TR business student killed, 2 suspects in custody
HOPE SMITH campus editor hope.smith@my.tccd.edu
TCC student Maddox Moses Garza was shot in the torso March 27 in his parked car in front of an apartment complex, according to a Tarrant County medical examiner report. He was pronounced dead after being transferred to a hospital.
According to the report filed by Fort Worth police, two suspects were arrested.
One of them, 19-year-old Milton Tobias Wilson, was arrested on April 15 at 2 p.m. The second suspect’s identity has not been re -
NAACP competition moved due to DEI ban
FOUSIA ABDULLAHI editor-in-chief fousia.abdullahi@my.tccd.edu
The NAACP pulled out of an event on South Campus two days after TCC changed the cost of having the event on campus due to the new state ban on diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education.
The college forced the organization to either pay more than $5,000 in extra costs or find another location. The organization instead moved the event to Carter Metropolitan CME Church in Fort Worth on April 5.
The NAACP is the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, and the Fort Worth chapter has been organizing the ACT-SO student competitions at TCC for more than 15 years. ACT-SO stands for Afro-Academic, Culture, Technological and Scientific Olympics sponsorship.
The original fee that ACTSO paid TCC every year for this event is around $400, said Sundra Davis, Fort Worth-Tarrant County Branch ACT-SO Chair. However, two days before the event, TCC informed the organization that the cost would increase to $5,800.
Davis said whether ACTSO or another community event is being held at the college, there should have been a better line of communication about the change.
“I think at some point when the request is made, you say, ‘These are our rates. These are the fees. Do you want to continue?’ Not two days before the actual event,” Davis said. “We spoke on a number of occasions, and that was never mentioned that the rate would be much different than what we had paid in previous years.”
Davis explained that 15 years ago after having the event at Fort Worth ISD when the schools started having Saturday classes, they had to look for a new location.
She said they came to South Campus and having known some individuals there and asked can they bring the high school competition to the campus.
TRINITY RIVER
leased, but was arrested on the same day at 10:45 a.m.
Wilson is charged with capital murder and awaits another court appearance on April 25 at 9 a.m. His bond is $500,000 and a defense attorney has not yet been identified.
No motive has been identified according to Fort Worth police detective Jerry Cedillo, who said he could not provide more information as the case is still under investigation.
Garza attended TR Campus pursuing an associate degree in business and was set to graduate this summer, according to an obituary provided by Greenwood Funeral Homes. It described Garza as kind and loyal to his family, and he was said to have an interest
in automotives and worked as a mechanic. “He was a sweet, caring soul who was always there for his parents, grandparents and any family member that needed him,” the obituary said. A guest book included in the obituary allowed others to leave words of kindness about Garza.
Andrew Schnitzius, a mathematics teacher who taught Garza at R.L. Paschal High
School, left a message in the guest book remembering him as a bright light among his peers.
“I know he made a difference sharing joy with the people around him. I am thankful to have known him for a short time and am praying for comfort for his family,” Schnitzius wrote.
Camila Cisneros, neighbor and childhood friend of Garza, recalls all the times they played together as children.
“He was a kind and gentle soul who was taken from us too soon, I will forever miss my best friend and cherish the times we spent playing together,” Cisneros wrote.
5 students have visas revoked
Five TCC international students have had their F-1 visas revoked as of last week, according to college officials.
These five join the growing list of students whose visas have been canceled and removed from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
FOUSIA ABDULLAHI editor-in-chief fousia.abdullahi@my.tccd.edu According
“As of last Thursday, April 10, of the 469 current F-1 visa students attending TCC, five students have had their visas revoked by the federal government,” Assistant Director of Admissions Jennifer Minke told The Collegian.
Overall, TCC has fewer than 500 international students out of the 46,681 students enrolled this semester, said Vice Chancellor of Communications and External Affairs Reginald Gates.
“From time to time, information is received through the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) indicating that a student’s visa may
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have been revoked or their status otherwise impacted,” Gates said in an email. “TCC does not receive advance notice or explanation from the federal government when this occurs, nor does the college have access to the underlying details that may have led to such actions.”
Gates also said that the college lets students know when they become aware of a change in SEVIS status.
“We promptly notify the student and recommend that they con-
sult with an immigration attorney for advice specific to their situation,” Gates said. Minke said students should be proactive and ensure they have the latest information. According to Minke, the college could not provide any details about the students due to privacy laws.
TCC notified the students when they noticed their records were terminated in SEVIS. TCC had no prior knowledge of the gov-
ernment’s action, she said. “As scary and as upsetting as it is, it’s all within the boundaries of what’s always been in the rules and regulations,” Minke said. “It’s just never been applied to this level before.”
Students who are planning to travel out of the country should carry all necessary documents to prove their legal status, Minke said.
“They really need to have their
DIEGO COLLAZO campus editor diego.collazo@my.tccd.edu
The TCC board of trustees approved multiple contracts to renovate 68 classrooms for more than $12 million to ensure they comply with safety regulations and instructional standards. The board authorized two major contracts. Package A is a $3.5 million agreement with Pecos Construction LLC to renovate 20 classrooms as part
Woman dies after 50-foot fall in vacant TCC-owned building
FOUSIA ABDULLAHI
editor-in-chief
fousia.abdullahi@my.tccd.edu
A woman died after she fell April 17 at the old TXU power plant near TR Campus that TCC owns. In a statement, Fort Worth police said officers were dispatched to the building at 447 N. Main St., responding to an investigation call
around 3:05 a.m. The victim, who police have not identified, is believed to have fallen down a shaft at or near the hydroelectric plant. Police also said that homicide detectives have been notified.
“At this time, the details surrounding this incident are still being investigated,” the statement said. According to the Fort Worth Fire Department, the woman fell approximately 50 feet.
MedStar pronounced the victim deceased on scene. The fire department recovered the body and turned the scene over to the Fort Worth Police Department and the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.
According to an article on TCC’s website in 2014, the college said it was looking for recommendations for potential uses of that land.
“The college will consider all responses, including selling the property and a joint venture or pub-
“Any time there is a life lost in our city, we are deeply saddened. Our hearts go out to the family, friends and loved ones surrounding this particular case,” Fort Worth Fire Department officials said in a statement. TCC originally bought the building as part of the expansion of the Trinity River East campus, but it has been vacant since.
lic-private partnerships for development,” the article said.
