360 10 9760 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 https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/078d8e3a60054a5c2e01e29ebcfd6def.pdf 86fd8f4d4b2530e03ddd68ed1f35305a PDF Text Text October 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 10 days in the same square Residence hall students manage quarantine Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer The first week at a new school can be rough. Finding out halfway through that you’ll be stuck in your room for ten days can make it even harder. Less than a week after Casper College’s fall semester began, Taytm Jespersen, a first year nursing student at CC, found out that she was exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Shortly after experiencing symptoms similar to a common head cold, Jespersen called into CC’s health center to get tested for the virus a few days later. “This Delta variant is hitting your age… and that's a little bit scary,” Tracy Hasely, the director of student health at CC said. “When it's hitting you young, healthy people and knocking you down for a bit, that's kind of a scary thing.” As of the beginning of the 20212022 school year, CC is offering free COVID-19 testing for students and faculty on campus on the second floor of the Union building. Halsey is one of the healthcare professionals that administers the tests. Currently in use by the health center are Cue’s COVID 19 diagnostic tests, implemented after less than a month’s use of rapid testing. According to Halsey, the original rapid tests gave unreliable results for asymptomatic patients carrying the virus. Halsey dispensed over 60 tests in the first two weeks following the new COVID-19 tests’ enactment. The test itself screens a self-collected sample from the individual that is then inserted as a cartridge into a small reader for assessment. The system returns results in 20 minutes. Within the timeframe, Halsey alerted Jesperson of her positive COVID-19 result, much like Jespersen said she suspected, After a resident hall student, like Jespersen, tests positive for the COVID-19 virus, an email is sent to the individual outlining rules, information and other advice for isolation. “During isolation, you must remain in your room with your door shut,” the instructions read. “You may not go to class, report to work, go shopping, use the laundry room… these protocols are designed to help keep you and others safe.” The instructions offer to work with students to move them to a separate area for isolation or into a different room with another COVID positive student. If the positive student is in a single occupancy room or their roommate also tests positive, makes plans to stay elsewhere, or is vaccinated, the positive student can stay in their own room. In Jespersen’s case, her roommate tested negative for the virus on multiple occasions and arranged to stay elsewhere. As a result, Jespersen had the room to herself and ten days of isolation ahead of her. “Basically everything on HBO Max and Netflix got watched,” Jespersen said. “It's gonna sound really weird, but I also looked out the window and watched people just walk around. I'm like, you guys are so lucky.” Jespersen said that at first isolation felt fine. Most of her classes are already online, and her in-person classes sent minimal instructions. She said having a break from class and not seeing people seemed relaxing to her in the beginning. The college helped to take care of most necessities including laundry, trash and grocery delivery. The school brought food up to her dorm from the cafeteria daily and left the meals in a Styrofoam box in front of her door. It wasn’t exactly gourmet eating Jespersen said, but she just felt grateful to have it. Abigail Landwehr/Chinook Taytm Jespersen, a first year CC student, works on her laptop while sitting in her dorm room. Jespersen spent the majority of her time on devices during her ten days of quarantine. “Then towards the end, it got pretty tough… I mean you’re alone,” Jespersen said. “There was no one available just to sit there and talk to me on the phone for hours... you can only go so many days without talking to someone face-to-face before you start losing it.” Her first day out of isolation, Jespersen said that she completely deep cleaned her dorm room and then immediately went off campus to for a coffee. That weekend, she traveled about five hours to see her family in Nebraska, and while she said her brothers didn’t give much of an initial reaction to her return, her family seemed happy to see her. She added that her mom wanted her to come back for the upcoming weekend too. While Jespersen’s ten days of isolation passed, COVID-19 cases continue to rise within the area. More and more Residence Hall students are at risk for getting quarantined or isolated in their dorm rooms for their own ten day spell. “Fortunately, it’s temporary,” Hasely said. “Some are not the best situations, but we want to keep everyone safe and healthy.” If students are exposed to the COVID-19 virus or experience any symptoms, they can get tested for the virus without an appointment, just as long as the student brings a valid I.D. and wears a mask. “Helpful Tips for the Student During Quarantine” is available under the Health and Wellness page on the Casper College website, but Jespersen shared her own advice for other students in isolation. “Take care of yourself,” Jespersen added. “Make sure you reach out for help if you really need it because it does get depressing sitting in the same square.” Campus Ventures club at Casper College Audrey Axtell Chinook Writer Campus Ventures, a nondenominational youth group, is gearing up for a supercharged year at Casper College with Wednesday night meetings, game nights, and fun activities to encourage student involvement. Campus Ventures seeks to serve as a place for students to relax, unwind, and reconnect to religion with other students. This organization includes groups on six campuses in Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Campus Ventures stresses creating an open and inviting atmosphere for all students. Dave Weeks, the Campus Ventures director at CC, organizes all activities and meetings for the group. Weeks spoke to the topic of students searching to build relationships through religion. “In such turbulent times, I find students saying ‘I need an anchor,’ and Faith has always been an anchor in cultures,” said Weeks. The faculty and staff for the organization encourage students to make friends and build relationships through religious connections and emotional reflection. Campus Ventures strives to create a safe place for students to make friends, explore religion, and strengthen their Faith. The group is non-denominational, and open to students and community members from all walks of life. Like most other clubs and activities, the pandemic affected Campus Ventures and the interaction members were allowed to have. Weeks talked through the effects of COVID-19 on the organization at CC, including how reaching new members became a concern. “COVID hurt us pretty badly. ``When the [lockdown] first hit, we had a number of seniors leaving the program, and it was hard to get to know new members through the masks,” said Weeks. The pandemic forced rescheduled or cancelled meetings when members fell sick, and the group sought creative ways to maintain activities. Campus Ventures implemented social distancing rules most of the time, which made it difficult for members to get to know each other as a friend group. Gathering new involvement in the program proved even more challenging when new members couldn’t interact with one another as normal. This year, Campus Ventures is back in full swing, with activities designed to get students involved and build friendships. Emily Jane, a second semester student in the nursing program, joined Campus Ventures as an active member in the Spring of 2021. She commented on her reasoning for joining and how the club impacted her. — See Campus Ventures, Page 4 Terrific Learning Coaches recognized at CC Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Photo Courtesy of PTK Advisors From left to right, Kellee Schuerman, a CC student, poses with Eric Atkins, a Terrific Learning Coach, and CC students Leslie LeClair and Helen Brown. While there are many awards available on campus no accolade is more honorable in the eyes of a faculty member than one of student recognition. The Terrific Learning Coach award, or simply TLC, is a student-based award in which students can nominate any staff member on campus that deeply impacted their education or life as a whole. The award is put on through Phi Theta Kappa, and its members vote on monthly finalists, as well as a winner for the entire year. “Any student at Casper College may nominate someone for the TLC of the month”, PTK advisor Jared Bowden said. “Our PTK members at Casper College then vote on the nominees with a winner announced at the end of every month. The monthly winners are then voted on at the end of the year by our PTK members for a TLC of the Year winner.” TLC is an award unique to Casper College and the school’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. The award provides an opportunity for students to say thank you to any staff member that made a profound difference. “Employees do not get a lot of recognition during the course of a school year, so the TLC award is the time to be able to say that the hard work was appreciated,” Bowden added. Last year’s TLC winner of the year, Eric Atkins, is a Spanish instructor whose students speak highly of him. Atkins won TLC of the month in February of 2021, but he said winning for the entire year came as “a total shock, but [he felt] genuinely honored to win”. “When they announced this one, I really was blown away just because it’s a student based award. When a student has something to say about what you do, and to any extent appreciates or values what happens in your classroom... that’s what we’re here for,” Atkins said. Atkins went on to speak about what sets the award apart from others on campus. “To have that sort of recognition from the people whose lives I’m trying to influence is about as good as anything,” said Atkins. There is no one given characteristic of a TLC. A TLC could have “helped a student get back on track when life has thrown them curveballs, or simply cared when it felt the world was against the student,” Bowden added in closing. Nominations can mean a great deal to faculty, so keep an eye out for those making a difference. To submit a TLC nomination, check your CC email at the start of the month and fill out a quick form to give some well-earned recognition to a Terrific Learning Coach that impacted your career here at Casper College. �Page 2 October 1, 2021 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: Trekking through the semester “ Greetings and Welcome to the Fall 2021 semester! Whether this is your first semester at Casper College, or you are a returning student, I want to encourage you to make your time here as enriching as possible. Casper College is a comprehensive community college, and that means we not only have a wide array of academic offerings, but also have athletic teams, academic competition teams, a wide array of student activities, as well as community opportunities for education and enrichment. I believe as you move through life you will find some of the people you met in college turn out to be life-long friends. This is not only true for those students living on campus, but is also true for all of our students. So my message today is to make sure you get involved. Investigate student clubs, go to an athletic game, attend the different activities on campus, and just be sure to check out as many new opportunities as possible. I believe you will find a significant portion of people enter college with an idea of what they want to pursue as a career, but then along the way find their real passion, often due to unexpected encounters or experiences. In short, be sure to explore everything the college has to offer, and please don’t be shy to try something new! I believe you will find a significant portion of people enter college with an idea of what they want to pursue as a career, but then along the way find their real passion, often due to unexpected encounters or experiences. Chinook staff members Rachelle Trujillo (left), Isabella Coronado (center) and Abby Landwehr (right) work on a video for the Casper College Foundation to promote the T-Bird Trek. Trujillo, Coronado, and Landwehr are in the process of making a 30-second video that will be broadcast on local television and a 2-minute video for the foundation as part of their Basic Video Production class assignment. The 30-second video is to promote the T-bird Trek for next year and the 2-minute video is to show all of the events that took place this year. The Chinook staff encourages Casper College students to explore your passions and build your portfolio before entering the job market -- set yourself apart! Kaley Pieper Join our staff this spring! According to Kaley Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class, titled Independent Publications. Milk alternatives are gaining in popularity every day. And while there are benefits to many milk alternatives, should they actually be advertised as milk? As defined by the Oxford dictionary, milk is a white, — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Milk does a body good nutrient-rich fluid produced by the mammary glands of female mammals. By this definition, milk alternatives are not actually milk at all. Advertising drinks such as soy, almond, oat, coconut, rice, and cashew as “milk” is false advertising, and misleading to the average consumer. Advertising those drinks as milk could confuse consumers into thinking the products are dairy alternatives that will provide the same positive aspects as dairy. Dairy products are a convenient source of bone-strengthening nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, potassium. These nutrients ensure proper bone er pap s w e College’s Casper ok N nline o n i O ChStudent Now Voice Since 1945 growth and development in children, increase bone density, and help adults maintain bone mass. Most alternatives to milk don’t offer calcium, potassium, and vitamin D, and the alternatives don’t help grow strong bones and teeth. Almost every year since 1975, Americans have consumed less cow milk than the year before, often because they believe plant-based drinks are healthier, kinder to animals, or more environmentally friendly. This is simply not the case. For example, almonds are a very water-intensive crop, and almonds often have an adverse effect on the surrounding environment. Coconut milk does have few negative impacts on the environment, and many coconut pickers from poor countries are put through hazardous working conditions and only paid $1 per day! Lower consumer demand for cow milk and generally lower prices paid to farmers for milk have forced many to leave the dairy business. Milk still does a body good, and consumers should not be misled into believing otherwise. So do your body, the environment, and dairy farmers a favor and drink more milk! www.caspercollege.edu/ chinook Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu Check Out The Digital Learning Center Have you heard of MyCCMoodle? It’s the online space where grades and syllabi Students: live ... among other resources your instructor might share. The DLC makes sure you’re geared up to successfully navigate the online portion of your courses. What we can do for you: Don’t wait! 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. Get your questions 2. Zoom – become a pro Zoomer and feel confident attending a Zoom class meeting answered now. 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Online tutoring — Sometimes we all need a shoulder to lean on and NetTutor has the perfect one! A MyCCMoodle app is 5. Quite place to study - Crack open your books. Draw on our walls. Use our coming soon! computers. Eat our snacks. Negwuy! Teresa Millan Camille Cockrell Mike McLemore Drop by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882 or dlc@caspercollege.edu. Dave Siemens Tyler Sanner �October 1, 2021 Page 3 CHINOOK Lady T-Birds faring well in second season Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer Halfway through the season, the Casper College Lady T-Birds look to take midseason form as the conference is up for grabs and the schedule takes its toughest turn. The Lady T-Birds are currently 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the conference. With six of the last seven games of the season coming against conference opponents. Coach Ammon Bennet has nothing but confidence in his team, as they hit the tough patch in the schedule. “We are currently first right now and the next four of the teams are regional teams.” Bennet said. Bennet sees growth in his team every game and still thinks they haven’t played the best soccer yet. “At the beginning of the year we played good, but we made little mistakes,” Bennet said. The returning sophomores are making a big impact this year as they look to make that mid-season run. Much of the success the team is showing this season comes from the Lady T-Birds the work in the offseason. Sophomores Valeria Hernandez and Kylie Spangler credited their success on the field working out in front of coaches in the off-season and returning home to work with former mentors. They also participate in summer leagues in order to maintain game reps in the off-season. The game that Spangler is circling on the calendar to finish up the year is the game against rival Laramie County Community College. Spangler said “We played them once and it was close, and they are our rival.” Hernandez said her biggest game of her career came against North Eastern with the stats to back it- she saved 2 goals in the win. The expectations to finish the season for both women are simple-win regionals. “Our communication has been improving,” said Hernandez. Spangler added that the teams’ work is not done, especially as they head into the second half of the season. “We need to work hard to finish the season to win regionals and nationals,” Spangler said. The Lady T-Birds put in the work in the off-season and on the field, which is evident in their play this season. The team is scheduled to take on Otero College on the September 24th to start out the tough conference play. With this tough schedule the team needs CC fan support. Brendan Saunders/Chinook Above Brielle Valentine surveys the field for an open teamate against Trinidad State College. Left Valeria Hernandez passes to Grace Conner against Trinidad State College. CC Volleyball team splits season so far in 2021 Baylee Darling/Chinook Above, Milena Franzini jumps to hit the ball. To the left, (from left to right) Breana Hamilton, Hailey Lattin, Taryn Holt, Milena Franzini, Giulia Santuari watch the match. Baylee Darling/Chinook Raelee Samio serves to Western Nebraska Community College. The team lost 3-1 on September 21st. 6 week group starting October 14, 2021 Join the Oil City Ag Club Thursdays, 12-1pm Eating and body image issues are a common struggle among college students. Help with the lamb and pig sale Union Building Room 202 Participate in community service You are not alone. Make new friends Discuss trending agriculture topics Test your competitive side Join a support group that will teach you five powerful competencies to help you develop resources and a renewed energy to take care of your body. Reclaim Health • Practice Intuitive Self-Care• Cultivate Self-Love • Declare your Own Authentic Beauty • Build Community Join us for good food and fun Contact faculty advisor Heath Hornecker hhornecker@caspercollege.edu WA 111 �Page 4 October 1, 2021 CHINOOK Campus Ventures................................ “I’ve been going to Campus Ventures since January. My sister-in-law came here, and so did some of my friends from Wheatland. I just thought it sounded like a really good place,” said Jane. Campus Ventures hosts a weekly bible study every Wednesday night, usually followed by fun activities such as campfires. Members also meet up throughout the week for swing dances, game nights, sporting events, and even go on youth group retreats together. While Campus Ventures started at the University of Wyoming, the group’s involvement at CC dates back 27 years. Casper Ventures then established groups at Northwest College, Black Hills State University, Sheridan College, and Colorado School of Mines. Membership varies depending on the school. Casper currently sees 20 to 35 students and community members attending various activities throughout the school year. Campus Ventures is an organization created continued from page 1 for students to explore religion, talk about their experiences, and engage in fellowship. Members connect to one another and listen to each other's dreams, goals, and thoughts in order to create a space of self-reflection. Many students use the time to unwind and express their emotions. Jane commented on the place this organization holds in her own life. “This is my social time for the week. It’s definitely stress relief. I look forward to this every week. It’s a great way to make friends,” said Jane. Campus Ventures is open to anyone that wants to attend their meetings or activities, for students looking for a community, those exploring religion, or those strengthening their beliefs. Students that participate in Campus Ventures at CC tend to have a sense of family, home, and belonging. Members encourage each other to strengthen Photo Courtesy of PTK Advisors their personal beliefs, enjoy the fellowship of From left to right, Kylecia Marler, Barbie Harrison, Meghan Keegan, Peter Tenney, Luke Woodward, Wendy Trembath pose for a photo on a group camping trip. other students, and take in all CC has to offer. CC's Nursing Program adapts to COVID-19 Paige Noble Chinook Writer Starting in the spring of 2020 nursing students here at Casper College quickly readjusted their program. After the initial onset of the COVID-19, CC students suspended their clinical studies for the safety of themselves, the patients and the employees of the hospitals. Students are now diligently working to get back to the normal curriculum as safely as possible. During the spring of 2021 infection rates started to slow down, but due to the new Delta variant students are revisiting some extra safety precautions. Initially, students who were enrolled in the program were unaware if they would be able to proceed with their studies due to uncertainty about how long things would be at a standstill. Marge Christiansen, The Director of Nursing for Casper College, elaborated on the effects of the pandemic and provided insight into how COVID-19 impacted the nursing program. Photo Courtesy of Lauren Gates “There was one semester Lauren Gates, a student in the Nursing Progam at CC, shared when everything was shut a photo with the Chinook. She is working to complete her down and we had to comdegree in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. pletely go online. Otherwise we've been able to have been able to complete most of our clinicals. Last semester we were able to complete all of them.” said Christiansen. Due to the safety precautions put in place, many students are able to receive the vaccine to help ensure their safety and the safety of others throughout their clinicals. Although many students are currently exempt from getting the vaccine, many speculate that vaccination could easily become a mandate, changing their reality. Christiansen stressed the nursing department is taking the pandemic very seriously with students and faculty working to protect everyone they can. Christiansen said the hospitals in the area have not expressed hesitation about allowing students into healthcare facilities. “The hospitals are happy we are there helping,” Christiansen said. After the 2021 fall semester began, the students from the program continued their clinicals with specific facilities. However, the facilities require the vaccination, so those who have not yet received the shots filed for an exemption to be able to continue their studies with CC due to the facility requirements. “Some of them don’t want to get the vaccine. It's part of health care. If you work at facilities, who knows about the next week or so, there might be a mandate. Then it might change even more.” Christiansen said in regards to the students that chose to recieve or not receive the vaccine. Lauren Gates, a current nursing student at CC, spoke about the changes students underwent through the pandemic. “We were at the beginning of the change, so we had to come in and wear masks. We had to wear N95’s in hospitals. I think the biggest thing is our clinicals most of the time you start in long-term care. We went straight to the floors of the hospitals because that was the only place that would take us,” explained Gates Regardless, Gates said the COVID-19 pandemic did provide a unique learning environment. Gates said the nursing students were very hands-on during such a trying time. “It was a big change for Livestock Judging: us because it was also really fun and a great experience,” said Gates on the ability to be hands-on during the madness of the COVID_19 pandemic. Unfortunately for the students, since going straight to hospitals, they lost out on the ability to work in a senior care facility and instead went farther into their clinicals than planned. “Once you skip over the long-term care clinical you don’t really get to go back to that,” said Gates. “You also lose out on learning that.” While in the nursing program at CC, students must complete the clinicals, which means students have easily upwards of 12 hour days after their class work is through in the mornings. Throughout the pandemic, students quickly made up for lost time with the long hours that many endured to complete their time at CC. While the pandemic brought many changes to the college’s nursing program, students utilized those changes to their advantage and gained as much hands-on experience as possible, preparing them for the next step in their education. They are ready to adapt. WRITING CENTER Recruitment, Relationship, Retention Photo Courtesy of Jeremy Burkett Students practice their Livestock Judging skills during the 20202021 academic year. The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Create a resume Craft a scholarship essay And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu Cameron Magee Chinook Writer The Casper College Livestock Judging Team boasts a combination of rich history and winning tradition. Since the 1980’s, the Livestock Judging Team judged across the country and earned many accolades. While awards and trophies are a plus, success in judging starts with three simple components for the competitive team: Recruitment, Relationships and Retention. Dr. Jeremy Burkett, Head Livestock Judging Coach, said good people are an absolute must when looking to recruit and bring new faces to the Casper area. “We look for people who are responsible, have a work ethic that allows them to learn and improve, and they must be coachable. Without coachable students the program would see limited improvement and success,” said Burkett. Recruitments to both this year's freshman and sophomore teams hail from 10 different states and Canada. “With students from as far west as Georgia, as far east as Oregon and as north as Manitoba, Canada we see a variety of talent that allows us to put on the finishing touches,” said Burkett. The most unique part of livestock judging that allows for easy recruitment is that it’s an extension of what most students are learning in the classroom. Burkett said students take learned knowledge and apply that outside of the classroom and lab setting. Every good team needs trust and a bond that is hard to break, and according to several judging students, such attributes ring very true for the CC team. Judging students spend every Tuesday and Thursday practicing from 1 – 5 p.m., Friday practice takes place from 1-4 p.m. and most weekends the team is on the road applying what they learned the previous week. The judging team consistently shows up to learn and promote the industry. “The judging team teaches us how to evaluate livestock and stand up for our opinions, but I think the most important thing it gives us is the lifelong relationships with amazing people,” said Libby Twitchell, a Livestock Judging Team member from Montana. Twitchell went on to say that students see their teammates at their best and worst and it gives them the perfect opportunity to work harder and be the best versions of themselves. The community college feel and agriculture based school makes an environment that is hard to match. Every professor hopes students leave with more knowledge than what they started, and livestock judging isn’t any different. Dr. Burkett and assistant judging coach Colby Hales create an environment in which information they provide is easy to retain. Whether they have extended office hours or go beyond the weekly practice they are striving to ensure every member of the team receives an equal chance to succeed. Twitchell said she believes her great educators have helped her reach the next step. CC’s Livestock Judging program works hard to equip judging students with the basic knowledge and materials to take the next step to a university and continue their career. Many students are recruited to the next level where they attend either prestigious land-grant colleges to judge or agriculture based programs. �October 1, 2021 Page 5 CHINOOK About the education department Isabella Coronado Chinook Writer Education is a large part of the student environment at Casper College, and COVID-19 impacted education with both positive and negative outcomes. Schools also often struggle to find enough people that want to become teachers, said Renee Griffith, department chair and education instructor at Casper College. Three people sat down with the Chinook to talk about how COVID-19 influenced their education and why they chose to pursue education as a career. A native of Nebraska, Griffith, attended school close to home at the University of Wyoming with a major in education. Griffith spoke to why she chose education. “I had some very inspiring teachers throughout my high school experiences. I also wanted to become an educator that I somewhat didn’t have throughout K-12,” said Griffith. “I wanted to make an impact with children and students, but I also knew my content well and was passionate about what I was teaching.” Current students in the education department described similar reasons for choosing a career in education. Emma Jay from Hulett, Wyo. is currently studying elementary education with an endorsement in early childhood education. Even though she graduated from CC in 2021 with an associates in agriculture, Jay continued at the college to study early childhood education. She said she wants to teach first grade in small-town Wyoming. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Jay and her classmates are dealing with the changes impacting the college and department. She said most schools now have more technology than before in case school moves remote again, but she also talked about the social aspect of the whole situation. She said, “From a social aspect, kids did not get that social interaction, which is a huge development mentally.” At a young age, the social aspect of education is very important because the school environment starts teaching children how to interact with one another early in life. Jay continued talking about how isolated remote learning could be really hard for teachers as well because teaching from home requires more planning. Damen Brewer is also currently an education major at CC. Brewer is from Powell, Wyo. but grew up close to CC in Bar Nunn. Currently his major is math and math secondary education, as he hopes to become a high school math teacher. Brewer anticipates he will graduate from CC after this semester and then he plans to graduate from UW in 2023 with his Bachelor's degree. When asked why he chose to major in education, Brewer said he wants to show kids that math isn’t as bad as they think. He said wants to be able to help people, whether that is in math or just in their personal lives. Brewer too was impacted by COVID19, but he decided to look on the bright side. Just like Jay, he talked about how technology became a big part of the way teachers assign work and how work is being turned in. Brewer believes that turning in assignments online became more prominent than before. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and others those in education face, Griffith, Jay, and Brewer look towards with future with optimism. In 10 years, Griffith said she sees herself retired with a long time career in education. She said she still wants to keep in touch with the topic of education and the research in the field. Most of all, Griffith said she hopes to be making an impact with her grandchildren. Jay said she sees herself married with two to three kids of her own, teaching in Wyoming. She said she hopes to working on a master’s degree with a stable home and a stable job. Brewer said he sees Photo Courtesy of Emma Jay himself married with kids and working Emma Jay is a practicum student at Cottonwood Elementary at Kelly Walsh High School as a math where she posed for a photo in a kindergarten room. teacher. Students return to find success Anna Miller Chinook Contributor Many nontraditional student attend Casper College and the University of Wyoming at Casper. Returning to college is a major decision for students that stepped away from college for any length of time. The National Center for Education Statistics defines nontraditional students as students who delayed enrollment into postsecondary education. Some students are only attending part time, working full time jobs, support dependents other than a spouse, or juggle life as single parents. People decide to return to school for many reasons, some of which include: wanting to learn something new, a will to start or change their careers, or a need to gain specific skills in their field. Regardless, when students do decide to return to higher education, they typically go in with a plan. Olivia Cole, an International Studies major at UW-Casper, decided to return to school because she ‘wasn’t doing much’ while working a part time job at the ice arena. She decided to pick a major that interested her and fueled her desire to help the world and people across the globe. “My parents did not go to college, or even graduate high school. I always wanted to go to college,” Cole said. “I love other cultures and helping people, so that’s how I chose my major,” Cole, originally from Florida, earned a scholarship in the seventh grade that would pay for two years at any Florida community college and two years at a Florida university. However, Cole had a baby and was only able to use her scholarship for one semester. “I knew I would go back eventually. I didn’t think I could pay for it,” Cole said. “I had eight years to think.” There are a wide variety of scholarships and grants available to non-traditional students. The Hawthorn Foundation Scholarship and the Pell Grant are two that are available for non-traditional students, according to the Casper College website. The Pell Grant helped Cole pay for her education, awarding her over $3,000 per semester. On top of that, she also earned many merit-based scholarships for her grades while attending CC. Pell Grant recipients can receive up to six years of funding while enrolled. Despite the benefit of postsecondary education, many adults express reluctance to return to school for many reasons, including time to go to class, the cost, and attending class with younger students, according to educationcorner. com. The the U.S. Department of Education reports that students 25 years and older make up 40 percent of all students enrolled in college. Returning to school provided its fair share of challenges for Natalie Plumlee, a communications major at CC in her first semester back in school. “I did not like the idea of coming back since I did not have a good experience the first time (at CC),” said Plumlee. “My husband helped me (get enrolled), and I was a college student who wasn’t ready but was enrolled,” It’s intimidating being an older student among a new generation. Plumlee said she always carries around her student ID because she is nervous someone is going to question why she is on campus. Moodle and the new technology that comes with education in a digital age proved daunting for Plumlee. Fortunately, her daughter, who is also a student here at CC, helps Plumlee navigate such challenges. The struggle for most nontraditional students is that they have families. Both Cole and Plumlee have home responsibilities and families to care for in between school. They both agreed that there isn’t enough time in the day. “Being in college is like having a full-time job. It’s been a lot and I don’t have enough help,” said Cole. Despite these challenges and fears, students persevere. Cole is a recent graduate of CC with her international studies degree and is in her first semester at UW CC. Cole said she wants to obtain her bachelor’s degree and hopes to work with the state government. Plumlee is two-thirds of the way done with her communications degree. She wants to obtain her bachelor’s degree in library science and will transfer to a university that offers that degree program upon graduation from CC. Think you might have ADHD or have an ADHD diagnosis? Check out our new group! ADHD & ME THIS IS A 4-WEEK, WORKSHOP STYLE GROUP DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BOTH SUPPORT AND EDUCATION RELATED TO MANAGING ADHD. WE WILL BREAK DOWN WHAT ADHD IS, HOW IT'S DIAGNOSED, SKILLS TO "WORK WITH YOUR BRAIN", RESOURCES, STIGMA, AND CONCERNS OF GROUP MEMBERS. O OC CT TO OB BE ER R 4 4T TH H,, 1 11 1T TH H,, 1 18 8T TH H,, & & 2 25 5T TH H ** M MO ON ND DA AY YS S A AT T 1 12 2:: 0 00 0 P PM M** Casper College Wellness Center (UU 202) DISCLAIMER: THIS GROUP IS MEANT FOR SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND RESOURCES ONLY. WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS, THOUGH WILL OFFER REFERRALS IF NEEDED. �Page 6 October 1, 2021 CHINOOK The 2021 T-Bird Trek brings hundreds of runners together The 2021 T-Bird Trek brought together 272 participants. The first place finishers of the four races include... Steven Armstrong with a 1:25:41 in the Downhill Half Marathon, Amber Thielbar with a 1:36:26 in the Lookout Point Half Marathon, Cameron Ially with a 40:05 in the 10k, and Jackson Catchpole with a 20:23 in the 5k. Congratulations to the winners and to all other competitors who participated in the 2021 T-bird Trek!! To the left, Rosemarie Heisey approaches an aid station as she competes in the Downhill half marathon. Erin Geldien/Chinook Erin Geldien/Chinook Sean Cometto competes in the Downhill Half Marathon. Cidne Skavdahl is pictured running the 10k. Erin Geldien/Chinook Erin Geldien/Chinook David Kubichek wipes away sweat during his 10k run. Erin Geldien/Chinook United States Veterans, Caleb Lindsay (left) and Shawn Moore (right), walk the 5k together carrying both the Wyoming and National flags. Erin Geldien/Chinook Aimee Sherman and her two kiddos nearing the home stretch of the 5k. Erin Geldien/Chinook Alex Biggs and her daughter super-powering through the 5k. �October 1, 2021 Page 7 CHINOOK College's music department open to all Kaley Pieper Chinook Writer The music department at Casper College assembles several choirs and offers voice lessons, both of which are open to students of all majors and musical abilities! Music can provide an outlet for students to relax and de-stress. According to Dr. Zachary Vreeman, the choral instructor at CC, one of the benefits of being involved in the choir are the friendships and close bonds formed between students in the choir. Vreeman spoke about the relaxed, fun environment in the music department. He encouraged students of all skill sets and majors to consider joining CC’s choir family. Vreeman said, “I don’t want the music department to be a ‘mystery’ department that is secluded from the rest of campus.” To make the choir more accessible, ensemble practices are now held in the evening to make so students not majoring in music can attend practices and be involved. One of the non-music major students in the choir is Katie Baumstarck, a freshman at CC. Baumstarck is majoring in kinesiology and health promotion. Baumstarck participates in two choir ensembles and also takes personal voice lessons to help her improve her individual skills. She encouraged anyone that is interested to join an ensemble. “I absolutely love the music program so far, and actually want to join another ensemble!” said Baumstarck. Baumstarck also encouraged students not involved in the music program to attend concerts or other events held on campus. On Friday, October 1, the Fall Collage concert will be held at 7:00 p.m., and the concert is free to all students. The 7th annual Christmas concert is planned for December 1. The holiday concert is a favorite among choir members. Students interested in joining the choir can take part in a Monday evening choir that is open to all. There are also auditions for other choirs, including a jazz choir. For less confident singers looking to improve, the music department also offers private voice lessons. If interested, contact Vreeman via email at zvreeman@caspercollege.edu. Photo Courtesy of music department The Casper College choir performed together in Wheeler Concert Hall before the pandemic limited such gatherings. Dr. Zachary Vreeman, choral instructor at CC, encourages anyone interested in singing to join CC's choir family. CC's Speech and Debate Team starts season strong The forensics team recently competed in the 2021 Trapper Rendezvous at Northwest College in Powell, Wyo. The team won the tournament with many individual awards too. According to Doug Hall, head coach and communication instructor, results from the tournament are as follows: Brax Sambrano: Prose (2nd) Impromptu (5th) Alex Walters: Impromptu (4th), IDPA (2nd) Stephanie Barella: IDPA (semis) Extemp (sems) Impromptu (Champion) Markie Whitney: IPDA (quarters) DUO (2nd) Shelby Davis IPDA (quarters) Impromptu (sems) DUO (2nd) Emma Kellick: IPDA (Sems) Prose (3rd) Impromptu (6th) Jayden Roccaforte: Prose (Champion) POI (2nd) DUO (Champion) Emma Rudell: DUO (Champion) Pearl: Poetry (Champion) Ext (Sems) Curtis Winfrey: Ext (6th) Ally Morris: Drama (3rd) Locations/Hours Tobin Dining Hall : Mon—Fri Breakfast 7am—9am Continental 10am—11am Full Lunch 11am—1pm Grill/Salad 1pm—2pm Sat—Sun Brunch 11:30am—1:30pm Everyday Dinner 4:45pm—6:45pm SubConnection : Mon—Thurs 7am—6pm Fri 7am—3pm Leisinger Doornbos Lounge and Note Cards are available in all service areas if you would like to write a personal message for our staff. GW 3rd Floor: Mon—Thurs 7:30am—2pm Fri 7:30am—1pm Convenience to fit your schedule Your meal plan can be utilized for a Breakfast or Lunch Combo Meal at SubConnection, Doornbos Lounge and Gateway 3rd Floor locations until 2pm Monday thru Friday! � 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 2021-10 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. 2021-10 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from October 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_2021-10 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/ec3342c95c6ed5aff2567434c5763dbc.pdf 5b2285d7c6c3d52372798ffb78e4f5d0 PDF Text Text November 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 "Mama Mia" Musical finds success Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer Casper College’s first play production of the year is “Mama Mia!” directed by Kurt Stone opened October 14. The musical stars Andrea Sipe as Sophie Sheridan, and the plot follows a daughter on the days leading up to her wedding when she finds out that she might have three possible fathers. She then invites them all to the wedding in hopes that one of them can walk her down the aisle. With production nearing its final week the play proved a big success for CC, as tickets for “Mama Mia!” sold out multiple times since opening night. Shane Trottier, who plays Eddie in the play, made his return to the stage after almost two years away. He stopped participating in productions after his senior year of high school, and Trottier said his work on “Mama Mia” couldn’t have been a better return. Trottier said he found playing Eddie a a fun character to play and a really fun experience. “In my opinion he was the most minor of all the leads and it gave me more of an opportunity to establish him as a character. Which was a fun challenge,” said Trottier. With a very talented cast and crew working on the film, Sipe’s performance caught the eye of everyone including Trottier who complemented Snipe with high praise. “She seems most likely to play a part on Broadway,” Snipe said. “Mama Mia” wrapped on October 23 with a sold-out Saturday Matinée. Under Stones’ direction and the amazing performances from the crew, “Mama Mia” resulted in great success for CC. Brendan Saunders/Chinook No 'home for the holidays' for some Kaley Pieper Chinook Writer International Students at Casper College are often unable to go home for the holidays because of the price of travel and a limited amount of time. For these students, staying in the dorms while their friends and teammates travel home during Thanksgiving break can seem long and boring. Ayrton Albornoz is a journalism major on the soccer team at CC, and he is originally from Santiago, the capital of Chile. Albornoz is in his first semester at CC, and his time in college marks his first travels to the United States. “At the beginning, it was… complicated. My English is not good, but I am improving, and it is getting easier. With Americans it’s too complicated,” Albornoz said when asked how he was adjusting to the new country. In Chile, Albornoz said Thanksgiving is not celebrated, and he wasn’t even aware of the American holiday. “We have holidays in December, January, and February because it is summer in Chile,” said Albornoz. Albornoz is staying in Casper for the upcoming Thanksgiving break. Though breaks from school can feel long and boring away from home, Albornoz said he tries to make the most of his time. “I try to visit places. During fall break, three of my teammates and I went to the mountain to hike. So during this break, I will try to visit places or walk around the city, maybe even go to Yellowstone,” Albornoz said. He added that he likes to walk around town when it isn’t too cold to learn new things about Casper and the U.S. Albornoz said he misses his parents, brother, and the rest of his extended family, and he can’t wait to visit his grandfather’s beach home with them all. However, he’ll have to wait to visit them. “I want to go back, but there isn’t much time, and the tickets are expensive. So my family and I decided to wait for May of next year,” said Albornoz. Priced through American Airlines, the trip departing out of Casper and arriving in Santiago for the Thanksgiving break would cost nearly $9000 round trip with about 22 hours of total travel time. For Jules Symth from Roblin, Manitoba in Canada, the trek back home isn’t quite as far. “It takes about 14 hours to drive. In the summer, I can Cast performs "Does Your Mother Know" during rehearsal for Casper College's production of Mama Mia. make it in a day, but in the winter it takes two depending on how roads are.” The Canadian sophomore, who is majoring in animal science and ag-business, said she went home with her boyfriend who lives about three hours from Casper for last year’s Thanksgiving break, and she plans to stay in the states again this year. “I wouldn’t have been home for that long, so it wouldn’t have been worth it. That’s a lot of driving for only being home for three days. Plus Canadian Thanksgiving already passed,” Symth explained. In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on Monday, Oct. 11 this year. Although very similar to Thanksgiving in the U.S., Canadian Thanksgiving isn’t as large of a celebration. Symth said, “We don’t have a big football game to surround it with, so that’s part of it I think. Usually, if we don’t get together with family, it’s not a big deal.” For students who are unable to go home during Thanksgiving Break, the International Students Club often hosts activities on campus for them to enjoy. Erich Frankland has worked Photo courtesy of Ayrton Albornoz Ayrton Albornoz, a Casper College student from Chile, shared a photo of him playing soccer — See International, Page 3 before coming to the states to play for the T-Birds. Keeping higher education in the family Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Chris Lorenzen Nicholas Mesecher, the enterprise systems administrator at Casper College, hugs his son Ethan Mesecher after presenting him with his diploma at the CC 2019 graduation ceremony. In most college graduation ceremonies, the graduate will hear their name called and then cross the stage to shake hands and accept their diploma from the school’s president. However, such a process isn’t quite the case for all students. Children of Casper College faculty or staff members have the option to receive their certification from their parent on graduation day. This was the occasion for Ethan Mesecher and his dad, Nicholas Mesecher, the Enterprise Systems Administrator at Casper College. “I got the opportunity to hand Ethan his diploma,” Nicholas said about his eldest son’s graduation ceremony in 2019. “I loved it. It was a great opportunity and made me proud for him.” This isn’t the last diploma Nicholas will present to one of his children though. Behind Ethan, eight more Mesecher kids wait in line to receive their own diplomas. “We have nine kids and in my eyes, it's a very important thing for the kids to be able to get a good, higher education,” Nicholas said. “Casper College is such a great spot to get, you know, get your education started… and when you're a full-time employee for the college and your kiddos get free college.” Of the nine, 16-year-old Anna Mesecher, started in CC’s health science program this fall. “For the most part we get along really well,” Anna said of her relationship with Nicholas. “I wouldn't say that I've ever really gotten fed up with him.” It’s a common sight to see Anna working on schoolwork or spending time in her dad’s office after her classes are over for the day. Regardless of how much time the two spend together though, Anna said they both are pretty fond of each other. “I mean, I feel like he’s kind of the same person at work that he is at home,” Anna said. “He’s just like always helping people out, always on top of things. It's just kind of cool to see him apply the stuff that we do at the house to keep everything organized, but at work.” Alongside Anna, her brother Isaac Mesecher is also in attendance on the CC campus. Isaac, in his last year at the college, followed closely in his Nicholas’ footsteps by pursuing a computer degree similar to his dad’s. “All I have to do is pay for the books,” Nicholas said. “It makes perfect sense to have your kid go through and get that education…a huge benefit as an employee.” Additionally, Nicholas said five of the nine kids are adopted, which provides another opportunity regarding — See Family, Page 4 �Page 2 Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: A Mindful Minute Rachelle Trujillo Rachelle's Reflections The onset of the Coronavirus pandemic brought about much needed conversations about mental health, loneliness, and getting support. Even though the pandemic is coming to an end, I firmly believe these conversations should not. College-- whether in or out of a pandemic-- is a stressful time filled with major milestones, pivotal moments, and overall massive change in an individual's life. Something we all need to be a little more conscientious about is the state of our well-being, and taking care of our heads and hearts. I’m learning that young adulthood is all about embracing chaotic and rapid change, be it with friends, romantic partners, life goals, or even personal beliefs. In the midst of so much change, it can be easy to lose sight of ourselves, and cause us to ask “who am I?” The problem is that it’s difficult to know who we are right now; we’re going through so much and quickly progressing into a new or varied version of ourselves everyday. I think more important than finding ourselves is learning to be okay with the person we are while working towards the person we want to be. The only way to do this is to practice self compassion. I find that my problems or the drama in my life are not like high school-- the issues I face with loved ones, at work, or school can have big consequences if not addressed properly. And when you fail to address these issues properly, it’s easy to blame yourself and question your character. Similarly, it’s easy to be at such a crossroads in your life that imagining the worst case scenario becomes second nature. There’s simply so much going on that life can often feel overwhelming and hard to manage. We all need to be working a little harder to show more kindness not only to others but also ourselves. When things get overwhelming, remind yourself of your physical state and safety- that you are healthy, not in any immediate danger, and overall okay. Everything else can be worked out. Spend as much time focusing on the best case scenarios as the worst case scenarios because they’re both possible. Ask yourself who you want to be in 5, 10 or even 20 years, and decide if what you’re doing today is helping you get to that place. Most of all, we must learn to be comfortable with what’s uncomfortable. We’re going to make big mistakes, lose people we love, and make bad decisions. In dealing with it all, remember your feelings aren’t right or wrong or good or bad. They’re simply a part of being human, as are all the other highs and lows that come with this time of life. Take time today to be kind to yourself, allow for the changes that come, and spend time with those who matter most. November 1, 2021 CHINOOK “ As I sit and write this month’s entry, outside it is a cool, windy fall day in Casper. It is hard to believe we are already at the end of October, and the Holiday season is right around the corner. I hope the semester is going well, and you have had an opportunity to enjoy some the things our campus has to offer. In particular, I hope you have had a chance to attend one of the many arts events already held on campus, and cheer at a volleyball or soccer game. Truly there is much to see and do on campus, and those opportunities only become more frequent the closer we get to December. As we move towards the end of the fall semester, this is a good time to remind everyone the spring semester will be here before you know it. Oftentimes we find ourselves looking forward to the Holidays, and then enjoying them once they arrive, and only later realize we forgot to plan for anything after the Holidays. So now is the prefect time to start planning for the spring 2022 semester. Be sure to talk with a faculty advisor, or go visit the Student Success Center, and make sure you have you spring classes planned out so you can enroll just as soon as possible. Don’t let the prime classes get past you! Oftentimes we find ourselves looking forward to the Holidays, and then enjoying them once they arrive, and only later realize we forgot to plan for anything after the Holidays. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Settle in, pack it up... I’ve heard hundreds of roommate horror stories. Stories about always having to share the space with the roommate’s significant other, roommates who would secretly steal food and even from my mom, whose college roommate adopted a very hyper dog for their tiny studio apartment. Many shoes did not make it out of that building. However, no one really talks about what happens when your roommate just up and leaves. Less than a couple weeks into the semester, I received a text during class from my old roommate giving me a heads up that she was moving online and back home due to the pandemic and extraneous family issues. By the time I made it back to the dorm that after- noon, everything of hers was gone, aside from a few straggler boxes that didn’t quite fit in her car. Sitting in the half-empty room alone, I remembered thinking, “well what now?” That answer didn’t come until two weeks later, when I received a call from housing alerting me that I would be moving rooms and receiving a new roommate. Because of my new roommate’s requests and my own schedule, I wasn’t able to move my items until the beginning of the week. Meaning, I had a two-day period to completely up and leave my old room. I did my best to pack in between classes and work, but physically moving everything by myself was nothing less than a pain. The whole operation took me about six hours. I began the process of moving as soon as my classes finished in the afternoon and officially checked out of my old room and into my new one by around 7 p.m. that evening. Of the process though, the lack of communication from the college was what I found to be by far the most frustrating. And I had to move a very heavy mini fridge from the third floor to the backseat of my car alone. While the process of pairing roommates is based on availability, giving students notice of a new rooming situation ahead of time is a courtesy. Something as simple as reaching out to students whose roommates left and giving them a heads up of what to Abigail Landwehr Abigail's Approach expect going forward allows for more time to plan and make accommodations for moving items. It’s true that students will be frustrated with having to move regardless, but at least in my case, I would’ve found communication to make the moving process a little more tolerable and a little less of a horror story. www.caspercollege.edu/chinook Check Out the Digital Learning Center Students: Have you heard of MyCCMoodle? It’s the online space where your grades and syllabi live ... among other resources your instructor might share. The DLC makes sure you’re geared up to succesfully navigate the online portion of your courses. What we can do for you: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Zoom – become a pro Zoomer and feel confident attending a Zoom class meeting 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Online tutoring — Sometimes we all need a shoulder to lean on and NetTutor has the perfect one! 5. Quite place to study - Crack open your books in the DLC. Draw on our walls. Use our computers. Eat our snacks. Teresa Millan Camille Cockrell Mike McLemore Drop by by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882 or dlc@caspercollege.edu. Dave Siemens Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. A MyCCMoodle app is coming soon! Tyler Sanner �November 1, 2021 International............ continued from page 1 Photo Courtesy of Jules Smyth Jules Symth shared a photo of her and her boyfriend. She will spend the holidays with him rather than traveling to Canada. Page 3 CHINOOK at Casper for 24 years and has been an advisor of the International Students Club since he came to Casper. “This is a bumper crop year for International students, this is the most we’ve ever had. The way it works is all international students are members. Some will be less active in the club than others.” Frankland explained. Frankland said that many international athletes have host families, and can spend the holidays with these families. “This gives students the traditional American Thanksgiving.” This year, however, club members came up with a new idea that brings in aspects of each member’s culture and home country. “The club this year proposed an International Thanksgiving. So the students are planning a potluck, with everyone bringing a dish from their home country, and we will be able to share those,” said Frankland. “We’ve never done this before. In the past, a board member has hosted it at their house, and students have had the American experience. But this is a truly international Thanksgiving with people from all over the world. Our students are coming from Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, Canada, I mean everywhere except Antarctica!” The club plans to have this Thanksgiving potluck on Nov. 15 at 6 pm. Even though most international students are not able to go home for the holidays, there are opportunities for them to gather with others, and celebrate. Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class, titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu College's men's soccer kicks off second year Rachelle Trujilo Chinook Writer After a highly successful debut last year, the Casper College men’s soccer team is back for its second season. Practice and games started in August, and the T-birds are off to a great start and with high hopes for what’s to come. Like last year, the men’s soccer team is made up of players from around the state, across the country, and around the world. Though the players come from diverse backgrounds, they all share a common goal of being the best team they can be, according to sophomore José Alvarez. This year marks Alvarez’s second year with the men’s team. The Colombian native said he was glad to be a part of the team, and is excited to see what comes next. “We lost three important games, two of them in a row,” Alvarez, who plays forward, said. “Everyone was frustrated, but finally after that, we won five games in a row securing the second seed in postseason play.” The men’s team received high praise in its inaugural year, and the team is putting in the work to make sure year two is no different. Being the second seed means the team is off to a strong start, but head Coach Ben McArthur emphasized how critical this point is in the season; if the team loses, the season is done. Luckily, players like Danny Diaz (M) of Casper and Drey Williams (F) of Canada scored goals for the team that positioned the men for a strong season, according to McArthur. “Those two scored two big goals for us a few weeks ago to win games vs Otero and Trinidad, those goals put us in position to host the first round this Saturday,” he said Outdoor fall sports can present weather challenges. According to McArthur, occasional storms and cold fronts make it difficult to get touches on the ball. Nonetheless, the good, sunny days outweigh the bad weather. McArthur said he is even more proud of his team for pushing through those uncontrollable adversities. “It’s never easy to battle mother nature and we’ve had a couple storms that have come in,” he said. “My guys have stayed focused and they are ready for the postseason. They have shown great focus throughout this season.” Besides the occasional weather conflicts, the men are off to a strong start. The T-Birds will host playoffs at Murane Field on October 23 at 2 p.m. starting against Northwest College. “Saturday looks like great weather,” McArthur said in closing. “We are hopeful that a big crowd will come to support us at the fields!” Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Sophomore José Alvarez dribbles a ball at a sunset practice earlier this semester Casper College hosts WRITING CENTER Green Dot program The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Create a resume Craft a scholarship essay And so much more! Abigail Landwehr/Chinook Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu Casper College's Residence Hall Area Coordinator, Jessica Bailey, presented during the Green Dot program on campus last week. Green Dot is a bystander intervention program. Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer Casper College hosted a bystander intervention program, more commonly known as Green Dot, this past week. The hour-long workshop focused on addressing ways for students to intervene and prevent sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. Around 30 students attended the presentation held at the Sharon D. Nichols auditorium. “When you think of sexual assault, dating violence and stalking, these are big issues,” one of the program’s trained instructors, Corey Peacock, the director of student life at CC said. “60% of the folks in this room have directly, personally experienced one of these three issues. And almost everybody in this room knows someone who has experienced one of these issues.” Alongside Peacock, Jessica Bailey the college’s residence hall area coordinator also presented during the program. The workshop, sponsored by the Student Senate on campus, was a part of the “Thundering Through Barriers” series in which an important topic is discussed with students every semester. This semester’s topic focused on bystander intervention and sponsored the Green Dot program. Students were instructed on four steps to intervention during the presentation: to recognize the problem, to identify personal barriers, to intervene, and to strengthen positive campus community norms. “If the choice is between doing nothing to stop it and doing something at the minute, you’re making a difference,” Peacock said. “Of course we would like the issue to stop completely, but this shouldn’t fall directly on your shoulders.” �Page 4 November 1, 2021 CHINOOK Family..................................................... college expenses. Some states, like Texas, offer state college tuition waivers for fostered youth, meaning the tuition payments and fees can be waived for any Texas state funded school. Alongside this, attending CC remains an option too. “Five kiddos I really don't have to worry about paying for college at all,” Nicholas said. “I still told them that I would like them to go to Casper College first to take care of that first initial associate's degree and kind of understand what college is about a little bit before they decide what college they want to go to in Texas.” Nicholas added that regardless of how great he and the kids find the opportunity, educational choices are still left up to the individual child. Anna however, said that she found CC to be a good place to start her education. “I love being here,” Anna said. continued from page 1 “It’s really handy to not have to pay for all the tuition… I can save up so that when I want to go to university, I don't have to pay as much.” Specifically, Anna said she was looking at the possibility of finishing her degree at the University of Wyoming or other schools in Texas or Florida with good health science programs. In the more near future, Anna’s said she is anticipating her own graduation day from CC when she will cross the stage to receive her diploma from her dad. But for now, Anna said, “It’s just nice to have free rides to school every day.” Why do people choose community college? Isabella Coronado Chinook Writer Coming out of high school, students have a big decision on what they should do for higher education. Some people look at the cost, while others look at proximity, the environment of the school, or whether or not the school is a community college or a university. Everyone who comes to a community college has different life stories and what makes them interesting but they all have the same reasoning on why they wanted to attend a community college. Casper native and CC alumni Kenny Wilkinson . Wilkinson spoke about his past experiences attending CC and how it impacted his life. He first attended CC from the fall of 2002 to the spring of 2004 for Elementary Education. He then took two years off from school before deciding to go back to school through UW-Casper for his Bachelor's Degree and continued studying Elementary Education. He graduated in 2009. Wilkinson said he wanted to go to a community college out of high school because it was the cheapest option and he got a few scholarships to use towards the school. He wanted to continue living in Casper. In high school, Wilkinson said he had some friends that went to the University of Wyoming and whenever they would talk to him about it, their discussions didn’t make him excited to go to a university. “Hearing other students talking about how they had up to 90 kids in their class made me realize that I would have struggled if I went to a university,” Wilkerson said. “I would rather have the one-onone time with my professors and to make those relationships throughout college was great.” Currently Wilkinson is a 6th grade social studies/ general science teacher at Dean Morgan Middle School in Casper. He and his wife, Kayla, are parents to three children. Looking back, Wilkinson said he still believes high school students should consider going to a community college right out of high school. “For how much [college] costs these days and for me and I’m sure others, I needed a hometown type of feel,” Wilkerson said. “I enjoyed the smaller classes and building the relationships with my professors. I honestly don’t think I could have survived an actual university.” Another alumni from Casper College described her school experience in similar ways for choosing a community college. Stephanie Colling, also of Casper, is an alumni of CC that attended the school from 1993 to 1995 before transferring to Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colo. where she earned her bachelor's degree in physical education for K-8. She and her husband, Blaine, are parents to two children. She is currently teaching PE at Casper’s Centennial Middle, but she is certified to teach K-12. Colling said she moved to Costia, New Mexico when she was a baby but moved back to Casper as a sophomore in high school. When Colling attended CC, she said her mom had just passed away and she wanted to stay close to her dad while going to school. Colling also shared that earning a scholarship to play volleyball at CC came as somewhat of shock. She said juggling athletics while also getting school work done took a lot of time management. She compared playing volleyball to a part time job on top of school. Colling then talked about how going to a community college right out of high school impacted her life. “It was a good transition for me because I went from living at home to living in the dorms, and then moving to Denver where I was on my own without a lot of family around whereas I had family all around me while I was at Casper College,” said Colling. “It was just an overall good transition for me. It really helped me move to Denver to such a big city.” Like Wilkinson, Colling made part of her decision based on financials, but she also explained her unique reasons for choosing CC for her associates degree. Such decisions are still impacting current students. Kolbie Ericson from Lander, Wyo. is currently studying Social Work and Counselling at CC. She started at CC in the fall of 2020, and she plans on graduating from UW-Casper in the spring of 202. Ericson said she hopes to become a children's counselor or therapist. She talked about why she wanted to go to a community college rather than a university to accomplish her goals. “I like how personal the classes are and how small they are and the professors actually care about you here and your education. You’re not just a number to them,” Ericson said of the differences between studying at a community college compared to a university. Ericson also said she thinks the transition from high school to community college is much easier than jumping in at a larger school. Some of her favorite things about attending CC specifically include the class sizes and her professors. She said they care about everyone and always want to help students succeed and not give up. Despite the differences between Wilkinson, Colling, and Ericson’s stories, they all talked about why they thought community college was a great plan coming out of high school. All of the benefits that alumni received in college are still the benefits today's generation of students enjoy. Going to community college is something all three of these people do not regret after high school. They will always have stories of community college to share and maybe even pass along to their families later in life. Photo Courtesy of Stephanie Colling Stephanie Colling is a middle school PE teacher at Cenntenial Middle School teaching 6th through 8th grade. Photo Courtesy of Kenny Wilkinson Kenny Wilkinson currently works at Dean Morgan Middle School as a 6th grade social studies and general science teacher. Photo Courtesy of Kolbie Ericson Kolbie Ericson is a current student at CC that is in her second year of studying social work and counselling. Renewable resources at CC Paige Noble Chinook Writer Casper College relies on fossil fuels for transportation in an age where switching to renewable resources is becoming more common. According to an Investopedia article published in 2021, a renewable resource is an energy source that cannot be depleted by human usage and is able to supply a continuous amount of clean energy. People around the globe use renewable resources on a daily basis, but CC does not currently utilize renewables for transportation. With the current surge of Tesla and similar companies across the globe, the Chinook looked into why CC does not. Steve Armijo, the diesel auto mechanic crew leader at CC, explained the different types of transportation available for the college’s athletic programs and other school sponsored teams. Teams can choose from multiple passenger vans or three larger buses according to Armijo. However, the expense associated with college transportation adds up. “I’d say it probably costs $250 to service one of the buses. They take a lot of oil. I can tell you they get from eight to ten miles to the gallon. So very expensive and they hold about 50 gallons of fuel,” said Armijo. With a 50 gallon tank and diesel currently running about $4 a gallon, it costs about $200 to fill the tank every time. Each of the buses is recommended to have an oil change every 5,000 miles, but when the volleyball team, soccer teams, basketball teams and livestock judging teams traveling, the miles add up quickly. Armijo spoke about how the college manages the busiest time of the year. “It is usually three buses a week when everybody is running that is an average, sometimes two until fall break. Then it slows down. But after that it picks right back up,” Armijo explained. However the cost difference between renewable energy vehicles and fossil fuel burning vehicles is outstanding, and the school could potentially save thousands of dollars each year. Unfortunately, CC’s teams travel to very remote locations, making it almost impossible to an electric vehicle to be charged. Not only that, but with the weather the way it is in Wyoming the batteries would erode much faster than normal. Last year the livestock judging team took a bus to Nebraska where it was so cold the bus broke down and the team ended up with three different buses, all three of which broke after that trip. “It gets very expensive when one breaks down,” said Armijo. “Usually it is not an easy fix. I'd say an average for repairs on each bus without having to tow it would be about $3,000-$4,000 to fix.” In regards to his thoughts on making a change Armijo said, “I would like to see a change because it takes a lot of time when something (break downs) happen. If there was an alternative I would like to see an alternative.” Regardless of the fact that renewable energy is a cheaper alternative, as stated research by Driving Electric, the college cannot yet depend on electric vehicles to transport teams traveling across Wyoming and surrounding states. Enjoy a friendly game! NON-RENEWABLE VERSUS RENEWABLE COMPARING THE 2 TYPES OF ENERGY A natural fuel that is not quickly replenished. An energy source that cannot be quickly depleted. Coal: a fossil fuel utilized for heat production Solar: Heat and Light harnessed from the sun for energy Petroleum: An oil refined into things such as gas and diesel Wind: Electrical energy collected by wind turbines Open gym Thursdays from 7 - 11 p.m. Liesinger Hall Gym Natural gas: A naturally occurring gas used for fuel *excluding game days* HydroElectric: Energy collected from the flow of water https://www.britannica.com/science/coal-fossil-fuel �November 1, 2021 Page 5 CHINOOK Painting pumpkins at the Residence Hall Alaina Boettcher, an Resident Assistant at the dorms, explained that all the RA’s take turns picking an activity that all the students in the dorms can participaate in. It was her turn to pick an event, and she wanted to do something in relation to Halloween. She picked pumpkin painting. “I was very excited about this event,” Boettcher said. Students seemed to enjoy the event too. Flora Goed, a foreign exchange student, said she really loves Casper College. “I love all the activities we get to do. Like painting pumpkins, movies nights, etc. Every week there’s something to do,” said Goed. Pictured (left to right), Alaina Boettcher, Kodie Egle, Maddy Henry, Dallas Baker, and Kayla Jones. Erin Geldien/Chinook Maddy Henry and Dallas Baker painting pumpkins together. Erin Geldien/Chinook Above (from left to right), Celina Arnlund, Flora Goed, Mariona Cos, Jo Vaz, Sandra Frau, and Julia Palomo having a fun time during the pumpkin painting event. Erin Geldien/Chinook Flora Goed painting hearts along the top of the pumpkin she made for "the love of her life!" Locations/Hours Tobin Dining Hall : Mon—Fri Breakfast 7am—9am Continental 10am—11am Full Lunch 11am—1pm Grill/Salad 1pm—2pm Sat—Sun Brunch 11:30am—1:30pm Everyday Dinner 4:45pm—6:45pm SubConnection : Mon—Thurs 7am—6pm Fri 7am—3pm Leisinger Doornbos Lounge and Note Cards are available in all service areas if you would like to write a personal message for our staff. GW 3rd Floor: Mon—Thurs 7:30am—2pm Fri 7:30am—1pm Convenience to fit your schedule Your meal plan can be utilized for a Breakfast or Lunch Combo Meal at SubConnection, Doornbos Lounge and Gateway 3rd Floor locations until 2pm Monday thru Friday! �Page 6 November 1, 2021 CHINOOK Fitting and showing club manages livestock Audrey Axtell Chinook Writer The Casper College Fitting and Showing Club represented the college at the NILE in Billings, Mont, last month. Club members showed off the heifers they have been working on all semester in class. The Fitting and Showing Club at CC must take care of the show heifers on campus, from halter breaking, to fitting, to diet management. Professor Colby Hales, the instructor for this class, is responsible for all the livestock on campus. This is the second year Hales has taken students to the NILE as a professor for CC. Hales is a former student of CC, and spoke to the importance of having livestock on campus and how it benefits the students. “I am a die-hard believer that at a collegiate level, in order to further agricultural understanding, having livestock on campus and available all the times is extremely important,” said Hales. Hales is responsible for all the livestock on campus, from bringing animals to CC, to feeding schedules for students to follow. Hales spoke to the arrangements for the leasing of certain livestock on campus. Students work with the animals for a semester at a time before the animals are returned to their homes. “Specifically the NILE heifers this year come from Booth Angus Ranch, and we have two Herefords that are Mr. Hornecker’s,” Hales said. Heath Hornecker is also an ??? instructor at CC. Hales added, “In order for us to be able to use them, we pay for hay, and the individual who owns the heifers pays for the cost of feed.” The CC Fitting and Showing Club has changed the shows they travel to in the last decade. Hales said the changes benefit the students that participate in showing and caring for these animals. Before competing at the NILE, CC students used to travel to Arizona to show hogs. Hales says it’s much more difficult to find students to show in Arizona, since there is an age limit of 18. According to Hales, competing at the NILE in open classes allows all of his students the opportunity to show and participate, effectively removing the age limit. The agriculture department employs several work study students that participate in the care-taking and feeding sched- ules of the livestock. Libby Twitchell, a sophomore on the livestock judging team and an agriculture science major, is a work study under Hales’ direction. Twitchell explained how she takes careof the animals and what her job entails. “I feed the livestock Monday and Wednesday in the morning and at night. We’ve got cattle, sheep, sows and a boar all in the annex, and our show heifers and baby pigs in the pavilion,” said Twitchell. “We also take care of any health related issues with the animals, so if anything needs to be doctored or moved to the ranch we do that as well.” Twitchell spoke to the difference in feed the animals need depending on how students use the animals. Variations can occur in the brands of feed used to the amount of rations each species and breed needs. Hales explained some animals do not go to shows like the NILE, but they are still used. He said the CC Livestock Team uses all livestock on campus for practices, eliminating the need for travelling to see livestock for training as often. Having livestock on campus is highly beneficial for members of the livestock team, especially when the weather is bad or when students need to make it back to campus for classes. Students in the agriculture program seem to agree that having livestock on campus serves is the best way to learn animal science. Twitchell spoke to the benefit of these on-campus animals, both in terms of their use for teams on campus and also the connections students build with the animals. “It reminds me of home. I’m never going to get home sick -- livestock kids that come to college no longer have livestock around, and it takes a bigger toll on them than they think,” said Twitchell. “I don’t think it’s an option to not have livestock on campus. Livestock is so hands on. We can read a book, we can take notes, and listen to lectures on all this stuff, but how much do you really know until you can apply it”. The agriculture department at CC invites any students wanting to pursue a degree in agriculture to visit the pavilion and enroll in any ag classes that peak interest. Twitchell said the staff in the pavilion will never turn a student away, and she is proud of all the program offers. Audrey Axtell/Chinook Sydney Noel is pictured to the right showing a heifer at the NILE. Above, instructor Colby Hales works with a calf in the fitting shoot to show his class how to properly fit an animal. From the student's perspective: Parking on campus Cameron Magee Chinook Writer The Casper College parking problem is no stranger to students, faculty, or staff, especially towards the lower end of campus. Many find a shortage of places to park, and end up walking a fair if not far distance before reaching their destination. Kodi Christensen, an elementary education major, said she finds parking stressful. Not only does she leave her house early, but she also spends time driving around campus looking for a place to park and then factors in extra time to walk to class. “The parking lot to the east of the Liesinger Hall is extremely difficult to find a parking space in, and most of my classes take place in those buildings on lower campus,” said Christensen. She also mentioned that it’s difficult to find a space and arrive early or even on time to class, “It’s frustrating when I am trying to make good impressions with teachers or even classmates when I walk into class three to even 10 minutes late depending on where I had to park.” Christensen said she is not the only one who struggles to find parking, and she shared many conversations with her friends and acquaintances about the issue. “I have many friends at the Warner Ag Pavilion and parking at the Pavilion is rarely an issue. I wish we had the same level of ease when it came to parking on lower campus,” Christensen said. She then added, “It would be nice if all the teachers gave a grace period to get to class. My morning would almost be stress free if that was the case.” Audrey Axtell, an agriculture communications major, echoed what Christensen said. “Parking on campus is difficult for all students. The lower half of campus struggles and many students end up late to class. I wish it was as easy to park on the lower campus as it is on the upper half.” Construction on the Visual Arts Center, the closest building to Liesinger Hall, made parking even more difficult, as the work eliminated multiple parking spots. “The parking lot (at Liesinger Hall) is lacking parking spaces. Students looking for a space circle the parking lot at unnecessary speeds and spots should be downsized to add more room,” said Axtell. Christiansen and Axtell suggested some parking solutions that could be considered at the college to improve the situation for future college attendees. “I have a feeling that when they are finished with construction those parking spaces will be replaced. Until then (administration at) the Casper College campus should find a way to compensate for us having to be late almost every day,” Christensen said. “The college should communicate with their teachers about giving a five-minute grace period. I know that takes away from our class time but it would give student a fair advantage when it came to showing up to learn. Axtell shared a different take, however. “My one suggestion would be to repaint the parking lot with smaller spaces. You could most likely get almost five more spots if this action was taken. Casper College could also designate a faculty only parking lot in one of the above lots and then students would have a better chance of parking,” Axtell said. Both Christiansen and Axtell said they are aware of the possibility of parking on College Drive off campus. However, College Drive is not always an option either, as most of those spots fill between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., according to Christensen. Many students need parking after 9:30. “Most students are aware of the situation; it just needs to be addressed by Casper College. Action if taken could help many students feel less pressure on those mornings (when) we feel like we have to move fast and furious,” Christensen said. �November 1, 2021 Page 7 CHINOOK On Fridays, we sign Indie Travels Anna Miller/Chinook A group of students recently gathered for a Friday Sit and Sign in Liesinger Hall's Doornbos Lounge. Anna Miller Chinook Contributor American Sign Language students and faculty gather for Sit and Sign on Friday mornings in Casper College's Liesinger Hall, a drop-in style get together where students can come and practice their signs while having a conversation in ASL. Usually about five to ten students attend, but there are groups as large as 18. The language department has been hosting Sit and Sign for six years at Casper College, and the gatherings are well received by students and guests alike. There are usually two or three deaf women who also attend. “It’s a warm and nonjudgmental space,” said Gail Schenfisch, an American Sign Language instructor at Casper College. “They can try sign language in communication and string everything together.” Sarah Scott, an American Sign Language major at Casper College attended every Sit and Sign so far this semester. She says she finds the meetings beneficial and the practice helps ASL stick with her since she is able to visualize it and apply the language in real conversation. The deaf individuals who attend help students by correcting their signs and helping students stay current, as sign is always changing. They are the leaders of the group and force the participation from students. “They ask us about our week and how school is going,” said Scott. “If there is a ten second moment of silence, one of them will ask us what our favorite animal is and we have to go around and sign (that animal).” Many benefits come from Sit and Sign. A wide variety of topics come up and there is a lot of diversity in the communication during Sit and Sign. High school students that are enrolled in ASL1 through BOCES also attend. They incorporate the vocabulary that ASL1 students are learning in the conversation to help them memorize their signs. “It is a practical way to use your skills to make them your own,” said Schenfisch. Sit and Sign is open to everyone, not just ASL students. Even if students only have one class under their belts, all are welcome to join and practice skills. However, Schenfisch doesn’t recommend the gatherings for beginners, but anyone is welcome to come watch and observe. COVID-19 made teaching ASL challenging for Schenfisch. ASL relies on a lot of facial expressions and lip reading. When the college mandated masks in 2020, it made learning ASL a lot more difficult for the students enrolled. Scott agreed that she had a difficult time signing because the mask covers half of the face. Students adapted by getting really expressive with their eyes and eyebrows. Schenfisch had her students start uploading videos so she could see their facial expressions. She is happy now that they are able to sign without masks, and she said the nice thing about ASL is that you can socially distance and still have a meaningful conversation. Scott said ASL made a difference in Scott’s life. She is able to use her sign language outside of school to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Scott said she helped a deaf couple at her church communicate with the pastor when they attended for the first time. She also helps customers while she is working. “I ask one of the deaf women at Sit and Sign ‘how do you sign this drink, or this drink’,” Scott said. She is constantly learning how to sign specific menu items to better help those who are deaf. Scott wants to become an interpreter for concerts or courtrooms. ASL is offered at CC for a variety of levels. Anyone is welcome to take a course to learn basic signs. Cameron MageeChinook Casper College's Cameron Magee recently travelled to Indianapolis for her role as Wyoming's National FFA Office Candidate. She shared photos from her trip. Magee said murals can be found all over the world, but Indianapolis has one on almost every corner, as shown above. Pictured below is an old Coca-Cola garage that has been restored into a food court. Foods of different ethnicities, an amazing atmosphere and good people fill the location found in the BottleWorks district, Magee said. Under the Coca-Cola garage photo is an image of a brick and mortar sign found at the entrance of a barber shop, located in the downtown area. Casper College redStone Recital and Gallery Series Baylee Darling/Chinook The Casper College redStone Recital and Gallery series is officially in its 9th season. It kicked off on October 8 in the Wheeler Concert Hall with an artist talk, followed by a recital including performances by many talented musicians and singers. This organization always does a wonderful job showcasing and bringing recognition to the visual and musical arts in the Casper community. To the left, Jennifer DePaolo (violin) and Gary DePaolo (viola) perform "While We Wait", an original piece by Gary himself. Baylee Darling/Chinook Above, Pianist Paula Flynn performs Consolation No. 3 by Franz Liszt (1811-1886). Baylee Darling/Chinook Above, Joshua R. Mietz (clarinet) and Paula Flynn (piano) provide instrumentals while soprano Veronica Turner sings "Der Hirt auf dem Felsen" (German: "The Shepherd on the Rock") by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Baylee Darling/Chinook Ginny Butcher shares her oil-painting journey while displaying many of her favorite pieces, many of which display her favorite animal to paint, cows. � 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 2021-11 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. 2021-11 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from November 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_2021-11 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/18902f1bb5510a64e2e4237728b5fe2b.pdf 50f27a6f4ce02027bbd0fa600047b036 PDF Text Text December 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Women's soccer team wins BIG Abigail Landwehr/Chinook The Lady T-birds captured the regular season conference championship, won the region Title game and advanced to the District Championship Game. The team eventually lost to the 3rd ranked team in the nation 1-0, according to Coach Ammon Bennett. Bennett said the team finished the season with a record of 13-5-1 (7-1) conference. The Lady T-Bird program ranked 14 nationally. Several players were named All-Region including Rebecca Swain, Valeria Hernandez, and Sophia Henly to the first team. Yissel Navarro, Madeline Hernandez and Grace Conner second team and Kylie Spangler Honorable Mention. Bennett was also named conference coach of the year. CC affected by inflation Whitley Reder Chinook Contributor Inflation rates recently increased in the United States, impacting Casper College students and staff. The inflation rate demonstrates the health of a country’s economy. Inflation happens when businesses are producing, consumers are spending, and supply and demand are as close to equilibrium as possible. Although, according to the Federal Reserve, the 2021 inflation rate is over two percent higher than the two percent target to maintain a healthy economy. Gracie Jarrard, an online student at CC said, “I’m a student that lives off-campus, I need to work two jobs, starting this last fall, just to keep my head above water.” The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics listed the increased rates of commodities over the past 12 months, as of September 2021. The commodities listed are all utilities that can affect students and staff at CC: food (4.6%), energy commodities (41.7%), gasoline (42.1%), fuel oil (42.6%), electricity (5.2%), utility piped gas service (20.6%), clothing (3.4%), transportation services (4.4%). The overall inflation rate as of September of 2021 was at 5.4% compared to a year earlier. Heath Hornecker an ag teacher at CC and father of four shared his experience with the cost changes and how his family is adjusting. “As a family of six, we figure out how to do the same things on the same amount of money. Even though, those things cost more now maybe we buy one less gallon of milk or we carpool during the week,” said Hornecker. Jarrard shared his thoughts from a student’s perspective. Jarrard stated, “It’s taught me to budget, although, there’s not a lot of wiggle room for extracurricular activities when you and your roommate are worrying about how long your groceries will last for the next month.” According to the BLS, inflation rates affect state schools. Costs of providing utilities, funding for the teachers, and tuition costs can impact schools and students. Lynnde Colling, vice president of administrative services, said she’s worked at CC since 1985. Colling works on finance, budgeting, and forecasting what students might see coming into the college’s tuition rates. “(We consider) maintenance cost, software, IT support, utilities, a lot of maintenance and licensing costs that increase every year. Every time there is a renewal you adjust to it because it’s the things that students need to get their education,” said Colling. The total fixed fees for CC’s tuition costs are based on a college determined cap. per academic year. In 20202021, tuition costs $1,140.00. The estimated total fixed fee analysis for the 20212022 school year costs up to $1,200.00. The total per credit hour estimates an increase of 2%. However, the Wyoming Com mu n it y Col lege Commission establishes tuition rates for the community colleges. According to the executive commission meeting held on Oct. 6, 2021, the board members considered increasing the tuition rate for the 20222023 academic school year. The tuition rate to increase from $99 to $105 per credit hour was eliminated so the rise of inflation rates will not affect next year’s student tuition costs. CC students need to look for financial aid services, scholarships, clubs/ organizations, food bank, and student employment opp or t u n it ies. Accord i ng to CC’s school website, the college awarded $3.1 million in scholarships last year and $8.7 million in total financial aid for students. “There are services here at CC that students can utilize if they are aware of them,” said Colling. CC students and staff felt the recent impact on the economy due to the increase in inflation rates. The Federal Reserve says the expectation for a healthy economy is over two percent from the target. Even though commodities are getting more expensive, the students of CC do not have to worry about tuition costs increasing for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Hornecker stated, “Inflation rates affected us this summer, but we are going to start feeling the impact more this winter when we go to feed our livestock, feed ourselves, and heat our homes.” “Give yourself permission to be a learner” Kaley Pieper Chinook Writer Math -- the dreaded class of many students. Math can feel overwhelming and scary when sitting in Casper College’s Wold Physical Science Center room 216, with the whiteboards and walls full of complicated math symbols and long intricate equations. Many times, math can be simple or extremely difficult based on your professor and their approach to teaching students. A Casper native, Teresa Stricklin teaches math at CC. According to Stricklin, her teaching style can be described as, “Learning by doing, not learning by watching.” Her classroom lectures allow students to work through problems with her guidance and actively participate in asking questions and volunteering answers. “My goal in the classroom is for students to feel it is a safe place to be right, be wrong, or even not know,” said Stricklin. Stricklin’s unique conversational style of teaching makes a positive impact on many students. One such student is Jayden Roccaforte, a multimedia communications major taking her math 1400 course this semester. When asked to describe Stricklin’s teaching style, Roccaforte said, “Mrs. Stricklin is a teacher that is very organized and detailed in her teaching. She makes sure every single student understands a topic before moving on. She encourages asking questions and puts down a student for being wrong.” She said she encourages students who are “scared” of math to own it. “Just call it out. Say, ‘Hey I’m bad at math.’ I’ll help you work through that. There’s a lot of things I’m scared of. I’m scared of taxes, but that doesn’t mean they go away. Don’t hide behind it or use it as an excuse to not succeed,” said Stricklin. “And what is the fear of math in reality? Is it a fear of failure, not knowing, or looking dumb?” She said she wants students to talk through their fears and struggles with her, so she can identify issues and help them through the problem. Stricklin said that a student advocating for themselves is an important skill learned in college classrooms that is important for life after school. “Math isn’t so much about knowing the right answers right now, but what do I do when I don’t have the right answers. It’s so much more than crunching numbers. It’s really about thinking critically, knowing what to do when I’m stuck, and (then) finding help.” Roccaforte said, “Mrs. Stricklin has taught me that to truly understand a subject, you need to know the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’. She encourages thinking critically and grasping every aspect of a topic.” Also teaching math 900 and 930, Stricklin knows that not every student is taking math because they are interested in the subject. For students struggling in math, Stricklin provided advice. “Give yourself permission to be a learner. And remind yourself you are learning more things than just math,” said Stricklin. “We learn nothing by getting on a bike and riding it perfectly, but after the first time flying over the handlebars, I’ll never push the front brake on the bike again.” Stricklin explained that not everyone is supposed to be A+ in every subject. She said that it’s okay to not be good at something such as math, and it’s important to find your A+ subject. While attending the University of Wyoming, Stricklin said she changed her major at least nine times! For the first two and a half years of her college Kaley Pieper/Chinook Teresa Striklin uses her trusty meter stick to idenify points on — See Stricklin, Page 3 a graph. �Page 2 Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: Work worth doing College is a time to find out who you are and what you want to be. For many of us, we came with a set plan. We came to school with a selected major, thinking we knew exactly what we wanted to do with our lives after formal education. For others, selecting a major was more difficult. How are you supposed to know what you want to do until you retire? How do I narrow down all my effort and energy into one narrow category of study that will dictate the job I am qualified to work? And the truth is, you don’t have to narrow it down just yet. It’s more important to explore your options, and find a career path that makes you passionate. Your career is more than a job that earns you money to get by to the next week. Even if you’re rich enough to enjoy your weekends, you’ll still be unhappy if you spend your weekdays hating your job and wanting to be anywhere else. Although it might sound cliche, if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. You need to find work that is worth doing. According to an article by the University of Southern California, people who enjoy their jobs are more likely to be optimistic, motivated, learn faster, make fewer mistakes, and make better business decisions. Not only will loving your job make you happier, but it will also make you better at doing it! Steve Jobs stood in front of the 2005 Stanford graduating class and said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” When choosing your career, it’s important to choose a pathway that excites you. Find what gets you out of bed in the morning, and what inspires you to do your best. If you love art, find a job that allows for your creative brain and contribute your artistic ability to your career. If you love talking and working with people, find a position that harnesses your people skills and lets Kaley Pieper According to Kaley you exhibit them. So, what if you don’t know your strengths? What if you haven’t yet found your passions? Go search for them. Job shadow someone in your field, take a class unrelated to your major or try out new clubs. Try, fail, and try again. Everyone has something that makes them excited. Find that thing that puts you “in the zone” when everything else leaves your mind, and you are totally focused and engaged. Don’t be afraid to change your major -- and then change it again. Because now is the time to realize what you love to do, not when you’re 40+ and have been working a miserable job for 20 years. And most importantly, don’t solely choose your job based on the amount of money you can make because passion will always trump profits, and your joy should always prevail. So when you go home for Christmas break, and that one family member asks you, ‘Well what’s the plan?’ or ‘What’s your major?’ it’s perfectly fine for you to answer with something like, “That’s what college is for me to find out.” And if criticized for changing your major, or switching career paths, remember this quote from Theodore Roosevelt, “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” Find your work worth doing. aper p s ewCollege’s Casper ok N nline o n i O ChStudent Now Voice Since 1945 “ As we head down the home stretch towards finals week and then into the holidays and New Year, I want to leave you with two messages. The first is take time to simply enjoy. Enjoy the weather, the season, your friends and family, and everything else life has to offer. All too often we become focused on one or two aspects of our lives, i.e. work and school, and other aspects of our complex lives become neglected. So please don’t get too focused on the hustle and bustle of the season, and take some time to just enjoy life. My second message is a reminder the holidays can be a challenging time as many people struggle with increased anxiety or depression. Adding the burden of believing everyone should be happy this time of year to someone already struggling with current life challenges, can make everything seem even worse. Whether this scenario describes you personally, or you have a friend or loved one who struggles, please take extra care this year to watch for the signs of emotional distress. Remember, there are many resources at the College, the county, and the state to help anyone having a tough time. Also know you can reach out anytime to any member of our staff, and ask for assistance, and we will put you in touch with trained professionals who can help. Best wishes for a peaceful and restful holiday season… Please don't get too focused on the hustle and bustle of the season, and take some time to just enjoy life. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President The season of giving Rachelle Trujillo Rachelle's Reflections In some ways, 2021 was just as challenging as 2020. If this is the case for you too, the best thing you can do for yourself going into a new year is to serve others. I truly believe that it’s impossible to be sad or upset while helping someone else, so what better way is there to end the year? Being a college student means we are no strangers to penny pinching, but luckily for us doing kind gestures for others doesn’t always have to be expensive. Here are five, nearly free ways that you can serve others not only in the last month of 2021, but anytime throughout the year. 1. Thank someone working in customer service, and acknowledge their job isn’t easy. Many college students have at one point or another worked a low-paying job dealing with grumpy customers. If you are one of them, draw on these memories and pass some empathy along to the Walmart clerk, a restaurant manager, or telephone operator. A few simple words of acknowledgement and appreciation will go far. 2. Call an older relative. If you are lucky enough to still have grandmas and grandpas here with you, be sure to check in with them. Many of us can’t comprehend it now, but one day some of us will understand what it means to have our young, cool, and extremely busy grandkids stop and take the time out of their day to check in. If you don’t have grandmas or grandpas to call anymore, consider calling an older family friend, aunt, uncle, or even your parents. Regardless of who you call, the small gesture will mean the world. 3. Leave a glowing review for a local business. Many small businesses are still struggling following the pandemic. If you can’t give them your business all the time, leave a good review for the times you have. Good publicity means a great deal to growing businesses, and the best part is that it only takes a minute of your time. 4. Compliment an employee to their boss. Similar to thanking someone working in customer service, take a second to flag down a manager and compliment your server, barista, or anyone else that took extra care to provide you great service. Not only will the employee likely hear it from their boss, but their boss will see first-hand that they have a good worker on their team. 5. Compliments a stranger. We have become so accustomed to staring at our phones or looking the other way as we pass someone in the hall -- I’m guilty myself. As easy as this is, think about the time someone has gone out of their way to compliment your outfit, smile, or hair. A few words of affirmation will leave someone holding their head high for the rest of their day, and you’ll feel good for having made someone feel seen. Is it possible to be a vegan? Vegan as a noun is defined by Merriam-Webster as a person who does not eat any food derived from animals, and someone who does not use other animal products. Vegan as an adjective is described as eating, using or containing no food or other products derived from animals. Before I go any further, let me pause to clarify that this article is not meant to slander the products made from cattle. However it is quite the opposite, after reading this message, I hope you will gain knowledge and an understanding of the amazing benefits we enjoy everyday from cattle alone. First, let's examine ‘vegan’ as a noun. Since vegans cannot consume any animal products we will look at the by-products of a cow to start. According to AgClassroom.org, there are more than 10 edible byproducts that come from cattle. Things such as jello, yogurt, mayonnaise, soft shell medi- Join the Oil City Ag Club Help with the lamb and pig sale Participate in community service Make new friends Discuss trending agriculture topics Test your competitive side Join us for good food and fun Contact faculty advisor Heath Hornecker hhornecker@caspercollege.edu WA 111 December 1, 2021 CHINOOK cines and many other items contain by-products from cattle. I’m not sharing these facts to scare you or make you not want to consume these products; however, many people have never been exposed to the immense amount of commodities cattle alone produce. These are just a few of the edible byproducts that come from cattle. So now let’s view ‘vegan’ as an adjective, as an adjective one cannot eat, use or contain any products from an animal. If you are choosing to make the transition into or you’re already vegan, note that when driving a car or taking some form of public transportation, you are using cattle byproducts whether you know it or not. Let me explain. The tires that are on the vehicle are made of rubber, which contains products from the excess fat on a cow. Whether or not you purchased those tires, you still may be contributing to the use of these products. When choosing to use public transportation the price of your ticket goes in part towards tires and fuel. Within biodiesel there are cattle by-products diesel technology forum states that 84 percent of all public transportation is a diesel bus. Based on transportation alone the likelihood of someone being able to be a true vegan is almost impossible. Let’s talk about some of the other items that most people are accustomed to using that also contain by-products. Regardless of the fact that you may or may not own a home, according to the National Association of Home Builders in 2019 the amount of homes built on a concrete foundation was up 46% from 2018. Surprisingly enough concrete also contains by-products from cattle. With that being said, based on by-products from cattle alone, it is basically impos- Paige Noble AgVocating with Paige sible to be a true vegan no matter your definition. Further research of other animals continues to support the fact that being a vegan is not possible. So take a look at the foundation of your home, the insulation and the paint on your walls, your food, and your transportation, all which contain cattle by-products. Step back and really consider how impactful cattle really are on your life. Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class, titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �December 1, 2021 Page 3 CHINOOK Stricklin.................................................. Kaley Pieper/Chinook Stricklin helps freshamn Katie Baumstarck learn graphing equations in Math 1400. career, she found herself very unsure of what she wanted to do with her life. Since her family owned a Hallmark store in town for 49 years, she first assumed that she would get her business degree and take over the business from her father. While growing up working retail in the store, Stricklin learned many valuable people skills. Her upbringing also instilled in her the importance of hard work and the will to strive for excellence. Her family worked 365 days a year to run the store. “When you own your own business, there’s no such thing as a day off,” she explained. But after one semester of macroeconomics, she realized business was not for her. She then tried many other career paths including social work, accounting, business administration, and psychology. “It’s okay to explore, (to) think about what sounds fun and try it. I think we’re so focused on finding a major and getting it done. You have a long adult life to be an adult, so just explore in college. I would much rather students take longer to graduate and love what they’re doing than to graduate and hate it,” she said. Stricklin also said that if she could do college over again, she would spend more time on adventures and making friends than focusing so hard continued from page 1 on academics. “Not that focusing on academics is bad, but it’s okay to go on adventures and have responsible fun with friends. Sometimes we focus too much on getting the degree and less on adventures. I wish in college I would’ve gone on a mission trip,” Stricklin shared. While she did get the opportunity to go on a mission trip four years ago, she said she realized the benefit she could have gained from the religious trip in college. Stricklin describes herself as a religious woman who hopes that her walk with Jesus comes out in the way she treats people. She said she also hopes that when students are in her class they feel loved, appreciated, and valued. She also “prayer walks” in her classroom around all the desks in the morning before she teaches. Roccaforte’s favorite part about her teaching is the time she gives each individual student. “Every class, Mrs. Stricklin interacts with each student individually, which you don’t see from a lot of other professors. My favorite part is being able to leave class every day feeling like I learned something, and I didn’t waste my time,” he said. Professors like Stricklin make CC a college that is able to enrich the lives of students and the community alike. The life of a non-traditional student at CC Isabella Coronado Chinook Writer Do you ever wonder what a non-traditional student is or what college is like for someone non-traditional students? A non-traditional student doesn’t follow the traditional path that students take coming out of high school. Nowadays, these students are known as non-trad students. Non-traditional students come from different scenarios, but in the end, the students work to complete their education just the same. Diana Craige is just one example of a non-trad student that attended CC. Born in Alamosa, Colo., Craige later moved with her family to Casper. She is married to Dwight Craige. She has three kids, Randy, Raymond, and Melody. Craige became a grandma about four years ago and she loves being one every single day. Craige got a job at the Star Tribune in 1979 (now the Casper Star-Tribune), a role she credits as one of her ‘first real jobs.’ She worked there for 31 years. She started in the news department of the Tribune and then moved over to the business office. In 1981 she found out that her job covered the cost of taking a college class if the class associated with work. “The Star Tribune was very helpful with the whole process and helped work around my schedule so that I could go to the college to take my classes.” Craige took accounting at the college for her first class. Around 1984, her publisher tried to persuade more people to take classes, and he said he would even cover a degree if someone wanted to continue taking classes at the college. Once Craige heard about the opportunity, she found out more information so she could qualify for more classes. She ended up submitting a proposal for a business degree paid for by the Star Tribune, which her publisher accepted. She tried to schedule her classes during her lunch breaks or take night classes so she could still maintain her full-time work schedule. Craige described what it was like going back to school. She spoke very highly about school and expressed her excitement to return to the classroom. Craige said, “You’re really ready, where I think sometimes when you go from high school straight to college, I think something people think ‘ugh this is boring’ compared to when you are a non-trad. Every class was interesting and exciting to go to.” Going to college proved a lot of fun for Craige, especially when she started taking a bunch of new classes. Craige said she found herself almost living a double life going to school and getting her associates while also being a full-time mom with a full-time job on top of school. Taking college classes made Craige feel like she could be herself at school. “I was a mom, a full time mom, so it was the only time I could be Diana. I wasn’t mom, I wasn’t the employ, I wasn’t Mrs. Craige, I was just Diana.” She said she always found CC a very personable school to attend. Craige described what she liked about CC. “Your teachers got to know you, you weren’t scared to ask for help, and the labs were great. And whenever you needed outside help, everyone was willing to help and make sure you were satisfied with your learning at CC,” Craige said. While earning her associate's degree, Craige worked in the business office at the Star Tribune. After for 21 years in the business department, Craige said she spend the last 10 years of her time with the Star Tribune in the advertising depart- ment. She actually work in dual departments as a supervisor for accounting and in statistics for advertising. After she completed her associates degree, Craige said she didn’t think that she would want to go back to school, but after a few years passed, she returned to school through University of Wyoming at Casper. There, Craige earned her bachelor's degree and later got her teaching license. She taught for 10 years before she retired in May of 2021. Cindy Roybal is one of Craige’s nieces. She spoke very highly of her aunt’s impacts on her life and all of her accomplishments as a non-trad. Roybal described Craige as one her closest aunts. She also believes that Craige is the aunt that she is most like. Roybal shared how she thought her aunt going to CC helped open a lot of opportunities for her and her career. It also helped her balance spending time with her family as a parent while also getting a degree. “She’s taught me how to take things in stride and how to find the silver lining in every situation. When you face an obstacle, she always faces anything with positivity and laughter and it helps her get through hard times,” said Roybal. Roybal described Craige as one of the strongest people in our family. She said her aunt is always a great role model because no matter what comes her way, she always figures out a way to look on the bright side. Roybal said, Craige is a very bright person and has achieved so much in her life. Craige said she wanted to share her story to show students in college now what it is like to be in college with a family and a ful- time job. Even though Photo Courtesy of Diana Craige it came with difficulties, Craige said she Diana Craige is posed in a photo with her husband Dwight wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Craige, who she has been married to for almost 40 years. The end of Fall semester is almost here. Locations/Hours Tobin Dining Hall : Mon—Fri Breakfast 7am—9am Continental 10am—11am Full Lunch 11am—1pm Grill/Salad Be sure to use your Sat—Sun Brunch 11:30am—1:30pm Meal Plan’s FLEX $$ All funds expire on Dec. 18 2021 and do not carry over to Spring Semester! 1pm—2pm Everyday Dinner 4:45pm—6:45pm SubConnection : Mon—Thurs 7am—6pm Fri 7am—3pm Leisinger Doornbos Lounge and GW 3rd Floor: Mon—Thurs 7:30am—2pm Fri 7:30am—1pm Convenience to fit your schedule Your meal plan can be utilized for a Breakfast or Lunch Combo Meal at SubConnection, Doornbos Lounge and Gateway 3rd Floor locations until 2pm Monday thru Friday! �Page 4 CHINOOK Performing "Narnia" December 1, 2021 Erin Geldien/Chinook From left to right, Carter Brown, Skylar Lane, Abigail Disburg, Alex Brus, play the two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve from the classic movie "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" made into the musical. The four were reading a note left on Mr. Tumnus' house when they were startled by two beavers. Erin Geldien/Chinook Aslan, played by Dylan Coleman, sings to the "kids" and other creatures from Narnia. Erin Geldien/Chinook Erin Geldien/Chinook The two beavers, played by Nicholas Goar and Anastasia Zetti, share a deep discussion after descovering "the two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve." Mr. Tumnus, played by Matthew Hills, talks to Lucy, played by Abigail Disburg, inside his home. The two drink tea right after Lucy walked through the wardrobe into the magical land of Narnia. Erin Geldien/Chinook Edumd, played by Carter Brown, listens to Jessica Cowen sing about Narnia and all the things he could experience if he brought his siblings to the castle with him. Erin Geldien/Chinook The Witch, played by Jessica Cowen feeds Edmund, played by Carter Brown some turkish delight. Enjoy a friendly game! Open gym Thursdays from 7 - 11 p.m. Liesinger Hall Gym *excluding game days* �December 1, 2021 Page 5 CHINOOK Kristina Pham runs rain or shine Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer Rain-or-shine runners are a rare breed. Regardless of snow, wind, or any other weather patterns thrown their way, rain-or-shine runners pound the pavement in their tennis shoes almost any day of the year. Among them is Kristina Pham, an instructor of psychology at Casper College and a rain-or-shine runner for 15 years now. “There were only three days last year that I didn't run,” Pham said. “I’m usually up by 4 [a.m.] ... I just get up, have a cup of coffee and then it's get changed and get out the door.” Pham’s daily morning routine stays pretty consistent throughout the week. In her classroom and teaching by 8 a.m., she aims to run eight to ten miles on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and eight to 12 miles on her days off. The distance is higher if Pham is training for a race, which she did relatively often before the Covid-19 outbreak. “Running has always been a part of the daily routine from what I can remember,” Anasofia Pham, Kristina’s daughter said. “I always remember growing up that no matter how early I woke up, my mom had already been up and had done her morning run.” Still, Kristina never saw herself as a runner growing up. She didn’t take up running at all until she was about 34. “You know, it's funny. I was looking at [a childhood scrapbook] with my kids a while back,” Kristina said. “And every year it was like, oh, I won all these awards at field day for running. And my kids were like, ‘how did you not know you were a runner?’ I don't know… I never thought of myself as athletic.” But today Kristina is still winning awards for her running. Currently, Kristina holds 12 US age group records and 20 state age records in Arizona for the 12k to 30k, according to the USA Track & Field American Records. She broke eight of those records on the same day. “On my taxes it says I'm a semiprofessional athlete,” Kristina said. “Which means that I make enough money to have to pay taxes on it, but it doesn't actually support me.” Some of Kristina’s different types of races include track, road racing, and mountain running, though she said long distance remains her favorite. Kristina started to say that she found her morning runs to be a stress reliever, but she quickly corrected herself, mentioning the goal she sets for herself during most runs. If Kristina runs her ideal time or distance, the day is set up to succeed. But if the goal isn’t met, she said the day is met with frustration. However, the run isn’t completely worthless. “I do my best thinking when I'm running,” Kristina said. “If I think to myself, well I want do this in class with my students, but I'm not sure how to work out the details of it -- it's when I'm running that I like to figure that stuff out… I just kind of tune everything out and am able to just kind of work out all the stuff in my head.” Again, such runs takes place in whatever weather is thrown her way. Kristina said her least favorite to brave is the wind, but she said she doesn’t mind the snow. “I would take the snow,” Kristina said. “It seems like the town is just so quiet. It's just the most beautiful -- it’s my favorite.” Regardless of weather, Kristina said she just likes the running part. “It's like the thing that makes me the happiest,” Kristina said. “Maybe not the thing that makes me the happiest… my kids might be upset if I said that. It just makes me really happy. I really enjoy it.” Kristina said a post she wrote for her personal blog back in October 2014 best described her feelings for running. The writing today still reflects the worry back then that she wouldn’t be able to recover from an injury. “I don’t think I can express how I feel about racing. I love racing with a passion that most people reserve for romantic relationships,” Kristina wrote in her blog. “I am never happy, I always want more, I always want better… What drives me is this internal need to do better than I did in the past.” Kristina said she’s maintained the blog for years. However, regardless of all the writing ranging in topics from morning runs to personal anecdotes, the specific post expressing her feelings for running stuck out enough for Kristina to mention it, even after seven years. “I have said this before, but I truly believe I am a better runner,” Kristina wrote. “I know I can perform better, this is why I am so emotional about my running. I can’t give up. No more regrets.” Photo Courtesy of (royalty-free) Aravaipa Running Kristina Pham, instructor of pyschology at Casper College, competes in the Silverton Alpine race this past summer. www.caspercollege.edu/chinook Check Out the Digital Learning Center Students: Have you heard of MyCCMoodle? It’s the online space where your grades and syllabi live ... among other resources your instructor might share. The DLC makes sure you’re geared up to succesfully navigate the online portion of your courses. What we can do for you: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Zoom – become a pro Zoomer and feel confident attending a Zoom class meeting 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Online tutoring — Sometimes we all need a shoulder to lean on and NetTutor has the perfect one! 5. Quite place to study - Crack open your books in the DLC. Draw on our walls. Use our computers. Eat our snacks. Teresa Millan Camille Cockrell Mike McLemore Drop by by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882 or dlc@caspercollege.edu. Dave Siemens Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. Tyler Sanner A MyCCMoodle app is coming soon! �Page 6 December 1, 2021 CHINOOK Former Chinook staff member pursues bigger Paige Noble Chinook Writer Previous Casper College graduate Derek Schroeder found success in many different aspects of his life. Immediately after graduating from CC where he wrote for the Chinook, Schroeder chose to continue his education at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz. where he pursued degrees in environmental studies and journalism. There too, he wrote for the student paper. Schroeder spoke to where his interest in writing began. “I really got the bug to be a writer at Dean Morgan Junior High School. One of the first five paragraph essays my English teacher had us write, she took me aside and said, ‘Derek this paper is really good. You have this voice I think you need to pay attention to.’” Following such praise, Schroeder utilized that momentum and carried it through to where he is now. Once in high school Schroeder immediately started writing for the “Gusher,” the school newspaper at Natrona County High School. He then wrote for the Chinook at CC and the paper at NAU. Mimi Schroeder, Derek’s mother, recalled his personality in school and his passion for writing. “She just fell in love with him, all of his teachers adored him,” said Mimi. Derek has been able to work in many different fields. While in Arizona he said he worked for non-profits, which really spiked an interest in environmental studies. Because of those work experiences, Derek then switched his degree to environmental studies and started pursuing a life devoted to bettering the environment. After graduating from NAU, Derek moved to Oregon to work on local farms where he learned more about agriculture and the benefits of rotational grazing in cattle. “Tomatoes were his thing. He could grow some mighty fine tomatoes,” said Mimi. While Derek worked on the farms he learned a lot about the benefits of grazing livestock. “It was a really fun experience learning all about sustainable farming practices,” said Derek. His time in Oregon coupled with growing up in Wyoming further sparked his passion for the environment and using sustainable goods to better the environment. He said he works to always promote sustainability in whatever field he works. In addition to Derek’s passion for environmental studies, he also values the fine arts. From a very young age, others noticed Derek’s passion for music. Somehow Derek always finds himself tied to music whether that is from his days in high school playing in the guitar ensemble or playing with his current band. “He loved the guitar, and was very good at it. He played in the elite guitar ensemble throughout school.” said Mimi. “Even Mrs. Martin said he's just wonderful; he picks up things so easily.” Not only is his passion for the arts evident through music, but it is also abundantly clear through Derek’s photography. After working on farms in Oregon Derek took a job with LifeTouch Photography and quickly expanded his knowledge and passion for photography. “I’ve always been excited about photography,” said Schroeder. Once the opportunity to grow with the company presented itself Derek jumped on it. Whether writing for a journal, practicing real life sustainable farming, or snapping pictures, Derek finds success from passions established in his childhood. Such passions continue to align with his beliefs and help better the environment, capturing the true beauty through words and images. This is Derek Schroeder. Photo and Caption Courtesy of Derek Schroeder Shown above is a photo I took of my good friend fly-fishing for steelhead near the Oregon Coast. Steelhead are a rainbow trout that has migrated from it's home river to the ocean and returns to spawn. They are by far my favorite type of fish to chase with my fly rod. As you can see, it's a type of visual poetry to cast big flies and heavy lines to these inspiring creatures. Photo and Caption Courtesy of Derek Schroeder Below -- This is from a backcountry climbing trip I took in Alaska with my friend Eamon. We were outside of Fairbanks, and dodged some feisty goldminers, more mosquitos than I thought was possible anywhere and nasty weather to climb these amazing spires. A trip I won't forget. Photo and Caption Courtesy of Derek Schroeder Above -- Wakauna Falls outside Portland, OR. Waterfalls are gorgeous but very hard to photograph creatively. This was my attempt at creating a neat composition and I still come back to it as one of my favorites. It's a good advertisement for Circular polarizers as well. Photo and Caption Courtesy of Derek Schroeder Left -- A small glimpse from life on the Deck Family Farm in Junction City, Oregon. Pastureraised pork is kept in moveable parcels and fed hazelnuts sourced from nearby orchards. The pigs graze, till and fertilize the pasture. The pasture is then seeded and beef cattle will graze it in the summer. Photo and Caption Courtesy of Derek Schroeder Above -- My wife and I backpacked through the mountains in Peru, and this wonderful local hiked all the way to our camp at 14,000 feet and sold us some llama wool hats and gloves. We were astonished to see she hiked nearly as far as we did in sandals and skirts. �December 1, 2021 Page 7 CHINOOK The T-Birds road ahead Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer The T-Birds season is underway with many new recruits, red shirt freshman, and two returning sophomores. The team started the season 4-4 with a three-game home stand ahead. The squad looked in good form only losing close games but winning games by big margins. The highest win came in the T-Birds first game of the season. The team beat Real Salt Lake Post Grad 109-69 and kept that momentum to win the “GW Mechanical Tip Off Classic.” Returning sophomore Peter Turay proved a reliable leader coming off the bench playing 22 minutes a game while scoring 10 points per contest. He shot 61% from the field. Coming from London, Turay makes a big impact on the team, and he said he hopes to lead new recruits as one of the two returning sophomores. Casper native Davion McAdam looks to put gain on his experience from his last season and translate that to his final season at Casper College. “It has been a blessing (being) from here and (to) compete at such a high level and continue playing in front of people who truly care for me,” said McAdam. “This year is different from my freshman year because I have higher expectations for myself and from the coaching staff as well.” McAdam averaged 5.5 points, shooting 50% shooting from the field. One of CC’s new recruits is true freshman PJ Ngambi, a guard out of Nebraska. Ngambi made an immediate impact on the team earning starter minutes and averaging 11.4 points a game. Red-shirt freshman Rashaun Agee leads the team in scoring with 15 points a game from the forward position. The T-Birds look to capitalize on their strong start at home where they boasted an 8-3 record last season by winning these next three before playing a tournament in Gillete. The team finished last year’s season with a winning Freshman guard, Joslin Igo, prepares to shoot in a recent home game. record of 13-8. The T-Birds hope to improve that record and bring a championship back to Casper. Brendan Saunders/Chinook Building blocks in 2021 Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer PJ Ngambi, a freshman guard, takes a shot at a recent home game. Brendan Saunders/Chinook The Lady T-Birds are off to a hot start after almost pulling off a perfect season last year with a close loss in the regional championship game against Otero Junior College. After a strong season that ended with a close loss of only five, the Lady T-birds look to build on the momentum from last season and correct the mistakes made in the championship game. Coach Dwight Gunnare looks to key in on those weak spots. “We had trouble handling pressure and with boxing out in the paint for rebound. We looked to recruiting to help fix those problems. We have been focusing on dribbling and boxing out in practice as well,” said Gunnare. In addition to the new recruits, the Lady T-Birds five returning sophomores took the leadership role of the team in stride. “They have been tremendous. They understand the drills and they translate that to the freshman class in practice,” said Gunnare. One of the returning sophomores, Joseana Vaz, is the player Gunnare praised for a breakout season last year. Vaz built off of the confidence from last season and brought it to the hot start this year. Averaging 14.7 points a game while shooting 45% from the field, Vaz found her role as a leader of this team. “Being a starter as a freshman helped my confidence a lot. I can feel the trust of the team with more plays being run through me and for me,” Vaz said. Coming from her home country in Praia, Cape Verde, Vaz also used her freshman year to acclimate to playing in the United States. “I got to learn a lot about how plays are run in America last year, so this year I am lot more familiar with how they are run while getting more minutes.” Vaz and the Lady T-Birds made a statement at the start of the season, and they aim to go right back to the championship this year with a winning result. At 5-2, the Lady T-Birds play in the Casper’s Thanksgiving Classic before hitting the road until January 19 where they hope to top the conference. International students in the post-COVID world Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer The Coronavirus pandemic affected nearly every aspect of people’s lives. As the world begins to recuperate from the changes seen over the past two years, traveling is increasingly returning to prepandemic levels. For college students, studying abroad is an extremely attractive option, and looser restrictions mean young people are able to once again experience new cultures and campus life. Sophomore Keanu Jardim felt relieved to receive the opportunity to come to Casper College from his hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa. “I didn’t know if I would be able to make it because of COVID. It took a really long time to get my visa” Jardim said. “ It’s really exciting being here. It’s a great experience that I’m really grateful for.” Jardim lived in South Africa his whole life, and he said he finds it interesting to see the different ways holidays are celebrated. Halloween, for example, is not so much a big deal in South Africa as it is in the U.S. He said people here go “all out.” While Thanksgiving is not celebrated in South Africa, Jardim said those in the U.S. enjoy Christmas nearly the same way with feasts, gifts, and lots of family time. However, some international students do not have the option to head home for the holidays. This year, both Jardim and Konato Campbell, a fellow sophomore from Kingston, Jamaica, have the chance to spend this special time of year with loved ones. For Jardim, travelling to South Africa is not an option, but he is able to visit family in Portugal. Campbell is lucky enough to enjoy the holidays with loved ones back in his hometown. “I’m ecstatic,” Campbell said. “I really miss my family, so I’m happy to go home.” For many international students, holidays are one of the few times of year where they can see family again. It’s a big decision to move across the globe and hundreds of miles away from — See post-COVID, Page 8 Medal of Honor recipient WRITING CENTER visits Casper College The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Create a resume Craft a scholarship essay And so much more! Baylee Darling/Chinook Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha came to visit Casper College on November 12th. He detailed his journey from his childhood years and into the army. He talked about how his father had been in the army, and how he himself asprired to join as well. He originally wanted to join to pay for college, but ended up staying in it, serving our country for over 10 years. He recounted his experience of being deployed in Afganistan, mentioning not only the horrors of war but also the close brotherhood that he and his team shared. For his service in the Battle of Kamdesh in 2009, he recieved a Medal of Honor, which was awarded by former President Obama in 2009. The Medal of Honor is the United States government's most prestigious military decoration awarded to those in service to us who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor and bravery. Romesha's story proved just how much he deserved this incredible honor, and we thank him for coming to share his experiences with us. Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu �Page 8 December 1, 2021 CHINOOK Post-COVID...continued from page 7 loved ones, but for Campbell and Jardim, it was a risk they were willing to take. “I heard about Casper College from a soccer agency. My dream was to always attend college and play soccer, so coming to Casper made that dream a reality,” Campbell said. Moving to a new country and college comes with its pros and cons. Both Jardim and Campbell hail from warm climates, and each said the cold weather, especially the wind, is not something they’re fond of here. Weather aside, both men appreciate the opportunities Casper and the college offer, including scholarships and athletics, along with its services like counseling, tutoring, and wellness. Both students also said they experience a sense of safety and security in the Casper community. “There are more opportunities here than back home” Campbell said, “And back home, there is a lot of violence there.” Jardim echoed the same sentiments, saying that Casper is much safer than his home- town in South Africa. Overall, Jardim and Campbell agreed that they both enjoy being in Casper. Aside from the cold weather and wind that Jardim mentioned he disliked, both men made note of the friendly people they have encountered in Casper, and how it's these individuals that have made their time here memorable. “The people here are really nice and friendly,” Jardim said in closing. “That is one of the best things I really like about being here in Casper.” Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Like Konato Campbell, Keanu Jardim hoped to play soccer upon enrolling at Casper College. He is one of many international students that make up CC’s athletic teams. From animal science major to pharmacist Photo Courtesy of Jamie Hornecker From left to right, Heath, Jamie, Nolan, Emmy, Carson and Jansen Hornecker posed for a family photo. Heath Hornecker is also an instructor at Casper College, and both he and Jamie are alumnis of Casper College. The couple met during their time in Casper. Cameron Magee Chinook Writer Jaime Hornecker grew up loving the agricultural way of life, but after completing her bachelor's degree in Animal Science, she found herself in a pharmacy and hasn’t looked back. Hornecker grew up in Culbertson, Nebr. on a small farm and ranch. She lived the small rural life, calling her upbringing ‘laid back and wonderful.” “We had a great childhood growing up. We were very involved in 4-H, and I traveled to the neighboring high school for FFA because my school was K-12th and didn’t offer it,” said Hornecker. After graduating high school, Hornecker found herself judging livestock at Casper College while also working towards an associate's degree in pre-veterinary medicine. After CC, she made her way to Texas Tech University where she continued judging and received a bachelor's degree in Animal Science. Hornecker thought she found her way in agriculture, but then she also made connections in the Texas Tech pharmacy department as a volunteer. “My farm animal reproduction teacher was a human reproductive physiologist. I made a connection with him, and he was writing letters of recommendations for me. I was going to go work for him at the hospital and somehow, I found myself in the pharmacy. The rest is history,” Hornecker recalled. Looking back, Hornecker remembers her professors accepting her animal science classes in place of human science. “My family always jokes about when I went to pharmacy school, I had to have an anatomy class and they accepted my anatomy of farm animals' class for the human anatomy class. They don’t do that anymore, but at the time it worked,” said Hornecker. Hornecker mentioned that she would have really enjoyed animal medicine, but she looked for something family friendly while maintaining a medicine interest with an agriculture interest on the side. “There are many vets who are successful at having a family and practicing. Pulling calves at 30 below zero and the wind is blowing, that type of thing really factored into it -- maybe it was a lifestyle thing,” she laughed. Hornecker is a pharmacist by training, but she is now ultimately a teacher as a professor for the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy. “Part of my job with the University of Wyoming, in addition to my responsibilities with teaching is that I have my own practice,” said Hornecker Hornecker practices in Casper because the School of Pharmacy put her there as her practice site. That is where she not only sees patients but also where students come to work in the clinic and learn more about pharmacy in a real world setting. “I take fourth year pharmacy students while they are in their clinical rotations. I will get a group of two students at a time for four weeks. I usually have five to six groups throughout the year,” Hornecker said. In addition to clinical rotations with pharmacy students, Hornecker also runs a PTY1 residency program for pharmacists. The program is for graduated pharmacists that chose to do an extra year of training. According to Hornecker, sometimes the pharmacists choose to train an extra year because they want to get into a specialty pharmacy position that requires more education. In addition to students rotating in and out, Hornecker also manages two pharmacy residents who work with her for a full year. Hornecker’s job contains many parts she enjoys, but she spoke to her favorites. “Getting to contribute to the professional and personal growth of the students and residents that I work with, that is number one. The second favorite part of my job is the relationship with my patients. I started with a lot of my patients in my residency. We joke with the students that they have seen my kids be born because we have been seeing each other so long,” Hornecker said. The last year made working in health care extremely tough for many in the workforce, and Hornecker brought light to such changed times. “It’s always tough when you lose Success after a degree from CC Audrey Axtell Chinook Writer Casper College takes pride in not only employing high quality educators, but also in having an abundant amount of CC graduates back as current professors, and Jeremy Burkett is no exception. Burkett is an agriculture professor and the CC Livestock coach, a position he’s had for almost 13 years. Burkett’s office is lined with banners and trophies won by CC’s livestock team over the years along with photos from team trips. Several of Burkett’s students received the Academic All-American award, a mark of achievement all members strive to accomplish. The award is given to students for academic excellence in combination with a high level of performance at national judging competitions. Burkett is the current state executive director for the Wyoming Pork Producers, as well as a member of the National Pork Board. He said agriculture has always been a part of his life in some capacity. According to Burkett, he grew up raising show hogs with his parents and siblings. He spoke to the impacts this lifestyle made on his career choices. “Judging and being involved in ag has definitely put my professional career on a totally different trajectory. I would not be where I’m at today without those opportunities and making those connections,” said Burkett. Burkett began livestock judging himself when he was a freshman in high school, and he continued his career through 4-H and FFA. After graduating, he judged at a collegiate level for CC on scholarship under Kelly Burch. Burkett held the state FFA presidential office for Wyoming while attending CC, which provided even more travel opportunities. After competing for the CC livestock judging team, Burkett went on to earn his bachelor's in animal science at Colorado State University followed by his master’s in animal science and meat science at Iowa State. He later received his PhD from Iowa state as well. Burkett said he did not intend to become a professor, but he finds the work very rewarding and enjoys working with his students. Burkett said he initially intended to become a veterinarian, however if you asked his wife she would tell you he was meant to be a teacher all along. After being accepted to vet school, Burkett decided to work towards his PhD instead, and he became a professor for CC shortly after. “I really plan on staying here, obviously not only raising a family in Casper, but competing with my team at the local, state, and national level has been incredible. Casper is a great place to live, to work, and a great environment to raise a family,” said Burkett. “Life will throw you different avenues and career paths. It’s important to trust your heart on where you need to be”. Coaching at CC even shaped the way Burkett is raising his own kids by getting them involved in agriculture through showing lambs, being in 4-H, and FFA activities. Burkett’s oldest son is just starting livestock judging at the high school level this year as a freshman. During the judging season a patient,'' said Hornecker when talking about the hard parts of her job. “Especially during the pandemic, a lot of us have seen what death and dying do, especially when it’s close to home it’s hard.” Hornecker enjoys what her job offers in terms of clinic life, but there are also perks outside of the pharmacy. “Teaching and working in the clinic gives me more flexibility than you do in a lot of other pharmacy jobs,” Hornecker said. “At Walmart you are stuck there from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and you can’t get away to see your kids' activities. I really appreciate how flexible my job is so I can get away.” Hornecker has four children -Nolan, Emmy, Carson and Janson who all appreciate how hard their mom works not only at her clinical job but also how much she provides for her family. “My mom is a rockstar because she always compliments me on my grades in school, my athleticism and strength. She is always supportive on the sports I do like skiing, baseball, and other things like football,” said Carson Emmy, mentioned that her mom tries to help them be their best so they can succeed at anything they try. “She pushes us to be the best at everything and not give anything but our best work. She helps us work our livestock, helps us with school, and anything else that we might need help with,” said Emmy. Jansen, the youngest sibling said, “She always challenges us to be our best, and I appreciate that because I know it’s going to make me into a better person.” Nolan, who is the oldest, says his mom means the world to him, she is always there for him and helps him become the best person he can be. “She has always been a leader to me, and she always tells me to become a leader and what it means to become a leader. Her influence has really impacted my life on the person I have become today,” Nolan explained. itself, team members become like a second family to Burkett, and he often treats them like his own kids. Burkett said it’s not uncommon for him to shed a few tears during graduation. Students travel long distances to judge at CC, and Burkett goes the extra mile to make students feel like they are at a home away from home. “One of my favorite things about this job is watching students grow, develop their judging skills, and find their groove,” Burkett said. “By the end of every season, we’re no longer just a team, we’re a family. I would do anything I could to help out any one of these kids''. Students throughout the agriculture department appreciate the work Burkett does for his students and team members. Whether inside the Submitted Photo classroom or out, Burkett is Jeremy Burkett, an agriculture professor, posed for a photo. always finding ways to help his students. serious when he needs to be. his students in every way he can Paige Noble, a previous His students that know him while pushing them to strive member of the livestock team well feel like he’s a true friend, for excellence, according to and a current work study not just a teacher”, said Noble. Noble. His best qualities tend for the ag pavilion, spoke to “I know I could go to him for to shine when he’s with his Burkett’s character and impact anything I need, and he’ll be livestock team, being a mentor, on his students. there to help”. a coach, but most importantly, “He’s such a kid, but still Burkett continues to help a friend to lend an ear. � 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 2021-12 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. 2021-12 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from December 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_2021-12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/55a9d839a06570bd4b1ba48ce48c360a.pdf e50d3aa1865e330217ce8127b2b25a89 PDF Text Text May 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Bakic chosen to speak at graduation Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Marjia Bakic Marija Bakic was selected to speak at Casper College's 2021 graduation ceremony. Bakic is a member of CC's Women's Basketball Team. She is from Montenegro, and her speech will be the first speech she's ever presented in the English language. Many graduating sophomores this year anticipated decisions about graduation, wondering if COVID-19 would rob them of a face-to-face graduation, much like the class of 2020 that made due with a virtual ceremony. Luckily, with vaccines out and case numbers dropping, a physical graduation ceremony is happening once again. CC allows students the chance to apply to speak on the big day, and this year’s student speaker couldn’t be any more deserving. Marija Bakic is an exchange student from Montenegro who was recruited to Casper by a UW basketball coach after seeing her play for the European Nationals. With the UW roster full, the coach set her up with Coach Gunnare and the CC basketball team. In her two years here, she said she loved playing basketball and spending time with her teammates. Additionally, Bakic furthered a passion for political science and international relations, which is not surprising given she has lived and traveled to most of Europe and North America. She fluently speaks Serbian, Italian, French, Spanish, and English. “I’ve always wanted to balance political science and basketball but never had the chance,” Bakic said. “Casper College has given me the opportunity to.” According to Bakic, CC is nothing short of amazing. The scholarships, school and community opportunities, work study positions, and staff are all incredible, she said. She accredits much of her success to the instructors and coaches she’s worked with over the last two years. Not only did Bakic mention how CC provided a great school and environment, but she also said the college helped her grow and develop as a person. As a student athlete, Bakic and her team missed a few days of school every other week and sometimes every week. In a degree as intense as Bakic’s, she said she learned to prioritize. “CC has made me appreciate the liberties I have and taught me how to decide what the best choices for me to make will be,” she said. “It’s taught me how to stay organized.” Many Americans can lose sight of the abundance of opportunities available in the states, Marija emphasized, but for many from across the globe who move here like Bakic, blessings are so much easier to see. With this larger perspective, Bakic said she is always motivated to work towards your goals. “I’m a big believer that hard work gets you whatever you want. That’s going to be one of the biggest points in my speech,” she said. In the coming fall, Bakic will continue playing basketball for Arkansas Tech. She plans to get her bachelor's degree in political science before pursuing a masters in international studies at Arkansas Tech. One day, Bakic said she’d like to work as an ambassador and do political work like her grandfather. “I’m really excited,” she said in closing. “My family is going to be here. They’re very important to me. And hopefully, my grandpa is really proud of where I’m at too.” New visual arts building coming soon Bryce Hindman Chinook Writer Demolition on Casper College’s Goodstein Visual Arts building began as of April 2021 to make way for the new visual arts building, slated to be finished in July of 2022. While some may feel sad to see the current art building go, hopes are high for the new building. When walking the art building halls excitement fills the air, along with a decent amount of dust from the ongoing demolition. Most teachers and students are looking forward to the new building. The Goodstein Visual Arts building holds a significant amount of history on campus. Built in 1976 and 1977, the structure stood for 44 years and served as the home of countless programs, classes, and art of all kinds. The building also housed machinery for various artistic projects. A building with a unique purpose called for a unique design and it’s clear upon entering the structure that the Goodstein Visual Arts building was not typical, as the architects designed the structure as a circle with a gallery in the middle connecting the two sides. The instructor’s offices lined the inner circle while expansive classrooms lined the outside. Mike Olsen, a CC graduate and now a full-time professor at the college since 2005, spent significant amounts of time in the former building, and he spoke of the building's charm. “Because I know this building so well it’s become like an old friend,” said Olsen. “It's like a really good pair of shoes, so I'm totally comfortable here. I even know what noises it makes late at night. I’ll miss the donut (the circle). One of my favorite things to do to decompress is to just walk laps.” While the former building provided a unique design and a nostalgic feel, the new construction will fix several issues. The former building proved too small to comfortably accommodate all of the current and especially future classes. Another factor is the age and the outdated design. Nobody in 1977 could have predicted the impact technology and computers would have in the future, so the — See Visual Arts, Page 4 Bryce Hindman/Chinook Demolition of the Goodstein Visual Arts Center began last month. The new building is scheduled to reach completion in July of 2022. 33 years come to a close Savannah Peterson Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Anna Aarstad Todd Jones teaches his farm and ranch buissness class at Casper College he is retiring after 33 years when the spring semester concludes. Some people dread retirement. Others look forward for the new opportunities stepping back from work can bring. For Todd Jones, retirement will not slow him down. After 33 years teaching at Casper College, Jones’ time as an instructor is come to an end, but his next chapter is just beginning. Jones’ experience in the business industry set his credentials as a teacher. Jones educational followed a different path than most professors. He spent a few years at Montana State University while on a wrestling scholarship. Then he decided school was not for him, so he began working full time. However, school drew him back in, and he attended CC for two years. Next, Jones traveled to Oklahoma State University to earn his bachelors in Animal Science and discovered his passion for business. “I had to take a farm and ranch management advanced class my senior year, and I really, really liked that class,” said Jones. His professor connected him with a graduate degree position at New Mexico State University where he received his Masters degree. Then Jones set off for the real world. Over the years, Jones trusted his passion for teaching and business to lead his career. In 1988 Jones began teaching as an adjust instructor at CC. His adjunct role eventually led him to a full-time position teaching business classes. While he was busy teaching, he also used his business skills to create two startup companies. In the classroom, Jones taught way more than what the text book required. Jones goes out of his way to teach his students how to act like good people. For, Agriculture Business student, Anna Aarstad, Jones made a large impact on her education. “He really tries his best to apply everything in his class to each person, and he tries to make it very personal,” she said. Aarstad said it’s the time the students spend talking with Jones after class that helped formed a relationship between Jones and his students. “Every day at the end of class we typically stick around for an extra couple minutes and just visit with him,” Aarstad said. According to Anthony Barns, one of Jones’ current students, these conversations consist of funny jokes, life advice, and of course, snacks. As much as the students enjoy Jones as a professor, Jones said he enjoys watching the students grow. “The difference between you coming in the doors as a Freshman… that year of growth is pretty amazing,” Jones said. “And then you look at where they have gone past that, it has been pretty rewarding.” After teaching for so many years, Jones saw many students come through the college so it comes to no surprise that he has created a reputation. “I think the biggest thing is he teaches because he wants to change people’s lives in a positive way. He doesn’t just teach because he enjoys the subject or he doesn’t just teach because he gets a paycheck he teaches because he wants to be a part of other people’s lives,” said Barns. “I think that’s probably what makes him the most effective and why he’s probably my favorite teacher.” Jones invests in his student’s lives outside the classroom whether it is the rodeo team drinking coffee in front of his office before class or the livestock judging team reviewing its last contest, Jones’s door is always open. His kindness continues to impact many students at CC. “He gets to know everybody and what their goals are for the future, so he tries to tie in what he’s teaching into specific goals,” said Aarstad. Jones’ years of knowledge can be attributed to his faith. Aarstad said, “He’s not afraid to let his faith impact how he teaches class… He doesn’t preach and he doesn’t expect anybody in the class to believe what he believes, but you can tell his faith is what has guided him through teaching for so long.” Principles of faith guide Jones in all of his life’s endeavors. “The main thing in my life has been my faith... that could be the main advice,” Jones said when offering advice to his students. As Jones’ time in education comes to an end, he looks forward to the adventure’s retirement will bring. First of all, he plans on digging more into the Old Testament of the bible. Outside of that, he looks forward to spending more time with his wife, purse business interests and guiding people through the outdoors. �Page 2 May 1, 2021 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Chinook Stance “ Carpe Diem: Adventure Awaits Bryce Hindman Breakthroughts with Bryce You're a college student. A Casper College student to be more exact. As diverse as we all are, ultimately, the majority of CC students share one thing in common. We are here with the intention of learning and growing as individuals and bettering ourselves in order to better our futures. Basically we want a good life. Who doesn’t want a good life? With that in mind, it’s no secret we can often get swept up in the stress of assignments, grades, deadlines, and college as a whole, not to mention the potential stresses of life outside of school. When faced with what seems like endless work, it can be easy to forget we’re human. Yes you heard that right. What I mean by that is that it’s easy to take for granted our experience day by day when we’re in autopilot mode rushing from one assignment to the next. This is exactly why it’s important to get away from life occasionally and reset. There is an entire world out there to explore and experience, people to meet, and new things to try. It would be a crime towards yourself to not at least try to get out and experience life to its fullest. As I said before, it’s easy to forget we’re a human living a life. We have the privilege of being the most complex intelligent life that we know of, living on the only floating rock in the entire universe known to support life. Thousands of years of human history led up to exactly this moment -- where you are now. The chances of you specifically, genetic makeup and all, existing at this very moment are almost zero. Yet here you are. Not only do you get to exist, but you also get all the modern amenities from indoor plumbing to the internet. The point is we’ve been given a gift of life, and it should not be wasted. Work and school are important and it can make us better people, but ultimately we need to value our well-being and mental health before we can even function well enough to succeed in work and school. This summer I’m traveling the country delivering doordash and exploring in order to better myself. Next fall I’m attending college in New York City. I am only saying this because I want anyone reading this to know it’s okay to take the leap of faith and that you are capable of doing it. I’m not special – members of my family aren't college grads or wealthy. I worked hard to get here and it’s going to pay off. You can too. This is where adventure plays a role. You don’t have to go far like my example. You don’t have to do anything crazy. Go on a walk in a park or a bike ride in an unfamiliar place. Try the new thing on the menu, or better yet, go to the new restaurant you’ve never been to. Sign up for that summer course you’ve wanted to try. Use those vacation days and do that trip you’ve been thinking about. Casper College is less than an hour away from mountains, rivers, lakes, and multiple state parks. Take advantage of the world around you and the life you have. As summer approaches, I encourage you to take a look around you and breath. Live one day at a time and experience each moment. Go on adventures big and small. Take some risks. Try new things. Live life fully and unfiltered. This will only broaden your horizons and motivate you to make more progress with your goals. College is meant to be a place where people are educated and inspired, but sometimes we all need adventure to keep us going. It is no secret to those who know me that graduation is my absolute favorite day of the year. I love everything about the day including rehearsal in the morning, the Graduation is a rite of passage in one’s life, and it is my great honor to play even a small role in the celebration marking that achievement. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President anticipation that builds as we line everyone up in the tunnel, walking out to cheering family and friends, announcing the names, and the final exit of the graduates. But, undoubtably, my favorite moment is looking into the eyes of graduates as they cross the stage to shake hands (non- COVID years) and receive their diploma cover. The looks of pride, accomplishment, and oftentimes nervousnesses is something I never get tired of witnessing. Graduation is a rite of passage in one’s life, and it is my great honor to play even a small role in the celebration marking that achievement. Commencement, and all The uprooting of holistic medicine Before the conception of Western medicine, holistic medicine was the status quo for thousands of years within many ancient civilizations. Several cultures still practice this form of medicine despite Western medicine dominating in developed areas of the world. During the turn of the 20th century, homeopathy and natural medicine became almost obsolete due to several factors. John D. Rockefeller, America’s first billionaire and known monopolist and robber baron, was one of the main culprits. He made it his mission to uproot holistic medicine by delegitimizing it. His strategy of “problem-reaction-solution” alongside the Flexner report successfully closed a multitude of holistic medical schools across The United States. John D. Rockefeller’s plan was to reshape the medical industry through pat- ented pharmaceuticals and a new medical system. At the time, Rockefeller controlled almost all the country’s oil refineries through his oil company, Standard Oil. Around the same time, scientists had discovered petrochemicals from said oils, which are obtained from petroleum through a refining process. They determined that these chemicals could be used to produce pharmaceutical drugs. Rockefeller’s desire to monopolize the oil, chemical, and medical industries would change the Western world forever. The Flexner report functioned as a gatekeeper. It enacted legislation on state and federal levels to create strict regulations and licensing promoting drug medicine within medical schools while stifling natural remedies. Medical institutions that did not comply with these regulations were inevitably shut down. Bryce Hindman/Chinook Casper College is celebrating its 75th year this academic term. The college's public relations and adminstrative teams highlight the milestone with banners and flags like the one shown to the right. Make sure to use your T-Bucks and Flex Dollars before the end of the semester They will not be there in the fall! If you love good food, people, and great opportunities, look for job openings at Casper College Dining in the fall. Have a great summer! CASPER COLLEGE DINING the associated gatherings truly is a time of celebration. Thus I hope each of you reading this article who have met the requirements necessary to graduate this year will sign up to participate in our commencement ceremony, and celebrate your achievement with your family, friends, and all of us here at the College. Julia Nielsen Just Julia �May 1, 2021 CHINOOK t H e wor ld n ee ds 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/ Page 3 �Page 4 CHINOOK Visual Arts............................................ building is not well suited for such advancements. The cost of keeping up with safety codes and health regulations provides yet another challenge. The final factor came in the way of Casper College’s long range master plan. According to caspercollege.edu, “In 2006, Casper College adopted a comprehensive master plan to help provide a focused vision on the opportunities facing Casper College over the next 25 years.” Casper College president Dr. Divine shared his thoughts on the new visual arts building in a 2016 Casper Star-Tribune article. “It’s sorely needed for the college. I think it would be a huge asset.” The new building will address each one of the issues mentioned above and lead the arts at CC into the future. The original idea was to simply add onto the art building, but it was decided that it would be more cost efficient to create a whole new space for art on campus. The new building is slated to almost double in size at an impressive 31,825 sq. ft., equipped with all the equipment needed for each class. Olsen praised the work of the architects MOA and HGA for working closely with faculty and staff in order to meet the specific needs of each class. “All of the faculty have had tons of input in the planning. I sat on the committee that chose the architects, and then we sat for a semester and a half once a month with the architects and designers, working as a team designing the new building, which May 1, 2021 continued from page 1 all started happening in 2016," Olsen explained. According to a recent announcement shared by the college, the building will feature metal, wood, and jewelry making labs; art galleries; a foundry and pottery kilns; MAC lab; print, drawing, and photo labs; classrooms; conference rooms; offices; and a state-of-the-art climatic controlled art storage facility. The $12.5 million dollar project is jointly funded through the State of Wyoming and CC in partnership with the the college'se foundation, and there will be more fundraising in the future. According to Olsen, the new building is needed. He said “The new space will be state of the art and modern. The current building is so old that it's literally falling apart and some things have just stopped working.” The new visual arts building will be state of the art and allow CC to grow into the future with developing technology and a growing list of opportunities. Forensics Team wins big at National Tournament National Tournament Results The Casper College Forensics team recently competed virtually at the 2021 Phi Rho Phi National Forensics Tournament with both individual and team awards. Individually, sophomore Braxton Allen-Sambrano, Casper, was a gold medalist in impromptu speaking. Markie Whitney, a freshman from Newcastle, won gold in international public debate. Shelby Davis, a freshman from Newcastle, took silver in impromptu speaking, while sophomore Alex Walters, Rapid City, South Dakota, won silver in informative speaking. Three team members, Stephanie Barella, a sophomore from Casper, freshman Emma Kellick, Casper, and Walters, were each awarded silver in international public debate. Four team members received bronze during the tournament. Davis won in international public debate, Kaelan Rodriguez, a sophomore from Casper, won in speech to entertain, and sophomore Izzy Garcia, Cheyenne, and Walters won in impromptu speaking. Walters also has the distinction of receiving fifth place in individual sweepstakes, making her the fifth-best competitor in the country. Overall, the team took a gold medal in the debate sweepstakes and a silver medal in the individual events sweepstakes and the overall sweepstakes. Photo courtesy of the Forensics Team This year's Forensics Team at CC includes(from left to right): Alex Walters, Izzy Garcia, Braxton Sambrano, Lydia Roterdam, Markie Whitney, Kaelan Rodriguez, Shelby Davis, Violet Wright, and Emma Kellick Elisa Ayungua Chinook Writer The Casper College Forensics Team showed off at the 2021 Phi Rho Pi National Forensics Tournament this year. While the pandemic forced the tournament to a virtual platform, CC competitors made the most of the chance to compete on the national stage. Winner of a bronze medal in speech to entertain this year, Kalean Rodriguez, a sophomore at Casper College, spoke about her debate experience. She said she’s participated in forensics since high school and has been on the Casper College Forensics team for three years. “I am one of the co-captains, and I am also one of two third years. I kind of see that as a leadership role. You kind of get to guide new students onto the team and help expand their knowledge with what they already know,” said Rodriguez. Rodriguez sees the program as family and truly feels supported by her fellow teammates. She also felt cared for by the coaches, as they made sure to always provide a positive environment with a focus on taking care of themselves as well as each other. “(The coaches are) making sure that we all are not only competing, but having fun with it, and also sharing messages that really mean something to us,” Rodriguez said. Though she enjoys forensics, the competition can be tough. Rodriquez shared how she prepares. She said, “Just making sure, first of all, that you are putting in enough work. You are giving your best to your performance or to your speech. Also looking at your performances and making sure you are improving yourself.” Even so, Rodriguez thought the hardest part about being a member of the Forensics Team came in saying goodbye. “Unfortunately I won’t be able to join for another year, even if I was, I think that it is my time to move on,” said Rodriguez. “I think one of the things that is stressed in speech and debate is that they’re preparing you to continue sharing your message and all the skills you have learned.” Rodriguez is planning to attend the University of Wyoming next semester but she plans on coming back to 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 visit the Forensics Team at Casper. “It’s not necessarily that it (forensics) will ever leave me -- it affected me so deeply. I will carry it on forever. But as far as my days competing, I think I unfortunately closed my chapter on that,” Rodriquez shared. Nonetheless, the team is going to have more members next year. Doug Hall, director of forensics, competed in collegiate forensics himself and has been involved with it for about 17 years. He has been at Casper College for eight of those years. “The program has really grown -- it's been really successful, but it’s also grown. We’ve had two of the largest teams in our program's his- Courtesy of an article published by the Casper College public relations department, written by Lisa Icenogle in 2021 tory. Next year’s team is going to be among the largest and most talented as well with the recruits we have coming in.” Hall is hoping for even more growth in the future. He is also very appreciative of the support from CC in seeing the value in forensics and what it does for the students. “It’s not easy. There are a lot of programs around the country that are losing their funding and support because money is tight,” said Hall. Hall recognizes that such challenges are not unique to this program, and there are other programs sharing that burden as well. According to Hall, goals for the team were a bit fluid this year because it was unsure what the season would look like. “We didn't know if we were going to be able to travel in the spring or if the national tournament was going to be face-to-face or if it was going to be virtual, and ultimately it ended up being virtual but we didn’t know that in the fall. We didn’t know what the year was going to look like,” said Hall The team set goals in regards to doing well at tournaments, getting their events up, and feeling good about the messages they shared. “All the students had three events at the national tournament, and I think they all felt pretty good about the messages they were sharing, pretty good about where they were competitively by the time we got to the national tournament, and so I think we had a pretty good year.” 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/ �May 1, 2021 CHINOOK Page 5 Vervo to Casper: A look into Conci's journey Kaylen Kott Chinook Contributor Italy, the fifth most visited country in the world, provides visitors many attractions, rich culture, extensive history, and coastal beaches. For Matteo Conci, Italy provided a home and a place to start his soccer career at a young age. With impactful support from his family, Conci followed his dreams. Through scholarship opportunities, Conci moved to America in the fall of 2020 to attend Casper College where he continues to excel in his soccer career. Moving from Italy to America presented many new opportunities for Conci. In Italy, students learn English at a young age, starting in elementary school, and continue to learn throughout their high school careers. Conci said having learned the English language made his experience in America easier. Conci stated that moving to America allowed him to better understand the English language and perfect his speech through conversation with those he interacted with in the first three months of arriving. Because Conci moved to America alone, he claimed that his motivation to seek out a new adventure encouraged him to eliminate any fears that came with the opportunity. “For me, it was easy to move because I was coming here to join a team,” stated Conci. “I was sure that I would already have friends who were also my teammates, so I was not afraid of being alone.” Growing up, Conci had the privilege of choosing from many different sports. Soccer Photo courtesy of Matteo Conci Conci shared a photo from his childhood playing the saxophone, another activity he loves. played a large role in his life, but he stated that his mother encouraged him to play any sport possible to consume his free time. These sports included swimming in the summer, skiing in the winter, and playing the saxophone. “I played the saxophone for 12 years,” stated Conci. “Then at 15 years old, I chose to play soccer because playing soccer on top of skiing and playing the saxophone was not easy.” Conci chose to focus on soccer because of his passion for the sport. He joined a club team that consisted of older men and women who encouraged Conci to push harder due to higher competition and the urge to become better. With playing sports and attending school, he claimed organizing one’s time came naturally in order to participate and complete tasks successfully. According to Conci, “I feel like when you are really young, you do not understand if sports are cool or not, but I feel like it is important to do something whether it is playing an instrument, participating in sports, or even dancing. It helps with organizing your time because you have to go to school, practice, and make sure you have your homework done before a game, and that has helped me grow a lot.” Conci’s mother, Silvia Magnoni, encouraged him to participate in the activities he enjoyed most. She did not care which activity he chose because she supported him in anything he decided to do to better himself. Due to the eight-hour time difference, Magnoni told of Conci’s childhood experiences via email. She stated that on Conci’s first day of elementary school, he wanted to kick any stone he found in his path, which lead to his aspiration of becoming a soccer player. He found a knack for goalkeeper, his current position at CC. According to Magnoni, “Matteo enjoyed playing soccer the most. For this sport, he has made many sacrifices and has given up many things since he was playing at a young age. He would even get mad if they let him play in any roles other than goalkeeper.” When asked about feeling supported by his family, Conci stated that although moving to a different country caused his family to feel sad, they understood he chose to do something beneficial to his career and life. Magnoni stated she felt proud of Conci because of his determination and bravery in accepting the opportunity to achieve his goals through his studies and sports. “He has become more responsible and even more determined than before,” stated Magnoni. “However, he always needs to feel valued otherwise he could become sad.” Conci claimed that once he moved to Casper, his responsibility and independence allowed him to further his career and passion through various opportunities. Although this step in his life appeared difficult to execute, Conci felt proud when making his decision. “I am really proud because I left friends, family, and everything at home,” said Conci. “Then I came to a new country overseas because I was able to grow by myself and be more independent in a new place.” Magnoni also recognized positive changes in Conci once he moved. She claimed his ability to manage independently in his choices, his ease of socializing with people, and adapting to situations did not worry her because he performed this way from a young age. With moving to an unfamiliar country to seek new opportunities, Conci’s motivation to excel and continue his education encouraged him to set goals and make plans for his future. His ultimate goal consists of obtaining a fouryear degree and playing soccer in a more competitive setting. Making his family and friends proud pushed him to perform to the best of his abilities and provided him with great satisfaction. According to Conci, “When I see myself in four years, I want to know that I accomplished great things and did everything I could to make myself and other people proud.” Photo courtesy of Cory Garvin Matteo Conci of Italy is a goalkeeper for the first men's soccer team at Casper College. Photo courtesy of Matteo Conci As shown above, Conci played competatively in Italy for many yearys before moving to the U.S. He credits sports for developing his time management skills. �Page 6 CHINOOK May 1, 2021 ‘Seeking Justice in a Diverse America’ Julia Nielsen Chinook Writer The 29th annual Casper College Multicultural Film Festival screened “To Kill a Mockingbird,” on Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m. and “Just Mercy,” on Friday, April 30 at 7 p.m. in the Wheeler Auditorium. Erich Frankland, Chair of Political Science, History, and International Studies directed the film festival. Each year, Frankland said he tries to alternate between lighthearted content such as international cartoons or a serious topic relating to current political and social climates. His intention for this year’s festival involved choosing a theme that connects to the two films and facilitates an open discussion by the end. “The film festival is an opportunity for you as a student to explore issues with people who maybe see things completely different from you,” said Frankland. The theme this year emphasized the American legal system and ‘Seeking Justice in a Diverse America’ regarding race and class. Amanda Nelson, director of the Casper College Paralegal Studies Program, led the discussion for the “To Kill a Mockingbird,” screen- ing. The discussion focused on American’s Miranda rights, such as an individual’s right to an attorney when questioned or interrogated. “A good part of the discussion focused upon the concern if things have really changed for minorities to obtain justice in America and how our ideals of justice often lag in reality. We also explored that sometimes little steps on diversity and justice are exceptionally important and can lead to major change,” said Frankland. “We also looked at the impact that dignity and morality can have on peoples struggling for equality and those helping them.” The film “Just Mercy,” follows lawyer Bryan Stevenson on his journey to defend those wrongly condemned or convicted of crimes they did not commit. When “Just Mercy,” made its initial premier, theaters were closed due to the COVID-29 pandemic and quarantine. The timing wasn’t ideal and it went under the radar, so Frankland wanted students to be exposed to a film that discusses such important issues. “The idea of justice is very subjective, and with this theme we explore how it’s not right for specific races and groups to be discriminated against. In both films, race and class are the overarching themes. Neither of the gentlemen can afford a quality attorney, and we want to discuss why these barriers for justice and fair treatment exist within the American criminal justice system,” said Frankland. Frankland said he intended for thought-provoking discussions and diverse interaction between students and the community. He reiterated the importance of face-to-face discussions as opposed to debates on social media. The film festival provides an opportunity for students to find common ground while also being exposed to different opinions and perspectives. “We are content to say things on social media we wouldn’t usually say in person, or maybe we’re avoiding certain conversations because we don’t want to be unfriended. This setting allows a safe, real conversation and that’s one reason we’ve stuck with this approach,” said Frankland. Chad Hanson, Chair of Social and Cultural studies, said that the importance of public forums should be preserved in the name of American democracy. The Multicultural Film Festival celebrates its 30th anniver- sary next year and upholding this tradition is important in his eyes. Hanson hosted and moderated the screening for “Just Mercy,” and provided a sociological perspective for the audience. “Some of the discussions we should have had regarding inequalities in the United States were swept under the rug. And I think we live in a time where some of the curtains are being pulled back. We’ve reached a time where people are more willing to talk about these issues and try to change them,” said Hanson. Community colleges and universities are one of the most important places to have these kinds of discussions. The festival allows people to look one another in the eye and come from a place of empathy and respect. The anonymity of the internet has changed the way we talk about these topics and civil discussion within a public forum is a vital aspect of American democracy that holds immense value. “Where else in society can you just get together with peoJulia Nielsen/Chinook ple you don’t even know and have a really important con- Advertising for the Multicultural Film Festival at the versation about something that college featured the movie cover for "Just Mercy." matters, knowing that you’ll be The Multicultural Film members of the community heard and listened to. I think that alone is a tradition to pre- Festival provides a public to discuss topics that matter forum for students, staff, and to them. serve,” said Hanson. Sounds of the school Tyler Gallegos Chinook Writer To some, music is simply the noise you hear when you turn on the radio. For others, however, music can provide meaning to life. For the last 12 years, Nathan Baker found his home at Casper College as the school’s music theory director, but his musical journey started in his youth. Baker began his music career in the fifth grade and played the French horn. The summer after his fifth grade year, he was demonstrating multiple instruments in his uncle's collection to his little sister, as she was going to join the school band the following school year. While Baker was demonstrating these instruments he found a certain love for the trombone, an instrument he still plays to this day. “I picked up the trombone and demonstrated that to her and thought -- I like this, I’m going to keep this (and) you can have the trumpet,” said Baker. Throughout school, Baker was very active within the band and took part in the jazz band and the pep band as well. During his time in high school he considered going to college to become a high school band teacher. After graduating from high school, Baker decided to further his education and enrolled in Utah State University to pursue music education. While Baker attended school, he decided that the high school band teacher route wasn't the route he wanted to pursue. Baker’s theory professor presented the idea of teaching music Photo courtesy of ArtCore theory. Music Instructor Nathan Baker is pictured above. He said the photo was taken for his Baker stated, “He said to me, ‘you know you are really good at this, have you ever considered first recital with ArtCore about ten years ago. decade or so ago. Baker shared that his love for music began at a young age. teaching music theory at a college level?’” Baker decided to explore the idea more and ended up continuing with that route. Baker, became a teaching assistant in his last three years at Utah State University. Baker continued his education at the University of Oregon for graduate school and received his PhD from the university. While looking to pursue his career further, Baker found a job opening here in Casper and decided to make the move to Wyoming and join the CC staff. Baker liked the area and environment of Casper because of the many similarities to the area in which he grew up. Baker said, “It reminds me of Missoula where I grew up so it felt like coming home when I came to Casper.” Baker said he finds great happiness teaching here and described his work at CC as his “dream job.” In his free time, Baker said he enjoys many different genres of music. ”In no particular order some of my favorite things to listen to are video game music, late nineteenth and early 20th century Franco Russian music, jazz, Indian classical music and 80’s pop,” said Baker. During his time in Oregon Baker, made an argument to his opera teacher that the soundtrack for Final Fantasy 6 was the best opera written in the 20th century. Baker and the music department are always working on many of the concerts that are playing at CC, and he shared details about the remaining events of the year. The Music of the Masters concert is coming up on May 2, featuring music performed by the choirs, wind ensemble, and chamber orchestra. You can find upcoming events on the college’s arts website and find ticket information to attend some great live performances on CC’s campus. � 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 2021-05 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. 2021-05 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from May 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_2021-05 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/51b74355369a4ff03665c1a92375b59a.pdf b83af8edd3f6ff3fc17234c12e263337 PDF Text Text March 1, 2022 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Single parent program supports Charlize Fritsinger Chinook Writer Casper College’s Neil and Doris McMurry Single Parent Program offers various services to support single parents yearround, and there are openings for more students. The Student Success Center, located in the Gateway building, is where many students go for advising or for a tour around campus. The single parent program is also located in the Student Success Center. The McMurry family established and funded the program after it was clear the college needed a program to support single parents at Casper College. Heather Owens, the student success advisor tasked with running the single parent program, spoke about the initiative. She said services offered through the single parent program include the McMurry Scholarship, a textbook loan program, a Pathfinder Credit Union free financial literacy course, access to a clothing closet and school supplies, as well as case management services linking parents to community services. The entirety of the program is designed to support parents and provide them with resources they need to not only go to school traditionally but for many parents non-traditionally. Owens said that many of the parents in the program are non-traditional, have already started raising their families, and decided to come to college. “Because of that, there’s a little barrier like isolation. I think a little bit just because they don’t fit into that 18, 19-year-old category,” Owens said, “Helping just break that isolation and honestly realizing that these guys are rock stars. Like that’s what I just some of them just blow my mind at how they’re accomplishing.” Jonathan Lucas, a single father and new non-traditional student at CC is studying secondary education. After meeting with an advisor, Lucas was introduced to the single parent program and involved ever since. According to Lucas, “It’s a program that helps single parents have a second chance at coming back to college.” He said the program helped him with books, tuition, gas, and even possible future bills. After serving in the military for 7 years as a US Army Paratrooper, Lucas made the decision to come back to college, and he expressed how beneficial he finds the program. However, even with the support of the program, the need for support from peers and faculty is also needed. “Understanding. Understanding what it’s like to have your life on hold. You know, when your children are sick, you’re down, you can’t come to work, you can’t come to college. You might not be able to make it to work. Understanding what entails that,” Lucas said. Charlize Fritsinger/Chinook Casper College student Jonathan Lucas posed for a photo in the lobby of the Student Success Center where advisor Heather Owens and the single parent program are located. Lucas added that he thinks or hopes faculty would be more lenient or appreciative of the hard work that goes into completed assignments and projects. He said those assignments might seem like they were done quickly, but perhaps they were done exhausted. Understanding and empathy are what many nontraditional students and single — See Parents, Page 3 CC, Hogadon offer night skiing to students Kaley Pieper Chinook Writer Hogadon Ski Area sits at the top of Casper Mountain where views of the sunset are hard to beat. The white snow is a stark contrast to the beautiful red, orange, and purple sky. And thanks largely to the Zimmerman Family Foundation, and many other contributors, this nighttime view is one that anyone can experience. While busy daytime schedules can limit time on the slopes, Hogadon Ski area offers night skiing, an experience that started a few of years ago when installation of the lights on the mountain began. Adam Lutz, an organizational leadership and business management major at Casper College, served on the team that put night lights on the slopes. He and his crew spent lots of time and effort to install the lights. When asked about the process, Lutz said, “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a process of just putting one foot in front of the other, even if you’re moving backward.” After the long process, the lights are finally up! Large light poles now illuminate several runs. The Hogadon Basin Ski Area is open from 3 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for night skiing with about an hour overlap between day and night skiing. The lighted runs include Morning Dew, Park, and Boomerang. “We’re trying to really get the word out. The idea has been very well-received now that it’s going on. All the work and a couple of setbacks… it’s nothing when you’re up there, looking at the lights, and you can see Casper down below. I’ve never skied at night before this, so it was definitely a really awe-inspiring experience. And the first night it was open, we got a little extra snow the day of, and it was clear... And the sunset was perfect…” Lutz said about the experience. The idea for skiing in the dark of night comes from Lutz’s father’s home back in Michigan. Lutz fondly remembers hearing stories about his father and his friends going up the mountain after school to ski and snowboard on the artificially lit slopes until late at night. Since having school all day can leave students busy, night skiing gives an opportunity to still get out onto the mountain. Hogadon isn’t the only resort to come up with the idea. Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole Wyoming also provides lit runs. But here in Casper, college students only have a 15-minute drive to the Hogadon Ski Area. “It’s an opportunity for skiers and snowboarders alike to get out there and hone in on their sport. It allows you to come out more than just on the weekends.” Lutz said. “We want to get the word out and make the access to the area easier. God-willing with some snow, we can make [Casper] a nice little ski town, as it always has been.” A Casper native, Lutz recalls shoveling snow in the morning in order to get money to ski for the rest of the day with his brother. “Looking back on it, it’s a huge blessing in my life that I’ve been able to do that (Ski at Hogadon) with my family, and I want to make sure that continues to grow and is there for generations.” Despite the relatively dry and snowfree winter, the team at Hogadon Basin Ski Area is still working to get snow onto the slopes to give skiers a positive experience according to Lutz. The Natrona County and Kelly Walsh high school ski teams spend a few days a week practicing on the slopes. Besides regular weekend night skiing, the ski area also hosts promotional nights such as men’s night, and youth night. For adults, regular night ski lift tickets are a discounted $25. But Student Life offices make it even easier to hit the slopes my providing $15 ski vouchers for students. To get the voucher, students must bring student ID’s to the fourth floor Student Life Offices. Chris Stier, the Student Activities Coordinator at CC, works with the Hogadon Basin Ski Area to get the vouchers. “The ski vouchers have been actually a long work in process. I’ve been working with some people as part of the Hogadon Night Skiing Project. It was kinda put on hold last year with COVID, but they give a discount and Student Life offsets that cost for students. The same way it works with the movie tickets,” said Stier. Photo Courtesy of Adam Lutz A lone snowboarder rides the dark ominous lift ride towards — See Skiing, Page 3 the top of the mountain. Dance majors fueled by passion, not fear Jay M. Roccaforte Chinook Writer Jay M. Roccaforte/Chinook From front to back: Casper College students McKenzi Pieper, Kaitlin Koehn -- a graduate of the dance program -- Abigale Lipson, and Olivia "Liv" Daniels participate in a class led by instructor Jodi Jones. While Casper College dancers perform “Shadowed Winds and Ghost Roads” from late February through early March, many may be wondering what dance majors are all about. Dance majors make up a small majority of the students at Casper College, but the program impacts the students in a big way. CC offers many programs for students, but the dance majors choose their path for their clear love and admiration for the world of dance. Freshmen McKenzi Pieper and Abigale “BB” Lipson are just two lifelong dancers with passionate for the program. “I’ve been dancing since I was three,” Lipson said. “I could never see myself sitting in an office or doing any job where I wasn’t moving.” The head instructor of the dance program is Jodi Jones, and with CC being one of very few two-year schools to be accredited in dance, Jones said she is excited to see her performers grow during their time here. According to Jones, “Our job is not to grow professional dancers. Our job is to grow that artist to whoever or whatever they might find as their passion as they go through the program.” Jones also said she holds a firm belief that being a dance major is about more than performing. Dance majors follow an extensive and consistent routine that helps them grow in various ways. “Every day, I have two to three movement classes, then two to three other classes on top of that,” Lipson explained. “Then (I have) rehearsal from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., and on Saturday’s, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.” While the heavy workload may be intimidating to many, the Dance majors at CC take it on by choice. According to Pieper, “It’s a lot, but it’s worth it. It keeps us busy. We’re not sitting around, twiddling our thumbs.” Many aren’t aware of how busy the world of dance can be, and Jones believes people share some other misconceptions about dance. “People think ‘oh, okay. They’re probably not really smart, they’re probably not good at anything, or they’re never gonna get a job,’” Jones said. However, in reality, Jones firmly believes in the program’s impact on her students. “What they’re going to — See Dance, Page 3 �Page 2 March 1, 2022 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: The generational divide John Watts J’s Journal Whether you’re a Baby Boomer, Generation X, or Generation Y, we all share the same thing in common: a disapproving opinion of Generation Z . No, but seriously, there is a pattern of con-secutive generations having resentment over the next generation. To answer the question of this fallacy, it is important to break down the demographics and significant world events that shaped the culture in which the populous was raised. Baby Boomers (1946-1964) grew up during the Cold War era and had the honors of following the greatest generation. They grew up during a time of economic growth, which gave birth to hard workers loyal to their occupations. Baby Boomers who don’t stay with one company for more than a decade are either born in the wrong generation or going through a mid-to-late life crisis. This generation is known to like rudimentary schedules, and they will almost always pre-fer a phone call over a text. Generation X (1965-1980) grew up during the Civil Rights movement, Space race, and Wa-tergate. This generation grew up in a time where it seemed more feasible to send a man to the moon than to have a computer fit in their pocket. The dynamics of family life changed drasti-cally as numerous women joined the workforce, and the American consumption lifestyle took off where houses got bigger, cars multiplied in people’s drives, and toys came in nearly every cereal box. Generation X is best known for their independent nature that they gained as a re-sult of very little parental supervision. Generation Y (1981-1995), better known as millennials grew up during the Reagan Era, Chal-lenger explosion, and the first mobile phone. This generation was raised by technology and Starbucks and have grown up to be cat and dog parents. Jokes aside, many millennials have postponed marriage to choose a career over having a family, as shown through a decline in population and the highest college participation numbers of any generation. Shaped less by physical labor and more by specialized jobs, many of them have softer hands and hearts. The biggest traits for millennials are the accepting of diverse work places, job-hopping, and equal pay and equality. Generation Z (1996-2012) grew up during the Iraq War, 9-11 attack, and a global recession. For them, airport security is a normal procedure, and paperless plane tickets along with Uber are the way to travel. With gas prices being so high, this generation truly doesn’t know the value of a dollar. All it takes to bridge the generational divide is to focus more on the similarities than the differ-ences. Every generation thinks the next generation is crazy, but couldn’t that be an age thing? Weren’t we all immature at some point? What happens when the generation who brought new life into this world needs help at the end of their life? Let us not make disrespect a stereotype; instead, let us establish respect as the new social norm. As long as Boomer doomer jokes are being made and millennials consume a ridiculous amount of avocados, our country will be held together by the glue of empathy in action. “ You have persevered through the most severe disruption in your life anyone has seen in decades, and thus I strongly suspect you can now approach and handle new obstacles better than ever before. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President The Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle (1795-1961) once said “Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.” The sentiment behind this quotation has often been an apt description of our students as many of you have overcome immense obstacles to not only make it to college, but to continue to persevere and complete your program. However, I believe this sentiment is more pronounced now than has been the case for quite some time. The COVID-19 Pandemic ushered in concerns, emotions, fiscal realities, and lifestyle changes on a scale not seen in our world for several generations. Quite simply, none of us have lived through anything similar. While it would be a bit premature to call the Pandemic “over,” most indicators point to the increasing likelihood we are exiting a pandemic and entering an endemic as seen with many other diseases the world lives with; it does appear the worst is likely behind us. So my question for you today is: What are you going to do now? How are you going to view and approach your goals and dreams moving forward, and how will you react to new obstacles? Certainly new obstacles will arise as inflation, political turmoil with the recent hostilities in Ukraine, and supply chain disruptions are just a few To click or not to click Kaley Pieper According to Kaley It’s 12 o’clock. I sit down for lunch. Buzz, buzz. The quick sound of a Snapchat notification vibrates the table as I start to eat. I quickly pick up my phone and check it, of course. Oh it’s just from that person? I’ll just answer them later. Buzz, buzz. The Instagram banner notification pops up on the top of my screen. My best friend from back home just posted for the first time in a while. I better go give it a like! Oh, it’s a selfie? That requires a cheesy comment too. Buzz, buzz. Another Snapchat. Buzz, buzz. A text message. Buzz, buzz. Now Twitter. I stop and check the time. 12:14. I start to eat my, now cold, cafeteria spaghetti. Did I really just spend 14 minutes staring at my phone? I look up at my friends sitting across from me at the table. I’ve barely said a word since we’ve sat down. I ask them how their day is going. But they’re on their phones too, and their answers are brief and distracted. Buzz, buzz. Another notification. But this time I pause before I turn over the screen to check. What was this incessive need that I felt to pick up my phone? Buzz, buzz. Maybe it’s something important. Buzz, buzz. “Look at me” it seems to scream. I pick up the phone and get sucked into the trap that we as a society have accidentally laid for ourselves. Social media integration is becoming more and more prominent in our society each day. Almost everyone has a phone in their pocket at any given moment. And while liking a cute picture of a kitten, sending silly filters to your friends, or catching up on the daily scoop by scrolling through Facebook might not seem too insidious, social media also has very negative effects on our individual brains and society as a whole. Forget hard drugs or nicotine, we are addicted to our phones. According to an article by Werner Geyser, a professional in social media and influencer marketing, social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram produce the same neural circuitry caused by gambling and recreational drugs. A constant stream of retweets, likes, and shares affects the brain's reward area and triggers the same kind of chemical reaction as other drugs, such as cocaine. Addiction isn’t the only negative The mind is the only limit... The most enlightened I have ever felt in Wyoming was at the recent 37th Annual Casper College Humanities Festival and Demorest lecture series. I became captivated by the stories and historical facts provided throughout the festival. Most, if not all the speakers had connections to Wyoming in some way or another. If I was forced to choose a favorite speaker, I simply could not. Every single presentation brought new valuable information to light. Reading these stories or historical events alone limits a very crucial understanding of the life experiences of the individuals who experienced them. Getting to hear the information presented by the speakers themselves felt like catching up with an old friend. The emotion current examples. My hope is you answer this question by recognizing you are stronger, wiser, and more confident than ever before. You have persevered through the most severe disruption in your life anyone has seen in decades, and thus I strongly suspect you can now approach and handle new obstacles better than ever before. As Carlyle might say, you have certainly proven you have a strong soul… could be felt in every word, connecting me to the history of these amazing people. I rejoiced in the possibility to join the conversation via Zoom call for the select meetings I could not physically attend. The experience in person most assuredly is the best way to enjoy the festival, but when I wasn’t able to attend the second day there was a means to keep me connected. The captivating narrative unfolded further at the end of every presentation when the floor opened up for questions to the live and online participants. Depending on what was asked, new areas of exciting details revealed themselves and intensified my interests significantly. Attending the festival, I found myself enjoying a variety of ideas presented in various arts such as a nonprofit bilingual radio station, filmmakers screening, award-winning playwright, extraordinary dance theater production, courageous sport activists, stunning musical performance, and life-changing speakers. Professor Tracey Owens Patton, Ph.D. used her own family history as a primary source for a largely erased history exploring issues of race during wartime in Germany. The research shared by Patton will live in my mind rent-free forever. I encourage everyone to attend the humanities festival in the future for you will not be disappointed. My only wish would be to have a higher turnout at the festival. Each Use the QR code on the left to enter our Spring Semester 2022 Customer Satisfaction Survey. impact social media has on our health and well-being. Social media statistics clearly show a negative correlation between social media use and self-esteem. When young people, especially young girls, scroll through Tik Tok and see all of the seemingly perfect lives and bodies of other “hotter” girls, it can be detrimental to their body confidence. "Photoshop and filters present people and things in their best light," says Jill M. Emanuele, PhD, the senior director of the Mood Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, "It creates a distorted fantasy world and raises the bar on what people perceive is 'the best' way to be." For a relatively new technology, the internet and social media have been integrated into our lives on a personal and professional level. But most people know the harmful effects it can have. So why do we use it? Why doesn’t everyone log off and unplug? It’s too convenient. It’s too addictive. We are sucked in. It’s hard to resist and easy to think that social media is just another part of our lives. But the next time you find yourself staring at your phone for hours on end, think about the time you spent staring at a screen that could’ve been used doing something else. Check your screen time. Is that really healthy to stare at a 5-inch screen for 3+ hours every day? Buzz, buzz. Is that Snapchat picture of half of someone’s face really worth feeding your growing addiction? Buzz, buzz. Don’t pick it up. Buzz, buzz. Go experience life. Buzz, buzz. Your phone can wait. meeting hosted only a handful of audience members, despite the festival's openness to the public. Maybe then we could gain more understanding of one another and spark conversations in our community. Wyoming as a whole needs to be exposed to humanitarian efforts and opinions. My personal experience in this state has been unpleasant because there tends to be more close-minded individuals focused most on their own personal liberties rather than any oppressed group. When I first moved here in 2019, it felt like I traveled back in time. The social aspect here feels very one-sided and forcefully so, as in people aren’t free to express themselves here without hostility. We could all benefit from impactful Max Tasche Max-imum Effort movements and caring more about timely issues rather than giving way to tradition and comfort. 2022 Graduation Speaker You can also enter the survey at https://tinyurl.com/y3byazz8 Enter your responses between February 28 and March 11 Would you like the honor of being the featured speaker at CC’s 2022 commencement? Did you graduate in Dec. 2021, or will you graduate in May 2022 or Summer 2022? Don’t miss this opportunity! The winner of this year’s competition will receive the honor of speaking at graduation, Friday, May 13, and receive a $500 scholarship to the transfer institution of their choice. 4 entries will be selected to Win $50 in Flex Bucks! Request an application from Megan Schafer at mschafer@caspercollege.edu. Applications are due Friday, March 18, 2022 Applications can be submitted via email to Megan Schafer at mschafer@caspercollege.edu Tryouts are Friday, April 8, 2022, 2-5 p.m. �March 1, 2022 Page 3 CHINOOK Parents.................................................... parents ask for when going through college. According to Owens, the program is assisting around 90 students this semester, but she suspects there are many more around campus without awareness of the program. Unfortunately, many students do not know about the program's benefits. Signing up for the program involves a few easy steps. There is a quick application on the CC website if searching “Single Parent” into the search bar, and the application is sent directly to Owens. From there a meeting is scheduled where she provides an overview of the program and what is needed to be fully accepted. “Eligibility requirements: You Skiing.......... cannot have a previous degree prior to the one you’re currently working on. You have to have completed the FAFSA and to receive the scholarship portion of it you have to maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA and a 67% competition rate. And oh, I mean, I guess the big one is that you have to be a primary custodial parent of continued from page 1 one or more of the kids. So I do ask for documentation to show that. Typically the documentation I get is court documents showing that you were awarded primary custody, or a birth certificate with only your name on it, or tax documents showing that you claim one or more of the kiddos,” Owen said. The program is busy at the beginning of the year with the textbook program, but many of the services are available year-round and the application is too. Owens said, “If you’re a single parent come see me, I always want more people, always. (I) always want my list to grow for sure.” continued from page 1 “That way it’s even cheaper for students to utilize. Where we live, it’s cold, so we have to take advantage of the outdoor opportunities that we have. It’s a great opportunity for students to get out there while being able to afford it.” Stier explained that the 2021-2022 academic year is the first year the college offers ski vouchers, so the college is piloting the program. At the end of the year, the college plans to evaluate the success of the program and make any changes to better the experience for students. As of now, the vouchers are only good for Friday and Saturday nights. “Knowing our students are in class up until that time, it worked out that it was a good opportunity to specifically our students and their schedules,” said Stier. Student Life also offers other activities for students to take advantage of during the winter months including movie nights, bingo, intramural sports, a comedian, and other events. Hogadon Basin Ski Area and Student Life work together to give students the opportunity to ski when it fits their schedule at an affordable price. Photo Courtesy of Adam Lutz Lutz shared his photo featuring the breathtaking view of the lights of Casper. The photo was taken from the top of Casper Mountain at Hogadon Basin Ski Area. Dance...................................................... Jay M. Roccaforte/ Chinook Front to back: McKenzi Pieper, Kaitlin Koehn, Abigale Lipson, and Olivia "Liv" Daniels dance in intermedia ballet I and II. learn and deal with on a daily basis are gonna give them all these amazing career skills! They’ll be able to go into any field they want to.” Jones said. A college student’s hardest decision is their major, and whether driven by fear or love, the decision can propel an individual into the next stage of their life. Lipson has always been passionate about dance, but needed an extra push to pursue her major in college. “I had a talk with my sister,” Lipson said. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be good enough, and she told me ‘you’ll get good enough.’” It seems like an impossible amount of devotion to many, Providing a place for life and faith Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Casper College’s chapter of Campus Ventures is a non-denominational Christian organization that gives students individualized fellowship opportunities and helps them “figure out life and faith,” as promoted in the organization’s tagline. CV is an organization found on college campuses across the country. Students aren’t required or expected to identify with a certain religious background because the organization welcomes everyone. The organization’s “figuring out life and faith” message is geared towards college students as they leave behind their home churches and their family’s beliefs to begin a life of their own. Some students find the transition challenging. According to CV advisor Dave Weeks, the college age is one of the most tumultuous times in a person’s faith. “Students at this age can be wondering ‘what do I believe?’” Weeks said. “ ‘Do I walk through my own beliefs, my parents’, or do I need to start my own faith journey?’” Weeks knows all about this time of transition for students after serving as a CV volunteer for eight years prior to becoming a main advisor for the last 17. Over Weeks’ tenure, hundreds of students participated in CV at Casper College. His experiences with the group include cleanup following Hurricane Katrina, visiting Peru to work on local construction projects, and teaching the English language throughout areas in Mexico. “We don’t wanna just take, we want to give back,” Weeks said. The work doesn’t only extend internationally; community service is also an important component to CV. Around Natrona County, CV works with various food pantries, homeless shelters, and other non-profit organizations. Service is a cornerstone of what CV is about, but building relationships is equally important. First-year CV students Skylar Gott and Zachary Tenney are two of the roughly two dozen members this year. Gott, a Casper College nursing student from Indiana, said she is very grateful to be with the organization. “I met all my best friends through Campus Ventures,” Gott said. “It’s also just helped me grow my faith so much.” Tenney echoed a similar sentiment. “Once you reach that college age, you start thinking ‘where am I going in my life?’ Being a part of Campus Ventures says ‘I am going to make this [my faith] a part of my life’” said Tenney. Both Tenney and Gott said CV puts on countless activities to help foster such connections and spiritual growth. In fall of 2021, the group spent a few days in Rapid City, S.D. for a fall retreat. There, students spent time both together and individually worshiping in Chapel, doing devotionals, and listening to guest continued from page 1 and even though Pieper has also danced for 16 years, she says she wasn’t always confident in pursuing dance either. “I wasn’t positive on where I wanted to go with my life in the future,” Pieper said. “Thank you to my parents, who said ‘you should do this,’ and here I am!” According to Pieper, in her short time at CC, she’s grown more as a performer than she ever thought possible. Whether due to the instructors, the commitment, or the environment that comes with being a dance major, she is proud of her growth. “I’m finding what dance really is to me,” Pieper said. “The first 16 years of dancing, I really didn’t have an actual studio like here (at CC), but now that I have this environment, I’m like, ‘wow, this is what dance is!’” Everyone worries about their major at some point, but in Jones' experience, her students have never voiced regrets in pursuing their passions. Throughout one's time at Casper, the potential for growth is limitless. “If you’re really passionate about something, and that’s really where you are and who you are, you will never be miserable in what it is you’re doing,” Jones said. “The door is open. Follow your heart.” speakers. Over the summer, a special opportunity called Project Impact will be available to students. For the event, students who choose to participate will move to Denver, and spend the summer learning tangible ways to make faith a more prominent part of everyday life. While the major events are fun and exciting, the weekly meetings and regular get-togethers are just as impactful, according to Gott and Tenney. For the first time since before the pandemic, CV worked with Student Life this past February to host a Super Bowl watch-party in the T-Bird Nest. Looking to the end of the year, the organization is planning an end of the year party to provide food and fellowship to everyone who wants to attend. In between it all, CV students can be found skiing, snowshoeing, camping and more. “We do anything we can outside,” Weeks said. CV meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Physical Science Building, room 103. Weekly meetings include small group discussions, devotionals, and guest speakers. Weeks expressed that students are welcome to email advisors, connect on Facebook or Instagram, or just sit in on a meeting to see everything for themselves. “Everyone has a faith of some sort in Photo Courtesy of Dave Weeks something,” Weeks said in closing. “It’s From left to right: CV members Sam Orr, Zachary Tenney, just about helping students walk through and Maisy Wilkson posed during an outdoor retreat in fall what theirs is.” 2021. Wellness Center introduces Nod app Nod supports students to build social connections in three ways: 1. Ideas: Prompts based on the science of social connection that help you take action. 2. Reflections: Short in-app exercises help students process social experiences, track their mood, reduce self-criticism, and build resilience so you can keep progressing toward your social goals. 3. Testimonials: Real student perspectives on social connection to help you learn from others and understand the ups and downs along the way. Connect with a Wellness Center counselor for a deeper dive into reaching your social goals. Call 307-268-2267 Join our staff this fall! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class, titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �Page 4 CHINOOK March 1, 2022 T-Birds to Region IX Tournament Abigail Landwehr/Chinook Shooting a free throw, sophomore Peter Turay playing forward for the CC Men’s Basketball team, takes his aim at the basket during a home match against Central Wyoming College on Saturday evening. The game was won by the T-Birds with a score of 91-75. Following the game's win, the team has qualified for the Region IX Tournament where the team will travel to La Junta, Colorado during the upcoming week to enter the bracket as the No. 3 seed in the North sub-region. Abigail Landwehr/Chinook Men's Head Basketball Coach, Shaun Gutting, addresses his team during a timeout as a part of Saturday’s game. Abigail Landwehr/Chinook (Above) Belen Morales Lopez, a sophomore playing point for the Lady T-Birds, goes in for a layup during a home game against Snow College earlier in the season. The game was won by Snow 69-68. “I’ve improved my game a lot,” Lopez said. “I am really happy with the steps I am making and hopefully I can help my team to get the Championship of Region 9.” The Lady T-Birds have won the South Sub Region with a record of 10-0 and are starting to get into the regional tournament. According to the National Junior College Athletic Association, the Casper College Women’s Basketball Team is currently placed 15th in the Division 1 rankings. (Left) In hope to send luck to the players, the student section directs “spirit fingers” towards one of the CC players shooting a free throw during a home game. �March 1, 2022 Page 5 CHINOOK A hot take on fire science Julie Seidel Chinook Writer In service for over 13 years, the Fire Science Association at Casper College is an excellent program that produces hard working firefighters. Life as a firefighter can be both physically and intellectually testing. The Fire Science Association is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for fire service employment. Not all fire departments require an academic degree to get a job, so some may wonder why students seek such a degree. Students choose to further their education in fire science, as the coursework provides critical knowledge that can help them better protect the community. The formal degree can lead to promotion opportunities and additional career options too. “If you want to become a firefighter, you have to become a servant of the community,” said Dale Anderson, the fire science instructor at CC. Anderson’s work with the program started 27 years ago. In the beginning, he worked as a firefighter and participated in the program part time. Once he retired as a fireman, Anderson became a full time employee and took on a larger role in the program by developing the Fire Science Association 13 years ago. The association is student run, which means the CC students elect their own leaders at the beginning of each school year. The students strive to help out the community by attending community service events like Mealson-Wheels and the Special Olympics Jackalope Jump. When students select their fire science major, they are a part of the program. About 35 students currently attend the program at CC. According to Anderson, even though not all of the students participate in the Fire Science Association, they continue to show good leadership and attendance at events. The fire science coursework includes very few practical exercises. To counter, the Fire Science Association focuses primarily on such practical exercises. The students of the association are able to participate in more events, such as the maze. The students love to gather on Friday nights to enjoy some pizza and participate in the maze, according to Anderson. The maze includes multiple training props, such as the trap door. These real life situations simulate the experiences the students will partake in as firefighters. The practical exercises promote team building and provide the opportunity for students to get to know one another. According to Anderson, once the members build a community within the association, they are able to help their local community. Along with all the volunteer work the association also participates in profitable opportunities. The association contributes to the community by providing vending at the Ford Events Center in Casper during state events, and in return the association receives a bit of funding for the association. Due to COVID, the association has not used much of their income. “And the only thing I ask is that half goes to a non-profit,” said Anderson. “But since COVID, the last two years, they haven’t done much of anything with their half of the money.” Kathy Thomas, the Natrona County Republican Women committee co-chair, recently reached out to Anderson in December to get help with the Veterans Wreath Pickup, a nonprofitable event, at the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery. Thomas requested the students in the Fire Science Association help place the wreaths a week before Christmas and regather them at the end of January. Even though the timing clashed with the CC’s holiday break, the association still had a turnout of 20 students. Thomas emphasized that the event could not have happened without the support of the Fire Science Association. Dominic Jahr, a 20 year-old member of the Fire Science Association said, “I really enjoyed helping out with the wreath pickup. It was a blast and I am happy to help my community.” Jahr joined the Fire Science Association at the start of the 2021 fall semester. Jahr stated. the dangerous life of a firefighter was not always his dream. He participated in many extracurricular activities, such as football, basketball, and he even earned a scholarship to run track. Jahr said his uncle, brother, and a couple of his friends introduced him to the world of fire science when they took an interest in the major. According to Jahr, the job is not for everybody because of the dangerous aspect of it all, but after becoming a part of the program, he quickly accepted the challenge. He said he hopes to soon join the Evansville Fire Department as a volunteer or possibly a part time firefighter. “Being a part of the association, I’m definitely learning far more than I would’ve in just the fire science program,” said Jahr. Jahr is a servant of the community and he plans on staying that way. He participated in serving food at Wyoming Rescue Mission, our local homeless shelter, for two years. He said such activities created who he is today, and without them he is not sure if he would have become a servant of the community. “One of the main things I get out of the association is public speaking,” says Jahr. “You learn how to publicly speak in front of the community as a firefighter.” He said his community service has taught him to be more of a people person and develop an outgoing personality. In developing his communication skills, Jahr feels like he is one step closer to becoming the best firefighter possible. According to Jahr, firefighting is one of the most fulfilling and respectable callings in the world. In addition to the fact that one gets to save individuals lives, you also become responsible for keeping the community under control in a crisis. A fireman must be a brave, daring individual with strong critical thinking, and quick decision making abilities. “You can go and help an elderly lady that fell down, and at the end of the day she would bring you some freshly baked cookies,” quoted Jahr. “It is not just going into houses that are on fire, but the small things you can do to make your community a better place.” Julie Seidel/Chinook Pictured above is the fire science students supply lockers at Casper College. Julie Seidel/Chinook Focused above is Dominic Jahr's personal locker, also located at Casper College. www.caspercollege.edu/chinook Taking online or hybrid courses? Students: 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. Examples of items we can help with: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. ZOOM – help you learn to access and use Zoom for your remote course meetings and collaborations 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Accessing Office 365 .- such as MS Word and PowerPoint 5. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it, using NetTutor. Plus a lot more! Contact us. Don’t wait! Get your Questions answered now. Teresa Pat Mike Tyler 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 �Page 6 March 1, 2022 CHINOOK Forensics: Building a generation of advocates John Watts Chinook Writer Casper College's Forensics Team posed for a team photo. Pictured in the back row (left to right) is Brax Sambrano, Shelby Davis, Curtis Winfrey, Jay Roccaforte, Emma Rudell and Alex Walters. Front (from left to right) is Markie Whitney, Pearl Taylor, Violet Wright, Hart Doherty, and Emma Kellick. The Casper College Forensics Team participates in competitive speech and debate on campus where advisors and students are focused on building a generation of advocacy through strong, confident speech. The forensics team is made up of full-time students who write, practice, and perform many different styles of speech. According to Casper College student Jay M. Roccaforte, it is not uncommon for many students with a forensics background in high school to partner with college freshman who have little to no experience. According to Casper College’s assistant forensics director and communication instructor Ethan Fife, the main reasons for students to join forensics is to work on communication skills, discuss subjects on a deeper level, and then advocate on a platform. Fife mentioned the benefits forensics gives to students. “The students get a space to debate in a safe and structured environment,” said Fife, adding that the environment allows for a “deeper level of discussion than surface- layer encounters in public.” In a recent interview, Douglas Hall, CC forensics director and communications instructor, mentioned the social platform available to each student. “The students no longer see Forensics as a game but as an opportunity to make a change.” Due to the structure and the forensics no topic is off-limits rule, every student can use their position and voice to be the change that both Fife and Hall talked about. Hall said, “The thing I enjoy the most about teaching is ticipate in the Annual Platte River Clean-Up. In January, the group participated in Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, including Casper’s annual march on Monday, then on Friday the group volunteered with Project Homeless Connect. According to Erich Frankland, a political science instructor who started serving as the faculty advisor for Campus Democrats in 1998, “The current leadership is really focused on social justice. They really want to engage with the community and do volunteer work.” Campus Democrats continue to work on the creation of the Casper Freedom Trail in conjunction with ServeWyoming, a project that started two years ago. The project started as a way to engage the community during the pandemic. they can do to change things in Wyoming, as well as get them involved with meaningful causes. “If you care about not only your Casper community, but your country at large, this is a group that will inform you on key issues and give you an opportunity to make a difference” Frankland stated. “This is a group that is welcoming to different political views and perspectives, even if you feel you lean conservative or Republican, we aren't going to exclude you. You can really make an impact in state and local politics as part of this group” In March, the Campus Democrats will travel to Cheyenne to watch the Wyoming State Legislature in action and learn more about Wyoming politics. Photo and Courtesy of Cory Garvin Jay Roccaforte posed for a photo as a member of the Casper College Forensics team. Submitted Photo getting to watch the students develop and become impassioned advocates as competitors and individuals.” Under the guidance of Hall and Fife, a generation of advocates are born. Roccaforte explained that each forensics student is required to compete in four different events over the course of a semester, and they accomplish this by choosing from a list of events including: persuasive speaking, informative speaking, communication analysis, after dinner speaking, Lincoln-Douglas debate, parliamentary debate and many different interpretational events. Students competing in speech create a ten minute speech for each of their events, which will result in 40 minutes of content created and memorized annually. Memorization is in the back of every forensics student’s mind, and they can often fade into thinking about their speeches through the day. Roccaforte, who is still memorizing and perfecting the speeches he created in early fall 2021, said, "You have to be careful not to be the kid walking down a school hallway with an open mouth rehearsing your speech.” Before the students can commit their speech to memory, they must first give birth to the ideas and issues they want to raise. For many students, the process of writing a speech starts by collecting newspaper clippings, film segments, social media posts and other forms of media that will inspire and support their message. Two other elements in creating a speech come in the form of character studies, which provide a relatable emotion, and tropes (figures of speech) from movies and plays. Once the speech reaches full maturity and is ready for competition, it is up to the speaker to make the words on the page come alive. Roccaforte said the best way for the speaker to connect with the audience is to “present a familiar topic that will develop into a new point of view.” This new vantage point allows a persuasive argument to take place and form within a ten-minute time constraint. To gain recognition from the judges the speech must be, as Roccaforte said, “organized and effective in delivering the topic.” Once these two pieces are in place, the speaker will put on a performance with the varying inflections and complementary gestures taught in forensics. While Forensics is a competitive team, the work impacts individual students directly. Roccaforte confirmed forensics’ effectiveness when he said, “Speech was an opportunity to find my voice and become more confident” and it “changed how I live every facet of my life.” Roccaforte explained that whether speech comes in carrying on an intellectual conversation or confidently asking or answering a question in class, he possesses the tools to communicate effectively. The tools Roccaforte and his fellow classmates build are as Fife described as an open-minded approach to free speech, respectful debate, inclusivity, and diversity with unity. Within this environment, team members embody impassioned advocates, as Hall discussed, they share the advocacy platform Fife mentioned, and they use their new-found voice to communicate like Roccaforte. Campus Democrats represent in community Violet Wright Chinook Writer Casper College student organization, the Campus Democrats is a multifaceted group that invites students to learn about how students can impact their community. The organization is the oldest on campus and involves students in many different ways. The group emphasizes political education, specifically on issues that affect students in Wyoming. Additionally, the group is involved with many service projects around Casper. e group already completed three service projects this academic year. In September, the Campus Democrats were one of two campus groups invited by the Bureau of Land Management to par- The trail allows people to tour sites that are part of Casper Civil Rights Movement history. Skyler Nelson, a nursing student at CC and the President of the Campus Democrats explained, “I think the turn-out could be a lot more. If we get the word out more I think a lot of people in our community would be interested in things like the Martin Luther King Day service,” she said. “It really brings everyone together in such a beautiful way.” The group might have “democrats” in the name, but it is open to all students on campus regardless of political leanings. The group is mainly student-led and currently focused on helping students gain a better understanding of what Photo Courtesy of Skyler Nelson Skyler Nelson, a nursing student at CC and member of the Campus Democrats, studies for classes. �March 1, 2022 Page 7 CHINOOK Using stickers as a form of self-expression Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer Walking into almost any spot on campus and seeing students at work on devices will most likely give one a look at a newer rends among college kids -- a trend that’s doing two things, adding some color to a plain laptop lid and giving a glimpse into personalities without uttering a single word. Stickers showcase everything from school logos to obscure movie references, and the colorful decor is becoming a more common sight on student’s devices. Sometimes there’s only one or two, and other times the owner plastered their device with so many that it’s hard to tell what was originally underneath. Ellie Vaughn, a sophomore at Casper College majoring in psychology, scattered about 12 stickers on display across her laptop lid. She said she received most of the stickers randomly for free but a couple of them represent more meaningful backstories. “The ‘life is simple’ one I got from my little brother before I moved away for college,” Vaughn said, referring to a sticker of a mountain with the phrase written underneath. “The cat with lots of eyes my roommate bought me when we first moved here, and the lgbtqia+ flag I got because I consider myself an ally of the community.” She said she understood the idea behind students using the stickers to express themselves. “I’ve been told a lot of different things about what people first think when they see me,” Vaughn said. “Sometimes people think I don’t look friendly, or I look like someone I’m not. But I think that if someone sees the stickers, they kind of say who I am.” Another member of the laptop decorating committee is Douglas Hall, a communications instructor at the college. A couple of the stickers on his device’s lid include a sticker from the Casper College Forensics team Hall directs, the logo of a board game, and references to the ‘90s TV show Twin Peaks. “It kind of communicates a little bit of my personality,” Hall said about his stickers. “Like if you recognize the stickers, that would, you know, probably start a whole conversation.” The most notable of Hall’s stickers is a red rectangle with white text reading, “don’t be chicken” in all caps. “I put it on here because whenever [students are] doing their stuff, they can see the back of my computer only,” Hall said. “It seems appropriate because we need them to do big brave things.” He said he collected the sticker from a box of artificial chicken nuggets he bought a while back. “It's a way to communicate Abigail Landwehr/Chinook who you are,” Hall added about the stickers. “Or at least put Markie Whitney prepares for forensics competition in the squad room with Doug Hall, comsome form of self-expression munication instructor and head coach of the college's forensics team. Hall puts stickers all over the lid of his laptop as a form of motivation and expression. onto your devices.” Casper College theater: A look behind the scenes Isabella Coronado Chinook Writer Students involved in theater at Casper College shared the stereotypes put on them because of their interests. No one really knows what theater is actually about until experiencing it for themselves. Many judge theater before learning what goes into putting on a production. Theater requires a variety of skillsets. Kaitlin Koehn, a native of Riverton, Wyo. spoke about her theater experience and wanting to be a part of productions as a department specialist. Koehn started out as a dancer, though she said once she started CC’s dance program as a student, theater also peaked her interest. One of her friends that attended CC studied theater performance major and another musical theater. Koehn said she attended dance shows, plays, and musicals with her friends. “I think really through those two friends of mine, I found a love and appreciation for theater,” Koehn said. Koehn said she thinks it’s common for people to stereotype theater kids as dramatic. While such an assumption is not always incorrect, she said people just tend to take it the wrong way, meaning everyone looks at it as a bad thing. Koehn said, “It’s almost like we’re one big family, and I think that makes them more comfortable and outgoing. And just like any family, there’s always drama, and I think because of that they tend to be more comfortable with each other.” Anastasia Zetl is a current student at CC majoring in Musical Theatre. Zetl is from Casper, Wyo. where she started doing theater in fourth grade. She’s currently helping with tech for the production that they are working on now which is The Shadowed Winds and Ghost Roads, as well as working on the crew for the recent productions of Narnia and Mamma Mia. Growing up, Zetl said she loved watching movies and seeing shows, and she always wanted to be a part of something like that. With her degree, she said she hopes to find successful theater, fulfillment, and to be able to help others emotionally through art that she expresses while putting on a production. Zetl said one of the biggest stereotypes theater kids withstand is the notion that they’re annoying and talk a lot. “For the most part it’s true. I’ve met lots of people who are very flamboyant, are very expressive, and in touch with their emotions,” said Zetl. Zetl expressed her feelings on what she wished people knew about theater kids. She said many people have a perception of the way theater kids think or the way they act, and so they tend to keep boundaries from getting to know theater kids. Zetl said she wishes people knew that theater kids enjoy a lot of the same things everybody else does in other departments, and that they’re not always “weird.” At the end of the day, Zetl What’s your next move? said everybody is weird and theater kids get a lot of judgment because they’re doing something that is out of the comfort zone of a lot of people. Another current student talked about her experience in CC’s theater program. Elizabeth Crowley is a native from Wheatland, Wyo. currently in her second year as a double major in multimedia (communication), but she said she mainly focuses on her major in technical theater. She contributed to every show in the last two years and is now focusing on aspects like stage management, the more technical aspects of putting on a production. Crowley said she wants to use her degree and work in big theaters or just within the theater industry. She realized that a lot of people in theater were similar to her and ended up having the same thinking process as she did. From a technician's point of view, Crowley talked about how she wished people knew there is much more than going on stage and just performing for theater kids. She said, “Not everybody is a performer. Normally when people think of theater kids, they always just think of performers, but there are technicians, builders for sets, and just a lot more aspects than people think,” said Crowley. Crowley described theater in one word. She said, “Overwhelming but in a good way.” Although several stereotypes about theater exist, Koehn, Zetl, and Crowley all recommend theater, sharing in the sentiment that working on a production is a good experience, and there’s a job for everyone. Zetl said it’s a perfect way to express oneself while not feeling judged. Putting on a production requires many specialties and significant time. The process can also prove emotionally draining, but as hard as theater is, Koehn, Zetl, and Crowley agreed they wouldn’t change it for anything. WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Max Tasche/Chinook Nathan Baker, music theory coordinator and faculty advisor for the thunderboards gaming club, recently smiled for a photo on campus. Max Tasche Chinook Writer The Casper College Thunderboard Gaming Club plays board games in the music building for two hours once a week to provide social engagement and promote strategic thinking. It all started back in the fall of 2017 thanks to a couple of computer science majors who approached Nathan Baker, now faculty adviser for the club, due to his reputation for liking board games. Baker came up with the name, "Thunderboards" as a play on words for CC’s thunderbird mascot. Like every club at CC, there are certain requirements, it is not all just fun and games. The club's main service project involved playing games with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming. The club still operates in a leadership structure, with officer positions assigned to students and staff, and they volunteer a certain amount of hours. Officers meet before the games begin to cover the Thunderboards basic club requirements, and then it is off to gaming. The club is uniquely situated in a crossover of nerd-dom and familiar home activity, it helps bridge the gap between outgoing people and the more reclusive types. Those who want an avenue to explore getting to know others can find a safe space to develop friendships and socialize. The Thunderboards supply social stimulation, and also a stress-free environment to just take a break and provide amusement. Baker put the club into perspective, “It’s a great opportunity to just blow off some steam, you know? College is a lot of work, especially for a lot of our students who are also working a part-time job to take care of things, and sometimes it’s just nice to show up, have a place to relax and unwind, and beat someone up on the game board.” Catelyn McCardle is a sophomore at CC who recently joined the club in the fall of 2021 without any prior board game experience. She explained, “I don’t think that we have to be serious in getting down to business all the time. You don’t have to think unless you’re thinking about what your next move is.” Both Baker and McCardle share a common opinion of how unique the club is compared to others on campus. McCardle wants to assure everyone Thunderboards is a place to vacation from your burdens, “It’s all just about getting together playing some games, having some fun, and leaving your classes outside of the door because this is where you simply just kind of escape reality for a moment, and I think everybody could use an escape from reality sometimes. I don’t think you can get that in many other clubs.” Degrees and certifications require a lot of attention. The Thunderboards understand such pressure and actively seek members to come hang out to share in the fun. The club is open for all interested and there is no player limit, and those interested are free to contact Nathan Baker at nbaker@ caspercollege.edu. Baker spends most of his time in the music building where he reserves a room, not too far from his office MU 210, to bring all his games. The club is still deciding a time to meet for the spring semester. Brainstorm possible paper topics Create a resume Craft a scholarship essay And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@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 2022-03 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. 2022-03 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from March 2022. 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_2022-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/38f9a8c09ee762ccf516f7a91f29b146.pdf 6d211eacad0d4e27f54d95893ee7d63d PDF Text Text April 1, 2022 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Post-winter wellness in the final stretch Jay M. Roccaforte Chinook Writer As Casper College students emerge from another intense Wyoming winter, students are mentally exhausted from the stress the weather can bring. With the last months of the school year on the way, people are looking for ways to manage their mental health. Kelly Green is a counselor in the Wellness center on the CC campus, located in UU 215. As one of multiple resources for students on campus, Green provided information on what students often go through around this time of year. “For students who are about to graduate, there can be increased anxiety about what life after college might look like,” Green explained. “For students who aren’t graduating, they may experience increased anxiety this time of year if they aren’t sure what their summer plans are, or if they’re returning home to a difficult home or family environment.” Emma Rudell is a freshman criminal justice major in her second semester at CC. Rudell provided insight into her experience dealing with stress. “There’s an extra weight added to people who are only in their first year of college,” Rudell explains. “You have to come back next year. If you fail a class, you have to see that teacher again. That adds a lot of stress.” According to Green, stress is unavoidable. Green stressed that students need to maintain healthy levels of stress, especially later in the semester. “To prevent major stress buildup, I would encourage students to make sure they have regular, sacred time in their schedule to release stress,” Green said. Rudell shared her tactics for releasing stress. She encourages students to surround themselves with people and support. “The best thing that people Jay M. Roccaforte/Chinook A Casper College student visits with Robynne Buckingham, a member of the Wellness Center staff. The Wellness Center is located on the second floor of the Union/University building, Room 202A (UU 202A). Students can seek both counseling and — See Wellness, Page 3 student health services from the Wellness Center. Call 307-268-2267 for more information. Fight for your right to parley! Max Tasche/Chinook Linda Toohey, the associate vice president for Student Services and the Title IX coordinator at Casper College, spoke with the Chinook about communication on campus and best practices going forward. Max Tasche Chinook Writer Students at Casper College are actively seeking better communication channels. Communication breakdown is the most common complaint all around campus, according to dozens of students polled on campus. Constructive criticism and suggestions flow through the air. When asked, the solutions presented by these students included meetings or assemblies to gather and speak up on issues, grievances, and concerns. However, such avenues already exist. Student Senate is an association composed of students and academic representatives that actively advocate on behalf of the student body by voicing concerns and opinions to leadership and administration. The senate meets every Wednesday, at 5:30 p.m., providing a constructive space open to all students. At the helm of this advocacy ship is Student Senate President Logan MacKearney. When speaking on the effectiveness of the senate, MacKearney admitted the biggest issue in student representation is the meetings' low attendance. "It is not what most students want to be doing on a Wednesday evening at 5:30. Or they don't know that they can show up to it," said MacKearney. With measures like Student Senate already in place, one may wonder why students feel unheard. Accessibility plays a part. Linda Toohey is the associate vice president for Student Services and the Title IX coordinator, a position that puts her in the middle of student needs and efficacy. She is also part of another assembly, the CC Care Team, made up of a multidisciplinary group of faculty and staff who actively receive and solve reports ranging from concern over a student to sinister characters on campus, according to Toohey. She is hyperaware that people just do not know she exists, and she said she has noticed that students don't realize there are resources for them out there. She also acknowledged the fear that plays a part in the effectiveness of the college programs. "I feel like I wouldn't hesitate to call any of the Deans, knowing we will collaborate for a solution. But I know from a student perspective, that [comfortability in approaching a Dean] takes more practice,” said Toohey. Students talked about how to amend the ways in which they are able to air grievances and voice concerns. Many students, including some in leadership roles, are spearheading debate over utilizing newer means of communication. These students are advocating for text messaging as the primary form of conversation and even social media campaigns. "My biggest harp is that email is the central communication for everything," MacKearney said. "I would find a way to find a more direct communication approach because emails get lost very easily." A sticking point in the conversation seemingly is generational disagreement. Faculty and staff, when approached with these ideas, heavily favor traditional means of message transmission. Toohey said she recognizes the power of social media but emphasized her preferred message delivery. She said, "I just think if there was a way to streamline email, it is just the easiest way to communicate." To provide accessible communication, a potential solution presented by the students is in the works: The use of QR codes. With small card plaques placed in every building and for every department on campus, Student Senate and other organized advocates can receive feedback and see issues in real-time. Students, staff, and faculty could file a concern or add a suggestion at the height of relevancy. Functioning similarly to the already available Student Senate suggestion box, QR codes act as a visual reminder that your voice is heard if you want to communicate, and the opportunity to do so would literally exist around every corner. MacKearney said he believes Student Senate could easily utilize the codes. "It’s a quick anonymous way to say ‘hey I disagree with how this works on campus,’ and that gives us [those in Student Senate] an idea like, ‘oh this [whatever concern brought up through a QR code] is an issue to somebody, let’s see if this is an issue that more people are facing.’ It then gives us a chance to go around, pull other students, and see if that is an issue." Resident Assistants ensure comfortable campus life Jacob Klaudt Chinook Contributor Working the front desk and enforcing rules isn’t everything that resident assistants at Casper College do to keep students safe and secure around the clock. Resident assistants can get a bad rap due to the fact that they enforce rules that sometimes students aren't willing to follow. In turn, most students fail to recognize the everyday tasks they perform to keep residents happy. "The RAs are students too," Jessica Bailey, Residence Hall Area Coordinator, said. "RAs are educators. They are advocates. They are resources. They’re whatever students need." Resident assistants sacrifice personal time, create programming, and monitor the living quarters occupied by students at CC. Each year the resident assistant roles garner a lot of interest. According to Bailey, resident assistants are not always the stereotypical "super outgoing, super communicative people that people often associate with the RA role," which attracts a lot of different people who bring different strengths to the table. Students can take one of two routes when becoming a resident assistant: an application or a referral. Anyone who believes a fellow resident excels in being a personable student, a great leader, and an attentive listener can refer another student to Student Life to become a RA. CC sophomore and resident assistant Heather Wallace shared that her beginnings as a resident assistant did not follow the traditional path. "I kind of got put in at an awkward time in the school year because they had a very sudden opening," Wallace said. According to Wallace, after a referral, the Student Life office reaches out to the resident with an application. Next, a panel of judges interviews the candidate to make sure they are fit for the job and notifies them a couple of days later with their decision. After one becomes a resident assistant, they take on many different duties that come along with the role. Sorting mail, filling out paperwork, answering questions, and handling COVID-19 cases make up the 12 hours of desk work each assistant completes each week. Assistants also commit to completing 12 to 24-hour shifts of duty work per week, which consists of multiple patrols around the dorms and — See RAs, Page 4 Photo Courtsey Jacob Klaudt Shown to the left is a photo of the Mural Project, which is part of resident assistant programming at Casper College. �Page 2 Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: “ It doesn’t need to be this hard Rachelle Trujillo Rachelle's Reflections Though I think the days of fad diets are coming to an end, I think our culture continues to have an extremely unhealthy view of, well, health. I remember being younger and obsessing over weight loss. I wish I would’ve known that intense workout regimes and restrictive diet plans were not the best for my mental or physical health. I’m really glad to have moved beyond this mindset, but I think it’s something so many people still grapple with. I have friends who are trying to lose weight or build muscle and are convinced that the only way to do so is to spend hours weight lifting in the gym and cutting out all unhealthy food. Something I’ve been working towards in all areas of my life is making the less enjoyable things enjoyable. It’s so important to listen to our body and not resist our wants, needs, and energy levels. We need to get off of this one track mindset in which there is only one way to do anything. As far as working out goes, I believe the best way to be healthy is to move in a way that you find enjoyable. You don’t have to go to the gym everyday if that’s not what you’re into. You don’t even have to do the same things everyday if you don’t feel like it. If you like to swim, go for a long swim. If you prefer at home workouts, do those. If your energy levels are lower on any given day, allow yourself to rest. Do a short stretch routine or even park just a little further from your classes for a longer walk. If you give yourself options, flexibility and grace, you will have very little resistance to making moves towards your health goals on a daily basis. The same principle applies to healthy eating. Why are we so hard on ourselves for eating unhealthy foods or “falling off track”? Satisfaction matters. Sure, healthy foods should be a major component of anyone’s lifestyle, but negative self talk only makes things worse. It’s so important to plan our meals and account for both healthy foods and unhealthy foods. And regardless, we should be making sure that it all tastes good! Healthy eating is not all salads, chicken, and vegetables. It should be fun, enjoyable, and satisfying. In all areas of life, I think we could all use more flexibility in our mindsets. There are so many different ways to reach our goals even though we often get fixated on one given path. Get creative, try new things, and most importantly enjoy. It’s time we start having fun in life while working towards what we want. Being healthy, just like working towards any of our goals, doesn’t need to be this hard. April 1, 2022 CHINOOK The American educational reformer and President of Antioch College, Horace Mann, once said “Do not think of knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago.” Conflict has always been a part of the human race, and will never be eliminated. Whether we are referencing all-out armed conflict as currently I am certainly not suggesting each of us go through life looking for, and expecting, conflict around every turn, but I am suggesting maintaining a mindset that conflicts may arise at any level of our lives, ensures you will not be taken completely off-guard, and thus be more prepared to meet the challenge as presented. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President witnessed in the Ukraine, or something much less violent such as the recent Oscars Ceremony in Los Angeles, or even something as simple as a disagreement between two individuals about what movie to go see, given enough time, conflict is inevitable. Thus the pragmatic question is not will you be involved in conflict, but how will you respond to such conflict when it arises. While I will not try to provide sage advice on how to avoid conflict, or strategies on how to address disagreements once they arise, I will offer one way to be better prepared is always being aware of the possibility, and having potential avoidance or coping strategies at the ready. Whether the issue at hand is where to go to dinner, how to raise children, what to do about crime rates, or how to deal with unwanted neighbors, the possibility of conflict, at some level, is always present and thus simply ignoring that Legacy Thursday, March 24, 2022 -- I sit down on the hospital room floor next to my dad who is quickly failing. The doctors say he only has a few more hours to live. It is hard to explain the feelings that overcome a person at those words, so I will do my best to explain the feelings I am going through. I feel convicted to try my hardest every single day to follow an unbelievable legacy built. I am not angry at God, but I praise Him for the life he has given my dad and the qualities he has instilled in him. I have learned that it is not the physical strength that defines a person, but it is the morals and mental fortitude one exudes. My dad has lost a lot of muscle mass through 14 years of blood cancer and after now being laid up for three weeks on a ventilator. But when I take one look at him, all I can see is strength -- strength to fight through a deadly cancer to be there to raise his kids and be a faithful husband to his wife. Strength to take countless blood transfusions and undergo many surgeries and operations without complaint. As I look to the future, I can only hope to have half the strength my dad possesses as he lays on his death bed. Legacy is not the items you collect or the buildings you establish, but rather the lives you change. I have never heard my dad say a swear word in the 19 years I have been alive, and that is because he believes a man should be able to have self-control and respect towards his fellow man, for which he checks every box. When flashbacks of memories strike the core of my thoughts, the images I see are not the memories alone, but the character he exuded in his every action. When he taught me how to ride a bike, he showed me patience, encouragement, safety with calculated risk. He also showed me the toughness it takes to get back up after you fall. Failing is something I hardly ever saw my dad do because he had the knowledge and foresight of what can and will happen, and he used wisdom and judgment to execute anything he did to the best of his abilities. The wisdom and trials he conquered are a part of his legacy. I will always measure twice and cut once. I will always pull down on a ratchet strap and say, “that’s not going anywhere,” and I will always try my hardest never to complain because someone has it harder in the world than I do. I truly reality is likely a very poor strategy for either avoidance, or coping. In sum, I am certainly not suggesting each of us go through life looking for, and expecting, conflict around every turn, but I am suggesting maintaining a mindset that conflicts may arise at any level of our lives, ensures you will not be taken completely off-guard, and thus be more prepared to meet the challenge as presented. John Watts J's Journal believe God has placed an innate ability in my dad’s heart, and he has changed the lives of everyone he has touched, which is more than any object or building could ever do. What does a legacy mean to me? A legacy to me is a family surrounding a faithful man during his final breaths and wanting to live up to his standards -- standards that could not be measured by fame, wealth, or money but the influence someone leaves behind on earth. In dedication of Randy C. Watts Sharing the search for recycling resources Jay M. Roccaforte The Roccaforte Rundown When I first arrived at my dorm to begin my freshman year at Casper College, my biggest worry wasn’t food, being away from home, or even making friends. I was worried about trash. Specifically, I was worried about recycling. Freshman college students are often not explicitly informed on places to recycle on campus, and I hadn’t given it much thought until that point. Even after research, the Casper College website showed no clear mention of recycling, only that students should remember to bring a trash can for move-in day. Regardless, the first day of classes came and went, and after using my flex bucks to get bottled water daily, my dorm room was beginning to fill with plastic. The CC campus has designated bins for recycling in most buildings. However, I and many other students have noticed that the Residence Hall is not one of these buildings, even though this is the most logical place to have accessible recycling options. I spend most of my time in my dorm, so I can’t walk to the Union building every time I have an empty bottle. Simply put, I had no effective way of being environmentally conscious in my new home. I’ve attempted to find new solutions to this problem and have come up dry. At one point, I stored plastics in one of my empty clothing drawers just so I didn’t have to see what had piled up. I even brought a bag of plastics on my morning walk from the dorms to class, but that got tedious fast. So, with no better choice, I threw them away in the Residence Hall dumpster. And that’s how I’ve been doing things. However, everything changed Wellness Center introduces Nod app Nod supports students to build social connections in three ways: 1. Ideas: Prompts based on the science of social connection that help you take action. 2. Reflections: Short in-app exercises help students process social experiences, track their mood, reduce self-criticism, and build resilience so you can keep progressing toward your social goals. 3. Testimonials: Real student perspectives on social connection to help you learn from others and understand the ups and downs along the way. Connect with a Wellness Center counselor for a deeper dive into reaching your social goals. Call 307-268-2267 when I went to Coldstone Creamery with my friends last week. We took our ice cream to North Mike Sedar Park just by campus, and as I took another bite of my delicious sweet cream like it with rainbow sprinkles, I noticed something in the distance -- just past the Mike Sedar Aqua Park were rows of dumpsters in the parking lot. These bins looked cleaner than normal ones, and as my friends and I took a closer look, it became clear that this was a drop-off point for recyclables. I was furious. A place to recycle was THIS close? I could have been a much less wasteful college student if I had just known this opportunity was here. Maybe I didn’t get the memo, but this place is a valuable resource for students who want to recycle. Meanwhile, many other CC residents just aren’t aware of this option. I immediately went back to my dorm and pulled together all my loose water bottles. Finally, I’m not drowning in plastic anymore. Now, as I begin April at CC, I have finally properly recycled my trash for the first time since I arrived in Casper. All’s well that ends well, right? I am happy that I have a resource for recycling so close to campus now, but the bar wasn’t that high to begin with. As a school, we need to work to provide more recycling accommodations to students at the Residence Hall, starting with a place in or outside of the building for plastics, aluminum cans, and more. Today’s students are a generation with the privilege to be environmentally conscious. Places to recycle should be the standard in not just Casper, but the world beyond. Join our staff this fall! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class, titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �April 1, 2022 Page 3 CHINOOK Wellness................................................. can do is just getting involved as much as they can,” Rudell said. “When I isolate myself, I don’t work on stuff like school. I’m just not productive in any way possible.” According to Rudell, isolation is the worst thing for a student. Rudell avoids this by spending time with her friends and staying involved in extracurriculars. However, according to Green, poor weather can make socializing difficult. With a lack of social health, mental and physical health can also suffer. Green emphasized the value of maintaining health in all areas. “It’s important for students to take care of their mental health year round, not only for their academic success but also for their overall wellness,” Green explained. “If we stop caring for ourselves in even one area, that can cause problems throughout our whole bodies.” The bad weather was a struggle for students on top of other responsibilities, but, according to Rudell, now could be a time to regain that mental wellness as the weather improves. John Watts Chinook Writer the donor’s family. Claney mentioned how the lectures provided by biology instructor Brandi Atnip helped prepare her for what she was getting into when studying cadavers. The secondClaney also said it’s helpful is knowing that both professors Atnip and Johnson offer free council after seeing the cadaver. With many different discoveries to be made, Claney constantly surprises herself with what comes out of her mouth. One day after class Claney told her husband about her experience in the cadaver class. by saying, “She (the cadaver) had the most beautiful adipose in her thigh,.” Claney said. A translucent golden yellow fat caught Claney’s eye, and she could not help thinking that it the color wasis one the most beautiful colors she had ever seen. Claney made a couple of other discoveries in the lab that she believes would not have the same learning affect in lecture. The first would be dissecting a heart with calcified blood, which gave a new perspective to the organ, and the second is discovering that synovial fluid continues to be produced behind the knee cap after death. CC student Jacob Parsons who is studying to be a paramedic spoke to what he finds the most helpful in studying a cadaver. “Getting to know structures and how they can be different sizes in people (is helpful,”, said Parsons. He added that he another interesting facet is, “getting to feel if something is a nerve, artery, or vein.” Johnson said he found his fair share of irregularities in human anatomy since working on cadavers since 1999, and he is continuously interested in chasing pathologies alongside his students. Johnson explained that on the first day with cadavers, the class checks for scaring that could lead to a pathology discovery and the bonuses they might find including joint replacements, broken bones, tumors, and strokes in the brain. Many different tools are used to uncover structures such as , scalpels to get through the three levels of skins, scissors that are inserted and spread as not to cut any important structures, a surgical saw provided by the BOCES program, and even the oblong side of a pharmaceutical spoon. In order to keep the privileges of cadaver study, CC follows very strict rules on who is permitted to see the cadaver, and the body is kept behind a double locked door. The process of collecting, presenting, and disposing of the “It snowed so much!” Rudell said. “I know when it snowed, it was just like, ‘ugh, snow. I don’t wanna go to class.’ But now people wanna be outside more.” Spring is here once again. Green said springtime can be a great help in maintaining wellness when she acknowledged the effect that weather can have on students. continued from page 1 “Some students experience a boost in their mood due to the time change, warmer weather and sunlight,” Green explained. “For students who have struggled with a seasonal drop in their mood, that starts to shift, and they see an improvement.” As students and faculty alike look forward to the sunny skies ahead, Green encour- ages students to access free college resources, including the Wellness Center, Student Health Services, and the Student Success Center all located on campus. “It can be intimidating to ask for help,” Green said. “But if you’re struggling with anything related to your physical or mental health, we’re here for you in the Wellness Center.” Learning anatomical features with cadavers Casper College uses cadavers in a human anatomy class to gives degree seeking students a hands on experience into discovering the biological features of an anatomical donor. The study of cadavers is done mostly by medical students and is a mandatory class for occupational therapists. CC anatomy and physiology Professor Scott Johnson spoke to the study of cadavers. “Studying cadavers adds to the overall college experience,” said Johnson, adding that it “rounds out the students education.” Johnson’s goal for the indepth studying he and the students do is to, as he said, “turn out productive members in society.” Johnson explained the purpose of the class. On the first day of dissection Johnson said he aims to, “expose the students to and introduce them to someone who is not alive.” Non-traditional student Brenda Claney, who is working towards her pre-nursing degree, found the study of cadavers intimidating at first. Despite the intimidation, she said that she felt empathy for the cadaver and gratitude towards Tossing and Turning John Watts/Chinook From left to right: Casper College students Brenda Mclaney, Jacob Parson, Macy Sale, and MacKenzy Colemen-Stenko pose for a photo while studying anatomy. corpse is done in, as Johnson says, “a professional and sacred manner.” In a recent interview Johnson talked about the process of handling a cadaver. From stage one of taking a road trip to the University of North Dakota for the collection of the donor to the final disposition and cremation of the corpse. At every stage Johnson made sure respect was kept. As long as students stay eager to learn and become the productive members in society that Johnson talks about, cadavers will lead surgeons to be able to perform surgeries, occupational therapists to better understand muscle groups, and help EMT’s, like Parson, to properly identify structures. WRITING CENTER Abigail Landwehr/Chinook College students are turning to melatonin supplements to help them sleep through the night. Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer Sometimes the age-old trick of counting sheep just doesn’t cut it. It’s a common joke that college students are often running on a lack of sleep, walking around with bags under their eyes bigger than the backpacks they lug around. And it’s a joke with some truth. According to a study done by Harvard in 2021, 70 to 90% of college students get less than eight hours of sleep a night. In the absence of being able to catch some z’s on their own, students are turning to alternatives. Among the substitutes, melatonin supplements have started to gain popularity. Trevor Tigert, a general studies student at Casper College started using melatonin supplements his junior year of high school. He, like many other students, began using the drug after having trouble falling asleep at night. “My whole family are kind of night owls,” Tigert said. “I use [melatonin] once a night. I can't really fall asleep without it… I think it's a placebo effect, honestly.” According to the National Sleep Foundation in 2022, melatonin itself is a natural hormone that is produced in the body when prompted by darkness. Melatonin is meant to help regulate sleep patterns and cycles during the day or the night. The hormone can be replicated synthetically in labs and is supplemented in four forms: pills, capsules, chewables or liquid. While reported as fairly effective in catching some shut eye, synthetic melatonin’s use also comes with some side effects. According to a study done by the National Sleep Foundation in 2022, some of the effects include daytime drowsiness, headaches, and dizziness. Tigert said he’s noticed some of these occur while using melatonin as well. “I do notice side effects when I do use it, like I’m a lot more groggy when I wake up, and I can sleep for longer,” Tigert said. “I don't think melatonin is FDA approved, so it'll say that you're getting like five milligrams of it, but you could be getting like hundreds. I mean you don't really know.” Tiger is correct. As of 2022, Melatonin isn’t FDA approved. Instead, the National Sleep Foundation reports that it’s regulated as a dietary supplement in the U.S., meaning melatonin has less restrictions than over-the-counter drugs. All melatonin packaging lists the safe dosage amounts on the bottles, but like Tigert said, users have to trust the company’s dosage is truthful. There are other alternatives for sleep deprived college students though. Under the tags ‘wellness’ and ‘sleep’ on the CC’s Screening for Mental Health resource page, an article lists six alternative steps for students to get a better night’s sleep. “Throughout your life, sleep plays an important role in your overall wellness,” the article tagline reads. Developing a consistent sleeping pattern at certain hours and creating a pre-sleep routine are all reported within the article to allow for better sleep. Additionally, creating a supportive sleeping environment that is quiet, dark, cool and free of screens can also give the ability to drift off faster. The article also recommends to avoid eating, drinking, or exercising close to when going to bed, and to avoid alcohol and caffeine. “I feel like there's better ways [to fall asleep],” Tigert said. “But I'm glad I [use melatonin], Otherwise I wouldn't be able to sleep very well.” The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Create a resume Craft a scholarship essay And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! �Page 4 April 1, 2022 CHINOOK RAs......................................................... attention to any emergencies reported to the duty phone, On the topic of COVID-19, not many students at CC know about the resident assistants' extensive role when it comes to cases within the dorms. According to Bailey, resident assistants have done laundry, delivered food, made meals, and communicated with instructors, along with a plethora of other things to make sure students sick with COVID-19 are as happy and healthy as possible. Resident assistants also decorate the halls, promote positive messages through the bulletin boards in their wing, and help console and counsel occupants on many different issues. Another responsibility includes student programming. Resident assistants see that four programs come to fruition per semester, which can be either passive or active programs. Active programming consists of primarily in-person activities like video game nights, DIY demonstrations, craft conclaves, and Bob Ross painting sessions. Passive programming may not be face-to-face, but it still reaches out and impacts residents through things like uplifting notes in mailboxes and attaching residents’ favorite candy to their doors. According to Wallace, residents should be excited about continued from page 1 future programming as an evening of swing dancing in the NPR room is currently in the works. The resident assistant experience isn’t just all work and no fun, as there are many perks that come along with all those responsibilities. Wallace said one of the biggest positives is the sense of community. "I’ve gotten to know a lot of people through the RA role, and I feel like I have a better support system here at Casper," Wallace remarked. Wallace said other benefits include financial compensation in the form of a scholarship, a single room, and getting to know the other resident assistants through movie and game nights. Bailey corroborates the number of benefits saying, "Problemsolving skills, communication, time management, program development, all of these are things they can use especially in the future." Exploring student life Off-campus students enjoy on-campus amenities Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Photo Courtesy of Chris Stier Julie Palomo Rides Student Life’s “Smoothie Bike” during homecoming week 2022. The bike was another effort of Student Life to get off-campus students more involved on campus and allow them to come in at their leisure. Casper College Student Life is currently working to engage more off-campus students in on-campus activities and events. Director of Student Life Corey Peacock described oncampus students as a “captive audience.” It’s easy, Peacock explained, to post flyers on doors and advertise for events in the residence hall. Additionally, living on campus means students are more likely to have a circle of friends who also live on campus to know about and plan on attending upcoming events. Peacock acknowledged that in contrast, communication with off-campus students proves more difficult. “It can be hard for us to get those who don’t live on campus to come to events, which I think every community college struggles with,” Peacock said. “It’s because a lot of our students who don’t live on campus work, and they’re trying to fit classes into an already busy schedule.” Student Life Activities Coordinator Chris Stier echoed a similar sentiment. Stier said many off-campus students have friends from Casper who may not go to CC, which poses another obstacle. “It is a little difficult because students do have an established friend group,” Stier said, referring mainly to students who are Casper natives. Still, Peacock added that off-campus students do want to be involved and meet other students. Many students are excited to have a college experience and want new friends and opportunities. Student Life is working to extend opportunities for off-campus students by implementing new ideas. “We have tried this year to do more fun, stop-by-events at the college,” Peacock said. “That’s just a way for students to meet some new people and engage a little bit and feel more connected with the college.” The “smoothie bike” is one example of Student Life’s latest ways of doing so. Students can ride this bike to provide the power to make their own smoothie. Other stop-by events include movie tickets and Hogadon passes, which allow students to do activities on their own time and with their own friends. Stier called this the “convenience factor.” “Students are busy after school or working. If you’re in relationships, trying to fit all that in is just not ideal,” he said. “That’s kind of one reason we implemented the new ski vouchers this semester.” Stier and Peacock both acknowledged the great success of ski vouchers and movie tickets. Community events and activities tend to draw students because it allows them to go out into the city of Casper, get to know the town and share a connection with the place they live. “Our top priority would be getting them to come to an event that's held on campus so they can meet other students,” Peacock said. “But the reason we put our financial support towards stuff going on in the community is because we also want our students to be good community members.” While off-campus and non-time restrictive activities provide convenience, CC still hosts many on-campus events. Casino Night will return to CC on April 22. Roulette, black jack, poker, among all the most notable games will be available, along with food and an abundance of prizes. Students can also look forward to the campus-wide Easter egg hunt, in which families and off-campus friends can share in the fun. Students that live offcampus can learn about events and activities by checking their CC email and by watching the TV’s around CC. The "Incredible Dr. Pol" visits Casper College Kaley Pieper Chinook Writer Dr. Jan Pol, a veterinarian and Nat Geo Wild TV star, and his wife Diane came to Casper College through the Doornbos Ag Lecture Series to talk about his life and career. “The Incredible Dr. Pol” continues to air after 20 seasons and is available for streaming on Disney+. Based in rural Michigan, Pol and Diane run their own veterinary clinic where they treat animals of all shapes and sizes. From iguanas to draft horses, Pol never turns an animal away and is one of the best at what he does according to past clients. “For me, it’s a calling… helping animals and helping people. My favorite animal is a healthy animal! I’m not God though, and I can’t save every one. But I try, I try my hardest,” explained Pol. On Feb. 28, Dr. Pol took time out of his busy schedule to visit Casper through the Doornbos Ag Lecture Series. Pol isn’t the only famous ag leader to visit CC through the series. According to the CC Foundation and Alumni Association, Colonel Philip Doornbos came to Casper when the army assigned him to the Casper Army Air Base in 1944 to recover from wounds sustained during World War II. After meeting then Casper College President Tim Aley, he accepted a job at Casper College first serving as the business manager and then as the executive director of the college’s foundation. In 2002, he endowed the Doornbos Lecture Series, realizing an agricultural-based lecture series would benefit programs on campus and across the community. The lectures focus on the agricultural industry in an effort to keep students and community members abreast of the most current information in the field. The series has featured many notable speakers including Temple Grandin and Lowell Catlett. This year’s series, held in the Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym, drew in over 2,000 attendees from across Wyoming. One family even made the trek from Iowa to see “The Incredible Dr. Pol” speak. When asked what he thought about the city of Casper, Pol said, “I’m glad I’m bald so the wind can’t blow my hair no more!” With his 50 years of experience in veterinary medicine, Pol shared some of his most exciting stories and his path to becoming a Michigan veterinarian. Pol said he immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands. After meeting his wife Diane, he founded their vet clinic and adopted their son Charles. After going to school for filmmaking, Charles had the idea to make a TV series based around his dad. The Nat Geo Wild TV series follows him on his 14-hour workdays, showing urban America the adventures of being a rural veterinarian. When Pol’s son Charles first started production of the series, Pol said many farmers were fearful of the cameras. Pol assured them, “This is not PETA, and we are not trying to make you look bad.” Kadyn Braaten, an ag communication and ag business Major at CC from Townsend Mont. attended the event. “I thought he was a very genuine and smart man who thinks outside the box in order to take care of all animals he encounters,” said Braaten. “He is willing to branch out into the unknown in order to find a solution to every problem that he encounters.” Pol spoke of one of his more trailblazing solutions with an example of a young colt that broke its leg. Pol explained that usually when a horse breaks a leg, the animal must be euthanized because the leg is almost impossible to heal. However, using a wicker basket and other supplies, Pol crafted a custom contraption to hold the young horse’s leg in place while it healed. The colt healed completely and can now run and play like any other horse. Jessy Barger, another ag business major from Cascade, Mont. also enjoyed Pol’s witty Photo Courtesy of Heath Hornecker humor. Pictured from left to right, Kadyn Braaten, Dr. Jan Pol, Kaley Pieper, and Diane Pol. The “He was very funny and fun Incredible Dr. Pol and his wife Diane meet Ag students Kadyn Braaten and Kaley Pieper who to listen to. I can tell he’s quite attended the morning and evening events to listen to Dr. Pol’s speech. the character. His wife Diane also seems very nice. I really enjoyed hearing his advice on marriage and life in general,” said Barger. Barger referred to advice Pol shared in his talk at CC. Pol said, “I’ve been married for 50 years. What’s the secret? Two words; yes dear! But no really, love is important, but depending on each other is more important. That’s what we found out.” The Doornbos Ag Lecture Series has been educating people on the importance of agriculture for many years, and Pol is one of the most famous and exciting speakers hosted in the series. His practical, down-to-earth approach to life and veterinary medicine is what keeps his business thriving, and inspires so many Kaley Pieper/Chinook viewers to watch his show, Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym was packed on February 28th, with many students, “The Incredible Dr. Pol.” faculty, and community members attending the Doornbos Lecture series to watch Dr. Pol. www.caspercollege.edu/chinook �April 1, 2022 Page 5 CHINOOK College from a different point of view Isabella Coronado Chinook Writer Everyone has a different experience in college whether attending school with a sibling or not. Do you ever wonder what it's like for twins on campus? Students at Casper College shared different opinions on what it is like being a multiple, especially when headed off to college. Leaving a sibling in general can be tough, but imagine leaving a sibling like a twin or even continuing education with them on the same campus. Many factors play into such decisions. Colby Jones is a current student at CC studying accounting and business administration. He plans to further his education in business administration at the University of Wyoming by earning his bachelor's and master’s degrees. His experience at CC is different than most, as he is currently attending CC with his twin brother, Carson. Carson is studying criminal justice and plans to earn his associates degree at CC before transferring to the University of Wyoming for his bachelor's degree. When asked what made them want to attend college together, the Jones brothers said they never planned on going to the same college. They decided they would make their decisions independently before sharing their final choice for college with one another. They said they both happened to choose CC. As of right now, both live in the dorms together and have the same friend group on campus, which makes going to school with each other a lot more positive according to Carson. Colby stated that he and his brother are very similar, but the only thing that he thinks that could be different between the two of them is that they both study different subjects in school. Davion McAdam is another current CC student who happens to be a twin as well. His story is a little different from the Jones' because his twin sister, Tyronica is not attending CC. McAdam is currently studying general studies and plans on graduating this year. McAdam said, “Neither one of us had big aspirations to go to college, and then one of the big reasons why I went to college was to play college basketball, and she wanted to pursue other things like being an influencer.” Tyronica is currently in New York pursuing modeling while also being an influencer on different forms of social media. As McAdam attended CC, he started getting an interest in business and also the more detailed parts of economics like micro and macro. He talked about how going to college without his allows him to create a name for himself and helps him avoid distractions with family members. He said having his sibling at school could also work in his favor at times. “College could be frustrating from time to time, so it would be Photo Courtsey of Jones family Pictured here from left to right is Colby Jones, Lain Mitchelson, and Carson Jones.Colby and Carson attended their friend's basketball game. nice to have a silly (sibling) go to school so you have somebody to count on and to lean on when you’re struggling. That would be the nice part of going to school with a sibling,” said McAdam. He shared how different he is from his sister in saying that she is more outgoing and more of a people person while he is more introverted. He enjoys going to college without his twin because he said he’s become more independent and likes having his own space. Based on McAdam’s own experience at college without his sister, he believes that not going to school with her helped him become his own person and build a foundation for what he wants to do in life. McAdam said, “I honestly think it depends on the type of twins and if they really look to rely on each other for life decisions, but I would suggest not going to school with your twin because you end up figuring out what you do or don't like without another person influencing your decisions.” The Jones twins voiced the opposite opinion. When asked if twins should consider going to college together Colby said, “Yes, if y’all can even stand each other. You grew up with each other anyways, and it makes living with someone easy. “ Carson echoed his brother. “It would have to depend on the twins, but if they are similar like my brother and I, then yes you won’t regret that decision. If you don’t have a lot of the same desires and goals, then I could understand where it doesn’t look like sunshine and rainbows,” Carson said. Despite what the Jones’ and McAdam think, ultimately not everyone is going to do the same thing in life. Based on all three viewpoints, there are many different aspects to take into account when deciding whether or not all twins should attend the same college or go their separate ways. Photo Courtsey of Davion McAdam Shown to the left is Davion McAdam and his twin sister Tyronica at one of his high school basketball games Taking online or hybrid courses? Students: 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. Examples of items we can help with: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. ZOOM – help you learn to access and use Zoom for your remote course meetings and collaborations 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Accessing Office 365 .- such as MS Word and PowerPoint 5. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it, using NetTutor. Plus a lot more! Contact us. Don’t wait! Get your Questions answered now. Teresa Pat Mike Tyler 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 �Page 6 April 1, 2022 CHINOOK Price increase for off-campus housing Julie Seidel Chinook Writer Landlords for the Preserve at Greenway Park, an off campus facility, will increase property rent in April, leaving Casper College students until the end of March to decide if they will continue residency. The 368-unit buildings house students as well as community members. Approximately 89 Casper College students take residency, according to the Preserve. Nathasha Green, the resident manager and apartment manager at the Preserve informed residents of the decision on Feb 25. Rachel Retherford, Kait Wassum, and Avril Sims are among the dozens of local college students who will need to make a decision on housing before April. Retherford said she and her friends make about enough to cover the rent as it is. Although this may be true, they said they are still debating whether to find someplace new. Had the facility approached them sooner, they would have saved money for the increase in pricing or relocation costs, Wassum said. “We will be cutting our living expenses to the bone,” added Retherford. Though the Preserve maintained a steady rate for years,Green said she hopes the increase won’t change much of anything. For new residents, the maximum payment inflation rate is $300. For current residents, the increase will total $150 per month. “Casper is getting busy and more populated,” said Kevin Kapeles, resident coordinator. “It is all about supply and demand. Although this may be true, in the end it will be a good thing for all residents.” The Preserve admits there is a clear increase in market rate for Casper, Wyo, as a whole. Casper is expanding in population and units are filling up so fast that their waitlist is the longest it has ever been, said Kapeles. The Preserve has a total of nine different types of units ranging in size. Their Julie Seidel/Chinook Pictured above is the kitchen area in one of the three bedroom, two bathroom apartments at the Preserve at Greenway Park. one bedroom, one bathroom units called the Meadowlark, Eagle and Wren increased by $45. The two bedroom, two bathroom units called the Goldeneye, Herron, and Hummingbird all increased by $175. The three bedroom, two bathroom unit called the Falcon increased by $75. Retherford currently lives in a two bedroom apartment to herself. According to her, her old roommate moved out due to a disagreement. Retherford got help from her parents to keep the apartment, but with the new prices, she is not quite sure what her next move will be. Due to her recent surgery, she is unable to move by herself and feels obligated to stay. Wassum and Sims started their lease in May of 2021 and despite the increase, the two made the decision to continue their lease for another year. Sims, a newly added roommate, said she did not expect the rental increase. “For now we will keep doing what we are doing,” stated Wassum. “The apartments are the nicest in town, and the staff is too great to give up.” Incoming residents, Gabriel Scheuerman and Dawson Rogers, considered the Preserve for housing next fall semester. Due to the price increase, the two said they might consider other apartments. Rogers stated that they cur- rently live on-campus at CC and would like to get their own place. The two are freshmen on campus and one year at the dorms was enough for them, said Scheuerman. “Living on campus has its perks, but off-campus would be a delight,” said Scheuerman. In addition to the renters increase, the Preserve announced a new one bedroom, one bathroom unit called the Bobwhite. Starting at $1,025 a month, Bobwhite is a 750 square foot floor plan that is scheduled to commence building at the end of April. “In the end, we hope this new floor plan will push our current residents to upgrade and vacate the Meadowlark units,” said Green. Julie Seidel/Chinook Shown here is living room of the two bedroom, two bathroom unit at the Preserve at Greenway Park. Fitness center woes Student Senate and administration work towards solution Violet Wright Chinook Writer Casper College’s Student Senate and President Dr. Darren Divine are working together to improve accessibility to campus fitness facilities for students and faculty. Currently, the school operates a fitness center that is open to students but with a caveat -- students must be enrolled in the fitness class and pay a $30 fee. However, anyone who walked into the facility would describe it as lackluster. The space includes limited equipment in a small space that is easily overcrowded, creating a point of frustration for many students and faculty members. Jordan Stauffer, a computer science major at CC explained, “The gym isn’t that big. They Violet Wright/Chinook had nice equipment, but it Logan MacKearney studies in the courtyard outside of Doornbros Lounge during a rare break would have to be pretty cheap from Sudent Senate roles. to pay for it.” Stauffer, and many other students, have taken notice of CC’s lack of a proper fitness center. In fact, both the Faculty Senate and Student Senate are currently discussing the issue. Last year, now Student Senate President Logan MacKearney, brought the issue to the Student Senate, which resulted in the Student Senate writing a resolution to the school. “Right now, the current fitness center is too small and ill equipped to properly handle the amount of students, athletes, and faculty that want to take advantage of it. We requested them to find an alternate option to make it more accommodating,” said MacKearney. Eventually, the actions of the Student Senate led to a meeting between MacKearney and Divine to discuss the issue. While the school wants to make improvements, there is no way to expand the fitness center, explained MacKearney. Such improvements would require building a new facility, the budget to do so, and planning and construction to occur. Stauffer explained if the oncampus fitness center were less costly and more accessible he would be more active. “It's more convenient. I don't have to drive across town. It would also be a bit more private as well because it’s not open to the public,” said Stauffer. While CC is not proposing construction plans just yet, the college hears student and faculty calls to improve access to a better fitness facility. According to MacKearny, Casper College is working with the YMCA of Casper to offer discounted rates for students. In the meantime, there is hope that future CC students will see the fruit of the Student Senate’s labors. �April 1, 2022 Page 7 CHINOOK 2021-2022 basketball season wrap-up Photo Courtsey of Sofie Pinegar The Lady T-Birds won 71-57 against Eastern Wyoming College during the Region IX Tournament at a home game on March 5. Celina Arnlund is pictured to the left cutting down a section of the net. The win qualified the team for the NJCAA Championship where they lost 70-73 to Hutchinson Kansas Community College during the first round. The men's team lost 72-78 to Trinidad State Junior College when they were in La Junta, Colorado for the quarterfinals of the Region IX Tournament. PJ Ngambi is shown above driving past his opponent at the team's last home game. The difficulties of a student-athlete Elena Tzelou Chinook Writer The life of an athlete studying abroad, as Mariona Cos explained, is not always as nice as it looks, especially when dealing with mental health issues. Without mental health support when it is needed, a student-athlete may lead themselves to give up. Over 30% of student-athletes admit to suffering from some kind of depression or anxiety, and only 10% ask for help. One student-athlete from Barcelona, Spain experienced exactly that in her first year at Casper College. Her freshman year proved very demanding and difficult with many obstacles and a battle for survival. Cos is just 18-years-old. Cos began sports at an early age, always having great aspirations for the future and a goal that came closer and closer as it grew. The main goal was the life experience in America and acceptance into a very good college such as CC that helped her to develop her first professional steps in basketball in conjunction with her studies. Cos said she always wanted to take such a major step and come somewhere where she’d need to work hard and show discipline to cope; yet, there has never been a day in her life when she wanted to give up or alter her mind about what she truly wanted to achieve. Of course, the difficulties did not take long to come, turning her into a fighter and a decisive athlete. The difficulties started at the age of 17 when she admitted that there were many people who either did not believe in her or tried in many ways to reduce her psychology. However, as she stated, no matter how much she hurt and no matter how many questions bloomed inside her, she never let anyone affect her or distort her thoughts about what the path she chose to follow. Cos shared the reason why her story stands out from any other student-athletes -- four months before her dream became a reality and she came to America, she faced a tremendously serious surgery that brought her a lot of pain and discomfort until she managed to get through every difficulty the injury brought her. "They told me that I wouldn't be able to play basketball again," said Cos. Cos said those were the first words she heard when she came out of surgery and more specifically when she was told that the serious shoulder injury from basketball was the reason she would be kept from what she loves so much. “It's unbelievable that what you love so many times can destroy you," Cos said. She shouted it with tears in her eyes, enraged by all that had transpired up to the day of the flight. She stated that she never gave up. Cos tried and proved day-by-day that her dream to travel to America would come true, but at the same time she was so scared that her mental health changed dramatically. She said she was even more afraid to report her injury to the new coaches who were waiting for her in the new continent. However, all of these things she described made her stronger, and she said it was the moment she grew up into the a mature woman she is now who faces all the difficulties on her own, preparing her for life in America if she really managed to make it happen. Cos said that she finally succeeded and felt more proud than ever, but she was not through with her training. Dayby-day the workouts were more and more demanding and difficult, making her go through the worst she had experienced in her life. Moreover, even if she never said anything to anyone, she said that she is coming to face pain even today, a year after her surgery, something that saddens and troubles her. "Even the pain could not stop my American dream," Cos said. Cos said her dreams and aspirations make her feel a little better now that she has reached the end of her first difficult year in the CC. However, she did not forget to add that sport, even if it troubled her and tested her through difficult phases of her life, never disappointed her and always made her happy. She said, "Being a studentathlete is incredibly difficult and demanding at all stages.'' Cos said it is necessary to understand all the external factors and people involved. Cos also shared that she regrets that she never shared her pain and difficulties with anyone, which kept her away from friends and pleasant moments. "Asking for help is not a shame," Cos said. She said with great confidence and joy that sharing your problems should be the first way to deal with them, because in order to get through very difficult times, one must be able to think clearly. Cos’ opinion is shared by her friend Julia PalomoVicente, her teammate from Spain who also followed her dream to the U.S and CC. Palomo-Vicente said, “I could never imagine myself being productive without a stable mental health.” Join us as we build PB & J sandwiches to help Stop Hunger in Casper! Thursday April 28th (Pay It Forward Day) Tobin Dining Hall 2:30pm to 4:00pm Volunteer via email to: Angela.alexander@sodexo.com In Tobin at Lunch Tuesday April 19th! $4 Bucks extra � 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 2022-04 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. 2022-04 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from April 2022. 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_2022-04 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/4ca2b5863fd419d5adc32f8b8f4dddf2.pdf 6281a064a611cde4ab91b1236d82e545 PDF Text Text May 1, 2022 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 On Capitol Hill: Student Senate visits D.C. Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer Photo Courtsey of Kristina Pham Four Casper College representatives had the opportunity to meet United States Senator John Barrasso during their trip to Washington D.C. as a part of the ASACC conference. From left, Kristina Pham, Logan MacKearney, Senator Barrasso, Kayla Jones, and Corey Peacock. After experiencing the cancelation of an October conference, members of Casper College’s Student Senate received an invitation to attend a second chance at the nation’s capital. Four representatives from CC took the opportunity to attend the 2022 National Student Advocacy Conference for the American Student Association of Community Colleges, or to shorten the title, the ASACC conference in Washington, D.C. from March 19-22. Student Senate President Logan MacKearney, Vice President Kayla Jones, and advisors Psychology Instructor Kristina Pham and Director of Student Life Corey Peacock represented CC. According to the ASACC’s website, the organization often follows three themes throughout the conference: leadership, citizenship and advocacy. Students attended speaker’s presentations covering resiliency, communicating with representatives, and how to be more active in the community. The conference also included discussions on bills including America’s College Promise Act of 2021, FAFSA Simplification Act of 2019, and the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021. However, meeting and interacting with other students from around the country proved to be the biggest takeaway for Jones during the conference. “Getting to see all these different people trying to better their community college experience was really inspiring to me,” Jones said. “Something I really picked up from this conference and it wasn't exactly a topic that was actually talked about by the speakers, but it was being there and seeing so much diversity.” Since the pandemic, conferences cap the amount of attendees at a certain capacity. Because of this, Pham estimated around 150 advisors and students attended. She said a majority of the schools came from California. The Casper College group attended as the only representatives from Wyoming, a state Pham said did not seem well-known among those at the conference. “Like several times there were people who were like, ‘where is Wyoming?’” Pham said. “But it's always a good opportunity. Especially that students can go out with students from other parts of the country and hear how they're doing things.” Alongside the conference, the group also got the opportunity to tour the United States Capitol, led by a staff member of Wyoming’s United States Representative Liz Cheney. Pham said that while the congresswoman was unable to meet with them, the group met United States Senator John Barrasso, a former member of the — See Student Senate Page 3 STEM learning center looks after students at CC Jacob Klaudt Chinook Contributor The STEM Learning Center at Casper College works to help students improve their academic performance whenever needed. According to a 2020 survey conducted by Hobsons and Hanover Research, 52 percent of college students find it difficult to complete the coursework assigned in STEM-related fields. CC students are no different. Secondary-school curriculum presents problems, especially when high school failed to prepare students. To help combat this problem, CC provides a plethora of academic resources, which include the STEM Learning Center. The STEM Learning Center, located in room 104 of the Wold Physical Science Center on campus, is open Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. One can expect to receive totally free tutoring from faculty members and access to the most relevant texts and writings within STEM. The CC website says, "Staffed by knowledgeable student works and faculty, the STEM Learning Center affords students the opportunity to receive help in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and engineering." The center offers expertise for many additional majors and disciplines as well, including agriculture, astronomy, and many others. More specifically, the STEM Center can support students with balancing equations in chemistry, learning Newton’s laws of motion, and even simply gaining confidence in an unfamiliar subject. Such versatility allows for the majority of students to take advantage of the vast amount of knowledge and services provided. Dr. Jerry Hawkes, instructor and dean of the school of sciences said, "What we’re looking to do is provide any academic support we can to students within the STEM field. If we teach it, there is a way to get help." With this said, the STEM Learning Center assists a diverse population of students, not only those who struggle with their academics. According to Hawkes, "Students who are very strong in a subject can come in here and engage with other students that have similar interests and can challenge and push each other forward." Additionally, the STEM center frequently assists students who need a boost in just one particular class, those who just need a quiet place to study, and even non-traditional pupils who need assistance adjusting back to a classroom setting. "Our goal is to help anyone and everyone who comes through here," Hawkes said. Most of the time, however, students seek out the STEM center for a helping hand in math according to Hawkes. In turn, the center offers further aid to make sure students succeed to the best of their abilities. Hawkes said, "Math is a scary thing for many people, and there are developmental classes that give extra support and encourage students who are in a challenging spot." Hawkes continues, saying that in today's world, a stigma surrounding seeking additional help with coursework plagues college campuses around the country. Furthermore, many people don’t want others to think of them as not smart enough, so they may hesitate to use the STEM Centers' services. "We let those people find it on their own because they’ll get to a point where they are struggling and eventually take advantage of the services we provide. It’s not a judgmental deal, and it does not mean that you’re not a bright person." The best way to get in touch with the STEM Learning Center includes simply walking in and sitting down during office hours. Contagious students with COVID or people who need help late at night also have the option to Zoom into an appointment with a student staff member. Kadyn Braaten, CC Freshman said, “The STEM Center here is invaluable. Sometimes, I just sit in there and do my homework, and the staff answers every question I have. I am very appreciative.” At the end of the day, the STEM Learning Center at CC makes it a point to see that students succeed academically and inevitably out in the real world. Photo Courtsey of Jacob Klaudt Pictured to the left shows the entrance of the STEM learning center, located in room 104 of the World Physical Science center at CC. Byrd retires after 31 years Max Tasche Chinook Writer She's a boss. She's a coworker. She's a friend. Casper College’s Associate Vice President of Student Services Linda Tooey shared such sentiments through misty eyes when speaking about Kim Byrd, retiring Vice President of Student Services at CC. And this is just the beginning. Byrd is also a safe haven. Before her, Casper College did not have Title IX protocols in place. A lack of Title IX made it challenging if not impossible for students and staff to share about sexual harassment or abuse, and worse, students lacked protection for facing such horrors. “Helping the underdog, the person that needs the most help,” said Byrd. She also spearheaded a single-parent fund for students juggling classes, childcare, and familial responsibilities. She developed GED programs, aided homeless students in navigating college life, and helped students through aca- demic probation. Byrd’s husband bud described his wife’s infections personality both professionally and personally. "Professional, caring, (and) committed," Bud said of his wife’s professional demeanor. On a personal level, he added that his wife is "Small, petite, (and) beautiful. She's a fighter." Bud Byrd is an active outdoorsman with hobbies that include biking and fixing up bicycles, but he said his pastimes are nothing compared to those of his wife who is an active walker, tennis, and golf player. And Bud said her interests don't stop at home. She is an avid supporter of CC athletics and attends all of the games, an act of support Bud said is unlikely to change when she retires at the end of this academic school year. Tooey wants to avoid the subject of Byrd's retirement altogether. "I might even cry just thinking about it (Byrd retiring)," said Tooey. Tooey’s reaction to Byrd’s retirement matched that of all others who spoke about Byrd’s presence at CC. Her positive influence on their lives is inarguable. Another word to describe Byrd may come as a surprise to those who are familiar with her humanitarian work and student advocacy at the college: Prankster. “You have to laugh at work,” said Byrd. Byrd shared a story of turning Tooey’s computer screen upside down so she couldn’t read any documents pulled up on the screen. “And little did I know… she had somebody that was going to come up to her office, and she needed to show them something on her computer, but it was upside down,” Byrd said with a laugh. From attempting to swap light switches so "off" is "on" to other funny shenanigans, Byrd kept the 3rd floor of the Gateway Building, where her office is located, laughing and light. Her influence did not stop — See Byrd, Page 3 Photo Courtsey of Kim Byrd Kim Byrd, pictured to the left, is retiring from Casper College after 31 years. She is currently the Vice President for Student Services. Byrd said she plans to stay involved with the college while retired. �Page 2 Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: I hope this month's article finds everyone looking forward to the end of the academic year, and perhaps even ready to participate in commencement (May 13th at 6:30pm). If you are not quite ready to graduate, and still have more classes you need to take, or new skills you want to acquire, be sure to talk to an advisor and discuss potential summer classes, or courses you might Is it fine to be content in the now? John Watts J's Journal Growing up we all probably said these words or something very similar -- “I wish I were a grown up so I could do whatever I want.” To the 95% of readers who are adults reading this article, you are probably laughing and saying, “I wish I could be a kid again, free of any responsibility.” Is that not the human’s response to nearly everything? Mankind lives in a state of unrest -- of wanting to be something different and skipping to the time in their lives when they have it made. The argument I would like to present today is not one where I applaud you for being content with where you are but one of encouraging you to have some unrest. Imagine if a child never developed new interests for growth before operating in the adult world? It is the pursuit of working to be better, trying new things, and meeting new people that keeps us growing. In biology, we learn that bones need to bear weight, and the human body needs to stay active to function well. We are designed to move and change and cultivate to create stronger versions of ourselves that are fit to pursue life. Unlike China dishware that is meant to be kept safe and brought out on special occasions, humans need to live life every day. I am not saying we cannot be happy in our current stage of life, but we should not be content in it forever. The definition of the word content is “a state of satisfaction.” Satisfaction is not the foundation of people with great qualities. Quality people are made out of trials, hardships, and experiences. For example, great advice on perseverance rarely comes from a continued place of satisfaction, and neither do stories of stepping out of your comfort zone to discover new potential. Niccolo Machiavelli once said, “I’m not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.” There is something to be said about being in the moment of something rather than living in it. I suggest be focus on being in the moment. Living in the moment is dangerous because we can stop growing if we have achieved something and decide to make that achievement our idol. Idols have a way of making people live complacent lives. By being in the moment, we can appreciate something and move on with our lives to do the next great thing. When I think of unrest, I think of a rusty bolt that became a part of a structure. That bolt is content doing one job the rest of its life and gets thrown away with the structure. Whereas, a bolt with no rust can be reused many times over helping to build multiple structures in its lifetime. Let us not be comfortable and complacent like that rusty bolt but useful like the reusable bolt. Find happiness in unrest, not content. “ to build an entirely new building rather than trying to retrofit the original structure. Hopefully you have noticed the progress as the steel framework was raised into place, and then the walls being installed. I am happy to report the project is progressing well, and the new building should be ready for occupancy by August 1st, just in time to welcome fall classes. One note of caution, just as soon as the new building is completed, the old building will be torn down to make way for a new parking lot and altered traffic flow pattern. So please be aware of potential detours and road closures as the project begins to wind down late this summer. With that news, I will simply wish you a relaxing yet productive summer! — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Campus case of LGBTQ+ hate Let me begin by clarifying that I am probably straight. The hate that I’ve witnessed toward LGBTQ+ members as a straight man is just a fraction of what this community deals with on a daily basis in this state. Last semester, my friend Emma saw a yellow house on E 15th Street. vandalized in multiple places with the F slur. You can still see the spots where the home owners painted over the hateful words. A simple google search of these cases will show dozens of examples of Wyoming’s disappointing history of mistreating LGBTQ+ individuals, and the list is getting longer every day. All of this to say, the issue extends far beyond my lens. I hadn’t planned to write about this until I walked into the forensics room in Liesinger Hall the morning of April 22 where I found my friend, Braxton Sambrano. He told me that someone vandalized the CC posters in the men’s bathroom stalls. But this wasn’t typical bathroom vandalism. In fact the only damage done to the posters? – nearly every mention of the term “LGBTQ” was blacked out with permanent marker. This was targeted. I was disgusted, confused, angry even. “I’m not okay,” was the most my LGBTQ friend could say at the time. Brax reported the incident to CC, obviously. When I followed up with him to see Rachelle Trujillo Rachelle's Reflections of us didn’t want to tag along, so we hung back. After they all left, we did too. But we headed the opposite direction. It was one of the best memories of my life. Over the course of the week, my cousin and I grew close to our two newfound friends, and we’d embarked on many mischievous adventures together in our short time. We were worn out and tired of the “big” attractions with the whole group. We wanted to make the most of our time together, just us. That night, we walked along the river under some dim street lights, which seemed excessively out of place. It was a short path, at the end of which stood a small gate. Here, there was no more light, and darkness covered us. My new friends and I dared my cousin to hop it and see what was on the other side. He did, and bravely made his way into oblivion. Then, a pair of dim yellow lights spawned in front of him that could’ve passed for eyes glowing in the dark. Everyone saw them at the same time. The three of us held our breath as he ran back over and jumped the fence to safety. As the lights came into focus, we realized it was nothing to be afraid of. In fact, we turned, as if in a movie, and saw more “eyes” floating want to sign up for in the fall. Now is the best time to sign up for classes and times before your first choices fill up. Speaking of the fall semester, we will have a new building opening up on campus at the end of the summer! As many of you may already know, the Visual Arts building is at the end of its functional lifecycle, and it was determined to be more cost-effective I am happy to report the project is progressing well, and the new building should be ready for occupancy by August 1, just in time to welcome fall classes. Chasing Fireflies... When I was 17, I went to Italy with a church group. We saw lots of churches -- and don’t get me wrong, churches are great -- but my cousin and I were not having it. We were in Italy, and all we were going to do was visit church after church? Afterall, these mega churches and tourist attractions were supposed to be the highlight of the trip. Isn’t that usually how it works? The group we went with had an odd dynamic. There was me, my cousin, five different chaperones (all from Gillette), twelve kids from Gillette, one from Green River and one from Rock Springs – my roommate. To no one’s surprise, my Casper cousin and I and the two southern Wyomingites were usually left out of the group. So we found each other and created our own group. My favorite night of the whole trip was in a mountainous city, Subiaco. We stayed in a monastery nestled into the side of the mountain that touted itself for having “the best water in Italy.” Rightfully so. A hidden waterfall could be heard all around the premises, and green was the only thing that could be seen for miles. One night, a chaperone took a group of kids out to explore the terrain. The four May 1, 2022 CHINOOK around us. They weren’t eyes at all; they were fireflies. We turned around and walked back like we were in a dream. A forest of trees lined the left side of the path, and it was completely dotted in light. We tried to catch them and made ourselves laugh by releasing them in each other’s faces. In the warm evening air of that June night, I felt more alive than ever before. Of all the amazing things we did, that small moment with my few friends that night was the most memorable part of the entire trip. This is my final Chinook column after four semesters, and if I could leave any tidbits of wisdom behind in this publication it would be to cherish the small moments. They’re what life is made of. Sure, I was in Italy catching fireflies, but there were certainly some bigger, more grandiose sights I saw that trip. It was the people that made that moment. I believe firmly that throughout our lives, we will often find the happiest and best parts of it all will be alongside the ones we love. There’s a lot to be said for the kinds of people you surround yourself with and the kinds of things you do. Choose your people well, and don’t forget to chase the fireflies. if there was any new information, things came up dry. “Not much they can do, apparently,” he said. “All they can do is be more aware and make more posters.” So I thought I’d do what I can to make everyone more aware too. This incident was specific to the men’s bathroom, so we can narrow down the culprit to a male. Knowing this information, I’ve decided to take the opportunity to write a letter to our vandal. Dear Mr. “Can’t Even Be Respectful When Using The Bathroom,” I’m sorry the sight of five letters is so scary for you. But I assure you, their existences are just as valid as any cis gendered straight man such as yourself. I’m sure it’s challenging -- the thought of coexisting with people unlike yourself -- but imagine if someone vandalized everything related to a part of your identity. Truly, if you feel so moved by hatred that you feel it necessary to do something like this, reevaluate your values and the privileges you’ve been given. In layman's terms, be better. By the way, Brax and his husband Kody are moving to Seattle soon! Don’t celebrate their departure yet, though. Their new home will hopefully treat them better than you, with all the love and support they deserve. However, I do have news for Jay M. Roccaforte The Roccaforte Rundown you: The LGBTQ+ Community is here to stay in Wyoming. So regardless of your future escapades with sharpie, just know that raining on a parade will only make the rainbow shine brighter. I’ll leave you with a quote from the gorgeous Mr. Sambrano himself. “It may not be a direct threat, but it’s still threatening. It’s sad to see that someone probably going into a public service field has the mindset of not serving all the public. However, no matter how many sharpies are used, we won’t cease to exist. We’re still here. And we’re not going anywhere.” If that’s not pride, then I don’t know what is. With absolutely no love, Jayden Michael “Please turn yourself in, I dare you” Roccaforte WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Create a resume Craft a scholarship essay And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! �May 1, 2022 Page 3 CHINOOK Student Senate...................................... Wyoming State Senate, at the end of their tour. “I think it was a good experience for them,” Pham said. “And that, you know, maybe when things aren't perfect it's even better because you come away bonded more.” The photo taken of the group posing with Barrasso sits on display in Pham’s office for visitors or onlookers to see. She said she wished that more members of the Student Senate could have attended with them, but that it was a possibility in the future. “I would eat more caramel cheesecake milkshakes from Wawas,” Jones said when asked what she would do if she were to revisit the conference. “But in seriousness, I would just absorb more. I was very curious the whole trip. I asked questions wherever I could, but just ask more questions, and you know, absorb more continued from page 1 of DC.” Jones didn’t have one complaint about the trip. “I would like to say thank you for the students and the people that provided this opportunity for me,” Jones added. “It Byrd......................................................... at pranks. Byrd was so respected in her field that she was gifted a $1 million check to further her student programs by Casper's then-resident celebrity Neil McMurry. In an even more impressive turn of events, the college also offered to match this incredible sum. Byrd's programs made a clear impact, and her presence on campus will be missed both by those who know her, and likely even those who do not know that she is responsible for their success and aid. In her nearly 31 years, Byrd gave Casper College a monumental amount of hard work, support, and sacrifice. While Byrd's retirement looms ever closer, we will not lose this force of good yet. She cares a lot about Casper College and its students, a relationship deeply grown through years of hard work and dedication. She left a noticeable impact that will continued from page 1 benefit students for years to come, yet she doesn't quit. Byrd said she plans to return and help out at the college beyond retirement, despite her efforts no longer being reflected through an official title or paycheck. "I want students to know that I’m there, and I do support them…I want 'I just went for it' was a very wonderful trip. And when I got out of the car to enter the residence hall, I was like, I'm back, you know. I'd been in a state of like euphoria the whole time.Kristina and Corey can testify.” students to know that what they do here is important," said Byrd. She knows what qualities it takes to make a good leader and the tasks one must accomplish for a job well done, but at the end of the day, Byrd said she is just happy she enjoyed her time at CC. CC alumni breaks generational curse Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Ashlee Taylor poses for a headshot earlier this year. Photo Courtesy of Ashlee Taylor Photo Courtesy of Ashlee Taylor Ashlee Taylor with her daughter, Gabi, in 2017. Both women are now in their final semesters at the University of Wyoming. While staffing with Senator John Barrasso, Field Representative Ashlee Taylor is often seen taking photographs, mingling with community members, and thanking all those involved with events. Once living on her own as a teen mom, Taylor never imagined this would be her life. In fall of 2001, Taylor gave birth to her first child and only daughter. She was just a few weeks shy of her 18th birthday. Taylor lived on her own with her baby, and she worked full time to support the both of them. After three months of life with a newborn, working full time, and being a high school senior, Taylor decided she needed to make some changes. “School just wasn’t in the cards for me at the moment,” she said. Then a high school dropout, Taylor’s situation was far from unique in her family. Born to a 15-year-old herself, Taylor came from a line of teen moms. Her mother’s first husband adopted Taylor, and while both parental figures in her life graduated high school, neither attended college. Taylor’s life remained challenging well into the next decade. In 2005, Taylor’s second child joined her family with her third arriving in 2007. At the age of 28, Taylor said she lived as a single mom to three children and struggled to make ends meet. Throughout the hardships, Taylor’s cheery demeanor, natural charisma, and admirable loyalty set her apart from her Target coworkers. Working in Assets Protection for over a decade, Taylor was a loyal employee who saw her job as more than a job -– it was her means of keeping herself and her children afloat. Her dedication shined through on the day she held off a shoplifter in the parking lot. Moments later, the police arrived and revealed that the man had been a wanted criminal in the Casper area for years. “He bolted out the main exit, and when I grabbed his hands to stop him, he turned around and punched me in the face. And in the little black and white security video, you just see me go flying,” she said with a laugh. “He ultimately stopped resisting because people had started to gather. I ripped his jeans, I ripped his shirt. I took my job very seriously.” The man was wanted for kidnapping, burglary, forgery, and more. The responding officer nominated Taylor for a Citizens Award– she was the one who got him off the streets. Taylor received a promotion after the incident and continued to climb the ranks at Target until she couldn’t go any further without an education. She was stuck at her job, living at the poverty level, and doing her best to provide for her three babies. “I kind of just perpetually felt like I was failing the kids. Something had to change. I took a leap of faith and put in my notice with Target.” Living with her three children in her mom’s house, Taylor said she kept a Casper College flier on her bedside table. When she finally enrolled, she did so as a general studies major. There, Taylor took Political Science Instructor Erich Frankland’s POLS 1000 class, and he recommended she apply for an internship with Senator Barrasso. “She has awesome people skills. She can relate to anyone, and they feel engaged and important when talking to her,” Frankland said of Taylor. “Ashlee was someone I knew would do really well.” Eventually, Ashlee did take the internship. Three years later, she returned to apply for a permanent position: Field Representative for United States Senator John Barrasso. For many reasons, Taylor seemed an unlikely candidate to pursue an internship and later a job with the U.S. Senate, but she made it clear it was one of the best, most spontaneous decisions she ever made. Taylor said if there’s anything that should be taken from her story, it is that sometimes, you just have to go for it. “I wasn’t super interested in policy at the time. So I said, ‘I don’t know’,” Taylor said. “But then, I just went for it.” Now, Taylor is on track to graduate in December of 2022 with her bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership, just one semester ahead of her now 21-year-old daughter. She said she plans to get to work volunteering with the Red Cross immediately after graduating, and she is working on a book about overcoming challenges and generational curses. “It was inspiring to watch my mom overcome everything that was thrown at her. Now she’s doing what she loves -- helping people and traveling around Wyoming,” Taylor’s daughter Gabi said. “She’s an amazing role model.” Taylor said the key to her success came in her continued “sunny disposition and positive attitude.” Trying things you wouldn’t normally try is also something you just have to do, she added. “Be brave -- try things you wouldn’t think interests you,” Taylor said in closing. “Look for the things that bring you joy. If you have a positive attitude, the worse things won’t be so bad.” �Page 4 CHINOOK Choose Your Course: -5K -10K -Lookout Point Half Marathon -Downhill Half Marathon Register at: www.caspercollegefoundation.org/tbird-trek Students participate for free using code 2022CCStudent May 1, 2022 �May 1, 2022 Page 5 CHINOOK Dr. Zachary Vreeman matchmaking music and text John Watts Chinook Writer In 2011 Casper College Choir Director Dr. Zachary Vreeman completed a dissertation on Randall Thompson’s “Requiem.” In the dissertation, he wrote about the connection between music and text. Through Vreeman’s indepth study of text at Nebraska State University where he received his doctorate, Vreeman refined songs to match the pitch of the music. In teaching his students to raise or lower their pitch to match that of the instruments, Vreeman said this about instructing, “I will take the extra five to ten seconds to explain why we made the change and not say ‘because the instructor said so’.” Casper College Financial Aid Counselor and International Student Coordinator Mala Stagg, who is a long-time choir member, spoke on an example she learned from her time singing with Vreeman. “Vreeman will often draw pictures on the board of what the inside structure of our mouths should look like when we form our vowels. If the entire choir does it the same way, the words are much more understandable and we can emphasize certain things easier,” said Stagg. While Vreeman shares a passion for music with Stagg his start to music looked different. Vreeman grew up in Anchorage, Alaska where his parents familiarized him with choir due to their participation. In high school, Vreeman said he played the trombone and considered himself a band kid. It was not until his sophomore year of high school that Vreeman took his first voice lessons. Due to Vreeman’s experience playing both the trombone and piano, as well as the ability to read sheet music at a high level of proficiency, he said it did not take him long to catch up to his peers with more years of musical experience. After high school, Vreeman pursued a degree in engineering and did well in his studies, but his interests still gravitated him toward his major in music. Vreeman took to music so well that he went on to get his bachelors in music and masters in curriculum and instruction at Dordt College and his doctoral degree at the University of Nebraska. In August of 2013, Vreeman came to Casper College and became the director of choral activities. The efforts of Vreeman studying text were noticeable when he became the choir director at CC. He gave an example of two different conductors and ensembles he watched while in his new role of choir director, which shaped him into the conductor he is today. “The first conductor conducted the piece of music differently every time, but his group could make the audience cry, whereas the second conductor directed the piece the same way every time and could put on impressive performances, but (the performances) were emotionally detached,” said Vreeman. Vreeman mentioned how he could combine the strengths of the two ensembles by giving attention to the relationship between music and text. Vreeman expressed how thoughtlessly songs were sung in many performances. “Many do not let the words rhythmically flow,” said Vreeman. He mentioned how text is poetry that carries a form of musicality, which shows expressiveness. This means he can take the best of both conductors and ensembles because text adds emotion to the conductor who puts on impressive-detached performances and gives structure to the inconsistent conductor to make his expressive performances impressive. Vreeman talked about the English language being such a gift in choir. “There is an opportunity to shade vowels and words giving extra connotations,” Vreeman said. Stagg talked about the way Vreeman teaches words and text. “He teaches us that not all words in music are equal, and sometimes you need to change even just how you think of what you are singing to change what it sounds like,” said Stagg. Vreeman brought up how several languages have five common pronunciations in comparison to the endless ways words can be pronounced in the English language. For example, Latin has five pure vowel sounds: ah, eh, ee, aw, and oo and the inflections stay true in every word. He described the difference Photo Courtesy of Zachary Vreeman Choral Instructor Dr. Zachary Vreeman is pictured above conducting. of learning Latin and how its habit forming to mimic the sounds of the words in comparison to the English text that has, as Vreeman says, “poetic rhythms and sounds.” Alongside all the sounds and connotations of the English language, the language also offers multiple words for similar actions. Vreeman gave the example of the word ‘snatch’ versus the word 'grab'. He referred to snatch as more of a sneaky action compared to grab as a more relaxed action. Vreeman mentioned how slight differences in these words and how they are presented allow for interpretation. “We are never limited to how we can understand a text,” Vreeman said. Vreeman said that he recognizes that a conductor needs to continually listen to other groups to achieve the next level of success and stay creative. Along with listening, Vreeman joined many groups including Anchorage Opera, Colorado Bach Ensemble, Sheridan professional choir, and CC choirs to perform. “You have to keep performing,” said Vreeman when talking about becoming an effective instructor. Vreeman constantly reminds himself and his stu- dents that performing produces something that is very sacred. “Choir is a unique art, similar to theatre and dance. It only exists while it is happening. Unlike a painting or piece of pottery, there is nothing left after a performance,” Vreeman said. Vreeman’s desire to let text put on an emotional performance is not only for those who listen to his music but also for the students who perform it. “I hope my student will enjoy singing not because it was impressive but because it did something to them emotionally,” Vreeman said. Successful realtor returns to CC for EMT degree Julie Seidel/Chinook Jason Spence posed for a photo while working as a member of the local Hogadon Ski Patrol on Casper Mountain. Julie Seidel Chinook Writer Jason Spence, a 49-year-old successful realtor, returned to higher education through Casper College to further his range of volunteering with an emergency medical service degree. His life before this decision was a winding path of unexpected events. Spence endured a rather cultured young life. His mother, Spanish and catholic, in courtship with his father, Irish and protestant, led to a challenging marriage, according to Spence. With his father in the Royal Air Force, the family traveled the world with Spence born in England and his brother, Jasper, born in Ireland. Spence graduated high school as a young 16-year-old and played professional soccer for Coventry City Fútbol Club based in Coventry, West Midlands, England. As a college athlete, he got a bachelor's degree in computer science. Spence said that after school he worked for an online investment services company as an analyst programmer at IEX Group NV company. His professional fútbol career started him off on his financial growth. At just 17-years-old, Spence bought his first house and his first sports car in Scotland, England. Unfortunately, Spence grew to dislike his degree based career. “I retired from the rat race, and I said I was never going to work again,” said Spence. “I don’t like bosses and white collar jobs, so I became my own boss after getting my realtors license.” Spence inherited half of his mother's villa and gained interest in starting an airbnb. Later, he bought out his brother's half. His father currently lives in the villa rent free, according to Spence. “I actually bought an apartment about 20 years ago, and I lived there for one year,” said Collon Spence, Spence’s father. “Jason bought it and kept it in the family, and now he rents it out as a short-term rental. I am very humbled and proud of his work.” Even though Spence found a new hobby, he missed his athletic years and when his friend reached out to him about a tennis coaching opportunity. He never played tennis before but he jumped on the offer. He took the job coaching 7-year-old girl, Isabelle Korteneer, who Spence said he was expected to go pro. He coached her at the University of Plymouth in England, where he also went for his coaching and performance sports degree at the same time. While coaching Korteneer, he helped her earn multiple athletic accomplishments. At just 10-yearsold, Korteneer claimed the title of number one in her junior division. With Spence as her coach, she also ranked top four in the 14-year-old age group and top 10 in the world for juniors. As Spence traveled coaching Korteneer, he expanded his real estate empire by buying houses, apartments, and duplexes along the way. He currently owns airbnb’s in Spain, England, Ireland, Australia, and two in America. “My rentals set me up financially so I can live like a king,” said Spence. “Americans live to work with capitalist money. Europeans work to live. In Spain, it’s mañana (indefinite future) and tomorrow you have siestas at 2 o'clock. You might not even go back to work.” After retiring from coaching, Spence decided to start his own financial business. According to Ashlyn, his now ex-wife, Spence did not excel at math, which later forced him to sell the business. The downfall also broke up their relationship. His unexpected relationship change caused Spence to move across the country to Casper, Wyo. According to Spence, he was astounded to hear about a ski resort located only 15 minutes away from the town. Even though he took two years of ski lessons at the age of 21, Spence traveled to the mountains. He fell in love with the location and community of Hogadon Ski Patrol and decided to join the non-profit organization. After two years of ski patrol, Lynn Hyath, or yoda as they called him, encouraged Spence to go back to school for his EMT degree. He hopped on the opportunity and started going to Casper College in 2021. “In college you’ll learn the knowledge, but a lot of the time you don’t actually learn the hands on,” said Spence. Spence explained that he loves his classes and his teachers have up to 100 years of experience added all together as paramedics. Spence shared a time when his education proved challenging -- in his first ride along with Wyoming Medical Center, a man with an unintentional gun wound had a hemothorax. According to Spence, it was inspiring to see the nurses and doctors in action, and it sparked his interest even more in the field. “There is an adrenaline rush in ski patrol of helping people and getting that fast-paced action. It suits my qualities,” said Spence. “With my ability to be calm, think under pressure, and have compassion for the patients, I make a good fit for the job.” In the end, Spence said he just wants to give back to his community. After traveling to 151 countries and learning three languages, Spence said he’s ready to build another personal community in Casper. Spence said, “Obviously, you have to put into society and do constructive work and be a positive member of your community, but there is a lot more to life. It's about experiencing and having fun and that is what Ski Patrol and EMT paramedics are all about. I can be a little boy and drive around in big toys with flashing lights and actually do a good thing, a good service.” Join our staff this fall! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �Page 6 Too rich for blood Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer Alongside the cookies and juice boxes received after the process of donating plasma, many donation centers throw in another incentive to sweeten the deal even further. “It was money,” Cam Moore, a political science student at Casper College said. “I was in my first semester in college and.. my friend's like, ‘hey, have you heard about this plasma donation? You can do it and like get a little bit of extra money…’ I donated some blood before. I'm like, right, I can do this." Money is often the main motivator in donating plasma. The amount given to donators varies depending on the amount of times a donator returned, friends they referred, or promotions currently happening. In Moore’s case, he earned around $70 for his first couple of donations when he started visiting the Casper BioLife Plasma Services center in 2019. “Donor compensation can vary depending on the local market environment,” Alicia Highlander, the BioLife communications lead said. “Donating plasma is voluntary and in line with industry practice, BioLife compensates individuals who donate plasma in recognition of their time and commitment.” Donating blood follows a similar process. Donors go through a screening and fill out paperwork. Then on the day of their appointment, donors are hooked up to a machine to undergo the donation process. Both blood and plasma donors are awarded with snacks to raise blood sugar, but the plasma process also comes with a blue plastic card containing money. According to the BioLife website, this is due mostly to the fact that plasma is unable to be produced synthetically. Instead, the amount available is due solely to how many donators contribute. To increase interest and the number of those donating, BioLife pays donors for their plasma. “The global demand for plasma continues to increase, and BioLife is growing its network across the U.S. with over 160 centers, responsibly May 1, 2022 CHINOOK and sustainably, to help meet this urgent need,” Highlander said. “Plasma is used to create lifesaving medicines for hundreds of thousands of people who live with rare and complex chronic diseases… Therapies developed from plasma replace missing or deficient proteins containing disease-fighting antibodies, which are obtained from human plasma, so that patients can live a happier and healthier life.” While donors aren’t paid for solely donating blood, they are awarded with plastic debit card in exchange for their plasma donation. Moore said his card sits in in his wallet, and since his first visit three years ago, he’s returned to donate eight times and scheduled another appointment during his interview. According to the BioLife app, by following the promotion throughout the month, Moore was on track to earn $700 for his donations. Moore said the money he made through the processes often went towards his college fund or personal checking account. “My biggest thing for Abigail Landwehr/Chinook College students have been donating plasma to organizations, such as BioLife, as a means of making extra money for years. people who want to do it is that if you're sensitive towards needles, don't do this,” Moore said. “I know some people have done that before and they passed out.. it's not worth having a huge bruise in your arm.” After earning his own bruise at one of his own donations, Moore said he thought it was good money but a bit of a gamble. He also warned potential donators to be cautious and hydrate before their appointments. “If you don't mind needles and aren't super busy, I would do it,” Moore added. To be eligible to donate plasma, those interested need to be at least 18 years old, weigh above 110 pounds, and pass the initial pre-donation physical and screening that happen upon each visit. “BioLife has two different ways that you can sign up to be a donor,” Highlander said. “One is our website, www. biolifeplasma.com and the other is by downloading the BioLife App. Then you simply complete a profile and book an appointment to get started.” Wyoming Congressional Award Medal Recipient Photo Courtesy of Ashley Christiansen Photography Senator John Barrasso and Senator Cynthia Lummis awarded Ellie Weibel with her bronze, silver, and gold Congressional Award Medals on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at the Cheyenne Civic Center. Kaley Pieper Chinook Writer Ellie Weibel, a nursing major at Casper College, is a recipient of a Congressional Award Medal. The Congressional Medal Award is a prestigious award earned by young people across the country to recognize initiative, service, and achievement in America’s youth. The award also provides opportunities for young people to unleash their potential by achieving personal goals focused on volunteerism, character development, and fitness. Weibel started to pursue her goals in the program over two years ago. After her hard work, Weibel received the top honor of a gold medal. “Some people start on the bronze and work their way up to the gold, but I decided to complete it all at once and got all three medals at the same time,” said Weibel. On the morning of Sunday, April 3 at the Cheyenne Civic Center, the Wyoming Congressional Award Council held its annual state award ceremony to honor youth from across Wyoming who earned Congressional Award medals. “Senator John Barrasso and Senator Cynthia Lummis were there and Congresswoman Liz Cheney was supposed to be there, but she was sick. That was really cool to meet them,” Weibel said. “They got to hand me my award, and I got to take a picture with them. I also got to meet people with some of the same goals as me from all over the state of Wyoming.” Also in attendance at the ceremony was Sarah Compton, the Executive Director of the Wyoming Congressional Award Council. “It is a large amount of personal growth. And honestly, it’s a very hard sell for a 14-year-old to see this growth. But overall, we hear that youth who complete this program really grow. It helps them learn about themselves and most importantly, their communities -- the effect they can have on their communities,” Compton said when asked about the award. Short term growth isn’t the only goal of the program. This two year program makes it easier to engage in a lifetime of service. Compton also said, “I love to be able to meet and see the kids, and get to know what they’re doing. I had the opportunity to meet Ellie, and she was wonderful. It’s a great program for those kids.” The award focuses on four main components. For her voluntary public service piece, Weibel worked in her high school athletic training room helping athletes recover from injuries. Students can choose any type of volunteering to count towards the award. Volunteering counts towards the bulk of the award. Another unique volunteer project that Compton recalls is a young man who revived the football program at his high school. “He really spearheaded everything, from finding kids to doing the grounds, to getting coaches and funding for uniforms. I just thought ‘wow’! That’s a big deal for a kid in high school who still has other stuff going on,” Compton said. The next component of the award is personal development. Weibel worked as a life guard and barista at Metro for her personal development. For physical fitness, Weibel was active in volleyball at her high school, Natrona County. For her exploration expedition, Weibel got the opportunity to go to Florida. Weibel was originally supposed to go to Mexico in 2020, but due to Covid restrictions, she was unable to travel. So she went to Florida last year instead of when things opened up again. We did a lot of exploring of the town of Clearwater. My favorite thing we did was paddle boarding down the Weeki Wachee River. The water was really clear, and I could see manatees and other cool animals. It’s a very cool place that not a lot of people get to see,” Weibel described. Weibel shared advice to anyone considering the award. “If you make manageable goals, they are fun to reach, and it makes it all worth it in the end. I gained personal growth and motivation. Making myself work on the goals, and not having someone push me or having a grade to earn,” said Weibel. “It’s all for myself and the satisfaction of what comes out of it at the end.” www.caspercollege.edu/chinook Wellness Center introduces Nod app Nod supports students to build social connections in three ways: 1. Ideas: Prompts based on the science of social connection that help you take action. 2. Reflections: Short in-app exercises help students process social experiences, track their mood, reduce self-criticism, and build resilience so you can keep progressing toward your social goals. 3. Testimonials: Real student perspectives on social connection to help you learn from others and understand the ups and downs along the way. Connect with a Wellness Center counselor for a deeper dive into reaching your social goals. Call 307-268-2267 �May 1, 2022 Page 7 CHINOOK Gunnare's storied impact Elena Tzelou Chinook Writer Submitted Photo A mom of a Casper College women's basketball player shared a photo Gunnare coaching at the beginning of the season. Dwight Gunnare, the head coach of the Casper College Women's Basketball team is the one of the most important factors to success in CC athletics. His success is proven by all of the titles and championships he and his teams earn. “Coaching women’s basketball is my passion,” Gunnare said. According to Gunnare every year is different but the goal remains the same. The goal, as the coach mentioned, is to go as far as the team can while improving the athletes skills. He also stressed the importance of putting in hard work not only on the court but academically as well. “I am so glad to be in my 14th year in CC,” Gunnare said. Gunnare added that CC feels like a second home and the team represents a second family based on the amount of time he spends with team members during the day. Gunnare said, “I realized that all the hard work pays off and everyone is getting a reward.” After 38 years of coaching he realized that his job is not done when the season is over. In his 14 years at CC, Gunnare said he believes that success goes beyond winning basketball games. He is working hard to help the sophomores get to the next level and improve themselves. “My players' happiness goes above every award,”Gunnare said. Nathaniel Macy, the assistant coach of the Lady T-bird agreed. “I am happy when my athletes are,” Macy said. Gunnare received the award of the ‘Coach of the year’ many times in his career. He said such an award is something that makes him really happy, but at the same time he said he owes it to the players who are giving 100% of themselves and win championships. “Details make the difference,” Gunnare said. Gunnare said that the team’s success would not happen without the help of Macy who is also working hard on many different things, including his work for the team and the class he teaches. “I am blessed and thankful to have such a great collaboration with Coach Gunnare,” said Macy. He said he believes that every year the team is filled with amazing players, but the thing that makes Gunnare’s team always outstanding is in the statistics that leads him averaging 26.5 wins per year. According to Macy, Gunnare shared many useful tips that helped him become a capable coach with a successful team. “CC is a great opportunity for all the athletes,”Gunnare said. Gunnare added that he is really picky and careful with his choices in athletes because all he wants is athletes that can sacrifice a lot of free time to develop themselves academically and in basketball. “I had really good experiences in my whole career,” Gunnare said. However, after years and years of coaching the end of his career is coming soon. According to Gunnare, he thinks young coaches should have some new important opportunities, and he believes that he already gave every piece of his knowledge to the game. “We all love Coach G and his trust in us,” Kate Robertons and Dejaan Schuler of the Lady T-birds said. The Lady T-birds all agreed that they enjoyed the year with coaches Gunnare and Macy. Gunnare's effort and the way he handles the practice will make him unforgettable. Another thing according to the players of the team hat makes them so grateful to be part of the team is all the help they receive from the coaches either with support for school or with extra help in basketball when more practice is needed. “Leaving CC is really hard,” Belen Morales of the Lady T-birds said. Player Jo Vaz said she enjoyed the two years journey at CC. “It is really hard for us to abandon not only our lovely team, but also the coaches who are giving us daily all that kind love that we deserve,” said Vaz. 2022 Ropin' & Riggin' Days Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Myles Carlson rides bareback for Casper College at the college's 66th Annual Ropin' & Riggin' Days Rodeo last month. Forensics team brings home hardware Photo Courtesy of Doug Hall The Casper College Forensics Team posed for a photo with their awards at the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in St. Charles, Mo. From left: Markie Whitney, Alex Walters, Violet Wright, Doug Hall, Emma Kellick, Brax Sambrano, Emma Rudell, Jayden Roccaforte, Ethan Fife, Shelby Davis, Pearl Taylor. The team returned home with a silver in individual events, silver in debate, and an overall bronze. Alex Walters of Rapid City, S.D. won gold in persuasive speaking, gold in impromptu Speaking, and silver in informative Speaking. Brax Sambrano of Casper won bronze in prose interpretation. Violet Wright of Casper won bronze in informative speaking. Emma Kellick of Casper won Gold in impromptu speaking and bronze in nformative speaking. Shelby Davis of Newcastle, Wyo. won gold in international public debate, top speaker in international public debate. Markie Whitney of Newcastle, Wyo. won gold in international public debate. Pearl Taylor of Rapid City, S.D. won Bronze in poetry interpretation. Emma Rudell of Cheyenne, Wyo. won bronze in poetry Interpretation, bronze in program oral interpretation, and bronze in duo interpretation. Jayden Roccaforte of Cheyenne, Wyo. won bronze in prose interpretation, bronze in duo interpretation, and gold in program oral interpretation. �Page 8 May 1, 2022 CHINOOK How the tables turn The educated become the educators Jay M. Roccaforte Chinook Writer Former Casper College students Allen Pino and Catalina Pedroza now both teach at Meadowlark Elementary School and coach for Cheyenne East Speech & Debate. After celebrating their nine year anniversary together last month on April 5, the two spoke about their growth as educators in the same state where they grew up. Pedroza spent her early education in Evanston before attending high school in Cheyenne. Pino, however, got his entire K-12 education in Cheyenne, where he attended East High School and competed for the speech and debate team. On said speech and debate team is where the two first crossed paths and began dating. According to Pino, he didn’t initially know what he planned to do after high school. He said it wasn’t until he made contact with and joined the CC forensics team that his college career began to take shape. Being a year younger than Pino, Pedroza joined him in Casper the next year. “Allen and I were trying to do long distance,” Pedroza explained, “And so by the time I graduated, I went to Casper College knowing I wanted to teach basically. They gave me so many opportunities to do so much! I could do band, and I could be on the speech team, and I could be in student senate. Versus if I went to the University of Wyoming, I couldn’t have done all those things.” CC proved to be an amazing experience for the two, with chances to meet new people, make new memories, and learn new things. Both said the community they encountered at CC proved essential in forming their outlook on education and the passion they have for their work. According to Pino, “I’m in the business of opportunity. I’m a first generation college person in my family. There were a lot of things I thought I should never be able to do, especially with my background. Casper College was in the business of creating that opportunity for me, so I just kinda view myself that way as a teacher now, and as a coach. Like that’s what I want to be.” Pedroza is a 5th grade teacher finishing up her third year at Meadowlark while Pino is reaching the end of two years as the technology teacher for all students. “The year before, I was a sub primarily at East and Meadowlark, so I was very familiar to the building before I was a part of the staff,” Pino explained, “I interact with all the teachers (and) every student in the building, so over the course of a week I work with five-hundred plus students.” According to Pino and Pedroza, they endured many hardships as teachers, especially through the pandemic. In her first years at Meadowlark, Pedroza said she learned countless valuable lessons. Regardless, she recognized that being a teacher is a constant learning experience. “In terms of growth, I’m not ready to be a parent right now, right?” Pedroza explained. “But I’m a parent of twentyfour kids. I just feel like it’s so hard to try to understand what a ten-year-old feels because they can’t communicate it very well. And me, I’m just like a baby too. I’m gonna get tenured next year, which is crazy, but I’m still learning.” In their time at Meadowlark, the two started a speech and debate program built off of Cheyenne East’s program. Pino and Pedroza volunteered time to the high school team throughout and after college, and Cheyenne East hired Pino as a coach in 2016. Pedroza recently also joined the coaching staff for the Cheyenne East team in September of 2021. Marcus Viney, a close friend of Pino and Pedroza, started as the head coach of Cheyenne East Speech and Debate in 2014. After working with the two for so long, he discussed his strong desire to hire Pedroza last year. “It was the most natural and obvious choice,” Viney explained. “She’s been helping the team since I started. She’d come to practices, she’d go to tournaments – and notice – she’s not getting paid for any of that. And so when it came time to try to find a new coach, it was just obvious, like ‘Oh, of course Cat! Of course we’re gonna bring her in.’” After years of being an unofficial coach, Pedroza talked about the feeling of finally becoming a part of the East staff while also teaching at Meadowlark. “I just ‘officially’ became a coach? Like I’m on the payroll,” Pedroza explained. “But I feel like I have a lot to learn. It’s hard knowing that we’re not in the building, which makes a big difference. To be so far away from East even though we go there all the time, it just feels like there’s a disconnect right now.” According to Viney, however, Pedroza’s role at Meadowlark is vital due to her work in extending the team’s program to the elementary school. “It’s hard because, you know, I’m at the high school, and I can talk all day long about building bridges and Jay M. Roccaforte/Chinook Casper College alumni Allen Pino and Catalina Pedroza posed for a photo outside of Meadowlark Elementary School in Cheyenne. trying to extend the program, but it’s actually really, really, really hard to get over to the school in time and make connections and do stuff. You literally physically need another person over there! But she is over there. She made the connection,” Viney said. Pino and Pedroza entered the speech and debate world nearly a decade ago, and the process of becoming respected individuals in the community is indescribable for them. Pino expressed his feelings of gratitude in seeing the impact his words have had on students. “I think there were these moments where, like, a student would ask me, ‘Do you legitimately think I could be good at this?’ and I’m like ‘Yes, I truly believe you could be good at this.’ And in that interaction, you see a lightbulb turn on in them,” said Pino. Such moments with students are powerful for Pino and Pedroza. Likewise, Pino elaborated on the differences between his relationship with Meadowlark students versus Pedroza’s. “I think the cool thing for her is she’s working with 24 students like all year ‘round. She really gets to know them. I only see them once a week. Her first group are seventh graders now, and you can tell how much they love her.” As elementary teachers, Pino and Pedroza are witnessing the early years of their student’s education. However, being coaches at the highschool as well, the two showed excitement for the future of students beyond their Meadowlark classrooms. According to Pedroza, “What’s cool about me working in the East triad is that eventually my first year kids are gonna be freshmen, and I get to see them again! I’m so excited because they’re gonna be all big! A lot of people don’t get the opportunity to have that. I think that’s amazing. And to cheer them on when they go to college! I don’t know, it’s wild to think about.” Having come so far, Pino and Pedroza still have a world of experiences ahead of them. The two emphasized how important it is for students to have someone that will listen. Especially after the isolation brought on by the pandemic, the two believe that kids are in need of teachers who value their voice. Pino and Pedroza have faced their share of struggles, but the two consistently show up as friends and valuable resources for elementary and high school students alike. “If you ever go into education, you’ll have these moments of clarity where you know exactly why you’re doing this,” Pedroza said. “You find your way again.” Taking online or hybrid courses? Students: 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. Examples of items we can help with: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. ZOOM – help you learn to access and use Zoom for your remote course meetings and collaborations 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Accessing Office 365 .- such as MS Word and PowerPoint 5. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it, using NetTutor. Plus a lot more! Contact us. Don’t wait! Get your Questions answered now. Teresa Pat Mike Tyler 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 �May 1, 2022 Page 9 CHINOOK CC instructor offers unique learning experience Violet Wright Chinook Writer For students taking their first course with Political Science Instructor Dr. Nathan Blank, he may seem like an average community college instructor. However, throughout the duration of one of his courses, students will learn about his unique and exciting experiences before his time teaching at Casper College. Blank has been teaching at Casper College for nearly 10 years as a political science instructor. He teaches courses ranging from U.S. and Wyoming Government to more in-depth courses such as International Relations and Introduction to Terrorism, as well as many others. However, his teaching career didn’t begin as one might expect. Blank began his career as a corporate businessman after completing his bachelor’s degree in history. Working for Mervyns, a long-forgotten and out-of-business department store, Blank started to question his work in the corporate world. “I was sitting in a two-day meeting with vendors. We were working on how we could get socks and underwear more quickly to stores, and I just had the thought of ‘is my life now just about the movement of underwear and socks?’ … and I was thinking ‘I can’t do this for my whole life.’” After some soul searching, Blank decided to leave behind his corporate job at Mervyn’s. He returned to school to work on his master’s degree at a program offering political science for those working towards a career in government. Within a few semesters, Blank said the school asked him to teach a course, and he found that he really enjoyed the experience. Still, after completing his master’s degree, Blank said he wasn’t sure if he wanted to teach or work in a different field. He decided to apply for jobs in government agencies-- such as the FBI, State Department, and CIA-at the same time he also applied to PhD programs. Blank ultimately started his PhD program at Northern Illinois University. Later, he learned he had gained acceptance into an international PhD Program. “I started, did a whole year of coursework, and in the middle of the year I got accepted at Australian National University. I had to make a decision -- Stay in Northern Illinois or sell my house, cars, and everything we own to take my wife and two kids to the other side of the planet,” said Blank. Blank described his acceptance into ANU as a “fluke.” In his application process he searched for political science programs that specialized in Asia studies, leading him to apply for ANU– one of the best schools in the world for studying asian politics. Opportunities at ANU allowed Blank the opportunity to spend six months in the Philippines doing field research for his dissertation. After finishing his dissertation and working for a short time at another college, Blank came to CC where he is highly respected by his colleagues and students who enjoy his expertise, experience, and humor. “Dr. Blank stood out pretty quickly… he is a dynamic personality in the classroom,” said Erich Frankland, Blank’s colleague who taught at CC when Blank first started. “[Blank] is reliable, insightful, and open to dialogue, and you see those characteristics in class… students know that he cares.” His colleagues aren’t the only ones who take notice of Blank’s commitment and unique set of experience. In class, Blank discusses his experiences of living and going to school in Australia and the Philippines. Bryan Noel, a political science student who is taking Blank’s international relations course, explained: “I really like that he integrates personal stories into his lectures. It shows the experience he has,” Said Noel “He shows videos and describes his travels, which is interesting to hear about and applicable to the class discussion.” Noel discussed how Blank brings a unique set of experiences that captivate his students and helps them develop a new lens to see the world. As a teacher, he encourages his students to seek out opportunities and experiences that will help them to see the world, such as foreign service and study abroad programs. Because of his experience, he inspires students to try things that have the potential to change their lives for the better. Photos Courtesy of Nathan Blank Political Science Instructor Nathan Blank shared photos of his time in the Philipines in 2009. Blank is pictured above in Manilla with Collin, a twoyear-old Orangutan. To the right is a photo of Blank's family on Guimaras Island. Blank said he was taking a break from dissertation research to visit a beach resort with his wife and kids. The Blanks have since added two more children to the family. Discover Casper College Isabella Coronado/Chinook Left, Admissions Coordinator Tori Misak addresses a crowd of local high school sophomores that attended the Discover Casper College event on campus. Discover Casper College is an opportunity for high school students to spend time on campus, meet faculty and staff, and learn about various programs. Students attending DCC met in the "Sweded" Erickson Thunderbird Gymnasium at Casper College where staff introduced themselves and provided a map of the day. The group of students is pictured below engaging in opening activities. �Page 10 May 1, 2022 CHINOOK Casino Night 2022 Isabella Coronado/ Chinook Julie Hansen, academic assistant for the Casper College School of Science helped out with Casino Night by leading games with groups of students. Isabella Coronado/ Chinook Isabella Coronado/ Chinook Students packed the Casper College cafeteria for Casino Night. Fun was had by all while enjoying great food, various games, and generous prizes. Isabella Coronado/ Chinook Shown from left to right are Student Senate members Logan MacKearney, Dani Warner, and Savannah Peterson. Student Senate helped put on the casino night for students and faculty. Pictured above the setup of all of the amazing food provided for a fun night of playing games with students and professors as the end of the semester nears. Isabella Coronado/ Chinook Casino Night was well-attended by students enjoying many different games and refreshments with friends and faculty. Returning to Campus next Fall? Need a JOB??? Want a work schedule with flexibility around your classes? Want to save gas $ by not having to work across town? Join us in Dining Services! Get paid every other week, plus free meals when you work! Be a part of our NEW Dining Experience beginning Fall 2022! Apply on indeed.com Search for Sodexo in Casper and select the Student Worker position. Complete the application process entirely and we will be in touch mid-July. Resident Students will be able to move in early for training before classes start. � 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 2022-05 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. 2022-05 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from May 2022. 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_2022-05 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/f37676c3251263873c125e970b8e7978.pdf 16a5035c1048048fb0bc8d82f3fc69c6 PDF Text Text December 2022 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Trouble with Wheeler Terrace Apartments Kaylee Davis Chinook Contributor Photo Courtsey of Kaylee Davis Shown above are the Wheeler Terrace Apartments at Casper College. Students arrive on campus to move in this fall, only to be greeted by unsanitary leftovers from former tenants. You are a student at Casper College, and you decide to live in the Wheeler Terrace Apartments. You travel many hours to get to Casper and you are excited about your new adventure of living in the apartments after living in the dorms. There’s only one problem, you walk into your new home for the year and the smell hits your noise hard. You walk further into your apartment and the walls are dirty, there’s an old dingy microwave, food left in the fridge, and leftover clothes from the past tenants. That’s a brief description of how several apartments were at the beginning of the school year. Now, not every apartment was like that, and not every apartment will be, however for some students it was a disappointing scene upon moving in. The Wheeler Terrace Apartments are located on Casper College’s Campus, right down the street from the dorms. They are available for those who are 19 years old or are a sophomore. They are perfect for having more space to yourself, while still being on campus, and you have a kitchen, living room area, bathroom, and each tenant, two to be exact, have their own separate bedrooms. These are some of the contributing factors as to why students choose to live here, including those interviewed. During the summer months, there are students who can live in the apartments due to other circumstances throughout the break. Kaitlin Davidson, Residence Hall Coordinator, said they do have those students who live in Wheeler Terrace over the summer and that “their check-in and check-out process is the same for everyone who lives in any of our buildings.” For check-in, the RA will show you the damages that may be present in the room, and they write those down so that you aren’t charged for those when you check-out. When you check-out, the RA will note if there are any new damages to your room, and if they weren’t there before, then you may be charged for those. However, once you have moved out, a work order is sent in to clean or fix the damages. Most residents upon move in may do the basic cleaning such as vacuuming and wiping down the main surfaces. However, for some they had to do a bit more than the basics. Madi Lupher, a resident in Wheeler Terrace said that when she arrived, “there was a bag of fries in my freezer, a pair of old shoes, a football, and an absolutely disgusting microwave that was so bad inside it went in the garbage.” As a student who is excited about their new home, this is something that is frustrating. She felt that from the room’s appearance, it looked like the check-out process really didn't occur. Madi — See Apartments Page 3 New Visual Arts Center open to CC students Lucy Jane Crimm Chinook Writer Lucy Jane Crimm/Chinook Molly Harshman (right) helps Landri Engelk center her clay piece during the evening ceramics class. In 2016 Casper College began planning to demolish and rebuild the Dick and Marialyce Tobin Visual Arts Center, but the project came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic. The building finally opened for classes in October. While the project isn’t completely finished and some classes are still temporarily held in other buildings on campus, Casper College professors and students expressed excitement to see the project become a reality. “I’m thrilled that we’re in the new building,” Graphic Design Instructor Cynthia Harrison said. “To be in this building and to be with my department gives me much more of a sense of community and belonging.” The design of the new Visual Arts Center is modern, and the building features brand new equipment and technology. Students have access to over 30 new computers in the building and 20 new Mac computers in the Mac Lab with other computers also available for students to use in between classes. There is a new 13x19 photo quality printer for graphic design and two new Epson printers for the photography classes. The college included the art instructors throughout the process of designing the building in order to create a space where art students thrive. “Students are going to benefit in so many ways,” Ceramics Instructor Mike Olsen said. “The building is designed with creating art in mind. Every time I tour people through and I look at these spaces, I tell everyone I wish I could go back 30 years and start all over again. I want to take classes here.” Photography Instructor Shawn Bush mentioned that he’s most excited about the new dark room because he said it is nicer than any other college dark room he has seen. The new state of the art dark room for the film photography class features brand new, high quality technology, as well as a ventilation system that the old dark room didn’t have. Bush said, “It’ll be nice for the students to not have to sit in the fumes while they work in the dark room.” Students are excited to finally have a space where they can focus on their art and spend time with their peers. The building’s design is popular with students for its open plan and modern design. Graphic design major Alex Torres takes his 2D design, drawing and digital art classes in the new building and is excited to have a new space where he can work and be with other art students. “I really enjoy the new building,” Torres said. “I think it brings in a lot of life for the art — See Visual Arts, Page 4 Hearing the world around us Bailey Menzel Chinook Writer Photo Courtesy of Bailey Menzel Pictured above audio instructor Larry Burger inside the recording studio at Wheeler Concert Hall. When entering the mixing room of the sound department at Casper College, one is met by a wide range of shapes plastered on the walls and an array of sound equipment. The shapes insulate sound and the equipment is made up of mixing tables, speakers, buttons, and knobs of various sizes, each appearing to be more expensive and fun to use than the last. There’s a small area of chairs all in view of the large monitor to see every inch of the action in the small insulated room. And though the room isn't that large, what it lacks in size it makes up for in company with the beaming presence of audio instructor Larry Burger. Burger has taught in the audio department at CC for the past 15 plus years. He says he has tried to, “ Build his class structure around really trying to help each student get exactly what they want out it.” Such effort is seen very clearly upon entering the department, as visitors are met with smiling faces and a sea of tech jargon. The atmosphere comes from ignited passions for the material presented in Larry's classes. He is described by others as someone who loves his field of work and enjoys sharing that love with people. Aside from his time teaching audio at CC, Burger spends a good amount of time at his recording and audio business right here in Casper. Former student and now staff member at CC Tyler Sanner stated that he took his first class with Burger in the fall of 2010. He said he found himself at a point in life where he wanted to learn a lot more about sound. “After a little time in class and the personal audio experiences I had, I walked in one day and told Larry I wanted to make this a career, and I’m still here and he’s still facilitating that,” said Sanner. This is truly an example of Burger having an effect on the way someone hears the world around them. Sanner went on to continue his pursuit of the audio industry and now works as the college's digital learning/ AV coordinator. Sanner described the type of environment and knowledge he experienced throughout the past few years with Burger and emphasizing how he is on the “cutting edge of the knowledge in the industry.” “Sometimes I even have a hard time keeping up with him, as he is so passionate in this field,” Sanner said. Bridge Helm, also a student of the audio department, is frequently seen at events in Wheeler Concert Hall helping Burger set microphones or run the sound board for a choir concert or jazz band festival. Helm shared nothing but nice www.caspercollege.edu/chinook things about Burger. He said, “He is someone that makes you happy to learn. He’s not done until we are all hands on and hearing the difference at the end of the class.” Which seems to be a theme that is very prevalent in Burger’s mind as when asked what his favorite part about teaching in the audio department he replies “My hope is that by the end of the class, you start to listen and hear things a little differently, even if it’s in a minor way -- you begin to really hear the world around us,” Burger said. There are many elements that make up the teaching staff at CC -- experience, drive, enthusiasm and overall love for the subject. It is clear Burger brings those elements to the audio department in spades. Perhaps his hope should be everyone’s goal and not just a goal for an audio class -- to really hear the world around us. �Page 2 Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: As we enter the home stretch of the fall semester and into the holiday season, I want to touch on two separate, but related topics. The first topic is life balance. Please be sure to take care of yourself over the winter break by enjoying the weather, embracing the holiday season, spending time with your friends and family, or engaging in any activity that brings you peace and happiness. It is all Benefits of work study positions Jonathan Togstad Jots with Jonathan The work study program at Casper College has benefited me and other students in a multitude of ways. I started as a work study in September of this year, and it has helped me greatly. I worked over the summer at a retail store and worked into August when school first started. That job became grating, and I knew that it would be near impossible to work there and focus on schooling. I was ecstatic when I started working at Casper College and that feeling continues. Being a work study is a really rewarding experience, as I can help fellow students and keep up with my schooling. Working at the IT Helpdesk lets me assist students in their needs and has allowed me to feel part of my community, which is something I never felt in high school. My job has been very essential to the success of my first semester in college. In addition to the experience itself being rewarding, it also alleviates the stress of tuition while being a pretty stress-free environment itself. I know several people who work at Casper College share similar sentiments. Kyler Stocks told me on countless occasions how much he enjoys his job as a tutor and his other responsibilities. Stocks works with the ACE program (academics, community, and enrichment) and a lot of his day is spent helping middle school and high school students with homework, his specialty being math. Stock also added that his place of work is a fun hang out spot for students as well and his favorite part of his day is interacting with students. Ben Petersen, who works at the pre-school, spends time keeping children safe and interacting with them. He often asks how their day has been and has fun with them on the playground. Petersen also helps take care of babies and puts them to sleep. The work study program has also led to full-time positions on campus. When I spoke to Shelby Garner for a profile, she discussed how being a work study opened up the door for her to become a financial aid counselor. Garner says starting as a work study first gave her a different perspective from other counselors; it allows her to see it from both the point of view of the student and from her own point of view as the counselor. In fact, Garner now manages the federal work study budget. There are a wide variety of work study positions on campus. While the jobs are sometimes difficult to look for, they are a unique opportunity and provide great benefit to students and the community. If interested, visit the Casper College website for more information or ask Casper College faculty or staff if there are openings in a field of interest. Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer If you’re like me, you love Christmas. I wait all year for the season to come back into full force. The houses are decorated, the music is playing, the lights are strung up around town, and the stores have had their Christmas decorations out since Halloween. I absolutely love it. However, not everyone does, and this time of the year can be very difficult for many Americans. Whether that be stress, financial hardships, or losing a loved one, this time of year may not be full of happiness and cheer. According to an article at choosingtherapy.com, over “14% of Americans experience the winter blues.” With that in mind, the article also states that “69% of people feel stressed by either their ‘lack of time’ or ‘lack of money’ when it comes to the holidays. In addition, over half feel worried about the pressure to give or receive gifts.” For example, parents with children who are hopeful that Santa is bringing the toy they wished for, the parent may be hopeful they can pay the bills for the month, along with making their kids wish come true. This all leads into a season of depression, -rather than a season of joy. When around these individuals who are experiencing pain and stress, it’s hard for me. As the Christmas freak I am, it’s difficult to understand why they are so crabby or why they don’t want to go look at the Christmas lights, or why in the world is their house not decked out to the max with bells of holly? Beauty everywhere, yuletide by the fireside, and joyful memories there. So, what can we do to help those individuals find the beauty? What can we do so that they can make new memories, while remembering any joyful memories they once had? Well, for starters we can remind them to think of all the happy memories that filled their lives in years past. We can encourage them to create their own, new, happy traditions. We can talk to them about volunteering their time for a charity around the holidays, and they may even find someone they can connect with. The final December 2022 CHINOOK “ too easy to become fixated on a single aspect of our lives, and thus unintentionally neglect other, equally important, aspects. So please don’t become sidetracked by hustle and bustle of the holidays, and fall out-ofbalance. The second topic is similar to the first, except emphasized from a slightly different angle; namely emotional health. You likely already know the holidays can be a challenging time as many people struggle with increased anxiety or depression. Adding the extra burden of believing everyone should be happy this time of year can make everything seem even worse. Whether this scenario describes you personally, or you have a friend or loved one who struggles with some of these challenges, please take extra care this year to watch for signs of emotional distress. There are many resources at the College, the county, and the state to help anyone having a tough time. Also know you can reach out anytime to any member of our staff, and ask for assistance, and we will put you in touch with trained professionals who can help you or a loved one sort things out and get back to a healthier and happier emotional state. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season… Please be sure to take care of yourself over the winter break by enjoying the weather, embracing the holiday season, spending time with your friends and family, or engaging in any activity that brings you peace and happiness. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Pass the honey Bailey Menzel Hush, Hush Have you ever dealt with a boss, coach or perhaps maybe even a coworker that was always in a bad mood, or perhaps they were the type to belittle you and lash out at you instead of offering constructive criticism? I’m sure everyone has experienced this at least once in their life. And no doubt, those interactions affected your daily emotional state, and while you probably carried it home inevitably complaining to your friends about it later. Now, in environments like these it is normal to try to face the problem head on, find Kaylee Davis Deets with Davis thing we can do is remind them that if they aren’t ready for all the Christmas “magic” then it’s okay. They don’t have to attend every party or watch every movie if they feel uncomfortable. The main thing is that they know we are there for them. Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer… Well maybe this year, we can all be our merry cheery selves while also thinking about how we can help those around us feel or find their own joy, whether that be from the season or just life in general. So, let’s all try and be the merriest bunch of Christmas freaks we can; while remembering that maybe not everyone is having the happ happ happiest Christmas. But it’s our job to try and spread our cheer to them along the way whenever the time feels right. a new job, tell your HR rep, join a new team, etc.. But what do you do when the person exhibiting these behaviors is an educator, someone that you are paying for the privilege to listen to and learn from? Where do you draw the line of what is and isn't acceptable? What kind of environment is expected for a college class? Where do we give instructors credence because they are humans too, and where do we see the line of professionalism crossed? After all, we are paying for an education, we should have a steadfast environment to receive it in. After completing a certain general education requirement last semester, I came upon an interesting realization -- , It would've been a more enriching experience had another teacher not treated me the way they did. And in that realization, it was clear that a lot of other students felt the same way. The entire mood of the room would be different on the days that the certain instructor was present. Anyone could see the way the mannerisms of the students would change whenever the certain instructor was near. I even had one girl state to me, “If they’re having a bad day, we will be too.” What kind of a learning environment is that? Is that really what these students are paying for? The troubling part is, in my own experience this teacher only covered my class a few times. It wasn't someone that I was even personally taking classes from. But, it only took those few times for me to understand the depth of what everyone was talking about. I began to see what others meant by small belittling comments and mannerisms that don’t inspire confidence in students. In all of my years of adult life, I have never had an educator speak to me in the manner they did. It almost made me laugh. And as this person is a very prominent instructor in the department, so I saw them very frequently. I also had classes with majors in their department who were not shy about describing their treatment from this instructor either. Is this really the best we can do? As students, what is the best course of action? Do we let someone belittle us and make us dread showing up for the education that we ultimately are paying for? Or is there a way for us all to collectively check our egos at the door and try to do better all together? In the end it seems like we all just want a pleasant learning environment, and we strive for acceptance and belonging. It is easy to feel like you don't want to belong though when someone is so unpleasant in their demeanor every day. I guess it all goes back to that old saying, “ You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.” For now, I guess it's better to keep our opinions Hush, Hush. �December 2022 Page 3 CHINOOK Apartments............................................ said “it took myself and my two sisters and mom over three hours to clean the apartment so I could bring in my stuff.” In terms of cleaning, several apartments had walls that were covered in stains and other substances, floors that had stains, and kitchens that had minimal cleaning prior to moving in. Maddy Henry said upon move-in, she had to deep clean the entire kitchen, remove the stove top burners as they still had leftover food and rust inside of them. She also said that “the washer had mold growing in it, so I ran the machine at least three time on the cleaning setting with Clorox laundry sanitizer, and then had to scrub it again by hand.” Maddy said it took her around five hours to clean the main parts of the apartment, as well as the bathroom and shower. They both also had to clean and, in some cases, take a mop to their walls to clean off food, stains, and more. One room still had food on the walls and cabinets in the kitchen and leftover food in the refrigerator. Other rooms had several things that were broken, such as the washing machine which took weeks to get someone in to fix, hinges hanging off of doors that have had work orders put in but never fixed, doors that won’t lock, and more. There were several others whose room wasn’t as bad as those who were interviewed, however several I asked had issues with their room that should have been fixed before. However, this isn’t the case for every apartment, as there were others that were completely move-in ready and had everything cleaned and some had new appliances. Aspyn Green, who lives on the first floor, said that “her room was move-in ready and required little to no cleaning prior to move in.” Could it be that several kids just had the unlucky draw of a room? Or, is this something that maintenance and others should look into? Davidson Visual Arts............................................ students. The old building was kind of dingy, but this one’s a lot more bright and open. My favorite part of this building is that it’s open until 12 a.m.” Students and instructors are excited now that construction on the new building has seen major progress this year, but this project endured its share of bumps in the road, and while the building was supposed to be finished by the beginning of the year, it is still not completely done. The unexpected delay in the construction of the building meant the classes that would’ve been in the new building had to be spread out across campus. “We were all displaced all over campus because of the delay,” Harrison said. “It was a little bit confusing for the students because at the last minute we had to find different locations for their classes across campus.” Luckily Casper College worked out a way for all of the classes to proceed in different locations temporarily, except for the film photography class. “I couldn’t teach film photography because we have to have a dark room,” Bush explained. “We have to have the space. We have to have ventilation. It has to be pitch black, (and) it has to have red lighting. That stuff just wasn’t possible -- it wasn’t feasible to make a temporary space for that.” While most of the classes are now held in the new building, there are still some students who haven’t taken art classes in the new building because of the delays. Geology, GIS and digital photography major Shawn Condelario is one student who felt the negative impact of the delays. Condelario’s digital photography II class was supposed to be in the new Visual Arts building, but the class is still temporarily held in Liesinger Hall. “Originally we were told it’ll be ready at the beginning of this school year, then it’ll be ready at mid-term– as of yesterday, it’s still not ready and it’s probably not going to be ready this entire semester,” he said. “Our [digital photography] class keeps getting moved to wherever there’s an open spot.” Condelario is excited for the new building to be finished and said he is looking forward to having his photography classes in it once it is “up and fully operational.” Since the photography studio is not fully complete, Condelario said he had to set up a makeshift studio in his living room. He noted that he is lucky to have that living room space to set something up because he can’t imagine the students making do in their dorm rooms. “We have a new studio space, and it’s a wonderful space, but I have only been able to use it one time this semester– and when I did use it, we had construction workers coming in and out,” Condelario explained. Despite the delays, students and instructors are excited to see the construction of the new Visual Arts Center nearing the finish line and hope this building will benefit current and future Casper College students. “I’m even looking forward to retiring and being able to come in and use this space as a student instead of just as an instructor,” Olsen said. CC students practice the art of 'talking' Siera Quinn/Chinook Writerr Pictured above is the Casper welcome statue along Wyoming Blvd in Casper Wyoming. continued from page 1 stated that many of the rooms that need to be fixed or are dirty, “they are unaware of any of the issues.” So, it could be a case of information that wasn’t properly passed along. Whatever the case may be, the hope is that future residents of Wheeler Terrace will never be disappointed or disgusted upon opening their door for the first time. continued from page 1 Lucy Jane Crimm/Chinook Above, Stoner Lawn and Landscape places a statue outside the Visual Arts Center. Shown to the left is the sitting area visitors will see upon entering the new building. Sierra Quinn Chinook Writer Kaylynn Mack arrives on campus for today's lesson. She is a class instructor for the Continuing Education program at Casper College. As an instructor, she has the opportunity to interact with students from varying levels of society; today is no different. Kaylynn chats with a 77-year-old student of hers. The older gentleman expresses his frustration and confusion after a woman became angry after he positively commented on her appearance. Recognizing the generation gap, she explained to him the feminist status quo and the stand against female objectification. He was in genuine shock at the revelations. Relieved to have his confusion cleared, he thanked her. Exchanges like this show us how listening to understand promotes civil discourse in the Casper community. Casper College students take part in Living Room Conversations that prepare them for civil discourse in the community. “I think it is very important to give everybody the benefit of the doubt and refrain from jumping down their throats. Not everybody has access to the internet and is in the know and such.” said Mack on her approach to challenging conversations. Evidence of the nation's lacking civil discourse skills and social upsets reported in the news media lead Cara Rodriguez, a long time English instructor, to act. She “scrapped” her composition lesson plans and said, “we are going to learn how to talk to people,” and began hosting Living Room Conversations in her classroom a few years ago. “I think listening to somebody is the best gift you can give them.” according to Rodriguez as she described student benefits since beginning her new lesson plan. She said many students uncover they were not really listening prior to taking part in a Living Room Conversation in her class. Listening to understand versus listening while forming a rebuttal, that is. Rodriguez explains that by listening, students form new perspectives after connecting individual life experiences to the opinions they form, creating a connection in the process. There have been some special moments inside of my class where students are like, ‘I had no idea that was real or that was an experience that someone actually had.’ It has been really cool.” said Rodriguez. Not all of Rodriguez’s students welcome her classroom Living Room Conversations, “Some people put up a wall and it is a real bummer to me.” she said. Like outside the classroom, not everyone feels comfortable publicly taking part in difficult conversations. In September, the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences held a “Living Room Chats Across Our Campus” event as part of their annual seminar. The event was an opportunity for students to engage in difficult conversations, in a controlled environment, while supporting mutual respect for the parties involved. The event topic and conversation guide were provided by Living Room Conversations, a website that promotes guided conversation with a diverse group of individuals to connect people within communities. “A conversation is going to be free flowing. But putting guidelines on how we keep it civil, appropriate, and safe for everybody and practicing that, those guidelines just kind of become your new natural.” said Amanda Nelson, a Casper College paralegal instructor. She said participants of Living Room Conversations become “better conversationalists”. And college students need this practice. Sixty percent of college students aged 18 to 24 report reluctance to engage in one or more controversial topics, according to a 2022 study, “Campus Survey Expression”, published by Heterodox Academy, a nonpartisan nonprofit group. Worse, fifty-six percent of reluctant students cite fear of peer criticism as a motive to avoid controversial topics. “Acting out of fear versus finding a way to unify just drives us further apart,” said Rodriguez when discussing the negative impact on communities that “do not allow for civil discourse”. People should not be fooled by divisive news headlines. Instead, they should seek difficult conversations with community members. A conversation of listening and learning, encouraging civil discourse and recognition of the people behind the story. Disagreement does not have to equal disrespect in the Casper community. Living Room Conversations is a nonprofit organization trying to connect people, regardless of opinions and differences, through listening and understanding. Their website provides topics and a conversation guide, along with rules to enable a diverse group to respectfully engage in open dialogue. To host a Living Room Conversation or to learn more visit livingroomconversations.org. www.caspercollege.edu/chinook �Page 4 CHINOOK December 2022 That One Unforgetteable Coworker Sierra Quinn Chinook Writer Kathy Quinn sat eating her lunch in Tobin Dining Hall while trading wise cracks with coworkers through the cafeteria hum. In-between jokes, she told the story of how she moved to Casper 38 years ago from Iowa. She said she moved to help babysit her nieces and nephews when her brother-in-law accepted a job in Wyoming. When asked if that was an easy decision, Quinn quickly replied, “No question about it.” with conviction in her voice. For Quinn, caring for others and making people laugh is second nature. In the 38 years since her move to Casper, Quinn continues to impact the lives of those near. Whether it is a laugh, advice, or help, she delivers on all three. In her nine years working at Casper College as a custodian, she has become a memorable personality across campus, even though she refuses to admit it. “It was always a great time to see Kathy. She always made an effort to stop in to say hi, raid my candy bowl, and just see what else she could do to help,” said Julie Hansen, the School of Science academic assistant. Quinn worked in the Wold Physical Science building four years ago where she and Hansen first crossed paths. Quinn boasted the claim that she, “fooled” the college’s administration into believing they have had a “good employee” for the last nine years “shhh” she whispered. Hansen said, Quinn’s “dry sense of humor” is what makes her special, that and making others feel important. Hansen said she misses working with Quinn, who now works in the Strausner Hall building. “She is the one that would go out and she would scatter salt by our cars, so we did not slip getting into our cars,” said Hansen, adding that Quinn memorized staff vehicles at the PS building. Quinn stayed humble, jokingly disregarding her act of kindness as nothing special. She said, all she ever did in the PS building was, “eat all their candy and free food.” But what Quinn admits about herself, and what her coworkers have to say about her never quite matches up. Yolanda Isaldo, a custodian in the Gertrude Krampert Center for Theatre and Dance, described Quinn as someone who is always giving to her church and community. Isaldo said Quinn makes her feel “important,” which positively impacts her workday. “She is like a mentor to me. She guides me and lectures me when I am not doing what I am supposed to be doing, especially with school,” said Isaldo. Quinn attributes her characteristics to her grandmother and father, who were important influences in her life. Quinn said she now lives by a motto of “always be humble and kind.” “Okay, I try really, really hard to. Sometimes I hit a pothole here and there.” she admitted while shrugging her shoulders. While many coworkers have enjoyed Quinn's genuine shenanigans, retirement for her is looming. She laughed at the topic, saying she has no plans to become a relic like William (Bill) Jensen, who retired at 86 years young from Casper College as a custodian in 2020, according to Quinn. When asked where she planned to be in five years if not at Casper College, she said with a serious face, “On a beach. In a bikini.” Quinn said she hopes to move with her husband after her retirement, to some place where shoveling snow is unnecessary. “I am going to be a snowbird. I am going south, and I am not coming back,” said Quinn. Wherever her adventures lead her after retirement, Quinn will take with her the humor and kindness she is known for here at CC. When Quinn was asked to pose for Sierra Quinn/Chinook a photo, she straddled her broom like a Kathy Quinn, pictured here at work in Strausner Hall, poses witch, turned her head back and asked, for a photo, entertaining coworkers. “Like this?” www.caspercollege.edu/chinook �December 2022 Page 5 CHINOOK Mysterious PTK Invitation Solved Sierra Quinn Chinook Writer From top left Margaret Biskup, Caroline Hansen, and Erica Pasley. From bottom left Noelle Romer, Jacob Klaudt, Jade Hefenieder. Sierra Quinn/Chinook Eligible students receive a mysterious correspondence at the beginning of each semester to join Zeta Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, triggering curiosity about what the campus organization represents from students every semester here at Casper College. “People think being part of honor society means learning more boring stuff,” said Noelle Romer, President of Zeta Alpha Chapter.. Core officers of the Zeta Alpha Chapter at CC demystify what the organization does, share potential membership benefits, and explore a common misconception to aid students receiving a Phi Theta Kappa invitation. Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is an internationally recognized college honor society that participates in research and community service projects yearly with several key membership benefits. This fall, the Zeta Alpha Chapter is researching the biological drive behind “play” as part of their annual Phi Theta Kappa Honors in Actions research project, according to Romer. Romer also said the club will also organize a community impact service project this upcoming spring, similar to last spring’s CC Cares Day event. Other club operations include organizing service awards for staff and smallerscale projects, said Romer. Invitations to join PTK. are extended to CC students who have completed 12 credit hours and a minimum G.P.A of 3.5 said Romer. The Zeta Alpha Chapter was established at Casper College in 1946 and the advisors for the club are Casper College instructors, Jared Bowden and Teresa Strickland. Students also weigh whether or not to accept the invitation to PTK. Romer expressed that joining the Zeta Alpha Chapter enables student members to experience community, engage in networking, and connect with volunteer opportunities and gain access to additional scholarships. Such benefits are generally conducive to academic student success, which carries over into professional careers. Additionally, chapter officers like Romer gain beneficial leadership and research skills, among other professional competencies in their unique roles. “If they (students) are worried about it taking up their time, it won't,” explained, Vice President of Fellowship, Jade Hefenieder. A common misconception among the student body is that membership participation in an honor society is an intense experience. Hefenieder said she wants prospective members to know that participation within Zeta Alpha is low-pressure, with minimal time commitment, while still reaping many membership benefits. Romer described the optional club meetings. “Members meet once a month and it is a time to socialize, talk about upcoming projects, play games, and discuss volunteer opportunities,” said Romer. The case of the mysterious PTK invite is now solved . If students wonder if PTK is right for them, Romer shared a final thought. She said, “Honor students are of all shapes, sizes, and personalities. We have a really cool mix of people you wouldn't expect to see and I love the diversity.” To learn more about the Zeta Alpha Chapter, contact Noelle Romer at noelle.romer@mycc. caspercollege.edu or Jade Hefenieder at jade.hefenieder@mycc. caspercollge.edu. Making a difference through Student Senate Kaylee Davis Chinook Contributor “If you really want to make a difference, the only way is to be a part of the committees running things” says McKinley Kessler, public relations officer for Student Senate. This club is a great way for you to become involved in your school, become a representative of your school department, while meeting new people. Kassidy Brooks stated why she applied for Senate. “With my major, I am always around similar people with similar ideas and interests, with senate, I am able to meet new people from a variety of schools and their representatives that are associated with the club.” Student Senate meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., with Devin Fulton being the club’s advisor. Kassidy, who is the Vice President, said that Fulton is an energetic, fun guy who lets the members run the meeting and allows them to voice their opinion on things. While being in Student Senate allows you to be in the know about the going-on’s in the school, you can develop leadership skills, while putting your creative side to use by planning events for the students here at Casper. One of the most popular events was the Casino Night in the spring, and since it was such a hit, they’re bringing it back this winter! If you choose to run for Student Senate, applications are sent out in the spring for upcoming sophomores to apply to. McKinley said the process to apply was quite easy, she “submitted my name, wrote up a personal biography, and while I didn’t campaign, my boyfriend, Colter, bless him, got the word out that I was running for an office.” As for new Freshman, they are newly elected to their offices, which are representatives for their school, whether that be the School Of Science, the School of Business and Industry or they can be an elected Freshman Representative. This year there were five newly elected officers to round out Student Senate. If you are interested in running, there are typically eight office spots to fill up once elections start. If you are a media/communications major, you may find that being a Public Relations officer is beneficial, as they talk to the student body, explain what is going on in the Senate and use this information to create media projects that promote the Student Senate and the events and activities happening on campus. If you enjoy assuming leadership roles while being very organized, you may enjoy running for Vice president. Brooks said her position is more than just leading the meetings when the President is gone. She also “has to oversee all of the Casper College’s clubs, record their membership, see who is president of each club, as well as make sure that each club is abiding by the rule set by the college for what they are supposed to be doing.” Have any questions about applying for Student Senate, or any of the positions? You can find Brooks in the Werner Ag Pavilion while Kessler on several days a week is working the school’s food pantry! You can contact advisor, Photo Courtesy of Kaylee Davis Devin Fulton at devin.fulton@caspercollege. The Student Senate at Casper College gathered for a recent meeting on campus. The organization meets every Wednesday evening during semester. edu, or you reach him at 307-268-2638. Garner connects through financial aid office Jonathan Togstad Chinook Contributor Submitted Photo Shelby Garner posed for a photo. Garner works in the Casper College financial aid office. A college campus involves many moving parts, and Casper College is no different. Students often lose sight of the other departments on campus besides the ones they interact with on a daily basis. Enrollment services, the Goodstein library, the financial aid office, and many others are necessary for a functioning college. While it may feel like those departments are in the background, financial aid counselor Shelby Garner puts a face to her office on campus. Garner worked at OfficeMax for about six years until she realized she needed a change, so she came to CC as a work study in the financial aid department in 2011. When asked what her first impression was of Garner, Hathaway and Scholarship Specialist Anna Miller said, “Oh I loved Shelby. I could tell she was a kind soul to begin with and a very caring person.” Working as a work study, she then transitioned into a full time role as a Financial Aid Counselor. Garner said that she traditionally sees herself as an introvert, but “blossomed” and gained a lot of confidence from helping students and going to the summer financial aid institute. The institute is a week-long event that assists newcomers in learning the ins and outs of financial aid. Last year she even taught a course at the event. Garner’s day to day duties involves consoling students on their financial troubles and aid students in applying for the FAFSA. Garner described her relationship with students by saying, “I find a lot of fulfillment in the consoling aspect… as you see on my door I’ve got a sign that says you’re the most important part of my day. I really try to foster that with my students because sometimes we are the only people they get a chance to talk to.” In order to really connect with students Garner said that she uses her own college experiences as examples for struggling students. When she went to college, she said she changed her major “three or four different times” in her first two years. She let others push her in directions that weren’t the right fit for her and it took a long time before she finally found her calling. Garner added that she even dropped out all together for five years before returning. Garner said part of the reason for her struggles was feeling like she had nobody to talk to on campus, “it made it really difficult for me to choose my path.” Garner said Garner detailed that she received a teary-eyed phone call from a student in a similar situation to the one she found herself in years ago. She wants to be that listening ear that she herself needed when she was going through the trials and tribulations of college life. “It humbles you,'' Garner said. “...that a student trusts you with this information.” However, her job is not done without any difficulty. Miller said that Garner works a tough job balancing assisting students with the often black and white federal regulations. She dubbed the financial aid office from the students’ perspectives as “the office of no.” She also mentioned that the office can get stressful, especially when it comes to the start of the fall semester. “We always joke in our office that our brains forget August every year and how stressful it is,” Garner said. The department always receives last minute FAFSA submissions, and it can often become difficult trying to figure out what’s the top priority for the day. In addition to her work in financial aid consoling, Garner also takes on other responsibilities at CC. Garner works with the state program GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) that often targets underprivileged students and assists them when it comes to paying for college. Garner said that many students with lower income are stuck in “survival mode” and think that college is not a reality for them, and the program tries to take students out of that mindset. Miller who also collaborates on the program says that they even start talking to as young as middle school. “It's never too early to start thinking about what's after high school,” Miller said. Garner’s other duties include man- aging the school’s work study budget and planning financial aid events that take place all around campus. She said events help destigmatize the “office of no” title and add some humanity to the often stressful and bureaucratic process of acquiring federal student aid. Garner also serves as an advisor for the NSLS (the National Society of Leadership and Success) and talked about how her group went to Sam’s Club to buy food for the student food pantry located in the Union Building. She describes herself as a “jack of all trades in a lot of ways.” Garner has a large and sweeping impact on Casper College and will continue to do so for years to come. She juggles many responsibilities even outside her day to day work duties and makes an effort to build meaningful connections with students. Her contributions to on campus events and even working with students off campus reflects such connections. Miller said of Garner, “She somehow magically bridges that gap where the student always leaves her office feeling confident, more knowledgeable, (and) less stressed. She has the magic gift that I do admire about her.” If a student is needing to meet with Shelby Garner, Anna Miller or other faculty, the financial aid department is on the third floor of the Gateway Building. �Page 6 December 2022 CHINOOK Basketball season underway Evan Eathorne Chinook Writer The highly anticipated men’s and women’s basketball seasons started at the beginning of November and are well underway. Both teams are looking for a chance to make a run to the national tournament this season. Although the games didn’t begin until early November, Men’s Basketball Head Coach Shaun Gutting said the team hit the gym two weeks before the start of the semester in August. According to freshman Tyler Pacheco, “Before the season began, we were playing pickup games, weight training four times a week–, we had position workouts, and (we) practiced Monday through Saturday.” The work paved the way for the team to have excellent chemistry, friendships on and off, and maximize each play- er’s strengths when the season finally came around. “I bring shooting, hustle plays and energy when we need it,” Pacheco said. As someone that is used to leading the team like he did at Kelly Walsh High School in Casper, Pacheco still found a spot early on in his career on a crowded T-birds team, and he is living out his life-long goal of playing college basketball. The men’s basketball team gets a lot of hype at CC, and they are looking worthy of that hype so far this season, per the team’s 10-3 record. The men have endured a fairly difficult schedule to start the season, as they have already faced off against the #1 team in the country with Indian Hills Community College. Although the T-birds lost 94-69, the team fought hard against the best competition at this level. They continue their season and quest for nationals this weekend in a matchup against Trinidad State College. Equally important is the Lady T-birds season. After returning many players from last year and adding some solid Freshman talent such as Logann Alvar, the team is looking to get back to the national tournament in Lubbock, Texas. This offseason, the woman started with skill work, conditioning, and 5-on-5 in order to get back up to speed. So far, the team boasts a record of 11-1, with the only loss coming to Salt Lake Community College in a close 96-92 overtime game. Women’s Basketball Head Coach Dwight Gunnare and freshman guard Alvar stated that the team’s strengths are its fast break offense and depth on the bench that can do a little bit of everything. “They put out a great effort everyday,” said Gunnare. The team has good guards in Alvar, Julia Polamo, and Joslin Igo that can get hot CC fall sports recap quickly with their shooting as well as players on the inside that can fight it out for some boards. When talking to the Coach, I could tell he was excited to see these girls battle this year, have some success, and get some recognition. Gunnare’s passion for coaching the game shone through when he said, “I love sports and it was a way to stay involved. Do what you love. You might not get rich from it but you’ll enjoy it.” The same passion seems to pass into his teams when they play. In fact, even new players feel it. “I love it! It’s hard work but I’ve enjoyed it so much. I really feel blessed to be a part of this team and this program,” said Alvar. If they can continue having fun and playing how they’ve been, they truly have as good a shot as anyone in the region to Evan Eathorne/Chinook make some noise and get into Tyler Pacheco takes two shots at the free throw line in a game the National Tournament. against Impact Academy from Las Vegas on November 19. Evan Eathorne Chinook Writer As fall of 2022 turns to winter, another season of Thunder-bird soccer and volleyball with it. Casper College’s Men’s Soccer Team finished a rather strong a rather strong season, with a record of 14-3-2 (6-1-1 in conference play). The team flew all the way to the Region IX semi-final where it played against Laramie County Community College in a heartbreaking double-overtime tie game. Many of the players come from countries such as Europe, Asia, and Australia.The team also included some talented in-state freshmen on the pitch this year, including the likes of Hayden Hollinger, Cayden Allaire, and Cole Venable. Venable, a Wyoming native from Worland, won the Region IX Freshman of the Year honors after scoring nine goals this season. The Lady T-bird soccer team also experienced some success this season, posting a 10-4-2 record. Unfortunately, the team was bounced out in the first round of the postseason in the same fashion as the men, a 1-1 tie to LCCC. On the court, Lady T-bird volleyball started off its season in Iowa with a tough tournament match against Indian Hills Community College on August 19, where they lost 2-3. The tournament marked the start of a hard-fought season, “We played one of the toughest schedules that we have ever had”, said Coach Sharman, “In our first tournament we played all the top seeds and were right there with them.” Following the tournament, there was a shift in the girls’ play because, like anything, confidence is key, and players began to lose theirs. The team ended the season with a record of 7-28. While the team may have endured a tough season, some good came to the players too. According to Sharman, the women finished the year playing some of their best team ball. Sharman spoke to the team’s strengths. She said, "We served aggressively this year and took some teams out of rhythm and that helped us defensively setting up what we wanted to do." Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Katarina Vulic sets the ball to Paulina Dziedzic in a recent game at Casper College. No wheels on campus Bailey Menzel Chinook Writer Picture this, it’s a cold day in Casper, the kind of cold that freezes your nostrils and makes your breath short, you have just gotten done with your first class of the day and you’re due for another class in ten minutes, you now have to walk through the icy wind for half a mile to get to your next building, you could take your vehicle if you have one, but there is guarantee you will find parking in enough time, if only you could ride your scooter to the next building and be there on time, but the policies on campus have forbidden you from doing so. At Casper College the campus policies are very clear, absolutely no skateboards, scooters, or longboards allowed to be ridden on campus, that means a long walk for some students, while others may not notice at all, this may seem like an arbitrary or prejudiced rule, but at its core the policy is in place as a matter of safety. Being a campus that con- sists of 28 different buildings and over 200 acres of land, it is understandable that some students would desire a faster mode of transportation, aside from walking or driving since the parking is also scarce in the more congested areas of campus. Therein lies the need for another mode of movement, students who bicycle have the advantage of being able to ride nearly up to the door, so many wish to be able to ride their skateboard or scooter to try to speed up the time spent outside, or time spent traveling across campus. Second year Computer Science Major Damian Moore, who is an avid sportsman, has many opinions pertaining to the subject, Moore believes that being able to ride his longboard on campus would make his life exponentially easier stating that “Ten minute periods between classes can be very short, especially if you need to talk to your teacher before you move on, so many times I was late to my classes even though I was hustling to get there, a longboard would’ve cut my time in half,” A thought that has no doubt crossed many students’ minds as they were running to make it inside no doubt. Although Moore only has one semester left to attend on campus, he still looks forward to more discussion on the subject in the future. Though the campus is large and the weather can be brutal, the policy isn’t in place just to make students’ lives harder, it actually comes from the layout of how the campus is arranged. In his corner office located towards the back of Strausner Hall, Head of Security John Becker, when asked why the policy is actually in place, stated that “the campus was not built to accommodate skateboards and things of that nature, the roadways are far too narrow,” a safety hazard that truly is unavoidable. Becker then went on to say that perhaps if we had wider streets or more of an area for skateboards on the sidewalk it wouldn’t be an issue at all, it is far from campus security to wish any more time in the cold Bailey Menzel/Chinook Pictured above is one of the bike racks on campus offered for students to house their equipment between classes outside of Liesigner Hall on the students than absolutely necessary. Also to be noted, Campus Security has no problem with the idea of wheels on campus, however it is just not realistic with the layout of our streets. Even though it seems like a minor inconvenience, the is- sue of a large campus and limited options for movement on wheels is still prevalent, but the policy will remain in place to limit the use of wheels on campus until there is more space for riding and less of an issue due to safety. For now, it looks like things will stay the way they are, even though the campus security has no personal bias against the use of certain wheels on campus, students will just have to walk, make sure they bundle up to combat the cold, and manage their time between classes as best they can. Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �December 2022 Page 7 CHINOOK Hathaway's Impact Diversity and Inclusion Committee at CC Photo Courtesy of Benjamin Petersen Pictured left is Benjamin Petersen, a cyber security major at Casper College. He described how the Hathaway Scholarship impacted him. He earned the scholarship during his time at Kelly Walsh High School and has been utlizing the scholarship to its fullest potential at Casper College. Submitted Photo This year's Diversity and Inclusion Committee gathered for a photo recently, The group meets monthly. Jonathan Togstad Chinook Writer The Hathaway scholarship has been a prominent factor in the academic careers of both Wyoming high school and college students for over a decade. Students that attended a Wyoming school from 2005 and beyond are almost guaranteed to have heard of the Hathaway scholarship. The scholarship greatly benefits the cowboy state and has allowed many students to attend college than would have otherwise. Anna Miller, the Hathaway and scholarship specialist at Casper College detailed the origin of the scholarship. She said the scholarship got its name from the governor in the 1970s, Stanley Hathaway. He created the mineral trust fund, with the purpose of allowing more Wyoming high school students to achieve higher education. When asked how the scholarship impacts students in the community, Miller said that it helps motivate students as they know if they work hard they will gain free money for college. When discussing some of the requirements for the scholarship, Miller talked about how career and technical education courses impact students, ”...they can do four years under one of those umbrellas where they really may find their niche which will help them once they move on to higher education go onto a field they know they want to be in”. Evan Knifer, a current student at Kelly Walsh high school, admitted he did not know much about the Hathaway scholarship but would like to know more. “I’m not all that familiar with it, but it would be good to know more about it, so I can get free money for college.” Knifer said. Knifer went on to say that he will now be pursuing the scholarship knowing the benefits and opportunities it affords students. Ben Petersen, a Casper College student, how the Hathaway has impacted his education. He said the scholarship influenced his career because the coursework required to earn the Hathaway required him to take a “wider range of classes, so I was more familiar with a lot of different things”. He said that the BOCES classes, college level courses that can be taken in high school, offered by the scholarship allowed for a good kick-starter to college academics. When asked if he would be as successful at Casper College without Hathaway he said, “probably not… it would be a lot less enjoyable overall”. The Hathaway scholarship has been positively influencing Wyoming students’ lives since the first award season in 2005. For more information on the scholarship, contact Anna Miller or visit the Hathaway scholarship website. Jonathan Togstad Chinook Writer While there are many clubs and organizations on campus at Casper College, not many are as unique as the Diversity and Inclusion committee. The group, partly run by teacher and group organizer Kristina Pham, is mainly focused with the LGBTQ+ community on campus. The group has done things such as trying to include statements on the importance of pronouns in class syllabi and even creating maps to single use restrooms, so students can feel more comfortable. Their work has seemingly paid off according to a survey done through the student senate. Pham stated that she was pleasantly surprised that many students felt that the diversity and inclusion was good on campus, in addition she said that she believed that the pronoun statements in the syllabi were a main factor. She went on to say, “It often feels like the small things don’t make a difference, but I think the small things do make a difference.” Since 2016 and 2017, the group has mainly been focused on LGBTQ+ issues on campus but would like to expand out to socioeconomic issues; the group is currently working on programming relating to healthy meals on a budget. Pham says students who wanted to participate in diversity and inclusion on campus would not only be welcome but also very appreciated. They have yet to find luck with getting students as long term members, “I try really hard to get student members…they'll show up to maybe one or two meetings, and then we never see them again”. The organization would love student feedback on current and new programs, “who would know better than the students what the students need?” Pham said students who have “a little bit of social activism, social justice in their blood” and have an issue that they’d like to have discussed should go to a meeting. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. SPRING 2023 TOBIN DINING HALL IS PROVIDING AN ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-EAT SERVICE FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER. YOUR BLOCK MEAL PLAN GIVES YOU ULTIMATE FLEXIBILITY AT TOBIN DINING HALL! ONE MEAL PLAN BLOCK SWIPE @CASPERCOLLEGEDINING = ONE PASS TO TOBIN DINING HALL CASPERDINING.SODEXOMYWAY.COM �Page 8 December 2022 CHINOOK Non-trads more motivated than traditional? Bailey Menzel Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Tabbitha May Pictured above is Tabbitha May, a returning non traditional student completing her masters and re-taking a class at Casper College to earn a better grade. Casper College’s Student According to most standard rules and regulations set by Casper College, a traditional aged student is typically between the ages of 18 and 23 years and pursues college right after graduating from high school. Nontraditional students tend to be older than 24 years in age or have taken time off from education. So with those broad strokes of definition, what do non-traditional students have in common? Non-traditional students on campus believe they share a determination that might be unmatched by more formal, or traditional students. The student body of Casper College is known for many things across the city, none more so than its collection of non-traditional students; while they have no formal meeting place or group email chain, the non traditional or returning students on campus add to the culture of the student body in more ways than one, starting with a higher level of determination than the average student. According to Suzi Sanford, a non-traditional student enrolled in a double major for Spanish and Paralegal Studies says that things are different for her this time around taking classes, stating that “the technology is so much different this time around, I can afford more resources and i have more options for my style of learning, weather it’s online or lecture.” This is something that may be lost on traditional students as they have never seen a class environment any other way. While traditional students aren't exactly unmotivated, they might not have the same amount at stake for motivation to pass their classes as a nontraditional student, another non traditional student on campus Tabbitha May who is pursuing her masters, is only here to retake a class that she received a poor grade on while taking her freshman courses years ago. When asked, what is different this time around taking classes she stated, “Motivation is the biggest factor, I want to go onto better things and be done with all this, and the first time around I just really didn't care.” No one campus group is a complete description of the student body as a whole, but it seems non-traditional students on campus share a feeling of overall difference in motivation, the second time around. Not to say traditional students aren't motivated, the motivation is just different. Struggling with mental health? Here’s what to do Lucy Jane Crimm Chinook Writer Becoming a college student comes with many sizable life changes– moving away from home and family and friends while also making new friends, learning time management and adjusting to new found independence. Along with these changes can come new negative mental side effects. Navigating new or increased mental health issues can feel like a whole new overwhelming task, but it’s important to remember that there are resources available for Casper College students to help make the college transition a little easier. The most accessible resources for college students are the counseling services offered at the Wellness Center, located in the Union Building (UU) on the second floor in room 202. The Wellness Center offers free confidential individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention for all CC students. “Our services run on more of a short-term, solution focused basis. So we see students to help identify how to work through challenges that are coming up and impacting their academic life. Issues like depression, anxiety and relationships,” Director of Counseling Erin Ford said. “A lot of the things that we focus on are emerging adulthood, identity and managing emotions is a huge piece. How to understand what we are feeling and how to make our emotions work for us versus us working for our emotions.” All students are welcome in the Wellness Center– people who have already identified concerns going on, who have never done counseling before, who just need somebody to support them or need a way to talk out what’s going on in their lives. The professional counselors on campus are trained to help students through a variety of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, relationships, or other life adjustments. The counselors help students identify what they are feeling, what they want to feel and what steps they can take to feel that way. “Counseling is so neat because it is just a safe space where you’re talking to somebody who is professionally trained, doesn't know you for anything, doesn't know your background and you can just spill out everything in a totally nonjudgmental space. Weirdly enough that in and of itself, just having that space to sort things out helps make so much sense of things that are going on,” Ford commented. It is important for people to be able to identify signs that they may need to seek help from a licensed professional. New feelings of stress, ongoing anxiety, lack of motivation, ongoing sadness, irritability or any new ongoing negative emotions may be a sign that one should make an appointment to speak with a licensed professional. “Being in your head or overthinking is a really good time to come in and talk to somebody because typically when you are able to talk it out and get it out of your head, it is way easier to sort out,” Ford said. “Any kind of state in your life that you don’t know if that’s really how you want to be feeling and you don’t know what to do, it’s always great to drop in and come see us.” Fire Science major McKinsey Jerrel shared her own experience struggling with mental health in college. “My depression, anxiety and bulimia worsened since going into college,” she said. “I feel like the stress of assignments being piled on top of each other has made it worse as well as the isolation you get when you first move to a new place and don’t know anyone, especially when you’re [living] off campus.” Students today are facing unique challenges, social media and readjusting to life post-COVID are just two examples of the unique circumstances students have to face along with the normal stress of college life. Ford noted that social media is a big hurdle for students now because the platform makes it easier to compare yourself to other people. Such comparison can cause social disconnect that may couple with feelings of isolation and loneliness. The college encourages students to download and use a free app called “Nod.” According to the app description, Nod is designed to help students set their social skills and break them down into “small but powerful actions you can fit in your day or week.” The most important thing to remember when tackling mental health struggles is that no matter what, students are not alone. If dealing with persistent depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship struggles, or trauma, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, partner, CC faculty member or stop into the Wellness Center. “My advice to those who are struggling would be definitely ask for help,” Jerrel said. “There’s absolutely no shame in asking for help. Surround yourself with those you trust and those that have a positive vibe.” Additional Resources: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 988 Wyoming Counseling Center - (307) 237-9583 Wyoming Behavioral Institute (307) 237-7444 Campus Security - (307) 268-2688 Check Out the Digital Learning Center Students: Have you heard of MyCCMoodle? It’s the online space where your grades and syllabi live ... among other resources your instructor might share. The DLC makes sure you’re geared up to succesfully navigate the online portion of your courses. What we can do for you: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Zoom – become a pro Zoomer and feel confident attending a Zoom class meeting 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, Gmail, etc. 4. Online tutoring — Sometimes we all need a shoulder to lean on and NetTutor has the perfect one! 5. Quite place to study — Crack open your books in the DLC. Draw on our walls. Use our computers. Eat our snacks. Teresa Millan Camille Cockrell Mike McLemore Dave Siemens Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. Download the MyCCMoodle app now! Tyler Sanner Drop by by Liesinger Hall, Room 132. or contact us at 307-268-3882 or dlc@caspercollege.edu. 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 concerning Title IV, Title IX, and Section 504 to Linda Toohey, 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 2022 CHINOOK Come Play with PTK! Did you know? Play is a biological drive! There are extreme benefits to incorporating play into your life. Reduces feelings of negativity Increases chemicals that stimulate the brain Oxytocin: the love hormone Serotonin: the happy hormone Dopamine: the feel-good hormone Boosts intrinsic behavior and decreases extrinsic behavior Helps create social intelligence, cognitive intellect, and physical/mental resilience. Play deprivation can lead to: An increase in depression, anxiety, and mental illnesses. What’s the answer? CC Plays Day! Page 9 �Page 10 December 2022 CHINOOK First Fall Casino Night Lucy Jane Crimm/Chinook A Casper College student excitedly shows off the chips she won to the other players at the table during a Craps game at casino night Lucy Jane Crimm/Chinook This year is the first that Casper College has held casino night during the fall semester. During casino night, students had the opportunity to play games like Blackjack, Poker, Bingo, and Roulette to win chips and enter a raffle for various prizes. Lucy Jane Crimm/Chinook Left, Kristina Pham rolls the shooter during CC casino night Bingo. Pham is the physiology instructor in the school of social and behavioral sciences. Dr. Hawkes: Man of the students Kaylee Davis Chinook Contributor In November, the Casper College Ag Club held a Celebrity Sheep show, one where teachers and administrators could participate in by showing a sheep in front of a judge. While there were many preferences in attendance, the crowd favorite was Dr. Jerry Hawkes, Dean of the School of Science. In the student section, students cheered him on, created chants, and one even made a ‘Go Jerry’ poster. But why is he a favorite not only with those who work with him, but also with students he has or hasn’t taught? Colby Hales, assistant livestock judging coach said that Jerry can be described as “very caring for people and is the best boss I’ve had to work for.” When asked why, Hale said he must work with Jerry to coordinate Livestock Judging events, as well as happenings on the school’s ranch. “He is always very understanding.” said Hales. “I can see why the students I deal with love him. I’ve seen him work with students outside of class and I’ve seen him teaching a class he doesn’t have to teach.” The Chinook sat down in a room filled with Dodger fan items to interview a patient Hawkes who willingly answered questions. Hawkes is originally from Wyoming, where he called many towns home, but he graduated from Star Valley. After spending time on the rodeo circuit, he decided to pursue a future in education. He attended New Mexico State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Range Science, M.S. in Agricultural Economics, and B.S., in Agricultural Economics. He also met individuals who helped shape him into the educator he is now. “My undergraduate advisor played a big role. I don’t think I would have graduated from college without Jim Libbin, as well as Lowell Catlett.” He said working with Mr. Libbin “showed how important the advisor and student relationship can be.” Several students describe the traits that make Dr. Hawkes that made him a leading favorite, both in and out of the classroom. They described him as “genuine, caring about the students, student advocate, contagious for laughter and had a passion for life and his work”. Bailey Mast claimed that he knew how to tell a story. Mast said, “Whether that be a personal story or a story that related to class and helped us understand the lesson.” When asked what helped students feel like they could connect to him in and out of the classroom, Hawkes said “I want to see them succeed and see what drives them. I’ve been fortunate that I got to teach a bit and meet the students. There’s so many who are intelligent and creative, and I am excited to see what the futures hold.” Madi Lupher, a sophomore, stated “Last year at the Ag Banquet, Jerry came up to my family and started talking to my parents about how fun and enjoyable he found me. I never took any classes from him, but he knew me from the college’s Casino night, and he had kept up communication with me since then!” Hawkes doesn’t have to support the students like he does. He doesn’t have to show up to the events, with several happening outside of school hours, but he does. Aspyn Green said “Jerry will come support things happening in the Ag department, such as competing in the lamb show.” Cambree Miller, a sophomore majoring in Agriculture Education, noticed that at the events she goes to, Jerry is typically there, not just for agriculture related events. “He is always socializing with everyone.” Hawkes spent 30 years of his career at New Mexico State University where he held the positions of professor, department head, and academic dean. After he retired, he knew he wanted to move back to Wyoming and continue to be in education in some form, which led him to Casper College for the last four plus years. He never thought that he would be in administration, but the role suits him. Hawkes said he “loves working with the students in whatever capacity. I am able to focus on student success, whether an advisor or teacher.” And at CC, he is sometimes thrown back into the classroom to teach when needed. “Every time they let me, I go in. Anytime someone asks I’ll go,” said Hawkes. And he Submitted Photo A group of students gathered at the Celebrity Sheep Show in November, hosted by the Casper College Ag Club. The students showed their support for Dean of the School of Science, Dr. Jerry Hawkes. isn’t just talking about agriculture classes as he will go in if a teacher is desperate enough for a substitute for the day. Hawkes said it’s a chance for him to connect with more students. Students in 2005 and 2010 chose Hawkes to receive the Donald R. Rousch Teaching Excellence Award. Hawkes spoke to the importance of the recognition. “That’s the one that stands out to me because that was student driven. When the students say I did okay, that was the nice one for me, especially when students think you’re here for them and you’re not stealing their time or money.” Hawkes said. Many students loved their time in the classroom with Hawkes. In the fall of 2021, he jumped in to help teach an Ag Economics class, and when the semester was up and students learned he would not be continuing in the spring, they expressed some disappointment. However, many say that fall semester helped them as new freshman, and they learned that Hawkes could be a teacher and in some ways a person they could trust. Hawkes is so popular among students because not only is he the Dean of the School of Science, but he is also a teacher and a leader. He is someone who cares about the students, their lives, and their success. He is the man for the students. Julie Hansen, Academic Assistant for the Science School of Science said, “Jerry was the first boss I had, and we will have worked five years together in February. However, we will retire together if that shows how much I think of him.” Proudly, Hansen described Hawkes stating, “He’s a wonderful quiet leader who will listen to everybody. He’s one who does not impose his rule of law per say.” Hawkes spoke to what he views as one of the best parts about this job. “I don’t have to do this; I get to do this. I love this. I am fortunate to do what I do, and it all comes back to the students. I haven’t had to go to work yet,” Hawkes stated. � 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 2022-12 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. 2022-12 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from December 2022. 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_2022-12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF