the eagle january 28, 2016 edition

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Northeast Texas Community CollegeThe eagle

ntcceagleonline.comVolume 33, Issue 5

Congressman addresses cyber security to Northeast cadetsBy Brianna StackSStaff Writer

U.S. Congressman John Ratcliffe, representative for the 4th Congressional District of Texas, stopped off recently for a visit with Northeast Texas Community College Police Academy cadets. One of the main issues addressed by the congressman was the nation’s ongoing fight against cyber terrorism.

With both a motivational and informative presentation, Ratcliffe offered the students insight into the experiences they may face as they move forward in their law enforcement careers.

After 9/11, Ratcliffe was appointed by the George W. Bush administration as the Chief of Anti-Terrorism and National Security. He later served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas earning the reputation as the top federal law enforcement officer for a 33,000 square mile area of North and East Texas.

Ratcliffe has been nationally acclaimed for his efforts in public corruption, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, Internet child predators and combat terrorism. He is currently serving in Washington on the House Homeland Security Committee as the Cybersecurity Subcommittee Chairman

and on the Judiciary Committee. “Crime has taken on many forms of

cyber components in virtually every aspect of every case that the FBI handles today,” Ratcliffe explained, “and in that regard our law enforcement is changing.”

The congressman stressed the importance that all levels of officials on the law enforcement chain should be well trained to handle all cyber evidence in cases they will encounter.

“In some cases today, it will not be that strand of hair or drop of blood that solves the case,” Ratcliffe said. “It will be an email or a geolocation information to show where a suspect was at the time of the crime.”

Ratcliffe spoke about a bill he proposed in congress dealing with the fact that this generation of police officers not only handle traditional crime, but are also expected to now take on the role of homeland defense in our communities.

This bill was able authorize a facility conducted by the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) in Hoover, Alabama for all forms of law enforcement to be trained by federal officials, such as the secret service, to prepare them for cyber security cases.

“Cyber Security is National Security,” Ratcliffe said in his presentation. He

explained that the United States is attacked digitally by thousands of hackers yearly. The congressman said that online hacking problems can range from terroristic hackers to those who do it just because they can. He also spoke of cyber cartels and cyber criminals trying to monetize credit information. “We must ensure the protection of privacy,” he said.

Police Academy cadet, Heather Oldham, was pleased with the congressman’s presentation. “I think he hit a bunch of good topics that will benefit me greatly in the field,” Oldham said. “I do believe he will get things pushed through involving our cyber security that will leave us prepared to handle cyber evidence.”

Northeast Police Academy Director Richard Jones expressed his gratitude for Ratcliffe’s support of police officers and encouragement of NTCC’s cadets. “He understands that the blue line is everywhere, it is just not in the big cities,” he said. “I was very pleased to have him here as a guest speaker. He thanked all the cadets for making the decision to be police officers. He didn’t have to do that, but he did and that meant a lot to the cadets.”

Afterwards, the congressman took Ratcliffe, left, and NTCC President Dr. Brad Johnson visit with Cadet Shawn Isbell, center, during the congressman’s recent visit to the campus.

The construction crew breaks ground in front of humanities building the first week of classes. The work on replacing the utility loop, which is part of the $19.9 million Campus Improvement Plan, began during the winter break.

Dirt flies as new construction begins

WRL construction workers dig ground and lay pipe for the replacement of the utility loop on campus. The work has now blocked off parts of the parking area in front of the humanities and UHS buildings.

By tereSa FloreSEditor-in-Chief

Northeast Texas Community College students were welcomed back to campus with more than just new teachers, syllabi and homework, but also the early stages of a grand construction project.

During the winter break, WRL Construction began work on updating the underground utility loop, the first construction project of the $19.9 million Campus Improvement Plan. WRL Superintendent Kelly Norris said the construction crew’s goal was to try and take advantage of the empty campus during the holidays, but had some difficulty with weather at the time.

In the upcoming week, students, staff and faculty should expect the majority of the construction to be focused around the UHS, Math/Science and Humanities buildings along with the surrounding parking lots. One of the biggest obstacles the campus will face this week will be the closure of numerous parking spaces in the inner lane along the UHS

and Humanities buildings. Drivers have been advised to exit through the outside lane and take caution while driving through.

Northeast President Dr. Brad Johnson said he is satisfied with the progress of the construction so far. “As I begin to see renderings of how our spaces will look when we’re done, I am getting quite excited,” he said. “This campus will be a better place in many ways for students, faculty and staff alike. Our architect and construction company have helped us find some valuable way to enhance our project, and the weather has worked in our favor so far.”

So far the construction has only caused some minor disruptions for students and faculty, which include the closing of various areas such as sidewalks and parking spaces.

Though, the president said these incidences are to be expected. “I have not heard of significant disruptions yet, but they will certainly come,” Johnson said. “A renovation project like this will at times

Athletic director steps into vice president roleBy tereSa FloreSEditor-in-Chief

Northeast Texas Community College recently made some major changes on campus. Aside from the ongoing construction, the college named the new Vice President of Student and Outreach Services during January’s board meeting.

Dr. Josh Stewart will take over the position following the departure of Dr. Johnny Moore who held the interim position since the retirement of Dr. Judy Traylor in 2014 and then left at the end of the 2015 fall semester.

Stewart has held the position as NTCC head baseball coach and athletic director since coming to northeast from Lon Morris College in 2011.

Stewart will officially start his new role on Feb. 1, for the time being, however, he will retain his current responsibilities as athletic director.

Northeast President Dr. Brad Johnson said Stewart’s ability

to lead makes him a suitable recipient for the position. “We have a talented and caring team across the board in student and outreach services. That team now has a leader who is committed to this college and will be here to follow through with the goals set before us,” he said. “Stewart’s experience in recruiting athletes is a particularly good background for our mandate to increase the number of students coming from outside our service area.”

As Stewart hangs up his baseball cap, the former coach said he’s anticipating the new transition.

“It will be a new challenge for me personally,” he said. “I’m looking forward to helping the college be as good as it can be and see if I can help out and make some improvements. It will be a completely different routine than what I’m used to doing.”

Although he will be leaving his post as the head of the

Mortuary Science brings new bodies to Northeast

See Ratcliffe pg. 2

See Utility pg. 5

tereSa FloreS|StaFF photo



Building for the Better

By Daniel yanez Managing Editor

Northeast Texas Community College will soon be offering a new career pathway opportunity for students interested in working in the funeral service industry.

Starting in the fall of 2016, Northeast will become one of only five colleges to operate a Mortuary Science program and offer instruction to students interested in the funeral service industry.

Northeast will be the only community college to offer the program. Currently, Amarillo, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio are the only cities in the state of Texas that host educational courses in Mortuary Science.

“There are only four funeral service programs in the state of Texas, these are few training options and we will be offering the fifth, and the only program in our region,” said Dean of Allied Health, Dr. Shannon Cox-Kelley. “Of the schools in Texas currently offering

the program, two are private schools. Private schools are not subject to the same standards and regulations of community colleges and therefore tend to be higher in costs and longer in length for completion.”

With Northeast offering the new program, students will have the chance to pursue new career opportunities previously not available on campus or in the region. Not only will this opportunity be local to students, but it will also be affordable.

“Our hope is that we will reach those students who always wanted to work in funeral service but never did, due to time, money, or location,” said Kelley. “We feel that if this profession is your passion, then we want you to fulfill that dream. We need these professionals in our community. We have several job openings in our own community right now that we need to fill.”

The mortuary science program is being brought to

See Northeast pg. 2

See Board pg. 2

The Eagle Northeast Texas Community College January 28, 2016

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questions ranging from the steps being taken by the government to increase cyber security to the upcoming presidential election.

He then joined some of the cadets in the indoor firing range where he was given the opportunity to shoot an array of firearms.

During his visit and interaction with the cadets, Ratcliffe expressed his deep

founded respect for the career path these Northeast students have chosen.

“I know what law enforcement means. I know the role law enforcement plays and what those of you in this program and about to graduate play,” Ratcliffe said. “It is how our society maintains order, there is nothing, in my opinion, other than serving in our military, that provides a greater service.”

Ratcliffe focuses on security


The congressman takes aim at a target located in the Police Academy firing range.

Continued from Page 1

program is being brought to Northeast after approval from the College Board of Trustees in May of 2015 and program approval from the state of Texas in September of the same year.

Northeast President Dr. Brad Johnson said the program will bring additional students to the college and make it possible for people to enter a good-paying and stable career field and also provide professionals to meet the needs of the community during periods of great distress. “I look forward to the day this program will be known as one of the finest of its kind in the entire state of Texas,” said Johnson.

Program director Rebecca Robidas-Gardner will be serving as a new addition to Northeast’s faculty by offering instruction in the course. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and a graduate of San Antonio College, Texas State and the University of Phoenix.

“She will be instrumental in setting the overall vision for this program and insuring its success,” said Executive Vice-President of Instruction Dr. Ron Clinton. “In addition to meeting a local need, the program is expected to draw significant numbers of students outside of our service delivery area.”

Students interested in the funeral service industry will be able to choose between the certificate program or Associates of Applied Science degree providing ample opportunity for students to participate in two different academic pathways with focused competencies.

The certificate will focus on the business and management side of the funeral service profession and will consist of courses in management, merchandising, hospitality and counseling.

Students can earn a certificate as a Funeral Service Director and also be eligible to enter internships as a funeral director. The internship leads to eligibility to sit for the Texas state licensing exam as a funeral director.

On the other hand, students will also be able to pursue the more technical aspects of funeral service including embalming and restorative arts by concentrating on the Associates of Applied Science Degree. The two-year degree plan focuses on the science of funeral service and includes courses in chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy and physiology.

On this plan, students will learn how to adequately mix embalming fluid, drain blood from cadavers, and replace the blood with the embalming mixture while also learning the process of restorative arts and how to reassemble body tissue so that families can offer open casket viewings.

“According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, funeral service employees hold the 25th spot as the fastest growing occupation out of all associate’s degree level occupations, with a 24 percent growth projection by 2022,” said Clinton. “The median salary in Texas for employees with a one-year certificate and an embalmer’s license is $27,800, while those with the two-year associate’s degree leading to a funeral director license earn median salaries of $82,500.”

As the funeral industry continues to grow in demand for jobs, individuals seeking employment in this field are required to be ethically and mentally prepared to serve the needs of other individuals and the community in their time of grief and need.

Understanding death is an overall aspect of the course’s curriculum that students will face.

“Death and Dying is inevitable for all of us, and it is a profession that is growing with the increase of our population and even more so with the increase in our elderly population,” said Kelley. “The curriculum is focused on the needs of the funeral service profession and our community. The curriculum also includes courses on cremation, which is the most popular choice of burial during today’s times. Students will also learn about

the history of the profession and the different rituals of burials as well, as well as courses in ethics and grief and dying, which will prepare individuals to help our service community navigate through a very difficult personal time.”

Cheyenne Fodge, Northeast student and a Paris, TX native, plans to major in mortuary science. She said she made the decision after experiencing the death and funeral of a loved one.

Fodge related being able to help others in their time of grief to her own personal experience and says the addition of the program will be beneficial to individuals seeking degrees or occupations in the funeral service industry within the Northeast Texas region.

“I believe it’s going to give more people opportunity to look into this line of work because the closest school that offers this program is over two hours away from our location. It’s wonderful,” said Fodge. “Five years ago, my niece passed away. The whole experience with the funeral home was not what you would expect. The funeral was our last memory we would ever have of Marley, little things that you would think would not make a difference did. At that point I knew I could do better, and that I could help a family going through something so hard to deal with it a little easier.”

Currently there is no definitive deadline on the program application, however, applicants will be contacted in early May 2016 for interviews, by June 1, a cohort of 25 students will then be notified of acceptance.

Furthermore, students are encouraged to begin taking some of the prerequisite courses as soon as possible. Funeral service courses will start in the fall of 2016. Prerequisite courses will, however, be open to anyone to provide an opportunity for anyone who is considering the career to get an insight of the program before jumping-in head on.

“The curriculum is beneficial because it is just one more measure that demonstrates NTCC’s commitment to students and its community,” said Gardner. “By offering such a program, our students benefit from another opportunity to learn about and actively engage in another career option. Additionally, our students will be the ones serving our community in the capacity of funeral directors.”

Students interested in this new field of study can apply online at www.ntcc.edu/funeralservice, or contact Health Sciences Adviser Julie Smith at 903-434-8124, or program director Rebecca M. Robidas Gardner at [email protected] for more information on the program.

Northeast presents new science program

The Northeast Texas Community College Art Department will host its first art exhibit of the year Feb. 8 to 25 in the foyer of the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts.

It will feature abstract impressions in nature oil paintings by East Texas native, Judy Wilder Dalton.

The exhibit is open for viewing during regular gallery hours Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

There will be a reception with the artist Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 2:30 p.m. in the Whatley Center foyer. The event is free and the public is invited.

“Judy has an amazing body of work and we are very pleased to feature her paintings in our gallery. She has a very distinct style that features vibrant colors and a unique take on

nature,” Debbie Strong, NTCC Art Instructor, said.

Dalton resides in the beautiful and peaceful setting of Holly Lake Ranch, Texas. Growing up admist the natural and colorful settings of East Texas is reflected in her colorful abstract oil landscapes.

She began painting in her early 20s while raising a family of three, taking every opportunity to study art through classes and workshops.

Her studies have included private ateliers with master artists.

Her work has been exhibited in many national and international exhibitions and one woman shows.

Dalton has won numerous awards for her paintings, and her work can be found in private and public collections throughout the United States.

Art exhibit highlights colorful landscapes

courteSy photo

The Mortuary Science program will begin offering classes in the fall 2016 semester.

baseball team, he will still have a similar dynamic as he takes on his new role as the vice president of Student and Outreach Services.

“Dr. Stewart has produced remarkable results where ever

Board approves VP positionContinued from Page 1 he has gone,” Johnson said.

“He is optimistic, forward-looking, with little interest in hearing why things can not happen. Instead, his careful planning and disciplined execution will bring out the very best in our team.”

Continued from Page 1

The Eagle Northeast Texas Community CollegeJanuary 28, 2016

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Special to The Eagle

The Northeast Texas Community College Webb Society and Honors Northeast Present will premiere their new original film Two for One: The Story of Ma and Pa Ferguson on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts.

Admission to the premiere event is free, and a short discussion and refreshments will follow the one-hour feature-length film.

Members of the cast and Honors Northeast will be available afterwards for comments and questions.

The film focuses on the political life of Jim “Pa" Ferguson who came to power by backing tenant farmers and avoiding the issue of alcohol. Voters in Camp, Franklin, Morris and Titus counties gave him large majorities, and he won re-election as Texas Governor in 1916.

Then he became the only Texas governor to be impeached and removed from office for a variety of offenses, including accepting a large loan from German-American brewers.

He seemed finished politically and financially. But his wife, Miriam, (Ma) ran in his place instead in 1924, and won.

In 1932, she won again. The Fergusons became the most powerful couple in Texas History – and also the

most corrupt? What began as financial fraud in Ferguson’s Temple bank, moved on to graft and the selling of justice while in office. But did Jim’s corruption extend to Miriam, one of the first female governors in the United States?

This is where the Webb Society’s film attempts to break new scholarly ground, while also being the first feature film, ever on the Fergusons.

“We are excited not only to have the first film about Ma and Pa Ferguson, the only couple who shared terms as governor in Austin but we think we have a distinctive angle,”

Honors Northeast Director Dr. Andrew Yox said. “Our question is, OK, Pa was corrupt. But did Ma—Miriam Ferguson (played in the film by Cassia Rose)—also become corrupt?”

The film filters many of the local region’s contemporary concerns with the local status of alcohol, the state government’s favoritism toward big cities and universities and social values such as marriage back 100 years.

Researched and written as a dramatic reenactment rather than a documentary by NTCC scholars last summer, the filming was completed by the Webb/Honors Northeast group last August in Salado, Texas.

“The Ferguson film reminds us how easily corruption can be rationalized and how easily it can spread. Our area’s ancestors

enthusiastically backed the Fergusons who posed as friends of poorer farmers, and in a day when many were beginning to believe that much of the land of Northeast Texas was “too poor to sprout peas,” Yox said. “But as they befriended the poor, the Fergusons also rationalized the use of state offices to enrich and power their political machine. The couple, whose political base thrived between World War I and World War II, was undoubtedly the most powerful duo in our state’s history. As Presidential Scholar Morgan Capps has noted, they functioned as a ‘symbiotic super couple.’”

The production staff of the film includes: Cruz Gallegos, producer/assistant director; Jessica Velazquez, director; and Isaac Burris and William Jones, cinematographers.

The cast includes: Nathan Johnson as Jim Ferguson; Cassia Rose as Miriam Ferguson (also prop director/research team); Elizabeth Griffin as Ouida Ferguson (also scriptwriter/ research team); Morgan Capps as Dorrace Ferguson (also research team); Hector Zuniga as William Hobby (also research team); Steven Vaught as William Hogg; William Jones as Dan Moody (also prop director/research team); Dr. Andrew Yox as Hosea Poe (also research team/web director); Isaac Burris as Dr. Robert Vincent; Emmalea Shaw as

Minnie Fisher Cunningham; Laney Jordan as Eliza Ferguson (also costume director); Presley McClendon as Annie Blanton; Melody Mott as Dr. May Paulissen; Alecia Spurlin as Oveta Culp Hobby; Kelli Knepp as Nola Wood; and Cruz Gallegos as farmer.

Two for One: The Story of

Ma and Pa Ferguson is the fourth feature-length film the group has premiered locally in as many years. The trailer for the film can be viewed at ntcc.edu/honors.

“Film-making has been a windfall for our students in terms of obtaining citations for scholarships, and in gaining

opportunities to present work at honors and historical conferences,” Yox said. “Our cinematographers, producers, directors, research team and actors gain another dimension of experience, and at the same time come together for what also amounts to a four-day orientation in honors.”

The cast of Two for One: The Story of Ma and Pa Ferguson includes NTCC Scholars (from left) Morgan Capps as Dorrace Ferguson, Cassia Rose as “Ma” or Miriam Ferguson, Nathan Johnson as “Pa” or Jim Ferguson, and Elizabeth Griffin as Ouida Ferguson.

By Brandon PetteyOpinion Editor

Northeast was abuzz with conversation this week as new and returning students were welcomed back to campus by the Student Government Association.

Last week, students, faculty and staff piled into SUB 101 for the Welcome Back Social. SGA host the social each spring semester to give students an opportunity to meet new people and enjoy some fun activities before getting back to attending classes and studying.

The event gave everyone a chance to socialize with each other after winter break. Director of Student Activities and Multicultural Affairs Rico Willis said the welcome back social each semester helps students manage stress at the beginning of the semester.

“The first week of classes can

be a stressful time in the life of a college student,” Willis said. “To help alleviate this stress, and to encourage students to meet new people, we have planned a Welcome Back Social for students, faculty, and staff.”

Attendees were treated to pizza, chicken wings, and beverages during the event. After grabbing a bite to eat, students and staff alike had a chance to catch up during lunch while listening to music and playing board games.

An impromptu talent show was held when a few brave students decided to manage their stress by singing karaoke.

The students sang along using the PA system in SUB 101 while reading the lyrics off the projector in the room.

Each performance was met with applause and support from their fellow students, the majority of which were happy just being audience members.

“Fun was had by all, SGA was excited to hold such a fun and fantastic event for the student body” SGA Public Relations Officer Mary Smith said.

Students were given a chance to take a breath during one of their first hectic workdays in the semester.

When the lunch hour was over, students returned and left as quickly as they came and returned to class.

Members of SGA were pleased with the turnout and outcome of the event. “The Welcome Back Social in my opinion was a success. It is always beneficial for our campus community when we are able to establish an environment that provides opportunities for us to connect on a personal level,” Willis said. “People tend to find their comfort zone in places where they can connect with people that they can relate to.”

Honors film sheds light on political power and corruption

courteSy photo

Daniel yanez|StaFF photo



A Republican Candidate Forum will be held at Northeast Texas Community College on Tuesday, Feb. 2. The event will be held in Room 101 of the Student Union Building (SUB) at 6 p.m. and is sponsored by the Republican Parties of Camp, Morris and Titus Counties.

Candidates slated to speak at the forum include

those seeking election to the Texas Senate District 1 position: James K. “Red” Brown, Bryan Hughes, Mike Lee and David Simpson and those seeking election to the Texas House District 5 position: Randy Davis, Holly Coggins Hayes, Philip Hayes, Cole Hefner and Jay Misenheimer.

The public is encouraged to attend this informational event. Both positions are up for election on the March 1, 2016 ballot.

Republican parties to host forum

Soccer player Glen O’Hanlon carefully attempts to remove a Jenga block from the stack as his friends and fellow look on. The students had the chance to spend some time playing games, eating pizza and singing Karaoke during the recent Welcome Back Social.

Dylan mcconnell|StaFF photo

Welcome Back Social balances classes with a little bit of fun

By Dylan McConnellContent Management Editor

Northeast Texas Community College Auto body repair class had the opportunity to custom paint a motorcycle at the end of the fall semester.

Northeast student Randy Loewen Jr. brought the project over to the group to work on.

“My dad gave me that bike. It was a flood repo that he had purchased,” Loewens Jr. said. “He gave it to me and said ‘It’s yours,’ and I thought it would be a good project for us to work on up here.”

The bike had rust damage and was in need of a paint job.

Ricky Roach, auto body instructor, who led the project said, “It had a good bit of body work that needed to be done, but the disassembling and putting together took more time than the actual paint work. Most of the students had never worked on a bike before so it was a fun project and a really great learning experience.”

The lace paint job mixed the old school style with new school.

Roach said he was impressed with the amount of time and effort his students put into the project. “They did really well last semester with

everything they’ve done and everything they’ve been doing,” Roach said. “I enjoyed working with the smaller class and getting to do more one-on-one with my students which is better for me and the students.”

Loewen said this gave the guys a chance to work

closely together as a team with all the small parts to bring this bike to its full potential and bring the west coast to Texas.

“The bike is from California, so I wanted to keep the California feel here in Texas,” Loewen said.

Students bring new life to bike

Instructor and students who worked on the bike are from left: Ricky Roach, David Cervantes, Greg Northcutt, Randy Loewen, Oscar Salazar and also not pictured Wright Johnson Jr.

Randy Loewen takes the newly finished motorcycle for a test ride around the parking lot.


opinion

By Brandon Pettey Opinion Editor

Words on Wheels

Editor-in-ChiefTeresa Flores

Online EditorScott Wilhite

The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the opinions of the faculty advisor or the adminis-tration of the college. Questions? Comments? E-mail our adviser Mandy Smith at [email protected] or visit our website at www.facebook.com/thentcceagle.

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By Scott whilite Online Editor

Hashtags are a dime-a-dozen and some of them are very clever. But this is a presidential election year, so it’s time to get (sorta) serious, sort of. #Berningman is the latest in a series of witty catch phrases that seems to, well, gain #Bernmentum with millennials.

