December 9,2014

CHRONICLE Richland Vol. XL Issue 16

December 9, 2014

Former Richland student wins MIT contest | Pg.7 Got game?

Parking lot proposal | Pg. 6 Richlandchronicle.wordpress.com

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Pg. 4 #Chronicle DCCCD

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The semi-freedom of ‘Speech’

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Johnny Blanford, left, as Solomon, Janette Sanchez as Diwata and Bridget Condra as the reporter, in the Richland production of “Speech & Debate.”

• Planned Activites

JOYCE JACKSON

• 24 Hour Maintenance

Copy Editor

Doesn’t everyone love a sex scandal? It’s even more thrilling if it involves a politician or a teacher.

That was key as the intimate Arena Theater stage in Fannin Hall was transformed into a steaming hot high school drama in Stephen Karam’s “Speech & Debate” on Nov. 21.

“Speech” is a contemporary play dealing with the ongoing struggle between adolescents and adults at North Salem High School in Salem, Ore. It deals with some major controversial issues: abortion, pregnancy, religion, homosexuality and sexual misconduct.

Director Gregory Lush picked a superb cast. The audience was completely transfixed on three major teenage misfits as they transitioned into adulthood. The problem was, when they wanted to discuss these serious topics, one of their teachers, portrayed by Bridget Condra, told them “Talk it over with your parents.” That’s all the teens ever heard, so as a result, they started a speech and debate club to bring these issues out into the open.

Lush described the play as a “serious comedy” since it introduced some serious issues, but said it’s funny in the way that it treats them.

Carter Brown, a recent graduate of Booker T. Washington and now a Richland drama student, played the blond, openly gay teen Howie, who spends time searching online chat rooms for prospective partners. In the first of 12 scenes, Howie, as BlBoi, is seen chatting on his laptop with BiGuy, who he discovered later to be the school’s drama teacher. Their conversation was projected on a screen as instant messaging so the audience could get a glimpse of his lifestyle.

As the play progressed, we met Solomon, 16, the nosy newspaper reporter who constantly prods for information about a sex scandal concerning the town’s hypocritical mayor having sex with teenage boys. The hypocrisy that incites the trio disturbs the teens

to the point where it drives Solomon’s obsession for a spicy story, in hopes of becoming famous for his superb investigative skills.

Johnny Blanford was quite convincing as the serious-minded, bespectacled Solomon, in complete contrast to Brown. His role was more playful and energetic. There was one touching scene when Solomon admitted that he was gay.

Blanford’s role as Solomon was starkly different than his obnoxious role as Rick Steadman in Richland’s March production of “The Nerd,” showing how versatile he is as an actor.

Janette Sanchez had the delightfully outlandish role of Diwata, 17. She dazzled the audience with her gift of gab and a wide assortment of flailing arm movements. Along with her video blogging as a wannabe actress, Howie and Solomon observe Diwata’s overblown ego and obsession with singing and becoming a star. Costume designer Misty Clark created the most colorful, brightly designed dress and leggings to match Diwata’s flamboyant personality. No one in the audience could take their eyes off her.

In one fascinating scene, Howie and Solomon picked Diwata up on their shoulders and then broke out in a wild dance, eventually disrobing to their body suits. It was just hilarious.

Brown was superb at crouching down in a sitting position and hopping along to the music.

That kind of energy can’t be beat.

The play ended as the threesome hoped to get more members for a Gay-Straight Alliance Club meeting, but no one showed up. A reporter, however, again played by Condra, returned and asked questions on how the three of them came together, but she disappointed them as much as the adults in their lives by just using the teens to promote her book.

While “Speech” is considered a play for mature audiences, it was actually just a light comedy presenting some serious issues concerning teens searching for life’s answers. It never went so far as to provoke controversy or solve problems, which should have been refreshing to the audience.

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Staff photo Melanie Brandow

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ENTERTAINMENT

‘Hunger Games:

Mockingjay-Part 1’

RICKY MILLER

Richlandchronicle.wordpress.com December 9, 2014

Entertainment Editor

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Don’t be fooled. There aren’t any more events in “The Hunger Games.” Rather, it all comes to a near-end with “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.”

The main character of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar-winner for “Silver Linings Playbook,” “American Hustle”) is an awesome hunter who fell in love with the breadmaker (Josh Hutcherson, “Zathura,” “RV”) who loved her from afar.

“Mockingjay - Part 1” is nothing more than a glorified soap opera with Hutcherson’s Peeta persona who only spews glorified propaganda through the TV airwaves. Somehow in the whole mess of things, Katniss puts all of her stake and feelings into her comrade and lover.

She also still holds a candle for Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth, “The Hunger Games,” “The Expendables 2”), her friend and partner from the get-go.

The whole premise of “The Hunger Games” has shifted from the games to President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and his bid to remain in power.

For all intents and purposes, he is the dictator of the fictional Panem.

Also of some significance to the story Staff illustrations Quan Tran

Ricky’s Take

are Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. Harrelson returns as Haymitch Abernathy, a previous Hunger Games winner who wants to aid Katniss in her plight. Banks sports a less-than-glamorous look as Effie Trinket, the wardrobe maker who does not have the gaudy look of days past. Hoffman returns as Plutarch Heavensbee, who is essentially a double agent, still aiding Snow.

Also on the side of the good guys is Julianne Moore’s President Alma Coin, who convinces Katniss to join the rebellion as the Mockingjay and symbol of overthrowing the government and the powers-that-be.

The problem with the movie, however, is that not enough time is spent with the supporting players; the storyline neglects their characters altogether.

This is especially true when it comes to Jena Malone’s Johanna Mason character. She must have suffered in the editing room because her character pops up for a second and then disappears.

I actually liked the first installment better, as well as “Catching Fire” because you actually cared about those involved. With the final installment (“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2”) coming in 2015, this series will hopefully deliver with an arrow through the heart (or some other appendage we don’t need as much).

Grade: B-

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AC/DC: All rock, no bust CHARLIE VANN Staff Writer

AC/DC is back, folks, with its 15th studio album titled “Rock or Bust.” The question is, will this new album be a bust?

After listening to the album, I can tell you “Rock or Bust” is not a bust. I’ve been an AC/ DC fan since I was a kid.

I still get excited when I hear “Thunderstruck,” “You Shook Me All Night,” or “Back in Black.”

AC/DC always seems to bring grit to its albums. You can tell an AC/DC album a mile away, which is a good thing. The Australianbased rock group formed in 1973 has a unique sound. I always get chills when I hear lead singer Brian Johnson’s vocals. You can hear the grit in his voice, which lights up each track.

AC/DC is one band that hasn’t really changed its sound or identity. You would think by now the band would try to experiment or try something different. However, they stay true to their sound, which means they stay true to their fans.

“Big Hero 6” – Another win for the mighty Disney studio in which viewers are introduced to Baymax, a first-aid robot that always wants to help people. Grade: B“Horrible Bosses 2” – The trio of friends from the first entry return, which include Jason Bateman (TV’s “Arrested Development”), Charlie Day (“Pacific Rim”) and Jason Sudeikis (“Hall Pass”). They encounter new louts with the father-and-son duo of Christoph Waltz (Oscar-winner for “Inglorious Basterds”) and Chris Pine (“Star Trek”). C“Interstellar” – Christopher Nolan tackles the depths of outer space with this Matthew McConaughey vehicle in which planet Earth is doomed and

I enjoyed listening to this album. I think each track grabs you and takes you on that AC/DC rock ‘n’ roll journey. In fact, some of the tracks have rock in the title. The band never hides its rock image, which shows in the music.

I didn’t once feel burned out or disinterested in the latest effort. The album made me want to get up and rock out or play air guitar. I like that the band doesn’t stray from the familiar sound that it has been delivering through the years.

I really couldn’t find a track on this album that I didn’t like. AC/DC delivers all the time.

From the first track to the last on “Rock or Bust,” listeners get a great dose of rock ‘n’ roll.

I definitely recommend this new album.

Not just for AC/DC fans, but rock lovers in general.

You don’t have to be a rock fan to enjoy the songs here, but if you are an AC/DC fan, I think you will be smiling and maybe even clapping or stomping your feet.

