W E L C O M E
T O
K I L G O R E
C O L L E G E !
‘Small things in a great way’ Local donors meet at MLK breakfast to discuss scholarships to dual credit students LUCAS STROUGH Staff Writer
O Rufus Lovett / THE FLARE
Mikaila Williams, Kilgore High School dual credit student, shares with potential donors the difference earning almost a year’s worth of college credit has made toward her college future.
In recognition of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., students, educators and local donors met in the Devall Student Center Ballroom on Friday, January 12, to celebrate the creation of a new scholarship for dual credit students. Dr. King was a lifelong supporter of education and, to honor that commitment, the MLK, Jr. Dual Credit Scholarship will provide high school students with the resources they need to move on to post-secondary education. Dr. Brenda Kays, KC President, opened the ceremony by reading from a letter written by US Senator John Cornyn in honor of King. “Let us all strive to be men and women of action, striving to effect positive change,” Kays read.
Kays said students who earned KC credits while still in high school were tracked with a statewide database. This research revealed that 22 percent of those students never attended a college or university. The goal of this scholarship, as stated by Kays, is to connect students who cannot afford college tuition with financial resources. D’Wayne Shaw, KC’s Technical Dual Credit Coordinator, spoke on behalf of Terry Booker, head Dual Credit Coordinator, about the history of KC’s dual credit program. Regarding the beginning of the program, Shaw said, “At that time, we had about 25 to 30 dual credit students per year. We were missing out on a lot of great students at that time.” KC began to expand its outreach
and add more students to its dual credit program. 1,700 dual credit students attended KC in 2017, according to Booker’s speech. This was helped in part by action from the Texas state government. “In 2008, the Texas legislature did a great thing, you don’t hear that very often,” Shaw said. “The Texas legislature required all Texas high schools to offer 12 hours of college classes by the fall of 2008.” Several students then took the stage to talk about their personal experiences with dual credit programs. Ethan Robinson, a Leverett’s Chapel senior, said, “They teach us skills that will help us to be successful in college. These courses provide a bit of a safety net for our transition from high school to college classes.” See MLK on Page 3
Vol. 81, No. 11 Serving Kilgore College since 1936
January 16, 2018
Stick to the status ‘Quoe’ Nursing student hooked on a hobby, designs patterns for Red Heart ALLISON TALIAFERRO Staff Writer
W
ith a 7:30 p.m. bed time, a 5:30 a.m. alarm, and a crochet habit that leads him to keep hooks at his bedside, one might be surprised that nursing student Quayln Stark is 20 years old. Stark is aware of his peculiarity, and defends it well. “Because I’m actually a 65-year old woman. I need my energy,” Stark said. Stark has been crocheting since he was a freshman in high school and within the last two years said he found a forever hobby in the craft of crocheting. If I want to try a new pattern I’ll get inspiration from somewhere, rather it be in film, or fashion. I usually make my own patterns and write them out,” Stark said. Out of the numerous patterns Stark has designed over
“
the years, no pattern has made more of an impact than his first. “My first ever written pattern is the dust and ashes cable scarf, that is available on Etsy and quoeshop.com,” Stark said. Stark, an Overton sophomore, came to KC because of its regional nursing program. “KC has a great nursing program, and since I knew I wanted to get into nursing I thought KC would be a great fit for me,” Stark said. Stark does other things besides crocheting, reading, and sleeping. He also has a podcast on Youtube called The Quoe Podcasts. “I cover my crochet patterns, what I’ve been working on, I give book recommendations, and talk about things going on my daily life on my podcast,” he said. Stark’s Etsy store is full of products and growing even larger. “I am in the works with a lot of new
patterns that will be up very soon. I am going to stock up a lot more beanies and I’m working on merchandise for Quoe shop, because a lot of people want t-shirts,” he said. The crocheter draws inspiration from many things around him including books he reads on old Celtic weaving and knot styles. These help him with the scarves he crochets. He is also inspired by color. Stark’s crocheting has led him to many accomplishments, including being the youngest crochet pattern designer to work with the biggest yarn company in the country. “Right now I am working with Red Heart,” Stark said. Stark uses crocheting as a creative outlet. “For me, crocheting is a great way to relax and feel fulfilled creatively,” Stark said.
Grace Garcia / THE FLARE
Quayln Stark shows off his hooking skills. You can buy his products on Etsy.com or Quoeshop.com.
YOUR VIEW
What are you going to learn in 2018?
Dina Robinson / THE FLARE
New programming language.
“Designs for video games, movies and cars. And new designs for houses.”
“Go on vacation during Spring Break to a beach. Finish classes. Good GPA.”
“Jump out of a plane!”
“Play piano.”
Dustin Hill Hudson sophomore
Dervares Haten Longview freshman
Anna Reyes Kilgore sophomore
James Key Longview freshman
Saddam Mevo-Cotomou Benin sophomore
THE FLARE
PAGE 2 n TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018
FACE IN THE CROWD
DALIA TOMAINI Hometown: Houston Age: 20 Major: Physical Therapy If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? If I could have dinner with anyone living or dead, it would be Jesusbecause he’s the perfect person and knows where to take me.
Alma Cedillo / THE FLARE
What takes up most of your time? Arts and crafts. It takes up most of my time because of all the stuff you have to get.
What age do you wish you could permanently be? I wish I could permanently be 18/19 because those were some of my best moments with a special person that’s a part of my life.
Who inspires you to be a better person? Nobody inspires me to be a better person. I look at special qualities people have but no individual inspires me.
Are you usually early or late? I’m normally on time when I really have somewhere to be but if I’m tired it takes me a while.
What was the longest you’ve gone without sleep? The longest I’ve been without sleep was probably a day because of finals week.
CA building hosts photo gallery
KC Chorale celebrates 50th anniversary n KC Chorale will celebrate its 50th anniversary in February.
and Dance department chair; and accompanist Jonathan Kaan.
n The Kilgore College Department of Music and Dance invites all former KC Chorale members to attend a special event in February, “50 Years of Kilgore College Chorale.”
n They will be joined on stage by former directors Dr. Ryan Kelly, Dr. Paul Neal, Dr. Dale Miller, accompanist David Berryhill of First Baptist Church and alumni KC Chorale members from 1968-present.
n Set for Saturday, Feb. 10, the event will have various activities planned for KC Chorale alumni throughout the day followed by an alumni concert set for 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Kilgore. n The concert will feature current members of the KC Chorale; Dr. Zachary Marshall, director of choral activities; Dr. Mary Heiden, KC’s Department of Music
nPhotographs by
photography students
n The concert will feature classic favorites such as “For the Beauty of the Earth” by John Rutter, Beethoven’s “Kyrie from Mass in C,” and “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by Peter Lutkin.
past
will
n All former KC Chorale members from 1968-present are invited to be a part of this milestone event.
576
$7.49
n is the price of the all you can eat buffet at the Ranger Cafeteria. You can also purchase a punch card that never expires, for $30 for five meals, or $60 for 10 meals.
be
through
view
February
Johnson
P h o t o g r a p h Gallery
in
the
C o m m u n i c at i o n s /Automotive Building. Hailey Pennington / THE FLARE
Upcoming Events in January: n Rangers play basketball against Tyler Junior College at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17 in Masters Gymnasium. n Schedule changes available from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 16 and 17 on the Kilgore and Longview campus. n On Thursday, Jan. 18, if a student drops classes or withdraws from school, refunds are at 70 percent. n Kilgore Community Concert – Tony Pace at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, at Dodson Auditorium. n Upward Bound Spring Orientation 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, in the Devall Ballroom. n Last day to set up installment plan for housing is on Wednesday, Jan. 31. n May graduation application begins Monday, Jan. 15, and ends Thursday, March 1. n Spring 2018 Excelerate Classes begin Monday, Jan. 29, and ends Friday, May 11. n Tuition payment plans for the Spring semester are available through Monday, Jan. 22.
KILGORE SCREEN PRINTING CO.
103 n points scored by the Lady Ranger basketball team vs. Tyler Junior College on Saturday, Jan. 6. This is the first time the KC Lady Rangers have broken 100 points in a conference game since the 2005-06 season under Head Coach Contina James.
on
28 at The Matthew
By The Numbers n KC has named 576 students to the Fall 2017 president’s (4.0 GPA) and dean’s (3.5 GPA) lists.
