786 10 9760 https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/2549ab727d67b8be2e3369d4bb61f572.pdf 9c882234a66f4a4ba01fbb0c94816076 PDF Text Text Special Edition - May 12, 2020 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Virtual Grad: A New Ceremony Jayla Johnson Chinook Writer Graduates all over the United States waited their whole lives to walk across the stage and receive the diploma they’ve worked so hard to earn. However, this year’s graduation will have a less traditional look to it. Due to the nationwide regulations regarding COVID19, Casper College will have a virtual graduation ceremony presented via Youtube and Facebook on May 15th. CC was one of the last community colleges in Wyoming to make a final decision about the ceremony. According to CC's Vice President for Student Services, Kim Byrd, the administration's decisionmaking process became very difficult because it came down to Governor Mark Gordon. Hoping for the chance to have a live ceremony, the CC administrators made the decision to have a virtual graduation based on Governor Gordon’s notice to stay home until April 30th; not wanting to wait for the next announcement on April 30th of whether or not a live ceremony could be possible, CC decided to host a virtual graduation. The Chinook talked with Riley Box, a CC student and President of Student Senate, about how this pandemic has affected his general life. “This process has affected me in many ways. I was looking forward to a normal ceremony, but now that this is the new normal it has allowed my family to stay home. But everyone seems pretty content with the situation kind of because they have to,” said Box. The Chinook also talked to CC student Braden Mason about how his life as a college student has been altered due to the pandemic. “As a student, online school isn’t what I signed up for, and for good reason. I have held a good GPA throughout college, and the transition to online was like pulling teeth,” said Mason. “Fortunately, I have teachers who were quick to help and listen to the problems, which dramatically changed my view of the situation. Yes, it has sucked, but it’s hard to hold a bad attitude over the situation with so many people who are willing to help.” CC administrators also reached out for help in planning the graduation ceremony. When discussing options for virtual graduation, LifeTouch, a photography company CC has worked with many times for commencement ceremonies, came to the administrators with many ideas about how to hold an online ceremony. After many considerations, CC decided to present a digital slideshow with recorded speeches. Byrd said, “When we [CC administrators] thought about how we were going to do this, right away there were several of us who thought about how there is a way to still show a picture of the student, that’s what we really wanted to do.” In partnership with LifeTouch, who offered support by creating the website for graduates to upload their picture and message, this virtual ceremony will begin with a recorded National Anthem, performed by Lauren Podjun, a Music Performance Graduate at CC. Then, the audience will see and hear recorded speeches from Riley Box, who will announce the Club of Year Award, Morryah McCurdy, the Student of the Year keynote speaker, and CC President Darren Divine. After the recorded portion, Rich Burk, a CC theatre instructor, will announce each graduate as their slide is presented. Also presented at the start of each ceremony, including this year’s, the Distinguished Alumni award and the Commitment to Excellence award. The recipients of these awards are nominated by anyone in the community and selected by the Casper College Foundation Committee. Receiving the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award is Jerry Quinlan, a Casper teacher and coach who, Byrd said, positively contributes to education, athletics, and the community. This year’s Commitment to Excellence Award recipient is Dana Van Burgh, a Casper benefactor, volunteer, educator, and CC alumni. Photo courtesy of Kim Byrd Additionally, in a typical Student Body President Riley Box addresses his virtual audience as part of the college graduation ceremony, 2020 spring commencement. Speeches were recoded to be included in the online ceremony May 15 at 3 p.m. — See GRADUATION, Page 3 CC student named “Student of the Year” Toni Kerr Chinook Writer Rebecca Schuler, NSLS Vice President Morryah McCurdy speaks on behalf of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She was awarded 'Student of the Year' by the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees. Giving advice to her fellow peers, Morryah McCurdy says, “Do hard things, always challenge yourself, and always have a goal that you’re working towards. The goal doesn’t have to be big, they don’t have to be life changing, but they can be self-changing." In February of this year, McCurdy earned the titled “Student of the Year” by the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees. McCurdy transitioned in and out of Casper College since graduating high school in 2007. She started our pursuing art degrees and said she “burnt out.” Then, McCurdy decided to take a break for a few years. She returned to CC in 2017 to pursue pre-occupational therapy. “I liked occupational therapy; however, I took some classes with Doug Hall, who is a communication instructor, and I was like this is kinda my jam,” said McCurdy. After switching her degree to human communication, McCurdy said she graduated after two semesters. She will now graduate in this month with her Human Communication/ Public Relations degree. McCurdy said she finds herself in awe of even being able to compete with the other nominees for the award. McCurdy was nominated for her involvement with student activities and her story of overcoming addiction. Mental health during Covid-19 Toni Kerr Chinook Writer Mental health is a major cause of concern for most people during the Covid-19 pandemic. At a time with so much uncertainty, it’s hard to ignore the major health impacts such changes can have on college students everywhere. According to Joanne Theobald, the Director of Counseling at the Casper College Campus Wellness Center, college students everywhere must prioritize self-care and their mental health during this time. “We as human beings often have a hard time adapting to change, and we are all experiencing grief from having our "normal" life and habits taken away. But for college students, they have the additional pressure of adapting to online classes in the middle of the semester, possibly having to move out of residence halls, or only eat meals as "grab and go," and even losing the opportunity for a face to face graduation ceremony,” said Theobald. While Theobald believes that many students adjusted well, she still wants to make sure all students know about the resources available to them during this time. Mental health counseling services for all students (CC, UW/C, etc.) remain available through telehealth via computer or phone. You can contact Joanne Theobald at joannetheobald@caspercollege.edu to find out how to make appointments and/or speak with a counselor. You may also email Joanne with questions about telehealth and counseling. If you have already been seeing a CC counselor, you can contact that counselor directly. The mental health counseling services staff will be using Zoom Meetings technology, and the service remains free, confidential, and professional, according to Theobald. Theobald also provides a detailed list on what she believes students should be doing during this time to stay safe and healthy. • Acknowledge and validate that this is a disruption to both your personal and your academic life. Whether this crisis is causing major issues or more just inconveniences, it’s important to admit it: this is tough! Allow yourself to turn toward and feel your feelings from time to time: Yes, it is hard. We will get through it, and likely be stronger people after this crisis. • Know your on-campus resources and utilize them. You are receiving lots of emails and announcements about this. Go to https://www.caspercollege.edu/corona- — See MENTAL HEALTH, Page 3 “In between my first time in college and before I came back I just partied really hard and ended up turning into a pretty bad alcoholic towards the end,” said McCurdy. “Being a nontraditional student has given me a different outlook on school. Now I understand why I’m here -- I’m here for me now.” McCurdy joined the National Society of Leadership and Success in the fall of 2018, her second semester back at CC. “I became the president and from there it really changed my outlook on school…I think I was definitely trying to be in a leadership role. The NSLS really helped me kinda better manage my time--kinda gave me a better reason to do some of the stuff I was doing,” says McCurdy. According to McCurdy, CC provided a positive experience and helped her to get where she is today. “The teachers are always willing to help. I haven’t had a teacher yet that I haven’t been happy with,” stated McCurdy. McCurdy plans to continue finishing her education through the University of Wyoming while also working her “dream job.” According to McCurdy, she plans to be a forever student. “I’ve gotten the slack that I’m going to be a forever student. But honestly everyone should be a forever student. You’re never done learning, and you’ve never learned enough,” said McCurdy. SCROLL TO SEE... Divine's Intervention CC business major opens online boutique Chinook Stance Faculty feature: Casper College's Kerri Mahlum (page 2) (page 2) (page 5) (page 6) Schenfisch helps Dance performance amidst pandemic (page 6) (page 4) �Page 2 Special Edition - May 12, 2020 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Chinook Stance -- We did it! -- Maddey Strayer Watch what happens Well folks, we made it. From Old Town Road becoming the number one hit single of 2019, to (spoilers) the tragic death of Tony Stark. From the newest Animal Crossing game, and most recently to COVID-19, the 2019-2020 academic school year is finally over and done with. Some of us graduated, while others merely dipped our toes into the college pool. Some of us binged Tiger King, while others spent countless nights studying for exams and writing papers. Regardless of where you stand, we’ve all reached the end of a chapter in our lives. But we all found some way to make do and get through. It’s been a long and tough year, and there certainly are moments where we doubted that we’d ever see the day where we could relax and laugh about it. But we made it. Despite what we may have thought, we actually made it. Which can only mean one thing. The days are longer, the nights are shorter, the sun is shining, and the snow is FINALLY finished. Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” blasts on what seems like every radio station around town. It’s the beginning of summer. With no more assignment deadlines, we’re free to sleep until noon and bask in the glorious rays of sun to soak up the vitamin D we’ve all been missing out on since basically last September. Crickets and cicadas chirp in the warm night air, and we sip tart, ice cold, freshly squeezed lemonade on the porch. We visit noisy playgrounds and swing sets and our hands get sticky from eating our quickly melting ice cream at the park. With no snow clouds, we’re free to go stargazing and have picnic lunches and watch the flowers growing in the garden. A chance for the world to slow down it’s manic mind and just take a moment to look up and find shapes in the clouds. Which, honestly, is something I’m sure everyone could use right now. So sit back, relax, enjoy a cold drink in the shade of a big tree, and take a deep breath. Of course, there’s still more to come. But for right now, we did it. Leaving Wyoming: Exploring new territory My senior year has had quite the turn events. With the world in a quarantined setback, I’ve found it hard to look on the bright side and see life outside of this “bubble.” Trying ever so hard to stay optimistic, I, along with many others, am planning out the future, which for me means leaving Wyoming in August. It’s hard to believe, what with COVID-19 as our main focus, that I am leaving the town, and state I've grown up in and loved for 17 years. Although small, Wyoming is such a unique and beautiful place to live and even be associated with. Personally, I’ve travelled many places outside of Wyoming and I’ve seen how slightly, or massively, different the world is, but I’ve never lived outside of the state. That said, I’ve recently been calling Wyoming “the Wyoming bubble” because it feels like a completely different world where, to me, everyone has been everywhere in the state, everyone knows each other, and we’re all kind of a big Wyoming family. I know it’s a bit dramatic, but that’s how I feel as a Wyomingite. As a high school athlete and student, I’ve had the chance to meet many incredible people who became lifelong friends. While I’m stuck at home dwelling in the, I guess are now memories, I constantly think about all the people who I saw for the last time without knowing, and all the things I did eight weeks ago not knowing that they were my last. Now, I’m leaving the people who shaped me, my childhood, and my experiences as an adolescent to expand my education and inch closer to my future goals. Just this week, I began the process of searching for dorm halls and a roommate, which of course is now an online cycle. Browsing through, I “ What would you like to see in the future, and most importantly, what do you need to start putting in place to make those things happen? — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President The Future….is as yet unwritten. Whether we are referencing what will happen in the fall months with the Coronavirus outbreak, or we are referencing where your path through life will take you, it all falls within the same conceptual framework. Many people believe in some form of predestination, fate, or other ideas used to describe a process where portions of the future are known or are at least highly predictable. While I certainly do not intend, nor want to, disavow anyone of those notions, I would like to suggest that as a regular course in your lives, you take time to periodically and earnestly think about the future. What would you like to see in the future, and more importantly, what do you need to start putting in place to make those things happen? Just as important, or perhaps even more importantly, take time to examine what you think your future might hold, and evaluate whether or not those notions are realistic. Now, some people reading this article have already jumped to the conclusion that I am saying some of your expectations are unrealistic. They are correct, that is exactly what I am saying; however, perhaps not in the direction they probably would have predicted. Let’s use the Coronavirus for just a moment and talk about this fall. Will social distancing be mandated for months, if not years to come? Will businesses be forced to close again this fall? The list of questions, and corresponding predictions, is endless, but, at least from my perspective, the ultimate answer is very simple. We cannot predict the correct answer to any of these questions with any significant degree of assuredness. In short, we cannot predict the future. Sure, many people are spending a lot of time trying to convince you that their vision of the future is correct, or at least is the most likely to occur. They might be right, and they might be wrong. I recently read an article about predictions made about the U.S. Stock market. This study looked at all the predictions made about the stock market over a defined period of time, and found that 80% of said predictions did not come to pass. My point here is simple; please do not believe, consciously or subconsciously, that the future is known simply because someone, or many someone’s, have told you so. Please do not let a string of random suggestions by people slowly and insistently weave their way into a belief on your part that the future, your future, is somehow already known, especially when those sugges- tions pertain to limitations and hindrances on your future. I believe that social media and mass communication are at the same time both transformational benefits to society, as well as areas of significant risk. Now, more than any period before in the history of civilization, each of us has an almost limitless amount of information at our fingertips; that would be the transformational benefit. At the same time each of us has, if we choose, the ability to disperse through social media any belief or thought we want to share. I can declare an opinion for anyone to read, and thus my opinion can potentially propagate the entire globe, regardless of the validity of my statements; that is the significant risk. My overall point here is that the amount of information each of us is deluged with every minute of every day is almost incalculable, and will only increase as time progresses. You need to hone your skills in wading through all of that information, and deciding what is useful, and what is not, and not allowing all the other information to creep in and begin to form opinions and narratives in your mind about the present, and the future. The future is as yet unwritten. Now go be its author… Who wins? Students or student-athletes? Jayla Johnson High school is no musical was excited realizing I’ll be meeting people from all over the country, but also I was grasping the idea that I’ll be leaving the friends from my hometown. Leaving the “Wyoming bubble” will be difficult, for me at least, but I have to be optimistic and remember that this is a huge step in the right direction for my future. Also, it’s not like Casper is going anywhere, it’s only a plane ride or long drive away. In this day and age, we’ll all be able to stay connected with smartphones and social media. Fortunately we’re in the times of technology and not the times of telegrams! Although it was a long journey to decide what I was going to do next year, I knew I needed and, in fact, wanted to leave the state. Keeping this desire in mind, I have been focusing on making the most out of the last moments I have with my friends here, which has proven difficult ever since quarantine was issued. Now, I Join our the Chinook staff this fall! Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. considered many options, but after looking into each one I finally decided. Next year I’ll be attending Arizona State University as Sun Devil and I couldn’t be more excited, but in the back of my mind I wonder what life outside of Wyoming will be like. It’ll be much hotter, much busier, and much more momentous. I can’t help but imagine how I’ll react and, most importantly, adapt to life outside the “Wyoming bubble” Although I’m missing out on a normal senior year and a normal graduation ceremony, I continue to prepare for next year and remember there is much more in store after this pandemic. As I sit in my house, being bored and missing the times when the stores were open, I continue to think of my next step in life that will lead me out of Wyoming and have me exploring a new state. Growing up in a small town was an experience, but leaving for a big city will be an even bigger one. Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Contact faculty advisor Bri Brasher brianne.brasher@caspercollege.edu Jo Jeremic Life of a student-athlete Before coming to the United States I didn’t know that the “war” between groups of students portrayed in High School Musical was a real thing. It was just a movie to me. But after spending two years here in Casper, I’ve realized that people in American schools like hanging out with the ones similar to them, and that everyone should find the group that they belong to. So I found mine. If you’ve never played sports in high school then you probably don’t know much about student-athletes. But, what I know for sure, is that they’re probably not your favorite group of people in college. Yeah, there is reasons for that. They are always in groups, only wear sweats to school, they’re really loud and don’t pay attention in class. So when you’re put in the group with student athletes, they usually don’t do anything to help. They just act like they’re better than regular students but still get full scholarships and worry about nothing. Trust me, I know, because I’m one of them. And, yeah, very often, those things happen. But, on the other side, there are many things that people think of us before they’ve even met us, only because we play sports. So I’ll try to give some insight into how a student-athlete’s life is different compared to a regular student in order to try and break some of the stereotypes surrounding the athletes. A day in a life of a student athlete (a normal, non-quarantine day) is filled with many different things that all basically have the potential to distract from schoolwork. From waking up at 5:30 a.m. on school days to do your weight lifting workouts followed by missing a whole day of classes during season because of the away games on a Tuesday afternoon -- to running to classes sweaty and stinky right after your practice and trying to stop yourself from panting when you run into the class late when the teacher is already speaking -- Yes, this actually happens very often. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure that athletes are some of the hardest-working students in colleges. Maybe most of the athletes don’t have the best grades, but those are usually the ones that do the best on court and practice hard every day because they’re devoted to their sport. There’s also the athletes who are mostly using their talent in sports to get a scholarship, but they’re still going to practices, doing workouts everyday and missing classes because of the games, all while managing to complete their work and maintain their GPA. Whichever way you decide to look at it, it’s clear that being a student-athlete takes a lot of sacrifice and commitment. However, having a lot of art and communication classes (that athletes usually don’t take) and having non-athlete friends, I learned that regular students who don’t play sports don’t get as many scholarships, so they’re more likely to spend their time after classes working. This also doesn’t leave them much free time to do school work. At the end of the day, college isn’t easy for anyone and maybe we should all try to give each other a chance to really get to know the other side before we judge and think that someone has it easier than us. Just like in High School Musical: “We’re all in this together!” �Special Edition - May 12, 2020 Page 3 CHINOOK GRADUATION............................................................................. continued from page 1 there are mandatory speeches by the board of trustees, the academic Vice President, and Byrd herself. According to Byrd, these speeches are necessary in order to confer the degrees. Each speaker will record a speech, and then all will be edited together prior to May 15th to be shown during the online ceremony. In the past few years, Paul Marquard, a physics instructor at CC, has closed the ceremony by leading out the stage party and by playing the bagpipes in his Keltic attire. This tradition will continue for this year’s ceremony closing but Marquard will play the bagpipes by the Heyoka statue on the CC campus. “We’re trying to keep it as normal as we possibly can. The only main difference is that we will be watching it on YouTube instead of live in an audience,” Byrd mentioned. The biggest change we will see that’s in a typical live ceremony is the handing of the diploma. In the past, students would walk across the stage, receive their diploma cover, shake the Board of Trustees and the President’s hand, and then get their picture taken; however, because it’s virtual this year, each student will receive their diploma, diploma cover, and free tassel from CC faculty in the mail without walking across the stage. “The one thing I will miss the most is the cheering as someone walks across the stage. For me, there are just some students that we do get to know really well and it's just such an accomplishment, so not being able to see them, especially afterwards, and congratulate them, we’re all going to miss that part of it,” Byrd told Chinook. When asked his initial reaction to the virtual graduation announcement, Mason said, “At first, the whole thing came as a bit of a shock and disappointment; however, it is still a chance to be recognized even during an unfortunate situation.” Mason’s reaction, however, slowly changed as he put this unexpected situation into four different perspectives: first, he said, no matter his frustration, he couldn’t blame the school and state for cancelling the ceremony for the safety of friends and family; second, CC offered the opportunity to walk in a live ceremony next May; third, Mason said he has a lot of respect for CC’s commitment, creativity, and swift action to honor their graduates in some way; fourth, Mason realized that this year’s commencement ceremony will be remembered in history. “Standing out of the crowd as students who were handed an unfortunate set of circumstances and were able to work through them is how I would like to remember my college graduation,” Mason said. “Call me crazy but at least it’ll make for a good story! As an added benefit, some of my family couldn’t make it due to their age/mobility but now they can watch the graduation online.” For Box, however, his feelings changed from “a little bummed out” to disappointed. He said, “To me, my feelings have changed because even though it is still a special moment, I think the ‘specialness’ of it has been lost in the chaos.” Nonetheless, Box still hopes to make the most of the virtual graduation ceremony with his peers. “My hope is that a lot of graduates actually do this. I know it is harder on them [because it is virtual] but it's also easier to [prepare for] it now. I think we need participation more than anything. I personally am looking forward to it. I think it will be interesting to see how big of a change it is,” said Box. Byrd, hoping to make this year’s ceremony special, urges students, family members, and the CC community to participate in this virtual graduation. “For so many people, especially for a community college, we have many students that are non-traditional age students that have to overcome a lot of barriers to earn this,” said Byrd. “So to actually accomplish this is just so meaningful. I want them to be able to show this to their children or to their loved ones, just say, ‘I did it.’” Mason had a similar comment when addressing the importance of a commencement ceremony. “I would like to remind anyone who is feeling negative about an online commencement that some have had to sacrifice more than others to get to commencement, and it is a chance to be honored as a collective even if it isn’t what was expected just 8 weeks ago. It may not be ideal, but it is still an opportunity that doesn’t present itself often,” said Mason. “On that note, I would like to thank all of the teachers and staff who have worked equally as hard to put the online commencement together in combination with having put in the extra effort to get students to graduation.” Tune in May 15th at 3 p.m. to CC’s Facebook page or YouTube channel to watch the 2020 Casper College virtual graduation ceremony. Photos courtesy of Kim Byrd Above, Paul Marquard, Eric Willcox, Matt Mitchell play bagpipes as part of the 2020 graduation ceremony. Left, Eric Unruh, Dean of Fine Arts and Humanities plays piano for graduation. He composed all of the music for the ceremony. MENTAL HEALTH.................................................................... continued from page 1 virus/ to locate the resources you need. Also, the Casper community also has lots of resources, including food banks and organizations that provide financial assistance. Go to https://wy211.communityos.org/ to locate services you need. • Maintain some sort of structure in your life. Create a new routine, including set times to study and do homework. Set boundaries with those around you, if necessary. You should also maintain a regular sleep schedule as well as mealtimes. • Make an extra effort toward selfcare, including exercise (outdoor, preferably, to get a daily dose of Vitamin D) and other activities you enjoy, ones you know are good for your health. • Stay socially connected, and focus time with family and friends using the phone and video more, in place of text or social media. This will help satisfy the very human need for face to face contact, and decrease the negative impact of social distancing. Get creative by watching shows or playing games together remotely. • Remind yourself that while COVID19 may be with us for a while, your academic semester is quickly drawing to a close. We are in finals week, so focus the very best you can; you are almost done! Student or Instructor Turn your online struggles into answers by calling us. Students: Instructors: We make sure you are able to access online learning resources needed to learn in your classes. We will also help you learn to utilize the digital tools available to you for all your classwork. We can help make online course development easier for you as well as assist in making knowledge acquisition more efficient, effective, and appealing for your students through the best teaching practices and use of technologies. Top five examples of items we can help with: 1. How to use Moodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Use Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 3. Accessing Office 365 . 4. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it. 5. Moodle technical issues — except password changes, we don’t do that. Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. An example of items we can help with: • Technologies that support learning objectives and classroom productivity like GoogleSuite, ProctorU, Zoom, Yuja, and other various Moodle activities and resources. • Providing a sounding board for ways to improve courses. • Sharing examples of instructional strategies used in other courses and programs. • Providing help in developing teaching strategies Plus a lot for online classes. more! • Providing a student perspective. Contact us. Teresa Pat Mike For help or more information contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Donnie Dave Camille �Page 4 Special Edition - May 12, 2020 CHINOOK Schenfisch helps amidst pandemic Jo Jeremic Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Gail Schenfisch Gail Schenfisch, a sign language instructor, visits with young children recently in Casper. Schenfisch also helps interpret local news for the deaf community. Gail Schenfisch is an American sign language instructor at Casper College. Besides working as a teacher at the college, she works as an interpreter on the local news. Especially now, during the outbreak of the Coronavirus, Schenfisch is actively helping the deaf community stay informed on the government's most recent decisions and latest stories on the news. The availability of information to deaf people is low in general, but during a pandemic like this, it’s really important for everyone to be able to learn how to protect themselves and stay safe. “There are not a lot of interpreters in Wyoming and there are not a lot of deaf people either, but even if you have only one deaf person in the community, that one person needs the interpreter. I love doing it because I get to meet so many new people and learn new things about our community,” said Schenfisch. Schenfisch continues teaching in Casper after more than 20 years, and she said she loves her job and the students here. As of last year, Casper started offering American Sign Language as a major. Schenfisch said that in the past year and a half six students graduated with the degree, which makes her very proud. “The best part about teaching is knowing that sign language, like any other language, expands people’s diversity and opens people up to seeing that we’re not just American or just German... I think that with sign language, I help people see that we’re all different, but we are also all the same,” said Schenfisch. Schenfisch recalled moving to Southern Calif. during her junior year in high school where she started to gain an interest in sign language. She said she did not like it there, so she focused a lot on learning the language, and she even took some courses at a nearby community college. “I took sign language, but I never had a plan to be an interpreter or to teach deaf kids, both of which I do now,” explained Schenfisch. Now, Schenfisch is a certified interpreter and a translator, as well as a sign language instructor at CC. Schenfisch is known by her students here at Casper as a good teacher that’s always willing to help and easy to approach. “She is very personable and understanding. She is the one that first made me consider making interpreting my career, and now I’m going to a university to finish my degree in interpreting,” said Bentley McCullouugh, one of Schenfisch’s students at CC. Oral Presentation and Communication Center • Taming presentation apprehension and anxiety. • Confidence and style. • Using organization to create a laser specific message. • Using language effectively. Schedule an online appointment today: Email: OPACC@caspercollege.edu OR Phone: 307-268-2648 We hope you have a fun-filled summer We will be accepting any unused Voluntary Meal Plans as well as T-Bucks in the fall of 2020 due to the circumstances that led to the campus closing. Feel free to give us a call at (307) 268-2126 or (307) 268-2748 with any questions regarding your meal plan. Cashiers at our dining locations will also be able to let you know about your balance in the fall. We also want to thank the students that stayed on campus for following our guidelines. �Special Edition - May 12, 2020 CHINOOK Page 5 CC business major opens online boutique Toni Kerr Chinook Writer While full-time college students typically maintain busy schedules with full-time classes and part-time jobs, Mackenzie Kern, a sophomore at Casper College, decided she also wanted to start her dream career. In November of 2019, Kern decided to open up her online boutique, Loveleigh. The shop offers a wide selection of clothing and accessories based on Kern’s own personal style. “I was at one of the downtown farmers markets where all the businesses come and put up popup shops, and I was like, I can totally do this. And I got my business license five days later,” said Kern. According to Kern, there’s something for everyone in her shop. “I have so many styles available on the website. I feel like it’s very diverse. I have something for everyone on every occasion, which is huge for me,” Kern said. As stated on the Loveleigh website, Kern selects the items, wraps them, packages them, and ships them out herself. Kern emphasizes the importance of girl power, female entrepreneurship, and small businesses. Kern spent her teen years doing pageantry, which allowed her to travel around the nation. Despite having visited several other places, she chose to pursue her college education and start her boutique in her hometown. “I really wanna change the game when it comes to fashion in Wyoming,” says Kern. “I just wanna bring styles to people's doorstep in Wyoming so they don’t have to order from these big corporations in California, and Atlanta. I want to be the hotspot in Wyoming for fashion and just current trends.” Kern continued, “If I’m going to do something, I want it to have meaning behind it, and I wanna show people that it can be done from Wyoming. At the end of the day I love that I’m from Wyoming, and I wouldn’t want to represent any other state.” Kern not only wants people to simply shop at her boutique, she wants girls to feel empowered and confident after shopping at her boutique. “I want to be more than just a boutique. I don’t just wanna bring girls clothes -- I want them (my customers) to feel confident, and I want them to feel like they’re a part of something more when they wear something from my company. Inspiration and motivation is something that I'm very, very passionate about…with everything I do I try to add that to the table,” said Kern. You can find Loveigh on instagram at ShopLoveleigh, on Facebook at Loveleigh Clothing, and at the website shoploveleigh.com. Photo courtesy of Erik Carbajal Kern stated her goal is to do pop-up shops this Casper College student Mackenzie Kern models the UW Gameday Crop in Yellow for around the state this summer. her boutique, Loveleigh. A book review for author Allan D. Hunter Maddey Strayer Chinook Writer Generqueer; A Story From a Different Closet is a memoir of author Allan D. Hunter’s journey to finding himself. He details working around the challenges of gender identity and finding the right label to stick to himself. The story follows Derek, a young boy growing up in the 1970s who finds himself constantly switching back and forth between trying to accept himself and trying to be accepted by those around him. He desperately wants to fit in, but how can someone fit into a crowd when they can’t even fit into their own skin? Genderqueer is a fantastically emotional coming of age journey unlike anything else. Derek’s experience is different. Finding himself unable to identify as anything rigid, Derek finds the label “queer” a suitable fit. Genderqueer does contain mentions of sexual intercourse, violence and bullying, as well as in ]-depth talk of sexuality. However, this does not take away from the heart of the story itself. Every mention is intentional, and each is polished and professionally written. The book is strongest in its factor of emotional immer- sion. Not a moment is dull, and the whole book is a wild, emotional rollercoaster. The story is more than engaging, as what Derek experiences is new and seems almost unheard of-especially in the 1970s. The plot is paced extremely well to make for an overall amazing read. From his early school life to lecturing a room full of college students in his adulthood, the story is easy to follow and feels as though you are along for the ride in Derek’s wild life. You find yourself asking the same questions that Derek does and are fully satisfied with each answer along the way. Girlfriends, virginity quests, “boys being boys,” breakups, questions, answers, a trip to the psychiatric ward, and more. This coming of age story is enticing from the very beginning. “During seventh grade, I spent more and more time looking at girls and eagerly waiting for the chance to have a girlfriend again. I was surely going to be favored by the girls as their interest in boys and boyfriends increased. After all, I’d always liked girls and shared their values and respected them as colleagues, whereas most boys were abrasive loud unimaginative clods who had never liked girls before and had not paid them much attention aside from expressing their contempt for them. Then our family moved from Valdosta, Georgia, to Los Alamos, New Mexico, and that’s where I started eighth grade. And once again, everything changed” (Hunter). Overall, Generqueer: A Story From A Different Closet is a beautiful, emotional, immersive experience, and the book is definitely worth a read. As a reader, you ask yourself questions both about Derek and about yourself. The book's profound plot and mesmerizing storytelling are beautifully written and are sure to draw readers in from the very first page. https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ Some Good News Due to COVID-19, this year’s CC film festival is a broadcast dedicated to good news! Watch the segment on YouTube Help us spread Some Good News this finals week! �Page 6 Special Edition - May 12, 2020 CHINOOK Faculty feature: Casper College's Kerri Mahlum Maddey Strayer Chinook Writer The house is warm. The oven is on. A 1940s record crackles from the living room. Four little dogs yip from the backyard. The scent of freshly baked bread wafts through the door. A chipper “Hellooooo!” is heard from the kitchen -- and there she is. Kerri Mahlum is chair of the Education Department and an early childhood education instructor at Casper College. She attended CC before moving to Lincoln, Neb. to teach kindergarten. But something just couldn’t keep her away from Casper, the place she never ceased to call home. She started teaching full time at CC in 2001, and she sees no end in the near future. Mahlum emphasized her pas- sion for teaching. “I truly, truly have the best of both worlds. I get to teach and advise college students where I can show my full unfiltered sense of humor and still get a laugh out of it from them, but at the same time I still get to work with Play-Doh and put together puzzles and get paid to play with children,” said Kerri with a smile. Teaching is her passion, and it always has been. But how does an extraverted woman with an adoration for children handle working from home? At home, Kerri lives with her family, which includes her two daughters, Morgan and Maddison, her husband, Trevor, and their four dogs. She can be found in the backyard nestled in her “mom cave playhouse,” filled with fairy lights, comfy cushions, and just close enough to the in house office to generate a wifi connection strong enough for ZOOM calls and emails. She spends an “inordinately large” amount of time playing her favorite mobile game, Candy Crush—so much so that she’s lost count of what level she’s achieved in the game. She cooks and cleans, and she bakes the best bread I have ever tasted. “I’m not a very good baker because you have to measure, and that requires you to be precise, which isn’t my jam. But I’m learning! It’s not that I love to cook, it’s just that I love to EAT! And I can’t get the food I like elsewhere, so I do it myself,” she laughed. The Mahlum house is a busy one. With Kerri and Trevor hard at work, the dogs chasing each other around and eating things they probably shouldn’t, and Maddison and Morgan completing their final projects, not a moment CC performance Photos courtesy of Zach Engberg Casper College Dance and Theatre majors performed an improvisational dance inspired by world renowned artist Neltje at the Nicolaysen Art Museum on Wednesday, March 4th. The dancers interpreted Neltje's paintings then transferred her dynamic canvas energy through their own body energy and embodied interpretation. Neltje's artwork invites movement possibilities through the vast array of action her paintings reveal. The dancers shifted, glided, reached, and stretched throughout the main gallery all while being surrounded by Neltje's vibrant paintings. This performance was free and open to the public. From top left: Joshua Greene; Sharice Roberson and Tessa Marie Gabardine; Adriel Martinez. From top right: Vivica Stewart; HannahClaire Sutton and Rachel Dooley. is dull. And Mahlum said it’s always been that way. She recalls a fond memory in which Morgan, her oldest daughter who was three years old at the time, ran face first into the patio screen door, busted right through the thin fabric, and almost toppled over the edge of the railing. “If you know Morgan, she’s the exact opposite of that now. She’s the most non-energetic person in the world, and she’s always been that way, except for this one time! We always wonder ‘what the hell would have caused you to run THROUGH the door instead of just opening it?’” laughed Mahlum. “I’m lucky to have a family I love and enjoy being around, especially right now with everything going on. I can’t imagine how tough it is for the people out there who don’t have that luxury.” Kerri loves her family through and through and mentions, even the dogs when they have a naughty streak. With the newest addition to the family, a tiny black pug named Anubis, skittering joyfully around the house, there is promise of many more fun and exciting Mahlum adventures ahead. Between working full-time, cooking for the family, learning to bake precisely, and keeping the energetic dogs entertained, Kerri rarely deals with boredom. A dull moment in the Mahlum household is rare, and with everyone staying home silence is no option-- even nearing the end of the semester. She’ll continue to cook and clean, check in virtually on her students who she considers nothing less than friends, and of course, playing Candy Crush in hopes of finally reaching the final level. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2020-05 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <div class="element-text five columns omega"> <p><span><a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a></span></p> </div> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2020-05 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from May 2020. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; iamge Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2020-05 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/2134d04238fba181a8a8b5fb1b792b21.pdf 6ef7431f24c889af3291c083ad55d8bf PDF Text Text October 1, 2020 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Fun with furry friends Kelsey Herman/Chinook Dog owners and their canine companions gathered outside the Union Building for Second Annual Casper College Dog Trek on Sept. 12. Both soccer programs official at CC Toni Kerr Chinook Writer Photos courtesy of Cory Garvin Ben McArthur (left) is the head coach of the men's soccer team at Casper College. Ammon Bennett (right) is the head coach of the women's soccer team. Both are wokring to get the new programs up ready and on the field this spring. Perhaps the newest thing to happen to Casper College this school year was welcoming a new soccer program. CC now has both men’s and women’s competitive soccer teams that will begin competing in the spring semester. “We knew that when Casper College was starting a soccer program, we were going to have the resources and the support needed from the administration to be successful,” says Ben McArthur, head coach for the men’s soccer team at Casper College. The head coach for the women’s soccer team is Ammon Bennett who comes from a long background of soccer with over 20 years of collegiate coaching experience. Prior to his role at CC, Bennett coached at Utah State University. “I’ve coached men’s and women’s. This is only the second season in all of those years that I’m only coaching one team,” stated Bennett. “When I came up to Casper for my interview I drove around the town, saw the size (of Casper), and everything. I just thought this was a really good fit where we (the team) could have some good success.” Sydney Hiatt, a defensive freshman from Heber City, Utah said she’s been playing soccer for as long as she can remember. “I wasn’t even a student here when I came and toured, and it (the campus) already felt like a place you’d feel at home,” said Hiatt. She then added, “We’ve got a pretty big team and I just want to get to know everybody and grow the family atmosphere.” The head coach for the men’s soccer team in Ben McArthur. Coach McArthur is preparing for his ninth season as a college coach after previously coaching in Iowa. “We don’t want to have any growing years. We want to compete right away -- win as many games as possible,” said McArthur. “We also want to have good student athletes, we want good grades, we want guys that do community service. We want to make sure student athletes here feel like they’re being developed.” McArthur discussed that the goals for the fall mainly revolve around development and knowing which guys will go where. “My goal for the season is to win a championship,” says Joel Opoku, a defensive freshman from Ontario, Canada. The teams will be participating in soccer scrimmages locally on October 3rd, starting at 9 a.m. Both scrimmages will take place at the North Casper Soccer Complex. Fans can also watch online on the CC Athletics Youtube channel, according to the Casper College website. Nelson leads Paralegal Studies Program Rhonda Arlene Chinook Writer According to Amanda Nelson’s husband, she thrives in chaos. As the mother of four with a husband whose job has him on the road more than he is home, and as Program Director for the Casper College Paralegal Program, thriving in chaos is a good thing. The Paralegal Studies Program at CC prepares paralegals for these and many other challenges facing legal professionals today. With only two schools in Wyoming offering paralegal studies, online studies have become an important focus in order to reach the many rural towns across the state. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the online learning transition accelerated, which benefits CC’s program. Online access to paralegal studies allows smaller law offices to hire trained, competent, and knowledgeable staff. Nelson, who first became a paralegal in 2005, looks to the future of the legal system and hopes to have a positive impact on changes that she believes are necessary. She specifically would like to see quality legal services accessible to all in need. “In the past, paralegals weren’t utilized well in local law offices and were treated more as legal secretaries. The new generation of legal professionals are seeing the value and the importance of skilled paralegals within their teams, so it’s an exciting time to be entering this profession,” said Nelson. Skilled paralegals are in demand nationwide. Paralegal graduates can work in any area of the law, including criminal, corporate, oil and gas, immigration, employment, bankruptcy, and many more. Through the Casper College Paralegal Studies program, graduates develop the knowledge and skills to help change the legal system. CC offers two options for students inter- ested in paralegal studies: an Associate of Arts – Paralegal, and a Post Baccalaureate Certificate. Each program develops a knowledge base of legal proceedings, and includes trial preparation, draft pleadings, a base foundation for civil procedures, courts, and evidence handling. Internships are strongly encouraged and available to all students. A legal advisory committee oversees the paralegal studies program and assists with job placement after the completion of the program. CC paralegal studies graduates are encouraged to take the Certified Paralegal Exam. This exam is offered through the Casper College Testing Center and is nationally recognized. Students in the program learn from Nelson and her fifteen years of experience working in the field. Nelson witnessed many changes to the legal system during that time, the most dramatic of which is the effect of social media on the outcome of court cases. “When I first started in 2005, social media wasn’t a huge component. Now, when you have a divorce or custody battle, all posted items are admissible in court,” said Nelson. “I don’t think many people realize that. It blows my mind as to what some people decide to post or comment on while in an emotional state. Once posted, it’s admissible in court; it’s not an invasion of privacy. And it has impacted judge’s decisions and opinions, and has changed the face of trials in the courtroom.” Nelson also advises that social media postings are not only used in the courtroom, but also in job interviews. She knows of attorneys who hand paralegal interviewees a laptop and request they log into their social media sites on the spot for review, prior to extending a job offer. Such practice means paralegals entering the profession today not only need to know the ins — See Nelson Page 3 Photos courtesy of Amanda Nelson Amanda Nelson poses for a photo. Nelson recently received a prestigious national award. Read more about the paralegal studies instructor's accomplishments on page 3. �Page 2 October 1, 2020 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: --- Meet the staff --Maddie Strayer Watch what happens “ Toni Kerr Talks with Toni Welcome Back! Although Casper College has a beautiful campus, it does not come fully alive until it is full of students. I hope the beginning of the semester has gone well for everyone and that you are settling in nicely. Our staff worked tirelessly all summer to be able and ready to welcome everyone back. Of course, this year is a little different. The current COVID pandemic has meant some changes to our daily routines. Gone are the large gatherings and communal spaces, and in their place are face coverings, hand sanitizer, and social On the record with Rhonda Rachelle Trujillo College campus. Please do not be surprised if you are not wearing your face covering, when one of our staff members politely asks you to put one on. I truly hope your college experience has gotten off to a strong and satisfying beginning. Please understand that our staff stands ready to assist you in achieving your dreams. Thus, if you need assistance of any sort, please do not hesitate to reach out! Darren stands ready to assist you in achieving your dreams. Thus, if you need assistance of any sort, please do not hesitate to reach out! Darren "Although not the circumstances everyone would prefer, if the choices are these few precautions versus having to complete everything remote, then I think most people are willing to put up with the temporary changes." — Darren divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Managing external voices Rachelle Trujillo Rhonda Arlene distancing. Although not the circumstances everyone would prefer, if the choices are these few precautions versus having to complete everything remote, then I think most people are willing to put up with the temporary changes. While I am happy to report that the face covering rule is being followed in classrooms, I am disappointed to hear reports of students not wearing masks in common areas and other indoor spaces. I must remind everyone that the current operating rule is that face coverings must be worn in all indoor public areas on the Casper Rachelle's Reflections College is a time of self discovery -- a period in which some of the most important decisions and interactions of our lives take place. Even the most confident and certain of us find ourselves at one point or another questioning the path we’re on or the people we’re with, so we rely on the insight of others. Many of us are being directed and counseled by professors, parents, friends, and partners, and when those opinions contradict or oppose our own, it can lead us to further question ourselves. Simply put, the advice of others can often fog our own lenses, even if we know what it is we want out of our lives. I feel many of us Gen Zers grew up being told that we can and should do anything we want to do. We’re instructed to decide what it is that we can contribute to the world and go after it. But now that we’re grown up, those same voices are telling us to pick the career that pays the most, marry well, and make a name of yourself. Suddenly, it seems like what we should go after has more to do with society’s expectations of us and less of what we truly want. It’s hard to know what we’re supposed to do, and I don’t think we’re supposed to know yet. I think the opinions of most people must be taken with a grain of salt while simultaneously giving ourselves the permission to not know what it is exactly that we have to offer the world. We don’t know where we’re going or who we’ll become, so we have to trust ourselves to make the decisions that seem the most likely to take us closer to our goals, even if those decisions don’t produce the outcome we had expected or hoped for. This is a time to make mistakes. Make them of your own accord, and no one else’s. Nobody understands your goals and intentions better than yourself. Likewise, nobody can get you there except for you. Ask for help when you need it, but give yourself permission to follow your instinct and learn from the process. In the end, the only voice that matters is your own. Back to school barbecue! Rachelle's Reflections Kelsey Herman Kickin' it with Kels Rebekah Sechrist is also on staff this fall! Kelsey Herman/Chinook Students, faculty, and staff gathered for a back to school barbecue outside the union building on Aug. 28. �October 1, 2020 Page 3 CHINOOK NELSON.......................................................................................... continued from page 1 and outs of the legal system, but they also need to be savvy in social media as well, or at least know the potential consequences of online posting habits. Nelson also spoke of another change brought on by COVID-19. The pandemic not only impacted the education system, but also the legal system. Courts are now offering online hearings, which keeps costs down and helps with the challenge of travel for witnesses. Winters in Wyoming are unpredictable at best, with roads becoming impassable in the blink of an eye, potentially leaving court proceedings at a stand-still. “If your witness can’t make it to court because a road is closed, what do you do?” Nelson questioned. The travel delays can often disrupt court proceedings and can potentially impact the outcome. The flexibility of online hearings alleviates the travel burden and lessens the overall cost of court cases. No matter the changes in the paralegal field and in the paralegal studies program at CC, Nelson tackles the chaos. With a master’s degree in distance learning and an advanced certified paralegal designation, Nelson is fit to train and leadparalegals for an exciting career path. The National Association of Legal Assistants recently awarded Amanda Nelson the 2020 CP Champion Award. Nelson said this is the first award of its kind, and the national award is only given to one recipient. She explained that the CP Champion Award is awarded to 'champions' of those promoting and encouraging the profession, education and certification of paralegals. Photo courtesy of Amanda Nelson Amanda Nelson shared her favorite family photo. Pictured here are Nelson's husband Eric, her sons Lucas, Nicholas, and Oliver, and her daughter, Norah. Olson's “unraveling” Julia Nielsen Chinook Contributor The Goodstein Art Gallery fall kickoff introduced Amber Battista Olson as the first featured artist of the season on Sept. 10th in Wheeler Hall in the Casper College music building. Olson planned her artist talk for last spring, but a traumatic car accident caused her to postpone. She mentioned in her talk that her accident was a catalyst for her artistic choices and their meaning. The piece Olson featured is titled “unraveling,” and was located in the Visual Arts Building for viewing earlier this year. Valerie Innella, the Goodstein Art Gallery director and also an art history professor at CC, introduced Olson to the stage in September. Olson’s “unraveling” is comprised of different materials and artistic forms that each have their own individual meaning regarding Olson’s life experiences, artistic influences, and her accident. The car accident occurred in 2018. Olson experienced a bad head injury.During her healing process, Olson found herself constantly fatigued with no energy, a feeling she said proved extremely difficult for her. However, Olson shared that her brush with mortality allowed her to convey her healing process and concepts of vulnerability/safety through her art. “I tend to gravitate towards a more austere, simple form. I like to incorporate the feeling of gesture and movement with my pottery. I don’t shy away from imperfections or things that are not perfect,” said Olson. “The austerity of my work is broken by the human touch. I am interested in the soft marks made by the human hand. I focus on process and expression, integrating gesture and movement. I am inspired by forms in nature, and the female body – perfect and imperfect all at once.” Unraveling consists of seven individually knitted nets hanging from the ceiling at different heights that each hold a vessel with an ocean-blue glaze. Underneath the nets, broken glass lies chaotically on top of a mound of salt and gauze. Olson said she chose the knitted fiber so that it would cradle her vessels with strength but also to offer a softness. She had to disentangle the threads of her knitted fabric to create them, an unraveling in and of itself. The bowls in this grouping represent strength and family, which Olson explained held her up during her healing pro- cess. She chose the ocean blue glaze to represent healing and a sense of calm, as well as self-expression. The broken glass represents the accident and “the beautiful inevitability of change,” said Olson. The salt and the gauze are also representative of healing and the countless Epsom salt baths Olson said she endured. “Amber’s piece conveys the healing process with a contrast of soft and hard elements with the crocheted fish nets hanging from the ceiling, which hold her delicate pottery from breaking and joining the mound of broken glass and corrosive salt on the floor, which represent her wounds,” said Innella. Olson’s artistic aesthetics developed after taking scuba diving classes as a young teenager with her father. Scuba diving introduced her to shades of calming ocean water blues, sea creatures, and an affinity for all that Mother Nature offers. Amber attended college at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. as a studio art and painting major. During this time, Olson said she surprised herself by falling in love with ceramics and pottery grouping techniques that resulted in her changing her major to ceramics. She began using a tranquil color palette, inspired by the colors of the ocean. Witnessing the birth of her nephew inspired Olson to study the female form and the gestation process, as well as asymmetrical/organic forms. She emphasized that she relates her artistic journey and healing to a gestation process. “I allowed my ideas, so many of them, to gestate in my heart and mind before bringing them into the concrete world,” wrote Olson in an artist statement. Her inspirations for “unraveling” included a series of artists. Lucie Rie inspired Olson because her vessels weren’t symmetrical and had an organic rim shape that looked like Julia Nielsen/Chinook Contributor they were connected to human Amber Battista Olson's work titled, "Unraveling," was hands. featured in the Visual Arts Building. “Clay has a memory, it will capture a memory of human touch if you want it to,” said love for tranquil color palettes. tuous shapes that mimicked African ritual objects moved the female form, as well as Olson. Gwyn Hanssen Pigott her because they included earthy, magnetic, and velvet inspired Olson because she natural materials consisting of textures…” said Olson. Olson’s main goal of provided intriguing meth- bone, wood, and leather, which ods of pottery grouping and provided an overlap of artis- “unraveling” involves telling a tranquil color palette. Eva tic craft and nature. Rebecca a story of healing through Hesse, inspired because her Hutchinson inspired Olson to human touch and connection post minimalist work incorpo- learn how to knit so she could in the most natural and beautirated unconventional materials incorporate twine and other ful ways possible. The piece is an accumulation of Olson’s such as latex and plastic, which natural fibers into her art. Another influence of hers artistic style and inspirations were man-made but presented as natural and translucent, said was Magdalene Odundo, a combined with her life expeOlson. Ancient Song Dynasty studio potter whose pottery riences and healing process pottery also stimulated her presented “beautiful, volup- from the accident. CC alum makes metal moves Rebekah Sechrist Chinook Writer As the fall season opens and closes, former Casper College student Betsy Bower closed her exhibition "Dreams" at The Nicolaysen Art Museum and opened a showcase at ART 321 in Casper. Upon walking into the main gallery at the The Nic, visitors entered a space with lights turned low and the mood cast upon a space doppled with metal sculptures and illuminated by color-shifting lighting elements. The wall near the entrance featured vinyl lettering with the artist’s name and show title, Dreams. Beneath the title sat a small table with sticky notes and pencil. Notes with other visitor’s dreams written on them were on the wall below the vinyl lettering inviting visitors to add to the collaborative dream wall. In the center of the room stood a metal framework tetrahedron. From the top center of the tetrahedron pyramid, light showers slowly shifted color onto a small pillow seat. Next to the seat sat a small MP3 player and earbuds. The tetrahedron was meant for one person to sit on the pillow under the light and enjoy the music, which created a completely immersive experience for the user to sit and enjoy. Sculptures throughout the gallery glowed as the color of the lights changed Rebekah Sechrist/Chinook from blue, to green, from gold to orange, Betsy Bower's exhibition, titled "Dreams," featured and from red to purple. A large metal crow scultpures like the crow pictured above. The crow's with outstretched wings appeared about feathers changed from gold to red. ready to take flight as its feathers changed from gold to red. The shadows cast by the sculptures further transformed the space and allowed for an experience rather than a viewing. When interviewed, the artist elaborated on her show. “My biggest goal with that show was to get people who aren’t into art into art,” Bower shared of her work. She believes Dreams achieved this goal through lighting, interactive elements, and the transformation of the space. She said of her show that “It was unexpected. It was metal. It was different. It turned off the lights. It gave different perspectives of what art could be.” Dreams closed at the beginning of September, so Bower began her collaborative showcase and artists talk at Casper’s Artist’s Guild, ART 321 on Sept. 12th. This event showcases a handful of Bower’s metal sculptures, which were also featured in Dreams. Along with other artists RUGIE, Connie Morgan, James Bardgett, and Pnut, Bower spoke about being a Wyoming artist and her take on the documentary “Make Art Wyoming.” The documentary is about Wyoming artists , specifically regarding how these aspiring talents manage making a living creating art and how much of an impact artists can have on art culture in small town Casper, Wyo. Speaking of working in Casper, Betsy said that being a part of a small artist community like Casper is rewarding and provides balance. “I want balance in my life. I am learning to find balance and the joy in the little things,” said Bower. She went on to laugh jokingly equating Casper to those little things. Bower started working with metal at age 11 in her father’s metal shop. When asked about her beginning, a dreamy look entered her eyes as she reminisced. “I remember going in [to the shop] and smelling the metallic dust,” said Bower. Her father’s shop was called Bower’s Welding and Ornamental Iron. Although she was inspired by her father, she said “I wanted to do something more artistic and natural. I wanted to show a new way of seeing things.” When asked why 3D, Bower said “I think in 3D. Flat surfaces make me want to know what’s on the other side of it. 3D Makes something feel more real.” As a working professional artist, one of her biggest inspirations was her friend and fellow artist the late Shawn Rivett. She said of her friend that “He could sniff out talent and pull it out of [people]. She went on to say “He evoked that from me and that helped me get to a new level in my art.” Art to her is therapy. She said “Art to me today is transmuting my feelings, pain, suffering, into something beautiful. Art is about putting feelings and emotions into solid form to inspire inspiration.” Bower is a master of metalworks. She left her mark on Casper with iconic works like the Mustang Metal sculpture at NC built entirely of musical instruments and the sculpture of a steel elk skull that stands in the entryway of the Casper Elks Lodge. Click here to see a timelapse of Bower creating the iconic elk skull. https://youtu.be/mUrrnqJQSTQ �October 1, 2020 CHINOOK A hidden gem at Casper College Lauren Tyson Chinook Contributor Among the many organizations and clubs at Casper College, the GeoScience Club stands out to Beth Wisely, club sponsor and earth science instructor, because the club allows members of all ages to get out of their daily routine and join a variety of unique experiences through field trips, events, and other outdoor adventures. The GeoScience club, formally known as the Geology Club, doesn’t revolve around classes at CC, so it doesn’t matter if members have any degree or background in geology. Wisely explained that the club is a unique and special way for students, faculty, and community members with shared passions and common interests to gather and do social things regardless of skill level. With the abundance of undiscovered artifacts, members have a chance to find their own treasures of hidden gems and fossils. “What I’ve found in geology is that it really draws a collective group of people from all walks of life because everybody can relate to the Earth. Everybody’s picked up a pretty rock and everybody’s gone on a cool hike. It is something that everybody can relate to across ages, gender, race, money. It is something that everyone has in common,” Wisely said. Wyoming is known for having a rich geological and paleontological heritage making the state one of the top places to study. At CC, the GeoScience club takes advantage of the many geological formations available right in Wyomingites’ backyard. Members can study formations dating back to the Pre-Cambrian era all the way to present day without leaving the cowboy state. The club's weekend field trips allow people to collect fossils and gems, snowshoe, hike, and go caving. The club also gives members the opportunity to explore the geoscience fields and learn through hands-on activities. Zachary Tenney, current club treasurer and longtime member, shared his most memorable experience with the club. “The caving trip was so much fun! That was something I never gotten to try out before because you need the equipment and you need to know somebody to do it. The club is one way you can get into caving or try other different experiences,” Tenney said. Another member, Alex Henry, an active club member since 2016, said she believes the GeoScience club is a way for different science majors -- from environmental, Earth science, geology, and paleontology -- to share their love of the field with others. She said she sees the club as an opportunity to try new things while having other experts and specialists there to help guide and teach members. From Henry’s very first trip, every experience with the GeoScience club provided something special. Even as a new student on campus, Henry said members welcomed her with open arms, and senior members eagerly shared information and their knowledge of the topics to help guide her. Henry said that her most memorable moment while in the club occurred in 2017. “With this club you can meet a lot of cool people, like when the eclipse happened, Harrison ‘Jack’ Schmitt, the only geologist to walk on the Photo courtesy of Dillon Osborne Members of the GeoScience Club are featured on a field trip. Pictured here (from left to right): Colter Reed, Terra Hess, Mike Carter, Alex Henry, and Clay Lorass. moon came. Students and members got to meet him,” Henry shared. “It was a really cool experience. It was truly worthwhile. It's not every day you get to say that you met a man that walked on the moon.” As the club sponsor, Wisely stressed the importance of the GeoScience Club and the impact the club can achieve when members of shared passions and interests come together. “There is still research to be done in geology and paleontology. There are schools who need teachers and museums that are still collecting and prepping fossils. It is important that we get good people so that our fossils don’t end up in Dubai and Egypt. Museums in the United States are selling their collections overseas and we will never see those again... so popularizing ‘the dig’ can be a good thing,” Wisely said. The GeoScience Club’s rebranding won them the New Club of the Year award for 2019-2020 from the Casper College Student Senate along with recognition in the School of Science Newsletter. Shortly after the announcement, the pandemic brought all club meetings and efforts to a halt. But the GeoScience Club is getting back on track and planning its first meeting soon. Future members interested in joining the club can contact Beth Wisely, any geology instructor, or visit the Tate Museum at Casper College for more details. Club information is also posted on the Casper College website and on their Instagram page@caspercollegegs. The GeoScience Club invites students, faculty, and members of the community to join and discover some of the many hidden gems, fossils, and unique experiences the club offers at CC. The 2020 T-Bird Trek! Toni Kerr/Chinook Debra Swedberg, a mathematics instructor at Casper College, finishes her 10k race at the 2020 T-Bird Trek on Sept. 13. Ryan Hieb handed Swedberg her medal at the finish line. Hieb is a member the alumni board. According to Ann Dalton, the Associate Director of Development with CC's foundation, 298 runners completed a trek. Course options included a 5k, 10k, downhill half marathan, and a half marathon. Runners also had the option to run virtually. https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ Join our the Chinook staff this fall! Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Contact faculty advisor Bri Weigel (Brasher) brianne.brasher@caspercollege.edu �October 1, 2020 Page 5 CHINOOK Public relations during pandemic Maddey Strayer Chinook Writer Empty hallways. Quiet classrooms. Covered faces. Uncertainty. These are the sights someone would face when entering the Casper College campus late last spring. Now, students are back on campus, still with covered faces and some uncertainty. Since the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic, things have been different. Everyone learned to handle their lives in new and strange ways. Students and staff alike changed and adjusted their schedules and priorities to take into account the new ‘now.’ Staying informed is key dur- ing these unprecedented times, which is the job of CC’s Public Relations Department. Most PR professionals are planners. They’re nimble, flexible, and quick to take action when needed, sometimes weeks or months in advance. However, with the unpredictable strike of COVID-19, advanced planning has not been an option for the college’s PR department. Christopher Lorenzen, CC’s PR Director, gave helpful insight towards how the department handled the rising issue of the pandemic thus far. As a department, PR carries quite a lot of responsibility when it comes to keeping students well informed about campus changes, but the department’s responsibilities do not end there. “There is a diverse set of talents among the professionals in the department. You'll find we're involved in a lot of different areas around campus from livestreaming athletic events, to marketing the next play (theater production) -from managing social media, to setting communication standards for email, text, and other forms of communication,” said Lorenzen. Not only does PR help keep students well informed about their daily lives on campus, but the department also handles entertainment at the college, such as sporting events and Intramural sports adapt Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer If there’s anything we are all learning this year, it’s how to adapt to “new normals.” Across campus, activities, classes, and student life looks different than we’ve ever seen before. Many of these changes seem negative at first glance, but much of the time it’s not as bad as it seems; sometimes there’s even a silver lining or two. Nearly every group and individual on campus has experienced this in one way or another, and the world of intramural sports is no exception. So what is intramural sports? Essentially, it’s a laid back and fun community for students (and professors) to participate in competition based activities. In the past, intramural options included pool leagues, basketball, flag football, and volleyball. Annelise Clark, a student participant and employee describes intramurals as a “great way to hang out both with friends or meet new people, in addition to it being a fun and engaging way to exercise.” Intramural sports is the place to be for anyone that loves to meet new people and engage in competition but often finds themselves with a tight schedule. Among all that is changing this year, that much is not. Though it may look different, student activities coordinator Chris Stier is determined to make the most of the situation and provide the same quality events, just in a different way. Health is everyone’s top priority right now, especially for college and school officials. Precautions are being taken everywhere, even within the world of intramural sports. “We are working closely with the health department and following the high school athletic association guidelines to ensure the safety of all participants. We will be instituting temperature checks, enforcing clear guidelines, and other productions on campus. But, since the recent development of COVID-19, PR changed and adapted in several different ways to accommodate the new academic year. With PR already active with digital technologies, the department is no stranger to online adaptation. Where the issues lie for the department come with capturing videos of the campus to compile into an experience for those who cannot travel directly to campus to experience it themselves. Lorenzen mentioned that PR works with 360 degree video technology to help accommodate the need for video. Another challenge the department faces involves the one requirement many endure as of late -- masks. Masks make general communication more difficult, both in general conversation, as well as in photography. People rely on facial expressions to correctly communicate emotion. “We try to portray life as it actually occurs on campus and having people in masks is perfectly acceptable. To convey that sense of emotion is difficult with masks and having people standing six feet apart,” said Lorenzen. “So we're using images of just a single person rather than groups to bring out the warmth and welcoming spirit of the college.” According to Lorenzen, not much has changed for the department itself, aside from a steep decline in requests for copy paper by staff members during this digital shift. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, CC works to keep students informed. The president of CC, Dr. Divine, sends updates often to keep all students as informed as possible amidst the pandemic. His email updates are what offer the latest information about which direction the campus is headed. Overall, even though the outbreak of COVID-19 caused much unsureness and chaos across campus, the PR department is working to keep things running smoothly and maintain strong communication. checking for any symptoms. Obviously our staff and student’s health is our biggest priority” Stier said regarding pandemic precautions. The virus is also changing the way participants will be involved and what they will have the option of doing. While cornhole is not an entirely new event this year, the league aspect is, and the coronavirus certainly helped to move the idea forward as organizers began brainstorming how to move activities to an outdoor and distanced environment. Similarly, it was not so much a new concept to add virtual activities and video games, but there never seemed to be a time so appropriate to begin implementing these new events. Volleyball, basketball, and perhaps a re-installment of soccer are all activities that will be returning to the intramurals world again this year. However, team numbers will be reduced -- volleyball this year will now be 4 v 4 -- and moved outdoors whenever possible. Sign-ups have already begun, and activities were meant to begin the week of September 7th, yet the major snowstorm forced the start up to be postponed. A new date is to be determined and will be announced soon. This year is full of growth and challenges. Our new lives seem filled with unfamiliar hardships and foregin situations. Both participants and employees can agree that this is a period of adaptation and creativity. “It’s exciting to have these new opportunities -- to be able to be outside and try things a bit differently,” Clark noted. “It’s comforting to know that all student groups and people across the entire world are facing these challenges.” As we adapt to and overcome these new challenges, we are reminded that none of us are Photos courtesy of Cory Garvin alone, and that we’re all learning and growing CC students pictured above enjoyed many intramural sports last year. Staff are together. Hopefully for the better. working hard to creatively provide similar experiences safely amidst COVID-19. �Page 6 CHINOOK October 1, 2020 Strong bond propels forensics Kelsey Herman Chinook Writer Looking at quite a different competition-style this year, the 2020-2021 Casper College Forensics Team feels great about the strength and bond the team shares. The ten member team competes in a many of events, ranging from platform events to parliamentary debate. In a normal year, the team travels and competes in the four to five tournaments per semester in the Rocky Mountain region. Due to COVID-19, the new norm for members of speech and debate is virtual tournaments. Though virtual tournaments than in person competitions, the new style allows the team to participate in many more tournaments with a variety of new opponents from around the nation. With the new platform, the team gets the chance to travel virtually to new places. Some destinations for the fall include Washington D.C, Idaho, and New York. “Right now, we are competing virtually, and we anticipate continuing the virtual season into the spring,” said Forensics Head Coach Doug Hall. However, the team is hopeful for in-person competitions and the chance the travel to Washington D.C. for the national competition this spring. The global pandemic affected the competition aspect of speech and debate but allowed for growth within the team. The team’s special bond and ability to face new challenges give this year’s team a big advantage. “This team is going to be really good at overcoming adversity because they have to,” said Hall. New faces and some familiar faces fill the team. Some three-year members, which has not happened before, add to the uniqueness of this year’s team. Hall said the team bonded in ways past teams have not been able to and quicker than expected. Hall said, “That can only be good news for the rest of the year.” This bond will allow for more comfortable and productive rehearsing because the team trusts one another. By building an accepting community within the team, members can achieve their goals and more. A couple of weeks prior to the start of school, the team went on a retreat to Allen H. Stewart Lions Camp, located on Casper Mountain, which allowed the members a chance to bond as a team, and furthermore as a family. Kaelan Rodriguez, team captain and three-year competitor, said, “It really set the scene for the rest of the year and allowed new members to learn events for the rest of the season.” Just like many other clubs and organizations on campus, COVID19 challenged the Forensics team. As they are still optimistic about the future, the coaches and members are trying to make the most of the circumstances. Hall said, “It has caused us to grow closer as a team, as we are all fighting to survive this wacky year and season together.” The team will be a force to be reckoned with this season with strong talent across board. Photo courtesy of Doug Hall The CC Forensics Team posed for a group photo at the team's fall retreat. Team members include (from left to right): Braxton Sambrano, Alex Walters, Violet Wright, Stephanie Barella, Lydia Roterdam, Emma Kellick, Shelby Davis, Markie Whitney, Izzy Garcia, and Kaelan Rodriguez Kane steals the show Kelsey Herman/Chinook Kane, an English Mastiff, participated in the 2020 Casper College Dog Trek. The pup is quite the personality -- he even has his own business card with a photo and all. The card reads in part: I was born September 29, 2017 in Washington State. My two favorite things in life are eating and sleeping. Kane brings a lot of smiles to a lot of people's faces. I also have one of the longest tongues you have ever seen! � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2020-10 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2020-10 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from October 2020. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2020-10 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/d98ebbc9c3407efdcd81c20b9d728edd.pdf ab6daa30adc2e741f6cbd143ceb9547d PDF Text Text December 1, 2020 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Christmas is coming CC set to open original Christmas show Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Taking a break from work or school, spending time with loved ones, and reflecting on the past year while looking forward to the next always makes for a sentimental time of year. For those who celebrate, Christmas tends to be one of the most anticipated times of the year because for one day, the world seems at peace. Now more than ever, people are seemingly desperate for that one day where everything will feel okay again. Even though it may be different, Christmas -- or whichever other holiday you may celebrate -- is coming nonetheless. The community is full of people determined to keep life moving as smoothly and normally as possible. Here at Casper College, the school is taking extreme measures at Gertrude-Krampert Theatre to ensure performances can continue for the rest of the year. After Tarzan closed, CC dance instructor Jodi Youmans-Jones took her original show to the stage. A Merry MixedUp Christmas is written, directed, and choreographed by Youmans-Jones. The show takes the age-old story of A Christmas Carol, and does just what the title suggests -- mixes it up. The 60-minute dance production references How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, and more. “It’s a mashup, but all the pieces come together. It makes sense, and it’s beautiful,” said Joan Davies, who plays the narrator. “The show is crazy and unpredictable. It kinda fits the times.” The dedicated efforts of the cast and crew produced flawless choreography, even in rehearsal. The parts of the show moved together like a well-oiled machine. Still, the cast and crew spent nearly an hour after finishing a rehearsal to discuss how to make the show even better. “Before you actually do a show, it’s hard to realize how much physical and mental energy goes into putting one on,” Youmans said. The cast spent weeks in the studio before even moving on stage. Every day, they would each step into their socially distanced, designated squares and rehearse the same steps Rachelle Trujillo/Chinook Kaylee Youmans and Sydeny Lund play a youthful game onstage while rehearsing for the A Mixed Up Merry — See CHRISTMAS, Page 4 Christmas dance production at CC. Spring 2021 a go for in-person instruction Rhonda Arlene Chinook Writer Rhonda Arlene/Chinook Kaden Hoppa works in Moodle as the college shifts to remote instruction following the Thanksgiving holiday. Although many classes will transition to online instruction after Thanksgiving break, the spring semester is moving forward with face-to-face instruction. In October, Casper College President Darren Divine announced a Thanksgiving holiday extension to all students and a pivot to remote learning for all feasible classes after the break. The fall semester will finish mostly online as a result of the rising COVID19 cases within the CC community and Casper area. In his announcement, Divine emphasized that campus will remain open and that this online transition is not an indication of things to come. Cases of COVID-19 are skyrocketing in Natrona County, and the local hospitals are feeling the stress and strain of the pandemic. As a proposed solution led by Natrona County Health Officer Dr. Mark Dowell, Natrona County enacted a mask mandate on November 19, which will remain in effect until December 4 with the possibility of extension at that time. Although much of the country enacted strict shutdowns, the city of Casper remains open and active. This is in contrast with some of our closest neighbors. Colorado recently rolled out its most extensive restrictions to date, including a shutdown of all indoor dining and bars and limited occupancy in retail stores right before Black Friday, one of the busiest commercial times of the year. While the pandemic continues to rage on, CC students are frustrated with the isola- tion and lack of interaction with their peers. Online education may be a necessity during quarantine periods, but it is not always ideal. “I thought college would be different, but online classes feel like the end of high school all over again. This isn’t the experience I had hoped for,” said Kaden Hoppa, a first-year engineering student at CC. According to Rachel Schafer, CC admissions advisor, the desire to return to inperson classes was evident at the beginning of the 2020/2021 school year. “There was a huge influx of students and even a waitlist for the residence hall after the announcement was made that we were going in-person for fall semester,” said Schafer. The Natrona County School District shares similar views about remaining face-to-face. At the school district board meeting held November 23, the board suggested the controlled environment of live classes could even help stem the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring proper mask wearing and social distancing. Some CC students with underlying health issues have expressed concern about proper mask usage and social distancing in the classroom, according to Dr. Nathan Blank, a political science professor at CC. The CC website offers COVID-19 updates and links to the CDC guidelines for safely resuming in-person classes and campus housing environments. The CDC recommends properly wearing masks, social distancing of at least six feet, and hand washing or utilizing hand sanitizer if hand washing is not accessible. And, stay home if exhibiting symptoms. Eating disorders among college students Toni Kerr Chinook Writer Entering college is an exciting time for most young adults. You are finally on your own, moved out of your parents house, and making decisions for yourself. While this can be an exciting time for many, it can also be a very difficult time for those struggling with eating disorders. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, “Full blown eating disorders typically begin between 18 and 21 years of age.” The stress of adapting to living on your own, the college assignments, and other factors can lead to eating disorders or worsen those that already exist. Samantha Smith, A Student Success Coach at Casper College who holds an M.S. in Social Work, discussed some of the challenges that can arise for eating disorders in college. “I think there’s a fear of being vulnerable, which is a fear of being authentic,” said Smith. “Just being able to show up with who you truly are isn’t the norm.” When you start to scroll through Instagram, you can see why people have this fear of being authentic. Social media plays a big role in the struggle against comparison. For someone with an eating disorder, mindlessly scrolling through Instagram can be a big trigger. Jill Phipps, a junior studying Psychology at the University of Wyoming who has personally battled eating disorders, shared how she believes social media plays a big role in the rise of eating disorders. “Most of us are active on Instagram and other photo sharing sites that perpetuate the idea of the ‘perfect body,’ which is actually not attainable for most people. This commonly leads to viewers beginning to shame their own body for not matching those seen on the internet,” Phipps explained. “Not only is body shaming rampant within social media, but there is also an influx in self-proclaimed “experts” who promote unhealthy eating habits. Many of us become so exposed and desensitized to these types of posts that we don’t even notice ourselves picking up the habits.” Smith responded to such concerns. She discussed how social media and comparison are things that most people are going to do, but the focus should be more about learning how to work through them. “If you’re on social media and you see something that causes a reaction or a trigger for you, do you then have the ability to use deep breathing or some sort of coping skill that you develop to keep yourself going forward?” Smith questioned. Although many eating disorders can start to rise in college, professionals agree that early disordered eating and comparison thoughts can start in childhood. “I think the narrative really starts in elementary school,” said Smith. “That’s when we’re first put into social groups where you have the ability to see people who are supposed to be like you, or you’re supposed to be like them, and that’s where compassion starts.” Phipps also stated how this mindset can develop early on. “Many people I have known with eating disorders grew up as a victim of their parents’ involvement in diet culture. This exposure as a child shapes one's schema about food and health in a way that will make them more at risk to engage in unhealthy eating habits,” said Phipps. When starting to learn how to assist or support those struggling with an eating disorder in college, it becomes very important to first learn about the misconceptions surrounding them. Phipps said, “I think the most frequent misconception about those experiencing disordered eating is that it is somehow a one size fits all diagnosis. Not everybody with an eating disorder is going to look malnourished or have bones showing. I would actually argue that the majority of people with eating disorders do not fit any stereotypical image at all.” If someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, Smith said it’s important to stay consistent and continue showing up for that person. “Someone with an eating disorder can have a very low level of selfworth and the way that they view themselves, so people not being able to show up with them and being with them is what they expect,” says Smith. While the rate of eating disorders among college students is increasing, it’s important for college students to know how to get the help they need. Students at CC struggling with an eating disorder or those who feel they might be at risk are able to get help through the Wellness Center on campus. To make an appointment at the Wellness Center and speak with a free counselor, call 307-268-2267. Students can also go to the office on the second floor of the Student Union/University of Wyoming at Casper building, room 202. �Page 2 December 1, 2020 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Thanksgiving edition Chinook Stance Self-Care Corner: A Personal Check In Maddey Strayer Watch what happens When was the last time you took a moment to check in on yourself? This year has been stressful for all of us, and one of the most important things to keep in mind, especially right now, is selfcare. So why not take some time, right now, to just look at something nice. A plant, a painting, or a cozy warm drink. Take some deep breaths. Look around you, and be aware of your surroundings. Calm yourself down. Look at some animal videos, or google some strange dog hybrids. Water a plant or two. Get a plant if you don’t have one! It’s nice to have something green around. Take some time to just appreciate the nice things, even if there are also bad things. Learn to appreciate the bad things for what they are, too. Take some more deep breaths, maybe put on your favorite band. Treat yourself because you are special and you are worth it. Buy a scented candle that reminds you of your favorite memory. Take things slow, and remember to just chill out sometimes. Indulge in something you enjoy, like chocolate or a latte. Treat yourself to the little things that perk you up. Take up a new hobby. Cook your favorite recipe. Try out meditation, and take a moment to just be quiet and still. Pet an animal. Make your- self a warm drink. Read a book. Have a bubble bath, if that’s your thing. Watch a pleasant TV show or movie. Hydration is important! And no, that bottle of juice or cup of tea doesn’t count! Drink some water. Take a break from screen time. (That last one can be difficult, but it can also be so, so invigorating and refreshing.) We’re all stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious about a lot of things. There’s a lot of noise ambiently buzzing around in our heads even if we don’t realize it. Especially when we have limitless access to the internet. We spend days reading imaginary internet conversations between people we don’t know and keeping up with influencer drama, and it does have an effect on us. Step back from that for a moment or two. Remember that you are a human with one life, and it’s up to you to make it the best possible life you can. Think about something good that you’ve achieved and say, “Yeah! That was nice!” So, take as long as it takes to build yourself and your life into something you are happy with. And if something is making you feel unhappy, don’t spend ages dwelling on it. Change it. Take a deep breath and say to yourself, “I’m fine. I can do this. I am in control of my future, everything will be fine.” “ As I was contemplating what to write for this month’s edition, my mind was drawn towards Thanksgiving. For quite some time I have believed Thanksgiving, while one of our most cherished holidays, is also one of the most overlooked. It is all too easy to think of Thanksgiving as a chance to overeat and binge-watch TV, but overlook the Thankful part of Thanksgiving. I want to encourage each of you to take a few minutes and seriously reflect on the things in your life that are going well. Given enough time and sincere thought, I am absolutely sure each of you can come up with a list of things you are thankful for. — Darren divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Now while I admit that 2020 has been quite the year, that does not mean there are not things to be grateful for. I want to encourage each of you to take a few minutes and seriously reflect on the things in your life that are going well. Given enough time and sincere thought, I am absolutely sure each of you can come up with a list of things you are thankful for. All too often it seems it’s just easier to dwell on the not so good things, and thus give them more importance in our lives then they deserve. So… my plea to you this November, especially this November, stop and spend some time contemplating all the good things about where you are in life. I promise - you have many good things going on. New beginnings Since I started keeping daily journals in eighth grade, I’ve given the first entry of each the same title: “New Beginnings.” All of my journals represent a different chapter in my life, and upon beginning a new one, I get excited thinking of all that will happen, which will be used as material to fill all the blank pages of a fresh book. It really does feel like a new beginning each time. My latest “New Beginnings” entry was made February 26th of this year -- the most appropriately named and timed entry ever. I think 2020 presented most of us with all kinds of new beginnings, as well as new endings, new hardships, and new joys. As this year comes to an end, it’s important to reflect on it all. We are mentally and emotionally exhausted having gone through some of the toughest 12 months many of us have ever experienced. It’s not an exaggeration to say that collectively, the human spirit was put to the test by way of a pandemic, race revolutions, and political divisions. Life has been and continues to be hard, and no person regardless of background or walk of life has been untouched by the weight of 2020. The holiday season is drawing closer, and we are in desperate need of those feelings of peace and harmony. It’s time we set aside differences for just a bit, and open our eyes to those in need not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. There was a time earlier this year when we seemed to be standing together in unity for the first time in a long time. As a state of emergency was declared back in March, uncertainty gripped the nation and world, and all we could do was cling to our loved ones and support one another. We saw videos of sons and daughters visiting their elderly parents through windows of nursing homes, teachers delivering goods and encouragement to students in a socially distanced manner, and communities coming together to celebrate birthdays from their cars. It was a scary time, but also a beautiful reflection of the human spirit. I hope we can remember those good Rachelle Trujillo Rachelle's Reflections moments that arose from all the chaos and draw on ideals of unity rather than division for the upcoming year. We felt loved, shared laughs, and supported one another. The year 2020 truly hasn’t been all bad. Yet, we are starting a new chapter nonetheless. Now is the time to reflect on where we’ve been while also looking forward to where it is that we are going next, both as individuals and a community. Not as democrats or republicans; Americans or Mexicans; men or women, but rather simply as humans. It’s time to look towards a new beginning for ourselves and our world. �December 1, 2020 Sports at CC CHINOOK Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Keita Chochi, a freshman from Fukuoka, Japan, works of moving to the ball down the feild to score a goal during a scrimmage in October. Page 3 Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Capser College Volleyball Team 2020-2021. Top Row (from right to left), Shealyn Oili, Sierra Fainuulelei, Hailey Anderson, Hannah Thompson, Jana Gilic, Jada Suguturaga, Giulia Santuari, Olivia Muir, and Kylee Painter. Bottom row (from right to left), Brynne Hopeau-Lampitoc, Valeria Rodriguez, Kamille Santuari, Cheylah Marfil, and Aileen Bugas -- The Women's Basketball team's next home game is Friday, January 15th. vs. Wyoming All-Stars -- The Men's Basketball team's next home game is Thursday, January 28th vs. Colorado Northwestern Community College. -- The Women's Volleyball Team's next home game Saturday, January 23rd vs. Northeastern Junior College Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Casper College Womens Basketball Team 2020-2021. Top row (from right to left), Dejaan Schuler, Marija Bakic, Belen Morales Lopez, Kate Robertson, Kammie Ragsdale, Joseana Vaz, and Sofie Hauge. Bottom row (from right to left), Rosalinda Gonzalez, Kobe King-Hawea, Emily Achter, Kaia Herrera, and Natalia Otkhmezuri. Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Abigail Tapia, a freshman from West Valley City, Utah works on keeping the ball away from opponent during a scrimmage in October. Casper College Mens Basketball Team 2020-2021. Top row (from left to right), Micah Garrett, Simeon Richardson, Traizon Byrd, Bright Iheanachor, Samuel Keita, Ousmane Dia, Malang Athian, and Dion Ford. Bottom row (from left to right) Trey Boston, Brah'jon Thompson, Donavan Freeman, Dathan Satchell, Davion McAdam, Anthony Davis, and Ciri Sawyeres. Join our the Chinook staff this spring! Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Contact faculty advisor Bri Weigel (Brasher) brianne.brasher@caspercollege.edu https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ �CHRISTMAS................................................................................. continued from page 1 over and over again. For two and a half hours, six days a week since September, the cast put blood, sweat, and tears into the production. But the final payoff doesn’t just extend to the stage. Natrona County Freshman Kaylee Yousmans said the cast welcomed her in, and through the process, she made many friends that are “almost more like older siblings.” Sharice Veronica is a CC sophomore and dance/ theatre major shared her extreme pride in her castmates, mentioning how enjoyable it was to “watch everyone grow not only as dancers, but as people.” A Merry Mixed-Up Christmas will open December 3, at 7:30 p.m. and show through December 6. The show will then take the stage again December 10 - 12. Tickets are available at the GertrudeKrampert box office from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets will be sold until the show, or until the show is sold out. Youmans-Jones said she recommends getting them sooner rather than later, as she anticipates this show is going to be a hit for all ages as Christmas approaches. Rachelle Trujillo/Chinook Joan Davies, who plays the narrator, begins monologuing on stage during the opening number, Christmas is Coming Again (remix). Casper College's Thanksgiving Celebration Photo Courtesy of Jason Conforti Sodexo's dining staff prepared and served a special Thanksgiving meal before students left campus for the holiday. Pictured left to right: Jerry Golumb, Amber Taylor, (back) Kylie Warren, Mary Lott, Maranda Bingham, Kathy Gurule, Celia Mostaert. O P A C C �December 1, 2020 Page 5 CHINOOK CC: A portal to the world Rebekah Sechrist Chinook Writer Like many Casperites, Patricia McInroy started her educational career at Casper College, which became her portal to the world. Casper College ignited her career into photojournalism, film, and world travel. McInroy started taking photos in high school at Natrona County High. She said her only outlets for photography were through the school and 4H. The county fair showcased her work and NC used her photos for the yearbook. As a photography student, she explored traditional art elements like color and light, value, contrast, and composition. When discussing photography in general, she said what sets photographers apart from the flood of photos people take now-a-days is composition. McInroy said it is easy to tell the difference between “people who have studied photography and know how to compose a photo” and those who don’t. After graduating high school, McInroy decided to develop her skills by attending Casper College. Seeking a scholarship for her work, she met with the journalism instructor who saw her photos and gave her a scholarship on the spot. The instructor said “work for the Chinook, take a journalism class, and then I can get you a scholarship.” As a student journalist, she wrote for the Chinook, which McInroy said was a “really a big turning point” for her. She went on to describe her next steps. “It ended up directing my career path… because that is something you can make money doing. Photojournalism. Whereas fine art photography you're gonna probably end up teaching, showing your work on the side,” said McInroy. While a student at CC, the Casper Star-Tribune approached McInroy about her work. She then seized the opportunity to work directly with a photojournalist who had been published by National Geographic. He eventually became her mentor, sparking her career. Her experience with world travel kicked off thanks to CC’s many International programs. McInroy said she wrote an article for the Casper StarTribune and said “I wanna get the heck out of my hometown, right? When you’re a teenager you wanna explore, but I also needed to save money, so going to Casper College I was able to do that.” However, McInroy also recognized the positives of staying local. “Because so many opportunities come around, thanks to Casper College, I was able to travel. I went on this trip to Appalachia, to Europe, and to Porta Viarta,” McInroy shared. “I got to do these really amazing trips through the college, only because some individual at the time stepped up and said let's try this out.” Having explored such exotic places while getting her three degrees at CC, McInroy went on to continue exploring the world and creating art. McInroy received her graduate degree at Vermont College of Fine Art where the school’s demanding residency program gave her access to new ideas and inspiration from various faculty across the country. McInroy stressed how valuable she found her experience. “I got to make friends from all over the country and I got exposed to teachers from throughout the country,” said McInroy. When asked about choosing film as an outlet for expression, McInroy said she was hesitant at first. “I was really resistant to video… There's something really special about capturing a decisive moment in photography,” reasoned McInroy. Despite her resistance, she enjoyed ten years as a photojournalist in Arizona, where she was thrown into video without instruction, but she ultimately embraced the medium. In 2016, McInroy received acclaim for her documentary film, Clara: Angel of the Rockies. According to the Casper Star Tribune, “The 30-minute film is the winner of the PBS’ To The Contrary: All About Women — Women’s History U.S. Category. McInroy decided to make the documentary with her own funds in order to help spread Clara Brown’s story of hope to others.” McInroy is currently a professor at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design teaching film and photography. She spoke about what impact she would like to have in the world. “I want to make a positive change in the world,” she said. “When you know who you are, you know what your values are, (and) you'll start making decisions based on your values.” McInroy discussed how important art is for personal growth and development. “So many schools are getting rid of their art programs. I was an Americore volunteer in New Mexico for a year, and we worked with kids in community centers doing art. And most of them didn’t have art in their schools anymore. Art was just awesome for them,” she shared. McInroy went on to say how important it is to inspire Photo Courtesy of Patricia McInroy "Go Around" is a current art pieces on sale at the Abend Art Gallery in Denver. It was taken on the border of Colorado and Wyoming in 2018. students and artists who are struggling with their career paths. “I think that people need to be more economically savvy and think about the big pic- ture. The truth is most artists are having to do something else on the side. You’ve got to make a living. And that's okay,” McInroy said. CC provided a launchpad for McInroy’s art and teaching career. Thanks to the college, McInroy said she's continued advancing, exploring the world, and inspiring artists and humans to venture forward. Rachelle Trujillo/Chinook "Open", two images are intended to be published side by side) is a popular experimental video piece shot outside of Sheridan. McInroy said this piece has screened widely in the United States and also at film festivals in Latin America and Europe. �Page 6 December 1, 2020 CHINOOK Visual Arts prepares for remodel Submitted Photo The new visual artis building at Casper College is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2020, though plans are well underway. The design is pictured above. Julia Nielsen Chinook Contributor With groundbreaking for the building beginning this April, the new Visual Arts building at Casper College is starting to feel like a reality for staff, students and the community. The new and improved building will be complete as of Summer 2022. The ceramics instructor Mike Olson, who has spent decades of his academic and professional life at CC, discussed the details of the upcoming facility and reminisced on the current building and its impact on staff and students alike. Initially cost estimates on renovating and fixing the existing building proved too costly, so the college decided to rebuild instead. A local architectural firm, MOA, and a design firm based out of Minneapolis, HGA, worked on the project. A quality control manager also oversees the project ot make sure that CC ends up with a beautiful, clean, efficient, and safe building that will last for 50 years and beyond. The students and staff will not have to relocate, as the contractors will simply demolish then board up the drawing studio, the painting studio, and the mac lab. When construction begins, the new building will stand ten feet away from the old. Legally, this is as close as the new building can get to the existing structure. The design team completed their phase of the project several weeks ago, focusing on smaller details, including the color palettes for the interior and exterior, what type of brick and stucco to use (fancy modern brick with clean grout lines or old-world brick with oozing mortar mix), the color of carpets and doors, etc. “The design team asked us what feeling we want the building to have, and a lot of the staff voiced that we didn’t want it to look super industrial like The University of Wyoming’s Visual Arts Facility. It will mesh with the new music building, the gateway building, and the union with brick on the bottom floor and stucco above,” said Olson. Olson and other faculty have been liaisons throughout the design process, with many strange reiterations occurring with legislators over the past four years. The rebuilding is funded by both the state and the Casper College Foundation. The foundation agreed to float the money so the project can begin, and fundraising can be held later. Since the building is completely designed, the final designs are now being turned into construction documents. Then the contractors can play their part in the process. With the blueprint on its way, Olson looks forward to what an asset the new VA building will be on campus. “The new building will double in size, meaning that every studio will double in size: ceramics, painting, drawing, metals, sculpture, photography, printmaking, graphic design, and more. There will be an entryway and a commons area that will open-up to the second floor. Right across from the entryway will be a beautiful gallery space with swinging glass doors, so you can still see the art when the gallery is closed,” said Olson. He continued, “There will be additional art storage, because we’ve had all of these beautiful pieces of art that have been donated, and Valerie has nowhere to display, curate, or fix them. To the left of the new gallery space will be art storage with glass windows so people can see this collection as well.” Another gallery is planned on the second floor, as well as a possible third gallery in a conference room. With demo- lition occurring soon, Valerie Innella, the gallery director and art history professor already started removing pottery collections from the display cases. The gallery in the current Visual Arts building appears as small and intimate, but Innella looks forward to a gallery that can accommodate everyone. She said she will miss the building where her career at CC began along with the relationships she formed. In her mind’s eye, she visualizes the current building and the memories she made in each studio, during each activity, and at every art club party. Yet Valerie looks forward to holding events in a new, bigger space and a wider range of amenities. The new gallery(s) will allow the art to be accessible, visible, and protected all at the same time. “The new building will be an asset because of the scale, the enlarged classrooms, the installing of state-of-the-art equipment. Our current equipment has caused safety concerns when we operate heavy machinery, fire kilns at high temperatures, when we use saws in our sculpture studio, and when we solder materials in our metals studio,” said Innella. The current building was built in 1977, so it has presented a few problems for the staff and students there. It has been difficult to do maintenance because the building was built on top of an underground waterway, causing the crawl space to be filled with dirt materials such as silt. Also, the building was not built with modern-day technology in mind, so the walls are made from cinderblock. This makes it difficult to integrate any new technology into the facility. There also isn’t enough room to accommodate larger groups of students, a maximum of about 20 students is allowed for studio classes. The ceramics suite used to be even more cramped and dangerous in the past, so a shed was built outside to house most of the kilns, a ceramics oven, and other equipment. In the new building, the kilns will be built outside of the second story. Some of the kilns will feature smokestacks and they will be covered by architectural screening. Olson, the ceramics instructor, hopes to see an increase in enrollment with the new facility and safer, larger spaces. He also hopes to rebuild staff for the art department, with more full-time faculty as well as adjunct faculty. “When I was a student here in the early 90s, all of the kilns were crammed into the ceramics studio, a very tiny space. So just like a goldfish, we’ve outgrown our fishbowl,” said Olson. Olson and Innella are still fond of the original building because they associate so many years of memories with it. Olson has over 35 years worth of pottery in the boneyard, a place where all of the pottery is displayed, which will be transferred to the new building with floor to ceiling glass windows for display. The space where the old building is will become additional parking and green space. Olson got his Associate’s in Fine Arts at Casper College and was an adjunct instructor until he started teaching fulltime. He mentioned that he spent most of his adult life in the visual arts building, so he will miss the familiarity and comfort it brings him. Innella has spent many years making the VA building her home. They both agreed that their biggest challenge but also the most fun to tackle will be creating the comfort and ease that this building brings them, and curate that within the new one. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2020-12 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2020-12 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from December 2020. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2020-12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/75e7b7abcf2649c4109d7240a26e126f.pdf 1ba2b44eaa4aa00e71f463ed4b94c3ff PDF Text Text March 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Student Senate starts food pantry Julia Nielsen Chinook Writer The Casper College student senate launched a food pantry this semester that is located on the 4th floor of the student union with food available to all students with no needs test required. The food pantry is open 12 – 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 12 – 5 p.m. on Fridays. Any student can get eight food items and two personal hygiene items per week. CC’s Student Senate put the initiative in motion with hopes of improving the lives of students. “The food drive and food pantry are really good ideas because I didn’t realize how many students were food insecure. If there are issues like this that students bring to our attention, there is a lot we can do to help them. I feel like we’re always trying to help students and do what’s best for them,” said Anastacia Slack, CC’s student body president. Students are not required to reveal a certain income level to qualify for access to the food pantry. Nutritious, non-perishable items are preferred, such as canned fish, canned fruit, vegetables and beans, pasta, rice, soup, and peanut butter. Students can also donate personal hygiene items, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner, toilet paper, soap, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products. The student senate is responsible for overseeing all of CC’s student clubs and organizations. The senate provides set guidelines for each club and decides the amount of funding they receive. Each club is sanctioned and must have a constitution in place, as well as a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and an advisor. The advisor must be a full-time staff member at the college. Each club is required to do a food drive to help supply the food pantry. The club that donates the most food wins a grand prize of $2,000, and the club coming in second place receives $1,000. The student senate discussed other potential initiatives during their meeting, including improving the roads on campus and parking lot lighting for a safer campus. “Task number one is providing support and giving direction for our clubs. The second thing senate does is advocacy, which involves the improvement of our campus. They’ve passed a couple of resolutions to President Devine’s desk, with this month’s initiative involving the fixture of several potholes around campus,” said Corey Peacock, the student senate’s advisor as well as the director of student life here at Casper College. During their meeting, Anastacia and her team discussed the athletic watch parties to be held in the cafeteria the following week. The watch party for women’s basketball was held at 4:30 p.m. and men’s basketball at 7:30 p.m. on February 24th. Another watch party was held for women’s volleyball at 7:30 p.m. on the February 26th. There was a live stream of the games with wings and an ice cream bar provided for students. Spirit week will also be held in late April for the beginning of Casper College’s soccer season. A blood drive is also scheduled for the semester on April 8th, with the senate discussing last week how Photo courtesy of Student Senate The 2020-2021 Casper College Student Senate launced a food pantry. Members of the senate starting in the front row (left to right) include: Dani Warner, Anastacia Slack, Bre Long, Abby Hudman, Morgan Bundy, Emma Mercer. Back row (left to right): Tierra Price, Logan MacKearney, Paige Noble, Jake Duncan, Charissa Parker they can get students involved for the upcoming drive. Another initiative that senate discussed goes by the name of “thundering through barriers” with the goal of bringing students together to discuss uncomfortable yet important topics that improve student life. Last semester, students discussed suicide intervention training. This semester the group plans to discuss sexual assault and how it can be prevented. If you have an issue regarding campus or an important initiative you think the student senate should address, contact a member of the student senate or a student senate advisor. Rodeo team prepares for spring Savannah Peterson Chinook Writer Dozens of Casper College rodeo athletes are gearing up for the beginning of the 2021 spring rodeo season. The men’s team finished the fall season in high standings, and the women’s team is focused on growth. The 43 rodeo athletes are busy at practice. The real and raw practices are very com- petitive. Everyone is working to get better and the best way to do that is to work hard at practice. Carter Sandberg, a freshman saddle bronc rider, said, “We have great practices every week, awesome horses and great pickup men.” Although the practices are filled with many fun times, the students and coaches keep it competitive and focused. Sandberg credits the productive practices and teams’ success to his coaches, Jhett Johnson and Sandy Forbes. Johnson is the Head Rodeo Coach at Casper College. Forbes, a Casper College Rodeo Alumni, is the Assistant Rodeo Coach. After a very successful fall season, the men’s team is currently ranked third in the 20202021 Central Rocky Mountain Region standings. Such a ranking gives the team high expectations for the upcoming season. Sandberg shared his thoughts from the end of his rookie season. “I did not have the best luck this fall but feel I’ve been riding best as ever thanks to the good horses and awesome coaching,” said Sandberg. The women’s team is currently ranked 10th in the region going into the beginning of the spring season. For Megan Van Liere, a freshman barrel racer and goat tyer, the spring season looks exciting. “It (the season) looks very Bryce Hindman/Chinook everyone has been working hard with the help from both coaches, Jhett and Sandy.” Despite challenges from COVID-19 last fall, Van Liere is hopeful that the team can compete at all six rodeos this spring. When the school went into lockdown, the rodeo team had to miss a rodeo this fall, which set the team back in standings. “We had to miss one rodeo — See Rodeo, Page 5 Wilson says goodbye to CC Bryce Hindman Chinook Writer Grant Wilson posed for a photo outside of his classroom during his last semester at Casper College. busy; very competitive,” Van Liere said. “It looks like it will be a good season over all.” Van Liere said she started rodeoing at eight-years-old, and college rodeo is her next step to going pro. “My goal is to make the College National Finals and place in the top ten,” said Van Liere. Sandberg is also ready for the start of the spring season. Sandberg said, “I’m excited for the team this spring as Communication instructor Dr. Grant Wilson is retiring from Casper College in May and moving on to Western Nebraska Community College where he will start as the school’s vice president on June 1. After over three decades at Casper College, the school’s halls will feel his absence this coming fall. The right professor can have a huge impact on student lives. For many, that professor is Grant Wilson, Ed.D. When walking the halls of CC, it’s easy to just pass by person after person while not really paying attention to others or thinking about who those people might be. When walking by Wilson in the hall, he may seem like your ordinary college professor. But in class, Wilson’s teaching tells a different story. The Chinook visited with one student who took three of his classes over the past two years. “He made class really fun. I’ve taken a couple classes from him and he's always really good at making classes really interactive and interesting,” said Emily Byrd, a sophomore studying communications at CC. “His interpersonal communication class helped me choose the major I wanted to be in and helped me discover what my interests really are.” Of course, Byrd isn’t the only student that can reflect on the pleasure of taking a class taught by Wilson. With an above average course load of typically five classes per semester and around 20 students per class, around 6,000 students have gone through his classes in roughly 60 semesters. S uch a number is an impressive figure, especially considering the number does not take into account his former speech and debate students. If Byrd’s experience is any indication, the vast majority of these 6,000 students have enjoyed, learned, and benefited from the experience Wilson provided them in class. However, before Wilson could teach, he too put considerable time and effort into his studies to perfect his craft. He graduated with his Bachelor’s of Science in Education as well as English and speech from the University of Wisconsin at White Water. He then went on to obtain his Master of Arts from Northern Illinois University in communication studies, and finally, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Doctorate in Education. After putting in all the work, it didn’t take long for Wilson to land the career he wanted. “I always joke that after I finished my master’s degree this was the only interview that I had. I wanted to teach. I didn't want to get into doing research at a big research university,” said Wilson. “That's how I got into you applying to community colleges all over, and then this position became available, and they offered me the job so I moved out here. But I like it, I mean I've stayed 31 years for a reason.” Along with teaching a variety of communication classes at CC, Wilson worked with the student senate, started and helped coach speech and debate for 16 years, and even served as dean for the School of Science here at CC. Out of all of these roles, Wilson said his favorite subject to teach is public speaking and not just because he teaches it “better than anything else,” but also because of a more touching reason. “No one speech stands out to me as the best or even really good. It’s the shy, quiet kids who come out of their shell who I remember. Getting to watch students push past that shyness and get out of their comfort zone and deliver a speech is what I enjoy the most,” Wilson shared. Dr. Wilson, Grant Wilson, Lil G Willz, whatever you call him, has been an integral part of CC for decades. To this day he continues to educate and inspire future graduates all while using humble humor and a relatable attitude to do so. When walking the halls of the college, try not to take for granted the wealth of knowledge, hard work, and commitment within these walls. Everyone is either striving for an education and a better life, or they’ve already conquered their educational goals and only aim to pass their knowledge down to others. Take advantage of what the seasoned, humble professors like Wilson have to offer while you still can. "I was surprised to hear that Grant is retiring. He was genuinely one of my favorite professors, and I think it will be a great loss to Casper College,” said Byrd. “But I know that he will have a great future." �Page 2 March 1, 2021 CHINOOK Chinook Stance How a sustainable student garden could aid in campus food insecurity Julia Nielsen Just Julia Student farms have been around for decades with the mission of educating students on basic farming techniques but also to feed students on campus. Learning the importance of organic and local food production provides numerous benefits for college campuses. With Casper College launching their first food pantry, a student garden could aid in supplying fresh food for the pantry. This would be a space where we can come together to grow the campus community, as well as grow local produce for the betterment of Casper College and its students and faculty. Wyoming has a particularly short growing season, combined with unpredictably cold weather that could pose a threat to premature gardens. This means that timing would be one of the most important aspects if Casper College were to launch a student garden. Since our growing season is limited to about 125 days and our winter season is relatively long, an indoor facility for the college's garden would be ideal. At the very least, planting the seeds indoors first would potentially extend our growing season by several weeks. Cool-season crops would be ideal for Wyoming because they can withstand frosty weather conditions. These crops include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and other dark leafy greens along with onions, garlic, carrots, and radishes. Food insecurity across college campuses in the United States is more common than one would assume. Food insecurity affects students’ ability to learn and have a fulfilling college experience. A community garden would provide fresh produce for our food insecure students. Although most food pantries recommend donations that consist of non-perishable food items, student grown produce would add an element of vibrancy and color to the pantry. Fresh fruits and vegetables are one of the most important aspects of a healthy diet, and health and wellness is one of Casper College’s most important values as a community. The agriculture department at Casper College could take this initiative and turn it into an opportunity to teach students about the importance of sustainable agriculture on an entirely different level. Applying the methods of sustainable farming within a community garden will increase student awareness about where our food really comes from, how it is grown, and who grows it. The recently launched food pantry on campus is going to fulfill our students and their immediate needs. An increased awareness of food insecurity within campus and the launch of our pantry should motivate students to donate. I truly believe that a community garden would be an important addition for our food pantry because it will increase access to fresh produce that is costly at grocery stores, provide nutritional education, improve interpersonal relationships between students and faculty, and reduce student stress while improving student health. “ The German theatre practitioner Bertold Brecht once said, “Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.” These are true words indeed. A little over a year ago, few us of could have imagined the breath of depth of change the world was about to experience. But now, I want to caution everyone not to be too complacent with that change, as Divine's Intervention: Make sure you have reviewed your plans, both short- term and longer-term, and make sure your plan still fits with the foreseeable future." things will change again; they always do. Most of us have fallen into a routine of mask-wearing, a bit of a slower pace in life with less travel, and remote working to one degree or another. However, life is slowly getting back to something a bit more recognizable and relatively soon, if you are not careful, you will look around and realize circumstances constantly — Darren Divine, Ph.D. Casper College President changed, and you did not keep up. My plea for you today is to not get left behind by the next big change, or even the next series of small changes. Make sure you have reviewed your plans, both shortterm and longer-term, and make sure your plan still fits with the foreseeable future. Remember, planning is not for the past, or even the present, but for the future. 'Kids these days' There’s a big stigma around “kids these days.” Supposedly, we’re lazy, selfish, and more connected to technology than we are to one another. In some ways, these descriptions are fitting. Like any generation, we too have our downfalls. “I think most of our generation knows about the value of face-to-face connections and interaction. It’s not like it’s a foreign concept to us,” said Casper College freshmen Maddie Hernandez. “But it’s so easy to just not do it. If there’s someone about to pass us in the hallway, we turn to our phones to avoid talking with people. It’s cliche, but in a lot of ways we really do need to learn how to better interact with one another in real life.” “It’s really just the time we live in,” added fellow freshmen Sophie Henley. “If older generations had grown up with the same technology, they would have the same usage problems we do. We aren’t addicted to social media because we’re bad people, it’s just how we were raised.” We’re constantly on our phones, and we seem less approachable to each other. Relationships can crumble because one person ghosts the other, or someone’s snap map shows they’re somewhere they shouldn’t be. We let friendships end because we don’t like who the other person is following, or we expose screenshots that prove someone is lying. In many ways, technology is reestablishing human interaction for the worse. But in many other ways, technology is helping shape this generation for the better. We have these platforms to express ourselves, and we have the power to create a following of supportive people and to block out anyone that’s not. We’ve been given the opportunity to be more liberal in our beliefs and have been taught to include more people in our metaphorical list of those who deserve respect. Whereas drag queens, transgender folks, those with disabilities, and racial minorities were looked down upon as inferior or less than, technology has proven to be a place to celebrate such vast arrays of life and expression. Among the younger generations at least, we have found similar values, laughed at the same memes, and learned to wholly communicate with people far away. “I think kids our age are a lot more empathetic and more careful of what they say than older generations.” Hernandez said. “It’s like we don’t care what people think about us as much as other generations did because we don’t have to. We’re more expressive of ourselves, have more individuality, and are just overall more mindful of whether or not we’re harming anyone by just being ourselves.” While technology and media has divided us in many ways, there’s this honest connection between people online. Young people are largely supportive of people with different lifestyles, and it seems we share more similarities with more people than ever before. Young people today are speaking a very exclusive technological language. “Sometimes I honestly don’t understand how people made friends and kept in touch before social media,” Henley said. “The first thing you do when you meet someone is ask for their snapchat. We’ll all do the half swipe before fully opening someone’s message, and know not to use periods and that some smiley-face emojis are better than others. We all know these rules, and will be in touch with people all day, so in a lot of ways we have these really solid relationships.” We share so many similarities, and so many dreams. We care deeply about our lives, and the future-- both for ourselves and others. Rachelle Trujillo Rachelle's Reflections “We don’t want to settle,” Hernandez added. “It seems like our parents said ‘this is what we’re given and this is what we got to work with’. We want to be happier, and we want to change things and do more than just get by.” This so called “lazy” and “selfish” generation of people are very much concerned with the state of the world. We care about kindness, and the way we’re treating each other. Just because the world we are growing up in is different than any other, it doesn’t make it bad or wrong. There are so many things going wrong in the world today. It’s reassuring to see young people so confident in one another to make it a better place than it currently is. In this innovative state of affairs, it’s a guarantee we will find innovative ways to improve things. “I think we really are just such an empathetic and passionate group of people,” Henley added in closing. “There’s a lot of problems in the world, and I’m hopeful about what we’ll do to fix all these problems. We’re going to change things. I truly believe our generation is going to change the world.” 2021 Humanities Festival Bryce Hindman/Chinook Above, Richard Burk presents at the 2021 Humanities Festival to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Casper College Theater and Dance Department. Left, keynote speaker Mark Jenkins gave a presentation titled, The Future of Water in Wyoming: Global Warming, Drought and How Wyoming Can Protect Its Water. �March 1, 2021 Page 3 CHINOOK Agriculture at CC Photo Courtesy of Colby Hales At the February meeting for Ag Club, members elected the yearly officers. The officers are in charge of planning and facilitating meetings, leading service projects and interacting with members. Photo Courtesy of Jermey Burkett The Livestock Judging team has been busy traveling across the country attending Livestock Judging Contest. On February 13, the team found success at the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic. Photo Courtesy of Colby Hales The Ag Club held their monthly meeting in the Ag Pavilion. At the meeting, members made root beer floats, voted for officers, and discussed the upcoming spring semester. Savannah Peterson/Chinook Berkely Stroh, animal science student, is checking the baby pigs in the Ag Pavilion. The eight piglets were born before the start of the spring semester and are used in the Swine Production class. Oral Presentaion and Communication Center Conquer your fear of public speaking Po li sh yo u r c C re ate p ommu n ic at io n s k il ls To book your appointment online or in-office Bri Weigel brainne.brasher@caspercollege.edu call 307.268.2375 r a l p re s o f e s s io n e n t a io n s Learn organizational skills Photo Courtesy of Heath Hornecker Colby Hales won the Phi Theta Kappa Terrific Learning Coach of the month in January. He was recommended and presented the award by sophomore, Kaylen Stearns Join our the Chinook staff this fall! Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Contact faculty advisor Bri Weigel (Brasher) brianne.brasher@caspercollege.edu https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ �Page 4 CHINOOK March 1, 2021 A Start to a New Chapter “Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch” ~Judy Bloom~ Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer Bloom’s quote holds true to all educators, but the words especially describes Casper College’s own, Debra Swedberg. A mathematics instructor at CC for more than 30 years, Swedberg made a decision to end her teaching career and retire when the 2021 spring semester concludes. Swedberg grew grew up in Casper and attended CC. She earned her Associates in Mathematics before transferring to UW to earn her bachelors. “Back then it was trendy to take a technical background and apply it to Masters in Business Administration,” Swedberg explained. “During this time I was fortunate enough to get a Teaching Apprenticeship with the Math department rather than in the Commerce and Industry College. I was given two classes to teach each semester, and that is not only where I solidified my love for math, but that I found out that I enjoyed sharing it with others.” Swedberg then waited a couple of years for an instructor position to open up at CC, and when she saw one open, she jumped right on it. “My husband and I then raised our two daughters here in Casper. When they became independent, I was fortunate enough the get the support from my department chair to begin work on my Masters of Science in Math. So, for three years back and forth to Laramie -- that took a while -- but invigorated my passion for my area of study.” Swedberg worked at CC all of her 30-year career, starting in the fall of 1985. She shared her love for the team here. She reflected back on one year in particular. In 1996 to 199, Swedberg and her former colleague, Diane Ginsbach, split the schedule of the honors math course at Natrona County High School. That year, Swedberg taught at CC in the morning then went to the high school to teach two classes in the afternoon. “The differences of cultures of these two institutions were so amazing” she said. “At the high school, I got to know the students better than my college students because we were together five times a week and more time to discuss math topics. At the end of that school year, I was exhausted.” Swedberg explained that the high school students in her classes seemed to have a much higher energy level than the college students. “Very few college students were throwing spit wads or bouncing into class to tell everyone a cool song or their plans for the weekend. I was thankful to come back to the college full time the next year.” Over the course of her career, Swedberg found what works for her in the classroom. “One teaching method that I have found tried and true throughout all these years is even though I have been teaching this for years, this could be a student’s first exposure to some material. Patience and compassion rule the day!” A close friend and fellow math instructor, Claudia Stewart, said she’s known Swedberg since she became a department head in 2007. Stewart remembers how they met. “I was moving up to the third floor, and I wanted to make friends and get to know some of the other professors there,” said Stewart. “We went to lunch and noticed that we had easy conversation -- sometimes you get together with someone and just click. With our busy schedules we still try to get in a couple on lunches in a month to talk.” Stewart said one thing that really makes Swedberg unique is her compassion and patience that she brings to every person and every situation. “When it comes to a person or a situation, she doesn’t go about things from point A to point B. She looks at things from different angles, and she edits her thought process as she goes,” Stewart said. Stewart recalled a time at one of their lunches when Swedberg gave an interesting answer to a question. “I asked her if she could do anything in the world and money wasn’t an issue what would it be. Debra told me that she would help clean the plastic out of the ocean,” Stewart shared. “Most people when you ask that question would say something about a vacation they would take or something they would buy, but Debra is always thinking of other people instead of herself.” Knowing her for more than ten years Claudia has had the chance to observe and sometimes work with Debra. “One unique thing that I notice about Debra’s teaching style is the kindness and patience that she brings to everyone and everything. She is always thinking about other people and how no one person learns the same way,” said Stewart. Outside of class, Swedberg said she enjoys photography and likes to take pictures of all the places that she travels. Retirement marks a new chapter in her life, but her overwhelming compassion looks to stay the same. “I am a part of the sandwich generation where I have aging parents and a grandbaby, both seem to need me.” Swedberg said, explaining her plans for retirement. “I plan to maintain my physical health and am prepared to take whatever life throws at me. I plan on getting my Dive master certification and my husband and I are anxious to explore this world of ours, once it is safe to do so. I have also talked with Photo courtesy of Debra Swedberg the department chair to see if there are still Casper College Mathematics Instructor, Debra Swedberg, is returing after more contributions that I can make to our school and than 30 years with the institution. Swedberg said she is ready to 'take whatever life college.” throws' at her while exploring the world and maintaining physical health. Whatever the next big adventure is for Swedberg, Casper College wishes her good luck and thank her for helping so many. �March 1, 2021 Page 5 CHINOOK RODEO.............................. continued from page 1 because the college went into lockdown … that gave other schools the chance to get ahead of us,” she said. The team will begin their season on March 18 with a double header against Sheridan College in Gillette, Wyo. Both Sandberg and Van Liere are confident the team will find success against Sheridan College. Casper College rodeo will then travel to Torrington, Wyo. for the Eastern Wyoming College Rodeo. Finally, the team will compete at home in Casper from April 16 to April 18. The college hopes to relax some social distancing restrictions this spring to allow spectators at rodeo events, according to a recent email from CC President, Dr. Darren Divine. The team looks forward to having the stands full of fans. The season will wrap up at the University of Wyoming Rodeo and the Colorado State University Rodeo at the beginning of May. After the conclusion of the regular season, the team will begin preparing for the National College Rodeo Finals. NCRF is scheduled to take place in June at the Casper Event Center. Submitted photos To the right, Casper College's Megan Van Liere competes in Cheyenne. Members of Casper College's Rodeo Program are pictured below. The front row includes (from left to right): Ben Kukowski, Quinten Taylor, Carter Sandberg, Sadie Podzimek, Megan Van Liere, Makayla Seely, Kandace Lumbardy, Whitley Heitsch, Whitley Reder. The middle row includes (from left to right): Trace Fuller, Beau Scarborough, Clayton Atkinson, Chantel Kolb, Madison Enos, Kristen Williams, Erin Mcaleenan, Beau Rees, Ethan Mazurenko, Wyatt Atkinson, Jhett Johnson, Kress Johnson. The back row includes (from left to right): Davin Tysdal, Cody Fosket, Nevada Berquist, Kobly Bradley, Cain Birkeland, Cade Herring, Jack Skavdahl, Quincy Reynolds, Ty Christensen, Weston Mills. Soccer queues up for the spring season Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer The first official season of the Casper College soccer program is set to begin in just a few weeks. After a fall semester of scrimmages, the CC men’s soccer team is queuing up for their first “real games,'' according to head coach Ben McArthur. “The guys are itching to play,” he said. “We want to lay the foundation of CC Men’s soccer in year one.” Official practices are scheduled to begin March 15th, though the team has already been busy with workouts and futsal practices-- a type of game and practice typically done indoors on a much smaller court. Players and coaches alike expressed excitement, as they share in this new milestone in the college’s history. The players and coaches said they’re as equally focused on victory as they are team-bonding. CC’s men’s soccer team consists of players from around the state, nation, and even the world. From Casper, Wyo. all the way to South Korea, the team is as diverse as the players themselves, but all members of the team share a single goal: compete for the championship. Gabriel Gonzalez is a freshman from Phoenix, Ariz. who’s already enjoying the environment at CC. Gonzales said he hopes for the entire team to be on the same page and share the same championship mindset. “We all came here for a reason. Now it’s time to go get it!” Gonzalez said. Fellow teammate Jack Pascoe from Barry, Wales seems to be in the same headspace. Pascoe said he is excited to grow together as a team through practices and tournaments, and expressed that he wants to make history together at the college. “We are really excited for the season,” said McArthur in closing. “We are going one day at a time and building for the long term.” The men’s soccer team is scheduled to play its first game April 2nd in Kansas with a game following every few days thereafter. If all goes as planned, the determined CC players will head to nationals later this spring. Until then, McArthur said that all there’s left to do is put in the work to make the team's goals a reality. Volleyball to compete this spring Elisa Ayungua Chinook Writer Elisa Ayungua/Chinook Casper College's Olivia Muir spikes the ball in a recent game while teammate Jada Suguturaga works the net. Photo courtesy of Cory Garvin Victor Hugo (left) and Gonzalo Bazan (right) pose for promotional shots taken earlier this academic year. The Casper College Volleyball Team found competition through scrimmages in the fall of 2020, as the regular season took a back seat to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the season is finally underway this spring, and the team is not letting the delay hold them back. The played team its third game against Northeastern Community College on January 23, one of the first games to officially count for the 2021 season. Jana Gilic, a sophomore middle hitter on the team, said, “We are competitive, and we will fight for what we want.” Gilic started playing volleyball in 5th grade and hasn’t stopped since. Gilic is from Trstenik, Serbia, and she said she chose Casper due to its great reputation and community feel. She also said a previous player informed her about Casper, and her contact had nothing but good things to say about the program. “They are expecting big things from us definitely. We have a strong team and they are expecting us to make it to the regional tournament and of course to grow as a player and as a person,” said Gilic. Gilic also shared some expectations she holds for the team. “(My expectations are) to go to nationals, get better, and beat the teams that we wanted to beat,” said Gilic. There are quite a few good teams in the region but a few teams the Lady T-birds are keeping their eyes out for are Central Wyoming and Western Nebraska Community College. Regardless, Angel Sharman, Casper College’s Head Volleyball Coach, shared high hopes as the season continues. Sharman said she too played volleyball in college and enjoyed the sport so much she decided to take on coaching volleyball as a career. She started coaching at CC in August of 2001. “I am expecting a lot from this group -- you know we’re half sophomores and half freshmen. So I think we have a great group of people and a great comradery of different types of people, said Sharman. “So we have strong defense and we lost a kid because of injury, but you know we are going to overcome that.” According to Sharman, the team is now a better passing team, a better hitting team, and a lot taller than the previous year. “I think we’re going to see some good net play this year, and like I said, we’re going to scrap. This team is one that if they get down a little bit, they’re going to continue to fight. So I am hoping we can continue to do that from what I’ve seen so far,” said Sharman. Sharman stressed the value of academics first and foremost. In terms of volleyball specifically, she said she focuses on the team atmosphere, working hard, effort, and letting her players succeed in having a good time. Though the season is going to move along, COVID restrictions remain. Sharman noted that teams no longer change sides between games due to COVID. “You just have to be careful. You have to wear the face mask on the side(line), and it’s just gonna be different. But you know, you gotta take it as it is, and if somebody gets COVID there’s a chance you don’t play,” said Sharman. “ It’s just basically a day-to-day thing, but you know we’re out here right now. So that’s what we’re looking at and hopefully we can continue to you know what we’re doing to keep kids safe, and that’s the biggest thing, keeping the athletes safe and not harming them in any way.” To protect students, the program is taking is keeping up with the sanitation, cleaning the volleyballs frequently, making sure hands are sanitized, and checking temperatures. The program is doing its best to keep the players and coaches safe. �Page 6 March 1, 2021 CHINOOK Smith’s journey to journeyman A: As far as work goes probably my Tyler Gallegos Chinook Writer Here at Casper College, students work on pursuing jobs in many different fields. Some, however, start the job they are pursuing before finishing their education. Cedar Smith is a young electrician who is attending Casper College to build his knowledge while working towards his journeyman electrician certification. The Chinook sat down with Smith to learn about what it’s like to be one of the many tradesmen who attend CC while also working in their field. Q: What are a few things that lead you to your choice of career? A: I always thought that having a trade job would be smart for the sake of finding work. There were a couple people in my family that were electricians. My dad was an electrician and so was my cousin. coworker Jeff who was my journeymen. He has been doing this for a long time and he is very knowledgeable and helpful. He made my start into being an electrician easier. Q: Did they encourage you to continue your education? A: They definitely all agree that the more certifications and knowledge you have will further you more. There are other careers pertaining to being an electrician that I can branch off to if I have more education as an electrician. Q: Do you have any challenges when it comes to balancing work and school? A: The days that I do have school are defi- nitely harder for me. Sometimes it's hard for me to focus in the night at class after a long day of work. Q: Where do you see yourself five years Q: What is the most challenging thing from now? about your job? A: With a journeyman's electrician's licen- A: Right now I’d say the most challenging se. Working towards getting enough experience to become a master electrician. Something with a better living situation. In a few years when I'm 26 or 28 I'd like to start a family. thing about my job is trying to learn so many things at once and how to do them efficiently at the same time Q: What does your typical day look like? A: Wanting to be independent motivates A: My work day starts at seven o'clock in the morning with a break for lunch and then I'm off usually at 4:30, depending if we're working out of town or not. And then on days when I have school I go to class from 6:30 to 9. Q: If I asked your coworkers to describe you, what would you think they would say? A: They would say I’m quiet and hard working. They can tell I am trying to learn new things. Something along those lines. Q: Who are some of your mentors within the trade? Q: What motivates you? me. Finishing what I started motivates me because I have already invested into this career. Q: What are you most proud of in life? A: The fact that I don't need much help from anybody else at this point in life and that I can keep being able to do that in the future. Talking with Smith provided insight on just how much work students put into achieving their goals. Smith has been working on this trade for almost a year now, and he’s and making more and more progress every day on his road to becoming a journeyman electrician. Tyler Gallegos/Chinook Casper College student Cedar Smith works on installing an electrical system into a new home. Smith is working as an apprentice electrician while also working towards earning his journeyman electricians license. BOCES: Helping students prepare for college Anna MIller Chinook Contributor The Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) is unique to Wyoming and began right here in Natrona County in 1991. The program dual enrolls high school students in college level courses. According to Casper College, the BOCES program is designed to ‘meet the educational needs of high school students through cooperative articulated programs in technical and academic areas where students earn college credit while still enrolled in high school.’ BOCES is offered throughout central and western Wyoming. All BOCES classes are free for high school students. “The dual credit is really nice because it’s on your college transcript too,” said Anna Burton, a current BOCES student enrolled at CC. “Then you don’t have to take them other places.” Burton currently has 30 college credits under her belt as a senior in high school. She has the majority of her general education courses out of the way so she can specialize more during her time at university. Due to her Burton’s BOCES coursework, she will enter college as a freshman with a sophomore standing, and she is excited to start her college career. BOCES provides a wide range of classes for students. Some students choose to take courses specific to their intended major while others branch out and try something completely outside of their comfort zone. Classes can range from calculus to AP English to welding. Ashton Sunday, a senior at Kelly Walsh High School and BOCES student, took welding, woodworking, and American Sign Language. Both Sunday and Burton enjoy their BOCES, but one stands out in particular for Sunday. “My ASL1 (class has been my favorite) because that’s the one I’ve continued to keep doing and I’ve been enjoying it,” said Sunday. Sunday and Burton have both been taking these classes for the majority of their high school careers. Sunday began as a sophomore and Burton began as a freshman. However, students can begin these classes no matter their grade. Seniors can take BOCES classes as well as freshman. Depending on the class, students may stay at their high school for class or go to class on the CC’s campus. “I’ve gotten something different out of every class that I’ve taken,” said Burton. “A lot of them were actually at the high school with instructors there. This (calculus class) is the first one I’ll get to take on campus.” The BOCES program offers students beneficial classes as well as incredible opportunities. High school students are preparing for college and learning new life skills in the process. Sunday has been taking American Sign Language classes and has been learning how to communicate with the deaf community. Sunday said, “It’s going to be easier to talk to people who can’t hear or talk, so I can actually talk to deaf people. The BOCES credit is just a bonus.” In addition, the course also fulfilled Sunday’s high school foreign language credit, and he qualified for Wyoming’s Hathaway Scholarship. While Sunday will likely not stay in Wyoming for his undergraduate, he likes that the credits can transfer with him or be here waiting if he decides he wants to continue his education at the University of Wyoming. BOCES is funded by both grants and Natrona County property taxes. BOCES receives approximately $1.2 million per year from property tax levies. This funding provides these courses to high school students in Natrona County for free. Hundreds of students benefit from the BOCES, and the program will continue inspiring the next generation in Wyoming and Natrona County for years to come. �March 1, 2021 Page 7 CHINOOK Phi Theta Kappa looking for members Kaylen Kott Chinook Contributor Members of Casper College’s Phi Theta Kappa strive to create leaders and help the community by raising money for local residents in need. Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in American higher education, is an active organization that provides many opportunities for students at CC. From offering members scholarships to participating in community service, PTK focuses on the success of members and helps create great leaders for the community. Advisor and physics instructor, Jared Bowden, adds to his 17 years of experience at CC with his active leadership role in PTK’s services. The organization focuses on four core tenants that are most impactful: scholarship, service, membership and fellowship. “We try to help everyone succeed as much as we can,” Bowden said of the many opportunities PTK offers to student members. The organization helps students find success by giving each student a way to grow as an individual and as a team. By being part of an officer team and national organization, students build relationships with peers and other members of the community. According to Bowden, PTK’s ultimate goal is to make the best of one’s college experience, so the orga- nization focuses on offering continuing education opportunities. “There are transfer scholarships available to students who choose to transfer to other community colleges or a fouryear institution,” said Bowden. So, if students are rewarded with a scholarship or other means of financial aid through PTK, they will not lose an award by continuing their education at a larger university. Together, PTK members encourage others to join by hosting events at the college and in the community. Some of the group’s community service projects include providing recycling bins around campus to save the environment, helping Mimi’s House raise money to purchase its first home, collecting items to make food packets to feed Nicaragua, and even installing batteries in senior citizens homes to ensure their safety in case of emergency. PTK also travels to the organization’s national conference referred to as “PTK Catalyst” where students from all over the world meet and experience how the organization can benefit their lives. In non-COVID years, the PTK encourages officers to attend the event as a guest and show others what the roles and responsibilities of a leader in their chapter entails. Active member and officer, Xena Zamora, is a full-time student who also works fulltime while being involved in the club’s activities. When first asked to join, Zamora began to worry about how she would pay for school and take on a leadership role in the organization. With the help of PTK, she confidently took on the role of president and had her college tuition paid for by PTK. She also decorated the PTK board in the physical science building to illustrate how exciting and fun members find the organization to try and encourage passersby and observers to also participate. Zamora stated that PTK also offers a national certification board that helps expand each individual’s education. The process teaches life tasks such as how to fill out taxes and resumes that the general education systems do not typically teach students. “As young adults, we get thrown to the wolves all the time for things we weren’t expecting,” said Zamora. With PTK’s guidance and integration of life skills, future generations can avoid such trials. Preparing others for leadership roles in their life is another one of PTK’s goal. According to Zamora, “It (PTK) gives you purpose to want to get up and want to do stuff and want to help people because at the end of the day, we all strive to help others.” Being part of PTK gives members the opportunity to build relationships, provide help and service to the community and become a strong leader in society. CC Campus Democrats influence community Stephanie Barella Chinook Contributor A Casper College club called the Campus Democrats gets involved with the local community for the 2020-20201 academic year. The organization commits itself to informing the public about issues that affect the community, and encourages young adults to get involved in the community. Izac Garcia, a student at Casper College and member of the organization, explained that the community between students and other members of society is really special. “We’re really trying to get people politically involved and raise awareness around politics,” Garcia said. “It’s so important for people to know how to speak their opinions, and Campus Democrats encourages that.” The organization effectively reaches its goal by organizing presentations and speakers. Erich Frankland, a history professor at CC and faculty advisor for the Campus Democrats, explained that the club tries to get as many different perspectives as possible. The Campus Democrats believe that all ideas should be heard and that it is important to have a discussion based meeting. Frankland said there is less understanding with less participation and discussion. “One party states aren’t good. The party gets lazy and less responsive,” explained Frankland. “I don’t dictate what the discussion is about. I try to encourage them (the student members) as much as I can to have their own ideas.” The organization cultivates an environment that allows students to act on their beliefs. Frankland explained that while the group can’t legally endorse a specific candidate, there are many members of the group that engage in political campaigning. In fact, some students engaged in the 2020 Presidential Election cam- paign. Frankland furthered that some students were even invited to the Democratic State Party Convention. Additionally, the group is made up of many students that don’t identify as Democrats. Frankland explained, “Lots of people are concerned about the name of the club, but anyone is welcome. We have a few Republicans that have joined, and even a few Libertarians too. I think they all work really well together.” Beyond encouraging others to expand their knowledge on political issues, the organization is determined to increase political activity in the community. The students often arrange voter registration drives to encourage those in the community to use their right to vote. In this way members of the Campus Democrats can both engage and encourage involvement from people of all areas. Discussing political opinions is not the only activity that the organization engages in, however. The club as a whole dedicates itself to making the local community a better place. Food drives and litter pick up enable members to get lend a hand and make a difference. Frankland explained that the students recognize the importance of helping others, so they engage in homeless relief projects. Community activities allow the organization to unify and gain recognition. Garcia saod, “It’s not very difficult to find people to engage in community activities like litter pick-up. We have a nice time doing it together.” While the students in the organization have close relationships with each other, there is some concern that they could face backlash for being the minority in a Republican state. Frankland explained that for the students individually, they don’t see Wyoming as very welcoming to their ideas. Essentially, these students work to be heard in an environment that doesn’t want to listen to them. “We have never had college or community pushback,” Frankland said. “There is a sense that this is a college group, and their ideas might change later on.” Even though they have different ideas, they are still committed to engaging other people. Frankland continued that some students in the club hope that someday Wyoming might vote blue or at least be more representative. Garcia furthered that a lot of the students know that a blue Wyoming isn’t likely to happen, so they stick with trying to push through small agendas. Small policy change and talking with representatives is the best way for students like Garcia to achieve small change. “The state is getting more Republican,” Frankland said. “This means that the kids will just have to work a little bit harder to ensure that people here keep an open mind. March Madness Wings Thursday, March 25 A Swipe Social Event T-Bucks accepted! T-Bucks are like cash. Spend them at any campus dining location! T-Bucks won’t expire until the end of the school year! Purchase T-Bucks here: casperdining.sodexomyway.com Make sure to stock up on all your favorite midterm snacks at Subconnection! � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2021-03 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2021-03 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from March 2021. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2021-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/eb51129681e8d378131637d0aaa55004.pdf d8c104f50ac50522df088caef534ba6d PDF Text Text April 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Lady T-Birds make school history Photo courtesy of Cory Garvin Per a recent post on the caspercollegewbb instagram account, the CC women are making history. The caption reads, "The Lady T-birds make history by being the first team in program history to go undefeated in a season. They defeat Northwest 100-51 and ar the North Champs. They are not 20-0 and 10-0 in Sub-Region 9 North play." Seniors staying in Casper for College Statistics and image from the Casper College website for the 2019-2020 academic year. Stephanie Barella Chinook Contributor Local Casper seniors enroll in Casper College for three main reasons including debt, accessibility, and quality education. Casper College is a school that enables students to complete higher education for a low cost. John O’Conner, the college advisor for Natrona County and Kelly Walsh High Schools over the past twenty years, explained that cost is a very important factor to consider when choosing a college. “I don’t discourage them from applying to more expensive schools,” O'Connor explains. “I let them come to their own conclusions.” Essentially, O'Connor breaks down how much school would realistically cost for each student. He explained that when speaking about cost per semester, that money could buy a new car. This financial realism is key in helping students navigate college applications, according to O’Connor. Curtis Winfrey, a graduating senior and incoming CC student explained how he chose the college. “Cost is huge,” Winfrey explained. “My step-mom always tells me that she’ll be in debt until she dies, and that won’t be me.” With the weight of finances weighing heavy, many students choose to stay in Casper for college. Tuition at CC is roughly $4,000 a year for residents, and that doesn’t account for Shawn Bush: A Snapshot Tyler Gallegos Chinook Writer Shawn Bush works as a photography instructor here at Casper College, but he has quite an interesting story to tell about what led him to Casper from the sprawling metropolitan areas he once called home. The Chinook sat down with Bush to learn about his beginnings in photography and his life in Wyoming. Bush was born in 1987 in Michigan, and he was raised around the Detroit area. Bush described the area as a “compacted place that is very gridded out and segregated.” Bush said that during his teenage years, he was into skateboarding, but he also found an interest in film and photography. At around the age of fourteen, he said he received his first camera, and at the age of sixteen, he converted a bathroom in his basement into a darkroom to develop his own film. After high school, Bush moved to Chicago and attended Columbia College where he received a degree in photography. Bush stayed in the Chicago area and worked as an assistant studio manager for Playboy magazine, which he said was “much different than you probably would expect,” mostly working on product shoots for a section called ‘mantrack.’ During his work with Playboy, Bush said he felt “discontent” with the way the magazine used art like “propaganda.” While working at the magazine, Hugh Heffner bought the publication back, and moved Bush’s studio location to Hollywood. Bush chose to stay in Chicago. Bush moved from the area after a few years before landing in the San Francisco area and Rhode Island where he received his master’s degree. While working on graphic design, Bush said he worked with many skateboarding magazines like Thrasher. Bush worked as a graphic designer for a few years but wanted to leave the environment of the city for something new. Then, Bush came to Casper College in 2018 and where he is an instructor for film photography, digital photography and color theory. He described the environment of Wyoming as calm and helpful to his creative process. “You can kind of isolate yourself here and try different things and give yourself time to think and work through visual problems,” Bush explained. Bush said he wanted to move out of the business side of photography into education for a change of pace. While Bush works with digital photography, he really finds his passion in shooting with film. Bush said the development of film is usually looked at in a cliche way. “They always either romanticize it (film) or make it like a horror scene,” said Bush. “It is like a romantic process though because you get to see light hit a piece of paper and then this image appears.” He enjoys the career of teaching because it gives him the ability to “engage with younger generations of artists and pass my knowledge down” while also giving him the time to pursue his artistic goals in his time off during the summers. While Bush isn’t busy teaching, he said he spends his summers working on projects with his publishing company and working on art shows around the country. scholarship money. O'Connor explained how cost effective the college is by explaining that students can make money if they stay in Casper. In fact, the school reported in 2021 that CC hands out roughly $3.5 million in scholarships every year. Winfrey explained the impact of scholarships when he said that college would be impossible if he wasn’t receiving any. Scholarships can make or break students attending college, and CC is in a unique situation to help its students as much as possible. With states providing less funding for higher education, it is even more impressive that CC offers so many scholarships. The U.S. Department of Education conducted a study that found from 2012-2018, state appropriations per fulltime undergraduate student fell 14.9%. With the decline of federal funding for colleges across the nation, students will have to be more financially conscious. Another aspect of CC that appeals to students graduating from a Casper high school is that they can stay in town for college. Staying local ensures that students who don’t want to move away from their families or who have limited income can stay home. “My entire family is here,” Winfrey said. “I don’t need a specialized school that costs a lot to get the degree I need.” A common misconception surrounding CC is that if students stay at home, they won’t get the full college experience. Students won’t have to move far away, but they will still have all of the experiences that they desire. For example, there are many school sponsored activities offered to bring students together. Students simply have to choose to engage. O’Connor explained the importance of attitude in regards to college. “It doesn’t matter where you go, but how you do when you’re there that sets you apart,” said O’Connor. — See staying local, Page 4 Photo Courtesy of Shawn Bush Shawn Bush shared a photo of him out doing what he loves, photography. �Page 2 April 1, 2021 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Chinook Stance “ Adderall abuse in college Julia Nielsen Just Julia In recent years, Adderall has transformed from being a prescription drug to treat individuals with ADHD, to a college student study drug commonly used for allnighters and late-night cram sessions. A certain subculture has developed within college campuses involving the drug and its perceived benefits to get ahead in one’s college career. Although abusing Adderall on college campuses has become somewhat of a trend, using the drug poses potential physical and psychological risks. Some withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, fatigue, paranoia, irritability, and anxiety/panic attacks. Many students view Adderall and other stimulant abuse as a solution to the pressures of academia, but these stimulants often mirror the same traits as cocaine regarding physical effects and patterns of dependency/ addiction. Adderall suppresses the appetite, increases wakefulness, and increases focus for attention. This poses as a miracle drug for college students that are running behind. It doesn’t take long to build a tolerance to Adderall though, and with this comes a certain amount of dependency. In certain studies Adderall abuse has been linked to other forms of drug abuse (alcohol, pain medication) and students that were taking Adderall had lower levels of performance regarding academics with many of them participating in frequent binge drinking as well. The stress of a college workload as well as the Adderall subculture makes it a hard aspect of college life to avoid. There have been many instances where students get addicted, accidentally overdose, or they experience burnout. This correlates with the pressure students feel to achieve in such a highly competitive environment. The rat race for certain internships, GPAs, admission into gradschool, and jobs after college poses a lot of stress for a young 20-something. A common justification for students is that it gives one a competitive edge. When it comes to the use of Adderall, usage numbers have skyrocketed. College students have the tendency to unwind from a busy week filled with lectures and homework with partying. Although a small dose of partying is healthy, I’ve seen all too many students develop an alcohol or stimulant addiction while attending university. Depending on who you surround yourself with, developing an depressant or stimulant type of dependency doesn’t take much time. In order to avoid stimulant or alcohol dependency, it takes a certain amount of self-control and self-awareness. As a young student, your health and state of wellbeing should be your biggest priority. A daily routine where you dedicate time for self-care, exercise, and meditation has copious amounts of health benefits. Health professionals need to stop giving out the prescription like candy and young adults need to prioritize their health and wellness. Helen Keller once said “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” My original goal for this article was to identify an appropriate quote on perseverance and building character out of crisis. This quote by Helen Keller certainly fits those parameters, and I could have written, I hope, a nice article on using adversity to fuel your ambition and resolve. However, as I conducted a little research " I told my students I would never pass judgement on their personal opinion of any of the issues discussed in class, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion." — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President to refresh my memory about Ms. Keller, I was reminded about the complexity of this historical figure. I was reminded of her advocacy for those with disabilities, her being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, and her election to the National Woman’s Hall of Fame in 1965. I was also reminded she was a self-described socialist, and supported the eugenics movement; both ideas that are very politically-charged in today’s society. Now let me be very clear: I am not condemning Ms. Keller for her political beliefs, or any of her personal viewpoints. Quite the contrary; I believe history has correctly and rightly viewed Ms. Keller as a woman and author to be revered and admired. I am; however, attempting to point out many people throughout history, those famous, those infamous, and those completely unknown, were complex individuals whom history could view in a multitude of different lights. As the movement to reexamine historical figures and ideas and evaluate them using modern beliefs and politics gains more traction in today’s society, the accurate historical nature of anyone’s character can be brought into question. When I was still teaching at the college level on a regular basis, I told my students I would never pass judgement on their personal opinion of any of the issues discussed in class, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But I was adamant they knew why they held that specific opinion. I used to say please don’t believe something just because some talking head on the nightly news told you so. I will update that to now say, please do not believe something simply because you saw it on social media. Information now comes at us all too quickly, and thus it is all too easy to become complacent and follow the crowd on hot-topic issues, instead of taking the time to research the topic, spend quality time evaluating how you feel, and coming to your own, personal opinion. Not the article I started out writing, but apparently once a college professor, always a college professor. https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ Raising pigs: not easy but worth it Savannah Peterson Savannah's