Vol. XLIII Issue 24 March 28, 2017
Experience ‘Serendipity’ at Richland Pg. 4
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2 STATE/NATIONAL
March 28, 2017
Bathroom bill passes Texas Senate, heads to House JORGE PEREZ Staff Writer
The transgendered community’s expression of gender identity was dealt a blow March 15 when the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 6 (SB6) with a vote of 21-10. Also nicknamed the “bathroom bill,” SB6 requires people to use multiple-occupancy public facilities based on their biological sex. In the bill, “biological sex” is the gender on an individual’s birth certificate. Republican Senator Lois Kolkhorst, the author of SB6, is concerned that some people will take advantage of “open policies,” or using a public bathroom, dressing room or locker room intended for the opposite sex, and that the bill is not intended to be discriminatory.
“This is about privacy and protection for all people, ” – Sen. Lois Kolkhorst “We hear passions on both sides of the issue. This is about privacy and protection for all people,” said Kolkhorst. “The voters know that the safety of our children and personal privacy should be at the forefront of what we do here.” While this bill addresses safety concerns,
some Texas senators stated their opposition to the bill. Some criticized the bill as being “weak” while others discussed a possible negative economic impact on hospitality, tourism and sporting events. According to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) it is estimated that San Antonio alone could lose $40 million in convention business as a result of this bill. Rafael McDonnell, communications and advocacy manager of the Resource Center in Dallas, attended meetings in Austin. Some of the meetings were related to the passing of SB6. “I wasn’t surprised that it passed. They have the numbers in the Senate to pass it regardless of the testimony,” McDonnell said. “I don’t think that any of the Republicans in that particular body were going to be swayed by any arguments.” Joyce Jackson, a student at Richland College, says the bathroom bill is ridiculous. “If they were to create a ‘family room’ for anyone, no matter if they were gay or transgendered or just want privacy that might be okay,” Jackson said. “Why go through all that expense for nothing? People know who they are. To imagine you’re the opposite sex is ridiculous. I think people need to get back to Staff Photo Jorge Perez reality.” The bill now goest to the House for a final Erika Richie, a transgender youth advocate, at Texas Legislature to show opposition to SB6. vote. there were no plans to revisit the issue. said The GOP bill would have eliminated the a chance to become law, they couldn’t deliver. Republicans will try to move ahead on other Democrats could hardly contain their satis- Obama statute’s unpopular fines on people agenda items, including overhauling the tax faction. who do not obtain coverage and would also code, though the failure on the health bill can “Today is a great day for our country, what have removed the often-generous subsidies only make whatever comes next immeasurably happened on the floor is a victory for the for those who purchase insurance. harder. Republican tax credits would have been American people,” said House Minority LeadTrump pinned the blame on Democrats. er Nancy Pelosi, who as speaker herself helped based on age, not income like Obama’s, and the “With no Democrat support we couldn’t Obama pass the Affordable Care Act in the tax boosts Obama imposed on higher-earning quite get there,” he told reporters in the Oval first place. “Let’s just for a moment breathe a people and health care companies would have Office. “We learned about loyalty, we learned a sigh of relief for the American people.” been repealed. The bill would have ended lot about the vote-getting process.” The outcome leaves both Ryan and Trump Obama’s Medicaid expansion and trimmed fuThe Obama law was approved in 2010 with weakened politically. ture federal financing for the federal-state prono Republican votes. For the president, this piles a big early con- gram, letting states impose work requirements Despite reports of backbiting from admin- gressional defeat onto the continuing inquiries on some of the 70 million beneficiaries. istration officials toward Ryan, Trump said: “I into his presidential campaign’s Russia conThe nonpartisan Congressional Budget like Speaker Ryan. ... I think Paul really worked nections and his unfounded wiretapping alle- Office said the Republican bill would have hard.” resulted in 24 million additional uninsured gations against Obama. For his part, Ryan told reporters: “We came Ryan was not able to corral the House Free- people in a decade and lead to higher out-ofreally close today but we came up short. ... dom Caucus, the restive band of conservatives pocket medical costs for many lower-income This is a disappointing day for us.” He said the that ousted the previous speaker. Those Repub- and people just shy of age 65 when they would president has “really been fantastic.” licans wanted the bill to go much further, while become eligible for Medicare. The bill would But when asked how Republicans could some GOP moderates felt it went too far. have blocked federal payments for a year to face voters after their failure to make good Instead of picking up support as Friday Planned Parenthood. on years of promises, Ryan quietly said: “It’s wore on, the bill went the other direction, Republicans had never built a constituency a really good question. I wish I had a better with several key lawmakers coming out in op- for the legislation, and in the end the nearly answer for you.” position. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen of New uniform opposition from hospitals, doctors, Last fall, Republicans used the issue to gain Jersey, chairman of a major committee, Ap- nurses, the AARP, consumer groups and othand keep control of the White House, Senate propriations, said the bill would raise costs un- ers weighed heavily with many members. On and House. During the previous years, they had acceptably on his constituents. the other side, conservative groups including cast dozens of votes to repeal Obama’s law in The defections raised the possibility that the the Koch outfit argued the legislation did not full or in part, but when they finally got the bill would not only lose on the floor, but lose go far enough in uprooting Obamacare. chance to pass a repeal version that actually had big. — Associated Press
RichlandStudentMedia.com
House hands Trump a setback on the health care bill In a humiliating failure, President Donald Trump and GOP leaders yanked their bill to repeal “Obamacare” off the House floor Friday when it became clear it would fail badly — after seven years of nonstop railing against the health care law. Democrats said Americans can “breathe a sigh of relief.” Trump said Obama’s law was imploding “and soon will explode.” Thwarted by two factions of fellow Republicans, from the center and far right, House Speaker Paul Ryan said President Barack Obama’s health care law, the GOP’s No. 1 target in the new Trump administration, will remain in place “for the foreseeable future.” It was a stunning defeat for the new president after he had demanded House Republicans delay no longer and vote on the legislation Friday, pass or fail. His gamble failed. Instead Trump, who campaigned as a master deal-maker and claimed that he alone could fix the nation’s health care system, saw his ultimatum rejected by Republican lawmakers who made clear they answer to their own voters, not to the president. He had “never said repeal and replace it in 64 days,” a dejected but still combative Trump said at the White House, though he had repeatedly shouted during the presidential campaign that it was going down “immediately.” The bill was withdrawn just minutes before the House vote was to occur, and lawmaker
March 28, 2017
CAMPUS/STATE 3
Staff photo Zoë Gilbert
Howard Clapper, left, helping student Noella Katompa, at Thunderduck Hall.
Howard Clapper: The ‘face of Richland’ announces retirement AHLAM MARYAM AL MAHROOQ Page Layout Editor
Howard Clapper, who works at the information desk in Thunderduck Hall, loves his students and does the best he can to help them succeed. He pushes, mentors and encourages students to reach their goals. He tells them to never doubt themselves, to look at who they are and realize something is possible, but they must have faith. Clapper is retiring after serving at Richland for 13 years. Clapper and his wife moved to Texas from New England after retiring from the government. He is well known among the students at Richland, especially the international students. Because he works in a highly visible area, Clapper is known as the “face of Richland.” He advised students, helped throughout the semester and guided them toward careers. “When people come in you’re more than a greeter. You’re there for a purpose. When people
come in they’re a little anxious, so you start with what they want to do,” Clapper said. He said he likes to read faces when students walk through the halls and try to learn about them. “My job is to answer the questions for the people, to make them feel welcome so they can always know that somebody is here to help them out,” he said. Clapper has worked in different positions at college. He started out working in financial aid and went on to work in Veterans Affairs and the Financial Aid office. He later worked at the Information Desk across from the Financial Aid office. Everyone who passes by gets a great smile from him which draws out smiles on the students’ faces as well. Clapper said that the previous president of Richland, Steve Mittelstet, once told him “you can feel the heartbeat of this school.” As long as he has been at Richland, Clapper has shown an interest in the college and has been well respected. He has been available to help people who come to him and always tries
to provide the right answer at the right time. “There are a lot of things that go on while you’re sitting here. No matter what, you have to address the best when they come in. You want to make them feel welcome when they walk through the door. You have to show interest,” he said. Clapper is well known among many cultural groups because of his warm smile and personality. Many students who come to Richland already know about Clapper and greet him even though it’s their first time to meet him in person. “It’s going to be interesting after I retire. I hope the person they put here is open, cordial and has a willingness to learn because you have to know about everything that is happening on campus,” Clapper said. Clapper said that his time at Richland and the opportunity to meet students from all over the world has been a blessing. He described the staff as friendly people who want to help and make a difference, which may not be
found in every workplace. “I’m blessed. I have the privilege to meet people from all over the world. Not only the ones from Texas or the U.S. or Canada, but also from all over the world. And I get the chance to learn about their cultures, their religions and themselves so, I’m the luckiest guy in the world. Richland to me is so unique from any other schools because it’s so inclusive. It’s a homey place. You come here and get the feeling, ‘hey, this is where I belong.’” Clapper occasionally encourages students to update him about their education and the events in their lives. He expresses interest in students and wants to learn about their cultures. He compared working at Richland to working at the United Nations. “You can’t be close-minded. You can’t be super sensitive about something,” he said. Clapper said the most important thing that he learned through helpinzg students is to never take anything personally. For more visit RichalndStudentMedia.com
ESTHER REESE
Staff Writer Regardless of what the calendar decrees, spring in Texas begins when the bluebonnets appear. The first Bluebonnet sightings of 2017 were in early February and just a month later the celebration of the wildflower season is in full swing throughout the state. Today, the native wildflower is as well-known a symbol of the Lone Star State as cowboy boots and longhorn cattle. Tourists come from around the world to watch Texas turn blue. For stressed students, spending some time among the bluebonnets is an excellent way to unwind. Camilia Maier, in an article for Native Plant Society of Texas website, said long before Europeans encountered them, bluebonnets were known and cherished by the indige-
nous nations living in Texas. Anglo-Europeans renamed the flower for the sunbonnets women wore to protect themselves from the intensity of the Texas sun. According to Maier, the Texas Legislature declared the bluebonnet to be the state flower in 1901. Confusion quickly followed as there are six native varieties of bluebonnets. After years of debate, the Legislature changed the original statute in 1971 to make all varieties of bluebonnets the state flower of Texas. The variety most people are familiar with is “Lupinus Texensis,” a tall spike of thickly clustered blue blossoms planted with other wildflowers flowers frequently found in road dividers and along highway roadsides. This innovative conservation program originated from the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center (LJWC) at the University of Texas, Austin. Founded by former First Lady from Texas, Ladybird Johnson, and actress Helen Hayes
in 1982, the LJWC is dedicated to the conservation of native landscapes threatened by development and invasive species. According to the website, the center manages The LJWC collaborated with the George W. Bush Presidential Center in 2013 to create a 15-acre Blackland Prairie park on the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum located on campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The Presidential Center offers free, docent-guided tours of the park on Saturdays at 10 and 11 a.m. through June 17, weather permitting. For more information visit www. georgebushlibrary.smu.edu. Another opportunity to experience the spectacle of the bluebonnets in full bloom is the Bluebonnet Trails Festival in Ennis, Texas, April 7-9. Ennis is also home to the Official Bluebonnet Trail, 40 miles of driving trails that will be in peak season from April 1-30. For more information visit www.bluebonnet.org.
Staff photo Harris Sadiq
Bluebonnets are already blooming.
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Texas state flower, bluebonnets herald the arrival of spring
4 ENTERTAINMENT
March 28, 2017
‘Serendipitous’ surprises for everyone This year’s spring dance concert, “Serendipity,” which takes place Friday, will surprise attendees with a cast of 45 to 50 dancers, choreographers and a lighting crew that will astonish everyone. Dance professor and director Gina Sawyer said, “This is going to be a multimedia sitespecific work.” While Sawyer isn’t in the production, she created it. The concept and direction is the brainchild of Sawyer and guest artist Darrell Cleveland, a professional dancer, choreographer and instructor with 20 years of experience in ballet, jazz and modern dance.
audience with some “really permeable borders. “We’ll be in the proscenium where there’s a stage and a separate audience, so it will be quite interesting to see how that audience and a performer interact,” she said. Sawyer said the space in the preshow defines who we are, how we think, how we feel and how we perceive our surroundings, our relationship to the space and the space in relationship to us. “I think the aesthetics at Richland College are very important; the lake, the natural scenery and to keep that alive is inherent in the essence of who we are – the students, the
Image courtesy IMDB
International film festival arrives in town
HENRY PHAM Staff Writer
RichlandStudentMedia.com
The Dallas Film Society is hosting the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF), an annual event that honors “filmmakers worldwide and promotes local filmmakers on an international scale,” according to their website. The festival takes place March 30 to April 8 at locations throughout the city. The festival includes film screenings, world premieres, panel discussions, Q&A sessions where fans can meet the filmmakers and actors, galas, awards ceremonies and other special events throughout the week. The Festival kicks off with the annual Art of Film gala, this year honoring Texas native and writer/director, Robert Benton.
The three-time Oscar winner, known for his work on “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967), “Superman” (1978), and “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979), will be interviewed by former Dallas film critic, Gary Cogill. Other highlights include an Animated Film Competition, a seminar on applying for grants from the Austin Film Society and a short film “one-show,” meaning multiple live action and animated short films presented together in one screening. The festival is a must for film-major students and is great fun for the general public interested in the magic of film, independent dramas and new discoveries. For a full schedule of events, screening dates and ticket information, visit http://diff2017.dallasfilm.org/
“John Wick: Chapter 2” — Keanu Reeves returns in this revenge tale in which his character faces an old debt with bullets and violence aplenty. The film also features his co-star in “The Matrix,” Laurence Fishburne, Common, Ian McShane and Ruby Rose who has a unique way of talking to Wick via sign language. B+
Staff Photo Aly Rodrigue
Students practicing for the dance concert.
“‘Serendipity’ is about celebrating the unexpected in your life. Not so much the big hurrah things, but just the simplicity of appreciating the small things that you encounter in taking a moment to absorb that and finding joy from that,” Sawyer said. “This show itself has turned out to be quite surprising with some of the last-minute twists. One of them is that the University of Texas at Dallas dance ensemble will perform.” The concert takes place at 12:30 and 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 31 in Fannin Performance Hall. Dances will include tap, ballet, modern, jazz and hip-hop. Sawyer said she has planned an exciting pre-show at 7:15 p.m. “Audience members who come in through the Fannin Hall east doors will have an introduction before the concert to transition into the idea of serendipity,” Sawyer said. According to Sawyer, the pre-show will be some “live, in-the-moment, very close proximity” encounters between the dancers and the
“Beauty and the Beast” — The 1991 original was the first-ever animated Best Picture Oscar nominee. The new “Beauty and the Beast” follows Emma Watson’s Belle who finds kinship with Dan Steven’s Beast character. The controversy surrounding the supposedly gay characters is nothing but hogwash. B-
“Kong: Skull Island” — The “King Kong” lore finds the giant ape encountering the military in 1960s Vietnam. Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson star in this giant ape tale. Viewers must watch the end of credits that tease future happenings including Mothra, King Ghidorah and giant green-guy himself, Godzilla. B+
faculty,” she said. Sawyer added that she thinks aesthetics make a difference. “So, I’ve taken this area here that was formerly the ticket booth,” she said. “There has been no further treatment of the space in regards to aesthetics. You can see kind of a hole in the wall there that hasn’t been repaired. You see the ceiling here – it’s still in need of being refurbished.” Sawyer said she intends to bring the space to life through dance here in Fannin Hall and give it “some dignity and respect.” “What I’m going to do is to have projectors plugged into this outlet. You will see images projected on the wall,” she said. “The dancer will move through these images, intersect with the images to a Bach and Roshberg, some classical artists.” The concerts are free and open to the public. No reservations are necessary. –Joyce Jackson –
“T2: Trainspotting” — Director Danny Boyle’s follow-up to the 1996 sensation follows the drug users and abusers 20 years later in a new tale of joy and sorrow. Ewan McGregor reprises his role as Renton, a miscreant who stole a lot of money years ago.
B
“The Boss Baby” — I am not sure which audience this one was made for because it is neither a family nor a slapstick comedy. The film is about brothers competing for love and affection. Save your hard-earned dough and catch it at the discount house. –Ricky Miller
C+
March 28, 2017
SPECIAL SECTION 5
6 SPECIAL SECTION
March 28, 2017
Dreamer finds success in U.S. DREW CASTILLO Staff Writer
Richland has students from all over the world. First-year student Gloria Rinconi is originally from Guerrero, Mexico. She came to the United States with her parents when she was just 1 year old. Her family felt that Mexico offered them no future. Rinconi's parents were business owners but with violence threatening the locals and underemployment not getting any better, her parents decided to leave Mexico. Rinconi and her parents first stop in the U.S. was Dallas and later, the small town of Statesville, N.C. Rinconi graduated from high school with a medical assistant certification and was granted residency through President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. From there, it has been, “the sky is the limit.” She has participated in national beauty pageants, finishing as a national achievement finalist and works at Texas Health Presbyterian hospital in Dallas as a medical assistant. She has also been interviewed by media heavyweights, including The New York Times and CNN, that brought her story to light following the U.S. national election and changing political climate that has created an uncertain period for some. Under Obama, DACA program opened the
door to myriad educational opportunities for Rinconi. She was inspired to work in the medical field following her mother’s illness. Her mother was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer when Rinconi was a freshman. Doctors would not treat her because of her legal status. “How can a doctor who swears on the Bible and says ‘doctor do no harm’ turn down terminally-ill people?” Rinconi said. Having lived in small towns like Statesville and for a brief time in Tyler, Texas, she was reluctant of to speak with The New York Times and CNN. She was afraid of the reaction among the people in town. Rinconi said, “The Hispanic population is scared to speak. It's a small town. It's this thing of 'who's your boss and what does your boss believe.' Typically it's Republican and something [a perception] Tyler hasn't gotten rid of." Rinconi credits a DACA scholarship for allowing her to attend Richland and having the benefit of paying Texas-resident rates instead of paying international fees. Rinconi wants to pursue the top prize in beauty pageants. She won’t compete this year, but plans to return to competition in the near future. She adds, “Y’all will have to be on the lookout for that.” Rinconi met numerous of DACA students around Dallas, particularly at El Centro Community College, the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas. She won’t be able to attend her dream school, Bay-
Photo courtesy Paul Knudsen/Richland Marketing
Gloria Rinconi has come a long way from where she started in Guerrero, Mexico.
lor University, because of her DACA status. As such, she won’t be able to receive government grants. After her studies at Richland, Rinconi will attend the University of Texas at Dallas where she received grants that will pay for her tuition. When Obama signed the executive order for DACA, Rinconi worked at a local fast food restaurant. As she and her friends watched him sign the bill, she said she had an enthusiastic feeling that she didn’t expect.
“I thought that that was the world to me right there,” she said. Rinconi credits Obama with the action he took for young immigrants. She also gives tremendous credit to Richland. “Richland has given me a great education,” she said. “I have great professors. They seem like they try to go the extra mile and get to know and teach you. I would say it has given me a positive incentive to go to college.”
Women power: Richland women's wrestling team gets down “I have never been so passionate about a sport until wrestling.”
TOMMY THOMPSON
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Staff Writer
The Richland women’s wrestling team “gets down” all right and not just not on your typical dance floor. These women are “All American” championship wrestlers and their floor of choice is a collegiate wrestling mat. The women’s team finished fourth in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) Tournament held in Allen on March 11. The women of the Richland Thunderduck wrestling team include Alexus Sauceda and Yaritza Arteaga who finished second in their weight class. Placed shoulder-to-shoulder with some of their male counterparts, these women may seem diminutive in size, but pound-forpound they are just as tough. In preparation for their individual weight class matches, you will find them right alongside the men tussling, throwing, and taking down their female sparring partners. Their coach Bill Neal, who was named Southwest Conference Coach of the Year at the NCWA Tournament, does not hold back any expectation for this feisty trio. A full practice is each weekday Monday through Thursday with collegiate matches occurring on the weekends.
– Yaritza Arteaga
Yaritza Arteaga during wrestling training.
Arteaga, a biochemistry major, keeps a full day’s schedule which includes morning classes, wrestling practice from 2 to 4 p.m and continuing on with her class schedule until about 8 p.m. Even with a demanding schedule, she said, “I have never been so passionate about a sport until wrestling.” She encourages others to “try it out,” and that they should “go for it.”
Not all of the ladies challenges are squarely centered on the mat. When considering wrestling, Cortez said that some of her peers would “just laugh at her and say she was too skinny and too small.” This just motivated her to prove them wrong. Cortez enjoys the challenge of wrestling, saying “wrestling really teaches you discipline.” Arteaga said wrestling because of the physicality. During practice she can be seen hoisting her teammates both guys and gals, over her shoulder just as a fireman would lift a person they rescue. Arteaga said states she appreciates that along with the other women she’s treated the same as the guys. Arteaga said she respects learning from her more experienced male teammates as well. Over spring break at their tournament, Arteaga along with Sauceda enjoyed the honor of becoming the women “All-Americans,” Neal said when other challengers find out that his women “throw” a lot (that is to say, flip or
slam their opponent) for big points “they run from us.” Neal said that although the collegiate folkstyle wrestling season is over the team will move on to two different forms of wrestling, freestyle and Greco-Roman. A tournament will be hosted here at Richland June 3 with an expectation of “80 to a 100 wrestlers from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas” participating. For complete report of the teams tournament results over spring break, go to ncwa.net/ results, and the brackets and team scores are available. This month while some women march, others may wrestle.
Staff photos Tommy Thompson
Mireya Cortez smiles despite twisting her ankle during training.
March 28, 2017
SPECIAL SECTION 7
A short history of women's suffrage in the United States Maniging Editor
Women have their own unique struggle for liberty and freedom in the United States. The right to vote is indispensable to participate in a democracy and that right was legalized for women permanently when the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified Aug. 18, 1920. That was less than a hundred years ago, but women’s fight for the right to vote began decades earlier. In 1776, before the United States gained independence from Great Britain, Abigail Adams, the independent-minded wife of John Adams, wrote to him in a letter, “I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion.” In the mid-1800s, as industrialization and immigration led to cities filled with poverty, disease and other social ills, women took the lead in improving their society. According to Michelle Navarro, Ph.D. candidate and history professor at Richland, “That came out of the temperance movement. We, as women, started fighting to stop alcoholism in this country; it was so rampant.”
Protesters at Women March in Austin.
Associated Press
Texas Representative organizes March ZOË GILBERT
Staff Writer Earlier this year, thousands of women and men across the country gathered together to protest the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump. On Jan. 21, people marched through the streets in Dallas, Austin and other Texas cities chanting “This is what democracy looks like!” One of the people behind the Dallas Women’s March was state rep. Victoria Neave. She
represents Texas House District 107 which includes Dallas, Garland, and Mesquite. In a phone interview, Neave said, “We wanted to bring attention to women’s issues,” which include topics like reproductive rights, sexual assault, and women in politics. “In the Legislature we only have 29 women out of 150 state representatives,” said Neave, which could mean a long road ahead for women who want equal representation in the state house. “We need more women to run at all levels,” said Neave. “This could mean school
"The Awakening" by Hy Mayer.
Image courtesy Puck Magazine 1915
husband’s political influence was limited. Frances Perkins would be the first woman in a presidential cabinet in 1933. As Labor Secretary, she helped pass major legislation benefitting working people, including Social Security, minimum wage and overtime laws. Since then, women have become an integral part of the nation’s workforce and education system, despite facing lower wages in many of the same professions as men. Compared to women in developing countries, American women have come a long away
in gaining equal treatment since obtaining the right vote. “There are women in other countries who are not allowed to drive a car, they’re not allowed to leave the house, they’re not allowed to work, not allowed to divorce, don’t have the rights to take their children if they separate,” Navarro said. “I like to think of American women as setting the tone and setting the standard for other countries to look at. They did it so we can do it.” – Aly Rodrigues contributed to this story
board to local city council, all the way to House and Senate.” Also in the interview we discussed the next steps for people who feel passionately about women’s causes and progressive politics. House bill 1729 is the first bill Rep. Neave has laid out, and it’s designed to address the backlog of untested rape kits in Texas. “There are thousands and thousands of untested rape kits across the state,” said Neave. “It is extremely difficult and painful for the victims to undergo a gruesome and detailed investigation after what they have undergone.” The kits that are used to test rape are costly. “Anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per kit plus the laboratory costs, but that depends on how much DNA evidence is found,” said Neave. If Rep. Neave’s bill passes, it will contribute funding for the testing of the evidence on untested rape kits. “Whenever you apply for or renew your driver’s license, state ID, or commercial driver’s license there would a box you check to donate a dollar or any amount that you want.” A state analysis predicts bill 1729 would generate around $1 million annually. The bill already passed the jurisprudence committee last month and is now heading for a full vote in the House of Representatives. What about young citizens with resources? Students who wish to influence the political community without resources? They can make
a difference too. “It’s important for young people to raise their concerns with legislators,” said Neave. “I really listen when young people come and talk to me about what they take issue with.” This means calling and emailing local representatives and senators. One point Neave really emphasized was school funding. “With public universities and community colleges, a lot of the leaders are cutting our funding,” she said. “It’s important for students to stand up and fight back against that.” Neave, having grown up in a working class family in Mesquite, understands the importance of education for all and believes in making it more affordable, not less. She can’t do it alone. “Don’t stay on the sidelines. Vote every year!” said Neave. “Not just for presidential elections, and federal congress, but local elections too.” The Legislative session continues through May 10. Now is the time to be active. For those interested in pursuing a career in government Neave’s office is looking for interns. For more information check out District 107. neave@house.texas.gov. The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming May 6 municipal election is April 6. Information on registering to vote is available at http://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/
RichlandStudentMedia.com
HARRIS SADIQ
The women’s suffrage movement was officially born at the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, N.Y. in 1848. Reformers, teachers and activists came together to organize a national, grassroots party determined to lobby for legislation that would franchise American women. Leaders of the movement, including Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, were bright, educated and dignified women who felt that their country’s problems would not be solved until everyone, including women, had a voice on how to solve the issues of the day, according to the National Women’s History Museum website. During the Progressive Era, thousands of women campaigned across the country protesting, giving speeches and educating the public about the necessity of women’s suffrage. The book “The Woman’s Bible” by Stanton went so far as to challenge religion if it supported patriarchy. After decades of lobbying, including a period during the WWI where women supported the war effort in their roles as nurses and munition factory workers, the 19th Amendment was ratified state-by-state marking a new chapter in American society. Women now had a better opportunity to pursue their own careers in the fields of science, education, and government in years to come. Prominent women like first lady Eleanor Roosevelt would redefine women’s roles by being outspoken on gender issues when their
8 SPECIAL SECTION
March 28, 2017
Inventions by women that everyone should know
JOYCE JACKSON Copy Editor
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Ruth Wakefield People of all ages love chocolate chip cookies, but did you know they were invented by a woman more than 100 years ago? Ruth Wakefield was a dietician and food lecturer. She graduated from the Framington State Normal School in Maine in 1924. She and her husband bought a tourist lodge in Whitman, Mass. and named it the Toll House Inn. In 1930, as Wakefield was making cookies, she found she was out of baker’s chocolate so she substituted Nestle’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate morsels. Much to her surprise, she realized that she had inadvertently invented chocolate chip cookies. Wakefield named her creation Toll House Crunch Cookies and they became so popular that the recipe was published in a Boston newspaper. A merger took place between Wakefield and Andrew Nestle in which the Nestle Company printed the cookie recipe on packages of chocolate chips. In return, Wakefield received a lifetime supply of Nestle chocolate. Since then, thanks to this creative woman, chocolate chip cookies are among the most popular variety of cookies in America. Bette Nesmith Graham As electric typewriters became widespread after World War II, Bette Nesmith Graham
Bette Nesmith Graham
Image Courtersy blogspot.com
and countless other women secretaries were dissatisfied with carbon-film ribbons. They said it was difficult to correct mistakes neatly with a pencil eraser. Graham answered the challenge by inventing the widely used office product, Liquid Paper. Graham was born in 1924 in Dallas. She dropped out of high school at 17 and went to secretarial school. By 1951, she had earned a top position as an executive secretary for W.W. Overton, board chairman of Texas Bank & Trust. Her invention was inspired by watching
painters decorating bank windows. She noticed that when they made mistakes they simply covered them up with another layer of paint. Graham attempted the technique using a white, water-based tempera paint to cover up typing errors. Graham sold her first bottle of Mistake Out in 1956 and began producing and bottling it from her North Dallas home. Her son Michael (a member of the pop music group The Monkees) and his friends helped her fill orders for the new product. The product was re-named Liquid Paper in 1958. Graham applied for a patent and trademark the same year. Graham’s Liquid Paper Company experienced tremendous growth and by 1987 sales were in excess of one million units per year. Graham sold the company to Gillette Corporation shortly before her death in 1980.
Image Courtersy deviantart.net
Marie Van Britton Brown and her husband
Betty Harris In the 1980’s Betty Harris, a chemist in New Mexico worked in in the field of explosives, testing them and finding better ways to identify them in the desert. She invented the sport test, a simple chemical compound that helps identify hidden substances, such as the ones inside explosives. This development has led to much safer conditions in field environments. These inventions may come from fields that could be expected to habited by just men but history is full of all kinds of women who saw problems and were determined to apply the same kind of courageous innovation of the Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison and other geniuses who made America exceptional. Marie Van Britton One is the security camera we often see on a building for surveillance and on streetlights in traffic. That was made successfully developed by Marie Van Britton Brown in 1966. A New Yorker from Queens, her husband was an electronics technician. Working regular jobs in a neighborhood where crime rate was on the rise, Marie saw how long police response time took in a crowded city. Using simple equipment like a camera, monitors, microphone and peepholes, she created the basis for the modern security system. The above information came from http:// atlantablackstar.com/2014/03/07/8-black-femaleinventors-you-may-not-know/ –Harris Sadiq contributed to this story
March 28, 2017
ENTERTAINMENT 9
"Flower Seller 1942" by Mexican muralist Diego Rivera on display during an exhibit of Mexican art at the Dallas Museum of Art that runs through July 16.
Staff Photos Jorge Gomez
Mexican artists featured in exclusive U.S. exhibition at DMA Staff Writer
A new exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) showcases the work of Mexican modernists and lesser-known artists from the region. The exihibit, Mexico 1900-1950: Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Jose Clemente Orozco, opened on March 12 and runs through July 16. The DMA is the only stop in the United States for this exhibit, which debuted last October at the Grand Palais in Paris, France. It features nearly 200 works of art across multiple media including painting, photography and film. Two days after the opening, visitors waited
Khalo's "Self Portrait Very Ugly"
Kahlo's "Itzcuintli Dog with Me"
can artists in the spotlight. “In the art world, there is such a focus on European artists,” said college student Crystal Robago. “Exhibits like this really help to let people know that there are other great artists besides European ones.” Art from Latin America is nothing new to the DMA. Five Latin works are part of the DMA’s permanent collection, one of them being Kahlo’s “Perro Itzcuintli Conmigo” (Itzcuintli Dog with Me.) “The DMA has a rich history of collecting and presenting Mexican art, and this exhibition offers our visitors the opportunity to explore indepth the diverse and vibrant voices that distinguish Mexican Art,” said the DMA’s Eugene McDermott Director and Exhibi-
tion curator, Agustin said Arteaga in a news release. “The exhibition helps broaden our understanding of what modern Mexican art means and diversifies the artistic narratives attributed to the country.” The exhibition also includes the section, “Strong Women” that includes work by Kahlo and other female artists who were equally important in the time period. Acording to the news release, the DMA plans to add additional programming, including gallery talks, lectures, films, and programming for families, children, and teachers. Tickets to the exhibition cost $16, but are free to DMA members. For more information access: https://www. dma.org/art/exhibitions/
" Bath in the River" mural by Diego Rivera on display at the DMA through July 16.
RichlandStudentMedia.com
ALEX CORTEZ
in a line that stretched the length of the museum from the entrance to the exhibit. Rafael Rico, a Dallas resident from Mexico, brought his children to teach them about their heritage. “It’s a way to show them where they are from. They were born here but they have Mexican roots,” said Rico. “It brings a lot of nostalgia to me. I’m from Mexico City, so I’ve known all of this.” For other visitors, it allowed them to learn more about Mexican culture through art. “Fantastic!” said Tony Lewis, a visitor at the exhibition as he marveled at one of Frida Kahlo’s pieces. “It shows us the great beauty of Mexican art and culture.” The exhibition also places Central Ameri-
10 CAMPUS
March 28, 2017
New OSL director enjoys working with students JOYCE JACKSON
STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS
Copy Editor
Erin Lewis is looking forward to implementing new programs in her new job as director of the Office of Student Life (OSL). She has been observing the events on campus and learning about student organizations. Lewis knew she was in the right place at Richland when she interviewed for the job. “When I did my interview, I landed on campus and I was, like wow, this feels like home,” Lewis said. “And I still stand by that; Wonderful campus, great people.” She comes to Richland from San Jacinto College in Houston where she ran the student engagement program. Lewis coordinated student organizations, campus events, the food pantry and the game room. She was also a Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention (SHARP) instructor and led programs in selfdefense. Before working at San Jacinto College, Lewis worked in Student Involvement and the Leadership Center at Boise State University in Idaho. Originally from Fayetteville, Ark., and now living in Richardson, she said she is glad to be in the Dallas area in order to be closer to family. Lewis said she would like to create and implement new programs at Richland that would bring awareness to the OSL and do more fun things with students. “I’d like to try to help them continue to be engaged in their process of being a college students on campus,” she said. “We are looking at beefing up or making some of our current programs more robust. We’re trying to extend those times out so instead of just 12 to 1 p.m., it’s 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” Lewis said. “We’re trying to extend the time periods, add
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Staff Writer
The first two years of college are an important time for students seeking scholarship opportunities to transfer to a four-year university. Along with Phi Theta Kappa, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) at Richland offers students the opportunity to get the essential skills they will need to be successful. NSCS is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies that recognizes and promotes academic high achievers at more than 300 two-year colleges and four-year universities across the country. NSCS has chapters at many Texas schools including Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Rice University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas, University of North Texas and Texas A&M. The Richland NSCS chapter began in the spring of 2015. Membership invitations are sent out every semester to first and
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ON THE COVER Staff photo Harris Sadiq
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STUDENT MEDIA STAFF Tru Armstrong John Berry Drew Castillo Alex Cortez Maria Etetere Zoë Gilbert Jorge Gomez Ashley Martin Thu Nguyen Marisol Orozco
Erin Lewis the director of the Office of Student Life (OSL)
some extra food elements and bring in a level of entertainment, giving students more time to come out to our events.” Lewis has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Master of Education in Higher Education, both from the University of Arkansas. She would like to get her doctorate in education and continue to work on a college campus. “I’ve found where I like to be, and I love working with students so just continuing to get another degree, that’s what I see myself doing,” she said. “We also have a dual credit/ early college students here on campus. I love the vibrancy of being on a campus and helping
Staff photo Maria Etetere
students and helping them get hooked up with the correct resources or finding out who they are. That brings me joy.” Lewis said what really impresses her about the campus is that everyone has been friendly and the campus is gorgeous. “Everyone has made me feel welcome, posted signs or left me little Richland gifts,” she said. As far as the animal life on campus, Lewis is used to ducks and geese. “I had those at Boise State,” Lewis said. “I am not shocked at all. I know what to do. The lake is gorgeous. You can walk out the front door and see ducks.”
Scholarships available through National Society of Collegiate Scholars
THU NGUYEN
CHRONICLE Richland
second-year college students who have at least a 3.4 grade point average (GPA). Qualified students who have not received a membership invitation can nominate themselves at http://www.nscs.org/self-nomination/ A $95 membership fee is also required. This one-time fee grants members access to NSCS resources and services for life. “I told students if it’s not a financial hardship, it’s a good idea to go ahead and join because that one-time membership fee opens the door to all the NSCS scholarships that are available,” said Kathleen Stephens, Richland honors program cordinator and NSCS adviser. The honors organization also provides career and graduate school connections, leadership and service opportunities, and scholarship opportunities for its members. Annually, NSCS offers $1 million in undergraduate scholarships, more than any other honor society. NSCS offers student scholarships of different amounts to be determined by the school the student plans to attend. Members of NSCS must apply for scholarships at two-year and four-year schools. Scholarships do not
automatically transfer as students continue at higher academic institutions. “There are many scholarships available and many Richland students win them, not only for the two-year, but also for the four-year,” said Stephens. NSCS participation does not only focus on academic achievement. Students with community service credits as well as personal and professional development experience are also eligible. According to Stephens, the NSCS chapter at Richland has created many leadership roles and service learning opportunities for students wanting to gain leadership skills through participation. “For students who are looking to add service projects or community involvement to their résumé, NSCS is good for that,” said Stephens. Members of NSCS can still join other honor societies to increase their opportunities for scholarships. It’s all about benefits. For more information about NSCS, visit the organization’s website at http://www.nscs.org/ or contact Stephens.
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STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS Erica Edwards Jack Fletcher Meg Fullwood
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AWARDS
ACP Newspaper Pacemaker Winner, 2016 CMA Two-Year Radio Station of the Year 2015 ACP Best of Show Award 2015 ACP Photo Excellence Award 2015 CMA Newspaper of the Year Finalist, 2014 1st Place – TCCJA Overall General Excellence, 2014 2nd Place – Pinnacle College Media Award, 2014 1st Place – TIPA Sweepstakes, 2005 3rd Place – TIPA Online, 2005 & 2006 ACP Pacemaker Winner, 2000, 2001, 2007 ACP Pacemaker Finalist, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 ACP Online Pacemaker finalist, 2007, 2008 Over 270 Texas college journalism awards since 2000
CONTACT INFORMATION
El Paso Hall, Room E020, 12800 Abrams Rd., Dallas 75243 Newsroom: 972-238-6079; richlandchronicle@gmail.com Advertising: 972-238-6068 Email: Advertise@dcccd.edu Fax: 972-238-6037 Staff meetings: Monday and Wednesday at 2 p.m. in E020 Letter Policy Letters to the editor may be edited for space. They will be edited for spelling, grammar and malicious or libelous statements. Letters must be the work of the writer and must be signed. For identification and verification purposes, letters also must include the writer’s classification (grade level), full name, address and telephone number, although address and telephone number will not be published. Editorial Policy The Chronicle is the official student-produced newspaper of Richland College. Editorials, cartoons, columns and letters are the opinions of individual students and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other individual student writers, editors, advisers or the college administration. © Richland Chronicle 2017
SPORTS 11
March 28, 2017
T-Ducks falter, coach wins Throughout this season, we’ve been following the return of Richland’s award-winning wrestling program. While on spring break, the T-Ducks and 200 other colleges participated in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) National Tournament in Allen. Maripo Gasarabaga, Yaritza Arteaga and Alexus Sauceda left the tournament as AllAmericans. Richland finished fourth in in the Division II women’s and eighth in the men’s team brackets. Bill Neal was named Southwest Conference Coach of the Year. From a college that dominated the wrestling world in the ‘70s and ‘80s, it’s great to see Richland back on the map. Congratulations
Upcoming Events All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.
Today 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. i
7:30 to 9 p.m. i
Movie: “Jason Bourne”
Fannin Performance Hall Room F102
Crockett Hall, Room C110
April 5
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. i
Richland guitar ensemble
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. i
Fannin Performance Hall Room F102
Unlimited popcorn
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Spring Job Fair – For students/public
12:20 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. i
April 6
More than 50 employers/ hosted by the Career Center 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. i
Friday 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. i
T-Duck Maripo Gasarabaga, right, wrestles Justus Griffith of Central Florida.
to the entire team for an outstanding season. Even though the guys fell short in several matches, they gained a ton of experience and are already preparing for the next season. The other big story is March Madness. This year’s NCAA basketball tournament, like in the years past, have produced major upsets before the Sweet Sixteen. In the men’s tournament, defending national champion Villanova is already out, losing to eighth seed Wisconsin, 65-62. The Pony Express that won the American Conference regular season and tournament titles got their ride cut short, AGAIN!! Sixth seed SMU lost to eleventh seed Southern California, 66-65. Even the two seed Duke Blue Devils got upset by seventh seed South Carolina, 88-81. Second seed Louisville...OUT! They lost to seventh seed Michigan, 73-69. Third seed Florida State...OUT! Eleventh seed Xavier literally speared the Seminoles, 91-66. The NIT had its upsets as well. All four of the top-seeded teams are out. Normally you hear about the powerful TCU football team. Well now you
two seed Duke women’s squad was upset by Oregon, 74-65. Stay with the Chronicle to find out what’s happening throughout both b-ball tournaments. It’s shocking to say that both the Mavericks and Stars have a shot at a playoff spot, though it won’t be easy. Major League Soccer is already under way as FC Dallas is looking to retaliate from a previous disappointing season. And spring training is still going for the Texas Rangers. They’ll open up the season in Arlington on April 3 against the defending AL champion Cleveland Indians. The Richland men’s basketball team has picked up some honors as Chris Murphy made first team all conference. Murphy also picked up an honor as one of two Most Improved Players. Wesley Franklin made second team and David Beck made third. Curk Harris and Greg Schexnayder were honorable mentioned. Although North Lake received a few top honors in the M.A.C. and Region V, the best team (Richland) did not win. No question!! -Tru Armstrong
Unlimited popcorn 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. i
Lawn outside El Paso Hall
Fannin Performance Hall, Room F102
Noon to 1 p.m. Richland fusion band and jazz improv ensemble
i
Cafeteria stage, El Paso Hall
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Richland wind symphony and chamber ensembles
7:30 to 9 p.m. i
Fannin Performance Hall Room F102
Open mic – sharing poetry, short stories/plays Fannin Performance Hall Room F102
Spring Richland Evening Jazz Ensemble Concert: “Straight Ahead” Fannin Performance Hall Room F102
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. i
Richland Wellness Games
Spring dance concert: “Serendipity”
April 4 i
Movie: Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” Sabine Hall R117
Movie: “Hidden Figures” Crockett Hall, Room C110
Photo courtesy Sam Janicki
Literaly Arts Festival Library
El Paso Hall
i
Movie: Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” Sabine Hall. R117
Wednesday
i
Spring Symphonic Instrumental Concert 1: “Reflections of Night”
April 7 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. i
Richland Wellness Games Lawn outside El Paso Hall
The next issue of the Chronicle: April 11
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Tru Grit
can add in their basketball squad making it to the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) after upsetting top seed Iowa and blowing out sixth seed Richmond. Fort Worth is home to Texas Wesleyan University and its Rams, whom by the way won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I men’s basketball national championship in Kansas City defeating Life University from Marietta, Gs. by the score of 86-76. This is the school’s second-ever national title. Fifteen miles east of Fort Worth, the UT-Arlington Maverick’s Cinderella season came to an end, losing to Cal State Bakersfield, 80-76. On to the women’s bracket, all of the favorites are still in including the top seeds Connecticut, Baylor, Notre Dame and South Carolina. The people in Durham, N.C. are stunned because just like the men’s team, the
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March 28, 2017
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