Hello A&M students! I would like to inform you all of TRIO upcoming applications for next semester. TRIO is a grant program, that has been in place for four years, which helps students with academic and financial interests and is on their five-year grant cycle program. TRIO also organizes a variety of workshops for its members in a variety of ways, such as financial literacy, stress management, testing anxiety, workshops over transferring to graduate school, study abroad and many more. TRIO also offers services and benefits to low-income students, first-generation students, and students with documented disabilities. There are also academic coaching, online tutoring for TRIO members, a computer lab with free printing, and helpful staff. As you can see there are many benefits when it comes to being apart of TRIO, such as professional development and scholarship opportunities. “I would like students to know that TRIO works and we have lots of opportunities and services for our students to be successful in their academic career” says Brittany Barnett.
There will also be a lot of exciting things in TRIO next semester. In February, TRIO will be inviting a renowned guest to speak at the Literacy Workshop. Her name is Ja’Net Adams. “She’s going to bring a lot of good information about financial literacy, and how she overcame hers in a short amount of time that she accrued in college,” Barnett said. “We hope to have her book that she has available and to have everyone meet her. All of our TRIO participants are invited to come, see and hear this wonderful lady that is going to help everyone overcome financial barriers.” Ja’Net Adams also owns a company called Debt Sucks University. Click here to check it out.
Do not forget everyone. Please mark your calendar for the next semester. It will be here before you know! “I’ve been here since May 16th of 2016. It’s been a really good experience,” Dustin Nix said. “Please come see us anytime, even if you’re not a TRIO student, we’re here to help.”
Around this time of year, we begin to hear stories about good deeds and rising community support. It’s something about the holidays that strengthens our awareness of those in need and increases our rate of spontaneous help. But your local community hosts organizations that provide these actions year around. One is Watersprings Ranch.
Compliments of the Watersprings Ranch Twitter Page
Watersprings Ranch was founded in 1989 on family property purchased by David and Carla Whatley. They purchased the property for their growing family, but felt a desire to help heal abandoned, neglected and abused children through the word of God. They bring children together. They define their goals as an attempt to promote support and love among one another, not only from those around them, but by God.
Watersprings ranch is a non-profit organization in Texarkana, Arkansas that helps children in need. They operate as a Christian-based residential group home and extend their hands to children of all backgrounds. Their largest legacy resides in building safe, educational, and happy homes for children who have not had that experience.
Watersprings Ranch provides extracurricular activities, education, therapy services, and special needs services for all children who need them in the program. They aspire to give these kids a normal childhood. More than anything, the kids need to be kids, and that’s the Watersprings Ranch philosophy. Their message to the kids is that they can accomplish anything through God.
They are privately funded, using donations from those in the community to build a foundation for these kids. They accept donations of any amount, and they are always looking for responsible Christian couples who can minister to the children, and provide a secure home as house ministers.
To show your support for Watersprings Ranch and those living there, please visit their website. They have a donation page by which you can help them improve the lives of those there, or you can give them a call today to learn more about what you can do to make a difference in your community. You can also follow them on their social media pages to see what they’re up to and to keep in touch. Any little bit helps, and these children are counting on people like you to show them that they are all wonderful, special people who deserves all of the love in the world.
iLash Magic held their eyelash workshop November 17th 8:00-1:00pm. Photo Credit: iLashMagic
Eyelash specialist and iLashMagic owner, Tiffany Brown (no relation to this writer) held an eyelash workshop Saturday morning, November 17th in Dallas, Texas. Attendees of all levels learned lashing techniques 8:00am-1:00pm.
“The workshop event is a lash extensions certification workshop. I included a kit, manual, certificate of completion, and a mannequin to practice with”, said Brown.
For the past two years, she has specialized in eyelashes and have taught more than one course in Dallas, Texas. “This is not my first lash workshop. I’ve been lashing for almost two years. Proudly can say I walked away from corporate 9 months ago”, said Brown.
With a leap of faith and great ambition, the iLashMagic owner created her own brand within the fast-growing makeup trending business. “I came up with the workshop because, as the lash industry is growing there is a need for lash extension education”, said Brown.
The eyelash course included proper eyelash applications, a little history behind lashes, and business techniques. “The students learned the introduction to the history of lashes, how to apply and remove lashes as well as proper sanitation, and marketing”, said Brown.
iLashMagic graphic art. Photo Credit: iLashMagic.
