Vol 87 4 20 17

April 20, 2017 Volume 87 Issue 11

Tuition increase sparks fears

By LIZ MOORE & JOSEPH HANSEN Ranger Reporters

AC president Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart is reassuring students in the wake of a recent tuition increase. Last month, the board of regents voted for the tuition hike, which will take effect this summer.

Now students are expressing concerns about the rising costs.

“I was kind of appalled at first. I’m kind of having mixed feelings on it,” said physical therapy major Alyson Whitsell.

“It is kind of hurting me a little bit because I am paying for it myself.”

Lower y-Hart said the increase of $5.25 per credit hour is necessary to avoid raising taxes or cutting jobs. “We didn’t come to this decision lightly,” Lowery-Hart said.

“There was a lot of discussion about it, and our hope is that we will only raise tuition every three to four years and this won’t be a regular occurrence.”

The regents’ decision to boost tuition followed news of an anticipated $1.5 million additional cut to AC funding.

The last time the board increased tuition was a $2 hike in 2015. The money raised will cover the cost of items such as tutors, software licenses and other administrative and maintenance fees.

Although the increase does impact students, there are ways to help cover the costs of school.

“We have resources in the community,” Lowery-Hart said. “We have scholarships available, not only from the community but from our own foundation, and we can help students absorb this and still continue what they’ve started.”

The AC Foundation offers scholarships every semester and the financial aid office helps students submit financial aid applications and provides hands-on workshops for students.

“The tuition increase will not affect any of our processes

involving scholarships or financial aid,” said Kelly Prater, director of financial aid. Prater said that the application process for scholarships and financial aid can be accessed from the financial aid home page on the AC website.

The AC Foundation is a nonprofit organization that focuses its efforts on ensuring student success at AC. The Foundation accepts donations from individuals, groups and businesses and the money given can be specified for a specific scholarship or a general one.

“There are hundreds of scholarships out there that students don’t use,” Prater said. “Typically there’s more scholarship money out there than what is actually used.”

Students can apply for most scholarships through one universal application, with a few special scholarships available through a separate application.

While students say they are inconvenienced by the tuition increase, Lowery-Hart is urging them not to use the hike as an excuse to quit. “I’ll regret the increase if it keeps a student from continuing their education,” Lowery-Hart said.

“So I would say to any student that’s in that situation, we have multiple ways to help you cover these costs. Quitting is not an option. We’re a college that says ‘yes’ and we’ll help you find the path forward.”

Don’t worry, help is available:

president’s message to students worried about hike future that protected what we’re trying to do for students.”

By RANGER STAFF

What has been your reaction to the tuition increase?

RLH: “Well, I’m concerned about anytime we raise the price of anything we offer our students because I know our students are price sensitive, but I also know our tuition is really low compared to everyone else in the area and even the state, and that we’ve only raised it $2 in six years, even when we cut the budget $3.5 million and had to reorganize and eliminate a lot of positions and a lot of people doing work around here to help students.

Why was the increase necessary?

RLH: “So when we think to raise tuition, we’re not only thinking about this year’s budget but were thinking about future budgets. Right now the legislature is considering bills that would really control our ability to collect taxes, it could

DR. RUSSELL LOWERY-HART

AC President

potentially control our ability to collect taxes and we have increases in health care costs, we have increases in technology costs, we have increase in utility costs, and trying to prepare a budget that gets us solid over the ne five years. We felt like that if we raise tuition this year it would help us absorb any cuts that are going to come from the

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state, we’ve already been cut 3.5 million and we’re projecting being cut another 1.5 million from the state so we could potentially have our ability to collect taxes the way we have been hampered by legislative actio. We’ve been cut in our funding by the legislature so we felt like we had to raise tuition to ensure that we had a budgetary

on graduation www.facebook.com/acrangerpaper

In other words, do you anticipate any more increases in the future?

RLH: “Well, I think the cost of everything rises, so I think the cost of tuition will rise, we’ll work hard to make sure that tuition isn’t something that rises every year. That’s not who we’ve been, that’s not who I am, and that’s not where we are, financially, pending some major catastrophic event. So no, I don’t anticipate tuition rising every year.”

Why did the state cut college and university funding?

RLH: “The state decided that students and communities needed to be more responsible for funding higher education than the state. I’m not taking a stance about whether that’s the right or wrong approach. It’s just what happened. They deregulated tuition, cut state funding and higher education partners had to

raise tution.”

How did it make you feel to implement this increase this year?

RLH: “Oh, it broke my heart. It broke my heart. So I feel like I really understand who our students are and what they need from me and what they need from this college and I don’t like asking for more of your money, but here’s what I know, 60-65 percent of our students are on scholarship and financial aid and so, this won’t necessarily take money out of their pocket, but the majority of our students take on average 6-12 hours a semester so this means, functionally, an additional $30-$60 a semester which is significant to our students, so we’ve worked with financial aid, we’ve worked with the foundation to make more scholarships available to students so that we can find ways to help you cover these costs.”

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2 Opinion The Ranger

April 20, 2017

Don’t get down about what goes up EDITORIAL

Concern, confusion, and contention have risen among students upon hearing that the Amarillo College board of regents voted recently to raise tuition.

AC is known for being more cost effective than state universities, making higher education more accessible to students from various economic backgrounds, but this tuition hike has left many students worried they will no longer be able to afford school.

We, The Ranger, are here to ease your concerns about the increase. This is not a time for panic, but it is a time for action.

The AC board of regents approved an increase of $5.25 per credit hour, which equates to part-time students paying around $30 more per semester and full time paying about an additional $60. This increase is minimal—especially considering the news that AC is likely to receive a $1.5 million cut in funding from the state. Nevertheless. Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart told us he is privy to how much stress any additional financial burden can cause students.

Do not be alarmed. The AC Foundation has assured students that additional scholarship money will be available to alleviate any detrimental impact of the cost hike.

Despite the tuition increase, AC is still substantially more affordable than most community colleges and universities.

Unfortunately, community colleges receive considerably less state funding

than universities. Community colleges sometimes must raise tuition and fees to offset these discrepancies.

To make matters worse, recent declines in oil and gas revenue mean the state of Texas has less money and must make cutbacks in spending.

Predictions are that legislators plan to slash community college funding—again.

We understand that cutbacks will have to be

made, but why cut the most economical way of educating the state population? Money is scarce, but community colleges impose a small financial burden in comparison to large state universities. It is nonsensical for the state to cut one of the most financially feasible paths to higher education.

Now is the time to take action. Instead of stressing out over the increase, students should think of ways to budget

Recently, I overheard someone complaining about being mistreated for being a minority.

It is not the first time I’ve heard such complaints, and, like every other time I have heard those excuses, I roll my eyes.

It’s annoying to listen to disgruntled people of any race or gender demanding equal treatment and pointing out how they are oppressed, whether it’s true or false. I have to ask the question, if the end goal of protesting is to get equal opportunities for everyone, why point out that they should be treated better because their differences rather than their similarites?

We have movements like

Women’s Lives Matter, Black Lives Matter, etcetera… the list is long and every single group separates itself from the world. People choose to be segregated instead of coming together and overcoming the obstacles that interfere with our society. Why don’t we have the All-American club, All Lives Matter or the humanity movement?

Looking back in history we can see how our nation has moved on. For example, the legal practice of slavery, of both black and white people, ended in 1864 with the 13th Amendment; women’s suffrage came in the 19th Amendment; the 14th Amednment which called for

desegregation. You see? The nation has been pushing for equality.

I admit that there are inequalities and they will probably always exist in some form. We all have different strengths and weaknesses and life is not fair. Discrimination happens to a human being, not to a specific demographic.

It shouldn’t matter what one’s race, sex or beliefs are if that individual is being mistreated for any reason.

Should we let injustice occur if it only happens to white men? I may not be white, but I think that idea is detrimental to society.

We claim that we celebrate

Illustration by Destiny Kranthoven

more efficiently and have $30$60 per semester put aside.

Whether that is eating out less, cutting back on lattes or saving a little each week, budgeting for this slight increase is doable.

Students should also take this time to channel their frustration into furthering their cause. Instead of sitting around and worrying about how you can’t afford tuition and fees, grab your laptop and use these concerns as fuel.

Write letters to your state representative, Four Price, and your state senator, Kel Seliger, expressing the importance of funding for community colleges. Let them know you need their help so that you can be successful.

After all, this is your future.

So what are you doing still reading this? Grab your laptop and get writing--community colleges deserve the state’s support… and so do you.

Equality isn’t individualized

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

By CHARLES DIAZ Ranger Reporter

and understand differences, going so far as to brag about it, but we have little to show for it.

We celebrate our differences nationally and even internationally but, to my knowledge, no one celebrates our similarities. I think that if individuals, regardless of

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.

race or gender, can’t meet an expected standard for a given situation, they should not expect the standard to be lowered to accommodate them. We are all special, but no one is more special than anyone else.

In the end, the only way to solve inequality is to look past the surface and see the person underneath. We can’t hold one above another because of race or gender.

Embrace your individuality yes, but let us come together by focusing on our common humanity. In the end, we are one race and one people.

This is the only way we can have not only peace, but also “justice for all.”

In 1993, The Ranger was inducted into the national ACP 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 April 20, 2017

LITE scholarship helps AC students succeed

By ENRIQUE MARTINEZ GUERRERO Ranger Reporter

For Belle Hurst, attending college has been challenging.

The nursing major has had numerous surgeries that caused her to miss school and she has coped with health issues and a hearing loss.

Students like Belle who are facing disabilities may struggle in college. At times, they may think it is impossible to continue their education, but Amarillo College offers help.

AC, through the disabilities office, offers financial support and special assistance to help students earn degrees or certificates.

LITE (Living Independently Through Education) is a program dedicated to giving scholarships to AC students with disabilities. “I have been receiving help from LITE since last year,” said Hurst.

“This program has helped me a lot.”

Any Amarillo College student with disabilities who wants to receive scholarships is encouraged to begin the process of filling out and submitting the LITE scholarship application.

The LITE scholarship program began 15 years ago, said Brenda Rossnagel, disabilities coordinator. Both part time and full time students may apply. To qualify for the scholarship, students must have at least a 2.0 GPA and must enroll in at least six hours of college credit. Applicants must also meet with the disabilities services department before they apply.

“This is a great opportunity for people who want to continue their education. Last year we gave 52 scholarships of $1,000 each. This depends on

how much money we are able to raise and how many people we get qualified,” Rossnagel said.

Funding for the LITE scholarship comes from the organization’s annual fundraising luncheon, which will take place this year on April 25 at the Amarillo Civic Center. The luncheon will feature barbecue and a performance by the Amarillo College Jazz Band and singing by student Blake Farr. There will also be a silent auction.

Hurst is one of the LITE recipients who will speak at the luncheon. “My life has changed ever since I started at Amarillo College. Before I was a very shy person and then I got involved in organizations here on campus helping people, and working at the disabilities office helped me make friends,” she said.

Currently, LITE has $13,000 in donations for the upcoming school year, said Tyler Grant, academic adviser who has been involved with LITE for nine years. “We have been working for about four months calling people asking for donations, documenting and packing items, sending out thank-you notes and keeping all the data on how much we raise,” Grant said.

People who attend this event will have the opportunity of buying a variety of items from the silent auction. “We will have a tree, garden baskets and even tickets to the Texas Rangers games. As well as a wine pool so whoever wants to pay $20 will get a cork with a number on it, and they will exchange the cork for a bottle of wine or liquor,” Grant said.

For more information or to apply for the scholarship, visit www.actx.edu/disability or call (806) 345-5639.

By JULIE RAMBIN Ranger Reporter

What’s your personal interest in helping people stop smoking?

I am a board member of Tobacco Free Amarillo and also a state-certified Youth Tobacco Awareness Program instructor.

I grew up around family members who smoked – people who became addicted to smoking back when big tobacco told us that there were no harmful effects from smoking.

We now know that smoking is the leading preventable cause of deaths in our country, and it’s terrible to see someone you love and care for suffer from cancer or other health issues that resulted from their tobacco use. We want to help people who are ready to quit so that they can start living a more healthy life.

What benefits to quitting smoking have you experienced or seen in the lives of others?

I’ve seen family members and friends quit smoking.

Not only do they save lots of money, but their health begins to improve immediately. We’ve also had several Amarillo College students and employees go through our program and remain tobacco-free. They all tell us how much better they feel as a result of quitting.

What can a student expect from these smoking cessation classes?

We’ve structured the classes so that they can be completed

in just two evenings. Tobacco Treatment Specialists trained through the Mayo Clinic to facilitate the courses. The classes are non-judgmental and provide information on tackling

3

The Ranger

to quit more than once in the past. Again, don’t give up. And, remember, when you combine our class with the nicotine replacement products, your chances of being successful will improve.

nicotine cravings and preparing the student for a quit date. Studies have shown that working with a tobacco treatment specialist doubles your chances of stopping smoking.

The student will also receive free nicotine replacement therapy products to help get them started with their quit. These products also increase your chances of being successful when you quit.

So, when you combine the class with the product, the likelihood of being successful in your quit attempt goes way up.

What other resources are available for students in the Amarillo area who want to quit smoking?

We aren’t the only place a student can get help if they want to quit smoking.

There is a free state quitline: 1 - 8 0 0 -Y E S QUIT, with counselors who will support you and help you quit. They are also available after taking one of our classes if you just need to talk to someone for extra help and guidance.

There are medications that can help people quit. Students would need to discuss these with their primary care provider.

There are other locations in town to take the course that offer different schedules.

They use trained tobacco treatment specialists as well and are also affiliated with Tobacco Free Amarillo. Visit tobaccofreeamarillo.com for more information or to sign up for classes.

Many people try to quit smoking multiple times and have not been able to do so. What advice would you give them?

Just because someone has tried to quit before, or even if they relapse after taking this class, they should not give up.

In fact, most every successful smoker who has quit has tried

Any other comments or observations?

I should mention – the class is not just for smokers. We want to help those who use dip or chewing tobacco quit, too! We offer classes monthly, so feel free to give us a call at 806-354-6083 or visit tobaccofreeamarillo.com if you are interested in quitting tobacco – we are ready to help.

Six Questions with Eric Wallace, director of intervention programs at AC

Walk to get fit, donate to AC food pantry

By ENRIQUE MARTINEZ GUERRERO Ranger Reporter

This spring, students and staff of Amarillo College have the opportunity to walk or run to help needy students, through the Miles for Meals challenge. “This program encourages the AC students and staff to compete.

Miles for Meals has been going on for five years by now and is intended to raise money for the

AC food pantry and help the students of Amarillo College,” said Trent Oneal, intramurals director. “This is a 40-day competition, because experts agree that it takes 40 days to create a healthy habit,” he said.

The challenge began March 27 and lasts through May 5, but students can enroll at any time.

People can join as a group of four or as individuals. Participants will receive a link where they can log their miles, and the

individuals and groups that log the most miles will win.

“This challenge helps us as staff and students to get fit and be aware of our health. It also motivates more people to take this challenge and help raise money,” Rita Wilson, associate director of enrollment services, said.

There are three prizes. One winner will be drawn from the top 20 students who finish the challenge to receive a $500

scholarship. The top 20 faculty and staff members who finish will be entered into drawings for a Kindle Fire and a $125 gift card.

Wilson said the prizes aren’t the only benefits of the challenge. “When I first started to participate I lost weight and I started to get fit, eat healthier, then, I thought I’m going to start running. It’s a lot of fun and encourages people to get involved.”

The AC Food Pantry is the biggest winner. “Miles for Meals helps the Food Pantry because we are able to buy more stuff that we can’t buy with the money from the AC Foundation. This is one way we can help the students better,” Judith Lara, social services assistant, said.

Students and staff can enroll at the Ask AC counters on the Washington Street and West Campuses or online at https:// www.actx.edu/ce/.

Pop in for a game of bubble soccer

PHOTOS BY GENE SOCKWELL | The Ranger

Students play bubble soccer, organized by the AC Intramurals Program, March 27 outside the Carter Fitness Center.

Getting ready for

graduation By: LIZ MOORE Ranger Reporter

As the semester comes to a close, students are preparing for finals and some are also preparing for graduation.

On May 12, the next group of Amarillo College graduates will walk the stage and receive their diplomas. Between 300 and 400 students will graduate next month, either with an associate degree or a certificate.

The AC bookstore helps the students prepare for graduation. The bookstore provides everything a student will need for the commencement ceremony. They have caps and gowns, and for the students graduating with an associates, they also have an associate’s hood for the students to wear.

“We just have people that when they come in we try to help them by figuring out how tall they are and making sure they get the right size gown,” said Dennis Leslie, bookstore manager, noting they also try to determine “whether or not they’re getting a certificate or associate degree, whether they need the hood, so we have all that for them.”

Leslie said that the cost of a cap, gown and tassel for someone earning a certificate

comes out to $29.12 after tax, and for someone earning an associates who will also need a hood, it comes out to about $50.

The registrar’s office will reach out to every student who will be completed or near completed by the end of this semester. In the coming weeks, college officials will send out letters detailing what classes a student is missing, if any, and providing a web address that has information the student will need before graduation.

“We try to make it as easy as we can for the students,” said Kristin McDonald-Willey, associate registrar. “They don’t have to apply for graduation.”

McDonald-Willey said that students will only need to show up on graduation day, and that students who will be finished in the summer will be able to walk in the May commencement ceremony as well. She also said that for those who register for a summer class to complete their degrees after all the commencement program information is sent to the printer are still welcome to walk. Their names will not be printed in the brochure for this graduation, but will appear in the brochure for the December graduation.

Leslie said that the bookstore assists the registrar’s office by counting the number of

Summer

Schedule

caps that have been sold. “Everybody needs a cap, so when it gets closer I try to tell them, ‘we’ve sold 375 caps,’” said Leslie. “They’re trying to set up chairs so they’re trying to figure out how many students to expect, but it’s kind of a guessing game because people can show up and walk and we let them.”

As for guests, there’s not a limit on how many can attend per graduate; however, there is a link that allows friends and family members not able to attend to view the graduation live. The link also has information for students regarding the day of graduation, such as where to enter, where to line up and dress code. All of this information will be available at www.actx.edu/registrar/graduation-information.

In just a few short weeks, a group of students will become alums of Amarillo College, and Leslie said the graduates should feel a sense of accomplishment.

“I’m very proud of Amarillo College. It’s one of the best junior colleges or community colleges in the country,” said Leslie. “For somebody to get a degree from here, they ought to be proud of the work they put into it.”

As for what students think, mass media major Josh Diaz put it simply: “Finally being done with this is pretty cool.”

2017

April

10: Registration Opens

22:classes begin 29:classes end 8-week online 8-week online 5:classes begin 28:classes end June

Summer 1

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April 20, 2017

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July

4 News

Summer 2

Students spend summer studying not sweltering

summer,” Melodie Graves, an academic adviser, said.

Ranger Reporter Graves said AC strives According to both fac- to prepare students for a ulty members and students, four-year school as soon as summer classes at Amarillo possible, so of course sumCollege are an easy way mer classes move students catch up or get ahead. The through their degree profirst summer ses- grams at a more efficient sion is set to begin pace.

Chris Macon, a psycholoMonday, May 22, gy major, has taken summer with a deadline to sign up and pay by Friday, May classes to get ahead.

“Summer classes are great 12. for getting a leg up in your “It’s very important for students to continue their field of study. You get closer education on a regular ba- to your degree much faster sis even if it does mean and you are ready to get back coming to classes in the into classes right when the By: JOSEPH HANSON

fall semester comes around,” Macon said.

“Because summer classes are only six weeks long, they do move at a very fast pace as opposed to the 16 week classes,” said English professor Bill Netherton, who teaches composition I and II at AC as part of the summer classes.

In addition to the first six-week summer session beginning May 22, there will be online eight-week classes starting June 5 and a second set of six-week summer classes beginning Wednesday, July 5.

News

Tips for troublefree transfers By: RYAN COTTEN Ranger Reporter

Transferring from Amarillo College to a university can be an intimidating process, but staff at AC are eager to help. Advisers from AC and West Texas A&M University have several tips to make the transfer process a little less stressful.

The easiest way to start the transfer process is getting started. “I always say the semester before they transfer is when students should start looking at where they want to transfer to. Students should start the transfer process in January or February for the fall semester, but in the spring, since the student has a shorter timeframe, I would recommend starting in August if a student wants to transfer in December,” Ruth de Anda, an academic adviser at AC, said.

Once a student has started looking at schools, it is important to follow through with the university’s requirements.

“I think the biggest thing is just researching what you’re interested in and where. After that you can go through the steps, and together we can navigate through that list,” De

Anda said.

Along with the transcripts, test scores and applications, students need to be aware of the most important requirement: deadlines.

“It’s never too early to start, but there are some universities that want you to start at least six months ahead of time,” De Anda said.

Once all the deadlines are met, the work is not over.

“Once you get your transcripts, scholarships and are accepted the most important thing is to keep the university updated on your progress,” De Anda said.

WT is a popular destination for students to transfer to after their time at AC. “When it comes to transferring to WT, we have also established a special program with AC known as Destination WT. “Students who are considering transferring to WT apply prior to completing 25 hours at AC. They don’t actually transfer until they completed 52 or more hours at AC. This way students work on and complete a lot of those lower level hours and when it comes time to transfer a lot of the coursework they need for their degree at WT has been completed,” Gwynne Walker, WTAMU transfer assistant

and director of admissions, said.

“Start applying to schools at least a year before you want to go, and figure out where you want to go,” Dawson Jones, a finance major, said Transferring schools can also have its disadvantages.

“I think students are scared. I think transfer is scary because it’s a lot of responsibility, but knowing the expectations (of the university) is important,” De Anda said.

“What I see holding people up the most is not knowing where they want to go,” De Anda said.

“Courses will generally transfer over but some institutions may not take all of their coursework. Also, transfer students may find that they have taken courses that don’t fit into their degree plan.

WT and AC work very closely together so students generally don’t find it to be a problem with coursework transferring from one institution to another,” Walker said.

Starting the transfer process can be difficult at first. “The hardest part for me was looking at the list of everything I had to do for Texas Tech. I had to take it one step at a time,” Jones said.

Facts about your

Tuition Last

2017 increase

$2 in 2015

increase

$5.25 Tuition in

building 22% Personnel Expenses Operating 2%

2%

& institutional scholarships)

Costs of 22%

72%

(Textbooks,

tools,

sold

benefits) 4%

expenses

utilities,

goods

4%

supplies)

Capital

Expenses

equipment)

taxes, & employee

maintenance,

& maintenance

(Salaries, matching

(supplies,

(AV, computer,

72%

April 20, 2017

5

The Ranger

6 NEWS The Ranger

April 20, 2017

Former student wins Pulitzer

By JENNA GIBSON Ranger Reporter

AC alum Denisha Kranthoven’s training at Amarillo College has led to a Pulitzer. This week, the former mass media student learned she was part of the news team that just won a Pulitzer Prize. Kranthoven is a designer and copy editor for the East Bay Times in Oakland, California, which won a Pulitzer for Breaking News Reporting.

She worked on photos, headlines and inside pages for the award-winning coverage.

“Being part of a Pulitzer winning team is something that I never expected. I can’t even begin to explain how surprised I am,” said Kranthoven.

The Pulitzer jurors recognized the newspaper staff for their coverage of the “‘Ghost Ship’” fire, which killed 36 people at a warehouse party, and for reporting after the tragedy that exposed the city’s failure to take actions that might

have prevented it.”

“Though this is a high honor, the reality of it is that 36 people lost their lives,” Kranthoven said.

“All of the work that the reporters, designers, photographers and editors put in was to make sure that the community knew the truth about what happened and how it can be prevented in the future. That’s the real goal. I’m honored to be part of a group that puts people first,” she added.

Prior to going to work for the East Bay Times, Kranthoven worked for the Amarillo Globe News.

While at AC, she was active with AC Student Media, working as an artist and page editor for The Ranger and serving as two-time editor of The Current.

The Pulitzer prize is the top award for journalism achievement. Established in 1917, the prizes are administrated by Columbia University in New York and are given annually in 21 categories.

COURTESY PHOTO

SGA wins sweepstakes third year running

By CHRISTINA GOMEZ Ranger Reporter

Amarillo College Student Government Association members have returned victoriously from the annual Texas Junior College Student Government Association convention. The four-day convention began March 30 in Houston. Twenty-three delegates, as well as two advisers took part in this event where they participated in varying workshops as well as competitions.

This year, the AC SGA competed in nine out of 10 competitions. “We placed in all but two of our competitions and came home with a sweepstakes for the third year,” Logan Nelson, SGA president, said.

“We always go all-out in everything we do so even the week before we left we made sure everything was ready to go,” SGA vice president David Robles said. “There was a lot of work put in--even more so than last year. The more competitions you get into, the bigger workload you take on.”

Nathaniel Butler, SGA parliamentarian, said more than 55 colleges joined this convention and over 400 people attended. “Making it to state in itself was quite

COURTESY PHOTO SGA members eat breakfast in Houston at TJCSA.

incredible. A highlight for me was meeting new people from different regions and different colleges from the state of Texas,” Butler said.

Robles elaborated on that note. “Me personally, I always like to not only have a good time but meet new people, make new connections. We have a regional meeting and I try to get to know everyone.”

The theme of the convention was “Leaders Assemble.” Nelson said they attended numerous workshops that focused on leadership. “It was a phenomenal experience.

I got to meet the youngest running congressman Thomas McNutt and sit in the ‘Winn Workshop,’ which was held by the former Olympian Sherri Winn.”

Some of the workshops helped prepare participants to serve as SGA officers. “My position as parliamentarian deals a lot with Robert’s Rules of Order, therefore I attended some workshops regarding Robert’s Rules and learned how to run a meeting and figured out what actually goes into running one,” Butler said.

“It’s my first year as an SGA

member so I jumped in not knowing anything, but after attending all these meetings, it all actually makes sense now.”

Robles, who also attended the Robert’s Rules workshop, added, “In the two years I’ve been in SGA, I learned way more from the workshop this year than I did the previous years.”

Robles said this year’s SGA convention served as a learning experience for all the delegates who participated.

“One thing I take away is don’t take anything for granted. We work as a college, as a whole, so

we can benefit the community.

We try to make it a friendly environment,” he said.

Nelson noted that the convention gave SGA members a chance “to actually get to see and explore different groups and see what we can bring back to our campus and use our diversity to better our campus.”

She said she looks forward to implementing everything they learned. “Each different workshop gave us something to bring back. I can’t wait to bring what we learned from those workshops and incorporate it here at Amarillo College.”

Culture April 20, 2017

7

The Ranger

Netflix shines light on difficult subject

viewers find out which tape has been made for which person, and what they’ve done Adapted from Jay Asher’s to deserve to be on the tapes. best-selling novel, Netflix’s “Thirteen Reasons Why” not latest TV phenomenon, only depicts how mental illness “Thirteen Reasons Why” can impact someone and those takes a stand when it comes to around them, but also the showing its viewers the darkest pervasive sexism in high school side of the four years students and beyond.

“Thirteen Reasons Why” spend in high school.

All of the explicit details of openly discusses the difficulties the story are narrated by one of of growing up, mental illness the main characters, Hannah and bullying. The show also Baker. During the first episode tackles issues such as sexism; it is revealed that Hannah has rape and our toxic, patriarchal killed herself, and the audience society. Each issue that is learns that she left behind a explored helps further the set of 13 cassette tapes giving explain why the extremely high specific reasons why, all of suicide rate of adolescence is which are left in the hands of not something to be ignored.

This show could possibly be the lead, Clay Jensen. The show manages to intertwine the past triggering for various people, so I do suggest researching it and present of each character.

The rules of Hannah’s tapes a bit more before starting it. I are simple: Clay must listen to definitely would recommend each tape completely before this series a hundred times passing it on to someone over. The topics discussed else. If he fails to follow these throughout the show are serious instructions left from Hannah, issues within our society that a second set of identical tapes are typically tiptoed around, will be made public, a fate that but “13 Reasons Why” does no one that is mentioned on not shy away from them, and instead depicts in a sometimes the tapes wants.

Throughout each episode, painfully honest way.

By JALYNN VINSON Ranger Reporter

AC and WT artists work together to paint mural

By ENRIGQUE MARTINEZ GUERRERO Ranger Reporter

Students in the Amarillo College Art Collective and the West Texas A&M Art Club will soon be working together to paint a mural commemorating the 125th anniversary of Amarillo National Bank.

The mural will be located on a wall at Sixth Street and Fillmore in downtown Amarillo. The wall is 100 feet long and 28 feet high.

“The goal of this mural is to do something that is going to be amazing to look at and grab people’s attention,” Stephanie Jung, AC art instructor and Art Collective co-sponsor, said.

“The mural is going to be in a good spot in an open parking lot where traffic starts slowing

down so people will be able to see it,” she added.

Aimee Miller, an AC graphic design major, designed the mural.

“Amarillo National Bank wanted a mural that represented its history and Amarillo’s history as well. In my design I tried to incorporate things that I think are the foundation of Amarillo like cattle drives, railroads, the rodeo and stuff like that,” she said.

Both Miller and Jung said they are looking forward to the project.

“I’m really excited about this mural not only because it is going to be my design but also because is going to be a big mural that when people look at it they think, ‘Oh that looks like the Panhandle. This is our place,’” Miller said.

Taylor Rangel, an Art

Student Discount Every Tuesday

Collective member and biology major, said she is excited but nervous about the project.

“This is something that everybody is going to see. It’s also a great opportunity to finally draw on a wall,” she said laughing.

Jung said the project offers a unique educational opportunity.

“I think we are going to learn a lot from the WT Art Club because they travel throughout

the Texas Panhandle to do murals, and they know about this process already,” she said.

The chance to work with students from WT is one aspect of the project that Carly Stewart, an art major and president of the Art Collective, finds appealing.

“I think this is going to be a really good experience and a great opportunity for Amarillo College since it doesn’t happen very often. I really love that we

are collaborating with other schools. I’m really excited to see how it goes,” Stewart said.

The students will begin working on the mural the week after finals. It will take approximately a week to complete.

“Me, as an artist, I don’t expect perfection. This mural is going to be really big. I don’t expect it to be exactly how I designed it, but I hope it reflects my idea,” Miller said.

8 Feature The Ranger

April 20, 2017

When tornadoes strike no need to yell yikes look for these rooms so you know where you need to go in Ranger Reporter case of an emergency.”

If you do need to take shelter Spring is upon us. Unless in a building, Chris Martin, you have been living under a rock, you know that living in KAMR meteorologist, said to the Texas Panhandle in the put as many walls between you spring means tornadoes and and the possible tornado.

“Hallways and bathrooms thunderstorms.

If you happened to be on one that are centrally located are of Amarillo College’s campuses best,” Martin said. “Bring during a tornado warning, whatever you can to try to would you know what to do? cover up and protect yourself as Ariel Wilson, a general studies much as possible from debris.”

While it is rare that Amarillo major, said that her biggest fear is directly hit by a tornado, is a tornado.

“If I were outside when a Martin said it is certainly tornado hit I don’t know what possible for it to happen.

“A tornado is not something I would do. Die? I don’t know,” Wilson said. “I would follow you want to let your guard the other people. Whatever down about,” Martin said.

“Always make sure you have a everyone is doing, I will do.”

AC Police Cpl. Scott Acker plan.”

Tara Meraz, math, science said if you are outside when and engineering instructor, the tornado sirens go off, immediately get into a building has put a plan in place for her students in case a tornado to the lowest level possible.

“If you do not have time to hits during her class in the get into a building find a low- engineering building.

“If we can get to the Ware lying area like a ditch,” Acker Student Commons they have a said. “Do not get in your car basement,” Meraz said. “Here and try to outrun the tornado.”

Finding shelter while you in the engineering building we are in class is just as easy. Every are told to take you guys into building on every floor has the hallway and you sit down a floor plan of best available with your head between your places to go in case of a tornado. knees.”

AC has an alert system that The rooms are highlighted in notifi es all students, faculty and yellow for easy visibility. Erica Muro, a respiratory care major, staff of any type of emergencies said she has never even noticed by text, email or phone call.

Students, faculty and staff are the maps around campus.

“I have never been caught in automatically enrolled. You can a tornado or had to take shelter, always check your enrollment but if I was in class I would just or make changes to how you get under my desk,” Muro said. will receive alerts by logging “You need to be aware of onto your AC Connect and your environment,” Acker said. searching for AC Alert in the “You should walk around and search bar.

By Sentora Rodriguez

Illustration by CLAIRE EKAS