Issue 19 04-14-17

Tornado warning spins board meeting An action-byaction guide to the April 10th Board of Trustees meeting

for 45 minutes while waiting for the warning to pass.

After watching the weather broadcast from a monitor in the room, the group went back upstairs to continue the meeting.

Action items approved: n Expansion of meal plan options as a recruiting tool.

Meal plans will increase $70

MEAGHAN MORTON Executive Editor A tornado warning caused around 50 people to huddle together on the first floor of the Stewart H. McLaurin administration building during a board meeting.

All discussion of action items and voting was held off

to keep the KC Sports Grill open during the weekend. n KC concealed carry policy.

Students with a license to carry may now have a concealed hand gun on campus beginning the Fall semester; however, there are exclusion zones where the guns are not allowed.

The Flare

To view the full policy, visit Kilgore.edu. n To consider asbestos abatement for the Technical Vocational Building, Engineering Science Building and the East Texas Oil Museum.

KC will have asbestos safely See BOARD, on Page 3

Thursday, April 13, 2017 Vol. 80 No. 19 Serving Kilgore College since 1936

Cheyanne Huntsman / THE FLARE

Elizabeth Lumpkin, Kilgore freshman, sits behind her sculpture of a chocolate pie in the gallery of the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Building. She was awarded a $2,000 scholarship at UT Tyler.

Piece of the

Student artist earns $2K scholarship with soft sculpture

Pie

Living The Dream: Part five of a series KAITLIN MITCHELL Staff Writer

M

olding a statue to their satisfaction, an artist in a paint-covered smock

bends over a clay wheel.

Another person is busy getting their hands messy with watered down paste and old newspaper strips trying to form the perfect papier mache´ figurine.

Nearby their peer sands down a wooden effigy. While these techniques might be preferred by many artists, one KC student had a

Student work

is currently featured in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Gallery. Art shown varies from sculpture, drawings, paintings and photography.

See PIE, on Page 3

Automotive class restores police car TIMOTHY STUCKEY Managing Editor A siren wails as students of KC’s auto body repair technology program stand proudly in front of their finished project: an impressive

Jamie Maldonado / SPECIAL TO THE FLARE

Joel Laws, Automotive instructor, answers questions for an interview by local television news station.

and gleaming 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe patrol car donated by the Gladewater Police Department that the class restored.

“We knew what we wanted,” said Robert Vine, Gladewater Police Chief. “It’s a win-win.

We get a great product; they get experience.”

Chief Vine explained that while the car won’t be used for regular patrols, it will be used at least once every month in Gladewater’s antiques district.

“It’s the simplicity of a bygone era; it represents what the police force used to be,” Vine said. “It offers us the chance to interact with the community in a positive way.”

As the main class project for Fall and Spring semester students of the program, the finished Chevrolet represents months of hard work and dedication that facilitated an See CAR, on Page 3

FI AI RE

Still lifes line walls of Photograph Gallery Students feature fine art, gain experience, learn craft

PAGE T WO THIS WEEK

BY THE NUMBERS

25

n The KC Jazz Band will hold a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Van Cliburn Auditorium located in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center.

27

Conceptual transparent illustration, “Three Glasses” by KC photography major Alma Cedillo from Kilgore is one of many still life photographs that will be on exhibit in the Matthew Dean Johnson Photograph Gallery in the Communications Automotive Building.

The exhibition will begin April 19 and run through May 5.

The selected images in the show are from photography students enrolled in the Photography Illustration class.

THE FLARE THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

n A crawfish boil will be held on 11 a.m. Thursday, April 27 on Broadway Blvd.

Last year KC students ate over two tons of crawfish.

1958

n On this day in 1958 Van Cliburn is the first American pianist to win the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.

The Van Cliburn Auditorium is named after this international performing Kilgore native.

Check theflareonline.com for a full calendar activities, or go to twitter.com/theflareonline for live updates

FACE

Last withdrawal day April 17 From Staff Reports Monday April 17 is the last day to withdraw with a W. While instructors may drop students for absences, it is the student’s ultimate responsibility to drop classes or withdraw from school.

Students wishing to drop a class may do so in the Registrar’s Office or at the KC Longview campus.

Students must complete an official withdrawal form which are available in the Counseling Center.

Those who are eligible to register through myKC may drop or withdraw from classes online through the end of Late Registration.

