https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/316be22b0b2ed54a9c1798c5c475163c.pdf f02ae75467c4bf0590ccc9e4e334c0a2 PDF Text Text April 1, 2024 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Building a dynasty Lady T-Birds make it to second round of nationals Lane Johnson Chinook Writer The Casper College Women’s Basketball Team recently completed another season where the women won both the region IX tournament and the sub-regional tournament. The team posted an overall record of 28-5. For the Lady TBirds, this season marks the seventh North subregion win in a row and added on their third region XI championship. The women earned a bid to the National Junior College Athletics Association national tournament for the fourth year in a row. Sophomore and All SubRegion Guard Logann Alvar talked about how the season started slow because only three sophomores returned to the team this year. She said it took the young team a few games to get used to playing with each other. “At the end of the year, when we had our end of season meetings, he just kind of emphasized how big of a role we were going to play,” Alvar said about last season. Alvar explained that coming into this season, she knew the coaching staff held very high expectations, and she knew that the pressure for her was higher than her freshman year. Alvar highlighted that two of the team’s five losses occurred within the first two weeks of the season. One of those losses came from Northeastern Junior College, whom the Lady TBirds beat in the Region IX championship game. Freshman teammate and guard Saioa San Francisco agreed with Alvar. After the first two losses, the team met to reflect and prepare for the rest of the season. “That meeting made us really realize that we had to be a good team like last year. They were a good team, so we had to be a good team,” San Francisco said. The Lady TBirds have not lost a game since the end of January. The Lady’s started off their tournament run looking strong with a first round win over Blinn College beating them 72-61. They went into the second round ready to face third ranked Northwest Florida State College. The Lady T-birds ultimately fell short losing 69-76. CC will look forward to next year where they hope to replicate the success they had this season and continue to play for a national championship. “I think next year, we’re going to be more prepared Photo Courtesy of Lucy Jane Crimm Pictured above (left to right) is Luca Acs, Saioa San Francisco, Andi Schissler, Arantxa Concepcion, Adama Badje, Logann Alvar, Angela Astorga, Anna Csenyi, Head Coach Dwight Gunnare competed in the second round of the NjCAA National Tournament. The team lost to Northwest Florida State after beating Blinn College in the first round. A second round appearance is the farthest the Lady T-Birds have advanced in the tournament since 2010. when the season starts,” San Francisco said. The Lady TBird’s had eleven freshmen on the roster and hope that many of them will return for their sophomore season and build on this year's success. the only options for attaining a four-year degree are attending the University of Wyoming at Casper (UW-C) or leaving Casper entirely. “If they’re going (to college) to get the in-class or humanities, they got to go down to Laramie or CSU or some other place,” David Zoby, an English professor at Casper College said. According to Nathan Blank, a political science instructor at Casper College, Wyoming students receive greater educational investment in the K-12 system than the average American. Wyoming makes greater investments in education than many surrounding states. For K-12 students, music programs, after-school activities, and innovative technology are seen throughout schools to enrich learning. These in-state investments are different when in comparison to higher education. While high schools get iPads and Chromebooks, Casper College gets an empty UW-C building. Many are worried about the rate at which people are leaving Wyoming to attend college and find work. According to the Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming Initiative, 60% of those in the 18-24 year-old range are leaving Wyoming. “It’s all about providing opportunities for students -preparing a workforce that’s educated in useful fields. That will help grow our economy,” Blank said, “And hopefully allow us to retain that investment.” A study from the Brookings Institute found that the quality of colleges greatly affects the size of these benefits. According to the study, highvalue-added four-year colleges contribute $265,000 more per student to local economies. This contribution is less for high-value-added two-year colleges at $184,000. “There’s examples all over the United States of these places where a university or a college stimulates the economy, gets people to move there, and gives students a place to stay and practice what they learned,” Zoby said. As a small town compared to the rest of the United States, Casper could stand to benefit from the economics brought forth by more four-year degree offerings, whether through UW-C or Casper College directly. In 2019, Axios studied the economic benefits of having four-year colleges in small towns. The study found that such towns as Boulder, Colo., Ann Arbor, Mich., South Bend, Ind., and other small towns benefited greatly from a four-year college. However, there has been reluctance to make a second four-year institution in Wyoming. For one, there are the costs to convert one to another. Converting Casper College does not involve just doubling the years. According to Brent Pickett, the dean of UW-C, making CC a four-year institution involves a massive shift with the hiring of new professors and making sure there are enough classrooms and students. Two years ago, the UW-C phased out the English program due to insufficient students. “But in the end, we just didn’t have enough students in English as a major to make it viable at UW-Casper,” Pickett said. “So we had to pull the plug on (the program).” Population is another