Board votes to raise tuition in fall DEZIRAE BURNETT Assistant Editor
The KC Board of Trustees voted 7-2 Monday night to increase tuition and fees for the 2014-2015 academic year. Board members Scooter Griffin and Brian Nutt voted against the increase. According to KC President Dr. Bill Holda,
the cost per semester credit hour will increase by $1 for in-district students. The cost of each semester credit hour for out-of-district students will increase by $3. For students who attend KC from out of state, this cost will increase by $5. “We are the sixth-lowest [college] in the state for in-district, for full-time students,” Holda said.
This academic year, in-district students paid $57 per credit hour. With the passing of this increase in tuition, in-district students taking 12 hours will see an increase of $12 dollars per semester for the next year. The tuition increase is projected to generate $300,000 of additional annual income for the college. Additionally, the cost of on-campus housing
The Flare
will increase by $50 a semester, due to an increase in prices with the college’s cable television provider, according to Holda. The board unanimously approved reviving the associate of applied science in criminal justice degree, which has not been offered at KC since 2005 because of an unsuccessful See BOARD on Page 3
Friday, February 21, 2014 Vol. 77 No. 15 Serving Kilgore College since 1936
FAMILY ADOPTION STORY
Sara Holmes / THE FLARE
Shaina Smith, White Oak sophomore, and Amanda Sustaire
A special bond
“
DEZIRAE BURNETT • Assistant Editor
We went to the hospital every 3 hours to feed him to build a bond. After the third day he already knew our voices. The feeling was amazing.” — Shaina Smith White Oak sophomore
Tory Van Blarcum / THE FLARE
A recently tagged calf looks for its mother at the KC demonstration farm.
S
KC student, partner adopt infant ome say you become a parent the day your child is born, but for Shaina Smith and Amanda Sustaire it was not giving birth to their son that made them parents. They entered the world of parenthood by way of adoption.
The couple met in August 2011 while working together, and began dating on Oct. 5 of that year. Sustaire already had three children of her own from a previous marriage, but it was not long before she and Smith began tossing around the idea of expanding their little family. “We had talked about adoption for a while but wanted to wait until we were both done with college,” Smith said. Needless to say, since Smith is currently a
student of KC, they did not wait quite that long. A family friend, a girl who was 15 at the time, approached Smith and her partner about adopting her son on the day he was delivered. As a pregnant teenager, she knew she could not provide her baby with the life he deserved. She asked Sustaire and Smith if they would consider meeting the baby
Where’s the beef?
See ADOPTION on Page 3
is in the process of being redesigned. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Ag students work with nearly 70 calves while about a Students receive hands-on experience at the demonstration farm, learning how to deworm, herding groups of cattle and planting forage. Page 6
The Flare
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014
The Flare
2
PA G E
NOTEBOOK
Feb. 21 – March 17
FRIDAY, FEB. 21 RANGER SOFTBALL CLASSIC VS. TBD Noon, Stream-Flo Field SATURDAY, FEB. 22 RANGER SOFTBALL CLASSIC VS. GRAYSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE 11 a.m., Stream-Flo Field RANGER SOFTBALL CLASSIC VS. HIGHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1 p.m., Stream-Flo Field LADY RANGER BASKETBALL VS. PANOLA COLLEGE 4 p.m., Carthage RANGER BASKETBALL VS. NAVARRO COLLEGE 7 p.m., Corsicana SUNDAY, FEB. 23 RANGER SOFTBALL CLASSIC VS. EASTERN OKLAHOMA 3 p.m., Stream-Flo Field
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26 RANGER SOFTBALL VS. MCLENNAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1 p.m. & 3 p.m., StreamFlo Field LADY RANGER BASKETBALL VS. ANGELINA COLLEGE 5:30 p.m., Lufkin FRIDAY, FEB. 28 LAST ISSUE OF THE FLARE UNTIL MARCH 21 REGION XIV CROSSOVER TOURNAMENT TBD, Lear Park Longview SATURDAY, MARCH 1 SPRING GRADUATION APPLICATION DEADLINE BACH FESTIVAL 7 p.m., Van Cliburn Auditorium KC CHEERLEADER CLINIC 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., Parks Fitness Center REGION XIV CROSSOVER TOURNAMENT TBD, Lear Park Longview RANGER BASKETBALL VS. TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE 4 p.m., Masters Gym LADY RANGER BASKETBALL VS. TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE 2 p.m., Masters Gym SUNDAY, MARCH 2 REGION XIV CROSSOVER TOURNAMENT TBD, Lear Park Longview KILGORE COMMUNITY CONCERT “THE DIAMONDS” 2:30 p.m., Dodson Auditorium TUESDAY, MARCH 4 HEALTH OCCUPATIONS JOB FAIR 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., DSC ballroom RANGER BAND CONCERT 7:30 p.m., Dodson Auditorium RANGER BASKETBALL PARTICIPATE IN XIV TOURNAMENT TBA, UT Tyler WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 RANGER BASKETBALL IN XIV TOURNAMENT TBA, UT Tyler LADY RANGER BASKETBALL IN REGIONAL TOURNAMENT TBA, UT Tyler THURSDAY, MARCH 6 PTK INDUCTION CEREMONY 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., DSC ballroom RANGER BASKETBALL IN XIV TOURNAMENT TBA, UT Tyler LADY RANGER BASKETBALL IN REGIONAL TOURNAMENT TBA, UT Tyler FRIDAY, MARCH 7 RANGER BASKETBALL IN XIV TOURNAMENT TBA, UT Tyler LADY RANGER BASKETBALL IN REGIONAL TOURNAMENT TBA, UT Tyler RANGER SOFTBALL VS. NORTHEAST TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1 p.m. & 3 p.m., Mt. Pleasant CAMPUS CLOSES FOR SPRING BREAK 2:45 p.m. MONDAY, MARCH 17 CLASSES RESUME
