The Flare
Features
Special Edition FRIDAY APRIL 26, 2013
SECTION
B
Small player, big heart Success may not come easy for KC linebacker Charles Woods, but he won’t be denied SHENIECE CHAPPELL Sports Editor
B
eing told you cannot do something because of your size can be discouraging, but KC sophomore linebacker Charles Woods used that as motivation. “As an under-sized linebacker it is pretty hard to get a scholarship,” said Woods. “But putting my heart into it and having loved ones by my side helps a lot.” Standing at 5-foot-11 weighing 195 pounds, Woods was named National Junior College Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year for the 2012 season. He was also named Southwest Junior College Football Conference Most Valuable Player and First Team All-American. “All of my hard work is finally paying off,” Woods said. Woods was born in Humble, but explored the roads of Texas as a young child. His parents divorced when he was 2 years old and he stayed with his mother. Every chance he had on the weekends, he would spend at his dad’s house in Houston. Not being able to see his father as much prompted Woods to play football. “My mom didn’t want me to play, but my dad was a football star in his younger days,” Woods said. “I played football so my dad could come see me play because he wasn’t around much and after we would hang out.” At the age of 16, Woods moved in with his father and made it his permanent home after his mother got sick. “We didn’t stay in one place. We were always moving,” Woods said. “It wasn’t the great life, but we made the best of it.” Woods and his dad have a great relationship and he attended every game this past season except for two, the games against Northeastern Oklahoma and Trinity Valley Community College. Woods said going through the struggle as a child makes him the person he is today. It is the reason why his goal in life is to help others. He is inspired by his family to be the best he can be and to succeed. “I want to take care of my family. My mom and dad have always been there for me, and I thank them for that,” Woods said. “My mom is ill, my brother was killed in December and I want to be there for my nephew.” This past December, Woods and his family faced a life-changing tragedy. His older brother, Joshua Woods, 22, was killed for a pair of Air Jordan sneakers. Joshua and his friend were followed after buying the newly released. Three men approached the two and demanded the shoes, but shots were fired before anyone could respond. Joshua’s friend, the driver, ran away from the car leaving him in the passenger seat. Joshua was shot trying to climb into the driver’s seat to See WOODS on Page 3B
Kris Dobbins / THE FLARE
Charles Woods stands 5-feet 11 inches tall and weighs in at 195 pounds, but he does not let his small stature stop him. Woods was named National Junior College Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year, Southwest Junior College Football Conference Most Valuable Player and a First Team All-American for the 2012 season.
Leaving his element After 36 years, life-long educator ready for new experiment DEZIRAE BURNETT Staff Writer
N
Dave Bugay has spent his life educating young people, Now he plans to spend his time enjoying life to the fullest with his family, while seeking new adventures.
Randi Vinson-Davis / THE FLARE
ot everyone gets to spend his weekdays dipping balloons into liquid nitrogen at -320 degrees Fahrenheit or experimenting with highly reactive alkali metals, but that’s just the life KC chemistry instructor Dave Bugay lives. Bugay, born in Philadelphia, Pa., earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Florida State University. After receiving his teaching certificate, he spent three years teaching at a high school in Florida. Bugay made the move to Texas when he enrolled in grad school at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his master’s degree.
“I wasn’t ever interested in doing research,” Bugay said about coming to teach at KC as opposed to staying at UT teaching labs. Now, after 36 years, he has made the decision to retire. “At 65, it’s just kind of the magic thing,” he said. Aside from a few developmental math classes early in his time at KC, Bugay’s sole teaching position has been in the chemistry department. In addition to instructing classes, he has been in charge of the East Texas Regional Science Fair for the past 10 years. He also began a forensic science day camp for eighth and ninth graders which was last hosted in 2009. The weeklong camp provided campers with the opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations and in
Bre a k i n g n ews, videos an d exten ded cover age at www.thef lareonline. com
collecting and analyzing evidence. When he’s not in the classroom, the chemistry instructor can be found on the trails. Along with duplicate bridge and baseball games, Bugay enjoys backpacking. This summer he is even planning to guide a backpacking excursion of his own. When his last year at KC is over, Bugay and his wife, who retired from Tyler Junior College in December, have plans of moving to Denver, Colo., to be closer to their son. “We hope that when we get to Colorado, we can maybe start a garden,” Bugay said. He is also looking forward to the Alaskan cruise he and his wife will be taking in June and learning how to snow ski.