Makeup experiences were not required, however certain requirements were met before registry. “They must be 18-years of age and did not have to be experienced or have a certificate to attend the class. The class was for education purposes only”, said Brown.
For the next upcoming eyelash course or bookings visit, www.ilashmagic.net or call 214-702-8377. You can also follow iLash social media below:
Houston native, Latecia Rockwall poses with a 2017 February or March Vogue issue. Rockwall’s fashion for passion began with that particular Vogue issue. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Want to know who’s wearing the hottest fashion trends right now? If you guessed Rihanna’s pope-inspired 2018’s Met Gala dress, Kendell Jenner’s Christian Louboutin’s patent leather pumps, Selena Gomez’s yellow trench coat, then you’re wrong. If you guessed yourself, then you’re 100% correct. According to Texarkana’s fashionista, Latecia Rockwell, you can rip the runway with your own fashion sense with this simple method.
“Don’t pay attention to who is wearing what, but how and why they’re wearing it. With this basic instruction, Rockwell found her own sense of style beyond the fashion dark walls of as capitalism, high-end clothing brands, and famous models who wear them. “I’d never been like fashion best-dressed in high school or into fashion fashion. I watched so many seasons of America’s Next Top Model, so that was one of the seeds that kind of dropped in there. As I got older, I was attracted to seeing Vogue”, said Rockwell.
Her attraction led her to a life changing moment. “It was around February or March 2017, I was drawn to this Vogue magazine in Walmart. I remember telling my husband I don’t know why I got this Vogue magazine, but I got it”, said Rockwell.
As a fashion grasshopper, Rockwell began digging deeper into the true meaning of the word fashion and its purpose. “I saw the cover and it showed different diversities of women. They were wearing similiar pieces, but as I flipped through I saw so many diverse fashion designers doing different things from different countries with colors, types of clothing and their creativity. I started to realize that fashion necessarily isn’t teaching us how to dress, but how to express ourselves through our attire and being free to do that. That’s what drew me into it”, said Rockwell.
Latecia Rockwall’s natural hair head shot. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Once the stylish veteran grasped the concept of fashion, her passion began dwindling inside, however she didn’t release it immediately. “My focus was different. As a wife, we focus on others verses ourselves. My husband was my main focus. I had this passion, but sometimes when you want to be a good wife and want to please God, your focus is strictly on that and it’s not always focused on creativity. I also had a job as a full-time registered nurse, which consumed a lot of my energy, then I was a full-time wife and a believer. I was just focused on those three things. I didn’t know that I could fit my passion and creativity into that. I don’t know if I was willing to do that at that time”, said Rockwell.
Rockwell lit her spark in fashion after a personal experience. “I realized I have to stand alone now. My husband is in Heaven. It pushed me to figure out my passion. I always remember when my husband and I first got married, I was so consumed in our relationship he would ask me what are hobbies and what do you like to do? You need to find something to do. It was funny, but so true. When he passed away, I dived right into it, because I realized that it’s not just me and him no more, it’s just me”, said Rockwell.
Once Rockwell connected the dots with her fashion purpose, she quickly found her own sense of style. “Bright colors. Dresses. I love dresses and sandals. I love color. I dont really have a favorite color. I just like bright colors”. With so many fashion do’s and don’ts, how did she find them her way?
“The first step is definitely figuring out who you are and what you like. What colors, styles you like, what flatters your body type”. Mastering this particular step requires utilizing this particular tool. “Appreciate who God created you to be. Once you accept that, you began exploring what you really like and accepting of what you have,” said Rockwell.
Avoid this common mistake. “People base their style off their confidence and self-image. I also think that people will see what magazines put out and they think they’re supposed to dress like that. They feel like because they’re not a size 2, 4, or 6 they have to cover up or hide their curves or body types. Your attire can express who you are”, said Rockwell.
Make the second step with confidence. “Be free to dress how you want with modesty, because our outer appearance speaks before you do”, said Rockwell.
Be comfortable in your quirks. “The most beautiful people are the most comfortable in their own skin. There’s an upcoming fashion model in general named Joya on instagram. She has natural long red hair and freckles. She’s peculiar and it works for fashion. She’s just comfortable being herself and I like the message that she sends” said Rockwell.
Fashionista, Latecia Rockwall poses within Broad Street Park. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Step outside the box with common sense. “Don’t be a fashion robot. Be more than that. I used to scared to try bright colors. I didn’t want the attention. I didn’t want people looking at me. I loved that dress, but I was like I would never wear this out in public. Whatever you love, just wear it, because you could look the best in it”, said Rockwell.
Similar to the fashionista, find yourself a shopping home. “Everything I wear is from probably from Target. I don’t do it purposely. I feel like Target and whoever they have shopping for them is shopping for me. I go and buy what I like. They pay attention to what’s in and what’s trending. They make it at a more affordable price and eventually all their stuff goes clearance”.
In your fashion home, have financial responsibility. “A lot of stuff I purchase is on clearance. I go to the back of store. I shop out of season and prepare for the next season. Shop out of season and prepare for the next season. Fashion magazines will tell you what’s hot for that season, but they’re bringing stuff back over and over. You can find stuff out of season for the summer, winter, spring, and fall”, said Rockwell.
Find your own inspirations. “Pinterest has a wide variety of fashions. Instagram is doing a lot. It’s centered around fashion. Follow people with those hashtags. Going to the store picking out what you like”.
With those simple instructions, you can pull off any desired look.
Is it love we’re looking for, or just something tolerable? An emotion sharing common features across cultures might be less of a romantic devotion and more of a search for gratification. Thinking of love in terms of socialization. Why did you or your last significant other end the relationship? Was it because they left their socks all over the place? Did they always forget your date night? Did you consider these qualities a lack of care? Maybe these things are simply intolerable for you. But to others, they are not. Many of our relationships end as a result of conflicting attitudes, behaviors and values. Social Exchange Theory, coupled with rational Choice Theory and ideas of Erving Goffman, tells us why. Social media tells us how.
“George Homans,” from the article “George C. Homans, the human group and elementary social behaviour,” by Dr. A. Javier Treviño on infed.com
George Homans adapted this theory in the late 1950s, that we base our relationships on a scale of costs versus benefits. When the costs outweigh the benefits, we tend to leave the relationship. People use their comparison levels, by which they compare current relationships to those from the past, and their comparison levels of alternatives, comparing current situations to other available options. These are what help shape our ideas about romantic behaviors. These comparisons come from our schemata, or set of experiences that create our expectations. According to “Romantic Exchanges,” a blog post written by Bradley Wright, social exchange theory suggests that “people think about relationships in terms of various benefits and costs available to them…” and then make choices in their own favor. We make attempts to establish romantic exchanges based on what we think to be worthy of our time and efforts.
Rational choice theory takes these internal monologues and brings them into reality. From available options, one makes a selection based on the shared, consistent schemata of society. These collective thought processes help individuals make daily decisions. Popular choices typically win the fight. Individuals let these normative behaviors to influence their own choice, which is how we know what others expect of us.
“Erving Goffman,” compliments of ThoughtCo.com, from the article “A Biography of Erving Goffman: Major Contributions, Education, and Career,” by Ashley Crossman
Erving Goffman says we use these concepts to control perceptions of us. Our front stage is where all that is socially acceptable remains, while the backstage is the opposite. Social exchange theory is what gives us a reason to act in this way, because of our alternative choices. Goffman’s ideas about front and backstage behavior demonstrates the ways in which social media is a prime example of social exchange theory. Let’s look at the social media dating applications, Match.com and Tinder.
Match.com argues that their ultimate goal is “to help singles find the kind of relationship they’re looking for.” This is an obvious example that they’re promoting social exchange theory. They are encouraging members to highlight their best attribute to find the best buyer. The website even has a blog with helpful hints on how toseem more attractive for other online users.Tinder is similar, but not so subtle. They offer a blatant goal: supporting individuality. They offer no suggestions for relationship building.Tinder’s goal “is to allow users to express themselves freely as long as it doesn’t offend others.” This is more obvious in presenting the idea that these websites are a way for people to use edited photographs and conscious dialogues to entice strangers.
In2015, eighty-five percent of Tinder users claimed to “look after” their appearance on the app, giving in to the collective social schemata. Social exchange theory says that this sense of rational choice is what will guide people in and out of relationships. Match.com and Tinder open the door for rating. With each application, users are picky about not only what they put out there, but also who they continue contact with. They are not obligated to respond to anyone. People take a few short minutes to look at their match and decide whether that person is right for them. Keep in mind that these people are just scratching the surface. They generally know very little about these people they are connecting with.
Each program allows users to designate a set amount of images to their pages and couple them with a description. Both sites reiterate a need to make oneself look attractive by some means.Eighty-four percent of Match users say that they are more selective now than ever of their dating partners, an example of weighing ones options. Match provides more lengthy content, which might mean that its target audience are those people who are looking to engage in something long-term while Tinder is often associated with hook-up culture. This could be the reason that roughly seventy percent of Tinder users also visited other online dating websites in2015.
Complements of Pixabay
A few demographics are notable here. First, a small but visible percent of Tinder users are married. Why is this important? These people are benefiting only themselves. even if the couple is in an o[en relationship, the two are still using other people to fulfill needs not met at home. And, people who would initially be monogamous may take on multiple romantic relationships if they feel that their needs are not being entirely met. In a closed relationship, the person is only concerned with their own desire.
“Only14 percent of boomer women and 22 percent of boomer men…” use Match to marry. These people are seeking a way that they can meet short-term needs, but are open to finding love. We tend to use the social exchange theory very extensively. Online users are very interested in keeping their options open.
These two applications offer participants anonymity and a way to easily filter through comparisons. Rational choice theory tells us how people use such little information to make such a large choice. Individuals purposely create situations where people have to choose swiftly from small amounts of information and, in doing so, lower their chances of someone else finding any bad quality.
Social Exchange Theory is rich in its possibilities to convey an understanding of social relationship building. Though this article has not discussed all aspects of the theory, we can still see a strong correlation between social exchange theory and how people today search for love.
A&M Texarkana’s Multi-Media Specialist offers practical advice acquired from a lifetime of experience.
Casey Roberts’ sixth grade teacher wrote a note to his mother at the bottom of his final report card saying that he would have a career in TV or radio.
The teacher was correct. Inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall Of Fame in 2002, Roberts’s experience in multi-media production spans over 45 years.
“I’ve been doing this my whole life,” Roberts said. He started off at the age of 17 as a disk jockey for a small south Texas radio station, where he soon became the program director. The company that owned the radio station also had several cable TV stations, one of which his father was the general manager of here in Texarkana.
Roberts began producing local public access programs as well as cable ads.
“I was responsible for getting commercials on the air,” Roberts said. He also pioneered a system, now the norm, called “local commercial insertion,” where local cable commercials are seamlessly integrated with national ones.
Roberts’ passion and diligence were noticed. He would spend the next 35 years honing his craft in the markets of Louisville, Kentucky, and Las Vegas, Nevada, holding a range of positions.
One of Roberts’ favorite moments was filming an interview with Muhammad Ali, after his defeat to Larry Holmes in Louisville, 1980.
“He came down to our little studio and spent an hour and a half with us, then invited us to a party that evening, where we got to hang out with him,” Roberts said.
“I like to tell people, I shot for Playboy and Disney channels in the same day,” Roberts reflected.
His journey came full circle, returning to Texarkana in 2005 to help out family. As fortune would have it A&M Texarkana, at the old location, had an open position to teach mass media production and a studio that needed to be rebuilt. Roberts has been employed with A&M Texarkana for the last 12 years.
“What I taught was the difference in being in a high-school TV class and real professional broadcast standards,” Roberts explained, “The rules of television are the same, and it’s about production values and technical standards.”
Lessons from the popular mass media class, 417 Advanced Television Production, focusing on making documentaries.
Casey at work. Photo by Stephen Parker
“Documentaries require a more polished production; Learning how to shoot, interviewing people, doing research, doing reenactments covers many important aspects,” Roberts assures.
His most practical advice for students is: preplanning, knowing what you want to do and maintaining high technical standards.
Suggesting that students often have really good ideas in their head, but loose the intended message because they have not tried to see how their message might appear to someone first viewing the idea.
“Always a good idea to bounce things off other people,” Roberts said.
There are no current video production classes offered at A&M Texarkana because the lack of a TV studio “made it difficult to keep classes going,” Roberts allowed.
“I have two jobs here now,” Roberts stated, “Production, which is near and dear to my heart, and facilitating event technology.”
Eagle Hall hosts several big events throughout the year. He makes sure that everything technical is working and familiarizes speakers with the equipment, assuring any hiccups will be dealt with promptly, putting speakers at ease.
Roberts shares his thoughts on the necessity for media production classes at A&M Texarkana.