FACE IN THE CROWD
Elizabeth Smith-Field Why did you decide to enroll in classes? After working as a designer, editor, and graphic artist in the needlecraft publishing business for over 20 years, I lost my job because of cutbacks. The lack of a college education on my resume closed the door to future employment in this job field as well as others. How did you decide to study your major? [I] went to work as a CNA for a short time… After only two months, I injured the plantar fascia of my left foot stepping on a rock and wound up on crutches. This setback allowed me to take the step I needed to work on the nursing degree sooner rather than later. So, I was back at Kilgore. I was finally a freshman. Of course, we have our plans and the Big Guy upstairs has a better plan. My English 1301 professor told
English
me I was going to be a teacher. Bennie Brown recognized a talent in me that I did not see at the time. After being told by just about everyone I was a teacher, I came to realize Mrs. Brown was right, so I changed my major to English. Why did you choose KC? I compared the nursing programs at several area colleges and Kilgore impressed me the most. What are some of your hobbies/interests/talents? I am a needle arts designer. As a child, I watched my grandmothers crochet, and it fascinated me how they turned thread into beautiful things. I am also seriously into billiards. Whenever asked why I am at the pool hall, I respond, “I am studying geometry, physics, and English.” I get a lot of laughs with that line. Oh, and I write poetry, too.
Sophomore Kilgore Sara Holmes / THE FLARE
ECigs in designated areas only MAEGAN MITCHELL Senior Writer E-cigarette users will now join regular smokers in the designated smoking areas around campus. E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that turn a liquid containing nicotine into a vapor that can be inhaled. KC’s smoking policy states: “Smoking/tobacco products are allowed in designated areas only. Such products are prohibited in all other areas as well as inside all facilities and vehicles owned, leased or operated by Kilgore College.” The administration decided to make it clear that the policy includes electronic cigarettes, which have become increasingly popular. “Our current policy already covers eCigs, though perhaps not as prominently as some would like… though eCigs do not have
a flame, they are ‘smoked,’” Dr. Mike Jenkins, vice president of student development, said. “As a result, they fall under the category of a ‘smoking product,’ which are allowed in designated areas only.” The policy and municipal ordinances apply equally to all college faculty, staff, students, administration and visitors. “Everyone is expected to dispose of their cigarettes properly,” Jenkins said. “Individuals violating the smoking policy and/ or the municipal ordinances... may receive a Kilgore College and/or municipal citation and fine.” According to Jenkins, there have recently been a few reports of students using their eCigs in classrooms and buildings on campus. “When [the students were] asked to move to a designated smoking area, there was a little bit of resistance,” Jenkins said.
“Clarifying our policy will reduce confusion.” Jenkins added that even though they may be marketed as “safe,” he finds it interesting that according to www.electroniccigaretteban. org, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Dubai, Hong Kong, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, Norway, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey have all banned eCigs. Jenkins added that student focus groups played a large part in developing the policy KC has in place along with solicited input from KC faculty and staff. “My personal feelings, which I feel are echoed by most of the administration, are that this is not a cigarette versus eCig issue. It’s an issue of health and wellness. They are highly addictive and potentially hazardous to one’s health,” Jenkins said. “As an educational institution, it is our responsibility to educate and inform.”
‘Animal Farm’ opens Tuesday JORDAN BAIRD Staff Writer
Members of TRiO will be taking tours of university campuses across Texas throughout the end of February and the month of March. The first tour will be of the Texas A&M Commerce campus on Friday, Feb. 28. Students will also have an opportunity to attend the University
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ex-student arrested for criminal trespass
PTK parking raffle winners announced
Kristopher Dobbins/ THE FLARE
Dustin Kincaide, center, rehearses with other cast members for the KC theatre department’s upcoming production of “Animal Farm.” The staging the audience will see is more concerned with exploring the themes of the play: concepts of oppression and inequality, rather than trying to convince the audience that the actors are horses and pigs. “We are inviting the audience to
partner with us in creating a world of rust and mud and sweat, where characters that talk and act very human are treated as something less than human,” Goodding said. “My hope is that our audiences will leave the theatre with a wary eye for ‘the pigs’ in their own daily lives.”
TRiO takes members on campus tours DEZIRAE BURNETT Assistant Editor
smoke anywhere except in designated areas on campus. The devices have been banned in multiple countries.
KCPD Lieutenant Tony Means has provided the following police reports: • Anastasia Johnson, a former Fort Worth freshman, was arrested for criminal trespassing and failure to identify on Jan. 14. Johnson was removed housing because she was not taking the required number of hours. She was reportedly caught in Nolan Hall and did not register as a guest. Johnson’s bail bond was set at $5,000 for criminal trespassing, and another $5,000 for failing to identify herself. • Christian Graham, Diana freshman, reported his backpack was stolen from the game room in the Devall Student Center on Jan. 14. Video cameras were used to identify the culprit, but no contact was made. The student returned the backpack to Graham on Monday because he realized it was not his. No further action was taken. ~ Camron Portley
T
he KC theatre department’s rendition of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” adapted by Ian Wooldridge begins at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 nightly through Feb. 28, with a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. March 2. This is the stage adaptation of George Orwell’s novel, which was written as an allegorical fable: “a fairy story” in his words, to illustrate the history of the Soviet Union. “For me, Orwell’s fable is more than a political allegory,” Micah Goodding, theatre director, said. “The cautionary themes of oppression and dehumanization, of one group asserting themselves over the interest of another are just as pertinent today as they were in Orwell’s lifetime.” The students have spent a large portion of the rehearsal process improvising and developing the more imaginative aspects of the production, such as how to portray the difference between the animals and the humans or how to create a winter storm on the stage. “This has made the process very exciting for me as both an educator and a director because I’m able to see my students experience the very thing that distinguishes the theatre from many other art forms: spontaneous collaboration,” Goodding said. Goodding also mentioned that a lot of the moments that will see on stage do not belong to him or any single member of the cast but to the company as a whole. The theatre department has been exploring conventions, which rely heavily upon the imagination of the audience. “Patrons expecting to see a bunch of actors “oinking” around on all fours, dressed in furry animal costumes will be surprised at how far we have pushed the question of what makes an animal an animal and a human a human,” Goodding said.
Photo Illustration by Charity Mezzell / THE FLARE
of North Texas preview day on the weekend of March 1. TRiO members will tour Texas A&M in College Station on Friday, March 28. They will then travel to Hunstville from the A&M campus to participate in the Sam Houston State University preview day on March 29. A tour of the University of Texas at Austin will be given on Friday, April 4. From Austin, students will travel
to San Marcos for the Texas State University preview day on April 5. Expenses for all overnight trips, including lodging, transportation and meals, will be covered by the TRiO program. Any member of TRiO can participate in the tours; however preference is given to sophomore students who are planning to transfer to a four-year school.
Phi Theta Kappa has announced two winners in its parking raffle drawing. Kim Brown, Kilgore sophomore, won the parking spot located on the west side of campus near the Watson Library and Student Support Building. Stephanie Rodriguez, Kilgore freshman, is the winner for the east side parking spot by the Porter Business Administration Building and Turk Fine Arts Center. Each student has a reserved parking place for the Spring Semester. The winners were officially drawn on Feb. 16.
Tri-C offers free breakfast at dinner Did you wake up to late to eat breakfast? At 6 p.m. on Feb. 24 the Church of Christ will be serving breakfast for dinner The Tri-C will serve eggs, sausage and other traditional breakfast items. There will be trivia, and students can come and go as they please. ~ Christine Ritter
NEWS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014
3
Scholarship deadline April 1 CAMRON PORTLEY Staff Writer April 1 may seem far away, but for those who are applying for scholarships it is closer than it seems. The deadline for scholarship applications is April 1. Annette Morgan, financial aid director, said it is better for students to turn in the paperwork before that deadline. Students who do not make the April 1 deadline can still turn in the application packet, but priority is given to those who make the deadline. There are different types of scholarships at KC. Current or returning students should submit “non-traditional”
applications. Freshmen enrolling for Fall 2014 should submit “traditional” application. Both scholarship forms are found online at www. kilgore.edu/financial_aid. asp. All have the same criteria: three letters of recommendation, a current transcript and proof that the student has submitted the 2014-15 FAFSA. Morgan said KC offers both institutional scholarships and department scholarships. The KC Scholarship Committee considers students who submit institutional applications. Departmental scholarships are budgeted funds for specific KC departments, and are chosen by the department chair. Examples of departmental
scholarships include the band, journalism, theatre, art and music. Institutional scholarships are funded by endowments administered by Leah Gorman, director of development, who works with donors to fund scholarships. Examples of institutional scholarships are the T. J. Plunkett Memorial Scholarship, Thelma Dickson Scholarship or Irma B. Harris Scholarship Fund. These scholarships can be awarded to any student who meets the scholarship criteria. Also, many institutional scholarships are set up for students with specific majors, such as business, corrosion, or engineering or may carry other specific
THE FLARE
Crystal Taylor,
criteria, per the wishes of the donor. Morgan also encourages students to contact the financial aid office and
ask for Beverly Davis, Scholarship Coordinator, for more information on the different available scholarships
For more information about scholarships or financial aid contact Morgan at 903-9838217 or email amorgan@ kilgore.edu.
Former ’Rette serves at Tri-C CHRISTINE RITTER Staff Writer If you have ever been in the Church of Christ, you may have heard students calling for “Mama Jan.” They are referring to Jan Norris, who has worked in the Tri-C for the past four years. This is not her first time being a part of the KC community. Norris was a Rangerette from 1964 to 1966. Prior to trying out, she was a cheerleader at Pine Tree High School. Norris’ next venture at KC was in 2010 when Brit Davis, Tri-C director asked her to volunteer. They attended church together. Norris said she thought it would be fun, so she accepted. “It has been a blessing, and I had really enjoyed working with the kids,” Norris said. Part of her job is to clean, cook and decorate for the weekly Monday dinner. Norris contacts different churches ahead of time to let them know it is their turn to bring the food, which she helps prepare for the Thursday lunches. The process begins at 10:15 a.m. Norris helps put everything out and gets the table ready. The lunches are open to all KC students and employees. “I keep the place straight…
If any of the [students] have problems I’m here to listen,” Norris said. “I’m here when Britt has to leave. I’m the adult in charge when he’s gone.” When she is not at the Tri-C, she works around the house and volunteers at We Care on Mondays, where she mentors elementary students. She also likes to read and work on crossword puzzles. While it might be fun to her, it can get difficult. Norris sees some of her old classmates while taking water aerobics with former schoolmates. She was called back for a photo shoot with six Rangerettes in uniform and 14 former Rangerettes. “It was really funny because the photographer called them the newbies and he called us the ladies,” Norris said. After KC she attended the University of Texas for a semester and then transferred to Stephen F. Austin State University. While at SFA she left school to get married, then after 21 years went back to SFA to complete her degree. She retired to take care of her grandchildren after teaching for 12 years. What she enjoyed most about being a Rangerette was the camaraderie with all the girls, and learning the dances.
“I haven’t had any formal dancing and that was fun learning all of that. It was hard, but it was a lot of fun.” Norris said. Norris’ favorite routine was a field routine during a TJC game. After they left the field they returned with cowboy hats and drums, beating to the rhythm of an apache song. They finished with a routine to “Ragtime Cowboy Joe.” She also enjoyed traveling with the organizations. They performed in the Astrodome, Cotton Bowl, and marched in many parades Christmas. Norris was a Rangerette
seven months to process and was finalized, after numerous background checks, home checks and an endless amount of paper work, on Jan. 27. Both women are listed as parents. “Our families have been very supportive,” Smith said about their families’ reactions to the adoption. “They all love James, as does anyone who meets him.” Because he was born prematurely, there has been concern for James’ health over the past seven and a half months. But his pediatrician says that James is reaching every milestone on target and is progressing well. “Neither of us had ever even been around a premie,” Smith said. “We had to feed him sitting up, holding his
head a certain way. With him being a premie, there was concern about germs, so he couldn’t leave the house but for doctor appointments for the first four months. He’s a fighter though.” Because his immune system is still not as strong as a full-term baby, Sustaire and Smith try not to take James places where there are large crowds. The couple’s other children, their daughters Keanna (16), Navea (14) and Skylar (10), “absolutely adore” their new little brother. According to Smith, James makes a perfect addition to the family. Now seven-and-a-half months old, James is crawling, talking baby talk, and developing like any
semester; likewise, ETPA students can participate in the AAS program with 24 hours of already completed
college credit. These students will graduate with a degree following three additional semesters of instruction.
