Vol. 81, No. 16 Serving Kilgore College since 1936
March 2, 2018
HOOPS AGAINST CANCER
Richelle Velez holds the commemorative ball, after hitting the game winning 3-pointer against Angelina College
Grant Worley / THE FLARE
“(The night) was simply incredible! This event has brought so many people together to fight for one common goal. Our goal of $2,000 was shattered due to so much generosity. So many people had a hand in helping make this night a success and I think that speaks volumes about our Kilgore College family and our Kilgore community. $10,000 is a number I still cannot wrap my head around. We are KC!” -Lady Ranger Head Coach Anna Nimz
Trio represents KC at All-State Band concert ADRIANA CISNEROS Staff Writer Three KC students are in this year’s Texas Community College All-State Band held February 17 in San Antonio. The concert included 300 students and 20 colleges. Diana Estrella Luna, Henderson sophomore, has been playing trombone for nearly ten years. Her favorite part was, “Getting to play with a well-rounded band, and the fact that everybody there appreciated music just as much as I did and had put as much effort into (it) as I (had).” Sarah Svehla, Nacogdoches sophomore, plays the bass clarinet. While performing in the concert, Svehla noticed Eric Whitacre, a Grammy-winning composer known for his orchestral, choral and wind ensembles. “I always find this kind of experience humbling. The conductors give us a bunch of pieces that we have never seen in our lives,” she said. “It’s amazing just to see a whole bunch of players that are just as willing and caring
as you are, and that they come from all different backgrounds and you get to see just how they perform and how they became the way they did,” Svehla said. Josh Haas, Hallsville sophomore, plays the tuba. “This concert was like the next level up; it was just wonderful,” Haas said. “I was a little bit nervous to meet other college students, but I realized that all of them were kind of the same, and getting to share with them was just awesome.” All three KC students agreed that this experience was one that allowed them to learn from others. Luna, Svehla and Haas sent recordings in during October to audition. “All three of us work full-time jobs, so on top of work and school, we also have this extra-curricular activity,” Luna said. The Texas Community College All-State Band signified not only the reward, but also a great opportunity for the selected students to show their talent and passion for music, each in their own, unique way.
O. Rufus Lovett /SPECIAL TO THE FLARE
From left, KC Ranger Band Members Josh Haas, Diana Luna and Sarah Svehla, enjoyed a week in San Antonio as part of the Texas Community College All-State Band.
THE FLARE
PAGE 2 n FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018
FACE IN THE CROWD
BRENDA PEREZ Hometown: Overton Age: 19 Major: Nursing
Yasmine Wilson / THE FLARE
How did you become a twirler? When I was in the sixth grade, I decided to try out, and I have been twirling for eight years since then.
What is the best thing about being a twirler? Having friends that are doing the same thing I love to do.
How long have you been playing music and performing in band? I’ve been playing the flute for eight years, but I also played the trumpet for four years for my high school’s jazz band. I was also the head majorette for three years for my high school twirling line, and I was the drum major for the band my senior year.
What is something people wouldn’t know about you? I work at the Lowe’s in Henderson. I started working there as a cashier, and in the beginning of this year, I got promoted to be a head cashier. What are your plans after KC? I plan on getting my BSN from either UT Tyler, LeTourneau or SFA to become a pediatric nurse.
Who is your role model and why? My mother is my role model. She has always been there for me, whether it was for twirling tryouts, band concerts or even football games to see me perform. She has shown me (how) to always be positive and focus on my goals. What are you obsessed with lately? Lately I’ve been obsessed with the new Marvel movie that came out, “Black Panther,” and listening to the soundtrack from the movie.
Lucas Strough / THE FLARE
Chemistry instructor Elena Ignatchenko, assisted by chemistry instructor Dr. Catherine Elueze, involve Preview Day visitors in interactive science experiments to generate interest in the KC Science Department. Nearly 400 visitors were on campus Saturday to explore KC.
Potential students welcomed by clubs, instructors at Preview Day Throngs of excited local high school students lined up in the steady, misting rain outside of Dodson Auditorium and Masters Gym on Saturday, Feb. 24, to find out more about their potential future at KC. Ranger Preview Day is a free, annual event on the KC campus intended to provide area high school students with a first-hand look at some of the academic programs, clubs and organizations they could be a part of if they decide to attend KC. “We are excited to have prospective students on campus,” said Chris Gore, director of admissions and registrar. The day is designed to 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.” According to admissions counselor, Callie Blakeley, 141 students and 240 parents and guests attended the event. A guided tour of the campus and its facilities was part of the experience as ambassadors explained the purpose and history of some of the campus buildings and describe what life is like for students on the campus. Besides tours and info, the guests attended a Club and Organizations Fair in the Parks Fitness Center’s carpeted gym in order to see what campus activities KC offers.
The Culinary Department provided complimentary snacks and the International Student Club played a variety of musical instruments. Several science departments displayed visual props, such as skeletal anatomy models and interactive science experiments while the Theatre Arts Department offered information on their drama courses. Attendance may have been slightly hampered by the unpleasant weather but, inside Masters Gym, the atmosphere was filled with excitement, as groups of smiling students and their parents contemplated their bright hopes for the future. — by Lucas Strough
Chorale ensembles to perform Sunday at First Presbyterian-Longview Two of Kilgore College’s choral ensembles will perform a free concert Sunday afternoon in Longview. Set for 3 p.m. Sunday, March 4, the concert will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Longview. Camerata Singers, an all-women’s choir, will perform pieces by Purcell, Hovland and Forrest, among others. The concert will feature freshman music major Georgia Shelton of Kilgore on violin. Vocal soloists will include Shelton, Alexis Chandler of Longview, Taylor Radford of
Gladewater, Julia Fugham of Kilgore and Zackary Hinson of Tyler. Joining Camerata Singers on the program will be the newly formed KC Connection, a quintet of music majors performing a cappella vocal jazz pieces. The group will perform the jazz classics “I’ll be Seeing You” and “Fever.” Dr. Zach Marshall, Director of Choral Activities at KC, conducts both ensembles. For more information contact Dr. Marshall at zmarshall@kilgore.edu or 903-983-8122.
By The Numbers
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n KC Visual Arts Club will host a meeting on Tuesday, March 6 at the Cherry Coffee House, 1012 Houston St. If you love to draw, paint, sculpt, design, have a love of all things Visual Arts, or want to meet others who share your love of creating art, join KC Visual Arts Club.
8
n The KC Wind Symphony will perform the first of two spring concerts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8, in Dodson Auditorium. The band will perform eight musical selections and will also include a percussion feature. Admission is free and open to the public.
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n The Technical Job Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 6 in the Devall Student Center Ballroom. As of press time, 14 local companies have committed to attend and share info and employment opportunities pertinent to their company.
KILGORE SCREEN PRINTING CO.
3
n KC’s Golden Z Club is joining its host, Zonta Club, to promote the Greater East Texas Antique Show and Sale March 2-4 at Maude Cobb Convention & Activity Center, 100 Grand Blvd. Longview. Admission is $10. Golden Z president Raven Wiley said this is her first Antique Show, as well as the clubs. “I’m excited to be experiencing this. We have worked hard trying to do our part to sell tickets.”
WE PRINT T-SHIRTS & MORE
601A E. MAIN (903) 983-1480
Yasmine Wilson / THE FLARE
Diana Montemayor, Longview freshman, studies in Randolph C. Watson Library to avoid the rainstorm. Spring storms are expected to continue through the weekend.
Vote county-wide in primary elections this Tuesday The next election in Gregg County will be the primary election held Tuesday, March 6. Gregg County will be using Countywide polling places for this election. This means that any Gregg County registered voter may vote at any Gregg County polling place that is open on Election Day. The list of County-wide polling places for Election Day are listed below: • Longview Community Center-500 E Whaley St, Longview • St. Andrew Presbyterian Church-2500 McCann Road, Longview • Alpine Presbyterian Church - 4102 Tryon Road, Longview • Judson Community Center-1129 FM 1844, Longview • Spring Hill First Baptist Church-4000 Gilmer Road, Longview • Pine Tree Community Center - 1701 Pine Tree Road, Longview • Pine Tree High School-1005 W Fairmont St, Longview • Greggton Community Center - 3211 W. Marshall Ave, Longview • Pine Tree ISD Facility Services - 1400 Silver Falls Road, Longview • Emmanuel Baptist Church - 501 E Highway 80, White Oak • Gladewater First Methodist Church - 217 W Quitman Ave, Gladewater • Old Sabine ISD Elementary Cafeteria 5219 Old Highway 135 N, Liberty City • Kilgore Community Center - 622 Kay St, Kilgore
• Meadowbrook Country Club - 1306 Houston St, Kilgore • Elderville Community Center - 10450 Hwy 349, Longview • Saint Mark CME Church - 1100 Sapphire St, Longview • Stamper Park Resource Center - 502 S. Center St, Longview • Broughton Recreation Center - 801 S. MLK Blvd., Longview Rusk County Election Day Voting • Overton Community Center - 505 Meadowbrook, Overton • Chandler Street Church of Christ - 2700 Chandler St. Kilgore • Old New London Community Center-125 Tyner St. New London, • Centre Presbyterian Church- 8531 FM 2011, Longview on Corner of FM 2011 and Hwy 322 • Stewart-13606 FM 782 N., Henderson • Sherman R. Smith Community Center/ Tatum-231 N. Hood St. Tatum • Henderson Civic Center-1005 Hwy 64 W. Henderson • Pinehill- CR 3116 & FM 1798 Henderson • S. Main Church of Christ -Multi Purpose Bldg-402 S Main Henderson Enter off S. Van Buren St. • Expo-Ag Center-3303 Fm 13 West, Henderson • Carlisle-2541 S. St Hwy 42, Price • County Barn Pct 4-13612 FM 1798 W, Henderson
THE FLARE
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 n PAGE 3
KC Ambassador sponsor relishes former days as student worker JAVIER ORTA Staff Writer
W
hen KC Ambassadors sponsor and admissions counselor Callie Blakeley graduated high school, she was already well on her way to a college degree. After finishing her senior year with about 50 hours’ worth of college credit, Blakeley was left to accomplish only one semester at KC to receive her associate’s degree. Blakeley graduated from Longview High School, where she was instantly connected with KC during her sophomore year as a dual-credit student. Apart from being a normal college student, Blakeley was also a student worker in the Registrar’s Office. “Being a student worker is a great opportunity, it works well with your schedule and just gives you a full, good experience,” she said. Blakeley gained a
tremendous love and passion for the college as well as the staff. “The year I spent here as a student worker, I fell in love with the people and it was just like a big family. Everyone was so friendly,” Blakeley said. KC became a home to Blakeley. After a year of work and study at KC, she transferred to UT Tyler and was a commuter student for two years while also working part-time at the university. In December 2016, she received her bachelor’s degree in political science. “When I got there, my experience as a student worker here helped me get a job at UT Tyler,” Blakeley said. As soon as Blakeley graduated from UT Tyler, a full-time position in the College of Engineering opened up and she went for it while she continued to pursue her master’s degree for Public Administration. “With my undergrad degree in political science,
it has helped me a lot while working towards my master’s degree and it has given me a good background,” Blakeley said. While she originally had no thought of leaving her new position at UT Tyler, within seven months Blakeley received a call from KC asking her to fill a position as an Admissions Counselor. “It’s closer to home,” Blakeley said. With dreams of having public relations in her mix, this opportunity felt like a score. Within a month, KC became her home again. Blakeley is also the new sponsor of the Ambassadors. “I’ve learned a lot managing the ambassadors,” Blakeley said. “It’s also helped me grow and I think it has been a good experience for all of us.”
“Being a student worker is a great opportunity, it works well with your schedule and just gives you a full, good experience.” - Callie Blakeley, KC Ambassador Sponsor KC Ambassador Callie Blakeley has been on both sides of the KC experience as a student and now as a staff member. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree while working at KC.
Maria Cabrera / THE FLARE
308th KC Police Academy class graduates 20 to serve 16 local law enforcement agencies
Spring 2018 KCPA Graduates Ty Birdwell: Nacogdoches Police Dept. Cody Busbee: Pittsburg Police Dep. Jessica Cirkles: Bogata Police Dept. Daniel Custer: Smith County Sheriff’s Office Quade Davis: Sheriff’s Office
Cherokee
County
Trey Haislip: Paris Police Dept. Thad Hall: Morris County Sheriff’s Office Jason Jones: Smith County Sheriff’s Office James Kerby: Lone Star Police Dept. Grant Worley / THE FLARE
David Miller, representing Brownsboro PD, shakes hands with KCPD member as he receives his diploma. KC’s East Texas Police took place at 10 a.m. Friday, requirements are eligible Academy hosted a Feb. 23, was held in the to take the peace officer graduation ceremony for Woodruff Adult Education licensing test. the 308th class of the Basic Center. For more information on Peace Officer Academy last Following successful the ETPA, visit www.kilgore. week. completion of the BPOC, edu/etpa. The graduation, which students meeting licensing
Travis Leclair: Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office
Joshua McGee: Sheriff’s Office
Rains
County
Matthew McKeethan: Smith County Fire Marshal David Miller: Brownsboro Police Dept. Valorie Owens: Timpson Police Dept. Cameron Precise: Morris County Sheriff’s Office Venesia Schroth: Constable No. 4
Gregg
County
Cody Sprayberry: Longview Police Dept. Tracy Timmons: Sheriff’s Office
Smith
County
Julie Webb: Overton Police Dept.
Jose Lopez: Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office
REVIEW
All In The Laughter KC Theatre production delivers humor, absurdity ALLISON TALIAFERRO Managing Editor
Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE
Griffin O’Neal, Bucky Vandoren and Stephanie Barajas perform a scene from “Variations on the Death of Trotsky,” a part of the larger play “All in the Timing” by David Ives.
When David Ives wrote “All in the Timing”, he intended the audience to laugh at his collection of six short plays. Through his use of language, word play and existentialist observations on life, KC Theatre’s presentation of his play set a comedic mood. In “Sure Thing,” the first of the six short plays, we are introduced to Bill and Betty, two people who meet for the first time in a café. The pair’s meeting is far from ordinary, as it continuously resets each time they say the wrong thing, until the two finally connect on a romantic basis. In “The Philadelphia,” the scene opens with a waitress
and a male customer. As soon as the waitress takes his order, his friend Mark stumbles in to inform him about his unfortunate day. It’s the result of his ensnarement in an anomalous pocket of reality called a “Philadelphia,” in which his needs are fulfilled by asking for the opposite of what he truly wants. Toward the end of this short play, Mark begins to feel content as his friend Al gets roped into a “Philadelphia.” In “Mere Mortals,” three construction workers discuss their true identities. One of the construction workers reveals that he is really the Lindbergh baby, the second reveals that he is the son of Czar Nicholas II of Russia and the third reveals that he is the reincarnation
of Marie Antoinette. In “Words, Words, Words,” three chimps, named after famous authors, are put under surveillance and are expected to write Hamlet. These chimps participate in pointless, comical banter, and occasionally inspired to make literary allusions. The KC Theatre did an excellent job of intriguing the audience and opening us up to an evening of laughter. My recommendation: stop monkeying around, and go see KC Theatre’s production of “All in the Timing.” The play is showing at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3. There will be a matinée showing of the play at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 4.
THE FLARE
PAGE 4 n FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018
Rangers sweep Ponies Rangers, Lady Rangers notch necessary wins against Panola College on Saturday ALEC REYES Sports Editor After suffering a one-point loss to Panola College earlier this season, the KC Rangers avenged the loss by defeating the Ponies 80-60 Saturday in Masters Gymnasium. With the win, KC propels their record to 15-11 (7-10 in conference) and extends winning streak to two games. Panola’s record stands at 18-10 (10-7 in conference). Coming off the bench, James Conteh,
Queens NY, freshman, led the Rangers in total points with 15. Conteh was a perfect 5-5 and 4-4 in both field goals and 3-point shots while also recording one assist, one rebound and a steal. Conteh was followed in points by teammates Chad Bowie, Missouri City sophomore, and Malachi Davidson, Plano, freshman. Bowie recorded 13 points and Davidson followed up with 12 points. Defensively, Bowie, Demiere Brown, Powder Springs, GA. freshman, and
Dayton Jennings, Battle Creek, MI, sophomore, each made two steals while Jennings recorded a block. The Rangers earned 20 points off turnovers, scored 36 points in the paint and made 45 defensive stops in the contest. KC returns to action at home Saturday, March 3 to close out the regular season against Trinity Valley.
MORE SPORTS ON PAGE 8
Lady Rangers upset No. 17 Fillies 80-75, Thurmon scores 31 RAHSAAN SHEPPARD Staff Writer
Lonnie Ross / THE FLARE
Lansana Nwosu soars through the air as he sets up for a slam dunk during the Rangers’ game against Panola College. The Rangers also won their Wednesday night contest at Navarro College 69-53 to extend their win streak to three games. KC closes out the regular season Saturday, March 3 against TVCC FOLLOW THE GAME ON KDOK WITH THE FOLLOWING FREQUENCIES IN THE EAST TEXAS AREA: 1240 AM/105.3 FM IN KILGORE, 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.
Jade Thurmon, Ferris sophomore, recently coming off a 45-point outing in her last game, bagged 31 points, three rebounds, two steals and five assists as the KC Lady Rangers battled past Panola College 80-75 in a Region XIV Conference dogfight Saturday at Masters Gym. Thurmon came out firing for the Lady Rangers scoring 15 points in the first half, going 6-12 from the field and 10 of those points being scored in the first quarter to give the Lady Rangers a 40-32 lead at the half. Panola forward Ekaterina Karchevskaya also came out hot tallying up 11 points going 5-7 from the field in the first half. That did not stop Panola sophomore forward Daria Eremeeva from helping her squad march back in the second half. Panola started the second half by going on a 20-12 run to tie the game 52-52 mid third quarter and 58-58 at the end of the third. Sophomore Lady Ranger Richelle Velez, Clute sophomore, started off the fourth quarter with a big three pointer to give
the Lady Rangers a 61-58 lead, but Panola forward Eremeeva continued to put her team on her back to give Panola the lead in the midfourth quarter 64-63 after knocking down a pair of free throws. The score was all knotted up 67-67 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter. Panola turned over the ball after Alicia Mardis, Ft. Lauderdale FL sophomore, Lady Ranger forward, sank one of two free throws to tie things up at 70 with 1:45 left to play. Thurmon and Mardis each hit clutch free throws in the final minute along with Lady Ranger forward Tyra Cormier, Houston sophomore, to clinch the victory over Panola College 80-75. Mardis added 12 points to the tally and 10 rebounds for KC. Velez tallied nine, Cormier tallied eight and Danielle Meador, Corpus Christi sophomore, Alexus Moore, Stony Point sophomore, and Hennesey Handy, Joliet, IL sophomore, each tallied six. Eremeeva scored Panola’s team high 18 points, Patience Okpe scored 14, Karchevskaya scored 13 and Stefany Lourenco scored 11 in the loss for Panola.
Lonnie Ross / THE FLARE
Hennesey Handy searches for a teammate to pass the ball to before she becomes surrounded by Panola defenders. The Lady Rangers finish the regular season at home Saturday, March 3 against TVCC
Ranger softball team sweeps Centenary College JV MARSHALL, TX -- The Kilgore College Rangers swept Centenary College JV in Marshall, 2-1 and 1713 to even up KC’s overall record at 6-6. KC 2, Centenary College JV 1 Both teams were strong on the mound Feb. 26 but the Kilgore College Rangers defeated Centenary College JV, 2-1. Pitcher Katy Worrell allowed four hits to Centenary. Worrell earned the victory, surrendering only one run on four
hits over eight innings, striking out five and walking one. Stewart took the loss for Centenary, lasting five innings, allowing three hits and zero runs. KC’s Alyssa Maldonado went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead KC in batting. Kelsey Ahart made the most plays with 13. KC 17, Centenary College JV 13 The second game of the doubleheader went head-to-head in an exciting back-and-forth game Feb.
26 that saw the Rangers pull away with a 17-13 victory. KC trailed 9-8 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Kelsey Ahart tripled on a 1-2 count, scoring two runs. Bats blistered as the Rangers collected 14 hits and Centenary tallied 16 in the high-scoring game. The Rangers captured the lead in the first inning when Devyn Power grounded out, scoring one run. In the top of the fourth inning, Centenary tied things up at eight
runs on a single. Centenary scored five runs in the second inning with two doubles, a single and a sacrifice fly. Taylor Christopher took the win for KC, lasting three and twothirds innings, allowing eight hits and five runs while striking out three and walking one. Devyn Power started the game pitching for Rangers, going three and a third innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits. KC tallied two home runs on the
day with Hailey Nash hitting a homer in the sixth inning and Kelsey Ahart hitting a home run in the second inning. The Rangers racked up 14 hits in the game with Tori Tovar, Alyssa Maldonado, Christina Herrera, Nash and Ahart each had multiple hits. Maldonado and Tovar each collected three hits to lead KC. Centenary College-JV had 16 hits in the game. -KCPR
Due to the inclement weather, the KC Softball team has canceled seven doubleheaders total . Yasmine Wilson / THE FLARE
March Softball Schedule 2 - 4 Region XIV Crossover Tournament - Lear Park in Longview 9 Friday - Northeast Texas CC - Kilgore 17 Saturday - Trinity Valley CC - Kilgore 18 Sunday - Tyler Junior College - Tyler 21 Wednesday Paris Junior College - Paris 24 Saturday - Angelina College Kilgore 28 WednesdayBossier Parish CC Bossier City, LA 30 Friday Navarro College Corsicana
THE FLARE
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 n PAGE 5
From brushes to blades
KC art major jams on the roller derby rink ALLISON TALIAFERRO Managing Editor
Kori Stroud/ THE FLARE
Tori Fenton a Longview freshman and an art major spends weekends at the rink with her roller derby team Madams of Mayhem competing for the win. Fenton is known as NoTORIous Smallz the jammer.
