By Jasmine Hyman jasmine.hyman@utanabj.com

Students closed their books and put on their dancing shoes for the third annual Dancing with Mavericks. A competition that requires less thinking and more moving. Several organizations on campus signed up to participate hoping to be this year’s dance-off winners. Each organization selected members to perform different types of dances such as, salsa, hip-hop, and even a fun game of musical chairs.
Transfer student, Jasma Goodwin, took home first place for the National Association of Colored Women’s Club after winning musical chairs.

“I knew I was going to win because that was my favorite game growing up. I knew I had to speed up when I got close to the chair in order to win,” says Goodwin.

After each performance the sideline supporters couldn’t resist the music, and jumped to their feet, and began to groove to the beat.

Multi-cultural Affairs hosted the event while students rooted and cheered for their favorite team.

“I’m a transfer student and we didn’t have anything like this at my other school. I’m glad to be with a group of people that supporting each other it makes me feel welcomed,” Goodwin said.

Also confident were UTA’s Dance Ensemble as they swayed this year’s judges, and shimmied their way to being the dancing champions.
“It was a lot of work. I didn’t expect to be dancing so much. I knew I had to slow down for the first two rounds so I would have enough energy to finish, but it was fun,” says winner, Melissa Whitaker.

By: Jessica Williams jwilliams@utanabj.com

Four A.M. seems early in the morning but not for UTA organizations committed to community service. Race 4 A Cure is a bi-annual event that supports and brings awareness to breast cancer. North Park mall donated their parking lot for breast cancer survivors and supporters to run a 5K and 10K race. UTA students met early Saturday morning in the UC parking lot to head to Dallas.

After arriving they checked in at the volunteer booth, got a t-shirt and their duties. Student volunteers directed traffic in the parking lot, handed out support lanyards, cheered on runners at the finish line and handed them water and bananas. Some UTA organizations present at this event was BSA, NACWC, NPHC and NAACP.

The morale at the race was so positive. Everyone was friendly, supportive and in good spirits that day. The meaning behind this race is much more then an average sprint. Not only are participants racing for survivors and to show support, they are racing a cure that is yet to be found for breast cancer. The race has many sponsors that donate time, products and money for the race and for research of this disease.

It was a race for their lives, to celebrate their lives.

By: Jessica Williams jwilliams@utanabj.com

This unity mural began with a tent, some paint and an organization with a big idea. Unity is the common thread between all UTA organizations but it’s never been done quite like this on UTA’s campus. The Black Student Association hosted a unity tent painting event.

They invited every organization to come paint a design representing their organization. Participants were working towards a finished project and were able to meet and converse with other student leaders. This large display of unity in the UC Mall caught the eyes of many bystanders.

“It was very successful and it was great where we were located because people walking by saw the artwork,” says Shaunta Wiltz, BSA Executive Board Member, who came up with this concept. “I felt like we needed more unity and thought it would be fun to paint,” says Wiltz.

Harrison Coleman, President of BSA, took the idea to the new level by giving the organizations who participated in the painting access to rent the tent for future events. “I like that idea because I know a lot of organizations do not have a tent, so this will really help,” says Miriam Zehaie, NAACP Treasurer.

The Black Student Association plans to make this an annual event. To rent the unity tent email utablackstudentassocation@gmail.com at least one week prior to the event.

By: Jasmine Hyman jhyman@utanabj.com

On the count of three, several yellow balloons sailed into the night sky in support of the 2nd Annual "Go Yellow for Our Troops." The Lambda Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted the ceremony to express its gratitude for those who have fought and those still serving our country today.

“We just feel the need that UTA community should honor the people that are serving for us and fighting for us. We take for granted how they take away from their lives just to serve us,” says Danielle Wilcher, President of Delta Sigma Theta. “Even to the people who don't have family that's in the armed forces I would think that this is a good experience because it allows you to think back on the past,” says Wilcher.

Each student wore yellow clothing and were given a yellow ribbon to place on their shirt. The yellow ribbon is an international fashion trend which embodies the support of active military personnel. Students paired with members of the ROTC; holding a single candle and silently walking from the university center to the library mall.

"Use this as a reflection time whether you have loved ones fighting, or not. Just to realize the great sacrifices they made" Wilcher said.

Speakers from the ROTC and counseling services gave students suggestions on ways to support loved ones that are fighting over seas. They advise students to send videos, pictures, books, and CDs of their favorite music. The speakers also recommended contributing to supportive organizations such as, America’s Salute Heroes’ and the US Troop Support Foundation.

UTA student, Ashaundria Brown, says this experience made her realize how much she respects the military. “I actually thought this was a good event as far as you don't see a lot of people recognizing the ROTC, the army, and the people in the service,” says Brown.

Every Wednesday students will continue spreading their message by wearing yellow in support of all troops.

By: Danielle Boyd dboyd@utanabj.com

“Viva la Cultura” was the theme for the 2009 Hispanic Heritage Month at UT Arlington.

The office of Multicultural Affairs has created an executive board this year that will focus on individual culture months to help others appreciate and learn about different cultures.

Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 different events helped kick-off “Viva la Cultura.” Events included Latino Comedy Night featuring Ernie G, Hispanic Issues Forum where attendees can raise any concerns about the Hispanic culture, and the big event back by popular demand: Dancing with the Mavericks. This event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 15 in the Mavericks Activity Center at 6:30 P.M. Student organizations team up and form dance groups and they compete in a series of dances and games.

Hispanic Heritage month committee chair, Lupe Leyva encourages students to participate in these exciting events. Leyva said, “You don’t have to be Hispanic to help out with these events, it’s for all of the students so we can celebrate different cultures.”

For more information on Multicultural Affairs visit: www.uta.edu/multicultural.