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
April 8, 2023
Ernest Kimble keeps an eye out for customers at his job at Burger King in San Marcos in Dec. 2018.

Remembering Ernest Kimble: the Burger King legend

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
March 27, 2023
The 2023 Officers of the COSMO Theatre Troupe jump for a photo, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, outside of the Theatre Center.

COSMO Theatre Troupe creates opportunities for TXST students

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
February 23, 2023
The cast of "Young, Gifted & Black: A Black History Month Celebration" rehearse a curtain call, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at the Performing Arts Center. 

Black TXST students to showcase creativity in “Young, Gifted & Black”

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
February 16, 2023
Willy Wonka stops to look around while being fed, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at Freeman Ranch in San Marcos. Willy is a Santa Gertrudis cattle that was donated to Texas State's Department of Agricultural Sciences for research.

Texas State Freeman Ranch welcomes new cattle donation, Willy Wonka

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
January 25, 2023
Texas State professor Sandhya Rao in South Africa in 2012.

“Circles of Light”: TXST professor publishes travel memoir

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
January 8, 2023
Jill and Robert Pankey in their studio in Buda, Texas.

Local couple celebrates individuality, creativity in artwork

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
November 18, 2022
Texas State exercise and sports science sophomore Luciana Smith lifts her arm up to the dance routine, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Jowers Studio.

Dance Works provides students a safe space to get their groove on

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
November 4, 2022
pumpkin

San Marcos Kiwanis Club to Run 9th Annual Great Pumpkin Dash

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
October 18, 2022
Pawfficer Brady lays out on the steps outside Old Main, Friday, June 24, 2022, at Texas State.

Meet Pawfficer Brady: Texas State’s first therapy K9

Haley Velasco, Assistant Life and Arts Editor
October 6, 2022
Members of the Hays County Master Gardeners take plant inventory at Jacob's Well Greenhouse in 2021.

Local gardeners to grow funds through plant sale

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Contributor
September 21, 2022
Texas State graduate student Abagail Milam speaks at the Texas State Walkout Rally next to Texas State's Youth Democratic Socialists of America, Thursday, on Aug. 25, 2022, on The Quad.

San Marcos abortion activists lend a helping hand to the community

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Contributor
September 16, 2022
Everyday Zen located at 165 South Guadalupe St. Suite 112 in San Marcos, Texas.

Spirituality opens doors at Everyday Zen

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Contributor
August 27, 2022
Natasha Valles and her daughters pose for a photo. (Left to right) Isabella Valles, Natasha Valles, Geneva Garner and Jadora Valles. The name GiJaBell's is a combination of Natasha Valles' daughters' given nicknames.

Woman-owned dress shop opens in Tanger Outlets

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Contributor
June 10, 2022
The crowd at last year's Go Wheels Up! Texas festival, May 29, 2021, at the San Marcos Regional Airport.

Go Wheels Up! Texas touches down in San Marcos

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Contributor
May 16, 2022
Autumn Williams holds up her banana pudding in front of Bobcat Nutrition.

Black-owned bakery seeks to take over San Marcos

Haley Velasco, Life and Arts Contributor
May 3, 2022
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