Issue 5 Vol. 77 10-11-2013

STARK Hall or STANK Hall?

MAEGAN MITCHELL Senior Writer The smell of day-old urine and feces filled Stark Hall on Monday after a toilet valve became stuck early Sunday morning, flooding the sixth floor.

Due to the smell, water and fecal matter, some residents left to stay with friends while some were forced to stay in their dorm rooms.

Stark Hall houses most KC football players and because of a 10:30 p.m. team curfew, those who left had to return Sunday.

The tainted water that overflowed was more than the floor drains could handle said Edward Williams, director of residential life and student activities.

Williams said he received a call from Brett Droutman, resident assistant, around 3:45 a.m. Sunday.

“We had a stopped-up toilet… [it was] a bad time for the flush valve to stick open too,” Williams said. “We unstopped the toilet and cut the water off… I then called Marci’s – which is the custodial company we contract out to - at 4:08 a.m.”

Homecoming PAGE 8

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FLARE WINS STATE, NATIONAL AWARDS Page 6 @

See FLOOD on Page 6

The Flare

Friday, October 11, 2013 Vol. 77 No. 5

Homeless

Bound

THE FLARE

Gus LaFosse holds up

A

CHRISTINE RITTER • Staff Writer

rmed only with an extra set of clothes, a KC English instructor voluntarily goes homeless even during the harshest weather.

Before Gus LaFosse experienced what it was like to live on the street, he planned to start a community house for the homeless.

When talking to a homeless friend about his idea, the friend replied it was the dumbest thing he had ever heard, because LaFosse did not know what it was like to be homeless.

After seeing that LaFosse was upset with his reply, his friend invited him to “live” the homeless lifestyle.

To his surprise, LaFosse took him up on the offer.

LaFosse has gone homeless a total of four months since 2011.

After locking up his house, he takes an extra set of clothes, a few books and hits the streets to see what the

homeless go through every day.

He leaves emergency money at a community house within walking distance in case he or a friend gets sick.

He says that it is depressing to think about people who do not have anyone to help.

“It motivates me and reminds me that there is really a problem that needs a solution,” said LaFosse. The way LaFosse sees it, ignoring the problem won’t make it go away.

See HOMELESS on Page 6

FACE IN THE CROWD

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

Austin Head

The Flare

2

PA G E

NOTEBOOK

Oct. 11 – Nov. 4

FRIDAY, October 11 PIANO PERFORMANCE

BY BRAD BAKER 2 p.m., Fine Arts 103 KC FIT AND GOOD SHEPERD MEDICAL CENTER MOBILE BREAST CENTER 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Devall Student Center, west end parking lot THE ELEPHANT MAN PERFORMANCE 7:30 p.m., Van Cliburn Auditorium SATURDAY, October 12 RANGER FOOTBALL VS. NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA A&M COLLEGE 3 p.m., R.E. St. John Stadium HOMECOMING DANCE (STUDENT ACTIVITY) 9 p.m. - midnight, DSC Ballroom RANGER SOFTBALL VS. LOUISIANA TECH/ NORTHWESTERN STATE TBA, Ruston, LA THE ELEPHANT MAN PERFORMANCE 7:30 p.m., Van Cliburn Auditorium SUNDAY, October 13 THE ELEPHANT MAN PERFORMANCE 7:30 p.m., Van Cliburn Auditorium WEDNESDAY, October 16 BOSS’ DAY LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., DSC Ballroom FRIDAY, October 18 HALL OF FAME GOLF TOURNAMENT Southern Hills Golf Course, Gladewater

How long have you been acting?...

Since elementary school.

How did you get into it?...I started acting in church plays when I was very young and loved it. In 2005 I auditioned for the play Macbeth in the Texas Shakespeare Festival and received the part of Fleance. That was my first professional acting job and I have continued acting ever since.

What all have you done to develop your acting skills?...I have worked with multiple acting coaches such as Marnie Cooper (former acting coach of Miley Cyrus and Mila Kunis) and John Pasquin (director of “George Lopez” and “The Santa Clause”). I took many acting workshops and classes across America from New York to LA. What are some of your other hobbies and talents?...I also sing.

I am a member of the KC Choral and KC Cameratta Singers. I am The Voice of the Rangerettes so I announce them at the games. And I own my own lawn business called A & H Lawn Services, so that keeps me pretty busy!

What opportunities have you

Age: 20 Sophomore Kilgore Major: Business/Theatre

gotten to put your acting skills to use?...I have been blessed with so many opportunities to act! Just last year I signed with an agency called “The Agency Dallas,” and have received many great opportunities with that. I was the MC for this past Rangerette Revels “The Rangerette Express.” In August I shot my first music video with Forever the Sickest Kids called “Nikki,” and the video is out now!

What do you plan to do when you leave KC?...I’m not sure yet. I plan on applying to schools in Texas, New York and maybe LA, but I have no idea when or where I’m going yet.

Kristopher Dobbins/ THE FLARE

Small business sessions offered Ex-Marine TORY VAN BLARCUM Features Editor Two seminars are being offered this month for business sales forces and managers, by the KC Small Business Development Center and the Longview Economic Development Corporation.

The first seminar is called “High Performance Sales Training: Learn to Crush Your Competition!”

This event is set for 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at LEDC, 410 N. Center Street.

The seminar will cover key techniques to make a sales team more effective such as, the sales cycle, defining your market, referrals and closing the sale.

Entry to the event is $99.

The second seminar is called “Leading the Lazy.”

This event will take place 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Maude Cobb Convention Center in Longview, 100 Grand Blvd.

John Grubbs, founder of the company GCI, will instruct this seminar. GCI is an international

training and consulting firm with clients around the world. He will be speaking about why the management techniques of the past simply will not suffice and share evidence of how younger workforce impact every business.

Entry to the event is $99.

Seating is limited to both seminars.

To register or receive more information, call the SBDC at 903757-5857 or 800-338-7232.

Also, visit their website at KilgoreSBDC.com or follow @ KCSBDC on twitter.

SATURDAY, October 19 HALL OF FAME LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., DSC Ballroom RANGER FOOTBALL VS. SE PREP (HALL OF FAME) 3 p.m., R.E. St. John Stadium MONDAY, October 21 QUEST II COURSES Oct. 21 - Dec.13 SATURDAY, October 26 RANGER FOOTBALL VS. TYLER JR. COLLEGE 3 p.m., Tyler RANGER SOFTBALL VS. HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Houston SUNDAY, October 27 KC CHEER COMPETITION 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Masters Gym/Carpeted Gym, Aerobic Floor TUESDAY, October 29 CHILDREN’S OPERA PERFORMANCE “THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES” 7:30 p.m., Dodson Auditorium WEDNESDAY, October 30 CHILDREN’S OPERA PERFORMANCE “THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES” 7:30 p.m, Dodson Auditorium THURSDAY, October 31 BLOOD DRIVE 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., DSC Ballroom TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY VISITING RECRUITER Noon - 2 p.m., Devall Student Center RANGER AMBASSADOR BAKE SALE 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., DSC Hallway CHILDREN’S OPERA PERFORMANCE “THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES” 7:30 p.m, Dodson Auditorium FRIDAY, November 1 SPRING FINANCIAL AID DEADLINE CHILDREN’S OPERA PERFORMANCE “THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES” 1:30 p.m, Dodson Auditorium MONDAY, November 4 SPRING ADVISEMENT/ REGISTRATION FOR CURRENT STUDENTS Nov. 4 - Dec. 4

Let’s get

E

Randi Vinson Davis/ THE FLARE

rowdy For more

Randi Vinson Davis/ THE FLARE

First round of flag football comes to end The first round of the intramural flag football came to an end Tuesday.

The Juggernauts beat the Police Academy 32-0 and will advance to the second round of the winner’s bracket to face Squad.

The second round got underway as the Ruff Riders advance to the finals of the winner’s bracket beating the Back Ups 38-27.

The Loony Tunes will play We Are White Oak on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Oct.

15 in the first round of the loser’s bracket.

The winner will play the winner of the Police Academy and the Back Ups. ~ Miles Marable III

signing books at KC library JORDAN BAIRD Staff Writer

Former U.S. Marine Micheal Dan Kellum, a Longview resident, is scheduled to speak about his Vietnam War books at 2 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 14 at Watson Library.

He will sell and sign books after the presentation.

Kellum served as a Marine infantry lieutenant in Vietnam in 1970. He enlisted in the Marines in October 1967 and later was offered a commission to become an officer through the Enlisted Commissioning Program.

“I had the unique perspective of seeing the Marine Corps from the enlisted and officer ranks,” Kellum said.

Kellum lost a friend and fellow Marine that he had known from the beginning of his service from a booby trap while on a night time patrol.

“It was the hardest thing I experienced and one of many stories that inspired me to write these books, so people would never forget the service and sacrifices of good young men like Charlie Fraley,” Kellum said.

After exiting the Marines, Kellum returned to college at Stephen F. Austin State University to receive a bachelor’s in communications with an emphasis in journalism and a secondary major in English.

Kellum spent several years working at East Texas newspapers in Longview, Jacksonville, Atlanta and Rusk. Kellum began writing his books in 1989.

It took him 21 years of research, interviews and writing to finally go to print in 2011. Kellum submitted the first three chapters of his original manuscript to the few publishing houses that would accept admissions for first time authors. After being rejected by numerous publishers, he began to rethink the configuration of his books.

Kellum finally decided to look into self-publishing through a publishing house in Colorado.

Eventually, he split his one long book into two and they were sent to printers in Tennessee and Ingram Distributing for publishing.

His two books, “Books I & II, American Heroes: Grunts, Pilots & Docs’” earned top honors in the Military category of the 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Contest in May. Also “Book I” garnered a tie for second place in autobiography and first place in biography in the Stars & Flags Book Contest this past November in Branson, Missouri. His books include names and stories of 1,019 Marines and 42 Navy Corpsmen. Kellum wrote his story and those of others to honor them for their service and sacrifice.

“I figure we were all put on this earth for a reason, and the same goes for surviving a terrible war on the other side of the earth,” Kellum said. “I think my purpose was to write these books to tell these young men’s stories so they’ll never be forgotten.”

NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

3

CAMPUS SAFETY

New chief walks beat Ex-TVCC head takes helm of KCPD Oct. 1 MAEGAN MITCHELL Senior Writer

KC

Police Chief Heath Cariker made his rounds to become acquainted with the campus last Thursday.

The new chief was pleased with the overall first impression of the campus and KCPD. “I like the campus… it reminds me of a small university. The facilities are just really good for a community college,” Cariker said. “You don’t see a lot of school spirit or school history at community colleges, but as for here at KC you do.”

He said people are already approaching and calling him chief. He added that complete strangers are asking if he needs help with anything.

Cariker comes from Trinity Valley Community College where he served as chief of police as well.

He brings with him the belief that every police department should be professional and have standards.

“When you get a new chief it is kind of like when you get a new head coach,” Cariker said. “We aren’t going to change the game, but we may change the plays we run.”

Armed with the previous chief ’s general orders manual, Cariker is planning on improving KCPD officers’ skills in investigation, report writing and follow ups.

“I always tell guys that there are two things that make or break an officer,” Cariker said.

“It’s the difference between what you say and what you write.”

Shelbi Crews / THE FLARE

Vehicles week.

Parking adequate, not always easy KC looking to upgrade south parking KASSIDY TAYLOR & MAEGAN MITCHELL Staff Writers

“

Shelby Ragland / THE FLARE

I like the campus... it reminds me of a small university.”

– Heath Cariker, KC police chief

KC students come from all over East Texas to attend classes.

Some have to travel an hour or more before class starts so they can be assured of a parking space.

“There is adequate parking, though it may not be as convenient as everyone would prefer. Each year our folks evaluate student headcount and compare that data with the number of spaces available,” said Dr. Mike Jenkins, vice president of student development.

Students may have tickets given to them if they park in any parking space that is not designated for students only.

However, students may file for an appeal on a parking ticket.

Appeal forms are available in the Devall Student Center game room.

The parking issue has brought many students and staff complaints.

Some students feel as though there is not enough parking spots for everyone, thus resulting in them parking in staff or noparking zones ultimately leading to upset staff members. Incorrect parking is the top citation.

Five complete training program ASHLEY MORALES Executive Editor Five students graduated after completing a threeweek Manufacturing Technician Certificate training program Oct. 4 at Workforce Solutions East Texas in Longview.

The KC Workforce Development – Continuing Education Department assembled a team of professionals with manufacturing experience as instructors.

The class was designed by the KC Workforce Development – CED and the students were selected by Workforce Solutions.

Kristopher M. Catron, Longview; Larry W. Dixon, Longview; Gastino

Flanagan, Waskom; Danny Morrow, Longview; and Amanda Pollock, Hallsville completed the 120-hour certificate.

Graduates learned the skills needed for entry-level positions in manufacturing companies.

Training included each student learning basic technical skills such as, shop math, print reading for industry, precision measurement tools and calculations.

The curriculum also included manufacturing and assembly principles, introduction to manufacturing tools and fundamentals of electricity.

Each day included technical courses and workplace personal skills such as

teamwork, leadership topics, successful interviewing, workplace communications and employer expectations.

Joy Global Industries, Stemco of Longview and WarFab of Hallsville hosted company tours for students.

This allowed students to experience a manufacturing environment where they were able to observe applications of skills learned in the classroom.

For information about the content and training requirements for a Manufacturing Technician Certificate from KC, contact Eva McClellan at 903-9887426 or email emcclellan@ kilgore.edu.

Food drive underway KASSIDY TAYLOR Web Editor The Woodfin Center’s first Thanksgiving Food Drive began Oct. 9 and continues to Nov. 11. Donations should be non-spoiling food items, toiletries or paper products.

Donors may drop off the items at the Woodfin Center or they may email schall@ kilgore.edu to have items

picked up. The donations will be delivered to the Helping Hands of Kilgore Food Pantry, which is a nonprofit organization.

Their goal is to make a difference and lend a helping hand to others in the community.

All donations will go toward helping needy families in the area have a better holiday season.

Check us out online at

“People want to show up late and park up close,” KCPD Lt. Tony Means said. “It isn’t logical.”

Means wants all students to know The Back Porch parking lot is KC property and students will not be towed if they use this area.

The Shakespeare Building parking lot, located on the corner of Houston Street and Broadway Boulevard, also has plenty of spaces for students to park.

As for parking in staff parking, most tickets issued to students parking in staff areas are a result of staff members calling in complaints.

“If there is golden or fluorescent paint on the spot, you as a student probably don’t belong there,” Means said. “That is my numberone piece of advice.”

Students need to arrive early enough to park up close or to have enough time to walk to class.

“We are currently working with an architectural firm to possibly update our facilities master plan,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said the plan will help guide administration on addressing a whole host of facility upgrades.

“One of the focal points I hope to see in that effort is an upgrade to our south parking,” Jenkins said.

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SPORT S

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

Started from the After 3 attempts Smith vaults to top RB position MILES MARABLE III Staff Writer

KC

running back Eddie Smith was not a fivestar athlete coming out of South Grand Prairie High School.

He was not highly recruited. In the fall of 2012 he found himself at KC, not playing football for the first time since he was 8 years old.

“I hated it!” Said Smith. “I thought not playing would be fine, but I really wanted to be on the team. I just took the time to focus more on my academics since I wasn’t playing football.”

It took Smith three different tryouts just to get an opportunity to make the team.

Head football coach J.J. Eckert finally gave him a chance and told Smith to come play spring football, after the second spring tryout.

“I don’t know if the expectations were anything other than just giving a guy an opportunity,” Eckert said. Eckert described Smith as being relentless and persistent and said that he could tell Smith really wanted a chance.

After not making it the first two tryouts, Smith still believed he had what it took to play college football. “I just told myself, ‘I got to get better,’” he said.

Smith thought about the possibility of his football career being over, but he also looked at it from another prospective.

“It’s just me saying I got to push myself,” Smith said. “I know I’m good at football; if I’m not good enough to make the team then I just have to push myself.”

Smith was the sixth running back on the depth chart at the beginning of spring ball.

“When I first got there, I thought they were kind of treating me like, ‘you’re just an extra body,’” Smith said. “So I felt I had to prove them wrong. Every chance I got that Eckert gave me, I never wasted it.”

Smith did just that and worked his way up to first-string running back by the second week of spring football.

“That was my goal as soon as I saw that I was sixth-string.” Smith said.

By the end of spring workouts, Smith was offered a scholarship to play football for KC in the fall.

“I think he’s got a ‘want-to’ that’s very high,” Eckert said. “I think he wants to be successful. I think he wants to get an education. I think he wants to be a successful football player. And anytime you’ve got a guy that’s got all those attributes on his side in regards to wanting to succeed, most of the time those guys do that.”

After six games Smith is averaging 4.3 yards a carry with 475 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

At 5-feet 9-inches and 200 pounds, Smith hopes to transfer to a Division I school and continue playing college football. Coach Eckert has high hopes for Smith and says he sees him playing college ball on a higher level.

Smith is a Grand Prairie sophomore majoring in automotive body collision.

He passed 24 hours in just the spring alone with a 3.27 GPA. “He’s a real student athlete in regards to the fact that he focuses real hard on his academic side of things, and he’s really been a blessing to our football team,” Eckert said.

Smith is scheduled to graduate in the summer of 2014, and already has an internship waiting for him in Dallas.

Part of Smith’s motivation comes from thinking about all the people who have helped him get to this point.

“It would be kind of sad if I don’t come out with anything positive,” Smith said. “I don’t ever want to be a bum or broke, honestly. I don’t ever want to be at the bottom. I’ve gotten so much help and everything, I need to repay people and just be able to do for myself and my family.”

bottom

Kristopher Dobbins / THE FLARE

returns a punt against Blinn Saturday night.

KC falls short to Blinn DEVIN BROOKS Sports Writer

Tory Van Blarcum / THE FLARE

Eddie Smith never gave up on playing football, but when he started in the spring he was the sixth-string running back for KC. Now he is the leading rusher.

“

I think he’s a guy that hasn’t been given anything in life, so he doesn’t walk around expecting someone to give him something.”

— J.J. Eckert, Head Football Coach

KC was unable to secure a homecoming win as the Rangers fell to the Blinn College Buccaneers, 22-17. BC’s rushing attack ran all over KC. Quarterback Tanner Tausch was inactive for KC due to injury, so backup quarterback Averion Hurts took the snaps for KC in this game.

On KC’s first offensive possession, he led KC down the field to the 21-yard line. From there running back Jaylon Brown rushed for the touchdown, giving KC their first score of the game with 7:40 left in the quarter.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive lineman Cliff Butler stayed busy. After Blinn fumbled and recovered the snap, Butler broke through the Blinn offensive line and sacked quarterback Garry Kimble II for a 15-yard loss. But on the next play, Blinn converted on third down to move the chains for the first down. Nine plays later, running back Klartel Claridy punched in the touchdown from the 4-yard line, which evened up the score at 7, with 12:23 left in the second.

After a KC three-and-out, Blinn running back Spencer Cowley ran in for the 2-yard touchdown with 7:04 left in the first half. Blinn converted on the 2-point play and led KC 15-7.

Following the kickoff, cornerback Michael Mathis intercepted Kimble’s pass on the 40- yard line.

KC offense answered as kicker Luis Sanchez made a 30-yard field goal to trim the lead to 15-10 with 59 seconds left in the half. Blinn led KC 15-10 at halftime.

KC wasted no time putting points on the board to start the second half. Hurts connected with receiver Morris Williams for the three-yard touchdown. That was Hurts’ first touchdown pass of the game and the season. KC regained the lead 17-15 with 12:17 left in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, both teams were fighting for their lives. On third and two, Butler once again ran over Blinn’s offensive line and sacked Kimble for a loss of 14 yards on the big play. The momentum of the game changed, and KC was back in control of the game.

KC was in a position to increase its slim lead when Hurts threw an interception into the end zone.

Blinn would score with 10:15 left to take back the lead 22-17.

KC had one last drive to regain the lead but came up short as Hurts went deep on third and fourth downs and couldn’t connect with his receivers.

Hurts was 13-22 for 164 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

KC will face Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 3 p.m. Saturday at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium.

Rangers in must-win situation against NEO MILES MARABLE III Staff Writer The Rangers hope to rebound after a close loss to Blinn College as they face Northeast Oklahoma A&M, last year’s Southwest Junior College Football Conference regular season champion at 3 p.m. Saturday at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium.

After the loss Coach Eckert said there are a lot of areas where the Rangers need improvement.

“It was one of those games that you expect

to be a close football game; you expect to have a chance to win,” Eckert said. “We just didn’t make the plays down the stretch to give us a chance to be successful.”

While it was a close game, many mental mistakes plagued the Rangers.

“It was a hard-fought football game,” Eckert said. “I thought both teams competed very hard. We lost the turnover battle two-to-one and as a result it’s hard to beat equal teams whenever you lose the turnover battle.”

NEO is 2-4 with a 0-3 conference record and comes into the game averaging just under 34

MORE SPORTS For quicker access to scores and complete game coverage, see

points per game and giving up an average of 32.5 points per game.

KC is 2-4 with a 2-2 conference record averaging just over 22 points a game and is giving up an average of 27.5 points per game.

KC must win this game in order to stay alive for the SWJCF conference playoffs.

Coach Eckert said every game is a must win, and that his team has not been playing with a sense of urgency that they need.

Through six games this year, KC has yet to win back-to-back games, and in order to make the SWJCF Conference playoffs they

must win their last two conference games — starting with NEO. “We haven’t been a great tackling team; we haven’t been a great blocking team,” Eckert said, “and usually when you are those two things you’re successful. With that being said, we’re going to have to get back to the fundamental aspects of football. We’re going to have to do a better job of taking care of the football and creating more turnovers.”

KC will play Southeast Prep at 3 p.m.

Saturday Oct. 19 for the last home game of the season.

