The Eagle - Issue 3, Fall 2016

The Eagle Northeast Texas Community College

Volume 34, Issue 3

ntcceagleonline.com

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Ag receives green award

By Kenzie Messer Staff Writer The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) recently awarded Northeast Texas Community College’s agriculture department the Green Genome Award for their Program Design and Delivery in Sustainable Agriculture. Northeast is one of only nine colleges throughout the nation to receive the $10,000.00 award.

The Green Genome Award is a cash prize award to model community colleges across the nation for their sustainability education proposals to support sustainability practices, programs and trainings. With the help of the $10,000, the Ag Department plans to create

a mobile farmer’s market that will travel to communities that have a bigger need for meals, fresh produce and other raw ingredients. In order to help identify these communities that need extra help with getting good nutritional food from the mobile farmer’s market, the Ag department will partner with Communities in Schools (CIS).

“It’s a jewel in a crown for us to say, ‘hey, you’re nationally recognized now for your sustainable agriculture program and your outreach and your efforts,’”Agriculture Program Director Rene McCracken said. “For me, that was a nice little pat on the back.”

There is always work to be done at the Ag department.

See Ag Award on pg. 2

staff photo|daniel yanez

McCracken and ag adjunct instructor, Laci Derrick, discuss the benefits of aloe vera and other natural products with customer Michelle Clower during the Mount Pleasant Farmer’s Market.

TRUMP CLAIMS NTCC VICTORY

staff photo|daniel yanez

Nursing student Tanner Boles studies a ballot before making a decision on who to vote her in the recent mock election.

Mock election mirrors current national results

By Daniel Yanez Editor-in-Chief

In a mock election recently held by the NTCC Eagle Newspaper staff, Republican and presidential nominee Donald Trump claimed a marginal victory over Democratic favorite, Hillary Clinton. In lieu of Election Day next Tuesday, Northeast discovered a trend that is very similar to that of the current polls in the national election.

Of the 252 votes that were cast by students and faculty, 93 were in favor of Trump while Clinton trailed behind only by 11 points. Also on the ballot were Libertarian Gary Johnson, Independent politician Evan McMullin, and Green party candidate, Jill Stein.

Johnson counted in at 24 total votes and was able to marginalize the gap between Trump and Clinton while Stein and McMullin pulled 9 and 5 votes respectively. Another variable in the campus wide election, that might not play a major factor on the national platform was the write-in ratio. Tallied, were an amount of 39 votes ranging from superheroes and fictional characters, celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, and campus personalities like Rico Willis,

staff photo|daniel yanez

Journalism students, from left, Jay Wilkerson, Brandon Pettey and Kathy Edwards man the election booth while students gather to cast their votes. director of Multicultural and Student Affairs, and government professor Rex Allen. On a more legitimate standard, Bernie Sanders and Ben Carson also made an appearance on the ballot by gathering a few votes.

With the national election looming by less than a week, the recent mock election highlighted what might be a close call between candidates at the polls next Tuesday. However, an issue today is voter participation, many times, Americans put off Democratic principle and do not vote. Willis said mock elections and student engagement helps to show the importance of political

engagement in the community.

“People who question whether or not they should vote may be motivated to do so if they see their peers taking the initiative to make their vote count,” said Willis. “The people within the community are the ones that truly inspire change through their actions.

Youth leadership initiatives like the mock election is what creates positive change.”

For years, mock elections have taken place throughout the country with results that mirror traditional election turnouts.

College appoints new board member

By Jodi Weber Public Information Director

The Northeast Texas Community College Board of Trustees appointed a new member Tuesday night. Sondra Fowler of Daingerfield was tapped to replace John Bryan, who resigned from the board in September.

Fowler has 30 years of experience in communications with five major multinational corporations. She retired from Conoco in 2002 as head of global external communications at the time of the company’s merger with Phillips.

Fowler moved to Northeast Texas in 2003, where she served as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation. She currently works as a freelance consultant and recently spent three months in Amman, Jordan working to upgrade marketing practices for a company that employs disadvantaged women.

“Ms. Fowler brings a

Sondra Fowler

wealth of experience to our Board of Trustees. She has an extensive background in communications and I look forward to her insight as we work to position the NTCC brand in a rapidly-changing market,” Dr. Brad Johnson, NTCC President, said.

Fowler holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce (formerly East Texas State University). She has served on the NTCC Foundation Board since 2006.

Her appointment begins immediately and she will serve until the next board election in 2018. Fowler will be sworn in at the December board meeting.

Northeast to host annual college night Special to The Eagle The Annual College Night, sponsored by Northeast Texas Community College, is set for Wednesday Nov. 9 in the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts.

Colleges and universities will have representatives on hand from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to provide admissions and financial aid information to students and parents.

Anyone interested in learning more about college, from junior high to current college students are invited to attend. In addition, having

the chance to speak with NTCC advisors, students and parents can meet recruiters from many institutions.

Those who are currently scheduled to be represented at College Night are: Northeast Texas Community College, LSU of Alexandria, Kilgore College, Sam Houston State University, Corps of CadetsTAMU, East Texas Baptist University, University of North Texas, Dallas Baptist University and several more.

For more information about College Night, please contact Melissa Harrison 903-434-8218 or mharrison@

NTCC sewer line project is underway

By Daniel Yanez Editor-in-Chief

In a decision earlier this year, Northeast Texas Community College decided to incorporate into the the city of Mount Pleasant sewer line system to get out of the wastewater business. Since the founding of the college, Northeast has kept and maintained a wastewater facility, a long term expense to the college. The sewer project falls under the budget of the $19.9 million bond election.

“Right now NTCC has its own wastewater facility that the college has to maintain, at the time of the college being built, there was no options for a commercial sewage system,” said Northeast President Dr. Brad Johnson.

“However, the colleges treatment system is now at capacity. In order to expand the system under Northeast’s bond project, the cost would be roughly $900,000.”

For essentially the same amount of money, NTCC opted to lay a sewer line back to the

City of Mount Pleasant. The project, estimated to be completed by mid or late March of 2017, will cost approximately $1 million dollars and will be a long term solution to NTCC’s wastewater treatment and expenses.

“The college will not have to spend the money every year that we have been spending on water treatment,” said Johnson. “It’ll be much more less expensive to operate paying the city for them to treat the waste, then it is for the college alone.”

After reviewing several bids from various project managers, Northeast opted to contract Morton Construction. The Texas Department of Transportation has already approved the building permits and the project is already underway.

“I really can’t imagine how anybody who could chose between a sewer or a wastewater treatment plant would choose the wastewater plant. This college chose the wastewater plant See Sewer Line on pg. 2

See Election on pg. 2

staff photo|daniel yanez

Morton Construction continues to stay ahead of schedule by laying approximately 2.5 miles of pipe for the sewer project in the last 10 days. The construction company spokesman said they expect to finish the project by Feb. 2017.

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The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

November 3, 2016

News

Ag award helps fund mobile farmers market Cont. from pg. 1 Because they are across the road from the main campus, a lot of the blood, sweat, tears, and work they put into their farm often goes unnoticed.

“It’s easy, you would think, because I am so passionate about what I do,” McCracken said.

“Every once in a while, I need encouragement, and I need that little boost to say ‘you’re doing a good job’ and ‘keep going.’ That’s what this meant to me after being here since 2012. ‘Hey, I am doing a good job’ and this is how we are going to reward you.”

One of the characteristics the Ag department has that helped them win the $10,000.00 award was the involvement of all the students taking the agriculture classes. With the mobile farm market, McCracken said she would like to involve students from different departments throughout the campus.

“It’s all about representing completely who we are as a campus and taking that out to the people, a lot of them don’t even know that we’re still here,” McCracken said. “We want to have culinary students that ride along to demonstrate healthy recipes. We want to have nursing student that will be able to take blood pressure screening and blood sugar tests as we go to different locations.”

Along with the $10,000 Green Genome award, the Ag Department has been awarded many other national awards. One of the awards the Ag Department has won nationally was the $25,000.00 Perkins Grant.

“I am excited that our work over the past

several years is getting national recognition.

This is an important part of our vision and we are very pleased with the progress we have made so far,” NTCC President Dr. Brad Johnson said. “I’d like to congratulate the faculty and staff who have worked hard to make our sustainable agriculture program what it is today.”

The agriculture department is able to incorporate many real-world situations because they have learned how to utilize all of the land that they have access to. They are able to diversify the animals on the farm and expand the varieties of produce grown.

“We are extremely excited about the work being done in the Ag department,” Associate Vice President for Workforce Development Dr.Kevin Rose said. “This diversity really helps our students understand the need for developing a sustainable model. The goal here is to not only assist our students in understanding how to run a sustainable operation, but also to assist our area farmers who are looking for additional ways to market their produce.”

The agriculture program at Northeast a very hands on program. It helps students connect directly to their food from the farming to the production side and develop a better understanding of what it’s like to work on a product from start to finish.

“I think when you do practical things, you learn more than just the theoretical, and I think the program here is very practical,” ag student Angel Roden said. “It’s more than just the theoretical thing. I’m more of a visual learner,

staff photo|daniel yanez

Some of the vegetables that the Ag department students helped canned over the summer on display at the local Farmer’s Market. so it’s easier for me, and I enjoy it more by doing what we’re learning in class first, and then we go to the lab, and we actually do it which I think is awesome. ” In 2012, McCracken became the director of the Agriculture Program. Since she was a small child, some type of agriculture has always been an important part of her life. Over the past four years, she’s used her personal experience and built the program into what it

is today.

“I know my program, and I know my students,” McCracken said. I know what we have done and where we are headed. I look for grants that fit our, so then it’s easy. It’s just telling our story. I know that backwards and forwards because I tell it all the time. I believe in it. It’s a weekend to actually write a grant, but it was a lifetime of creating our story that got us to this point.”

Mock election offers lesson in democracy Sewer line project well underway Cont. from pg. 1

According to USA Today, a national poll by Channel One recently favored the former First Lady and Secretary of State in a landslide by 57 percent while the business developer only carried 35 percent of the votes. Channel One, a daily news program that encourages young students to become involved in current events, has in past elections accurately predicted the winner of the presidency through the mock election.

However, this year’s election is unique in that the republican and democrat candidates are faced with opposing policies that have created a division among voters. One of the most heated elections in modern American history, the presidential race has sparked controversy and allegations right and left of the debate podium. In early voting, states saw a spike in voter turnout.

Traditionally, Texas has voted red in the electoral cast but early voting results provided by voting data sources have suggested that Texas might become a toss-up between voters. Battleground and swing states like Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and North Carolina have

seen record breaking early voting numbers. The national figure stood at an approximate 7.3 million Americans participating at the voting booths as of Oct. 26. Cities across the nation have reported long lines at voting locations inconveniencing some voters to extended wait periods.

While Trump has racked up support in the Arizona battleground, Clinton’s campaign has shown strength in Florida and Nevada. In Texas, Trump leads by 4 percent but trails Clinton by 10 percent at the national level, where the former secretary of state continues to build a lead.

Although Clinton is well within striking distance of Trump, over the weekend FBI investigators reopened the Clinton email investigation relating to the use of her private server.

Taking advantage of the issues that resurfaced because of the investigation, Republicans seized to opportunity to gain ground on the Democratic nominee.

Scandals also affected Trump and his campaign when allegations about Trump’s grotesque and inexplicit behavior towards women rose to the public. While the news and media

continue to affect the leading political candidates, public viewers and voter have distinct opinion for either presidential candidate.

Groups of people have shown their political participation skills and have defined the election of 2016 as a historical tug-of-war between finger pointing and insult slinging candidates.

While both major candidates will bring the heat of American Democracy to the table and put forth an ill-tempered debate, citizens alike worry about the possible outcome of Nov. 8.

Voters, often misguided by the belief that individual votes don’t count tend to not take part in election years. Moreover, Allen said the main thing students need to understand about the voting process is equal voting.

“The most equal thing that we Americans have is the right to vote. And we have an equal vote if nothing else,” said Allen. “If you vote your vote counts whether you win or lose. It’s like playing a game, you got to have your say. If you don’t vote, it does not count.”

Will Trump succeed in the national election or will Clinton win the presidential nomination?

Cont. from pg. 1 because there was no realistic options for a sewer,” said Johnson. “Now, when we priced the fact that we could have the sewer for the same price that we were going to have to invest in wastewater then it really is a no brainer.”

As a result Northeast will benefit in the longrun in terms of money. Johnson said these savings are planned to be applied in the future improvement of the campus.

Currently a grant is being applied for to rehab, and clean up the pond on the front of the campus.

Plans for the possible design include proposals for making the pond ideal for fishing and recreation as well as landscaping the area to include a walking trail and

other park features.

According to Johnson, regulatory risk and future cost persuaded the decision, however, the outcome of the project will also benefit land and homeowners.

“It is a very easily defended decision,” said Johnson. “It improves the value of the land between the Northeast campus and the city of Mount Pleasant. Landowners will have the possibility of tying into the sewage line system.”

Johnson also explained how the city of Mount Pleasant won’t have to invest in a sewer line for expansion purposes.

“If we had put our money into a wastewater treatment, then for the city to expand southeast, they would have had to put money into a sewer line,” said Johnson.

Psi Beta Induction

One night in a cardboard box

From left are new members Wendy Clark, Nikki Martin and Russell VanBibber, Jr.

staff photo|daniel yanez

Pasleigh Nelson, Alex Plunkett, Terry Landes and Kali Campbell sort through cardboard boxes to prepare for the overnight event. The event is aimed at raising homelessness awareness in the community.

By Kenzie Messer Staff Writer The Social Work Program has partnered with Student Success Services to host ‘One Night in a Cardboard Box’ on Nov. 3 to give students an idea of what it’s like to be homeless on the Northeast Texas Community College Main Campus.

The event will start at 5:00 Thursday evening and continue through 6:00 Friday morning.

“We’re trying to have a sentimental event,” Social Work Intern Pasleigh Nelson said. “It’s going to be touchy. What we’re doing is going to be really hard, and people will sometimes break down from that, so we want to give them the opportunity to come out and talk. If you have any real issues, we want to hear about it.”

There are currently 700 homeless individuals within the Smith County area. However, it is very difficult to get a good estimate of the number of homeless people in the Camp County area.

“I hope that they have a truer understanding of what homeless actually means,” last name said. “I hope they understand of how thankful they should be for the things that they have. I hope that everyone takes this kind of serious.”

The participants will be given one box that has been donated from Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Hershel’s, and

other anonymous businesses throughout town. They are only allowed to bring one pillow and one blanket. A soup kitchen dinner of potato soup will be provided for the participants. ““I think it would be a great reflection of NTCC’s core values and beliefs,” Nelson said. “We want our students to get involved, our community to get involved, and make it big like it needs to be. It’s going to be fun at first. You get to set up your own box, and play around in that sense, but I also want this to be taken serious. This actually happens. People actually live this way.

“I think it would be a great reflection of NTCC’s core values and beliefs,” Nelson said. “We want our students to get involved, our community to get involved, and make it big like it needs to be.

There will be counselors and security guards at the event for people who might need to talk about their situation.

Participants are welcomed to come forward and share their story.

“It’s something that’s always been touching to my heart,” Nelson said. “It’s something I feel like people need to be aware of and take serious. I understand what it feels like to have nothing and bounce house to house. I think people will be surprised about how many students will come forward saying that they need help.”

Officers from left Stacy Orr, rresident; Elvia Coronado, historian; Lori Burns, Sscretary; and Beverly King, vice president.

Psi Beta inducts new members

Northeast’s Psi Beta chapter recently inducted its new members.

Students are chosen for membership based on their outstanding overall scholarship and their scholarship in the field of

psychology. Psi Beta is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and an affiliate of the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society.

November 3, 2016

The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

Page 3

News

PTA program offers challenges and rewards

By Brandon Pettey Opinion Editor

In the healthcare field, physical therapists assist people during some of the most difficult times of their lives. The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) program at Northeast is helping to prepare their students to enter this challenging and competitive line of work.

Northeast began offering the PTA program in 2007.

Every fall semester, the PTA program accepts 16 applicants and 8 alternates after a complex application process.

Accreditation for the PTA program is through the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The program is based on a five semester, 58-week program that runs from fall to fall with no break.

“Students have to be willing to give up a lot to be able to tackle the program,” PTA Director Dr. Nancy R. Wilson said. She added that the quick pace allows for little else in the students’ lives. “The time frame does not allow time for reviewing concepts from previous courses.

Our program intensity is nonstop. Our non-traditional students also have to devote more time to this program than to family or jobs.”

Former Northeast student Heather Orr was a graduate of the college’s first PTA class.

After graduating, she tutored others going through the PTA program, which she made her realize that she had a passion for helping students. From

there she went on to become a lab assistant and a guest lecturer at NTCC. Orr now works in the program as an adjunct professor and said the program inspires students to develop their work ethic to the next level.

“This program is special because it forces the students to be their best despite life circumstances,” she said.

“Students are pushed to do their best, be prepared and behave professionally.” Orr said she knows this, because the Northeast professors pushed her to become better.

“The instructors were relentless in their efforts to ensure student’s knowledge,” she said. “The instructors were caring and compassionate while pushing students to perform their best.”

The application process for the PTA program is also competitive in nature. Many applicants have already earned a degree in another field before even applying to the program.

Between 2012 and 2015, 23 PTA students had already earned a bachelor’s degree.

Wilson said there are typically 65 to 70 applicants vying for a position in the program.

First, applicants must have between 60 and 100 observation hours from three different institutions.

Students are required to take the TEAS V exam and must earn a grade of at least 70. Only the highest scoring students, who have at least two references, are then invited for an interview with area licensed clinicians

at which point there is an on-site writing assignment.

Students must take several steps before being accepted into the program.

And, that quality of hard work and determination is especially evident in the success of those who finish the program. Last year’s class had a 100 percent passing rate.

The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Health Professions offers students with their PTA degree an opportunity to earn a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree through the bridge program.

Two former NTCC students, who applied for the bridge program this fall, were accepted.

PTA program students will earn an associate of applied science degree. After graduation, students have the opportunity to take the PTA licensing exam.

Before getting to that point, however, there is a lot to accomplish. Sophomore Austin Lick is one of the current students who said he feels fortunate to be a part of the prestigious program.

“I wouldn’t go anywhere else. They have the highest pass rates when it comes to state board exams,” Lick said. “The professors make sure we know what we need to know, and if not, we can always come to them.”

Some graduates of the Northeast PTA program have found careers locally in the physical therapy field.

Chris Houchin graduated from the PTA program and now works in the physical therapy wing of Titus

staff photo|mandy smith

From left, first year PTA students Haley Thomas and Sarah Dunmon get some assistance lifting fellow student Nick Steifer from second year PTA students Austin Lick and Corrin Johnston. The students were taking part in a patient transfer training class.

Regional Medical Center’s Wellness Center.

“It was a very enlightening experience, very interesting and very demanding at the same time, too,” Houchin said. He said the faculty were supportive throughout his work in the challenging program. “The teachers would work with you pretty well,” he said. “They made you stay on your toes.”

Individuals going into the physical therapy field work with people who are often at a very low point in their life. Physical therapist assistants help patients with severe disabilities and people

Honors Northeast students present at NCHC conference in Seattle Special to The Eagle Five Honors Northeast sophomores and two faculty members recently represented Northeast Texas Community College at the 51st Meeting of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) in Seattle, Oct. 1215.

NTCC is the only community college to have presented scholarly works at the NCHC continuously since 2008, and has the only program in the nation, university or otherwise, to have featured four of its group projects in the last four years.

NCHC committees select proposals to present on the basis of appeal, previous awards and scholarly promise.

Making the cut for NTCC were five previous award winners: Melody Mott, who won Caldwell and Smallwood Awards of Texas for her work on JapaneseTexan relations; Cailee Davidson, a winner of a McGraw-Hill Award, for her work on Texas Governor, Pappy O’ Daniel; William Jones, a recipient of a 2016 Great Plains Honors Council Poster Award for his work on quasi-criminality; Emmalea Shaw, a winner of a Caldwell Award for her work on integration in Northeast Texas; and Kassandra Martinez, a winner of NTCC’s premiere Bonnie Spencer Award for her work on the great Northeast Texan populist orator, Cyclone Davis.

“Some of our students are initially surprised by our emphasis on conceptualization and thesis-based research. But the amazing thing is, in time, they ‘get it’ and they can grasp the central art of scholarship,” Dr. Andrew Yox, Honors Director,

courtesy photo

The Honors Northeast group enjoyed lunch at the top of the Space Needle during the trip.

Pictured (from left) is: Dr. Andrew Yox, Melody Mott, Kassandra Martinez, Dr. Mary Hearron, Cailee Davidson, Emmalea Shaw, and William Jones. said. “They also have a rare opportunity here at NTCC to present at national honors conferences, usually dominated by university juniors and seniors. This is one of many ways that Honors Northeast uniquely prepares students to perform at a high level academically.”

Members of Honors Northeast presented their own panel in a Saturday morning session attended by representatives of many colleges and universities.

The session featured NTCC’s Caldwell-Award winning film on Ma and Pa Ferguson, the couple who both served as Texas governors in the interwar period of the early 20th century.

Leaders in honors have routinely elevated the NTCC honors film for inclusion in the yearly program for its team-making potential, and for the creative outlets and citations afforded to students who participate.

In preparation for the conference, NTCC Scholars presented their work before a small group of supporters

courtesy photo

Emmalea Shaw (left) explains her research at the NCHC conference in Seattle. at a luncheon Oct. 5. An anonymous friend of honors contributed $500, providing $100 of spending money for each of the NTCC students who attended the Seattle conference.

Dr. Mary Hearron, who accompanied the students on the trip, also provided funds for a special meal along the waterfront at Ivar’s Restaurant.

The NTCC group toured the Pike Place Market, the headquarters of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Space Needle where

they had a Friday lunch.

Both Drs. Hearron and Yox agreed that this year’s sophomore scholars made the best film presentation for NTCC, ever.

Many of the Friends of Honors were also very impressed after hearing this year’s group.

No other NTCC student group has gone to a national honors meeting before with more scholarly cash awards (six), and with more essays that already have been accepted for publication (three).

recovering from a wide range of injuries. As such, there are personal attributes necessary in order to be a successful PTA. “You have to have compassion and a desire to return people to normal.

They have to be comfortable with being hands-on with people,” NTCC Director of Clinical Education Deanna R. Moody said.

Wilson said students who are going through the program also acquire a range of personal skills that go beyond the technical aspects.

“They have to develop professionalism,

commitment to learning, interpersonal skills, critical thinking and lots of stress management,” she said.

She said that completing the program prepares students for the real world and that NTCC’s PTA graduates are able to find jobs in the physical therapy field.

Some former students have also gone on to work as clinical instructors teaching Northeast students.

“If they make it through, they come out with a huge dedication to the program, which we hope translates to dedication to the field,” Wilson said.

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The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

November 3, 2016

News

courtesy photo

The Hunts musical group will be on the Whatley stage Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

The Hunts to perform at Whatley Center

By Jodi Weber Public Information Director

staff photo|brianna stacks

Customers walk to and from Hastings on its final sale day, making their last purchases at the popular retail store.

Hastings Entertainment Inc. filed chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early June, that has lead to the stores closing.

Local Hastings store calls it quits

By Brianna Stacks Managing Editor On Sept. 24, a popular entertainment retail store closed its doors permanently to the public in Mount Pleasant.

After three months of “going out of business” signs, continuously dropping discount prices, and human advertising, customers said goodbye to Hastings as one of the trendy spots for young people in the area.

The effect has been larger than one might think and will have an impact on many Northeast students.

As the shelves emptied by the hour and bold, yellow discount and for sale signs blanketed the store, NTCC student Sierra Kennedy, took Hastings closing more personally.

“It’s a bummer really, there isn’t a designated place for teens and young adults to go in Mount Pleasant. Hastings was the “common cool place” where friends could hang and share common interests,” Kennedy said.

“Now that it’s gone, there’s Gamestop, Walmart and maybe the bowling alley, but it’s mainly for families.

There’s really no place for the independent teen or young adult to just go and hang out with friends and shop. I mean, where do we go now?”

With the loss of revenue a declining market for physical books, movies, and games, Hastings Entertainment Inc. filed for bankruptcy in early July in order to search for a buyer that would continue to operate its stores. According

staff photo|brianna stacks

A Hastings employee walks through the near empty store, recovering whatever was left of discounted merchandise. Prices dropped over 80 percent during the last few days. to court papers, the company was hoping for a sale by mid-July, but they were unsuccessful.

Hastings Entertainment was then put up for auction and bought out by Hilco and Gordon Brothers who have jointly began the liquidation process that will eventually shut down all of Hastings 124 stores across the U.S. Once it was announced that Hastings would be closing, many of the store’s popular features were immediately cut including movie rentals and their movie and video game buyback programs.

Another well-liked program that was eliminated was Hasting’s Friday night Magic Tournaments.

Magic, a fantasy card

game that has grown popular among teens and young adults, was the highlight of NTCC student David Hullett’s Friday night.

Hullet said he has definitely felt the effect of the store’s closing. “It’s an inconvenience really,” Hullet said. “In the past, I could just drive from my home in Pittsburg to Mount Pleasant to play a tournament. Now, I will have to drive, most likely, all the way to Longview.”

Hullet is not the only one who is feeling inconvenienced by the store’s closing. Northeast Texas Community College student, Ryan Nelson, said he no longer has the luxury of having a store close to home that meets his merchandise

needs.

“I do not like it at all,” Nelson said. “Due to the fact that Hastings is where I got all of my ‘nerd merchandise,’ it is terrible that I will have to drive all the way to Longview and use up half a tank of gas.”

Hastings was scheduled to close all 123 of its stores on or before Oct. 30 , which caused approximately 1,200 employees to lose their jobs with the retailer.

Shortly after the announcement of the closing down of its stores, Hastings Entertainment Inc. released the following statement, “We thank our customers and employees for their loyalty over the years, and we hope to see our customers at store closing sales.”

The Whatley Center for the Performing Arts at Northeast Texas Community College will host The Hunts in concert Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

The event is sponsored by Mrs. Helen Hampton.

Known for their harmonylaced take on alternative-folk, The Hunts are a Chesapeake, Virginia-based band of seven siblings who’ve been playing music together almost their entire lives. Twin sisters Jessi and Jenni and five brothers Josh, Jonathan, Jordan, Justin, and Jamison, now ranging in age from 26 down to 17, learned to sing and play violin as young kids and spent much of their childhood performing in their community.

“We are very pleased to host The Hunts on the Whatley Stage. This is a great opportunity to experience the fresh, upbeat music of this talented up-and-coming group,” Carolyn Franks, Director of the Whatley Center, said.

After widening their following and playing at theaters, festivals and universities around the country—and teaching themselves to play instruments like mandolin, piano, ukulele, banjo, and drums—The Hunts started experimenting with songwriting and soon brought to life a batch of songs that reveal their sophisticated sense of melody and undeniably dreamy innocence.

The Hunts recently completed a national tour with the band O.A.R. They played a several major music festivals, including Austin City Limits in 2015 and 2015. Their current single Make This Leap was recently featured in a national commercial.

Tickets for the event are $30 for adults and $10 for students. They can be purchased by calling the Whatley Center Box office at 903-434-8181. To learn more about this an other performances at the Whatley Center visit ntcc.edu/whatley.

Organizations to hold Food Drive

Special to The Eagle

The Northeast Texas Community College Office of Student Activities and Student Government Association is hosting a campus wide food drive Nov. 2 through Dec. 7, 2016.

The entire campus community is encouraged to join the effort to take action against hunger and help families within our surrounding communities.

The group is asking individuals or organizations to adopt one of two families to help in the fight against hunger.

The cost is $8 to $10 per box.

If you prefer to donate individual items, please feel free to do so. Our goal is to be able to accumulate 5,000

pounds of food to assist the families that are in need.

There will be DONATION BOX in the Student Union Building for your donations.

If you have any questions, please contact Rico Willis, Director of Student Activities and Multicultural Affairs at 903-434-8265 or e-mail.

Items to include in a small box or brown paper bag: • • • • • • • • • •

stuffing mix cold cereal oatmeal pancake mix dry rice dry bean 1 canned meat 1 canned vegetables canned fruit & 100% fruit juice canned pasta, stew, chili, hearty soups

Travel Course takes a bite out of the Big Apple

By Rusti McGonagill Staff Writer

While sitting in a classroom for credit hours seems simple enough, students can now add a little adventure to their studies by not only leaving the classroom, but the entire state.

The Northeast Texas Community College Travel Course will be traveling to New York City May 20 – 24, 2017.

The travel program offers students an opportunity to earn up to six college credits in American Literature I or II, History 1301 or 1302, U.S. Government and English Comp. I or II. The course, which is sponsored by English Professor Dr. Melinda Bobbitt and Government Professor Rex Allen, rotates each year between Boston, New York and Washington DC.

“When you look at things first hand and you don’t look at in a book, you get the experience you wouldn’t get otherwise,” said Allen.

Cost for the trip is $1,500, not including the tuition of the courses that students enroll in.

Students must pay a $100 deposit at sign up. The $1,500 covers airfare, hotels and other travel expenses such as tour passes and shuttles to and from the airport.

Students will be responsible for their own meals and any other items not related to the travel cost.

Students are encouraged to join the NTCC Travel Club if they’re interested in going on the trip. The club members are selling local merchandise coupon books for $20 each.

The sale of the books goes toward the students’ travel

costs. Installment plans are also available so that students can pay out the cost of the trip on installments. The total amount is due by April 1, 2017.

Those taking the travel course, will have the chance to visit the 9-11 memorial, numerous New York City museums, the Stature of Liberty at Ellis Island, the

Empire State Building and other major Big Apple attractions.

Bobbitt said the course gives students travel experience and the chance to explore a new place.

“We ride the subway and we go to Central Park; it’s almost like being on a movie set,” she said. “Students get to experience the United

States and something that’s iconic in the United States in a safe environment, learn a lot of stuff about the city and have fun with NTCC.” The actual classwork for the travel course begins with the spring minimester and runs through the end of the second summer session.

Bobbitt said the courses are tied so closely to the trip that everything in the course corresponds to what they do.

“It’s not just a “see experience,” it’s something that becomes not just education, but almost a life experience,” Bobbitt said.

This is the thirteenth year that NTCC has offered the Boston, New York City and Washington D.C. travel course.

Allen said the travel course offers valuable experience for Northeast students.

“It’s beneficial for our

students to go to different environments and see new people and different parts of this country and have a lot of firsthand experiences,” Allen said.

NTCC student Stacie Howell Orr, who has traveled with the course two times before, recommends the experience to other NTCC students.

“I learned more going on this trip than I could ever learn from a textbook. I got to see stuff, I got to touch stuff,” Orr said. “I got to stand in the places where history happened and that is an incredible feeling that you cannot get from a book.”

If students are interested in participating in this program they can contact Bobbitt at mbobbitt@ntcc. edu or Allen at rallen@ntcc. edu for information or attend the upcoming informational meetings to learn more.

November 3, 2016

The Eagle

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Northeast Texas Community College

News

Love for Rock ‘n’ Roll, fast cars and students

By Dylan McConnell Managing Editor When most students think of their instructor’s life outside of school, they never picture him being a rock star, but for Northeast auto body students that is their reality. Auto body instructor Ricky Roach picked up his father’s 1972 Fender Jazz Bass for the first time when he was 13 years old and has not been able to put it down since.

Although he continued to play music into his adult life, he started a career in auto body and owned his own shop for 20 years. Roach was offered the job of auto body instructor a few years ago.

“I had just gotten my body shop going, and I wasn’t sure if the program was going to keep going,” he said. “It hadn’t been open very long and sometimes stuff just doesn’t take.” Roach revisited the idea of becoming an instructor when the previous instructor left. “Then I heard from a friend that the school needed a new body shop teacher,” Roach said. “I just thought I’m not a teacher and my friend told me ‘yes you are. You teach without knowing you’re teaching.’”

Throughout his career while working in auto body, doing custom work on motorcycles and cars and even the occasional guitar, he also kept up with his music. Roach played with a band called Deep South for 15 years and a few years after he left Deep South he joined the Ricky Lynn Gregg Project.

Ricky Lynn Gregg became popular in the early 90’s and was named Billboard’s #4 Top New Artist in 1993, for his self-named country album.

Roach had always been a fan of Gregg and jumped at the chance to see him play again. “I had seen him in concert back in the day and I just always liked him. Then about two years ago I was out on Lake Bob Sandlin and somebody had come and said something about the band that was playing at Barefoot Bay Marina,” he said.

“I asked who was playing and they said ‘some guy named Ricky Lynn Gregg.’ I just thought no way, he isn’t over here playing in Pittsburg. Sure enough it was him.” Roach went to the show, and while sitting on the back porch at Barefoot Bay Marina, struck up a conversation with Gregg.

“He came off stage for a break, we were

just sitting outside and he just came over and started talking to me. It was just kind of funny, we just started off a conversation.

Then he was getting ready to go back on and just turned back, asked me if I played an instrument and I told him I played the bass, he said ‘I want your name and number before I leave.’ When I asked him why he said, ‘I’m going to do something, I don’t know when, but I’m going to do something.”

Roach thought nothing would come of the exchange until a year later he got a call from Gregg. “I was like this can’t be him. I answered and he said, ‘Hey is this Ricky?’ and I told him it sure was.” Gregg told Roach he had a gig for them to play at a casino that weekend. “He told me he’d send me the set list, easy gig he said ‘you can handle it, I promise you.’ And I’ve been with him ever since.” He said he has high hopes of where the band will go.

“We’ve been through some good times already, and we’ve been through some bad times already, but I think it’s going to grow.”

Over the summer The Ricky Lynn Gregg Project toured in Switzerland.

The tour in Brunnen, Switzerland was the farthest Roach had ever travelled to play. “The furthest I had ever been to play was Kentucky, so going to Switzerland was different,” He said.

“The people were super nice and the streets were clean, everything they have around that town they eat, they don’t ship in food, it’s all fresh.”

The band has now gotten a new booking agent and will be preforming at bigger events, but even with the bigger events, Roach said he doesn’t plan to leave his teaching job for music.

“If I ever left here it would probably be to go work for another custom shop, I really love custom work,” Autobody student, Shelby Dement enjoys the way he teaches and helps his students. “He’s a really good teacher, he knows how to explain stuff, and he’s really supportive.

If you can’t figure something out he just walks up, does it and boom it’s done,” she said. “It just seems like he can do anything. The stuff he’s painted in the past, he just has amazing talent.”

staff photo|iesha fluellen

Roach, far right, and Ricky Lynn Gregg, center, play with other members of the Ricky Lynn Gregg Project during the college’s Backyard Bash held arlier in the semester.

Dement believes that his music and down to earth personality helps him connect to his students. “The fact that he plays bass and I played bass, it helped with the connection,” she said.

“He doesn’t even feel like a teacher sometimes, more like a best friend, especially since I don’t have many friends here. I know that if I have any problems I can go to him and he’ll be there.”

There is a rush from working with students he enjoys. “I can stand in front of a thousand people and play, yeah I’m nervous, but after a while I’m just playing and having fun. Then you step in front of ten, fifteen students and you don’t have anything in your hands, that’s nerve racking for me. For about two years it was a big challenge. Somedays you get that rush though, especially the first day of a semester.

A lot of times students come in and they know who I am, not that I’m anybody, but I’ve been around, done some custom work. It kind of puts the pressure on me to present myself like I should.”

Ruston Jones, another auto body student, said he liked how much attention Roach payed to his students.

“He’s cool, if you don’t know what you’re doing he’ll walk you through it, one on one.

staff photo|daniel yanez

Along with his love for music, Roach has 20 years of experience creating art work on motorcycles and cars.

Ricky is just a great painter, he’s even painted guitars, he just has crazy talent. He’s just really supportive, he’ll help you with whatever you need,” said Jones.

Roach said he wants to give his students what they need to succeed.

“Everything I’ve done I’ve pretty much done on my own

and that’s what I’m trying to teach my students. The sky is the limit and I’m here to help them. If they’re a good student, I’m going to try and help get them. I want them to have the same experience as me, I want them to feel a rush. A job shouldn’t be something you dread every day.”

PTK Alpha Mu Chi member wins prestigious Walter B. Cooper award

By Jodi Weber Public Information Director Alpha Mu Chi, the Northeast Texas Community College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), recently learned that another student has received a state-wide scholarship award.

Tanika Santos-MacSwain, of The Woodlands, received the Walter B. Cooper Scholarship at the PTK Texas Leadership Conference. She was one of only three recipients from across the state of Texas.

The Walter B. Cooper scholarship is for individuals who are “well-rounded” members, representing all four hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa: scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship. Santos-MacSwain is the third Alpha Mu Chi member to win the award in as many years. Mary Smith won in 2015 and Kayleah Cumpian in 2014.

“Tanika really fits the bill when it comes to the well-rounded student. She is active on campus in both athletics and academics, excelling at both. This takes a lot of focus and determination,” Dr. Melissa Fulgham, Alpha Mu Chi Advisor, said.

Santos-MacSwain serves as co-captain of the NTCC Eagles nationally-ranked women’s soccer team and as a Supplemental Instruction tutor for Anatomy & Physiology. She was a recipient last spring of one of the inaugural Bonnie Spencer prizes in history for writing an outstanding essay for her history class.

Currently an active member of Phi Theta

courtesy photo

Santos-MacSwain was one of only three recipients of the prestigious award.

Kappa as well as Student Government Association, she served as Student Government Association (SGA) president last year.

Her Service work has involved serving the homeless at a shelter, work for the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Titus County Cares, Salvation Army, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

VETERANS DAY HIKE Nov. 11 Step off is at 8 a.m.

Start: Top Hat Trailers on Hwy 67

Finish: Civic Center

Hosted by Team Arise

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Northeast Texas Community College

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November 3, 2016

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November 3, 2016

Page 7

Northeast Texas Community College

Opinion

Guest Column

“Free College ” Why it’s such a bad idea

By NTCC President Dr. Brad Johnson

Johnson There is little question in my mind that a large majority of our high school graduates should attend some kind of post-high school education.

That might be a university, community college or trade school but for the purposes of this post I will simply call it “college.”

If I’m right, then we have a problem – not enough of our young people are attending college, and many who do attend rack up large student debt and leave without a degree or professional certificate.

So far, my argument fits the current national narrative and the stated federal goal of universal college attendance.

But here is where I differ sharply with current policy goals; I do NOT believe the problem is caused by the fact that students must pay tuition.

In fact, I am convinced that students who pay the bill out of their own pocket actually get more out of their education, value it more, make wiser choices about which college to attend, and end up ahead of their peers who had college paid by others.

Here are six reasons (some of which overlap) why giving college away is a bad idea: Nothing is free. You knew this was coming, but we must start here. The headline “free college” misleads and distracts from the truth that there is considerable cost involved in providing quality formal education.

This confusion actually harms the person the policy intends to help – the student – as we shall see shortly.

Price implies value. If,

as President Obama has suggested, the nation were to make community college education free, then the public will conclude community college education is inferior to university education.

There is substantial and growing evidence that community college education is every bit as valuable and rigorous as that found at the majority of public and private universities.

However, the free price tag will reinforce in the mind of the public that the educational opportunities are inferior, and that is NOT a good message for community colleges, students or their families.

Misguided solution to a real problem. The real reason many high school graduates do not attend, and others do not persist in college is tied to the fact that students coming through “free” public education have failed to develop an interest in learning.

They are “disengaged,” often seeing little intrinsic value in the education they are offered. Vincent Tinto and other researchers made this point more than a decade ago – students who sense value in their educational experience will overcome incredible challenges to succeed, while others lacking that sense will find any excuse to drop out.

This “Solution” would make the problem worse. I do not mean students will stop going to college simply because it becomes free. In all likelihood larger numbers of students will enroll.

However, they will be less engaged in learning, less inclined to stay up late studying and work hard to master difficult subjects.

If in the back of their minds this education is “owed” to them or is not worth any personal financial investment on their part, the final result will be poorer educational outcomes.

Lets be clear, the challenge for college professors is NOT primarily that their students are paying tuition.

It is that students already underestimate the value of what is offered to them in

their courses.

A past friend who worked with me as a psychology professor put it this way, “A college education is one of the few things in life where people (students) work hard to avoid getting what they paid for.” If college becomes free, then this challenge will only worsen.

Money can’t buy you love. Paying the bill for students doesn’t strengthen their character or resilience.

But it does rob them of the sense of achievement and accomplishment.

Just consider these two statements: “Uncle Sam paid for my college” -or“I worked my way through college” They produce very different senses of accomplishment, ownership, maturity, and so on. Even a generation ago when returning GIs went to college, the statement “I’m going to college on the GI bill” pointed to their military service and placed the college price tag in the context of self-sacrifice.

I am NOT saying that when students pay tuition somehow all the challenges are magically gone. But as a broad public policy “free college” applies incentives in the wrong places and sends the wrong message The one who pays makes the rules. This is probably the biggest hidden reason why “free college” is such a bad idea.

If someone else is paying your bill, then what is their role in your education?

Federal intrusion into higher education is at an all-time high right now.

Many of the bad seeds of centralized planning are being planted now, and will produce their bad fruit down the road (this might be a future blog?)

Students and parents need to ask whether the government’s purposes in their education might not always align with their own interests. Government wants “efficiency” while students should want “growth, opportunity, and an expanded understanding of the world in which they live.”

“Thanks for the book, Mom” Words on Wheels

By Brandon Pettey

Opinion Editor

When I was a kid, reading was the last thing I wanted to do. I dreaded it. Reading for school took forever because I read word for word. It seemed like one page took five minutes to read.

I went to great lengths to avoid reading. My mom, on the other hand, had other plans. She loves to read and was determined to make me love reading as well.

Over the summer, she would torture me with reading assignments that weren’t even for school. We would negotiate the number of pages I had to read. When I reached the mandatory amount of reading, I would stop. It didn’t matter if it was in the middle of a chapter.

Reading eventually became easier after taking a speed-reading class my mom “suggested.” And before I knew what had happened, books became a journey into other worlds.

The first time I suddenly realized I actually liked to read was when I found myself on an island fighting for survival while reading Lord of the Flies.

Since then, I’ve read countless books. Reading has taken me on adventures. Books have opened my eyes to the world around me and been a source of comfort during difficult times.

During high school, Still Me by Christopher Reeves, reminded me that even though I’m disabled, I’m still a strong and capable person.

Recently, Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell, the Navy SEAL who was

Thanksgiving deserves at least a little holiday respect

By Jillian Brooks Staff Writer I personally adore the holiday season. From Halloween all the way through New Year’s, the spirit is high and the weather is cool. I’ve recently noticed, however, that Halloween continues to become more and more popular, while one special day seems to go largely forgotten.

I remember when Halloween was just a day of dragging screaming kids around in the back of a minivan while wondering how much their cavities were eventually going to cost you.

Now, people of all ages are dressing up and getting in the spirit of All Hallows’ Eve. More and more people than ever before are putting inflatable pumpkins, fake cobwebs and green witches out on their lawns.

And, before the Halloween candy is even unwrapped, Christmas trees go on sale, colorful, glass ornaments are pulled out from the back room, and plastic reindeer are taken down from the attic and ready to be placed on the front yard.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas.

But, what happened to Thanksgiving? Why is it skipped over by most of society?

There’s no plastic turkeys, no pilgrim costumes, no Thanksgiving treats served for weeks in advance. Thanksgiving is a day of fellowship with your family and friends.

We sit around a table, laughing and talking while eating amazing food. We all talk about the things that we are thankful for, then we go outside and tackle each other in a great game of football.

So, with all that family merriment, why

does Thanksgiving only get a measly few hours of holiday fun?

Black Friday could be the answer to that question. Black Friday occurs within a few hours of giving thanks for the things that most of us already have.

On what is supposed to be a day of showing thankfulness, people instead rush out to an array of stores with a tidal wave of other shoppers.

They fight each other for an item that they must have because it’s $2 off what it normally cost. People charge down the aisles of WalMart, still practically clutching a freshly cooked turkey leg in one hand while fighting someone over a waffle iron with the other.

I mean, we just gave thanks for what we have, and now we are going to punch an old lady for a blender?

Personally, I find something wrong with a society that places so much value on “stuff.”

We need to focus more on what we have rather than what we need to buy to make someone else happy.

I’m not even sure why Black Friday even exists. People have died trying to get products for loved ones to open on Christmas morning, and I just don’t see a point to it.

I believe that we need to completely disregard Black Friday, even though some people can’t seem to live without it.

We need to remain in a thankful state of mind for longer than an hour. It’s important to appreciate the things we already have and the special people in our lives.

Always know that what we have, someone else might only dream of, and that is a good reason to be thankful.

forced to fend for himself after an attack on his unit, gave me a glimpse into the life of a soldier. I am Malala, written by Malala Yousafzai, a teenager who was shot by the Taliban in Pakistan, showed me the harsh reality of being an innocent bystander in a war zone.

She then stood as a shining example of perseverance when she went on to champion education for girls worldwide. These stories, and so many more, have enriched my life.

Unfortunately, there is a growing number of people missing out on what books have to offer.

More people are choosing not to read. Aliteracy, having the ability to read but choosing not to, is a growing phenomenon.

A recent study conducted by the Literacy Project Foundation showed six out of ten households do not buy a single book in a year.

The study also showed that 50 percent of adults cannot read a book written at an 8th grade reading level.

The trend is only growing with time as our lives become consumed by electronics.

The harsh reality is that choosing not to read is choosing ignorance. It is all too easy to become trapped in our small sections of the world.

Books and newspapers act as a splash of water to the face that wakes us up to the fact that the world has endless things to offer. Reading helps us reconsider our pre-conceived notions of what is true, right and wrong.

I am so glad that my mom exposed me to the joys of reading, even if it was originally by force.

We must work with just as much enthusiasm to reverse the epidemic of aliteracy. Our youth need to know that reading is essential to being wellrounded. As adults, we must set an example by also continuing to read.

Learning is a life-long journey and books are the road maps.

The Eagle Eagle Adviser Mandy Smith Managing Editors

Editor-in-Chief

Brianna Stacks

Daniel Yanez

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

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Northeast Texas Community College

November 3, 2016

Feature

By Celina Singer Feature to The Eagle I grew up in Immensee, a small village in Switzerland, and when I say small, I mean tiny. The population there is around 2,000 people with probably the same amount of cows.

As a kid, all the nature around you in Switzerland is fun, but as soon as you grow older, you start to take the train to the bigger cities or even a day trip to another country.

Because Switzerland is such a small country, it is easy to visit another land. You can reach the border countries of Italy, France, Austria, Germany or Lichtenstein in about three hours by train from central Switzerland. It is so easy to just go and have a great weekend, that you can take the train or the airplane if you want to go farther away. On a Friday night, maybe two years ago, my friends and I decided to take the car and eat breakfast in Italy. We slept in the car and stayed until Sunday.

In Switzerland, there are four spoken languages, SwissGerman, French, Italian and Rumanisch. My native language is Swiss-German, but because this is just a spoken language, we learn “proper” German in School.

When I was 15 years old, I spent one year with a host family in Geneva, the biggest city in the French part of Switzerland, to learn how to speak French.

Because my host family was actually from Italy, they taught me a little bit of their language too. With my new learned English skills here in the US, I speak three languages fluently and one good enough to survive.

Because of my karate

competitions I had to frequent many different cities, but also because of me and my friends’ urge to travel and take weekend trips, I have neen able to see a lot places in Europe.

Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Lichtenstein, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Greek, Malta, and Spain are some of the places that I’ve been able to visit.

Outside of Europe, I’ve spent, at times, two weeks somewhere with family or friends for the holidays. On one occassion, I was in Egypt, Thailand, Cambodia, and Fuerteventura. To learn more English, I decided to come to the U.S. and stay with a host family on the marvelous islands of Hawaii for six months.

After about four months in America I knew that I didn’t want to go back home that quick. I wanted to see more from the states other than Hawaii. Online, I searched for a college in Texas where I could study theatre, an old childhood dream not possible in Switzerland.

I found Northeast Texas Community College and here I am now. I’ve been at Northeast for one semester and I love it. After the semester is over it’ll be time for me to go back home, but I’m sure I will miss a lot of my experiences from here.

Theatre student, Celina Singer poses with friends while on a trip in the mountains (left). Right, a collage illustrating the Swiss countryside. On the upper right is Singer enjoying an overcast day on the Hawaiian Islands while staying with a host family.

courtesy photos

Students benefit from local workplace experience

By Ryan-Rose Mendoza Staff Writer

Many times students graduate and begin working in their perspective fields only to find the physical requirements of their jobs may differ from what they learned in the classroom during their years of studies.

Luckily for two Northeast students, this will never be an issue. Last summer, sophomores Laney Jordan and Corey Fyfe were given internship opportunities with the help of Northeast Engineering Professor Kenneth Irizarry.

Jordan, of Ore City, joined Priefert Manufacturing in Mount Pleasant while Fyfe, of Hughes Springs, was given an internship with Scot Industries in Lone Star. The two students received the internships as a means of giving them hands-on experience that would prepare them for their future careers.

“I guess I’ve always wanted to be an engineer,” Fyfe who is majoring in mechanical engineering, said. “When I was little I used to take toys apart and put them back together a different way just to see if they would still work. I like to find things that shouldn’t work and make them work.”

Jordan’s journey into industrial engineering did not begin at such a young age. “I just knew that I wanted to work on different tasks on a regular basis, and in the end that is why I chose engineering,” she said.

Jordan and Fyfe began their internships in the summer of 2016, expecting that their work with the companies would end when the next school year started.

But, their positive attitudes and ambition to work earned them each offers to continue their internships into the fall semester.

“From the beginning I asked my boss if I didn’t finish my project if I could stay on a little longer so I could finish it,” Jordan said. “I can’t just leave a job unfinished.” Jordan, who was trained by Priefert employee Jonathan Ramirez, had the opportunity to work with a high accuracy measuring devise called a Faro Arm. “I’m especially lucky to get to work for a company that allows me to work around my school schedule” Jordan says, “I’m so blessed.”

Fyfe had similar ambitions to continue his internship beyond the planned timetable.

“They told me to tell them my schedule once school got stated and I could work around it,” he said. The engineering major manages to

juggle 16 credit hours of college classes, work as a physics tutor in the NTCC math/science lab, and still put in 14 hours a week with Scott Industries.

Irizarry said the two students are doing a good job representing the Northeast engineering program out in the workplace.

“It gives me great satisfaction to see talented students become successful engineers,” he said.

“Laney and Corey are two of our most studious and creative engineering students.

They love engineering and love their internships. The industries where they are employed have been very impressed with their work.”

Irizarry went on to say that Northeast is grateful to both Priefert Manufacturing and Scot Industries for giving the students “the opportunities to practice their engineering skills in the real world.”

Clint Collier, Priefert engineering manager, said the program serves as a benefit for both the students and the companies that offer the internships.

“Our goal from the whole program, by working with the college and getting interns, is to actually find someone we can hire when they are done with school,” Collier said. “This lets Laney get familiar with us, and it lets us try her out, plus she gets to see if she likes Priefert as well.”

Collier said Priefert is also offering scholarships to students through the internship program. He said the goal is to find someone local who wants to stay local. He added that one of the biggest struggles they have is finding engineers that want to stay in Mount Pleasant because it’s a smaller town.

“The first couple of years of engineering are crucial,” Collier said. “You spend most of your time training an engineer and about the time you get someone trained to do what you want them to do, they want to go back to the big city. That’s the key thing, finding someone who is compatible with us and wants to be here.”

Both students agree that their internship has helped them grow both as engineers and as people. “Sometimes I come home all sweaty and dusty, but I would not change it for anything,” Jordan said.

Collier, a former Northeast student who received his engineering degree from LeTourneau University, said the internship program offers students practical experience that goes beyond the classroom.

staff photo|ryan-rose mendoza

Northeast engineering student Laney Jordan works with a Faro Arm, a high accuracy measuring device, generating prints of tube mill rolls to help Priefert’s develop future designs.

staff photo|mandy smith

Left, Corey Fyfe, NTCC engineering student and math/science tutor works with students during a tutoring session on campus.

The Eagle

November 3, 2016

Page 9

Northeast Texas Community College

Feature

courtesy photo

courtesy photo

Clockwise; Debbie Strong is picture in her uniform after completing Basic Training at Ft. Jackson S.C. in Feb. of 1974.

Colonel Dikerson presents Strong with her certificate of retirement after serving in the U.S. Army for 20 years, (Aberdeen Proving Ground Md. 1994). Today, Debbie Strong uses her instruction skills to guide students in their art studies. Below, Strong can be seen talking to students Erick Gaytan Fernandez and Maria Ramirez as they add to a “finish me” style drawing. Strong, interacts with students on a daily basis in and outsie the classroom.

I really enjoy, being able to let people use their emotions to communicate. Teaching or showing that art is a way for all of us to communicate without using words, because not all of us speak the same language or have the same backgrounds that made us who we are today, but if you have art, you can express your feelings and your emotions through that and portray that to your audience.” staff photo|daniel yanez

Debbie Strong’s journey from the armed forces to art instructor

By Daniel Yanez Editor-in-Chief At first glance, Debbie Strong might seem like any other ordinary art instructor. However, under closer inspection, a different personality of her extensive military background is exposed. Strong’s Army character adds an extra dose of energy to her classroom.

Reminiscing on her former military days from ordering men into formation, to sparking creativity in her students, Debbie Strong has accomplished success both on and off the field.

Born in Washington to D.C. to a military family, Strong moved across the country and internationally before retiring as a first sergeant after serving in the Army for 20 years before she and her husband eventually settled in rural Northeast Texas.

Although Strong’s family housed a military background, her motivation to join the armed forces came after falling in love with a German high school sweetheart while Strong’s dad was stationed in Germany.

After returning to the U.S., Strong insisted her dad let her return to Europe in search of love but found out her only ticket back to Germany was an Army want ad in a California newspaper. Although Strong was hesitant about joining the military, the sound of serendipity seemed enough to convince her.

After enlisting in the Women’s Force through a recruiter in California, Strong found herself back in Germany.

The rest is history. However, not before Strong’s life took a turn of life changing events including the death of her German beau. Joining the Women’s Army Corps at the age of 21 in 1974, Strong went into the armed forces in a time of change and sociopolitical movement.

“I came in during the Vietnam War, which ended shortly thereafter,” said Strong. “I stayed in 20 years and retired as a First Sergeant in the maintenance management field. “Women had been in the military, but there was a lot less of us then. That was pretty unusual in those days, now it’s pretty common,” said Strong.

After retiring from the Army as a first sergeant in February of 1995 from Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, Strong sought the ideal ranch home for her animals and beloved horses. But it wasn’t easy.

Strong made the trek from Maryland to Washington where weather and rowdy neighbors in Orange County, Calif. disturbed the peace at the ranch.

Finally, cheap land in Texas seemed to be calling her name. Texas not only offered a quiet country side, but it was also stationed in between Florida and California, a midpoint between family.

Also involved in the big move were

chickens, goats, cats, dogs, horses and a miniature mule. Before long, the Lone Star State, beckoned Strong and her husband, Ed, to 15 acres of land for their 19 animals just east of Mount Pleasant.

“We needed to move somewhere out in the country. We wanted to move some place that didn’t tax our retirement check and out in the country where we can buy a lot of property and so that’s what brought us to Texas, good prices on real estate and ranches,” said Strong.

“We didn’t know anybody in Texas and it was halfway between Ed’s family, in Florida and California.”

Strong established herself in the Mount Pleasant area and made her first appearance on the Northeast campus as an art student before stepping into the classroom as an educator.

“I came out here to socialize with other artist, taking art classes, I did the silversmithing classes, and ceramic classes and drawing,” said Strong, “then I started substitute teaching.

At the time, the college was in need of an adjunct. Strong applied and was accepted for the position where she served from 2008 to the spring 2016 before becoming a full time employee and faculty art director at the start of the current fall semester.

Teaching has always been instilled in Strong’s character.

“I always wanted to be a teacher. always.

Ever since late elementary school I remember telling my parents. But my father said, you don’t want to do that, you don’t make any money. But I always wanted to do it,” said Strong. “If you looked at my career in the military I was a chief instructor. I was in charge of 380 people at the company level at the ordnance center school in Aberdeen Proving Ground.

“We trained about thousands for that whole environment. One course that I was in charge of we trained about 1,700 students annually.

And there was like 60 instructors that I was in charge of. It was a nightmare, it was just like running a small college basically.”

However, becoming an art teacher was an eyebrow raiser for many as they questioned the mix of her rigorous military principle and discipline with such free form of expression.

“Everyone says how does what you did, have to do with art? Basically art has always been with me ever since I was a little kid. I started doodling in the sides of my notebook,” said Strong. “My parents were real supportive.

I took oil painting lessons when I was in high school from a German master when my dad was stationed in Ramstein. I always took lessons, oil painting, pastels, stained glass and watercolor.”

An oxymoron to many, discipline and structure are important elements in the military, more so in art Strong said as she explained the importance of learning and

courtesy photo

Strong prepares to launch a mortar shell as part of her military training while stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. (July 1982) following the rules in art and design before being able to break them. As an artist, Strong mentions exploring concepts and ideas before expanding an idea is key. She said a student’s creativity needs structure before breaking loose, a free minded individual is able to see more once he or she understands the basic principles and elements of art.

“There has to be rules and the Army did instill that discipline in me,” said Strong.

“You can tell the way I talk to people, they don’t realize it, but then I tell them I was in the army for 20 years and my dad was in the Air Force for 26 years, that’s my life.”

A stickler for tardiness, Strand said she has learned to relax over time as she explains her background to people and students. Graphic Arts major, Maria Ramirez, said Strong has been an inspiration to her. She said her instructor’s influence inspired her to put her medical studies on hold and pursue a career in art.

Ramirez also mentioned Strong’s firm military character finds a soft balance and with art and supports her students in making and setting life or career goals.

“She’s taught me to be very outspoken and to express my ideas,” said Ramirez. “She’s so positive about art, she’s so excited and encouraging about it. She’s always checking up on students making sure we’re on the right path, and mentioning new paths that we might be interested in, that’s her way of helping us.”

Strong started her teaching career in California directing 7th grade courses in prealgebra, English, some science and military

history before moving to Texas. Even more, it was in the California Military Institute, a charter school, the first of its kind in California. Still in existence, Strong was the first teacher they hired.

“Teaching art, I guess, is just natural because of my love for it, and my passion for teaching, it just works,” said Strong. “I think and I hope my enthusiasm for the arts bleeds over into how I portray it and pull out a little bit of somebody that might have a glimmer in there and say, I can do this.”

Art is special, particularly for Strong.

For her, art is an essential form and way of connecting with others. In her terms, art has a way of speaking.

“Teaching or showing that art is a way for all of us to communicate without using words, because not all of us speak the same language or have the same backgrounds that made us who we are today,” said Strong. “But if you have art, you can express your feelings and your emotions through that and portray that to your audience. So that’s what I really enjoy, being able to let people use their emotions to communicate.”

A learner for life, Strong says her enthusiasm for new discoveries motivates her to share learning and education with others.

“I can pick up an art book, even though it’s art history, flip through it and always find something new, I just think it’s part of me,” said Strong. “I want you to delve into something that you’re passionate about and explore it, go off in different ways and figure out what it is.”

Page 10

The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

November 3, 2016

Sports

Navarro eliminates Lady Eagles in first round of playoffs

By Dylan McConnell Managing Editor The Northeast womens soccer team brought the season to a close with a loss against Navarro in the first game of the playoffs.

The team also set three new records for the program, finishing the regular season with 14-3 record, being ranked 20 in the nation and freshman Esther Okoronkwo walked away as the highest scorer of the season with 18 goals.

The Team lost the game against Navarro in the first playoff game 1-0, after the second half started 0-0.

“It was a tough game, we battled hard. Of course, we didn’t get the season we wanted, but it was a good season overall,” Head Coach Ian McGimsey said.

The last of the games started with a face off against Angelina College, ending in a 2-1 loss. The only goal scored by the eagles was from Okoronkwo unassisted.

The Lady Eagles had another loss from Tyler Junior College, along with several injuries.

McGimsey said he believed the injuries had to do with the team’s lack of athletic trainers.

“I think it was just wear and tear on the team, not having an athletic trainer has finally hit us,” said McGimsey.

Last year it didn’t bother us

as much because we only had so many girls that could play,” he said. “This year we have a higher standard, so practices and the season was a little tougher. Not having somebody to help girls rehab, help them with the program.

If they feel a muscle strain they don’t have anyone to go to, all we have are ice baths, which isn’t bad, but it’s not professional either.”

The team came back from the losses with a win against Jacksonville College 5-0.

The first two goals of the game came from YayeDior Mbengue and continued with two more in the second half

by Esther Okoronkwo, Ana Ramirez and the last again by YayeDior Mbengue.

The next home game was Cisco College. The Eagles ran the Cisco Wranglers out of the nest with a 3-0 win.

The first goal came from Jacquelyn Ramirez, followed by a goal from Yayedior Mbengue and closed out with a final goal by Esther Okoronkwo.

The final game ended with the Eagles soaring home after a 4-0 shutout.

The scoring started with a header by Brianne Arnold, second by Ana Ramirez and finished out by 2 more goals from Brianne Arnold.

Heading into the off season McGimsey wants to focus on fitness, safety and technique. “Coming into the off season we’re going to work on weight training, put a

staff photo|dylan mcconnell

Ana Ramirez focuses on the ball past two defenders during the Lady Eagle’s final game of the season against Navarro. little more muscle on them,” he said. “We also want to make their knees and joints a little stronger, also want to work on our tactics and implement them this spring

and definitely next fall.”

McGimsey is happy with the outcome of the season and hopes to keep moving in the same direction the rest of the year.

“Overall it was a great season. We broke a lot of records, did a lot of things the school has never done before,” he said. “We became 20 overall in the nation, it’s

been phenomenal for the program and hopefully for the school as well. Hopefully moving forward, we can keep that momentum going.”

New face on the field

By Iesha Fluellen Layout & Design Editor

Master’s degree in Sports Administration.

When asked why pursue This fall semester at a career in coaching Northeast Texas Community rather than Sports College has had quite a few Administration, Lankford new faces among the faculty responded, “I just can’t and staff. sit that long. I have to be One of those new faces out doing something. I is Assistant Softball Coach, like coaching because it’s Sarah Lankford. so fast paced everyday.

Lankford began her journey There’s always new drills to become a coach with and new techniques with softball when she attended hitting and running. It’s Grayson Community College just more active.” in Denison, Tx and played for Ever since, Lankford their team for two years. began coaching at NTCC, It was there, where she she has not only shared played as first base and some knowledge from catcher on their team. her previous coaching Lankford After that, she transferred experiences, but she has to Henderson State University also learned a few things in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and continued to from Head Softball Coach, Jessica Keith. play softball as first base.

“Learning from Jess has been a huge The shift from being a player to becoming learning experience for me. She knows what a coach seems to be quite an enjoyable she looks for in players.” Lankford said. experience for Lankford. “The aspect of the “The experience is very eye opening to me. game is not that different,” Lankford says. Even though I’m coaching now, I still learn “The other side that people don’t see of the something new everyday.” Coach Keith coaching life is the office work and the field enjoys working with Coach Lankford and is work. It’s so much more, but I love it. I can’t happy to have her assist her with the team. picture myself doing anything else.”

“She’s great. She’s a big help to me and Although Lankford is new here to NTCC, team,” said Keith. she’s had more coaching experience before The players seem to enjoy having her coming to the Northeast Campus. “After I around as well too. “I like how supportive she got my Master’s Degree at Henderson, I went is to all of us,” said Aileen Robles. “She’s an back to Grayson Community College and awesome coach.” that was my first coaching job, as an assistant Coach Lankford has certainly been coach there.” Lankford said. “I was there for enjoying her experience coaching at NTCC. a year and then I went to Oklahoma at Eastern The players enjoy her and Softball Head Oklahoma State. I worked there for a year and Coach Keith does as well. And they look now I’m here.” forward to having her around for years to While at Henderson, Lankford earned her come.

staff photo|dylan mcconnell

Jahvain Russel quickly prepares to steal the ball at a home game against Paris Junior College earlier this season.

Laredo outscores Northeast

By Dylan McConnell Managing Editor Northeast Texas Community College men’s soccer team finished out the regular season ranked fifth in the region.

The Eagles played their first playoff game against the Laredo Palominos and walked off the field with a 5-0 loss.

The team played the game without three of their starters, Jahvain Russell, Morgan Murray and Juan Cantu.

The players were unable to play due to three red cards being issued during the previous game against Paris Junior College.

“This game was crazy,” Head Coach Steven Harrison said. “I’m not sure how we got three red cards. I guess the referee didn’t like us, but we just beat a team playing three men down so it’s a great accomplishment for the guys.”

The Eagles dominated the field against PJC, but the score remained 0-0 at the end of the first half.

The second half started off rough with the three red cards being issued. Sophomore Aaron Kavanagh brought home the game for the Eagles, with a penalty kick in the last 15 minutes of the game.

Kavanagh was this season’s highest scorer with a record of 11 goals. He also made AllRegion Team for the second time. “Some of it’s because he’s a sophomore and knew how the league worked,” Harrison said. “He worked hard in the off season. When we came back, he worked off the ball well. He knew what to expect, his effort was high and he liked to finish at the goal.”

Earlier in October, the team played Angelina College in a nail biter game, but with four minutes left on the clock and the game tied 2-2, Kavanagh buried a goal with an assist from fellow sophomore Emmanuel Obadevi.

“It was a good win for the guys,” Harrison said.

“Angelina is a first year program, but they play hard and are hard to break down

and finish goals on. They are very dangerous on set pieces and they got one against us.”

After a second loss, 9-0 against Tyler Junior College, the men brought it back with a win when they hosted Jacksonville College the next day.

The team came off the field with a 5-3 win.

Kavanagh scored three of the five goals scored that game.

“We rebounded well after the Tyler game and got a victory we needed,” Harrison said.

The team finished out the regular season with a threegame winning streak after a win against Southwest Christian College.

Overall Harrison said he was pleased with the performance of the team.

“It went well. Based off of last year, we are headed in the right direction. I had a year to recruit, so we have a lot of good freshman,” he said. “We did a lot better in the region, but we need to do better against the top teams.

Overall though, it was a good season.”

November 3, 2016

The Eagle

Page 11

Northeast Texas Community College

Sports

staff photo staff photo

| daniel yanez

Knight hugs Eagles player Ruber Medin after concluding his final meeting of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

The coach was open about his faith and offered spiritual guidance to his players through Bible study and aided in establishing FCA on the Northeast campus.

| teresa flores

Knight, left, coaches his first-ever Northeast recruit Tristan Graham, right, on third base during a 2015 regular season game. He served as assistant coach for the Eagles up until the Spring 2016 season where he transitioned into the head coaching position.

Head baseball coach accepts big league position

By Teresa Flores Special Sports Correspondent Every young baseball player dreams of becoming a part of a Major League Baseball organization.

Northeast’s Head Baseball Coach Austin Knight will now have the opportunity to do just that.

The Eagles’ coach has been offered and accepted a position within the MLB’s Seattle Mariners organization. His resignation will take effect immediately Knight and will be joining a minor league team through the Mariners ball club.

The chance of a lifetime came about from a work connection Knight made with the Mariners’ Director of Player Development Andy McKay. Knight said he played and coached for McKay in the past and considered him as a great friend and someone that he trusts.

“When he [McKay] called me the first time, it was a little surreal. I felt like a five-year-old in t-ball again dreaming that you would wear a professional jersey one day,” Knight said. “He pursued me and thinks that professional baseball would be a place that I would enjoy and thrive in. So it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”

Knight said he would not think a professional ball job would be an option for him. “I never thought about having this chance,” he said. “I wasn’t good enough to play professional baseball, and I immediately got into coaching and assumed that I would coach college or high school ball for the rest of my life.”

Knight described his departure from Northeast as bittersweet.

“It’s hard to leave because of how much I love this place, how much I have grown to love the people here and how close I have become with our team,” he said. “I thought a lot about it, prayed and sought wise council. Because it is going to be such a great opportunity and good fit, I’m very excited about what’s to come.”

Josh Stewart, Northeast vice president of student and outreach services and former Northeast baseball coach, said despite the short time that Knight has spent on campus he became an integral part of the community. “We are disappointed to see Austin go because he is a great member of our Eagle family and a great man, but we are happy for him to have been a part of Northeast. We will miss him, but we are excited about the future too,” he said.

With only a few more weeks left in the fall semester, Stewart said the coaching position will be opened to applicants and filled as soon as possible. “It’s going to be a quick turnaround, but it will be an official standard college process on a new hire and we will be beginning that process very soon.”

Knight said that he is hopeful about the future of the baseball program. “I am extremely confident that Stewart will bring in someone who will continue the tradition and move us in the right direction and beyond that,” he said.

Knight came to Northeast in Fall 2014 and served as the assistant coach where he helped lead the team, under Stewart’s leadership, to a playoff appearance the following semester.

He inherited the team early on in the 2016 spring semester after Stewart transitioned into his vice president role on campus.

Along with his coaching responsibilities, Knight also took an interest in his players’ lives off the field by offering spiritual guidance through Bible study and helping establish the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) on campus.

The Eagles’ pitcher Julio Guaba, a recruit from the Dominican Republic, said Knight has made a great impact on his life both on and off the field. “He believed and had faith in me being able to accomplish my academic goals while

studying in the United States,” the pitcher said.

Being an international student, Guaba said there is a language barrier within the classroom that Coach Knight motivated him to overcome. “Before Coach left, I made sure to thank him for giving me the opportunity to play here [on a scholarship],” he said. “I also promised him to learn more English and bring my grades up in order to get more field play during the season.”

Guaba expressed that the relationship the team formed with Knight in such a short time was important to their progress on the field. “Coach Knight was a livelihood to the team, and we felt great having him as our coach,” he said.

Knight’s connections at Northeast were with more than just his players. Stewart said he had formed a great relationship with the coach. “He’s like my little brother. He’s a great man, and he’s been like that everywhere he’s been whether Texas A&M or Dallas Baptist,” Stewart said. “He has got an infectious personality, and he has that impact wherever he is.

It is hard losing him, but we wish him well.”

Knight said this new opportunity would not have been possible without Stewart’s mentorship. “Two and a half years ago, I began to realize how difficult it is to get as an exceptional job as this one. I would’ve never had this chance come up if it were not for Stewart,” he said. “I saw how much trust he put in me to make me the head coach last year when he transitioned into his vice president role on campus and that means the world to me.”

Knight said his gratitude for Stewart and his mentorship was part of why choosing to leave Northeast was difficult. “It is a big part of why the decision was tough for me. I really hope that Stewart knows how much I appreciate him and the Northeast family.”

As for his time here as part of the campus community, Knight had nothing but positive thoughts to share. “I feel like I fell into a big blessing, and I did not deserve it. I got to be a small part of a rich history, not only with the school itself, but with the baseball program,” he said. “I will always have wonderful memories of the last two and a half years at Northeast.”

Northeast rodeo team members place at college’s annual rodeo

By Kenzie Messer Staff Writer As lights glared down and dust swirled, college athletes from the Southern Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association descended on the Pittsburg Rodeo Arena for the annual Northeast Texas Community College Rodeo.

“We had great performances,” NTCC Rodeo coach Skylar Hunnicutt said.

“The Eagles rodeo team did a fantastic job producing the best two college rodeo performances we will see all year hands down.”

The men’s team tied for eighth place in the rodeo with Louisiana State University of Alexandria while the women’s team placed sixth.

Harley Lynn walked out of the arena with third place in breakaway roping and Zaine Carnahan placed fourth in saddle bronc riding.

The team then traveled to McNeese State University the next weekend where some team members continued to make a showing.

The men’s team placed sixth overall at McNeese.

Lucas Manning placed third in bull riding, Zaine Carnahan placed fifth in saddle bronc

riding and John Anderson placed sixth as a team roping header.

Overall for the season, the Northeast men’s team sits eighth and the women’s team is holding the seventh place spot.

Individual overall standings have Zaine Carnahan in fifth in saddle bronc riding, Karson Stevens sitting eighth in breakaway roping and Harley Lynn holds the ninth place spot in breakaway.

The rodeo team will be traveling to Conroe, TX for Sam Houston State University’s Rodeo on Nov. 11-12.

staff photo

| kenzie messer

A bareback contestant comes out of the shoot during the annual Northeast Texas Community College rodeo held at the Pittsburg Rodeo Arena earlier this month.

Page 12

The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

November 3, 2016

Campus Life

NTCC Librarian Heather Shaw dressed up as a clown and made balloon animals to give to the Trick or Treaters.

Photos by Mandy Smith and Iesha Fluellen

Trick-or-Treaters happily enjoyed the game of shooting zombies with nerf guns.

Annual Scare Affair and Halloween baseball game bring a little spooky fun to the campus

By Kenzie Messer and Jay Wilkerson Staff Writers The Northeast Texas Community College once again held its annual Scare Affair, a spooky night of Halloween fun.

There were 17 NTCC student clubs and organizations that held a total of 48 booths of exciting and unique games for kids to play throughout the night such as face painting, cake walk, skeleton toss, football and baseball tosses, balloon dart throwing, hay ride and much more.

“We provided a fun and affordable night in a safe place where kids could get all the candy they wanted,” SGA President Jaquelyn Ramirez said.

The more unique events that took place were the dancing tin man and dancing old man, the haunted maze, the Cosmetology department’s popular haunted house and pumpkin bowling.

The scare affair gave clubs the opportunity to raise money for their organization for special project programs or events.

The event was also new this year because of the remodeled campus, which created new spaces for new games to be set up, but also created some challenges since there was a little less room than there previously.

“Overall the Scare Affair was very successful from the number of people we had to attend to the entire layout which kept a smooth flow for our guests,” Rico Willis, director of student activities and multicultural affairs, said.

The annual event gives local kids the opportunity to socialize and Trick or Treat in a safe environment that their parents can fell good about.

“This Scare Affair was one of the better

years with the new layout and everything running as smooth as it did,” Willis said.

There was some concern with the national news about the clown scare that has been circulating on social media. But, Willis said that there were not any problems at this year’s event.

“We didn’t have any problems or complaints from anyone, so overall this was a really good year,” he said.

“This year with the construction that happened we didn’t have any construction that took place. There was no clutter, and you would have people right in the middle of the plaza just standing there. until they figured out where to go. This year we had the sidewalk to keep traffic flowing so it could help people find different locations,” said Willis.

Last year, there wasn’t a lot of room for people to move around, but since the construction on the plaza has finished, people could now walk throughout the plaza and traffic kept moving.

Throughout the whole night, Willis said there was an average of 2,000 people who attended the Scare Affair this year.

Along with that successful event, the baseball team also got into the holiday spirit of things. The players dressed up in Halloween costumes and held a baseball game for fans.

The players were dressed up as a variety of characters including Clark Kent, a shark, Donald Trump, the Hulk, and even our own Coach Knight.

Throughout the game, the players walked through the stands and passed out candy to kids who attended. The game is an annual event and gives the player the chance to interact with the local community while having some Halloween fun.

Brandon Torres and Ke’Shawn Ballard dressed up as Moses and an 80’s jazzerciser to play in the Halloween Baseball game.

Two trick-or-treaters laugh as they attack a volunteer with pool noodles.

Above: Ramiro Gonzalez shows a prisoner how to play the booth’s game Right: Chandler Dean and Timmy Yelverton dressed up as Forrest Gump and Lt. Dan for the Halloween Baseball game.

The Eagle

November 3, 2016

Northeast Texas Community College

Page 13

Entertainment Clare’s new series ‘The Dark Artifacts’ debuts

By Holly McGonagill Entertainment Editor Young adults everywhere love the supernatural genre that is all the rage in the 21st century.

Books everywhere that have a supernatural element are selling like hotcakes and becoming a New York Times bestseller.

Author Cassandra Claire has written several series featuring the supernatural.

Claire is the author of the popular series The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices and the short stories, The Bane Chronicles and Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy.

She recently came out with the first installment of her new Shadowhunter series The Dark Artifacts: Lady Midnight.

Shadowhunters are half-Angel half-human warriors who are trained from a young age to protect humans from downworlders.

Downworlders consist of vampires, warlocks, faeries, and demons.

Shadowhunters rule the supernatural world and

the downworlders have to submit to the Clave’s (the Shadowhunter’s government) laws.

If the downworlders are caught hurting or killing a human, it is punishable by death. Lady Midnight takes place five years after the Dark War. The Dark War was a war that killed many Shadowhunters in the last book of the series The Mortal Instrument, which told the stories of Jace, Clary and friends.

This book tells the story of Dark War orphans, Julian Blackthorn and Emma Carstairs, who are best friends and now seventeen, living in Los Angeles.

The two teens forced to care for Julian’s younger siblings Livvy and Ty (15), Dru (13) and Tavvy (7) because their guardian, Uncle Arthur, is suffering from lunacy.

Emma and Julian now share the symbol of Parabatai which means they are bound together as warrior’s to always fight with one another.

During the time of the Dark War Emma’s parents

courtesy photo

Lady Midnight The Dark Artifices by Cassandra Clare is book one of the popular series. were both killed. The Clave decided their murders were just collateral damage of the war.

Instead of being slaughtered like the other bodies of the war the bodies

were burned, filled with sea water, and had markings all over the body. The marks look like the makings of a dark and powerful spell.

Emma, who knew it wasn’t the war that killed them,

investigated her parents murder behind the Clave’s back for five years.

After five years of false leads, she finally finds the tip she was looking for to find out who killed her parents.

Bodies of humans and Fae are starting to show up and they have the same markings as Emma’s parents.

Emma and Julian are portrayed as very strong characters.

They both feel as if they must handle dangerous situations on their own to keep from involving the others.

The family bond is relatable in a way that shows unconditional love. Each family member would do whatever they have to in order to keep the others safe, even if that means getting them almost killed in the process.

While the characters show a mature side in the books, because they are warriors there are quite a few moments where you can see they are young adults struggling with normal teenage life and drama.

Young readers can connect

with the characters of this series as well as receive inspiration from them, because of the fact that Claire focuses on the mature and immature side of the shadowhunters lives.

This book has everything an avid reader could want.

There is action, betrayal, magic, drama, humor and forbidden romance and that is just the surface layer of what is in the book.

It seemed that the book never had a dull moment which causes the reader to never want to put it down.

The book ends with a sort of cliffhanger which had me wanting to start the next book in the series that night.

The sad thing is that the next book The Dark Artifacts: Lord of Shadows does not come out until March 2017.

Though it is such a long wait to read the second book of the series, reading Lady Midnight was worth it.

If you are someone who enjoys fantasy and supernatural this is a series that should be picked up and read. It is hard to be disappointed in a book that caters to literally everyone.

Comedian Nigahiga videos take Youtube by storm

By Rusti McGonagill Staff Writer

courtesy photo

Madea, played by Tyler Perry, gets ready to fight off zombies and Halloween hooligans in Boo! A Madea Halloween.

Monsters, murderers and Madea

By Jay Wilkerson Staff Writer

I walked into the theatre full of people ready to see Boo! A Madea Halloween. As I sat down, all I could think was, “Oh my goodness, why are there so many previews!

Will they hurry up and start the movie.”

And then the lights shut off and Tyler Perry’s latest installment to the Madea franchise came on the screen.

As I watched, it suddenly came to me that the movie, which was written, produced, directed and starring Perry was an interesting take on the traditional Halloween movie.

I never in all my years thought that I would see a Halloween movie featuring the popular Madea character, but as I kept watching I decided that this one of the funniest Tyler Perry movies that I have seen in a long time.

Lately, it seems like Perry’s movies have the same depressing format. Someone is on drugs or living on the streets and they find the most amazing person.

And, sometimes that person, being Madea, helps change a life for the better and they all live happily ever after.

But, not this movie. It made laugh uncontrollably every chance it could and even scared me once or twice.

As a college student, this movie was relatable because sometimes, especially around Halloween, you just want to cut loose and have some fun.

I could see the fraternity characters, which were played by a lot YouTube stars, want of mischievous fun. This sense of wildness only made me want to watch the movie more.

I can also relate to the film as an AfricanAmerican man and understand all the things that Madea, Joe, Hattie Mae and all the other characters were talking about.

For example, the argument about Brian’s daughter, who didn’t obey his rules, but instead of him making her leave his house he just grounds her.

Overall, this movie was enjoyable. If you’re a fan of Madea or any other Tyler Perry movie, you will definitely like this film.

It varies from the other Perry flicks because of the Halloween aspect.

Boo! A Madea Halloween is nothing that I would have expected from Tyler Perry, which is not a bad thing at all.

staff photo|mandy smith

Theatre Northeast produces first play of the season Theatre Northeast Director Martin Holden, left, talks with the cast of The Boys Next Door following their first perfomance of the show’s four-day run.

With over 18 million subscribers and 2.9 billion views, Nigahiga is one of the most popular YouTube channels out there.

Nigahiga is an American comedy YouTube channel ran by Ryan Higa.

NigaHiga is currently ranked number 13 on the YouTube’s most popular list.

From August 2009 to June 2011 Nigahiga even held the number one spot.

Nigahiga has worked with other popular YouTubers and artist such as Kev Jumba, Wongfu Productions, Arden Cho, David Choi, Basketball star Jeremy Lin. Nigahiga’s regular cast for his videos consist of Ryan Higa, Sean Fujiyoshi, Tim Enos, Tarynn Nago, and others.

Nigahiga is a channel full of both hilarious and interesting content perfect for distracting students from homework or waiting for that next class to start.

The Nigahiga channel features different series, each funny and entertaining, always signing off saying TEEHEE. The series “Dear Ryan” is where viewers ask Higa questions or to do things and he attempts to answer or do the things asked.

“Chicken or the egg (Dear Ryan)” is a video that has 1,450 views about Higa hilariously explaining whether the chicken or the egg came first.

Higa uses the equation E=mc2 incorrectly to come to his conclusion.

Another series called “I Dare You” is similar to “Dear Ryan” but the viewers send dares and Higa and his friends take turns drawing the dares out of a hat then depending on the difficulty or disgustingness, points are given to the dare taker.

The person with the most points wins a ball of foil

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Ryan Higa a.k.a. Nigahiga, creator of the Nigahiga Youtube channel. until the next round and new winner. Then there is “Skitzo” a series where Higa embodies different characters in a support group like setting. Hanate or his full name “Hanatewakusoshi-seotada-shiteteriyaki-suzuki-honda-civic” is a Ninja with a limited understanding of the English language who says his real name is Bob but pronounces it as Boob.

“R-Dizzle-Fo-ShizzleMy-Nizzle-Off-Da-HizzleDrizzle or R-Dizzle” for short is a gangster that does not get along with Ryan because he feels Ryan judges him. Regina is the only girl in the group; she is very dimwitted and has been the cause of some arguments between the characters such as when she tries to change her name to Re-Gina.

There are also music videos with original music

by Higa and his friends.

The most popular being “Dong Saya Dae” aka “I have to take a S**T” by Boys generally Asian, a group that consist of R.O.P. aka Ryan Higa, Daeya-ng aka David Choi, P-dragon

aka Phillip Wang (of Wongfu Productions), J-lite aka Justin Chon, and Jeungri aka Jun Sung Ahn. Boys generally Asian makes fun of the popularity Korean pop music in America.

There are how to videos, parody advertisements, and many more random comedic videos.

Sometimes it’s just good to watch mind-numbingly funny videos like the ones on the NigaHiga channel to relieve a day’s stress and calm your mood.

All the videos are made in good fun and are clean compared to a lot of today’s raunchy comedy.

Over all the videos are good quality, with clear video and sound.

The acting is purposely over the top and well done.

Though it has never been confirmed it is speculated NigaHiga uses a Cannon 70D for their videos.

For more funny videos with Ryan Higa and his friends check out the NigaHiga channel and his second channel HigaTV. As Higa would say TEEHEE.

Page 14

The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

November 3, 2016

Entertainment

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The film’s director and screenwriter, Nate Parker starring as protagonist, Nat Turner just moments before he leads a group of armed men in the film’s infamous revolt scene.

Delivers a message but not without flaws

By Iesha Fluellen Layout & Design Editor

Ever since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January earlier this year, Nate Parker’s Birth of a Nation has gotten quite a few people talking.

The buzz surrounding the film started to build into hype. It was so much hype, that people were saying early on, that this film was to be a definite Oscar contender.

However, though the film is fairly decent, it struggles with two major things, historical accuracy and its audience connection.

Parker stars as Virginia plantation slave Nat Turner, whose 1831 revolt became the bloodiest in American history.

Brought up on the Bible, protected from the worst abuses of slavery, and coached by his fearful mother, Turner becomes canny enough to stay deferential around whites.

Eventually, Turner falls in love with a traumatized woman named Cherry Ann and starts a family of his own.

He also becomes a preacher, and Sam, the plantation owner’s son, hires him out to local plantations to deliver sermons on obedience and gratitude to other groups of slaves.

But while Nat has definitely witnessed some serious brutality, he’s also been protected by Sam’s affability and Sam’s father’s apathy.

Traveling to other households exposes Nat to new realizations that gradually strengthen his convictions and lead him toward rebellion.

Birth Of A Nation is built around Parker’s emotional performance.

With his careful navigation of his household’s specific racial boundaries, the love and joy that marks his personal life, and his gradual awakening to the larger realities of the slave existence.

The film is at its most powerful when it’s

WARNING

relying primarily on Parker’s charisma and presence.

He doesn’t hesitate to show the intense levels of graphic physical and emotional agonies of slavery, on the grotesque details of physical abuse, merciless labor, and sanctioned rape, torture, and murder.

The film spends more time and energy on shaking Turner, and the audience through him, than on understanding who he is.

Birth Of A Nation captures the significant events in his life, and heavily underlines how they connect into a straight path to revolt.

But the things he sees seem disturbing enough to raise any man to violence, even at the risk of death.

Birth Of A Nation drops the opportunity to address what in Turner’s makeup made him distinctive, and what made him rise up when so many didn’t.

Birth Of A Nation is being hailed as a

definite Oscar front-runner for a quite number of reasons.

It’s one of those films that it almost hurts to watch, and that pain has a huge effect.

It’s telling the kind of story we need to see more often on screen, the kind of blackcentric, racially charged, socially significant historical story that has without a doubt been missing from American film screens for too long.

But I must say, it’s not enough to acknowledge that film is doing moviegoers a service in telling a story they may not find familiar.

It also has to be acknowledged that it tells it in a bit of an inaccurate way.

Was this movie good? Yes. Not the best, but still good. Does it have a chance at the upcoming Academy Awards? We shall see.

Things just got a little gorier

By Jillian Brooks Staff Writer The Walking Dead is a horror/drama television series that has taken the world by storm. It has been nominated for 141 awards and has 48 wins.

According to The Talking Dead, a talk show that highlights moments from each week’s episode, the series obliterates the NFL’s views every Sunday night at 8 p.m., and there seems to be no stopping it.

I have been watching The Walking Dead since the middle of season one, and I am hardly ever disappointed.

The actors have God-given talent, and the directors know exactly how to get us involved with the characters and make us fall in love with the plot.

Andrew Lincoln plays the protagonist Rick Grimes, a sheriff that leads a group of survivors through the hordes of walkers as they travel across Georgia to find a safe place.

As the storyline has developed throughout seven seasons, the undead have become the least of their problems.

The other humans on the earth have finally turned against each other. I find it very disheartening to think of that, but I also feel that it is what would really happen.

People attack others, they torture and they steal.

The shock of what is happening around them gets into their heads, and some even lose their minds. A snippet of that happening took place in season four, episode 14. A young girl goes insane and kills her younger sister, thinking that

the walkers are simply “new people.”

Rick and his group of survivors have met many different people, most of which were deadly and harmful to them. Rick is always there to keep his group safe, which is why they are so loyal to him. But sometimes, Rick can’t keep everyone safe.

The directors and writers of this series know exactly how to keep their audience on the edge of their seats, and they use that to their advantage.

In the season seven premier on Oct. 23, Rick’s group, which consists of about 11 people, give or take, is seen kneeling in front of the new antagonist, Negan, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. He is the main person responsible for the many tears shed on Sunday nights.

Negan walks through the group, saying the familiar, “Eenie meenie minie moe” while pointing his barbedwire covered bat toward each person he passes.

The suspense in this scene was absolutely amazing.

I found myself leaning forward, staring at the television, only to jump back and almost scream when I saw who he decided to swing his bat at.

I did notice that VEWIER DISCRETION IS ADVISED popped up on the screen before the premier aired, and I was confused. From season one through six, there had never been a warning about the content.

Sure, there was always a lot of blood and some curse words, but nothing too major.

I immediately saw why they wanted to warn us. The gore in the premier is turned up to an eleven, and it is

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‘Closer’ to the top

By Kieran Martin Staff Writer

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Negan, played by Jeffery Dean Morgan, is causing havoc on season 7 of The Walking Dead.

much more realistic.

The zombies, or “walkers” so they say, still look as gory and gross as before. The warning was more for the living people. It should’ve just said, “People’s insides will be on their outsides… beware.”

Another really interesting thing about The Walking Dead is that the word “zombie” isn’t used once. It’s always “walkers” or “biters.”

The directors and writers have done a great job of getting away from the cliché zombie theme that everyone is tired of.

The actors go incredibly in depth with their characters and backstories, making it easy to pick your favorite, relate to some of them, or

even dislike a few.

My personal favorites are Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon and Maggie Greene. They are all strong and able to fight, and they stand up for what is right in the face of danger.

All in all, I rate the season seven premiere of The Walking Dead 10/10. The loss was intense, but that’s the best part. The way that a fictional television show can make you feel like you’ve lost an actual person is what makes this a great series.

I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys the concept of the “zombie apocalypse” and can stomach a good brain explosion or two… or twelve.

And don’t forget…“Fight the dead, fear the living.”

The Chainsmokers has become a name that a lot of music lovers have become all too familiar with in the last year. This could be because they have been dominating the charts every week of 2016.

Formed in 2012, the duo consists of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall, both natives of New England, whose music is described as blurring the lines between indie, pop and dance.

Their first single “#SELFIE” peaked at number 16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 2014.

The song was originally released as a free download and became an instant hit. The track features an electronic beat that loops throughout the song culminating with a dance music drop.

A female monologue plays over the track talking about a typical night of drinking and taking selfies at the club.

The Chainsmokers released this song as a joke and did not have plans to tie the track to a record label until the following year when it became a hit.

More recently, their debut EP “Bouquet,” released in late 2015, featured the song “Roses.” It’s a song that can be listened to over and over again.

The sensual and suggestive track favors the beat and harmony over lyrics with heavy synthesizer and electronic influences.

This set The Chainsmokers up for their knockout year of

influencing the charts.

“Don’t Let Me Down” became the third song to hold a spot on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number three.

The popular track remained in the top 10 for 23 consecutive weeks and sold 1.6 million copies in the United States.

The song, which begins with singer Daya’s powerful vocals, has become one of the most popular songs of the year.

“Don’t Let Me Down” is their first track that differed from their electronic-pop roots.

“Closer” featuring Halsey dropped in July and was performed at the MTV’s Video Music Awards. This hot beat soon became the song of the summer and was The Chainsmokers’ first number one hit.

The pop-style song proves that artists have the ability to grow and improve their music, compared to the cheesy “#SELFIE” track created a mere three years earlier.

“Closer,” featuring popular singer Halsey, is definitely one of their most ambitious songs to date.

The song offers a new take on the modern love song.

The track consists of thundering piano chords and a sweeping echo in contrast with the upbeat duet with the two artists.

While having no plans on releasing a debut album, The Chainsmokers continue to create catchy songs that are automatically attracted to the charts and continue to drop hit after hit.