Vol. 81, No. 13 Serving Kilgore College since 1936
February 9, 2018
Grant Worley / THE FLARE
International Club members take a break to admire the flags from various countries hanging in the hall of the Devall Student Center. Front row, from left, are: Bernice Donou, Ayu Arsani, Linh Dinh, Penny Vo and Thy Phung; Back row, from left, are: Jonathan Ncha, Jamie Hwang, Ribbal Khan, Moises Ela Nchama, Khassim Rahming, Hilena Mepinault, Ana Ouedraogo, and Konrad Kawnatra.
International students find their place at KC
Students adapt to America YASMINE WILSON Staff Writer
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nternational students from all over the world come to America to expand their studies at colleges and universities that offer them many different academic paths. Many college students can relate to leaving their home, family and friends to pursue an academic experience, but international students have to adjust to a whole new life in a new country. International students have to adapt, as things in America are different from things in their culture, such as differences between how we communicate with one another, how we dress, the types of food we eat and more. While adjusting to a new culture can be exciting, it can also be difficult. The process can be overwhelming for international students but the International Student Club at KC finds successful ways to make the experience less challenging. International Specialist, Estonia Graves, assists the students in getting involved in activities around
campus, includes them in social gathering that helps them practice English and engages them in conducting volunteer work. “We set up an orientation and have a welcome party for the students, where the current international students and the new international students come together to meet each other and we try to assign mentors,” Graves said. “The International Student Club is comprised of domestic students as well as international students, which helps out a lot because the domestic students are able to be a better fit as a mentor for the international students.” The officers of the International Student Club assist Graves in keeping the group active and bringing everybody together. The International Student Club also has an end- of-the-year gathering to celebrate their accomplishments, Graves added, “It’s mainly about just coming together so the students don’t sit in their rooms bored, with them being new, it’s easy to just stay in their room and shy
away because this is a new environment for them. Some of them have family, some of them don’t have anybody, some of them I’m their family, so I try to keep them posted on things to do that are going on around campus and sometimes even outside of Kilgore College.” International students experience KC while also meeting people and making friends with other students from all around the world. Linh Dinh, freshman from Hanoi, Vietnam, has enjoyed her experience at KC. The International Student Club helped her get used to the campus when she first moved to Kilgore. “I’ve met so many people and it makes it feel like home even though home is on the other side of the world,” Linh said, “Adjusting to a new culture and environment wasn’t as hard as I was expecting, but the hardest part is living away from my parents. Having international friends on campus makes it easier on days I feel homesick. I could always refer to them as they are experiencing the same journey as I am.” See Students on Page 3
National Signing Day adds hopeful players Five Rangers move on, team signs 32 new recruits CHRIS WILLIAMS Staff Writer On Wednesday, five KC Rangers signed to play football at the next level. The first Wednesday in February is generally known as a day athletes make one of the most important decisions of their lives. Byron Robinson, from McKinney, signed to Abilene Christian University, Darius Doakes, from Houston, inked with Southeastern Louisiana University, Zac Newbell, also of Houston, signed with Henderson State University. Jalil Kirkpatrick, from Detroit, Michigan, signed to Indiana State University. Zacharius Nash-Kelley, of Austin, also signed with Henderson State University. These are the players The Flare had confirmed as of press time. Robinson was particularly excited about his opportunities. “It was a great feeling moving on. The process was always
believing in myself,” he said. “The things that made me successful was hard work and dedication, failure, adversity and prayer.” Doakes also had some input about his experience. “I felt humbled to finally sign. I was relieved because I know what I can do and now that I’m at this level I can finally shine.” Because of his size and his academics being in place prior to graduation, Doakes believes that it played a role in him being available for early offers. He also said the extra work put him in a good position to outwork everybody he competes with. The players moving on had some advice for athletes who are working to get to the next level. Robinson offered, “Keep praying, working hard and believing in yourself.” Doakes added, “To those guys trying to reach the D1 level, I’d say don’t let the distractions absorb you. Stay focused.”