KC Rangers (2-4, 2-2) vs. Northeast Oklahoma A&M (2-4, 0-3) 3 p.m. Saturday; R. E. Saint John Memorial Stadium Last Meeting: L 21-42 (Oct. 13, 2012 in Okla.)

SPORT S

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

5

BASKETBALL PREVIEW Lady Rangers bring in new faces, new hopes DEVIN BROOKS Sports Writer

Kristopher Dobbins / THE FLARE

Former Ranger guard Chinedu Amajoyi goes for a layup.

Big shoes to fill Rangers hope to improve on 27-6 campaign JEFFERY JAMERSON II Staff Writer Coach Brian Hoberecht’s young guns have big shoes to fill as the new season arises.

After going 27-6 last year, reaching the national tournament, and ending the season three games away from the championship game, expectations are high for a new group of men coming in.

“I think our guys are off to a really good start,” Hoberecht said. “I think they are working hard. I think they’ve got the right things in perspective and the team chemistry.

The attention to detail has been really good here early and so we’re growing daily in a real positive direction.”

KC won the conference regular season championship and made it to the second round of the National Junior College Athletic Association championship tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. last year. KC is ranked 24th in preseason polls.

“I think rankings help drive fan support,” Hoberecht said. “I think rankings are fun at the start of the year to generate conversation and excitement; the value that it really has on the basketball season, none.”

KC returns two players from last year’s squad — Kalif Wright and Chris Gracela.

Wright averaged 7.4 points a game and Gracela averaged 3.8 points per game. The team has been practicing about two weeks.

“I think our guys are off to a really good start,” Hoberecht said. “I think they are working hard. I think they’ve got the right things in perspective and the team chemistry, the attention to detail have been really good here early, and so we’re growing daily in a real positive direction.”

KC scrimmaged three of the top 25 junior college teams in the nation last week. They won two of the three games they played.

They scrimmage Collin County in Dallas Saturday.

As he does every season, Hoberecht plans to challenge his team based on their strengths and weaknesses.

“I think our drive and focus will be challenging this team to get the absolute most out of themselves and play the best basketball that we can at the right times of the year so that we can give ourselves an opportunity to win a championship, so we can give ourselves an opportunity to get to the national tournament,” he said.

TIPOFF

Ranger Softball splits again in set against NTCC Lions DEVIN BROOKS Sports Writer The KC softball team battled the North Texas Central College Lions last Wednesday and split a pair of games. They lost the opener, 7-2, and won the second game, 3-1.

In the first game, third baseman Lakin Kerby and outfielder Alex Aguilar scored a run and had one hit apiece for the game.

First baseman Lexi Lopez and Ali Harvey were responsible for driving Kerby and Aguilar home as they had one RBI each.

Pitchers Kara Courtney and Katie Abshire pitched seven innings combined with 19 first-pitch strikes and three strikeouts.

The Rangers were in full control of the second game. Abshire and third baseman Keke Hunter had two hits and one RBI each.

Kayla Calvert pitched four innings; she had 10 first-pitch strikes and two strikeouts during her time on the mound.

Abshire did damage from the mound as well. She had seven first-pitch strikes and

retired four batters through three innings of work.

The Rangers played the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks Wednesday in Nacogdoches. They will also take on Louisiana Tech at 11 a.m. Saturday in Ruston, La.

The Lady Rangers basketball team has been practicing full swing for two weeks, and they’re looking forward to a successful season this year.

Last year’s squad had a season record of 11-14, and 6-10 in conference.

The team made it to the Regional XIV Tournament and lost in the quarterfinals.

The Lady Rangers are a young team this year.

Forwards Destiney Coley and Da’Moneyca Spivey are the two returning players from last year’s team, while Alexis Hill, Danesha Richardson, and Sha’Georgia Williams transferred into KC. There are 14 players on the team — nine freshmen and five sophomores.

Head Coach Roy Thomas believes that if his team can play as a whole, they will be able to achieve many things.

“I know that the start of the season is going to be a little rocky because of all the new faces, but the main thing I want out of my team is that they play together,” he said. “I want them to put all their individual talents together. The key is teamwork.”

Thomas wants his team to be fully concentrated on the game of basketball. “ Rebounding and teamwork is the key to winning games, and the team has to be concentrated on all skills of the game,” he said. “They also need to take care of their academic responsibilities so they will be able to play basketball

Kristopher Dobbins / THE FLARE

Former Lady Ranger Kiera Phipps up and under a defender as she attempts to score. this season. Academics are very important.”

The team practices are going well and they’re competing every day, Thomas said. Thomas said he wants the team to get used to playing other

teams, so that they will be better as a whole when conference play begins.

The Lady Rangers will participate in the Dave Neely Scrimmage Friday in Frisco, so Thomas will get to see how the team stands.

6

NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

Rangerette re-creation TORY VAN BLARCUM Features Editor

SPECIAL TO THE FLARE

HOMELESS:

Travel back to the 1940s with the Rangerettes.

The Rangerettes will recreate the original field routine that Gussie Nell Davis debuted in September 1940.

It will be a performance straight out the ’40s.

They will perform the original entrance, officer strut and wear

uniforms similar to the originals with the longer skirts.

In an effort to go back in time, the Rangerettes and filmmakers ask fans to dress as if they’re in the 1940s. This translates to suits, dresses, wedged heels, highwaisted shorts, and tight curled hair.

The production called the “Rangerette Redux.”

It is being filmed for the documentary “Sweethearts of the

IF YOU GO

Gridiron,” directed by Chip Hale.

The performance is 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium and is free to attend.

Publications sweep junior college awards FROM STAFF REPORTS

FROM PAGE 1 LaFosse’s first venture was a week on the streets in Shreveport during the winter of 2011. He spent three weeks in Dallas in the summer of 2012, and a month in Shreveport in the winter of that year.

He plans to go homeless again this winter in Oklahoma City.

When LaFosse makes the transition from instructor to a homeless man, he spends a lot of his time reading and writing.

Often he does this in city libraries where he updates a blog using the computers so he can keep people informed about his experience.

LaFosse says libraries are a popular place for homeless people, because there is heating and cooling; with an ID there is computer access.

“Go to the library and look around; there are homeless everywhere,” LaFosse said. “They want to sit down in the air conditioning and be in contact with people. Most use the computer or read; it can be a very relaxing place. They don’t find many places like that.”

This is more common in big cities, because the homeless can blend into the environment.

“In a small town, people will see you again and again, and you’ll start to get a reputation, then get looks from people,” LaFosse said.

He says this is not a comfortable position to be in. In bigger cities it is also easier to find other homeless people and shelters that accommodate them.

To LaFosse, his stints of homelessness are enlightening.

“I’m waking myself up and it motivates me to try harder.” LaFosse said.

If other people want to help, LaFosse recommends they do it with an organization and not try to do it alone, because it is not always safe.

He recommends being cautious when giving a homeless person money.

“I’m not a person to give money away,” LaFosse said. “Most times it can be more of a hurt than a help, because I don’t know what they’re going to do with it.

I might be helping to feed their addiction. I would help continue their problem and when I offer resources instead of cash, I feel like I’m helping them more.”

Even though he doesn’t like to give money away, there are exceptions.

“I have homeless friends that I know and trust; when I give them money I know what they’re going to do with it,” LaFosse said.

Pulling from his experiences, he selfpublished a book called “The Truth About Walls and Bridges.”

Copies are available through donations on his website.

Once he received a quarter through the mail from a homeless man in Houston.

The man had gotten hold of the Longview NewsJournal article about LaFosse and he wanted to help in some way.

He wrapped up a quarter and sent it along with an address asking for him to write back.

LaFosse wrote back and also sent a book.

“It was a learning experience. I met new people, gathered stories, and tried to see what more the outreach can do to help.” LaFosse said, “It really opened my eyes, and I saw the effect my attitude had on everybody. In my position I could make a real difference.”

Friendship House to open in early ’14 CHRISTINE RITTER Staff Writer Gus LaFosse, English instructor, once worked as an intern at the Common Ground, a place that assists the homeless. He was given a room to set up for the homeless to rest. In the room there was a couch, snacks and a place to wash their clothes.

LaFosse wanted to start a place exactly like that, where the homeless could enjoy the comforts of home — even through they did not have one. Now he has done just that.

“There are places set up where they eat and sleep, but the Friendship House is letting them enjoy the benefits of a home setting,” said LaFosse.

The Friendship House formerly met at different churches.

After raising enough money, supporters were able to buy a building.

LaFosse is going to take some time to redesign the interior and hopes to have it open early next year.

The Friendship House is a two-room house with a clothing room and a food pantry. LaFosse plans to serve meals and have free piano lessons.

He doesn’t want the

Friendship House to become a large operation.

It’s about just hanging out with friends.

“I have been living here for two years, and I have outdoor friends that I visit,” LaFosse said.

He’s going to invite people on an individual basis to spend some time at the Friendship House, which will be what he describes as a environment.

He would like for it to be bigger but has limited capacity.

For people who just want a meal and a place to sleep, he’s going to redirect them to larger homeless shelters.

His ultimate goal is to get his friends off the streets, but he’s trying to accomplish it in a different way. He’s focused on helping though friendship.

“I’ll be a friend if they make progress or not.”

LaFosse said. “I’ve had friends for years that haven’t made any progress at all.”

In some cases there are homeless friends who didn’t need much help at all. When somebody knew they were cared about, they were able to get up on their own.

“The goal is not to fix them, but to let them know we care about them,” LaFosse said.

The Flare newspaper and The Flare Magazine both took top honors in the Texas Community College Journalism Association’s annual contests for the 2012-2013 school year. The Flare won sweepstakes for the 23rd time in 25 years at the TCCJA convention held in Denton last week. The Flare magazine in its fourth year of publication won its fourth sweepstakes award.

The Flare newspaper received 24 awards in Division II for newspaper contest material submitted for the 2012-2013 school year when Ashton Johnson and Brittani Pfau were coexecutive editors. Bettye Craddock was in her final year as adviser both for the Flare newspaper and magazine.

The Flare Magazine earned four awards. Contest materials were submitted from the spring edition when Ashton Johnson, Ashley Morales, Brittani Pfau and Randi VinsonDavis were editors.

Five students represented KC at the TCCJA convention held on the Texas Woman’s University campus where they competed in

FROM STAFF REPORTS The Flare received 14 national awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, including five first-place awards.

This year the Gold Circle Awards attracted nearly 13,000 entries from colleges, universities and secondary schools throughout the United States. Judges cited a total of 1,780 winners for work done from June 15, 2012 through June of this year.

The Flare Staff received first place for photo story for its picture pages of Rangerette Revels: Inside Look. The staff also won third place for its layout and design of the Revels pages.

Individual 2013 Gold Circle Award Winners were: live contests, including newswriting, editorial writing, layout and design,

• Kristopher Dobbins (Kilgore) 1st place for photography portfolio • Cara Herbert (Longview) 2nd place single feature photo.

• Maegan Mitchell (Longview) 1st place in editorial page design • Jonathen Ruesch (Longview) 1st place in editorial page design; 2nd place, photo layout, single page • Brittani Pfau (White Oak) 1st place in photo layout, single page; 1st place in photo

first in layout and design and honorable mention in editorial writing. Sonia Garza placed third in feature photography.

Gary Borders is adviser for The Flare. O. Rufus Lovett is the photography adviser.

TCCJA AWARDS 1

1

of Merit, front page design • Ashton Johnson (Kilgore) design • Randi Vinson-Davis Merit, photography portfolio • Sheniece Chappell sports page design • Jordan Moss Merit, sports page design • Kelly Gillit (Gladewater)

3

advertising

news photography and feature photography.

Ashley Morales placed

FLOOD FROM PAGE 1 He also added that he spoke with the assistant manager of the custodial staff of Marci’s and cleaning up.

He said the water flowed down the stairs into the lobby. The first and sixth floor received the most water while the second through fifth floors only had water “trickling” down them.

“The custodial staff cleaned up early Sunday morning, but because of the time of day, they did not enter the individuals’ rooms because the students were sleeping or were not present,” Williams said.

However, Anthony Hatten, Hughes Spring sophomore, said the residents did not receive help in cleaning up the mess on Sunday.

“I started waking everyone up by knocking on their doors. We went outside to wait and see what the college was going to do and when we saw they weren’t going to do nothing, some guys went to stay with friends,” Hatten said. Hatten said they returned later that morning and nothing had been done.

Williams reported that the custodial staff arrived at Stark Hall around 5:30 a.m. and began removing the water in the bathrooms and hallways.

However, according to Michael Mathis, Crosby freshman, that was not the case.

“No one came Sunday morning. They didn’t come until Monday morning,” Mathis said.

Williams said he met with the custodial company Monday to discuss how the cleanup would be handled.

He said students were allowed to sign up for their rooms to be mopped and sanitized, but if they weren’t on the list, the custodians weren’t allowed to enter due to privacy laws.

He added that students who reported having to clean up their rooms on their own were not instructed to do so. “[It] is not true, and I did not instruct anyone to do that,” Williams said. “I was at the desk during that time… I do not know who told them to do that.”

According to Stark Hall

THE FLARE

Devin

Williams

residents, the dorms remained in an unsanitary condition until Monday morning and even then most cleanup had already been handled by the students.

“I had to wear a face mask and gloves while I was cleaning,” Devin Williams, Arlington sophomore, said.

“The smell was nasty.”

The water was approximately a quarterinch deep, Williams said.

There is water damage, but at this time it is unknown as to the extent of the repairs needed.

Although KC did offer a ShopVac on Sunday to students to help remove any standing water they may have in their rooms, it was said that the machine did stop working.

Because of the water, urine and floating feces, many student had to throw away many items that were on the floor.

“There was feces on the sixth floor, but turds don’t float through cracks in the wall. Just so you know sewage won’t back up to the sixth floor… It was pure water,” Edwards Williams said. “I will tell you, I did not smell urine in the water on any of the other floors.”

Mathis said the students were in a quandary.

“Our coaches finally got us to clean it up Monday. We can’t leave campus because our curfew is at 10:30,” Mathis said. “We had to fix everything so we could stay in our rooms.”

Many sixth-floor residents went to Walmart to purchase their own cleaning supplies.

“I had to spend $60 on cleaning stuff. I bought a mop, bucket, Clorox, bleach and Pine-Sol stuff to wipe everything down with… I even had to get air fresheners,” Mathis said.

Another student echoed what Mathis said.

“The smell. I couldn’t even walk up the steps without having to gag. I was thinking I was going to have to throw up everywhere,” Morris Williams II, Antioch, TN freshman, said. “It smelled like someone had just used the bathroom in the hallway and left it there. It was like being in Katrina.”

The comparison Edward Williams made was “one toilet bowl full of waste” mixed in “hundreds of gallons of water.” He said it was more than likely an undetectable amount.

KC students whose parents have homeowners insurance can file a claim as most companies will cover damages in residential halls when students are away at college. He added that the college “is not responsible for any damaged property.”

“The college told us we had to take care of our stuff that got damaged and that (they) weren’t going to do anything about it,” Hatten said. “In my eyes, it is their building, their toilet and their responsibility.”

Edward Williams said no plumber was called as it was only a matter of tapping the toilet valve shut. A work order has been placed to have the malfunctioning toilet checked.

“I don’t know if it has been followed up,” Edward Williams said Monday morning. “Those things can just stick open… they may or may not have to replace it… it may just be something they can adjust.”

Though the manner in which the Stark Hall flooding was handled is unclear, one thing is certain.

The residence of Stark Hall are unhappy with the outcome.

“This shouldn’t have happened. They should have to have insurance to replace our stuff,” Hatten said.

“It wasn’t our fault that it flooded.”

OPINION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

7

Dealing with LA way

THE FLARE ILLUSTRATION

Lee’s

Elimination of eyesore could honor long-time campus tree lover

W

What would you like to see replace the LA Building space?

hen the LA Building is finally demolished, what should be done with the space that has been an eyesore for a number

THE FLARE

YOUR VIEW

“Extra parking spaces for students.”

“A parking lot should replace it.”

Shaquille Jacobs

Dixie Burns

Longview Sophomore

Kilgore Sophomore

“I would like to see a petting zoo! I love cute animals.”

“Playground and food court.”

Amanda Tower

Josh Diaz

Longview Sophomore

Gilmer Sophomore

of years?

Well, we think everyone would agree that KC could use a little beautifying.

Sure there are a few benches and picnic tables around, but what about an area where there’s more than a picnic table and concrete?

Recently a few benches surrounding the square hedges in Lee Mall have been removed, leaving the area looking incomplete.

Lee Mall was named in honor of Davis Russell Lee, a retired maintenance employee who completed 47 years of employment on Aug. 31, 1989.

Some of Lee’s duties around campus were firing the boilers, handling the mail, mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges, weeding the flower beds and planting shrubs and trees.

When Lee came to KC, the only trees were the ones in front of Old Main.

Lee planted almost every tree on campus along with the oak and pine trees in the mall area.

Because Kilgore’s water supply was full

of chemicals that were harmful to the boilers back then, Lee had to change the water in the boilers every day and make sure they heated six campus buildings.

The LA Building’s razing should be an opportunity to further honor Lee’s dedication to keeping KC beautiful.

Expanding this area with three-part recycling bins, bird baths, a coffee bar, landscaping that includes flowers and shrubs and possibly even a statue, in replacement of the current plague, of Lee would add just that.

It would be nice to be able to sit somewhere on campus with a comfortable, smoke-free, relaxing setting.

With a few landscaping improvements, the space could turn into a common place for students to hang out, do homework and get some Vitamin D instead of being in front of the TV or locked up in their dorm room.

We just hope that the building actually comes down and when that occurs, it is not left as a concrete or dirt patch.

As many cracks, uneven sidewalks and smoking areas as there are on campus, having somewhere on campus that looks like it came straight out of a film production would definitely add to KC's curb appeal.

There will be no freedom until we are all equal

I

am straight, I am a Christian and I am friends with gay people.

Today is National Coming Out Day which sparked from the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Today happens to be 25th anniversary of this march.

I am writing this column because October is LGBT History month and coincidently one of my gay friends has been confiding in me about what he has been going through on campus.

The things my friend tells me are so middle school, yet so painful.

Although I know my friend has a strong personality, positive outlook on life and always has a smile, these assertions have caused sleepless nights, anxiety and malnourishment from fear of the cafeteria.

I believe that because everyone on campus are adults, or at least should act like one, there is absolutely no reason for this sort of

circumstance to occur.

We are not in grade school or high school, but in college.

(Not that it is acceptable for such behavior in those elements.)

By this time in our lives we should be mature enough to hold our tongue when applicable.

Even if you do not agree with someone’s lifestyle, guess what?

Nothing you do is going to change that person forever or in your favor.

ASHLEY Purposely throwing MORALES crude remarks at a person Executive who decides to live their Editor life differently than you can sometimes cause that person to self harm or even commit suicide.

According to speakforthem.org, suicide is

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VOL. 77, NO. 5

the leading cause of death among gay youth nationally.

Thirty percent of gays attempt suicide near the age of 15.

They are also two to six times more likely commit suicide than heterosexuals.

These numbers scare me, because no 15-year-old, 19-year-old or even 40-yearold should feel the need to end their life because of simple-minded people who care to much about other people’s business than their own.

I was not raised to think if other people’s way of life was different from my own, it was wrong or would harm me in any way.

A person can only be who they are.

I completely understand if you do not agree with a homosexuals’ lifestyle, but to me, it’s the same thing as a stranger telling me what I should do with my life.

They do not know my life and are not going to tell me how to live it.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Copyright 2013, The Flare. All rights reserved.

2012 Sweepstakes Winner in Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and Texas Community College Journalism Association

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

COPY EDITOR

ASSISTANT EDITOR Dezirae Burnett

ILLUSTRATOR Cody Davis

WEB EDITOR Kassidy Taylor FEATURES EDITOR Tory Van Blarcum SPORTS WRITERS Devin Brooks Jeffery Jamerson II

LAB MANAGER ADVISER Gary Borders PHOTO ADVISER O. Rufus Lovett

ADVERTISING MANAGER Sonia Garza SENIOR WRITER STAFF WRITERS Christine Ritter and Jordan Baird PHOTOGRAPHERS Shelbi Crews, Kristopher Dobbins, Sonia Garza, Laura Hernandez, WEB DESIGNER Geoffrey Dubea

The popular song “Same Love” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert is a tune every person should listen to because of its strong and powerful message.

I’m grateful for someone who is in limelight to shine a light on this subject.

My favorite lines are, “When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless / Rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen / I might not be the same, but that’s not important / No freedom ’til we’re equal, damn right I support it.”

Woah.

If that does not have any kind of impact on you, I really do not even know what to say.

Ashley Morales is a sophomore journalism major from Longview.

LETTERS THE FLARE welcomes any letter to the editor and encourages all readers to use this as a sounding board to express thoughts and opinions on current campus-related topics. We also welcome news or feature ideas. Due to space limitations, letters should be as concise as possible and may still be edited for space. Letters must be signed and include an address and telephone number so that we can verify their authenticity. Letters should be delivered to the newsroom in Communications-Automotive Building, Room 125, mailed to

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.

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SPOTLIGHT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

KC homecoming attracts large crowd for festivities

A night to remember

Tory Van Blarcum / THE FLARE

Mighty-Warrior Buckles and Tashia Adams, homecoming king and queen, were crowned prior to the game Saturday.

Tory Van Blarcum / THE FLARE

Rangerettes

Randi Vinson-Davis / THE FLARE

THE KC Twirlers performed during halftime.

Randi Vinson-Davis / THE FLARE

Kitty Mitcham pumps up the crowd during the homecoming game.

Randi Vinson-Davis / THE FLARE

Jenna Helduser, Rangerette Captain, leads the line on to the

Randi Vinson-Davis / THE FLARE

Freddie Archie, aunt of KC Football player Micheal Mathis (no.1), cheers on the team at the Homecoming game against Blinn.