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A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926

Vol. 85 Issue 13 Single copies free Feb. 14, 2011

The Ranger •2 • Feb. 14, 2011

A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926The RangeR

3 News Committee opposes handgun bill before Legislature By Jennifer M. Ytuarte

4 Students take budget concerns to the Capitol By Jennifer M. Ytuarte

6 Grassy knoll makeover By Jacob Beltran Graduate crashes during winter storm By Megan Mares

7 Health center closing strands disabled students By J. Almendarez

8 Premiere

Valentine’s Day makes romantic memories By Ranger staff Love doesn’t have to be blind By J. Almendarez Holiday leaves emotional scars

9 Lovers’ day marks saint’s clubbing, stoning and beheading

10 Calendar

11 Whitney curator of new media here Thursday By Riley Stephens No more free performances By Dana Lynn Traugott

12 Editorials Call, write, text legislators

13 Graduate now Treat adjuncts better

14 Officials & Policies

16 Stock show raises ranchers, scholarships By Krystal Barcenez

College Council wary of assessment, opposes concealed handguns By Melody Mendoza College releases 500 transcripts on printer paper By Joshua Fechter VP suggests federal

services for disabled By J. Almendarez Handguns on campus revived in Legislature By Jennifer M. Ytuarte Consultants find, remove petroleum tanks from lot By Jacob Beltran

This issue

Online

Cover: Illustration by Juan Carlos Campos

Drama sophomore Wendy Olivares as Penelope, a demonic twin, rips the head off a doll while theater sophomore John Belcher, as Xavier Utterson, reacts Tuesday during rehearsals for “Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play” in McCreless. Tyler K. Cleveland

Does a Ranger as SAC mascot offend you?Online poll resultsNo — 63 percent/38 votesYes — 5 percent/3 votesWhy would it? — 32 percent/19 votes

The Ranger Feb. 14, 2011 • 3News

By Zahra Farah

Legal Affairs Committee members Tuesday

voted to recommend to the full board a resolu-

tion opposing pending legislation to allow con-

cealed handguns on campus.

The full board will consider the resolution at

the next regular board meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 22

in Room 101 of Killen Center at 201 W. Sheridan.

The board meeting was postponed a week

so trustees can attend a Community College

National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.

Tuesday’s vote was 3-1 with District 8 trustee

Gary Beitzel in opposition. Beitzel, who is also

chairman of the board, was sitting in for District

4 trustee Marcelo S. Casillas, who was feeling ill.

Members of this committee are Casillas,

District 9 trustee James Rindfuss, District 7 trust-

ee Blakley Fernandez and District 1 trustee Joe

Alderete Jr.

Chancellor Bruce Leslie was absent to attend

a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation meeting in

Washington, D.C. Dr. Robert Aguero, vice chan-

cellor for academic success, sat in for Leslie.

The resolution calls for opposing three pro-

posed bills related to licensed concealed hand-

guns on campuses, HB 86, SB 354 and HB 750.

Another handgun bill in the Texas House of

Representatives is HB 954, which relates to an

employee’s transportation and storage of cer-

tain firearms or ammunition while on property

owned or controlled by the employer.

After the meetings, Beitzel said he voted

against the resolution because he agrees some-

one with a concealed handgun license should

have the right to carry a concealed weapon. He

said it is up to the committee and in the end, the

decision of the full board.

In a Thursday interview, Beitzel said he does

not carry a handgun, but he got a license about

a year ago and practices target shooting at a gun

range and has a gun for family protection.

He said a requirement of getting a license is

to “know how to shoot and clean your weapon.”

“The law to carry a license is pretty thick,”

Beitzel said. “It’s about 69 pages.”

He said the restrictions on getting a license

are tougher than running for office and that

when he was in the Air Force, he had a security

clearance, but it still took six months to get a

concealed handgun license.

The resolution further states that such leg-

islation limits the number of Alamo Colleges’

parking lots because the district would have

to provide employee-secured firearms storage.

General counsel Retha Karnes said that the

Texas labor code states that employees who are

licensed to carry would have to leave weapons

in the car. If the car is on an employer’s parking

lot, the employer has to provide either a lock box

or designated parking lot for those employees.

Alamo Colleges’ policy states only peace officers

can carry handguns on campus.

Chief Don Adams of district police said it’s

best to oppose all legislation. He said if any of

these bills pass and if there is a situation at the

campus involving weapons, peace officers won’t

stop to ask who is licensed to carry a handgun.

Texas law states a “person who can legally

possess a firearm may carry a handgun in motor

vehicle (including a recreational vehicle with liv-

ing quarters) that is owned by or under the lawful

control of the person.”

According to policy D.4.6 workplace violence,

state law and college district prohibit the posses-

sion, carry or use of prohibited weapons includ-

ing firearms, illegal knives and clubs on college

district-owned or -controlled properties.

Adams said if the bills in the Legislature pass,

it would trump any district administrative policy.

Beitzel asked if a citizen in a campus parking

lot is allowed to carry a concealed handgun.

Adams said yes, but if they point the gun at

anyone, they are breaking the law. Also prohib-

ited from obtaining a license is anyone with a

charge of driving while intoxicated or threaten-

ing with a weapon, or who has been diagnosed

by a psychiatrist with mental incompetence.

Adams said they can only use a weapon to

protect themselves and others. Beitzel said it’s

not like a student would come in and threaten a

professor with a weapon for a better grade.

Fernandez asked college presidents for their

opinions. Dr. Jackie Claunch, Northwest Vista

president, said she was not comfortable hav-

ing students carry guns on campus. President

Robert Zeigler said he was not comfortable with

students, faculty and staff carrying weapons

on campus. Dr. Eric Reno, Northeast Lakeview

College president, said he would not work in an

environment that allowed students and faculty

to carry concealed handguns on campus.

He reminded the board that two years ago

at Northeast Lakeview, Librarian Alan Godin

shot and killed fellow Librarian Donald “Devin”

Zimmerman. Reno said concealed handguns

wouldn’t have changed the outcome. After the

shooting, Reno said the media asked if he would

install metal detectors, and he said no.

Dr. Ana “Cha” Guzman, Palo Alto College

president, did not attend the meeting and Dr.

Adena Loston, St. Philip’s College president,

arrived after the discussion.

Alderete asked Adams how police would

remember which students have permits to carry

a handguns.

“It would virtually be impossible,” Adams

replied.

For more information, go to www.alamo.edu

and click on Board of Trustees and then Agendas.

Committee opposes handgun bills before Legislature

Ashley Storm, general counsel and bill manager for Sen. Jeff Wentworth, speaks with students and faculty of this college Feb. 2 at Community College Day in Austin. Students express con-cerns about SB 354, which would allow concealed handguns on campus. Storm said the bill involves self-defense and the right to protect property. See story, Page 4. Jennifer M. Ytuarte

4 • Feb. 14, 2011 The RangerNews

Anthropology sophomore Alice Yannuzzi speaks with State Rep. Joaquin Castro about pursuing a degree after she raised her children as a single parent and saw them graduate from college. Castro spoke Feb. 2 during Community College Day in Austin. Photos by Jennifer M. Ytuarte

By Jennifer M. ytuarte

A wind chill of 6 degrees and power failures

greeted six students, two faculty members and

a Ranger reporter Wednesday as they boarded a

charter bus and headed to the Capitol in Austin

for Community College Day.

The Texas Association of Community

Colleges, the Community College Association

of Texas Trustees and the Texas Student

Government Association sponsored the event.

Eighty-five students from the Alamo Colleges

participated the event: six from this campus,

plus a Ranger reporter, 30 from St. Philip’s

College, 32 from Northwest Vista College and 16

in a combined bus of Northeast Lakeview and

Palo Alto colleges’ students.

Of the 21,441 students currently enrolled at

this college, 22 expressed interest, but only six

boarded a bus early Feb. 2.

Student life announced the free trip on

ACES Jan. 25 inviting students to voice their

concerns about proposed budget cuts to high-

er education.

Leo Zuniga, associate vice chancellor of

communications who coordinated the event,

said, “These students were dedicated. They left

between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. in the bitter

cold.”

Zuniga said, “They also braved wind gusts

and below freezing wind chill during the open-

ing speech on the Capitol steps.”

Zuniga said the event was a success.

“Students carried on active conversations

with senators and representatives and were

involved in the discussion process.”

District funds covered the $983 Star Shuttle

charter bus and $100 breakfast. Each student

received apple juice, a water bottle, apple and

muffin.

Alamo Colleges students spoke directly with

Sens. Judith Zaffirini and Jeff Wentworth as well

as Reps. Mike Villarreal, Ruth Jones McClendon

and Joe Farias.

Steven Johnson with the Texas Association

of Community Colleges said about 700-800 of

the original 1,400 registered students attended.

They represented 30 of the 50 college districts

in Texas.

“Most districts have only one community

college, so there was a huge turnout, even with

the unbearably cold weather,” Johnson said.

Snow in the Dallas metroplex and single-

digit temperatures with up to a minus-12 degree

wind chill in the Panhandle grounded most of

northern Texas.

Anthropology sophomore Alice Yannuzzi

said she wanted to go to the Capitol and get

information directly from bill authors. “I’m

going to let the representatives know we are

hard-working and determined to get an educa-

tion,” Yannuzzi said.

Nursing freshman Jessica Hernandez said

she is concerned about cuts to elementary

education.

The preliminary House budget proposal,

HB1, eliminates all prekindergarten funds.

Students from Brazosport College, one of

four community colleges proposed for the

Students take budget concerns to the Capitol

The Ranger Feb. 14, 2011 • 5News

chopping block in HB1, wore matching T-shirts

that said, “Count on us, here to stay!”

Other students passed out fliers and sport-

ed red stickers that read, “+20% students/-30%

funding,” to remind legislators that while stu-

dent enrollment has increased 20 percent,

funding has been cut by 30 percent.

A comparison of enrollment between fall

2009 and 2010 by the Texas Higher Education

Coordinating Board shows an enrollment

growth of 66,590 students, or 9.83 percent, in

community colleges, and 27,891 students, or

5.24 percent in public four-year institutions.

According to the 2010-11 biennium, appro-

priations to higher education totaled $21.6

billion in all funds and $12.7 billion in general

revenue. Public community colleges received

a budget of $2.2 billion of general revenue

appropriations.

The 2010-11 budget does not include Gov.

Rick Perry’s later mandated 10 percent cut.

Johnson said the 2010-11 budget does not

cover growth and HB1 cuts deeper into higher

education, forcing Texas colleges and universi-

ties to patch together temporary solutions at

students’ expense.

Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, met hundreds

of community college students at the Capitol’s

southern steps.

He emphasized the importance of student

participation. “Today more than half of higher

education takes place in community colleg-

es,” Branch said. “We need your voices to be

heard.”

Of the 1.3 million students enrolled in four-

year universities, community and technical

colleges last fall, 743,979 — 53 percent —

called community college home.

The board cites data that shows 70 percent

of first-time college students enroll at a com-

munity college.

During lunch, Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San

Antonio, said, “The budget we see today is not

what is going to pass in May, it is the worst-

case scenario.”

He said, “Just as there is an infrastructure

for roads and highways, we need to build a

support mechanism to make sure everyone

has access to higher education.”

Castro said tuition at public four-year uni-

versities has risen 75 percent since 2003.

Cuts must be made, Castro said, but they

will not be made at the expense of children.

Deborah Martin, this college’s public rela-

tions director, asked David Clark, Wentworth’s

legislative assistant, if the next budget options

would tap the state’s $9.4 billion Rainy Day

fund.

“It’s pouring,” Martin said.

Clark said HB1 is what legislators promised

constituents: a balanced state budget with no

tax increases and no rainy day funds.

He said, “This budget crisis is a blessing

and a curse.” Clark said it forces legislators to

address previously overlooked spending.

Clark said there are several ideas for tax

increases, revisiting the gross receipts margin

tax as well as a tax on tobacco.

“The most likely idea is to use $4 billion to

$5 billion from the Rainy Day fund to fill the

gap.”

Tyler Ingraham, a former student here

and an unsuccessful candidate for the Alamo

Community College District board, works as

an aid to Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer, D-San

Antonio.

Ingraham said, “One vote can go a long way

in the right situation.”

He said, “You only have so much credence.