Students who fail to officially drop/withdraw may receive a grade of “F” for the semester and may have to re-pay financial aid.

IN THE CROWD

KC selected as 8th best CC in the nation From Staff Reports Kilgore College has been named the eighth best community college in America according to College Choice.

College Choice correlated data from Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program, Payscale, and individual community colleges to compile a list of the 50 best community colleges in the country.

According to its website, www.collegechoice. net, College Choice considers several factors in developing an institutional performance score, including first year retention rates, three-year graduation rates, credentials awarded, etc.

It also factored percentage of non-traditional and minority students, percentage of Pell grants and minority graduation rates in order to create a diversity score.

College Choice also compared in-district tuition rates and potential salary to calculate the return on investment.

For a complete list of the 50 best colleges in the nation, visit: www.collegechoice.net/rankings/ best-community-colleges/.

Correction; ‘Rettes not billion dollar industry From Staff Reports

Katherine Bradley

Yosef Ibitayo / THE FLARE

Hometown: Sunnyvale,TX Classification: Freshman Age: 19 How has your particular living situation affected your experience at KC? When I was 17, my mom decided that I needed to learn how the world worked in the ways of getting a job, starting school, and college and everything, while I was homeschooled. So I had to get a job for a little while until I could find a stable place to stay, and then I started cram school at Mesquite Academy, which was basically at your own pace, where I could do my last three years of high school in about a year and a half, so I finished on time. After that, I moved to Longview from Dallas and moved in with my boyfriend and his family, and I’ve been here working on my degree for Early Childhood Development.

What made you want to go into Early Childhood Development?

When I say I was homeschooled, it wasn’t really like, studying and stuff like that. It was more taking care of the house and

doing home things. For about six months, I took care of my sister’s baby, she was about two years old at the time, and that was a challenge, but I would have to say that that was what made me want to go into teaching. When I was in the cram school, I was with a family who would go to church on Sundays, and they had daycares for little kids, so I thought, ‘Well, I’ll do that and get some volunteer work toward what I want to do.” So for about a year or so, I was volunteering in the children’s daycare for two-year olds, so that also helped with making the decision.

After getting your degree, what are you planning on doing?

I’m hoping to work somewhere in Texas as a kindergarten teacher, that’s my dream job, But I don’t know in what school or where, I just know somewhere in Texas.

In the April 7 edition of The Flare we incorrectly titled the Rangerettes “a billion dollar industry.” In actuality, the 77-year-old drill team line contributed to the birth of the drill team and precision dance industry.

Ray Perryman with The Perryman Group of Waco estimates that this industry as a whole generates a sizable economic stimulus of an estimated $8.3 billion in total expenditures and $4.0 billion in gross product each year, as well as more than 50,700 permanent jobs across the nation. He released this study in 2014 in light of the KC group’s 75th anniversary celebration.

Part of the report reads, “The Rangerettes have benefitted thousands of young women who have been a part of the team over the years, helping them to develop poise and confidence in addition to their dance skills.

They have also encouraged attendance at KC and at the events where they have performed.

For the Kilgore area, they have enhanced the visibility and positively contributed to national and international perceptions of the city. Of far more lasting significance, they have been the incubator for the development of a major industry that has positively influenced countless lives and careers and brought economic benefits to communities throughout the world.

Hundreds of high schools and colleges across the nation, as well as most professional sports franchises, have precision dance/drill teams.

These teams not only boost spirit, but also lead to significant economic benefits. Attending competitions leads to tourism, hiring directors and choreographers generates jobs, and purchasing needed uniforms and other gear enhances spending. Performances can also increase attendance at sporting events.

NEWS

THE FLARE THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

PAGE

3

IF YOU GO: Tickets:

$5 $7 $10

For KC students

For non-KC students

For adults

Thursday, April 20 Saturday, April 22

7:30 P.M.

Sunday, April 23

2:30 P.M. Box office number:

(903) 983-8126 Hailey Pennington / THE FLARE

Hunter Ballard, playing the character of Eugene, listens to the baseball game on the radio with cast mates.

Theatre department ends season with ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’ Show lead, Hunter Ballard, uses opportunity to take character to next level

H

unter Ballard, Gilmer sophomore, continues to perfect his craft of acting by playing the lead in KC’s production of “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” Eugene.

Ballard plans on taking his studies to Stephen F. Austin after KC.

