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A postcard from Poland! Amarillo College's News Source Since 1930 acranger.com
Volume 92, Issue 10
April 7, 2022
AC to observe sexual assault awareness month in April Local sexual assault cases on the rise By CASEY NICCOLI Student Reporter
April is the month where hope is restored for survivors of sexual assault, and Amarillo College aims to bring our community together in order to continue to advocate for victims’ rights. Sexual Assault awareness month (SAAM) is an annual campaign to keep the conversation going and share information on how to prevent sexual violence. This year, the Amarillo College Police Department will work in tandem with Family Support Services holding on campus events in observance of SAMM April 4-7. They will be bringing together different agencies from around the community for the purpose of speaking out against sexual assault.
There will be featured speakers and resources in order to educate students and staff so they can learn how to protect themselves against sexual as-
‘There are so many men that sexually assault or harass, and they barely get a slap on the wrist.’ SUZIE AGUILERA Business major
sault and where to go if they need help. Family Support Services reported that Amarillo experienced a spike in sexual assault cases in February. Normally having 25, there were 50. Suzie Aguilera, a business
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SGA hosted The Clothesline Project, a visual display of violence statistics. Participants were encouraged to write personal accounts, or statements of support on a shirt.
major, said she feels this support for victims is crucial. She personally experienced sexual assault. “It changed me as a person honestly,” she said. “After it happened to me, I started going down the wrong path, and then eventually I started going to church and it made me realize that you don’t forgive
the people for them, you forgive them for yourself so you can move on,” said Aguilera. AC police officers say their goal to help. “Our job is to educate the students, staff and faculty in their daily moments here on campus. I think we should get away from the term police officer in today’s time, I think we should be called public servants,
because that’s what we really are,” said Morice Jackson, a campus police officer. “My role is to be the bridge that connects the dots and makes sure that the students know that I am here to help them with whatever resources they need,” said Jackson. “Sexual assault is a very traumatic experience on a young See SAAM, page 3
4do notout of 5 students report sexual violence to law enforcement
Every 68 seconds... someone in America is sexually assulted.
Only 25 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in jail.
CAUSES OF RAPE April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. To anyone who needs it: The National Sexual Assault hotline: 800-656-HOPE. Local Amarillo area Family Support Services Sexual Assault hotline: 806-374-5433; Espanol: 800-799-7233 Sexual assault survivors support group: 7136 I-40 West Frontage Rd. Park West, Building B Thursdays, 5:45-7:15
Feeling the burn(out)
Coping with academic pressure requires care By CAMERON PLUMLEY Student Reporter
Are you exhausted from barely making assignments deadlines on time? Or are you lacking motivation to attend your classes? If so, experts say you might be experiencing academic burnout and may need
some tips on staying motivated. Most students experience some sort of academic burnout throughout their college career. Amarillo College faculty and staff say there are many ways that students can stay motivated during tough times. Denese Skinner, vice president of student affairs, has
several tips for battling burnout. “Rest, exercise, good nutrition, planning and boundaries. These five things are critical for me to be mindful of and are important to make a priority,” she said. Dylan Soto, an instrumentation major, said he has dealt See BURNED OUT, page 4
ANDREW TERRY | The Ranger
Riley Byrne, engineering major, studies in one of the private rooms in the Underground. According to a survey by HealthLine, student burnout rose drastically during the Covid pandemic, going from 41% in April 2020 to 71% in April 2021.
April 7, 2022
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDENT TRAVEL FOR STUDENTS AT 2-YEAR COLLEGES? EILEEN FRAZIER
Health science major “I think it’s important because students get the opportunity to gain more experience for their studies and more knowledge.”
MELANIE CRUZ
Engineering major “I feel like you get new opportunities and chances to meet new people. Even though it’s a community college you’re able to experience stuff that bigger universities get to.”
RYLIE WILSON
Psychology major “I like that because if you’re already at a community college you’re kind of stuck in town most of the time. Getting students out means they get to explore new things and they can even find new areas where they want to live.”
We cannot afford to be apolitical aaap
OPINION
By ANDREW TERRY Staff Reporter
Political debate at the moment feels a little like entering a gladiatorial arena. People have strong feelings about "politics," which is why a lot of people choose simply not to talk about what they believe either out of fear of being ridiculed or just from an overall apathy from so much happening all at once. Every day, lawmakers try to legislate away the rights of minority groups and underprivileged people, who often don't have the same power to influence legislation as upper class, white citizens. "I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councilor or the Ku Klux Klanner but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice,” Martin Luther King Jr, wrote in his Letter from Birmingham jail. Those words are just as relevant now as they were when they were written. Refusing to take a side in
Editor-in-Chief Raygan Lopez
Design Manager Shawn McCrea
Online Editor Jo Early
Page Editors
John King, Anthony Kiser, Rylee Moore, Jordan Nuner
issues where a group of people’s fundamental rights are up for debate, in effect, is no different from supporting the people taking away rights. Asking for compromise and civility when one side is filled with hatred only serves to maintain oppression. Democracies cannot function without free expression, and, thankfully, the United States guarantees all of us the right to express our opinions freely, as long as they don't hurt others. Nothing will change if we refuse to discuss politics in order to maintain ‘civility.’ Whenever you speak out about an issue, you are raising your voice for someone who may not be able to raise theirs. Even if you don't see it, the actions of political officials affect the real daily lives of someone. Of course, no one can take a well-thought-out stance on every issue, but you can try to learn about the things you feel are most important to you. A population who know what and who they vote for does not allow for corruption or decay of civil rights.
Staff Reporters Arine Garin, D Hill, Andrew Terry
Columnists Raygan Lopez
Graphic Designers
Anthony Kiser, Shawn McCrea
Photographers
Shawn McCrea, Andrew Terry
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 SHAWN McCREA; Colored by Anthony Kiser | The Ranger
Enough awareness, it's time for effort Consent matters, clothes don't EDITORIAL Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is a month dedicated to raising awareness and prevention of sexual assault. Too often, this comes in the form of warning potential victims to dress more modestly and not leave their houses alone at night. That isn’t cutting it anymore. Focusing on victims and not predators has normalized sexual assault, a solution to this is to stop rape and hold rapists accountable. Teaching children autonomy, or consent is a way to prevent sexual assault. If a child does not feel comfortable giving or receiving physical affection allow them to reject it from family members and friends. This allows children to learn consent, lay boundaries and feel comfortable with saying no. Another way is to keep predators out of your child’s home. Young girls are taught to put on sweats, longer shorts and bigger t-shirts simply because there is a male guest coming over. Instead
of telling children to change, keep predators out of your child’s life. Consent and boundaries play a big role in prevention. Stop inappropriate behavior before it becomes sexual assault. Consent is not only yes or no, but the level of comfort with different sexual interactions. Consent can be taken away at any moment and must be freely given and informed. It’s not always that easy. Catcalling, sexual harassment and unwanted contact or touching shouldn’t be permitted. People shouldn’t have to worry about being approached when walking on the street, at the grocery store, at the gym or any other public place. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women experience completed or attempted rape in their lifetime and “about half (51.1%) of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance.” During Sexual Assault
Awareness Month, it’s common to see statistics of how many women are sexually assaulted, but we never see statistics showing how many men are rapists. Exposing the number of perpetrators should light a fire under the government in order to make a change. World Population Reviews report states that an estimated 9% of rapists are prosecuted, 3% serve jail time and 97% of rapists walk free. That’s an unacceptably high percentage. All year, victims are told not to wear short skirts, drink excessively, walk alone, have a “flirty” behavior, a “promiscuous” past, or be alone during nighttime; yet, the only cause of rape is rapists. Instead of focusing on sexual assault for a month, it should be a year-round focus aimed at stopping sexual assault altogether. Let’s move from awareness to action. Help put an end to sexual assault.
Fashion trends impact enviornment aaap By JO EARLY Online Editor
The strawberry dress. The knit dress. Cow print fuzzy bags. Chunky resin rings. These were just a few of the micro-trend fashion hits of 2021, and now they’re yellow-tagged 50% off at the local thrift store. Micro-trends follow short life cycles, starting with skyrocketing popularity and cliff-diving out of fashion just as quickly while macro-trends tend to last much longer, 5 to 7 years and usually mark decades. Shoulder pads through the 80s, baggy denim for the 90s and in the 2000s, low-rise jeans. These clothes are built with high-quality material, often in solid colors or neutral patterns, meant to mix and match.
OPINION
Through most of human history, the average person didn’t have as diverse a wardrobe as we can afford today, only commissioning a new suit or dress once a season. Today, with fast-fashion websites like Shein offering hundreds of new pieces a day, the supply is surpassing demand. Today, expression is one of the few joys we can afford. Rainbow hair colors and tattoos are no longer taboos in the workplace and though micro-trends are cheap, the cost of fast-fashion is high. It takes 2,700 liters of water to produce the cotton for one t-shirt. The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and the U.S. alone sends 21 billion pounds of textiles to landfills each year, most of which is not biodegradable.
So how does one stay fashionable and sustainable? I have a few pointers. First, get to know your own personal style. When I see a micro-trend on my feed, I know within seconds if I’m going to wear it and wear it often. Second, invest in staple pieces. Simple, solid and high-quality pieces like skirts and jeans that will pair well with new things and stay in your wardrobe for years. Third, work on your thrifting and sewing skills. You’ll often find pieces that just need a dart here or a patch there to become new and cute again. You can shop fast-fashion. I do too. My favorite skirt cost me four dollars on Shein. With a strong sense of personal style and some thrifted supplemental staples, it’s possible to be stylish and sustainable.
April 7 , 2022
AC student organizations bring home 33 state awards By ANDREW TERRY
Student Reporter
Two Amarillo College student organizations brought back awards from state competitions. AC student media won 24 awards, including four firstplace prizes from The Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) convention held March 23-26 in Fort Worth, Texas. Approximately 300 students and advisers from 35 colleges and universities attended the event. Shawn McCrea, Raygan Lopez, Rylee Moore, Jordan Nuner and Daniel Antillon attended the convention, as well as Maddisun Fowler, student media coordinator, and Jill Gibson, media, arts and communication department chair. Gibson also serves as the vice president of TIPA and Fowler serves as president of the companion organization, the Texas community college journalism association. During the convention, students got to compete in live journalism contests. “To compete was nerve-wracking at first but I knew I had the support from my advisers and staff,” Raygan Lopez, a mass media major and editor-in-chief of “The Ranger,” said. Students were able to participate in a job fair with working media professionals and had the opportunity to get their work critiqued by professional journalists. “The overall trip was an unforgettable experience,” Lopez said. This is the first TIPA convention that has been held for
more than two years due to the COVID pandemic which makes it the first time some students have been able to attend the event. “It was so interesting and amazing to witness so much creativity in one room,” Lopez said. Daniel Antillon, a general studies major, won honorable mention in the video news and radio announcing live contests. The other awards were given out for previously published work. First place prizes given for previously published work went to Shawn McCrea, a photography and graphic design major; Lance Hooper, a mass media major; and Cailey Dinga, a mass media major. Additionally, the staff of “The Ranger” won first place for in-depth reporting. During the convention, TIPA honored executive director Fred Stewart, who retired in 2020, and inducted him into the TIPA hall of fame. The annual adviser of the year award went posthumously to Kelley Lash, from Rice University. Lash’s sudden and unexpected death left students and fellow advisers shaken. “Seeing Kelley recognized brought tears to my eyes,” Gibson said. “Kelley trained me to be a student media adviser and she was an amazing example of the kind of person every adviser should be.” Additionally, AC’s student government association took home nine awards, with five coming in first place, at the Texas Junior College Student Government Association (TJCSGA) convention that took place over the same weekend in Dallas.
The convention is an annual meeting of community college student government organizations. The association is governed by students along with an adviser elected during the annual meeting to represent their districts on the TJCSGA’s executive board. The convention allows student government members from across Texas to come together and compare each other’s work on their campuses and come up with new ideas according to Odie Padilla, an education major and SGA member. “It’s a very family-like community,” Padilla said. Three AC students were named to the TJCSGA’s region 1 executive board. Mark Soto, a diesel technology major, was named as the board’s president. Jocelyn Baca, a nursing major, was named vice president; and Marcus Benefield, a psychology major, was named as the board’s parliamentarian. During the convention, students were able to attend workshops on topics like the importance of local government in fighting climate change, public speaking and maintaining a healthy local student government association. “It was the most fun experience of my life,” Nathan Diaz, a business administration major, said. The awards won by SGA include first place “Chapter of the Year,” first place “State” and “Sweepstakes” an award given to the school with the most high ranking in other awards as well as a high level of participation.
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AC’s student government association took 21 members to Dallas and came home with 9 awards. TIPA Awards 2022 1st place In-depth Reporting, Ranger Staff Advertising/PSA/Promo, Lance Hooper Editorial page/spread design, Cailey Dinga Feature photo, Shawn McCrea 2nd place Multimedia Feature, Ranger staff General news video story, Daniel Antillon Overall design web, Ranger staff Cover design general magazine, Taylor Burton and Eden Roberts Advertising/PSA/promo, Cooper Barnett General news story, Jo Early 3rd place Breaking news, Rylee Moore Overall Excellence Newspaper, Ranger staff Cover design newspaper, Shawn McCrea Static information graphic, Shawn McCrea Photo illustration, Arine Garin Overall design general magazine, Taylor Burton and Eden Roberts Editorial, Nicholas Bandy Feature story, Jo Early General news multimedia story, Ranger Staff Honorable Mention Editorial page/spread design, Cailey Dinga Editorial, Caylee Hanna Illustration, Isaac Galan Live contest Radio announcing, Daniel Antillon Live contest Radio announcing, Daniel Antillon TJCSGA awards 2022 1st place Scrapbook Best Poem Event of the year Chapter of the year State Essay Best Energy 2nd place Adviser of the year Community service Best song
SAAM: Shining light on a serious subject Continued from page 1 person, and we understand that it takes a lot of strength to come forward,” said Jackson. Educating the public is important, said Denese Skinner, vice president of student affairs, because sexual assault often goes unreported. “It could be fear of the un-
known legal process or retaliation from the perpetrator,” said Skinner, “It could be questioning if they will be believed if they come forward,” she added. Aguilera said until the sentences for sexual assault convictions become
more serious, many women don’t want to come forward. “There are so many men that sexually assault or harass, and they barely get a slap on the wrist,” she said. RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) states that sexual violence
is more prevalent at college compared to other crimes and the statistics show that there are two sexual assaults for every one robbery, according to their website. Although statistics can bring awareness to the seriousness of sexual assault at
college, Jackson wants students to know that AC is a safe campus, but he warns students to be aware of your surroundings and don’t be fearful of reporting a crime. “Call us, we will come to you and walk you back to your vehicle,” said Jackson.
April 7, 2022
Former AC athletes excited for sports return By ANDREW TERRY Staff Reporter
Amarillo College sports alumni are excited about the return of sports not only for the benefits to students, but also for the community. “Frankly, I doubt I would have a college degree had it not been for the opportunity to play basketball here at AC,” Denese Skinner, vice president of student affairs, said. Skinner said she was deciding between coming to AC or going to a visual arts institute, but chose AC because of the scholarship opportunities for athletes. “Some of my most fond memories center around the friendships I developed with my teammates and the shared experiences we had driving all over the southwest in a van to play basketball,” Skinner said. Skinner said the return of sports will benefit the entire community. “Athletics creates a campus and community buzz that brings an added layer of energy and excitement,” she said. The previous president of Amarillo College, Dr. Paul Matney, said that he remem-
bered when AC voted to get rid of men’s and women’s basketball in the 80s, and he’s pleased that sports are coming back. “I agree with those who believe the return of AC athletics will benefit not only athletes, but it will also provide students with an additional experience of college life,” Matney said. “Athletics is also an additional way to increase enrollment by attracting both athletes and their friends to AC,” Matney added. In the past, in support of the athletes, AC had cheerleaders, a pep band and a dance troupe. The games were also broadcast live on TV which gave radio-television production students “an excellent learning experience,” according to Matney. “The students liked going to the games, and the community became involved with the games,” Kayle Mayfield, a former AC cheerleader, said. According to Mayfield, the gyms would be full of students practicing basketball, cheerleading and dancing. “The games gave students something to do in the evenings. The day of the games, no empty seats in the house,” she said. Additionally, AC’s basket-
MIKE HIGGINS | The Ranger
Former Amarillo College basketball player, Carl Walton, shoots his shot in a win over Odessa College in 1976.
ball team has produced some prominent athletes. Andrew Kennedy played basketball at AC in the 80s and then transferred to the University of Virginia. Kennedy was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1987 NBA draft, but he went on to play in Israel where he was named as the Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP, according to his profile on bas-
ketball-reference.com. Larry Kenon attended Amarillo College before transferring to Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis. Kenon was drafted into the American basketball association (ABA) by the New York Nets in 1973. In his rookie year, Kenon and the Nets won the 1974 ABA championship, according to WIl-
liam Rausch, a writer for “The Brooklyn Game,” a website that covers basketball news. Additionally, Kenon made the NBA all-star team in 1978 and 1979, and in 1976 set an NBA record for most steals in a game with 11 which remains tied with former New Jersey Nets player Kendall Gill. The University of Memphis has also retired Kenon’s No. 35.
Gas prices affect student commuters By ANDREW TERRY Staff Reporter
The recent rise in gas prices is impacting student commuters at Amarillo College. “The increase in the prices is affecting me going home and seeing my family,” Mary Lenz, a psychology major, said. Lenz is from White Deer, which is 40 miles from Amarillo, and commutes to school. She said that she’s thankful that she has a house to stay at in Amarillo from Monday to Thursday so she doesn’t have to drive so far during the school week, but she knows not everyone has that opportunity. Lenz also said that since the hike in gas prices, the amount to fill her tank has doubled. She normally spent $25 on gas two or three times a month, but now she spends $50 every other week. Emma Steinle, a business administration major, is another student commuter. Steinle lives in Fritch and drives from Fritch
ANDREW TERRY | The Ranger
According to AAA, the average gas prices in Texas is $3.80 when a year ago the average was $2.59.
to Amarillo every day. With the growth in gas prices she spends about an extra $20 weekly than she did previously, she said and it makes her hate driving to Amarillo. “I don’t have a job right
now, so it’s really stressing me out because my money is dwindling and I’m not making any more,” said Steinle. Steinle also said that she was aware that the school hands out gas cards because
BURNED OUT: Student burnout at an all-time high Continued from page 1 with dips in motivation that make completing school work more difficult. “I would say I try to keep things different, try to switch things up. For instance I will gather with friends and go down to the basement and study in the new study hall instead of always just studying alone at my house,” Soto said. “I also tend to study in the café as well as enroll myself in classes that will make me want to come to class every day. This motivates me to stay focused and succeed in my goal of pass-
ing my classes,” Soto added. Planning ahead is another suggestion for avoiding the problem of getting overwhelmed by assignments. “I am a big planner and like to start working on things long before their deadline,” Skinner said. “This keeps me from being stressed out by last minute rushes. There is just so much time in a day and you have to be mindful of not over committing yourself,” Skinner added. Emma Webb, a graphic design major, said that when she
feels the weight of academic burnout, she focuses on her goals in order to stay motivated. “When I am having a tough semester and have a heavy workload, I like to take a step back and think about my future and what my degree will do for me and how many doors will open for me once it’s complete,” Webb said. “I also find time for myself and the things I do to relieve stress that are not necessarily school work because sometimes you just need a break,” Webb added.
her friend, who also lives in Fritch, has previously received one. She said that the card helped her friend at least get to Amarillo, but she does think it would be helpful if they added more money to the cards.
“We have had gas cards as a resource for several years,” Jordan Herrera, the director of social services, said. “We plan to keep them as an option as funding allows,” Herrera said. Due to the rise in the gas prices the ACR (The Advocacy and Resource Center) are out of gas cards right now due to high demand. She added that there’s $20 on each card. Herrera said that in order to get a gas card, students should call (806) 731-5446 to see if they have any available. If some are available, the staff will ask for the student’s name and ID number to see if they’re eligible. In order to be eligible students must be currently enrolled into classes and actively attending classes. Herrera also added that students, faculty and staff are also able to ride the City of Amarillo Transit Bus System for free during operating hours. Riders just need to present their AC ID cards to the bus driver upon entrance.
AC’s declassified mental health survival guide 1.) Establish healthly habits. Schedule exercise, meals and moments to destress like you schedule homework. 2.) Build resiliency and coping skills. Practice deep breathing, mindfulness, graditude and flipping negative thoughts into positive ones. 3.) Find local mental health support. Currently enrolled students can take advantage counseling services from AC’s Counseling Center for free. To set up an appointment, call (806) 371-5900. 4.) Grow and maintain support systems. Check your school email every week for SGA’s Weekly Dig for events around campus. Meet new friends and connect with positive people. 5.) Don’t wait to get help. Seek professional help immediately if your symptoms are affecting concentration or functioning. Source: https://go.osu.edu/mentalhealthchecklist
April 7, 2022
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The new era of Batman goes back to its roots REVIEW By RYLEE MOORE Student Reporter
“The Batman” was one of the most anticipated movies of 2022, with the potential to be one of the best of the year. Directed by Matt Reeves, who also directed “Cloverfield” and the “Planet of The Apes” movies, “The Batman” showed a more modern take on Gotham, its residents and their problems. Robert Pattinson, playing Batman and Bruce Wayne, was underestimated in his ability to take on the role.
Widely known for his role as Edward Cullen in “Twilight,” many people thought that it would be the peak of his acting career, despite him being in several other movies. “The Batman” shows that not only is Pattinson capable of playing the part, he’s on his way to becoming the best Batman. The main theme throughout the film is that corruption comes in several forms, and vengeance can be misconstrued. From institutional corruption to drug trade, this film covers a
variety of problems we see in the news today. The villains, like the Penguin, played by Colin Farrell, and the Riddler, played by Paul Dano, are real people who create problems that are more realistic than the comics and earlier movies have portrayed. Sending the police and Batman, on the hunt to solve his puzzle, the Riddler uncovers the secrets that Gotham seems to be built on. The Riddler is the classic make up of a psychopath; tragic childhood, untreated
mental illness and intelligence. Dano plays this role perfectly. Pattinson makes Batman into his own character. He shows how trauma lasts well after the event has happened, and that what you think is right may not always be right. As he goes on the wild goose chase that the Riddler includes him in, he makes new connections, one being Selina Kyle, played by Zoe Kravitz, who goes undercover as Catwoman. They agree to help each other, each for their
own gain, and end up tangled in the Riddler’s web of lies. Overall, this movie gripped me from the opening scene until the end. There were great plot twists, character development and modern touches that add to how viewers relate to the film. Each character is played fantastically and it leaves you wanting to see what they’re going to do next, or who they’re going to encounter next. I give it five out of five stars for all of the elements the other Batman movies lacked.
“Uncharted” treads familiar waters REVIEW By JORDAN NUNER Student Reporter
“Uncharted” has just hit theaters and, like any other movie based on a video game, it has been met with skepticism. The original game was released for the PlayStation 3 in 2007 and was developed by Naughty Dog. The game follows a 31-year-old Nathan Drake as he searches for lost treasure, while the movie follows a 25-year-old Nathan Drake who is new to treasure hunting. One of the issues people have with the movie was the lack of a mustache on the character Sully and the decision to have Tom Holland play Nathan Drake. These criticisms are ones that I can understand but could easily overlook as that’s not what matters to me. Holland is young and was chosen for the role of Nathan Drake because of his experience in gymnastics.
Nathan Drake is a character who has to jump and climb and risk his life for the sake of treasure hunting and Holland has the skills to portray that part of the character. Also, the mustache issue was solved by the post-credits where the character Sully is seen with a mustache. The movie takes place in the past and though the Sully from the game in the past had a mustache, the movie is following a different story so Sully not having a mustache should be irrelevant. This also explains why their personalities don’t exactly match up with their video game counterparts. It’s a different story with a different Nathan Drake, but all the action-adventure, treasure hunting, parkour and puzzle-solving is still there. Sure, the story is clichéd, but that goes for the game too, and Holland was great at portraying a young and adventurous Nathan Drake.
We can attest to the lack of Nathan Drake’s video game personality due to the inexperience of the younger Nathan Drake, as he is still new to treasure hunting and there’s still time for his personality to develop into the one known from the game with a possible sequel. The story wasn’t bad, it just didn’t follow the story of the game exactly but that’s to be expected when making a movie of a game that takes hours to play. The movie has to make cuts and changes to the story to fit the time of the movie. The movie did capture the action, adventure and mystery of the game well and was very much enjoyable. The fact that it doesn’t follow the game much is a bit disappointing, but the movie did bring back some memories of playing and that’s all that matters to me. I’ll give this movie a 7 out 10 meaning I liked it.
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“Running with the Hurricane” doesn’t blow anyone away REVIEW By ANDREW TERRY Student Reporter
Australian alternative rock group, Camp Cope, released their third album titled “Running with the Hurricane” March 25, 2022. Their last album, “How to Socialize & Make Friends,” was angry with a minimalist punk sound. The album talked about the misogyny the band experienced within the music industry. Their new album deals with depression, romantic crushes and being vulnerable with a softer, but still confident, tone. The album begins with “Caroline,” a reflection on getting lost in longing for someone else, and eases into the band’s new sound. It starts off with a repeating bass line and adds in more and more elements that give the song a sense of growth that is paralleled by the lyrics, “Now I know there is love / I know there is love that doesn’t have to do / Anything that you / Anything that you
don’t want it to do.” The title, “Running with the Hurricane,” is fully immersed in the band’s new sound. It feels like an angry Australian Taylor Swift, but it remains true to the emotional weight of the band’s previous songs. While “Caroline” is a bittersweet reflection on longing, “Running with the Hurricane” shouts out with the excitement that comes from moving on. The song gives a sense of boldness and confidence in a new reality that isn’t perfect but is certainly better than the past. The album does drag a little bit at points. “One Wink at a Time” feels like an abrupt deceleration in between two other fast-paced intense songs, but the songs that stand out in the album make up for it with their high energy and confident tenderness. Overall the album sets out for a vulnerable, expressive alt rock sound and, with a few minor low points, achieves being a great album.
April 7, 2022
After two years of postponements, Presidential Scholars travel overseas to Poland By KIM BLACK Student Reporter
The Amarillo College Presidential Scholars spent their spring break in Central Europe. From March 10 – 20, 2022, 30 AC students and alumni and three AC sponsors, including Lesley Ingham, honors program chair, Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, AC president, and Michelle Orcutt, associate professor of speech, traveled to Krakow, Poland. One West Texas A&M student and one WT sponsor, Dr. Elizabeth Clark, joined them. The original goals for the trip were to grow closer as a group and learn more about the Holocaust, and students prepared by reading books such as “Night” by Elie Wiesel and researching and presenting programs about the locations they would visit. The trip’s focus changed when, on Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, and Poland began taking in Ukrainian refugees.“We felt moved to try to help Ukraine in some way,” Ingham said. Dr. Clark, a Polish Fulbright scholar, designed the trip and spearheaded a drive to gather supplies like toys, candy, diapers, wipes and formula to create care packages for refugees. These gifts filled seven large duffle bags. The Galicia Jewish Museum in Krakow had set up a day care for refugees, and the AC students donated the supplies on the last day of the trip. They also saw a peaceful demonstration in support of Ukraine in Rynek Square. “It was really eye-opening. Ukrainian flags were in every shop, and people wore the colors in an outpour of support. That doesn’t really happen here,” Liv Cawthon, an English major, said. The group visited Wawel Royal Castle and the first college in Poland. They also went to Oświęcim, Poland, to see the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, with the concentration camp preserved as it was during World War II. “At first, we saw a little bit of hair—a few strands. Then we turned around, and there were mounds of hair. It was sad. Their stuff was more useful than them. They were just living regular lives, and then it was all taken away. They didn’t deserve this,” Faith Diaz, a sonography major, said. Bethany Shaffer, a biology major, was surprised by how big the Auschwitz concentration camp was. “It opened my eyes. To see how they were getting their humanity stripped away. It showed me the possibilities to help our world be a different place,” Shaffer said. The scholars also raised $1,500 to give to a friend in Poland, Szymon Makuch, who drove with his wife into Kharkiv, Ukraine, to deliver supplies to the stranded and then bring back as many refugees as his car would carry. “The trip was just what we imagined and more. It was extra special because we lent a helping hand in a small way,” Ingham said. The trip has inspired the students to fundraise to help KHUB (Kind House Ukraine Bakery) and Makuch as much as possible. Students will be volunteering for KHUB’s Run Your Buns for Ukraine 5K on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 9 a.m. at John Stiff Park, area 14. For more information or to get involved with this fundraising effort, contact Glenda Moore through the KHUB Facebook page. Each year, 15 students are admitted to the application-only Scholars program, following a competitive process that includes an admissions essay and interview. Throughout the year, these students learn about leadership and build lifelong skills designed to propel them toward success. The highlight of the program is travel abroad. The travel destination varies. Past Scholars have visited Peru, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Cambodia, China, Lithuania and India. The Scholars have not traveled since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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