Vol. 93, Issue 10, March 30, 2023

AC family loses one of its own

Memorial scholarship established after travel ends in tragedy

By RYLEE MOORE Co-Editor

Saturday, March 18, 2023, Chris Macon, administrative assistant for the communication department and honors program, died of a bilateral pulmonary embolism after the flight from South Africa to the DFW airport.

Chris went to Cape Town, South Africa with the presidential scholars during spring break. According to Lesley Ingham, honors program chair, he texted her saying “I am having the absolute best time of my life.”

By

all accounts, Chris was

always smiling. He was at the front of every boat ride, loved learning to play the djembe drum and spending time with all of the students.

“Chris was remarkably intelligent, kind and talented,” Ingham said. “He shined brightly when he performed on stage for a fundraiser for the Opportunity School, in fact, the crowd went wild when his solo began.”

According to the scholars, Chris was a nurturer at heart. While on the trip to Cape Town, he spent time bonding with and looking out for the students.

“He was at his best when

he watched over and enjoyed the students in his program as they toured South Africa,” Ingham said. “He was everyone’s favorite, always smiling, always laughing and always had a twinkle in his eye.”

Chris was an active student at AC before his time as an administrative assistant. He was involved in Phi Theta Kappa, the national community college honor society, and served as the vice president of service for the PTK chapter.

After he graduated, he excelled at his administrative assistant position according to Jill Gibson,

media, arts and communication chair.

“More than that, Chris offered a warm and welcoming presence, quietly working behind the scenes to keep everything on track,” Gibson said. “With his sharp wit and his quick sense of humor, Chris fit in seamlessly with colleagues and students alike.”

Chris will be dearly missed by family, friends and colleagues. The family requests that anyone wishing to make contributions make them to the Amarillo College Foundation for the Christopher Macon Memorial Scholarship.

Chris Macon, AC’s communications administrative assistant, died suddenly March 18 after traveling back from Cape Town, South Africa with the presidential scholars

RYLEE MOORE | The Ranger

How do you feel about local politics, politicians and voting?

Ramses Boukinda Mechanical Engineering Major

“I feel with local politics you can voice your opinion better with local politicians. Your voice can really be heard. I’m most passionate about the banning of books, all books are relevant, no matter the topic, for the maintenance of free press.”

Brayson Brown Computer Science Major

“National politics are captivating every four years, but state and local governments can sharpen their focus on wedge issues that interest me the most like rehabilitating criminals, prison populations and the pay for profit prison industrial complex.”

Nayla Baca Radiology Major

“As a student pursuing a healthcare career, affordable healthcare and a more efficient healthcare system for everyone, not just the wealthy, is something I care about."

Letter to the Editor: Chat GPT

BY BECKY EASTON

Dean of Liberal Arts

I don’t disagree with Mr. de Jesus’s comment in the March 2 issue, titled “New AI technology presents challenges” when he states, “So, this is going to be a problem for instructors for a while.” While I don’t disagree, I hope to point out that it’s a minor problem for professors, who were educated during a time when cheating was harder than it is now with ChatGPT.

It’s a much bigger problem for students who want technology to do their mental work for them.

When faculty were students, they almost certainly did their own research and wrote their own papers. That is why they know so much today. These activities build critical thinking skills along the way.

Co-Editors

Rylee Moore, Phoebe Terry

Design Editor Kamden Slough

Page Editors

Hayden Splawn, Trevor Dobbins

Online Editor Kylee Smith

A bitter fight for a sweeter tomorrow

In the world of politics, disappointment and frustration seem to be the norm. Scandals, power struggles and endless bickering can easily overshadow the progress made in our communities.

While it's tempting to dismiss politics as an evil we'd rather avoid, it is a vital part of our lives that we cannot ignore.

As we delve into this messy realm, let's consider that politics are more than just a battleground for clashing egos. They are an avenue for people to express their concerns, fight for their rights, and make meaningful changes. The civil rights movement for example.

Although these political battles were far from pretty, they ultimately led to tangible progress and improvements in all of our lives.

the system is merely a reflection of human nature – with all its inherent flaws and virtues.

Instead of turning a blind eye to politics, we must strive to engage in constructive discussions and hold our elected officials accountable. By doing so, we can gradually reshape our political landscape into one that better serves the public interest.

Admittedly, keeping the faith in politics can be a challenge. But the solution doesn't lie in disengagement; rather, it rests in our ability to become informed and active citizens. We need to participate in the political process, from voting to volunteering, and work together to build a better society.

landscape with its pitfalls and challenges, let's remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a more equitable, just and harmonious world.

You have the power to make a difference in your community. Embrace the political process, no matter how unpalatable it may seem at times. Attend town hall meetings, engage in local elections, and join or support grassroots movements that align with your values.

The only reason that ChatGPT poses a problem for professors is that they care about their students. They want to provide opportunities to think and to learn to today’s students just as their professors did for them.

They know that a real college education requires students to listen, read, think, do something with their ideas and receive feedback to guide them into even deeper learning. If the goal were just to write a paper, then ChatGPT wouldn’t matter much, but the goal is not the paper. It is the education.

The faculty already are educated, so they are going to be fine.

I am afraid I can’t say the same for students who spend time and money to get a good education but use AI technology to cheat themselves out of receiving one.

Videographers

Casey Niccoli , Ethan Lanham, Alex Rhodes

Columnists

Jordan Nuner, Lance Hooper, Brennan Holmich

Photographers Jath Harris, Kimarie Egger

There's no denying that the political sphere is marred with imperfections. However, it's important to remember that

Remember that politics is not just about the politicians we often criticize; it's about the people they represent and the collective power we possess to bring about change.

As we navigate the political

Remember that our democracy thrives when citizens actively participate in shaping its future. While politics may often be frustrating and demoralizing, it is an indispensable part of our lives that we must learn to master.

Together, we can forge a better path forward, using politics as the powerful tool it was always meant to be.

Social media supports mindless spending

BY CINTHIA MAPULA Student Reporter

How many times have you seen something on social media and suddenly feel the desire to want it?

It could be a drink, a pair of shoes, a luxury bag, a fancy new car or even how someone else looks. Prior to seeing this on social media you didn’t seem to mind not having it.

You might have been completely content with your current lifestyle until you saw someone else's. It's happened to all of us at some point while checking our social media.

When Instagram was created in 2010, the platform's idea was to feature photographs, specifically those taken on

mobile devices. Now in 2023 it has become a marketing tool. Instagram has more than 200 million business accounts and over 500,000 active influencers promoting a product to sell you. Influencers advertise their ‘lifestyle’ in hopes to make a sale from you.

The irony is that they can afford that luxury lifestyle by getting us to buy their products. We are literally handing over our money to them. It’s a transaction, a transfer of money from our hands to theirs. We are feeding the monster ourselves and, in the process, becoming more and more insecure because we keep comparing ourselves to each other. It’s an ongoing cycle.

Theodore Roosevelt once said “Comparison is the thief

of joy”. He was right. Don't compare yourself to what's not real.

Morphing yourselves to look like the social media standards is robbing yourself of your gifts and uniqueness. Trends come and go, what is popular now will trend out eventually. We don't need more clones, a copy and paste version of social media beauty standards everywhere we look.

We need to embrace individuality, make better choices with our money, inspire new creativity and find our purpose. Stop trying to imitate someone else's path, find and follow your own instead. You were created with a purpose and gift inside of you, share that gift, the world needs it.

Nathan Bernal, education ambassador inspires students

By SHAWNDA JENKINS Student Reporter

Walking into the education office, students will hear the chime of a bell. It might startle them at first, but then their eyes will land on a man sitting behind the desk, clicking away at the computer, working on whatever tasks he needs to complete that day. He flashes a grin that nearly makes his eyes disappear and ask you how he can help.

His response and approachable presence puts even the most nervous of hearts at ease.

“I looked like a stray dog in the hallway, not knowing what was going on,” Logan Wilson, an education major, said. The man behind the desk came up to him and asked if he needed help, “And that was how we met,” said Wilson.

AC employs new volleyball coaches

By XIADANI TERRAZAS Student Reporter

Amarillo College has a new head women’s volleyball coach, Scott Sandel. He replaced former head coach Amanda Black who resigned after leading the Badgers to a 16-15 record in their 2022 season. Sandel selected Meagan Ellis as his assistant coach.

“I am thrilled to have Sandel join our coaching staff here at Amarillo College,” Athletic Director Mark White said.

“I am confident that our volleyball program will thrive under his leadership. Sandel having enthusiasm for the game and dedication to winning and wanting academic success for his student-athletes is an exciting combination. I can not wait to see what the future holds.”

Sandel was the head volleyball coach at Tascosa High School from 2006-2013. He guided teams to the regional quarterfinals in six consecutive seasons. Sandel was also an assistant coach under Kim Hudson in 1990 when

the Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M University captured the NCAA Division II national championship. He also served as the head women’s volleyball coach for the NCAA division I programs at Northern Michigan University. Sandel’s team made the NCAA post-season tourney.

“I am excited to be back in the Panhandle,” Sandel said.

“It is really good to be home. I look forward to building the Amarillo College volleyball team into the sort of program everyone involved will be proud of.”

Sandel was an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina, where the team reached the NCAA tournament. In 2022, he served as head coach and specialized training director for Frisco Flyers Volleyball. Sandel has had numerous successful club teams and has nine regional club championships to his credit.

“Our goals are very simple,” Sandel said. “We want to be a competitive volleyball team every time we step on the floor. We want to be

a quality program that represents Amarillo College and Amarillo. The team is doing a great job. They are working hard and working on becoming a good team.”

Sandel said the newest thing about AC’s volleyball is the Badger Clinics summer volleyball camp, and a new gym. “We are trying to build a crowd at our home matches. We need a band and students in the stands,” said Sandel.

“A few of my goals include making the National Tournament and teaching the girls life lessons through volleyball,” Meagan Ellis, assistant coach said. “This is my first year as a college volleyball coach. The job and position are new to me, but volleyball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I love learning more about the sport through being a coach.”

Ellis played volleyball collegiately at Southern Nazarene University from 20172021. She brings club playing and coaching experience to the volleyball team. Ellis also is the head coach of Amarillo Xtreme 17s.

He was intimidated about going into Teach Club, and Nathan Bernal was the friendly face that helped him make the final step through the door.

Bernal is an education major. According to Bernal, he has always had a knack with kids that dates back to when he was a teenager, and his younger cousins always wanted to hang out with him.

He really got to sink his teeth in when he participated in a class called instructional practices and education training, IPET, in high school. He got to experience teaching three-year-olds.

While in this class, he had a teacher that became his mentor and guided him into the field of education, where he plans to teach fourth through eighth-grade math.

After Bernal started college at West Texas A&M, he did not feel a part of the communi-

ty there, so he took some time off and worked as a manager at a swimming pool. Eventually, the tug to educate young minds pulled him back, and he decided to try Amarillo College.

Bernal’s life at college really expanded when he stepped out of his comfort zone and took the position of Student Ambassador for the College of Education. One of the requirements of the job was to be in Teach Club. Though hesitant to join at first, he soon became the president of the club.

He works with the Maverick Boys and Girls Club after-school program at Hamlet Elementary School.

“Nathan has a desire to give back and work with kids,” Rochelle Fouts, education instructor, said. “Men in education is a rarity.”

Bernal said his biggest motivations are family, faith and the students from the Maverick Boys and Girls Club.

“He’s getting into the field,” Dennis Sarine, director of teacher preparation and early childhood education at AC, said. “He’s a role model.” Even on the rough days, Bernal said the kids completely surprise him. For example, on Valentine’s Day, he received notes from them saying how much they appreciated him.

His mentors in the education department are supportive of him and his future as an educator of young children.

“He has a passion for teaching students,” Trena Rider, instructor and coordinator for early childhood education, said. “We talk on a regular basis and brainstorm wonderful ways to support young learners.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Scott Sandel brings 35 years of coaching experience to his new position as head coach of AC womens volleyball, and has selected Meagan Ellis as his assistant coach.

Intramurals sprouting in springtime

Recreational sports offered for AC students

By ANNA CARILLO Student Reporter

Spring Intramurals give students a chance to connect with the community and relieve stress.

According to the intramural webpage, sports and games offered through intramurals enhance academic success by promoting and reinforcing leadership qualities, teamwork, mutual respect, competition and recreation, as well as exercise.

“We have a lot of events coming up this Spring term including a softball Tournament, a dodgeball Tournament and

a Sand Volleyball League,” said Trent O’Neal, intramural sports coordinator.

To play in one of the tournaments a student can get involved and sign up at www. imleagues.com/amarillocollege

These spring intramurals have something for everyone. For the events by the Clock Tower students can simply show up and play.

“We will also be hosting a Minute to Win it Challenge for students to try some short games against other students and possibly win a prize.

The Minute to Win is on April 4th at the Clock Tower at 11:45 a.m. On April 11,

students will have the opportunity to play me in a game of cornhole, and if they beat me they can win a prize. The cornhole games will also be at the Clock Tower at 11:45a.m. On April 20, we are encouraging students to come out to the Clock Tower to play 4 Square with the Student Life team and their fellow students for some stress relief,” said O’Neal Intramural sports are a great way to get involved and maybe even make new friends.

About 17% of the nation’s college student population participates in intramural sports according to the American College Health Association.

“I have a full-time job so I do most of my AC classes online. Being an online college student can make it feel like I’m not fully living the college experience, but getting the chance to still interact with other students at these games and events makes me feel very included,” said Jaylyn Rodriguez, a biology major.

“Let your club sponsors know you want to partner with intramurals to play or even help out with an event as well,” said Micah Smith, academic success center supervisor.

Participating in intramurals can come along with a lot of perks.

“There are so many benefits! It gives students the opportunity to become involved on campus for reasons that don’t have to do with academics. The more involvement a student has, the more likely they are to graduate. It’s also a great way to get in your exercise rather than hitting the gym or doing your normal routine. Not to mention, you get to meet a ton of awesome and other involved students,” said Smith.

To find out more you can check social media intramurals and also in the weekly email newsletter “The Weekly Dig.”

AC Student Media wins awards at statewide convention

By Phoebe Terry Co-Editor

Amarillo College’s student media took home 27 awards from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s (TIPA) convention in Fort Worth, March 23-25.

TIPA is the oldest state collegiate journalism association in the nation. The group’s members include more than 60 Texas colleges and universities, two-year and four-year; private and public. “The trip gave me an opportunity to be surrounded by people that understand media and it showed me new ways to express myself,” Hayden Splawn, a graphic design major said.

The convention consisted of live contests and awards for previously published content from the Fall 2022 and Spring 2022 semesters. Phoebe Terry, a co-editor of The Ranger and The Current, the Amarillo College student run magazine, won 2nd place in the magazine design live contest.

“I’m really excited to know that I’m just as good as students that go to Texas A&M and Baylor in terms of my design skills,” Terry said. “TIPA was a really fun opportunity to learn about what our student

media is doing right and more importantly what we can improve on to give our readers a better experience.”

The convention also offered workshops led by media professionals on topics like creating portraits with a purpose, advanced color theory, racial equity reporting, how to find internships and communication skills.

“It was an excellent way to gain new perspectives on where I want to take my career in media and journalism,” Lance Hooper a mass media major said. “Not to mention all the great people you meet from other schools that you might want to transfer to.”

In addition to workshops and contests the convention held a career and resource fair for students to connect with media professionals and hiring managers currently in the industry.

AC student media won two first place awards, eight 2nd place awards, nine 3rd place awards and seven honorable mentions.

For more information about the Matney Mass Media program and student media contact Maddisun Fowler at mfowler@actx.edu

Intramural sports offer students a chance to compete in softball, basketball, sand volleyball, tennis and dodgeball as well as a 150 mile challenge.

Courtesy Photo

'Cocaine Bear' mixes

horror, humor

By JORDAN NUNER, LANCE HOOPER and CASEY JONES Staff Reporters

makes fashionable, eco-friendly products

By ELVIA ORTIZ Student Reporter

One day in my media writing class we were asked to look through our bags to see if we could come up with a potential story that college students would be interested in. Luckily for me the night before class my BAGGU duck bag had just come in the mail and I was excited to show it off and to tell everyone how they should shop from BAGGU.

That morning my professor was the first person to notice my BAGGU bag and commented about how she thought the pattern was cool.

Back in 2019, I was on Instagram scrolling away and I noticed a company called BAGGU. Of course I was instantly drawn to it because their advertising not only captured their products well, but each of their posts either showed diverse models or people in different age ranges, which I had never really seen before, so I immediately went to their website and purchased my first reusable BAGGU.

I was mainly influenced to buy the duck bag because a girl on TikTok uses one for her student teaching. I am currently doing student observations, so I felt that it was a necessary purchase. I can carry my HP computer that is 13.5 inches long that is protected safely by a laptop sleeve from guess whereBAGGU. I can also fit a pencil bag, two notebooks and a oneinch binder in my duck bag.

The thing that makes this company so worth it is that everything is sustainable and made from products like recycled nylon or canvas.

When creating the reusable bags, BAGGU takes the leftovers and turns them into a little pouch to store your bag in. These bags are incredible, not only can they carry up to 50 pounds, but they can fold back up into a five-by-five pouch and if the bag gets dirty, you can just toss it into the washing machine.

anything you desire.

The two latest BAGGU items that left my bank account feeling overwhelmed were the medium nylon crescent bag in the color Bay Laurel and the duck bag in the Moss Trippy Checker print. Let me start with how shocked I was by the crescent bag.

I was no longer sad about the amount of money I had spent. This bag has two deep side pockets and overall has all the space I need without it being too big. It can carry a book, a 32oz water bottle, a wallet, a little make-up bag and any other extra day-to-day things I can not live without.

Let’s get the white elephant out of the room and mention that this review will reference cocaine many times as "Cocaine Bear" is an action thriller movie inspired by the true story of a bear that ingested cocaine that had been dropped from a plane in 1985. The movie starts off on the plane with the drugs being tossed out with the intention of getting them later but the pilot does not make it after his parachute fails to deploy, leaving the coke for the bear.

This mass-murdering black bear is obsessed with cocaine and will attack anyone who gets in his way. A cast of wacky characters, with lots of campy, tongue-in-cheek dialogue, makes for a fun ride along with a great soundtrack reminiscent of the seventies and eighties hits. These characters venture out into the woods to get the drugs for themselves,only to the bear who has eaten them.

some of the cringe worthy dialogue. It may have been intended to be cringe but it made some parts of the movie off-putting but did not ruin the overall experience. It is extremely violent and graphic, but also exciting, so if you are over the age of eighteen, I recommend that you see this movie but not if you are squeamish as this movie is not for the faint of heart.

The moral of the story, bears are good if you leave them alone, but drugs are bad, and they do not belong in the wild. For audiences who have not been to the theater since the pandemic, desperate for a good time, it was great to see, with the audience’s reaction. I thought it was a good balance of horror and humor, with a ton of splatter.

The BAGGU reusable bags come in three different sizes: baby, standard or big BAGGU. So, there’s a perfect BAGGU for every occasion. In fact, I now own three standard and two baby BAGGU bags. I like to use my standard strawberry bag as a sleepover bag because it holds all my personal items plus two pairs of shoes. I also use my really cute baby BAGGU that has elephants and flowers on it in my car to put trash in.

Reusable bags are not the only product that BAGGU offers. The company also sells purses, totes, cloud bags, socks, computer sleeves, slippers and pillow cases to name a few. The cloud bag uses both recycled nylon filament yarn and preconsumer waste. The cloud bag is essentially a lightweight bag that can carry a laptop, a set of clothing, vegetables or

BAGGU just came out with their spring collection and I have my eye on a few bags. I really want to buy another crescent bag in the colors, avocado and marine blue. The mini nylon shoulder bag in black and the nylon shoulder bag in taupe. The thing with BAGGU is that if you wait too long to buy a product it will sell out in that color wave and be months before it’s released again.

Needless to say, BAGGU is a company I will continue to buy from and recommend to anyone when I am asked where I got my bags from. The price is spot on for what you get and it's good for the environment- and if you can catch a sale, it’s even better because it allows you to purchase more items while still feeling like you have helped the environment when you no longer use plastic bags.

The movie uses its characters to tell an interesting and gruesome story about the bear who is facing addiction and withdrawal from the drugs it has ingested and portrays a serious issue in a way that is both hilarious and not at the same time. The humor in this movie is very dry.

