Nick Shelley

Staff Writer

The KC Bible chairs are hosting a block party for students from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the intersection of Broadway and Nolen Streets by the Devall Student Center. Christian rappers CedEnough and Derek Minor are performing at the block party.

Free food will be available at the event, including hamburgers, Raising Cane’s lemonade, and Charlie’s Sno-balls. Students will also have opportunities to win prizes from several different organizations, local businesses, and local churches at the event. “We want students to see what all our community has to offer,” said Jaymi Blankenship, Baptist Student Ministry leader.

Students may have the chance to meet CedEnough after the event because, “I know Ced personally,” Blankenship said. Students may or may not have the chance to meet Derek Minor after the event.

CedEnough is in the genre of hip-rap. His music can be found on Spotify. He has recorded several different albums, including Strange to the World (released in 2005) and Is Getting the Rust Off (released in 2010). CedEnough has collaborated with other Christian artists, such as Big T, Lil’ Dre and Dre Murray.

Derek Minor is listed on iTunes under the genre of hip-hop/rap. Minor started rapping when he was a child during a visit to see his father. Minor has recorded many albums and has written songs with the likes of Christian rappers Lecrae, Flame, Tedashii and with American Idol contestant Colton Dixon. Music by Minor can also be found on Spotify.

The block party was created with the intention to, “provide a big welcome for the students and encourage an atmosphere where friendships could be made,” Blankenship said.

“It should be a fun and faith-filled event,” added Rev. Karen Bright, campus pastor of the Wesley Foundation.

Rappers to perform at Bible chair block party

KC President to retire; search underway

DR. BILL HOLDA

THE HOLDA ERA – 41 YEARS AT KILGORE COLLEGEn Holda has served KC as

a music teacher, director of

fine arts, dean of admissions, registrar, and, for the last 19

years, college president.

n The Board of Trustees

has decided to conduct

the search for a potential

president itself at this point.

The first step will be gathering input from faculty, staff, students and community

members.

n Following applications,

interviews and the approval

process, a new president

should be in place by the time Holda retires at the end

of January 2016.

Follow The Flare as we keep

our readers up-to-date during

this important procedure.

n WHO: Campus

Bible Chairs, including Baptist Student Ministry,

Christian Campus

Center and Wesley

Foundation

n WHAT: A block party featuring Christian

rappers CedEnough and

Derek Minor. Catered

food and drinks.

n WHEN: 6-8 p.m.,

Tuesday, Aug. 25.

n WHERE: At the

intersection of Nolen

and Broadway Streets

BLOCK PARTY

Year of Transition

Incoming freshman Amber Williams, of Kilgore, gets her photo taken by her mother after moving in at Nolen Hall. Enrollment is trending downward for Fall 2015, but the number is subject to change before the reporting deadline.

E’Lexus Hodge / THE FLARE

E’Lexus Hodge / THE FLARE

W E L C O M E T O K I L G O R E C O L L E G E

SEMESTER BEGINS

Evening entertainment

planned for Aug. 25 event

Administrators, state,

eye enrollment numbers; computer switch planned

Counton itMadeliNe GreeNe

Staff Writer

While students are busy buying school supplies and books, the KC faculty members are crunching numbers and figuring out exactly how many students are registered for classes.

“Sometimes counting students is like loading frogs into a wheelbarrow,” said Chris Gore, Director of Admissions and Registrar. “You get a few loaded up and when you try to put more in, those ones jump out.”

This is the reason that the State of Texas gives colleges a certain amount of time to turn in numbers and statistics. This time allows students to get comfortable in their environment and plan their classes according to their needs.

“As of right now, we have 5,327 students registered which is about where we were last year,” Gore said. “Numbers may change because students get into their classes in the first week and realize that the workload might be too much or they have to make an adjustment to their schedule.”

In Fall 2014, there were 5,453 students registered. When the two semesters are compared, there are 126 fewer students this semester than last fall.

“Head count is always important,” Gore said. “But we

really look at contact hours”While head count is the total number of students

registered, contact hours are the hours that students spend in class. The state looks at contact hours to determine the amount of funding each school gets.

“If we have a lot of students and they’re each only registered for six credit hours each, our funding is going to be less than if we have fewer students and they’re each registered for 12-15 credit hours,” Gore said.

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the KC campus will be “going dark” for about two weeks due to a software change. This change will affect everything, including student records.

“The old system ran the good race,” Gore said. “But it’s still wearing tube socks and a sweatband and it looks like a ‘60s’ runner. We’re moving into the 21st century. We’re trying to make the transition as easy for [the students] as possible.”

The Official Reporting Date (when the number of registered students is finalized), will be Wednesday, Sept. 9. Students can still drop classes for limited refunds through Monday, Sept. 21, but will have to fill out paperwork in the Registrar’s Office. Refunds should be available by Monday, Oct. 19.

The Flare Vol. 79 No. 1

Serving Kilgore College since 1936

Monday, August 24, 2015

kathryN aGee

Executive Editor

Dr. Bill Holda, who has been president of KC for the past two decades, said this upcoming school year is “a year of transition.” One of the transitions that will take place is his transition into retirement, and the election of a new president. Holda’s 41 years of service at KC will come to a close on Jan. 31, 2016.

Holda began his prominent career at KC as a teacher of voice, ear training, opera workshop, and music theory. After serving as director of the fine arts division and teaching music and philosophy, Holda became dean of admissions and registrar in 1990. On July 2, 1996, Holda accepted the position of president of KC.

“It’ll be a big change for the college,” Holda

said of his retirement. The KC Board of Trustees will meet Tuesday, Aug. 25, to “engage in a process to develop a job announcement and get it advertised. A lot of what they’re doing is looking at the characteristics of the person they want to hire so they can formulate that job description.”

After deciding what they are looking for in a potential president, the board will begin advertising the position. “They’ll spend time poring over the applications in October and will try to create finalists,” Holda said. “In probably early November, they will be bringing in finalists to interview. They hope to have somebody picked before Thanksgiving. That would give that person December and

See PRESIDENT, Page 3

THE FLARE ONLINEFind us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter

@theflareonlinewww.theflareonline.com

Jamie Maldonado / Special to THE FLARE

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONPhotographs by KC grad Jamie Maldonado are on display until Sept. 24 in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Art Gallery in the Turk Fine Arts Building. The exhibition of recent works by Maldonado include a self-portrait series, “Mirror Universe,” and a selection of images made exclusively with mobile phones. The former Photography and Journalism Lab Manager at KC, Maldonado is currently enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts program at Texas A&M University Commerce.

3 33 29THIS WEEKBY THE

NUMBERS

n KC Kickoff is 11a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, behind Parks Fitness Center. Organizations and sports teams will be introduced. Come with your friends and eat free food.

n Find a group who needs your help among the 33 organizations represented at the KC Service Fair, 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in the Devall Student Center Ballroom.

n “Marcus Thornton Day” is Aug. 29. The NBA player and former KC Ranger will host a meet-and-greet at Masters Gymnasium from 3 to 5 p.m. that day.

PAGE TWO THE FLAREMONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015

Check theflareonline.com for a full calendar activities, or go to twitter.com/theflareonline for live updates

What is your major?Art Education.

How do you balance your time, and what do you like to do to unwind?I balance my time with planners, lots and lots of planners. I also

like to stay busy, but to unwind, I like to watch TV. I like to watch a

lot of cooking shows like Kitchen Nightmares.

How do you deal with stress?Drawing and music helps with the stress.

Who is your biggest inspiration?My high school teacher, Mrs. Wagner.

What do you enjoy most about theatre?They’re like a second family to me and are always accepting.

Are you involved in any other activities on campus?I’m in Phi Theta Kappa.

Why do you think you received the student spotlight award?I think I received the award because I am involved in many things

outside of school.

If you could have lunch with any character from Star Wars, who would it be and why?I would probably have lunch with Yoda, he’s my favorite character.

Shelby MartinTiffany Johnson / THE FLARE

FACE IN THE CROWD

PTK raffles off parking spaces

MEAGHAN MORTONStaff Writer

For students searching for on-campus

parking in the midst of ongoing

construction, KC honor society Phi Theta

Kappa will raffle off tickets to win two

personal parking spots located next to

the library and near the Porter Business

Building.

Ticket prices are $1 per ticket or $5 for

6 and are available for purchase from

PTK advisers Michele Daniels, speech

instructor, and Dr. Paul Buchanan,

chemistry, and all officers. Tickets will also

be sold at KC Kickoff. Students are allowed

to buy as many tickets wanted. The results

of the drawing will be announced within

the first three weeks of classes.

