The Flare
Features
Special Edition FRIDAY April 22, 2016
SECTION
B
Student artist overcomes fear of failure Armour finds freedom in artistic expression
Tiffani Branch / THE FLARE
Left: Rachel Armour sits in front of her art on display in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center. Above: Armour’s original Behemoth finds new life in the halls of the student art exhibit.
Tiffani Branch / THE FLARE
TAREA WESTBROOK Staff Writer
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Victoria Gilchrist / THE FLARE
ailure is inevitable, so don’t be afraid to fail” said Rachel Armour, Kilgore sophomore. Armour’s first failure was an art piece titled “The Behemoth.” The painting started as an S shape on a 7”x11” canvas drawn in charcoal of a horse with human-like features. “My sketch for The Behemoth was turned down, it was ‘too macabre’ I learned that not everyone will be as enthusiastic about my style as I am, ” Armour said. However taking art classes has helped her with her art. “Drawing has made me work the hardest at meeting deadlines and coming up with new ideas,” she said. The critiques of other student artwork within class has also taught her that, “everyone has room to grow and there is value in everyone’s work” Armour said. Carolyn Fox-Hearne, KC art teacher, said, “Her creativity and imagination has truly blossomed”. Fox-Hearne shows the student’s artwork in the Student Art Exhibition every year in April. This year Armour has included The Behemoth. “Her drawing skills have always been great, but they continue to improve with each drawing that she does. Her skills in 3-D design are over the top,” Fox-Hearne said. Although Armour is currently an art major, once she transfers she wants to pursue a degree in psychology.
“I find the connection and sameness of humans interesting, but how in the same moment each mind is vastly different based on life experiences”. Once Armour completes both degrees, she plans to use them both as one. “My art uses specific shapes and colors to elicit relations and emotions. I also have some painting that are designed to be therapeutic”, she said. In the future, Armour would like to see her art in people’s homes. “In an art gallery there’s a disconnect from art. There’s a fear of “Am I standing too close’ or ‘Have I been hogging this for too long?’ In a home it’s more personal, you can sit and find new things about a piece, I do every day. Also I love the thought that I made someone’s home just a little more divergent from the norm than it was before,” she said. Today you can see many of Armour’s works at the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts building. The Behemoth is certainly one of the most eyecatching pieces. “No doubt, I love the Behemoth,” she said. “The process on how it first started was a failure but the painting itself is one of my favorites. “This painting is what really solidified that I should trust my intuition. There were a lot of swings and misses along the way but what started as my biggest failure turned into one of my favorite pieces”.
A creature of found items takes up residence at the student exhibit.
Tiffani Branch/ THE FLARE
The Student Art Exhibit features work from the Visual Arts Department and the photography program on campus. It runs through April 29 in the Fine Arts Building.
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THE FLARE FRIDAY, April 22, 2016
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Student embraces pole fitness Fitness trainer discovers innovative way to exercise, introduces dance to regiment ELIJAH BANKS Sports Writer If you ask most people what they think of when they see a woman dancing on a pole, the first thing they’ll assume is that the person is a stripper, but Justice Frazier, Gladewater sophomore, will quickly let you know that is not the case. “I’ve always loved dance, and pole dancing is a beautiful form of dancing,” Frazier said. Justice has a deep dancing background, and after being out of dance for two years, she began missing the feeling it gave her. “I really missed having something like that to go to,” Frazier said. When she was in the seventh and eight grade, Frazier was a part of her middle school drill team the Sabine Steppers, and once she entered high school she continued dancing as a Sabine Strutter. After hanging up her boots and hat, Frazier decided she wanted to take on a new form of dance. Frazier started taking pole-dancing classes two months ago at Head Over Heels Fitness in Longview. Frazier feels if people really understood what pole dancing was, it wouldn’t be frowned upon or viewed as something distasteful. “Some people think it’s just girls shaking their butts on a pole, but its most definitely not,” Frazier said. “It’s not about stripping or just trying to be sexy; its about technique, strength, and grace.” Frazier appreciates and respects all the work it requires to perform moves
effectively. “People underestimate how hard pole dancing is when it is done the correct way,” she said. “There are all sorts of technique, skills, and strength you need to have to be a great pole dancer,” Frazier said. Although Frazier started taking pole classes to fill the void of dance, she mainly took it on for all the fitness aspects it brought to the table. “It’s a wonderful workout,” Frazier said. “Not only is it very fun and a great workout, it also helps you with your flexibility, which is something I wanted to work on as well”. Frazier loves to work on her all around fitness, that is why she is planning on getting certified to become a personal trainer. “My mom was a personal trainer in her twenty’s and I always thought it would be an option,” Frazier said. “Just this year I really started to get really serious about it,” she said. Her satisfaction comes from seeing others excelling. That is why she assists anyone who asks for her help. “Every time I go to the gym, I always bring a different friend to come train with me,” she said. Along with her passion for working out, her desire to become a personal trainer is also fueled by her love for people. If personal training doesn’t work out her back up plans are to become a beautician or start her own dog rescue. “I love seeing people happy more than anything,” Frazier said. “I want them to realize their true beauty.”
“It’s not about stripping or just trying to be sexy; it’s about technique, strength, and grace.”
Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE
Justice Frazier demonstrates the use of a dancing pole to improve agility and body control during a class at Head Over Heels in Longview. Frazier is working toward becoming a personal trainer.
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THE FLARE FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016
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Puppy love comforts veterans
Kiana Rose / THE FLARE
Ashley Doan and Ryder attend classes on a regular basis to get the dog accustomed to behaving in public.
Service animals offer aid for patients with anxiety JAMES SHREWSBERRY Staff Writer
Kiana Rose / THE FLARE
On average, 22 veterans commit suicide every day. But those like Ashley Doan, Henderson freshman, are working to train service dogs to help veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety deal better with their illnesses. According to the U.S. Dog Registry, “Service dogs are dogs that have been individually trained to perform a specific task for individuals who have disabilities. The disabilities can vary greatly, and so do the tasks that the service dogs perform. Service dogs can aid in navigation for people who are hearing and visually impaired, assist an individual who is having a seizure, calm an individual who suffers from PostTraumatic Stress Disorder, and even dial 911 in the event of an emergency. Many disabled individuals depend on them every day to help them live their
everyday lives.” Doan’s boyfriend is a veteran with bad anxiety and insomnia. So she is currently training Ryder a German Shepherd Border Collie mix. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) any breed of dog can be considered a service dog. Ryder will be trained to be a PTSD dog and an anxiety dog. “When a veteran (with PTSD or anxiety) gets freaked out or starts having an episode she’ll be able to comfort him.” “Right now I’m actually just training her,” Doan said. “The first six months of training with the dog is her basic commands, and so all I’m supposed to do is teach her how to get used to her vest, how to get used to having her collar on, how to sit, stay and how not to beg when I take her places. One of the things we are working on is when the vest is on there is no play, but when the vest is off we play. So that she knows when the
vest is on this is work time.” “Six months old is when they start learning their original training: how to cross roads, how to look both ways, how to know it is safe and stuff like that. I’ll be going through Veterans with Paws. Either they will bring someone out with me or they will take her for however long they need to. If they do send someone he’ll train and help me, saying, ‘This is how she needs to act. This is what you need to do, like make her sit in a classroom and stay still for long periods of time.’ At two years old she should be fully trained and operable.” “My dad always told me when I was younger, ‘If you’re going to have a dog, make it worth something, Don’t just have a dog and don’t care for it.’ My father has six or seven dogs and they are all work dogs. My boyfriend gave me the idea that if I’m going to have a dog I will make it worth something to somebody else.”
Ryder learns that wearing her vest means it’s time to get to work.
Ruck race raises awareness for veterans suffering with PTSD JAMES SHREWSBURY Staff Writer On Saturday, April 16, in order to raise awareness for the 22 veterans with PTSD who commit suicide every day, Anytime Fitness held a one-mile fun run, 5k, 10k and 3.5-mile ruck. All proceeds of this event went toward the completion of the Veteran’s Plaza at Teague Park in Longview. The event started right after 9 a.m. with the 10k participants, followed by the 5k participants and the onemile run participants. The ruck started at 9:45, giving as many of the runners enough time to finish their runs as possible. More than 50 civilians, veterans, and a K-9 service dog named Echo, formed two columns to complete the ruck. Many of the participants were wearing 22-lb ruck sacks to represent the 22 lives that are lost every day to PTSD. The formation moved as one east down Wal Street to Eastman Road, then south to Hollybrook Drive, where
they merged onto the Cargill Long Walking Trail and followed in to Teague Park. Once merged on the trail, the participants were given the option of continuing to march on with the group or running ahead and stopping at a predestined rally point so, the group could finish as a unified group marching into the Veteran’s Plaza. Following the ruck there was a BBQ luncheon and a concert put on by Marine Corps Veteran Cody Wayne who participated in the ruck. Running 5ks or completing ruck marches may not be for everybody, but there are other ways to show your support to veterans. Replace your front porch light with a green light bulb as a way to let veterans know they are not alone, donate to a military charity, send care packages or letters to deployed soldiers and there are many more ways. Our military and our veterans have served us, now it’s time that we tell them thank you.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016
Editorial portrait
F E AT U R E P O
THE FLARE
Paulin Libebele / THE FLARE
Deborah, International portrait series
Joey, Editorial portrait
Richard Nguyen / THE FLARE
Faces of East Texas The selected photographs include student work from the KC Photography Portraiture and Photojournalism classes reflecting editorial and other applied portrait assignments.
Mayor Ronnie Spradlin, Executive portrait
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Trevor, Editorial Fashion
Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE
Veronica, Outdoor portrait
Paulin Libebele / THE FLARE
Cat, Outdoor portrait
Tiffani Branch / THE FLARE
Alma Cedillo / THE FLARE
Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE
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THE FLARE FRIDAY, April 22, 2016
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Inside the mind of a psychologist Student offers personal insight, overview of interests of a psych major NICK SHELLEY Copy Editor Psychology is, according to Dictionary.com, “the science of human and animal behavior.” Child psychology, according to the KC website, “focuses on the practical application of current theory and knowledge of the field of current research of early childhood research and education.” Zoya Rogers, psychology major, stated that the major entails taking four histories, a math, basic courses, psychology and sociology. Rogers will be taking all psychologies offered at KC. Psychologies available at KC include general psychology, lifespan growth and development, psychology of adjustment, social psychology and human sexuality. General psychology, according to the KC website, is “a survey of psychological topics, theories and approaches” related to human behavior and mental processes. Intro to Psychology includes reading from the book, some quizzes, discussions and tests. Students may also play games in this class in order to learn the material. Lifespan Growth and Development, formerly known as Human Growth and Development, is the study of human psychology and behaviors. The class is a study of “social, emotional, cognitive factors and physical factors […] of a human from conception until death,” according to the KC website. In the class, students read, take quizzes and take tests. Other assignments may be given as well. The class also includes examples about how the
human brain functions in certain situations, such as when a man gets hit in the head with a metal bar. Psychology of Adjustment is the study of how humans adapt to their environments and all the physical and mental associations included in the adjustment. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “Adjustment, in psychology, is the behavioral process by which humans and other animals maintain an equilibrium among their various needs and the obstacles of their environment.” Obstacles in an environment may be physical, psychological or mental. Social psychology is “the study of an individual in an environment,” according to the KC website. Social psychology is currently being researched in Europe and Asia, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. An environment would include a city or country. The emphasis of this type of psychology is on humans, not animals. Human Sexuality provides “an overview of the broad field of human sexuality,” according to the KC website. Topics covered in the class will be viewed from different perspectives, such as through human biology, sociology, anthropology and psychology. Upon completion, students can view human sexuality scientifically and make decisions about their sexuality. The aim of psychology is to “benefit society as a whole,” according to the KC website. With a degree in psychology, students will be able to diagnose and treat different mental diseases. They will
Favorite food? Anything Italian How old are you? 25 years old Are you a morning person or a night person? Night, I have no morning classes. How many classes are you taking right now? Four Favorite class from this semester? Theatre is pretty cool. I like class environments. Favorite movie? I don’t really have a favorite. I’m more of a music person. Favorite color? Green What is your favorite animal? I like wildcats. What is your religious affiliation? Christian also be able to perform better, help themselves and increase their productivity. All psychology classes can be transferred to many private universities and all public institutions for psychology majors. Students should check if private institutions will receive their credits. Students can contact Donny Seals, psychology department chair, for more info on the psychology program. For info on transferring credits, students can contact the Office of the Registrar on the second floor of the Devall Student Center.
Victoria Gilchrist / THE FLARE
Zoya Rogers, Henderson freshman is working on getting her degree to be a children’s psychologist
Look for us online Monday, May 2!
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THE FLARE FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016
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Director gushes about Oil Museum Holmes hopes to open pipeline for more community involvement TAYLOR STEWART Staff Writer You might pass the East Texas Oil Museum every time you drive past KC, but have you ever been inside and admired the history, or thanked the people running it? For a year and a half, Merlyn Holmes has been director of the ETOM. Coming from an oil field family, Holmes says, “It’s who I am.” She has lived in East Texas most of her life, except for one time when she moved away for 18 months. However, she realized she wanted to call East Texas her home forever. “There is no place like Kilgore,” Holmes said. Since graduating from college, Holmes has done a little bit of everything — from owning a print shop to serving as the executive director of the East Texas Treatment Center in Kilgore. She is particularly excited about her current position. “Kilgore College is a great place for me, as far as the oil museum”. Holmes believes the ETOM has a lot of potential. Her plans include hosting a new event every month — not only to bring in new people, but children as well. “I would love if more kids would come,” she said, citing the success of the “Dinosaurs Rock” show held earlier this month with a sold-out crowd. She hopes more shows like that will bring kids to the museum, and “teach the children what the oil is,” Holmes said.
“I want to bring the excitement again,” she said. “If the kids could get in, and get home in the afternoon, it would bring in more people.” Holmes wants to start a fund where it would be easier for the children to come and take the tour, but at the same time she is trying to bring in new things for the kids to enjoy. Although many people have a list of things they want to accomplish before their time is up on Earth, Holmes doesn’t. “I don’t believe in bucket lists; I try to live every day as if it is my last,” she said. “I try never to walk away without telling people I care about them.” Between being the museum’s director and running for re-election to her seat on Kilgore’s City Council, Holmes doesn’t have a lot of free time. Whatever free time she does have, she’s either working with one of the many groups she’s involved in or helping out around the community. “When I serve, that is my fun. When I can help someone, that’s my enjoyment,” she said. “But what I really enjoy most is being with my family.” “I feel that I have come full circle and have come back to Kilgore College, where I began my education and worked for almost 12 years,” Holmes added. “I also very proud to be from an oilfield family - the oilfield has fed me, clothed me, and educated me. I feel honored and excited to help share the rich history and tell the stories of the oilfield.”
“I want to bring the excitement again.”
UPCOMING EVENT The Oil Patch Quilt Show presented by the Country Patches Quilt Guild of Longview April 26-May 1 Admission for Museum Tour and Quilt Show: Ages 3-11: $5; 12 and up: $8 Located at the East Texas Oil Museum 1301 S. Henderson Blvd., Kilgore, 903-983-8295
Victoria Gilchrist / THE FLARE
Kilgore native Merlyn Holmes has been director of the East Texas Oil Museum for the last 18 months. The latest endeavor, “Dinosaurs Rock,” performed to a sold-out crowd. She hopes to include more programs for children in the future.
Coloring history Trustee creates coloring book for next generation at ETOM
BOOK REVIEW This well-crafted mystery
MEAGHAN MORTON Managing Editor A history of the oil business in Kilgore is what curious minds will find in the Oil Museum; also, the gift shop will be there, right in the front. In the shop there are rocks, hardback books and coffee mugs, but on the book stand toward the back is a stack of coloring books created by board member, Karol Pruett. “Last fall I was visiting with Merlyn Holmes, who runs the Oil Museum, and she was saying she wanted a coloring book for Christmas when the kids come in and meet Santa, and I said, well I can do a coloring book,” Pruett said. “I can draw a little bit. So I worked on it.” Pruett wrote the story by going to each exhibit in the museum. John Vashey took photos for the book, and Pruett’s daughter helped in the last parts of development by cleaning up the drawings. The story is of a boy searching for his sister that is lost in the Oil Museum and is accompanied by large
pictures that children or adults can color in. “I haven’t colored it personally, yet,” she said. “I gave it to my daughters for Christmas. They are 26 and 27 so I’m sure they were thrilled.” Pruett doesn’t just create coloring books about the Oil Museum, but also has ties within the museum and also with the oil industry. “I’ve worked in the oil field,” Pruett said. “For a while I was a Roustabout.” Pruett’s mother used to work at the Oil Museum as a docent years ago and enjoyed teaching children about Kilgore and the oil boom. Because of this, Pruett decided that all of the earnings from the coloring book are to be donated back to the museum. “I’m really proud to be a part of it [KC] and help in any way I can, whether it is being a part of the board or drawing a coloring book,” she said. The coloring books can be found in the Oil Museum gift shop for $3.
“I’ve worked in the oil field. For a while I was a Roustabout.” Richard Nguyen / THE FLARE
KC Trustee J. Karol Pruett displays her coloring book from Boomtown inside the East Texas Oil Museum located on the KC campus. Pruett carries on a family tradition of supporting ETOM.
— J. Karol Pruett
opens with a startling line: “My little sister went into the Oil Museum without me!” The
older
sibling
searches
all
over
the
museum
for
the
little
sister. As it turns out, the little
sister
desperately
wanted to visit the general store. This
story
took
me
on quite an adventure back
in
me
speechless
time
leaving as
the mystery unfolds. I experienced
something
not many have gotten to experience and it was extremely rewarding. So, if you ever travel to Kilgore, Texas, you will regret it if you don’t visit the East Texas Oil Museum which is located on the campus of Kilgore College. — Rene’ Wiley, Grandmother and KC administrative
assitant
to the vice president of instruction
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THE FLARE FRIDAY, April 22, 2016
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Reporter embarks on Tasty Pastry Tour T
hey come in all shapes and sizes. Some are colorful, fluffy, and sweet, while others can be caffeinated or savory. We’ve all had them, whether it be as a treat after dinner, a midnight snack, or as a way to eat our feelings while our tear-stained faces are turned to some romantic movie playing on our TV. I took it upon myself to tour some of the best bakeries in the area over the span of two days in hopes of helping a fellow foodie. On Day One, I visited Small Cakes, The Butcher Shop and Pietro’s while day two consisted of Edible Arts and La Merienda. Among these little spots of heaven, one can find different types of sweet goods and a variety in ethnicities. Small Cakes was my first stop on my tasty tour. If you are looking for a marvelous cupcake, look no further. This place boasts jumbo cupcakes in a variety of flavors and specials. The cake is delightfully light and moist with bits of vanilla bean enhancing the overall flavor. If you like to stick to the basics, try the pink or chocolate vanilla cupcake. But if you are an adventurous soul like myself, go for the maple bacon. Each cupcake is $3.75 and can seem pricey, but the size and flavor is worth it. They also have daily specials. The ambiance is perfect for a fun date with brown and pastel colors as well as natural light and quirky decorations. The Butcher Shop is a dear and local favorite. If you are
looking for variety, you can find anything from chocolate chip cookies to black forrest cake and key lime pie. It is your all-American dessert stop. If you are in the mood for pie, The Butcher Shop will not fail you. My personal favorite is the apple pie, but all the pies are delicious with succulent, buttery crusts and balanced filling that is just the right amount of sweet. The atmosphere is family dinerstyle completing the allAmerican experience. If you are a fan of all things Italian, I suggest you stop by Pietro’s. It is owned by an Italian family, so you know you are getting authentic goods. While they are primarily a pizzeria, they also offer several sweets like cannoli, gelato, and tiramisu. The tiramisu is my go-to Italian dessert and is perfect for chocolate and coffee lovers. It is definitely worth the $5. If you have never tried this little slice of heaven, waste no more time and go try it right now. Pietro’s offers an outside sitting area, perfect for enjoying a dessert, provided that you don’t go in the middle of Texas summer. You might melt. On my second day, my first stop was Edible Arts. It is hard not to fall in love with the decorations and overall environment. It’s like you walk into a pastry fairy-tale land. The owner recently made additions to it which showcases a white and pink color scheme and beautiful wood flooring. The chandelier in the middle of the ceiling and
wide windows add to the charming, chic vibe. The owner is extremely friendly so you will get great service. When it comes to pastry decoration, Edible Arts is hard to beat. Among the extravagant sweets are cupcakes topped with intricate icing designs, flowers and edible glitter. I hesitated to eat them because they were so beautiful. I’m confident when I say that these cupcakes were just as delicious as they look. If you have a chance, visit Edible Arts, home of the free Texas cookie. Last, but not least, I ate some pastries that are near and dear to my heart: pan dulce and tres leeches cake. One of my favorite Mexican bakeries, La Merienda, sells wonderful pan dulce, great when paired with coffee or hot chocolate. Most Mexican pastries are fluffy and contain an amount of sugar that isn’t overbearing. Tres leches is a moist cake made with three different kinds of milk as you might have guessed, and whipped cream. It is in La Merienda that I had the delight of trying mocha tres leches. I know, it sounds wonderful, right? It almost reminds me of a Mexican version of tiramisu. The prices are also reasonable and one can get several pastries for a couple of dollars or less. By now, you must be craving at least one of the pastries I mentioned. Don’t lie. Whether it be a simple cupcake or a slice of tres leches cake, go support our local bakeries and treat yourself.
Photographs by Tiffani Branch / THE FLARE
Local delicacies from around East Texas make for a fun summer excursion. Top: Writer Lucia Lopez shows off a cupcake from Edible Arts. Far left: Edible Arts offers up a beautiful display of pastry options. Middle: Small Cakes features a brownie sundae. Above: La Merienda features cultural delicacies.