Photography
Dean
• Linda Grimes, certificate of merit - photo illustration in magazine publications • Tiffany Johnson, 2nd place- photo layout: full page; 3rd place - photography portfolio of work • Elizabeth Lumpkin, 2nd place- photo layout: full page • Meaghan Morton, 2nd place- op-ed or news analysis page design for news publication; 3rd placefirst person experience in news publications • Richard Nguyen, 2nd place- photo layout: full page • Tina Marie Reed, 2nd place- photography portfolio of work; certificate of merit - photo story for news publications • Timothy Stuckey, 3rd place- photography portfolio of work in magazine publications • Grant Worley, certificate of merit - photo illustration in news publications • Staff, 3rd place alternative story form in news publications Rachel Stallard and O Rufus Lovett advise the student publications and its students.
from
Illustration classes
College newspaper named Crown finalist; receives 13 CSPA Gold Circles The Flare, KC’s student newspaper, has been named a Crown Finalist from Columbia Scholastic Press Association in New York, and KC students received 13 Gold Circle Awards from the prestigious institution highlighting publications produced during the 2016-17 academic year. The Crown Awards honor top student publications chosen from CSPA’s members. Crowns are selected for overall excellence in a head-tohead comparison. During Crown consideration, publications are judged on their excellence as shown by their design, photography, concept, coverage and writing. A total of 1,100 publications were eligible for judging. While Crown’s are an overall event, CSPA has also been awarding Gold Circles for individual submissions for the last 34 years. KC students winning for work published in the previous academic year are: • Elijah Banks, 1st placesports page design for news publications
former
WE PRINT T-SHIRTS & MORE
601A E. MAIN (903) 983-1480
THE FLARE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018 n PAGE 3
LET’S TACO ‘BOUT IT
MLK: Sponsors give back for dual-credit scholarship From page 3
Grace Garcia / THE FLARE
Giovanni Monsivais, Longview sophomore, serves tacos in his festive attire to new student Taylor Calhoun, freshman and Katie Garcia, Longview freshman.
SPECIAL THANKS TO BREAKFAST SPONSORS : n PLATINUM LEVEL: McKinstry n GOLD LEVEL: Austin Bank- Kilgore and Gladewater; B.C.D.H.; Citizens National Bank; East Texas Baptist University; East Texas Council of Governments; Judge Richard and Mrs. Christina Anderson; Mr. Kenneth Raney; Kilgore Chamber of Commerce; Kilgore Rotary Club; Longview Economic Development Corporation; Mayor Ronnie Spradlin; Rangerettes Forever Alumni; Schneider Electric; Wilson, Robertson and Cornelius, P.C. n SILVER LEVEL: Bob Davis Sales; East Texas Salt Water Disposal; Stephen F. Austin State University; Texas Bank and Trust n INDIVIDUAL SPONSORSHIP: The Back Porch; Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy
Robinson’s comments were followed by a brief speech about dual credit classes from Mikaila Williams, a Kilgore High School senior. “They prepare you for the fast college pace that you might not get in a high school course. If you don’t manage your time and you don’t work at their pace, you’re not going to make it,” Williams said. The final student speaker was Ivana Quintanilla, a senior at Henderson High School. “My mind has always been set on ‘What do you want to do after college?’” Quintanilla said. “The dual credit program teaches you how to manage your time and helps you decide what you want to be.” At the conclusion of the program, Kilgore High School counselor Jennifer Hattaway spoke to the audience about her efforts to grow the dual credit program in Kilgore. She said the program had begun offering specialized career training in fields like nursing, cosmetology and welding. “Not everyone is going to go to UT Austin and not everyone is going to be a doctor and that’s OK,” Hattaway said when describing the KHS vocational programs. After the event concluded, Dr. Kays provided comments on the inspiration behind the MLK scholarship program. “Basically, we were trying to make sure that those students who do not have the resources to matriculate once they’ve taken dual credit courses while in high
school would have those resources in order to continue their college education. Because if they’ve taken college credits and they’re not then pursuing their education, those credits go to waste and we don’t want to see that happen,” Kays said. “We believe that everyone needs to seek some form of post-secondary education.” After beginning work on the scholarship in October 2017 and partnering with many sponsors from the local community, Kays and other members of the MLK,Jr. Scholarship Committee plan to develop and grow the program into the future. “This was the inaugural event. We will continue to host this event so that we can continue to connect dual credit students without resources to postsecondary education. We hope to grow it somewhat, although we were bursting at the seams today,” Kays said, remarking on the large number of sponsors from the local community who attended the scholarship breakfast. “Now what we’re going to be doing is actually working with the counselors with the 20 ISDs that we serve to identify those students who need the extra resources in order to matriculate to Kilgore College.” Kays said. The MLK Jr. Scholarship program appears ready to carry out the stated goals of the committee to connect disadvantaged students to educational opportunities. As Kays quoted Dr. King, “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
Students raise gold standard with new club International organization charters first Golden Z Club in Texas on KC campus KC held a ceremony at the end of last semester to charter a new college service club, the KC Golden Z Club. The club – the first and only Golden Z Club in Texas – was chartered as one of the youth groups of Zonta International, a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. KC has seven charter members under the direction of the club’s president, KC sophomore Raven Wiley. Wiley learned about the Golden Z Club through her mother, René Wiley, who is a member of the Zonta Club of Greater East Texas. “The Golden Z Club resonates with me because I am a woman who is going to be entering into a ‘non-traditional’ occupation (Instrumentation and Electrical Technology) after I graduate from Kilgore College,” Raven said. “I feel that it is important to have a Golden Z Club on campus and in our community because we are part of the
face of an organization who advocates for women (and) the right to be who you want to be. “Also for the younger generation, I feel that it is empowering to know that you have a group of people who have your back; encouraging you that anything is possible no matter your gender or the circumstance you may be in.” KC’s Golden Z Club was established to provide career guidance, promote leadership skills, promote international fellowship and participate in service projects benefiting the school, community and the world. Zonta International believes young people are critical to achieving gender equality and ending violence against women and girls around the world. To truly change the lives of women and girls globally now and for generations to come, we must invest in youth development and mentor young leaders for gender equality. Through the Z and Golden Z Club
program, Zontians work to bring Zonta International’s mission to empower women through service and advocacy to students around the world and to stimulate new and meaningful studentled service and advocacy projects. Terry McJilton, president of the Zonta Club of Greater East Texas, presented the charter to the new club. Members are planning activities for Zonta Rose Day/International Women’s Day in March and will assist the Zonta Club of Greater East Texas with their annual antique show at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex in Longview. The Zonta Club of Greater East Texas will act in an advisory capacity for the KC Golden Z Club. Sponsors of the club are KC employees Schlunda Hall, Doris Johnson, René Wiley and Charleen Worsham. For more information visit www. zonta.org.
Alma Cedillo / THE FLARE
Dr. Brenda Kays, KC President, speaks to the Z Club at the chartering ceremony.
Grace Garcia / THE FLARE
KC Golden Z sponsor Charleen Worsham (left) and Terri McJilton, president of Zonta Club of Greater East Texas, induct new members of the organization’s first Texas college group. Pictured from left of the podium are: Dawn Polk; Cailon Palmer; Yasmine Wilson, treasurer; Jennifer Rico; Raven Wiley, president; Karen Turner, co-vice president; Lemesha Stokes; and Pamela Sanders, co-vice president. The Golden Z is chartered by the local chapter of Zonta International, which supports international service projects intended to advance the status of women – particularly in developing nations – and they fund the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Awards given annually to women pursuing graduate studies in aerospace-related sciences and engineering. As of Spring 2017, more than 33,000 women were Zonta members in 66 countries and geographic areas.
