Holiday Survival Guide, Pg. 6
Amarillo College's News Source Since 1930 Volume 92, Issue 5
acranger.com
December 2, 2021
Supply shortages shock store shelves By JO EARLY
Online Editor
their classes and not have to leave campus. So the cafe and the bookstore are going to really be awesome looking when we finish,” Smith said. Following the completion of the new facility for the art department, they will be
Across America, shelves are empty, prices are skyrocketing and small businesses are struggling to find materials. The main cause of the problem is sitting in the ocean, according to Mark Nair, a macroeconomics professor and senior consultant for career accelerators at Amarillo College. “You have ports that are blocked up with a lot of ships,” he said. “A giant ship shows up and ports work overtime to unload that ship, and then another giant ship comes in. The infrastructure has been right on a teetering edge for the past 10 years because of these massive ships.” COVID-19 exacerbated a
See REMODEL, page 3
See SHORTAGE, page 4
SHAWN McCREA | The Ranger
Jake O’Conner, a graphic design major, sits in the newly-remodeled cafe working on classwork. “It looks nice,” he said about the new amenities.
CUB remodel in final stages By NICK BRADY Columnist
The College Union building has had a large-scale remodel, adding many new amenities that students will soon be able to enjoy. The amenities will include a completely remodeled base-
ment for the art department, a new cafe and bookstore and food options for students to be able to eat meals on campus. “I think it’s gonna be really nice for the art department,” said Danny Smith, master plan program manager. “But not only that, they’re going to have a really nice cafe up top,
we built a complete kitchen, we put a new hood in there for the kitchen appliances, all the stoves and the fryers and everything and a pizza oven. So there’s going to be a very nice little restaurant on campus now that students can go over there and pick up a quick sandwich or something like that between
Rising inflation hits AC students
COVID creates emotional and financial impact during holiday season By SEASON CRAVEN Student Reporter
Inflation is impacting every sector of business, and Amarillo College students are feeling it, both financially and emotionally. Prices on everything from food to computer chips have risen dramatically in the past year, and most agree COVID is to blame. Susan Burks, a professor in accounting and business administration at AC, said, “Inflation is a byproduct of COVID and many other things, and is relative to each individual’s spending patterns. All inflation is not bad. Ultimately it is related to supply and demand.” Burks also said that inflation is a complex problem with no easy answers. “There is a domino effect on us, as consumers, when materials are not available for items, such as cars and the computer chips that go in them, or building materials for example.” According to Debra Avara, a professor of behavioral studies, the consumer price index rose 5.4% from the previous year, which is the highest since 2008. “Inflation affects businesses on all scales,” Avera said. “Inflation causes the price of items for sale to rise, which means people may need to buy less. Paying necessary living expenses first, leaves less money for the people to spend on wants. Our
The Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of inflation is a continuing rise in the general price level usually attributed to an increase in the volume of money relative to available goods and services. Or in other words, the price of goods increases while the worth of money decreases.
purchasing power of the dollar does not go as far as it used to,” she said. AC students are feeling the squeeze from increased prices. Marissa Cooney, a psychology major, said, “Inflation has been happening for years, slowly. Things getting more expensive at the grocery stores, gas yo-yoing and stuff like that. COVID just sped up that process. If we were living paycheck-to-paycheck,
COVID put us over the edge. I also feel that the effects of corporate greed have gone too far. I believe students need more help now than ever. Inflation has caused me to spend more money just to survive,” Cooney said. The effect from inflation can impact more than just finances. It can also impact emotional and mental health. “I personally find that students are needing more emotional help than necessarily financial help,” Burks said. “Many of our students have financial barriers and we have resources in place to help them through the ARC, scholarships etc.” “I think the effects of the pandemic exacerbated the mental health problems of some who were already experiencing depression or other issues,” Burks said. “For others, the social isolation and change of habits are having long-term effects that we are just now beginning to see. Learning for K-12 students in poverty suffered tremendously because of the pandemic. Families dealing with the loss of a loved one and those suffering long-term health symptoms from COVID created an emotional toll on people and it will take time for them to process all the changes. All of these things together make life seem very overwhelming for many. It’s hard to quantify how or why some need more help than others. But again, I think it’s more of mental and emotional health issues than financial issues in terms of help that students are needing,” Burks said.
The price of a standard size of drip coffee in 1970 was .25 cents. While America did experience inflation in the 1970s, the current inflation situation stems from a different economic problem. The 1970s-era inflation was amplified by oil embargoes that sent prices soaring, thus feeding inflation and slowing down the economy. Today, while oil prices are higher, a large part of the inflation is a result of the demand surge tied to the global economy jumpstarting after the COVID shutdown. Illustrations by SHAWN McCREA | The Ranger
December 2, 2021
DO YOU ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS OR DO THEY STRESS YOU OUT, AND WHY? SYDNEY THEPHAPHINE Nursing
“As an adult I don’t think I truly enjoy the holidays. It is stressful, I love when my family gets together and everything, but it feels like there’s pressure just to do things with everyone when you don’t really have to. Christmas feels fake, it’s just consumerism.” Illustration by ANTHONY KISER | The Ranger
KARLA ARENAS
Business Administration “I enjoy the holidays because it’s time to relax and spend time with family.”
GABBY WASHINGTON Pre-health Assistance
“I love the holidays because they bring all people together, and are more likely to express true feelings. The holidays come in good and bad, but always end with the true words being spoken.”
Don’t rush Christmas OPINION By DEMAREA HILL Staff Reporter
As soon as November first hits, we are bombarded with Christmas decorations because we, as a nation, completely skip over Thanksgiving and go straight to Christmas. Thanksgiving is given a small section of decorations, while Christmas is given big sections, even multiple isles. As a nation, we forget the importance of Thanksgiving, this is a holiday made for giving thanks. Some would say Christmas is important as well because that’s the day when Jesus was born, but how many people can say they put Jesus over the gifts they receive that day? Not many people can. Yes, I do agree with Christmas being an important holiday but the decorations come up way too soon. At the beginning of November, I went to TJ Maxx and they already had the Christmas decorations out and music playing. I sat there thinking about why are the decorations out so
Editor-in-Chief Raygan Lopez
Design Manager Shawn McCrea
Page Editors
John King, Rylee Moore, Ruth Martinez, Isaac Galan
Online Editor Jo Early
soon? Where are the Thanksgiving decorations and why does Thanksgiving not have any music? What is even crazier to me is some stores never take their Christmas decorations down, for example, Hobby Lobby has their Christmas decorations all year round. You can call me a Scrooge, but bringing the decorations in so soon takes away from the holiday because people aren’t thinking about what Christmas is actually about, they are only thinking about decorations. Although Christmas is important, I believe that the decorations come out way too soon and it takes away from the holiday. I also believe that if people want Christmas to be as “important” as it is now, they need to put the actual importance of Christmas back in it. Lastly, all holidays should get the exact same treatment as Christmas, especially Thanksgiving, which in all actuality Thanksgiving deserves more recognition regardless of its past.
Staff Reporters
DeMarea Hill, John King, Arine Garin
Columnists
Nick Bandy, Raygan Lopez
Graphic Designers Isaac Galan
Photographers
Nick Bandy, 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.
Overreliance on adjuncts causes issues EDITORIAL As adjunct professors become more common throughout higher education, the quality of a student’s education may be slipping without them even realizing it or understanding the differences between full time and adjunct faculty. Adjunct instructors are faculty members who are not fulltime employees of the school that they teach at, who are often paid much less than full time members, while also not receiving employment benefits. In many cases this can result in the part time faculty not being as available to students, unable to be present on campus and lend the help that some students may need. Although adjuncts may be cost effective for a school’s bottom line, the normalization of the practice in higher education is lowering the quality of education offered to students, while tuition continues to increase. While many adjuncts are skilled at what they do and would love to invest more
time into their students, without the resources to do so it is impossible, regardless of how passionate the teacher is for their students’ success. If a part time instructor has to worry about how to get food on the table for their family on a regular basis, it will directly impact their teaching. According to a survey published by the Coalition on the Academic Workforce in 2012, “The median per-course pay was about $2,700, or $24,000 per year as a full-time-equivalent employee.” It’s important to note that this statistic is a median of many different types of schools, and that in community colleges the pay can be even lower, with many part time faculty members facing poverty level incomes resulting in the need for multiple jobs and less time. Another problem that occurs with large levels of adjunct faculty is the lack of consistency for students. A valuable part of college for students can often be
the relationships you form with professors. Mentorship can play a major role in the college experience and can make a big impact with a student’s education. However, with the economics of part time teachers these mentorships are never able to take place in many situations. Adjunct faculty jobs are almost never guaranteed to persist year after year, not to mention that teachers often have to change schools on a regular basis just to make a decent living. The increase of part time teachers in academia could very well have large negative impacts for higher education all together if these practices continue to increase. While students may not always know whether or not their instructor is part time, the repercussions can be felt. Lack of communication, less feedback on coursework and little time for contact. These are coming at a direct cost to the quality of student’s education.
Facebook’s future looks bright OPINION By LANCE HOOPER Student Reporter
At first glance, you might think Facebook is getting a facelift, and, at 17, you might even think they’re a little young. In all actuality, Mark Zuckerberg has merely forklifted a new future for Facebook and its siblings, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Mapillary, Oculus, Workplace, Portal and Diem and put the whole family up for adoption. The good news is that Meta Platforms Inc. adopted the entire family. Reconstructing Facebook by dissociating the brand with all its other brands is a smart move for Facebook, but for some it might leave a bad aftertaste like drinking a diet soda. However, rising from the dust of reconstruction is a new Meta-verse of possibilities. You would have to be living under a rock to no be aware of all bad press for Facebook these
days. When I first heard they were changing their name to Meta, I was surprised. You can’t say the idea of Facebook isn’t a brilliant concept that started with seven employees and now has over 25,000 worldwide. As a social media platform, Facebook owns 59% of the market share. With power comes responsibility and I feel Zuckerberg is taking the steps to fix Facebook’s inadequacies by giving it a parent company. Facebook as it is now solely responsible for Facebook and how it impacts the social media world. Zuckerberg wants his company to grow without always being associated with just Facebook. The growing pains really do make sense at this stage in the game. Metaverse is a place where you can work, game, communicate, and congregate in a virtual environment. Zuckerberg says “You should think of Metaverse as the
internet brought to life as a “virtual environment you can go inside. It will be an endless world of interconnected virtual communities.” Now that I’m more aware of what the changes at Facebook entail, I’m less concerned. I just want social media networks to encourage actual social interaction, not divide people. The idea of social media is a fun idea. Social media has a positive impact on local businesses. I just want all social media platforms to recognize the huge social impact they have and navigate going forward with the consumer in mind first, profits second. Zuckerberg says he “wants the Metaverse to let people know they are not alone.” I say a tool is only as good as the knowledge that goes behind it, so let’s encourage better social media standards that truly bring people together.
December 2, 2021
Advisers urge students to register now By ELIZABETH CHUNN Student Reporter
Flannel season means finals are approaching as well as spring registration for Amarillo College students. Registration is open and students can schedule their first eightweek classes through Jan. 14. “Some students are registering early since classes fill up quickly,” Amber Contreras, combined services assistant at the Moore County Campus said. Students can plan their own schedules through AC’s student planning page or by speaking directly to an academic adviser. “Often times, they like to talk to us face-to-face where we can evaluate where they are, help them pick classes and advise on how to create a man-
ageable schedule,” Daniel Esquivel, dean of operations at the Hereford Campus, said. “Some students like to register on their own, but many have questions.” Keaton Byers, a business management major, said he meets with his adviser regularly to ensure he’s on the right track of becoming a music composer. “Since AC doesn’t really offer a huge music program, they definitely help me get the starting classes I might need,” Byers said. Officials say students should avoid waiting until the last minute to register. “Students do have to be greenlighted by an adviser to register every semester,” Contreras said. “It can be a hassle with distance learning but calling or sending an email to your adviser is a quick way to get approved.”
Approval requirements include meeting the minimum TSI test scores or by making alternative arrangements with an adviser. “The TSI is used to gauge whether students are at a college learning level,” Contreras said. “Students who do not meet college-level scores can enroll in tutoring and retake the TSI for only $15.” Students are also encouraged to reach out to an adviser with any questions about financial aid. “We are happy to answer questions by email, and we do lots of texting and calling with our students,” Esquivel said. “Students who need help completing the FAFSA should come prepared by bringing the proper documents into our office, and we can help make
SHAWN McCREA | The Ranger
Austin Miller, business management major, visits with Advising Specialist, Yuri Sanchez to register for Spring 2022 classes. Students can register up until Jan. 18.
the process a lot smoother.” With registration in full swing, officials say students should take advantage of both of the in-person and online resources. “If they have questions or
doubts and don’t know where to start, they can start by asking an adviser,” Contreras said. “AC creates a culture of caring through our willingness to help each student accomplish their goals on an individual basis.”
Grab graduation gowns now By GARREN BUSTAMENTE Student Reporter
SHAWN McCREA | The Ranger
Transfer success cordinators and additional information about a variety of regional unversities is available at a booth in the Washington campus advising center.
Preparation is key for transfer success By JEFF SANCHEZ Student Reporter
Students at Amarillo College are making plans for the future as the fall semester comes to a close. As graduation approaches, many students are prepping for a new chapter. The next step for some is to continue their studies at a university. “I look forward to working with others at Texas Tech as well as being involved in clubs and organizations,” Deisy Molina, photography major, said. AC officials say planning ahead is the key to a smooth transfer process. “Students can prepare by beginning research on the university and major you are interested in and determine who the transfer admissions counselor is at the university,” Jamie Perez, transfer success coordinator, said.
“Most students can begin the transfer process of applying to their university in the last term at AC,” Perez said. “In some cases with top tier universities, like The University of Texas at Austin, you need to start the admissions application process a year in advance,” he said. Students who have already graduated and transferred said that the AC transfer services were helpful and led to success at their universities. “AC prepared me to have a good understanding of college prior to transferring to a bigger university by allowing me to challenge myself in the courses I took,” Paulina Fernandez, an engineering major at the University of Texas Tech, said. “A piece of advice I would give to future transfer stu-
dents is to not be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone when transferring,”Fernandez said. “It’s important to ask for help when needed and to get involved in school activities,” she said. Students can visit the AC transfer connections website to download a transfer guide checklist to help prepare. According to Perez, most universities have a similar transfer checklist that students should look into. “Upon submitting your admissions application be on the look-out for the university’s decision on your admissions status,” said Perez. “The university’s decision may take one to two weeks and students will receive an email or letter and will outline your next steps or additional documentation needed,” he said.
Graduation is a milestone for many people. Amarillo College will be holding winter graduation Dec. 17 and lots of planning and preparation in must take place before the event. “Students need to make sure they understand their program requirements and when to expect an email for graduation,” said Tiffany Oneal, associate registrar for AC. “Once they have either taken or are currently taking all their classes, that’s the term they will graduate.” AC staff members plan the graduation ceremony. “We have a committee involving every group at AC. Marketing, PBS, faculty, everybody has a representative in the committee,” Oneal said. “The registrar’s office is in charge of the student list of graduates, which is what I do.” Commencement regalia, which includes a cap and gown for students graduating, is mandatory and sold at the AC bookstore. “An email goes out to potentially graduating students when the caps and gowns are available for sale,” she said. Beginning this fall, AC’s graduation regalia is making slight changes. “We decided to go with something a bit simpler and more formal. We moved on
to a stole which kind of has a triangular shape on the front and back,” said Andrew Flores, the director of Badger Central bookstore and café. The total for purchasing the cap, tassel and gown, including tax, is $30.80 at the AC bookstore. For some students who might not want to buy regalia or can’t afford it, there are other options. “There’s no stipulation that you’re required to purchase it from us,” said Flores. “Some get it from a sibling. I know that Advocacy and Resource Center will kind of loan out some to students that need them,” said Flores. Tickets are not required for guests attending the December graduation. “Students just show up,” Oneal said. “It’s held at the Civic Center in the fall and we’re hoping to continue using the ballpark for the spring,” said Oneal “There will be no tickets for the fall just because we have smaller groups graduating, so students can just bring whoever,” said Oneal. Micheala Broyles, business administration major, will be one of the many students to cross the stage on Dec. 17. “I graduated high school in 2020, so I’m excited to have a normal graduation and walk the stage in front of more friends and family,” Broyles said.
REMODEL: College Union Building nears completion on recent facelift Continued from page 1 packing and moving all of their equipment from Russell Hall. “We are going to be very relieved when the move is complete,” said Stephanie Jung, art instructor. “And we are really grateful to have such a nice new space to be moving into. We are in this spot right now where it’s kind of challenging to pack up all
the odds and ends, but we’re sort of in the homestretch of doing that.” Having a cafe with a full kitchen will be an entirely new experience for students and staff at Amarillo College, now being able to order full meals instead of just small items like at the previous cafe. “We do have a full com-
mercial kitchen,” said Andrew Flores, director of the Badger Central bookstore and cafe. “This is gonna allow us to make made to order food and will also allow us to do catering for events on campus. And of course you know if you just want just a basic latte or even just get a fountain drink or tea this would be the place to go. Of
course I think the one thing that everyone’s gonna be looking forward to is our pizza oven. So we’ll be actually making pizzas in house.” As well as being able to enjoy the option to have food and drink on campus, the cafe will also provide new job opportunities for students as well. “I think there’s gonna be
some really exciting opportunities for students to apply for jobs in the cafe,” Flores said. “Whether it’s working as a barista or learning how to cook, or really, you know, we’re enthusiastic about hosting spaces for the game events.” The book store is now open to students and the cafe will be following it soon.
December 2, 2021
Students who are veterans experience challenges By RYLEE GLAZNER Student Reporter
RAYGAN LOPEZ | The Ranger
Aubrie Carouth, dental hygiene major, cleans fellow dental hygienist Josie Brown’s teeth. A variety of dental services are available to AC students and faculity free of charge.
Free dental care available at AC By SEASON CRAVEN Student Reporter
College students often neglect to make regular dental care a priority. This may be due to lack of time, or it may be that students lack dental insurance or the money to pay for regular dental checkups. Whatever reason, students need to make dental care a priority, according to AC dental hygiene experts. “When I was in private practice, I watched many children grow up getting regular dental care,” said Rachel Rubalcaba, AC dental clinic office supervisor. “Then they would leave for college. I would sometimes not see them for a year or longer, but almost always when they returned, their mouth was a wreck. Usually there was a much higher incidence of decay and the majority of them had gingivitis,” she said. Overlooking dental health can lead to expensive and painful problems, according to Ashlie Lang, AC dental hygiene lab manager. “For some, they assume
all is well until they notice a problem such as pain or a hole in their tooth...the longer you wait to seek dental care, the more expensive it is to fix. Going to the dentist every six months, we can catch things and fix them while they are small and save you the pain and money of fixing an issue once it gets large enough for you to notice,” Lang said. Cavities aren’t the only thing to look out for, according to Lang. “Another thing that is a big problem is gum disease. We all miss areas here and there when brushing. Most of us do not floss at all unless we have food stuck in our teeth. These habits end up leaving plaque behind on the teeth. The plaque, when left undisturbed by brushing and flossing thoroughly, is then hardened by minerals in our saliva and hardened on our teeth. It is now hard like a rock and stuck on the teeth and under the gums and can no longer be removed with brushing and flossing.” Lang warns that a person may not be able to see any
of this happening. “When you go to the dentist every six months, your highly trained and educated hygienist cleans this off with special tools. If calculus is left on the teeth, it causes an infection in the gums called gingivitis. You may be able to see this if your gums bleed when you brush or floss. The good news is, at this point, you can still see the dentist and clear the infection. If you do not see the dentist, the infection can continue and spread into the bones surrounding your teeth. Your teeth can even become loose from this. At this point, you can no longer reverse the infection but you can help to keep it from getting worse by seeing a dentist,” Lang said. Neglecting dental problems can also lead to other serious health problems. “Bacteria under the gums affects the entire body and may lead to a list of health issue,” she said. “Dental plaque biofilm is the main contributing factor for cavities and oral infections.” Gum disease may increase
the risk of systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease, arthritis or diabetes,” said Mitzi Leonard, AC dental clinic instructional supervisor. Amarillo College has its own dental clinic available, with many services that are free for AC students. “Here in the clinic, we offer preventive dental care services such as x-rays, exams, cleanings and sealants for only $35. Students and employees at Amarillo College get the fee waived and can receive these services free of charge. We offer appointments to the public with times and days that vary, depending on the semester,” said Lang. Other services are also available, including dental health education. “The other services we provide include nutritional counseling and tobacco cessation. The oral health education we provide is vital to understanding how the plaque biofilm that forms on teeth affects more than just teeth,” added Leonard. To make an appointment, call 806-354-6050.
ports to move faster because the ports are collecting fees as well,” he said. On Amarillo College’s campuses, the shortage is affecting construction. “We have had several delays in receiving materials for both the Innovation Outpost and the CUB projects,” Danny Smith, master plan program manager, said. The bookstore has also been experiencing reconstruction delays, but students will still be able to obtain their books and materials for the spring semester.
“We know that we need to order a month or two in advance to get the things that we need, so it’s been a minimal impact to us,” Andrew Flores, the director of Badger Central bookstore and café, said. “It’s something that we’ve experienced before, so we can make adjustments, or we have protocols in place to work around issues,” Flores said. Nair advised preparing for less commercial celebrations this holiday season. “The best thing that people can do is understand why
there are constraints, and what they might face when they go to the grocery store or go to buy something, and lower their expectations a little bit,” he said. “Maybe come up with other clever ways of giving gifts for the holiday season. Something that’s personal, something that is a little more meaningful than a plastic something off a shelf,” Nair said. “Because those plastic things are stuck in a cargo container and they’re not moving anywhere.”
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problem already put in place by shipping monopolies, Nair said. “There are only a handful of these giant shipping companies because they’ve had mergers since the 80s, and they’re going to bring in $100 billion in profits this year,” Nair said. “They’re making money off ships just sitting in the ocean because they’re charging fees to keep a company’s stuff on the ship. There is zero incentive for the ships to move faster, and there’s zero incentive for the
Many Amarillo College students are also military veterans. “They are usually a little older than the general student population, and they have had more experiences than what most people in general have been through,” Kelly Murphy, AC’s veteran coordinator, said. Naturally, these experiences set AC’s veterans slightly apart from the general student body as they have learned lessons from serving their country. “I think just being young and then being forced to do things you don’t want to do at all,” said Ben Bandy, a veteran and former AC student, “It changed me very quickly because you know you don’t have a choice, right?” he said. “It’s like, you go through basic training and then you go through technical training and you have to be at a place where you can start working.” During their time in the military, many veterans said they not only learned skills, but became more resilient as a result of their training, which helped prepare them for college success. “I would say that my military experience has influenced me to continually better myself, as well as having instilled those core values necessary to accomplish set tasks and goals,” said Kye Ramirez, a mass media major. During their time in the military, student veterans say part of bettering themselves included learning effective communication skills. “In the military, communication is everything,” said Bandy, “If you can’t communicate, you’re screwed. Everything is a team effort, you don’t do anything alone. So your communication is absolutely necessary on every level.” As a result, the way in which veteran students perceive their peers can be unique. Often, they do not see their classmates as merely people who are in their classes, but rather like part of an interconnected team. “Being a member of a highly functioning team is an experience like no other, and I look at my classmates as team members,” said Ramirez. “We all decided to seek higher education, so we should help each other succeed.”
December 2, 2021
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‘Hellbound’ delivers supernatural plot REVIEW By ARINE GARIN Videographer
Following the high success of the Korean show “Squid Game,” Netflix follows up the show with their new series “Hellbound.” The program offers an enticing plot that is about otherworldly beings who appear out of nowhere to issue a decree and condemn individuals to hell. These supernatural events cause great mayhem and enable the religious group, The New Truth, to grow in influence. A few people, however, become suspicious about its activities and begin investigating its involvement in
mysterious events. The director and screenwriter Yeon Sang-Ho, who has also directed “Train to Busan” and co-writer Choi Kyu-Seok have based the series on their own original production, leaving the question to viewers, “Is ‘Hellbound’ actually worth watching?” The biggest thing to address about “Hellbound” is that the show isn’t for the ordinary and lighthearted. The show is violent, not afraid to present brutal murders alongside people being combusted like human torches throughout the series. The series focuses on the religious group The New Truth
encompassing a religious revolution when the appearances of otherworldly beings appear and leveraging themselves to higher authority. The story itself has potential, but I found the series to be short since it only consisted of six episodes. Furthermore, the writing didn’t come through because the first episode sets the setting with a slow development for the environment. It gives no explanation where the creatures came from, but I assume they’ll be continuing by renewing for another season. The second and third epi-
sodes are spent on character development, which disappeared after the third episode. What is the point of creating character development only to not follow through until the end of the series? However, the production is decent, I enjoyed the cinematography as well as the music. It fits well with the drama’s tone and atmosphere. The visual effects are satisfying, the CGI of the monsters is decent and I found it to be something new. As for the acting, the main cast and supporting characters do splendidly with the script they were given to work with.
Yoo Ah In plays his character well as the founder of the New Truth, contributing much to the story creating the complexity and conflict that sets the tone. Won Jin Ah and Park Jung Min’s roles are remarkable. I enjoyed their characters’ growth and the emotions they provide to the viewers from frustration to pure tears. “Hellbound” isn’t great, but it’s not bad either. I’d recommend it to supernatural genre fans, but for the average viewer, I’d say wait until season two to watch it — that is, if there is going to be a season two.
Money making Memphis rapper REVIEW By RAYGAN LOPEZ Editor-in-Chief
Key Glock is a 24 -yearold Memphis rapper who has risen to stardom with “Russian Cream,” a charttopping hit. Once ‘Mr. Glock’ or ‘Glizock’ hit the charts, he planned on staying there by signing with late Memphis rapper, Young Dolph. The dynamic duo released another hit song “Major” which earned Mr. Glock more traction in the rap game. Although the two were cousins by marriage, they collaborated on two albums titled “Dum and Dummer.” Glizock released his newest album, “Yellow Tape 2” which was released November 5, a week and a half before Young Dolph’s death. This album was a sequel to last year’s “Yellow Tape” which rightfully earned number 14 on Billboard 200. “Yellow Tape 2” shows just how smooth Key Glock floats on all 20 tracks with his southern slang. In this album, he expresses his love for money and his addiction to getting money but also Mr. Glock remembers who he is and where he comes from. The different speeds on all of the instrumentals guide Mr. Glocks vocals and his flow which adds variety compared to his past albums. Glizock does not sound the same in every song like rappers nowaday.
Top songs on the album include “Something Bout Me” where he talks about himself and his hustle. Glizock tells listeners in “Channel 5” despite having money he will never will be someone to go against. As said before Mr. Glock has a hustler mentality and says exactly that in “Ambition for Cash.” My top three songs are “Luv a Thug,” “Gangsta” and “Quarterback” simply because you can hear Mr. Glock change his flow on the different beats, which is an important characteristic for music artists in the industry. Key Glock represents his hood and embodies this persona through his music. More than half of the songs on this album are head-bobbing and worthy enough to know word-for-word.
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‘Animal Fries’ are a popular food item on YCSF’s menu.
Local hole-in-the-wall delights REVIEW By GARREN BUSTAMENTE Student Reporter
Yellow City Street Food is a local eatery located at 2916 Wolflin Ave. YCSF sells a wide variety of foods and drinks including alcoholic beverages. The restaurant has unusual hours, opening 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., closing for a few hours and then reopening at 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday-Friday. It is closed Sundays and Mondays and only open from 11-2 on Saturdays. They sell many food items but some of their most popular are the hulk taco, animal fries, hulk salad, fish taco and the sunrise burger. I’ve gone multiple times and the freshness and quality of the food has not differed from the first time I ever went. The food is hot, tastes really fresh and has a vibrant flavor. One of their key products
is their remoulade sauce. It is a light orange colored sauce that has to be one of the best sauces I’ve ever had. It has a distinct taste with a touch of spice and must be tasted to experience. It is their bread and butter. They put it on nearly everything. My favorite product is their animal fries. They are fresh cut fries, covered in their remoulade sauce, with sautéed red onions and cut up bacon. The bacon is cut into thick chunks and is just one small detail that is the cherry on top. They have a wide variety of drinks and beers. I’m not old enough to drink alcoholic beverages, but I know they have many hazy IPA’s, normal IPA’s, craft beers and standard beers. They also sell white and red wines. They have some good non-alcoholic beverages like their homemade sodas. Some flavors include lemongrass,
cola, cherry and coconut. I have had all but the cola and they all have distinct flavors with a more natural taste over regular sodas. The environment of the place can be described as a hole in the wall hidden treasure location with a southern California beach vibe. It’s clear with one look at the staff that variety and true expression are characteristics of their employees. They tend to have a different special going on every day, which is shown on their website. They also have a loyalty program for their returning customers to get rewards on purchases for discounts or free items. Overall, it is a wonderful place and has never disappointed me with the taste of their food. I will be returning again in the future and I hope you give it a try. It will not disappoint.
December 2, 2021
Staying merry and bright over the holidays By ELIZABETH CHUNN Student Reporter
‘Tis the season to be jolly, but for 62% of Americans, this is not the case. The American Psychological Association said common holiday stressors include time and financial management, over-commercialization, pressures of gift-giving, family events, traveling and distance. While Christmas is often welcomed by college students, holiday stressors pose a risk to student mental health if not handled properly. Officials say there are healthy tips and tricks students can adopt to ensure a meaningful and restful holiday season. “It’s important to realize that in order to truly enjoy life, even with all of its stressors, we need to
slow down, observe and appreciate what we have,” Jerrod Hinders, Amarillo College’s Counseling Center coordinator, said. Jaclyn Ling, a former child welfare specialist, agreed down time is essential. “Set a specific routine to pray, read, journal or stretch, Ling said. “Know when to take a break and recharge when in large friend or family groups.” Students are also choosing to stay positive this holiday season by engaging in favorite activities. “If you love listening to ‘Jingle Bell Rock,’ put that on an hour loop and get busy,” Brandon Bellflower, a photography major said. “I am choosing to socialize with friends who make me feel better,”
Ally Lopez, a former psychology student at West Texas A&M University, said. “Setting boundaries, going for a walk, taking a bubble bath, spending time with family and friends, reading a book and meditating are things I like to do,” Lopez said. Other coping techniques involve using physical forms of catharsis. Exercise is a great way to release stressors and tension, Lopez said. “Something I’ve tried is writing stuff down and putting it in, like, a hate book or journal,” Bellflower said. “On days when I am fed up and can’t take it anymore, I read and then burn that page, which is actually quite freeing.” If those coping mechanisms don’t quite cut
it, officials say additional resources are available to students. “The Counseling Center offers free evaluation and counseling services to every student,” Hinders said. “It is also a great resource for referrals to other AC and community resources.” Counseling services are provided with no judgement attached and with the mission of improving student mental health this holiday season. “Holidays can inherently be stressful, but please remember the spirit of the holidays lies within understanding that you are not alone,” Hinders said. “We are a community, and the holidays are about practicing goodwill, charity and kindness toward others.”
‘Deck the halls,’ not your family By RYLEE MOORE Page Editor
The holiday season can spread joy and delight as people gather together to celebrate, but for some, this season is full of stress and tension. Several people love the holidays and spending time with their families, while others dread getting together with family and the exhaustion it brings. It’s hard to celebrate when people are arguing. Some of the topics people commonly fight about include politics, life choices and parenting styles. Experts say the holidays are not the best time for political debates or criticism and disapproval of life choices, but in many families, conflict tends to arise.
Courtney Milleson is an Amarillo College speech professor whose interpersonal communication classes teach students to resolve conflict. “A good tip is to use ‘I’ statements instead of ‘you’ statements,” Milleson said. She added that this approach will diffuse the situation instead of creating defensiveness. “Another thing is being very specific about what you’re arguing about. Arguing about more than what the current problem is isn’t healthy,” said Milleson. “Arguing about past grudges never ends well and avoiding the problem isn’t a good tactic either,” she said. “Acknowledging the problem and setting your boundaries” is more effective
according to Milleson. Using these techniques won’t prevent conflicts, but can be used as tools to get through the conflict. Dr. Jeffery Kee, an AC psychology professor, said that people can improve the way they handle holiday stress and family communication. “The primary point to drive home is that people need to learn and apply the principles of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) in order to truly cope more effectively with stressful situations. REBT shows us how we can substantially reduce our stress by teaching us to change our irrational, self-defeating beliefs and attitudes that we hold about ourselves, others and the world,” Kee said.
He pointed out that it can be hard to have a rational argument when thought and emotions are coming from an irrational mindset. It’s also important to remember that the other person is the only one who can control their thoughts, behaviors and rationality. Kee said that to try to convince someone of something to prove a point is not productive. This is why most arguments are never resolved. Being rational, not attacking the other person and setting boundaries are essential tactics to get through the holiday season without family relationships being ruined, he said, adding that these are not “cure all” solutions, but can help with resolving or preventing issues.
Illustrations by ISAAC GALAN | The Ranger