Page 3-Opinion: AC engineering and physics graduate relates opinion on recent Japan earthquake and its possible effects.
Student Publication for Angelina College Lufkin, Texas
Page 6-Photos of Interest: See the new Angelina Career and Technical Center in Crockett, Texas.
Page 5-Sports: Two AC Roadrunners received draft calls from the major league baseball.
THE PACER www.angelina.edu
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
AC nursing program sets record number of graduates The Angelina College nursing program, long considered among the state’s best, recently established a new milestone when nearly 100 students participated in a brief graduation ceremony. Those students, who earned their associate degrees of applied science in nursing, established a new record for number of nursing program graduates in a single class, with 96 graduating in the spring and another three graduating in the summer. Program coordinator Sharon Buffalo, who was on-hand for the previous record of 74, attributed the rising numbers to several factors. “First of all, we’ve had a lot more applicants coming in, so we’re starting with bigger classes,” Buffalo said. “Also, we are concentrating on our retention and remediation program. That helps the students by giving them extra attention through a remediation specialist, a person whose job is to remediate students after each exam. That gives students the opportunity to improve on each exam. I think that’s been a big factor.” Those programs were adopted in order to help students improve testing and reading skills, Buffalo said, and are successful because of the time and effort expended by AC instructors in doing everything possible to ensure the student
success rate of the program. “Our instructors are spending so much extra time with students to help prepare them in terms of counseling and advising,” Buffalo said. “But we all find this very rewarding.” Buffalo added that the instructors’ efforts might go for naught were it not for the quality of students enrolling in the program. “Our students are motivated,” Buffalo said. “They’re a mixed group of people right out of high school or here for second careers, and some are back in school after trying it before. “The motivation among nursing students is high because there’s such a big need for nurses, and these students realize they’re going to find employment soon. This gives them the extra motivation to work on some of these tests that might be hard for students with less motivation.” With the continuing growth in the program’s student population, the move into the new $6.2 million Health Careers facility coincided nicely, Buffalo said. The facility was ready for use during the summer. “We’re very excited about moving into the new building,” Buffalo said. “We needed the room. . . . We want larger classes, but we want to make sure we retain and graduate those classes. We don’t want this year to be some sort of spike; we want to make this the norm.”
Photo by AC News
The 2011 Angelina College nursing graduates gather outside the new Health Careers Building.
Sound tech degree starts In an effort to meet the growing need for experts in the field of sound engineering and recording, Angelina College is now offering an associate degree in sound recording technology. Course work covers the fundamentals of live sound, including setup, equalization and mix and digital recording using the industry standard software Pro Tools. Students will have the opportunity to run sound, record and mix down live performances as part of the curriculum. Classes are taught through the Fine Arts Division at Angelina College and began during the fall 2010 semester. Audio Engineering I, II and III are part of this curriculum;
the beginning-level course, Audio Engineering I, is being offered this fall 2011 semester on Monday evenings. Jim Taylor, adjunct instructor, teaches these courses. A professional sound engineer in the East Texas area for more than 20 years, Taylor has mixed and recorded sound for such noted performers as Willie Nelson, Tracy Byrd, Clay Walker, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dierks Bentley and Jason Boland, among others. No prerequisites are required for the introductory course. For more information, contact Larry Greer, instructor of music at Angelina College, at 936-633-5236 or visit www. angelina.edu/finearts/music. html.
Member: Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and Texas Community College Journalism Association
Volume 44, No. 1
Timberrrr...
Photo by Stephen Williamson
Police Academy students received a little unexpected job training when a tree snapped and fell on a car parked at the front of the campus as strong winds moved through the East Texas area Wednesday evening, Aug. 24.
Crockett center opens doors The Angelina Career and Technical Center in Crockett has officially opened its doors to the public. A grand opening ceremony, hosted by the Crockett Economic and Industrial Development Corporation and assisted by the Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce, was held Thursday, Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate the new learning center located on Loop 304. Events included the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony, an open house/tour and a live remote hosted by Crockett radio station KIVY. After the event, Angelina College admissions personnel and counselors were on hand to assist in preparing prospective students for the fall 2011 semester. Registration was also held at the facility on Aug. 24 and 25. The new $2.5 million center, made possible by the Crockett Economic and Industrial De-
velopment Corporation and operated by Angelina College, offers university transfer classes and occupational and career classes in a variety of subject areas. The facility houses a total of eight classrooms, two technical labs (including a welding lab) and an electronic library by which students will be able to access the AC Library and other electronic databases. AC president Dr. Larry Phillips said the new center has the potential to offer a huge boost to Houston County’s economy and its residents, as well as to those located in surrounding areas. “Having a full-service extension center will mean a lot to the city of Crockett and to Houston County,” Phillips said. “First of all, we’re committed to providing training for any new business. We now have a facility to provide that training. “We also hope to increase significantly the number of
high school graduates who go to college directly out of high school. We believe having the facility in place that’s affordable and accessible will do that. And finally, we hope to double or triple the number of people from Houston County who attend Angelina College each year.” Tim Ditoro, the recently appointed director of the new center, also mentioned the benefits to having such a facility in the area. “I’m very excited in knowing what a college can do for a community like Crockett and the area surrounding Houston County,” Ditoro said. “I know how this situation can create so many opportunities for everyone involved, especially when it comes to the current unemployment rates and the opportunities arising for those attending college. “I believe this new center is going to be a bright spot in the community.”
Photo by Michael Fowler
One AC student catches the billowing smoke of the wildfire burning in Houston County near Crockett. The wildfire, estimated at 90 percent containment when the photo was taken, caused several AC students to evacuate their homes and burned more than 3,000 acres, according to the Texas Forest Service. This is one of many wildfires that have been burning recently thoughout the state of Texas, including around Bastrop and Kilgore.
2
The Pacer
Angelina College
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
News
Just
Angelina College Connections
✳ Chillin’
Every MondayBible study at the BSM, 7 p.m.
Every Tuesday-
Free lunch at BSM from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Spanish Club meeting, Liberal Arts Room 203, 10:50 a.m.
September
✳✳
The lines of people waiting to register for fall classes Wednesday, Aug. 24 wrapped around the Student Center hallway and into the snack bar.
6-28 - AC Faculty Exhibition, ACA Gallery 16 - Roadrunner baseball vs. Temple College Leopards, 2 p.m. 20 - Roadrunner baseball vs. Alvin Community College Dolphins, 2 p.m. 27 - Roadrunner baseball vs. Lon Morris College Bearcats, 3 p.m.
October 1-2 - AC Fall Classic softball tournament. AC games at 4:15 p.m., 5:45 p.m. 4 - Reg Reynolds “Visible Light” Reception, ACA Gallery, 6-7:30 p.m. 4-26 - Reg Reynolds “Visible Light,” ACA Gallery 12 - Lady Roadrunner softball vs. Lon Morris, 3 p.m., 5 p.m. 13-15 - “Antigone,” Temple Theater, 7:30 p.m. 21 - Mid semester 24-25 - Red Ribbon Week 28 - Fine Arts Preview Day for high school students 31 - Last day to drop with a grade of “W”
November 1 - Graphic Arts Student Exhibition Reception, ACA Gallery, 6-7:30 p.m. 1-16 - Graphic Arts Student Exhibition, ACA Art Gallery 2 - Roadrunner basketball vs. Tomball College, 7 p.m.
Photo by Vicente Marrero
Photo by José Chavez
A row of practice dummies in Room 105 of the new Health Careers Building is ready for EMT and paramedic students.
The Spanish Club Tuesdays, 10:50 a.m. Liberal Arts Room 203 Join us as we make plans to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.
Photo by Vicente Marrero
CONSTITUTION DAY Hudgins Hall Auditorium
9 - Roadrunner basketball vs. Texas Riders, 7 p.m.
Dan Rankin - Introduction Gene Yates - Representation Michael Smith - Taxation Debra Jenke - Slavery Kevin Wooten - Selection of a President Dexter Satterwhite - Wrap-up
15 - Spring scholarship applications due 15 - Roadrunner basketball vs. Tomball College, 7:30 p.m.
Jonathan Betaman, a computer information systems major, takes a nap in the shade.
Thursday, Sept. 15 10:50 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
The discussions will be based on the Constitutional Convention
12 - Roadrunner basketball vs. SFA Club, 8 p.m.
Photo by José Chavez
Forrest Johnson and Chance Moore, both music majors, practice playing their guitars and singing in the front of Hudgins Hall between classes.
The organization encourages Angelina College students to participate actively in collegiate life and provides academic support to Hispanic students and students in Spanish courses. All AC students are welcome to join the club.
5 - Roadrunner basketball vs. Kingwood College, 7 p.m.
11 - Roadrunner basketball vs. East Texas Flight, 8 p.m.
Ebony Brown, nursing major, eats her lunch on the steps of the Administration Building.
Photo by Vicente Marrero
Adriana Meza, criminal justice major, texts in the Library.
Refreshments will be served.
PLAN TO JOIN US! Photo by Vicente Marerro
Leon Scritchfield, English major, and Dylan Fletcher, computer science major, study in the Student Center cafeteria.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Angelina College
3
The Pacer
Opinions
Shorter. It’s his job; he is a Justice of the Peace.
7.
plus Mom and Dad. Seven. Each daughter has only one brother, so there are five children
6.
A coffin
5.
A group compromised of a Grandfather, father and a son.
4.
Someone.
3.
A map.
2.
The letter C
1.
Answers
be applied to the supposed “radioactively contaminated” milk that babies were not allowed to drink in Japan. Once they found out the child needed to drink an 8-ounce glass every day for 160 years to raise the lifetime risk of getting cancer by four percent, milk was then determined to still “do a body good.” The most recent radiation readings at the plant site gates ranged from 2.6 to 5.7 millirem per hour. To put this in perspective, it would take you a whole hour at the site to get an equivalent dose from a five-second X-ray, and a chest CT scan that takes five minutes is over 500 times greater than what you would get from an hour at Fukushima right now. One final point we must remember is that this Japanese reactor was completed back in 1971. To put that day and age in perspective, the compact disc or VHS had not been invented yet, much less digital and passive systems used today that can now control nuclear reactors. To think about technology that was 40 years old being able to protect all but one reactor from the second largest earthquake recorded in history along with an engulfing tsunami that the reactor was not even designed for is an engineering marvel that cannot be denied. Unfortunately, I doubt it will ever be rewarded either.
8.
When I am asked what my occupation is, my answer of working as a nuclear engineer is inevitably followed by questions of concern. It is a natural human tendency to be afraid of what one does not understand, especially in light of the earthquake and tsunami situation in Japan. This can be seen when CNN reported that underground fallout shelter orders have jumped up by over 400% since the earthquake, while a poll by the Washington Post indicates the public opposing construction of new reactors by a 2-to-1 margin. Some of the reports I have seen describing terms like “core meltdown” and “prompt criticality” would be humorous in my line of work only if so many innocent people were not being manipulated by the sensationalism. All the average citizen really wants to know is what are the effects of the nuclear situation in Japan and should we be worried about the current plants in the U.S.? One week ago, the Wall Street Journal reported that the reactor “…released a total of 10,393 tons of radioactive water…the total amount of radiation contained in the released water [was] at 150 billion becquerels—exceeding the legal limits by about 100
times…” If you think this is frightening, I could scare you even more and tell you that this amount of water can fill up more than four Olympicsized swimming pools and is emitting 150 billion particles of radiation every second. Whether it is by innocence of ignorance, the reporters using these values are being ambiguous. In the U.S., we use radiation activity units called the Cure, which is equal to 37 billion becquerels. This means that the activity released into the ocean was four Curie, which is a laughable value in nuclear terms. I have personally worked with both a one and ten Curie neutron souce in my college classes. Granted, I did not swallow the source, but I doubt I would even notice an effect if I gulped down four Olympic swimming pools of it. Let us get our hands on the exact amount of material there actually is in this radioactive water. The experts have determined that iodine, a well-researched fission product, is the culprit. The amount of iodine needed to make four Curies in 32.6 micrograms. This size is about 100 times less than a mosquito. Not only this, but after 53 days of exponential decay, the activity of this release will be well below the already extremely conservative legal limit. This math can also
1. It starts cars. It helps make juice. It usually finishes a topic. What is it? 2. I have forests, but no trees. I have lakes, but no water. I have roads, but no cars. What am I? 3. From which 7 letter word, if you take out 4 letters, will you have one left? 4. 2 fathers and 2 sons go fishing. Each of them catches one fish. So, why do they bring home only 3 fish? 5. The one who makes it, sells it. The one who buys it, never uses it. The one that uses it never knows that he’s using it. What is it? 6. Mom and Dad have four daughters, and each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the family? 7. How did Mark legally marry three women in Michigan without divorcing any of them, becoming legally separated, or any of them dying? 8. Which word becomes shorter even if you add two more letters to it? 9. An airplane crashed into a field. Every single person died, but two people survived. How? They were married.
By Zane Adams AC engineering student
Critical Thinking Riddles
9.
Engineer helps rationalize nuclear fears, myths
Sudoku
Surviving AC’s parking wars By Misty Boggs Co-Editor How do you pick the best parking spot at Angelina College? Like my fellow students, I have had to face the beady eye from more than one professor for being late to class because of parking, so here are a few suggestions to handling the parking dilemma at AC. The first step is to realize we are all in this together. Look at it as a rather large family of seagulls, joining you as you lap
The Pacer Founded in 1968 Co-Editors: Misty Boggs Sarah Pegues Sports Editor: Jeremy Coleman
the parking lot outside the Science and Mathematics Building one more time. Secondly, arrive early enough to find a space and get to class. When you park and make it class before role call, you do not feel rushed and therefore less stressed. Know your limits and take the spot. It is the one farthest from all of your classes and makes you feel the burn in your calves as you hoof it across campus. However, if it is 9:20 and class starts in ten minutes, take that
spot in the back. There is no need to circle one more time hoping for a miracle. Remember, any parking vacancy on campus marked Reserved is not for students. Even though we eye it like hungry peasants at a king’s feast, leave it alone. Last, applaud the administration and Board of Trustees for their efforts to make parking less of a miserable existence. In the last year, 250 parking spaces were added, making our parking nightmares a sweeter dream
IF YOU How do you feel about parking this semester? ASK ME
Photographers: José Chavez, Vicente Marrero, Jonathan Clos, Mike Fowler, Karen Machain Layout Artists: Nick Sheehan, Olivia Jones, Phil Alamo, Carrli Webb Reporters: Misty Boggs, Sarah Pegues, Jeremy Coleman, Baker Pitts, Kerena Reyna Photography Adviser: Jan Anderson-Paxson Coordinator of Student Publications: Libby Stapleton
The Pacer is the official student newspaper of Angelina College and is published six times during the fall semester and six times during the spring semester. Unsigned editorials are the opinion of The Pacer editorial staff and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of individual students, advisers or college administrators. The staff encourages readers to write letters to the editor, which must be signed for publication.
Mail: Angelina College Student Publications 3500 S. First Street P.O. Box 1768 Lufkin, Texas 75902 Phone: 936-633-5288 lstapleton@angelina.edu Non-profit organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 23
“I feel that if you leave your residence at a decent time, maybe 15 to 20 minutes before class starts, then you might not have such a huge problem finding a parking spot.” Omar Estrada Respiratory care Lufkin, Texas
“There are a lot of students attending AC, and you have to park a mile just to come to class.” Shervonda Taylor Therapy Lufkin, Texas
“I think there should be more trees. It would be great to have some shady spots. Also, they need a new paint job.” Ryan Lackey Film Nacogdoches, Texas
“It is very full, so more spaces would be helpful to everyone. However, once you figure out the time everyone else is leaving campus, it is not too bad.” Skjar Romano Physical therapy Lufkin, Texas
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Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Angelina College
The Pacer
Arts and Entertainment AC faculty presents art exhibit at ACA The Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery, located on the Angelina College campus, is presenting its annual Art Faculty Exhibit to open the 2011/2012 Fine Art Division’s season. The exhibition will run through Wednesday, Sept. 28. Works exhibited range from mezzotints to installation pieces. Visual and graphic arts faculty members represented include Jan Anderson-Paxson, Reg Reynolds, Robbie Roach, Ann Phifer Reyes, Linda Pinkerton, Richard Carnley,
Shelby Specht and Steve Paul. University and college tradition demands that the resident faculty members in art display their work in an exhibition at the beginning of the season. The Angelina College Fine Arts Division honored the artists with a public reception on Tuesday, Sept. 6. All ACA Gallery events are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.
Photo by Karen Machain
AC student Ryan Tanner works on a project during a Digital Art class.
Fine Arts Division begins new season
Photo by Jose´ Chavez
Magaly Samiento observes and takes notes on a piece of photography at the Art Faculty Exhibit.
College students welcome!
WestSide Laundromat
NOW OPEN!
4160 Ted Trout Dr. Lufkin 75904 (936) 875-2231 Hwy. 94 2 miles outside Loop on right
Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m.-10 p.m.
• Card operated machines • Attendant on duty at all times for safety • State-of-the-art machines – use less detergent and water • 1,3,4,6 load washers/standard and large capacity dryers
The Angelina College Fine Arts Division has released its schedule of performances for the upcoming 2011-2012 fine arts season, continuing its tradition of offering arts presentations for every taste. To ensure patrons do not miss a line, image or beat, the Division is also offering season subscriptions at the following levels: Corporate Donor, $750 (18 tickets per show); Scholarship Donor, $500 (12 tickets per show); Benefactor, $200 (six tickets per show); Patron, $150 (four tickets per show); Friend, $75 (2 tickets per show); and Regular, $40 (1 ticket per show). All money from season subscribers goes toward scholarships for fine arts majors. AC’s fine arts season opens in September with the AC Faculty Exhibition in the Angelina Center for the Arts art gallery and concludes in May with the AC Swingin’ Roadrunner Jazz Band/ACC Big Band spring concert. Sprinkled throughout the busy schedule are various art shows as well as music and theater performances, offering something for every arts preference. For art patrons, events include the AC Faculty Exhibition Sept. 6-28; “Visible Light by Reg Reynolds” Oct. 4-26;
the AC Graphic Arts Student Exhibition Nov. 1-16 and April 17-May 1; the AC Visual Arts Student Exhibitions Nov. 22-Dec. 7 and April 3-11; the Black History Exhibition Jan. 9-31 with a closing reception Jan. 31; “Photographs” by internationally known photographer Frank Dituri Feb. 7-29; and “Sculptures by Lauran McAdams” March 6-28. All scheduled exhibitions take place in the Angelina Center for the Arts gallery. Each exhibition except the Black History Exhibition will host an artist’s reception from 6-7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday evening of the exhibition’s opening. The AC theatre department will delve into the classics for their productions, taking on such challenges as “Antigone,” Jean Anouilh’s adaptation of the Sophocles tragedy, Oct. 13-15, Temple Theater; “Everyman,” a modern version of one of the most beautiful of the English Medieval Miracle plays, Nov. 17-19, Temple Theater; “Hedda Gabler” (called “The Female Hamlet” by some) by Henrik Ibsen, Feb. 16-18, Temple Theater; and “Waiting for Godot,” a modern morality play by Samuel Beckett, April 19-21, ACA Theater Lab.
Finally, music lovers of every ilk will be able to choose from numerous performances throughout the year. Kicking off the concert season will be the AC Swingin’ Roadrunner Jazz Combo and ACC Big Band fall concert on Nov. 15 in the Hudgins Hall Auditorium, followed by the “AC Chorale/AC Chamber Winds/Lufkin Community Band Christmas Celebration” Dec. 4, Temple Theater; “Showtime! 2012,” a musical revue with show-stopping numbers by the AC Singers March 3 and 4 in Temple Theater; the AC Swingin’ Roadrunner Jazz Combo and ACC Big Band spring concert March 8, Hudgins Hall Auditorium; the “Lufkin Community Band/AC Chamber Winds Spring Spectacular” March 25, Temple Theater; the Teacher’s Choice Piano Recital April 1, Temple Theater; the AC Chorale Spring concert April 22, Hudgins Hall Auditorium; and the AC Swingin’ Roadrunner Jazz Combo and ACC Big Band in concert May 1, Hudgins Hall Auditorium. For a full listing of show times and subscription and/or ticket information, visit www. angelina.edu or contact the Fine Arts Division at 936-6335233.
Free WiFi Wash, fold and press With drive-thru service, TV and vending
•pet bedding •horse blankets •comforters •coats/jackets •hunting apparel with scent blocker •oil field/mechanic uniforms
Photos by Jose´ Chavez
Javon Wyman and Judi DeRamus share their opinions on a photograph in the ACA Gallery.
Let us save you time and money We have special offers for commercial accounts
www.westsideloundromat.net
AC students write critiques for an art class of several paintings being shown in the Art Faculty Exhibit in the ACA Gallery through September 28.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Angelina College
The Pacer
5
Sports MLB draft calls two AC Roadrunners
Trevor Fuller, left, shown here playing for the University of San Diego during the 2010-2011 school year, has signed to play basketball for Angelina College in the upcoming season.
San Diego transfer signs with Roadrunners With all the talent the Angelina College Roadrunner basketball coaching staff has been stockpiling throughout the recent signing period, the team still lacked one key component: experience. With the signing of Trevor Fuller, the staff got its experience along with an impressive pedigree. Fuller spent the 2010-2011 season as a member of the University of San Diego Toreros, members of the West Coast Conference (WCC) that includes Gonzaga, Brigham Young University and Pepperdine, among others. The forward, who is 6-feet8-inches tall and weighs 225 pounds, made an impression at USD as an aggressive defender, rebounder and shot blocker. A native of Dallas, Fuller’s father is Jeff Fuller, who earned three Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers as a safety playing alongside Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. In addition, Fuller’s grandfather, Cincy Powell, was considered a superstar in the American Basketball Association throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, playing for the Dallas Chaparrals along with several other teams while making two
appearances as an ABA AllStar. Fuller attended high school at the Episcopal School of Dallas, averaging 16.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game his senior season in which he was named Co-MVP, leading ESD to its third consecutive championship. Fuller earned All-Southwest Preparatory Conference First Team and All-SPC Region First Team honors while leading the league in rebounding and shot blocking. All that lead to Fuller’s being named a McDonald’s AllAmerican nominee, as well as First Team All-State and Player of the Year candidate by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. AC head coach Todd Neighbors said that Fuller is exactly the type of player coveted by any coach and that goes beyond the young man’s presence on a basketball court. “We are very excited about having Trevor become a part of our family,” Neighbors said. He continues, “Trevor signifies everything we want in a player in the court, in the classroom and in the community. We expect him to be one of the most sought-after big men in
the country amongst Division I programs. “The experience he brings to the table by playing at the Division I level last year is extremely valuable. He competed and produced against some of the best programs in the country last year with the likes of Gonzaga, Baylor and San Diego State. He will easily be the best athlete on the floor, and with his 6-foot-8-inch, 225-pound frame and versatility, he fits right into our style of play.” Neighbors continued by recapping what he considers one of the most successful recruiting classes in his five-year tenure as a Roadrunner head coach. “This signing caps a recruiting class that we think will have the capability of filling Shands Gymnasium and making our community proud by making a run at a title in the toughest conference in the nation. “I am extremely appreciative of Coach (John) Dillard and his major contribution to this year’s recruiting class. It looks to be an exciting season.” The Roadrunners open the regular season on Nov. 2, hosting Tomball College at 7 p.m. at Shands Gymnasium in Lufkin.
Runner basketball signs Lewis, Daniel to squad The Angelina College Roadrunner basketball team signed in May two more high school standouts to an already-impressive signing class for the 2011-2012 season. Veontae Lewis of Christian County High School in Hopkinsville, Ky., and Jaylen Daniel of Clark County High School in Winchester, Ky., signed letters of intent to join the Roadrunners. Lewis, a 6-foot-1-inch guard,
Jaylen Daniel
averaged 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game and comes from a winning program. In the Kentucky state championship game, Lewis drained an 18-foot game winner to lift Christian County to a 65-63 win in double overtime to clench the state title. He was also invited to try out for the prestigious Kentucky All-Star team that annually competes against the Indiana All Stars. AC head coach Todd Neighbors said of Lewis: “He defends extremely well, makes tough plays offensively and shoots and handles the ball very well. Veontae played for Kerry Stovall, one of the top coaches in the entire state of Kentucky.” Daniel is a 6-foot-7inch small forward, who averaged 13.4 points, four rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in leading Clark County to the quarterfinals of the Kentucky High School state tournament. The
Luis DeJesus was in front of his computer Tuesday, June 7 listening to the major league baseball draft, hoping to hear the name of his Angelina College teammate, Ian Gardeck, called as a draft pick. DeJesus heard Gardeck picked in the eighth round by the Chicago White Sox and said he had nearly dozed off when he heard another familiar name – his own. When the Cleveland Indians selected DeJesus with their 11th-round pick, the Lufkin native and current Roadrunner thought he was dreaming. “I was home with just my mom and my brothers, and I was just sitting around in my boxers almost asleep when I heard, ‘DeJesus, Angelina College,’ ” DeJesus said. “I had no idea I’d get drafted, much less in the second round. I ran outside and started yelling. My brother and I were jumping up and down, and Mom was leaning over the computer trying to hear what we’re freaking out about.” Shortly afterward, DeJesus said, his phone “blew up” with friends and family calling. Not too long after that, he got a call from an Indians representative to let DeJesus know—just in case he had fallen asleep. DeJesus listened to what the Indians had to say but determined he would benefit more from another year under AC head coach Jeff Livin’s tutelage.
“Coach Livin taught me so much so fast,” DeJesus said. “He showed me how to work more on mechanics and that pitching is not about putting out too much effort just trying to throw hard. It’s more about relaxing and working with better mechanics. He fixed so much I was doing wrong. “I knew I had a lot to learn, so I wasn’t worried about scouts and the draft. I just kept working and having fun. I didn’t feel any pressure just because I didn’t think anything about getting drafted.” DeJesus was one of the leaders on the Lufkin Panther state finalist team in 2009. In his collegiate debut against Galveston, he tossed a no-hitter, a feat he said came from spending time with Livin. DeJesus went on to earn First Team All-Conference honors in Region XIV’s East Zone, finishing with an ERA of 2.22, striking out 60 batters in his 69 innings pitched. Gardeck, the flame-throwing right hander who transferred to AC this past season, finished with an ERA of 3.78 after moving to the Roadrunner relief corps midway through the season. Gardeck finished with three saves, striking out 36 hitters in 33.33 innings. Opponents managed a mere 0.196 batting average against Gardeck, who signed to play at the University of Alabama for this season.
Photo by AC News
Luis DeJesus was selected by the Cleveland Indians with their 11th-round pick in the 2011 MLB draft. DeJesus has decided, however, to remain at AC for another year under the tutelage of AC head coach, Jeff Livin.
Roadrunner basketball signs Sherman-Newsome, West
Veontae Lewis “high-flying athlete” shot 46 percent from the three-point line. Neighbors said, “Jaylen has a chance to become one of the most highly recruited players in junior college basketball in 2013. He played for another of the top coaches in the state of Kentucky, Scott Humphrey.”
In their never-ending search for basketball talent to build a winning program, Angelina College coaches Todd Neighbors and John Dillard have logged plenty of miles in the course of the recruiting season. Damon Sherman-Newsome of Anchorage, Alaska, and Kabir West of Montclair, New Jersey, signed letters of intent to join the Runner ranks, capping several months of bigtime signings for the AC program. Small forward ShermanNewsome, a 6-foot-5-inch player out of Bartlett High School in Anchorage led his team to the Class 4A state championship, earning First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference honors along the way after averaging 21 points and
nine rebounds per game. An engineering major, Sherman-Newsome is “a highly skilled player who puts it all on the floor, shoots with range and is a tough, athletic kid and excellent student,” according to the coaches’ report. West is a 6-foot-3-inch guard from Montclair High School in New Jersey. After averaging 18 points, four assists and three steals per game, West earned First Team AllConference and Second Team All-County honors following his senior season. Roadrunner coaches said of West: “He’s a great student, a very focused young man; long and very athletic, Kabir is excellent in an up-tempo situation. He shoots well from the three-point range, but he’s also a very good penetrator.”
First home baseball game 2 p.m. - Friday, Sept. 16 against the Temple College Leopards
6
The Pacer
Angelina College
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Photos of Interest
The entrance to the Angelina Career and Technical Center in Crockett, left, invites people inside. The side of the new building, top above, is made from stone and brick. The snack bar/break area in the new building has plenty of room and light for chilling or studying between classes.
AC expands to Crockett
The computer lab, above, has state-of-the-art technology for the students. The science lab, top right, will give students a safe area for experimenting. The sign for the new Crockett center, right, can be seen from Loop304. Photos by Carrie Garms, former editor of AC View magazine and Crockett resident