Issue 2 - 9-14-12 by The Flare

25 days left to register to vote in Presidential election BRITTANI PFAU Co-Executive Editor Time is running out for Texans to vote in the Nov. 6 presedential election. Oct. 9 is the deadline to register. Voters who did not vote in the May 29 primary election are still qualified to vote in the general election. Early voting begins Oct. 22. To register to vote, students must to fill out a voter’s

registration application or register in person. Students can register in person or register by mail by obtaining an application at their county voter registrar’s office. (In most Texas counties, the Tax AssessorCollector is also the Voter Registrar. In some counties, the County Clerk or Elections Administrator registers voters.) After being submitted by the county voter registrar, a student’s

registration becomes effective 30 days after being submitted. A voter card will then be mailed to the voter who will need to sign by the “X” on the yellow area on the front side of the card. Students will need to take this card with them to the polls to vote. For more information about voting procedures, registration or absentee ballots, students can visit votexas.org.

To be eligible to vote in Texas: be a U.S. citizen be a resident of the country be at least 18 years old (you may register at 17 years and 10 months) not be a convicted felon (unless a person’s sentence is completed, including any probabtion or parole) not declared mentally incapacitated by a court of law.

The Flare

Friday, September 14, 2012 Vol. 76 No. 2 Serving Kilgore College since 1936

The

BIG QUESTION

Campaign encourages students to graduate from community colleges

ASHTON JOHNSON • Co-Executive Editor

t’s no secret that four-year universities are struggling to increase graduation rates, but the situation is even more dire at the nation’s community colleges.

Kris Dobbins / FLARE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

Community colleges enroll more than one-half of students in higher education in Texas. In order to sustain and grow the economic base of the state and safeguard the well-being of its residents, community colleges will have to educate even more students. “We believe finishing what we start has value,” said Dr. Bill Holda, KC president. “With KC’s involvement in Achieving the Dream and other success initiatives, we want to improve

Bre a k i n g n ews, videos an d exten ded cover age at www.thef lareonline. com

student success, and graduation is one of those ways.” Community colleges are wellpositioned to accomplish this goal because of their geographic accessibility to populations across the state, the relatively low cost of tuition and the close relationship these institutions have with area businesses and industries to train and retain the workforce. “We are persons who experience See GRADUATION on Page 3

FRIDAY, September 14, 2012

The Flare

NOTEBOOK Sept. 15– Oct. 1 SATURDAY, Sept. 15 Football vs. TVCC 7p.m. Athens Softball tournament 11:45 a.m. 1:30 and 5 p.m. Denton Kilgore Community Concert 7 - 9 p.m. Dodson Auditorium

FACE IN THE CROWD

Tori Dheil When did you start twirling? The end of my 6th grade year. Who sparked your interest in twirling? Shelby Elder Why did you decide to continue band and twirling at KC? I wanted a degree in music education. Music and twirling have been a huge part of my life, and my ultimate goal is to teach band and teach twirling at a high school or junior high. What is the biggest difference between high school and college band? The people in college band all want to be there. They don’t have to be there for a credit to graduate, and the musical talent is so much higher than it was in high school. What is it like being KC’s freshman drum major? At first it was a little intimidating, because I didn’t know how things at KC were run, but all the band members made me feel welcome and now I feel like I am part of one big family.

Age: 18 Hometown: Kilgore Classification: Freshman Major: Music

What is it like performing on the same field you did in high school? I feel at home on this field. What has been your biggest accomplishment in your twirling career? Making KC feature twirler. It has been my dream, since I was in middle school. What is one thing you would like to accomplish as drum major this year? To stand on the field with my band as we perform the best drill we possibly can, so that we leave nothing on the field. How many hours do you put into band and twirling each week? six hours for band practice, eight hours for twirling practice and three hours of individual practice on my clarinet. What is one thing most people don’t know about you? I twirled at the halftime performance at the 75th and 76th annual Cotton bowl, my junior and senior year of high school.

MONDAY, Sept. 17 Co-ed dodgeball

Randi Davis / THE FLARE

5 - 6 p.m. Carpeted Gym

TUESDAY, Sept. 18 KCEOPA meeting 11:30 a.m. Ballroom Comic Book Club Meeting 3:30pm - 4:30pm Watson Library WEDNESDAY, Sept.19 Co-ed dodgeball 5 - 6 p.m. Carpeted Gym THURSDAY, Sept. 20 Muscular Dystrophy Association of ETX 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. DSC Ballroom Softball tournament 5 and 7 p.m. Fort Worth FRIDAY, Sept. 21 NEXT ISSUE OF FLARE KC Foundation Board Meeting 10 a.m. DSC Ballroom TJCSCA Sophomore Softball All-Star tournament TBA Abilene

‘All My Sons’ first play of semester Drama, based on true story, opens Oct. 9 KELSEY HANSEN Staff Writer Imagine building parts for the military and a plane crashes with the faulty parts you allowed your assistant to ship off, and you let him take the blame for it. Do you think you could handle the guilt? This is part of the storyline of “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller which director Kathy Barber has selected for the theatre department’s first

production of the fall. The play is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9-13 in the Van Cliburn Auditorium in the Turk Fine Arts Center and 2:30 p.m. the following Sunday, Oct. 14. The play, based on a true story, describes how a woman turned her father in for selling faulty parts to the U.S. military during World War II. Joe Keller (played by Joshua Weaver) has been running a successful factory until 21 air pilots are killed because of defective parts

that Keller’s assistant, Steve Deever, has sent off. Throughout the play, Deever remains off stage, in jail, while Keller’s conscience gets to the best of him, resulting in his personal form of consequence. The play involves scandals when Keller’s son, Chris (played by Dustin Kincaide) asks Deever’s daughter, Ann, (played by Ashley Jackson) to marry him. Barber said she chose this play because she loves Miller’s literature and it calls for a large male cast, which came to Barber’s advantage because her class has a lot of guys. The play will be performed in the

SERVICE LEARNING FAIR

TUESDAY Sept. 25 Twilight Discussion Group 2 p.m. Watson Library Comic Book Club 3:30-4:30 p.m. Watson Library WEDNESDAY Sept. 26 Co-ed dodgeball 5-6 p.m. Carpeted Gym President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campaign 1:30-3 p.m. DSC Ballroom FRIDAY, Sept. 28 ISSUE NO. 4 OF FLARE SATURDAY, Sept. 29 Football vs. Cisco 3 p.m. Cisco Softball tournament TBA UT Tyler MONDAY, Oct. 1 Fall graduation deadline Co-ed dodgeball 5-6 p.m. Carpeted Gym

NEWS IN BRIEF

Comic Book Club returns to library KC is calling all students to assemble as the KC Comic Book Club. The next meeting is scheduled from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Tuesday Sept. 18, in the Watson Library. Meetings are planned for the same time and place every Tuesday through out the fall semester. KC student Mark Dickson founded the club in the fall of 2006. “The Kilgore Comic Book Club is for those who wish to immerse themselves in the comic book industry,” Dickson said. “The club is not only for those who like comic books, but the entire culture itself.” The club discusses a variety of comics books, manga, artists, writers, likes and dislikes, including changes to DC Comics. “The first meeting went great and we are all looking forward to next week’s meeting,” Dickson said. “This is a place for the Sheldon Coopers of Kilgore College.” ~Joy Draper

SATURDAY, Sept. 22 TJCSCA Sophomore Softball All-Star tournament TBA Abilene Ranger Band Alumni Day 9 a,m. - 6 p.m. Ballroom/ TV Room/ Game Room/ Masters Gym MONDAY Sept. 24 Last Day for refunds on any and all drops Full Throttle courses begin Co-ed dodgeball 5 - 6 p.m. Carpeted Gym Presidential Scholars Dinner 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

cast’s version of a backyard in Ohio, but right now they’re still putting all the parts together. The students learn how to piece together all the props and sew their own costumes, if need be. Although Barber has never directed “All My Sons,” she said she sees good progress and has hope for this year’s cast. Ticket prices are $6 for adults, $5 for students all ages and $4 for KC students with I.D. The door opens an hour before each showing. No late arrivals will be admitted, and children under six are not allowed.

Lauren LaBoyteaux / THE FLARE

(From left) Students Emmanuel Hillburn, Laquesha She eld and Inez Villarreal talk to representatives from East Texas Medical Center during the Service Fair held on Tuesday in the Devall Ballroom. Participants showcased volunteer opportunities for students. Patty Bel, director of career services and service learning, said the Service Fair was a success because of the support they received from administration, instructors and sta .

Campus ministries offer services to students KADE MORRISON Staff Writer KC has three ministries on campus that welcome every student regardless of religious belief. These campus ministries offer events, free meals and life-changing opportunities to students. CHRISTIAN CAMPUS CENTER The Tri-C is a ministry that has students flowing in and out its doors throughout the week. Britt Davis directs the campus ministry which is located at 501 Nolen St. and is supported by the Church of Christ. Students can visit the Tri-C on Nolen, and can also connect with the Bible chair through Facebook and its website www.cscoc.com/tri_c2.html. Tri-C’s vision this semester is based on the scripture Nehemiah 2:18 which says, “I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, ‘Let us arise and build.’ So they put their hands to the good work.” Therefore, the focus this semester is “Let Us Arise and Build.” The Tri-C offers weekly events, such as in-depth Bible studies at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday, free lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday and night dinner parties at 6 p.m. every Monday. The Tri-C also provides hot

cookies between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Mondays and has a building that provides fellowship activities. Davis said that one of the most rewarding things about campus ministries is bringing people together to experience Christ. For more information, contact the Tri-C office at 903-984-3700 or email Davis at Godrocksme2@yahoo.com. BSM The Baptist Student Ministry is located at 809 Nolen St. This campus ministry has created opportunities to serve KC students. They can connect with the BSM through Facebook or simply by dropping by the BSM building during the semester . The BSM offers weekly events, such as small groups at 3 p.m. every Monday, corporate Bible study at 7 p.m. every Monday night and free lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday. The ministry offers a chance to be part of the International Student Retreat Nov. 2-4. Shelly Webb serves as BSM director and feels that the vision for the BSM is based on 1 Thessalonians 2:8 which says, “We loved you so much that we delighted not only to share the Gospel of Christ with you, but our lives as well, because you became so dear to us.”

The BSM wants students to find their place not only at KC but their place in the Kingdom of God. There are more events and activities planned throughout the fall semester. For more information, contact Webb at swebb@kilgore.edu or 903984-7146. THE WESLEY FOUNDATION The Wesley Foundation is also a campus ministry offering many opportunities to KC students. The Wesley, located at 1009 Broadway, is directed by Amy Hodge and supported by area Methodist churches. The vision statement of the Wesley is to be an attentional Christian community that serves the people of KC. This ministry expresses a desire to build lasting relationships with students. The Wesley offers ways to connect through its website www.kcwesley. org, Facebook page and by coming by the campus building. The Wesley will have events weekly such as Campus Alpha Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Catalyst Bible study at 6 on Sunday nights in the Wesley building and free lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday. For more information regarding the Wesley, contact Hodge at 903984-6922 or email amyhodge77@ yahoo.com

Prizes up for grabs in cheerleader raffle The KC cheerleaders are sponsoring a raffle fundraiser. The prizes include a $325 Martin Gas Cajun Fryer, $250 P & W Sales XBOX 360, up to $68.50 at Hank’s Frame and Wheel Service Alignment, $50 gift certificate to Country Tavern and a $50 gift card to Outback Steakhouse. The tickets cost $5 or five for $20. One does not have to be present to win. To purchase a ticket, contact Melissa Haden, cheerleader sponsor, at 903-983-8134. Winners will be announced the Homecoming football game Oct. 20. ~Khandice Horn

Swift decision could bring star to campus Taylor Swift will travel to a winning college or high school this fall as part of VH1’s critically acclaimed “VH1 Storytellers” series to perform an intimate acoustic concert. The event is sponsored by Chegg and Papa John’s in partnership with COVERGIRL and American Greetings. The contest is open to accredited colleges and high schools in the 48 continental U.S. and will run through Sept. 23. Students can vote daily for KC at www.taylorswiftoncampus.com. The top five schools with the most votes will each receive a $10,000 grant for their music department from Taylor Swift and Chegg’s philanthropic program, Chegg for Good. The concert will air on VH1 Sunday, Nov. 11. ~Ashley Morales

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THE FLARE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

NEWS

Halloween house to help Crim’s frightful state ASHTON JOHNSON Co-Executive Editor Aiming to stir up some interest in the historic Crim Theater in downtown Kilgore, the Kilgore Main Street program will host “The Crim Theaterror,” a theaterinspired fright house set to draw crowds to downtown in October. “This idea was presented to myself and the city manager by James Draper,” said Main Street Manager Clara Chaffin. “The idea was then taken to the Main Street Advisory Board retreat in July and they asked me to move forward

with it.” Chaffin’s volunteer committee is still developing the ideas inside the “Theaterror,’” mapping out a maze and the individual terrors revolving around the theatrical theme. “I would love having Kilgore College students volunteer to help out,” Chaffin said. “Connecting downtown and Kilgore College is very important to the Main Street Program.” The Main Street Program is looking for approximately 40 volunteers to be actors and tickettakers each night. Volunteers must be 18 years or older

and must commit to volunteering six nights total. Each volunteer is required to read, complete and sign the “volunteer sign-up and release/ waiver” by Oct. 1. ‘The Crim Theaterror’ volunteer form can be submitted online at www.theaterror.com. ‘The Crim Theaterror’ will host its grand opening from 7 p.m.midnight, Friday Oct. 12 and will operate every Friday and Saturday until Oct. 26. Hours will shift as Halloween night approaches and the fright house will be open Monday-Wednesday the week of Oct. 29.

Tickets will be about $10 each. “All proceeds will be going back into the Theater for maintenance and renovation efforts,” Chaffin said. For almost five decades, the 6,000-square-foot Crim Theater has slowly started to crumble with its faded plaster, broken fixtures and collapsed stage. “The Crim Theater has been used for storage since it received a new roof several years ago,” Chaffin said. “The theater has not had an event since the day it closed in the late 1950s.” The Crim Theater is in dire need

of renovations and city officials are hoping that the “Theaterror” will put money back into this historical Kilgore icon. “I think this event will have a very positive impact on downtown Kilgore. It will bring a new crowd to downtown that maybe hasn’t been there before,” Chaffin said. “I think the restaurants will see the most impact from the crowd and hopefully the people will see how wonderful our downtown is and return.” For more information, contact Chaffin at 903-988-4117 or by email at clara.chaffin@cityofkilgore.com.

POLICE BEAT

Old Main incident leads to arrest WHITNEY HOWARD Staff Writer An Overton sophomore was arrested Sept. 6 after he repeatedly refused to leave his English class in Old Main. KC Police Chief Martin Pessink said the student reportedly had a disagreement with his instructor concerning his use of electronic devices during class. The continuing disruptions led to the instructor’s calling KCPD

Gabriel Espinosa / THE FLARE

Annual picnic grand tradition

As an academic honor society with hallmarks in service, fellowship, leadership and scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa is filled with opportunities for networking, team building and serving the community with fundraising and service projects. PTK also provides scholarships for students looking to eventually transfer to a four-year college as well as letters of recommendation to potential schools and employers. Plans for this semester include a trip to the Texas Leadership Conference in Weatherford, a district meeting, PTK mixer,

Kris Dobbins / THE FLARE

Graduation: Rate could affect future funds FROM PAGE 1 interruptions in our lives; we are not always able to finish the baccalaureate degree,” Holda said. “In a society which measure titles and credentials, providing students with a title/credential is more powerful. If a student says ‘I have 60 hours from KC’ or ‘I have an Associate of Arts Degree from Kilgore College’ - Which statement has more long-term value to a student?” While two-year colleges serve higher percentages of underrepresented students, not all students attending a community college do so with the intention of earning a degree. “To be able to say, ‘I am a graduate of Kilgore College’ has more value than ‘I attended Kilgore College,’” Holda said. KC’s push for students to graduate this semester is creating a head start in the Achieving the Dream initiative. “At the moment, graduation rates don’t affect funding; however, 10 percent of the future state funding will be related to a variety of success points, of which achieving a degree or certificate will be worth

some value,” Holda said. One hundred and fifty students have currently applied for Fall graduation. Students who are eligible to receive a degree or certificate must complete an application by midnight Oct. 1. Fall graduates must have completed all required courses or be enrolled in their remaining classes to be eligible for graduation. Applications must be completed online through Campus Connect. Students will receive a confirmation of their graduation status by KC Ranger email once the application has been processed and degree audits have been received by

PTK making plans for fall semester KELLY GILLIT Staff Writer

Above: Grandfather Darryl Gandy photographs his 2-year-old granddaughter Lainey Thurston during the KC Early Childhood Center’s annual picnic on Sept. 7 while grandmother Kathy Thurston looks on. Right: Grandmother Carolyn Woods shares a sandwich with her 20-month-old grandson Gabe Arp. The center annually hosts the picnic in observance of Grandparent’s Day.

advisers. Students eligible for multiple certificates do not need to complete an additional application. Students missing the Oct. 1 deadline can apply during the late application period. Any student applying between Oct. 2- Oct. 31 will be required to pay a $75 application fee and any student applying between Nov. 1- Nov. 30 will be required to pay a $150 application fee. No applications will be accepted after Nov. 30. Fall graduation will be held 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, in

Dodson Auditorium. “I would like for more of our students to be able to complete their degrees more quickly; however, when 50 percent of our students are attending part-time and many work full-time jobs, it is difficult to get through as quickly,” Holda said. “I would like to see more participation in achieving completion successes with higher graduation rates.”

to remove the student from the classroom. KCPD officer Lt. Tony Means arrested the student after additional demands to exit the class were ignored. The student faces charges of school disruption (a Class B misdemeanor) which is punishable by fines and possible jail time if found guilty. He may also be subject to punishment by KC in accordance with the rules of conduct.

as well as giving out its annual Excellence in Teaching awards to the top KC teachers nominated and voted on by the student body. The organization is open to all students who meet the minimum requirement of at least 12 completed hours and a GPA of 3.5 or higher. However, to maintain membership, a student must keep a 3.2 GPA though anyone who has yet to meet the prerequisites to join can still get involved. For more information, contact the PTK sponsors: Michele Daniels, speech instructor, at 903-983-8621 or mdaniels@kilgore.edu, or Dr. Paul Buchanan, geology instructor, at 903983-8253 or pbuchanan@ kilgore.edu.

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THE FLARE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

SPORTS

Sensational start spurs inaugural softball team Team begins successful scrimmage season, 6-0 ASHLEY MORALES Staff Writer The Lady Ranger softball team has yet to lose a game in its fall scrimmage season and hopes to keep it that way in the Texas Woman’s University Tournament against Ranger College, Weatherford College and Vernon College this weekend in Denton. The fall season for the Lady Ranger softball team is a scrimmage season to test the players’ skills for the upcoming spring. Statistics during the fall will not affect the team’s conference record. The fall competition includes 18-andunder fastball travel teams, four-year schools and junior colleges which KC will play in the spring. Competing against teams categorized at different playing levels helps the team see kinks in their game they can improve. “We have seen improvement every week and continue to see improvement,” head coach Leslie Messina said. “We are working hard, and we are seeing good things turn out.” Messina was pleased with the outcome of the first weekend of games. “We still have some things that we need to work on. We could have done a little better, but with practice and repetition we will get it done,” Messina said. The team opened with a double-header Sept. 1 against the Dallas-Fort Worth Firecrackers and the Lady Texans. “Our offense really exploded in the first half of the first two games. We need to work on a few things with our defense, but our communication was great,” Messina said. “We came from behind in the third game which is a really strong quality to have as a team.” Messina’s players from Texarkana College received their conference rings during halftime of KC’s first home football game. “There were a couple of players that didn’t get rings, and want their own ring, so they want to make sure that we work hard and are able to achieve a greater success this year,” Messina said.

Kim Hill / THE FLARE

Lady Ranger Softball pitcher Kari Courtney, Beckville freshman, throws a pitch in the weekend home scrimmage opener at Stream-Flo Field. The team travels to Denton this weekend to compete in the Texas Woman’s University Tournament in Denton.

SOFTBALL SCRIMMAGE SCHEDULE DATE SAT. SEPT. 1 SAT. SEPT. 1 SAT. SEPT. 1 SAT. SEPT. 8 SAT. SEPT. 8 SAT. SEPT. 8 SAT. SEPT. 15 SAT. SEPT. 15 SAT. SEPT. 15

OPPONENT RANGERS VS. DFW Firecrackers RANGERS VS. Texas Bombers Futures RANGERS VS. Anderson Express RANGER INVITATIONAL Kilgore vs. TX Inception RANGER INVITATIONAL Kilgore vs. Sneaky Cleats RANGER INVITATIONAL Kilgore vs. Orange Crush TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIV. TOURNAMENT Kilgore vs. Ranger College TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIV. TOURNAMENT Kilgore vs. Weatherford College TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIV. TOURNAMENT Kilgore vs. Vernon College

TIME/SCORE W 8-1 W 3-1 W 11-0 W 5-0 W 5-2 W 16-0 11:45 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 5 p.m.

PLACE KILGORE KILGORE KILGORE KILGORE KILGORE KILGORE DENTON DENTON DENTON

SPORTS

THE FLARE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

PAGE

Rangers gunning for three in a row By JEREMY GARZA Staff Writer Trinity Valley Community College has scored 134 points in three weeks of football. That’s the test unbeaten (2-0) and 19th ranked Kilgore will face on Saturday when the Rangers travel to Athens to take on the No. 11 ranked Cardinals. Kickoff for the Southwest Junior College Football Conference opener is set for 7 p.m. at Bruce Field in Athens. In week one against Dodge City Community College (Kan.), KC linebacker Charles Woods was named SWJCFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight tackles, breaking up three passes, forcing three fumbles and recovering a fumble. He followed that up in week two against archrival Tyler Junior College by racking 16 tackles and causing a fumble. His partner in crime was defensive end Cooper Washington, who had

nine tackles of his own against Tyler. In last week’s action against TJC, KC had one defensive score, but its secondary let TJC get back in the game. KC seemed to show a glimpse of vulnerability by allowing TJC to air out 305 passing yards. Offensively, KC has been strong at the quarterback position. Head Coach J.J. Eckert has started two quarterbacks so far this season. In week one, sophomore Emory Miller had the start and threw for 136 yards and one TD. In week two Eckert went with his freshman Tanner Tausch who also helped the Rangers come out with a win throwing 19 of 29 for 293-yards and three TDs. Both quarterbacks seem comfortable finding KC wide receiver Ed’Marques Batties, who has put up great fantasy football stats with 12 catches for 235 yards and two TDs. The ground game was a different story against TJC with KC only getting 42 yards on 21 attempts.

2012 Ranger Football Schedule Date

Opponent

Sept. 1

Dodge City (Kan.)

Sept. 8

Tyler

Location

Time/Score

Kilgore

W 26-15

Tyler

W 38-30

Sept. 15

Trinity Valley

Athens

7 p.m.

Sept. 22

Navarro

Kilgore

7 p.m.

Sept. 29

Cisco

3 p.m.

Oct. 6

Blinn

Brenham

3 p.m.

Oct. 13

N.E. Oklahoma A&M

Miami, Okla.

2 p.m.

Oct. 20

Southeast Prep (Homecoming)

Kilgore

3 p.m.

Oct. 27

Tyler (Hall of Fame)

Kilgore

3 p.m.

Nov. 3

First Round of Playoffs

TBA

Nov. 10

SWJCFC Championship

TBA

Dec. 1

Bowl Game

TBA

“We have got to have a better job establishing the run game,” Eckert said. “We need to make sure to get those second and six, third and

three first downs.” NOTES: In 2011, TVCC defeated the Rangers 38-20 ... TVCC suffered a 44-20 loss to No. 7 Iowa Western

last week ... Saturday’s game will be aired on KXAL 105.3 FM and will also be streamed online at www. kxal.org.

Kris Dobbins / THE FLARE

Ranger wide receiver Ed’Marques Batties carries the ball against the Tyler Junior College Apaches on Sept. 8 in Tyler. The Rangers face Trinity Valley Community College Saturday in Athens.

O and Running

Rangers start season with wins against Dodge City (Kan.), Tyler Junior College JEREMY GARZA Staff Writer The KC Rangers, one year after opening the season with four straight losses, have jumped out to a 2-0 record in 2012 with wins over Dodge City (Kan.) Community College and nationally-ranked, arch-rival Tyler.

KC 38, TJC 30 KC traveled to Tyler Sept. 8 to take on No. 13 TJC in their first of two meetings this season, and the 112th meeting between the two teams became an instant rivalry classic. Getting his first start of the season was freshman quarterback Tanner Tausch, who was named Southwest Junior College Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week, completing 19 of 29 passes for 293 yards. Tausch got going with a 55-yard pass to wide receiver Ed’Marques Batties, who took it in for the score. Tausch later hooked up with tight-end Steven Borden for a 20-yard scoring strike and Darrin Brown for a 68-yard touchdown. KC had a 21-0 advantage in the first quarter. The three extra points came

from kicker Dylan Nowak who later booted a 39-yard field goal. Momentum switched to TJC in the second quarter, where the Apaches scored a pair of touchdowns to make the score 2414 at halftime. Starting the second half at quarterback was sophomore Emory Miller, who got into the scoring act quickly with a short touchdown run to put the Rangers on top 31-14. Early in the fourth quarter, TJC cut the deficit to a touchdown (3124), but with less than a minute remaining, a fumbled snap by the Apaches and a recovery and touchdown by KC’s Daniel Lopez extended Kilgore’s lead. TJC responded with another touchdown from star quarterback Tyrik Rollison which cut the lead to eight points after the extra point failed. To add to the drama, TJC recovered an onside kick, but the Apaches threw incomplete with eight seconds remaining (the receiver caught the ball but was unable to keep a foot inbounds.) “A lot of mistakes, but by keeping and continuing to fight we found a way to ultimately win the football game,” said KC head coach J.J. Eckert.