As a student of the science of politics and the study of our society, I cannot for the life of me figure out why someone like Bernie Sanders can harness so much popularity with the 20-something crowd, only to burn out after the new has worn off.

If Sanders is going to win, however, millennials are going to have to do three things they’ve never done before: 1. Organize in ways the 2008 Obama campaign could only dream about; 2. Register to vote. Only this time, really register to vote and convince about three of their closest friends to (really) register to vote too; and 3. Get ready to take some solid hits on the chin because politics is a contact sport and the worst has yet to come.

In my lifetime, Ross Perot was the first outsider who, probably for some noble reason, decided to shake things up in the 1992 election and run for president.

Even though hashtags were not around back then, the term “folk hero” was used by his supporters.

Perot’s platform was mostly conservative with a promise to fix the economy. I should point out that we had just come out of a trickle down economic philosophy a few years earlier, and like it or not, that started undoing the regulations and social programs that were put into place after WWII.

This isn’t a history lesson, but this part is important in the

context of a popular presidential candidate who claims to be a Democratic Socialist.

In the end, Perot’s campaign failed the most in connecting with black voters, liberal democrats and conservative republicans. He faired well enough with all the other social groups to have made it a close race, had he only scored better with those three groups. Sanders has two of those same problems.

So far, he’s been unable to gain any ground among African Americans and republicans (generally).

There are some differences between Sanders and Perot, but there are also some strong similarities too. If the Sanders supporters truly want to make a difference in this cycle and elect this guy Sanders, along with following the three items above, they would do themselves a big favor by understanding what Sanders’ version of socialism is, how different, or not, it would be from our current form of capitalism, and then how to effectively articulate that to anyone who asks.

Sanders and Perot are a lot alike in their view of how our economy should run. Perot and his supporters were strongly against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and before that glaze becomes permanent across your eyes, what NAFTA (signed in 1992) set out to do was open up international trade by removing tariffs with Mexico and Canada.

In other words, it made importing and exporting goods in and out of our country easier and less expensive and as Perot put it (and I actually remember hearing him say this in a debate), as soon as NAFTA is signed, “We’ll all hear a giant sucking sound towards Mexico” as that’s where all our economic growth will go.

Perot wanted blue collar

workers in the U.S. to get a fair wage for their work, and this was Perot’s main issue in the 1992 election. Jump forward 23 years and that same issue is exactly what has given Sanders a platform to run on, income inequality.

In one sense, Sanders is running on a post-NAFTA economy where there is a giant sucking sound going on, and it is a result of an ever-widening global economy, but it’s a little more nuanced than what everyone thought it would be like in 1992.

Sanders is a true left candidate and what that means is he is a bonafide liberal, and we’ve never really had that, and that’s another point Sanders supporters would benefit from understanding.

On the economy, Obama is a very middle of the political ideological road president. Sanders is not.

But that’s not necessarily bad so long as it puts a few reasonable regulations on corporations and levels the global economic playing field out a little more until the rest of the world catches up with our wealth and opportunity.

The first Democratic primary election is in Iowa on Feb. 1 and Clinton will probably win it by a large margin. That’s going to hurt those young, fair-weathered, creampuff Sanders supporters Megyn Kelly likes to make fun of.

There are three more Democratic primaries in February and Sanders will most likely win one, lose another, and the third is up for grabs at this point.

Sanders could come out of February with a 2-3 record, and that’s not a bad place to be on March 1 of a presidential election year.

But his base is going to have to ramp it up if they’re serious about winning it all.

When I was 18 years old I went with my dad to our local recreation center to vote for the first time in a presidential election.

The line was out the door, but I was undaunted by the sea of people because I was going to participate in the democratic process. For the first time, I was going to be heard! My excitement could hardly be contained.

Then the election results were announced, George W. Bush was president, and my excitement depleted like the air in a whoopee cushion. Since then I have become even more jaded about the election process. If we ever hope to have a fair electoral system, there needs to be significant changes made.

When they showed the map of which states went to the democrats and which went to the republicans, Texas was of course covered in red...the color of blood. It hit me like a red, white, and blue elephant stepping on my soul since I am a democrat in a republican state.

I suddenly felt like my vote mattered little to none. I’m a fan of the Founding Fathers as much as anyone, but in creating the electoral college, they kind of stomped on anyone who dares to disagree with the majority of voters in their state.

The day that electors from Texas vote for the democratic candidate is the day that pigs will fly over the icy hills of Hades.

As long as that is the case, anyone who would prefer to vote democrat should just save themselves some gas and not even head to the polls.

The electoral college is hardly the only thing wrong with our current voting system. Political parties cause a whole host of problems, too. At the beginning of their careers, politicians have ideas and beliefs all their own. By the time anyone decides to run for major office, they publicly change their political opinions to stay in the party line.

Mitt Romney was a prime example of this kind of political wavering in the 2012

presidential election. Before becoming a presidential candidate, he said he was pro-choice on the issue of abortion. Sure enough, soon after announcing that he was going to run for president, he had seen the light and decided he was pro-life.

The voting public can’t even begin to differentiate between the candidates if they are too afraid to deviate from the party line. Voters deal with the same kind of political pressures.

For the most part, I consider myself a democrat. I am pro-choice, and I believe in government regulation of big business and progressive tax rates.

At the same time, I believe in the second amendment. So criticism comes from people on both sides of the political spectrum. Instead of trying to force people to fit the molds that were created years ago, we should foster independent thought on the political issues.

Political parties should be a starting point where we come together to share our ideas, not something that we feel obligated to follow so we are accepted by our peers.

So what do we do to fix our political system, revolt and start from scratch? It might not be necessary to go quite that far. We just need to truly embrace the founding principles of democracy, for the first time in many ways.

The electoral college needs to be removed for the tumor on our system that it is. Only in doing so can we eliminate the unfair disparity that exists between large and small states. Eliminating the electoral college would cause the government to be a true representation of the voting public.

Some might argue that bigger states having more votes is fair. More people receiving more votes seems fair on the surface.

The existence of the electoral college, however, winner-takes-all system in many states, meaning whoever wins the majority of votes, takes all the votes. This leaves many voters unrepresented.

Political parties should be a reference point, not something we feel required to follow. We need to encourage independent expression from both our representatives and our citizens.

Politicians should be encouraged to express how they and their constituents feel on independent issues, not to just follow the party line. Only then can we be a nation of true democracy.

Electing your own change

Bernie! Bernie! He’s our man, if he can’t win it, somebody can!

Opinion EditorBrandon Pettey

Content Management EditorDylan McConnell

By Guy StilwellCopy Editor

The United States is changing. In recent years the terms Sexual Orientation and Sexual Identity have become common, not just in protests and various organized campaigns, but also in the workplace.

These two terms sound fairly similar, but they each mean something totally different and should not be confused with one another.

Sexual Orientation is defined by oxforddictionaries.com as “a person’s sexual identity in relation to the gender to which they are attracted; the fact of being heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.”

Sexual Identity, however, is defined by merriam-webster.com as “the totality of physical and behavioral traits that are designated by a culture as masculine or feminine.” So basically, which gender a person identifies with whether he or she was born as such or not.

Sexual Identity is a common issue in the workplace especially for employers. Recently several regulations have been put in place to protect the rights, comfort, and privacy of employees who are in the process of transitioning.

Some of these regulations can be abused, however, and have the potential to be dangerous to other non-transitioning employees.

For example, The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (DOL/OSHA) requires that “For a transitioning employee, once he or she has begun working in the gender that reflects his or her gender identity, agencies should allow access to restrooms and (if

provided to other employees) locker room facilities consistent with his or her gender identity.

Transitioning employees should not be required to have undergone or to provide proof of any particular medical procedure (including gender reassignment surgery) in order to have access to facilities designated for use by a particular gender.” (As read on opm.gov.)