important factor. Wyoming has a total of about 500,000 residents. Stretching resources may not seem worth it to some Two-year degrees or four-year degrees? Lairen Brush/Chinook Brent Pickett, the dean of the University of Wyoming at Casper, is standing with a Plaque of Donald E. Chapin, an attorney that worked with both Casper College and the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees. Lairen Brush Chinook Writer Keenan Morgan Tyler Cooper Contributors In 2019, the state of Wyoming authorized community colleges within the state to offer four-year degrees, specifically a Bachelor of Applied Science degree. This authorization applied to Casper College, yet the school still does not have a four-year degree offering. For students attending college in Casper, — See Degrees, Page 3 What did Casper College students do for spring break? Bernadette Pieper Chinook Writer Casper College’s spring break went from March 9-16, and students and faculty took a week off. Students mostly either went home, escaped on a vacation, or stayed at the college. Students could relax and recharge, adventure to different locations in the U.S., or even explore another country. Spring break is a big event for most colleges in the United States. Spring break typically happens between mid-March to the end of March. Spring break overall is a mental decompression so students can relax before finals. Spring break also helps professors catch up on grading and get ready for the last part of the semester and also time to relax and recharge, according to Dr. Messina & Associates article “Why is Spring Break Important?” In an ASL 1020 class with seven students, one student went to Florida, four stayed in Casper, and two went home to their families outside of Casper. Students in this class reported that they hung out with family and friends, worked, adventured, snowboarded, and relaxed. Some said they completed homework while others avoided any school related tasks and enjoyed their time away from college. A student in the ASL class, Zoie Bonczkowski said, “I like spring break was earlier in the month. It felt like a long semester and by having that break it was enjoyable. I like how we did not have spring break with the high school students.” Meanwhile, student athletes on the basketball teams stayed at the college because they had games and practices. Both men's and women's basketball teams played games for the NJCAA tournament during the week of spring break. Additionally, some students did not leave campus due to not wanting to go home or avoiding travel. Other students stayed at the college due to club or activity obligations and some said they just wanted to stay at the college and hang out around Casper. Julie Seidell, student said, “I really enjoyed breakt to breathe and relax. I stayed here in Casper and hung out with friends, worked, and went snowboarding a lot.” CC’s spring break at the end did have some weather that made some students question if they were able to get back to Casper for the week of school after break.There were some sporadic snowstorms and thunderstorms across the United States. Talking with a few students that went home that live in the western part of Wyoming there was a snowstorm that came through and roads were closed, but they were able to make — See Spring break Page 3 �Page 2 April 1, 2024 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Chinook Stance Using the calendar as our guide, Spring has arrived! While the term “Spring” in Wyoming may have a somewhat different flavor than in other places around the country; nonetheless, days are getting longer, temperatures are warming up, and the annual rite of March Madness is upon us. All of these events ultimately lead me to ponder the concept of “Spring Fever.” Traditionally, the term has been used to describe a yearning to spend more time outdoors enjoying longer days and more temperate weather, while eschewing our responsibilities. Although Spring Fever is usually referenced in a negative light, I am going to lobby for a more nuanced evaluation. Don’t give up, keep pushing Bernadette Pieper Blurbs with Bernadette As spring break ended a few weeks ago and spring weather is starting to make its way to Casper, I feel the itch to avoid doing my homework or not wanting to go to classes. I’m definitely feeling that spring fever. But I know there are less than eight weeks left until this spring semester is done and this semester will be over before we know it. It is crazy how fast this semester went. I know I’m not the only student who feels like this -- after talking with some classmates and friends who are feeling the same way, I know we just have to keep pushing and not give up. I need to stay on top of my homework, go to class, and go to the extracurricular activities that I am involved in. They say that the second half of the semester is harder and more work is done, and I don’t disagree with that. Teachers are adding more assignments, tests, and quizzes, the material is getting harder, and classes are diving in with deeper information, but students just do not want to do it. Spring fever is strong. Malcolm X once said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” The quote by Malcolm X helps to keep me going and not give up. It does have a good message that the education that we gain today will help us in the future. We have to keep taking one day at a time and one class at a time. We cannot be stressing ourselves out and overwhelming ourselves because it is not going to help us to succeed and get anything done for our classes or for our personal lives. Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” This quote by Mandela is true -- we are itching for the semester to be over and want to have a summer break. We are thinking that it is going to be impossible to get to that day at the end of the semester, but it will be here before we know it. If you are struggling with any class, assignment, or learning some material, don’t be afraid to ask questions in class or set up a time to go get help from your teacher. If you are afraid to talk with your teacher, there are resources to help out on campus like the STEM lab, Writing Center, tutoring in the dorms, and the library. The nice thing is that they want to help students clarify course concepts, provide an extra set of eyes on a paper, or help students understand the information better. Keep pushing through because there are less than two months left of this semester and summer will be here. Don’t give up in your classes. If you are in need of help, don’t hesitate to reach out. “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” Nora Roberts. “ Study after study has shown in most aspects of life, balance is the key to a healthy and sustainable equilibrium. Time management is one of the biggest tasks that students struggle with in college. After moving away from home and finally living life on your own, it can be hard to get into a routine and get your priorities straight. Oftentimes, I found myself pushing school aside and focusing on spending time with my friends, letting my grades slip and my memories grow. I get it, you’re only in college once, and those memories are important, but don’t forget the real reason you’re here: to get a degree. If you go about your time properly, you can still maintain grades and make those life-long memories and friendships. The most beneficial skill I learned during my freshman year of college was to visually plan out your schedule. I use Google Calendar to color-code my classes, assignments, extracurricular activities, and personal plans. My roommate uses an agenda and color codes her assignments week by week. There are many organization methods, but as long as your method makes sense to you, then do what works best for you and your organization. Explore social media & web development The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu Another huge aspect effecting time management is distractions. Distractions nowadays are found everywhere, the biggest one being your phone. I always try to put my phone in a different room or turn it on Do Not Disturb to avoid the temptation of looking at it constantly. It also helps me maintain my focus; once I am in the mindset of getting things done, I find it harder to fall into distractions. Having a set routine plays a huge role in time management. If your schedule follows a close routine, it's much easier to stick to that same routine and get your homework done. People who don’t get up at the same time, have a sporadic daily schedule and no set routine are more likely to forget tasks and assignments that need done. The most important role in managing your time properly is not waiting until the last minute to do everything. Work on homework for a few hours each day, and then call it quits and enjoy your social life. If you do a little bit each day, you will find yourself having more time to relax and enjoy what college is all about -- making Faythe Fowler Have faith in Faythe friends and making memories. It took me a while to figure out what worked best for my schedule, but once you get to know yourself a bit better, you are able to take control of your schedule and ensure everything is completed on time. And you’ll still saving time to live your life and experience college to its fullest. The importance of stories in life Practice interviewing & writing Learn sales & advertising — Dr. Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Time management in college Join our staff this fall! Take photos & design Shirking responsibilities is almost never a positive path forward, but perhaps it is the “shirking” part of this concept we need to explore. Study after study has shown in most aspects of life, balance is the key to a healthy and sustainable equilibrium. Whether we are referencing foods we eat, investment strategies for our finances, or any one of the myriad daily habits we indulge in, moderation and balance is the key. So…. while I am not offering free license to set caution to the wind and indulge in Spring fever on a full-time basis, I am reminding us all a balanced approach to life is the proven path to success. Geoff Cooper Mid Level Geoff It is widely accepted that animals operate based on instinct—a set of innate behaviors that require no learning or practice. This simplicity exempts creatures in the animal kingdom from many human experiences such as anxiety and indecision. For instance, birds migrate south without year-long deliberation. They are not burdened with pondering grand ambitions or future aspirations; their focus lies primarily on daily survival. While we may feel that way sometimes, human beings aren’t quite so blessed with simplicity. We dream of the future and work towards our aspirations, and this requires a level of flexibility that isn’t always conducive to an instinctual response. Given that, we’ve learned to store our collective knowledge and wisdom within stories. These narratives can provide a foundation for how to live and a guiding light in darker times. They can also instill a sense of hope -- hope that even at their worst, our lives can improve if we overcome the obstacles in our way. Now, to be clear, none of us will enter a labyrinth to confront a minotaur, defend Helm’s Deep against an army of orcs, or join forces with gods and heroes to defeat Thanos. However, the relatability of these stories does not stem from their circumstances but from the underlying metaphors they represent. The monsters we confront symbolize our inner struggles, making the hero’s journey a compelling narrative of self-discovery—a journey inherent to every individual. So, what motivates us to confront these internal foes? What propels us on this adventure? Undoubtedly, it is the characters within these stories. Their personalities, emotions, and responses to challenges become a source of inspiration during difficult times. Whether these characters are real or imaginary, they serve as beacons that guide us toward perseverance and integrity, even when faced with easier alternatives. Moreover, they provide a sense of stability and reassurance in a world fraught with uncertainty. This is exactly why heroes are often portrayed as paragons of human virtue. Icons like Captain America and Superman represent ideals to strive for, acknowledging that perfection may be unattainable—and that's okay. Being a good person and leading a meaningful life doesn't require monumental feats like destroying a Death Star or defeating the Galactic Empire. Though, if you do want to live a fulfilling life, don’t take any notes from more recent iterations of Luke Skywalker. Even if you technically do the right thing in the end, it’s pretty uncool to abandon everyone you care about in favor of dying alone. Ultimately, the true value of stories lies not just in their entertainment but in their ability to shape our perspectives, influence our actions, and enrich our lives with meaning and purpose. They remind us that we can make an impact through our choices and the values we uphold. This is the importance of stories. �April 1, 2024 Page 3 CHINOOK Degrees.................................................. citizens, especially with other states as an example. “And I hear that Montana has three four-year institutions, and all three feel starved,” Pickett said. If Casper College became a four-year institution, the degrees offered have to be viable to the state’s job market. Otherwise, the investment would not be worth it to Wyoming’s economy or give an incentive for people to stay. Another argument in Spring break............ support of allowing more four-year degree offerings to students in Casper is that the University of Wyoming has a monopoly on higher education continued from page 1 due to its dominance over the state’s four-year offerings. “I can’t get past how monopolies are never good. Having more choices, keeping kids in the state, providing opportunities to keep them in the state, to me, are really good objectives, and so I can’t shake that,” Blank said. continued from page 1 it back that Sunday before classes started on Monday. A few students who went to the eastern part of the U.S. had some flights delayed due to bad thunderstorm. Kassadee Lym, student, said, “I live in the Southwest part of Wyoming and there was a snow storm that came through, but I was able to get back on Sunday. I did question if I was going to make it back or not.” There were some clubs and organizations that had students go on some other related trips for their club or organization. CC Student Life did have around twenty students go to Moab, Utah for a three-day trip to adventure and hike Moab. “I really enjoyed the trip to Moab. It was at the beginning of spring break. We went hiking and it was a straight up hill hike that we went on one of the days,” said Katelyn Boespflug, a student at CC. Across the CC campus students did various activities for spring break. Spring break Submitted Photo provided time for most stu- A group of Casper College dents across campus to relax, Students that went to Moab, recharge, and mentally decom- Utah for spring break. press. Many students enjoyed their time off with little to no homework. Now it is back to hitting the books for the students at CC. After spring break CC has eight weeks left of the 2024 spring semester. Rodeoing with buddies Geoff Cooper Chinook Writer Talon Elshere, originally from Hereford, S.D., is a dedicated rodeo athlete specializing in bronc riding, team roping, and steer wrestling. His passion for rodeo led him to Casper College, where he joined the school’s rodeo team. For Elshere, rodeo is more than just a competition— it's about camaraderie and enjoying the sport with his buddies. "Money comes second when you're having fun with the boys," Elshere said. "And you’d rather get beat by your buddy than some other guy." Despite ranking third in the Central Rocky Mountain region, Elshere remains grounded and aware of the risks involved in rodeo. “There’s a chance of getting hurt, but you’ve got to pay the price to win the game," he said. This risk, according to Elshere, can be mitigated provided you stay fit. This doesn’t necessarily require hours in the gym. For Elshere, it’s more like working on the family ranch and breaking colts. Elshere credits Sandy Forbes, the assistant rodeo coach for CC, with his decision to join the team. After a couple of semesters in Texas, he sought out Wyoming cowboys. “They’ll tell you when you messed up and praise you when you do good,” Elshere said. Beyond competition, rodeo is about entertaining the crowd and showcasing skills developed through hard work. Elshere said he represents Casper College with pride, embodying the spirit of a cowboy dedicated to his sport and appreciative of the bonds formed along the way. Elshere's journey at Casper College reflects the essence of rodeo—a combination of skill, camaraderie, and passion for the sport. Photo Courtesy of Chuck Miner Talon Elshere, a member of the Casper College Rodeo Team, is pictured competing in bronc riding. He transferred to Casper College from a school in Texas, and he is ranked third in the Central Rocky Mountain Region. Taking online or hybrid courses? Students: We make sure you are able to access online learning resources needed to learn in your classes. We will also help you learn to utilize the digital tools available to you for all your classwork. Examples of items we can help with: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. ZOOM – help you learn to access and use Zoom for your remote course meetings and collaborations 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Accessing Office 365 .- such as MS Word and PowerPoint 5. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it, using NetTutor. Plus a lot more! Contact us. Don’t wait! Get your Questions answered now. Teresa Pat Mike Tyler For help or more information stop by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Dave Camille �Page 4 April 1, 2024 CHINOOK Student engagement for campus events lacking Aliesia Berryman Chinook Writer Avy Overstreet Contributer Casper College event planners are having a difficult time reaching out to and engaging with students in a world where students communicate chiefly through social media and who are more likely to be a commuter student. Resident Hall coordinator, Elizabeth Dobson, said, 32% of traditional-aged students and 16% of all full-time students live on campus. CC hosts many events on campus aimed to engage students socially and to give them an opportunity to relax from the stresses of school. On Thursday, Feb. 29, Student Life Coordinator, Devin Fulton, hosted a silent disco in the T-bird nest. The event featured flashing lights, snacks, refreshments, and light up foam noodles. Rae Mann, a museum studies major from North Carolina, attended the disco and tore up the floor dancing. They took the floor multiple times during a dance-off one of the Djs started. “I have always loved dancing, but doing so in public was not always seen as a good thing,” Mann said, referring to their high school experiences. “Nobody is judging anyone here. I found a home in Casper.” When asked to rate the silent disco event five other students gave it an eight out of ten or higher. Emily Martinez, a nursing student, even gave it an eleven. Katlynn Gardener, a graphic design major from Washington, worked for eight hours before attending the disco and still said she had fun. She too rated the event, “How could it not be an 8 if you get baja blast?” she asked us and she took a sip of her mountain dew beverage. After the event, Fulton shared that around fifty students attended the event at any one time. Of other events hosted on Thursdays, Fulton said, the most popular events are bingo and casino nights. Yet, there are some events that bring in as little as five people. Out of approximately four-thousand students that’s less than 0.02%. Foundation member and Associate Director of Development and Alumni Engagement, Ann Dalton, and her co-worker Rachel Macy are the main protagonists for CC’s homecoming games. Case Western Reserve University says, homecoming in college is seen as something that brings students and alumni together and is typically characterized with a homecoming court, dance, and games. While Dalton and Macy attract many alumni to the games, they admit they struggle to engage current students. Dalton and Fulton agreed that attracting commuters, who make-up the majority of CC students, to events is difficult. “When I get home, I don’t want to come back to campus and brave the Wyoming wind.” Fulton said. Macy said, on top of not wanting to leave after coming home from a long day, getting the word out to students is a different endeavor than just five years ago. The Foundation and Alumni Association sends emails and text messages but the association found that students unsubscribe from the services because they receive too many messages. Fulton also does various things in order to get the word out about events. CC students get an email from him at the beginning of every week detailing what is going on each day. He is also exploring using a new app called Band, which is free for use. “The challenge is trying to reach students where they are,” Macy said. According to recent studies, phone and social media usage increased due to the COVID19 pandemic. Dalton said the foundation posts ads around campus, as well as on Facebook to spread information about events and news, but there is a chance the majority of students at CC get most of their information from Instagram instead. In January, Pew Research Center reported that while 67% of people aged 18-29 use Facebook and 78% of them use Instagram. In 2021, PRC also reported that more than eightin-ten Americans get news from digital devices. The COVID-19 pandemic forced people to communicate mostly through the internet rather than in person. This trend is still prevalent five years after the start of the pandemic. The Mckinsey Health Institute found last April that the generation which spends the most time on social media is Gen Z. Mckinsey also says, “While social media and tech consistently have positive impacts across all age cohorts, the negative impact increases substantially for younger ages.” Event and extracurricular activity participation could potentially help with this problem. In 2019 Ohio State University’s Center for the Study of Student Life found “that college student involvement is positively related to academic performance, cognitive development, well-being, leadership and multicultural awareness.” Involvement in extracurricular activities and events can be an important part of the college experience, but quickchanging technology means that CC event planners need to adapt accordingly to engage their student body. Aliesia Berryman/Chinook Kylie Wheaton at the silent disco. She is a student-worker for Devin Fulton in the Student Life Office. Aliesia Berryman/Chinook Rae Mann tore up the floor at the silent disco. They are a museum studies major who enjoys dancing. 34th Annual Wellness Conference April 4 and 5 at Casper College Gateway Building Thursday, April 4 is FREE to students, faculty, and staff and will feature a special screening of the PBS documentary “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness” from 6-8 p.m. This award winning film is inspired by Casper College alumni Kee Dunning and the work she has done in her community around mental health awareness and advocacy. The screening will be followed by a panel Q&A discussion with Kee and other individuals featured in the film. 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. �April 1, 2024 Page 5 CHINOOK BOX OFFICE open April 1st 307-268-2500 April 18-20, 25-26 pm 7:30 April 20 & 27 pm 2:00 ON THE MCMURRY MAINSTAGE PURCHASE TICKETS AT caspercollegearts.cc REGISTER FOR Theatre & Dance courses for the Fall scan for info about scan for info about ALL are welcome to register for courses in Theatre & Dance T H E AT R E MAY 6 Musical Theatre & Acting Showcase on the McMurry mainstage 7:00pm showcases are D A N C E MAY 8-9 Student Dance Showcase in the Scifers Dance Studio 7:30pm FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC �Page 6 April 1, 2024 CHINOOK Renovations delayed for LH and T-Bird gyms Saioa San Francisco Arilla Chinook Writer Peter Moss Contributor At Casper College, history reverberates through the corridors of Liesinger Hall and the Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym. These structures are more than just brick and mortar – they are a legacy of learning, athleticism, and community. Casper College is delaying the renovation plans for Liesinger Hall and the Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym. The institution musty have other prioritize other projects es before they looking into thehose buildings. The two structures serve as the backdrop for countless memories and shape the experiences of students and faculty Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez alike. However, the call for The men's basketball team warmed up for a game in the Thunderbird Gym earlier this year. renovation underscores the The college built the gym in 1968, and it's undergone several renovations, yet there is much need to adapt to the demands to improve as of 2024. of the present while preserving the essence of the past. Modernization brings with it the promise of enhanced facilities, improved functionality, and increased safety standards. Yet, it also presents a formidable financial challenge that requires careful navigation amidst competing priorities. The administration building of Liesinger Hall was built in 1954 costing $800,000. Consequently, the Fitness Center was built in 1955 using the remaining money, and the college hasn’t remodeled the structure since then. Allen Sanchez, building structures foreman at CC said, “It was a good investment for a gym at that time.” He added that after 70 years, “It definitely should be remodeled. It is a very old gym.” This building holds a special place in the hearts of many. However, Liesinger Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus and needs revitalization. Brighter classrooms, state-of-the-art labs, and accessible technology are not mere luxuries but essential components of a 21st-century learning environment. Yet, as the college yearns for these improvements, the institution is also acutely aware of the financial and space constraints. Corey Peacock, dean of students at CC said, “We know the LH building and gym needs attention.” According to Peacock, there is a three-to-five-year plan to repair and upgrade buildings at CC, but the plan needs to be approved through state legislation and needs funding. Peacock added, “The LH building and gym didn´t make it into the college 5-year plan priorities.” Liesinger Hall is a very large building that houses several departments, many faculty members, and busy classrooms. According to Peacock, a plan to remodel the LH gym and building would take over two years to complete. Peacock said, “During that time, we would have to reassign space for all faculty members in other buildings, and that, is very unlikely to happen.” Similarly, the T-Bird Gymnasium, once a beacon of athletic excellence, now grapples with the weight of deferred maintenance and outdated facilities. For athletes, coaches, and fans alike, the gym represents more than just a venue for sporting events—it embodies a legacy of teamwork, perseverance, and triumph. The building has been in place since 1968 with several remodeling projects since then. Sanchez said, “Although a lot has changed, there are a lot of things here that could be improved. And I know it has been talked about to make an expansion and improvement of the gym.” The Athletic council and the athletic department have been advocating for the expansion of the T-bird gym. Sanchez said, “An expansion could be good, but it would cost a lot of money.” Money has a process to get into the college and it needs an approval plan to be used. Peacock said, “The equipment is easier to repair than the actual gym but an actual project for the T-Brid gym would take many years to get approved and to be done.” In addition to Liesinger Hall and the T-Bird gym, other many facilities need improvement and expansion. Peacock mentioned one in particular. “We are looking into upgrading the soccer field,” he said. Many buildings and sports facilities on campus need assistance. While the college is considering the upgrades, the projects need time and money to even be approved. By prioritizing strategic investments, leveraging external partnerships, and harnessing the creativity and ingenuity of our community, we can ensure that our campus continues to thrive for generations to come. Photo Courtesy of Western History Center The photo to the left is from the Western History Center's 1997 archives. The women's volleyball team appears to be listening to their coach while sitting in the Liesinger Hall gym. Is a college degree worth it? Some question the value, others benefit from higher ed Kyrah Hoppa Chinook Contributor Jean Scott Contributor Going straight to college after graduating high school, not going to college, or even going back to college -- Is it worth it? The age-old debate continues. According to a 2022 article by Katherine Schaeffer, a research analyst at Pew Research Center, “In February 2020, just before the COVID-19 outbreak began in the U.S., only 1.9% of college graduates ages 25 and older were unemployed… By June 2020, after the pandemic hit, 6.8% of college grads, 10.8% of workers with some college, and 12.2% of high school grads were unemployed.” Eric Valdez, the public relations art director at Casper College, is a college grad who is using his degree. Valdez earned an associates of arts degree from CC and later went on to get his bachelors of fine arts in Ohio. A job found Valdez once he moved back to Casper, as his friend referred him to an ad and design agency. After many freelance jobs in between, he then worked at Wyoming Medical Center for about 18 years as a fulltime designer for advertising and marketing. He is currently employed at CC. With advances in technology and AI, fear and