Talk to your local representatives. They know

what avenues to take to get your voice heard.”

Local and Austin office phone numbers, as

well as e-mail addresses for the included list

of representatives and senators can be found

in their member directory at www.house.

state.tx.us/members/ and www.senate.state.

tx.us/75r/Senate/senmem.htm.

Representatives

District 116 Trey Martinez Fischer Local: 210-737-7200 Austin: 512-463-0616 Trey.martinez.fischer@house.state.tx.us

District 117 John V. Garza Austin: 512-463-0269 John.garza@house.state.tx.us

District 118 Joe Farias Local: 210-923-0908 Austin: 512-463-0714 Joe.farias@house.state.tx.us

District 119 Roland Gutierrez Local: 210-532-2758 Austin: 512-463-0452 Roland.gutierrez@house.state.tx.us

District 120 Ruth McClendon Local: 210-225-2107 Austin: 512-463-0708 Ruth.mcclendon@house.state.tx.us

District 121 Joe Straus Local: 210-828-4411 Austin: 512-463-1000 Joe.straus@house.state.tx.us

District 122 Lyle Larson Local: 210-414-3536 Austin: 512-463-0646 Lyle.larson@house.state.tx.us

District 123 Mike Villarreal Local: 210-734-8937 Austin: 512-463-0532 Mike.villarreal@house.state.tx.us

District 124 Jose Menendez Local: 210-673-3579 Austin: 512-463-0634 Jose.menendez@house.state.tx.us

District 125 Joaquin Castro Local: 210-684-6896 Austin: 512-463-0669 Joaquin.castro@house.state.tx.us

Senators

District 19 Carlos Uresti Local: 210-932-2568 Austin: 512-463-0119 Carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us

District 21 Judith Zaffirini Local: 210-657-0095 Austin: 512-463-0121 Judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us

District 25 Jeff Wentworth Local: 210-826-7800 Austin: 512-463-0125 eff.wentworth@senate.state.tx.us

District 26 Leticia R. Van de Putte Local: 210-733-6604 Austin: 512-463-0126 Leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us

Tyler Ingraham, aide for Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, speaks with students about finding alternative private funding for higher education Feb. 2 at Community College Day in Austin. Eighty-five Alamo Colleges students attended the event.

6 • Feb. 14, 2011 The RangerNews

By Megan Mares

Icy roads proved treacherous

for many San Antonians late Feb. 3

when freezing drizzle and ice cov-

ered the area. Many aren’t trained

to drive on icy roads because the

area so seldom sees this weather.

Nearly 500 vehicle accidents

were reported with one resulting in

a college graduate in two leg casts,

unable to walk for six to eight weeks.

At about 10 p.m., Monica

Polendo was involved in a 20-car

pile-up eastbound on Interstate

10 near Woodlawn Avenue and

Fredericksburg Road.

On the way home, weather con-

ditions declined quickly with tem-

peratures at 20 degrees and roads

slick with freezing rain. The trip in

her older Honda Civic usually took

less than 15 minutes.

The liberal arts graduate saw

cars in front of her begin to collide.

“As I hit my brakes, my car spun in

a circle and hit a concrete barrier,”

she said.

Cars behind her continued to

pile up, so Polendo jumped out

of the car and ran to the shoulder

of the elevated freeway lanes. “I

was freaked out,” she said. “I didn’t

want to get hit.”

And so Polendo jumped. She

landed 10 to 12 feet below on the

access road. Unable to get up, she

located her cell phone and called

for help. Residents who saw the

accident offered help and blankets.

In about 15 minutes, two para-

medics arrived and assisted her in

walking to an ambulance where

she waited for 30 minutes.

Paramedics told her nothing

was broken. She said she was wait-

ing for a friend to pick her up.

As he approached the scene,

Clayton Greenwell saw an elderly

man trapped in an upside-down

vehicle. He kicked in the window,

shattering the glass, and pulled the

man out unharmed before collect-

ing Polendo.

Two days later, she was still in

extreme pain and began to doubt

the paramedics’ assessment.

Polendo was X-rayed, and a doc-

tor told her the fibula in each of her

legs was broken. She was unable

to decide between cast colors and

opted for one orange and one blue.

When asked what happened,

Polendo said she answered the

doctor honestly. “I guess it’s better

then being dead,” she was told.

Despite her injuries, Polendo’s

Honda sustained only a small

scratch.

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Grassy knoll makeoverBy JacoB Beltran

Students often slip on mud

or trip on branches when walk-

ing through the seating of the

grassy knoll west of Moody

Learning Center.

Facilities Director David

Ortega said limestone is being

cut and will be placed along the

west side of the knoll.

As he cleared a barricade

on the knoll Tuesday, irrigation

technician Alberto Gloria said,

“This will hopefully prevent

people from walking through,

tripping and act as a barrier to

stop mud from getting on the

walkway.”

Gloria dug a moat using a

tractor in preparation for lime-

stone blocks to be placed as

a border in harmony with the

limestone already in place.

“It will be noticeable at

first,” Ortega said. “But after a

couple years of weathering, it’ll

blend in.”

Ortega said the limestone,

which costs $2,300, would add

more places for students to sit

in the mall.

He said planning for the

project began in November,

was approved in December

and landscapers began Sunday

to avoid having to work with

heavy equipment around stu-

dents.

The project is expected to be

completed in a month.

Graduate crashes during winter storm

Irrigation technician Alberto Gloria uses a tractor to make preparations to place lime-stone around the grassy knoll. Jacob Beltran

The Ranger Feb. 14, 2011 • 7News

By J. AlmendArez

Library science sophomore

Loree Morgan has cerebral palsy.

The brain disease affects mus-

cle tone, which is her ability to

resist movement.

It directly causes her to strug-

gle with balance, posture, and the

position of her body.

She depends on the college

health center in Room 119 of

Chance Academic Center to assist

her throughout the day on campus.

The nurses help her open the

restroom door, are available to

help her if she falls and allow her

to rest in the office.

When the center is closed, as it

was Feb. 5 and 6, the services stop.

The health center closed at 2

p.m. Monday when nurse Paula

Daggett left ill. Tuesday, the center

was closed all day because Daggett

was still out sick.

“I have to find somebody to

take me to the bathroom,” Morgan

said. She said when she sometimes

feels dizzy, she turns to the resting

beds in the health center to nap.

But when the center is closed,

she said she rests in a corner of a

computer lab next to the disability

support services office. “It’s embar-

rassing,” she said.

She and several other disabled

students, said it feels like the cen-

ter is closed more than it is open.

Last semester, The Ranger

reported this college is in com-

pliance with the Texas Board of

Nursing’s Interpretive Guideline

for LVN Scope of Practice Section

301.353 and Rule 217.11(2).

It requires “an LVN to practice

under the supervision of a RN,

advanced practice nurse, physi-

cian, podiatrist, dentist or physi-

cian assistant.”

In the guideline’s definition of

supervision, it states, “However,

direct (onsite or on-unit) supervi-

sion is not required.” It goes on to

say that if an LVN can

contact an RN on the

telephone or through

other means, they will

be within the law.

President Robert

Zeigler said the col-

lege has been operat-

ing since last semester

under the assumption

that a RN had to physi-

cally be present for an

LVN to legally work in

the center.

After being shown the state’s

definition of the word “supervised,”

Zeigler said he would meet with Dr.

Robert Vela, vice president of stu-

dent services, and Jorge Posadas,

director of student life, to discuss

if the college can comply with that

interpretation of the word.

“We will look into this further,”

he said Wednesday.

While the code was enacted in

2006, it was not implemented at

this campus until last semester.

Jeff Jackson, associate direc-

tor of student life, said the col-

lege complied with the law when

they found out it changed, but was

unsure why the change was not

noticed sooner.

Vela confirmed that the col-

lege did not find out about the

change until last year. Neither he

nor Zeigler were able to explain

the delay.

The health center, overseen by

the office of student life, is now

closed whenever Dagget is unable

to be at the office because of a

meeting, for lunch or when she

is sick.

When the health center is

closed during regular hours of

operation, LVN Josie Noriega has

been instructed to report to the

office of student life in Room 256

of Loftin Student Center.

There she is available to answer

questions or provide information

for students, faculty and staff,

Jackson said.

However, she is unable to

provide any medical

assistance to students,

including the daily

help many disabled

students need and that

Noriega has been pro-

viding for the past 16

years at this college

Prior to the fall,

Noriega often staffed

the health center

when Daggett was out.

Several years ago, the

college health center had a staff of

three, which allowed evening and

weekend hours.

Tuesday, Noriega was also pro-

moting the center’s lecture “Sexual

Health and Condom Awareness”

Feb. 9 in the craft room in Loftin,

which was scheduled at the same

time as student life’s Wild West

Rodeo Round-up in the mall.

Vela said the college wants to

protect Noriega from losing her

license, which under the current

understanding of the guidelines

is a potential consequence if she

practices without the supervision

of a certified RN.

DSS Chair Maria Gomez mir-

rored the feeling some disabled stu-

dents have about the center being

closed nearly as much as it is open.

She is concerned not only for

the well being of disabled students,

but for everyone on campus who

needs medical help or advice.

She said without the health

center, this campus will lack acces-

sibility to medical information,

adding that when the health center

is closed, people often go to DSS

looking for a nurse.

The DSS office is next to the

health center in Chance.

For assistance with college ser-

vices, call the DSS office at 210-

486-0020. The health center num-

ber is 210-486-1446.

Health center closing strands disabled students

A federal program can provide help to disabled students.

8 • The Ranger Premiere

Read closely, romantic souls, and prepare to scorn,

cynics. Maybe these recollections from The Ranger staff

will spark an idea or two for your own 2011 Valentine’s

Day.

“Last year, my boyfriend picked me up for church like

a regular Sunday. It was our first Valentine’s together, so I

was expecting something good, but there were no flowers,

no card, nothing. I was a little disappointed, but “love is

patient.” When I got to church, I found a huge bouquet

of flowers on the media/audio booth where I sit. At first,

I thought they were just decoration, but when I finally sat

down, I saw a picture of us with 1 Corinthians 13:4, which

says, ‘Love is patient, love is kind,’ etc.”

Journalism sophomore Melody Mendoza

“My boyfriend always gives thoughtful gifts. One year

for Valentine’s Day, he bought me a tape recorder because

he knew I wouldn’t buy it for myself but that I would even-

tually need it for a reporting assignment. Someone who

can support your goals is definitely ‘a keeper’ in my book.”

Journalism sophomore Laura Garcia

“My best Valentines Day experience was back in 2009,

the best year of my life. I wanted to take my girlfriend to

Olive Garden but I was so sick, I didn’t think I could do it,

I still did though. She was so happy that we made it, even

though we were waiting outside for almost an hour till we

could get a seat. Eventually, we got in and as we sat down,

we exchanged Valentines gifts. I gave her a bear that had

her favorite picture of us in the center when we were in

school together along with other things I can’t remember.

She gave me a mix CD that I still listen to, and PS3 under

shorts. It was a romantic time and I still remember the

love in the air, even in the freezing wind that buffeted us

outside, we simply held each other close to keep warm.”

Journalism sophomore Jacob Beltran

“Well to be honest I really don’t have a memorable

Valentine’s Day moment. I don’t feel like I’m really missing

out on anything. I just feel like my special someone has

not come yet. I’m not sad or upset when this day comes

around either. To be honest I make sure I get my mom a

gift because she’s more into it than I am. When I do find

that someone, I hope we don’t celebrate this day because

it’s too commercial. I want my boyfriend to buy me flow-

ers and chocolate in a random month like October. It

would be more meaningful and more of a surprise.”

Journalism sophomore Zahra Farah

Others just can’t catch a break on the big

day. Read these stories to make you grateful for

a waxy chocolate heart and wilted carnation.

“Every Valentine’s Day is just anotherday for

me – nothing special.”

Joshua Franklin

mechanical engineering sophomore

“I’ve been broken up with on Valentine’s

Day. I actually had a custom chocolate rose

made for my boyfriend. While I was getting

ready for our date, he called me and said he’d

been cheating on me for two months, and he

didn’t think things would work out between us.”

Muerta-Paz Guerra

English sophomore

Valentine’s Day makes romantic memories

Holiday leaves emotional scars in star-crossed love stories

By J. AlmendArez

Some sensations cling to you forever: the

giddiness of lips pressed against lips and the

first breathless “I love you.”

