A PUBLICATION OF THE MEDIA CLUB, CISCO COLLEGE * CAMPUSES IN CISCO, TEXAS, AND ABILENE, TEXAS * VOLUME 10 *APRIL 23, 2020
Message from Dr. Thad Anglin, Cisco College President Dear Cisco College Wrangler Family, My son asked me this week if my generation had ever experienced the kind of public crisis that is now gripping the nation and the world. I mentioned some historical moments of uncertainty, distress, and anger from the past, but we agreed that the country is now facing challenges unlike any we’ve seen before. It’s during times like these that we witness the best in humanity and the American spirit that we treasure and hold close to our hearts even during times of unimaginable tragedy caused by the terrible COVID 19 virus. We salute those serving on the front lines during this pandemic and pray they all will be granted strength and remain healthy through this crisis. It is my hope that we will all take advantage of this time to remember those on the front lines and recommit to serving our fellow citizens. I’m encouraged by the stories
of the younger generation stepping-up to help our elderly citizens and those with underlying health conditions or immunocompromised during this crisis. There has not been a decision in this process that has been easy, but every decision was based on doing our very best to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, campus visitors, and community members. Undoubtedly, the impact of these decisions and those made at the state and national levels has affected all of us, changing the way we work, learn, and engage with one another. I remain confident and reassured that we will come through this and be stronger as a result of our experiences. I look forward to seeing you all again. In the interim, please take care of yourselves, your loved ones, help those in need, and know that we will overcome this crisis and brighter days are just around the corner. Thank you all.
Justin Ceniceros Professor of Year, but what makes this biology teacher tick? See story, p. 3.
DR. THAD ANGLIN Cisco College President
From the Editors Welcome to the 2020 Spring Edition of the first Wrangler Express to be published totally online. It was inevitable that our newspaper was going to become online; it just happened a little sooner than we expected. Our Spring year was cut extra short this semester as we had to go through a tragic event called COVID-19, known as the Corona Virus. This virus can be fatal; therefore all classes were moved online. Cisco College wanted to keep us all safe and ended up closing the campus down for this semester. Faculty and students are still adjusting to this new lifestyle. As for the students, they are disappointed that their spring activities were canceled. Along with adjusting to this new lifestyle for students, this arrangement has become inconvenient to students who depended on the dorm for their home. Students had to pack everything they had and travel back to their hometowns or figure out a new living situation for themselves. This is challenging to some students because of their lack of technology or internet access, making it harder for students to do their online work. In multiple zoom meetings, numerous students have discussed how they had to land a job and cope with this new lifestyle. As this is our first online edition, we were given much more responsibility due to having to complete our semester and the Wrangler Express all online. Some of us do not have as much experience with college classes online, so it was a little overwhelming trying to finish online, but we are all doing the best we can coping with COVID-19. We have learned to never take our freedom or anything else for granted, as we had to adapt to this new lifestyle quicker than normal. Regardless of all that has happened, continue to move forward with your education and never give up. Be safe and Go Wranglers!
WRANGLER EXPRESS CO-EDITORS Heather Klaasen, left, of Coleman, and Jakaria Thomas of Dallas
Wrangler Express Staff for Spring 2020 CO-EDITORS Heather Klaasen Jakaria Thomas MANAGING EDITOR OF DIGITAL PUBLISHING Malcom Bledsoe SPORTS EDITORS Ryan Hill Theron Bellard THEATER EDITOR Paetra Davis BAND EDITOR Suri Alvarado GUEST CARTOONIST Jonathan Sullivan EDITORIAL ADVISOR Linda Spetter
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Ceniceros: Everyone Has Ability
EDITOR’S NOTE: Professor Justin Ceniceros was recently elected “Professor of the Year” by his peers at the Cisco campus of Cisco College. In addition to being respected by his peer professors, Professor Ceniceros is also respected and admired by his students, even though he is known as a strict professor. The members of the Wrangler Express staff decided to conduct an interview with him by email. The following questions were compiled by the entire staff and sent to him; here are his responses. Where were you born and where did you grow up? I was born in Dallas, Texas. I grew up there until I was 19. I became fairly nomadic thereafter. Where did you attend college?
Short version: Richland College in Dallas, Texas,and Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. Long version: I first went to Richland College in Dallas. I majored in classical guitar and Japanese, neither of which were offered majors at that college. It didn’t go well, but I learned how to play “Blackbird” on the guitar. Shortly after, my extended family collected enough money among themselves to pay for my first semester at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. I majored in History. I stayed for a semester before I took off to Washington, D.C., to become an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) member. I did that for 2 years. Although that program was not college, I consider it to be foundational in my formal education. After the NCCC I went back to Sul Ross, but it still wasn’t a continuous education. It eventually took me around 10 years to get my undergraduate degree (I kept dropping out). I got my Bachelor’s then started my Master’s that same month. I made it through the traditional 2 years for my graduate degree.
When did you realize that you wanted to major in Biology? Sophomore year of college. I took a Plant Systematics course and was blown away about this hidden world
Continued on Page 4
PROFESSOR JUSTIN CENICEROS with wife Michelle Ceniceros and sons Django Ceniceros, Tai Ceniceros, and Milo Ceniceros
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APRIL 23, 2020
Advice to Biology Majors from Prof. Ceniceros
‘It’s Supposed to Be Hard - Revel in That’
Continued from Page 3
We are planning on building a greenhouse addition to Stamey Hall to support this research. In addition, my research teams will receive training with the concepts of plant identification, field work, and propagation of specimens. Course credit for this undergraduate research is available as well.
of plants. I seriously had no idea about the level of complexity and I wanted to learn more. That course was my gateway into studying the discipline of botany within biology.
Who influenced you?
If you’re interested in joining this research team, send me an email! justin.ceniceros@cisco.edu
Such a random assortment of people who can fall under the answer to this question. There are so many things that I’ve picked off of people that influenced (and continue to influence) my life. I would be hard-pressed to say where I am and who I am is the result of one person.
What is some advice that you would give biology major students? It’s supposed to be hard. Revel in that.
What was the moment that made you want to start teaching?
Do you have any favorite stories about the classroom to talk about?
I had a math teacher in junior high that made an effort to teach me algebra when I knew I didn’t deserve that opportunity. The essence of what I feel it means to be an educator came from her. I figured if I could genuinely do that, then I would be in a good place in life. Been trying ever since.
I had this one student clip her toenails in lecture. Never occurred to me that it could even be a thing. That was a fun one.
How many years have you been a professor at Cisco College? 8 years.
Why did you choose to teach at Cisco College? I wanted to teach at a small college.
What was your favorite moment when you first started to teach? It’s an ongoing “moment.” I live to see a student take on the responsibility of an education. Once they are on that pathway they are gifting themselves with something that no one can take way. As academics, as educators, we know that learning is work. It is an active process. It takes time. It is a building process. But we also know that everyone has the ability to learn. When I see a student realize that, you know they are going to be okay.
Prof. Ceniceros with wife Michelle and sons (counterclockwise) Tai, Django, and Milo.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of teaching?
What did you do prior to teaching at Cisco?
I own a side business where I build and repair guitars.
Immediately before teaching here, I was a middle school science teacher. Prior to that I worked for the National Park Service.
Can you tell us about your family?
What do you think has been your biggest accomplishment as a Biology professor?
What is your scientific opinion about the COVID-19 virus?
Keeping my job. So thankful for tenure.
Please describe the research that your students did with McMurry students last semester. My research has not happened just yet although we are in the planning stages. My proposal is to initiate several plant surveys and collections around Eastland County based upon specimens collected from the 1970s. These plants from the 70s are currently housed in our herbarium collection and offer a wonderful insight into the plant communities found within the county up to 50 years ago.
It consist of my wife and 3 boys.
It’s a virus. Quit saying that it needs to be killed. You can’t kill it…because it’s not living. Take my Biology for Majors I course to find out why. As humans, we’ve gotten really good at overcoming natural factors that would limit our species. I hope we can do the same with this in the very near future.
What is your personal opinion about the impact of COVID-19 on society? Who knows how this will end up? It’s not looking good.
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Students Dealing with New Realities of Life By MALCOM BLEDSOE Opinion Columnist
New normal for classes
Kyle Smith, upper right, is an English professor at the Abilene campus of Cisco College. This was a screen photo of class as students were waiting for others to sign in. The early students are, from top left, Brenna Bay, Mia Yanez, and Lateny Flores, all of Abilene. “My dog Henry made a guest appearance, as did Lateny’s dog, Eleanor,” Smith said. “Good times!” This photo is representative of many classes, as professors relied on Zoom software for class meetings.
Birthday in Quarantine
must stay home and live off a small unemployment check. I consider myself very lucky working as an essential worker. However, because When Cisco College let out for the virus is such an important and spring break, little did I know that terrifying event, people are beginning would be the last day I went into a physical classroom. I lived on campus to buy in bulk and buy out many of our products. We had to put a in the dorms, so I had to move out. limit on the number of products an This was quite an inconvenience for individual can buy, which resulted in me, for I wasn’t planning on moving very distressed customers. I have been into an apartment until the end of verbally and physically mistreated by the semester. I had little time to get multiple customers. All the violence into my apartment and gather all the and greed of people are due to them essential needs for the apartment. being in fear of this virus. Corona Virus has not only affected Lastly, COVID-19 has my school and campus life, but my job. significantly affected my personal life I am considered an essential worker tremendously. I am from Coleman, during this pandemic. I work as a key Texas, and my loved ones and friends holder at Shopping Basket in Ranger, Texas. I am one of the fortunate people live there. I have not been able to see them. I had to spend my nineteenth and get to work during this crisis. birthday in quarantine. Many people are out of work and
By HEATHER KLAASEN Opinion Columnist
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As this year drags on its seems to become worse and worse. From troubles with Iran in January to the fires in Australia in February, no one thought it could get worse than that. Nevertheless, it did, with a global pandemic that started in one city in China to now all over the world. Life has changed dramatically. I personally just as everybody else have been affected by this new virus. I work at Walmart and it is easy to feel the tension and fear some customers show or feel. I remember when it all began. I didn’t think it could get worse but on Friday, March 13, that’s when everything changed. Whenever news of the virus had reached America, it was expected that fear and panic was about to take hold, and it did. Mass hysteria took place, and especially at places like Walmart. People rushed in and crowded the store to stock up or hoard all the necessary items that they could. Soon, all the toilet paper, rice, canned vegetables, disinfectants, eggs, and other essential items were all gone. The store struggled to keep a steady supply of items through April. This stress of keeping up with the demand was hard enough, but the
Malcolm Bledsoe
customers were all over the place with their frustration, confusion, and their misunderstanding of the whole situation. This was just another layer of stress for every associate that I worked with. At the time the initial panic started, I was working in the Online Grocery Pickup (OGP) department. We were normally used to at most 70 orders maybe one or two days a week, normally Friday and Sunday, but on Thursday we capped out with 90 orders, then with 115 orders on Friday. The number of orders until the time I left department never dropped below 87 and we were always understaffed. The customers on the OGP side were even more in fear than those inside the store. I remember most would only roll their windows down an inch or two and have us sign for their order for them. This has been one of the most confusing and terrifying events I have ever experienced. I just like everyone else just wants this to be over with so life can return to normal if that is even possible at this point.
‘I Feel Empty Without NBA’
By THERON BELLARD Opinion Columnist
The way the Covid-19 virus has affected me is how I go outside of my house. I cannot leave the house without a mask and gloves. Everything I interact with, I have to clean myself afterwards with a Lysol wipe or sanitizer. I’m still doing social distancing, but when you work with so many people in a factory, it’s kinda tough. It has also affected me on who I am
around in my personal life. Not trying to catch any of that! The main thing that I’m upset about is that it canceled my spring ball this year. That is really the only thing I was looking forward to. Now this school stuff is hard with all this online stuff. But i had so many plans to happen this spring . I’m also upset about how it got rid of all sporting events! I love watching basketball so much, I literally feel empty without the NBA.
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WRANGLER EXPRESS
APRIL 23, 2020
Belles, Band and Cheer Represent
The Cisco College students visited the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Grand Ol’ Opry, and the Wild Horse Saloon for a lesson in line dancing. The students also visited Vanderbilt University and explored the famous recording studios of Music Row.
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at Nashville Christmas Parade
The tour took place December 4-8, 2019, with one of the top highlights being marching in the Nashville Children’s Christmas Parade.
Receiving plaques from Casey Cole of Super Holiday Tourist Tours are (left) Jenna Wade, Cheer Director; Manuel Martinez, Band Director, and (right) Debbie Baker, Director of Wrangler Belles and Cheer.
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WRANGLER EXPRESS
APRIL 23, 2020
Virus Cancels Spring Sport Seasons By DR. JERRY DODSON Athletic Director V.P. of Student Services
On behalf of the Cisco College athletics program, I hope that everyone as well as loved ones are safe and healthy. I would like to thank our Wrangler coaches and student-
athletes for their patience, particularly during this time of challenge that we are all experiencing together as a college family, a community, a state, and a nation, in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The mandated cancellation of the spring sport seasons has truly been disappointing for both coaches and
student-athletes; however, in the weeks since our world seemed to stop, our athletic department has been focused on our student-athletes, whom we are committed to serving. We are constantly monitoring information and changes from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) that will impact
our spring sport athletic programs and student athletes moving forward. Our goal is to continue to operate the athletic programs as efficiently and effectively as possible in preparation for a great 2020-21 campaign. Go Wranglers!
White: ‘We Didn’t Have Time to Even Say Goodbye’ By DAVID WHITE Head Baseball Coach
COACH WHITE
We feel bad for our guys. You spend months working together to achieve a goal. Hours and hours of pain. Then you wake up and it’s over. That’s it. Done. What do you tell your guys? As a Coach you are supposed to make it better. We didn’t have time to even
really say good bye. That is what hurts. It’s impossible to tell your family that it’s over. But, we move on. We have have to do what is best for our community and country. We do what we do. We make the best of a bad situation. Cisco Baseball is about family and community. Our guys understand the bigger picture and will act accordingly.
This was just a test, a bump in the road that they will overcome. Bottom line is they got to do something a lot of people don’t get to do. They got to be a part of a family that had a dream to be great. It got cut short, but they got to taste what it’s like to be a part of a group that loved each other. They will be better for it.
Prickett: ‘Hardest Thing in 20 Years of Coaching’ By JOEL PRICKETT Head Softball Coach
As a head coach of a sport that was right in the middle of the season, the recent cancellation of our season was nothing short of heartbreaking for so many reasons. It was heartbreaking from the point of working with a group of young women for seven months, and with the sophomores for a year and a half, and finally reaching the point in the year that really matters. The point that all your goals were established around. The reason for the early mornings, the blood, sweat, and tears. That was incredibly tough to swallow. And telling a group of seven sophomores, that you have known for almost 2 years if not longer, that their season is over and that their junior college career is over was one of the hardest things to do in
‘The great thing about sports in general is how it models life. Wake up, reflect, put your pants on and get back in the game.’ 20 years of coaching. Not getting to honor them at their last home game, not getting to cut up and laugh and teach and pray with them every day at practice makes your heart hurt...for you and for them. So how do you deal with it? The great thing about sports in general is how it models life. What do you do after you lose a game? Wake up, reflect,
COACH PRICKETT put your pants on and get back in the game. You try to be better, learn from it and work harder. What do you do after a loss of a loved one or a job or a divorce? You wake up, reflect, put your pants on and get back in the game of life. You try to be better...love harder, learn the lesson
God may be teaching you in that moment, knowing God is always in control. I’m not comparing sports to death or divorce, that’s my reasoning for saying it “models” life. I often tell our girls when they are getting too uptight or taking themselves too seriously that “we aren’t curing cancer here...we are playing a game...a great game.” One of the few “negatives” that comes with coaching is that you have to say goodbye to some amazing young people every May. It is by far my least favorite time of the year. Some you will stay in touch with, go to weddings, even hire them as your assistant. Some you literally may never see again. After years you come up with your own process of dealing with good-bye. The biggest difference this year is it wasn’t on our terms...and as a head coach, I like everything to be on my terms.
APRIL 23, 2020
WRANGLER EXPRESS
Fall Football Facing Uncertainties
By RYAN TAYLOR Head Football Coach
For football, this time of year is our off-season. We are focused on academics and maintaining good conditioning and weight training. On the academic side of things, switching everything to all online learning has been a smooth transition for the most part. Our biggest challenge: we have student- athletes from all over the country, and finding a good internet connection is not always a given. But they are finding a way to get it done the best they can. We have been communicating with our student-athletes through a couple types of communication outlets geared toward mass quantities of people at one time. Group chats such as “GroupMe,” and live group videos with Facetime and Zoom. Luckily, 2020 has technologies that can allow this such
thing, making communication easily done. We are trying to stay ahead of the curve by recommending “at home” workouts to complete daily as well. This is the biggest challenge we are facing at the time, because the game of football requires peak physical performance all year long, especially with our most gains made at this time of the year. Missing the weight room sessions is vital, and being creative in the “at home” workouts is very difficult to replace. With the future unclear on the start time of the 2020 football season, we are treating it as if we are starting at the regular time of year to be mentally ready for the upcoming fall. But if precautions aren’t met head on throughout the country, we might not
Basketball Head Coach Amber Taylor: Our season had just completed prior to the announcement of the Corona virus outbreak, so we were more fortunate than the spring sports. However, with the dorms closing and our students moving home for the semester, academics, recruiting, and off-season workouts have been affected. We have to trust that our student-athletes are staying on top of their academics and online instruction. I try to check in with our players on a weekly basis to ensure academics are a main focus while at home, which is far different from having them on campus where we can do a daily check. As coaches, we always try to use different occurrences throughout our seasons as learning tools for our students. I’m not sure any of us were ready for the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have tried to use it as a learning tool for life and if we can overcome this, we
can overcome a lot that life will throw at us. I have been impressed watching how our student-athletes have navigated through this change to their collegiate careers and know this has only made them a stronger person. It was sad having to say goodbye from afar (maintaining 6-feet social distancing) to a team who has become family in the past year, especially to those sophomores who have been with us for 2 years. The quick lack of goodbye to them was the hardest part for our team; but we all know it was for the best, and our student-athletes’ and their families’ safety is what is the most important. We must do our part to stop the spread of this virus. We had 3 players finish with postseason accolades. Arriana Manzay, Jordan Walker, and Taylor Phouangaphayvong all received All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Soccer Head Coach Brandon McGibney: This is a challenging time for everyone. What we as a team are doing is choosing to make the most of it. We have worked diligently to improve physically and mentally since our conclusive game in the Region V Tournament Semifinal. We have grown in strength, in speed, in competitive nature, but most importantly as people. The commitment our team has displayed over the last few months since our season ended is
tremendous. We were scheduled to compete on a few different occasions once we returned from spring break, granting us an opportunity to show the growth we’ve had, on the field. Even though we won’t get those opportunities, it does not take away from the progress that we made. To our sophomores, I can’t thank you enough for sticking with the program through the coaching change.
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have a football season this fall if the Covid-19 doesn’t appear handled. We cannot ask the student-athletes around the country to participate in athletics, if they aren’t able to live on campus. For the spring sports, which their season was put to an extreme halt...I cannot imagine the feelings on how it all ended were... you work all year long for just a few guaranteed days of competition...and for it all to be done so quickly is heartbreaking. It appears the NCAA and NJCAA are getting the process somewhat right, by voting that the spring sports keep another year of eligibility from this crisis. But there are so many other bridges to cross before this is done. I’m looking forward to seeing this get better, and having that first team meeting again with all the team together.
Volleyball Head Coach Susan Moore: As far as Volleyball, we got to complete our season unlike the spring sports. That would be very hard as Coach Prickett mentioned. This has been a new life experience for all of us. The volleyball team has been given home workouts and obviously they have classes to complete. It is good to hear from them and what all they are doing. It is a challenge that all students are having to step up to. I think for the most part, all are very positive about it, even though they miss being here and seeing all the teammates and friends in person. This just might be a wake-up call for all of us, not just student athletes. To appreciate all the opportunities that we are given and be thankful. I know that it is hard that the sophomores are not going through a graduation ceremony, but hopefully we and their family can come up with something to acknowledge their success! These times will show what we are all made of.... Think about others, help those in need, set new goals, keep moving forward and know we are loved by God. We are celebrating Easter and the new life we are given if we choose it. I hope everyone will choose it and live to the fullest and be grateful for it. Be patient with others and yourself.
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WRANGLER EXPRESS
APRIL 23, 2020
Covid-19 Brings Rodeo Season to End By AVERY WEATHERMAN Cisco College Rodeo Intern
The Cisco College rodeo season was cut short during the spring semester due to COVID-19. Nevertheless, the Wranglers had a remarkable fall semester of competition. The 2019-2020 rodeo season started off in Portales, New Mexico. The following athletes left Portales with points on the leaderboard for Jason Smith, who placed fifth in the tie down; Pacean DeLeeuw, who placed seventh in the tie down; Delani Wood, who placed sixth in the breakaway. Winsten McGraw placed fifth in the steer wrestling. Faith John placed sixth in the goat tying. Garret Baldwin comes home with a fifth place in the team roping, and Coy Rahlmann closed out the rodeo with a seventh- place finish in the team roping. The next rodeo in line for the fall season took place in Alpine, Texas. The Sul Ross-hosted event ended with a reserve champion men’s team, while the women’s team brought home a sixth-place overall finish. The following cowboys and cowgirls came back to Cisco with a few more points on the leaderboard. Reed Boos finished sixth in the tie down. Quade Hiatt was the reserve champion steer wrestler, finished tenth in the calf roping, and was the all around cowboy. Nevertheless, Winsten McGraw placed fifth in the steer wrestling. Coy Rahlmann, and Clay Futrell dominated the team roping with a first-place finish. Delani Wood closed the weekend out with a fifth place in the breakaway, and Alexandria Cawthon walked away from the SRSU rodeo being the champion goat tier. The season continued in Vernon, Texas, where Reed Boos finished third in men’s all around, reserve champion tie down roper and seventh place in the team roping. Winsten McGraw left
‘It is really devastating to watch the rodeo season come to an end so abruptly. These kids work all year to get their shot at the college finals. While the situation is sad for a lot of these kids, the NIRA is granting another year of eligibility which I think is great for these kids.’ Head Coach, Don Eddleman
Vernon with a fifth-place finish in the steer wrestling. Garrett Baldwin placed third in the team roping. Cassidy Clark and Delani Wood split ninth and tenth in the breakaway. Alexandria Cawthon ended the weekend with seventh place in the goat tying. Next on the map was Canadian, Texas. Reed Boos dominated the weekend as the champion men’s allaround cowboy. Boos sealed the deal as he walked away the champion tie down roper and placed fifth in the team roping. Lastly for the fall rodeo season, Cisco College athletes made their way to Texas Tech University. Quade Hiatt finished the weekend with a seventh-place finish in the tie down. Pacean Deleeuw ended the weekend
placing fifth in the steer wrestling. True Lacina was the champion team roper; Will Eddleman trailed closely with a fourth-place finish; Wyatt Bray followed with a ninth-place finish; and Whit Kitchens placed tenth. Delani Wood ended the weekend placing third in the barrel racing. The spring season started in Odessa. Unbeknownst to the athletes, Odessa would be the last college rodeo for the season. In spite of everything, the athletes had a phenomenal finish to the season. Pacean DeLeeuw finished the season with a fourth-place finish in the steer wrestling, Winsten McGraw followed placing eighth, and Will Eddleman finished the steer wrestling with ninth place. Wyatt Bray took home
the champion team roping title at Odessa. Boos placed sixth and Lacina followed in seventh to close out the team roping. Faith Ross ended the season placing as the reserve champion barrel racer at the Odessa College rodeo. Despite the rodeo season being stopped short, Boos finished the season as the reserve champion calf roper. Futrell finished the 20192020 season in the third-place seat in the team roping (heeler), as well as Coy Rahlmann ending the season in fourth (header). Unfortunately, due to unpresented circumstances, these three athletes will not get the opportunity to compete for a national title. EDITOR’S NOTE: The writer Avery Weatherman is an intern with the Cisco College Rodeo Team. She is currently attending school at Tarleton State University where she will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications. She has future plans of obtaining her MBA. In 2015 Avery was a state and national champion in the NHSRA, and she spends her free time going to barrel races.
