Vol 88 issue 1 09 14 17

R ANGER

September 14, 2017 Volume 88 Issue 1

The climb to completion AC seeks to boost graduation rates

By EMILY HERNANDEZ and STEVI BRESHEARS Ranger Reporters Most Amarillo College degrees are designed to be completed in two or three years, but many students take more time

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ACE in the hole Scholarship program could expand

in the number who transfer to WT; however, Lowery-Hart isn’t worried.

“Our goal is to help as The Achievement through many of our students transfer Commitment to Education, or ACE, Scholarship Program, to WT as possible, so I which was previously available actually think the program to students at Caprock and will increase transfers to WT,” Palo Duro and some students he said.

For some students, ACE at Tascosa high schools, plays a huge role in where they may be expanded to include will transfer after graduating eligible students from all four high schools in Amarillo. In from AC. “Personally, I chose to go to the past, the program covered WTAMU because it was close tuition and fees for both Amarillo College and West to home, but ACE also had a Texas A&M University, but lot to do with my decision,” with the proposed expansion, Doraji said. “I would have the program would only cover been willing to go anywhere tuition at Amarillo College that ACE directed me to so and books up to $70.00 each. that I would be able to focus The Amarillo Independent on my classes and not have School District Board is to worry about my next class waiting for more details before payment.”

The main focus of the ACE reaching a final decision on the expansion, but it is program is to prepare students estimated that they will vote for post-secondary education.

“The ACE staff constantly on the program in October. checked up on me and made “I’m hopeful that it will increase our enrollment,” Dr. sure I was maintaining Russell Lowery-Hart, AC the attendance and grade president, said. “We’ve made requirements,” Damaris Rangel, investments in six or seven a criminal justice major, said.

One goal of the ACE new faculty positions this year expansion is to increase that should make it easier for us to absorb those new the number of students in the community that attend students.”

Students are also excited college.

“Right now, 70 percent about the expansion.

“I think that it’s wonderful of our community has no that ACE is expanding. I post-secondary education,” know how helpful it is for me Lowery-Hart said. “For the to receive help from them so community to continue to I think it’s definitely going to grow and for its economy open many doors especially to expand, we need more for students new to college,” students to get a certificate or Sheida Doraji, an AC a degree and transfer.”

Lowery-Hart said he graduate, said. Doraji is now is excited about the ACE a biology major at WT, and is still attending school with the expansion and the positive changes it will bring to AC. help of ACE. One concern about the “I think it’s an incredible for our removal of WT from the ACE opportunity community,” he said. program is a potential decline

By STEVI BRESHEARS Ranger Reporter

www.facebook.com/acrangerpaper

to reach graduation day. Students may take longer to complete for various reasons.

Work and/or family responsibilities prevent them from taking more classes each semester, which ultimately keeps the students from being full-time and completing within the three year time period.

“Completion is defined as a certificate, degree or transfer,” Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, AC president said, noting that when the college first began measuring, only 19 percent of AC students reached this milestone.

According to college officials, AC currently has a

completion rate of 41 percent, with a goal of increasing that to 70 percent by the year 2020.

“The longer a student takes to complete their required degree courses, the less likely they are to graduate,” Ernesto Olmos, director of advising and coordinator of transfer services said. “We know that things can happen in three years that may prevent graduating, but just think how many things can happen if it takes six to eight years to

academic and personal lives while staying on track,” Olmos said.

AC students also have a variety of resources to help them stay on track. According to Lowery-Hart, things like developmental education, social support, course redesign and tutoring services are all essential in creating a solid foundation for success.

“AC provides everything you would need to succeed in college, you just have to go out

AC currently has a completion rate of 41 percent, with a goal of increasing that to 70 percent by the year 2020. graduate with an associate’s degree.”

To graduate faster, students can enroll in eight week courses at AC. This allows them to take more classes each semester, aiding the process.

For example, a student may take two eight week courses the first eight weeks then two more the second eight weeks.

This results in the enrollment of four courses spread out through the entire semester, rather than completing only two 16 week courses in a semester.

“Eight week classes allow students to balance out their

and find it,” business major Genie Barcroft said. “Own your learning.”

AC has also implemented a new tool called “Student Planning.” This allows advisers to plan a student’s entire course sequence from beginning to end. Students can view their entire plan from beginning to completion, previewing how long it may take if they choose to only take one or two courses a semester and/or what happens when students choose to drop courses. This helps students to stay on top of their educational plan, and stay focused on succeeding.

AC grad becomes VP

students,” Austin said.

Skinner will head up the student affairs division, which Amarillo College’s newest includes academic advising, leader is returning to her roots. career and testing services, On Sept. 1, Denese Skinner, disability services, student vice president of student life, coaches and champions affairs, started her new position program, transfer program, at AC—the college where she new student orientation and peer tutoring. began her education.

Austin’s new position as “It is my privilege and honor to return to Amarillo College,” vice president of enrollment Skinner said, “I’ve gone full- management will focus on circle from entering AC as services that recruit new a wide-eyed freshman on an students and processes that athletic scholarship hoping help students navigate the to make it in the world, to a enrollment process.

“Denese is wonderful. wide-eyed employee saying I I’ve worked with her for am going to help my Badger several years, lovely person, brothers and sisters make it in very competent professional. our world.”

In a news release, Dr. I think she’s going to be a Russell Lowery-Hart, AC great teammate, I’m looking president, described the forward to working with her,” change as a strategic move to Austin said.

Skinner said her vision for help the college better support AC is to insure a 70 percent our students in their mission to graduate or transfer from student completion rate by 2020. She plans to do so by Amarillo College.

Skinner’s position is new to “enhancing the classroom AC and represents a division of experience through purposeful the departments all formerly co-curricular activities and reporting to Robert Austin. support services.”

“The position’s purpose The goal for the division is to “demystify the process for is to facilitate the efforts of

By BRIANNA MAESTAS Ranger Reporter

www.acranger.com

DENESE SKINNER

the departments within the division to collaborate with all areas on campus to ensure student success,” said Skinner, noting she will work “to help students improve their wellbeing and engagement, which impacts all areas of their life.”

Skinner said her goal for this upcoming year is to see all students, faculty and things who service them thrive. She wants students to be fully engaged in their AC experience.

“I want students to leave Amarillo College with their certificate or degree saying, ‘I cannot imagine my world without AC,’” Skinner said.

Twitter and Instagram: @acranger

2 Opinion The Ranger

September 14, 2017

Don’t play the badger blame game

Stop whining; students should take responsibility for college success EDITORIAL

Going to college is a gamble for many people that comes with significant risks and potential rewards. With so many factors to think about, there’s no guarantee that any given student will be successful; that’s not just in education, that’s life.

In the past, when people gave it the “old college try,” they were proud of the outcome whether it be success or failure. Now, when students detect the slightest hint that they may not be successful in their classes, they immediately begin the search for someone or something to blame.

We, the Ranger staff, believe it’s time for people in college to put on their “big boy underwear” and take responsibility for their actions.

When people take responsibility for their role in college, the decision is usually life-changing.

Students who step up and take responsibility for their academic future, take control of their lives.

As challenges arise, those who

are owning their decisions get to choose how they will respond.

They aren’t limited to what others say they should do or accomplish but get the opportunity to have power over the direction they will take from that moment forward.

Professors, advisers, supervisors and business owners are looking for employees who are not only qualified to do a particular set of tasks, but are also coachable.

Students who are accountable for their actions give themselves the chance to learn from their success and failures, which helps them move forward in life rather than living in the stagnate waters of passing the buck. These students look at wins with pride and view losses as learning opportunities that create character and make them better people.

Adaptability can also help students who struggle to make the change from high school to college. Students who are more adaptable are able to conform to

Hurricanes rain money for unethical businesses

If you have watched the news recently, then you probably have heard about Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Jose. Many people around the country are helping Texans recover from Harvey and Floridians deal with damage from Irma; however, along with people who are helping, there are people using the storms to their advantage.

Price gouging is a serious issue in South Texas and Florida right now. This is when

Take your tired, your poor, your huddled masses and go home. Perhaps it’s time we updated the inscription on the Statue of Liberty. With each passing day, it seems as though Lady Liberty acts less and less like a beacon of hope for those arriving on our shores, and is now acting more and more like a giant symbol of a bygone era in which immigrants weren’t treated as burdens to be dealt with, but as real human beings.

Since Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, it feels like the “nation’s” view of immigration has turned from an opportunity to share our

incredible wealth with those seeking asylum and hope, to this idea that we somehow do not have enough of anything, including kindness, to share with non-Americans.

Our country’s leadership is so out of touch with immigrant families that they now treat those families like livestock that have invaded our fields from a neighboring farm; find the hole in the fence, send them back and plug the hole.

Trump’s decision to repeal DACA is the latest push in a string of Trump-initiated events targeting immigrants.

People come to the United

Ranger Reporter

Illustration by Destiny Kranthoven not be providing the one-onone support you thought would be an everyday occurrence.

Nevertheless, ultimately your success is your responsibility. Don’t play the Badger Blame Game.

Be aware of signs of stress, anxiety

a company jacks up prices knowing people are going to need certain items to survive the storm. There were pictures of stores in the southern part of Texas selling water for as high as $19 a case.

Unethical business people know that these storm victims are going to need water, sand, food, gas and much more. They expect people to buy items at these inflated prices because it’s simply what they need for survival. While unscrupulous businesses are making other people go broke, they are making themselves wealthy.

The state of Florida has officers looking for companies that are price gouging. They are putting a stop to it before it even happens.

People who use a disaster, a tragedy, to make money simply should not be allowed to own a business. They are using people’s lives to make money.

It is a major issue and needs to be stopped.

TANAHALA HUGHES

their new surroundings easier.

They can figure out what they need to do to be successful.

Many students will struggle with self-esteem during their college years. From professors who grade essays with an iron fist to moments when a person’s mind goes blank during a test, school has a way of taking a student’s self-image and running it through the ringer. Being responsible creates a shield that makes self-esteem more resilient.

If students constantly blame their high schools for not doing enough to prepare them for the rigors of college, their self-worth will be open to destruction by a missed assignment or the next overlycritical peer.

It’s entirely possible that your high school teachers gave you a false view of what college life would be like. Your parents may not have adequately prepared you to be organized and to meet deadlines. Your professors may

Going to college is a big step, especially if you're enrolling 10 or more years after you have graduated high school. There are those who go to college already diagnosed with a mental illness and those who think nothing is wrong with them. They ignore all the signs and symptoms.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), one in four students have a diagnosable illness. Of these students, 40 percent of them do not choose to seek help. Eighty percent feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities and 50 percent have become so anxious that they begin to struggle in school.

A common form of mental illness is depression, which can be a result from a chemical imbalance in your brain.

Some of the symptoms are changes in sleep and appetite.

Changes in thought patterns

By TASHANA SMITH Ranger Reporter

and having trouble paying attention or concentrating can also be symptoms.

The emotional symptoms include feeling sad, overwhelmed, hopeless and powerless. If you are concerned about a friend or loved one, there are signs to look for, such as not enjoying the activities they once loved, no longer attending classes or social outings. They may be experiencing extreme anger

or sadness or may often talk about death or suicide.

Another common mental illness is anxiety disorder.

Often people feel anxiety on a daily basis, but treatment is necessary when it begins to interfere with your life, halting your ability to function and causing stress and fear. Common symptoms of anxiety are stress and apprehension, irritability, trouble concentrating, shortness of breath, headaches and muscle pain and tension.

These disorders can be a life-altering experience, I know because I go through it on a daily basis. But there is help. Contact the AC Counseling Center at (806) 371-5900 or call the Texas Panhandle Centers at 806358-1681 or the crisis line at 806-359-6699 or 1-800-6924039. Remember, despite all the stress in life, taking your life is not the answer.

President’s policies trump human rights

- Serving Amarillo College since 1930 For a complete staff listing, please visit The Ranger online at www.acranger.com.

KEEGAN RIED

Ranger Reporter

States for myriad reasons, but all too often we who were privileged enough to be born here forget that outside

the comfort of our borders, people are dealing with issues far more complex than which new phone to purchase. People who uproot themselves, and even their entire families, are coming to this country in hopes that they can escape unending wars, oppressive regimes and extreme poverty. We are in no position to say, “Well, you need to go back to that life because you didn’t get a piece of paper.”

Trump is leading us down a dangerous path of ego-fueled destruction. As he encourages us to focus on our own comforts, our own successes and our own desires, we shut out people who

Student Media exists to serve you--the students. The Ranger is as an open forum where you can learn and talk about the things that matter to you. The Ranger staff urges you to get involved. Submit ideas, photos, writing and videos. Tell us what you want covered. A public critique and meeting session is open to the campus community at 9:30 a.m. Fridays in PH 213.

Student Media outlets include The Ranger, The Ranger Online, AC Current, FM90 and our various web shows and podcasts. You can reach us at acranger@actx.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Ranger is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Advisers, Panhandle Press Association, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and Texas Community College Journalism Association.

In 1993, The Ranger was inducted into the national ACP

need help the most. When we are focusing on things at arm’s length--we can’t see the world crashing down around us and we certainly can’t see the people it’s crushing.

We need to stop and reset our views of immigration and where we stand in our global community. What is our purpose in this world?

Are we a country that saves people from the unthinkable?

What example are we setting for other nations? If Trump can so easily divide families to accomplish his own goals, what will stop him from focusing on your family next?

Hall of Fame. The program is nationally accredited by the Community College Journalism Association.

The Ranger is an independent student publication. Articles published in The Ranger do not necessarily reflect the views of Amarillo College administrators or staff.

News September 14, 2017

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The Ranger

As Americans battle over confederate statues, diversity becomes focus at AC

By Will Portillo and Brandon Waldrop Ranger Reporters

A movement is taking over the nation to remove statues and memorials depicting generals and soldiers who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War. Meanwhile, as racial and cultural tensions boil across the United States, the Amarillo College diversity committee is seeking to create unity and boost awareness.

Recently, several major cities such as Baltimore, New York City and Tampa have all moved to relocate Civil War memorials. Thoughts on this matter throughout the Amarillo College campuses vary from apathy, to adamantly against the removal, to absolutely in favor of the change.

“I don’t really care,” Marcus Johnson, a psychology major, said. Johnson said that he never even notices the Confederate flag being flown around town, adding he could not think of

appropriate replacements for potentially controversial memorials in Amarillo.

Some students worry that removing the statues removes history. Thomas Burton, an engineering major, said that the Confederacy was led by “extraordinary men who happened to be on the wrong side.”

If statues must be removed, Burton suggested, “Simply leave the name. Because if someone understands what that name meant, then they don’t even need the statue.”

Burton said the Civil War caused the south to lose a lot in terms of tradition, men and land. “That’s why I’m against losing the Confederate statues.”

Students who support the removal of Confederate memorials have reasons that stretch beyond heritage. “The statues represented a cause that fought for slavery,” Abby Shaffer, a general studies major, said. She suggested removing the statues and replacing the

Website gets new look

STEVI BRESHEARS

empty pedestals with “a memorial to Harriet Tubman, Nat Turner or another person who influenced the end of slavery.”

Healing divisions like this is the goal of the AC diversity committee. “We want to bring awareness to cultural diversity and issues,” said Melodie Graves, a senior advising associate and a key member of

the committee. Graves is one of eight members on this committee, which recently held a peace rally on the Washington Street Campus.

“Cultural awareness is never a bad thing to discuss,” Blake Roberts, a mass media major said.

A federal Perkins Grant funds this committee and its

activities, which will include celebrations of Hispanic heritage and Black History Month.

“We are going to bring more awareness for the LBGT community, veterans and even ex-cons who are dealing with hiring issues,” Graves said. For more information about the Diversity Committee at AC, contact Graves at 806-371-5995.

Attendance scanners offline

more captivating with better

By KATIE WYLIE color schemes,” Andrea Terah, Ranger Reporter Ranger Reporter a nursing major, said.

All students use the website Students are giving high Professors have informed often, but marketing officials marks to Amarillo College’s students that scanners used newly revamped website. The said the old site did not meet to sign into their classes will first phase of the website re- incoming students’ needs. no longer be used this semes“The old site was not fit for design debuted at the end of ter and that attendance will August. It features a simplified newcomers, but now it is more be taken manually, or as some navigational structure and a user friendly, sensible and apcall it, the old fashioned way. plicable for future students,” more colorful look.

According to Frank Sobey, “The upgrading of the web- Sadie Newsome, digital comthe associate vice president site was a collaborative effort munications coordinator, said. of academic affairs, the scanAdditional changes to the of the information technology ners remain functional; they and the communications and website will be made in mulare just not being used this marketing departments,” said tiple installments. This first Wes Condray-Wright, AC di- phase took about seven months rector of communication and to complete, Newsome said.

According to students, the marketing.

Student reactions to the update makes a big difference. changes have been positive. “It was very helpful how easily

By SALAVADOR GUTIERREZ “Before the update the site accessible information on things Ranger Reporter seemed dull and lacking color. such as student affairs, finanSince the changes have been cial aid and advisement were,” On Aug. 2, 2017, President made however, it feels more Tommy Phannaraj, a computer Donald Trump and senators modern, organized, and much programming major, said. from Arkansas and Georgia introduced the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act, a bill that, according to them, would end the issues created by the abnormally high immigration problem the country is facing.

Senator Perdue stated that the proposed legislation would create a points-based system that is more responsive to the needs of the economy and preserves the quality of jobs available to American workers, prioritizing skilled immigrants, the way Canada and Australia JUSTON CHRISTENSEN| The Ranger do.

The system contains several Brandi Perkins, a nursing major, looks at the new website. requirements for the applicants, some of which are level of education, work experience, language ability and age. Felipe Zavala, an attorney at The Zavala Law Firm, said the RAISE Act would make it more difficult to obtain employmentbased green cards.

“The result would grant favoritism to English speakers with the financial ability to support themselves.”

The bill would cut familysponsored visas by considering skills over bloodlines, and would make it more difficult for college students to obtain an employment-based green card.

According to local immigration attorney Shilpa Shah, the only family-based immigration

By ARBNORE HALITI

| The Ranger

AC students, faculty and staff participate in a Peace Rally during the first week of school.

semester. They were used last fall, discontinued for the spring semester and then reinstated in the summer, but now they are turned off once again due to numerous concerns.

“One of the challenges we had to deal with, aside from user error, was with the notification alert system, which sometimes generated false alerts that then disrupted students and created a backlog of work for the registrar’s

office and advising,” Sobey said.

Unlike the scanners at the Washington Street campus, scanners at the Moore County campus in Dumas are still operating. “I have not heard about the scanners not working at the Washington Street campus, but the scanners here at the Moore County campus are still in full use,” Ashley Mader, an advising associate at AC’s Moore County campus, said.

Trump RAISEs immigration obstacles visas that would not be eliminated are the ones for spouses and children under the age of 18.

Applicants’ amount of liquidity and their capacity to contribute to the United States economy are also on the list of requirements to get a green card. Also, the bill would restrict green card holders from receiving welfare or other federal benefits for a period of five years. “This ban will be retroactive to current green card holders,” Zavala said.

Politicians, media, citizens and immigration experts have divided opinions about the proposed bill.

Senator Cotton said that the new legislation would build an immigration system that raises working wages, creates jobs, and gives every American a fair shot at creating wealth.

In Shah’s opinion, however, the RAISE act would actually harm the U.S. in several ways.

“The bill will remove lowerskilled immigrants from the U.S. immigration system when there is a need for all levels of workers,” Shah said. “It would disadvantage the businesses that need seasonal workers to fill in the gaps in our economy as those workers would not meet the requirement points.”

The new immigration system would set limits on the flexibility of businesses to decide what kind of workers best suit their needs, Shah said.

Amarillo College criminal justice major, Josephine Rodriguez pointed out that other countries such as Spain and

the Netherlands require immigrants to be contributing citizens in order to qualify for permanent residency.

“Immigrant or not we have always contributed to the economy that’s why when we file taxes we use an ITIN number,” Rodriguez said.

But according to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the bill is intended to reduce immigration rates and give more opportunities to the U.S. born working class. “This proposal will end the unlawful abuse of our public benefits programs that undermine U.S. taxpayers,” Sessions said.

As for recipients of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), the bill won’t have a direct effect because the RAISE Act does not consider DACA holders to have any legal status.

For DACA recipients, the path to a green card would be limited by the categories of the point-based system mentioned before. Zavala said he trusts that at some point in the future, DACA holders will have a path to permanent residency.

“I believe it would be harder for DACA recipients to obtain green cards” if the RAISE Act passes since there would be lower numbers of green cards available, he said.

Congress has tried to pass immigration bills three times in the last 11 years but these bills have failed every time.

Experts believe the RAISE Act has a low chance of being enacted. There is no set day for a vote on the proposal.

4 News The Ranger

September 14, 2017

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JUSTON CHRISTENSEN | The Ranger

Not so easy peasy A group of freshmen looking stressed over a public speaking project.

Incoming freshmen struggle to adjust to college life

BY IVAN DEL VAL Ranger Reporter

Recently at Amarillo College, students returned to their regular routine after summer vacation. For the freshmen, however, Aug. 21 was their first day of college, but the frustrations and confusion that come along with it started way before that.

“Taking my TSI was frustrating because I had to take all three in one day to be able to register on time,” Marissa Fraire, a physical therapy major, said.

After students are done with registration, however,

there are several more steps that many may find confusing.

“How to actually get registered, financial aid, advising, just not knowing the steps that they need to take once they get on campus,” Pamela Madden, FYS instructor, said.

Plenty of freshmen enroll straight out of high school, but others take semesters or even years off. “It was hard for me because I’ve been out of school for four years,” Fraire said.

AC officials say a lot of the incoming freshmen are used to a high school environment, and often have a hard time adjusting to a college setting.

“They’re used to other people doing a lot for them, so we kind of stress this is the time when you’re going to become a more independent student, a more independent person,” Joel delaFuente, AC advising associate, said.

Madden said there are many intiatives such as new student orientations, the Coaches and Champions Program, the First Year Seminar and success teams that help freshmen feel welcome.

One of the most successful programs the college has implemented to help students, especially freshmen, is the peer

mentoring program.

This program is offered through the FYS class, which is a requirement for transferable degrees.

“I can tell them my study habits. I can relate to them through examples that I’ve gone through to maybe help them do better with their classes,” Bregan Hightower, a general studies major and peer mentor, said.

Hightower said that taking the FYS course on campus gives students more interaction with their peer mentors and professors, which in return may help them feel more comfortable.

“Find a support team, someone within the college that can help them navigate services and keep them motivated. You have to stay motivated to get to the end,” Madden said.

DelaFuente said communication is the key, and that there are clubs and organizations that help make the college environment a lot more enjoyable.

“The people you mingle with in these clubs, you have no idea if they’re long-term friendships. Some of them can lead to other areas in your life you had no idea about,” he said.

FYS gets new look Diplomas before degrees:

the course, such as the adoption of the success team model.

Ranger Reporter Each section of FYS has a Amarillo College has made team attached to it.

“Each success team consists some changes to the one course that nearly every student will of the FYS instructor, an adtake. The class is called the viser, peer mentor and an AC First Year Seminar (FYS), employee,” said Uselding.

“This team acts as support or EDUC 1100 or Learning team for each student and can Frameworks.

The idea behind FYS is to help them navigate the colhelp students in their first year lege environment in addition of college to build a strong to helping them in any way foundation that will last even necessary.” Uselding said that the limited feedback they have after they graduate.

“The seminar relies heavily received has all been positive.

“I feel like having the menon critical thinking and infortors there is smart,” said Madimation literacy and strives to answer three basic questions: son Tercero, an education ma‘Who are you?,’ ‘Where do jor. “They are there if you need you want to go?’ and ‘How any help or if you have any are you going to get there?’’’ questions.”

Along with adding the sucsaid Sarah Uselding, redesign cess team, Uselding said AC team member, assistant professor and program coordinator has chosen to focus more on of the criminal justice depart- the relational aspects of the ment. “The idea is that through class.

“I believe the course is more the process of answering these questions, students will also rigorous, but also more enlearn their strengths and weak- gaging,” said Uselding. “The ness and the role they play in lecture sections closely follow a flipped classroom model, their success.”

Starting this semester, AC which has proven to be very efhas implemented changes to fective in the learning process.”

By MACKENZIE FARMER

Some students can receive a college degree before graduating high school

By DONOVAN ORTIZ Ranger Reporter

With the help of the Amarillo College Diplomas and Degrees program, many high school students are getting the experience of receiving an associate degree before they even get their diplomas.

Three high schools are currently participating in the program, which began in 2009.

Canyon schools are getting ready to start in the fall of 2018 and the program plans to add four more schools soon.

Students in the program take all the dual credit classes offered in their schools plus concurrent classes needed to receive the same credentials as a college student receiving their associates degree by the time they graduate high school.

“Everything they do is all

college-level course work,” said Jason Norman, director of P-16 career pathways advisement.

Norman said the student has to want it. The program has certain regulations that the participants must meet.

The Diplomas and Degrees program has provided a unique opportunity for students to get a head start on completing their educations.

Some students at Amarillo College said they wish this program had been available for them.

“It would’ve been a whole lot easier on my part if they would’ve had that program when I was in school,” said Israel Nunez, a business administration major. “I wouldn’t have to have been coming to AC. I could’ve been at a university already.

Time is a necessity for college students.”

Other students said they would not have attempted this program even if it were available for them.

Vanessa Vital, a nuclear medicine major, said participating in this program might have detracted from the high school experience.

“I would’ve missed out on all the extracurricular activities in high school and at that age it shouldn’t be all books.”

Sixty credit hours are needed to earn an associate at AC, so the four-year commitment that the high school students must achieve in order get a degree is a challenge.

“This is for a student who has to be very dedicated, has to be very organized and has to be self-driven and motivated to be a college student and want to do more and go that extra step,” Norman said.

News September 14, 2017

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The Ranger

AC services benefit Tutoring program builds struggling students foundational skills for life the work-study balancing act firsthand. Rodriguez said she Ranger Reporter was working 50 hours per

College students face many week while attempting to take obstacles that might lead on a full load of classes. “I was them to consider dropping discouraged,” Rodriguez said. out of school, but Amarillo “I felt like no one cared.”

The need for a full-time job College offers many services while attending school is one to help keep those individuals area Bowmer said AC could enrolled. One reason students tend to drop out is because improve. “Many students are they haven’t decided what on their own to pay for livmajor or career goals they ing expenses while they go to school. AC seems to make want to accomplish.

Teresa Dumas, an AC grad- a push for students to finish uate and owner of GlamWood without looking at the lives Designs, started taking classes our students lead,” Bowmer immediately after graduating said.

With so many difficulties, high school and dropped her many students are left trying courses after her first month at AC. “It is too much to to decide whether dropping expect an 18-year-old child out is a viable option. Bowmer to choose their future as soon and Dumas agreed that the as they graduate high school,” first step in making this decision is to reach out and ask Dumas said.

According to Emily for help. “It took me years to Bowmer, a developmen- know that asking for help is tal education adviser, AC has not a weakness,” Dumas said.

Bowmer said that each stugreat resources available to dent’s situation is as unique as students who are unsure of the person asking for help. their major.

“Career and employ- “We, as a college, need ment services at AC is very to respect those needs, well equipped to help students but we also need to help discover where their strengths the student plan their way and passions lie,” Bowmer back.”

Students can find inforsaid.

Selecting a major is just mation on some of the supone hurdle in the process of port services AC has to offer obtaining a degree. Another by visiting https:// burden some students face w w w. a c t x . e d u / is the reality that they must student-resources. attend classes while also work- AskAC at 806371-5000 can also ing full-time jobs.

Olga Rodriguez, a paralegal provide information and professional and AC gradu- can connect students with the ate, dealt with the struggle of appropriate resources.

By KEEGAN RIED

By JOSH BALLARD Ranger Reporter

Amarillo College has a tutoring program that seeks to improve students’ understanding of basic courses including math, reading, and English.

Edie Carter, the dean of academic success, said AC uses engagement methods to help meet students’ academic needs.

Depending on the demand for tutoring, there are eight hour workshops and other quick review methods offered to improve students academic knowledge. “We build foundational skills students need for the next level.” Carter said.

Students who need assistance can get help at the Math Outreach Center or Reading Outreach Center ev-

ery day of the week. “We have about 25-35 tutors depending on the semester,” said Reem Witherspoon, Math Testing and Reading Center supervisor. “I schedule seven to nine tutors each hour and we are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the week.”

On average, the Math Outreach Center sees 15,00017,000 visits per semester.

Tutors spend on average per semester about 20,000 hours tutoring students, which comes out to 2.28 years of time spent tutoring per semester.

Tutoring isn’t just offered for those in remedial classes such as math, reading and writing. Campus tutors offers assistance with all engineering and physics classes as well.

“At Amarillo College, we are committed to the needs of

the students enrolled in our programs,” Carter said, noting she wants students to take advantage of these resources.

Philip Fowler, a mathematics major, who tutors throughout the week at the Math Outreach Center said that tutors are there to build confidence in students.

“I can literally see the lightbulb turn on in their eyes. Those are the moments that we live for,” Fowler said.

Fowler said the Math Outreach Center usually sees heavy traffic around the second week of school, but this year, it started at day one.

Witherspoon said the goal for the tutoring program was to see an increase of students that come in for their services. “We believe AC is a place where all students can find success,” Carter said.

Advisers provide guidance, support

was helpful in guiding her where to go and what other advisers to Ranger Reporter see even though it meant leaving Flourishing students are that adviser’s field.

While advisers are extraornothing new to Amarillo Coldinarily helpful at times, some lege, especially with employees students do have a few things working around the clock to make sure students are success- they wish could be done differently. ful and thriving.

“It’s not very comOf those employees, perhaps one of the most important to mon, but I did once students’ achievement is their have an adviser project their peradviser.

Advisers serve many roles sonal expectawithin the school, from green- tions on me and lighting to degree plans and, ac- it really made cording to many students, they me feel unconcan be a significant factor in fident in my dewhether a student even finishes cision making,” Villarreal said. a degree.

“They can also “When I was debating on if be a little bit hard to I should drop out or not, I was reach,” Tanner Widable to talk to my adviser and owski, a general studies she went over all my options and helped me see what was best major, said.

Despite the minor bumps for me at that point in my life,” though, many students seem to Anna Heard, a psychology mabe satisfied overall with their adjor, said.

“She was there to support my visers and said and how they’ve decisions and got me to under- helped them throughout their stand that staying in school was college careers.

“I’ve honestly had a mostly my best option,” said Heard. positive experience with them.

Advisers can also help stuTh e few advisers I’ve met have dents decide where their careers are going and if it’s even the been kind, helpful, and imperative to helping me achieve my right fit.

“I actually had an adviser help goals,” said Heard.

“Advisers to me have always me discover that the major I was been there to help so as a whole in wasn’t really what I wanted to I love them and appreciate all of do,” Sierra Villarreal, an art histhe work they do for us,” Villatory major, said.

Villarreal said that the adviser real said.

By LYNDSEE CANTLY

Illustrations by DESTINY KRANTHOVEN

6 NEWS The Ranger

September 14, 2017

Immigrant student overcomes obstacles

By LAUREN EBBEN Ranger Reporter

Aileen Delgado moved from Mexico to Amarillo when she was only six years old. But the move wasn’t the only challenge Delgado faced.

As an engineering and computer science major at Amarillo College, Aileen Delgado has big dreams. “I would love to be a game developer for a big company, like Riot,” she said. But even the biggest dreamers started small.

“Learning English was the most challenging thing for me,” she said, noting she didn’t know a word of English before she moved to the States.

Delgado said that fortunately she had a little help with the transition from her best friend, Brooke Hewitt, an accounting major at Texas Tech University.

“We met in the fourth grade,” Hewitt said. “She was wearing an Inuyasha shirt. I yelled, ‘I know where that’s from?’ and we didn’t stop

COURTESY PHOTO

talking after that. She’s still my best friend nine years later.”

Despite the distance between the two, they are still talking. Delgado even went down to Lubbock to visit Hewitt at Texas Tech.

Hewitt described her

AC gets new pet

longtime friend as self-motivated. “She’s the one person I know that usually says she’s going to do something and actually does it.”

Michaela Hunter, a mathematics major at the University of Texas in Arlington and friend

of Delgado, agreed. “She’s very meticulous and determined when it comes to goals, especially long term,” Hunter said.

Now a full-time student at Amarillo College, Delgado is starting her future as a part of the computer science

and engineering program.

“I love computers,” she said.

“I want to develop games.”

Delgado isn’t the traditional computer science student.

According to data collected by computerscience.org, only 17.6 to 28 percent of computer science employees are female. But the significant absence of women isn’t the only challenge about this degree.

“Coding is very easy to mess up,” Delgado said. “And if you mess up just one comma your whole program is ruined.”

Hunter thinks Delgado will do great. “She definitely has the determination to pursue that field,” Hunter said.

The AC program offers the first two years of a fouryear degree in computer science, software engineering or computer engineering. After completing her first two years, Delgado plans to transfer to a university to finish her bachelor’s. She is considering Georgia Tech, the University of Colorado at Boulder or the University of Texas at Dallas.

COURTESY PHOTO

Flag football kicks off new season JORDAN GIPSON | Ranger Reporter

ward the threat to protect herself from attack. These behaviors are her adaptations The Amarillo College bi- that protect her in the wild ology building has brought from predators. Wiffy is also the school values to life with nocturnal, which means she a little hedgehog. Her name sleeps in the daytime and stays is Wiffy, which stands for awake at night. So she would the AC values, wow, inno- be loud while someone would vation, fun, family and yes. be trying to sleep, Porter said.

“Once a month I bathe “The name Wiffy was chosen because she mixes fam- her with mild shampoo and ily, fun and our values,” Dan cut her nails to maintain Porter, biology professor, her hygiene,” Albert Patton, said. “Wow because she is a lab material supervisor, said. live animal. Innovative be- “Hedgehogs can actually be cause she can be used in class. potty-trained,“ Patton said.

Wiffy’s cage is filled with Family because she brings people together. Fun because cardboard bedding rather she is fun to have and yes than wood shavings due to because we got to have her.” her quills. She tends to sleep The biology department’s curled up in a ball under her former lab coordinator, Tracy little house so she won’t be disHeins, donated the hedgehog. turbed by all the light. In her Heins has a farm where she cage she also has a heat lamp raises hedgehogs. Wiffy ac- for the cold mornings and companied Heins on a visit to nights, and she eats cat food. the college and has been a part Patton also said that Wiffy of the AC family since July. is very shy, but he hopes that While biology department with more human interaction employees were pleased to that she will open up more.

Providing socialization for get the prickly present, they their nocturnal neighbor may don’t recommend hedgeprove a problem since few stuhogs as pets. Wiffy has anydents even know Wiffy exists. where from 5,000 to 7,000 quills on her body that make “I had no idea we even had a picking her up painful. hedgehog on campus,” Ciara “Wiffy is not a good Kessler, an education major, pet to have,” Porter said. said. “I have no idea where she When Wiffy is agitated, she is.” Wiffy lives in room 210 of makes a hissing sound. When the biology building. Due to she feels threatened, she balls her nocturnal nature, it might up and raises her quills to- be difficult to spot this new star.

By Jordan Gipson Ranger Reporter

By Nathaniel Montoya Ranger Reporter

take place every Thursday. He said he looks forward to some competitive games and some The leaves are changing of the players agree with him.

“I’m expecting good comand the weather is getting slightly colder, which means petition from other teams,” it’s time for flag football. It said Dylan Smith, a business all began Thursday, Sept. 7-- administration major. “I just another season of intramu- want to have fun and be one of ral flag football with teams the teams to go play in Dallas.”

Oneal said the intramural competing to be in the top league can be a great place for two and earn a trip to Dallas to go up against some students to make new friends of the best in the country. and establish a new hobby.

Nich Hughes, an education “I expect a lot of participation,” Trent Oneal, in- major, said, “I’ve always had a tramurals specialist, said. love for the game and intramu“We already have more rals gives me a chance to play teams than last year. Over outside the realm of normalcy.”

Smith said he’s been eagerly 99 students finished last year and we are well above waiting for the beginning of the that number this year.” new intramural season to start.

“After last season I Oneal said games will

couldn’t wait for the next.

I love playing and competing,” Smith said.

Hughes also said he likes the competitive side of the league.

“I think it’s a really good time and a really good experience. If you get into it you’ll get rewarded with the hard work you put in.”

Although many people might think running an intramural league with so many students would be hectic and stressful, Oneal doesn’t look at it that way.

“It has been the best experience of my life. To be involved with these students and do my passion of sports and fitness. I couldn’t ask for anything better,” he said.

BADGER B.S.

New episodes every other Thursday at ACranger.com

Culture September 14, 2017

7

The Ranger

RETURN OF PENNYWISE

The 1990 clown thriller returns for reboot RANGER REVIEW

By LUKE BALDEREZ Ranger Reporter

Twenty-seven years have passed since the original miniseries based on Stephen King’s novel aired o n TV, which means it’s time for the return of Pennywise.

Many adaptations of Stephen King’s works have graced the big screen and many of them have failed to capture the tone and spirit of King’s original work, like “The Dark Tower,” which released earlier this year.

Sometimes, however, you receive something else entirely, something like “The Shining,” “Stand By Me” or “The Shawshank Redemption.” Every so often you receive truly brilliant films that show the excellence of King’s original works by captivating the audience

and filling them with the heart of the novel. “IT” is one of those rare gems.

The film is fantastic. One difference from the original novel is that the new film takes place in the ‘80s. With the time period comes reminders of “The Goonies” and the more recent “Stranger

Things,” which was inspired by King’s original novel.

The movie mainly revolves around the relationship of seven kids, the losers’ club, and their attempt to save the town of Derry, Maine from Pennywise, the dancing clown, an evil being that has fed on

Education majors Pedro Duarte and Ciara Kessler view Vietnam photo exhibit.

the town of Derry once every 27 years since the town was founded.

Having first read the book in the fifth grade and being a fan of the original miniseries since even before then, I entered the theater filled with questions. Would the movie be any good? Would they capture the

lovable members of the losers’ club correctly? Could Bill Skarsgard possibly live up to Tim Curry’s performance that turned Pennywise the clown into a horror icon? The an-

and a truly b elie vable relationship with the main bully, Henry Bowers. In the movie however, the character of Mike has none of his backstory explored and no real moments with any of the other members of the club. Other than that, the chemistry of the kids is off the charts.

Pennywise, the dancing clown, is a character that

BRIANNA MAESTAS| Ranger Reporter

Exhibit captures images from the front line Anh) and north as far as tried to forget it.”

Cam Lo a refugee camp for Students said they find Ranger Reporter about 20,000 people 5 miles the photos intriguing. “The photos show Vietnamese “I went through the whole south of the DMZ.” I hope that whoever Th e exhibition “View culture--how life was back in gamut of feelings while I was from the Edge of the War Vietnam. They make me feel in Vietnam. The overriding sees them will take away feeling, though was like Zone: Vietnam 1967-1968” intrigued in learning more pairs eachthatphotograph about the history,” Pedro a vicerecognition our policies living in an emotional with excerpts from a Duarte, an education major, grip with people I loveprimarily killing affEmeny ect ordinary people journal kept while said. Another education people I love.”- Mary Emeny volunteering. major, Ciara Kessler, said war is the main enemy A mass emailand sentthat Rene West, assistant that viewing the photos throughout Amarillo College - not one side of or the other, made her more interested in professor photography, Aug. 27 tells the story of an American volunteer in is responsible for bringing the history of the Vietnam Vietnam during the conflict. the exhibit to AC. “Mary War. me Tai Chi,” West Emeny said she wants This volunteer’s story teaches-Mary Emeny, Photographer is captured in the photos said. “A few years back she exhibit viewers to gain displayed in the Southern asked me to scan the photos. an understanding of how Light Gallery on the first I spent the summer restoring political decisions impact floor of the Ware Student the photos. I wanted her people. “I hope that whoever Commons at the Washington story to be told, their historic sees them will take away a Street Campus through Sept. significance. She was there recognition that our policies and the photographs were primarily affect ordinary 28. people and that war is the In the summer of 1967, beautiful.”

Emeny said she expects main enemy - not one side or Mary Emeny, a volunteer for people’s reaction to the the other,” she said. the Volunteer International The college will hold Service Assignment, or photos will be different now than they were in 1967. a reception featuring a VISA, spent her time “Vietnam is ancient history presentation

by Emeny about immersed in the people and today, so there seems to be her time in Vietnam and a culture of Vietnam. During her time there, Emeny helped much more curiosity now. discussion with Vietnam vet care for more than 400 Back then, events were Larry Barnett of Fritch.

The event will begin at 7 refugees at an orphanage in moving so fast that within Danang. Later Emeny joined two years my story was out p.m.Thursday, Sept. 21, which the League of the Red Cross of date. As a country, we have is also the International Day and “delivered food and milk never fully dealt with our of Peace. Both the reception to refugees and orphanages involvement in Vietnam. For and discussion are free and in the next town south (Hoi a long time as a country we open to the public.

By BRIANNA MAESTAS

has become bigger than the film itself, manifesting himself in the minds of many people as a fear of clowns, mainly thanks to the iconic performance of Tim Curry in the first miniseries.

That being said, Bill Skarsgard had a lot to live up to and he hit it out of the park. Instead of trying to redo what Curry already had done so well, Skarsgard had another take on the character.

Rather than being funny in a strange and likable way, Skarsgard’s version of Pennywise is more similar to the novelized version in that he’s completely horrifying.

This new film is a mustsee, not only for horror film and Stephen King fan, but movie fans in general.

If you like “Stand by Me,” “The Goonies,” or “Stranger Things” then you will absolutely love this film.

swers are yes, yes and yes.

The child actors are completely believable and most of the characters capture the tone of their source material. The only issue I had with the kids is the character of Mike Hanlon. In the novel, Mike has a deep backstory

CHRISTINA TORRES | Ranger Reporter

Music professor Diego Caetano shares his musical talent on the brand new Shigeru Kawai piano.

New keys join AC’s music fleet

By CHRISTINA TORRES Ranger Reporter

Amarillo College has welcomed two new instruments to campus. Imported from the Los Angeles Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co. showroom this summer, two pianos were were purchased with funds given by an anonymous donor to help replace key instruments in the school’s piano fleet.

“These are instruments of the highest artistic quality with a responsiveness to theplayers that maximizes the efforts of a great artistic performer,” Camille Nies, department chair of music, said.

According to Nies, the pianos’ responsiveness helps train players as they advance in their levels.

“It is such a joy to play on these instruments, which makes everyone want to practice more,” Nies said.

The two Shigeru Kawai pianos were selected by Dr. Diego Caetano, assistant professor of music. The approximate cost of the instruments was said to be around $100,000.

“They are the perfect size for the studio and provide a very big sound that would fill a whole hall,” Caetano said.

According to the Shigeru Kawai website, these pianos are considered to be more than just instruments. They are partners in the pursuit of musical dreams.

“They were built for ease of expressive playing and both have beautiful tones throughout the keyboard,” Nies said.

Many of the students who have played on the instruments can agree that they are more than satisfying.

“The sound quality is jaw-dropping. They’re so beautiful and make me sound amazing,” Adreonna Armstrong, a music major, said.

8 Feature The Ranger

September 14, 2017

Music that

changed the World

By STEVI BRESHEARS Ranger Reporter

At noon Sept. 2 at Memorial Park, the first of what is planned to become an annual event, Yellow City Sounds Music Festival was held. The theme for this year was “Music That Changed The World,” which coincides with the Ken Burns documentary about the Vietnam War that will premiere on Sept. 17. Performers at the festival sang their own songs, along with some of their favorites from the ‘60s.

“I heard old songs and new songs whose lyrics hold a commonality to the many different generations and cultures that were involved that day,” Josephine Fogo, a community member and parent of an Amarillo College student, said.

There were many performers at the festival, including The Dustjackets, Maggie Burt, Insufficient Funds, hONEyhoUSe, Zac Wilkerson, The Band of Heathens, The Deltaz and a jam session in the middle of the day with various artists.

“Our relationship with FM90 and Panhandle PBS has been great. When they said they were putting on a festival, we jumped at the chance to do it,” Ted Siegel, of The Deltaz, said.

The theme for the festival encouraged artists to perform some of the songs they felt were most influential during the time of the Vietnam War. “It’s a snapshot, music is. You listen to music from the ‘60s and it gives you a brief little picture of what things were like in the world at that point in time,” Siegel said.

“It helps people to relate and cope on a really broad level.”

In addition to music, the festival also featured many local vendors and food trucks. D. Maldonado and Julie Bednorz ran a henna tattoo booth together.

“It’s been a good opportunity for us,” Bednorz said.

“Everyone’s friendly. Everyone’s getting along.”

AC students who attended the festival said they were excited about the event, and the meaning behind it. “As a college student, I feel it is important to show that music can still bring us together despite events that try to divide us,” Jasmine Rendon, a sonography major, said.

The date for the second Yellow City Sounds Music Festival has been set for September 1, 2018.

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