KATHRYN AGEEExecutive Editor

Dr. Brenda Kays will start her service as KC’s next president beginning in the first part of January.

She was unaminously chosen by the KC Board of Trustees on Dec. 10, 2015. Her intital contract is for two years and eight months.

Kays is the first female president in KC’s history. She will succed Dr. William M. “Bill” Holda, who has served as president since Sept. 1, 1996. He will retire as presidet effective Jan. 31.

Kays earned a Master of Education in counseling from Midwestern State University and a Doctorate of Education from the University of North Texas in Denton. She has served as president of Stanly Community College in North Carolina since 2011.

The Flare Vol. 79 No. 11

Serving Kilgore College since 1936

Monday, January 11, 2016

DR. BRENDA KAYS

Incoming KC President

RangerettesCotton Bowl Classic

at the

W E L C O M E B A C K T O K I L G O R E C O L L E G E !

The Rangerettes stand on the field at AT&T Stadium as Dallas jazz musician, Freddie Jones, prepares to play the National Anthem at the 80th annual Cotton Bowl Classic.Richard Nguyen / THE FLARE

The Rangerettes kicked off the new year by performing

in their 66th consecutive appearance at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. This year is the Cotton Bowl Classic’s 80th anniversary.

Tiffany Johnson /THE FLARE

INSIDE THIS ISSUEn Face in the Crowd Page 2

n Artists collaborate for exhibit. Page 3

n Dr. Bill Holda’s words for KC grads. Page 5

n Photos of the Rangereettes’ Cotton Bowl Classic performanc Page 6Follow The Flare on social media for news and updates

twitter.com/theflareonline

@theflareonline

The Flare

IMPORTANTDATES TO

REMEMBERn Monday, Jan. 11 Tuesday, Jan. 12 Students can make changes to their schedules from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

n Wednesday, Jan. 27 Last day to drop a class without a grade.

n Wednesday, Jan. 27 Last day to set up an installment plan to pay for on-campus housing.

n Monday, Feb. 8 Last day for refunds on any and all dropped classes.

Put your guns up

Late registrationhelps KC students

TAYLOR STEWARTStaff Writer

Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, people in Texas with concealed handgun licenses can now legally open carry their weapon in many public places. However, the KC campus is not one of them.

According to Heath Cariker, KC chief of police, the handgun license law doesn’t come into play on college campuses until January 2017. If you are 21 or older and have a handgun license, a gun can be left in your car, but may not be brought into a classroom, concealed or not.

“One of the biggest [problems]

will be that people aren’t aware that they can’t open carry here,” Cariker said. When January 2017 hits, Cariker said those who have a handgun license will be able to conceal carry on campus, but if they decide to carry a handgun on campus before then, there will be consequences.

When the law does come into effect on college campuses, teachers may or may not be able to carry on campus. “That will be a question for human resources, as far as the law,” Cariker said. “The law doesn’t discriminate, but it will be up to HR to decide if they are going to do any kind of restriction on personnel.”

KC chief of police Heath Cariker discusses Texas open carry laws

KC students wait in line to complete the registration process.

KATHRYN AGEEExecutive Editor

Students began lining up at least an hour in advance to take advantage of KC’s late registration days from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 7.

The Devall Student Center was packed with those needing to revise schedules and pay for classes.

Because of changes to KC’s computer system in Fall 2015, final enrollment numbers for the Spring 2016 semester will not be available until Jan. 27, 2016.

Tina Marie Reed /THE FLAREKC students get schedule advisement in the Devall Student Center.

Kays becomes 9th KC President

n Check out The Flare on Feb. 29 for full coverage and an interview with Dr. Kays

Cara Cooke, KISD Superintendent introduces dual credit welding students at the check presentation.Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE

10 18 366THIS WEEKBY THE

NUMBERS

n In Texas it rained 5.34 inches in a period of ten days (10/21-31 2015), beating a previous record of 4.68 inches that rained in 1957, by 14 percent.

n January 18 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In recognition of his accomplishments the campus will be closed this day.

nThe number of days in this year due to it being a leap year. The extra day will be at the end of February. A leap year is the most common time for women to propose to men.

PAGE TWO THE FLAREMONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

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

When did you start singing?I started singing and performing when I was about three years old.

Why are you trying out for “The Voice?”I tried “American Idol” before and “The Voice” is so much different with the blind audition. They hear you for what you’re capable of and not what you look like.

What are your goals for a singing career?My goals in my singing career are to be successful but more than that, to share my God-given gift. I have sung at many weddings and funerals and the feeling that I get from that is something some may not understand. Music is a way to express things you may not be able to find words for. If I can lift just one person up, then I have succeeded.

What would you want your first album to be called and why?My first album? Opalescent! Opals are a bunch of pieces of broken glass that create a beautiful stone. My life from beginning was difficult but through it all I made it.

If you could go to dinner with any famous person, who would it be and why?Ellen. She’s amazing and is such a compassionate person. She loves without conditions and is so down to Earth. She sees the good in people even when they have nothing to offer.

Niki WhatleyTina Marie Reed / THE FLARE

FACE IN THE CROWD

State grants $217,050 to fund dual credit lab

BSM students attend Passion

Library set for spring opening

Hometown: Kilgore Age: 34Classification: Employee of KC Sports Grill

LUCIA LOPEZStaff Writer

After its various renovations, the library is expected to reopen by the end of February.

“I think that more students will want to go there,” said Dr. Michael Turpin, vice president of instruction. “Many will enjoy the addition of the coffee shop.”

Over the break, carpet was placed, paint was added and detail work was done, among other things. Aside from the coffee shop, other big differences include a glassed-in stairwell to help make the second floor a quiet place and new furniture.

“The coffee shop and all of the noise will be downstairs,” said Kathy Fair, library director. “We want to keep the upstairs area quiet for people to study. The problem with the furniture before was that it wasn’t very comfortable. We have ordered new items that students will like better.”

There will be about 40 computers upstairs and 30 downstairs. Individual study rooms will also be available upon reservation.

“I think the study rooms will be very popular,” Fair said. “Our wireless systems will also be more efficient.”

Due to a budget cut, the number of hardback materials remains around the same as it has been in the past.

“Part of the renovation was an update in modernization,” Fair said. “We tried to focus on the electronic items. Databases are harder to replace than books.”

According to Fair, the library will try to offer more popular books by favorite authors, despite the budget cut.

Until the renovations are finished, the library will remain located in the Whitten Technology Building, Room 104. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Fridays.

NICK SHELLEYStaff Writer

A group of KC students representing the Baptist Student Ministry attended the Passion Conference in Houston over the winter break. Passion is a gathering of nearly 40,000 college students from around the world.

The conference was telecast to three locations at the same time: Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia; Infinite Energy Arena, also in Atlanta; and Toyota Center in Houston. The purpose of the conference was to help students learn to live a better life. This year’s theme was, “Salvation’s Tide is Rising.”

“I experienced nothing but joy and peace. I feel like if I was any happier like I was this past weekend while worshipping with other 40, 000 students my heart would explode,” said Mariela Lopez, Longview sophomore.

“I got a greater Passion to continue serving God at home.”

Kendra Bounds, Kilgore freshman, said she is ready to see a revival on campus. “I learned you can prepare to be a servant of the Lord without being an aid. I feel as if my spirit was lifted and my faith is blazing like a wildfire.”

Some of the presenters were: Hillsong United, Rend Collective Experiment, Chris Tomlin, Lecrae, Tedashii, KB, Trip Lee, Louie Giglio, Levi Lusko and Ravi Zacharias.

Jaymi Blankenship, KC’s BSM director, accompanied the group.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

KC received a $217,050 Skills Development Fund job training grant from the Texas Workforce Commission with a check Jan. 6. TWC Commissioner Ruth Hughs was on hand to present the check, alongside KC President Dr. Bill Holda and Kilgore Independent School District Superintendent Cara Cooke.

The college also received an $80,000 gift from Kilgore Economic Development Corporation.

The TWC grant and the KEDC gift will go toward purchasing a complete dual credit welding lab to be housed in a new building under construction at Kilgore High School.

Construction on the new

building is expected to wrap up early in this year.

It will include nine clean-air welding stations that will allow space for 18 students to weld at the same time.

Texas Representatives Bryan Hughes and Travis Clardy were also present.

Ruth Ruggero Hughs is the Commissioner Representing Employers of the Workforce Commission. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed her to the three-member commission in July 2015.

Hughs serves as an advocate for the nearly 500,000 Texas Employers and her office provides a variety of resources including training and assistance with workplace concerns.

N EWS THE FLAREMONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016 3PAGE

Rebecca Boatman displays one of her sculptures.

Passionate artists create and collaborate

Richard Nguyen / THE FLARE

MEAGHAN MORTONManaging Editor

INTERVIEW WITH REBECCA BOATMAN

How would you describe your art style?

My style is expressive and abstract figurative. Obviously, it is a figure but not realistic at all. I am looking for an emotional engagement with the viewer.

Why did you choose to pursue art?

It may sound corny, but I have always been an artist. My mom wanted me to pursue music because it was her dream. After seven years, the piano teacher told her that I would never improve. The first thing I asked my mom was, “Can I take art now?” I find both my energy and my peace in the studio.

What are the cultural contributions to your art?

My pieces are true blends of many cultures and historical styles. I love travel and art history. My first obvious influence is the African Nkissi. There was a great traveling show years ago at the Kimbell Museum in Fort Worth that had a profound impact on me. The sculptures are conceived to house specific mystical forces. The various metals embedded in the figure’s expansive torso attest to its central role as witness and enforcer of affairs critical to its community. They document vows sealed, treaties signed, and efforts to eradicate evil. I am also influenced by ancient fertility figures and medieval reliquaries. They are all women because ultimately they are about my experiences and views.

What about the human

body makes you want to sculpt them?

I’m not really sure. I move away from the figure sometimes, but I always come back.

What are some of the reliquaries used in your art?

My relics include found objects and pieces I save because they represent something for me. For example, in my piece HOPE TRIPTYCH I included wishbones, fortunes from Chinese restaurant and shredded lottery tickets. Why do I keep these? What do they mean to me? What do they mean to our culture? I think it may be hope.

How would you describe

yours and Dyer’s art?Abstracted figures that

serve as containers for our spirit, our souls, our emotions.

What is one of your favorite sculptures you have created?

That’s a hard one. My favorite is Jealous Hands II. I also have a Jealous Hands I. It is in response to the death of my mentor, my professor and friend John Brought Miller. He taught me so much about clay and art and life. I had just seen him two weeks before I lost him. I went to my studio to mourn my loss and reflect on his impact on my life. He had a saying: “When you throw on the wheel, throw as if your hands are jealous of each other. One never goes anywhere without the other.”

What tips would you give artists looking to collaborate with others?

Collaboration is different from showing together. Collaboration is actually completing a piece together. You have to talk and find common ground. It is work and demands give and take like any relationship. Collaborating can make you go in new directions.

INTERVIEW WITHBRETT DYER

How would you describe your artistic style?

Art is very therapeutic for me, so I have always seen myself as an expressionist. Working with more abstract forms, I am free of the

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representational image and can be more emotionally expressive.

Why did you choose to pursue art?

I am a first-generation college student that was discouraged to attend college by my family. While attending Hallsville High School, I wanted to be a pediatrician. I took honors math and science courses, but also had to take Art 1. Who knew I would have loved it so much? Being an identical twin, art was the first thing to make me feel more like me. I received a full scholarship for art to KC with the mind-set of just getting my basics paid for, and then transferring to a medical program. After one semester with the art professors at KC, I decided I wanted to be like them. They were passionate about teaching art and being artists themselves. I had no idea you could be a professor and an artist. I followed in their footsteps and completed a BFA and MFA and began teaching college level.

How did you meet Rebecca Boatman?

Rebecca and I have run

in the same art circles for years. We taught together at Collin College for a short period. We were in a group exhibit together about a year ago and I said, “I think our work would show well together. We need to curate a two person show.” When Carolyn Fox-Hearne contacted me and asked me if I had someone to show with, I thought of Rebecca.

Did you give ideas to each other while collaborating?

We mostly communicated by Facebook about our work and pieces to display. Our form and content is similar, so we were confident that no matter what we each chose, we knew it would complement each other’s work.

There are a lot of silhouettes and bodies in the exhibit. Does that form mean anything special to you?

I used to work with representational imagery, but when I started working with abstract figures, I was free to make the work about myself, specific people, spiritual entities and ideas. It became a vessel for different energy and emotions I see and feel within myself and others. This also makes the work more universally relatable to the viewer to find their own meaning, story and emotional reaction.

How difficult is it to create wax encaustic art pieces?

I have been working with encaustic since 2007. It felt very natural to me when I first started using it, but I do love working with thick paint and multiple layers. I like to work fast, and wax dries much faster than most paints.

Some of the silhouettes resemble Mary, Jesus’ mother. Is there a connection to religion in your work?

I was raised in a strict and judgmental home growing up isolated from the rest of the world. Much of my work hints at darkness and pain

Exhibit of abstract art from Rebecca Boatman and Brett Dyer display sculpture, paintings that serve as ‘containers for our spirit’

“You have to talk and find common ground...

Collaborating can make you go in new

directions.”

that religion inflicted on me in my early years and how my outlook has transformed into a more open-minded worldly understanding, respect and love for all. Some of the imagery seen in the work may be iconic but represents what we as people do with those ideas and practices.

What are some things about the little details in your paintings others may not know?

There are many layers underneath each one. I work very stream of consciousness in my processes. A lot of work starts with journaling or mantras. I like to have the canvas or panel emotionally primed before I start painting. I hope that the layering represents time and thought and becomes another visual representation of energy and emotion.

Richard Nguyen / THE FLARERebecca Boatman and Brett Dyer’s sculptures and paintings are on display in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts center.

Lady Rangers look to finish strong

Rangers struggle in conference play despite high shooting numbers

KC bounces into new year

Lady Rangers work to continue strong play in second half of season

Sophomore guard Jaleel Wheeler cuts through defenders looking for an open passing lane against San Jacinto College. The Rangers would lose the match up in a 72-65 battle.

Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE

S POR T S THE FLAREMONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016 4PAGE

KC Men’s Basketball ScheduleWednesday, Jan. 13 - Bossier Parish C.C.-

Bossier City. LA - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 16 - Trinity Valley C.C.- Kilgore - 4 p.m.

Wednesday Jan. 20 - Paris Junior College-Paris - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 23 - Panola College- Kilgore - 4 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 30 - Tyler Junior College- Tyler - 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 3 - Navarro College- Kilgore - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 6 - Trinity Valley C.C.- Athens - 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 10 - Bossier Parish C.C.- Kilgore - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 13 - Paris Junior College - Kilgore - 4 p.m.

RICHARD NGUYENSports Editor

The KC Rangers basketball team had a roller-coaster ride over the winter break season. They finished the Thanksgiving-Christmas break season with a 5-4 record, leaving them at 12-4 (2-4 conference) overall.

Despite KC’s poor conference record, The Rangers have only lost by a total 15 points in their last match ups against conference foes. Their only major loss on the season came at the hands of Lee College in a 91-71 rout at Masters Gymnasium back in November.

Ranger sophomore guard Jaleel Wheeler has been the offensive focal point for KC this season. Wheeler has averaged 25.3 points per game in his last nine outings, leading KC scorers in every game this season except one.

Sophomore forward Alassane Kah has been a reliable offensive big for KC, averaging 12.4 points per game over the last nine games. Kah’s ability to score from anywhere on the court allows for KC’s offense to spread opposing defenses thin.

The emergence of the sophomore forward Antonio Moore off the bench has helped the Rangers on both ends of the floor. Moore has averaged 14 points per game over the last five games. He led all scorers with 18 points in the Rangers’ 72-65 loss to San Jacinto College at home.

Outside of conference play the Rangers have been shooting at a high level. KC’s 55.8 percent from the field is first in the National Junior College Athletic Association (Division I). They also lead the NJCAA in shots from beyond the arc with a 41.9 percent average.

Despite the outstanding shooting numbers, the Rangers have failed to translate those performances to conference

play.KC’s games in conference

have all been hard fought with the winner being determined in the closing seconds. They have played in two overtime games against Blinn College and Angelina College, dropping both games.

The biggest difference in the Rangers play against their conference opponents comes in their field goal percentage. In conference, their 55.8 field goal percent drops down to a 10th ranked 43.7 percent.

On the defensive end, the Rangers give up an average of 57 points in conference play, which is second among Region XIV opponents. KC has struggled to keep opposing teams’ top players from having their way. The Rangers have allowed for a 20-point scorer in all but one of their conference losses.

Although KC boasts a 12-4 overall record, the Rangers still sit at fourth in the Region XIV North Zone Division because of the less-than-stellar conference record.

The Rangers will face a tough schedule the rest of the month with four of their six games being played on the road.

KC’s schedule this month features a home match up against a 16-1 (5-0) Trinity Valley Community College in Kilgore and a rivalry match up at Wagstaff Gymnasium in Tyler against the Tyler Junior College Apaches.

KC plays Jacksonville College after press time this past Saturday in Jacksonville. Check www.Kilgore.edu for more information.

The Rangers’ next game will be against Bossier Parrish Community College at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Bossier City, Louisiana. They will follow that game with a home match up against TVCC at 4 p.m. Saturday in Masters Gymnasium.

KC Lady RangeRs BasKetBaLL sCheduLe

Wednesday, Jan. 13 - Bossier Parrish C.C. - Bossier City, LA - 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 16 - Trinity Valley C.C. - Kilgore - 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 20 - Paris Junior College - Paris - 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 20- Paris Junior College - Paris - 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 23- Panola College -Kilgore - 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 27- San Jacinto College- Houston -5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 30- Tyler Junior College- Tyler 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 3- Longview Elite- Kilgore- 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 6- Trinity Valley C.C. - Athens - 2 p.m.

Head coach Anna Nimz goes over the game plan with sophomore forward Dominque Thomas.Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE

MEAGHAN MORTONManaging Editor

The Lady Rangers tasted victory and defeat with back-to-back wins and back-to-back losses, but ended up coming out on top over the Christmas break. Nine games were played by the Lady Rangers and advanced their 5-4 record with four of those five wins being conference games. KC picked up another win when Southwestern Christian College forfeited.

The Lady Rangers dropped a game against conference rival Blinn College, splitting the season series. In the first game between conference rivals, the Lady Rangers walked away with an 81-74 win against the Lady Buccaneers.

The KC women were not as lucky, this time with the Blinn College Lady Buccaneers taking hold of the game during the last quarter.

After having a dominant 20-point lead in the first quarter, the Lady Rangers held their lead, despite the Lady Buccaneers throwing 20 points up on the board during the second quarter, and 24 more during the

third quarter. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Lady Buccaneers took the lead, scraping by the Lady Rangers by four points 69-73.

