CHRONICLE Richland
Vol. XLV Issue 15 December 11, 2018
Breezing through the Dance Jam Pg. 9
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2 WORLD
December 11, 2018
George H. W. Bush laid to rest at Texas A & M Kaelyn Bradley
Staff Writer George Herbert Walker Bush was laid to rest Dec. 6, at the Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A & M University in College Station. From a war hero to the nation’s 41st president, George H.W. Bush held a number of distinguished public roles in nearly a century of life. Many of those who knew him describe him as a man who possessed the value of humility. Bush died Nov. 30 in Houston at age 94. Born in Milton, Massachusetts, he was the second of five children born to Dorothy Walker Bush and Prescott Bush. Fast forward 18 years, his patriotism led him to enlist in the Navy to become a fighter pilot following graduation from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. During bombing raids on Chichi Jima, Bush would be the only one of nine shot down to evade capture. He later received the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery. After serving in World War II and then graduating from Yale University, Bush, moved to Texas with his wife Barbara. The New England native found a pathway to success in the oil-and-gas industry before being elected to Congress from Houston in 1966. Bush later served as ambassador to the United Nations, director of the Central
Intelligence Agency and vice president to Ronald Reagan. The state funeral was the product of years of planning and practice by military officials and the late president himself. The 41st president left a significant legacy beyond his professional career. During his funeral service, speakers remembered his sense of humor and his charisma. Bush’s biographer, Jon Meacham reminisced on how he accidentally shook the hand of a store mannequin in New Hampshire while on the campaign trail. His son, President George W. Bush gave the crowd a reason to laugh as he touched on his father’s imperfections, including his flawed dancing and his strong dislike for vegetables, particularly broccoli. The military honors were impressive. Having followed the tradition of planning his funeral while still in office, there had been decades of preparations to execute the wishes of Mr. Bush. For two nights, various honor guards, stood by his coffin as he lay in state in the Capitol rotunda. The fanfare included “Hail to the Chief,” 21-gun salutes and the toll of funeral bells as his coffin arrived at Washington National Cathedral, according to The New York Times. George W. Bush described his father as a genuinely selfless man who “valued character over pedigree.” A man who found the
Photo The Associated Press
President George H.W. Bush lies in state in the Capitol rotunda in Washington on Dec. 6.
good in everyone and gave credit in victorious moments while accepting responsibility for difficult times. “To us, his was the brightest of 1,000 points of light,” Bush said, echoing a phrase that his father would often use, according to the Associated Press. As a 21-gun salute sounded from cannons summoned to the base of Capitol Hill, a military band played the official Hail to the Chief as the coffin appeared at the top of the Capitol steps. While mournful hymns played, the honor guard slowly carried the coffin down to a waiting hearse. The Capitol grounds fell silent as the hearse drove away, according to the Associated Press. George W. Bush waved from the motorcade to onlookers along Constitution Avenue.
The impact of Bush was predictable. Gate 41 was closed at George Bush Airport in Houston in his honor. The automated gate monitor read “In Memory of George H.W. Bush.” Former President Bush will be remembered for his humility and humor. Former Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming gave remarks during the funeral sharing that elder Bush was the kind of a person one would want to be surrounded by. “You would have wanted him on your side,” Simpson said. “He never lost his sense of humor. Humor is the universal solvent against the abrasive elements of life.”
foreign oil. Six new refineries are projected to be completed and operational by the middle of his presidency. Another change was the presidential residence, Los Pinos. Housing presidents since 1934, it will now serve as a cultural learning center for the general public. Obrador stated that he will live in his own residence. His first official address was well received overall. Some foreign dignitaries were present in recognition of the newly elected president including U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Ivanka Trump, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Most presidents have traditionally made their speeches, had a formal brunch and then moved into their new residence. This time, however, for the first time in Mexican history, a Mexcian president would also receive the Staff of Power. As a big supporter of the native communities, Obrador was handed the Staff of Power by the native leaders from all the regions in Mexico after participating in a ritual designed to cleanse his body and spirit. Given as a symbol of trust and support, the staff is also serves as a moral guide to any leader who possesses it. Dr. Sherry Dean, professor in the department of speech and communications explained, “Indigenous people adrore him.
The reason why there is corruption in Mexcio is because the rich are in governemt possitions. Obrador is a poor man from Tabasco and he knows very well the indigenous people. He reminds me of [revolutionary leader] Emiliano Zapata.” The ritual took place in El Zocalo in Mexico City as thousands crowdeed to witness the historical event. When asked for her opinion on Obrador’s presidency, associate registrar at Richland, Maria Solis said, “[Mexico] needs a relief. We really need someone on government [who] will change the status quo. Let him start organizing things in Mexico. Give him some time and then we can start criticizing.” Obrador’s image of “man of the people” was key to his victory. Born from humble beginnings and worked his way to the top. A man that despite being VIP, drove an ordinary sedan and traveled in public with no security escort. Obrador speaks and acts with noble intentions. His proposals are certainly shaking up the political system. Still, the road to power can be treacherous. Only time will tell if Obrador will be the modern Benito Juarez, the former president who rose to power from indiginous roots and fought for a constitutional government (1961-1872), or Porfirio Diaz, the Mexican general who siezed power in an 1876 coup and ruled for 30 years.
– This story includes information reported by The Associated Press and various media sources.
Mexico transitions into a new chapter with a new president Jack Ramirez Bernal
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Staff Writer
On Dec. 1, one man stood in front of the Mexican congress. His words made one clear point. His administration would make any change necessary to fix Mexico. That man is the newly elected president of the Morena party, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the winner after two previously failed campaigns. Voters, tired of the corruption and dishonesty of the previous government, placed their hopes in his promises, electing him as their new leader on July 1. Richland economics professor, Carlos Martinez, said that in order for Obrador’s precidency to succeed, “He has to focus on the basic nessesities, like infrastructure or education. He should not touch the national reserve. Plus, if he builds one or two oil refineries, he can acomplish some change.” According to The Associated Press, Obrador addressed the theme of change repeatedly. Tying in promises made during his campaign, he promised to the Mexican people that during his six-year presidency, he would locate and remove the corruption that infects the Mexican government, as well as correcting the damage done by the previous administrations, and give the power to the people. On the surface, it all sounds like typical politicial dialogue to gain support from
Photo The Associated Press
Mexico’s new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador walks with indigenous religious leaders for a traditional indigenous ceremony at the Zocalo, in Mexico City, Dec 1.
the populous, only this time, Obrador is not making typical changes; he is making radical changes. For instance, everyone in a political position, including the president, will have a reduced salary, with the intent to allocate the additional funds toward the public sector. Private institutions will no longer handle services such as water or gas distributions, and Mexico will no longer be dependent on
December 11, 2018
Eyes on the prize: finish
CAMPUS 3
Gloria Agbogla
not that students are lazy or they don’t want to do it. They do! But when you start the school, Staff Writer Part one of a two part series sometimes life has a way to smacking you in The academic path for students can be very the face. All of the sudden you have health challenging. Between registration and gradua- care issues, work issues, financial issues … “ tion, a number of obstacles can get in the way There are a number of situations that can that can keep students from accomplishing direct students’ attention away from their their dreams. studies. Finish the Race is a campaign created by the Richland offers multiple services to help Richland degree audit team designed to help students stay on track to meet their goal. They students graduate on time. include counselling services, disability services, Mark Ammann, associate dean of admis- the Multicultural Center, veteran services and sions said, “Finish the race came to be a even a clothes closet. response to a major problem “For males who need jobs, that we’ve identified amongst MAP [the Male Achievement students. This is a two-year Program] has clothing they can institution and students are not give to the student. Ties and completing [in] two years, it’s shirts and even a jacket they typically three, four five years.” can wear to the interview,” To address the situation, the Ammann said. team assembled a number of Step 4, “Take the Lead” helps resources to make it easier for students stay motivated by students to overcome those barrigetting involved in student life. ers from registration through to One of the best ways is to the graduation finish line. join a club. Richland has more Illustration courtesy Richland Admissions The program is structured in than 35 student organizations five steps: “On Your Marks,” “Ready Set including the Student Government AssoGo,” “Staying on Track,” “Take the Lead” ciation, the Intercultural Woman Society and and “Finishing the Race.” Pride at Richland. Students should choose the The first two steps include documentation group they fit best in. needed for the registration, the tools to submit Whether students start the race to make when applying and general advising to help their parents proud or to dream up an invenstudents select their classes. Ammann said tion that will help people or their country, Step 3 (“Staying on Track”) is an important Ammann encourages students to keep those turning point. reasons in mind and finish the race. “We go back to the reason students don’t Watch the full interview with Ammann complete within two years. Why is that? It’s online at www.richlandstudentmedia.com
Kobloh-Obase Kammonke Staff Writer
Finals week is here and students need a distraction now more than ever. College students are constantly stressed by deadlines, relationships and work. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), students are most likely to seek counseling for depression, stress, family issues, academic performance and relationship issues. According to the APA, chronic stress is related to the six leading causes of death. Making small lifestyle changes can help reduce the problem. Everyday Health.com recommends deep breathing, getting adequate sleep and exercise as ways to beat stress. According to the website, college students should get between 7-9 hours of sleep every day. Since a majority of college students are working as well as taking classes, they tend to deprive themselves of sleep. Taking a 30-minute to one-hour power nap between classes or before work can rejuvenate the body and the mind. Every semester, Richland hosts the “Stress Busters” event during finals. It’s a chance for students, faculty and staff to enjoy chair massages and color therapy to counter endof-the-semester stress. The Office of Student
Life (OSL) partners with the Counselling Center on the event. Uche Iwotor, sophomore, has participated in several stress relief efforts on campus and believes it’s essential for mental stability. “I think mental health is something that isn’t really focused on. Especially for college students a lot of people are stressed out. I think the school is showing that it cares about not only the student’s grades but their health. It shows that Richland isn’t just worried about the reputation of the school as far as grades go but also as far as the happiness of the students,” said Iwotor. A flurry of activities are scheduled to help students alleviate stress including pizza and games night and activities during the day that include chair massages, coloring books and team bonding opportunities for students. “It’s relaxing. It kind of takes you out of the mundane, looking at writing papers and whatnot. So stuff like that that separates your mind from all the work you have to do,” Iwotor said reflecting on previous semesters. “There may be some occasional treats to hand out,” said Kristi Battles, OSL coordinator. The “Stress Busters” event takes place 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10 to 13 in El Paso Lounge.
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Slow down, break is almost here
4 CAMPUS
December 11, 2018
Remembering a pioneer: Kathryn Yates
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Kaelyn Bradley Staff Writer Richland College lost a treasured faculty member this fall. Government professor Kathryn Yates died after a brief illness on Oct. 18. She was 74. She taught for the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) 52 years. Yates’ life can be described as a life of passion and one that lives on in the lives she changed. She had an incomparable impact on the government department at Richland as a pioneer in the evolution of the department. She was heralded for her teaching and her devotion to history and politics. A Texas native, Yates was born and raised in Wichita Falls. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and political science from Midwestern State University. Yates began teaching American government courses at El Centro College in 1966. She transferred to Richland when it opened in 1972. In the more than 50 years since, not only did she inspire and befriend many of her colleagues, she also made many contributions to Richland, including helping to create and lead the first tele-course offered by DCCCD in 1972. “She had very high moral standards and yet she was tenacious,” John Ewing, religion professor, said as he reflected on his friendship with Yates.
Kathy Yates
Photo courtesy Richland Marketing
Over the years, Yates’ influence on her colleagues was undeniable. Her teaching coupled with her expressive nature were traits admired by her good friend and English professor, Dr. Bill Matter. “What I enjoyed about teaching with her is that even though she had her own strong political beliefs, she did not let that dictate what she taught the students,” Matter said. “So, I found that remarkable for someone with the strong political views that she had. She kept those in check in the classroom.” Government professor Patrick Moore who
acknowledged Yates’ strong beliefs, echoed those sentiments. He specifically remembered the many conversations they had allowing him to know her better. “Kathy was very passionately devoted to her beliefs and an aggressive defender of her beliefs and the rights of all people to enjoy the full protection of the law,” Moore said. While Yates had an unyielding perspective on some things, she also had a love for traveling and teaching. Prior to working for DCCCD, Yates experienced her first international trip to Egypt, giving her a chance to embrace diversity early on. Exploring the world would be something she would continuously pursue during her tenure at Richland. “She was passionate about travel. She thought travel was the best form of education and she visited dozens of countries around the world and made friends wherever she went,” Yates’ niece Donna Knipp said. Matter described Yates as “a very bright woman.” Yates’ intelligence positioned her to become a recipient of the highly sought-after grant from the Fulbright Foundation several times. She took advantage of opportunities to do research in many places such as: Turkey, France and Italy. Her appreciation for the organization led her to become actively involved with the organization for as long as she could. “Kathy stayed involved with the Fulbright
Foundation throughout her career and helped advise others about how to apply for the grants and provided recommendations for people,” Knipp said. Her colleagues agreed that her dedication to her students has and always will be highly esteemed. “She cared very much about her students and was always interested in ensuring that they had a good experience in class,” Moore said. “She would always encourage students to learn about and be willing to stand up for their constitutional rights.” “Kathy was very caring. She loved interacting with students,” Matter said. Her death is a great loss to Richland, but her
“She had very high moral standards and yet she was tenacious”
– John Ewing
influence will be everlasting. “I will think about her as somebody who I admired for her consistency of belief and her unswerving willingness to speak out to defend her beliefs,” Moore said. Yates is survived by her niece, her dog Layla and a host of colleagues and students. A service in her honor will take place at Richland College on April 12.
December 11, 2018
Staff photo Ryan Bingham Duff
A plaque commemorating survivors of the Rowlett tornado sits in Schrade Bluebonnet Park.
Rowlett: A tale of tragedy and resilience Alex Ortuno
Staff Writer Part 2 of a 2 part series In the midst of chaos after an EF4 tornado hit Rowlett the day after Christmas 2015, something emerged from the ruins of the city: The overwhelming support of what people can bring. “We had such an outpouring of support from our community and from our surrounding communities and that is absolutely
essential to recovering from an event like this,” said Rowlett Mayor Tammy DanaBashian. “Regionally, statewide and nationally, we had people coming from all different states coming to help and that is incredibly important to recover from this from a physical standpoint and a mental standpoint.” A warning from the National Weather Service confirmed residents’ worst fears. “This is an extremely dangerous storm, and has caused extensive damage and possibly
injuries near Rowlett. If you are in the path of this storm, take cover immediately to protect your life!” As the tornado lifted over Lake Ray Hubbard, residents of Rowlett were left to realize the unthinkable had just happened. Destruction was everywhere, changing the lives of many. It was a historic event for Rowlett. Dana-Bashian described it as, “The most significant event in the history of the City of Rowlett.” A snowstorm that hit Rowlett in 2013 was the most significant event until the tornado struck two years later. “We’ve had a bad ice storm two years prior to that. We thought that was pretty significant but no, this [event] was the worst time in the history of Rowlett,” Dana-Bashin said. Ann Dotson, senior pastor with First Christian Church of Rowlett, was there to support those who were affected. The church had suffered damage as well. “The church had no power. We had a couple of trees that went through our roof and things like that but we immediately opened our church buildings and [started] gathering food and clothing and feeding people and taking care of the first responders and gathering up resources and supplies but the whole community was basically in shock,” Dodson said. Karen Cuttill, a licensed professional counselor at Richland College and crisis responder, described her work at the scene. “A lot of it was sorting through [rubble] and helping [homeowners] look for a specific thing they were looking for. And sometimes, we just sat with the homeowners and gave them a chance to take a breath and just talk about what they’re going through,” Cuttill said. “While I was working in the main command center, it was a bit different. We did a kind of
LOCAL 5 referral to a table and there were two, three of us there and we would help them find a current place to go. Sometimes people would come in really emotional and we would just sit and talk with them and then help them get to where they needed to go.” Dotson said the community received support from many organizations that took meals to those affected. “Hundreds, hundreds of people came. Operation Barbecue Relief fed 36,000 meals,” Dodson said. “They took them [the meals] out, people came in, first responders took them out, they prepared meals for Salvation Army and the Red Cross to take out into the neighborhood. But we know that there were 36,000 meals and a whole building worth of supplies given out.” Although the tornado remains a historic event in Rowlett, the city and the community have moved on, although the storm left a scar for many. “They’re still fearful when it rains or [when] there’s a weather alert. They are very fearful that it’s going to happen again so they’re kind of anxious and you can see it all over their Facebook pages,” Dodson said. “They [community members] are much more united and in helping one another in all sorts of things than I’ve seen in previous years.” Although much of the city has been rebuilt, some residents were not able to or decided not to return. “Maybe less than 10 individual locations have not been rebuilt and are sitting as slabs of a foundation. If residents were not able to rebuild and they had to move away, they sold their lots and those lots have turned over. But as far as, you know, physical recovery, pretty much it’s complete,” Dana-Bashian said.