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‘Almost, Maine’ Cast Heartbroken At Cancellation of Spring Show By PAETRA DAVIS Wrangler Express Theatre Editor The Cisco College Theatre Department was working on a loving play called “Almost, Maine.” The play was supposed to debut on March 27. However, the Covid-19 virus canceled the play altogether. Theater director Hope Hargrove and the participants were devastated by the cancellation. Hargrove never expected the last words to her students would be her last words to them for the semester. “I told everyone to make sure they were washing their hands and to be safe.” She sent her students home for Spring Break with a kind warning to stay clean and safe. She never would have thought those words would be literal before the pandemic of Covid-19. She never would have thought to have left “the world of Almost,” she says. “The show is near and dear to my heart in so many ways.” She says how much she has a connection to each one of the
characters in the script. “Anyone who would have been able to see the show would have felt the love and passion each theatre student possesses,” she said as she described how much work the students had put into the production. Although it is a heartbreaking end for the loving and heartwarming show, Hargrove understands the necessary steps the board had to make to keep the students safe. She believes that everyone is not alone in this hard time.“While again, we are all living in an inconceivable time, I know that we are not alone in our feelings” she said. Another student participating in “Almost, Maine,” Jackie Antu, showed her remorse for having to cancel. “Despite having to cancel the show that had been going really well and the whole cast was very excited to perform, I think it’s safe to say everyone who is a part of the Crawford Theatre company hopes everyone is safe and healthy, and we can’t wait to perform again in the fall.”
HOPE HARGROVE Crawford Theatre Director
Music Festival Cancellation Affects Band Recruitment By SURI ALVARADO Wrangler Express Band Editor The band program here at Cisco College had some events scheduled for the 2020 Spring semester. Due to the COVID-19, the Cisco College Wrangler band’s events all had to be cancelled. The director of the Cisco College Wrangler band is Manny Martinez. He gave his perspective on how the band has been affected throughout this situation. Band students were very heartbroken upon receiving the news that they would not be able to return. The band had been working on music for their spring concert since the beginning of the semester. “As far as the music, the lack of completing the spring semester music and concert is a great disappointment,” he said. “This group of students has been a tremendous band all year and
MANUEL MARTINEZ Cisco College Band Director I’m so disappointed we were not able to finish with a bang.” The band is full of students who have become close to each other over the past semester. According to Martinez , “The biggest loss is the lack of togetherness the program provides to the college experience.” The first event that the Cisco College band had planned was their annual music festival.
This festival would have taken place March 18 and 19. According to Martinez, “Due to the COVID-19 virus, the Cisco Music Festival was cancelled for the first time in recent memory.” This event is an important event for the band. “This has been our biggest recruiting and fundraising activity, and I won’t know the results until next fall.” The music festival also gives bands from around the area a chance to prepare before going to contest in the spring. This year these events were also cancelled due to the COVID-19. The size of the band next fall is unknown at the moment. Recruiting has had to be put on hold at the moment due these circumstances. “With all schools currently in our situation, recruiting is non-existent for now.” Manny Martinez is doing what he can to make sure that these prospective students are able to receive information for next fall.
“ I am in contact with directors looking for opportunities to make contact with prospects, but until the schools return, if they do, it will indeed be difficult.” However, “I feel things will be moving forward,” Martinez says. As this is the spring semester, this also means that several students will be leaving the program. “I wish all of you guys moving on the best in your endeavors and for those returning (virus excluded!), I look forward to beginning another great year in the Fall.” He wished all the best for his band students who will be moving on from Cisco College. And he is ready for next semester to see those returning along with the news students.
APRIL 23, 2020
WRANGLER EXPRESS
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They Cheer us on in Good Times and Bad Top row from left: Cassidy Watkins, Laynie Stewart, Ryleigh Bloom, Laura Leigh Freeman, Hailey Odom. Bottom row from left: Erin Price, Clara Holaday, Ella Galyean, Skyler Croft, Keigan Nichols, Jakaria Thomas, Kailey Dickson.
The Belles Danced as Long as They Could Top row from left: Astrid Lomas, Cassandra Blanton, Kendall Bradley, Amanda Phillips, Taytum Carlson, Jordan Walker, Kaylie Smith, Moriah Carrizales, Kennedy Carrillo. Bottom row from left: Danielle Duffy Olivia Byatt, Laci Blanton, Mrs. Debbie Baker (director), Celeste Powell, Kinzie O’Connor, Dalli Albus.