Daniels also announced regular meetings

will resume at 5:15 p.m. Monday, August 24,

in Room 104 in the Communications and

Automotive building, and continue every

other Monday afterward.

After the 12th class day, letters will be

mailed out to students eligible to apply

to join PTK. The one-time fee for new

members is $70.

Students who should be receiving PTK

emails but are not can email Dera Cardozo

at carderra1842@go.kilgore.edu.

For more information, contact Daniels

at 903-983-8621 or Dr. Buchanan at 903-983

-8253.

RICHARD NGUYEN

Assistant Sports Editor

KC Theatre will start its fall season with

open auditions from 3 – 6 p.m. on Sept. 1 - 3

in the Van Cliburn Auditorium.

“Auditions will include theatre games,

improv exercises and a chance for those

auditioning to show off their natural

ability,” said Micah Goodding, theatre

instructor. “It’s an open invitation to be a

part of our [theatre] family.”

The cast list will be announced following

the auditions. The first rehearsal for the

fall show will be on Sept. 8.

Goodding has not announced the first

production, but plans on the play having

“strong literary value.”

Tickets for will be available Sept. 14 at

KC Theatre box office or online at www.

kilgore.tix.com.

For more information, contact Micah

Goodding at mgoodding@kilgore.edu.

New core classes offered

Theatre auditions set for Sept. 1

KC Chorale seeks new members

STAFF REPORTS

If you can sing in tune, the KC Chorale

would like for you to “be part of making

beautiful music,” by joining MUEN 2142.

The class meets from 10 to 10:50 a.m.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and 9:30

to 10:50 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday in the

Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Building, Room

103. Enrollment is still open through the

first week of school and the class is open

to both music- and non-music majors and

qualifies as an elective credit, according to

Dr. Jim Taylor, chorale director.

Taylor said scholarship money may be

available.

Contact Taylor for an audition by email

at jtaylor@kilgore.edu or by calling 903-

983-8122.

MADELINE GREENEStaff Writer

New options for core classes have been

added to the curriculum this semester.

The Agriculture curriculum will now

include Horticulture and Animal Science

classes, Philosophy is adding Introduction

to Ethics, Drama is adding Introduction

to Cinema, and Education is adding a

Learning Framework class.

“Agriculture courses add breadth to

our science offerings.” said Dr. Mike

Turpin, vice president of instruction.

“Introduction to Ethics and Introduction

to Cinema also give students more options

to meet their needs and/or preferences.”

This is the first time the Learning

Framework class has been offered to all KC

students. The course teaches students how

the brain works and how people learn.

“Educational neuroscience is a new

field,” Turpin said. “It’s exciting to study

how to be more effective in the learning

process.”

All of these classes can be used to earn

college credit hours. For more info, visit

the Counseling Center on the second floor

of the Devall Student Center.

Hometown: Henderson Age: 19

Classification: Sophomore

FROM StaFF RepORtS

The Henderson ISD Higher Education Center is open this semester at the former Central Elementary School building in Henderson.

For the first time, all of KC’s initiatives in Henderson will be hosted in the same building: dual credit academic and workforce classes, Adult Education and Literacy (including GED and ESL classes), continuing education classes, and eventually regular college evening classes.

Dr. Bill Holda, KC president, and Keith Boles, HISD superintendent,

have been working together since last fall to make this a reality.

“The opening of the HISD Higher Education Center is an incredible opportunity for our students as well as for the entire Henderson community. It is the direct result of the outstanding relationship among HISD, Kilgore College and HEDCO,” Boles said.

HISD hosted an open house Aug. 20, so community members could tour the renovated facility.

The facility was renovated thanks to the financial contributions of HISD and the Henderson Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO).

HISD budgeted $100,000 to remodel the building with new paint, new flooring, laptop computers and multimedia projectors in each room. There is also a 20-computer lab for instructional use.

HEDCO donated $134,000 for the equipping of a new welding facility and the old gymnasium is being transformed by HISD into a welding lab for both dual credit and regular college classes.

“This is really an initiative by the HISD, but we have collaborated all along,” said Terry Booker, KC’s dual credit coordinator. “In exchange for our

use of the facility at night for all our programs, including the welding lab, we will scholarship the workforce tuition for HISD students taking those dual credit classes.”

Holda said the project has lots of potential for economic growth for Henderson and it helps solidify KC’s relationship with the city of Henderson.

“We hope to eventually expand workforce training like our Lineman’s School to better serve Henderson’s technology and workforce needs,” Holda said. “Everybody benefits.”

Holda said there is also hope

that a senior college or university would agree to partner with the HEC to offer upper level courses toward a bachelor’s degree.

Longtime Henderson High School counselor Ronnie Hardin will be the HISD Higher Education Center’s coordinator.

The address of the HISD Higher Education Center is 101 Mary Street in Henderson.

Classes at the center will begin today.

36 named toRangerette line

Building blocks

Henderson center houses KC initiatives

The library staff packed up their books and moved across the bridge in May to accommodate a massive remodeling process kicked into gear by the Board of Trustees this past spring.

Taking up residence in the M. Kenneth Whitten Applied Technology Center located in the southeast corner of the campus, here’s where each of the familiar departments have lighted until construction wraps up later this year:

n Circulation - ATC 104. Check out books, read magazines, use computers or relax. Personnel: Susan Black and Tony Addie. n Bone Learning Center Computer Lab - ATC 103.

Come here to type papers, do research or check email. n Technical Services - ATC 105. This is also where

the copier is located. Purchase copy cards in Circulation. Personnel: Melanie Magness, Patty Waddell and Tashauna Morris. n Closed Stacks - ATC 102. Reference books are located

here. Personnel: Andy Tang. n Library Instruction/ Reference/Interlibrary

Loan- ATC 102A. Personnel: Susan Wilson. Director, Kathy Fair -ATC 112; Gail Cerliano, support

specialist- ATC 113.

ONLINEn See photographs from the open house at www.theflareonline.com

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION

O. Rufus Lovett / Special to THE FLARE

Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE

N EWS THE FLAREMONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015 3PAGE

FROM paGe 1

January to make a transition.”

Holda has no qualms about helping the new president adjust to their surroundings. “If they want to get here in January and work with me, I’ll get out of the way and help them make a transition,” he said. “I’ll take them around and introduce them to people.”

Another change is the college’s elimination of various maintenance positions on campus by choosing the company called SSC to take care of the groundswork. “We had one company that was doing facilities and custodial, another company doing grounds, and we were down to about five of our own maintenance workers,” Holda said. “We went through interviews for a new company in the early fall.”

In the spring, a request for proposal was put forth for a new company to overtake the maintenance duties at the college. KC signed a contract on Friday, Aug. 14, with SSC, who will now manage the grounds.

SSC provides three different lines of service: custodial and campus services, grounds management, and plants operations and maintenance. The company was founded in 1969 and provides their services for more than 110 schools nationwide.

“They’re a company that does all universities in the A&M system,” Holda said. “They do the custodial at

UT Tyler and custodial at Kilgore ISD, so we’re really hopeful. We’re going to put about $300,000 more money into facilities maintenance in the hope the maintenance, the grounds and everything really improves.”

Students will see changes to some walkways around campus and the Lee Mall area. They are currently fenced off. Holda said the construction around Old Main and the bridge “should be completed within the first couple of weeks at school. “

“They will pour sidewalk within the first week so students will be able to cut through and the only area that will be fenced off will be the library and the big mall area,” he said.

PRESIDENT: New hire to begin January

FROM StaFF RepORtS

Surrounded by hopes, dreams and years of tradition, 36 young women became the newest members of the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes dance and drill team. The announcement, made in a closed ceremony in Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore campus, culminated a week-long process of 96 hopefuls vying for a position on the 76th Rangerette line. The new Rangerettes will join 36 sophomores to make a line of 72. The Rangerettes were the first of their kind when they began in 1940 as a vision of the late Gussie Nell Davis. The organization created a unique combination of dance moves and precision drills that quickly earned them the reputation not only as the originators of dance/drill teams, but as the best in the world. The new freshman members of the 2015-16 Rangerettes, listed alphabetically:

Gabriela Azios – Cedar ParkHannah Burns – SachseMadison Cashion – College StationMcKenna Cook – Haslet

Morgan Covin – GilmerEmma Cox – RockwallMacKenzie Cumpian – BeaumontKyla Drake – College StationAllison Eigsti – Shawnee (Kan.)Debra Elliott – Flower MoundAutumn Fleet – TylerTaylor Gallaway – SealyTea Jaime – ArlingtonKeilin Jeter – TylerLauren Kite – League CityPayton Kornegay – Deer ParkLauren Ligon – RichardsonCaroline Lucke – BaytownCameron Maldonado – AustinMonica McCarson – Fort WorthMaddie Minser – WhitehouseSkylar Morgan – Mount PleasantElise Padilla – AustinHolly Patterson – LongviewAbby Penprase – McKinneyErin Phillips – RowlettEmily Posey – RowlettShaena Rinehart – NederlandMegan Roberts – RichardsonAnnie Rojas – GarlandRamsey Shobe – PflugervilleEmma Soard – BeltonBarbara Vega – KatyEmma Walls – PlanoOlivia Westmoreland – GeorgetownJuliana Yolland – Baytown

n The KC Board of Trustees is looking for input from faculty, staff, students and community members concerning what to look for in a new college president. Information is currently being sought regarding KC’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats as trustees compose an environmental scan that will be used to narrow down the search. Share your thoughts with the board by emailing Karol Pruett at kpruett@kilgore.edu.

n KC online courses are now located at www.kc.blackboard.com, not www.ekilgore.com.

BLACKBOARD NOW USED FOR ONLINE COURSES

Rangers kick-off season August 29

Head coach J.J. Eckert looks to repeat a dominating defensive effort. The Rangers defense only gave up an average of 30 points a game in 2014.

S POR T STHE FLARE

MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 20154PAGE

RICHARD NGUYEN

Assistant Sports Editor

Ranger football returns to action at 7

p.m., Sat. Aug. 29,where they will host the

Arkansas Baptist College Buffaloes at R.E.

St. John Memorial Stadium.

The Rangers are led by head coach J.J.

Eckert, who is entering his ninth season

with KC. Eckert has accumulated a 37 – 34

record at the helm and is coming off his

best season since 2012. Eckert returns

nine starters, three on offense and six

on defense. Most notably returning is

defensive back J’Marcus Rhodes, Orange

sophomore. Rhodes recorded three

interceptions and four pass breakups in

2014.

The biggest question mark for the team

this season is KC’s offense. An offense that

averaged over 40 points a game last season

only returns two notable starters, wide

receivers Joe Lewis, Aldine sophomore,

and Michael Watson, Monroe, LA

sophomore.

The Rangers will look for an offensive

spark from whoever will line up behind

center for them. Coach Eckert has

surrounded his team with a host of skill

players in his recruiting in hopes to repeat

their offensive dominance from 2014.

KC’s defense will be led by their defensive

line play this season. With a strong

rotation up front, they will look to repeat

their dominating play from last season.

The Rangers will be returning a key

defensive lineman in Dequinton Osborne,

Grand Prairie sophomore. Osborne was

a nightmare for opposing offenses last

year, recording a team-high nine sacks, 66

tackles, four tackles for losses and even

had an interception in a 49-40 victory over

Blinn late last season.

Coach Eckert and the Rangers will look

for a repeat game against ABC from last

year where they dominated the Buffaloes

in a 45-7 victory in Arkansas. Watson will

look to continue his dominance over ABC.

In their last meeting, he caught four balls

for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

The Rangers will face off against Georgia

Military College in week two at 1 p.m. Sat.

Sept. 5 at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium.

Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE

Rangers poised for big year

As soon as you step foot on campus be as fake as you can be. Be faker

than fake. Fake the one thing that you feel you cannot muster up: Confidence.

Being new on campus, and to college at all, I had to try to exercise and stretch my fake until I wasn’t myself anymore.

Now, faking confidence is not a new trick to me. I have perfected the art of “faking it until you make it” over a couple of years. I faked confidence to love myself, to believe in myself, to make peace with myself.

But no, the confidence that will now need to be faked is confidence

in a new place.Forget your fears of the

unknown and dive right in. Talk to people as if you already know them. Strut your stuff down the sidewalk of the campus. Be confidence personified. (I imagine it to be a little glowy, or sparkly depending on who you are)

I say all of this as I am binge watching the first season of ‘Orange is the New Black’ and chowing down on some

extra buttery popcorn of course, but you get out there!

Yes, I know it is hard. Many times I have walked into a room I have never been in before with new people I have never laid eyes on and I panic. I wouldn’t say panic is a strong enough word though… maybe it would be better to say, explode on the inside?

But, like I said, the best way for you to get around this feeling is to fake your confidence.

I know what you’re thinking, “Oh Meaghan, how do you fake confidence? Please teach us!”

Well, I mean, I guess I can help you.

First, you have to know the

difference between being confident, and being the most arrogant person in the world. I have made the mistake of acting arrogant instead of confident, and while some people might like that kind of attitude, it can be tiring to act rude for hours on end.

Second, know that while you fake confidence, you start believing that you have confidence. It’s a weird thing I know, but it really works. Once you start telling yourself that you are something, you start to believe it! It’s wild, I know, but try it. If you act like you are the most beautiful thing on the face of this Earth without coming

off as arrogant (which would be breaking the first rule, how dare you?) you will start to believe that you are beautiful. It’s really one of the best feelings you will ever feel to be honest. I highly recommend it.

But anyway, it is honestly those two things. Not much to it at all. Just remember, you aren’t the only new person. There will be other people being faced with the same newness as you and believe it or not, they probably feel the same as you. Exploding on the inside.

Meaghan Morton is a freshman journalism major from Trinidad.

Lacking confidence? Fake it until you make it

MEAGHAN MORTON Staff Writer

KC launching pad for success

OP I N I O NTHE FLAREMONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015 5PAGE

THE FLARE is the student newspaper of Kilgore College and is published every Friday by the journalism department, except during examination periods and vacations. First copy is free, subsequent copies are available for 50 cents. THE FLARE is a member of the Texas Community College Journalism Association and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

All people holding editorial staff positions are Kilgore College journalism students. Comments and views expressed in THE FLARE reflect the thoughts of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of other students, staff members, faculty members, administrative officers or the Board of Trustees.

THE FLARE welcomes any letter to the editor and encourages all readers to use this as a sounding board to express thoughts and opinions on current campus-related topics. We also welcome news or feature ideas. Due to space limitations, letters should be as concise as possible and may still be edited for space. Letters must be signed and include an address and telephone number so that we can verify their authenticity. Letters should be delivered to the newsroom in Communications-Automotive Building, Room 125, mailed to The Flare, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore TX 75662 or emailed to: kc_flare@yahoo.com

LETTERS

DISCLAIMER

The FlareADVERTISING MANAGERTaylor StewartCARTOONISTCherry HeSTAFF WRITERSMax Cervantes, Madeline Greene, Meaghan Morton, Nick Shelley, Taylor StewartPHOTOGRAPHERSE’Lexus Hodge and Tiffany Johnson.

VOL. 79, NO.1 n Monday, August 24, 2015 Copyright 2015, The Flare. All rights reserved.

EXECUTIVE EDITORKathryn AgeePAGE EDITORSHunter LohrRichard Nguyen

SPORTS EDITORDevin Brooks

PHOTO ADVISERO. Rufus Lovett

ADVISERRachel Stallard

LAB MANAGERJamie Maldonado

2013 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • 2014 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Community College Journalism AssociationSpring 2012 Gold Crown, Columbia Scholastic Press Association • 2012 First Place, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors

After graduating high school, a student’s gut instinct usually tells them to apply to a four year college. Going to one of

these schools carries an air of prestige, and may be a family tradition for some in East Texas. However, elements such as grades, location and cost may make going to a university an improbability directly after graduating. Attending a junior college such as KC should not carry a stigma of disappointment or the thought that students are entering the 13th grade. Going to college should be one of the best experiences in life, where people can discover a career path and develop their talents, skills and loves. KC has consistently shown throughout the years that it is a place where attendees can dream big and achieve more than they ever dreamed possible.

Studies conducted over the past decade with results compiled by the KC Research and Institutional Effectiveness Office have shown KC’s growth and displayed how students have gone above and beyond and helped make KC a well respected school.

When students have completed all the classes they can at KC, data has shown

that they continue to be successful at other schools. Two top universities that former KC students transfer to include Stephen F. Austin State University and UT Tyler. In 2013, 71 percent of KC transfers to SFA maintained a 2.0 or higher, while 80 percent of KC transfers to UT Tyler achieved the same goal. Students who enrolled at KC in Fall 2008 completed 9.1 percent their core classes and transferred to another college within six years, while 23.6 percent of total students who enrolled in Fall 2008 transferred within six years.

KC student graduation rates have also increased over the years. In 2008, 15 percent of first time college students who attended full time graduated from KC. That number increased to 19.5 percent by 2011. In the 2010-2011 school year, 1,022 degrees and certificates were awarded to KC students, which rose to 1,151 in the 2013-2014 year.

According to the College Board, in the 2009-2010 school year, students who attended two-year schools had an average tuition of $2,544. Students may think that lower tuition equals lower educational value. Lower price has no correlation to the education received at a school. The

level of education you desire has a lot to do with how hard you are willing to work. As long as students apply themselves and maintain a good GPA, they will be successful. A two-year degree is still a degree, no matter which school you attend. Students should be glad they are getting a college education for a better value than many schools can offer.

The increase in students has caused KC administrators to adapt to the changing attitudes of students and college life. This year, changes on campus such as updating the library, the school’s software, and mobile apps to keep students more aware of their degree progress and school success are being implemented to help upkeep the diversity of student enrollment and achievement. Though technology and a changing atmosphere can seem like a hurdle and make students and administration wary of the future of KC, the school can only increase its success, growth and reputation if everyone works together and tries their hardest to continue to make KC an awesome place to start a college career.

CollegeMatters

As long as students apply themselves and maintain a good GPA, they will be successful.

Illust

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FLAR

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Beginner’s guide to local eating

Lucky7sKILGORE

S PO T L I G H TTHE FLAREMONDAY, AUGUST 24, 20156PAGE

Hunter LoHr and tayLor Stewart

Staff Writers

Whether you are a

new student or

you are about to

graduate, there is one thing

that connects us all: we

have to eat. Luckily, there

is delicious food all around

us here in Kilgore and even

Longview. Whether your

thing is steak, sandwiches,

seafood or dessert, there is

something for you.

Just a few miles away in Longview, there are quite a few great places to eat as well.

Texas Roadhouse: Steak. Steak. Steak. Also, they have rolls that come with cinnamon butter. If either of those sounds good, you

know where to go. Of course there are other things on the menu, but if you go to Texas Roadhouse and you don’t order a steak, did you really go to Texas Roadhouse?

Mi Casita: Authentic Mexican food with five different kinds of salsa and serves breakfast. What more do you need?

The Butcher Shop: Well known for their burgers but also known for their bakery. The cookies are

amazing.

Diddy’s Yogurt Shoppe: Lots of flavors and topping options to choose from and plenty of room to

dine inside or outside.

Pizza King: Locally owned in Longview and has great pizza and plenty of toppings. Long live Pizza

King!

Fisherman’s Market: If you like seafood, you will love this place. The food is always fresh.

Lil Thai House: Some of the best local food around. A regular Texas Monthly recommendation. The fried rice is stellar – but so is

everything else.

Downtown D’lites: Locally owned and operated yogurt bar in downtown Kilgore. In

addition to frozen yogurt, they have great sandwiches, salads

and wraps.

Jack Ryan’s: Also located in downtown Kilgore, this steakhouse offers great lunch

specials. We recommend the Texas-sized club sandwich.

The Back Porch: Some can see this Kilgore staple from their KC residence halls. The open-air atmosphere and live

music make this a prime place to enjoy a meal. Make sure to bring your KC ID for a discount.

I Heart Cake: A new bakery open downtown and has everything from cookies to wedding cakes. Try a cupcake.

Whataburger: It is within walking distance of KC and open 24 hours. Is it past 11

p.m.? If so, go for the honey butter chicken biscuit.

Memi D’s Drive Thru: This is your go-to coffee shop in Kilgore with both drive thru and outdoor seated dining

options. Memi D’s also offers daily lunch specials

El Sombrero: Great Mexican food right across from Sonic. We recommend the queso…

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KILGORE

LONGVIEW

HOW TO FIND LOCAL FOODThose looking to make a quick exit from Kilgore or Longview after class will miss out on a wealth of good eats and other local establishments. We obviously can’t list all of the great things the area has to offer, so here are a few tips on finding your way around.

1) Use apps: Google Maps and Yelp are among ways one can not only find food, but also read reviews and see photos of menus. Just make sure to call ahead and make sure the establishments are still in business. It’s a cruel world ...

2) Use Google: As obvious as it sounds, sometimes people still forget to just do a search. “Here, let me Google that for you.” One can learn a lot!

3) Ask friends, classmates, teachers: Word of mouth is priceless, and can lead to a many local treasures that somehow just don’t have much of a presence online. Also, you’ll learn places you should avoid.

4) Just look around: In the age of GPS and smartphones, there’s no reason not to go explore what this area has to offer. Getting lost is much harder these days. Go with a friend or group of friends to save gas and have extra eyes.