Health experts say school absences are tied to outbreak
DIEGO COLLAZO
campus editor
diego.collazo@my.tccd.edu
Flu cases are surging in Tarrant County with an increase in positive tests and a spike in flu-related absences and hospital visits, according to Tarrant County Public Health.
TCPH has classified the outbreak as widespread, meaning a sharp increase in lab-confirmed cases across the county within the past three weeks.
As of Feb. 8, positive flu tests in Tarrant County are up 40%, leading
to an 18% increase in flu-like related school absences and a 23% increase in flu-like emergency department visits, according to TCPH.
“To date, there have been 46 flu outbreaks, primarily in schools,”
TCPH said in a Feb. 5 press release.
“This marks a notable rise compared to the same period last year, which saw only nine reported outbreaks.”
TR nursing student Melody
Peng said she recently came down with the flu and said being in the nursing department has helped her to stay informed.
“It was terrible,” Peng said.
“The coughing and the fever were pretty bad. As a nursing student, we are required to have our flu shots and be up to date with everything.”
Peng said as a nursing student, she has the privilege of being See Flu, page 2
Tarrant County School District
A graph showing the percentage of weekly Tarrant County school district nurse visits [blue] and school absences [green] related to influenza-like symptoms from November 2024 to March 2025. A noticeable spike occurs in the first week of February 2025 showing nurse visits are up 18% and absences up 7% from January 2025.
NE student Julia Williamson is a transgender woman. She is a member of the NE Pride Club and has participated in protests for transgender rights. Williamson said it is very powerful when you’re surrounded by others who support you.
Concerns grow for LGBTQ+ students
NE Pride Club, GSA members say times are difficult for community
Members of the LGBTQ+ community at TCC say they are concerned as state laws and proposed legislation impact their ability to organize on college campuses and threaten same-sex marriage.
As a transgender woman, NE student
Julia Williamson is afraid of the way she believes she is being targeted by Republicans who claim trans women are predators and pedophiles. Williamson said it’s hypocritical considering President Donald Trump and three of his Cabinet members have been accused of sexual misconduct.
“It’s a complete scapegoat,” she said.
“It’s a complete fabrication of reality. It’s really dangerous for people to have this complete misunderstanding of anything about who we are.”
Williamson is a member of the NE Pride Club and said the supportive dynamics of the club are important during a time when the community is being restricted from openly organizing.
“Everyone gets along,” she said. “It’s electric when you get into the groove of things. It would be extremely tragic if we were to lose that.”
Aiden Dunlap, the president of the SE Gay Straight Alliance, said the GSA has been going through some difficulties in getting the word out for their events since the state passed anti-DEI laws.
He tried putting together a program for Transgender Day of Remembrance but faced issues getting the flyer approved due to updated guidelines. The original flyer was ready
three weeks before the event but wasn’t approved until three days prior, which resulted in a lack of attendance.
“I think they’ll just silence a lot more of our events and try to hinder what we can and can’t talk about,” he said.
Recently in Idaho, there was a call for the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse same-sex marriage. Williamson said she was worried about this happening since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
“Everything that they’re doing is completely illegal and not allowed, but if they do it quickly enough, and they do it at a faster pace, and the courts can’t keep up and Congress can’t keep up … then that gives them more power and ability to change even more,” she said.
NE paralegal student Holly Pils identifies as a lesbian and is in a same-sex marriage. If this ruling were to pass, she could have her right to marriage taken away.
“Ten years ago, when the marriage equality was passed, that was a great day for our community,” she said. “There is a fear right now amongst most people, but we have to stand up for each other.”
Sharon Herrera, the founder of the See LGBTQ+, page 2
I think they’ll just silence a lot more of our events and try to hinder what we can and can’t talk about.
TCC board of trustee positions for Districts 6 and 7 are up for election this May. Board vice president and District 7 trustee Kenneth Barr said after six years on the board, he’s ready to move on. District 7 candidate and former TCC student Cary Cheshire said his campaign would focus on building systems to ensure optimal use of the school’s budget.
“There have been tremendous gains on the federal level through the DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency] audits,” he said. “I think a similar thing at Tarrant County College would help us uncover ways that we could be more effective with the tax and tuition dollars.”
District 7 candidate Hunter Crow is a TCC alum and member of UTA’s student government. He said his campaign would encourage the board to practice social and political neutrality.
“There are a lot of people who ran previously for the TCC board who tried to advance their own political agenda that might not align with the mission of the college,” he said.
Gwendolyn Morrison has been District 6’s trustee since 1976 and is currently running unopposed. She said she’s choosing to refile to better serve the underrepresented
“There’s a need for us to help our county sustain its growth,” she said. “And to create a stronger economic base by having more people who are economically competent to create wealth for themselves.”
Read more about this story online at collegian.tccd.edu
Alex Hoben/The Collegian
Infographic by Rena Aquino/The Collegian
Alex Hoben/The Collegian Board vice president Kenneth Barr is not running in the May trustee seat election.
Tarrant County organization LGBTQ Saves, said the future for the LGBTQ+ community does look a bit dark, and she believes the hostility will get more intense. Her organization is rethinking their past community events to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
“We cannot afford … for someone to go rogue and ruin the event by doing something that’s unspeakable,” she said.
Herrera has been a speaker at TCC in the past but is unsure if it’ll happen again this year. The state’s new DEI law makes it more difficult to host events involving the LGBTQ+ community.
Previous campus events gave students a place to feel safe and understood.
As an adviser for NE Pride Club, Cynthia Lewis said she understands LGBTQ+ students fears in the current political climate and aims to create a safe space for them.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty right now in terms of what could come,” she said.
“It’s even more important for them to have somewhere to go where they can just exist and be safe and be themselves.”
Lewis said many of the students coming to NE Pride Club have faced challenges from multiple areas, including the executive orders targeting transgender individuals, and have vocalized fears of what will come next.
In an order signed by Trump, he denies the existence of trans women by stat-
“They were able to say, ‘Hey, this is the way I feel. Thank you for coming. I know who I am now, and I thank you for this,’” she said. “Those talking gigs are pretty special because you never know who’s in your audience listening.”
ing women are biologically distinct from men. He has also banned trans women from women’s sports and created barriers to receive gender-affirming care.
“I don’t think that people outside of the community really understand how scary it is for these kids until they hear it from their mouths,” Lewis said.
Williamson said she believes these tensions are happening because the increased diversity worldwide is threatening those currently in power.
“The playing field is being equaled out,” she said. “They want White people at the top, straight White cisgender men at the top, and everyone else below them.”
According to Williamson, this rhetoric is stopping people from getting the help they need by prioritizing the care of those at the top, making healthcare less accessible for everyone else.
“I think it is so important to fight this now, before it ever gets to that point,” she said. “It has to come from everyone. It has to come from not just trans people, not just people in the community. It has to come from intersectionality, from other marginalized people, where we can band together and say that this is not OK.”
It makes a huge difference to be visible and open, Williamson said. Her laptop is covered in trans flag stickers, and she wears a subtle trans flag ring every day.
“They know when they see this ring that I am also trans, and that they are safe with me,” she said. “I am going to respect them, and I can even help them in a lot of different ways.”
Herrera said even though school districts are preventing teachers from showing their support there’s still things they can do to help LGBTQ+ students.
“Just wear a rainbow bracelet,” she said. “Have a little something on your personal stuff, something that will show the youth that, ‘Hey, I’m affirming. You can trust me.’”
Williamson said she is determined to go forward and not let history repeat itself.
“I am not going back,” she said. “We are not going back. This is not going to happen. I am not going to let them get away with it.”
well-versed in how diseases spread and wishes more was done for the students who may not be informed about the issue, especially since the flu is starting to spread.
“Wash your hands and cover your mouth,” Peng said. “Hygiene plays a big part in it. Having access to masks and sanitizers everywhere would help, and I do see that everywhere at least in my building.”
The rise in cases has prompted multiple schools in Tarrant County, including two in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District, to notify parents via email about the outbreak and how to stay safe.
The email outlined common flu symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, feeling tired and a runny or stuffy nose. It also included ways to prevent spreading the flu, such as keeping sick children home for at least 24-hours after symptoms subside, washing hands frequently with soap and water, avoiding the sharing of personal items like food and drinks and considering an annual flu vaccine.
The emails sent out by the middle and elementary schools contained the same information, tailored to their respective schools.
TCPH said this sharp rise in cases indicates the approach of peak flu season. Officials predict activity will drop in the weeks after the peak but will remain elevated through February and possibly into March.
While flu cases are on the rise, TCPH noted that cases of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a common virus that causes lung inflammation, have declined by 0.75%. Despite this decrease, TCPH urged residents to remain vigilant.
NW student Liliana Serrend said she has not gotten the flu but noted her family has been affected.
“It’s not confirmed, but my sister has been feeling sick recently,” Serrend said. “It hasn’t affected her schooling since my mother still made her go to school, but thankfully, she’s doing better.”
TCPH recommends anyone experiencing severe symptoms to call its office at 817-2486299 for guidance or seek medical attention.
NW student Alessandro Elizondo said he wasn’t aware of the wave hitting the community and wishes more was done to inform the student population.
“I feel they [TCC] should give more to the students,” Elizondo said. “I don’t think it’s fair for students to come out here and not be aware of what’s going on. I’m going to start taking extra precautions to stay safe.”
DISTRICT CRIME LOG
Alex Hoben/The Collegian
NE assistant history professor Cynthia Lewis is the adviser for NE Pride Club. Lewis said she tries to foster a place where people can just be themselves.
Victoria's path to her undergraduate degree was anything but straightforward. The 41-year-old mom of two started at a local community college, then transferred to UT Arlington to continue her education. Now in her senior year, she has successfully managed a full-time job, a full course load, and her family responsibilities—all while consistently making the Dean’s List. Up next? Law school. Unwavering determination—that’s Victoria’s Maverick Factor.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Students share importance of Black culture
Why is Black History Month important and how do you
“There’s
“To me it’s all about representation. It’s good to see Black people in high spaces, and serves as motivation and inspiration to other people. I think it’s also important to see Black people in media sources because it shows little kids, they can also reach those high places as well. It’s about representation and uplifting Black voices.”
“Every day can be an example of me representing my culture. For example, through the food that we eat. My family likes to get together where we eat soul food. But I don’t really have a way to, I think, I guess I just live it every day.”
though you probably know some of these figures, there’s a lot that you don’t know about them’.”
“What [it] means to me is it’s our culture. Something that we need to know and to learn where we came from, the things that we’ve done throughout life, the hardships and the good things, all the way up till now. I think it’s very important for every Black person to know their history. Every person in general to know their history, and not just forget about it or just don’t pay attention.”
“Being the best person I can be basically, going to school, not being a statistic, just doing what’s right. Also, trying to reach out doing, haven’t done well in a while, but the big brother programs. I try going out and teach the young ones, show them and lead by example. I’m Just trying to be a better person, break the generational curses.”
“It means a lot to me. I would say it mostly means I’m very proud of where I come from, and I’m very proud of my culture ... we have our own month to ourselves, but we should use it to focus on the issues we have, maybe the things we need to do to bring each other together.”
“I’m pretty authentic, as a person. I try to be respectful, kind and I look for kindness and goodness in other people, instead of pursuing the negative parts of people. I try to be authentic so people can see okay, this person is trying their hardest.”
“I think a wise man once told me that we must study the past so that it doesn’t repeat, right? So if you remember those significant moments in history that happened, we can tell the generation about it, so they don’t affect us again... Let’s just all come together and build something that’s meaningful.”
“I try to be myself and stick to my morals and my beliefs, because a lot of people view Black people as a monolith. So, me just being the person I am, I try to break out of those stereotypes and just be my own person and not follow the crowd and not be what everybody expects me to be, you know?”
“I love my culture, I love my people, I love the representation, the energy and diversity that we give. Certain styles, aesthetics, food, the way we speak, the way we do things are different. Certain streetwear clothing that originated from Black people has now become a staple, even with shoe culture. It’s a staple around the world.”
“Fashion is definitely one of the ways my family displays our culture, along with food like soul food, collard greens, mac and cheese and yams.”
“I’m
“It’s important to learn about, especially in American culture. A lot of the things we don’t realize we have now is because of Black people and the stuff they have done. So, I think it’s something we need to pay more attention to.”
“We are trying to plan a Black History Month Event. What we want is to talk about different aspects of Black culture. We’re wanting to have a speaker. We wanted a library or like fine arts or something to be showcased. We were thinking about doing some type of craft that had a historical background and meaning behind it. But we have to wait for it to get approved, so we don’t yet if we’re going to get a yes or no.”
“It’s
“Just
Ravionia Matthews
Alan Pace
Curtis Taylor South Campus
Jochebed Ohemeng NW Campus
Selection of films, music, novels by Fred Nguyen and Huda Qureshi
Black media in America has greatly impacted pop culture and beyond. From film to music to books and more, the stories of Black Americans have always been indispensable. Each story featured in these four pieces of media makes up various parts of Black American history. They touch on difficult, joyful, exciting, tragic and real experiences that haven’t always been given visibility in the past.
Malcolm X — Dir. Spike Lee
Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” is a biopic for the history books. It’s ambitious in its vision but follows through on creating a nuanced picture of a complex figure. The focus of the film is Malcolm X, an African American revolutionary during the civil rights movement. The viewer feels each emotion Malcolm goes through as he bears multiple growing pains until he reaches a point of independence. The film explores important topics such as Black history, civil rights and the pursuit of justice. The portrayal of Malcolm is a sympathetic one even as he gets caught up in the Nation of Islam. The film stands by his core mission of justice. Malcolm finds his identity as a Muslim, detached from the Nation of Islam, and a civil rights leader. The 202-minute runtime is justified with an exceptional performance by Denzel Washington as Malcolm.
We don’t see any American Dream. We’ve experienced only the American Nightmare!
The Ronettes - Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes
The Ronettes changed music forever with the release of this album in 1964, which is their only studio album. Every song of the album is filled with love songs that have become just as iconic as The Ronette’s image. The sound of this album influenced everything from rock and roll to shoegaze. The Beach Boy’s Brian Wilson is well-known for his enduring love for the song “Be My Baby” and considered it the greatest record of all time. With Ronnie Spector’s heartbreaking voice and the innovating formula of Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound”, the mix of pop, rock and R&B makes a joyful snapshot of 1960s American music.
I’ll make you happy, baby, just wait and see / For every kiss you give me, I’ll give you three.
“Pariah” is a coming-of-age film featuring a Black lesbian grappling with complex facets of her identity. It’s poetic, bleak and full of heart. The main character, Alike, is easy to root for as she navigates the pain of isolation and incredibly real struggles that can be universally relatable. She’s 17 and scared of everything but still curious and open as she experiences the world. It’s a short and quiet film but leaves a lasting imprint, something to ponder and chew on for hours after it’s over.
See the love shine in through my cracks? See the light shine out through me? I am broken. I am open.
If Beale Street Could Talk by Author James Baldwin
James Baldwin’s 1974 love story from the streets of Harlem is one of the cornerstones of modern American literature. Set in the early 1970s, the story follows 19-year-old Tish and her romance with her childhood friend, Fonny. As they become closer, the intimacy and almost overwhelming feelings of love pour from the pages. The love of family is also a major theme as Tish and Fonny’s relationship with their respective family reflects the bonds that are created through familial love which can stay strong even in tough situations. Baldwin ultimately crafts a moving story showing just how love within Black life can persevere, even under a government that oppresses Black Americans.
I don’t want to sound foolish. But, just remember, love brought you here. If you trusted love this far, don’t panic now.
Pariah — Dir. Dee Rees
Texas threatens to rewrite K-12 education
As the full-fledged attack on diversity, equity and inclusion continues, President Donald Trump now threatens kindergarten through 12th grade education as he tries to end “radical indoctrination.”
An executive order signed by Trump on Jan. 25 claims children are forcefully taught anti-American ideologies, pressuring them to assume identities as either oppressors or victims based on their skin color.
Following suit, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order Jan. 31 stating DEI teaches critical race theory, promotes racial superiority and doesn’t act on the promise of the color-blind Constitution. Abbott announced in his State of the State address Feb. 9 his intention to ban DEI from public schools, grades K-12.
Texas’ education is already censored, though.
Growing up in this state’s public schools, many of us were shocked to learn outside the classroom the dark truth about America’s history.
Knowledge, taught to us through either searching on Google, viewing on social media or hearing in college lectures, gave an insight to introspective critical thinking some of us had never been introduced to before.
Arguments for banning DEI in public school education claim it’s radical indoctrination forcing students away from critical thinking by provoking children at a young age to identify themselves as the color of their skin.
However, this argument comes from the mouths of the authoritative few who feel ambushed by the power of color identity. Learning about diversity didn’t
make us afraid of ourselves. It taught us how to be better Americans.
Color-blind ideas deny seeing anything but White, denies recognizing others’ culture, denies believing in the beauty of diversity and denies America’s foundation as a melting pot of culture.
Radical indoctrination is when the education system is allowed to choose what parts of history are taught.
Censorship is already an issue without DEI bans, and now with each executive order, Americans’ right to freedom of information is being stripped away.
Google recently removed Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Indigenous Peoples Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day and Pride Month from its calendar app.
Erasing history lessons to make others comfortable won’t silence those whose stories aren’t being told.
DEI is being banned because it is said to be discriminatory toward White people.
Discrimination is defined as a process of unfair decision making upon groups based on ethnicity.
Trump, Abbott and other conservatives are choosing to ban DEI and other programs or education dedicated to minority groups is discrimination.
DEI is being banned because White parents are uncomfortable with their White children recognizing when White people act in favor of systematic racism.
Abbott has declared a Parental Bill of Rights, giving them complete access to their child’s academic
curriculum and the right to request changes.
Parents already have enough control over what their children can or can’t learn. Sexual education can only be taught in the state with parental consent, and students can temporarily be removed from the classroom during lessons unaligned with their parents’ beliefs.
U.S. literacy rates show 54% of adults are reading below a sixth-grade level, and Texas has the fourth-lowest literacy rate in the country, according to National Literacy Institute.
Banning DEI and giving parents the right to deconstruct a teacher’s curriculum aren’t going to fix the ed-
ucation problem in this state or country. Nor will either of these put an end to the “race problem.”
Anti-DEI laws set a precedent to allow a rewrite of American history with boastful propaganda to indoctrinate future generations to be submissive in the face of power. Political figures have already planted seeds for Americans to question the legitimacy of information gathered from social media, search engines and news. Now, as censorship on these forms of media roll out and the education system is being threatened to change, who will Americans turn to for information?
The Trump administration? Elon Musk? Corporations? Instead of mindlessly allowing oneself into their educational echo chamber, gather with those around you and have uncomfortable conversations because discomfort is key to growth. If one becomes unsettled by what is taught, know it’s a part of learning. Be open to asking uncomfortable questions as well as being compassionate to those asking questions.
Move forward by speaking with others and documenting what’s seen because we are the archivists of today’s American history.
Legal game betting is changing the sports world
Sports gambling has revolutionized the way fans engage with their favorite teams, injecting excitement and financial opportunities into the sports industry.
With professional leagues embracing new partnerships with gambling sites, sports gambling is no longer taboo, it’s now woven into the very culture of sports.
The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 to lift the federal ban on sports betting has allowed states to regulate the industry, leading 38 states and D.C. to legalize some forms of sports betting.
The results? A whopping 39% of Americans say they have bet on sporting events, according to St. Bonaventure University/Siena Research.
One of the biggest advantages of legal sports betting is increased fan engagement. Of the betters surveyed, 93% say it’s fun, exciting and makes them more interested in the games.
Placing bets provides an interactive way for viewers to enjoy
As the dust settles on the news of the Dallas Mavericks trading star guard Luka Doncic, fans and the city of Dallas were left absolutely gutted. This controversial trade represents a shift in identity, expectation and vision for the future of the team. Countless fans have voiced their decision to stop supporting the team because of it. While it’s not what the fans wanted or had ever thought this would happen, the trade is done, and Doncic has already made his debut as a Los Angeles Laker.
Conspiracies about the trade have already spiraled. The biggest one is how the owners want to tank
DIEGO COLLAZO campus editor diego.collazo@my.tccd.edu
games, making even the most minor matchups thrilling.
During the latest college football season, my friends and I got together every few weeks to watch games, eat and make group parlays. Our bets ranged from Heisman candidates on title-contending teams to lesser-known players from the Sun Belt Conference hitting their projected stats.
I’m not the biggest fan of college football and rarely sit down to watch a game, but having money on the line and getting to share that experience with friends has created some of my best memories in recent times.
the team to move them to Las Vegas for gambling reasons. If this is true in any case, wouldn’t it make more sense to continue to support the team
Some might hear that and think, “Wow, you guys might have a problem,” but for us, a $10-$30 bet every couple of weeks is just the price of entertainment. Win or lose, we still spent less money and had more fun than we would have at a sports bar watching the same games.
That shared joy and sense of community draw in both die-hard fans and first-time viewers, deepening their connection to sports.
On top of that, sports betting generates major tax revenue for states, boosting the economy and funding essential programs such as education and infrastructure.
The sports betting industry generated a record $12.8 billion in 2024, exceeding 2023’s numbers by 32%, according to the American Gaming Association.
The Oxford Economics reports that the legal sports betting industry may generate over 100,000 jobs nationwide.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a recent interview on Houston Chronicle’s “Texas Take” podcast that he is in favor of giving voters
and not play in their hands?
Yes, the future seems bleak because we lost “the face” of the team, but that doesn’t mean all is lost. The Mavs still have a solid team with several key players like Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson.
One of the arguments is how the Mavs didn’t get much in return when in fact they did. We received forward Anthony Davis, a superstar in his own right. He’s a 10-time NBA All-Star, two-time gold medalist and a 2014 International Basketball Federation World Champion. He adds a different set of skills this Mavs team needs.
General Manager Nico Harrison said the team is looking at the next
the decision on online betting.
With the rise of online betting platforms like PrizePicks and Underdog, sports gambling has become more accessible than ever, allowing users to place wagers from the comfort of their homes.
That convenience is a point of contention for critics opposed to the legalization of sports gambling, as they raise concerns about the potential for addiction.
Gambling addictions are a real issue, and Abbott shared similar concerns when speaking about the possible implementation of casinos in Texas, saying he believes restrictions need to be put in place to avoid leading people down a pathway of poverty.
With nearly one in five Americans engaging in sports betting, it should come as no surprise that 2 million U.S. adults meet the criteria for gambling addiction in a given year, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center.
However, legal sports betting platforms promote responsible gaming with safeguards in place. Underdog allows users to set limits,
4-5 years rather than 10 years for a championship.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” he told ESPN. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”
Mavs governor Patrick Dumont spoke out against the theory of relocating in a statement he made.
“The Dallas Mavericks are not moving to Las Vegas,” he said. “That is the answer, unequivocally. The Dallas Mavericks are the Dallas Mavericks, and they will be in Dallas.”
This changes the team’s trajec-
cool-off periods, deposit alerts and exclusion periods.
Gambling laws vary by state, with 31 jurisdictions mandating the identification of gambling risks, responsible gaming messaging and a toll-free helpline number, according to the American Gaming Association.
While gambling addictions are a pressing issue, I see little difference between sports gambling and other forms of legal gambling like the Texas Lottery.
In 2024, the Texas Lottery participation rate for any lottery game was 55%, according to Texas Lottery.
That shows that no matter the medium, people who want to gamble will find a way.
so whether you’re a longtime fan or new to sports, placing a friendly wager can enhance the experience, just be sure to gamble responsibly.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, call 1-800-GAMBLER or seek professional help.
tory in ways that are hard to predict.
However, it’s not the end for the Mavs but rather the beginning of a new chapter with a different set of challenges and opportunities. The future without Luka is uncertain, but it’s far from over. The emotional attachment to him will always be there. The Mavs have an opportunity to reshape their identity over the next few years to go after a championship.
As history has shown, the NBA is full of surprises, and the Dallas Mavericks’ next chapter could be just as exciting as the one Luka helped write.
TJ Favela/The Collegian
Artist pieces together her purpose through creative journey
Holding a charcoal stick delicately in her hand, Megan Meier dragged strands of hair onto paper, leaving a dark residue on her fingers.
The drawing, “Struggle: A Self-Portrait,” shows her face partially covered by her hands with a charcoal background.
“I think [my art’s] a lot about my own personal experiences. Having to start over, actually being busted up and having to heal and put those pieces back together,” Meier said. “So when people see my artwork ... I feel like they can relate to that in certain ways.”
The charcoal drawing is hung in a small hallway at TR Campus in a section that serves as studio
space for art students like Meier. She can often be found in the studio drawing in her sketchbook or working on her next assignment for her Drawing II class.
Art wasn’t always Meier’s passion. She had a career in forensic science, working as a crime analyst at the FBI cybercrime office in San Antonio.
Then, as she trained for a triathlon in 2015, Meier was hit by a car while cycling. The accident left her with 10 broken bones, a fractured skull and a traumatic brain injury.
“After that, it was a lot of therapy — speech therapy, vision therapy, physical therapy. I had to basically start over,” she said.
Meier had several surgeries to try to save her badly broken left leg, but in 2019, doctors amputated it. While in recovery, she stopped
working in forensics because she felt the job was too physically demanding. The long journey ahead meant Meier would spend a lot of time doing things like Sudoku to stave off boredom.
Her speech therapist suggested art therapy instead.
Meier’s only previous experience with art was a lackluster high school ceramics class and a forensic art class she took at university. Meier said the hardest and most stressful part of forensic arts was sketching people from descriptions.
“You don’t want to get it wrong, because if your description or picture you drew [of] a suspect doesn’t look anything like them ... you might just cause a whole lot of trouble,” she said.
Meier started drawing in 2020. She already had a grasp on anatomy from her career in forensics, so in the beginning, she focused on bettering her technical drawing skills.
“I’d bring a sketchbook to therapy, since I was there like all day, three days a week,” Meier said. “It’s like [filling] the time in between appointments or things like that. And then I started thinking, ‘Well, these pictures aren’t looking quite how I want them.’ ”
Her husband noticed her drawings and suggested taking a class because they were starting to look good. Meier was hesitant at first to go back to school.
“Starting over is not nice, because it feels like you didn’t accomplish anything before, even though you did,” she said. “It’s just something different now.”
Meier took her first art class, Drawing I, with former SE adjunct Laura Lawson, who now teaches at Dallas College. Lawson said Meier came to her class already advanced and dedicated.
“When I first saw her work, she had a lot of technical skill,” Lawson said. “I’m still in touch with her now, and seeing her new work, she’s gotten really good at being able to tell more of a story with her art and having a deeper meaning behind the compositions that she’s crafting.”
Being in that class helped Meier improve her art through learning from the people around her. She said her final drawing, which took 30 hours to complete, ended up looking amazing.
“By the end of the semester, [my art] made a complete turnaround,” Meier said. “I was like, ‘Oh, this makes sense.’ “ This semester is the second time Meier has taken a class with TR art professor Angel Fernandez. He said Meier is disciplined and determined to accomplish what she wants in her art.
“It’s really awesome when you have someone like Megan in class, because other students see what that student is doing,” Fernandez said.
“So I think it really elevates the quality of the work that comes out of those Drawing II students.”
Fellow TR art student Azul Romo said she has been inspired by Meier’s art, and her own work has also gotten better.
“I’m not gonna lie to you, I am kind of competitive. And when I see something, I’m like, ‘I can totally do that,’ ” Romo said. “She was also giving me tips for a lot of things, and I tried to add them to my drawings.”
Meier’s work often features personal themes including fragmentation and mental health. Her work
“Insecurity” features a broken statue with cracks on its skin and missing body parts with moths resting on it. Another piece called “How to Say Goodbye” de-
picts two arms grasping each other and is about Meier’s father, who is terminally ill and in hospice. In the latter, Meier experiments with combining printmaking and drawing which she plans to take with her to Texas Christian University, where she’s applying to.
Lawson said she appreciates how open-ended Meier’s themes are.
“She was never trying to tell us, as her viewers, what to think,” she said. “You can pull a lot of different meanings from her art ... One drawing that maybe has florals in it, or a skeleton in it or something, could make you think about life and death, but also about healing or hope.”
For Meier, art was only supposed to be a way to get through the boredom after the accident. But now, it has helped her heal emotionally.
“I’m connecting with somebody, and I don’t actually have to say anything,” Meier said. “Even if my words fail me, I’ve created something that can communicate to somebody.”
“How to Say Goodbye” by TR student Megan Meier. The piece uses a mixture of printmaking and drawing to celebrate her father.
FRED NGUYEN campus editor collegian.editor@tccd.edu
Photos by Alex Hoben/The Collegian
TR student Megan Meier came back to TCC in 2021, first taking a drawing class. She now is applying to the Master of Fine Arts at Texas Christian University, where her father went to college.
“Intrusive Thoughts,” pencil on paper by Megan Meier. Meier got her friend to model for this drawing.
“Insecurity” by Megan Meier, made with pencil on paper.
TR student Megan Meier working on her charcoal piece “Struggle: A Self-Portrait” in the back hallway of the Fork Gallery.