It also said the college was considering a land swap or other development opportunities that an organization or individual would like to propose to the college. Reginald Gates, vice chancellor of communications and external affairs, said the college could not provide additional information regarding the incident, as it remains an active investigation.
Infographic by Alex Hoben/The Collegian
SCH Homes President Neal Calhoun (right) introduces mom Stephanie Calhoun, SCH business administrator, to the board.
Alex Hoben/The Collegian
Milton Wilson
Contest lets students show off their speech skills
Competitors say event helped build their self-esteem, communication expertise
LAUREN HARPER
multimedia editor
lauren.harper903@my.tccd.edu
In a battle to represent NW Campus’ communication skills, 16 students were judged on their content and delivery at this year’s Spring Speech Contest on April 18.
Ava Jenkins, department chair of communications and speech instructor, said what used to be an annual activity for communication students blossomed into a multidisciplinary event held each semester.
“We got so popular doing it in the last four or five years, we now do it in the spring and the fall,” she said. “Our class speeches were so good, we wanted to give additional practice sessions for students to be able to keep improving.” Its growing popularity among students comes alongside a growing need for experienced communicators in the workplace, Jenkins said.
“There are several organizations that run
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NE interim president accepts new district role
HUDA
QURESHI managing editor huda.qureshi@my.tccd.edu
Jan Clayton, who has served as interim president of NE Campus since November 2023, will transition into the role of district vice chancellor of analytics and planning at the end of this semester.
The NE interim president position will be filled by Kirsten Jakowitsch, former dean of technology, health, and business and interim vice president for academic affairs.
Clayton hosts student and faculty listening sessions throughout the semester and at the last April 18 faculty meeting, Clayton got choked up reflecting on her time as interim president and the support she received.
“Give me one second,” she said to the large crowd of faculty who came out to participate during their workday despite a forecast of rain.
“It’s certainly been the professional privilege in my career to get to have this particular role and get to do this work and get to do it with you, but what really has been amazing is just to see the way that you all show up for students,” she said. Clayton went on to acknowledge how she and employees do what they can for their students and their success.
“It was really about students, always, and I love that we could just share that with each other,” she said. “We did it different ways. It looked different, but at its core, that’s what it was about. I just want you to know, I see you. I see how hard you worked.” According to a statement released by Chancellor Elva LeBlanc, Clayton’s new role will involve “strategic oversight for grants compliance, accreditation, and institutional research.”
Cara Walker, director of student development services, has seen Clayton as a mentor and said she has brought a lot of transparency in her leadership role through hosting events like listening sessions.
“She really had an ear to what’s going on on campus and really addressing what the needs were for her campus,” Walker said.
PTK officer Marie Claude Mutomb, a student Clayton has worked with on campus projects, laughed while recalling a moment when Clayton came and sat next to her and thanked her afterward.
“I’m like, ‘You’re the campus president. You can walk anywhere and sit anywhere and nobody’s going to say anything,’ but I feel like she really cares about the students,” Mutomb said.
Clayton will be working together with Jakowitsch to facilitate the transition starting May 2 and will move into her new role as vice chancellor of analytics and planning on May 19.
An email was sent out on April 8 regarding a forum set to take place on April 15 to allow faculty to provide feedback for the chancellor in selecting a new permanent NE Campus president from two finalists. However, the forum was cancelled on April 9. According to an email sent by LeBlanc on April 17, the search for a new president is ongoing.
various studies about how college graduates are doing in their first job in the workplace,” she said. “Communication was by far the biggest deficit. This includes written and verbal communication. 99% of jobs need it, but only about 57% of students are actually competent in it.”
However, Jenkins said the benefits that students take away from participating carry over into their personal development.
“Their confidence soars, and so does their self-esteem and ability to think of themselves in different terms,” she said. “One of the winners last year was very shy and quiet, but she kept building, and she had a different side of her when it came to competing. So, she won and went on to win district and came back here and decided to be the club president.”
Kathryn Kozak, president of the speech and communications club, said building her public speaking skill set has helped her toward her goal of studying law.
“Public speaking is a skill that helps you round out as a person,” she said. “You use it in almost every aspect of your life, whether
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it’s just interpersonal communication or for a business proposal, there’s always somewhere public speaking will come in handy.”
Kozak said she encourages anyone to try the club, regardless of skill or experience.
“No matter how terrifying it is, speech is a set of building blocks,” she said. “No matter how horrible the first time may be, every single time you build up more experience and confidence. You just fake it until you make it, and eventually, you actually make it.”
Repeat competitor and NW student Ollie Vassar spoke on autism, a topic he says is close to his heart. He said that by having the opportunity to speak on it, he’s doing his part to educate the public on a topic he feels is often misunderstood.
“It’s important to help people realize what autism is as a disorder,” he said. “There are a lot of misconceptions that autism itself is a singular disorder instead of seeing it as a spectrum.”
Vassar said that while he was initially apprehensive to participate in the competition, his gradual improvement helped him strengthen a soft skill he was struggling with.
“As someone with autism, with communication and social issues, I’ve learned to mitigate it over the years,” he said. “This class helped me build a better communication style with my coworkers, especially being on
the autism spectrum.”
NW business student Kelsi Harper took home first place with a presentation on fitness.
According to Harper, her initial interest came from a desire to better herself by tackling a universal fear.
“I’ve always been an outgoing person,” she said. “I’m not afraid to get out of my comfort zone. I thought, ‘I could be really good at this, and I can overcome this fear.’ I thought it could make me a better person and help me in my future endeavors.”
Along with memorizing her presentation’s content, Harper said her engagement with the audience and theatrical talking style helped her come out on top.
“I use my hands a lot, and I was shifting from one side of the board to the other,” she said. “I feel like that shows my passion towards my topic, and that’s huge. I want to show my credibility.”
Despite her preparation, Harper said she still gets anxious before presenting. However, she said that may not be a bad thing entirely.
“When it comes to public speaking, we all get so nervous,” she said. “I get nervous, but at the end of the day, that just means you really care about your audience, and you care about what you’re saying.”
New Muslim student club organizes party
ABDULLAHI
FOUSIA
editor-in-chief fousia.abdullahi@my.tccd.edu
The Muslim Students Association celebrated Eid on NE Campus with food, games and discussions.
Eid is an Islamic holiday celebrated twice a year: One is Eid-ul-Fitr, which is observed when the month of Ramadan ends, and the other is Eid-ul-Adha, which is after the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
The student organization is not new to TCC. A club was established on SE Campus for a number of years. NE had a MSA that hasn’t been active in recent years.
NE student Salma Sayed, who is the president of the MSA, said she hasn’t been part of the college culture until recently, only going to classes and then leaving. She said she was looking for a sense of community on campus.
“I want this club to grow big, to teach other students about Islamic culture and to support the community,” Sayed said.
She said the purpose of MSA is to support not only Muslim students but also any students on campus who want to join the club.
When Sayed and others first considered starting the club in 2024, they ran into a problem finding members. This year, they were able to find more interested people.
She said this was her first time organizing a club, and it was difficult to navigate the process, but she found people to help her.
The MSA plans to participate in community service and volunteer activities within the college and the North Texas community.
“We’re welcoming everyone, no matter their religion and we want to support students spiritually, academically,” Sayed said.
Omar Elmangoushi said he enjoys Eid
celebrations because they allow him to spend time with his family and feel a sense of community.
“I just saw a bunch of people from my childhood that I haven’t seen in so long,” Elmangoushi said. “It’s always so nice to see them. You know, I get like, flashbacks of good memories I used to have with them.”
While Eid here in Texas doesn’t compare to Eid in Sudan, where he is originally from, he said he still treasures the time spent with his father, brother and cousin.
He joined the MSA to be around people who shared his interests and to make new friends.
Many students who attended the event, including Mohamed Bilal, emphasized the importance of having a community on cam-
pus, celebrating with friends who came to the event and the inclusivity of the MSA. Mehrangiz Paiman said she had looked forward to celebrating Eid on campus with friends. Some of her personal traditions for Eid include putting on henna. Her Eid day is filled with family activities.
“After Eid prayers, we go to breakfast together with my dad, our family, and my uncle’s family,” Paiman said.
Rukhsar Ghafoori, who helped organize the event, said she wanted the MSA to be a positive experience for students so they could spend time together and enjoy life on campus.
The next MSA meeting is on May 5. The organizers said they plan to post flyers all around campus and send announcements to their members on their Canvas page.
Students shoot short film in 72 hours NORTHEAST
LAUREN HARPER multimedia editor lauren.harper903@my.tccd.edu
Bound by the pressure of a concluding semester, eight TCC students put together an onscreen love story riddled with suspense and unpredictability in just three days.
Written and directed by NE student Matthew Paget, “My Love” follows the main character, Sam, as he works up the courage to ask out his crush and classmate, Veronica.
However, what presents as a school boylikes-girl cliche alludes to something more sinister with writing and post-production magic.
This ulterior plot was something Paget said he wanted to introduce from the beginning.,
“I had the idea of starting in a dark room where the audience isn’t really able to know what’s going on,” he said. “It’s creating this starting image with just a little bit of confusion, and then leaving it up to interpretation.”
No stranger to the directing scene, Paget said the script set this film apart from his previous projects.
“Nowadays, a lot of the tech can be glamorized, and anybody can become a filmmaker or content creator,” he said. “Making a film is about telling a story. After I finished my screenwriting class last year, I wanted to implement all of that knowledge … And so the script felt like a huge improvement.”
According to Paget, the success of the film’s writing was not accomplished alone,
but came after the review and support of fellow filmmakers.
“I’ve had some friends challenge the end, and how the film moves along and how the audience starts to care for the characters in it,” he said. “Now, the viewer has this sense of wanting the character to succeed.”
Among those friends was Bronwyn Beasley, a Radio, Television and Film alum, who played Veronica and worked as an assistant director.
Beasley said there were several shifts in the storyline between its introduction and execution, including enhancing her character and adding details that furthered Paget’s goal of continued suspense.
“We took it to more of a fantastical and magical place,” she said. “That hopefully kept that theme of suspense so everyone’s on the edge of their seat while watching it.”
However, playing a more complex character came a greater responsibility to the portrayal, which Beasley said put a strain on balancing her on- and off-camera roles.
“I was hoping I wouldn’t let one or the other suffer,” she said. “My acting persona is quite different than an assistant director’s persona. With Veronica, there was a level of unseriousness and carefree energy that I wanted to give her. As assistant director, that is the opposite of what I’m trying to portray.”
While most short films are shot over an extended period of time, Beasley said the decision to shoot over 72 hours allowed the crew to more efficiently work around student scheduling.
“If we had it spread out over months,
it wouldn’t have been consistent,” she said. “The continuity would’ve been off, people get different haircuts, people get their nails done, people get tan as the sun is out more. Things like that people who aren’t in film don’t necessarily think about.”
Beasley said she hopes the audience connects with Sam, who Paget describes as an awkward lead, inspired by 19 to 25-year-olds unsure of what they want.
“There are plenty of guys out there that don’t realize that girls are into them,” Paget said. “It’s like an ‘Oh s**t’ moment.”
RTVF student Nathan Vasquez said that while being the most challenging role he’s played, incorporating his own trials helped build his character, Sam.
“I had to dig deep into past experiences to bring out [Sam’s] insecurities and show them through my mannerisms, my actions and my facial expressions,” he said. “This character helped me look back and see how I’ve changed from being such an insecure, closed person to more outgoing. The things I do now, I would have never done in the past.”
Despite the continuous hints at something lurking between the plot lines, Vasquez said he wants the audience to still pay attention to each character’s complexities and what they represent.
“I don’t want the romance and insecurity to be overlooked when you’re looking at the relationship between Sam and Veronica,” he said. “This film is also about the mental challenges and the courage in wanting something like a relationship and making the first move.”
Joan Pham/The Collegian
From left, NE students Mehrangiz Paiman, Rukhsar Ghafoori and Simin Najm put together gift bags filled with candy for each of the Eid party attendees.
Spring Plant Sale grows support for TCC, raises $19K
LAUREN HUMPHREYS-KULESZ staff reporter collegian.editor@tccd.edu
Spring is in full bloom in Tarrant County. Local green thumbs, along with curious newcomers, gathered for the Annual Spring Plant Sale at NW Campus.
Tables overflowed with vibrant flowers, hardy perennials and native plants, while cheerful students stood by, eager to share their gardening know-how.
Cameron Grant earned his associate degree in horticultural science from TCC and now serves as the horticulture lab manager. After completing his bachelor’s degree in horticulture at Texas A&M, Grant returned to TCC to help bridge the gap between education and industry, a journey shaped by the very professors who once taught him.
“Whenever I was here, I loved my professors,” Grant said. “David Cole was the coordinator at the time, and he encouraged me to pursue higher education. The influence they all had on me brought me to where I am today. I want to give back.”
Last summer, Grant helped launch a hydroponic system on campus, a method of growing plants using a nutrient-rich water solution instead of soil.
“Most of our greens are grown in California and Arizona,” he explained. “I wanted to show students a different way of growing, to show them what can be produced locally. So much of our produce travels a long way to get here. There’s no reason our fruits and vegetables should come from so far away. We can grow lettuce right here and feed people right here.”
Grant likened the hydroponic system’s setup to building an Erector Set, noting its simplicity and hands-on appeal.
“It was so easy to build that my daughters were able to help me,” Grant said. “The hardest thing about the system is managing the water and nutrients. We have hard water in Texas which makes managing the nutrients more challenging.”
Grant said most students don’t know about hydroponics and the benefits it has with conservation.
“I want to show them that food can be grown in your backyard, on a patio, there are so many ways to feed yourself without relying on a tomato that has traveled 800 miles,”
Board
he said.
The hydroponic system was on full display in three greenhouses, along with the fruits of their labor: vibrant bell peppers, crisp cucumbers and tomatoes hanging plump on the vines.
Another key benefit of the system is that it’s reusable.
“The whole setup is pretty sustainable,” Grant explained. “We can reuse the rocks inside the system, and we never have to buy new soil.”
In addition to the new hydroponic system, the greenhouses now feature a state-ofthe-art environmental control system funded through the Perkins Basic Grant.
“It’s a major technological upgrade for our greenhouses,” Grant said. “This facility was built in the 1970s, and technology has come a long way since then. The new system makes our operations much more energyefficient and environmentally friendly.”
Another greenhouse, which had recently been reskinned and completely renovated, has also been integrated into the new system and now features a plastic wet wall. The wall is renewable and designed for easy maintenance, it can be removed and power-washed each summer instead of being replaced.
“Last year’s plant sale raised around $18,000, which funded travel for 11 students to attend the National Collegiate Landscape Competition,” said Grant. “This year’s sale brought in $19,000, enough to send 12 students to the 2026 competition, which will be held in Michigan next spring.”
The NCLC allows students to showcase their skills in landscaping, horticulture, irrigation and more. It is a competition that is held annually. In 2025 TCC came home with two students in the top 50 of over 700 students from over 50 different schools across the country.
TCC student Ben Beagle earned the highest score among TCC participants at this year’s NCLC. A part-time student with a fulltime job, he has been balancing academic and professional experience with dedication.
“I’ve learned so much through the program about different areas of the horticulture business,” Beagle said.
Kelly Wilson, who relocated to the area from Georgia four years ago, attended the sale for the first time this year after hearing about it through a Facebook group. She was
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basic classroom plus and student instructional learning classrooms.
At an April 10 work session, Anglin noted that tariffs recently enacted by President Donald Trump could affect Package A’s cost and delivery. Trustee Jeannie Deakyne asked whether the bids were time-limited to avoid potential increases. Executive Director of Procurement Mike Herndon said the college is working to expedite the process.
“We’re going to move quicker than normal if we’re able to get this approved to get contracts in place so they can quickly place their orders in hopes that we avoid some tariffs,” Herndon said. “It’s something we used to not deal with that we are starting to see to some degree.”
The board also approved a $9.51 million contract with Perkins & Will, Inc. for design services related to a new science building and backfill renovations at NE Campus. A $4.38 million agreement was awarded to Enviromatic Systems to replace the building automation system at TR Campus. Anglin cited repeated heating, ventilation and airconditioning system failures as the reason for the upgrade.
In addition, the board accepted a gift from SCH Homes to formally establish the Scott Simmons Endowed Scholarship, which supports students in the construction manage-
Student visas
official I-94 and always have their passport with them,” she said.
“Always have their most current and signed I-20. If they are planning to travel outside the U.S., they need to seek a travel endorsement.”
The international enrollment specialist will visit each TCC campus to provide travel endorsements and a signature from a Designated School Official, Minke said. The travel endorsement for F1 students is the signature from a DSO, not a separate item. The signature confirms that the student is maintaining F-1 or J-1 status, which are the two most common types of student visas. TCC does not sponsor J-1 students.
Minke also said she has noticed fewer international students are preparing to travel and that students who are looking to transfer to TCC from another school are applying for the summer semester and not waiting until fall.
The five TCC students join the list of more than 300 students who Secretary of State Marco Rubio said were identified to be removed by the Department of Homeland
especially grateful for his expertise.
“I’m upset I didn’t get here earlier. I’m always looking for perennials, so that I don’t have to replant every year,” Wilson said.
Marsha Ramsey, who previously worked in academic advising at NW, is a longtime supporter of the plant sale for years.
“I always have to be careful to watch for
ment program. The fund has since grown to nearly $140,000, according to TCC Foundation Executive Director Laure O’Neal.
SCH Homes President Neal Calhoun said the company chose TCC because of the
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Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Rubio said these students are being removed because they pose a foreign policy threat.
In a memo published by CNN, Rubio explained the government’s case in the detention and deportation of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil.
“I have determined that the activities and presence of these aliens in the United States would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences and would compromise a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest,” the memo said
Students have been detained or deported for attending protests, social media posts, traffic violations and other violations of their visa agreement.
“TCC continues to monitor developments in federal immigration and visa policy,” Gates said. “And remains focused on ensuring that all students, regardless of background, are treated with fairness and dignity while enrolled at the college.”
Rubio spoke to reporters on March 28 about the immigration crackdown. He has
alignment between the school’s mission and the values of Simmons, the company’s late founder.
“The average TCC student is working, taking night classes and just trying to improve
also been in talks with other countries to repatriate their citizens.
“We have seen on campuses across the country where students literally cannot go to school, buildings are being taken over … this is clearly an organized movement,” Rubio said.
“And if you are in this country on a student visa and are a participant in those movements, we have a right to deny your visa.”
A NE student, whose first name is Kaden but declined to give his last name to protect his family, recently said the immigration crackdown hit close to home.
“My cousin posted through social media about his political view on everything that’s happening while he’s in the country, and they revoked his student visa from that at a different college campus up near Dallas,” Kaden said.
His cousin was removed from the country and is now back in Mexico.
“It’s rough, but we still have contact with each other,” Kaden said. “A lot of stuff happened in between all the transferrings of them moving him, but he’s OK, and he’s with family, at least.”
TCC’s plant sale because I don’t want to miss it,” Ramsey said. “I would love to see even more natives in the sale next year.” Ramsey won’t have to wait a full year for the sale as Grant has started an additional plant sale in the fall and plans to include even more natives.
themselves, and that was something that Scott would have really wanted to support,” Calhoun said.
SCH business administrator Stephanie Calhoun, who attended and graduated from TCC, said she understood what many TCC students are going through to pursue higher education.
“Just being within the community and really understanding the student body and that work life balance,” she said. “They want to continue their education but can’t afford to go to a four-year college.”
The board also updated its policy to align the timeline of faculty appeal panel elections with Faculty Association election cycles, according to General Counsel Antonio Allen. Other changes tightened up the language used in the outside employment policy to clarify that a full-time employee’s first obligation is to the college district. No outside employment or activity should infringe on their duties, Allen said.
Finally, trustees approved an amendment to increase TCC’s child care agreement with Learning Care Group Inc. from $250,000 to $400,000. Isaac Rivera, District Director of Curriculum and Educational Planning, said the increase will expand services to approximately 27 students with 34 children.
Lauren Humphreys-Kulesz/The Collegian Lettuce plants for sale lined up in one of the three greenhouses found on NW Campus for the Horticulture program. Other vegetables were also for sale.
Graphic by Alex Hoben/The Collegian
CAMPUS LIFE DISTRICT CRIME LOG
April 8
NW: A report of Clery stalking occurring since January was reported.
South: Disorderly conduct was reported in Early College High School.
April 10
NE: Forgery of a financial instrument with an intent to illegally obtain money was reported.
NE: A fraudulent possession of a credit or debit card used to purchase less than five items was reported.
NE: Theft of property valued at less than $750 was reported in the Student Center.
NW: Theft of property valued at less than $100 was reported in NW06.
SE: Criminal trespassing was reported in the Science and Computer Technology Building.
SE: Clery stalking was reported in the Science and Computer Technology Building.
SE: Clery stalking was reported occurring from March 13 to April 10 in the Science and Computer Technology Building.
April 11
TR: Theft of property valued at less than $2,500 was reported in Allied Health.
April 13
Clery motor vehicle theft was reported at the Opportunity Center and case was closed with no suspects or witnesses.
Unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported at the opportunity center.
April 15
TR: Harassment was reported in the main building.
April 16
Damage to TCCD property was reported on 100 Bowles Ct.
NW: Theft of property of less than $750 was reported in NW06.
April 17
TR: Criminal Trespassing was reported.
TR: Theft of property valued at less than $100 was reported in the Nursing Building.
Clery arson occurring on March 3 at Lake Bridgeport was reported to TCC Police.
South: Disorderly conduct through using abusive or profane language was reported in the Student Center.
SE: An unattended vehicle was hit in parking lot F resulting in damage of $200 or less.
(continued from page 1)
The campus with its many classrooms was a perfect fit for the students who participated in 31 competitions conducted concurrently, she said.
Estella Williams, president of the Fort Worth-Tarrant County NAACP, said that the organization has never been under the impression that TCC was sponsoring the event in all the years it was being held at South Campus.
“if it was a sponsorship, we did not know anything about the sponsorship,” Williams said. “We were provided the opportunity to again have our function there, and we paid the fee that was required of us.”
Williams, who is also an alumnus of the college, said
that the group had gotten use to a certain protocol from TCC when it came to organizing events. She said administrators and others from the college frequently supported the event and set up an information table to tell parents and their high schoolers about the different opportunities at TCC.
This time, her experience was different. She said the group had difficulty getting the invoice from the South Campus event coordinator.
The college said Senate Bill 17 prohibits public colleges from supporting or cosponsoring events designed or implemented in reference to race, color, or ethnicity, or that give preferences on the basis
of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin, so the college could not extend co-sponsorship this year.
Antonio Allen, general counsel for TCC, said in a statement that the college has long valued its relationship with the NAACP.
“We deeply regret the confusion surrounding this year’s facility use and acknowledge that there was an unreasonable delay in communicating the cost estimate to the organizers,” Allen said. “We understand and regret the stress this may have caused the event planners and participants.”
Many events on TCC campuses have been canceled or renamed to stay in compliance with the ban.
“DEI is being thrown around, being put on the table, being put in places,” Willams said. “But you know my concern is that, how is it being interpreted?”
Williams said the interpretation could have perhaps been different based on individual circumstances, and that they couldn’t have come up with the amount of money to pay in such short notice. The organizations plan to meet to discuss the issue, she said.
“There’s a way around doing things in order to continue a relationship, and you don’t break the law,” Williams said. “We’re not law breakers. My thing is that the value was much greater to be able to continue to have this relationship.”
CAMPUS VOICES
Q:“Is there a person, place or thing that has impacted you on campus?”
NE Campus
“I came to TCC because I was kind of scared to go to a four-[year] university. I wanted to start off small in terms of student population because I have quite a bit of social anxiety to be honest. So, I find TCC to be really friendly and helpful for me . . Especially the advisers. I really appreciate all the professors here too. They helped me a lot with learning material and networking and socializing. I just feel really comfortable at TCC. I think I made a good choice compared to a four-year university.”
NE Campus
“TCC is very flexible. I have a daughter, and I have work and everything so taking classes in the evening and having sources like the library and labs open or study groups helps me not only outside of my personal life, but it allows me to focus on school and my classes. I really like TCC and from what I’ve experienced I think the education isn’t less than that of a four-year school, especially for the price that you’re paying for class.”
SE Campus
“The various leaning commons. They really help. One of the workshops that they offer in the writing center is one that teaches students how to write letters for scholarships for the TCC Foundation. So, I require my students to attend at least one workshop. And one of my students came back and told me that thanks to my recommendation and the workshop she was able to write her essay, and she got a scholarship.”
Rocio Magaña
Christen Hocevar
O. W. Petcoff
Leave religion at door, not county grounds
It was an undeniable fact that the first Americans had to break away from the religious ideals of The British Empire. When the First Amendment was introduced in 1791, which included prohibiting the government to enforce religion on any citizen, that door was supposed to be nailed closed.
Recently, however, a monument of the Ten Commandments was voted to be installed outside of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court building on April 15. Who knew God had as much to do with tax and county judges as the commissioners did?
Decisions like that will crowbar the door back open if local governments continue on the path of integrating church and state.
It’s one example of many that puts a spotlight on the identity crisis America has found itself in. There are so many communities, ideas and ideals trading across the country. It is the worst time for local and federal governments to begin aligning themselves with religious code.
Will the laws of religion guide commissioners to involve culture war tactics to avoid honoring social workers during National Social Work Month in March?
The problem is not religion. It’s the assumption of a few elected officials who decided they are letting religion influence their decision-making and their community must accept
it. It’s almost an insult when voters put good faith in their candidates only to be handed organized faith back.
The press release issued by the Tarrant County Commissioner Matt Krause Precinct 3 explains that they are the first in the state to place the commandments on the courthouse lawn.
“The placing of the monument on county grounds is about recognizing a vital piece of our shared cultural and legal heritage in our great state and country,” Krause said in the release.
Without even trying to get into true Texas history and heritage, in what way will Krause and the other commissioners conduct their roles referencing the Old Testament Christian values?
The whole reason the separation of church and state is vital to the country is because it sets America apart as being completely devoted to the amendments protecting a citizen’s right to a fair and just government.
Instead of challenging what it means to abide by the First Amendment in one of the biggest melting pots in the world, officials must step up and uphold those rights for the American people. They are representatives, there is no room to act individually.
Collegian
These people elected to their positions must ask themselves, who are they doing it for?
Is mandated prayer before meetings going to tell the public that they will be seen with an unbiased lens?
The snowball effect will take small-scale moments -- like the monument -- and eventually turn it into an avalanche that will drown Americans before they can realize that they do not see themselves in the country’s leadership.
That entrusted officials will act with the best interest of the public and not their own?
That time is better spent in communities where religion is, in fact, the center focus. Why not devote that energy to the people who want the same things, accept the same ideas and desire a flourishing community dedicated to faith? What do they lack that a government position does not?
“I also hope this will inspire other counties and cities in Texas and the nation to follow suit to put up similar monuments in their jurisdictions,” Krause included in the release. If the First Amendment isn’t as much of a priority now as it was at the beginning of this country, he just might get that dream.
Perseverance is taught to an unhealthy fault
Resiliency is an important strength taught by predecessors to be principal for a successful future, however, a mastery of this skill threatens one’s ability to relish in the ambivalence of life.
Quickly adapting to change, compartmentalizing misfortune and rationalizing emotions are essential in one’s work life balance. But when instilled into daily life, one becomes blind to their instinct, forcing them to choose logic over feeling.
To be the individual who conquered disparity is valued more than to be the individual who survived their way out of despondency, and I am a product of this precarious mentality.
I have been told my resiliency meets no boundary, strength runs through my veins and my heart was built tough. It was no easy journey becoming this way, and I believe it turned me into a cold-hearted individual.
My mother and father divorced before I could even formulate a
Paige
Bueckers is officially a Dallas Wing, and in a city known for its rich basketball history, she’s the brightest new face in town.
The Wings selected the University of Connecticut guard, who has been a household name in women’s basketball since her high school days, as the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft.
But this wasn’t just a pick. It was a statement. A franchise-altering moment. One that signals a new era for the Wings and for Dallas basketball.
Coming off a 9-31 season, the Wings were at rock bottom. But with that low point came opportunity. They secured a generational talent, a poised and battle-tested leader with the potential to be the Wings’ savior and one of the greatest to ever step on a WNBA court.
memory of them together. My father suffered from alcoholism and my mother was too stubborn to ever care.
Before I could tie my shoes, they both remarried. By the age of four, I had a stepmother and half-brother, a stepdad and two stepsisters. I added two more broken families to the two I already had. To spare all the details, we blended as best we could, and I traveled around a lot in my youth.
My mother started me in therapy at five because she felt it was
Bueckers entered the draft as the consensus No. 1 pick after a season in which she averaged 19 points, four rebounds and four assists while leading UConn to a national championship.
Only 40 days after UConn rose the trophy Bueckers will play her first WNBA game. This raises concerns as we’ve seen stars like Cait-
best after all I had gone through at my age. While I agree with her decision and appreciate her dedication to care for me, this began an over 20-year journey of battling who I was and what I wanted.
I mastered how to shape-shift and morph for different people and situations by seven because of the five varying parents I had taking care of me throughout each week.
Then I’d go to see a random professional for an hour who told me to trust telling them anything, even though I’d be sat outside their office afterwards while they had a short chat with my mother.
Growing up is not an easy task for anyone, but pair it with another divorce shortly after my brother was born and stepmom who didn’t seem to care, fathers who couldn’t decide which one should be the “real” dad and a mother who is terrified of letting her “only child” go outside, and you’ve probably got a recipe for disaster.
I’m not explaining this for sympathy or as a lesson to future
lin Clark struggle to adapt with so little time. It’s fair to expect Bueckers to experience that same adjustment period.
Her numbers speak for themselves but it’s her intangibles that truly set her apart. Her basketball IQ, court vision, ability to elevate her teammates and calm presence in high-pressure moments make her a rare kind of leader.
For years, the Wings have quietly operated in the shadows of bigger-market teams, but this move immediately puts the Wings in playoff contention.
Pairing Bueckers with All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale creates one of the most exciting backcourts in the league, blending elite scoring and playmaking.
Add in key offseason acquisitions NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai
parents, it’s to prove that what you see isn’t what you know. Flexibility, resiliency or durability, it doesn’t matter what you call it, too much compartmentalizing and anyone is bound to break.
I look capable, and I am. However, I’ve battled drug addiction, an over 10-year eating disorder and suffered from a plethora of abuse from people who love me.
Everyone deals with their own form of suffering, but some of us learn to suppress and continue rather than let the feelings out because it’s deemed the proficient way of handling emotion.
Proficient in the moment?
Sure, but I still haven’t dealt with my childhood best friend’s suicide, and that was ten years ago.
The other day, I went to the lake and listened to the screams of a family as everyone surrounded the waterbed to watch as five men dove repeatedly to find an individual who drowned.
In the moment, my adrenaline pumped as I watched everything
Carrington, and Dallas suddenly has the pieces to compete and make a real playoff run.
Her arrival is already creating waves with ticket prices booming.
The Wings versus the Indiana Fever game on June 27 is drawing so much attention it had to be moved to the American Airline Center.
The tickets prices range from $164 to $3,494. These are unprecedent numbers for a league that just two years ago was seen as a laughingstock. For reference the cheapest tickets for Dallas Mavericks games in the same arena range from $80 to $1,000.
But her impact reaches further than monitory gains, especially when it comes to the next generation. Young girls across the city and state now have someone to look up to in real time. They can see a
out of my control manifest. After the police showed up, I finished my hike to leave without a word said. Then, I woke up Monday morning to begin the day as if nothing had happened, and I stopped myself. Why? Why did I not allow myself to feel anything, was it simply because I didn’t know the person? That seems like a pretty cheap excuse.
So, instead of seizing Monday like it was any other day, I decided to feel.
When I say I’ve had a rough few months, it doesn’t begin to describe what has actually happened to me, and I allowed myself to feel all of it.
Every conflicting emotion, betrayal, love, anger, pride, failure, excitement and frustration, it all came out at once.
How do I feel today? Much better than I would have if I chose to just continue moving forward. Resilience and strength take on many forms, and suppressing emotions isn’t the only way.
young, confident, talented player making headlines, filling arenas and inspiring change.
The city of Dallas is still recovering from a Luka Dončić trade that sent the home-grown superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers killing basketball culture in the process and turning many fans off from basketball.
Now, the Wings have a player who can help define a new legacy, one built around belief, determination and inspiration. This moment is bigger than basketball. It’s about showing what is possible when talent meets opportunity and when a city is ready to embrace something new. This isn’t just a win for the Wings. It’s a win for Dallas. And it’s a win for every young girl who dares to dream.
TJ Favela/The
New war film subverts conventional tropes
‘Warfare’ depicts veteran director’s view of Iraq battle
FRED NGUYEN campus editor collegian.editor@my.tccd.edu
Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland’s “Warfare” isn’t your average war film.
It is a testament to the power of cinema.
Based on Mendoza’s experience from the Iraq War as a Navy SEAL, the film depicts an encounter his platoon had after the Second Battle of Ramadi in 2006 based entirely on testimonies from platoon members. Mendoza is a character in the film, played by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai in a standout performance, and while he is not the main character, many of the scenes are from his perspective.
The platoon takes control of a house in Ramadi and monitors the neighborhood and marketplace surrounding them through air support and snipers.
The platoon notices activity increase in the marketplace, and it becomes apparent that they do not occupy the house unnoticed. When things go wrong, the platoon’s struggle to survive is shown in real time.
Many war films have gunshots at a low volume, heroic sound tracks and a sparing use of gore.
“Warfare” has none of these things.
The film is a great example of how focusing on sound design as much as visual can elevate a film.
Sitting in the theater, every gunshot and explosion is at an ear-piercing volume that never loses its effectiveness and makes guns from other war films sound like peashooters. When the film is from the perspective of a certain character, viewers will hear what gunshots and a ringing in one’s ear after being close to an explosion sound like to the character.
There is no sound track except for its first scene but thanks to great directing and acting, any sound track would’ve distracted from the
ALBUM REVIEW
story and taken away from its realism.
The film does not shy away from the carnage of war. Some war media have shown gore directly on screen before, like in Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” and HBO’s “The Pacific,” but Hollywood generally prefers wounds to look like a blood-soaked hole on a uniform or a good, small VFX job.
“Warfare,” on the other hand, shows the carnage of battle without sugarcoating. It shows it all in detail, and injured soldiers scream in justified agony for what feels like most of their screen time. It’s hard to watch sometimes, but the film definitely accomplishes its goal of giving all the stomach-turning details of the encounter.
“Warfare” is unlike any other war film I’ve ever seen in its complete commitment to realism. It lacks the traditional mission-focused story, but neither does it focus deeply on any
philosophical discussions about the Iraq War and its purpose. In fact, the film seems to lack a clear message in general.
Whether “Warfare” is military propaganda or a piece of anti-war media has been debated online. Some say its depiction of the American military is glamorized. Some say the film is clearly telling its audience something about the Iraq War.
“Warfare” does neither of those things.
At no point in the film do the soldiers ask each other “Why are we here?” and drop their weapons. Nor do they sound like recruitment posters and act like superheroes. Perhaps through its unflinchingly realistic depiction of battle, “Warfare” could be interpreted as an antiwar film, but it probably wasn’t made to be one.
What Mendoza and Garland have created is a film where a true and realistic experience of war is reenacted on screen. The film is dedi-
cated to Elliot
He, along with Mendoza, are the only characters depicted without an alias, but the respect Mendoza has for the men he served with is clear. The tag line, “Everything is based on memory,” shows that the film is chiefly concerned with doing justice to the experiences of the people involved in that encounter in Ramadi.
Both subversive and intense, “Warfare” is one of the most remarkable films ever made in its genre for its boldness and honesty.
Superheaven releases new album 10 years later
CHEYENNE SHAWN campus editor cheyenne.shawn@my.tccd.edu
Superheaven emerges with its self-titled album after a decade since its last.
This record is a blend of ‘90s grunge, shoegaze textures and post-hardcore elements. It starts loud and heavy then follows into softer sounds to finish the album.
The band opens the album with fuzzy, blown-out guitars layered over pounding drums with the vocals sounding like the singer is stuck in a void. Lyrically, the album continues the band’s introspection and emotional honesty, themes of disconnections, identity and the passing of time.
This album reminds me of being in a void, not in a negative sense but in a floating-in-space kind of way. The lyrics “drifting through the great unknown” from the song “Long Gone,” which is also my favorite from the record, describe how I felt while listening.
“Human For Toys” is the opening track with its fuzzy guitar riffs and heavy drumming. “Numb To What Is Real” follows, showing off the band’s song writing abilities with introspective lyrics. The song “Cruel Times” dives into change and learning how to let go.
The album talks about letting go, facing fears and expressing emotions while also battling the inner thoughts about being present.
My other favorite song from the album is “Sounds Of Good byes.” It adds in a more melancholic melody while still having the heavi-
ness of instrumentals. The ending lyrics stood out to me the most, “By the sounds of goodbyes, it’s a spark of a new life. Now, I don’t feel like a burden on life’s shoulders.”
Then there’s “Hothead,” a short, fast-paced song in the middle of the album that ends the heavier instrumentals. The following track “Conflicted Mood” brings the tone for the rest of the album to a slower pace with instrumentals and light vocals.
The song “Stare At The Void” is what sounds like what I would imagine being in a “void.”
The album comes to a close with the song
“The Curtain” with long drawn-out guitar riffs with light drumming. It leaves the listener feeling suspended in the same strange limbo the album started in.
Overall, the album is solid with its fuzzy guitar sounds, vocals that sound isolated, heavy pounding drums and lyrics that make you feel something.
With its self-titled album, Superheaven isn’t chasing a new sound, it’s just refining the formula to sound more present. The band members still sound like themselves, just maybe a little wiser.
Across the 10 dense, fuzzy tracks, the band stays consistent with its original sound while digging further into the space between grunge, shoegaze and post-hardcore. It’s overwhelming in a comforting way.
Miller, a fellow Navy SEAL Mendoza served with who was involved in the encounter.
Photo Courtesy of Murray Close/A24 via AP
Michael Gandolfini, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, playing Ray Mendoza, and Adain Bradley have a tactical briefing in “Warfare.”
Photo Courtesy of Blue Grape Music
Superheaven self-titled album released April 18, 2025 produced by Blue Grape Music. The self-titled album included 10 songs.
South club shares heritage, language
After starting with just four members in 2021, the Korean Culture Club is now one of the biggest clubs on South Campus with around 30 members.
The club offers a space of cultural exchange and appreciation of Korea and is open to all students.
Subeen Kwon, who succeeded her older sister as KCC president, runs the club and helps teach members Korean words, etiquette and norms.
She said she wanted to share with students a different culture from outside of America and break stereotypes through social interaction and fun activities.
“This kind of thing makes students broaden their perspective and then relate more with the peo-
by Fred Nguyen
ple that are different from them,” Kwon said. "It can be very beneficial in their lives. Even though they have limitations going abroad, you can still experience other cultures in here with the native people."
The club meets every Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. in the SSTU Forum Room.
They frequently put on events like a Korean Independence Day fundraiser on March 5 and a “Squid Game” event on April 9, where students played traditional Korean games as depicted in the Netflix show.
South student Monae Terrell has been a member of KCC since the fall and is currently the senate representative for the club. She has been learning Korean by herself for eight years after reading a Korean webtoon called “Cheese in the Trap.”
“I was having a really hard time finding out what language that was, because back then, I didn't have a real phone to look it up," Terrell said. “But once I found it, it was just rabbit hole for me.”
Terrell is also involved is several other clubs like the Black Student Union and Phi Theta Kappa. “I kind of don't want to say I make [KCC] my main priority, but this is my main club,” Terrell said. “That's what I like to say, because I'm so
involved and invested in this club. I'm trying to make it flourish.”
South student Rave Munsayac has been a member of the club for several semesters and held a leadership position before stepping down this semester due to schedule conflicts.
This kind of thing makes students broaden their perspective and then relate more with the people that are different from them.
Subeen Kwon KCC president
She said KCC and other cultural clubs are important to college campuses because they promote inclusivity and diversity.
“If you feel included, then you'll be more active. You'll be more engaged," Munsayac said. “If you don't feel included, that kind of takes [away] your motivation to continue, because you feel alone. You feel like no one's there to help you.”
Associate professor of music Cholho Kim has taught at South Campus since 2007, and he be-
한국문화
lieves he is the only full-time Korean professor.
He said he has rarely seen Korean students on campus and didn't know KCC existed until two years ago.
Kim participated in some events and eventually became the adviser. He said it was good to see this club on campus.
"It's not only for Korean students, but as you can see, a lot of non-Korean students are involved here to learn Korean culture, Korean language and K-pop or K-drama,” Kim said.
KCC social media manager Stephanie Sotelo initially became interested in Korean culture after her cousin introduced her to K-pop and K-drama.
She said KCC gave her a sense of community.
“I've met a lot of great people here,” Sotelo said. “Doesn't matter your background. You can feel very accepted.”
Terrell said she has gained a lot of friends at KCC, and her grasp on the Korean language has also improved thanks to the vocabulary lessons given by Kwon. She said cultural clubs like KCC help people break out from their everyday lives.
“It helps express that little part of you that you probably pushed off to the side and bring that forward so that you can be your own little expressive, original self," Terrell said.
Photos by Fred Nguyen/The Collegian KCC members display Korean-themed fans at the club’s Korean Independence Day fundraiser.
South student Monae Terrell puts on a Korean hanbok with adviser Cholho Kim’s help.
Picture frames with Korean and nature themes made by KCC members are put on display as part of the club’s fundraising for future events.
Cholho Kim, adviser for KCC, arranges the display of Korean treats for the club’s fundraiser on March 5.