1 10 37 https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/b0fa0997edc1c2f61932bad8d67d0ee7.pdf 5d96d294788606f29a70965f59551874 PDF Text Text October 1, 2019 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Going Digital Riley Box Chinook Staff Ever since The Chinook published its first official article in 1939, there has been readership. Every year, new writers and editors come, and fill positions recently vacated by former staff workers. The Chinook has been a true mainstay in the Casper College community since its inception exactly 80 years ago. Peter Van Houten, former director of The Chinook, claims that even though the publication had flourished at times with more than 25 people on staff, readership and publishing has declined the last couple years. Some may say that has to do with non- interesting stories or bad press but new Chinook Director and Communications instructor Bri Brasher claims that leaving the printing press may be the best idea to regain audiences. Major publications like the New York Times and the Washington Post have gone digital and it seems as if this is just the way things are now going for news. “It is the next step for the Chinook and is a platform that is going to be a lot easier for students, staff, and stakeholders of Casper College to find the paper,” Brasher stated. Brasher pointed out that with the newspaper going digital, it will be easier to distribute to audiences, as well as easier for audiences to find. On top of that, it will be exponentially cheaper for the college to go fully digital. Brasher also claimed that though there is a level of nostalgia with physical papers, going digital will allow people to see it wherever they go and will inevitably be more convenient. Going paperless is how the world is shifting and The Chinook is following suit. With a digital presence, it will be easier to read stories, access them at a later date, and most importantly, find. “Digital would give us the opportunity to be immediate.” Van Houten claimed. News is becoming more and more immediate. No more are the days of waking up in the morning to find stories from the day before. TwentyFour-hour news cycles as well as social media has made it almost impossible for print newspapers to even be relevant in today’s society. Brasher and the Chinook staff’s ultimate goal for the publication is to make it so important so that people want to read it so there is no possible way to ignore it. The Chinook has been a mainstay at the college but with its new direction and style, it will be easier to show to friends and colleagues. We want the Chinook to outlast even us and with Casper College updating this, it is sure to do so. We ask you to participate in the Chinook! Send us ideas, stories, and concerns. The schools support is the most important part. It is YOUR newspaper after all. We ask you to get your ads on here as well, we are trying to gain readership and with the support of organizations on campus, not only will we support and show your organization, but we will soar higher than the Thunderbird. Ever since The Chinook published its first article, there has been 80 years of readership. Let’s keep it that way. Find us online! Pictured are Kassandra Dutro and Kathryn Anderson working on their laptops. Search up the school newspaper online while you're at it! (Photo by Riley Box) Walk for Freedom Putting an end to modern slavery Morryah McCurdy Chinook Staff Students at Casper College are marching to bring attention to human trafficking on October 19. Casper College students have partnered with global anti-human trafficking coalition, A21, to host Walk for Freedom to abolish slavery. This is a mighty undertaking for a campus of roughly 4,500. With knowledge comes power, and that’s what student and host, Toni Kerr, hopes to instill on campus and in town. Kerr is a freshman at Casper College, but her new environment and workload hasn’t stopped her from getting involved with an impassioned cause, A21. A21 is a global non-profit organization that markets itself as “fueled by radical hope that human beings everywhere will be rescued from bondage and completely restored. We are the abolitionists of the 21st century. We work with you to free slaves and disrupt the demand.” A21 is tasked with a daunting assignment. Its name cleverly states their mission-- to abolish slavery in the 21st century, but first, the organization must bring attention to its cause. One of the most impactful ways A21 interrupts the presence of slavery is by hosting a Walk for Freedom. “This walk rallies tens of thousand of students and participants, like you, to bring attention to this very real, very prevalent human rights issue. Reducing vulnerability — See Freedom, Page 3 This year the global walk takes place on Oct. 19th. The Casper Walk for Freedom starts at 9:00 a.m. at Conwell Park, located across from Wyoming Medical Center. The course will head to David Street Station and then loop back. Please visit A21.org/ Casper to join local Walk for Freedom. Mysterious vaping illness hits home Morryah McCurdy Chinook Staff According to a September 12 report by the Natrona County Health Department, the state of Wyoming confirmed the first vaping related lung disease case. The report aligns with many of the cases going around the United States, including 12 deaths and 805 people afflicted with deadly lung disease in 2019 alone. Since August 23, the Center for Disease Control began a mechanism for hospitals and clinics to report the presence of vaping related illnesses. What these patients have in common is using adulterated nicotine or THC vapes, increasing presence lung diseases. No specific product is culpable, but 80% of the cases originated from cartridges containing THC. Notably, these cartridges originated from black-market dealers, meaning the cartridges or e-liquids did Garner brings industry influence to Casper College Ishamel Bujosa-Perin Chinook Staff For most teachers, some of their biggest awards and accomplishments are earned in the classroom, but for one Casper College professor she was being awarded and recognized before becoming a teacher. Ginny Garner, a marketing professor at CC, shared her story with The Chinook. In 1978, Jenny Garner was awarded the cutest baby of Warren, Arkansas and fourteen years later, Garner moved to Casper, Wyo. in 1992. At the time her father and uncle were given a great job opportunity in the heart of Wyoming which moved her and her two sisters to finish high school at Natrona County. Garner then went on to attend the University of Wyoming in 2000 where she graduated with bachelor’s in Leadership. After receiving her undergrad, she attended the University of Gonzaga where she graduated with a master’s in Leadership. Professor Garner has always had a passion for teaching since completing her secondary education. However, upon finishing her master’s program, there were no open teaching jobs back in Casper. But because of her passion for the classroom was so strong, Garner ended up taking a managerial position where she was still actively working with people. She worked for the El Dorado conference center at South Arc Community College back in her hometown of Arkansas. She was very excited and thrilled to return to her hometown and took full advantage of the opportunity. Garner built the city of El Dorado from the ground up, restoring a broken city. Due to her extraordinary efforts, she was awarded the “Key to the City” and now has a day, May 7th, dedicated to her, ‘Ginny Garner Day’. “I gave everything to the town of El Dorado so much that they have a day dedicated to me,” said Garner. Shortly after her rebuilding process in El Dorado, she received an offer from Casper College Admissions office for the full-time — See Garner, Page 4 Ishmael Bujosa-Perin/Chinook Garner poses for a photo after her Intro to Marketing class. not come from a reputable seller, with two exceptions in Oregon that are under investigation. Also, the median age of those impacted by the lung diseases is 19, with more than half of those effected under the age of 25. The rise in vaping illnesses is serious, and it’s also important to know the facts. In 2007, vaping introduced a safe alternative to smoking. Vaping took off dramatically in 2012 in the United States. The CDC and Federal Drug Administration investigate and have authority over the vaping industry, requiring warning labels, ingredient lists, and not allowing marketing to minors, but control is still limited. No regulations are set as to what ingredients can and cannot be used; ingredients just must be posted. Still, the vaping industry is not regulated in the United States. — See Vaping Page 3 THE MONTHS AHEAD October Getting chilly! November Officially cold... December Colder but it's ok because Christmas �Page 2 October 1, 2019 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: Presidential Advice --- Motivation --- Rise & Grind with Morryah No matter where you are in your life, it is safe to say you have places to be. I don’t mean physically necessarily, but in the sense that every action we take is with the intention of making our future more satisfying. We want to excel and make ourselves proud in our pursuits, but all too often we start off strong and slowly begin to lack motivation to get to the next obstacle. The tediousness of everyday life can be overwhelming, and trust me, you are not alone. For those in their first semester out of high school or someone coming back to school after decades of working in the real world, the pursuit of happiness is ultimately our goal. Both ‘happiness’ and ‘goal’ are incredibly broad concepts that only you can define by what matters in your life. Read that again: you define your life. Are there areas of your life where you’re settling for less because maybe to push beyond mediocrity would be a true challenge? Are you settling for less than you’re capable of and justifying staying stagnant? Y’all- this isn’t even meant toward school. Sure, school can be hard and boring, but you are not only a student. You have real things going on off campus. Where are you thriving outside of this ‘student’ or ‘professional’ compartment you have put yourself in? I promise once you break out of the labels you have made for yourself and start working on the reallife changers- that is where you will see progress across all sectors of your life. Most people resign themselves to a life of mediocrity, accepting what life has given them. Even achievers who are highly successful in one area tend to settle for mediocrity in other areas such as relationships and health. Can you recognize those tendencies within yourself? Do you want to change? Some advice before you get too ahead of yourself; you need to tackle bite size chunks you can handle. You are not going to get your health in order in one week. Eating salad one time will not make you #cleanlife. This is a process, and for health, it’s a lifestyle. What I suggest is taking on no more than three goals at a time, writing them down, and understanding why they are important. If they have no weight in your life, they don’t matter at this moment. These are long term goals that really set your soul on fire, and don’t forget, you are not only a student, you are so much more, so dig deep. Next, out of these goals, which one would make the rest of the goals possible? Say your top three goals are to get healthy, save money, and to stop procrastinating. If you were to choose a main goal to work on that would impact the othersthat is where to start. For example, if working on procrastination would help with the other goals, you might want to tackle that first. Next are action steps. Action steps are where YOU show up. You have to do the work if you want to see results. For procrastination, maybe you listen to Mel Robbin’s 5 Second Rule on Audible, while you go for a walk or drive. This book has practical strategies for procrastinators and I promiseactively working on this part of your life will impact the other goals, until you break the habit of procrastinating. On an ending note, if procrastination is truly an issue, recognize that procrastination is habit aligned with stress relief. When there is so much on your plate that you default to procrastination, recognize it and put your energy into a productive activity, like journaling or exercising to clear your mind. Part of this series will be about self-awareness and seeing where you have areas to work on. Remember: bite size chunks, and most importantly, you are human. er pap s w e College’s Casper ok N nline o n i O ChStudent Now Voice Since 1945 In addition to the tasty all you can eat food at Tobin Dining Hall... @caspercollegedining “ As I walk around the college, I can’t help but notice the energy in the air when students return to campus. Please know that meeting and talking with students brightens my day and reminds me of how my college experience started me on my journey. I know you had plenty of choices when deciding to attend college, and I believe you made the right choice by joining us here at Casper College. Our students come from different backgrounds, different cities and towns, different states, and even different countries, yet you’re all looking for that same chance to learn, grow, and succeed. We’re here to challenge and support you, and our goal is to provide a dynamic learning environment that prepares you for your next step in life, whatever that may turn out to be. If you’re experiencing any trouble, or simply want to pick up some pointers on navigating the college experience, be sure to visit our Student Success center on the third floor of the Gateway Building. They have a wide variety of expertise and services available to help students succeed. But please don’t wait too long, as the earlier you ask for help the more likely you are to experience a positive result. Campus activities are in full swing and I hope you take advantage of the many events and opportunities offered and thus get even more out of your time here at CC. Watch the campus TVs for more information and contact Student Activities for information about clubs, intramural sports, and other events for students. Best wishes for a fantastic and productive semester! --Darren Divine, Ph.D. President Our students come from different backgrounds, different cities and towns, different states, and even different countries, yet you’re all looking for that same chance to learn, grow, and succeed. — Darren divine, Ph.D., Casper College President The Student's Voice Ramblin' with Riley Entering the Casper College campus my Freshman year, I had no idea Student Senate existed. I knew about Student Senates before; High School, Universities, etc. but did not know we had one on campus. I am usually too worried about not slipping down the stairs or getting to the right class every day hoping they did not change anything without me knowing. My advisor Pete Van Houten (Interim Dean of the Social Sciences) told me they needed a Public Relations representative sooner than later and said I would be perfect for it. I reluctantly agreed. It reminded me of a job interview, but you knew nothing about the job and they threw you into the fire without much preparation. A year later, things have changed completely. Not only am I President now but I love what I am doing with the Senate. There feels like a lot of ambiguity with the Senate and I get that whole heartedly. So, let me break it down for you… Do you have a problem on campus? We can help. Do you have an event you would like to try? We can help. Do you want to get money for your club or organization? We can help. Do you have a large pile of money burning a hole in your pocket that you need to get rid of? Contact me separately without anyone knowing. The entire staff of officers changed except Vivica Stewart (Vice President) and I (President), and the advisors have changed too. As a Chinook writer as well, I sat down with the new advisor to Student Senate and Director of Student life Corey Peacock. Peacock stated, “I hope that Student Senate becomes the voice of students here at Casper College.” Becoming more accessible to the students, helping them when needed, and helping clubs and organizations succeed is our goal. We are here for you and can help you do all of the things! We will make it easier than ever before for clubs to get funding as well as helping students get on track, but we need more of a presence, so if you come across someone, talk about senate. Do not scare them away or yell “SENATE” in their face (trust me, it doesn’t work), but if it comes up, remember we are you guys. Your current Senate roster is as follows: Tessa Kauffman and HannahClaire Sutton as your Sophomore Representatives, Savannah Knight Meigs as your Treasurer, Emerald Clark as your Secretary, Vivica Stewart as your Vice President, and me, Riley Box as your President. New advisors include Corey Peacock and Jason Charrette. Please look for us on Moodle! And email the Student Senate at student. senate@caspercollege.edu The NFL season at a glance With the NFL season in full swing its only right to break down both the AFC and NFC conferences, including each sub-division and a completely arbitrary Superbowl prediction at the end. Let’s begin with the NFC South. I have the Panthers to win it. Cam Newton is the driving force for the offence, and if he is to remain healthy, they should have no problem winning the division. Expect a tightly contested battle with the Saints, as they are definitely a playoff bound team this year. Now in the NFC West, we have the stacked LA Rams, and they will without a doubt win their division. The Rams have been a powerhouse since the 2017 hiring of Sean Mcvay, and things are not going to change anytime soon. The Detroit Lions will secure the NFC North title this year. They have an outstanding offensive and defensive line to protect Stafford. And if Stafford is given more time to throw, he should have no problem getting the ball to his receiver’s. Plus, if they throw in their newly drafted running back into the mix, we should see a wildcard contender within the Lions. The Philadelphia Eagles will most likely win their NFC East division. They have Wentz in the backfield so there is nothing to worry about. They will most likely be a Superbowl team this year. Now let’s move over to the AFC division. Let’s begin with the south. The Texans should have no problem winning the division. The Texans have acquired a left tackle and with an offensive line fully functioning Watson and the Texans should have a great year. Definitely a given but we should see the Chiefs secure the top spot in the AFC West. Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill are pretty much a cheat code and they have a witty coach in Andy Reid who runs a fast-paced offense this year should be a walk in the park for them. Also, we could see them in the Superbowl this year too. The AFC North will belong to Pittsburg. Even without Antonio Brown and Leveon Bell the Steelers have proven to still be a dominant force in their division. They have You've got Ishmael great talent in Juju Smith-Schuster and James Conner they’ll be alright this year. Now in the AFC East, we will finally see a change. I have the Buffalo Bills to win it this year. They have a great quarterback in Josh Allen and a playoff caliber defense. If the bills win it this year, they will end New England’s 15-year reign of championships and there is no better year to do it than this one. And now for the Superbowl. We should expect to see the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia. If this prediction serves correct, we should witness a high scoring game. That is your NFL season overview. There are 3 other locations on campus! Liesinger Hall Gateway Building Subconnection Mon-Thurs: 7:30AM - 2:30PM Friday: 7:30AM - 1:00PM Mon-Thurs: 7:30AM - 2:30PM Friday: 7:30AM - 1:00PM Mon-Thurs: 7:00AM - 6:00PM Friday: 7:00AM - 3:00PM Featuring meals, snacks, drinks, and anything to help your day run smoothly! �October 1, 2019 Page 3 CHINOOK Freedom............................................................continued from page 1 through education and events is why these marches are so important. Without them, people might not know how close this issue truly it, but it is everywhere,” said Kerr. “Phrases like ‘slavery’ and ‘human trafficking’ can still feel ambiguous. This is the reality: slavery is violence. It’s physical, verbal, and sexual abuse. It’s forced prostitution. It’s barbaric working conditions, and its hiding in plain sight,” the A21 website states. A Walk for Freedom helps A21 in fundraising and foundation. With over 14 global locations, they simply cannot reach every area that is wrought with this violence. That is where Casper College students, Kerr and her crew come in-- to make human trafficking local. “Our hope is to bring more awareness to our city about this issue. There are a lot of misconceptions about what human trafficking looks like, so we want people to know what human trafficking really looks like so if they see it, they can report it. Our hope is to also raise funds for A21 so they can continue their mission,” said Kerr. Wyoming is rural, with a rough and tumble reputation, but united over important issues. Human trafficking is one of those issues that Wyoming doesn’t take lightly. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported that “in 2018 alone 45 people contacted the human trafficking hotline, with 12 of those calls becoming cases. Since 2007, 311 contacts were made, with 65 cases, overall, reported. Crisis calls were the majority, where a victim needed immediate assistance and calls reporting tips.” “These numbers may seem small, but one is too many,” says Toni. As part of their mission A21 works to identify and empower survivors of slavery. Their model-- reach, rescue, and restore, helps heal through individual sessions, pinpointing issues and providing access to housing, medical treatment, counseling, education, employment, and recovery to help ensure every survivor gains freedom. “Central Wyoming was labeled as a ‘red hot’ area for Wyoming. A total of 12 cases came out of those calls, which is 12 too many,” reiterated Kerr, “This is not some issue we can sweep under the rug or label a big city issue.” Human trafficking doesn’t only affect those in underdeveloped areas as depicted in media. “Human trafficking thrives at music festivals. It is disguised behind the facade of tinder dating profiles. Traffickers can literally be anyone--and our indifference towards recognizing their presence in our society allows them to continually deceive us,” states Sarah Beech, student at the University of Texas in Austin, and contributor for another human trafficking awareness campaign, Dressember. The Walk for Freedom is one small way A21 spreads their message on a more local level. Hosts and participants help raise money to help potential victims and fortunate survivors. As the A21 website says, “Slavery is more stoppable than ever, and that’s why we’re here, rallying around the world and doing the work together. It’s an outward expression of A21’s inward desire to see slavery abolished everywhere—in our cities, in our communities, and in our world. One step at a time and one dollar at a time, we walk and fundraise to see a world without slavery.” Hosts Kerr and Mackenzie Chadderdon, along with three other local students, Payton Wirtz, Izzie Jones, and Annalyse Johnson have partnered with Vision Beyond Borders, a local anti-human trafficking organization, to advocate for A21 and their Walk for Freedom. Their hope is to gain community support through sponsorship. The walk is free, but it is encouraged to purchase a A21 trademarked shirt to show unity, support, and inclusion. The money from the shirt purchase goes directly to the cause. Photo courtesy of Toni Kerr From left to right: Hosts for the Walk for Freedom include students Mackenzie Chadderdon, Toni Kerr, Payton Wirtz and Izzie Jones. Vaping...............................................................continued from page 1 Anna Kinder, Executive Director for the Natrona County Health Department said, “This lack of regulation could be the reason that cases of lipid pneumonia and chronic lung disease have been sprouting since April 2019.” In the United States, vaping is currently a self-regulating industry with best practices and their own guidelines. Mike Stephens, owner of Ohm Man Vape Shop said, “the point being, with the vape industry being self-regulating, we want to deliver a clean product with less harmful chemicals than contained in a traditional cigarette Ingredients in vaping e-liquid are all consumable that people eat or regularly ingest.” Ingredients like vegetable glycerin (think vegetable oil), propylene glycol (which belongs to the alcohol subgroup), and quality food flavoring make up the e-liquid. So, what is being found in the cartridges of these sting of deaths and illnesses? “Vitamin E acetate seems to be a common linkage to vaping related illnesses and deaths,” agreed both Kinder and Stephens. The Washington Post reported, “Vitamin E is found naturally in certain foods, such as canola oil, olive oil and almonds. The oil derived from the vitamin, known as vitamin E acetate, is commonly available as a nutritional supplement and is used in topical skin treatments. It is not known to cause harm when ingested as a vitamin supplement or applied to the skin.” Vitamin E is in many products, and it contains health benefits such as preventing heart disease, supports immune and eye health, as well as its link to preventing cancer. The Washington post continued, “though its name sounds harmless its molecular structure could make it hazardous when inhaled. Its oil-like prop- erties could be associated with the kinds of respiratory symptoms that many patients have reported: cough, shortness of breath and chest pain. Vitamin E has been a common denominator in every case thus far.” The CDC is not ruling on any e-liquid containing nicotine or THC. With two deaths reportedly associated with a product bought from a legal dispensary in Oregon, the CDC said it is not associating the deaths with black market products. In Casper, we have a close-knit community and notable vape shops that have –had success since 2012, when vaping began changing the nicotine industry. Local vape shop owner, Stephens said, “We carry both widely distributed e-liquid brands, and we make in-store e-liquids, here at Ohm Man. None of our product contain vitamin E. The vaping industry has been self-regulated for a long time, and until now are we have not seen a surge in illness or death. We make our product water soluble and non-toxic by using vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, both suitable for e-liquid.” Stephens has owned and operated Ohm Man Vape Shop since 2015, meaning he keeps a keen eye to regulation, rules, and industry standards. Aware of the stigma surrounding vaping and the lack of longterm study, Stephens studies up vaping and e-liquid constantly in an effort to protect his business and customers. “The wave of illnesses sounds like the THC, which when extracted is thick and not viscous, was adulterated,” said Stephens. “Adulterating makes the e-liquid seem much more appealing and smokable to those familiar with vaping, and when it is offered at cheaper prices or in states where marijuana is illegal, you’re going to see a rash of illness. This happened during prohibition as well- people going blind Photo by Morryah McCurdy/Chinook Mike Stephens, owner of Ohm Man Vape Shop visited with the Chinook about the recent vaping headlines and allowed for a photo of his shop. or dying from a bad batch of alcohol.” Regardless of the presence of the illegal or adulterated vape e-liquid, vaping began as a way to offer a ‘friendlier’ alternative to traditional tobacco smoke. “It is our responsibility to offer quality product and decrease traditional smoking, which kills almost a half million people a year. Plenty of people have switched to vaping to protect themselves and those they love. While vaping is in no way a cure for smoking, it is a better alternative with a much shorter list of ingredients. Nicotine addiction is no joke, we are merely trying to recognize the need for a safer alternative,” Stephens continued. While vaping has been marketed as a safe alternative, these vaping related illnesses and deaths cannot be ignored. Natrona County Health Department stays educated on the outbreaks of vaping related illnesses. Kinder weighed in. “With the discovery of vaping illnesses in Wyoming, we are now seeing firsthand the effects of vaping. It was always said vaping is considered safe, there are no long-term studies that say otherwise, but smoking was seen as safe for a long time, too. The truth is, vaping is new, its been around for less than ten years in the mainstream. These issues with lung diseases could be directly tied to a bad batch of vaping liquid, or this could be in fact the longer-term evidence needed to make a better determination of the effects of vaping,” said Kinder. Another issue, coming to light in these vaping related illnesses, are the ages of those impacted. “We are seeing a lot, and I mean an incredible amount of adolescence and teens that are vaping- and why? They aren’t trying to kick a habit, they are watching others partake and want to be cool, much like it used to be with cigarettes. These teen’s lungs aren’t able to handle the kind of mindless smoking that vaping enables. It is no doubt that with the flavors and cool devices, it is attracting the teens, who are largely the ones suffering from these lung issues or dying,” urged Kinder. Sergeant Scott Jones, Natrona County School Safety Officer, has reported a “high incidence of kids vaping in school. We are averaging six citations a day ranging from middle to high schools all over town. 70% of those citations are nicotine related and 30% are THC related vape pens. It is inundating our court system and we are working, in real time, to combat these instances and create harsher punishments to deter kids from partaking. All of this is killing the time of public officials and taking the focus off of education.” Kinder, and the newly formed Casper Care Coalition are coming together to hit this issue head on. “There is so much unknown right now, like how all of this weirdo stuff is becoming available. The Casper Care Coalition is holding a joint committee that will address raising the legal age of nicotine purchase to 19, eliminating online sales of vaping related products, and taxing vape products like tobacco, but in the end we do not know if this will help anything. ” The Casper Care Coalition will also focus on education in schools and address health as a whole for teens. Stephens does not disagree with educating teens about the effects of vaping and nicotine in general. “This issue won’t be solved overnight, in fact, nicotine addiction is so prevalent, that eradicating vaping would lead to tobacco use, undoubtedly, which kills 8 million people a year. What I want to ask is that the adults vaping, do so responsibly. Deal with reputable shops. Don’t go online, because many black-market vaping products come from China, where there is no regulation,” said Stephens. He went on to add, “Change your coil regularly, and keep in mind, people are watching you. If you make vaping appealing to your children, it is likely they will pick up a vape. Being in the business for eight solid years, I have never had a customer have a bad experience from my products, whether they are in-house made, or national brands.” Stephens’ focus on harm reduction and responsibility to quality remains the focus for his business, Ohm Man Vape Shop. Kinda said, “With national news covering this outbreak of vaping related illnesses, many emotions will run high as the issues are addressed in real time, with no precedence on how to combat these issues. At this moment, the Natrona County Health Department asks that you be responsible, and consider abstaining until further research is done, to find concrete commonalities,” The reality of nicotine addiction is that quitting is hard. Wyoming has unique programs to support those who want to quit smoking traditional tobacco as well as vaping. The Natrona County Health Department as well as Wyoming Quit Tobacco Program, and the CC Wellness Center offer free resources on how to quit smoking. Please visit the Casper College Wellness Center in the Student Union Building, second floor or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for more information. �Page 4 October 1, 2019 CHINOOK Know your limits: Alcohol awareness Monica Gonzalez Chinook Staff Students often find themselves unaware of the amount of alcohol that is ‘safe’ to consume, and many don't realize the consequences of overindulging until it’s too late. Body composition and other factors make every consumer’s experience unique. Various problems and dangerous situations can present themselves to those under the influence. Linda Toohey, Associate Vice President for Student Services and leader of theCasper College Care Team, came up with different ways to educate students around campus about this issue. “We encourage people to know their limits,” said Toohey. Alcohol use is something that happens quite frequently, both on and off college campuses across the country. According to the Alcohol Rehab Guide, “College Alcoholism affects millions of students every year. The college years are some of the most popular times to experiment with alcohol. Roughly 80 percent of college students – four out of every five – consume alcohol to some degree. It’s estimated that 50 percent of those students engage in binge drinking.” The Alcohol Rehab Guide emphasized the ubiquitous nature of alcohol related issues on college campuses. The guide states: “The high-risk period of binge drinking for college students is during the first six weeks of their freshman year. Many of these students fall into peer pressure and begin drinking soon after the first day of classes. Alcohol use is commonly viewed as the “college experience” that students desire. They want to fit in and make new friends, so they keep drinking without thinking about the potential consequences involved.” The Casper College Care Team understands the nature of alcohol in college, though they are working to mitigate its influence. “Alcohol use is not something that can’t be stopped but can be prevented through educating students,” according to Toohey. For your own health and safety, practice consuming everything in moderation. The Casper College Care Team has a variety of resources for students to be a part of to acknowledge what amount of alcohol is appropriate to have for their body type. More importantly, Toohey wants people to be aware of your surroundings when drinking. “It's about your safety, keep an eye on your drink and if with a friend take care of one another. If any student needs help or is concerned about any situation, don't hesitate to call the care team. We are here for the students; we want them to utilize us,” Toohey explained. Students can educate themselves on how much alcohol intake is consumed by taking a look at the college’s Stall Street Journal. Copies of the SSJ are found in restrooms across the college campus thanks to Joanne Theobald, Director of Counseling at the Casper College Wellness Center. “I Googled "stall street journal" and found that many schools do something similar. So, we decided to give it a try,” Theobald said. The purpose of the SSJ is to better inform students about this topic and many others. “We've received great feedback from the campus community about the SSJ and enjoy getting to put them up! It's a team effort between our office and the public relations office.," explained Theobald. "PR does the design/artwork, the Copy Center copies them, our amazing front office staff laminates them, and the counselors hang them up. It's fun and hopefully educational for all. Plus it does give people something else to do while they're there.” Garner continued from page 1 Quotes from the 2019 T-Bird Trek marketing instructor; she accepted immediately, no hesitations. Garner was eager to return to Casper, upon her arrival she told me she felt more “at home” here in Casper than back in Arkansas. “I’ve wanted to teach since graduation from UW in 2000,” said Garner. She later added, “My favorite part about teaching is creativity and coming up with different ways to teach students.” Beyond teaching in the classroom, she lives a pretty standard lifestyle. She has a 7-year-old soft haired Wheaton Terrier and enjoys her football on Thursdays and Sundays. Although she does like the NFL, she prefers watching college football where she can watch her favorite team, the Arkansas Razorbacks win throughout her favorite conference, the SEC. Garner's favorite things Favorite food: Burritos Favorite Movie: Sound of Music Favorite Song: "Hard to Handle" by the Blackcrows Favorite activities: Reading & Yoga Favorite Shoes: Tieks Ballet Flats Photo Courtesy of Nathan Romberg “It’s good for…people within the community who don’t have necessarily roots to Casper College and .” – Erich getting them on the campus.” – Colton Sasser (Former a fun race is it , g in n Casper College Student and Army Veteran) e the begin ing it sinc ctor) n n ru n e e “I’ve b llege instru (Casper Co d n la k n ra F “The T “This is my second T Bird Trek and I am glad I Bird T for a r ek, it’s good c got to do it this year.” – Malia Lageman (Community a go (Forme a r Casp use.” – Col od thing, member) to Army V er eteran) College St n Sasser udent and “It’s a healthy activity that gets people outdoors.” – Colton Sasser (Former Casper College Student and Army Veteran) Student or Instructor Turn your online struggles into answers by calling us. Students: Instructors: We make sure you are able to access online learning resources needed to learn in your classes. We will also help you learn to utilize the digital tools available to you for all your classwork. We can help make online course development easier for you as well as assist in making knowledge acquisition more efficient, effective, and appealing for your students through the best teaching practices and use of technologies. Top five examples of items we can help with: 1. How to use Moodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Use Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 3. Accessing Office 365 . 4. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it. 5. Moodle technical issues — except password changes, we don’t do that. Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. An example of items we can help with: • Technologies that support learning objectives and classroom productivity like GoogleSuite, ProctorU, Zoom, Yuja, and other various Moodle activities and resources. • Providing a sounding board for ways to improve courses. • Sharing examples of instructional strategies used in other courses and programs. • Providing help in developing teaching strategies Plus a lot for online classes. more! • Providing a student perspective. Contact us. Teresa Pat Mike Donnie For help or more information stop by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Dave Camille �October 1, 2019 Page 5 CHINOOK The CC Volleyball Family Jayla Johnson Chinook Staff This fall’s Casper College volleyball team allows players from out of state and overseas to join the Thunderbirds and explore Wyoming culture. This season’s team includes girls from all over the country and globe. A total of sixteen girls make up the Casper College team and derive from five states and three countries, including Serbia, United States, and Montenegro. The Chinook sat down with Angel Sharman, the head volleyball coach, and asked her about the volleyball program and how they established a Casper College family. Sharman’s volleyball team hadn’t introduced international players until nearly 2007. When Sharman offered girls from outside the United States to join the team, the new atmosphere of Casper College volleyball shocked her. “It [bringing international girls to the team] just kind of opened my eyes. I do think it kind of put Casper on a broader map because [the girls] would never have heard of Casper if it weren’t for volleyball,” Sharman said. Serbian native and sophomore communications major, Jovana “Jo” Jeremic, said the team is one big family. They each have grown as players and people through the CC volleyball program, learning from each other and developing lifelong friendships along the way. “This year, we made a family tree by our levels of maturity. So some of us were low, like a kid, and some were high, like parents. I was one of the kids, and they are like my mom, dad, brothers, and sisters… They’re all really nice. I love my team this year,” Jeremic says. Since forming a team with international girls, Coach Sharman receives phone calls and emails from a variety of countries. Casper College has made its volleyball team worldwide now, allowing the word of Casper College to expand over countries and attract players within them. Circulating the Casper College volleyball program has contributed in transferring international players to the Thunderbird athletics and education programs. Players from distant countries play volleyball year round, which is not the case for American athletes. This progresses their talents in volleyball constantly rather than just one season a year. Jeremic says each girl plays different volleyball and eventually everyone’s talents just blend together throughout the season. She says she learns from them just as they learn from her. While seeking advancements in volleyball skills and techniques, international players also have a great opportunity to get an education, which does not come easy for them in their home countries. Sharman said many girls have told her they play volleyball in the United States to get an education. By recruiting these players for Casper College, it also grants a chance to experience what America is like compared to their hometowns. It gives the players an eye opener to what they have and what they don’t have when they experience living in America. Sharman and her staff have recruited many Serbian players over the years due to a close and friendly connection with Serbia coaches and athletic staff. It also helps that the Serbian volleyball team has recently earned a world championship title as well. Along with playing the sport they love, Coach Sharman has given Serbian players an opportunity to come over to the Casper and explore what it’s playing volleyball in America. A recruiting site introduced Sharman to Serbian volleyball player Jovana “Jo” Jeremic; moreover the videos Sharman saw of Jeremic’s skills and talent impressed the coach’s expectations of volleyball technicality. A video of a player can only tell you so much about them, so when Jeremic became a Thunderbird she brought more than skill. Jeremic brought an unexpected character and energy to the team and became friends with her teammates almost instantly. As far as skill goes, Sharman stated that she thought Jeremic played a solid game of back row and had an aggressive serve. Jeremic is always willing to try something her coach suggests, and she has an abundance of energy off the court as well as on it. Sharman said that Jeremic is always excited or energized even if she isn’t the one to score the point. A team isn’t complete without someone like Jeremic on it Sharman said. She also called Jeremic one in a million. Growing up in Belgrade, Serbia, Jeremic played three sports: volleyball, basketball, and soccer. Early on in elementary school is when Jeremic realized volleyball. Photo Courtesy of Jamia Johnson The CC volleyball team huddles to end practice earlier this fall semester. “My club coach walked into my class and was talking about volleyball and promoting his club. He handed me the slip of paper about his volleyball club and I said that’s it, I want to play volleyball,” she said. However, when thinking about future plans in an athletic career, she would change her mind nearly every week. One week she is a destined star basketball player, the next week she is a desired soccer player, and the next a professional volleyball player. The people around her kept telling her to pursue basketball and soccer but Jo never had the courage or inclination to stop playing volleyball. When asked about her time in Serbia compared to Casper, Jo says they are very different. In her hometown in Belgrade, Serbia, there are nearly 2.5 million people within the city. She says many people do not live in houses like Americans but instead almost everyone lives in apartment buildings. She says that the food in each country has many differences as well, saying American food has taken a toll on her body due to the unhealthiness of American foods. American personality and character is also comparatively different than those of Serbians. Jeremic stated Americans are nice even when they don’t intend to, while Serbians’ behavior reflects how they feel, which isn’t always a good thing. Although there are many differences between cultures, coming to Casper gave Jeremic an opportunity to explore America, get an appreciable education, and continue playing the game she loves. Jeremic said she feels like she is a part of a family. “I feel like if I wasn’t a part of the volleyball team, if I just came here as an international Forensics: More than arguing Jayla Johnson Chinook Staff The Casper College Debate tean posed for an awards photo. Team members include (left to right, front to back): Jae Fletcher, Izzy Garcia, Alex Walters, Jasmine Atkins, Thayne Macy, Violet Wright, Stephen Koch, Stephanie Barella, Hannah Arnold, Brax Sambrano, Kaelan Rodriguez, Jacob Dickinson WHAT’S UP October 2019 Casper College Events Calendar DAY/DATE Tue Oct 1 Wen Oct 2 Thur Oct 3 Sun Oct 6 Mon Oct 7 Sat Oct 12 Wen Oct 16 Sat Oct 19 Mon Oct 21 Wed Oct 23 Thur Oct 24 Tue Oct 29 Thur Oct 31 TIME 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:00 PM 3:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 3:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 3:00 PM 9:00 AM 3:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 3:00 PM 10:30 AM EVENTS Awakening Awareness-Leah M.Hardy Elemental Portraits LDSSA Club Intramural Soccer USAF Stellar Brass CM Meeting 2019/2020 Coffee with a Cop Campus Ventures Student Open Gym Intramural Flag Football Bingo An Evening of Improvised Music MNF/Pool Night Volleyball Match Big Horn Canyon Artist In Residence Volleyball Match Intramural Volleyball Intramural 3V3 Basketball Swing Dance Night Volleyball Match Halloween Face Painting & Candy Sale Important Academic Dates Oct. 1 MyCCscholarship application opens for spring 2020 scholarship applications Oct. 7-11 Midterm week Oct.14- 15 Fall Break LOCATION MU 101 VA104 UU 410 FLD MU 105, MU 100 UU 415 UU 100 PS 103 LH GYM FLD UU 301 MU 105,MU 100 UU 410 TB Gym VA 104 TB Gym LH Gym LH Gym TB Gym Department of Theater & Dance Presents Children of Eden Directed by Richard Burk October 9-11, 16-19, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Matinee: October 20, 2019, 2 p.m. student, it’d be way harder to fit in, but having those girls around is like family. It’s, like, automatically when you come [to Casper] you have 15 friends and that’s what I really appreciate about being a part of a team,” Jeremic said. Along with having a really close relationship with her teammates, Jeremic said she loves her coaches. She says head coach Sharman is really good at volleyball technique and skill while assistant coach McNamee builds more on player’s character and mentality. As for this season, Jeremic hopes to experience nationals while she is in the United States and a part of the Casper College volleyball team. “I love my coaches and I love my team and just that feeling of doing something good for the team, going to nationals, that’s all I really want,” Jeremic says. The Casper College Forensics team earned a number of awards and honors in recent years, and the team is still reaching high this season. With a mindful goal in mind, the forensics team succeeded in its first tournament of the season, at Northwest Community College, placing first among community colleges and third overall. The team hopes to continue this momentum as they head into their next tournaments. By the end of the season, specifically in April, they hope to bring this successful mindset to the community college national tournament, Phi Rho Pi. Charli Aster, a triple gold medalist, a top speaker for IPDA debate in the nation, and now a volunteer coach for the Casper College forensics team, said the team has a main goal each tournament: Change the world. He said, “Above winning competitions, we always ask ourselves how our advocacy can make the world a better place. How does your speech/performance/debate persuade your audience to finish the round and go make personal change in their communities? How can we use our voices to uplift the marginalized. To speak truth to power. Success usually flows from that sincerity.” Chinook dives in to what the forensics team actually does at a competition and what drives their success. Forensics is so much more than two people arguing in front of judges. Aster and Thayne Macy, the forensics team captain, answered this question saying it’s an activity that showcases a person’s speaking talent. It is a rhetorical tradition that focuses on competition built from activism, education, and basic ideas of the marketplace. These concepts become a form of widespread competition of policy speeches with a restricted preparation time to dramatic performances in front of an audience. A forensics team executes these styles with teamwork. Due to the wide range of topics and methods a forensics team allows members to find their voice in a subject interesting and strong to them. “The best part about speech and debate is the advocacy aspect. For the 5 or 7 or 10 minutes you perform your pieces, you are allowed to speak your mind without interruption. There is definitely something unique about that feeling,” Macy said. Macy continued to say the forensics team is more than just a competitor looking for titles, it’s a practice that expresses individuality. The Casper College forensics team participates in almost every event competitions offer. From fast paced style of debate, which require quick thinking, to impromptu speech to extemporaneous speaking, a 7 minutes speech that we have 30 minutes to prepare for about complex political issues. Even simple joke-telling and theatrical storytelling are performed by the team. Macy states, “We strive to learn from this activity; growing as people and developing life skills is a core reason why we do what we do”. The Chinook asked how the team continues to succeed in tournaments and competitions. They said the majority of success comes from the intricate development of ethical interpersonal communication. No other sport or activity relies this heavily on communication, meaning the team must develop a superior sense of talking and speech. The team does this by obtaining direct vocabulary, never leaving anything up in the air for assumption and uncertainty, and by striving for objective and truthful communication. But, the key to success for the Casper College forensics team members is passion. The program operates to refine technique and train students in a classical manner; however, passion cannot be taught, and this is what makes Casper College forensics unique. Our forensics team focuses on “empowering students to tell the stories they want to tell, no matter how they advocate for them.” Aster stressed the need for passion on the forensics team. “I can tell you from personal experience that none of my success would have come to me if I hadn’t been fueled by passion. Every round was an opportunity to educate my peers through a queer pedagogy, to give a platform to disenfranchised voices, and to use the power of rhetoric to facilitate a safe space for all perspectives,” Aster said. Aster emphasized the importance forensics places both on the person and on the world as a whole. He said the activity has always had less to do with the individual competitor and more to do with the status they have on diverse world we live in. The team is very active in fundraising and plans on using the funds to financially support their spring trip to Tokyo, Japan; moreover, this once in a lifetime opportunity allows the team to represent our college on an international level. Locally, the next forensics event will be the annual tournament Casper College hosts on Nov 1st and 2nd. “I hope that we can continue to spread awareness about the program. If you can speak well, we need you! And if you want to speak well, you need us. We love empowering our students to be the change that they want to see in the world, and our doors are always open to the community for that exact reason,” Aster said. Casper College �Page 6 CHINOOK October 1, 2019 THE CASPER COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE PRESENTS THE 2019-2020 SEASON CHILDREN OF EDEN Directed by Richard Burk October 9-11, 16-19, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: October 20, 2019, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 5 and up MARAT/SADE The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum at Charenton, Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade Directed by William Conte December 3-7, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: December 7, 2019, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 14 and up THE YELLOW WALLPAPER Directed by Aaron Wood February 20-22, 27-29, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: February 23 and 29, 2020, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 10 and up NOISES OFF Directed by Richard Burk April 23-25, 29-30, May 1-2, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: April 26, 2020, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 8 and up Tickets: 307-268-2500, 800-442-2963, ext. 2500, or caspercollegearts.cc Casper College is an equal opportunity institution and as such, does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its educational programs or activities. Direct inquiries or complaints to Linda Toohey, associate vice president for student services at 125 College Dr, Casper, WY 82601, 307-268-2667, or linda.toohey@caspercollege.edu, or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 1244 Speer Blvd, Ste 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582; 303-844-5695 or TDD 303-844-3417. �October 1, 2019 Page 7 CHINOOK Casper College Testing Center Fall 2019 Hours BU 120 307-268-3850 August 19 - December 13 Steps for YOU -Make an appointment to test at www.caspercollege.edu/testing-center Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm -Bring your Student I.D. Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Thursday: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm -Ace Your Test! Friday: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm -Post on your fridge ****Closed Every Wednesday 3:00 - 4:00 pm & Thanksgiving: November 27th - 29th All testing must be completed by end time Casper College Student Senate Club Funding Requirements To qualify for funding you must: -Attend at least one club meeting per month -Complete one Student Activity per semester (these must be completed with Chris Stier) -Complete one Community Service Event per semester IMPORTANT: Club Meeting Dates: Meetings are on the First and Third Wednesday of the Month in the Student Senate Room (UU 412) at 5:30. Only One Per Month is Mandatory. September 4th October 2nd and 16th November 6th and 20th December 4th Those who attended the September meeting are not required to go to the December Meeting but those who did not make the September meeting need to go to the December one. Check the T.V’s for upcoming Student Senate events including Thundering Through Barriers, Elections, etc. Use the Student Senate Moodle Page!! Vote, help your club, voice concerns, voice ideas, etc.! Clubs, do you have documents to fill out? All are on the Moodle. Contact us at student.senate@caspercollege.edu � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2019-10 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a></span> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-10 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from October 2019 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2019-10 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/9568dcc16fcf634df5942ccc4980b70b.pdf d60aa60cc07cabd0c7d2e3ed4848f7b1 PDF Text Text November 1, 2019 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Scarier than Midterms! Distance growth & transfer a focus for UW Bryanna Schiller For the Chinook In the World Physical Science Building, the janitorial staff decorates their doors with some spooky decorations. Riley Box Chinook Staff Writer Many have waited weeks or even months for this time to come. It is a time many people of all ages adore. Spooky season! Yes, that’s right! Halloween is finally at our doorstep. For many people, Halloween is a time of tradition, family, friends, and fun. It reminds people of home and the many exciting things they did as a kid and maybe even continue today. College students likely can’t make the trek home during Halloween, so it is important to know the different Halloween activities right here on campus and in the city of Casper. Though the college does not do as much for Halloween as it once did, it is important and fun to look back at past traditions. Chris Stier, Student Activities Coordinator talked about the history of celebrating Halloween on campus and what the school is doing now. “In the previous years…I know they did a Halloween dance and different events like that” Stier pointed out. Stier explained that for Halloween, the college as a whole does not have many events but there is still plenty to do. Different clubs and organizations put on their own events so there are still multiple options. “One club likes to do a photo scavenger hunt. I do have some escape room vouchers…I think it’s more of them [students] just picking which event,” said Stier. With the different clubs and friend groups putting on their own special events, it allows students to pick and choose which events interest them most. It gives students leeway and many options to explore with the people they are close to. It can be very difficult for students who are away from home to celebrate Halloween as it can be a family tradition. It is important that they feel more at home and welcome during this time. On this point, Stier said, “I think it’s helpful for some of the students to have something to do on Halloween, especially the newer students that maybe don’t know what’s going on in Casper or on campus” Not only on Campus but Casper in general has many things to do for Halloween, including: multiple haunted houses throughout the city, Trick-or-Treating, and going to concerts at local restaurants. Students have many options and the options vary so each person can go to something they want to. If the students feel like enjoying a more relaxed Halloween holiday, there is always the option to stay in and watch scary movies. Most schools on campus have different traditions and activities they do to get the students involved and excited about the season and festivities. One building that has been very active in the Halloween festivities is the Physical Science Building. Jared Bowden, Chair of Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science recalled some of the fun activities they do for this time of year. “We have done a…Life in the universe pumpkin carving lab, we have done a pumpkin carving get together, we have had different spooky decorations up around Physical Science.” Bowden said. Along with the different activities Physical Science does on campus, Bowden pointed out that it is important for the students to feel more connected to the college in a more relaxing way than classes. Examples like this is why the college thrives through the Halloween season. Every building and school have fun activities, events, and decorations to excite the students and keep them engaged. Bowden added that he loves to do his Halloween activities with his family too. He enjoys dressing up as a family, going Trick-or-Treating, and carving pumpkins. Casper and Casper College offer a wide variety of activities for Halloween and events for students. It helps the students feel more at home and more we lcome by their school. Different clubs and organizations put on events and there is plenty to do, so put on a mask, get dressed up, and hang out with your family and friends. It's spooky season. The University of Wyoming hopes to expedite the transfer process from Wyoming community colleges and broaden its online presence with several newly implemented initiatives. The goals of the initiatives are to expand the relationship between the university and the state’s community colleges to benefit traditional and non-traditional students alike. Graduate Wyoming, an initiative put into effect this year, hopes to enhance ease of transfer from a Wyoming community college to the University of Wyoming, according to Dr. Kate Miller in a message sent to stakeholders of the University of Wyoming on Oct. 10 of this year. The explanatory email was in reference to a presentation delivered at the University of Wyoming Articulation Conference on Oct. 4. The initiative aims to improve the transfer process of students with an associate’s degree from one of Wyoming’s community colleges who wish to transfer to the University of Wyoming. By providing tools such as transfer planning guides, reverse transfer processes, peer mentoring, and a state-wide transfer advising group in addition to the “2+2 plans” already set in place, the University of Wyoming aims to aid adults, traditional, and non-traditional students on their educational paths. 2+2 plans are articulation agreements between the University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges so that students who complete an associate degree at a community college in two years can transfer to the University of Wyoming and complete a bachelor’s degree within the same major in two years. Dr. Brent Pickett, Dean of the University of Wyoming Casper, felt that easing the transfer process from Wyoming community colleges to the University of Wyoming would better serve Wyoming students. “In the end, it doesn’t seem like people are really wellserved if students are taking a lot of extra credits and just lengthening their time to attaining their educational goals,” said Dr. Pickett. “That creates retention problems, student debt issues. We’re trying to figure out how to make that more efficient, and the university has really constructively engaged with that over the last two or three years.” Along with Graduate Wyoming, the University of Wyoming holds an objective to expand the number of online or distance courses available to students at Wyoming’s community colleges. At the end of the spring semester in 2019, the University of Wyoming asked for the state’s community colleges to send in their proposals to develop or convert degree programs that could be available via distance education. These online education courses remain crucial to the state’s education with nearly 1,910 students enrolled in distance education classes at the University of Wyoming, according to the Fall Enrollment Management Report from the university in 2018. “Our mission as Wyoming’s four-year, research, and landgrant university, as well as the educational attainment goals of the state call on us to expand our efforts to serve Wyoming’s place-bound students, adult learners, and others whose life circumstances do not allow them to come to study on campus in Laramie or Casper,” said Dr. Miller. “It is important that we continue to develop and launch online degree programs that meet students where they are regardless of their geographic location or stage of life, help those students to advance personally and professionally, and contribute to the state’s needs for a citizenry and workforce prepared to meet the demands of Wyoming’s future.” In order to achieve this goal, the university invested in several tools and programs that provide services, such as continuous online tutoring, assessing online course quality BOCES Benefits: Combining credits with experience Jayla Johnson Chinook Staff Introduced in 1991, the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, otherwise known as BOCES, changed the goals of high school students of Natrona County School District who eagerly await college experience and look for educational benefits in the Casper community. The nationally known program gathers funds by receiving taxes from county residents to provide three capabilities for education seeking communities. The three programs BOCES offers include: ACE, innovative grants, and stipends. ACE, Accelerated College Education, is what most people take advantage of and what most people know about; this program pays for high school students’ college tuition and books. Innovative grants offer the college and the school district donations for educational programs. These grants, given out by BOCES, could either consist of special initiatives looking for additional funding or for startup organizations looking for funds to jump start a program. Finally, stipends grant NCSD and Casper College faculty to work on or finish their graduate degrees. Jeana Lam-Pickett, the Casper College BOCES Program Specialist, said, “It’s just a great benefit to have over the years thousands and thousands of students [use BOCES]. So, thank you to the taxpayers of Natrona County and our board of directors.” BOCES courses come in two adjustable forms: dual or concurrent enrollment. Dual courses, accredited at both the high school and college, happen through the college either online or on campus. On the other hand, concurrent courses, after approved to earn college credit, take place at the high school campus. It’s most common today for a BOCES student to take dual credit courses due to few concurrent classes offered. “I think we are very fortunate in Natrona County that we have this program. We run ours differently than the other locations in Wyoming... I find that the way Natrona County [offers the BOCES program] is unique in the way that we pay for tuition and books,” Lam-Pickett said. The biggest goal of this program, Lam-Pickett noted, is to invite high school students to take one or multiple college classes to see if they enjoy the college experience; likewise, these students will hopefully realize they can handle college and continue on the path of higher education. Lam-Pickett also mentioned that the program pays for the class and the books so high school students can just try out the college life and see how it goes for that individual. For some high schoolers, BOCES empowers them to take more than one free class and even get them started on a degree. “It’s a great way to get college credits for free. A lot of students, could have - just by doing what BOCES pays for if you start early enough - by the time they graduate from high school, easily, their first semester of college done or even your first year of college. So that could get you through college faster, which makes it cheaper,” LamPickett said. According to Casey Schell, a Kelly Walsh High School counselor, most students who utilize the program carry college bound characteristics and look to further their education through college courses. These high school students typically have a sturdy plan to continue their education and specific goals in mind for their future. Juniors and seniors who have almost, if not already, completed all of their high school requirements are a common theme among students affiliated with BOCES. “It’s really the gamut because we have so many different types of students. There are those looking to take core classes, and maybe those are college bound students. Then we also have students who are more interested in the technical side of things, the tech ed side, so they could be taking auto mechanics, welding classes and things — See BOCES, Page 7 — See UW, Page 8 THE WEEKS AHEAD This week Very Cold! Next Week Welcome to Winter The week after Closer to Thanksgiving!!!! �Page 2 November 1, 2019 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: Fall is a beautiful time of year and I especially enjoy the color contrast between the green lawns on campus and the turning leaves. It also reminds me that inclement weather lies ahead and first and foremost on my mind is to make sure we all remain safe when it comes. Our first storm of the season came and went without as much as leaving a skiff of snow behind. The storm’s outcome wasn’t nearly the promised 4-8 inches we had been preparing for days in advance of its arrival. However, with each --- Habits --- Rise & Grind with Morryah More often than not, habits are ingrained in us through repeated behaviors. Habits can be helpful, like brushing your teeth or washing your hands, and they can also be harmful, like scrolling Facebook to wind down at night or stress eating when you’re overwhelmed. These behaviors are often repeated that they become subconscious. Have you ever been so busy, with so many deadlines or assignments due that you find yourself eating a pint of ice cream and not knowing why? Your coping mechanism was to stress eat, not organize and conquer. Basically, you procrastinated and ate 500 calories. I am totally guilty of this. Habits are, in nature, subconscious decisions that we make. These automatic decisions have a lot of power. It can mean waking up on time-- and being on time for the rest of your day--or hitting the snooze and rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off. Habits help us do hundreds of things in our lives without much thought. It’s like a clever trick our brain uses to help us be more efficient, but too often, we create unhealthy habits that really put us off track. Then, let’s add our instant gratification culture, and we are seriously in danger of digging ourselves into a hole. In terms of bad habits, the food industry does a great job of exploiting our instant gratification and mindless eating habits. Fast food and processed foods are a huge contributor to weight gain, lethargy, and mindless eating. These foods are easily accessible, made from many, many ingredients and preservatives, and the foods create a craving loop. It’s easy to eat these foods because they are available everywhere and let’s be honest, they are delicious—but they are so unhealthy. er spap w e Casper e k N College’s noo w Onlin i h C Student No Voice Since 1945 It’s a habit to reach for these foods before we opt to make a meal from scratch for several reasons. One, because of instant gratification, and two, it’s a habit. Nearly all of us grew up with access to fast food and processed food. We also grew up in a world of easy and constant stimulation-which is creating its own set of legitimate issue-- but I digress. Small actions are how habits are created. Changing an existing habit is easiest by replacing it with a new one. If you have a habit of coming home, grabbing some munchies, and sitting on the couch under the guise of selfcare, I hate to break it to you, but that is the opposite of self-care. That’s self-sabotaging behavior that hurts you. Self-care does not hurt you. Replacing the habit of eating and lounging with a habit of going for a walk or weight training for 30 minutes boosts your morale as well as helps with mental clarity. That is self-care. Our era is filled with so many vices, coping mechanisms, and bad habitual behavior that we must seek out challenging things. Overcoming a challenge helps with mental and emotional health, and it boosts your confidence. You literally have the power to make change in your own life by doing things that are just a little harder than you’re used to. These little challenges build up to make a substantial difference, just like little bad habits build up to make a substantial pitfall. My advice would be to seek out hard, but manageable things. Make a habit of cooking meals or meal prepping. Make a habit of not surfing the internet on your phone in bed. Make a habit of moving your body for 30 minutes a day, drinking more water, meditating, calling your grandma, or not eating those last three bites of dessert. These things aren’t impossible, they are just a little harder than you’re used to. Moving toward these healthy changes, not simply becoming a fitness God should be the goal. It is all about practice not perfection and making positive changes now that will impact your future. It’s like those sayings, you don’t want to look back at now and wonder why it took you so long to start. “ passing storm including the last two occurring over weekends, we monitor and assess its potential to impact students and staff at the college and are prepared to take action if necessary. Occasionally over the years, we have had to close campus and did so this past spring when a recordbreaking 13.6 inches of snow closed down much of Casper and the surrounding region. This was the second snowiest day recorded for March dating back to around 1940.We will continue to monitor and assess the changing weather conditions and hope that you will too, especially if you plan on traveling outside Casper. If it appears that inclement weather will have a significant impact on campus, we’ll send a message using CCAlert so now is a good time to log into your CCAlert account and make sure your communication preferences are correct. Visit caspercollege.edu/ccalert.I hope you enjoy what is shaping up to be a beautiful fall on campus and take advantage of the many activities and events occurring. Now is a good time to log into your CCAlert account and make sure your com- munication preferences are correct. Visit caspercollege.edu/ccalert.I hope you enjoy what is shaping up to be a beautiful fall on campus and take advantage of the many activities and events occurring. High School is No Musical Everyone keeps asking: What’s it like being a high school volleyball manager? My answer: exhilarating. Just last week I was asked what my best volleyball accomplishment was and I answered, “I once carried 7 volleyballs at one time.” The crowd was in shock. They had never witnessed such greatness before. But, I do more than carry seven balls at one time. At practice, I write down what the coaches tell me and I write it down skillfully. When they say write down three points, I write down the best three points. They say write down her name, I write down her name in utter perfection. When they say don’t — Darren divine, Ph.D., Casper College President The Manager Life write on the board, I don’t write on the board the best. I always do the best when asked to do something. Likewise, when the coaches tell me to pick up some volleyballs, I pick up seven at one time. When it comes to game day, my skills are unleashed. I show up to the game 15 minutes before the coach tells me to, just to show my dedication. While the players are wasting time in class, I am overachieving and, yes you guessed it, carrying seven balls at one time. When it’s game time, I grab my pen and paper and begin the grind. During the game it is my responsibility to record, with the absolute best of my ability and nothing less, the end of each volley. Our player spikes the ball, I write it down flawlessly. Our player blocks another girl, I write it down with superbness. The only thing I don’t write down is when someone carries seven balls at one time, but that’s only because no one can do it except for me. And besides, if I’m carrying seven balls at one time I don’t have a free hand to pick up my pen and paper. On the Kelly Walsh volleyball team, there are a total of three managers. I, obviously, have the top spot. My title being manager #1. I call manager #2, “assistant to the manager” and manager #3, “oh yeah there’s another one.” They will earn better titles when they pick up seven balls at one time. The role of manager was calling my name, so I answered. I finally found my true purpose in life: becoming a vital component of a volleyball team by being the volleyball team manager for a small Wyoming high school team, or as I call it vBAVCOAVTBBTVTMFASWHST. That is what I put on my resume, right next to my greatest accomplishment of carrying seven volleyballs at one time. Some practices I slack off a little, only carrying five balls, but that’s only because the day before I wrote down points too perfectly that my arms and hands needed a day off. But you best believe I am back to carrying seven balls at one time the next day. All in all, the position of volleyball manager is no easy operation. There’s no light work, there’s no days off, and there’s definitely no nonsense. It comes easy to me because of the fact that it’s my destiny, and I was placed on this earth to fill this position. How have I not won awards, you ask? For the sole reason that they do not exist. If they did, however, I’d have over 70, the number of balls I can carry at one time times 10. That’s just how good of a manager I am. CLOSING STATEMENT: In all seriousness, I do enjoy being the volleyball team manager and am lucky to be a part of the team. This column is exaggerated for comedic purposes and I do have a life, I promise. The NBA season at a glance With the NBA preseason finally complete he trades have been completed and the new contracts have been signed here is your basketball season predictions. The eastern conference this year will result in a showdown between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers for the top seed. The 76ers host the Celtics on the 23rd of October-- expect a breakout game from Tobias Harris, this will be the season that he assumes the star role for the team and lives up to his contract. And with Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Al Horford they could win the conference this year. That top spot won’t come without a fight with the Bucks, who host the Rockets on October 24th. It should be a tight game between the two -- expect Russel Westbrook to have a game high in stats. He now has a stronger team behind him in James Harden and P.J. Tucker to name a few. The game should end in a win for Giannis and the Bucks He should be starting the season with a triple double in the books. Other playoff teams include the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and the Orlando Magic. Don’t sleep on the Celtics though. They have a strong team with Kemba Walker, Gordan Hayward, Jason Tatum, and the new addition in Tacko Fall who has high expectations and will live up to them. The first five team standings should look like this. #1 76ers, #2 Bucks, #3 Celtics, #4 Rockets, #5 Nets. With the Warriors not being the team everyone feared anymore, we will see the teams that were lower in team standings rise up. With that being said, the Denver Nuggets will have a great season this year. They will be a top five team. After coming off of a playoff run last year, expect them to be one of the top three teams in the western conference. With a defensive identity last year, expect them to get at a good pace offensively. With Nikola Jokic leading Denver offensively last year, it should be more equal this year. Murray, Millsap, and You've got Ishmael Barton will get going offensively, and we should see a more well-rounded Nuggets team this year. However, the number one team this year will be the Clippers. Even with Paul George injured, the Clippers still have hope. They still have Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Patterson and Lou Williams. They will lead the Clippers while George is out. When George returns, we won’t see the offensive threat that he is right out of the — See NBA, Page 3 T-Bucks can be purchased in $25 increments and work just like cash Use T-Bucks at any campus dining location Watch for several fun events at Tobin Dining Hall this November @caspercollegedining �November 1, 2019 Casper College Housing What’s the situation? Students play catch in residence hall common area. Riley Box Chinook Writer New Student Life and Residence Hall Director Corey Peacock is often found sitting at his desk mulling over numbers, goals, and ideas for the residence halls in the coming future. In his role, Peacock helps kids get acquainted to their new city and college by making them feel more at home. One of the many responsibilities he now faces with his new position is getting students to make the choice to stay in the residence halls. Because Casper College is a community college, dorm numbers are lower compared to larger and more visited universities. People may even say it is a problem that the occupancy is not completely filled. “As of Oct. 1st, our occupancy in the residence hall was 79.4 percent. Hovering right around 80 percent” said Peacock. Though he says there’s room to grow, those numbers are right around where they were last year and seem to be on an upward growth. Casper College has one residence hall and three apartment complexes on campus. It is very hard to fill those to capacity based on the type of college Casper College is, but it is not impossible. With some vacant rooms, there is always space to grow the number of on campus residents, and Casper College is very close to reaching its goal. Unfortunately, it is hard to gauge our housing department to other colleges nationally because of the immensely different backgrounds and housing situations each university and college faces. Peacock explained “It really depends on school specific situations…I think we have the right number of beds and I am excited for next year to get our numbers hopefully into the 90 [percent’s].” Peacock added that just because the numbers are good, doesn’t mean he is satisfied. “From my perspective, being an overachiever, I would like to see that number in the 90’s.” Peacock said. Though the number is ultimately where the college wants it, we always want more. We are sitting in a good spot and only see improvement in the future. Peacock claimed that he has many reasons Photo Courtesy of Student Life Office. as to why he wants beds filled on campus. Not only is it good for business with the college, but it provides educational opportunities for the students living on campus that living off campus just cannot provide. Peacock states “I would want all of our beds to be filled.” Peacock said he believes strongly about the quality of living on campus and it boils down to three things: convenience, support, and success. Convenience is a large part of why Peacock wants kids to live on campus. During cold and snowy days, driving across town or even starting your car is not as much of a concern when living on campus. On top of that, the college is implementing classes within the residence halls for residence hall students only which will help students succeed and further their knowledge. Support is the next biggest part. Peacock exclaims that his staff as well as all of the residence hall teachers and employees can help guide students by providing emotional and educational support. All this leads to the last thing, success. “We see that they [students] are more satisfied with their college experience” Peacock states of students that live on campus. Because students are living in an environment with resources, other students, and support, it is more likely students will succeed in the environment instead of worrying if they can live somewhere the next month, eat, or even pay for utilities. The college does not only want the residence hall numbers to grow for business purposes, but it is clear that living on campus has true benefits to the students. But are the numbers scary? Is it too low for the college? No, the college is happy with the numbers currently and they only seem to be improving. Casper College residence halls are not filled to capacity. They are not even in the 90th percentile. But it is growing and growing fast. Under the helm of the new, dedicated housing director, they seem to be moving up faster and faster. According to Peacock, Casper College is in a good spot and will continue to grow. The residence hall staff is not looking at the empty rooms, but which future leaders will occupy them. NBA.................................. continued from page 2 gate, but he will contribute. As the season continues, we will see George start to warm up and the Clippers continuously winning. The Clippers host the Lakers on October 22nd. This game will be a statement from the Clippers, letting the Lakers know that they are the top competitors in the conference. We should see a high amount of points from Leonard and Williams with the Clippers scoring at least 12 more points than the Lakers. The Lakers this year will be at least #5 this year. Yes, they have Anthony Davis, but that doesn’t mean that Davis and Lebron will immediately play well with each other. They won’t be at their final form till the end of the season where they will come out of nowhere and beat teams that they should lose to. Other playoff bound teams include the Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, and the Dallas Mavericks. Page 3 CHINOOK Both the eastern and western conference finals will host the most exciting games to date. The eastern finals will host a matchup between the 76ers and Bucks With the 76ers winning and headed to the Finals. The western should host the Nuggets and the Clippers. The Clippers will end up winning and the finals matchup will be between the 76er and Clippers with the clippers winning the championship and Kawhi dubbed as finals MVP. Stay tuned for more! The Director's Seat: Children of Eden Ishamel Bujosa-Perin Chinook Staff What do you think of when you hear the term director? Is it the stereotypical guy in a beret and megaphone? If so, David Burke the director of last month’s Children of Eden play. Is the exact opposite. In fact, this is what directing means to him: “coordinating all elements that gives the audience a unified effect.” Burk also mentioned that being on set is like “herding cats.” When directing a production, Burk looks for a story that holds the audience’s attention, characters that can be cared about, and an end outcome that leaves doubt with the audience until the final scene. He also seeks opportunity for all students and encourages everyone to get involved in theater. “Theater is a like a good football game with a competitive underdog, I want the audience to not know how the show will end,” Burk explained. Burk said he ended up in the director’s seat when Casper College gave him the opportunity to teach. He enjoys teaching so much that he turns down opportunities to utilize his master’s degree in acting. Burke said he prefers directing and enjoy the teaching opportunities that it offers. Not only does he enjoy directing, but he enjoys coordinating all elements. Besides the main act there is a lot of singing and dancing throughout the show. According to Burke, “The production is about imposing restrictions on kids and finding a way to connect through letting go of restrictions.” If you couldn’t attend the play, this is the story you missed out on. The Children of Eden is based off of the first nine chapters of Genesis in the Bible. The main focus of the play is on parenting and family dynamics. Burke walked the Chinook through the sequence of the play. Act 1 began with the story of Adam and Eve. The play focused on how Eve disregarded the instructions and ate the forbidden fruit. Then enter Cain and Abel and the betrayal that leaves the death of Cain at Abeles hands. The final act started with the famous Noah and The Ark story and how Abel seeks redemption for his actions. The Children of Eden production of also includes Yohan and how he was snuck onto the ark. Burke and his crew spend many hours on productions at Casper College. Be sure to attend the next show. WHAT’S UP November 2019 Casper College Events Calendar DAY/DATE TIME Fri Nov 1 Sat Nov 2 Mon Nov 4 Tues Nov 5 Wed Nov 6 Thur Nov 7 Sat Nov 9 Mon Nov 11 Tue Nov 12 Wen Nov 13 Thur Nov 14 Fri Nov 15 Sat Nov 16 Sun Nov 17 Mon Nov 18 Tue Nov 19 Wen Nov 20 Thur Nov 21 Fri Nov 22 Sat Nov 23 Sun Nov 24 Mon Nov 25 Tues Nov 26 Wen Nov 27 Thur Nov 28 Fri Nov 29 Sat Nov 30 EVENTS 9:00 AM 1:30 PM 4:00 PM 10:30 AM 7:00 PM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:00 AM 2:00 PM 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 AM 2:00 PM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 6:30 PM 8:00 PM 1:30 PM 1:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 AM 5:30 PM 8:00 AM 1:00 PM 8:00 AM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8::00 AM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 8:30 PM 8:00 AM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 AM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 AM 10:30 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 3:00 PM LOCATION US Commission on Civil Rights Mtg SH 217 Home Basketball Tournament TB GYM Basketball Home Opener Tailgate TB LOBBY, TB PARKING LOT Saturday Club TM 108 Home Basketball Tournament TB GYM LSO Joint Minerals Committee GW Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA 104 The Viewfinder’s Journey -Kathleen Wille MU 101 MNF/Pool Night UU 301 Intramural Volleybal LH GYM LSO Joint Minerals Committee GW 225 Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA 104 The Viewfinder’s Journey -Kathleen Wille MU 101 Werner Wildlife Writer’s Workshop WM WY-ECPLC UU 421 CM Meetings 2019/2020 UU 415 Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA 104 Writning Center Anniversary Reception SH 215 NSLS UU 322 Studednt Senate UU 410 Intramural 3V3 Basketball LH Gym Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA 104 The Viewfinder’s Journey -Kathleen Will MU 101 LDSSA Club UU 410 FAFSA Night GW 210 Speaker on Russia PS 103 Art Show: Sagebrush Sea Opens WM Bob Bowman Concert MU 105, MU 100 Prometric WY Nurse Aide Exam LH Gym Home Basketball Game TB GYM Veterans Appreciation Week Roll Call UU LAWN, UU PATIO AREA, UU FIRE PIT Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA 104 The Viewfinder’s Journey -Kathleen Wille MU 101 MNF/Pool Night UU 301 Intramural Volleyball LH GYm LSO Capital Financing GW 225 WOGISA Leadership Training BU 218 Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA 104 The Viewfinder’s Journey -Kathleen Wille MU 101 CM Meetings 2019/2020 UU 415 Intramural Volleyball LH GYM Private Lines Insurance Training UU100 Water Development & Select Water UU 322 Casper Mountian Ski Patrol Meeting PS 109 Intramural 3v3 Basketball LH GYM Home Basketball Tournament TB GYM Veterans Appreciation Week Speaker MU 105, MU 100 Water Development & Select Water UU 322 Home Basketball Tournament TB GYM Casper Open Volleyball Tournament LH GYM Home Basketball Tournament TB Casper Open Volleyball Tournamen LH GYM MNF/Pool Night UU 301 Intramural Volleyball LH GYM Casper Ag Expo WA 106, WA 107, WA 108, WA 101-LOBBY Alumni Christmas Tree Decorating GW 301 D.E.A.F. MU 105, MU 100 WY-ECPLC UU 421 CC Board Meeting GW 312 Intramural Volleyball LH GYM Casper Ag Expo WA106,WA107,WA108, WA 101-LOBB Intramural 3v3 Basketball LH GYM Jazz Night MU 105, MU 100 Casper Ag Expo WA 106, WA 107, WA 108, WA 101-LOBBY Thundering Through Barriers UU 301 Werner Wildlife Study Series “Painting Nature” WM CC Percussion Group Concert MU 105, MU 100 Large Ensembles Concert MU 105, MU 100 Wyoming Futsal League Games UU 301 International Survivors LH GYM Wyoming Futsal League Games LH GYM Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA104 The Viewfinder’s Journey -Kathleen Wille MU 101 CM Meetings 2019/2020 UU 415 Student Senate UU 410 Home Basketball Tournament TB GYM Home Basketball Tournament TB GYM Home Basketball Tournament TB GYM Important Academic Dates November 1 Information November 22 Advising and Regis- Advising day November 7 Institutional tration Event November 2 withdrawal deadline November 27-29 Annual Instructors Clinic November 8 Fall Visit Day Check-In Thanksgiving Holiday November 4 Student Work November 14 UW Transfer Fair Casper College Student Senate Club Funding Requirements To qualify for funding you must: -Attend at least one club meeting per month -Complete one Student Activity per semester (these must be completed with Chris Stier) -Complete one Community Service Event per semester IMPORTANT: Club Meeting Dates: Meetings are on the First and Third Wednesday of the Month in the Student Senate Room (UU 412) at 5:30. Only One Per Month is Mandatory. September 4th October 2nd and 16th November 6th and 20th December 4th Those who attended the September meeting are not required to go to the December Meeting but those who did not make the September meeting need to go to the December one. Check the T.V’s for upcoming Student Senate events including Thundering Through Barriers, Elections, etc. Use the Student Senate Moodle Page!! Vote, help your club, voice concerns, voice ideas, etc.! Clubs, do you have documents to fill out? All are on the Moodle. Contact us at student.senate@caspercollege.edu �Page 4 November 1, 2019 CHINOOK Walk for Freedom NSLS 2nd annual food drive Morryah McCurdy Chinook Staff Photo Courtesy of Maddie Reed The A21 Walk for Freedom took place October 19 in Casper, organized by Casper College student, Toni Kerr, pictured above. A21's walk raised $1,236 in Casper. Join our staff this spring! Interview & write Take photos & Design Learn sales & Advertising The Chinook is a one credit class, titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Brasher for more information brianne.brasher@caspercollege,edu Roughly one in five people in Casper are food insecure and Casper College’s National Society of Leadership and Success is approaching community food insecurity by partnering with local food project, Wyoming Food for Thought throughout the month of November. NSLS is in its second year working to bring awareness about local food insecurity to the CC campus. “I think it is important to be spreading awareness, especially on campus, because young adults can make a difference. It can be a hard pill to swallow, especially for students who don’t have exposure to these sorts of hardships, but it’s a real issue,” said Rebecca Schuler, vice president of the NSLS. The NSLS brings light to low-income struggles through sensitivity. “The point of a canned food drive isn’t to judge because we all need help. I know first-hand what it’s like to depend on food donations. It can feel depressing, at least that’s how I felt when I was younger but that view only hurt me. If you need help, you need help,” said Schuler. Food insecurity impacts Natrona County heavily. Children and elderly folks are the most effected demographic. Last year, the NSLS partnered with the Campus Kitchen at CC, now the Food Recovery Network, to bring meal kits to various low-income apartment complexes in the city of Casper. By bringing attention to the underserved populations and consistently hosting food drives, students are noticing and taking part. “Last year a few classmates and I helped repackage bulk items and deliver food to some complexes in town. It was really rewarding to see relief for the people, even just talking to them for a moment,” said Keri Downes, Casper College student. The meal boxes supplied all the ingredients and a recipe card for the residents. An anonymous donor donated ground meat for each kit, so there was a full protein for 125 meal kits. Last year’s food donation supplied over 350 people with a meal. NSLS efforts from the food drive aligned with local food pantries and the many programs to help combat food insecurity, but it will never be enough. This year, the NSLS is partnering with Wyoming Food for Thought, a local food project that began over six years ago. The Wyoming Food for Thought Project is different from the pantries in Morryah McCurdy/Chinook The photo above features one of Food for Thought's free gardens, maintained by volunteers. town. First, it’s not a pantry, it’s a longterm project, and second, its intention is to break the stigma surrounding food insecurity. The hub, located in North Casper, is growing into a staple for families in Natrona County. Every week, volunteers come to pack weekend bags that are offered to students in the district. “We have the best volunteers. I am always touched by how many people want to make the Food for Thought vision happen. Last year was a big year for the Weekend Food Bag program. We gave 253,510 bags to students,” said Jamie Purcell, executive director of Wyoming Food for Thought. Wyoming Food for Thought also hosts community gardens throughout Casper. The idea is to foster an interest and educate youth on growing sustainable gardening. Purcell is especially passionate about the fresh food saying, “Gardening is how we help people get healthy food. With non-perishables as our staples, to be able to give fresh vegetables helps in every health aspect, especially young kids and elderly. We offer rentable plots, a hightunnel for year-round production, and eventually we hope to assure year-round production on a larger scale.” Wyoming Food for Thought’s website also states that the project paired with Centsible Nutrition in order to bring nutritionally well-rounded weekend bags to the kids. “The goal is to make these bags as healthy as we can, because kids need nutrients for normal growth and development, a strong immune system, energy, optimal brain function and a healthy body weight,” stated the website. The NSLS chose to volunteer for Wyoming Food for Thought this winter season because of student’s longer winter break. “This year we are trying to make a bigger impact by not putting limitations on the types of food collected. Instead of making a meal box, we are helping an established food bank with items they are in need of for the food bags,” said Schuler. The NSLS placed collection boxes around campus, and the group is in need of non-perishable, kid-friendly foods for the weekend food bags. Wyoming Food for Thought packs weekend bags every Wednesday, at 900 Saint John St. “Acting like food insecurity isn’t our problem, that it isn’t a human rights issue and keeping our heads in the sand will only make food insecurity worse, said Schuler. “I would strongly encourage students and faculty to support the National Society of Leadership and Success by donating what you can,” conveyed Schuler. Student or Instructor Turn your online struggles into answers by calling us. Students: Instructors: We make sure you are able to access online learning resources needed to learn in your classes. We will also help you learn to utilize the digital tools available to you for all your classwork. We can help make online course development easier for you as well as assist in making knowledge acquisition more efficient, effective, and appealing for your students through the best teaching practices and use of technologies. Top five examples of items we can help with: 1. How to use Moodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Use Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 3. Accessing Office 365 . 4. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it. 5. Moodle technical issues — except password changes, we don’t do that. Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. An example of items we can help with: • Technologies that support learning objectives and classroom productivity like GoogleSuite, ProctorU, Zoom, Yuja, and other various Moodle activities and resources. • Providing a sounding board for ways to improve courses. • Sharing examples of instructional strategies used in other courses and programs. • Providing help in developing teaching strategies Plus a lot for online classes. more! • Providing a student perspective. Contact us. Teresa Pat Mike Donnie For help or more information stop by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Dave Camille �November 1, 2019 Ridin' to Victory Jayla Johnson Chinook Staff The Casper College Rodeo team earned numerous awards and national titles in past years and continued on similar track with success this season. Collegiate rodeo season has recently come to a close and the Casper College Thunderbirds lead many events. This season the thunderbirds placed first or second at every weekend the team competed in and plan on continuing to maintain these positions in future competition. The CC’s men’s and women’s rodeo teams both finished second in the Central Rocky Mountain region this fall. “I guarantee [CC] is going to be up there be for CNFR (College National Finals Rodeo) this year, because the top two schools go into the CNFR,” said Megan Frank, an agriculture communications major at CC and member of the University of Wyoming rodeo team. Frank also said, the Cowboys from UW and the Thunderbirds teeter back and forth for first place in the regional standings. While several misunderstandings surround rodeo, Frank defended the sport. “Our animals are really looked after. They are honestly spoiled, more spoiled than a house cat would be. They are definitely not abused or mistreated and that’s definitely something people don’t understand about rodeo,” Frank said. To get a better understanding of the rodeo sport, the Chinook asked Kellan Johnson, a psychology major at CC, what rodeo is in a nutshell. He said, “It’s the cowboy way of life. What you would read about in a book, and they say cowboys. It’s extremely hard to explain, but if you just think of the definition of a cowboy, that’s what a rodeo would be.” The average person cannot jump into rodeo and automatically show skill. Johnson said, a lot of steps and variables can go wrong very quickly if not done correctly. With these events, it’s incredibly difficult to know what will happen due to the many minds functioning in that moment: the horse, the steer/goat/bull, and the competitor. Johnson explained that mentality plays a huge role in rodeo and it’s something that takes years and years of practice before you take a serious step in the sport. “In football you can practice, you can do reps, but in rodeo if you’re practicing wrong or if you don’t have the right horse it gets hard. It’s not something you can just jump into,” Johnson said. Rodeo consists of many events, making it a very complex and intricate sport. These events include, saddle bronc, team roping, barrel racing, goat tying, breakaway roping, calf roping, steer wrestling, and bull riding. Every event has its differences, Frank said, but roping events consist of similar tactics and evaluation. Frank provided a run-down of her event, the breakaway roping: “Roping is a timed event. There are penalties, either a five second penalty or a ‘no time’. If the competitors run through the barrier, it’s a five second penalty. If they miss a [single] leg, it’s a five second penalty,” explained Frank. Page 5 CHINOOK It may seem like a simple concept to rope a calf, but as Frank described, roping is not easy. Unlike the three roping events, the bucking horse and bull riding events base scoring on both the animal and the rider. Two to three judges decide whether or not the rider or the animal did well enough for a good score, but, as Frank said, a rider cannot receive a good score if his animal did poorly. As for team roping, a team of two make up this event: a header and a heeler. If the heeler only ropes one leg, it’s a five second penalty, and if either the header or the heeler miss the steer completely it’s a “no time.” The barrel racing event has scoring based on time, with a five second penalty for knocking over a barrel. The goat tying and calf roping event does not have any penalties except for if the calf or goat gets untied it’s a “no time”. Each individual competitor receives a certain amount of points based on how well they do in their event, and in the end all individual points add together for that school and create a cumulative score. However, not all competitors contribute their points, for each competition the coach picks a “points team” to represent their school and event. This “points team” usually consists of competitors with a successful past in their event and a consistency of earning high points for the team. At the end of the day, the points from the points team create a representative number for the school’s team. Whichever team has the most points at the end of the day, wins the weekend. Frank said, “They pick a Carson Johnson ropes as the heeler for Casper College. points team [for each competition]. So the coach has to guess who is going to do good, basically. So you can have a team member go out and win the barrels but she wasn’t on the points team, so the team doesn’t get her points… but, then she’d probably get put on the points team the next weekend.” Rodeo practices allow the individual competitor to work on a specific subject of improvement. Unlike other sports, which makes the players learn a play, rodeo is an individualized sport. The way to success in competitions with your horse: make it all muscle memory, Frank said, for you and your horse. Practices for each event require hours of repetition, so it comes to fundamentally learning the sport and it comes natural to you and your horse. Preparation for events and practices comes with a little extra work for the rodeo competitors. “Working out is key. Just like any sport, you have to Photo Courtesy of Marcy Cunningham. be in the gym, you have to eat right, and then you have to have your horses in shape and they have to be healthy as well. So it’s kind of twice the amount the basketball players have to do because we have to do it for ourselves and our horses,” Frank said. According to Johnson, the most rewarding aspect about taking part in the CC rodeo team is how much the town likes and supports the rodeo team. Unlike the UW, CC does not have a football team or a division one basketball team, but the Casper community supports the rodeo team just as much as a division one team because of how successful the nationally ranked team is. Johnson, when asked how CC works to support the rodeo team, answered with the most supportive aspect: the teachers. Johnson said, “They do extremely well because, it’s not like a basketball or football game where we load on a bus for a day. We load up our trucks and trailers and drive for thirteen hours... The teachers do really well of understanding and working with [the rodeo team], so to help people succeed here the teachers have to be a big part of it, and they do an outstanding job.” Success for these cowboys and cowgirls is also credited to their families and childhood. Frank said, the rodeo team has grown up doing what they love: rodeo. Rodeo culture ultimately comes down to families, cowboy life runs in their blood, Frank said. For Casper College, the rodeo team is lucky to have an NFR, National Finals Rodeo, champion, Jhett Johnson, as their coach. He pushes his team to work their best and hardest, which leads to the many achievements for his team. Kellan Johnson, Jhett Johnson’s son, said, “It takes a good coach to see what you’re struggling in, without the com — See Rodeo, Page 8 Music making careers at Casper College Riley Box Chinook Staff Photo Courtesy of Riley Box. Dr. Joshua Mietz conducts to College Concert Band during one of the rehearsals. As students drive onto campus, the first building they usually pass is one many may never enter, the music building. The music building houses the music program and part of the fine arts portion of Casper College. Music is a big part of Casper College, offering multiple degrees in music performance and music education. Jennifer CowellDePaolo, Director of the Casper College Orchestra and head of the music department sat down with the Chinook to talk about the department. “Our enrollment is definitely on an upward trend.” Said Cowell-DePaolo. Though there are not many music majors compared to other schools, the students in the program are dedicated and the numbers continue to grow each year according to CowellDePaolo. “Students get a lot of oneon-one time with instructors,” Cowell-DePaolo said. She elaborated, stating that there are many full-time and adjunct faculty helping students and giving private lessons. With this type of environment and having teachers of multiple instruments help at the college level, Cowell-DePaolo said it allows the college and the department succeed so much more. Because of the specificity and hard work, it takes being a music student, enrollment varies each year. Dr. Joshua Mietz, Director of the concert band, jazz band, Kinser jazz festival, and woodwinds states that “there is a growth happening” with the number of students enrolled and participating in the college ensembles. Not only does the music program see music majors, but more than half of the students that walk through the doors and participate in the ensembles are not music majors. “If you look at concert band, we are about half nonmusic majors,” said Mietz. For many people, music is not going to be their career but is a strong hobby, Casper College helps kids use music to go through school and allow them to participate in some- thing they are passionate about. “It [playing an instrument] is not something you just stop doing because you graduated high school” Mietz exclaims. There are people young and old, going all the way from high schoolers to people in their 70’s in the different Casper College ensembles. Casper College allows people to keep playing and gives them an outlet when most people do not have an outlet as they get older. Along with the dedicated students and staff, one of the biggest things that helped the music program is the new music building. The music program was originally stationed across the street at Aley Hall but was moved in the last ten years to its current home. “It’s [the music building’s] been a real game changer” Cowell-DePaolo stated. Not only does it have better environments for musicians to practice, but it doesn’t have the sound issues Aley has. The crown jewel of the music building is the Wheeler Concert hall. According to Cowell-DePaolo , “It’s been a real game changer for Casper College.” With Wheeler Concert hall, it provides an extremely high-quality venue for music performances. On top of that, Wheeler Concert hall provides and hosts events for multiple clubs and organizations at Casper College and in the surrounding community. Through and through, the music department of Casper College is important. The instructors are dedicated to teaching young musicians and scholars instruments and music theory, the students are dedicating themselves to multiple lessons and ensembles a week, and the building is there to provide the educational tools needed to succeed. Music is extremely important on campus, and programs will continue to grow with more reach out from the department itself. This program welcomes all walks of life to campus and any instrument. To some, its just another building, another department, another major, but to others, it is a livelihood, passion, and support system. Casper College Testing Center Fall 2019 Hours August 19 - December 13 Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm BU 120 307-268-3850 Steps for YOU -Make an appointment to test at www.caspercollege.edu/testing-center -Bring your Student I.D. Thursday: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm -Ace Your Test! Friday: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm -Post on your fridge ****Closed Every Wednesday 3:00 - 4:00 pm & Thanksgiving: November 27th - 29th All testing must be completed by end time �Page 6 CHINOOK November 1, 2019 THE CASPER COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE PRESENTS THE 2019-2020 SEASON CHILDREN OF EDEN Directed by Richard Burk October 9-11, 16-19, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: October 20, 2019, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 5 and up MARAT/SADE The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum at Charenton, Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade Directed by William Conte December 3-7, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: December 7, 2019, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 14 and up THE YELLOW WALLPAPER Directed by Aaron Wood February 20-22, 27-29, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: February 23 and 29, 2020, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 10 and up NOISES OFF Directed by Richard Burk April 23-25, 29-30, May 1-2, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: April 26, 2020, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 8 and up Tickets: 307-268-2500, 800-442-2963, ext. 2500, or caspercollegearts.cc Casper College is an equal opportunity institution and as such, does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its educational programs or activities. Direct inquiries or complaints to Linda Toohey, associate vice president for student services at 125 College Dr, Casper, WY 82601, 307-268-2667, or linda.toohey@caspercollege.edu, or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 1244 Speer Blvd, Ste 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582; 303-844-5695 or TDD 303-844-3417. �November 1, 2019 Page 7 CHINOOK BOCES..................... continued from page 1 Photo Courtesy of Jayla Johnson Corin Carruth goes to class in Casper College's Wold Physical Science Center this fall. Student Status Chinook talked to one of Casper College’s BOCES students, Corin Carruth who attends Kelly Walsh High School in Casper, Wyo. and plans on using her coursework from CC to jump start her University of Wyoming education. Carruth is a three sport, all-state athlete, and she committed to the University of Wyoming’s volleyball team last April. She said taking courses through BOCES will contribute to her future as a Cowboy by making it easy to transfer credits to UW and getting some first-year courses out of the way. Carruth heard about BOCES through a friend who took courses through Casper College the year before and enjoyed the experience. Her math teacher had also encouraged her to take a BOCES math course because her intended elementary education major doesn’t require the next high school class. Carruth is taking a math class through the BOCES program this semester and drives to CC’s campus four days a week. At first, entering college territory made Carruth nervous but she found no issues after the first day. Now, Carruth succeeds in her college class and enjoys her time there. “The first day I was really nervous, but after the first day I was like, ‘Oh, this is going to be good’,” said Carruth. When asked how her course compares to high school classes she mentioned she finds college classes much easier because the work seems simpler and it’s easier to turn in the work due to class flexibility. According to Carruth, “I like how adjustable the program is and how both the high school and the BOCES counselors work the courses around the students' schedules.” Carruth sat down with the BOCES counselor, Jeana LamPickett and worked out the best time for her to take a class to ensure no future conflicts. Sure enough, Carruth has found no issues with her class and high school schedule. Carruth has nearly 30 students in her college course, which, she said, makes it feel like a regular high school class. She did find it unusual to have students in her class nearly 10 years older than her, but Carruth found no problem talking with her classmates and getting acquainted. Carruth has also built a strong, friendly relationship with her professor who understands her schedule with sports and other high school related activities. When asked why she didn’t take an online course, Carruth said, “If I did the class online I wouldn’t be getting the same learning, because I learn visually.” Taking BOCES courses will also make planning Carruth’s classes at UW easier to schedule by getting some general education courses out of the way. By the end of the semester Carruth will have a total of seven credits to transfer over to the University of Wyoming. Carruth said, “It’s just a wonderful opportunity for high school students, and I highly recommend taking courses through this program.” like that,” Lam-Pickett stated. BOCES students have nearly 200 college courses to choose from; however, BOCES will not provide tuition for 900 and below level courses, Physical Education courses, or music courses. BOCES allows high school juniors and seniors to take two courses each semester and one in the summer, while freshmen and sophomores only receive one BOCES class each semester including the summer. It’s considered difficult for students under the age of 16 to take BOCES dual enrollment classes because they must have an age waiver signed and instructor permission for enrollment in a class. Schell mentioned, juniors, considered the most important year of high school education, usually don’t think about earning college credits until after they take the ACT. Many high school students aware of BOCES but not enrolled in the program find the idea of college classes scary and alarming. When asked why some students don’t want to take BOCES classes Schell said, “I think it can be intimidating to think about going to college… I don’t think the courses are more difficult than [high school classes] necessarily, but I think fear is a big part of it, or doubt that they can do it or maybe they feel they have no interest in college. I think a lot of students don’t think far enough ahead.” The biggest concern Schell has about BOCES is the credit system. If by the end of the year a student falls short of the required credits, the counselors don’t know until shortly before graduation, if the student’s BOCES class counts or doesn’t count. Moreover, if a student takes a BOCES class but doesn’t pass, that credit does not count and the student does not get the credit toward graduation. Schell said of the concern, “Just the unknown if they’re going to earn their credits, and we don’t have any control over that and that’s scary.” Lam-Pickett mentioned that the issues she sees mostly deal with a student’s behavior. However, college professors and administrators deal with these misbehaviors leaving high school principals without knowledge of the occurrence. College courses require self-motivation and self discipline, which, according to Schell, many students have yet to figure out. Additionally, online courses prove difficult for some high school students because monitors aren’t present and no in-person instructors are there to help explain things or remind them to turn in work. On the other hand, on campus courses require students to show up and maturely focus on class material. For younger students, conflict may occur considering they do not have a license or car to get them to class on their own. Although BOCES accommodates students who would like to receive part of their Associate’s degree, it’s not encouraged for students to earn the degree in its entirety. It’s considered difficult to graduate high school with your associates at the same time, and the BOCES program is not set up to do this. However, it’s been done in the past. LamPickett said BOCES doesn’t encourage students to earn the whole degree but instead to “take some classes, get some credits, and get the experience.” “I talked to [a student] after she graduated from high school last spring and she got her Associate’s degree then in the summer and she said her advice would be, ‘Don’t do it’, because you miss a lot of social things at high school and you can’t do extracurricular activities,” Lam-Pickett told Chinook. Over the past six years, it’s been found more difficult to earn college credits for advancement of an Associate’s degree. In 2014-2015, the policy for dual credit courses changed causing a decrease in dual credit students. That same year, the Higher Learning Commission, altered the concurrent classes available, making concurrent student enrollment plummet. Now, Schell said he hasn’t even been given a list of the new concurrent classes and he’s unaware of most of these classes offered. In 2018, a total of 558 students enrolled in concurrent classes and 377 students in dual credit courses. Due to the dual credit policy change and the HLC removing most concurrent courses, the number of BOCES students dropped. Despite a drop in numbers, the program provides a great opportunity for college bound students, so college and high school counselors continue to reach out to students and parents. Schell said, “We try and advertise it to get more students to take BOCES classes; I think it’s great for academic progress and just life experience in general.” Kelly Walsh High School spreads the word about BOCES by hanging flyers and sitting down one-on-one with students and talk about BOCES individually. The counseling team will also make classroom visits throughout the school year to encourage and spread the word. If a student takes a class at the high school that’s also available at Casper College for free college credit, counselors will reach out to parents and inform them about the opportunity to earn college credit for free. Furthermore, the Kelly Walsh counseling team goes to the local junior high schools and talks to the incoming freshmen about BOCES and explain everything about it while also sending information sheets home with the incoming students to inform their parents about it as well. “My biggest goal is to just put that information out there so they know it’s there and that it’s their option because it’s good for some students and not good for others, so the best I can, I work with the high schools and the high school counseling department to let them know what’s going on [at Casper College] and what’s available,” Lam-Pickett stated. BOCES students find success while taking classes-for this year the pass rate for concurrent students stands at 94.94% and for dual students at 84.3%, according to statistics provided by Lam-Pickett. Most BOCES who find independence and success while taking BOCES courses continue on to continue college education, but NCSD would like more students to utilize BOCES so the program doesn’t go away. Schell stated, he’d hate to see the program go away if numbers drop too low. “I think BOCES is amazing because it gives, for a few reasons, students a snapshot of what college life is like. It gets them more independent and gives them that taste of college to see if maybe they want to take college maybe they don’t… It’s free; anytime you get things for free in this world it’s a pretty good deal.” Schell said. https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ �Page 8 November 1, 2019 CHINOOK Fernelius follows passion to CC Morryah McCurdy Chinook Staff In a quaint office, Eric Fernelius sits grading papers and uploading content for his students. Fernelius is new to the digital learning platform, and there is a steep learning curve to teaching online. Steep learning curve describes many of Fernelius’s endeavors- in life and professionally. Grim circumstances paved his path and lit his fire for addictionology. Helping others overcome chemical dependence has become Fernelius’s life work. Fernelius is CC’s new Addiction Studies Instructor, but he is not new to being at the podium. He’s coming prepared with 25 years of thorough experience. “25 years ago, I embarked on my own recovery journey- it was a necessity, I was killing myself- but the reward has been worth all the pain,” Eric said, looking back on his early sobriety. 25-years-ago, a mentor of sorts saw the pain Fernelius was carrying and offered a hand. Carol Ekstrom, then director of New Horizons, a counseling center, led Fernelius on his most daunting exploration - an exploration of himself. “Everything was eye-opening in the recovery process,” Fernelius remembered. “I discovered I had to be honest with myself and others. I came to understand that the world didn’t revolve around me, and that I need to be a part of the world.” Fernelius continued recalling his own experience, as he embarked on a hard journey back to himself. “In early sobriety, remembering your way back to yourself can be the hardest part. Taking a hard look at yourself and your part in your suffering hurts. Looking at all the people hurt along the way, taking responsibility, and learning how to cope with emotions becomes the most necessary foundation for long term sobriety,” said Fernelius. Once Fernelius had a sturdy foundation in recovery, he knew he needed to find a job that would challenge him and take him out of his comfort zone. Fernelius applied for a job at Central Wyoming Counseling Center to work in administration, but he had no experience. “I made a jump [to apply]. I was coming from a music background, working at the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps. I decided the worst thing they could say was ‘no’ but I also knew this could be my opportunity to turn my liabilities into assets, Fernelius said. “I told the interviewer ‘no, I don’t have experience, but I can learn.’ I left that interview with this overwhelming feeling that I had gotten the job and I did.” Through working with residents and therapists at CWCC Fernelius sought to work in the same field that dealt in severe persistent mental illness and addiction. The job was different from anything of Fernelius’s past work and more challenging at that, but it led him to his next movepursuing his master’s degree at UW/ CC. Fernelius’s first round in college as a young adult was less than spectacular. He struggled through his personal demons. He never finished his first attempt, but he caught fire coming back clean and ready. Graduating with his master’s degree in social work, Fernelius began to practice in Casper, first privately. In private practice, Fernelius found a passion transitioning inmates into civilian life. After five years, Fernelius moved to his next position, with the Natrona County Drug Court program. Drug Courts are programs across the nation that help rehabilitate first time and repeat offenders with a focus on drug and alcohol treatment, according to Fernelius. Again, there could not have been a better position for Fernelius given his background and personal experience. In this position, teamwork and continuing education kept Fernelius on his feet. Everyday brought a new set of challenges to overcome, but Fernelius persevered. He eventually became the Natrona County Drug Court supervisor, overseeing the program, staff, and clients but something was missing for Fernelius. “I always knew I wanted to teach. Honestly, I thought I may have looked into teaching next year, but the opportunity arose. Diane QuealyBerg was retiring from her position as the addictions instructor and came to me and told me to apply. Again, in the interview process it was a feeling I got- I knew I was going to get this position and live out a life-long dream of mine,” said Fernelius. CC is fortunate in its recruitment of knowledgeable staff for its social and behavioral sciences departments. Each instructor comes with immense experience that polished them to teach and inspire students. Fernelius may be new among the staff, but he is not lacking. Although his life work became grounded in his passion for recovery and teaching, Fernelius has a first love: music. Fernelius’s initial journey in education started in music. Many years before pursuing his master’s, New Exhibit at the Tate Morryah McCurdy/Chinook New Casper College faculty member Eric Fernelius sits at his desk, as he learns to navigate teaching in the digital environment. Fernelius attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. Even to this day, music remains an important part of his life, and he still has a knack for picking up musical arrangements without seeing the sheet music. He even arranges his own pieces when he feels inspired. One of the most impressive aspects of Fernelius, aside from his candor, is his humility. Sitting at his desk, he maintains that his life isn’t that special, but most would argue the opposite. Throughout his story, a common thread holds the pieces together: determination. His story is not unlike many of our own, and how he turned his circumstances into opportunity is inspiring. His evolution into the person at the podium today was hard fought through years of experience and accumulated knowledge. He sees the potential in his students and their calling to help others. He sees the similarities in their stories and serves as an example of the possibilities when you work hard for your ‘why.’ Fernelius’s life is a carefully collected mass of steep learning curves that have afforded him the wisdom necessary to instill knowledge and ‘why’s’ into his students. He reminds us, “As you are trying to figure out your ‘why’ stay true to yourself.” UW........................ continued from page 1 and the outcomes of student development, and creating a system to proctor online exams reliably. The tuition revenue generated from online enrollments has been split between the university and the community colleges, the majority of which will now go to the colleges and their departments. This allows the colleges to hire and train online instructors and teaching assistants, as well as funding the ability of colleges to develop new online courses and programs. Falon Cole, an online student with UW Casper and a Casper resident who is working on obtaining her bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership, believed that online education would benefit Wyoming residents across the state. “I think it would be good for the state to have more people be educated, especially since Ishamel Bujosa-Perin Chinook Staff On October 24th, the Tate Geological Museum revealed a new exhibit. They revealed is the skull of a Torosaurus. The torosaurus is the cousin of the triceratops and is said to be 65 million years old! The only way to tell them apart is the holes that the torosaurus has in its frill. The torosaurus is in fact native to Wyoming and was found in Natrona County by Kent Sundall on a geology field trip. He found the left half of the skull eroding from a hillside. The first bone was found back in 2010 and the last in August 2013. Shortly after it’s finding Andrew Forke a scientist from California who studied the fossils and the difference between the torosaurus and its cousin the triceratops. J.P. Civigalli attended the trip. He said, “After 7 days we had a plaster jacket full of bones." After the bones were found they went through a mandatory process called sandblasting. Liane Herring, a retired music teacher who volunteers fossil prep and expert sandblaster told me “I spent just under 2000 hours on the bones for the new exhibit.” I also asked her how she got interested into fossils and she replied: “After taking a paleontology class through the OLLI program I was brought into the lab and learned the tools. From then on I knew I wanted to volunteer here.” Herring also mentioned that her favorite part about volunteering “I enjoy digging a mess of bone and creating a specimen, I also like the people I volunteer with.” Be on the lookout, as the Tate is hoping to bring a full triceratops exhibit in the near future. Also, if any students are interested in paleontology and would like to learn or volunteer, contact the museum. they have a lot of agricultural degrees that would probably help our economy and to be able to have educated people in those fields,” Cole commented. “Also getting into other interests and stuff outside of oilfield work in order to bring in more revenue for Wyoming outside of that business.” As for the overall future of the University of Wyoming - Casper, Dr. Pickett is optimistic. He emphasized several moves to create new degree programs and predicted growth in enrollment at the University of Wyoming - Casper in the coming years. “I’m not in a position to announce anything yet, but we have some really productive discussions going about some good opportunities for us,” said Pickett. “We’re moving.” RODEO................ continued from page 5 petitor realizing it, and pushing you to work on it and then it takes a good coach to tell you ‘hey you’re good enough don’t worry about it. Just keep working on what you’re doing.’” At the end of the season, both the men’s and women’s team finished second just behind the UW cowboys. As far as individual standings go, CC finishes with K’s Thompson in second for the all-around, first in the saddle bronc riding, and fourth in bull riding, Kellan and Carson Johnson in first for team roping, Braeden Pirrung in second for header team roping, Tanner McInerney in second for heeler team roping, Bryan Lemmon in third for heeler team roping, Jenna Hoffman and Makenna Balkenbush tied for fourth in the barrel racing, and Kaelie Oliver tied for sixth in the breakaway roping. According to Johnson, the team would love to go to the CNFR and win the nation as a team. This goal next year is to reach number one; more- over, having the ability to win nationals in the team’s hometown, around familiar faces, is an experience Casper College rodeo would appreciate and have incredible pride in achieving. Nonetheless, the team finished well this season. “The kids that rodeo, those are the people that go on in life and they do things. They go out and they work. I want readers to know that we appreciate their support because a lot of these kids will go on in life and be very successful people,” Johnson said. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2019-11 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-11 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from November 2019 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2019-11 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/110a38af1950d3037cdeccfadc2b6a1f.pdf 20d61372bc6148a2b6c7ae844724d1b0 PDF Text Text December 1, 2019 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Veteran's Day roll call on campus THE MONTHS AHEAD December Happy Holidays! Winter break! January New year, New semester SCROLL TO SEE... Hate crime legislation in Wyoming (page 4) Film festival (page 7) Men's basketball overview (page 5) Kellan Johnson rodeo feature (page 8) Volleyball wrap-up (page 5) Murphy speaks at CC Morryah McCurdy/Chinook Nick Whipps, student veterans coordinator, reads names honoring the fallen veterans, joined by student vets, Dustin Smart, Rebecca Schuler, and Frank Herzberg all of whom took turns reading the names. Innella Maiers talks art, history Monica Gonzalez Chinook Writer Art is a subject that many nay not fully understand with its concept and history, but thanks to our dedicated Art History instructor on campus, Valerie Innella Maiers, that idea can change for many students. “The joy of the history of Art comes alive and enriches the students and artist, and that’s enriching for me to see,” Innella Maiers stated when after being asked what she loved the most about her job. Maiers has been a teacher for 15 years. She earned a Ph.D. in Art Education from the University of North Texas, a Masters in Art History from Bloomsburg University, and a Bachelor's in Art History, from Mansfield University. Innella Maiers loves teaching –the field is her passion, which makes her job all that much more enjoyable. Innella Maiers worked as a museum supervisor after getting her undergraduate degree. Working there inspired her to get her masters in art history. Then, working at Casper College contributed to Maiers wanting to learn more, and that is why she got her Ph.D. in art education so she could continue to teach her passion. Originally from the East Coast, Innella Maiers was given her job opportunity through a New York Art Exhibition, which is what brought her specifically to Casper College. As soon as they told her about Wyoming she did her research and she fell in love with the state. “There are so many opportunities that are here in Wyoming not just job-wise. There is culture and natural beauty in Wyoming,” said Innella Maiers Opportunity is something she incorporates in her class and teaching. She encourages an engaging hands-on classroom. She believes that if it is a much more enjoyable and effective way for her students and anyone to learn the art. “Not just from a textbook but seeing it come alive,” Innella Maiers explained. “Its really fulfilling to see artist succeed and come back home and showcase their work,” Maiers later added. She also appreciates the opportunities that are available to her kids, which is an even bigger reason she loves Casper. Innella Maiers said slowly we are being innovative in really beneficial ways. On top of being a full-time teacher, Innella Maiers also is in charge of art galleries throughout campus. A couple of them are currently displayed in the art building as well as the music building. She also is a part of the festival committee. Innella Maiers also teaches an art history travel course every year. She and the class travel and enjoy art and its history from a different country and what it has to offer. Her current exhibit for the Red Stone Recital and gallery series is based on her last travel history course. Currently, she has The Viewfinder Journey on display until December 12, 2019. This exhibition is a visual representation of the Iberian Peninsula, as stated on the flyer for the exhibition. The travel course is one of Maier's favorite courses. “Engaging with students is something I love the most—also the learning from traveling and the art history is enriching,” said Innella Maiers. She added, “I love teaching, I will not be leaving soon. Especially not Wyoming it is nice to go to big cities and I do miss back home. But once I go to a big city like Denver, for example, it reminds me of why I love it here so much. The beautiful natural scenary that we have and how fast and accessible it all is.” Innella Maiers is such wonderful person to meet. She is incredibly knowledgeable about art history and many other areas. CC is fortunate to have Inella Maiers as facutly. Morryah McCurdy/Chinook Thursday, Nov 14, former Congressman Patrick Murphy addressed the students at CC, promoting public service beyond the military Washut tackles teaching and legistlative duties Ishamel Bujosa-Perin Chinook Writer Many teachers choose not to speak about politics often. That is not the case for Art Washut the chairman of the criminal justice department. Washut began his career here at Casper College where he studied criminal justice and was active with the casper police department. He later attended Chadron State where he finished criminal justice with a bachelor’s degree. After graduation he applied to the Casper police department. He was accepted into the police program. Washut worked his way up to interim chief of police. He started as a patrol officer from 1980-89 then became a sergeant lieutenant and chief of police from 1989-99 and then became the interim chief of police. After seven months as police chief he retired. After his retirement he was offered a teaching job and began part time in the fall of 1999 he later became a full-time teacher in 2000. Besides teaching political science and criminal justice, he is the chairman of the criminal justice department and is a dedicated member of the Casper College Submitted photo award committee. His favorite of being Washut posed by a fire for a photo. After the holiday part of the award commitee is being able season, he will take part in Wyoming's 2020 legislative to see the “energy of our faculty.” session. His least favorite part is the administrative duties because he is not able to see his students and staff. Besides being active in Casper College he is also an active member of the Wyoming House of Representatives. Washut decided to run for office after noticing a trend in office. He noticed that both a democrat and republican were representing his county. Washut did not want another democrat to represent his county. He also noted that no other republican representitives were running for office. Being that no other rebulican wanted to run for office he decided to run himself. Washut told me his campaign was “A fair amount of door-todoor knocking and yard signs.” He also utilized Facebook advertisements for his campaign. He was also endorsed by Senator John Barrasso in a local radio advertisement. Washut told me “I think that ad made the difference.” While in office he has sponsored two bills the first bill known as HB0158 was aimed towards minor traffic infractions like hitching a ride on delivery trucks. That is a jail able offense here in Wyoming. The bill unfortunately was not signed but should make a comeback soon. The second bill known as HB0159 was aimed to clarify that both paid and unpaid peace officers were to be covered by the state liability insurance. That bill has been signed is active now. As a state legislator Washut’s main focus is bringing balance to public safety issues and wants to “be faithful to my constitutional oath.” That constitutional oath means everything for Washuts campaign he also wants to “let the constitution guide my vote.” Locally Washut supports the cleaning of the Platte river and plans to continue the cleaning efforts. He plans to stay in office as long as he has support from the voters. And although he has always been familiar with politics he mentioned that, “there is still a huge learning curve becoming a legislator.” This year governor Gordon is proposing a status quo and is warning that if the economic downturns are permanent there will be major budget cuts here is what Washut has to say on that: “I would rather cut a program in government and reallocate the money from the cut program to the other functioning programs so all other programs will be viable and functioning.” Washut is not finished yet. The Wyoming legislator is in January, and Wyoming is not doing well economically. Wyoming is facing a 185-million-dollar shortfall over the next three years, according to Washut. The Wyoming residents are questioning financing for school construction. Washut thinks that we must be frugal with the current budget and we should resist those who want more spending for the 2020 year. �Page 2 December 1, 2019 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: It’s time to register for the spring semester! As tempting as it might be to put that off, please take my advice and resist such temptation. If you haven’t already met with your advisor, you’ll want to meet with them soon. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and then finals, and then the Holiday rush, and then… the next thing you know, you still haven’t registered and classes are full and you can’t get the days or times you want. So be sure to register early and secure the classes and times that best fit your schedule. --- Comparison/Devices --- Rise & Grind with Morryah Social media is a glaring part of our lives, and it’s only becoming more prominent. Notifications and phone alerts are actually rewiring our brains, triggering a chemical reaction, and getting us addicted. Dopamine, or the reward transmitter in our brains, is released—and makes us excited—to check our phone for messages, emails, or social media feedback. Dopamine is directly attributed to addiction, and judging by the frequency we check our phones, or how close we keep it to our bodies, I think it is safe to say we, as a society, are addicted to our devices. This is not a new thought. More and more studies are being conducted because technology is only getting sleeker and more encompassing. Some of our devices have a built in ‘screen time’ reading that measures how much time you actually spend on your devices, and let me tell you, it can be eye opening and uncomfortable. Our habit of reaching for our phones every time it beckons is becoming incredibly destructive to our mental states. Anxiety, apathy, and excitement are common emotional reactions to notifications and social media. We are constantly, and I truly mean CONSTANTLY sending our bodies through the emotional wringer. Don’t believe me? The sentence “Call me ASAP” or “Can we talk?” can make us simultaneously feel physically sick and nervous. Every wrong thing we have done since we can remember runs through our minds and we are consumed with panic. What could the other person want to talk about? Let’s say that conversation ends up being benign, like “what should we do for mom’s birthday?” I for one have a rush of relief also mixed with slight annoyance because I let those few words work me up. Through communication courses many of us completed, we learned that words have meaning (well, obviously), but in our culture of endless texting, emailing, and posting, we give visual, non-contextual words deeper meaning-- emotions, intent, and action. Through mobile and computer mediated communication, we also see asynchronous communication, meaning our communication is not happening at the same time. Basically, when we text something heartfelt or risky, and we have to wait for a response or get left on read, we are obsessively waiting to be responded to and again, our emotional state begins to pay the price. Sure, all of this can be avoided by getting rid of our devices, but in this day and age, that is not practical. These devices and the companies behind them really crushed the Pavlov’s dogs analogy, and we all thirst for likes, texts, etc. because over the past 15 years we have been strongly conditioned to do so. Through all of the mental anguish we subconsciously experience multiple times a day, we are also battling another devious culpritcomparison. Comparison is coming up on the spectrum for one of the leading causes of depression in 2019. Children, teens, and adults are all susceptible with the thanks to social media and the fear based necessity that we all need a phone or device. It used to be celebrities that were on a pedestal, and it was accepted that mere mortal humans, like most of us, would not rise to their level of beauty or talent. It was accepted, and we moved on. However, now, with social media, the ability to compare yourself to your direct peer is instant. Social media takes the cliques, popularity, and emotionally/ mentally crappy parts of middle and high school and brings them to teen’s fingertips. Adults are not much better in this aspect. But we have been conditioned to put ourselves in this situation. Sure, it’s easy to say turn off notifications and limit screen time. Heck, I fully support those methods and practice them (they make a difference) but some companies and even some countries have recently decided to take the ‘like’ feature off of social media. This is more of an abrupt change I think is needed, especially with children coming up in a world where they are trusted with a device most adults shouldn’t be trusted with. Then, being raised in a culture with high anxiety and depression, with direct links to social media usage, I think it is our responsibility to lessen the impact of social media and the comparison trap that comes with. I guess, in the end I am asking what your device is doing for you. Do you feel empowered? Are you proud of the amount of time you spend on your device? Are your emotions in check when you get a notification? Are you productive with no wasted time? If so, then you win, and you should give me your secret. However, if this is something that you know you struggle with, — See Devices, Page 8 “ I believe our team does an amazing job helping you plan for your future. Our instructors and staff provide one-on-one advising that ensures you’re on the right track and making progress towards that future you so desire. Although we provide a road map of courses leading to your goal, please remember that we also offer opportunities for you to explore additional courses that play a supportive role to your specific field of study, as well as topics that might simply represent a personal interest. There are over 140 degree and certifi- cate options available at Casper College, but that number dramatically increases once you consider all the options available within each program. You have choices that not only help you complete your general education requirements, but also allow you the opportunity to explore your field of study in exciting detail. As we approach the end of the fall semester, I want to wish you the very best in your studies and let you know that I truly look forward to seeing you again next semester! You have choices that not only help you complete your general education requirements, but also allow you the opportunity to explore your field of study in exciting detail. — Darren divine, Ph.D., Casper College President We're Almost Done Rambin' With Riley As I walked to my car the first day of the semester, I said to myself, “This is never going to be done.” I’m a very optimistic person, I know. But that was my train of thought. The summer kind of just ended without a warning and with little to no preparation I was supposed to pick up exactly where I left off. I was not in a good state of mind. Looking back now, it is kind of crazy to see where I am, or at least how far I have come. I would constantly say to my friends in Spanish class, “We are already a third of the way through the semester” or “We are already at midterms”, but now I am saying “We’re almost done!” It is crazy that the number of weeks we have left I can count on one hand and not even fill it up. It makes me think that all of those milestones were so long ago. I understand the way I am presenting this makes it seem as if the weeks have moved by like a snail, but it is quite the opposite. It really is crazy how fast the semesters move. One second you’re worried about midterms and the next its finals. I feel very good about what I accomplished this semester: new classes, first semester as student body president, first experience ever with a school newspaper. So, it has been busy on my end. I do not wish the time away, but I know that a break will feel weird. A good weird. We are almost done! Granted, not for the year, but with these set of classes, with these grades, and with these responsibilities. To some people, they are graduating, to others, they are close. I have a completely different mindset now that the semester is almost over --I am much happier. I am not saying I was never happy, but it is nice to think I am a couple weeks away from being done. I know high schoolers can not necessarily say the same, and part of me feels bad for them while the other part of me has a little bit of joy. They not only get a longer semester than we do, but their break is only two weeks while ours is about a month and a half. I do not want them to suffer, but I know that I had to go through their schedule, and I don’t miss it one bit. A small part of me is sad though. It is truly crazy how fast time goes. One minute I graduate high school and the next, I am one semester away from finishing my first degree. I don’t like to necessarily think about the sad parts though. It’s not as fun. We are almost done!!! We are almost done with this semester, and then we can relax and work on personal projects and not history projects! We can sleep in our bed and not in class! We can argue with our friends and not our teachers! I am very excited for the long break and relaxing. I am excited to not have to worry about deadlines and grades for a change. I am looking forward to spending time with my family. We are almost done, and it is a blessing. Time moves too fast so do not wish your time away, but you can always hope some times to move faster than others. We are almost done! Well, We're Not Even Close As I walked into my high school on the first day of school seeing all of the new, annoying freshman and the loud teenagers shove each other into the building, I said to myself, “This is going to be a long year.” You see, I'm a pessimist, so this was normal. I had been in college classes for almost three weeks by this point and was not ready to add high school nonsense to my hectic life. I thought my hands were full before, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. It seemed like the summer had gone by in the blink of an eye. I had little time to mentally prepare for the 6:45 AM mornings and the constant pushing in the halls. I wasn’t prepared for the high school shenanigans. Looking forward, it’s crazy to think of how far away the second semester of high school really is. I constantly think to myself, “Hey, we’re almost done.” But then I check my phone and realize that we aren’t even halfway there. Now I’m saying, “We aren’t even close to done!!!” It’s crazy that I can still count the number of weeks me and my high school classmates have left on both hands and fill them both up. Semesters move so SLOW in high school. Monday you’re worried about your test this Friday and the Tuesday… oh wait it’s still the Monday. I have been busy this semester with my roles as Vice President of Key Club, my work as the volleyball manager, the assignments in my college classes, and trying to keep up with this newspaper. You would think this would all make the time pass by quickly, but you’re wrong. I daydream about Christmas break. We aren’t even close to done! Granted, I’m only talking about the first semester of high school. I don’t even want to think about when the school year ends. I have a different mindset now that I have realized how far the end actually is --I’m much more irritated. I’m not saying I have always been irritated, but it angers me to think that I have more than eight weeks left of the semester. My college classes will be over on December 12th but I will continue to be tortured at my high school classes. I know the normal college students can’t say the same. Part of me worships them, and the other part of me is incredibly angry. They get a shorter semester, longer Christmas break, later class hours, no dress code…shall I go on? I almost want them to suffer. No parts of me are happy about this schedule at all. It’s crazy how slow time goes. One minute you graduate 8th grade the next it’s the day after you graduate 8th grade. We’re almost there! We’re almost done with this week… actually not really. We’re High School is No Musical far away, so far away from the next semester. We get to continue waking up before the sun, getting shoved in the hall, stressing about tests, and dealing with teenager problems. I’m very hopeful that the next eight weeks will zoom by, but not once have these weeks in past years done so. I’m looking forward to Christmas break, which is still FIVE weeks away. We can only hope that time is in our favor. But, we aren’t even close to done! Good Luck on Finals! Tobin Dining Hall will be open again Jan. 17 Full service on Jan. 21 As you look forward to winter break and next semester, don’t forget to purchase a new value meal plan. �December 1, 2019 Page 3 CHINOOK WHAT’S UP December 2019 Casper College Events Calendar TIME EVENTS LOCATION 9:00 AM Student Work Information Table UU 100 9:00 AM Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA104 9:00 AM The Viewfinder’s Journey-Kathleen Wille MU 101 1:00 PM Accreditation Council LH 198A 5:30 PM Deaf Community Pot Luck EI 100 6:00 PM MNF/Pool Night UU 310 6:30 PM Outdoor Emergency Care/OEC PS 109 6:30 PM WY-ECPLC UU 421 7:00 PM Intramural Volleyball LH GYM Tues Dec 3 9:00 AM Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA 104 9:00 AM The Viewfinder’s Journey-Kathleen Wille MU 101 12:00PM LDSSA Club UU 410 3:00 PM Alumni Christmas Tree Decorating GW 301 6:30 PM Werner Wildlife Writer’s Workshop-“Your Pal the Index Card” WM 6:30 PM CM Meetings 2019/2020 UU 415 7:00 PM Intramural Volleyball LH GYM 7:30 PM Marat/Sade KT 171 8:00 PM Yard Games UU 100 Wed Dec 4 9:00 AM Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA104 9:00 AM The Viewfinder’s Journey-Kathleen Wille MU 101 2:00 PM LDSSA Club UU 410 4:00 PM GIS Poster Presentation GW 221 5:30 PM Student Senate UU 410 7:00 PM Campus Ventures PS 103 7:00 PM Intramural 3v3 Basketball LH GYM 7:30 PM Marat/Sade KT 171 Thur Dec 5 9:00 AM Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA104 9:00 AM The Viewfinder’s Journey-Kathleen Wille MU 101 12:00 PM LDSSA Club UU 410 1:00 PM Security of U.S. Elections PS 103 7:30 PM Marat/Sade KT 171 Fri Dec 6 7:30 PM Marat/Sade KT 171 Sat Dec 7 8:00 AM Casper Elks Local Hoop Shoot TB GYM 8:00 AM Prometric WY Nurse Aide Exam HS 217, HS 221, HS 211 2:00 PM Marat/Sade Matinee KT 171 6:30 PM WY-ECPLC UU421 7:30 PM Marat/Sade KT 171 Sun Dec 8 3:00 PM A Christmas Tapestry MU 105, MU 100 7:00 PM A Christmas Tapestry MU 105, MU 100 Mon Dec 9 8:00 AM What’s the Plan? Transition Workshop GW 223, GW 225, GW 221 9:00 AM Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA104 9:00 AM The Viewfinder’s Journey-Kathleen Wille MU 101 12:00 PM LDSSA Club UU 410 6:30 PM Outdoor Emergency Care/OEC PS 109 Tues Dec 10 9:00 AM Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA 104 9:00 AM The Viewfinder’s Journey-Kathleen Wille MU 101 12:00PM LDSSA Club UU 410 6:30 PM CM Meetings 2019/2020 UU 415 7:00 PM String Studios Recital MU 105, MU 100 Wed Dec 11 9:00 AM Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA 104 9:00 AM The Viewfinder’s Journey-Kathleen Wille MU 101 10:00 AM Wyoming Imagery Project SH217 12:00PM LDSSA Club UU 410 5:30 PM Student Senate UU 410 7:00 PM Casper Mountian Ski Patrol Meeting PS 109 7:00 PM Campus Ventures PS 103 Thur Dec 12 9:00 AM Big Horn Canyon Artists in Residence VA 104 9:00 AM The Viewfinder’s Journey-Kathleen Wille MU 101 12:00PM LDSSA Club UU 410 12:00 PM Pharmacy Pinning Ceremony LH DSL 7:00 PM Home Basketball Game TB GYM Fri Dec 13 8:30 PM Holiday Breakfast UU 103 11:00 AM Jehovahs Witnesses Info Table UU 100 12:00 PM Nursing Pinning Ceremony MU 105, MU 100 Sat Dec 14 8:00 AM Prometric WY Nurse Aide Exam HS 217, HS 221, HS 211 10:00 AM Annual Holiday Open House TM 101 1:00PM Women’s Home Basketball Game TB GYM 3:00 PM Home Basketball Game TB GYM Mon Dec 16 7:00 AM We the People: Constitution Competition LH 183, LH 184, LH 283, LH 284, LH 285, LH DSL, LH 185, LH 186 6:30 PM Outdoor Emergency Care/OEC PS 109 Tues Dec 17 7:00 PM CC Board Meeting GW 312 Wed Dec 18 5:30 PM Student Senate UU 410 Thur Dec 19 7:00 PM Wildlife Study Series WN 7:00PM Werner Wildlife Study Group- “Feathers & Fur: At Home on the Range” WN Mon Dec 20 6:30 PM Outdoor Emergency Care/OEC PS 109 Winter in Wyoming: Life in Casper DAY/DATE Mon Dec 2 Important Acedemic Dates December 2 Application for graduation deadline for fall 2019 semester December 9-12 Final Exams December 13 End Term Hallmarks Include: - Leadership December 14 ACT National Testing Dec. 24 – Jan. 1, 2020 Holiday Break campus closed Photo Courtesy of Danica Sveda Danica Sveda submitted a photo of antelope enjoying a break on a Wyoming winter day, Riley Box Chinook Writer The snow is starting to fall for the first time in Casper, Wyoming and that means one thing… Winter break is coming. Following a short fall, students gear up to go home or stay in the residence hall over the upcoming holiday break. One thing is for sure, however. The winters here in Wyoming are much different than in other places around the world. Casper endures many snowstorms and windstorms to make natives even question why they live here. All joking aside, it can be quite brutal at times. Most out of state and even out of the country students are not used to the harsh conditions here. Jovana Jeremic is a Casper College Volleyball player from Serbia. She described how different the winters in Serbia are from the winters in Casper. “Winters don’t last as long back home” Jeremic said. Jeremic stated that the winters here are much longer and harsher than they are in Serbia. She said, “It gets really cold here, but it gets cold in Serbia too.” Serbia can get very cold as well but Jeremic notes how much different it is from back home. The winter can be very intrusive for students who have not experienced it before. There are snowstorms that go all the way until May, the wind is very harsh and cold, and temperatures can easily get down into the negatives. However, there are many fun aspects to winter that may make students overlook the bad. Casper has an amazing ski lodge in Hogodon as well as multiple hills to sled on. The snow PHI THETA KAPPA! Join up through December 1st this semester. - Scholarship - Fellowship - and Service! Partial Scholarships Possible! might not be for everyone but it sure can lead to some fun and entertaining adventures. If students do not want to go out into the snow this winter break, stay tucked in and watch a myriad of movies in dorms and in the residence hall lobbies. As for the students who do go home, Winter is a fun time to rekindle with your family, take a long break from school, and relax. For those students, they do not need to deal with the harsh weather we have here but can enjoy the sun because when they get back, the winter is still on full blast. Many outs of state students cannot go back home during the winter break and prefer to stay on campus. They can find many things to do around the town like attend the Christmas Parade, go to local coffee shops, and go shopping. Although some out-of-state are not going back to their home, they are treated with a homelike atmosphere. Sodexo also helps students feel more at home by continuing to cook throughout the winter break. This allows stability to students who do not have places to go or eat otherwise. Staff works throughout the break if students want to help get involved, find a work study, or have others to help. No matter if students decide to stay on campus or go home over this winter break, there is plenty of fun adventures, moments, and activities to occupy the time. Though the weather in Casper can get rough and unpleasant, it is still a lovely atmosphere to spend time, relax, or explore the city. So, whether a student is going home to live in the warmth or staying here to live in the cold, there is no bad decision. Email one of our advisors for details! Debra Swedberg (swedberg@caspercollege.edu) #WEAREPTK Jared Bowden (jbowden@caspercollege.edu) Chris Raymond (christopher.raymond@caspercollege.edu) GET INVOLVED.... STAY INVOLVED �Page 4 December 1, 2019 CHINOOK Hate Crime legislation in Wyoming Join our staff this spring! Interview & write Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising The Chinook is a one credit class, titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Brasher for more information brianne.brasher@caspercollege,edu Morryah McCurdy/Chinook Scott Levin, left, and Dennis Shepard, right, address the committee on Civil Rights, to convey the importance of hate crime legislation in WY. Morryah McCurdy Chinook Writer Lack of hate crime legislation in Wyoming is economically hurting the state, says Dennis Shepard, father of Matthew Shepard. Early November, the Wyoming Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights gathered at Casper College to discuss hate crime legislation. Unbeknownst to a good portion of the room, regardless of Wyoming’s gruesome past with hate crime, Wyoming is one of five states that still do not have hate crime legislation. The commission, made up of many respected national civil rights activists, gathered in order to determine appropriate advice on civil rights issues in our state. Wyoming’s history with hate crime made national news in 1998, when LGBTQ student, Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered in Laramie. The national nature of the case also set precedence for hate crime recognition and legislation, however, Wyoming remains one of five states without protections for marginalized groups. Dennis Shepard, father of Matthew Shepard, presented to the commission. “My son, Matthew, paid a terrible price to open the eyes of all of us who live in Wyoming and the United States 21 years ago. In the time that has passed since, we have seen many states adopt hate crime legislation to protect victims based on sexual orientation, religion, race, and gender. Through these laws, the federal government has been able to more effectively track hate groups, hate trends, and provide training and funding to local law enforcement and prosecutors,” said Shepard. Shepard continued his pre- sentation. “In October 2009, the Shepard/Byrd Act was enacted to more effectively investigate and prosecute hate crimes, finally a national win in the names of two men that suffered horrific deaths based on sexual orientation and race,” Shepard said. “Since October 2009, the Shepard/Byrd act has successfully prosecuted 64 individuals and gave funding to communities to alleviate the cost of prosecuting. The act has also given communities resources that allow them to better identify hate crimes.” As an aside, since the passing of the Shepard/Byrd Act, of the over 16,000 participating law enforcement agencies, over 2,000 have reported hate crime incidents, which go to the FBI. Although Wyoming does not formally report hate crime incidents, the AntiDefamation League reported recent incidents in Cheyenne and Laramie, where flyers were handed out reading, “It’s great to be straight, it’s not okay to be gay” along with “Black lives only matter because if it weren’t for them, who would pick our cotton” and “Join the KKK.” There have also been Holocaust denial flyers found at UW. “These incidents are not solitary, but because Wyoming doesn’t have a mechanism for mandatory reporting, many incidents fly under the radar. Wyoming boasts that it simply does not see any hate crime due to the lack of mandatory reporting,” said Scott Levin, regional director for the AntiDefamation League. Shepard presented to the commission a very refreshed way to view the lack of hate crime legislation in Wyoming. He said, “Wyoming suffers from a brain drain of young people who don’t want to live where they or their friends or families do not have the same legal protections as other residents. On the other hand, companies want to hire the best. They won’t move here if they’re concerned their employees may be targeted for their race, gender, or sexual orientation.” Shepard, who shared the podium with Levin, of the Anti-Defamation League agreed that hate crime legislation in Wyoming would be beneficial, purely based on human rights. Fear of losing a job, fear of re-victimization, fear of arrest or deportation, doubt that local law enforcement would support a victim were listed as reasons why hate crime victims don’t report. As Levin led the discussion, he pointed “hate crime is a unique type of harm due to an immutable difference.” Levin also spoke the outward perception that Wyoming doesn’t care, and mutes those impacted by hate crimes. In Wyoming, Laramie is the only town that has protections against hate crimes. Laramie is also the only town that has reported hate crime activity. The Wyoming Advisory Committee pushed for advice from the professionals on framework to address hate crime. Levin concluded, the state must begin somewhere. There is not a deep understanding of what hate crime type is the most prevalent in Wyoming, so at the very least, required reporting in some capacity would help identify where to start. Levin ended, “Hate crime laws send an unveiling message. It’s an embarrassment, quite frankly, that we don’t have hate crime laws in Wyoming. We can’t banish what we don’t measure.” The committee is set to reconvene in early 2020. Casper College Chinook Newspaper: The students voice since 1945 Student or Instructor Turn your online struggles into answers by calling us. Students: Instructors: We make sure you are able to access online learning resources needed to learn in your classes. We will also help you learn to utilize the digital tools available to you for all your classwork. We can help make online course development easier for you as well as assist in making knowledge acquisition more efficient, effective, and appealing for your students through the best teaching practices and use of technologies. Top five examples of items we can help with: 1. How to use Moodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Use Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 3. Accessing Office 365 . 4. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it. 5. Moodle technical issues — except password changes, we don’t do that. Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. An example of items we can help with: • Technologies that support learning objectives and classroom productivity like GoogleSuite, ProctorU, Zoom, Yuja, and other various Moodle activities and resources. • Providing a sounding board for ways to improve courses. • Sharing examples of instructional strategies used in other courses and programs. • Providing help in developing teaching strategies Plus a lot for online classes. more! • Providing a student perspective. Contact us. Teresa Pat Mike Donnie For help or more information stop by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Dave Camille �December 1, 2019 Page 5 CHINOOK T-Bird Men's Basketball Overview Volleyball Season Wrap-up Jayla Johnson Chinook Writer Jalen Harris shoots a layup during a game in the Erickson Thunderbird Gym. Riley Box Chinook Writer Another year, and another time to look forward to Casper College Men’s Basketball! Following a Region IX championship, the Thunderbirds hope to recapture the title under new head coach Shaun Gutting. Shaun Gutting is on his seventh year as a college basketball coach and his second with Casper College. Last year Gutting was the assistant coach under Dan Russell but has taken the helm this year. Gutting expressed his goals on this year’s team. “Our ultimate goal is to win a Region IX Championship. We won one last year, our first in 23 years” Gutting said. Gutting went on to emphasize that beyond that, the team wants to go all the way and win a national championship. Getting to a national championship however is not easy and takes a lot of time and preparation. Preparation is not something new to Coach Gutting. “Every day is a battle. We spend a lot of time in the weight room, on the court… and spend a lot of time with study tables so these guys can keep their grades up.” Gutting emphasized that on top of all of the physical preparation they have for the games, there is just as much mental preparation, watching film, and making sure they are students first. Gutting exclaimed that his favorite part of being a head basketball coach is watching his players succeed beyond Casper College, whether that be signing to Division 1 schools or perusing their passions. Jalen Harris, point guard for the Casper College Thunderbirds also sat down with us and talked about how much basketball and this team has affected him. “I really got serious about playing basketball at about age 10.” Harris explained. Just like Coach Gutting, Harris mentioned his team goals are to go to back to back Region IX championships and hopefully get a shot at nationals. Harris said, “Joining this team, it really is like a brotherhood.” Harris pointed out that being a Thunderbird not only means trying on the court for personal accomplishments but also to try for the team and make each other’s goals come true. Winning a region IX championship seems to be the ultimate goal for the coaches and players but it really seems to be beyond that. The team emphasized being a brotherhood and keeping each other accountable which is good for the atmosphere and the relationships. “Comradery; being a part of a team, you can’t get that anywhere else.” Harris points out. With another year and incredible Thunderbird Basketball team, it is extremely important to go to the games and support them. Basketball performance and energy thrives off of the cheering and support of the crowd. “It makes it hard for teams to come in here and win when we have students who… love to come to games, are loud, and Photo Courtesy of Ginny Harbaugh show support.” Gutting says. Gutting claimed that it is extremely important to have a loud student section to hype up the players. The coaches are not the only ones who think this way. Players share the same sentiment. “Having the fans in the student section really gives the team energy.” Harris said that fan support is “extremely important.” Harris went on to say, “It motivates us to put on a show for you guys.” The Casper College Basketball teams seems to be on the right track with an undefeated 4-0 schedule so far this season, so it is important to help keep the momentum going for them. They have put in many hours in the weight room, on the court, and in the film room. It is important for the students to come to the games and support their teams and their Thunderbirds. So next time you hear Men’s Basketball is playing, throw on your colors, and cheer them on! This season looks to be a special one in the making. The Casper College volleyball team finished its 2019 season last month, and the team is already looking forward to future seasons. The team finished with a record of 8-26 this season, and outside hitter Olivia Muir made the all-region team. The CC team still awaits the final voting process with hopes that coaches and other players may receive additional achievements. At the beginning of each season, every team in the nation has a similar goal: win the region and then go to the national tournament. Before that can happen, baby steps must take place. The baby steps include creating personal and overall team goals. Angel Sharman, the CC volleyball head coach, and her team first discuss how they plan on tackling the overall season, and then they execute the goals in practice. At the beginning of the season, Sharman said this year’s team had its own specific goal in mind: secure a position in the top two of the northern region. Unfortunately, the team lost two of its starters due to injury and had to cope with a new, unfamiliar situation. Sharman said, “Then we had a couple of injuries that slowed us down. When you lose two of your starters it changes a lot. The team did step up, but it took a lot out of us.” Although the CC volleyball team did not reach their goal, they practiced with the best of their ability and worked to get better each week. According to Sharman, there’s one very noticeable improvement from the beginning of the year: passing consistency. Sharman worked with her team to become better passers, and by the end of the season, the CC team saw consistency in passing abilities. Sharman also said that she noticed her team, as a whole, grew more aggressive. Willing to work hard for every point and, presenting aggressive mindsets with every motion, the team members grew as volleyball competitors and as athletes. “They grew so much from the beginning to the end from not knowing the pace of the game, offense, defense or each other. It is hard to get the feel of the game in such a short time (a little over two weeks) before your first game,” Sharman told Chinook. Despite not reaching the team’s goal, Sharman is proud of her players. She said all the girls worked hard, both in practice and in the games, and never gave up. Losing two key players did not stop these players from growing as people and as players or playing hard for their team. Specifically, at the regional tournament this year, Sharman said her team played really hard and didn’t give up. Featuring girls from all over the world, the 2019 CC volleyball team finished with pride. Sharman expressed how much she enjoyed this year’s team because “they came ready to work every day and they are just great individuals.” As for next year and the years coming, Sharman already started the recruitment process. She and her colleagues will sit down soon and evaluate what worked well for this year and what needed some improvement so she can apply these notes for next year’s season. With a new team next year and a new set of goals, the CC volleyball program will continue to represent the Thunderbirds of Casper and show pride in what they do. Photo Courtesy of Casper College Public Relations. Olivia Muir serves the volleyball during a game in the Erickson Thunderbird Gym. �Page 6 CHINOOK December 1, 2019 THE CASPER COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE PRESENTS THE 2019-2020 SEASON CHILDREN OF EDEN Directed by Richard Burk October 9-11, 16-19, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: October 20, 2019, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 5 and up MARAT/SADE The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum at Charenton, Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade Directed by William Conte December 3-7, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: December 7, 2019, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 14 and up THE YELLOW WALLPAPER Directed by Aaron Wood February 20-22, 27-29, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: February 23 and 29, 2020, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 10 and up NOISES OFF Directed by Richard Burk April 23-25, 29-30, May 1-2, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Matinée: April 26, 2020, 2 p.m. Rating: Suitable for ages 8 and up Tickets: 307-268-2500, 800-442-2963, ext. 2500, or caspercollegearts.cc Casper College is an equal opportunity institution and as such, does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its educational programs or activities. Direct inquiries or complaints to Linda Toohey, associate vice president for student services at 125 College Dr, Casper, WY 82601, 307-268-2667, or linda.toohey@caspercollege.edu, or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 1244 Speer Blvd, Ste 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582; 303-844-5695 or TDD 303-844-3417. �December 1, 2019 Page 7 CHINOOK Expression Literary and Arts Magazine Film festival to return wins big for Casper College Monica Gonzalez Chinook Writer The eighth Casper College student film festival is coming Spring 2020. With no date yet but with much anticipation, CC’s broadcast production students are very excited to see the film festival make a comeback. The event was well-received in years prior, so current students are ready to showcase their work, according to Bri Brasher, Communication Instructor at CC. The festival will consist of short films accumulated into one program, totally about an hour of content. The showcase is set to include a combination of students' work from the last academic year as well as this year. The films cover of a wide range of categories. “It's going to be awesome that we can show our work in public and not just in class. Multiple hours of hard work— we can show the world what we can do and see other awesome films,” said Riley Box, Casper College media student. Box will participate in the festival Submitted photo Expression 2019 Staff Photo: (From left to right) Ravyn Noecker, Managing Editor; Maddison Mahlum, Production Editor; Bryanna Schiller, Editor-in-Chief; Nathaniel Kimball, Literary Editor; Ericka Elton, Assistant Literary Editor; Not pictured: Mya Holman, Art Editor The student staff of Expression Literary and Arts Magazine is pleased to announce that the 2019 edition of the magazine has won the following awards from the Community College Humanities Association for the Pacific-Western Region: Best Magazine Award, 1st place; Best Creative Nonfiction, 1st place, "Taking the Mask Off" by Todd Napier; Best Photography, 2nd Place, "Belize" by Erin Wirrenga. Additional student contributors to the 2019 edition: Zachery Adams, Amber Bennett, Duncan Cowan, Wendy Bennett, Delayna Loveland, Rachel Hutchison, Tayler Stephenson, Lindsay Bergman, Shelby Foery, Melissa Dimas, Harley Jackson, Emma Rogers, Bryanna Schiller, Nathaniel Kimball, Ryann Koivupalo, Michah Jones, Jordan Rhodes, Bailey Anderson, Maddison Mahlum, Adam Jensen, and Jesse Sanchez. Catching up with the grounds crew Ishamel Bujosa-Perin Chinook Writer What keeps Casper College thriving today? Is it the outstanding professors? Well yes, but we have to think outside of the box. Is it our wonderful custodial crew? Also yes, but this crew works outside. It’s the groundcrew! These guys work every season to make sure our school looks picture perfect. They do everything from trimming trees, cutting grass, racking up leaves and only on rare occasions do they have to pick up trash. In the winter they plow, throw ice melt and make sure the roadways are safe and dry. Jack Buckley recently joined the Casper College groundcrew. He told the Chinook that he came here because Casper College has a “Better work environment.” And Paul Francis Buckley’s partner would like to remind you all to pay extra attention while driving in the winter. The roadways often develop ice in the cold months of winter, and we would like to prevent as many accidents as possible. And the secret to keeping the grass green through the summer and fall months is the automatic sprinkler system, and fertilization twice a year and a lot of aeration—just in case you were wondering. and help plan the event in his broadcast production class. The class’ goal is to have just as a successful outcome as years before by drawing hundreds of people in to show support of students' work. Students, staff, faculty, parents, and other community members are all welcome. This year, the festival will add audience voted award components to each category. “This is a really good opportunity to showcase Casper College to the community and draw more students to the program,” added Brasher. Brasher will be working along Pete Van Houten, Interim Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences, as well as the broadcast production class to put on the festival, which includes content creation, event coordination, and advertising. “It (the festival) gives students a piece to add to the portfolio if they pursue video in future,” said Brasher More information on the CC film festival will be published in the spring semester. Devices... continued from page 2 might you consider some of the advice professionals are supplying like turning off notifications, uninstalling social media apps, and tracking screen time? Do you feel like you are always busy but never moving the needle? How are you spending your time? My challenge for everyone who wants a new found respect for their devices, but more so for themselves, carve out an hour a day. Just one, and do something that moves the needle. Every day. That could be working out, working on a project that matters to you, or learning something new. Do that for two weeks. That’s one hour for 14 days, and see how your mental and emotional environment change. Are you less owned by your device, and owning your time and your productivity? er spap w e Casper e k N College’s noo w Onlin i h C Student No Voice Since 1945 Did you go to the Mimi’s House Fundraiser sponsored by our PTK Chapter? What was it? Part of PTK’s goal is to do community service and help those in need. Mimi’s House was the perfect opportunity to not only help those in need but to give back to the community!! There was a live auction, silent gala, food, and music! We hope you attended! What now? Attend the PTK executive meeting on December 4th! Here, you can talk about what you experienced and what you took from this event! We would LOVE to have your opinion and voice! Please contact Devin Pike or Traci Raymor for more info �Page 8 December 1, 2019 CHINOOK Filling Dad's shoes, one ride at a time Jayla Johnson Chinook Writer Two cowboys atop their healthy horses back into their boxes at the 2018 College National Finals Rodeo ready to compete in the team roping event. The heeler, whose goal is to rope the steer’s back two legs was Trey Yates, a Casper College Thunderbird. The header, whose goal is to rope the steer’s horns, was Kellan Johnson, a Gillette College Pronghorn who describes himself as a relaxed guy with a goof-ball aspect. As the two ready their positions and prepare for this once in a lifetime moment, the announcer’s voice is heard through the loudspeakers, he said, “And this is Kellan Johnson from Casper, Wyoming.” Immediately after his name was heard, the crowd roared and the room became incredibly loud. Johnson soaked it in, creating a memory he will never forget. He took his time preparing for the ride of his life. Hours before this moment, Johnson, anxious for that night, called his dad on his way into town nervous, yet hopefully saying, “I got a paint steer, Dad. They’ve been pretty long on him and he’s gonna run a little bit.” Shortly after talking to his dad, Johnson called his partner, Yates, who was confident about the night. His partner’s confidence rubbed off on Johnson, prompting him to say, “I’ll do my best.” Johnson arrived at the arena later that day, and as he walked through the massive crowd, he vividly recalled seeing his middle school science teacher who told him he’s there to cheer him on and wished him the best of luck. Moments later, Johnson and Yates sat in the alleyway waiting for their time to compete. They turn to each other with nervous mannerisms and calming intentions. Johnson said, “Man, I appreciate this year.” Yates responded, “Me too, man. We’re gonna win.” Johnson answered, “Oh yeah, we’re gonna win it. Let’s go out there and kick this steers ass and call it good.” Johnson took a slow, deep breath and told himself, “Okay, go time.” Johnson nodded and the painted steer sprinted out and to the right, just like Johnson and Yates had talked about. Johnson stuck the rope on the steer’s horns and quickly after, Yates roped the steers back legs. And that was it. Johnson’s face erupted with joy as he looked over at Yates. “I remember looking at Trey and saying, ‘We did it, man! We did it.’” Johnson said. After their triumph, Johnson and Yates’ horses led them out of the area so they could watch two other well- rounded teams rope. Johnson and Yates watched with excitement and slight nervousness, as both of the teams made errors on their runs. The idea of loss vanished, Johnson and Yates won. Johnson found Yates and hugged him saying, “I told you we’d do it. I told you!” Like all winners at the CNFR, Johnson and Yates climbed onto their horses and took a victory lap around the arena. “If only I could freeze that moment in my mind. It gives me goosebumps until this day, just thinking about it. I’ll never forget it,” Johnson told Chinook. Now, Johnson, 21, ropes as a Casper College Thunderbird, where he’s coached by his father and surrounded by the people and community he loves. Competing in collegiate rodeo, according to Johnson, has consistently been “pretty sweet” and “there’s no better job.” He loves what he’s doing now and would like to continue for as long as he can; rodeo is unquestionably what Johnson wants to do forever. Johnson expressed, “I think I’d trade everything for it, and I think I have. Rodeo is just like any other sport, you can’t do it forever but it’s definitely something I’ve enjoyed and I will do it until I am not competitive anymore at that kind of level.” Before his rodeo success, Johnson grew up on a ranch 30 miles outside of Casper, WY. Jhett Johnson, the father of the house, was a professional rodeo cowboy. “To watch his success and work ethic, those are things some people can’t get and I got it for free. He was right here,” Johnson said of his father. Jenny Johnson, the mother of the house, was a full-time, hard-working teacher at Crest Hill Elementary School. When Jenny wasn’t contributing to her school, she took care of her three boys while her husband traveled all over for competitions. Johnson said, “Honestly [my mom] doesn’t get enough writing, you know. They talk about us (kids) and my dad, but my mom is the real back bone. I guess women don’t get enough credit. My mom did a lot for my dad, and she has done extremely a lot with three boys. She helped us out and she’s done well.” As a boy, Johnson said he constantly asked his mother if he could go watch his dad rodeo. Seeing his father rodeo encouraged a five-year-old Kellan Johnson, even though it was with clumsy fashions and young boy mannerisms, to swing ropes. The fiveyear-old’s excitement urged his father to start coaching him; he stood behind his son and held the rope with him, teaching him how to swing Olie Imagines Kellan Johnson, right, ropes the steer's horns while Carson Johnson, left, begins to rope the steer's back legs in the team roping event. it around. His dad gradually learned every in and out of his son, all while his son learned proper roping technique. Soon enough, Johnson started roping with his cousins, Jayden and Jerren. Jayden as the oldest and Jerren the same age as Johnson, and his Johnson’s brother, Carson, who is two years younger. Johnson referred to the crew as “the four amigos” due to the fact that the four boys grew up playing with toy trucks and trailers, pretending the world of professional rodeo came to life in their hands. Johnson said, “If two of us were going to fight we all fought. We just became best friends and just a strong family.” When recalling his favorite childhood memory, Johnson said, “I haven’t done anything that special, that’s why my fondest memories are of my dad. My dad’s memories are some of my favorites, and he never knew that I enjoyed it more than anything.” The year was 2005, when Johnson’s father first qualified for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), held in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is Johnson’s clearest and most enjoyed memory. He remembers travelling with his mom and brother—he remembers what he wore and what he ate—he remembers the atmosphere— he remembers all of it. When arriving in Las Vegas, Johnson, shocked, thought he was on a different planet for the environment seemed completely different from Wyoming. The day his father competed, Johnson’s stood in shock when his expectations were surpassed, and he became a part of the professional rodeo lifestyle. “I always compare things to sports, so imagine if you got to go, and your dad was best friends with Lebron James. It’d be like you got to go back there, meet his boys, meet him, and you got to hang out with him and go to dinner with him. That’s what I got to do growing up. I got to be that kid. I met the Lebron James’ of rodeo,” Johnson told Chinook. Nearly two years later, Johnson, 12-years-old, experienced his father winning the NFR as a heeler in the team roping event. After his dad won, the reality finally hit. Johnson realized he could win just like his dad. Before his father’s victory, Johnson always questioned himself, second guessing whether or not he had a chance of success in rodeo. But after seeing his own father pursue his dreams, Johnson started to believe in himself too. “I remember coming home and telling dad I’m gonna make finals someday dad. That’s what I want to do. I don’t care about anything else—I want to rodeo.” Johnson told Chinook. Johnson and his brother Carson grew up with ropes in their hands. Constantly roping together and competing in junior rodeos and high school rodeos, the two loved rodeo culture. They learned from each other and developed an everlasting bond through the sport, which would later translate into success. “When it came down to it and everyone asked who are you going to rope with it was a no brainer. I want to rope with Carson. You know, things happen, I don’t know if we’ll rope together forever, but I sure plan on it,” Johnson explained. Growing up with Carson everyday created an undeniable kind of chemistry where they knew what made each other mad and what made each other better, which Johnson sees as a major advantage in their competitions. Johnson said, “[Carson and I] got to be a part of each other’s lives and understand what it’s like to be winners together. Most of my success was through Carson.” Along with having his brother as his partner, having his dad as a coach has shaped the competitor Johnson is today. When asked what it is like to have his dad as a coach, Johnson simply said, “I love it.” Johnson expressed, “I love my dad being my coach. He’s my hero, he’s my best friend. And so to have a coach, a hero, and a best friend and he’s just right there every day watching you practice, you just can’t beat stuff like that.” However, although Johnson found success, he faced some obstacles along the way; but, whether it be physical, mental, or intellectual, Johnson always finds a way to work through the difficulties. “I guess the biggest obstacle, for me, is creating a realistic standpoint but also being myself. [I have to] stay true to myself and be positive about what I’m doing.” In practice, Johnson simply breaks down his goal for the day and pushes himself to execute those goals each practice; however, he can forget to have fun with what he’s doing, which he considers one of his biggest goals as well. Johnson said, “I just have to remind myself to have fun but you can’t forget why you do it. Every once in a while I’ll forget because I get so mad and so disappointed but then I’ll go home and think who has a better job than me?” Over the years of rodeo competition, Johnson has grown as both an athlete and a person. He grew more mature and more competitive, striving to win each time he climbs on his horse. Johnson believes “life is short and you only get one life so might as well try and use it.” He likes who he is as a person and doesn’t look to change anything about himself. When asked what motivates him, Johnson said, “I hate saying this but I might as well tell the truth. What motivates me is I want to be famous, I guess. Just being able to say, ‘Alright my dad got to have a sign made outside of Casper how cool would it be if I got to hang my name beside his?’ Jenny Johnson Johnson, left, and his father, right, talk with each other after Johnson's CNFR win. https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ �December 1, 2019 Page 9 CHINOOK Casper College Presents UEST SPECIAL G E L-STAT ING AL M O Y THE W FEBRUARY 3-5, 2020 JAZZ BAN D TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020, AT 7 P.M. JOHN F. WELSH AUDITORIUM • NATRONA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL TICKETS/INFORMATION: CASPERCOLLEGE.EDU/JAZZ 307-268-2606 OR 800-442-2963, EXT. 2606 FACEBOOK.COM/KINSERJAZZ TWITTER.COM/#!/KINSERJAZZ Support from: 125 COLLEGE DRIVE • CASPER, WY 82601 CASPERCOLLEGE.EDU Wyoming Jazz Educators Natrona County Joint Powers and Recreation Board Casper College is an equal opportunity institution and as such, does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its educational programs or activities. Direct inquiries or complaints to Linda Toohey, associate vice president for student services at 125 College Dr., Casper, WY 82601, 307-268-2667, or linda. Casper College seeks to provide an environment that is free of bias, discrimination and harassment. If you have been the victim of sexual harassment/gender or sex discrimination/sexual misconduct/assault we encourage you to report this. If you report this to an employee, she or he must toohey@caspercollege.edu, or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 1244 Speer Blvd., Ste. 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582; 303-844-5695 or TDD 303-844-3417. notify our college’s Title IX Coordinator, Linda Toohey, associate vice president for student services, 125 College Drive, Walter H. Nolte Gateway Center, Room 412, Casper, WY 82601; 307-268-2667; linda.toohey@caspercollege.edu about the basic facts of the incident. Employee concerns should be directed to the human resources director. For more information about your options, please go to: caspercollege.edu/nondiscrimination. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2019-12 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from December 2019 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2019-12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/fededf7c0cf7b749e130f7514966da1b.pdf 5239042d3ce0643a1a7a3ca6b1e0597a PDF Text Text March 1, 2020 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! The Yellow Wallpaper at CC Maddey Strayer Chinook Staff Writer Cacophony. Bare feet pad across the stage. Fabric and muscle stretch as one. A leap. Heavy breath. Water bottles squish, and dancers gulp deeply. One dancer in the corner laughs at a joke their friend makes as the cast prepares to begin their final tech rehearsal. Techies place piles of crinkled paper on their marks. Another leap. More smiles. More laughs. More padding feet. “Places in 5,” shouts a techie from a catwalk above the stage. “Thank you 5,” reply the cast members in unison. The dancers circle around their director, Aaron Wood, as he gives them a brief set of notes on how to improve their performance for this final rehearsal. Wood gives a smile, and the cast scurries to their opening positions. The lights dim, and the show finds it’s beginning. Dancers hold books, and meticulously circle each other in eerie silence. At first glance, it seems as if there is no real choreography at all-that the dancers are simply walking as they please. And then everything stops. The cast look up from their books, and a narrator emerges from the thick darkness. The silence is broken. She begins telling her eerie tale as she crosses the stage with captivating intent, locking the audience in immediately. “It is very seldom that mere ordinary people like John and myself secure ancestral homes for the summer…” Director and choreographer Aaron M. Wood is adapting the classic short story The Yellow Wallpaper, written in 1892 by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, into an encapsulating dancetheatre production at Casper College this February. The story focuses on an isolated woman’s state of reality and her slow descent into madness as she sits uncomfortably in a new house. Her husband John placed her in a room she despises, and forbid her from the one activity she actually enjoys-- writing. The windows are barred like a prison cell, and the paper is a sickly yellow pattern. Secretly, however, she keeps a notebook under her pillow to write in when John is away. This is our window into her madness. With nothing else to occupy herself, our narrator grows obsessed with looking Maddey Strayer/Chinook Malia McCarthy is held up by cast members Joshua Green, Vivica Stewart, Rachel Dooley, Sydney Gassiot, and Sharice — See Wallpaper, Page 3 Roberson in a rehearsal for their recent production of The Yellow Wallpaper. A Call to College Students Zach Engberg Chinook Writer The students of today are faced with a pressing issue concerning steep national debt that could easily burn out of control. David Dodson, Stanford lecturer and former candidate for US Senate in Wyoming, spoke with the Chinook about the issue. Dodson said there is a lack of transparency in politics today, and actual monetary figures are often inaccurately reported in the media. National debt continues to increase behind closed doors and will quickly come back to impact the younger generation’s pocketbooks soon, according to Dodson. He stressed that the national debt could prove to be a major problem in not only with the functions of the U.S. government but also in terms of the economy and the lives of regular people. Some of these issues are greatly out of the hands of the general public. However, the public can impact many of the major issues. Dodson outlined how the younger generation can make a change. The national the debt is sitting at as quoted by various media sources, 23 trillion dollars. Unfortunately, Dodson said the number is “an invention of U.S. politics.” The actual number, which must be released by the Treasury Department monthly, is closer to a shocking 70 trillion dollars, according to Dodson. That’s an additional 47 trillion dollars! The January 2020 report shows trillions of authorized obligations that the government completed off the radar and off the books. Dodson said the government’s spending is unsettling and in need of immediate attention. “You know you’re being lied to by the government?” Dodson questioned. “The people must recognize that the government is lying to the public.” For many, the national debt is already known and demonstrated by movements of current leaders. The severity of the issue is clear, and the politicians need to be held accountable for their actions, said Dodson. Dodson mentioned that politicians are “kicking the can down the alley” for the next generation. In other words, the national debt is at a shocking 70 trillion dollars and growing with little to no attention in the media. Putting people in the dark leaves the politicians with the power to continue with their ways. Dodson predicted that politicians will eventually pass the mess down and leave the next generations to pay for their retirement and their debt. He said if reform is not found soon though, the results do not look promising. As former U.S. senator Alan Simpson put it and Dodson quoted, unless we make some changes, the next generation will be left “sucking canal water.” “If we don’t make changes soon, a new politician is going to come along and want to fix it (through taxation),” said Dodson. Dodson explained that the upcoming generations will be faced with rising taxes in an effort to reduce the numbers the last generations “kicked down the alley.” He said the middle class will take the brunt of the taxation, and he suggests the structure of social security should change so the upper class is forced to pay more towards retirement. Voting is the key for holding politicians accountable to plan for a more sustainable future economy, according to Dodson. He said Wyoming contains an impressive 32,000 people in college, and about 100,000 people are registered voters in Wyoming. If Wyoming students want to, they can sway the elections greatly enough to, as Mr. Dodson put it “call the shots.” Essentially, students have the power to help build a sustainable economy by voting for change. THE MONTHS AHEAD March Spring break! April Happy Easter! SCROLL TO SEE... Divine's Intervention (page 2) New soccer coach (page 3) Men's and women's The Yellow basketball (page 4) Wallpaper cont. (page 3) Burger inspires through sound Jayla Johnson Chinook Writer Veteran Casper College instructor Larry Burger applies his experiences as a musician to involve himself and his students in the audio and sound production for the theatre and music departments. Burger’s home away from home is the recording studio located on the second floor of the music building. Burger works with sound boards, mixers, microphones, and many other professional sound recording equipment. He uses his experiences with the technical aspects of music making to educate his students and help them create their own. “I really enjoy when my students start to kind of get it and start to do amazing things. That’s very exciting for me,” Burger said. Burger’s expertise in sound and music stemmed from his career prior to CC. Before becoming the sound design and audio engineer educator at CC, this Texas native made and performed music for a living as a professional musician. However, Burger didn’t expect to find himself where he is today. As a child, Burger enjoyed listening to music, but it wasn’t until his parents got him a guitar that it clicked, and he knew music was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He learned to sing, play the bass and the piano. His talents translated over into playing in bands during high school. The bass became his main instrument and he played it throughout most of his career. Burger, not attending college in order to pursue a career as a full-time musician, travelled all over the country with his bands. Producing and playing bass became Burger’s life. As a professional musician, Burger learned to navigate sound systems and recording studios; he learned to record and mix his own music. In order to make the best quality of music and continue thriving in his career, Burger had to understand the backbone of sound and audio. Burger later opened recording studios of his own and headed audio/visual businesses. “I was one of the only studios in [Casper], so I tried to be open to all types of music. It wasn’t just one or the other,” said Burger. “It went from hip-hop to heavy metal to country to pop, rock to acoustic to chamber music to orchestral. So, we had a wide variety in styles of music.” Through these various genres, Burger got the opportunity to work with many different kinds of artists. As a former musician, however, he understood the challenges and thoughts of each musician he worked with. This made it easier for — See Burger, Page 3 Photo by Jovana Jeremic Larry Burger works on a sound mixer in the recording studio on the second floor of the music building. �Page 2 March 1, 2020 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Chinook Stance ----Homecoming Fun! Photo by Jovana Jeremic Director of Museums Patty Wood Finkle passes out the next clue to participants at the Casper College homecoming scavenger hunt; Kathryn Anderson, Brittony Rietz, Abbigail Suko, Bailey Anderson, Kim Smith, Patty Wood Finkle, Makayla Seely, Kiley Mcconnell, Debra Swedberg, Jared Bowden, Andee Cheney, Sophie Romero, Susan Shaw. “ Do you remember the first day of classes on August 19 and all the preparation to get to that point? How about finishing your last final and the sense of accomplishment you felt closing out the fall semester? Before you get lost in thinking about everything ahead of you this semester, first, take a moment to reflect on the past school year and what you’ve accomplished so far. You were successful in many ways and reflecting on how far you’ve come can be a powerful tool for keeping what lies ahead in perspective. If your college experience is anything like mine, then you are aware of the effort that goes into your studies during mid-terms and through finals. This is the toughest time of the semester but it also is the most gratifying, especially when you can keep it in perspective that soon you’ll look back on all that you accomplished this spring just as you did this past fall. Here are some important dates to keep in mind. The FAFSA priority deadline and scholarship applications for fall are due March 1. Mid-terms begin on March 9. Graduation applications are due April 1. Advising and registration for fall semester begins on April 3. For now, it’s important to concentrate on the second half of the semester knowing that you’ve done it before and with great success. There’s even time for you to relax and enjoy spring break beginning on March 16 and spring holiday on April 10. You were successful in many ways and reflecting on how far you’ve come can be a powerful tool for keeping what lies ahead in perspective. — Darren divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Gal, Pal, or Saint Val? You choose Maddey Strayer Watch what happens February 14th, Valentine’s Day, is about celebrating romance. Or is it? The blinding red and pink hues tacked on to everything, cheap stuffed animals that fall apart after a week, overpriced chocolates that don’t taste any better just because they come in a heart shaped box, and let’s not forget about all the commercialist advertising insisting that you HAVE to do something big and special this February 14th or your significant other might straight up hate you. Why do we need a singular day dedicated to showing our loved ones how we feel about them? And why do corporate companies insist on selling the same stale chocolates and as they always do, but this time they’re shaped like hearts and overloaded with red food dye. Not to mention all of the inflated prices! If you order from the Hershey’s website, a 10 ounce pack of Hershey’s Kisses on any given day costs about $6.25 , but Hershey’s more than doubles that price on Valentine’s day. A 3 ounce “heart cane” filled with Hershey’s Kisses found all around in February costs about $3.50. That may sound like a better deal, but remember you’re getting almost 3 times less the amount of Kisses. Sure, you could buy three canes to triple the amount of kisses, but beware the triple price of $10.50. That’s $4.25 MORE than you would spend on a normal, NON-COMMERCIALIZED bag of Kisses! But what if our beloved Valentine’s Day isn’t about shades of pink and hugs and kisses at all? Historians believe that Valentine’s Day dates back to the ancient Roman Empire. February 14th is sometimes known as Lupercalia (loopuhr-kAY-lee-uh). Lupercalia is a traditional Roman holiday intended to honor the gods Lupercus and Faunus, the Roman gods of agriculture. The night of the festival, names of young Roman girls were written on a slip of paper and placed into jars. Young men were called to draw out a girl's name from the jar and Crystalline structures, sparkle, and create a kaleidoscope of unbelievable complexity. It’s really quite outstanding and beautiful. The way the steam from the building’s grasps for the sky, as if it were a lost cloud reaching for the stars. A hidden world, covered by harsh temperatures and wind, making itself known only to the eyes of the observant. The crisp sterile air, so cold and clean that it freezes the very air you breathe, freezing the hair in your nose and taking your breath away. Reflecting and eliminating sound in an artistic performance of mother nature. When walking upon a fresh blanket of snow I can’t help but feel satisfaction as I hear and feel the crystalline structure, expressing itself in a scream of perfectly crisp crunching beneath my shoes. Oh, how it cannot be replaced. Winter’s complexity and magic can’t be ignored, and I know, it can be rough around here in the winter. I’ll go ahead and say it for us all. Winter here could be described by some unfavorable words. But winter is also beautiful. Winter is something to be proud of around here. You may not go out and suffer through the weather to enjoy a sport. You may not work out there and suffer through rigid temperatures as you watch the landscape in freezing perfection. However, you, my reader, do go outside and step on crisp snow, look out to the fields of perfection on your drive to work or school, and breathe in that crisp air while you transition from car to destination. You can experience the beauty of winter and find a special place in your heart for the season. Hey, who knows, you might just get the courage to take on a winter sport or even just adventure into the cold. Being from Wyoming, I’d say, here’s the torch my friend. Carry it with pride and honor because winter in Wyoming is harsh and beautiful. Carrying that torch means you know how much it means to a bunch of mountain folk who couldn’t live without winter. Winter Sucks, or So I Hear... Winter in Wyoming is often a dreaded part of the year. This season contains harsh temperatures and brittle wind that can and will chill you to the bone. I get it, I mean, the wind here does “blow” if I do say so myself. As a ski coach, I know how those brittle and brutal temperatures can really suck. Is it all bad though? Is there no hope for us poor Wyomingites? Let’s think for a minute and we'll see. There really is no hope huh? When the weather has me down, I find that the little things make all the difference. We have a unique opportunity in Wyoming, and we joke about it regularly. However, that joke that we are living in the middle of nowhere is really the secret. We’re a small place with, a ton of undeveloped land and it makes for an outstanding experience in the winter. There really is nothing like looking out upon miles of fresh blanketed snow, untouched and perfect through the human eyes. You can also take the survey using your smartphone Casper College Dining Feb. 17 - Mar. 6 Thanks for participating! We are happy to serve you they were paired together for the duration of Lupercalia. Most of the time, the couples were said to have fallen in love with each other and were later married. The Valentine’s Day we all know today pays no homage to this at all. Most people don’t even know the history behind the holiday at all, and they simply go with the flow of pop culture. Buying roses, baking cakes, stuffing themselves with over priced chocolate, and never giving a second thought to the origins of the celebration. Overall, Valentine’s day really seems to be a corporate holiday as a means to justify selling more products. Nothing about the current ideas of Valentine’s day with over priced heart shaped candies and fancy jewelry has any correlation to the original celebration of Lupercalia. February 14th is nothing more than a day where history is set aside to make money, and commercialism takes over entirely. Zach Engberg Kickin' back with Zach �March 1, 2020 Page 3 CHINOOK Burger................... WHAT’S UP continued from page 1 March 2020 Casper College Events Calendar DAY/DATE TIME Sun March 1 EVENT LOCATION FAFSA Filling Priority Deadline MyCCScholarship Application Deadline Mon March 2 9AM-4PM Cynthia Harrison: A Foool’s Journey to Ascension VA 104 7-10PM Intramural Volleyball LH GYM Tue March 3 9AM-4PM Cynthia Harrison: A Foool’s Journey to Ascension VA 104 12-1PM Inspiring Teachers Exhibition MU 101 7-10PM Intramural Volleyball LH GYM 7-9:30PM Smith/Williams Recital MU 105, 100 Wed March 4 9AM-4PM Cynthia Harrison: A Foool’s Journey to Ascension VA 104 2-3PM LDSSA Devotional Series UU 410 7-9PM Campus Ventures PS 103 7-11PM Intramural Soccer LH GYM Thu March 5 7AM-10PM Women’s Home Basketball Tournament TB GYM 11AM-12PM LDSSA Institute Class UU 410 12-1PM Inspiring Teachers Exhibition MU 101 5-7:15PM Love and Logic Workshop BU 126 7:30-8:30PM Sam Newsome Concert MU 105,100 Fri March 6 7AM-10PM Women’s Home Basketball Tournament TB GYM 7-9PM Spring College Concert MU 105 Sat March 7 7AM-10PM Women’s Home Basketball Tournament TB GYM 10:30-11:30AM Saturday Club TM 108 Mon March 9 12-1PM Inspiring Teachers Exhibition MU 101 Tue March 10 11AM-12PM LDSSA Institute Class UU 410 12-1PM Inspiring Teachers Exhibition MU 101 7-9PM Mietz Faculty Chamber Recital MU 105,100 Wed March 11 12-1PM Inspiring Teachers Exhibition MU 101 2-3PM LDSSA Devotional Series UU 410 7-9PM Campus Ventures PS 103 Thu March 12 11AM-12PM LDSSA Institute Class UU 410 5-7:15PM Love and Logic Workshop BU 126 5-6:30PM USITT Club Meetings KT 119 Sat March 14 5AM-3PM 67th Annual Kiwanis Pancake Festival UU Lawn, UU Patio Area Thu March 19 Dwaine Wagoner, “NC Moths” Tate Museum Fri March 20 8AM-5PM Shambhala Level III EI 101 Sat March 21 8AM-5PM Shambhala Level III EI 101 7:30-9PM VIBES Honor’s Recital MU 105, MU 100 Sun March 22 8AM-10PM 2020 Wyoming Academic Decathlon UU 301 8AM-5PM Shambhala Level III EI 101 Mon March 23 8AM-8PM 2020 Wyoming Academic Decathlon UU 12-1PM Inspiring Teachers Exhibition MU 101 3-4PM Writing Center Workshop SH 115, SH 215B Tue March 24 9AM-4PM Amber Olson: Ceramics Wood Fire VA 104 11AM-12PM LDSSA Institute Class UU 410 11AM-12PM Writing Center Workshop SH 115, SH 215B 2-5PM The Fine Art of DeVIA Printmaking VA 106 3-4PM Writing Center Workshop SH 115, SH 215B 6:30-8PM Through the Eyes of a DeVia Artist SH 217 Wed March 25 9AM-4PM Amber Olson: Ceramics Wood Fire VA 104 12-1PM Inspiring Teachers Exhibition MU 101 2-3PM LDSSA Devotional Series UU 410 3:30-4:30PM Red Heads Reading Book Club SH 215B 7-9PM Campus Ventures PS 103 Thu March 26 9AM-4PM Amber Olson: Ceramics Wood Fire VA 104 11AM-12PM LDSSA Institute Class UU 410 12-1PM Inspiring Teachers Exhibition MU 101 3:30-4:30PM Think Ink Creativr Writers Club SH 215B 5-6:30PM USITT Club Meetings KT 119 Fri March 27 7-10PM Multicultural Film Festival PS 103 Mon March 30 8AM-4PM GEAR UP Spring Break Event SH 217 9AM-4PM Amber Olson: Ceramics Wood Fire VA 104 11AM-12PM Writing Center Workshop SH 115, SH 215B 12-1PM Inspiring Teachers Exhibition MU 101 3-4PM Writing Center Workshop SH 115, SH 215B 7-11PM Intramural Basketball LH GYM Tue March 31 8AM-4PM GEAR UP Spring Break Event SH 217 9AM-4PM Amber Olson: Ceramics Wood Fire VA 104 11AM-12PM LDSSA Institute Class UU 410 11AM-12PM Writing Center Workshop SH 115, SH 215B 12-1PM Inspiring Teachers Exhibition MU 101 3-4PM Writing Center Workshop SH 115, SH 215B Burger to communicate with them and understand what they wanted in the music. Burger said he doesn’t have a favorite style of music, and he enjoys each challenge he faces while producing music. An orchestra or rock n’ roll recording tends to challenge burger the most he admitted, but he learns from the process and finishes the record despite the challenge. “I enjoy all of it. In all honesty, any project is really fun and exciting. They’re all different and you want to sail those big moments but I do enjoy the challenge even on a small and basic project,” said Burger. Now, Burger applies his experiences in sound and audio to his instruction at CC. When Burger met Casper College’s school of Fine Arts and Humanities Dean, Eric Unruh, thirteen years ago, Unruh allowed Burger and his collaborators to participate in some recordings and musical interactions for CC. Due to Burger’s quality work on these projects and professional experi- ence in the field, Unruh offered Burger the job of sound design and audio engineer educator. Burger said he’s most proud of the quality of work he’s been able to consistently achieve over the long period of time. Whether it’s consistently educating his students on the art of sound and audio, or the countless pieces of music he has contributed to. “The most I enjoy [teaching] is when I have students who are hungry to learn what we’re talking about or what I’m teaching,” Burger said. Now, Burger still operates a recording studio business in Casper, separate from the college, but prefers to teach rather than produce his own. “[Casper College] is a good environment, has a high quality of education, the facilities and tools needed to teach help, and the students, all in all, are very hungry and interested. Everything just kind of comes together here for me,” Burger said. Introducing Coach McArthur Jovana Jeremic/Chinook Soccer is coming to Casper College in Fall 2020! Coach Benjamin McArthur will lead the men’s team. Casper College is slowly building a team that will compete in Region IX. The college’s biggest rival will be Laramie County Community College that ended last season as fourth in the nation. Coach McArthur said he’s already started recruiting, and he has more than half of the team signed already. The team will consist of around 30 guys from the United States, as well as from other parts of the World like Mexico, Great Britain, South Africa etc. “I appreciate the opportunity I got to work at a school that supports athletics as well as Casper does,” said coach McArthur. McArthur said his goal for next season is to win the first Region IX soccer title for Casper. Wallpaper............................................................. for patterns in the dreadful yellow wallpaper of the room. In the beginning, nothing is off putting. Simple swirls and intertwining loops. But over time, she begins to see a woman crawling in the moonlight just behind the paper. Trapped. Desperately seeking escape. Clawing at the pattern as if it were bars of a prison cell under the moonlight, but deathly still in sun. As madness overtakes her, the narrator begins to claw the wallpaper-- ripping endless yards of it to shreds in an attempt to free the poor trapped woman. Satisfied that she has freed the creeping woman, the narrator kneels to the floor and begins creeping around the room herself and fully succumbing to her madness. The piece is abstract, allowing for it to be dissected in millions of different ways. Has John placed her here in an attempt to care for her and help ease her already mad mind? Or does he have a more malicious intent-- to oppress and prevent her from becoming a fiery, literate, and strongly opinionated woman? Is there really something supernatural going on here behind the walls? Or is our narrator simply ripping through her very own delicate paper mache identity from the oppression of her husband? “I love abstract dance because through abstraction I find there to be limitless possibilities of interpretation,” says Wood. “If you can breathe, you can dance. Our bodies serve as living repositories for our live’s narratives. I believe the audience and performers will experience a shared moment through sensorial interpretations.” Dancers move across the stage like ethereal ghosts as the story progresses. The cast becomes the embodiment of the trapped woman. They slink and creep around like ghosts. Unique exaggerated facial expressions encapsulate the feeling of uneasiness and immerse the audience into the story even deeper. A soft duet. A mischievous trio. A maddening solo. And back to the full cast. For a moment, the world around you disappears.Your consciousness drifts further and further with every point of the dancer’s toes. You almost forget who you are and you’re fully transported into the narrator’s mind. Is there, perhaps, a real woman behind the paper? Are you simply imagining things, or have you gone as mad as the characters themselves? Eerie music becomes more and more intense. The light shifts to a sickening blood red. Shadows creep in every corner of the room. Paper is ferociously thrown and skewed across the stage, and everything around you is chaos. John enters the scene and, upon noticing the chaos, exclaims, “What is the matter? Whatever are you doing?!” In all the flurry, he faints. Much like the protagonist, you find yourself lost. And then suddenly, it all stops. The dancers freeze. The lights return to continued from page 1 Maddey Strayer/Chinook Malia McCarthy and Joshua Green rehearse for their role in Casper College's production of The Yellow Wallpaper. normal. The music fades. The narrator is left alone in the center spotlight, silently tracing her finger along the wall. Searching for patterns in the paper. “As a director and choreographer, one of the most gratifying moments is when the production comes alive. There is a special time when the performers take all that we have done, all that we have been through, and then own it in their own artistry,” explained Wood with a proud smile. He knows what they have all worked so hard for months to achieve has finally come to fruition. Wood’s rendition of The Yellow Wallpaper is truly enticing, immersive, haunting, and spell casting. Using dance as a medium to portray such madness, mystery, and mayhem is a perfect fit. If you are interested in attending one of Casper College’s Theatre and Dance future produc- tions, all CC students get one free ticket per show to see ANY Theatre and Dance production! Come support your fellow T-Birds performing on stage. Also -- if you are looking for a fun PE credit, take Wood’s Modern Dance I (PEAC 1470) class! The class is offered every semester, and you’re sure to have a good time! It’s a great way to build strength, endurance, flexibility, and coordination. �Page 4 March 1, 2020 CHINOOK T-Bird men prepare for regional tournament Toni Ker Chinook Writer The T-birds are wrapping up their 20192020 season, but that isn’t stopping them from bringing their all to the court. As of Feb. 28, the team posted a record of 24 and 5. The T-birds plan to keep this momentum going so they can accomplish their goal of winning the regional championship. “We’ve proven to ourselves and everybody in the league that we’re one of the better teams in the country,” expressed Head Coach Shaun Gutting. “It’s just a matter of us tackling everyday, using consistency, and just continuing to get better.” Shaun Gutting is in his first year as the head coach for the T-birds, and he isn’t disappointing anyone. “We’re ranked 24th in the nation right now. At one point in the year we were 9th, now it’s just trying to climb back up,” said Gutting. Eric Jamerman, a Sophomore on the team from Douglas, Wyo. agreed with the goal of trying to win the regional championship. “It’s still a possibility at this point if we fix the little things we need to work on and continue to improve,” Jammerman said. While striving for their goal of winning the regional championship, the team had to work through some difficult news back in January. Coach Gutting expressed how the team’s spirits have been after learning about the death of Kobe Bryant, a former All-Star NBA player. “I think it took time for everyone to kind of get back to some normalcy,” he said. “A lot of these guys might’ve picked up a basketball because of Kobe Bryant.” Bryant passed away in a Helicopter crash on January 26 while on his way to the Mamba Sports Academy for a basketball game. Coach gutting said that he let some of the team wear their favorite “Kobes” in honor of him during their game on January 29. “It’s just about doing exactly what Kobe did,” said Jamerman. “He worked hard, never gave up, and persevered.” Jamerman is in his last year and hopes to take what he’s learned from playing basketball into his next steps. “It’s taught me to just enjoy it -- enjoying playing and have fun with it,” Jamerman said, adding that he’s always grateful for the game. “I’m happy that we’re in a community and in a school where people care.” During season, Coach Gutting said, “It’s nonstop basketball and school so the challenge right now is to just stay focused on the big picture when it comes to what our main goal is and that is to win the Regional Championship.” With The Regional Championships getting closer, the team needs more students in the crowds now more than ever. “Last year we had a great student section and it helped us win our regional championship,” said Coach Gutting. “Having them here, being supportive, being loud, being a part of the program really helps our players get more excited for games. It helps them stay focused. It really makes this gym one of the harder places to play in the league when they’re here.” The student section always sits in the same section at the CC home games, and it’s never hard to find them. The section chants cheers, Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin throws out t-shirts, and has a fun time together Eric Jamerman pulls up for a shot in the Erickson Thunderbird Gym during a game while doing so. against Trinidad State in January. Women’s basketball ready for the Region IX Tournament Jovana Jeremic Chinook Writer Jovana Jeremic/Chinook. Mya Jones shoots a layup against Eastern Wyoming College in the Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym. The Casper College Women’s basketball team is once again finishing up the season as one of the biggest favorites for winning the Region IX Tournament. The Thunderbirds are on an 12-0 winning streak and are not planning on stopping as the end of another successful season slowly approaches. The Lady T-Birds have only a few games left to play before the regional tournament. As of Feb. 28, the lady T-Birds recorded a record of 26-3, the women’s basketball team is hoping to repeat their championship success from 2018 and bring CC another Region IX title. Mya Jones, a sophomore from Rapid City, S.D., explained that winning is not always about playing better than your opponent. “The reason that we have the record that we do this season is that we’re able to play together and understand the fundamentals of defense. Offense and other things come, but being able to stop the other team plays a huge part,” explained Jones. Both players and coaches are optimistic before the start of the tournament. Assistant coach Nathaniel Macy claims he has huge trust in his players and their ability to play well in the most important moments. “We talk to them a lot, and I believe that we have made good choices by choosing the players that we did,” says Macy. Coaches play a big part in preparing their team mentally for the regional tournament. That includes a lot of time spent in the gym, practicing, as well as in the classroom, watching film and analyzing the game, explained Macy. “Coming to work every day and showing my players that I care is my way of motivating them,” said Macy. For the Lady T-Birds fans it would be a real treat to be able to watch the Regional tournament live in the Swede Ericson Thunderbird Gym and cheer their team on. In order for CC to host the women’s basketball Region IX tournament, the Lady T-Birds have to win all of the remaining games in the season. Even though there are not many games left, the remaining games will challenge the T-Birds. By the end of February the team will have faced some of their biggest rivals, like Gillette College and Sheridan College. “It’s going to be tough to win all the games. We can, but we just have to stay locked in and be focused,” said Macy. Jones, with average of 10.2 points per games this season is currently the third most effective player in the team, behind Marija Bakic with 10.4 points per game and Natalia Otkhmezuri, who is averaging 15.5 points per game. This is Mya’s third season in Casper (she was a red shirt her second year) and winning Region IX tournament one more time for this school would mean a lot to her. “Playing for Casper is really something special. There is so much fun and good energy in the air every time we play. Winning another title and representing this school in the right way would be a great way to finish my last season here,” says Jones. Jones mentioned that the team is also focusing on winning the rest of the games, as they’re very well aware of how many benefits playing in front of your home crowd brings. Fans in the Swede are known for being loud and other teams are never excited to come play against the Thunderbirds. “It is just somewhere we are comfortable at and don’t have to adjust to,” Jones added. “It would be awesome if we could host and make this an environment people want to be in and watch!” The regional tournament is scheduled for the first week of March. Lady T-Birds are expected to make it far and bring home another Region IX title. Come to the gym or watch their games online. https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ Casper College hosts Women’s Region IX Tournament A juried exhibition of decorative arts and fine crafts by Wyoming artisans Deadline for Entries: Friday, April 3, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. Show opens on Thursday, April 9, 2020, and closes on Friday, June 12, 2020. This show is open to Wyoming artisans who work with natural materials including but not limited to fiber, leather, bone, horn, wood, stone, gems, and metal. Items which visually incorporate more than 15% manmade materials are excluded from the exhibit as are paintings and photographs. Size constraints may apply due to space limitations. To request entry forms and guidelines, please call 307-235-2108, email indiahayford@caspercollege.edu, or come by the museum. Gilded beaver skull by Eileen Lemm. March 5th-7th Starting at 1:00 pm Thursday, March 5th Erickson Thunderbird Gym �March 1, 2020 Page 5 CHINOOK Student or Instructor Turn your online struggles into answers by calling us. Students: Instructors: We make sure you are able to access online learning resources needed to learn in your classes. We will also help you learn to utilize the digital tools available to you for all your classwork. We can help make online course development easier for you as well as assist in making knowledge acquisition more efficient, effective, and appealing for your students through the best teaching practices and use of technologies. Top five examples of items we can help with: 1. How to use Moodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Use Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 3. Accessing Office 365 . 4. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it. 5. Moodle technical issues — except password changes, we don’t do that. Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. An example of items we can help with: • Technologies that support learning objectives and classroom productivity like GoogleSuite, ProctorU, Zoom, Yuja, and other various Moodle activities and resources. • Providing a sounding board for ways to improve courses. • Sharing examples of instructional strategies used in other courses and programs. • Providing help in developing teaching strategies Plus a lot for online classes. more! • Providing a student perspective. Contact us. Teresa Pat Mike Donnie For help or more information stop by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Casper College’s th 8 Student Film Festival Thursday, May 7th 7pm in Durham Hall (AH308) Come enjoy a selection of student made films! Free entrance All welcome! Dave Camille � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2019-10 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2020-03 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from March 2020 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2020-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/e5debbe6896609e8070416624ee6dbdd.pdf f284b59171159e102c4e723c6299be0c PDF Text Text Special Edition - April 16, 2019 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Lady T-Birds win big THE MONTHS AHEAD May April showers bring May flowers! June Enjoy some fun in the sun! SCROLL TO SEE... Divine's Intervention Blood Drive Intramural Sports Non-traditional students majority of enrollemnt (page 2) (page 3) Basketball (page 4) Jo Jeremic/Chinook From left to right: Marija Bakic, Raquel Ferrer-Bernad, Reka Soos, and Mya Jones celebrate on the court as Coach Gunnare cuts the net after the team's Region IX championship win. Read more on page four. Spring semester motivation? Maddey Strayer Chinook Writer Skies are sunny, flowers are blooming, and finally the snow is melting! Spring is here! But as our coats and scarves disappear, do they whisk away student motivation with them? As the semester comes to a close, student motivation levels seem to fall with the turn of the tide; however, with the addition of distance learning and online classes due to COVID-19, students may find their desire to finish the semester even lower than before. Distance learning is more vital than ever during this crazy global pandemic, and adaptation to this new change brings quite the challenge to both students and staff at Casper College. Psychology instructor at CC, Jennie Miller, found herself affected by both the warm weather and the pandemic. As an instructor, she finds that students tend to slow down and lose their motivation after spring break, especially those who are graduating. It is the same concept known in high schools as “senioritis,” where graduating students find themselves less and less likely to attend class and complete their assignments. “Students seem to have a hard time keeping motivated after the Spring Break. I think this semester is tougher since it was an extended Spring Break due to the virus,” says Miller. “I also think that students are focused on the shift in our world such as health issues/handwashing, social distancing, finances, changes in childcare & public education. The uncertainty of the current situation creates a lot of stress which impacts focus & motivation levels.” Miller explained how, when nearing the end of the spring semester, her students' energy levels drop. Fewer students attend classes and fewer still actually turn in their assignments on time. Energy levels sink to their all-time lows for students and their busy lives. Perhaps one of the biggest obstacles between students and their energy is the new distance learning policies. Adapting to an entirely new system so close to the end of the school year seems to take a toll on students and — See MOTIVATION, Page 6 Casper college hosts 4th annual Sign Fest Toni Kerr Chinook Writer Over 250 students were exposed to American Sign Language and 207 deaf and hard of hearing students from all over Wyoming were exposed to different STEM career options. With the success from this year's event, Schenfisch and others have already started contacting guest speakers for next year's Sign Fest. The Casper College American Sign Language (ASL) program collaborated with the Kelly Walsh High School ASL program and the Dean Morgan Middle School ASL program to host the 4th Toni Kerr/Chinook Annual Sign Fest at Casper Students practice having a conversation in American Sign Language at the 4th annual College in late February. Sign Fest hosted by Casper College earlier this spring. With approximately 250 students gathering together, which was to “expose students lead breakout sessions, they guage can be used in many one would expect a lot of noise to professionals within the also put on a performance for different careers. According to the public. Sunshine 2.0 will Schenfisch, sign language is and chaos. However, partici- field of sign language.” “The idea is to get stu- “not only entertain but help really important in just underpants remained silent in the sessions still with a great dents together and sign with educate the audience about standing people better. She continued on saying, deal of communication tak- one another because you may the deaf experience through a ing place. The students used learn a language, learn the range of skits and short plays “Learning any kind of lanthe ASL language made up of vocabulary, but you don’t put it involving sign-mime, dance, guage helps you become more hand signs, facial expressions, all together,” said Schenfisch. gestures, American Sign empathetic, and I think right “This creates a very immersive Language poetry, songs, and now in this time where we and body movements. The students gathered environment where it’s all in storytelling, ” said Schenfisch. we’re all fighting with each Schenfisch hopes that after other and being so full on contogether over several days and sign, you won’t hear a lot of voice.” the event, her students have flict in everything we do, that did a series of breakout sesThis year is different from gained a better understanding stretching outside our comsions learning and practicing past years due to Sunshine 2.0, of diversity. fort zone as English speakers ASL. With a new Sign Language and learning American Sign Gail Schenfisch, the a professional theater group. instructor of American Sign Sunshine 2.0 is a professional degree available Schenfisch Language or Spanish or French theater group made up of mem- encourages any student inter- or something else helps you Language at Casper College, spoke about the bers of the deaf community. ested in the language to come become a much more of a reasoning behind the sign fest, Not only did Sunshine 2.0 help try out sign language. The lan- Global citizen.” (page 6) (page 6) COVID-19 Q & A Q: Please describe what you see as your biggest challenge during social distancing. Dr. Darren Divine, Casper College President-- "Not being able to shake hands. I have always believed that when you meet someone, it is proper to shake their hand. Friends, business contacts, or complete strangers, its all the same to me. I believe that simple act can convey a multitude of meanings and signals, and I truly miss having to refrain from that particular social interaction." Dr. Pete Van Houten, Dean for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences -"The biggest challenge (for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences) has been meeting the needs of our students, especially those who don't have access to technology or rely on the college for their computers and wifi access. Some of our students don't own laptops, some can't afford internet access at home. That has been a challenge campus wide." Brayden Peak, studying organizational leadership at CC -- "I would say my biggest problem during social distancing is not being able to find certain supplies and foods in stores. Some are cravings or wants but some things are needs, and not being able to find those needs is stressful enough let alone with a pandemic on our hands." Q: Please describe the most inspiring thing you’ve seen come out of this COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Darren Divine, Casper College President -- "This one is tough, because I can think of so many things. Times of stress and upheaval tend to bring out the best and worst in people, and the COVID-10 pandemic has certainly illustrated that point. If I had to choose one, it would be a picture of heath care workers on a flight to New York City to bolster their medical teams. To me this invokes the image of a firefighter running into a burning building to save someone who is trapped. Heroic." Dr. Pete Van Houten, Dean for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences -"The most inspiring thing on my end was watching the willingness of the faculty in my school to make changes (some of which were dramatic) in how they teach and how they access their students. I heard no complaining, only an understanding that we must alter how we do things. It was inspiring to see how everyone understood what our nation and state are facing and the importance of helping others. Several of our faculty who are much more comfortable with technology reached out to faculty members who were used to live teaching and helped them with this adjustment." Brayden Peak, studying organizational leadership at CC -- " The most inspiring thing I've witnessed during Covid-19 is some friends of mine started building a gym. We couldn't go to our local gym after it temporarily shut down. This lead to one of my friends turning his father's old cleaners building into a gym. With some old weights, mats, home made pull up bars, along with blood and sweat we had turned what was a 100-year-old building used for storage into a gym. This gym showed me that we can make better with the things that we already have." Q: How have you adapted to the current situation? Dr. Darren Divine, Casper College President -- "Fairly well, I believe. While I tend to enjoy being in the company of other people, I am also perfectly content to be more isolated, at least for short periods of time. By nature, I am relatively conservative in my personal planning, and have always tended to make sure that I, and my wife, are stocked up on supplies such as medicine, food, and yes…. toilet paper. I have always been fascinated by group behavior, and thus try to always be somewhat prepared to be self-sufficient." Dr. Pete Van Houten, Dean for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences -"We have adapted well. I had expected that over time as we got used to this "new normal" that we might start becoming frustrated with what has happened to all of us. Within our school, however, we continue to remain positive.” Brayden Peak, studying organizational leadership at CC - "A huge issue I've had to overcome is when being home, I'm not productive. I myself need to leave and find a quiet spot in the library or coffee shop in order to get work done. I have overcome this issue by setting times for myself to study and really get after school work. This has made me really appreciate going into a class and learning." er pap s w e College’s Casper ok N nline o n i O ChStudent Now Voice Since 1945 �Page 2 Special Edition - April 16, 2019 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Chinook Stance -- Home isn’t safe for everyone -Toni Kerr Talks with Toni While you’re staying safe at home, remind yourself home isn’t safe for everyone. I often think about how well I’ve had it. I grew up in a middle class household with a family that always made me feel loved and supported. I went on bike rides around my neighborhood with my siblings, won several family board game nights, and found any excuse to play hide and seek. I received free education from the moment I started school, saw plenty of food on my plate, and slept in my own bed every night. I spent my teen years in the sport I loved and enjoyed my favorite activities. I walked across the stage at my high school graduation. I never experienced any real struggle, which is a thought that constantly crosses my mind--it seems unfair that I grew up with so much while others survived with so little. Why did I get parents that took me to Disneyland when there’s over 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system due to abuse and neglect from their parents? Why did I get to dress up for prom when other 17-year-old girls were being sold in human trafficking? Why did I get to go to nice restaurants when nearly half of the world's population is living meal-to-meal? At some point, Iearned what my role was in all of the social issues going on. At some point, everyone needs to learn their role too. We all are personally responsible for becoming more ethical than the society we grew up in. If you haven’t learned your role, now is the time to figure it out so we can make a difference. Social distancing is in place for our health and safety, but social distancing instills the opposite effect on many vulnerable people across the nation and within our local community. People who lost their jobs can become more desperate for income, resulting in a possible increase in various forms of human trafficking. There are migrants and asylum-seekers living in tent camps at the Southern Border that are lacking the resources to protect themselves from Covid-19. Women, children, and men are being forced to stay in their homes, several of which can be homes where abuse and violence often takes place. The stress during these times may also lead to the abusers increasing in violence. More social distancing also means less foster families available for children in need. This can lead to children staying in unsafe environments or on the streets left in the hands for traffickers and predators. Evil won’t be practicing social distancing any time soon. Now is the time to take ethical responsibility for the issues going on in our own city. We have to come together while we’re apart and support the most vulnerable in these situations. You don’t need to be wealthy, and you don’t need to be Mother Teresa. We can all support nonprofits using what we have. You can take your passions, skills, majors, hobbies, and money to help support organizations during the pandemic. In the words of Barack Obama, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” “ I would like to take this opportunity to fall back into my instructor mode, and offer one last, lets call it, extra credit assignment to all of our students. No, its not extra credit that can be applied to any of your Casper College classes, but it is extra knowledge that I believe will pay large personal dividends in terms of peace of mind and emotional stability as you move through your individual lives. As you continue your educational journey, either formally or informally, I strongly urge each of you to take time to learn at least something about risk analysis/risk perception, as well as statistical analysis, especially as it relates to research design. Hopefully the current COVID-19 pandemic will be the largest social and health upheaval you will experience in your lifetimes, but it may not be, and more importantly, it certainly will not be the last Anyone who knows me, has heard my speech that there are three types of lies: Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistical Lies. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President upheaval you will experience. I will not bore you by telling you all of the events I have encountered thus far in my life, but rest assured there have been many. I can unequivocally tell you that my background in scientific research, specifically statistical analysis, has played an enormous role in my outlook and viewpoint during all of these events. Anyone who knows me, has heard my speech that there are three types of lies: Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistical Lies. The last is by far the easiest to achieve. Now, most people, even those on social media (don’t get me going down that road….) are not trying to lie, or even mislead you, with their statistical “facts”. The simple reality is that they do not know enough about the science of statistics, the underlying assumptions built into statistical analyses, and the research design behind a particular study, to make an informed opinion of the data. This is one of the many reasons why the gold standard for scientific research is peer-review, so that other researchers in that field can look at a paper’s research methodology and ensure it is sound. If trained, professional researchers struggle in this area, I can assure you, the average person is woefully underprepared to make such an analysis. So whether it is reading a posting about using malarial drugs and any role they might play in the treatment of COVID-19, or listening to the evening weather forecaster and understanding why a 10 degree deviation from the average low temperature on any given day may, or may not, be “normal”, I believe that enhancing your knowledge and understanding of these concepts will pay personal dividends that will only continue to increase as you move down this wonderful, yet complex, journey we call life. The College Process in 2020... As we draw to the end of the semester and for some of us, our overall time at Casper College, we ask ourselves, “what next?” and consider our plans after graduation. Some students may enter the workforce after graduation while others will continue their education at four-year institutions. For me, well, I’ve got a lot to think about especially because COVID-19 threw a major, I mean HUMONGOUS curveball. I am in a unique, defined as difficult, situation as I currently am a high school senior at Kelly Walsh this year, but I’m also graduating from CC this May as well. On top of my 20-credit semesters and high school shenanigans, I also play basketball and participate in track and field at KW. I also am vice president of the Key Club and a member of National Honor Society, so I’ve got a lot going on. My situation means that COVID-19 hit me with a double whammy. Here are just a few things that made the situation reach its peak of suckiness: the Wyoming state basketball tournament was cancelled, the high school track season isn’t looking too good, college graduation is virtual, high school graduation and prom aren’t looking too good either, and I’m stuck at home with all these things on my mind. I can’t complain too much though—I’ve found a few things to make the time go by a little faster. I’ve completed two puzzles (one of them was missing two pieces *crying emoji*), bingewatched Tiger King, built the Lego Central Perk from Friends, watched about 23459458543102 movies, almost finished The Office for the sixth time, and learned how to ride a hoverboard. I didn’t know what 2020 had in store, but I sure didn’t anticipate a global pandemic. Instead, I was looking forward to Join our the Chinook staff this fall! Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. Contact faculty advisor Bri Brasher for more information brianne.brasher@caspercollege,edu graduating and, cross your fingers, going to college. Life made the college application process quite challenging too (and this was before COVID-19. Sheesh). As for all high school seniors, my public schooling is coming to an end, and now is the time to go through the graduation and application process. Picking schools, applying for scholarships, sending out graduation invites, spending A LOT of money, you know, the usual. As I began browsing and applying to universities, I became slightly overwhelmed but mostly excited. When I found a few that I was interested in, I applied for them. The thing is, due to my “unique” situation, I applied to all these colleges as a transfer student, thinking that because I am getting my associate’s degree this May I am technically transferring from CC. I was wrong. Turns out that because I don't have a high school diploma yet, I’m still considered a freshman. It makes sense, I guess. So, I then needed to contact every university I applied to and have them switch my application to a first-year freshman. Once that was done, finally, I had to wait about five months to hear back from all of them. I did further digging into each of my options to ensure I made the right decision. Luckily, there are no more issues with my transfer/freshman situation or with my credits being transferred, and I can start my college experience halfway through. Now, I have decided on a school and plan to leave Casper this August! Well, hopefully. Although times are difficult right now, I try to distract myself from what I’m missing during my high school senior year and think about what’s to come in the future…once I break my door Jayla Johnson High school is no musical down, run around outside, run to Wal-mart, go to restaurants, and see a movie in the theater. At least it will be a good story to tell our grandkids! Double whammy, COVID-19. Double. Whammy. Good News! Casper College’s 8th Student Film Festival Has Gone Digital! Thursday, May 7th Enjoy a selection of student made films,and hear some good news! All welcome! �Special Edition - April 16, 2019 Page 3 CHINOOK Intramural sports: Opportunities for everyone Jayla Johnson Chinook Writer The Casper College Student Activities program offers many sports and activities each year that allow students to take a break from their studies while also providing them with a chance to be active and have some fun. For four to five weeks, staff members, faculty, and students participate in an intramural sport season, which typically includes one or two games a week followed by a playoff tournament in the sixth week. Chris Stier, the Student Activities Coordinator at CC, spoke of the college’s intramural program. “I think [the intramural program] offers a different type of college experience and kind of a break from the studies, a break from student’s jobs outside of school, so it gives them time to do something fun and that they enjoy or maybe participated in in high school and overall just health and wellness.” According to Stier, the most popular sports are basketball, volleyball, and flag football, though Stier said he bases many activities on what students want to see or participate in. In years past, the intramural sports program offered the Harry Potter game of Quidditch, softball tournaments, tennis, archery, and soccer. Stier said volleyball and basketball see the most participation with an average of six to nine teams, each with a roster of six to eight players. This means that nearly 70 students compete in each of sports. Another popular activity is flag-football, which also attracts a large number of participants with four to six teams made up of seven or eight players. CC student and intramural sports participant, Jeremy McKinley spoke with the Chinook about his intramural experience at the college. “I started doing intramurals because I was working for Chris Stier, the Student Activities Coordinator, and when a team needed an extra player I would hop in,” said McKinley. “That was my first encounter with intramurals and I quickly started to love it. Ever since, I have signed up to do just about every intramural event Chris has put on.” Practices for many teams are at night in order to accommodate the majority of staff and students’ schedules. Scheduling flexibility makes it easy for the team to focus on school and work while also being able to participate in intramurals. Aside from scheduled practices and arranged games, Student Activities offers an open gym every Thursday where students can come play basketball or soccer. According to Stier, 20 students, on average, recurring and new, come in each night to freely play these sports. The program offers many ways to exercise while also having fun with your classmates and peers, but many other benefits come out of participation as well. “Students who are trying any type of athletics that is new to them are experiencing something new, and through compe- tition you kind of learn how to communicate differently and learn how to navigate communicating to people in the future as well,” Stier said. Stier also said students have the opportunity to meet people and make new friends along the way, a point that McKinley can personally endorse. “[Intramural sports] has given me the chance to meet new people that I wouldn't have ordinarily met. Intramurals bring people who live on campus and off-campus to participate in sports,” McKinley said. In addition to social benefits, the program also promotes health and wellness by giving students and faculty the opportunity to have fun and be active, which Stier considers one of the program’s main objectives. Stier also said these fun sports can relieve stress among the busy students by gathering friends and playing an easy-going game of basketball or volleyball. McKinley said, “For me [intramural sports] have always been a way of relieving stress, or a great break from studying. The people are great and it’s competitive and fun.” Without student participation, intramural sports cannot occur. Stier’s goal of increasing participation stems from the benefit of students, so there can be more and more sports and activities offered to a wide variety of interests among the CC students. “My goal is to increase participation as much as I can. That’s always something I always strive to do because more participation allows me to put [the sports] on more often,” Stier Women’s Soccer Coach: Ammon Bennett Photo courtesy of Chris Stier A group of Casper College students gathered together for a game of intramural volleyball earlier this year. Intramural sports are currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. emphasized. There have been times, said Stier, when student activities could not put on intramural sports or events at CC due to lack of participant sign-ups. For some students it’s disappointing not to have these sports put on because they are very passionate about playing them. “We have a lot of students who participate in any intramural that pops up. These are typically the former high school athletes who want to take advantage of doing [intramural sports]. A lot of our very social people want to participate as well,” Stier said. McKinley told Chinook that he considers the CC spring 2019 softball tournament to be his favorite because he grew up playing and coaching baseball. McKinley said “it was awesome” having the opportunity to play one of his favorite sports through CC while having fun and meeting new people. McKinley mentioned that he’d like to see ultimate frisbee in the intramurals program in the near future; likewise, if you have an idea for a sport or activity you want to see or participate in, feel free to share it with Stier or Student Activities. According to Stier, the most successful activities here at CC have come from student’s ideas and suggestions. You can become a participant in intramural sports by responding to Chris Stier’s weekly emails that contain the Ammon Bennett is coming to Casper with significant coaching experience, formerly coaching women’s soccer at William Penn University and Utah State University - Eastern. Bennett said he chose Casper College because he believes in the college’s ability to compete at a high level and get to the Regional, District and National sign-up sheets and registration forms for you to fill out and return to Stier. Continue checking your emails for notifications from Stier for more information about intramural sports and upcoming events. If you are interested in participating or have any questions, contact Chris Stier or stop by the offices in the Student Union building. “The base impact we hope for is that they’re outside of the classroom and they’re learning to have fun through good health and wellness. I think intramural sports creates good communication skills too, especially those who have been on an athletics team in high school understood the dynamics of working with their peers,” Stier said. championships. He’s currently working hard on recruiting players, and so far he has 17 girls from Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Brazil and Spain that will be joining the T-Birds next season. “My first season here, I would like to establish a winning team and hope that we can compete for the Region Title,” said Bennett. Student or Instructor Turn your online struggles into answers by calling us. Students: Instructors: We make sure you are able to access online learning resources needed to learn in your classes. We will also help you learn to utilize the digital tools available to you for all your classwork. We can help make online course development easier for you as well as assist in making knowledge acquisition more efficient, effective, and appealing for your students through the best teaching practices and use of technologies. Top five examples of items we can help with: 1. How to use Moodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Use Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 3. Accessing Office 365 . 4. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it. 5. Moodle technical issues — except password changes, we don’t do that. Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. An example of items we can help with: • Technologies that support learning objectives and classroom productivity like GoogleSuite, ProctorU, Zoom, Yuja, and other various Moodle activities and resources. • Providing a sounding board for ways to improve courses. • Sharing examples of instructional strategies used in other courses and programs. • Providing help in developing teaching strategies Plus a lot for online classes. more! • Providing a student perspective. Contact us. Teresa Pat Mike For help or more information contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Donnie Dave Camille �Page 4 Special Edition - April 16, 2019 CHINOOK Lady T-Birds are Region IX champs Jo Jeremic Chinook Writer The Casper College women’s basketball team won the Region IX championship after their win in the tournament finals against the, at that time, second placed team in the country, Western Nebraska. Coach Dwight Gunnare’s team put up an amazing performance in a tight game, and managed to win with the score of 66-64. Even though, to the disappointment of the whole team as well as many fans, the National Tournament got canceled, Lady T-Birds are still reminiscing on their final game and the rest of the great season. Raquel Ferrer, Casper College point guard from Spain recalled the team’s last game. “I felt a lot of pressure, it was such a high intensity game that at the end, even though i knew it was over and we won, my body was still shaking,” said Ferrer. Marija Bakic, a freshman from Montenegro and the third best scorer for Casper this season explained how in the moment of victory, she felt a huge sense relief. “It (winning) felt like all those days and months of hard work and sacrifice that we put into this finally paid off,” remembered Bakic. “It was then when I realized how good of a team we were, always working together and never turning our backs to each other.” Moments after the victory were a blur to everyone with fans screaming, the announcer yelling into the microphone, and the athletic director giving out the trophy… It was only after they left the gym and got into their locker room that the team became aware of what had just happened. “In the locker room I told them that they should try to realize just how great of an accomplishment it is to make it to the Nationals and that they just proved that they are one of the best junior colleges in the country,” explained Gunnare, who was named the best Region IX coach of the season by NJCAA. Ferrer explained the team’s tradition. She said after every win, Coach Gunnare would pick the player who improved that game, and that player would add a new tally mark to the board in the locker room. At the end, there was a total of 29 tally marks on the board, representing 29 wins Casper College earned this season. “When Coach G walked in the locker room after the game, we all poured our water bottles on him. Then, our assistant coach, Macy, made him draw the final tally mark on the board,” told Ferrer. Ferrer, who is a sophomore, started in 31 games for T-Birds and averaged 7 points per game and 3 assists per game this season. She was also named to the All Region IX Team and All-Tournament Team, crowning the end of her Casper College career. Natalia Othkmezuri, a freshman from Georgia had an amazing season and led the team with 15 points per game. She also scored the winning points in the final game. Besides Othkmezuri, Marija Bakic, Ashley Tehau, Aspen Cotter, Mya Jones, Emily Achter, Reka Soos, and Kammie Ragsdale played a great game and scored important points in the big win. Juneau Jones, Bailey Johnson and Nazli Bayazit had to skip the tournament because of the injury, but all three had an amazing season and contributed to the success of Lady T-Birds. Everyone was looking forward to the National tournament with great expectations. The unexpected cancelation of the tournament left everyone disappointed. “Coronavirus started spreading so rapidly we didn’t have time to comprehend what was happening. I was hoping that it would somehow avoid our game, but when I heard that the NBA season got cancelled, it was clear to me what was coming next. The disappointment is still there, but it is what it is. We just have to stay ready and set our minds to our next season,” explained Bakic. “I try to look at it this way: at least we finished the season with a win, not many teams can say that!” said Ferrer jokingly. The team is trying to stay positive through these unprecedented times. They are taking a well-deserved break now and are patiently waiting their return to the court. Gunnare is also struggling with the cancelled tournament. “I was very optimistic about our first-round opponent. New Mexico JC was a very good team, but I liked how our team was preparing. We had a pretty good idea of what we had to do to win, and I was starting to see Jo Jeremic/Chinook Natalia Otkhmezuri pulls up for a shot at a home game this season. The Lady T-Birds won the region IX championship in early March. it in our practices. However, I totally understand and respect the decision to cancel. Keeping people safe is the most important thing right now.” No matter how unfortunate the ending came to be, this season will stay the one to remember for Lady T-Birds and Coach Gunnare. Even after they move on to new schools, the memories of this season and the trophy that they’ve won for Casper College will remain. “I have offers from schools, but I’m not ready to make the decision yet. Wherever I end up going, I will always be thankful for these two years at Casper College and all the people that were a part of this great and unforgettable experience!” said Ferrer. T-Birds finish their 2019-2020 season Toni Ker Chinook Writer Thursday, March 5th was the start of the Men’s Region IX Basketball Tournament in Sterling, Colo. The Casper College T-Birds had the goal of winning the Region IX Tournament since the start of their season and had been preparing for it all school year. After putting up a long fight against Western Nebraska Community College, the T-Birds lost 112-108 in overtime. “It was really high level basketball, but it ultimately wasn’t what we wanted to accomplish,” says Head Coach Shaun Gutting. “It obviously was a really hard fought battle between both really good teams. There was a couple times when we really thought we were in control, but we just weren’t able to maintain the lead, especially in the second half.” He continued, “Ultimately that’s what we needed to do against a really good team.” Despite the loss at the Tournament, the T-birds had a successful year, according to Gutting, with a total of 25 wins. “I think it was a successful year. We set goals at the beginning of the year obviously of winning the region championship and fell just short of that. I think we established kind Photo courtesy of Cory Garvin of the culture of what our program needs to be Dathan Satchell, a freshman from California, poses for a photo in his Casper College especially with me being the head coach now.” uniform. Satchell said he found a family with his team this season. Despite several sophomores leaving the team, Gutting said there are strong freshmen returning next season. “Obviously having 5 freshman that really contributed helped us get to where we were going and having those guys come back with some experience really helps us to lead in to hopefully having another good season next year,” stated Gutting One of those returning freshmen is Dathan Satchell, a 6’3 guard from San Jose, Calif. Satchell said he came to Casper College after meeting and talking to Coach Lester Stewart. “I talked to a lot of schools, but I had established a relationship with Stewart, and they told me that they’d let me hoop and just play my game,” said Satchell. According to Satchell, the past season taught him several new things. This ranged from paying more attention to detail to being prepared and locked in during the game. Moving from California to Wyoming could be a big adjustment to anyone to make, but Satchell said his teammates made it a lot easier. “I have a close bond with the team, they’re like a family. It’s really small and everybody is close,” Satchell stated. The T-Birds close their 2019-2020 season and will be taking what they learned to prepare for next year. Gutting said their goal for next year is to, “Win the Region IX Tournament, always to win the Tournament.” https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ We are doing our part to stop the spread and still feed the students at Casper College Our guidelines are meant to protect the students and others in the community 1. We’ve moved to a grab-and-go model 2. A limited number of students are permitted in the dining hall at one time 3. Blue X marks are taped on the floor to regulate social distancing practices 4. There is one entrance and exit plus we have heightened cleaning and sanitizing protocols 5. Cashiers are scanning cards instead of swiping to help limit the spread of germs As we wait out the virus we look forward to serving you ALL next semester Look for updates on our Facebook page or on our website: https://casperdining.sodexomyway.com/ �Special Edition - April 16, 2019 CHINOOK Page 5 Casper College students keep busy and share talents while quarantined Gabrielle Garris, Elementary Education Major, Freshman. "Pictured are DIY stuffed animals that Garris has been making while practicing social distancing." (Submitted Photo) Ben Garvin, Sophomore and Elly Yore, Freshman, both Automotive Technology Majors. "Pictured are the bikes that Garvin and Yore have been building during quarantine." (Submitted Photo) Logan Eggleston, Engineering Technology and Design Major, Sophomore. "Pictured is the Casper Mountain Waterfall where Eggleston spent his free time shooting photos during quarantine." (Submitted Photo) Oral Presentation and Communication Center • Taming presentation apprehension and anxiety. • Confidence and style. • Using organization to create a laser specific message. • Using language effectively. Schedule an online appointment today: Email: OPACC@caspercollege.edu OR Phone: 307-268-2648 �Page 6 Special Edition - April 16, 2019 CHINOOK MOTIVATION............................................................................... continued from page 1 staff alike. Madison Ballard, a freshman at Casper College shared her thoughts on the matter. “I’ve been struggling recently with new material. Sometimes getting a hold of an instructor in person is difficult enough in person, let alone if they won’t answer their emails,” says Madison. “Towards the end of the year I try to focus on those study guides and reach out to any additional information avail- able, but it can be really hard to get thorough communication on both ends sometimes.” Students are affected differently than staff, however. Sometimes, it can be really difficult to feel motivated to finish an online class when the weather outside is just so bright and warm rather than gloomy and grey. On top of that, student lives are busy, and many are unable to attend live online lectures for one reason or another such as their work schedules or prior family matters. “It affects different classes in different ways,” says Riley Box, another CC student. “Doing a group project and trying to work around everyone’s schedules is different than having a designated class time to talk about it. It’s annoying not being able to ask questions face-to-face, and when the weather is sunny I don’t exactly want to do school work.” Student organized blood drive at Casper College Miller does her best to counter this by dressing up in fun ways during her live online lectures and showing silly videos of dogs to students who tune in. By keeping students engaged and interested, they are more likely to tune in to the live lecture. Another benefit of live class time is that a student can ask a question and have it answered almost immediately. It is the secondbest option to a face to face meeting. “Take care of yourself physically--diet, hygiene, exercise, sleep, emotional connections, monitor stress levels--as well as mentally. Create routines, schedule and block out study times, connect with classmates and friends, create mini goals to achieve on a regular basis, think or make a gratitude list of 3 things each day, and most importantly-- smile & laugh every day.” says Miller. “The same boiling water that soft- Non-traditional students account for majority of 2019 CC enrollment Rhonda Hoppa Guest Contributor Jo Jeremic/Chinook Mary Welch watches over Nicole Orden as she donates blood at Casper College in late February. Jo Jeremic Chinook Writer On February 27th in the Liesinger Hall at Casper College, Student Senate organized Blood Drive. Many students, and Casper citizens came and donated their blood to charity. “The first time I gave blood was in basic training, and it really felt good to do, for me, a small thing that can help someone a lot. Ever since then, I started doing this more often,” said Nicole Orden, one of the Casper College staff members, that donated blood on Friday. In the past few years Casper College, joined with Vitalant, has been giving students and other people opportunity to donate blood. Vitalant is one of the biggest transfusion medicine organizations in the country, with more than 1000 hospitals in the US. This year, Casper College Student Senate has taken over this task from the Digital Learning center, that has previously been organizing the event, explained Riley Box, the president of the student senate. “Student senate contacted people and prepares the whole event, and Casper College Forensics team is manning the tables this year,” said Box. Every year around 6.8 million of Americans donate their blood and more than 4.5 million need the transfusion. Every two seconds people enter hospitals around the country in need of blood. Donating blood is a selfless and humane act that only 37% of Americans are eligible for, but only 10% actually do. ens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of, not the circumstances. We can do this, & ultimately be better!” Although working through the new and challenging platform of distance learning may be a rough change, it is not impossible. Keeping ourselves physically and mentally healthy is key to success, as well as quick and efficient communication from both students and staff. Approximately 65 percent of currently enrolled students are non-traditional, even though recruiting efforts are primarily focused on high school juniors and seniors, according to Rachel Shafer, admissions advisor for Casper College. Shafer believes technology and life circumstances are changing the profile of the average CC student, and non-traditional students are the new normal. A non-traditional student is typically defined by age (over 24), background (race and gender), residence (off- campus), level of employment (especially full-time employees), and enrollment in a non-degree occupational program, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. Based on research Shafer completed for her master’s thesis, she noted that higher education enrollment is inversely related to the economy. Based on Shafer’s conclusion, she believes there will be an increase in non-traditional enrollment for 2020, due to the current decline in the economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Shafer, non-traditional students typically need the flexibility of diverse class offerings and schedules, as many balance their more complex home lives, work schedules and access to technology. The introduction of online and evening classes broadened the scope of CC’s offerings in recent years, which opened new doors for adults seeking to gain new skills or increase advancement opportunities at work. “There is a huge demand for online classes. We have a handful of classes that are all online, and a larger variety of hybrid classes available that are 70 percent online. I think with this current pandemic we’re living in, it shows that we need to make online more of an option,” said Shafer. Morryah McCurdy, vice president of business development for Advance Casper and current CC student, believes these efforts may not be enough. In McCurdy’s opinion, the college needs to provide an even broader variety of classes and increased online class opportunities to provide additional incentive for non-traditional students to enroll at CC. McCurdy stated that having a clear direction and finding your passion are the keys to success at the collegiate level. She admits she struggled in school before she discovered her niche within the communication department. She is on track to graduate with an associate’s degree in communication with an emphasis on public relations in spring 2020, along with her bachelor’s degree in communication through the University of Wyoming at Casper in 2021. For Mindy James, a 41-year-old single mother currently pursuing a triple major at CC, her 7-year-old daughter motivated her to enroll in CC. “My daughter brought home a school project that said she wanted to be a babysitter like mom. I closed my daycare and started school six weeks later,” said James. James’ example seems to be working. “She just told me she wants to be a teacher,” James said, after chuckling softly. While both McCurdy and James successfully returned to college and are on track to achieve their respective degrees, they also acknowledged unique challenges they encounter due to juggling their busy home, work and school lives. James is considering a transfer to an online school that takes a more flexible approach to pre-requisite requirements, due to her frustration with the math pre-requisite. Suggests that CC modify their requirements to give credit for life or employment experience. McCurdy stated that she is frustrated with the class schedule at CC. “If you have a more niche degree, like communication, you have to wait semesters to take some of your required classes, since some are only offered once per year. It can waste a lot of time. I would like to see CC offer a wider selection of classes and offer the classes fully online,” said McCurdy. “It’s not worth the hassle of doing a hybrid class while working full-time.” If Shafer’s predications are correct and there is a continued increase in the enrollment of non-traditional students, like McCurdy, James and Shafer, CC must increase its current online offerings in order to make education an accessible option for prospective students with diverse family dynamics and/or employment responsibilities. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2020-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2020-04 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from April 2020. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2020-04 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/2549ab727d67b8be2e3369d4bb61f572.pdf 9c882234a66f4a4ba01fbb0c94816076 PDF Text Text Special Edition - May 12, 2020 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Virtual Grad: A New Ceremony Jayla Johnson Chinook Writer Graduates all over the United States waited their whole lives to walk across the stage and receive the diploma they’ve worked so hard to earn. However, this year’s graduation will have a less traditional look to it. Due to the nationwide regulations regarding COVID19, Casper College will have a virtual graduation ceremony presented via Youtube and Facebook on May 15th. CC was one of the last community colleges in Wyoming to make a final decision about the ceremony. According to CC's Vice President for Student Services, Kim Byrd, the administration's decisionmaking process became very difficult because it came down to Governor Mark Gordon. Hoping for the chance to have a live ceremony, the CC administrators made the decision to have a virtual graduation based on Governor Gordon’s notice to stay home until April 30th; not wanting to wait for the next announcement on April 30th of whether or not a live ceremony could be possible, CC decided to host a virtual graduation. The Chinook talked with Riley Box, a CC student and President of Student Senate, about how this pandemic has affected his general life. “This process has affected me in many ways. I was looking forward to a normal ceremony, but now that this is the new normal it has allowed my family to stay home. But everyone seems pretty content with the situation kind of because they have to,” said Box. The Chinook also talked to CC student Braden Mason about how his life as a college student has been altered due to the pandemic. “As a student, online school isn’t what I signed up for, and for good reason. I have held a good GPA throughout college, and the transition to online was like pulling teeth,” said Mason. “Fortunately, I have teachers who were quick to help and listen to the problems, which dramatically changed my view of the situation. Yes, it has sucked, but it’s hard to hold a bad attitude over the situation with so many people who are willing to help.” CC administrators also reached out for help in planning the graduation ceremony. When discussing options for virtual graduation, LifeTouch, a photography company CC has worked with many times for commencement ceremonies, came to the administrators with many ideas about how to hold an online ceremony. After many considerations, CC decided to present a digital slideshow with recorded speeches. Byrd said, “When we [CC administrators] thought about how we were going to do this, right away there were several of us who thought about how there is a way to still show a picture of the student, that’s what we really wanted to do.” In partnership with LifeTouch, who offered support by creating the website for graduates to upload their picture and message, this virtual ceremony will begin with a recorded National Anthem, performed by Lauren Podjun, a Music Performance Graduate at CC. Then, the audience will see and hear recorded speeches from Riley Box, who will announce the Club of Year Award, Morryah McCurdy, the Student of the Year keynote speaker, and CC President Darren Divine. After the recorded portion, Rich Burk, a CC theatre instructor, will announce each graduate as their slide is presented. Also presented at the start of each ceremony, including this year’s, the Distinguished Alumni award and the Commitment to Excellence award. The recipients of these awards are nominated by anyone in the community and selected by the Casper College Foundation Committee. Receiving the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award is Jerry Quinlan, a Casper teacher and coach who, Byrd said, positively contributes to education, athletics, and the community. This year’s Commitment to Excellence Award recipient is Dana Van Burgh, a Casper benefactor, volunteer, educator, and CC alumni. Photo courtesy of Kim Byrd Additionally, in a typical Student Body President Riley Box addresses his virtual audience as part of the college graduation ceremony, 2020 spring commencement. Speeches were recoded to be included in the online ceremony May 15 at 3 p.m. — See GRADUATION, Page 3 CC student named “Student of the Year” Toni Kerr Chinook Writer Rebecca Schuler, NSLS Vice President Morryah McCurdy speaks on behalf of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She was awarded 'Student of the Year' by the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees. Giving advice to her fellow peers, Morryah McCurdy says, “Do hard things, always challenge yourself, and always have a goal that you’re working towards. The goal doesn’t have to be big, they don’t have to be life changing, but they can be self-changing." In February of this year, McCurdy earned the titled “Student of the Year” by the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees. McCurdy transitioned in and out of Casper College since graduating high school in 2007. She started our pursuing art degrees and said she “burnt out.” Then, McCurdy decided to take a break for a few years. She returned to CC in 2017 to pursue pre-occupational therapy. “I liked occupational therapy; however, I took some classes with Doug Hall, who is a communication instructor, and I was like this is kinda my jam,” said McCurdy. After switching her degree to human communication, McCurdy said she graduated after two semesters. She will now graduate in this month with her Human Communication/ Public Relations degree. McCurdy said she finds herself in awe of even being able to compete with the other nominees for the award. McCurdy was nominated for her involvement with student activities and her story of overcoming addiction. Mental health during Covid-19 Toni Kerr Chinook Writer Mental health is a major cause of concern for most people during the Covid-19 pandemic. At a time with so much uncertainty, it’s hard to ignore the major health impacts such changes can have on college students everywhere. According to Joanne Theobald, the Director of Counseling at the Casper College Campus Wellness Center, college students everywhere must prioritize self-care and their mental health during this time. “We as human beings often have a hard time adapting to change, and we are all experiencing grief from having our "normal" life and habits taken away. But for college students, they have the additional pressure of adapting to online classes in the middle of the semester, possibly having to move out of residence halls, or only eat meals as "grab and go," and even losing the opportunity for a face to face graduation ceremony,” said Theobald. While Theobald believes that many students adjusted well, she still wants to make sure all students know about the resources available to them during this time. Mental health counseling services for all students (CC, UW/C, etc.) remain available through telehealth via computer or phone. You can contact Joanne Theobald at joannetheobald@caspercollege.edu to find out how to make appointments and/or speak with a counselor. You may also email Joanne with questions about telehealth and counseling. If you have already been seeing a CC counselor, you can contact that counselor directly. The mental health counseling services staff will be using Zoom Meetings technology, and the service remains free, confidential, and professional, according to Theobald. Theobald also provides a detailed list on what she believes students should be doing during this time to stay safe and healthy. • Acknowledge and validate that this is a disruption to both your personal and your academic life. Whether this crisis is causing major issues or more just inconveniences, it’s important to admit it: this is tough! Allow yourself to turn toward and feel your feelings from time to time: Yes, it is hard. We will get through it, and likely be stronger people after this crisis. • Know your on-campus resources and utilize them. You are receiving lots of emails and announcements about this. Go to https://www.caspercollege.edu/corona- — See MENTAL HEALTH, Page 3 “In between my first time in college and before I came back I just partied really hard and ended up turning into a pretty bad alcoholic towards the end,” said McCurdy. “Being a nontraditional student has given me a different outlook on school. Now I understand why I’m here -- I’m here for me now.” McCurdy joined the National Society of Leadership and Success in the fall of 2018, her second semester back at CC. “I became the president and from there it really changed my outlook on school…I think I was definitely trying to be in a leadership role. The NSLS really helped me kinda better manage my time--kinda gave me a better reason to do some of the stuff I was doing,” says McCurdy. According to McCurdy, CC provided a positive experience and helped her to get where she is today. “The teachers are always willing to help. I haven’t had a teacher yet that I haven’t been happy with,” stated McCurdy. McCurdy plans to continue finishing her education through the University of Wyoming while also working her “dream job.” According to McCurdy, she plans to be a forever student. “I’ve gotten the slack that I’m going to be a forever student. But honestly everyone should be a forever student. You’re never done learning, and you’ve never learned enough,” said McCurdy. SCROLL TO SEE... Divine's Intervention CC business major opens online boutique Chinook Stance Faculty feature: Casper College's Kerri Mahlum (page 2) (page 2) (page 5) (page 6) Schenfisch helps Dance performance amidst pandemic (page 6) (page 4) �Page 2 Special Edition - May 12, 2020 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Chinook Stance -- We did it! -- Maddey Strayer Watch what happens Well folks, we made it. From Old Town Road becoming the number one hit single of 2019, to (spoilers) the tragic death of Tony Stark. From the newest Animal Crossing game, and most recently to COVID-19, the 2019-2020 academic school year is finally over and done with. Some of us graduated, while others merely dipped our toes into the college pool. Some of us binged Tiger King, while others spent countless nights studying for exams and writing papers. Regardless of where you stand, we’ve all reached the end of a chapter in our lives. But we all found some way to make do and get through. It’s been a long and tough year, and there certainly are moments where we doubted that we’d ever see the day where we could relax and laugh about it. But we made it. Despite what we may have thought, we actually made it. Which can only mean one thing. The days are longer, the nights are shorter, the sun is shining, and the snow is FINALLY finished. Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” blasts on what seems like every radio station around town. It’s the beginning of summer. With no more assignment deadlines, we’re free to sleep until noon and bask in the glorious rays of sun to soak up the vitamin D we’ve all been missing out on since basically last September. Crickets and cicadas chirp in the warm night air, and we sip tart, ice cold, freshly squeezed lemonade on the porch. We visit noisy playgrounds and swing sets and our hands get sticky from eating our quickly melting ice cream at the park. With no snow clouds, we’re free to go stargazing and have picnic lunches and watch the flowers growing in the garden. A chance for the world to slow down it’s manic mind and just take a moment to look up and find shapes in the clouds. Which, honestly, is something I’m sure everyone could use right now. So sit back, relax, enjoy a cold drink in the shade of a big tree, and take a deep breath. Of course, there’s still more to come. But for right now, we did it. Leaving Wyoming: Exploring new territory My senior year has had quite the turn events. With the world in a quarantined setback, I’ve found it hard to look on the bright side and see life outside of this “bubble.” Trying ever so hard to stay optimistic, I, along with many others, am planning out the future, which for me means leaving Wyoming in August. It’s hard to believe, what with COVID-19 as our main focus, that I am leaving the town, and state I've grown up in and loved for 17 years. Although small, Wyoming is such a unique and beautiful place to live and even be associated with. Personally, I’ve travelled many places outside of Wyoming and I’ve seen how slightly, or massively, different the world is, but I’ve never lived outside of the state. That said, I’ve recently been calling Wyoming “the Wyoming bubble” because it feels like a completely different world where, to me, everyone has been everywhere in the state, everyone knows each other, and we’re all kind of a big Wyoming family. I know it’s a bit dramatic, but that’s how I feel as a Wyomingite. As a high school athlete and student, I’ve had the chance to meet many incredible people who became lifelong friends. While I’m stuck at home dwelling in the, I guess are now memories, I constantly think about all the people who I saw for the last time without knowing, and all the things I did eight weeks ago not knowing that they were my last. Now, I’m leaving the people who shaped me, my childhood, and my experiences as an adolescent to expand my education and inch closer to my future goals. Just this week, I began the process of searching for dorm halls and a roommate, which of course is now an online cycle. Browsing through, I “ What would you like to see in the future, and most importantly, what do you need to start putting in place to make those things happen? — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President The Future….is as yet unwritten. Whether we are referencing what will happen in the fall months with the Coronavirus outbreak, or we are referencing where your path through life will take you, it all falls within the same conceptual framework. Many people believe in some form of predestination, fate, or other ideas used to describe a process where portions of the future are known or are at least highly predictable. While I certainly do not intend, nor want to, disavow anyone of those notions, I would like to suggest that as a regular course in your lives, you take time to periodically and earnestly think about the future. What would you like to see in the future, and more importantly, what do you need to start putting in place to make those things happen? Just as important, or perhaps even more importantly, take time to examine what you think your future might hold, and evaluate whether or not those notions are realistic. Now, some people reading this article have already jumped to the conclusion that I am saying some of your expectations are unrealistic. They are correct, that is exactly what I am saying; however, perhaps not in the direction they probably would have predicted. Let’s use the Coronavirus for just a moment and talk about this fall. Will social distancing be mandated for months, if not years to come? Will businesses be forced to close again this fall? The list of questions, and corresponding predictions, is endless, but, at least from my perspective, the ultimate answer is very simple. We cannot predict the correct answer to any of these questions with any significant degree of assuredness. In short, we cannot predict the future. Sure, many people are spending a lot of time trying to convince you that their vision of the future is correct, or at least is the most likely to occur. They might be right, and they might be wrong. I recently read an article about predictions made about the U.S. Stock market. This study looked at all the predictions made about the stock market over a defined period of time, and found that 80% of said predictions did not come to pass. My point here is simple; please do not believe, consciously or subconsciously, that the future is known simply because someone, or many someone’s, have told you so. Please do not let a string of random suggestions by people slowly and insistently weave their way into a belief on your part that the future, your future, is somehow already known, especially when those sugges- tions pertain to limitations and hindrances on your future. I believe that social media and mass communication are at the same time both transformational benefits to society, as well as areas of significant risk. Now, more than any period before in the history of civilization, each of us has an almost limitless amount of information at our fingertips; that would be the transformational benefit. At the same time each of us has, if we choose, the ability to disperse through social media any belief or thought we want to share. I can declare an opinion for anyone to read, and thus my opinion can potentially propagate the entire globe, regardless of the validity of my statements; that is the significant risk. My overall point here is that the amount of information each of us is deluged with every minute of every day is almost incalculable, and will only increase as time progresses. You need to hone your skills in wading through all of that information, and deciding what is useful, and what is not, and not allowing all the other information to creep in and begin to form opinions and narratives in your mind about the present, and the future. The future is as yet unwritten. Now go be its author… Who wins? Students or student-athletes? Jayla Johnson High school is no musical was excited realizing I’ll be meeting people from all over the country, but also I was grasping the idea that I’ll be leaving the friends from my hometown. Leaving the “Wyoming bubble” will be difficult, for me at least, but I have to be optimistic and remember that this is a huge step in the right direction for my future. Also, it’s not like Casper is going anywhere, it’s only a plane ride or long drive away. In this day and age, we’ll all be able to stay connected with smartphones and social media. Fortunately we’re in the times of technology and not the times of telegrams! Although it was a long journey to decide what I was going to do next year, I knew I needed and, in fact, wanted to leave the state. Keeping this desire in mind, I have been focusing on making the most out of the last moments I have with my friends here, which has proven difficult ever since quarantine was issued. Now, I Join our the Chinook staff this fall! Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. considered many options, but after looking into each one I finally decided. Next year I’ll be attending Arizona State University as Sun Devil and I couldn’t be more excited, but in the back of my mind I wonder what life outside of Wyoming will be like. It’ll be much hotter, much busier, and much more momentous. I can’t help but imagine how I’ll react and, most importantly, adapt to life outside the “Wyoming bubble” Although I’m missing out on a normal senior year and a normal graduation ceremony, I continue to prepare for next year and remember there is much more in store after this pandemic. As I sit in my house, being bored and missing the times when the stores were open, I continue to think of my next step in life that will lead me out of Wyoming and have me exploring a new state. Growing up in a small town was an experience, but leaving for a big city will be an even bigger one. Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Contact faculty advisor Bri Brasher brianne.brasher@caspercollege.edu Jo Jeremic Life of a student-athlete Before coming to the United States I didn’t know that the “war” between groups of students portrayed in High School Musical was a real thing. It was just a movie to me. But after spending two years here in Casper, I’ve realized that people in American schools like hanging out with the ones similar to them, and that everyone should find the group that they belong to. So I found mine. If you’ve never played sports in high school then you probably don’t know much about student-athletes. But, what I know for sure, is that they’re probably not your favorite group of people in college. Yeah, there is reasons for that. They are always in groups, only wear sweats to school, they’re really loud and don’t pay attention in class. So when you’re put in the group with student athletes, they usually don’t do anything to help. They just act like they’re better than regular students but still get full scholarships and worry about nothing. Trust me, I know, because I’m one of them. And, yeah, very often, those things happen. But, on the other side, there are many things that people think of us before they’ve even met us, only because we play sports. So I’ll try to give some insight into how a student-athlete’s life is different compared to a regular student in order to try and break some of the stereotypes surrounding the athletes. A day in a life of a student athlete (a normal, non-quarantine day) is filled with many different things that all basically have the potential to distract from schoolwork. From waking up at 5:30 a.m. on school days to do your weight lifting workouts followed by missing a whole day of classes during season because of the away games on a Tuesday afternoon -- to running to classes sweaty and stinky right after your practice and trying to stop yourself from panting when you run into the class late when the teacher is already speaking -- Yes, this actually happens very often. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure that athletes are some of the hardest-working students in colleges. Maybe most of the athletes don’t have the best grades, but those are usually the ones that do the best on court and practice hard every day because they’re devoted to their sport. There’s also the athletes who are mostly using their talent in sports to get a scholarship, but they’re still going to practices, doing workouts everyday and missing classes because of the games, all while managing to complete their work and maintain their GPA. Whichever way you decide to look at it, it’s clear that being a student-athlete takes a lot of sacrifice and commitment. However, having a lot of art and communication classes (that athletes usually don’t take) and having non-athlete friends, I learned that regular students who don’t play sports don’t get as many scholarships, so they’re more likely to spend their time after classes working. This also doesn’t leave them much free time to do school work. At the end of the day, college isn’t easy for anyone and maybe we should all try to give each other a chance to really get to know the other side before we judge and think that someone has it easier than us. Just like in High School Musical: “We’re all in this together!” �Special Edition - May 12, 2020 Page 3 CHINOOK GRADUATION............................................................................. continued from page 1 there are mandatory speeches by the board of trustees, the academic Vice President, and Byrd herself. According to Byrd, these speeches are necessary in order to confer the degrees. Each speaker will record a speech, and then all will be edited together prior to May 15th to be shown during the online ceremony. In the past few years, Paul Marquard, a physics instructor at CC, has closed the ceremony by leading out the stage party and by playing the bagpipes in his Keltic attire. This tradition will continue for this year’s ceremony closing but Marquard will play the bagpipes by the Heyoka statue on the CC campus. “We’re trying to keep it as normal as we possibly can. The only main difference is that we will be watching it on YouTube instead of live in an audience,” Byrd mentioned. The biggest change we will see that’s in a typical live ceremony is the handing of the diploma. In the past, students would walk across the stage, receive their diploma cover, shake the Board of Trustees and the President’s hand, and then get their picture taken; however, because it’s virtual this year, each student will receive their diploma, diploma cover, and free tassel from CC faculty in the mail without walking across the stage. “The one thing I will miss the most is the cheering as someone walks across the stage. For me, there are just some students that we do get to know really well and it's just such an accomplishment, so not being able to see them, especially afterwards, and congratulate them, we’re all going to miss that part of it,” Byrd told Chinook. When asked his initial reaction to the virtual graduation announcement, Mason said, “At first, the whole thing came as a bit of a shock and disappointment; however, it is still a chance to be recognized even during an unfortunate situation.” Mason’s reaction, however, slowly changed as he put this unexpected situation into four different perspectives: first, he said, no matter his frustration, he couldn’t blame the school and state for cancelling the ceremony for the safety of friends and family; second, CC offered the opportunity to walk in a live ceremony next May; third, Mason said he has a lot of respect for CC’s commitment, creativity, and swift action to honor their graduates in some way; fourth, Mason realized that this year’s commencement ceremony will be remembered in history. “Standing out of the crowd as students who were handed an unfortunate set of circumstances and were able to work through them is how I would like to remember my college graduation,” Mason said. “Call me crazy but at least it’ll make for a good story! As an added benefit, some of my family couldn’t make it due to their age/mobility but now they can watch the graduation online.” For Box, however, his feelings changed from “a little bummed out” to disappointed. He said, “To me, my feelings have changed because even though it is still a special moment, I think the ‘specialness’ of it has been lost in the chaos.” Nonetheless, Box still hopes to make the most of the virtual graduation ceremony with his peers. “My hope is that a lot of graduates actually do this. I know it is harder on them [because it is virtual] but it's also easier to [prepare for] it now. I think we need participation more than anything. I personally am looking forward to it. I think it will be interesting to see how big of a change it is,” said Box. Byrd, hoping to make this year’s ceremony special, urges students, family members, and the CC community to participate in this virtual graduation. “For so many people, especially for a community college, we have many students that are non-traditional age students that have to overcome a lot of barriers to earn this,” said Byrd. “So to actually accomplish this is just so meaningful. I want them to be able to show this to their children or to their loved ones, just say, ‘I did it.’” Mason had a similar comment when addressing the importance of a commencement ceremony. “I would like to remind anyone who is feeling negative about an online commencement that some have had to sacrifice more than others to get to commencement, and it is a chance to be honored as a collective even if it isn’t what was expected just 8 weeks ago. It may not be ideal, but it is still an opportunity that doesn’t present itself often,” said Mason. “On that note, I would like to thank all of the teachers and staff who have worked equally as hard to put the online commencement together in combination with having put in the extra effort to get students to graduation.” Tune in May 15th at 3 p.m. to CC’s Facebook page or YouTube channel to watch the 2020 Casper College virtual graduation ceremony. Photos courtesy of Kim Byrd Above, Paul Marquard, Eric Willcox, Matt Mitchell play bagpipes as part of the 2020 graduation ceremony. Left, Eric Unruh, Dean of Fine Arts and Humanities plays piano for graduation. He composed all of the music for the ceremony. MENTAL HEALTH.................................................................... continued from page 1 virus/ to locate the resources you need. Also, the Casper community also has lots of resources, including food banks and organizations that provide financial assistance. Go to https://wy211.communityos.org/ to locate services you need. • Maintain some sort of structure in your life. Create a new routine, including set times to study and do homework. Set boundaries with those around you, if necessary. You should also maintain a regular sleep schedule as well as mealtimes. • Make an extra effort toward selfcare, including exercise (outdoor, preferably, to get a daily dose of Vitamin D) and other activities you enjoy, ones you know are good for your health. • Stay socially connected, and focus time with family and friends using the phone and video more, in place of text or social media. This will help satisfy the very human need for face to face contact, and decrease the negative impact of social distancing. Get creative by watching shows or playing games together remotely. • Remind yourself that while COVID19 may be with us for a while, your academic semester is quickly drawing to a close. We are in finals week, so focus the very best you can; you are almost done! Student or Instructor Turn your online struggles into answers by calling us. Students: Instructors: We make sure you are able to access online learning resources needed to learn in your classes. We will also help you learn to utilize the digital tools available to you for all your classwork. We can help make online course development easier for you as well as assist in making knowledge acquisition more efficient, effective, and appealing for your students through the best teaching practices and use of technologies. Top five examples of items we can help with: 1. How to use Moodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Use Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 3. Accessing Office 365 . 4. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it. 5. Moodle technical issues — except password changes, we don’t do that. Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. An example of items we can help with: • Technologies that support learning objectives and classroom productivity like GoogleSuite, ProctorU, Zoom, Yuja, and other various Moodle activities and resources. • Providing a sounding board for ways to improve courses. • Sharing examples of instructional strategies used in other courses and programs. • Providing help in developing teaching strategies Plus a lot for online classes. more! • Providing a student perspective. Contact us. Teresa Pat Mike For help or more information contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Donnie Dave Camille �Page 4 Special Edition - May 12, 2020 CHINOOK Schenfisch helps amidst pandemic Jo Jeremic Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Gail Schenfisch Gail Schenfisch, a sign language instructor, visits with young children recently in Casper. Schenfisch also helps interpret local news for the deaf community. Gail Schenfisch is an American sign language instructor at Casper College. Besides working as a teacher at the college, she works as an interpreter on the local news. Especially now, during the outbreak of the Coronavirus, Schenfisch is actively helping the deaf community stay informed on the government's most recent decisions and latest stories on the news. The availability of information to deaf people is low in general, but during a pandemic like this, it’s really important for everyone to be able to learn how to protect themselves and stay safe. “There are not a lot of interpreters in Wyoming and there are not a lot of deaf people either, but even if you have only one deaf person in the community, that one person needs the interpreter. I love doing it because I get to meet so many new people and learn new things about our community,” said Schenfisch. Schenfisch continues teaching in Casper after more than 20 years, and she said she loves her job and the students here. As of last year, Casper started offering American Sign Language as a major. Schenfisch said that in the past year and a half six students graduated with the degree, which makes her very proud. “The best part about teaching is knowing that sign language, like any other language, expands people’s diversity and opens people up to seeing that we’re not just American or just German... I think that with sign language, I help people see that we’re all different, but we are also all the same,” said Schenfisch. Schenfisch recalled moving to Southern Calif. during her junior year in high school where she started to gain an interest in sign language. She said she did not like it there, so she focused a lot on learning the language, and she even took some courses at a nearby community college. “I took sign language, but I never had a plan to be an interpreter or to teach deaf kids, both of which I do now,” explained Schenfisch. Now, Schenfisch is a certified interpreter and a translator, as well as a sign language instructor at CC. Schenfisch is known by her students here at Casper as a good teacher that’s always willing to help and easy to approach. “She is very personable and understanding. She is the one that first made me consider making interpreting my career, and now I’m going to a university to finish my degree in interpreting,” said Bentley McCullouugh, one of Schenfisch’s students at CC. Oral Presentation and Communication Center • Taming presentation apprehension and anxiety. • Confidence and style. • Using organization to create a laser specific message. • Using language effectively. Schedule an online appointment today: Email: OPACC@caspercollege.edu OR Phone: 307-268-2648 We hope you have a fun-filled summer We will be accepting any unused Voluntary Meal Plans as well as T-Bucks in the fall of 2020 due to the circumstances that led to the campus closing. Feel free to give us a call at (307) 268-2126 or (307) 268-2748 with any questions regarding your meal plan. Cashiers at our dining locations will also be able to let you know about your balance in the fall. We also want to thank the students that stayed on campus for following our guidelines. �Special Edition - May 12, 2020 CHINOOK Page 5 CC business major opens online boutique Toni Kerr Chinook Writer While full-time college students typically maintain busy schedules with full-time classes and part-time jobs, Mackenzie Kern, a sophomore at Casper College, decided she also wanted to start her dream career. In November of 2019, Kern decided to open up her online boutique, Loveleigh. The shop offers a wide selection of clothing and accessories based on Kern’s own personal style. “I was at one of the downtown farmers markets where all the businesses come and put up popup shops, and I was like, I can totally do this. And I got my business license five days later,” said Kern. According to Kern, there’s something for everyone in her shop. “I have so many styles available on the website. I feel like it’s very diverse. I have something for everyone on every occasion, which is huge for me,” Kern said. As stated on the Loveleigh website, Kern selects the items, wraps them, packages them, and ships them out herself. Kern emphasizes the importance of girl power, female entrepreneurship, and small businesses. Kern spent her teen years doing pageantry, which allowed her to travel around the nation. Despite having visited several other places, she chose to pursue her college education and start her boutique in her hometown. “I really wanna change the game when it comes to fashion in Wyoming,” says Kern. “I just wanna bring styles to people's doorstep in Wyoming so they don’t have to order from these big corporations in California, and Atlanta. I want to be the hotspot in Wyoming for fashion and just current trends.” Kern continued, “If I’m going to do something, I want it to have meaning behind it, and I wanna show people that it can be done from Wyoming. At the end of the day I love that I’m from Wyoming, and I wouldn’t want to represent any other state.” Kern not only wants people to simply shop at her boutique, she wants girls to feel empowered and confident after shopping at her boutique. “I want to be more than just a boutique. I don’t just wanna bring girls clothes -- I want them (my customers) to feel confident, and I want them to feel like they’re a part of something more when they wear something from my company. Inspiration and motivation is something that I'm very, very passionate about…with everything I do I try to add that to the table,” said Kern. You can find Loveigh on instagram at ShopLoveleigh, on Facebook at Loveleigh Clothing, and at the website shoploveleigh.com. Photo courtesy of Erik Carbajal Kern stated her goal is to do pop-up shops this Casper College student Mackenzie Kern models the UW Gameday Crop in Yellow for around the state this summer. her boutique, Loveleigh. A book review for author Allan D. Hunter Maddey Strayer Chinook Writer Generqueer; A Story From a Different Closet is a memoir of author Allan D. Hunter’s journey to finding himself. He details working around the challenges of gender identity and finding the right label to stick to himself. The story follows Derek, a young boy growing up in the 1970s who finds himself constantly switching back and forth between trying to accept himself and trying to be accepted by those around him. He desperately wants to fit in, but how can someone fit into a crowd when they can’t even fit into their own skin? Genderqueer is a fantastically emotional coming of age journey unlike anything else. Derek’s experience is different. Finding himself unable to identify as anything rigid, Derek finds the label “queer” a suitable fit. Genderqueer does contain mentions of sexual intercourse, violence and bullying, as well as in ]-depth talk of sexuality. However, this does not take away from the heart of the story itself. Every mention is intentional, and each is polished and professionally written. The book is strongest in its factor of emotional immer- sion. Not a moment is dull, and the whole book is a wild, emotional rollercoaster. The story is more than engaging, as what Derek experiences is new and seems almost unheard of-especially in the 1970s. The plot is paced extremely well to make for an overall amazing read. From his early school life to lecturing a room full of college students in his adulthood, the story is easy to follow and feels as though you are along for the ride in Derek’s wild life. You find yourself asking the same questions that Derek does and are fully satisfied with each answer along the way. Girlfriends, virginity quests, “boys being boys,” breakups, questions, answers, a trip to the psychiatric ward, and more. This coming of age story is enticing from the very beginning. “During seventh grade, I spent more and more time looking at girls and eagerly waiting for the chance to have a girlfriend again. I was surely going to be favored by the girls as their interest in boys and boyfriends increased. After all, I’d always liked girls and shared their values and respected them as colleagues, whereas most boys were abrasive loud unimaginative clods who had never liked girls before and had not paid them much attention aside from expressing their contempt for them. Then our family moved from Valdosta, Georgia, to Los Alamos, New Mexico, and that’s where I started eighth grade. And once again, everything changed” (Hunter). Overall, Generqueer: A Story From A Different Closet is a beautiful, emotional, immersive experience, and the book is definitely worth a read. As a reader, you ask yourself questions both about Derek and about yourself. The book's profound plot and mesmerizing storytelling are beautifully written and are sure to draw readers in from the very first page. https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ Some Good News Due to COVID-19, this year’s CC film festival is a broadcast dedicated to good news! Watch the segment on YouTube Help us spread Some Good News this finals week! �Page 6 Special Edition - May 12, 2020 CHINOOK Faculty feature: Casper College's Kerri Mahlum Maddey Strayer Chinook Writer The house is warm. The oven is on. A 1940s record crackles from the living room. Four little dogs yip from the backyard. The scent of freshly baked bread wafts through the door. A chipper “Hellooooo!” is heard from the kitchen -- and there she is. Kerri Mahlum is chair of the Education Department and an early childhood education instructor at Casper College. She attended CC before moving to Lincoln, Neb. to teach kindergarten. But something just couldn’t keep her away from Casper, the place she never ceased to call home. She started teaching full time at CC in 2001, and she sees no end in the near future. Mahlum emphasized her pas- sion for teaching. “I truly, truly have the best of both worlds. I get to teach and advise college students where I can show my full unfiltered sense of humor and still get a laugh out of it from them, but at the same time I still get to work with Play-Doh and put together puzzles and get paid to play with children,” said Kerri with a smile. Teaching is her passion, and it always has been. But how does an extraverted woman with an adoration for children handle working from home? At home, Kerri lives with her family, which includes her two daughters, Morgan and Maddison, her husband, Trevor, and their four dogs. She can be found in the backyard nestled in her “mom cave playhouse,” filled with fairy lights, comfy cushions, and just close enough to the in house office to generate a wifi connection strong enough for ZOOM calls and emails. She spends an “inordinately large” amount of time playing her favorite mobile game, Candy Crush—so much so that she’s lost count of what level she’s achieved in the game. She cooks and cleans, and she bakes the best bread I have ever tasted. “I’m not a very good baker because you have to measure, and that requires you to be precise, which isn’t my jam. But I’m learning! It’s not that I love to cook, it’s just that I love to EAT! And I can’t get the food I like elsewhere, so I do it myself,” she laughed. The Mahlum house is a busy one. With Kerri and Trevor hard at work, the dogs chasing each other around and eating things they probably shouldn’t, and Maddison and Morgan completing their final projects, not a moment CC performance Photos courtesy of Zach Engberg Casper College Dance and Theatre majors performed an improvisational dance inspired by world renowned artist Neltje at the Nicolaysen Art Museum on Wednesday, March 4th. The dancers interpreted Neltje's paintings then transferred her dynamic canvas energy through their own body energy and embodied interpretation. Neltje's artwork invites movement possibilities through the vast array of action her paintings reveal. The dancers shifted, glided, reached, and stretched throughout the main gallery all while being surrounded by Neltje's vibrant paintings. This performance was free and open to the public. From top left: Joshua Greene; Sharice Roberson and Tessa Marie Gabardine; Adriel Martinez. From top right: Vivica Stewart; HannahClaire Sutton and Rachel Dooley. is dull. And Mahlum said it’s always been that way. She recalls a fond memory in which Morgan, her oldest daughter who was three years old at the time, ran face first into the patio screen door, busted right through the thin fabric, and almost toppled over the edge of the railing. “If you know Morgan, she’s the exact opposite of that now. She’s the most non-energetic person in the world, and she’s always been that way, except for this one time! We always wonder ‘what the hell would have caused you to run THROUGH the door instead of just opening it?’” laughed Mahlum. “I’m lucky to have a family I love and enjoy being around, especially right now with everything going on. I can’t imagine how tough it is for the people out there who don’t have that luxury.” Kerri loves her family through and through and mentions, even the dogs when they have a naughty streak. With the newest addition to the family, a tiny black pug named Anubis, skittering joyfully around the house, there is promise of many more fun and exciting Mahlum adventures ahead. Between working full-time, cooking for the family, learning to bake precisely, and keeping the energetic dogs entertained, Kerri rarely deals with boredom. A dull moment in the Mahlum household is rare, and with everyone staying home silence is no option-- even nearing the end of the semester. She’ll continue to cook and clean, check in virtually on her students who she considers nothing less than friends, and of course, playing Candy Crush in hopes of finally reaching the final level. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2020-05 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <div class="element-text five columns omega"> <p><span><a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a></span></p> </div> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2020-05 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from May 2020. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; iamge Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2020-05 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/2134d04238fba181a8a8b5fb1b792b21.pdf 6ef7431f24c889af3291c083ad55d8bf PDF Text Text October 1, 2020 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Fun with furry friends Kelsey Herman/Chinook Dog owners and their canine companions gathered outside the Union Building for Second Annual Casper College Dog Trek on Sept. 12. Both soccer programs official at CC Toni Kerr Chinook Writer Photos courtesy of Cory Garvin Ben McArthur (left) is the head coach of the men's soccer team at Casper College. Ammon Bennett (right) is the head coach of the women's soccer team. Both are wokring to get the new programs up ready and on the field this spring. Perhaps the newest thing to happen to Casper College this school year was welcoming a new soccer program. CC now has both men’s and women’s competitive soccer teams that will begin competing in the spring semester. “We knew that when Casper College was starting a soccer program, we were going to have the resources and the support needed from the administration to be successful,” says Ben McArthur, head coach for the men’s soccer team at Casper College. The head coach for the women’s soccer team is Ammon Bennett who comes from a long background of soccer with over 20 years of collegiate coaching experience. Prior to his role at CC, Bennett coached at Utah State University. “I’ve coached men’s and women’s. This is only the second season in all of those years that I’m only coaching one team,” stated Bennett. “When I came up to Casper for my interview I drove around the town, saw the size (of Casper), and everything. I just thought this was a really good fit where we (the team) could have some good success.” Sydney Hiatt, a defensive freshman from Heber City, Utah said she’s been playing soccer for as long as she can remember. “I wasn’t even a student here when I came and toured, and it (the campus) already felt like a place you’d feel at home,” said Hiatt. She then added, “We’ve got a pretty big team and I just want to get to know everybody and grow the family atmosphere.” The head coach for the men’s soccer team in Ben McArthur. Coach McArthur is preparing for his ninth season as a college coach after previously coaching in Iowa. “We don’t want to have any growing years. We want to compete right away -- win as many games as possible,” said McArthur. “We also want to have good student athletes, we want good grades, we want guys that do community service. We want to make sure student athletes here feel like they’re being developed.” McArthur discussed that the goals for the fall mainly revolve around development and knowing which guys will go where. “My goal for the season is to win a championship,” says Joel Opoku, a defensive freshman from Ontario, Canada. The teams will be participating in soccer scrimmages locally on October 3rd, starting at 9 a.m. Both scrimmages will take place at the North Casper Soccer Complex. Fans can also watch online on the CC Athletics Youtube channel, according to the Casper College website. Nelson leads Paralegal Studies Program Rhonda Arlene Chinook Writer According to Amanda Nelson’s husband, she thrives in chaos. As the mother of four with a husband whose job has him on the road more than he is home, and as Program Director for the Casper College Paralegal Program, thriving in chaos is a good thing. The Paralegal Studies Program at CC prepares paralegals for these and many other challenges facing legal professionals today. With only two schools in Wyoming offering paralegal studies, online studies have become an important focus in order to reach the many rural towns across the state. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the online learning transition accelerated, which benefits CC’s program. Online access to paralegal studies allows smaller law offices to hire trained, competent, and knowledgeable staff. Nelson, who first became a paralegal in 2005, looks to the future of the legal system and hopes to have a positive impact on changes that she believes are necessary. She specifically would like to see quality legal services accessible to all in need. “In the past, paralegals weren’t utilized well in local law offices and were treated more as legal secretaries. The new generation of legal professionals are seeing the value and the importance of skilled paralegals within their teams, so it’s an exciting time to be entering this profession,” said Nelson. Skilled paralegals are in demand nationwide. Paralegal graduates can work in any area of the law, including criminal, corporate, oil and gas, immigration, employment, bankruptcy, and many more. Through the Casper College Paralegal Studies program, graduates develop the knowledge and skills to help change the legal system. CC offers two options for students inter- ested in paralegal studies: an Associate of Arts – Paralegal, and a Post Baccalaureate Certificate. Each program develops a knowledge base of legal proceedings, and includes trial preparation, draft pleadings, a base foundation for civil procedures, courts, and evidence handling. Internships are strongly encouraged and available to all students. A legal advisory committee oversees the paralegal studies program and assists with job placement after the completion of the program. CC paralegal studies graduates are encouraged to take the Certified Paralegal Exam. This exam is offered through the Casper College Testing Center and is nationally recognized. Students in the program learn from Nelson and her fifteen years of experience working in the field. Nelson witnessed many changes to the legal system during that time, the most dramatic of which is the effect of social media on the outcome of court cases. “When I first started in 2005, social media wasn’t a huge component. Now, when you have a divorce or custody battle, all posted items are admissible in court,” said Nelson. “I don’t think many people realize that. It blows my mind as to what some people decide to post or comment on while in an emotional state. Once posted, it’s admissible in court; it’s not an invasion of privacy. And it has impacted judge’s decisions and opinions, and has changed the face of trials in the courtroom.” Nelson also advises that social media postings are not only used in the courtroom, but also in job interviews. She knows of attorneys who hand paralegal interviewees a laptop and request they log into their social media sites on the spot for review, prior to extending a job offer. Such practice means paralegals entering the profession today not only need to know the ins — See Nelson Page 3 Photos courtesy of Amanda Nelson Amanda Nelson poses for a photo. Nelson recently received a prestigious national award. Read more about the paralegal studies instructor's accomplishments on page 3. �Page 2 October 1, 2020 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: --- Meet the staff --Maddie Strayer Watch what happens “ Toni Kerr Talks with Toni Welcome Back! Although Casper College has a beautiful campus, it does not come fully alive until it is full of students. I hope the beginning of the semester has gone well for everyone and that you are settling in nicely. Our staff worked tirelessly all summer to be able and ready to welcome everyone back. Of course, this year is a little different. The current COVID pandemic has meant some changes to our daily routines. Gone are the large gatherings and communal spaces, and in their place are face coverings, hand sanitizer, and social On the record with Rhonda Rachelle Trujillo College campus. Please do not be surprised if you are not wearing your face covering, when one of our staff members politely asks you to put one on. I truly hope your college experience has gotten off to a strong and satisfying beginning. Please understand that our staff stands ready to assist you in achieving your dreams. Thus, if you need assistance of any sort, please do not hesitate to reach out! Darren stands ready to assist you in achieving your dreams. Thus, if you need assistance of any sort, please do not hesitate to reach out! Darren "Although not the circumstances everyone would prefer, if the choices are these few precautions versus having to complete everything remote, then I think most people are willing to put up with the temporary changes." — Darren divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Managing external voices Rachelle Trujillo Rhonda Arlene distancing. Although not the circumstances everyone would prefer, if the choices are these few precautions versus having to complete everything remote, then I think most people are willing to put up with the temporary changes. While I am happy to report that the face covering rule is being followed in classrooms, I am disappointed to hear reports of students not wearing masks in common areas and other indoor spaces. I must remind everyone that the current operating rule is that face coverings must be worn in all indoor public areas on the Casper Rachelle's Reflections College is a time of self discovery -- a period in which some of the most important decisions and interactions of our lives take place. Even the most confident and certain of us find ourselves at one point or another questioning the path we’re on or the people we’re with, so we rely on the insight of others. Many of us are being directed and counseled by professors, parents, friends, and partners, and when those opinions contradict or oppose our own, it can lead us to further question ourselves. Simply put, the advice of others can often fog our own lenses, even if we know what it is we want out of our lives. I feel many of us Gen Zers grew up being told that we can and should do anything we want to do. We’re instructed to decide what it is that we can contribute to the world and go after it. But now that we’re grown up, those same voices are telling us to pick the career that pays the most, marry well, and make a name of yourself. Suddenly, it seems like what we should go after has more to do with society’s expectations of us and less of what we truly want. It’s hard to know what we’re supposed to do, and I don’t think we’re supposed to know yet. I think the opinions of most people must be taken with a grain of salt while simultaneously giving ourselves the permission to not know what it is exactly that we have to offer the world. We don’t know where we’re going or who we’ll become, so we have to trust ourselves to make the decisions that seem the most likely to take us closer to our goals, even if those decisions don’t produce the outcome we had expected or hoped for. This is a time to make mistakes. Make them of your own accord, and no one else’s. Nobody understands your goals and intentions better than yourself. Likewise, nobody can get you there except for you. Ask for help when you need it, but give yourself permission to follow your instinct and learn from the process. In the end, the only voice that matters is your own. Back to school barbecue! Rachelle's Reflections Kelsey Herman Kickin' it with Kels Rebekah Sechrist is also on staff this fall! Kelsey Herman/Chinook Students, faculty, and staff gathered for a back to school barbecue outside the union building on Aug. 28. �October 1, 2020 Page 3 CHINOOK NELSON.......................................................................................... continued from page 1 and outs of the legal system, but they also need to be savvy in social media as well, or at least know the potential consequences of online posting habits. Nelson also spoke of another change brought on by COVID-19. The pandemic not only impacted the education system, but also the legal system. Courts are now offering online hearings, which keeps costs down and helps with the challenge of travel for witnesses. Winters in Wyoming are unpredictable at best, with roads becoming impassable in the blink of an eye, potentially leaving court proceedings at a stand-still. “If your witness can’t make it to court because a road is closed, what do you do?” Nelson questioned. The travel delays can often disrupt court proceedings and can potentially impact the outcome. The flexibility of online hearings alleviates the travel burden and lessens the overall cost of court cases. No matter the changes in the paralegal field and in the paralegal studies program at CC, Nelson tackles the chaos. With a master’s degree in distance learning and an advanced certified paralegal designation, Nelson is fit to train and leadparalegals for an exciting career path. The National Association of Legal Assistants recently awarded Amanda Nelson the 2020 CP Champion Award. Nelson said this is the first award of its kind, and the national award is only given to one recipient. She explained that the CP Champion Award is awarded to 'champions' of those promoting and encouraging the profession, education and certification of paralegals. Photo courtesy of Amanda Nelson Amanda Nelson shared her favorite family photo. Pictured here are Nelson's husband Eric, her sons Lucas, Nicholas, and Oliver, and her daughter, Norah. Olson's “unraveling” Julia Nielsen Chinook Contributor The Goodstein Art Gallery fall kickoff introduced Amber Battista Olson as the first featured artist of the season on Sept. 10th in Wheeler Hall in the Casper College music building. Olson planned her artist talk for last spring, but a traumatic car accident caused her to postpone. She mentioned in her talk that her accident was a catalyst for her artistic choices and their meaning. The piece Olson featured is titled “unraveling,” and was located in the Visual Arts Building for viewing earlier this year. Valerie Innella, the Goodstein Art Gallery director and also an art history professor at CC, introduced Olson to the stage in September. Olson’s “unraveling” is comprised of different materials and artistic forms that each have their own individual meaning regarding Olson’s life experiences, artistic influences, and her accident. The car accident occurred in 2018. Olson experienced a bad head injury.During her healing process, Olson found herself constantly fatigued with no energy, a feeling she said proved extremely difficult for her. However, Olson shared that her brush with mortality allowed her to convey her healing process and concepts of vulnerability/safety through her art. “I tend to gravitate towards a more austere, simple form. I like to incorporate the feeling of gesture and movement with my pottery. I don’t shy away from imperfections or things that are not perfect,” said Olson. “The austerity of my work is broken by the human touch. I am interested in the soft marks made by the human hand. I focus on process and expression, integrating gesture and movement. I am inspired by forms in nature, and the female body – perfect and imperfect all at once.” Unraveling consists of seven individually knitted nets hanging from the ceiling at different heights that each hold a vessel with an ocean-blue glaze. Underneath the nets, broken glass lies chaotically on top of a mound of salt and gauze. Olson said she chose the knitted fiber so that it would cradle her vessels with strength but also to offer a softness. She had to disentangle the threads of her knitted fabric to create them, an unraveling in and of itself. The bowls in this grouping represent strength and family, which Olson explained held her up during her healing pro- cess. She chose the ocean blue glaze to represent healing and a sense of calm, as well as self-expression. The broken glass represents the accident and “the beautiful inevitability of change,” said Olson. The salt and the gauze are also representative of healing and the countless Epsom salt baths Olson said she endured. “Amber’s piece conveys the healing process with a contrast of soft and hard elements with the crocheted fish nets hanging from the ceiling, which hold her delicate pottery from breaking and joining the mound of broken glass and corrosive salt on the floor, which represent her wounds,” said Innella. Olson’s artistic aesthetics developed after taking scuba diving classes as a young teenager with her father. Scuba diving introduced her to shades of calming ocean water blues, sea creatures, and an affinity for all that Mother Nature offers. Amber attended college at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. as a studio art and painting major. During this time, Olson said she surprised herself by falling in love with ceramics and pottery grouping techniques that resulted in her changing her major to ceramics. She began using a tranquil color palette, inspired by the colors of the ocean. Witnessing the birth of her nephew inspired Olson to study the female form and the gestation process, as well as asymmetrical/organic forms. She emphasized that she relates her artistic journey and healing to a gestation process. “I allowed my ideas, so many of them, to gestate in my heart and mind before bringing them into the concrete world,” wrote Olson in an artist statement. Her inspirations for “unraveling” included a series of artists. Lucie Rie inspired Olson because her vessels weren’t symmetrical and had an organic rim shape that looked like Julia Nielsen/Chinook Contributor they were connected to human Amber Battista Olson's work titled, "Unraveling," was hands. featured in the Visual Arts Building. “Clay has a memory, it will capture a memory of human touch if you want it to,” said love for tranquil color palettes. tuous shapes that mimicked African ritual objects moved the female form, as well as Olson. Gwyn Hanssen Pigott her because they included earthy, magnetic, and velvet inspired Olson because she natural materials consisting of textures…” said Olson. Olson’s main goal of provided intriguing meth- bone, wood, and leather, which ods of pottery grouping and provided an overlap of artis- “unraveling” involves telling a tranquil color palette. Eva tic craft and nature. Rebecca a story of healing through Hesse, inspired because her Hutchinson inspired Olson to human touch and connection post minimalist work incorpo- learn how to knit so she could in the most natural and beautirated unconventional materials incorporate twine and other ful ways possible. The piece is an accumulation of Olson’s such as latex and plastic, which natural fibers into her art. Another influence of hers artistic style and inspirations were man-made but presented as natural and translucent, said was Magdalene Odundo, a combined with her life expeOlson. Ancient Song Dynasty studio potter whose pottery riences and healing process pottery also stimulated her presented “beautiful, volup- from the accident. CC alum makes metal moves Rebekah Sechrist Chinook Writer As the fall season opens and closes, former Casper College student Betsy Bower closed her exhibition "Dreams" at The Nicolaysen Art Museum and opened a showcase at ART 321 in Casper. Upon walking into the main gallery at the The Nic, visitors entered a space with lights turned low and the mood cast upon a space doppled with metal sculptures and illuminated by color-shifting lighting elements. The wall near the entrance featured vinyl lettering with the artist’s name and show title, Dreams. Beneath the title sat a small table with sticky notes and pencil. Notes with other visitor’s dreams written on them were on the wall below the vinyl lettering inviting visitors to add to the collaborative dream wall. In the center of the room stood a metal framework tetrahedron. From the top center of the tetrahedron pyramid, light showers slowly shifted color onto a small pillow seat. Next to the seat sat a small MP3 player and earbuds. The tetrahedron was meant for one person to sit on the pillow under the light and enjoy the music, which created a completely immersive experience for the user to sit and enjoy. Sculptures throughout the gallery glowed as the color of the lights changed Rebekah Sechrist/Chinook from blue, to green, from gold to orange, Betsy Bower's exhibition, titled "Dreams," featured and from red to purple. A large metal crow scultpures like the crow pictured above. The crow's with outstretched wings appeared about feathers changed from gold to red. ready to take flight as its feathers changed from gold to red. The shadows cast by the sculptures further transformed the space and allowed for an experience rather than a viewing. When interviewed, the artist elaborated on her show. “My biggest goal with that show was to get people who aren’t into art into art,” Bower shared of her work. She believes Dreams achieved this goal through lighting, interactive elements, and the transformation of the space. She said of her show that “It was unexpected. It was metal. It was different. It turned off the lights. It gave different perspectives of what art could be.” Dreams closed at the beginning of September, so Bower began her collaborative showcase and artists talk at Casper’s Artist’s Guild, ART 321 on Sept. 12th. This event showcases a handful of Bower’s metal sculptures, which were also featured in Dreams. Along with other artists RUGIE, Connie Morgan, James Bardgett, and Pnut, Bower spoke about being a Wyoming artist and her take on the documentary “Make Art Wyoming.” The documentary is about Wyoming artists , specifically regarding how these aspiring talents manage making a living creating art and how much of an impact artists can have on art culture in small town Casper, Wyo. Speaking of working in Casper, Betsy said that being a part of a small artist community like Casper is rewarding and provides balance. “I want balance in my life. I am learning to find balance and the joy in the little things,” said Bower. She went on to laugh jokingly equating Casper to those little things. Bower started working with metal at age 11 in her father’s metal shop. When asked about her beginning, a dreamy look entered her eyes as she reminisced. “I remember going in [to the shop] and smelling the metallic dust,” said Bower. Her father’s shop was called Bower’s Welding and Ornamental Iron. Although she was inspired by her father, she said “I wanted to do something more artistic and natural. I wanted to show a new way of seeing things.” When asked why 3D, Bower said “I think in 3D. Flat surfaces make me want to know what’s on the other side of it. 3D Makes something feel more real.” As a working professional artist, one of her biggest inspirations was her friend and fellow artist the late Shawn Rivett. She said of her friend that “He could sniff out talent and pull it out of [people]. She went on to say “He evoked that from me and that helped me get to a new level in my art.” Art to her is therapy. She said “Art to me today is transmuting my feelings, pain, suffering, into something beautiful. Art is about putting feelings and emotions into solid form to inspire inspiration.” Bower is a master of metalworks. She left her mark on Casper with iconic works like the Mustang Metal sculpture at NC built entirely of musical instruments and the sculpture of a steel elk skull that stands in the entryway of the Casper Elks Lodge. Click here to see a timelapse of Bower creating the iconic elk skull. https://youtu.be/mUrrnqJQSTQ �October 1, 2020 CHINOOK A hidden gem at Casper College Lauren Tyson Chinook Contributor Among the many organizations and clubs at Casper College, the GeoScience Club stands out to Beth Wisely, club sponsor and earth science instructor, because the club allows members of all ages to get out of their daily routine and join a variety of unique experiences through field trips, events, and other outdoor adventures. The GeoScience club, formally known as the Geology Club, doesn’t revolve around classes at CC, so it doesn’t matter if members have any degree or background in geology. Wisely explained that the club is a unique and special way for students, faculty, and community members with shared passions and common interests to gather and do social things regardless of skill level. With the abundance of undiscovered artifacts, members have a chance to find their own treasures of hidden gems and fossils. “What I’ve found in geology is that it really draws a collective group of people from all walks of life because everybody can relate to the Earth. Everybody’s picked up a pretty rock and everybody’s gone on a cool hike. It is something that everybody can relate to across ages, gender, race, money. It is something that everyone has in common,” Wisely said. Wyoming is known for having a rich geological and paleontological heritage making the state one of the top places to study. At CC, the GeoScience club takes advantage of the many geological formations available right in Wyomingites’ backyard. Members can study formations dating back to the Pre-Cambrian era all the way to present day without leaving the cowboy state. The club's weekend field trips allow people to collect fossils and gems, snowshoe, hike, and go caving. The club also gives members the opportunity to explore the geoscience fields and learn through hands-on activities. Zachary Tenney, current club treasurer and longtime member, shared his most memorable experience with the club. “The caving trip was so much fun! That was something I never gotten to try out before because you need the equipment and you need to know somebody to do it. The club is one way you can get into caving or try other different experiences,” Tenney said. Another member, Alex Henry, an active club member since 2016, said she believes the GeoScience club is a way for different science majors -- from environmental, Earth science, geology, and paleontology -- to share their love of the field with others. She said she sees the club as an opportunity to try new things while having other experts and specialists there to help guide and teach members. From Henry’s very first trip, every experience with the GeoScience club provided something special. Even as a new student on campus, Henry said members welcomed her with open arms, and senior members eagerly shared information and their knowledge of the topics to help guide her. Henry said that her most memorable moment while in the club occurred in 2017. “With this club you can meet a lot of cool people, like when the eclipse happened, Harrison ‘Jack’ Schmitt, the only geologist to walk on the Photo courtesy of Dillon Osborne Members of the GeoScience Club are featured on a field trip. Pictured here (from left to right): Colter Reed, Terra Hess, Mike Carter, Alex Henry, and Clay Lorass. moon came. Students and members got to meet him,” Henry shared. “It was a really cool experience. It was truly worthwhile. It's not every day you get to say that you met a man that walked on the moon.” As the club sponsor, Wisely stressed the importance of the GeoScience Club and the impact the club can achieve when members of shared passions and interests come together. “There is still research to be done in geology and paleontology. There are schools who need teachers and museums that are still collecting and prepping fossils. It is important that we get good people so that our fossils don’t end up in Dubai and Egypt. Museums in the United States are selling their collections overseas and we will never see those again... so popularizing ‘the dig’ can be a good thing,” Wisely said. The GeoScience Club’s rebranding won them the New Club of the Year award for 2019-2020 from the Casper College Student Senate along with recognition in the School of Science Newsletter. Shortly after the announcement, the pandemic brought all club meetings and efforts to a halt. But the GeoScience Club is getting back on track and planning its first meeting soon. Future members interested in joining the club can contact Beth Wisely, any geology instructor, or visit the Tate Museum at Casper College for more details. Club information is also posted on the Casper College website and on their Instagram page@caspercollegegs. The GeoScience Club invites students, faculty, and members of the community to join and discover some of the many hidden gems, fossils, and unique experiences the club offers at CC. The 2020 T-Bird Trek! Toni Kerr/Chinook Debra Swedberg, a mathematics instructor at Casper College, finishes her 10k race at the 2020 T-Bird Trek on Sept. 13. Ryan Hieb handed Swedberg her medal at the finish line. Hieb is a member the alumni board. According to Ann Dalton, the Associate Director of Development with CC's foundation, 298 runners completed a trek. Course options included a 5k, 10k, downhill half marathan, and a half marathon. Runners also had the option to run virtually. https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ Join our the Chinook staff this fall! Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Contact faculty advisor Bri Weigel (Brasher) brianne.brasher@caspercollege.edu �October 1, 2020 Page 5 CHINOOK Public relations during pandemic Maddey Strayer Chinook Writer Empty hallways. Quiet classrooms. Covered faces. Uncertainty. These are the sights someone would face when entering the Casper College campus late last spring. Now, students are back on campus, still with covered faces and some uncertainty. Since the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic, things have been different. Everyone learned to handle their lives in new and strange ways. Students and staff alike changed and adjusted their schedules and priorities to take into account the new ‘now.’ Staying informed is key dur- ing these unprecedented times, which is the job of CC’s Public Relations Department. Most PR professionals are planners. They’re nimble, flexible, and quick to take action when needed, sometimes weeks or months in advance. However, with the unpredictable strike of COVID-19, advanced planning has not been an option for the college’s PR department. Christopher Lorenzen, CC’s PR Director, gave helpful insight towards how the department handled the rising issue of the pandemic thus far. As a department, PR carries quite a lot of responsibility when it comes to keeping students well informed about campus changes, but the department’s responsibilities do not end there. “There is a diverse set of talents among the professionals in the department. You'll find we're involved in a lot of different areas around campus from livestreaming athletic events, to marketing the next play (theater production) -from managing social media, to setting communication standards for email, text, and other forms of communication,” said Lorenzen. Not only does PR help keep students well informed about their daily lives on campus, but the department also handles entertainment at the college, such as sporting events and Intramural sports adapt Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer If there’s anything we are all learning this year, it’s how to adapt to “new normals.” Across campus, activities, classes, and student life looks different than we’ve ever seen before. Many of these changes seem negative at first glance, but much of the time it’s not as bad as it seems; sometimes there’s even a silver lining or two. Nearly every group and individual on campus has experienced this in one way or another, and the world of intramural sports is no exception. So what is intramural sports? Essentially, it’s a laid back and fun community for students (and professors) to participate in competition based activities. In the past, intramural options included pool leagues, basketball, flag football, and volleyball. Annelise Clark, a student participant and employee describes intramurals as a “great way to hang out both with friends or meet new people, in addition to it being a fun and engaging way to exercise.” Intramural sports is the place to be for anyone that loves to meet new people and engage in competition but often finds themselves with a tight schedule. Among all that is changing this year, that much is not. Though it may look different, student activities coordinator Chris Stier is determined to make the most of the situation and provide the same quality events, just in a different way. Health is everyone’s top priority right now, especially for college and school officials. Precautions are being taken everywhere, even within the world of intramural sports. “We are working closely with the health department and following the high school athletic association guidelines to ensure the safety of all participants. We will be instituting temperature checks, enforcing clear guidelines, and other productions on campus. But, since the recent development of COVID-19, PR changed and adapted in several different ways to accommodate the new academic year. With PR already active with digital technologies, the department is no stranger to online adaptation. Where the issues lie for the department come with capturing videos of the campus to compile into an experience for those who cannot travel directly to campus to experience it themselves. Lorenzen mentioned that PR works with 360 degree video technology to help accommodate the need for video. Another challenge the department faces involves the one requirement many endure as of late -- masks. Masks make general communication more difficult, both in general conversation, as well as in photography. People rely on facial expressions to correctly communicate emotion. “We try to portray life as it actually occurs on campus and having people in masks is perfectly acceptable. To convey that sense of emotion is difficult with masks and having people standing six feet apart,” said Lorenzen. “So we're using images of just a single person rather than groups to bring out the warmth and welcoming spirit of the college.” According to Lorenzen, not much has changed for the department itself, aside from a steep decline in requests for copy paper by staff members during this digital shift. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, CC works to keep students informed. The president of CC, Dr. Divine, sends updates often to keep all students as informed as possible amidst the pandemic. His email updates are what offer the latest information about which direction the campus is headed. Overall, even though the outbreak of COVID-19 caused much unsureness and chaos across campus, the PR department is working to keep things running smoothly and maintain strong communication. checking for any symptoms. Obviously our staff and student’s health is our biggest priority” Stier said regarding pandemic precautions. The virus is also changing the way participants will be involved and what they will have the option of doing. While cornhole is not an entirely new event this year, the league aspect is, and the coronavirus certainly helped to move the idea forward as organizers began brainstorming how to move activities to an outdoor and distanced environment. Similarly, it was not so much a new concept to add virtual activities and video games, but there never seemed to be a time so appropriate to begin implementing these new events. Volleyball, basketball, and perhaps a re-installment of soccer are all activities that will be returning to the intramurals world again this year. However, team numbers will be reduced -- volleyball this year will now be 4 v 4 -- and moved outdoors whenever possible. Sign-ups have already begun, and activities were meant to begin the week of September 7th, yet the major snowstorm forced the start up to be postponed. A new date is to be determined and will be announced soon. This year is full of growth and challenges. Our new lives seem filled with unfamiliar hardships and foregin situations. Both participants and employees can agree that this is a period of adaptation and creativity. “It’s exciting to have these new opportunities -- to be able to be outside and try things a bit differently,” Clark noted. “It’s comforting to know that all student groups and people across the entire world are facing these challenges.” As we adapt to and overcome these new challenges, we are reminded that none of us are Photos courtesy of Cory Garvin alone, and that we’re all learning and growing CC students pictured above enjoyed many intramural sports last year. Staff are together. Hopefully for the better. working hard to creatively provide similar experiences safely amidst COVID-19. �Page 6 CHINOOK October 1, 2020 Strong bond propels forensics Kelsey Herman Chinook Writer Looking at quite a different competition-style this year, the 2020-2021 Casper College Forensics Team feels great about the strength and bond the team shares. The ten member team competes in a many of events, ranging from platform events to parliamentary debate. In a normal year, the team travels and competes in the four to five tournaments per semester in the Rocky Mountain region. Due to COVID-19, the new norm for members of speech and debate is virtual tournaments. Though virtual tournaments than in person competitions, the new style allows the team to participate in many more tournaments with a variety of new opponents from around the nation. With the new platform, the team gets the chance to travel virtually to new places. Some destinations for the fall include Washington D.C, Idaho, and New York. “Right now, we are competing virtually, and we anticipate continuing the virtual season into the spring,” said Forensics Head Coach Doug Hall. However, the team is hopeful for in-person competitions and the chance the travel to Washington D.C. for the national competition this spring. The global pandemic affected the competition aspect of speech and debate but allowed for growth within the team. The team’s special bond and ability to face new challenges give this year’s team a big advantage. “This team is going to be really good at overcoming adversity because they have to,” said Hall. New faces and some familiar faces fill the team. Some three-year members, which has not happened before, add to the uniqueness of this year’s team. Hall said the team bonded in ways past teams have not been able to and quicker than expected. Hall said, “That can only be good news for the rest of the year.” This bond will allow for more comfortable and productive rehearsing because the team trusts one another. By building an accepting community within the team, members can achieve their goals and more. A couple of weeks prior to the start of school, the team went on a retreat to Allen H. Stewart Lions Camp, located on Casper Mountain, which allowed the members a chance to bond as a team, and furthermore as a family. Kaelan Rodriguez, team captain and three-year competitor, said, “It really set the scene for the rest of the year and allowed new members to learn events for the rest of the season.” Just like many other clubs and organizations on campus, COVID19 challenged the Forensics team. As they are still optimistic about the future, the coaches and members are trying to make the most of the circumstances. Hall said, “It has caused us to grow closer as a team, as we are all fighting to survive this wacky year and season together.” The team will be a force to be reckoned with this season with strong talent across board. Photo courtesy of Doug Hall The CC Forensics Team posed for a group photo at the team's fall retreat. Team members include (from left to right): Braxton Sambrano, Alex Walters, Violet Wright, Stephanie Barella, Lydia Roterdam, Emma Kellick, Shelby Davis, Markie Whitney, Izzy Garcia, and Kaelan Rodriguez Kane steals the show Kelsey Herman/Chinook Kane, an English Mastiff, participated in the 2020 Casper College Dog Trek. The pup is quite the personality -- he even has his own business card with a photo and all. The card reads in part: I was born September 29, 2017 in Washington State. My two favorite things in life are eating and sleeping. Kane brings a lot of smiles to a lot of people's faces. I also have one of the longest tongues you have ever seen! � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2020-10 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2020-10 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from October 2020. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2020-10 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/d98ebbc9c3407efdcd81c20b9d728edd.pdf ab6daa30adc2e741f6cbd143ceb9547d PDF Text Text December 1, 2020 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Christmas is coming CC set to open original Christmas show Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Taking a break from work or school, spending time with loved ones, and reflecting on the past year while looking forward to the next always makes for a sentimental time of year. For those who celebrate, Christmas tends to be one of the most anticipated times of the year because for one day, the world seems at peace. Now more than ever, people are seemingly desperate for that one day where everything will feel okay again. Even though it may be different, Christmas -- or whichever other holiday you may celebrate -- is coming nonetheless. The community is full of people determined to keep life moving as smoothly and normally as possible. Here at Casper College, the school is taking extreme measures at Gertrude-Krampert Theatre to ensure performances can continue for the rest of the year. After Tarzan closed, CC dance instructor Jodi Youmans-Jones took her original show to the stage. A Merry MixedUp Christmas is written, directed, and choreographed by Youmans-Jones. The show takes the age-old story of A Christmas Carol, and does just what the title suggests -- mixes it up. The 60-minute dance production references How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, and more. “It’s a mashup, but all the pieces come together. It makes sense, and it’s beautiful,” said Joan Davies, who plays the narrator. “The show is crazy and unpredictable. It kinda fits the times.” The dedicated efforts of the cast and crew produced flawless choreography, even in rehearsal. The parts of the show moved together like a well-oiled machine. Still, the cast and crew spent nearly an hour after finishing a rehearsal to discuss how to make the show even better. “Before you actually do a show, it’s hard to realize how much physical and mental energy goes into putting one on,” Youmans said. The cast spent weeks in the studio before even moving on stage. Every day, they would each step into their socially distanced, designated squares and rehearse the same steps Rachelle Trujillo/Chinook Kaylee Youmans and Sydeny Lund play a youthful game onstage while rehearsing for the A Mixed Up Merry — See CHRISTMAS, Page 4 Christmas dance production at CC. Spring 2021 a go for in-person instruction Rhonda Arlene Chinook Writer Rhonda Arlene/Chinook Kaden Hoppa works in Moodle as the college shifts to remote instruction following the Thanksgiving holiday. Although many classes will transition to online instruction after Thanksgiving break, the spring semester is moving forward with face-to-face instruction. In October, Casper College President Darren Divine announced a Thanksgiving holiday extension to all students and a pivot to remote learning for all feasible classes after the break. The fall semester will finish mostly online as a result of the rising COVID19 cases within the CC community and Casper area. In his announcement, Divine emphasized that campus will remain open and that this online transition is not an indication of things to come. Cases of COVID-19 are skyrocketing in Natrona County, and the local hospitals are feeling the stress and strain of the pandemic. As a proposed solution led by Natrona County Health Officer Dr. Mark Dowell, Natrona County enacted a mask mandate on November 19, which will remain in effect until December 4 with the possibility of extension at that time. Although much of the country enacted strict shutdowns, the city of Casper remains open and active. This is in contrast with some of our closest neighbors. Colorado recently rolled out its most extensive restrictions to date, including a shutdown of all indoor dining and bars and limited occupancy in retail stores right before Black Friday, one of the busiest commercial times of the year. While the pandemic continues to rage on, CC students are frustrated with the isola- tion and lack of interaction with their peers. Online education may be a necessity during quarantine periods, but it is not always ideal. “I thought college would be different, but online classes feel like the end of high school all over again. This isn’t the experience I had hoped for,” said Kaden Hoppa, a first-year engineering student at CC. According to Rachel Schafer, CC admissions advisor, the desire to return to inperson classes was evident at the beginning of the 2020/2021 school year. “There was a huge influx of students and even a waitlist for the residence hall after the announcement was made that we were going in-person for fall semester,” said Schafer. The Natrona County School District shares similar views about remaining face-to-face. At the school district board meeting held November 23, the board suggested the controlled environment of live classes could even help stem the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring proper mask wearing and social distancing. Some CC students with underlying health issues have expressed concern about proper mask usage and social distancing in the classroom, according to Dr. Nathan Blank, a political science professor at CC. The CC website offers COVID-19 updates and links to the CDC guidelines for safely resuming in-person classes and campus housing environments. The CDC recommends properly wearing masks, social distancing of at least six feet, and hand washing or utilizing hand sanitizer if hand washing is not accessible. And, stay home if exhibiting symptoms. Eating disorders among college students Toni Kerr Chinook Writer Entering college is an exciting time for most young adults. You are finally on your own, moved out of your parents house, and making decisions for yourself. While this can be an exciting time for many, it can also be a very difficult time for those struggling with eating disorders. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, “Full blown eating disorders typically begin between 18 and 21 years of age.” The stress of adapting to living on your own, the college assignments, and other factors can lead to eating disorders or worsen those that already exist. Samantha Smith, A Student Success Coach at Casper College who holds an M.S. in Social Work, discussed some of the challenges that can arise for eating disorders in college. “I think there’s a fear of being vulnerable, which is a fear of being authentic,” said Smith. “Just being able to show up with who you truly are isn’t the norm.” When you start to scroll through Instagram, you can see why people have this fear of being authentic. Social media plays a big role in the struggle against comparison. For someone with an eating disorder, mindlessly scrolling through Instagram can be a big trigger. Jill Phipps, a junior studying Psychology at the University of Wyoming who has personally battled eating disorders, shared how she believes social media plays a big role in the rise of eating disorders. “Most of us are active on Instagram and other photo sharing sites that perpetuate the idea of the ‘perfect body,’ which is actually not attainable for most people. This commonly leads to viewers beginning to shame their own body for not matching those seen on the internet,” Phipps explained. “Not only is body shaming rampant within social media, but there is also an influx in self-proclaimed “experts” who promote unhealthy eating habits. Many of us become so exposed and desensitized to these types of posts that we don’t even notice ourselves picking up the habits.” Smith responded to such concerns. She discussed how social media and comparison are things that most people are going to do, but the focus should be more about learning how to work through them. “If you’re on social media and you see something that causes a reaction or a trigger for you, do you then have the ability to use deep breathing or some sort of coping skill that you develop to keep yourself going forward?” Smith questioned. Although many eating disorders can start to rise in college, professionals agree that early disordered eating and comparison thoughts can start in childhood. “I think the narrative really starts in elementary school,” said Smith. “That’s when we’re first put into social groups where you have the ability to see people who are supposed to be like you, or you’re supposed to be like them, and that’s where compassion starts.” Phipps also stated how this mindset can develop early on. “Many people I have known with eating disorders grew up as a victim of their parents’ involvement in diet culture. This exposure as a child shapes one's schema about food and health in a way that will make them more at risk to engage in unhealthy eating habits,” said Phipps. When starting to learn how to assist or support those struggling with an eating disorder in college, it becomes very important to first learn about the misconceptions surrounding them. Phipps said, “I think the most frequent misconception about those experiencing disordered eating is that it is somehow a one size fits all diagnosis. Not everybody with an eating disorder is going to look malnourished or have bones showing. I would actually argue that the majority of people with eating disorders do not fit any stereotypical image at all.” If someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, Smith said it’s important to stay consistent and continue showing up for that person. “Someone with an eating disorder can have a very low level of selfworth and the way that they view themselves, so people not being able to show up with them and being with them is what they expect,” says Smith. While the rate of eating disorders among college students is increasing, it’s important for college students to know how to get the help they need. Students at CC struggling with an eating disorder or those who feel they might be at risk are able to get help through the Wellness Center on campus. To make an appointment at the Wellness Center and speak with a free counselor, call 307-268-2267. Students can also go to the office on the second floor of the Student Union/University of Wyoming at Casper building, room 202. �Page 2 December 1, 2020 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Thanksgiving edition Chinook Stance Self-Care Corner: A Personal Check In Maddey Strayer Watch what happens When was the last time you took a moment to check in on yourself? This year has been stressful for all of us, and one of the most important things to keep in mind, especially right now, is selfcare. So why not take some time, right now, to just look at something nice. A plant, a painting, or a cozy warm drink. Take some deep breaths. Look around you, and be aware of your surroundings. Calm yourself down. Look at some animal videos, or google some strange dog hybrids. Water a plant or two. Get a plant if you don’t have one! It’s nice to have something green around. Take some time to just appreciate the nice things, even if there are also bad things. Learn to appreciate the bad things for what they are, too. Take some more deep breaths, maybe put on your favorite band. Treat yourself because you are special and you are worth it. Buy a scented candle that reminds you of your favorite memory. Take things slow, and remember to just chill out sometimes. Indulge in something you enjoy, like chocolate or a latte. Treat yourself to the little things that perk you up. Take up a new hobby. Cook your favorite recipe. Try out meditation, and take a moment to just be quiet and still. Pet an animal. Make your- self a warm drink. Read a book. Have a bubble bath, if that’s your thing. Watch a pleasant TV show or movie. Hydration is important! And no, that bottle of juice or cup of tea doesn’t count! Drink some water. Take a break from screen time. (That last one can be difficult, but it can also be so, so invigorating and refreshing.) We’re all stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious about a lot of things. There’s a lot of noise ambiently buzzing around in our heads even if we don’t realize it. Especially when we have limitless access to the internet. We spend days reading imaginary internet conversations between people we don’t know and keeping up with influencer drama, and it does have an effect on us. Step back from that for a moment or two. Remember that you are a human with one life, and it’s up to you to make it the best possible life you can. Think about something good that you’ve achieved and say, “Yeah! That was nice!” So, take as long as it takes to build yourself and your life into something you are happy with. And if something is making you feel unhappy, don’t spend ages dwelling on it. Change it. Take a deep breath and say to yourself, “I’m fine. I can do this. I am in control of my future, everything will be fine.” “ As I was contemplating what to write for this month’s edition, my mind was drawn towards Thanksgiving. For quite some time I have believed Thanksgiving, while one of our most cherished holidays, is also one of the most overlooked. It is all too easy to think of Thanksgiving as a chance to overeat and binge-watch TV, but overlook the Thankful part of Thanksgiving. I want to encourage each of you to take a few minutes and seriously reflect on the things in your life that are going well. Given enough time and sincere thought, I am absolutely sure each of you can come up with a list of things you are thankful for. — Darren divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Now while I admit that 2020 has been quite the year, that does not mean there are not things to be grateful for. I want to encourage each of you to take a few minutes and seriously reflect on the things in your life that are going well. Given enough time and sincere thought, I am absolutely sure each of you can come up with a list of things you are thankful for. All too often it seems it’s just easier to dwell on the not so good things, and thus give them more importance in our lives then they deserve. So… my plea to you this November, especially this November, stop and spend some time contemplating all the good things about where you are in life. I promise - you have many good things going on. New beginnings Since I started keeping daily journals in eighth grade, I’ve given the first entry of each the same title: “New Beginnings.” All of my journals represent a different chapter in my life, and upon beginning a new one, I get excited thinking of all that will happen, which will be used as material to fill all the blank pages of a fresh book. It really does feel like a new beginning each time. My latest “New Beginnings” entry was made February 26th of this year -- the most appropriately named and timed entry ever. I think 2020 presented most of us with all kinds of new beginnings, as well as new endings, new hardships, and new joys. As this year comes to an end, it’s important to reflect on it all. We are mentally and emotionally exhausted having gone through some of the toughest 12 months many of us have ever experienced. It’s not an exaggeration to say that collectively, the human spirit was put to the test by way of a pandemic, race revolutions, and political divisions. Life has been and continues to be hard, and no person regardless of background or walk of life has been untouched by the weight of 2020. The holiday season is drawing closer, and we are in desperate need of those feelings of peace and harmony. It’s time we set aside differences for just a bit, and open our eyes to those in need not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. There was a time earlier this year when we seemed to be standing together in unity for the first time in a long time. As a state of emergency was declared back in March, uncertainty gripped the nation and world, and all we could do was cling to our loved ones and support one another. We saw videos of sons and daughters visiting their elderly parents through windows of nursing homes, teachers delivering goods and encouragement to students in a socially distanced manner, and communities coming together to celebrate birthdays from their cars. It was a scary time, but also a beautiful reflection of the human spirit. I hope we can remember those good Rachelle Trujillo Rachelle's Reflections moments that arose from all the chaos and draw on ideals of unity rather than division for the upcoming year. We felt loved, shared laughs, and supported one another. The year 2020 truly hasn’t been all bad. Yet, we are starting a new chapter nonetheless. Now is the time to reflect on where we’ve been while also looking forward to where it is that we are going next, both as individuals and a community. Not as democrats or republicans; Americans or Mexicans; men or women, but rather simply as humans. It’s time to look towards a new beginning for ourselves and our world. �December 1, 2020 Sports at CC CHINOOK Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Keita Chochi, a freshman from Fukuoka, Japan, works of moving to the ball down the feild to score a goal during a scrimmage in October. Page 3 Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Capser College Volleyball Team 2020-2021. Top Row (from right to left), Shealyn Oili, Sierra Fainuulelei, Hailey Anderson, Hannah Thompson, Jana Gilic, Jada Suguturaga, Giulia Santuari, Olivia Muir, and Kylee Painter. Bottom row (from right to left), Brynne Hopeau-Lampitoc, Valeria Rodriguez, Kamille Santuari, Cheylah Marfil, and Aileen Bugas -- The Women's Basketball team's next home game is Friday, January 15th. vs. Wyoming All-Stars -- The Men's Basketball team's next home game is Thursday, January 28th vs. Colorado Northwestern Community College. -- The Women's Volleyball Team's next home game Saturday, January 23rd vs. Northeastern Junior College Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Casper College Womens Basketball Team 2020-2021. Top row (from right to left), Dejaan Schuler, Marija Bakic, Belen Morales Lopez, Kate Robertson, Kammie Ragsdale, Joseana Vaz, and Sofie Hauge. Bottom row (from right to left), Rosalinda Gonzalez, Kobe King-Hawea, Emily Achter, Kaia Herrera, and Natalia Otkhmezuri. Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Abigail Tapia, a freshman from West Valley City, Utah works on keeping the ball away from opponent during a scrimmage in October. Casper College Mens Basketball Team 2020-2021. Top row (from left to right), Micah Garrett, Simeon Richardson, Traizon Byrd, Bright Iheanachor, Samuel Keita, Ousmane Dia, Malang Athian, and Dion Ford. Bottom row (from left to right) Trey Boston, Brah'jon Thompson, Donavan Freeman, Dathan Satchell, Davion McAdam, Anthony Davis, and Ciri Sawyeres. Join our the Chinook staff this spring! Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Contact faculty advisor Bri Weigel (Brasher) brianne.brasher@caspercollege.edu https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ �CHRISTMAS................................................................................. continued from page 1 over and over again. For two and a half hours, six days a week since September, the cast put blood, sweat, and tears into the production. But the final payoff doesn’t just extend to the stage. Natrona County Freshman Kaylee Yousmans said the cast welcomed her in, and through the process, she made many friends that are “almost more like older siblings.” Sharice Veronica is a CC sophomore and dance/ theatre major shared her extreme pride in her castmates, mentioning how enjoyable it was to “watch everyone grow not only as dancers, but as people.” A Merry Mixed-Up Christmas will open December 3, at 7:30 p.m. and show through December 6. The show will then take the stage again December 10 - 12. Tickets are available at the GertrudeKrampert box office from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets will be sold until the show, or until the show is sold out. Youmans-Jones said she recommends getting them sooner rather than later, as she anticipates this show is going to be a hit for all ages as Christmas approaches. Rachelle Trujillo/Chinook Joan Davies, who plays the narrator, begins monologuing on stage during the opening number, Christmas is Coming Again (remix). Casper College's Thanksgiving Celebration Photo Courtesy of Jason Conforti Sodexo's dining staff prepared and served a special Thanksgiving meal before students left campus for the holiday. Pictured left to right: Jerry Golumb, Amber Taylor, (back) Kylie Warren, Mary Lott, Maranda Bingham, Kathy Gurule, Celia Mostaert. O P A C C �December 1, 2020 Page 5 CHINOOK CC: A portal to the world Rebekah Sechrist Chinook Writer Like many Casperites, Patricia McInroy started her educational career at Casper College, which became her portal to the world. Casper College ignited her career into photojournalism, film, and world travel. McInroy started taking photos in high school at Natrona County High. She said her only outlets for photography were through the school and 4H. The county fair showcased her work and NC used her photos for the yearbook. As a photography student, she explored traditional art elements like color and light, value, contrast, and composition. When discussing photography in general, she said what sets photographers apart from the flood of photos people take now-a-days is composition. McInroy said it is easy to tell the difference between “people who have studied photography and know how to compose a photo” and those who don’t. After graduating high school, McInroy decided to develop her skills by attending Casper College. Seeking a scholarship for her work, she met with the journalism instructor who saw her photos and gave her a scholarship on the spot. The instructor said “work for the Chinook, take a journalism class, and then I can get you a scholarship.” As a student journalist, she wrote for the Chinook, which McInroy said was a “really a big turning point” for her. She went on to describe her next steps. “It ended up directing my career path… because that is something you can make money doing. Photojournalism. Whereas fine art photography you're gonna probably end up teaching, showing your work on the side,” said McInroy. While a student at CC, the Casper Star-Tribune approached McInroy about her work. She then seized the opportunity to work directly with a photojournalist who had been published by National Geographic. He eventually became her mentor, sparking her career. Her experience with world travel kicked off thanks to CC’s many International programs. McInroy said she wrote an article for the Casper StarTribune and said “I wanna get the heck out of my hometown, right? When you’re a teenager you wanna explore, but I also needed to save money, so going to Casper College I was able to do that.” However, McInroy also recognized the positives of staying local. “Because so many opportunities come around, thanks to Casper College, I was able to travel. I went on this trip to Appalachia, to Europe, and to Porta Viarta,” McInroy shared. “I got to do these really amazing trips through the college, only because some individual at the time stepped up and said let's try this out.” Having explored such exotic places while getting her three degrees at CC, McInroy went on to continue exploring the world and creating art. McInroy received her graduate degree at Vermont College of Fine Art where the school’s demanding residency program gave her access to new ideas and inspiration from various faculty across the country. McInroy stressed how valuable she found her experience. “I got to make friends from all over the country and I got exposed to teachers from throughout the country,” said McInroy. When asked about choosing film as an outlet for expression, McInroy said she was hesitant at first. “I was really resistant to video… There's something really special about capturing a decisive moment in photography,” reasoned McInroy. Despite her resistance, she enjoyed ten years as a photojournalist in Arizona, where she was thrown into video without instruction, but she ultimately embraced the medium. In 2016, McInroy received acclaim for her documentary film, Clara: Angel of the Rockies. According to the Casper Star Tribune, “The 30-minute film is the winner of the PBS’ To The Contrary: All About Women — Women’s History U.S. Category. McInroy decided to make the documentary with her own funds in order to help spread Clara Brown’s story of hope to others.” McInroy is currently a professor at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design teaching film and photography. She spoke about what impact she would like to have in the world. “I want to make a positive change in the world,” she said. “When you know who you are, you know what your values are, (and) you'll start making decisions based on your values.” McInroy discussed how important art is for personal growth and development. “So many schools are getting rid of their art programs. I was an Americore volunteer in New Mexico for a year, and we worked with kids in community centers doing art. And most of them didn’t have art in their schools anymore. Art was just awesome for them,” she shared. McInroy went on to say how important it is to inspire Photo Courtesy of Patricia McInroy "Go Around" is a current art pieces on sale at the Abend Art Gallery in Denver. It was taken on the border of Colorado and Wyoming in 2018. students and artists who are struggling with their career paths. “I think that people need to be more economically savvy and think about the big pic- ture. The truth is most artists are having to do something else on the side. You’ve got to make a living. And that's okay,” McInroy said. CC provided a launchpad for McInroy’s art and teaching career. Thanks to the college, McInroy said she's continued advancing, exploring the world, and inspiring artists and humans to venture forward. Rachelle Trujillo/Chinook "Open", two images are intended to be published side by side) is a popular experimental video piece shot outside of Sheridan. McInroy said this piece has screened widely in the United States and also at film festivals in Latin America and Europe. �Page 6 December 1, 2020 CHINOOK Visual Arts prepares for remodel Submitted Photo The new visual artis building at Casper College is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2020, though plans are well underway. The design is pictured above. Julia Nielsen Chinook Contributor With groundbreaking for the building beginning this April, the new Visual Arts building at Casper College is starting to feel like a reality for staff, students and the community. The new and improved building will be complete as of Summer 2022. The ceramics instructor Mike Olson, who has spent decades of his academic and professional life at CC, discussed the details of the upcoming facility and reminisced on the current building and its impact on staff and students alike. Initially cost estimates on renovating and fixing the existing building proved too costly, so the college decided to rebuild instead. A local architectural firm, MOA, and a design firm based out of Minneapolis, HGA, worked on the project. A quality control manager also oversees the project ot make sure that CC ends up with a beautiful, clean, efficient, and safe building that will last for 50 years and beyond. The students and staff will not have to relocate, as the contractors will simply demolish then board up the drawing studio, the painting studio, and the mac lab. When construction begins, the new building will stand ten feet away from the old. Legally, this is as close as the new building can get to the existing structure. The design team completed their phase of the project several weeks ago, focusing on smaller details, including the color palettes for the interior and exterior, what type of brick and stucco to use (fancy modern brick with clean grout lines or old-world brick with oozing mortar mix), the color of carpets and doors, etc. “The design team asked us what feeling we want the building to have, and a lot of the staff voiced that we didn’t want it to look super industrial like The University of Wyoming’s Visual Arts Facility. It will mesh with the new music building, the gateway building, and the union with brick on the bottom floor and stucco above,” said Olson. Olson and other faculty have been liaisons throughout the design process, with many strange reiterations occurring with legislators over the past four years. The rebuilding is funded by both the state and the Casper College Foundation. The foundation agreed to float the money so the project can begin, and fundraising can be held later. Since the building is completely designed, the final designs are now being turned into construction documents. Then the contractors can play their part in the process. With the blueprint on its way, Olson looks forward to what an asset the new VA building will be on campus. “The new building will double in size, meaning that every studio will double in size: ceramics, painting, drawing, metals, sculpture, photography, printmaking, graphic design, and more. There will be an entryway and a commons area that will open-up to the second floor. Right across from the entryway will be a beautiful gallery space with swinging glass doors, so you can still see the art when the gallery is closed,” said Olson. He continued, “There will be additional art storage, because we’ve had all of these beautiful pieces of art that have been donated, and Valerie has nowhere to display, curate, or fix them. To the left of the new gallery space will be art storage with glass windows so people can see this collection as well.” Another gallery is planned on the second floor, as well as a possible third gallery in a conference room. With demo- lition occurring soon, Valerie Innella, the gallery director and art history professor already started removing pottery collections from the display cases. The gallery in the current Visual Arts building appears as small and intimate, but Innella looks forward to a gallery that can accommodate everyone. She said she will miss the building where her career at CC began along with the relationships she formed. In her mind’s eye, she visualizes the current building and the memories she made in each studio, during each activity, and at every art club party. Yet Valerie looks forward to holding events in a new, bigger space and a wider range of amenities. The new gallery(s) will allow the art to be accessible, visible, and protected all at the same time. “The new building will be an asset because of the scale, the enlarged classrooms, the installing of state-of-the-art equipment. Our current equipment has caused safety concerns when we operate heavy machinery, fire kilns at high temperatures, when we use saws in our sculpture studio, and when we solder materials in our metals studio,” said Innella. The current building was built in 1977, so it has presented a few problems for the staff and students there. It has been difficult to do maintenance because the building was built on top of an underground waterway, causing the crawl space to be filled with dirt materials such as silt. Also, the building was not built with modern-day technology in mind, so the walls are made from cinderblock. This makes it difficult to integrate any new technology into the facility. There also isn’t enough room to accommodate larger groups of students, a maximum of about 20 students is allowed for studio classes. The ceramics suite used to be even more cramped and dangerous in the past, so a shed was built outside to house most of the kilns, a ceramics oven, and other equipment. In the new building, the kilns will be built outside of the second story. Some of the kilns will feature smokestacks and they will be covered by architectural screening. Olson, the ceramics instructor, hopes to see an increase in enrollment with the new facility and safer, larger spaces. He also hopes to rebuild staff for the art department, with more full-time faculty as well as adjunct faculty. “When I was a student here in the early 90s, all of the kilns were crammed into the ceramics studio, a very tiny space. So just like a goldfish, we’ve outgrown our fishbowl,” said Olson. Olson and Innella are still fond of the original building because they associate so many years of memories with it. Olson has over 35 years worth of pottery in the boneyard, a place where all of the pottery is displayed, which will be transferred to the new building with floor to ceiling glass windows for display. The space where the old building is will become additional parking and green space. Olson got his Associate’s in Fine Arts at Casper College and was an adjunct instructor until he started teaching fulltime. He mentioned that he spent most of his adult life in the visual arts building, so he will miss the familiarity and comfort it brings him. Innella has spent many years making the VA building her home. They both agreed that their biggest challenge but also the most fun to tackle will be creating the comfort and ease that this building brings them, and curate that within the new one. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2020-12 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2020-12 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from December 2020. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2020-12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/75e7b7abcf2649c4109d7240a26e126f.pdf 1ba2b44eaa4aa00e71f463ed4b94c3ff PDF Text Text March 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Student Senate starts food pantry Julia Nielsen Chinook Writer The Casper College student senate launched a food pantry this semester that is located on the 4th floor of the student union with food available to all students with no needs test required. The food pantry is open 12 – 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 12 – 5 p.m. on Fridays. Any student can get eight food items and two personal hygiene items per week. CC’s Student Senate put the initiative in motion with hopes of improving the lives of students. “The food drive and food pantry are really good ideas because I didn’t realize how many students were food insecure. If there are issues like this that students bring to our attention, there is a lot we can do to help them. I feel like we’re always trying to help students and do what’s best for them,” said Anastacia Slack, CC’s student body president. Students are not required to reveal a certain income level to qualify for access to the food pantry. Nutritious, non-perishable items are preferred, such as canned fish, canned fruit, vegetables and beans, pasta, rice, soup, and peanut butter. Students can also donate personal hygiene items, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner, toilet paper, soap, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products. The student senate is responsible for overseeing all of CC’s student clubs and organizations. The senate provides set guidelines for each club and decides the amount of funding they receive. Each club is sanctioned and must have a constitution in place, as well as a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and an advisor. The advisor must be a full-time staff member at the college. Each club is required to do a food drive to help supply the food pantry. The club that donates the most food wins a grand prize of $2,000, and the club coming in second place receives $1,000. The student senate discussed other potential initiatives during their meeting, including improving the roads on campus and parking lot lighting for a safer campus. “Task number one is providing support and giving direction for our clubs. The second thing senate does is advocacy, which involves the improvement of our campus. They’ve passed a couple of resolutions to President Devine’s desk, with this month’s initiative involving the fixture of several potholes around campus,” said Corey Peacock, the student senate’s advisor as well as the director of student life here at Casper College. During their meeting, Anastacia and her team discussed the athletic watch parties to be held in the cafeteria the following week. The watch party for women’s basketball was held at 4:30 p.m. and men’s basketball at 7:30 p.m. on February 24th. Another watch party was held for women’s volleyball at 7:30 p.m. on the February 26th. There was a live stream of the games with wings and an ice cream bar provided for students. Spirit week will also be held in late April for the beginning of Casper College’s soccer season. A blood drive is also scheduled for the semester on April 8th, with the senate discussing last week how Photo courtesy of Student Senate The 2020-2021 Casper College Student Senate launced a food pantry. Members of the senate starting in the front row (left to right) include: Dani Warner, Anastacia Slack, Bre Long, Abby Hudman, Morgan Bundy, Emma Mercer. Back row (left to right): Tierra Price, Logan MacKearney, Paige Noble, Jake Duncan, Charissa Parker they can get students involved for the upcoming drive. Another initiative that senate discussed goes by the name of “thundering through barriers” with the goal of bringing students together to discuss uncomfortable yet important topics that improve student life. Last semester, students discussed suicide intervention training. This semester the group plans to discuss sexual assault and how it can be prevented. If you have an issue regarding campus or an important initiative you think the student senate should address, contact a member of the student senate or a student senate advisor. Rodeo team prepares for spring Savannah Peterson Chinook Writer Dozens of Casper College rodeo athletes are gearing up for the beginning of the 2021 spring rodeo season. The men’s team finished the fall season in high standings, and the women’s team is focused on growth. The 43 rodeo athletes are busy at practice. The real and raw practices are very com- petitive. Everyone is working to get better and the best way to do that is to work hard at practice. Carter Sandberg, a freshman saddle bronc rider, said, “We have great practices every week, awesome horses and great pickup men.” Although the practices are filled with many fun times, the students and coaches keep it competitive and focused. Sandberg credits the productive practices and teams’ success to his coaches, Jhett Johnson and Sandy Forbes. Johnson is the Head Rodeo Coach at Casper College. Forbes, a Casper College Rodeo Alumni, is the Assistant Rodeo Coach. After a very successful fall season, the men’s team is currently ranked third in the 20202021 Central Rocky Mountain Region standings. Such a ranking gives the team high expectations for the upcoming season. Sandberg shared his thoughts from the end of his rookie season. “I did not have the best luck this fall but feel I’ve been riding best as ever thanks to the good horses and awesome coaching,” said Sandberg. The women’s team is currently ranked 10th in the region going into the beginning of the spring season. For Megan Van Liere, a freshman barrel racer and goat tyer, the spring season looks exciting. “It (the season) looks very Bryce Hindman/Chinook everyone has been working hard with the help from both coaches, Jhett and Sandy.” Despite challenges from COVID-19 last fall, Van Liere is hopeful that the team can compete at all six rodeos this spring. When the school went into lockdown, the rodeo team had to miss a rodeo this fall, which set the team back in standings. “We had to miss one rodeo — See Rodeo, Page 5 Wilson says goodbye to CC Bryce Hindman Chinook Writer Grant Wilson posed for a photo outside of his classroom during his last semester at Casper College. busy; very competitive,” Van Liere said. “It looks like it will be a good season over all.” Van Liere said she started rodeoing at eight-years-old, and college rodeo is her next step to going pro. “My goal is to make the College National Finals and place in the top ten,” said Van Liere. Sandberg is also ready for the start of the spring season. Sandberg said, “I’m excited for the team this spring as Communication instructor Dr. Grant Wilson is retiring from Casper College in May and moving on to Western Nebraska Community College where he will start as the school’s vice president on June 1. After over three decades at Casper College, the school’s halls will feel his absence this coming fall. The right professor can have a huge impact on student lives. For many, that professor is Grant Wilson, Ed.D. When walking the halls of CC, it’s easy to just pass by person after person while not really paying attention to others or thinking about who those people might be. When walking by Wilson in the hall, he may seem like your ordinary college professor. But in class, Wilson’s teaching tells a different story. The Chinook visited with one student who took three of his classes over the past two years. “He made class really fun. I’ve taken a couple classes from him and he's always really good at making classes really interactive and interesting,” said Emily Byrd, a sophomore studying communications at CC. “His interpersonal communication class helped me choose the major I wanted to be in and helped me discover what my interests really are.” Of course, Byrd isn’t the only student that can reflect on the pleasure of taking a class taught by Wilson. With an above average course load of typically five classes per semester and around 20 students per class, around 6,000 students have gone through his classes in roughly 60 semesters. S uch a number is an impressive figure, especially considering the number does not take into account his former speech and debate students. If Byrd’s experience is any indication, the vast majority of these 6,000 students have enjoyed, learned, and benefited from the experience Wilson provided them in class. However, before Wilson could teach, he too put considerable time and effort into his studies to perfect his craft. He graduated with his Bachelor’s of Science in Education as well as English and speech from the University of Wisconsin at White Water. He then went on to obtain his Master of Arts from Northern Illinois University in communication studies, and finally, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Doctorate in Education. After putting in all the work, it didn’t take long for Wilson to land the career he wanted. “I always joke that after I finished my master’s degree this was the only interview that I had. I wanted to teach. I didn't want to get into doing research at a big research university,” said Wilson. “That's how I got into you applying to community colleges all over, and then this position became available, and they offered me the job so I moved out here. But I like it, I mean I've stayed 31 years for a reason.” Along with teaching a variety of communication classes at CC, Wilson worked with the student senate, started and helped coach speech and debate for 16 years, and even served as dean for the School of Science here at CC. Out of all of these roles, Wilson said his favorite subject to teach is public speaking and not just because he teaches it “better than anything else,” but also because of a more touching reason. “No one speech stands out to me as the best or even really good. It’s the shy, quiet kids who come out of their shell who I remember. Getting to watch students push past that shyness and get out of their comfort zone and deliver a speech is what I enjoy the most,” Wilson shared. Dr. Wilson, Grant Wilson, Lil G Willz, whatever you call him, has been an integral part of CC for decades. To this day he continues to educate and inspire future graduates all while using humble humor and a relatable attitude to do so. When walking the halls of the college, try not to take for granted the wealth of knowledge, hard work, and commitment within these walls. Everyone is either striving for an education and a better life, or they’ve already conquered their educational goals and only aim to pass their knowledge down to others. Take advantage of what the seasoned, humble professors like Wilson have to offer while you still can. "I was surprised to hear that Grant is retiring. He was genuinely one of my favorite professors, and I think it will be a great loss to Casper College,” said Byrd. “But I know that he will have a great future." �Page 2 March 1, 2021 CHINOOK Chinook Stance How a sustainable student garden could aid in campus food insecurity Julia Nielsen Just Julia Student farms have been around for decades with the mission of educating students on basic farming techniques but also to feed students on campus. Learning the importance of organic and local food production provides numerous benefits for college campuses. With Casper College launching their first food pantry, a student garden could aid in supplying fresh food for the pantry. This would be a space where we can come together to grow the campus community, as well as grow local produce for the betterment of Casper College and its students and faculty. Wyoming has a particularly short growing season, combined with unpredictably cold weather that could pose a threat to premature gardens. This means that timing would be one of the most important aspects if Casper College were to launch a student garden. Since our growing season is limited to about 125 days and our winter season is relatively long, an indoor facility for the college's garden would be ideal. At the very least, planting the seeds indoors first would potentially extend our growing season by several weeks. Cool-season crops would be ideal for Wyoming because they can withstand frosty weather conditions. These crops include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and other dark leafy greens along with onions, garlic, carrots, and radishes. Food insecurity across college campuses in the United States is more common than one would assume. Food insecurity affects students’ ability to learn and have a fulfilling college experience. A community garden would provide fresh produce for our food insecure students. Although most food pantries recommend donations that consist of non-perishable food items, student grown produce would add an element of vibrancy and color to the pantry. Fresh fruits and vegetables are one of the most important aspects of a healthy diet, and health and wellness is one of Casper College’s most important values as a community. The agriculture department at Casper College could take this initiative and turn it into an opportunity to teach students about the importance of sustainable agriculture on an entirely different level. Applying the methods of sustainable farming within a community garden will increase student awareness about where our food really comes from, how it is grown, and who grows it. The recently launched food pantry on campus is going to fulfill our students and their immediate needs. An increased awareness of food insecurity within campus and the launch of our pantry should motivate students to donate. I truly believe that a community garden would be an important addition for our food pantry because it will increase access to fresh produce that is costly at grocery stores, provide nutritional education, improve interpersonal relationships between students and faculty, and reduce student stress while improving student health. “ The German theatre practitioner Bertold Brecht once said, “Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.” These are true words indeed. A little over a year ago, few us of could have imagined the breath of depth of change the world was about to experience. But now, I want to caution everyone not to be too complacent with that change, as Divine's Intervention: Make sure you have reviewed your plans, both short- term and longer-term, and make sure your plan still fits with the foreseeable future." things will change again; they always do. Most of us have fallen into a routine of mask-wearing, a bit of a slower pace in life with less travel, and remote working to one degree or another. However, life is slowly getting back to something a bit more recognizable and relatively soon, if you are not careful, you will look around and realize circumstances constantly — Darren Divine, Ph.D. Casper College President changed, and you did not keep up. My plea for you today is to not get left behind by the next big change, or even the next series of small changes. Make sure you have reviewed your plans, both shortterm and longer-term, and make sure your plan still fits with the foreseeable future. Remember, planning is not for the past, or even the present, but for the future. 'Kids these days' There’s a big stigma around “kids these days.” Supposedly, we’re lazy, selfish, and more connected to technology than we are to one another. In some ways, these descriptions are fitting. Like any generation, we too have our downfalls. “I think most of our generation knows about the value of face-to-face connections and interaction. It’s not like it’s a foreign concept to us,” said Casper College freshmen Maddie Hernandez. “But it’s so easy to just not do it. If there’s someone about to pass us in the hallway, we turn to our phones to avoid talking with people. It’s cliche, but in a lot of ways we really do need to learn how to better interact with one another in real life.” “It’s really just the time we live in,” added fellow freshmen Sophie Henley. “If older generations had grown up with the same technology, they would have the same usage problems we do. We aren’t addicted to social media because we’re bad people, it’s just how we were raised.” We’re constantly on our phones, and we seem less approachable to each other. Relationships can crumble because one person ghosts the other, or someone’s snap map shows they’re somewhere they shouldn’t be. We let friendships end because we don’t like who the other person is following, or we expose screenshots that prove someone is lying. In many ways, technology is reestablishing human interaction for the worse. But in many other ways, technology is helping shape this generation for the better. We have these platforms to express ourselves, and we have the power to create a following of supportive people and to block out anyone that’s not. We’ve been given the opportunity to be more liberal in our beliefs and have been taught to include more people in our metaphorical list of those who deserve respect. Whereas drag queens, transgender folks, those with disabilities, and racial minorities were looked down upon as inferior or less than, technology has proven to be a place to celebrate such vast arrays of life and expression. Among the younger generations at least, we have found similar values, laughed at the same memes, and learned to wholly communicate with people far away. “I think kids our age are a lot more empathetic and more careful of what they say than older generations.” Hernandez said. “It’s like we don’t care what people think about us as much as other generations did because we don’t have to. We’re more expressive of ourselves, have more individuality, and are just overall more mindful of whether or not we’re harming anyone by just being ourselves.” While technology and media has divided us in many ways, there’s this honest connection between people online. Young people are largely supportive of people with different lifestyles, and it seems we share more similarities with more people than ever before. Young people today are speaking a very exclusive technological language. “Sometimes I honestly don’t understand how people made friends and kept in touch before social media,” Henley said. “The first thing you do when you meet someone is ask for their snapchat. We’ll all do the half swipe before fully opening someone’s message, and know not to use periods and that some smiley-face emojis are better than others. We all know these rules, and will be in touch with people all day, so in a lot of ways we have these really solid relationships.” We share so many similarities, and so many dreams. We care deeply about our lives, and the future-- both for ourselves and others. Rachelle Trujillo Rachelle's Reflections “We don’t want to settle,” Hernandez added. “It seems like our parents said ‘this is what we’re given and this is what we got to work with’. We want to be happier, and we want to change things and do more than just get by.” This so called “lazy” and “selfish” generation of people are very much concerned with the state of the world. We care about kindness, and the way we’re treating each other. Just because the world we are growing up in is different than any other, it doesn’t make it bad or wrong. There are so many things going wrong in the world today. It’s reassuring to see young people so confident in one another to make it a better place than it currently is. In this innovative state of affairs, it’s a guarantee we will find innovative ways to improve things. “I think we really are just such an empathetic and passionate group of people,” Henley added in closing. “There’s a lot of problems in the world, and I’m hopeful about what we’ll do to fix all these problems. We’re going to change things. I truly believe our generation is going to change the world.” 2021 Humanities Festival Bryce Hindman/Chinook Above, Richard Burk presents at the 2021 Humanities Festival to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Casper College Theater and Dance Department. Left, keynote speaker Mark Jenkins gave a presentation titled, The Future of Water in Wyoming: Global Warming, Drought and How Wyoming Can Protect Its Water. �March 1, 2021 Page 3 CHINOOK Agriculture at CC Photo Courtesy of Colby Hales At the February meeting for Ag Club, members elected the yearly officers. The officers are in charge of planning and facilitating meetings, leading service projects and interacting with members. Photo Courtesy of Jermey Burkett The Livestock Judging team has been busy traveling across the country attending Livestock Judging Contest. On February 13, the team found success at the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic. Photo Courtesy of Colby Hales The Ag Club held their monthly meeting in the Ag Pavilion. At the meeting, members made root beer floats, voted for officers, and discussed the upcoming spring semester. Savannah Peterson/Chinook Berkely Stroh, animal science student, is checking the baby pigs in the Ag Pavilion. The eight piglets were born before the start of the spring semester and are used in the Swine Production class. Oral Presentaion and Communication Center Conquer your fear of public speaking Po li sh yo u r c C re ate p ommu n ic at io n s k il ls To book your appointment online or in-office Bri Weigel brainne.brasher@caspercollege.edu call 307.268.2375 r a l p re s o f e s s io n e n t a io n s Learn organizational skills Photo Courtesy of Heath Hornecker Colby Hales won the Phi Theta Kappa Terrific Learning Coach of the month in January. He was recommended and presented the award by sophomore, Kaylen Stearns Join our the Chinook staff this fall! Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Contact faculty advisor Bri Weigel (Brasher) brianne.brasher@caspercollege.edu https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ �Page 4 CHINOOK March 1, 2021 A Start to a New Chapter “Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch” ~Judy Bloom~ Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer Bloom’s quote holds true to all educators, but the words especially describes Casper College’s own, Debra Swedberg. A mathematics instructor at CC for more than 30 years, Swedberg made a decision to end her teaching career and retire when the 2021 spring semester concludes. Swedberg grew grew up in Casper and attended CC. She earned her Associates in Mathematics before transferring to UW to earn her bachelors. “Back then it was trendy to take a technical background and apply it to Masters in Business Administration,” Swedberg explained. “During this time I was fortunate enough to get a Teaching Apprenticeship with the Math department rather than in the Commerce and Industry College. I was given two classes to teach each semester, and that is not only where I solidified my love for math, but that I found out that I enjoyed sharing it with others.” Swedberg then waited a couple of years for an instructor position to open up at CC, and when she saw one open, she jumped right on it. “My husband and I then raised our two daughters here in Casper. When they became independent, I was fortunate enough the get the support from my department chair to begin work on my Masters of Science in Math. So, for three years back and forth to Laramie -- that took a while -- but invigorated my passion for my area of study.” Swedberg worked at CC all of her 30-year career, starting in the fall of 1985. She shared her love for the team here. She reflected back on one year in particular. In 1996 to 199, Swedberg and her former colleague, Diane Ginsbach, split the schedule of the honors math course at Natrona County High School. That year, Swedberg taught at CC in the morning then went to the high school to teach two classes in the afternoon. “The differences of cultures of these two institutions were so amazing” she said. “At the high school, I got to know the students better than my college students because we were together five times a week and more time to discuss math topics. At the end of that school year, I was exhausted.” Swedberg explained that the high school students in her classes seemed to have a much higher energy level than the college students. “Very few college students were throwing spit wads or bouncing into class to tell everyone a cool song or their plans for the weekend. I was thankful to come back to the college full time the next year.” Over the course of her career, Swedberg found what works for her in the classroom. “One teaching method that I have found tried and true throughout all these years is even though I have been teaching this for years, this could be a student’s first exposure to some material. Patience and compassion rule the day!” A close friend and fellow math instructor, Claudia Stewart, said she’s known Swedberg since she became a department head in 2007. Stewart remembers how they met. “I was moving up to the third floor, and I wanted to make friends and get to know some of the other professors there,” said Stewart. “We went to lunch and noticed that we had easy conversation -- sometimes you get together with someone and just click. With our busy schedules we still try to get in a couple on lunches in a month to talk.” Stewart said one thing that really makes Swedberg unique is her compassion and patience that she brings to every person and every situation. “When it comes to a person or a situation, she doesn’t go about things from point A to point B. She looks at things from different angles, and she edits her thought process as she goes,” Stewart said. Stewart recalled a time at one of their lunches when Swedberg gave an interesting answer to a question. “I asked her if she could do anything in the world and money wasn’t an issue what would it be. Debra told me that she would help clean the plastic out of the ocean,” Stewart shared. “Most people when you ask that question would say something about a vacation they would take or something they would buy, but Debra is always thinking of other people instead of herself.” Knowing her for more than ten years Claudia has had the chance to observe and sometimes work with Debra. “One unique thing that I notice about Debra’s teaching style is the kindness and patience that she brings to everyone and everything. She is always thinking about other people and how no one person learns the same way,” said Stewart. Outside of class, Swedberg said she enjoys photography and likes to take pictures of all the places that she travels. Retirement marks a new chapter in her life, but her overwhelming compassion looks to stay the same. “I am a part of the sandwich generation where I have aging parents and a grandbaby, both seem to need me.” Swedberg said, explaining her plans for retirement. “I plan to maintain my physical health and am prepared to take whatever life throws at me. I plan on getting my Dive master certification and my husband and I are anxious to explore this world of ours, once it is safe to do so. I have also talked with Photo courtesy of Debra Swedberg the department chair to see if there are still Casper College Mathematics Instructor, Debra Swedberg, is returing after more contributions that I can make to our school and than 30 years with the institution. Swedberg said she is ready to 'take whatever life college.” throws' at her while exploring the world and maintaining physical health. Whatever the next big adventure is for Swedberg, Casper College wishes her good luck and thank her for helping so many. �March 1, 2021 Page 5 CHINOOK RODEO.............................. continued from page 1 because the college went into lockdown … that gave other schools the chance to get ahead of us,” she said. The team will begin their season on March 18 with a double header against Sheridan College in Gillette, Wyo. Both Sandberg and Van Liere are confident the team will find success against Sheridan College. Casper College rodeo will then travel to Torrington, Wyo. for the Eastern Wyoming College Rodeo. Finally, the team will compete at home in Casper from April 16 to April 18. The college hopes to relax some social distancing restrictions this spring to allow spectators at rodeo events, according to a recent email from CC President, Dr. Darren Divine. The team looks forward to having the stands full of fans. The season will wrap up at the University of Wyoming Rodeo and the Colorado State University Rodeo at the beginning of May. After the conclusion of the regular season, the team will begin preparing for the National College Rodeo Finals. NCRF is scheduled to take place in June at the Casper Event Center. Submitted photos To the right, Casper College's Megan Van Liere competes in Cheyenne. Members of Casper College's Rodeo Program are pictured below. The front row includes (from left to right): Ben Kukowski, Quinten Taylor, Carter Sandberg, Sadie Podzimek, Megan Van Liere, Makayla Seely, Kandace Lumbardy, Whitley Heitsch, Whitley Reder. The middle row includes (from left to right): Trace Fuller, Beau Scarborough, Clayton Atkinson, Chantel Kolb, Madison Enos, Kristen Williams, Erin Mcaleenan, Beau Rees, Ethan Mazurenko, Wyatt Atkinson, Jhett Johnson, Kress Johnson. The back row includes (from left to right): Davin Tysdal, Cody Fosket, Nevada Berquist, Kobly Bradley, Cain Birkeland, Cade Herring, Jack Skavdahl, Quincy Reynolds, Ty Christensen, Weston Mills. Soccer queues up for the spring season Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer The first official season of the Casper College soccer program is set to begin in just a few weeks. After a fall semester of scrimmages, the CC men’s soccer team is queuing up for their first “real games,'' according to head coach Ben McArthur. “The guys are itching to play,” he said. “We want to lay the foundation of CC Men’s soccer in year one.” Official practices are scheduled to begin March 15th, though the team has already been busy with workouts and futsal practices-- a type of game and practice typically done indoors on a much smaller court. Players and coaches alike expressed excitement, as they share in this new milestone in the college’s history. The players and coaches said they’re as equally focused on victory as they are team-bonding. CC’s men’s soccer team consists of players from around the state, nation, and even the world. From Casper, Wyo. all the way to South Korea, the team is as diverse as the players themselves, but all members of the team share a single goal: compete for the championship. Gabriel Gonzalez is a freshman from Phoenix, Ariz. who’s already enjoying the environment at CC. Gonzales said he hopes for the entire team to be on the same page and share the same championship mindset. “We all came here for a reason. Now it’s time to go get it!” Gonzalez said. Fellow teammate Jack Pascoe from Barry, Wales seems to be in the same headspace. Pascoe said he is excited to grow together as a team through practices and tournaments, and expressed that he wants to make history together at the college. “We are really excited for the season,” said McArthur in closing. “We are going one day at a time and building for the long term.” The men’s soccer team is scheduled to play its first game April 2nd in Kansas with a game following every few days thereafter. If all goes as planned, the determined CC players will head to nationals later this spring. Until then, McArthur said that all there’s left to do is put in the work to make the team's goals a reality. Volleyball to compete this spring Elisa Ayungua Chinook Writer Elisa Ayungua/Chinook Casper College's Olivia Muir spikes the ball in a recent game while teammate Jada Suguturaga works the net. Photo courtesy of Cory Garvin Victor Hugo (left) and Gonzalo Bazan (right) pose for promotional shots taken earlier this academic year. The Casper College Volleyball Team found competition through scrimmages in the fall of 2020, as the regular season took a back seat to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the season is finally underway this spring, and the team is not letting the delay hold them back. The played team its third game against Northeastern Community College on January 23, one of the first games to officially count for the 2021 season. Jana Gilic, a sophomore middle hitter on the team, said, “We are competitive, and we will fight for what we want.” Gilic started playing volleyball in 5th grade and hasn’t stopped since. Gilic is from Trstenik, Serbia, and she said she chose Casper due to its great reputation and community feel. She also said a previous player informed her about Casper, and her contact had nothing but good things to say about the program. “They are expecting big things from us definitely. We have a strong team and they are expecting us to make it to the regional tournament and of course to grow as a player and as a person,” said Gilic. Gilic also shared some expectations she holds for the team. “(My expectations are) to go to nationals, get better, and beat the teams that we wanted to beat,” said Gilic. There are quite a few good teams in the region but a few teams the Lady T-birds are keeping their eyes out for are Central Wyoming and Western Nebraska Community College. Regardless, Angel Sharman, Casper College’s Head Volleyball Coach, shared high hopes as the season continues. Sharman said she too played volleyball in college and enjoyed the sport so much she decided to take on coaching volleyball as a career. She started coaching at CC in August of 2001. “I am expecting a lot from this group -- you know we’re half sophomores and half freshmen. So I think we have a great group of people and a great comradery of different types of people, said Sharman. “So we have strong defense and we lost a kid because of injury, but you know we are going to overcome that.” According to Sharman, the team is now a better passing team, a better hitting team, and a lot taller than the previous year. “I think we’re going to see some good net play this year, and like I said, we’re going to scrap. This team is one that if they get down a little bit, they’re going to continue to fight. So I am hoping we can continue to do that from what I’ve seen so far,” said Sharman. Sharman stressed the value of academics first and foremost. In terms of volleyball specifically, she said she focuses on the team atmosphere, working hard, effort, and letting her players succeed in having a good time. Though the season is going to move along, COVID restrictions remain. Sharman noted that teams no longer change sides between games due to COVID. “You just have to be careful. You have to wear the face mask on the side(line), and it’s just gonna be different. But you know, you gotta take it as it is, and if somebody gets COVID there’s a chance you don’t play,” said Sharman. “ It’s just basically a day-to-day thing, but you know we’re out here right now. So that’s what we’re looking at and hopefully we can continue to you know what we’re doing to keep kids safe, and that’s the biggest thing, keeping the athletes safe and not harming them in any way.” To protect students, the program is taking is keeping up with the sanitation, cleaning the volleyballs frequently, making sure hands are sanitized, and checking temperatures. The program is doing its best to keep the players and coaches safe. �Page 6 March 1, 2021 CHINOOK Smith’s journey to journeyman A: As far as work goes probably my Tyler Gallegos Chinook Writer Here at Casper College, students work on pursuing jobs in many different fields. Some, however, start the job they are pursuing before finishing their education. Cedar Smith is a young electrician who is attending Casper College to build his knowledge while working towards his journeyman electrician certification. The Chinook sat down with Smith to learn about what it’s like to be one of the many tradesmen who attend CC while also working in their field. Q: What are a few things that lead you to your choice of career? A: I always thought that having a trade job would be smart for the sake of finding work. There were a couple people in my family that were electricians. My dad was an electrician and so was my cousin. coworker Jeff who was my journeymen. He has been doing this for a long time and he is very knowledgeable and helpful. He made my start into being an electrician easier. Q: Did they encourage you to continue your education? A: They definitely all agree that the more certifications and knowledge you have will further you more. There are other careers pertaining to being an electrician that I can branch off to if I have more education as an electrician. Q: Do you have any challenges when it comes to balancing work and school? A: The days that I do have school are defi- nitely harder for me. Sometimes it's hard for me to focus in the night at class after a long day of work. Q: Where do you see yourself five years Q: What is the most challenging thing from now? about your job? A: With a journeyman's electrician's licen- A: Right now I’d say the most challenging se. Working towards getting enough experience to become a master electrician. Something with a better living situation. In a few years when I'm 26 or 28 I'd like to start a family. thing about my job is trying to learn so many things at once and how to do them efficiently at the same time Q: What does your typical day look like? A: Wanting to be independent motivates A: My work day starts at seven o'clock in the morning with a break for lunch and then I'm off usually at 4:30, depending if we're working out of town or not. And then on days when I have school I go to class from 6:30 to 9. Q: If I asked your coworkers to describe you, what would you think they would say? A: They would say I’m quiet and hard working. They can tell I am trying to learn new things. Something along those lines. Q: Who are some of your mentors within the trade? Q: What motivates you? me. Finishing what I started motivates me because I have already invested into this career. Q: What are you most proud of in life? A: The fact that I don't need much help from anybody else at this point in life and that I can keep being able to do that in the future. Talking with Smith provided insight on just how much work students put into achieving their goals. Smith has been working on this trade for almost a year now, and he’s and making more and more progress every day on his road to becoming a journeyman electrician. Tyler Gallegos/Chinook Casper College student Cedar Smith works on installing an electrical system into a new home. Smith is working as an apprentice electrician while also working towards earning his journeyman electricians license. BOCES: Helping students prepare for college Anna MIller Chinook Contributor The Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) is unique to Wyoming and began right here in Natrona County in 1991. The program dual enrolls high school students in college level courses. According to Casper College, the BOCES program is designed to ‘meet the educational needs of high school students through cooperative articulated programs in technical and academic areas where students earn college credit while still enrolled in high school.’ BOCES is offered throughout central and western Wyoming. All BOCES classes are free for high school students. “The dual credit is really nice because it’s on your college transcript too,” said Anna Burton, a current BOCES student enrolled at CC. “Then you don’t have to take them other places.” Burton currently has 30 college credits under her belt as a senior in high school. She has the majority of her general education courses out of the way so she can specialize more during her time at university. Due to her Burton’s BOCES coursework, she will enter college as a freshman with a sophomore standing, and she is excited to start her college career. BOCES provides a wide range of classes for students. Some students choose to take courses specific to their intended major while others branch out and try something completely outside of their comfort zone. Classes can range from calculus to AP English to welding. Ashton Sunday, a senior at Kelly Walsh High School and BOCES student, took welding, woodworking, and American Sign Language. Both Sunday and Burton enjoy their BOCES, but one stands out in particular for Sunday. “My ASL1 (class has been my favorite) because that’s the one I’ve continued to keep doing and I’ve been enjoying it,” said Sunday. Sunday and Burton have both been taking these classes for the majority of their high school careers. Sunday began as a sophomore and Burton began as a freshman. However, students can begin these classes no matter their grade. Seniors can take BOCES classes as well as freshman. Depending on the class, students may stay at their high school for class or go to class on the CC’s campus. “I’ve gotten something different out of every class that I’ve taken,” said Burton. “A lot of them were actually at the high school with instructors there. This (calculus class) is the first one I’ll get to take on campus.” The BOCES program offers students beneficial classes as well as incredible opportunities. High school students are preparing for college and learning new life skills in the process. Sunday has been taking American Sign Language classes and has been learning how to communicate with the deaf community. Sunday said, “It’s going to be easier to talk to people who can’t hear or talk, so I can actually talk to deaf people. The BOCES credit is just a bonus.” In addition, the course also fulfilled Sunday’s high school foreign language credit, and he qualified for Wyoming’s Hathaway Scholarship. While Sunday will likely not stay in Wyoming for his undergraduate, he likes that the credits can transfer with him or be here waiting if he decides he wants to continue his education at the University of Wyoming. BOCES is funded by both grants and Natrona County property taxes. BOCES receives approximately $1.2 million per year from property tax levies. This funding provides these courses to high school students in Natrona County for free. Hundreds of students benefit from the BOCES, and the program will continue inspiring the next generation in Wyoming and Natrona County for years to come. �March 1, 2021 Page 7 CHINOOK Phi Theta Kappa looking for members Kaylen Kott Chinook Contributor Members of Casper College’s Phi Theta Kappa strive to create leaders and help the community by raising money for local residents in need. Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in American higher education, is an active organization that provides many opportunities for students at CC. From offering members scholarships to participating in community service, PTK focuses on the success of members and helps create great leaders for the community. Advisor and physics instructor, Jared Bowden, adds to his 17 years of experience at CC with his active leadership role in PTK’s services. The organization focuses on four core tenants that are most impactful: scholarship, service, membership and fellowship. “We try to help everyone succeed as much as we can,” Bowden said of the many opportunities PTK offers to student members. The organization helps students find success by giving each student a way to grow as an individual and as a team. By being part of an officer team and national organization, students build relationships with peers and other members of the community. According to Bowden, PTK’s ultimate goal is to make the best of one’s college experience, so the orga- nization focuses on offering continuing education opportunities. “There are transfer scholarships available to students who choose to transfer to other community colleges or a fouryear institution,” said Bowden. So, if students are rewarded with a scholarship or other means of financial aid through PTK, they will not lose an award by continuing their education at a larger university. Together, PTK members encourage others to join by hosting events at the college and in the community. Some of the group’s community service projects include providing recycling bins around campus to save the environment, helping Mimi’s House raise money to purchase its first home, collecting items to make food packets to feed Nicaragua, and even installing batteries in senior citizens homes to ensure their safety in case of emergency. PTK also travels to the organization’s national conference referred to as “PTK Catalyst” where students from all over the world meet and experience how the organization can benefit their lives. In non-COVID years, the PTK encourages officers to attend the event as a guest and show others what the roles and responsibilities of a leader in their chapter entails. Active member and officer, Xena Zamora, is a full-time student who also works fulltime while being involved in the club’s activities. When first asked to join, Zamora began to worry about how she would pay for school and take on a leadership role in the organization. With the help of PTK, she confidently took on the role of president and had her college tuition paid for by PTK. She also decorated the PTK board in the physical science building to illustrate how exciting and fun members find the organization to try and encourage passersby and observers to also participate. Zamora stated that PTK also offers a national certification board that helps expand each individual’s education. The process teaches life tasks such as how to fill out taxes and resumes that the general education systems do not typically teach students. “As young adults, we get thrown to the wolves all the time for things we weren’t expecting,” said Zamora. With PTK’s guidance and integration of life skills, future generations can avoid such trials. Preparing others for leadership roles in their life is another one of PTK’s goal. According to Zamora, “It (PTK) gives you purpose to want to get up and want to do stuff and want to help people because at the end of the day, we all strive to help others.” Being part of PTK gives members the opportunity to build relationships, provide help and service to the community and become a strong leader in society. CC Campus Democrats influence community Stephanie Barella Chinook Contributor A Casper College club called the Campus Democrats gets involved with the local community for the 2020-20201 academic year. The organization commits itself to informing the public about issues that affect the community, and encourages young adults to get involved in the community. Izac Garcia, a student at Casper College and member of the organization, explained that the community between students and other members of society is really special. “We’re really trying to get people politically involved and raise awareness around politics,” Garcia said. “It’s so important for people to know how to speak their opinions, and Campus Democrats encourages that.” The organization effectively reaches its goal by organizing presentations and speakers. Erich Frankland, a history professor at CC and faculty advisor for the Campus Democrats, explained that the club tries to get as many different perspectives as possible. The Campus Democrats believe that all ideas should be heard and that it is important to have a discussion based meeting. Frankland said there is less understanding with less participation and discussion. “One party states aren’t good. The party gets lazy and less responsive,” explained Frankland. “I don’t dictate what the discussion is about. I try to encourage them (the student members) as much as I can to have their own ideas.” The organization cultivates an environment that allows students to act on their beliefs. Frankland explained that while the group can’t legally endorse a specific candidate, there are many members of the group that engage in political campaigning. In fact, some students engaged in the 2020 Presidential Election cam- paign. Frankland furthered that some students were even invited to the Democratic State Party Convention. Additionally, the group is made up of many students that don’t identify as Democrats. Frankland explained, “Lots of people are concerned about the name of the club, but anyone is welcome. We have a few Republicans that have joined, and even a few Libertarians too. I think they all work really well together.” Beyond encouraging others to expand their knowledge on political issues, the organization is determined to increase political activity in the community. The students often arrange voter registration drives to encourage those in the community to use their right to vote. In this way members of the Campus Democrats can both engage and encourage involvement from people of all areas. Discussing political opinions is not the only activity that the organization engages in, however. The club as a whole dedicates itself to making the local community a better place. Food drives and litter pick up enable members to get lend a hand and make a difference. Frankland explained that the students recognize the importance of helping others, so they engage in homeless relief projects. Community activities allow the organization to unify and gain recognition. Garcia saod, “It’s not very difficult to find people to engage in community activities like litter pick-up. We have a nice time doing it together.” While the students in the organization have close relationships with each other, there is some concern that they could face backlash for being the minority in a Republican state. Frankland explained that for the students individually, they don’t see Wyoming as very welcoming to their ideas. Essentially, these students work to be heard in an environment that doesn’t want to listen to them. “We have never had college or community pushback,” Frankland said. “There is a sense that this is a college group, and their ideas might change later on.” Even though they have different ideas, they are still committed to engaging other people. Frankland continued that some students in the club hope that someday Wyoming might vote blue or at least be more representative. Garcia furthered that a lot of the students know that a blue Wyoming isn’t likely to happen, so they stick with trying to push through small agendas. Small policy change and talking with representatives is the best way for students like Garcia to achieve small change. “The state is getting more Republican,” Frankland said. “This means that the kids will just have to work a little bit harder to ensure that people here keep an open mind. March Madness Wings Thursday, March 25 A Swipe Social Event T-Bucks accepted! T-Bucks are like cash. Spend them at any campus dining location! T-Bucks won’t expire until the end of the school year! Purchase T-Bucks here: casperdining.sodexomyway.com Make sure to stock up on all your favorite midterm snacks at Subconnection! � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2021-03 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2021-03 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from March 2021. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2021-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/eb51129681e8d378131637d0aaa55004.pdf d8c104f50ac50522df088caef534ba6d PDF Text Text April 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Lady T-Birds make school history Photo courtesy of Cory Garvin Per a recent post on the caspercollegewbb instagram account, the CC women are making history. The caption reads, "The Lady T-birds make history by being the first team in program history to go undefeated in a season. They defeat Northwest 100-51 and ar the North Champs. They are not 20-0 and 10-0 in Sub-Region 9 North play." Seniors staying in Casper for College Statistics and image from the Casper College website for the 2019-2020 academic year. Stephanie Barella Chinook Contributor Local Casper seniors enroll in Casper College for three main reasons including debt, accessibility, and quality education. Casper College is a school that enables students to complete higher education for a low cost. John O’Conner, the college advisor for Natrona County and Kelly Walsh High Schools over the past twenty years, explained that cost is a very important factor to consider when choosing a college. “I don’t discourage them from applying to more expensive schools,” O'Connor explains. “I let them come to their own conclusions.” Essentially, O'Connor breaks down how much school would realistically cost for each student. He explained that when speaking about cost per semester, that money could buy a new car. This financial realism is key in helping students navigate college applications, according to O’Connor. Curtis Winfrey, a graduating senior and incoming CC student explained how he chose the college. “Cost is huge,” Winfrey explained. “My step-mom always tells me that she’ll be in debt until she dies, and that won’t be me.” With the weight of finances weighing heavy, many students choose to stay in Casper for college. Tuition at CC is roughly $4,000 a year for residents, and that doesn’t account for Shawn Bush: A Snapshot Tyler Gallegos Chinook Writer Shawn Bush works as a photography instructor here at Casper College, but he has quite an interesting story to tell about what led him to Casper from the sprawling metropolitan areas he once called home. The Chinook sat down with Bush to learn about his beginnings in photography and his life in Wyoming. Bush was born in 1987 in Michigan, and he was raised around the Detroit area. Bush described the area as a “compacted place that is very gridded out and segregated.” Bush said that during his teenage years, he was into skateboarding, but he also found an interest in film and photography. At around the age of fourteen, he said he received his first camera, and at the age of sixteen, he converted a bathroom in his basement into a darkroom to develop his own film. After high school, Bush moved to Chicago and attended Columbia College where he received a degree in photography. Bush stayed in the Chicago area and worked as an assistant studio manager for Playboy magazine, which he said was “much different than you probably would expect,” mostly working on product shoots for a section called ‘mantrack.’ During his work with Playboy, Bush said he felt “discontent” with the way the magazine used art like “propaganda.” While working at the magazine, Hugh Heffner bought the publication back, and moved Bush’s studio location to Hollywood. Bush chose to stay in Chicago. Bush moved from the area after a few years before landing in the San Francisco area and Rhode Island where he received his master’s degree. While working on graphic design, Bush said he worked with many skateboarding magazines like Thrasher. Bush worked as a graphic designer for a few years but wanted to leave the environment of the city for something new. Then, Bush came to Casper College in 2018 and where he is an instructor for film photography, digital photography and color theory. He described the environment of Wyoming as calm and helpful to his creative process. “You can kind of isolate yourself here and try different things and give yourself time to think and work through visual problems,” Bush explained. Bush said he wanted to move out of the business side of photography into education for a change of pace. While Bush works with digital photography, he really finds his passion in shooting with film. Bush said the development of film is usually looked at in a cliche way. “They always either romanticize it (film) or make it like a horror scene,” said Bush. “It is like a romantic process though because you get to see light hit a piece of paper and then this image appears.” He enjoys the career of teaching because it gives him the ability to “engage with younger generations of artists and pass my knowledge down” while also giving him the time to pursue his artistic goals in his time off during the summers. While Bush isn’t busy teaching, he said he spends his summers working on projects with his publishing company and working on art shows around the country. scholarship money. O'Connor explained how cost effective the college is by explaining that students can make money if they stay in Casper. In fact, the school reported in 2021 that CC hands out roughly $3.5 million in scholarships every year. Winfrey explained the impact of scholarships when he said that college would be impossible if he wasn’t receiving any. Scholarships can make or break students attending college, and CC is in a unique situation to help its students as much as possible. With states providing less funding for higher education, it is even more impressive that CC offers so many scholarships. The U.S. Department of Education conducted a study that found from 2012-2018, state appropriations per fulltime undergraduate student fell 14.9%. With the decline of federal funding for colleges across the nation, students will have to be more financially conscious. Another aspect of CC that appeals to students graduating from a Casper high school is that they can stay in town for college. Staying local ensures that students who don’t want to move away from their families or who have limited income can stay home. “My entire family is here,” Winfrey said. “I don’t need a specialized school that costs a lot to get the degree I need.” A common misconception surrounding CC is that if students stay at home, they won’t get the full college experience. Students won’t have to move far away, but they will still have all of the experiences that they desire. For example, there are many school sponsored activities offered to bring students together. Students simply have to choose to engage. O’Connor explained the importance of attitude in regards to college. “It doesn’t matter where you go, but how you do when you’re there that sets you apart,” said O’Connor. — See staying local, Page 4 Photo Courtesy of Shawn Bush Shawn Bush shared a photo of him out doing what he loves, photography. �Page 2 April 1, 2021 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Chinook Stance “ Adderall abuse in college Julia Nielsen Just Julia In recent years, Adderall has transformed from being a prescription drug to treat individuals with ADHD, to a college student study drug commonly used for allnighters and late-night cram sessions. A certain subculture has developed within college campuses involving the drug and its perceived benefits to get ahead in one’s college career. Although abusing Adderall on college campuses has become somewhat of a trend, using the drug poses potential physical and psychological risks. Some withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, fatigue, paranoia, irritability, and anxiety/panic attacks. Many students view Adderall and other stimulant abuse as a solution to the pressures of academia, but these stimulants often mirror the same traits as cocaine regarding physical effects and patterns of dependency/ addiction. Adderall suppresses the appetite, increases wakefulness, and increases focus for attention. This poses as a miracle drug for college students that are running behind. It doesn’t take long to build a tolerance to Adderall though, and with this comes a certain amount of dependency. In certain studies Adderall abuse has been linked to other forms of drug abuse (alcohol, pain medication) and students that were taking Adderall had lower levels of performance regarding academics with many of them participating in frequent binge drinking as well. The stress of a college workload as well as the Adderall subculture makes it a hard aspect of college life to avoid. There have been many instances where students get addicted, accidentally overdose, or they experience burnout. This correlates with the pressure students feel to achieve in such a highly competitive environment. The rat race for certain internships, GPAs, admission into gradschool, and jobs after college poses a lot of stress for a young 20-something. A common justification for students is that it gives one a competitive edge. When it comes to the use of Adderall, usage numbers have skyrocketed. College students have the tendency to unwind from a busy week filled with lectures and homework with partying. Although a small dose of partying is healthy, I’ve seen all too many students develop an alcohol or stimulant addiction while attending university. Depending on who you surround yourself with, developing an depressant or stimulant type of dependency doesn’t take much time. In order to avoid stimulant or alcohol dependency, it takes a certain amount of self-control and self-awareness. As a young student, your health and state of wellbeing should be your biggest priority. A daily routine where you dedicate time for self-care, exercise, and meditation has copious amounts of health benefits. Health professionals need to stop giving out the prescription like candy and young adults need to prioritize their health and wellness. Helen Keller once said “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” My original goal for this article was to identify an appropriate quote on perseverance and building character out of crisis. This quote by Helen Keller certainly fits those parameters, and I could have written, I hope, a nice article on using adversity to fuel your ambition and resolve. However, as I conducted a little research " I told my students I would never pass judgement on their personal opinion of any of the issues discussed in class, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion." — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President to refresh my memory about Ms. Keller, I was reminded about the complexity of this historical figure. I was reminded of her advocacy for those with disabilities, her being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, and her election to the National Woman’s Hall of Fame in 1965. I was also reminded she was a self-described socialist, and supported the eugenics movement; both ideas that are very politically-charged in today’s society. Now let me be very clear: I am not condemning Ms. Keller for her political beliefs, or any of her personal viewpoints. Quite the contrary; I believe history has correctly and rightly viewed Ms. Keller as a woman and author to be revered and admired. I am; however, attempting to point out many people throughout history, those famous, those infamous, and those completely unknown, were complex individuals whom history could view in a multitude of different lights. As the movement to reexamine historical figures and ideas and evaluate them using modern beliefs and politics gains more traction in today’s society, the accurate historical nature of anyone’s character can be brought into question. When I was still teaching at the college level on a regular basis, I told my students I would never pass judgement on their personal opinion of any of the issues discussed in class, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But I was adamant they knew why they held that specific opinion. I used to say please don’t believe something just because some talking head on the nightly news told you so. I will update that to now say, please do not believe something simply because you saw it on social media. Information now comes at us all too quickly, and thus it is all too easy to become complacent and follow the crowd on hot-topic issues, instead of taking the time to research the topic, spend quality time evaluating how you feel, and coming to your own, personal opinion. Not the article I started out writing, but apparently once a college professor, always a college professor. https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ Raising pigs: not easy but worth it Savannah Peterson Savannah's Swine Story Imagine with me -- it is a little after 12 p.m. and you just put a bred sow in the pen so she could have babies. You notice she has milk, which means baby pigs should start arriving within a few hours. On the other side of the barn, another sow is very antsy; she seems like she could also have babies soon. You are in for a very busy day. This was my reality one Tuesday afternoon in the pig barn. By 1 p.m., I was patiently waiting in the barn for the first mamma to start farrowing (having baby pigs). Finally, at 1:15 p.m. the first little baby arrived. I grabbed my towel, jumped up and started drying the newborn off. That day, I spent the next four hours at the rear end of the sow. She would have a baby, and I’d wrap the baby in a clean, dry towel to get him going. Once the little one was perky, I would teach it how to get milk by holding its little body up to encourage him to eat. Sooner than later, the baby stood up all by itself, eating away. By this time its 5 p.m., and the first mama sow has nine newborn babies lying next to her. All the pigs are happy and health. I, on the other hand, am worn out and tired. I looked to the other side of the barn and notice the antsy sow is thinking about doing the same thing.Within the next two hours, this new mom is sprawled out getting ready to farrow her first baby. I spent the rest of the night getting these new little baby pigs up and going. By 1 a.m. the next morning there were eight new babies curled up next to their new mama. All 17 newborn piglets were dried off, fed, and excited to start their new life. I shut off the lights in the barn and headed to the house, exhausted. I love bringing new babies into the world. There is nothing quite like holding a newborn piglet and encouraging him to catch his first breath, drink his first milk, or stand all by himself. However, I was so tired. As I walked to the house on that chilly night, the only thing I was thinking about was how comfy my bed was going to be and if any of the piglets would be the next county fair champion. The very next morning, as I started chores, I headed out to the pig barn. I opened the door and all of the little baby’s jumped up and ate. These piglets were less than 12 hours old, and they were already fendig for themselves. Over the next few week, I watched them grow. They all got bigger and stronger. At this point in their lives, their favorite things to do are eat, sleep and play. They spend many hours in the day running around their pen play fighting with each other. I could spend forever watching them. Raising pigs is never an easy task. However, the joy and excitement I find when I enter the barn is what makes it worth it. The hours and hours I have spent in the barn in the past five years can never fully be counted, but the thrill of each newborn pig is truly rewarding. Why are you at Casper College? Bryce Hindman Chinook Writer Casper College opened 75 years ago with only 156 students enrolled. Enrollment in the 19-20 school year reached 4,970 students total according to the Casper College website. While much changed in 75 years, one thing remained the same -- each student decided to attend CC. Since the inception of higher educational institutions, the number of people attending college continuously trends up. For example, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 75 years ago less than 2 percent of people in the United States graduated college. Today that number is exponentially higher, and it's natural to wonder why. Not only is the population as a whole seeking a college education, but students are also choosing CC. Why? Of course there’s the prospect of making more money, having a good job, and growing into a more educated capable person. But what are the deeper more personal reasons students at CC made this major life choice? What inspired them and motivated them to set out on this intellectual journey? The Chinook set out to find the answers. Q: Why did you decide to go to college and what events/ choices led you here? A: “Well at first I didn’t really want to go to college. I was unsure of what I wanted to do so all my classes felt sort of pointless, and I didn’t get very good grades. I mainly went because of my parents,” said CC student Chase Peterson. Our family has always been well off, and both my mom and dad have a good college education. I even thought about dropping out my first year, but my parents convinced me to try switching majors from computer science to something else instead. So I switched to studying graphic design, and I’m glad that I did. I’m actually gonna change majors again this year to engineering. I think I finally know what I want to do as a career and am looking forward to learning and getting started in my career.” A: “I decided to attend Casper College because of low tuition, and I wanted to be able to stay home and spend as much time with my family before I set off into adult life where I plan to move and have a job,” shared Caitlin Logan, CC student. A: “It was always an absolute that I would attend college. My parents never allowed an alternative narrative so I knew from a young age that after high school I would go to college,” said CC student, Emily Byrd. “My older sister did a lot of work researching the best Wyoming colleges and she decided Casper was the best. Based on her experience here, I agreed and came to Casper as well.” A: CC student Sierra McCoy shared her reasoning. “I decided to go to college because I would be the first in my family to earn a college degree. My mother went to college but never earned a degree, and my father was in the Army. The MLT program led me to Casper College. It is the only medical lab tech program in Wyoming, and I didn’t want to pay out-of-state tuition,” said McCoy. A: “A big reason I decided to go to college was to branch out socially and meet new people. High school didn't really give me all I needed for social connections,” said Sara Sleep, CC student. “Another reason was because I didn't want to be stuck in a dead-end job. When I say that, I'm not referring to lack of money, but rather a job that is stagnant and not enriching in any way. I wanted to set up a life where I felt like I was contributing to the world.” Q: What are your long-term goals/intentions in relation to going to Casper College? A: Peterson said, “Well I’m probably gonna go to CC for two or maybe four years. It’s a good school and it’s cheap, so I want to get everything I can from it. But as for after CC, I really want to design cars, so I want to go to a school that’s sort of known for that or has a good automotive engineering program. I was also thinking about studying abroad maybe in Japan or Germany. My dream job is to get on the Porsche race team so learning German is on the to-do list.” A: “My long-term goals I have set for myself while attending Casper College are graduating with a degree in nursing, always get good grades in my classes, and strive to become a better version of myself so that I am prepared to join the working society,” said Logan. A: Byrd said, “My long-term goal from attending Casper College is to gain a bachelors from UW-CC.” A: “In May I will be graduating with my associates degree,” said McCoy. With this I plan on getting a job & working in a medical lab for a year and then going back to get my bachelor’s degree.” A: Sleep said, “(I hope to) gain social skills and connections, enrich myself as a person (in terms of her perspectives), and set myself up for a life that I feel good in my place in the world” Q: What do you hope to gain from your experience at CC? A: I’m hoping to get a good foundation. I want to learn CAD here, I want to learn to wield, and I want to get a lot of math knocked out. I want to feel ready to dive head first at my next school. A: Logan said, “I hope to gain a good network of people by the time I graduate college, and I hope to gain a good foundation of knowledge to help me with my future career.” A: I hope to gain practical experience that I can relate to my job in the future, I also want to find a degree track that I am passionate enough about that I enjoy studying it,” shared Byrd. A: “(I hope to gain) social experiences (with friends and gatherings), knowledge about subjects I care about, (and) people skills,” said Sleep. Q: What have you gained from your experience at CC? A: “So far just an idea of how college differs from high school. I’ve also made lots of friends, which is always nice,” said Peterson. A: “So far as a sophomore, I have gained a lot of knowledge from the classes I have taken, and I have also gained the great skill of time management because that is very important in life,” Logan said. A: Byrd: “I have gained a major that I enjoy that I think is practical,” Byrd said. “My professors have influenced me to find my passion for my major and to use that passion to further my education.” A: “I have gained so much from my experience at Casper College,” said McCoy. “I have made lifelong friends & met many people I wouldn’t have associated myself with before attending CC.” A: Sleep said, “Friends, knowledge, and just general enrichment of life” These answers show that while every situation is different and every person is different, each of these students share one common thread. They are each enrolled at CC, and they have goals, aspirations, and the desire to grow. These students are in college in order to open doors into careers and better lives. With 75 years of history and tens of thousands of success stories, CC is a place where people can go to better themselves and create a better life. �April 1, 2021 Page 3 CHINOOK Appreciating campus Casper College like you've never seen it before Bryce Hindman/Chinook Next time you want to clear your mind or study no need to go home, look around you. Creative productive thought require the right environment, and Casper College offers exactly that. Oral Presentaion and Communication Center Conquer your fear of public speaking Po li sh yo u r c C re ate p ommu n ic at io n s k il ls To book your appointment online or in-office Bri Weigel brainne.brasher@caspercollege.edu call 307.268.2375 r a l p re s o f e s s io n e n t a io n s Learn organizational skills Join our the Chinook staff this fall! Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Contact faculty advisor Bri Weigel (Brasher) brianne.brasher@caspercollege.edu https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ �Page 4 CHINOOK April 1, 2021 STAYING LOCAL ...................................................................... continued from page 1 Additionally, the college is determined to ensure that the school provide a wide array of activities that appeal to many demographics of students. To do so, CC offers 35 different clubs and organizations on campus. Amidst the copious amounts of activities are small class sizes that encourage the development of relationships between professors and students. In fact, according to the Community College Review website updated in 2021, the teacher to student ratio is 16:1, which is lower than the state community college average. Finally, CC offers quality education. College Consensus, a platform that combines data from many different college ranking institutions and student reviews, released a list of the top 50 community colleges in 2021, and CC is ranked number 17. O’Connor explained that CC is often looked at as a letdown when it is the complete opposite. He stated that the school is a great foundation school, meaning that students do better if they start in Casper and then transfer someplace else. “People call it a safety school,” O’Connor explained. “That rhetoric is so harmful, and I want to change it from a safety school to foundation.” The idea that CC is a great place to build off of is not uncommon. Winfrey outlined how CC helped further his higher education when he explained that getting an associates degree meant graduating with a bachelor’s degree without debt. “Locking in an associates at CC is the smart move,” Winfrey stated. “I don’t understand why more people aren’t taking advantage of it.” Choosing a college is a major undertaking for seniors fresh out of high school. With over 5,000 different colleges in the United States, debt, accessibility, and quality education definitely influence the decision. CC is a fine choice for anyone enrolling in college, and if it stays on the same track, more Casper seniors will stay at home for college. Eskam added that the school offers many services to provide aid for students, but she said she worries that students aren’t told about the services the school provides. “I have a great team that likes to help,” said Eskam, referring to assistance with applying for scholarships and financial aid. The Department of Student Services office helps support students already attending CC, but they try to help incoming freshman too. The Student Services office holds different events to encourage students to apply for scholarships, government aid, and other financial aid services, like the FAFSA Filling Frenzy. Eskam admitted that she wishes more students would reach out to the financial aid offices at Casper College but understands that money is a sensitive topic and financial aid can be scary. She encourages every student to use all the resources CC and the government provides for students. Eskam wished to remind students that the staff at CC are ready to help. Eskam stressed that real people want to help students at CC, and the college also utilizes online resources to provide assistance to students. Brittony Rietz, former Casper College student who now goes to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas said, “I’ve been to multiple schools and only Casper College has a tool like the scholarship portal. I wish UNLV had the scholarship portal. (The scholarship portal) made filling out scholarships way easier.” Now at UNLV, she said she recognizes the dedication the CC staff have to the students. She recalled that whenever she had a question and called the Student Services office, they provided an answer for her or directed her to someone who knew the answer. She said she now struggles with getting answers at UNLV. Rietz currently gives financial advice to underprivileged students at UNLV and encourages her classmates to know that, “If you want to go to college, you can!” Both Rietz and Eskam agree that there is a scholarship for every type of student. That the best way to pay for college is to apply for any government or school aid available. Eskam said don’t be afraid to find work on campus. Jobs on campus put school first and work around a student’s schedule. Eskam added that another option may be to become a Residence Assistant at CC. While working as a Residence Assistant, a student is provided room and board and two options for meal plans, both completely paid for while working as a RA at the college. If you are a student who needs to focus on studies during school, working a job during the summer to pay for school is an option too. CC is full of help, not only in a financial sense, but also with any problems students come across in their day-to-day lives. CC is a good place to start with low loan rates and access to help, but with options like University of Wyoming at Casper, Casper is also a place to work towards a bachelor’s degree. Many people at CC want to see students succeed with as little debt as possible. CC may be a small school, but the benefits of attending the school are big. CC experiences COVID-19 CC heroes of financial aid Savannah Peterson Chinook Writer For the past year, students and faculty at Casper College endured the affects of COVID19. Last spring, the college went to all online classes, which meant that everyone adapted to a new normal. This new normal required a big shift in education. Teaching in a pandemic proved challenging professors at CC and across the country. Instructors learned different programs to successfully teach students online, and many had to learn how to use technology on the fly. “In my small world, we have really learned how to use the strengths of each other to grow,” said Teresa Sticklin, a Mathematics professor at CC. Sometimes, relying on one another meant teaching colleagues how to use different types of technology to better educate students. Other times, Stricklin said the department worked together to teach classes while faculty quarantined. When CC went back to face-to-face classes in the fall, things still did not return to normal. Many professors implemented online teaching practices into the face-to-face classes in order to accommodate students in quarantine. “I’ve had to adapt by accommodating students who should be in face-to-face classes but are not able to be in face-to-face classes because they are quarantined,” said Stricklin. Stricklin learned how to shoot videos, run Moodle, and use Zoom, which helped her and other professors reach students unable to physically attend class. “I feel like I gained a lot of knowledge and experience in how to connect with students virtually that I did not have before,” Stricklin said. aper sp Casper NewCollege’s k o line o in On ChStudent Now Voice Since 1945 Despite having to learn new ways to teach, Stricklin said her biggest challenge came in staying positive. She said she hopes her work to maintain a positive outlook helped encourage her students to stay engaged in their school work. The pandemic challenged student’s emotionally. Quarantined in October after she tested positive for COVID-19, freshman Jules Smyth said she found the experience hard to manage. “I was in an isolation room by myself and it really sucked,” Smyth said. “Having no human interaction really made me emotional.” Along with being stuck in her room by herself, students in quarantine were only granted a little bit of time outside each day. Smyth said she was also grateful that the college delivered food. However, being a picky eater, some days she said she did not get much to eat. In terms of academics, Smyth’s teachers still helped her succeed. “When I got quarantined a lot of the school had gotten quarantined, so a lot of the teachers had already started putting video up.” While Smyth said she found it harder to complete homework and tests, she said she did not ever see a big threat to her grades. Smyth was not the only one who struggled during quarantine. Stricklin watched a lot of her students be overwhelmed. “I cannot image the feeling... that feeling that nobody wants to be around me... that alone had to psychologically be challenging,” Stricklin said. When Smyth’s two weeks concluded, she said she felt very excited to be free again. But, looking back on her two weeks in isolation, she would advise others to find things to keep them busy, stick to a regular sleep schedule and get a roommate so you are not alone. Kayla Jones Chinook Contributor Current Casper College student loans average far lower than students across the nation, which may lessen the burden for students worried about debt. Businessinsider. com reported that student debt is one of the top three stressors college students face along with stress in general and alcohol abuse. They also reported that student loan debt is a nearly 2 trillion-dollar problem in the United States. Local students have averaged a loan of about $5,266 per year or around $10,532 after two years, according to collegefactual.com. Such a figure makes CC all the more appealing for students hoping for lower student debt. Lower student debt at CC is not a new trend. In 20182019, CC students averaged $4,911.64 in loans taken out. In comparison, according to aplu.org, 78% of graduates were under $30,000 in debt by the time they graduated with a bachelor’s degree from a public, 4-year institution. For a local comparison, the average loan per year at University of Wyoming – that state’s only four-year institution -- is $6,164 per year, making loan prices higher than those at CC. Lower loan rates are not the only benefit at CC. The college also puts forth many events and programs to help with the financial aid process. The Gateway Building is largely dedicated to helping students with their finances. Shannon Eskam, director of student financial assistance, said, “Casper College is an untapped gem.” �April 1, 2021 Page 5 CHINOOK Thunderbird Sports Banding together through adversity Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer This year’s basketball season brought many challenges, but the Casper College men’s team learned perseverance. The 2020-2021 T-Birds started the season with adversity. The squad came together, and most of them had not played with each other prior to this season. When COVID-19 protocols delayed and shortened the season, the T-Birds used the time to their advantage by practicing with each other and gelling together as a team. Sophomore Peter Turay explained the situation at the beginning of the season. “Joining a new team is always tough, but everyone on this team is cool so it was easy adjusting and staying focused through it all. I just had to keep telling myself that it was still basketball at the end of the day, so I kept going,” said Turay. Sophomore Dathan Satchell also expressed the struggle in the beginning. “It was way different than last year. You had more freedom, a lot more organization last year, and we were practicing together all the time scrimmaging without any games. With the busy schedule and the quarantines, it’s been rough too because I haven’t been able to see my family in four months.” Despite these challenges, the T-Birds came together as a team and improved every game. With the season nearing its end, the T-Birds are over .500 with a 10-8 record to reward their work. Satchell noted a recent game against Laramie County Community College as one of their most impressive wins of the season. “We were down 14 or 15 points with four minutes left on the road with a hostile crowd, but we came together as a team and pulled off the comeback and won the game,” Satchell explained. Despite a season of ups and downs, the year also brought life lessons for these players who will remember this year and the hard work they put in to their sport. “I am TOUGH especially mentally, with everything from moving here and joining a new team to the protocols and the challenges,” said Turay. “I just trusted the process. We started out slow, but we trusted the coaches and learned every day.” Satchell also said this year helped him. “I learned to embrace my role and being in my role. Coach Shawn always says be great in your own world, so that’s what I try to do every day.” This season will end up a trying one that the T-Birds will look back on and remember the struggle and hard work they put in to come up with a winning season. With tournaments Brendan Saunders/Chinook and championships just ahead, we will be Moses Gordon drives to the rim in a recent game at Casper College. watching and rooting for the T-Birds. Lady T-Birds and the pursuit of perfection Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer Brendan Saunders/Chinook To the left, Kammie Ragsdale fires off a threepointer in a recent home game. Below, Joseana Vaz shoots on a fast break. Gaytan's Goals Elisa Ayungua Chinook Writer While the Lady T-birds didn’t have much of a fall season, the team’s spring season will look much different. Karla Gaytan, captain, sophomore, and goalie for Casper College’s Women’s Soccer program is dedicated to make sure the team finds success. The Wyoming native began soccer her freshman year of high school, and she’s now in her sixth year playing. Gaytan is a transfer student from Sheridan College due to the school cutting its athletics programs this past summer because of COVID-19. Gaytan said when CC approached her with an opportunity for to play, she took it. Just this year, CC welcomed the soccer program and with the new team comes players trying to figure out their roles. “I think I see myself as a leader and an enforcer of our team values and our team rules. Making sure that my teammates know our goal and keep that in mind through whatever we do, said Gaytan. Gaytan is also making sure she is building personal relationships and chemistry with her teammates by being empathetic, understanding, and seeing them off of the field. “I think we have a lot of fun. We like to compete against each other and make jokes and just genuinely have a good time with one another.” Even in the off season, Gaytan remains disciplined. She said she continued working towards ways she could better herself for the team. “Being in the gym, working out, going to the The 2020-2021 Casper College Women’s Basketball Team is on its way to achieving a perfect season in a far from perfect year. The team started practicing in August but didn't play a game until January. The Lady Thunderbirds stood together, as they work to achieve the ultimate goal, winning the Championship. The team looked in good form in the latest game against Central Wyoming College, routing them for a statement victory of 93-33 to show everyone they aren’t stopping at perfect. Head Coach Dwight Gunnare leads in the pursuit of perfection. Coach Gunnare praised this year’s sophomore class for setting the tone for the team at the beginning of the season and serving as great mentors to the freshman. Sophomores Emily Achter, Marija Bakic, Kammie Ragsdale, Kobe King-Hawea, and Natalia Otkhmezuri lead the charge. When asked about their most impressive win of the season they all agreed that Western Nebraska would take the cake. “Nebraska was a good one. We were down 7 to 8 points in the second half and came together as a team for a double overtime win in hostile territory,” Coach Gunnare explained. This season’s results are even more impressive when you add the fact that the Lady T-Birds had to do it with the uncertainties and challenges of COVID-19. This year’s sophomores had some experience with a normal season last year before the pandemic. Staying focused during these times proved difficult, especially for Kobe KingHawea who had to transfer from Gillette College because the school cut the basketball program there due to COVID19. Because of the pandemic, the season did not start until January when the season normally starts in October or November. Such a change proved challenging. The team made do by practicing and scrimmaging each other in the meantime. Natalia Otkhmezuri said one of her biggest challenges was staying in shape during quarantine. “I tried practicing inside while in quarantine, which was tough --Then trying to go outside for at least an hour to get some exercise. Also coming out of quarantine, there was a lot of risk for injuries. We saw a lot of my teammates getting injured,” said Otkhmezuri. During this challenging time, the sophomores all learned something about themselves. Bakic shared what she learned. “There is always going to be ups and downs, but you got to push through… If you really want something you can get it with hard work.” Ragsdale said relationships were most special to her. “…Growing as a player and as person. I got to meet new people and got to make a lot of new friendships,” Ragsdale said. Achter and Otkhmezuri said they will always have Coach Gunnare in the back of their heads screaming “Defense!” as it will also apply to the hard work they will put into life outside of basketball. The Lady T-Birds also have a bright future ahead of them with a promising freshman class exceeding expectation. Coach Gunnare noted freshman Joseana Vaz as one of the freshmen who really exceeded expectations. He said he is proud of all the freshmans’ work this year. We will be watching closely as the Lady T-Birds finish out the final games of the season and tournaments and witness their hard work in the pursuit of perfection. LH gym and just really working on my touches, even if it was by myself, and just really making sure I was preparing myself just as much as I could,” said Gaytan. Being that the team is a new bunch and doesn’t have a strong foundation of sophomores to show them the ropes, Gaytan said it’s going to be a little harder to get the team on the same page. “I am just really looking forward to our team coming together and developing chemistry as we play and being efficient with our passes and movement,” said Gaytan. “Me personally, I just want to be the best leader I can be and be a supporting teammate in the back as a goalkeeper.” Just as Gaytan is expecting a lot out of her team, she knows that the coaches are too. “I think the things that our coaches want us to focus on are the things that we have control over, which is really just going out, practicing hard, and playing hard and implementing all those things we learned,” Gaytan explained. COVID -19 kept the Lady T-birds off the field and in their rooms earlier this fall, as they had to quarantine several times. It made it hard for the team to have solid practices with everybody. Yet, now that the situation is better and so are the protocols. “For the most part, I think soccer is still soccer. It just becomes a little bit more complicated with some of the rules we have to follow,” said Gaytan. Gaytan said she saw the setback created Elisa Ayungua/Chinook by the pandemic as an opportunity to become Sophmore Karla Gaytan poses for a picture amid the 2021 spring soccer season. adaptable to unexpected challenges. �Page 6 April 1, 2021 CHINOOK Theater Department prepares for “Bright Star” Julia Nielsen Chinook Writer Casper College’s theater department is working on a production of “Bright Star”, set to open on April 22. “Bright Star” is a tragic story of love and loss resolved by a joyful ending. The production involves freeform bluegrass music with local piano, bass fiddle, banjo and violin musicians featured. The story follows a mother, Alice Murphy, throughout the 1920s and 1940s, on her search for her long-lost son after he is put up for adoption against her will. Miranda Pacheco, a musical theatre major, who plays one of the main roles as Margot Crawford, is looking forward to the quality of the music as well as the music’s differentiation from the norm regarding traditional “big band” music routinely used in these kinds of productions. The first Broadway album for “Bright Star” was nominated for a Grammy for its bluegrass music in 2016. Pacheco reached out to two of the “Bright Star” broadway cast members and they plan to zoom into CC’s production to watch opening night. “They both have extensive acting credits and are qual- ity performers. We are excited about them zooming into the production because it connects what we do here at Casper College to the wider world of theatre and I love that,” said the production’s director, Richard Burk. “It puts the students in a position to recognize that they can be doing this. People who are on Broadway now were once sitting right where our students are sitting in a training program.” Burk and the production team cast the show just before spring break. They handed out the scripts, sent everyone on their way for the week, and began rehearsal the week after. The play is comprised of 14 cast members, all coming from different majors within Casper College, ranging from theatre majors to dance and fire science majors. Burk said informing students that aren’t theatre majors about upcoming auditions is a challenge, so he’s trying to invite more people across campus to audition for future productions. Pacheco developed the mindset that every audition should be seen as exciting, rather than a nerve-racking process. “I came out of my audition and said to my friends that it was one of the best auditions I had ever done in my life. I’ve been here for a year and some change now and it feels so exciting,” said Pacheco. “One of the reasons I started studying musical theater was because I get so immersed in the music, singing, dancing, and acting. So I can branch off into any of the four if I wanted. I’ve been singing since I was a kid.” Pacheco said she plans to transfer to the University of Montana Missoula to continue her career in musical theater after she graduates from CC. Steve Martin, who is a folk musician himself, and Edie Brickell originally wrote and composed “Bright Star.” The production’s origin traces back to a folktale called The Iron Mountain Baby. Burk mentioned that the folk-based music of the production will offer a different personality to the play with its “kindred spirit and get right into the audiences’ souls.” Although bluegrass got its roots in the Appalachian mountain region of the United States, bluegrass found a home in the West and Wyoming in particular. Both Burk and Pacheco are looking forward to the bluegrass aspect of the production, but they have a lot of work ahead of them regarding preparations for the play. According to Burk, there are students involved in every capacity, and they cre- Julia Nielsen/Chinook Pictured above is an experimental model of what is to be expected on stage of Bright Star and its suggestive set. ated a great family atmosphere together. With rehearsals occurring every night of the week except for Sunday, set building, learning the music, and all of the other responsibilities of a production at the forefront, there is a lot of preparation to consider. The entire cast is excited to put on this production for the community. Pacheco noted that rehearsal is her way of unwinding from a busy day of work and school combined. “We are going to build the set out of palettes, and our walls will fold and unfold to create different environments with ease. Basically, it’s going to be a suggestive set,” said Burk. The theater department will sell tickets at about 25% capacity since they are required to keep social distancing measures in mind. Ticket sales will begin two weeks before the production’s opening night. “Ruminating on Childhood” Graduate unveils series after eight years Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Angela Beeson Wallace Angela Beeson Wallace poses with her piece, “The Happy Moments of the Swing”. Wallace’s “Ruminating on Childhood” series contrasts moments of her childhood with moments of her adult life. Angela Beeson Wallace graduated from Casper College in 2011 with an Associate of Fine Arts (FAF) and a passion for creating. Wallace said she enjoyed her years at CC, and credits much of her growth as an artist to her instructors, namely Justin Hayward and Mike Keogh. After graduating, she transferred to the University of Wyoming where creative differences in her department guided her down a new path: freelance work and a museum studies degree. “If I could never paint again, I want to work alongside artists and creatives. I want to support them and deal with art history,” Wallace said. For the past few years, Wallace said it seemed as if she left her days of creating behind her. That was until Art 321 contacted her to do a showing at the gallery, and Wallace had the perfect pieces for the event. “I started these pieces seven, eight years ago and had always imagined them displayed at Art 321, but (I) had just never had the opportunity,” Wallace said. “When they contacted me, I literally dusted the paintings off to finish them. The edges are painted black to cover up the dust that remained.” Wallace went on to describe the showing as “serendipitous.” The show is something of a sequel to a series she previously finished called “Imprecise Memory.” Now, “Ruminating on Childhood” deals with “precarious moments” from Wallace’s childhood in comparison to her personal life during the process of creating. The series comprises three impressive, six-foot tall oil paintings. One piece, “Madonna of the Basilica Superga,” consists of a woman holding an infant wearing red, which represents Wallace herself with her mother. The next is again of Wallace but this time with her brother and the girl next door painted in the style of a royal portrait. The piece is appropriately named “Portrait of Well Dressed Children.” The third and final piece is entitled “The Happy Moments of the Swing”, and features a child swinging high above a city landscape. Wallace attributes her style to her interest in art history, and the minute details and essence of her paintings make her influences evident. Without Casper College, Wallace said she isn’t sure she would have pursued art. Her mother attended CC during Wallace’s middle school years, so she spent many hours with her mom in the art building. “Mike Keogh helped my mom and let me tag along. If it wasn’t for the instructors back then and my mom’s enthusiasm, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today,” Wallace said. “Ruminating on Childhood” on display at Art 321 closed March 31, but art continues to be displayed year round. Art 321 is located on Midwest Ave., and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Not only is stopping in free of charge, but it’s also a fantastic way to support local artists like Wallace, as well as the Casper community as a whole. �April 1, 2021 Page 7 CHINOOK Moms share experiences as non-traditional students Kaylen Kott Chinook Contributor Abbie Cornett and Megan Fleetwood, who are both fulltime students and mothers to three children, gave detail of their higher education experience of at Casper College. With juggling their education and constructing their lives around the daily activities of each child, continuing their education at a later age made the college experience more demanding. Through this period of their lives, both Cornett and Fleetwood prioritize when to do college courses, juggle work schedules, and maintain extracurricular activities. Cornett, a science major, is attending CC to further her education and ultimately meet requirements to work as a certified Medical Lab Technician in Douglas, Wyo. As a lab technician, Cornett said her role in the hospital will consist of drawing blood from patients and taking specimens to analyze blood and essentially diagnose diseases, disorders or infections that could exist within the patient. She is enrolled in eight courses that occupy most of her day while her children attend school. Cornett said finding the time to complete school work is a challenge, especially since all of her children participate in afterschool activities. With travelling to Casper on the weekends and attending labs for eight hours at a time, she said there is little time for rest. “Children, on top of school work, on top of clinicals, on top of homework, hair and nail appointments, preparing dinner, doing housework, and after school activities like sports make it hard to find free time,” said Cornett. Cornett stated that there are no off days while getting her education. She works on coursework Monday through Sunday all day, otherwise she she said she would fall behind. She developed a routine to ensure that each task is completed so she can continue moving forward. With a busy schedule, she dedicates weekends for activities she finds enjoyable. She stated that when she feels overwhelmed, having her children and husband’s support gives her a reason to keep pushing and the motivation to stay strong. Because college is only a temporary commitment, Cornett said her family understands the importance of activities that consume her time and she can fulfill her goal of holding a position in the hospital. When asked what experiences made her college career more valuable, Cornett stated that meeting new people, reaching the point of hands on tasks, and the impact that her teacher built through every course motivated her to fulfill the career she desired. Fleetwood, who is majoring in Elementary Education, related to the same hardships. With having two jobs, one at Casper Gymnastics Center and the other at Glenrock Recreational Center, finding time to complete 12 credit hours has taken a toll on her ability to find free time to do homework. She stated that transporting her kids to and from school, extracurricular activities and finding time to do coursework was one of the most challenging aspects. “Trying to manage my three children, getting them to and from school and preschool, because that breaks my day up into two-hour increments, and then trying to figure out when I am going to do all my homework is the most challenging part of my day,” said Fleetwood. She is attending CC to complete the few credit hours required to obtain her associates degree and if she chose not to return and finish her degree, she would lose the previous credits she already completed through the college. Megan works with children at both occupations, so she found that if she received a degree in elementary education she will learn more and feel more moti- vated to finish school. Fleetwood is faced with struggles during the day while her youngest child is not attending preschool. When doing coursework at home, becoming distracted by her child’s needs makes it more difficult to consistently complete assignments. She claimed that she handles the stress of constant interruption and a busy schedule well, but when she can no longer focus on certain tasks that require a timed deadline, becoming overwhelmed is a common reaction. In order to avoid situations where stress can occur, she works around her child’s designated schedules. Fleetwood said that certain days of the week, like Mondays, are to help her recharge and prepare for the upcoming weeks work. When asked what she would change about her college experience, Fleetwood said she wished that on campus courses fit into her schedule. She felt that the learning process would be easier for her to understand material and online courses demand more homework where in class participation is more beneficial for her desired learning style. Fleetwood states that in an environment where there is room to ask questions and communicate in a face to face setting, learning material is more constructive compared to online learning. Fleetwood gave advice for college students who have not yet experienced what attending college or fulfilling the responsibilities of a full-time student is like. With knowing the struggles that college integrated in her life, she found that putting herself first was not always a selfish act. “I think the bottom line is, if your true desire is to actually continue your education while you have your family, you just really have to make the time for yourself, which is really hard to do,” stated Fleetwood, “especially when you are used to putting everyone else first.” Submitted photos Pictured above is Megan Fleetwood and her family. Pictured to the left is Abbie Cornett and her family. in the Student Success Center on campus. April in Paris Coming soon at Tobin Dining Hall Coq au vin, French onion soup, Eclairs Casper College Dining Spend your flex dollars and T-bucks before the end of the semester Use flex dollars for snacks, drinks, or meals T-Bucks and flex dollars will NOT carry into the fall semester �Page 8 CHINOOK t H e wor ld n ee ds April 1, 2021 mor e cow boys. Start in Casper. Stay in Casper. Courses, degrees and programs offered right here! LOCATION: 435 Union / University Building on the Casper College Campus CALL: (307) 268-2713 VISIT: http://www.uwyo.edu/uwcasper/ � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2021-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2021-04 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from April 2021. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2021-04 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF