November 17, 2016 Volume 87 Issue 5
Volunteering boosts resume, helps world By LIZ MOORE Ranger Reporter
AC students are putting down their textbooks to give the community a helping hand. By volunteering their time out of class, students say they’re making an impact. “It also just makes you a better person, and makes you feel more connected to your community,” said Clarissa Clifford, a biology major. Volunteering allows students to boost their resumes, or even earn scholarships in some cases. Future employers or admissions officers for colleges will look at volunteer work as a huge factor. “Most volunteer places have scholarships you can apply for just because you volunteer,” said My Nguyen, a biology major. “It creates a better opportunity to gain connections.” While some students only volunteer to boost
resumes or earn extra credit, some enjoy it outside of that. Volunteering for a grade or a resume can be a doorway into students giving back on their own time. “I felt that it was kind of interesting when I was
a college student that we would be required to do community service and volunteerism, because that’s more like being volun-told,” said Lesley Ingham, Badger Hearts faculty adviser. “In my junior and senior year (of high
classes even give extra credit if students donate food. While there is nothing wrong with only volunteering every once in awhile, it takes a lot of endurance to volunteer for years. “If you just swoop into the Evelyn Rivers Christmas project and have a good time, that’s one experience, that’s just a snippet,” said Ingham. “But the drudgery of volunteering long term you really have to love it to stick with it. You really have to love it to continue.” Clifford said you can just go pick up things that people aren’t always given, but are Photo Illustration By: Claire Ekas necessities to life, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste school) I volunteered involved, even on cam- and hygiene products. because it looks good pus. Making them feel more but as time passed by I The Badger Hearts human can make a world enjoy myself doing it so club is centered on of difference. it become part of me,” volunteering, and raises According to Ingham, said Nguyen. money every year to give what you do for others, There are many op- back to foster youth. you also do for yourself. portunities to volunteer The Food Pantry “You don’t grow until around the community is always accepting you get out of your and several ways to get donations, and some comfort zone,” she said.
Assignments teach civic engagement By MICAH SMITH Ranger Reporter
Honey bees are disappearing globally due to pesticides, parasites, disease and habitat loss. Humans rely on bees to pollinate one-sixth of the world’s flowering plants, as well as about 400 different species of plants important in agriculture.
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Former U.S. President Bill Clinton once said, “there is a need to help younger people recognize their own capacity to do good, and help them discover the rewards of generosity.” Texas colleges and universities are taking it into their own hands to teach their students about personal and social responsibility. According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which governs all state colleges and universities, students should develop intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities and the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making. The state has incorporated these learning objectives into the required general education core curriculum for all state colleges and universities. Social responsibility is defined as an ethical framework that suggests that an entity, be it an organization or individual, has an obligation to act for the benefit of society at large. At Amarillo College,
several classes have required assignments that ensure students meet the social and personal responsibility learning goals. As part of some of their core general education classes, students have to do a project that focuses on giving back to the community. “Our service learning project requires that you
done the school work, but you’ve also done something else that helps out the community,” said Rodriguez. Requiring students to learn social responsibility doesn’t just positively affect the community, it can also improve the lives of those doing the work, Rodriguez said. Another type of ser-
“Most of the dilemmas are not a right or wrong answer. The students are asked what they would do if they were in that particular dilemma.” An example of one of the ethical dilemmas students may be faced with is putting themselves in the shoes of President Harry Truman in 1945 and having to decide whether or not to drop the atomic bomb on Japan and spare millions of lives, or potentially endanger the lives of millions of Americans by not doing so. “The ethical dilemma paper teaches students a sense of what we would do if we were put in these situations and how it could affect others,” said Allison Prater, a physics vice learning project that major. students may have to Faculty members said partake in doesn’t involve service-learning projects volunteering. Instead, this help students to become assignment requires stu- better members of socidents to examine their ety. From volunteering own ethics and values to writing ethical dilemand relate their beliefs mas, educators are findto the subject they are ing ways to model social studying. Students in responsibility in their U.S history classes have classrooms. “What we to write an ethical di- do does affect the people lemma paper. around us. In order to be “It is a writing assign- a functioning adult, we ment where students are have to understand that asked to put themselves we’re going to interact in a particular histori- with other people and cal dilemma where they what we give back to our have to make a decision,” community does make said Dr. Stefanie Decker, an impact,” said Rodria U.S history professor. guez.
From volunteering to writing ethical dilemmas, educators are finding ways to model social responsibility in their classroom. do four hours of some sort of community service,” said Dr. Beth Rodriguez, a psychology professor. This community service can range from volunteering at the High Plains Food Bank or helping an elderly neighbor around the house. “Everyone is getting a degree now, so everybody has to do something else. Requiring the servicelearning project actually gives students a leg up when they go apply for scholarships or for internships or a job. It shows, not only have you
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2 Opinion The Ranger
november 17, 2016
Let’s end the greediness and spread the giving EDITORIAL
What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?
Miguel Baray ESL Student
“Just having health and being well is something I am really thankful for. Having a place to stay and getting a chance to still live is pretty nice.”
“I am honestly just thankful for having life, health and a family to love.” Adriana Sanchez ESL Student
Joel Beanes
“To be able to spend time with my family and hangout especially with my new baby niece. That’s something I am thankful for — my family.”
Mass Media Major
As Thanksgiving approaches, giving to those who are less fortunate and expressing our gratitude for what we have crosses our minds…or does it? In this period known as the season of giving, it is more common that students are donating to the food pantry for extra credit, not because they feel like giving to the less fortunate. Many of us have become consumed with gall, greed and grotesque selfishness. Instead of stepping back and realizing how grateful we ought to be, we are obsessed with what we lack and allow bitterness and ungratefulness to fill our hearts. We, The Ranger staff are here to reopen your eyes to the meaning of giving back and to help you fight against the greed that is creeping in and taking control. Thanksgiving is the
Teaching social responsibility improves students’ futures
Natalie Villarreal Ranger Reporter
Colleges should start considering teaching social responsibility. Students who develop an understanding of social responsibility are prepared to be ethical, engaged citizens. Students should view learning about social responsibility as a personal investment on the road
to becoming an upstanding individual. According to the Association of American Colleges & Universities, it is crucial to require social responsibility education. “We know we can teach students organic chemistry, but if that is all we do, then we have failed them. If, in the process, we don’t also teach students about passion and the relationship between passion and responsible action, then we leave them dulled,” according to the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Not only does learning social responsibility
prime time to volunteer at the food bank, animal shelter, Snack Pak 4 Kids, Amarillo helping hearts, etc. to give back to your community. Instead of sitting at home online shopping, or getting into Facebook arguments about the election, your time would be much better served giving back. Recently the world has become enveloped in hate, violence and division. The presidential elec-
tion has sparked far too many hateful comments and has divided the country. We are all focused on advocating for our side, instead of forming a sense of unity. It is vital to stand up and fight for what you believe in—but, instead of sharing your beliefs through social media, share your time, money and energy to help others and make the world a better place. This season is the perfect time to
benefit students, it forms the people entering in our society into upstanding citizens. With these required assignments, we are allowing students to learn what they can do to be social responsible in their everyday lives. You can learn things such as the importance of volunteering for your community and the importance of giving back. Do I believe that we should continue to require social responsibility assignments students must complete while in college? Yes. Teaching social responsibility is a huge asset to our society by improving our lives.
take action and to not be complacent in advocating for your beliefs and rights. Fight for your values and community, but do so with love and desire for positive change in your heart. We urge you to be the ones who step away from the hate and violence swirling around in our environment and to make a positive impact. Use this time to give back, spread love, ignite unity, and encourage others to follow your lead. Now is the time to make this world more at peace. Never stop fighting for what you have faith in, but fight in a way that is a progressive influence in our world and environment. Reach out to others and help them feel a little less alone in this trying time. We are all desiring peace and strength, so reach out and be the change, not the problem.
Illustration By: DESTINY KRANTHOVEN
Adopt a new friend, give a chance at life
This year Good Morning America has teamed up with one of the world's largest no-kill shelters, the North Shore Animal League America, in an event called Mission Pawsible. While this event has gotten many dogs adopted, there are many cats and dogs in shelters that need loving homes. Amarillo Animal Management Welfare oversees the euthanasia process and has had to euthanize approximately 2,892 animals in 2016 so far. A few reasons for this high number include overpopulation, lack of resources, owners not properly confining their
By CLAIRE EKAS Ranger Reporter
pets, vaccinating them, or spaying and neutering them. When my 16 year old border collie died earlier this year I knew I wanted to adopt a shelter dog. My dad and I went to the Amarillo-Panhandle Humane Society to walk around and look at all the dogs. We left about two
hours later with two new additions to our family, a four-month-old red and white border collie/shepherd mix and a 1 year old black and white cow dog. Now seven months later we have two intelligent, well-trained dogs named Max and Meredith. There are many nokill shelters that focus on pulling dogs and cats from local shelters so they get a second chance at life. The dogs and cats in places like AmarilloPanhandle Humane Society and DAWGSnTexas are in desperate need of a forever home. Many shelters include vaccinations, microchipping and
- Serving Amarillo College since 1930 For a complete staff listing, please visit The Ranger online at www.acranger.com.
spaying or neutering in the adoption fees that are much cheaper than shopping for a pet. “When you adopt from a kill shelter you’re immediately saving the pet’s life,” said Lynsie Ramos, a local advocate for responsible pet own-
ership. “It’s also good to adopt from a rescue group such as Texas Panhandle Pet Savers because they pull from the kill shelter. In turn, that provides space for our shelter and gets another dog off the streets,” Ramos said. A free option to
Student Media exists to serve you--the students. The Ranger serves as an open forum where you can learn and talk about the things that matter to you. The Ranger staff urges you to get involved. Submit ideas, photos, writings and videos. Tell us what you want covered. A public critique and meeting session is open to the campus community at 9:30 a.m. Fridays in PH 213. Student Media outlets include The Ranger, The Ranger Online, AC Current, FM90 and our various web shows and podcasts. You can reach us at acranger@actx.edu. We look forward to hearing from you. The Ranger is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Advisers, Panhandle Press Association, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and Texas Community College Journalism Association.
Illustration by CLAIRE EKAS
adopting is fostering. “Fostering saves lives. It costs nothing to you. The shelter or rescue group provides you with the animal’s food, a crate if needed and medical care. You provide love, support, training and shelter,” Ramos said. Americans bring 7.6 million cats and dogs into shelters every year and approximately 2.7 million are euthanized. These deaths could be prevented if more people adopted and fostered shelter animals instead of shopping for them. When you welcome these kind and loving animals into your home you gain a lifelong friend.
In 1993, The Ranger was inducted into the national ACP Hall of Fame. The journalism program is nationally accredited by the Community College Journalism Association.
News november 17, 2016
3
The Ranger
Helpful tips for spring registration Smart cookies take honors classes By MATTHEW RIVERS
By JONATHAN GIBSON
Ranger Reporter
Ranger Reporter
This may shock you, but Thanksgiving is in a week and Christmas break is in less than a month. Many students are about to start preparing for the holiday season, but there may be one thing they’re forgetting - to register for spring classes. Spring registration opened on Nov. 7 and academic advisers have been busy helping walk students through the process. Associate Director of Advising, Ernesto Olmos, wants students to be prepared and had some helpful tips to share. “Talk to your adviser. Make sure that you know your plan. Know what classes you need, that way you can register for those classes.” Many students tend to underestimate the importance of getting registered quickly. With Amarillo College’s 10,000 plus student body, classes can fill up in the blink of an eye. According to Olmos, some students tend to wait until the last minute and he wants students who are registering for the upcoming semester to know that not everything is as it used to be. The advising department has switched from using a payment deadline to a virtual waitlist. “We used to have a payment deadline where people were dropped from their classes if they
didn’t pay. A lot of the time the mentality of the students was, ‘If I wait, people will get dropped from their classes and I can take their spot,’ but now we have a waitlisting format,” said Olmos. “When students go online and try to register for a class that’s full they actually sit in a virtual waitlist,” Olmos said. “So, when people get dropped from a class you can’t just jump in there and get in front of the line, we go through the sequence.” With this new system in place, there is no good reason to wait to register. “Now would be the time to register,” Olmos said. “A lot of students think that if they wait until January they’re going to find more classes and that doesn’t usually happen. There are less classes in January. If you haven’t registered, now would be the time to make an appointment and visit with your adviser. As we get closer to January it gets harder for students to see their adviser because
everybody’s trying to. Also, lots of classes may be gone at that point.” U n s u r p r i s i n g l y, basic courses that every student needs to take are in high demand. “A lot of our ‘gateway’ courses - English, biology, math, the classes that everybody has to take for their major, usually go the fastest. If you need biology, English, math, start getting into those classes now because they fill up really fast,” advised Olmos. Many new AC students register at the start of every spring semester. Olmos urges all currently enrolled students to take advantage of their ability to register now before it gets too busy. “We definitely want students to try to register before the Christmas break, especially if you’re currently enrolled. If you register before Christmas, you won’t have to worry about it. Enjoy your two or three weeks off and then you’re ready for spring, ” Olmos said.
The fall semester is ending and students are gearing up to register for new spring classes. Among the choices are honors sections in various subjects. “The honors classes are offered in a variety of subjects, most of them being in the general education core,” said Lesley Ingham, the honors program coordinator. “Students can selfenroll, or with the help of their advisers enroll in an honors class if they have a 3.0 GPA or above, or if they come right out of high school and have a 90 average or above.” Clarissa Clifford, a biology major, has taken several honors classes this semester.“I feel like I have met so many great people, and my classes are really interesting and challenging enough that I don’t get bored. A lot of honors classes have a lot of projects, and so there’s going to be a big project for each class,” Clifford said. However, honor classes can be harder to find, and
consequently enroll in, compared to regular classes. “I’m actually having trouble finding honors classes. I’ve only found two so far,” said Chelsea Rhodes, a social work major. Some students said they fear honors classes would be more difficult or time consuming, but students who have taken honors courses said not to worry. “I would say don’t be intimidated. It’s not actually more work. You do the exact same amount of work. You might have to think a little bit deeper because the professors expect a little bit more, but I would say go for it. Just try one class and see if you like it, especially if you are a student who wants to know
your professor,” Rhodes said. Some students have been wondering what the difference is between the classes are if they aren’t as hard they once thought. “It will appear on their transcript that a particular class has an H on it, meaning that it was an honors class. Basically, at Amarillo College that just means that it is a bit accelerated and it’s a bit smaller. The students that are in those classes are prepared to work faster and harder,” Ingham said. “Professors can have more freedom to create interactive and creative projects that the students work on. Every student that I have talked to that took honors classes wants more honors classes.”