And then there’s the nervous anticipation

of meeting parents and realizing how serious

this is getting.

However, somewhere between sweaty

palms and racing hearts, secrets may be lurk-

ing. In the beginning of a relationship, every-

one is on their best behavior.

Carolina Treviño, a counselor in the wom-

en’s center, said the signs of an unhealthy

relationship are often evident immediately, but

people often do not recognize them or simply

choose to ignore them.

She said the signs are most evident initially

by the way a potential partner treats others.

If they’re disrespectful, rude, lie or are abu-

sive physically or emotionally with others,

they will likely treat a partner similarly.

Treviño said two main issues affect a stu-

dent’s education: finances and relationships

with others.

An unhealthy relationship can affect one’s

education because an abusive partner will

often try to control or isolate by limiting, for-

bidding or manipulating. Contact with friends,

family and other influential people is strictly

regulated.

Treviño said many people she counsels tell

her that one of the primary reasons they stay in

unhealthy relationships is because they have

don’t want to be alone.

She said people tell her their relationships

give them a sense of support and companion-

ship, even if

they’re unhappy.

“It’s just really

hard letting go,” Treviño said.

Another reason people tell her they stay in

unhealthy relationships is because they have

no financial means to change the situation.

However, Treviño said an unhealthy rela-

tionship is not doomed to fail. “I think it can

change,” she said, but she was adamant in say-

ing it can only change if both partners want it to

and commit to seeking outside help.

Love does not have to be blind Healthy relationships are possible and practical.

Feb. 14, 2011 • 9Premiere

“I’ve been broken up with on Valentine’s

Day. I actually had a custom chocolate rose

made for my boyfriend. While I was getting

ready for our date, he called me and said he’d

been cheating on me for two months, and he

didn’t think things would work out between us.”

Muerta-Paz Guerra

English sophomore

“I dropped my phone in the toilet at my

aunt’s house and had no way to call my girl-

friend. When I showed up at her house with

a giant teddy bear, her mom said she already

went out. She broke up with me in the next

couple of days.”

Robert Sanchez

film sophomore

“My girlfriend bought me a gourmet burg-

er and I’m a vegan. I don’t know how she

didn’t know, but when I told her she started

crying.”

Paul Andrew Milson

economics sophomore

Compiled by J. Almendarez and Megan Mares

Lovers’ day marks saint’s clubbing, stoning and beheading

Holiday leaves emotional scars in star-crossed love stories

Cut-out paper hearts, candy, flowers and other sentimental gifts are often exchanged on Feb. 14, a day for expressing romantic love.

An enormous holiday for florists, chocolat-iers, card companies, stuffed animals vendors, sex toy stores and chain pharmacies good for last-minute gifts, we rarely think about how the celebration came about.

The legend of St. Valentine is not often told, but the tragic nature of the story was appealing enough to build folklore upon.

The History Channel’s website says that Valentine was a priest who served around 270 A.D. in Rome.

The legend says Roman Emperor Claudius II decided that unwed men made better soldiers than those with wives and families.

He outlawed marriage because he needed more soldiers to expand his empire in the Pyrrhic War into modern-day Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Hertzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and part of Albania.

Valentine, rejecting the injustice of the decree, continued to perform marriages.

Couples flocked to small home gatherings and churches to secretly exchange vows of devotion.

When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

One version of the story says that Valentine incurred Claudius’ wrath when he tried to con-vert him to Christianity.

He was beaten with clubs and stoned. When that didn’t kill him, Valentine was beheaded.

One legend says, while awaiting his execu-tion, Valentine restored the sight of his jailer’s blind daughter.

Another legend says that on the eve of his death, he pinned a farewell note to the jailer’s daughter, signing it, “From your Valentine.”

Our modern day Valentine’s Day is the anni-versary of the saint’s death.

Valentine performed secret weddings after emperor

outlawed marriage.

ship, even if

they’re unhappy.

“It’s just really

hard letting go,” Treviño said.

Another reason people tell her they stay in

unhealthy relationships is because they have

no financial means to change the situation.

However, Treviño said an unhealthy rela-

tionship is not doomed to fail. “I think it can

change,” she said, but she was adamant in say-

ing it can only change if both partners want it to

and commit to seeking outside help.

Psychology Professor

Stanley McCloy agreed, say-

ing, “Love does not have

the power to change

people. That’s an illu-

sion.”

He said culture,

religion and edu-

cation will affect

the kind of ele-

ments they bring

into a relationship.

“People carry

their baggage with

them into relation-

ships,” he said.

“The people from

your past, all these

people are inside

of you.”

While McCloy

said there are

no psychological

secrets for assured

happiness, he pin-

pointed genuine

communication and

good listening skills as

the most crucial points of creating

a satisfying relationship. He said the changing

roles of men and women in this country are

changing relationships and expectations.

As this happens, he said, “Women and men

should be able to interchange roles readily.”

He said being flexible about gender roles

can help to alleviate stress between partners

because they will not feel trapped in expecta-

tions of what they should be doing.

“The main thing is to feel like you have free-

dom in a relationship,” McCloy said.

Treviño said a combination of respect and

communication can build other healthy rela-

tionship factors such as trust, compassion,

compromise and commitment. “You have to

have respect,” she emphasized.

There are counseling resources on this cam-

pus, free to all students, faculty and staff.

The empowerment center at Evergreen

Street and Howard Avenue schedules appoint-

ments to assist women and nontraditional stu-

dents. Call 210-486-0455.

In the Balditt Counseling Complex on the

first floor of Moody Learning Center, guidance

counseling is available and is open to partners

and children. Call 210-486-0333.

McCloy said he sometimes refers people to

Our Lady of the Lake University or St. Mary’s

University for counseling because psychology

and some sociology doctoral students must log

hours treating patients under the supervision

of a licensed professional.

Love does not have to be blind

If you need helpThe Community Counseling Center

at Our Lady of the Lake University is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with walk-ins welcome from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and Saturday appointments are available by request. Fees are based on financial status. For more information, call 210-434-1054

The Family Life Center at St. Mary’s University is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is open Saturday 9 a.m. to 1p.m. Fee based on financial status. For more information, call the Family Life Center, call 210-438-6411.

Alexandra Nelipa

The Ranger 10 • Feb. 14, 2011 Calendar

Calendar Legend

SAC: San Antonio CollegeNVC: Northwest Vista CollegeSPC: St. Philip’s CollegeSWC: Southwest CampusPAC: Palo Alto CollegeNLC: Northeast Lakeview College

For coverage in Calendar, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail

sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.

Today

SAC Transfer: University of Texas at

San Antonio 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on first floor

of Chance. Continues 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Feb

22. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Event: A Taste of Soul 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

in Loftin. Call 210-486-0589.

SAC Dance: Chinese dance group 1 p.m.-

2 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-

486-0125.

SAC Event: HIV testing 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

in Room 119 of Chance. Continues

Wednesday. Call 210-486-0222.

SPC Donation: Southwest Campus blood

drive 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Call 210-486-2887.

Tuesday

NLC Event: Painted plate party to create

an African vase 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in

Room 136 in commons. Call 210-486-

5000.

SAC Transfer: Schreiner University 1 p.m.-

3 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-

486-0864.

SAC Transfer: Our Lady of the Lake

University 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on first floor of

Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Transfer: Texas State University-San

Marcos 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. by appoint-

ment in transfer center. Continues 10

a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 24. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Resource: Phi Theta Kappa Food

Pantry noon-3 p.m. at the Catholic Student

Center, 312 W. Courtland, Continues

through Thursday. Call 210-486-0431.

Wednesday

SAC Meeting: Psychology Club 2 p.m. in

Room 642 of Moody. 210-486-2887.

SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 8:30

a.m.-12:30 p.m. on first floor of Chance.

Continues Thursday. Call 210-486-0864.

Thursday

SAC Event: Celebration of Chinese New

Year noon-1 p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-

0125.

SAC Transfer: University of the Incarnate

Word 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. on first floor of

Chance. Continues Feb. 21. Call 210-

486-0864.

SAC Event: “Meet the Pros” sponsored by

media communications department and

Association of Women in Communications

6 p.m.-8 p.m. in Room 120 of visual arts.

$5. Reservations to karina.c.alderete@

gmail.com. Call 210-486-1765.

SAC Event: Martial arts performance

11 a.m.-noon in Loftin. Call 210-486-

0125.

Event: Audrey Niffenegger, author of “The

Time Traveler’s Wife” reading at 7 p.m. at

Gemini Ink. Call 210-734-9673.

Friday

SAC Meeting: Kinesiology Club 3 p.m.

in Room 126 in Candler. Call 210-588-

1936.

SAC Event: Coffee and open mic night

sponsored by Cheshyre Cheese Club 6:30

p.m.-9:30 p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-

0125.

Sunday

SPC Concert: San Antonio Youth Wind

Ensemble with Albert Aguilar, resident

conductor and Damon Gupton, guest con-

ductor 2:30 p.m. in auditorium of Watson.

Call 210-486-2887.

Feb. 21

SAC Concert: Regency Jazz Band 11 a.m.-

1 p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-1035.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M University-

Corpus Christi 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on first floor

of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

Feb. 22

SAC Audition: “SAC’s Got Talent” audi-

tion 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in craft room of Loftin.

Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Event: African-American Read-in

Celebration of “The Narrative of the Life

of Frederick Douglass” 10:50 a.m.-

12:05 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin.

Call 210-486-0661.

The Ranger Feb.14, 2011 • 11News

By Dana Lynn TraugoTT

The theater and speech communication depart-

ment now charges Alamo College ID holders $2 to

attend student productions.

The new fee began Feb. 3 with the opening of

“Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play” in the

auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center.

OnStage Drama Club adviser

Paula Rodriguez said produc-

tions for the 2010-11 academic

year have been cut from five

to four shows. She said budget

cuts have led to the end of free

admission for students, faculty and staff. The depart-

ment traditionally charged a general admission fee

to anyone without a district ID. Chair Jeff Hunt said

this college is the only one of the Alamo Colleges that

hasn’t charged admission.

If anyone knows this college’s plays, you know

“each night is different,” said Wendy Olivares, a theater

sophomore and sound technician. “You find out a lot

of these things were made by hand. Even if you’re not

into the show, just to see the props is amazing,”

Budget cuts force the department to print fewer

promotional posters, and playbills are now double-

sided sheets with no actor biographies or pictures.

Hunt said there will no longer be summer produc-

tion or weekend performances and a $5,000 stipend

to give internships to students was canceled. At the

same time, there is an increase in students and majors

within the department.

Young drama fans are not the

only ones losing.

The music department did

not distribute scholarships

this year. The department usu-

ally awards $200-$300 in scholarship funds but that

amount has been reduced to only $100.

The chair said that any donations from ticket sales

for concerts will go into scholarship funding.

The cuts may have grounded the department’s

well-respected speech team as well.

“It’s just not enough for all the places we need to

travel, so we have to make do with what we have. We

find our way,” speech team Coach Jolinda Ramsey said.

Church of ChristStudent Center301 W. Dewey

736-6750

* Conversational

English

* Bible Studies

- Women Wed. 1-2 pm

- Life Group Tues. 7-8 pm

- One on One Study

* Food Pantry

* 12 Step Accountability Grp.

MW 1-2pm / TT 2-3 pm

* Bible Courses for Credit

* Friday Noon Lunch

* Professional Counseling

* Free Wi-Fi

By riLey STephenS

At the intersection of poli-

tics and society, digital media

have set up shop.

To give students insight,

visual arts is presenting one of

the leading experts on digital

media.

Christiane Paul, adjunct

curator of new media arts

at the Whitney Museum of

American Art, will lecture at

7 p.m. Thursday in the audi-

torium of McAllister Fine Arts

Center. The free event is open

to the public.

She will address artwork

that deals with political and

social conditions.

“Social media affect just

about everything students do,”

visual arts Professor Debra

Schafter said, noting the website

Facebook is just one example of

digital media that students use.

Paul is also director of the

media studies graduate pro-

grams and associate professor

of media studies at the New

School in New York.

She is the author of the

textbook this college uses for

ARTS 2348, Digital Art 1, a stu-

dio course that explores the

potential of computer hard-

ware and software media for

visual, conceptual and practi-

cal uses in the visual arts.