The writer Jimmy Warden makes some fun character choices, even making cocaine one of the characters in the cast lineup. Alden Ehrenreich really adds a funny depressed comedic performance as Eddie, Margo Martindale adds more star power to the ensemble, and Kerri Russell plays a single mom frantically trying to save her daughter perfectly.

Even Mathew Ries makes a 30-second cameo to bring more recognizability to the lineup. They say truth is stranger than fiction and they hit the nail on the head with "Cocaine Bear" in that description because this is the strangest true story adapted to the big screen I’ve ever seen.

The cinematography was amazing and the only issue I had with the movie was

The real story is less bloody. It all began, as you might guess, in the 1980s. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced in December 1985 that a 175-pound black bear had “died of an overdose of cocaine after discovering a batch of the drug,” according to The New York Times.

Today, the very same bear is said to be on display in Lexington, Ky., at Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall. The mall said in an Aug. 2015 blog post that workers there wanted to know what happened to the bear and found out it had been stuffed. The blog post says the stuffed bear was at one point owned by the country singer Waylon Jennings, who kept it in his home in Las Vegas, before it was delivered to the store.

As strange and gratuitous as Cocaine Bear sounds it is a well-produced and directed film, with amazing special effects that sell the crazy farce, all-star cast to audiences, and is an unexpected win at the box office. And yes the ‘Just say no to drugs’ theme is portrayed in the movie. You just don't have time to think about it because you are witnessing a bear on cocaine. In the end, you love to feel bad for the bear and this messy entanglement she wound up in.

Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo

Students reflect on study habits

By XIADANI TERRAZAS and PHOEBE TERRY

Student Reporter and Co-Editor

Students like to study in a variety of ways. Some styles of studying naturally fit better than others.

The amount of noise in a study environment can affect students in different ways. Some students need something in the background to focus while it can be incredibly distracting for others.

“I can not function with unnecessary noise,” Montoya said. “I like to study in the library or any quiet place. I get distracted and irritated easily if I hear noise while studying.”

“I have a lot of members in my family, so I am used to loud noises,” Maria Gonzales, a business management major

said. “I like to study anywhere I can in my free time. My best study method is using Quizlet and making flashcards. I like to handwrite my notes and color code each term.”

According to an article published by the University of Michigan, flashcards support active recall, or actively stimulating memory in order to produce a piece of information. Which makes information easier to produce at a later date. The article also advises that flashcards aren’t just for memorization, but they can be used for more complex tasks or series of information if designed correctly.

“I also use flashcards to study,” Aileen Chacon, a business administration major, said. “This method of studying is the best way I retain information. I learn best

when I quiz myself on the terms I am studying. Writing out the terms and reading them out loud also helps the learning process.”

However, studying alone is not the only option for students. Getting a group together to study can provide benefits that studying alone cannot. According to an article published by Rutgers, Study groups provide a greater variety of resources, strength and information to take advantage of. Students also retain information better from talking in groups according to a study by Alison Burke, published in The Journal of Effective Teaching.

“I like to study in groups because I can share ideas, ask questions, and learn from my classmates,” Ali Alvarado, a health science major said. “I

also like study groups because I can interact with classmates outside of class. Study groups are also a good way for me to make friends.”

Studying in groups certainly isn’t for everyone either, some students learn best by thoroughly examining their notes and books.

“I like to read my textbook and summarize what I learned in note-taking,” Alesi Tremillo, a general studies major, said. “I like to summarize the main points in each chapter I am reviewing. This study method helps me break down important concepts I know will be asked on exams and quizzes. It also helps me save time when taking notes.”

Cede Ramirez, an education major, studies by brain dump everything she learns from lectures. She said, “ I

like to write down everything I remember from each lecture. Then, I go back and write down everything I missed. Therefore, I can see what areas need to work on for my understanding.”

“I like to act as if I am teaching someone what I am learning,” Irazema Diaz, a general studies major, said. This style of studying is called the protégé effect method of studying according to Psychology Today. It can help students to retain information by teaching or explaining the context to other students. Using this method allows students to better understand the context and see what areas need improvement by forcing them to confront the gaps in their information.

Photo illustration by PHOEBE TERRY