NEW RECRUITS The KC Rangers added 32 new recruits to the team following National Signing Day. The signees came from all across Texas, stretching from East Texas communities, such as Longview and Gilmer, to the larger cities of Houston and Dallas. Along with the home-grown talent, KC also inked out-ofstate signees from Louisiana, Florida and Arkansas. Here are the latest prospects by name and high school: Jaylin Brown - Longview Lou’Von Coleman - Galena Park Northshore Damien Crawford - Shreveport, La. (Green Oaks) Jocorian Deal -Humble Summer Creek Trent Deshotel- Pearland Cedrion Golden -Hearne Jalan Harris - Haynesville, La. Zaquavina Heath - Gilmer
Braelon Hill - Friendswood Clear Brook Garrett Hopper - Keller Geovonte Howard - Ft. Bend Marshall Steven Hubbard Jr. - Aldine Davis Kenric Jackson - Shreveport, La (Green Oaks) Jordan Jacobs -Waco Midway Mose Jeffery - Longview Pine Tree Kejuwon Jones - Greenbrier, Ark. Kenden Jones - Humble Summer Creek Malcolm Kitt-Denton - Pearland Dawson Kevon Latulas - Nederland Devin Logan - Bradenton, Fla. (Southeast) Ryan Logan-Jones - Jasper Kendall Major - Beaumont West Brook Ryan Malbrough - Cecila, La. Fredrick Martin - Crowley Kelton Moss - Jonesboro, La. (Hodge) Quan Moten - Hearne Zacc Smith - Haltom Luke Stillwell - Denton Guyer Dashawn Williams - Houston Madison
THE FLARE
PAGE 2 n FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2018
FACE IN THE CROWD
Diamond Tralar Hometown: Kilgore Age: 19 Major: Athletic Training
Grant Worley / THE FLARE
What led you to decide to become a Student Athletic Trainer? In high school I had a really bad injury, I couldn’t play for a while, so in my rehab process I would sit in the training room and I found myself fascinated with all the different protocols and treatments that I saw Coach LaTamera Fry, of Kilgore High School, doing and I fell in love instantly. My god-sister Grace Kennedy was an athletic trainer here at KC in 2014. I would often spend time coming to games,
practices, and to the training room with her. That helped me realize that Athletic Training is what I wanted to pursue. What is your favorite part about being an AT? My favorite part is the bond I make, not only with the athletes but with other athletic trainers. What is the worst? The worst part of being an AT is having to tell an athlete that they can no longer compete, that
they have a season-ending injury, and seeing their faces when they get the news. At that point in my life I would seriously do anything to trade places with them. I hate seeing them down Do you plan to continue your AT career after KC? I do plan to continue my athletic training career. I have opened my options back up and am still looking for the school that’s the best fit for my family and I.
Ranger Preview Day to offer 8-week web courses to start a look at KC programs after Spring Break Kilgore College will host its annual Ranger Preview Day on Saturday, Feb. 24, to give potential students an opportunity to learn more about the educational opportunities KC offers. Instructors from the college’s departments will be on hand to answer questions potential students may have, and workshops will be presented on financial aid, scholarships, admissions, testing and residential life.
The day will begin with registration and checkin at 8 a.m. in Dodson Auditorium, followed by a welcome/overview and an academic and organizations fair. “We are excited to have prospective students on campus,” said Chris Gore, director of admissions and registrar. “The day will be a great opportunity for potential students to learn more about the college and to experience what being a
Kilgore College student is all about.” Participants can also take guided campus tours and learn about on-campus extracurricular activities. The event is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about KC. Students can register for Preview Day online at: www. kilgore.edu/previewday. From Staff Reports
Keaton Shelley Staff Writer KC is making a block of online courses available after spring break. These classes are all eight-weeks long, and begin Monday, March 19 — the day campus opens back after spring break. English Department Chair Jason Graves was excited for this initiative. “We’re offering a full slate here,” he said. “This set of classes allows people who might have been lacking credits or who had been late registering to class an opportunity to take a course.” These courses are part of a push by the college to accommodate the way
busy students take classes today. They also help with contact hours as KC gears up for the upcoming base year beginning March 1. Each course has open slots available for users of Virtual College of Texas as well. Counselors are currently enrolling students in these classes. Returning or transfer students with no developmental requirements can register online through the MyKC web portal. The courses being offered are: •BCIS 1305.FW2 (Business Computer Information Systems) taught by Ginger Dennis •CHEM 1405.FW1 (Chemistry 1) taught by
Jonathan Belew •ENGL 1301.FW1 (Composition I) taught by Stephanie Laszik •ENGL 1302.FW1 (Composition II) taught by Gus Lafosse •ENGL 2332.FW1 (World Literature II) taught by Lynda Brooks •GOVT 2306.FW2 (Texas Government) taught by Derek Hunter •PSYC 2301.FW1 (General Psychology) taught by David Fontenot •MATH 1314.FW1 (College Algebra) taught by Brandon Walker For more information call 903-983-8209 or visit www. kilgore.edu/8-week-classes.
Counseling department provides a variety of services Claire Feng Staff Writer
Lady Rangers host game to score points against cancer The KC Lady Rangers basketball team will host its annual “Cancer Awareness Game” Feb. 28 to raise funds for cancer research. This year’s theme is “We Give a Hoot” and will feature colored owls hung in the gym with the names of people who have suffered from or are suffering from cancer. The game is set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in Masters Gymnasium vs.
Angelina College. Halftime entertainment will feature a performance by the Rangerette Swingsters and a 5-on-5 basketball game featuring students from the KC Dance Department. Admission to the basketball game is $5 and all of the evening’s proceeds will benefit cancer research. Donations will also be accepted. “We play for those who are
By The Numbers
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n The Wesley Foundation is having a traditional Ash Wednesday. Ministering of Ashes will be between 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. on February 14 at the foundation. While Ash Wednesday is traditionally a Catholic holiday, all faiths are welcome at the Wesley Foundation.
n Veteran’s Club starts anew this semester. The Veteran’s Club for KC students will meet this semester from 2 to 3 p.m. every Thursday upstairs in the Randolph C. Watson Library, Room 206. Email the faculty sponsor, Christopher Reed, CReed@kilgore.edu for more information.
23
n Percent of adults who say they purchase flowers or plants on Valentine’s Day. 61 percent of these adults are male while 39 percent are women. The most popular flower purchase is mixed flowers, followed by red roses in second place and other roses as the third most popular flower purchase.
fighting, have fought and who have lost,” said head coach Anna Nimz. “We all have our own ‘heroes’ who we fight for. Please help us make a difference.” To have a loved one recognized at the game who has (or is) suffering from cancer, please email Nimz at animz@kilgore.edu. From Staff Reports
KILGORE SCREEN PRINTING CO.
404
n Invites sent by the Phi Theta Kappa to prospective student members in the Spring 2018 semester. Prospective members will receive an email notifying them of the opportunity to join the PTK organization and can then go online to join the club. The one-time membership fee is $70.
WE PRINT T-SHIRTS & MORE
601A E. MAIN (903) 983-1480
The counseling and academic advising department provides students with a variety of services, including educational advising, career support and mental health counseling. “If students need any help, the counseling department is more than welcome to help,” said Pam Gatton, the director of the counseling department. Gatton suggests students
who are planning to transfer seek professional assistance from the department as soon as they have their dream school decided. Advisers will help to ensure students that they have met the prerequisites of their preferable university. If students are undecided of their majors or their transfer university, Gatton recommends they start with courses in the 42hour Kilgore College Core Curriculum, which will supplant the core curriculum at any state
institution in Texas. Appointments are not needed for a consultation. Filling in the sign-in sheet at the front desk is sufficient. The counseling center is located on the second floor of the Devall Student Center on the Kilgore campus and in the Hendrix building on Longview campus. Visit the counseling and academic advising webpage on Kilgore.edu or contact any advisers listed on the webpage for more information.
FAFSA Fridays Free Application for Federal Student Aid help is free and is designed to help parents and students fill out the FAFSA application. Dependents students (under 24 years of age) should attend with a parent if possible. Students planning to attend during 2017-18 should bring their/parents’ 2015
Tax Return or other 2015 financial information. Students planning to attend during 2018-19 should bring their/parents’ 2016 Tax Return or other 2016 financial information. All sessions are 1-3:30 p.m. in the Financial Aid Office upstairs in the Devall Student Center on the Kilgore campus.
FAFSA FRIDAY DATES • Feb. 9 • Feb. 23 • March 2 • March 23 • April 6 • April13 • April 27 • May 4 • May 14
THE FLARE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 n PAGE 3
ESOL instructor shares passion for culture QUAN LE Staff Writer In the Old Main Building, Room 138 is Tina Luther’s office and English for Speakers of Other Languages’ classroom. For many international students, she is their introduction to KC. Luther’s day begins with classes at 8:30 a.m. and she usually wraps up with her studying for her doctorate degree until 7 p.m. almost every weekday. She has been teaching ESOL courses for two years at KC. Luther has a great passion in helping her international students succeed. “I want all students to feel free to succeed in life and in academics,” Luther said. English is not the only focus of her teaching; she also stresses learning about different cultures. “I love all cultures and love to learn more about them. I teach my students, and I also
learn from them,” she said. The international students are encouraged to keep their culture alive while living here. The difficulties can be a challenge for some, but Luther keeps her students positive. “I like my students to celebrate their cultural holidays in class, such as the Lunar New Year (next week) or other holidays. We share about our holidays and learn together,” Luther said. Students in her class celebrate their cultural holidays by bringing traditional foods to class and sharing customs with their classmates. While Luther speaks Spanish and French as her second and third languages, she understands the challenges an international student faces when learning a new language. Before teaching English at KC, Luther taught languages for over three years, giving her the knowledge and experience to share with KC’s international
students. She acknowledges that many international students have disadvantages to other students because of the differences in the alphabet, pronunciation, accents, and grammar. “International students are here to study their majors and experience the culture; they want to learn and to succeed. And they are doing it well,” Luther said. “Most international students have to work harder than American students because everything is new to them: the culture, the vocabulary, and the language semantics. Also, many are very committed because their tuition costs is higher than a resident, and they feel an obligation to their parents or sponsors to do well,” she said. The campus tuition fee of an international student is almost three times that of an indistrict student and 1.5 times more than an out-of-district student. For example, if
a resident student pays $1,095 for 15 hours semester, the cost for international student will be $2,940 for the same courses. Not only is Luther an enthusiastic instructor, she is also a serious student. She is working on her doctoral degree in Education with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership. Luther began her studies in July and is working on her research for her dissertation. She goes to Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida for a week of intense study and the rest of the year her classes are online. After Luther’s classes are done, she preps and grades for the next day and then she works on her doctoral studies. Her husband, Jeremy, works in the Registrar’s Office at KC, so she waits on him to finish each evening before they go home together. Both of them enjoy learning other cultures and helping international students.
Students: International students explore options on campus From Page 1
Quan Le / THE FLARE
International student Rao Ribbal, from Ukraine, is an outgoing international student with a big personality. He easily makes friends, which made it easy for him and his roommate to hit it off and become good friends. “For fun we go out somewhere, like the movies and hang out with other friends,” Ribbal said. “The international program helped me a lot when I first
arrived to Kilgore because I did not know any things to do or where to go. Estonia helped me with everything from documents and paperwork, to settling in and meeting very interesting people from around the world. Without the International Student Club it would be hard because not everybody knows what to do in America and how to get set up for school, so the program helped me in every way.”
Tina Luther leads international students in reading weekly newspapers in order to improve their language skills.
" To: Ryanne Hall, Girl, you THICC!! And I love you!
Dear Ashley Mason, Your work ethic and dedication to students is inspiring. It is clear you truly care about every one and you serve as a guiding light for all.
Dear Barbara Prater, You are a wonderful and delightful human being. I feel so fortunate to work with you – you are always so joyful and your happiness is contagious.
Deseo que en este San Valentin todos mis amigos y favolia la pasen expectacularmente bien. Je vous aime a tous. Moises Ela
Dear Laurence Sabeta, You make the best coffee, it rivals that of cafes in a bustling Parisian square. Your lemon cake also puts Betty Crocker to SHAME!
Much Love!
Happy Valentine’s Day to all The Flare staff, Mrs. Stallard and O. Rufus Lovett. Y’all rock!
Nola, I love you! Troy
Hi Mom! Christian
To COMM 1307 Students - The answer to today’s bonus test question is: I had myself committed to the insane asylum on Blackwell’s Island in order to expose corruption. I traveled around the world in 72 days (instead of the “80 Days” as suggested in Jules Verne’s novel). I was considered “the best reporter in America” by both Joseph Pulitzer and Mrs. Stallard. Who am I? (hint: It’s Nellie Bly)
We ♥︎ our readers! Thank you for keeping us real! - The Flare Staff
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 n PAGE 4
THE FLARE
THE FLARE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 n PAGE 5
YOUR VIEW When does an acquaintance become a friend?
finding
Photos by Brooke Harris / THE FLARE “A friendship is based on trust. An acquaintance becomes a friend when trust is built.” Bernice Donou Benin freshman
“When you can hang out without feeling awkward.” Khadejah Colbert Longview freshman
Photo Illustration by Gabriel Wade, Keaton Shelley, Brooke Harris and Lucas Strough / THE FLARE “When you have spent time together and have had a couple of good conversations.” Greta Umunoza Kayigema Rwanda sophomore
“When they gain your trust!” Adam Kegarise Gladewater freshman
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F R I E N D S
Make new connections on campus Meeting new people can be hard. It involves putting yourself out there; making yourself vulnerable. Not knowing how you will be received is scary. Questions run through your mind. Will they like me? What do I do? All of it will be worth it, though, if you make a friend. Friends are the people we can depend on. They will be there for you when you need someone with whom to laugh or to cry. They will help you study and will tell you when it is time to play. A friend will tell you when you are looking great or, not so much. You can trust them to be brutally honest and completely loyal, because they know you will do the same for them. A lot of us are shy and meeting people is not something we are
comfortable with. We would rather sit in our room and not interact with the world. By doing this, so much of life is missed. You must get out of your room - your comfort zone - and make an effort. It is not easy, but the rewards are great. Friends help us in many ways. They keep us grounded and humble. They share our joys and our heartbreaks; our goals and ambitions. Many of the friends you will make at KC will still be your friends 10 or 20 years from now. After college, your friends can help you network and get the great job you want, tell you about the city you want to move to, or let you know what careers to avoid. To make friends, there are some
things you can do that will make it easier. Joining clubs and other oncampus organizations is great for meeting people. They are usually filled with those who share the same interests and hobbies as you do. Learning a new skill, such as crochet or painting, will bring new people into your life. Volunteering is also a good choice. Go outside what you are interested in and see what you find. You can volunteer in the theatre department or at an animal shelter. Eat in the cafeteria and smile at those around you. You can bet there is someone else there who is shy as well. Making friends can be difficult. But it is so worth it.
Breathe in: Treating depression with meditation
’ve struggled with depression and anxiety ever since my early teenage years. Though these conditions can make me feel very isolated, I’m certainly not alone in my diagnosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7.6 percent of American teens and adults experienced an episode of depression between 2009 and 2012. That equates to about 25 million people overall. Many people in this position seek help in the form of prescription medications like Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. While these medications have been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of clinical depression, they don’t work for everyone and they can cause some unpleasant side effects. Fortunately, I have recently found a way to help alleviate depression symptoms for free with zero side effects. When 2018 began, I knew that I wanted to support myself mentally but I wasn’t quite sure where to begin. That’s when I stumbled across an article by Keri Wiginton, a writer and
photographer for several national publications. In her article titled “I tried mindfulness to quit drinking. It actually worked.”, Wiginton explained how she began to use a mindfulness LUCAS meditation practice to STROUGH alleviate her EXECUTIVE EDITOR symptoms of depression and then went on to use this same practice to break her habit of regular alcohol consumption. I had heard about mindfulness meditation before and I had even downloaded an Android app called “Stop, Breathe and Think” several months previously but I had never given the practice a try. Wiginton’s article states that meditating for as little as a few minutes per day can have dramatic effects on mental health. Mindfulness meditation works
on the principle that a distracted mind is an unhappy mind. When you are constantly distracted with worries about the future – such as an upcoming exam, or feelings of helplessness and sadness, you can quickly enter a spiral of depression from which it is very difficult to escape. Just like lifting weights in the gym can strengthen your muscles and increase your physical strength, mindfulness meditation can increase your mental resilience. It works like this: you simply sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing. You breathe in slowly and deeply and pay attention to the sensation of your breath and then do the same thing as you breathe out. When distracting thoughts pop up in your mind, simply acknowledge them, let them go and return to focusing on your breathing. As time goes on, you will begin to carry this habit into your daily life. When negative thoughts creep into your mind, you can set them aside instead of entering into a repetitive cycle of harmful thinking.
In just a few weeks of regular meditation sessions, I have found myself able to bounce back from negative thought patterns and, as a result, I have been able to keep myself focused on my school assignments and my responsibilities here at The Flare. If you think you are experiencing depression or anxiety, I encourage you to visit a doctor or mental health professional. You may be prescribed an antidepressant medication, so give that a try. But, in addition to medication, make sure you are taking care of the basics. Eat healthy foods, try to exercise regularly, get plenty of restful sleep and begin regular mindfulness meditation. You can download the free “Stop, Breathe and Think” app, or one of the many other free meditation apps available, find a quiet spot and simply sit and breathe for a few minutes each day. You may be surprised at just how powerful this simple technique can be. Lucas Strough is a sophomore Journalism major from Longview.
The Student Newspaper of Kilgore College Since 1936
Vol. 81 • No. 13 Friday, February 9, 2018
Executive Editor Lucas Strough Managing Editor Allison Taliaferro Assistant Editor Lonnie Ross Copy Editor Sarah Redford Features Editor Lisa Harris Staff Writers Adriana Cisneros, Cassidy Daniel, Claire Feng, Tony Gore, Quan Le, Nelda Milligan-Turner, Javier Orta, Alec Reyes, Keaton Shelley, Rahsaan Sheppard, Chris Williams, Yasmine Wilson Photographers Whitney Ervin, Grace Garcia, Brooke Harris, Lonnie Ross, Keaton Shelley, Kori Stroud, Lucas Strough, Gabriel Wade, Mary Williams-Smith, Grant Worley Adviser Rachel Stallard Photography Adviser O Rufus Lovett
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.
Copyright 2018, The Flare. All rights reserved
THE FLARE
PAGE 6 n FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2018
King Cake, Beads and more
The party is on! Photo Illustration by Mary Williams-Smith / THE FLARE
Photo Illustration by Lucas Strough/ THE FLARE
A Mardi Gras Story
A Catholic’s experience with Lent:
Traditions roll on for years
What the season means to me
LISA HARRIS Features Editor Mardi Gras is the biggest party celebrated in America behind New Year’s Eve. Mardi Gras’ origin dates back to the Middle Ages and is also known as the Carnival season. It is a Roman Catholic tradition to celebrate before Lent season according to the ritual calendar. It begins on January 6, also known as the Twelfth Night of Christmas, and ends on Fat Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday) exactly 46 days before Easter Sunday. In the Middle Ages, the celebrants were adorned with masks and costumes with the idea that you can hide your true identity and unite as one. The celebration became such a drunken and violent event that the officials threatened to discontinue the party. Some groups decided to get together and create floats. These groups, known as Krewes, kept things flowing in a better direction. The floats were set aside for the aristocrats or upper echelon and working, and riding, on them was by invitation only. The Krewe of Rex was assigned to throw sugar-coated almonds
and this quickly turned into beads which is the most popular throw to date. The colors have meaning, the purple symbolizes justice; the green represents faith; and the gold signifies power. Another tradition is the “Zulu” coconuts. One year, a Krewe could not afford beads, so they used coconuts instead. The coconuts are not thrown, but are handed to parade watchers and are a favorite among parade-goers, especially the gold painted ones.. The King cake tradition is thought to have been brought to New Orleans from France in 1870. A French pastry crossed with a coffee cake, represents the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh given to the baby Jesus by the Magi. The colors on the cake have the same meaning as mentioned above. Today the celebration is not necessarily considered a religious holiday. Most people are aware that Fat Tuesday is the day before Lent begins, but they don’t realize its significance to the Catholic faith. All they see is a party. As the French say “LAISSEZ
LE BON TEMPS ROULER”
or as said in English “Let the good times roll!”
KC Cafeteria
ALEC REYES Staff Writer
O
nce again this year, millions of Catholics around the world are p r e p a r i n g for a period of devotion, reflection and sacrifice. That period is known as Lent. It begins on Ash Wednesday, and ALEC concludes on REYES Holy Thursday. Lent signifies STAFF WRITER the 40 days leading up to the observance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Just so my readers know this, Catholics are not the only religion to observe Lent. Methodists, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox also embrace this tradition. Lent is allotted to 40 days although it is actually 46 days. The reason being is that is the same amount of days that Jesus traveled in the desert when he was tempted by Satan. This event is also known as “The temptation of Christ.” Along with Jesus’ sacrifice he made facing temptations and walking through the desert, we walk our own desert and face temptations as we make sacrifices of our own as well.
Many will usually hear that term as “giving something up.” This year, I have decided to give up junk food and social media. My reasons are that I want to eat healthier and expand that to a healthier lifestyle, and that social media has taken time away from me. Some of those important matters include school, family and God. In a big way, social media has become a negative influence on me as well. Not only do you have to give up certain luxuries, but it is completely optional to allow yourself to grow closer to God though those days. For example, in place of social media, I could use that extra time to say prayers and to be thankful for my life. Along with extra time, it will also enable me to focus more on living a healthy and faithful life. To outsiders, y’all may be wondering what the dark markings on our foreheads are. Those markings are the ashes used that the priest marks on us. The ashes are made from the palms used on Palm Sunday and they symbolize the dust from which God made us. They are usually marked in the shape of a cross to signify human mortality. As the priest marks each person, he speaks the words “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Alternatively, he may also say, “Remember, O Man that you are dust, and unto dust you shall
return,” or “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” With Valentine’s Day also being the same day as Ash Wednesday this year, I am glad that they happen to fall together on the same date. Saint Valentine is the patron saint of love, and we Catholics will be able to express our love for Christ as we begin our Lenten journey to prepare for Easter. Together, it makes for a perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day by showing our love that Jesus had for us back by beginning our “walk through the desert.” To all my readers, if you are having struggles in life or if you are questioning why life is going the way it is, I challenge you to say a little prayer every day when you wake up. Just start out with a simple thank you to God that you are able to see another day, and go from there. Pray that He gives you guidance, strength and wisdom to live your life for Him. We all walk our own deserts filled with temptations, but with God by your side, anything is possible. I will end this column with one of my favorite Bible verses: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” -Psalm 23:4. Remember, Jesus loves every single one of you as we are created in his image.
Fun Facts about Mardi Gras & New Orleans In 1718 Bienville Le Moyne founded New Orleans On February 24, 1857 the Krewe of Comus held the first Mardi Gras parade In the 1900s over 100,000 tourists traveled to New Orleans for Mardi Gras 25 million beads are shipped for Mardi Gras each year $145.7 million is the direct economic impact on New Orleans for Mardi Gras