Richland Chronicle February 25th, 2020

CHRONICLE Richland

Vol. XLVI Issue 21 February 25, 2020

A weekly student publication

T-Ducks going to DAC finals Pg. 7

• Open Call for Richland artists

Pg. 3

• Sam Mathew speaks for students

Pg. 4

• GOP candidates compete for CD32 seat

Pg. 5

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Richland Student Media

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2 ARTS

UNIVERSITY OF

TEXAS ARLINGTON

February 25, 2020

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Staff Photo Jonathan Lin

Richland alumnus Rob J. Phillips with his collection of labeled people at his public exhibition in the Brazos Gallery.

‘You, Them, They, We!’ captures sights and sounds of ‘Labeled Humans’ Angela Ly

Staff Writer

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“You, Them, They, We!” is an interactive exhibition featuring life-sized photographs of America’s “melting pot” with portraits representing different genders, ethnicities and cultures. Artist Rob Phillips, a Richland alumnus, invites viewers to gauge their reaction to social and cultural stigmas.

The film, “I Dream in Culture: Examining the Gaze,” projected on a wall, plays on an endless loop as spectators walk through the gallery. The narrator is the artist. The script, a personal essay boiled down to three paragraphs, is the source of inspiration for the exhibition. One of the lines in the essay summarizes his purpose: “It is the goal of this artist to stimulate interpersonal conversations and questions of value that support indifference or rejection of others’ ideals,” Phillips said.

He mentions artist Richard Avedon as another inspiration. Avedon also shot portraits, but mostly from their forearms up, against a white background. In contrast, Phillips takes full-length shots of individuals against a black background. He explains through a metaphor why he uses a black backdrop instead.

“I visualize people coming through a doorway, stepping out of the darkness and coming into the light,” he said.

Phillips admits portraying people in this way can be difficult at times. He only intervenes to remind some of his subjects not to pose for the camera. He advises them instead to visualize themselves walking into a room full of strangers.

“I’m learning more about people. Some are really happy people. Lauren (Human #1) smiles all the time. I felt it was OK to use that photograph because that really is her,” he said.

Each photograph contains the same tag, “Labeled Human.” They are differentiated by number afterwards, denoting the order in which he took the photographs. QR codes can be scanned to get more background information on each individual, with topics ranging from their hometown, age, spirituality, religion, pets, additional comments and more.

Phillips said the information logs are slowly trickling in, with two-thirds of completed entries projected over the next few days. For now, the blank lists add to the mystique of these unidentified individuals.

A large black box labeled, “ANONYMOUS: Box of Truthism,” gives viewers the ability to do just that: Share their true feelings while staying anonymous. Blank index cards and pencils are provided for visitors to jot down their thoughts about each portrait and can be turned in to the box.

For public display, viewers can also respond to the question posted on three chalkboards: “What do you feel/think about these people?”

Responses have adequately filled up all three boards. Phillips is considering clearing the boards, making way for new comments in the coming week.

Celebratory adjectives, such as “Awesome!!!,” “UNIQUE” and “Beautiful” are written on the chalkboards. Some harsh comments are there as well, such as “Jerk,” “pointless” and “Illegal.” There are even comments left in different languages, notably Arabic and Russian. The word, “HUMAN” is written faintly as the background to an Arabic word.

Regardless of whether one finds the exhibit reassuring or abhorrent, “You, Them, They, We!” has been a catalyst for conversation in the Richland community.

Phillips intends to expand his project across the U.S. and hopes to bring a mobile art studio to downtown Dallas. His goal is to create 888 life-sized photographs by the end of summer.

February 25, 2020

CAMPUS 3

‘Richland Writes 3:’ Short plays about complex issues

Staff Photo Jonathan Lin

Mark and Alice (seated) played by Trevor Powell and Noemi Rivera, get engaged while their “thoughts,” played by Hunter Martinez, Gio Castro and Judit Castillo (standing), celebrating the event.

Joyce Jackson Copy Editor

Five original plays by three Richland drama students lit up the small Arena Theater in Fannin Hall Feb. 15, in the Drama Department’s first spring production, “Richland Writes 3: A Festival of 10-Minute Plays.” All the plays were written, directed, designed and acted by drama students, with guidance from drama faculty.

Professor Andy Long said he was inspired to present the 10-minute plays for the third

time at Richland because of the focus on creative writing in theater classes.

Five of those plays were selected to be produced at Richland. They were also submitted to the Kennedy Center of the American College Theater Festival’s 10-minute playwriting competition.

Suha Kim’s performance in her play, “Cracks,” was outstanding. She really stood out in a pretty white dress as Mei, an international student from South Korea with mental problems who refused to return to a mental hospital. She described herself as “the daugh-

ter of insanity.” Zac Robbins played her Caucasian boyfriend, Will, who was an excellent match for his role.

The most exciting scene involved two officers, played by Bryan Ordoniz-Santini and Diane Briggs, and social worker Maria DoCampo who tried to take Mei away from Will. The scene opened as Mei fought with the officers to avoid being taken back to the mental institution. The audience couldn’t help but have sympathy for her. Alondra Castro directed.

Michael Hampton’s “The Ledge,” had an unexpected change in the cast involving Clarence, the lead character. Hampton took over the role of a 25-year-old man preparing to jump off a four-story building at 2 a.m.

Hampton read from the script as he spoke with Glory Rodriguez, who played Robin, an 18-year-old who also was planning to end her life by jumping off the roof. They had a conversation as to why they both chose the same spot to die. The conversation between them could have been more intense based on their reason for being there. Instead, it was so casual that the severity of the situation didn’t seem to matter. It was directed by Rico Kartea.

Konstantin Terentiev created three of the most challenging plays to understand. His production of “Accidental Actor” was a futuristic science-fiction play that dealt with humans who were put through a test to determine their feelings about their past. Noemi Rivera portrayed an examiner and Luke Lane, an actor who was convincing as someone not knowing what he was doing there in the first place. The ensemble consisted of Luke McLure, Hozan Safar and Ruben Munguia. Carlos Radilla and Andres Camacho played guards.

One scene may have confused the audience when Lane yelled, “What do you want from me? I’m not an actor,” and the examiner stated, “This has been the best performance we

have seen so far.” Nicole Delarosa directed.

In Terentiev’s second play, “Inner Thoughts,” a strange romance blossoms between a young couple, Alice and Mark, played

by Noemi Rivera and Trevor Powell. They had great chemistry as the action unfolded slowly over an implied period of six months.

This play had an odd twist to which collegeage students could easily relate.

As the romance evolved, other actors represented Alice and Mark’s “inner thoughts” about what they were thinking about each other. Judit Castillo played Alice II; Hunter Martinez was Mark II and Gio Castro, Mark III. As their romance grows, they move in together and then marry. Their romance begins to fizzle. However, when Alice complains that Mark doesn’t let her speak. This play was really funny and drew the most laughter from the audience, based on the crazy comments of the actors relating the inner thoughts of Alice and Mark. Directed by Beth Long Terentiev’s third play, “Checkmate,” was perhaps the most confusing. Carlos Radilla played Robert, an older man with split personalities, and Chance Cole, a younger man who portrayed Don, his dead son. Both were intensely involved in a game of chess, complete with a chess clock.

At first, it seemed that the two men were just enjoying the game, but there was a more serious theme to the story. As the game progressed, the audience became aware that the entire play was about Robert’s guilt over the death of his son Don in a car crash and that his wife committed suicide out of her grief over his death. Trinity Cherry had the role of his wife, Margaret. James Jensen directed.

(There was supposed to be a production of these plays Feb. 14, but a fire alarm sounded before it started and everyone had to evacuate the theater).

games and dancing. The purpose is to spread joy and love by letting the ones around you know that they are valued and respected.

All artwork should be submitted as a high resolution JPEG file in landscape orientation

to fit on a 4.25” x 5.5” bi-fold card. Up to five entries can be submitted by each individual artist. Submissions should be sent by email to John Drezek at jdrezek@dcccd.edu by 5 p.m.

March 6.

Natalia Pineda Staff Writer

The Council for Teaching and Learning at Richland is hosting its annual Thank You Card Art Competition, which has taken place each year for nearly a decade. Any Thunderduck with skills in art and design is eligible to enter the contest. Four winners will be selected.

The Thank You Cards will be shared and distributed during Richland’s Appreciation Week April 6-9. The cards will be personalized and shared with those on campus who have given them support or helped them move forward during the academic year whether professors, academic advisers, staff, on-campus police or students.

“I just think it’s a win-win because the people who write a Thank You Card they feel happy and then the people who receive it feel happy,” said John Drezek with the Council for Teaching and Learning.

Four first-place winners will be selected.

They will receive gift cards from Asel Art Supply, a longtime supporter of Richland College. The artwork will be printed in color on cardstock. Any kind of media can be submitted as long as it’s printable.

Designs may include drawings, paintings, photographs and computer art depicting images of Richland, students and campus activities.

The winning designs will be selected by the members of the committee.

The Thank You Cards will be available in the library and at various locations on campus.

If a person wishes to send a Thank You Card to someone with an office on campus, the council members can collect and deliver them directly. The cards can also be used for other occasions throughout the year.

Some of the fun activities scheduled for Appreciation Week include free coffee and cookies at the bookstore and a day of fun

Staff illustration Barbara Gandica Martinez

RichlandStudentMedia.com

Richland Appreciation Week features school Art Contest

4 POLITICS

February 25, 2020

Don’t sit on the sidelines; be a convention delegate Dave Freeman Staff Writer

The 2020 election season is underway and the word “delegate” has become part of the common vernacular. The selection of delegates began with the Iowa caucus. Now Texans are getting into the act.

Voting in the Super Tuesday primary is underway in Texas. Early voting continues through Feb. 28 with election day March 3.

Texans will choose their party nominees, from local government to the presidency.

Delegates were a hot topic item during the last presidential election year (2016), especially among Democrats. Richland government professor, Patrick Moore, says a delegate is a proxy representing the

The Democrats have 261 delegates in Texas, 228 are reserved for the primary results; 149 of these were allocated to the state senatorial districts, 49 delegates at large statewide, and 30 are PLEOs. They also have 33 remaining PLEOs reserved only for national convention.

The GOP has a winner-take-all system for delegates, though this can be difficult to achieve. They need 50% or more votes for a single candidate. It also utilizes a pro-rata system to award delegates by vote tally.

The Democrats distribute delegates according to candidates who receive just 15% of the vote or higher at the primary.

A candidate can take all delegates, but even more complicated, they need 85% or higher in all districts.

“The American election process is a long, compli-

Photo courtesy Martha Fernandez

Natalie Hargus, left, Sam Mathew, Brandon Valdez, Rep Colin Allred, Daniela Contreras display a copy of the Chronicle that hangs in Allred’s Washington D.C. office.

Sam Mathew, the voice of Richland students vote tally for its designated district.

“Anyone can be a delegate at the county and state conventions. The national conventions are typically reserved for long-time party members, donors and operatives of both parties,” Moore said. “The Democrats also have Party Leader Elected Officials, or PLEOs, more commonly known as ‘super delegates.’ Their votes hold much more weight, but not enough weight as a whole to sway a nomination.”

Moore said the selection of delegates is the beginning of a long process that leads up to the national conventions. Moore said, delegates are selected at each tier of the process.

If delegates are selected to advance, they go to the state convention and finally at the national convention, where they select candidates and their party platforms are finalized.

At the state level in Texas, the parties allocate delegates slightly differently. The GOP has 108 delegates. It splits between the 36 congressional districts and 47 delegates at large for a total of 155 delegates in the state.

Jack Ramirez Bernal Managing Editor

cated one and may need to change with the times, but we must understand it and more importantly, participate in the basic principles of democracy,” Moore said.

The Democratic National Convention takes place July 13-16 in Milwaukee and the Republican National Convention takes place Aug. 24-27 in Charlotte.

Those wishing to become delegates and campaign for their candidates can sign up online at www.texasdemocrats.org and attend the county convention March 21. The Republican delegate process is slightly different. They hold a precinct convention after the polls close on Primary Election Day. Those interested in participating should sign up in advance at www. texasgop.org.

Staff illustration Barbara Gandica Martinez

Student leaders from across the nation converged on Washington, D.C. for the Community College National Legislative Summit, Feb. 9-12. Richland Student Government Association treasurer, Sam Mathew, was among those representing the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD).

Mathew was selected by Chancellor Joe May to share his experience and accomplishments about community college with lawmakers.

The students met with members of Congress to share their insights on proposed resolutions that could influence the type of support available to meet the financial needs of struggling college students.

Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, represents District 33, which includes parts of downtown Dallas, North Oak Cliff, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Irving and Fort Worth. He told Mathew that some members of Congress had attended community college while others were not familiar with the community college system. He said that’s why it’s important for college students to come talk with their representatives. He said members of the Senate were not as familiar with the challenges of community college students.

“There’s a lot of senators who are trying to take off Pell Grants. They have not studied in a community college, so they don’t know how students are getting benefits and their life in community college,” Mathew said.

Some of the resolutions discussed at the summit included lowering Pell Grant eligibility to 150 hours which would allow more students

to have access to job training programs in high-need fields, increasing the maximum awards for Pell Grants, reducing tuition costs for low-income students and investing in postsecondary programs in correctional facilities to reduce prison expenditure, recidivism and unemployment among formerly incarcerated individuals.

As an international student from Pakistan who pays a higher tuition than students who are local residents, Mathew acknowledged the value of community college and positive impact it offers for people who are seeking affordable and accessible education.

He said the summit offered much more than just a fancy entry on a resume. He said it was a privilege and a responsibility to represent Richland students and elevate the visibility of and value of the community college system.

“Students should go [to the summit], because we need student representatives to represent and share their voice of what is happening in community college, rather than a board of trustee or a chancellor going,” Mathew said. “From my experience, I heard from all the senators and congressmen, they want student representatives and they want to hear from students what their needs are.”

Mathew said he enjoyed the entire experience, from meeting students from different colleges to networking with CEOs and highranking politicians.

He also said he enjoyed learning the appropriate protocol for such a formal event. He said he especially enjoyed meeting with Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, who represents District 32, which surrounds Richland and includes North Dallas, Richardson and Garland.

February 25, 2020

ANALYSIS 5

Republicans vie for District 32 primary seat Jack Ramirez Bernal Managing Editor

Staff Photo Jonathan Lin

GOP primary candidates Genevieve Collins, left, Jeff Tokar, Jon Hollis, Mark Sackett and Floyd McLendon participate in a forum, Feb. 20 at HDR Architecture in Dallas.

for the international manufacturing company, Hilti, Inc., expressed strong support of capitalism.

He said he was proud to acknowledge the opportunities and privileges given to people who come to the U.S. and vowed to defend those principles from threats. Chief among them, in Sackett’s estimation, is socialism.

“That’s trying to strip our First and Second amendments,” he said.

Sackett’s response on economic matters dealt with the passage of laws that minimize “redundancy in the bureaucracy within our government, within our laws and within our administration levels.” Sackett also said that to have a strong economy, Americans must support a “pro-business” president.

Former U.S. Navy SEAL, Floyd McLendon, is a legislative fellow and executive aid to the Texas state attorney general. He said there are three reasons he was running for Congress. The first was to continue serving the people and nation after retiring from active duty. The second came after witnessing what he called a “lack of leadership” on Capitol Hill. The third was in response to low representation of military veterans in Congress.

McLendon raised a local economic issue.

He said he believes the Dallas County District Attorney is not prosecuting theft of personal items under $750 because businesses would be less inclined to settle in the area.

McLendon wants to provide federal money for support of peace officers, “so they can be trained, they have the resources that they need and the money they need in order to do their job to make our community safe.”

Jon Hollis, assistant director and line production manager for 20th Century Fox echoed Tokar’s concerns about how Congress is not doing its job adequately.

“We are facing some difficult times in our nation. We have a Congress that doesn’t like to work because it’s been there for far too long. It’s time we take a new era of lawmakers to Washington,” he said.

Hollis, too, said he wanted more money and power returned to the states. He said the states are giving a lot of money to the federal government to spend on big programs and believes that the states “can do a much better

job at it.”

His example was the Affordable Care Act and how it led many businesses to spend more than expected by forcing them to provide healthcare plans to their employees.

Richland Student media produced a video podcast of the event as a community service.

It is available online at www.RichlandStudentMedia.com

RichlandStudentMedia.com

With Super Tuesday voting underway, Republicans are angling to wrestle control of the United States House of Representatives from the Democrats.