Swine Story Imagine with me -- it is a little after 12 p.m. and you just put a bred sow in the pen so she could have babies. You notice she has milk, which means baby pigs should start arriving within a few hours. On the other side of the barn, another sow is very antsy; she seems like she could also have babies soon. You are in for a very busy day. This was my reality one Tuesday afternoon in the pig barn. By 1 p.m., I was patiently waiting in the barn for the first mamma to start farrowing (having baby pigs). Finally, at 1:15 p.m. the first little baby arrived. I grabbed my towel, jumped up and started drying the newborn off. That day, I spent the next four hours at the rear end of the sow. She would have a baby, and I’d wrap the baby in a clean, dry towel to get him going. Once the little one was perky, I would teach it how to get milk by holding its little body up to encourage him to eat. Sooner than later, the baby stood up all by itself, eating away. By this time its 5 p.m., and the first mama sow has nine newborn babies lying next to her. All the pigs are happy and health. I, on the other hand, am worn out and tired. I looked to the other side of the barn and notice the antsy sow is thinking about doing the same thing.Within the next two hours, this new mom is sprawled out getting ready to farrow her first baby. I spent the rest of the night getting these new little baby pigs up and going. By 1 a.m. the next morning there were eight new babies curled up next to their new mama. All 17 newborn piglets were dried off, fed, and excited to start their new life. I shut off the lights in the barn and headed to the house, exhausted. I love bringing new babies into the world. There is nothing quite like holding a newborn piglet and encouraging him to catch his first breath, drink his first milk, or stand all by himself. However, I was so tired. As I walked to the house on that chilly night, the only thing I was thinking about was how comfy my bed was going to be and if any of the piglets would be the next county fair champion. The very next morning, as I started chores, I headed out to the pig barn. I opened the door and all of the little baby’s jumped up and ate. These piglets were less than 12 hours old, and they were already fendig for themselves. Over the next few week, I watched them grow. They all got bigger and stronger. At this point in their lives, their favorite things to do are eat, sleep and play. They spend many hours in the day running around their pen play fighting with each other. I could spend forever watching them. Raising pigs is never an easy task. However, the joy and excitement I find when I enter the barn is what makes it worth it. The hours and hours I have spent in the barn in the past five years can never fully be counted, but the thrill of each newborn pig is truly rewarding. Why are you at Casper College? Bryce Hindman Chinook Writer Casper College opened 75 years ago with only 156 students enrolled. Enrollment in the 19-20 school year reached 4,970 students total according to the Casper College website. While much changed in 75 years, one thing remained the same -- each student decided to attend CC. Since the inception of higher educational institutions, the number of people attending college continuously trends up. For example, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 75 years ago less than 2 percent of people in the United States graduated college. Today that number is exponentially higher, and it's natural to wonder why. Not only is the population as a whole seeking a college education, but students are also choosing CC. Why? Of course there’s the prospect of making more money, having a good job, and growing into a more educated capable person. But what are the deeper more personal reasons students at CC made this major life choice? What inspired them and motivated them to set out on this intellectual journey? The Chinook set out to find the answers. Q: Why did you decide to go to college and what events/ choices led you here? A: “Well at first I didn’t really want to go to college. I was unsure of what I wanted to do so all my classes felt sort of pointless, and I didn’t get very good grades. I mainly went because of my parents,” said CC student Chase Peterson. Our family has always been well off, and both my mom and dad have a good college education. I even thought about dropping out my first year, but my parents convinced me to try switching majors from computer science to something else instead. So I switched to studying graphic design, and I’m glad that I did. I’m actually gonna change majors again this year to engineering. I think I finally know what I want to do as a career and am looking forward to learning and getting started in my career.” A: “I decided to attend Casper College because of low tuition, and I wanted to be able to stay home and spend as much time with my family before I set off into adult life where I plan to move and have a job,” shared Caitlin Logan, CC student. A: “It was always an absolute that I would attend college. My parents never allowed an alternative narrative so I knew from a young age that after high school I would go to college,” said CC student, Emily Byrd. “My older sister did a lot of work researching the best Wyoming colleges and she decided Casper was the best. Based on her experience here, I agreed and came to Casper as well.” A: CC student Sierra McCoy shared her reasoning. “I decided to go to college because I would be the first in my family to earn a college degree. My mother went to college but never earned a degree, and my father was in the Army. The MLT program led me to Casper College. It is the only medical lab tech program in Wyoming, and I didn’t want to pay out-of-state tuition,” said McCoy. A: “A big reason I decided to go to college was to branch out socially and meet new people. High school didn't really give me all I needed for social connections,” said Sara Sleep, CC student. “Another reason was because I didn't want to be stuck in a dead-end job. When I say that, I'm not referring to lack of money, but rather a job that is stagnant and not enriching in any way. I wanted to set up a life where I felt like I was contributing to the world.” Q: What are your long-term goals/intentions in relation to going to Casper College? A: Peterson said, “Well I’m probably gonna go to CC for two or maybe four years. It’s a good school and it’s cheap, so I want to get everything I can from it. But as for after CC, I really want to design cars, so I want to go to a school that’s sort of known for that or has a good automotive engineering program. I was also thinking about studying abroad maybe in Japan or Germany. My dream job is to get on the Porsche race team so learning German is on the to-do list.” A: “My long-term goals I have set for myself while attending Casper College are graduating with a degree in nursing, always get good grades in my classes, and strive to become a better version of myself so that I am prepared to join the working society,” said Logan. A: Byrd said, “My long-term goal from attending Casper College is to gain a bachelors from UW-CC.” A: “In May I will be graduating with my associates degree,” said McCoy. With this I plan on getting a job & working in a medical lab for a year and then going back to get my bachelor’s degree.” A: Sleep said, “(I hope to) gain social skills and connections, enrich myself as a person (in terms of her perspectives), and set myself up for a life that I feel good in my place in the world” Q: What do you hope to gain from your experience at CC? A: I’m hoping to get a good foundation. I want to learn CAD here, I want to learn to wield, and I want to get a lot of math knocked out. I want to feel ready to dive head first at my next school. A: Logan said, “I hope to gain a good network of people by the time I graduate college, and I hope to gain a good foundation of knowledge to help me with my future career.” A: I hope to gain practical experience that I can relate to my job in the future, I also want to find a degree track that I am passionate enough about that I enjoy studying it,” shared Byrd. A: “(I hope to gain) social experiences (with friends and gatherings), knowledge about subjects I care about, (and) people skills,” said Sleep. Q: What have you gained from your experience at CC? A: “So far just an idea of how college differs from high school. I’ve also made lots of friends, which is always nice,” said Peterson. A: “So far as a sophomore, I have gained a lot of knowledge from the classes I have taken, and I have also gained the great skill of time management because that is very important in life,” Logan said. A: Byrd: “I have gained a major that I enjoy that I think is practical,” Byrd said. “My professors have influenced me to find my passion for my major and to use that passion to further my education.” A: “I have gained so much from my experience at Casper College,” said McCoy. “I have made lifelong friends & met many people I wouldn’t have associated myself with before attending CC.” A: Sleep said, “Friends, knowledge, and just general enrichment of life” These answers show that while every situation is different and every person is different, each of these students share one common thread. They are each enrolled at CC, and they have goals, aspirations, and the desire to grow. These students are in college in order to open doors into careers and better lives. With 75 years of history and tens of thousands of success stories, CC is a place where people can go to better themselves and create a better life. �April 1, 2021 Page 3 CHINOOK Appreciating campus Casper College like you've never seen it before Bryce Hindman/Chinook Next time you want to clear your mind or study no need to go home, look around you. Creative productive thought require the right environment, and Casper College offers exactly that. Oral Presentaion and Communication Center Conquer your fear of public speaking Po li sh yo u r c C re ate p ommu n ic at io n s k il ls To book your appointment online or in-office Bri Weigel brainne.brasher@caspercollege.edu call 307.268.2375 r a l p re s o f e s s io n e n t a io n s Learn organizational skills Join our the Chinook staff this fall! Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Contact faculty advisor Bri Weigel (Brasher) brianne.brasher@caspercollege.edu https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ �Page 4 CHINOOK April 1, 2021 STAYING LOCAL ...................................................................... continued from page 1 Additionally, the college is determined to ensure that the school provide a wide array of activities that appeal to many demographics of students. To do so, CC offers 35 different clubs and organizations on campus. Amidst the copious amounts of activities are small class sizes that encourage the development of relationships between professors and students. In fact, according to the Community College Review website updated in 2021, the teacher to student ratio is 16:1, which is lower than the state community college average. Finally, CC offers quality education. College Consensus, a platform that combines data from many different college ranking institutions and student reviews, released a list of the top 50 community colleges in 2021, and CC is ranked number 17. O’Connor explained that CC is often looked at as a letdown when it is the complete opposite. He stated that the school is a great foundation school, meaning that students do better if they start in Casper and then transfer someplace else. “People call it a safety school,” O’Connor explained. “That rhetoric is so harmful, and I want to change it from a safety school to foundation.” The idea that CC is a great place to build off of is not uncommon. Winfrey outlined how CC helped further his higher education when he explained that getting an associates degree meant graduating with a bachelor’s degree without debt. “Locking in an associates at CC is the smart move,” Winfrey stated. “I don’t understand why more people aren’t taking advantage of it.” Choosing a college is a major undertaking for seniors fresh out of high school. With over 5,000 different colleges in the United States, debt, accessibility, and quality education definitely influence the decision. CC is a fine choice for anyone enrolling in college, and if it stays on the same track, more Casper seniors will stay at home for college. Eskam added that the school offers many services to provide aid for students, but she said she worries that students aren’t told about the services the school provides. “I have a great team that likes to help,” said Eskam, referring to assistance with applying for scholarships and financial aid. The Department of Student Services office helps support students already attending CC, but they try to help incoming freshman too. The Student Services office holds different events to encourage students to apply for scholarships, government aid, and other financial aid services, like the FAFSA Filling Frenzy. Eskam admitted that she wishes more students would reach out to the financial aid offices at Casper College but understands that money is a sensitive topic and financial aid can be scary. She encourages every student to use all the resources CC and the government provides for students. Eskam wished to remind students that the staff at CC are ready to help. Eskam stressed that real people want to help students at CC, and the college also utilizes online resources to provide assistance to students. Brittony Rietz, former Casper College student who now goes to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas said, “I’ve been to multiple schools and only Casper College has a tool like the scholarship portal. I wish UNLV had the scholarship portal. (The scholarship portal) made filling out scholarships way easier.” Now at UNLV, she said she recognizes the dedication the CC staff have to the students. She recalled that whenever she had a question and called the Student Services office, they provided an answer for her or directed her to someone who knew the answer. She said she now struggles with getting answers at UNLV. Rietz currently gives financial advice to underprivileged students at UNLV and encourages her classmates to know that, “If you want to go to college, you can!” Both Rietz and Eskam agree that there is a scholarship for every type of student. That the best way to pay for college is to apply for any government or school aid available. Eskam said don’t be afraid to find work on campus. Jobs on campus put school first and work around a student’s schedule. Eskam added that another option may be to become a Residence Assistant at CC. While working as a Residence Assistant, a student is provided room and board and two options for meal plans, both completely paid for while working as a RA at the college. If you are a student who needs to focus on studies during school, working a job during the summer to pay for school is an option too. CC is full of help, not only in a financial sense, but also with any problems students come across in their day-to-day lives. CC is a good place to start with low loan rates and access to help, but with options like University of Wyoming at Casper, Casper is also a place to work towards a bachelor’s degree. Many people at CC want to see students succeed with as little debt as possible. CC may be a small school, but the benefits of attending the school are big. CC experiences COVID-19 CC heroes of financial aid Savannah Peterson Chinook Writer For the past year, students and faculty at Casper College endured the affects of COVID19. Last spring, the college went to all online classes, which meant that everyone adapted to a new normal. This new normal required a big shift in education. Teaching in a pandemic proved challenging professors at CC and across the country. Instructors learned different programs to successfully teach students online, and many had to learn how to use technology on the fly. “In my small world, we have really learned how to use the strengths of each other to grow,” said Teresa Sticklin, a Mathematics professor at CC. Sometimes, relying on one another meant teaching colleagues how to use different types of technology to better educate students. Other times, Stricklin said the department worked together to teach classes while faculty quarantined. When CC went back to face-to-face classes in the fall, things still did not return to normal. Many professors implemented online teaching practices into the face-to-face classes in order to accommodate students in quarantine. “I’ve had to adapt by accommodating students who should be in face-to-face classes but are not able to be in face-to-face classes because they are quarantined,” said Stricklin. Stricklin learned how to shoot videos, run Moodle, and use Zoom, which helped her and other professors reach students unable to physically attend class. “I feel like I gained a lot of knowledge and experience in how to connect with students virtually that I did not have before,” Stricklin said. aper sp Casper NewCollege’s k o line o in On ChStudent Now Voice Since 1945 Despite having to learn new ways to teach, Stricklin said her biggest challenge came in staying positive. She said she hopes her work to maintain a positive outlook helped encourage her students to stay engaged in their school work. The pandemic challenged student’s emotionally. Quarantined in October after she tested positive for COVID-19, freshman Jules Smyth said she found the experience hard to manage. “I was in an isolation room by myself and it really sucked,” Smyth said. “Having no human interaction really made me emotional.” Along with being stuck in her room by herself, students in quarantine were only granted a little bit of time outside each day. Smyth said she was also grateful that the college delivered food. However, being a picky eater, some days she said she did not get much to eat. In terms of academics, Smyth’s teachers still helped her succeed. “When I got quarantined a lot of the school had gotten quarantined, so a lot of the teachers had already started putting video up.” While Smyth said she found it harder to complete homework and tests, she said she did not ever see a big threat to her grades. Smyth was not the only one who struggled during quarantine. Stricklin watched a lot of her students be overwhelmed. “I cannot image the feeling... that feeling that nobody wants to be around me... that alone had to psychologically be challenging,” Stricklin said. When Smyth’s two weeks concluded, she said she felt very excited to be free again. But, looking back on her two weeks in isolation, she would advise others to find things to keep them busy, stick to a regular sleep schedule and get a roommate so you are not alone. Kayla Jones Chinook Contributor Current Casper College student loans average far lower than students across the nation, which may lessen the burden for students worried about debt. Businessinsider. com reported that student debt is one of the top three stressors college students face along with stress in general and alcohol abuse. They also reported that student loan debt is a nearly 2 trillion-dollar problem in the United States. Local students have averaged a loan of about $5,266 per year or around $10,532 after two years, according to collegefactual.com. Such a figure makes CC all the more appealing for students hoping for lower student debt. Lower student debt at CC is not a new trend. In 20182019, CC students averaged $4,911.64 in loans taken out. In comparison, according to aplu.org, 78% of graduates were under $30,000 in debt by the time they graduated with a bachelor’s degree from a public, 4-year institution. For a local comparison, the average loan per year at University of Wyoming – that state’s only four-year institution -- is $6,164 per year, making loan prices higher than those at CC. Lower loan rates are not the only benefit at CC. The college also puts forth many events and programs to help with the financial aid process. The Gateway Building is largely dedicated to helping students with their finances. Shannon Eskam, director of student financial assistance, said, “Casper College is an untapped gem.” �April 1, 2021 Page 5 CHINOOK Thunderbird Sports Banding together through adversity Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer This year’s basketball season brought many challenges, but the Casper College men’s team learned perseverance. The 2020-2021 T-Birds started the season with adversity. The squad came together, and most of them had not played with each other prior to this season. When COVID-19 protocols delayed and shortened the season, the T-Birds used the time to their advantage by practicing with each other and gelling together as a team. Sophomore Peter Turay explained the situation at the beginning of the season. “Joining a new team is always tough, but everyone on this team is cool so it was easy adjusting and staying focused through it all. I just had to keep telling myself that it was still basketball at the end of the day, so I kept going,” said Turay. Sophomore Dathan Satchell also expressed the struggle in the beginning. “It was way different than last year. You had more freedom, a lot more organization last year, and we were practicing together all the time scrimmaging without any games. With the busy schedule and the quarantines, it’s been rough too because I haven’t been able to see my family in four months.” Despite these challenges, the T-Birds came together as a team and improved every game. With the season nearing its end, the T-Birds are over .500 with a 10-8 record to reward their work. Satchell noted a recent game against Laramie County Community College as one of their most impressive wins of the season. “We were down 14 or 15 points with four minutes left on the road with a hostile crowd, but we came together as a team and pulled off the comeback and won the game,” Satchell explained. Despite a season of ups and downs, the year also brought life lessons for these players who will remember this year and the hard work they put in to their sport. “I am TOUGH especially mentally, with everything from moving here and joining a new team to the protocols and the challenges,” said Turay. “I just trusted the process. We started out slow, but we trusted the coaches and learned every day.” Satchell also said this year helped him. “I learned to embrace my role and being in my role. Coach Shawn always says be great in your own world, so that’s what I try to do every day.” This season will end up a trying one that the T-Birds will look back on and remember the struggle and hard work they put in to come up with a winning season. With tournaments Brendan Saunders/Chinook and championships just ahead, we will be Moses Gordon drives to the rim in a recent game at Casper College. watching and rooting for the T-Birds. Lady T-Birds and the pursuit of perfection Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer Brendan Saunders/Chinook To the left, Kammie Ragsdale fires off a threepointer in a recent home game. Below, Joseana Vaz shoots on a fast break. Gaytan's Goals Elisa Ayungua Chinook Writer While the Lady T-birds didn’t have much of a fall season, the team’s spring season will look much different. Karla Gaytan, captain, sophomore, and goalie for Casper College’s Women’s Soccer program is dedicated to make sure the team finds success. The Wyoming native began soccer her freshman year of high school, and she’s now in her sixth year playing. Gaytan is a transfer student from Sheridan College due to the school cutting its athletics programs this past summer because of COVID-19. Gaytan said when CC approached her with an opportunity for to play, she took it. Just this year, CC welcomed the soccer program and with the new team comes players trying to figure out their roles. “I think I see myself as a leader and an enforcer of our team values and our team rules. Making sure that my teammates know our goal and keep that in mind through whatever we do, said Gaytan. Gaytan is also making sure she is building personal relationships and chemistry with her teammates by being empathetic, understanding, and seeing them off of the field. “I think we have a lot of fun. We like to compete against each other and make jokes and just genuinely have a good time with one another.” Even in the off season, Gaytan remains disciplined. She said she continued working towards ways she could better herself for the team. “Being in the gym, working out, going to the The 2020-2021 Casper College Women’s Basketball Team is on its way to achieving a perfect season in a far from perfect year. The team started practicing in August but didn't play a game until January. The Lady Thunderbirds stood together, as they work to achieve the ultimate goal, winning the Championship. The team looked in good form in the latest game against Central Wyoming College, routing them for a statement victory of 93-33 to show everyone they aren’t stopping at perfect. Head Coach Dwight Gunnare leads in the pursuit of perfection. Coach Gunnare praised this year’s sophomore class for setting the tone for the team at the beginning of the season and serving as great mentors to the freshman. Sophomores Emily Achter, Marija Bakic, Kammie Ragsdale, Kobe King-Hawea, and Natalia Otkhmezuri lead the charge. When asked about their most impressive win of the season they all agreed that Western Nebraska would take the cake. “Nebraska was a good one. We were down 7 to 8 points in the second half and came together as a team for a double overtime win in hostile territory,” Coach Gunnare explained. This season’s results are even more impressive when you add the fact that the Lady T-Birds had to do it with the uncertainties and challenges of COVID-19. This year’s sophomores had some experience with a normal season last year before the pandemic. Staying focused during these times proved difficult, especially for Kobe KingHawea who had to transfer from Gillette College because the school cut the basketball program there due to COVID19. Because of the pandemic, the season did not start until January when the season normally starts in October or November. Such a change proved challenging. The team made do by practicing and scrimmaging each other in the meantime. Natalia Otkhmezuri said one of her biggest challenges was staying in shape during quarantine. “I tried practicing inside while in quarantine, which was tough --Then trying to go outside for at least an hour to get some exercise. Also coming out of quarantine, there was a lot of risk for injuries. We saw a lot of my teammates getting injured,” said Otkhmezuri. During this challenging time, the sophomores all learned something about themselves. Bakic shared what she learned. “There is always going to be ups and downs, but you got to push through… If you really want something you can get it with hard work.” Ragsdale said relationships were most special to her. “…Growing as a player and as person. I got to meet new people and got to make a lot of new friendships,” Ragsdale said. Achter and Otkhmezuri said they will always have Coach Gunnare in the back of their heads screaming “Defense!” as it will also apply to the hard work they will put into life outside of basketball. The Lady T-Birds also have a bright future ahead of them with a promising freshman class exceeding expectation. Coach Gunnare noted freshman Joseana Vaz as one of the freshmen who really exceeded expectations. He said he is proud of all the freshmans’ work this year. We will be watching closely as the Lady T-Birds finish out the final games of the season and tournaments and witness their hard work in the pursuit of perfection. LH gym and just really working on my touches, even if it was by myself, and just really making sure I was preparing myself just as much as I could,” said Gaytan. Being that the team is a new bunch and doesn’t have a strong foundation of sophomores to show them the ropes, Gaytan said it’s going to be a little harder to get the team on the same page. “I am just really looking forward to our team coming together and developing chemistry as we play and being efficient with our passes and movement,” said Gaytan. “Me personally, I just want to be the best leader I can be and be a supporting teammate in the back as a goalkeeper.” Just as Gaytan is expecting a lot out of her team, she knows that the coaches are too. “I think the things that our coaches want us to focus on are the things that we have control over, which is really just going out, practicing hard, and playing hard and implementing all those things we learned,” Gaytan explained. COVID -19 kept the Lady T-birds off the field and in their rooms earlier this fall, as they had to quarantine several times. It made it hard for the team to have solid practices with everybody. Yet, now that the situation is better and so are the protocols. “For the most part, I think soccer is still soccer. It just becomes a little bit more complicated with some of the rules we have to follow,” said Gaytan. Gaytan said she saw the setback created Elisa Ayungua/Chinook by the pandemic as an opportunity to become Sophmore Karla Gaytan poses for a picture amid the 2021 spring soccer season. adaptable to unexpected challenges. �Page 6 April 1, 2021 CHINOOK Theater Department prepares for “Bright Star” Julia Nielsen Chinook Writer Casper College’s theater department is working on a production of “Bright Star”, set to open on April 22. “Bright Star” is a tragic story of love and loss resolved by a joyful ending. The production involves freeform bluegrass music with local piano, bass fiddle, banjo and violin musicians featured. The story follows a mother, Alice Murphy, throughout the 1920s and 1940s, on her search for her long-lost son after he is put up for adoption against her will. Miranda Pacheco, a musical theatre major, who plays one of the main roles as Margot Crawford, is looking forward to the quality of the music as well as the music’s differentiation from the norm regarding traditional “big band” music routinely used in these kinds of productions. The first Broadway album for “Bright Star” was nominated for a Grammy for its bluegrass music in 2016. Pacheco reached out to two of the “Bright Star” broadway cast members and they plan to zoom into CC’s production to watch opening night. “They both have extensive acting credits and are qual- ity performers. We are excited about them zooming into the production because it connects what we do here at Casper College to the wider world of theatre and I love that,” said the production’s director, Richard Burk. “It puts the students in a position to recognize that they can be doing this. People who are on Broadway now were once sitting right where our students are sitting in a training program.” Burk and the production team cast the show just before spring break. They handed out the scripts, sent everyone on their way for the week, and began rehearsal the week after. The play is comprised of 14 cast members, all coming from different majors within Casper College, ranging from theatre majors to dance and fire science majors. Burk said informing students that aren’t theatre majors about upcoming auditions is a challenge, so he’s trying to invite more people across campus to audition for future productions. Pacheco developed the mindset that every audition should be seen as exciting, rather than a nerve-racking process. “I came out of my audition and said to my friends that it was one of the best auditions I had ever done in my life. I’ve been here for a year and some change now and it feels so exciting,” said Pacheco. “One of the reasons I started studying musical theater was because I get so immersed in the music, singing, dancing, and acting. So I can branch off into any of the four if I wanted. I’ve been singing since I was a kid.” Pacheco said she plans to transfer to the University of Montana Missoula to continue her career in musical theater after she graduates from CC. Steve Martin, who is a folk musician himself, and Edie Brickell originally wrote and composed “Bright Star.” The production’s origin traces back to a folktale called The Iron Mountain Baby. Burk mentioned that the folk-based music of the production will offer a different personality to the play with its “kindred spirit and get right into the audiences’ souls.” Although bluegrass got its roots in the Appalachian mountain region of the United States, bluegrass found a home in the West and Wyoming in particular. Both Burk and Pacheco are looking forward to the bluegrass aspect of the production, but they have a lot of work ahead of them regarding preparations for the play. According to Burk, there are students involved in every capacity, and they cre- Julia Nielsen/Chinook Pictured above is an experimental model of what is to be expected on stage of Bright Star and its suggestive set. ated a great family atmosphere together. With rehearsals occurring every night of the week except for Sunday, set building, learning the music, and all of the other responsibilities of a production at the forefront, there is a lot of preparation to consider. The entire cast is excited to put on this production for the community. Pacheco noted that rehearsal is her way of unwinding from a busy day of work and school combined. “We are going to build the set out of palettes, and our walls will fold and unfold to create different environments with ease. Basically, it’s going to be a suggestive set,” said Burk. The theater department will sell tickets at about 25% capacity since they are required to keep social distancing measures in mind. Ticket sales will begin two weeks before the production’s opening night. “Ruminating on Childhood” Graduate unveils series after eight years Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Angela Beeson Wallace Angela Beeson Wallace poses with her piece, “The Happy Moments of the Swing”. Wallace’s “Ruminating on Childhood” series contrasts moments of her childhood with moments of her adult life. Angela Beeson Wallace graduated from Casper College in 2011 with an Associate of Fine Arts (FAF) and a passion for creating. Wallace said she enjoyed her years at CC, and credits much of her growth as an artist to her instructors, namely Justin Hayward and Mike Keogh. After graduating, she transferred to the University of Wyoming where creative differences in her department guided her down a new path: freelance work and a museum studies degree. “If I could never paint again, I want to work alongside artists and creatives. I want to support them and deal with art history,” Wallace said. For the past few years, Wallace said it seemed as if she left her days of creating behind her. That was until Art 321 contacted her to do a showing at the gallery, and Wallace had the perfect pieces for the event. “I started these pieces seven, eight years ago and had always imagined them displayed at Art 321, but (I) had just never had the opportunity,” Wallace said. “When they contacted me, I literally dusted the paintings off to finish them. The edges are painted black to cover up the dust that remained.” Wallace went on to describe the showing as “serendipitous.” The show is something of a sequel to a series she previously finished called “Imprecise Memory.” Now, “Ruminating on Childhood” deals with “precarious moments” from Wallace’s childhood in comparison to her personal life during the process of creating. The series comprises three impressive, six-foot tall oil paintings. One piece, “Madonna of the Basilica Superga,” consists of a woman holding an infant wearing red, which represents Wallace herself with her mother. The next is again of Wallace but this time with her brother and the girl next door painted in the style of a royal portrait. The piece is appropriately named “Portrait of Well Dressed Children.” The third and final piece is entitled “The Happy Moments of the Swing”, and features a child swinging high above a city landscape. Wallace attributes her style to her interest in art history, and the minute details and essence of her paintings make her influences evident. Without Casper College, Wallace said she isn’t sure she would have pursued art. Her mother attended CC during Wallace’s middle school years, so she spent many hours with her mom in the art building. “Mike Keogh helped my mom and let me tag along. If it wasn’t for the instructors back then and my mom’s enthusiasm, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today,” Wallace said. “Ruminating on Childhood” on display at Art 321 closed March 31, but art continues to be displayed year round. Art 321 is located on Midwest Ave., and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Not only is stopping in free of charge, but it’s also a fantastic way to support local artists like Wallace, as well as the Casper community as a whole. �April 1, 2021 Page 7 CHINOOK Moms share experiences as non-traditional students Kaylen Kott Chinook Contributor Abbie Cornett and Megan Fleetwood, who are both fulltime students and mothers to three children, gave detail of their higher education experience of at Casper College. With juggling their education and constructing their lives around the daily activities of each child, continuing their education at a later age made the college experience more demanding. Through this period of their lives, both Cornett and Fleetwood prioritize when to do college courses, juggle work schedules, and maintain extracurricular activities. Cornett, a science major, is attending CC to further her education and ultimately meet requirements to work as a certified Medical Lab Technician in Douglas, Wyo. As a lab technician, Cornett said her role in the hospital will consist of drawing blood from patients and taking specimens to analyze blood and essentially diagnose diseases, disorders or infections that could exist within the patient. She is enrolled in eight courses that occupy most of her day while her children attend school. Cornett said finding the time to complete school work is a challenge, especially since all of her children participate in afterschool activities. With travelling to Casper on the weekends and attending labs for eight hours at a time, she said there is little time for rest. “Children, on top of school work, on top of clinicals, on top of homework, hair and nail appointments, preparing dinner, doing housework, and after school activities like sports make it hard to find free time,” said Cornett. Cornett stated that there are no off days while getting her education. She works on coursework Monday through Sunday all day, otherwise she she said she would fall behind. She developed a routine to ensure that each task is completed so she can continue moving forward. With a busy schedule, she dedicates weekends for activities she finds enjoyable. She stated that when she feels overwhelmed, having her children and husband’s support gives her a reason to keep pushing and the motivation to stay strong. Because college is only a temporary commitment, Cornett said her family understands the importance of activities that consume her time and she can fulfill her goal of holding a position in the hospital. When asked what experiences made her college career more valuable, Cornett stated that meeting new people, reaching the point of hands on tasks, and the impact that her teacher built through every course motivated her to fulfill the career she desired. Fleetwood, who is majoring in Elementary Education, related to the same hardships. With having two jobs, one at Casper Gymnastics Center and the other at Glenrock Recreational Center, finding time to complete 12 credit hours has taken a toll on her ability to find free time to do homework. She stated that transporting her kids to and from school, extracurricular activities and finding time to do coursework was one of the most challenging aspects. “Trying to manage my three children, getting them to and from school and preschool, because that breaks my day up into two-hour increments, and then trying to figure out when I am going to do all my homework is the most challenging part of my day,” said Fleetwood. She is attending CC to complete the few credit hours required to obtain her associates degree and if she chose not to return and finish her degree, she would lose the previous credits she already completed through the college. Megan works with children at both occupations, so she found that if she received a degree in elementary education she will learn more and feel more moti- vated to finish school. Fleetwood is faced with struggles during the day while her youngest child is not attending preschool. When doing coursework at home, becoming distracted by her child’s needs makes it more difficult to consistently complete assignments. She claimed that she handles the stress of constant interruption and a busy schedule well, but when she can no longer focus on certain tasks that require a timed deadline, becoming overwhelmed is a common reaction. In order to avoid situations where stress can occur, she works around her child’s designated schedules. Fleetwood said that certain days of the week, like Mondays, are to help her recharge and prepare for the upcoming weeks work. When asked what she would change about her college experience, Fleetwood said she wished that on campus courses fit into her schedule. She felt that the learning process would be easier for her to understand material and online courses demand more homework where in class participation is more beneficial for her desired learning style. Fleetwood states that in an environment where there is room to ask questions and communicate in a face to face setting, learning material is more constructive compared to online learning. Fleetwood gave advice for college students who have not yet experienced what attending college or fulfilling the responsibilities of a full-time student is like. With knowing the struggles that college integrated in her life, she found that putting herself first was not always a selfish act. “I think the bottom line is, if your true desire is to actually continue your education while you have your family, you just really have to make the time for yourself, which is really hard to do,” stated Fleetwood, “especially when you are used to putting everyone else first.” Submitted photos Pictured above is Megan Fleetwood and her family. Pictured to the left is Abbie Cornett and her family. in the Student Success Center on campus. April in Paris Coming soon at Tobin Dining Hall Coq au vin, French onion soup, Eclairs Casper College Dining Spend your flex dollars and T-bucks before the end of the semester Use flex dollars for snacks, drinks, or meals T-Bucks and flex dollars will NOT carry into the fall semester �Page 8 CHINOOK t H e wor ld n ee ds April 1, 2021 mor e cow boys. Start in Casper. Stay in Casper. Courses, degrees and programs offered right here! LOCATION: 435 Union / University Building on the Casper College Campus CALL: (307) 268-2713 VISIT: http://www.uwyo.edu/uwcasper/ � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2021-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2021-04 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from April 2021. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2021-04 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/55a9d839a06570bd4b1ba48ce48c360a.pdf e50d3aa1865e330217ce8127b2b25a89 PDF Text Text May 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Find us online! Bakic chosen to speak at graduation Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Marjia Bakic Marija Bakic was selected to speak at Casper College's 2021 graduation ceremony. Bakic is a member of CC's Women's Basketball Team. She is from Montenegro, and her speech will be the first speech she's ever presented in the English language. Many graduating sophomores this year anticipated decisions about graduation, wondering if COVID-19 would rob them of a face-to-face graduation, much like the class of 2020 that made due with a virtual ceremony. Luckily, with vaccines out and case numbers dropping, a physical graduation ceremony is happening once again. CC allows students the chance to apply to speak on the big day, and this year’s student speaker couldn’t be any more deserving. Marija Bakic is an exchange student from Montenegro who was recruited to Casper by a UW basketball coach after seeing her play for the European Nationals. With the UW roster full, the coach set her up with Coach Gunnare and the CC basketball team. In her two years here, she said she loved playing basketball and spending time with her teammates. Additionally, Bakic furthered a passion for political science and international relations, which is not surprising given she has lived and traveled to most of Europe and North America. She fluently speaks Serbian, Italian, French, Spanish, and English. “I’ve always wanted to balance political science and basketball but never had the chance,” Bakic said. “Casper College has given me the opportunity to.” According to Bakic, CC is nothing short of amazing. The scholarships, school and community opportunities, work study positions, and staff are all incredible, she said. She accredits much of her success to the instructors and coaches she’s worked with over the last two years. Not only did Bakic mention how CC provided a great school and environment, but she also said the college helped her grow and develop as a person. As a student athlete, Bakic and her team missed a few days of school every other week and sometimes every week. In a degree as intense as Bakic’s, she said she learned to prioritize. “CC has made me appreciate the liberties I have and taught me how to decide what the best choices for me to make will be,” she said. “It’s taught me how to stay organized.” Many Americans can lose sight of the abundance of opportunities available in the states, Marija emphasized, but for many from across the globe who move here like Bakic, blessings are so much easier to see. With this larger perspective, Bakic said she is always motivated to work towards your goals. “I’m a big believer that hard work gets you whatever you want. That’s going to be one of the biggest points in my speech,” she said. In the coming fall, Bakic will continue playing basketball for Arkansas Tech. She plans to get her bachelor's degree in political science before pursuing a masters in international studies at Arkansas Tech. One day, Bakic said she’d like to work as an ambassador and do political work like her grandfather. “I’m really excited,” she said in closing. “My family is going to be here. They’re very important to me. And hopefully, my grandpa is really proud of where I’m at too.” New visual arts building coming soon Bryce Hindman Chinook Writer Demolition on Casper College’s Goodstein Visual Arts building began as of April 2021 to make way for the new visual arts building, slated to be finished in July of 2022. While some may feel sad to see the current art building go, hopes are high for the new building. When walking the art building halls excitement fills the air, along with a decent amount of dust from the ongoing demolition. Most teachers and students are looking forward to the new building. The Goodstein Visual Arts building holds a significant amount of history on campus. Built in 1976 and 1977, the structure stood for 44 years and served as the home of countless programs, classes, and art of all kinds. The building also housed machinery for various artistic projects. A building with a unique purpose called for a unique design and it’s clear upon entering the structure that the Goodstein Visual Arts building was not typical, as the architects designed the structure as a circle with a gallery in the middle connecting the two sides. The instructor’s offices lined the inner circle while expansive classrooms lined the outside. Mike Olsen, a CC graduate and now a full-time professor at the college since 2005, spent significant amounts of time in the former building, and he spoke of the building's charm. “Because I know this building so well it’s become like an old friend,” said Olsen. “It's like a really good pair of shoes, so I'm totally comfortable here. I even know what noises it makes late at night. I’ll miss the donut (the circle). One of my favorite things to do to decompress is to just walk laps.” While the former building provided a unique design and a nostalgic feel, the new construction will fix several issues. The former building proved too small to comfortably accommodate all of the current and especially future classes. Another factor is the age and the outdated design. Nobody in 1977 could have predicted the impact technology and computers would have in the future, so the — See Visual Arts, Page 4 Bryce Hindman/Chinook Demolition of the Goodstein Visual Arts Center began last month. The new building is scheduled to reach completion in July of 2022. 33 years come to a close Savannah Peterson Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Anna Aarstad Todd Jones teaches his farm and ranch buissness class at Casper College he is retiring after 33 years when the spring semester concludes. Some people dread retirement. Others look forward for the new opportunities stepping back from work can bring. For Todd Jones, retirement will not slow him down. After 33 years teaching at Casper College, Jones’ time as an instructor is come to an end, but his next chapter is just beginning. Jones’ experience in the business industry set his credentials as a teacher. Jones educational followed a different path than most professors. He spent a few years at Montana State University while on a wrestling scholarship. Then he decided school was not for him, so he began working full time. However, school drew him back in, and he attended CC for two years. Next, Jones traveled to Oklahoma State University to earn his bachelors in Animal Science and discovered his passion for business. “I had to take a farm and ranch management advanced class my senior year, and I really, really liked that class,” said Jones. His professor connected him with a graduate degree position at New Mexico State University where he received his Masters degree. Then Jones set off for the real world. Over the years, Jones trusted his passion for teaching and business to lead his career. In 1988 Jones began teaching as an adjust instructor at CC. His adjunct role eventually led him to a full-time position teaching business classes. While he was busy teaching, he also used his business skills to create two startup companies. In the classroom, Jones taught way more than what the text book required. Jones goes out of his way to teach his students how to act like good people. For, Agriculture Business student, Anna Aarstad, Jones made a large impact on her education. “He really tries his best to apply everything in his class to each person, and he tries to make it very personal,” she said. Aarstad said it’s the time the students spend talking with Jones after class that helped formed a relationship between Jones and his students. “Every day at the end of class we typically stick around for an extra couple minutes and just visit with him,” Aarstad said. According to Anthony Barns, one of Jones’ current students, these conversations consist of funny jokes, life advice, and of course, snacks. As much as the students enjoy Jones as a professor, Jones said he enjoys watching the students grow. “The difference between you coming in the doors as a Freshman… that year of growth is pretty amazing,” Jones said. “And then you look at where they have gone past that, it has been pretty rewarding.” After teaching for so many years, Jones saw many students come through the college so it comes to no surprise that he has created a reputation. “I think the biggest thing is he teaches because he wants to change people’s lives in a positive way. He doesn’t just teach because he enjoys the subject or he doesn’t just teach because he gets a paycheck he teaches because he wants to be a part of other people’s lives,” said Barns. “I think that’s probably what makes him the most effective and why he’s probably my favorite teacher.” Jones invests in his student’s lives outside the classroom whether it is the rodeo team drinking coffee in front of his office before class or the livestock judging team reviewing its last contest, Jones’s door is always open. His kindness continues to impact many students at CC. “He gets to know everybody and what their goals are for the future, so he tries to tie in what he’s teaching into specific goals,” said Aarstad. Jones’ years of knowledge can be attributed to his faith. Aarstad said, “He’s not afraid to let his faith impact how he teaches class… He doesn’t preach and he doesn’t expect anybody in the class to believe what he believes, but you can tell his faith is what has guided him through teaching for so long.” Principles of faith guide Jones in all of his life’s endeavors. “The main thing in my life has been my faith... that could be the main advice,” Jones said when offering advice to his students. As Jones’ time in education comes to an end, he looks forward to the adventure’s retirement will bring. First of all, he plans on digging more into the Old Testament of the bible. Outside of that, he looks forward to spending more time with his wife, purse business interests and guiding people through the outdoors. �Page 2 May 1, 2021 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Chinook Stance “ Carpe Diem: Adventure Awaits Bryce Hindman Breakthroughts with Bryce You're a college student. A Casper College student to be more exact. As diverse as we all are, ultimately, the majority of CC students share one thing in common. We are here with the intention of learning and growing as individuals and bettering ourselves in order to better our futures. Basically we want a good life. Who doesn’t want a good life? With that in mind, it’s no secret we can often get swept up in the stress of assignments, grades, deadlines, and college as a whole, not to mention the potential stresses of life outside of school. When faced with what seems like endless work, it can be easy to forget we’re human. Yes you heard that right. What I mean by that is that it’s easy to take for granted our experience day by day when we’re in autopilot mode rushing from one assignment to the next. This is exactly why it’s important to get away from life occasionally and reset. There is an entire world out there to explore and experience, people to meet, and new things to try. It would be a crime towards yourself to not at least try to get out and experience life to its fullest. As I said before, it’s easy to forget we’re a human living a life. We have the privilege of being the most complex intelligent life that we know of, living on the only floating rock in the entire universe known to support life. Thousands of years of human history led up to exactly this moment -- where you are now. The chances of you specifically, genetic makeup and all, existing at this very moment are almost zero. Yet here you are. Not only do you get to exist, but you also get all the modern amenities from indoor plumbing to the internet. The point is we’ve been given a gift of life, and it should not be wasted. Work and school are important and it can make us better people, but ultimately we need to value our well-being and mental health before we can even function well enough to succeed in work and school. This summer I’m traveling the country delivering doordash and exploring in order to better myself. Next fall I’m attending college in New York City. I am only saying this because I want anyone reading this to know it’s okay to take the leap of faith and that you are capable of doing it. I’m not special – members of my family aren't college grads or wealthy. I worked hard to get here and it’s going to pay off. You can too. This is where adventure plays a role. You don’t have to go far like my example. You don’t have to do anything crazy. Go on a walk in a park or a bike ride in an unfamiliar place. Try the new thing on the menu, or better yet, go to the new restaurant you’ve never been to. Sign up for that summer course you’ve wanted to try. Use those vacation days and do that trip you’ve been thinking about. Casper College is less than an hour away from mountains, rivers, lakes, and multiple state parks. Take advantage of the world around you and the life you have. As summer approaches, I encourage you to take a look around you and breath. Live one day at a time and experience each moment. Go on adventures big and small. Take some risks. Try new things. Live life fully and unfiltered. This will only broaden your horizons and motivate you to make more progress with your goals. College is meant to be a place where people are educated and inspired, but sometimes we all need adventure to keep us going. It is no secret to those who know me that graduation is my absolute favorite day of the year. I love everything about the day including rehearsal in the morning, the Graduation is a rite of passage in one’s life, and it is my great honor to play even a small role in the celebration marking that achievement. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President anticipation that builds as we line everyone up in the tunnel, walking out to cheering family and friends, announcing the names, and the final exit of the graduates. But, undoubtably, my favorite moment is looking into the eyes of graduates as they cross the stage to shake hands (non- COVID years) and receive their diploma cover. The looks of pride, accomplishment, and oftentimes nervousnesses is something I never get tired of witnessing. Graduation is a rite of passage in one’s life, and it is my great honor to play even a small role in the celebration marking that achievement. Commencement, and all The uprooting of holistic medicine Before the conception of Western medicine, holistic medicine was the status quo for thousands of years within many ancient civilizations. Several cultures still practice this form of medicine despite Western medicine dominating in developed areas of the world. During the turn of the 20th century, homeopathy and natural medicine became almost obsolete due to several factors. John D. Rockefeller, America’s first billionaire and known monopolist and robber baron, was one of the main culprits. He made it his mission to uproot holistic medicine by delegitimizing it. His strategy of “problem-reaction-solution” alongside the Flexner report successfully closed a multitude of holistic medical schools across The United States. John D. Rockefeller’s plan was to reshape the medical industry through pat- ented pharmaceuticals and a new medical system. At the time, Rockefeller controlled almost all the country’s oil refineries through his oil company, Standard Oil. Around the same time, scientists had discovered petrochemicals from said oils, which are obtained from petroleum through a refining process. They determined that these chemicals could be used to produce pharmaceutical drugs. Rockefeller’s desire to monopolize the oil, chemical, and medical industries would change the Western world forever. The Flexner report functioned as a gatekeeper. It enacted legislation on state and federal levels to create strict regulations and licensing promoting drug medicine within medical schools while stifling natural remedies. Medical institutions that did not comply with these regulations were inevitably shut down. Bryce Hindman/Chinook Casper College is celebrating its 75th year this academic term. The college's public relations and adminstrative teams highlight the milestone with banners and flags like the one shown to the right. Make sure to use your T-Bucks and Flex Dollars before the end of the semester They will not be there in the fall! If you love good food, people, and great opportunities, look for job openings at Casper College Dining in the fall. Have a great summer! CASPER COLLEGE DINING the associated gatherings truly is a time of celebration. Thus I hope each of you reading this article who have met the requirements necessary to graduate this year will sign up to participate in our commencement ceremony, and celebrate your achievement with your family, friends, and all of us here at the College. Julia Nielsen Just Julia �May 1, 2021 CHINOOK t H e wor ld n ee ds mor e cow boys. Start in Casper. Stay in Casper. Courses, degrees and programs offered right here! LOCATION: 435 Union / University Building on the Casper College Campus CALL: (307) 268-2713 VISIT: http://www.uwyo.edu/uwcasper/ Page 3 �Page 4 CHINOOK Visual Arts............................................ building is not well suited for such advancements. The cost of keeping up with safety codes and health regulations provides yet another challenge. The final factor came in the way of Casper College’s long range master plan. According to caspercollege.edu, “In 2006, Casper College adopted a comprehensive master plan to help provide a focused vision on the opportunities facing Casper College over the next 25 years.” Casper College president Dr. Divine shared his thoughts on the new visual arts building in a 2016 Casper Star-Tribune article. “It’s sorely needed for the college. I think it would be a huge asset.” The new building will address each one of the issues mentioned above and lead the arts at CC into the future. The original idea was to simply add onto the art building, but it was decided that it would be more cost efficient to create a whole new space for art on campus. The new building is slated to almost double in size at an impressive 31,825 sq. ft., equipped with all the equipment needed for each class. Olsen praised the work of the architects MOA and HGA for working closely with faculty and staff in order to meet the specific needs of each class. “All of the faculty have had tons of input in the planning. I sat on the committee that chose the architects, and then we sat for a semester and a half once a month with the architects and designers, working as a team designing the new building, which May 1, 2021 continued from page 1 all started happening in 2016," Olsen explained. According to a recent announcement shared by the college, the building will feature metal, wood, and jewelry making labs; art galleries; a foundry and pottery kilns; MAC lab; print, drawing, and photo labs; classrooms; conference rooms; offices; and a state-of-the-art climatic controlled art storage facility. The $12.5 million dollar project is jointly funded through the State of Wyoming and CC in partnership with the the college'se foundation, and there will be more fundraising in the future. According to Olsen, the new building is needed. He said “The new space will be state of the art and modern. The current building is so old that it's literally falling apart and some things have just stopped working.” The new visual arts building will be state of the art and allow CC to grow into the future with developing technology and a growing list of opportunities. Forensics Team wins big at National Tournament National Tournament Results The Casper College Forensics team recently competed virtually at the 2021 Phi Rho Phi National Forensics Tournament with both individual and team awards. Individually, sophomore Braxton Allen-Sambrano, Casper, was a gold medalist in impromptu speaking. Markie Whitney, a freshman from Newcastle, won gold in international public debate. Shelby Davis, a freshman from Newcastle, took silver in impromptu speaking, while sophomore Alex Walters, Rapid City, South Dakota, won silver in informative speaking. Three team members, Stephanie Barella, a sophomore from Casper, freshman Emma Kellick, Casper, and Walters, were each awarded silver in international public debate. Four team members received bronze during the tournament. Davis won in international public debate, Kaelan Rodriguez, a sophomore from Casper, won in speech to entertain, and sophomore Izzy Garcia, Cheyenne, and Walters won in impromptu speaking. Walters also has the distinction of receiving fifth place in individual sweepstakes, making her the fifth-best competitor in the country. Overall, the team took a gold medal in the debate sweepstakes and a silver medal in the individual events sweepstakes and the overall sweepstakes. Photo courtesy of the Forensics Team This year's Forensics Team at CC includes(from left to right): Alex Walters, Izzy Garcia, Braxton Sambrano, Lydia Roterdam, Markie Whitney, Kaelan Rodriguez, Shelby Davis, Violet Wright, and Emma Kellick Elisa Ayungua Chinook Writer The Casper College Forensics Team showed off at the 2021 Phi Rho Pi National Forensics Tournament this year. While the pandemic forced the tournament to a virtual platform, CC competitors made the most of the chance to compete on the national stage. Winner of a bronze medal in speech to entertain this year, Kalean Rodriguez, a sophomore at Casper College, spoke about her debate experience. She said she’s participated in forensics since high school and has been on the Casper College Forensics team for three years. “I am one of the co-captains, and I am also one of two third years. I kind of see that as a leadership role. You kind of get to guide new students onto the team and help expand their knowledge with what they already know,” said Rodriguez. Rodriguez sees the program as family and truly feels supported by her fellow teammates. She also felt cared for by the coaches, as they made sure to always provide a positive environment with a focus on taking care of themselves as well as each other. “(The coaches are) making sure that we all are not only competing, but having fun with it, and also sharing messages that really mean something to us,” Rodriguez said. Though she enjoys forensics, the competition can be tough. Rodriquez shared how she prepares. She said, “Just making sure, first of all, that you are putting in enough work. You are giving your best to your performance or to your speech. Also looking at your performances and making sure you are improving yourself.” Even so, Rodriguez thought the hardest part about being a member of the Forensics Team came in saying goodbye. “Unfortunately I won’t be able to join for another year, even if I was, I think that it is my time to move on,” said Rodriguez. “I think one of the things that is stressed in speech and debate is that they’re preparing you to continue sharing your message and all the skills you have learned.” Rodriguez is planning to attend the University of Wyoming next semester but she plans on coming back to Oral Presentaion and Communication Center Conquer your fear of public speaking Po li sh yo u r c C re ate p ommu n ic at io n s k il ls To book your appointment online or in-office Bri Weigel brainne.brasher@caspercollege.edu call 307.268.2375 r a l p re s o f e s s io n e n t a io n s Learn organizational skills visit the Forensics Team at Casper. “It’s not necessarily that it (forensics) will ever leave me -- it affected me so deeply. I will carry it on forever. But as far as my days competing, I think I unfortunately closed my chapter on that,” Rodriquez shared. Nonetheless, the team is going to have more members next year. Doug Hall, director of forensics, competed in collegiate forensics himself and has been involved with it for about 17 years. He has been at Casper College for eight of those years. “The program has really grown -- it's been really successful, but it’s also grown. We’ve had two of the largest teams in our program's his- Courtesy of an article published by the Casper College public relations department, written by Lisa Icenogle in 2021 tory. Next year’s team is going to be among the largest and most talented as well with the recruits we have coming in.” Hall is hoping for even more growth in the future. He is also very appreciative of the support from CC in seeing the value in forensics and what it does for the students. “It’s not easy. There are a lot of programs around the country that are losing their funding and support because money is tight,” said Hall. Hall recognizes that such challenges are not unique to this program, and there are other programs sharing that burden as well. According to Hall, goals for the team were a bit fluid this year because it was unsure what the season would look like. “We didn't know if we were going to be able to travel in the spring or if the national tournament was going to be face-to-face or if it was going to be virtual, and ultimately it ended up being virtual but we didn’t know that in the fall. We didn’t know what the year was going to look like,” said Hall The team set goals in regards to doing well at tournaments, getting their events up, and feeling good about the messages they shared. “All the students had three events at the national tournament, and I think they all felt pretty good about the messages they were sharing, pretty good about where they were competitively by the time we got to the national tournament, and so I think we had a pretty good year.” Join our the Chinook staff this fall! Take Independent Publications for a minimum of one credit. Interview Write Take photos Design Sell advertising Contact faculty advisor Bri Weigel (Brasher) brianne.brasher@caspercollege.edu https://www.caspercollege.edu/chinook/ �May 1, 2021 CHINOOK Page 5 Vervo to Casper: A look into Conci's journey Kaylen Kott Chinook Contributor Italy, the fifth most visited country in the world, provides visitors many attractions, rich culture, extensive history, and coastal beaches. For Matteo Conci, Italy provided a home and a place to start his soccer career at a young age. With impactful support from his family, Conci followed his dreams. Through scholarship opportunities, Conci moved to America in the fall of 2020 to attend Casper College where he continues to excel in his soccer career. Moving from Italy to America presented many new opportunities for Conci. In Italy, students learn English at a young age, starting in elementary school, and continue to learn throughout their high school careers. Conci said having learned the English language made his experience in America easier. Conci stated that moving to America allowed him to better understand the English language and perfect his speech through conversation with those he interacted with in the first three months of arriving. Because Conci moved to America alone, he claimed that his motivation to seek out a new adventure encouraged him to eliminate any fears that came with the opportunity. “For me, it was easy to move because I was coming here to join a team,” stated Conci. “I was sure that I would already have friends who were also my teammates, so I was not afraid of being alone.” Growing up, Conci had the privilege of choosing from many different sports. Soccer Photo courtesy of Matteo Conci Conci shared a photo from his childhood playing the saxophone, another activity he loves. played a large role in his life, but he stated that his mother encouraged him to play any sport possible to consume his free time. These sports included swimming in the summer, skiing in the winter, and playing the saxophone. “I played the saxophone for 12 years,” stated Conci. “Then at 15 years old, I chose to play soccer because playing soccer on top of skiing and playing the saxophone was not easy.” Conci chose to focus on soccer because of his passion for the sport. He joined a club team that consisted of older men and women who encouraged Conci to push harder due to higher competition and the urge to become better. With playing sports and attending school, he claimed organizing one’s time came naturally in order to participate and complete tasks successfully. According to Conci, “I feel like when you are really young, you do not understand if sports are cool or not, but I feel like it is important to do something whether it is playing an instrument, participating in sports, or even dancing. It helps with organizing your time because you have to go to school, practice, and make sure you have your homework done before a game, and that has helped me grow a lot.” Conci’s mother, Silvia Magnoni, encouraged him to participate in the activities he enjoyed most. She did not care which activity he chose because she supported him in anything he decided to do to better himself. Due to the eight-hour time difference, Magnoni told of Conci’s childhood experiences via email. She stated that on Conci’s first day of elementary school, he wanted to kick any stone he found in his path, which lead to his aspiration of becoming a soccer player. He found a knack for goalkeeper, his current position at CC. According to Magnoni, “Matteo enjoyed playing soccer the most. For this sport, he has made many sacrifices and has given up many things since he was playing at a young age. He would even get mad if they let him play in any roles other than goalkeeper.” When asked about feeling supported by his family, Conci stated that although moving to a different country caused his family to feel sad, they understood he chose to do something beneficial to his career and life. Magnoni stated she felt proud of Conci because of his determination and bravery in accepting the opportunity to achieve his goals through his studies and sports. “He has become more responsible and even more determined than before,” stated Magnoni. “However, he always needs to feel valued otherwise he could become sad.” Conci claimed that once he moved to Casper, his responsibility and independence allowed him to further his career and passion through various opportunities. Although this step in his life appeared difficult to execute, Conci felt proud when making his decision. “I am really proud because I left friends, family, and everything at home,” said Conci. “Then I came to a new country overseas because I was able to grow by myself and be more independent in a new place.” Magnoni also recognized positive changes in Conci once he moved. She claimed his ability to manage independently in his choices, his ease of socializing with people, and adapting to situations did not worry her because he performed this way from a young age. With moving to an unfamiliar country to seek new opportunities, Conci’s motivation to excel and continue his education encouraged him to set goals and make plans for his future. His ultimate goal consists of obtaining a fouryear degree and playing soccer in a more competitive setting. Making his family and friends proud pushed him to perform to the best of his abilities and provided him with great satisfaction. According to Conci, “When I see myself in four years, I want to know that I accomplished great things and did everything I could to make myself and other people proud.” Photo courtesy of Cory Garvin Matteo Conci of Italy is a goalkeeper for the first men's soccer team at Casper College. Photo courtesy of Matteo Conci As shown above, Conci played competatively in Italy for many yearys before moving to the U.S. He credits sports for developing his time management skills. �Page 6 CHINOOK May 1, 2021 ‘Seeking Justice in a Diverse America’ Julia Nielsen Chinook Writer The 29th annual Casper College Multicultural Film Festival screened “To Kill a Mockingbird,” on Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m. and “Just Mercy,” on Friday, April 30 at 7 p.m. in the Wheeler Auditorium. Erich Frankland, Chair of Political Science, History, and International Studies directed the film festival. Each year, Frankland said he tries to alternate between lighthearted content such as international cartoons or a serious topic relating to current political and social climates. His intention for this year’s festival involved choosing a theme that connects to the two films and facilitates an open discussion by the end. “The film festival is an opportunity for you as a student to explore issues with people who maybe see things completely different from you,” said Frankland. The theme this year emphasized the American legal system and ‘Seeking Justice in a Diverse America’ regarding race and class. Amanda Nelson, director of the Casper College Paralegal Studies Program, led the discussion for the “To Kill a Mockingbird,” screen- ing. The discussion focused on American’s Miranda rights, such as an individual’s right to an attorney when questioned or interrogated. “A good part of the discussion focused upon the concern if things have really changed for minorities to obtain justice in America and how our ideals of justice often lag in reality. We also explored that sometimes little steps on diversity and justice are exceptionally important and can lead to major change,” said Frankland. “We also looked at the impact that dignity and morality can have on peoples struggling for equality and those helping them.” The film “Just Mercy,” follows lawyer Bryan Stevenson on his journey to defend those wrongly condemned or convicted of crimes they did not commit. When “Just Mercy,” made its initial premier, theaters were closed due to the COVID-29 pandemic and quarantine. The timing wasn’t ideal and it went under the radar, so Frankland wanted students to be exposed to a film that discusses such important issues. “The idea of justice is very subjective, and with this theme we explore how it’s not right for specific races and groups to be discriminated against. In both films, race and class are the overarching themes. Neither of the gentlemen can afford a quality attorney, and we want to discuss why these barriers for justice and fair treatment exist within the American criminal justice system,” said Frankland. Frankland said he intended for thought-provoking discussions and diverse interaction between students and the community. He reiterated the importance of face-to-face discussions as opposed to debates on social media. The film festival provides an opportunity for students to find common ground while also being exposed to different opinions and perspectives. “We are content to say things on social media we wouldn’t usually say in person, or maybe we’re avoiding certain conversations because we don’t want to be unfriended. This setting allows a safe, real conversation and that’s one reason we’ve stuck with this approach,” said Frankland. Chad Hanson, Chair of Social and Cultural studies, said that the importance of public forums should be preserved in the name of American democracy. The Multicultural Film Festival celebrates its 30th anniver- sary next year and upholding this tradition is important in his eyes. Hanson hosted and moderated the screening for “Just Mercy,” and provided a sociological perspective for the audience. “Some of the discussions we should have had regarding inequalities in the United States were swept under the rug. And I think we live in a time where some of the curtains are being pulled back. We’ve reached a time where people are more willing to talk about these issues and try to change them,” said Hanson. Community colleges and universities are one of the most important places to have these kinds of discussions. The festival allows people to look one another in the eye and come from a place of empathy and respect. The anonymity of the internet has changed the way we talk about these topics and civil discussion within a public forum is a vital aspect of American democracy that holds immense value. “Where else in society can you just get together with peoJulia Nielsen/Chinook ple you don’t even know and have a really important con- Advertising for the Multicultural Film Festival at the versation about something that college featured the movie cover for "Just Mercy." matters, knowing that you’ll be The Multicultural Film members of the community heard and listened to. I think that alone is a tradition to pre- Festival provides a public to discuss topics that matter forum for students, staff, and to them. serve,” said Hanson. Sounds of the school Tyler Gallegos Chinook Writer To some, music is simply the noise you hear when you turn on the radio. For others, however, music can provide meaning to life. For the last 12 years, Nathan Baker found his home at Casper College as the school’s music theory director, but his musical journey started in his youth. Baker began his music career in the fifth grade and played the French horn. The summer after his fifth grade year, he was demonstrating multiple instruments in his uncle's collection to his little sister, as she was going to join the school band the following school year. While Baker was demonstrating these instruments he found a certain love for the trombone, an instrument he still plays to this day. “I picked up the trombone and demonstrated that to her and thought -- I like this, I’m going to keep this (and) you can have the trumpet,” said Baker. Throughout school, Baker was very active within the band and took part in the jazz band and the pep band as well. During his time in high school he considered going to college to become a high school band teacher. After graduating from high school, Baker decided to further his education and enrolled in Utah State University to pursue music education. While Baker attended school, he decided that the high school band teacher route wasn't the route he wanted to pursue. Baker’s theory professor presented the idea of teaching music Photo courtesy of ArtCore theory. Music Instructor Nathan Baker is pictured above. He said the photo was taken for his Baker stated, “He said to me, ‘you know you are really good at this, have you ever considered first recital with ArtCore about ten years ago. decade or so ago. Baker shared that his love for music began at a young age. teaching music theory at a college level?’” Baker decided to explore the idea more and ended up continuing with that route. Baker, became a teaching assistant in his last three years at Utah State University. Baker continued his education at the University of Oregon for graduate school and received his PhD from the university. While looking to pursue his career further, Baker found a job opening here in Casper and decided to make the move to Wyoming and join the CC staff. Baker liked the area and environment of Casper because of the many similarities to the area in which he grew up. Baker said, “It reminds me of Missoula where I grew up so it felt like coming home when I came to Casper.” Baker said he finds great happiness teaching here and described his work at CC as his “dream job.” In his free time, Baker said he enjoys many different genres of music. ”In no particular order some of my favorite things to listen to are video game music, late nineteenth and early 20th century Franco Russian music, jazz, Indian classical music and 80’s pop,” said Baker. During his time in Oregon Baker, made an argument to his opera teacher that the soundtrack for Final Fantasy 6 was the best opera written in the 20th century. Baker and the music department are always working on many of the concerts that are playing at CC, and he shared details about the remaining events of the year. The Music of the Masters concert is coming up on May 2, featuring music performed by the choirs, wind ensemble, and chamber orchestra. You can find upcoming events on the college’s arts website and find ticket information to attend some great live performances on CC’s campus. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2021-05 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2021-05 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from May 2021. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2021-05 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/078d8e3a60054a5c2e01e29ebcfd6def.pdf 86fd8f4d4b2530e03ddd68ed1f35305a PDF Text Text October 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 10 days in the same square Residence hall students manage quarantine Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer The first week at a new school can be rough. Finding out halfway through that you’ll be stuck in your room for ten days can make it even harder. Less than a week after Casper College’s fall semester began, Taytm Jespersen, a first year nursing student at CC, found out that she was exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Shortly after experiencing symptoms similar to a common head cold, Jespersen called into CC’s health center to get tested for the virus a few days later. “This Delta variant is hitting your age… and that's a little bit scary,” Tracy Hasely, the director of student health at CC said. “When it's hitting you young, healthy people and knocking you down for a bit, that's kind of a scary thing.” As of the beginning of the 20212022 school year, CC is offering free COVID-19 testing for students and faculty on campus on the second floor of the Union building. Halsey is one of the healthcare professionals that administers the tests. Currently in use by the health center are Cue’s COVID 19 diagnostic tests, implemented after less than a month’s use of rapid testing. According to Halsey, the original rapid tests gave unreliable results for asymptomatic patients carrying the virus. Halsey dispensed over 60 tests in the first two weeks following the new COVID-19 tests’ enactment. The test itself screens a self-collected sample from the individual that is then inserted as a cartridge into a small reader for assessment. The system returns results in 20 minutes. Within the timeframe, Halsey alerted Jesperson of her positive COVID-19 result, much like Jespersen said she suspected, After a resident hall student, like Jespersen, tests positive for the COVID-19 virus, an email is sent to the individual outlining rules, information and other advice for isolation. “During isolation, you must remain in your room with your door shut,” the instructions read. “You may not go to class, report to work, go shopping, use the laundry room… these protocols are designed to help keep you and others safe.” The instructions offer to work with students to move them to a separate area for isolation or into a different room with another COVID positive student. If the positive student is in a single occupancy room or their roommate also tests positive, makes plans to stay elsewhere, or is vaccinated, the positive student can stay in their own room. In Jespersen’s case, her roommate tested negative for the virus on multiple occasions and arranged to stay elsewhere. As a result, Jespersen had the room to herself and ten days of isolation ahead of her. “Basically everything on HBO Max and Netflix got watched,” Jespersen said. “It's gonna sound really weird, but I also looked out the window and watched people just walk around. I'm like, you guys are so lucky.” Jespersen said that at first isolation felt fine. Most of her classes are already online, and her in-person classes sent minimal instructions. She said having a break from class and not seeing people seemed relaxing to her in the beginning. The college helped to take care of most necessities including laundry, trash and grocery delivery. The school brought food up to her dorm from the cafeteria daily and left the meals in a Styrofoam box in front of her door. It wasn’t exactly gourmet eating Jespersen said, but she just felt grateful to have it. Abigail Landwehr/Chinook Taytm Jespersen, a first year CC student, works on her laptop while sitting in her dorm room. Jespersen spent the majority of her time on devices during her ten days of quarantine. “Then towards the end, it got pretty tough… I mean you’re alone,” Jespersen said. “There was no one available just to sit there and talk to me on the phone for hours... you can only go so many days without talking to someone face-to-face before you start losing it.” Her first day out of isolation, Jespersen said that she completely deep cleaned her dorm room and then immediately went off campus to for a coffee. That weekend, she traveled about five hours to see her family in Nebraska, and while she said her brothers didn’t give much of an initial reaction to her return, her family seemed happy to see her. She added that her mom wanted her to come back for the upcoming weekend too. While Jespersen’s ten days of isolation passed, COVID-19 cases continue to rise within the area. More and more Residence Hall students are at risk for getting quarantined or isolated in their dorm rooms for their own ten day spell. “Fortunately, it’s temporary,” Hasely said. “Some are not the best situations, but we want to keep everyone safe and healthy.” If students are exposed to the COVID-19 virus or experience any symptoms, they can get tested for the virus without an appointment, just as long as the student brings a valid I.D. and wears a mask. “Helpful Tips for the Student During Quarantine” is available under the Health and Wellness page on the Casper College website, but Jespersen shared her own advice for other students in isolation. “Take care of yourself,” Jespersen added. “Make sure you reach out for help if you really need it because it does get depressing sitting in the same square.” Campus Ventures club at Casper College Audrey Axtell Chinook Writer Campus Ventures, a nondenominational youth group, is gearing up for a supercharged year at Casper College with Wednesday night meetings, game nights, and fun activities to encourage student involvement. Campus Ventures seeks to serve as a place for students to relax, unwind, and reconnect to religion with other students. This organization includes groups on six campuses in Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Campus Ventures stresses creating an open and inviting atmosphere for all students. Dave Weeks, the Campus Ventures director at CC, organizes all activities and meetings for the group. Weeks spoke to the topic of students searching to build relationships through religion. “In such turbulent times, I find students saying ‘I need an anchor,’ and Faith has always been an anchor in cultures,” said Weeks. The faculty and staff for the organization encourage students to make friends and build relationships through religious connections and emotional reflection. Campus Ventures strives to create a safe place for students to make friends, explore religion, and strengthen their Faith. The group is non-denominational, and open to students and community members from all walks of life. Like most other clubs and activities, the pandemic affected Campus Ventures and the interaction members were allowed to have. Weeks talked through the effects of COVID-19 on the organization at CC, including how reaching new members became a concern. “COVID hurt us pretty badly. ``When the [lockdown] first hit, we had a number of seniors leaving the program, and it was hard to get to know new members through the masks,” said Weeks. The pandemic forced rescheduled or cancelled meetings when members fell sick, and the group sought creative ways to maintain activities. Campus Ventures implemented social distancing rules most of the time, which made it difficult for members to get to know each other as a friend group. Gathering new involvement