Issue 5, Volume 91

THE COUGAR

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025

HOCO King, Queen driven by culture, community

GAURAANGI GUPTA

MANAGING EDITOR

@GAURAANGIGUPTA

Last Saturday, UH announced its Homecoming King and Queen as biomedical engineering senior Ricardo Villarreal and anthropology senior Olivia Dickens.

The duo didn’t start together by choice, but rather were thrown together by fate after the announcement of the official 2025 HOCO Court.

“I feel like all the stars just aligned so well,” Dickens said.

‘Rooted in culture, driven by community:’ Two campaigns brought together by fate

Before being paired together, Dickens was campaigning to help students stay involved on campus, promote UH pride and the community.

For Dickens, her love for the University was gradual.

“I kind of had a delayed acceptance and love towards the University until my sophomore years,” Dickens said. “That’s when I started getting involved.”

As of now, Dickens serves as the Frontier Fiesta Association Board Member, Catholic Student Organization Student Leader and Small Group Leader, Cougar Forensic Science Society Board Member and a UH Ambassador.

Villarreal is a member of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Incorporated and is one of the only four Latino based multicultural organizations on campus.

His campaign was all about promoting the culture and reminding the people how they are still here.

The duo had a great mixture of culture and community in their respective campaigns, complementing each other.

The beginning, middle, end: A reflection on the HOCO journey

Villarreal had been friends with past

HOCO kings. However, his decision to run for the position came at the very last minute.

HOCO Board Director of Marketing Jakai Wright suggested Villarreal to run for King because Wright believed that he was a very involved individual.

Dickens, on the other hand, had her eyes set on the prize since sophomore year and manifested the win. That’s when she realized it’s an attainable goal that requires effort and getting involved.

“Junior year, I worked toward getting more involved in racking up those resume points,” Dickens said. “Then senior year, I put my calendar as ‘tentatively unavailable’ for HOCO week. I am glad I was able to officially click unavailable .”

Both Villarreal and Dickens were still surprised that they actually won and were waiting for the feeling to finally hit them.

“I feel like before, I was definitely very nervous and didn’t know what was going to happen. It was a complete shock,” Villarreal said. “You can see it in my pictures, absolutely shocked.”

Support pillars

The duo agreed that both have been pillars of strength for each other. But other than each other, they were very grateful for UH as well.

“We’re kind of like fire and ice, she mellows me out a little bit and I turned to her to speak with students and create connections,” Villarreal said. “So we really compliment each other well.”

For Villarreal, staff members at the Engineering Undergraduate Programs Office, Jemal Moore, Stephanie Williams, Monica Padilla and Katie Monigold, and Professors Holley Love, Gulin Aksu and Brian Metrovich played a huge role.

Villarreal talked to all of the professors that had freshman engineering classes and even reachd out to the dean.

“I went to the Dean of engineering and explained to him that if I win, I would be

“In a time when being foreign in the United States can feel very heavy, we basically wanted to remind our people that we’re still here, that we’re still standing, that we’re still proud. This one was for the communities that raised us, the cultures that shaped us and really, the students who are finding where they belong.”

Ricardo Villarreal, HOCO King, biomedical engineering senior

the first engineering HOCO King ever,” Villarreal said.

After this, the Dean really wanted that representation, so he sent out a mass email to all of the undergraduate and graduate students that are enrolled at the University. The message got sent out to 4650 people, Villarreal said.

Dickens was being promoted by Anthropology department Chair Arlen F. Chase in his classes as well.

For Dickens, her biggest supporters were her friends along with the entire Frontier Fiesta Board.

“Everybody that I’ve interacted with briefly or have developed a good friendship with, they were all really confident, especially the frontier Fiesta board. They were probably my biggest supporters.” Dickens said.

What does it mean to be King, Queen

The duo agreed that for them, winning meant becoming a part of UH’s rich history and taking a huge pride in it. They feel proud that they get to share the love and pride for UH with more people.

“Maybe people are not going to remember my name, but there’s a possibility that they could,” Villarreal said. “Knowing that being the face of the entire University, where there’s 49,000 people, that somebody was going to hear my story, there was a possibility that they were going to feel inspired and want to continue to

fight for that spot on the table.”

Villarreal feels proud of the journey he set on. He was emancipated at 16, and right before coming to UH, he was living in his car for the entirety of the senior year in high school.

However, Villarreal knew that he needed to continue, and started applying to multiple universities. He chose UH because it was the largest and it was the most diverse.

“Going from that to really just having what I could fit inside the back of my car, to now leaving with the crown on my head, it’s insane,” Villarreal said. “There’s absolutely nothing that should stop you.” They wanted the UH community to know that winning King and Queen is an attainable goal and students can achieve anything they put their mind to.

“If we can, then you can as well,” the duo said.

Future plans

For Dickens and Villarreal, winning King and Queen is just another opportunity to create stronger connections and bring back alumni to UH.

“I mean, we’re both really hard workers, so I know that in this year that we have coming up, we’re going to get a lot of stuff done,” Villarreal said. “You’re going to see a lot from us.”

news@thedailycougar.com

HOMECOMING

‘It’s all about showing that Coog spirit:’ Homecoming week recap

CHERISE JOHNSON, JOSHUA VASQUEZ, SYDNEY JACKSON, WENDOLEE T. GARCIA MARTINEZ

STAFF WRITER, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, STAFF WRITER, NEWS EDITOR

@YOURCHERISEAMOR, _JOSH_VASQUEZ_, JSYDNEY_EYWENDOLEEGARCIAMTZ

The University celebrated this year’s homecoming with various student-led activities from friendly competitions to community parties. The 2025 homecoming celebration had something for everyone to enjoy.

Homecoming kickoff

The event, organized by the Residence Halls Association in collaboration with the Homecoming Board, brought music, pizza and giveaways to kick off the week’s festivities.

As the band played, members of the Homecoming court were also announced, drawing cheers from the crowd.

“It’s very lively,” said media production senior Danielle Falou. “There are a lot of people here, and everybody seems to be having a fun time.”

Falou said she enjoyed seeing the large turnout and the variety of activities available to students. For her, it was one of the first times she experienced campus life in full.

“It’s really cool,” she said. “There’s so much to do, and everyone seems excited to be part of it.”

The celebration continued with students gathering around game booths, music and food tables as the evening went on.

“It’s really great to see everybody have a good time,” said psychology senior Jaleesa Gonzales. “My expectations for this Homecoming are high because I’ve never been to one at UH before.”

Strut your stuff

The Homecoming Board hosted the competition showcase “Strut Your Stuff,” where UH organizations displayed what they admire most about the University through artistic expression.

This year Chi Omega X Tau Kappa

Epsilon, Black Student Union and the Honors Club Theater participated in the event and were required to display in their performance a representation of the theme “The Heart of Houston.”

Chi Omega and Tau Kappa Epsilon performed first, presenting a funky Westerninspired routine. Chi Omega represented UH while Tau Kappa Epsilon portrayed the University of Texas.

Their version of a gun show was a danceoff between the two sides, which eventually led to Chi Omega winning and Tau Kappa Epsilon joining the UH team.

The teams drew inspiration for their performance from the Western John Travolta film Urban Cowboy, said junior Tau Kappa Epsilon member and event performer Ryan Garcia.

“Originally, the performance we did tonight was what I wanted to do for Fiesta, but I thought the movie was too niche,” Garcia said. “So when we had to come up with a ‘Heart of Houston’ theme, I thought, ‘You know, let me reuse that old script and tweak it.’”

Following the duo, the Black Student Union performed a comedy skit about this year’s Homecoming performer, who had not yet been announced.

The group humorously speculated that it would be Beyoncé. In addition, they performed a country dance to Beyoncé’s song “Texas Hold ’Em” from her album Cowboy Carter.

The final performers of the night were from the Honors Club Theater.

Their act stood out among the rest as they chose not to perform a song-anddance routine. Instead, they presented a five-person skit about creating a mural that represented the theme.

The characters included a stressed art student, an influencer, a French exchange student, a jock and a country girl.

The three judges shared a similar sentiment, awarding first place to the Honors Club Theater, second to Chi Omega and Tau Kappa Epsilon, and third to the Black Student Union.

After the awards ceremony, a trivia segment with the Homecoming court closed out the event.

Bed Races

Students gathered at the Student Center Plaza Oct.15 for the annual Bed Races, one of the week’s most anticipated traditions.

Students from residence halls and campus organizations decorated rolling beds and competed to showcase creativity and school pride.

“It’s all about showing that Coug spirit,” said nutrition sophomore Jemima Osime. “We came together and used our creativity to make a theme that showed school spirit, team bonding and creativity.”

The event featured several stations where students could collect souvenirs, including a booth for custom airbrushed T-shirts, personalized Cougar license plates and a photo booth to create flipbooks.

“It’s my first time attending Homecoming events, and I’m really excited for the different booths,” said nursing sophomore Camila Sanchez. “It’s really nice to have good Homecoming events. You can get custom spray-painted shirts and license plates, and you can watch the bed races. It’s all really exciting.”

CANstruction

Oct. 16 students showcased creativity and community spirit through Canstruction, a charitable competition where teams built Texas and Houston-themed structures using canned goods that were later donated.

The Honors College Club Theater constructed a design inspired by Houston’s Energy Building downtown.

“It has a very staircase-like structure, a little bit of Gothic architecture,” said biology junior Chelsea Diaz. “Because Houston is one of the energy capitals, we wanted to pay homage to the city itself by making a tall, beautiful building decorated with murals inspired by Houston art.”

Diaz added that the project reflected UH’s commitment to community impact.

Meanwhile, the Black Student Union built a structure outlining the state of Texas, highlighting Houston as their focus.

Biology senior Sydney Hicks emphasized that CANstruction brings people together for a good cause, with friendly competition that motivates participants to donate to the food bank.

“I mean, people go all out for these structures and the amount of cans you have goes right to the food bank. I think it’s a really special event that homecoming has put on year after year,” said Hicks.

Homecoming concert

Detroit rapper Babyface Ray drew a packed crowd to Cullen Performance Hall for this year’s Homecoming show on Oct. 16 hosted by the Student Program Board.

The rapper kicked off the show with his 2021 single “What The Business Is.”

“I seen the little posts. They was trying to act like they ain’t want Babyface Ray,” he said before getting into “Count Money” featuring Bossman Dlow.

Yet there was still plenty of excitement among students for Babyface Ray’s performance.

“The music during the post was kind of good so I just want to get more songs for my playlist,” said information management freshman George Olear.

Students like education freshman Regina Anderson said Ray’s hits like “Palm Angels, Palms Itching” were good enough to make them come out.

“I’m from the Midwest so I had to come out,” said sports management junior Joshua Jones. “I really want him to perform some of the new stuff because I already heard all of the old stuff. I’m really excited for him to play ‘Standing on Business’ so I am hoping he plays that song.”

Throughout the night Ray kept the crowd entertained with tracks such as “Sincerely Face,” “If You Know You Know,” “Meg Thee Stallion” and “Paperwork Party.”

Later Babyface Ray engaged with the audience by taking requests from dedicated fans. He accepted phones from concertgoers and performed while rapping into their cameras, further energizing the crowd.

He closed out the night with fan favorite “Ron Artest,” prompting students to rush the stage for a close encounter.

“I liked it,” said accounting junior Hannah Johnson. “I don’t know what I was expecting but it was better than what it was last year.”

Students said they enjoyed the show with many choosing their favorite songs of the night.

“I liked the energy,” said human nutrition junior Kaleigh Carter. “Once everybody got comfortable it was fun. My favorite song was ‘Ron Artest.’”

Block Party

To wrap up this year’s Homecoming Week, the Homecoming Board hosted the Cougar Block Party at TDECU Stadium, ending the celebration on a high note.

With music blasting from the DJ booth, the event had multiple activities for attendees and a lively setup that kept students entertained throughout the afternoon.

Two stands offered brightly colored shaved ice and free Monster Energy drinks, giving guests a refreshing way to cool off and stay energized.

Several interactive stations were scattered throughout the venue. A balloon artist twisted creative designs for guests, while the DJ kept the energy high with music that brought people to the dance floor. For those wanting a keepsake, caricature and airbrush booths offered personalized art.

Rows of long tables filled the area, cultivating a comfortable space for students to relax, chat and enjoy their treats. Mark Sawalha, a sophomore attendee, said it was his favorite Homecoming event of the week.

“I loved the little caricature booth they had for the event,” Sawalha said. “It was so funny.”

news@thedailycougar.com

Melodies on the stairs: How Spirit of Houston’s flute section leader lives, breathes music at UH

KAREN WEI

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

@KAREN_FEIWEI

Midday melodies are something of a trademark for music education fifth-year Trenten Hill.

Known to most as the flutist who practices on the stairs of Student Center South, Hill is the flute section leader in the Spirit of Houston Band, which performs at the annual homecoming game.

“Homecoming as a musician, but I guess more importantly as a student, is a celebration of everything that it means to go to UH and to be a Cougar,” Hill said. “It’s electric, no matter who we go up against.”

For Hill, marching is a combination of giddy excitement and intense focus, especially with a homecoming audience of both current students and alumni.

“You’ve got a lot of dots to cover, you’ve got a lot of music to accurately play, you have a lot of pictures to create and a story to tell, and that’s really fun,” Hill said. “And then at the end of each movement, everyone just gets up and cheers for you. It just fills you with this sense of satisfaction, knowing that people really like what you do.”

Hill’s love for music started early. Long before joining the Spirit of Houston, before he began creating music himself, Hill was coming of age in a family where music was everywhere.

“My mom sang, my uncles played drums and bass, so I’ve always been surrounded by people with musical aptitudes,” Hill said.

“But my love for what I do today came from an older cousin of mine. She was the star of the family; like everyone loved her, everyone wanted to be her, including me.”

When Hill found out that his cousin played the flute, he made it his mission to do the same, starting as a sixth grader in middle school band. He hasn’t stopped since.

“There were definitely days where I struggled, and I felt really insecure about my aptitude compared to the other people around me, but it’s just not something I was able to give up,” Hill said. “Like whenever my flute would go into the repair shop, and I wouldn’t have it for a week, I feel myself itching for it. Because of that, I just know that I’ll never be able to put it down.”

Although Hill didn’t enjoy marching band in high school, he describes himself as “probably the most uncoordinated person you’ll ever meet.” College was a turning point for him, especially because it offered an opportunity to take on leadership roles.

“I was someone who had confidence in my playing ability, but it was very silent,” Hill said. “But when I came to college, I sort of wanted to challenge my own mindset on that. Maybe I was capable, maybe I could stand in front of a section and

lead them.”

Hill is now in his second year as flute section leader and on the other side of overcoming impostor syndrome.

“There are tons of people around you who admire many things about the musician you are,” Hill said. “Most people aren’t thinking so critically of you, and that’s a phrase that I’ve heard my entire life, like you’re your own worst critic. I’m slowly beginning to figure out the truth in that statement.”

Environmental science senior and tuba player Shane Fisher met Hill in his freshman year — they quickly bonded as musicians, and Fisher said he quickly grew to admire how Hill put himself out there.

“My first impression was seeing him jumping around and just really leaving it out there

on the field,” Fisher said. “He’s just at the front and dancing like crazy, like jumping 10 feet in the air.”

Hill is also the music chair of his sorority, Tau Beta Sigma, which is dedicated to supporting women in music. English and history junior Claire Pruett, a mellophone player in the Spirit of Houston, is Hill’s sorority twin sister.

“He’s very passionate about what he believes in, and he’s very open,” Pruett said. “He doesn’t hide who he is at all. He’s gay, he’s just always been so open with it and he’s always so respectful. That’s one of the reasons I actually befriended him.”

But behind his bright personality and fiercely passionate composer, Hill says he is motivated by the fear of regret.

“I don’t want to look back and say to myself 10 years down the line, man, I could have done more, I could have achieved more,” Hill said. “I like to do as much as I can in the present so that I don’t have those thoughts in the future.”

Outside of music, Hill describes himself as a “really huge dork” — he’s a huge fan of Nintendo games and forensic science. His hobbies are fulfilling, but they never keep him away from his true passion for very long.

“Music opens up so many opportunities for people to express themselves, and it opens up a place for some people to fill,” Hill said. “Some people were put on this earth to create music, to teach music, to inspire through it. And because of what it does, it can’t not matter. It can’t not be essential.”

news@thedailycougar.com

UH will not serve as an early voting location

In an email sent out to students, UH will not serve as an early voting location. The reason behind this decision was not revealed in the email.

UH was previously an early voting location last year, and strived to become a voterfriendly campus. The University will still be a voting location for Election Day at Student Center South, Space City Room from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

According to the email, if students would like to vote early, the nearest location is at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.

The Cougar has reached out to the University for more information regarding the decision, and is awaiting a response.

news@thedailycougar.com

Bowling again: Houston’s road back to December football

ALEJANDRO COMPEAN

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

@ALECOMPEANNN

A lot has happened in the three years since Houston football last went bowling.

Former coach Dana Holgorsen was relieved of his duties in November 2023, following a tumultuous season in which the Cougars finished 4-8 and missed out on a bowl appearance for the first time since 2019, his inaugural year with the program.

Houston sought somebody to lead them from just a conference competitor to a contender.

The search led Houston to Tulane’s longtime coach Willie Fritz, that same fall. Fritz had just led the Green Wave to 12-2 and 11-3 seasons, respectively, in 2022 and 2023 after they finished just 2-10 in 2021.

His first season at the helm in 2024 didn’t show better results on paper, as Houston once again fell two games short of bowl eligibility, finishing with a 4-8 record.

Despite a similar outcome, his foundation had already begun to take shape, with Houston boasting the Big 12’s fourth-ranked defense, even though he hadn’t yet had time to fully devote himself to the transfer portal or recruiting.

But when he did in the winter of 2024 and spring of 2025, Houston hit the accelerator.

Through five weeks, the Cougars carried with them their best record since 2016, a 4-0 mark where they kept the Bayou Bucket on Cullen Boulevard, and played spoiler on “Prime Time” television against Colorado.

Junior quarterback Conner Weigman’s “never flinch” mindset was on full display when Houston stared down a 24-10 deficit with just over eight minutes remaining at Oregon State.

The Cougars roared back to stun the Beavers, with two quick-strike touchdowns to tie, an emphatic blocked field goal to force overtime and their own field goal to walk off Oregon State.

Before, then-No. 11 Texas Tech gave Houston its first blemish of the season, showing there was plenty to improve upon before being considered one of the conference’s elite.

Still, Houston’s 39-17 thwarting of Oklahoma State the following week showed how far the program had come, departing the game with a 5-1 record, just one win shy of bowl eligibility.

A lot has happened since the Cougars were last on that doorstep, and that’s where they stood Saturday morning hours before they met with Arizona.

Knotted up at 28, after leading by as much as 14 heading into the fourth quarter, the Cougars surrendered touchdowns on consecutive possessions, setting up a late drive for Houston.

Beginning at the Houston 25, a 13-play, 52-yard drive to Arizona’s 23-yard line set the stage for senior kicker Ethan Sanchez, with an opportunity for redemption after missing his previous attempt from 48 yards.

Sanchez, a transfer from Old Dominion, already had a game-winner to his name

earlier this season.

His next one was the walk-off winner to send Houston bowling.

He leapt into the stands following the game, celebrating with students and fans.

“We want them to celebrate with the student body,” Fritz said.

Weigman was responsible for all four touchdown scores for UH, three through the air, which tied a season-high, and the other, a 10-yard rush to the right side of the end zone.

Much like Weigman, the weapons responsible for Houston’s offensive output were all new to the program.

Junior wide receiver Amare Thomas has emerged as Weigman’s go-to number one target, coming off the heels of a seven-reception, 157-yard output against Oklahoma State.

“Whenever we lock eyes, if I’m open he’s

throwing it,” Thomas said of the connection with Weigman.

He followed it up with two more touchdowns, bringing his season total up to four.

Lining up alongside Thomas, senior tight end Tanner Koziol hauled in a touchdown grab on a 15-yard pass from Weigman, his third of the year.

Senior running back Dean Connors, a former crosstown foe from Rice, tacked on 100 rushing yards, his first 100-yard performance since facing his former school in week two.

Together, they accounted for all 31 of Houston’s points, and have emerged as faces of its new era.One where Houston sits 6-1, and will be playing December football for the first time since 2022.

sports@thedailycougar.com

Flips, hits, guitar riffs: Tre Jones goes Bananas

CAMRYN ALBERIGO

SPORTS EDITOR

@CAMRYN.ALBERIGO

After the final out at a Texas Tailgaters game, Tre Jones trades his glove for a guitar. He climbs out of the dugout, weaves through the stands, and steps onto the stage just outside Daikin Park, smiling as he breathes in the hometown air.

The show isn’t over yet. As fans make their way out of the stadium, Jones launches into a set of country hits, turning the ballpark’s exit into his own concert venue.

The scene has become a regular one for the former University of Houston outfielder, who earned his spot with the Texas Tailgaters, a Banana Ball team, after auditioning following his college career. With encouragement from friends, Jones, who has been both a ballplayer and guitarist since early elementary, decided to take a swing.

“On the website it says, ‘send in a video. We don’t want your home runs, we don’t want your doubles or anything you did during the season. Send us something that’s different,’” Jones said. So he did.

A guitar solo of Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton landed him a spot, giving him the rare chance to chase both of his lifelong passions on the same field.

“I never thought I would ever be able to do both at one point, at one time,” Jones said. “I thought it was going to be one or the other, and that’s how it’s always been.

Up until this point, when I saw I could do both here, I was like, I’ve got to jump on this opportunity.”

Before going Bananas

Jones, a graduate of Houston’s Jersey Village High School, began his college career at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. After his junior season, he entered the transfer portal, and when a friend from Houston reached out, the decisionto head to UH was easy.

“That was probably the best decision I made in college ball,” Jones said. ”I heard of an old teammate from high school playing at Houston and I didn’t have to take any other visits, I didn’t talk to anybody else. I said ‘yep that sounds perfect for me.’”

The demands of college athletics left him with little time for other passions, especially the quieter ones. When friends and teammates visited Jones’ apartment, they often noticed a guitar resting on a stand and would ask about it.

“They expect me to play a couple strings,” Jones said. “Then I rip out a solo, and they’re like, ‘Why didn’t we know about this? Why are you just now doing this, and you’ve been here the whole time?’ I kind of keep it lowkey sometimes, but when I do it, I do it.”

That same mentality has stayed with Jones since he first tipped over a guitar.

“I was messing around with someone’s guitar at a family function and ended up knocking it over,” Jones said. “Instead

of someone yelling at me, the guy who owned it picked it up and showed me how to play a chord or two.”

After that, Jones told his parents he wanted a guitar.

They bought him a “cheap one from Walmart,” which he played every single day.

“Once they realized it wasn’t something I was going to get tired of in a couple of days, they got me a real one,” Jones said.

What started as a mistake propelled him to perform the National Anthem at the Fertitta Center and play at local mega churches. His experiences equipped him to showcase both his guitar skills and baseball talent in sold-out stadiums, flips included.

Houston homecoming

After performing across the country all summer long, the final two days of the 2025 Banana Ball World Tour brought Tre Jones back to his hometown and onto the field at Daikin Park. On the second day, he stepped up to the plate, ripped off his Tailgaters jersey to reveal a Houston one underneath, and saluted a crowd of over 40,000, including family, friends and former coaches.

Despite the hype surrounding Banana Ball, Jones still values the simple moments spent shining on the diamond despite performing in front of millions across ballparks, live streams and social media.

“When we did the tryout, when I was

first starting with this, there was nobody at the tryout, and we were still doing the same thing we’re doing here,” Jones said. “That was when I realized this is the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball. The atmosphere was awesome.”

“It’s cool to be able to play in front of all these people, all these kids, and my family, but the end-all-be-all is we’re playing this game. It’s different than baseball. It’s Banana Ball, and it’s so much fun and exciting to be a part of.”

Being part of it means performing from the moment the gates open and every moment in between.

Players aren’t sitting in the dugout or standing idly on the field. Fans have to keep their eyes peeled at all times, because at any moment a player may break out a flip, trick or skit.

Being part of it also means arriving at the stadium early for rehearsals.

It’s not just batting practice, it’s dance numbers, social media performances and individual talents that have to be dialed in. And for Jones, even after the twohour game ends, his night is just getting started.

“Sometimes it gets pretty tiring, but at the same time I look at it like I get to do both the things I love so much,” he said. “If I’m a little tired of something, I just push through and move on to the next thing. I mean, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

sports@thedailycougar.com

HOMECOMING

UH’s Homecoming is more than a game, it’s a tradition

NASHLY RAMIREZ STAFF WRITER

@NASHLYRAMIREZZ

Homecoming at UH is more than just football. It’s a tradition that connects us to generations of Cougars before us and celebrates a century of history that we now get to be part of.

As UH approaches its centennial milestone, Homecoming takes on even greater

FOOD

meaning. It’s a chance to honor the past while celebrating the university’s remarkable progress.

From 1946 to 2025, Homecoming has brought life back to campus. Music echoes down hallways, and events fill every corner. The excitement is contagious; you can’t help but feel it.

Over time, this tradition has grown into something larger than the game itself. It’s

about the community coming together with pride for the University. As a student, I celebrate alongside alumni who once stood where I do now.

This year, I’ve noticed student leaders putting in extra effort to make Homecoming more inclusive. By opening up participation and planning community-wide events, they’re making it clear that this tradition belongs to all of us.

Concerts, block parties and free breakfasts are just some of the ways students can feel part of Homecoming, whether you’re on a team or just walking back from class.

The significance runs deeper than the schedule. Homecoming is about connection. It’s about students, alumni and the UH community coming together in one shared celebration of what it means to be a Cougar.

I’ve watched alumni return, not just to relive old memories but to share their stories and encourage the next generation. Some give back through scholarships or alumni networks, while others give their time as mentors.

Homecoming also shows how traditions evolve with each generation. What started as a weekend gathering in 1946 has grown into a week-long celebration.

The meaning shifts depending on who

you ask. As a student, I get to have a chance to experience campus pride firsthand. For alumni, it’s often a reminder of where their story began.

Becoming a part of Homecoming has given me a whole new perspective on the event. Working with Strut Your Stuff showed me the time, effort and pride people put into the event.

The culmination of their hard work on the stage was rewarding. This has allowed me to grow closer to my sorority sisters and meet people I might never have known without it.

From cheering on my friends and decorating a bed for the races, to testing my architecture skills at Canstruction and celebrating the big game at the tailgate, Homecoming has become a tradition I truly look forward to every fall.

This year’s celebration carries a special kind of pride. UH has come so far, from a commuter school to a Tier One and Big 12 university, and UH’s spirit has endured through it all.

As UH steps into its next century, I know Homecoming will continue to evolve, but its purpose will remain the same — celebrating the bond that connects us all as part of the Cougar family.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

The matcha phenomenon: a case of gender stereotypes, consumerism

ZUNAIRA SHAIKH

STAFF WRITER

@HASHTAGNOTZUNAIRA

With its proliferation on the internet, matcha has been growing in popularity among various racial and age demographics, evolving from a niche favorite to a universally enjoyed drink. Nonetheless, as is the case with anything garnering attention, matcha has gone far beyond the scope it was intended for. It has become a test of masculinity, a focus of women’s health research and a testament to the influence of social media.

Performative Males and Gender Stereotypes

When popularized in its now-iconic form, the matcha latte, the drink quickly became associated with a sweet, creamy flavor and mostly female consumer base. Because of this, matcha has been labeled as a ‘feminine’ drink. However, with its rising popularity, far more men have been seen openly enjoying their matcha drinks. The sudden turnover has resulted in a term coined specifically for men who drink matcha: performative males. This label refers to men who are perceived as adopting behaviors, like drinking matcha, to project a softer, less traditionally masculine image. The term is primarily used in a derogatory sense, implying these men do so intentionally to appear more appealing or attractive to feminist and progressive women.

These men are thought to be shallow and to have lost a great part of their masculinity as they put on a performance of drinking matcha openly to attract romantic attention rather than showcasing their true character.

Instead of trying to refute these stereotypes, men have embraced them. Now, men not only drink matcha, but read feminist literature, carry tote bags and openly sympathize with menstrual pains to gain attention from the female gaze. They have turned the act of being a performative male into a culture.

They are no longer seen as ingenuine, but rather people who are having fun, authentically expressing themselves and are of course, enjoying their matcha lattes without the pressure of masculinity upon them.

Medical Research and Misinformation

As matcha is entering several mainstream markets, medical researchers are focusing on the implications of its increased consumption. However, before we can even begin to appreciate the work of scientific advancement, we are led astray by the spread of misinformation on social media.

Matcha and all other green teas alike have been at the center of women’s reproductive research with growing consumption. Researchers at The Central South University and The University of South China found that since matcha

and other green teas are antioxidant-rich, they may reduce infertility if consumed in moderate quantities (two cups a day or less). Similarly, a cohort study conducted in Denmark found no association between tea consumption and female fertility. It did not take long for social media to argue over the health deficits of the tea. Creators started to make opposing claims about the myths and facts, gaining millions of views across TikTok. The current flow of invalid claims reached people all over the globe, leading the myths to be accepted as true.

Doctors, dietitians and medical professionals took to their platforms to share matcha’s real implications with scientifically backed research. They not only obliterated misconceptions but assured

the public that their favorite green drink is safe, as long as it’s consumed in moderate quantities, as researchers have been trying to tell us for years.

The Bottom Line

Over the past few years, matcha has established itself in the United States drink industry. Yet, with the increased spread of online trends over the past summer, including viral recipes and flavor combinations, matcha has now reached various age and racial demographics. The online trends became a means for men to be able to break gender stereotypes and a vessel for spreading misinformation.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

life and arts

April’s angle: How to do college Halloween right

APRIL BADMUS

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

@ITZ_APRULLL

Hi! Welcome to another issue of April’s Angle! I’m April, a second-year Political Science and Psychology double major. I share my thoughts on everything from fashion and beauty to college life and beyond. If you have any questions or need advice on any topic, I’m here to help!

Tips and tricks

Halloween is in a few days and I’d love to share some tips and tricks that helped me in my first Halloweekend in college last year!

If this is your first Halloween in college, pace yourself! I can’t stress this enough. You might want to party back-to-back, but try to schedule your outings. I try to avoid going out over 2 or 3 days in a row, burnout typically hits on the second night and I’d rather not be miserable in costume. It is also important to assess

the credibility of a potential party; college parties tend to be rowdy and sometimes unpleasant. I’ve narrowed down my favorite categories of parties, my number one being @nobystanderhq. They throw some of the best, well-thought-out and safe parties! Their Halloween party coming up on Nov. 1 is anticipated to bring the vibes and amazing music.

Comfort is just as important as looking good! While I can be a big “beauty is pain” advocate, even I know my limit! Make sure your costume ensures mobility at least and accounts for unexpected situations.

Finally, I asked some of my closest friends about their most important tips and here’s what they said: Drink responsibly, avoid fake weapons, DIY your costume to be cost-effective and micellar water is great for removing fake blood and face paint.

Let Halloween just be for fun!

I find the constant scrutiny of

what people wear or how they choose to celebrate Halloween extremely obnoxious.

The judgment I see online surrounding women’s costumes is such a non-issue that it feels like we’re genuinely losing the plot. The recent outrage I’ve seen surrounds corset costumes and their “accuracy,” which I think is an unnecessary detail to scrutinize. As if college students are concerned about accuracy! Wear that corset costume! Halloween is meant to be fun, especially for college students, so if your costume includes a $20 corset from Amazon, then so be it! I’m personally channeling a character from a movie I’ve never watched and couldn’t care less about it. Is my costume going to be scary? Not at all, but is it going to be fun and gorgeous? Absolutely!

With these tips and tricks, I wish you an amazing Halloween. Stay safe and spooky!

news@thedailycougar.com

EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.

ABOUT THE COUGAR

The Cougar is published biweekly on Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters and online daily at thedailycougar.com. The Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees. Copies of The Cougar are free.

COPYRIGHT

No part of the newspaper in print or online may be reproduced without the consent of the director of Student Publications.

ABOUT CSM

The Center for Student Media provides comprehensive advisory and financial support to the university’s student-run media: The Cougar newspaper, CoogTV and COOG Radio.

CENTER FOR STUDENT MEDIA

(713) 743-5350 csm@uh.edu www.uh.edu/csm

ADVERTISEMENTS

(713) 743-5340

advertising@thedailycougar.com thedailycougar.com/advertising

Advertisements in The Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole.

3 MONTHS FREE