THE FLARE
PAGE 4 n TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018
LADY RANGER STATS: Player Tyra Cormier Patience Idoko Hennesy Handy Alicia Mardis Alexus Moore Courtney Parramore Jade Thurmon Richelle Velez
Points 4.3
Rebounds 3.5
Assists 0.8
Steal 0.6
Block 0.4
2.3
4.4
0.6
0.8
0.0
5.7
3.9
1.8
0.9
0.2
7.5
9.3
0.5
1.0
0.7
4.5
2.4
1.0
0.2
0.3
5.5
1.1
0.4
0.2
0.1
22.1
7.0
4.6
2.8
0.4
17.9
3.0
2.2
1.4
0.4
DATE
VERSUS
LOCATION
TIME
Nov. 4 (Sat)
@ Seminole State
Seminole, OK
2pm
Nov. 7 (Tues)
Paul Quinn JV
Home
5:30pm
Nov. 10 (Fri)
@ Tyler Classic
Tyler, TX
3pm
Nov. 11 (Sat)
@ Tyler Classic
Tyler, TX
3pm
Nov. 12 (Sun)
Crowder College
Home
Noon
Nov. 18 (Sat)
@ Paul Quinn JV
Dallas, TX
2pm
Nov. 21 (Tues)
San Jacinto College
Home
5:30pm
Nov. 24 (Fri)
@ Collin Classic
Allen, TX
Noon
Nov. 25 (Sat)
@ Collin Classic
Allen, TX
Noon
Nov. 29 (Wed)
@ Blinn
Brenham, TX
5:30pm
Dec. 2 (Sat)
Coastal Bend College
Home
2pm
Dec. 8 (Fri)
Jacksonville College
Home
2pm
Jan. 2 (Tues)
@ BPCC Classic
Bossier City, LA
5pm
Jan. 3 (Wed)
@ BPCC Classic
Bossier City, LA
3pm
FOLLOW THE GAME ON KDOK WITH THE FOLLOWING FREQUENCIES IN THE EAST TEXAS AREA:
Jan. 6 (Sat)
Tyler Junior College
Home
2pm
1240 AM/105.3 FM IN KILGORE,
Jan. 10 (Wed)
@ Bossier Parish CC
Bossier City, LA
5:30pm
Jan. 13 (Sat)
Paris Junior College
Home
2pm
Jan. 17 (Wed)
@ Panola College
Carthage, TX
5:30pm
Jan. 20 (Sat)
@ Angelina College
Lufkin, TX
2pm
Jan. 24 (Wed)
@ Trinity Valley CC
Athens, TX
5:30pm
O. Rufus lovett / SPECIAL TO THE FLARE
Richelle Velez, Clute freshman, scored 24 points in a victory against TJC on Saturday Jan. 6.
101.9 FM IN LONGVIEW AND
107.9 FM IN HENDERSON.
KILGORE COLLEGE SPORTS BROADCASTS ALSO WILL BE STREAMED LIVE ON THE INTERNET AT WWW.KDOKRADIO.COM, WWW.TSRNSPORTS.COM AND THE
TUNEIN RADIO APP.
RANGER STATS: Player Chad Bowie Demiere Brown Malachi Davidson Darrian Grays Samory Gueye Dayton Jennings Davon Newton Lansana Nwosu
Points 10.7 10.7
Rebounds 3.9 5.2
Assist 5.3 0.5
Steal 1.9 0.6
Block 0.1 0.9
8.1
1.5
2.3
1.1
0.5
10.6
1.5
2.1
0.5
0.0
4.8
3.9
0.9
0.3
1.1
12.3
5.5
1.1
0.8
1.5
11.0
3.7
2.2
0.8
0.4
4.9
4.1
1.6
0.9
0.1
2017-2018 Men’s Basketball Schedule
Alma Cedillo / THE FLARE
Demiere Brown, Powder Springs, Georgia, freshman, goes up for a shot agaisnt San Jacinto Monday Jan. 8.
DATE
VERSUS
LOCATION
TIME
Nov. 1 (Wed)
Louisiana Christian Prep
Kilgore, TX
7pm
Nov. 3 (Fri)
TJC Classic: SW Christian
Tyler, TX
2pm
Nov. 4 (Sat)
TJC Classic: Brookhaven
Tyler, TX
2pm
Nov. 11 (Sat)
Lone Star College-Cy Fair
Kilgore, TX
4pm
Nov. 14 (Tues)
Hill College
Kilgore, TX
7pm
Nov. 17 (Fri)
KC Classic vs. Tomball
Kilgore, TX
6pm
Nov. 18 (Sat)
KC Classic vs. Cedar Valley
Kilgore, TX
4pm
Nov. 25 (Sat)
East Texas Flight
Kilgore, TX
4pm
Nov. 29 (Wed)
Angelina College*
Kilgore, TX
7pm
Dec. 2 (Sat)
@ Jacksonville College*
Jacksonville, TX
4pm
Dec. 7 (Wed)
Lee College*
Kilgore, TX
7pm
Dec. 30 (Sat)
Houston CC
Kilgore, TX
4pm
Jan. 5 (Fri)
@ Blinn College*
Brenham, TX
7pm
Jan. 8 (Mon)
San Jacinto College*
Kilgore, TX
7pm
Jan. 10 (Wed)
@ Coastal Bend Col-
Beeville, TX
7:30pm
Jan. 13 (Sat)
Lamar State-Port
Kilgore, TX
4pm
Jan. 17 (Wed)
Tyler Junior College*
Kilgore, TX
7pm
Jan. 24 (Wed)
@ Bossier Parish CC*
Bossier Parish,
7:30pm
THE FLARE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018 n PAGE 5
The Student Newspaper of Kilgore College Since 1936
Vol. 81 • No. 11 Tuesday, January 16, 2018
It’s
Staff Writers Lisa Harris Sarah Redford Lonnie Ross Lucas Strough Allison Taliaferro
In
Photographers Diana Castillo Alma Cedillo Grace Garcia Grant Worley Adviser Rachel Stallard
Your
Photography Adviser O Rufus Lovett
Hands LETTERS
Illustration by Grace Garcia / THE FLARE
Take charge of your education This semester, take charge of your education. Talk to people, do research. Don’t worry if the path to a career is not clear. That will come with time. Just start the process. Before long, all the unknown will become familiar and those stomach butterflies will flutter away. Going to college can be scary. There is quite a bit of work to do. Whether right out of high school, retraining for a different career or attending for the first time as an adult, the amount of work that goes into attending classes, managing student loans and housing payments, along with deciding on a course of study, can be daunting. Knowing where to go and when, who to talk to, where to look for the needed information and then get the gathered information to the correct department is often confusing. Don’t let this stop you from having a successful semes-
ter. Take the initiative and dive into your coursework. Be responsible and you’ll find that your investment of time and money pays dividends. Here’s how you can make the switch from an average semester to a richly rewarding educational experience. The first step to take charge of your education in 2018 is to get involved in your classes beyond simply showing up and taking notes. Your instructors post office hours and you should make an appointment to see them. Even if you are not discussing grades or assignments, it’s a good idea to build rapport with instructors. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Once classes start, you may find yourself quickly overwhelmed by the demands of studying, homework and exams. KC provides plenty of resources for you to not just pass your classes, but to exceed even your own academic expectations. The Zone, located in Room 119 of the Student Support Building, is an invaluable
resource.The lab provides free tutoring in virtually any subject, including math, science, English and speech. They are open Monday through Friday and offer additional hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the Randolph C. Watson library, see online for hours. Finding success in college is about more than just studying and earning good grades. You need to make sure that your head is in the right place and that your physical health is good if you really want to get the most out of your time at KC. You can give your mental and physical health a boost by visiting the Parks Fitness Center and swimming pool. Getting in a quick workout or going for a swim can help you burn off stress from coursework and improve your mood. Your diet is another important consideration for your academic performance. While there’s nothing wrong with a few trips to the Whataburger drive-thru at 2 a.m. or calling Domino’s
for a delivery once in a while, you shouldn’t make junk food a habit. The KC Cafeteria provides a range of nutritious options at affordable prices. Finally, when it comes to succeeding this semester, most of the work is up to you. However, there are some methods you can use to make the job a bit easier. For example, keeping a planner to maintain a schedule is essential for academic achievement. Missing deadlines and forgetting to set aside study time can quickly derail an otherwise promising semester. Investing in a planner (they’re available at the KC Bookstore in the Devall Student Center) will not only keep your schedule straight, it will also allow you to keep track of when financial aid payments will disburse and when tuition and housing payments are due. Even with all these practices in place, it can still be challenging to balance the demands of multiple classes and their accompanying
coursework. Never fear, KC has many tools to make this task easier. There is a website, kilgore. edu, that can answer many of the questions students have. Within this site lies most of the information students need to be successful. There are links to financial aid, housing, myKC and Blackboard, Each department has an embedded counselor. This counselor knows the curriculum for their particular field of study. They can schedule the proper classes and answer any questions about their department. They are also knowledgeable about what careers are available upon graduation. Pursuing your educational and professional goals may not be easy but, by taking charge of your academic journey, you can direct yourself to a rewarding future that will make all the effort worthwhile.
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.
Tips for navigating the new semester As the Spring Semester begins, here are some helpful resources KC provides for students to help on their education journey. I like to keep up with current events on campus. A useful tool is the campus calendar located on the kilgore.edu site under Current Student tab or Campus Life tab. After a student is admitted, and signs up for a Kilgore email, then a student gains access to myKC and Blackboard. These two resources are critical for students. On the myKC website there are several things a person can do regarding classes, paying tuition and housing. When signing into myKC, on the home page click the Academics tab, This give the student access to a weath of
information. On the Academics default page, the students can select from the housing, my financial info, student infromation, testing services, and course evaluation.
LONNIE ROSS STAFF WRITER
When you select student information, this allows a student to choose Add/ drop courses, dashboard, my Unofiicial transcript, my Residency, My Vehicle
information, and other useful links, The section I find the moset useful is dashboard. This is where I can see my course schedule, my degree progress, grade report, GPA projection and course history. When accessing the degree progress, I can get my Advising Worksheet. This is beneficial for scheduling my classes. It tells me all the classes that I will need to take under my core, major and field of study requirements. I can also add and drop classes during registration time. After I build my schedule, I can then go to my financial info, and see the balance due for the classes. If financial aid is available, the total on the bottom will be in the negative. If a balance is owed
there are two options, set up a payment plan through College Green Payment Plan or pay in full. Other benefits to using myKC include: scheduling appointments for testing. Applying for housing and making payments. The myKC is also useful tool,it helps avoid the long lines during registration, There are links to other resources: Financial Aid and Blackboard. Blackboard is an computer portal for classes, communication between the students and instructors. It is located at kilgore. blackboard.com. Once you sign into the website, there is an elearning Orientation for the Spring semester. This will guide you to understand the website. Blackboard is where the
student on the first day of school get access to the classroom syllabus. Instructors will have class materials, posts, and any upcoming assignments. The calendar is accessible and you can check your grades. To communicate with instructors, students can send an email within the program. If you’re taking classes online, they can be accessed through Blackboard. Blackboard allows a student to stay organized, communicate, set tasks and goals, and to help keep on the path to take charge of your education.
Copyright 2018, The Flare. All rights reserved
PAGE 6 n TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018
THE FLARE
‘Rettes kick off the Cotton Bowl
R Goodyear
angerettes the
had
honor
of
performing in
the
Cotton
82nd Bowl
Classic in the pre-game show on Dec. 29, 2017 in AT&T Stadium in Arlington. This is the 68th consecutive time the KC Rangerettes dance/drill team has performed. This year, 67,510 people were in attendence to watch the PAC 12
Conference
champions
USC Trojans vs. Big Ten Conference
champs
Ohio
State Buckeyes. Grace Garcia / THE FLARE
Freddie Jones, long-time jazz musician, plays the national anthem on his trumpet while the KC Rangerettes stand at attention.
Grace Garcia / THE FLARE
The Rangerette performance is displayed on the Jumbotron in AT&T Stadium. The stadium seats 80,000 and is tied as the fifth largest stadium in the NFL by seating capacity with the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It also has the world’s 24th largest high definition video screen, which hangs from 20-yard line to 20-yard line.
Grace Garcia / THE FLARE
KC Rangerette officers lead the line in high kicks during the pre-game performance.
Grace Garcia / THE FLARE
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders talk to the Rangerettes before the game to encourage them to try out for the iconic squad after college.
Grace Garcia / THE FLARE
The Rangerettes march off the field at AT&T Stadium following their routine.
Grant Worley / THE FLARE
The Rangerettes perform their signature routine in the pre-game show.