Vol. 86 Issue 12 • Single copies free • Feb. 13, 2012 • 210-486-1773 • theranger.org
March 9 deadline to apply for graduation
This week Library presents Chet Graham exhibit The library is exhibiting local artist Chet Graham’s work on the third floor of Moody Learning Center. When Librarian Eileen Oliver discovered Graham’s work, she said it “visually grabbed me.” Graham has been a creator of colorful, innovative, modern art his whole life. The name of the exhibit is “Formulation=Chet Graham,” and the exhibit consists of about 20 pieces. The exhibit will be in the library for the rest of the semester. The second and fourth floors are presenting “Shifting Views: The Art of Bernice A. AppelinWilliams,” which is on display through Black History Month. For more information, call Oliver at 210-486-0577. Rebecca Salinas
SGA Sweet Treats set for Monday The Student Government Association will host Sweet Treats for SGA in the mall from 9 a.m. to noon today but the time may be extended if needed. “The event will give students an opportunity to approach members of SGA and bring forth college issues, concerns, or any other matters the students feel need attention as well as get a few tasty treats in the process,” SGA Secretary Lizzie Allen said. SGA meets from noon–1 p.m. the first three Mondays of each month in the health promotions office in Room 150 of Loftin. For additional information, call adviser Tiffany Cox at 210486-0835 or email SGA president Jacob Wong at jwong19@student. alamo.edu. Matt Schiffmacher
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Jamie Choi, St. Philip’s College alumna and owner of Choicolates, smooths a block of ganache before cutting it into pieces for dipping and decoration Wednesday at Choicolates, 700 E. Sonterra. Read the story on Page 6. Ingrid Wilgen
Students must submit graduation applications to admissions and records in Room 216 of Fletcher Administration Center by March 9 to walk the stage at commencement May 12. “Students not planBy ROBERT ning to walk the stage MEDINA can turn in applications up until the last day rmedina116@student. of the semester,” Joe alamo.edu Jacques, assistant director of admissions, said. Students may apply for spring 2012 graduation if they have six hours or less left on their degree plan and intend to finish those hours during the summer. Students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in all coursework that applies to the degree, complete a minimum of 25 percent of all coursework at this college, be in good academic standing in the final semester and submit an official transcript from all previous institutions attended. “A degree is something you can hang on the wall. It’s a symbol, a trophy that you have completed a certain level of college work,” Counselor Ruben Whitney said. Students must meet with a graduation or department adviser to complete a graduation application and degree audit. These must be submitted to admissions and records along with an academic transcript and a departmental substitution approval form, if needed. For more information, call Counselor Rosa Maria Gonzalez at 210-486-0342 or visit the graduation advising office in Room 124 of the early college program building.
Chancellor considers transferring faculty Some complain of “hiring chill” double standard. After winter break, district officials asked several departments at this college to submit names of full-time faculty members to be transferred to other colleges in the district. English Instructors Richard Farias, Mariano Aguilar and Denise Stallins; speech communication Instructor Karen Wilking; reading and education Instructor Cecilia Gabrillo; and math Professor Brian By J. Hons would be the first affected. ALMENDAREZ English Chair Mike Burton said he understands that the possible transfers are a result of the board’s jalmendarez25@student. directive for all colleges to keep faculty at a ratio of 50 alamo.edu percent full-time to 50 percent part-time. He said the English department was at that ratio in fall 2010, but the district’s enrollment capping, limited course sections, and increased class size from 24 to 25, led to fewer sections being offered. Burton said departments had to fill the schedules of full-time faculty with available courses, leaving fewer opportunities for adjuncts and affecting the full-time to part-time ratio. Burton stressed that while transfers are “very probable,” Chancellor Bruce Leslie must approve them, meaning the transfers are not yet official. As of Tuesday, Leslie has not approved any transfers officially, but he said a decision will be made in the coming weeks. He said the reasons behind the moves are twofold: the $4 billion budget cut and $1.4 billion in discretionary grants to education during the most recent legislative session, and “the long history of colleges not being managed in the hiring of their personnel.” Burton said the decision of who is transferred is required, legally, to be done based on seniority, with the least senior staff members leaving first. “My faculty are very upset,” he said. Farias and Stallins would be moved to Northwest Vista College if transfers are made. Aguilar also was supposed to be transferred to Northwest Vista but said because English Professor Ioannis Vassiliou will move to Australia this summer for personal reasons, Aguilar will be able to keep his position at this college. Burton said if departments affected by the transfers have full-time employees who volunteer to leave this college, they can take the place of the aforementioned faculty members.
Richard Farias
Denise Stallins
“I think that whenever there is chaos introduced into the system, it affects everybody, and definitely it affects students. So I think that if the professors are unsettled, it has an unsettling affect everywhere,” he said. Gabrillo would transfer to Northeast Lakeview College if the transfers are made. She said she has been teaching at this college for 15 years and volunteered to be transferred from the department. “I just figured, well, it’s closer to my home,” she said. She also said that volunteering to be transferred helped to ease tension that might arise by forcing an employee to leave. Hons would be moved to Palo Alto College. Mathematics Chair Said Fariabi said that while Hons is the newest hire, he volunteered to be transferred. He said math Professor Rachid Makroz was transferred to Northeast Lakeview College after last semester ended, but he also was a volunteer.
This college’s unique needs Burton also said this college faces challenges different from other colleges. He said this college’s senior faculty outnumbers those at other colleges, and while the full-time to part-time ratio may be disproportionate now, within the next few years it is likely that departments will fall below the 50-50 ratio. “It seems reasonable from my position to just let natural attrition take care of the problem,” he said. Wilking is the most junior faculty member in the speech communication program in the fine arts department but said there is no official decision made within the department about who would be transferred to Northwest Vista. She said while other departments may have a definitive list of who will be transferred, the speech communication program does not. “Our department is not really in that boat,” she said. Fine arts Chair Jeff Hunt agreed, saying the transfers are unofficial, and the department is still requesting volunteers if moves become mandatory. Mariano Aguilar
See TRANSFER, Page 4
People
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Feb. 13, 2012
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Calendar For coverage in Calendar, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance. Today SAC Deadline: Applications accepted for spring 2012 graduation. Continues through March 9. Call 210-486-0864. SAC Transfer: Texas A&M-San Antonio 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Continues Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 Thursday and 1:30 p.m-4:30 p.m. by appointment in transfer center in Room 117 of early college program. Call 210-486-0864. SAC Meeting: Student Government Association noon-1 p.m. in health promotions office in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Meeting: Philosophy Club 2:15 p.m. in Room 220 of academic instruction center. Continues Mondays. Call 210486-0966. Event: International Woman’s Day planning meeting 6 p.m. at PEACE Initiative, 1443 S. St. Mary’s. Call 210533-2729. Tuesday SAC Transfer: Our Lady of the Lake University 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. Wednesday SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. Thursday SAC Transfer: University of Texas at San Antonio 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on first floor of Chance. Continues 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. by appointment in transfer center in Room 117 of early college program. Call 210-486-0864. SAC Lecture: Artist Dan Sutherland 10:50 a.m.-noon in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 210-486-1042. SAC Event: Phi Theta Kappa orientation 4 p.m.-5 p.m. in Room 41 of Nail. Call 210-486-0668. Lecture: Journalist José Antonio Vargas 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in Room A of the university center at St. Mary’s University. Call 210-431-4376. SAC Performance: Recital for alumni of music department 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255.
Competition 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in recital hall of Dicke/Smith at Trinity University. Call 210-999-8212. Event: “Immortals” screening 9 p.m.11:30 p.m. in Retama Auditorium at UTSA main campus. Continues 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. Call. 210-458-6044. Saturday SAC Men’s Baseball: SAC vs. Lone Star College at Kingwood 10 a.m.-noon and 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at Mission County Park, 6030 Padre. Call 210-4860125. Feb. 20 SAC Transfer: Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. SAC Recital: Faculty recital 7:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255. Feb. 21 SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. Feb. 22 SAC Transfer: Our Lady of the Lake University 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.
Radio-television-film sophomore La Traya Luke and education sophomore Brandon Gilmore do toe touches with medicine balls in kinesiology Instructor Chris Dillon’s physical conditioning class Friday west of McCreless. Riley Stephens A.J. Moore, co-owner of GudFit Entertainment, raises his hand to show the difference between big and small while reading “The Adventures of Dorse and Doose” to a 3-year-old class in the early childhood education center Wednesday as part of this college’s Black History Month celebration. Moore will host a readin from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the Twig Bookshop, 200 E. Grayson, Suite 124. Jennifer M. Ytuarte
SAC Transfer: University of Texas at San Antonio 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on first floor of Chance. Continues 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. by appointment in transfer center in Room 117 of early college program. Call 210-486-0864. SAC Event: Ash Wednesday services sponsored by Catholic Student Association 12:30 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-736-3752. NLC Recital: Faculty trumpet recital 7 p.m. in performing arts center. Email cmagee7@alamo.edu. Feb. 23 SAC Transfer: Texas A&M-San Antonio 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. by appointment in transfer center in Room 117 of early college program. Continues Friday. Call 210-486-0864. SAC Transfer: University of the Incarnate Word 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. Feb. 25
Friday SAC Meeting: Onstage Drama Club noon-1 p.m. in McCreless theater. Continues Fridays. Call 486-0492. SAC Event: Open mic coffee night sponsored by Cheshyre Cheese Club 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in cafeteria of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. Performance: Beethoven piano sonatas by Santiago Rodriguez sponsored by San Antonio International Piano
SAC Event: “Big Bang Bash” 1 p.m.11 p.m. in Scobee Planetarium. $3 suggested donation. Children under age 4 not admitted. Call 210-486-0100. Feb. 28 SAC Transfer: University of Texas at San Antonio 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on first floor of Chance. Continues 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. by appointment in transfer center in Room 117 of early college program. Call 210-486-0864.
Psychology freshman Willson Donovan performs a guitar solo while nursing freshman Jesus Chavarrai holds an “acknowledge us” sign and liberal arts freshman Joe Cavazos shows a “hi-5?” Monday at the grassy knoll. Cavazos said this was their way of meeting new friends. Riley Stephens
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Peer Educators, BEAT AIDS provide free testing here BEAT AIDS will be assisting Peer Educators with free HIV testing for students 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in Room 120 of Chance Academic Center. “It’s Valentine’s Day, and we all know everyone has a By Janeka significant other. Porter Show them you love them by sac-ranger@alamo.edu getting tested,” Leticia Sandoval, Peer Educator and psychology sophomore, said, Peer Educators educate students on the importance of HIV and believe that it can bring down the risk in students, she said. The test takes 10-15 minutes using OraQuick, a rapid HIV test that takes a swab of the mouth. Participants receive the results the
same day, and the group will distribute free condoms to ensure safety. BEAT AIDS offers free testing at its facility two blocks south of this college at 218 W. Cypress St, the organization also proBEAT AIDS is v i d e s open 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. support Monday through groups Friday. for those For more information, w h o call 210-212-2266. are HIV positive Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. “It’s always good to know your status, and Peer Educators are here to educate students,” Laura Martinez, Peer Educator and education sophomore, said. Peer Educators are in Room 120 of Chance Academic Center and can be reached at 210-486-1448.
Nurse practitioner Marian Santillan-Rabe speaks Tuesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin about HIV, specifically how it pertains to the African-American community. Ingrid Wilgen
SGA refuses interviews
Kayla Bonney, 3, uses an electric mixer while classmates Noah Smith and AhreiAna Ruiz-Salgado watch the process of making cupcakes Wednesday in the early childhood education center. Early childhood teacher Regina Castillo holds the bowl and helps the 3-year-olds add ingredients, stir and pour batter into baking cups. Jennifer M. Ytuarte
Technology services helps with computers No need to fear: Technology services has your back when it comes to computers. For everything from technical problems to ACES to printing, trained helpers are available to assist students, faculty and staff. By REBECCA Training classes SALINAS are taught Monday to Friday and are offered sac-ranger@alamo.edu in the morning and afternoon. The student technology center offers classes for students, and the instructional innovation center trains faculty and staff. For individuals who prefer Mac computers, the student technology center lab is the place to go. Technology services offers classes such as learning how to use Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint. They also help with ACES or give an overview of Blackboard Vista. Classes for Blackboard Vista
include how to submit an assignment and take an To reserve equipment, visit Room 700A of online quiz. Moody Learning Center. For more information, Technology services also teaches a class on the call 210-486-0586. basics of video editing. The student technology center accepts walkTechnology services is working ins 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday Students can sign on Instucture/Canvas, which is a in Room 706 of Moody Learning up for training and new learning management sysCenter. get computer-related tem, expected to help students in The instructional innovation questions answered. all sorts of ways with compatibility center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Also, computers, and availability. Monday through Wednesday cameras and laptops It is expected to replace and Friday; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. can be rented for Blackboard Vista. Although still in Thursday; and 8 a.m.–noon school-related work. the early stages of development, Saturday in Room 716 of Moody the new LMS platform is a “really Learning Center. slick product,” said Heather Cura from the instrucThe help desk is available for further assistance tional innovation center. from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday to Friday for techEquipment, such as cameras, laptops, and nical problems. computers, can be checked out for school-related Call 210-486-0777 or email sac-helpdesk@ events or projects. alamo.edu.
Student Government Association members will no longer give interviews to reporters for The Ranger, Jacob Wong, psychology sophomore and SGA presiBy JOSHUA dent, said in a FECHTER phone interview Wednesday. He jfechter @student. said reporters may alamo.edu still attend SGA meetings, which are open to the public, but representatives will not consent to interviews. Wong told The Ranger he was upset that a story published in The Ranger Online Feb. 6 listed names of three SGA officers, including Wong, who complained of being harassed by a man in Loftin Student Center. The Ranger Online originally reported the incident Oct. 7 in “SGA pursues Loftin security.” SGA officers and adviser Tiffany Cox, criminal justice professor, complained to The Ranger, asking to have the names removed from the story. The request was denied as the publication’s policy is to maintain stories online after publication. On Dec. 1, Wong and Cox met with Ranger editors and an adviser to again ask the names be removed, and again, the request was denied. The editor was invited to a spring SGA meeting to explain newspaper policies. In the Jan. 30 meeting, SGA members asked once more for an explanation of the newspaper’s refusal to remove names from the story. Coverage of that meeting was published in The Ranger Online. Wednesday, Wong said officers were upset that the names were published a second time, and editors were not entitled to make such a decision. “It is not your job to determine that; it’s the job of the police and individuals involved,” Wong said. Wong accused The Ranger of removing an online story at the request of administrators and asked why The Ranger wouldn’t remove names from a published story at the request of SGA officers. Administrators made no such request, and The Ranger has upheld its policy of not removing stories published in The Ranger Online.
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Feb. 13, 2012
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Committee recommends four-day work week for summer The Audit, Budget and Finance Committee of the Alamo Colleges board of trustees voted unanimously to recommend the approval of a four-day work week during summer sessions at a meeting Tuesday in Killen By JOSHUA Center. FECHTER The district used a fourday work week in summer jfechter@student. 2010 and summer 2011. alamo.edu The colleges will operate on four-day weeks June 4 to July 27. According to the minute order, the district saved $144,311 in utility expenses during summer 2010 and $199,194 in utility expenses during summer 2011 as a result of moving to a four-day work week. The minute order states
From TRANSFER, Page 1 Discrepancies in hiring Burton said there seems to be differences in the standards officials use in the hiring “chill.” “Administration is not treated with the same qualities that faculty are,” he said. “Administration seems like it grows and grows and grows and grows, and faculty, we’re on hold. … It seems like there’s a double standard.” Leslie said there has been a collective effort by district officials for the past year and a half to determine what the full-time, part-time ratio should be for administration and support staff. Linda Boyer-Owens, associate vice chancellor of human resources, did not reply before press time to a request for the number of employees the district has hired since the hiring freeze in August 2003. It officially became a hiring “chill” in summer 2010.
Culture loss bad for students, faculty Leslie also said he is not concerned about losing skilled professors because of transfers. “We have the authority to reassign any of our personnel to where they are most effective and where they are properly utilized,” he said. English Professor Alex Bernal, who was the English chair for 20 years at this college, participated in the hiring process of the professors being transferred. He agreed that talented professors can flourish at either of the colleges, but he said it disrupts the culture of departments to transfer them against their will, negatively affecting students. He said it is the goal of departments to hone a diverse staff for students to learn from. For instance, he said the English department has professors who specialize in American literature, composition and developmental courses and professors who can teach the courses in a variety of ways. He said other colleges should also have the opportunity to build departments that compliment their needs. He said eliminating the most recently hired full-timers from a department often eliminates younger employees. “It’s a well-known fact throughout the district that one of the goals was to have teachers within the classroom who resemble the student population (in diversity),” Bernal said, “The junior faculty have a lot to offer.” Farias is the adviser for the Gay and Lesbian Association and spearheaded Coming Out Week last year. He said he’s concerned about whether the organization will find another primary adviser if he is transferred. Since he was hired as a full-time faculty member in 2005, he also chaired the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee for two years and advised the Cheshyre Cheese Club. Farias said though he will continue to be active at any college he goes to, he hopes district officials will not decide to transfer him to another college.
the district will save an estimated $200,000 in utility expenses. District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate said he understands that there will be issues with approving the shortened week but doing so will prevent the district from eventually resorting to harsher budget measures such as layoffs. “Every little penny we save helps us avoid some of those other horrible decisions that have been made in other public areas of the public sector,” he said. Math Professor Gerald Busald said moving to a shorter week would affect student outcomes. Busald said because classes would have to meet fewer times a week, each class would have to meet for a longer period of time, which
“I’ve kind of invested myself in the culture here just like I feel SAC has invested in me, so I feel like I’d like to honor the terms of that mutual investment by staying here,” he said. “It’s not a disrespect to any of the other colleges. I just don’t want to go to any of the other colleges because I’ve planted myself here.”
Higher full time-adjunct ratio effect on students Stallins said she worked as an adjunct in this district for several years before she became a fulltime employee six years ago. “Not that adjuncts don’t do a lot of teaching and a lot of work, but the full-time faculty are the people who take care of a lot of the business that the department has to conduct,” she said. She said some of that business includes textbook comparisons, interacting with students more frequently, hosting office hours, helping departments be aware of equipment needs and serving on committees to benefit students and employees. She said adjuncts have commonly been called freeway flyers because their schedules necessitate them to teach a course, drive to another campus to teach another course and possibly drive to another campus to teach their next one. She said when she taught as an adjunct, she taught at off-campus facilities at Lackland Air Force Base, Kelly Air Force Base and at Palo Alto College on the same day. “Obviously, if you’re teaching three classes on one day in three different colleges, you can’t stick around to interact with students. You do the best you can, but, just time limits that ability,” she said. Also, she said faculty members are able to monitor what is successful in the classroom over long periods of time, while adjuncts are not able to provide that insight. “The reason that people are arguing for a 50-50 ratio is, again, being called budget-driven, not necessarily because it’s good for education or good for the students, but because we’ve got a budget shortfall,” she said. Leslie said he has not read any validated literature stating that there’s a detriment to having a lot of adjuncts. He said there is no evidence to suggest that the quality of education students receive from adjuncts is under par. Leslie also said because transferring employees is a dynamic process, it is difficult to estimate how long shifting faculty can act as a budgetary solution. “What’s happened, not only across the country but in Texas, is the ratio has become 40 (percent) full-time and 60 (percent) adjunct. We’ve said 50-50 as a place were we’d like to settle, but I can’t promise that that’s forever,” Leslie said. “Part of our strategy here is to avoid layoffs.” Bernal said while employees may be bound to this district because of a struggling economy, when hiring opportunities begin to increase they may be inclined to explore other employment options. “Loyalty works both ways,” he said.
may affect students’ productivity. “In math, it’s better in more bites than bigger bites,” he said. District 7 trustee Blakely Fernandez asked if there are facilities open five days a week during the summer that could accommodate more rigorous classes. Jo-Carol Fabianke, interim vice chancellor of academic success, said she did not think so but that students had a similar success rate during summer sessions as they do during fall and spring semesters. District 8 trustee Gary Beitzel said the district should see if student success rates vary during summer sessions. Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said the colleges use fewer
classrooms on Fridays, which was a factor in deciding to move to the shortened week. District 9 trustee James Rindfuss asked if the board’s approval of eliminating Fridays would increase the time students spend in class by 25 percent. Dr. Jackie Claunch, president of Northwest Vista College, said if students attend class fewer days, they will have to attend for longer periods of time to meet contact hour requirements. Chancellor Bruce Leslie said the district has varying class schedules throughout the academic year. The motion passed, and the full board will take up the motion at its regular meeting Feb. 21 in Room 101 of Killen at 201 W. Sheridan.
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Feb. 13, 2012
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Friday rush on Travel dream inspires win two math labs Twice as many students study in the college’s math labs on Friday as during the rest of the week, lab Coordinator Steve Ochoa said. The developmental lab in Room 121 and the college lab in Room 124 of McCreless Hall open earlier on Friday than the rest of the week because of student demand for services. He said an estimated 550 students attend the math labs on Fridays, according to tracked stuBy KIRK dent logins. On Fridays, tutors do group HANES tutoring. Students who do not have math sac-ranger@alamo.edu textbooks for any level can borrow one at the math lab in Room 121. Textbooks must be returned before the lab closes. Formula sheets as well as graphing calculators are available for various classes. Students also can rent instructional DVD videos overnight. Tutors for the developmental lab need at least a B in MATH 1314, College Algebra, while the college lab requires a B in MATH 2413, Calculus 1. Math tutor Daniel Suttin, a retired high school math teacher, said his experience helps him recognize which students need help, and he enjoys helping them. Tutors aren’t always the only people offering service to the students. Ochoa said full-time math professors volunteer in the developmental lab. A private room is for study groups. Ochoa said the labs have plenty of regulars. Among them is criminal justice freshman Jamie Wylie, who said the work is easier with additional explanation from tutors. She said she visits the lab beyond the hour required for a developmental class. Lab hours during the semester are 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. For more information, contact Ochoa at 486-0240.
The air was tense with pressure as students sat awaiting their turn to deliver a speech Saturday in Room 108 in the academic instruction center. But unlike at most forensic By IVIE events, these stuOKUNGBOWA dents had to be prepared to persac-ranger@alamo.edu form in Japanese. Five students of this college competed in the 23rd annual Japanese Speech Contest where contestants are judged on sentence structure, emotion, and use of notes, and the speech must be in Japanese. Liberal arts freshman Joshua Shupp took first place in Division 5 free speech, speaking on the things he wants to do when he makes his first trip to Japan. “I would like to climb Mount Fuji, sing karaoke and talk to the people,” he said. Shupp started studying Japanese on his own two years ago with Rosetta Stone, a program that teaches foreign languages by associating images with words. He said the program taught him to speak Japanese, but the process was difficult so he enrolled in Japanese classes here with full-time adjunct Yuko Kawabe. Kawabe serves as vice president of the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas and coordinated the competition. Shupp’s learning process became easier with repetition. He competed in last year’s contest but did not place. Shupp plans to participate in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and teach English to middle school students after he earns a bachelor’s degree.
Bradley Gilmore, foreign language sophomore at UTSA, and English sophomore Joseph Perry of this college, walk to the awards ceremony for the 23rd annual Japanese Speech Contest Feb. 4 in the nursing complex. Ivie Okungbowa English freshman Justin Borrego also Crespin’s speech described her struggle wants to participate in the JET program. with Arnold Chiari malformation at age He has completed JAPN 1411, 34. The Mayo Clinic website describes Elementary Japanese 1, and Arnold Chiari malformation as JAPN 1412, Elementary Japanese brain tissue protruding into the 2. spinal canal, which causes the For two years, Borrego has brain to be pressed downward. been studying kanji, hiragana The malformation can and katakana, three scripts in reduce the normal flow of fluJapanese used for writing. ids that protect the brain and Borrego said he was first spinal cord. Joshua Shupp introduced to Japanese culture After the malformation was while watching “Godzilla.” removed, Crespin went back to He joined the Japanese Club in fall school because she could not find work 2011 and wants to write sci-fi stories after after surgery. he graduates. He already has started a Borrego and Crespin were among a story. select group who received a certificate of International studies sophomore Sara participation at the award ceremony.
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Rapper returns to McAllister
Cupid calling
Deaf musician and rapper Sean Forbes, co-founder of D-PAN, the Deaf Professional Arts Network, will return to perform his new show, the Perfect Imperfection Tour, at 7 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. Admission is free with SAC ID, but donations are requested. They will be split between the American Sign Language and fine arts scholarship funds. “It’s a good show to help expand people’s view of the deaf community and help them get to know a group of cool people,” Melody Hull, American Sign Language and interpreter training professor, said. Forbes began making music videos in his basement in a suburb of Detroit. Today, he produces professional music videos concentrating on the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Forbes uses vibrations and signing to create a unique experience for both
The Black Student Alliance hosts the “Dating Game” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday in the cafeteria of Loftin Student Center. The “Dating Game” debuted on the ABC television network on Dec. 20, 1965, making it the longest running dating reality show on television. Judi Clark, senior secretary in the media services department and adviser to the alliance, said the event is purely for students to have lots of fun. “The students love it!” Clark said. “We’ve been hosting the event for six years.” The format of the game resembles the television show. Contestants are separated onstage by a curtain, and ask questions to find the most compatible contestant. For more information, call 210-486-0589. A.J. Mireles
Sean Forbes. Courtesy deaf and hearing audiences. “He’s just so dynamic,” Hull said. “If people came last year, they need to come again because it’s a new show.” D-PAN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making music culture more accessible to the hearingimpaired by translating popular music videos from artists ranging from Katy Perry to Kanye West into American Sign Language music videos. Rachel McKee
Psych Club hides behind masks The Psychology Club and the office of student life will host the Second Chance Dance Valentine’s Masquerade Ball from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday in Koehler Cultural Center, 310 W. Ashby Place. The event is free for students with a SAC ID and $5 for nonstudents. Tickets can be purchased at the office of student life in Room 260 of Loftin Student Center. The office is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday. The club is asking for all attending to wear a mask that cover the face. Free masks will be available at a decorating station for students who attend without one. The event is semiformal. For men, semiformal attire means a dark suit and tie. For women, a cocktail dress or
dressy suit is appropriate. Drinks and hor d’oeuvres will be provided at the event. Teddy bears with flowers can be purchased for $5 as a Valentine’s Day gift. “Masks hide identities and create a tense setting where they can be free to express themselves,” psychology sophomore Becky Ross said. “It’s a chance to have fun and not feel trapped,” psychology sophomore Sonja Santiago said. “We really wanted to do something fun with a psychological twist, so we thought of masks, which give students an opportunity to act themselves when wearing a mask,” she said. For more information, call the office of student life 210486-0125. Janeka Porter
Black History Month events Today
Friday
PAC Event: “Crash” screening 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in Room 130 of the student center. Call 210-486-3125.
SPC Event: San Antonio Youth Wind Ensemble 9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m. in Watson. Continues 8 p.m. Feb. 18. Call 210-4862704.
SAC Event: “A Taste of Soul” sponsored by Black Student Alliance 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Loftin cafeteria. Call 210-486-0589.
Saturday
Feb. 22
NVC Event: Master class session with jazz pianist Geri Allen and Alamo Colleges Jazz Allstars at 4 p.m. in Laurie Auditorium of Trinity University. Call 210-486-4828.
PAC Event: “The Help” screening 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in Room 130 of student center. Call 210-486-3125.
Feb. 21
Wednesday PAC Event: Gemini Ink presents “Black and Blue: 400 Years of Struggle and Transcendence” at 7 p.m. in performing arts. Call 210-734-9673. Thursday
Feb. 28 Feb. 20
SAC Performance: Regency Jazz Band 11 a.m-1 p.m. in Loftin cafeteria. Call 210486-0589. PAC Exhibition: The traveling exhibit “African American History” 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in student center annex. Call 210-486-3125. SPC Event: “The Story of Estevan” 6 p.m. in Watson. Call 210-486-2887.
SAC Lecture: “The Democratic Republic of the Congo: Hope or Desolation” by Peddar Panga, sponsored by Black Student Alliance 11 a.m.-11:50 a.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 210-486-0589. NLC Workshop: “History Through Art” with Tivy Whitlock 12:40 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. in the ceramic lab, Room 106 of arts. Call 210486-5404.
SAC Event: African-American Read-in 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. in Loftin craft room. Call 210-486-1414. Feb. 29 SPC Event: Soul Food Taste and “Occupy St. Philip’s: Song of Protest” featuring Vincent C. Hardy 11:30 a.m. in Heritage Room. Call 210-486-2887.
Jamie Choi, owner and St. Philip’s alumna, smoothes the edges of a cut slab of ganache We
Choicolate sooth
Orange cream a With Valentine’s Day around the corner, production of artisan chocolates at Choicolate is in full swing. Jamie Choi, owner and St. Philip’s College alumna, said she has been baking long before classes in the college’s pastry program. The South Korea native said she baked cakes By JENNIFER and pastries as a hobby while a housewife. She earned a bachelor’s in English literature YTUARTE from Sung Shin Women’s University in Seoul, jytuarte8 @student. South Korea, and moved to the United States in alamo.edu 2001, after her husband decided to study abroad. She enrolled in the culinary program at St. Philip’s in spring 2007 and graduated with an associate of applied science degree in baking and pastry arts in spring 2009. During the summer, she attended two one-week sessions at the Chocolate Academy in Chicago.
The bonbon Tha ence de Afte neighb Cho “We “We bring so She exotic. The with m Cho
miere
Feb. 13, 2012 • 7
.org/premiere
A tray of raspberry bites sits in a display case Wednesday at Choicolate. Owner Jamie Choi said the artisan chocolates are made by hand in-store. Ingrid Wilgen
ednesday at Choicolates, 700 E. Sonterra. After trimming, the 1-inch pieces are dipped and decorated. Ingrid Wilgen
hes Valentine’s Day palates
Almond bees are ready for sale at Choicolate. The ganache, inner filling, is made from dark German chocolate. Ingrid Wilgen
and bittersweet truffles say “I Love You,” “Be Mine” or “XOXO.”
ere studied chocolate theory and learned to make truffles and ns. at fall, she finished school with a second associate of applied sciegree in culinary arts at St. Philip’s. er graduation, Choi and her husband scouted the Stone Oak borhood on the North Side and created a business plan. oicolate, opened its doors March 3, 2010, at 700 E. Sonterra Blvd. e wanted to stay close to home and also knew the area,” Choi said. e didn’t want to compete against Austin businesses and wanted to omething special and new to San Antonio.” e said truffle, bonbon and toffee flavors range from traditional to
eir website lists flavors such as milk vanilla and mint love along mango and habanero, strawberry balsamic and lavender. oi said the chocolate recipes come from research, experimenta-
tion and testing. They’re all made in-store and take two to three days before they’re ready for sale. She said she makes two types of chocolate, truffles and bonbons. To make truffles, Choi and her assistant make ganache, a chocolate melted with cream, which has the consistency of fudge once cooled. It is used as filling and decoration for several flavors, including the best-selling raspberry. Choi said the ganache sets overnight and is cut into pieces the following morning. Once cut, the pieces are dipped, decorated, allowed to set for at least a few hours and then placed in display cases. Although Choi doesn’t have a favorite flavor, she said if she had to choose just one flavor, she would choose ginger cinnamon. “I got the idea from a Korean tea,” she said. “It mixes cinnamon,
ginger and honey.” Choi also makes almond toffee which sells in 3 ounce bags. While returning to college for a bachelor’s degree in confections is on her to-do list, Choi said she is busy with the business and is enjoying watching it grow. Along with the storefront, Choi and her husband run an online company that ships individual or bulk orders of artisan chocolate nationwide. She said customers purchase individual pieces for $2.20 or select a variety and purchase a box of five, 10, 20 or 30 pieces. Prices range from $11 to $56 and can be picked up in-store or ordered online and shipped. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. To order, call 210-495-2464 or visit the Choicolate website at www. choicolate.com.
Pioneer sculptor still working at 96 Speak your mind Professor lectures on Elizabeth Catlett’s works to expand audience awareness. “Whenever I start a new semester for ARTS 1301, Art Appreciation, I ask students to name the first artist that comes to mind,” art Professor Marleen Hoover said. Responses By A.J. include Da Vinci, MIRELES Rembrandt and Van Gogh. sac-ranger@alamo.edu “The most frequent response from my students are European, white, male artists,” she said. She said her goal is to expand the audience’s awareness of black female artists. Hoover kick-started this college’s Black History Month events with a Feb. 2 lecture on artist Elizabeth Catlett.
The lecture “Homage to My Young Black Sisters” references one of Catlett’s sculptures. Catlett, an African-American sculptor and printmaker, graduated from the University of Iowa in 1940, the first person to receive a master of fine arts in sculpting from the university. Catlett is best known for her prints titled “Sharecropper” and “Malcolm X Speaks for Us.” She is equally well-known for her sculptures such as the limestone relief “Mother and Child.” Hoover said Catlett’s art was politically charged with a focus on black women in the United States. While studying fresco murals in Mexico in preparation for working on a mural in Chicago, Catlett met her hus-
band, painter Francisco Mora. They lived in Mexico, and Catlett eventually became a Mexican citizen. She worked with Taller de Gráfico Popular, or the People’s Graphic Arts Workshop. Catlett, now 96, is still producing art pieces, such as a 10-foot sculpture of singer Mahalia Jackson in 2010 installed in New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong Park in front of the newly renovated Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. Catlett’s statue of Armstrong, erected in 1975, also stands in the park between the French Quarter and the Tremé neighborhood. She remains active in the Cuernavaca, Mexico, art community. For more information, call Hoover at 210-486-1035.
Poetry Slam allows students an opportunity to express themselves. Poetry is, as English Professor Stephen Badrich expresses to his students, “memorable speech.” Poetry is a healthy outlet for everyone. Verbally communicating an experience, rather than observations, creates a human connection on many different levels and is the basis of poetry. The Black Student Alliance is hosting a poetry slam 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the cafeteria of Loftin Student Center. Judi Clark, senior secretary in the media services department and adviser to the alliance, said the event is meant for students to express themselves using poetry as the medium. A sign-in sheet will be provided for those who would like to participate. For more information, call 210-486-0589. A.J. Mireles
Vol. 86 Issue 11 • Single copies free • Feb. 11, 2012 • 210-486-1773 • theranger.org
Editorial
8 • The Ranger
Feb. 13, 2012
www.theranger.org/opinion
Editor Joshua Fechter Managing Editor Alma Linda Manzanares News Editor Faith Duarte Sections Editor Jennifer M. Ytuarte Photo Editor Ingrid Wilgen Photo Team Janell Arnold, Victoria Drumming, Nicole Henry, Eloy Hilburn, Alberto Penuelaz, Christopher Perez, Felipe Perez, Troy Renteria, Cecilia Tornel, Donna Quintana
Video Team Dee Dixon, Valerie Salazar, Carmen Sanjuan, Riley Stephens Illustrator Alexandra Nelipa Staff Writers Carla Aranguren, Jennifer Coronado, Melissa Gonzales, Kirk Hanes, Haly Lam, Jennifer Luna, Rachel McKee, Alicia Millan, Silvia Millan, A.J. Mireles, Ivie Okungbowa, Osita Omesiete, Diana Palomo, Darrell Payne, Janeka Porter, Rebecca Salinas, Matthew Schiffmacher Web Editors Jacob Beltran Robert Medina ©2012 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger.org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210-486-1765) or as a download at www.theranger.org. The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association.
Guest Viewpoints:
Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style. All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer.
Letters Policy:
The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, emailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu or faxed to 210-486-9292. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773.
Single Copy Policy:
Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single- copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.
Multimedia Editor J. Almendarez View the male perspective at www.theranger.org
Alexandra Nelipa
Take tech advantage Do you have an essay to write, a presentation to prepare or spreadsheets to create but no software on a home computer to complete those tasks? Well, now there’s an app for that. Student email accounts made the transition to Microsoft Outlook, a software program giving students the ability to store documents and grants access to online versions of Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. In addition, students now have 25 GB of free storage through Windows Live SkyDrive. Students who previously did not own technology to complete coursework off-campus now have the opportunity to do so. Rather than risking computer viruses and malware while downloading free — aka illegal — programs, Outlook brings the programs to you. Now, students no longer have an excuse to
avoid class assignments that may require the use of pricey applications. Take advantage of this service during your academic career at this college; these programs are only available to students who have a student.alamo.edu email address. If you don’t have a computer at home, you can go to a public library or find a list of available computer labs at www.alamo.edu/sac/ complabs. If you’re worried you may lose information should a system crash occur, work smart: back up information on a jump drive or external hard drive. Opportunities to succeed are nearly endless if you take the initiative to seek them yourself. Lack of access to technology is no longer an excuse for students to fail to be competitive. When you consider the increasing costs of computer software and higher education, you may as well get your money’s worth.
Apply for scholarships now Since 1986, the average cost of tuition and fees for two-year public colleges increased by almost 500 percent. According to a study conducted by College Board Advocacy and Policy Center, tuition and fees have risen from $637 during the 1986-87 academic year to $3,122 for 2011-12. It’s made it difficult for students to pay for education even with the help of financial aid and scholarships. In addition to completing a FAFSA form, students should apply for Alamo Colleges Foundation scholarships at wwwsecure. alamo.edu/scholarship/application.aspx by April 15. The foundation’s webpage lists hundreds of scholarships from various donors. It would be a shame if those donations went to waste because students failed to complete the application. All students have to do is apply. It takes less than an hour. Students also should check the major department. Clubs and organizations can also pro-
vide scholarship money. The deadline for a $2,000 scholarship offered by Mathematics, Engineering and Technology Awards passed on Friday, but that doesn’t mean similar offers will not arise soon. Students can sign up at www.scholarships. com, an online service that locates scholarships. Check professional organizations, parent organizations and employers because they may offer scholarships. Don’t forget to look for essay contests as well. Some organizations offer awards for the most mundane of tasks: Body by Milk awards 25 $7,500 awards annually for writing an original essay about how milk improves a person’s body and submitting a photo of the applicant with a milk mustache. Accept student loans only as a last resort. Students, keep an eye out. Opportunities abound, but you have to find them. A dollar earned in scholarships is a dollar you won’t have to repay later.
Feb. 13, 2012
Opinion
The Ranger • 9
www.theranger.org/opinion
Valentine’s Day disdain conditional Outwardly, my disgust for Valentine’s Day is prominent. The aisles of candy and plastic flowers make me cringe. I don’t dare to wear red or pink for most of the month. And, on the dreaded day, I avert my eyes and eagerly look forward to the subsequent days of discounted candy. But, I haven’t always been a Valentine’s Day hater. As a matter of fact, in the past 10 years, I have By J. only had disdain for the ALMENDAREZ holiday when I identify with the terrible “S” word: jalmendarez25@ single. student.alamo.edu Let’s face the facts. Valentine’s Day is awful for single people. The last time I celebrated V-Day was three years ago. Truth be told, it was nothing spectacular. My now former fiancé took me out for over-priced and under-seasoned Mexican food with margaritas. At least margaritas are always good. Correction, at least tequila is always good. Tequila was followed by my favorite movie genre: the zombie movie. I’m not actually sure Zombies qualify as a genre, but the tequila made me think it
did, so why not reminisce? And that was all. Bad Mexican food, so-so margaritas, good tequila and an even better movie. But, the oh-so-cozy feeling I got that day had little to do with what we actually did. Instead it had everything to do with the fact that on that day, when people were taking part in mass weddings and confessing feelings in the hope of requited love, somebody loved me, too. I don’t need to feel reassured that I’m loved and wanted. I am in every way an independent and confident person. But, to put it in the most understandable and perhaps understated way possible, it’s just nice. I have no illusion the last time I celebrated this holiday, my “feel-special meter” was bouncing off the charts more than my partner’s was, but knowing he hates the holiday made it more special. He tried for me. He tried in the same way I tried “FIFA World Cup” late at night or watched “Tropic Thunder.” I didn’t have to do those things, either. But, again, it’s just nice. So is the tequila, which I will likely enjoy in the corner of a dark bar this year while waxing nostalgic over bland Mexican food and zombies.
Do less; get more Although February has been celebrated as a month of romance for centuries, the origins of Valentine’s Day are uncertain. Stories of tradition date back to ancient Romans, Christians and pagans. According to History.com, “The Catholic church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.” Another story suggests By ROBERT Romans killed Valentine for MEDINA helping Christians escape rmedina116@student. from prison. Before his alamo.edu death, he sent his love a final letter signed, “from your Valentine.” Pagans celebrated Lupercalia, a fertility festival Feb. 15, during which men would tear the hide of a recently sacrificed goat into strips, dip them in blood and slap women and the crops with them in the name of fertility. Although there is no definitive answer as to how the holiday first came about, there is one thing you can be sure of: Valentine’s Day is not about buying expensive dinners at fancy restaurants, mechanical bears that pretend to strip to some over-played pop song, over-priced bouquets of flowers or anything else that’s just going to end up in the trash in a few days. Women want to be pampered, treated to a day of lavishness, only adding to their already over-grown princess complexes. They want flowers, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate and strings of pearls. A woman expects a man to show up at the doorstep on horseback, ready to sweep her off her feet to ride into the sunset with a puppy in one hand and an engagement ring in the other.
GREEHEY DEGREE-COMPLETION SCHOLARSHIP Our Lady of the Lake University offers a degreecompletion scholarship for first-generation college students who are studying business at one of the Alamo College campuses. Eligible students who transfer to OLLU will receive a scholarship that covers half of tuition costs. Features of the William E. Greehey Scholars Program:
Beware, men. No one can save you if you forget the flowers. For the love of god, don’t forget the flowers. And they better be roses! I can hear the sorry echoes of relationships past: “Carnations?” How do you tell them it’s not that they’re not worth the 75 bucks; it’s that the roses will be dead in a week. You may as well burn the $75 or give it to the homeless. Men just want to get V-day over with. They’ll be happy with a six-pack of beer and a thank you for being “such an awesome guy.” Guys don’t usually know the meaning of romance. A guy’s idea of a romantic gift would be for his girlfriend to invite that woman she caught him checking out at the restaurant to a threesome. A guy’s idea of love is his girl doesn’t leave the room when he farts. Now that’s commitment. I am not anti-Valentine’s Day. I just don’t understand why people wait for one day out of the year to show their special someone how much they care. If you’re already being a good partner, any reminder of how much you love each other, no matter how big or small, should do just fine. Your love for another shouldn’t be measured by material goods presented on a set day of the year. It should be measured by happiness and celebrated by small tokens of thoughtful affection. If you really want something special for your valentine this year, make your own Valentine’s Day card and decorate it with pictures of the two of you. Cook your love a nice romantic dinner. Write a poem or love letter to celebrate your bond. Keep the ideas genuine and get more from doing less.
• Scholarship covers up to half of tuition costs • Complete a Bachelor of Arts in Management in two years • Attend classes held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings Students applying for the William E. Greehey Scholars Program must: • Have an associate’s degree in Business from an Alamo College or hold at least 60 hours • Be at least 23 years old • Be one of the first in the family to attend college Learn more Call: 210-431-3961 Email: transfer@ollusa.edu
411 S.W. 24th Street San Antonio, TX 78207 210-434-6711 www.ollusa.edu
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Feb. 13, 2012
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Health
The Ranger • 11
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Bike share project rolling along at PAC Mass communication sophomore around campus and drop them off at Justin Overmiller joked around by any designated station. Richter said singing “Do your chain hang low, do it businesses around campus will be wobble to the flo” (from “Chain Hang notified about the lending system Low” by Jibbs ) and will be asked to alert authorities By ALICIA while holding a if users attempt to steal bicycles. MILLAN bike chain for Richter said inspiration for the his partner, Noel program came from her deceased sac-ranger@alamo.edu Vargas, commufather, Art Bartes, who collected bike nity volunteer who also donated a parts as a hobby and reassembled bike. bicycles to give to low-income chilThe Go Green! Viva Verde! dren in Liberty in Southeast Texas. Committee at Palo Alto College is Richter’s father’s bike parts were putting together a bike share prodonated in a drive that collected 20 gram for stubikes, which were The Go Green! Viva dents and staff to named for donors or Verde! Committee was improve air qualvolunteers. created in fall 2008 to make Palo Alto College ity, reduce usage “Dad’s parts will environmentally friendly. of fuel vehicles and have a second life,” Plastic, paper and promote exercise. she said. cardboard recycled: At the second Via Metropolitan 50,974 pounds in 2009, 56,385 pounds in 2010, bike workshop of Transit donated half 65,230 pounds in 2011. the semester Feb. 4 of the bicycles, and in the facilities carthe rest were donated port, about 15 volunteers gathered to by Palo Alto staff and students and learn how to assemble and fix bikes. members of the community. Mayor The program is led by Dr. Denise Julian Castro’s mother, Rosie Castro, B. Richter, communication profes- director of the center for academic sor and adviser to The Pulse student transitions at PAC, donated a bike. newsletter and chair of the Go Green! Service King Collision Repair volViva Verde! Committee and co-chair unteered to prime and paint the bicyof the District Sustainability Council cles. Steve Sikes, regional business at Palo Alto. The program is plandevelopment Central Texas, said, “We ning to have five to six bike stations love to get involved with the commuthroughout the campus and may nity and sponsor different events.” start later this semester or early fall. Journalism sophomore Laura It will run under an honor system, de Leon, who works at Blue Star which allows cyclists to use bicycles Bicycling Co., asked mechanic Jimmy
Palo Alto College students Eric Reyna, computer engineering freshman; brother Roland Reyna, electrical engineering sophomore; and Michael Torres, social work sophomore, work together to build their first bike during a Viva Verde! bike building session Feb. 6 in the facilities shed of Palo Alto College. A total of 20 bicycles will be built for on-campus student use. Jennifer M. Ytuarte Hover, to help. Among the volunteers was Franken Bike mechanic Henry L. Parrilla, who taught volunteers how to assemble bicycles. Liliana Ross, public relations sophomore, brought her children, Dora Llanes, a Burbank High School junior, and Joshua Llanes, an eighth grader at Harris Middle school. “We started volunteering back in 2009 helping out with the Go Green! Viva Verde! Committee,” Ross said.
Former City Councilman Philip Cortez, a former PAC student, recognized PACfest as the first Fiesta event that recycled in 2009. The following year, Mayor Julian Castro proclaimed Fiesta Verde, making recycling available for all Fiesta events. Richter said she hopes the bike share program will expand to other Alamo Colleges. Lydia Kelly, bicycle and pedestrian transportation planner at San
Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization, will lead bike safety workshops at noon Monday in the student center annex and at noon Thursday in Room 101 of the performing arts center. Attendees will receive a free helmet. For more information, visit the office of student engagement and retention in Room 124 of the student center at Palo Alto, or call 210-4863125.
Obstacle training is new fashion in fitness The kinesiology and dance department is France. promoting the second annual Athlete’s Foot “Obstacle training is so much fun, and it’s Muddy Mayhem benefiting the Wounded becoming more popular these days,” Breaux Warrior Project. said. This year, the Along with her family, Instructor Vincent By CARLA Muddy Mayhem will Rodriguez and Wellness Coordinator Chris ARANGUREN take place at 10 a.m. Dillon, Breaux participated with their students April 14 at 5418 Cacias in the Dash Warrior, a similar event last year. sac-ranger@alamo.edu Road, and it’s open to Early registration for the Muddy Mayhem students and the public is encouraged through April 7 to secure a spot The Wounded Warrior Project supports for $45. former soldiers who served the country in After April 8, the registration fee will be battle and returned injured, wounded or with $55. a disability. Friends and families are welcome with This year, the Muddy Mayhem is stretchparticipants at least 14 years old. ing its route from 5 to 8 kiloBesides enjoying the fitmeters of road running, cross ness high that the event offers “Obstacle country, mud climbs, mud to participants, the top three training is so crawl, mud pits and larger women and men of each age much fun.” obstacles. group will receive a medal. Andreia Breaux, Kinesiology professors All runners will receive a kinesiology are presenting the Muddy gift certificate to be used at professor Mayhem and similar obstacle the Athlete’s Foot retail store training events to their stuin San Antonio. dents as an exhilarating alterAt the end of the Muddy native to get them in the fitness groove and Mayhem, the endurance continues as contesto improve endurance as well as physical tants are blasted with a fire hose and treated to conditions. an after-party at the finish line accompanied Some of the kinesiology classes make this with beverages, food and music. event a requirement and others offer it as an For more information, contact Dillon at opportunity for extra credit. 210-486-1025 or call the Athlete’s Foot at 210Kinesiology Professor Andreia Breaux also 403-2413. offers extra credit opportunities including the Register online by visiting www.theathShape Diva Dash April 21 in Austin, and the letesfoot-sa.com or in person at the Athlete’s Tough Mudder March 3-April 1 in Austin and Foot at 923 N. Loop 1604 E. Oct. 6- 7 in Dallas. For more information on the Shape Diva In addition, the Tough Mudder also takes Dash, visit http://divadash.com and for The place in Japan, Canada, Africa, Austria and Tough Mudder, http://toughmudder.com.
12 • The Ranger
News
Feb. 13, 2012
www.theranger.org
Longhorns lead the Western Heritage Parade in front of Christus Santa Rosa Hospital Feb. 4. Riley Stephens Above, mounted members of the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division’s Horse Cavalry Detachment from Fort Hood lines up before the parade. Riley Stephens
Left, Gil Dean of Bastrop and his father, Gibby Dean, drive his herd of Texas Longhorns east on Houston Street at Alamo Plaza. San Antonio was on the Chisholm Trail. Ingrid Wilgen
Longhorns roam downtown once more
A
Agriculture Professor Welden Riggs of Palo Alto College speaks with his former student Jessica Berry, Palo Alto agriculture freshman, at the west wall of the Alamo at the end of the parade. Berry, who carried the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo banner, said she has participated in the parade for the last four years. Ingrid Wilgen
hundred years ago, cowboys While Dean’s Longhorn herd was in the Alamo drove cattle herds down dusty City, Welden Riggs, a Palo Alto College agriculture Houston Street regardless of the professor, was part of a team of ranch hands and wild Texas weather. cattle drivers who took care of the herd’s needs. Rain and biting wind Feb. 4 Among his classes is Livestock Evaluation, which did not deter the more than 300 participants in teaches students to grade the quality of market and the fifth annual Western Heritage Parade and Cattle breeding animals according to industry standards. Drive. Agriculture freshman Jessica Berry, who was in A 20-year-old movie star waitRiggs’ livestock class last year, led the parade by helpBy INGRID ed under Interstate 35 at West ing to carry the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo WILGEN Houston Street in a staging area to banner. lead the parade. Marisa Powell, biological engiicobham@student. Sancho, the neering and international studies alamo.edu The San Antonio longest horned junior at Texas A&M-College Station, Stock Show and steer in rancher Gil Dean’s herd, was one of the cadets riding with Rodeo continues nudged another steer away from a the Texas A&M Parsons Mounted through Feb. 26. For coveted spot of hay. The longhorn Cavalry. more information, visit www.sarodeo.com. appeared in the 2004 movie “The Powell said cadets learn a lot of Alamo” starring Dennis Quaid and practical skills as they run the horse Billy Bob Thornton. facilities. She said to get into the cavThe speckled crimson and white steer’s backalry, one has to be a cadet in good standing and have ground makes him no stranger to the Alamo City. at least a 2.5 grade-point average. Dean’s Bastrop family has worked to keep the Another mounted unit in the parade was the herd’s bloodline pure for more than 100 years. “Back U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division’s Horse Cavalry in the early days, my great-great grandfather drove Detachment from Fort Hood. cattle on the Chisholm Trail,” he said. Sgt. Marion Kelley said along with learning horse The Chisholm Trail connected Texas beef produc- husbandry, soldiers learn how to build their own ers to the eastern cattle markets. It ran from South saddles and go to farrier school so they can shoe the Texas through Oklahoma — then known as the Indian horses they care for. Territory — to connect with the railroad in Abilene, Cell phones and cameras dotted the crowd as Kansas, where cattle boarded trains to eastern states. parade watchers captured images of long past Texas The trail was used from 1867-1884 when the rail- history in the modern streets of San Antonio in the roads reached ranch lands farther south and west. Western Heritage Parade.