Eastfield Et Cetera October 5, 2022

Student success rates could determine future funding

By MOIRA MCINTEE Managing Editor @TheEtCetera

The Texas Commission on Community Col lege Finance released a near-final draft of rec ommendations on Sept. 3 that could alter the state funding allocations to Texas’ 50 locally governed community colleges. The proposals would establish an outcomes-based formula centered on student completions and trans fers to determine an individual school’s fund ing versus the current income-based allocation model.

In 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature approved the use of success points for determining a percentage of state funding that is allocated to community colleges.

These points were accrued based on student milestones, such as specific course comple tions, semester credit hour completions, earned degrees or certificates and senior-institution transfers.

The new funding proposals would expand on these previously established outcomesbased models and secure higher quantities of state funding for community colleges that show greater student success.

“When the legislature moved to put in stu dent success points and move 10% of com

munity college funding to an outcomes-based model, we as an institution went even further than that,” Dallas College Chancellor Justin Lonon said. “We actually put more incentive than what the state did, focusing on outcomes. So we’ve been going down this road and path for a while.”

Dallas College’s current three-year average graduation rate is at 17%. In 2021, 34% of stu dents transferred to four-year universities, and 73% of attempted courses were completed.

“I think we’ve got room for improvement, quite frankly,” Lonon said. “I think we all rec ognize that students come to us for multitude of reasons. And state policy has not always aligned or recognized what student success can mean to the individual.”

Funding for Texas community colleges cur rently comes from three pillars: property taxes, tuition and fees, and money distributed by the state. The state’s system for community college support has not kept up with demand, how ever, and now accounts for less than 25% of the funding.

The commission’s proposal focuses on the third pillar. Instead of state distribution based on enrollment figures, which could unfairly disadvantage smaller rural schools, allocations would be dependent on the student body’s overall success.

“What it also does is allows institutions to compete with ourselves,” Lonon said. “How are we doing in terms of outcomes versus institu tions having to compete against each other for a defined part of an enrollment-driven formula.”

Currently, 35 states tie some amount of pub lic college funding to metrics based on gradua tion rates or degree production.

Despite strong support from institutional leaders, not all members of the community col lege community are as confident in this out comes-based formula.

A 2017 study conducted by Amy Li, an as sistant professor of higher education at the University of Northern Colorado, and Alec Kennedy, a doctoral student at the University of Washington, that was published by Commu nity College Review found mixed results.

“We find that, on average, performance funding produces no significant changes in completions of any of the three credentials,” it reads. “Policy types characterized by a greater proportion of funding tied to the base budget, mission differentiation in performance metrics, inclusion of underrepresented student metrics, and longer periods of operating years produce an increase in short-term certificates, no signif icant change in medium-term certificates, and a decrease in associate’s degrees.”

The Texas Community College Teachers As

sociation has served on the advisory commit tee to support the commission while they build their draft recommendations and represents faculty perspectives.

“It’s important that we not create a fund ing structure that makes it difficult to main tain the integrity of our programs,” TCCTA executive director Richard Moore said. “If you’re not careful about how you put together an outcome-based funding model, it could get problematic. If a student isn’t successful in a program and you give you give them a failing grade, for instance, there can be a lot of pres sure to not allow that. So, we want to make sure that that doesn’t happen.”

A consensus from all affected groups shows a desire to restructure state funding for Texas’ community colleges.

The commission will hold its final meeting Oct. 18, when members will vote on a final re port and submit it to the Texas Legislature no later than Nov. 1. State lawmakers will then re view the commission’s recommendations dur ing the 2023 legislative session .

“We’ve got amazing faculty and staff that care deeply about the success of our students,” Lonon said. “I think with some of these insti tutional shifts and changes we’ve made, along with the direction the state’s going, positions us well.”

College enrollment goal curbed amid nationwide decline

By CARMEN GUZMAN Editor in Chief @TheEtCetera

Despite more students return ing to Eastfield, enrollment declined 6.7% from fall of last year.

Fall 2021’s headcount stood at 69,982 students, which decreased to 65,716 students in Fall 2022. Accord ing to a 2022 study by National Stu dent Clearinghouse Research Cen ter, colleges saw a combined drop of 5% in attendance for the 2022-2023 school year.

The decline underscores the im portance of the collaborative effort by marketing, student success and the enrollment office to boost student attendance.

“Our teams have worked dili gently,” said Marisa Pierce, associate vice chancellor of enrollment man agement. “We’re giving 100% of our efforts to make sure that students are aware of the opportunities they have to come to college.”

Pierce oversees an ongoing aware ness campaign, characterized by in creased public advertising for Dallas College and the Student Care Net work.

The enrollment office set a goal

for a 3% increase from Fall 2021, but they only reached 92% of that goal.

“We have to remember that we’re suffering a nationwide decline in enrollment,” said Pierce. “We also have to be mindful of the fact that it’s going to take time for everybody, ourselves included, to grow out of de

clining numbers.”

Fall 2020 saw an overall enroll ment of 75,166 students, influenced by the switch to online learning dur ing the COVID-19 pandemic. Ac cording to the enrollment office, inperson classes have overtaken online classes as the preferred form of learn

ing in Fall 2022.

“It’s also important to recognize that even though our numbers are in decline, it’s not for a lack of work that’s gone into serving students,” Pierce said.

Dallas College is cutting down transportation and economic bar riers to mend potential limitations from higher learning.

The upcoming Student Services building and reworked food pantry are among provisions from Dallas College to attract students to East field.

“When we think of [students] sticking in school, it shouldn’t be a matter of having food on the table,” said Carlos Cruz, associate vice chancellor of wellbeing and student support. “These are challenges faced among our student population.”

According to the office of student success, one of the current goals for maintaining enrollment numbers is through student retention, especially through care programs.

“We know we can make strong connections in person,” Cruz said. “We are intentional with having programs that are diverse enough to meet student needs, in person and on campus.”

The enrollment office and office of student success search for gaps in student wellbeing. Part of the cam paign assists the administrative effort to expand student aid programs.

“I think with each gradual move ment forward that we’re doing as a college, the more we are going to res onate with our community,” Pierce said.

Dallas College has a team of re cruiters who contact high schools and businesses as a method of re cruiting new students.

Staying in touch with continu ing students is another key factor in maintaining numbers. Dean of Admissions Patty Young facilitates the marketing campaign to keep stu dents in touch with the college’s de velopments.

“Our robust marketing campaign reaches out to students on a daily ba sis, letting them know about the ser vices we offer,” Young said.

Enrollment is expected to decline according to the Clearinghouse rate, but the enrollment office will try to maintain the majority held by physi cal classes.

“[92%] is a testament to the loy alty and passion behind our work,” Pierce said.

Title V Grant

Funding

El Centro

$2.99 million awarded 1,575 students

Eastfield

$2.97 million awarded 754 students North Lake

$2.97 million awarded 630 students Services

to students:

internships

Title V grant helps students break barriers

By MOIRA MCINTEE Managing Editor @TheEtCetera

Yessica Hernandez always dreamed of being an engineer, but growing up in a traditional Hispanic community prevented her from pursuing her passion. She ignored her engineering aspirations and instead focused on a degree in sociology.

“You got kind of a vibe that wom en are not supposed to do this. Wom en are supposed to be stay-at-home moms,” she said. “It kind of made me feel like I should just find a husband that’s an engineer.”

Now, Hernandez is getting a sec ond chance at her dream. She attends Dallas College as a computer science major with the help of Title V, a com petitive, five-year federal grant pro gram that helps expand educational opportunities for Hispanic and Pell grant eligible students.

“I realized I don’t need a man, or anyone, to tell me that I can be a good engineer,” she said. “That’s when I started my journey back at commu nity college. And it sounds corny, but it’s the best decision I ever made.”

Hernandez started working as an unpaid intern for the International Coaching Federation five weeks pri or to receiving the award, but when her director reached out to Dallas College, she was connected with Title V grant coordinators.

She is now a paid intern for ICF, developing her skills as a web de signer and receiving $15 per hour provided by the grant.

of providing faculty with culturally responsive professional develop ment.

Guided referrals

“I created six different web pages for ICF,” Hernandez said. “I pretty much did the whole process. I did a prototype, or the wireframe, as they call it. Then I presented it to the di rector, and after she gave me the OK, I started building the website.”

The grant coordinators guide the qualifying Title V students to the services they need to be successful in their programs, helping determine the resources that are available such as housing assistance, transportation, food security and daycare.

“We’re like the hand holders, espe cially for first-time college students,” Title V Director Juana Leonard said. “We are actually kind of implement ing the program as we go along be cause no one gave a manual and said this is how we do this.”

Multiple teams focus on different objectives within the Title V grant timeline. Grant programs coordina tor Nancy Soto has the responsibility

“I have to provide either webinars or professional development, where we can attract our faculty to attend so they can tie in their lessons with something that has the background of the student,” Soto said. “That way the student feels like, ‘this instructor gets me,’ and they want to continue being in the class. The main reason is for them to complete their program.”

After graduating from University of North Texas Dallas in 2017, Her nandez advised dual-credit students who were taking college and high school courses and helped them nav igate the college environment.

“From there, I transitioned into teaching. And that was my breaking point, to be honest,” Hernandez said. “That’s when I realized it is not what I expected, not really what I was hop ing for. I just wasn’t happy.”

Choosing to leave her teaching job was difficult. She felt guilty for leav ing her students without a teacher and spent weeks crying over her de cision.

“Big respect to the teachers that stay there and make it their longterm career, but I just didn’t want that for me anymore,” she said. “I wanted to give the space to somebody that wants to be there.”

Pursuing her second degree has not come easy to Hernandez because of a lack of financial aid and paid-in ternship opportunities, but with the grant’s help she can now focus her trajectory.

As a first-generation college stu dent, the vision of her parents watch ing her walk the stage to receive her diploma was the motivation Her nandez needed to graduate with her first degree. But after her father lost his sight at age 40 from glaucoma, the inspiration for her second degree shifted.

“I remember just praying, like, ‘Can you just extend it for one more year so he can see me [graduate]? And then after that you can feel free to take it.’ But that wasn’t the case,” Hernandez said. “It just wasn’t the same because I could see the sadness in his face that he couldn’t see me walk the stage.”

Watching her father transition to total blindness forced her to realize how difficult it can be for people with disabilities to navigate life, specifi cally in the technological realm. She has set her sights on the front-end design aspect of computer engineer ing, hoping to alleviate some of these obstacles one day.

“I want to make something spe cifically for users who are less repre sented in the tech world,” she said. “I want to make it accessible, especially with phones.”

The Title V grant provides an opportunity for Hernandez to gain hands-on learning in the develop ment of software that focuses on user experience.

She wants her work to be seen by as many people as possible in the fu ture and is excited to one day help people like her father connect with their loved ones.

“I’m watching him go through life not being able to see like he could before. It’s like learning to live all over again,” she said. “I don’t tell him enough, but he really does inspire me.”

RORY MOORE/THE ET CETERA Yessica Hernandez is an intern majoring in computer science and is a Title V grant recipient.

Young voters scramble to register for midterms

By CARMEN GUZMAN Editor-in-Chief @TheEtCetera

Following his 18th birthday, applied sciences major Seth Fraser is excited to vote for the first time.

“Now it is my turn to vote since I’m old enough,” he said.

Young voters are swept up in bids for Texas governor, attorney general and lieutenant gov ernor. Several campaigns face the uncertainty of single-point leads, driving candidates to rake up enough followers to move the needle.

This involves attracting Texas’ 2.8 million 18- to 24-year-olds.

“I’m definitely not Republican,” Fraser said. “I’m going for Beto [O’Rourke].”

O’Rourke has embarked on a campaign tour to visit several colleges, including El Centro on Oct. 3. Similarly, Texas Republicans have ramped up efforts to recruit young voters. In cumbent Republicans such as Rep. Dan Cren shaw have spoken at youth summits.

“I think the governor election is far more interesting than presidential ones,” Fraser said.

Young voters were galvanized by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, leaving states to adjust their re spective rights to abortion access – which Texas recently criminalized with few exceptions.

The decision has become a fundamental talking point in left-leaning campaigns. Ac cording to a 2022 Gallup poll, 70% of 18- to

29-year-olds support abortion access.

“There’s a lot of polarization. I want to vote to help issues and bring everyone together for this election,” Fraser said.

Vote.org plans to spend $10 million in cam paigns to encourage voter participation. Since the 2020 presidential election, the organization registered over 381,000 voters.

Organizations such as the League of Women Voters, which focuses on educating new vot ers, have an increased presence around college campuses.

Meet your governor candidates

Name: Greg Abbott (Incumbent) Party: Republican

Platform: Abbott is a conservative leader who says he fights for Texas values. His campaign focuses on creating jobs, supporting education and securing the Texas border. He also advocates strongly for the protection of second amendment rights, as well as anti-abortion legislation. Under Abbott, Texas banned abortions after about six weeks.

Website: gregabbott.com

--Compiled by Moira McIntee

Name: Delilah Barrios Party: Green

Platform: Medicare for everyone is at the top of her priorities, along with inclusive legislation for members of the LGBTQ+ community, Second Amendment rights, and advocating for higher wages. She supports universal basic income that guarantees all citizens have enough money to survive regardless of their ability to work. She also intends to focus on regulating pollution and fracking, along with the intention to use the money from the oil and gas corruption to fund public transit and safety.

Website: delilahfortexas.com

--Compiled by Sophia Hernandez

“I am delighted to see that young people are focused on current issues,” Tasian said. “I hope that they will use voting guides to help deter mine which candidates reflect their values.”

Information campaigns to educate new vot ers about their voting rights and methods have become prominent as early voting approaches.

“A lot of important information about the structure of Texas government isn’t available for young people,” Fraser said. “You have to do more research, but it’s hard to find it.”

Along with voting guides, organizations are actively informing voters about their options.

Students commented on lacking voter knowledge, but interest remains strong as hotbutton issues strike closer to home.

“I’m 23, never voted before, but I would like to,” neuroscience major Sammy Martinez said.

Older generation voters remain a prominent demographic, but young voter turnout and reg istration have steadily increased since 2020.

“More people are interested in current issues than they were two or even four years ago,” said Diane Tasian, president of the League of Wom en Voters in Dallas.

During Eastfield’s Student Resources Fair on Sept. 6, organizers reported seeing more inter ested students line up at a registration booth hosted by the organization.

According to the organization, although midterms and local elections have significantly lower records of young voter turnout, recent politics suggest a change in the trend.

“Older voters are at an advantage because they’re helped by their knowledge,” Fraser said. “It doesn’t help those who contradict Texas’ current politics.”

Left-leaning voters such as Fraser are hop ing that midterms weaken Texas’ Republican stronghold.

With the last day to register on Oct. 11, Tex as Democrats and Republicans are holding out for waves of young voters.

“People should turn up,” Fraser said. “There are a lot of eligible people who don’t vote.”

REGISTER TO VOTE A QUICK GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

Name: Beto O’Rourke

Party: Democratic

Platform: O’Rourke advocates for the disabled, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, immigrants and veterans. He is a strong supporter of legalizing marijuana in Texas to avoid overcrowding prisons and promises to use taxpayers’ money elsewhere. Another priority is to enforce stricter gun laws and regulations. He is a proponent of creating better public schools and affordable health care for Texans.

Website: betoorourke.com

-- Compiled by Paola Martinez

Name: Mark Tippetts

Party: Libertarian

Platform: Tippetts focuses on prioritizing the issues of school choice, immigration, cutting taxes and spending in Texas. Tippets’ website states that public education is not ideal and that parents should have a say in the schools their children are enrolled in, whether that be public or private. Tippets advocates for a stronger immigration policy as he believes that many immigrants work jobs Americans are unwilling to take.

Website: www.mark4gov.com

--Compiled by Paola Martinez

Read candidate bios for other races at eastfieldnews.com

Texas voters must be: -At least 18 years old -U.S. citizens -Residents of the state they’re voting in

VOTING LOCATIONS:

Eastfield: C building lobby

Brookhaven: Room H-125

Cedar Valley: Room M-105

El Centro: ELB student center

Mountain View: E building, east foyer

North Lake: Room F-105

Richland: LeCroy building, rooms 12 and 19.

Oct. 11 – Last day to register Oct. 22 – Early voting begins Oct. 28 – Last day to apply for a mail-in ballot

Nov. 4 – Early voting ends Nov. 8 – Election Day

Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Register to vote at vote.org/register-to-vote

RORY MOORE/THE ET CETERA

Beto O’Rourke speaks at El Centro on Oct. 3. Read more at eastfieldnews.com.

Life &Arts

Tie-Diversity brings students closer to their culture, each other

By MOIRA MCLNTEE Managing Editor @TheEtCetera

Eastfield’s Multicultural Affairs Department hosted a Tie-Diversity event for students to express them selves on campus with an artistic outlet. Students were able to create a tie-dye T-shirt to represent their in dividuality.

Tables were outfitted with a vari ety of colored dyes, tutorials for de signs and a chart listing the different color identities. Individual culture, class, gender, race and other personal characteristics were given a corre sponding color to be represented on each student’s shirt.

“You can tie-dye a T-shirt based on your identity. Whatever identity is the most salient for you,” Multicul tural Affairs Coordinator Nia Jack son said.

“What we do as Multicultural Af fairs is make sure that everybody is celebrated, uplifted and they feel comfortable here on campus.”

Situated in the lower courtyard outside of the C building, the event on Sept. 8 drew in many onlookers.

“I was in The Hive and I just walked out the door and happened to see them setting up,” psychology major Jakobe Anthony said.

“I’m glad I ran into it, and I’ll defi nitely be looking out for it if it ever happens again.”

Many students used the event to connect more with their friends, the diversity aspect sparking new conversation and learning between them.

Associate of Arts major Jared Tay lor chose to use specific colors that represented his heritage, teaching his surrounding friends something new about his identity.

“I’m Jamaican but not a lot of peo ple know that because I don’t have an accent,” Taylor said. “I grew up with a little of the cultural background at home, but at some point I want to go back to visit and see more of [Ja maica].”

Taylor’s friends were surprised to learn this about him and credited the event for helping them find out more about their friend.

Inviting her classmates to come along, arts major Jamie Torres said the event caught her attention for

multiple reasons.

“I decided to come take a look be cause I was interested in doing new stuff on campus,” she said. “I felt like I could relate to this activity and how it was about creativity but also culture.”

Torres said that the different cul tures students relate to should be proudly represented around cam pus,- and she made sure to use rose-red on her shirt to display that.

Celebrating the cultures of Eastfield helped some students connect with

each other and feel closer to home when they might be miles, or coun tries, away.

Torres said the distance some times makes her feel divided from those around her, but because of the Tie-Diversity event, she felt closer to those sharing a similar experience.

“It’s kind of hard to be away from the country that you’re used to,” Tor res said. “But I think every single per son can relate to how that feels and help each other with those feelings.”

Lawson Collins holds a shirt he tie-dyed.

Iya Katib and Jamie Torres tie-dye shirts during Tie-Diversity.

PHOTOS BY RORY MOORE/THE ET CETERA

Students and faculty gather in the courtyard outside the C building for Tie-Diversity on Sept. 8.

Exploring obscure retro Latin horror

With Hispanic Heritage Month in full swing and Halloween just around the corner, it’s a good time to explore how different Latin countries have contributed to the horror genre. Latin is referring to countries where one of two Latin languages are spoken, Spanish or Portuguese. Each film listed has something different to offer for a variety of horror tastes. If you’re interested in broadening your horror library this Halloween, hopefully these rare, obscure and underrated films will satisfy.

Director: José Mojica Marins

Country: Brazil

Year: 1964

This is the first Brazilian horror film and the beginning of the Coffin joe trilogy. Coffin Joe is a horror icon in Brazil akin to Freddy Krueger in the U.S. Of all the media featuring the character, his debut film is one of my favorites as it tells the most concise story. We follow Joe, or Zé, a thoroughly detestable small-town un dertaker who enjoys terrorizing the superstitious locals. He eats meat during Lent, desecrates shrines and brutalizes anyone who crosses him. Zé is seeking an heir from an ideal woman and will do anything to have it. His striking wardrobe, bizarre motives and a flawless performance from the director himself make him a memo rable villain. Marins also did an outstanding job creating an ominous atmosphere with superb imagery throughout. The movie is public domain so it can be easily accessed online. Be warned, it’s a very violent movie, especially for the ‘60s.

Director: Luis Ospina

Country: Columbia

Year: 1982

When his father is diagnosed with a rare blood disease, Adolfo, a sugar magnate, turns to blackmailing three killers into securing the blood he needs. Taking place in Cali, Colombia, the film’s events loosely resemble the crimes of an unidentified serial killer known as “The Monster of Magnones,” who preyed on young boys. Like “El Negro Vampiro,” the film resembles real crimes but creates its own separate narrative. Adolfo is presented as a nervous, desperate and shady man who inherited an empire from his ill father. He fears losing his father’s guidance and resorts to unscrupulous activities to keep him alive. As the film continues and his grip on the family business loosens, he resorts to further shady dealings out of self-preservation. This bleak tragedy is populated by interesting characters, like our trio of killers consisting of Ever, Perfecto and Florencia, who each bring something different to the film. We’re given a one-sided story - there are no heroes, but there’s depth and conflict to our villains that creates an entertaining horror feature.

El vampiro negro (The Black Vampire)

Director: Román Viñoly Barreto

Country: Argentina

Year: 1953

“The Black Vampire” is a loose remake of Fritz Lang’s 1931 classic “M.” Both films are centered around a serial killer who targets young girls and how his crimes impact the community This version departs from the 1931 version with a more character-driven narrative as opposed to the police procedural story featured in “M.” This shift allows the film to explore its characters and the effects of the killer’s actions in more depth. A good example is Rita, a cabaret singer and single mother, who spots the killer disposing of a body. Argentine actress Olga Zubarry turns out a stunning performance as we follow her moral dilemma: torn between going to the police and putting her employment in jeopardy or staying silent and supporting her daughter. We also see great performances from the rest of the cast, including Nathán Pinzón, whose performance as the lead villain rivals Peter Lorre’s in the original. The whole narrative is tied together by wonderfully expressive cinematography, using clever lighting tricks, tight closeups and heavy shadows to create a brooding atmosphere and sense of danger. If you’re looking for a character-driven noir horror thriller this Halloween, then this one’s for you.

¿Quién puede matar a un niño? (Who Can Kill a Child?)

Director: Narciso Ibáñez Serrador

Country: Spain

Year: 1976

Out of all the films listed here, I found this one to be the most disturbing. “Who Can Kill a Child?” follows a British couple vacationing in Spain who arrive on an island overtaken by violent children. Our lead characters, who are parents, must confront their reservations about defending themselves. While similar to other killer-kid films such as “Children of the Corn,” this one approaches the trope in a unique way. It puts the morality of hurting the evil children front and center, and the way it delivers on its premises is even more shocking. The island’s setting of white stucco homes and empty streets cement the atmospheric dread, aided of course by its skulking cinematography. Based on the novel “El Juego de los Ninos (The Children’s Game)” by Juan José Plans and adapted by Spanish director Nar ciso Ibáñez Serrador, this hidden gem is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Cronos

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Country: Mexico

Year: 1993

An alchemist leaves behind a golden device, known as the Cronos, which grants its wearer eternal life at a deadly price. This was one of Del Toro’s first feature films, and though not my favorite of his, it’s still a standout film. Most will recognize the obvious theme of addiction present in the Cronos. We follow an elderly antiques dealer named Jesús who starts out as an empathetic character caring for his granddaughter. As the film progresses, his reliance on the Cronos becomes debilitating as the device gives him youth and vigor but causes him to develop a craving for blood. His addiction also puts him into conflict with those seeking out the power of the Cronos. The most disturbing aspect of the film is witnessing our main character lose his humanity and how it affects those around him. The story is carried by an excellent cast that turns out great performances, along with great creature designs, set dressing and excellent filmmaking. Del Toro’s direction in this film is masterful and hinted at what was to come from this critically acclaimed director You can find this movie on YouTube, Amazon Prime and many other streaming services.

Best modern muscle cars to get before they’re extinct

By BLAKE DICKERSON Contributor @TheEtCetera

The fall of muscle cars is near. As companies transition into the future of automobiles, new electric cars are becoming the hot commodity among manufacturers. As muscle cars come to an end in production, I compiled a list of some affordable, and some not-so-affordable, modern muscle cars that will soon become collector’s items.

Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

Starting MSRP: $64,950

Engine: 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V-8

Everyone knew this car was go ing to be on this list. A car that has reigned supreme on the drag strip for the past five years, the Hellcat comes with a 2.7-liter supercharger strapped to a big 6.2-liter Hemi V-8 and is by far the best stock engine setup in modern muscle.

While 717-horsepower coming from the factory may seem like a lot,

the body on the Challenger is 4,439 pounds heavier than its competition. The tires, when taking off, occasion ally spin and burn fairly easily. The suggested tires for this vehicle are around $600 a piece and can wear out in a few months of daily driving.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Starting MSRP: $63,000

Engine: 6.2-liter LT4 supercharged V-8

This is a classic that has been around since the Chevrolet brand has been alive. The best handling among any modernized muscle cars, the ZL1 is the king of the racetrack. For peak performance, it’s common for driv ers to prefer automatic transmissions for a smooth transition between gear shifts. This car ships from the factory at 650 horsepower and weighs 3,900

pounds, which is a good combina tion for performance.

However, how does this car attract the average consumer? It has limited visibility, limited trunk space and ba sically no backseat.

With a sportier C8 Corvette start ing at around the same MSRP, it’s hard for the Chevrolet brand to at tract buyers.

Ford Mustang GT

Starting MSRP: $37,000 Engine: 5.0-liter V-8

A more affordable option in this class of muscle cars, the Mustang GT is a great car for people just getting into the car community. The exhaust on these cars sounds the best com pared with the other cars on this list.

Unlike other competitors around this price range, you can turn this stock 450-horsepower vehicle into an 800-horsepower vehicle with a Whipple supercharger and a few modifications.

The Ford brand is coming out with some classic cars as well as some new options in the Mustang lineup

within the next year. However, this vehicle has also been tested as one of the worst vehicles for accident safety.

Dodge Charger Widebody

Starting MSRP: $52,600 Engine: 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 Dodge is yet again on this list, but with a sedan. You heard that correctly, a sedan muscle car. This big-body, four-door vehicle comes with the biggest engine the brand has made yet. The big 6.4-Liter natu rally aspirated engine comes stock at 485-horsepower and is the best naturally aspirated motor currently available.

Although they may seem big and fast from the factory, these are by far the worst vehicles to modify the en gine. There are videos online of con sumers putting in superchargers and investing $5,000 into the motor only for it to explode while driving.

It may not be the best race car, but it is a fantastic daily vehicle for pick ing up the kids and going on drives — but it also has the power to have a little fun too.

BMW M5

Starting MSRP: $107,900

Engine: 4.4-Liter V-8

With all the sophistication that comes in a luxury brand built into a car that pulls 617-horsepower on the crank, the M5 is the best racer for the street. It has the best interior of any car on this list by far. With the luxury feel and technology, you would think it would cost you $500,000. A big key for racers is consistency and while the M5 starts at a hefty $108,000, it is by far the most consistent vehicle in its class. However, these cars tend to become almost useless when they reach 70,000 miles on the odometer. While putting that luxury MSRP on this car comes with luxury main tenance, your standard upkeep on this vehicle will be more expensive than any other performance car.

APRIL

Actress’s memoir balances childhood trauma with dark humor

By PAOLA MARTINEZ Contributor @TheEtCetera

A famous life is what many aspire to have. Yet we aren’t always aware of its consequences. Even the happiest of celebrities can hide a lifetime of regret and shame.

Hollywood life is full of stress. If the life of a star is stressful, it is un imaginable the kind of stress that a child star must be under.

Growing up, one of my favorite kids’ channels was Nickelodeon. My favorite show was iCarly.

The reason why it was my favorite was because of Sam Puckett, a char acter played by Jennette McCurdy, who loved eating fried chicken and would beat people up with a sock full of butter.

As a tween, I thought she was hi larious. She was the comedy relief for the show and I, like other young girls, looked up to her.

That is why her newly released memoir garnered so much attention.

McCurdy released her memoir on Aug. 9, detailing her struggles as a child actor that followed her into adulthood and how she is now re claiming her life.

She is open and vulnerable by disclosing her troubling relationship with her mother. Her mother always wanted to be an actress and she im posed this same dream on McCurdy,

who only wanted to make her mom happy. At 6 years old she became an actress to help her family financially.

In her memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” McCurdy uses satirical humor to retell her story about how being a child actor led her to be rid den with anxiety and self-loathing.

This book discusses heavy and dark concepts not suited for every one. Some of these issues include eat ing disorders, alcoholism and abuse. For example, McCurdy recounts in detail her multiple bulimic episodes and how she would force herself to throw up.

There were times in the book when I had to put it down because of how uncomfortable some of the things she talked about made me feel. McCurdy states that her mother would not let her shower by herself even though she was 16 years old and would perform “checkups” all along her private areas. McCurdy also claims that she had to take pictures while wearing a bikini for a Nickel odeon “creator” and was offered al cohol by him even though she was underage.

With such heavy topics of discus sion, McCurdy uses sarcasm to make things less bleak, which is a repre sentation of how she is now finding new ways to cope with the abuse she endured.

At the beginning of her mem oir, McCurdy tells how her mother

would reminisce about the time when she had cancer and how young McCurdy was being a “stinker.”

“She goes on to say how she can’t believe I wouldn’t stop singing ‘Jingle Bells’ at the top of my lungs when the mood was clearly so sad,” she wrote. “She can’t believe how I didn’t get that. How could I possibly be so up beat when my surroundings were so obviously heavy? I was 2 .”

“I’m Glad My Mom Died” high lights the dark side of what it is like to be a child actor and the effects that fame can have on a person’s mental and physical well-being. McCurdy’s memoir is important because it shows that Hollywood has not changed. The life of a child actor can be overwhelming and stressful, and producers and managers can take ad vantage of their young actors.

How to start a club or organization at Dallas College

Her story is especially significant in an age where social media has al lowed kids and teenagers to garner fame quickly. The repercussions of this can be more severe since the internet is not regulated in the same way that Hollywood is.

Today’s young online creators can be harmed in the same way that Mc Curdy was harmed by an unwanted life of fame.

Organizations at Eastfield

The Anime Club Prism Club

Theta Kappa Science Club Student Veterans Communications Club LULAC Student Government

New clubs formed this

Band Mates YouTube Streaming Club

MICHAEL RAY/THE ET CETERA

Et Cetera

The

Etera

OUR VIEW

Funding proposal could hurt grading integrity

Texas legislators put their heart in the right place when they looked to public education leaders for advice on a new system for funding com munity colleges. But the current pro posal leaves us with some questions.

This near-final draft of restruc tured state funding by the Texas Commission on Community College Finance plans to increase the amount of money available to community colleges but will distribute it based on the achievement of certain stu dent milestones.

The relationship between proper funding and student success is a strong one. Colleges working to cre ate quality education without being concerned about finances sounds like a dream, but what hoops will need to be jumped through to get to that point?

The current system for funding community colleges is long overdue for replacement. Currently, Texas community colleges receive money from property taxes, tuition and state funding. Unfortunately, state funds make up less than 25% of that equa tion.

Schools with lower enrollment struggle to keep up with the more

populous institutions, especially when state funds aren’t doing enough to supplement them. When it comes to splitting the pot, we’re aware that there’s no such thing as a perfect so lution. We trust that the proposal is trying to create the best scenario pos sible.But for a proposal focused on numbers, it overlooks the reasons be hind them and how faculty might be pressured to meet unrealistic goals.

Community colleges are often populated with students who must make ends meet. They balance grades on top of jobs, bills and other adult responsibilities. Most caught in this circumstance take fewer classes or let grades slip when other commitments take priority.

If a student is not able to commit the time needed to pass a class, but the college’s funding is based on their completion, it feels like only a matter of time before the marching orders come down on faculty.

Safeguards need to be put into place to protect instructors from the pressure to push students through courses when they are not ready. If quality education is the main con cern in this funding proposal, all nuances of these changes need to be

properly addressed.

Students deserve a sufficient edu cation and faculty shouldn’t be com pelled into passing underprepared students simply to meet certain marks.

The right way to go about perfor mance-based funding is to make sure everyone plays on the same level, not

to pressure teachers to push students down a pipeline.

The funding proposal sounds good on paper, but the state legis lature needs to take account of the pressures this could put on the people who are meant to prepare us for our futures. An ill-equipped workforce would be a disservice to everyone.

Voters should pay more attention to all local elections

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First Amendment Right Congress shall make no law respecting

establishment of religion, or prohibiting

free exercise thereof; or abridging the

of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Youth are the future of this coun try, but being the future does not mean we have no say in the present.

We can’t wait until we are 35 to fix the issues we’ve inherited from previ ous generations.

It’s in our best interest to ramp up involvement in local politics, for the elections being decided today will shape tomorrow.

These officials are often appointed by city councils.

determined by each state. This is yet another reason why it is so important to vote in state elections.

By nature, local forms of govern ment are more accessible than the federal tier, but they’re easier to in fluence. The lack of attention toward state politics produced an environ ment where lobbyists are free to swarm.

around $4.6 million from the indus try, including $1 million from War ren, whose company brought in $2.4 billion from the disaster alone.

If we put energy into creating and sustaining grassroots campaigns for progressive candidates, we can lessen the power that these anti-democratic forces have.

ABOUT THE COVER

Increasing graduation and transfer rates could make Dallas College eligible for more funding.

Illustration and design by Mattheau Faught.

According to the Texas Secretary of State’s website, about 14% fewer Texas registered voters showed up to the polls in the 2018 non-presidential election than in the 2020 presidential election.

That neglect must end with us. These invisible realms of politics impact our daily lives far more than what goes on in Washington D.C.

Our votes have more impact than we believe. Most police chiefs are ap pointed by mayors or city managers.

City councils also determine how much you pay in taxes and where they’re spent. The only way to ensure that your community’s needs are be ing understood is by actively engag ing with your local government.

The same principle applies to all levels of government, where the fight for abortion rights is currently play ing out.

Because of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, access to abortion is now completely

Take Gov. Greg Abbott for exam ple, he refuses to sign much-needed regulations on Texas’ energy indus try. It’s no coincidence that his top five donors consistently include two energy tycoons: Javaid Anwar and Kelcy Warren.

Following the winter storm of 2021, Abbott made sure the state legislative session did not produce quality punishments for the energy companies’ malpractice. The Texas Tribune reported that he received

Furthermore, the more we vote, the more candidates will have to consider our desires and goals when running for office.

We cannot let the leaders of this state continue to pull it in a direc tion that neither serves Texans nor reflects their values.

Alternatives are all over the ballot, starting with Beto O’Rourke at the top.

It is our job to make sure these candidates get elected. It is our job as the future to secure a future for all.

MICHAEL RAY /THE ET CETERA

Q&A: Soccer captain leads team with an emphasis on respect

By SOPHIA HERNANDEZ Contibutor @TheEtCetera

I had topass somehow.

I know you played at Duncanville High School. What was that like?

Q&A

Freshman midfielder Hayley Torres takes her role as captain seriously with the amount of displine she has learned from soc cer throughout the years. Torres sat down with Et Cetera contributor Sophia Hernandez after a recent 4-1 win over North Lake to discuss her soccer experi ence and the team’s chemistry.

You had a big win over North Lake today. How did it feel?

We’ve been working hard for this. We’ve been excited, wanting to beat North Lake to set the tone for the conference. [Our goal is] beating ev erybody, getting to nationals and winning nationals. It’s been on our agenda. This is a really good start for us.

Q

I know the season just started, but how do you feel about the chemis try of this team and your ability to compete?

We’re doing great. We were strug gling at first, but we’re working to gether and we’re talking, which is important in the game. We’re working to gether.

Are there some things you need to work on?

Oh, I love Duncanville. Duncanville will always be my home. My fresh man year I played JV, and then my sophomore, junior and senior year I played varsity. It wasn’t easy, but I did as much as I could to win. And we were dominant in Duncanville. We were always one of the top teams in our district.

Q Q

A A

For the team, I think we just need to work on finishing because there’s been some games that we just can’t finish. We do everything right and then we get to the box, and we just stutter, or we can’t get the ball in the back of the net. But for me, I personally need to work on my first touch, to get the ball down and keep the ball on my feet. I tend to just kick the ball up whenever I’m playing because I panic.

You made a good goal against Southwestern. How did that mo ment feel?

I was super happy. I scored a banger. I was really excited, really happy because I’ve been wanting to

score a goal like that for a while now. And I just never got it in.

Q

What inspires you in the soccer world?

My dad inspires me the most. I love my dad to death as my best friend. He’s always pushed me ever since I was little. I would be crying about going to practice because I hated to practice, and now here I am playing college ball, which I thank my dad for 100%.

How important was soccer growing up?

Soccer was my life. Always. If I

wasn’t at school, I was playing soccer. If I wasn’t playing soccer, then I was watching soccer. It was just always a big part of my life. Playing soccer [in college] was always a big dream of mine. No matter where I played, it was always a dream of mine. And I’m just glad I’m here playing soccer.

Was soccer an outlet for you?

Soccer has been my motivation be cause, honestly, I probably wouldn’t have graduated high school if I wasn’t playing soccer. My coaches were always pushing me to be passing, you know, to get my grades up. I would stay two hours after school for tutoring because

Is there anything specific that you’ve learned from your soccer experi ence?

A A

Yeah, to play disciplined and be kind no matter who I played. If I was los ing, I would want people to be kind to me and to treat me with respect even if I was losing. I learned to always be respect ful to my coaches, my teammates and my opponents.

A A

Q Q Q

Q A A AA A

Have you always been a leader on the field?

Honestly, I always grew up being the loudest on the field, so I just use my voice to say what I think is right. I’ve always wanted to be a leader, to lead them to the right path, and winning is what I like to do. I hate losing. I just try my best to lead the team in the right way.

Q Q

Why did you come to Eastfield?

Well, I didn’t know exactly where I wanted to go. But I knew I didn’t want to leave home yet. I wanted to be a little farther to be out in the real world a little more, to get out of my bubble.If I wanted to just go to some random college, I would have just gone there. But when I came to tour Eastfield, I loved it immedi ately. The bond every player had. I just love to be here.

A

Q Q

Is there anything you want the stu dent body to know about soccer?

Honestly, soccer is a beautiful game. I think that everybody should get a chance to watch the team and see how hard we work. Because soccer isn’t just about kicking the ball, it’s about discipline, respect and working hard. And it’s about winning for your teammates –your family.

RORY MOORE/THE ET CETERA

Eastfied midfielder Hayley Torres defends the ball against a Western Texas player.

Celebration of heritage

Ricardo Williams gives out lunch to students at the picnic.

Dallas College Chancellor Justin Lonon speaks with students during the multi cultural picnic at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas on Sept. 30.

Multicultural Affairs hosted numerous events at the end of September and beginning of October in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. These events included “Ursula” by Cara Mia Theatre on Sept. 28, an international student picnic in Klyde Warren Park on Sept. 30 and a cultural celebration on Oct. 3. An upcoming trip to the Latino Cultural Center is slated for Oct. 7.

Students visit the Dallas Museum of Art after the multicultural picnic.

PHOTOS BY RORY MOORE/THE ET CETERA

Frida Espinosa Muller portrays a child being questioned by border patrol in the play “Ursula” on Sept 28.

Cynthia Aguilar, dean of student resources at Mountain View campus, helped organize the picnic at Klyde Warren Park.