KILGORE SCREEN PRINTING CO.

WE PRINT T-SHIRTS& MORE

601 A E. MAIN (903) 983-1480

Question: What kind of person is going to love this character?

Ballard: The beautiful thing about Neil Simon and how he depicts Eugene is that he makes it to where anyone can love Eugene.

Everyone in their life knew a “Eugene,” whether that was a son, a cousin, or even just a friend. Neil allows mothers and fathers in the audience to look up on the stage and say “Wow, that’s like our son!”

Q: How are you similar to Eugene?

B: One area that I think Eugene and I are very similar is in our curiosity.

Eugene is a curious kid and as a boy of 15, I was the same way. Even from an age of six, I’ve heard stories from my parents about my levels of curiosity. To give you a little insight, I heard the saying “it was curiosity that killed the cat,” many times.

Q: Is it easier to play this character or to be yourself on stage?

B: For me the joy of being in theatre is being able to put away all of your cares

BOARD: Updates to campus grounds From Page 1

removed from the buildings stated above. n Facilities update.

The KC Welding department will fix the handrails around the Quads. The evaporative cooler in the Applied Technology Center will be fixed. A new gas line

has been established in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts building. A water leak was discovered at the Texas Shakespeare Festival building. Pest control at the Applied Technology Center and plumbing issues at the Rangerette Gym and the Quads are also being addressed.

and worries and adopt someone else’s problems for a certain amount of time. This character is very easy to play, but a lot of that comes from the genius that is Neil Simon. When Simon wrote this play he wrote in a timeless way. The language is something you hear when you walk down the street and you’re talking to a friend.

Q: What do you love about this character?

B: What I love about Eugene is his ignorance to the world and how it works.

There are so many problems that happen around Eugene.

The audience knows what is going to happen to the family unless things change.

Eugene’s most immediate problem is if he’s going to be a writer, or a baseball player.

I envy his lack of problems.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role?

B: I have two areas that I could really use some strong improvement in. The first one would have to be my accent. We are trying to do a traditional Brooklyn accent

and that isn’t something that we traditionally speak in. However, I am working very hard on it so that it will be something that everyone will want to listen to for an hour and half. I also struggle with the idea of age. Eugene is a boy at the age of 15 and trying to get that mix of childlike wonder and on the verge of becoming an adult, is very hard.

Interview by Alexia McGee, Staff Writer

PIE: Student practices many forms of art From Page 1 things in a different “I love to see perspective.” different approach.

Even though art is more of After tossing around a few hobby to her than anything art for aelse, ideas with her classmates, do Lumpkin’s ultimate Elizabeth Lumpkin decided goal is get her degree. to take on the task of my kids. It “I haveto taken photographs quilting a silk chocolate pie. for ten years and my “The pie is all hand sewn,” Lumpkin said. “I stitched makes them husband (Billy Lumpkin Jr.) asked me four years ago the pie pieces together “why not get my degree?” first and it took two weeks smile.”

I told him at the time that to piece the pie together. I saved the crust for last.”

In addition to sewing all of the different components, the final sculpture also took one box and a bag of Polyfil as well as a card board section in the middle to ensure the structure held its shape.

“It took three days to stuff and take shape and two days to sew up the closure,” Lumpkin said. “I did the dollop of whipped cream two times until I got a tip.”

Although building the sculpture was a lengthy process, the final result benefited Lumpkin in the long run. Along with receiving credit for her classwork, she was also awarded a $2,000 art scholarship to UT Tyler.

“I was shocked when she called my name,” Lumpkin said. “I have never won

anything like this before.”

Despite winning an award for her work, Lumpkin is keeping her options open for her career.

“To be an artist means to enjoy whatever art you do, inspire everyone to have an imagination and have fun with it. I always enjoyed art when I was growing up, but I never thought of doing art in a professional way because then it becomes a job instead of being fun,” Lumpkin said.

Sculpting is not the only form of art Lumpkin enjoys.

She also does woodwork, painting, drawing and photography.

“I enjoy photography most,” Lumpkin said.

“Digital photography lets me express myself. Rufus (Lovett) has made me

I didn’t have time to go to school. He asked me this for three years so I finally gave in,” Lumpkin said. “Now I am doing this for me.”

Lumpkin also finds inspiration for her work in her family, who acts as her biggest support system.

“My dad, my husband and my oldest granddaughter are my encouragement.

My dad is not your typical father, he’s my confidant and I’ve always gone to him.

He tells me what he thinks of it and my granddaughter tells me how things should be. I love to do art for my kids,” Lumpkin said. “It makes them smile.”

Lumpkin’s work is currently being showcased in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Building.

CAR: Restoration gives hands-on experience From Page 1 educational experience.

“It provides students with experience and knowledge they can use in the workforce,” said Brenda Kays, KC President. “It shows what collaborative partnerships can do.”

KC established a mission statement last December that included finding student success through partnerships.

Humberto Delarosa, Henderson freshman, first began working on cars in his father’s shop. “I picked up a few things here and there,” Delarosa said, mentioning the class gave him further insight on the family trade.

“I learned a lot of body work and the differences between metal work and aluminum.”

The project also marked the first of its kind within the repair program in terms

of scale as students are usually limited to doing spot repair as well as their own individual projects.

“I’m really happy that students had an older car to see the difference between the newer and older models,” said Joel Laws, instructor of the Auto Body Repair Technology program. “You’ve opened yourself up to a whole new world, seeing the light come on is the greatest reward.”

PAGE

4

THE FLARE THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

SPORTS

Grant Worley / THE FLARE

Cailon Palmer, Kilgore freshman, kicks up a cloud of dirt as she slides into the base. The Rangers swept Northeast Texas Community College at the Ballpark at KC Commons on Wednesday.

Rangers pluck Lady Eagles After Northeast Texas Community College sweep, Rangers hold on to third in East Zone division ALLISON TALIAFERRO Sports Editor

F

ans were on the edge of their seats during Wednesday’s doubleheader when KC swept Northeast Texas Community College, extending their Region XIV Conference record to 16-6.

In the first match up, KC pitcher Katy Worrell’s seven strikeouts, along with the Rangers’ swift bats helped down the Eagles 6-2. This doubleheader earned Worrell her 15th win of the season.

In early action Worrell struck out the side in the top of the second inning. In the sixth inning the Rangers found themselves watching the Eagles try to swoop in from behind when Emily Burgos’ double drove in two runs.

The second inning consisted of a stolen base by Cailon Palmer, and also a momentary break in action when Brianna Davis was caught stealing as she dove into home.

In the fifth inning KC’s Amber Williams drove in Shelby Edwards and Manda Wilmoth with a

single. Additional RBIs belonged to Hannah Carpenter, Manda Wilmoth and Kaylie Bush.

The tension of the fans rose during the second game. This game gave pitcher Renee Jones her eighth win of the season. Jones pitched six innings before Worrell was put in to relieve and save the game. The Rangers defeated the Eagles 4-3.

At the mound Jones was able to get a strikeout when she needed it the most. Jones finished the second game with six strikeouts.

Worrell worked the Rangers out of a jam in the seventh inning to help them earn the sweep.

The Rangers scored four runs in the second inning, as Northeast Texas pitcher Kymber Green faced KC’s entire batting lineup. Kaitlyn Stebelton, Carpenter and Edwards and Williams each had RBIs in the second game. Edwards started off the second inning hitting a home run to left field.

The Rangers will play conference leader Tyler Junior College at 1 and 3 p.m.

Friday, April 14 at the Ballpark at KC Commons.

APRIL Grant Worley / THE FLARE

Katy Worrell, Maud freshman, winds up for a pitch. Worrell secured her 15th win in the first game against the NETCC Eagles on Wednesday, while picking up a save in the second game. Action resumes at home on Friday, April 14.

REGION XIV CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Team Tyler Junior College Bossier Parish Kilgore College Angelina College Navarro College Trinity Valley Northeast Texas Paris Junior College

GP 20 20 22 22 18 22 22 22

Record 17-3 15-5 16-6 13-9 10-8 8-14 4-18 1-21

Win % 0.850 0.750 0.727 0.591 0.556 0.364 0.182 0.045

GP-All 51 44 46 54 44 44 43 44

Record 38-13 35-9 28-18 39-15 24-20 23-21 7-36 5-39

Win % 0.745 0.795 0.609 0.722 0.545 0.523 0.163 0.114

Last 10 9-1 7-3 7-3 5-5 6-4 6-4 0-10 0-10

Streak Won 4 Won 5 Won 2 Won 2 Won 5 Lost 2 Lost 12 Lost 10

14

Friday

Tyler Junior College

1&3 p.m. Kilgore

19

Wednesday

Trinity Valley CC

1&3 p.m. Athens

22

Saturday

Bossier Parish CC

1&3 p.m. Kilgore

MAY 4-7

Thurs-Sun

Region XIV Tournament

TBA

East Zone

Catch the Rangers live on

TSRNsports.com

NOT YOURSELF TODAY? $40/VISIT

cash non-insured with KC student ID or insurance accepted / copay as applies

WALK-INS

!

UNTIL 4PM

2019 N. Henderson Blvd.

HWY 42

HENDERSON BLVD

© 2017 PhyNet Inc. All Rights Reserved

THE DOCTOR IS IN!

KILGORE LIFE CENTER (903) 988-0605 • M-F 8-5 Closed Lunch 12-1:00PM

VISIT US ON

OPINION

THE FLARE THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

PAGE

YOUR VIEW

OUR VIEW

5

What should the Texas legislators’ priorities be right now?

“Welfare of people, socialism, and marketing solutions to decrease poverty of people, homelessness, and starvation.”

Derrell Tucker Henderson sophomore

“Revising the state constitution to get rid of the deadwood, make it more workable.”

Julia Bobo Longview freshman

“Their priorities should be what is best for the people. Like helping get all of the homeless people off the streets.”

Gigi Jones Longview sophomore

“Make college more affordable for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students” Jacob Castillo Longview sophomore photos by Max Cervantes

Your Texas Representatives n

Senator Bryan Hughes (District 1)

n

Representative

Jay Dean

(District 7) n

Representative

Travis Clardy

(District 11) n

Representative

Chris Paddie

(District 9) HB 679: Relating to prohibiting the use of mechanical or physical restraints on juveniles in court.

HB 45: Relating to prohibiting foreign laws from being applied in Texas.

HB 2300: Relating to limiting medical expense damages to what a plaintiff paid or incurred for services.

HB 65: Relating divorce on the

to

the waiting grounds of

period for a insupportability.

SB 4: Relating to the enforcement by certain state and local governmental entities and campus police departments of state and federal laws governing immigration and to related duties of certain law enforcement and judicial entities in the criminal justice system; providing civil and criminal penalties. (Sanctuary cities) HB 375: Relating to giving all Texans the right to openly carry a firearm — with or without a permit HB 81: Relating to a civil action to collect a civil penalty for possession of certain small amounts of marihuana and an exception to prosecution for possession of associated drug paraphernalia.

Sarah Redford / THE FLARE

Bills, keeping balances in check W

hen we hear of bills passing through our federal Congress and state legislatures we tend to focus on two or three hot topic issues and completely disregard the others. As Texas’ own version of the infamous “Bathroom Bill” advances to the Senate, the divisiveness of the issue is sure to confuse all forms of social interaction for weeks to come.

However, an arguably more pressing matter regarding the subject of education itself looms on the horizon in the form of extreme state budget cuts. With $219 million sliced from the Texas education budget, the argument of student bathroom designations almost seems trivial when faced with the reality that educational institutions across the state are being forced to discontinue programs and perhaps raise tuition even higher. This has become standard in the

last few years as Texas struggles to balance the state budget, with almost a third of the budget going to services for the poor.

As Texas has no income tax, it must compensate with school property taxes and the sales tax. When we focus too heavily on current “hot topic” issues, we risk allowing arguably worse and longer lasting issues to slip under our nose.

As citizens of a constitutional republic, we elect leaders to represent us when making

and passing laws but often lose interest in these individual’s actions after the election process.

If we want our leaders to steer the state and country in the right direction, we must accept and understand that it begins with us. We must be diligent in researching and staying up to date with our legislative processes while holding our leaders and ourselves accountable for the decisions we make.

Editor opens up about bigotry endured while on the job

T

hey say you never forget your first time.

I stood there silent, shocked and saddened. Her eyes meeting mine, her mouth beginning again to form the word: “Abomination!”

I had been working as a clerk in a pharmacy when I was nearing the end of my shift. The day had been long and the customers trying. A young man approached the counter and I slipped into my corporate designated sunny disposition. As we neared the end of the transaction he slipped a tiny piece of paper toward me with a series of numbers. A phone number! I had only recently

come out as gay; was it that obvious? Had I unknowingly engaged my “gay-dar?” It didn’t matter, it was the first time a guy had TIMOTHY openly flirted STUCKEY with me and I Managing was ecstatic, Editor until the woman spoke.

