TCC’s ducks to swim down Trinity River in
weekend’s stampede
by Brian Wainstein, Editor-In-Chief

   The Tarrant County community once again has the opportunity to join in the festivities at the TCC Cowtown Trinity Duck Stampede.
   Participants at the Stampede will have double the satisfaction of normal festivals: not only will they have a great time, they will also have the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping the students of TCC.
   The Stampede benefits the TCC Foundation, which provides numerous scholarships.
   “All of the proceeds from the duck stampede go to award scholarships,” LaDawn Fletcher, grants and resource coordinator for the TCC Foundation, said.
   These scholarships benefit the students themselves as well as society as a whole, providing the community with skilled, educated individuals who can contribute to the economy, Fletcher said.
   “There were more than 150 applications for the 20 scholarships we gave out,” she said. “Last year we could give out only 14, and we hope that there will be even more next year. It is always our goal to help as many students as we can.”
   For those who are not satisfied helping impoverished students and want a little something for themselves, the main event of the day, the duck race itself, offers prizes for lucky patrons.
   Adopting a duck for $5 for one, $20 for a quack pack (four) or $100 for a flock (25) will net someone the grand price: a Kawasaki sports motorcycle.
   A fur coat and a guitar signed by numerous country legends will round out the top prizes.
   Patrons can also be entertained throughout the day.
   Each campus will have its own tent complete with informational booths, interactive displays, educational games and entertainment.
   Musicians, dancers, singers and dramatists from all four TCC campuses will perform on various stages throughout the area.
   Guest country star Rick Trevino will headline the musical fun. Trevino takes the stage at 2 p.m. performing songs from his latest CD.
   Opening for him, 23 TCC strings students and their teacher Diane Enger will fiddle, strum and hammer out highlights from the class’ last recitals: Bob Wills and Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
   Listeners will have the rare experience of seeing and hearing two upright string basses and a hammer dulcimer, played by Joe Vaughan, South Campus automotive technology instructor.
   “My students have worked really hard on [the performance],” Enger said. “The group is part of a string ensemble class, which is offered for both credit and non-credit students, opening it up to the whole community.”
   The ducks will be released into the Trinity River about 3 p.m.
   Festivities run from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
   Ducks are available for adoption until Oct. 19 at all Tarrant County Bank One and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank locations and at the registrar and student activities offices on all TCC campuses.
   For procrastinators and passersby, ducks can be purchased at the event itself.