https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/97f7aedb17dd3d42e5b8dcbff2f1a005.pdf ab84ca243e2e21929f1d67ea7fc370d6 PDF Text Text March 1, 2023 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Plays Day inspires student success Kaley Pieper Chinook Writer The recess bell in elementary school was the que to go play. As a child, playing is the favorite pastime of most everyone. Sports, recess, games, and other activities engage the mind and body, all of which are considered ‘play’. But as adults, there is no alarm to signal playtime. According to Casper College Phi Theta Kappa’s research, play is a biological drive, and there are extreme benefits to incorporating play into your life. Because play is such an important aspect of life, Phi Theta Kappa organized “CC Plays Day” to encourage students and staff at Casper College to engage in activities of play. On Thursday January 26, clubs from across campus organized games and activities open to everyone. Noelle Romer, psychology major and PTK President, helped organize the event. The idea for the event came from the club’s annual research project. This year, the topic was about play. “When you’re in that state of play, there’s so many benefits. You lose track of time, and your stress goes away. In our research, we found how important it is for college students, young adults, and even older adults to play. We kind of… shelf playing after childhood, because we have more serious things going on.” In PTK’s research, members found that play reduces feelings of negativity. It can also increase chemicals that stimulate the brain such as oxytocin (the love hormone), serotonin (the happy hormone), and dopamine (the feel-good hormone). Engaging in play also boosts intrinsic behavior and helps create social intelligence, cognitive intellect, and physical and mental resilience. When students make time to play each week, it can increase connection, which increases student success. Play deprivation can lead to depression, anxiety, and mental illnesses. “As a community college we have a really diverse population, diverse ages, and backgrounds.” said Romer “So we were looking for a way to connect the student body, and landed on nostalgia. Everyone has similar childhood experiences they can relate back to. So the idea of CC Plays day originated from this idea of connecting students, allowing them to benefit from play, and also get students involved in clubs and activities.” About 20 clubs and groups from across campus joined in by holding a play activity. Some of the clubs included American Sign Language Club, Fire Science Club, Thunderbird Gaming, Art Club, Student Senate, Oil City Ag Club, and Campus Ventures. “We learned that students that are involved in clubs have a higher success rate. — See Plays Day Page 3 Submitted Photo Erica Pasley is pictured to the right interacting with baby pigs at “Play Days” in the Grace Werner Ag Pavilion. These piglets and lambs are part of the college’s herd. Student Senate advocates: Free menstrual products on CC's campus William G Eastin Chinook Writer This year, Casper College Student Senate is pushing to provide period products on campus. Student Senate, partnering with Aunt Flow -- a menstrual product-based company -- is attempting to combat period poverty by implementing free period product dispensers in bathrooms for the use of students, teachers and faculty members. Shelby Davies is quoted in Period Poverty: The Public Health Crisis We Don’t Talk About saying, “Period poverty is defined as inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education.” She is a faculty member at PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The lack of free and affordable period products for menstruators along with the stigmatized subject itself result in missing school or work. Kristina Pham, Student Senate advisor and psychology instructor, said, “Menstruators end up using things like rags or newspapers as substitutes.” With the unavailability of free and common hygiene products, menstruators are posed with a problem that can negatively affect their academic and professional careers. Starting last year, Student Senate placed a sizable focus on attempting to implement free period product dispensers throughout campus. The Student Body President, Olivia Daniels, stated, “Senate is unable to financially afford putting them in every bathroom as of now, so we’ll start off by putting them in only a few.” The Student Senate will target the bathrooms with the highest traffic around campus and implement the first few dispensers there, both in women and gender-neutral bathrooms. “These dispensers would be used as more of a trial run to see how often they get used, how much the cost would be for refilling them, and if they would pose any problems,” Daniels said. The Senate will not only take on the responsibility of purchasing the period product dispensers, but the senate will also take on putting them up and keeping them regularly stocked. Each dispenser will include both tampons and pads, costing a total of $300 per dispenser. Refill boxes, consisting of 500 tampons and 500 pads, will cost a total of $270. The Student Senate has chosen to partner with Aunt Flow for a variety of reasons. Pham said, “Aunt Flow seemed to have the highest quality product including organic materials, comfort tips, and unbleached cotton as well.” Comfortability and products with no chemicals are qualities that the Senate deem very important and beneficial for the use of menstruators. In past years, Casper College provided paid period products in bathrooms around campus, but they were removed. “From what I understood, they were taken out of the bathrooms because of vandalism,” Pham stated. With the Student Senate attempting to implement new period product dispensers in bathrooms, this situation still has the ability to pose a major problem. Daniels said, “I believe changing the period products from paid to free will completely and if not drastically reduce the problem with vandalism.” A national survey — See Products Page 3 CC's Marcela Caballero wins distinguished award Jacob Klaudt Chinook Writer Marcela Caballero, a sophomore majoring in accounting at Casper College, received the Wyoming Business Alliance’s Shaping Wyoming’s Future award earlier this winter at a private reception held in Cheyenne, Wyo. Along with accepting the award, Marcela earned a $250 scholarship from the WBA. The inaugural award presented to mainly first-generation college students highlighted accomplished scholars who work full or part-time jobs while simultaneously earning a business-related degree from a Wyoming community college. According to the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees website, “One student was selected from each of Wyoming’s eight community colleges to share their story of determination and success.” The website also states, “The Wyoming Business Alliance is recognizing these students for the ways they have been able to transform their lives through their experience with the Wyoming community college system, and how their efforts are shaping the future of Wyoming.” Caballero, the book-reading painter who looks after an extensive and eccentric plant collection, hails from Douglas, Wyo. She is also a firstgeneration college student. Caballero is employed at a bank and working towards a bachelor’s degree at the same time. Marcela’s favorite book series, Flawed by Cecilia Ahern, depicts a young woman who excels at math and breaks down social norms in a “perfect” society. The story seems to parallel Marcela’s own life and love for accounting.With every CC student eligible to receive the SWF award, instructors in all departments nominated diligent, hardworking students who display traits of academic excellence. “We asked our faculty to recommend students who they felt showed passion toward their major, and a commitment to their education,” said Linda Toohey, CC Vice President of Student Services. “We were also looking for students who had overcome adversity as well as someone who was a community and campus leader.” Mark Oxley, Caballero’s accounting instructor and — See Award Page 3 Submitted Photo Wyoming Business Alliance representatives present Caballero (center) with a glass plaque and $250 scholarship at a reception in Cheyenne, Wyo. �Page 2 Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: Winter Weather = Poor Parking Jacob Klaudt Keepin' Up With Klaudt I would like to first preface this declaration by saying that I am not the world’s most fantastic driver. I’ve got some speeding tickets to my name, have backed into a few things, and am known to ignore a stop sign every once in a while. Nevertheless, I know how to drive, and just as importantly, park in winter conditions. After all, I hail from the great state of North Dakota which is the home of hockey, the world’s largest walleye, and winters that rival the most desolate parts of the Arctic. From snow drifts as tall as powerlines and actual temperatures of negative 60 degrees it's safe to say, I have seen my fair share of snow, ice, and hazardous road conditions. With all that being said, nothing raises my blood pressure more than seeing horrendous parking jobs due to a sprinkling of snow. I cannot count the number of times I’ve seen perfectly good spots around campus ruined by unbearably bad parking situations. Crooked parking, parking too far away from the curb, taking up multiple spots, and ignoring the lines make up some of the most unacceptable ways I’ve seen people place their vehicles at Casper College. Let me paint a real and frequently occurring picture–, the heavens have just opened up with some wintery precipitation and I’m driving east on Campus Drive past Strausner Hall because the large parking lot north of the Residence Hall appears pretty well full. I’m headed to the sub shop for a succulent sandwich. I start looking for parking between Leisinger and the Union Building only to find that two available spaces are being occupied by one reprehensible vehicle. In a state of such colossal disappointment, I continue on campus drive past Aley Hall, and approach the four-way stop where I’m forced to operate in the middle of the street due to three cars who’ve parked an outlandish distance from the curb. A collision almost takes place between myself and oncoming traffic, but I miraculously manage to make it to the stop sign. I figure that the next closest place to park is in the Leisinger lot. I signal left and make my way into the eye of the storm just hoping to have some room to perch my Chevy for 15 minutes. I am immediately horrified by the amount of wrongly angled automobiles and the complete disregard for those delightful yellow lines that used to mean something. There appears to be parking sites created out of thin air that make maneuvering around plenty difficult. After I make it out of this den of delinquents, my next option is the diagonal spaces that face the Wold Physical and Loftin Life Science Centers. I’m blown away by what’s in front of me. I feel I’m stuck in a reoccurring nightmare filled with ignorant motor vehicle operation. Finally, I make it to Parking Lot Five located in front of the Gateway Building. The sub shop is an eternity away, so I utilize the Gateway Coffee Cart to satisfy my hunger. This anecdote may seem slightly exaggerated, but in fact, this story is a reality for many students and even some faculty at CC. Now, the solution to this problem isn’t a new-fangled college course in parking or mass communication to the student body about the finer points of positioning a vehicle within two lines. It actually boils down to exhibiting one simple, yet valuable trait: courtesy. I know that sometimes people find themselves in a rush, but taking a second to be courteous and to look in your side mirrors to check your location within a parking space may be a big help to someone who's tardy for class or, in my case, looking for some quick lunch. Parking is already limited during winter months due to the piling of snow in end spots, so it becomes even more pertinent that all remaining spots available for use are not squandered away by reckless motor car stationing. At the end of the day, this issue seems trivial, but I see people who don’t feel the need to park correctly in the same light as those who chew with their mouths open: just downright inconsiderate. March 1, 2023 CHINOOK “ Mark Twain famously said “Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself.” Now while this particular quote might strike many as humorous, and is certainly part of a very long and large genre of jokes and criticisms of politicians, I urge you to move beyond, using current terminology, the meme stage. As I write this article, the Wyoming Legislature is winding down. Over the eight 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 for an elected office, I fervently believe everyone needs to be aware of the pieces of legislation being proposed and moving through your local, state, and national political processes. Democracy is a process of the people. Without being involved; without making your voice heard though public discourse, communication with elected representatives, and though the election process, you are leaving your future to the desires of others…. While each of us have our individual opinions of the political process, and individual or groups of politicians, I urge you to not ignore the political process altogether. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President The life of a stage manager The hardest job to fulfill in the arts is stage managing a show. While there are many strenuous jobs in the arts, such as dance teacher, museum curator, and professional dancer, none compare to that of a stage manager. Though my experience in this area was short lived, the four months that I was acting as a right-hand man to my stage manager Jaeden McFarland in Cinderella, I was working the hardest I ever have to keep my sanity under control. Oftentimes I was getting coffee once or twice a day with McFarland in an effort to keep both of our spirits high and our determination resolute. There is a lot of work that goes into every theater production, whether it be a one act play, or a three hour long musical. Each one has a set to be made, a crew to hire, and most importantly; someone to run the show. Though these shows would not happen without the whole team, there would be no team if it weren’t for the person in charge. Many think the director is the one in charge, calling the shots for the entire show from start to finish. This may be true in a college setting, but a professional setting is a different story. The director shows up for a short period of time, usually making sure that his requirements are honored, and then he often leaves until the show opens. The stage manager takes over from there, a new 24-hour job on their hands. Oftentimes the stage manager will stay in the theater all day, as professional theaters often have morning and afternoon practices. The times for practice are mapped out by the S.M., when they will have a break, what days they will have dress rehearsal, and when tech week will be. Though time is limited in the days leading up to tech week, the stage manager’s days get longer and their hours of sleep get shorter as opening day approaches. Tech week is the week where lighting and sound is added on top of everything else that the cast has been practicing. This also means scene changes are added, costume changes are solidified, and the stage manager’s life becomes increasingly more difficult. It is their job to que everything that goes on behind the walls of the stage, including the quick changes, the sound (depending on the show, often only dance shows will have a sound que), the lighting, and the call time for intermission. They run the show entirely on their own, and while they have the help of the other crew members, they call the shots. After practice is all said and done, the stage manager is in charge of making sure everyone gets out of the building, postshow jobs are complete, and the theater is locked up. This process on average takes about two hours after a practice that lasts up to four hours, and then the actors need time to get out of costume and set their pieces in place for the next show. If one is not doing theater professionally, but rather going to school for it, then on top of stage managing a whole show and getting home around 11:00 at night, then they also have to do their homework for their classes. This whole process usually lasts around four months, as long as the show is running. There are some differences between college theater and professional theater, besides the obvious that you came to learn at the college. Stage manager’s get paid to do their job. However, in big cities like L.A. and New York, one show’s pay is often not enough to make ends meet, and they end up stage managing more than one show at a time. Working for different companies, and managing different shows is stressful on a person. Though they do not have to do all of this work on their own, as traditionally there is an assistant stage manager there to take on some of the load. This was my job, and at first, I was disappointed not to get cast in the musical itself, but the experience proved to be fulfilling. Working as the A.S.M. was hard work on its own, as I had to follow around my higher up and help wherever I could. It was a new experience for me, and I remember breaking down on the first day of tech week because I had never had to do the heavy lifting that the crew does. McFarland's job was much harder than mine, even just in a college production. Valentines Day is ... Over? Join our staff this fall! Practice interviewing & writing weeks of the session, many pieces of legislation have been proposed, debated, and ultimately signed into law by the Governor. While each of us have our individual opinions of the political process, and individual or groups of politicians, I urge you to not ignore the political process altogether. I am certainly not arguing everyone should run for public office, although I absolutely would encourage anyone who does feel so compelled to run Presents, cards, flowers, chocolate, and dates -- typical gifts and surprises that one may give to their special someone on this day called Valentine’s Day. The holiday originated to celebrate and honor the Christian Priest Saint Valentine. Yet somehow, we went from honoring a man of religion to having one specific day in February to celebrate. For some, the day may be stressful or sad, while others view the holiday as an overrated, forced expression of love. As a kid, Valentine’s Day was a time in class to get a candy rush, play games, and best of all not have much schoolwork to do. In later years, it’s become a holiday that many -- myself included -- feel is pointless, serving only as a money maker only for those in the Valentine’s Day business so to speak. Examples include Hallmark cards, Russell Stover chocolate, and flower shops. Not only that but according to bankrate.com, “Men spend 275 more dollars than women on Valentines Day.” Doesn’t that seem a little bit excess to you? I guess it might not if one is trying to ensure that February 14th doesn’t make or break a relationship. According to today.yougov. com, “About one in 14 US adults (7%) says that they’ve broken up with someone on Valentine’s Day. A similar number have broken up with a partner shortly before (6%) or shortly after (6%) Valentine’s Day.” But who or what can we blame for such a spiked interest in the holiday? Research shows that the Industrial Revolution and the larger creation of greeting cards is the culprit. The printing press made it possible to mass-produce cards and other valentine printed materials. Now, Valentine’s Day brings in a whopping $27 billion in revenue in the United States alone, according to balanceeverything.com. However, even I have to admit that this revenue generating holiday is a great benefit to small businesses. The dailyhowl.org claims that “Small businesses are able to pull off higher sales than larger companies in part because smaller businesses are able to personalize their goods to each individual consumer, which brings in more consumers than the Ella Meyer Ella's Elaborations I would leave the theater by 9:30 most nights (unless I was shadowing her) and oftentimes she would not come home until 11:00 at night. As theater majors, the majority of our classes in the fall semester were in the theater building, so we were staying in the theater from eight in the morning to eleven at night. Half of that time was spent on stage or next to the stage itself. There are many stressful jobs in the arts industry, as it’s a career path that not many choose and has little to no financial stability behind it. I have found stage managing to be my most stressful job. Selling art and using the profits to pay my bills was much easier than trying to help someone run a show. The month the show was running were some of the most stressful nights of my theater career, but in the end, it had a grand payout. McFarland agrees with me when I say that seeing a show you helped run go smoothly and without any hiccups along the way, is one of the most rewarding things you could do in theater. The personal reward aside, stage managing is a hard job, and it takes a certain type of person to buckle down and get the job done. But the payoff is worth more than the sleepless nights, and the stress that the rest of the show induces. The end result is most satisfying and rewarding. Kaylee Davis Deets with Davis average pre-packaged ready-made goods of corporations.” While this holiday is supposed to be romantic and somewhat cheerful, many may be more depressed than not. These reasons could be because a person is single or they can’t afford the items they want for their significant other. Some say the stress to make the day flawless is too much and others are reminded of those they lost. To make the day better, especially if you’re single, according to www.banyanmentalhealth.com, you can treat yourself for a day, meditate, avoid comparing yourself to others, and find others who are single like you and have a “galantines celebration.” So why put so much pressure on one whole day? Why not give a random gift to your significant other on other days of the year? Why put so much emphasis on one entire day when you could put an emphasis on your relationship all the time to ensure that this one, large company invested day doesn’t make or break not only your relationship, but maybe your spirit as well? �March 1, 2023 Page 3 CHINOOK Plays Day............................................... So CC Plays day allowed the integration of club interaction, and students participating with clubs in the way they haven’t had a chance to. It’s a fun way to interact and get to know what goes on around campus.” There were a variety of events offered on Play Day. Campus Ventures held a dodgeball tournament. Psychology Club organized a shirt tie-dying activity. There were also virtual reality and video game activities from various clubs. Oil City Ag club even set up baby pig petting as an afternoon event. And while these scheduled activities are beneficial, engaging in play is important to incorporate into everyday life, not just once a year. “Just like you have a personality and style, you have a different play style. We’ve identified that there’s different ways to engage in play. There’s social play, which would include board games, and physical play like dodgeball, or art. Identifying how you prefer to play and then giving yourself time is important. We did a survey and the #1 response of why people didn’t play was they didn’t have the time.” Romer said. Olivia Barnes is a pre-vet major at CC who participated in CC Plays day. She played board games, participated in and escape room, enjoyed video games, and more. She said her favorite activity was the breakout box held in the Goodstein Library, put on by the college’s library staff. While Barnes said she enjoyed the activities at CC Plays Day, she also said she seldom engages in her own playful activities. When asked how often she plays on a daily basis she laughed and said, “Never. Maybe once in a while X-Box if that counts but that’s it. Playing has been beneficial today though and it got me out of the house.” Romer’s advice to integrating play into your life is, “Schedule a time. It doesn’t have to be physical. Just a way to break away and be in that state of mind that relaxes you. I don’t usually schedule play, but doing this research reminded me that I’m not as serious as I thought I was, and I actually do enjoy taking a break from the rigor of school and playing. Just having the fun you did as a child.” CC Plays Day brought together clubs around campus, connecting them together with the activity of play. It also showed students the positive benefits of engaging in play. Joining a campus club, setting aside time in your daily schedule, and playing may seem childish, but even adults are kids at heart. The biological drive of play is important to help better one’s mood, and increase individual success. Products..... continued from page 1 Submitted Photo Casper College students play dodgeball at the Campus Ventures sponsored tournament on CC Plays Day. continued from page 1 WRITING CENTER conducted by George Mason University and the University of Pennsylvania found, “10% of all female college students are unable to afford menstrual products each month.” Period Poverty is an avid issue in society today. By partnering with Aunt Flow, CC’s Student Senate is attempting to combat the issue by implementing free period product dispensers in bathrooms across campus for the use of students, staff, and faculty. Award.......... Student Senate hopes to provide products like those pictured above. William G Eastin/Chinook continued from page 1 academic advisor, nominated her for the award in late September because of her dedicated and respectful approach to her academic work. After making the first cut of students, upper CC administration selected Caballero to receive the award in October due to her exceptional work ethic and dedication to her schooling. “Simply put, it was just really cool,” Caballero said. “It was an awesome feeling.” Scholastic success ranks at the top of the list of important factors in the selection process. Caballero possesses a distinct and mature outlook on education aiding in not only achieving the award but finding success in the classroom. “I have put my whole life into school because education is something no one can take away from you,” Marcela said. “Education is something that I take seriously because you can have it forever and pass it down through your family.” With the award titled Shaping Wyoming’s Future, Caballero said she plans on using her financial and accounting experience and her education to benefit those who may struggle within that area. Observing some of her family’s struggles with poverty during her upbringing revealed the understanding of how financial literacy is the basis for the success of a continuous family. “I’ve noticed that a lot of minorities have trouble with their finances. I want to help those Wyoming families understand things like contracts, how to use credit cards, and what types of bank accounts are beneficial to them,” Caballero said. Initially, Caballero said, accounting sat towards the bottom of her potential career choice and interest list, but her innate fascination with numbers and appreciation for the discipline’s objectivity showed her its importance in the real world and how it can become a stepping stone for anyone’s success. Caballero said, “If you understand your finances very, very well, you’re more than likely going to be successful in one way or another.” Winning the SWF award, going from a juvenile Bank Teller to an experienced Universal Banker, and earning her associate's degree in accounting from CC make up just some of the things Caballero’s accomplished. Even so, her journey in achieving all of these successes comes across as anything but a linear process. “College is not easy, not in the slightest. The constant exams and assignments tested my limits and made me want to give up at first,” Caballero said. “Juggling a job, with such a stressful thing like school, and being told at the same time that ‘You’re not going to get that far,’ has made me want to accomplish and thrive in all the things I do rather than give up.” The Shaping Wyoming’s Future award helps shine a spotlight on gifted Wyoming community college students who not only take the time to do things right in the classroom but also in the game of life. Caballero meets that ideal and is a great representative for CC and all students in her shoes. The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Gain writing strategies 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 �Page 4 March 1, 2023 CHINOOK Day in the Life of an RA Ella Meyer Chinook Writer Denton Decoteau and Isabella Coronado are both resident assistants at the college’s residence hall. These two students are just part of the entire group of RAs that watch over the students that live on campus, and they are passionate about their jobs at CC. But their day-to-day looks a little different from everyone else’s, as they have more on their plate than the typical college student. Being an RA is a 24-hour job, unlike many other parttime jobs that employ many students. This job requires the staff to stay up late and do rounds of the halls to make sure that everything is going smoothly, answer the phone whenever a resident may have a problem, and watch over the front desk. Though the employee’s make their own schedule most of the time, they still must take turns doing the chores that must be done. Decoteau, an elementary education major, described his morning routine when he is on the clock opening up the desk and getting ready to help anyone who comes down. There is a list of jobs provided by the Residence Hall Student Coordinator, Kaitlyn Davidson. The list includes sorting through mail, assisting residents moving in or out, and helping those with roommate problems solve them in a cordial manner. This is not all that Deceteau does, as he has other passions outside of his job. He loves to powerlift, and says that the lifting community is very welcoming to newcomers, and that is one of the reasons he likes the RA job so much. Decoteau spoke to what made him decide to be an RA. “I want to help build a community around campus and the residence hall. I want to help people even if it's something as little as getting them back in their room and helping them feel welcomed on campus,” Decoteau said. His past with powerlifting and becoming part of a community has helped in his journey as an RA, helping him bring people together. He likes to plan activities for the students to do and wants to bring together a weight lifting club. Denton finds nothing wrong with his job as an RA, as he found close friends in his colleagues. He said he sees the work as an opportunity to grow as a person. Coronado, a communications major, shared the same thoughts about being an RA, saying that the role gave her a sense of community and brought her closer with the people in the residence hall. Coronado provided more detail about her day as an RA, talking about room checks, and needing to report students for incident’s. Though she said she likes being an RA, she also talked about things she struggles with on the job. “The incidents are hard, especially with hard topics,” said Coronado. The incidents can span Pictued above is the RA's desk area in Casper College's dorms. from parties to alcohol, as well as some worse-case-scenarios that are hard to deal with, according to Coronado. There are some advantages to being an RA other than the community, including free room and board. Both RA’s agree that this is a perk and something that influenced their choice to apply for the job. Being in that position led to more friends for the two, as it opens them up to socialize with the other students, whether they want to or not. When all other RA duties are complete, students will do homework or keep themselves busy until their shift is over. The shift’s last from four to six hours, and the group of RAs are always on rotation so there is someone at the desk at all times. These RAs must also decorate their halls with a new theme every month, though there is a generous amount of Ella Meyer/Chinook creative freedom allowed. Though being an RA is a time-consuming job, and sometimes can be frustrating, these two found joy in their employment. Their job comes easy to them, and it is not seen as a chore to help the students under their care. All of the RAs seem to hold this same mindset when it comes to their job, and it is easy to tell that the resident’s hall is in good hands with this team. �March 1, 2023 Page 5 CHINOOK Davidson, 2022-2023 Residence Hall Coordinator Kaylee Davis Chinook Writer Kaitlin Davidson is a familiar face to some- and a new face to others as of the fall semester. She has a fairly long history with Casper College, and now she is the new 2022-2023 residence hall coordinator. Davidson first attended Casper in 2014-2017 and earned her associates degree in business and dance. As a student, Davidson also worked as a resident assistant or RA. The role helped her in her new job because she said she “knows the background and it allowed me to take those experiences, positive or negative, and be better for the current RA’s,” said Davidson. However, Davidson’s plans did not always follow this career path. After Casper College she transferred to Kennesaw Georgia to earn her bachelors in dance with the end goal to one day teach dance, and she wanted to do it at CC. Soon, Covid hit, and she put her plans away, but in 2021 her chance to be a part of dance opened up in Casper and she worked as the theater dance specialist until she took over being the resident hall coordinator. Again, Davidson’s plans took a different route than anticipated, going from the dance the side of things to administrative work Davidson explained, “I liked working at a college but wanted to grow with a college. There wasn’t as many opportunities to do that with dance, and I wanted to see about getting into this side of student services.” Davidson said she likes adventure and trying new things, which proves beneficial when trying to find where you want to go in life with many goals in mind. Along with interests ranging from dance to business, she now runs a building full of students, and works with the RA’s on a dayto-day basis. Naomi Farnsworth is a Sophomore at CC and a first year RA majoring in Animal Science. While she knew the workload she would be taking on with classes and the RA position, she said “there are times when it can still be stressful”. Farnsworth appreciates that Davidson is “easy to talk to and understands where the RAs are coming from” Farnsworth said, “Kaitlin is really good at understanding and knows that our class load can be stressful, so she talks about different things we can do to help us be successful in both.” Farnsworth didn’t know Davidson prior to applying to be an RA, however, she said she is impressed that pretty much after her wedding and honeymoon, “She started her job and jumped in full force. It was crazy to see the jump of her being so professional and organized after the whirlwind of a wedding.” With that in mind, Davidson juggles a full plate, as she manages the RA’s and sets time aside to talk and work with them one- on- one every two weeks. Together they, consolidate and manage residents moving in and out while helping them find the best match. She also has to keep track of who is where and in what room during the school year while students are switching out roommates. Davidson said this alone can keep her busy as, “a lot of students and graduates transfer at semester.” Emma Jay is another Resident Assistant who is familiar with the job, as this is her second year. She’s no stranger to being busy. Jay already earned her Associates in Elementary education and Agriculture, and she is currently working on her Bachelors in Elementary Education through Valley State University, a program that works with CC similar to UW Casper. She said she could already tell the changes that occurred within the RA staff department from Davidson’s influence “This year I feel like Kaitlin came into this position fresh and trial by fire, and she’s doing such a good job with it. She is also very open and transparent with us. We’re a team but it feels more like that, and Kaitlin has been learning and growing with us as a team,” Jay said. Davidson shared some of her goals with her new position, and one of the major ones is seeing more residents not just attend programs, but to see them out and socializing with each other, -whether that be at a basketball game or going to the lobby. Jay and Farnsworth can attest to this positive change and extra creativity in their positions. “She just wants us to continue building events that reach Kaylee Davis/Chinook Kaitlin Davidson, the residence hall coordinator, visits with Dash Lloyd, an RA. Lloyd and his fellow RA's share many different responsibilities on campus. out to more audiences than normal, and she wants us to build relationships with our residents” Jay said. Farnsworth shared her experience as well. She said, “Compared to last semester, we are trying to do more diversity with our programming that we do. We are trying to utilize the courtyard and kitchens more, not just the central hub of the multipurpose room.” Davidson added her own opinions on the RA’s that she works with. “Our relationship is very close, as in it’s professional but at a relatable level from a boss and co-worker standpoint,” Davidson said. “This team specifically, I could not have asked to walk in on a better group. As well, it’s a hard position to have as a fulltime student, and I want to make sure they can openly communicate with me.” Davidson also attributes her successful transition to Corey Peacock and Linda Toohey. “They are very encouraging in me finding my own path and understand that everyone has their own path in life. Corey has set the tone as a boss for any job I’ll have,” Davidson said. Davidson’s positive impact on the college is noticed by her RA’s, and she is a model example to show students that no matter what plans may look like, it’s okay to stray from those and try new things. assistant director responsible for many of the secretarial duties of the center, said she appreciates the ways the college allows the ECLC to professionally develop. Litke said, “We have a lot of opportunities that other childcare centers might not have to go to professional conferences to see other child care models and child care programs. So, I think that's what drives the individual growth in the program” Litke also expressed her gratitude for the sense of security that the college provides. Many other local childcare centers are victims to the ebbs and flows of revenue, but the ECLC can stay open as long as the College is. The tight connection between the ECLC and CC is also very beneficial for college students wanting to work on campus. The center gives CC students many workstudy opportunities to put into practice the things they’ve learned in class. Calmes said, “We have three student teachers currently finishing up their associate’s degree. We have nine guidance students who are working on the guidance of young children, and this place gives them a chance to come up and practice what they’ve been learning in class in real life.” The relationship between the ECLC and its student workers is mutually beneficial. Many students who worked at the ECLC become permanent members of the staff after completing their degrees and help the center anticipate the changes in pre-primary education. Calmes herself was once a Casper College student. Being on the cutting edge of early childhood education, the ECLC sets high standards for its caretakers. The college’s education programs mean that the future educators of the world earn a quality education before contributing to a modern learning center. The ECLC requires that all of its employees be college educated, which Calmes claimed is a factor many other childcare centers don’t press. When distilled, all of this means that the ECLC provides a distinct experience for its kids. The program's flexibility and its constant inflow of fresh ideas means that the center’s curriculum reflects the time. Calmes described how the center’s methods have changed and what the ECLC calls an emergent curriculum. “We used to do it thematic based, where it was like every week we had something we focused on. So maybe January was ‘Community Helpers’ and for one week we did firefighters and the next week we do police officers and that sort of thing. And we did that for years,” Calmes said. “And then ten years ago we started to look into an emergent curriculum, which was more reflective of the kids in the classroom, their interests, and allowed us to be more flexible with the thematic base.” Calmes used one classroom’s focus on the life cycle of a pumpkin as an example of how one simple idea is turned into lessons that the kids can carry with them for the rest of their lives. The growing of a seed to a pumpkin is an constructive way of teaching kids about how their bodies grow, according to Calmes. The pumpkin is an effective meta- phor, but the abstract concepts the center teaches sometimes calls for outside help. Being a part of the college means the ECLC has easy access to swaths of educators to take what the kids are learning to the next level. For example, a CC instructor visited to explain the process of growing up by connecting a seed growing to the development of their own bones. “We had the anatomy faculty instructor up here to talk to them with his little skeleton guy on the difference of that,” said Calmes. “We had the dance instructor come in to teach them how to stretch to help their bodies grow. We had two faculty from the music department come in and talk about how music helps their brains grow.” With the help of college faculty, kids at the ECLC can get a holistic and valuable education without even realizing they’re learning. “We talk a lot about meeting the kids where they are. And we do prepare them for elementary, but that doesn’t necessarily drive us,” Litke said. “There's a lot of things in elementary school that they’re supposedly required to do, but we’re kind of more focused on each individual child– building relationships with them. And the way we think now, our approach is… we don’t tell them what to learn, we teach them how to learn.” Many kids pass through the doors at the ECLC with more to come. With the help of CC’s resources and the center’s unique practices, Calmes, Litke, and their staff are there to look after the next generation of kids the ECLC way. Early Childhood Learning Center's unique philosophy Photo Courtesy of Angel Anderson Pictured above is one of the classrooms in the ECLC that uses natural lighting and a warm atmosphere to make children feel comfortable and welcome. Garrett Grochowski Chinook Writer The Early Childhood Learning Center, Casper College’s own childcare provider, offers exclusive opportunities for faculty and students with a unique approach to emotionally and cognitively preparing children for the world. The ECLC uses its position as a fixture of CC to learn and adopt contemporary education philosophies, mold the next generation of educators, and give the children of CC staff and students a safe place to learn. Emily Calmes, the ECLC director, described the many advantages of the on-campus program and what those mean for parents. “Probably the biggest draw for students and faculty is that we follow the college schedule. In lots of childcare centers, you would have to sign your kid up for an entire year, and pay for them whether they were a part of the summer program or not,” Calmes said. “We are only open fall and spring semesters and not through the summer semester. We target specifically what the college is. The college is closed, we’re closed. So, parents don't have to worry about that piece at all.” The program’s flexibility doesn’t end with its schedule. Its position as part of the college gives the ECLC many professional opportunities that other centers may miss out on. Melissa Litke, the ECLC’s www.caspercollege.edu/chinook �Page 6 CHINOOK March 1, 2023 Homecoming basketball game 2023 Submitted Photos Left, Number 13 Jaden Peters and number 34 Andrija Maric watch their teammates during the homecoming game. Below, the student section shows enthusiasm by doing the wave at Casper College's recent homecoming games. Mariona Cos-Morales shoots a freethrow during the homecoming game. Submitted Photo Diversity paving way for T-Birds success Ella Meyer/Chinook Jaren Harris (left) is pictured with teammate Jamison Epps at last weekend's home games. Carlos Fandal Chinook Writer Following a narrow 79-72 win, Casper College’s men's basketball team, the Thunderbirds, are on a roll. They’re now 22-5, with a win streak of seven. Things are looking great for the T-Birds, and historically, this is nothing new for them. Coach Shawn Gutting maintains a wonderful standard of excellence for the T-Birds in each and every season he’s coached. Gutting spoke to the Chinook about the historical standard for which Casper College basketball is known. “The history of the program is really good. There've been a lot of really good coaches,” Gutting said. “And then the coaching staff’s understanding that there is a tradition here, and wanting to uphold that tradition by being a winning culture.” When asked about that tradition, Gutting said, “I try to have fun in practice a little bit, but we have a lot of no-nonsense moments where we’re here to work. For pretty much all of these guys, the reason they’re here is to play basketball and go to school. Signing up to be a college athlete or student athlete is NOT easy.” Gutting believes some of the weight falls on his shoulders. “Being supportive throughout all of those things, offering the support of what you need off the floor, that will help you individually, personally, keep you in the right headspace, staying positive is what’s gonna help our team,” said Gutting. Gutting said he learns from his players too. “You know the rewarding part of this… I’ve done this for ten years now (and) getting to see these kids fight through failure, fight through adversity, and seeing them succeed whether it's here as a team or even at the next level when they go to the next school,” Gutting said. He’s always excited to watch them grow. “I think for me, watching guys grow up, you know, become family men you know, get married, it’s amazing to see these guys grow.” Gutting said he believes the school’s interest in sports plays a big role in the success of the team. “Part of it is the school, buying into athletics. Caring about it, caring about the students,” Gutting said. The school’s commitment to sports goes much further than the stadium and the facilities, with the recruitment of international students to compete for the T-Birds. The T-Birds roster is very diverse. Only three starting players are from Wyoming, and four starters are international college athletes. Jamison Epps, a starting guard, said, “This is the most diverse team I’ve played on probably my whole career.” Epps’s basketball career began in Lebanon, Ky. He said he’s excited about what the diverse nature of the team brings, and he’s thrilled to show everyone what they’re capable of. “We just have so much to bring, too much to bring to the table. We’ve got shooters for days. We got guys that can spread the floor, that can create for others. We got guys that play it by the rim, (and) we got guys that (here that) know their job is to rebound,” Epps said. “We got guys coming to play defense, and that aspect brings a lot of diversity, this is the first time I’ve ever played on a team with international players, so it’s really cool to be around them and see how they view the sport, how their countries view the sport and just getting to know someone else, and see the world through someone else’s eyes.” This didn’t just happen overnight, however. There were difficulties at first, according to Gutting. “It just takes time. You're gonna have clashes of personalities, right? Guys that are from different areas are gonna see things differently than maybe some other guys, and I think ultimately it's trying to get them to kind of come to an understanding together,” Gutting said. “The teams that have been really good get over themselves, get over that selfishness and ultimately accept each other as being family members.” With the regular season coming down to the final stretch, the T-Birds are looking to finish strong. Assuming the weather permits, the T-Birds are looking at a shiny, very positive record to end their season on par with the standard Gutting, the fans, and the T-Birds themselves set for themselves. �March 1, 2023 Page 7 CHINOOK circlesWEshare: A CC dance concert Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Casper College dancers Abigail Larsen and Sawyer Shepardson are pictured above using the gravitational force of each other to execute an eloquent movement during the college’s dance recent performance. Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Casper College dancers Abigale Lipson and Kaylee Youmans are suspended in air during on opening night. Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Below, Casper College dancers Abigale Lipson and Mckenzi Pieper embrace the comfort of each other while performing circlesWEshare. Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Casper College dancers Abigale Lipson and Sawyer Shepardson allow the silks to support them while performing live. Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Casper College dancer Sawyer Shepardson allows the silks to take her weight during the college’s dance performance. Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Casper College dancer Kyler Rabourn is pictured here supporting Abigale Lipson while she is suspended in air on opening night of the college's circlesWEshare dance performance. Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Casper College Dancer Nicholas Goar confidently runs on stage during the college’s dance performance. �Page 8 March 1, 2023 CHINOOK International student experiences at CC Jonna McCullough Chinook Contributor Saundra Frau and Flora Goed are both international Casper College students that worked through many changes in their day-to-day lives while attending school in the U.S. Frau is from Pego, Alicante Spain and Goed is from Vienna, Austria. Both are returning sophomore student athletes on the Lady Thunderbirds Basketball Team. Being international students, it was not easy for the student athletes to leave their home countries and move to America, but for Frau the decision was easy. “For me, it was the scholarship that Coach offered me to play. A full ride, meals, and books are paid for. How could I say no?” said Frau. Even though it's an eighthour time difference, 19-yearold Frau didn’t hesitate to pack her bags and move to the United States. Just from looking at pictures of the U.S. and let alone Wyoming, Frau she didn’t know what she was getting into and neither did Goed. “I didn’t even know where Casper was," said Frau. At 21-years-old, Goed is the oldest player on the CC Lady T-birds basketball team, and her teammates Her nicknamed her ‘Grandma.’ Much like Frau, Goed is also on an all exclusive scholarship but her decision wasn’t as clear cut. “I had until December to decide because of the eligibility rule. The coaches here were so nice and flexible it made the decision much easier,” said Goed. Granted, the women made moving to America sound like an easy transition but adapting has been harder than they’ve made it look. Learning the language and communicating with professors, classmates, teammates, and even coaches have been harder than they both expected. “It’s weird sometimes being in a place where no one can understand you,” said Frau. Goed also spoke to the challenge. She said, “I feel so closed off sometimes because people just can’t understand what I’m saying, but everyone still says hello.” The women also immediately noticed the altitude difference. Having to adapt to a mich higher altitude made it harder for the athletes to catch their breaths in practice, let alone to continue playing and pushing to the max. Both women also expressed how much they miss their family and friends. Sometimes they said they wonder if their loved ones have forgotten about them and went on with their lives, not thinking about their friends that moved to America. “Not having family here or people you grew up with is like starting a whole new story here, said Frau. Frau and Goed started a new chapter in their lives by going to school and playing basketball in Casper, Wyo. They are writing their own stories while finding their independence. During their time here, they found the difference between the environment, relationships and living situations. Frau and Goed agreed that the timing of American meals is much different than in their home countries. Because of the large time difference, they Submitted Photo Flora Goed (left) and Saundra Frau (right) enjoyed time together as friends off the court. Goed and Frau are international students and teammates on the Casper College Women's Basketball Team. said it’s harder to know when to eat because they are both so used to eating at a certain time at home. Coming to central Wyoming flipped their eating, sleeping, and basketball schedule. Not only has the time of eating been different but the food is too. According to Goed, “The food here is much greasier and many more foods are processed. The food at home is more fresh and naturally grown”. When the women arrived in Casper, they couldn’t believe the town wasn’t full of skyscrapers, traffic jams, and smelly fumes. “I could actually see the whole city, which is crazy to me,” said Goed. “I couldn’t believe how dif- ferent the decorations were, and how all of you dress, like cowboys and cowgirls. You wear jeans and hats everyday,” said Frau. “We don’t do that at home.” Regardless of differences off the court, the girls are currently making quite a statement on CC’s basketball team. As student athletes, they can’t help but compare school and basketball here versus at home. According to Frau. “Ohhhh, school is much easier here. Everybody goes because it’s so cheap.” Goed added her thoughts. “Agreed. I think it’s harder in Austria. Like math classes and sports are more like a hobby there,” said Goed. “You practice two or three times a week and only have games not very often.” Even though, both student athletes are extremely busy and have little down time, they still find space in their schedules to touch base back home. Saundra said she calls her family every day. “I call my parents two or three times a week, my brother twice a week, and my friends. I try to talk to them three times a week. It’s hard to talk to them though, because they also have a life and are doing things that keep them busy too,” said Goed. The girls have missed family birthdays, holidays, and even celebrations such as Name Day. Name day is a celebration for you and the saint you were named after or share a name with. Goed explained, “It’s a christianity thing and Easter is celebrated more in Austria than here.” Neither Flau or Goed had ever celebrated Halloween until they came to America, however. Frau and Goed shared the perspective of what it is like to start a whole new life in a new country. It’s a step that requires courage, bravery, and belief in oneself. Both girls say moving to America was the best decision they have ever made. Being able to continue their education, improve their basketball skills, and become independent have all added together to enhance their confidence and to stay in America for their next few years of college. www.caspercollege.edu/chinook 33rd Annual Wellness Conference March 30 and 31 at Casper College Gateway Building March 30th is FREE to students, faculty, and staff and we would love to see you there! Casper College Counseling Services believes in the importance of offering professionals, students and interested community members opportunities to learn about a variety of topics related to both physical and mental health. Wellness Center’s Monthly Workshop Series Yoga for Emotional Balance Workshop Playing Smarter not Harder in Managing Anxiety Looking to elevate your emotional well-being and integrate practices that alleviate stress and help you feel grounded? Join the Wellness Center Friday, March 3 from 10-12 on the 2nd Floor of the Union for a free workshop providing tools to release chronic tension in the body and return to a state of wellness. Is anxiety impacting your life? Join us Wednesday, April 5th from 1-2 in UU 212 for a free workshop to learn practical strategies for managing anxiety, including tips for understanding thinking habits and overcoming testing anxiety! �March 1, 2023 Page 9 CHINOOK Humanities Festival: Veteran advocacy panel Photo Courtesy of Chris Houser The 2023 Casper College Humanities Festival took place in February. A panel of veteran advocates gathered to talk about connecting with the military community as a part of the Casper College Humanities Festival. Pictured from right to left is Chris Poe, a licensed professional counselor and director of the Casper Vet Center; Tisa Sucher, a licensed social worker with Natrona County Veterans Affairs VBO; Kelly Ivanoff, a Natrona County representative of the Wyoming Veterans Commission; Caleb Lindsay, Casper College Veterans Club president; and Dr. Nicholas Whipps, Casper College veteran and military student services coordinator. "We were able to give insight to the Veteran experience in areas such as mental and physical health, employment, education, and the work of the Wyoming Veterans Commission on the legislative front," Whipps said. "The goal of this session was to create a space for shared experiences and awareness as a platform in being an advocates for change." 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 � 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 2023-03 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. 2023-03 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from March 2023. 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_2023-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF