SUPER BOWL
XLVII
See Page 8
Rangerettes in D.C. See Page 6
The Flare Students to voice Forged in opinions
Friday, February 1, 2013 Vol. 76 No. 12
Serving Kilgore College since 1936
in Austin JASMINE CHAPPELL Staff Writer
A 10-member student delegation will represent KC at the biennial Community College Day Tuesday in Austin. The event will include meetings with area state legislators and a tour of the House and Senate Chambers. Dr. Bill Holda, KC president and board chairman of the Texas Association of Community Colleges, will also participate. Community College Day gathers students from Texas community colleges and allows them to discuss their overall educational experience. According to the Texas Junior College S t u d e n t Government KC’S CAPITAL Association, students will have DELEGATION an opportunity Tashia Adams – to voice their Crowley concerns about NaKeya Callaway – Mesquite increased tuition Kris Dobbins – and topics such Kilgore as grants and Jessica Espinosa – scholarships that Overton have not kept pace Ashton Johnson – with costs and Kilgore why community Dustin Kincaide – colleges should be Longview Carnelius Lewis adequately funded Carthage due to increased Sammie Jo Oller enrollment. Gilmer More than 750,000 Jackson Threadgill students were Henderson enrolled in Texas Morris Williams II public community Antioch, Tenn. colleges during Fall Edward Williams 2012, compared to residential life director the 560,000 students Ross Costanzo at public Texas - student life assistant universities and director 123,000 students at independent colleges and universities, according to the TJCSGA website. These figures represent 52 percent of all Texans enrolled in postsecondary education. Seventy percent of all first-time college students in Texas begin their college education at a community college. Community colleges are known to be more convenient and affordable, but with state budget cuts some students are prolonging their education because they cannot keep up with the costs. “Some students cannot afford the same opportunities as other students who attend universities,” said Tashia Adams, Crowley sophomore and KC Student Government Association president. “Community colleges can help students transfer to universities without putting their education on hold.” The TJCSGA has created a Texas Association of Community Colleges five-point campaign for the 83rd Session of the Texas Legislature that assures students will become transfer and workforce ready. “The decisions made in Austin will impact the costs and quality of education students receive at community colleges,” said Edward Williams, residential life director. “I hope the students realize that their involvement in the political process matters.”
Flames
“That’s how we roll.”
Garrett Ballard, left, and Zack Smith high-five after completing a training exercise. KC Fire Academy students learn to put their lives in coworkers’ hands and become a family. See Page 4 Randi Vinson-Davis / THE FLARE
Inaugural ceremony rescheduled KEIRA PHIPPS Staff Writer
Kris Dobbins / THE FLARE
Freshman Lakin Kerby warms up with a couple of catches. The Rangers will kick o their inaugural season 12:30 p.m. Monday at Stream-Flo Field.
Due to wet conditions at StreamFlo Field, Wednesday’s inaugural softball ceremony and game were postponed until 12:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, when the Rangers will face North Central Texas College. This year KC introduces the college’s first softball team in school history. The Rangers’ inaugural season opener was scheduled for a doubleheader against Grayson County College. Despite the cancellation, KC will play over the weekend and return home Monday for their first home game and festivities. The inaugural ceremony will begin with the introduction of
the team and remarks from KC President Bill Holda and Board of Trustees President Will Roberson, followed by Holda throwing out the first pitch. “I’m sad that we didn’t get to play as scheduled,” said Jalla Johnson, Elkhart sophomore. “We were all excited and I know everyone was ready to come out and support us, but Monday it will be awesome and I know we’ll be ready to play.” Rangers head coach Leslie Messina is the former head coach at Texarkana College (2005-2012). At TC Messina led her teams to five conference championships, two regional championships and earned the school’s first two appearances at the National Junior College Athletic Association National
Bre a k i n g n ews, videos an d exten ded cover age at www.thef lareonline. com
Tournament. Since TC dropped all intercollegiate sports last year, KC will take TC’s place in the Region XIV North Division. “We are so excited to begin a new tradition of athletic excellence with women’s softball,” said Jimmy Rieves, athletic director. The Rangers travel to Galveston this weekend to participate in the Galveston College Tournament. KC will go head-to-head with Blinn College today at 9 a.m. followed by a 3 p.m. match-up versus Western Texas College. Saturday the Rangers continue tournament play facing University of Houston Victoria at 9 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. game versus Alvin College. KC will end the tournament batting up against San Jacinto College.