Election result reactions across campus supporters have is that Trump, with his business Ranger Reporter experience, could easily the strong The conclusion of correct blows our economy has the 2016 presidential been hit with and even election has left some mixed feelings among some politically neutral Amarillo College students, students agree with ranging from content Staley’s view on Trump. Engineering major to uncertainty and even apathy. “I am satisfied,” Andy Perry said, “I don’t said Brandon Staley, a think we had any good computer engineering options, but I want to see major. “Trump could get if Trump does anything the state of the economy positive for the economy.” Other students who back on track.” disagree with Staley and An opinion that Staley and other Trump Perry’s point of view By KALEB PAFFORD
COURTESY PHOTO
argue that Trump didn’t manage his money well during the campaign season. “He lost some of his money really quick,
so he would probably blow America’s money real, real fast.” said Bella Hernandez, an education major. Although some students
believe that Trump will solve the economic issues in America, others believe he will only cause more; there are also students who have no opinion because they don’t think their vote mattered. “I don’t really have an opinion. I didn’t vote, or pay attention to what was happening much because my friends and I felt like our opinion doesn’t matter,” said Stacy Rodriguez, an education major. Some don’t think the
results will affect them like Victor Quintana, a business administration major, who said that the president elect “doesn’t really matter to me… it depends on the decisions made in the future, but it doesn’t really affect me right now.” Despite the differing viewpoints, Amarillo College students seem to be able to agree on one thing; the nation will just have to see what’s to come in the upcoming years.
Students share Thanksgiving plans, traditions By ADRIAN KEMP Ranger Reporter
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and Amarillo College is full of students eager to get a break from all the assignments and stress that weighs down in the classroom. Some students are ready for the food, others just want to watch the football games that will be on during the day, while others have to
spend their day at work getting ready for Black Friday. “I’m ready to go see all the family I’ve missed over the year,” Marcus Chavez, a biology major. said. “We don’t get to come together often because life and jobs get in the way so it’s always great to gather around the dinner table, sit by your favorite cousins, aunts and uncles and just catch up on everything that’s been missed while
bonding over a big plate of food.” Thanksgiving is meant for people to enjoy their families and taditions such as putting up the Christmas tree, the lights and all the ornaments but some people work on the holidays. “I get to spend my Thanksgiving making sure the hallways are clear at Wal-Mart and all the merchandise is set up for display being that Black Friday is
the day after. I will get to see all the drama that the weekend will have to offer,” said Tristan Gonzales, an engineering major. “I just want to get the day over with and go relax and eat all the leftovers I can while lying in bed watching Christmas movies,” Gonzales said. After Thanksgiving, many families spend the night putting up the tree and decorations to get ready for Christmas.
“We don’t wait until after we eat to do all the hard work, we rather have all the women in the family stay in the kitchen and prepare the food, and let the guys, instead of standing around waiting watching TV, we all go to the garage and start digging for all the Christmas ornaments and start putting it up,” said Chavez. The women don’t want to be stuck cooking all day long according to
Tashana Richardson, an education major. “My family depends on my dad and grandpa to cook the food since that’s their passion, so the women get to go Christmas and early Black Friday shopping for ourselves and the kids while we put the men to work. Once they get back and we all eat, we gather the grownups so we can figure out our secret Santas.” Richardson said.
4 News The Ranger
november 17, 2016
Slacktivism vs. Activism Students channel emotion Students weigh in on online petitions through photography In Rene West’s Fundamentals of Photography class, students learned about social responsibility through an assignment to document the plight of the homeless in Amarillo. Channeling the style of Dorothea Lange’s work during the 1930s with Roosevelt’s Farm Security Administration, the photos capture the people that local or-
ganizations help feed and clothe. Students said the project gave them compassion for their subjects and a better understanding of the problem of homelessness and what can be done to help. Through this assignment, students also learned the power of photgraphy. “It’s my hope that I captured one im-
age that makes you feel something,” Gene Sockwell, a photography major, said. “I’m not looking for a particular feeling, but one that is genuine to you and your beliefs. I may feel sympathy and you may feel anger, but we are both feeling something and, if that happens, I consider this a success,” Sockwell said.
support for a cause at lightning speed with the Ranger Reporter internet as such a driving Online petitions or e- force today, according to petitions are commonly Change.org. Students acknowledge viewed with skepticism. Individuals often ques- that e-petitions can be tion whether or not e-pe- the easy and lazy way out. titions are capable of gen- “My opinion is that yes erating any real change, most of the time they are or if they are more “slack- used by people who are too lazy to actually go out tivism” than activism. Change.org, the and seek change,” Taylor world’s largest site for Libby a nursing major signing and creating on- said. “So they go the easy line petitions has more way out and ask people to than 45 million users sign petitions instead of and roughly 25 thou- making a change themsand campaigns posted selves.” Other students believe monthly, according to strongly in e-petitions damemagazine.com. and say that they are “Greater networking produces grand efficiency a great forum to enact and connections among a change. “Online petitions are more diverse population,” a simple way to add your Steve Garcia a nursing major said. The argument voice to a much bigregarding the effectiveness ger conversation,” John of e-petitions is that they Rizzcallah a math major, are a lazy way to feel like said. “Like voting, it is our civic duty to make one is making a change. Clearly signing your our voices heard by those name, is not direct action with the power to affect that generates immediate change.” Although some stuchange, but it is undenidents view e-petitions as able that e-petitions can expand awareness and taking an inactive role in By LIBBY GIBSON
generating change, others see true value in it. Slacktivism or activism, e-petitions undoubtedly spread awareness of a cause and create a sense of urgency and unity in igniting a change. Whether or not students personally believe that e-petitions are capable of accomplishing change, some online petitions have met their goals. The recent passage of legislation that provides protection to sexual assault survivors actually started with an online petition and a single signature. According to Change. org, the first ever Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights, championed by Amanda Nguyen and her organization, Rise, spread quickly and ended up with 140,732 signatures. This success undeniably demonstrates that online petitions are capable of accomplishing change by expanding awareness one signature at a time.
Annual Thanksgiving giveaway feeds families, warms hearts By JENNA GIBSON and MATTHEW RIVERS Ranger Reporters
Amarillo College is preparing for the AC Food Pantry’s annual Thanksgiving dinner distribution. The college will give away sacks full of items for Thanksgiving dinner along with $10 gift cards for use at any United S upermarket/Market Street. Social Services Director Jordan Herrera said they plan to give out 200 bags this year, which is double the amount given in the past two years. Everything in the bags has been donated by AC faculty and staff. “This is important to AC because we understand the importance of giving back to our students and their families,” Herrera said. In 2012, speech professor Lynae’ Jacob began the Thanksgiving bag giveaway as a way to help the students in her classes. The overwhelming response to this giveaway inspired Jacob to start the AC Food Pantry. “The whole point is to keep our students in school,” Jacob said. “If this is something that
gets someone through a hump and keeps him or her in school, then that’s our goal. Food costs money, gas costs money – AC’s pantry is offering help to those who would otherwise have to make a choice.” Since it began, the pantry has expanded to
tight circumstance,” he said. Herrera said that to put together the Thanksgiving sacks, she asked each AC department to “adopt” and donate a particular Thanksgiving item. “Everyone in the speech and mass media area is bringing cans of cream of mushroom soup so recipients can make the traditional green bean - Jordan Herrera, casserole,” Social Services Director Jill Gibson, associate dean include locations on the of the School of Creative East and West Campus- Arts, said. es. This fall the WashWhen all the donaington Street location tions—from corn to moved to the Advocacy cranberries — are asand Resource Center in sembled, the bags will the Ware Student Cen- contain everything to ter. complete a Thanksgiv“The pantry is doing ing dinner except the great here. We have al- turkey, which recipients ready seen an increase in can purchase with the traffic, and students are United gift card. finding the pantry easThe bags will be given ily, and we’re finding out out from 10 a.m. until 2 that this is a more con- p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, in venient location for them the Louise Daniels room to visit the pantry,” Her- in the College Union rera said. Building. The East and “They have more West Campuses will disspace,” said Princeton tribute from their food Hegwood, a fire protec- pantry rooms. tion technology major. Students just need “Now the doors are usu- to be currently enrolled ally always open. You’re at AC to qualify for a able to get to them and Thanksgiving bag. The they have pretty much bags will be given out on just about anything that a first come, first served you need if you are in a basis.
This is important to AC because we understand the importance of giving back to our students and their families.
PHOTOS BY PAUL MONTGOMERY
News november 17, 2016
5
The Ranger
Voluntouring is the new volunteering By RAZ RASMUSSEN Ranger Reporter
Everyone knows what it means to volunteer, but few people are familiar with a new term: voluntouring. Voluntouring is a play on words, it means volunteering to travel, and offering beneficial services to those in need. “It would be good as a nurse to go give back what I’ve learned and use all that knowledge that I have and give back to people who can’t afford healthcare,” said Brian Rodla a nursing major. Voluntouring could be something as simple as teaching English. “It really depends on where we’re going,” said Lucas Hite an animation major. Voluntours get to choose where they would like to serve. A variety of websites offer choices, such as govoluntouring.com and voluntour.org. These sites assist in researching destinations, as well as serving opportunities. AC students have positive perspectives on voluntouring. “I like to travel and why not help people if you’re already there,” said Heather Gartrell, a psychology major. Gartrell is not the only student who sees these
opportunities. “It would be a cool experience and an awesome opportunity that I would definitely take,” said Reilly Jewel a nursing major. According to National Public Radio, voluntourism is one of the fastest growing trends in travel today. More than 1.6 million voluntours are spending about $2 billion each year. Voluntouring has
issues to be aware of and a variety of fears. “I think having to get your passport and maybe diseases would affect it,” Jewell said. “Something that’s always scared me about going to another country is breaking a law that I didn’t know about and then they could detain me.” Prospective voluntours should research possible opportunities and weigh the risks and benefits. “There’s definitely the risk of diseases in other countries but there’s also governmental factors you need to take into consideration,” Morgan Key, an art his- Brian Rodla, nursing major tory major, said. Research is positive aspects but the always a priority whenpractice is not without ever jumping into criticism. Some crit- something new, reics have asked whether gardless of what it is. or not tourists are beStudents considcoming involved for the ering voluntouring feeling of doing some- should be prepared to thing good, to embel- travel to where their lish a resume or to actu- efforts are needed. ally serve those in need. “I mean yeah there’s Are volunteers spend- always negative factors ing too much time snap- that are going to contribping photos and hik- ute to it, but I feel like if ing the volcanoes, while you’re passionate about leaving orphans and going in the first place students at the bottom? and doing it then I think While the mindset you should be fine honof volunteers can be de- estly,” said Andrea Menbated, there are other dez a mass media major.
It would be good as a nurse to give back what I’ve learned and use all that knowledge that I have to go give back to people who can’t afford healthcare.
Class assignment changes student’s life By LIBBY GIBSON Ranger Reporter
This fall semester, some of my coursework turned away from textbooks and focused on touching hearts. I was required to complete a service-learning project for my psychology class. I had no idea the impact this experience would have. I volunteered with Amarillo Helping Hearts, an organization founded by AC social work major Chaharra Gilma and her friend Lisa Colon in 2013. Gilma and Colon began this organization by serving beans to the homeless community in Ellwood Park. Through word of mouth and reaching out to various businesses, their organization has grown vastly. “The homeless community is always incredibly grateful for our services,” Gilma said. “Our end goal is to provide them with apartment housing, set them up with credit cards, give them
a safe space to rehabilitate from substance abuse, and get them back on their feet.” Serving in the community influenced my perceptions about the homeless significantly. Previously my idea of homeless individuals was that they were lazy and unwilling to work and be productive members of society. After serving with Amarillo Helping Hearts, my perspective shifted to one of understanding. I now see the homeless community as people who quickly found themselves in unfortunate circumstances and have the desire to change. I spoke with a man named Rick who had been homeless for about three months due to losing his business and going through a destructive divorce. Rick stressed how he was working to find a way to move into an apartment and get off the streets. His story made me realize the homeless community is often
just made of people who found themselves in unfortunate situations and down on their luck. Rick was a successful married man with his own business who suddenly found himself with nothing. His situation made me realize normal successful people can have ill-fated circumstances in life leading them to a reality they never pictured. I will continue to volunteer with Amarillo Helping Hearts. The experience of providing the homeless community with food has impacted me greatly. It was a humbling experience seeing those who have so little continue to remain positive. I find it easy to get bogged down in my own problems, but seeing individuals who have nothing to their names keep a positive attitude is truly inspiring and enlightening. What started as a simple class assignment ended up teaching me lessons I will never forget.
justserve.org is a website that helps people find local opportunities to serve and volunteer in the community.
PHOTOS BY GENE SOCKWELL
6 NEWS The Ranger
november 17, 2016
Appy To Help
This is the most adorable adoption app. Users can search, share and view photos of more than 1,500 dogs, cats and other pets available for adoption.
By SAL GUTIERREZ You may think it’s not worth the time to get involved in the community because it doesn’t pay like a normal job. However, there are several benefits that volunteering offer that no other job can. The satisfaction of incorporating service into your life and making a difference in your community are some of the benefits that you will get from volunteering. However, volunteering is even easier with the help of some apps. This week, we are more than Appy to present you some apps that will help you to find way to contribute to your community and the world.
The main goal of this app is to increase volunteering worldwide by developing a social network to help nonprofits, communities, and volunteers manage and promote their efforts. In this plattform people and organizations can connect and share.
The FreeRice App for Iphone testd the user’s vocabulary skills while donating grains of rice through the World Hunger Programm. The app has collected 77 billion grains in three years.
STEM scholarship up for grabs By DEVENIE GRAHAM Ranger Reporter
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is offering Amarillo College students a $4,000 scholarship opportunity for declared STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) majors. The NSF has financially supported previous recipients in various fields of study and provided them with an opportunity to pursue their goals. Yesenia Padron, a previous scholarship recipient said, “Being able to go to school is a great opportunity and with the continued help of this grant, I will one day be able to say I reached my dream as
an engineer.” STEM scholarships allow recipients to focus on their schooling and encourage students to perform their best. According to student Cody Dye, “STEM majors are being supported with this scholarship because it’s enabled me to focus more on studying and less on earning money. This means that I will be more prepared to enter the field after college.” To qualify for this scholarship, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0, enroll in and pursue a minimum of 12 credit hours and be scheduled to graduate or transfer to a four year university by August 2017.
Badger B.S.
This app is powered by The American Red Cross, with this app users have the power to save lives in their hands. Find nerby Red Cross Blood drives, schedule appoinments, earn rewards, and create or join a lifesaving team.
Applications are due by 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. Applicants must have a Federal Financial Aid form completed. Candidates will be automatically disqualified if any other majors have been declared. Recipients, such as Michael Hernandez, agree that students shouldn’t pass on this scholarship opportunity. “The STEM scholarship has opened a door for me as a potential engineer in the near future. An opportunity that you cannot miss,” Hernandez said. Students can pick up applications at the Science Building Office 218 or email Dr. Biggers at cjbiggers@ actx.edu.
New episodes every other Thursday acranger.com
7
Culture november 17, 2016
The Ranger
Texas Wild – a preview of what is to come By CODY McGEHEE Ranger Reporter
A commitment to preserving wildlife is driving some area residents to develop a television series. About four years ago, West Texas A&M student Jessie Story changed her major from wildlife biology to mass communication and teamed up with Ray Matlack, professor of wildlife biology at WTAMU to create the new show. “After seeing some photos and a segment Dr. Matlack already had on KFDA called West Texas Wild on the morning show, we expanded on the concept,” said Story. “It started as an
educational initiative to raise awareness of wildlife, while also being able to raise science literacy,” she said. The two came up with a program that would be both educational and entertaining and then went to Panhandle PBS and pitched the idea of a documentary. Station executives responded by asking for multi-part shows not just a single documentary. PPBS also helped Matlack and Story with a grant to get the production they named “Texas Wild” underway. Ever since then, the “Texas Wild” team has been traveling through some of the state’s most interesting and beautiful
are not wild and have been in captivity.” said Story. So far the duo has produced 16 short segments that have aired on three different PBS stations, including Panhandle PBS. Many conservationoriented groups such as The Texas Nature Conservancy and Texas Parks and Wildlife have also used the segments through social media, and the COURTESY PHOTO Region XVI School Jessie Story and Ray Matlackshooting an episode of District has recently Texas Wild in a cave with bats. started incorporating the segments into its terrain capturing video from bugs to bobcats. curriculum. “Most wildlife shows of native wildlife. From “We have accomplished caves to deserts to are faked in the fact they our goal of expanding swamps, the duo has are not actually shot on awareness,” said Story, encountered everything location or the animals noting people often ask
how they can get involved in wildlife videography. Story advises them, “Drop your relationship, quit your job and pack a bag and meet me here and I will take you along.” To date no one has actually taken Story up on the offer. She said perhaps that is because “this does not pay much. In fact, she added, “we have had to learn how to write grant proposals so we can make sure our bills at home are paid.” Currently the two are working on a complete documentary that they plan to complete in May of 2017 and air on Panhandle PBS. For more information on Texas Wild check out www.panhandlepbs.org.
Youtuber gives back to followers Ziggy’s Virtual Viewpoint: By CODY McGEHEE Ranger Reporter
Going ‘gaga’ over Gaga’s new album By SAL GUTIERREZ Ranger Reporter
REVIEW Lady Gaga stepped on to the scene eight years ago. She has gone from a girl who just wanted to dance, to a woman promoting social equality and an artist reshaping the concept of pop. During late October, Gaga released her latest album. It is a compilation of songs that do not seem to have anything in common but, according to Gaga, there is a reason. The album has 14 tracks. Diamond Heart is the opener, a track written by Gaga and Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme. The song introduces us to Gaga’s new form of pop, which mixes country, pop, western,
punk, rock and a dose of retro. (We can thank Mark Ronson for the last part.) A-yo is the second track in the album and the third single released since the album was launched. With simple lyrics but a good rhythm. Gaga tries to remind America that the country is still awesome and “Ayo we are smokin’ ‘em all.” Joanne is the third song in the album and it’s (from my point of view) the one with the most personal lyrics. Here, Gaga sings about her aunt’s tragic death, as she gets increasingly emotional as the song goes on. Joanne died of lupus at the age of 19, a decade before Stefani was born. (I don’t say Gaga because she was born in 2008.) Some of Lady Gaga’s tracks offer trips to the
past. “John Wayne” with flashes of western and “Come to Mama” with a combination of group horns and harmonies will remind you of The Supremes. “Sinner’s Prayer” is a well-told story about Gaga’s love deceptions in which her father John Misty throws in some bells and whistles to make a perfect combination between western and gospel. Gaga has a quite few collaborations in this production that are fairly good. Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine) joins a duet in “Hey Girl”, Mark Ronson (Uptown Funk) cowrote 11 of the 14 tracks, Kevin Parker’s talent (Tame Impala) is included in club burner “Perfect Illusion” and the list goes on and on. In this album, Gaga
gets rid of the wild outfits and auto-tune and makes use of what she learned from Tony Bennet in “Cheek to Cheek.” Her vocals are powerful but even with everything in its favor, Gaga has had little airplay. Some of her fans might want to ask Gaga where she is going, and it seems that Gaga is been punished for becoming a great artist. Let’s not forget that the greatest hits and albums are not always the most popular. Time will tell if this is just Gaga’s latest costume or if we are witnessing who Stefani Germanotta (her real name) truly is. Lady Gaga will start “Dive Bar Tour” a threedate tour along with Bud Light to promote Joanne. To find concert locations, visit Bud Light’s Facebook Page.
This week we spotlight a YouTuber who is not new to the game but may be new to you. His name is Kevin Bianchi but he is better known as KevinTheDirector and, yes, it is all one word. Kevin is a graduate of the Art Institute of Houston where he majored in video production. I meet Kevin at RTX in 2015. He supports other people and has a lot of energy. Something he does that is unique to his channel is making CMV (Cosplay Music Videos) at the conventions he attends. He is also one of the only videographers who will give cosplayers the video clips they appear in for free. This has gained him a lot of traffic and views in the pop culture world and he currently has 3,400+ likes on Facebook and 2,700 subscribers on YouTube. “My hope this year isn’t just to make CMV
Kevin Bianchi
but to branch out and do skits. I have many plans to continue to attend conventions but while I am in attendance I am going to get some of the participants to help out with some great ideas,” Kevin said. Kevin not only has KevinTheDirector but he also works for a local furniture company as a videographer and is the co-owner of Nothing Better to Do Media a new company he has teamed up with IAB Studios and hopes to grow in the commercial market as well. For more on this edition of Ziggy’s Virtual Viewpoint check out the Ranger Online at www.acranger. com.
8 Feature
Growing a greener college The Ranger
november 17, 2016
By KALEB PAFFORD Ranger Reporter
At Amarillo College, being socially responsible also means being a good steward of resources. That’s why conserving energy, water and money is one of the institution’s key goals. Amarillo College has taken several steps to grow a greener campus and students can play a key role in saving both the environment and AC funds. In 2014, AC adopted a new energy conservation policy. “Two years ago, AC started a plan to try and save on our utility bill by about 10% per year just by cutting out the waste,” Terry Hawthorne, AC energy manager, said. So far the college has saved more than $300,000 by cutting energy costs. The goal is to save $3 million within a 10 year period. Another resource-saving change focuses on the times and locations of classes. AC has started to schedule classes in closer time slots and combine classes into certain buildings, so that less electricity or natural gas is used. “We also have a very specific plan for watering and a really sophisticated system for irrigation to help us save water, which is a very precious natural resource,” Hawthorne said. In another conservation move, AC recently ended the paper-recycling program with KB Recycling that began in September of 2012 and implemented a new program that combines recycling with paper
shredding. “We decided to go with one vendor for recycling and we were offered a very good deal with Iron Mountain,” said Kimberly Carlile, director of purchasing and records retention. “We saved close to $9,000,000 a year by going with one vendor,” Carlile said. Combining the paper recycling and shredding isn’t the only new objective of the new recycling policy, according to Carlile. “Recycling now includes the East, West and Downtown campuses, instead of just Washington Street,” said Carlile, noting that each campus is working together to reduce costs and waste.
Students can contribute to campus conservation efforts, said Hawthorne. Many students, however, are unaware of the part they can play. “I do recycle from time to time. When I was a kid I used to go outside and find plastic bottles, but that was awhile ago,” said Nars Rajit, an information technology major. “I do lead a green life at home but I’m not sure what to do on campus,” Daniel Lopez, a radiology major, said. “Students can do a number of things such as turning out the light in a room when they’re the last to leave, whether that is a classroom, restroom or lobby area,” said Hawthorne. He also recommends closing open doors to prevent wasting air conditioning and disposing of paper in the bins or tubs placed throughout campuses. Hawthorne said anyone who notices a broken door, faucet or something else that could impact conservation efforts should report it to the Facilities Management Center at 806371-5363 so it can be repaired quickly. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to do their part to keep our school green,” Hawthorne said.
Illustration by CLAIRE EKAS