An older lady had seen the exchange and decided to let me know what she thought of me. As this was my first occurrence of dealing with bigotry and bias first hand, needless to say I was a bit flabbergasted at her gall.

The Flare

Luckily my tolerance and stamina in dealing with crazy in general had grown over time while working in that store; it was a bad part of town. However, this was different. This wasn’t just some argument over a bad coupon or disgruntled customer. This was a complete stranger dismissing the entirety of my character and humanity based on her own ignorant perception.

I have since grown a thicker skin to such things; growing up gay in Texas involved many such occurrences and I have long since resolved myself to achieve my goals, regardless of others’

opinions.

After years of hiding and lying to myself, I finally accepted my sexual orientation around the age of twenty. Since this self-acceptance, I have experienced what I can only describe as an extraordinary sense of clarity and resolve.

Much of this I attribute to the amazing individuals I have come to know and love while working in the one gay bar within a hundred miles.

The strength and determination of these men and women who lived through decades of bias, violence and ignorance directed toward them, help me set the standards in my

VOL. 80, NO.19 n Thursday, April 13, 2017 Copyright 2017, The Flare. All rights reserved.

Spring 2017 Silver Crown, Columbia Scholastic Press Association • 2016 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Community College Journalism Association • 2015 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Community College Journalism 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

SPORTS EDITOR Allison Taliaferro

STAFF WRITERS Fungai Peta, Lisa Harris, Yosef Ibitayo, Kaitlin Mitchell, Sarah Redford, Lonnie Ross, 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

“After years of hiding and lying to myself, I finally accepted my sexual orientation...” life I currently try to live by.

After taking the time to get to know quite a few, I realized that even I had carried bias about the LGBT community until I had taken the time to get to know some of them on a personal level. I had no idea that gay Republicans were a group that existed.

In my mind only Democrats and Liberals championed

our cause.

As unfounded as that thought was, it was an important wake-up call.

Human beings are complex creatures; too often lumped into broad groups categorized by ignorance.

I have since learned, or at least have tried to learn from this mistake, by giving people the benefit of the doubt regardless of my initial perception of them.

Timothy Stuckey is a Communications Major from 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.

PAGE

6

THE FLARE THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

F E AT U R E

Janelle McClanahan / THE FLARE

Food for the soul Sarah Redford / THE FLARE

Culinary program hosts mock restaurant LISA HARRIS Staff Writer

The mood is relaxed. The lighting is low as a hint of jazz plays in the air. Rich aqua-colored tablecloths offer a place setting for menus and flatware inside intricately folded napkins. White tea cups trimmed in gold await the first touch of Dutch cuisine.

Brian Price and Kimberly Wood, sophomore chefs in the Food Service Management class, are in charge of this particular evening’s concept: Tijger Cafe. The other 12 sophomores of the class will present special nights centered around Southern, Modern Cuisine,

Celtic, Cajun, Upscale BBQ and Latin as the exit project in their culinary program unfolds through the end of the semester.

The Dutch theme was embraced by both partners who wanted to do something different. Price turned to his grandmother’s heritage for Dutch inspiration and Wood was supportive.

“I used to watch my great grandma bake when I was a kid,” Price said. “That’s what made me want to be a chef.”

Wood’s career aspirations began in Debbie Fleming’s fifth grade Home Economics class. Fleming was one of Wood’s special guests for the evening.

As part of the class curriculum, the students create a fine dining experience for up to 40 people from start to finish. Beginning with a budget, students choose a theme, menu and decorations, paying close attention to each detail in their quest to orchestrate an evening of deliciousness.

KC Culinary instructor Kat Jackson looks forward to this project every year.

“They do EVERYTHING!” she said. “I love these dinners because I get to see my students become leaders. It’s the accumulation of all the things the students have learned while in our program.”

Sarah Redford / THE FLARE

TOP: Faculty and staff gather to dine during the mock restaurant hosted by the culinary program. The event is part of a final project the students work on for their class.

LEFT: John Allred, Hallsville sophomore, stirs soup in the kitchen before it is served to the guest diners.

RIGHT: Darcey Nix, White Oak freshman, and Summer Spraggins, Troup freshman, portion out one of the courses to serve during dinner.