FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE Monday, Dec. 7 – Thursday, Dec. 10 MONDAY, WEDNESDAY OR FRIDAY CLASSES CLASS TIME EXAM TIME DATE 7 or 7:30 a.m. 7-9 a.m. Mon., Dec. 7 8 or 8:30 a.m. 8-10 a.m. Wed., Dec. 9 9 or 9:30 a.m. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Mon., Dec. 7 10 or 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 9 11 or 11:30 a.m. Noon - 2 p.m. Mon., Dec. 7 12 or 12:30 p.m. 1-3 p.m. Wed., Dec. 9 1 or 1:30 p.m. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 9 2 or 2:30 p.m. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 9 3, 3:30 or 4 p.m. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Mon., Dec. 7 5 or 5:30 p.m. 5-7 p.m. Mon., Dec. 7 Friday only classes will test at regular class times on Fri., Dec. 4. Saturday classes will test 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. Sat., Dec. 5.
TUESDAY OR THURSDAY CLASSES CLASS TIME 6, 7, 7:30, 8, or 8:30 a.m. 9, 9:30, 10 or 10:30 a.m. 11 a.m. or Noon 12:30 p.m. 1 or 1:30 p.m. 2 or 2:30 p.m. 3, 3:30 or 4:30 p.m. 5 or 5:30 p.m.
EXAM TIME
DATE
8-10 a.m.
Thurs., Dec. 10
8 a.m.-10 a.m. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 1-3 p.m. 1-3 p.m. 3:30-5:30 p.m. 5-7 p.m.
Tues., Dec. 8 Thurs., Dec. 10 Tues., Dec. 8 Tues., Dec. 8 Thurs.,Dec. 10 Tues., Dec. 8 Thurs., Dec. 10
EVENING CLASSES EXAM TIME
DATE
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Mon., Dec. 7 Tues., Dec. 8 Wed., Dec. 9 Thurs., Dec. 10
7:30-9:30 p.m. 6:30-8:30 p.m. 6:30-8:30 p.m. 7:30-9:30 p.m.
*Classes beginning at 6 p.m. or later
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE C.H.A.M.P.S. HEART OF TEXAS BOWL n This will be a National Top 20 match up with #20 KC going against #15 East Central Community College (Miss.) n KC has played in the C.H.A.M.P.S. HOT Bowl twice. In 2006, they defeated Fort Scott (Kansas) 19-7, and in 2007 fell to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, 62-28. n The Rangers are 11-8 in their previous 19 bowl appearances. n KC will keep proceeds of the first 250 reserved tickets sold. n Reserved tickets are $20 and go on sale Monday, Nov. 23. n ECCC will be playing its first bowl game in 19 years. n KC enters the game riding a four-game win streak.
The Flare
Friday, November 20, 2015 Vol. 79 No. 10 Serving Kilgore College since 1936
CHAMPIONS!
Trevaun Calahan and Eric Harrell raise the Southwest Junior College Football Conference trophy. The Rangers defeated the Navarro Bulldogs 42-28.
Richard Nguyen / THE FLARE
Rangers win first championship since 2004, will play in C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl DEVIN BROOKS Sports Editor
A
t the beginning of the season, few people would have predicted the path of the KC Ranger football team. Now, there are no more predictions, only celebration. For the first time since 2004, the KC Rangers are the Southwest Junior College Football Conference Champions, handily defeating the heavily favored Navarro College Bulldogs 42-28 at Tiger Stadium in Corsicana two weeks ago. With this monumental victory, the KC Rangers stand alone as the conference champions, something that seemed like a long shot three weeks ago. The Rangers will play in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl at 11 a.m. Saturday,
Dec. 5 against the East Central Community College Warriors of Mississippi in Copperas Cove. The Rangers clawed their way from the bottom all the way to the top, defeating the Blinn College Buccaneers 17-9 to stay in the playoff race. They defeated rival Tyler Junior College 23-17 in double overtime to clinch a playoff berth, defeated the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals 23-17 to advance to the conference championship, and beat Navarro 42-28. Early on, KC got off to a quick start to control the flow of the game, which they have done throughout their playoff run. Both KC and Navarro went three-and-out on their first possessions. On Navarro’s second possession, they wasted no time scoring. Backup quarterback Delvin Isadore stepped
back and threw a bomb down the right side of the field to his go-to receiver, Del’Michael High. He leaped over KC cornerback Jerrell Sykes, secured the catch and ran it in 78 yards for a touchdown. Kicker Patrick O’Brien made the extra point, making the score 7-0 with 9:42 left in the first quarter. Two possessions later, Navarro was moving the ball down the field until Isadore threw a bad screen pass and linebacker Dante Lovilotte read the pass, intercepting it for a four-yard return. After running back Damion Collins was stopped for no gain, KC found themselves on third down. Quarterback Josh Bolfing stepped back and threw a pass down field that was tipped by a Bulldog cornerback. Tight end Jarod Wood caught the tipped pass and took it 63 yards for the first KC touchdown. The game was
tied at seven with 3:23 left in the opening quarter after a Troy Duran extra point. KC then scored 21 unanswered points between that time and the midway mark of the second quarter. They scored because KC’s defense, who forced Navarro’s offense into turnovers. After Eric Harrell stripped running back Josh Cleveland on the kickoff return, KC drove the field and Martinez Syria ran in a one-yard touchdown run. Five plays later, Isadore threw a pass to the middle of the field. Safety Deandre Toler picked it off and returned it 34 yards to the Navarro 21 yard line. Following that play, Syria broke off a 21 yard touchdown run after a pitch by Jaylen Fails , making the score 21-7 at See RANGERS, Page 4A
Falling in love with KC Pharmacy major first in family to graduate from college in U.S. MADELINE GREENE Page Editor
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raduation is a time for celebration. Years of late nights and study sessions have finally paid off. At 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, 238 graduates will be walking the stage at Dodson Auditorium to receive their diplomas. KC will award 415 certificates or degrees this semester. Among those receiving an associate of arts degree is Naina Kishore, Henderson graduate. Kishore moved from India to Longview with her family when she was 11, and she clearly remembers the change. “When I first moved here it was a big cultural shock,” Kishore said. “We weren’t that traditional, but it was
still a big cultural shock.” Kishore decided to attend KC after graduating from Henderson High School. “When I graduated from high school,” Kishore said, “My major was a little undecided.” Since then, Kishore has decided to major in Pharmacy and she has fallen in love with KC. “Some professors here are really well prepared.” Kishore said. “They teach you really well and what I like about KC is that it exposes you to a lot of classes that you never thought you’d take.” Kishore also appreciates the opportunities attending KC offers. “You get to meet people,” Kishore said. “You get to be in organizations and clubs, and you get to finish your degree and get
your associates [degree] from a really good college.” Since Kishore lives on campus, she has several places she likes to go. “I used to like to go to the library because it has two floors, it has open space, and I can breathe in there,”Kishore said. “But now, you know, I go to class, go to work and go to my organizations and meetings.” Kishore will be the first member of her family to finish her education in the United States. She is a tutor in Chemistry 1411 and Stats for TRIO and she also works at the front desk in Nolen Hall. Someday, Kishore wishes to visit California, Florida and Europe, specifically London. In her free time, Kishore enjoys playing tennis and listening to Bollywood music.
Tiffani Branch / THE FLARE
Naina Kishore, Henderson sophomore, is graduating as a Pharmacy major.
#Ipackedashoebox gives back at BSM KC students pack Christmas shoeboxes to send to children around the world NICK SHELLEY Page Editor Students gathered after free lunch on Tuesday at the Baptist Student Ministry to pack shoeboxes for impoverished children overseas with a ministry called Operation Christmas Child. Students packed a total of 313 shoeboxes with items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, sandals and posters. Non-necessities such as toys, dolls, posters and candy were also packed. Each box was packed based on whether the receiver would be a boy or girl. Boys will get items such as toy cars, Play Dough and stuffed animals. Girls will get some of the same items as boys with the only difference being that some toys will be switched out, such as the toy cars would be replaced with dolls or dress-up clothes. Each box was also packed according to the children’s age. A 14 year-old girl
may want a journal, as opposed to a 5-year-old girl who may want a doll; a 14-year old boy may want a poster, whereas a 5-year-old boy may want a toy car. Students packed according to the age group of the children. Once students filled the shoeboxes, they then were able to write notes to the impoverished children. Students drew pictures of themselves, what country they are from and their address so that they can stay in contact with the children. The shoeboxes will be dropped off at one of four different collection sites in the East Texas area. According to a press release from Samaritan’s Purse, the organization in charge of Operation Christmas Child, “ [In the past] shoeboxes have been sent to more than 124 million children in over 150 countries.” For more information, contact Jaymi Blankenship at jblankenship@ kilgore.edu.
Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE
Samantha Mathis, Longview freshman, stacks full boxes of Christmas gifts
PAGE T WO THIS WEEK BY THE NUMBERS
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New Jersey became the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights in 1789. It was the first step taken to make the first 10 Amendments law. n
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Brodrick Thompson, Tyler sophomore and Elijah Banks, Dallas sophomore, choose items to put in shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
THE FLARE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015 January 6 is the last day for KC students to pay for Spring semester classes without late fees n
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The number of miles that Ranger fans will have to travel to attend the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl game Dec. 5 in Copperas Cove. n
Check theflareonline.com for a full calendar activities, or go to twitter.com/theflareonline for live updates
FACE IN THE CROWD
Police beat 10/13 - 11/9 DUSTIN TAYLOR Staff Writer n 10/13 – Two separate incidents of hitand-runs involving only vehicles n 10/16 – Fire alarm in ES n 10/23 – One case of criminal trespassing n 10/23 – One traffic accident n 10/24 – Fire alarm n 10/24 – Fire alarm in Nolen Hall n 10/24 – KCPD assisted KPD with investigating a robbery at E-Z Mart n 10/26 – One case of assault n 10/27 – One case of criminal mischief n 10/28 – Fire alarm in the Rangerette Hall n 11/1 – Fire alarm in Nolen Hall n 11/4 – Fire alarm n 11/4 – One case of criminal trespassing n 11/4 – One case of alleged sexual assault n 11/5 – Fire alarm in Stark Hall n 11/9 – One case of burglary n 11/9 – One case of vehicle burglary
PTK to wrap semester with Nov. 30 meeting KATHRYN AGEE Executive Editor PTK’s last meeting of this semester will be 5:15 pm on Monday, Nov. 30, in CA 104. PTK’s annual induction ceremony was held, 32 new members were inducted. College Nights were held on Nov. 10 at Rusk Co. Library and Nov. 16 at Maude Cobb Convention Center to spread awareness of PTK. PTK’s final “How to College” workshops will be held at noon on Dec. 1 and 2 in the Devall Student Center Video Meeting Room. The theme of the workshop will be Survivng Finals.
21 graduate from fire academy Crystal Charles / THE FLARE
Austin Lynch What is your major? Automotive Technology. What got you interested in it? Cars are like our modern day horses, if you will. You used to have to maintain your horse, and that was a lot easier than a vehicle, but I just want to be able to repair people’s means of transportation. What do you find most difficult about it? Probably tight spaces. Certain manufacturers set up things differently and sometimes it’s harder to get to things than other times. What are your plans after graduation? I’m employed at Crown Kia right now. I’m going to continue working there and I’m going to advance up. I’m going to eventually get Master Technician, ASC certified, and then move
Hometown: Gladewater Age: 26 Classification: Sophomore on from there and maybe open my own shop one day. What is your dream car? That’s a hard one. Nissan GTR would be one I would definitely want to have. Taco Bell or Taco Bueno? Oh! Dude, Taco Bell. Favorite TV show? Right now, I’ve been into Alaskan State Troopers. What’s something most people don’t know about you? That I grew up on an ostrich farm, probably.
KATHRYN AGEE Executive Editor 21 KC students graduated from Fire Academy No. 96 at on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in the Bert E. Woodruff Adult Education Center Auditorium in Kilgore. Students eligible for graduation included Brock Bozeman of Canton, Jacob Edwards of Longview, Colby Eubanks of Mount Pleasant, Josh Flanagan of Marshall, John Freeman of Longview, Scott Green of Tennessee Colony, Kolby Hogan of Longview, Donald Holder of Longview, Jeremiah Johnson of Rockwall, Brandon Lewis of Anna, Christopher Nichols of Gladewater. Daniel Perez of Mount Pleasant, Brian Pfau of White Oak, Joseph Pittelkow of Big Sandy, Kody Raymond of Sechelt BC, Canada, Dusty Richardson of Tatum, Chase Rouse of Longview, Jonathan “JT” Quezada of Tyler, Joe Vinson of Mabank, Grame Wolf of Big Sandy and Lance Woodruff of Longview.
NEWS
THE FLARE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
William Siankam, 28, Cameroon Central Africa
What is your home country like? I would say it’s a nice country. We have a lot of peace over there. Our last civil war was back in 1984. It was not really a civil war. It was kind of like someone was trying to take over power. So, it was a matter of three or four days. That’s the big deal with my country [peace]. That’s what I like about it the most. In comparison to America, what is Africa like?
Rainy day fun Tiffany Jonhson / THE FLARE
Christina Lloyd, Mexia sophomore, spashes water while walking across the bridge on Tuesday afternoon.
Electrical Power students show skills at graduation KATHRYN AGEE Executive Editor KC Electric Power Technology graduates will be honored at a rodeo and graduation today. The rodeo will be at 9 a.m. at the Rusk County Electric Cooperative training field in Henderson. The graduation ceremony will be at 3:30 p.m. at the Bert E. Woodruff Adult Education Center Auditorium in Kilgore. The rodeo will have students demonstrate skills learned during their 10 week course. These include pole climbing, hurt-man rescue and insulator changing exercises. Students will receive the KCEPT Marketable Skills certificate at graduation. Awards given will include the Danny Belcher Walking
the Wood trophy for most improved pole climber, Most Outstanding Student for the graduate with the best grades and Most Supportive Teammate, based on student voting results. Since the KCEPT program began in 2008, 118 students from three states have graduated. Since there are a large numer of projected employee retirements for the next five to seven years, electric distribution companies, municipalities and utility companies are expecting a large shortage of workers. Electric Power Technology graduates can expect to earn salaries of $11 to $20 hourly. 23 students are eligible for graduation. These include Colton Carpenter of Van, Canny Collins of Mount Pleasant, Brad Dooly of
Linden, Jacob Fielden of Gilmer, Angel Flores of Mount Pleasant, Paxton Garner of Henderson, Jeremy Gravely of Caddo Mills, Ethan Hamm of Winnsboro, Casey Hammons of Troup, Taylor Kidd of Texarkana, Fernando Martinez of Mount Pleasant, James Moore of Canton, John Oud of Mount Vernon, Zaryon Price of Broaddus, Blake Riddle of Redwater, Caleb Ross of Van, Connor Sanderson of Canton, Corbitt Shirley of Leesburg, Aarpn Steptoe of San Augustine, Ryan Suitts of Mount Vernon, Luis Valadez of Mount Pleasant, Tanner Vann of Scroggins, Eduardo Vasquez of Lufkin, Zachary Verhalen of Broaddus, Colby White of Paris, John Wright of Talco and Anibal Zarate of Edgewood.
Pinning ceremony set for Vocational Nurses Dec. 9 at DSC FROM STAFF REPORTS The School of Vocational Nursing will hold their pinning ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, in the Devall Center Ballroom. “Pinning is a nursing ceremony that dates back to the 1800s,” said Vocational Nurse director Michaelle Green. “The graduate nurse is pinned by another
nurse. The pin usually has the name of the school of nursing and the level of nursing achieved.” Students complete the program in 12 months. Throughout this time, they attend classes, lab and clinicals. Nineteen students are graduating this year. “After successfully completing the amount of credit hours, the student is
eligible to take the NCLEX exam to become a licensed vocational nurse,” Green said. Students are also required to have a minimum of 840 hours of clinical experience by providing care for patients in various clinical settings.
Every time you move to a different place, you go through a culture shock. In my country, we are more social. It’s true that we don’t have a lot of job opportunities over there, but at least people get together over there and you can sympathize with people, have fun. You can always get together. In America, it’s more like a lonely life. What I do is mainly walk, school, and basically, that’s it. I can spend sometimes three months not talking to my family. Even phone calls can be a problem. Sometimes when you call, they are busy and they will have to call back another time. How does not being able to talk to your family make you feel? It makes me feel sad because you are going from always having people around you to most of the time being by yourself. It’s not easy. But, you accept that you have to be here, and you try to adapt to that new reality. I’ve been doing it for seven years now, so I’m kind of used to it already. It’s not easy, but you find a way to cope with it. Why did you come to America? I was dreaming of becoming a doctor. Back in Africa, I was in university trying to complete my first year. My sister had come here two years before, and she said, “Oh, you can come
Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE
Nursing student William Siankam, Cameroon, sophomore, identifies bacteria using a microscope. over here and that would be an incredible opportunity.” School purposes were the first reason that I agreed to come here. I have two feelings. If I knew it wasn’t going to be easier to achieve my goal over here, I would rather stay in Africa. It would have been easier for me to achieve that goal back over there, and then I would try to move because that was my goal of becoming a doctor, and then move later on to try to find a life opportunity I couldn’t get over there, but I would have achieved my goal of becoming what I wanted. Why do you want to become a doctor? The primary reason is Africa. What is portrayed on the news is not always the true reality, but part of it is true. For the entire region, can you imagine how bad it is? We don’t have enough people to cover that path, so people get sick and it gets really weird, so that’s one of the reasons. At least I can help. If my family
Africa
has a problem, they’ll have a doctor. I’ll be there. I can stand for them. That was the first reason. The second reason was passion. I always wanted to be a doctor, that was my dream. What are some things you like to do outside of school? School takes a lot of my time. I used to like to go out dancing. It’s kind of difficult because I don’t like to go out by myself. So what I do is put music on and I dance. I like to dance to African music. I can relate to the music, to the dancing, the choreography, so I love to dance. If I said I had a passion besides school, it would be dance. When I feel sad, when I feel depressed or whatever, that’s the best thing I do. When I was a kid back in Camaroon, we used to get together every summer. The elders would organize a get together for all the children and we’d get together for festivities.
KILGORE SCREEN PRINTING CO.
Cultural Awareness Day today: dances, music, food KATHRYN AGEE Executive Editor The KC International Student Club will hold a Cultural Awareness Day event 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today in the main hallway of the Devall Student Center. The event will have artifact
exhibits and art provided by KC’s international students. Music and dances will also be performed. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact admissions international specialist Estonia Graves at 903-9838200.
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THE FLARE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015
SPORTS
Defense dominates
Richard Nguyen / THE FLARE
Members of the KC Ranger defensive line stand on the field during a break in the action. The KC defensive line along with the other members of the defense as a whole played a huge role in their championship run. They made many big plays that helped the team get to win. Pictured from left to right: DeQuinton Osborne, Brian Scott, Louis Wings and Ricci Simmons.
KC defense key to magical championship run DEVIN BROOKS Sports Editor The KC Ranger football team left many people wondering how they were able to scrape themselves from being out of the playoffs to being named the Southwest Junior College Football Conference Champions in just a four-week span. The cliché of, “offense wins games, but defense wins championships,” applies to this situation. KC’s defense was how they won the championship. While the offense was struggled through the playoffs, it was the defense that kept the game in striking distance. The KC defense earned the title as the number one defense in the conference. During the playoffs, the defense held the Tyler Junior College Apaches to just 42 yards through the air. They sacked the quarterback 11 times. KC held TJC to 226 total yards, the fewest they have been limited to all season long. The KC defense then had a similar performance against the high-flying Trinity Valley Community College Cardinal offense. They held TVCCs number one offense to 279 total yards. They were able to force the quarterback RayJohn Austin-Ramsey into throwing a career-high five
interceptions and one lost fumble. He only threw for 70 yards while being sacked five times, and the TVCC rushing unit ran for 209 on 50 attempts. During this game, the KC defense scored all of the team’s points with the exception of a Troy Duran field goal in overtime. Dante Lovilotte, Will Smith, and Jerrell Sykes all had a pick six for the day. Sykes returned his for 57 yards, Lovilotte returned his for 50 yards and Smith returned his for 34 yards. The biggest interception of the day happened when corner Jaylon Johnson stepped in front of a touchdown pass thrown by Ramsey and picked it off in overtime to secure the victory for the Rangers. The KC defense would be the deciding factor again in the championship game. The Navarro Bulldogs had a highpowered offense, but the KC defense held its own against them. They put pressure throughout the game on quarterback Delvin Isadore. He threw four interceptions on the day. KC forced fumbles and stooped the Bulldogs on fourth down countless times to give the KC offense good field position. The KC offense took advantage of this and was able to put points on the board. Corners Deandre Toler and
Sykes had three interceptions between each other two for Toler while the ball-hawking linebacker Lovilotte had one. With all these factors in play, KC was able to defeat Navarro 42-28 to win their first SWJCFC Championship title since 2004. Like any other defense in the nation, they have key players that make the unit move. KC had play makers all over the place. The defensive line was highlighted by DeQuinton Osborne, LaDarrin Anthony, Demontrai Lewis and Ricci Simmons. These players applied pressure on the quarterbacks and running backs. They were able to get into the backfield numerous times during their playoff run. Players like Lovilotte, and the hard-hitting linebacker Eric Harrell made it tough to throw or run up the middle of the field. Harrell made hard hits and forced many fumbles during the season. The secondary was a dangerous weapon for the defense. Sykes, one of the top corners in the nation, had ten interceptions on the season, while J’Marcus Rhodes had four picks in eight games. Other corners like Johnson and Toler made plays when they needed, which helped the KC defense be so consistent. The Ranger defense allowed
Richard Nguyen / THE FLARE
SWJCFC Defensive MVP, DeQuinton Osborne wraps up a Navarro running back in the backfield. Osborne accumulated four sacks, eight tackles for loss and an interception this season 25 points per game, which is first in the conference. They allowed 332 yards per game including 133 rushing yards and 200 passing yards per game, which is tops in the conference.
Osborne, Harrell, Anthony, Lewis, Simmons, Lovilotte, Rhodes, and Sykes all made the SWJCFC All-region defensive team for their performances at their own individual positions. Osborne
was named the conference defensive player of the year, while Sykes was the best cornerback and Harrell was the best linebacker.
RANGERS: KC roll past Navarro to secure championship From Page 1A the beginning at the second quarter. Two Bulldogs possessions later, Isadore fumbled after a big hit by the KC defensive line. Louis Wings recovered the fumble on the Bulldog 37 yard line. The KC offensive line the opened a hole, which Syria ran through for a 37 yard touchdown. This increased KC’s lead to 28-7 with seven minutes left in the first half. Navarro linebacker Blake Blostrom intercepted quarterback Fails, returning it 48 yards for a Bulldog touchdown. This cut KC’s lead to 28-14 with 3:31 left in the first half. Navarro had the chance to score again but failed. The halftime score was 28-14. Navarro came out early in the second half. They drove down the field on their first possession. Isadore was able to sneak into the end zone for a four-yard touchdown, making the score 28-21 with 13:15 left in the third quarter. KC would score two more times in the game.
Fails found receiver Garrett Barton for a nine-yard touchdown pass and Toler picked off Isadore again and took it 36 yards. After a Duran field goal made the score 42-21, The Bulldogs would score again on a five-yard touchdown pass from Isadore to Timothy Taylor, making the final score 42-28. The KC defense stopped the Bulldogs on fourth down toward the end of the fourth quarter for their championship victory. The KC defense forced the Bulldogs into six turnovers, four interceptions and two fumbles. Sykes had one interception, giving him 10 in the year which leads the nation. Toler had two on the day, while Lovilotte had one. Syria rushed for 104 yards on 16 carries and scored three touchdowns. Bolfing went 6-8 with 131 yards and one touchdown. KC rushed for 169 yards on 41 carries and three touchdowns as a team. Cleveland had 35 carries for 122 yards. Isadore went 21-37 with 327 yards threw the air and threw four interceptions and one fumble.
Richard Nguyen / THE FLARE
Backup quarterback Jaylen Fails tries to escape a tackle from a Navarro defender while his fellow KC Ranger teammates run to help him block the other defenders in pursuit.
SPORTS
THE FLARE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015
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Dunking the Competition Rangers win seven straight; will face Lee College next AJANI MCCOY Staff Writer The KC Ranger Basketball team remains undefeated on the season after two dominating wins in the annual Kilgore Classic that was held at Masters Gymnasium on Nov. 6 and 7. The KC men’s team continues to play at a high level early on this season leaving them with an untarnished 7-0 record entering conference play. The men played at home game against On Point Prep Friday, Nov. 6. KC started off slow, but eventually ran away with a 119-82 victory over On Point Prep. KC 37-point victory is the largest margin of victory they have amassed this season. KC played tough defense during both halves, which made it difficult for On Point Prep to drive to the basket. KC had a plus 24 on the boards against OPP with most of the rebounds coming from post players Alassane Kah and Cheikh Fall. KC not only played great defense but amazing offense, shooting 77.2 percent from the field, 68.8 percent from the three-point line and 71.4 percent from the free throw line. Top scorer was the New Jersey product Jaleel Wheeler, who scored 31 points and dished out four assists. Wheeler is one of
the top scorers in National Junior College Athletic Association basketball averaging a nearly 22 points per game for KC so far this season. His play along with the help of his back court buddy Greg Sessions, Ty Wilburn, and Cheikh “CB” Diallo has helped KC be more effective on both sides of the ball early in the season. KC faced off against Pro Vision Prep on Saturday, Nov. 7, and despite the inefficient play early on they were still able to win 8454. The game started off slow for both teams nobody scored until center Ndene Gueye made the first two field goals to get heated. KC played amazing defense making it hard to score for PVP. The front court and back court did an amazing job putting pressure on the ball handler. KC was outstanding on the boards grabbing 32 total rebounds thanks to players like Kah and Gueye grabbing a combined 12 rebounds. Offensively, KC showed no mercy with a field goal percentage of 55.7 percent and an 88.9 percent from the free throw line. Sessions scored 18 points with the help of guard Wilburn with 9 points and 7 assists while Kah had 12 points and 7 rebounds. KC ends the weekend undefeated due to an outstanding overall team performance. KC will face Lee College in the first conference game of the season. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Masters Gymnasium.
KC Men’s Basketball Schedule Saturday, Nov. 28- East Texas Flight- Kilgore- 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2- Lamar State-Port ArthurKilgore - 7: 30 p.m.
Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE
Sophomore post Alassane Kah rises up above the rim for a one handed power dunk during the first half of basketball action in a KC Ranger basketball game. Kah leads the team with rebounds.
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Thursday Dec. 3- Northwestern State JVKilgore- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9- Angelina College- Kilgore- 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29- Houston Southwest C.C.Kilgore- 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2- Blinn College- Brenham- 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6- San Jacinto C.C.- Kilgore- 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9- Jacksonville CollegeJacksonville- 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13- Bossier Parish C.C.Bossier City- 7:30 p.m.
Minor Setback for a Major Comeback Lady Rangers lose to Collin County College; Look for win over Angelina DEVIN BROOKS Sports Editor The KC Lady Ranger basketball team ended its first set of non-conference games with a 5-1 record, which is the best start they have had to a season since the 2008-09 season when they started off with a 6-0 record. The Lady Rangers played in the annual Staybridge Suites Classic at Tyler Junior College Nov. 13-14 at Wagstaff Gym. On Friday KC defeated the Cisco College Wranglers 61-44 and Saturday they lost their first game of the season to Collin County Community College 76-66. The Lady Rangers had been rolling on all cylinders before that loss defeating their opponents by an average of 19 points per game. KC will now enter their part of the schedule when they start playing conference opponents so they will have to prove to everybody all over again that they belong among the giants of the conference. After six games KC is 11th in the nation in
points scored per game with 48.3, field goals made per game with 15.5, and field goals attempted per game with 39.5 per game. On the defensive end they crash the boards even though they are undersized. They pull down 21.3 boards per game as a team, which is 11th in the nation, and they have sticky fingers averaging 7 steals per game. Sophomore guard Robbin Smith pours in 12 points per game while shooting a stellar 43 percent from the field. Freshman guard Lauren Carroll leads the team in scoring averaging 14 points in 28 minutes while shooting 45 percent from the field. Sophomore post Dominique Thomas leads nearly averages a double-double pouring in 10 points per game and ripping down nine boards in the process. The Lady Rangers hope to keep up their solid play as they enter conference play. They will face off against the Angelina College Roadrunners for their first conference game of the season. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, in Lufkin.
KC Lady RangeRs BasKetBaLL sCheduLe Wednesday, Dec. 5- Coastal Bend College- Kilgore - 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9- Angelina College- Kilgore - 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12- Southwest Christian College- Kilgore - 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16- Trinity Valley C.C.- Kilgore - 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20- Paris Junior College- Paris - 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23- Panola College -Kilgore 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27- San Jacinto College- Houston -5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30- Tyler Junior College- Tyler 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3- Longview Elite- Kilgore- 5:30 p.m.
Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE
Sophomore Guard Adrianna Edwards finishes off a fast break with a wide open lay-up during the first half of action against the 903 Elite Club Team. Edwards is averaging 12 points per game this season.
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THE FLARE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
‘Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens’ shatters box office records, unites fans KATHRYN AGEE Executive Editor
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nly one movie in history represented 95 percent of all ticket sales its first day of presales. These presales sold out all of the showings in IMAX theaters for its first month. Traffic to Fandango’s website during that first day caused the site to crash. This potentially highest-grossing movie ever made has not been released yet. The only movie that could generate this kind of hype is the first in a new “Star Wars” trilogy of films, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The movie is directed by J.J. Abrams, protégé of legendary “Jaws” and “E.T.” filmmaker Steven Spielberg. In 2009, Abrams successfully helmed the 10th installment of the “Star Trek” film series. “Star Trek” was a huge sci-fi television hit in the late 1960s, but its blockbuster potential was thought to be long gone. He took on the seemingly impossible task of rebooting “Star Trek,” making it marketable to a broader audience while lovingly appealing to fans of the original series. It was a box office smash, grossing over $385 million worldwide. After the film’s success, Abrams was approached to helm the reboot of another sci-fi series, one that gets confused with the other by non-fans and whose cultural rivalry with Star Trek is legendary: Star Wars. Abrams promptly declined, and said in an interview with Empire Magazine in 2012 that it was “because of my loyalty to Star Trek, and also just being a fan, I
wouldn’t even want to be involved in the next version of those things. I declined any involvement very early on. I’d rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making them.” Abrams was then visited by Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm, who, according to a 2015 Entertainment Weekly interview, persuaded him to take on the project by mysteriously asking him, “Who is Luke Skywalker? He said, ‘Oh my God, I just got the chills. I’m in.’ I mean, it really was almost that quickly.” Abrams has accomplished something most hardcore fans of either “Star Trek” or “Star Wars” have never imagined: uniting them by making amazing films made with love of the sci-fi genre and making them marketable to a broad audience, drawing in new fans. “The Force Awakens” has a huge legacy to live up to. The first film in the series, “A New Hope,” was released in 1977 and received 10 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. It made its stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, James Earl Jones household names and cemented the talents of director George Lucas, already well known for making the nostalgic classic “American Graffiti.” “The Force Awakens” is evoking the first film’s marketing strategy. Stars John Boyega, Daisey Ridley, Oscar Issac and Adam Driver are not well known actors, but after the film’s debut, they and their characters will be cemented in pop culture for eternity. Although Abrams
From Google Images
has directed successful films before, “The Force Awakens” will set box office records and guarantee Abrams will have a long film career and, similarly to Lucas, become unfathomably wealthy. One way Lucas has gained wealth from “Star Wars” is because it was one of the first film series to use marketing to its advantage, making licensed games, toys and collectables out of every character and device in the movies. “Star Wars’” undying pop culture presence over the past 38 years has made Lucas’ net worth over $4 billion. The enduring legacy of “Star Wars” does not have to do with just its marketing, however. The films explore humanity’s classic themes of family, love, war, overcoming tragedy and good versus evil. The films are enjoyed by people regardless of age, race, gender or nationality. People
who grew up with the original films are now raising their children to love Star Wars, as shown in a series of 2015 Target ads showing children and their parents dressing up as the characters, playing with toys, and quoting lines from the movies. Star Wars: The Force Awakens has already cemented its place in cinema history. The series will continue to entertain, inspire and enlighten audiences for generations to come. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” arrives in movie theaters Friday, Dec. 18, with most theaters having early showings on Thursday, Dec. 17. Prepare to see fans waiting outside the theater, in Jedi and Sith robes and wielding lightsabers. Tickets should be bought in advance, as many of its showings for the first few days are already sold out.
FLARE COMICS
‘Dearly Departed’
Jessica Carrington / THE FLARE
Trevor Newlin, Kilgore freshman, preaches to the choir during a scene in “Dearly Departed.”
Southern comedy, dysfunctional characters provide laughter, lessons in humanity MEAGHAN MORTON Features Editor
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less your heart and grab some pork rinds because the southern comedy “Dearly Departed” is slapping a misfit bunch of characters on the KC stage. The variety of characters in this show will make you laugh until you are too tired to laugh anymore. The word to describe this bunch: dysfunctional. A chain smoking, strong, Christian woman named Marguerite opens the show by sending a letter to her brother, Bud, who soon after dies for… unknown reasons. But the death brings a whole family together that had not been around each other for awhile. The play shows the humanity in people and explores life and death in a humorous way. The ability to relate to all of the characters is surprising. Look into your family tree and you will find someone that matches each of the characters’ personalities. Whether that is good or bad is up to your interpretation. While the majority of the show is hilarious there are thinking moments that bring the audience back down to the reality of life. A figure in the family has died and people
REVIEW actually are mourning over Bud. There are real, heart-touching moments with the newly widowed Raynelle looking back over her relationship with her late husband Bud. The show is technically involved with the movement in set. The creativity that went into its design is evident and practical. The crew fantastically transitions from scene to scene, making the audience feel as if they are in a new place every time the lights come up. Used throughout the show is a playlist of good ol’ country music that will make you want to get up and two-step. Every actor channels their character so well, you forget that they are played by an actual person that people can meet on campus. Each character is lovable, no matter how irritating or mean they are meant to be. The comedy never fails in “Dearly Departed.” The audience will be laughing from beginning to end with the charismatic preacher, the shuffling church choir, shady car repairman and the completely and utterly dysfunctional family that everyone will be able to relate to. If I were to use one word to describe this show, I would say it is … delightful.
Sarah Hooten / THE FLARE
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE BACK PORCH n LANDRY AND CO 8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 20
n LADY CHAZZ AND THE TRAMPS 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 12
n RICHARD STUART BAND 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 21
n DANIEL SMALLEY Singer-songwriter. 6:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 16
n BLAINE HART BAND Country. 8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 27
n DARRIN MORRIS BAND 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 18
n ALLY VENABLE BAND Rock/blues. 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 28
n THE TUXEDO CATS Rock/blues/R&B. 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 19
n BLACK BOX 6:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 2
n BOBBY MERCY OLIVER 6:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 23
n WHITE TRASH WANNABEES 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 4
n DIXIE BENT Country. 8 p.m. Sat, Dec. 26
n THE DAGNABIT BAND Country. 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 5
n TEAZUR Rock. 8 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 21
n COLE ALLEN Americana. 6:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 9
n R.A.D. KARAOKE 8 p.m. to midnight Sat., Jan. 9
n CODY WAYNE & WESTBOUND 21 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 11
The Back Porch Restaurant is located at 903 Broadway Boulevard in Kilgore. For more information, call 903-984-8141 or visit www.thebackporchkilgore.com.
n R.A.D. KARAOKE 8 p.m. to midnight Sat., Dec. 12
OPINION
THE FLARE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015
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Seeing light through darkness
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ife can be hard sometimes. I know this as a fact. Despite the pain life can give, I have learned to stand strong and overcome the trials that life throws at me. I was in a car accident when I was 4 years old that killed my mother and gave me a serious brain injury, along with some other minor injuries. My family and our baby sitter were moving from Longview to Kingsport, NICK Tenn., when my mother SHELLEY swerved to miss a cooler in Page Editor the middle of the highway, and our car ended up in the lane of oncoming traffic. The car was hit by a semi-truck, which killed my mother and baby sitter. The accident also broke my left arm, opened my stomach and injured my head. Two weeks after the events, I woke up in a hospital bed in Dallas. Little did I know then that my life would be changed forever. I was in recovery at the Baylor Children’s Hospital in Dallas for about three months. There, I went through therapy with other children. Fast forward to my sophomore year in high school. The Christian Heritage School headmaster had convinced me to run cross-country. I was unsure of what obstacles the new sport would have me overcome since I was used to running the 800-meter race in track, and not very quickly at that. My form was unusual since, when I became tired after a mile or two, my right arm would tense up to my side due to my brain injury. My coach noticed the unusual running style, unaware of the trauma I had been through as a child, and tried to help me correct it. Eventually, by the end of the crosscountry season I was able to overcome the problem with my arm. One other example of something that I have had to overcome due to the brain injury was my depression. My entire high school career, I struggled with Major Depressive Disorder. I was always uptight and worried about nearly everything, such as what my classmates thought of me or how I was doing spiritually. My doctor suggested I start taking medicine for my depression my sophomore year. I refused because I was afraid that the medicine would harm me in some way. My decision remained the same throughout high school to not take any medicine. Instead, I attended counseling sessions to see if they could help me. My problems would build, weighing me down and would keep me up all night sometimes. I often cried during the night, as I was unsure of when I would get another night of sleep. My senior year I slept less than I’d ever slept in my life. Due to my senior thesis at Christian Heritage School, I started recovering from my depression. Through my evaluation of several reputable sources, I realized my fear of medicine was irrational. Literally three days before my first day attending KC, I started winning my battle with depression by taking medicine under my doctor’s guidance. Some battles are intense and may drive us into the dark of night, yet we need the perseverance and strength to overcome them so we can see the warm, beautiful, shining light of day once again. I’m sure the brain injury and my mother’s death will affect other areas of my life later on, yet with an overcoming mind-set, I will brace myself and know that the light of dawn will soon be at hand.
Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE
Commercialized Christmas
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hristmas is fast approaching. We have known this since October since stores feel the need to put up decorations months before the actual holiday. Over the years, Christmas has transformed into a commercialized holiday. In the 1800s, Americans celebrated Christmas with a church service or a feast. Urbanization, industrialization and immigration changed culture in the U.S., leading to a general love of capitalism and material objects. Today, the economy depends on money spent from Black Friday to Christmas. There are “holiday sales” everywhere. It is hard to avoid going to a restaurant, store or mall without being bombarded by bright, cheery ads persuading to buy unnecessary items. Society willingly buys into this and accepts avarice as just another part of the holiday season. This love of greed and purchasing the newest, most expensive items juxtaposed with Christmas’ message of good will towards all people does not mesh, and has a negative effect. People have forgotten the words said in Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and do not realize that “maybe Christmas isn’t bought in a store.” This year, some angry coffee drinkers apparently believe that Christmas is in fact bought in a store: Starbucks. This year, Starbucks’ holiday cup is a plain red. Starbucks Vice President Jeffrey A. Fields said the company “wanted to usher in the holidays with purity of design that welcomes
YOUR VIEW
all of our stories.” On Nov. 5, former pastor Joshua Feurstein posted a video to Facebook that went viral, saying that Starbucks removed “Christmas from their cup because they hate Jesus.” The fact that people are making a big deal about Starbucks’ cups emphasizes how the meaning of Christmas has been distorted. The value of the holiday is not held in a disposable cup. That’s one of the problems with commercializing Christmas; the things we associate with it are disposable. The Starbucks controversy stems from customers’ sense of entitlement. This may come from being spoiled at Christmas time as children. Some parents use Christmas to bribe children to behave with the promise of presents that are expensive, unnecessary and will probably get broken. This should not be the focal point of the season. Young people are often accused of being irresponsible and materialistic. Can they be fully blamed if that’s how they were raised? Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. For non-Christians, this special day is still about coming together as a family and sharing joyous times. Even though presents are nice, that’s not what Christmas is about. As December 25 draws closer, materialistic things must not be the focus of celebration. Enjoy happy times with loved ones. Those moments are gifts that will last a lifetime.
What is your favorite thing about the holiday season?
Photographs by Crystal Charles / THE FLARE
Nick Shelley is a sophomore Journalism major from Longview.
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“Some battles are intense ... yet we need the perseverance and strength to overcome them.”
“Getting to see distant relatives and enjoy a break off from school and occasionally work. It’s nice to not have to worry about deadlines and just be happy in the moment.”
“The love and remembrance of Christ.”
“My favorite part of the holidays is having to take a break from school work.”
“The best part of the holidays is being able to be with family I haven’t seen for a while.”
Danny Caluillo Longview freshman
Deborah Nwadialo Nigeria sophomore
Dustin Lewis Longview freshman
Virginia Magavero White Oak freshman
The Flare
VOL. 79, NO.10 n Friday, November 20, 2015 Copyright 2015, The Flare. All rights reserved.
2013 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • 2014 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Community College Journalism Association Spring 2012 Gold Crown, Columbia Scholastic Press Association • 2012 First Place, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors
EXECUTIVE EDITOR PAGE EDITORS Kathryn Agee Elijah Banks, Max MANAGING EDITOR Cervantes, Madeline Greene, Nick Shelley Richard Nguyen ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Hunter Lohr
SPORTS EDITOR Devin Brooks
FEATURES EDITOR Meaghan Morton
CARTOONIST Sarah Hooten
PHOTO ADVISER O. Rufus Lovett ADVISER Rachel Stallard
ADVERTISING MANAGER Taylor Stewart STAFF WRITERS Alex Jacobo, Lucy Lopez, Ajani McCoy, Taylor Stewart, Dustin Taylor, Kayla Terrazas PHOTOGRAPHERS Tiffani Branch, Michael Brown, Lacey Bunn, Jessica Carrington, Kalvin FitzpatrickVictoria Gilchrist, E’Lexus Hodge, Tiffany Johnson, Hunter Lohr, Richard Nguyen, Tina Marie Reed, Lonnie Ross, Marie Smith, Kaelie Wike
LETTERS THE FLARE welcomes any letter to the editor and encourages all readers to use this as a sounding board to express thoughts and opinions on current campus-related topics. We also welcome news or feature ideas. Due to space limitations, letters should be as concise as possible and may still be edited for space. Letters must be signed and include an address and telephone number so that we can verify their authenticity. Letters should be delivered to the newsroom in Communications-Automotive Building, Room 125, mailed to The Flare, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore TX 75662 or emailed to: kc_flare@yahoo.com
DISCLAIMER THE FLARE is the student newspaper of Kilgore College and is published every Friday by the journalism department, except during examination periods and vacations. First copy is free, subsequent copies are available for 50 cents. THE FLARE is a member of the Texas Community College Journalism Association and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. All people holding editorial staff positions are Kilgore College journalism students. Comments and views expressed in THE FLARE reflect the thoughts of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of other students, staff members, faculty members, administrative officers or the Board of Trustees.
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THE FLARE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015
EVENTS
Holiday Activities Thursday, Nov. 19; 6-8 p.m. Always held the 3rd Thursday of November, the annual lighting of the Derricks in downtown Kilgore features local singers and dancers of all ages. With the pull of a switch, the stars atop the Derricks light up to welcome the Christmas season to Kilgore. Sunday, Nov. 22; 1-7 p.m. Snowhill Festival Downtown Kilgore. Free. In addition to the Snowhill, there will be concessions and vendors, plus a kid zone with numerous children’s activities.
Monday, Nov. 30; 7 p.m. KC band will perform in the annual Overton Christmas parade. Thursday, Dec. 3; 12:45 p.m. The KC Band will have a holiday themed band concert in the Devall Ballroom showcasing the work that has been put in all semester. December 5 and 12; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The East Texas Oil Museum will be hosting Santa, with special tours and stories by the East Texas Storytellers and Oil Museum Guild. Children will be able to meet Santa. Admission is $10 per child. January 11 First day of Spring classes. Be sure to set your alarms and make it back to KC for your first day of the semester.
Nov. 19-22 KC Theatre Department’s Southern comedy, ‘Dearly Departed.’ 7:30 p.m. ThursdaySaturday with a matinee performance at 2;30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 for KC students with current ID.
Saturday, Nov. 28; 6 p.m. Small Business Saturday. Mingle and Jingle. Kilgore Main Street. Come downtown to support and meet all your local store owners, and pick up some Christmas gifts in the mix.
Tuesday, Dec. 1; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 85th Annual Kilgore Christmas Parade. Bring a chair, or pull up your car to witness “Christmas in Toy Land” theme this year. 7 p.m. ‘Christmas with Kilgore College.’ The Kilgore College Chorale along with others, Directed by Dr. Jim Taylor. The concert opens the Christmas season with sparkling beauty as the choirs of KC present carols in elegant arrangements for choir and orchestra. December 4-5; 7:30 p.m. Texas Shakespeare Festival’s production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ returns and will be presented as an on-air radio show. The performances will be at Grace Crossing in Longview. General admission is $20. Saturday, Dec. 5; 11 am. KC Rangers football will be battling East Central Community College in C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl in Copperas Cove at Bulldog Stadium.
Kickin’ it with Louie
Photos by Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE
U.S.
Congressman Louie Gohmert presents the Rangerettes with an official proclamation Nov. 10, in the Rangerette Gymnasium, commemorating the first dance/drill team for 75 years of high kicks.