As we began the new year, many students followed the trend of treating 2026 as the new 2016. The Et Cetera is honoring 2016 by rediscovering what was happening at Eastfield ten years ago. From the 2016 presidential elections, stories of the 2015 tornado survivors, Harvesters volleyball placing third in nationals, and policy changes that limited student involvement. 

During the race between Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton, many Eastfield students had faced their concerns. Most of them are towards Trump. At the time, DACA was brand new, and had helped thousands of undocumented students who had lived in the United States for the majority of their life. A comment from Trump had gotten them worried, in which he had promised to end the program. Clinton had

promised an easier path toward citizenship, and help for undocumented people who, indeed, contribute to the country. Former student Jarezy is a DACA recipient and stated concerns, but was hoping that Trump wouldn’t win.

Currently, we are living the same uncertainty once again. This time, DACA was paused due to a judge in Texas, leaving many undocumented children at risk. The deportations efforts, being stronger than how it was during his first term, which many have violated the constitution. 

In 2015, a series of tornadoes touched North Texas, which affected some Eastfielders. A year later, in 2016, they were still waiting for recovery. Those who were affected by the tornadoes had help from the community, and even from staff who worked at Dallas College. During the time of recovery, Eastfield was offering free construction classes for those affected, and it allowed students to move quickly through their coursework, and go back and rebuild. What was a life changing day for many, it quickly became a collaborative help from the community and non profit organizations. It proved there was a light at the end of the tunnel. People were helping to recover Christmas decorations that were lost and toys were being donated, as many were blown away by the tornadoes.

In 2016, the Harvesters volleyball team had a lot to be excited for although they had to go through many obstacles. Karina Lay was injured in an earlier game and was subbed with Alyssa Tomlin. Tomlin was celebrated, as she did a great job, after never having practiced as a libero. 

Finally that year, Eastfield faced a policy change that caused outrage across the student body. In 2016, many professors added a new rule in which students would not be excused for out of campus activities for sports, extracurriculars and organizations. This new change was mostly during Jurhee’s class, and caused many students to drop out. Unlike what Jurhee had stated in that interview, being a college student is not only about education. It is about self discovery, in which sports, extracurriculars, and organizations, helps us discover who we are. 

Overall, 2016 was an eventful year.it would be impossible to fit everything that happened in one story, but with these three stories, it showcased what has changed, and what has not. For elections, we got the same results, but it allows us to speak up for change. The Harvester Bees keep on winning, bringing more pride to Eastfield. Some policy changes that seem outrageous should not be approved. Readers  can find  more 2016 stories that occurred at Eastfield by visiting https://eastfieldnews.com/