Etera
Eastfield College
Stephanie Dibble graduates from Eastfield student to respected auto body instructor ➤ Page 6
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Volume 45, Issue 9
2
NEWS
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
PUT IT ON YOUR
Calendar March
Wed
19
A special recital series featuring songs by Clara Schuman will begin at 12:30 p.m. in F-117. Having trouble with math? Ha Pham will present “Graphing My Equations,” part of the Student Success Series, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in L-208 in the library.
Mon
24 Tue
25
The Common Book movie event will show “The Joy Luck Club” from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in C-135. Allan Schmitt will present “Mental Math,” part of the Student Success Series, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the library. Alla Kelman will review College Algebra sections 3.5-3.6 , Rational Functions, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the library.
Wed
26
“My 77 cents: Getting Paid Your Worth,” a Women’s History Month event, will begin at 11:15 a.m. in S-101/102. A special recital series featuring guitarist Rachel Loss-Cutler-Hull will begin at 12:30 p.m. in F-117.
Thu
27
The Reality Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in G-101/102. Learn about finances, budgeting and planning your future. The Science of Cosmetics, part of the Spring Science Seminar Series, will begin at 1 p.m. in S-100/101.
Mon
31
Interested in becoming a teacher? A teaching assistant preparation program will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove Campus. For more information, contact Dora Pacheco, PGC advising, at 972860-5307.
ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KEVIN CUSHINGBERRY JR. AND AKI OHASHI DESIGN BY AKI OHASHI
www.eastfieldnews.com
The Et Cetera
Texas gay rights debate intensifies Judge’s ruling sparks dispute on campus By BILLY DENNIS etc4640@dcccd.edu
A federal judge’s recent decision to strike down Texas’ ban on samesex marriage has sparked debate on campus. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia in San Antonio ruled that Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional on Feb. 25. Then he placed a stay on his ruling pending the appeals and decisions from the higher courts. This means that same-sex couples will still be unable to officially marry in Texas. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed an appeal, and the case will now head to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. Petroleum engineering major Avery Rains applauded Garcia’s decision to void the ban. “I agree, the ruling was correct,” he said. “I don’t believe the government should have a say in whom you marry.” Thomas Do, a Math Spot tutor, opposes the decision, relying heavily on the Bible for his reasoning. “Most people say that love should be between two people, but no, it should be between one man and one woman,” Do said. “If you have a homosexual act be caught by authorities, it should be a crime.” Garcia’s decision relies heavily on the 14th amendment, which says states cannot deny people equal protection under the law. “Without a rational relation to a legitimate governmental purpose, stateimposed inequality can find no refuge in our U.S. Constitution,” Garcia said. Garcia said he was simply upholding the U.S. Constitution, but Republicans like Gov. Rick Perry and Abbott say the decision flies in the face of Texas voters, who overwhelmingly voted to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman in 2005. While Texas voters have spoken in the past, many consider Garcia’s ruling to be the correct action for the courts to take. “Just because the majority thinks
7
17
U.S. states that have overturned a ban on same-sex marriage, but marriages are not allowed due to pending appeals: Utah, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Texas and Tennessee
U.S. states allow same-sex marriage along with the District of Columbia: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
9
Million Americans identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual.
16
1
State, Colorado, allows civil unions between same-sex marriage, but not marriage.
The progress 18,000 of gay marriage
samesex marriages took place during the 142 days it was first legal in California in 2008.
Countries that have legalized marriage for same-sex couples nationwide. Two, including the U.S., have regional marriage rights.
2001
115,064
3
2004
2013
States allow same-sex domestic partnerships, but not gay marriage: Wisconsin, Nevada and Oregon
The Netherlands becomes the first country to legalize same-sex marriage.
Massachusetts becomes first state to legalize gay marriage
Sources: CNN, USA Today, Freedom to Marry, The Washington Post
something is right doesn’t make it right,” history professor Mike Noble said. “I don’t necessarily like legislation from the bench, but this is a case where I think it’s appropriate. It prevents the tyranny of the majority.” Political science professor Dr. Stacey Jurhree agrees with Noble, explaining that our form of government is a republic and not a democracy. He said the reason the word democracy is never mentioned in the Constitution is because Thomas Jefferson and George Washington feared the majority would overrule minority rights. “We have a republic form of government with majority rule with respect to minority rights,” Jurhree said. “If this was not the case, I would still be sitting in the back of the bus.” However, the victory for gay rights advocates could only be temporary. Many believe the Supreme Court could be a major hurdle in the path to equality. They cite the current conservative makeup of the court as being unfriendly to their cause.
Others are more confident, expecting Chief Justice John Roberts to take a strict constitutionalist view. “If they’re trying to base their decision off the Constitution, then I’m pretty sure that [same-sex marriage] will be [affirmed,]” said Fabiola Resendiz, a student government representative to the college’s Gay Straight Alliance club. While some may see same-sex marriage as a legal issue, others fear divine retribution from God, invoking the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of what is to come should it be legalized. “I believe the Bible, and when we go against the Bible, we get into trouble,” Math Spot staff member Patsy Mirtz said. “Look at California with all their gay people. … They’re running out of money, going bankrupt and experiencing a drought.” Many people use the Bible as their basis of support and reasoning on the issue of same-sex marriage. Others see this as cherry picking the quotes
Same-sex couple households in the U.S. with children.
U.S. Supreme Court overturns provisions in Defense of Marriage Act preventing federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage.
Illustration By DeKayla Horton
that support their particular stance. “God will not smite us for allowing gay marriage,” engineering major Eduardo Aguirre said. “He didn’t smite us when we outlawed slavery, which was supposedly God’s will.” Selena Ollervides, president of the Gay Straight Alliance, also rejects the use of the Bible for a basis of support against same-sex marriage. “They just want to twist the Bible around to make it fit what their views are,” she said. Many believe that opposition to same-sex marriage and gay rights is more generational than anything, citing the growing support among young people. “Of course, it’s going to be different for our parents because they’re a different generation,” said Cecilia Mendoza, Gay Straight Alliance historian. “Coming up to them and telling the truth of what you are is very emotional. I’m just really glad to have a mother who supports me no matter what. We should all have that.”
NEWS
3
The Et Cetera
www.eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
MIGUEL PADILLA/THE ET CETERA
Leading in the Latina way
Maria Garcia, president of the Communications Club, recently received Eastfield College’s Student Leader of The Year award.
Garcia receives prestigious Student Leadership award By KEVIN CUSHINGBERRY JR. etc4640@dcccd.edu
Most college students can visit their grandparents whenever they want. For Maria Garcia, it wasn’t that simple. Garcia was brought into the country illegally when she was 3 months old. So until 2012, when she received her green card, Garcia wasn’t able to visit her native Mexico. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, Garcia was finally able to make the trip she had been yearning for since she was a child. The trip, which allowed her to see cousins she had never met in person, ended up lasting the entire summer. After returning to Dallas, Garcia realized she had missed the application deadlines for her top college choice, the University of North Texas. There was no back-up plan. “One of my friends called me and asked what I was doing with school,” Garcia said. “I told him ‘nothing,’ and he recommended Eastfield Col-
lege. It wasn’t on my original list of schools, but there was still a week left to apply, so I did.” The fallback option ended up being a blessing for Garcia, who immersed herself in the college experience and took on new leadership roles, including the presidency of the Communications Club. Earlier this month, she was named the Student Leader of the Year. Speech professor Courtney Brazile, who coadvises the Communications Club, witnessed Garcia’s rise to leadership. “Maria is really involved,” Brazile said. “She leads by example. She’s just really passionate about the club and she wants the club to do well.” Garcia has also been active in Rising Star, making a strong first impression on adviser Jema Lopez. “I was looking for a work-study student,” Lopez said. “A former Rising Star student, Luis Martinez, introduced me to her and we just went from there.” Rosa Cuevas worked with Garcia at Rising Star, and they joined the Communications Club together in 2013.
“She’s really dedicated,” Cuevas said. “When she says she’s going to do something, she does it. When it comes down to business, she’s the one you can go to to get things done.” Cuevas ran for the vice president of administration position for the Communications Club in the fall and won. After some hesitation, she decided to put her name on the presidential ballot. She was elected president on Aug. 27. Selena Ollervides, the club’s treasurer, said working with Garcia as president has been rewarding. “She’s a leader,” Ollervides said. “You can see it in the way she talks. It’s amazing. She’s a year younger than me, but sometimes it seems like it’s the other way around.” Garcia said the recognition is a new experience for her. “It’s like ‘Wow, people are actually seeing all of the things I do,’” Garcia said. Outside of school, Garcia is an activist for immigration reform, serving as the immigration chair of the North Texas Dream Team. “When people think leader, they think of
these illustrious people sitting in offices with their big fancy suits,” Garcia said. “But when I think leadership, I think a person getting their hands dirty to help other people.” Garcia began meeting with political leaders, which was an eye-opening experience. “One of the Republican politicians said ‘You’re breaking the law just standing in my office. I should have you arrested and deported.’ It felt like a slap in the face, but it was also a taste of reality,” Garcia said. “When he said that, my heart kinda just sank. He’s telling me you can’t go to school, you can’t do crap because you don’t have a Social [Security card]. You’re not recognized as an American legally.” Garcia went home and angrily asked her mother, “Why didn’t you just keep us over there?” It wasn’t until after graduating high school that she realized just how much her mother sacrificed for her to be where she is today. “She really went through a lot to get me here,” Garcia said. “All of the struggles I went through keep me grounded. It’s something to remind me of where I come from.”
4
NEWS
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
www.eastfieldnews.com
The Et Cetera
Council chooses four-division format By KARINA DUNN etc4640@dcccd.edu
The organization of the college’s academic programs will shift to a four-division format in the fall. Michael Gutierrez, executive vice president of academic affairs, said the new divisions will be Arts and Communications, STEM, Career Tech and Social Sciences. The removal of the College Readiness and Mathematics division allowed for the addition of a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math division and the expansion of the current Arts, Language and Literature division. Employees in College Readiness will take on new roles in other divisions. Gutierrez said in a campus-wide email that the changes “will create opportunities for faculty, staff and administrators to collaborate in different and creative ways.” A forum was held in early February, allowing audience members to comment on the pros and cons of the three proposed models. Discussions about reorganizing academic programs at Eastfield have been ongoing for the past year. Collaborative efforts among faculty and administrators produced the three options. After receiving input from faculty, staff and administrators, Gutierrez recommended that the executive council adopt Option 3, the fourdivision option. It was approved on March 4. Changes include shifting computer science
New reorganization plan
SOURCE: EASTFIELD COLLEGE
and all math courses to the new STEM division. This grouping aligns with the statewide and national push to create more STEM students. Arts and Communications will pick up developmental reading and writing courses as well as digital media and sign language. The four-division plan will “enable discipline
alignment and departmental cohesion and will give students even more dynamic opportunities for success, achievement and completion at Eastfield College,” Gutierrez said. Executive Dean Gretchen Riehl of Science, Physical Education and Athletics believes her new division promotes student success by con-
centrating similar disciplines. “The sooner you connect students to who they want to be or to people doing what they want to do, the more successful they’ll be,” Riehl said. The changes will double the size of the Science, Physical Education and Athletics division. Marilyn Turner, an administrative assistant in College Readiness, will move to the STEM division to help with the increased workload. While it’s too early to know if more faculty or space will be needed, Riehl is excited to expand. “The faculty members coming [to the division] are really stellar people and have the good of students at heart,” she said. “There may be road bumps, but we’ll get through it.” Executive Dean Ricardo Rodriguez of College Readiness and Mathematics will take on new duties at the college, while Associate Dean Judith Dumont and secretary Neyra Balk will join the Arts and Communication division under Executive Dean Rachel Wolf. Wolf hopes the teamwork and conversations among faculty will continue under the new organization plan. “If people are working together, collaborating and engaged with one another, they’ll be the same with students,” she said. Gutierrez said he is excited to see the new direction the college is taking. “I know that Eastfield is no stranger to innovation, so I am especially pleased that so many embraced this change,” he said.
NEWS The Et Cetera
5 www.eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
6
NEWS
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
www.eastfieldnews.com
Working in a man’s world
The Et Cetera
Dibble breaks gender barrier in teaching auto body and welding courses By KARINA DUNN etc4640@dcccd.edu
Stephanie Dibble doesn’t have a typical faculty office. A car panel covered in blue eyes hangs on one wall, and a drawing of a female mechanic, frozen in a no-nonsense pose, graces another. Various tools and equipment, including a pair of goggles, are within reach of her desk. Visitors can quickly see that Dibble is a unique instructor. She teaches refinishing, auto body and welding, courses typically taught by men. Her interest in cars dates back to her high school years when she performed repairs and paint jobs on motorcycles while her stepfather raced in the Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association. “When I was 16, my birthday was spent in the pits,” she said. “Within a couple of months, I was tired of sitting on the sidelines, and my stepdad got a bike we could both ride. We did endurance racing.” Organized chaos surrounded the races. Before competing, the crews pitched their tents and joked around with one another. “If you wrecked, you’d have several guys help you out … like a small community,” Dibble said. She watched older men make fiberglass repairs and complete welding jobs. Often, they taught her their skills and allowed her to help. Dibble enjoyed it so much she decided to pursue an auto body career. Her mother, who was a teen mom, questioned her decision at first, concerned that she wouldn’t have a stable future. Other family members called her crazy, but Dibble was determined. “I was pushed by the fact that my mom never finished high school,” Dibble said. “I wanted to do more because she didn’t have the chance to.” Dibble was the only female in the auto body program when she began her studies at Eastfield in 2004. Soon she encountered harsher critics than her family. “An older gentleman went through classes with me,” Dibble said. “He snapped at me the first day, saying, ‘You’re a girl. Why are you here? You don’t belong here.’” Jeff Mitchell, coordinator of the welding program, instructed the auto body class in which the confrontation occurred.
PHOTO BY KEVIN CUSHINGBERRY JR./THE ET CETERA
Stephanie Dibble, who was hired as full-time faculty in 2012, demonstrates a welding technique to her students.
“[Dibble and the older gentleman] ended up teamed together,” he said. “They had more success than the others in the class.” When Dibble showed her skills, Mitchell said the two bonded. At the end of their two years, the older student was one of her greatest supporters. “Actions speak louder than words,” Dibble said. “If you can do the work, you get the respect.” After completing her associates degree, Dibble studied paint and metal fabrication at Virginia College Tech in Pelham, Ala., which cemented her passion for shaping metal. However, Dibble quickly realized she needed resilience to succeed in the auto body industry. Prior to Eastfield, she worked in body, sign and welding shops. Dibble faced discrimination and doubt from potential employers. “I had people flat out refuse to hire me because I was female,” she said. Dibble never let it discourage her. Instead, she honed her craft while waiting for her opportunity. When Gerald Kozlowski, executive dean of Career Technologies, first met Dibble, he admired her outgoing, creative personality. He hired her as a visiting scholar in 2010 and
as a full-time faculty member in 2012. “I was pleased with her work and anxious to bring more women into faculty ranks in career and technical programs,” he said. Dibble was also part of a team that built a replica of the late Carroll Shelby’s original race car, the Terlingua Mustang. Working with Bill Neal, who designed the car’s original logo, they restored and modified a car for the replica. Dibble takes pride in the accomplishment. “Getting the pieces to fit together, each car was like a puzzle,” she said. “The small things make the car, not the flashy paint jobs.” Dibble has incorporated lessons from her own experiences into her classroom. Kozlowski said she makes a strong impression when high school students tour the Career Technologies department to meet faculty and learn about the field. There are three female students in the auto body program this semester. “Stephanie gives the young ladies touring a chance to see these are professions they may want to and can pursue,” Kozlowski said.
In her welding class, Dibble has started breaking the stigma of women in auto body. Her male students often rethink their perception of women in the field. Derrel Walker, who studies auto body technology, once considered it a man’s world. When he took Dibble’s class, he appreciated her zero-tolerance policy for excuses and negative attitudes. He said Dibble’s knowledge amazed him. “She’s better than any man I’ve been around, except my granddaddy,” he said. “She can do it all.” Dibble said many students are unaware that women have succeeded in male-dominated professions since World War II. Women supported the war effort as factory workers and engineers while men fought overseas. “Women were welding and doing the metalwork that men had done,” she said. “It’s not that it’s something new. We’ve done this for a long time.” Rodney Manning said he wants to open his own auto body shop. He took Dibble’s welding class to round out his skills. “The first thing that came to mind was, she must be a trailblazer,” he said.
“Actions speak louder than words. If you can do the work, you get the respect.”
-Stephanie Dibble
Dibble looks to other women making a difference in the auto body industry for inspiration. “I admire Jessi Combs, who had run into the same stuff I had: stigma, people not wanting to give you a chance,” she said. Combs, a well-respected speed racer, co-hosts the TV show “All Girls Garage” on the Velocity Channel. She recently earned the title “Fastest Woman on Four Wheels” with a record of 392.954 mph. Dibble met Combs at SEMA, a trade event where professionals demonstrate their abilities, in 2010. Dibble said it’s good to see other women performing well and making history. “I hope it gets to the point where people judge you based on what you can do, and not on who you are,” she said.
NEWS
7
The Et Cetera
www.eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Tech tools making their way into classrooms By MORGAN CORLEY etc4640@dcccd.edu
Technology is playing an everincreasing role in society as people have come to rely on smartphones, tablets and computers. However, this trend may not be for the best, especially when the personal devices become more of a distraction than a tool. Faculty and students have varying opinions on whether students should be allowed to use their devices in the classroom. “I’m fine with it as long as they don’t disrupt other students,” said professor Jessica Kerins, who teaches anatomy and physiology. “I will say something at the beginning of a semester like, ‘If you want to use them and not pay attention, that’s your own prerogative.’ ” Some argue that being able to use technology as a learning tool in class will translate to a better prepared student when it comes to entering the job market. Others believe smartphones and tablets will only distract students from their studies. Dr. Kim Chandler of the psychol-
ogy department said she discourages students from using their personal devices in her class. “I find that it’s distracting,” Chandler said. “Even when it’s meant for class stuff, it still serves as a distraction.” Students are divided on whether or not smartphones and tablets
should be encouraged in class. “I did [use them] last semester. This semester, my teachers don’t want me to,” psychology major Zack Burr said. “The only one who has expressly forbidden them is my chemistry teacher. With the other [classes], they just wouldn’t help.” However, there are some students
Celebrating women’s history Dr. Jennifer Wimbish, president of Cedar Valley College, spoke at a Women’s History Month event on March 5 hosted by the Men’s Empowerment Coalition. Remaining Women’s History Month events include songs by Clara Schumann at 12:30 p.m. on March 19 in F-117, a panel discussion on “My 77 cents: Knowing Your Worth” at 11:15 a.m. on March 26 in S-100/101 and a guitar recital by Rachel Loss-CutlerHull at 12:30 p.m. on March 26 in F-117. A women’s history trivia contest is also being held in the library.
who make use of their devices in class as learning tools. “With my tablet, I feel like I would be distracted because all I do on my tablet is mess around on Facebook,” business major Leslie Demarco said. “But my phone I use as a tool. It’s not a distraction.” Other students use their personal devices in class too. “I don’t use my phone in class,” said Francisco Orozco, who is undecided on a major. “I use my laptop for class. It’s better for taking notes.” Students aren’t the only ones who want to make use of personal technology in the classroom. Some instructors have their students use it for the good of the whole class. “If we’re talking about things in class,” Kerins said, “and somebody asks a question and I say ‘Oh, I don’t know the answer to that. Why don’t you look it up?’ Then usually they are able to look it up on their phones.” Many institutions have come to embrace personal technology. A study by the Instructional Technology Council shows many community colleges are implementing a bring-your-own-device policy. Students are encouraged to bring their
personal devices to class and use them as part of the curriculum. Many colleges, including Eastfield, are also partnering with book publishers, which give students the option to buy the traditional printed textbook or download the ebook version. Etextbooks offer a new range of options for students. Students can highlight text as they go, use built-in dictionaries and can complete interactive exercises from the instructors. Also, the etextbooks are almost always cheaper than the traditional textbooks. “If it was cheaper, I’d probably get the ebook,” said Orozco, laughing. He had just said he prefers the traditional textbook, but the difference in price made him change his mind. “I like [etextbooks] because it’s cheaper for the students,” Kerins said. “They also don’t have to carry around a big book, especially if they have multiple classes. “The downside to that is that if they need their book in class, which often they do, if they don’t have a way to access that book in class, they can’t use it.”
NEWS
Briefs Employees earn district awards Three Eastfield employees were recognized at the annual Dallas County Community College District Employee Awards Gala on Feb. 28. Cindy Castaneda won the Excellence in Teaching Award for fulltime faculty, Courtney Carter-Harbour won the Administrator of the Year award, and Jeff Quan won the Innovation of the Year award.
Intramural sports sign-ups are underway Students can sign up for Spring 2014 intramural sports through March 28. Sports include soccer, basketball and tennis. Email 4OSER@dcccd.edu for more information.
Gans to present microscope findings to Dallas Museum of Art Microscopy Lab Coordinator and biology professor Murry Gans is collaborating with University of North Texas artist Caitlin Odneal for a special presentation at the Dallas Museum of Art on March 21. Gans will use a scanning electron microscope to take pictures of food that will unveil things which cannot be seen with normal human eyesight. Presentations, which are free to the public, will occur every 45 minutes.
Student Ambassador Program unveils new representatives
PHOTO BY KEVIN CUSHINGBERRY JR./THE ET CETERA
The Eastfield Student Ambassador program kicked off with the announcement of seven student representatives: Sam Rodrigues, Valeria Lujan, Michael Heggie, D’Lonra Herrera, Bernadette Ogno, Cristian Rodriguez and Yasmin Trevino. These students will represent the college in various events off campus.
Life&Arts
The Et Cetera
8
www.eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
5 things that defined it
By JUSTIN DAVID TATE etc4640@dcccd.edu
The South By Southwest festival in Austin was agony on my feet. There was a lot of walking, running, jumping and standing, but the pain and the waiting in line was worth it — mostly. Some of SXSW was highly entertaining and surprising in a good way. Other parts of it, including longtime favorite musical artists, proved to be a disappointment. And one tragedy put everything in perspective. Here are just a few of the bigger footnotes in my SXSW experience. “Boyhood” is a film I had been looking forward to for years … literally. The film, made by directing legend Richard Linklater of Houston, took 12 years to make. And what makes it unique, is how purposeful that 12-year process was. The time lapse is used to allow actor Ellar Coltrane, 7 years old when he first started filming, to play his character Mason through various stages of life. Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette play Mason’s dad and mom, although neither names are listed in the credits. We, the audience, know the parents by how the main character knows them, as his biological parents. It’s through Mason’s eyes that we get an intricate look at how slowly life progresses, yet how quickly the slow tick of time adds up to experiences built and relationships created. Rising rappers were prevalent throughout the festival. They ranged in status from those with mid-level buzz such as Stalley of Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group to newly signed indie buzz-magnets such as Isaiah Rashad. I went to the Parish on 6th Street to see Slaughterhouse, a group of respected veteran rappers. Turns out the best thing about the show was the opening acts. Hip Hop jerkin’ duo Audio Push brought a totally amped level of energy to the stage with leaps onto speakers and surprisingly brisk movements in some of the tightest skinny jeans I’ve seen on a rapper this year. They brought relatable lyrics and an intense energy that would be hard to follow for anybody, including Slaughterhouse. Even Kevin Gates, a Southern rapper more concerned with the circumference of a woman’s backside than anything of consequence, was interesting and carried a certain sluggish swagger, even if his pants came dangerously close to falling below his knees throughout his performance.
PHOTO BY JUSTIN DAVID TATE
Stalley performs for a packed crowd at the Woven House on March 13 in Austin.
And Isaiah Rashad is a beast. ’Nuff said. Free concerts were fun to walk into. While many people like to plan their schedule very thoroughly, the fun of SXSW is running into random bars and locations to discover good music. Attending shows headlined by established names will provide no surprises and maybe a few disappointments. Seeking a random music act such as I did on March 13 at the Heart of Texas Rockfest on 7th and Neches can yield a rich concert experience. My goldmine discovery was End of an Era. The rock band has a pretty dystopian name, but in reality, listening to their catchy, energetic set, you can’t help but have hope for the future of rock music. These guys had enough charisma to inspire the Austin crowd to topple the barricade and fall in love with a group from New Jersey of all places.
Stalley headlined one of a series of free concerts at the Woven House on 5th Street on March 13 that I stumbled into. His set was cool, with pretty lights and an enjoyable experience. It’s these surprises that make SXSW capable of surprising you, even if you’ve gone three years in a row like I have. Milk Music is a new free music app by Samsung that was the only requirement for Samsung Galaxy owners to get in line for a wristband to see the biggest show of the festival, the reunion of Jay Z and Kanye West. I figured my trusty Samsung Galaxy S II would be able to download the app. I had previously shown my ability to wait in a long line when I waited from 7:30-10:30 a.m. to see “Boyhood” the previous Sunday. When I went to download the app, it said I needed a more recent device. I later found out
PHOTO BY JUSTIN DAVID TATE
End of an Era lead singer Jeff Wallace powers through a song on March 13 in Austin.
only Galaxy S III and S IV as well as Note 2 and 3 devices could download the app. I was unable to download the app, thoroughly dealing a swift blow to my dreams of seeing the concert I missed in Dallas years ago. Though I was able to enjoy other concerts, hearing people talk about the show and seeing those ominous Samsung Galaxy wristbands and Milk Music T-shirts just reminded me of how ancient my phone is. Rashad Owens, a 21-year-old, black Texan and biological father of six, killed three people and injured 22 others sometime after midnight on March 13. I got texts from three people, including my sister and my college newspaper adviser, at the crack of dawn wanting to know if I was all right. I didn’t realize what had happened. I read about the incident and it sickened me. I realized I could have very well been one of the fallen. I had talked about going to see Tyler the Creator at the Mohawk after work. I did a promotional event, which is something a lot of young people do at SXSW because besides being the largest music festival in the world, it’s one of advertisers’ biggest opportunities to tell young people to buy their products. Work tired me out to the point that staying up an extra two hours after getting off a 12hour shift at 11 p.m. to try to get into a show knowing I had to work the next day seemed a bit daunting. I rode back to the hotel with some of my co-workers. I’m grateful for being tired. I’m horrified that the incident happened, and I absolutely loathed the stereotype Owens has fulfilled of young black men as being irresponsible and having numerous illegitimate children. Reports say he could face the death penalty. Even if he isn’t killed, he’ll never get out of prison once convicted. His six children, including one born in February, will grow up without their father. It saddens me to see this, and it reminds me just how different life could have been if I were raised differently. I would like to believe I could never be Owens. I would like to think my natural character would not bring me to drive while intoxicated and kill numerous people, but living in completely different circumstances under the rule of different parents and different surroundings, who knows? What I will walk away with after this event is that I will not allow my son to become the next Owens. He can’t be. He will be intelligent and, most importantly, responsible.
LIFE&ARTS
9
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
www.eastfieldnews.com
The Et Cetera
Theater students capture 7 awards at Texas Play Festival By ROBERT BURNS etc4640@dcccd.edu
Quirky, optimistic and energetic. These are all words that could describe the characters in the play “The Miss Firecracker Contest.” They also describe the Eastfield theater students who played them. But unlike the protagonist in the play, the students won their contest. On March 1, Eastfield won seven awards for its performance of the play “The Miss Firecracker Contest,” including Most Superior Dramatic Production and three Superior Acting awards for Kayla Anderson, who played Carnelle; Colby Calhoun, who played Delmount; and Monica Lira, who played Popeye. Students working behind the scenes also won awards: Ashley Vessels for Superior Costume, Alana Henry for Superior Set Design and Felicia Wagner for Superior Makeup Design. “The Miss Firecracker Contest” is a comedy set in Brookhaven, Miss., that tells the story of 24-year-old Carnelle Scott, an orphan who is notorious for sleeping around. After contracting syphilis, she gives it to her sickly, on-again/ off-again boyfriend Mac Sam, played by Adam Wright. This earns her the moniker “Miss Hot Tamale” around Brookhaven. In order to save her reputation, she enters the local “Miss Firecracker” beauty pageant. Her plans are disrupted when her cousin Elain, a former Miss Firecracker herself, arrives after leaving her rich husband and two children. To complicate things further, Elain’s brother Delmount, a
former mental patient, arrives with the intent to sell the family home and move to New Orleans. With the help of quirky local seamstress Popeye, who is hopelessly in love with Delmount, Carnelle enters the competition. After a wardrobe malfunction, Carnelle loses the competition and fails to restore her tarnished reputation. However, she and the other characters are optimistic about their futures. Director Dusty Reasons-Thomas said the competition was a first for Eastfield. “We have never taken a trip like this before, and we are the only Dallas County Community College that has competed like this,” she said. Reasons-Thomas said the college was invited to enter the Texas Play Festival last year but was unable to get everything lined up in time. This year, Eastfield was ready. Reasons-Thomas immediately knew the play was a hit at the competition. “We had a great crowd reaction,” she said. “All the students were pumped up and were having a good time, and they really cheered us. They stormed the actors on stage after the show. They were so excited! I was so proud! When the audience has a good time, the actors just feed off that energy, and it encourages them. That makes the performance ten times better.” Reasons-Thomas said the audience was larger than anticipated — between 200 and 300 people. It was less intimate than the black box theatre the students had prepared for with their on-campus performance the week before. She said the only hitches in the play were a missed lighting cue and a missing costume, which they
PHOTO BY SEBASTIAN GREEN
Carnelle Scott (right, played by Kayla Anderson) shows drawings of her ideas for a dress for the pageant to Popeye (Monica Lira) in the Eastfield production of “The Miss Firecracker Contest.”
were able to find a replacement for. “The Miss Firecracker Contest” wasn’t the first play Reasons-Thomas considered for the competition. “Originally I wanted to do a drama called ‘How I Learned to Drive,’” she said. “I wanted to do something that coincides with Women’s History Month as well as something we could do for the competition.” She changed her mind after watching the film adaptation of the play. “I was like, ‘We have to do this play, it’s great!” she said. “And I started to picture the students who would be interested in the differ-
ent roles.” Monica Lira was immediately drawn to the role of Popeye. “She was very quirky, she was very nerdy, and kind of goofy,” Lira said. “She is a very odd bird. She kind of reminds me of me a little and that is what attracted me to the role.” This is Lira’s fourth play at Eastfield, but her first competition. “We all became a little family,” said Kayla Anderson. “That sounds cheesy, I know. There was no drama. We are all such good friends, and it made it that much easier just hanging out doing what we all love.”
opinion
10 The Et Cetera
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Etera David Ramirez
Award-winning member of: • Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • Associated Collegiate Press • Texas Community College Journalism Association
Eastfield College 3737 Motley Drive Mesquite, TX 75150 Phone: 972-860-7130 Fax: 972-860-7646 Email: etc4640@dcccd.edu
Take the time to manage your time
Editor In Chief Kevin Cushingberry Jr. Managing Editor Justin David Tate News Editor Billy Dennis Opinion Editor Caitlin Piper Online Editor Miguel Padilla Design Editors Aki Ohashi DeKayla Horton Staff Writers / Contributors Gerenecia Foster Karina Dunn Emma Hahn Robert Burns Morgan Corley Lauren Allen Kametra Loud Anahi Perez Photographer Luzette Portillo Jonathan Wences Jessica Garcia Cartoonist Alex Hernandez Graphics Antonio Audiffred Advertising Manager Allison Slomowitz Student Publications Manager Gary Piña 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.
OUR VIEW
‘Stand Your Ground’ should be shot down The Et Cetera called for reform to Stand Your Ground laws shortly after the murder of 17-yearold Trayvon Martin in 2012. These laws allowed Martin’s killer, George Zimmerman, to avoid being convicted even though he shot an unarmed teenager. We believed these laws were ripe for abuse, and today that abuse continues. Stand Your Ground laws evolved from castle doctrine, which simply says that you have the right to protect your home without the duty to retreat. However, applying these laws outside of the home is tricky. Stand Your Ground laws say that if you perceive that your life is in danger, then you have the right to use deadly force to protect yourself. As we all know, perception is not always reality. These laws are essentially a license to kill. This is especially true for those who already have a predisposed fear caused by their own prejudices. Zimmerman, then a neighborhood watch volunteer, initiated the conflict with Martin by pursuing the teenager on foot as he walked home, wielding only a concealed bag of Skittles. If anyone should have perceived their life to be in danger, it would have to be the unarmed Martin being pursued by an unknown armed assailant. Fast forward two years. The negative attention toward Stand Your Ground legislation has brought to light the horrendous flaws within those laws, which are active in 24 states, including Texas. The recent trial of 45-year-old Michael Dunn, again in Florida, echoes the controversy sur-
rounding the Martin case. Last month Dunn was convicted of three counts of attempted seconddegree murder for firing into an SUV occupied by four teenagers after asking them to turn down their music. Although the conviction will land him at least 60 years in prison, Stand Your Ground laws could prevent Dunn from facing accountability for the death of the fourth victim, 17-year-old Jordan Davis. The jury was unable to reach a decision on the charge of first-degree murder. Simply put, the law makes it easier to convict someone of attempted murder than murder itself. Just months after a Stand Your Ground law was in place in Texas in 2007, Joe Horn successfully used it to murder two people who were robbing his neighbor’s house in Pasadena. Horn phoned 911 and reported the break-in, telling the operator that because of the law he now had the right to shoot the two men. With the police on the way, he pumped his shotgun and gunned down the two robbers as they were fleeing the scene. Was Horn in fear for his life, or was he using the law as a basis to commit murder? The 911 tape is public record, so listen and judge for yourself. These laws, while meant to protect citizens for defending themselves in the face of danger, really just make it more difficult to arrest murderers, let alone convict them. Contact your local representatives and ask that these laws be changed. We, the people, must demand a change, or we will suffer more injustices in the name of fear and prejudice.
College students, especially new ones, are learning something you can’t learn in a classroom: time management. When full-time students juggle classes and a job, it can be quite difficult. As a student with a 4.0 GPA, I wanted to challenge myself beyond this semester. I’m taking six college courses and working two jobs, which makes time management very important. When I tell my classmates about my situation, they ask me how I do it. I always respond with, “That’s easy, I just gave up my free time.” Students are often distracted by things other than school, such as social networking, video games and procrastination. I used to spend most of my time on social networking sites such as Facebook or Instagram, but now I rarely have time for those activities. I use a planner to assist me with my time management. Seeing your time on paper or through an app on a smartphone can give you a better idea of what free time you have. I love having a planner app on my phone. It’s really easy to access my schedule because it’s always at my fingertips. I have alarms set up for certain tasks to remind myself what I should be doing at what specific time. Setting deadlines is helpful. Breaking down everything step by step is a sure way to conquer time. Although I sometimes feel like stress will overtake me, I always try to think positively because I believe thinking positively helps students perform better at work and on tests. Prioritizing tasks is also very important. Worry about the most important items on your list first before tackling smaller tasks. Sometimes, situations can pop out of nowhere. In those circumstances, all I can do is work through it efficiently. Since I use a planner, I can adjust my time as needed. I always stay busy, but I simply love it because I know I’m completing many goals while earning money. I get a great sense of accomplishment knowing that I can achieve many objectives simultaneously. I honestly didn’t mind giving up all of my free time because I would rather do something productive than just sit around. If I can do it, you can do it as well. To reach your full potential in life you must overcome many challenges. So put down the remote control or your smartphone and ask yourself what you should really be doing right now.
OPINION
11
The Et Cetera
Prescription drugs almost destroyed me
The most dangerous drug dealers I ever knew were my pain doctors. Billy At the age of 22, I survived a near-fatal Dennis car wreck. As I laid in a medicated coma, doctors told my family I had a 10 percent chance to live through the night. I spent the next seven months in the hospital and an additional two years learning to walk again. I broke nearly every bone in my body from the chest down. I lost six inches of bone in my left leg and four in the right, requiring multiple bone transplants and grafts. I also had an L4 and L5 burst fracture of the lower lumbar, which caused severe long-term nerve damage. Ultimately, I had 27 surgeries to repair my mangled body. When I was finally released from the hospital, I had more metal in my body than Wolverine and a massive drug dependency. I was taking more than 100mg of methadone and oxycodone and more than 300mg of hydrocodone daily. Ironically, the driver who hit me was high on the same types of pain medications. In the beginning, I desperately needed these medications to exist. Had I been deprived of them, I likely would have taken my own life. The pain was that bad. This led me to rely heavily on these drugs for everything. The problem is I never had a pain doctor tell me about the dangers of long-term use. They were more interested in becoming my perpetual dealers and enablers. Over time, due to insurance changes, I was introduced to what patients call the meat grinder, the one-stop-shops for pain medications in Dallas. These are doctors, more often than not, with their own pharmacies who are willing to prescribe just about anything to anyone. Not one time did I ever have a doctor suggest to me it was time to taper off these dangerous drugs. I wasn’t a patient. I was a customer, and the customer is always right. Sitting in those waiting rooms, it was easy to differentiate the drug seekers from those who had legitimate reasons for being there. I would say the odds favored the former 3 to 1. Every time my dosage was decreased, it was at my insistence. When I got serious about getting off my meds, my doctor suggested suboxone, a medication that’s supposed to help with opioid dependence. But suboxone causes its own dependence, often worse than the addiction it’s trying to alleviate. I did my research and found that this drug was not for me. I wasn’t prepared to trade one vice for another. I sought out another pain doctor who would help me finally wean myself off the crutch of pain meds. However, that turned out to be a very bad idea. The next pain management “specialist” had her own way of doing things: injections. I told her I had already stopped taking most of the medications and was simply trying to get off the rest. By this time, I had reduced my medications to just 10mg of methadone a day. Even at this level, stopping cold turkey
www.eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
ADD/ADHD is a crippling reality
ILLUSTRATION BY AKI OHASHI/THE ET CETERA
can still cause serious damage, or even death. I felt I needed a doctor to help with the process. She told me she didn’t typically prescribe methadone, but would help me out if I agreed to undergo epidurals for my pain. When I questioned whether this was needed or would even help she said, “No injections, no medications.” She had me right where she wanted me. After six months of injections, her business strategy became clear. As a disabled person, I was on Medicare. If she was just helping me regulate my medication decreases, she could expect payments of $75-150 a month from the government. But with the injections, she was receiving $4,000-5,000 a month. She had built herself an impressive racketeering empire. Honestly, I’m not convinced she ever gave me a single injection. When I awoke from the anesthesia, there was no noticeable difference in my pain level. During this time, I started weaning myself from the meds. I was receiving 10mg a day but began taking only 5mg. Over the course of a year or so, I built up a backup supply. It was a good thing I did. I was told on my next visit that she would no longer be seeing Medicare patients. The doctor said Medicare stopped paying for the injections. Gee, I wonder why? If you want to know why Medicare is in trouble, there’s your answer: crooked doctors. I was immediately cut off. Had I not been stockpiling my meds, I would have been in serious trouble. I began tapering myself off the methadone slowly. During the first month, I broke the pills in half, then in quarters, and so on. Eventually, I was using a razor blade to shave off the smallest of pieces. After a rigorous six-month process, I finally became drug-free. That process ended three weeks ago. I’m happy to say I achieved this on my own without doctors and without going through the painful withdrawals they said I would. The fog has finally been lifted.
Diagnosed with ADD/ ADHD at age 13, I refused to believe in the idea that my forgetfulness, lack of focus and Genesis impulsiveness were symptoms Castillo of a learning disability. All my life I had thought of myself as intelligent and bright, but as I reached my adolescent years, I struggled with the transition to middle school. When a teacher suggested I get tested for ADD/ADHD, my parents were sure it was just a phase. I was just lazy and needed discipline. However, as my courses became more challenging and I tried to ignore my condition, things only got worse. A psychiatrist prescribed my first ADD/ADHD medication, but the process of finding the right one for me was an adventure. From meds that caused me to lose an insane amount of weight to those that made me feel depressed, I tried them all. I hated the way they made me feel, even the pills that helped me focus. When I swallowed that white and orange pill, I was more focused, but I wasn’t the bubbly Genesis everyone knew. I was like everyone else and it was hard to accept that a pill could change the way I behaved. But I was successful in school, and I could manage my time better when I took my medication. During my journey to accept my learning disability, I even refused to take medication, challenging myself to have more self-control and willpower to work harder. I questioned why I could not control my focus and my reactions to stressful situations without medication. I wondered why I needed more time to complete assignments. Why did I have to stay up all night for a B when others would have easily received an A for that type of effort? I struggled to accept that my ADD/ADHD was an actual condition that affected my academic success. I felt that admitting to the realness of ADD/ADHD gave away any power I might have in controlling my own success. Now, working with children who have special needs and learning disabilities, I have learned about the importance of educating people about the “realness” of certain learning disabilities that are not as obvious as physical ones. ADD/ADHD is very real. People with ADD/ADHD find themselves late, disorganized, forgetful and overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Over the years, I have learned to embrace my learning disability because there are some positive aspects about having ADD/ADHD. Having ADD/ADHD made me a risk-taker, and made me very passionate about certain courses like French. ADD/ADHD people tend to overly focus on things they love, and that allowed me to become fluent in three languages. Creativity is also a characteristic of many ADD/ADHD people, and it has served me well. After educating myself about ADD/ADHD, I now accept that my focus and memory abilities can present difficulties for me at times. Coming to terms with this has allowed me to adopt techniques that enable me to work a full-time job, a part-time job, and still be in school. But it was only after accepting my condition and learning about it that I was able to find success. Many people go years without being diagnosed and believe their symptoms are just part of their personality. However, these characteristics can be symptoms of a greater condition. As a teacher, I look at my students and I see their potential despite certain learning disabilities. I am committed to helping them because I can relate to their struggle. While others see their lack of focus and poor organizational skills, I can only empathize. This makes me even more dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges that many students face on a daily basis.
Sports
The Et Cetera
March 21 March 22 March 24 March 28 March 29 March 31
www.eastfieldnews.com
Baseball at North Lake Baseball at North Lake Baseball vs Texas Wesleyan Baseball vs Mountain View Baseball vs Mountain View Baseball at Hill
2 p.m. Noon TBA 2 p.m. Noon 3 p.m.
12
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
‘Worst feeling ever’
Harvesters fall short of national title for second straight season By KEVIN CUSHINGBERRY JR. etc4640@dcccd.edu
LOCH SHELDRAKE, N.Y. — Freshman forward Ricardo Artis slumped in a chair with a towel over his head, hiding his sweat-drenched face and watery eyes. The Eastfield Harvesters had just lost 72-68 to Caldwell (N.C.) in the Final Four, and Artis wasn’t ready to accept what that loss meant. “My mind is going crazy,” he said. “But what hurts the most is knowing that my team worked too hard not to be named national champions.” One year after finishing as the national runner-up, the Harvesters (278) finished fifth at the NJCAA Elite Eight tournament. Following the game, in which the Harvesters shot 36 percent from the field, and 24 percent (8 of 33) from three-point range, coach Anthony Fletcher said the team wouldn’t have won as many games this season had they shot so poorly. “I’m still proud of this team,” Fletcher said. “No, we didn’t make it to the national championship, but trust me, a lot of other teams would love to trade places with us.” T.J. Wilson led Caldwell with 21 points and seven rebounds, followed by Lawrance Jackson with 17 points and three rebounds and Justin Parham with 15 points. Sophomore Andrew Maxie had 15 points and seven rebounds for Eastfield while Artis had 14 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore guard D.J. Jordan contributed 13 points. “It was right there in our hands,” Jordan said. “Man, this is the worst feeling ever. I’ve never been a part of something so great.” The Harvesters advanced to the Final Four after Artis scored 31 points and added 10 rebounds in an 88-73 first-round win over Anoka-Ramsey (Minn.). Freshman guard Tevin Corprew, who scored 11 points in the first half, finished with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. Sophomore forward Sheldon Yearwood added 11 points and four rebounds, and Maxie scored
KEVIN CUSHINGBERRY JR../THE ET CETERA
Freshman guard Tevin Corprew covers his face following the Harvesters’ 82-74 second-round loss to Caldwell in the Elite Eight.
nine points. The Harvesters held the Rams to 36 percent shooting and 10 points less than their average. The Harvesters were one of five teams that returned from last year’s Elite Eight tournament, including defending national champion Brookdale. The Jersey Blues lost their second-round game against Rock Valley (Ill.), setting up a rematch of last year’s championship game in the third-place game. Artis led the Harvesters with 17 points and nine rebounds in the first half, helping Eastfield build a 53-36 lead. However, the Jersey Blues went on a 46-21 run in the second half to win the game 82-74. The Harvesters had trouble from the field again, shooting 5-for-28 from three-point range, and they also turned the ball over 15 times in the
second half. Eastfield shot 52 percent from the free-throw line while the Jersey Blues shot 74 percent, making nine more free throws than the Harvesters. Joe Nickerson, the MVP of last year’s championship, finished with 24 points for Brookdale. Jaimik Moore added 23 points and nine rebounds and received all-tournament honors following the game. Artis paced Eastfield with 19 points and 15 rebounds and also earned alltournament recognition. “We put our heart and soul into this season,” Artis said. “It hurts not to have reached our goal of a national championship, but I love my team and wouldn’t trade any of them for anybody else.” The team will lose four sophomores from this year’s team, including Maxie and Josh Shockey. They are the
only two players who played in the national tournament the last two years, which was the most successful run in Eastfield history. Jordan said being on this team was different than teams he played on in the past. Those teams folded under pressure when things got rough. “Man, I’ll never forget this team,” Jordan said. “We did great through all the adversity we faced throughout the season. We’re a team full of Division I talent. Everybody on the team could be the man at a big-time program.” The freshmen will meet with Fletcher next week about their basketball futures and whether they will play for Eastfield next season. Some gained attention from other colleges following the Harvesters’ successful season. KEVIN CUSHINGBERRY JR../THE ET CETERA “I don’t know where I’ll play next Freshman forward Ricardo Artis year,” Artis said. “I’ll always remember scores in the Harvesters’ thirdplace game against Brookdale. Eastfield, though.”
SPORTS
13
The Et Cetera
Eastfield takes 5th in New York
ALL PHOTOS BY: KEVIN CUSHINGBERRY
Ricardo Artis feels the pain after losing at the national tournament in Loch Sheldrake, N.Y.
www.eastfieldnews.com
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Top: from left, freshmen Brendan Chapman, Demorris Turner, and Walter Bell leave the court following their Final Four loss to Caldwell. Middle: The Harvesters’ bench celebrates a play against Caldwell. Bottom: The Harvesters attended the NJCAA Division III Elite Eight banquet, where coach Anthony Fletcher received his second straight MAC Coach of the Year award.
14
SPORTS
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
www.eastfieldnews.com
The Et Cetera
Empkey leads Harvesters with his bat, faith By ANAHI PEREZ etc4640@dcccd.edu
From catching to hitting to preaching the word of God, sophomore catcher Taylor Empkey leads the Eastfield Harvesters baseball team on and off the diamond. Empkey’s .400 batting average and 25 runs batted in have helped the Harvesters compile a 21-4 overall record and win their first two series against conference opponents. But for Empkey, life is about more than baseball. Empkey, who is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action, has Bible Study sessions with a couple of his teammates in his apartment. “I’m really strong on my faith,” he said. “I love Jesus a whole lot, and I like to talk to the guys about their faith. Athletes in Action helped bring the soccer, baseball and basketball teams together in terms of faith, but also helped to create a bond.” Assistant coach Travis Graves said he is impressed with Empkey’s leadership. “He’s great, wonderful,” Graves said. “That kid has more energy than anybody out there. He catches in an intrasquad practice for three-and-ahalf to four hours, and he’s the first one to grab a rake to rake home plate. I mean that’s the type of kid he is. He just goes, goes and goes.” Although Empkey considers himself a normal guy, many of his teammates and coaches admire his personality. “He’s one of our better players, and he’s having a really good year so far,” said head coach Michael Martin. “He’s a great example to these kids.” Sophomore pitcher Will Birge worked with Empkey last year and said the two have become good friends outside of baseball. “He’s a good teammate,” Birge said. “He’s strong in his faith. He makes good grades, works hard. He is what you want in a friend, and we all have a tremendous amount of respect for him.” Empkey said an important part of playing
“I’m really strong on my faith. I love Jesus a whole lot, and I like to talk to the guys about their faith.” -Taylor Empkey Eastfield catcher
catcher is managing the pitching staff. Since every pitcher has a different way of throwing the ball, Empkey said he has to know what each one is going to throw to him. With practice, he learns abouwt pitching strengths and how to command the game. Empkey said he tries to make the pitchers as comfortable as possible on the mound, instead of feeling stressed. “I usually go up there and try to lighten the mood, and try to talk to them,” he said. One tactic Empkey uses is asking the pitchers whether they prefer chicken or steak. He said it helps relax them. “It gets them thinking about food,” Empkey said. “Although many of them say steak, I ask ‘Is that fajitas?’ or ‘How does that look for you?’ It’s a lot of fun.” When he’s not in Mesquite, Empkey spends time with his family in Fort Worth. Whether it’s catching baseballs or catching up with his 14-year-old brother, he tries to leave his mark on the people he encounters. “He is definitely a player with faith,” Birge said. “He walks the walk, talks the talk. I respect Taylor immensely for that.” Empkey grew up playing various sports including football and basketball, but baseball has always been his first love. When Martin saw Empkey playing for L.D. Bell High School, he and Graves knew he would be a great fit for Eastfield. “He’s a good player,” Martin said. “We could tell that from the start. Being a catcher is an important role on the team. There are only two people that touch the ball every time. The pitcher is throwing to the catcher. That’s a pretty important job, and he’s handled it well for us.”
REALITY FAIR Are you ready?
Learn about finances, budgeting and planning your future. When?
Thursday, March 27
Time?
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where?
Building G – Room 101-102
Questions? Email the Accounting Club at efcacctclub@gmail.com Hosted by
Eastfield Accounting Club and Resource One Credit Union
PHOTO BY KEVIN CUSHINGBERRY JR./THE ET CETERA
Eastfield catcher Taylor Empkey, who has a .404 batting average, holds Bible study sessions with teammates at his apartment.
Wrapup The Et Cetera
15 www.eastfield.com
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Short Thoughts BY ALEX HERNANDEZ
COURTESY OF DREAMWORKS STUDIOS
Aaron Paul lights up the streets as Tobey Marshall in “Need for Speed.”
‘Need for Speed’ is a high-octane joyride By BILLY DENNIS ect4640@dcccd.edu
Trivia Bits
1. Who died on Oct. 10, 1939, and was buried near the spot where John Lennon and Paul McCartney met?
2. What athlete became Malik Abdul Aziz after a stint in prison?
A. Pete Best B. Sgt. Henry Pepper C. Eleanor Rigby D. Billy Spears
A. Marion Jones B. OJ Simpson C. Mike Tyson D. Michael Vick
Trivia Answers 1. Eleanor Rigby is buried near that spot 2. Mike Tyson
Sudoku
When I heard Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad”) was making a movie based on the classic racing video game series “Need for Speed,” I expected it to be terrible. Really, really terrible. I was wrong. Yes, the plot points are fairly obvious, and you know where the movie is going, but that’s not really the point. The movie isn’t about the destination so much as the journey. And the journey is one hell of a ride. “Need for Speed” does a great job of not getting bogged down by trying to be something it’s not. The movie is an unabashed re-imagining of the video game in all its chaotic glory. Tobey Marshall (Paul) is a blue-collar mechanic looking to make a name for himself in the fast and loose world of illegal street racing. After being framed for the death of his friend by rival wheelman Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper), Marshall is sent away to serve a prison sentence for manslaughter. Released from prison two years later, Marshall has just one thing on his mind: vengeance. He quickly assembles his superstar mechanics and support team in order to compete in the ultimate cross-country race, De Leon. To do so, he must find a car fast enough to challenge Brewster. Armed with a Shelby Cobra, the very car Carroll Shelby was working on when he died, Marshall pulls out all the stops in this adrenaline-laced thrill ride. One of the best features has to be the stellar supporting cast assembled by veteran casting director Ronna Kress, who always manages to put together the best possible actors even within a limited budget. It would have been a much harder job for Paul had he been made to carry this movie alone. However, surrounded by Rami Malic (“Short Term 12”), Imogen Poots (“That Awkward Moment”), Dakota Johnson (“50 Shades of Grey”) and Michael Keaton (Batman), his transition from the small screen to the silver screen was a smooth one. You have to judge a movie by what it’s trying to do and whom it’s trying to do it for. “Need for Speed” blew me away, leaving the “Fast and Furious” movies waning in its rearview mirror. So do I recommend seeing this movie? As Aaron Paul would say, “Yeah, bitch!”
16
The Et Cetera
Wednesday, March 19, 2014