Issue 15 2-20-15

SLAVERY THRIVES IN UNITED STATES

slavery Page 6

12% Misc.

5% Factories

10% Agriculture

27%

46%

Domestic Servitude

Prostitution

The Flare

Friday, February 20, 2015 Vol. 78 No. 15

LearningAmerican RICHARD NYGUEN • Assistant Sports Editor

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ornelius Garab’s journey to college started long before high school visits and preview days. Garab grew up on a farm in Ohama, Namibia, a country along the South Atlantic Ocean north of South Africa. Ohama didn’t offer public education.

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“I just remember being hungry, I was always so freaking hungry,” said Garab, 22. His family of five struggled to get by. “My step-dad made about five US dollars a month,” This $5 would have to support the rest of their family members as well.

When Garab turned 9, his mother died. Deserted by family members, he and his brother were given to social workers to help find him a home. Mark 9:37 Children’s Home took them in and introduced Garab to the world of education.

“I didn’t know a single English word,” he said.

Kristina Hawkins, a volunteer at the children’s home, helped him with his studies. When he came to the children’s home, Garab only knew to speak his language, Damara. Despite always being “on the verge of failing,” Garab found ways to advance to each grade.

At 17, Garab moved out of the children’s home to start his own life. He moved to the coast of Namibia and found work at a local sushi restaurant owned by some friends. A few months into work, Garab reached out to his first teacher, Kristina, for assistance.

His life was changed when he sent her an e-mail asking for help. He didn’t realize help would come in the form of a plane ticket to Houston to continue his education. “I didn’t even know what America was before going to the children’s home,” he said.

Garab, still 17, was ready to start school in America with the expectation of entering his senior year of high school. However, when he arrived he learned he’d have to start over as a freshman.

“In my country, they just call it math. Here? It’s called algebra, calculus and geometry,” Garab said. Coming to America in 2010 with very limited speech, he got support from his new family — which included Hawkins, her husband, Clare, and an additional set of siblings.

Schoolwork was a challenge, but Garab pushed through.

“I was never on a break until I got it,” he said.

Kristina was insistent about homework — from giving him extra math problems to work on during the evenings to encouraging him to speak English with the family. She made it her mission to see him perform at his highest potential.

“It took me about five months until I could actually sit down and do homework myself,” Garab said.

Cornelius Garab

See GARAB on Page 3

Police Academy instructor succumbs to cancer TIFFANY GRIGG Staff Writer Timothy Young, East Texas Police Academy instructor died Monday, following a five-year bout with brain cancer.

“He would have been 43 next month,” said long-time friend and fellow instructor, Michael Ferguson. According to Ferguson, ETPA Deputy Director and Instructor, Young was given 18 months to live when he was first diagnosed. Despite this news, he continued to teach at the college.

“He was focused on making sure his students did well,” Ferguson said. Young’s students boasted a passing rate of more

than 99 percent on the qualifying test to become police officers, according to his obituary in the Longview News-Journal.

Young instructed his students on traffic law, patrol procedures, patrol rifle, handgun tactics and TIM YOUNG use of force. Prior to KC, he worked as a patrolman at the Gregg County Sheriff ’s Office with Ferguson. Ferguson was hired at KC just a few months before Young joined the ETPA staff in 1999.

Professional life aside, Ferguson recalled

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Young’s wit and things he loved most.

“He was a very witty, funny man,” Ferguson said. “He had a daughter whom he loved tremendously and he was a golf and fishing fanatic.”

A graduate of Pine Tree High School, Young attended Navarro College in Corsicana on a golf scholarship and received his associate’s degree. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University in 1994.

KC president Dr. Bill Holda applauded Young’s example to the KC community. “Tim Young was an amazing person. He faced his cancer with a positive attitude, contagious optimism and an eternal gratitude to the

Divine for each day of life he could live,” Holda said. “While we will likely never understand why these things happen to such a good person, Tim Young’s dedication to teaching, his fighting spirit and positive outlook can impact the ways in which we live our lives.”

Services for Young will be 2 p.m. today, Feb. 20, at Oakland Heights Baptist Church in Longview. The Gregg County Sheriffs Office will provide an Honor Guard. Burial will follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Kilgore.

He is survived by his daughter, Kaela Dean Young of Tyler, and his parents, Larry and Linda Young of Longview.

It’s tax season, America Filing tax returns not always easy, but helpful options exist KATHRYN AGEE Executive Editor Tax season is now well underway.

If you have a job or have received any type of financial aid, you must file a tax return.

There are some different forms you need when filing your taxes.

The W-2 form, received from a job, shows the amount of taxes withheld from your checks for the

year. Your employer should send this form to your house at the end of Jan. The 1098-T is a form sent by a school to any student who paid qualified educational expenses throughout the year. Qualified expenses include tuition, enrollment fees, and materials a student is required to buy from the school. KC has mailed these forms out already. KC student’s

1098-Ts can also be obtained online through Campus Connect.

Students who live with a guardian may be claimed on that person’s tax return, so more benefits can be received. If not, you will have to file your own tax return.

This year, if you don’t have health insurance, you may be forced to pay a fee. This fee is based on a sliding scale of how much you have made that year. However, you may not have to pay the fee. Whether you will have to pay it or not is based on your reasons for not having health insurance and how much money you make. When you file your taxes,

PAGE T WO THIS WEEK

BY THE NUMBERS

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Today is the 7th annual World Day of Social Justice, which recognizes the need to promote exclusion and unemployment.

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you will be informed whether you have to pay or not.

Many people don’t feel comfortable or don’t know how to file taxes by themselves. Places such as H&R Block and Liberty Tax Service have employees who will help you file your taxes stepby-step in person. Both of these places also offer the option of filing taxes through their services online. Any company you decide to go through, however, will charge money for their services.

If you want to avoid fees and do your taxes on your own time, TurboTax is the easiest and most

affordable option. The web site has a thorough step-by-step process that guides you through entering all of your tax forms. It will also check for certain tax breaks you can receive, including student tax breaks.

After e-filing your taxes, TurboTax will send you e-mail and text alerts informing you of the status of your tax return. Your tax return will be received one to two weeks after filing them.

There are many other businesses and websites available to help you file your taxes. Make sure you do so

by Wednesday, April 15, to avoid fees or trouble with the IRS.

THE FLARE

she became the youngest gold medalist in winter Olympics on this date in 1998.

1967

Kurt Cobain was born 48 years ago today. His band million albums worldwide. He committed suicide at age 27.

Play opens Tuesday VICTORIA WHITWELL Managing Editor The KC Theatre Department will present Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, through Friday, Feb. 27, with a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 1 in the Van Cliburn Auditorium.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and $5 for KC students with a student ID. The play is appropriate for all ages, however, children under the age of seven will not be admitted. Late arrivals will also not be admitted.

The box office will open one hour prior to each performance.

For reservations, call 903-983-8126 or email the KC Theatre Box Office at boxoffice@kilgore.edu.

The play is directed by Micah Goodding and is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

PRODUCTION CREW Director – Assistant Director/Dramaturg – Technical Director – Stage Manager –

CREW Lighting Technician – Sound Technician –

Props Master/Publicist/ Run Crew –

– Run Crew/Usher – Run Crew/Usher – Publicist/ Usher – E’Lexus Hodge / THE FLARE

Matt Sailor Why did you choose to attend KC? I enrolled in the corrosion technology program, then I changed my mind to pursue petroleum engineering.

What are your plans after KC? Finish my degree at UT Austin.

Why did you decide to study petroleum engineering?

I like the field of engineering because mathematics interests me. I chose petroleum because of the advancements in the field.

Who is your biggest inspiration in life?

My brother. By the age of 3, he suffered three strokes due to Arteriovenous Malformation. Doctors said he would not be able to read or write. He did everything the doctors said he wouldn’t be able to do. Now he is pursuing his degree at Sam Houston State University.

What would you change about KC? More food options near the campus.

Jennifer Aniston or Jennifer Lawrence?

Jennifer Lawrence. I really enjoyed the movie “Silver Linings Playbook.”

Who will win the Super Bowl first? Dallas Cowboys or the

Age: 23 Hometown: Longview Sophomore Pittsburgh Steelers?

Steelers, hands down.

If you could be reincarnated into anything what would you choose?

A lion, so I could be king of the jungle.

If you could hang out with any artist who would you choose?

Jimi Hendrix. He is a big musical inspiration to me, and I would love to party with him.

What is your favorite day of the year and why?

The first day of summer, so I can go to the lake and the beach.

If you won $1 million tomorrow, what would you do?

Move to Key West, invest some of my money and retire.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully with a million dollars.

PTK inductee invitations delivered, bake sale slated KATHRYN AGEE Executive Editor Phi Theta Kappa has invited 300 students to be members of the national honor society.

The induction ceremony will be Friday, March 27. There will be an induction information meeting at 5 p.m. Friday, March 20.

Anyone who thinks they are eligible for a PTK membership but did not receive an invitation should contact Michele Daniels

at mdaniels@kilgore.edu.

There are “free membership” scholarship available for two eligible inductees. The application can be found on the PTK link on the KC website. Applicants for the scholarship must be full–time students, commit to being an active member and complete two short essays. The deadline for submission is March 20.

PTK is holding a bake sale Wednesday and Thursday, March 4 and 5. Students who want to bring supplies can leave them in

CA 108 the Monday prior to the sale. Items must be individually wrapped. Students wanting to assist in selling will need to sign the schedule at the prior meeting or email ptk@kilgore.edu with their available dates and times. On bake sale days, students should wear their PTK T-shirts. They can be purchased in CA 108.

PTK’s future meeting dates are on the following Mondays: Feb. 23, March 2, March 16, April 13, April 27 and May 4. Pizza and drinks will be served.

CAST Guildenstern – Rosencrantz – Player – Hamlet – Polonius/Laertes – Claudius – Tragedian 1 – Tragedian 2 – Tragedian 3 – Tragedian 4(Alfred) – Guard/Horatio – Gertrude – Ophelia – Ambassador – Ambassador –

Preview Day Jazz sure to be smooth ELIJAH BANKS Staff Writer The Jazz Band will be performing at Preview Day on Saturday, Feb. 21, in Dodson Auditorium. The pieces they will be playing are: “In the Stone” by Earth, Wind, And Fire, “Caribbean Dance”

by Victor Lopez, “5.4 On the Richter Scale” by Larry Week, “Chameleon” by Herbie Hancock, and “Europa” by Carlos Santana.

Blake Edwards, Gladewater freshman, said “We have a good program going, and we’re playing a piece from about every genre, so it’s going to be really exciting.”

After preview day, the band’s next big event will be the Wind Symphony’s first concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, in Dodson Auditorium.

NEWS Living her

THE FLARE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

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dream

Nontraditional student saves money to leave Japan for opportunities in America VICTORIA WHITWELL Managing Editor

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ollege is an opportunity to broaden one’s horizons and encounter new experiences. At age 34, Japanese exchange student, Tammy Mita, believes that age is just a number when it comes to living the college life.

Mita, whose first name is “Yukiko” comes from Yokohama, Japan, a big port city close to Tokyo.

“Kilgore is a very small town compared to Yokohama,” Mita said. “It is a good place to study due to the quietness.”

Age and culture were of no hinderance to Mita in her decision to come to KC. In Japan, it is normal for the age of a college student to have a wide range. She also credits her grandmother, who lived to be 100 years old, for helping mold her decision. Culture-wise, Mita considers herself a unique case and knows that whatever situation comes, she can overcome it.

It had always been Mita’s dream to receive an education in the United States; due to her parents’ decision, Mita was unable to go to college in the U.S. right out of high school. She then chose to work in an office as an administrator for an engineering company. Ten years later, Mita decided that she needed to change her “boring” career. At 28 years old, Mita decided to save up and take a chance.

“I’m single. I didn’t want to work at a desk all day. I wanted to go out and meet new people,” Mita said. “It’s been my

dream to come to America for school.

I’m now able to do it, so why not?”

Not knowing what she plans to major in or where to transfer after KC, Mita is taking her American college experience day- by-day. Mita says she is considering a university in Houston because her former workplace has an office branch there, but she is in no rush to make any final decisions. Her main focus right now is mastering the English language and learning more about the American culture.

“American culture is very different from Japanese culture. In Japanese culture, people are formal all the time, but people are more helpful in American culture,” Mita said. “For me, English has been hard to understand. I want to communicate with Americans more than the Japanese students in order to practice my English.”

Mita enjoys American food like chili and breakfast biscuits, but does admit she misses Japanese food such as udon noodles. Along with the food, Mita misses her friends. She said her friends are very supportive of her decision because she is the “1 out of 200” that has taken action to make a change in her life.

“I want to get married, have children, and have a job, but my time here is limited. I have to enjoy it,” Mita said. “I want to gain something in America and bring it back to Japan. I’m happy to be here.”

Mita is continuing to make her dream a reality.

Jessica Easley / THE FLARE

Tammy Mita is immersing herself in the traditional college experience by living in the dorm at 34.

Job Fair shot in arm for students seeking health care employment THAO NGUYEN Staff Writer

E’Lexus Hodge / THE FLARE

Missy Munoz, application for Trinity Mother Francis Hospital and Clinics, based out of Tyler.

KC students interested in pursuing jobs in the health field excitedly entered through the doors of the Devall Student Center for the Health Job Fair held on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

The students were welcomed with big smiles by the Career Services and Service Learning staff, including Candace Heezen, who handed each person a silver plastic bag to store brochures, information and swag from different exhibitors.

Some employers offered sites for clinicals. Other employers, such as Pine Tree Lodge Nursing Center, offered hands-on learning for certified and licensed CNAs and LVNs. The job fair is, “a good experience” said Yuquechessia Golston, Longview sophomore and KC

GARAB: Hard work led to enrollment From Page 1 The extra study sessions and long nights ended up paying off for Garab when he got accepted to the two schools that he applied to, Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

He chose to stay in state and attend SFA. Garab spent a year at SFA studying nursing until he heard about Kilgore College and its Occupational Health and Safety Technology program. He transferred to KC last fall to start his new major.

Hard work is paying off for Garab, but it hasn’t come for free. “Oh hell yea I miss it,” he said of Africa. “I thought about going home yesterday.”

Garab misses being home

more than anything. Home to him is beautiful — it’s hunting, running around on open land, and using cornmeal to make delicacies such as oshifima, which is typically served with every meal of the day.

Garab’s birth family is still back in Namibia. He shares a close connection with his brother through their interest in rugby.

Even with all these thoughts, Garab still enjoys staying active around campus. He is a Ranger Ambassador and recently participated in Cardboard Box City, an event to raise awareness for homelessness.

Garab is one of the top students in his study program. “I can say that because I know where I started,” he said.

Coming from a country to

one that at one time in his life he didn’t even know existed, Garab cherishes every moment he has in America — even if his heart is still on the farm in Namibia.

nursing student.

If students want to know more information, most of the employers offer clinicals on site. Patty Bell, director of Career Services and Learning Center said, “It was a great experience. We appreciate the employers and support our students.”

Employers represented at the Health Job Fair included: • At Home Healthcare; • Willis-Knighton Health System; • Behavioral Hospital of Longview Memorial; • PhysAssist Scribes; • Clairmont Longview; • Angels of Care Pediatric Home Health; • Creative Solutions in Healthcare; • Arbor Grace; Healthcare Express; • Allegiance Specialty

Hospital of Kilgore; • Community Healthcare; • Reliant Rehabilitation; • Good Shepherd Medical Center; • UT Health Northeast; • East Texas Treatment Facility; • UT Tyler of Longview Center; • Bionic Believe It or Not; • Children’s Therapy Services; • ETCADA; • Synergy Care; • Henderson Health and Rehab Center; • Advanced Temporaries; • Longview Regional Medical Center; • Nexion; • Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics; • Rusk State Hospital; • Overton Healthcare Center.

For the latest news, scores and more, check us out online at

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THE FLARE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

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Rangers run over Ponies in 69-57 win

Something to

CHEER about

DEVIN BROOKS Sports Editor

Michael Brown / THE FLARE

Lady Rangers fall to Panola DEVIN BROOKS Sports Editor The Lady Rangers suffered another tough loss against the Panola College Fillies, 6555. This loss puts the depleted Lady Rangers at a 4-13 conference record and puts them back outside the postseason poll. Entering this game, KC had a half game lead over the Lady Fillies for the last playoff spot in the conference. However with only three games left in the regular season for KC, this loss could put an end to their run at a postseason berth. KC is 7-17 overall on the year and they still could make the post-season, but they would have to win the rest of their remaining games this season while the Lady Fillies would have to lose the rest of theirs for the Lady Rangers to be in the playoffs at this point.

KC came out strong in the first half shooting 52 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three-point line. They led Panola 28-23 at the half and they looked like a well-oiled machine going into halftime. However, in the second half KC squandered their lead and the Lady Fillies took the lead with nine minutes left in the half; and they never looked back. The Lady Fillies outscored KC 42-27 in the second half holding them to 35 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent shooting from the three-point line. The Lady Fillies shot 44 percent from three land in the second half and carved KC up with crisp passes. They executed many backdoor cuts and found a way to make their shots around the basket when they needed them most — unlike KC in the second half. KC had a hard time making their threes and also struggled to score around the basket down the stretch.

The Lady Rangers were outrebounded 37-25, and also outdueled on the bench as the Lady Fillies scored 18 bench points to KC’s 11.

The Lady Filles dominated KC in the paint scoring 32 points around the basket while KC only managed to score 14.

Guard Imaobong Akpan scored a teamleading 17 points and ripped down three boards while Adrianna Edwards scored 14 points and grabbed six boards for the game.

Panola’s Taylor Washington posted a gamehigh 22 points and managed to rip down four boards in the process.

The Lady Rangers will travel to Houston this weekend to face off against San Jacinto College. That contest will be at 4 p.m.

Saturday in Houston.

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Adrianna Edwards rises over a Panola College defender. loss against the Fillies. Edwards scored 14 points and blocked three shots.

The KC Men’s basketball team ran away with a 69-57 victory over the Panola College Ponies. The game was close at halftime, but towards the end of the game the Rangers were able to pull away from the Ponies just as they were making a run to keep the game in striking distance. This win gives KC an 11-6 conference record and keeps them safe among the pack of playoff teams in the conference. They are tied for fourth place right now in this tight conference and they have won numerous close games to stay in contention.

KC played a tight game with Panola during the first half. Both teams struggled to get things going early in the game, but KC’s first burst of energy came when Michael Thomas caught a two- handed alley-oop and almost ripped the rim off the backboard in the process. As TNT commentator Reggie Miller would say, “That was a grown-man move.” This play gave KC momentum and along with the crow they were able to get their game back on track and make plays. KC led Panola 32-29 going into the half, shooting 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from the three-point line. Panola shot 34 percent total from the field in the first half. The second half was a different tale for the Rangers. They came out with more will and more cohesiveness and outscored Panola 37-28 in the second half.

They ran away with the game during the last two minutes. KC was up by much as 16 early in the half and Panola trimmed the lead down four points. From there, KC was able to hold off Panola and secure the victory.

KC outrebounded Panola by a narrow margin of 31-28, while outscoring their bench 20-12, cashing in on their inside shots. They had 28 points in the paint to Panola’s 22. Four Rangers posted doublefigures during this game. Guard Jonathan Milligan scored 19 points and dished out four assists while Bakari Copeland scored 13 points and ripped down six rebounds as well. Also, Thomas scored 13 points and secured seven rebounds while Shaq Keith poured in 10 points and pounded the glass with five rebounds.

The KC Rangers next contest will be against their rival the Tyler Junior College Apaches. KC defeated TJC 68-63 in their last matchup and hope to come out victorious in this matchup as well.

This will be the second to last game of the season for KC before the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 14 Tournament takes place. KC is still looking to move up in conference standings so they can get a seed in the postseason tournament. This rivalry game will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, in Tyler.

Let us help you look ready to work!

Show up to our job fairs prepared with help from Career Services.

We can assist you in preparing your resumé at our office in the Student Support Building, Room 111.

Or call or e-mail us to talk about other ways we can help you take a solid first step on your chosen career path. 903-983-8678 or careerservices@kilgore.edu

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SPOTLIGHT

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Modernslavery I

KATHRYN AGEE Executive Editor magine living life as a slave.

A slave to the paradoxical and toxic combination of nurture and violence. A slave to drugs, to money, to

having a roof over your head for the night and food in your stomach. A slave to giving up a life of normalcy for a life of having sex with a different number of strangers every day. In our modern, affluent society, in which manual-labor slavery seems archaic and unfathomable, today’s slave could be your friend, your sister, the kid you baby-sit, or even you.

Though slavery was officially abolished

by Abraham Lincoln in 1862, it still exists in the United States today, and hits a lot closer to home than you might think.

Modern day slavery exists in the form of human trafficking, a $9.5 billion industry in the U.S. Human trafficking is formally defined as “The illegal trade in human beings for the commercial purposes of commercial sexual exploitation, or forced labor; a modern-day form of slavery.” More than 27 million victims of human trafficking are in existence worldwide, with several trafficking rings found in cities around Kilgore, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Kilgore/Longview area has been described as being “in the cross hairs” of the sex trafficking industry, which also includes Houston, Shreveport and Dallas.

Within the U.S., more victims are lured into the sex trade than are kidnapped and forced into it. Sex trafficking is now the third most common crime in America, behind illegal drugs and possession of illegal weapons.

People involved in human trafficking can be put into forced labor, forced to have sex with their captors, or forced to have sex with others for pay. It is found in several cities throughout the globe, but has within the past few years become a problem in East Texas.

Victims of sex trafficking have an average age of 13, and are typically female. They may have had unfortunate circumstances happen to them early in life that make them more susceptible to fall into the traps of sex trafficking. They may be a victim of sexual abuse, homeless, a juvenile delinquent, a runaway, or may be in the foster care system. In 2013, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimated that 1 in 7 endangered runaways reported were likely sex trafficking victims.

Characteristics victims may display include the person having no control over their schedule, frequent and unexplained absences from work or school,

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Growing problem cumulative number of incidents of human reported investigation start date.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

malnourishment, depression and drug addiction.

Traffickers are often family members, friends of the family or victim’s boyfriends. Pimps often force the victims to get tattoos to prove that they are their property.

Though sex trafficking can involve children or adults of any age and background, young females are easy targets and are attractions for sex crime perpetrators. With increasing technology in our society comes increasing chances of danger for potential victims.

Zonta partners with public to educate teens, parents on area sex trafficking KATHRYN AGEE Executive Editor

T

he Zonta Club of Longview has planned many events this spring to help raise awareness of sex trafficking and money for victims.

One way the public can help is by donating to the Zonta Says No! campaign. Their goal is to create a public relations and media campaign explaining the sex trafficking problem in the East Texas area. They will also provide awareness programs to junior high and high school students, and provide them with resources to seek help. Zonta will partner with their high school Z-Clubs to communicate the dangers of sex trafficking and teach the high-schoolers skills to combat trafficking and help their peers.

Other ways Zonta plans to raise money is through their 41st Annual Antique Show and Sale. It will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 6-7; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center in Longview. Tickets are $5 per day or $10 for a weekend pass. Antiques from many exhibitors will be available for purchase. Past activities at the show have included a full menu tea room, pie bar and door prizes.

Tying in with Zonta’s 7th Annual Prom Boutique will be the Walk Against Violence and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, both held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at Maude Cobb.

The day centers around the boutique experience, which offers dresses for high school girls having difficulty purchasing a

Q&A WITH LONGVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT Kristie Brian of the Longview Police Department recently spoke to The Flare concerning the problem of sex trafficking in the East Texas area.

Has sex trafficking become a more urgent problem in the East Texas area?

Yes. The police department has really started looking at the issue of sex trafficking over the past few years in Longview.

Where in Longview does the sex trafficking usually occur?

It actually doesn’t happen as much around Highway 80 as people might think, though there are lots of motels around that area. It happens a lot more in the hotels around the interstate.

How many cases has the LPD found within the last few years?

Over the last few years, we have found around five cases.

Do you think sex trafficking is increasing or decreasing in East Texas?

People are really starting to recognize and be aware of the problem and the signs prom dress. Last year, more than 200 girls received dresses. They will be first come, first served. Dresses are fewer than 3 years old, in like-new condition and cleaned prior to donating. There will be short, tea-length and long formal dresses available.

Zonta is co-sponsoring the annual Women in Longview Day on Thursday, March 26, at Maude Cobb. Its goal is to celebrate the

of sex trafficking and the people involved in it, so the public has really helped so far in decreasing the problem. People should continue to report suspected cases and keep us informed.

What are some ways the LPD monitors suspects of sex trafficking?

The LPD monitors websites where sex traffickers are known to be active. A lot of the girls involved are being advertised on the Internet. We monitor and follow any information that looks suspicious.

Does the LPD work with Longview’s Partners in Prevention and Zonta Club to raise awareness?

Yes, the LPD has partnered with those agencies and Partners in Prevention’s East Texas Anti-Trafficking Team.

Does the LPD have any plans for the future as far as raising awareness and helping to stop sex trafficking ?

We do have plans to implement more programs, but I can’t really go into detail as to what they are at this time. ~ KATHRYN AGEE achievements and diversity of Longview’s women. There will be various sponsors, seminars, exhibitors, and door prizes.

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased from Lynan Day at 903-235-5191.

For more information on Zonta Club of Longview activities, or for ways you can participate, contact Zonta President Anne Hugman at pahugman@yahoo.com.

Children may not know to never give out personal information to strangers online, which increases their chances of becoming a victim.

As they enter puberty, many young women may not be getting the attention from males their own age that other girls receive. This could lead to them seeking out attention and companionship online.

This can lead to harmful situations, such as the victim being groomed into believing she is in love and running away to be with someone intent on using her for sex, or being coerced into taking nude photos or videos of themselves that can then be distributed on online child pornography websites.

On January 30, Edwin Volcik of Longview was arrested and charged with aggravated assault of a child after child pornography was found in his home. One month earlier, Karl Patrick Houlditch of Longview was sentenced to 240 years in prison after pleading guilty to 30 counts of child pornography. He was arrested as the Longview Police Department was conducting an online investigation into the trafficking of child pornography in East Texas.

Earlier this month, State Representative Chris Paddie of Marshall filed House Bill 1123 to elevate penalties of possession and promotion of child pornography. It would raise possession from a third degree to a second degree felony, and possession with the intent to distribute to a first degree felony.

Sex trafficking and prostitution are often highly linked. Many sex workers have been forced into the profession by circumstance, such as being homeless and needing the money to survive day-to-day. Others are drawn into the lifestyle because of a drug addiction. Some may be financially or emotionally dependent on an abuser who forces them into the lifestyle.

One year ago, Homeland Security and the Longview Police Department arrested two people involved in a Longview underground prostitution operation. In response, the Zonta Club of Longview held a meeting raising awareness of sex trafficking within the East Texas area. Speakers made the link between prostitution and human trafficking.

In the last year, 30 women were inducted into the Zonta Club in Longview, making it the largest Zonta organization in the world. All the women who joined felt passionate about raising awareness about sex trafficking in Longview.

Longview’s Partners in Prevention has hosted events highlighting awareness of sex trafficking in East Texas, such as the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event on April 25, 2013. Participants walked around the Longview Mall in high-heeled shoes to raise attention to the issue.

In Longview, the mentor programs Forever Friends, for females, and Co Pilots, for males, were established to help keep children from becoming victims of sexual exploitation. The program, established in 1995 and available at all Longview school district schools, allows children to have a positive mentor in their life they can confide in. Funded by the Zonta Club, Partners in Prevention incorporated sexual assault prevention and lessons into the program curriculums last year.

Combating the problem of sex trafficking must start in our own backyards.

Movement’s ‘End It Day’ aims to bring close to slavery NICK SHELLEY Staff Writer Friday, Feb. 27, is annual End It Day, a day to raise awareness of human trafficking Through ministries such as End It, a movement to end modern-day slavery, students have the opportunity to help victims of trafficking.

“A student could wear a red X on their hand,” said Jaymi Blankenship, director of Baptist Student Ministries. By having an X on their hand, students have the opportunity to tell others on campus about human trafficking.

The first effort to be made regarding slavery is to bring it to light. Students need to know that it is real and that it is happening close to home.

In the future, money may be raised to help buy back slaves through different organizations such as End It. A few other ministries to help raise awareness include A21, International Justice Mission, Not For Sale, Polaris, Love 146, or Free the Slaves.

Different ways exist to raise money for their freedom. One way includes through a benefit concert. For a small fee, students could be welcomed to the concert, with all the money going towards slaves’ freedom.

Another way would be through selling items from Rapha House at a church or other event. Merchandise can be purchased through www.raphahouse.org.

OPINION

THE FLARE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

7

PAGE

Cartoon by Daniel Brown / THE FLARE

Agnostic - 7%

Have you ever been discriminated against for your religious beliefs? Why do you think you were or weren’t?

No, because I tend to avoid a place where I might be.

No, because no one has ever said anything to me about my beliefs.

Tina Reed Longview Freshman

Kedric Davis Kilgore Sophomore

No, I was not because religion has never randomly come up in a conversation.

Jerrell Bell Longview Sophomore

No, I believe in what I believe and nothing else matters.

Photographs by Emily Gibbs / THE FLARE

YOUR VIEW

Atheist/Not Religious - 5%

because people thought they were Mulsim, even if they were not.

It is easier for atheists and anti-theists to blend into society. However, many are virtually disowned by their families after telling them their beliefs. They face scrutiny and judgement from people who think morality is only a trait religious people have.

Because of scrutiny from all sides, many religious people have separated themselves from their places of worship. Many people prefer to honor their religious beliefs at home with their families or privately. For some, this may be out of fear of being attacked by others verbally or physically for their personal beliefs.

There is absolutely no reason to abuse, hurt and attack people for how or what they decide to worship. Religion and spirituality are personal decisions, and everyone experiences those things differently.

One person is just that – one person. A single human being’s violent act cannot be defined by something as simple as their beliefs.

The media, judicial system, or the person themselves may use their beliefs as an excuse for an underlying problem the person has, such as drug addiction, a history of abuse or mental illness.

If we do realize someone may act out violently after hearing their hate speech toward a certain person or group, all we can do is try and get them the help they need mentally in any way possible. The worst thing society can do is continue to be apathetic and accepting of discriminatory language on a day-to-day basis. Nothing will change in society unless people speak up.

Humanity must learn to live and let live, and realize that everyone perceives life differently based on how they were raised, their culture and their life experiences.

Wiccan - 2%

O

n Tuesday, Feb. 10, three American Muslim students were shot at a residential complex of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After turning himself in, 46 year old Craig Stephen Hicks, was arrested and charged with the crime.

Hicks had reportedly approached the students with disputes over parking and other issues. Families of the victims want the murders to be prosecuted as a hate crime.

“I hate Islam just as much as Christianity, but they have the right to worship in this country just as much as any others do,” Hicks posted on Facebook in 2012. He considers himself atheist.

News outlets have been using the fact that Hicks is an atheist and anti-religious to connect the shootings as a hate crime. No evidence has surfaced to confirm this.

Because he was an anti-theist does not necessarily mean this was a hate crime.

Connecting his personal beliefs about religion to an isolated incident is reaching for ways to explain why he was motivated to do the crime, and also may be untrue.

Religious people may use this event as proof that anti-theism is a bad thing. This view is seeded in ignorance.

Consider the idiom, “One bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” Many times in society, if a tragedy is committed by a certain person or religious group, people condemn and become fearful of them.

Muslims have been marginalized and discriminated against since the events of September 11, 2001. The following year, anti-Muslim hate crimes rose 1,600 percent.

Mosques have been blocked from being built or have been destroyed, Rep. Peter King of New York held anti-Muslim meetings, and many people have been assaulted or hurt

Buddhist - 1%

Religion, anti-theism, hate crimes all complex issues

Hindu - 1%

Radical

Jewish - 2%

NOT SO

are the results.

Christian - 82%

OUR VIEW

Miranda Havner Snyder Freshman

Illegal immigrants misunderstood, essential part of society

T

here are 20 million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States. Most illegal immigrants want nothing more than to provide a better life for their families by coming to the land of the free and home of the brave.

Contrary to what most citizens believe, illegal immigrants are just normal people living in daily fear and are not a burden to society or the economy.

A lot of people’s first question regarding illegal immigrants is: “Why don’t they just come

here legally?”

The answer would be that the process is long and costly. People who want to immigrate to the U.S. need a visa, which will lead MAX to permanent CERVANTES residency in the form of a green card. What does it take to get a green card? The immigrant has to be petitioned for, by an immediate relative, who is a U.S.

The Flare EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kathryn Agee

SPORTS EDITOR Devin Brooks

MANAGING EDITOR Victoria Whitwell

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Richard Nguyen

FEATURES EDITOR Leah Bryce COPY EDITOR Dustin Taylor OPINION EDITOR Jordan Baird

DESIGN EDITOR Tory Van Blarcum ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Hunter Lohr

VOL. 78, NO.15

citizen. That can be a parent, a spouse, or a child over the age of 21. It could also be a sibling, but the waiting time is 10 to 23 years or more. Also, the costs can amount to more than $1,000 per person. There are other ways to receive a green card, but this is the most common. As a lower class person, you’re out of luck, unless you have a family member who is already a U.S. citizen.

A majority of illegal immigrants are constantly living in fear of being deported and being separated from their loved

PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Brown, Rain Cohn, Jessica Easley, E’Lexus Tina Walls, Kaelie Wike and Maria Zapata

usually work in manual labor with pay below minimum wage. They also don’t receive government benefits.

A majority of illegal immigrants aren’t criminals trying to come and ruin the American way of life. They’re just desperate and are willing to risk almost anything in order to provide a better future for themselves and their families.

Max Cervantes is a freshman Journalism major from Longview.

LETTERS

Friday, February 20, 2015

Copyright 2015, The Flare. All rights reserved.

ADVERTISING MANAGER David McCarty CARTOONIST Daniel Brown STAFF WRITERS Jordan Baker, Elijah Banks, Max Cervantes, Julianna Kendall, Thao Nguyen and Nick Shelley

ones. Any minor offense, even if it wasn’t their fault, can bring a possibility of being caught and deported. If they get robbed or attacked, they cannot call the police because of the fear of being deported.

As for the economy, to get jobs illegal immigrants use fake social security numbers, and pay taxes (FICA) on every dollar they make. At tax time, they do not file and end up forfeiting billions of dollars in unclaimed returns.

They also pay rent where they live and pay sales tax. They

LAB MANAGER Jamie Maldonado PHOTO ADVISER O. Rufus Lovett ADVISER Rachel Stallard

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

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.

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THE FLARE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

E N T E R TA I N M E N T The

OSCARS Use this ballot to predict your winners BEST PICTURE American Sniper

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY American Sniper

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN The Grand Budapest Hotel

Boyhood Whiplash The Theory of Everything BEST DIRECTOR Alejandro Innaritu, Birdman Richard Linklater, Boyhood Wes Anderson, The Grand Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game BEST ACTOR Steve Carell Bradley Cooper Benedict Cumberbatch Michael Keaton Eddie Redmayne BEST ACTRESS Marion Cotillard Felicity Jones Julianne Moore Rosamund Pike Reese Witherspoon BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Robert Duvall Ethan Hawke Edward Norton J.K. Simmons BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Patricia Arquette Laura Dern Keira Knightley Emma Stone Meryl Streep

Mr. Turner

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Birdman Foxcatcher Nightcrawler BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Ida Mr. Turner Unbroken BEST COSTUME DESIGN The Grand Budapest Hotel Into the Woods Mr. Turner BEST FILM EDITING The Grand Budapest Hotel Whiplash BEST ANIMATED FEATURE The Boxtrolls How to Train Your Dragon 2 Song of the Sea The Tale of Princess Kaguya BEST ORIGINAL SCORE Interstellar Mr. Turner The Theory of Everything

BEST SOUND EDITING American Sniper Birdman The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies Interstellar Unbroken BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Captain America: The Winter Soldier Dawn of the Planet of the Apes X-Men; Days of Future Past BEST DOCUMENTARY Citizenfour Finding Vivian Maier The Salt of the Earth Virunga BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM Ida Leviathan Tangerines Wild Tales BEST ORIGINAL SONG “Everything is Awesome,” The Lego Movie “I’m Not Going to Miss You,” “Lost Stars,” Begin Again

Cinema connection

2014

was a horrible year in film. As a film buff, I went to the movies often last year, and always left the theater thinking the same thing - “meh.”

