Board OKs tuition hike, Kays’ contract MEAGHAN MORTON Executive Editor Topics such as tuition increases, the evaluation of Dr. Brenda Kays, and concealed carry on campus were discussed on the second floor of the McLaurin Administration Building as it overflowed with students and community members on Monday night. The meeting lasted about three hours as the Board of Trustees went into executive session for an hour and a half to discuss
personnel issues dealing with Dr. Kays’ first year as KC president. Kays’ contract was unanimously approved to run through Aug. 31, 2020 after the Board of Trustees performed their evaluation. “We are publicly pleased by Dr. Kays’ performance and are looking forward to extending her contract,” said Larry Woodfin, KC Board president. “Dr. Kays, you are rehired.” After the extension of her contract, Kays joked and said she guesses now she will be able to eat
for the next three years. “All kidding aside, it is an honor and a privilege to lead Kilgore College with talented administration, faculty and staff. I really appreciate the visionary leadership of our Board of Trustees,” Kays said. “I look forward to spending the length of my tenure with the institution making sure we are always striving for student success at the institution, that we are achieving our mission, our vision, our values and that we are living our strategic
plan, because we all realize that without our students, there is no reason for us to be in existence.” These students will pick up a little more of the responsibility as they foot the bill for increases in the Fall 2017 semester. Low contact hours and a drop in state funding were cited reasons, but KC is still the eighth lowest tuition in the state, trustees pointed out. Heath Cariker, KC police chief, presented an update from his campus carry committee. Included in the discussion
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were exclusion zones, areas on campus where concealed carry will not be permitted. The areas without concealed carry are where employee and student hearings are held, athletic events, K-12 events, open meetings, testing centers and in the various academy classes, such as police and fire. Three permanent and 14 temporary zones have been set up and will be posted next week.
See BOARD, on Page 3
Friday, March 3, 2017 Vol. 80 No. 16 Serving Kilgore College since 1936
STUDENT PERFORMS AT THE BACK PORCH
Meaghan Morton / THE FLARE
KC Lady Ranger, Mariah Childress, strums her guitar at The Back Porch where she and her band have played this semester. Childress recently traveled to Dallas for a studio recording.
Court to Porch
Basketball player spends time singing at The Back Porch Living The Dream: Part four of a series DA’JAH THOMPSON Staff Writer
Her heartbeat increases as the time ticks down to strum the first chord and sing the first note in harmony with her group. Every note must be perfect, the strike of each chord must be on point and the music must carry the crowd into a world unknown as they fall in love with the rhythm. The loud crowd and busy scenery quiets in her head, pulling her back to reality as it’s just a daydream of
ETPA appoints Reigstad as new deputy director FUNGAI PETA Staff writer Dan Reigstad is the newly appointed deputy director of Kilgore College’s East Texas Police Academy. He became a full-time instructor at ETPA in 2015 after being a part-time instructor since 2002. Reigstad was born and raised in the small town of DeForest, Wisconsin where he graduated from high school in 1983. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1983 to 1992. During his time in the Army, he was stationed in South Korea and West Germany. After that, Reigstad took a difference path by leaving the Army and joining the Longview Police Department.
herself on stage. Inspiration fills her mind as she lays her pencil to paper to write the words expressing her true feelings and her troubles of the past. Mariah Childress, Longview freshman, is not your typical freshman basketball player, she is also musically talented. She has been playing instruments for about eight years and has been singing since a young
age. She doesn’t play one, two or even three instruments, she plays seven: the guitar, piano, saxophone, trumpet, drums, bass guitar, and the ukulele. The first two instruments that Childress learned were the guitar and piano, because See SINGER, on Page 3
ASH WEDNESDAY AT THE WESLEY Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a 40 day period of reflection and fasting, also known as Lent. Ashes are rubbed on the forehead in a cross symbol to represent humans coming from dust, and to dust they will return, as it says in Genesis 3:19.
Reigstad joined the LPD in 1992 where he ended up working as a patrol officer, uniformed crime scene investigator, field training officer, telecommunications operator, senior latent print examiner and senior physical evidence detective over a span of 23 years. As a part-time instructor for ETPA in 2002, he taught Crime scene and Forensics classes. Reigstad has an extensive experience in crime scene processing, finger print processing and identification, forensic and night-time photograph, shooting reconstruction and bloodstain analysis. He is also a former chairman for the Latent Print See DIRECTOR, on Page 3
Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE
Tri-C travels to OSU for Campus Encounter LONNIE ROSS Staff Writer The Christian Campus Center took 21 students to Oklahoma State University last weekend for Campus Encounter. The event is sponsored by Stillwater Church of Christ and welcomed 16 college ministers and 260 students to the campus for education, worship and fellowship. Davis was one of the presenters of a class called, “Take Five.” The class looked at five issues people deal with in today’s society: poverty, racism, sexual immorality, the definition of marriage and personal freedoms. KC students Steve Mena,
Kilgore freshman, and Holden Silvery, Tyler sophomore, led two of the devotional times throughout the weekend. On the drive back to Kilgore Sunday afternoon, the group stopped at the National Memorial Museum and Grounds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This was the site of the April 19, 1995 bombing outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building that killed 168 people and injured hundreds. Since the bombing took place 22 years ago, some of the students were not old enough to know about it, so it was a learning experience. “I didn’t know about it prior to coming here,” said Horace Bonner, Coppell
freshman. A guide gave the students a brief history about the Grounds, including the two gates with 9:01 and 9:03 etched in the wall and the reflection pool in between them. The first time represents the city prior to the bombing and the second time represents the city after the bombing. To the left of the pool, there are nine rows of chairs representing the nine floors of the building and the victims that died on each floor. The “Survivor Tree” is an American elm tree that survived the explosion and is located to the right of the pool. It symbolizes the resilience of the people of Oklahoma City.
As students gathered in the area around the Tree, Christian Delany, Gilmer sophomore, gave a devotional and Bobby Davis, an elder from the Chandler Street Church of Christ, led the group in prayer. The enriching and fulfilling weekend ended as KC students returned to the bus for the long ride back to Kilgore.
(Right) During their trip to “Campus Encounter”, students visited the memorial of the Oklahoma City bombing, learning about the history of the attack before praying in front of the “Survivor Tree”.
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n There are two more weeks until Spring Break. The Flare will not be published again until Friday, March 24. Stay safe and have a fun Spring Break.
Lonnie Ross / THE FLARE
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Yosef Ibitayo / THE FLARE
THE FLARE FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017 n Students have visited the on-campus Food Pantry 33 times since its opening at the beginning of the spring semester.
1887
n On this day in 1887, Anne Sullivan begins teaching 6-year-old blind and deaf Helen Keller.
Check theflareonline.com for a full calendar activities, or go to twitter.com/theflareonline for live updates
KC Dancers perform at the ACDA
FACE
ALEXIA MCGEE Staff Writer
IN THE CROWD
KC Industry Dance company will leave today with hopes of making the cut for the Gala performance in Plano at the American College Dance Association festival. The conference brings together the southcentral portion of the United States’ dance departments. There are about 200 students included in the conference; 8 students from KC will be attending. There are 40 dance works that are adjudicated (viewed by adjudicators in an anonymous selection process). The adjudicators do not know what schools the participants are from. After watching all 40 entries, the adjudicators choose the top eight to ten dance works from the entire conference to perform at the Gala on Sunday. “To be chosen would mean that your work was recognized for its performance, choreography, and artistry,” said Angela Aulds, KC dance instructor. “Our work is titled ‘Sonder,’ which means the realization that every passerby has a complex and vibrant life much like your own.” In 1971, the ACDA began as a brainchild of a group of college and university dance educators who set out to create a national organization that would sponsor regional dance conferences at the college level, along with national dance festivals. The aim of these events was to encourage excellence in performance and choreography in higher education. Today, attendance at the regional conference and national festivals numbers between five thousand to six thousand, with over 300 schools participating annually. These festivals play an important role in the field of dance by reinforcing the connection between dance and higher education. It gives graduate and undergraduate dancers and choreographers exposure into the professional dance world and they have the opportunity to build lasting connections with dance educators and dance programs across the country.
CLUB NEWS LONNIE ROSS Staff Writer
Yosef Ibitayo / THE FLARE
James Nichols
Hometown: Longview Classification: Freshman Age: 44 What made you want to go into nursing? I felt like helping people. I like doing something to help people out. Was there any sort of volunteer work involved with your decision? Yes; my family - my wife and kids have had a lot of medical problems, and I’ve learned a whole lot, so I figured I might as well put it to good use. Have you had any success in finding jobs related to nursing? I haven’t looked yet. What was your prior experience with nursing? I was in the military, so I have a lot of “trauma drama” and first aid, CPR, and all that. I was also an EMT, so working as an EMT.
What war were you involved with while you were a part of the military? Desert Storm One and Two, 1990 to 2010. Both the Gulf and Iraq Wars? Yes, both the Gulf and Iraq Wars, many different times, both on the ground and on ships. What are your plans after Kilgore? Probably going to work in an emergency department. Which hospital are you planning to work at? Not sure what hospital I may try to work at; not even sure I am going to stay in East Texas.
PTK n Next meeting is 1:45 p.m. on Monday, March 6 in the Communications/Automotive Building, Room 104. PTK is collecting a wide variety of school supplies to bring on March 9-11, to Texas Regional Convention in Corpus Christi. If you’d like to donate supplies or cash, please present items to an officer or bring to Michelle Daniels in the Communications/Automotive Building, Room 104. The Spring Induction is set for March 31. To apply for the PTK Membership Scholarship, fill out the application on the KC website under Student Clubs. Deadline is 2 p.m. March 22. Help is needed with setting up for the induction ceremony. If you think you can help, please contact an officer or adviser. Tri-C n March 9 - Free Meatballs, Gravy and Mashed Potato Lunch and Devotional at the Tri-C BSM n During Spring Break, the BSM is taking any students who are interested in serving others on a Mission Arlington Metroplex trip. There is a planning meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 8 at the BSM. Students interested in going should join for the meeting or come to BSM to sign up. Departure is at noon on March 12; the participants will be back at 9 p.m. on March 16. The cost for the trip is $85 to cover food during the week. Students will need to bring money for travel food. To explore and find out more information about Mission Arlington, visit: http://www.missionarlington.org/
NEWS
THE FLARE FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017
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DIRECTOR: Instructor involved in various professional forensic associations From Page 1 Certification Committee of the Texas Division of the IAI and is a certified latent print examiner with the IAI. He is an active member of various professional forensic associations. Reigstad also has numerous certificates which include TCOLE Master Peace Officer, advanced instructor, firearms instructor and he is a trained police emergency vehicle driving instructor through Texas A&M TEEX.
As a full-time instructor, Reigstad began teaching more classes including firearms and driving, forensic, crime scene and also basic police courses. Once Reigstad became fulltime for the ETPA he retired from LPD after 25 years. Reigstad said he is excited to be filling the position left vacant by his new boss Joe Cassin. “I love it,” he said. “It’s fun because you’re always teaching something different and you never get bored.’’
East Texas Police Academy Contact Information
New Deputy Director of the KC Police Academy, Dan Reigstad, prepares for a day of work.
Cheyanne Huntsman / THE FLARE
BOARD: ‘Kilgore College made me a better person.’ From Page 1 Cariker took to the podium and made the audience aware of the precautions he and his committee have been making over the past months. The committee included faculty, staff and two sophomore students, Kami Pack of Longview and Josh Bolfing of Montgomery. The committee met in September 2016 to begin making a plan for KC and discuss what rules would be applied. Later that year, in November surveys were sent out to students; during this time, four town hall meetings were held. Two in Longview and two in Kilgore, one for students and one for teachers respectively. Soon after, in December 2016, there were still not any exclusion zones established on campus. After attending a workshop in January in Austin to compare notes with other community colleges, the committee found they were ahead of other schools in their preparations. Next month the final draft of campus carry rules will be submitted to the board to make a vote. For information concerning concealed carry, log on to kilgore. edu/concealedcarry. Updates to facilities will also be made over the next few months according to Jeff Williams, Environmental Safety and Construction and Facilities Manager as he gave an updated report. The Quads will be repaired and repainted in the next round of repairs. One housing unit will be fixed per month. Doors and trim will be repaired and will be followed with power washing,
painting and re-leveling the ground in the area. Williams commented on the work on Nolen Hall over the past six weeks. “We replaced the drainage lines and within four weeks had the second and fourth floor return to their dorms; after six weeks, the first floor was able to return,” he said. n In a new segment of the board meeting named, “Where Are They Now,” Mazie Jamison, a KC alumni and former Rangerette, spoke about her time at KC as a Rangerette and a student. “I simply cannot imagine my life without the Rangerettes,” she said. Jamison attended KC from 1967 to 1969. She attended the University of Texas at Austin to receive her bachelors’ degree and Texas State University to receive her masters’. During her time as a Rangerette, she was under the direction of Gussie Nell Davis. While speaking, she told of her times meeting other Rangerettes outside of Kilgore. “We’re everywhere,” Jamison said, “and I think the world is better for having us everywhere.” n The employee spotlight was presented by Becky Johnson, Dean of Liberal Arts. She introduced Charleen Worsham, Director of eLearning, and Doris Johnson, Coordinator of eLearning. The two women were nominated years ago by Becky Johnson for the transfer to BlackBoard from Moodle, an online learning system, but did not receive recognition until now. The two thanked the board. n The Student Spotlight,
presented by Judy DeRouen, Support Specialist and Marketing and Facilities Rental, was Adan Aguinaga, Dallas sophomore. Aguinaga discovered KC when he went to a college fair his school hosted. Prior to this, Aguinaga considered dropping out of high school in the 11th grade. He now has a GPA of 3.67 and has been involved with various KC clubs and activities, including the Ranger Ambassadors, Math Club, Latinos En Accion, Homecoming court nominee and many more. “Kilgore College made me a better person,” he said. He has plans to transfer to Miami University Ohio in the fall and major in Public Administration. n James Walker, vice president of the Board, concluded the meeting with describing how the Ranger Softball team has been an asset to the community. The team has held two softball tournaments, hosting 14 teams, roughly estimated to around 300 people, not including fans who decided to travel. Around 125 motel rooms were rented and around 2,500 meals were eaten within the community, causing an economy boost. The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 10 on the second floor of the McLaurin Administration Building. For more information on the board, on to print out an agenda or a citizen comment form, go to Kilgore.edu/boardoftrustees.
903-983-8663 (registration, general information) 903-983-8672 (records) 903-988-7599 (director’s office)
SINGER: Student comes from musical family From Page 1 she wanted to learn how to play her two favorite songs at the time. “I went on YouTube and looked up how to play the songs and then went from there, she said. “I learned chords that way and eventually s t a r t e d making my own music.” Childress, as a child, was influenced by her older brother to learn and develop her skills on the piano because “he was doing it, so why not?” Growing up she was surrounded by musically talented family members; both her mother and father can sing, her second oldest sister sings and plays the piano and her second oldest brother sings and can play pretty much any instrument he picks up due to his amazing ear for music. Besides being in tune with music most of her life, on the flip side she has been playing sports for 13 years. She has involved herself in shaping her game in basketball which landed her a spot on
the Lady Ranger’s basketball team, and with the support of her family and friends, she is pursuing a degree in hotel sales management.
Mariah Elysse and her Soundcloud account is Mariah Childress; however, she doesn’t use Soundcloud as often. Childress has had performances a r o u n d K i l g o r e , Longview and Tyler and has even performed at The Back Porch near the KC campus. Her next local perfor mance will be May 3 at The Back Porch. Childress has a dream that one day she will play a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, but for now she is playing shows on the side and hoping one day her music career will take off. Until then, she is focusing on her career of hotel sales management. “For anyone wanting to pursue music or any dream that they have, I’d say pick up that dream and try to achieve it, she said.” “Don’t give up and push yourself to get better at your craft each day because there is always something that you can improve on and always something new to learn.”
