The Flare
Friday, February 10, 2017 Vol. 80 No. 13 Serving Kilgore College since 1936
FOR STUDENT SUBMITTED PHOTOS FROM AUSTIN, VISIT THEFLAREONLINE.COM
l Community College Day held on Tuesday, Feb. 7 l KC sends eight students to Texas State Capitol l Rattlesnakes shake it up in Austin Students gather in the office of Jay Dean after he gets out of a meeting.
Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE
l Students feel involved in state government
Reppin’ in Austin
Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE
Conversing in the center of The State Capitol in Austin, students strive to persuade state representatives to apply more funding to community colleges. This was organized during Community College Day on Tuesday, Feb. 7.
KC student contingency meet state representatives MEAGHAN MORTON Executive Editor
AUSTIN Taming rattlesnakes and a mechanical bull was easy compared to navigating the hallways of The Texas
State Capitol for the group of KC students who traveled to Austin for Community College Day. Eight students loaded up in vans around noon on Monday, Feb. 6 and hit the highway to speak to their
senator and inform him and others of the benefits of community college. According to Dr. Brenda Kays in a meeting held the week before leaving, community college funding was cut back four percent
last year. The group of students consisted of Adan Aguinaga, Jeremy Binion, Tyreick Lewis, Macy McAnally, Meaghan Morton, Toby Palmer, Tina Reed and Da’Jah Thompson. Each of
these students represent different organizations from KC ranging from athletic to academic. “[The cut] will provide fewer options for students, and to students, the more funding, the better,”
Aguinaga said. “Most students do not have the opportunity to go on to a four-year school right out of high school. The more the school provides, the more See CAPITOL, on Page 3
Commitment reflects in body art showing past, present, future KAITLIN MITCHELL & LISA HARRIS Staff Writers Jamie Aguilera, Overton freshman, is reassured of her value every time she looks at her left hand. It reads, “Only God can judge me.” “I got this tattoo mainly because while growing up I had the issue of being too dark to hang out with these people and too light to hang out with these people. Since I am mixed it made it harder to make friends,” she said. This is one of nearly 10 tattoos that have had significant meaning throughout Aguilera’s life. Americans spend $1.65 billion a year on tattoos,
according to StatisticBrain. com. The site also stated 76 percent of U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 40 have at least one tattoo. “I know tattoos were the ‘taboo,’ the ‘you do not do things like that’ type of thing (once), but to me it was being able to have art that expresses yourself on you all the time,” Aguilera said. “I see it as I can have something on me that expresses who I am, and what I have been through. I think it is one of those things that everyone cannot do, due to the pain.” While she admits a few have “hit those tender spots,” she still plans on getting more in the future, including a cover-up “with something
more meaningful.” According to the website, 43 percent of people with tattoos believe personal meaning is the most important factor. “Tattooing is more than ink in skin,” said Stephanie Hulsey, local tattoo artist. “It’s expression that never fades; a memory or an image that stands with you for a lifetime.” It’s this commitment that makes tattoos so appealing. Taking the time to figure out one’s self-expression is considered a rite of passage to many. With a decent sized tattoo, prices can still run from $50 to $150, depending on the shop and the reputation of the artist. While tattoos are
apparently becoming less taboo, it’s still important to be aware of their limitations. For example, the placement of the ink can affect one’s career later in life, public perception, persona, and manner of dress. Many places require tattoos to be hidden with makeup or covered up completely, making for a very limiting wardrobe. Despite these limitations, getting inked still evokes strong emotions. Hulsey, who owns Endlessly Divine in downtown Longview, appreciates what a good tattoo represents. “I want people to feel when they get a tattoo by me, that they are infinitely See TATTOO, on Page 3
Max Cervantes / THE FLARE
Tattoos cover a student body at KC.