The only film I saw theatrically that exceeded my initial expectations by far was “Guardians of the Galaxy,” at a screening packed with enthusiastic Marvel fans. I wanted my 2015 film watching experiences to start well, so for my birthday, I saw “Whiplash” and “Back to the Future” at the Inwood Cinema in Dallas.

KATHRYN AGEE The Inwood is known for Executive showing independent films Editor and midnight screenings of classic movies. Catering to its discerning young adult crowd, a bar is attached to the theater.

I had my coolest film experience ever there at a midnight showing of the cult classic, “The Room,” with its infamous creator Tommy Wiseau there. I had my first cocktail at the Inwood on my 21st birthday while seeing “A Hard Day’s Night.” Vivid memories of the many times I’d seen movies there gave me hope that seeing these two films would make me have faith in cinema again, and they did not disappoint.

“Whiplash” is about a young drummer who accepts, and then has to fight for, his position in a jazz band at his conservatory. The band is led by a tyrannical and abusive director who demands nothing less than perfection from his students.

The theater was packed with mostly other young adults. As the movie progressed, when the band director would hurl insults at his students, many people in the audience would laugh loudly. It made me cringe and feel uncomfortable. I felt really upset and empathetic toward the students. It was interesting to experience that contrast of feelings with an audience.

The film ended on a very powerful and

exhilarating note, leaving me feeling overwhelmingly satisfied and ready to see the next movie of the night.

“Back to the Future” is the 1985 classic about a high schooler who accidentally travels back in time to 1955 and interferes with the meeting and courtship of his parents. I have been obsessed with it since I was 11.

I assumed everyone in the audience, again mainly young adults, had seen it at least once. I either was wrong or some of them had been to the bar before the film.

From the first scene, a few audience members would laugh loudly at little things in the movie, which would set the whole theater into collective laughter. It was exhilarating to have such fun watching a movie I’d seen so many times with people who obviously love the film just as much as me.

When the movies were over and I’d taken a moment to let the experience sink in emotionally, it hit me. I realized why I was so apathetic toward movies this past year.

The films weren’t to blame as much as the audience’s lackluster enthusiasm while watching them.

The preference to watch films at home on Netflix or wait to rent them on Redbox has not only hurt the film industry, but also the film experience that has been a staple of society for almost 100 years.

The human connection formed when a theatre of people laughs together at the same joke, jumps out of their seat at a scary moment, or cries at a happy ending, is lost when you’re laying on your couch, mindlessly letting the movie wash over your brain as you procrastinate doing your homework for an hour.

The next time you go to the movies, don’t take it for granted. Leave your problems at home, enjoy your delicious extra-buttery popcorn, and, most importantly, invest your time and attention.

And please turn off your cell phones.

Kathryn Agee is a sophomore Journalism major from Longview.

MY FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2014 Whiplash - My personal favorite of the year. Emotionally draining in the best way possible, with amazing acting from Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons. Highly recommended for music fans.

Birdman - It is a crime if Michael Keaton doesn’t win the Best Actor Oscar for this. Brilliant cinematography and acting from Keaton and the supporting cast.

A must see for anyone involved in theatre.

The Wind Rises - The semiJapanese director Hayao Miyazaki. holds its own with their classics.

For people who love animation and creative storytelling.

Nightcrawler -The awesome performance by Jake Gyllenhaal carries this dark movie. For those interested in journalism.

Interstellar - The McConaughsance continues with Matthew McConaughey’s impressive acting. For those who Guardians of the Galaxy- An original and fun Marvel Studios movie the whole family can enjoy.

Comic book fans and music lovers will enjoy it – buy the awesome soundtrack!

The Lego Movie - One of the

for good reason. Both kids and adults will easily relate to the storyline. Very visually creative.

Chef directed by and starring Jon Favreau about the career of a chef adapting to social media and its repercussions. Recommended for foodies.

Boyhood - A great movie from years. Very relevant to anyone who grew up a kid of the early 2000s in Texas.

The Fault in our Stars – A great my favorite authors, John Green. It feels real and lets the audience get emotionally involved with its main characters. For people who don’t mind going through a whole box of tissues while watching a movie.

Honorary Mention: The Grand Budapest Hotel - I am a huge Wes Anderson fan, and love and respect his movies. I feel that with his increased budget and his personal quirks as a director line between genius and creative this year, but I much prefer his earlier movies.

FLARE POLL win Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards? (Sun., Feb. 22,at 6 p.m. on ABC)

60% American Sniper

5%

9% 4%

The Imitation Game

The Theory of Everything Birdman

9% 7% 3% 3% Selma

Boyhood

The Grand Budapest Hotel Whiplash