THE FLARE
during the 25th Anniversary. For the big homecoming game that year, they honored the year passed by bringing back the old routines. She also remembers preforming in the Rangerette Revels. “I love the Revels. They called it Ranger Roundup,” Norris said. “We didn’t have as many performances during the week as they do now.” One of the routines she did was a tap dance. They would tap dance and the flag would come down in the background. “It was patriotic, it just felt
ADOPTION FROM PAGE 1 instead of immediately turning down her offer. “[She] wanted him to have the best life he could have. It was an honor to have her choose us,” said Smith. James was born at just 33 weeks gestation. The first 29 days of his life was spent in the newborn intensive care unit. But even though he was in NICU the first time the couple saw him, there was an “instant connection,” according to Smith. “He was so tiny but perfect,” Smith said. “We went to the hospital every three hours to feed him to build a bond. After the third day he already knew our voices. The feeling was amazing!” The adoption took about
BOARD FROM PAGE 1 attempt by the Commission on Law enforcement in the early part of the 2000s to require a bachelor’s degree for a basic law enforcement license. The proposal for its reactivation included provisions for a budget specifically for the AAS in Criminal Justice degree, completely separate from the transfer degree budget. The criminal justice degree will be a four-semester, “practitioner focused” degree, and will work closely with the East Texas Police Academy. Students studying criminal justice can complete the program and enter straight into the academy during their last
other baby his age; he is just a little smaller in size. “He is a happy, healthy baby boy,” Smith said. “James is truly a blessing from God, and we wouldn’t change one bit of [the experience.]”
really good.” Norris said. Norris said the popularly of the Revels is amazing, especially seeing all the students that come from the different schools to watch. As technology is getting better,
so are the routines. “I’m always amazed how good they are.” Norris said, “It feels every year they get better and better. You don’t think they could be any better but they do.”
4
SPORT S
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014
Rangers take 93-59 win at home 13th-ranked KC improves to 22-4 FROM STAFF REPORTS KC Rangers broke a twogame losing streak with a 9359 win over Bossier Parish Wednesday night at home. The win improved the 13th-ranked Rangers to 22-4 on the season and 13-4 in conference play. Four Rangers were in double digits, paced by Jamarcus Weatherspoon with 18. Stefan Moody added 15 points, while Kalif Wright and Aaron Dailey each had 10. Moody also had nine assists and seven rebounds.
Dailey led on the boards with nine rebounds. KC led 41-26 at the half and then went on a 13-4 run to open the second half and break the game wide open. The Rangers shot 52.2 percent from the field, including seven of 19 threepointers. Bossier shot 36.8 percent overall. Most of the bench saw action in the second half, with a dozen players contributing points in the lopsided victory. The Rangers travel to Navarro Saturday for a 4 p.m. conference matchup.
Rangers lose on road Saturday to Panola, 53-49 BRANDON PEARL Staff Writer The KC Rangers lost to Paris JC Saturday on the road, 53-49. KC was down at halftime 27-26, shooting 11-32 from the field and hitting 1 of 5 three-pointers. Paris was 9-31 from the field and 5 of 12 from the three-point line. The Rangers came out in the second half, shooting 7-21 from the field. Paris was 6-25 from the field and came out on top with win over KC. Stefan Moody led the team in scoring with 17 points, followed by JaMarcus Weatherspoon with 10 points. Tom Wamukota led the team in rebounds with 13, followed by Chris Gracela with 10 rebounds. “Saturday’s loss was tough, Coach Brian Hoberecht said.”I thought we played hard, but not as efficient or unselfish as we needed to offensively on the road. We will work on getting back to
some of our basics this week as we prepare for our next two opponents”. |———| Here are the cumulative teams leaders through Feb. 15. Stefan Moody leads the team in scoring averaging 17.9 points game followed by JaMarcus Weatherspoon with 13.8 points a game. Moody also leads the team in three-pointers with 61 of 168. Chris Gracela with 36 of 96 three-pointers follows him. Tom Wamukota leads the team in rebounds with 165. He followed by Kalif Wright with 149 rebounds. The Rangers are shooting 49.7 percent from the field this season and 36.6 from the three-point line. Their opponents are 39.3 from the field and 30.3 from the three-point line. The Rangers have 969 rebounds on the season and average 38.8 a game, while their opponents have 658 rebounds on the season and average 26.3 a game.
Michael Brown / THE FLARE
Jonathan Milligan goes up for a shot against Bossier Parish Wednesday night.
Former KC standout Thornton going to Nets
Heidi Lybarger / THE FLARE
Marcus Thornton goes up for a shot against Dallas in a 2010 game.
STAFF REPORTS
Michael Brown / THE FLARE
Stefan Moody goes up for a layup
Former KC standout and current Sacramento Kings NBA player Marcus Thornton is about to become a Brooklyn Net. According to a report in Yahoo Sports, Thornton, who played for KC from 2005-2007, is headed to Brooklyn in exchange for
Jason Terry and Reggie Evans. At KC he averaged 26.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game and was named an All-American. Thornton in 2010 set a record for most points by a rookie when he scored 37 points against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Thornton was highly recruited after his two years at KC, and ultimately chose LSU. He was named SEC player of the year during his senior season. He was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets in 2009. He has averaged. 8.3 points a game this season.
SPORT S
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013
5
Lady Rangers get a win over Bossier Team travels to Carthage on Saturday FROM STAFF REPORTS The Lady Rangers got back on the winning track Wednesday night, taking a 65-60 victory over Bossier Parish in Masters Gym. Houston freshman Danesha Richardson paced KC with 16 points, all coming in the first half before she left with an apparent foot injury. Macy De’Gruy added 10 points while Da’Moneyco Spivey and Imaobong Akpan each had nine. Akpan led the team on defense with nine rebounds while Sha’ Georgia Williams added five, and Danesha Richardson had four boards.
The Lady Rangers led by as much as 17 points in the waning minutes of the second half. The Lady Cavaliers got hot in the second half and pulled to within three points before De’Gruy hit a pair of free throws to seal the win. KC shot 36.8 percent from the field, hitting 28 of 76 attempts. The Lady Cavaliers were 24 of 51 for a 47.1 percent shooting percentage. The win improved the Lady Rangers to 1311 for the season and 7-8 in conference play. The team travels to Carthage Saturday to face Panola. Tipoff is 4 p.m.
Lady Rangers start slow, lose to Paris Saturday DEVIN BROOKS Sports Writer The KC Lady Rangers fell to 6-8 in conference play losing Saturday to Paris Junior College 48-40. KC got off to a slow start and never recovered. The Lady Rangers have four remaining games and still have chance to get a seed for the regional tournament, but they need to win. KC had a rough shooting night, going 33 percent from the field from the game; the team shot 17 percent from long distance, and 47 percent from the free-throw line. Head Coach Roy Thomas was not pleased at all with his team’s effort.
“I was very disappointed with our overall play and effort for this game; we didn’t show up to play at all,” Thomas said. We have to show up every night to play to give ourselves a chance to win and we didn’t do that tonight.” Thomas wants his team to take care of the ball better and play better defense. “We have to stop with our turnovers; we didn’t make shots this game, but we took good shots. We have no control over the ball going in and out, but we do have control with ball control,” Thomas said. We have to limit out turnovers and play better team defense. There is absolutely no excuses from
here on out. We have to play every night we step on the floor or we will get beat just like tonight.” Thomas is very determined to get his team back to a winning position, and he believes that if they can play the way they are capable of playing every night they can beat anybody. Danesha Richardson led the team in points and rebounds. She recorded a double-double totaling 11 points and 11 rebounds while Imabong Akpan recorded eight points and seven rebounds. KC scored 18 points off Paris’ turnovers, had seven second chance points, and nine bench points.
Softball team shut out in McLennan tourney DEVIN BROOKS Sports Writer The KC softball team traveled to Waco last weekend to play in the McLennan Community College Softball Tournament, and were defeated in all four games. That puts their season record at 4-9, but it is still early in the spring season. KC played two games on Friday, facing Temple College first and lost 10-0. Temple’s bats were hot while KC’s were not, and it showed throughout the game. KC’s batters struck out seven times during the game and only managed to get one hit in five innings. Catcher Asia Marshall got the only hit of the game for KC, which was a single. Pitchers Kari Courtney and Kayla Calvert pitched 3.3 innings combined and allowed 10 runs off seven hits and walked nine batters. KC faced MCC later that day, and the outcome was not any better, losing 12-0. Once again, they only managed to get one hit. The team had six total strikeouts and one fielding error. Ali Harvey mustered the only hit of the game for KC, another single. Courtney and Calvert pitched three innings combined and allowed 12 runs off of 10 hits, with three
walks and five strikeouts. Head Coach Leslie Messina was not happy with how her team performed on Friday. “We weren’t in control of ourselves. Our inability to throw and catch killed us all day long,” said Messina. “We weren’t mentally ready to attack on offense and our inability to focus on the small things hurt us today.” KC returned to the field on Saturday more on their game, but they still could not get the victory. They lost to MCC, 9-8. Both teams’ bats were hot all game long, but MCC had enough juice to beat KC in the end. Third baseman Lakin Kerby went 3-4 from the plate with three hits, including a single, a double, and a home run. She recorded two RBIs in the process and scored three runs. Sara Aguilar and Mallory Ford had two singles and two hits each. Courtney pitched six innings, allowing nine runs off eight hits with four walks. She retired two batters. KC played Temple for the last game on Saturday, and they lost that game 9-8 as well. First baseman Lexi Lopez did her part to keep KC in striking distance. She went 2-4 from the plate and recorded a single, three RBI’s
and one homer. Marshall also had a home run and batted in two players in the process. Calvert pitched eight innings, allowing nine runs off of nine hits with six walks and five strikeouts. Messina was pleased that her team improved from their poor performance on Friday. She believes that it was the Baylor softball game that she took her team to that inspired them to do better on Saturday. “It was a great learning experience for them. They really looked on at the game and took in how they were playing,” Messina said. Baylor talked a lot in-between plays and my team really took heed to that, and they learned a lot about how communication and being a visual learner can help. “Even though we didn’t get any wins this weekend the team learned a more valuable lesson in how they can improve and how the game is played on another level. We improved by watching them, and we will be a better team from it.” KC will host the Ranger Softball Classic this weekend starting Friday and ending on Sunday. Their first game will be against Highland College at 2 p.m at Stream Flo-Field.
Join a winning team Flare alumni enjoy success at ESPN, Dallas Morning News,
KC
student journalists have won hundreds of individual awards, dozens of Sweepstakes and Best of Show awards and several national honors. With alumni at scores of newspapers, TV news outlets and on the cutting edges of cyberspace, success doesn’t stop when a new plaque goes
up on the lab wall. Students working on The Flare, The Ranger Yearbook or The Flare Magazine have a chance to make an immediate impact with writing, photography, design and illustration. KC journalism students are also eligible for a number of scholarships.
For more information, contact Gary Borders, Flare adviser, at 903-983-8194 or by email at gborders@kilgore.edu and O. Rufus Lovett, Flare photo adviser, at 903-983-8192 or by email at rlovett@kilgore.edu
Kristopher Dobbinst/ THE FLARE
Macy De’Gruys goes up for a layup during Wednesday’s game against Bossier Parish.
6
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014
FE ATURE
How to stay
warm in the cold
During the insane cold weather we were experiencing last week, we thought it would be fun to ask preschoolers at the Early Childhood Center how they stay warm in the cold.
“Scarf and mitts to keep my hands warm, gloves, jacket, sweater.” , Kilgore Gratton
“A long sweat, long pants, long scarf, boots and gloves.” - Allyiah Garcia, Kilgore Parents: Aurellia Vargas, Antonio Garcia
“With my sweater.” - Hunter Caraway, Kilgore Parents: Jordyn and Stayton Caraway
“I play with the snow. I get my jacket out.” - Brody Smith, Kilgore Parents: Courtney Brown, Rusty Smith
“My mommy puts my sweater on me.” - Abigail Boyd, Kilgore Parents: Derek Boyd
“With a jacket and gloves and tennis shoes to keep your feet warm, because Crocs have holes and your feet will freeze up. Or boots.” - Carson Palmer, Kilgore Parents: Amy and Chris Palmer
“Jacket, because when I get cold I need a jacket.” - Greyson McClung, Kilgore Parents: Crystal and Ryan McClung
Photo Illustration by Brandon Feagans / THE FLARE
Cold weather has left for now, but another cold front is due next week.
Check out our redesigned website at
OPINION OUR VIEW
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014
7
Vapor
Do you agree with E-cigarettes being restricted on campus to smoking areas only? Why or Why not?
“No, because it doesn’t seem to do harm to anyone around it.”
“Yes, they are a great invention but can still be distracting in class.”
Carlos Mendoza Gilmer Freshman
Austin Dent
“No, because it’s not an actual cigarette, it’s supposed to help people quit and is ran off of vapor and doesn’t smell of nicotine.
“No, they should be permitted. They’re legal to smoke in restaurants and other public places.”
Summerlin Harrison Arp Freshman
Henderson freshman
Chelsea Horton Longview Freshman
Photographs by Karyn Sage / THE FLARE
YOUR VIEW
Maria Zapata / THE FLARE
C O L
N W O D K Despite safety claims, electronic cigarettes can distract, possibly harm
L
ast week KC adapted a new policy on electronic cigarettes that would treat them like other tobacco projects. This means people who smoke those battery-operated nicotine delivery devices can only do so in the designated smoking areas around campus. This policy applies to students, faculty, staff and visitors. Before the new policy on electronic cigarettes, people were apparently free to smoke them anywhere on campus, including the classrooms and the residence halls, because the administration had not set a clear policy. Now it has, and we agree with the new policy. Because electronic cigarettes emit water vapor instead of noxious smoke, the selling point is that people could smoke them anywhere without harming the people around them. However, this doesn’t mean that they should. It is not at all clear that these relatively new devices are completely harmless, because the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration have not regulated E-cigarettes. While electronic cigarettes don’t put off second-hand smoke, there’s still an issue with the vapor, which is often perfumed. People sitting in a classroom should not be distracted by someone beside them puffing on an e-cigarette. Smoke clouds floating around the room while sitting in class or the cafeteria isn’t very appealing. The manufactures claim the vapors are odorless, but there are some people who can smell them, especially the perfumed type. E-smokers might not agree with the policy, but they should be considerate of those around them and abide by the campus regulations. This policy is new, so not everybody might have heard about it. If you see somebody using an e-cigarette in class, inform them of the policy and ask them to take it outside to a designated area.
College roommate helps with sibling rivalry
O
n Dec. 23, 1998, a newborn baby girl was placed in my trembling arms for our first picture together. That baby just turned 15 years old and stands about four inches taller than me. My little sister and I have argued, physically fought and yelled at one another nearly every day for the past 15 years — minus the days she did not know how to talk. Most of our arguments erupted because she was disrespectful to me and my space. In the earlier years, we shared a tiny bedroom with one closet, bunk beds and a bathroom down the hall. I would come home from school every afternoon to find my things misplaced or broken. As we grew older and moved into a more spacious home and each got our own bedrooms the fighting and the stealing of my belongings continued. My parents could not wait until the day came when I moved out for college.
Well, it came sooner than they had expected. The day I had made Rangerettes, a girl named Emily Diehl, who had been planning to room with my best friend from home, walked up to me and asked me to be her roommate because my best friend did not make the team. Without hesitation, I said yes because my best friend seemed to like her quite JORDAN a lot. BAIRD As I gathered the last of Staff Writer my belongings to head to the beginning of what former Rangerettes call the best two years of your life, I was not quite sure how living with someone was going to turn out — since 15 years of my life was spent arguing with my socalled “roommate.” Right away Emily and I
The Flare EXECUTIVE EDITOR Ashley Morales
ILLUSTRATOR Cody Davis
ASSISTANT EDITOR Dezirae Burnett
LAB MANAGER Jamie Maldonado
FEATURES EDITOR Tory Van Blarcum
ADVISER Gary Borders
SPORTS WRITER Devin Brooks
PHOTO ADVISER O. Rufus Lovett
VOL. 77, NO. 15
clicked. We spent most of our time hanging out and getting to know one another as soon as we moved into the dorm. I thought because we just met that maybe we would get tired of one another sooner or later. I imagined that just as my sister had misplaced my belongings that she would too, but was I wrong. Emily turned out to be a very kind hearted and genuine person. She always offers to pay for meals and picks up groceries for both of us to share. Emily is always very respectful of me and my space. We have learned to work really well as roommates. We share mostly everything with one another, so the problems that existed with my sister and me are not an issue with my new roommate. There is never a dull moment spent in our room. The constant laughter, inside jokes and memories we have made together will definitely last me a lifetime. We continue to
Friday, February 21, 2014
build our friendship each and every day. In the past five months of living with Emily I have not only learned a lot about her, but about myself as well. She has shown me that sometimes you have to think about someone else’s needs before your own. Learning to respect someone’s space and get along when you spend all but two hours away from one another a day is a bit of a challenge. But it has given me the experience I will someday need for future roommates or even my husband. When I go home for weekends or breaks, my sister and I do not argue as much. The experience of living with a new roommate has made it easier for my sister and me to get along Or maybe it is just because we miss each other. Jordan Baird is a freshman journalism major from Magnolia.
LETTERS
ADVERTISING MANAGER Sonia Garza
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
SENIOR WRITER Maegan Mitchell
DISCLAIMER
Copyright 2014, The Flare. All rights reserved.
STAFF WRITERS Christine Ritter, Jordan Baird, Brandon Pearl, Camron Portley and Ellen Reid PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Brown, Kristopher Dobbins, Brandon Feagans, Sonia Garza, Laura Hernandez, Sara Holmes, Charity Mezzell, Will Pritchard, Joshua Roché, Karyn Sage, Stormy Scott and Maria Zapata
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 staff positions are Kilgore College journalism students.
8
SPOTLIGHT
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014
Sara Holmes / THE FLARE
A heifer is silhouetted against the horizon at the KC demonstration farm.
Moooving experience Students get hands-on experience working calves at KC demonstration farm TORY VAN BLARCUM Features Editor
S
everal KC ag students are getting their boots scuffed and their hands dirty helping with calving season at the KC demonstration farm. By early spring more than 80 calves will have dropped, according to Dustin Law, demonstration farm manager. There are currently about 65 calves born with a few dozen left to calve. “The cattle are used in the animal science class labs.” Law said. “They (the students) have an opportunity to interact with the cattle first hand doing everything.” Nicole Fryman, Mount Enterprise sophomore, spends time at the farm as a student worker. She helps with anything from fixing fences to feeding cattle or even delivering the calves. “It’s a learning experience.” Fryman said. “ I learn something different every day.” The students who have agriculture classes have majority of their classes at the farm. Students receive hands-on experience during their labs in learning how to deworm, herding groups of cattle and planting forage. “There are always plenty of opportunities for students to know what goes on at the farm,” Fryman said. Students are also exposed
Randi Vinson-Davis / THE FLARE
Jessica Fryman, left, Mount Enterprise sophomore, and Dustin Law untie a calf after tagging.
Tory Van Blarcum / THE FLARE
Travis Rocha, left, Texas A&M intern, and Dustin Law, farm manager, weigh a new calf to gather its birth weight. to different ways of handling and gathering cattle. The main methods used at the KC demonstration farm are with border collies or horses. “My favorite part of the farm would be just being outside, working with the animals and getting real-life experience,” Fryman said.
Sara Holmes / THE FLARE
Calves and their mothers keep a watchful eye on the student workers.
Sara Holmes / THE FLARE
A panoramic view of the KC demonstration farm near Overton.