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‘Alpaca’ my bags VOLUME 89 | ISSUE 6
December 6, 2018
Presidential Scholars to peruse Peru By MEGHAN HOLLAND Staff Reporter
In January 2019, 13 students from the Amarillo College Presidential Scholars program will embark on a journey to Peru, where they will immerse themselves in the culture and participate in community-building activities. Thomas Bales, a music major, said he believes he will benefit the most from “just having the experience of going to another country and getting to see that there is more to the world than just the U.S.,” Bales said. This immersive experience will last 10 days. Not only will the scholars see historical sites, such as Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo, they will participate in an agriculture-related service project that will benefit the community. The Scholars will get to know local residents through this hands-on learning experience. “I’m looking forward
to just spending more time with the Presidential Scholars and helping build things to help out the people in the community there,” Cecilia Rizcallah, a dental hygiene major, said. 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 the Dominican Republic, Japan, Cambodia, China, Lithuania and India. Traveling abroad gives the students the opportunity to learn about different cultures and expand their worldview, according to Lesley Ingham, Honors/ Scholars co-coordinator and speech instructor. This intercultural connection helps students adapt more
quickly in a global economy and better prepares them for their future endeavors, she said. Many of the scholars said they believe this trip will be one of the most rewarding experiences of their time at AC, but they do have some feelings of uncertainty. Mirian Gutierrez, a business major, said she worries about accidentally offending people from other cultures. Despite this fear, Gutierrez said she looks forward to learning new customs and hopes to gain greater self-confidence and a broader global perspective from the trip. The Scholars depart for Peru Jan. 1, 2019. You can follow along with their adventures on the Amarillo College Honors/Scholars Facebook page, https:// w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / achonors.
Illustration by STEVI BRESHEARS | The Ranger
Commencement speaker overcomes obstacles By STEVI BRESHEARS Editor-in-Chief
As the semester winds down, many students are struggling to find the motivation to keep working hard. For commencement speaker Alicia Morin, however, persistence is the only option. “I’ve got to keep going, even when I don’t want to,” she said. It is this drive and determination that set Morin apart from other students. “She was recommended by faculty who commended her hard work, collaborative spirit with her peers and her joyful approach to learning,” Amarillo College president Russell Lowery-Hart said. “When I spoke with her, I was struck by her journey, and the power and hope she found in education and, in particular, at Amarillo College.” Morin’s educational journey has not been an easy one. She finished high school in 1999, but
because she was unable to pass the math portion of the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills test, she didn’t get to walk the stage and get her diploma until 2003. It wasn’t until several years later when she had her son, Kingston, that she decided to continue to pursue an education by enrolling herself in cosmetology school. Morin graduated successfully from Wade Gordon and started working there, but quickly realized she wasn’t making it. “I just woke up one day and I was waiting tables, I was cutting hair, I didn’t have a 401K, I didn’t have insurance and I was tired of struggling,” she said. Morin made the decision that she wanted to move to Austin, with no plans of returning to her hometown of Amarillo. She knew that to do that, she needed to go to school. At the age of 35, she enrolled in classes at Amarillo College, unsure of what she wanted to do. That changed, however, after taking a few tests
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Alicia Morin
in her learning frameworks class. Soon, she discovered her passion for speech language pathology and caring for patients. “I want to be a part of the diagnosis, and if they want the cochlear implant I want to be a part of that and a part of them hearing for the first time,” she said. Morin said that she also dreams of being able to translate for bands at music festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest, but that isn’t her www.acranger.com
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main career goal. After making this discovery, Morin had the opportunity to job-shadow with Amarillo College sign language interpreter Julie Seals. Morin sat with Seals Monday through Thursday, and Seals gave her extra assignments for practice. “She took me to the grocery store and taught me how to sign the names of vegetables, and bought me groceries,” Morin said. “She didn’t get paid to help me, but she did.”
Morin said this type of generosity and the many resources the college has to offer, particularly the Advising and Resource Center, are a big part of why she hasn’t given up. After graduation, Morin will transfer to West Texas A&M University in the spring and begin the speech language pathology program in the fall. “I want a lakehouse,” she said, adding that she wants space for her parents to be able to live with her so she can take care of them. “I want that, and I can’t get that with just an associate degree.” Morin said that despite her extremely driven nature, she sometimes struggles with her purpose. However, learning about things like cells in anatomy and physiology has helped put things into perspective. “If the lord created something so small to have a job, and to have a purpose, that if something in there failed it could be catastrophic for the cell, then who are we to question ours?” she said.
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Opinion
2 | The Ranger December 6, 2018
Student Speak
Be kind to holiday workers
What’s on your mind?
Have you ever had to work on a holiday? What were your experiences? “Not actually, no. I don’t necessarily count Black Friday, and that’s as close as I come to it. It was busy, entertaining and definitely kept me on my feet.”
HAILEY PATTERSON Psychology
illistration by KIM REID | The Ranger
“Yes, it was just backto-back customer service, talking to people, answering the same types of questions and that kind of thing. It was really frustrating, repeating the same process the whole time."
EDITORIAL
CHRISTIAN GARCIA
Mass Media
“Yes, I have. I’m a waitress at My Thai. It was mainly good, just a little bit tiring.” NINA RABKWAN Psychology
New year, same you
OPINION By SIR GAREN GRAYSON Staff Reporter With the New Year right around the corner, a lot of us will be bringing it in with family and friends like lonely losers; with the clock about to strike midnight, I’ll be sitting in the corner, sipping homemade sangria, watching everyone else around me mush their faces together asking myself, “Why didn’t I hit up one of my exes for this?” Trust me, I hate being at events like that. I wouldn’t even have come out in the first place if you bastards didn’t beg me to. I was perfectly fine chilling at home in my boxers playing video games and learning stuff on Photoshop, ya know, bringing the New Year in right. On the other hand, you can’t
meet anyone new in your living room; so going out does have its perks. Another thing, do not make up some bullcrap resolutions you cannot commit to wholeheartedly! You will disappoint yourself and it will throw off any other resolutions that you actually were going to see through. The whole “New year, new me” crap is for the birds. Changing yourself is a process. The likelihood of you changing into a new person in a year is so astronomically low that it is pointless to even consider it. In fact, don’t even wait until the new year to start sticking to your resolutions. Whether it be the end of 2018 or a whole fresh year, no one is going to chastise you for when you start as long as you commit. Waiting until NYE to make the commitment is just an excuse to keep lazing around you slacker. Look, I am just whining. If you like who you are in 2018, then go into 2019 not changing a darn thing. If you can’t commit to any resolutions, then don’t make any. Just end the year and start the year happy with your choices.
Ah, the holiday season is upon us. The period of time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is a delightful time, spent with friends, family and lots of food and celebration. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? Unless you work in retail, or the food industry, at the hospital or anywhere else that requires their employees to be present on holidays. Obviously, in some cases, people have to work through holidays. We can’t just shut all the hospitals, fire stations and police stations down. That would cause mass chaos. These days, it seems that every restaurant has a holiday dinner option, and stores open for business before Nana can even
that stores and restaurants should be closed for holidays. As long as businesses are open, people will shop when their focus should be elsewhere. This is also unfair to employees, who are forced to abandon their own festivities and instead tend to the general public. If you’ve ever worked in retail or food service, you know that it doesn’t exactly scream “holly-jolly.” The holiday season, no matter what faith or traditions you embrace, should be about that celebration and spending time with your friends and family. A few times a year, businesses can take a break from quenching the insatiable thirst for material goods.
Life would be unnecessarily frustrating. As the holiday season approaches and you need to run and grab presents, keep the retail workers in mind. Despite what some may believe, they are not there for your own comfort. They are there trying to make a living and even grab some extra cash for their own present shopping. The holidays are a stressful time of year for everyone and that doesn’t excuse rude behavior, or even childish reactions. If you are out shopping and see stuff on the ground that people are just running over, pick it up. It won’t hurt you to bend over and throw it up on the shelf. If you decide you don’t want something at the last minute, don’t just toss it wherever. You may think, “Well it is their job to clean up the store, not mine.” Just think, these people are not your personal maids. These people have families and responsibilities they need to get home to and they don’t deserve to be forced to stay hours after the store closes just trying to find where everything should go. You wouldn’t invite people into your home who left
it trashed every time they came over. If they did, you would call them rude or selfish. If you are dealing with an employee at a store and they don’t tell you the thing you want to hear, imagine just for a moment that the answer they gave you wasn’t intended to spite you. It was just their job to relay the information to you. For the love of God, don’t shoot the messenger. Lastly, and most importantly, that ‘fake nice’ that some people have mastered– retail workers see through it, and it comes across ruder than if you were just straight forward a jerk. I’m specifically talking about the southern ‘charm’ that I started to see when I moved here, the stupid “oh bless your heart” that really just translates to “I have no faith in your ability as a human to do what I want you to do.” Seriously, that ‘nice’ isn’t cutting it, and we both know that. It is just a pitiful way of being passive aggressive and you cannot call it any other name. For the love of God, just be human, a nice respectful human and spread some love.
Spread love this season
OPINION By ISABELLE LINK Staff Reporter
We have all dealt with or have even been the person who was downright a jerk. On either side, that moment sticks with you or even ruins your day. To use an example, let’s say if you are driving to school and someone cuts you off to immediately break in front of you just to turn sharply, causing you to slam on your brakes, you’re going to talk about it. But that moment of frustration is only for a short amount of time. You keep driving, maybe complain about it, but eventually move on. Now what if it was your job to drive everywhere and every car that got in front of you did that same jerky thing?
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finish her first piece of pecan pie. It’s not for naught, either — for every store that opens on Thanksgiving or Christmas, consumers are lined up to take advantage of all the “great deals.” But, does it really matter that much to the overall well-being of humanity if Old Navy waits until Thanksgiving is over to start Black Friday sales? The answer, apparently, is yes. According to “The Balance,” roughly 29 million people left their homes to go shopping on Thanksgiving in 2016. While the number has changed slightly over the last two years with the rise in online shopping, this is still mind-boggling. We, The Ranger staff, believe
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Student Media exists to serve you — the students. The Ranger is an open forum where you can learn and talk about the things that matter to you. The Ranger staff urges you to get involved by submitting ideas, photos, writing, videos and telling us what you want covered. A public critique and meeting is open to the campus community on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. in PH 214 or you can reach us via email at therangereditor@gmail.com. The Ranger is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Association, Panhandle Press Association, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and Texas Community College Journalism Association. For a complete staff listing, visit us at acranger.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.
News
The Ranger | 3 December 6, 2018
BSA to AC, college welcomes new VP
CHERYL JONES By KYLER KUYKENDAL Staff Reporter
On Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, Amarillo College named Cheryl Jones the vice president of employee and organizational development. Jones will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Lyndy Forrester at the beginning of 2019, after approval of the AC Board of Regents. Jones has worked at BSA since 2002 and has been the vice president of human resources for the past four years. “Cheryl Jones has a proven track record of fostering employee development and leadership that makes her an exceptionally capable and highly valued choice,” Russell Lowery-Hart, AC president, said. “I am elated that she has accepted a leadership role with us.” Jones will be in charge of leading all aspects of human resources, as well as overseeing the AC police and information technology departments. “This is a crucial role to the college because it is the starting point for every employee and prospect. They set the foundation for employee experience, engagement, morale and employee relations,” Fran Garcia, the director of employee and organizational development, said. Jones said she hopes to make the human resources department into a serviceoriented department. “The human resources department is here to serve the employees. We have to continue to provide great customer service to our customer: the employee. We want them to be a name and not a number,” Jones said. While Jones will not be directly influencing students, her work will indirectly affect students. “The department is responsible for the recruiting aspect for all faculty and staff. They have to be sure they have a solid team in their department to be able to provide the service needed. A happy staff generally makes for happy students,” Garcia said. Although working for a hospital is different from working for a college, Jones said she is looking forward to the change. “The values of the college align with my own,” Jones said. “I look forward to supporting the extraordinary AC workforce and contributing to the wonderful efforts of the organization that is striving to elevate not only our students, but our entire community.”
LAUREN EBBEN | The Ranger
Palace Coffee has been a part of Amarillo College’s Washington Street Campus since early 2018.
Palace supports counseling By LAUREN EBBEN Staff Reporter
The Palace Coffee location on the Washington Street campus is doing well, according to Steve Smith, vice president of business affairs. “I see a lot of students who are over there, collaborating on projects and meeting and just spending time together, having a good time,” Smith said. “So yeah, I would say it does what we want it to do, which was really more about being a student space than it was
anything else,” Smith said. The space was an idea presented by the President’s Leadership Institute (PLI), a group of faculty and staff who come together to learn better leadership skills and answer important questions about the college, Smith said. “They felt like it would be important for students to have a space on campus where they could go,” he said. The Board of Regents approved the coffee shop in the fall of 2016, set for an opening the next year. After a series of delays, remodeling for the
coffee shop began in the CUB in Nov. 2017, with the grand opened in February 2018. Palace leases the space for a base rent of $1,000 per month, and gives five percent of their profits to the college. This money helps pay for a portion of the cost of the AC Counseling Center, an idea presented by the PLI at the same time as coffee shop. After nine months, AC has received more than $14,000 in total from their partnership with Palace Coffee. According to Denese Skinner, vice president of
student affairs, these profits help employ a part-time and a full-time counselor that students can visit for free. “Prior to Palace coming on board, we didn’t have a counseling center,” she said. “We weren’t able to pay for that. With being able to share some of the profits that we have from Palace, that’s been able to underwrite some of the cost for the counseling center.” The rest of the cost of the counseling center is covered by the college’s general budget. “Overall, this was what the college needed, ” Smith added.
‘Crunch Time’ offers finals help By AUSTIN ASHBY Staff Reporter
Amarillo College students are about to tackle another finals week and there’s some extra help for students trying to manage this stressful time. “Crunch Time is extended time where we open the first floor of the Ware Student Commons,” Becky Burton, dean of academic outreach and support services, said. “We will have snacks available and be open from 8 a.m. to midnight, the Friday before finals through the last Tuesday of the semester to help students get a head start on their
studies.” Burton said AC will provide computers and different departments will send over people to help with certain subjects. “There is somebody here to visit with and help talk them down off the cliff if they are feeling a little anxious,” Burton said. According to Pamela Madden, director of the Title V project, The right approach can help students manage stress related to finals. “Breathe,” Madden said. “The students need to know that the help is here for them.” As for tips on studying, Madden said to get a study
group together for that tough class. “Come to Crunch Time and bounce ideas off each other,” she said “When you have that person to study it does help.” Trent Oneal, intramurals and student activities specialist, has some other suggestions for stress management. “The number one stress reliever known to man is exercise,” Oneal said. “We have daily activities at 2 p.m. in the Carter Fitness Center. Go over to the gym and get a quick cardio workout in with the treadmill or elliptical.” Oneal said the daily activities range from basketball to ultimate handball and volley-
ball and even a competition held the week before finals. “We are having National Trick Shot Day,” he said “People can come out and show their trick shot using whatever they want.” Oneal added that time management is another important factor in relieving stress. He said to make sure that you have your planned study time while making time for other things as well. “Create a schedule and stick to it and plan sometime for yourself,” Oneal said. “Have that little bit of downtime because statistics have shown the best way to study is ten minutes on then ten minutes off.”
vacation. “I’m so ready to leave Amarillo,” Hunt said. “I have plans to drive up to the mountains and get some nice skiing or snowboarding in if there’s some good snow. I love this time of the year up in the mountains because you get so much more snow than you do around Amarillo. It’s not just the snow and snowboarding I want to leave for, I’m just ready for a vacation. This semester has been tiring,” he said. Other students have plans to spend quality family time over the break. Alicia Stone, a nursing major, is spending the vacation relaxing with her children. “Generally, I’m so busy with school and work that
I don’t have time to spend with my children,” Stone said. “I honestly feel a little bad about that. So, during my winter break I’m going to spend as much time as I can with my kids since I won't be in school until the next semester,” she said. With winter break approaching, AC advisers recommend that anyone who isn’t graduating register for classes before starting vacation. Students and advisers say classes fill up and students who wait to register may not get the schedules that match their work hours. “I have to register early,” Aaron Morales, a business major said. “If I don’t I may not be able to take the classes I need to.”
Morales said waiting to register can cause a lot of anxiety. He said he doesn’t want to start the winter break worrying about future classes and schedules. “I like to get it over with as early as possible that way I can plan accordingly,” Brooklyn Cosby, a ? major, said. “It’s just one less thing I have to worry about.” Cosby said students should go into winter break knowing that they will be ready for the end of winter break. Start the next year knowing you won’t have to compromise your educational or personal schedule, she said. Students can go to the AC advising center in the Student Service Center to set up an appointment with an adviser. Spring classes begin Jan. 14.
Make a plan for winter vacation By TREVOR PYLE and J.D. TUCKER Staff Reporters
Amarillo College is currently only a couple weeks away from releasing for winter break and for many students this means freedom. Patrick Tran, an engineering major, is ready for a break “These math classes are wearing me out. I just want to have time to work and make a little money for Christmas presents and for spending money on my car. It would be nice to spend time with my family too while I have some free time,” Tran said. Some students have big plans during the break. Kyle Hunt, a biology major, said he is traveling during winter
News
4 | The Ranger December 6, 2018
SUMMER 2018 AAS
Aviation Maintenance Technology Roger P. Reynolds
Business Management Manuel B. Aragon
Clinical Medical Assisting Marisa Estrada Yanalthe G. Martinez Charlene S. Quider
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Bryce A. Burton Ty P. Youree
Drafting
Ryan C. Weatherly
Industrial Technology Branden C. James
Medical Laboratory Technology
Tatiana K. Alexander-Robinson Jessica M. Bartlett Ashley N. Byers Misti D. Carroll Cynthia Cortez Shellie L. Fleming Juan C. Gonzalez Courtney T. Higgins Kim L. House Kari E. Lopez Sarah-Vanessa Y. Martinez Abera Y. Tesfaye Mayra Trejo Nallely Arpero Ashley E. Cerda Alyssa K. Chmielowiec Karen S. Mendoza Rosalie Mireles Chavarria Melissa A. Morales Krystal M. Pina Megan L. Renshaw Tarun Salwan Noemy V. Sepulveda James B. Whiteside Renee L. Wilkinson
Surgical Technology Natalia Casas Medina Enrique Gamez Amber N. Haynes Dakota E. Hernandez Samantha K. Irvin Jocelyn T. Luckie Thelma Martinez Kenda R. Mote Crystal Perez Melinda A. Rivera Lindsey B. Robertson John A. Rodriguez Ashley J. Sanchez
AAT
Education - 4-8
Business Administration - Computer Information Systems Christina G. Tarango Reng P. Thanga
Chemistry
Alexx G. Walters
Criminal Justice
Bailey B. Beck Hillary L. Garcia Rose M. Harrison Idella T. Jackson Chelsy N. Johnson Luis D. Loya Jesus O. Mendoza, Jr. Sabrina D. Pope Varner Alvaro J. Sandoval, Jr. Estrella S. Valdez
Engineering
Braden E. Padgett
General Studies
Stephanie J. Alfonsi Julie Allegretti Cassandra A. Alvarez John B. Atem Brittany L. Boles Josey J. Clark Makayla B. Collins Chrystal J. Gamez Dorian Garcia Vachel L. Holton Ryan S. Howard Katie E. Hubbard Melissa N. Hunt Sean V. London Audrey R. Martin Julianne McGee Heath H. Montgomery Francisco Murillo, III Emory D. Newkirk Bianca G. Olivas Tiffany N. Reed Jose J. Ruiz Rivero Maggie C. Sather Christopher L. Taylor Petros B. Tesfom Lesli Tucker Adriana Vargas Catherine C. Waide Garrett S. Welch Claire L. Wells Christina J. Winter
General Studies - Dual Degree Tyler R. Reid
General Studies – Education Perla J. Rodriguez Marlene R. Smith
Mass Communication Josh T. Ballard Andrew C. Munoz
Pre-Nursing
Patrick E. Burley, Sr. Michelle A. Olivarez Lisa C. Sims
Irisma F. Quinones Samantha V. Zamarripa
Education - Elementary Specialist
Karina M. Altamirano Daisy E. Contreras Adayzha C. Flint Sarah E. Forbes Jonathan D. Gonzalez Brenda Granados Sheldon L. Johnson Olivia M. Moctezuma Alexis Ramirez Bianca L. Ramos Sarah L. Villarreal Tara D. Zeissel
Robert W. McKown Teri A. Surratt Mariah T. Valencia
Education – Secondary Corbin A. Ashcraft Iliana Martinez Pena Michaela D. Stout Rebecca Zubia
AS
Biology
Jesus M. Gutierrez Amina Haidari Chelsea T. Hooper Desiree C. Kinney Alejandro A. Mariscal Nyandwi Ngembo Jayla Q. Toombs Thomas T. Tran
Business Administration Marlar J. Acton Yudith Alvarez Ashley Avila Vicky L. Barker Jessie D. Barraza Jennifer E. Bourque Rodrigo R. Calderon Avila Darian R. Casias Aileen G. Chacon Luis A. De leon Arend E. Gressley Susana Ines Madison N. Jones Kyle S. Key Rissa R. Klein Justine K. Lafuente Adam Landeros Jonathan D. Lofgren Daniel B. Lopez Brandon W. McKee Garrett N. Mcmillian Brenden A. Pearson Amy D. Powell Makayla B. Reed Olga Rodriguez-Pedroza Krystal M. Salas Celeste A. Stork Samantha Venegas
Psychology
Social Science Carli S. Burkett Kha Z. Tha
Social Work
Jonathan I. Garcia Briana G. Gardner Cindy Lanham Tanya D. Mills
Theatre
Harrison F. Blount Hannah S. Johnson
Certificate
Administrative Medical Assistant Meagan R. Galvan
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Ruby M. Barrett Stephanie L. Davis Brian D. Freas Tristan A. Hilton Aimee N. Mcglohon Brandi C. Mueller Seth C. Philley Tomas Sanchez, III Aaron J. Soliz
Automotive Collision Technology – Basic Oscar Ortiz
Automotive Collision Technology –
Intermediate Oscar Ortiz
Automotive Technology – Advanced Ngun C. Lian
Aviation Maintenance Technology - Airframe Mechanic Ranten Lambert Johnathan M. Perkins Roger P. Reynolds Parrish W. Sanders
Business Management Advanced Certificate Manuel B. Aragon
Business Management Intermediate Certificate Manuel B. Aragon
Business Technology Foundations Certificate
Juan Pablo P. Gonzalez Murillo Ryan T. Piercy Gabriel S. Salcido Gabriela Torres Hoang Trinh
Business Management Basic Certificate Eduardo Arceo Robert C. Balderaz Taice J. Barnes Jane W. Beery Amy L. Chandler Monica Chavarria Emily C. Ekas Stacey D. Levitt Vanessa N. Luna Tyger D. Miles Elaine M. Mitchell Clayton W. Morris Casey J. Upton Benjamin H. Wood
Media Production Certificate
Jessica L. Fowler
Sir Garen D. Grayson Sentora A. Rodriguez
Certified Nursing Assistant
Medical Data Specialist
Kiandra L. King Veronica L. Rodriquez Shawnty Wynne
Child Development - Early Childhood Provider Gloria Fowler Caitlin N. Macias
Clinical Medical Assistant Allison M. Burdett Georgina Garcia Yanalthe G. Martinez Veronica Rodriguez Lawanda Smith Francisca A. Towe
Computer System Support Certificate Tha Klay Jarrett J. Lykens Ryan C. Robison
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Melissa B. Anderson Bryce A. Burton James K. Hall Jarad D. Hawthorne Erik Medel Efren A. Munoz Hunter C. Oliver Micah Palmer Gerardo Patino Cody Pittman Kelton L. Pulley Lorenzo X. Segura William E. Sheffield Courtney D. Tucker Jodi R. Tuscana Braden J. Urquhart Brandon L. Weldon Cody G. Wilhelm Ty P. Youree
Drafting Technician
Shae Cairns Ashley J. Rios
Precision Metalworking Technology – Advanced Christopher R. Delarosa Kevin J. Morales Nicholas A. Ramos
Recording Arts Certificate Jerah M. King
Surgical Technology Natalia Casas Medina Ciro D. Del Fierro Misty S. Franco Enrique Gamez Amber N. Haynes Dakota E. Hernandez Perrisha B. Hughes Jocelyn T. Luckie Jacqueline M. Luther Erin M. Marquez Thelma Martinez Kenda R. Mote Crystal Perez Melinda A. Rivera Lindsey B. Robertson John A. Rodriguez Ashley J. Sanchez Monica D. Van Sickel Deysy S. Vasquez
FALL 2018 AA
English
Manfredd T. Maier Misty A. Medellin Ethan D. Ortega Denise R. Velarde
AAS
Aerospace Manufacturing
Christopher B. Love Adela M. Sisneros
Paul D. Lusk
Emergency Medical Services Professions
Juston M. Christensen Michael T. Davis Lucas X. Hite Jesse B. Kaiser Nicholas A. Kellogg Heather R. Montes Quiana Q. Toines
Casey R. Rodgers Kitana J. Roybal
Fire Protection - Basic Firefighter Eli D. Salayandia
Industrial Fundamentals Certificate Jacob P. Haney
Industrial Technology – Helper Armando Aranda Benjamin S. Ballard Matthew T. Bonds Christopher A. Burleson Lucas A. Caire Jason C. Carver Jacob A. Deleon Christopher Flores Cesar Garcia Lorenzo A. Garcia Matthew R. Hammons Jacob P. Haney Justin G. Heck Eliseo P. Jacquez Michael S. Lopez Isiah M. Nolan Robson T. Patterson Cedrick A. Pena Sergio D. Sanchez Andrew M. Suarez Claude W. Thompson, III Edward Valencia, Jr. Victor Vazquez
Industrial Technology Technician Certificate Ardeshir Adamizadehsobi
Legal Studies - Paralegal Professional Kelly S. Voelm
Machining Fundamentals Certificate
Art - Graphic Design
Associate Degree Nursing Walter J. Adams Daisy Almanza Marissa J. Aquallo Chanel N. Ballin Solomon N. Barraza Lalita H. Bermudez James E. Berry Courtney M. Bowling Shonda L. Boyd Guadalupe Camberos Amanda K. Cardenas Mitzi M. Carrera Mallorie S. Clear Callie T. Cribbs Cristal A. Denbow Hector Duran-Reyes Megan A. Flores Elsa D. Galvan Abbey L. Garcia Brookelan A. Garcia Gabrielle R. Garza Valeria E. Gonzalez Bricia D. Granda Alayna L. Grant Daniel E. Green Shayla B. Green Sandra Gutierrez Patricia Guzman-Morales Merideth L. Haney Belle Hayhurst Alejandra Hernandez Krystal R. Hinds Felicia A. Holguin Laura M. Howard McKenzie N. Ivey Susan A. Johnston Kevin G. Justice, Jr. Luciano U. Kenle Alexus S. Khamvongsa Hannah G. Lewis Tiffany L. Lewis
Adrienne N. Loan Danielle N. Long Jordynn N. Lovelady Samanta B. Medrano Brittany R. Mughelli Marisela Murga Jessica D. Neel D. Nevarez Miriam Y. Olmos-Hinojosa Karina Patino Leslie M. Payne Edward Pena Hunter B. Pennington Stayce C. Perez Rene R. Ramirez Jeremy W. Rash Paige N. Ray Jennifer M. Rice Abby L. Richardson Christina J. Richardson Irania M. Salazar Kelsey L. Sanderson Sviatlana Savitskaya Camra B. Smith Lauren J. Snyder Ariel L. Spielbauer Heather L. Stewart David D. Taylor April L. Tebeest Cynthia A. Torres Laura C. Torres Haili J. Whitacre Shann E. Wise Mariah N. Wolden
Automotive Technology Irma M. Chavez Joseph G. Duran Kristobal K. Elizalde Yvonne M. Francies Ngun C. Lian Marcus Olvera Roberto C. Patino
Aviation Maintenance Technology Joshua A. Sargent
Business Management Robert C. Balderaz Dalencia D. Barrow Shayle N. Bryant Kathy L. Davenport Kortnee M. Fennel Amy N. Hardt Yesenia Huerta Stacey D. Levitt Delores McMurry Alfonso Padilla, Jr Victor P. Pereda Cassius C. Rivers Destiny V. Sandoval Ashley Soto Mariah A. Valverde Heather M. Ward Tiffany L. Watkins Amanda G. Wilson
Business Technology Takeita T. Buchanan Michelle D. Davis Pauline M. Lopez
Child Development - Early Childhood Caitlin N. Macias
Clinical Medical Assisting Veronica Rodriguez
Computer Information Systems Jody J. Boehning Jacob C. Garcia Matt A. Harding Day W. Si
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Haleigh L. White
Drafting
Mckenzie M. Meeks Luis C. Pena Israel Quinones
Emergency Medical Services Professions Serenity F. Hofmann
Industrial Technology Andrew Alvarez Reymundo Cadena Lucas A. Caire Jaime Carreno Jonathan B. Cruz David S. Fuentes Lorenzo A. Garcia Medel Gomez, Jr. Ashley S. Hoffman Eliseo P. Jacquez Jose L. Jaramillo Joel Lopez Meneces Noe Mendoza Ever J. Regalado, Jr. Guadalupe Ruiz Armando S. Sotelo Adriana M. Vasquez
Kritser Diesel
Timoteo J. Alejandre Alexander J. Laughlin
Legal Studies
Danielle C. Hawkins Pamela N. Shaw-Carruthers
Machining Technology
Dustin J. Chase Hoang Trinh Stuart M. White
Mass Media
Leslie D. Jones Christopher M. Key Sentora Solano- Rodriguez
Mortuary Science Dylan Manes
Photography Ty W. Hensler
Radiography
Micaela R. Dawson
AAT
Education - 4-8
Juan A. Garza Say Htoo Mackenzie G. Kitchens Cassandra L. Perez
Education - Elementary Specialist Samantha J. Alejandro Caitlyn R. Copeland Cheyenne B. Cox Marlene Dehoyos Natalie R. Difederico Makaylie B. Dunning Kari A. Gonzalez Elisabeth M. Haney Adianez M. Hernandez Alma N. Hernandez Sydney M. Isch Sydney W. Jesko Kyler M. Kennedy Ciara N. Kessler Leslie A. Ledoux Taylor M. Libby Patricia Marrufo Abbigayle L. Mills Micah D. Motley Selene Oliva Hannah G. Parras Aubrey L. Parson Jacqueline Patino Christine A. Perez Bailee K. Pope Daniella Ramirez Vanessa Rivera Cordero Priscilla Tarango Brittany A. Torres Eh D. Tun Abigail L. Valenzuela
Education – Secondary America J. Acosta Sydney C. Buchenau Lyanna DeLeon Javier V. Galvan Kaitlyn B. Garcia-Aragon Shelby N. Gwyn George W. Harrison, Jr. Reagan Henry Zachary P. Holguin Jassmin M. Howard Casey D. Irwin Allison P. Kaplan Kolby C. Karr Stacy J. Lancaster Oscar J. Marquez, Jr. Daniela Martinez Keren D. Ortiz Trent L. Ottinger Ray O. Reynoza, Joevanny Ruiz, Jr
AS Art
Tiahna-dawn Brecheisen Rachel C. Dixon Holly B. Farrar Deandre S. Jones Justin M. Rogers Haley R. Sanchez
Biology
Raquel A. Gamez Valerie F. Jones Araceli Morales Kevin W. Sturguess Yvanna Rae S. Uy
Business Administration Rosa T. Nunez Terra L. Alexander Essam-Edeen S. Alfaloujeh Karla Almanza Cristian Alvarez Jasiel A. Andrade, Jr. Chayse N. Armstrong Gabriel Arzaga Keith D. Atchley Gabrielle L. Barraza Kamryn J. Benavidez Spencer B. Beyer Kameron E. Bingel Christopher A. Breithaupt Sondra B. Brumley Danielle Bryan Elizabeth A. Burton Adriana P. Bustillos Keegan J. Cassidy Natasha R. Chacon Lindsey N. Clements Kayla D. Cochran Patrick G. Contreras Laci C. Curry Zachary R. Dominguez Alicia C. Downey Samantha L. Dunbar Mattie L. Eldridge Valeria Estrada Genesis P. Garcia
News Jalee K. Garcia Luis U. Gomez Juan C. Gomez, Jr. Robert G. Haggard Lirije Haliti Rachael J. Hamilton Twyla R. Harp Lynzi D. Harris Joni A. Hernandez Yesenia Y. Herrera Steven G. Johnson Tyler R. Jones Seokwon Jung Jamison M. Kitchen Brittany N. Kramer Ngun K. Lian Evelyn Lozoya Di angelo R. Lucero Jennifer L. Matts Samuel A. Mayhew Clinton W. McConnell Cristal E. Medrano Victor M. Medrano Maria G. Montes Dalena X. Nguyen Charla L. Nolen Brock D. Odaniel Juan I. Pacheco Tricia D. Plumley Robert D. Post Karla L. Prospero Maycie J. Ramirez Nohemi A. Ramos Kristy Reyes Josiah W. Roberts Cody K. Robinson Hunter L. Robinson Faith G. Rocha Candis N. Rodriguez Mayra A. Sanchez Jacqueline B. Santiago Heath R. Shoemaker Alee G. Slaten Shelly A. Sparks Julie M. St Clair John A. Stephens Caleb C. Tanck Abraham Torres Araceli Torres Thomas A. Valdez Isela Venzor Jon E. Williams
Trevor C. Hord Matthew B. Horne Noah M. Howsmon Alexis P. Hutson Susan H. Johnson Marshall G. Kelley Katlin D. Lanners Rainee N. Lopez Stephanie M. Mccormick Quinlan D. McElwain Erik C. Mienphilom Elizabeth Miranda Mirranda L. Monroe Jamie M. Moore Alicia D. Morin Lindsay L. Mosley Payton L. Nelson Lynn T. Ngo Thomas R. Nichols, IV Ameyalli Oropeza Elizabeth B. Parker Gay K. Paw Berenice Pitre Rebecca L. Price Shafat Rakin Brigette Z. Ramirez Jonathan M. Renfroe Keegan S. Ried Denise C. Ruiz-Garcia Tori L. Ruth Ashlee L. Scali Adrian R. Sellinger Stephanie L. Shannon Cameron S. Skees Emily A. Smith Hayleigh M. Steadman Brianna L. Stegall Landon C. Swan Shandra D. Telford Tyler A. Thorpe Jesse N. Umphress Uriel Valenzuela Grace Velasquez Ivy G. Velo Ashlee R. Woods Mireya Zamarripa
Business Administration - Computer Information Systems
Drazen Bagavac Echo N. Barnett Hannah M. Chase Savannah M. Lopez Renee A. Payne Autumn P. Persefield Haley A. Spray
Cameron M. Stover
Criminal Justice
Ajang B. Ajang Candace L. Brown Diego Chavez Michele L. Elliott Sarah C. Franco Elsa Gaytan Jeremy Gilbert Jared A. Guerrero Phillip T. Herd Amber C. Kingston Aayesha L. Kitchen Cristian I. Landeros Laci M. Lewis Kyeshawnna M. Mahone Juanita T. Maldonado Juan C. Martinez-Pina Jessica L. Mckee Erica M. Moore Damaris Rangel Jonathon B. Rodriguez Josephine Rodriguez Mary H. Suarez Kaci L. Tickner Brenda K. Walsh Krystle A. Wells
Engineering
Paige C. Larsen Ulysses Mata Ryan M. Parsells Merci Ruremesha
Engineering Computer Science Jose M. Alaniz Trevor C. Bates Efrael L. Gonzalez Yareni G. Hernandez Villa Jacob D. Tikker
General Studies
Latoria R. Alfred Alondra Alvarez Diana K. Badillo Nohemi Benavides Elizabeth A. Bernard Favian Castellanos Vanessa Castillo Arthur Castro Hannah S. Clark Taryn R. Cotter Bryant Cox Dionte J. Darnes Edward L. Datri, III Vanessa M. Davis Brandy S. Dozier Tucker P. Eller Dominic D. Escoto Erick A. Espinoza Lorie A. Ferran David E. Figueroa Skyler A. Fisher Gabriel E. Garcia Miracle B. Garcia Carrie E. Gressley Leoncio E. Gutierrez, III Bradon M. Harold Je’keishalyn J. Henley Paul R. Herrera
General Studies - Arts/ Humanities Kattya Campos
General Studies – Education
Mass Media
Danielle B. Barraza Christian J. Garcia Jordan N. Gipson Blass Guerrero Salvador Gutierrez Kyler J. Kuykendall Brianna M. Maestas Ramona C. Salgado Brandan A. Waldrop
Candy S. Graham Kammie R. Guest Brittany N. Jefcoats Benjamin Modi Miriam I. Perez Ariscilla M. Portillo Joe S. Ramirez Rachel L. Romero Ravan M. Shaw Patricia B. Teague Yesenia O. Villegas Olivia A. Warren
Theatre
Daniel A. Sigala Ramirez, Jr.