Ryan Bingham Duff Staff Writer
Mike Sims, president of Temple EmanuEl in Dallas, said some religious institutions, including Temple Emanu-El, have evaluated security to keep their members safe after the shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27. Sims said he harbors no grudge against Robert Bowers, the 46-year-old truck driver who pleaded ‘not guilty’ for the shooting that left 11 people dead and seven injured. “You’ve heard the old saying, ‘An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.’ It hit home for us because we’re Jews,” he said. “It hit home because some of our members are from Pittsburgh and some of our members have friends and family in the area. So, it was very real to us.” Immediately after the shooting, two prayer services were held in Dallas. One was at Congregation Shearith Israel where a
community service of healing was held the next night, Oct. 28. “It was powerful,” Sims said. Members from congregations all over town attended. Some were not Jewish, including a dear friend of Sims, who was a law professor at Southern Methodist University (SMU), a pastor from First Presbyterian Church who gave him a hug and Muslims from the Ismaili community in Plano who all came to grieve and pay their respects. The second service, held at Temple EmanuEl on Nov. 2, brought together more than 1,000 people, including the mayor of Dallas, Mike Rawlings, and people of various faiths. “It was an evening of solidarity Shabbat (the Hebrew word for sabbath) to show that we all stand together against hate and as a community,” Sims said. Sims said that he does not wish a harsh punishment for Bowers. “The criminal justice system will decide that. That is not something that falls under my purview nor within my hopes. I think that
the more important thing is that hopefully from his horrible act, I hope that [some] good occurs,” he said. “That communities of faith can come together, that groups that regard one another as different or as ‘another’ or in fact realize that there is far more [that] binds us as humans than divides us as Christians, Jews or black or white.” “When you think about it, the first words of the U.S. Constitution are: ‘We the people,’ not ‘We some people,’” he said. “And the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the freedom of religion, and that is for you to practice your religion as you see fit and for me to practice my religion as I see fit, and for both of us as part of ‘We the people’ to respect one another’s right to do so.” Sims said Temple Emanu-El is a congregation of more than 2,600 families with members of all ages. According to its website, the Hillcrest Road location in Dallas was built in 1957, however, the congregation itself was founded in 1875.
Photo courtesy Ryan Bingham Duff
Mike Sims, Temple Emanu-El president.
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Religious groups tighten security in the wake of Pittsburgh shooting
6 SPORTS
December 11, 2018
Happy Feet: T-Ducks Miranda Ibarra is the essence of a modern-day defender
RichlandStudentMedia.com
At 5 feet tall, coupled with a quiet demeanor, you could be forgiven if you didn’t pick Miranda Francisca Ibarra out in the crowd. “Frankie,” as she is popularly referred to by her friends and coaches, is reserved. She is a woman of few words who talks about teaching history one day, but with a soccer ball at her feet she transforms into a giant, with an unabashed desire to win. It is this tenacity and drive that has garnered her such acclaim. Ibarra ended the 2018 season as a champion and MVP for the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) Div. III soccer finals. A fulcrum for Richland, she proved irreplaceable throughout the course of the season. For much of her youth, Ibarra played for the Dallas Texans. She was either used as a midfielder or forward. In her senior year at a high school in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, she considered calling it quits on playing competitive soccer. Some of her teammates had signed letters of intent to play at four-year colleges, but she didn’t get any offers. The lack of attention was demoralizing. Clinging on to a sliver of hope, she went for the Exact Soccer showcase, a place for college coaches to look at potential players in the winter of 2016. That marked the ascension of
Frankie the soccer player. “I met Frankie at a soccer clinic. There were probably 150 girls and she was really, really smooth on the ball,” said Richland women’s soccer coach Scott Toups. Toups contacted her, and she visited the Richland campus. But she was not interested in attending a community college. “Then I found out that her cousin actually played for me in my last college. Her name was Romy Fraga. And so when I found out that they were related, I called her up, and I said you’ve got to help me get your cousin over here,” Toups said. “I kind of talked to her about giving Scott a chance and letting him kind of guide her in the direction she might want to go. I told her some stories that I went through with him regarding playing,” Fraga said. “Give it a shot, because she didn’t know if she wanted to play in college and a year wasn’t going to be something that would break her.” Ibarra gave in. In late April 2017, she decided to commit to Richland. In her first year, Ibarra was a starter. She was part of a team that was billed to go all the way, but Richland faltered when it mattered most. They lost to archrivals Brookhaven College in the 2017 district finals.
Ibarra, left, drives against Mountain View on Oct. 5. She won MVP honors at the Nationals.
Frankie 2.0 “I think the personalities [this year] are way different. Last year, a couple of people wanted to stay to [themselves], and we didn’t want to get all together and become an actual group. I think this year a lot of the girls are pretty close friends now,” Ibarra said at the beginning of her sophomore season. It is this new-found camaraderie among her peers and Ibarra’s leadership qualities that spurred the team on this year. At the start of the 2018 season, the aura around Ibarra was different. There was this whiff of confidence and swagger in her play. Where she would normally pass the ball in 2017, she was now taking a touch and driving at her opponent. Slithering past them like an ice skater, she was graceful. She became a dancer, performing with no inhibitions. “She’s a strider,” Fraga said. “She definitely knows when to tackle and when to be patient. She knew when to not make the run and [when to] make the run and I think that [by] her playing different positions throughout the years, she’s gotten to learn how to read the game super great.” Dance is an art form centered on intricacy. The essence of a dancer is most poignant when the movement and the music are in melodious harmony. For Frankie the field is her dance floor. She pirouettes around defenders, slaloming through with the ease of a seasoned professional. She’s in her element when she’s in motion and when she is in motion, she is almost unstoppable. She was unstoppable one game in early September. It was a windy evening with heavy drizzle in Dallas when the Richland Thunderducks took on the Blinn College Buccaneers from Brenham on Sept. 10. Richland went into the halftime break 2-0 up, but the score line flattered to deceive. The game was a drab affair of misplaced passes and near misses. Richland wasn’t able to muster up any clear-cut chances except for the goals. Richland struggled to assert control in the second half. Toups’s solution was Ibarra. She was moved from defense to attack. She proved to be the missing piece of the puzzle. In a frenzied 15-minute spell, Ibarra created three goals. Her movement and trickery were too much for the Blinn defense; three spectacular contributions, but the play that stood out was her second assist. Ibarra controlled a looping ball sublimely in Blinn’s penalty box despite the attention of the defenders circling her. She danced past one, two, three opponents before laying it off for a teammate to finish. She was subbed off to an ovation from the fans and her teammates. In her wake, as she walked off, the Blinn defenders flashed relieved smiles. Ibarra would not terrorize them any further. “She was capable of doing it [dribbling] and
every once in a while, she would break out of that shell and go out and attack. This year, I think just coming back as a sophomore, a little bit older, a little bit more confident, she just came out of her shell and all of a sudden, every game it was her going forward and taking players on. It’s a huge part of her game, that’s for sure.” Toups said. It was her identity. Defender on the attack Defenders naturally aren’t the flashiest players on a soccer field. They are, by nature, tasked with the dirty work of clearing the ball from the danger zone. So, when a defender has the confidence to take players on, it is automatically a risk. If you lose the ball, you concede a potential goal-scoring opportunity to your opponent. “It used to be that defenders just defend. We would always joke that they’re not allowed to cross the halfway line, [but] soccer kind of changed, especially, outside backs really became attacking players. Frankie fits right in there,” Toups said. Ibarra does not command the presence that a typical defender should have, but what she lacks in height she makes up for with technique, zeal and intelligence. A 21st-century player, she embodies the persona and is adorned with the skill set that modern soccer is leaning toward: the ability to think fast, move and pass with precision under pressure. “You know who she reminds me of? Marcelo from Real Madrid,” Richland forward Claudio Pedroza said. “The second that she gets the ball she already has it, and she goes with it. And even the headers, she is always winning the ball. Even against bigger players, she’s the one winning it.” Marcelo, much like many Brazilian players, is silky; a fullback with an ammo of flair and creativity. It is these attributes that have made him an unshakable starter for Real Madrid, the current UEFA Champions League winners. That is largely what Toups saw when he pursued Ibarra. “She’s a very good individual defender [and] one-v-one defender. She’s got good speed, times things really well, but her ability to go forward and be an attacking player, that’s the modern game now,” Toups said. The game is evolving, but most coaches are not as progressive as Toups. Several coaches passed on Ibarra before she signed with Richland, but Toups’s faith in Ibarra paid off. This season Toups changed his formation. Normally Richland played four defenders at the back, but Toups believed he had three topnotch defenders, and that was enough. Ibarra alongside Alexis Jordan and Alexis Lawrence were the nucleus of the team. Ibarra was fond of the formation switch. The defense was her vantage point. It allowed her more leeway and room to roam further down the field because she was assured in her defensive
SPORTS 7
December 11, 2018
Ibarra, left, takes players on and dribbles away from a Brookhaven defender on Oct. 22. The Richland women’s team won the NJCAA Div. III national championship this year.
partners to cover her. This new Ibarra led the team throughout the season. In a rematch of last year’s district final, Richland played Brookhaven College, but this time the story was rewritten. Ibarra led valiantly from the back. She played with the fervor of a person seeking retribution. Richland did it. The team defeated
“She’s a very good individual defender [and] one-v-one defender. She’s got good speed, times things really well, but her ability to go forward and be an attacking player, that’s the modern game now.” – Scott Toups
Brookhaven 2-1 to qualify for the nationals. The final test Three games stood between Richland and the national championship which took place in Wedgbury, Ill. in November. The first two were routine wins for the Thunderducks. They blew past the quarterfinals with a 9-0 win and in the semifinal, they won 5-1. The final was the hardest test yet, and, on the grandest stage, Ibarra would turn up again. She bombed through the midfield, ghosting past the defense before laying up for the sumptuous strike by Eva Mulligan. It was a trademark Ibarra run and a magnificent strike from Mulligan that gave Richland the lead against Delta College from Center, Mich. After the goal, a Richland defender sustained an ankle injury. She was substituted off, prompting a change in formation. This left Richland vulnerable to pressure from the Delta frontline. Ibarra had to be steadfast in her defensive duties. Ibarra led the backline, fighting for every ball until the final whistle sounded, and the Richland women’s soccer team became national champions for the first time since 2014. “I think I worked pretty hard this season, and I was focused as much as I could’ve been in those three games,” Ibarra said. “I think it’s one of the best seasons I’ve had throughout
my soccer career. Had a couple of losses, but overall I like the girls, I like the coaching, and some games were not that challenging. But I still had fun.” After stellar performances throughout the tournament, Ibarra was named MVP. “We weren’t surprised when they mentioned her name,” Pedroza said. “She was always a player that we [could] always count on no matter what. If they [opponents] got past our midfield or anything we just knew Frankie is there, Frankie is there, and she won balls for us.” Two years from the start of her collegiate career, Ibarra has defied expectations and setbacks to establish herself as one of the best NJCAA players in the country. Ibarra is no longer auditioning for a role at a showcase. This time, the coaches are lining up trying to woo the diminutive technician. In fact, she has had several offers from fouryear universities. She is no longer on the verge of quitting. Instead, she is reinvigorated with belief. She is an MVP. She is the dancer who decides where she steps next. “I think she can definitely play at any level,” Toups said. “As soon as she plays, and they see how valuable she is you’d be nuts not to give her a spot or a chance. I don’t care what team you’ve got. She’s that special player.”
Ibarra
Story by Kammonke Obase-Wotta Photos by Mirco Daniel Mbega Ndoumou
8 CAMPUS
December 11, 2018
Emeritus plus 50 presents spring classes Joyce Jackson Copy editor
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Richland’s Emeritus plus 50 program will offer a number of exciting noncredit classes on fun topics this spring for students 50 and over. Some of the instructors gave short previews of their classes at an event on Nov. 28. Jann Aldredge-Clanton’s “Live Better and Longer Through Writing” and “Writing and Publishing” classes will be taught February through April. Aldredge-Clanton said, “It’s important to have a really good idea of what we’re living for. Research studies published on psychological sites and elsewhere demonstrate that people who have purpose and meaning in life live longer.” Her courses include journaling, writing stories, essays, childrens’ books and blogs. “That doesn’t mean that you have to publish your writing, but writing itself can help you to celebrate your experiences, to put them down in a form that will be long lasting,” she said. The class is open to everyone. On a more serious note, Jim Bates’s classes, “Active Healthcare and Death Care Planning” will meet in March and April. He said when people are down to the last two or three chapters of their lives, there’s not much information available toward the end. Yet, there is
plenty of information available about Medicare and Social Security. “We begin realizing our mortality is coming up,” Bates said. “There is just not much help out there to find a good place to land, a good place to plan your death,” Bates said. The first part of the classes focus on active health care and the second part concentrates on the funeral industry. “In the Death Care class, we’ll teach you a new jargon or new vocabulary to deal with the
“It’s important to have a really good idea of what we’re living for. Research studies published on psychological sites and elsewhere demonstrate that people who have purpose and meaning in life live longer.” – Aldredge-Clanton
thoughts and feelings of how you are when you’re getting closer to death,” Bates said. It’s not just about buying a casket or cremation, but how to think and talk about it with your family. ‘ Chris Tucker’s classes will take students back through time. He’s teaching “The Sixties: When Everything Went Crazy,” in February and March and “Making Sense of the Seventies” in April and May. Tucker has been a teacher and journalist most of his life, has written hundreds of book reviews and profiles, was an editor and columnist for D Magazine and a commentator for KERA Radio and Television. He is also a long-time contributor to The Dallas Morning News. “After the chaotic ‘60s, America did not get to sit on the beach and take a deep breath,” Tucker said. “We went right into Watergate [and were] trying to end the Vietnam War. We’ll spend time with all the presidents: Ford, Carter, Reagan plus the music of that era.” Don Wolman focuses on higher education in his February and March class, “Hidden Class History of Universities: 1636-2019.” He’ll help students learn about the computers at the Harvard Observatory and the women who were hired to do the calculations. He’ll touch on other Ivy League schools, too, including the University of Pennsylvania and Tuskegee University. For those who like card games, Mark Dumdei offers “Bridge: Play of the Hand.” He said he wants people to learn his “tricks of the trade” and that it’s “very good for the mind.” He’s also teaching “Who is God and what is He like?” In that class, he’ll cover three
major world religions: Judeo Christian, Hinduism and Buddhism. Herb Hooks, a 10th-degree black belt, will teach “Tae Kwon Do/Karate/SelfDefense,” a class he has taught at Richland for 20 years. Hooks is retired from working in juvenile probation after 27 years. He said he doesn’t want anyone to become “a defenseless victim.” Hooks and his assistant, Robert Elliott, (a 5th-degree black belt), gave a brief demonstration. “You can’t walk about looking like a victim,” Hooks said. “The last thing they [criminals] want you to do is fight back.” One thing Hooks stressed is that if anyone tries to grab you and take you somewhere, “Do not go with them. Do not get in their car! You empower them by going with them.” His night classes start in January on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you are 65 or older and have lived in Dallas County for 12 months paying taxes, then you can take up to six hours of credit classes per semester and two semesters in the summer for no change. Otherwise, the credit classes are $59 per semester hour. The Emeritus plus 50 program also offers volunteer opportunities for international students learning English and a mentor program as well as a Spring Enrichment Serires. The Emeritus office is located in Thunderduck Hall, T160 off of Parking Lot A at 12800 Abrams Road in Dallas. Email the office at rlcemeritus@dcccd.edu to sign up for a class, or call Minnie Cornelius, administrative assistant at 972-238-6972 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.
Staff Photo Joyce Jackson
Marilyn Edwards and Peggy Crenshaw hope to take classes in the spring.
December 11, 2018
The Lake Highlands H.S. dance group demonstrates a folklorico dance for students and faculty gathered in the East Breezeway on Nov. 30.
CAMPUS 9
Staff Photo Kaelyn Bradley
Students enjoy sweets and swing in time for finals
Staff Photo Nick Medlock
Staff Photo Muyideen Ogunbunmi
Brian Adams H.S. DanceVercity hip hop group get down at Dance Jam at the East Breezeway.
Staff Photo Mirco Daniel Mbega Ndoumou
J.J. Pearce H.S. Mustang Dance Team swing their partners in the Dance Jam on Nov. 30.
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Amina Jeylani, left, Arfia Kazi serve hot chocolate during Sweets and Treats event on Dec. 4.
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December 11, 2018
Student’s life-changing event Mike Sokolski Staff Writer A life-changing event for 27-year-old Margarita Arriaga occurred in September. She was feeling ill and, after reporting to work, left to go to the hospital. She thought she had the flu. A few days later she got devastating news. A bone marrow biopsy showed she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells. “It has impacted my life in so many ways. I was the person bringing in the income for my household. Not being able to provide for my kids, my mom and my brother has changed a lot,” she said. She is divorced with two young sons. Her brother is handicapped. Arriaga was a student at Richland. The courses she took helped her get a good job. “I was looking for a job. I came across this flyer that had information regards to continuing education. To me that was really interesting. I enrolled in Richland to do my administrative offices program,” she said. The four-month course helped her learn basic accounting and office skills. Toward the end of the program, which was financed by various companies, Arriaga interviewed for a position with Associa. “That was my first interview that I had ever had,” she said. Arriaga took a full-time position with the company in March 2016. She praised the
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Dance Jam festival, Nov.30 Staff photo Mirco Daniel Mbega Ndoumou
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Margarita Arriaga waits for her chemotherapy appointment.
training she received at Richland. “[It] was very helpful. I learned how to use big office printers, handling calls, transferring calls and just a lot of skills that I used in the accounting department,” she said. The Associa newsletter from June 2016 featured a story about Arriaga. It mentioned that she learned Quickbooks and acquired an Internet & Core Computing Certification (IC3). She mastered the Cisco phone system and trains new people.
Staff Photo: Emily Escamilla
Fellow employees at Associa have pitched in to help Arriaga with finances as she battles her illness. They have launched a fundraiser and donated vacation hours. That has taken some of the financial burden off Arriaga’s shoulders. She is half way through six rounds of chemotherapy. After that, she will require a bone marrow transplant. Anyone interested in contributing to the cost of her treatment can visit the gofundme page set up at gf.me/u/nvgst2.
The Drum Show Fall World Beat Concert by soloists Shannon Valenta, Evan Mendez, and Sebastian Tran between brilliant ensembles pieces performed by the percussion group. Sebastian Tran and Evan Mendez awed the crowd with their demonstration of the marimba, a unique instrument originating from Southeast Asia and Africa that is similar to a xylophone. It was Shannon Valenta, however, who sent a wave of joy throughout the room with her double-second steel pan performance. As soon as she began playing, the audience could close their eyes and imagine they were on an island somewhere in the Caribbean.
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Victoria Crocker Staff Writer The Richland music department held its final concert of the semester in Fannin Hall on the night of Dec. 6 billed as The Drum Show Fall World Beat Concert. The first half of the evening featured performances by the Richland Percussion Group (RPG) and soloists. After a brief intermission, the Richland Steel Sound Band performed. The night heated up quickly as the musicians warmed the audience with their swift beats and mellow movements. The first half of the night featured dazzling performances
CHRONICLE Richland
Perfomers at The Drum Show in Fannin Hall Dec.6.
Staff Photo: Nick Medlock
Other exciting performances by the ensemble featured student-composed works. Olivia Beattie and Sebastian Tran presented the only student-composed pieces of the night. Both featured impressive performances and were excellent pieces of music. While listening to Sebastian Tran’s self-composed “Wishful Thinking,” the music inspired me to actually start thinking wishfully, as if it was a soundtrack to my thoughts. The first part of the concert ended with the RPG performing “Casting Shadows,” which had a beat that left the audience nodding their heads and tapping their feet. The ensemble included three drummers playing cajóns, box-shaped percussion instruments from Peru, and a hi-hat player who really brought zest and shimmer to the show as it transitioned into the second half, featuring the Richland Steel Sound Band. The steel band played 13 songs by professional composer Ray Holman. The ensemble performed the songs live together for the first time in preparation for their upcoming showcase in the spring. The steel band will perform with Holman as a special guest in April. Overall, the evening was full of texture and rhythm that left the crowd warmed up to brace the cold, wet weather outside. Give the Richland College Music department and director Derrick Logozzo an A+ for excellence.
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December 11, 2018
ENTERTAINMENT 11
Binge-worthy shows during the winter break
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (Amazon/ HBO) – “Seinfeld” sit-com creator, Larry David, delivers another hit comedy series featuring his signature dark, sarcastic humor. The highlight of the show comes as David finds himself caught in various provoked disasters and deals with them with a narcissistic attitude. The series starts a bit slow, but as it moves forward, David’s comic genius delivers funny material to turn any miserable day into a “Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good” one. If you are a Seinfeld and Louis C.K. fan, this show is a must watch. Watch this show with friends. It makes the viewing experience even better. Grade: A-
“The Grand Tour” (Amazon) –British car-journalists, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond star in the original Amazon series doing what they do best, driving cars in exotics places all over the world and reviewing them. Since their departure from the BBC show, “Top Gear,” the trio returns with their colorful personalities and over-thetop content that made them iconic celebrities in the automotive world. This show is definitely for car enthusiasts and those who want to be. Watching three men embark on ambitious, yet rubbish projects is most certainly not a waste in time. After all, what could possibly go wrong? A
“BoJack Horseman” (Netflix) – From the catalog of Netflix best original works, this adult-animated series follows the aftermath of former ‘90s hit family show celebrity, Bojack Horseman, as he struggles to regain his golden years in modern day Los Angeles. The show does not shy away from dark subjects such as substance addiction or social problems. Each episode is an emotional ride that can have a bitter ending, and every new season keeps improving by adding more interesting concepts into the established world and keeping the audience invested in the plot and characters. This is truly an original and refreshing idea. A+
“Chef’s Table ” (Netflix) – This Netflix original documentary series tells the stories of renowned chefs on their journeys to open the world’s best restaurants. Each episode not only delivers the cultural background of each chef and signature dish, but also shares meaningful and inspiring lessons that motivate and give light on new perspectives on life. Whether watchers are culinary arts aficionados or food lovers, this show inspires them to attempt fancy dishes like a Michelin chef and gives a glimpse into diverse cultures and the culinary world. This highly recommended show teaches some valuable lessons. A+ — Reviews/Jack Ramirez
“Hill Street Blues” (Heroes and Icons Network) — The premise of “Hill Street Blues” (1981-1987) looks at the denizens of an unnamed inner city police department where plenty of shenanigans ensue. Great casting with Daniel J. Travanti, Bruce Weitz and Veronica Hammel. A+
“Midnight, Texas” (NBC) — This series is from writer Charlaine Harris, who spent several years working on HBO’s “True Blood” with vampires galore and other members of the undead. Star Francois Arnaud is Manfred Bernardo, a transplant to the small town where a vampire and other undead live. A-
“The Rookie” (ABC) — Following a stint on the cult favorite “Firefly” as well as “Castle,” lead Nathan Fillion portrays the world’s oldest rookie cop who faces scrutiny every day he is on the job. The show blends his real-life struggles with the day-to-day dealings of being a man in blue in an ever-changB+ ing society.
“Chicago P.D.” (NBC) — This amazing show finishes the Chicago block on NBC that also features “Chicago Med” and “Chicago Fire.” Lead Jason Beghe is Hank Voight, a tough-as-nails cop, keeping the Windy City’s streets safe amidst allegations of improprieties.
“The Crown” (Netflix) — The life of Queen Elizabeth is detailed to-a-tee in this captivating historical drama. Telling the story of her rise to power in the wake of the king’s death, the series slowly sheds light on the history of a world power. The series can seem somber and grim at times yet it reciprocates by showing the chaos of living in the halls of Windsor Castle and the family’s interaction with the political/social world. A+
“The Twilight Zone” (Sci-Fi/Hulu) — This is a fan-favorite that helped inspire some of the best clichés and storytelling ideas of the science-fiction and horror genre. It first aired in 1958 and continues to influence those who love the classics regardless of the black-andwhite color scheme and the sometimes trite morals. It will continue to be a tradition as the holiday season rolls around this year.
“Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia” (Netflix) — Trevor Noah returns in another comedy show filmed for streaming. Noah references older material but presents a few new stories that are sure to be entertaining to those looking for a realistic-yet-comical perspective of the world. The pacing may seem slower to those unfamiliar with Noah’s work, however, nothing is better than having the chance to experience “an original Trevor Noah story.” B
“Maniac” (Netflix) — Inspired by an ‘80’s aesthetic and the influence of technology, “Maniac” takes the viewer on a wild ride that swings between reality and the dark side of the imagination. It’s the story of Owen Milgrim, a schizophrenic, and Annie Landsberg (Emma Stone), a woman who suffers from borderline personality disorder, who find themselves in the same pharmaceutical trial. B+ — Reviews/Adrianne Aguilar
B
RichlandStudentMedia.com
A — Reviews/Ricky Miller
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December 11, 2018
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