Issue 14 02-12-16

The Gregg County Historical Museum in Downtown Longview honors Black History Month with its exhibit, “Stitching a Legacy: The Symbolism in African-American Quilts.” Page 8

The Flare Vol. 79 No. 14

Serving Kilgore College since 1936

Friday, February 12, 2016

Ash Wednesday at Wesley Chapel

Stitching for freedom

Kiana Rose / THE FLARE

The Pleasant Hill Quilters display their hand-sewn quilts at the Gregg County Historical Museum. The quilts have coded messages in their patterns that guided slaves to freedom.

NICK SHELLEYStaff Writer

Melting students in Nolen Hall will soon feel the cold once again. Duane McNaney, vice president of administrative services, asked the KC Board of Trustees to consider renovating Nolen Hall with new air conditioners at a meeting on Monday night.

The vote was unanimous. The board moved to put new electrical systems in the dorms, which would be the first step in the process to install the new units.

The piping will be replaced before installation. Once the new units, PTACs, are installed, students will be able to control the temperature in their own rooms. “It will be good for students,” McNaney said.

The board expected renovations to cost more than $500,000 but will now cost $335,000.

The PTACs will be more efficient than the old units. A hole will be cut into the walls of rooms in order to install them.

According to the LG website, “The LG lineup of PTACs are extremely quiet.” The PTACs are individual room air conditioners,

rather than community air conditioners. “Now empty rooms can be shut and the systems individually turned off,” added Mike Jenkins, vice president of student development.

The board meeting began with the call to order, during which the Board and attendees were led in prayer and said the Pledge of Allegiance. No citizen’s comments were given.

Chris Gore, admissions and registrar director, presented Pedro Robles as the Student Spotlight recipient. Robles was honored for his involvement in various KC activities, such as working as a student volunteer and being president of both the Student Government Association and the Ranger Ambassadors. “We’re a better institution with him being here,” Gore said.

The Employee Spotlight recognized KC’s football coaches. They were honored for their ability to train students on and off the field. They teach classes when they are not on the field and have regular practice schedules. The coaches also check on the football players daily.

See BOARD, Page 3

Destarra Alexander, Longview freshman, worships at the Wesley Chapel after receiving the cross of ashes on her forehead.

Victoria Gilchrist / THE FLARE

INSIDE THIS ISSUEn Face in the Crowd Page 2

n KC Comic Book Club meets Page 2

n New police academy courses Page 2

n PTK seminars: “How to College” Page 2

n Softball invitational Page 4

n Your View/Our View: Valentine’s Day Page 7

Photos from observation service Page 6

A/C units to cool down Nolen Hall

MEAGHAN MORTONManaging Editor

It’s almost like a KC love story - well, actually, it is. Two international students from Africa, one from Congo, the other from Zambia, both came to KC to receive an education but eventually,

and unexpectedly, found love. Paulin and Belinda Libebele both came to KC at

about the same time, Paulin in 2009 and Belinda in 2010. The couple were brought together by a group of mutual friends.

“Most of the time, the Africans after graduation meet up and have a party, so that’s how we got to know each other,” Belinda said.

Paulin said at first he asked for Belinda’s number just to talk as a friend. After a while, his affections started building. The now-couple were friends for five years before they began dating.

“He was one of my best friends,” Belinda said. “We’d known each other for maybe 5 years and then 3 years of talking.”

International love story

African students’ endless romance began here five years ago

O. Rufus Lovett / SPECIAL TO THE FLARE

Belinda and Paulin Libebele met at KC and were married November 6, 2015.

The night Paulin asked Belinda to go on a date with him, she wasn’t sure what to think. “I was at her place one night and I asked her if she wanted to go out with me,” Paulin said. “It sounded like I was joking, so she really couldn’t take me seriously.”

“I was just laughing!” Belinda said. “Then, he kept talking about it and sounded really serious.”

Paulin said the only thing running through his mind while she was laughing was “Maybe she doesn’t like me.” But she decided she would go on a date with him and was secure about her decision.

“This is a person I probably wanted to depend on because he was so trustworthy,” she said. “You would tell him to do something and he would be there on time. He was there when I was stressed with school, he would call me and comfort me and encourage me and just do what women like.”

First came love, and eventually came marriage. Paulin proposed in the traditional way by taking the three steps. “The first one, you knock on the door and give the parents money like you want to talk about it [marriage]. You give them money and explain why you are there,” Belinda said. “The big one is when you’ve agreed to get married to this person and your parents have authorized you to get married to this person. It’s like a price tag.”

Paulin said he was nervous about what she was going to say. “I had to meet her sister in Michigan, so I didn’t know how she was going to take it or what she was

See LOVE STORY, Page 3

Kilgorecollege

8 10 1809THIS WEEKBY THE

NUMBERS

n Tyler band The Tuxedo Cats will perform at 8 p.m. tonight at The Back Porch. They play classic rock, blues, R&B, country and jazz.

n The R-rated comic book movie ‘Deadpool,’ starring Ryan Reynolds, opens today. Based on the Marvel comics character, it has been in the works for over 10 years.

n President Abraham Lincoln and naturalist Charles Darwin were born on this date in 1809.

PAGE TWO THE FLAREFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

Check theflareonline.com for a full calendar of activities, or go to twitter.com/theflareonline for live updates

Isela GuerreroJessica Carrington / THE FLARE

Series marathons at KCCBC

Hit country artist brings tunes to KC

What is your major?My major is speech and language pathology and I’m minoring in ministry.

What is language pathology and how did you get interested in that?It consists of helping people with disabilities to be able to communicate. I love working with kids with disabilities. I used to work in summer camps for children with special needs so that’s how I got interested.

What got you interested in ministry? I got really involved in my church after I got saved almost two years ago and when I was on a mission trip to an Indian reservation in Arizona, I got called to do ministry.

What other activities are you involved in at KC?Right now I’m the men’s basketball athletic trainer!

What kind of music do you like?I like all types of music! I love classic and folk rock, all types of

Christian music, indie music, ‘90s country and reggae.

Who are some of your favorite bands?I like Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, Fall Out Boy, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Coldplay.

What is your favorite type of food?I love seafood and Cajun food!

How do you relax when you’re stressed out? I meditate on The Bible and I like to do yoga and run! Those three things are what keeps me from losing my mind!

What’s an interesting fact that not a lot of people know about you?Well, I’m the first one from my family to graduate high school and go to college.

Hometown: Chandler Age: 19Classification: Freshman

KATHRYN AGEEExecutive Editor

The Kilgore College Comic Book Club has started off the semester with fun television series and movie marathons.

Last Tuesday, the KCCBC finished an ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ marathon. Starting Tuesday, Feb. 16, they will be watching the series ‘The Legend of Korra.’

They also recently watched the CW Seed’s animated ‘Vixen’ web series and the film ‘Batman: Bad Blood.’

The KCCBC meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the SovereignLOVE building in Longview and at 1:30 p.m. at the BSM on Wednesdays.

For more information, visit the Kilgore College Comic Book Club page on Facebook.

KATHRYN AGEEExecutive Editor

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is wrapping up their Sweet Sale with the purchase of carnations and brownies in the Devall Student Center today.

In other business, members met this week to solicit volunteers of the 12 attendees to help with the new member induction ceremony to be held at 6:30 p.m. March 4.

350 letters were recently sent out to eligible inductees. If you have not received a letter and believe you are eligible, contact Michele Daniels at 903-983-8621.

PTK 101 meetings have been scheduled for at 5:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, and March 18. Theses will help orient new members and let them know about the benefits and resources they have access to as a PTK member.

PTK will also host its “How to College” seminar at noon, Tuesday, Feb. 16, and Wednesday, Feb. 17. The seminars will inform students on ways to be successful in college. For more info on the seminars, contact Daniel DeGrasse at 903-215-1379.

For more information on PTK, contact Michele Daniels at [email protected].

PTK wants membersto succeed

Handgun licensing course aims to educate public

KATHRYN AGEEExecutive Editor

Country musician Billy Dean is bringing

his Branson, Missouri show to KC at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20 in Dodson Auditorium. The show is presented through the Kilgore Community Concert Association.

Dean is currently on a road show that toured 12 states prior to arriving in Texas. Marvin Goldstein, acclaimed pianist and performer, will accompany him.

Dean’s career includes over two decades of hits. His first three albums and greatest hits compilation have been certified gold by the RIAA. His successes include 11 top ten singles and reaching number one on the Billboard country charts in 2000 as a guest vocalist on Kenny Roger’s “Buy Me a Rose.” Millenials may know him best for recording the theme song for the 1992 ABC cartoon ‘Wild West C.O.W.–Boys of Moo Mesa.’ His live performances are revered for his signature solo acoustic pieces.

Admission to the community concert series is by season ticket, which is $45 for all five shows. Individual event tickets are $30. Kilgore College and KISD students are admitted free with current student ID cards. For more information, call 903-988-1591.

FACE IN THE CROWD

JAMES SHREWSBURYStaff Writer

Do you have a permit to carry that gun? The East Texas Police Academy will be

holding a civilian handgun licensing course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the ETPA range, 1810 CR 174E in Kilgore. The class is limited to 20 participants and costs

$75.On Jan. 1 of this year, the state legalized

“Open Carry with a license.” This course will replace the concealed handgun licensing (CHL) course. “This is a prerequisite for getting your permit,” said Joseph Cassin, ETPA director.

Participants are required to bring a firearm and 50 rounds of ammunition. The course

requires that each participant complete a shooting qualification. The ETPA will be able to provide a limited number of firearms for those who do not have their own, but does not provide ammunition. Those interested in obtaining a firearm from the ETPA can contact Mike Augustine, ETPA Instructor and Rangemaster, at 903-983-8671.

The shooting qualification will require

participants to fire 20 rounds of ammunition from 3 yards, 20 rounds from 7 yards and the remaining 10 rounds from 10 yards. Those who do not believe they will be able to pass the qualification may need to bring an additional 50 rounds of ammunition.

This course will also be held March 12 and 19. Preregistration is required for all courses. To register, call 903-983-8663.

MAX CERVANTESStaff Writer

Kilgore College will host its annual Preview Day from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Preview Day gives potential students an opportunity to learn more about KC. Various teachers from KC will be present to answer any questions about financial aid, scholarships, testing and residential life at the college.

Registration will be at 8 a.m. in Dodson Auditorium. A Preview Day overview with Trey Hattaway, director of marketing and enrollment management, will start at 9:25 a.m. in Dodson Auditorium.

Students will then be taken on a tour of the college at 9:30 a.m. The tour includes information on admissions and testing with Chris Gore, director of admissions and registrar, in the Van Cliburn Auditorium, an academic and organization fair in the

Carpeted Gym and information on campus life with Dr. Mike Jenkins, vice president of student development, in the Devall Ballroom.

Other activities will include the KC women’s basketball game. Admission is free with a copy of the Preview Day agenda.

Preview Day is free for any student interested. Students can register for Preview Day online at www.kilgore.edu/previewday.

Annual Preview Day draws future students to KC

N E W S THE FLAREFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 3PAGE

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PRINTING CO.

WE PRINTT-SHIRTS & MORE601 A E. MAIN(903) 983-1480

BOARD: Student, coaches, program spotlighted

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Visiting instructors jury work at student art symposium

FROM PAGE 1

going to say, but everything was all right.”Belinda said she was very emotional.“It

is not easy for an African man to come out like that. Some people would probably just get the woman pregnant and leave them,” she said. “If a man goes through these steps it’s something very important to me and my family. I really do appreciate that he went through those steps and did not take the shortcut.”

Plans for a wedding began and both families were happy for them. “It was great, but it was so stressful. Very stressful,” Belinda said. “We planned for a long time because we were both in school.”

The wedding was held Nov. 6 in traditional African outfits, with a pastor. Paulin’s parents were there, along with Belinda’s sister, nephew and mutual friends.

“My parents were unable to get their Visa [to come to the wedding] because they live in Africa,” Belinda said.

To make up for it, the couple is planning to go to Africa within the next year to hold a reception. Both are excited to go back to their home continent. The last time Paulin was in Africa was when he left in 2009, and the last time Belinda was there was when she visited in 2009.

As newlyweds, they continue to learn new things about each other and about being married. “He is very patient and understanding. He’s easy to get along with,” Belinda said. “He can get mad but he is just trying to maintain his position as a man. I still respect him.”

“I like to laugh with her even if we

don’t laugh like we used to,” Paulin said, laughing. “She understands me better. If I do something bad she can correct me but she still understands me and loves me, even though sometimes she gets mad easily.”

Belinda began to laugh.“If I get mad at you it means I care,” she said.

She also appreciates the small gestures. “Sometimes he will just send me a text that says ‘I love you’ or he will send me a kiss and I will think, oh, he’s thinking about me.”

Paulin then talked about how much he loves Belinda and how he thinks a relationship can last. “I don’t know if I can explain. I really love her,” he said, looking at Belinda. “I love you a lot. I really love you.”

“Communication is key and understanding each other. Try to complete each other and try to keep loving each other more and more every day. Everything is going to be all right,” Paulin said.

Belinda gave her opinion on a lasting relationship. “I think it’s best to be friends first and know the weaknesses of a person. Also, learn to accept the person the way they are and not by looking at the outside,” she said. “Get to know the person. Just always pray and ask God for guidance.”

Even though the couple has only been together four months, they still have a long way to go with what seems to be a bright and loving future ahead of them. They get along together through trials and good times.

“Every time, even when we get into an argument she still talks to me,” Paulin said. “She always makes me feel happy even though we may have issues. She makes me feel happy being the husband she wants to have.”

FROM PAGE 1

They spread the word about KC across the nation with recruiting during the off-season.

The Program Spotlight highlighted the Electric Power Technology program. It was presented by Julie Allee, of workforce development, who praised the program’s “strong variety of academic, technical and practical skills.” The program, also known as KCEPT, trains workers to repair electrical wires within 10 weeks.

Students must take nine classes during those weeks, with one class being completed per week. Students take a final at the end of each week. At the end of the program, they participate in a “Lineman Rodeo,” which will be an event to test out their skills, along with graduation. The rodeo and graduation for the February program will be on May 6.

KC president Dr. Brenda Kays will host forums with staff and students later this

semester. The board also approved the American

Honors program. It is voluntary, and fees for the program will be the responsibility of the student.

Two candidates were nominated for the Upshur county appraisal district. Also, a duplex property was purchased at 103 and 105 W. College Road in Longview as part of the college’s expansion plans at KC-Longview.

A historical building‘s property tax exemption was renewed at a 50 percent discount and legal fees were paid despite initial objections by board members Joe Carrington and Brian Nutt.

Dr. Brenda Kays, president, recapped some issues administrators have been working through. She said KC “has made great headway” fixing problems that have occurred with the Jenzebar computer system. 1098-T’s will be sent out to students within the next few days and the software training is back on track.

The Kilgore College Small Business Development Center will offer an eight-part course titled “How to Start and Operate a Business in East Texas” in Longview and Marshall beginning this month. The course will be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from Feb. 16 through April 12 at the Marshall Center for Applied Technology, located at 2260 E. End Blvd. S. in Marshall.

The course will also be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays from Feb. 18 through April 14 in the Hendrix Building at KC-Longview, Room LH 107, located at 300 S. High St.

Tuition for the course is $119, which includes an entrepreneurial startup guide and all course material.

Seating is limited, and early registration is recommended.

Brad Bunt, director of the KC-SBDC, said hundreds of local business owners have gotten their start after attending this series of classes and the course has

a high success rate among small business owners.

The classes will feature local professionals who examine topics relevant to small business such as advertising strategies, tax and corporate laws, insurance policies, financing programs, marketing trends, government forms and filing requirements and bookkeeping basics.

“If you are looking to start a small business or learn how to successfully operate a current business, this course is for you. After more than 20 years of offering this course in Longview, many people have found the guidance and direction to successfully operate a small business,” Bunt said. “This year in particular we are focusing on access to capital for small business owners.”

To register, call the SBDC at 903-757-5857 or 1-800-338-7232 or visit www.KilgoreSBDC.com. — Staff Report

LOVE STORY: Newly married African students say “communication is key” to long lasting, loving relationship

Course sChedule: Week 1: Making the Decision to Go into

BusinessMarshall and Longview: Instructor, Ron

Collier – Collier Consulting Group

Week 2: Insurance RequirementsMarshall: Instructor, Mike Brady - Kirkland

Brady Insurance; Longview: Instructor, Larry Clemens – Brown, Cook & Taylor Insurance

Week 3: Choosing the Legal Form of

BusinessMarshall: Instructor, Dean Searle – Attorney

at Law; Longview: Instructor, Casey Goolsby – Attorney at Law

Week 4: Planning for Tax SavingsMarshall: Instructor, Mac Abney – A & G,

LLP; Longview: Instructor, Jason Cooner - Cooner & Cooner, P.C., CPA

Week 5: How to Prepare a Business PlanMarshall: Instructor, Cathy Cisco – Capital

One Bank; Longview: Instructor, Ken George – Capital One Bank

Week 6: Financing a Small BusinessMarshall: Instructor, Clayton Ready -

BancorpSouth; Longview: Instructor, Troy Moore - BancorpSouth

Week 7: Marketing Your Small BusinessMarshall and Longview: Instructor, Ron

Collier – Collier Consulting Group Week 8: Bookkeeping BasicsMarshall: Instructor, Chris Fyffe – Christopher

L. Fyffe, LLP; Longview: Instructor, Jason Cooner - Cooner & Cooner, P.C.

Week 9: Beginning Your Business: Start-

Up OverviewMarshall and Longview: Instructor: Brad

Bunt – Kilgore College SBDC

Brett Dyer, former KC student and North Lake College art instructor, addresses area high schoolers during the Art Symposium held last Friday on campus. He, along with Rebecca Boatman of Collin College juried the exhibition that included ten area art students receiving KC scholarships.

Lacey Bunn/ THE FLARE

Start your own business with SBDC Entrepreneurial classes

Pitching dominates as Rangers improve during weekend playKC finishes invitational with 3-1 record

KC RangeRs softball sChedule

Saturday, Feb. 13 - McLennan C.C. - Waco - 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 17 - UT Tyler JV - Tyler - 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 20 - Ranger Invitational vs Indy Community College - Kilgore - 9 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 20 - Ranger Invitational vs Eastern Oklahoma College - Kilgore - 1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 20 - Ranger Invitational vs Connors State College - Kilgore - 5 p.m.

Ryanne Lunceford, Port Neches sophomore, makes contact with a pitch in the Rangers 15-6 loss against Crowder College at the KC Invitational.Richard Nguyen / THE FLARE

S P O R T S THE FLAREFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 4PAGE

TAREA WESTBROOKStaff Writer

Last weekend, the KC Rangers softball team faced off against Crowder College, Cisco College, Murray State College and Gadsden State Community College in the KC Invitational tournament. The Rangers finished the tournament with three wins and one loss bringing their overall record to 5-6.

The Rangers dropped their first game of the day to Crowder College in a 15-6 shootout. After being down as much as six runs, they were able to bring the game closer in the bottom of the fifth inning, where they scored six runs before Crowder College made a final pitching change.

KC shut out its last three opponents of the day with an 8-0 victory over Gadsden State, an 11-0 rout against Murray State College and a 5-0 win over Cisco College.

The Rangers are averaging nearly six runs per game through 13 outings, banging out 16 home runs on the year.

Brianna Davis has four long balls to lead the team, and is tied for second on the team with Taylor Sieber with 11 RBIs. Sieber has three home runs, and Alicia Davila, Amber Williams, Angelica Gonzales and Hayley McCullers have all gone deep twice.

Davila leads the Rangers with 13 RBIs, while Gonzalez and McCullers have driven in eight runs a piece.

Coming off back-to-back losses, the Rangers were able to make a comeback with three consecutive wins.

“Pitching has improved from the previous games,” said Coach Leslie Messina said.

Pitcher Hayley Vavra finished the tournament with a 1.07 ERA and 1-1 record, striking out 15 batters while only walking four.

Adriana Mosley and Cheyanne Phillips combined for the shut out win against Gadsden State CC, only surrendering two hits and three walks.

“We spent a lot of time practicing pitching location which has improved tremendously and has cut our walks,” Messina said.

STAFF REPORTS

After working three straight shutouts over the weekend to close out the Kilgore Invitational, the Rangers struggled inside the circle on Wednesday and dropped a pair of games against Weatherford at Stream-Flo Field.

Weatherford scored 20 runs on 24 hits in two games, earning 9-0 and 11-9 wins.

Kilgore managed four hits in the opening game, including two singles from Briana Davis and singles from Hayley McCullers and Kelsey Ancelott.

In the second game, Kilgore fell behind 8-0 early before rallying to make a game of it.

Davis and Amber Williams both homered and drove in three runs in the loss, and Davis and Hallee Carter added doubles.

Vavra was the losing pitcher in the opening game. Cheyanne Phillips, Adriana Mosley and Jordyn Rogers all saw action inside the circle in the nightcap.

The KC Rangers will travel to Waco to face McLennan at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb 13. at McLennan Community College in Waco.

Weatherford College sweeps KC at home

KC falls to conference leading Lady Cardinals

KC struggles against top teams in Region XIV play

Rangers drop back-to-back conference games

Lady Rangers struggle to keep up with Trinity Valley Community College in second half

Greg Sessions, Atlanta, Georgia sophomore goes up against a host of Navarro defenders in their 71-67 overtime loss in Masters Gymnasium. Sessions finished the game with eight points. The Rangers will face Navarro College again at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, in Corsicana.

Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE

S P O R T S THE FLAREFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 5PAGE

Sophomore guard, Adrianna Edwards splits two Lady Cavalier defenders as she moves down court. The Lady Rangers beat Bossier Parish Wednesday 71-67.Richard Nguyen / THE FLARE

RICHARD NGUYENSports Editor

The Rangers suffered another defeat at the hands of the number one ranked Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals 94-71 in Cardinal Gym dropping their record to 15-9 (5-9 conference).

KC struggled to keep up with the fast paced Cardinals all game. The Cardinals took the lead early and never looked back as they would not trail the Rangers once on their home court.

The Rangers had four players reach double digits in points for them against TVCC. Greg Sessions, who primarily serves as a role player, scored a game high 19 points for KC, 16 of those points coming in the second half.

KC’s Antonio Moore and Alassane Kah provided a nice spark for the Rangers. Moore added 12 points and eight rebounds along with Kah’s 13 points and six rebounds.

Despite having an even distribution of scoring, the Rangers struggled to stop the inside play of the Cardinals surrendering a season high 58 points in the paint. TVCC’s Leon Gilmore and Ryan Preston led the way for the Cardinals post play. Gilmore scored 16 points to go along with his nine rebounds.

The guard play by Josh Robinson

and Hyron Edwards stretched the KC defense thin with shooting, combining for 33 points and nine assist.

With KC trailing 46-32 at the half, they turned to their three-point game to help bring them closer to the Cardinals. The Rangers shot a season high 45.5 percent from distance in the second half, but struggled to score from anywhere else on the court.

Rangers Jaleel Wheeler struggled to get a rhythm going against the stout Cardinal defense all game shooting 27 percent from the field and scoring a season low 11 points.

With the Region XIV tournament fast approaching the Rangers are coming into a crucial part of their season.

All signs point to the Rangers making the playoffs, but they will be battling for a better tournament seed.

The Rangers snapped their losing streak Wednesday in a home win against Bossier Parrish Community College 74-48.

KC will play host to Paris Junior College at 4 p.m. Saturday in Masters Gymnasium.

The game will broadcast on KDOK radio, 105.3 FM in Kilgore and 101.9 FM in Longview. The game can also be listened to online at KDOKradio.com or using the TuneIn Radio app.

KC RangeRs BasKetBall sChedule

Saturday, Feb. 13 - Paris Junior College - Kilgore - 4 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 17 - at Panola Junior College - Carthage - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 24 - Tyler Junior College - Kilgore - 4 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 27 - Navarro College - Corsicana - 4 p.m.

RICHARD NGUYENSports Editor

The KC Lady Rangers fell at the hands of the conference leading Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals 65-48 in their final match up of the season.

With that loss, the Lady Rangers fall to 13-11 (6-8 conference) putting them a game and a half behind Paris Junior College in the Region XIV standings.

The first half of the game was as close as it could be with the score being tied 26-26 at the halftime.

With TVCC opening the game with a 10-0 run three minutes into the first quarter, the Lady Rangers were in peril of facing another rout by the Lady Cards. KC was able to claw their way back into the first quarter with a strong defensive stint and some early free throws by Lauren Carroll, Cotton Plant, Arkansas sophomore, ending the first quarter just down 18-15.

Lyrik Williams and Adrianna Edwards would help pave the way for the Lady Rangers as they put the pressure on the Lady Cardinals in the second quarter.

Williams had a strong first half scoring nine points and snagging seven rebounds. Edwards would lead KC in scoring with 13 points, adding on three assist and five rebounds.

With the game tied at half, TVCC came out firing on both ends of the court showing their home crowd just why they have won 19 straight games. The Lady Cards dominated the third quarter outscoring the Lady Rangers 29-4.

Williams and Carroll were locked down in the second half by the Lady Cardinals, failing to score any points.

The Lady Ranger fought back outscoring TVCC 15-13 in the final quarter, but the Lady Cardinals big third quarter proved to be too much to overcome.

With the season nearing end, all signs point to KC making the Region XIV tournament in head coach Anna Nimz’s first season.

KC will be playing to secure their playoff bid and a higher seed as

KC lady RangeRs BasKetBall sChedule

Saturday, Feb. 13 - Paris Junior College - Kilgore - 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 17 - at Panola Junior College - Carthage - 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 20 - San Jacinto College - Kilgore - 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 24 - Tyler Junior College - Kilgore - 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 27 - Jacksonville College - Kilgore - 2 p.m.

they seek to gain momentum as the season winds to an end.

The Lady Rangers picked up a much needed 71-67 home victory against the Bossier Parrish Community College Lady Cavaliers on Wednesday.

KC will face off against the Paris Junior College Lady Dragons in a crucial conference match up. The two are neck and neck for the seventh spot in the Region XIV standings.

Tip off is set for 2 p.m. tomorrow in Masters Gymnasium.

The game will broadcast on KDOK radio, 105.3 FM in Kilgore and 101.9 FM in Longview.

40 days of opportunity to give back to community during reflection period

F E AT U R ETHE FLAREFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 20166PAGE

As a Catholic, I am very well versed when it comes to the observation of Lent: the fasting, the ash cross on my forehead on

Ash Wednesday (That’s if you’re lucky. Most of the time it’s more like a blob), and of course the concept of “giving up” something during this time.

As the years went by, I gave up things like ice cream, Harry Potter or my precious Nutella, but there was a turning point in the way I viewed Lent as I listened to a very powerful homily one day.

It was my freshman year of high school. We had an Irish priest at our church at the time, so you can imagine how lively his sermons w e r e . Around the middle of his homily he said, “Lent is not just about giving up something. It is also a time to start doing something.” My mind was a little bit blown, after thinking that I had to give up something every year.

That really struck a chord with me. I realized that giving up something like Nutella was pretty insignificant compared

to picking up something like volunteering. That year, I volunteered at the soup kitchen

with some of my friends. I found out that it was such a rewarding experience.

From there, I continued to make it a mission to help others. I felt like giving up something was still a little selfish because you’re helping yourself. There’s nothing wrong with giving caffeine a rest, if you’re an addict or weaning off alcohol, but Lent is also about appreciating the suffering Jesus endured for us.

I find doing things for others enriches my soul more than being devoid of chocolate for 40 days, although it probably makes my sugar levels a lot better.

If you’re still trying to figure out what to give up for Lent this year, try thinking of something you can start doing that will benefit others, as well as yourself. It can

be something as little as making an effort to help your siblings with their h o m e w o r k , h o w e v e r bratty they may be, or

something bigger like volunteering at your local animal shelter or soup kitchen.

For the next 40 days and 40 nights, don’t think about what you can lose by giving up one of your vices, but what you can gain through the experience of helping others.

Learning to give upselfishness for Lent

LUCY LOPEZStaff Writer

“Lent is not just about giving up something.

It is also a time to start doing something.”

Jodi Dosier / THE FLARE

Lauren Carroll, Cotton Plant, Arkansas freshman, takes a selfie at the Mardi Gras lunch held in the cafeteria on Tuesday.

Rain Flat / THE FLARE

Ushering in Lent

Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE

Lucero Alexander, Longview sophomore, receives ashes from the Rev. Karen Bright for the start of Lent.

The Rev. Karen Bright, campus pastor and director of Trinity United Methodist Church in Longview, presents ashes at the Wesley Foundation to begin Lent.Some traditional

Lenten practices and suggestions

n Fasting and abstinence: donate the money you save to a food pantry

n Self-denial: use some of your time to help someone out

n Good deeds and almsgiving: give to a charity or volunteer

n Prayer and reflection: pray the Rosary or the daily mass readings

n Church services: attend daily mass or church services

n Reading the Bible: read a gospel from beginning to end

LENT: a solemn religious observance many Christians partake in that

begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. The traditional purpose of Lent is to prepare the believer through prayer, penance, repentance of sins, almsgiving, atonement and self-denial. It is observed by Christians in the Anglican, Calvinist, Lutheran, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions.

Urban Dictionary defines Valentine’s Day as “1. Holiday maliciously

created to make lonely people e x t r e m e l y depressed. 2. A corporate c o n s p i r a c y conceived by candy makers, rose growers, lingerie stores, and jewelers to get people to spend money on junk.” Basically, Valentine’s Day is pointless, unless you really like the colors red and pink.

In elementary school, you would buy that box of cards, then go through them until you found the perfect one to give to your crush.

However, you would have to find one to give to the guy who is just a friend. If you were my best friend the week of Valentine’s Day, you were getting not only one, but TWO candies. It was kind of a big deal. I always had to have the greatest Valentine’s cards. If I showed up to school and someone had bought the same cards as me, I was upset. I thought I would be the only one with Barbie cards, dang it!

These are what we stressed about then, but now that we’re grown, it’s much more complicated. If you are only “talking” to someone, do you buy him or her a gift? What do you get someone who you’ve only been dating for a few weeks?

Oh, Valentine’s Day, why are you so complicated? Let’s just forget Valentine’s Day and have a second Thanksgiving. Or how about an Anti-Valentine’s Day? All us single people unite and eat our feelings. We can all wear black, and shred pictures of our exes. Sounds like a good idea. Hit me up if you are down to anti-celebrate.

To me, Valentine’s Day has never been a big deal. It’s just another reason to have to buy someone a card or a gift. Like, hello, Christmas was two months ago. What else do you need? OK, I’ll admit, getting flowers and chocolate is the best thing ever, but shouldn’t that be a normal thing? Not just on one day a year.

My mom rocks. She’s my valentine every year. Typically, she will get me some chocolate or some small gift. One year, she bought me “The Notebook” (the most depressing love story ever, by the way) for Valentine’s Day. Thanks mom! Moms rock for the days when you are feeling down, and “Single Awareness Day” is literally the loneliest day ever. But when I walk in my room and see chocolates, or a new movie, it makes my day just a little bit brighter.

Thinking back on last year’s Valentine’s Day, I couldn’t even remember what I did. I finally figured out that I actually went to get a hair cut. I mean, what better way to celebrate than a valentine date with your hairdresser?

Then, I went to a movie with my (then) boyfriend. We both had decided not to buy each other anything that year, but he still insisted on buying my movie ticket and popcorn.

This year, Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday. I will treat it like any other Sunday by getting up in the morning, and going to church. Then, I’ll come home, lay in bed, and watch Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix.

On Monday morning, you will see me at Walmart, celebrating my personal “second Thanksgiving” by buying up all of the half-priced candy.

Taylor Stewart is a sophomore Journalism major from Kilgore.

O P I N I O N THE FLAREFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 7PAGE

THE FLARE is the student newspaper of Kilgore College and is published every Friday by the journalism department, except during examination periods and vacations. First copy is free, subsequent copies are available for 50 cents. THE FLARE is a member of the Texas Community College Journalism Association and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

All people holding editorial staff positions are Kilgore College journalism students. Comments and views expressed in THE FLARE reflect the thoughts of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of other students, staff members, faculty members, administrative officers or the Board of Trustees.

THE FLARE welcomes any letter to the editor and encourages all readers to use this as a sounding board to express thoughts and opinions on current campus-related topics. We also welcome news or feature ideas. Due to space limitations, letters should be as concise as possible and may still be edited for space. Letters must be signed and include an address and telephone number so that we can verify their authenticity. Letters should be delivered to the newsroom in Communications-Automotive Building, Room 125, mailed to The Flare, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore TX 75662 or emailed to: [email protected]

LETTERS

DISCLAIMER

The Flare VOL. 79, NO.14 n Friday, February 12, 2016 Copyright 2016, The Flare. All rights reserved.

2014 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • 2015 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Community College Journalism AssociationSpring 2012 Gold Crown, Columbia Scholastic Press Association • 2012 First Place, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors

ADVERTISING MANAGERKayla TerrazasSTAFF WRITERSElijah Banks, Max Cervantes, Lucy Lopez, Ajani McCoy, Nick Shelley, James Shrewsbury, Taylor Stewart, Tarea WestbrookPHOTOGRAPHERSTiffani Branch, Lacy Bunn, Rain Cohn, Victoria Gilchrist, Tiffany Johnson, Richard Nguyen, Tina Marie Reed, Baylor Roberson, Sam Rodriguez

EXECUTIVE EDITORKathryn AgeeMANAGING EDITORMeaghan Morton

SPORTS EDITORRichard Nguyen

COPY EDITORNIck Shelley

CARTOONISTSarah Hooten

PHOTO ADVISERO. Rufus Lovett

ADVISERRachel Stallard

CONSULTANTJamie Maldonado

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, so people are desperately trying to get into relationships. However, they may be falling into a dangerous trap of

unrealistic love. What is Valentine’s Day really about? Receiving

a teddy bear and some cheap chocolate? Or about spending a bunch of money to make your significant other feel special for once? If you’re in a relationship, shouldn’t you always

try to make the other person feel special? Showing someone that you care and love them

should make them feel that way. Why is it that people need to have gifts in order to have that feeling? That’s not a component of a healthy relationship; it’s the making of a materialistic one that isn’t meant to last. Love is not something that you can just display

through words on a card; it’s an understanding that isn’t always visible to the people who are on the outside looking in. So what is the big deal about having a Valentine? One reason why people rush into relationships

just for this cheesy day is because they feel the pressure from society of being categorized as lonely. Is this day really about love, or is it about making people feel depressed if they aren’t with somebody?

According to a Listmania.com article, an average of 75 percent of suicide attempts that occur on February 14 are relationship related. A lot of people do this because they aren’t able to live up to society’s standards for that one day. It’s understandable no one wants to be alone, but it’s not worth taking your life over. The ones who are forced into a Valentine’s

Day relationship can end up feeling unhappy after spending the day, or even the months, with someone they’re truly not happy with. Aren’t relationships built for the long haul? It’s sad that people prefer something cute instead

of something real. Cute is cool when you’re in middle school, but it isn’t always pure. It doesn’t symbolize authentic happiness and love. True love is built through patience and maturity, not from trying to copy and convey what’s shown on television and social media. Hollywood-type relationships may seem like the

best thing ever, but the reality is they aren’t real. They are false pictures drawn up so people can be distracted from reality and focus on things that don’t matter. It’s a fairy tale that is being sold to you and

setting you up to be another victim of heartbreak. Don’t allow this over- commercialized day to fool you into doing something you’ll later regret.

Don’t let desperate moments get the best of you on this day

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Derrell TuckerFort Worth freshman

“I celebrate Valentine’s Day to show a special person that she is special to me.”

Why do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Saving money on Valentine’s Day:A guide to singleness

Tina Marie Reed THE FLARE

“I use Valentine’s Day to show that special person you love them.”

Lauralee AllenNacogdoches freshman

Stephon Rucker-CarrollKansas City freshman

“I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day because I’m lonely.”

Caleb BouetouCongo freshman

“I celebrate Valentine’s Day because I think it’s great to live in a society that celebrates and respects love.”

Fall forthe

RealDeal

YOUR VIEW

TAYLOR STEWARTStaff Writer

OUR VIEW

Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE

The Pleasant Hill Quilters of Linden educate communities about the Underground Railroad signal system. Many members are retired schoolteachers.

Kathryn Agee / THE FLARE

The book ‘Hidden in Plain View’, written by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond J. Dobard, tells how quilt patterns were used as signals for slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad.

F E AT U R ETHE FLAREFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 20168PAGE

Stitching for freedom

Kiana Rose / THE FLARE

Kathryn Agee / THE FLARE

Kathryn Agee / THE FLARE

The dresden wheel pattern was used to alert slaves to pack up their belonging for the long journey ahead.

The pinwheel pattern told slaves to get ready to travel north by wagon.

The Sunbonnet Sue pattern let escaping slaves know that they would receive disguises once they reached the north.

Jodi Dosier / THE FLARE

The Pleasant Hill Quilters carry on the tradition of making quiilts incorporating signals that allowed slaves to escape safely to Canada during the Civil War.

LEAH BRYCEStaff Writer

As crickets chirp and a soft breeze rustles the stalks of cotton, a hushed sound of whispers floats with the breeze into the midnight sky. Using the black of the new moon as a cover, a small group

of haggard, strong bodies crowds around a quilt, deciphering the code amongst the patterns.

In honor of Black History month, the Gregg County Historical Museum in Longview has erected a new exhibit of story quilts for the month of February. This exhibit was donated by the Pleasant Hill Quilters to honor the history of the Underground Railroad and the role quilts might have played in it.

Much of what is known about the symbolism stitched into quilts from the Civil War era comes from author Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond J. Dobard’s book ‘Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad.’ In it, she recounts quiltmaker Ozella McDaniels’ story of her family history that included making quilts that had secret messages to slaves embedded in the patterns.

The monkey wrench pattern signified an Underground Railroad conductor lived nearby. A pattern called the bear’s paw reminded slaves to follow the trail of bear’s paw prints to find food and water. A log cabin pattern would be stitched on a quilt to be hung outside a safe house. The shoo fly pattern warned slaves to scatter and find a hiding place.

Slave songs also carried hidden meanings. When they sang the spiritual “Wade in the Water,” for

example, it notified others that it was about to rain, and was a good time to try and escape.

“Quilt research and quilt history often rely heavily on the oral anecdotes and oral memories of quilters, stories that link women with common interests to a body of shared information,” said quilt historian Xenia Cord. “This information, strongly buttressed by written memoirs, documented sources, pictures, tangible artifacts, and previously published research allows the historian to contribute to the body of knowledge that is American quilt history.”

While the thoughts of the Underground Railroad using quilts as a secret code is a popular notion, there is no documented proof they were actually used as such. Several fictional novels have been written that support the tales of using quilts, and the 1938 Federal Writers Project that documented escaped slave stories mentioned a coded quilt.

“A number of popularly disseminated misunderstandings about the role of quilts prior to the Civil War in the preparation and escape of fugitive slaves, and in the Underground Railroad are at present being taught to our children,” Cord said.

Although historians might never be certain of the complete role quilts played in the Underground Railroad, the museum’s exhibit offers a unique glimpse into our nation’s past.

“Occasionally a theory is presented that offers an engaging view of the American past,” Cord said. “The theory may not have substance and may not be documentable in any scholarly way, but it provides a vehicle through which we believe we can understand our past.”

WHAT: “Stitching a Legacy: The Symbolism in African American Quilts;” other exhibits also on display as part of Black History Month. Regular admission is $5. Seniors are $2. Students are $1 with ID.

WHEN: Through Saturday, Feb. 27. Museum hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tuesday - Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. -2 p.m.

WHERE: Gregg County Historical Museum, 214 N. Fredonia St., Downtown Longview; call 903-753-5840 for more info.

IF YOU GO: