Richland Chronicle April 26 2016

Richland

CHRONICLE Vol. XLII Issue 27 April 26, 2016

Retirement home residents share fun and experiences with Thunderducks Pg. 2

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Richland Student Media

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Richland Student Media

2 FEATURE

April 26, 2016

Richland students play a word-search game recently with a resident of Diversicare of Lake Highlands Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

Staff photo Vanessa Myron

Honor student joins a heartwarming tradition

BEL KHUU Staff Writer

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No amount of love is too small to be given.

I was born and raised in Vietnam. Like most Asian families, mine believes that the elders should be taken care of by their children and grandchildren. We do not believe in retirement homes or even moving out unless it is to get married. My very first visit to a retirement community was with the Honors Student Organization for St. Patrick’s Day. Last week, Egxona Ferrati, Honors vice president of community service, organized an-

other visit to Diversicare of Lake Highlands, a place that will take all the love and care you are willing to give.

Although it was not my first time at a retirement community, I’ve witnessed events that still move me deeply. The first one was when the group waited for the residents to gather and a woman rolled into the activity room in her wheelchair.

She was all excited until she looked at each and every one of us. She said that someone told her that her grandchildren had come to visit her and that she should hurry to the activity room.

I had to hold back the urge to reach out as she turned around to go back to her room in disap-

pointment. I felt completely helpless.

The first time we visited Diversicare, we were scattered around the room sitting at different tables with different activities such as puzzles, Connect 4 and Scrabble.

We then gathered the residents to do a wordsearch game. The goal was to build as many words as possible from the lettes in “Richland Honor Students.” Whenever the residents found a word with more than one syllable, we would say “ding ding,” or “ding ding ding” for a word with more than three syllables. By the time we were ready to leave, we managed to form over 350 words.

During the game, I noticed one of the residents sitting quietly at the corner of the room.

I approached her and tried to get her to participate in the game. She could only communicate in sign language. I struggled to letter-spell with my hands the words that I wanted to say. Just as I was about to give up, Ferrati came and offered to play puzzles with her. Just like that, she managed to get the resident engaged in the activity.

Ferrati wasn’t the only one to spend time alone with a resident. Honors Student Organization President Ashton Self conversed with a resdent for almost the entire visit. When the group first met her, she taught us how to find C in different octaves. The woman played the piano when she was young and she clarified that it was only for fun.

I could only remember one resident from my last visit. Patricia, or Pat, was my teammate for Connect 4. She is easily the most cheerful

and the most enthusiastic resident of Diversicare. Pat used to be a teacher and is always more than happy to introduce us to her good friend Ryan and explain that she is 17 years older than he is.

Jules was one of the residents who touched me the most. When we introduced each other, she admitted that she couldn’t remember much and tried to remember my name. All my grandparents have vivid memories. I never met my great grandmother, who had Alzheimer’s disease. During the short conversation I had with Jules, she had to stop me several times to ask my name. It made me think of the countless times I’ve conversed with a person whose name I have forgotten and was too embarrassed to ask for it again.

I asked Jules to join us for the word game but she said she was just going to watch. She ended up finding quite a few words. When asked about the game later on, she said she enjoyed it very much.

Before the group departed, Jules told us that she had been watching all of us. She had concluded that we were good kids from good families and that we had a bright future ahead of us. Jules reminded me of my late grandfather who was also a quiet supporter and wearer of shy smiles.

It was honor student Ahlam “Didi” Maryam Al Mahrooq’s first time at a retirement community. She said she doesn’t really talk to her grandparents and that the experience made her want to call them.

S April 26, 2016

CAMPUS 3

Texas politics: Reflections on the election process JOYCE JACKSON Copy Editor

Richland government professor Rey Flores gave a lecture titled “How Has Texas Changed?” to an Emeritus plus 50 audience April 12 at the LeCroy Center. He presented statistics in a PowerPoint demonstration on how the Lone Star State fares in primary and general elections.

Flores, who is from Laredo, has master’s degrees in public administration and in sociology.

Before he started teaching, he was a parole and probation officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and later with Child Protective Services. Recently, he’s been busy starting a criminal justice program on campus.

Flores said he is very policy oriented in the classroom, so he began by presenting some demographics on how Texas has changed.

According to the 2000 census, Flores said, the total population was 20,851,820; in the 2010 census, it was 25,145,561.

Flores said the 2010 census asked two different questions regarding Hispanics and Latinos so that they could check “No. 5,” which is the definition of Hispanic in the 2010 census.

“It refers to a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race,” he said.

“The increase of more than 4 million since 2000 represents the highest population increase by number of people for any U.S. state during this time period,” Flores said. “Since the 1980s,

there has been a decline in the number of Texans identifying as Democratic, an increase in splitticket voting, a rise in media campaigning and candidates distancing themselves from parties.”

Flores said the most recent example of a candidate distancing himself from his party in the 2016 race is Ted Cruz.

“He has done what he has said he was going to do, to some extent. He’s distancing himself from the establishment.”

What amazed him about Jeb Bush in the current election was that he raised over $150 million through super PACS. He thought Bush was going to do better, Flores said.

“He was part of the establishment. That’s another one distancing himself,” he said.

In the Texas primary March 1, 1,239,370 people voted for Cruz, which was 43.8 percent of Republican voters. Cruz earned 104 delegates. Donald Trump had 757,618 voters, 26.8 percent and earned 48 delegates.

Hillary Clinton won 935,080 Democratic votes, or 65.2 percent and earned 147 delegates, whereas Bernie Sanders had 475,561 votes at 33.2 percent and 75 delegates.

One of the attendees said she thought “The media this time around … is doing more to influence the electorate, as opposed to reporting on the election process. They’re strategically putting out good things and bad things about the candidates to influence the electorate. It’s not the job of the media to be doing that.”

Another attendee noted that only around 4 million people voted in the Texas primary, yet our state currently has a population of 25 mil-

lion people.

According to information from the secretary of state’s office, Texas had more than 4.2 million voters in its March 1 primaries, but that only accounts for 21.5 percent of residents 18 and older.

“In Texas, Republicans have been elected to all statewide offices from 2002 through 2012” — Rey Flores Flores said some of the factors that influence lower voter turnout are education and family unity, poverty and family income, primarily in federal elections, but also in presidential and congressional elections.

“We need to fix that, meaning through our elected officials, through the public education system, through the political system and every other institution or system that we have that is capable of providing that opportunity for them,” Flores said.

Flores added, “If we value education so much and we actually think that it’s a factor or a contributing factor to elections or the political atmosphere, the 82nd Legislature cut $5.4 billion to state funding of our public schools.

I’m not throwing that out there to pick on the

legislature, but where are our priorities?”

One attendee said, “Education is not their priority. It hasn’t been for a long time. We’re [Texas] ranked 49th.”

Flores said, “In 2012 the percentage of adults in Texas with at least a high school degree was 81 percent.

“Also, Texas is clearly changing, according to the Texas demographer, who suggests that there are 1.71 million undocumented in the State of Texas right now,” Flores said.

“In Texas, Republicans have been elected to all statewide offices from 2002 through 2012,” he said.

As far as the turnout rate in the 2012 presidential election, it was based on the overall population, not registered voters, Flores said, and we start getting into the race issue: White NonHispanic, 61 percent, African-American, 63 percent, Asian-American, 42 percent and Hispanic of any race, 39 percent. Romney picked up 51 percent of the vote in Texas; Barack Obama 41 percent.

Flores brought up the most recent Supreme Court case, where they heard arguments based on redistricting – Evanwel v Abbott.

“The Supreme Court said, look, if you’re going to redistrict, now you’re going to count every person, not every eligible voter,” Flores said. “That’s huge for redistricting for gerrymandering. In fact, it was a slap in the face for [Gov. Greg] Abbott.”

For information about individual contributors for the 2016 presidential candidates and who they gave to, go to: www.opensecrets.org.

The Thunderduck family is expanding once again. This time it’s not about students, but a family of geese that can be found around campus.

The father and mother are never too far from the little ones to ensure that they are safe.

Although goslings look cute, adult geese can be aggressive if they feel threatened.

People can still enjoy the migratory birds from afar, keeping a safe distance between themselves and the little ones.

Staff photo Blanca Reyes

“He has done what he has said he was going to do, to some extent. He’s distancing himself from the establishment.”

— Rey Flores

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The latest Thunderducks are geese

4 ENTERTAINMENT

April 26, 2016

So many movies, so little time

May the farce be with you JOYCE JACKSON

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Copy Editor

Imagine what it would be like to be a young, single bachelor in a flat overlooking Paris and have three beautiful girlfriends at your disposal. How lucky can one guy get, right?

