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SOUTH
PLAINS
COLLEGE
www.southplainscollege.edu/ppress
PLAINSMAN PRESS
Levelland, Texas
A bi-weekly collegiate publication
Vol. 57 • Issue 3 • October 13, 2014
SPC celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with traditional music, food
by JENNY GARZA
Staff Writer
Two other girls
came on the
stage and began to dance
as well. They
were swishing
their dresses
around,
stomping and
grabbing
t h e
involved in the events,” says
Strong.
They
also
Girls in colorful dresses
dancing, Spanish music playing in the background, and the
aroma Mexican food filling
your nose.
Hispanic Heritage Month
was celebrated on Sept. 30
during lunch in the Student
Activities area in the Student Center on the Levelland
Campus.
This month usually honors
the Hispanic culture, heritage,
and the contribution Hishad
panics have made.
music
“Culture is very
that is tied
important to stuto the Hisdents, because our
panic culHispanic populature, such
tion is growing,”
as Kumsays Maria Lopez
bia Kings
- Strong, diversiand othty coordinator at
ers that
SPC. “So they
some
can feel more
would
connected to
SPC.”
Lopez served as coordinator for the event,
and she was assisted by
Annie Butt, the reigning Miss
Caprock, and Carlos Benavides.
Ab ov e , S o n i a
They served flour
and corn tacos there in Rodriguez, left,
want
attendance, along with Jazmine Sanchez
t o
churros and Mexican and Michaela Gonzales
dance
at
a
Hispanic
herihave
beverages.
a grito and dance
It first began with tage celebration in the Student Center
to.
Benavidez telling the on the Levelland campus on Sept. 30.
SPC also holds
crowd some of the JENNY GARZA/PLAINSMAN PRESS
events for Dia de
history about Hispanic
los Muertos, Native
Heritage Month. Then
American history,
Strong introduced the
Nuestra Herencia Ballet Folk- crowd’s attention with their and Black History Month.
In the past, SPC students
lorico, directed by Debbie Ro- dancing.
“People can love and enjoy have also walked in the Cesar
driquez. The group performed
some traditional songs with the music,” says Strong. “Mu- Chavez March and have held
the dances that go with them. sic is a connection. You don’t other events at the other Cen“We try to do something know have to know what it’s ters as well.
“It means to me that it has
for Hispanic Heritage Month saying. It’s the heart of the
an educational component,
here at the Levelland Campus world.”
One of the dancers, Mi- and people can say, “Oh, I
and the ATC extension center
chaela
Gonzales, is a sopho- remember that,’ people can
every year,” says Strong.
Sonia Rodriguez, a fifth more at South Plains College love and enjoy these events,”
grader at Marwell Elementary majoring in computer infor- says Strong.
who was dressed in the tra- mation and forensics, and
ditional pink baile folklorico the other, Jazmine Sanchez,
costume, came onstage and is a student at Lubbock High
began to dance to a fast Span- School.
“I would love to one day to jgarza4099@students.southish song, all the while having
expand it and have speakers plainscollege.edu
a smile on her face.
New Technology Center benefits
students at Plainview campus
by JENNY GARZA
Staff Writer
PLAINVIEW- The South
Plains College Plainview Center has a new reason to be
excited this year.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony
for the new Technology Center
was held Sept. 26 at the Plainview campus.
Faculty and students from
the Plainview Center attended the ceremony, along with
administrators and staff from
the Levelland campus.
The ceremony began with
SPC President Dr. Kelvin W.
Sharp welcoming the crowd
and saying what a difference
this facility would make.
“This is a terrific day for
us,” Dr. Sharp said. “We talk
about improving students’
lives, and this facility is going to let us improve the lives
of students that we couldn’t
before.”
He then turned over the mic
said Walker. “This whole center is a dream, because of the
recognized need expressed by
our students and community.
We expanded to address the
needs of our students.”
Following Walker, Wendell
Dunlap, the mayor of Plainview, called Dr. Sharp up to
the podium and began speaking of the changes the Center
has made to the Plainview
community.
“This facility is a dream
that has finally come true,”
Dunlap said. “One of the
things I am impressed with
recently is when I drive by this
campus, whether in the A.M.
or the P.M., this parking lot is
normally full.”
He then presented a pin
signifying the key to the City
of Plainview to Dr. Sharp and
South Plains College.
“This is what it’s all about,”
added Dunlap. “It’s about opportunities. Whether you’re 17
and don’t want to go to a four-
the ribbon cutting by getting
the Plainview Chamber of
Commerce ambassadors and
some of the SPC administration and faculty to cut the
ribbon. When they stretched
the yellow ribbon in front of
the stage, Dr. Sharp cut the
ribbon and the crowd broke
into applause.
They soon invited everyone into the building to see
the inside of the building and
offered refreshments to the
public.
The 10,000 square-foot-facility was announced on Dec.
12, 2013. The building has
two classrooms, and houses
the welding, HVAC, electrical
plumbing, construction, and
other trades programs.
The total cost of the project came to $1.2 million, and
enrollment at the Plainview
Center of SPC has increased
also, according to Dunlap.
“By having a location here,
we have made it possible for
students who want to work
Vets share differing VA experiences
by ZACH
HOLLINGSWORTH
Associate Editor
[Editor’s note: This story is
the fourth part of a multi-part
series, “Soldiers Matters,”
addressing the issues veterans face when reintegrating
into civilian life. It begins
in Issue 1 and continues
through Issue 6.]
American veterans return- released by the offices of Senaing from combat can count tor Tom Coburn of Oklahoma,
on help from the Veteran’s have allegedly been taking
Administration for any and all place for more than a decade.
of their needs, whether they
The incidents, which have
be medical, psychological, or been well documented in this
concerning benefits.
report, range from institutional
Or can they?
neglectfulness to an individuEarlier this year, it came to al staffer’s moral perversity.
light that the VA, at least in There is the fact that during
certain parts of the country, the course of 2010 and 2011,
was grossly mishandling the 19 veterans nationwide died
cases brought to them by the while awaiting diagnosis or
very veterans they were sup- treatment at VA hospitals.
posed to be assisting. These
incidents, according to a report SEE “LUBBOCK” ON PAGE 5
Cover to Cover
Opinion...
page 7
Feature...
page 8
Entertainmentpage 11
Sports...
page 13
Spotlight... page 14
News
Levelland campus sees an
increase in male cosmetology students.
page 2
Dr. Kelvin Sharp, president of South Plains College, cuts the ribbon for the new Technology Center on the Plainview campus on Sept. 26. JENNY GARZA/PLAINSMAN PRESS
to Jim Walker, vice president
of academic affairs, who also
welcomed the crowd and
spoke about how the center
became a reality during the
years since 2005.
“ Dreams proceed reality,”
Feature
Opinion
Alledged sexual assault
at Texas Tech University
raises questions of rape
culture.
page 7
year college, or a worker who and go to school that may not
worked at Cargill but don’t be able to if we didn’t have a
have the skills to be where you center here,” said Dr. Sharp.
need to be, this facility will
give you the skills you need in
jgarza4099@students.souththe field of your choice.”
They began to prepare for plainscollege.edu
Sports
Spotlight
SPC Gay-Straight Alliance
promotes tolerance and
understanding.
Washington Redskins controversy stirs discussion of
society’s hypersensitivity.
Stars of a locally-based
TV show share their story
of success.
page 8
page 13
page 14
2
NEWS
Plainsman Press
October 13, 2014
Residence Hall Association formed to address student needs
by CHELSEA YOHN
Editorial Assistant
The Residence Hall Association at South Plains College has been created to help
make sure students living on
campus have the best experience they can.
The Residence Hall Association (RHA) is made up of
current students so that they
are better in touch with the
needs of those who live in
residence halls.
“Most of the decisions here
are made by faculty and staff,”
said Andrew Skipton, who
recently was elected as RHA
vice president. “We aren’t
paid. We are students here
just like you…and it’s good
to have someone that is your
own age to talk to about issues
instead of having to talk to an
authority figure. You can just
come to us, and we can help
take care of it.”
Anyone who wanted to
participate in the election for a
RHA position just had to show
up to the first meeting they
held and get his or her name
on the ballot. The students then
had to talk to people to try to
get votes. The elections happen once each school year, so
board members will hold their
positions for two semesters.
The positions open were
president, vice president, secretary, and a public relations
position, along with representatives from each residence
hall. Max Nikolaye, who was
elected as president, and Skip-
ton are both responsible for
creating outlines for each
meeting, as well as running
fundraisers and other events
to raise money. The vice president takes over meetings when
the president is not there and
also helps out with public relations, contacting companies
for fundraising and soliciting
ideas from students on event
ideas and things to improve
the dorms.
The secretary, Mason Garrett, takes care of all the money
and takes notes at the meetings. Thomas Yanis was voted
to be in charge of all public
relations, which entails going
out into the community to get
people interested in fundraising and getting their name out
to students. The representa-
Male students increasing
in cosmetology program
tida, who recently garnered
attention from a product line
who viewed his work on Instagram.
The reaction to men studying cosmetology is one influenced by societal views of the
field that are incorrect. Some
view it as emasculating, because the materials used and
the processes performed are
associated more often with
women. However, Jaramilla
has no issue with it.
that wants to and loves to do
it,” says Ortiz. “It’s so much
fun.”
A common motivation
South Plains College has
among
the students is carryrecently seen an increase in
ing on family tradition. Both
the number of males enrolled
of Partida’s parents cut hair
in the cosmetology program.
for a living, and Martinez’s
“We’re the number one
grandmother is a hairstylist.
[cosmetology] school in the
For Ortiz, his role model is
entire West Texas region,” says
familial but not parental.
Patti Lindsey, cosmetology
“My cousin is my inspiraprogram director, who attrition,”
Ortiz says. “Ever since I
butes the influx of enrollment
was little, I’ve always watched
to “the growth in the program,
her.”
t h e a d v e rIn the near future, Ortiz
tising of the
plans
to rent his own stylprogram, and
ing booth at a salon. His
our reputaultimate goal is to own
tion, because
his own shop. Jaramilla’s
we do have a
goals are similar.
100-percent
“After this, I’m going
passing rate.”
to go to San Antonio to a
In a probarber college,” Jaramilgram that
la says. “Then I’ll come
sees a far
back here and open up my
greater numown shop.”
ber of womBoth Martinez and
en enroll
Partida
say they hope
than men,
to finish their education
the addition
and take their skills elseof male stuwhere. Larger cities are
dents stands
the desired destination for
out.
both men.
However,
“I’m moving to Calcosmetoloifornia
to be a celebrity
gy students
hairstylist,”
says Martinez
Isaac Jaraof his future plans.
milla, Jazz
Lindsey says she has
Partida,
full
faith in her students
Marcus Or- Student Aaron Martinez fixes hair at the
achieving
their goals.
tiz, and Aar- Cosmetology Building in Levelland on Sept. 30.
“Our guys are doing
on Martinez
ALYSSA GREGORY/PLAINSMAN PRESS.
fantastic,” says Lindsey.
have entered
“We’re super proud of
the program
“You
need
to
be
more
comthem,
and we’re just looking
with enthusiasm that has not
been dimmed by negative peer fortable with yourself,” says forward to having more and
Jaramilla. “You go to a bar- more guys.”
influence and assumptions.
Lindsey says that there is
“There’s this mentality that ber shop… Barbers learn the
exact
same
thing
we
do.
I’m
already
a lot of interest from
if they’re barbers, they’re
straight, but if they’re cosme- actually going to school to be male students for the spring
semester. Male enrollment in
tologists, they’re gay,” says a barber.”
Regardless
of
gender,
the
the cosmetology program may
Lindsey. “You’ve got to edappeal
is
broad.
It
is
an
excontinue to increase for future
ucate the people around you,
pansive art that goes beyond semesters.
educate your clientele.”
Partida prefers a more pas- just scissors and hair dryers.
All that is required is passion,
sive approach.
“I don’t really listen to according to Ortiz.
dsmith9720@students.south“I think it’s for everybody plainscollege.edu
what people think,” says Par-
by DORA SMITH
Opinion Editor
PUBLICATION STATEMENT
The Plainsman Press is published
every two weeks during regular
semesters by journalism students at
South Plains College in Levelland,
Texas. Opinions herein are those of
the writer and not necessarily those
of the staff, the administration,
Board of Regents, advisor or
advertisers.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
The Plainsman Press encourages
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Published letters are subject
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EMAIL: ppress@southplainscollege.edu
proves dorm life, that’s what
the money will go towards.”
Any faculty members or
students
are welcome
to join
e a c h
weekly
meeting
in the
Tubb
H a l l
classroom on
Tuesd a y s
at 6:30
p.m. to
share
ideas.
Each
meeting will
Ballots were filled out on Sept 23 during the RHA meeting to elect the board for have an
outline
the residence hall association. CHELSEA YOHN/PLAINSMAN PRESS
of the
things
that are
“The RHA puts on several raisers goes to what the resi- up for discussion or approval.
events throughout the year to dence halls need.
Then there is an open forum
help raise money and to help
“I know right now we are for anyone to speak up and
get students out and having working on getting pool cues give their input on whatever
fun,” said Skipton.
for the Baker Center Lobby,” is going on.
The RHA board plans on said Skipton. “We are going
putting on a big dance party, to work on getting two new
as well as a garage sale later Coke machines for Magee and cyohn6768@students.southin the semester for students to Smallwood. Anything that im- plainscollege.edu
tives from each hall talk about
the problems in each hall and
ideas to improve dorm life.
bring their things to sell and
make some extra cash.
Money earned during fund-
Students, community invited
to enjoy Halloween carnival
by CYNDI SIKES
Editorial Assistant
Candy, games, costumes,
and lots of fun are all part of
the annual Halloween carnival
at South Plains College.
The Halloween carnival,
set for Oct. 23, is an event that
is open to the community. It’s
also a way to generate interest
for SPC.
The carnival will be held
from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets
are five for $1, with one ticket
per booth, according to Liz
Dominguez, administrative
assistant to the director of
Student Life.
Students and other community members are also encouraged to wear costumes that are
“kid friendly.”
“Right now, there are about
20 different booths, with a
variety of different activities,”
says Dominguez.
According to Dominguez,
the games range from plink-o
to bean bag tosses, fun ball
toss, and ring the bottles. There
will also be a photo booth,
though it will cost two tickets.
The Law Enforcement Club
will have a jail, and there will
be a cake walk.
The carnival will take place
in the mall area and the Sundown Room in the Student
Center on the Levelland campus.
“We will also have a concession stand step up,” says
Dominguez. “There will be
lots of goodies to buy at the
concession stand.”
To help advertise the event,
flyers were sent out to all the
elementary schools in Levelland. The ages that are targeted
for this event is pre-k through
5th grade. But anyone in the
community is invited to attend.
A dance for college students
will be held in the Sundown
Room from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m, in
conjunction with the carnival.
“There will be a costume
contest,” says Dominguez.
Editorial Staff
Charlie Ehrenfeld / Advisor
Allison Terry / Editor-in-Chief
Zach Hollingsworth / Associate Editor
Josh Hamilton / Online Editor
Nicole Trugillo / News Editor
Dora Smith / Opinion Editor
Caitlin Welborn / Feature Editor
Megan Perez / Entertainment Editor
Brittany Brown / Sports Editor
Devin Reyna / Photo Editor
Cyndi Sikes / Editorial Assistant
Chesanie Brantley / Editorial Assistant
Josh Ramirez / Editorial Assistant
Chelsea Yohn/ Editorial Assistant
So students are encouraged
to wear costumes, though they
are asked to keep the costumes
kid friendly.
The DJ for the event is
Nathaniel Gonzalez, a current
student at SPC.
“It was something that he
just wanted to do, so we let
him,” says Dominguez.
The Ball Room Dance
Team at SPC also is going to
perform at the dance.
csikes8428@students.southplainscollege.edu
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Staff Writers & Photographers
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3
NEWS
Plainsman Press
October13, 2014
Local rescue organization fosters orphaned kittens
by ZACH
HOLLINGSWORTH
Associate Editor
A sick, orphaned kitten out
in the wilds of Levelland is
in need of food, help, and a
home.
Until recently, the kitten
would have few viable choices.
There is the Levelland Animal
Shelter, where he or she would
spend some time and may or
may not be adopted. There
is the slight possibility that a
kindly neighborhood family
would take pity on the kitty,
and adopt it right away, or a
lonely widow would take him
or her in, along with several of
the kitten’s siblings.
Aside from this bleak
outlook, life for a stray animal
is a tough one. There’s the
question of its next meal, the
danger of passing cars, or
the danger of unscrupulous
humans who irrationally take
joy in harming small animals.
However, for stray kittens
(and puppies) in Levelland,
there is now a new avenue
to help: The Lazarus Rescue
Foundation. Started by two
Levelland women who have
been independently helping
stray cats and dogs for years,
the foundation is just two
months old, but it is already
finding success, mainly
through social media, which
is the duo’s main tool in their
adoption and foster service.
“All day, nonstop, people
just come and talk to us,
and like our page,” explains
Mellissa Hanks, one half of
the founding team for the
organization. “It’s really
taking off. Hopefully, it goes
as far as we want it to.”
Jessi Holeman, the other
half of the organization, agrees
with this sentiment.
“ We ’ v e h a d a l o t o f
interest, and some donations,”
Holeman says. “We’ve had
referrals from the (Levelland
Animal) Shelter, and have
been networking with some
other rescue organizations to
let them know we have kittens
available.”
The pair met through
Facebook, and through each
other ’s work with stray
animals. Hanks, a stay-athome mother of three, has been
fostering strays and orphaned
kittens for “years and years,”
in addition to volunteering to
work with strays. Holeman,
who manages the Holiday
Inn Express in Levelland, had
also been fostering animals for
12 years. But, as Holeman, a
single mother of three, puts it,
“it was that first box of kittens
that brought us together.”
“I’ve volunteered at the
shelter for quite a while,” says
Hanks. “And we kind of met
through that…We had some of
the same ideas, and decided to
make something of it.”
Hanks recalls the fateful
group of orphaned kittens,
abandoned in a dumpster
inside an old diaper box,
which finally brought the pair
together.
“We had seven kittens,”
says Hanks. “I couldn’t take
all seven by myself, so I was
searching for people, and she
(Holeman) said she’d take
some. That’s how we met in
person. We’ve been working
together ever since then.”
Thus far, the foundation
has been generating buzz on
Facebook, which Holeman
and Hanks utilize as the hub
of their operation, posting
updates about the kittens they
have up for adoption. Hanks,
who runs the page, explains the
foundation’s operations.
“We get them when they’re
pretty young,” says Hanks.
“Sometimes they’re a week
or two weeks old, and we post
pictures and people contact us.
Then when they’re old enough,
they go home.”
Before they can be adopted
out, however, there are a
variety of tasks the foster for
these orphaned kittens needs to
perform, according to Hanks.
First, and what most comes to
“It’s really rewarding,”
says Holeman. “We get to see
those animals go home with
somebody and be in their
family.”
“On average, they (mother veterinarian, using the money
cats) will have four (kittens) to pay for the procedure.
per litter,” explains Hanks.
As for the rest of the
“So that’s 12 per year…We’ve overhead costs of running
had some litters of five or the foundation, Hanks and
seven, so four is Holeman cover costs mostly
definitely a very t h e m s e l v e s , a l o n g w i t h
low number… much-needed donations from
I think over individual supporters of the
the course of organization.
three years,
“It doesn’t have to be money
one female will donations, it can be supplies,”
be responsible says Hanks. “Any donation
for over 100 we can get is such a big help,
kittens, and, because it’s expensive to feed
of course they everything, and make sure
(kittens) will they’re healthy.”
do the same
Hanks says the foundation
thing.”
will be branching out early
T h e d u o next year, as she will be
s a y s t h a t , moving to southern Colorado,
based on this and is always looking for
number, if one volunteers to help with the
were to spay kittens. Currently, it is only
and neuter one Holeman and Hanks who take
female and her in the kittens.
Mellissa Hanks, of the Lazarus Rescue Foundation, feeds kittens in her
mate, during
“The more we have, the
Levelland home on Sept. 26. ALLISON TERRY/PLAINSMAN PRESS
an eight-year more we can take in,” says
period, the pet Hanks. “It only takes a couple
mind, is the need to bottle feed
Another aspect the pair population could be reduced of weeks, and…it changes
the infant cats, but there are i s p l a n n i n g o n m a k i n g by two million cats.
your life, and of course, the
other things which extremely a c e n t e r p i e c e o f t h e i r
To this end, the Lazarus life of the animal, too.”
young kittens have a problem organization is a spay and R e s c u e F o u n d a t i o n h a s
Those looking to volunteer
with, explains Hanks. These n e u t e r p r o g r a m , w h i c h instituted an adoption fee of their time or send donations
tasks aren’t always adorable. would reduce the booming $75 dollars, which will go can contact the Foundation
“I don’t think you really cat population in Levelland. to cover the cost of having a t w w w. F a c e b o o k . c o m /
realize how small they are when According to Hanks, this is an the kitten spayed or neutered LazarusRescueFoundation.
they’re born,” says Hanks. essential measure, especially once it becomes of age.
“When they’re that little, they when a female can have three Hanks and Holeman set up zhollingswor7184@students.
can’t keep themselves warm, litters a year.
the appointment with a local southplainscollege.edu
so you have to have a heating
pad. And kittens can’t go to
the bathroom by themselves,
so then you have to get a warm
SPC’s Got Talent wasn’t audience was uproarious with
wash rag and help them with by DORA SMITH
the
first live performance for their praise at the end of the
Opinion Editor
that also.”
Gonzalez.
performance.
There are also the middleStudents
recently
had
the
“In
high
school,
I
used
to
do
Like Gonzalez, Burgett is
of-the night feeding sessions
chance
to
showcase
their
skills
halftime
shows,
pep
rallies,”
no
stranger to the stage.
and the severe lack of sleep.
at
SPC’s
Got
Talent.
says
Gonzalez,
adding
that
he
“I’ve
been playing for five
The experience is akin to
The
competition
was
held
is also used to larger crowds years,” he says. “I play at
having an infant of one’s
on
the
Levelland
campus
on
than the one at the show.
church every Sunday and
own, according to Hanks.
Oct.
2,
with
the
top
three
Regardless,
Gonzales
says
Saturday, and I’m in the
Despite the difficulty inherent
contestants
receiving
cash
he
feels
good
about
earning
creative arts [program at
in raising these orphaned cats,
prizes.
third place.
SPC].”
the kittens themselves, and
The
show
included
a
variety
When
asked
what
he
plans
His experience and
the prospect of providing the
of
acts,
such
as
magic
by
to
do
with
his
winnings,
he
confidence
were an aid to his
animals with a good home,
Jonathon
Vasquez,
a
pianoreplied,
“Probably
take
my
performance.
Capturing first
make the experience worth it.
accompanied cover of “Stay girlfriend to the movies.”
place was the duo of Alexandra
Wi t h M e ” b y J e r e m i a h
Though he didn’t place Perez and Brianna Ross, who
Petterson, and an emotional in the competition, fellow have the same experience but
poetry reading by Jacob dancer Jacob Clark followed have never actually performed
Baumach. Other performers Gonzalez’s performance. with each other prior to the
included Kylie Fryar,
talent show.
singing the country
Perez and
tune “It’s Time to
Ross, both
Get a Gun,” Michael
sophomores
Wi l l i a m s w i t h a
majoring in
standup comedy
commercial
routine that had many
m u s i c ,
audience members
performed and
jumping out of their
harmonized, a
seats with laughter,
cappella version
and Aaron Lambert,
of “Bang, Bang”
who showed a
by Ariana
mastery of acoustic
Grande, Jessie
guitar.
J, and Nicki
Third place and a
Minaj. The two
$50 cash prize went to
came on to the
Nathaniel Gonzalez, a
stage with strong
sophomore majoring
energy, hyping
in psychology. He
the crowd. Ross
performed a dance
engaged the
routine that spanned
audience by
genres and styles. Brianna Ross, left, and Alexandra Perez perform asking for their
His performance
help in keeping
together at the SPC’s Got Talent show on the
came near the end of
rhythm, leading
the show, when the Levelland campus on Sept. 2. JENNY GARZA/
them with a footaudience’s attention PLAINSMAN PRESS
and-hand beat
had begun to wane.
like that of “We
But the crowd regained its Clark’s performance was less Will Rock You” by Queen.
energy as people stood to varied, but featured stellar
The judges’ panel
gather around the floor where footwork worth noting.
ultimately chose the duo as
Gonzalez would be dancing.
The dancers rounded out the top performers of the night,
H e b e g a n w i t h a the show, but musicians placed awarding them a $150 cash
slow, interpretive style as first and second.
prize.
OneRepublic’s “Apologize”
Corbin Burgett, a 16-year“I actually didn’t expect us
played. From the moment old high school student from to win,” says Perez, “so I feel
that the audio cut from this Shallowater who studies great.”
first song into Ginuwine’s commercial music at SPC,
All of the contestants were
“Pony,” the crowd reacted placed second with his solo given a collective round of
with cheers consistently. Each performance on electric guitar. applause at the end of the
song change and especially Burgett performed a song titled night. The appreciation was
interesting move was met “Surfing with the Alien,” by well-deserved by all of the 17
with an enthusiastic response, guitarist Joe Satriani, showing of the performers.
with the finale eliciting several off his talent without losing
screams and an abundance of the melody of the tune. It was dsmith9720@students.southapplause.
fast, loud, and skilled, and the plainscollege.edu
Perez, Ross place first at SPC’s Got Talent
4
October 13, 2014
NEWS
Plainsman Press
Students receive help from website to prevent plagiarism, gain writing skills
by NICOLE TRUGILLO
News Editor
a collaborative effort, and place to get help with an ESL centers a safe place to a difficult time writing essays on several fronts, while giving
numerous individuals have affordable fee.
send students who require and it is mostly because they our staff the time for focused
been involved in some way in
“We kept asking ourselves, assistance beyond the center’s don’t have someone to help effort and detailed attention
to help students with
When it comes to writing the execution
their writing,” Homer
essays, many students may of the website,”
said.
think that they don’t have the H o m e r s a i d .
There is a fine line
“Mr.
Sherman,
time to follow all the steps to
between
assistance and
(co-founder
of
write one.
potential plagiarism.
Students write the essay Hello Essay,)
Students don’t realize
and turn it in without someone and I have our
plagiarism is even
own
different
proofreading it, or, in some
described as anyone
skill
sets,
and
cases, they even plagiarize.
rewriting any part of
Thanks to a new website, we collaborated
their essay, according
students can get the help they extensively on
to Sherman.
the
design
of
need.
Hello Essay
the
site.
Other
“Hello Essay is an online
makes sure the editors
website that makes it easy individuals also
understand their Code
for students to connect with pitched in.”
of Ethics so they know
T
h
e
H
e
l
l
o
experts who edit and proofread
when to draw the
Essay
website
academic essays and personal
line between helping
statements,” Zach Homer, was officially
another student by
co-founder and CEO of Hello l a u n c h e d i n
giving suggestions
M
a
y
2
0
1
4
,
Essay, explained in a recent
and rewriting passages
b
u
t
t
h
e
interview with The Plainsman
for them.
development
Press.
“We constructed
Hello Essay was created of the company
the
Hello Essay Code
and
website
has
to help the lack of effective
of
Ethics
and posted
been
ongoing
and ethical writing support.
on our website to be
Students may feel rushed s i n c e M a y
transparent about
a t t i m e s w h e n w r i t i n g 2013.
our standards and
Homer
and
their essay, which leads to
practices,” Homer
Sherman
are
Students
work
in
a
classroom
in
the
Technology
Center
on
Oct.
6.
JOSH
HAMILTON/PLAINSMAN
PRESS
them feeling pressured into
explained. “Each
plagiarizing. However, Hello former tutors.
hired editor is required
Essay helps students get the They saw other
to
sign
an
agreement that states
students
struggle
with
English
‘Why
isn’t
there
one
legitimate
time
or
availability,
and
it
was
them
critique
their
essays,
help they need by an editor
he
or
she
will abide by this
writing
and
wanted
to
expand
place
to
get
effective
and
established
to
provide
students
according
to
Sherman.
who can proofread the essay
“Our method focuses on ethical code. We regularly
and help them critique it, and the help the students needed. ethical writing support?’” with an honest, legitimate, and
They created Hello Essay for Homer said. “Hello Essay useful tool.”
expert evaluation and advice, conduct quality checks, and
avoid plagiarizing.
College students can have and enables college students we also have a client feedback
“ [ H e l l o E s s a y ] w a s students to have one legitimate was created to offer writing/
to receive detailed feedback system.”
The website offers four pay
on written work, including
essays, personal statements, options (two are “rushed”),
and more,” Homer explained. ranging from $39 to $99. Each
Students can go to the option has different offers for
Hello Essay website and find students. The more you pay,
an editor by sorting criteria. the more help you will receive.
Members of the Student following Monday, Salazar continuing until Oct. 10 at This criteria can range from
by JENNY GARZA
“We do our best to keep
Government Association w e n t a n d t a l k e d t o L i z SPC.
Staff Writer
essay type, subject area, or our pricing as low as possible
Donation boxes are set up on essay length.
started the fundraiser on Oct. Dominguez, administrative
for students, while employing
In the small West Texas
campus
in the office of Student
1.
assistant to the director of
top professionals,” Homer
“Editors
have
expertise
in
town of Post, tragedy struck
It all began when one Student Life, and the dean of Life, the SPC Bookstore, and a number of subject areas and explained.
early on Sept. 1 when a fire
student, Jasmine Salazar, students to get the ball rolling. the Creative Arts Building.
Homer has a goal to make
include former admissions
started at the elementary
Salazar says that she will o f f i c e r s , I v y L e a g u e Hello Essay the number one
decided to make a difference
“Just the fact that not only
school.
for the school’s students and did the kids lose everything, be continuing the fundraiser academics, etc…” Homer website for students who need
The office of Student Life at
faculty.
but the teachers did as well, on her own after Oct. 10 at the explained.
essay help, while giving back
a n d t h a t j u s t Levelland CVS throughout the
After selecting an editor, the to the students.
broke my heart,” month of October.
“Recently, we launched
student describes the writing
“I work at CVS,” Salazar assignment by writing an a campaign and partnered
says Salazar, a
sophomore from says. “My managers have essay introduction. Language with leading brands (such as
been kind enough to allow me isn’t a problem, because Hello StudentUniverse, Zalle, etc…)
Levelland.
T h e y a r e to set up a donation box there Essay hires bilingual editors. who are offereing Hello Essay
collecting school as well.”
Editors then read the students exclusive gifts,”
Until then, however, Salazar introduction to get a better Homer explained. “We have
supplies, money
donations, and explains that she is grateful for understanding of the essay, and some exciting things in the
even things to the help she has been receiving then they review the writing works and look forward to
d e c o r a t e t h e from SPC, which has been assignment. The editors send helping students with their
teacher’s rooms. invaluable.
back the essay with their edits, writing in more and different
“The Student Government comments, suggestions, and ways.”
“I have even
t o l d p e o p l e has been a great help for the recommendations. They also
For more information on
without money to fundraiser, and having the SPC include the essay’s strengths Hello Essay, visit the site at
just send a note of name with the fundraiser,” says and weaknesses, along with www.helloessay.com.
encouragement Salazar.
their advice.
because Post has jgarza4099@students.south“This process enables ntrugillo0806@students.
b e e n t h r o u g h plainscollege.edu
editor-student communication southplainscollege.edu
a lot,” says
Salazar.
The donation box for the Post elementary school fundraiser sits
As of Oct.
on a table in the Student Activities Center on Oct. 1. CHESANIE
1,
they had
BRANTLEY/PLAINSMAN PRESS
raised $100
and several
South Plains College recently
Immediately after hearing bags of school supplies.
started a fundraiser to help the
about the fire on the news the The fundraiser will be
school get back on its feet.
Student starts fundraising effort for
Post elementary school damaged in fire
5
NEWS
October 13, 2014
Plainsman Press
Annual Slut Walk rails against rape culture, misogyny
Participants yell and hold signs
while marching in the annual
Slut Walk, an outcry against
rape culture, along Broadway in
Lubbock on Sept. 27.
SKYLAR HERNANDEZ/
PLAINSMAN PRESS
Lubbock veterans describe benefits, medical claims involving local VA
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
I n t h e VA s y s t e m i n
Phoenix, Arizona, there were
40 veterans who died while
waiting for appointments.
More deplorable than this is the
fact that the 40 veterans were
being hidden from oversight
on a secret waiting list to cover
up the system’s inadequacies.
Aside from these major
infractions, there are other,
more personal complaints
being leveled against the VA.
There is the case of the
staffer in the Tampa, Florida
system who was exchanging
the personal information of
veterans for drugs, or the
unnecessary breast and pelvic
examinations carried out on
female veterans by a male
neurologist in a Kansas VA
(who is now a registered sex
offender).
“The vets do have it good in
Lubbock…the clinic here runs
well,” says William (last name
withheld for privacy), a former
Marine Sergeant who served
nine years and served one
combat tour in Afghanistan,
about the area’s VA system.
According to William, the
Lubbock clinic is perhaps
underfunded and understaffed,
but this can be said of any
health care system, he says.
However, his dealings with
the VA are not without delays,
and he refers to it as a “failed
bureaucracy.”
“Folks dying in waiting
r o o m s , y e a h , t h a t ’s
(expletive),” says William,
when asked about the ongoing
VA scandal. “It’s inefficient,
and that’s the whole thing…
I don’t understand how any
business in the world would
ever survive doing this. The
availabilities, what works for
you,’” William says. “But the
way it works for them is, ‘Hey,
this is available, this is when
you’re going. If you’re there,
awesome, if not, we’ll move
on to the next guy.’”
The secret to dealing with
the VA, according to William,
is being proactive. In his
case, he says he had little
problems with the organization
due to his lack of injuries
sustained while enlisted, and
his following of all the steps
that were required of him when
exiting the military.
“When you go through
TAMP (Transition Assistance
Management Program)…it’s
basically a transition program
from the military to civilian
life,” explains William. “A lot
of that is if you pay attention
and you do what you’re told,
then get all of your little
South Plains College student Eddie Cerda, 27, poses in Levelland on Sept. 30.
ALLISON TERRY/PLAINSMAN PRESS
Even if an employee of
the VA comes forward with
information on “cooking the
books” with regard to wait
times for veterans, punitive
measures can be brought
against them, as was the
case with Lisa Lee, a former
Navy Reservist who brought
to light the mishandling of
appointments at the Fort
Collins VA in Colorado. Lee
was suspended without pay
and subsequently moved to
a different VA at a lower pay
rate. The list of infractions on
an institutional and personal
level is seemingly endless.
However, despite reports
from all around the country
regarding the VA’s shocking
negligence and the abuse
veterans suffer at the hands of
criminal staffers, the situation
is not as problematic in all
areas of the country.
way they do appointments
is… they’ll… schedule you
without talking to you, without
caring if you go to school, if
you work, or if you’ve got
transportation.”
The problem arises when
the VA sends that veteran a
letter notifying him or her of
the default appointment. If
that veteran doesn’t open the
letter, or if it gets lost in the
mail, then the appointment is
missed and the VA will call,
informing him or her about
the missed appointment which
was scheduled without the
patient’s knowledge or consent
to begin with. This, according
to William, can become a
cycle, one which could be
helped by communication
between the veteran and the
VA.
“It should be… ‘You need
to go do this,’ ‘these are the
medical gripes documented…
it makes the process all that
quicker.”
Service men and women are
encouraged, William says, to
begin the transition process a
year before exiting the military,
because “that way, when you
transfer, everything’s easier.”
If a member of the Armed
Forces doesn’t follow these
steps, he or she is in danger
of going into a “cess pool,”
according to William. For
these veterans, receiving
either medical or financial aid
becomes an arduous task.
“You go in…with a bunch
of other people,” explains
William. “Then you’re talking
about vets all the way from
World War II to present.”
For some veterans around
West Texas, experiences in
dealing with the VA can fall
along these lines.
Eddie Cerda, an Army
veteran who served on active
duty for three years and three
years as a reservist, including
a tour in Iraq, has been left
frustrated by the VA for years.
“Actually, I made three
( c l a i m s ) w i t h t h e VA , ”
explains Cerda, referring to
claims made for injuries either
physical or psychological.
“One was for PTSD, the other
one was for a hernia… and the
other one was for my lower
back, because (of) the body
armor. I still feel pain in my
hips…I thought maybe one of
these days I could get checked
on.”
Cerda, who also is a student
at South Plains College, recalls
the first time he had dealings
with the VA regarding his
claims.
“The first time, I got a
letter in the mail saying…you
need to come schedule
an appointment with
us,” says Cerda. “So I
called them, which was
a pain. It took forever.
They didn’t know what
I was calling for, I tell
them…and they go,
‘oh, well, we’ll get
you on the line with
so-and-so.’”
Cerda says that
each person he was
put in touch with at
the VA kept referring
him to another party,
who would then pass
him along to the next
oblivious staffer. He
explains that after an
extended period of
this, he grew irritated
and hung up. When he
eventually called back,
they finally put him in
touch with the person
whom he needed to
speak with.
The VA scheduled him an
appointment to discuss his
claims, but unfortunately,
Cerda says, he had to cancel it.
“So I called them…and
(said) I’m going to have to
cancel my appointment,”
recalls Cerda.
According to Cerda, the
VA’s representative then
told him, “‘Well, we’ll call
you back when we want to
reschedule you…’ so I’m
waiting… One year goes by,
and they never call me.”
When Cerda finally called
the VA, requesting to know
what was happening with the
status of his appointment, he
was assured that he would
be called back. Then, another
year went by without Cerda
hearing anything from the
organization.
“I get letters from them all
the time saying ‘you need to
schedule an appointment,’”
says Cerda. “So I’ll call
them…and it just happens
like that every time: I never
get called (back).”
This has been going on
for four years, according to
Cerda. Aside from a surgery
he had to repair a tear in
his shoulder (which was
undertaken without the VA’s
assistance) he is still suffering
from the hernia he got while
he was enlisted, and from
symptoms of PTSD, which, as
per his status with the VA, has
remained undiagnosed.
There is one area which
both William and Cerda
agree on: There have been no
problems with the monetary
benefits each receive to assist
them while attending college.
Both Cerda and William rely
on the money they receive
from the GI bill for school
and living expenses. Both men
have wives and children, and
the money Cerda and William
are paid to attend college
can be used to support their
families. Part of this money
is from the GI bill, but there
is another benefit which is
exclusive to Texas veterans,
called the Hazelwood Act. The
Hazelwood Act covers up to
150 hours of college credit,
although it only applies to state
institutions such as SPC or
Texas Tech University.
“If you enlisted in the
military while you were a
resident of Texas, when you
get out, we (the State of Texas)
will pay your tuition,” explains
William. “…The Hazelwood
pays my tuition, and then I
keep my GI bill, so I pretty
much support my family by
going to school.”
Cerda also takes full
advantage of the system which
is in place to aid Texas veterans
in furthering their education.
In addition to paying for the
usual fees college students
incur, such as tuition and
books, Cerda also mentions
another use for the Hazelwood
Act, one which he will take
advantage of, as he plans on
attending Wayland Baptist
University in the future.
“…The cool thing about
the Hazelwood is that you can
pass it down to your family,”
explains Cerda. “So maybe…
my daughter, when she goes
to school…she pretty much
has school paid for, as far as
tuition.”
Benefits and medical
conditions, scandals and
questions, abuses of power and
negligence at a governmental
level aside, Cerda sums up
the situation the country is
facing with the VA scandal
with relation to veterans at
a micro level. His thoughts
on the quality of the benefits
he receives reflect the larger
issue.
“I’m happy, you know?
It just depends,” says
Cerda. “You either have a
good experience, or a bad
experience. You either get the
(expletive) end of the deal, or
you find the pot of gold.”
zhollingswor7184@students.
southplainscollege.edu
6
NEWS
October 13, 2014
Plainsman Press
Apple Butter Festival provides family fun
by DORA SMITH
Opinion Editor
IDALOU -- The scent of
baked goods and the twang
of acoustic country music
in the air surrounding the
Apple Country Orchards set
the mood for a weekend of
wholesome entertainment.
Apple Country Orchards
held their annual Apple Butter
Festival on Oct. 4 and 5.
Located east of Idalou, the
Apple Country Orchards are
home to 6,000 apple trees
that include more than 30
varieties of the fruit. Visitors
can pick their own apples for
purchase, though a number
of products created with the
homegrown produce, such as
baked goods and canned items,
are available at the Orchards
as well.
After two postponements
due to the heavy rain in
Lubbock County, the festival’s
kickoff was met with bright,
sunny weather. Paired with
mild temperatures, the
conditions were ideal for
the outdoor event. The quiet
of the country, well away
from the noise of the city,
offered a blank canvas that
was decorated by the sounds
of happy families and acoustic
country music.
The atmosphere was
family-centric. Just before the
courtyard was a prepared full
lunch that included homemade
barbeque. For $5, the lunch
included a barbeque sandwich,
beans, salad, a dessert, and a
drink. Parts of the proceeds
from the lunch were to benefit
Lubbock Meals on Wheels and
the Charities of Metropolitan
Lubbock Rotary.
After entering the gate
and proceeding through the
country store, there was a
large, inflatable bouncy house
filled with excited children.
A truck passed through the
trees every now and then
offering hay rides for $1. In
addition, two friendly goats
comprised a “petting zoo,”
while Snow White dashed
about the courtyard.
“I’m meeting all of the
children and greeting them
with red apples,” says White,
whose real-life alias she
considers confidential.
Everyone was offered the
chance to walk through the
rows of apple trees and gather
as many ripe apples as they
wished, paying for them by the
pound at the end of their trip.
Some families opted for bags,
each member big enough to
carry a sack pulling one along,
while others chose to use
buckets that could be pushed.
Many families with smaller
children chose this option,
including a couple who had
just moved to Lubbock from
Florida.
While standing next to his
nearly full bucket, a little boy
was asked how many apples
he thought he had gathered.
He replies as he counts on his
fingers, “Like, eight!”
Even some of those who
took home apples to use for
culinary purposes enjoyed the
food offered at the festival.
Fresh, warm turnovers and ice
cream were the most popular
items, with a line of at least 50
people at some points.
Two cooks roasted green
chilies in the center of the
courtyard. Next to them,
samples of raw honey was
offered and dispensed into
small, bear-shaped bottles for
sale.
The honey vendors were
not the only ones offering their
product for sale. There were
also hand-decorated wooden
signs, as well as bows and hats
for girls.
Another vendor offered
paintings, figurines, and
kitschy lawn ornaments. The
work put in by the creators to
all of the arts and crafts for sale
was visible.
The festival was a
culmination of hard
work, volunteering, and
coordination. Despite the
delay due to the unfavorable
weather conditions, the Apple
Butter Festival was still an
event worth waiting for with
Southern charm that left
hundreds of faces smiling and
definitely a few full stomachs.
PHOTOS BY CHELSEA
YOHN/PLAINSMAN PRESS
dsmith9720@students.
southplainscollege.edu
Vintage 5k brings few mourners together in honor of slain Lubbock man
by ZACH
HOLLINGSWORTH
Associate
Editor
Zach Hollingsworth
The sun rose over the
News/Featureish
vineyards and the endless
fields surrounding the Llano
WC-1015
Estacado Winery as local
runners warmed up on the
Possible
Headline:
dew-covered
grass for the
day’s events.
Marathoners
gather to
The runners were arriving
by
the hundreds
for thefail
Texas
mourn
fallen runner,
Wine Vintage 5k and HalfMarathon event, hosted by
miserably
Llano Estacado and sponsored
by Carrera racing, which was
held on Oct. 5. They braved
The
rose over the
cold,sun
early-morning
weather
and over-eager press members,
vineyards
endless
all to run and
the the
13-mile
trail
which led away from and then
fields surrounding the
back to the winery, where
water bottles,
bananas,
Llano
Estacado
Wineryand,
as
yes, glasses of choice wine,
awaited
them. warmed up
local
runners
The event, however, was
notthe
strictly
for fun, grass
or for
on
dew-covered
the enjoyment of wine, live
for
the and
day’sphysical
events.activity.
music,
As Virginia Rodriguez, of
The
runners
Carrera
racing,were
a Sanarriving
Antoniobased “race production
by
the hundreds
for to
thethose
company,”
explained
assembled before the race was
Texas
Wine Vintage 5k
to begin, it was held in honor
of Matthew
Valadez. Valadez,
and
Half-Marathon
event,
a Lubbock resident originally
from Slaton,
was Estacado
killed in a
hosted
by Llano
hit-and-run accident in July of
and
sponsored
by Carrera
this year
while training
for the
Vintage 5k.
racing,
A mwhich
o m e n twas
o f held
silence
preceded the beginning of
on
5. They during
theOctober
half marathon,
which runners, supporters,
braved cold early morning
and employees of the winery
all quietly
their heads
weather
andhung
over-eager
in memory of Valadez, who
had been
a teacher.
This
press
members,
all to run
somber beginning was quickly
forgotten
as Rodriguez
bid the
the
13 mile
trail which
marathoners a great run, and
led
away and
to
to “…run
and then
drinkback
all you
want.”
theCarrera
winery,racing,
wherethewater
sponsor
for the event, holds 30 races
bottles,
and, yes,as
a year bananas,
around Texas,
glad everybody’s out here
having a good time.”
Outside, near the finish line,
stood a small group wearing
plain white T-shirts bearing
a Bible verse and a photo of
the deceased Valadez. Amid
the returning runners (who,
by this point, were trickling
i n ) , l a u g h t e r,
and general
merriment of
t h e d a y, t h e
group looked
forlorn as they
spoke among
themselves.
Surrounded
by smiling,
exhaustedlooking runners
and sign-bearing
supporters with
messages of
hope for other
runners, Rachel
M endez, w ho
had been dating
Valadez at the
time of his
death, stood
out. Valadez’s
immediate
family was
noticeably absent
from the event,
as were many
other supporters,
Runners begin the half marathon at the Texas Wine Half Marathon and 5k Series at the Llano Estacado and the white
shirts bearing his
Winery in Lubbock on Oct. 5. ALLISON TERRY/PLAINSMAN PRESS
likeness stood out
sharply,
as
there were only
facto
spokesman,
stood
in
this benefits the Southwest lite breakfast fare greeted no
four
of
them
at an event which
the
foyer
of
the
winery
amid
Parkinson’s Society locally, one.
was
ostensibly
dedicated to
and the Cancer Therapy
The 5kers quickly filed endless bottles and giant casks
and Research Center in San out through an inflatable of wine. He explained that his memory.
Mendez spoke at length
Antonio.”
arch bearing the slogan, there were hundreds of runners
with
the Plainsman Press about
participating
in
the
event,
A f t e r a b o u t 1 0 m o r e “Carpe Vinum!” or, roughly
Valadez,
her relationship with
minutes, the runners in the translated, “Seize the Wine,” which precipitated the need
5k lined up, stretching their which, charity and good-will for the large amounts of wine, him, and what the event would
have meant to him.
legs, putting in headphones for the deceased aside, was breakfast items, and pizza.
“He was a wonderful
“This
is
our
first
time
which led to tucked-away the main peg upon which the
person,”
Mendez remembered
iPhones, and chatted among sponsors (and runners) seemed to do this Carrera race, for
themselves, while family, to hang the purpose of the the Texas wine series,” said with a smile. “…He was
Laughin. “We had a pretty a s c i e n c e t e a c h e r, h e
friends, and supporters hid day’s proceedings.
under blankets and ran back
As the last of the runners good turnout…There (are) (participated) in Jiu Jitsu…
T h i s ( t h e Vi n t a g e 5 k )
and forth jockeying for made their way out of sight about 350 runners in this.”
Laughin added, “I’m just was going to be his first
position to get the perfect along the safely-marked trail
Rodriguez explained, and
is operated with a mind for
charity.
“Every race that we have is
benefiting a nonprofit,” said
Rodriguez. “The wineries that
host our races choose a local
nonprofit…and we choose a
nonprofit in San Antonio. So
photo of the runners in flight.
Rodriguez again called for
the race to begin, informing
the runners that there would
be wine waiting for them when
they returned. She spoke from
underneath a giant tent with
empty tables laid out in a grid
where Starbucks coffee and
which led along the country
road, the caterers and wine
servers began milling about,
preparing the refreshments
the returning large number of
marathoners and 5kers would
soon need.
Mike Laughin, the tasting
room manager for the Llano
Estacado Winery and its de
(marathon)… He was super
psyched about it. He got up
every morning at 5 (and ran).”
She had dated Valadez
when they were both in high
school, and had grown out
of touch in the intervening
years (Valadez was 38 at the
time of his death). They had
reconnected, however, around
Christmas of 2013, growing
steadily more serious during
the next six months.
“He had become a really
large part of our life,” explained
Mendez. “He attended my
daughter’s graduation.”
Mendez and her daughter
were participating in the
5k portion of the event, in
memory of Valadez, which
was a decision that was hard
for them to make.
“We weren’t going to do
it…because everything that
happened,” said Mendez.
“I stopped running for two
months. But we started talking
about this… We need to do
this, so we decided to… just
for him.”
Mendez called the event a
“wonderful dedication,” and
said that the family would be
proud of their son, and the
event. As for Valadez, Mendez
said, “Matt would have been
very proud, and honored if he
was here.”
Mendez then disappeared
back into the ever-swelling
crowd of returning
marathoners, each of whom
seemed to be completely
oblivious to the meaning
behind her shirt bearing the
image of the man she had lost.
The sun was fully up, the food
was arriving, the run was over,
and the wine was soon to be
poured. With all of this, who
had time to mourn the loss of
one of their own?
zhollingsworth7184@
students.southplainscollege.
edu
OPINION
Plainsman Press
7
October 13, 2014
Back Alli Review: Texas chain brings burgers with twist
by ALLISON TERRY
Editor-in-Chief
String lights brighten the
ceiling to illuminate old
decorative doors hung over
the bar, which is encircled
with keg barstools and
features Shiner Bock on
tap. An acoustic guitar,
violin, and array of other
instruments placed on the
entrance wall remind of
country melodies and echo
the back wall’s promise of
live music on weekends. A
giant Texas is lit on the wall
in glass bottles.
“Princess Leia,” calls out
an employee on a vintage
microphone, and a hungry
couple claims their meal.
Unauthentic autographs
of country performance
artists line a wall with
praise for the Texas-based
restaurant, screaming the
Twisted Root Burger Co.’s
theme. “A Christmas Story”
leg lamp stands proudly
nearby. Sizeable garage
door-like windows fastened
shut could open up to a
couple of large outdoor
patios when the weather
is nice, so customers could
notice the strategic location
beside the Alamo Drafthouse,
just off of North Loop 289 in
Lubbock.
A handmade sign by the
cashier reads, “Hi guys! It’s
just day 5 for us! Please be
nice, we scare easily.” It’s
signed with a smiley face and
a promise of tattling on mean
customers to Chuck Norris.
The delicious-looking
assembly line constructed
my “Freshman 15” burger
as I filled my cup with the
cleverly-named Twisted Root
Beer from the soda fountain,
noticing its sweet, but not
overpowering, flavor.
I traded in my Ron Jeremy
name card t he ca shier
had awarded my dining
companion and I when
ordering, and prepared
mentally for the burger
combination of cheddar
melted onto French fries
smashed against the patty,
with bacon topping a fried
egg, all encompassed in a
sesame seed bun.
Struggling to eat this
guilty combination, I decided
the oversized nature of the
burger was part of the charm,
rather than an annoyance.
Initially awkward, it
took me a couple of bites
to ease into this complex
arrangement, until I began
to enjoy what can only be
clearly defined as comfort
food. The fries offset the
almost breakfast-like
creation of the crisp bacon,
blanket of cheese and overmedium egg, making it more
reminiscent of the fast food
locales lining College Avenue
in Levelland, of which SPC
students are all too familiar.
Though the burger was
shamefully delicious, I was
finished after about half
of the burger, as I am still
recovering from my own
freshman 15.
“Ke$ha,” announced a
Twisted Root staff member,
as I bit into the side order of
fried pickles.
I promise I will never eat
another fried pickle from any
bowling alley after tasting
these perfectly battered
beauties. The addictive
flavor consisted of a delicate
balance of the perfect sour,
sweet, and fried blend I have
been dreaming of since my
visit. The serving of spiced
ranch dressing only added
to the excitement.
Insisting I try his burger,
my fiancé, dedicated to
me (and apparently food
columns), passed his
“Enough Said” burger across
the table.
Upon trying this assembly
w i t h a g e d c h e d d a r, a
bacon ranch sauce, and
interestingly enough, potato
chips, I envied his order.
It had a satisfying crunch
from the chips, yet remained
gentle enough to fully enjoy
the sophisticated flavor from
the cheddar and surprisingly
enchanting sauce. With a
knowing look from my man,
I knew it was enough said.
A customer christened
Danica Patrick received her
order as I grabbed a handful
of sweet potato chips.
The average potato
wo u l d b e p ro u d to b e
transformed into these
naturally sweetened, thin
and crispy twists. Although
thoroughly proving to be fun,
the only off-putting factor of
these chips was the slightly
uncomfortable greasiness.
Fortunately, paper towel
holders are built into the
tables.
Completing my outing to
the new restaurant, I finished
my fried pickles, saluted the
Willie Nelson portrait on
the wall, and made a mental
note to try the “Big Tex” or
“Verde” burger on the next
trip, which I anticipate will
be soon.
Lubbock’s Twisted Root
Burger Co. deserves 4 stars.
girls who were kidnapped
and tortured, never to be seen
again. It was to scare me
into thinking that I’m not
invincible, that something
horrific could happen to
anyone, even me.
Sexual assault, sexual
harassment and rape crimes
happen every day in today’s
society. The victims are not
always women, but females do
tend to be a target of aggression
more often.
On Sept. 15, a Texas Tech
University student reported
being sexually assaulted in a
locker room in the basement
of the Student Recreation
Center. The young student
immediately admitted herself
to University Medical Center,
and the University Police
Department was alerted of
the incident later that night.
The victim was unable to
identify her attacker or provide
a description. According to
campus police at Tech, they are
continuing the investigation
and are unable to confirm if
this is a continued threat.
A mass email was sent
out to students, faculty, and
staff containing safety tips,
such as: being aware of one’s
surroundings, keeping a
charged cellphone on your
person, avoiding wearing
headphones, and travelling in
groups.
Rape and sexual assault
have become somewhat of
a normal concept in today’s
society, and it’s disturbing.
It’s disgusting when people
can joke about something as
serious as rape and not think
anything of it.
A Texas Tech fraternity, Phi
Delta Theta, joked about rape
culture, not too long after the
sexual assault happened at
the Recreation Center. They
hung a banner saying, “NO
MEANS YES,” and included
a graphic and disgusting
reference to a sexual act. For
that act, the fraternity was
suspended indefinitely, once a
task force reviewed the Greek
organizations and found the
banner and cutouts of other
obscenities.
Neither rape nor sexual
assault is something to joke
about, and I’m completely
sickened by the fraternity’s
decision to even think that
this kind of “humor” was
acceptable.
So, why is it that young
girls are being taught how
to defend themselves, and
how to make themselves go
unnoticed so that they are not
the target of a sexual assault?
Why are we not teaching
everyone that rape is wrong
and sexual assault is wrong,
and that neither should ever be
committed? Yes, I do feel as if
everyone should know some
sort of self-defense. It is very
useful. But women AND men
shouldn’t have to be worried
about being attacked when
they go out.
It’s ridiculous that I have to
be aware of my surroundings
in the parking lot of Walmart
because I’m scared of being
abducted and attacked. I
shouldn’t have to hold my
keys like I’m expecting to be
assaulted by someone while
walking to my car. I shouldn’t
be wondering if I’m drawing
too much attention with my
outfit. I just shouldn’t have
to worry about the actions of
others. Unfortunately, being a
small, young, female college
student, I do.
Rape culture is a critical
concern in today’s society,
and we can’t keep letting this
go on. This young, ambitious
Texas Tech student should
not have had to go through
her attack. Because of it, her
life is forever changed. As a
society, we need to be doing
more to end this cycle of
sexual assault.
aterry8911@students.southplainscollege.edu
Alleged assault at TTU sparks
anger over rape culture in society
by MEGAN PEREZ
Entertainment Editor
Growing up, I was always
warned by my mother to be
careful when going out.
I was constantly reminded
to always keep an eye on my
drinks and never leave them
unattended, to never leave
with anyone I didn’t know,
to never let someone else
make my drink, to always
have someone I trust walk
me to my car at night, and to
always use the buddy system,
because going somewhere
alone is a dangerous idea.
I was taught by my father
how to hold my keys in order
to defend myself, how to
observe my surroundings,
and what to
do if I’m ever
in a grave
situation.
And, believe
it or not, I
learned all of
these things
by the time
I was in
sixth grade.
I was 11 and
already being
taught how
to defend
myself from
the world.
I was told
horror stories
by my uncle,
who works
with Lubbock
P o l i c e
A “Freshman 15” burger is served at the Twisted Root Burger Co. in Lubbock on Sept. 30. ALLISON Department,
about young
TERRY/PLAINSMAN PRESS
Man on the Street
mperez2143@students.southplainscollege.edu
compiled by Devin Reyna &
Skylar Hernandez
What app do you use the most besides social media, and why?
“I use YouTube, because
I like watching weird and
funny things.”
“iHeart Radio. I like to listen
to random music.”
Estella Castillo
Art
Freshman
Anton
Thomas Yanis
Automotive Collision and
Repair
Freshman
Muleshoe
“Audio Manager. It’s an
App that hides pictures and
texts.”
Jordan Ruiz
Petroleum Engineering
Freshman
Seagraves
“YouTube, because it’s resourceful, educational, motivational, inspirational,
and entertaining.”
Micheal Angelo Rodriguez
Commercial Music
Sophomore
Idalou
“Wattpad, because I like to
read.”
“Pandora, because I like
music.”
Lisa Lacy
Art Major
Sophomore
Abernathy
Thomas Hallford
International Business
Sophomore
Big Spring
8
October 13, 2014
FEATURE
Plainsman Press
Former soldier, graduate seeking new career
A f t e r h i s m i l i t a r y his son lives and goes to school that no one else wants to do,” wearable gear, “which is your
experience, Newman attended in Lubbock.
says Newman, with a laugh. trousers, your top, your hood,
“They have different teams, “From a dad standpoint, I your gloves, and your hat,”
South Plains College for three
years, graduating last spring. and I want to be doing the stuff might want to think about that says Newman. “You have a
minute to do that, and
He currently is enrolled in
then you have another
the SPC Fire Academy that
minute to turn on your
began this semester.
oxygen bottle, your
“The Fire-Fighting
air bottle, get that all
Academy is very military
strapped down, your
structured, so you know, it
[Editor’s note: This story is
mask on.”
helps me,” says Newman.
the fifth part of a multi-part
Other safety
“But there were things I
series, “Soldiers Matters,”
p
r
ecautions are
didn’t know about it, so you
addressing the issues veterlearned in the fall.
learn more and more.”
ans face when reintegrating
“ We ’ r e j u s t
Though
the
veteran
into civilian life. It begins
slowly
getting into
e
n
j
o
y
s
p
u
r
s
u
i
n
g
h
i
s
in Issue 1 and continues
e
v
e
r
y
t
h
ing,” says
e d u c a t i o n p r e s e n t l y,
through Issue 6.]
Newman. “All of the
unlike his certainty
cool stuff happens in
when joining the Army,
Some children claim they
the springtime where
he
debated
his
colligate
want to be a doctor when they
we get to fight fires
path. Newman initially
grow up.
and do all of that good
was a general studies
A farmer, a ballerina,
stuff.”
major, then began taking
an astronaut, a princess, a
While receiving
pre-requisites
for
nursing
football player are all viable
training,
the veteran
school after speaking with
options for the young.
notes that it can still
Julia Brown, the college’s
Most change their mind
be difficult at times to
veteran counselor. Soon
quite often, from one vocation
obtain the monetary
after
being
accepted
into
a
to another and another.
funds to pay for his
nursing program, the new
But South Plains College
education.
graduate had a change of
student Jason Newman says
“Sometimes the
heart and registered in the
that he always knew he wanted
military’s
messed up
Fire
Academy.
to become a soldier.
my
pay,
as
far
as the GI
“It’s fun more than
“Ever since I was a little
bill and school getting
anything,” says Newman,
kid, I played with Army men,”
the paperwork in time,
of the one school yearsays the 30-year-old veteran.
or not getting the right
length
academy.
“You’re
“I liked watching “Rambo,”
amount of hours,”
still doing something
all of the military movies that
admits Newman,
honorable for everybody
were out. I always wanted to
noting the non-profit
else; you still get to help
do that.”
veteran assistance
people.”
Born and raised in
organization Vetstar
He admits the Lubbock
Lubbock, Texas, Newman
has helped him a
Fire Department is difficult
went to Monterey High School
couple of times when
to get on to, with the high
and joined the United States
rate
of
graduates
applying
Army Veteran Jason Newman, 30, describes his military background the government has
Army right after graduation,
to the department. Yet, at Gatsby’s Coffeehouse in Lubbock on Sept. 26. ALLISON TERRY/ been short on his
prior to attending SPC.
payments.
Newman wishes to become PLAINSMAN PRESS
“No one in my family
“It’s the sense of
a part of LFD’s team, since
had been in the Army,” says
other people being out
a little more. I want to work there to help you in a time
here in Lubbock and try to do of need,” says Newman, of
as much as I can on the Fire Vetstar. “…The transition of
military life to civilian life is
and a half-brother in San 1981. They found a picture
McInturff said she feels like Department, as far as rescue
by CHESANIE
big, and finding a job, like,
Antonio, Texas. She called on a website and the phrase, the circle was complete. She type stuff.”
BRANTLEY
In the academy, early ‘Hey, I’ve been in the military
her half-sister. She said the “Living and loving life in knows where she came from
Editorial Assistant
for the last four years.’ A lot
first thing her half-sister said BC.” McInturff said she knew and filled the void when she training consists of a review
drill of quickly putting on gear of people don’t care. Having
Lori McInturff was adopted was that she had known about BC meant British Columbia. found her brother.
those [veteran organizations]
just three days after she was her all along.
She said she stored that in her
“It just makes my heart and fire fighting equipment.
in place is awesome for us to
born.
“That totally took us by mind as she began posting on happy,” McInturff said with a According to Newman, the
firefighters in training are have something to fall back
She would not know she surprise,” says McInturff. “It social media websites such as smile. on.”
timed for two minutes.
was adopted until she was 8 really hurt my feelings.”
Facebook. She didn’t have
You are allowed one
cbrantley1714@students.
years old.
aterry8911@students.southHer half-sister continued to any luck.
min
u te to p ut o n y o u r
southplainscollege.edu
“It was very
plainscollege.edu
Tw o y e a r s
disturbing when
ago, she had an
I found out,”
urge to post on
the Levelland
Craigslist.
resident recalls.
“I knew it was
“I wanted them
God,” McInturff
to be my real
recalled.
parents.”
It took her a
The search for
while to post,
her biological
because she said
family began.
she thought the
McInturff said
idea was just
she had a void
crazy. She said
that needed to
she thought
be filled. She From left, Ian, Rocky Jr., Lori and Rocky Sr. McInturff nobody looks at
recalled needing pose in their Levelland kitchen on Sept. 30.
that.
to know where
Finally, on
CHESANIE BRANTLEY/PLAINSMAN PRESS
she came from,
April 27, 2012,
but she had no
she went to
idea how to start.
tell about the family McInturff Craigslist armed with a photo
H e r h u s b a n d , R o c k y never knew. She found out she and a name, Matt Baeumont.
M c I n t u r f f , w o r k e d o n was the product of an affair She said she had decided to
computers. With his help, that caused a lot of problems. post in one town every day
she began posting on every
“It caused a divorce, and until she got an answer. The
adoption site she could find, back in those days that was a first town on the list was
but without luck.
no no,” McInturff said.
Victoria, Canada. She posted,
Then she got a call.
Her half sister also informed and then two hours later she
“Right before Christmas McInturff that she had a full- got a response. She had found
2011, I got an email that was blood brother.
her brother.
followed by call from a lady
Upon hearing that, she
For a while McInturff, her
that is a Search Angel out of made it her personal mission husband and two sons would
Austin, Texas ,” McInturff to find her brother.
talk to Baeumont every day
recalled.
“We found out he had grown using Skype. They met face to
Her name was Connie Gray, up around the Eddie, Texas, face a couple of days before
and she had a special number area,” McInturff said, “and the McInturff’s 50th birthday.
for McInturff.
funny thing is, we’ve lived in The company Baeumont
“She said, ‘If this number Waco, which is right down the worked for paid for him to
matches your birth certificate, road from there.”
travel to Texas to meet his
then this is your real family,”
Her half-sister also told her sister face to face.
McInturff recalled. “I was that her brother was 15 months
The two do not speak as
shocked.”
younger than her.
much as now they used to.
She went to the courthouse
H a v i n g t h i s n e w Baeumont has since moved
and asked them to see if the information, Rocky went to Montgomery, Texas. They
numbers matched. They did.
online and searched Eddie, mostly keep in touch through
McInturff has a half-sister Texas, graduates in the year Facebook.
by ALLISON TERRY
Editor-in-Chief
Newman. “I had an aunt and
uncle that had been in the Air
Force. So, it wasn’t family
history by any means. My
senior year of high school
was when September 11th
happened. So, I definitely
wanted to do something about
that.”
His military career totals
eight years, combining
different deployments.
Newman estimates about
four and a half years were
dedicated to the Army, and
three and a half years were
spent as a National Guard
reservist.
“Not many 18-year-olds
can say they deployed to Iraq,”
says Newman, who was a part
of Eleven Bravo and had two
deployments with the 101st
Airborne Division. “This was
the initial invasion… That was
an eye-opening experience,
and the things we got to see
and the different part of the
world I got to see, has shown
a lot to me now and made me
the person who I am today.”
Newman notes that the
norm for most in their late
teens and early 20s is getting
an education and spending
time with friends on weekends,
which contrasts with the
development within military
life.
“Growing up in the military
is what we call it,” explains
Newman, “because when you
go in at 18, you’re still a kid,
and you grow up through the
military and you get discipline
and other things instilled in
you.”
Local woman finds long lost brother on Craigslist
9
FEATURE
Plainsman Press
October 13, 2014
Gay-Straight Alliance supports local LGBT community
changes that are being made on
a local level. While there are
those who refuse to evolve in
their way of thinking, there are
LGBT. It is an acronym that
also people who are willing to
could stand for many things,
pick up the torch and stimulate
such as tolerance, acceptance,
progress, much like the GSA
and progress. But the actual
at SPC.
meaning of this acronym is to
The Gay-Straight Alliance
describe a demographic that
(GSA)
is a group that works
has not always been received
hand in hand with the LGBT
in the best ways.
community in the fight for
LGBT stands for the
basic rights and liberties, along
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
with the understanding of the
transgender community, a
surrounding community.
community
“It’s an organization
that has moved
that is growing in
through the
numbers every year,”
years from
says Carlton. “Lubbock
strictly taboo
has several organizations
status to
for the LGBT community.
one of near
Slowly but surely, we see
acceptance.
these groups becoming
“It is a
more normalized.”
community
Dr. Sarah English,
of sexualities
professor
of psychology,
beyond just
has been involved with
the binary
the GSA for a number of
sexualities that
years since she arrived at
we think of as
SPC
faculty
member
Slerica
Pierce
at
Lubbock
SPC. When Dr. English
straight or gay”
said Zachary Pride with the college’s Gay-Straight Alliance first got started with the
C a r l t o n , poster at the Rawlings Community Center in GSA, she recalls that
the number of members
instructor of Lubbock on Aug. 23.
was dwindling and the
government at ALLISON TERRY/PLAINSMAN PRESS
group was only allotted
SPC. “It also
45 minutes to meet on the
includes all the
other issues that come up that discriminated against for their SPC campus. Since then, the
are major political issues.”
personal beliefs, to a degree group has continued to grow.
“I was so surprised when
With the assistance of that LGBT people have been
I got to SPC and there was a
the American Civil Liberties denied basic human rights.
U n i o n ( A CLU) and the
While the ACLU battles for GSA,” says Dr. English. “This
enforcement of the LGBT the rights of a demographic is a very conservative area. We
project, an initiative that on the federal platform, it’s have grown into a big program.
works toward a society in important to take notice of It meets for two hours, twice
by JOSHUA RAMIREZ
Editorial Assistant
which lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender people partake
in the rights of equality,
privacy, personal autonomy,
and freedom of expression,
real progress has been made.
The ACLU started the
LGBT project in 1986 in hopes
of not just persuading judges
and congressmen from their
original thoughts about the
LGBT community, but as a
way to change society’s views
of a group that has long been
a month, and we even have for the GSA come from the
eight faculty involved, which complaints or discomfort
is really important. It’s really of individuals. “We have to
an education thing.”
struggle, because we do have
The GSA takes
part in many
events around the
community that
range from movie
night to displays at
the annual Texas
Tech drag show.
“We’re really
an active group,”
adds Dr. English.
“It’s essentially
for people who are
gay and straight,
but the focus is on
education about the
LGBT community.”
Dr. English has
praise for SPC
students, saying
that most people,
gay or straight,
think the GSA is Ember Fowler, left, embraces
a positive factor Kristina Brown at Lubbock Pride in
for the community. Lubbock on Aug. 23.
H o w e v e r, s o m e ALLISON TERRY/PLAINSMAN
people are not
PRESS
always so accepting
of the GSA or the
LGBT.
complaints from parents,
“I personally have talked students or other faculty and
to a few students that came to staff,” said Dr. English.
orientation and saw our GSA
While the GSA encounters
booth and wanted to talk to some struggles, Dr. English
us, but they couldn’t because says that young adults are
they are not out,” said Carlton, gradually becoming more
“and their parents are against a c c e p t i n g o f t h e L G B T
homosexuality.”
community.
With naysayers in the
“Every generation is
community, many obstacles way more accepting,” said
Dr. English. “Things are so
moving fast for Gay-Straight
acceptance.”
Thanks to the GSA, students
have also found they don’t
have to be shunned or pushed
out by their religious beliefs.
“That spiritual need is
so important too,” said Dr.
English, “because so many
gay and straight people around
here have a lot of religious
faith, and sometimes that faith
kicks them out. But there are
places for them to explore
their spirituality, acceptance,
and faith with some wonderful
churches and people.”
With new students of all
backgrounds and orientations
coming and going every day at
SPC, the members of the GSA
make it a priority to welcome
every student with open arms,
and invite everyone to attend
their meetings held every
second and fourth Thursday at
7:30 p.m. at the Reece Center
campus.
“The GSA meetings are a
safe place,” said Carlton, “and
we take that very seriously.
If someone is straight and
wants to come to support the
community or learn more
about it, no one is there to
change anyone’s mind or to
convert anyone. It’s just there
to foster a spirit of community,
equality, and understanding”
jramirez5196@students.southplainscollege.edu
Marin lectures on Chicano culture, art at Texas Tech University
by DORA SMITH
Opinion Editor
Chicano culture is gaining
visibility with the help of a
passionate advocate whose
focus in life has turned from
entertaining to educating.
Legendary comedian
Cheech Marin visited Lubbock
to present his art collection
titled, “Chicanitas: Small
Paintings from the Cheech
Marin Collection.” Marin
gave a lecture on Oct. 3 at the
Allen Theatre on the campus
of Texas Tech University.
Marin, of “Cheech and
Chong” fame, has been
collecting art for years.
Previously, he toured a
collection titled, “Chicano
Visions,” and published a book
showcasing the pieces within
that collection. A book has also
been published for the new
“Chicanitas” collection.
“The word Chicano was
originally a derisive term from
Mexicans to other Mexicans
l i v i n g i n t h i s c o u n t r y, ”
explained Marin. “The concept
being that Mexicans living in
this country were no longer
Mexicanos, because they
had left their country. They
were something less. They
were smaller. They were little
chicos, little chicanos.”
Though the term chicano
has varying definitions, Marin
presented his own.
“Every Chicano has a
different definition, but this
is mine,” he said. “Take my
word for it.”
He recalls the moment that
he adopted the Chicano label
for himself, having watched
his uncle refuse to be taken
advantage of by a mechanic
and instead insisting he could
do it himself for much cheaper.
“That’s a Chicano,” says
Marin of the memory. “He
has the can-do spirit. He’s not
going to get ripped off, he’s
going to stand up for his rights,
and he’s going to actually
accomplish things. That’s what
I am.”
Chicano art is important
not only to serve as a cultural
snapshot of a headstrong
people, but as
a res p o n s e t o a
growing population
shift in the United
States, according to
Marin.
“We are in the
midst of the biggest
demographic
change ever in
the history of the
country, because we
are in the midst of Cheech Marin shows his Chino art collection at the Texas Tech University Allen
the biggest wave of Theatre in Lubbock on Oct. 3. JENNY GARZA/PLAINSMAN PRESS
immigration ever
in the history of majority arising, the country come back more than once knowledge is passed around.
the country, chiefly must be educated about a to get the full impact. He Marin says that a movement
from Mexico,” says culture that may often be describes his own experience to embrace the Latino and
overlooked.
viewing art in a museum and Chicano cultures has begun.
Marin.
“This is the most benevolent making comparisons between Touring with his own favorite
The change,
Marin says, does not face you’re ever going to see the small works and the large, pieces of Chicano art is one of
come exclusively of this coming phenomenon,” tapestry-size works that attract his ways of contributing.
“These art tours are to
from immigrants says Marin of the Chicano art attention immediately.
“I walked into the Vermeer embrace this movement and
moving into the movement. “This is a gift that
United States, but we’re giving to the country. room [at the museum] and see how it can best benefit
also from an internal What are the feelings of these they were tiny, and the power all of us,” says Marin, who is
difference in birth people? What are their ideas? that was emanating from those scheduled to tour these pieces
What are their beliefs? The pictures…” Marin says. “I across the country and spread
diversity.
“Of all children best way to communicate realized in one second that size their impact.
Marin’s visit to Lubbock is
born in the United that, I think, is through art, doesn’t matter.”
because
a
picture
is
worth
Using
art,
large
or
small,
part
of the TTU Presidential
States last year,
as a universal medium to Lecture and Performance
50.6 percent were 1,000 words.”
Marin’s
collection
features
communicate the history and Series. “Chicanitas: Small
Latino,” Marin says,
v
e
r
y
s
m
a
l
l
p
i
e
c
e
s
t
h
a
t
customs of Chicanos from the Paintings from the Cheech
citing the Bureau
communicate
those
1,000
people themselves to the rest of Marin Collection” will be on
of Statistics. “If
I’m doing my math words. He believes there is an the public is an accessible way display at the TTU School of
Art Landmark Gallery until
right, that’s the added intimacy to paintings to educate a broad audience.
that
are
smaller.
Marin
says
With
such
a
significant
shift
Dec. 14, 2014.
majority.”
that
the
viewer
must
get
closer,
in
the
ethnic
diversity
of
the
Marin believes
dsmith9720@students.souththat with a new study the work harder, and country, it is important that
plainscollege.edu
10
FEATURE
October 13, 2014
Plainsman Press
Hartin lives out broadcast journalism dream
by BRITTANY BROWN
Sports Editor
Not everybody gets to live
out their dreams on a daily
basis.
Christy Hartin, a South
Plains College graduate, does
just that.
Hartin, who was born and
raised in Levelland, attended
SPC from 1998 to 2000.
She was very involved at
SPC, participating in student
government, speech and
debate, as well as many
other programs. However,
Hartin is still upset about
her loss in the Miss Caprock
competition, despite being
named “Lubbock’s Hottest
News Anchor” twice.
“I did lose Miss Caprock;
I was not the attractive girl,”
Hartin says with a laugh,
“and nobody wanted me on
Homecoming court.”
Making the decision to
attend SPC was not a very
difficult one for Hartin. Her
father, John Hartin, was a
professor on campus for 30
years and helped start the
commercial music program
and the Creative Arts
Department.
“In my family, South Plains
College was like 13th and 14th
grade,”says Hartin. “We all
went to South Plains.”
Hartin originally set her
degree plan to pre-dental,
with plans of becoming an
orthodontist.
“I had a horrible under bite;
I looked like a bulldog,” Hartin
recalls with a laugh. “My
orthodontist fixed my teeth,
so I was like, ‘That’s what I
want to do!”
Hartin began studying to
pursue her undergraduate
degree in pre-dentistry. It
wasn’t until her high school
theatre director gave her the
opportunity to go to New
York that she realized she was
interested in broadcasting.
“We got to go see the
“Today Show” and all the
behind-the-scenes stuff, and I
was like, ‘That’s kind of fun,”
says Hartin.
After getting the OK from
her parents, Hartin went to
John Sparks, then chair of the
Communications Department
and broadcast journalism
professor at SPC, to learn success in broadcast journalism hear other people’s stories opinion, whether they should
everything she needed to and does not see herself ever and becoming more aware of or not.
“Just be well read, and have
know about broadcasting. doing anything else.
issues close to home.
Her passion for writing and
“I’ll die in this career,”
“Being involved with the thick skin, because everyone is
wanting to know what was explains Hartin. “This will be U-Can Share Food Drive made a critic,” says Hartin.
Hartin suggests that students
going on in the world gave her what I do. Doesn’t matter if I’m me more aware of how many
an edge in the field.
on air or writing, producing, people were affected by hunger going into broadcasting or
journalism take advantage of
“I love to write, and I love this field excites me.”
in the area,” says Hartin
the hot topics of what’s going
Hartin says that it is the
During her 15 years in all the opportunities provided
on in the world,” says Hartin.
Hartin credits her career
to Sparks and Billy Alonzo,
assistant professor of radio,
television, and film.
“I literally owe my career
path to both of them,” says
Hartin.
Hartin has been with KCBD
News Channel 11 for all of her
career.
“They got me my internship
at the TV station 15 years
ago,” she adds, “and if it
weren’t for them, Idon’t know
that I would’ve had a way to
get a job.”
She started as an in-studio
camera operator, a behind-thescenes position, until one day
she was thrown into anchoring.
“I got called in,” Hartin
recalls. “They were like ‘Oh
my gosh, you have to anchor
this weekend. There’s nobody
here.’”
Completely unprepared
and only having on-screen
experience from being on
SPC-TV, she agreed.
“I wore no make-up what
so ever…I had no clue,” she
adds. “I had never been on
TV.”
Since that day, at age 20,
Hartin has been an anchor South Plains College alum Christy Hartin, talks of her college experiences and
for KCBD.
memories in Lubbock on Oct. 1. SKYLAR HERNANDEZ/PLAINSMAN PRESS
Hartin continued her
education at Texas Tech constant changes all over broadcasting, Hartin has also by the Communications
University after leaving SPC. the world that keep her job learned that everyone has an Department at SPC.
“Go to SPC!” says Hartin.
She finished her broadcast interesting, as well as getting opinion, and it’s not always
“You can’t get the handsdegree plan while studying to be one of the few people accurate or nice.
Spanish and English as well. others go to for news.
“We get everything from ‘I on, one-on-one experience
All throughout college,
“Things change so much, hate your hair’ to ‘your make- anywhere else.”
Catch Hartin in action
Hartin worked full-time and every story has a story,” up is horrible, or why are you
while never taking less than says Hartin.
wearing that?’” Hartin says weekdays on Channel 11
delivering the news for the 4
20 credit hours.
Some of the moments that with a laugh.
“I know that my career have touched her life the most
H a r t i n e n c o u r a g e s p.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts, as
path would not have turned while working in broadcasting students who are interested in well as at 10 p.m. on Sundays.
out the same if I hadn’t, and don’t always include being broadcasting to be aware of
I’m really happy where I asked for an autograph or to the fact that the job isn’t all
am,” says Hartin.
take a picture. More often, it “glitz and glamour” and most bbrown8223@students.southHartin has had a lot of is getting to experience and people are going to voice their plainscollege.edu
ENTERTAINMENT
Plainsman Press
11
October 13, 2014
Austin City Limits festival helps keep music scene original
by CAITLIN WELBORN
Feature Editor
guys, Blake Sennett and Jarrod
Garbel, who started the band.
They created a special vibe
AUSTIN -- Crowds of people
with their unique music to start
rush to the entrance. There’s
off the three day festival.
a roar of conversation about
After the Night Terrors of
how the festival is going to be
1927, came a move
a blast and what artists they
to the Miller Lite
plan to see.
stage, where the
The cause of this comTemples, founded
motion is the Austin City
by Tom Warmsley
Limits music festival which
and James Bagshaw,
takes place each year on the
were playing. Their
46-acres of Zilker Park.
a l m o s t - 1 9 6 0 ’s This festival is one of the
sound owned the
biggest held each year in
crowd, keeping the
Austin. It takes place during
songs up beat with
two weekends, spanning a
lots of guitar. Their
three-day period when more
psychedelic sound
than 130 artists perform for
was one made for
the crowd.
both pumping up a
The two weekends chosen
crowd and chilling
this year, the 13th edition of
them out. It was a
ACL, were Oct. 3- Oct. 5 and
set worth seeing, a
Oct. 10- Oct. 12.
real crowd pleaser.
Eight stages are set up, all
From there, a
sponsored by different comhuge crowd moved
panies. This year, the biggest
toward the Samstages were the Honda Stage
sung Galaxy stage
Icona Pop preforms on the Miller
set up at one end of the park,
to see Capital Citand the Samsung Galaxy stage Lite stage on Oct. 4.
ies, who
set up at the other
p e r end. On these stages,
formed
the closing artist/
a wonband will play at
derful
the same time, givset with
ing the audience a
s o m e
chance to see some
of their
headlining artists.
m o r e
Those artists includfamous,
ed Beck, Outkast,
songs
Skrillex, Eminem,
such as
Pearl Jam, and Cal“Safe
vin Harris.
a n d
The festival
Sound”
starts off on Friday
a n d
morning with the Lead singer Sean Van Vleet of Empires rocks the
“Kanfirst round of artists.
Honda stage on Oct. 4.
garoo
More than one artist
Court,”
will play at certain
Night Terrors of 1927, playing along with their newest song,
times on different stages, givtheir set on Friday morning on “One Minute More.”
ing those attending the option
After Capital Cities, there
the Retail Me Not stage. They
of roaming the park to listen to
was
quite a crowd at the Miller
started the energy for the day.
more than one of their favorite
The group consists of two Lite stage again, where fans
bands.
Throughout the first day,
fans went crazy finding and
deciding which bands were
playing where and who they
wanted to see.
Opening up the day was
MKTO attracts teens to annual
fair with classic pop sound
by CHELSEA YOHN
with their girlfriends. The evolved in the past years,
guys were quite a bit less in their songs “American
Editorial Assistant
Screaming. Security. enthused to be standing in Dream” and “Thank You.”
a room with hundreds of The band also sang some
Soaring hormones.
Each year, the Panhan- screaming girls watching romantic and heartfelt songs
dle South Plains Fair hosts two guys sing teen pop such as “God Only Knows”
and their most famous song,
several big-name artists to songs.
The screaming began “Classic.”
play concerts throughout
Though this was a smalllong before Kelley and Oller
the week.
er
venue for a concert,
(MKTO)
even
made
an
This year, MKTO, which
stands for Malcolm Kelley appearance on stage. Once there was still security to
and Tony Oller, an up-and- the lights turned off and the protect the all-too-handcoming teen pop sensation, band members made their some boy band from the
obsessive fangirls.
made an
There was one big ,
appearance
tough-looking secuat the South
rity guard standing
Plains Fair
at the front telling
in Lubbock
people to get out
on Sept. 24.
of the aisle and go
The
back to their seats.
concert was
On a couple of
free, but
different occasions
participants
during the conhad to pick
cert, the security
up tickets at
guard had his
one of a few
back turned while
d i f f e r e n t Singer Malcolm Kelley of MKTO performs at the
a couple girls who
locations as
Panhandle South Plains Fair in Lubbock on Sept. 24. had been trying
well as buy
to get closer seat
a d m i s s i o n CHELSEA YOHN/ PLAINSMAN PRESS
made a run for the
into the fair
to be admitted into the con- way to the stage, the crowd front. One girl specifically,
cert. There were young and in Fair Park Coliseum erupt- sprinted to the front of the
dedicated fans waiting for ed in high-pitched screams. concert to get a better picThe band opened the ture of the stars. The secuthe doors to open as early as
1 p.m. The concert started show with “Could Be Me,” rity guard turned around and
at 7:30 p.m. and lasted until followed by several oth- saw the girls at the front and
er songs from their first turned his flashlight, while
about 9 p.m.
Despite the massive rain- self-tilted album, “MKTO,” yelling “Hey!” “Go back to
storm and flooding in Lub- which was released earlier your seats!” and ran down
bock during the hours head- this year. This teen dream the aisle to remove the girl.
ing up to the concert, it was duo from California met As she was escorted back to
a full house, packed with after both were cast in a her seat she shouted over the
overly stimulated young Nickelodeon television se- noise, “I don’t care, at least
I got my picture.”
girls ranging from 10 to ries, “Gigantic,” in 2010.
M
K
T
O
s
a
n
g
s
o
n
g
s
grown women. There were
a few teenage guys who about the poor condition cyohn1234@southplainscolmost likely got drug along of the world and how it has lege.edu
waited with eager anticipation to see Sam Smith.
Packed almost shoulder to
shoulder, those in the crowd
were hyped up with energy.
When Sam Smith hit the
stage, the crowd cheered. He
opened up his set by saying
how excited he was to be in
Austin for the first time. He
began with songs from his
latest album, “In the Lonely
Hour.” Some of the more
notable songs were “Money On My Mind” (one of Benjamin Booker plays on the Austin Ventures stage at
his first singles), and “Stay ACL in Austin on Oct. 4
with Me” (which has been
songs (at least for me) was crowd made their way to the
his new biggest hit), which
made it all the way to the num- “Eye Makeup,” also known as Samsung Galaxy stage to wait
for Lana Del Rey to perform.
ber two spot on top charts in “Sponge won’t Soak.”
She was the opening act beEmpires
played
on
the
the United States. He also sang
fore
the evening’s closer, Em“I’m Not the Only One,” and nearby Honda stage. They
“Lay Me Down,” along with a opened with a bang, hitting the inem. She sang a few songs,
set hard with a few fast songs, but I would call her set less
few others.
then
going to some fan classics than desired. Although fans
Smith already had a large
(according
to the lead
fan base, and after his set at
ACL, that won’t change. He singer), that were slowwas a wonderful live perform- er. With smoke on the
er. There are some artists who stage rising up around
are great on recordings but the lead singer and the
not so great live. Sam Smith rest of the band, it creathas a voice unlike the music ed the right atmosphere.
Benjamin Booker
world has seen in some time.
was
next on the Austin
Luckily for those who attended, Sam Smith was not a let Ventures stage, where
down. The next major band he played a very upbeat
playing wasn’t a disappoint- set with lots of guitar
licks thrown in. Booker
ment either.
Foster the People were also played some songs with
a huge hit with the fans who a cigarette hanging in
attended the festival by mixing his mouth, looking laid
new and old songs, all favor- back. His set sounded
ites of those who attended. like undertones of Jazz
They exceeded the level that , making his home roots
I believe fans were expecting. show a little.
The singer is orig- Singer and guitarist Aaron
They didn’t have to work to
win the crowd over, much like inally from New Or- Miller plays to a hometown
the rest of the bigger artists at leans, where he said crowd at ACL in Austin on
that he discovered his
the festival.
Oct. 3.
One of the better things that passion for music, his
a lot of fans seemed to enjoy idols and icons, to find
said they enjoyed themselves,
about the festival is that along his own sound.
she sang her most common
Icona
Pop,
a
Swedish
duo,
with well-known name bands
songs and kept taking small
made
their
own
splash
on
that could hit any stage and
attract a large crowd, there stage. Their crowd was restless breaks to talk to the band and,
were some local bands that with excitement. Once Icona on occasion, the stage managmade the cut and were invited Pop started their set with some er. For ACL, I think that she
synchronized dancing and could have performed a few
to perform.
more songs than she did
It was a treat for those atduring an hour set.
tending to be able to wonder
The area all around
the park and discover new
the
Samsung stage was
bands and artists that they
a sea of people before
might enjoy, along with those
Eminem’s set. The
that they came specifically
crowd pushed closer
to see.
to the stage so that they
One of those local bands
could see the infamous
is Sphynx, an Austin band
icon. Before Eminem
that was invited to perform
actually stepped foot
after sending in a pitch to the
on stage, he played a
festival coordinators.
somewhat strange video
“At first they said they’d
on the screens next to
think about it for a while, and
the stage, preparing the
then got back to us and said
mood for his show.
that we were in,” said Todd
He hit the stage perHarris, drummer for Sphynx.
forming
some amazThe band’s sound is unique,
ing
songs,
keeping the
and their stage costumes were
crowd
pumped
and
different. With open jackets,
ready to go. Opposite
one of which was leopard
him
on the Honda stage
print, no shirts, tight pants Adam Smith of Temples plays
was
Skrillex
(the other
and their use of tambourines, on the Miller Lite stage on Oct.
closer),
and
the
crowd
keyboard, and killer guitar 3.
formed essentially one
moments, their set was enterlarge mass of people
taining for the whole crowd.
songs
to
pump
up
the
crowd.
from
one stage to the other
The next day another aweThey
started
with
“All
Night,”
with
very
little wiggle room
some round of unique, local,
and iconic bands hit the stages melding one song into another. for those in the audience who
Caroline Hjelt, one half of were ready to leave.
to perform for the crowd.
Overall, ACL was the fesWild Moccasins, a band the duo, asked those in the
crowd
who
came
with
their
tival
to attend this year so far.
from Houston, played on the
Miller Lite stage. They kept it best friend. Then she asked, With Saturday seeming like
upbeat and light for the crowd who came with their best girl- the climax of the weekend,
with songs that they could friend? She explained that she Sunday was left with many
really dance to, much like the came to the festival with her good acts still remaining, but
best friend, the other half of not nearly the overwhelmingly
lead singer did on stage.
They entered the stage with the Swedish duo, Aino Jawo. awesome performances that
their own style that was a real After explaining that having were on Saturday.
This festival is always a
eye-catcher. The lead singer her best friend with her and
wore a sparkling gold dress, singing with her was a treat, good place for local bands who
her hair in buns, and some dat- the duo introduced their next are invited to make their mark,
ed sunglasses that added to her song, “Girlfriend,” which both and for music icons to continue
spunk. Alongside her, the lead girls wrote, saying that they to entertain fans from all over.
guitarist wore a purple jacket were each other’s best friend. PHOTOS BY
Icona Pop played all the JOSH HAMILTON/
and some funky colors, with a
crowd
favorites, making their
bow tie and classic Buddy HolPLAINSMAN PRESS
mark
at
ACL for the first time.
ly-style glasses, creating an atAfter Icona Pop finished
mosphere that was infectious.
cwelborn6538@southplaintheir
set, the majority of the
One of the most memorable
scollege.edu
12
ENTERTAINMENT
October 13, 2014
Plainsman Press
Flyleaf rocks local Lubbock venue with unique sound, new vocalist
by MEGAN PEREZ
Entertainment Editor
With a new vocalist, a
new label, and a new album,
Flyleaf is definitely taking a
new direction with the future
of their music.
The Texas-based alternative
rock band released their album,
“Between the Stars,” through
their record label Loud &
Proud Records, this month.
This is the first album to
feature new vocalist, Kristen
May, formerly of the band
Vedera.
The fans’ response to
May has been positive, and
she received an enthusiastic
welcome on Oct. 3 at Jake’s
Sports Café and Backroom in
Lubbock.
This is the first time the
band has toured in more than a
year since gaining May as lead
vocalist, and the response from
fans to her and the new record
has been encouraging.
Flyleaf is comprised of
five members: May; Sameer
Bhattacharya, lead guitar;
Kirkpatrick Seals, bass guitar;
Jared Hartmann, guitar; and
James Culpepper, drums.
Former vocalist Lacey MosleySturm announced her departure
from Flyleaf in 2012 before the
band released their third fulllength album, “New Horizons.”
The smoky venue was
filled with people of all ages,
anxiously awaiting the
popular alt rock band to
come out on stage. While
the die-hard fans waited for
Flyleaf, they got to enjoy
some of the opening acts,
featuring: Fluid Frequency
of Plainview, Texas; Ryan
White of Austin, Texas;
and Lullwater of Athens,
Ga. The acts made quite an
impression on the hard rock
fans of Lubbock, setting up
an air of anticipation for the
main attraction.
Flyleaf kicked off their set
with their popular single from
their debut full-length album
from 2005, “Fully Alive,”
which definitely pumped up
the crowd as they screamed
Flyleaf performs at Jake’s Backroom in Lubbock on Oct. 3.
ALLISON TERRY/ PLAINSMAN PRESS
the lyrics and took photos as
the blue stage lights washed
over the musicians.
They continued their set
with another crowd favorite,
“Again,” off their 2009 album,
“Memento Mori,” which
translates to “remember
death.” May belted out the
song flawlessly and impressed
dedicated Flyleaf fans of the
Mosley-Sturm era.
Other songs from previous
albums that were performed
included: “Cassie,” centering
around a Columbine victim
who rumoredly had her faith
tested on that fateful day;
“All Around Me;” and “I’m
So Sick,” off their self-titled
album of 2005.
The rest of the songs
performed were off the
band’s newest album,
“Between the Stars,”
which was released on
Sept. 16, and featured the
band’s most popular single,
“Set Me On Fire.” They
continued with “Traitor,”
“Magnetic,” “Platonic,”
“ H e a d U n d e r Wa t e r, ”
“Marionette,” “Great Love,”
and “City Kids.” The band
ended their set with, “So I
Thought.”
Throughout the show,
veteran Flyleaf fans and
newbies rocked out all
night to new and old tracks,
creating a positive vibe
throughout the venue.
Although the band
had such an encouraging
response to their set, it
was a trying time getting
started after Mosley-Sturm
announced her departure.
On top of finding a new
lead vocalist, Flyleaf was
also in search of a new record
label. After their record label,
Octone Records, sold their
company, the members decided
to go through PledgeMusic
to get their newest record
out. Flyleaf’s PledgeMusic
project helped raise money
and fund their latest album.
The site brings artists and
fans together by including
fans in the production part of
an album.
“Between the Stars” may
have a different sound from
Flyleaf’s previous records,
but the band decided to focus
on songwriting and different
types of sounds. This includes
bringing in May, on not only
vocals, but also on keyboard as
well, which is a prime factor
in most of the songs on the
record.
Since taking such a new
direction, Flyleaf fans have
welcomed these changes
with open minds. Flyleaf is
continuing to be a staple in
every hard rock fan’s music
library.
mperez2143@students.southplainscollege.edu
New MTV series ‘Finding Carter’ puts thrilling spin on stale concept
by MEGAN PEREZ
Entertainment Editor
Being a teenager is difficult.
Some say it can be the worst
few years of your life.
During these years, you’re
dealing with a lot of stressful
things: school, relationships,
family life, and, of course,
yourself.
Imagine dealing
with all of the above
and finding out that
your whole life has
been a lie.
“Finding Carter,”
M T V ’s n e w e s t
teen drama keeps
audiences entranced
with the bizarre story
of Carter Stevens.
The series follows
Carter, played by
Kathryn Prescott, a
young girl with a
picture-perfect life,
living comfortably
with her single
mother Lori, played
by Milena Govich.
Carter is living
it up, until she is
apprehended for
trespassing with a
group of friends at a
carnival.
While being detained in her
city’s jailhouse, it is discovered
that Carter was abducted as a
child by her “mother,” Lori.
Now that Carter’s world has
been turned upside down, she
must return to her biological
family in Fairfax, Va., leaving
behind her old friends, the only
life she’s ever known, and her
abductor/mother.
Carter is reunited with her
birth parents. Her father is
a writer, and her mother is
a detective with the Fairfax,
Va. Police Department. She
discovers that she was born as
Lyndon Wilson. Her biological
parents, Elizabeth and David
(Alexis Denisof), beg Carter
to keep her name, but she
argues that her name is the only
thing she has left from her old
life, and she’d like to keep it.
Elizabeth and David reluctantly
agree.
Upon arrival, Carter enters
her family’s home to find that
her new life comes with some
and David agrees. In secret,
David continues to write his
book for the money he and his
family desperately need, and
he eventually sends it off to
be published without Carter’s
approval.
C a r t e r ’s r e l a t i o n s h i p
with Elizabeth is shaky and
uncomfortable. Elizabeth
Although life at home is
almost unbearable, Carter
finds solace in her new friends
at her new school, even though
she appears to be the center of
everyone’s attention. Taylor
becomes irritated with all
the publicity surrounding her
twin and confides in her best
friend, Gabe, played by Jesse
surprising additions, such as
a little brother, Grant (Zac
Pullam), and a fraternal twin
sister, Taylor (Anna JacobyHeron). Carter soon realizes
that she and Taylor are polar
opposites, with Carter being
wild and daring, and Taylor
being quiet and a “goody-twoshoes.”
Carter, having never grown
up with a father, takes to David
rather quickly. She discovers
that David has published a
novel titled, “Losing Lyndon,”
based on her disappearance.
She politely demands that he
trashes his ideas and drafts for
the sequel, “Finding Carter,”
tries to get Carter to open
up to her, but she is always
immediately pushed away
for having overstepped
boundaries. Elizabeth knows
that Carter will never be able
to think of her as her real
mother, especially when she’s
on the hunt for her daughter’s
kidnapper. This is something
that pains Carter, as Lori
is the woman who raised
her practically her whole
life. She begs Elizabeth to
leave Lori alone and drop
the manhunt, but Elizabeth
refuses, which causes the
strain in her relationship with
her daughter.
Henderson. Gabe explains to
Taylor that her sister is like a
celebrity; her homecoming is a
big deal. He also asks Taylor if
he can ask Carter out, thinking
that it shouldn’t even be a
huge deal. Taylor reluctantly
approves Gabe’s infatuation
with Carter, even though she
has feelings for him. Her
hatred for Carter continues
to grow.
Realizing that her reunion
with her family is gaining
lots of media attention,
Carter decides to use it to
her advantage to find her
mother, who is currently in
hiding. She gets hired at a local
frozen yogurt parlor, where
she hopes to send a signal of
her whereabouts to her mom.
Wa n t i n g t o f i n d o u t
more information about
her daughter’s kidnapper,
Elizabeth begins to take all of
Carter’s friends from her old
town into questioning at the
police station. The majority
of Carter ’s friends
aren’t giving her any
information, until she
questions Carter’s exboyfriend and best
friend, Max, played by
Alex Saxon.
Max reveals to
Elizabeth that Carter
hasn’t made any plans
to try to find Lori and
that she doesn’t badmouth her new family,
which relieves the
stressed mother.
To h e l p C a r t e r
adjust to her new life,
Elizabeth offers to
let Max stay with her
family for a few days.
When Max arrives, a
relationship begins to
bloom between him
and Carter’s twin sister,
Taylor. He also forms
a brotherly bond with
Grant, who feels like
an outsider in the family,
often calling himself the
“replacement child.”
Even though Carter has
made friends and has Max
living with her temporarily,
she still misses life with her
mother and actually does try
to develop a plan to meet up
with her mom and run away.
Her new group of friends
opposes the idea and thinks
that Carter just needs to relax.
Ofe (played by Jesse Cabrere),
a friend of Carter’s, offers her
and her new frenemy, Bird
(Vanessa Morgan), “Molly”
to get them both to relax and
take their minds off of heavy
subjects. The girls accept,
and they soon lose control at
a party.
Taylor and Gabe end up
having to go find Carter at the
party. They realize that she is
the center of attention, dancing
and entertaining the masses.
Taylor continues to resent
her twin as Gabe becomes
more infatuated, much to her
dismay. As Gabe and Taylor
try to get Carter to leave the
party, Carter begins to feel
strange, passes out and begins
convulsing, scaring Taylor.
The series is filled with
many surprises, such as a
troubled marriage between
David and Elizabeth. Elizabeth
is committing infidelities,
while David is contemplating
divorce. Grant continues
to become more depressed
and feels like an outsider,
as he believes his parents
only care about the twins.
Carter becomes involved
with juvenile delinquent/
drug dealer, Crash (Caleb
Ruminer), something that
irritates Elizabeth. Max and
Taylor are becoming more
serious, and certain milestones
are reached.
There are plenty more
dramatic surprises, but I won’t
spoil them for you. And lucky
for “Finding Carter” fans, like
myself, the series has been
renewed for a second season.
Even though the concept
of the show is a bit overused,
the series makes up for it
with superb acting, thrilling
concepts, and insane plot
twists. Although the first
season has come to an end,
fans can at least anticipate
the new season of “Finding
Carter,” coming in December
2015.
mperez2143@students.
southplsinscollege.edu
SPORTS
Plainsman Press
13
October 13, 2014
Rodeo teams round up points in Vernon, Alpine competitions
by ALYSSA GREGORY
Staff Writer
The South Plains College
men’s and women’s rodeo
teams have had some strong
Alyssa
individual performances so far
this season.
Gregory
The Texans and Lady Texans competed at the Vernon
9-22-14
College Rodeo on Oct. 2 - Oct.
4. Advancing six to the final
WC- 574
round, the rodeo team came
up with two
Headline
– event titles.
Freshman Coy Surrett
earnedRodeo
170 points in the steer
SPC
wrestling event. In his longround run, Surrett turned in
Team
the second best time of 4.5
Started
seconds. With a time of 4 seconds flat, Surrett smoked the
Off
on the in the final round.
competition
Taking home the buckle, SurRight
Trail
rett won the average of the
steer wrestling event.
“This rodeo season has had
its
ups and downs,” Surrett
South
explained. “But for my bull
dogging horse and I, this rodeo
Plains
went great.”
College
Also, in the steer wrestling,
Brice Carmichael and Wyatt
Rodeo
Schaackteam
joined Surrett in the
final round. Carmicheal earned
started
out6.2 seconds in his
a time of
long-round run, and Schaack
the fall of
followed closely behind him
with arodeo
time of 6.4 seconds.
2014
“This rodeo went alright for
my horses,”
season
on a Schaack said. “ I
could have done a little better
with the cattle I drew, though.”
successful
Austin Crist teamed up with
Weatherford’s Pace Blanchard
in the team roping event. They
finished with the fifth best time
in their long-round run with a
time of 6.5 seconds. The duo
stayed on track and earned a
time of 6.6 seconds in the final
round and won the team roping
average while garnering 130
team points in the process.
“I think my horse worked
great,” Crist said. “In my longround run, my steer basically
walked out, and my horse
scored great, so we were able
to pull off a good run.”
In the calf roping tie down
event, sophomore Jake Harris
earned a total of 12 points after
turning in a time of 9 seconds
flat in his long-round performance.
“My horse worked great,”
Harris said. “Better luck next
week.”
On the girls side, cowgirl
Shay Spitz earned 85 points.
She made it to the final round
in both the barrel racing and
breakaway roping events.
Her long-round performance time in barrel racing
was 17.4 seconds, and she
posted a quick time of 2.4
seconds in her long-round run
in breakaway roping. Spitz
tied for fourth in the average,
earning an extra 20 points.
“I felt the first round was
successful,” Spitz said. “It’s all
a mental game, and I am going
to step it up and get ready for
the next rodeo.”
‘Redskins’namecausescontroversialdebate
note.
by NICOLE TRUGILLO
The
NewsTexans
Editor
andMascots
Lady are supposed to
show team spirit.
Texans
They are known to represent
a team’s
competed
at identity. But,
there can be debates about
whether
a mascot and the team
the Eastern
name can be derogatory or
offensive.
New
The Washington Redskins
Mexico
name
controversy has been
around ever since they were
University
renamed
in 1933. They used
to be known as the Boston
Collegebut co-owner George
Braves,
Preston Marshall changed
‘Daze’
the name to the Washington
Redskins
Rodeo, to avoid confusion
with the Boston Braves baseball
team.
which
wasIt is said that Marshall renamed the team after
heldRedskins’
Sept.
the
coach of that
time, William Dietz, whom
18- Sept.
claimed
to be part of the Sioux
(Indian tribe) nation. It is also
20, inthat Marshall renamed
said
the team because many Native
Portales,
Americans were on the team,
and
he wanted to honor them
N.M.
in some way.
So, the real question is, why
is everyone making a huge
deal
about the name?
Qualifying
If you look up redskin, in
fivedictionary, the definition
the
states it’s a slang and offensive
competitors
word
for an American Indian.
OK, well, let me explain
into the to the people who
something
think its offensive. Redskin
short
isn’t a racial slur. Yes, you can
probably
round, thetrace the history of
the word redskin and it might
have
been used as a racial
cowboys
word at some point in time.
and I’m not here to give you
But
a history lesson. Our society
cowgirls
today
is based on people being
overly sensitive to everything.
competed
First, when Marshall
changed the name, he didn’t
well. In
do it because he wanted to offend
anyone. He did it because
the team
he was honoring Coach Dietz
and
the Native Americans who
standings,
were on the team. He didn’t
wake
up one day and say,
the Texans
“Hey, I’m going to offend an
placedrace
fifthtoday by changing
entire
the name of the Boston Braves
to the Washington Redskins.”
He wasn’t trying to be offensive, but rather trying to honor
them.
There is a debate about
whether the term redskin was
used to define someone’s skin
color, or used to define the face
paint or body paint the Native
Americans used. The real answer nobody will ever know.
We can’t go back in time and
find out for ourselves. So we
have to base our judgment on
the information we do have.
When I said our nation
takes offense to everything,
I was stating a fact. People
need to suck it up and grow
up. We aren’t children on the
playground anymore, tattling
on someone who called us a
name.
I get called white all the
time, because of my skin color.
Even though some of this is
true, I don’t make a big deal
about it for one reason, it’s
just a name.
I’m pretty sure everybody
has heard the saying, “Sticks
and stones may break my
bones, but words will never
hurt me.” Yeah, apply the saying to this controversy.
I thought, as a nation, our
goal was equality? OK, well
we can’t support equality if
people make a big deal about
a NFL name, especially if
the name wasn’t meant to be
offensive.
If they were called the
Washington Savages, then
that’s a big red flag. That name,
without a doubt, is offensive,
especially if using a Native
American as the mascot. That
would be like saying that Native Americans are savages.
“Pocahontas,” the movie, can
clearly state the word savage
was a racial slur to Native
Americans, without a doubt.
Which brings me to my next
issue. If the word redskin is
so offensive, why isn’t every
Native American offended by
it? Stephen D. Dodson, a chief
and full-blooded American
Portales, NM. Teague’s score
in the long round was 8.5 seconds, which landed him in first
place going into the short go.
In the final round on the night
great, and hopefully it’ll stay
that way.”
Crist and his partner recorded a time of 6.7 seconds in the
long round. With the third best
time going into the final
round, the duo failed to
turn in a time. But the
team still earned 40
points for the weekend.
“The Alpine Rodeo
went good for me,”
Crist says. “The short
round didn’t go as
planned, but the long
round was good.”
In the calf roping
event, there were 11
SPC competitors. Five
of the competitors, including Teague, turned
in times during their
long rounds. Riley
Smith led the group
with a time of 12.1
seconds, while Crist
turned in a time of 15.2
seconds, and Jacob
South Plains College’s Tate Teague competes in the calf
Paul and Alan Taylor
roping event at Sul Ross State University in Alpine on Sept. were neck and neck
27. ALYSSA GREGORY/PLAINSMAN PRESS
with times of 17.6
seconds and a 17.7
Two SPC athletes made it to of Sept. 27, Teague failed to seconds, respectively, in their
long round performances.
the final round. For the second earn a time.
“For
me
and
my
horses,
the
In the team roping comconsecutive week, Tate Teague
made it back in the calf rop- rodeo went well in the first petition, five of the 15 teams
ing tie down event, and Crist round,” Teague explained. turned in times in their longpaired up with Blanchard and “But so far, the season is going round performances. Joining
qualified for the short go in
team roping.
Teague earned 60 points
for the team, to go along with
the 80 points that he earned in by JOSH RAMIREZ
Kelvin Keter and Jacob Clark
were the last of the Texans
Editiorial Assistant
scorers to finish the 8,000-meter course in 27:24 and 27:52,
After a week of rest the respectively, placing ninth and
Inuit from the Aleutian Tribes
of Alaska, has stated that the men’s and women’s cross 12th overall.
term redskin is not offensive, country teams were back on
The Texans finished behind
but rather used as a term of course for their third meet of host NMHU by a single point
endearment that Indians would the season.
in the team scoring, 27-28
The Texans showed they
use on the reservation to call
In the women 5,000-meter
were one of the best teams race, the Lady Texans were
each other.
OK, this brings up the topic running at the New Mexico looking to have a better meet
of name calling. For example, Highland University Invita- than their previous outing
African-Americans call each tional Sept. 27, placing second when they placed eighth overother [offensive word] all the overall.
all as a team.
Sophomore Antibahs Kibitime. But when someone else
The week of last was helpfrom a different race calls wott stuck with his trend of ful for the SPC women, who
them that, they get offended. finishing within the top three, had a strong performance at
I, for one, will never call placing first overall with a the NMHU invitational. They
someone by that name out of time of 24:58
were led for another week by
Hassan Abdi and Jose Mar- freshman Victoria Salvadorrespect. But that’s besides the
point. If you get offended by a tinez were the next Texans to es, who finished with a time
word that you use to call your finish the race, posting times of 19:32 and placed third
friends or a race, don’t use the of 25:55 and 26:36, respec- overall in the race. Seconds
word in the first place. Stop tively, while placing third behind Salvadores was fellow
encouraging people to use the and sixth overall. Teammates freshman Lyndi Hanson, who
word. It’s that simple.
Dan Snyder, the owner of
the Washington Redskins, is
getting pressured by many
away the child’s favorite toy
people around the country by BRITTANY BROWN
or not getting dessert, would
about changing the team’s Sports Editor
have sufficed.
name.
NFL doing too much to
However, I don’t believe
“It’s just historical truths, save name.
Peterson
deserves to lose his
and I’d like them to underEverybody has that one
job
because
of it. I understand
stand, as I think most do, that attitude-changing spanking or
the name really means honor, grounding that is relived when that the league is under pressure because of other abuse
respect,” Snyder told ESPN.
a mistake is made.
incidents, such as the one inHe continued, “We sing
The son of NFL star Adrian
‘Hail to the Redskins.’ We Peterson will have just that, as volving Ray Rice, but this can
don’t say hurt anybody. A well as the affects of not seeing be handled a number of ways.
Having his son taken away
Redskin is a football player. his father.
from
him is most likely eye
A Redskin is our fans. The
The Minnesota Vikings
opening
and punishment in itWashington Redskins fan base running back has been placed
represents honor, represents on the NFL’s exempt list af- self for Peterson, or any father.
There is always going to be
respect, represents pride. And ter being charged with child
a
fine
line between discipline
it’s a positive. You can take abuse. Peterson used a wooden
and
abuse.
As an outsider
things out of context all over switch to spank his 4-year-old
looking in, I can’t say what
the place. But in this particular son back in May.
happened, or what didn’t. But
case, it is what it is. It’s very
To some, this form of punas a realist, I feel both parents
obvious.”
ishment would be considered
Many Native Americans outrageous or extreme. But should be held accountable.
support the NFL team name, to others, it is a norm. In fact, If the mother suspected foul
and fans do as well. I can see it is more common to get a play, she should have removed
where many people might spanking with a switch than her child from the situation
think redskin is offensive. But most people would think. My before it reached a point that
when it comes down to it, they parents and grandparents all she felt she needed to involve
need to grow up. Again, we’re remember occasions when that authorities.
All parents have different
not children. Our nation needs was the exact punishment they
forms
of discipline. If we sit
to stop being offended by petty received. I feel that the only
down and analyze each differsituations such as this one.
relevant issue with this form of
ent approach, I’m sure there is
punishment in Peterson’s case
some form of what somebody
is the age of the child.
would call “abuse,” whether
ntrugillo0806@students.
At 4 years old, I think a lessit be physical, emotional, or
southplainscollege.edu
er punishment, such as taking
mental.
The rodeo team also competed at the Sul Ross State
University Rodeo, which was
held on Sept. 25-Sept. 27 in
Alpine.
Crist were: Teague and SPC’s
Jace Mitchell at 12.2 seconds,
SPC’s Wyatt Shaack and Texas
Tech’s Wesley Salomen at
14.3, and SPC’s Micheal Benavides and Ranger College’s
Baron Lackey turned in a time
of 16.6.
In the women’s competition, there were no qualifiers
for the final round.
Spitz, last week’s qualifier
in the breakaway roping, finished with the 13th best time
in the barrel racing. Her time
of 12.4 seconds was just three
spots shy of making it back to
the final go-round.
The same goes for Kortney
McReynolds. Her time of 8.2
seconds in the goat tying event
left her in 13th place, leaving
her only three spots away from
qualifying in the top 10 to
make it back in the final round.
“This rodeo went alright,”
McReynolds said. “I have a
young barrel horse, and he
worked good.”
The Texans and Lady Texans will be traveling to Canyon
to compete at the West Texas
A&M Rodeo Oct. 9 - Oct. 11.
Results were not available at
press time.
ag re gor y 5 1 8 2 @ stu d e nt s .
southplainscollege.edu
Cross country teams dominate at New Mexico meet
placed fourth overall with a
time of 19:44.
J’Cee Holmes and Kassidi
Jones finished next for the
Lady Texans with times of
20:29 and 21:18, respectively,
placing sixth and 12th overall.
The final scoring runner for
the women was Kaitlyn Henderson, who finished in 22:45
and placed 16th overall.
The Lady Texans placed
second overall as a team, finishing behind host NMHU by
a margin of three points, 38-41
The next test for the SPC
men’s and women’s cross
county teams as they make
their way toward the NJCAA
championship will be at the
NMJC invitational on Oct. 11
in Hobbs, NM. Results were
not available at press time.
j r am i re z 5 1 9 6 @ stu d e nt s.
southplainscollege.edu
NFL punishment too severe for Peterson
The bigger picture here is
the child and how all of this
is going to play out in his life,
both now and in the future.
Thinking ahead, in the child’s
case, if this was only a onetime occurrence, what is going
to damage this child more,
this one attitude-changing
spanking or the opportunities
he is going to lose if his father
is without a job? Peterson is
already most likely going to
face some jail time, which is
going to affect this little boy’s
life as well.
I am not condoning abuse
by any means. But I do feel the
NFL should take all things into
consideration, because no two
situations are the same. Trying
to discipline a child and kicking your unconscious fiancé
don’t really go hand in hand.
Simply because Peterson is
a professional athlete, this situation is magnified. We have
to take a step back and realize
that he is human just like the
rest of us, and good people
make mistakes.
bbrown8223@students.southplainscollege.edu
14
October 13, 2014
SPOTLIGHT
Plainsman Press
Hot Wheels
Creators of television show ‘Car Chasers’ share experiences
by CHESANIE
BRANTLEY
Editorial Assistant
When thinking of a car
television show, West Texas is
probably not the first location
to come to mind.
But the producers of “Car Chasers,” Jeff Allen and
Megan
B a i l e y,
thought
otherwise.
“West
Texas
normally
i s n ’t i n
the limelight, and it
shows
the strong car culture that we
have here in Lubbock,” Allen
told the Plainsman Press in a
recent interview.
Originally, the show was a
concept thought up by Bailey
because of all the crazy stuff
that they did and still do related around cars.
Allen and Bailey first
pitched their show in 2004
without any luck. Allen recalled without hard feelings
that the idea was stolen from
them at first. “It was funny,
because then we got asked to
come and be producers on another television show because
it was car related, “ said Allen.
“Everybody doing the show
didn’t
k n o w
anything
a b o u t
cars.”
While
they were
busy with
that other show,
a set of
executive
producers
decided to
give them
their own
show in
2 0 1 2 ,
and they
c h o s e
Lubbock,
Te x a s ,
where Allen had grown up.
Allen said he became interested in cars when he was
very young. His father was so
big into cars that Allen said
his room had car parts,
Hot Wheels, and
Matchbox cars everywhere. His father also owns
his own
car shop
in Lubbock.
T h e
first car
A l l e n
bought was
when he was 13-yearsold, and he never looked
back. He saved up money
while he was working for his
dad, and they went searching
all around the country to find
the perfect car, a 1969 Z28
Camaro.
“I really don’t know why,
at 13, that’s the car I picked,”
Allen said in retrospect. “but
it is!”
They
spent
entire
weekends looking for this particular car. Finally, they found
it in an unusual place.
“Can you believe it? Of all
places, Buffalo Lake!”
Allen said.
He knew that was
the car he wanted when
they began their quest.
Once he bought that
1969 Z28 Camaro, he
never stopped.
Allen had his first
car until he was 15.
They sold it once he got
his hardship license,
because, according to
Allen, his dad thought he
would hurt himself with it.
Allen said his all-time favorite car is
the Fer-
rari. It doesn’t matter what
kind, he just loves Ferraris.
“People say there’s a lot of
ugly Ferraris out there, I’ve
never met one,” he said.
Allen said he thought this
car was his favorite because
growing up in this area, and
his dad being so big into
American cars, it was his way
of rebelling. He said another
factor was growing up in the
‘80s, when all the cool cars in
television shows and movies
were Ferraris.
“The funny thing is,
I’m 6 (feet),
5 (inches
tall), so I really don’t fit
well in these
cars,” Allen
said.
Roy Seay,
a painter on
t h e s h o w,
shared some
of his favorite memories during
the recent
Carmaggedon
event in Lubbock.
Seay, a Lubbock resident,
said his favorite experience
was when they had the opportunity to fix up an Army truck.
“I just love that big, massive beast!” Seay said.
The two-and-a-half ton
troop carrier was a six-wheel
drive that they cut down to a
four-wheel drive. It had onboard air compressors that
could change the tire pressure
with the push of a button
depending on what kind of
terrain you were driving in.
The truck was also equipped
with a caterpillar engine with
turbo. After it was cut down,
Seay and others painted the
truck, and then he had the
opportunity to drive it.
“It’ll go up a cliff we found
out.” Seay recalled. “It’ll almost go straight up!” Now the
vehicle is Lubbock’s biggest
truck.
Another experience Seay
shared was when they did a
film shoot with the “Fast and
Furious 6” suburban. They
were planning on doing a
cross country race through the
desert. Seay recalled waiting
for the OK to head back after
their run when a prairie dog
popped up.
“He looked at the car,
then looked at Jeff, and Jeff
said, ‘Awe,
h o w
cute!’”
Seay
r e called.
“Then
a lady
c a m e
around the corner and ran
over it!”
Seay said Jeff was in tears.
He said it was funny because
Jeff is this “big burly cage
fighter,” and he was crying
over a prairie dog.
Seay says that he does not
think being on television really changed anything about
their lives.
“I think we just enjoy people,” Seay said.
He said they have always
been street rodders, and while
their first love is the cars,
they’re really out there meeting people with the same
interest. At car shows,
they all look
at the cars.
But then
they start
talking
about other cars,
and they
just enjoy
the camaraderie.
Seay learned to
paint cars while he
was in high school.
He has been painting for
45 years. The first car he
painted was a Volkswagen
bug, but his first paint job was
a Cushman Motor Scooter. He
said that his dad taught him a
lot of what he knows about
dealing with the mechanics of
cars in their garage.
“He taught
me there’s
your hands
and there’s
your brain,
figure it
out,” Seay
recalled
about his
father.
“The secret
to success
is hard
work.”
S e a y
also owns
his own
business in
Lubbock
and comes
in to do
paint jobs
for Allen
whenever he can.
“I like the show because of
the people,” Seay said.
He adds that there are the
cars, but Allen and Bailey
like for everyone to be a part
of the experience. Usually, at
car shows, only buyers are
allowed on the floor. But at
Carmaggedon, anyone was
allowed to go down to see the
cars and feel what it’s like. Allen and Bailey like to include
anyone they can, because they
want everybody involved.
“I think that’s really neat
and shows his personality,”
Seay said. Currently, “Car Chasers” is
filming season three of their
show, which will be aired on
Nov. 5 on CNBC (Consumer
News and Business Channel).
They filmed the season finale
at the car show, Carmaggedon,
in Lubbock on Oct. 4. As for future plans for the
show, Allen said, “We just take
it season by season.”
PHOTOS BY TOVI
OYERIVIDEZ AND
CHELSEA YOHN/
PLAINSMAN PRESS
cbrantley1714@students.
southplainscollege.edu