NoTORIous Smallz uses her elbows and her persona to jam her way through the opponents to score. You can find art major Tori Fenton, Longview freshman, using her speed to her full advantage on the Madams of Mayhem Roller Derby Team. “I only started six months ago, so it just kind of came up fast,” said Fenton. She has been hooked since she has joined, and plans on staying with the team for as long as she can. “As a kid I skated in roller rinks and over the years it has just been popping up in movies and newspapers, so I’ve always been interested,” Fenton said. Fenton is a jammer, which means she is in the team’s scoring position. “Roller derby doesn’t require a certain size, strength, or skill level. You join and everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. If you’re small like me, your bones are going to hurt the people in your way,” she said, referring to things like sharp elbows. Fe n t o n’s size is also “Roller derby beneficial for was not a huge other reasons. “I am also step out of my nimble on my comfort zone, feet. I am fast but it is for a and quick. That lot of people.” is why I am a —Tori Fenton jammer. Bigger girls … serve better purposes at getting the other teammates out of the way. They’re good blockers. They’re stronger in that area,” she said. Fenton uses roller derby as an outlet for her day-to-day pressures. “When you go to roller derby it is a stress-free zone. When you go in there you practice, you have fun, and you learn. You take a lot of aggression out while you’re doing it too,” Fenton said. After swimming, and playing softball and volleyball in high school, competition was right up NoTORIous Smallz’ alley. “Roller derby was not a huge step out of my comfort zone, but it is for a lot of people,” she said. “It is
where it’s at for me, I like skating. Roller derby just runs all in with what I like to do,” Fenton said. Being the team’s jammer is a challenging task. “It is very much a contact sport, so just being a jammer, and learning how to jam, you get hurt… but it’s fun.” The Madams of Mayhem practice every Monday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and then play a Saturday game. The team has gear available for those who might be interested in joining them, but participants will eventually have to purchase their own if they continue. The first time Fenton remembers getting on skates was when she was five years old. “I wasn’t that great, but I skated through my childhood. It had been a couple of years since I started skating with my team that I had been on skates,” Fenton said. Fenton hopes to get her name out there while she is with the Madams of Mayhem. “I want to keep practicing and keep getting better and hopefully be known by a lot of people, so that they can be interested enough to come watch and see us play,” she said. According to Fenton, the team’s biggest accomplishment was at their last game in Tyler a few weeks ago. “We had so many people show up and we made a ton of money back, so it was just a really great game and a great place for people to come and watch,” Fenton said. The style of roller derby that the Madams of Mayhem participate in is called fight track derby, which is a different style than the one seen in the movie “Whip-It” starring Ellen Page. “I was interested in roller derby before I even started, it even came down to the movies such as “Whipit”. “Whip-It” is old-school derby, it is different but it is interesting,” Fenton said. Fenton plans to transfer to a university to study art after she finishes at KC. Other than roller derby, Fenton draws inspiration from folk music and art. There are many layers to NoTORIous Smallz other than her roller derby jamming legacy.
Kori Stroud/ THE FLARE
Veteran player Cherokee Chaos gives first game advice to NoTORIous Smallz at the Flores Center in Tyler against the South Side Girls.
Lonnie Ross/ THE FLARE
The Madams of Mayhem team come around the corner with Fenton on the outside at the Flores Center in Tyler. They competed against South Side Girls for the opener.
ROLLER DERBY RULES n Pivot - Know this player by the stripe on his/her helmet. He/she leads the squad of blockers into combat, setting the pack speed and barking out orders. He/She also gets to take penalties earned by the group. n Blockers - Blockers attempt to stop the opposing team’s jammer while helping their own jammer through the pack. The Blockers and Pivot must form a pack and cannot take action if more than 20 feet from the pack. n Jammer - Look for the stars on his/her helmet and expect great speed. It’s the Jammer’s job to score all the points, which he/she does by lapping opposing players.
Lonnie Ross/ THE FLARE
The Skaters thank the supporters for attending the Derby at the Flores Center in Tyler where they competed against the South Side Girls.
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 n PAGE 6
THE FLARE
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FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 n PAGE 7
YOUR VIEW
The Student Newspaper of Kilgore College Since 1936
What are some of the ways that clubs and organizations benefit KC students?
Vol. 81 • No. 16 Photos by Brooke Harris / THE FLARE
Friday, March 2, 2018
Executive Editor Lucas Strough Managing Editor Allison Taliaferro Assistant Editor Lonnie Ross Copy Editor Sarah Redford
“Clubs help you make friends easier. They help make connections in the school and the community.”
Features Editor Lisa Harris
Angela Arredondo Longview sophomore
Staff Writers Adriana Cisneros, Cassidy Daniel, Claire Feng, Tony Gore, Jamie Hwang, Quan Le, Nelda Milligan-Turner, Javier Orta, Alec Reyes, Keaton Shelley, Rahsaan Sheppard, Chris Williams, Yasmine Wilson Photographers Maria Cabrera, Whitney Ervin, Grace Garcia, Brooke Harris, Lonnie Ross, Keaton Shelley, Kori Stroud, Lucas Strough, Gabriel Wade, Mary Williams-Smith, Grant Worley
“The benefits the clubs and organizations can have on someone is the ability to interact with others and having good communication skills is important in the real world.” Eldrin Abston Longview sophomore
Adviser Rachel Stallard
“It’s great for meeting people on and off campus. They are also a great way to gain access to more opportunities in the community and to gain access to ways to further your college career, as well as future employment.” Dee Danvers Kilgore sophomore
“Clubs provide a great way to be involved in school activities.” Giovani Espinosa Henderson sophomore
o n e - of - u s Photo Illustration by Mary Williams-Smith / THE FLARE
Clubs, organizations get students involved on campus Going to college often means leaving behind all that is familiar. New places, new faces and new situations are the norm. Nothing is the same and this can be hard to manage. Meeting new people with the same interests will often help with homesickness or feeling alone in a new environment. KC offers a wide range of clubs and organizations. There is a club for gaming enthusiasts and one for international students. There is also one for anime fanatics and for those who enjoy comic books. The organizations run the gamut from band to Rangerettes to KC’s newspaper, The Flare.
Different demographics, such as veterans, also meet with one another. This diversity ensures that there is something for each student to do besides homework. And, if there is not a club or organization that piques your interest, there are guidelines in place to form a new one that will be a perfect fit. While homework is essential, it is also important to have some down time. Having fun and socializing with peers is part of the college experience. Being around like -minded people will not only alleviate loneliness but it will also widen one’s friend base. Think about joining a
group that is outside of your interests. New ideas and skills are there for the taking and learning new things is often a great way to keep one’s mind off the fact that home, and family, are many miles away. When joining a club or organization, it is critical to participate. It does no good to join if events are never attended. Most events and meetings are published in “The Flare” or on the KC website or app. Along with participating, get more involved. Become on officer, coordinate an event, volunteer with projects and recruiting new members. KC holds Preview Day each year. This event
includes the clubs and organizations that are established on campus. It is a perfect way to see what is available, gather information and see what is offered to members. Having everyone gather in one place offers the perfect opportunity to see if one’s interests are represented, and if not, to talk to those who can help get a group up and running. Being in the middle of an unknown environment, with a bunch of people that are unfamiliar can be stressful. Joining a KC club or organization is one way to lessen the stress and have fun in the doing.
In gun safety debate, more than one solution needed “Look forward.” I first heard of this response following the Sandy Hook school shooting and again two weeks ago, as I pored over a newspaper article in the quiet of a church pew following Wednesday night services. When you leave a school following a shooting spree, you are often told to look forward. Don’t look at the damage around you, don’t look in that classroom, look forward. I read this first in an account of Sandy Hook, and once again from a student being evacuated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14. My first encounter with a school shooting came with the news of Newtown, Connecticut all of those years ago. In a moment, the walls of my high school journalism classroom in Kilgore felt less like a sanctuary and more like a war zone and shots were never even fired. In the weeks following, I participated in
my first active shooter drill, I pored over articles, watched too many news clips of grieving parents and asked
CASSIDY DANIEL
STAFF WRITER
a lot of questions that began with “Why?” Why children? Why a school? Why can’t it stop? Again, I asked myself “why?” in June 2015 when nine lives where lost inside the safety of a church in Charleston, South Carolina. Or in June 2016, when 49 lives were lost to an act of terrorism and hate in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. I asked “why?” when 58 people lost their lives in Las Vegas, Nevada in October of 2017, and again,
one month later, when 26 innocent lives where taken while attending church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Now, as Parkland, Florida grieves the loss of 17 students to a senseless tragedy, I again ask myself “why?” I don’t have the answer and I don’t know if I ever will. But I know that we are all scared: for the safety of our children, of the unknown, and of someone taking our guns away. We’re scared that it’s too close to home. Not only are we scared, we’re divided. We pushed policy change and opinion before the death tally was totaled. We don’t listen, we just want to be heard. Truthfully, we all want the same thing and that’s to see our loved ones make it home safely. From high schools and elementary schools and the workplace and lecture hall - we want to come home tonight. I think back to that Wednesday night two weeks
go and the 65 or so students who surrounded me. I can’t imagine 17 of them not being there, and I won’t. So I look forward. Not at the constant debate around me or the latest tragic headline. I look forward to the day when my years aren’t marked by mass casualty. I look forward to the day I feel safe sending my baby sister off to school. We have to look forward, together. We believe that we have the power to make change, but we have to do it together. Even now, days after their classmates were lost to gun violence, students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are advocating for change and they are calling on us, the adults, to do it. We have to stop saying “you’re either with us, or against us!” when it comes to the safety of human lives. We look forward as we identify the signs of potential harm. We keep our eyes open and alert and when we see something, we say something. We don’t look
over mental illness in the classroom and we advocate for policy to prevent further casualties. We don’t just blame the gun, but we don’t brush it under the table either. We take a hard look at policy that has failed us when it comes to purchasing weapons and we talk about how we can do better (and we listen, too). We need to ask the hard questions and be brave enough to listen. We have to keep talking about how we can do better and right our wrongs. We have to decide, as a nation, that we don’t want our legacy to be gun violence . Maybe I am crazy, but I believe the American people have what it takes to make real lasting change to drastically lower the number of lives we have lost to gun violence. And I look forward to it. Cassidy Daniel is a journalism sophomore from Kilgore.
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 8 n FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018
Buzzer-beater belts the Roadrunners Go-ahead 3-pointer in final seconds adds to successful night by Lady Rangers RAHSAAN SHEPPARD Staff Writer Richelle Velez, a sophomore who has already set and broken KC’s school record for triples in a game during her last two seasons, rattled a clutch 3-pointer at the buzzer Wednesday to raise the Lady Rangers to a 71-70 Region XIV Conference win over the Angelina College Roadrunners. KC trailed most of the game and was in danger of having their four-game winning streak snapped by an Angelina team that lost four straight heading into the outing Wednesday but with 2:48 left in the fourth quarter a clutch triple by Danielle Meador gave the Lady Rangers hope. Jade Thurmon added a jumper to the comeback trial and dished a pass to Alicia Mardis for a bucket to tie the outing at 68-68 with 1:08 to play. Thurmon went to the bench on an intentional foul sending Angelina’s Charisma Shepherd to the free throw line with 29.1 to play. Shepherd hit one of two free throws. Shepherd later knocked down one of
two from the line with 13.6 seconds left in the outing to give the Lady Roadrunners a 70-68 lead. The Lady Rangers pushed the ball down the floor and missed multiple shots, coming away with the rebound multiple times and eventually kicking the ball out to Velez behind the three point line where she specializes, who released the ball with 0.2 seconds left at the buzzer rattling it home as KC and the fans storms the court. The win moves the Lady Rangers to 19-9 overall and 13-6 in the conference with one regular season game remaining Saturday March 3, 2018 home against Trinity Valley at 2 p.m. Thurmon finished with 31 against Angelina, adding eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Velez scored 18 on the night, nine coming in the fourth quarter. Patience Idoko and Meador added five apiece, with Idoko snagging 13 rebounds and Meador adding nine. Mardis scored four, Alex Strawhorn and Hennesey Handy three apiece and Alexus Moore two.
Grant Worley/ THE FLARE
Clockwise from the top: KC fans take selfies with the team after storming the floor following Wednesday’s exciting finish. The Lady Rangers took a 71-70 victory over the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners at the Cancer Awareness game. In addition to the big win, the team raised $10,000 for the American Cancer Society with their “We Give a Hoot” fund-raiser. Jade Thurmon makes a jump shot over a Lady Roadrunner defender during a close match at Masters Gym. The freshman and sophomore Dance Club members tip-off for a courtesy game during halftime events The Rangerette Swingsters perform during halftime. Coach Anna Nimz hugs player Patience Idoko following the team’s victory. Patience Idoko dives for a loose ball as Alex Strawhorn guards.
Grant Worley/ THE FLARE
Grant Worley/ THE FLARE
Grant Worley/ THE FLARE
Grant Worley/ THE FLARE
Lonnie Ross/ THE FLARE