Kim Hill / THE FLARE

Ranger wide receiver Ed’Marques Batties dives into the end zone in the season opener against Dodge City Community College (Kansas), on Sept. 1. It was the Rangers’ ﬁrst win in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference, Southwest Junior College Conference series, since it began in 2006. KC defeated DCCC 26-15.

KC 26, DODGE CITY 15 The Rangers started their winning streak by defeating Dodge City, 26-15 - the first KC win in the SWJCFC vs. Kansas Jayhawk Conference series since it began in 2006. The KC defense played a major

role in the win by letting Dodge City score only one offensive touchdown. Lopez also came up big for the Rangers, returning an interception for a score and recovering a fumble. Also recovering fumbles were sophomore cornerback James Jones and defensive lineman

DeAngelo Brooks. On the offensive side of the ball, Miller threw for 136 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Batties five times, one for the score. Tailback Karrion Morrisey gained 46 yards and contributed two rushing touchdowns.

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THE FLARE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

NEWS

The Zone offers free tutors, lab TRAVIS HULL Staff Writer Many students would argue that studying and doing homework on campus before heading home is the best way to stay on top of grades. Many who stand behind this philosophy find the library a place to call home, but what about those who need extra, personalized help in a specific subject? The Zone

exists to accommodate the needs of students by providing tutors and a computer lab free to students with their KC I.D. It is located in the Student Support Building, Room 119. Services include a fully functioning computer lab, free printing and tutoring in most core subjects (including English, speech, government, history, criminal justice, math, physics, computer

science and chemistry). The information desk in the lab is available for any questions regarding the time a specific tutor will be present. Tutors are students who come to The Zone at regular times during the week. The Zone is open from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Thursday and the computer lab is open from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Friday (no tutors). A student interested

in becoming a tutor must have at least 30 hours of college credit, have a minimum GPA of a 3.0, possess strong leadership skills and the ability to work effectively with little supervision and must be professional, courteous and trustworthy with confidential information. For more information, contact Ronda Callaway, Zone coordinator, at 903988-7491.

Randi Davis / THE FLARE

Carrie Schimmels of Kilgore (left) and Meagan Beshears of Longview practice their operating room skills on a mannequin in the surgery technology lab. KC will observe National Surgical Technology Week with a reception from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Sept. 19, in the lobby of the Whitten Applied Techonlogy Building.

Surg tech event set Wednesday TAMEKA BULLARD Staff Writer KC will observe National Surgical Technology Week Sept. 17-21. Paula Carter, KC’s surgical technology program director for five years, has planned an event to educate interested students about the fundamentals and requirements of becoming a surgical technologist. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 19, in the lobby of the Whitten Applied Technology Building. Refreshments will be served and everyone is invited. An operating room requires a team of trained medical professionals selected to ensure the success of a surgery. The surgical team may include the operating surgeon, registered nurse, anesthesiologist and a surgical technician, also referred to as techs or scrubs. These techs are certified surgical technologists (CSTs) appointed to remain at the surgeon’s side during surgical procedures while assisting in the safeness and success of a patient’s surgical procedure. Prior to surgery, the surgical technologist must prepare the operating room to ensure that sterile techniques have been met and surgical instruments have been assembled and properly set up. They must also prepare the patients for surgery by washing, shaving and disinfecting incision sites. A surgical technologist plays a vital role during an operation since the surgeon relies on the tech’s expertise and skills. Carter says despite the high demand for surgical technologists in recent years, people are still unaware of the details about the profession. Although the demand for the surgical techs is increasing, only a few are selected to participate in the program each year. “I can only have 12 students in my program. It has to be a ratio of 12 to 1,” Carter said.

Students have the choice to earn either an Associate of Applied Science or a Certificate in Surgical Technology. The Associate of Applied Science requires 66 credit hours while the Certificate in Surgical Technology requires 51 hours. Some students defer from earning the associate degree because of the college-level math requirement. “People have a strong phobia about math,” Carter said. “I tell the students it looks better on paper and the associate degree is the preferred method, but (because of math) they just want to do the certificate which is fine and they can still get a job, still get paid.” Students interested in pursuing a career in surgical technology must be interviewed by Carter prior to being accepted into the program. The program is 10 and a half months, starting in the fall and continuing through Summer I. To become AST certified, students are required to take a national exam once their courses are complete. The exam is taken on campus at the Testing Center. “We usually take that in July as a class,” Carter said. “They actually have job placement through the association. Hospitals call me all the time…do you know anybody in this area…I need a tech bad.” Surgical technologists not only work in an operating room, but also can become sales representatives for medical supply companies. A sales rep often travels from state to state informing and referring hospitals and doctors’ offices to surgical equipment. “Because we use it in the field first hand, we know how the product works,” Carter said. The average yearly earning for a surgical technologist working in a hospital is between $29,000 to $36,000. “Employment of surgical technologists is expected to increase 19 percent from 2010 to 2020,” Carter said.

Surgical Technology Club raising funds for workshop The Surgical Technology Club is holding a raffle to raise funds to help finance the cost of attending the Texas State Assembly meeting and workshop in Fort Worth. The club is raffling a basket with the theme “Fall in Love with Surgical Technology” containing gift certificates for a haircut and style and dinner for two at Barron’s Cafe. Students will also

continue to add more items to the basket. The drawing will be held noon Wednesday, Sept. 19. Tickets are $1 each. To purchase a ticket, contact Paula Carter, program director, at 903-983-8163 or Renee Golden, administrative assistant in the TechnicalVocational Building, Room 113, at 903-983-8146. ~Tameka Bullard

Akickin’

start

Shelbi Crews / THE FLARE

Randi Davis / THE FLARE

D Lauren LaBoyteaux / THE FLARE

espite the 100-plusdegree heat, KC Kickoff featured plenty of spirit and food. The event was held during Welcome Week on the Elder Street tennis courts. ARAMARK served a free hot dog/hamburger lunch, coaches introduced their players and the Rangerettes, twirlers and cheerleaders were recognized.

OPINION

THE FLARE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

PAGE

OUR VIEW

Take a walk on t h

e East Side

YOUR VIEW

“YES. During orientation I was taken across the bridge and shown classes that were available.”

“NO. Never attended orientation but I have classes on east side so I had to ﬁnd them myself.”

Wyndham Jones

Anthony Vu

Longview sophomore

“NO. I did orientation onlline but had English on the east side of the bridge.”

“YES. We crossed the bridge during orientation and they went over details.”

Tiffany Beason

Joshua Miller

Hallsville sophomore

Tyler sophomore

FROM THE WEB

Answers given online

“NO. I just haven’t and didn’t know about a KC tour.”

Amanda Lawson

Bryan sophomore “YES. When I took my tour with the Ambassador’s team, there was a student interested in classes over there.”

Ty Crutcher

“NO. The tour was very short and the east side of the campus was just brieﬂy mentioned. It would have been helpful to tour the other side of campus for new students who have classes on that side.”

Giselle Cardenas

Longview sophomore

“NO. I wasn’t told of any programs!”

“YES. I have been taken on a tour across the bridge to see the Shakespeare Garden ... Also to see the ... child care building.”

Jim Singer

Julia Lemmons

Kilgore freshman

Gladewater sophomore

Photographs by Shelbi Crews and Gabriel Espinosa / THE FLARE

art and photography exibits and saw program displays. We polled 145 students asking them if they had ever been on a KC tour that crossed the bridge and focused on the east side of campus. Seventy-five percent answered no and 25 percent answered yes. Unless students are enrolled in a specialized program or core class (such as art or music appreciation, BCIS or speech) many have no reason or see no need to cross the bridge. But for students not to take the time to explore the east side is to cheat themselves. The college has an extensive number of programs located in the departments on the east side. Programs include art, associate degree nursing, automotive technology, business management, choir, communications, computer science, corrosion technology, drafting design technology, early childhood education, economics, English for speakers of other languages, graphic art, legal assisting, music, opera, photography, physical therapist assistant program, piano, process technology and petroleum specialty, radiologic science, speech, surgical technology, theatre and welding technology. We encourage students to get more involved in their education and explore a part of the campus that may be unfamiliar to them. No matter your classification, it is best to ask questions, take the initiative and get involved in your college experience. Walk across the bridge, explore, talk to people; see what KC has to offer.

RESULTS YES 25% • NO 75% • 145 POLLED

any students are not aware of the abundant resources the college has available to them, mostly due to the fact that they are illinformed. A seamless line of communication between the entire campus would help bring valuable information to students. There seems to be a disconnect, a lack of awareness keeping students from making the effort to visit both sides of campus. The bridge crossing Henderson Boulevard was opened on April 28, 1970, in order to connect the two sides of campus and to provide easier, safer access. Decades later, the bridge seems to have become the cause of a great divide between the east and west sides of campus. Many times during orientation tours, prospective students and their families are given an extensive tour of the west side of campus yet only a brief description of the east side. Walking across the bridge is not always a part of the tour. Often there is no in-depth explanation of programs offered or location of buildings. Many students complain about how long and how inconvenient it is to cross the bridge. On a pretend tour, we started on the west side of campus at the base of the bridge beside Old Main. We walked across the bridge to the east side, pointed out the Porter Business Administration Building, walked through the Turk Fine Arts Center, the Communication - Automotive Building, the Technical Vocation Building, through the Whitten Applied Technology Center and walked back across the bridge. The tour took 10 minutes and two seconds. We viewed

Have you ever been on a KC tour that crossed the bridge and focused on programs o ered on the east side of campus? Why or why not?

Fort Worth freshman

Grandmother’s gift a life of inspiration, influence I sat there crying, staring at a woman who had just taken her last breath, still, silent and finally free from pain. I cannot forget that day, Dec. 10, 2008, when my grandmother, Anne FreduaMensah, passed away in a hospice in South London, England, at age 72. None of us thought we would ever see her in the condition she was in before she died. Two years prior, in 2006 before my mother and I moved to Texas, we were standing at Gatwick Airport in London, saying goodbye to a very healthy, beautiful, humorous, lovable woman in her early 70s, strong and full of energy. Who would have imagined two years later she would be weak, frail, small in size and barely conscious of her surroundings, cancer trying to take her life.

Grandma and I had a special bond from when I was a baby. My grandparents took me to Ghana, West Africa, for six months while my mother got back on her feet after giving birth to me. I look the spitting image of my mother; however, I also resemble my grandmother. My MELISSA AOUAD mother always Sta Writer said that there were some things that had skipped a generation and got passed down to me, like my grandmother’s love for the arts, theatre, drama, dance, teaching, the English language and chocolate. We even have similar

The Flare

VOL. 76, NO. 2

characteristics. I count them as blessings. My mother and I flew back from a vacation in Georgia to be greeted with news that my grandmother was on her death bed. This came as a huge shock to both of us. Naturally my mother immediately rushed to buy a ticket to London. I insisted on coming with her. The day after we arrived, we went to see my grandmother at the hospital and I could not believe my eyes. This was not the grandmother I had seen all my life, with long hair and gray blue eyes full of life. This was not the woman whose strength encouraged us as a family even at our toughest times. This was not right. Instead, I saw a woman whose life had been extracted from her so quickly that we barely had time to stop and

Friday, September 14, 2012

2011 Sweepstakes Winner in Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and Texas Community College Journalism Association 2011 First Place, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors – Non-Daily College-University Division

CO-EXECUTIVE EDITORS Ashton Johnson Brittani Pfau WEB EDITOR Jonathen Ruesch ILLUSTRATOR Kelly Gillit LAB MANAGER Jamie Maldonado

ADVERTISING MANAGERS Betsy Foreman Jonathen Ruesch ADVISER Bettye Craddock PHOTO ADVISER O. Rufus Lovett

EDITING STAFF Melissa Aouad, Jasmine Chappell, Sheniece Chappell, Keira Phipps, Dillon Sandifer, Jessica Stovall and Jessica Tolle STAFF WRITERS Tameka Bullard, Joy Draper, Jeremy Garza, Kelly Gillit, Kelsey Hansen, Khandice Horn, Whitney Howard, Travis Hull, Ashley Morales and Kade Morrison PHOTOGRAPHERS Shelbi Crews, Randi Davis, Kris Dobbins, Kim Hill, Lauren LaBoyteaux, Gabriele Spinosa and Hayley Young

think. When did this all happen? My grandma had such great class, and it was hard for her to let her children and grandchildren see her in such a weak state. However, there was no way we could be any less than supportive at that moment in time for my grandmother. I remember being in my grandmothers’s apartment crying on my knees in front of the television. I could not believe I was witnessing someone die. I knew all I could do was leave her in God’s hands. I still had faith that she could live, but if it were her time to go, then I would accept it. Grandma was a dedicated wife, mother, educator, actress and humanitarian, and even in her last days left simple but extremely crucial advice to my cousin and me.

“Always moisturize your hands,” she said. That is exactly what I do, carrying hand lotion with me wherever I go. Knowing that you could be gone from this earth at any moment, yet find the slightest breath to encourage your granddaughters, is just a tiny token of the care that my grandmother continuously extended to us. Many have or will lose a grandparent at some point. I encourage you to celebrate their life and remember the advice given to you or the moments you shared with them. The little things that touch your heart make a big difference. Melissa Aouad is a sophomore communications major from London, England.

LETTERS THE FLARE welcomes any letter to the editor and encourages all readers to use this as a sounding board to express thoughts and opinions on current campus-related topics. We also welcome news or feature ideas. Due to space limitations, letters should be as concise as possible and may still be edited for space. Letters must be signed and include an address and telephone number so that we can verify their authenticity. Letters should be delivered to the newsroom in Communications-Automotive Building, Room 125, mailed to The Flare, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore TX 75662 or emailed to: kc_ﬂare@yahoo.com

DISCLAIMER THE FLARE is the student newspaper of Kilgore College and is published every Friday by the journalism department, except during examination periods and vacations. First copy is free, subsequent copies are available for 50 cents. THE FLARE is a member of the Texas Community College Journalism Association and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. All people holding editorial sta positions are Kilgore College journalism students. Comments and views expressed in THE FLARE reﬂect the thoughts of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reﬂect the beliefs or opinions of other students, sta members, faculty members, administrative o cers or the Board of Trustees.

+ PAGE

THE FLARE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

SPOTLIGHT

Shelbi Crews / THE FLARE

Lauren LaBoyteaux / THE FLARE

A firefighter’s helmet sits next to the plaque at the base of a new flagpole at the KC Fire Academy Training Grounds. The plaque dedicates the flagpole to the firefighters who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Former Ranger Band director Wally Read plays taps during the Sept. 11 ceremony.

Gone but

Never Forgotten Sept. 11 ceremony, dedication recalls memories of attack, heroes

he KC Fire Academy paid tribute to those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist

attacks and dedicated a new flagpole to the firefighters who perished in the line of

duty. The event, held at the fire academy’s

training grounds, was attended by area officials and area firefighters. Mark Fried, music minister at Forest Home Baptist Church, sang the National Anthem, and former KC band director Wally Read played taps on the trumpet. Following the ceremony, fire academy students demonstrated a live burn at the facilities.

Randi Davis / THE FLARE

The U.S. ﬂag ﬂies at half-sta during the dedication ceremony on Sept.11.

Randi Davis / THE FLARE

David Corrin, graduating KC Fire Academy cadet from Harelton, salutes during the raising of the ﬂag.

J.T. Terry, ﬁreﬁghter and paramedic with Jacksonville Fire Department, bows his head in prayer. Randi Davis / THE FLARE