“All the things that go into a real comprehensive university are important. I think news/journalism and the media-arts are essential for a liberal-arts education, hopefully we get to that point. With the introduction of athletics there is a need to cover athletes and broadcast games, giving students a hands on opportunity to work within professional standards and guidelines. I hope we get TV multi-media back in the curriculum. There are ways to do it, even in conjunction with the community college where the studio sits.” Roberts concluding with, “It would add a lot to the atmosphere to the campus with students more involved.
Caleb Landall takes a family photo of his wife, Tiffany, and their children Jocelyn (4), Lylah (2), Tucker (3 1/2 months). Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Williams Memorial United Methodist held their annual pumpkin patch Saturday afternoon 10/27/18. Families enjoyed the pumpkin scenery with selfies and the warm weather with their children.
According to Russell Martin, Director of Student Ministries, the church has hosted the Texarkana event for years. “The pumpkin patch has been here as long as I’ve been here and I think the last calculation is about 15 or 16 years”, said Martin.
18-month-old, Lana Navarrette poses in a pumpkin setting during Williams Memorial United Methodist’s pumpkin patch. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
The annual event opened October 8th. Family festivities included fun games, and trick or treats for the kids. “We did have a a host last week for our Pumpkin Palooza event, which is games, carnival, trunk or treat, and those types of things. Every year we try to do a movie night, but it got rained out”, said Martin.
Justin Sherman takes a family pumpkin patch of his wife, Nicole Sherman and two-year-old daughter, Harper Sherman Saturday afternoon at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Latrice Walker takes a photo of her 12-year-old, Iya Hanson during Williams Memorial United Methodist’s pumpkin patch. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Families brought their children for selfies during available hours. “Typical hours during the week are 11:30 am until dark, which is about 6:30 pm or so. Tomorrow will be 11:30 am until dark as well”, said Martin.
Williams Memorial United Methodist’s pumpkin patch was free and open to the public 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 4000 Moores Ln Texarkana, Texas.
With Bowie County (Texas) and Miller County (Arkansas) combined, Texarkana is home to over 65,000 residents. The City of Texarkana, Texas has placed eleven beautiful parks, recreation and running trails throughout local neighborhoods (Tamut, Pleasant Grove ISD, Texas ISD, Liberty Eylau ISD) of Texarkana with the mission to improve the quality and life of citizens.
(TAMUT & PGISD) Bringle Lake Park East, West and Wilderness are three different areas combined in one. Bringle Lake, known for being the most popular park and having the best running trails, is found right by the A&M Texarkana
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks (7602 Bringle Lake Road Texarkana, TX 75501)
Bringle lake Wilderness Area is 144 acres of nature area. No motorized vehicles are allowed in the wilderness area and the park is of day time use only. Bringle Lake Wilderness features ten foot wide bike and running trails that lead right into Bringle Lake East at approximately two miles.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks (7500 Bringle Park Rd)
Bringle lake East is an eight acre park that sits on the east side of Bringle Lake Wilderness. The park features bike and running trails, a playground for children, picnic areas, a floating fishing pier, grills and restrooms.
Surrounded by an abundance of trees and nature, the relaxing walking trails on Bringle Lake East are designed to bring you right into the boardwalk of Bringle Lake West.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks (7602 Bringle Lake Road Texarkana, TX 75501)
The west side of the Bringle Lake is an open seven acre park offering a boat ramp, fishing piers, trails, exercise equipment, volleyball sand courts, restrooms, playgrounds and a 1500 Sq. Feet pavilion looking over Bringle lake.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks (4303 North Park Road)
Does your dog need a breath of fresh air too? There is a local park for your pet. Kylee Sullivan Dog Park has a fenced in area for them to play with other dogs their size or feel free to roam on the dog trails. The dog park can be found on North Park Road, open seven days a week.
Right beside the Kylee Sullivan Dog Park you can find Spring Lake Park, located in a central area of Texarkana.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks(4303 N. Park Road Texarkana, TX 75501)
With 145 acres, this park features a spring fed lake, concert area, playground units, rotary splash pad, 18 hole disc golf course, picnic areas, 1.75 mile trail walking throughout the park , baseball and softball diamond, fishing, and restrooms. Spring Lake is the host of “Movies in the Park” during the Spring and Fall season offering new and classic releases.
Bell Park is in the heart of “New Town”. It is a four-acre neighborhood park offering a multi purpose baseball court, four sets of playground equipment, pavilion, restrooms and picnic tables. Bell Park is commonly used for community events and family gatherings. Around the corner from Bell Park , in the Highland Park area there is a 5 acre playground nestled in a beautiful tree line historic area. Ferguson Park is found just south of College Drive and Adjacent to the Collins Senior Center.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks (2612 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75501)
Located on New Boston Rd. Beverly Park is a 7 acre playground park with a heavily wooded area and that features playground equipment and picnic tables. Beverly Park is perfect for your lunch time activities.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks
Right off 7th Street, home to the recreation staff services is located at 3222 West 7th Street. The South West Community Center and Park is 20,000 sq ft building featuring a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, game room and kid’s library, meeting rooms, exercise room and kitchen. The Southwest center offers weekly recreational activities such as yoga and Zumba classes, youth and adult open gym activities, senior citizen’s bingo, and pool table and games.The Center also offers seasonal programs and sports event, health fairs, summer youth programs and much more. Meeting rooms can be reserved for individual, groups, or family functions. The park area of the Southwest Center offers four lighted tennis courts, playground equipment, and a multi-purpose open space area.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks(201 Oak St. Texarkana, TX 75501)
(LE ISD) Kidtopia is a playground designed for kids by kids! Located in Downtown Texarkana, the park is the perfect place to let kids express themselves. Kidtopia features a multi purpose playground, public restrooms and don’t forget your skates for Skatetopia.
Skateopia is the newest adjacent to Kidtopia in Downtown Texarkana. Built completely from custom concrete and designed by our local skateboarding community,the Skate Park is made for users of all skill levels to enjoy.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks(201 Oak St. Texarkana, TX 75501)
Featuring ledges, stair sets, down rails and an open bowl section, the park is great for all-wheel use. At Skatetopia, operational hours differ from Park curfew and both are open for day use only.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks(410 Findley St. Texarkana, TX 75501)
Located just off of highway 59, Findley park is a 5-acre, tree-lined neighbor hood park. Featuring a basketball court, playground and multi purpose recreational area.
Scott Joplin Park is a beautiful wooded area and a great place to cool off on a hot summer day.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks(1621 W. St. Texarkana, TX 75501)
This 7 acre park features various play equipment, public restrooms, a pedestrian walking bridge and a 1260 Sq. Feet pavilion perfect for picnics, family gatherings and community social events.
The park is located at 1621 West Street, just off of State Highway 59 in South Texarkana.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks
Karrh Park is a 33-acre gem surrounded by wooded areas and a quiet neighborhood. Karrh Park features four softball fields and is the home to the Girls Softball Association where leagues and tournaments are in full swing from the month of March to October.The park provides a serene picnic area with a small pond for recreational fishing,(1656 Sq. Feet) pavilion, playground equipment and public restrooms. Located at 2102 South Ann Street (just off of State Highway 59 South)
Located at 3419 Leopard Drive in the Liberty-Eylau area of Texarkana, Grady T. Wallace Park features 5 softball fields, 12 soccer fields and is the home to the Texarkana United Soccer Association with children and adult leagues in the Spring and Fall. Wallace Park offers active recreational space covering over 70 acres.
Featuring playground units, a walking/jogging trail around the 5-acre lake, a basketball court, two pavilions (2400 Sq. Feet) for social gatherings and public restrooms.
Natural hair is a beautiful thing. Without the right tools, it can be a frustrating, yet beautiful thing. Regardless of the frustration, natural hair does not require much for healthier lengths. With minimal work, it is quite simple. Minimal work does not mean neglecting your hair. It means the right strategies that work for your hair. Your hair needs your cooperation, not your help for healthier lengths.The following steps will help you personalize a successful hair care routine and surpass the stumbling blocks for healthier long locks.
Moisturize your hair daily
Photo Credit: Naptural85
Just as your body needs moisture, your hair needs moisture. Water is the moisturizing agent for natural hair. Without moisture, the hair dries, brittles, and results in breakage, single-stranded knots, or split-ends. Spritz your hair with a water bottle regularly. Lock in the moisture with water-based products (creams, leave-in conditioners, oils) for daily use. Water-based products should list water as the first ingredient. Based on your hair’s porosity, use the LCO (liquid, cream, oil) or LOC (liquid, oil, cream) method. Use the LCO method if you are low-porosity. Use the LOC method if you are high-porosity. If you do not know your hair porosity take a porosity test. Porosity is your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. To determine your hair’s porosity, you will need a hair strand and a cup of water. Find a loose hair strand and place it in a cup of water. If the hair soaks, it is high-porosity. If it floats, it is low-porosity. High porosity hair quickly absorbs moisture. Low porosity hair slowly absorbs moisture. The moisturizing process becomes easier after your hair porosity results.
Deep condition your hair weekly
Photo Credit: ivycharlaine
Deep conditioners add extra moisture than regular moisturizers. You will need a hooded dryer, steamer, heating cap, plastic cap, or a plastic grocery bag with a warm towel. Heat is not the enemy. It is an essential tool for a successful deep conditioning routine. Heat opens your hair’s cuticle layers to receive the moisture your hair needs. Without heat, your hair cannot get the proper moisture you need, especially if you are low-porosity. Regular moisture will not retain moisture if you do not properly deep condition with heat. Depending how dry your hair is, deep condition for 20 minutes to an hour. Your hair becomes softer and more manageable.
Wash your hair on a regular basis
Photo Credit: Jewellianna Palencia
Remove product build-up with a sulfate-free shampoo. It will not dry or strip the hair as rumored. Shampoos clarify and cleanse the scalp, but do not condition it. Co-wash cleansers do not equal a shampoo. They do not remove product build-up as a shampoo. After a few days, your scalp becomes itchy and dirty, resulting in hair loss. Of course, your hair is moisturized, but is still dirty from product build-up. Product build-up keeps the hair from retaining moisture. Regular shampooing keeps the hair moisturized, yet clean. Clarifying shampoos are available at Sallys, Target, Wal-Mart, and beauty supply stores. If a clarifying shampoo becomes too drying, use a moisturizing shampoo for a clean scalp instead. A clean scalp is a healthy scalp.
Trim your ends regularly
Photo Credit: Craving Curly Kinks
Length does not mean healthy hair. Do not be afraid to trim your ends. Health should be the primary focus of your hair. Your hair will still grow over time. Split-ends, see through ends, or single-strand knots should be cut immediately. Avoiding them will split the hair strand towards the top. Straighten the hair after a shampoo wash, deep conditioner, and a blow dry. Cut your ends evenly with a sharp pair of scissors. Even cuts prevents unevened layers unless you desire the layered look. A regular trim should be every three months.
Wear protective styles
Photo Credit: Ambrosia Malbrough
According to CurlCentric, hair grows half an inch monthly. This means your hair grows six inches per year. Protective styles retains length throughout the year. They should be worn every 5-7 days. Braids, twists, wigs, or weaves should not surpass 4 weeks. Protective styles also prevent constant touching or styling the hair. Constant combing, styling, brushing causes breakage, hairloss, and split-ends. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair and require the most attention. Tuck them away and leave your hair alone. During protective styles, you are still accountable for your hair. Braids will not give you longer hair if you neglect it. Your hair will be more prone to dryness and breakage.
Find holy grain products
Photo Credit: PowerInYourCurl
Holy grain products are stable products that work best for your hair. They provide the best results and cater to your hair’s needs. Once you’ve found them, stick with them. Do not change them, unless they stop working. Holy grain products are called that for a reason. Your hair responds extremely well without issues. Do not switch products based on millions of YouTube product reviews. Through trial and error, you will find the right product. It takes time, but not forever. Products are reviewed through daily YouTube videos. Read the comment sections and remember similar pro’s and con’s. Google and read product reviews before purchasing it. Once you purchase the product, focus on your hair’s reaction. If the hair responds well, keep it. If the hair responds bad, return it.
Research
Photo Credit: NaturallyTemi
You will not know everything about natural hair. With daily research, you will learn certain methods regarding your hair type, curl pattern, texture, and porosity. YouTube and blogs are the perfect places for learning natural hair care. They provide specific instructions for each individual’s natural hair care needs. Each individual will also learn beyond the basics. YouTuber, GreenBeauty teaches natural hair visual learners scientific facts through 3D cartoons videos and regular photos. Viewers understand better concepts behind split-ends, natural hair myths, protective styles, and proper hair care.
Choose a successful hair twin
Photo Credit: Glamtwinz
A hair twin matches your hair type, texture, and curl pattern. You can easily spot them through YouTube and social media. If you have a 4a/4b hair curl pattern, follow someone with a 4a/4b hair curl pattern. It makes your hair journey easier to understand based on their experiences. Do not take advice from someone above a 4a hair type. Their hair journey will not be relatable as the 4a/4b hair guru. Millions of natural, curly-haired gurus post YouTube videos social media hashtags. This gives you plenty of choices to follow. Keep in mind, you cannot follow everyone with the same 4a/4b hair. You might have the same 4a/4b hair curl pattern, however, you might not have the same texture, or porosity level. Plus, you will not learn proper natural hair care with too many options. It becomes frustrating and confusing. Narrow down your choices and follow your top favorite. This person should be well-experienced, especially if they have successful healthy hair. Focus more on their health, than length. Their hair did not grow healthy overnight. They experienced set backs and failures like everyone else. Keep in mind, your hair twin are not hair gods. No need to follow everything she says. She will change routines or products often. You do not have to purchase an item every time they review a product. Stick with what you know and apply what you have learned.
Listen to your hair
Photo Credit: NickyBNatural
No one knows your hair better than you. If something goes wrong, your hair will let you know first. For example, if your hair does not respond to a product your favorite YouTube guru raved about, do not force yourself to love it. Immediately, stop using it and return it. Do not compromise your hair based on another person’s opinion. It causes unhealthy, destructible results. Another example, if your hair seems drier than usual, re-moisturize your hair. Do not stress about a scheduled routine. It’s better to respond to your hair’s needs, than a set of rules. Never ignore what your hair tells you and consider better solutions to your problems.
I can’t believe I’m doing this. My whole life, I’ve naturally been a private person. Now, the very thing that I’ve been the most private about, I’m now sharing with the world. I was born with something known as neurofibroma, which gave me a tumor that made my face asymmetrical. As crazy as this may sound, I never really thought I looked different because my mom raised me as if I was one of “normal” kids. It wasn’t until I got older and I would go into public places that people would stare at me from the moment I walked in until the time I left. I mean people stared at me as if I was a celebrity, only I’m not one.
Did it make me feel uncomfortable, yes; but I learned to not let it get to me. For a long time, I thought beauty was what a person looked like on the outside, but as I got older, I learned that it was who the person was on the inside and the way you treated others. Cliché, but sometimes the most cliché quotes hold the most powerful meanings.
I spent so many years covering my face and allowing my scars to define who I was. Maybe at times, I felt insecure because for someone who looked like me, I allowed society to make me think I was “supposed” to feel insecure. Yet in reality, I felt stronger than I looked and more beautiful than what I was actually told. This statistic that Dove Beauty presented was right: “69% of women don’t see their lives reflected on the screen, me being one of them.” My greatest dream is to one day be a talk show host. I hope to one day inspire people to embrace and own who they are. Live your truth. Since there isn’t anyone who looks like me on daytime television, I’m ready to change that. I’m ready to break this glass ceiling on what society has defined as beauty. Society has such a vague definition about what beauty actually is.
They believe that beauty is being skinny, having curves in the right places, and donning symmetrical faces. Women turn to the media and magazines to see what we should look like, and many of us are willing to do whatever it takes to meet a look that is unrealistic. At first, it might be hard to accept yourself as you are, but when you condition your mind to think positively, it becomes a habit within your daily routine. This is a major reason I chose to one day be in television. I want other girls to see their lives reflected on the screen. Again, cliché I know, but this has been such a huge hot topic in my life. So, for anyone that feel insecure about anything just know there’s thousands of other people who can relate somehow to your story. Don’t be afraid to share something that could inspire someone else to keep going.
The vision that I have for myself is so much bigger than other people’s opinions. You are not your scars, and you are not who society labeled you as. You know yourself better than anyone, so you be the one to tell the world who you are and don’t apologize for it. Turn your fears into strength and your doubts into confidence. It’s time that the world get ready for the new “normal” whether they’re ready for it or not. To me, beauty is loving yourself without the validation of others, accepting yourself as you are, and being unapologetic for it. There’s nothing like doing the very thing that people told you, you couldn’t do. I just graduated college (December 15, 2017) with a degree in mass communication and I’m so excited for this next chapter in my life. So, for anyone that feels like there’s not a place for you in this world, there is and don’t let ANYONE tell you who you are!