Now, how in the world is that dangerous? After all, DOL/OSHA is simply trying to make sure that if a male or female is transitioning from their original gender to the other that they have the comfort and security of using the restroom designed for the gender that they identify with.

At face value, the regulation seems just fine, but if it’s really evaluated there is a serious issue to consider.

The problem is how the regulation can easily be abused. In the previously mentioned quote it states that in order to use the opposite gender’s facility they “should not be required to have undergone or to provide proof of any medical procedure in order to have access to facilities designated for use by a particular gender.”

So, basically if some guy walks up to his manager and tells them that he feels like he’s a woman and is transitioning from a male to female, the manager must allow him access to the woman’s restroom.

Do you see the problem here? How are we supposed to gauge the sincerity of men and women who make such claims?

No proof of the claim is required. All you have to do is state that you are transitioning and you have unrestricted access to the opposite sex’s bathroom/locker room.

How do we know if the claim is sincere and the individual truly is making the transition from one gender to the other if they have not undergone any obvious medical procedures? The only apparent way to make things fair is if the facilities provided are unisex and single-person.

The same document that contains all of the previously mentioned regulations also recommends that agencies provide “unisex, single-user restrooms when feasible to maximize comfort and access for everyone…”

Now, it also says that transgender employees should not be limited to these facilities, which means that this doesn’t necessarily solve the potential dangers that the regulations create. Although, if an agency only had unisex single-person restrooms rather than male, female, and then one or two unisex single-person facilities or none at all, then the solution works.

With all things considered, this regulation can be a really good thing in the workplace. It provides transitioning employees with the gender-specific facility that they identify with, which in turn makes them feel more comfortable. It does so without violating the privacy of the transitioning employee which is great.

We do, however, need to make sure that in securing the comfort of some, we do not jeopardize the safety and wellbeing of others.

Though it is vital that we as a nation ensure that our transitioning employees feel comfortable in the workplace as they go through that process, it must be a priority to secure everyone’s safety before we prioritize comfort.

Trouble with transitioncartoon By kathy eDwarDS


newS


Utility loop construction beginsproject like this will at times cause inconveniences and distractions.” As construction progresses, updates and information on closures and caution areas will be posted on a weekly basis via email, social media, and on the college’s website.

Northeast Public Information Director Jodi Weber and Webmaster Shane Pitts work in conjunction to provide updates and area maps for the campus community that highlight high construction areas.

“We realize that the construction process will cause varying degrees of disruption throughout the coming months and we are meeting on a weekly basis to determine communications needs regarding the project,” Weber said. “Keeping the campus at large informed and safe is a top priority. Faculty, staff and students should receive regular e-mails with construction updates to make them aware of affected work areas.”

Director of Plant Services Tim Johnston is overseeing the project on behalf of Northeast. Johnston said that the construction, so far, has gone according to plan. “I believe that WRL has done a very good job as far as their time line and staying in tune with everything,” he said.

The project will continue to make its way into more high traffic areas, which will cause the campus community to look for alternate routes to access certain buildings and facilities.

“As challenging as the start up of the job and

the parking lot has been, once we start through the campus itself, everything becomes intensified because of how close buildings are and how close we will be among the students and faculty,” Norris said. “Communication between ourselves and with the campus as a whole will be critical.”

Johnston said that he knows there will be some difficulties and the community should be aware of any signs during this point of the project. “It’s just going to be an inconvenience to go to a different location for whatever you need,” he said. “Hopefully we are going to keep it clear, signage will be posted enough in advance so that it’s not a big deal.”

As for what the campus should expect down the road, Johnston said the most challenging obstacle, but the biggest change, is yet to come. “The hardest part will be keeping up with the construction updates for when we do restroom closures and need to redirect students and others who come on campus,” he said. “That’s going to change all the time and be hard for people to know.”

He added that any construction that will cause a big disruption is scheduled to occur during the upcoming spring break. The plant director advises the campus community to keep safety in mind. “Be patient,” he said. “Pay attention to all the barriers. Adhere to that, and we won’t have any problems.”

Visit ntcc.edu/construction for information of the ongoing construction happening on campus.

Continued from page 1


Jim and Paula Archer recently contributed $1,000 to the Honors Northeast program at Northeast Texas Community College. A matching gift from IBM brought the total gift to $2,000. The gift will be used to fund cultural trips for scholars in Honors Northeast.

Since its inception at NTCC in 2007, the Honors Program has begun each school year with a “roundup” at the Archers’ Upshur County ranch and has traveled each semester on cultural day-trips to nearby locales such as Dallas, Fort Worth and Shreveport.

“Thanks to the Archers, we have visited the Kimbell, the Dallas Art Museum, the Perot Museum, and the Norton, seen the Texas Rangers lose and the old Shreveport Mudbugs win,” Dr. Andrew Yox, NTCC Honors Director, said. “We have danced with other college honors programs and skated at the Galleria; we have visited Dallas theatres, seen the Fort Worth Zoo, the Dallas Arboretum, and have even visited the highly

restricted campus of Texas Instruments.” NTCC Professor Emeritus Dr. Jim Archer,

began the trip sequence even before Honors Northeast was officially formed as a reward for some of his best students.

Dr. Paula Archer, who was a long-term employee of IBM, has been able to receive matching grants through the company and double the impact of their gifts.

“I know I speak for every student in Honors when I say that the Archers are an essential component to our Honors Program,” Angelica Fuentes, NTCC Presidential Scholar, said. “We are more than thankful for their hospitality, encouragement, and special trips they provide us with every year.”

Fuentes is a sophomore chemistry major who attended the fall 2014 cultural trip to Fort Worth, the 2015 spring trip to the Dallas Arts District and the 2015 fall trip to the George Bush Museum and Arboretum.

For more information on Honors Northeast, contact Yox at 903-434-8229 or [email protected].

Cutline: Pictured above is Kayleah Cumpian, former NTCC Presidential Scholar, Dr. Jim Archer, Dr. Paula Archer, and Current Presidential Scholars Angelica Fuentes, and Cailee Davidson.


The Northeast Texas Community College Adult Education Department recently held its fall transition class and College for a Day: The Next Step event. College for a Day, which was held in conjunction with the transition class, was funded through the Whatley Employee Enhancement Grant sponsored by the NTCC Foundation. Eighteen students participated in the 16-hour transition course taught by Adult Education Student Retention Specialist Fredia Thomas.

Thomas said the College for a Day event offers GED students a chance to learn more about attending college and the processes involved in moving into higher education.

“I always look forward to teaching the transition class each semester. The students are so appreciative that we offer a program that allows

them to learn more about the college and also strategies to become successful college students,” she said. “Some students have never been to the college, so offering the class at the NTCC campus gives them great exposure to college life and the diverse programs we offer.”

During the event, students were offered information on the GED assessment process and given various aspects of college and workplace success. Goal setting, time management, study and test taking strategies, and job interview techniques were taught during the class.

Students were given a tour of the campus, administered the career assessment and advised on the college enrollment process by an NTCC student services adviser.

A special luncheon and recognition was held in honor of students’ hard work and dedication to the program.

Special to the Eagle

The annual Unsung Heroes Award is presented to site coordinators who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to students. With acts of love and transformation, these Heroes are the best at what they do.

Kim Matthews was known for her unwavering spirit and positive attitude. Some of the people around her didn’t realize how sick she was because she always wore a smile through any pain or suffering.

Diagnosed with liver cancer, Kim would go for chemotherapy and surgeries, yet somehow make it back to campus to take care of her students.

Her devotion to her children and her community made her death that much more devastating to the

families of Chapel Hill Elementary in Mount Pleasant Texas, where Kim had served as a site coordinator for the past 10 years. The day before she died, Kim met with the school administration at Chapel Hill Elementary School in Mount Pleasant, Texas.

She knew she was going to miss the start of the school year because of an upcoming surgery and recovery time, so she wanted to make sure the

school staff knew the needs of each family and student she served. If she couldn’t be there, she wanted to make sure someone would be.

Kim embodied what it means to be a site coordinator, and her legacy lives on in the students to which she dedicated so much time, energy and love.

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Archers support Honors Northeast

NTCC Adult Education host its College for a Day event

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Students attending the College for a Day event had the chance to learn about transitioning into college and the opportunities offered to them at NTCC.

A mound of dirt piles up as the construction crew digs holes to bury pipe for the utility loop. The campus renovation project is expected to last for at least 18 months.

Matthews wins posthumous honor

Matthews


entertainment

‘The Force Awakens’ is a return to greatness

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Storm Troopers get ready to witness the First Order’s new weapon in an early scene from Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens.

By Jessica Drumm Entertainment Editor

“A long time ago in galaxy far, far away…” As the iconic yellow text crawls across the screen, generations of fans, new and old, feel a thrill of excitement as they anticipate what’s to come in the newest installment of the Star Wars epic.

Almost 40 years after the hit sci-fi series expanded the pop culture universe and practically became a lifestyle for generations of fans, and a full ten years since many of those same fans felt betrayed and let down by Revenge of the Sith, the newest Star Wars movie could very well bear the same name as the original: A New Hope.

Star Wars Episode VII, set about 30 years after the events of “Return of the Jedi,” is funny, moving, and surprisingly light-hearted. Yet it still brings with it many of the same elements that made the original trilogy so great.

Decades after Darth Vader destroyed the Emperor, the galaxy is still at war. The Republic is still around and they are still funding the rebellion against the remnants of the old Empire, which has been taken over by a sinister force called the First Order.

Directed by J.J. Abrams and his co-writers, Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt, the story begins on the sweltering surface of the desert planet Jakku. Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), the Resistance’s best X-wing pilot, receives a piece of map that leads to Luke Skywalker’s hidden location only to be captured shortly thereafter by the First Order.

Poe’s droid, a comical little round robot named BB-8, heads off into the desert in search

of help. There he meets Rey (Daisy Ridley), a headstrong scavenger who works for a local junkyard.

Like many of her generation, Rey has a hard time believing in the Force or if Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, or Princess Leia actually exist or are the stuff of myth. That is, until she meets Finn (John Boyega), a smooth-talking, AWOL Stormtrooper who has fled from the First Order.

With Star Wars becoming a part of Disney, there was a lot of fear and anticipation about how the film would turn out. However, the acting in The Force Awakens is as believable as it is compelling.

It was a real joy to see the original characters placed beside the new ones in situations that respect Lucas’ legendary storytelling.

With British actress Daisy Ridley’s breakout performance, Rey is a tough and resourceful character who is both smart and brave but not immune to being terrified when she comes face to face with the power of the Force.

Then you have Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), the Vader-like commander of the First Order who struggles to find his place among the Dark Side and live up to Darth Vader’s name. Ren, while coming across as a bit too rash in the film, still manages to put on a powerful performance as Star Wars’ newest galactic villain.

The new actors are great and all, but no one can steal a scene from BB-8. No one, except Harrison Ford who immediately claims the spotlight with his first crooked grin as he re-enters the iconic Millennium Falcon. Harrison’s return as Han Solo is not just a prolonged cameo either. From the moment we see him, he takes over the

screen, and at 73, seems to be having more fun playing Solo now than he did in the original trilogy. He’s still grouchy, irritable, and cynical, but he’s also a lot quicker to reveal his caring side.

Old favorites R2D2, Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) also return wrapped in their iconic shells and forever charismatic and captivating. Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) also make appearances in the film.

All in all, Abrams did a masterful job at linking the old characters with the new generation and telling their stories in the typical Star Wars

fashion. Combining local shoots, elaborate set pieces, practical effects and state-of-the-art CGI, The Force Awakens is often visually stunning and brings about the same appeal as the original trilogy did.

TIE fighters loom against the backdrop of space, crashed star destroyers poke up through sand dunes and an ancient temple crumbles beneath an onslaught of laser bolts.

Unlike the Star Wars prequels, which often failed at characterization and plot even though they served up complex systems and enticing images, The Force Awakens returns to the old ways. Lucas’ staged scenes, situations, and

shots with the original trilogy’s to create a feeling of history repeating itself.

Abrams did something similar but more at the characterization and scene-building level which explains why the movie feels lighter and more fully developed than any “Star Wars” movie since “The Return of the Jedi.”

As a film, “The Force Awakens” is a thrilling adventure, filled with compelling characters, sensational fights fueled by soaring emotions, and performances that can be described as downright epic. It’s a delightful, exciting, heart-stopping ride that bursts with unforgettable battle

scenes, gives us chills with encore appearances by stars from the original films, and leaves us thirsting for more.

The Force Awakens is not merely a crowd-pleasing sci-fi flick. It’s part of a series of films that are part of cinema history, American history, and our own personal history all at once.

The new faces on the screen are just as captivating as the well-known ones because they remind us that in the world of Star Wars, as in our own, life goes on no matter what.

So let J.J. Abrams sweep you out of the destruction that was George’s Lucas’ amazingly dull Star Wars prequels and into a brave new world.

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The Forest combines the tale of a typical Hollywood horror film with a real life tragedy.

‘The Forest’: Japan’s dark secretBy holly mcGonaGillStaff Writer

Aokigahara is a forest in Japan that lies at the bottom of the famous Mt. Fuji mountain.

The forest is there for people to hike and camp and enjoy the beautiful nature, but the forest also has a darkness that surrounds it. Aokigahara is nicknamed the Suicide Forest. Those who are about to commit or are considering suicide walk into the forest and many do not come back out.

The movie The Forest is based on the Suicide Forest. The film stars identical twins Sara and Jess Price (Natalie Dormer).

Jess works as an English teacher in Japan and was last seen going into the forest. Jess’s sister, Sara, then travels to Japan to find her sister, even if it means entering a forest that locals warn her is dangerous.

The forest is said to be hunted by Yurei, vengeful, manipulating ghosts that cause harm to the people around them. Sara ignores the warnings and

travels with Michi (Yukiyoshi Ozawa), a tour guide, and Aiden (Taylor Kinney) into the forest to find her sister.

What happened after was a definite surprise. The viewer had no way of telling what would happen at the end.

The plot was well written and the acting was also done well. The Aokigahara Forest is said to be hunted by the Yurei in real life, not just in the movie, and many people avoid the forest for that reason.

Filming at the actual Aokigahara forest is not permitted by the government so the filmmakers chose a forest near the Tara in Serbia to double as the Japanese forest in which the film is set.

For some citizens in Japan, the movie was not received well. The suicide forest is a hard topic for the Japanese because so many people have lost loved ones there.

Many Japanese citizens thought that the movie was making a mockery of their pain and loss that they felt by losing loved ones. On the set

of The Forest, and at the actual Aokigahara forest, there are signs in English and Japanese asking people to not go into the forest.

There are also signs encouraging people to get help instead of committing suicide.

The movie also stayed true to the fact that many people, who have not decided what they will do, will take tents to spend days in the forest to think about their issues.

The people often take string to tie around trees so they will have a path to follow if they decide to leave the forest.

This film brought attention to a real issue not only in Japan, but everywhere in the world.

Yes, it did add a supernatural plot, and that is not a standard way to bring attention to a cause this serious, but this movie will help many see just how big of an issue suicide is.

Especially to have a whole forest dedicated to it. Overall, if you like the supernatural, suspense, and are willing to give something a try, you should go see The Forest.

Pride and Prejudice delights fans with a timeless messageBy ruSti mcGonaGillStaff Writer

Pride and Prejudice did not always include Zombies. With the release of the new movie Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, based on the book of the same name, people forget that there was not always an undead army to be battled.

The original, written in 1813 by Jane Austin, did not have a zombie in sight. Austin touched on subjects of behaviors, morals, education, upbringing and marriage in the society she grew up in.

Pride and Prejudice hints humorously and sarcastically on Austin’s views. However long ago the story was written, the tale is still relevant and exciting to today’s readers.

Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest daughter of five daughters in the Bennet household.

Elizabeth Bennet cheers on her older sister, Jane, in the prospects of her marrying Mr. Bingley, the new comer to Netherfield Park.

Whilst joining her sisters at a social ball, she meets the best friend of Mr. Bingley, the very disagreeable Mr. Darcy whom she cannot tolerate.

In a series of balls and meetings with Mr. Bingley, his court, and an array of other interesting types of people, Elizabeth is forced over and over to observe and interact with characters who have behaviors and manners unlike her own.

Elizabeth is thrown into a world where she learns the personalities of those whose company she keeps by watching their manners and ends up finding out things about herself she did not realize, while possibly finding

a love interest of her own. Though the book mostly

focuses on Elizabeth Bennet, Austin uses the other characters to portray the different morals and behaviors that are or can be developed based on the upbringing, and education they were allowed in that particular time and place.

Austin’s use of subtle humor on the main characters shows a maturity in them without being heavy and boring but still a seriousness to their character and situation.

Meanwhile the background characters have more of a slapstick comedic air to them,

as if in a disapproving way of showing how Austin herself felt about their morals and behavior.

If Pride and Prejudice is to your liking and you want more interesting characters based on societal happenings, then try Sense and sensibility also by Jane Austin.

Want something with a darker tone? How about “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens.

Just like Pride and Prejudice, they have a relatable storyline but also focus on behaviors and morals, and in Dickens case, politics.

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Pride and Prejudice wasn’t always about zombies and death.


entertainment‘The Revenant’ delivers a powerful imageBy: neil “crow” croSBy

Online Blogger

There is power in a picture. More specifically, a power of what’s seen, conveyed, and meant in a few frames of time. Often times a character needn’t speak a single word since the face and body language speak for the mood and tone. Both are the main embodiments of The Revenant.

Set against the immense scale of the Rocky Mountains in the northern territories, one can easily have their breath taken away by the pristine nature caught on film.

We are then introduced to Hugh Glass (Played by Leonardo DiCaprio) and his half-Indian son, Hawk, amidst a hunt for pelts.

Meanwhile, we see the rest of our hunters at base camp skinning pelts when quite suddenly they are attacked by a wrathful Blackfoot tribe.

What ensues is a bloodbath of visceral brutality captured and personified. After a narrow escape, the hunting party travels

down river by boat until they decidedly abandon it in hopes of throwing off their pursuers.

They are then reduced to trekking on foot across a barren tundra, towards the closest fort without their prized pelts, much to the anger of lead hunter Fitzgerald (played by Tom Hardy).

From here it becomes perilous and things turn even worse when Glass, who’s the hunters guide, gets viciously mauled by a bear.

Not too long after he is left for dead. Miraculously he survives, if only as he witnessed something truly horrible to press him on for a while longer.

Realism is this film’s greatest achievement. You could literally put yourself into the film as people are suffering, the cold is creeping up on you, and the unforgiving elements of the wilderness surround you, without you ever being right there.

By comparative contrast, we have some of the most visually stunning nature shots I’ve ever seen in any film. So entrancing

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Leonardo DiCaprio immerses film-goers in the unforgiving wilderness of the Rocky Mountains in The Revenant.

that I would want a framed picture of each of the pure nature shots and be lost in their visage.

They are simply that beautiful. That leaves the question of why have such

delicate but effective elements been combined into this film?

The simple answer is immersion of the audience. As I stated earlier, the sights, sounds, and lack of character dialogue for the most part,

are tailored to bring us into the scenes and feel as the characters do.

I cannot, however, suggest the squeamish to view it since it is quite gory. For all others: this is not a film. This is a fully

illuStration By kathy eDwarDS

realized experience on a silver screen that must be witnessed and felt with all senses wide open.

Bottom line: The perfect adventure film and a definite Must- See. Bar none.

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In a world where music has lost a lot of its substance, Twenty One Pilots brings some hope.

‘Stressed Out’ tops the chartsBy: ieSha Fluellen Staff Writer

In a world where absurd

songs such as “Anaconda” by Nicki Minaj and “Whip My Hair” by Willow Smith can reach number one on the charts, it seems as though music doesn’t need substance to be successful.

Well I’m here to tell you that not all hope is lost in the world. Currently, the number one song on iTunes is “Stressed Out” by Ohio-native band, Twenty One Pilots.

Released in April of 2015, the song has recently gained more recognition.

“Stressed Out” is featured on their album, Blurryface. The album is a unique mix of rap accompanied by rock influences.

The song “Stressed Out” has an addicting chorus and a catchy hook. The sound of the song has it’s own unique flair that is unlike anything I’ve heard before.

The same can be said about their entire album. Each song has it’s own signature style and still manages to draw you towards the song upon the first time listening.

It’s easy to see why the song has gotten so popular, but another aspect of the song that has gained much attention is the lyrics.

This song, like any other song contains lyrics that are open to interpretation. That’s always part of the experience with art.

In fact, Twenty One Pilots member, Tyler Joseph had once stated that they write all of their songs so that they are open to interpretation.

When I listened to the song for the first time, I couldn’t help but think that the song was basically about how being an adult isn’t all that great as we thought it would be.

As children, we all wanted so bad to grow up and be an adult. But when we finally grew up, it seemed as though life was not at all what we expected.

The truth is, life was a lot easier when we were just children. As a child, there were no bills you had to pay, all you had to do was go to school, go home and enjoy life with no responsibilities.

All of the basic necessities were taken care of. From having free food to free clothes to the free roof over your head. You didn’t have to worry about as much as you do now. The transition from adolescence to adult is always rough.

You go from a world where everything is free and given to you to a world where you have to leave the comfort of your nest and work for everything.

I personally believe that this is something that all of us can relate to.

We all can agree whether you’re a staff member or a student, being an adult isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and that we’d give anything to go back to those days when we had no worries....At least I know I would. Tarantino’s newest delight

By neil “crow” croSByOnline Blogger

When people ask me who my favorite movie director/filmmaker is, I always reply, “The one that reminds me the most of who I’d like to be, Quentin Tarantino.”

He was often regarded as an insane genius among filmmakers, and duly so given his long line of cult classic films like Pulp Fiction, Inglorious Bastards, Reservoir Dogs and so forth.

And today we are looking at the ironically 8th addition to his works, The Hateful Eight. Set as a tribute to ‘spaghetti’ westerns of the ‘60s and ‘70s, we begin with a slow and drawn out shot of a cross in the foreground with an approaching horse carriage amongst white wilderness.

Twice the carriage comes to a halt and a new companion is brought into the story at each stop. The first is Marquis Warren, a former Civil War officer (played by Tarantino film veteran, Samuel L. Jackson).

Then the son of a southern rebel leader, Chris Maddix (played by Walton Goggin) is introduced. For you see, this carriage is a transport to a hanging as led by ‘Hangman’ John Ruth (played by Kurt Russell) and prisoner, the ever-badgering

Daisy Domergue (played by Jennifer Jason Leah). Little do they realize what will happen in a little

haberdashery, but hell is a start. For all is not as it seems as John Ruth is convinced that someone among them, and their newly met companions of the haberdashery, is out to free his prisoner, Domergue.

It quickly becomes a claustrophobic atmosphere with the ever present fear of who just might be a killer among the fold and there is constant question, since all are suspect in some form or fashion. It’s played like slow burning flames, as things twist and turn like a coiling snake waiting to strike at our anticipations of what’s going to happen. Hence we are given subtle humor in the darkest fashion, in full force, and shot to hit hard every single time.

Portrayed and performed by an all star cast, to the most suiting soundtrack for glorious ultra-violence, with a story that one may need to see more than once to understand, The Hateful Eight is well worth the viewing. In short, it’s another Tarantino classic!

Bottom line: A film that is gushing with delights, and pure fun for any viewer. It even has a couple of innovative twists which I dare not reveal.

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Hangman John Ruth (Kurt Russell) threatens to kill Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson) during just one of many intense scenes in The Hateful Eight.

Join the NTCC Film Club for the opening the semester with their traditional showing of

Thursday, January 28th at 6pm in H 111

Cost is FREEFree “Fred Bag” of goodies for the first 20 people


SportS

Softball ready to take the field

Softball player Tyler Kennington gets ready to put the bat on the ball during a recent team practice. The ladies will take on North Central Texas College on Jan. 30 in Gainesville. The team will be home for their first game against Temple College at 1 p.m. on Feb. 5.


With the crack of a bat and a dash to first, the girls of spring will take the field for the first time this season.

The Northeast Lady Eagles will battle North Central Texas College in a double header game starting at 11:00 a.m. on Jan. 30 in Gainesville.

The team has been gearing up for their first battle with afternoon practices, and Head Softball Coach Jessica Keith said that the team has grown a lot since coming together back in the fall.

“Their strengths are that they’re a team,” she said. “They come together, jive really well, and love each other. They have improved so much; we were all over the place on day one and it’s been growth since then.”

The team’s tenacity and demeanor have only added to their strengths according to their coach “I think the team’s attitude is a big time benefit,” Keith said.

“They have a great work ethic; they’ve worked really hard. They have a thing this year that’s called ‘Fly or Die,’ and that’s kind of their thing. It’s who they are and what they’re about.”

Although the team has made progress, the coach said one downside is the team’s overall youth. “We’re young; we just don’t have the experience in a lot of big positions,” Keith said. “But hopefully that

Rodeo team set to rope and rideDylan mcconnellContent Management Editor

Northeast Texas Community College’s rodeo team prepares to ride back into the arena for the second half of the season. Both the men’s and women’s teams have began practice sessions in preparation for their upcoming events.

The first rodeo of the new year is being held by Trinity Valley Community College in Athens Feb. 12 and 13.

The end of the first half of the season left the rodeo team ranked sixth in the Southern Rodeo Region.

Head rodeo coach Skylar Hunnicutt said he was thrilled to start back up. “I am excited about the second half of our season,” he said.“The competition is still wide open and we have some students in good positions. We have five rodeos left and we hope to gather as many points as possible to try and get to the college finals (held in Casper Wyoming) in June.”

By kieran martinStaff Writer

Coming from Scotland, East Texas is immensely different from what I had been used to my entire life. I moved to Pittsburg in 2013 as an exchange student.

I enjoyed living here so much that when the exchange program ended I decided to stay. I am still becoming accustomed to Texan traditions every day, although I now use “y’all” fluently.

In a land of lifted trucks, mud tires and a Tex-Mex restaurant on every corner, a guy from Scotland seemed to captivate everybody.

Perhaps it was the absence of kilt-wearing, but I have a feeling that everybody expected me to have ginger hair, a full beard, be extremely pale and spend my free time hunting the Loch Ness Monster.

The lack thereof may have been somewhat disappointing.

I think I would have made a lot of people happier if I walked around all day playing the bagpipes while serving up some haggis.

As a communications major, I enrolled in a news writing class knowing nothing about the work it takes to put a newspaper together in such a short time frame.

I went into the class thinking it would be relaxed, but I quickly realized otherwise. The Eagle editor assigned me to cover rodeo, which just happens to be a topic that is somewhat incomprehensible to me.

In Scotland, a lot of us have never even heard of a rodeo, and the other half think of the stereotypical southern cowboy with

bowed legs and a drool of tobacco dripping from the corner of his mouth.

I had never ridden a horse in my life prior to moving to Texas. One of the first days after I arrived here, I was taken to a neighbor’s ranch to ride a horse, and it did not go as planned.

Although my first thought was “rodeos are real!” I was surprised by the sheer height of the horse. I guess I was expecting to ride a pony.

I also was not prepared to hoist my leg up that high to get into the saddle. It took a lot of effort to get on, which made the horse more than a little upset. I admit that I fell off the beast more than once or twice.

I was greatly puzzled by the concept of roping. Chasing cattle around the arena while trying to lasso them was so fascinating.

For the first time in my life I felt like I was John Wayne. In Scotland, there are an abundance of highland cattle which roam around freely like horses do, although, if you try to ride them it is probably not going to turn out in your favor.

Nevertheless, my experience so far has been a great one.

I learned that spurs are a real thing, and Texas high school football is no joke. This semester at Northeast, I hope to learn more as I continue to cover sports and agriculture for The Eagle and gain a better perspective on the tough grind that it takes to be a good writer and journalist.

So far, my Texan experience has broadened my horizons and introduced me to many things including my love of sweet tea and country music.


The season for grand slams and shutout games is upon us, and the Northeast Eagles Baseball team is ready to take the field once more.

The Eagles will face Cedar Valley in their first double header home game on Jan. 30 starting at 1:00 p.m. Changes will be made this season as former Head Baseball Coach Josh Stewart moves into a different role on campus.

Austin Knight, who has served as the assistant baseball coach for the previous season, will guide the players in spring play.

“My hope for this season is that I will lead the team in the same way that Josh Stewart led team,” Head Baseball Coach Austin Knight said. “He treated everybody well; he did everything right. He won baseball games and represented our school really well. I hope to

just do what he has done for a long time.”

Knight said the position shift for both him and the players should be seamless.

“I think that Coach Stewart did a really good job of letting us assistants do our job. He wasn’t a micromanager; he trusted us,” he said. “I think this transition has been easier because of how he’s done his job in the past and related to us assistants. Practice, and hopefully the games as well, will be a smoother transition as a result of him giving us so much responsibility with the team. I think their attitude and my expectation will be it’s the same as it was.”

As the team powers through practice, Knight said the players’ togetherness has shined through as a strength. “I would say the team has really good camaraderie.

They seem to really enjoy each other which is not always the case on all teams,” he said. “I think that’s a result of Coach

Stewart’s leadership and the culture he has created here, the type of players he has recruited and they way he has treated them makes it an enjoyable environment for them to be in. When you enjoy what you’re doing, you are going to do it better.”

The head coach mentioned that this season’s pitching staff is the deepest it has been in recent seasons and adds another layer to possible strengths.

“As long as the pitchers stay within themselves and they throw strikes and do their job, I think that they will have a chance to really pitch well. It all starts on the mound,” he said.

The Eagles will host Southwest Iowa Community College in the next home series on Feb. 5 at and 6, both at 1:00 p.m.

For more information on the Eagles baseball team and their road to the regional tournament, the athletics’ website, www ntcceagles.com.

A Scot in the south

Eagles swing into a new season


Eagles baseball player Brandon Torres plays second base during a recent afternoon practice ses-sion. The team is gearing up for opening day on Saturday, Jan. 30 when they will take the field in a double header game against Cedar Valley Community College. Coach Knight said the player’s collective effort is one of the strongest advantages of the team.

maturity will make up for that and that we can grow even more as a team.”

Like any team, Keith said that a journey into postseason is the overall goal for the Lady Eagles. “Our number one goal is to make it to San Jacinto for our regional tournament by the end of April,” she said. “That’s what we are working for in the

long run.”The Lady Eagles will take on

Temple College for their first home game on Feb. 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Stay up-to-date with the Northeast Lady Eagles softball team by visiting the athletics’ website, www.ntcceagles.com, for game recaps, schedules and statistics.



Candice Weatherly fields the ball during practice this week. The team is getting prepared to take on North Central Texas in their first game of the spring.

Northeast rodeo team members will compete at Trinity Valley CC on Feb. 12 and 13.


the eagle january 28, 2016 edition

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