unknown increase within people who are seeking a degree in art. AI is creating the question of what jobs it could possibly take over for humans. Valdez, being an artist before design using computers and AI, recommends his degree to future college students. “You still need that human connection to the artwork in order for it to be real and for people to kind of sense that mindset and sense of emotion,” Valdez said. Valdez also explained how it is cheaper for artists, especially digital artists, because the need to buy physical paints, brushes, pencils, etc. is down. All you really need is to pay for a couple of programs and you get all of the colors and design aids that come along with it. Some may seem skeptical about getting a degree, and they aren't alone. A 2021 article written by Jennifer McDermott, an author featured in popular news companies such as Forbes, USA Today, Huffington Post, stated, “53.2 million Americans aren’t sure their college degree was worth the money.” On the other side of things, there are plenty of college graduates who are not using their degree. Anna Miller is a scholarship coordinator at CC, and she is not using her degree. Miller earned her business administration degree at CC before later pursuing her bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Wyoming at Casper. One of the requirements for a scholarship coordinator is to have a bachelor's degree, but it doesn't matter the degree’s specialty. In some parts of her job, she is using the knowledge learned from that specific degree in her daily tasks, but she said she does not use all of her coursework. “Really, the only thing out of the business admin degree I'm probably not using is like, market analysis, or creating a business or running a business. But everything else – network(ing), problem solving -- I'm doing on a daily basis,” Miller explained. However, when it came to recommending her degree to students, Miller seemed a little hesitant. Although she uses the knowledge she gained in college during her day to day, she feels there are more beneficial degrees. She said, “But I may also say the leadership and organization one would be maybe a little more beneficial. Because I think you probably would gain more from that in this current position.” Miller said she believes experience means just as much if not more than a degree. She said that skills learned means just as much as “a piece of paper” and having the skill to be able to do the job is sufficient enough. “I kind of feel like when you put a degree limitation on a position, you may not get the best applicants that are out there because they may have the experience, they just may not have gone to school through the process to get that degree,” Miller stated. The same 2021 article written by McDermott said, “It’s little wonder that such a high percentage of those with degrees think their college wasn’t worth the money, given the 28.2% (14.5 million) of them who are unable to find a job within their field of study.” Pursuing a degree in college costs a lot of money, so understanding the outcomes of all the investment and time is very important. Knowing exactly what one is able to do with the degree and the opportunities available without the degree could save money and time. �April 1, 2024 Page 7 CHINOOK Student loans: Helpful but with a catch? Anthony Sturt Chinook Writer Brett Lane Contributor Students at Casper College use their student loans to cover their education expenses, and to facilitate more focus on studies and home life. According to the Department of Education’s student aid page, student loans can be borrowed from the federal government or a private lender such as a bank or credit union. According to the Federal Student Aid Handbook, the money may be used for expenses such as tuition, books, room and board, dependent care, and more. The extra funds provided by student loans can make it easier to complete college without being overburdened by living expenses. Ashley Callender, a social work major at Casper College, suggested that her loans allowed her more freedom to focus on family and academic achievement. Callender said, “Well they've allowed me to be able to focus on school and be at home with my kids. So it's covered my bills and given me the opportunity to be able to focus on school and home life without having to work so hard.” Additionally, Callender stated that she found her student loan necessary for her Casper College attendance. According the the Federal Student Aid website, federal loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized student loans do not accrue interest while the student is in school, while unsubsidized loans do. Veronica Mojica, who is a double major in social work and addiction studies at Casper College, shared current and past experience with student loans. “In the past, like in 19992000, I didn't pay them back like I was supposed to, so years down the road I didn't get a tax return back for a few years because the government – the IRS – took their money back. So that kind of sucked, but it also taught me how I needed to learn how to be responsible,” said Mojica. Struggling to pay off student loans is not a unique phenomenon. A 2022 CNBC survey found that 81% of adults with student loans say they’ve had to delay one or more key life milestones because of their debt. Some of these milestones included having children, paying off other debts, buying a home, and saving for retirement. According to Education Data Initiative, the outstanding federal loan balance is $1.602 trillion, and the average debt balance is $37,088 per person. With an interest rate of 5.5%, that balance would accrue $5.59 in daily interest, and $167.70 over 30 days. According to Education Data Initiative, the total student loan debt in Wyoming is $1.7 billion, and the average debt balance is $31,250 per person. Wyoming’s average debt is lower than the national average. According to Article 7, Section 16 of the Wyoming State Constitution, “This provision states that the University will be equally open to students of both sexes, irrespective of race or color and tuition will be nearly free as possible.” Wyoming is the only state to mandates that college be as cheap as possible, which contributes to the state’s student debt being lower than the national average. Jessica Padilla, a social work major at Casper College, went to school for accounting 10 years ago, but did not complete her degree because of unforeseen circumstances. She needed six credits to graduate. After leaving college 10 years ago, Padilla defaulted on her student loans. When she decided to return to school, she needed to take out more student loans to attend Casper College. Padilla Said, “I was actually in default and that Fresh Start Program let me just start school immediately where– when I was in default last time I had to make 10 on-time payments before I could even get regular financial aid or student loans and so that program helped me get into school faster.” The Fresh Start Program, also known as the Fresh Start Initiative, is an IRS program that helps taxpayers resolve Anthony Sturt/Chinook Pictured above is Jessical Padilla, a social work major at Casper College. Padilla borrowed student loans to return to school after dropping out 10 years ago. debt. According to the website, the program is available to people who owe $10,000 or more. They can settle a debt for less than is owed, pause payments and collection actions, arrange an installment plan, and waive or reduce penalty fees. Despite having struggled with debt in the past, Padilla expressed a positive, but cautious view of -student loans. “I think that it's really good that they have that (student loans) available for students, and I think it's almost too easy to get the loans. So I do pay attention like what I'm accumulating because it is going to add up by the time I get my degree,” said Padilla. Mojica said that she thought a live representative should be there to walk prospective borrowers through all of the details of student loans. She described applying for and receiving her student loans online. “If I had a way to do it, I'd get somebody to do like a – even if it's just an hour in one of these rooms, to give you a one-on-one on what you're signing up for,” said Mojica. Callender also suggested changes, but her solution focused on American education as a whole. “I think that, in an ideal world, education would be free. In my heart, I feel like every person has a right to an education, and it would be nice for people to be able to go to school and not have to have the worry of the financial part of it,” said Callender, “Could I change that? Not necessarily, but -- yeah, if I had it my way, that’s how it would be.” caspercollegechinook.com Judging Contest at CC Photo Courtesy of Gabriella Trenda Casper College student Emily Taylor shows a pig at Casper College’s recent ag contents. Faythe Fowler Chinook Writer The Casper College Livestock Judging Contest, hosted on Saturday, March 23, strives to be the premiere contest in this region to benefit 4H and Future Farmers of America students. Students come from all over the state to enter the contest to prepare for upcoming state and national-level contests. Heath Hornecker, a faculty in CC’s Agricultural Department, strives to put on a well-organized, high-quality contest. “We hold the contest every year to provide a practice for all of the FFA and 4H teams who are training throughout Wyoming and the region,” said Hornecker. Hornecker explained that various people provide the cattle, and the college already purchased the pigs and lambs used for the contest. With so many students participating in this contest, organization is key. Between ensuring the participants are where they need to be and scoring cards accurately and efficiently, a lot goes into the behind-the-scenes of the contest. The tabulation room is one of the most critical components of the contest. Anne Wood, also a faculty member in the college’s ag department, runs the behind-thescenes tabulations. To ensure the integrity of the contest, students are not allowed in the scoring room, and cards are scored as soon as possible. Results and awards are presented shortly after, for all age divisions competing. The Torington-Lingle FFA advisor Jason Groene brings his team to this contest every year. “It’s tradition,” said Groene. “It’s a quality contest when we come. The guys always make sure it’s a really good experience for the kids, and it's probably one of the most complete contests this time of year that we can get some practice before we head to state convention.” The Wyoming State FFA Judging Contest is held on April 11, and the CC contest serves as a good practice. On top of the adult's help with the CC contest, Hornecker and Wood both agreed that this contest is student-run and led, and the CC ag students put in so much effort to ensure the event runs seamlessly. Hornecker said the students get up early and stay late so that everything is where it should be, papers are correct, animals are healthy, and the pavilion is clean. “I think it’s amazing how all of our students at CC pull together in the agriculture department to make sure we put on one of the most well-attended and well-organized events,” said Wood. This contest is a great event hosted by the CC Ag Department, and it shows the hard work and dedication of the Ag students at CC. The event also showcases what the CC Ag Department offers and ultimately serves as one of the most effective recruitment opportunities available. Hornecker said, “It’s a benefit to us because then we bring a lot of students onto campus, and we get to showcase and highlight a lot of our students and facilities and our programs, which we hope turns into a good recruiting tool.” � 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 2024-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2024-04 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from April 2024. 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_2024-04 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF