CLUB SPOTLIGHT
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Amarillo College's News Source Since 1930 acranger.com
Volume 91, Issue 9
March 25, 2021
Photo Illustration by SHAWN McCREA | The Ranger
AC to make masks optional President urges vaccination
By CAYLEE HANNA, LEXIE SMITH and ALYSSA FANT Editor-in-Chief and Staff Reporters
Mask-wearing will soon be optional at Amarillo College. Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, AC president, announced the planned change after Texas Governor Greg Abbott rescinded the statewide mask ordinance. In place of mask mandates, Lowery-Hart is encouraging staff and students to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Lowery-Hart explained the upcoming change in an email. “Our community has done a remarkable job distributing the vaccine,” he said. “We must still be vigilant and we’ve proven that when we put our collective safety first, our community responds. I look forward to being mask optional on April 26.” Although wearing masks will become optional, some students plan to keep wearing their masks after the new policy goes into effect. “I do not wear a mask because I am sick, I wear a mask because I am afraid for other people who are sick and/or elderly. I am protecting them from me,” Taevy Nammathao, a psychology major, said. Sierra Ochoa, a music education major, agreed. “Personally, I am still going to wear my mask for my safety and those around me. We have to think of ourselves in these situations and also those around us.” Other students said they are conflicted about mask wearing. “I think that masks can be helpful and it has definitely prevented some of my friends and me from getting COVID-19 at certain times, when being exposed. Although, I have read a study, pretty recently that our masks are lowering our immunity to
other diseases, which is not good,” Kate Pybus, a mass media major, said. Some students and staff members say that not only will they continue masking, they are now wearing two masks instead of just one. This follows a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation to double up on masks to avoid new strains of the virus. The CDC said cloth masks may not have enough layers to be effective. They urge people to wear a cloth mask over their surgical masks or wear a thicker mask and make sure the mask is kept tight around their face with no air holes. Kayle Clemence-Mayfield, certified nursing assistant instructor at AC, said she understands the reasoning behind double masking. “I think it is a great idea to have two masks. They say it will cover a person 95 percent from the virus,” she said. Rather than choosing to wear two masks, many students are relying on getting vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19. “I am confident in the efficiency of the vaccine, especially because I took a biology class and my professor kind of broke-down some of the statistics from it,” Joshie Ruiz, a business major, said. Ruiz said the vaccine is helping life get back to normal. “I think people are more OK with going out. I know that I feel better, personally,” Josh McCormack, an applied sports science major, disagreed, saying there’s still a long way to go. “Vaccines will eventually help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although, there hasn’t been enough research done yet,” he said. “I think that many people are still very scared to get out. There are probably more people getting out than at the beginning of this, but not a ton more.
AC investigates increasing online options By ALEJANDRA GARCIA Staff Reporter
Amarillo College officials said they recognize the need for more online based degrees and online and tech-supported classes in a post COVID-19 world. “I just want to see AC be the best it can be,” Johnny Mize, the chair of board of regents, said. “I believe that online learning is part of our future and COVID-19 has emphasized that.” Recently, Mize formed an AC taskforce to look into
making online-only classes and programs more available to students. This task force has four objectives. First, to identify existing and new programs that can extend into online degrees. Second, to systematize cohort-based faculty development targeting online teaching. Third, to identify and study the best practices in business, industry and education for online learning. Fourth, to create online learning systems, capabilities and methods that are recognized as achieving
best access and results. “We want people that can’t come to class,” Mize said. “This would give them access to anytime learning.” Online classes offer the ability for students to get degrees without the need for a faceto-face environment; whereas tech-supported classes include synchronous video conferencing interactions, Mize said. “I think that COVID has brought to light that to continue student success we are probably going to need both,” Lori Petty, the director of the Center
for Teaching and Learning, said. “I think there is a group of students that could benefit from tech-supported courses and a group that could benefit from online.” “There’s a demand for online programs all the time,” Becky Burton, the associate vice president of academic learning, said. “There’s definitely a market.” Burton said fully online schools such as Western Governors, Western New Hampshire and the University of Phoenix have growing enrollments.
The taskforce is researching ways to add fully online programs to AC’s offerings. Burton said the next step may be to talk to schools that have great online programs, finding out what they do differently and what support services they provide. “It goes back to finding the students where they are,” Burton said. “It opens up the doors of education to students who don’t feel like they an opportunity to go to college because of the traditional setting of a college environment.”
March 25, 2021
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT AC LIFTING THE MASK MANDATE? LILLIAN TRINIDAD General studies
“It doesn’t really matter because people didn’t wear a mask at the beginning of COVID-19. I’m still going to wear a mask, but I’m not going to get vaccinated, just wear my mask.”
STEPHANIE GOODEN
Bussiness Administraion "It's not safe this has been the most deadly virus that the U.S. has had. A lot of people died and to respect them, we should keep wearing a mask. Wearing a mask will also teach younger generations to be cautious and considerate.”
TY KNOBLACH Theatre
“Not sure about lifting the mask mandate, I think it’s too soon. I’m still going to wear my mask and for me, it was never an issue to wear a mask in the first place.”
In-person graduation, a blessing to end tough year aaap
OPINION
By CAILEY DINGA Page Editor
COVID has impacted our lives for the past year and changed the way things are normally done. With the vaccine, social distancing and mask mandate lifting, people are beginning to wonder what is next? For me personally, it's graduation. Since starting at Amarillo College I have been excited to have the opportunity to graduate and walk the stage in front of my family and friends. I am the first person in my family for the past several decades to graduate from college. When COVID started, Amarillo College stopped doing in-person graduations and switched it to strictly to virtual graduations instead. As graduation gets closer I have become more and more
Editor-in-Chief Caylee Hanna
Design Manager Shawn McCrea
Page Editors
Cailey Dinga, Ruth Lerma, Jessika Fulton, Dave Clayton
Online Editor Alyssa Fant
devastated at the fact that I will not get the opportunity to have a in-person graduation. However, rumor has it that Amarillo College will in fact have an in-person graduation at an undisclosed location. Masks will still probably be mandatory, but that is better than the alternative, a virtual graduation. I am thankful that AC believes Amarillo has taken the right precautions to allow us to attend an actual graduation. The thought of spending two years working full time on my college degree, spending hours studying for tests, quizzes, writing countless essays, buying lab supplies and textbooks, without walking across the stage to show off my hard work really troubled me. Now that I might get the chance to walk across the stage I have more motiavtion to finish up this semster stong.
Columnists
Cailey Dinga. Ruth Martinez
Reviewers
Joshua Kaentong, Sidney West
Graphic Designers
Dave Clayton, Shawn McCrea, Sidney West
Photographers
Jessika Fulton, Shawn McCrea
For a complete staff listing, visit The Ranger online at www.acranger.com Student Media exists to serve you — the students. The Ranger staff urges you to get involved by submitting ideas, photos, videos at therangereditor@gmail.com. The Ranger is an independent student publication. Material published in the Ranger does not necessarily reflect the views of Amarillo College administrators or employees.
Illustration by DAVE CLAYTON | The Ranger
Texas ends restrictions too soon EDITORIAL As of March 10, Texas opened up to 100 percent capacity for businesses as well as got rid of the requirement of wearing masks in public. We, as a staff, feel as though Governor Greg Abbott is opening the state too soon. This decision is risky and it is going to derail the progress that the state has made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recently released a statement where she urged states to refrain from opening too soon because it will undo the months of progress that we have already made. We completely agree with Walensky and we believe that some of the states are opening faster than they should. More people should be able to get vaccinated before the states think about getting rid of the mask mandate as well as lifting the capacity restrictions. We, as a society, should be more prepared and safe rather than spontaneous and risky
when it comes to dealing with a pandemic and sadly, Abbott has chosen the spontaneous and risky route. This means that hospitalization rates could increase if this plan backfires and we could possibly end up in the same boat that we were already in at the beginning of the pandemic. Even though businesses are not required to follow Abbott’s decision of lifting the restrictions and ending the mask mandate, it doesn’t mean that having that decision should even be an option yet. We need to look at how this decision is going to affect the outcome of this pandemic and at this point in time we just are not prepared enough to predict anything about the outcome yet. One option that the state government could choose instead of the decision that they made is waiting to open Texas all the way back up until a large percentage of our communities are vaccinated and another option is requiring people to wear face masks for only a couple
more months. This will give them time to come up with a solid and well developed idea of when the state can re-open fully as well as keeping everyone safe in the meantime. This also gives those who want to be vaccinated time to do so and let their bodies adjust to the vaccine as well as making sure the vaccine is in their system. Just because Abbott wants to reopen the economy completely does not mean that it is a good idea. The state government needs to take a step back and come up with a plan for our society that will ensure the safety of our communities. Whether it is waiting until a large percentage of our community is vaccinated or continuing to require masks in public for just a couple more months, we need to make sure everyone will be safe rather than all of us being sorry about a reckless decision. We are all tired of this pandemic and the toll that it has taken on everything, but we can’t give up yet.
Increased Gas Prices are unacceptable OPINION By RUTH MARTINEZ Page Editor
Since the beginning of January 2021, gas prices have been on the rise. The only good thing to come out of this horrible pandemic were the low gas prices, the original $1.80 per gallon fiesta. Right now, the average gas price in Amarillo is $2.54 per gallon and people are freaking out about how much it will cost in the near future. In February, the week of the freezing snowstorm only made matters worse, many oil producers and refineries shut down before the snow hit. Even though fewer people drive in colder weather, the price just keeps on
increasing. According to instituteforenergyresearch.org, the demand for gas has been high with supply being low, causing gas station owners to raise the price. With reality setting in, it’s all understandable, but it’s not acceptable. Especially during a pandemic, which makes this even more of a pain. Not only has the price of gas increased, but due to the nasty weather, food, water and hotel room prices have also gone up during and after the week of the storm. This means price gouging was taking place even though it’s clearly a violation according to npr.org. During the pandemic it
was only $10 to fill my tank up. Now with vaccines being distributed throughout the community and the insane prices increasing on about almost everything, to fill up my tank, it is now $25. It blows my mind to know that this is happening in a time where people have lost their jobs because of COVID. Yes, stimulus checks are still being handed out, but I’m pretty sure we’ll see gas prices exceeding $3 a gallon. Demand continues to rise as many families and friends recently went on vacation for spring break. Make sure you save extra money after your checks because this increase is most likely not going to end.
March 25, 2021
Planning makes transfer process go smoothly for university bound By ALYSSA FANT Online Editor
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Dr. Sophia Jieun Park plays violin and Dr. Jim Rauscher plays piano at the Amarillo College music faculty recital this spring.
Music enrollment up
Virtual performances, social distancing allow majors to play, learn despite COVID By ALEJANDRA GARCIA Staff Reporter
Enrollment in the Amarillo College music department has increased this spring semester. The department’s numbers have risen to 30 from last semester’s count of 15. “I think it’s due to being able to still meet, with modifications, in person,” Camille Nies, the chair of music and theatre, said. These modifications include social distancing protocols, smaller group sizes and masking even in choirs. She said recitals are being done strictly online to minimize exposure to large crowds. Nies said there are air purifiers with built in UVC lighting in each rehearsal space, teaching studio, classroom and practice room to help keep air
circulating and disinfected. “We have to sanitize chairs, stands and everything anybody has touched,” Carol Parks, a music therapy major, said. “You really have to be blatant that you’re following the rules.” She said students aren’t allowed to practice more than 45 minutes without a break. Students must leave the room for 15 minutes to allow it to air out. “If it’s a one-on-one lesson, we have two pianos and in between is the Plexiglas,” Dr. Bruce Lin, the director of piano, said. “There’s a bottle of hand sanitizer on the pianos and when we’re done, we wipe them down with wipes.” He said students are knowledgeable about COVID guidelines and if they are quarantined, they attend Zoom classes online.
“Music is an essential part of education,” Dr. Lin said. “The students here and faculty are working so hard to continue to provide music to the community.” “Each student signs up for a specific time,” Chancelor Barbaree, a professional tutor of music, said. “It’s usually a one-on-one experience. We stay distanced and masked and then I make my rounds to make sure everybody’s getting what they need from me.” He said being able to get a one-on-one lesson is definitely a blessing. “But it works better when you’re in person, you have that human-to-human contact, even if it’s at a distance.” “We rehearsed outdoors as much as possible but we’re back indoors and social distancing,” Nathaniel Fryml,
director of choral activities, said. “Singers rely on each other to adjust pitch and tone. Masks make this difficult but we noticed rehearsing outside allowed them to grow much faster because of having to overcome barriers.” Fryml said his students are preparing their online presentation for the semester with much more confidence. The number of students in the chorus has also increased with people wanting to come back after initially leaving due to choral activities being deemed high risk. “So many people come alive with singing, you grow to trust people beside you. To connect, that’s what people are struggling with today,” Fryml said. “Music may be the part that helps people trust in each other again.”
AC helps veterans succeed By ISAIAH FLORES Staff Reporter
Amarillo College’s veterans’ services helps veterans who want to gain an education. They can sign up on the college website. Once they've followed the required steps, they can begin the process of starting their academic careers. Kelly Murphy is the veterans coordinator for Amarillo College. Her job is to help veterans receive their educational benefits in order for them to begin their academic journey. “Veterans services help veterans and their dependents and spouses utilize their federal education benefits that they earned while
in service,” Murphy said. “They just have a benefit that helps them when they go to school, nothing too different. It's just another resource that helps those students get financially.” Kye Ramirez is a business management major, as well as an adult outreach enrollment adviser. Ramirez is a veteran who is going to graduate this May. He said that veterans sometimes have trouble adapting to college. “We have a different lifestyle, so we kind of live by a different set of values that are very structured, and sometimes forming relationships can be a bit difficult, but that’s part of the process of reintegration,” Ramirez said.
Daniel Morrow, an AC graduate, said that his veteran’s benefits covered his tuition, part of his books and provided a living stipend. Morrow encourages veterans who are considering going to college, pointing out they have valuable life experience to share. “You can bring your experiences from Marine Corps and maybe being overseas into their classroom for everyone to learn,” Morrow said. He also said that veterans face some disadvantages within the classroom. “Downsides are you’re a little bit older, you leave a community of veterans and active-duty servicemen and women. You come home and
you have to learn to adapt to the college lifestyle, as compared to the military, but once that change occurs, it's all downhill from there,” Murrow said. “It’s about finding your new passion for school and what exactly you want to pursue, and also finding that group of people that you can interact with, who are like-minded like yourself, '' Morrow said. Ramirez urges fellow veterans to seek out educational opportunities. “There’s nothing wrong bettering yourself. Even if it’s one or two classes or getting a degree, get out there and engage your community. You can do it by getting this education,” Ramirez said.
As Amarillo College enters the second half of the spring semester, many students’ thoughts are turning to transfer. Jamie Perez, the director of transfer and success, said students need to start now to get ready for university. “Every student needs to do research when they are getting ready to transfer to decide what university they want to attend,” Perez said. “Even students who have a university in mind need to do some research.” AC’s website has information to help transfer students, including how to attend virtual transfer sessions held by universities. The sessions will teach students about what each university offers. The website also offers a transfer guide. Ella Duck, a general studies major, said her college plans changed due to COVID. “I am so thankful I could attend AC with my Thrive scholarship and take classes online,” Duck said. “I’m just trying to take basics and work part-time to be as prepared for my sophomore year wherever I end up.” Perez said students should research admission requirements because some schools require a higher GPA, but most schools will say that you have to be in good standing, which means you can’t be on probation from the prior college and must have a 2.0 GPA or higher. Some universities also have specific academic requirements for particular programs. Students should also research the costs of going to that university. Things such as living on or off-campus will affect the cost of going to that school. It may be better for some students to go to a school they live near. Different schools have different requirements for students who live off-campus, such as age. Some students may prefer virtual online learning over in-person classes, so checking to see what virtual classes the university offers is important, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alison Neatherlin, an interdisciplinary studies major, transferred from Amarillo College to West Texas A&M University. “You definitely should start planning early,” she said. “Find out what steps you will need to take, who you need to talk to and if you need financial aid. Do not wait until the last minute. You might also want to familiarize yourself with the campus. When you find out what your classes are, scope them out beforehand.”
March 25, 2021
New skate club in search of members Skaters create inclusive environment
By RAYGAN LOPEZ Page Editor
A group of students is now introducing a new club to Amarillo College. SK Infinity is a skate club to help students relieve stress and meet new people. “The goal is to create memories and to learn how to get back up when you fall off your board or in life,” Joshua Kaentong, a business administration major and club president of SK Infinity. said. “The reason we created this club is to create something that’s beyond a group of friends but also something positive in the community. We want to overcome obstacles and have people there for us when we fall down, we want to say ‘you can do it’ and ‘keep going,’ and that’s not just with a skateboard,” Kaentong said. The club has about 12 active group members;
RAYGAN LOPEZ | The Ranger
Joshua Kaentong, president of SK Infinity, skating and scouting for new members to join the club.
however, members are recruiting students around
campus by simply walking up to them and promoting
the club. Group members are also boosting the club using their social media. “It would be cool to have it at more than just Washington Campus,” Hannah Patterson, a general studies major and member, said. “I feel like if we got the word out and have other campuses it would be good publicity and we could get more sponsors.” “I definitely think it could help students broaden their horizons, try new things even if they’re a little scary at first. Make some news and find a new hobby,” Patterson said. Due to COVID-19, the club meets virtually on Discord and in-person on the fourth floor of the Byrd Business Building in room 415 every Friday at noon. “COVID has affected us like an exra-long winter, you can’t skate in the snow or on a zoom call,” said Kaentong. “So it’s been a rough
start, but creating friends through skateboarding is what made the club and is what’s going to grow the club as well,” he said. Kaentong said the club aims to be an inclusive community that will make students feel welcomed, become active and stay on top of their studies. The club ultimately wants more students to become involved regardless of whether students can skate or not. “To me, the message the club is trying to push is that no matter who you are or what gender, anybody can do anything and anybody can skate,” Khalila Stevenson, a biology major and member, said. To become a part of the club one must attend one meeting and one fellowship. To join SK Infinity, email Kaentong at kaentongj@gmail.com or 806-367-0479.
Technology club unites members By LEXI SMITH
Staff Reporter
Bash Script Crazy is a tech-based club at Amarillo College. “We started with technology and artificial intelligence. Now, our club works with anything to do with technology; Robotics, drones and really anything to do with Google,” Chris George, a computer instructor and club sponsor, said. Students involved said there are many advantages to joining the club. “We like to get everybody together to do projects and hang out,” Ariana Rangel, a computer information systems major, said. “We used to have meetings to talk about the technology and get to know everyone. Especially new students, it is a great community for incoming students to Amarillo College.” The tech-based club has the goal of including students who have the same interests. “What I always wanted to do was get everyone together to build, have fun and compete,” Henry Ward Stratton, a computer science major, said. “We’ve had students from other degrees, English for example,” Stratton said. “People that are interested in technology and want to know more about it. That is what we
are all about.” Leaders and sponsors said that the Bash Script Crazy club supports multiple organizations. “We promote diversity,” George said. “We have worked with the Girls Who Code. This is a group that helps high school girls who want to work with technology. We also promote the Women in Cybersecurity.” The club members also said there are multiple social events that incorporate other Amarillo College students. “In the fall semester of 2020, our president at the time, Mr. Stratton, was planning for us to build a computer as a club. We had the idea to have a game night and auction off the computer in a raffle,” said Rangel “Although COVID got in the way and we never actually got to do it,” Rangel said. COVID-19 has put a strain on student participation in the club. “Before the campus was shut down, we used to meet in class and play video games, have hacking competitions, work with security, etc,” George said. “We also went and competed in national competitions and received trophies. We hope to go and get some more trophies when all of this is over,” said George.
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Student project gives back to community By RUTH MARTINEZ Page Editor
Badgers Give Back is a community service project that Amarillo College Student Government Association members do every year in order to reach out and help all students and the community. Feb. 22 to 26 anyone on campus and in the community could donate food and hygiene items in exchange for an AC T-shirt. Students could donate up to five times by giving four canned foods or two boxed food items and also two toiletries or two hygiene items. SGA partnered up with and donated all the food and products to the Advocacy Resource Center. Due to COVID-19 the ARC has been running low on
supplies for students in need. The ARC helps students remove any barriers such as utilities, housing, transportation, child care and the most used service, food pantry. “A lot of times people will look at the food bank as a place where you can go or Salvation Army things like that, but we have our own here that resources other badgers that are on campus with us, so we thought of what can we do to benefit them,” said Nazario Maestas, SGA vice president and recording arts major. By Tuesday, Feb. 23, all three bins were completely full with different items. They filled up again Thursday, and Friday SGA members brought in extra bins. The bins were 32 gallon trash cans, so at the end of the
week SGA had 12 bins filled with additional bags that needed to be carried to the ARC. Jenna Welch, the Student Life coordinator, said that the community service project is different every year for the students, “This was their first time taking donations for the ARC and it was really successful,” she said. Social Services Coordinator Ashley Guinn worked closely with the SGA on the project. “I am just so proud of Amarillo College and just the students and Student Government and for everybody just taking on our culture of care. We know that it takes all of us and it’s not just one specific person because whenever we all come together, great things can happen like this,” Guinn said
March 25, 2021
Series ends with addiction REVIEW By JOSH KAENTONG Videographer
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Don’t watch “Attack on Titan.” I’ll be the first to say it, and I won’t be the last. “Attack on Titan” will get you invested in the show and it will keep you invested. The day I fear the most is the day this series ends. The author of the show himself says that he dreams of opening a spa when the season finale ends. I and many others believe he plans on doing this with the tears and sweat of his viewers. Seriously, if you haven’t heard of the series it is one of the most popular shows in the United States to date, according to Parrot Analytics. The premise is about a boy named Eren Jaeger who lives inside the walls that protect humanity from man-eating Titans. One day the wall manages to break and on that day, mankind receives a grim reminder that they lived in fear of the Titans and were disgraced to live in cages that they called walls. There are a lot of shows that are interesting and can get you thinking, but rarely are there shows that challenge the viewer’s thinking on various subjects like morality and freedom. “Attack on Titan” is
special because it has everybody thinking, not just one niche group. The show is currently airing its final season and the finale is comparable to “Avenger’s End Game.” “AOT” is the furthest thing from predictable, with all the plot twists and shocking revelations, it leaves you craving to know more each episode. Now, the question at hand is, “If this show is so good, then why haven’t I heard of it?” It’s a sound argument and there’s not much to dissect except the fact that this show is actually an anime. Although it is safe to say a majority of people do not watch anime and think that it’s “just cartoons,” I’m here to challenge that in “AOT” fashion. Hear me out, an animation is able to express more emotion than a real human being, plain and simple. Animation has the ability to show the imagination and emotions that we bottle up and can’t express in real life because it’s awkward and unrealistic. In “AOT,” the main character screams at the top of his lungs about something he wants to achieve and is really passionate about. If you were to replace that with a real human, it would just be awkward or even funny. When I first watched anime, it was easy to tell that it was all fake, but at the same time, that’s what made it feel all real. TV shows struggle with the disconnect between what’s reality and what’s fake, and because of that, I’d like to disconnect the thought of you not watching an anime, and make watching “Attack on Titan” a reality. You will love it, even if it’s fake.
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“The Unfortunate,”next big thing REVIEW By JOSH KAENTONG Videographer
“Rest My Peace” is The Unfortunate’s first album release that has put a spotlight on Amarillo College’s hidden talent within the students. With over 4,000 streams and more to come, this band hasn’t gotten much exposure on campus, with that said let’s make that change. When I first listened to the album I was surprised by the vibes it gave. It reminded me of a time when the internet was just born and the Friday night
band in the bar would play without a care in the world of who’s listening. You get the raw feels from each song and the vocals are intentionally dialed back to focus more on the instruments as well. I wouldn’t mind paying to see this band live. I personally liked “Lover Boy” with its catchy chorus and laid back feeling. I could see myself enjoying a nice adult beverage in the warm sun while listening to it. However, “Lover Boy” is far from what the album as a whole entails. “Rest My
Peace” is dedicated toward conveying the emotions that their generation feels. “I’m like going insane about how the world is changing. That’s why it’s called, instead of rest in peace, it’s like, rest my peace, because it’s gone,” Roberto Carlos Patino, a mechanical engineering major, lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, said. The band was formed in 2018 but both artists, Patino and Vicente, lead guitarist and vocalist, have been making music since 2016. ”There was never a goal to reach based on streams…
We definitely had the goal to publish 13 songs for our first album,” Patino said. As the name suggested, COVID-19 was also an unfortunate event that the band faced. ”Because of COVID-19, the album was delayed so much. We never were able to get together and record,” Patino said. “Sometimes one of our family members would get sick and therefore we couldn’t get together. It was supposed to be a 2020 album but it was worth the wait,” he said. Now with over 1,000
monthly streams, the now experienced two are ready to work on their next album. Despite all of the positive feedback, this album is their first which means there is room for improvement. With more time and experience I’d love to see more from the band and watch them grow as musicians. As The Unfortunate continues to make music, their voice will definitely improve and with that, they’ll definitely be heard. Check out “Rest My Peace” by The Unfortunate on all platforms.
March 25, 2021
By DANIEL PINEDA Staff Reporter
Amarillo College students say they are grateful for the services they receive from the High Plains Food Bank Mobile Harvest Program.“For the most part, everyone we serve is extremely appreciative. We have received all kinds of cards, notes and meals to say thank you,” Justin Young, the nutrition education director at High Plains Food Bank, said. The idea for the mobile garden was first pitched by Justin’s wife, Cara Young, around six years ago. “Cara envisioned the Mobile Harvest Program as a way to serve areas with low access to healthy produce and reduce waste at the food bank,” Justin said. After acquiring and restoring the produce truck, Justin and Cara began to distribute to AC’s Washington Street Campus, Heal the City Clinic and the ACTS Community Center in the fall of 2019. “The mobile garden comes on campus every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The truck parks next to the STEM Research Center,” Dr. Claudie Biggers, a biology professor, said. The mobile garden’s service
is free of charge for anyone. “Once at the distribution line, students will be asked questions for the purpose of reporting to the agencies that donate the produce,” Biggers said. Some of the questions asked include, the person’s name, how many people are in his or her family and if the person has been there before. “This is nice for people. Fresh produce can be quite expensive, especially if you’re a student and you can’t work all too much. So, it really helps. It’s a good thing,” Denise Robinson, a physical therapy major, said. According to Biggers, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the mobile garden was already a needed and welcomed service. “After the pandemic caused many to lose income and jobs, the need for the service amplified. During the summer, over 125 vehicles lined down the street for blocks, and received benefits weekly,” Biggers said. Evan Blunt, an art major, said that the service is good and he is glad that it is available. “Since the pandemic I kind of have had less income, so it’s been really helpful to have extra potatoes or whatever they have available and save some money for other groceries,” Blunt said. However, as more governmental support has become available for families, the number of people using the service numbers has decreased since November. “Pre COVID-19, we would see approximately 400 to 500 people per week. As of right now, we are seeing closer to 200,” Justin said.
Illustrations by DAVE CLAYTON | The Ranger