Lifestyle

Article by Emily Fruge

“I can travel virtually anywhere doing what I love... I’m my own boss and I love that!”

Katie Earnest, a Spring 2017 graduate of Texarkana College’s Cosmetology program, has opened the first mobile nail salon in the area. As a young and innovative entrepreneur, Katie got her start at TC through dual credit courses in high school and chased her dreams from there.

As a high school freshman, she dreamed of becoming a cosmetologist and looked forward to starting TC’s dual credit cosmetology program during her junior year at Queen City High School. 

“I’ve always loved doing hair and nails but I wanted to learn techniques from professionals,” Earnest said. “My dual credit cosmetology instructors, Sher Jackson and Gena Edgar, helped me grow as a student, and I knew from the start I was where I needed to be.”

Publisher’s Note: The following is an up close look at life with Down Syndrome. This story was originally printed in the Trbune five years ago. It runs here again today to recognize 3-21, World Down Syndrome Day. It is uncut and unedited and comes from the mother of a child living with Down Syndrome. Kate is now five years older, and doing great. She is featured on the front page of this week's print edition. She is the daughter of Jim and Meredith Brooks, big sister to Noble and the little sister of Halle Brooks. Our readers may also know her as the granddaughter of Robby and Betty Bates, and the niece of Robb and Amanda Bates. Know her, or not, she is a beautiful child, and this story is important, not just today, but every day.

By Meredith Bates Brooks

By Heather Russell
Staff Reporter

The former Northeast Texas Restitution Center in Maud, Texas has a new name and a new mission.  The 25,000 square foot, sixteen room facility sitting on seventeen acres is the new home of the Lancer Legacy Ranch, a non-profit organization committed to offering housing, peer counseling, and employment services to veterans in need of a hand up.  The facility can house up to twenty four veterans at one time, and also boasts a workshop, baseball field, basketball court, and a covered pavilion.

By Key Burton 
RHS Journalism 
 

The DeKalb Volunteer Fire Department held their annual Christmas celebration recently, handing out awards of recognition to some of its members and recognizing others for earned designations.

At left, there must be something in the water in DeKalb, as five of the departments members welcomed future firefighters to the family recently. Pictured are, left to right, Westin Fannin with Maddox Fannin, Ranson Pipes with Aubrey Pipes, Bryce Hamilton with Lottie Hamilton, Brady Woodard with Quinnleigh Jo Woodard and Clifton English with Easton English.

Below right, department members Dakota Elliott, Paula Booth and Joe Queen completed the hybrid EMR course from Texarkana College.

Below left, two members earned Firefighter of the Year nods. Chief Robbie Barrett, far left, and Assistant Chief Bryce Hamilton, far right, presented the awards to Thomas Culpepper and Markel Moore.

Photos courtesy of Megan Power

By Heather Russell
Staff Reporter

Redwater Elementary-Third Grade

Dear Santa,

Hello! It’s been a long time since I talked to you, and I want to say hi! This year I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a while. This year I alone want 5 things. I want skates, art supplies, a hula-hoop, a jump-a-rope, and last but not least I want a phone. I also want a few extra gifts to give to charity. Thank you for all your help!

Your friend,

Redwater Middle School - Carli Proctor's Class

Dear Santa,

Hi my name is Hayden Flanigan i'm a student at Redwater Middle School and i’m in fourth grade.How have you been this year I’ve been good,Im sorry for not helping with my granny.Besides that what I would like for Christmas is a Apple Laptop,a bad kitty plush,but most of all I want a Snowy Christmas.I haven't had snow since I was little and I was sick on the day it snowed.The closest thing I had to snow was ice and it didn't make a good snowman.

Love,Hayden Flanigan.

For many college students, Instagram provides an ideal way to share their lives with their friends—and for many prospective college students, Instagram is a great way to gauge what daily life is like at the colleges or universities they’re considering attending. 
To be a part of that conversation, Texarkana College has added a new voice to its social media strategy: student Instagrammer Harper McKnight, a general studies major with a passion for digital communication. For the past semester, Harper has documented Texarkana College life at @txkcollege from a student’s perspective, with engaging stories and candid profiles of students and employees. Beyond Instagram, Harper also had the opportunity to ride along and interview Texas State Rep. Gary VanDeaver as he took the first Uber ride in Texarkana from the TC campus earlier this semester.  

By Heather Russell 
Staff Reporter

The New Boston Small Business Association will host a concert at the Biz Lab on Collum Street on December 17, 2017 at 7:30 p.m., featuring recording artist Danika Holmes.  The acoustic concert will include Christmas selections as well as original music by Holmes, accompanied by renowned musician Jeb Hart on guitar.
Holmes has been pursuing music full time since 2010, and has opened for such high profile acts as Dierks Bentley and Phil Vassar.  Her vocals, along with Hart on guitar, have been described as “acoustic pop.”  According to her website (www.danikaholmes.com) next Sunday’s performance will be one-of-a-kind.  “That’s what you can expect from a Danika Holmes show….not just songs, but an experience to remember,” the website states.
Ticket sales are limited to the first 30 customers, and can be obtained by contacting Joe Dike at (903)628-4272.