The Lady Rangers will be on the road again to Louisiana to face off against

another conference team, Bossier Parish Community College.

The Lady Cavs have an overall record of 13-2 with a strong conference record of 5-1. Their highest scoring winning game was 106-95 against Coahoma

Community College.The game will be held

at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 13, at Bossier Parish Community College. The Lady Rangers will play host to first place Trinity Valley Community College at 2 p.m. Saturday.

I.

Outgoing KC President

Dr. Bill Holda addressed

graduates in December at

the Fall Commencement.

Here are some points he

made that could be helpful

to current and incoming

students.

O. Rufus Lovett / SPECIAL TO THE FLARE

OP I N I O N THE FLAREMONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016 5PAGE

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

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

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

LETTERS

DISCLAIMER

The Flare VOL. 79, NO.11 n Monday, January 11, 2016 Copyright 2016, The Flare. All rights reserved.

2014 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • 2015 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Community College Journalism AssociationSpring 2012 Gold Crown, Columbia Scholastic Press Association • 2012 First Place, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors

ADVERTISING MANAGERKayla TerrazasSTAFF WRITERSLucy Lopez, Nick Shelley, Taylor StewartPHOTOGRAPHERSTiffany Johnson, Richard Nguyen, Tina Marie Reed

EXECUTIVE EDITORKathryn AgeeMANAGING EDITORMeaghan Morton

SPORTS EDITORRichard Nguyen

CARTOONISTSarah Hooten

PHOTO ADVISERO. Rufus Lovett

ADVISERRachel Stallard

CONSULTANTJamie Maldonado

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

Commitment-W.H. Murray quote on the filing cabinet of my voice teacher at Indiana

University:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,

always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary

truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:

that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves

too.”

Begin it!! Whether it is getting fit, mastering calculus or learning to play

golf, Begin it! As Goethe said, “Boldness has genius, magic and power in

it!”

Excellence-I am not talking about perfectionism; I am talking about a life

which aspires to excellence. Your excellence is not episodic; it is

enduring and systemic. It becomes a life characteristic.

Passion-

Helpfulhighlights

Living life with a passion, having “fire in your belly,” waking

up with zest to seize the day - what a wonderful way to live life.

Connection-No matter how much commitment, excellence, brilliance,

passion and imagination one possesses, without meaningful

human connection, something is missing. “Involve me –

connect with me, and I may learn.”

I truly believe that we are created for a life of service. Our lives

can have a much deeper meaning when we engage in service to one

another. I am talking about a lifestyle, not just finding “do-good”

acts to make us feel better.

Service-

Climb-And so, graduates, I encourage you to make the climb. Live a life of

commitment, of excellence, of imagination and passion, connected

and serving with faith. In so doing, you will actually lead us up

the mountain. I wish you a great Christmas, a happy and fulfilling

prosperous New Year, and many years of connection with Kilgore

College. Blessings on you!

‘Begin it!! Whether it is getting fit, mastering calculus or learning to play golf, Begin it!’

’Rettes spring in Cotton Bowl

Freddie Jones, Dallas jazz musician, performs the national anthem at the 80th annual Cotton Bowl Classic.

Richard Nguyen / THE FLARE

F E AT U R ETHE FLAREMONDAY, JANUARY 11, 20166PAGE

Officer Kelsey Moore, Plano sophomore, leads the Rangerettes out for their pre-game performance

Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE

The Rangerettes line up on the field at AT&T Stadium as they prepare to perform their traditional high kick routine.

Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE

Allison Eigsti, Shawnee, Kansas, freshman, flings her red, white and blue skirt and smiles for the Cotton Bowl attendees.

Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE

Samantha Stapper, Belton sophomore, drops into a side-split in front of the red horseshoe as part of the horseshoe routine.

Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE

Tiffany Johnson / THE FLARE

The Rangerettes are shown on the Jumbotron while taking the field.