Etera
Eastfield College
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Fighting Back
Once bullied, black belt now teaches martial arts to pay for college ➤
See page 10
Home for the holidays? Read about the events you will not want to miss this winter break. See Pages 8 & 9
Volume 47, Issue 7
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Wednesday, December 9, 2015
www.eastfieldnews.com
The Et Cetera
Faculty offer studying tips for finals week Finals week is approaching faster than some of us would like to admit. It’s the time of year that never ceases to stress out both students and professors alike. Everybody has their own methods for studying. Some students take things slow and study more as the semester progresses. Other students prefer to cram in all the necessary test information in a short amount of time. How you study will no doubt have an effect on your test score. Faculty and staff have weighed in to give you their advice. — Keturah Jones
Avoid
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CRAMMING
Don’t wait to the middle or end of the semester to study. It needs to be a continual flow of studying throughout all of the 16 weeks. Don’t wait to get to the end and cram. Cramming for most people doesn’t help. You are not learning. You are memorizing just for a short period of time.
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— Cynthia Taylor Director of the Health Center
EAT FIRST
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Go over your notes and take the time to eat. You want to eliminate distractions. So eat, be prepared and don’t wait until the last minute. — Ryan Watkins Testing Center Coordinator
Take
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Get a good night’s
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SLEEP
Sleep is crucial … for memory and retaining the information that you are studying. I recommend for students to try their best to get the 7-8 hours of sleep. — Katie Neff Counseling Services
PRIORITIZE BABY STEPS "
I would remind students to take breaks and not try to sit and study for hours on end. Break it down into small chunks and don’t worry because you got this. — Sally Stewart Academic Adviser (ESL)
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ILLUSTRATION BY JONATHAN WENCES/THE ET CETERA
Tips to ace the big exam
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2. Budget your time. Make sure to give yourself enough time to think out the most difficult parts of your test.
your time
No matter how much fun you have going to school, take your education seriously. Prioritize your study time. Manage your friendships, minimize the drama. Stay true to you to succeed on whatever level you define your success to be. — Brynndah Hicks-Turnbo 1st Year Experience Coordinator
1. Come prepared with all your testing materials. Remember your pencils, scantrons, calculators and blue books.
3. Answer the easy questions first. Try not to waste all your time on one question and forget the rest.
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4. Do not worry about how your classmates are progressing through the test. Some of them might be doing worse than you. Source: Texas A&M University Student Counseling Services
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Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Syrian refugees spark national security debate By David Silva etc4640@dcccd.edu
Editor’s note: This is one of a series of stories exploring issues in the 2016 presidential election. The deadly attacks in Paris on the evening of Nov. 13 largely overshadowed the second Democratic debate, which was held on the evening of Nov. 14, promoting discussions on national security. Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke out against the Islamic State group but said that the United States does not bear the majority of the responsibility in taking military action against them. Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Gov. Martin O‘Malley bluntly opposed Clinton by saying that the U.S. does play a role and must take a collaborative effort with other countries in order to stop the Islamic State. The political attention has dramatically shifted to national security and the rise of the Islamic State group in the aftermath of the Paris attacks, when shooters and suicide bombers took the lives of 130 people near the largest stadium in France, Stade de France, and small, local cafes, restaurants and a music venue in the French capital. The Dec. 2 shootings in San Bernardino, California, by an American man and his Pakistani wife elevated fear and heightened talk among politicians. President Obama delivered a speech to the nation Dec. 6. The Islamic State group also grasped Republican attention. Republican front-runner Donald Trump called the Islamic State group America's “No. 1 threat” and proposed that the nation’s best attack against them is to “take out their families” and “bombing the hell out of ‘em.” Marco Rubio called for the U.S. to conduct bombings on Islamic State training camps, and Ben Carson stated the military must put “boots on the ground.”
“If France decides to go to war, then we should contribute,” said Eastfield student Brook Feldman. “I think we should have troops on the ground.” The Islamic State group is a result of numerous factors, establishing itself in 1999 before it formed a legion with Osama bin Laden in 2004 and naming itself Al Qaeda in Iraq. Not long after however, Al Qaeda disowned the small group because of the Islamic State group’s sole task of eliminating Sunni Muslims in Iraq. The Iraq War in 2003 and the assassination of Saddam Hussein during former President George W. Bush’s administration left a weak central government and many destroyed cities and towns. The Islamic State group then sought to fill the leadership void in Jihadi ranks after the assassination of Osama bin Laden. In 2001, the Syrian conflict gave the extremist group a country in which to establish their base and gain new recruits. The danger of terrorism now finds itself as the foremost topic of debate, and along with it is the decision of whether the U.S. should accept Syrian refugees. Citizens trying to escape the civil war in Syria and the Islamic State group have fled to European nations as refugees. These refugees have found constant opposition due to fear of Islamic State infiltration and Islamophobia. The discovery that one of the Paris attackers used a fake identity to go to France as a refugee has increased opposition in the United States. American opinion ranges in the types of solutions to avoid any form of terrorist attack. Some think Syrian refugees should not be accepted, and some argue that increasing the vetting process for refugee applications would minimize the risk. “You can’t just say, ‘Oh you’re Muslim, you must be a terrorist.’ But if you just let anybody in, that can get pretty bad,” Feldman said. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are over 4
million registered Syrian refugees as of Dec. 2. The UNHCR reports that 51 percent of Syrian refugees are children 17 and under, while 23.7 percent of the refugee population are women 18 to 59 years old and 22.1 percent are men between 18 and 59. “If you actually go to the refugee centers, in Dallas, in this area, they are in a really dire state,” said English professor Dr. Shazia Ali, a native of Pakistan and a volunteer at the refugee center in Richardson. “They don’t even have blankets … and you’re gonna tell them, ‘Oh they’re gonna blow something up?’” According to the UNHCR, out of the more than 4 million Syrian refugees, about 2.1 million are registered in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon and 1.9 million are registered in Turkey. Less than 700,000 have been admitted into Europe, and the United States plans to take in about 10,000. Some Americans fear that taking in Syrian refugees will increase the risk of Islamic State infiltration or Islamic radicalism in the U.S., claiming it is a danger to national security. “It’s the extremists. It’s those fanatics. Not refugees,” Ali said. Ali says that terrorism and other threats to the United States are issues of national security, but that there are also humanitarian factors in the issue. Radicalism “is national security, and there is a whole department that is supposed to deal with that,” she said. The acceptance or denial of Syrian refugees does not diminish the threat of Islamic State in an international standpoint. The Islamic State group has used modern tools like social media to promote religious fundamentalism around the world. According to Independent, the Islamic State’s goal is to “eliminate the gray zone” in Muslim believers and have it so that their interpretation of IsBA LLO T
al on y ti it Na cur Se
The candidates say:
Neurosurgeon Ben Carson (R): "The jihadists want to infiltrate our nation. ... We don't have any way in making a determination if this person is radicalized." Businessman Donald Trump (R): "We have no idea who these people are. We are the worst when it comes to paperwork." Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R): "It’s not that we don’t want to [take in refugees], It’s that we can’t." Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R): "Our first obligation should be protecting our national security." Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (D): "We will not turn our backs on the refugees who are fleeing Syria and Afghanistan." Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D): "We can't act as though we are shutting the door to people in need without undermining who we are as Americans."
lamic rule is the only Muslim way. They want to achieve a single large, borderless country under their Islamic interpretation and bring forth the “end times.” The use of social media has allowed for their interpretation of Islam to spread beyond their control of Syria and Iraq. The majority of the Paris attackers were French and Belgium natives. This pins the conflict against the Islamic State group not only as a battle for power through territory but also as a battle of ideas. It is arguably a priority to the American people that the next commander in chief have an effective plan to destroy the Islamic State. “Any president that is willing to put troops on the ground to destroy ISIL, with collaboration of different countries, I will agree with that president,” Rameez Sohail, the president of Texas’ statewide junior college SGA, said.
Students debate, voice concerns on campus carry By James Hartley etc4640@dcccd.edu
Students voiced their opinions and concerns Dec. 3 about the campus carry law that will allow students, faculty and staff with concealed handgun licenses to bring concealed handguns on campus. Students and faculty suggested areas for secure zones on campus while others debated the law's possible effect. Members of the Student Government Association encouraged attendees to voice their opinions and questions about campus carry and to tell Eastfield administrators where
they would like to have secure zones as allowed by the law. Senate Bill 11, which allows concealed handgun license holders to carry handguns on campus, was passed by the Texas Legislature earlier this year and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in September. The law will go into effect in fall of 2017 for two-year colleges and fall of 2016 for four-year colleges. Career Services assistant Patsy Caropresi said that the law would allow for only CHL holders to bring their firearm on campus. “I think that when we talk about campus carry, we have to remember
that for anyone to get a handgun permit (CHL) there’s a process they have to go through and not just anybody can grab a gun and walk on campus,” Caropresi said. “It’s not just everybody on campus would be able to bring handguns on campus. … Once this is enacted, it may turn out that there are that many people who will bring guns on campus.” CHL holders are required to be 21 years or older and meet federal standards for purchase of a handgun. Felony convictions and some misdemeanor convictions will make CHL applicants ineligible, as well as chemical and alcohol dependency
and mental health issues. Student Jonathan Salazar said that the restrictions don’t ease his nerves. “We have to understand, not everybody who is going to bring a gun to college … is going to have that permit,” he said. Student Josh Martinez said he is more concerned about those carrying guns on campus without the CHL than those who carry legally. “The people who are going to come in here and use these concealed handguns are going to use it in the correct manner,” Martinez said. “In the same sense, if there was a shooter to come in the building, we don’t
want a number of students to pull out their guns. … We come to Eastfield College to learn, and this bill should not change that.” Texas Junior College SGA President Rameez Sohail said he is concerned that campus police will not be able to check for concealed handguns or ask for permits. He reminded attendees that though the bill has already passed, students still have a voice in the matter. “It can be amended,” Sohail said, referring to the 2017 Texas Legislature session. “It’s not effective right now. It won’t be effective until August [2017]. … We need to think ahead.”
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The Et Cetera
Femicides of Juarez
Reporter unearths the murders of women in Mexico By Andrea Carrizales etc4640@dcccd.edu
In journalism, higher numbers of bodies often mean higher media coverage. The suffering of families, murder victims and lack of action from the local authorities are swiftly reported and later forgotten by all those whose lives are not affected by the events. But for the inhabitants of Ciudad Juarez, on the border of Mexico and the United States, the numbers of bodies have been piling up since 1993, a rise in violence that has distinguished the city around the world. Diana Washington Valdez, a reporter from the neighboring Texas city of El Paso, has turned her attention toward the events, which she shared on a virtual presentation with students on Nov. 5. Intrigued by early reports that did not investigate further than the body count, she has dedicated much of her work toward the reporting of femicides – the murders of women – in Juarez. The victims, who generally come from low-income families, are seen as “disposable victims,” Washington Valdez said. “If this had been happening to the daughters of wealthy families, it would not have continued for 20 years, as it has happened,” she said. She began covering the events for the El Paso Times in 1999. Encouraged by one of her editors, she continued her investigations and published the book “The Killing Fields: Harvest of Women” in Spanish in 2005 and in English the following year. In it she discusses prominent cases in which women disappear in downtown Juarez, only to be found
dead, showing signs of rape and with mutilated bodies. A decade later, the disappearances and murders of women continues. The cycle increases and decreases continuously, over 1,700 women have been murdered since 1993. After a series of investigations in which the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the El Paso Police Department collaborated with the local law enforcement agency, several theories surfaced about who might be the culprit behind the murders. George DeAngelis, professor of criminal justice, worked with the El Paso Police Department before teaching at Eastfield. “It’s really on our doorstep,” DeAngelis said about the Juarez femicides. “And there hasn’t been a lot of attention given to it.” After working on the case, the FBI, El Paso police and the Juarez police identified drug traffickers, serial killers, copycats, cartel gangs killing women as initiation rites and cabals of rich men hunting women “for sport” as the main suspects behind the murders. Some investigations in Juarez have yielded results not shared with the public. Even though people were expected to be arrested, when the results were “turned over to the higher ups” nothing happened, according to Washington Valdez. “Everybody seems to get away with anything in that environment,” she said. Corruption, which according to Washington Valdez plays an important part in the murders and the lack of justice, filters down from top officials into regular citizens. “The leadership sets the tone,” she said. “When you have people in the
high level working with the cartel to protect drug trafficking, you already set in motion an entrenched system of corruption that affects all police levels.” She said that honest police who want to make a difference are unable to. “Anybody who tries to get out of line to do the right thing is either expelled, killed or otherwise punished,” she said. Journalists in danger Violence in Mexico extends to aggression toward reporters from around the country. Thirty-two journalists have been murdered between 1992 and 2015, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. However, Washington Valdez said that there have been more than 70 murders. “Reporters already know how far they can go,” Washington Valdez said. She said that the violence in Mexico has been covered through “parachute journalism,” the practice in which a foreign reporter goes into the place, covers the event and leaves because of the danger of the situation. Although Washington Valdez said she tries “not to focus on that aspect of things,” her own life has been in danger, according to DeAngelis. “When she did the book signing at Barnes and Noble for her book … the FBI had her under surveillance because she had received death threats from Mexico,” DeAngelis said. “The politicians didn’t like her book, the cartels didn’t like her book, the government didn’t like her book, the police didn’t like her book. “She had to take a break from her
PHOTO COURTESY OF DIANA WASHINGTON VALDEZ
Pink crosses in Juarez have become representative of the victims of femicide. By erecting these ‘memorials’ families honor the deaths of their daughters while raising awareness of the issue.
investigation because of the emotional toll that it had on her.” DeAngelis described Washington Valdez’s character as exemplary for a reporter. “She’s very accurate, she’s fair,” he said. “She’s very trustworthy and she has a very compassionate heart.” Currently, Washington Valdez is researching the unsolved West Mesa case about the murders of 11 young women in Albuquerque and is doing additional research on the case of David Leonard Wood, a serial killer in El Paso who has recently appealed his case on the basis of being mentally disabled. Through her reports, Washington Valdez seeks to “find out who is killing these women and why,” she said. Washington Valdez’s journalistic experience extends from the page into film. She has been involved in various film documentaries about the disappearances and murders of women in Juarez. Her work has won numerous awards, which keep the issue relevant, she said. “What happened in Juarez can
happen anywhere,” Washington Valdez said. Students explore the cases Recently, the Eastfield criminal justice department hosted a virtual conversation with Washington Valdez meant to bring the “international aspect” of serial murder studies to the students. DeAngelis chose the El Paso cases due to their proximity to Dallas, and the impact it could have among the college community. Paulina Valdez, a criminal justice major, said that after attending the event she bought Washington Valdez’s book. “I kind of knew about it but I didn’t know in depth how it worked or how the government was behind it,” Valdez said. “They don’t really talk about this stuff in the news,” Alexander Gutierrez, a criminal justice major, said. “All those poor families … it is somebody’s daughter getting murdered.” The library currently has two copies of “The Killing Fields” available for check out.
Professor teaches craft of profiling serial killers By David Silva etc4640@dcccd.edu
George DeAngelis has had many titles throughout his law enforcement career as a member of the El Paso Police Department. Over a 28-year span, he worked as a police officer, patrol officer, K-9 officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, commander and deputy chief until retiring as assistant chief. He has experienced numerous crimes of various severities and has seen the layers, steps and
perspectives that are involved in solving these crimes. He recalls a time as captain in which a series of murders resulted in him bringing in a serial murder specialist. The knowledge and expertise changed the manner in which the case was approached and solved. “We had the specialized crimes,” DeAngelis said of his time as captain of the Criminal Investigation Division. “We had homicide, sex crimes, burglary, narcotics.” As captain, he saw the process of an investigation in its entirety, which differed greatly
from his days as a patrol officer. “As a patrol officer you’re kind of a jack of all trades,” DeAngelis said. “You would start on something and then have to turn it over to someone one else. On the other side of the coin, being able to focus on highly sensitive cases from start to finish was very rewarding.” Now he goes by a much different title – professor. He has been teaching in the criminal justice department at Eastfield since retiring from the force. He teaches the criminal investigation, crime in America fundamental crimi-
nal law,and Serial Murder Special Topic, among others. He relates his experience to the various classes he teaches and differentiates the copworld’s facts and fictions. “It’s very synthetic on TV, very clean,” DeAngelis said. “I tell my students the first thing they’re going to notice about crime scenes that they’ll never forget is the odor.” The grueling and lengthy process of solving a crime mirrors the reality of crime scenes. “The technology that they portray on teleSee Serial Killer, page 5 ➤
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Wednesday, December 9, 2015
From homeless to scholarship winner
By Karina Dunn and Victor Martinez etc4640@dcccd.edu
An unstable home forced Keaton “Shae” Johnston into a search for self-awareness at an early age. He remembers little about the specifics of his parents’ divorce or the events that preceded it. Yet the sudden rift in his family triggered the personal journey that would unlock his future. “The first thing I can actually remember, I was being torn away from my house by the cops,” he said. “I spent the night at the police station. That was a big dramatic event for me as a child.” Over time, biology major Johnston realized that taking control of his own life would be the only way to free himself from the cycle of negativity and depression his family found itself in. “I took it upon myself to see the other side of things, and I kind of grew from it and used it as a motivator to push me forward and not fail where they did,” he said. The divorce sparked years of moving around Texas. His mother, who had lost her job, moved them from Rowlett to Royce City, where she found employment. “Royce was one of my favorite places,” Johnston said. “It’s where I made a lot of friends.” He would graduate as salutatorian from Royce City High School. However, constant moves took him, his mother and his brother to Houston, Princeton and Wylie in the interim. At times, the family was homeless, drifting between the homes of relatives. He says the travels gave him “a viewpoint that most people don’t get.” Johnston tries to be accepting of other people’s stories and backgrounds. He feels a connection to people who end up taking the uncommon road to life’s milestones. He said that he feels like a “minority” here at Eastfield because of what feels like an uncommon past. He believes this open mindset helps at his job tutoring students in The Link. Johnston, a first-generation college student, holds a 4.0 GPA . He stumbled into his job at The Link after one of his professors, Judith Dumont, decided to mentor him and guide him through his freshman year. “Judith Dumont is my complete opposite,” Johnston said. The difference in their personalities unnerved him at first, but one of the assignments he completed for Dumont’s EDUC 1300 class gave him a chance to break into his next level of personal achievement. “We had to give up something that was holding us back,” he said. “I gave up my past. I was so fixated on my past that it was holding me back. I was depressed almost all the time.” The two of them shared more conversations
about life, him explaining his background and Dumont offering advice. “He came alive [during his presentation] in a way I hadn’t seen before,” Dumont said. “When I decide to mentor someone, I take it seriously.” She helped Johnston, who she refers to by his middle name, Shae, find a scholarship, a previous obstacle in his academic plan. Finances prevented him from attending his first choice school, Baylor University, during his college search. He was accepted but could not afford the tuition even with scholarships. While looking at foundation websites, Dumont noticed the Erin Tierney Kramp Encouragement Endowed Scholarship. She found it a day before the deadline and gave the application to Johnston. He applied to the Kramp and another scholarship within 24 hours, received an interview and won the former. “The day of his interview, there were only seven people being interviewed,” Dumont said. “I drove him down. The only thing I did was hand him an opportunity. … I handed that scholarship to two people that day. The other applicant didn’t fill it out. Shae took the time to stay up late one night and bust it out. “I know he’s going make a difference in the world and to be a part of his journey is my … absolute privilege.” Nick Vera, Johnson’s former speech professor, wrote a letter of recommendation for the scholarship. He thinks Johnson is just tapping into his capabilities. “Shae is well on his way to realizing his potential,” Vera said. “His story is not yet written. He’s in the middle of writing it. I’m just so proud of him.” The scholarship provided Johnston with enough security to enjoy his work tutoring students and complete his coursework at Eastfield. He wants to continue helping others as he moves forward. “If I found someone who needed my help and I thought that I could help them, and they were willing to take my advice, I would mentor them,” Johnston said. “Even if they weren’t willing, if I had to force it so to speak, I’d be willing to … persistently show them that there is more possibility than what they can see.” He credits his desire to serve others with his relationship to his younger brother, Trystan, who looks up to him. During middle school, their mother moved the family from Royce City to Houston and, newly employed, married the man who would become their stepfather. They soon learned that his stepfather was abusive. Giving his brother a good role model helped Johnston learn what it means to lead through example and friendship. “A lot of [wanting to be a mentor] comes
Serial killer class offered in spring
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Eastfield biology major Keaton “Shae” Johnston works as a tutor in The Link.
from that,” he said. “I realized how much I had an effect on him. If I could somehow guide someone else, I’d be more than willing to.” Even while living with family, Johnston said they tried not to “overstay [their] welcome.” The family was able to settle down after his mother found a job. This time coincides with Johnston’s epiphany that he needed to control his own life. He had a phoenix engraved on his class ring when he graduated high school. “It represents that even when I’ve fallen, I can get back up,” Johnston said. Johnston is currently commuting 30 minutes back and forth from his home in Royce City to Eastfield. He received a full ride scholarship to Southern Methodist University for next year. He plans to attend medical school and become an anesthesiologist. “I see [Eastfield] as a stepping stone,” he said. “You can’t ascend without the stairs, right?”
Continued from page 4 ➤ vision is high tech, and unfortunately we’re not as advanced as television portrays,” he said. Nevertheless, the concept of crime investigation and police work sparks the interest of many students, particularly the process of serial murder investigation. Last month, criminal justice students attended a presentation via Skype about the epidemic of female murders in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Author and journalist Diana Washington Valdez shared insights into the topic based on her work for the El Paso Times and her book “The Killing Fields: Harvest of Women.” “It did trigger my interest to know about the killings and the serial killers,” criminal justice major Dulce Rivera said. “I’d really like to understand why serial killers do what they do.” DeAngelis received positive reactions from students about the presentation and said he hopes it attracts them to his criminal justice class on serial murders, which will be offered again in the spring.. “Class size has been increasing every semester,” he said. The course, CJSA 1392, supplements the criminal justice core and is suited for criminal justice majors with an interest in murder investigation. It is available to all students and requires no prerequisites. The class teaches the proper process of investigating and interrogating serial murderers by exploring their practical and psychological patterns. Aside from looking at profiling, they also identify the mistakes that the police system has made in the past and debunks the serial killer myths believed by a majority of people. “We do a lot of case studies,” DeAngelis said. “We study the patterns and how they were solved.” Students say they like that DeAngelis has real-world experience. “I would take [the class],” said first-year student Ester Morale, who is undecided in her major but is taking another of DeAngelis’ courses. “You get to learn the [killer’s] psychological behavior. You get to study them.”
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Life &Arts
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MUSIC REVIEW
Adele inspires through self-love, confidence By Mayra Rosales-Montoya etc4640@dcccd.edu
Adele’s newest album, “25,” is breaking records this year. It sold over 3 million copies just in the week it was released and continues with its impressive gross sales as the holiday season approaches. It has been four years since the release of her last album, and in that time her fans can assume that Adele has been doing a lot of soul searching. “25” gives the listener the feeling that although she is still dealing with heartbreak and romantic roller coasters, she has gained confidence and self-control. This is likely not the type of album you and your best friends will be blasting while getting ready for the weekend before a party. Adele clearly didn’t work on this album for the last few years hoping she would make some top-40 party hits. Instead, she has created something much more powerful and lasting. There is a definite sadness in this album that cannot be ignored, but she’s no longer crying over a lost love and breaking down after a train wreck of a relationship. Instead, in this album we can feel her growth and newfound self-love. We can still connect to her mourning and pain, but we can also be inspired by her confidence. This album seems to instill a sense of comfort in
PHOTO COURTESY OF XL RECORDINGS
knowing that through the pain we can gain a lesson or two and move on. Of course, Adele’s vocals are phenomenal. Not only is this album beautifully written (with the help of artists such as Bruno Mars and Max Martin), each soulful ballad is belted out by one truly talented woman. In this album she masterfully blends her love for blues and classic rock with pop and soul. “Hello” was the first single to be released off this album and the opening track, but my personal favorites are “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” and “When We Were Young.” Adele has some powerful words of wisdom at 27, and possibly some input on life and love we can all relate to. This album is near perfection, as long as you’re open to feeling as much as Adele clearly did while creating her masterpiece.
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Cat Christenson holds a dummy gun during rehearsals of the one-act plays, showing this weekend.
Students bring short plays to life By Hunter Cave etc4640@dcccd.edu
The Harvester Theatre Company has kidnapped the Maltese Falcon and only those who come to the Murder Mystery Mayhem festival can save him. This stunt was pulled to promote the company’s one-act plays, an anthology of three thriller/mysteries and the final common book event of the semester. “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett follows private detective Sam Spade as he tries to solve the murder of his partner and find
Special Guests: Jeremy Nottingham & the Aaron Wagner Band Join us for great music, a challenging message and authentic worship of our King! Free food will also be provided. 9810 La Prada Drive, Dallas, TX 75228
a lost falcon figurine. It is the campus’ common book, designated as a shared experience for faculty, staff and students. “If you want to see the EFC Falcon again meet us after the last show of Murder Mystery Mayhem,” Lori Honeycutt-Phillips, technical theater coordinator, posted on Facebook. The plays include “The Butler Did It,” a farce centering on a group of detective writers playfully solving a fictional murder — until they discover that a real killer is among them. Performances are 7 p.m. Dec. 10, 12:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 7:45 p.m. Dec. 12. “Abra Cadaver,” a comedy, stars
two lovers planning a murder. Performances are 8:15 p.m. Dec. 10 and 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 11. “Sorry, Wrong Number,” tells a more serious tale. Leona Stevenson has one way of communicating to the outside world: her telephone. After learning about a murder plot against her, she takes every possible action through the phone to save herself. Performances are 11:20 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. Dec. 11 and 7 p.m. Dec. 12. All shows are in the Performance Hall. The Friday morning performances are free. Night show tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and children.
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Students take the stage
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Josefina Gomez’s self portait titled “Finding Peace” on display in the student art show.
Class work fills two art galleries
By Hunter Cave etc4640@dcccd.edu
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ALEJANDRA ROSAS/THE ET CETERA
Student performing artists gave a series of exhibitions over the past several weeks to close out the semester. Clockwise from top: A group performs in the Dance Concert. Malissa Cruz plays violin during the Guitar Department Recital. Patrick Gonzales and Liz Badillo play at the art gallery reception. Danielle Kruckenberg sings solo during the Voice Recital. DAVID SANCHEZ/THE ET CETERA
Dozens of student art pieces fill both of Eastfield’s galleries to the brim, ranging from small ceramic pottery and abstract paintings to detailed sketches and large sculptures. Gallery F-219 and H Gallery are displaying art students’ assignments through Dec. 11. Gallery Director Iris Bechtol said that both galleries are in use because the number of submitted pieces is up from previous years, and some pieces are too large for the F Gallery. “The students are allowed to submit one piece of artwork from every art studio they’re enrolled in,” Bechtol said. “Some students are in multiple studio courses, … and that’s what makes the show fairly large.” Among the artists showcased was engineering major Joaquin Prado, who took an introductory drawing course after being a self-taught artist for many years. Prado said his professor assigned him to create a “psychological self portrait” with the result being his multimedia drawing “Tony.” “Tony” depicts a man with the head of a tiger with golden teeth on his lower jaw. A variety of animals are tattooed on his right arm and chest along with several words, most of them crossed out. “The tiger is fierce, but he is lazy,” Prado said, “I can be very laid back and cool, but I could be set off. So in many ways … that’s who I was.” Other pieces from the gallery include Abraham Tesafaye’s untitled abstract painting with patterned waves of color splashing around and Eunhee Kim’s “A moment,” a charcoal drawing depicting a little girl smiling with her curly hair blowing back. Britney Winkles’s abstract collage “Abduction,” full of reds and greens and what appears to be a snake, and Tiffany Frame’s untitled black and white painting showing a bowl of cereal with a skull peeking out are also new additions to the gallery. Those who came to the F Gallery for the Wednesday reception were greeted with live music from the Eastfield Guitar Ensemble. Bechtol collaborated with Eastfield music professor Eddie Healy to provide the accompaniment. Healy was impressed with the gallery, and his band drew a positive reaction from the audience. “Those in attendance were very complimentary of our playing,” Healy said. “Some took photos, some took videos and there was quite a bit of applause in between selections.”
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LIFE&ARTS
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
www.eastfieldnews.com
Days of Christmas (plus three more)
You’ve just completed your last final. You walk out of the building with a sense of joy and ease. Winter break is finally here. You have a full month to do as you please before hitting the books again. While Santa Claus prepares his reindeer and Father Time winds his clock for 2016, enjoy time at home and out on the town. Plenty of holiday-related events dot the calendar this month. Here’s what The Et Cetera team suggests.
27 Staying in? Host a potluck. Invite family and friends you missed on Christmas. Going out? Metal bands Motionless in White, Crown the Empire, Fit For a King and Oh Sleeper shake up the renovated Bomb Factory in Deep Ellum. It’s an all ages show beginning at 11 a.m. (unsilentnightmusicfest.com)
The Et Cetera
18 Staying in? It’s the first day after the end of the semester. The choice here is clear: sleep late, take naps, be lazy. You deserve it. Going out? This is the day geeks have waited for all year long. Get to a theater for opening day of “Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens.” As Yoda says, “Much to learn you still have.”
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Staying in? Dust off the board games in your closet for family or friend game night. Revisit old favorites such as Monopoly, Operation and Trivial Pursuit or the newer, irreverent sensation Cards Against Humanity. Going out? Ride all the amusement park standards such as the Texas Giant and Shockwave rollercoasters, plus see 70 lighted Christmas trees, sled down a snow hill and toast marshmallows over a campfire at the Six Flags Holiday in the Park. (sixflags.com/overtexas)
Staying in? Think sugar overload. Revisit yo a gingerbread house. You can b and constructing one from scrat a gingerbread castle, gingerbread baseball park or gingerbread AT-AT. Search “amazing gingerbread houses” on Google for inspiration. Going out? Do an act of kindness for holidays. Sharing Life Community Outreach will host its annual Christmas Faire today. Volunteer to help families in need select toys for 1,300 kids. Many nonpr need help and donations. Consi ringing a bell for the Salvation Ar
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Staying In? Spread out on the couch and sip warm apple cider while you binge TV shows you missed while studying. Catch up on “Pretty Little Liars,” “The X-Files,” “The Fosters,” “Downton Abbey” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” before their new seasons start in January. Going out? It’s not the Cotton Bowl, but it’s at the Cotton Bowl. The University of Washington and Southern Mississippi University face off in the Heart of Dallas Bowl at Fair Park.
