The Flare #10 12-01-17

Vol. 81, No. 10 Serving Kilgore College since 1936

December 1, 2017

Carrying the

torch

Fire Academy graduates 21 in 102nd class LUCAS STROUGH Digital Content Editor

O

Elizabeth Lumpkin / THE FLARE

Sean Fenton performs a drill to put out a dumpster fire. The graduates were required to complete a series of exams and live training exercises to prepare them for careers as firefighters.

n Nov. 29, 21 students finished the KC Fire Academy program and were presented graduation certificates for Academy #102. Over the course of 12 weeks, 21 cadets completed a comprehensive series of exams and live training exercises designed to prepare them for careers as professional firefighters. This class came from all over the state of Texas and some came from as far away as Canada for the chance to train at the renowned KC Fire Academy.

The ceremony began as Mike Fennell, lead instructor of the KC Fire Academy, described the intensive training that Academy #102 went through in order to earn the right to take the state licensing exam.

“In October, this class went to Texas Eastman to the Northeast Texas Fire Academy, where they got to fight some fires,” said Fennell. “A school like that might cost $500 to $1000 per day in Canada. It was only $35 here.”

As the lead instructor of the KC Fire Academy, Fennell is responsible for making sure that every member of each class knows the ins and outs of firefighting so they are prepared for any situation. Class members learn how to properly ventilate the roof of a burning building, how to make a quick exit through a window and, above all, how to do their jobs safely.

“People ask me what my favorite class is to teach,” said Fennell. “My favorite class to teach is safety. I teach them how to go home. They have families waiting for them.”

Fennell expects a great deal from his students because he makes sure that they are fully prepared for the state exam.

Although the state of Texas mandates that firefighting students pass 10 written exams, Fennell requires his students to pass 17 exams.

Fennell welcomed Gregg County Fire Marshal Mark Moore to the stage to offer words of encouragement and congratulations to the graduates.

Moore provided details of his own history in the firefighting profession, explaining how his father was a firefighter and now his son, John, was graduating from the KC Fire Academy.

“The fire service is a calling,” said Moore. “It’s not

something you do just because you want to do it, it’s a calling.”

Moore said honor and integrity were extremely important for firefighters and he encouraged the members of Academy #102 to never compromise their integrity in their profession.

Moore’s son John, the class president of Academy #102, took the podium next to addressed his classmates. He said that the class first began 12 weeks previously, on September 11, and explained how he learned the significance of this day in his new career.

“No matter where you go, firefighters are family. On September 11 2001, we lost 343 brothers and sisters,” Moore said, of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Moore went on to explain that he now regarded his graduating classmates as members of his own family.

“I’m not sure if it was fate that brought us together or just luck but I know that my family has gotten bigger. Whether we are 30 miles apart or 3,000 miles apart, they will always be my family,” Moore said.

GRADUATES: Frank W. Bailey

n n

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, OR FRIDAY CLASSES Class Time

Exam Time

Date

7:30 -8:20 a.m.

8:00–10:00 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 8

8:30-9:20 a.m.

8:00–10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 13

9:30 -10:20 a.m.

8:00–10:00 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 11

10:30-11:20 a.m.

10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec.13

11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m.

10:30–12:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 11

12:30-1:50 p.m. (MW) 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 13

2 -3:20 p.m. (MW)

Monday, Dec. 11

1:00–3:00 p.m.

3:30- 4:50 p.m. (MW) 3:30–5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 13

5:00-6:20 p.m. (MW)

5:00–7:00 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 11

6:30 -9:20 p.m. (M)

7:10–9:10 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 11

6:30 -9:20 p.m. (W)

7:10–9:10 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 13

Grades may be accessed at www.kilgore.edu – click on the myKC link. Grades will be available Monday, December 18. Grades will not be mailed.

Tyler J. McCartney

Dustin L. Brundage n

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Sean C. Fenton

Chad A. Frederick

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John H. Moore

Misha R. Ortanga

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Garrett M. Conley

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Cody A. Clarke

Tristan R. Ross

Zachary M. Sivertsen n

Jedediah J. Smith

Jason M. Frey

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Ryan A. Smith

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Garrett L. Green

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Jon B. Stewart

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Hudson R. Jones

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Jackson L. Jones

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Brandon C. Thomas n

Brian A. Winkler

Andrew L. Lawson

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE Fall Semester: Monday, December 11 – Thursday, December 14

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TUESDAY OR THURSDAY CLASSES

INSIDE

Class Start Time

Exam Time

Date

8:30-9:50 a.m.

8:00–10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 12

10-11:20 a.m.

8:00 –10:00 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 14

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 12

12:30-1:50 p.m.

10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 14

2:00-3:20 p.m.

1:00–3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 12

Find easy recipes, see

3:30-4:50 p.m.

1:00–3:00 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 14

what life is like in a

5:00- 6:20 p.m.

5:00–7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 12

cardboard box, check

6:30-9:20 p.m. (Tu)

7:10–9:10 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 12

out our students’ photo

6:30-9:20 p.m. (Th)

7:10–9:10 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 14

gallery and meet more

All Friday-only classes will test at regular class time on Friday, Dec. 2.

All Saturday classes will test 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Flex classes (classes that follow a different calendar than the regular semester) may test at different times. See course syllabus or instructor to confirm exam date/time.

Features people of KC inside our special Features section.

THE FLARE

PAGE 2A n FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017

FACE IN THE CROWD

Sara banga Hometown: Beecher City, Illinois Age: 28 Major: Forensic Science What made you attend KC? My dad lives here. He offered me a place to stay so I could start over in life.

What do you wish you knew more about?

History and politics; the world in general.

What touches you deeply?

My kids. They mean the world to me. They are the only thing I care about.

When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?

Relationship advice

How do you relax after a hard day at work?

Bath with candles and light African music.

What are small things that make your day better?

Conversation

Who are you most envious of, real or fictional, and why?

Africans, they seem to have “sense.” They are smart, amazing and they have a great moral background. Their culture is unique.

What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue? Working out. Personal trainer, gym membership.

Mary Williams Smith / THE FLARE

‘DAY IN THE LIFE’ LECTURE SERIES

The secret keeper

Social Worker honors confidentiality, enjoys helping LUCAS STROUGH Digital Content Editor

T

he “Day in the Life” speaker the

series

for

fall

semester

concluded

earlier

this month with a speech from Tina Rushing, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and KC instructor of Sociology and Social Work.

Rushing said that she changed jobs frequently throughout her career, but that it is quite normal for a person employed in social work and counseling to do so. In fact, she described the frequent job changes as an important way to prevent burnout in this career field.

Responding to a question from

an audience member about the prevalence of burnout in counseling jobs, Rushing said, “You have to have some kind of support system around you.

You can’t talk about clients with friends and family. There are some days where I cry going home. You have to know who you are and you have to have someone to talk to professionally.”

Rushing also responded with an emphatic “yes” when asked if counseling is a high stress job.

In response to a question about misconceptions about counseling jobs, Rushing said, “The one I hear most often is that you’re not going to make any money. The flip side is that it takes a lot of energy.”

She went on to explain counselors can often make more than $100 per hour in private practice but that counselors with a full caseload

may see 20 patients each week in 50-minute to one-hour sessions.

“Are you willing to sit down with someone’s pain for an hour and then take it home with you?”

Rushing said, when asked about what students should consider before pursuing a career in counseling.

“The two main rules of counseling are confidentiality and that you cannot counsel your family and friends,” Rushing said.

“You have to have boundaries.”

Rushing explained students who earn a master’s degree in counseling in Texas are uniquely advantaged when it comes to finding employment.

“You can rule the world with a master’s degree in social work,” Rushing said. “You can do counseling, adoption services, work in psych units, state hospitals,

inpatient crisis units or work as a parole officer or addiction counselor. You can do anything in the world.” Although any type of social work, including counseling at a private practice, can involve a great deal of paperwork and business skills, she said the biggest reward for this type of career is seeing clients overcome obstacles in their lives.

“Watching people figure out who they are and how not everything is their fault,” Rushing said when asked what she loved about her job.

She said that patience is the most important skill for a counselor or social worker because progress can be very small with patients and it may not always be the progress that the social worker is seeking.

During Rushing’s speech, Jennifer Quine, General Academic Counselor and Mental Health

Stay alert over Christmas break MOISES ELA NCHAMA Staff Writer Some students stay on campus to take winter classes, and they want to make sure they can be safe during the winter semester.

The KC Police Department is committed to the KC security policy. They are redesigning strategies and generating decisive actions to improve the conditions of coexistence on campus.

“The security situation on the college is very good and we do everything we can to keep people safe,” said Ryan Jones, KCPD officer.

“We also have several bilingual officers in case an international student has difficulties expressing himself.”

The international students typically stay on campus during the Christmas holiday and most of them are worried about the security system during that period. In each residence, there is always one or two officers walking around to ensure student to feel safe.

“My task as a KC police officer is making sure y’all are safe as y’all can be while you are going to school here and protect you from any people coming on campus that might cause

you a harm,” Jones said.

“The last 10 years, crime has decreased in KC since there are more officers involved.”

Some students say they would like to see more surveillance cameras and better light in the Quad area, but several students are confident in the college’s ability to keep them safe.

“During Christmas I think I will be safe living on campus because there is always a police officer around,” said Tseng Yu Hsiang, an international student from Taiwan.

Jones said it is better when everybody works together to keep the area safe. Some theft includes missing attire.

“The clothes are what disappears more in the dormitories.

For this reason, students should inform KCPD immediately of any suspicious activity,” he said. It is important to report incidents in a timely manner for a better chance of recovery.

The KCPD also provides medical assistance for people with minor injuries, and will take people to the emergency room.

Anyone with suggestions, complaints, help, or have an emergency situation should contact KCPD at (903) 9838650.

‘Brightest and Best’ brings holiday spirit Holiday Gala to raise funds for scholarships From Staff Reports

Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE

Devall Student Center welcomes international visitors.

KILGORE SCREEN PRINTING CO.

By The Numbers

15

18

n Fall Semester ends Friday Dec. 15. Commencement is 6 p.m. at Dodson Auditorium.

n Grades will be available on Dec. 18. Mini-mesters will also begin this day and run through Friday, Jan. 5.

n Late Registration will be held Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 from 1 to 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

n Spring 2018 semester starts Tuesday, Jan. 16, following observance of honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s humanitarian efforts.

8

16

Counselor for KC, spoke about the opportunities unique to counseling students in Texas.

“You can see clients while pursuing your master’s degree as long as you’re supervised,” Quine said as she explained that Texas has slightly different rules regarding social work students when compared to other states.

Rushing wrapped up her talk by pointing out the Texas does not have a large number of Licensed Clinical Social Workers currently employed and that there are many job opportunities available.

“The field is wide open,” she said after describing a job outlook chart for counselors and social workers outlining approximately 517 individual jobs that licensed counselors and social workers were qualified to perform.

WE PRINT T-SHIRTS & MORE

601A E. MAIN (903) 983-1480

The KC Chorale, Camerata Singers and music faculty will present “Brightest and Best: A Holiday Gala” 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in Van Cliburn Auditorium on the Kilgore campus.

The program will include holiday favorites such as Winter Wonderland, White Christmas, Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bells and many more.

A silent auction will be held from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. before the concert and for 30 minutes after the conclusion of the concert.

All proceeds of the silent auction will fund student scholarships for the choral program at KC. A reception will be held

immediately following the concert with drinks and hors d’oeuvres during the silent auction.

“With this event, we hope to combine the efforts of our hard-working students and faculty for a night sure to get everyone in attendance into the holiday spirit,” said Dr. Zach Marshall, director of choral activities.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for anyone under the age of 18. Tickets are also $5 for KC students with a valid student ID. For tickets or more information call Dr. Zach Marshall at 903-983-8122 or email zmarshall@kilgore. edu.

— KC Press

THE FLARE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017 n PAGE 3A

The

Dreamers Parts 2 & 3

O. Rufus Lovett / Special to THE FLARE

Dreams dashed?

DACA recipient urges other dreamers to keep going LUCAS STROUGH Digital Content Editor

A

t the time of this writing, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is in danger of being eliminated. If this happens, hundreds of thousands of young people could lose their DACA benefits and be considered undocumented immigrants subjected to deportation. This could mean that young people could be forced to return to another country after spending many years establishing homes, lives and families in the United States. For many of these people, the U.S. has become a home that they would be heartbroken to leave.

Some of these students are hardworking, talented young people who are fighting to make a better life for themselves and their families.

One such student is currently enrolled in classes at KC. Maria Martinez was born in the tiny town of Capulines in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. When she was in the 9th grade, her mother became very sick. After she realized that she did not have enough money to pay for her mother’s healthcare, she made what she said was the hardest decision of her life.

Martinez came to the United States in March 2005 when she was only 14 years old.

She began working in restaurants to make ends meet and to send money to support her mother in Mexico. In 2008, she got married and started a family.

Martinez decided to aim for something more than restaurant work. She enrolled in ESL classes in 2011, one of the many programs offered by the KC system to

support students trying to improve their circumstances.

Though she spoke very little English, she improved her language skills and completed her studies in time for her second child to be born in 2013.

Martinez took on an entry-level job at a tortilleria, working as a helper in the warehouse. She began taking GED classes and earned her GED in 2014.

With her new diploma, she applied for a sales job at the tortilleria and then progressed to an office assistant position.

She also used her GED status to apply for the DACA program. She had her third child in 2016 and once again found herself facing the decision to pursue a better life for her family. She contacted Monika Kajstura, a GED and ESL instructor in KC Longview’s Adult Education and Literacy program.

Kajstura encouraged Maria to further her education and told her about the Certified Nurse’s Assistant program offered by KC. In March of 2017, Martinez returned to school and earned her certification a few months later. She decided that, if she could become a nurse’s assistant, there was no reason why she could not become a nurse.

She enrolled in KC’s College Readiness program, which helps prepare students for college life and coursework. With the help of this program, she completed her TSI test and applied for the Licensed Vocational Nurse program at KC and was accepted.

Since then, Martinez has been recognized with the Student Spotlight Award for her outstanding achievements and exceptional work ethic.

Now, she has her sights set firmly on the future.

“I will start with Anatomy and Physiology

and Nutrition classes,” Martinez said. “I will start the LVN program in January. I will probably choose to work in a school. I have three kids and they’re little so I would like to have the same schedule.”

Martinez was honest about the challenges of enrolling in a certificate program so soon after completing an ESL program.

“I was scared at first but I got an interview and was accepted for the CNA program. It was very, very good for me, a really good experience. And the best thing is that it was free,” Martinez said.

Martinez is one of thousands of young people in the state of Texas who are able to stay in school because of the DACA program. With the program on the brink of being repealed, students like her may lose their eligibility to pay in-state tuition and lose their Social Security numbers because they would no longer have temporary legal residency in the United States. Martinez is open about how helpful the DACA program has been in enabling her to pursue her education.

“I am the first person in my family to go to college so I had no idea what I needed to do, where I needed to go,” Martinez said.

“DACA helped me to take the in-state fee but now with the president technically ending the program I feel like I’m lost. I’m paying out-of-district because I live in Ore City and when I pay it’s going to be super expensive.

Also, if I pay for the program, what will happen when I finish? Without my Social Security, I can’t work. I feel really, really frustrated.”

Although she has achieved a great deal, the educational process has never been easy for Martinez and now that her future plans are in jeopardy, she is feeling pressured from

many directions.

“One day I came and talked to Mrs. Goodwyn, the director of the program and I was almost crying. I was telling her I never imagined how this can affect my life. I am trying so hard for this. I am working so hard, I am studying. It’s not easy,” Martinez said.

“For me, the language is my first challenge but I’m trying. It’s difficult for me because I have three little kids, I am a wife, it’s hard.”

Even when presented with awards, Martinez is adamant that she is working hard and making sacrifices not just for herself, but for her family.

“When Kilgore College honored me with the Student Spotlight award, I felt so proud of myself because I never imagined that could happen to me,” Martinez said. “When I received the award, I told my daughter, who is nine years old now, this is for you. I want to be your example. I want to be that person that you want to be. I told her if I can do this with all my limitations, you can be better.

You should be better. I’m doing all this just for you.”

Martinez had a message for all the other students in Texas who are worried about their future now that the DACA program is in danger of disappearing.

“Don’t stop. Don’t stop,” Martinez said.

“Mrs. Baker told me something. Don’t let the fear you’re feeling now stop you. We’re doing a lot of work where we are right now, we can’t stop. We need to demonstrate to people that we are good. We are doing good.

We just want to work. We want to help. Like me, I really want to be a nurse because I want to help people. So, just don’t stop and pray. I know that God is holding something good for us. I really believe that.”

DACA in danger

Dreamers form the backbone of major companies in America

I

LONNIE ROSS Page Editor

n the last installment of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), we finish up with the

economical aspect of canceling the program. To recap, on September 5, US Attorney General Jeff Session announce that the Trump Administration was going to rescind the DACA program. The people under this program will no longer have protection from deferred deportation action while cover by this order to attend school, work or to serve in the military.

In a tweet from President Trump, he said “Congress now has six months to legalize DACA (something the Obama Administration was unable to do). If they can’t, I will revisit this issue!” After feedback, President Trump said, “he loves the dreamers” and decided to turn it over to Congress, and give them six months to decide on immigration reform

which includes the Dreamers Act which helps protect the people under the DACA program if approved.

In business or politics, decisions are based on financial standpoints, to cancel the DACA program would cause the deportation of 800,000 people. This alone would cost $60 billion.

What happens to the economy after the people leave? How does it affect our economy?

In the U.S., California, Florida and Texas have the most DACA workers. According to studies done by Center for American Progress and FWD.us, over the next 10 years, the Gross domestic product can be reduced by $460.3 billion.

In Texas alone, it can lose $6.1 billion in GDP annually. In addition, there will be a drop of 24.6 billion in Medicare and Social Security that is paid by the DACA participants.

DACA participants, earn money in the US but they are spending money as well. Paying taxes such as Medicare, Social Security, and state and local sales taxes, just like Americans. They are buying cars, purchasing homes,

creating business that also creates job growth. They are contributing to society.

According to the FWD report, “nearly every major company in America is benefiting from DACA.” There is a letter circulating among tech companies like Amazon, Google and Microsoft in support of keeping the DACA program. The companies are in support of this policy because some of their employees are participants, with job titles like software engineer, finance professional, and sales associate, to name a few. According to the letter, Founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg , says, “with them, we grow and create jobs.” “They are part of why we will continue to have a global competitive advantage.”

Regarding Congress tackling the bill or any immigration bill, they have been busy handling key issues like healthcare and tax reform since September. Returning from Thanksgiving holiday, the status of DACA or the Dreamers Act will be tackled. The timeline for the policy is March 2018.

THE FLARE

PAGE 4A n FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017

KC Rangers keep rolling Rangers dominate Angelina 86-52 in conference opener KENDALL HURTT Staff Writer The Rangers opened conference play Wednesday at home against the Angelina College Roadrunners with a decisive 86-52 victory.

After the first half KC lead 44-27 and did not take their foot off their opponents’ necks after halftime.

They shot 59 percent from the field overall, with 64 percent accuracy in the second half.

Sophomore guard Chad Bowie, of Missouri City, led both teams in scoring, accumulating 21 points (with a 75 percent shooting average), and five assists, and six rebounds. Tavion Atkinson, Red Springs, NC, freshman, led the team with 10 rebounds.

Demeire Brown, Powder Springs,

Ga. freshman, scored 18 points, shooting 100 percent from the field and hitting two out of three free shots.

Davon Newton, Malachi Davidson, and Daytone Jennings joined in, each scoring 10 points a piece to keep the Rangers on top.

Collectively, the Rangers forced 22 turnovers for the Roadrunners with all but one of the Rangers registering a steal for the evening.

Angelina had one player in double figures, Nylek Cobb, with 13 points.

The Rangers have been on a roll against non-conference opponents through the last eight games. The Rangers will continue conference play at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Jacksonville College.

Grant Worley / THE FLARE

Coach Brian Hoberecht instructs Malachi Davidson during Wednesday’s game against Angelina College. The Rangers are 1-0 in conference play.

Left: Davon Newton drives in for a layup during Wednesday’s match-up.

Grant Worley / THE FLARE

Three Rangers earn football conference honors

Basketball team keeps action moving at home

Troy Burnett

Javon Mosley

Grant Worley / THE FLARE

Anthony Thomas

Above: Davon Newton, guard, drives into Hill College Rebel opposition during the Rangers’ home game on Nov. 14. Hill College handed the Rangers their first loss of the season, 77-59.

Right: Lansana Nwosu goes up for a basket during a game against Lone Star College-Cy Fair, for two of his 10 points. The Rangers defeated the Falcons 83-60 on Nov. 12 at home.

KC Rangers Troy Burnett and Javon Mosley have been named First-Team AllConference players by the Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) for 2017.

Anthony Thomas, return specialist for KC, was named Second Team All-Conference SWJCFC. Burnett, a sophomore linebacker from Missouri City, finished the season with 50 solo tackles and 52 assists.

He averaged 11 tackles per game and had one interception.

Mosley, a 6’7” sophomore offensive lineman from Fort Worth, was a key ingredient for the Ranger offense averaging 368.1 yards per game with 3,313 yards in total offense through nine games.

Thomas, a wide receiver from Montgomery, averaged 11.0 yards per return on 16 punt returns (227 total yards).

— KC Press

ON THE AIR

Grant Worley / THE FLARE

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.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017 n PAGE 5A

THE FLARE

Lady Rangers build camaraderie on court Eight sophomores stay to play, build team unity after Cinderella run last year CHRIS WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Alma Cedillo / THE FLARE

Lady Rangers focus their energies before taking the court as a team at their home conference opener against San Jacinto.

Lady Rangers slip past Blinn, improve to 2-0 in conference play BRENHAM, TX -- The KC Lady Rangers traded leads late in a thriller Wednesday night with the Blinn College Lady Buccaneers, but left Brenham with the win, 79-77, to improve to 2-0 in Region XIV play.

KC’s Courtney Parramore shot 8-of10 from beyond the three-point line to score 24 points.

Jade Thurmon was key offensively for the Rangers, scoring 22 points, and Richelle Velez nailed 5-of-9 threepointers, scoring 19 points for the Lady

Rangers. Thurmon also had seven rebounds and six assists.

KC was up 34-29 at the half and led by as many as 10 points in the second half but Blinn caught up and tied the game 66-66 with 6:34 left to play.

With just over five minutes left in the game Blinn went on a 5-0 run to lead KC, 73-71.

The Lady Rangers then went on a run themselves, taking the lead back, 79-75, with 1:27 left in the contest.

After KC took back the lead, Blinn

scored with a layup to get within two points of KC, 79-77, with 14.2 second remaining.

The Buccaneers forced a turnover, but narrowly missed a shot off the rim that ended the game.

The Lady Rangers improve to 8-2 on the season and 2-0 in conference play.

Blinn drops to 5-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

KC’s next game is 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at home versus Coastal Bend College.

—KC Press

The Lady Rangers made it to the conference tournament last season with a 19-10 overall record and 10-9 conference record, which placed them in the sixth and final seed of playoff contention.

However, they created their own Cinderella story by winning two games before falling to Trinity Valley Community College in the finals.

“It was an ugly feeling in the locker room after that game, so this year is different because we’re all trying to make it to nationals,” said Richelle Valez, Brazoswood sophomore.

After walking off the court discontented, some players came back this year to settle a score. As a collective unit they are ready to go all the way this season. With eight players returning from last year’s team, the leadership and chemistry is already making this team a formidable force.

“The team chemistry is way better from last year but we are still improving to make things better,” said Alicia Mardis, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., sophomore. Mardis , a returning leader, knows what it takes to win a championship. Sometimes it means keeping traditions alive.

“Before a game we go to Subway to eat as a team and then head to the locker room and listen to music before we have to go out and shoot,” Mardis said.

Another component to the Lady Rangers success is the

seniority on the team.

“We have most of our team from last year, so we’re pretty much used to playing with each other,” Valez said. “It feels good to be on a team with a group of girls that are like my sisters.”

This team is close because of the time spent together.

“Team to me is family,” said Courtney Parramore, Garland sophomore. “Team is like a built-in family that will have your back through anything like the hard time and bad times.”

Taking multiple personalities and merging them into one unit can be difficult. One person who can relate is newcomer Tyra Cormier, Houston sophomore.

“It can sometimes be difficult dealing with all the personalities, but the one way we deal with it is when it comes time to practice or play we look at each other as one, we are equal,” she said. Cormier is settling in as a contributor.

“At first, it was kind of hard because neither coach nor I knew my role; but all the girls welcomed me with open arms. I soon found my place.”

The Lady Rangers are on track to make a lot of noise this season with a record of 8-2.

While there are obstacles the team is going to encounter, they are preparing for them with each day’s workouts.

“Some struggles we face is adversity on the court but we are doing well at overcoming it and focusing on the end goal, which is to win a ring and go all the way,” Mardis said.

THE FLARE

PAGE 6A n FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017

CRAFTY CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Girl’s gift • Christmas paddle ball • puzzle • Frozen sun catcher kit • Santa toy • polish remover pads • in a storage box

Car care kit • tire gauge • Armour All spray • wheel shine • lint free cloth • chamois • in a wash bucket

Manicure kit • topcoat • polish • manicure kit • chocolate candle • polish removal pads • in a decorative tin

Teen gift • sport ear phones • phone stylus • charging bullet • mini speaker • electronic wipes • in a decorative box

Boy’s gift • Christmas paddle ball • puzzle • Matchbox cars • snowman toy • in a storage box

Cookie kit • cookie mix • spatula • in a hot mitt

Santa’s simple

savings

Photo illustration by Kaitlin Mitchell / THE FLARE

SARAH REDFORD News Editor

W

hen it comes to gift giving even Santa can use a little help. The Dollar Tree and other dollar stores like Family Dollar and Dollar General and many retail stores (who run holiday sales) are all great places to assemble inexpensive gifts for everyone on your Christmas giving list.

The Dollar Tree is a gold mine for inexpensive but nice Christmas gifts. The store has a large selection of products which makes it possible to put together a mani/pedi or spa gift basket with nail polish, manicure sets, nail files, eye masks and several brands of lotions and soaps.

Items for other options is unlimited.

Cooking gifts with a hot mitt, cookie mix and spatula can be put together.

A car care kit consisting of a wash bucket, chamois, “Armour All,” tire gauge and leather wipes can be assembled.

If you need a gift for a child, there are many items to choose from. Puzzles, coloring books and crayons, craft supplies, dolls and cars are just a few. There are items perfect for teens. These include ear buds, snacks, electronics chargers and books.

To wrap these gifts, beautiful gift bags, with and without glitter, are available in several sizes.

There are also gift boxes, wrapping paper, tags, tissue paper, shreds, ribbons and bows in the aisles at the Dollar Tree.

Non-profits help locals in need Volunteer opportunities abound

WHITNEY ERVIN Staff Writer is the season to keep the spirits bright by not letting your winter break be spent doing nothing. There are many beneficial ways you can spread holiday cheer by being proactive in the community. Some people are living with real life struggles such as being alone and without basic necessities. Whether you go shopping, (knowing your money will go towards a worthy cause), or help serve food to the homeless, there is something for everyone to do. If you are not interested in volunteering, but still want to share your blessings, you can make donations to participating non-profit organizations or mission groups that will pass it along to those in need. Here are some local charities to consider.

T

Helping Hands has been in operation for 30 years.

They provide assistance with food, utilities and prescriptions.

Their food pantry is located at 201 S. Martin St. in Kilgore and is open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

The first Wednesday of each month is Senior Box pick-up ONLY and the second Monday of each month is Produce Drop Day at noon.

For more information on how to volunteer your services or contribute food, contact Director, Ursula Plaisance, by phone at 903-984-1796 or email, helpinghandskilgore@ gmail.com Helping Hands of Kilgore

Help your friends and family at KC by shopping!

1) Use the KC Foundation’s Amazon Smile account. If you are planning to purchase items from Amazon.com, sign into the URL https://smile.amazon.com rather than regular Amazon.

Then select the Kilgore College Foundation as the charity of your choice. Through the Smile program, a portion of your total purchase price will be donated to the foundation for scholarships.

2) Use the Amazon Wish List for the KC Food Pantry. Once you are logged into Amazon Smile, click on the “Account & Lists” tab in the upper right hand corner (to the left of the shopping cart icon) and then search for Kilgore College. Once on the KC wish list, you will see items requested much like a wedding registry.

Simply purchase items that you would like to donate and you’re done – Amazon ships those items directly to the college.

The Hope’s Closet Retail and Donation Center has three stores in East Texas.

They are: n 1011 Wal St. Ste 100, Longview, 903-295-2585 n 2409 Gilmer Road, Longview, 903-248-3248 n 1015 Kilgore Plaza, Kilgore, 903-983-0002 The stores are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Hope’s Closet is an extension of The Women’s Center of East Texas, who has served battered women, their children and victims of sexual assault for over 30 years. WCET assists victims in providing information that gives them options for the safety of themselves and their loved ones. Their hotline is 1-800-441-5555 Hope’s Closet is a WCET’s thrift shop and the proceeds from donations and items sold are used to support the operation. Donations are accepted when stores are open.

Hiway 80 Rescue Mission is located at 3117 W. Marshall Avenue in Longview. To receive services, call 903-7598101 Hiway 80 Rescue Mission’s statement reads: We preach and teach the word of God while winning souls to Jesus Christ. We accomplish this by providing the basic staples, food, shelter, clothing and the opportunity to hear and receive the Gospel.

Hiway 80 Rescue Mission is a community resource that helps the homeless in Longview and Tyler. By making a donation of $2.11, one can feed one hungry person a meal. The mission provides over 187,000 meals per year, funds the men shelter, women and family shelter, recovery programs and clinics for the community.

Download the volunteer application package or contact Volunteer Coordinator, Ryan at 903-7598101 or ryanm@hiway80rm. org.

The Longview Dream Center, located at 803 Gilmer Road in Longview, exists to fight hunger and provide resources and programs that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of our city and region.

Their motto is: Serving our community. Changing the world. One life at a time.

The Senior Box Program is available every 1st & 3rd Wednesday.

LifeSource Food Pantry provides food assistance every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m.

Distribution of fresh produce is from 10 a.m. to noon, every 2nd and 4th Saturday.

Contact Shonna Barlow at sbarlow@ longviewdreamcenter.com.

The LifeSource Clothing Distribution distributes freen clothing to those in need.

This department is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Contact Sondra Gibson at sgibson@ longviewdreamcenter.com.

The Acts Project at LDC has a primary focus of assisting families in simple household repairs, needs and supplies.

The volunteer application and criminal release form for background check, can be downloaded from the website and completed to submit by email to sbarlow@ longviewdreamcenter.com or drop off or mail to the location.

“Serving with love,” is the motto of Longview Community Ministries, located at 506 N. 2nd St. in Longview. Their phone number is 903-753-3561, or e-mail info@longviewcommnity ministries.org . Hours are 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Longview Community Ministries has several volunteer opportunities available this season. The Family Service Center is where volunteers have direct client interactions by greeting individuals or families who are seeking food or financial assistance.

The Food Box needs help moving cases of received donations of food, along with packing and distributing food boxes.

If you are comfortable with delivering daily meals with a cheerful spirit, Meals on Wheels has some routes available to bring someone a meal who may be unable to get any on their own.

The Learning Lab is a great opportunity for those who are seeking to be educators or life coaches. The class instructors at LCM guide and teach clients healthy life skills, computer competency, and money management classes. wPeriodically, the LCM hosts special programs, and help is always appreciated.

PAGE 7A n FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017

THE FLARE

The Student Newspaper of Kilgore College Since 1936

Vol. 81 • No. 10 Friday, December 1, 2017

Executive Editor Allison Taliaferro Page Editors Lisa Harris Kaitlin Mitchell Sarah Redford Lonnie Ross Lucas Strough Copy Editors Whitney Ervin Kendall Hurtt Gabriel Wade Yasmine Wilson Staff Writers Moises Ela Nchama Jamie Hwang Nelda Milligan-Turner Alec Reyes Chris Williams

WRAP

Kilgore News Herald / COURTESY PHOTO

The exterior of the historic Texan movie theater in downtown Kilgore was lit up for all to see during the 1st Annual Reel East Texas Film Festival.

It’s a

Reel East Texas Film Festival debuts in Kilgore LUCAS STROUGH Digital Content Editor

F

ilmmakers and movie fans came together to enjoy three days of independent film screenings in downtown Kilgore.

Taking place in the historic Texan movie theater, the Reel East Texas Film Festival kicked off its second year of film screenings with a variety of short films on Thursday, November 16.

The early screenings began at 10 am and continued throughout the day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Attendees were able to choose to sit in on an individual screening or purchase a weekend pass to take in the entirety of the festival catalog.

At the midday screenings on Thursday, the film festival producers chose a variety of films that ranged from brief short films to nearly feature-length productions.

The first film at the midday screening was titled “Yes, We’re Open.” Filmed and set in Oklahoma, this charming short film focused on a hardworking convenience store clerk named Mo and a young girl named Gabby who he befriends and protects from bullies. As the story progressed, the audience watched the shopkeeper hire the girl as a makeshift employee and she works in the shop in her time away from school.

Eventually, the young girl disappears and one of the shopkeeper’s regular customers informs him that the girl was in the care of a foster family and has been sent away to another caretaker before she could say goodbye. Many years later, a young woman returns to the shop and finds the first

shopkeeper’s son behind the cash register. She tells him that his father was a kind man and the young man gives her a free candy bar as she leaves, just as his father used to do.

Written and produced by Yousef Kazemi, this film was dedicated to Kazemi’s father, who was the inspiration for the character of the shopkeeper. Although the film is short and produced on a relatively low budget, it was shot on professional video equipment and it is very well-crafted. Anyone looking for a heartwarming tale about the power of friendship should give “Yes, We’re Open” a chance.

This short film was followed up by a mini-documentary called “Texas Paranormalists.” This film followed several notable paranormal investigators and New Age spiritual practitioners throughout several locations in Texas.

Produced as a project by film student David Goodman at the University of North Texas, this film begins as a ghost hunting crew called Lux Bellator, which means “The Light Warrior” in Latin, explores an eerie house and communicates with ghosts. This small team investigates allegedly haunted locations and uses technology and spiritual techniques to contact the spirits of the dead in the hope that they can find peace.

The film also explores the projects created by Jeromy Jones, the founder and CEO of a company called Paranologies.

Once a successful engineer, Jones now uses his technical skills to design and build customized devices which he states can be used to communicate with ghosts and otherworldly spirits.

The film concludes with coverage of the Dallas Psychic Fair, which

is a convention attended by people from every imaginable corner of the New Age spiritual lifestyle. At the convention, attendees learned about ghost hunting techniques, sought advice from tarot card readers, had pictures of their auras taken and were able to purchase a variety of crystals, incense and other supposedly magical items. If you think that Texas is all about cattle ranchers and football games, “Texas Paranormalists” will quickly show you a spookier side of the Lone Star State.

Next in the line-up was Spanish language short film “Radial”. This short film has already earned over a dozen awards from international film competitions and it was easy to see why. Beginning as a seemingly normal portrayal of upscale family life, the film quickly jumps into high gear with a scene of shocking violence. Filmmaker Jose Antonio Muela skillfully uses flashbacks and a slow pace to follow the main character as he unravels the mystery behind the murder of his mother and sets out to avenge her death. The anger and sorrow of the main character is displayed in the lengths that he goes to in order to exact revenge on his mother’s killer.

The film’s surprising climax is both satisfying and depressing but the film overall is very much worth watching.

The highlight of the Thursday screening was the film “The Whole,” shot and produced in Brownsville, Texas. This film follows the artistic struggles and difficulties of a troubled author who is living in the shadow of his much more successful father.

Combining skillful performances, literary references and

psychological suspense, “The Whole” is hard to define in just a few sentences. At times it as a thriller but it also reaches into other territory, from a fractured love story to a portrayal of a man dealing with his own personal demons as he sacrifices everything to achieve artistic success.

After the film, writers and producers Rodrigo Moreno and Joel Moreno answered audience questions and provided interviews.

Rodrigo Moreno explained the inspiration for the film, citing sources from Aristotle to existentialist philosophy. He also provided insights into the filmmaking process.

“Writing the script is a long process,” said Moreno. “It took a year to write the script. We started post-production in January 2017 and wrapped in April.”

Although the film has only been released for a few months, it has already won awards and the film’s producers are embarking on an international tour to screen the film for audiences across the globe.

Moreno’s production company, Pink Ape Media, will begin working on a feature-length film called “Ramona” in December of this year.

To learn more about this film, visit thewholemovie.com.

The Reel East Texas Film Festival’s second year was an outstanding success. If you missed out this year, you can visit reeleasttexas.com to find out which films were screened and inquire about purchasing tickets to next year’s festival.

Photographers Lacey Bunn Diana Castillo Alma Cedillo Taliayah Clark Brooke Harris Grace Garcia Tiffany Johnson Elizabeth Lumpkin Mason Myers Dina Robinson Grant Worley Mary Williams-Smith Adviser Rachel Stallard Photography Adviser O Rufus Lovett

LETTERS THE FLARE welcomes any letter to the editor and encourages all readers to use this as a sounding board to express thoughts and opinions on current campus-related topics.

We also welcome news or feature ideas. Due to space limitations, letters should be as concise as possible and may still be edited for space. Letters must be signed and include an address and telephone number so that we can verify their authenticity.

Letters should be delivered to the newsroom in CommunicationsAutomotive 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.

Start every day thankful for a purpose I

am most thankful for each day I can wake up and put great effort towards pursuing my goals. Juggling my life’s demands becomes more challenging by the day, but if I am given grace to live another day, I refuse to give up or give in. Sometimes I catch myself feeling like “I can ’t do this,” but when I think about the people who have been deprived of opportunity, I am able to keep pushing forward towards achieving my desired success.

It is important to not take life for granted and be thankful to be able to live life however you desire. I used to fall short of realizing how special living life is and can be and sometimes went through phases of wanting it to be over with. Those

thoughts were very dangerous for my mind to embrace because I was tempted to give in to a fatal decision and give up life from negative feelings.

It took me some time to repair trust and love with myself in order to understand that this life WHITNEY I’ve been ERVIN granted is STAFF WRITER one to live out loud and fulfill my life’s purpose. I came to the understanding that the decisions I have made in the past are to stay in the past and I don’t need to repeat them in the present.

Deliverance from our past is definitely something to be thankful for because we made it through some things and learned valuable lessons along the way.

Every day, people go through the best of times and the worst of times.

That’s just how life goes. But we can’t let it unbalance our thinking of the true value of living life. While the concept of how life is to be lived can be confusing, stressful, and carry a multitude of other perceptions, losing sight that it is solely up to you how your life turns out, and can end before it’s time.

To me, being thankful means appreciating all aspects of what you give and receive out of life, and I am very thankful for all of the good and the bad because it has made me

the woman I am today. Every day lived should inspire thankfulness because each day is a gift to keep your personal story going.

Everybody goes through something that makes us want to give up the fight, but if you make it through, it is an accomplishment to live and see another day to conquer more!

This holiday season, acknowledge the blessings you are most thankful for and rejoice in them with your loved ones. Life is not to be taken for granted, and each day we live is the most precious gift we could ever be thankful for.

Whitney Ervin is a sophomore Journalism major from Longview.

Copyright 2017, The Flare.

All rights reserved

THE FLARE

PAGE 8A n FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017

Cultural Awareness Day Event highlights diversity of students on campus

Grant Worley / THE FLARE

Moises Ela participates in an interpretive dance performance with flags during Cultural Awareness Day.

Diana Castillo / THE FLARE

KC Student shows traditional wardrobe accessories for Japan.

Grace Garcia / THE FLARE

Kiwako Fukui performs an instrumental piece during Cultural Awareness Day.

Alma Cedillo / THE FLARE Grace Garcia / THE FLARE

Bernice Donou, freshman represents her culture of Beni with native attire.

Sanam Saleem from Pakistan shows off her traditional garment during a Bollywood routine.

Mary Williams-Smith / THE FLARE

Ladelvin Daughtry and Khadejah Colbert sample food from Honduras with Lydian Palenaa.

Grace Garcia/ THE FLARE

William Whiteley and Ayu Arsani perform a duet during the entertainment part of the program.

Fe a tures

Special Edition FRIDAY December 1, 2017

SECTION

B

Mason Myers / THE FLARE

Jamie Hwang enjoys gourmet ramen noodles in his dorm room. Students can save money by learning life skills such as cooking.

Taste of campus life Flare staffer offers tips on cooking in the residence hall RESIDENCE HALL FRIENDLY RECIPE

JAMIE HWANG Staff Writer

C

ollege dorm life is great. You get to live by your own rules and on your own schedule. It is good to enjoy your own freedom and make choices for yourself. When it comes to food, however, there isn’t much freedom for dormitory students. Anyone residing on campus is required to purchase a meal plan and since the dorms do not include a kitchen, students don’t have many options other than to eat at the cafeteria. Being in the dorms myself, I have found a few useful ways to cook in the dorms.

According to the KC Student Handbook, the possession of hot plates, toasters, ovens and electric frying pans is expressly prohibited for fire safety reasons. However, anything that shuts off automatically is fine in the dorms. The top three cooking devices that you definitely need are a rice cooker, an electric kettle and a microwave. If you have either a rice cooker or a microwave, you can become a pretty incredible home cook! You can buy a rice cooker or an electric kettle for less than $20 at Walmart. Also, there is a microwave at Sports Grill that you can use if you do not have one in your dorms.

“I usually boil or steam all the food by rice cooker. Also, I cook some food, put it in the fridge and heat it up in the microwave whenever I need to eat. It saves a lot of time and it’s really convenient,” said Truc Le, Kilgore freshman.

The rice cooker is not just for cooking rice.

You can boil liquids, heat up food and make gourmet ramen noodles. The first step to making ramen noodles uses the rice cooker and needs the electric kettle to heat water hot enough to cook the noodles. While you are waiting for the water to boil, wash and slice veggies. Green onions, mushrooms and spinach are recommended. Chili peppers are good too if you want to make it spicy. Once the water has boiled, put the dry noodles in the rice cooker, add the seasoning packet and pour the boiling water over the noodles. Make sure to stir until seasoning is dissolved and cover with the lid to keep the heat in. Cook according to the package directions and add the veggies halfway to avoid them becoming soggy. To make a filling meal, an egg can be cracked on top of the noodles which allows the egg to poach in the broth until the whites are solid but the yolk is still runny. If it looks done, pour the soup into a bowl and enjoy the gourmet ramen noodles. I usually cook rice first, let it cool down while making the noodles and have the noodles with rice.

In addition, a microwave is strongly recommended because it is good for cooking, thawing and steaming. Here are some recipes that you can make in a microwave: scrambled

MAC N CHEESE IN A MUG Place ½ cup of uncooked macaroni noodles in a mug.

Add in ½ cup of water and a pinch of salt.

Stir together and place in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.

Add a splash of milk, a pinch of pepper and ¼ cup of shredded cheese.

Mix together and place in the microwave for 30 seconds Stir and enjoy!

Hwang shows off his dorm-made noodle dish.

Mary Williams-Smith / THE FLARE

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO COOK IN YOUR RESIDENCE HALL? n “I mostly cook pasta because it’s easier.

Others on campus have crock pots and they make nachos, rice etc...” - Michaela Jones, Kilgore freshman n “I like making quesadillas. It’s a good option to make for breakfast or dinner.” - Lydian Palencia, Kilgore sophomore n “Frozen food. Since we don’t have a stove, I usually microwave food.” - Trenton Adriance, Kilgore freshman n “My roommate, Katie and I usually cook

eggs and nachos.

To make scrambled eggs, all you need to do is crack two eggs into a microwave safe mug, add 2 tablespoons water, chopped ham, chopped mushrooms, mix everything together and put the mug into the microwave. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Microwave again until egg is almost set. Probably about 30 to 45 seconds longer. Remove from microwave and top with cheese.

Making nachos is even easier. Scatter a small bag of chips onto a large microwave safe plate.

Drop spoonfuls of cooked beans onto the chips.

Sprinkle green chilies or jalapenos on top of the beans and chips. Evenly distribute some shredded cheese over the top. Microwave for

calzones and ramen. We cook calzones in the microwave and make ramen using the Keurig coffee maker. The food is already premade so all we have to do is heat it up. Plus, it’s cheap.”

- Jay’La Jackson, Kilgore freshman n “I like to cook burgers in the microwave because they are really good and easy to make.” - Nate Patton, Kilgore freshman n “I make miso soup. It’s easy to make and healthy at the same time. I don’t feel guilty eating miso soup at night because it’s healthy.”

- Airi Shimamura, Kilgore freshman

1 to 1 1/2 minutes depending on the strength of your microwave. Remove from microwave and top with sour cream and guacamole if desired.

Although the food offered in the cafeteria is good, I had to figure out ways to eat something besides cafeteria food. I sometimes have to skip lunch because of my class schedules and after my class, I get so hungry that I can’t even wait for dinner. Also, the cafeteria hours during weekends are shorter and I sometimes get lazy and don’t feel like getting out of my dorm during weekends.

“The cafeteria hours are inconvenient especially during weekends. I can’t go anywhere or start my day ’til after brunch.

CAKE IN A MUG 6 Tablespoons cake mix 1 Tablespoon water 2 Tablespoons apple sauce In a microwave-safe mug, add cake mix, water and apple sauce.

Mix until smooth.

You can add 1 Tablespoon of chocolate chips, sprinkles, coconut or other add-ins of your choice.

Cook in microwave at full power for 1 minute.

Let cool for a few minutes before eating.

And then for church on Sundays I can’t even eat before I go nor afterwards because it ends fast and starts so late. I haven’t tried cooking in my dorm yet but I’m definitely interested now,” said Khadejah Colbert, Kilgore freshman.

There’s a surprising amount you can do in your dorm even when you don’t have a kitchen and college is a good time to start learning that. A few basic recipes can help a lot for you and it doesn’t only apply to college.

Rather than depending on the cafeteria, try one of these recipes and you will be able to fill your empty stomach and save some money.

Bon Appetite!

THE FLARE

PAGE 2B n FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017

Life in a box

‘Would you give up your bed one night to change someone’s life?’

Lisa Harris / THE FLARE

Mother and son lay in the box house they made together as part of the “Cardboard Box City.”

Cardboard Box City brings realization to the homeless in our community LISA HARRIS Features Editor

A

t Cardboard Box City a cardboard box is your home for the evening, bundled up with blankets and pillows; even those can be a luxury for a homeless person. The night is cold and the ground is hard. For those who don’t live like this every night, the sacrifice is well worth the discomfort. The Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network puts on this fundraiser to raise awareness for those in crisis and the less fortunate. This year, LIHN raised $15,000 at the night’s event.

The crowd of campers was excited the night of the fundraiser as participants signed in and received a free t-shirt. A trailer packed full of cardboard boxes ready for the participants to create their homes for the night. Boxes where duct taped together to construct a longhouse, a circular house or even a two story. The House of Disciples had a band called “Rule 33” playing and pizza was served with snacks and soccer for the kids. The Disney movie “Moano”

was also a treat as we sat outside on the lawn and watched it projected on the wall.

A prize was given for the best decorated box and to the oldest participant, who was older than 55.

The chill in the air was just right as a clear, starry night settled us in. The event was scheduled from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and a beautiful sunrise greeted campers as they exited our cardboard houses.

Mark Hurtubise, Kilgore freshman, showed up for extra credit. “Surprisingly it’s warmer in a cardboard box than I expected, I slept all night” he said.

Timothy Sirus a White Oak freshman said, “It wasn’t for the extra points it really more so for the experience, I’ve never slept in a cardboard box. I fell right to sleep with my blankets.”

Gus Lafosse KC English instructor, is actively involved with this organization.

Lafosse gave English 1302 the option of attending the fundraiser for extra credit, overall 12 students participated.

“The best part about Cardboard Box City is the awareness that is brings for the cause of homelessness in our community” said

Lafosse. The top fundraiser of the evening, Lafosse was granted the office of Mayor of Cardboard Box City and was given a big golden key and a Raising Cane’s gift basket.

Lafosse has been involved with homeless ministry for about ten years, he can empathize having lived on the streets himself.

His journey began as a weekend mission trip with friends while he was in graduate school, and he returned several summers in a row to a work in shelter in Shreveport, and then became involved with LIHN. One goal would be to “get all small local charities in the Longview area working together in harmony to maximize our efforts and resources,” Lafosse said.

The organization has been serving families with at least one child under the age of 18, for the last 13 years. After an extensive screening families can be accepted and where housed for a certain period of time.

LIHN is committed to helping families regain their self-sufficiency, including job searches and permanent housing. Case manager Martha Nichols said, “One of the first things I tell them is that they are not “homelessness people” they are people

going through the crises of homelessness, they do not have to let this crises define them or their family.”

The success rate with LIHN is significant “We feel everyone who enters the LIHN program has some form of success” Nichols said. Year to date the program has had 75 percent of families obtain permanent housing. LIHN would like to see more qualified families enter the program. Success is a disciplined effort with accountability and focus that is obtainable. To get involved people can volunteer at a host church, or at the day house.

The fundraiser was a success. It’s a blessing to be as fortunate as most of us are in America. This is one of two fundraisers LIHN has every year to help those in crises.

Classmate Bryan Garduno, a New Braunfels freshman said, “It’s cold, I didn’t sleep. It was too cold.”

If you are interested in helping or would like more information, please contact Martha Nichols at (903) 234-8343.

“Homes” built from cardboard boxes are on display during Cardboard Box City’s fund-raiser to help the homeless in Longview.

Lisa Harris / THE FLARE

Extra credit reveals abundance of blessings

I

n English class at the beginning of the fall semester we were given the option for extra credit, I think most people were all ears.

Usually it’s an extra paper or some sort of survey perhaps, not in Mr. Lafosse’s class. I was surprised to hear he was giving five extra points for attending the plays from the theatre department and an extra 20 for the Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network’s annual fundraiser for the Cardboard Box City project.

I wasn’t aware of this organization and what it provided. The only thing I knew was that we had to sleep overnight in a cardboard box. I received the info sheet on it and was a little apprehensive about paying for extra credit, just being honest. I realized that it would be for a good cause and I decided to go all in. I was blessed to receive a sponsorship for the entry fee, which included my cardboard box, t-shirt, and pizza for dinner. A sleeping bag was also sponsored, and I had a couple friends donate toward the cause.

The day arrived and I checked the weather. It was going to be cold but not so cold that I would reconsider.

Thankfully there was no rain in the forecast.

I had a plan to pack as many blankets as possible.

Throughout the day I was cheered LISA on with the HARRIS encouraging FEATURES EDITOR words such as, “You’re CRAZY” and, “You’re better than me, I wouldn’t do it.” This ignited something in me, the feeling of sacrifice and how far would I go to experience something out of my comfort zone.

At 6 p.m. November 10, on the lawn of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, the event began. I dressed accordingly with several layers of socks, sweat pants, shirts, toboggan, a coat and life-saving UGG boots. One might think I was headed to Alaska by way of East Texas going by how I looked, but

I knew I wasn’t going to die by freezing. Layers are a good thing.

A trailer with huge cardboard boxes lay waiting for us to pick from. Huge light generators lit up the lawn as my friend and I considered our plan of action.

Grabbing two huge lazy boy recliner boxes and what appeared to be a refrigerator box, we constructed our box house for the night. As we worked, a band from “House of Disciples” played familiar Christian songs and my friend and I began to realize how fun this would be and we felt like kids building our fort.

A main essential in constructing such a house is duct tape; no duct tape, no cardboard house.

A brilliant contractor, my friend designed a house complete with windows, a door, front porch with chairs, cathedral ceiling, a loft with candles and VIOLA!!

The most beautiful cardboard box house I have ever seen. Lego and Barbie would be proud. We wrapped up our cardboard house with our own artwork reminding onlookers that “Jesus loves us” and “Happy Thanksgiving.”

Pleased with our achievement and everything in place, we grabbed our chairs and headed to watch the movie. Many cardboard box houses were constructed; some joined together to make one huge cardboard box house and another looked like a popcorn box. As children laughed and played I had a sense of being a kid again, almost like camping in the backyard when all you had were chairs and blankets to make a fort.

Bundled up with more than enough blankets and layers, it wasn’t a matter of being cold so much as being old. The ground is hard on a pair of old bodies. A beautiful sunrise greeted us as we arose and began to tear down our cardboard box house. Stiff bodies walking around with sleep still in their eyes, together we gathered around for donuts and coffee. It wasn’t so bad, we made it a fun night that will not be forgotten.

The fundraiser pales in comparison to the reality of the situation. People make choices every day and for some, those choices have landed them with less than ideal circumstances.

Others find themselves in times of crisis which are out of their control. My friend and I get to go to a warm home with all its amenities and comfort. It humbled us both and helped us realize how we are truly blessed. Many others will not get that luxury.

This was definitely a unique way to get me out of my comfort zone.

I was excited for several reasons.

For starters, it’s extra credit and this chick needs all the help she can get.

Second, I was taking advantage of the moment to write for “The Flare.” Most of all, looking back now, it was an opportunity to remember that life is precious and shouldn’t be taken for granted. I learned about the LIHN organization, and how they raised money so homeless families with children can have a safe place to sleep and get back on their feet.

I’m glad I was in attendance that night and it’s a good feeling knowing the experience will help someone less fortunate.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017 n PAGE 3B

THE FLARE

Allison Taliaferro / THE FLARE

Latasha Goodwyn Adult Education and Literacy department director aids students in finding the career best suited for them.

Your future awaits

Adult Education and Literacy prepares students for opportunities LUCAS STROUGH Digital Content Editor

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he Adult Education and Literacy Department at KC Longview prepares students to begin the next phase of their life, whether they are improving their job skills or pursuing higher education. The programs offered by the department are designed to meet students wherever they are in their educational or professional development.

Whether these students want to improve their English skills, resume their education after taking some time off or make a career change, this department provides comprehensive services to help students achieve their goals.

“The goal of the department is to educate students and to connect them with education,” said Latasha Goodwyn, director of the program. While the department initially helped students without a high school diploma earn higher credentials, the focus of the program is now to assist students who want to find better careers and employment.

DID YOU KNOW?

Far more than just a series of courses, the AEL program takes students’ backgrounds into account in order to improve their lives as a whole. The department provides courses which prepare students to take and fulfill the requirements of the General Educational Development exam. This can enable students who did not earn a high school diploma to improve their general knowledge while also enabling them to apply for higher-paying jobs after passing the exam.

The department also allows students with a high school diploma or who have earned their GED to prepare to enter college.

Whether they want to enroll at KC or another college, students in this program can study for the Texas Success Initiative which can allow them to successfully enroll in a course of higher education.

Goodwyn began overseeing the program in Fall 2017 but is already using her experience in education and administration to help students better their lives.

“Our original mission was to help students get their GEDs,” Goodwyn said. “Now we’re funded by the Texas Workforce Commission

and we’ve combined our programs to stay true to the mission of Texas Workforce.”

Although this department has served hundreds of students, its efforts are not always well-known. The department recently began placing posters advertising the courses and services offered by the program at the KC Longview campus so more students can learn about the benefits offered by Adult Education and Literacy.

“We’re a big part of KC Longview,” said Betsy Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant for the Adult Education and Literacy Department. Rodriguez, a graduate of the KC Longview Office Professional program, now known as the BCOM program, helps coordinate activities in the department and helps students find their place in the program.

“We have ESL classes at St. Matthew’s Church and we accept new students every month. We have day and evening classes for GED and we accept new students every month for day classes,” said Rodriguez.

Despite the fact that it may not be very wellknown, the Adult Education and Literacy Department also plays a large role in the

local community as well.

“We served over 1,000 students last year and we’re on track to do that again this year,” Goodwyn said.

The Adult Education and Literacy Department came from humble beginnings and has adapted to fit the changing times, often coping with limited resources. When the department first began accepting students, instructors often had to borrow books from local high schools to get students the education that they were seeking. Now, the department is taking big strides to keep up with emerging technology to better equip its students for the modern workforce.

“We’re trying to increase the use of technology with teachers and students and we’re dealing with limited funding,” Goodwyn said.

In spite of the challenges faced by the department, Goodwyn is working tirelessly to help students connect their dreams and aspirations with real-world skills so that they can improve their lives and achieve their goals, no matter what path they wish to pursue.

GLIMPSE INTO KC LONGVIEW

Adult Education and Literacy classes are available in 25 locations.

Day and evening classes are offered on the main campus in Kilgore and KC-Longview. Also in Gilmer, Gladewater, Henderson, Price (Carlisle), New London, Overton, Sabine and Tatum. Not every program is offered at every location.

n GED Preparation and Testing: Prepare to pass the exam for the GED (General Educational Development) diploma, the equivalent to a credential for high school completion.

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Adult education and literacy Classes are free.

No fees are charged for attending Kilgore College Adult Education & Literacy. Registration is easy and quick classes are held continually throughout the year with registration during various months. Call 903 2362004 or 903 753-2642 for information on class locations, schedules and registration information.

n Literacy, Basic Skills and Exam Preparation: Improve your reading, writing and math skills regardless of whether you do or do not have a high school credential. Prepare for pre-employment, college entrance, military entrance or other precollege level exams.

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The Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program of Kilgore College is celebrating its 34th year of providing opportunities for adults to meet their educational goal n

www.kilgore.edu

PROGRAMS OFFERED:

n TESL (Learn English): Acquire and/or improve your reading, writing and speaking skills if your primary language is not English and your skills are below the level to function effectively in English.

Mary Williams-Smith / THE FLARE

Kenneth Rhodes, Refrigeration examines his work at the KC Longview campus. KC Longview also hosts: Business Computer Office Management, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Emergency Medical Services Professions, HVAC and Refrigeration Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Legal Assisting / Paralegal, Nurse Assistant (Aide) and Vocational Nursing (LVN) programs.

For more information about programs at KC Longview: 903-753-2642 or 903-236-2020

n Intensive College Readiness Program: A special program of study developed specifically for non-traditional students who have never attended college. Individuals who recently completed a GED or who earned a high school diploma at least four years ago may qualify. www.kilgore.edu

THE FLARE

PAGE 4B n FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017

Little Boys

Grace Garcia

Lena

Diana Castillo

Glamour

Darren

Lacey Bunn

Window Light

Max Cervantes

Dina Robinson Enduring

Korine Stroud Unity

Grace Garcia

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017 n PAGE 5B

THE FLARE

Blue Bird

Gwen Winters

Interpretive Images The selected photographs are from the KC Photography II, Photo Digital Imaging and Portraiture classes. Freshman and sophomore students met the challenge of interpreting landscape, nature, still life and portraits. The original photographs include black and white and color technology utilizing the Kilgore College photography program’s studio, environmental locations and processed in the KC photo digital imaging lab.

Zebra

Stamen

Lisa Harris

Alma Cedillo

White Rose

Shadows

Gwen’s Flower

Gwen Winters

Alma Cedillo

Pearls

Lacey Bunn

Lisa Harris

THE FLARE

PAGE 6B n FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017

‘The Hood Don’t Have Heroes’ Determination helps overcome turmoil KENDALL HURTT Staff Writer

K

y’Andre Griffin has learned growth through trials and tribulations. Born in Compton, California he lived in multiple cities around the United States. Coming from a childhood that forces an infant to develop the mind of an adolescent is not an easy task, but he did not let things out of his control hinder his evolution into manhood. “The hood don’t have heroes,” he said.

“Looking back just one year ago. I could see turmoil, chaos, and instability in my existence.” Someone who could change his situation was something Griffin couldn’t believe in.

Rather than wallowing in this; he chose to work out.

Exercising can take a toll on a person, but Griffin knows pain does not stop.

Becoming complacent with life’s challenges could only be conquer through sports.

Though football was not his main focus, it would bring forth the perfect opportunity to occupy time. Griffin flourished as a student athlete during his time at Enid High School in Enid, Oklahoma. As a defensive end he led his team in sacks and deflections.

Langston University took notice of the talent Griffin desperately worked for, but after further review of their own financial shortcomings Langston pulled his scholarship. After having a lifelong dream taken away, Griffin took some time away from football.

Moving from state to state with rarely any place to go, his interest for college returned after viewing the Netflix documentary “Last Chance U”. It revived his passion for football. During an episode, Kilgore College was featured, and upon further investigation he concluded that KC could be the perfect fit for a young man such as himself, not only physically but mentally as well.

As far as an education goal, Griffin is determined to obtain an associate’s degree in nursing and meld with his peers inside the halls of a Division 1 university.

“Any school with a great Anesthesiology program for three years and a four year sports medicine program is the goal,” Griffin said. Relocating to Atlanta is his preference due to their recent economic advancement.

Finances have always been a battle for Griffin; however, football cannot sustain

everyday life.

Griffin’s economic environment only accommodated individuals in the same position, or worse.

“At the end of the day I am a survivor. The things I’ve been through, witnessed and endured are more than the normal person could become accustomed to under pressure,” Griffin said.

The responsibility for maintaining daily inspiration only came from an internal commitment.

Maintaining a brighter outlook on life happens periodically during the day so his short temper is not displayed. Life becomes a burden to carry so sitting on the couch gives him a tremendous amount of mental peace.

A sound mind is something Griffin has always wanted to know more about. He has faith in his journey and thinks the first part of peace has been found as he attends KC. “Now I see myself in a position to start dreams, careers and opportunities that were once taken away.

Every individual who belongs to a certain ethnic group, gonna feel me, you dig?” Griffin said.

Grant Worley / THE FLARE

Ky’Andre Griffin works out to keep himself physically and mentally sound.

NFL Viking returns to field as coach Tight end shares expertise ALEC REYES Staff Writer

N

ever forget where you came from is a simple phrase with so much meaning. A meaning that states no matter where life takes you, never forget where you got your start and laid your foundation for life.

That was the case for former KC football standout and former NFL player Chase Ford, who is back at KC coaching for the Rangers football team.

Ford, a graduate of CorriganCamden High School, spent two years playing for KC under head coach J. J. Eckert. He earned first team All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference honors and won MVP in 2009. After his time at KC, Ford transferred to the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, where he played for another two years under head coaches Randy Shannon and Al Golden.

Ford spent four seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns.

Most of his playing time was with the Minnesota Vikings where he played under head coaches Leslie Frazier and Mike Zimmer for about three seasons. After being without a team for some amount of time, Ford decided to come back and talk with his former college coach.

While waiting for a shot to play in the league again, he went to visit his former coaches at the beginning of the season, the discussion of recruiting happened.

“I messed around and joked with him [Eckert] about how I could recruit for him and be the best recruiter. I didn’t know he’d offer me a little job,” Ford said.

The former Viking mentioned how in his hometown an event was put together where they received the opportunity to meet a former Olympic rower. He stated that it was rare to ever meet a professional athlete let alone someone famous. Reminiscing on that event, it taught Ford that children look up to professional athletes as role models.

“It was really cool to be able to

give back to the kids and hang out and spend some time with them.

It made me make their day.” Ford said.

Ford said that his most memorable experience while in the NFL was when the team would go and do activities with children.

“They just eat up with you because you play in the National Football League and it was cool to me. It makes me remember so much because I got to go out there and hang out with those kids. We’d play little games and stuff in the classroom and you know, just interact with them.”

An important life lesson that Ford learned while in the league is that attitude is everything.

“Your attitude can get you in a bind. It’s good to have emotion, but you can’t put your feelings into this stuff,” he said. “If you get your feelings into it, your feelings will get hurt. It affects you and can make you act a certain way.”

Previously playing for Eckert, Ford felt right at home after being offered a spot on the coaching staff. “It’s home, and it was cool to be back around. It just felt like the right place to be.”

Former KC students to play in NFL Ricardo Colclough Pittsburg Steelers Jorge Diaz Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kevin Everette Buffalo Bills Tony Hutson Dallas Cowboys Chad Stanley Houston Texans Robbie Tobeck Seattle Seahawks Brandon Warfield Baltimore Ravens Demorrio Williams San Diego Chargers Alton Wright Tennessee Titans Cedric Sullivan Cincinnati Bengals

Marvin White Cincinnati Bengals Jessie Smitherman Dallas Cowboys Thomas Herrion SF ‘49ers Derrick Pickens Oakland Raiders Chase Ford Minnesota Vikings Darren Woodard St. Louis Rams Marcus Reed Green Bay Packers Ricky Collins GB Packers Lane Johnson Philadelphia Eagles Rufus Johnson Washington Redskins

Grace Garcia / THE FLARE

Grace Garcia / THE FLARE

Coach Chase Ford gazes over the field where he began his collegiate playing days at R.E. Saint John Memorial Stadium.

“ I messed around and joked with him (Eckert) about how I could recruit for him and be the best recruiter. I didn’t know he’d offer me a little job.”

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017 n PAGE 7B

THE FLARE

Grace Garcia / THE FLARE

Veterans Lisa and Josh Parks with daughter, Logan, pose for a family photo. The couple helped start KC’s Gaming Club on campus.

Veteran couple raise daughter to serve Family finds comfort in helping veterans, students NELDA MILLIGAN-TURNER Staff Writer

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arried veterans, Josh and Lisa Parks’ goal is to leave KC better when they graduate.

“I grew up with my first husband, he was like a big brother,” said Lisa Parks.

In 2011, when her first husband came home from deployment in the National Guards, he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 22.

“We decided to get married, and he died the next year, 2012, at the age of 23. His death spurred me into wanting to see more in life than where I had grown up in East Texas, and I enlisted in the Army in February 2013”, Lisa said.

“It is funny that I never left Texas, I was stationed at Fort Bliss after finishing training and was an aviation mechanic for UH-60 Blackhawks,” Lisa said.

Josh enlisted in the Army in 2007.

During his six years of service he was deployed to battle zones three times, once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan.

Josh was honorably discharged in February 2014.

“I was an aviation mechanic on CH47 Chinook helicopters. After almost

seven years in service, I was getting ready to muster out when I met Lisa at Fort Bliss where we both worked in the same unit,” Josh Parks said.

Josh and Lisa married in 2013 and soon after she became pregnant with their daughter, whom they both say they live for and she discharged in 2014.

“I was able to leave the military early and terminate my contract without repercussions,” Lisa said.

Lisa enrolled in the summer of 2015 at KC in the OSHA program and graduated with honors in May 2017 as a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta.

“I returned to KC in August 2017 majoring in Engineering to take as many courses as I can in that field at KC before transferring to a four-year college,” Lisa said.

Josh started in the spring of 2016 and is still deciding on his major as he takes the core curriculum courses.

“We often laugh that Josh doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up, but he always gives credit to Lisa for pushing him to do his best”,” said Kenneth Turner, Gaming Club officer.

Josh had been a member of a gaming club while in the Army and missed

the camaraderie and friendship of the organization.

“We wanted to create a gaming club at KC for those who enjoy playing games and wanted it to be a friendly environment,” Lisa said.

They were able to get Heather Fitch to be faculty sponsor and had their first meeting in October 2016. The Gaming Club has grown this year and when they leave KC they hope to see it continue to thrive.

Since both Josh and Lisa are veterans, trying to resurrect the Veterans Club is a natural fit for them. They worked with the president of the Veterans Club, Kenneth Rhoades, and began to do fund-raisers together combining the Gaming Club with the Veterans Club for those events.

“We both reach out to veterans that are struggling at KC and need to talk in private. We found a lot of the veterans suffering from multiple stress factors were dropping classes. We don’t reach all of them in time but if one is in a class and the veteran can be referred then we add being a support system to the other things we do at KC,” Lisa said.

“We both reach out to veterans who are s trug g ling at KC and need to talk in private.”

- Lisa Parks

VOLUNTEERS BUILD RAMPS FOR VETERANS AND THE DISABLED The Parks joined American Legion Post 232 of Longview and volunteered to help Commander James Sutton in a ramp building group. They meet at Buckner Westminster Place to include a WWII veteran who lives there. Sutton decides on a project each month with veterans being first on the list for ramps and then disabled people in the community are eligible.

“The Texas Ramp project started approximately 10 years ago,” Sutton said. The American Legion Post 232 was trained by the Dallas Texas Ramp Project.

“Currently, we receive notice of the need for a ramp from “Ambucs Too” and other veterans, who notify Post 232,” Sutton said. Anyone can apply to build ramps, however, there is a selection process to make sure the ramps are built to safety standards.

Ramps are built as the need and funds arise. Post 232 averages 8-12 ramps per year that are 10-48 feet long; with the average length being about 30 feet. In addition, the Post has various other fund raising activities; with a small, portion of out-of-pocket expenses. There have been no setbacks; other than delays to raise funds for the materials.

They practice safety and have a safety officer. Those that volunteer add new ideas and usually come away with a heartfelt appreciation from those that are having the ramp built for them and from comradeship from their fellow builders.

They have built the ramps according to ADA (American Disabilities Act) specifications. These are wheel chair ramps that have side with rails. Our next project takes place this month for a Grandmother who cares for three children who get around on mobile equipment”, Sutton said.

“Both veterans and other gaming club members voted overwhelmingly to help and on the first Saturday we met, we had more volunteers then we needed,” Lisa said.

Josh and Lisa are proud that KC veterans are helping the community and Lisa wants all KC veterans to know that full-time students’ memberships to the American Legion are at no charge to the veteran students.

To volunteer, contact James Sutton at suttonjw25@ gmail.com.

Lance Corporal Manuel Cazares salutes the flag during “The Star Spangled Banner” at the opening ceremonies at KC’s Veterans Day event held in November.

Diana Castillo / THE FLARE

THE FLARE

PAGE 8B n FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017

Not your average rodeo Elizabeth Lumpkin / THE FLARE

Carson Chalk and Gordon Tellez honor the American Flag during the Pledge of Allegiance Friday at the wire lineman’s rodeo.

Linemen graduates demonstrate new skills

Grace Garcia / THE FLARE

Linemen prepare their tool belts before the competition.

Grant Worley / THE FLARE

Hunter Bozard replaces a transponder during the Rodeo’s exercises.

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Mason Myers / THE FLARE

A lineman performs a “hurt-man” rescue on a dummy by loosening the harness.

Graduation List Shannon Anderson - Gladewater Riley Barrett - Trinity Hunter Bozard - Troup Carson Chalk - Frankston Dustin Clem - Leonard Aaron Ford - Rusk Jose Garza - Quitman Layton Hash - Elkhart Christopher Kapchinskie - Henderson Kyle Randall - Harker Heights Daniel Robertson - Gladewater Gordon Tellez - Sikeston Killian Thompson - Big Sandy Mitchell Whitlo - Mount Enterprise

Dina Robinson/THE FLARE

The crowd looks on as linemen show off their knowledge of power lines.

Grant Worley / THE FLARE

he KC Electric Power Technology program hosted a Lineman Rodeo and graduation on Friday, Nov. 17.

The rodeo featured 14 students who demonstrated skills learned throughout the 10-week program and received their KCEPT Certificate of Completion.

Killian Thompson, received the Danny Belcher “Walking the Wood” trophy for most improved pole climber. Thompson also received “Outstanding Student” honors based on class grades and field competencies, and “Most Supportive Teammate” selected by class vote. He tied with Layton Hash and Jose Garza for most points earned in the Rodeo.

Since the program’s inception in Fall 2008, KC has graduated more than 215 students.

Grace Garcia / THE FLARE

During the rodeo, students demonstrate skills learned during the 10-week certificate program, including pole climbing, “hurt-man” rescue and insulator changing.