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