To that end, five GOP candidates are waging a primary battle for the Texas 32nd Congressional District, hoping to unseat first-term Democrat Colin Allred in November. Congressional District 32 encompasses North Central Dallas, the Park Cities, Richardson, Garland and extends up to Wylie in Collin County.

The North Dallas Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters of Texas hosted a primary candidate forum on Feb. 20 at HDR Architecture, Inc. The forum was moderated by Matt Garcia, an external affairs manager for Halff Associates.

The GOP candidates had similar agendas on healthcare and national security. They generally agreed that the current federal healthcare policy is too expensive and needs to be either repealed or replaced. They said the U.S. could reduce illegal immigration by increasing funding for the military and tightening border security.

Economic issues were also front and center.

Genevieve Collins, whose grandmother, Calver Collins, was the first woman elected to the Dallas City Council, is the head of corporate strategy for the education technology firm, Istation. During the introduction, Collins made it clear that she is opposed to big government.

“We need less government in business, but we need more business in government,” she said.

“Jobs are clearly coming to this community,” she said, but cautioned that there needs to be assurances from Congress that the government will keep trade partners accountable and back both free and fair trade, especially with North American partners.

She also advocated for corporate partnerships with educational institutions. “[In] Richardson, we have innovation centers. Addison is a huge technology center and it is important that we bring those Silicon Valley-type jobs to North Texas because we have phenomenal research institutions,” she said.

Jeff Tokar, a former captain and paramedic with the Garland Fire Department said that he believes that the nation and the Constitution were shaped by Judeo-Christian values that did not necessarily require people to be devoted followers of a particular religion. Tokar said that members of Congress are not doing their constitutional job of “bringing the government back to the states of the people.”

While discussing the Texas economy, Tokar said “bureaucracy in Washington is inhibiting the growth of businesses across the nation with restrictions like insurance mandates and the number of employees that need to be insured. Congress needs to get out of the way of business, small and large.”

Mark Sackett, a businessman who works

“I found a way to use the system to beat the system! I’m going to vote!”

Staff Cartoon Jerry Weiss

6 ENTERTAINMENT

February 25, 2020

Taking the Underground Railroad with ‘Harriet’ CHRONICLE Richland

STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS

Emeritus Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Design Editor Assistant Editor Copy Editor Entertainment Editor Layout Editor Photo Editor Sports Photo Editor Online/Special Projects Online/Special Projects

Adrienne Aguilar Jack Ramirez Bernal Barbara Gandica Martinez Alex Ortuno Joyce Jackson Ricky Miller Dara Jones Jonathan Lin M. Daniel Mbega Ndoumou Damon Craig Ryan Bingham Duff

ON THE COVER David Favorite attempts to score against North Lake Feb. 20.

Photo: M. Daniel Mbega Ndoumou

BACK COVER Illustration Barbara Gandica Martinez and Alex Ortuno

COVER AND FONTS Certain cover fonts are provided by the following www.nymfont.com – www.bvfonts.com

STUDENT MEDIA STAFF

Cynthia Ervo plays famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman in “Harriet” (2019).

Ricky Miller

Entertainment Editor If this movie had come out in a different year, lead actress Cynthia Ervo would likely have won an Oscar.

The problem is lead actress Renée Zellweger was just incredible as actress Judy Garland in “Judy.” Zellweger’s performance was that amazing, since one forgot she was playing a real life person and not a fictional character.

Those who have seen “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) will recognize how Zellweger embodies Judy Garland through and through.

Ervo, like Zellweger in her part, completely embodied the role of Harriet Tubman, who

at times, fought against a country that was enforcing slavery.

Ervo pulls no punches with her portrayal of Tubman, who forever changed the American landscape with her fight against slavery in the U.S. Also important to the storyline is Janelle Monáe’s Marie Buchanon.

If she looks familiar, she was in the Oscarwinning “Moonlight” a couple of years back, as well as the Oscar-nominated “Hidden Figures” in 2017.

Directing chores for “Harriet” were handled by one-time actress Kasi Lemmons.

She helmed the little-seen “Eve’s Bayou in 1997. She also directed the intriguing “Talk

Photo courtesy IMDb

To Me” I in 2007 with Don Cheadle. More recently, she directed the little-seen “Black Nativity” in 2013.

It featured a strong cast with a couple of Oscar-winners including Forest Whitaker (“The Last King of Scotland”) and Jennifer Hudson (“Dreamgirls”). It also starred Oscarnominee Angela Bassett (“What’s Love Got to Do with it”), Tyrese Gibson (“Baby Boy,” the “Fast and the Furious” franchise) and Mary J. Blige (Oscar nominee for “Mudbound” (2017).

This is not a must for the big screen. It is, however a movie that deserves an audience.

It’s available to rent on streaming platforms.

Grade: B

Julius Quartet’s return engagement at Fannin Hall Pete Shannon

RichlandStudentMedia.com

Staff Writer

Three guys and a gal gave a good group’s grasp of what string quartet playing is all about in Feb. 18 in Fannin Hall. It was great. The Julius Quartet, formed in 2012 and recently tenured as part of the Peak Fellowship at the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU, returned to Richland for a second year to perform three works by Franz Joseph Haydn, Anton Webern and Ludwig van Beethoven.

John Batchelor, violist and spokesperson for the ensemble, previewed each piece with some interesting background information and upcoming things to observe. For example, he introduced the first selection, a Haydn number, by reminding the students’ that Haydn, as the “godfather” of the string quartet medium, had written 63 or, and that he was generally a happy man with a good sense of humor which often shows up in his work. Beethoven, on the other hand, whose “Serioso” quartet was

played last, was frequently more inclined to display his anger, especially at some of the local musical patrons in Vienna who had comported with the French invaders.

Before it was played on the second program spot, Batchelor noted that the upcoming Webern selection was comprised of six short bagatelles or dances that required some very unusual instrumental techniques and produced some strange sounds. He also pointed out that it would be played though twice in order to demonstrate these methods and to allow everyone to appreciate their uniqueness. The other players, who included Hyun Jeong Helen Lee, first violin; David Do, second violin, and Sebastian Kozub, cello, then joined Batchelor in putting on an amazing display of harmonics, plucked pizzicatos, slides, tremolos and various other unusual musical antics all in perfect time and pitch.

Throughout, the Julius Quartet, all young instrumentalists in their 20s, played with professional accuracy and unusual spirit. It

was inspiring for everyone present to observe how they made continuous eye contact and cued each other with subtle head and body movements while bringing out the varying emotional content of the music. It was no wonder that at the close of the program the entire house came to their feet with rowdy applause.

Photo courtesy Pete Shannon

Helen Lee, left, David Do, Sebastian Kozub and John Batchelor perform in Fannin Hall Feb. 18.

David Acosta Bernard Cheatham Dave Freeman Nabeela Iqbal Angela Ly Marcellus Martinez Natalia Pineda Fernanda Pargas

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STUDENT MEDIA AWARDS Student Organization Community Service Award, 2019 Student Organization of the Year, 2019 CMA Pinnacle Two-Year TV Station Award, 2018 CMA Two-Year Radio Station Award, 2018 ACP Newspaper Pacemaker Winner Award, 2016 ACP Best of Show Awar,d 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 Over 270 Texas college journalism awards since 2000

CONTACT INFORMATION El Paso Hall, Room E020, 12800 Abrams Rd., Dallas 75243 Newsroom: 972-238-6079; richlandchronicle@gmail.com Advertising: 972-238-6068 Email: Advertise@dcccd.edu Staff meetings: 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.

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SPORTS

February 25, 2020

T-Ducks defend title, head to the finals Daniel Ndoumou

Spots Photo Editor

Staff Photo Jonathan Lin

Adina Ramirez Staff Writer The T-Ducks started the season by sweeping the nonconference competition aside. At press time, the T-Ducks are third in the rankings among 98 Division III teams in the U.S., meaning there is potential for the T-Ducks

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.

February 25 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mardi Gras celebration Shrimp etouffee, King cake samples, Free masks and beads

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El Paso Lounge 5 to 7 p.m.

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) concert Free and open to the public

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Cafeteria Stage, El Paso Hall 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

The Richland Vocal Faculty perform

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Fannin Performance Hall, F102 Staff Photo Daniel Ndoumou

Jordan Keys goes in for the goal against North Lake in the Feb. 20 semifinals.

for him. I was just happy I was part of it.”

Richland overcame the pain felt in the previous game against Cedar Valley, the last of the regular season. Despite losing the tip-off at the beginning of the game, the Thunderducks remained focused and took the lead during the first quarter.

Six points ahead at the half, Richland moved

into the second half with confidence but lacked the accuracy when targeting the basket.

A team field goal percentage of 35.7 % took the team to their fourth loss of the season.

Despite the loss, the T-Ducks qualified for the playoffs.

At press time, the team is preparing for the DAC finals game against Eastfield.

Thunderduck baseball hits a sluggish patch

Nathan Van Maanen, #29, hits a grounder.

UPCOMING EVENTS

to reach the DIII World Series for the fifth time in their history. Their record this season is 12-4, winning 4 out of 5 series that they’ve played, finishing the non-conference games with a winning streak of 9 games.

The T-Ducks were in high spirits after their final nonconference game with a new emphasis on leadership, a hope that may carry them through the season. The team is optimistic about the changes and the new responsibilities being handed down.

“The sophomores, as leaders, have come together and we understand what we need to do to help the freshmen fill in spots, because if the freshmen aren’t comfortable, then we’re going to get nothing out of it,” second baseman Riley Blanton said.

“If they’re not as comfortable as I am, they’re the weakest link. You’re only as strong as your weakest link.”

Conference play opened Feb. 19 against the Brookhaven Bears for a three-game series that was scheduled to continue through the weekend. The T-Ducks lost their first game (4-1) despite out-hitting and out-ranking their opponents.

Brookhaven took the second game in the series 6-5.

With six new recruits who have filled in necessary spots, according to Blanton, the team has held its ground and is learning how to transition to college baseball.

The freshman come in early to practice and are working hard to catch up to Thunderduck standards. After their first loss since the conference, pitcher Kyle Higgins did not discuss what went wrong in the game; he chose instead to talk about the team’s mentality following the loss.

“We just have to come out next game and perform to the standards we hold ourselves to.

When we play the game the right way, it’s hard to beat us and we all believe that,” Higgins said.

The outcome of the series against Brookhaven could very well indicate the division play for this season. “[I’m] really excited. [It’s] really looking good, really looking confident. [The team has] jelled together like no other. I’ve never been a part of a broth-erhood like this one, so this is scary for everybody else,” Blanton said.

12:30 to 4 p.m. i

Black History Month “When They See Us: Film Discussion” Hosted by the Black Student Assn. Equity Richland Sabine Hall, SH118

February 26 5 to 7 p.m. i

“MAP/WIN Game Day” Women’s Initiative Network El Paso Lounge

February 27-28 i

No classes Professional development day

March 3

7 a.m. to 7 p.m. i

Super Tuesday Dallas County primary election Le Croy Center

Inclement weather hotline: Students: 972-238-6196 RLC employees: 972-238-6912 Information available after 6 a.m.

RichlandStudentMedia.com

The Richland Thunderducks are defending their Dallas Athletic Conference (DAC) title after beating North Lake 91-72 in the conference semifinals on Feb. 20.

The first half of the game did not start as planned. The T-Ducks quickly fell behind giving North Lake a 10-point lead in the first 10 minutes of play.

As they were trailing, Head Coach Jonathan Havens made some tactical decisions. He substituted Ashley Mukendi, Jamal Dilworth and Donovan Souter who reversed the game situation. As the result of those changes, the Thunderducks ended the first of half of the game with a seven-point lead.

During the second half, enthusiastic fans carried the team to a dominant victory. One of the main players to be credited with the victory was Donavan Souter. The guard from Frisco led the game with 32 points. He also had a 73% average shooting behind the threepoint line.

“Before the start of the game, I knew this was the biggest of the season because it was a win-or-go-home game. I got my mind right and listened to some music and tried visualize how I wanted the game to be. I was ready to go out there and keep the season going,” said T-Duck’s forward Jamal Dilworth. “It felt good knowing that I came off the bench to give a real spark that turned the game around.”

“Donovan’s performance was amazing,” Dilworth said. “He is a player we are always looking for. He is one of the best shooters have ever played with so his performance did not really surprise me. I was extremely happy

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February 25, 2020

RichlandStudentMedia.com

mythology, spooky stories and folk lore

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eclectically themed events

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