That’s the premise of Marc Camoletti’s French farce “Boeing, Boeing.” But for Bernard, the lucky Parisian bachelor, all doesn’t end quite as well as he would hope.

Director Gregory Lush said all French farces include the guy who thinks he’s “super cool.”

“He thinks he’s got everything all worked out,” Lush said. “It’s a classic French character.”

Six drama students are part of the cast.

Raied Makhamreh has the amorous role of Bernard, who has a unique way of juggling the three ladies based on time tables. He’s engaged to be married to all three simultaneously, only none of them know about each other.

What makes the play so hilarious is Bernard’s fiancées are all flight attendants for different airlines: Mieko Hicks plays Gloria, an American who flies for TWA. Audrey Clark is Gabriella, a feisty Italian who works for Alitalia Airlines. Madison Rey portrays the German fiancée Gretchen, who flies for Lufthansa.

“Bernard has his time tables. He’s got everything figured out so that he has his three different fiancées and they’re never in the same place at the same time,” Lush said. “So, he just rotates them in and out. He thinks he has the world’s perfect system.”

But, what would a French farce be without a French maid?

Raven Lanuza-Brown plays the sassy, opinionated French maid, Bertha. She makes this weird love triangle more complex when she has to keep up with each fiancée and know which type of meal to cook for each one.

Most importantly, she must make sure they never meet!

Bertha has their favorite foods down pat though: Gloria likes pancakes with ketchup.

Gabriella demands saltimbocca alla Romana

and Gretchen loves frankfurters and sauerkraut.

Henser Reyes plays Bernard’s friend, Robert Hawkins, who’s also single and just happens to drop by when everything is going smoothly.

He soon becomes impressed with Bernard’s shenanigans and the precision with which he exerts them to keep his lovefest going.

Lush said, “When Robert suddenly shows up from America, he’s kind of our ‘audience surrogate.’ He experiences the world in the way that we would if we came in that door and asked Bernard, ‘You’re doing what?’

“He thinks he’s got everything all worked out. It’s a classic French character” — Gregory Lush “By the middle of the play they’ve [Bernard, Robert] kind of swapped positions,” Lush said. “Bernard starts to lose his mind because all of his carefully laid plans have completely gone awry.” “Boeing” has quite a surprise ending. As Lush says, “It’s funny, vibrant, it’s full of life and energy. You don’t have to think. Turn off your brain. There’s no moral. It’s not that kind of play. It’s all about the funny-ness of the situation – the plot.”

Lush said Camoletti set the play in the 1960s, which is when it was written and the design reflects that.

“Boeing” is free and open to the public. It will run at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday in the small Arena Theater in Fannin Hall, with a preview tonight. No reservations are necessary.

“The play is suitable for all ages, Lush said.

“I would say it’s rated PG.” “It’s definitely tamer than anything you’ll see on television at 8 p.m.,” Lush said.

“There’s no nudity. There’s no adult language.

There are adult themes, obviously, since he has three fiancées, but there isn’t anything more suggestive than a stage kiss.”

“Eye in the Sky” – Oscar-winner Helen Mirren (“The Queen”) headlines this intriguing action/drama as Col. Katherine Powell, who oversees drone warfare and how it affects various people.

Barkhad Abdi, who was so great as the pirate leader in “Captain Phillips,” impresses in a very different role.

A-

In 2015, I surprised myself, giving no less than a dozen movies A- or higher. In 2016, so far my only one would be athe A- I gave to the action/drama “Eye in the Sky.” Here’s my report card for the year so far, including some 2015 leftovers.

All films are graded on the A-F scale.

A “Spotlight”

“Deadpool”

“London Has Fallen”

“Midnight Special”

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” “Spectre”

“Ride Along 2” “Trainwreck” “Triple 9”

A“Bridge of Spies” “Joy” “Eye in the Sky”

“Sicario”

“Mad Max: Fury Road”

“The Martian”

“The Big Short” “Carol” “The Good Dinosaur” “The Revenant”

“Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens”

B+ “Brooklyn” “Creed” “In the Heart of the Sea” “Sing Street”

“The Finest Hours”

“The Timber” “Touched With Fire” “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot”

“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” “Hello, My Name is Doris” “The Last Witch Hunter” “Where to Invade Next” “Zootopia”

C

“Concussion” “Demolition”

“Hush”

“I Saw the Light”

“Madagascar 3”

“Miles Ahead”

“Winter’s War”

C-

B“10 Cloverfield Lane” “Aloha”

“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip” “Daddy’s Home” “Jane Got a Gun”

B “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” “Legend”

C+

“The 5th Wave”

“Dirty Grandpa”

“The Hateful Eight”

“Gods of Egypt”

“Krampus”

“Inside Out” “Ip Man 3”

“Point Break”

“Room”

“Zoolander 2”

“The Jungle Book” —Ricky Miller

“Sing Street” – This is a very enjoyable tale of a poor kid named Cosmo (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) from 1980s London who starts a band to impress a girl (Lucy Boynton). From John Carney, the director of last year’s winning “Begin Again.”

B+

“The Huntsman: Winter’s War” – This prequel to the 2012’s “Snow White and the Huntsman” follows star Chris Hemsworth’s backstory as the Huntsman and his life prior to events that occurred with his wife Sara (Jessica Chastain) and their captor, Queen Freya (Emily Blunt).

C

“The Ridiculous 6” – New on Netflix is this very mediocre Adam Sandler film about an outlaw (Sandler) trying to reconnect with his father (Nick Nolte). It’s good to see Harvey Keitel. He can really play a vile heavy

C-

“Invasion U.S.A” (1985) – New on Blu-ray, this Cannon title from the nowdefunct studio is the epitome of a guilty pleasure. Chuck Norris was in his prime as Matt Hunter, who deals with some nefarious guys in Florida, all the while harkening to what is the start of World War III. —Ricky Miller C

CAMPUS 5

April 26, 2016

Once again,Thunderducks are among the best BLANCA REYES Managing Editor

Sean Worley, Richland men’s soccer team head coach, will be visiting West Valley College in California this summer. He graduatedfrom there in 1985.

Worley’s team will compete in the 2016 Mt. San Antonio College Azteca soccer/ Adidas Tournament. The Thunderducks will be taking on West Valley, Worley’s alma mater.

“Small world that we were able to go back and play against the school where I played soccer,” Worley said.

Although the team is not even completed yet, Worley is already preparing to face this new challenge.

“It’s going to be difficult because we only have a month to prepare, but it’s going to be a good learning experience,”

Worley said.

The team is going to have approximately 10 players returning. The rest are going to be freshmen. Worley, however, has confidence that everything will work well for the team.

“Everyone wants to be able to have a good tournament in California … It’s a nice way to reward the players.”

— Sean Worley “On September 1, we’re going to California to play the top teams from the state of

California in its community colleges. There will be over 100 teams in their conference, which goes from northern California to southern California,” Worley said.

Richland’s team is the only one from Texas attending the tournament. The Thunderducks earned their spot because in the past few years they have always been ranked as one of the best teams in their division.

Worley said that the tournament is going to be great exposure for Richland and the athletic department. He said that it is helping to draw a great response during the tryouts.

“Everyone wants to be able to have a good tournament in California … It’s a nice way to reward the players,” Worley said.

The next tryouts are scheduled for June 12 at 6:30 p.m. for women and 9 p.m. for men.

For more information visit www.richlandcollege.edu/athletics, stop by Guadalupe Hall, Room G116 or call 972-238-6243.

File photo

Sean Worley, head coach of the Richland men’s soccer team.

Renovation at Wichita Hall offers better opportunities

Left: Jason Venneman, lab resources educational consultant, explains how the equipment works that Richland acquired for the Technology Enginering and Advance Manufacturing (TEAM) located at Wichita Hall.

Above: One of the modular equipment stations, which will allow many people to work at the same time.

Faculty, staff and students gathered for the official opening, where DCCCD Chancellor Joe May explained the positive impact that this improvement will bring to the Richland community.

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Staff photos Blanca Reyes

6 FEATURE

April 26, 2016

Three degrees of education

Richland

CHRONICLE STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS Editor-in-Chief Managing Editior Entertainment Editor Copy Editor

Marta Planells Blanca Reyes Ricky Miller Joyce Jackson

ON THE COVER Staff photo by Vanessa Myron

COVER AND FONTS

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

STUDENT MEDIA STAFF Isai Diaz Abraham Igene Quan Tran Ashling Han

Ahlam M. Al Mahrooq Vanessa Myron Bel Khuu Ryan Bingham Duff

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS Erica Edwards

Steve Noviello

Jack Fletcher

Larry Ratliff

David Goodloe

Tim Jones

Karin Matz

REMAINING ISSUE DATES April 26 May 3

May 10

Images courtesy Marta Planells

Left: My second graduation at the Universitat de Valencia in Spain. Right: The selfie I sent to my parents when I bought my cap and gown.

MARTA PLANELLS

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Editor-in-chief

Mom, Dad, I am graduating again.

When I arrived at Richland in the spring of 2015 I could not imagine I was going to graduate for the third time in my life.

I moved from Spain a year ago and I wanted to improve my English, so I came here for information on English courses. It was Jana Miller in the Multicultural Center who told me about the possibility of doing an associate degree. It was not my original intention because I had already had a degree in journalism from Spain, but when I learned about the broadcast journalism program at Richland I was intrigued. I would not only learn English, but I could also learn more how journalism is practiced in this country.

At that time, I was not aware that the path I was about to embark on at Richland was going to bring me so many good and unexpected experiences. Now that graduation day is coming, I’m looking back, trying to summarize my time here. It is not easy to put into words. Although I have been quick to finish, I feel like it has been longer.

I have filled an endless memory bank with learning, and not only about journalism. I did improve my English and journalism skills, but I also learned to live in the United States.

I have learned that the "American Dream" basically takes hard work and self-sacrifice to achieve success. I've gotten rid of many prejudices and have learned that dreams can

be achieved. There is no such a thing as total failure.

America has taught me to believe in myself.

The Spanish actor Antonio Banderas said recently in an interview that what he has learned about this country is that "a country is made by people who are not afraid of risking things." I could not agree more.

Earlier this semester, I filled out the form for graduation as if it were just one more formality to finish my degree, not giving it much thought.

The moment when it really hit me that I was graduating was when I went to the campus bookstore to buy my cap and gown. When I opened the bag and I saw those two pieces of clothing, I felt something I can only describe as pure happiness.

For those who do not know, the tradition of the cap and gown is something we do not have in my country. Until now I had only seen it in American films. So when I got them, I stepped outside, I put on my cap, I took a picture and sent it to my parents: "Mom, Dad, I am graduating again." They said they were the proudest parents in the world.

Then I went to see my mentor on this campus, Journalism and Student Media Program Coordinator Erica Edwards. I walked into her office

holding the cap and I said, "I know this will not cheer you up, but I just got my cap and gown!."

She gave me a very sincere smile: “You deserve it.”

She has not only been my teacher and my boss, but she has been a source of support and inspiration. I can never thank her enough for all she has done.

The fact that this is my third graduation has not diminished my happiness. I feel very fortunate and grateful to have been able to continue my education here. It took months and months of hard work, combining my classes as a fulltime student with my work here at the Chronicle.

I will never forget the days when I came home with my brain fried and didn’t know how to either speak English or Spanish anymore.

Nor did I forget the first day I came to this newsroom and met Joyce Jackson, who gave me the idea for my first article in English - such a memorable moment.

I had teachers here who have been an inspiration, especially Amy Bell and Dr. Raymond Sandoval. Their classes were not only history and government lessons but also life lessons.

They are the kind of teachers who make a difference and it was an honor and privilege to be their student.

I am sure all these things will race through my mind on May 12 when I am sitting among hundreds of Thunderducks, wearing my cap and gown and waiting to be called to cross that stage and get my diploma.

I have finally made it. I can´t wait to get out there and live the rest of my life.

This is Part 1 of a three-part graduation series.

AWARDS

CMA Two-Year Radio Station of the Year 2015 ACP Best of Show Award 2015 ACP Photo Excellence Award 2015 CMA Newspaper of the Year Finalist, 2014 1st Place – TCCJA Overall General Excellence, 2014 2nd Place - Pinnacle College Media Award, 2014 1st Place - TIPA Sweepstakes, 2005 3rd Place - TIPA Online, 2005 & 2006 ACP Pacemaker Winner, 2000, 2001, 2007 ACP Pacemaker Finalist, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 ACP Online Pacemaker Finalist, 2007, 2008 Over 170 Texas college journalism awards since 2000

CONTACT INFORMATION

El Paso Hall, Room E020, 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

Staff meetings for spring semester: Monday and Wednesday at 2 p.m. in E020 Letter Policy Letters to the editor may be edited for space. They will be edited for spelling, grammar and malicious or libelous statements.

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 2016

FEATURE 7

April 26, 2016

Upcoming Events Registration for all students began April 25 for both summer and fall.

Today 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Richland String Orchestra and chamber ensembles Fannin Performance Hall 7:30 p.m.

Spring Symphonic Instrumental Music Concert 2 Fannin Performance Hall

Wednesday

Going to school with mom

AHLAM MARYAM AL MAHROOQ Staff Writer

Many of you have probably heard of a mother going to the same school as her daughter, but you might not have heard of a mother who attends the same class with her daughter. Well, I’m currently registered for a class with my mom. She’s returning to college after 25 years.

Nawal Albanna is the mother of four children. She started Richland in 1991 when she was pregnant with my oldest brother. Now she’s back with her young daughter.

One of the reasons my mom wanted to come to America was to continue her education and earn a bachelor’s degree. When I came to the United States and started taking developmental courses, I encouraged my mother to continue with the education since she had been working at a part-time job and didn’t have a lot of responsibilities at home.

I thought while I am taking this developmental course, she should take it with me.

She’s weak in English and I can help her along with the course. My mother was so pleased and excited when I told her that I’d be taking the course with her.

As the semester started, my mom was excited, yet terrified. One obstacle was that she was afraid she’d embarrass me in front of my friends. Instead, I made sure to let her know that it is OK, and a good way to show her children (and everyone) that there’s no stopping

point to education. When our class started, I was the first to stand up and speak about myself. The first thing I said about the course is that I didn’t want my mom to face these challenges by herself. I wanted to help her as much as I could. After that I was really shocked at how my mom introduced herself in front of the young students in our class. I was proud of her when I saw her start to communicate with other students and the professor.

Some of my friends thought it was perculiar to take a class with my mother, but I really didn’t care because I couldn’t have been prouder to be a part of the achievements my mom has made.

I actually became closer to her. We started to do our homework together and went to the Learning Center together. We also discussed the course subject matter and read each other’s work. We not only go to school with each other at Richland, but go other places together outside Richland.

I never imagined I would discuss these things with my mom. It’s entertaining to our family when the two of us discuss the course and the homework at the family table.

Another obstacle that my mom encounters is the prevalence of new technology. Since her computer skills are weak, I had to make sure she completed all the steps in doing the homework online. Since I’m a staff writer at the Chronicle, I had to manage my time with her. I didn’t have enough patience because she would rely on me when it came to using the computer. I tried to help her. So did my

siblings and it was hard for her, too, because she was accustomed on using paper and pen.

The instructor has been very patient and helpful. With the uncertainty and nervousness she felt, the instructors and faculty members (including advisers and tutors) made her experience a little easier. With the diversity of the students and their ages, she felt she was experiencing a greater aspect of what the world will be like. Learning new skills in her field and building her knowledge has given her more confidence.

Helping my mom throughout this semester taught me how passionate she is about continuing her education and that she’s capable of learning and overcoming any challenges that she will face in school. My mom read the Chronicle and was even prouder as she saw me working hard to achieve my goal. Having her around me and supporting me in every way encourages me to work harder.

Although most of my friends ask me how it feels to be in class with my mother, I describe how grateful I am to be a part of making her dream come true, earning her bachelor’s degree.

I’m still helping my mom through this semester. The experience has taught me how patient and loving my mom has been to me for my 18-plus years. Now it’s time to pay her back.

The two of us are planning to take a couple of courses together next semester.

My mom may be a student, but she is also a pretty good teacher.

Sabine Hall, SH117

Thursday 10 a.m. to noon University visit: Grand Canyon University El Paso Hall 12:30 p.m.

“The Concert” (PG-13), a 2009 comedy France, French, Russian (English subtitles) Sabine Hall, Room SH117

Friday Noon to 1 p.m.

Richland Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Singers Cafeteria stage, El Paso Hall 6 to 8 p.m.

Award-winning photo documentary “Salt of the Earth” Thunderduck Hall, Room T247

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Staff photo Blanca Reyes

Nawal Albanna, left, shares more than love with her daughter Didi. They are taking a class together at Richland this semester.

10 a.m. to noon “Grad School Mythbusters” – presentation Professors from UT-Arlington, UNT and TWU

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8

April 26, 2016

Photo by The Associated Press

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