Paul earned a Ph.D. from

Düsseldorf University in

Germany.

Schafter said Paul was invit-

ed in May by the visual arts

department and student life.

“She is interested in learning

how new digital media inter-

faces with society and politics.

We’re always looking for peo-

ple who are leading the way in

their field or at the forefront.”

For more information, call

Schafter 210-486-1042.

No more free performancesWhitney curator of new media here Thursday

“Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play”

at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in

McCreless theater.

The Ranger 12 • Feb. 14, 2011 Editorial

Newsman Dan Rather told a packed auditorium Feb. 3 that one of the most effective ways to show patriotism is to question authority.

If we don’t talk to our elected officials, who will?A proposed 10 percent budget cut followed a 5 percent

cut the district is already experiencing.Lawmakers are struggling to end a revenue shortfall of

at least $15 billion for the next two years.According to the Texas Legislative Primer, out of $20.4

billion dollars allocated toward higher education, 10.3 percent is appropriated to all community colleges and technical schools across Texas.

Yet community colleges educate 80 percent of students in higher education.

Faculty, staff and students must tell legislators how extreme cuts are affecting them. Cuts in hours with tutors, cuts in physical resources, cuts in possibilities.

Contact with a representative is as simple as a call or e-mail. Remind legislators that it is impossible to main-tain a quality education if we continue to lose funding.

Tyler Ingraham, a former student here and an unsuc-cessful candidate for the Alamo Community College District board of trustees, now works as an assistant to Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer, D-San Antonio.

Ingraham said formal letters are no longer necessary; representatives want to hear from individuals how prob-lems are affecting them.

As the cuts continue, community colleges are seeing enrollment increase more than ever.

Most students within a community college are non-traditional students, first-generation college students or from low-income families.

Tuition increases are becoming more and more of a deterrent.

Society is meant to grow and improve but without edu-cation, there is no way to create a better tomorrow.

The www.USA.gov website offers the e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses of our legislators, so act now.

Feb. 2 was Community College Day at the Legislature, and students from this college district were given a chance to lobby legislators in Austin.

Of the more than 21,441 students enrolled at this col-lege, 22 made reservations, but only six boarded for Austin.

Across the district’s five colleges — about 60,000 stu-dents — only 84 made the trip.

One voice may not be heard, but when we join our voices, the chorus can make a difference.

Call, write, e-mail, text legislatorsAlexandra Nelipa

The Ranger Feb. 14, 2011 • 13 Editorial

Remember senior year in high school as you applied, wrote application essays, requested transcripts and followed up with colleges to find out where you were accepted? Well, it’s that time again.

Administrators in full regalia crisscrossed the campus the first week of this month to promote graduation. Graduating can mean a smoother transition to a four-year college, and shows you can commit to a program and finish it. You will experience a great sense of accomplishment.

We encourage students to follow a degree plan meeting the requirements of the transfer university. Often, it ends up taking longer, when you take random classes.

Get a degree audit to see what you still need to graduate. If you are eligible to graduate, be sure to apply early. Even if you are six hours short, you can still walk the stage in May.

If you are transferring, check application deadlines, submit applications, request tran-scripts now because they take time to be pro-cessed.

Graduate nowEffective communication

does not exist within the Alamo Colleges. The root of every prob-lem is an administration unwill-ing to participate in two-way communication with college administrators, faculty, staff or students.

So there is no surprise in the district’s handling of adjunct pay. Adjuncts expect their first paycheck Feb. 15, a month into the spring semester, while full-time faculty members will be collecting their third check.

The explanation is because full-time faculty members report to work a week before classes start. Adjuncts also must prepare, so why are they treated differ-ently?

If trustees and district admin-istrators really intend to main-

tain our reputation for quality education, they need to start treating adjuncts with a little more respect.

The pay is insulting for the amount of work quality educa-tion requires. Many adjuncts teach in the evening without departmental support. Limited interaction with colleagues means fewer ties to the institu-tion that can lead to loyalty, pride and dedication. The chancellor has set a goal to reduce the full-time to part-time faculty ratio at the Alamo Colleges to 50-50.

With adjuncts teaching 50 per-cent of sections, the colleges will begin to lose their individuality.

No one should be surprised if our quality starts to fade as well.

Achieving this ratio is easy. Achieving excellence isn’t.

Treat adjuncts better

14 • Feb. 14, 2011 The Ranger

Chancellor: Dr. Bruce H. Leslie201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. B, San Antonio TX 78204-1429Work: 210-485-0020 Fax: 210-208-8149E-mail: bleslie@alamo.edu

District 1: Joe Alderete Jr.1602 Hillcrest Drive,San Antonio TX 78228 Cell: 210-863-9500 E-mail: jvajr711@aol.com

District 2: Denver McClendon3811 Willowwood Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 210-281-9141 E-mail: denvermcclendon@satx.rr.com

District 3: Anna U. Bustamante511 Ware Blvd., San Antonio TX 78221Work: 210-882-1609 Home: 210-921-2986 Fax: 210-927-4557E-mail: abustamante20@alamo.edu

District 4: Marcelo S. Casillas115 Wainwright, San Antonio TX 78211No number provided Fax: 210-923-3167 E-mail: mcasillas19@alamo.edu

District 5: Roberto Zárate4103 Buffalo Bayou, San Antonio TX 78251E-mail: rzarate11@alamo.edu

District 6: Dr. Gene Sprague14722 Iron Horse Way,Helotes TX 78023Work: 210-567-5544 Fax: 210-520-9185E-mail: sprague@uthscsa.edu

District 7: Blakely Latham Fernandez755 E. Mulberry, Suite 200,San Antonio TX 78212Work: 210-244-8879E-mail: bfernandez35@alamo.edu

District 8: Gary Beitzel15403 Forest Mist, San Antonio TX 78232Home: 210-496-5857 E-mail: gbeitzel@alamo.edu

District 9: James A. Rindfuss109 Laburnum, San Antonio TX 78209Home: 210-828-4630 Work: 210-375-2555 Home Fax: 210-832-8292 Office Fax: 210-375-0301 E-mail: jrindfuss@alamo.edu

Officials

San Antonio College, Dr. Robert E. Zeigler210-486-0959, rzeigler@alamo.edu

Northeast Lakeview College, Dr. Eric Reno210-486-5484, ereno@alamo.edu

Northwest Vista College, Dr. Jacqueline Claunch210-486-4900, jclaunch@alamo.edu

Palo Alto College, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzman210-486-3960, aguzman@alamo.edu

St. Philip’s College, Dr. Adena W. Loston210-486-2900, aloston@alamo.edu

Presidents

Guest Viewpoints:

Faculty, staff, students and

community members are wel-

come to contribute guest view-

points of up to 450 words.

Writers should focus on cam-

pus or current events in a critical,

persuasive or interpretative style.

All viewpoints must be pub-

lished with a photo portrait of

the writer.

Letters Policy:

The Ranger invites readers

to share views by writing letters

to the editor. Space limitations

force the paper to limit letters

to two double-spaced, typewrit-

ten pages. Letters will be edited

for spelling, style, grammar, libel

and length. Editors reserve the

right to deny publication of any

letter.

Letters should be mailed

to The Ranger, Department of

Media Communications, San

Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro

Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299.

Letters also may be brought

to the newspaper office in Room

212 of Loftin Student Center,

e-mailed to sac-ranger@alamo.

edu or faxed to 210-486-1789.

Letters must be signed and

must include the printed name

and telephone number. Students

should include classification,

major, campus and Banner ID.

Employees should include title

and telephone number.

For more information, call

210-486-1773.

Single Copy Policy:

Members of the Alamo

Community College District

community are permitted one

free copy per issue because of

high production costs.

Where available, additional

copies may be purchased with

prior approval for 50 cents each

by contacting The Ranger busi-

ness office.

Newspaper theft is a crime.

Those who violate the single-

copy rule may be subject to civil

and criminal prosecution and

subject to college discipline.

Editor

Zahra Farah

Managing Editor

Melody Mendoza

Sections Editor

Megan Mares

Photographers

Tyler K. Cleveland, Alison Wadley

Photo Team

Felisia Almaraz, Carla Aranguren,

Jake Ceballos, Adrian Fernandez,

Victor A. Garcia, Marisa N. Montaño Garza,

Jason B. Hogan, Julia Novikova,

Chelsea Von Peacock, Abiel Rodriguez,

JungKeun Song, Ingrid Wilgen

Illustrators

Juan Carlos Campos, Alexandra Nelipa

Staff Writers

J. Almendarez, Ximena Alvarez,

Jacob Beltran, David Espinoza, Joshua Fechter,

Mandy Kosub, Alma Linda Manzanares,

Daniel Perales, James Anthony Salamé,

Julysa Sosa, Riley Stephens,

Dana Lynn Traugott, Valdemar Tejada,

Jennifer M. Ytuarte

Production Assistant

Krystal Barcenez

Web Editor

Laura Garcia

©2011 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pe-dro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio Col-lege. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger.org.

News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-1789), by e-mail (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 Loftin Student Center).

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The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press As-sociation, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Commu-nity College Journalism Association.

The RangeR

The Ranger Feb.14, 2011 • 15

student townhomesopening this fall

new clubhouse now open - tour today

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16 • Feb. 14, 2011 The RangerNews

By Krystal Barcenez

In the 1950s, the San Antonio

Stock Show and Rodeo was estab-

lished for farmers and ranchers to

buy and sell livestock and enter

them in competition.

Today, education has become

a big part of the stock show’s mis-

sion, adding to the array of original

events.

In 1984, the San Antonio

Livestock Exposition founded

the SALE Scholarship Fund that

awarded 15 four-year scholar-

ships totaling $90,000 that year to

students majoring in agricultural

studies in Texas colleges, accord-

ing to the stock show and rodeo’s

website.

It also says that last year, the

rodeo committed to donating $8.5

million in scholarships, endow-

ments, and grants, auctions, a calf

scramble program and show pre-

miums paid to youth.

Ethan Lott, a junior at

Martinsville High School, said,

“I’ve competed since I was a fresh-

man and have won a few scholar-

ships doing this, and I just hope I

keep winning them so all my hard

work will pay off.”

Lott has been a member of the

Future Farmers of America since

his freshman year and is a third-

generation dairy show competitor.

Lott has competed for eight

years with his grandfather in the

major stock shows in Houston,

Fort Worth, and Stillwater, Okla.

“I started competing with my

grandpa, and won my first Division

Grand Championship and decided

to stick to it ever since,” Lott said.

Wesley Morrell and his grand-

son have four competition cows —

all raised on Morrell’s farm — that

they show every year at four major

stock shows.

“It’s in our blood,” Morrell

said, after Lott won Reserve Grand

Champion Feb. 5.

Stock show participants said

many contestants come from win-

ning families and have legacies in

Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma.

They said it is rare to see first-

generation champions, especially

if that champion is a girl.

“I’ve competed since I was in

fifth grade and I’ve liked it ever

since,” Rebecca Barling, an Iola

High School junior, said.

Barling, 16, has won at least

two events a year since she began

showing.

Both her parents are veterinar-

ians so she is comfortable around

animals.

“I have two show heifers I com-

pete with, and we have about 50

more commercial cattle at home,”

Barling said.

In 2010, Barling won Reserve

Division Champion and All-

Around Division Championship

and is an FFA member who com-

petes in stock shows with her high

school.

“I like what I do, and I hope

to have a lot of cows at my house

when I get older, and maybe even

my children, when I have them,

will like it, too,” Barling said.

Barling said she remembers at

first, there weren’t a lot of girls for

her to compete with and she likes

that more are participating today.

She has won numerous scholar-

ships competing in stock shows.

“People think it’s cool; I’m a girl

doing this,” Barling said. “I’m glad

to see a lot more females joining

now. I get a lot of positive feedback

from people, and I like knowing I

was cool since I was in fifth grade.”

Crowds gather around the food stands in the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo food court at the AT&T Center. Abiel Rodriguez

Iola High School junior Rebecca Barling, 16, brushes hay off of her heifer before competition Feb. 5. at the 2011 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Julia Novikova

Stock show raises ranchers, scholarships Future Farmers of

America gives youth early training.

“I just hope I keep winning them so all my hard work will pay off.”Ethan Lottdairy show competitor