“For anyone wanting to pursue music or any dream that they have, I’d say pick up that dream and try to achieve it.” The record continues to play as Childress has been involved with four bands: a Christian band, and three secular bands — Crossformed, Blues Alliance, Texas Stomp and the current group she is involved in are still working on a group name. Childress is now working on putting out her first album. This summer she plans to get into the recording studio and put out an extended play, which is a musical recording that contains more tracks than singles. She also has a YouTube channel and Soundcloud page. She hasn’t posted any of her originals but she has music covers posted to view and leave feedback. Her YouTube channel is
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THE FLARE FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017
SPORTS
Rangers break losing streak with needed win; Lady Ranger, Velez, sets new record WARREN THOMAS Staff Writer The Rangers left behind an eight-game losing streak with an 83-65 win against Navarro College on Sophomore Night Wednesday. The Rangers needed to win this game to stay in the playoff race. The first half was close throughout, ending with the Rangers leading 40-37. The Rangers then pulled away outscoring Navarro 43-28 in the second half. Cheikh Diallo, KC sophomore, led the game in scoring with 19 points. Diallo went 5-9 from threepoint range and dished out five assists in his final home game as a Ranger. Jamar Sandifer, KC freshman and Ndene Gueye, KC sophomore both scored 18 points to contribute to the win. Gueye notched a double-double grabbing 10 rebounds and adding three blocks to his dominant performance. Davion Newton, KC freshman also scored in
double figures with 11 points. The Rangers now move to 13-15 overall and 4-14 in conference. The Rangers will finish regular season play at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at Trinity Valley Community College. The Lady Rangers turned in a strong 81-67 win against Angelina College in Lufkin. The win was headlined by a 33-point scoring outburst by KC freshman Richelle Velez. Velez made nine threepointers and grabbed four rebounds to break her own school record of eight threepointers set earlier this semester. Lyrik Williams, KC sophomore also played a great game securing a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jade Thurmon, KC freshman also scored in double figures with 11 points and added four rebounds and assists. The Lady Rangers now push their record to 19-9 overall and 10-8 in conference. The Lady Rangers will meet TVCC at 2 p.m. Saturday March 4, in Athens.
Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE
Navarro attempts to block the shot made by Chad Bowie, Houston freshman. Bowie has been a continual contributor to the Ranger basketball team this year. Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE
Bracing himself to beat the Navarro Bulldogs, Trez O’Quinn, Longview sophomore, goes up for two points in an essential grudge-match to keep the Rangers’ playoff hopes alive.
Softball Schedule
Saturday, March 4 vs. Navarro College Kilgore - TX 1 & 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 8 vs. Angelina College Kilgore - TX 1 & 3 p.m. Saturday, March 11 at Paris Junior College Paris - TX 1 & 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 25 vs. Trinity Valley Community College Kilgore - TX 1 & 3 p.m.
Monday, March 27 at Northeast Texas Community College Mount Pleasant - TX 1 & 3 p.m.
Wednesday, March 29 at Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City - LA 1 & 3 p.m.
Wednesday, March 22 at Tyler Junior College Tyler - TX 1 & 3 p.m.
THEFLAREONLINE NEWSPAPER
Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE
The KC Rangers Softball team will open Region XIV conference play at home vs. Navarro in a double-header starting at 1 p.m. at the Ballpark at KC Commons.
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OPINION
THE FLARE FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017
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YOUR VIEW How has somebody in your life helped you?
“My parents letting me stay with them so I can go back to school. ”
Shane McConnell Big Sandy freshman
“Through motivation and inspiration.” Brittney Garland Kilgore freshman
“My grandmother funded my education.” Aaron Deslatte White Oak sophomore
Play hard, Work harder
“They inspired me to get a job, never give up, and keep having faith in God.” Keilan Banks Longview freshman Photos by Sarah Redford / THE FLARE
Photo illustration by Grant Worley / THE FLARE
OUR VIEW
Refresh, give back some of yourself over Spring Break
C
harity starts at home is an old phrase, but one that still holds a lot of truth. Our lives are made up of a series of choices and the decisions we make can either improve this world or keep it exactly the same. A small sacrifice of your time could mean the difference between an individual having the basic necessities of life, and having nothing. Even if your contribution doesn’t make a huge difference, it can still impact someone’s life and brighten their day. Instead of spending your spring break partying or sleeping, consider volunteering for a local charity, joining an organization, or making donations to a cause. You could also offer to clean up an area of your community, visit nursing homes, or something as simple as paying a compliment. One cause that you can donate to is the KC Food Pantry, which is low on supplies due to an increase in student use. Donations can be dropped off in
Dr. Mike Jenkins’ office in the Devall Student Center. In particular, they are looking for: canned meals (Chef-Boy-R-Dee, Campbell’s and Spaghetti O’s); tuna and pasta meals (Zatarain’s, Knorr and Uncle Ben’s); breakfast items (pastries and cereal); and baking mixes. Female students can also join the newly formed KC Golden Z Club, which is affiliated with Zonta International and The Zonta Club of Greater East Texas. The club advocates for women’s rights as well as protection against violence. Their meetings will be held in the Woodfin Center Conference Room at a time and date to be determined. For more info, call Charleen Worsham at 903-9883700. Helping a small group of people might not seem like much, but it is still a change which ultimately means progress and a difference in someone’s life or well-being.
Letter to the Editor: Before you read my letter expressing my opinion, you need to know that I am writing this letter as a supporter of Kilgore College (KC). In that my son attended KC, we supported the school with his tuition money. We are also financial supporters of KC in that we raised enough funds (or donations to the school) in order to have a scholarship endowed in memory of our son who tragically died to cancer in March of 2015. Then our small church is also a supporter of the Tri-C at KC, in
that we gladly host a luncheon each semester at the Bible chair for the students of KC. So, I just wanted you to know where that this letter of concern was coming from (i.e. it is not coming from an outsider, but it is from a very big supporter of KC). I was on your campus though this past Thursday, as it was the day for our church to serve the free lunch at the Tri-C. I had not been there for less than just a very few minutes, when I had a copy of that week’s “The Flare” thrust into my face,
The Flare
with the statement that “I want you to know what your journalism scholarship for your son is supporting” (and they unfolded the front page, headline grabbing article, of a cross-dressing, dragqueen student). I immediately told my concerned donor that our son’s scholarship goes towards sports journalism and that their donation did not support this! But that did not in any way reduce the dis-appointment that I felt that the story was given front page, large print, news breaking
VOL. 80, NO.16 n Friday, March 3, 2017
Copyright 2015, The Flare. All rights reserved.
2013 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • 2014 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Community College Journalism Association Spring 2012 Gold Crown, Columbia Scholastic Press Association • 2012 First Place, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors
PHOTO ADVISER O. Rufus Lovett ADVISER Rachel Stallard
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Meaghan Morton MANAGING EDITOR Timothy Stuckey STAFF WRITERS Fungai Peta, Lisa Harris, Yosef Ibitayo, Kaitlin Mitchell, Sarah Redford, Lonnie Ross, Timothy Stuckey, Allison Taliaferro, Gabriel Wade, Alexia McGee,Whitney Ervin, Da’Jah Thompson, Warren Thomas and Yasmine Wilson PHOTOGRAPHERS Max Cervantes, Lisa Harris, Cheyanne Huntsman, Yosef Ibitayo, Tiffany Johnson, Hailey Pennington, Sarah Redford, Tina Marie Reed and Grant Worley
headlines! I know that KC is a state school and not a private Christian school. I also am not a prude and I am well aware that this type of activity (whether we approve of it, or not) that it does indeed take place. But I was very disappointed that the school would glamorize it and promote it as such as how that they did on the front page in bold headlines of the school’s newspaper! I know that some of my donors were also disappointed as well with me (because they have already
told me of their disappointment too). Thank you for allowing me to express my opinions. I tried to speak my opinion in a kind, calm, and respectful manner (as name calling and screaming does us no good at all in discussing our issues that we disagree on). I just wanted to let you know that some of your readers and some of your supporters do not approve, nor do they appreciate such articles. Thank for listening to my opinion! David Cotham, Longview
LETTERS
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 Broadway, Kilgore TX 75662 or emailed to: kc_flare@yahoo.com
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. All people holding editorial staff positions are Kilgore College journalism students. Comments and views expressed in THE FLARE reflect the thoughts of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of other students, staff members, faculty members, administrative officers or the Board of Trustees.
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THE FLARE FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
Suffragettes pave way for modern feminism,the story of Harry Burn MEAGHAN MORTON Executive Editor
suffragist leader, Carrie Chapman Catt, imploring her son to “be a good boy and help Mrs. Catt put the ‘rat’ in ratification.” Burn took that advice and voted for the 19th Amendment, causing Tennessee to become the 36th state to ratify the amendment, and eight days later the amendment was adopted by the country. Thanks to Burn’s mother and other women like her, women have the right to vote in America. There are countless other stories about women like Phoebe Burn, some filled with violence, illegal actions and perseverance. So for both men and women to take to Twitter wanting to #Repealthe19th is not just disrespectful, but backtracking all of the work women of the past have accomplished for you. This is not just an issue of sexism, but civil rights. So, before you decide what to believe, remember to “be a good boy,” or girl.
Screenshot from Twitter
During this past election, people took to Twitter and created the hashtag, #Repealthe19th. By this, the users meant they wanted the 19th Amendment, the amendment allowing women to vote, to be removed. March is women’s month, and highlighting suffragettes should be mandatory. For nearly 100 years, women fought for the right to vote. Not just by showing up at rallies and protests, but by actually fighting, boycotting and as a result, were abused by their husbands. For this period of time, rich white men ruled politics, and some might say they still do; however, thanks to the mother of young state representative, Harry Burn, American women were given the right to vote. Red and white roses were secured to the lapels of men in Tennessee. White
roses for the men who wanted to put the 19th Amendment in place and red for the ones opposed the movement. Burn pinned his lapel with a red rose. At this point in time, Tennessee was the deciding state on whether women would be able to vote in America or not. If the state was able to agree upon women voting, it would be the 36th state to ratify the possible amendment. In the meeting, the vote was split evenly between legislators with Burn being the last to vote. With a red rose pinned to his shirt, it was almost inevitable which decision he would make; however, Phoebe Ensminger Burn, his mother, wrote him a letter. According to History.com, the letter said, “Hurrah, and vote for suffrage! Don’t keep them in doubt. I notice some of the speeches against. They were bitter. I have been watching to see how you stood, but have not noticed anything yet.” She ended the letter with a rousing endorsement of
Sarah Redford / THE FLARE
Docent Joe Tolleson and Merlyn Holmes, ETOM Director, showcase quilts made by The Country Patches Quilt Guild of Longview, celebrating Black History Month. Secret messages in the form of quilt patterns aided slaves escaping the bonds of captivity in the Southern states before and during the American Civil War. For example, Monkey wrench symbolized building shelter, navigating a journey, or defending yourself. Log Cabin was used to symbolize the reach of a safe house with new friends who other slaves trusted.
Black History Month Showcase in Tyler a success ALEXIA MCGEE Staff Writer What better way to top off February as Black History Month than with a black history celebration and showcase of talent in the East Texas region, held at the Liberty Hall in downtown Tyler. This event brought in some big name celebrities, such as Marion H. “Pooch” Hall Jr., an American television and film actor, model and rapper known for his role on the sitcom “The Game” on BET/ CW. He also starred in the feature film “Jumping the Broom” in 2011. Participants, speakers and artists competed for the $500 cash prize for the most influential
performer. The City of Tyler hosted the first of what they hope to be “many black history celebrations,” said, Ray Ingram, the event founder. This event was established to promote black history awareness and to celebrate black ancestry. It was not to alleviate any other races but to elevate black excellence and their contribution to our history. This event allowed local and regional performers to showcase their talent and it also brought in speakers to encourage the black youth to chase their dreams. Ingram said he wanted to do something different for the black community planning it during Black History month
made it more significant. “Tyler showed up and showed out and I wanted this be fun while still promoting black history awareness,” he said. All of the money raised at this event is going back into the community, especially with the black youth. Ingram and Imperial Production are also hosting a fishing event with the funds raised at this event to teach children how to fish on March 11. The Black History Celebration was a success for the community and for those who participated, Ingram and the City of Tyler look forward to making this an annual event for Black History Month.
Revels tickets available, free to KC students LISA HARRIS Staff Writer
Free tickets are available to KC students for the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening performances of the upcoming Rangerette Revels production, “The Sky’s the Limit” which opens April 5. Students can pick up their single ticket beginning Thursday, March 23, by presenting a current KC ID at the Revels Box Office in the Rangerette Gymnasium or in the box office of Dodson Auditorium an hour before the show they wish to attend, pending availability. Tickets are available to the general public beginning Wednesday,
March 22, and tickets for all shows cost $25 each to the general public. The two-hour variety show produced by the Rangerettes which will run at 7:30 nightly through April 8 with a 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday as well. Telephone orders are available with a credit card by calling Elaine Woodmansee at 903-9838179. Box Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Seating is reserved. The show features solo and group dance numbers, singing and music. This production is the highlight of the Spring Semester for the internationally known Rangerettes.
For students to receive
their free ticket, they must visit the box office in the Rangerette Gym
next to Old Main during box office hours. Bring
your student ID to get your ticket. Tickets are first-come, first-serve.