The Eagle - Issue 2, Fall 2016

The Eagle Northeast Texas Community College

Volume 34, Issue 2

ntcceagleonline.com

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Conference encourages student success

By Iesha Fluellen, Daniel Yanez Layout and Design Editor, EIC Northeast Texas Community College recently held its 2nd Annual Available and Able Leadership Conference.

Throughout the event, keynote speakers shared the importance of having motivation when aiming for success as well as the meaning of being efficient in goal setting. Director of Student Activities and Multicultural Affairs, Rico Willis, who organizes the event each year, said the purpose of the event

is to provide students with resources and opportunities to develop into successful student leaders 365 days out of the year.

“Some students are available to serve, but may not be ready to lead others due to their lack of skills, knowledge, and unawareness in regards to resources,” said Willis. “On the other hand, there are students that are able, but not available because they don’t know how to manage their time. A student that stretches themselves too thin will continue to fall short of reaching their full potential as a leader.”

Guest speaker Justin Jones-Fosu, Chief Inspirational Officer of Justin Inspires, LLC, kicked off the event with an energetic approach. Jones-Fosu focused on the significance of student leaders discovering their “why” at an early stage and why it matters.

According to Jones, uniqueness is a key element in discovering one’s purpose, or “why,” an element that is inspired by personal passion and one that helps determines a person’s actions and goal setting agenda.

From his personal experience, Jones-

See Construction, pg. 2

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| iesha fluellen

Students take part in a leadership building exercise during the Leadership Conference.

Leaders of Promise

Above, A construction crew works on the roof of the new kitchen being built behind SUB 101.

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| daniel yanez

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Mendoza and McConnell

| mandy smith

Students named Construction continues across campus Coca-Cola scholars Below, Elizabeth Esquitin and Professor Sarah Spiker use the new student area for studying in humanities building.

By Jodi Weber Public Information Director

By Daniel Yanez Editor-in-Chief Despite some small setbacks the campus construction continues to toward the fall 2017 completion date. The physical transformation on the plaza is one of the physical aspects of the progress made in the campus renovations.

Construction in the Humanities building will wrap up as the finishing touches are applied to the new space. Humanities classrooms, bathroom facilities and faculty offices are fully operational as the new phase of construction prepares to move to another area of the Northeast campus. Other improvements across campus include the new sidewalks between the Whatley Center and IT/BT buildings, which are now open to student cross traffic. Landscaping on that side of the campus is also continuing.

All student services, financial aid advising has been relocated to the new multipurpose room, where the former Academic Skills Center was located in the Humanities building. The office move will be new to students as the main waiting area will operate from the north side of the building. Students seeking aid from student services can expect to be subject to faster services after the first few days of the transition.

Vice President for Student and Outreach Services, Josh Stewart, said the transition from the Administration Building to Humanities may pose an inconvenience to students when searching for someone from the administration department.

Students needing help from an adviser or financial aid will need to be patient in the process. Faculty in these departments that involve direct work with students will accommodate for assistance.

“It’ll be the same type set up, kind of a one stop center for

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| daniel yanez

the students to take care of nay of their advising or financial aid needs. I would anticipate we could have some services available Oct. 6, Oct. 7th for sure,” said Stewart. “The front of the operation will be on the north side of this building, that’ll take some getting used to from the students, to maybe come around this side but that’ll be the largest waiting area most comfortable for the students.”

By the beginning of the spring semester, advisers and financial aid should be back in the newly renovated student services building. The President’s Office, Advancement, Human Resources and Marketing will move to their new offices in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) late next week.

Several business offfice departments have already relocated to BT 113. Demolition in the Administration Building will start as soon as student services empties out and relocates to Humanities or the LRC. See Construction, pg. 2

Two Northeast Texas Community College sophomores have been named 2016 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Ryan-Rose Mendoza of Mount Pleasant and Dylan McConnell of Pittsburg were among only 200 students worldwide to receive this honor and a $1,000 scholarship.

The purpose of the CocaCola Leaders of Promise scholarship program is to provide new Phi Theta Kappa members with financial resources to help defray educational expenses while enrolled in a two-year college in order to develop leadership potential through participation in Society programs.

“I was so excited to hear that I received the CocaCola Leader of Promise scholarship. It is such an honor to know that I was

chosen from so many outstanding Phi Theta Kappa members,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza, of Mount Pleasant, is the current Vice President of Alpha Mu Chi, NTCC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. She is also an Honors Scholar in Honors Northeast, an officer in the Student Government Association (SGA) and Amigos Unidos and a staff writer for The Eagle student newspaper.

“Phi Theta Kappa is opening so many doors for me and my fellow members.

I am very honored to receive this award and I am looking forward to an amazing year with Alpha Mu Chi,” McConnell said.

McConnell, of Pittsburg, is the Vice President of Fundraising for Alpha Mu Chi and serves as Managing Editor of The Eagle. She is also an officer in SGA and Amigos Unidos.

This is the fourth consecutive year that NTCC has received at least one Coca-Cola Leader of Promise award.

NTCC tutoring program expands to offer more services

By Brandon Pettey Opinion Editor

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| jillian brooks

Writing Tutor Dawn Cunningham works with Eagle baseball player Hunter Thomas during one of the tutoring sessions in the college library. A list of all of the college’s tutors is located in the LRC.

helping with Calculus II. “What I am most proud of is the quality of the tutors I have hired. Not only their math Information has a tendency to disappear skills, but their character as well,” she said. from many students’ brains in between class There are strict requirements to become time and doing homework. At that point, a a math tutor at Northeast. A student must little outside help is needed, and that’s where have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a GPA tutoring comes in. of 3.5 in math courses. Additionally, students Northeast has expanded its tutoring must submit at least one letter of reference services to offer a variety of free options for from an NTCC math instructor. Morris said students who are looking for help outside of that applicants must be able to deal with the classroom. diverse student backgrounds and must be Two of the tutoring choices that have been dependable. She said that the tutors help the offered at NTCC for some time are writing students who come to them in multiple ways. and math. Writing help is available in the “The greatest benefit is the students’ better Learning Resource Center (LRC) and math grades in the math courses they are taking,” tutoring is located in MS 103. she said. “In addition, I think the students The math tutoring program is supervised by who come in for tutoring also gain more selfMarguerite G. Morris, NTCC math professor confidence in their math abilities, which helps and director of Developmental Education. increase their overall self-esteem.”

Morris said that the student tutors could assist Northeast also offers students an in all levels of math from Pre-Algebra to opportunity Calculus I including some who are capable of

See tutoring, pg. 3

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The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

October 6, 2016

News

Speakers inspire students Cont. from pg.1

hand that pulls you up.”

Networking and support are vital in Fosu expressed a time in his life where fulfilling leadership roles, when one lacks he wasn’t comfortable being himself. By mentorship, climbing up the success ladder focusing on personal goals, Jones-Fosu can be an obstacle. Often though, people and said one can become more motivated and students sabotage their own success. worry less about others’ opinions. In his According to Vital, the top four reasons presentation, Jones-Fosu also mentioned how students may not be successful include choices made now can affect the future. comparison, impatience, fear and pride.

“I was so busy impressing people who could Vital shared how people need to give it their not benefit me, but at one point, I realized I all in everything that they do. In a speech didn’t have to pretend to be something I’m with NTCC athletes the night before, Vital not,” said Jones- Fosu. “Don’t be just like discussed how goals need to be treated everyone. Be the only you.” like an injury or illness. “When something The leadership forum also featured speakers happens to us, we don’t say we’re going to Noah Griffin, Ahmard Vital get something done about it and Chaz Curtis. Vital, an in three weeks,” Vital said, author, speaker and sports “we do it immediately. That’s performance coach talked how you should treat your about the reasons students goals.” sabotage their own success, Furthermore, Vital while Curtis and Griffin, both shared his experience being former Northeast students, overweight at one point in his touched on leadership fame. life, but after he reached his Curtis, a member of “breaking point” he decided SGA, Brother Brother and to do something about it and a business major while was successful doing so only at NTCC, said he was with the help of his personal “spread to thin” at times in trainer. “You need someone his leadership roles. Time with you on that journey,” management, as a result, Vital said.

Ahmard Vital was a theme throughout his To conclude the event that time on the podium. Moved by his personal afternoon, Jones-Fosu returned to the stage to experience, Curtis incorporated how his share the importance of embracing diversity several responsibilities as a leader affected rather than fearing others’ differences. his personal life.

Interacting with the audience by asking “Leadership is not a job. It’s a calling,” said simple questions about the numerous forms Curtis as he explained how personal character of adversity that individuals endure, most and image is representative of individuals in students in the audience realized everyone any place or situation. “It’s not about what or faced something different from bullying to who you know,” said Curtis, “it’s about those prejudice. In his closing statements, Joneswho know you. People are always watching.” Fosu also mentioned how important it is to Throughout his experiences, however, understand one another in order to bring Curtis has been able to build a network of society closer together. people and relationships that have helped to “You become more trustworthy and those elevate him, one of the subjects that Griffin you are leading become more comfortable also mentioned. around you when they feel that you understand Griffin, a student of Music Business at and appreciate their uniqueness,” said Tana Dallas Baptist University and former student Wooten, president of the Pittsburg Student highly involved at NTCC through several Council. “Personally, I have the ability to student organizations including SGA and Phi see all different kinds of people who have all Theta Kappa, referenced people networks and different kinds of talents. One of the speakers trusting connections. hit on embracing those differences and that “Networking, helped me grow because I really stood out to me. It reminded me about met people, getting to talk to them I realized the importance of appreciating everyone’s there were things about them that helped me talents.” grow,” said Griffin. “Just talking to people Each year the Available and Able Leadership and seeing what they have to give you. If you Conference reaches into the minds of students actually take the time to talk to someone and on the Northeast campus, but is also influential know who they are, that’s going to be that as well as beneficial to educators and student

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| daniel yanez

From left, Jones-Fosu and Vital take time to visit with Mount Pleasant High School students following the Leadership conference. leaders from the surrounding area schools.

Bettie Stagg, the student council sponsor for Pittsburg High School, said the event was special in reviewing some of the topics she has discussed with her students.

“I was so glad that the keynote speakers addressed several of the issues I have been talking about with my students,” said Stagg, “Justin Jones-Fosu did an excellent job of getting the participants to understand that they had to address the “why” of their activities, not just keep doing the same thing over and over again. I also thought Noah Griffin addressed leaving a legacy well. I have been talking to my students about traditions and thinking ahead, but to hear it from someone closer to their age made an impact.”

Although these speakers may seem flawless in presenting this information to students, it is the personal experience that has helped them interpret the steps and roles of leadership to others.

“I wish I had these kind of things given to me when I was in high school and in college, where people where challenging me about what my why,” said Jones-Fosu. “I was so busy chasing what society thought was best for me that I missed out what authentic “why” was.”

Stagg said the event was informative and thorough in covering information which benefited her students as well as her. Stagg also mentioned the forum topics could apply to others as well.

“I thought the event was informative, educational, and covered a plethora of issues

that leaders need to know how to handle, as well as deal with on a regular basis. It occurred to me that I could use those ideas at times when I have student teachers,” said Stagg. “All in all, the day was very beneficial to my students, as well as myself. It was upbeat, kept the students’ attention, and gave them new ideas. We look forward to next year’s event.”

All together, Jones-Fosu, said one of the most important things is to talk to students at an early stage to help them identify their passions. He adds that activity doesn’t always mean productivity. Wasting time and effort on random things, minimizes productive results.

“Its important to talk to students early,” said Jones-Fosu. “Activity does not mean productivity. It’s a process that helps them think about it earlier. It maximizes the energy that you can give to something, it’s really important.”

The 365 leadership experience helps students assume their responsibilities and leadership roles within student organizations, clubs and the community at large. According to Willis, hosting the 2nd Annual Available and Able Leadership Conference has continued to allow Northeast to mold well rounded student leaders. Jones-Fosu, adds that his time here has made it purposeful to share his knowledge and experience.

“I look at myself like a seed planter,” said Jones-Fosu, “I’m here now so that’s why it’s important for me to share. I can’t change anybody, but I can impact people. That’s meaningful for me.”

| daniel yanez

Above, grass and plants are being added to the front of the campus.

Right, The Computer Services crew work to get line pulled for the computers moving into the new Student Services area in the Humanities building.

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| mandy smith

Construction moves forward with renovations to SUB Cont. from pg.1 “A project of this magnitude is going to continuously present challenges,” said Stewart. “It involves every area of our main campus here. When you have a large project there’s going to be things that have to be flexible and that involves students and faculty and the staff. We’re in constant contact with the construction company and project managers trying to adjust the best we can, depending on the information that we get from them.”

The next noticeable advancement will be seen in multiple areas including the new kitchen addition to the Student Union Building, the administration building and remodeling on the University and Health Science (UHS) space.

Renovations currently taking place in the UHS building include improvements and upgrades in the lab practical rooms that will replace the former dental hygiene practice facility.

Framing for the UHS lab area will take place after the flooring for the Anatomy & Physiology labs is complete. The overall construction in that zone of the Northeast campus can be expected to be completed by the end of October or first of November.

Construction crews are working on the finishing touches to some areas and starting new projects as well. However, one of the biggest moves at the moment is to complete the renovations in the SUB, a central hub where students not only eat and interact, but often spend time to participate in leisure activities.

“The big push right now is to finish the kitchen by the holiday period from now to December,” said WRL Superintendent, Kelly Norris, “we have to make it happen.”

Northeast President, Dr. Brad Johnson, said the ultimate design for the SUB is going to increase the capacity of the

dining room for more than 350 students. The expansion area is going to consist of a new kitchen in the space behind what is now SUB 101. Currently, the cafeteria has two sides, but with the new kitchen, the cooking and meal serving expanse will be combined into one area. The renovation of the space that is now SUB 101 will become the new servery where students will be able to purchase their meals and other a la carte items.

After the new kitchen is completed, the current kitchen area will be totally renovated into space for the College Store.

Stewart, says he is thrilled about the updates to the building.

“I couldn’t be more excited about it. That’s kind of a central hub for our student body,” said Stewart. “The student activity center and the game room area is really going to be an upgrade.

It’s going to be a great space for students to hang out, do some studying and eat.”

Especially pleased with the design for the all inclusive student space, Stewart says the blueprint for the SUB incorporates some important additions for the full-on college experience.

“The college store is moving over there, a more visible area, that’s something I always liked as a student,” said Stewart.

“There’s going to be some great seating to eat, but there’s also some good hangout space, it’s really going to be an all in one student space, with a really good mix of activities.”

Stewart also mentioned the expansion will improve the experience for students. The former game room will be turned into an area for Student Government Association (SGA) and student space. The “pit” will house a new game area and will feature more seating available for students to study and socialize with each other. Once the new kitchen is completed, there will be improvements to the traffic flow of the congested area during the lunchtime buzz of the day.

Upgrades in furniture and furnishings will also provide a fresh

new atmosphere for the space.

Though the weather has been cooperative, construction crews have faced challenges nonetheless. An obstacle that students will encounter is when work picks up in the SUB, one of the most frequented sites on campus, will be during periods when certain sections of the building are closed off. Some of the transformations that will evoke disruptions that students should be aware of and ready to encounter will be changes to the entrances to the SUB. Kelly explains the south entryway will be shut down when renovations climax near the vicinity of SUB 101. Once work is completed in that area, the same approach will follow with the north doorway. In the midst of this, Kelly also mentioned students will experience a smaller dining area prior to completion of the operation in the Student Union Building.

Above all, he said the entire project has carried on nicely.

“It’s going good, it’s been a challenge no doubt,” said Kelly.

“The logistics of everything you know, we’re flip-flopping everything, and one thing has to happen before something else happens. That’s just the challenging phase of remodeling.”

Stewart says the management of the project has been well executed by the construction company and project managers.

“The construction crew and construction company and project managers have done a great job handling the challenges that they’ve faced,” said Stewart, referring to the progress and scope of the campus-wide project.

Overcoming the obstacles faced by students, faculty and crew workers, is necessary in a scene like this, but being able to adapt as Kelly explains is also important.

It’s just something we have to work around,” said Kelly, “The college has been great about telling students what to expect. Sometimes it doesn’t quite work out but they figure it out pretty quick and adapt to what’s there.

October, 6 2016

The Eagle

Page 3

Northeast Texas Community College

News

Celebrating the cultures of Northeast

By Jasias Wilkerson Staff Writer

The show begins with energetic music and the audience begins to clap as the first NTCC student Kiaaron Younger starts to walk the stage.

Not pressured, a former sports player with experience in front of people and eyes always on him, Younger models across the stage for the fashion show during Multicultural Week. The room was filled with joy and excitement as student spectators walked into the Whatley Center for the fashion show.

Multicultural and Career Awareness Week is a yearly event that takes place during the fall semester at NTCC. Multicultural Week hosts a special event each day to highlight the different types of cultures and diversity, and aid students in different career pathways.

Northeast Director of Student Activities and Multicultural Affairs, Rico Willis, said celebrating Multicultural and Career Awareness Week gives the NTCC family a chance to unite in shaping the campus community.

“Multicultural awareness experiences give us a better understanding of the importance of appreciating other values and beliefs,” said Willis. “Having a respect for all the unique qualities that make us different creates a comfort zone within the campus community.”

Favorites including the fashion show and Taste of

NTCC are a few of the week’s highlights. Other popular events like the career fair, art displays, sport tournaments, and the Available and Able Leadership Conference, line the week with activities for students and faculty to take part in.

Willis, said, “Overall the fashion show was one of the best that we’ve had in a while.”

Due to construction in the Student Union Building, some of the events for Multicultural Week had to be relocated to the Whatley Center. “Because of the fashion show being in the Whatley Center everybody stepped up their game,” said Willis. The set design, which was much bigger and brighter than before, was created by the Northeast cosmetology crew.

“It was definitely fun to be in and fun watch,” said SGA member, Ketric Johnson, “not only because it looked nice but because of the display of various cultures in this melting pot.”

Nate Johnson BSM member and SGA Vice President also joined in and said, “it was a lot more people the it was last year and a lot more difference in terms of culture diversity”.

The week also featured a Career Fair that included employment opportunities from local employers, Pilgrim’s and Priefert Manufacturing as well as other smaller companies.

Other than local jobs, the fair also hosted regional recruiters from Jackson Hewitt, the Dallas Police

Above, One of the highlights of the Multicultural week was the Taste of NTCC. The college community was treated to a variety of cutural food and drinks.

Right, The Fashion Show, filled with clothing from around the world, also offered dances from the Hispanic culture.

Department, and many others. The main benefit for students is employment opportunity, but the job fair also offers students some insight into the application process and successful interview strategies.

One of the favorites during the week between students and faculty is always the food. Taste of NTCC is an event where different groups and organizations from NTCC gather with different recipes and a wide variety of foods representing regional and international cultures for spectators to sample.

Popular dishes included Mexican cuisine, southern b-b-q, homemade spaghetti,

gumbo and other homemade dishes. Alex Ortega, Student Success coach, says his mom’s Mexican food is something “she put her soul into.” The midweek event offers students a break and opportunity to try something new.

Another highlight of Multicultural and Career Awareness Week is the Able and Available Leadership Conference. The leadership forum features keynote speakers each with different backgrounds, knowledge and experience to share with others. A unique characteristic of this year’s conference was the number of students in attendance

at the event. Each year, the leadership conference welcomes students from the surrounding area schools as well as current NTCC students.

Other notable happenings during the week included art displays by students from the Pittsburg High School art department under the instruction of Seth Hudson. Bollywood movie night presented, “Bride and Prejudice,” a 2004 BritishAmerica-Indian romantic drama film directed by Gurinder Chadha. The film, introduced the audience to Hindi cinema and film industry. Thursday night, a ping-pong tournament also

staff photos| daniel yanez

headlined a popular sport and common pastime activity in other countries.

Rico Willis, Alex Ortega, Dr. Winston McCowan, Jim Swann, Carmen Shurtleff all serve on the Multicultural Advisory Committee.

Together, the team plans the week’s events and work towards the common goal of welcoming and embracing the spectacular cultural diversity within the Northeast campus and community.

“For many of us, Northeast Texas Community College is our home away from home,” said Willis. At the end of the day, it feels good knowing that we are in a place where we know we belong.”

Theatre Northeast to perform first play of the year

By Brianna Stacks Managing Editor

Theatre Northeast is preparing for the first play of the season under new director Martin Holden. With this year being the 25th anniversary of the Whatley Center, Holden wanted to choose a play that held significance to the event. The Boys Next Door, by Tom Griffin, was the first play performed in the Whatley Center and is a play Holden has a connection with.

“I was in the first Theatre Northeast production of The Boys Next Door in 1991, I played Jack Palmer, the boy’s caretaker,” Holden said. “As a student, it was a great experience for me. And now, as the show’s director, I’m pleased to be sharing the play with a new generation of student actors.”

The Boys Next Door follows the lives of four mentally handicapped men who live together under the supervision of a social worker named Jack Palmer. Growing weary of his job, Palmer realizes that the four men are never going to understand the concepts of a normal life due to their disabilities.

Norman Bulansky is a simple minded doughnut shop worker that will never be able to carry life’s responsibilities; Lucien P. Smith has the mind of a five-year-old, but still strives to be the man he could have been; Arnold Wiggins is a hyperactive, compulsive talker, who suffers insecurity and nervousness; while Barry is a schizophrenic who is devastated by his past.

Theatre student Alyssa Saunders and Theatre Director Martin Holden go over lines for the upcoming play The Boys Next Door. The play celebrates 25 years for the Whatley.

In two acts, an audience can see through the lives of the handicapped, who like the rest of us, want to live life to the fullest through its vast pleasures. With the comical, heartwarming, and dismal scenes, The Boys Next Door sheds light on the mentally challenged who struggle to fit into today’s time.

The cast for this production includes Francisco Arroyo as Arnold Wiggins, Aaron

Tutors making a difference Cont. from pg. 1

to work with tutors to improve their writing skills. English Professor Dr. Melinda Bobbitt oversees the writing tutors, who work through the QEP WriteSmart program, which focuses on improving writing and critical thinking skills.

Due to the construction, the writing tutors are currently located in the LRC throughout the day Monday through Thursday.

“The writing tutors in the LRC have been busy this semester. It is a great service and it’s provided for free to our students” LRC Director Ron Bowden said. He added that “the tutors are friendly, well informed and easy to work with. We feel it is a need and we are happy to offer a space for peer-to-peer

tutoring to occur.”

There are currently four student writing tutors, two of which are bilingual. In order to qualify to be a writing tutor, students must have completed English 1302, preferably with a high grade in the course.

Bobbitt said the tutors go through an extensive training process that teaches them to help students in various aspects of their writing.

“Tutors learn ways to help students focus ideas, they show errors, but do not correct them. We are not an editing service,” Bobbitt said. “Think of WriteSmart as a place to exchange ideas, discuss possibilities and have errors pointed out.”

She said the critical thinking component of the program makes it much more effective.

“Students benefit from student tutoring in many ways. Within WriteSmart, our tutors ask questions. We ask the “Elements of Thought”, there are 8, and have students thinking about them,” Bobbitt said. “Thinking is relevant to everything. The more we think, the more we do. As our students develop these necessary skills, they will become better students.

Better students will become more successful.”

Erik David Gaytan Fernandez is one of the bilingual writing tutors. Gaytan Fernandez, who is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, said that his personal struggle to learn English has helped him to become a better tutor.

“When I was in need, I didn’t have any help. Being an ESL student, I struggled

Franks as Norman Bulansky, Nathan Johnson as Lucien P. Smith, David Hullett as Barry Klemper, Ben Ruland as Jack Palmer, Alyssa Saunders as Sheila, and Chad Kennedy as Mr. Klemper. With a cast filled with NTCC theatre students, Holden is eagerly anticipating working with his new students, “I’m extremely excited to have The Boys Next Door as my first production at Theatre with the language and my homework,” he said. “The main reason I tutor is just to help others because that’s what I would have liked to have had back then.”

Gaytan Fernandez said that his background gives him a unique ability to help students whose first language isn’t English.

“I actually understand the different backgrounds of someone who is bilingual,” he said. “Being bilingual helps me understand what they’re trying to say if their English isn’t so good.”

Gaytan Fernandez is also the first student working in a new dorm tutoring program instituted this fall by Northeast Housing Director Scott Wilhite. Gaytan Fernandez offers writing assistance to students who live in the dorms at various times throughout the week.

Wilhite said he hopes to grow the program and is currently looking for dorm

Northeast,” Holden said. “I’m continually amazed at the talent and enthusiasm the cast has shown. Every member of the ensemble has approached the production with dedication and a great attitude.”

Northeast theatre major, Aaron Franks, sees more than just his first college play, he sees a message, “I am actually looking forward to people seeing into the minds of the handicapped and coming to find out that we are really not that different,” said Franks.

“And it is the simple things in life that they understand the most. I am happy that Holden chose this play to be his first, and I am very excited to be a part of it.”

Holden shares the same view and enthusiasm with his student about the upcoming play. “If the student actors come to the end of this process having learned something positive about theatre, their talents, perhaps learned something about life, then this will have been time well-spent,” Holden sad. “For the audience; my hope is they are able to connect with the characters and the story and it will be an enjoyable evening in the Whatley Center.

If we can do that, then The Boys Next Door will have been a success.”

Performances for The Boys Next Door will be at the Whatley Center on Oct. 27, 28, and 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 30 at 2:05 p.m.

Tickets will be $10 for adults, $7 for ages 17 and under, $5 for Sr. Citizens and NTCC Faculty and Staff, and free to NTCC students with current ID. For more information, contact the Whatley Box Office at 903-434-8181.

residents able to help students in math and science. He said he hopes the tutoring will help improve the overall experience of living on campus.

“The end result is for students to take advantage of residential life and that includes getting tutoring,” Wilhite said.

This semester the newly formed Student Success Services Program (SSSP) has implemented Supplemental Instruction (SI) tutoring.

Student Success was funded by a $2.6 million Title V grant. The SI program offers in tutoring services in history, intro to psychology, college algebra, calculus, anatomy and physiology and advanced physics.

Advanced physics students are required to participate in at least two hours of SI as part of their course grade. Student Success program director Erika Garza said the effects of the SI program are already

being felt.

“I have received great feedback from students attending SI sessions,” Garza said. “Students have been provided with study tips, worksheets and notes from our SI leaders.

Physics Professor Dr. Mark Bouwens said the program has helped students develop relationships with others and succeed on tests.

“With the SI program, students formed study partner bonds within the first two weeks,” he said.

“The results of the first test were significantly higher than any advanced physics I course I have had at NTCC. Bouwens said he is hopeful that the SI program will have a long-term impact. “I am extremely encouraged by the early results of the SI program here at NTCC,” he said. “I am confident that the program will have a longterm positive effect on my students’ academic success.”

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The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

October 6, 2016

Feature

Spontaneous Trips -Dior Mbengue-

Above, Mbengue visited Disney Paris during her travels this summer. She also visited Africa and spent time with a friend who runs a charity in the country. Above right, she hangs out with her cousin, Karina, left, and her friend Josephine in Dakar, West Africa.

By Dior Mbengue Featured Writer

Have you ever had an urge to see the world? Maybe a desire to taste new things and experience different cultures? Well, that’s the exact spontaneous urge I got this summer when I decided to pack my things and travel to Paris, Toulouse and Dakar.

Leaving two weeks after final exams, I had everything packed and ready for my arrival at Charles De Gaulle airport. After seven hours, I landed with more energy than I have ever had from an international flight.

After going through the airport customs and retrieving my baggage, I finally set out into my journey.

Being the adventurous person I am, I told my mom not to arrange a cab for me that I would take the metros

and trams to get around the city.

After about two and a half hours of hauling my bags in the streets of Paris for what should have been a 45-minute transit, I arrived in the 18th arrondissment of Paris.

It was amazing, and even though the weather wasn’t perfect, I still witnessed an amazingly different culture. Especially in gastronomy, from Greek sandwiches to samurai sauce and even Mojito-flavored sprite! I visited the beautiful Eiffel Tower, and even met some international students studying in Paris. After about a month of shopping, eating and visiting, I decided to travel south of France.

I arrived at Toulouse around 11p.m. after a nine-hour bus ride.

The city, which is about a fifty-45minute train ride from Barcelona, had an extreme Spanish flare to it. It

was much warmer than Paris. It also had less people and most of them looked much like me: a tourist. My initial reaction was “Wow, this is much cleaner than Paris…”, then I thought of the exchange of cultures from Spain and Toulouse. Just from walking the streets and looking at the architecture, you could tell the difference from the capital of Paris.

After a week there my cousin and I headed back to Paris, and I prepared for my trip to Dakar.

Three days later I took a flight to Dakar. After about five hours, I arrived. This time I had my uncle pick me up and take me to my grandmother’s house about 20 minutes away. It was beautiful, the sun was beaming; people were out walking; it was an amazing sight to see. After settling in, I visited a friend of mine who has a charity for

children called the Talibe.

They are orphaned, beggar children who don’t have the most fortunate life. I did some volunteering with them and it really made me grateful for the things I have and what I usually take for granted. These children go from home to home after lunch collecting leftovers and putting them in a tomato paste can to eat later. It was astonishing. I am very glad to have met some of these children so full of life, even though they are dealing against some of the harshest things in life.

From this experience I have gained lifelong friendships and knowledge.

I love each and every place I visited, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. I hope every person gets the spontaneous urge that I got and successfully fulfills that desire.

New Plant Services director plants his seed

By Kenzie Messer Staff Writer The sun beamed down on Northeast’s new plant services director Tom Ramler this past summer as he began planting his first garden of the season.

As he tilled up the land across from his office on the NTCC campus, he looked around and noticed that there were only a few trees. He also saw that there was a lot of space to plant more.

Intrigued, he rushed to his bike, rode it across the street to his office, and immediately, began researching what he needed to do in order to make the campus even greener.

After many years of Tim Johnston serving as the director of plant services, Northeast Texas Community College named Ramler as the new plant services director for the 2016 fall semester.

Ramler has had many years of experience working in the maintenance and plant services department at four different schools.

While employed in these different positions over the years, Ramler became inspired to do everything he could to make the environment around him a little greener.

“I would not call myself a greenie in the traditional, radical sense that everything that comes out of the pipeline is the right thing to do,” Ramler said. “I think it has to be balanced with common sense, good business, principles, but I absolutely think that we should leave things the way we found them. It’s not just the eco-friendly piece, but more of a life commitment that I hope that I would leave to my son and his family, a legacy of a better place than I found it.” staff photo|daniel yanez Ramler enjoys gardening and Ramler with his usual mode of transportation around campus, his signiture bike. The planting, so he is enthusiastic about new plant services director uses the bike to make his way across campus in his new role. the new landscaping being added to Ramler is looking for ways to bring several greener ideas to the campus community. the NTCC campus. When the spring season comes around, Ramler said he plans to plant more flowers across the and it needs to be attractive, so that you could getting a first-rate education, so you need a campus. be proud to be here, instead of it being second first-rate facility. You can go with your head “The campus needs to be green and clean, rate, because it’s not,” Ramler said. “You’re up and be proud to be here.”

When Ramler began working with the Agriculture Department, he began searching for grant opportunities and sending them NTCC Agriculture Director Rene McCracken. He informed them of a ten-thousand-dollar grant opportunity that the Ag Department was later awarded. He hopes to start a to start a neighborhood dairy with Ag where people from all over can come and learn how to safely raise, process, and sell milk “Tom came to us with a passion for sustainable agriculture,” McCracken said.

“We work together sharing equipment and labor and people, and it seems to be working really well. He helps me from a contractor side and a project manager side because I don’t have a head for that and he does. I come up with the ideas and he figures out if they’re going to work or not.”

Since much of the concrete that previously filled the campus plaza has been replaced with grass, a portion of the $19.9 million dollar bond that NTCC received for renovations will go toward upgrading the landscaping on campus.

Members of the campus community are already taking note and enjoying the greener look of the grounds.

“The landscaping is definitely a lot prettier than what is was last year,” sophomore Stephanie Garcia said. “It adds more color to the campus and makes it seem more inviting.

I’m really excited to see what it’s going to look like when it’s finished and throughout the different seasons. Especially in the spring when all the flowers are blooming, and the fall when all the leaves are changing.”

While Ramler maintains the duty of Plant Services director, he said he is also looking for opportunities to work with other departments on campus and influence them to become more eco-friendly.

Along with working with the Ag department, Ramler is also working with the Carroll Shelby Program to get the old cars recycled.

“I think the biggest piece for me is that we really need to work together and look for opportunities where we could coordinate,” Ramler said. “I think that sometimes we get so focused on our little worlds that we forget the bigger picture, and we miss opportunities for networking with other departments on campus.”

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The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

October 6, 2016

Feature

courtesy photo

Above, Van-Fleet’s car was totally destroyed in the accident that happened just a few hundred yards from the college campus.

Right, Despite the fact that she suffered a broken femur, a broken hand and a broken cheek bone, Van-Fleet was back on campus within a week of the accident. She said she was determined to come back to NTCC. “I saw how much I could get this done. It would be hard, but not impossible,” she said. “I want to finish something that I start. I didn’t want this bad thing that happened to me affect my life.”

staff photo|jillian brooks

Student moves forward despite tragic accident

By Holly McGonagill Entertainment Editor

Fire fighters worked continuously cutting the door off the driver side of a 2013 Buick Verano.

Stuck inside was Hannah Van-Vleet, an 18-yearold cosmetology student who was on her way home to Sulphur Springs for the day.

Ambulances and Paramedics surrounded the scene to help the two involved in the head-on collision.

Shaken and confused by the accident, the driver of a 2001 Dodge Ram Dually sat outside the flipped over vehicle.

“When I saw him coming towards me all I could think was, ‘oh no we are going to hit,’” said Van-Vleet. “My body just shut down before he hit me. I passed out and woke up 10 to 15 minutes later to fire fighters and paramedics at the scene.”

After Van-Vleet was pulled from the car, she was air-lifted to Trinity Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler, TX where doctors found a fractured femur and broken hand.

She now has a metal rod in her left leg along with a metal plate with six screws in her left arm. Van-vleet also suffered from a broken left Orbital bone and a black eye after the wreck.

Kamron Kelley, a fellow cosmetology student, was driving in front of Van-Vleet when the collision happened

and witnessed in her rearview mirror the severity of the situation.

“When I saw what happened my vision just went blurry,” said Kelley. “I saw her orange scrub shirt in the car and was scared for Hannah. I did not know if she was okay.”

Kelley reported to have witnessed the Dodge truck hit VanVleet’s car, flip over and slide to the side of the road.

“Things were flying everywhere from the back of the man’s truck,” said Kelley. “The impact caused Hannah’s car to slide sideways into the ditch. It was terrible.”

Allie Drinkwine, a complete stranger to Van-Vleet, was driving in front of Van-Vleet and witnessed the wreck from her rearview mirror. Drinkwine was one of the first to respond.

“I was talking to the 911 operator asking questions of what I should do. I kept thinking please do not be dead,” said Drinkwine.

“All I could do was stay with her until the ambulance got there.

When Hannah woke up, her first request was for Kamron and me to call her mom.”

While hospitalized, Van-Vleet underwent surgery on her hand and leg. During this time, she was so determined to return to school, that she only missed a week of classes.

To help her catch up on lessons, the

cosmetology class video chatted with Van-Vleet and set it up so she could hear the lessons.

Hannah knew that she wasn’t going to let the accident stop her from returning to class.

“I had hours to make up”, said Van-Vleet, “I didn’t want what happened to make me fall behind.”

She showed up to her cosmetology classes spending four days in a wheelchair before changing over to a walker.

After two weeks VanVleet was finally able to use a crutch instead of a walker.

“When Hannah came back to class, I was so happy to see how determined and strong she was,” said Debbie Lovelady, Northeast Cosmetology Instructor.

“She was not about to let anything stop her, and even though she had to be pushed around in a wheelchair with a broken leg and broken hand, she was steadily trying to learn to hold the shears so she could participate the haircut we were doing that day.”

Unable to drive for six weeks, Hannah has been depending on her mother, boyfriend and Drinkwine to drive her to and from school.

Drinkwine, who brought Van-Vleet’s bag and purse to the hospital, left contact information for Van-Vleet to contact her and has become close friends with VanVleet.

“This occurrence has

made us close”, said Van-Vleet. “We did not know each other before, but on the fourth night after the wreck we were texting each other and adding each other on Facebook. Come to find out we have mutual friends.”

Over these past few weeks the cosmetology family has come together to help VanVleet with her needs.

“The cosmetology students always come together in a way that I sometimes don’t understand,” said Lovelady, “by the end of the year, it is a real sister and brotherhood of family. Hannah caused this to happen from the first week of school.

The focus went from ‘I don’t know anyone, and I’m a little unsure about this,’ to bonding together to form a quick support unit. It was like, ‘Hey- we are here for you Hannah, whatever you need, we will help you.’”

Facing adversity, VanVleet has worked hard to continue her lessons to earn her cosmetology license. She has faced mobility obstacles and has had to cut hair with one hand.

“The biggest obstacle I have faced is not being able to move around easily,” said Van-Vleet.

“Since I started physical therapy and moved over to a crutch, walking has become a lot easier. The wreck has made me more grateful of life and all the little things.”

Van-Vleet could have

courtesy photo

Van-Fleet gives a thumbs up in the hospital emergency room. She was care-flighted from the scene of the accident, just a few hundred yards from the NTCC main entrance.

easily been discouraged and gave up her goal of becoming a cosmetologist for the time being.

But she didn’t, instead she has endured the pain and obstacles in order to gather hours toward her cosmetology license and work closer to her goal.

“Hannah is that student who is beautiful inside and out. I have had some of the best students ever here at NTCC, and it is students like Hannah, that make me realize that everyone has their niche in this world,” said Lovelady.

“Hannah has to be in pain, and yet, she comes to school every day, and stays until I dismiss.

Even though, she has staples and stitches, and metal plates and rods, she never ever complains. She is back at her station practicing with her implements and tools, working on her mannequin.”

In the midst of this reality for Hannah VanVleet, Northeast has become a home for her.

With her determination and help from her family, friends and peers, she has been able to overcome the obstacles she’s faced by far.

One of the moments that highlights Northeast’s help says Hannah, is the letter she received from NTCC President, Dr. Brad Johnson, welcoming her back.

“The letter and everyone’s support showed me what a wonderful place NTCC is,” said Van-Vleet, “the amount of support I have received is amazing.

The cosmetology family has helped me through so much, whether it is handing my tools or pushing me in a wheelchair. I love NTCC and I can honestly say it is home.”

Honors Northeast takes fall trip to Fort Worth

By Jodi Weber Public Information Director Students and faculty of Honors Northeast, the honors program of Northeast Texas Community College, recently took a cultural trip to the Dallas/Fort Worth Area.

This is the tenth year that Honors Northeast has taken a fall trip thanks to a gift from Dr. Jim and Paula Archer and a matching grant from the I.B.M. corporation. Dr. Archer served as a professor on the Northeast campus for many years and worked closely with the Honors students when he was teaching. He and Mrs. Archer host an annual event for the new Honors students at their home each fall.

The students were treated to the sights of the Old West town as well as some of the culture that makes up the iconic more modern parts of the city.

This year’s trip included a viewing of the long-horn cattle drive down Exchange Avenue in Fort Worth’s Stockyard district, efforts to navigate the Cattle Pen Maze, a look at the Water Gardens of downtown Fort Worth, lunch at the Reata Restaurant in Sundance Square, a visit to the Kimbell Art Gallery, as well as the steel slab echo-chamber of the 67foot high sculpture, Vortex.

Finally, students enjoyed a dance with Tarrant College Cornerstone Honors on the northwest side of Fort Worth.

Thanks to the energy and finesse of NTCC Honors students, Northeast won a “dance battle” against peers at Tarrant County College.

Adriana Rodriguez, and Rachel Jordan of NTCC also won special individual awards for their moves on the dance floor.

courtesy photo

Northeast students who attended the trip to Fort Worth were (bottom to top, left to right): Kassandra Martinez, Alecia Spurlin, Rachel Jordan, Adriana Rodriguez, Chesney Davis, Emmalea Shaw, William Jones, Cassidy Watkins, Chelsea Chalk, Cailee Davidson, Samantha Hammonds, Yezenia Cedillo, Leivy Zuniga, Brenda Godoy and Aubry Buchanan. Honors advisers Dr. Hearron and Yox also traveled with the students on the trip.

Page 6

The Eagle

October 6, 2016

Northeast Texas Community College

Student Perspective

Opinion

How do you feel when students text their friends or search the web during class?

“It doesn’t bother me personally, but I think it’s rude because it’s the professor’s job to teach us. Then the students complain they don’t understand.”

Brenda Godoy

“It bothers me. It’s a little distracting. I think it’s rude, but at the same time we all have families outside of here. If an emergency happens, I understand.”

Rigoberto Villa Jr.

“It doesn’t really bother me unless it distracts the teacher, but I think it’s rude. It doesn’t make sense to me because they’re paying a lot of money to learn.”

Corey Fyfe

The Golden Rule matters Words on Wheels

By Brandon Pettey

Opinion Editor

The other day I had a conversation with someone about Colin Kaepernick and other football players refusing to stand for the National Anthem in protest against police brutality inflicted on African Americans.

He felt that they don’t have an argument because the lives of African American’s have improved throughout history and Native Americans are still suffering in vast numbers.

Two thoughts struck me; a white college student isn’t qualified to evaluate African American’s struggles and one group’s pain doesn’t cancel out another. We will never mend the racial divide by assuming that we know what another group goes through.

Just because we may not see racism in our daily lives doesn’t mean it isn’t a very real and harsh reality for many other Americans.

It seems that one reason we make assumptions about other’s hardships is because we are so wrapped up in our own beliefs. A prime example of this is the Black Lives Matter versus Blue Lives Matter debate.

Both sides are absolutely convinced that they have a harder struggle than the other.

Both sides are equally valid.These two groups are hardly the only ones competing for attention. The sheer number of groups needing a voice and needing help is daunting to say the least.

The National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS) says that more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations are

registered in the U.S. It’s no wonder why these groups are at odds with each other. I don’t remember anyone, however, saying that it had to be one or the other. The causes that we hold dear to our hearts are not mutually exclusive. Black lives, blue lives, and lives of every other color matter equally.

Anyone losing their life prematurely, due to violence, is unacceptable and deserves our attention.

We must begin to learn from each other.

It is necessary for us to step back, stop talking, and listen to each other if we ever want real progress and equality. The same people standing around with signs and yelling about one cause or another actually accomplishes very little. It’s understandable that people get mad. Passion is admirable and it is the beginning of change but only the very beginning. Getting angry and making a scene gets a group noticed, but what then?

The real progress will begin when we get tired of being angry at each other and decide to open up the lines of communication. Then we can vent our frustrations and express our concerns in a productive way. If Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter sat down and talked, they would learn what each go through and hopefully gain some empathy.

They just might find a way to work together to solve the problem.

Sitting down and talking may seem like an over-simplified solution to years of unrest between police and the African American community. But working alone hasn’t gotten anyone very far. Communication could be the beginning of social programs to improve relations between the police and the communities they serve.

Community outreach will help us find a way to create mutually beneficial solutions to the problems that plague our country.

Nothing is going to get fixed overnight.

However, finding a way to work in unison seems like a really good start.

Disconnected: lack of reality

By Daniel Yanez Editor-in-Chief

I love technology. Technology is supposed to keep us connected and up to date on the latest matters. Through social media platforms, giants such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, we are able to share photos, post updates, and even link videos and articles from other websites with friends, family and other acquaintances not within our immediate contact circle. And, of course, texting. Our phones and other mobile devices today are capable of creating networks for us to touch base on the daily, even minute by minute.

Lately, however, I have been moved to discover the dark cloud of technology, and its spell on socializing over most people today.

Even more, we have become dependent on technology to an extent where we are at lost if it is not at our fingertips. People will argue that technology has made us less social. Has it made us interact less or has it just impaired our social graces?

Last weekend, I sat down to watch a movie with a few friends and as we scrolled through Netflix, Hulu and a few other movie providers, I noticed that we all had a cell phone. Great, I thought. Typically, cell phones tend to come in handy when it comes to texting and calling.

No more wallwith long twisty chords. The size of cell phones is even as convenient as can be, most fit in jean pockets at least. But, as the night continued, I realized that instead of having our eyes glued on a 60” HDTV, most of us were fixated on our various Android and Apple devices, not only ignoring the on-scene action, but becoming completely isolated from one another.

It makes me sad that there are moments when we would rather chronicle our lives

on social media than live life in the moment.

Experiencing life through a 5 inch screen has become a norm. Not too long ago, I remember learning about the emergence of TV and the impact it had on the average American household. Television, first made its way into homes in the the 1950s as the primary source in media broadcast. Slowly making its appearance in American living rooms, television sets soon started displacing families from the dinner table to gather around the TV set instead.

Technology and social media is great, don’t get me wrong, I love sharing and posting intriguing articles online and updating my Instagram account with a photo or two every now and then, but I have also come to believe that by being connected with others through cyberspace we have in one way or another disconnected from face-to-face social interaction.

Technology has changed the way we communicate, but it hasn’t eliminated communication. A decline in face-to-face interaction dates all the way back to oldfashioned pursuits like reading newspapers, chess and card games. Nothing really changes.

Often, more people can be found lumbering down the street staring at a digital screen rather than the sidewalk in front of them. It’s not any truer now than it was back when people stood shoulder-to-shoulder staring intently at the newspaper print in front of them.

We all have that “I forgot my phone” moment, and we have learned how to keep tabs on our friends and other people online via social media apps but we have grown to struggle in day-to-day interactions. We’ve become over obsessed with technology that we’re missing out on the great people and things in front of us.

cartoon by kathy edwards

Uncommon voice in East Texas

By Kieran Martin Staff Writer

There have been many events in my life that were well worth celebrating, but one of the most unparalleled celebrations was the one of showing everybody who I was for the very first time.

Around the age of twelve when all of my classmates started developing a crush on the opposite sex, I felt different. I did not share that similar desire of pursuing a girlfriend like my other male peers seemed to want – I wanted a boyfriend.

I attended church when I was young and I became all too familiar with the pastor’s anti-gay sentiments to the point where I felt he was talking directly to me as I sunk down in the pew. Soon thereafter I felt excluded, embarrassed and experienced self-loathing.

I suppressed these emotions and moved on with my life until about six years later.

My junior year of high school, I felt like a prisoner in my own body and incapable of expressing myself. But I knew if I wanted to become unshackled, it would be at the expense of losing many friends. I couldn’t seem to escape the obsession of people, both at school and at home, wanting to know who I loved.

Hearing the question “so why don’t you have a girlfriend?” made me cringe. As time progressed and the frequency of that dreaded question increased, my response would become ambiguous until the point that I finally replied, “I don’t like girls.”

I felt a sense of freedom to finally let out the secret that I had been keeping inside

for years. After “coming out,” I was approached with awkward glares in the hallways and was well aware of the whispers that surrounded me. Word travels faster than light in high school, but I persevered to ignore the hearsay and understood who my true friends were.

They were few. I believe, however, that I had a painless experience compared to other Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) youth.

According to True Colors Fund, an organization that works to end homelessness among young people, over 600,000 LGBT youth are homeless as a result of their sexuality.

The organization states that many have been kicked out of their homes or become disowned by their families.

Everyone should feel protected and intact within their own home, but they become vulnerable when out on the streets. There is an increased chance that an outcast LGBT young person will partake in petty crimes, practice unsafe sex and have a greater risk of developing mental health issues.

Many gay people lack a reassuring support system, which is extremely important for those struggling with their sexuality. I was grateful that I had such an empathetic mother who comforted me during tearful nights after a day of being badgered with homophobic remarks at school. According to DoSomething.org, 6 in 10 LGBT students report feeling unsafe at school.

In June 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that the samesex marriage bans are unconstitutional, a longsought victory for the LGBT

community. Despite coming so far in the past decade, we continue to face challenges that thwart our success.

Although we still have prejudices and incessant judgment here in the United States, gay citizens of other parts of the world have it extremely harder than us.

Homosexuality is illegal in 74 countries and punishable by death in 13 - a monstrous statistic.

Despite not experiencing that kind of acrimony, I have realized that being an out, gay man can be dangerous in our own country.

Earlier this year, violent attackers carried out hatecrimes and attacked men in the predominantly gay neighborhood of Oak Lawn in Dallas - an area that I visit frequently. The Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando earlier this year claimed the lives of 49 people and wounded 53 others. This was the deadliest terrorist attack in the country since the Sept.11 attacks.

It was the most fatal act of violence against the LGBT community in history. It is a scary thought to believe a stranger would want to hurt or even kill someone based solely on sexual orientation.

In 2016, gay marriage is legal, but that in no way means we are equal to our straight counterparts.

Discrimination still exists and the LGBT community faces it daily. As a nation, we need to become a more accepting society and not be scared of what we do not understand.

People should be accepting of one another even when there is differences. It is hard to understand what it feels like to be isolated or oppressed until you have walked in those same shoes.

The Eagle Eagle Adviser Mandy Smith Editor-in-Chief Daniel Yanez

Managing Editors Brianna Stacks

Dylan McConnell Layout & Design Editor Iesha Fluellen

Online Manager Scott Wilhite

Opinion Editor Brandon Pettey

Entertainment Editor Holly McGonagill

Cartoonist and Distribution Manager Kathy Edwards Staff Writers Rusti McGonagill, Holly McGonagill, Kieran Martin, Ryan Mendoza, Iesha Fluellen, Kenzie Messer, Jay “String Bean” Wilkerson, Jillian Brooks The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the opinions of the faculty advisor or the administration of the college. Questions? Comments? E-mail our adviser Mandy Smith at msmith@ntcc.edu or visit our website at www.facebook.com/thentcceagle.

We want to hear from you!

Got an opinion?

Write a Letter to the Editor and email it to ntcceagleeditors@gmail.com

Page 7

The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

October 6, 2016

Campus Life

Blacksmithing is another popular event during Women in the Outdoors. Women were given the opportunity to design their very own meat hook for flipping steaks. The above participant is putting a twist on her new kitchen utensil.

Women in the Outdoors is an annual event that offers women a day out to learn about archery, shooting, cooking in an iron dutch oven and other outdoor activities.

Women in the Outdoors has many events throughout the day, but one of the more popular events is the Archery event. As the women aim at the target, they pull back their bow and prepare to shoot at their targets.

By Kieran Martin Staff Writer Fall has finally arrived, and the Agricultural Department at Northeast started off the semester hitting the ground running hosting the Women in the Outdoors event. With a diverse selection of activities for everyone. The event was hosted by the Northeast Texas Chapter at the Elizabeth Hoggatt Whatley Agricultural Complex on September 24.

Director of Agriculture, Rene McCracken, incorporated a number of hands-on activities at the gals’ day out including archery, shotgunning, and blacksmithing while also incorporating less-strenuous events such as crafting, fly fishing, and dutch oven cooking. Last

year, the event was recognized as the best Women in the Outdoors event in Texas and the organization and gained more participation this year.

Along with all the activities that were happening, there was also a silent auction happening throughout the day. After lunch, a competitive game of heads or tails was played with the prize being the winners choice of a shot gun or a hand gun.

McCracken described the event as “the perfect escape.” She said, “It is fun to try something new and exciting in a setting that encourages comfort and fun outdoors.” Women from all over North East Texas traveled to experience the activities that happened throughout the day.

Stephanie Kent was the first woman to participate in the skeet shooting event. She aims for the clay disc as it begins to fly.

At every Women in the Outdoors event, there is a dutch oven cooking class. After the food was prepared, the women line up to and begin fillng their plates to try what they just cooked.

Once everyone was done eating, they had to wash the cast iron skillets they cooked in.

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The Eagle

October 6, 2016

Northeast Texas Community College

Entertainment Beauty and the Beast unravel a new timeless tale

By Brianna Stacks Managing Editor

One trip to Books-AMillion in Longview and a phrase later, I was hooked.

“What if Belle’s mother cursed the Beast?” When coming across this book on my normal book binge, I thought to myself, “That is a fantastic question!”

Unanswered questions flew through my mind, multiple scenarios flashed by in colorful pictures of adventure and romance.

I needed answers!

Before I knew it, I was at the checkout counter buying the conundrum of a book, with money I may or may not have had, but that is not the point! The point is that I was about to open the cover to a story that I knew from my childhood, but with a new twist that I knew would make me love it even more.

As Old as Time by Liz Braswell is the third book in a new series that reimagines classic Disney stories. We all know the story of the beautiful, book-loving heroine, Belle, who longs for adventure.

A longing that eventually leads her to a dark castle in search of her missing father, who she finds captured by a

terrifying beast. She takes her father’s place as the Beast’s captive, sacrificing her need for adventure, and the ability to ever see her father again.

But, Belle soon realizes that all hope is not lost.

She discovers the Beast was once a selfish prince who was cursed to look as ugly on the outside as he was on the inside by a beautiful enchantress, who also cursed all his servants to be turned into talking, moving furniture and kitchen appliances.

Belle discovered that the only way to break the curse was by someone falling in love with the Beast by his 21st birthday, symbolized with a slowly, wilting rose.

After a dramatic climax, Belle professes her love to the dying beast, and he is transformed back into a human along with his many servants, and they lived happily ever after.

But, what if Belle’s mother was the beautiful enchantress who cursed the beast? What if Belle was meant to be captured by the Beast all along?

The book is written in two parts. Part one is clockwork of the original well-known fairytale, but part two is where the magic happens.

In the original story, Belle’s

COURTESY PHOTO

As Old as Time: A Twisted Tale is a fantastic spin on the classic Disney film “Beauty on the Beast.” curiosity leads her to the Beast’s secret West Wing, where she discovers the wilting rose.

But, instead of being

The world loves their apps. These are just a few of the great music apps out there today.

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frightened off by the Beast before touching the enchanted rose, Belle does touch it. Visions flood her mind and in the ultimate

twist, she sees that her mother is none other than the beautiful enchantress who cursed the Beast, his castle and all its inhabitants.

One change spirals this beloved classic into a newly re-imagined tale where Belle and the Beast work together to unravel the dark mystery of their families.

This book was far from disappointment. Filled with new tales of les charmantes (magical beings), a number of chapters through Belle’s mother and father’s perspective, and the new twisted tale was enough entertainment to lead me to finishing this book in the course of a night.

It focused more on the interaction of Belle and the Beast, including a hilarious scene in the castle kitchen where Belle tries to teach the Beast how to cook.

Despite being produced by Disney Press, there are a few innuendos and curse words snuck in that are slightly unnoticeable. They added to the comical and dark side of the book.

When I made it to the point where the climax was approaching, the book took a dark turn. The conclusion of the mystery will make your jaw drop, literally, and even make you angry enough

COURTESY PHOTO

A throw back to Hip-Hop artist J. Cole’s album 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Fans are still remembering the album though it was two years ago.

J.Cole shares his past in music

By Jay Wilkerson Staff Writer

SHAZAM

Join the NTCC Film Club for the fall 2016 Film Festival Thursdays in October films begin at 6:30 P.M. IN H111

to want to seek revenge yourself. Maybe a little too dark for Disney.

I would not recommend this book being read to small children, especially if they have watched the Disney classic.

It was pretty dark and even kind of scary. Throughout the book, Belle continues to have vision’s that help unravel the mystery that are creepy and disturbing.

As Old as Time was a piece of fiction that I thoroughly enjoyed. I applauded the ending, although it was not what I wanted or expected.

But, if there is a second book, which there should be, I will seek it out and read it in an instant.

The book satisfied my expectations of romance and adventure as well as my need to be stunned by a twist. And with the 25th anniversary of the Disney animated classic and with less than a year from the premiere of the live action Beauty and the Beast, I think it was an appropriate time to read this re-imagined novel.

I hope to read the two other twisted tales by Liz Braswell that include the Disney stories of Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty. I hope that they are enthralling like the story told in As Old as Time!

Throwing it way back to the winter of 2014, hip-hop artist J. Cole produced some impressive and deep tunes on his 2014 Forest Hills Drive soundtrack.

Before that album’s debut, J. Cole had already released two previous albums, Born Sinner and Cole World: The Sideline Story, both receiving critical and commercial acclaim. Collaborating with artists like Drake, Jay-Z, TLC and Kendrick Lamar as well as others, J. Cole produced hits like “Crooked Smile,” “Power Trip” and “Nobody’s Perfect.”

The 2014 title was taken from the street that J. Cole’s childhood home was located on.

Everything about this album is based around his life and the things he dealt with including moving away from home to pursue his dreams of becoming a successful artist.

Beginning with the song January 28th, the album goes in chronological order starting from the day he was born up until adulthood.

January 28th is a clip depicting J. Cole’s time growing up in a small town, living life and trying to figure out who he was and what he wanted to do with his life.

Fast forward to Wet Dreamz, this sound story is dedicated to describing how J. Cole lost his virginity, while‘03 Adolescence, on the other hand, speaks about him getting ready to leave for college and realizing a golden opportunity that not too many people in his community got the opportunity to experience.

Leaving for the thrills of Hollywood in “St. Tropez” and then coming back home in “Love Yourz,” J. Cole shares the valuable lesson that he learned when he realized that Tinsel Town isn’t what he thought it would be, and that he would rather live where he is more comfortable.

Overall this is one, if not, the best album from J. Cole. Over his other two albums, 2014 Forest Hills Drive is a flawless mix tape from top to bottom.

Speaking out about things that most artists are scared to talk about, like the first time he had sex, J. Cole’s music is more genuine and honest than any other song or album out there today.

In a documentary with HBO, J. Cole said, “…everything I did on this album happened organically,” referring to the intimate journey he took while working on the soundtrack.

Every since the album’s 2014 release, J. Cole has failed to produce any new material.

He has, however, dropped hints of a possible release in the near future.

Maybe 2016 could end on the same note as 2014. Where the artist could he possibly go next with his music is not certain, but any new release is definitely overdue. Musically speaking, J. Cole has evolved since his early album releases, so I can’t wait to hear what his next album will sound like. So, if you like quality rap music at a high level then this throwback album might be right for you. Enjoy.

Page 9

The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

October 6, 2016

Entertainment

COURTESY PHOTO

Suki Kim wrote a memoir about the hardships that North Korean’s face daily.

Overcoming North Korea

By Brandon Pettey Opinion Editor

courtesy photo

Yellowcard released their final on album Sept. 30. The band has decided that after 17 years it is time to say goodbye to their Alternative Rock band.

Yellowcard’s final farewell

By Holly McGonagill Entertainment Editor

The band Yellowcard formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997.

The original line up consisted of Ben Dobson on vocals, Todd Clary on guitar and vocals, Ben Harper on guitar, Warren Cooke on bass and Longineu Parsons III on drums.

The five-member group’s name was created by their high school classmates playing a game at parties using soccer rules.

When someone would spill a drink or do something others thought was clumsy, they would yell “yellow card” for committing a “party foul.”

The group has been based in Los Angeles since 2000. The lineup for 2016 consists of Ryan Key, Sean Mackin, Ryan Mendez, Josh Portman.

Over the years the band has gone through twelve members. The four named above are the final lineup to debut with their final album Yellowcard. The album hit the charts on Sept.

30 and fans everywhere are

listening sadly to the band’s farewell soundtrack.

Yellowcard produced a well-balanced album filled with alternative rock and sweet ballads. The album shows the amazing work of all the members.

Even more, each song shows their strengths. The song “Rest in Peace” features a mash-up of the electric guitar, bass and drums executing an exciting vibe.

Adding in the vocals and an amazing violin solo, this song is the type to have playing when you’re jamming-out in the car.

Though this is a rock album, it’s not in your face like some of the styles from other alternative bands. The group has always created music to fit any scenario.

Whether you are chilling and want a rock ballad, or pumped up and ready to go, there is always something to listen to on this album.

The ballad “Leave the Light on” is a melody played mainly on the electric guitar and piano. An emotional song that portrays the pain of losing someone and the hope of one day finding them

again, the main and lead singers pair together to create light harmonies throughout the song, while the lyrics talk about someone who has gone and will hopefully soon come back home.

“What happens” and “Empty Street” are similar to what’s on Yellowcard’s first ever album, Ocean Avenue.

The similar melodies and influence are evident in both the songs and take me back to when I was a preteen jamming out to the first album.

Not to mention, Ryan Key singing in both songs is identical to when he started in Yellowcard 17 years ago.

Overall, this entire soundtrack was a good breakup album.

Fans were able to hear the old Yellowcard and see how the group has grown and evolved in this last offering.

Fans are sad to see them go, but thankful that they produced one last musical adventure to remember them by.

If you are an alternative rock fan, follow Yellowcard, or just like music in general, check out this goodbye album.

North Korea is one of the most mystifying and ominous foreign countries in the world and many western powers. Little is known about the country by design of the dictatorship.

In her book Without You, There Is No Us journalist and author Suki Kim pulls back the curtain on this intriguing, yet terrifying nation.

A former citizen of South Korea, now living and working in New York as a journalist, Kim traveled to North Korea to teach English at a college organized by Christian missionaries.

In truth, Kim only works under the guise of being a missionary. As a skilled journalist and winner of the 2006 Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts Kim’s writer instincts quickly take over.

Her memoir writing style brings her North Korean

experience to life. The compelling imagery brings the reader into a country that inspires curiosity, fear, and in many cases anger.

Though the book is nonfiction, there are no boring moments. Every page made me want to know about this world where freedom seems to be a foreign concept.

Kim makes it apparent just how much of a farce the North Korean education system is. It is impossible not to feel sympathy for the students who are clearly eager to learn.

Reading the book as a college student, it seemed like every possible measure was taken to thwart the learning process. At these times I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the students.

However, despite their hardships, the students never faltered in their loyalty to the dictatorship and hatred of everything American. Kim’s ever-changing relationship with her students reveals an

identity to a nation of people few Americans can relate to.

She conveys her student’s humanity and passion for learning that all students share.

There are moments where Kim, an atheist, is critical of her Christian co-workers. It seemed unnecessary to the story and could possibly offend some readers.

Under so much pressure by the constant supervision from government, it is understandable that she felt frustration when someone else pushed their views on her.

Without You, There Is No Us was overall a very compelling and eye-opening story. After reading it, I have a new compassion for the people who suffer under the North Korean regime.

It introduced me to a side of an “enemy” nation that I had never imagined. It is both an informative and fascinating story so I highly recommend it to anyone.

‘Stranger Things’ have happened

By Iesha Fluellen Layout & Design Editor

If you’re a person who loves to binge watch great TV shows during your time off, then I highly recommend you check out the Netflix hit, Stranger Things.

Like, today.

As of right now, there are two types of people in the world: Those who have witnessed the pure crazy yet genius twists of this show and those who are very well are of Stranger Things, but have yet to see it.

If by some crazy chance, you are just now hearing about this series for the first time, then I hope you get the opportunity to see this masterpiece of a show. (You know, once you move from that rock you’ve been living under.)

Since the series premiered its first season July 15th earlier this year on Netflix, it has created quite a bit of buzz surrounding its spine chilling tone, it’s use of clever plot twists, and not to mention its iconic score.

Set in 1983 Indiana and telling the story of a boy’s mysterious disappearance, Stranger Things isn’t only perfect escapism from what’s going on outside but also a very decent show in its own right. There’s a cast of completely captivating characters who provide quite a bit of emotion and depth to the show.

At only eight episodes, Stranger Things doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s well-paced with multiple, diverting plot threads that coalesce satisfyingly by the end.

Resolution fans will be happy to know that there is a conclusion, while ongoing series fans will be just as happy to know that doors are

COURTESY PHOTO

Tim Burton takes you into a land full of fantasy and magic with his new film Miss Peregine‘s Home for Pecuiler Children.

A peculiar home sweet home

By Rusti Mcgonagill Staff Writer

courtesy photo

Stranger Things is a new Netflix TV show that fans seem to be loving. The show is full of mystery and drama. left open for continuation if it’s a hit. Every episode of this gem makes viewers feel at the edge of their seat.

There’s no reason whatsoever that I can think of as to why this show wouldn’t deserve to be a hit. Stranger Things has the ability to appeal to a broad audience.

Now, I must warn you, depending on your stomach for this content, the somewhat gory and spine chilling elements are quite creepily effective but never over the top traumatizing.

This is a show that parents would enjoy watching with their family.

A fair warning, I must say that I wouldn’t recommend someone under thirteen watching this show. Not only does Stranger Things have a slight horror element, but the show also has a certain somewhat maturity element

to it that I personally feel would be a little too much for younger children.

As far as the creativity and tone of the show goes, to me it is very reminiscent of Steven Speilberg’s earlier work like Jaws along with a few of Stephen King’s genius elements from It sprinkled here and there. I’m pretty sure fans of ‘80s horror and mystery genres would take to this series quite nicely.

Due to the success and buzz of Stranger Things, the show has already been renewed for a second season.

(Unfortunately, we won’t get it until next year.) But in the mean time, if you still haven’t given it a chance yet, you can watch the first season anytime on Netflix.

As for those of you who have seen it, you can relive the chills of this show with friends or family. I know I will.

The newly released film, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, was inspired by the book series of the same title written by Ransom Riggs.

The movie was directed

by Tim Burton, the man responsible for the 2010 release of the Disney live action version of Alice in Wonderland and the 2016 sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass.

The film stars Asa Butterflied, Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson, Ella Purnell, Chris O’Dowd, Allison Janney, Rupert Everett, Terence Stamp and Dame Judi Dench.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a dark fantasy adventure film set in different time periods, and with the very familiar Tim Burton Gothic overcast.

Jacob Portman (Butterflied) is trying to find out who or what mysteriously killed his grandfather when he happens upon an amazing and horrifying world.

He meets an aerokinetic (power to control air) Emma Bloom (Purnell), a pyrokinetic (power to control fire), an invisible boy, and

many other peculiars. He also meets Mr. Barron (Jackson), a wight, a once peculiar but now an undead human creature trying to take over the world.

Though the novels inspired the film, the storyline definitely veers away from the books. Burton created an alternate version of Riggs’ peculiar children and their adventures. Nevertheless, the movie is still interesting and fun to watch.

The cinema imagery is beautiful, although a bit horrifying in some shots.

The movie is filled with bold, bright colors and muted backgrounds that play off the Gothic awkwardness Burton is known for.

Some examples would be Edward Scissorhands, Dark Shadows, Big Fish, and so on.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children features a beautiful house, the sea, a submerged boat, platters of eyeballs and shadowy monsters. It was worth watching just for the details that fill the whimsical world created with Riggs’ characters in mind.

Asa Butterfield, best known for his role as Ender Wiggin in 2013’s Ender’s Game, was charming as Jacob Portman.

Butterfield pulled off the naive and disturbed Jake [Jacob], while Ella Purnell was not as fascinating but still enjoyable. The actors played their parts well, and I could believe they were indeed the characters they were portraying.

This movie features music from 1939 such as Flanagan and Allen’s “Run Rabbit Run” and Glen Miller’s “In The Mood.”

At the end of the film and at the beginning of the credits we got to enjoy a new song

by Florence + The Machines called “Wish You Were Here.” The tune fit the entire tone of the movie and would make a nice addition to your music stream.

Overall, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a great movie to see at the theatre and add to your collection once it comes out on Blue ray or DVD. It is visually pleasing, has a nice sound track and offers interesting characters.

Just to clarify, this movie was inspired by the Ransom Riggs novels and is not the movie form of the books. This movie has its own storyline and is another version of the characters’ adventures in the books. I give this film a rating of 4 out of 5.

Page 10

The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

October 6, 2016

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-NTCC EagleNext Issue, Nov. 3

Page 11

The Eagle

October 6, 2016

Northeast Texas Community College

Sports Lady Eagles continue to dominate on the field

By Dylan McConnell Managing Editors

After suffering their first loss of the season, the Northeast Womens Soccer Team still continued their flight to success with a new winning streak of 6 games and a season total record of 11-1.

The team is #2 in the region and still receiving votes to bring them closer to the top 20 in the nation.

The team played Navarro for the second time and brought the winning streak to 6 games.

The first half ended with a 1-1 tie, but the Eagles turned it into a 4-3 win. As the season the season progresses two players have stood out over past few games.

“Brianne Arnold has been stepping up and doing very well adjusting from winger to central mid and again Esther has been a beast, just give her the ball and let the Esther show begin.” Head Coach Ian McGimsey said.

The Lady Eagles suffered their first loss of the season against Tyler Junior College.

The number five team in their conference won with a five point shutout. The team quickly brought it back the next day with a win against Jacksonville College. Scoring early on, the girls kept the lead and left the field with the scoreboard showing a 5-0 shutout.

The team then played Navarro College, ranked number ten in the conference.

The first half ended in a tie 1-1 with Goalie Rebecca Renteria making five saves.

The second half was rounded out with a 3-2 win. Team co-captain Tanika Santos said she was happy with the outcome of the Navarro game.

“It was this kind of whole elation because there was this build up since the last time we lost to them. We’ve had a year of just being ready for that game and when we won, you can’t even explain it, we were on another level.”

Continuing their new winning streak the Lady Eagles beat Seminole State College Oklahoma on the home field.

The scoring was started off by Megan Gil in the first half and ended with a 7-0 shutout.

The Eagles then flew the nest for a game against Western Texas College.

Esther Okoronkwo made the first goal 17 minutes in and was the player who scored the last 2 goals, closing out the game with a 4-0 shutout.

The team continued their tear through West Texas with a win against Cisco College.

The final score again by Esther Okoronkwo, ending the game with a 4-0 shutout.

McGimsey has high hopes for the team as they move into the second half of the season.

“The games have been really good. The

staff photo

Right Wing, Jacquelyn Ramirez battles Victoria Smith, a midfielder from Navarro College for the ball. first loss was tough but you always have to prepare for it. We took that loss and regrouped, organized and didn’t keep our heads down,”

he said. “We’ve learned from our mistakes, moved forward and we hope to keep this winning streak for more than six games.”

staff photo

staff photo

| kenzie messer

Rodeo kicks up dust Sounds of bulls and cowboys kick off the rodeo season as the Northeast Texas Community College traveled to Carthage for the first rodeo of the season.

The next rodeo will be held in Uvalde on October 7-8. After the Uvalde rodeo, the team will be back in Pittsburg hosting their own rodeo on October 23-24.

“I expect the team to do well,” Head Rodeo Coach, Skylar Hunnicutt said.

“Everyone expects their team to do well.

I hope that everyone performs to the best of their ability. I don’t expect anybody to not perform the way I expect them to. I don’t necessarily look for perfection, but I look for everybody to do as good as they can.”

At the Carthage rodeo, there was also a lot of improvement from last year in many of the events.

The majority of the team are returners, but there are two freshmen who participate in the bull riding event. The freshmen who performed in bull riding won their event.

“I’ve got two really good bull riders this year,” Hunnicutt said. “Last year, I didn’t have anybody that rode bulls really well, but I expect these two freshmen that do the bull riding to do really well.

I look for the bull riding to be one of our stronger events this year. That’s kind of a hard event to win at. I’m looking forward to finally having some bull

riders be competitive. We haven’t had a competitive bull rider go to school here in a while.”

In years past, the more competitive events have been team roping and the bronc riding. The team ropers have worked hard to improve in their event.

“I expect to do really good,” Team Roper Trevor Baldwin said. “I’ve roped almost every day all summer and worked on a lot. I’ve improved a lot from this time last year.

I still hope to improve more on my riding, improve the horses I’m riding, and improve the amount of money I win.”

Hunnicutt is really excited to see how the team will continue to improve throughout the rest of the season.

They have worked hard, and he can already see their improvement from last year.

“A lot of them has progressed a little, and got matched up a little better,” he said. “My team ropers teams are matched up a little better this year, so they will be more successful.”

Hunnicut is happy with his womens team this year and is excited about what this season has to offer. “I’ve got a couple really good barrel racers this year, and my girls are a lot more focused this year,” he said. “I’m looking forward to my girls to do a lot better because they had a rough year last year, and they’re all returning.

That’s kind of where my core group is, but from a coaching standpoint, I like to watch all of the events.”

| dylan mcconnell

Above: Cian Byrne goes for the ball while Diego Sanchez and Paris Junior College midfeilder, Gabriel Silva battle to move closer. After playing away games for the past few weeks, the Eagles are now 4-6-2. The past three games ended in a tie with Angelina College, a loss to Laredo Community College and another loss against Coastal Bend College.

Jess Bean breaks out of the bucking shoot on a bronc during a recent rodeo practice. The rodeo team is getting ready for their upcoming fall home rodeo on Oct. 23-24.

By Kenzie Messer Staff Writer

| dylan mcconnell

staff photo

| dylan mcconnell

Left: Morgan Murray moves away from PJC Midfielder, Gabriel Silva and dribbles toward the goal. The next five games of the season are at home, the first two are this weekend Oct 7-8 against San Jacinto College and Angelina College.

Northeast men’s soccer struggles to gain ground

By Iesha Fluellen Layout and Design Editor For the past few weeks, Northeast Texas Community College’s Men’s Soccer Team has been on a good streak, but lately it seems the Eagles have had their share of defeats.

Despite this, the guys are still persevering through and not going down without a fight.

On September 23, they beat Mt. View College 2-0 and on the next day, September 24, defeated Southwestern Christian College 9-0.

The Eagles played Angelina College and tied 2-2 on September 27.

Although things seemed to be going well for the Eagles, they played Laredo Community College lost 2-1. Unfortunately, they were defeated again. This time by Coastal Bend College 8-0.

Despite the team’s recent losses, Coach

Harrison is still impressed with what he’s seen of them this season.

“I see a lot of improvements with our team” Coach Harrison began, “The quality is better. I can honestly say, I’m happy about that. Last year was pretty tough for us.”

One player who has noticeably shined one the field is Juan Cantu. “Juan Cantu is doing pretty well.” Coach Harrison began. “He’s a good kid on and off the field. He works hard.

I think he will score a few goals for us for this last half of the season. He’s one to watch for.” Juan Cantu is a Freshman from Dallas, TX. he has scored a few goals in some of their recent games and he’s created quite an impression on his fellow teammates.

Hopefully, those few losses were only minor missteps for the team and that they will be able to get more wins in their last games this season.

Page 12

The Eagle

October 6, 2016

Northeast Texas Community College

Sports

Photos Taken By Manny Garcia

Eagle pitcher overcomes adversity “just a normal day for Max Martinez”

By Iesha Fluellen Layout and Design Editor As the smell of sweat and peanut butter sandwiches filled the dugout, one pitcher remained quiet and focused as he awaited his next opportunity to do what he lives for. It isn’t long before it’s his moment to step up to the mound once again. He remains calm as he soaks up the atmosphere around him. A single drop of sweat drips from his brow as he prepares to make the pitch.

While members of the crowd are on the edge of their seat, he takes a deep breath. This is just a normal day for Max Martinez.

Martinez’s story begins in Monterrey, Mexico. As a young boy, he took up an interest in sports; particularly baseball. Despite being born with a disfigured hand. Max didn’t let that stop him. By age six, Max had discovered something that would change everything. He had figured out how to pitch and quickly transfer the glove to his hand in

a way that just came natural to him.

“It just really worked for me,” said Martinez.

As he grew up, Max enjoyed playing baseball. His parents had a big impact on him when it came to his goals. “My mother and father were the ones that pushed me to be who I am today.” Martinez said. When Max was sixteen, he convinced his parents to let him move in with his aunt who just so happened to live in Plano, TX. His motive for doing this was so that he could not only pursue his dreams with baseball, but to also get a great education.

It was during his junior year in high school, Max began attending Plano West High School and joined the baseball team there.

By his senior year, Max was unsure of his options when it came down to which college he should go to.

Luckily, while attending a summer baseball program, a coach had sent his recommendation to NTCC’s own, coach Austin Knight.

“There was a summer baseball coach who put me in touch with Max,” Coach Knight began. “He had met Max at a summer baseball camp and Max made a big impression on him, which is no surprise for anybody who knows Max. And he told me

‘Man, you’ve got to see this guy pitch. He’s a wonderful kid.’ So we had him at a camp and I really liked him. It just all fell into place.” Knight was quite impressed with what he saw and knew that he would make a perfect addition to the team.

Max has only attended NTCC since the start of this fall semester, but he is really starting to enjoy campus life.

“I like it here,” Martinez began, “Being able to play here is great, but this is only my first step. It’s my first step before I can be part of something bigger.” Max sees NTCC as starting point plans on hopefully gettingdd

recruited by a big university one day.

As Max is here attending NTCC, he is also working on getting a degree in business.

“My dream would be to play in the majors,” Martinez began, “But if that doesn’t work out, I would like to work on Wall Street one day.”

One thing that Max is known for, is his determination to stay on track with his goals. “I’m here to succeed and so I am very careful with the choices I make,” Max began. “I think it’s important to stay focused and remember where I’m from and who I am.”

Courtesy Photo|Manny Garcia

Jhosmel Rodriguez, gets ready to throw and pass a ball to a baseman during a game against Paris Junior College.

Courtesy Photo|Manny Garcia

While at Paris Junior College, Ruber Medina quickly catches a baseball and prepares to get ready to throw it.

Eagles baseball continues fall play with tournament

By Dylan McConnell Managing Editor

The Eagle baseball team continues their fall off-season play. Head Coach Austin Knight said he was optimistic about his team’s upcoming games.

“We’re doing well. We came off of a couple of tough games against Grayson, but we are continuing to learn things we need to improve on, and we’re hoping to show out well in our conference tournament in Carthage.”

Knight said his main focus for the fall season is to keep the enthusiasm of his players high as they prepare for the regular spring season.

Left: Nelson Torres, a catcher for the Eagles takes the plate to bat against Paris.

The team is currently in their fall ball season and using the time to work on batting, pitching and fielding for the upcoming spring season.

The team will be facing teams in an upcoming tournament that will give the players even more time on the field to develop their skills.

“I want to see them finish out this season with the same type of energy they started with.

Because, like with anything, you can be really excited about something at the beginning, but as time goes on things can become mundane,” he said. “We need to find a way to continue to have good perspective and be thankful for the being here and finish with the same energy.”

The team will be heading into October with more games that should give the team more workout time.

The next tournament of games will run Oct. 6-7 when the Eagles will face off against the Angelina Roadrunners, Paris Dragons, Navarro Bulldogs and Bossier Paris Cavaliers.

Be sure to check out NTCC’s Annual Rodeo Pittsburg Rodeo Arena October 23-25

Courtesy Photo|Manny Garcia