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Staying in? Snuggle under your TARDIS blanket (hopefully Santa delivered it!) for the “Doctor Who” Christmas special on BBC America. Fan favorite River Song (Alex Kingston) returns. Going out? Pretend it’s a white Christmas in Texas by sliding into the Gaylord Texan Resort’s ICE! exhibit. More than 2 million pounds of ice sculptures depict Christmas Around the World. Slip down two-story ice slide, craft an ice sculpture and sit in Santa’s sleigh. View the bigger than life decorations and 2 million lights throughout the hotel. Open through Jan. 3. (gaylordtexan.com)
29 Staying in? You could take down the tree. Nah. Stream a movie or rent a DVD. Recent releases include “Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation,” “Ant-Man,” “Ted 2,” “Trainwreck,” “Inside Out” and “Minions.” Going out? Visit a local attraction still decked out for the holidays. The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, located at Southern Methodist University, is reliving Christmas in the White House from 2003. (georgewbushlibrary.smu. edu) Take a trip with the Trains at North Park, a model train exhibit benefitting Ronald McDonald Houses. (thetrainsatnorthpark.com) Or walk through a life-size winter wonderland at Dallas Arboretum, where handcrafted gazebos represent the 12 Days of Christmas. (dallasarboretum.org)
St Ba fam Be Go Pa Mo Ch Sq pa a.m ne ca hy
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Staying in? Schoolwork pre bestseller? Curl mysterious “Gir expose “Trouble detective novel Rowling under t or “Go Set a Wa Harper Lee’s “T Going out? Take a brisk spin under the country ice skating at the Galleria. (galleriai
LIFE&ARTS
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The Et Cetera
our childhood traditions by building buy a kit at any store or try baking tch. Feeling ambitious? Attempt
rofits and charities in North Texas ider working at a food bank or rmy. (sharinglifeoutreach.org)
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taying in? ake cookies for Santa. End the night with a mily reading of the classic poem “The Night efore Christmas” by Clemente C. Moore. oing out? articipate in a holiday music experience. ore than 200 tuba players gather each hristmas Eve in Dallas’ Thanks-giving quare. The concert starts at noon, but articipating musicians should arrive at 9 m. (tubachristmas.com) Stroll through your eighborhood singing carols. Or attend a andlelight church service featuring seasonal ymns.
y’s tallest indoor Christmas tree: Go iceskatingcenter.com)
Staying in? Beat the last-minute Christmas Eve frenzy. Wrap your gifts while listening to holiday tunes and sipping eggnog. Going out? Load you car with loved ones and visit the brightest spots for holiday lights. One of the top 10 Texas sites is in Farmers Branch, a route with more than 500,000 twinkling lights. It starts at Interstate 35E and Valley View Lane and continues to the Farmers Branch Historical Park, where you’ll find a jolly Santa Claus and a live light show. Tune into 107.3 FM during the drive. (farmersbranch.info) Other options include the mansions of Highland Park, the Interlochen neighborhood in Arlington and Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie.
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Wednesday, December 9, 2015
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Staying in? Curl up on the couch with a significant other, friend or even your dog or cat for a movie night. View modern and older classics such as “Elf,” “Home Alone,” “A Christmas Story,” “White Christmas,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Love Actually,” “The Santa Clause,” “The Polar Express” and “A Miracle on 34th Street.” Going out? See a live holiday show. Buddy the Elf takes the stage in the Dallas Summer Musicals’ staging of “Elf.” Prefer music? See the progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra light up the American Airlines Center with lasers, lights and pyrotechnics or take in the Dallas Symphony Christmas Pops performance of traditional songs and sing-along carols. Or how about dance? Multiple ballet companies are staging “The Nutcracker” this month. Today’s shows are by the Texas Ballet Theater in Fort Worth, Tuzer Ballet in Richardson and Allen Civic Ballet in Allen. (dallassummermusicals. org; trans-siberian.com; mydso.com; thedancecouncil.org) All shows have multiple dates except Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
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event you from reading the hottest l up for an afternoon with the rl on the Train,” the Scientology emaker” by actress Leah Remini, “Career of Evil” penned by J.K. the pseudonym Robert Galbraith Watchman,” the 55-year follow-up to To Kill a Mockingbird.”
www.eastfieldnews.com
Staying in? Snuggle up with a mug of hot chocolate and read a holiday classic such as “A Christmas Carol,” “Little Women,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” or “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffmann, whose story inspired the ballet and Tchaikovsky’s famous score. Going out? Meet Santa, his elves and animals from the Dallas Zoo high above the city’s skyline – not in his sleigh, but on the 470-foot-high Ge-O-Deck of Reunion Tower. This is Santa’s last visit to the tower this year. (reuniontower.com)
22 Staying in? Enjoy the silly side of the holidays with an ugly sweater party or white elephant gift exchange. Have your friends buy creative gag gifts for a raucous round of steal the present. Or order guests dress in their tackiest holiday outfits so you can finally make good use those hideous sweaters grandma gives you every year. Going out? Put your bells on for a 1-mile fun run (6:30 p.m.) or a 5K (7:30 p.m.) benefiting Trinity Strand Trail and the Mavs Foundation. The annual Jingle Bell Run at the Hilton Anatole also features a postrace party with family activities, music and the Mavs dancers. (dallasjinglebellrun.com)
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Staying in? Though he died in 2012, Dick Clark still hosts the best party for those staying home to welcome 2016. Ryan Seacrest will host “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC, featuring Demi Loavto, Luke Bryan, Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth and Carrie Underwood. The show starts at 7 p.m. local time and ends when the ball drops. Going out? Enjoy unlimited go-karts, bumper boats, miniature golf, video games and pizza buffet at Celebration Station’s New Year’s Eve lock-in. Stay all night (11 p.m.-6 a.m.) or for just an hour. (celebrationstation.com) Note: Dallas will not hold the outdoor Big D NYE celebration. It is set to return at a new location next year.
Staying in? Eat blackeyed peas and collard greens for luck in the new year. Going out? Visit the new family festival Day 1 Dallas in Fair Park with live music, activities, food and fireworks. (day1dallas.com)
Sports
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Dec. 14 Dec. 16 Jan. 13 Jan. 20
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Basketball vs. Ranger JC Basketball vs. North American University Basketball vs. Mountain View Basketball vs. North Lake
6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
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Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Wattron takes to the dojang to fight off the bullies By Brianna Harmon
etc4640@dcccd.edu
It’s the second round of the semifinal fight, seconds ticking off the clock, and Matt Wattron knows he has to score points before the round ends. His opponent, the national champion, has just landed two back roundhouse kicks on Wattron’s chest, putting him up by two points. Wattron takes a step forward and checks his opponent to try to catch him off guard, his opponent counters with a kick to his chest. “KIHAP!” Wattron throws a back kick that hits his opponent square in the face. A water faucet of blood pours from his crooked nose. The officials stop the fight to check if he is OK. A few seconds pass as they pack his nose with gauze, and the fight continues. The second round ends tied, bringing them into to a sudden death round. The first person to score wins. Wattron and his opponent dance around the ring, even though they are both spent, blocking every kick they throw at each other. His opponent scores a roundhouse kick as Wattron tries to back away. Wattron finished third in the tournament after losing that match, but took it as a win because years ago it would have taken a toll on him. Wattron was physically bullied in middle school. He was a chubby, insecure kid, and that was when he turned to taekwondo to build his confidence. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that puts heavy emphasis on kicks. It also teaches discipline, respect, integrity, self-control and perseverance. “Bullying messes with you mentally and physically,” Wattron said. “You just don’t want to wake up and go to school because it is the same thing everyday.” Being tripped and slammed into lockers became a daily occurrence. “I was bullied because I was a big guy; I was kind of like a nerd,” Wattron said. “I always did my work, was a teachers’ pet.” The bullying got to the point
PHOTOS BY ALEJANDRA ROSAS/THE ET CETERA
Above, Matt Wattron kicking a Bob dummy during training. Right, Wattron doing a side kick. Wattron teaches a noon kickboxing class at Lewis’ Taekwondo dojang in Dallas.
where Wattron and his parents decided that it was time for him to start taekwondo. He has been a student at Lewis’ Taekwondo in Dallas for eight years. “It changes you once you go from being bullied to being trained,” Wattron said. “You become more confident, and you feel better about yourself. Instead of walking with my head down, I walked with my head up and chest out. It doesn’t bother me anymore.” His taekwondo instructor, Master Johnny Lewis, said that Wattron took to taekwondo like a fish does to water. “He came in with almost with no self-esteem, and this built it up to a higher degree,” Lewis said. Wattron is enrolled at Eastfield
and pursuing his associate degree in science. He is paying his way through with his earnings from the dojang, a taekwondo training facility, and from working as a Papa John’s delivery driver. When Wattron joined Lewis’ Taekwondo, two students who joined at the same time dominated him. But once they reached red belt, Wattron started to have the upper hand when training with them. Wattron is now a second-degree black belt and has earned the right to teach his own class. Currently, Wattron teaches a kickboxing class every day at noon. “I want to teach people and make them feel good about themselves,” Wattron said. “It’s fun to teach. I love it.”
Tai Chi Chuan instructor Greg Young, who also teaches at Lewis’ Taekwondo, said Wattron is dedicated to his education and martial arts. Wattron says that if it weren’t for him joining taekwondo, he would still be a victim of bullying. “It is a real eye-opener,” Wattron said. “It changed me definitely. Without taekwondo and martial arts, me being involved in something that will help myself and bring my confidence up, I would still be that same kid I was in middle school getting picked on. I might not even be in college because I didn’t know what I wanted to do or what my life was going to be like. “But now, I want to teach because
I have seen how all of this came through. I love it so much.” Wattron wants to transfer to the University of North Texas to get a degree in kinesiology after he receives his associate degree. Wattron says that he could practice taekwondo forever. “I knew I was going to get into martial arts as soon as I started,” he said. “I was like, ‘Man, I want this to be a lifelong thing. I don’t want to stop. I’ll do whatever I have to do to succeed.’ ” ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO BY ALEJANDRA ROSAS
SPORTS
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The Et Cetera
www.eastfieldnews.com
Working overtime
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Corprew driven by dreams bigger than basketball By Gabriel Flores etc4640@dcccd.edu
There’s only one post on Tevin Corprew’s Instagram account. It’s a five-second video of a play that looks like something straight out of NBA 2K16. Corprew starts a few feet above the 3-point line. Taking one dribble, he bolts past his defender and drives right, taking flight just after the freethrow line. As he soars higher, a defender attempts to meet him with an outstretched arm, but fails. With his head nearly at the rim, basketball cradled in his right hand, Corprew viciously throws down a tomahawk slam. The crowd roars with a collective “Ohhhhhh,” and a few fans leap from their seats in disbelief. Corprew’s teammates were equally amazed. “I was just like, ‘Wow!’ It was something that you see on ESPN,” freshman forward Scott Garriga said. “That dude is a freak athlete.” Corprew is the unquestioned leader of the Eastfield Harvesters basketball team, which is currently ranked fifth in the NJCAA Division III poll with a 12-2 record and leads the nation in scoring at 117 points per game. The sophomore guard averages 33 points and 10 assists, boasting seven 30-point performances, three 40-point outbursts and seven double-doubles. “Even on a bad day, he’s better than everyone else,” teammate LeTron Manning said. For Corprew, basketball stretches far beyond the court. He hopes that one day it will allow him to repay his mother for her sacrifices. When Corprew was just 6 years old, his father was shot and killed at a nightclub following an altercation. “I remember the night before I had a bad feeling,” Corprew said. “I told him, ‘Don’t go, don’t go.’ A couple hours later, my mom told us what happened. When my father was here, I had everything. Once he got killed, I had to start over. I’ve learned never to take life for granted. I’m thankful for that.” Now 23, Corprew bears the responsibility of providing for a mother who for years has worked tirelessly to provide for her family,
Corprew
taking on two jobs as a caretaker and sometimes working more than 50 hours a week. “She tells me, ‘Tevin, I’m tired of working,” and I just say, ‘Be patient, it’s coming,’ ” he said.
The struggle
This isn’t Corprew’s first stop at Eastfield. He was a member of the 2013-14 Harvesters team that finished fifth in the national tournament. But Corprew wasn’t satisfied. He wanted a national championship. “It was the worst feeling ever,” he said. After the tournament, Corprew earned a scholarship to play for Collin College, but he would eventually suffer a knee injury that sidelined him for a year. He decided to return to Eastfield for his final season. Corprew re-dedicated himself to the game this past summer. He trained alongside NBA talents like Julius Randle, a Dallas native who was drafted seventh overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2014, and Flower Mound’s Marcus Smart, a member of the Boston Celtics. He also received motivation from his older brother, Terry, whom he credits for helping him recognize his potential. “I wouldn’t be playing basketball if it weren’t for him,” Corprew said. “He keeps me going. We are real close. We talk every day.”
The entertainer
The squeaking of Nikes blends with the rhythmic dribbling of the basketball against the hardwood floor in the Eastfield gym as players casually shoot jumpers to pass the time before a film session. Corprew strolls in with a playful grin, clutching a Whataburger bag that he holds just below his nose as if to say, “Look what I got.”
His slender frame is defined, devoid of any fat. He stands 6 feet tall, but his arms appear to be closer to 7. “Yo, Tev!” “What up, Tev?” The greetings come from all angles, and seconds later, laughter ensues. Corprew and his teammates file into a small classroom. A group of five align themselves in the back of the room. Tevin picks a corner desk away from the crowd. As he sits, he angles his body slightly to the left so his knees can squeeze under the table-top. His hoodie is pulled over his head so tightly he resembles Kenny from “South Park.” The film session is part of a busy week for Corprew, whose typical workouts include practicing with the team five days a week followed by at least two additional hours of work on his own, a quick bite for dinner and then another gym session at midnight. “He’s the epitome of hard work,” Garriga said. “I’ve seen his dedication to the game.” Corprew is reaping the benefits of that dedication. He earned Metro Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors for four consecutive weeks to start the season, something no Eastfield player in any sport has ever done. He has also earned the respect of his teammates, who can’t wait to see what he will do next. “Most people go to the game to be entertained,” forward Tre Anderson said. “I go out there to play with him, and I’m entertained. Because when you play with a person of his caliber, yeah, you’re going out there to play the game, but at the same time you want to see what he’s going to do.” Corprew does more than just score. He sets his teammates up, too. Through 14 games he has 142 assists, including a season-high 16 against Tomball Community College. “He has this vision nobody else has on the court,” Anderson said. “His vision is four steps ahead. You can be behind Tevin and he already knows what your man is going to do and where you need to be. If you get there, you’re going to score. It’s like magic.”
The next step
Eastfield coach Anthony Fletcher believes Corprew’s talent could carry
PHOTO BY ALEJANDRA ROSAS/THE ET CETERA
Tevin Corprew shoots a floater against Tomball Community College on Dec. 4. Corprew is averaging 33 points and 10 assists per game.
him to the next level. “I honestly think Tevin is a high major player — University of Texas, schools like that,” Fletcher said. “I’ve seen him match up with those guys in open gyms during the summer.” Corprew hopes to use basketball as a springboard in life. As a business major, his goal is to enter the world of fashion with his older brother, who is an aspiring designer. “I’m just trying to use basketball to build an empire,” Corprew said.
“Basketball eventually comes to an end, but it’ll take me where I need to be: living comfortable. I’m not the person who cares about the accolades and all that. “I just want to be fine, take care of Mama and my family. Really, that’s my goal.” But first he has his sights set on a national title. “I never get complacent,” he said. “After the game, I’m at the gym. They tell me to stop, but I can’t ever settle. There’s too much on the line.”
opinion
12 The Et Cetera
Take a chance by ‘honoring’ yourself
etera Award-winning member of: • Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • Associated Collegiate Press • Texas Community College Journalism Association
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Advertising & Marketing Keturah Jones Student Publications Manager Elizabeth Langton Faculty Adviser Lori Dann Editorial Policy The views expressed on the opinion pages and other opinion pieces and cartoons in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Et Cetera, Eastfield College or the Dallas County Community College District. The Et Cetera is published every two weeks—except December, January and summer months—by a student staff. Each member of the college community is entitled to one free copy of The Et Cetera. Additional copies are available in Room N-240. Letters to the Editor Letters must be typed, signed and include a phone number. Letters will be edited for profanity and vulgarity, Associated Press style, grammar, libel and space when needed. The content will remain that of the author. Letters considered for publication must be 250 words or fewer. Letters may be delivered to Room N-240 or sent to etc4640@dcccd. edu. First Amendment Right Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom 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.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
OUR VIEW
Immigrants deserve safety, not punishment We are neither proud nor surprised to note that the abhorrent terrorist attacks carried out against Parisian civilians on Nov. 13 and the Dec. 2 mass shooting in San Bernardino have led to a resurgence in anti-Islam backlash. While we understand the fears of those who are calling for stricter immigration regulations or an outright ban for Syrian refugees, we believe painting all Muslims or Middle Easterners as potential terrorists is as harmful as it is backwards. Days after a small group of Islamic extremists murdered over a hundred people in France’s capital, Gov. Greg Abbott said that Texas would be closing its borders to those fleeing Syria. He has since threatened legal action against nonprofit organizations seeking to help these people reach safety, a morally and legally questionable overreaction that has rightly caught the attention of the federal government. Abbott is the not the only governor to say refuse refugees. Following a power struggle in federal court, the state withdrew its request for a temporary restraining order against Syri-
an refugees, but Abbott has not altered his stance on the issue. Texas’ lawsuit against the federal government is ongoing. We echo the fears surrounding terrorist attacks and understand that all immigrants must undergo strict procedure to enter the country. But the irrational regulations put forth by Texas and other states only to serve punish innocent people as frightened of terrorism as we are. While we can argue that such reactions are born from a misguided attempt to save lives, it’s illogical to turn away people whose lives are already in danger for deaths that are unlikely to occur and entirely hypothetical. We applaud the decision to withdraw the request for the restraining order, but the state should cease further attempts to block immigrants. States shouldn’t be taking the nation’s foreign policy into their own hands. Our thoughts go out to the victims of terrorism, but we cannot ignore those who are currently suffering the brunt of it, nor do we have any right to punish those who have the courage and drive to help them.
We are all weird, quirky and different. Just being college students means we are motivated and enjoy pursu- Lauren ing challenges. Bernal We stand out, but in a marvelous way. Students are leaders in academics and life. This power is not simply thrust upon us. We go out and get it. The question is, if we are all equally motivated to succeed, why is it that universities divide us as if we are not? In each person, there is a bundle of potential begging to come out. That’s why we are here. We want to make a difference in the world, with other people and in our own lives. The challenge is finding the healthiest choices that will not only challenge our critical thinking but mold us into more organized, studious and confident leaders I have the answer for you. A promising route would be to join the Honors Program. At first, I was intimidated by the suggested 3.5 GPA (since I had a 2.6 when I first came to Eastfield), and I wondered how hard I would have to work in order to be considered for the program. I decided to not let the 3.5 scare me off. After taking five courses, I earned a GPA of 3.7. As you could imagine, I was jumping around like the Keebler Elf. When fall 2015 registration came around, I signed up for four honors courses: Speech communications, geology, psychology and philosophy. On the first day of geology with Dr. Shizuko “Zu” Watanabe, she informed us about the Honors Program and how to fill out the application. The application requires you to have at least two letters of recommendation from previous professors, a two-page essay on why you believe you should be accepted into the program and a completion of a questionnaire. Since I strive to be an overachiever, I submitted four letters of recommendation and a three-page essay. Fortunately, I made it into the program and have enjoyed every second of it. It is a newly developed program by Dr. Kim Chandler. I am taking her psychology honors course and am impressed with her teaching abilities. She is organized, helpful, understanding and responds back to emails in a timely fashion, which I love. She knows the answers to everything, from classwork to Eastfield’s systems. Having her as the leader of the program is really satisfying. Once you become a member of the Honors Program, you get absorbed into an environment full of other motivated students who are as serious about their education as you are. You are assigned a mentor from the honors faculty, and your college career becomes more positive. My mentor is speech professor Nick Vera. He has helped me with knowing where I am in my classes, giving me advice on universities and inspiring me to write this column. In addition to having a mentor by your side, you are also a part of a community. The Honors Program has parties for the students and faculty to come together. And even if you don’t have the chance to speak with your mentor, the other honors faculty will always have an answer for you. The support that is given for joining this program makes you feel more comfortable with your academic surroundings. If being in a program sounds intimidating because it “takes a lot of your time” or “requires too much work,” don’t worry. It’s very relaxed, yet you are still contributing to the brilliance of Eastfield. Overall, the Honors Program has changed my life and can change yours too.
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OPINION The Et Cetera
www.eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Planned Parenthood undeserving of criticism
In the last few months, Planned Parenthood has received heavy criticism. Mayra Republican candidates and the pro-life demonRosalesstrators have been on the Montoya attack, sometimes with false information. In a recent GOP debate, Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina accused the organization of creating a video which featured “a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking, while someone says, ‘We have to keep it alive to harvest its brain.’ ” This video does not exist. What does exist is a group of videos produced by the Center for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion organization. According to an article on politifact.com, the videos “primarily show people posing as tissue brokers and talking with Planned Parenthood employees about procuring fetal tissue for medical research.” Pro-life supporters have also accused Planned Parenthood of being nothing more than a chain of abortion clinics. In reality, PP offers a variety of services for men and women, many of which have no relation to abortion. Among these services are sexually transmitted disease testing, pregnancy testing, providing birth control, sexual education, counseling and general health care. That means you could be walking into a clinic for something as simple as a flu vaccine, but that won’t keep the pro-lifers outside the building from shouting at and harassing you. The abortion debate has gone on for decades now in this
country, and still the people are split apart. Understandably, the idea of having an abortion is frightening and gruesome. The thought is uncomfortable for anyone, but it is also a concept that cannot fully be grasped unless you have personally been in that situation. It is much too easy to place judgment on those who have gone through with it or even considered it. That is the root of this socio-political issue we face: lack of empathy and understanding. I am not going to try to convince anyone that abortion is right, because that’s actually not what I believe at all. I also don’t believe that any woman who has had an abortion would be quick to recommend one to other women. What I do believe is that there are instances, unique to each woman, in which giving birth may not be the right choice. That’s the key word here, choice. Pro-choice supporters don’t think that every pregnancy should lead to abortion. We believe that it should be the woman’s decision to give birth. The truth is, opting to have an abortion is a difficult and life-changing decision to make, but the option shouldn’t be stripped away by people who have never been in that situation. There is a negative stigma given to women who even consider abortions. Many believe that it’s the woman’s fault, so they should take responsibility for their immoral choices. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple, and every case is unique in its circumstances. Some women are victims of rape, or face severe health issues that will affect the mother and fetus. Some women are drug addicts afraid that addiction has already affected the fetus. There are women who took every precaution and still became pregnant.
Planned Parenthood doesn’t judge. Planned Parenthood simply offers the accurate information women are seeking, a legal and healthy way to go about the operation and moral support that is much needed after such an emotional roller coaster. Providing women with unbiased facts is one of the most important services Planned Parenthood can offer. This is because when women look up abortion on the internet, Google will likely lead them to Christian businesses posing as women’s clinics. These businesses lack medical staff and any sense of compassion for the women seeking information. Before you really speak with anyone, you are put in a room by yourself and made to watch a disturbing video filled with false information about the risks and effects of abortion. Then, whoever speaks to you will lie to you about how far along your pregnancy is. They do this knowing that the further along a woman is, the less likely to have an abortion she is. The entire experience is designed and scripted with lies to convince you to not have an abortion. This was my personal encounter, and one that I share with women all over the country. When all I wanted was guidance in a life-changing decision, I was instead left traumatized and more anxious than before. This was until I made an appointment at Planned Parenthood. After they educated me on my options, without any pressure at all, I decided keeping my pregnancy was the best choice for me. To a distressed woman wanting simple answers to complicated questions, Planned Parenthood feels like a safe haven. They do not try to convince you of anything. They leave the decision completely up to you.
Bieber earns respect despite playboyness Justin Bieber is trying to earn respect — as he rightly should be. He’s transitioned into a young man at 21 years, released his fourth studio album after taking a break from music for three years and isn’t asking for forgiveness. What he wants is a second chance, a chance to prove he’s learned from his actions and changed. “I wouldn’t do anything over again,” Bieber said in an interview for the October/ November issue of Complex magazine. “I would do it all the same way. I’m not going to say I’m sorry for the things that I’ve done because I think that it allows me to tell a story.” Bieber has decided to use his past choices to show the public that a genuine change for the better is possible for anyone. Relatability is one of his main priorities. It’s scary to witness an insanely famous, highly influential teen pop star turn into someone unrecognizable. The beginning of March 2011 marked his descent into the familiar “bad boy” image he’s now trying to break free from. Bieber now realizes he needs to connect to people as a person, not as an intangible musician. “I’ve made myself so un-relatable the past year with all the stuff that I was do-
Genevieve Dominguez ing,” Bieber said. “Now I’m having real relationships where it’s two ways. I didn’t understand how that works because the way people would interact with me. … [It wasn’t] 100 percent genuine.” Human interaction is significant in every aspect, especially when an individual has been exposed to only one obscure part of the spectrum. He could never fully connect with the public because he didn’t know how. Bieber’s situation explains why people reacted with doubt the instant he began acting out. They saw how much a teenager could take a turn for the worse. The fact that he had millions of fans following him showed the potential risky choices that teenagers can make. The impact was a loss of respect. That’s exactly the reason why there are second chances. True perfection isn’t
possible to achieve for humanity. Instead, balance is manageable. Bieber says that he has learned the difference between having fun and being arrogant, between behaving maturely and choosing to hurt himself by making poor choices. “I’ve learned to counterbalance,” Bieber said. “I don’t have to be a super proper, stiff guy. I can still have fun with stuff. … I’m just going to be myself and if they don’t like it, they don’t like it. I move on…I know who I am and what I carry and what I sacrifice.” He will carry his past choices with him throughout his life, just as every individual does. He sacrifices privacy because that’s what his profession requires. However, he’s turning that loss of privacy into a benefit by finally voicing all his thoughts to the public. Bieber’s story is a parable for respecting someone’s second chance. He’s suffered the consequences for his past decisions as a teenager. He’s grown into a young man and matured for the better. That’s what makes him relatable to people, and he’s realized he can use his fame to show others that change is possible. Balance is attainable for humanity. Please don’t forget that Bieber is human. Please don’t forget that we are all human and extraordinarily real.
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Zek and Slik By Matthew Rohan
Trivia Bits Originally meaning “a gatherer of seeds,” what else does a spermologer do? A) Amass a vast personal fortune B) Collect trivia C) Engage in weirdo sex D) Trade sports cards If every star in the Milky Way were the size of a grain of sand, what would you need to hold it all? A) The box for a Mac desktop B) An Olympic-sized pool C) A 64-ounce drink cup D) The trunk of a Ford Escalade Whose experiments in “classical conditioning” and the “physiology of digestion” earned him the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology in 1904? A) Anton Chekhov B) Mikhail Lomonosov C) Ivan Pavlov D) Igor Sikorsky
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Trivia Answers 1. B; 2. B; 3. C
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TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY
be a COURTESY 20TH CENTURY FOX
Daniel Radcliffe (left) and James McAvoy (right) play crazy geniuses in Paul McGuigan’s new take on the classic mad scientist horror tale in “Victor Frankenstein.”
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Set your own path. Follow your dreams. TWU can help you on your journey.
MOVIE REVIEW
‘Victor Frankenstein’ breathes new life to classic thriller
By Mayra Rosales-Montoya etc4640@dcccd.edu
In director Paul McGuigan’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 19th-century horror novel “Frankenstein,” we see things from the point of view of the mad doctor’s loyal assistant, Igor. Dr. Victor Frankenstein (James McAvoy) is only beginning his descent into madness, searching for animals parts at a circus for his latest experiment. Cue the genius circus clown and physician who is later introduced as Igor Straussman (Daniel Radcliffe). He immediately attracts Frankenstein with his obvious intelligence. Frankenstein decides to rescue him from the circus, but this apparent act of kindness hides ulterior motives. The movie, titled “Victor Frankenstein,” begins to develop when Igor naively agrees to become Frankenstein’s assistant on a mystery experiment. Here begins the plot that later transforms into the story we all more or less know. Radcliffe only strays further from his most famous role of Harry Potter, but in the best of ways. Of all his weird recent roles, this is his weirdest yet — complete with runny clown
“Visiting TWU and meeting the professors and staff, I felt they really cared for me, which was a huge motive for me
makeup, dreads and a hunchback. Radcliffe’s acting is spectacular in this film as he plays a character far more timid and innocent than we are used to seeing from him. One of this movie’s best features is its use of cinematography. There are several scenes that keep the audience silently glued to the screen, but the best waits at the end — when the experiment is revealed. After such a dramatic beginning full of life and color, the film starts to slow down to let the audience catch up with the plot. But the sluggishness doesn’t last long enough to let audiences lose interest. Once you get past the downtempo, “Victor Frankenstein” does a great job of reeling its audience back in. Set in a dark and deathly storm, the closing scene is dedicated to the sheer madness and science gone wrong. The ending is action-packed and nerveracking as we finally meet the project Frankenstein and Igor have been working on. Such a tragically beautiful grand finale was definitely worth sticking around for.
to attend the university. There definitely is camaraderie here among students, faculty and staff. Everyone is committed to student success.” Dennis Sorto Music (Education) Transferred from Dallas County Community College
Take the next step with us. TWU offers: D A respected university with nationally recognized programs D An innovative Touchstone Honors program for transferring students D Opportunities to conduct undergraduate research
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* You must be enrolled in a regionally accredited institution offering an associate degree program * You must have completed at least 12 hours of coursework that may be applied to an associate degree (part-time students may be eligible) * You must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher * You must receive an invitation to membership from the chapter at the college where presently enrolled * You must adhere to the moral standards of the society To find out if you are eligible for Phi Theta Kappa membership, contact JoAnn Coates, VP Membership at psietamembership@gmail.com Member meetings are held in C-297 on 1st and 3rd Friday of every month at 12:30 p.m.
D The 5th lowest cost among 38 Texas public universities D More than $10 million in scholarships awarded annually D Programs in face-to-face, online or blended formats D Classes open to women and men
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