“Rock or Bust” is most certainly worth a listen.

astronauts must discover another planet. This amazing flick features Nolan regular Michael Caine. as well as Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway and Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain. A“The Theory of Everything” – This is the slice-of-life story of physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne, “Les Miserables”) and his wife Jane (Felicity Jones, “Like Crazy”). B New to video – “The Hundred-Foot Journey” Helen mirren leads the way as a chef running a restaurant in the French countryside. She receives competition when an Indian family open a restaurants right across the street. B+

CAMPUS

Fall semester 2014 captured: A look back

The Texas Star ferris wheel at this year’s State Fair of Texas.

Staff photo Isai Diaz

José Galvan holds on to a mechanical bull during Ducktoberfest.

Staff photo Kim Sanders

Staff photo Melanie Brandow

Daniel Sanchez during a tournament.

Staff photo Audrey Morton

DCCCD Chancellor Joe May and Richland President Kay Eggleston confer during May’s campus visit.

Staff photo Ashling Han

The Love Park fountain and famous Robert Indiana sculpture LOVE in JFK Plaza in Center City, Philadelphia.

Richlandchronicle.wordpress.com December 9, 2014

Staff photo Blanca Reyes

Jack Purdie in a game against Mountain View.

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NEWS/CAMPUS

DCCCD leaders attend Washington, D.C. event DORIS BROGAN

Editor-in-Chief Layout Editor Photography Editor Entertainment Editor Copy Editor

Richland President Kay Eggleston and Dallas County Community College District Chancellor Joe May were among hundreds of higher education leaders who attended a meeting Dec. 4 at the White House hosted by President and Mrs. Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

Richlandchronicle.wordpress.com December 9, 2014

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The White House College Opportunity Day of Action supports the president’s commitment to help the nation reach its goal of leading the world in college completion. The plan is to partner with colleges, universities, business leaders and nonprofits to support students across the country in achieving their goals of obtaining college degrees.

“Richland College is well-positioned to be a part of such an ambitious initiative to assist great numbers of students in their educational pursuits toward degree completion and wellpaying jobs,” Eggleston said.

Richland’s commitment to this event included a plan to expand its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Center to reach more than 4,000 students during the next three to five years with proven programs

Copy Editor

It was a nice, cool Friday afternoon on Nov. 14. Canada geese were gobbling up some lunch in the grass in front of Thuderduck Hall. All of a sudden, Areal Perry walked outside the west door only to see a Nissan Altima parked by the curb with a big sign with the message, “Will You Marry Me”?

By this time, at least 15 onlookers including Richland staff in Thunderduck, had congregated to watch an unexpected marriage proposal between Charles Leunah and his girlfriend, Areal. One of the onlookers, Junaid Xafar, videotaped the entire event.

Accountant Tyrone Hollins, who works in the business office, was one of the onlookers who observed the couple’s very special moment.

“It was 11:40 a.m., the exact time of his proposal when Areal answered with a ‘Yes,’” Hollins said. Some of the onlookers helped by holding up poster signs.

Melanie Brandow Kisten S. Chetty Blanca Reyes Ricky Miller Joyce Jackson

ON THE COVER Top: MIT contest winners. Bottom left: Campus marriage proposal. Right: “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1”

COVER AND FONTS Staff illustration Quan Tran (top) Image courtesy: Junaid Xafar Image courtesy: www.ora.tv.com (right)

,

Certain cover fonts are provided by the following: http://www.nymfont.com - http://www.bvfonts.com

Image courtesy @dcccd.pic.twitter.com

President Obama voices his commitment on Dec.4 supporting students attaining degrees.

to increase STEM success.

Richland’s STEM Center helps students prepare for work in a competitive science and technology-based economy through welldefined career pathways. It provides special emphasis to women and underserved populations with fewer resources.

“Our STEM advisers and faculty are an invaluable resource to students pursuing STEM degrees,” Eggleston said. “Through them, students are able to navigate their college experience with greater focus, allowing for a seamless transition to university transfer and excellent job opportunities.”

Richland will establish additional focused career pathway opportunities with universities that include research, design and practicebased experiences. Additionally, it will expand

its summer Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) Camp designed to serve eighth-grade girls in underserved and under-resourced populations in a community partnership with Girls Inc. The camp is designed and taught by Richland’s STEAM faculty.

The Obama administration is helping to support these actions by providing $10 million to help promote college completion, a $30 million AmeriCorps program to improve lowincome student’s access to college, as well as increasing Pell scholarships by $1,000 per year.

The new American Opportunity Tax Credit will be worth up to $10,000 over four years of college and student loan payments will be limited to 10 percent of income.

He said: ‘Will you marry me?’ She said ...

JOYCE JACKSON

CHRONICLE STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS

Special Contributor

“Richland College is wellpositioned to be a part of such an ambitious initiative to assist great numbers of students in their educational pursuits toward degree completion and well-paying jobs.” — Kay Eggleston

Richland

“The crowd cheered the acknowledgment of Charles’ proposal and acceptance to Areal, which was sealed with an embracing kiss,” Hollins said. “The affair was special to all who witnessed it and will be remembered as one of those things you just don’t see often enough now-a-days with young folks.”

Areal, 22, is majoring in art at Richland, but works part time at El Centro College as a receptionist in Disability Services. She said she met Charles back in 2012 at Richland when they took an education class together.

“One day he stopped me in the hallway,” she said. “He asked about a test. He was kind of intimidating. He was trying to get my phone number. He didn’t get it, but instead I gave him my email address.”

A week after that, Charles asked Areal out to the State Fair. It was their first date and then he kept asking her out. Last year she started dating him exclusively.

The campus marriage proposal, Areal said, was planned by Charles and her older sister, Queen Perry.

“I didn’t see it [the proposal] coming at all,” Areal said. “I don’t like surprises. I thought, ‘What’s this?’” Then she immediately knew it was for her, but at first didn’t know what to say.

Once the couple started dating regularly, Areal said, Charles eventually impressed her with his smile, his personality, his optimism and how positive he is.

Charles, 24 and an international student from Cameroon, works at the Credit Advising Center part time. He’s a science major.

“I’m going to graduate next May,” he said.

He plans to transfer to the University of Texas in Arlington and would like to go into nursing or become a physician’s assistant.

“The Nissan was Queen Perry’s car – Areal’s sister’s,” Charles said. The surprise proposal was Queen’s idea, so he went along with it.

“We’re going to get married next year,” Charles said.

The couple hasn’t set a wedding date yet.

They plan to live in Dallas.

STUDENT MEDIA STAFF Jonathan Johnson Isai Diaz Charlie Vann Pete Shannon Audrey Morton Kimendran Chetty Raymond T. Pronk

Ashling Han Gabriel Flores Yolmar Gonzalez Quan Tran Alexander Taylor Kim Sanders Muneer Washah

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS Terry Blend Erica Edwards Jack Fletcher David Goodloe

Tim Jones Steve Noviello Larry Ratliff Marshall Siegel

SEMESTER ISSUE DATES December 9

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CONTACT INFORMATION

El Paso Hall, Room E-020, 12800 Abrams Rd. Dallas, 75243 Newsroom: 972-238-6079 E-mail: richanchronicle@gmail.com Advertising: 972-238-6068 E-mail: advertise@dcccd.edu Fax: 972-238-6037

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Letters must be the work of the writer and must be signed. For identification and verification purposes, letters also must include the writer’s classification (grade level), full name, address and telephone number, although address and telephone number will not be published.

Editorial Policy The Chronicle is the official student-produced newspaper of Richland College. Editorials, cartoons, columns and letters are the opinions of individual students and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other individual student writers, editors, advisers or the college administration. © Richland Chronicle 2014

CAMPUS

DORIS BROGAN Special Contributor

A former Richland student and his project collaborator had a winning entry in the 2014 Climate CoLab contest at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Their entry, Stop Groundwater Plan – Save $8 Billion, was a Judges’ Choice Winner.

As a result, Tom Manaugh and Saïd Majdi want to mentor a Richland student who would be interested in entering the CoLab contest at MIT next semester.

Manaugh and Majdi submitted a proposal to replace what many consider to be a very expensive, environmentally destructive plan for groundwater pumping from eastern Nevada to drought-plagued Las Vegas. Opponents said the groundwater plan would have far-reaching ecological consequences to local wildlife. The alternative plan proposed by Manaugh and Majdi would be to build a desalination plant near the Pacific coast in Los Angeles that would be powered by a solar plant in the Mojave Desert.

“There’s a lot of space in the Mojave Desert and it gets lots of sun,” Manaugh said. “Real estate is very expensive [in Los Angeles] and a solar plant takes lots of space. It’s not something you want to put on the scenic route.”

According to Manaugh, the initial spark for their idea came from a journalist. The article focused on a lawsuit that had been filed to stop the implementation of the

groundwater plan.

“I was basically surfing the Internet looking for some ideas. I came across this and I thought, ‘Well, this is crazy,” Manaugh said.

“Of course they [the people who brought the lawsuit] thought it was crazy, too. But I realized it was only a temporary hold that the judge had put on it.”

Manaugh, an inventor with a patent on a renewable energy solution. and Majdi, an engineer with his own consulting firm, met over breakfast to discuss this problem. They’d been working on a renewable energy idea for some time when this idea caught their attention.

“We grabbed it and we ran with it,” Majdi said. Since his area of engineering expertise is in intelligent transportation systems and energy, he felt confident that they could find a better solution than the groundwater plan.

According to Majdi, in addition to being extremely expensive at an estimated cost of $8 billion, the groundwater plan included building an above ground pipeline from eastern Nevada to Las Vegas. Pipelines always involve “some sort of loss through evaporation, leakage and seepage.”

That kind of expense, combined with the loss possibilities and ecosystem damage doesn’t make it a good solution to water shortages in Las Vegas.

The federal government has been looking at the drought problem and is predicting it will persist.

“That particular area is kind of like ground zero for continuing drought,” Manaugh said.

Manaugh and Majdi see their plan as a win/ win situation for both California and Nevada, with a bit of overflow luck for Arizona thrown in for good measure. California’s economy needs a boost and Las Vegas needs water, something from which Phoenix and Tucson could also benefit.

The successful implementation of the desalination plan has the potential for worldwide benefits.

Other areas affected by chronic drought in the U.S. and around the world could find relief in this system.

The desalination plant plan will provide jobs for people in California. The power plant in the Mojave Desert will also provide jobs, as well as power, which it will put on a power grid. The desalination plant will pick up power from the grid to use in water purification. Las Vegas will buy an allotment of water from California, which will generate more revenue for its economy.

Phoenix and Tucson may also buy allotments of water from California giving California a further economic boost.

In the meantime, Manaugh and Majdi they look forward to hearing from Richland students who are interested in being mentored next semester. Since they’ve successfully navigated the process themselves, they would like to help others succeed.

A project like this is a valuable addition to a résumé, or a college admissions committee.

Interested persons should email Manaugh at tmanaugh@aol.com because “We want more students to know about it,” Majdi said.

Tuition increase for spring JOYCE JACKSON starting at: $5.50 10% off for Richland students and staff with valid I. D.

*For limited time only and does not apply towards value meals

Dante’s has been around since 1990 serving the best style pizza and much more. . .

Free Delivery Free Wi-fi Dante’s Pizza 12101 Greenville Ave. Ste. 100 469-206-6473

Today

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

University visits: UTA and UTD

Wednesday 9 a.m. to Noon Free massages Student Lounge

December 18 Free French movie, “Les petits ruisseaux The Little Rivers” Sabine Hall, Room S-118

December 24 College buildings and offices close at end of workday.

January 2, 2015 College buildings and offices re-open

January 14

Copy Editor

Daily Lunch specials

Upcoming Events

Spring registration ends

A tuition increase approved Sept. 2 by the Dallas County Community College District Board of Trustees is now in effect.

As a result, starting in the spring, tuition has been increased to $59 from $52 per credit hour. A three-hour course will now cost $177.

The average tuition rate at community colleges statewide is $78 per semester credit hour.

Currently, DCCCD’s tuition is ranked 49thlowest among all community colleges/districts in Texas.

Tuition helps the district pay for instruction and other expenditures.

The following are registration and payment dates: Register through Dec. 18, payment is due no later than Dec. 18.

Dec. 18 – Jan. 5, payment is due by Jan. 5.

Jan. 6 -- Jan. 9, the due date is Jan. 9. Jan. 10 to 12 – due date is Jan. 12. Register from Jan. 13 on, the due date is the same day that you register.

Students must register early to get the best selection of classes and take advantage of the Dec. 18 payment deadline.

For information on when and where to pay, visit: http://www.dcccd.edu/WhenWhere.

January 19

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

January 20

Spring credit classes begin

Student Inclement Weather Hotline: 972-238-6196 For Richland employees: 972-238-6912 Call around 6 a.m.

Staff illustration Quan Tran

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MIT contest winners seek to mentor students

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