Certificate
Administrative Medical Assistant Skylar S. Jones Dulce E. Roacho Lakeisha P. Williams Estefanie V. Zuniga
Art - Graphic Design Salvador Casanova Addison P. Glazner Ty W. Hensler Jesse B. Kaiser Nicholas A. Kellogg Mckenzie M. Meeks Heather R. Montes Cole M. Richardson
Auto/Diesel Technology Basic Certificate Mason B. Khashan
Automotive Collision Technology – Advanced Tom E. Akins Jose E. Hernandez
Automotive Collision Technology – Basic Jose E. Hernandez
Automotive Collision Technology – Intermediate Jose E. Hernandez Marcel S. McKenzie
Automotive Technology – Advanced Luis D. Espino, Sr. Yvonne M. Francies Wesley P. Froese Pa T. Hai Aaron T. Miller Roberto C. Patino Jordan K. Taylor
Automotive Technology Basic Automotive
Photography
Yvonne M. Francies Wesley P. Froese Riley P. Guile Pa T. Hai Vinh T. Le Aaron T. Miller Roberto C. Patino
Pre-Nursing
Business Management Advanced Certificate
Lauren A. Bates
Vanessa Arenivas Abigail L. Ashby Jenni L. Barnard April N. Johnson Linda M. Madewell Karla G. Martinez Shai’anne D. Mcadoo Talina A. McCarney Zain M. Oo Alejandra Patino Audra F. Platt Corina M. Ramirez Jacqueline Ramirez Kristie J. Romero Kadie Saffa Angelia Sengdara Jakole S. Smith Samantha Talamantes Joevanny Vazquez Yuneisy A. Vivar Bae B. Wah
Psychology
Cameron T. Babcock Daisy M. Balderrama Jason D. Bell Katy E. Dassuncao Chelsy D. Flores Melva Garcia Aragon Lexi R. Harrison Tristian M. Kinzer Brittnee T. Koehn Mason R. Lang Carolynn A. Loudenback Jennifer A. Martinez Katia L. McQuatters Jessica A. Pinales Ana J. Prieto Antonio Rocha Bren K. Sewell Abby L. Shaffer Courtney A. Surrett
Robert C. Balderaz Yesenia Huerta Cassius C. Rivers Heather M. Ward
Business Management Intermediate Certificate Robert C. Balderaz Shayle N. Bryant Kathy L. Davenport Kortnee M. Fennel Javier D. Martinez Destiny V. Sandoval Ashley Soto Mariah A. Valverde Heather M. Ward Tiffany L. Watkins
Business Tech Systems Certificate Takeita T. Buchanan Michelle D. Davis Pauline M. Lopez
Business Technology Professional Certificate Jerica C. Bartlett Ana M. Carrillo Michelle D. Davis Pauline M. Lopez
Certified Nursing Assistant
Shelby B. Blanton Sandy L. Bridgeman Joshua Doty Christopher S. Howell Vanesa Pena Holly C. Wiles Brittany N. Young
Social Science
Child Development - Early Childhood Administrator
Social Work
Child Development - Early Childhood Provider
Joni L. Stone Clarence T. Warren, III Mariela Canas Heidi E. Combs Lisa J. Fessler Jennifer L. Freeze Brianna Garcia
Elizabeth P. Balderaz
Virginia L. Williams
Computer Cyber Security Brandi D. Schneider
Computer Digital Forensics Melissa A. Baker Nicholas L. Foster Tommie L. Harris, Jr. Emily K. Rickert
Computer Network Administration Sheldon R. Downing Alexander L. Enterline Cameron M. Meyers Austin C. Myers
Computer Network Essentials Melissa A. Baker Alexander L. Enterline Aye Kyaw Brian C. Longoria Patrick W. Sanders Day W. Si
Computer System Support Certificate Christopher M. Andrade Travis L. Brown Max F. Clemence Oliver I. Crawford Agustin I. Fabela Allan N. Herron Julian Jacquez Robert F. Johnson Michael J. Quintana Nicholas E. Raburn Jacob K. Rieck Jesus F. San miguel, Jr. Saxon Sengsouriya Christopher Ward Blake A. Wathen Clayton W. Willimon Margaret D. Ynojosa
Drafting Technician Mckenzie M. Meeks Sanpadi T. Ninsavang
Fire Protection - Basic Firefighter Brenton L. Sanders Brian S. Tollis, II
Industrial Fundamentals Certificate Demesio P. Banda Mark Chavira Edwin Garcia Jesus O. Giron Eduardo Godoy Carlos D. Rangel
Industrial Technology – Helper Mark Chavira
Industrial Technology Technician Certificate Armando Aranda Lucas A. Caire Lorenzo A. Garcia Cedrick A. Pena Guadalupe Ruiz
The Ranger | 5 December 6, 2018 Claude W. Thompson, III Adriana M. Vasquez
Kritser Diesel - Advanced Certificate Tre A. Shewmake William A. Wyman
Kritser Diesel - Basic Certificate Timoteo J. Alejandre Tre A. Shewmake Conner O. Warwick
Jennifer L. Harvey Gwendolyn Leonard Abigail B. Martinez Chelsea L. McKibbin Langford Omega J. Morgan Jemeliah L. Perkins Charles S. Smith Tracy C. Stone
Pharmacy Technology Lauren D. Miller Crystal Reyes
Legal Studies - Paralegal Professional
Photography
Logistics Training - Truck Driving
Precision Metalworking Technology – Advanced
Machining Fundamentals Certificate
Recording Arts Certificate
Richard C. Bowers Craig D. Pennell
Anthony E. Cottrell Matthew W. Dyer Dakota C. Harris Christopher M. Higgs Epienio R. Leyva Michael V. London
Brian N. Borchardt Emanuel Martinez Kristopher K. Vallejo
Business Management Basic Certificate Emma T. Barrientez Rachael S. Carrera Naomi Cortez Cody L. Cowart Linda K. Duarte Reina P. Flores Amanda J. Gonzales Amy N. Hardt Victoria A. Hernandez Joseph E. Kautchick Cheryl D. Markley Candace J. Martinez Amber C. Michie Emma N. Mitchell Adriana N. Morris Amanda L. Mountain Fidencio Pena, Jr Clarissa Ramos Barbara J. Rhodes Eli Rodriguez Ailene Sanchez Yuri Y. Sanchez Santos Segura Johnny L. Turner Patrick D. Villa William G. Waldrep Katina L. Wilde
Media Production Certificate Kenton R. Gazzaway
Medical Data Specialist Jamie J. Breeding Shawna G. Irons
Mortuary Science
Michael S. Moore Joanna B. Nidey Stefani M. Wilhelm
Brian N. Borchardt Jacob S. Borchardt Dustin J. Chase Remington C. Escamilla Tyler S. Hardin Gabriel S. Salcido Hoang Trinh Stuart M. White
Edgar Moreno Gonzalez
Vocational Nursing Jenifer L. Alamillo Elizabeth K. Ayunga Brittnee D. Beevers Berkleigh R. Burton Anaisa Cedillo Priscilla M. Charles Misty D. Connelly Denise Cruz Ana V. Cruz-Urioso Kaneia S. Darton Dayla M. Dempsey Kylie M. England Estefania Erives Adrian I. Estrada Maria L. Figueroa Monica M. Flores Whitney L. Gibb Haley B. Griffin Amanda B. Helton Stephani N. Hernandez Ashleigh N. Hinton Ajla Jasarevic Gabriella M. Jimenez Kimberly S. Lee Gwendoline K. Manka Jared P. Martinez Jessica Martinez Christian D. Palacios Amanda M. Porter Savanna M. Ratliff Shelby N. Roberts Amber K. Scaggs Andrea Teran Dalia Torres
Welding Fundamentals Certificate Michael Jimenez Serena Y. Rios Logan T. Rodriguez
News
6 | The Ranger December 6, 2018
The holidays are here ART By SALVADOR GUTIERREZ
Celebrating traditions around the world By Samuel Gaulding Staff Reporter
The holiday season is in fullswing, but some English-as-asecond language (ESL) students at Amarillo College celebrate at different times and in different ways than the typical American. “Some of our students travel back to their home countries to be with family and celebrate their own culture’s holiday celebrations,” said Mathew Piech, the director of the ESL program. Anna Aguilar is an ESL student from El Salvador. “In my country, we celebrate by
launching fireworks just like the on the American holiday July Fourth,” she said. “All members of my family come together Dec. 25 and gifts are given from the father to everyone in the family. All family members come and spend many weeks together and bake and care for each other.” Ali Ialli, an ESL student from Iran, said that he is Islamic so his family’s most important holiday season is in March and lasts 13 days. “All family members come together, feast and celebrate our prophet Muhammad. We also come together again to meet and celebrate happy new year,” he said. Ialli said children
are special during the holiday, and all members of every family cook for everyone. “The celebrations start in December and end in February,” he said. Another ESL student, Ansari Rashma from Sudan, described his culture’s celebration as a Muslim holiday where the family comes together to spend time with one another and children are worshiped and praised. “The holiday season is called Eid Mubarak and lasts for three weeks and during that period meditation takes place for mourning and worship. Mornings are spent in prayer while nighttime is filled with
concerts and music. All families gather at the patriarch and matriarch’s house,” Rashma said. In the country of Myanamar, the holiday festival is called the annual water festival, according to ESL student Eshin Nendavamsa. The event is a 10day holiday where all citizens dance, sing, attend concerts at night and listen to music all day. “We go through much meditation for many days during the festival,” said Nendavamsa. While family gatherings happen during the month of October, parties and bigger social activities happen during the water festival, which takes
place during fall and winter. “Half the festival celebrates our religion, while the other half celebrates our culture. Everything is free to eat during the festival,” he said.
Budgets, food and family time
Holidays, season How to manage holiday gift-giving cause depression By Sierra Wilson
By Dani Barraza and Kyler Kuykendall Staff Reporter
Along with the cheerful atmosphere and family fun, people often get more depressed during these colder months. According to Beth Rodriguez, an Amarillo College psychology professor, “The main reason depression raises during the holidays is because this is the time that is usually spent with family and friends. If there was death in the family or the person is not in touch with family members or friends, then it is brought to light and it is hard for people to move pass this idea that they are alone.” Another factor is seasonal depression. “This is actually called SAD or seasonal affective disorder. This type of disorder usually happens during the colder months or seasons. Most often starting in the fall and continuing during the winter. It fades during spring and summer,” Rodriguez said. Jade Flores, an education major, said she understands why people get depressed this time of year. “The holidays are often a time of much stress and anticipation. With this stress a mass of anxiety and overwhelming emotions can come. Those who already have depression can fall victim to said anxieties,” she said. People may have depression due to specific circumstances or events that occurred around that time in the previous years. Others fall into repetitive triggers or anxiety, making their already existing depression worse. Taking steps to help others or seek help is vital, according to experts. Recognizing the causes should be the first step in the process, Lindsey Eggleston, AC Counseling Center coordinator, said. “The holidays can be a very stressful time for people because of financial strain
and overspending, unrealistic expectations (wanting everything to be perfect), being around family that you may not feel very fond of, having lost a loved one or not being able to be with family to celebrate.” “Most people will feel some stress and sadness during the holidays but what matters most is how you respond to it,” said Eggleston. She recommended positive coping mechanisms, such as keeping drinking to a minimum and asking for help. “Don't isolate yourself. If you are feeling lonely then find a way to get out of the house and connect to other people. Family starts to drive you crazy, take a short walk or go for a drive to get out of the house for a bit. Watch your diet and remember to exercise,” Eggleston said. Rodriguez said other possible solutions include group therapy, light therapy, medications and, in some cases, electroshock therapy. For Flores, who said she suffers from holiday depression, the solution is redirecting her thoughts. “The holidays are always a stressful time for me for a multitude of reasons. But I find focusing on the joy and light of the holiday time rather than the darker bits of my past, help me to see the happiness in the situation.”
Staff Reporter
The holiday season is a time for family, friends and budget smashing. Between the cost of gifts and food, the holidays can put a dent in many wallets. For students with a tight budget, there are ways to make the most of the season while keeping the bills down. “We try to go light on the side dishes on Christmas. it helps cut the cost down,” Dillon Talbott, a general studies major, said. If you can’t live without some of the staple foods, there are also ways to make the most of your leftovers. “I eat leftovers from Christmas for several days. You have to get creative with different ways to prepare it. I can only eat a ham or turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes so many days in a row,” Hannah Flores, a physical therapy major, said. Another great way to save is to split the bill. “Having multiple people bring one dish keeps the cost down for everyone. It is much cheaper than cooking the whole meal by yourself,” Flores said. When it comes to gift-giving,
students said spending a lot of money on gifts isn’t necessary.
“I would recommend socks. Everyone needs socks. It’s cheap and you could get a good pair at the Dollar Tree,” Sara Sanchez, a criminal justice major, said. Meghan Holland, a general studies major, agreed. “Everyone likes fuzzy socks or just candy, chocolates or truffles. Hot cocoa is always a safe bet for anyone,” she said. Caleb Hodges, a graphic design major, said he recommends giving coupons for free cokes at Pak-A-Sak or Toot’n Totum, while Austin Dill, another graphic design major, said, “You can’t go wrong with gift cards.” Students also said that spending money on gifts isn’t always necessary. “People don’t give gifts because either they don’t have money, or they would rather just spend time with family and friends and use that as their gift,” Holland said. Even if you skip the gifts or choose inexpensive items and you cut costs on food, the holidays can get expensive. “Taking on another shortterm job is an option. A job for just the holidays could help push it into the green. If you can’t do that, then save up beforehand,” Tristan Mouw, a dual credit student, said.
Culture
The Ranger | 7 December 6, 2018
Heavy metal band’s latest release makes listeners nostalgic REVIEW By ISABELLE LINK Staff Reporter
COURTESY PHOTO
Netflix reboots 1990s television show, series is a success with viewers REVIEW By JEREMY STITSWORTH Staff Reporter
There’s a new show on Netflix to binge over the holiday break, “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.” Now this isn’t the adolescent witch that many of us know from Melissa Joan Hart’s character in the 90s series. Instead, this story takes place before she becomes a full-fledged witch and has a darker mood to it. In this coming-of-age series, Sabrina is tasked with choosing between the world of witches and warlocks or her friends and boyfriend at Baxter High. By choosing to side with her family and the world of magic, she will also sign her life away to Satan as
well as go to a secret witch academy. Should she stay with her friends and not go through with her “Dark Baptism,’ however, she will disappoint her family and makes the devil angry. It’s quite a difficult predicament in which it seems like Sabrina just can’t win, but through the events of the show another complicated option does present itself. The show also takes a political stance on many social issues that are present today. Subjects such as book banning, transgender rights and many other controversial topics also make it difficult for Sabrina to choose. She doesn’t want to leave her friends helpless when she becomes a witch. It can also be argued that the show
is geared more toward the female perspective as it also can be a source of women ‘s empowerment. In fact, Sabrina and her friends organize a group for high school girls and transgender girls where they can voice their opinions and seek change in the school. I still enjoyed it as a guy because the main story is well written and forward thinking through the entirety of the series. All-in-all, I’d say it was a success. The characters are well thought out and the actors portray those characters flawlessly. If you’re finding yourself looking for something to watch or do over the break, then give this show a shot.
In 1981, the band Venom released their debut album “Welcome to Hell,” which was created during the time that British heavy metal was first being recognized and experimented with in the music industry. Despite the fact that Venom was seen as extreme metal, their first release was classified as speed metal. The album “Welcome to Hell” became the platform that created the subgenres including, black metal, death metal and even thrash. Venom was groundbreaking, creating music that would influence bands for years, including, but not limited to, Metallica, Slayer, Paradise Lost and even Dimmu Borgir. In 1981, with a single album release, Venom became the grandfather to the metal scene helping to create some of the best genres to exist. Fast forward 27 years, 20 albums later and we reach the bands newest creation, “Storm the Gates,” which is set to release Dec. 14. The band has shared one song off of the album, called “Bring Out Your Dead,” which,
despite the difference in years, sounds similar to the songs off the band’s second album “Black Metal” released in 1982. What makes this time frame so interesting is that over the years the band has gone through a couple of new members, a few record labels and yet despite the changes and styles that came with each new set of people, the band has stayed true to their roots. The current vocalist, Cronos, has been a part of the band for most of its existence, taking a short break in the middle and returning back in 1994. Cronos’ voice is the most identifiable aspect to the band, and then added with the recognizable technique of their blast beats, and killer guitar riffs, it brought back the nostalgia of the album “Black Metal.” The beat and rhythm are so similar to the title track off the 1982 album, it makes me wonder if their second oldest was their influence for “Storm the Gates.” With a speed metal tempo, thrash metal vocals and 27 years under the band’s belt, the old farts of Venom still have it. I’m more than excited to hear the rest of the songs off this album when they finally release.
SGA to host free lock-in at Mr. Gattis Event allows students to socialize, relax before finals
By SAVANNAH LINDVAY Staff Reporter
SGA will be hosting a lock-in at Mr. Gattis for students Dec. 7 from 10 p.m.- midnight. Students can attend the event completely free as long as they show their student ID at the door. When inside, students will be able to eat at the buffet and play games free of charge,
although there will not be any prizes provided. “It is a great opportunity for students to hang out with one another and make new friends,” Jenna Welch, student life specialist, said. According to Welch, the event is meant to be a way to celebrate the end of the semester and to have some fun before finals week. Brenna Roberts, an occupa-
tional therapy assistant student, said she believes that the event is good for the student body. “I think it’s cool because it gives people opportunities to get out and get to know other people that they’re going to school with that they may not see every day,” Roberts said. Roberts said the event is beneficial for freshmen in particular, since many of whom have just finished their first or second se-
mester of college. “Doing this helps other students realize that there are opportunities out there for you. There are things that you can do that are fun and that can get you out there,” Roberts said. Sydney Chapman, a radiation technician student, is considering attending the event. “It would be fun. You get to socialize, you get to play games. You could take your friends that
go to school with you and just have a good time,” Chapman said. Chapman said she believes that the event might help the student body to relax and decompress from the high stress they are facing due to finals. “I think it improves the social lives of students. It reduces depression because you’re being social. It will just make people happier,” Chapman said.
THE AMARILLO COLLEGE THEATRE DEPARTMENT PRESENTS
Abigail /1702: A Twice-Told Tale by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
December 6th-8th at 7:30 p.m. December 9th at 3 p.m. A m a r i l l o C o l l e g e E x p e r i m e n t a l T h e a t r e • Wa s h i n g t o n S t r e e t C a m p u s
TICKETS: $8 Adult Admission • $6 Students Seniors & AC Employees
Box Office: 806-371-5359 Online: theatreac.org We accept cash, checks and credit cards at the Experimental Theatre box office.
Feature
8 8 || The The Ranger Ranger December December 6, 6, 2018 2018
What does your gift wrapping say about you?
By CARLY STEWART Staff Reporter
Mystery Bag
Listen, you’re no professional, especially when it comes to wrapping gifts. Why do you need to wrap something up with complicated bows and ribbons inside this unnecessary box? Most interesting gifts don’t even come in a box, so why not just put that baby in the bag you bought it in? Most stores this holiday season are equipped with festive shopping bags these days anyway.
Newspaper Wrappers
If your go-to wrapping paper happens to be a newspaper you are a thrifty and possibly earth-conscious friend who wants to give a gift in a quirky fashion. You know that your friend will appreciate that you can be both thoughtful and frugal and you are not pressured to waste your precious, busy days of December running to stores to get proper gift wrapping materials.
Inception Wrappers
Neat and Professional
Isn’t one box enough? Why must you involve six or more boxes into the equation? Do you like to watch other people struggle as they open a box only to find another box and another and then another? Why are you like this?
You take gift giving seriously, this is your time to shine. You’ve had an arsenal of beautiful hallmark wrapping paper in your closet since July - now is the time to bust out the bows, curl those ribbons and show your loved ones you mean business this year.
Illustrations by KIMBERLY REID | The Ranger Photos by LAUREN EBBEN | The Ranger