in the program proved even more challenging when new members couldn’t interact with one another as normal. This year, Campus Ventures is back in full swing, with activities designed to get students involved and build friendships. Emily Jane, a second semester student in the nursing program, joined Campus Ventures as an active member in the Spring of 2021. She commented on her reasoning for joining and how the club impacted her. — See Campus Ventures, Page 4 Terrific Learning Coaches recognized at CC Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Photo Courtesy of PTK Advisors From left to right, Kellee Schuerman, a CC student, poses with Eric Atkins, a Terrific Learning Coach, and CC students Leslie LeClair and Helen Brown. While there are many awards available on campus no accolade is more honorable in the eyes of a faculty member than one of student recognition. The Terrific Learning Coach award, or simply TLC, is a student-based award in which students can nominate any staff member on campus that deeply impacted their education or life as a whole. The award is put on through Phi Theta Kappa, and its members vote on monthly finalists, as well as a winner for the entire year. “Any student at Casper College may nominate someone for the TLC of the month”, PTK advisor Jared Bowden said. “Our PTK members at Casper College then vote on the nominees with a winner announced at the end of every month. The monthly winners are then voted on at the end of the year by our PTK members for a TLC of the Year winner.” TLC is an award unique to Casper College and the school’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. The award provides an opportunity for students to say thank you to any staff member that made a profound difference. “Employees do not get a lot of recognition during the course of a school year, so the TLC award is the time to be able to say that the hard work was appreciated,” Bowden added. Last year’s TLC winner of the year, Eric Atkins, is a Spanish instructor whose students speak highly of him. Atkins won TLC of the month in February of 2021, but he said winning for the entire year came as “a total shock, but [he felt] genuinely honored to win”. “When they announced this one, I really was blown away just because it’s a student based award. When a student has something to say about what you do, and to any extent appreciates or values what happens in your classroom... that’s what we’re here for,” Atkins said. Atkins went on to speak about what sets the award apart from others on campus. “To have that sort of recognition from the people whose lives I’m trying to influence is about as good as anything,” said Atkins. There is no one given characteristic of a TLC. A TLC could have “helped a student get back on track when life has thrown them curveballs, or simply cared when it felt the world was against the student,” Bowden added in closing. Nominations can mean a great deal to faculty, so keep an eye out for those making a difference. To submit a TLC nomination, check your CC email at the start of the month and fill out a quick form to give some well-earned recognition to a Terrific Learning Coach that impacted your career here at Casper College. �Page 2 October 1, 2021 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: Trekking through the semester “ Greetings and Welcome to the Fall 2021 semester! Whether this is your first semester at Casper College, or you are a returning student, I want to encourage you to make your time here as enriching as possible. Casper College is a comprehensive community college, and that means we not only have a wide array of academic offerings, but also have athletic teams, academic competition teams, a wide array of student activities, as well as community opportunities for education and enrichment. I believe as you move through life you will find some of the people you met in college turn out to be life-long friends. This is not only true for those students living on campus, but is also true for all of our students. So my message today is to make sure you get involved. Investigate student clubs, go to an athletic game, attend the different activities on campus, and just be sure to check out as many new opportunities as possible. I believe you will find a significant portion of people enter college with an idea of what they want to pursue as a career, but then along the way find their real passion, often due to unexpected encounters or experiences. In short, be sure to explore everything the college has to offer, and please don’t be shy to try something new! I believe you will find a significant portion of people enter college with an idea of what they want to pursue as a career, but then along the way find their real passion, often due to unexpected encounters or experiences. Chinook staff members Rachelle Trujillo (left), Isabella Coronado (center) and Abby Landwehr (right) work on a video for the Casper College Foundation to promote the T-Bird Trek. Trujillo, Coronado, and Landwehr are in the process of making a 30-second video that will be broadcast on local television and a 2-minute video for the foundation as part of their Basic Video Production class assignment. The 30-second video is to promote the T-bird Trek for next year and the 2-minute video is to show all of the events that took place this year. The Chinook staff encourages Casper College students to explore your passions and build your portfolio before entering the job market -- set yourself apart! Kaley Pieper Join our staff this spring! According to Kaley Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class, titled Independent Publications. Milk alternatives are gaining in popularity every day. And while there are benefits to many milk alternatives, should they actually be advertised as milk? As defined by the Oxford dictionary, milk is a white, — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Milk does a body good nutrient-rich fluid produced by the mammary glands of female mammals. By this definition, milk alternatives are not actually milk at all. Advertising drinks such as soy, almond, oat, coconut, rice, and cashew as “milk” is false advertising, and misleading to the average consumer. Advertising those drinks as milk could confuse consumers into thinking the products are dairy alternatives that will provide the same positive aspects as dairy. Dairy products are a convenient source of bone-strengthening nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, potassium. These nutrients ensure proper bone er pap s w e College’s Casper ok N nline o n i O ChStudent Now Voice Since 1945 growth and development in children, increase bone density, and help adults maintain bone mass. Most alternatives to milk don’t offer calcium, potassium, and vitamin D, and the alternatives don’t help grow strong bones and teeth. Almost every year since 1975, Americans have consumed less cow milk than the year before, often because they believe plant-based drinks are healthier, kinder to animals, or more environmentally friendly. This is simply not the case. For example, almonds are a very water-intensive crop, and almonds often have an adverse effect on the surrounding environment. Coconut milk does have few negative impacts on the environment, and many coconut pickers from poor countries are put through hazardous working conditions and only paid $1 per day! Lower consumer demand for cow milk and generally lower prices paid to farmers for milk have forced many to leave the dairy business. Milk still does a body good, and consumers should not be misled into believing otherwise. So do your body, the environment, and dairy farmers a favor and drink more milk! www.caspercollege.edu/ chinook Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu Check Out The Digital Learning Center Have you heard of MyCCMoodle? It’s the online space where grades and syllabi Students: live ... among other resources your instructor might share. The DLC makes sure you’re geared up to successfully navigate the online portion of your courses. What we can do for you: Don’t wait! 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. Get your questions 2. Zoom – become a pro Zoomer and feel confident attending a Zoom class meeting answered now. 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Online tutoring — Sometimes we all need a shoulder to lean on and NetTutor has the perfect one! A MyCCMoodle app is 5. Quite place to study - Crack open your books. Draw on our walls. Use our coming soon! computers. Eat our snacks. Negwuy! Teresa Millan Camille Cockrell Mike McLemore Drop by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882 or dlc@caspercollege.edu. Dave Siemens Tyler Sanner �October 1, 2021 Page 3 CHINOOK Lady T-Birds faring well in second season Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer Halfway through the season, the Casper College Lady T-Birds look to take midseason form as the conference is up for grabs and the schedule takes its toughest turn. The Lady T-Birds are currently 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the conference. With six of the last seven games of the season coming against conference opponents. Coach Ammon Bennet has nothing but confidence in his team, as they hit the tough patch in the schedule. “We are currently first right now and the next four of the teams are regional teams.” Bennet said. Bennet sees growth in his team every game and still thinks they haven’t played the best soccer yet. “At the beginning of the year we played good, but we made little mistakes,” Bennet said. The returning sophomores are making a big impact this year as they look to make that mid-season run. Much of the success the team is showing this season comes from the Lady T-Birds the work in the offseason. Sophomores Valeria Hernandez and Kylie Spangler credited their success on the field working out in front of coaches in the off-season and returning home to work with former mentors. They also participate in summer leagues in order to maintain game reps in the off-season. The game that Spangler is circling on the calendar to finish up the year is the game against rival Laramie County Community College. Spangler said “We played them once and it was close, and they are our rival.” Hernandez said her biggest game of her career came against North Eastern with the stats to back it- she saved 2 goals in the win. The expectations to finish the season for both women are simple-win regionals. “Our communication has been improving,” said Hernandez. Spangler added that the teams’ work is not done, especially as they head into the second half of the season. “We need to work hard to finish the season to win regionals and nationals,” Spangler said. The Lady T-Birds put in the work in the off-season and on the field, which is evident in their play this season. The team is scheduled to take on Otero College on the September 24th to start out the tough conference play. With this tough schedule the team needs CC fan support. Brendan Saunders/Chinook Above Brielle Valentine surveys the field for an open teamate against Trinidad State College. Left Valeria Hernandez passes to Grace Conner against Trinidad State College. CC Volleyball team splits season so far in 2021 Baylee Darling/Chinook Above, Milena Franzini jumps to hit the ball. To the left, (from left to right) Breana Hamilton, Hailey Lattin, Taryn Holt, Milena Franzini, Giulia Santuari watch the match. Baylee Darling/Chinook Raelee Samio serves to Western Nebraska Community College. The team lost 3-1 on September 21st. 6 week group starting October 14, 2021 Join the Oil City Ag Club Thursdays, 12-1pm Eating and body image issues are a common struggle among college students. Help with the lamb and pig sale Union Building Room 202 Participate in community service You are not alone. Make new friends Discuss trending agriculture topics Test your competitive side Join a support group that will teach you five powerful competencies to help you develop resources and a renewed energy to take care of your body. Reclaim Health • Practice Intuitive Self-Care• Cultivate Self-Love • Declare your Own Authentic Beauty • Build Community Join us for good food and fun Contact faculty advisor Heath Hornecker hhornecker@caspercollege.edu WA 111 �Page 4 October 1, 2021 CHINOOK Campus Ventures................................ “I’ve been going to Campus Ventures since January. My sister-in-law came here, and so did some of my friends from Wheatland. I just thought it sounded like a really good place,” said Jane. Campus Ventures hosts a weekly bible study every Wednesday night, usually followed by fun activities such as campfires. Members also meet up throughout the week for swing dances, game nights, sporting events, and even go on youth group retreats together. While Campus Ventures started at the University of Wyoming, the group’s involvement at CC dates back 27 years. Casper Ventures then established groups at Northwest College, Black Hills State University, Sheridan College, and Colorado School of Mines. Membership varies depending on the school. Casper currently sees 20 to 35 students and community members attending various activities throughout the school year. Campus Ventures is an organization created continued from page 1 for students to explore religion, talk about their experiences, and engage in fellowship. Members connect to one another and listen to each other's dreams, goals, and thoughts in order to create a space of self-reflection. Many students use the time to unwind and express their emotions. Jane commented on the place this organization holds in her own life. “This is my social time for the week. It’s definitely stress relief. I look forward to this every week. It’s a great way to make friends,” said Jane. Campus Ventures is open to anyone that wants to attend their meetings or activities, for students looking for a community, those exploring religion, or those strengthening their beliefs. Students that participate in Campus Ventures at CC tend to have a sense of family, home, and belonging. Members encourage each other to strengthen Photo Courtesy of PTK Advisors their personal beliefs, enjoy the fellowship of From left to right, Kylecia Marler, Barbie Harrison, Meghan Keegan, Peter Tenney, Luke Woodward, Wendy Trembath pose for a photo on a group camping trip. other students, and take in all CC has to offer. CC's Nursing Program adapts to COVID-19 Paige Noble Chinook Writer Starting in the spring of 2020 nursing students here at Casper College quickly readjusted their program. After the initial onset of the COVID-19, CC students suspended their clinical studies for the safety of themselves, the patients and the employees of the hospitals. Students are now diligently working to get back to the normal curriculum as safely as possible. During the spring of 2021 infection rates started to slow down, but due to the new Delta variant students are revisiting some extra safety precautions. Initially, students who were enrolled in the program were unaware if they would be able to proceed with their studies due to uncertainty about how long things would be at a standstill. Marge Christiansen, The Director of Nursing for Casper College, elaborated on the effects of the pandemic and provided insight into how COVID-19 impacted the nursing program. Photo Courtesy of Lauren Gates “There was one semester Lauren Gates, a student in the Nursing Progam at CC, shared when everything was shut a photo with the Chinook. She is working to complete her down and we had to comdegree in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. pletely go online. Otherwise we've been able to have been able to complete most of our clinicals. Last semester we were able to complete all of them.” said Christiansen. Due to the safety precautions put in place, many students are able to receive the vaccine to help ensure their safety and the safety of others throughout their clinicals. Although many students are currently exempt from getting the vaccine, many speculate that vaccination could easily become a mandate, changing their reality. Christiansen stressed the nursing department is taking the pandemic very seriously with students and faculty working to protect everyone they can. Christiansen said the hospitals in the area have not expressed hesitation about allowing students into healthcare facilities. “The hospitals are happy we are there helping,” Christiansen said. After the 2021 fall semester began, the students from the program continued their clinicals with specific facilities. However, the facilities require the vaccination, so those who have not yet received the shots filed for an exemption to be able to continue their studies with CC due to the facility requirements. “Some of them don’t want to get the vaccine. It's part of health care. If you work at facilities, who knows about the next week or so, there might be a mandate. Then it might change even more.” Christiansen said in regards to the students that chose to recieve or not receive the vaccine. Lauren Gates, a current nursing student at CC, spoke about the changes students underwent through the pandemic. “We were at the beginning of the change, so we had to come in and wear masks. We had to wear N95’s in hospitals. I think the biggest thing is our clinicals most of the time you start in long-term care. We went straight to the floors of the hospitals because that was the only place that would take us,” explained Gates Regardless, Gates said the COVID-19 pandemic did provide a unique learning environment. Gates said the nursing students were very hands-on during such a trying time. “It was a big change for Livestock Judging: us because it was also really fun and a great experience,” said Gates on the ability to be hands-on during the madness of the COVID_19 pandemic. Unfortunately for the students, since going straight to hospitals, they lost out on the ability to work in a senior care facility and instead went farther into their clinicals than planned. “Once you skip over the long-term care clinical you don’t really get to go back to that,” said Gates. “You also lose out on learning that.” While in the nursing program at CC, students must complete the clinicals, which means students have easily upwards of 12 hour days after their class work is through in the mornings. Throughout the pandemic, students quickly made up for lost time with the long hours that many endured to complete their time at CC. While the pandemic brought many changes to the college’s nursing program, students utilized those changes to their advantage and gained as much hands-on experience as possible, preparing them for the next step in their education. They are ready to adapt. WRITING CENTER Recruitment, Relationship, Retention Photo Courtesy of Jeremy Burkett Students practice their Livestock Judging skills during the 20202021 academic year. The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Create a resume Craft a scholarship essay And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu Cameron Magee Chinook Writer The Casper College Livestock Judging Team boasts a combination of rich history and winning tradition. Since the 1980’s, the Livestock Judging Team judged across the country and earned many accolades. While awards and trophies are a plus, success in judging starts with three simple components for the competitive team: Recruitment, Relationships and Retention. Dr. Jeremy Burkett, Head Livestock Judging Coach, said good people are an absolute must when looking to recruit and bring new faces to the Casper area. “We look for people who are responsible, have a work ethic that allows them to learn and improve, and they must be coachable. Without coachable students the program would see limited improvement and success,” said Burkett. Recruitments to both this year's freshman and sophomore teams hail from 10 different states and Canada. “With students from as far west as Georgia, as far east as Oregon and as north as Manitoba, Canada we see a variety of talent that allows us to put on the finishing touches,” said Burkett. The most unique part of livestock judging that allows for easy recruitment is that it’s an extension of what most students are learning in the classroom. Burkett said students take learned knowledge and apply that outside of the classroom and lab setting. Every good team needs trust and a bond that is hard to break, and according to several judging students, such attributes ring very true for the CC team. Judging students spend every Tuesday and Thursday practicing from 1 – 5 p.m., Friday practice takes place from 1-4 p.m. and most weekends the team is on the road applying what they learned the previous week. The judging team consistently shows up to learn and promote the industry. “The judging team teaches us how to evaluate livestock and stand up for our opinions, but I think the most important thing it gives us is the lifelong relationships with amazing people,” said Libby Twitchell, a Livestock Judging Team member from Montana. Twitchell went on to say that students see their teammates at their best and worst and it gives them the perfect opportunity to work harder and be the best versions of themselves. The community college feel and agriculture based school makes an environment that is hard to match. Every professor hopes students leave with more knowledge than what they started, and livestock judging isn’t any different. Dr. Burkett and assistant judging coach Colby Hales create an environment in which information they provide is easy to retain. Whether they have extended office hours or go beyond the weekly practice they are striving to ensure every member of the team receives an equal chance to succeed. Twitchell said she believes her great educators have helped her reach the next step. CC’s Livestock Judging program works hard to equip judging students with the basic knowledge and materials to take the next step to a university and continue their career. Many students are recruited to the next level where they attend either prestigious land-grant colleges to judge or agriculture based programs. �October 1, 2021 Page 5 CHINOOK About the education department Isabella Coronado Chinook Writer Education is a large part of the student environment at Casper College, and COVID-19 impacted education with both positive and negative outcomes. Schools also often struggle to find enough people that want to become teachers, said Renee Griffith, department chair and education instructor at Casper College. Three people sat down with the Chinook to talk about how COVID-19 influenced their education and why they chose to pursue education as a career. A native of Nebraska, Griffith, attended school close to home at the University of Wyoming with a major in education. Griffith spoke to why she chose education. “I had some very inspiring teachers throughout my high school experiences. I also wanted to become an educator that I somewhat didn’t have throughout K-12,” said Griffith. “I wanted to make an impact with children and students, but I also knew my content well and was passionate about what I was teaching.” Current students in the education department described similar reasons for choosing a career in education. Emma Jay from Hulett, Wyo. is currently studying elementary education with an endorsement in early childhood education. Even though she graduated from CC in 2021 with an associates in agriculture, Jay continued at the college to study early childhood education. She said she wants to teach first grade in small-town Wyoming. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Jay and her classmates are dealing with the changes impacting the college and department. She said most schools now have more technology than before in case school moves remote again, but she also talked about the social aspect of the whole situation. She said, “From a social aspect, kids did not get that social interaction, which is a huge development mentally.” At a young age, the social aspect of education is very important because the school environment starts teaching children how to interact with one another early in life. Jay continued talking about how isolated remote learning could be really hard for teachers as well because teaching from home requires more planning. Damen Brewer is also currently an education major at CC. Brewer is from Powell, Wyo. but grew up close to CC in Bar Nunn. Currently his major is math and math secondary education, as he hopes to become a high school math teacher. Brewer anticipates he will graduate from CC after this semester and then he plans to graduate from UW in 2023 with his Bachelor's degree. When asked why he chose to major in education, Brewer said he wants to show kids that math isn’t as bad as they think. He said wants to be able to help people, whether that is in math or just in their personal lives. Brewer too was impacted by COVID19, but he decided to look on the bright side. Just like Jay, he talked about how technology became a big part of the way teachers assign work and how work is being turned in. Brewer believes that turning in assignments online became more prominent than before. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and others those in education face, Griffith, Jay, and Brewer look towards with future with optimism. In 10 years, Griffith said she sees herself retired with a long time career in education. She said she still wants to keep in touch with the topic of education and the research in the field. Most of all, Griffith said she hopes to be making an impact with her grandchildren. Jay said she sees herself married with two to three kids of her own, teaching in Wyoming. She said she hopes to working on a master’s degree with a stable home and a stable job. Brewer said he sees Photo Courtesy of Emma Jay himself married with kids and working Emma Jay is a practicum student at Cottonwood Elementary at Kelly Walsh High School as a math where she posed for a photo in a kindergarten room. teacher. Students return to find success Anna Miller Chinook Contributor Many nontraditional student attend Casper College and the University of Wyoming at Casper. Returning to college is a major decision for students that stepped away from college for any length of time. The National Center for Education Statistics defines nontraditional students as students who delayed enrollment into postsecondary education. Some students are only attending part time, working full time jobs, support dependents other than a spouse, or juggle life as single parents. People decide to return to school for many reasons, some of which include: wanting to learn something new, a will to start or change their careers, or a need to gain specific skills in their field. Regardless, when students do decide to return to higher education, they typically go in with a plan. Olivia Cole, an International Studies major at UW-Casper, decided to return to school because she ‘wasn’t doing much’ while working a part time job at the ice arena. She decided to pick a major that interested her and fueled her desire to help the world and people across the globe. “My parents did not go to college, or even graduate high school. I always wanted to go to college,” Cole said. “I love other cultures and helping people, so that’s how I chose my major,” Cole, originally from Florida, earned a scholarship in the seventh grade that would pay for two years at any Florida community college and two years at a Florida university. However, Cole had a baby and was only able to use her scholarship for one semester. “I knew I would go back eventually. I didn’t think I could pay for it,” Cole said. “I had eight years to think.” There are a wide variety of scholarships and grants available to non-traditional students. The Hawthorn Foundation Scholarship and the Pell Grant are two that are available for non-traditional students, according to the Casper College website. The Pell Grant helped Cole pay for her education, awarding her over $3,000 per semester. On top of that, she also earned many merit-based scholarships for her grades while attending CC. Pell Grant recipients can receive up to six years of funding while enrolled. Despite the benefit of postsecondary education, many adults express reluctance to return to school for many reasons, including time to go to class, the cost, and attending class with younger students, according to educationcorner. com. The the U.S. Department of Education reports that students 25 years and older make up 40 percent of all students enrolled in college. Returning to school provided its fair share of challenges for Natalie Plumlee, a communications major at CC in her first semester back in school. “I did not like the idea of coming back since I did not have a good experience the first time (at CC),” said Plumlee. “My husband helped me (get enrolled), and I was a college student who wasn’t ready but was enrolled,” It’s intimidating being an older student among a new generation. Plumlee said she always carries around her student ID because she is nervous someone is going to question why she is on campus. Moodle and the new technology that comes with education in a digital age proved daunting for Plumlee. Fortunately, her daughter, who is also a student here at CC, helps Plumlee navigate such challenges. The struggle for most nontraditional students is that they have families. Both Cole and Plumlee have home responsibilities and families to care for in between school. They both agreed that there isn’t enough time in the day. “Being in college is like having a full-time job. It’s been a lot and I don’t have enough help,” said Cole. Despite these challenges and fears, students persevere. Cole is a recent graduate of CC with her international studies degree and is in her first semester at UW CC. Cole said she wants to obtain her bachelor’s degree and hopes to work with the state government. Plumlee is two-thirds of the way done with her communications degree. She wants to obtain her bachelor’s degree in library science and will transfer to a university that offers that degree program upon graduation from CC. Think you might have ADHD or have an ADHD diagnosis? Check out our new group! ADHD & ME THIS IS A 4-WEEK, WORKSHOP STYLE GROUP DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BOTH SUPPORT AND EDUCATION RELATED TO MANAGING ADHD. WE WILL BREAK DOWN WHAT ADHD IS, HOW IT'S DIAGNOSED, SKILLS TO "WORK WITH YOUR BRAIN", RESOURCES, STIGMA, AND CONCERNS OF GROUP MEMBERS. O OC CT TO OB BE ER R 4 4T TH H,, 1 11 1T TH H,, 1 18 8T TH H,, & & 2 25 5T TH H ** M MO ON ND DA AY YS S A AT T 1 12 2:: 0 00 0 P PM M** Casper College Wellness Center (UU 202) DISCLAIMER: THIS GROUP IS MEANT FOR SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND RESOURCES ONLY. WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS, THOUGH WILL OFFER REFERRALS IF NEEDED. �Page 6 October 1, 2021 CHINOOK The 2021 T-Bird Trek brings hundreds of runners together The 2021 T-Bird Trek brought together 272 participants. The first place finishers of the four races include... Steven Armstrong with a 1:25:41 in the Downhill Half Marathon, Amber Thielbar with a 1:36:26 in the Lookout Point Half Marathon, Cameron Ially with a 40:05 in the 10k, and Jackson Catchpole with a 20:23 in the 5k. Congratulations to the winners and to all other competitors who participated in the 2021 T-bird Trek!! To the left, Rosemarie Heisey approaches an aid station as she competes in the Downhill half marathon. Erin Geldien/Chinook Erin Geldien/Chinook Sean Cometto competes in the Downhill Half Marathon. Cidne Skavdahl is pictured running the 10k. Erin Geldien/Chinook Erin Geldien/Chinook David Kubichek wipes away sweat during his 10k run. Erin Geldien/Chinook United States Veterans, Caleb Lindsay (left) and Shawn Moore (right), walk the 5k together carrying both the Wyoming and National flags. Erin Geldien/Chinook Aimee Sherman and her two kiddos nearing the home stretch of the 5k. Erin Geldien/Chinook Alex Biggs and her daughter super-powering through the 5k. �October 1, 2021 Page 7 CHINOOK College's music department open to all Kaley Pieper Chinook Writer The music department at Casper College assembles several choirs and offers voice lessons, both of which are open to students of all majors and musical abilities! Music can provide an outlet for students to relax and de-stress. According to Dr. Zachary Vreeman, the choral instructor at CC, one of the benefits of being involved in the choir are the friendships and close bonds formed between students in the choir. Vreeman spoke about the relaxed, fun environment in the music department. He encouraged students of all skill sets and majors to consider joining CC’s choir family. Vreeman said, “I don’t want the music department to be a ‘mystery’ department that is secluded from the rest of campus.” To make the choir more accessible, ensemble practices are now held in the evening to make so students not majoring in music can attend practices and be involved. One of the non-music major students in the choir is Katie Baumstarck, a freshman at CC. Baumstarck is majoring in kinesiology and health promotion. Baumstarck participates in two choir ensembles and also takes personal voice lessons to help her improve her individual skills. She encouraged anyone that is interested to join an ensemble. “I absolutely love the music program so far, and actually want to join another ensemble!” said Baumstarck. Baumstarck also encouraged students not involved in the music program to attend concerts or other events held on campus. On Friday, October 1, the Fall Collage concert will be held at 7:00 p.m., and the concert is free to all students. The 7th annual Christmas concert is planned for December 1. The holiday concert is a favorite among choir members. Students interested in joining the choir can take part in a Monday evening choir that is open to all. There are also auditions for other choirs, including a jazz choir. For less confident singers looking to improve, the music department also offers private voice lessons. If interested, contact Vreeman via email at zvreeman@caspercollege.edu. Photo Courtesy of music department The Casper College choir performed together in Wheeler Concert Hall before the pandemic limited such gatherings. Dr. Zachary Vreeman, choral instructor at CC, encourages anyone interested in singing to join CC's choir family. CC's Speech and Debate Team starts season strong The forensics team recently competed in the 2021 Trapper Rendezvous at Northwest College in Powell, Wyo. The team won the tournament with many individual awards too. According to Doug Hall, head coach and communication instructor, results from the tournament are as follows: Brax Sambrano: Prose (2nd) Impromptu (5th) Alex Walters: Impromptu (4th), IDPA (2nd) Stephanie Barella: IDPA (semis) Extemp (sems) Impromptu (Champion) Markie Whitney: IPDA (quarters) DUO (2nd) Shelby Davis IPDA (quarters) Impromptu (sems) DUO (2nd) Emma Kellick: IPDA (Sems) Prose (3rd) Impromptu (6th) Jayden Roccaforte: Prose (Champion) POI (2nd) DUO (Champion) Emma Rudell: DUO (Champion) Pearl: Poetry (Champion) Ext (Sems) Curtis Winfrey: Ext (6th) Ally Morris: Drama (3rd) Locations/Hours Tobin Dining Hall : Mon—Fri Breakfast 7am—9am Continental 10am—11am Full Lunch 11am—1pm Grill/Salad 1pm—2pm Sat—Sun Brunch 11:30am—1:30pm Everyday Dinner 4:45pm—6:45pm SubConnection : Mon—Thurs 7am—6pm Fri 7am—3pm Leisinger Doornbos Lounge and Note Cards are available in all service areas if you would like to write a personal message for our staff. GW 3rd Floor: Mon—Thurs 7:30am—2pm Fri 7:30am—1pm Convenience to fit your schedule Your meal plan can be utilized for a Breakfast or Lunch Combo Meal at SubConnection, Doornbos Lounge and Gateway 3rd Floor locations until 2pm Monday thru Friday! � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2021-10 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <div class="element-text five columns omega"> <p><span><a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a></span></p> </div> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2021-10 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from October 2021. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2021-10 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/ec3342c95c6ed5aff2567434c5763dbc.pdf 5b2285d7c6c3d52372798ffb78e4f5d0 PDF Text Text November 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 "Mama Mia" Musical finds success Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer Casper College’s first play production of the year is “Mama Mia!” directed by Kurt Stone opened October 14. The musical stars Andrea Sipe as Sophie Sheridan, and the plot follows a daughter on the days leading up to her wedding when she finds out that she might have three possible fathers. She then invites them all to the wedding in hopes that one of them can walk her down the aisle. With production nearing its final week the play proved a big success for CC, as tickets for “Mama Mia!” sold out multiple times since opening night. Shane Trottier, who plays Eddie in the play, made his return to the stage after almost two years away. He stopped participating in productions after his senior year of high school, and Trottier said his work on “Mama Mia” couldn’t have been a better return. Trottier said he found playing Eddie a a fun character to play and a really fun experience. “In my opinion he was the most minor of all the leads and it gave me more of an opportunity to establish him as a character. Which was a fun challenge,” said Trottier. With a very talented cast and crew working on the film, Sipe’s performance caught the eye of everyone including Trottier who complemented Snipe with high praise. “She seems most likely to play a part on Broadway,” Snipe said. “Mama Mia” wrapped on October 23 with a sold-out Saturday Matinée. Under Stones’ direction and the amazing performances from the crew, “Mama Mia” resulted in great success for CC. Brendan Saunders/Chinook No 'home for the holidays' for some Kaley Pieper Chinook Writer International Students at Casper College are often unable to go home for the holidays because of the price of travel and a limited amount of time. For these students, staying in the dorms while their friends and teammates travel home during Thanksgiving break can seem long and boring. Ayrton Albornoz is a journalism major on the soccer team at CC, and he is originally from Santiago, the capital of Chile. Albornoz is in his first semester at CC, and his time in college marks his first travels to the United States. “At the beginning, it was… complicated. My English is not good, but I am improving, and it is getting easier. With Americans it’s too complicated,” Albornoz said when asked how he was adjusting to the new country. In Chile, Albornoz said Thanksgiving is not celebrated, and he wasn’t even aware of the American holiday. “We have holidays in December, January, and February because it is summer in Chile,” said Albornoz. Albornoz is staying in Casper for the upcoming Thanksgiving break. Though breaks from school can feel long and boring away from home, Albornoz said he tries to make the most of his time. “I try to visit places. During fall break, three of my teammates and I went to the mountain to hike. So during this break, I will try to visit places or walk around the city, maybe even go to Yellowstone,” Albornoz said. He added that he likes to walk around town when it isn’t too cold to learn new things about Casper and the U.S. Albornoz said he misses his parents, brother, and the rest of his extended family, and he can’t wait to visit his grandfather’s beach home with them all. However, he’ll have to wait to visit them. “I want to go back, but there isn’t much time, and the tickets are expensive. So my family and I decided to wait for May of next year,” said Albornoz. Priced through American Airlines, the trip departing out of Casper and arriving in Santiago for the Thanksgiving break would cost nearly $9000 round trip with about 22 hours of total travel time. For Jules Symth from Roblin, Manitoba in Canada, the trek back home isn’t quite as far. “It takes about 14 hours to drive. In the summer, I can Cast performs "Does Your Mother Know" during rehearsal for Casper College's production of Mama Mia. make it in a day, but in the winter it takes two depending on how roads are.” The Canadian sophomore, who is majoring in animal science and ag-business, said she went home with her boyfriend who lives about three hours from Casper for last year’s Thanksgiving break, and she plans to stay in the states again this year. “I wouldn’t have been home for that long, so it wouldn’t have been worth it. That’s a lot of driving for only being home for three days. Plus Canadian Thanksgiving already passed,” Symth explained. In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on Monday, Oct. 11 this year. Although very similar to Thanksgiving in the U.S., Canadian Thanksgiving isn’t as large of a celebration. Symth said, “We don’t have a big football game to surround it with, so that’s part of it I think. Usually, if we don’t get together with family, it’s not a big deal.” For students who are unable to go home during Thanksgiving Break, the International Students Club often hosts activities on campus for them to enjoy. Erich Frankland has worked Photo courtesy of Ayrton Albornoz Ayrton Albornoz, a Casper College student from Chile, shared a photo of him playing soccer — See International, Page 3 before coming to the states to play for the T-Birds. Keeping higher education in the family Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Chris Lorenzen Nicholas Mesecher, the enterprise systems administrator at Casper College, hugs his son Ethan Mesecher after presenting him with his diploma at the CC 2019 graduation ceremony. In most college graduation ceremonies, the graduate will hear their name called and then cross the stage to shake hands and accept their diploma from the school’s president. However, such a process isn’t quite the case for all students. Children of Casper College faculty or staff members have the option to receive their certification from their parent on graduation day. This was the occasion for Ethan Mesecher and his dad, Nicholas Mesecher, the Enterprise Systems Administrator at Casper College. “I got the opportunity to hand Ethan his diploma,” Nicholas said about his eldest son’s graduation ceremony in 2019. “I loved it. It was a great opportunity and made me proud for him.” This isn’t the last diploma Nicholas will present to one of his children though. Behind Ethan, eight more Mesecher kids wait in line to receive their own diplomas. “We have nine kids and in my eyes, it's a very important thing for the kids to be able to get a good, higher education,” Nicholas said. “Casper College is such a great spot to get, you know, get your education started… and when you're a full-time employee for the college and your kiddos get free college.” Of the nine, 16-year-old Anna Mesecher, started in CC’s health science program this fall. “For the most part we get along really well,” Anna said of her relationship with Nicholas. “I wouldn't say that I've ever really gotten fed up with him.” It’s a common sight to see Anna working on schoolwork or spending time in her dad’s office after her classes are over for the day. Regardless of how much time the two spend together though, Anna said they both are pretty fond of each other. “I mean, I feel like he’s kind of the same person at work that he is at home,” Anna said. “He’s just like always helping people out, always on top of things. It's just kind of cool to see him apply the stuff that we do at the house to keep everything organized, but at work.” Alongside Anna, her brother Isaac Mesecher is also in attendance on the CC campus. Isaac, in his last year at the college, followed closely in his Nicholas’ footsteps by pursuing a computer degree similar to his dad’s. “All I have to do is pay for the books,” Nicholas said. “It makes perfect sense to have your kid go through and get that education…a huge benefit as an employee.” Additionally, Nicholas said five of the nine kids are adopted, which provides another opportunity regarding — See Family, Page 4 �Page 2 Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: A Mindful Minute Rachelle Trujillo Rachelle's Reflections The onset of the Coronavirus pandemic brought about much needed conversations about mental health, loneliness, and getting support. Even though the pandemic is coming to an end, I firmly believe these conversations should not. College-- whether in or out of a pandemic-- is a stressful time filled with major milestones, pivotal moments, and overall massive change in an individual's life. Something we all need to be a little more conscientious about is the state of our well-being, and taking care of our heads and hearts. I’m learning that young adulthood is all about embracing chaotic and rapid change, be it with friends, romantic partners, life goals, or even personal beliefs. In the midst of so much change, it can be easy to lose sight of ourselves, and cause us to ask “who am I?” The problem is that it’s difficult to know who we are right now; we’re going through so much and quickly progressing into a new or varied version of ourselves everyday. I think more important than finding ourselves is learning to be okay with the person we are while working towards the person we want to be. The only way to do this is to practice self compassion. I find that my problems or the drama in my life are not like high school-- the issues I face with loved ones, at work, or school can have big consequences if not addressed properly. And when you fail to address these issues properly, it’s easy to blame yourself and question your character. Similarly, it’s easy to be at such a crossroads in your life that imagining the worst case scenario becomes second nature. There’s simply so much going on that life can often feel overwhelming and hard to manage. We all need to be working a little harder to show more kindness not only to others but also ourselves. When things get overwhelming, remind yourself of your physical state and safety- that you are healthy, not in any immediate danger, and overall okay. Everything else can be worked out. Spend as much time focusing on the best case scenarios as the worst case scenarios because they’re both possible. Ask yourself who you want to be in 5, 10 or even 20 years, and decide if what you’re doing today is helping you get to that place. Most of all, we must learn to be comfortable with what’s uncomfortable. We’re going to make big mistakes, lose people we love, and make bad decisions. In dealing with it all, remember your feelings aren’t right or wrong or good or bad. They’re simply a part of being human, as are all the other highs and lows that come with this time of life. Take time today to be kind to yourself, allow for the changes that come, and spend time with those who matter most. November 1, 2021 CHINOOK “ As I sit and write this month’s entry, outside it is a cool, windy fall day in Casper. It is hard to believe we are already at the end of October, and the Holiday season is right around the corner. I hope the semester is going well, and you have had an opportunity to enjoy some the things our campus has to offer. In particular, I hope you have had a chance to attend one of the many arts events already held on campus, and cheer at a volleyball or soccer game. Truly there is much to see and do on campus, and those opportunities only become more frequent the closer we get to December. As we move towards the end of the fall semester, this is a good time to remind everyone the spring semester will be here before you know it. Oftentimes we find ourselves looking forward to the Holidays, and then enjoying them once they arrive, and only later realize we forgot to plan for anything after the Holidays. So now is the prefect time to start planning for the spring 2022 semester. Be sure to talk with a faculty advisor, or go visit the Student Success Center, and make sure you have you spring classes planned out so you can enroll just as soon as possible. Don’t let the prime classes get past you! Oftentimes we find ourselves looking forward to the Holidays, and then enjoying them once they arrive, and only later realize we forgot to plan for anything after the Holidays. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Settle in, pack it up... I’ve heard hundreds of roommate horror stories. Stories about always having to share the space with the roommate’s significant other, roommates who would secretly steal food and even from my mom, whose college roommate adopted a very hyper dog for their tiny studio apartment. Many shoes did not make it out of that building. However, no one really talks about what happens when your roommate just up and leaves. Less than a couple weeks into the semester, I received a text during class from my old roommate giving me a heads up that she was moving online and back home due to the pandemic and extraneous family issues. By the time I made it back to the dorm that after- noon, everything of hers was gone, aside from a few straggler boxes that didn’t quite fit in her car. Sitting in the half-empty room alone, I remembered thinking, “well what now?” That answer didn’t come until two weeks later, when I received a call from housing alerting me that I would be moving rooms and receiving a new roommate. Because of my new roommate’s requests and my own schedule, I wasn’t able to move my items until the beginning of the week. Meaning, I had a two-day period to completely up and leave my old room. I did my best to pack in between classes and work, but physically moving everything by myself was nothing less than a pain. The whole operation took me about six hours. I began the process of moving as soon as my classes finished in the afternoon and officially checked out of my old room and into my new one by around 7 p.m. that evening. Of the process though, the lack of communication from the college was what I found to be by far the most frustrating. And I had to move a very heavy mini fridge from the third floor to the backseat of my car alone. While the process of pairing roommates is based on availability, giving students notice of a new rooming situation ahead of time is a courtesy. Something as simple as reaching out to students whose roommates left and giving them a heads up of what to Abigail Landwehr Abigail's Approach expect going forward allows for more time to plan and make accommodations for moving items. It’s true that students will be frustrated with having to move regardless, but at least in my case, I would’ve found communication to make the moving process a little more tolerable and a little less of a horror story. www.caspercollege.edu/chinook Check Out the Digital Learning Center Students: Have you heard of MyCCMoodle? It’s the online space where your grades and syllabi live ... among other resources your instructor might share. The DLC makes sure you’re geared up to succesfully navigate the online portion of your courses. What we can do for you: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Zoom – become a pro Zoomer and feel confident attending a Zoom class meeting 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Online tutoring — Sometimes we all need a shoulder to lean on and NetTutor has the perfect one! 5. Quite place to study - Crack open your books in the DLC. Draw on our walls. Use our computers. Eat our snacks. Teresa Millan Camille Cockrell Mike McLemore Drop by by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882 or dlc@caspercollege.edu. Dave Siemens Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. A MyCCMoodle app is coming soon! Tyler Sanner �November 1, 2021 International............ continued from page 1 Photo Courtesy of Jules Smyth Jules Symth shared a photo of her and her boyfriend. She will spend the holidays with him rather than traveling to Canada. Page 3 CHINOOK at Casper for 24 years and has been an advisor of the International Students Club since he came to Casper. “This is a bumper crop year for International students, this is the most we’ve ever had. The way it works is all international students are members. Some will be less active in the club than others.” Frankland explained. Frankland said that many international athletes have host families, and can spend the holidays with these families. “This gives students the traditional American Thanksgiving.” This year, however, club members came up with a new idea that brings in aspects of each member’s culture and home country. “The club this year proposed an International Thanksgiving. So the students are planning a potluck, with everyone bringing a dish from their home country, and we will be able to share those,” said Frankland. “We’ve never done this before. In the past, a board member has hosted it at their house, and students have had the American experience. But this is a truly international Thanksgiving with people from all over the world. Our students are coming from Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, Canada, I mean everywhere except Antarctica!” The club plans to have this Thanksgiving potluck on Nov. 15 at 6 pm. Even though most international students are not able to go home for the holidays, there are opportunities for them to gather with others, and celebrate. Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class, titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu College's men's soccer kicks off second year Rachelle Trujilo Chinook Writer After a highly successful debut last year, the Casper College men’s soccer team is back for its second season. Practice and games started in August, and the T-birds are off to a great start and with high hopes for what’s to come. Like last year, the men’s soccer team is made up of players from around the state, across the country, and around the world. Though the players come from diverse backgrounds, they all share a common goal of being the best team they can be, according to sophomore José Alvarez. This year marks Alvarez’s second year with the men’s team. The Colombian native said he was glad to be a part of the team, and is excited to see what comes next. “We lost three important games, two of them in a row,” Alvarez, who plays forward, said. “Everyone was frustrated, but finally after that, we won five games in a row securing the second seed in postseason play.” The men’s team received high praise in its inaugural year, and the team is putting in the work to make sure year two is no different. Being the second seed means the team is off to a strong start, but head Coach Ben McArthur emphasized how critical this point is in the season; if the team loses, the season is done. Luckily, players like Danny Diaz (M) of Casper and Drey Williams (F) of Canada scored goals for the team that positioned the men for a strong season, according to McArthur. “Those two scored two big goals for us a few weeks ago to win games vs Otero and Trinidad, those goals put us in position to host the first round this Saturday,” he said Outdoor fall sports can present weather challenges. According to McArthur, occasional storms and cold fronts make it difficult to get touches on the ball. Nonetheless, the good, sunny days outweigh the bad weather. McArthur said he is even more proud of his team for pushing through those uncontrollable adversities. “It’s never easy to battle mother nature and we’ve had a couple storms that have come in,” he said. “My guys have stayed focused and they are ready for the postseason. They have shown great focus throughout this season.” Besides the occasional weather conflicts, the men are off to a strong start. The T-Birds will host playoffs at Murane Field on October 23 at 2 p.m. starting against Northwest College. “Saturday looks like great weather,” McArthur said in closing. “We are hopeful that a big crowd will come to support us at the fields!” Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Sophomore José Alvarez dribbles a ball at a sunset practice earlier this semester Casper College hosts WRITING CENTER Green Dot program The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Create a resume Craft a scholarship essay And so much more! Abigail Landwehr/Chinook Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu Casper College's Residence Hall Area Coordinator, Jessica Bailey, presented during the Green Dot program on campus last week. Green Dot is a bystander intervention program. Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer Casper College hosted a bystander intervention program, more commonly known as Green Dot, this past week. The hour-long workshop focused on addressing ways for students to intervene and prevent sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. Around 30 students attended the presentation held at the Sharon D. Nichols auditorium. “When you think of sexual assault, dating violence and stalking, these are big issues,” one of the program’s trained instructors, Corey Peacock, the director of student life at CC said. “60% of the folks in this room have directly, personally experienced one of these three issues. And almost everybody in this room knows someone who has experienced one of these issues.” Alongside Peacock, Jessica Bailey the college’s residence hall area coordinator also presented during the program. The workshop, sponsored by the Student Senate on campus, was a part of the “Thundering Through Barriers” series in which an important topic is discussed with students every semester. This semester’s topic focused on bystander intervention and sponsored the Green Dot program. Students were instructed on four steps to intervention during the presentation: to recognize the problem, to identify personal barriers, to intervene, and to strengthen positive campus community norms. “If the choice is between doing nothing to stop it and doing something at the minute, you’re making a difference,” Peacock said. “Of course we would like the issue to stop completely, but this shouldn’t fall directly on your shoulders.” �Page 4 November 1, 2021 CHINOOK Family..................................................... college expenses. Some states, like Texas, offer state college tuition waivers for fostered youth, meaning the tuition payments and fees can be waived for any Texas state funded school. Alongside this, attending CC remains an option too. “Five kiddos I really don't have to worry about paying for college at all,” Nicholas said. “I still told them that I would like them to go to Casper College first to take care of that first initial associate's degree and kind of understand what college is about a little bit before they decide what college they want to go to in Texas.” Nicholas added that regardless of how great he and the kids find the opportunity, educational choices are still left up to the individual child. Anna however, said that she found CC to be a good place to start her education. “I love being here,” Anna said. continued from page 1 “It’s really handy to not have to pay for all the tuition… I can save up so that when I want to go to university, I don't have to pay as much.” Specifically, Anna said she was looking at the possibility of finishing her degree at the University of Wyoming or other schools in Texas or Florida with good health science programs. In the more near future, Anna’s said she is anticipating her own graduation day from CC when she will cross the stage to receive her diploma from her dad. But for now, Anna said, “It’s just nice to have free rides to school every day.” Why do people choose community college? Isabella Coronado Chinook Writer Coming out of high school, students have a big decision on what they should do for higher education. Some people look at the cost, while others look at proximity, the environment of the school, or whether or not the school is a community college or a university. Everyone who comes to a community college has different life stories and what makes them interesting but they all have the same reasoning on why they wanted to attend a community college. Casper native and CC alumni Kenny Wilkinson . Wilkinson spoke about his past experiences attending CC and how it impacted his life. He first attended CC from the fall of 2002 to the spring of 2004 for Elementary Education. He then took two years off from school before deciding to go back to school through UW-Casper for his Bachelor's Degree and continued studying Elementary Education. He graduated in 2009. Wilkinson said he wanted to go to a community college out of high school because it was the cheapest option and he got a few scholarships to use towards the school. He wanted to continue living in Casper. In high school, Wilkinson said he had some friends that went to the University of Wyoming and whenever they would talk to him about it, their discussions didn’t make him excited to go to a university. “Hearing other students talking about how they had up to 90 kids in their class made me realize that I would have struggled if I went to a university,” Wilkerson said. “I would rather have the one-onone time with my professors and to make those relationships throughout college was great.” Currently Wilkinson is a 6th grade social studies/ general science teacher at Dean Morgan Middle School in Casper. He and his wife, Kayla, are parents to three children. Looking back, Wilkinson said he still believes high school students should consider going to a community college right out of high school. “For how much [college] costs these days and for me and I’m sure others, I needed a hometown type of feel,” Wilkerson said. “I enjoyed the smaller classes and building the relationships with my professors. I honestly don’t think I could have survived an actual university.” Another alumni from Casper College described her school experience in similar ways for choosing a community college. Stephanie Colling, also of Casper, is an alumni of CC that attended the school from 1993 to 1995 before transferring to Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colo. where she earned her bachelor's degree in physical education for K-8. She and her husband, Blaine, are parents to two children. She is currently teaching PE at Casper’s Centennial Middle, but she is certified to teach K-12. Colling said she moved to Costia, New Mexico when she was a baby but moved back to Casper as a sophomore in high school. When Colling attended CC, she said her mom had just passed away and she wanted to stay close to her dad while going to school. Colling also shared that earning a scholarship to play volleyball at CC came as somewhat of shock. She said juggling athletics while also getting school work done took a lot of time management. She compared playing volleyball to a part time job on top of school. Colling then talked about how going to a community college right out of high school impacted her life. “It was a good transition for me because I went from living at home to living in the dorms, and then moving to Denver where I was on my own without a lot of family around whereas I had family all around me while I was at Casper College,” said Colling. “It was just an overall good transition for me. It really helped me move to Denver to such a big city.” Like Wilkinson, Colling made part of her decision based on financials, but she also explained her unique reasons for choosing CC for her associates degree. Such decisions are still impacting current students. Kolbie Ericson from Lander, Wyo. is currently studying Social Work and Counselling at CC. She started at CC in the fall of 2020, and she plans on graduating from UW-Casper in the spring of 202. Ericson said she hopes to become a children's counselor or therapist. She talked about why she wanted to go to a community college rather than a university to accomplish her goals. “I like how personal the classes are and how small they are and the professors actually care about you here and your education. You’re not just a number to them,” Ericson said of the differences between studying at a community college compared to a university. Ericson also said she thinks the transition from high school to community college is much easier than jumping in at a larger school. Some of her favorite things about attending CC specifically include the class sizes and her professors. She said they care about everyone and always want to help students succeed and not give up. Despite the differences between Wilkinson, Colling, and Ericson’s stories, they all talked about why they thought community college was a great plan coming out of high school. All of the benefits that alumni received in college are still the benefits today's generation of students enjoy. Going to community college is something all three of these people do not regret after high school. They will always have stories of community college to share and maybe even pass along to their families later in life. Photo Courtesy of Stephanie Colling Stephanie Colling is a middle school PE teacher at Cenntenial Middle School teaching 6th through 8th grade. Photo Courtesy of Kenny Wilkinson Kenny Wilkinson currently works at Dean Morgan Middle School as a 6th grade social studies and general science teacher. Photo Courtesy of Kolbie Ericson Kolbie Ericson is a current student at CC that is in her second year of studying social work and counselling. Renewable resources at CC Paige Noble Chinook Writer Casper College relies on fossil fuels for transportation in an age where switching to renewable resources is becoming more common. According to an Investopedia article published in 2021, a renewable resource is an energy source that cannot be depleted by human usage and is able to supply a continuous amount of clean energy. People around the globe use renewable resources on a daily basis, but CC does not currently utilize renewables for transportation. With the current surge of Tesla and similar companies across the globe, the Chinook looked into why CC does not. Steve Armijo, the diesel auto mechanic crew leader at CC, explained the different types of transportation available for the college’s athletic programs and other school sponsored teams. Teams can choose from multiple passenger vans or three larger buses according to Armijo. However, the expense associated with college transportation adds up. “I’d say it probably costs $250 to service one of the buses. They take a lot of oil. I can tell you they get from eight to ten miles to the gallon. So very expensive and they hold about 50 gallons of fuel,” said Armijo. With a 50 gallon tank and diesel currently running about $4 a gallon, it costs about $200 to fill the tank every time. Each of the buses is recommended to have an oil change every 5,000 miles, but when the volleyball team, soccer teams, basketball teams and livestock judging teams traveling, the miles add up quickly. Armijo spoke about how the college manages the busiest time of the year. “It is usually three buses a week when everybody is running that is an average, sometimes two until fall break. Then it slows down. But after that it picks right back up,” Armijo explained. However the cost difference between renewable energy vehicles and fossil fuel burning vehicles is outstanding, and the school could potentially save thousands of dollars each year. Unfortunately, CC’s teams travel to very remote locations, making it almost impossible to an electric vehicle to be charged. Not only that, but with the weather the way it is in Wyoming the batteries would erode much faster than normal. Last year the livestock judging team took a bus to Nebraska where it was so cold the bus broke down and the team ended up with three different buses, all three of which broke after that trip. “It gets very expensive when one breaks down,” said Armijo. “Usually it is not an easy fix. I'd say an average for repairs on each bus without having to tow it would be about $3,000-$4,000 to fix.” In regards to his thoughts on making a change Armijo said, “I would like to see a change because it takes a lot of time when something (break downs) happen. If there was an alternative I would like to see an alternative.” Regardless of the fact that renewable energy is a cheaper alternative, as stated research by Driving Electric, the college cannot yet depend on electric vehicles to transport teams traveling across Wyoming and surrounding states. Enjoy a friendly game! NON-RENEWABLE VERSUS RENEWABLE COMPARING THE 2 TYPES OF ENERGY A natural fuel that is not quickly replenished. An energy source that cannot be quickly depleted. Coal: a fossil fuel utilized for heat production Solar: Heat and Light harnessed from the sun for energy Petroleum: An oil refined into things such as gas and diesel Wind: Electrical energy collected by wind turbines Open gym Thursdays from 7 - 11 p.m. Liesinger Hall Gym Natural gas: A naturally occurring gas used for fuel *excluding game days* HydroElectric: Energy collected from the flow of water https://www.britannica.com/science/coal-fossil-fuel �November 1, 2021 Page 5 CHINOOK Painting pumpkins at the Residence Hall Alaina Boettcher, an Resident Assistant at the dorms, explained that all the RA’s take turns picking an activity that all the students in the dorms can participaate in. It was her turn to pick an event, and she wanted to do something in relation to Halloween. She picked pumpkin painting. “I was very excited about this event,” Boettcher said. Students seemed to enjoy the event too. Flora Goed, a foreign exchange student, said she really loves Casper College. “I love all the activities we get to do. Like painting pumpkins, movies nights, etc. Every week there’s something to do,” said Goed. Pictured (left to right), Alaina Boettcher, Kodie Egle, Maddy Henry, Dallas Baker, and Kayla Jones. Erin Geldien/Chinook Maddy Henry and Dallas Baker painting pumpkins together. Erin Geldien/Chinook Above (from left to right), Celina Arnlund, Flora Goed, Mariona Cos, Jo Vaz, Sandra Frau, and Julia Palomo having a fun time during the pumpkin painting event. Erin Geldien/Chinook Flora Goed painting hearts along the top of the pumpkin she made for "the love of her life!" Locations/Hours Tobin Dining Hall : Mon—Fri Breakfast 7am—9am Continental 10am—11am Full Lunch 11am—1pm Grill/Salad 1pm—2pm Sat—Sun Brunch 11:30am—1:30pm Everyday Dinner 4:45pm—6:45pm SubConnection : Mon—Thurs 7am—6pm Fri 7am—3pm Leisinger Doornbos Lounge and Note Cards are available in all service areas if you would like to write a personal message for our staff. GW 3rd Floor: Mon—Thurs 7:30am—2pm Fri 7:30am—1pm Convenience to fit your schedule Your meal plan can be utilized for a Breakfast or Lunch Combo Meal at SubConnection, Doornbos Lounge and Gateway 3rd Floor locations until 2pm Monday thru Friday! �Page 6 November 1, 2021 CHINOOK Fitting and showing club manages livestock Audrey Axtell Chinook Writer The Casper College Fitting and Showing Club represented the college at the NILE in Billings, Mont, last month. Club members showed off the heifers they have been working on all semester in class. The Fitting and Showing Club at CC must take care of the show heifers on campus, from halter breaking, to fitting, to diet management. Professor Colby Hales, the instructor for this class, is responsible for all the livestock on campus. This is the second year Hales has taken students to the NILE as a professor for CC. Hales is a former student of CC, and spoke to the importance of having livestock on campus and how it benefits the students. “I am a die-hard believer that at a collegiate level, in order to further agricultural understanding, having livestock on campus and available all the times is extremely important,” said Hales. Hales is responsible for all the livestock on campus, from bringing animals to CC, to feeding schedules for students to follow. Hales spoke to the arrangements for the leasing of certain livestock on campus. Students work with the animals for a semester at a time before the animals are returned to their homes. “Specifically the NILE heifers this year come from Booth Angus Ranch, and we have two Herefords that are Mr. Hornecker’s,” Hales said. Heath Hornecker is also an ??? instructor at CC. Hales added, “In order for us to be able to use them, we pay for hay, and the individual who owns the heifers pays for the cost of feed.” The CC Fitting and Showing Club has changed the shows they travel to in the last decade. Hales said the changes benefit the students that participate in showing and caring for these animals. Before competing at the NILE, CC students used to travel to Arizona to show hogs. Hales says it’s much more difficult to find students to show in Arizona, since there is an age limit of 18. According to Hales, competing at the NILE in open classes allows all of his students the opportunity to show and participate, effectively removing the age limit. The agriculture department employs several work study students that participate in the care-taking and feeding sched- ules of the livestock. Libby Twitchell, a sophomore on the livestock judging team and an agriculture science major, is a work study under Hales’ direction. Twitchell explained how she takes careof the animals and what her job entails. “I feed the livestock Monday and Wednesday in the morning and at night. We’ve got cattle, sheep, sows and a boar all in the annex, and our show heifers and baby pigs in the pavilion,” said Twitchell. “We also take care of any health related issues with the animals, so if anything needs to be doctored or moved to the ranch we do that as well.” Twitchell spoke to the difference in feed the animals need depending on how students use the animals. Variations can occur in the brands of feed used to the amount of rations each species and breed needs. Hales explained some animals do not go to shows like the NILE, but they are still used. He said the CC Livestock Team uses all livestock on campus for practices, eliminating the need for travelling to see livestock for training as often. Having livestock on campus is highly beneficial for members of the livestock team, especially when the weather is bad or when students need to make it back to campus for classes. Students in the agriculture program seem to agree that having livestock on campus serves is the best way to learn animal science. Twitchell spoke to the benefit of these on-campus animals, both in terms of their use for teams on campus and also the connections students build with the animals. “It reminds me of home. I’m never going to get home sick -- livestock kids that come to college no longer have livestock around, and it takes a bigger toll on them than they think,” said Twitchell. “I don’t think it’s an option to not have livestock on campus. Livestock is so hands on. We can read a book, we can take notes, and listen to lectures on all this stuff, but how much do you really know until you can apply it”. The agriculture department at CC invites any students wanting to pursue a degree in agriculture to visit the pavilion and enroll in any ag classes that peak interest. Twitchell said the staff in the pavilion will never turn a student away, and she is proud of all the program offers. Audrey Axtell/Chinook Sydney Noel is pictured to the right showing a heifer at the NILE. Above, instructor Colby Hales works with a calf in the fitting shoot to show his class how to properly fit an animal. From the student's perspective: Parking on campus Cameron Magee Chinook Writer The Casper College parking problem is no stranger to students, faculty, or staff, especially towards the lower end of campus. Many find a shortage of places to park, and end up walking a fair if not far distance before reaching their destination. Kodi Christensen, an elementary education major, said she finds parking stressful. Not only does she leave her house early, but she also spends time driving around campus looking for a place to park and then factors in extra time to walk to class. “The parking lot to the east of the Liesinger Hall is extremely difficult to find a parking space in, and most of my classes take place in those buildings on lower campus,” said Christensen. She also mentioned that it’s difficult to find a space and arrive early or even on time to class, “It’s frustrating when I am trying to make good impressions with teachers or even classmates when I walk into class three to even 10 minutes late depending on where I had to park.” Christensen said she is not the only one who struggles to find parking, and she shared many conversations with her friends and acquaintances about the issue. “I have many friends at the Warner Ag Pavilion and parking at the Pavilion is rarely an issue. I wish we had the same level of ease when it came to parking on lower campus,” Christensen said. She then added, “It would be nice if all the teachers gave a grace period to get to class. My morning would almost be stress free if that was the case.” Audrey Axtell, an agriculture communications major, echoed what Christensen said. “Parking on campus is difficult for all students. The lower half of campus struggles and many students end up late to class. I wish it was as easy to park on the lower campus as it is on the upper half.” Construction on the Visual Arts Center, the closest building to Liesinger Hall, made parking even more difficult, as the work eliminated multiple parking spots. “The parking lot (at Liesinger Hall) is lacking parking spaces. Students looking for a space circle the parking lot at unnecessary speeds and spots should be downsized to add more room,” said Axtell. Christiansen and Axtell suggested some parking solutions that could be considered at the college to improve the situation for future college attendees. “I have a feeling that when they are finished with construction those parking spaces will be replaced. Until then (administration at) the Casper College campus should find a way to compensate for us having to be late almost every day,” Christensen said. “The college should communicate with their teachers about giving a five-minute grace period. I know that takes away from our class time but it would give student a fair advantage when it came to showing up to learn. Axtell shared a different take, however. “My one suggestion would be to repaint the parking lot with smaller spaces. You could most likely get almost five more spots if this action was taken. Casper College could also designate a faculty only parking lot in one of the above lots and then students would have a better chance of parking,” Axtell said. Both Christiansen and Axtell said they are aware of the possibility of parking on College Drive off campus. However, College Drive is not always an option either, as most of those spots fill between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., according to Christensen. Many students need parking after 9:30. “Most students are aware of the situation; it just needs to be addressed by Casper College. Action if taken could help many students feel less pressure on those mornings (when) we feel like we have to move fast and furious,” Christensen said. �November 1, 2021 Page 7 CHINOOK On Fridays, we sign Indie Travels Anna Miller/Chinook A group of students recently gathered for a Friday Sit and Sign in Liesinger Hall's Doornbos Lounge. Anna Miller Chinook Contributor American Sign Language students and faculty gather for Sit and Sign on Friday mornings in Casper College's Liesinger Hall, a drop-in style get together where students can come and practice their signs while having a conversation in ASL. Usually about five to ten students attend, but there are groups as large as 18. The language department has been hosting Sit and Sign for six years at Casper College, and the gatherings are well received by students and guests alike. There are usually two or three deaf women who also attend. “It’s a warm and nonjudgmental space,” said Gail Schenfisch, an American Sign Language instructor at Casper College. “They can try sign language in communication and string everything together.” Sarah Scott, an American Sign Language major at Casper College attended every Sit and Sign so far this semester. She says she finds the meetings beneficial and the practice helps ASL stick with her since she is able to visualize it and apply the language in real conversation. The deaf individuals who attend help students by correcting their signs and helping students stay current, as sign is always changing. They are the leaders of the group and force the participation from students. “They ask us about our week and how school is going,” said Scott. “If there is a ten second moment of silence, one of them will ask us what our favorite animal is and we have to go around and sign (that animal).” Many benefits come from Sit and Sign. A wide variety of topics come up and there is a lot of diversity in the communication during Sit and Sign. High school students that are enrolled in ASL1 through BOCES also attend. They incorporate the vocabulary that ASL1 students are learning in the conversation to help them memorize their signs. “It is a practical way to use your skills to make them your own,” said Schenfisch. Sit and Sign is open to everyone, not just ASL students. Even if students only have one class under their belts, all are welcome to join and practice skills. However, Schenfisch doesn’t recommend the gatherings for beginners, but anyone is welcome to come watch and observe. COVID-19 made teaching ASL challenging for Schenfisch. ASL relies on a lot of facial expressions and lip reading. When the college mandated masks in 2020, it made learning ASL a lot more difficult for the students enrolled. Scott agreed that she had a difficult time signing because the mask covers half of the face. Students adapted by getting really expressive with their eyes and eyebrows. Schenfisch had her students start uploading videos so she could see their facial expressions. She is happy now that they are able to sign without masks, and she said the nice thing about ASL is that you can socially distance and still have a meaningful conversation. Scott said ASL made a difference in Scott’s life. She is able to use her sign language outside of school to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Scott said she helped a deaf couple at her church communicate with the pastor when they attended for the first time. She also helps customers while she is working. “I ask one of the deaf women at Sit and Sign ‘how do you sign this drink, or this drink’,” Scott said. She is constantly learning how to sign specific menu items to better help those who are deaf. Scott wants to become an interpreter for concerts or courtrooms. ASL is offered at CC for a variety of levels. Anyone is welcome to take a course to learn basic signs. Cameron MageeChinook Casper College's Cameron Magee recently travelled to Indianapolis for her role as Wyoming's National FFA Office Candidate. She shared photos from her trip. Magee said murals can be found all over the world, but Indianapolis has one on almost every corner, as shown above. Pictured below is an old Coca-Cola garage that has been restored into a food court. Foods of different ethnicities, an amazing atmosphere and good people fill the location found in the BottleWorks district, Magee said. Under the Coca-Cola garage photo is an image of a brick and mortar sign found at the entrance of a barber shop, located in the downtown area. Casper College redStone Recital and Gallery Series Baylee Darling/Chinook The Casper College redStone Recital and Gallery series is officially in its 9th season. It kicked off on October 8 in the Wheeler Concert Hall with an artist talk, followed by a recital including performances by many talented musicians and singers. This organization always does a wonderful job showcasing and bringing recognition to the visual and musical arts in the Casper community. To the left, Jennifer DePaolo (violin) and Gary DePaolo (viola) perform "While We Wait", an original piece by Gary himself. Baylee Darling/Chinook Above, Pianist Paula Flynn performs Consolation No. 3 by Franz Liszt (1811-1886). Baylee Darling/Chinook Above, Joshua R. Mietz (clarinet) and Paula Flynn (piano) provide instrumentals while soprano Veronica Turner sings "Der Hirt auf dem Felsen" (German: "The Shepherd on the Rock") by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Baylee Darling/Chinook Ginny Butcher shares her oil-painting journey while displaying many of her favorite pieces, many of which display her favorite animal to paint, cows. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2021-11 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2021-11 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from November 2021. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2021-11 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/18902f1bb5510a64e2e4237728b5fe2b.pdf 50f27a6f4ce02027bbd0fa600047b036 PDF Text Text December 1, 2021 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Women's soccer team wins BIG Abigail Landwehr/Chinook The Lady T-birds captured the regular season conference championship, won the region Title game and advanced to the District Championship Game. The team eventually lost to the 3rd ranked team in the nation 1-0, according to Coach Ammon Bennett. Bennett said the team finished the season with a record of 13-5-1 (7-1) conference. The Lady T-Bird program ranked 14 nationally. Several players were named All-Region including Rebecca Swain, Valeria Hernandez, and Sophia Henly to the first team. Yissel Navarro, Madeline Hernandez and Grace Conner second team and Kylie Spangler Honorable Mention. Bennett was also named conference coach of the year. CC affected by inflation Whitley Reder Chinook Contributor Inflation rates recently increased in the United States, impacting Casper College students and staff. The inflation rate demonstrates the health of a country’s economy. Inflation happens when businesses are producing, consumers are spending, and supply and demand are as close to equilibrium as possible. Although, according to the Federal Reserve, the 2021 inflation rate is over two percent higher than the two percent target to maintain a healthy economy. Gracie Jarrard, an online student at CC said, “I’m a student that lives off-campus, I need to work two jobs, starting this last fall, just to keep my head above water.” The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics listed the increased rates of commodities over the past 12 months, as of September 2021. The commodities listed are all utilities that can affect students and staff at CC: food (4.6%), energy commodities (41.7%), gasoline (42.1%), fuel oil (42.6%), electricity (5.2%), utility piped gas service (20.6%), clothing (3.4%), transportation services (4.4%). The overall inflation rate as of September of 2021 was at 5.4% compared to a year earlier. Heath Hornecker an ag teacher at CC and father of four shared his experience with the cost changes and how his family is adjusting. “As a family of six, we figure out how to do the same things on the same amount of money. Even though, those things cost more now maybe we buy one less gallon of milk or we carpool during the week,” said Hornecker. Jarrard shared his thoughts from a student’s perspective. Jarrard stated, “It’s taught me to budget, although, there’s not a lot of wiggle room for extracurricular activities when you and your roommate are worrying about how long your groceries will last for the next month.” According to the BLS, inflation rates affect state schools. Costs of providing utilities, funding for the teachers, and tuition costs can impact schools and students. Lynnde Colling, vice president of administrative services, said she’s worked at CC since 1985. Colling works on finance, budgeting, and forecasting what students might see coming into the college’s tuition rates. “(We consider) maintenance cost, software, IT support, utilities, a lot of maintenance and licensing costs that increase every year. Every time there is a renewal you adjust to it because it’s the things that students need to get their education,” said Colling. The total fixed fees for CC’s tuition costs are based on a college determined cap. per academic year. In 20202021, tuition costs $1,140.00. The estimated total fixed fee analysis for the 20212022 school year costs up to $1,200.00. The total per credit hour estimates an increase of 2%. However, the Wyoming Com mu n it y Col lege Commission establishes tuition rates for the community colleges. According to the executive commission meeting held on Oct. 6, 2021, the board members considered increasing the tuition rate for the 20222023 academic school year. The tuition rate to increase from $99 to $105 per credit hour was eliminated so the rise of inflation rates will not affect next year’s student tuition costs. CC students need to look for financial aid services, scholarships, clubs/ organizations, food bank, and student employment opp or t u n it ies. Accord i ng to CC’s school website, the college awarded $3.1 million in scholarships last year and $8.7 million in total financial aid for students. “There are services here at CC that students can utilize if they are aware of them,” said Colling. CC students and staff felt the recent impact on the economy due to the increase in inflation rates. The Federal Reserve says the expectation for a healthy economy is over two percent from the target. Even though commodities are getting more expensive, the students of CC do not have to worry about tuition costs increasing for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Hornecker stated, “Inflation rates affected us this summer, but we are going to start feeling the impact more this winter when we go to feed our livestock, feed ourselves, and heat our homes.” “Give yourself permission to be a learner” Kaley Pieper Chinook Writer Math -- the dreaded class of many students. Math can feel overwhelming and scary when sitting in Casper College’s Wold Physical Science Center room 216, with the whiteboards and walls full of complicated math symbols and long intricate equations. Many times, math can be simple or extremely difficult based on your professor and their approach to teaching students. A Casper native, Teresa Stricklin teaches math at CC. According to Stricklin, her teaching style can be described as, “Learning by doing, not learning by watching.” Her classroom lectures allow students to work through problems with her guidance and actively participate in asking questions and volunteering answers. “My goal in the classroom is for students to feel it is a safe place to be right, be wrong, or even not know,” said Stricklin. Stricklin’s unique conversational style of teaching makes a positive impact on many students. One such student is Jayden Roccaforte, a multimedia communications major taking her math 1400 course this semester. When asked to describe Stricklin’s teaching style, Roccaforte said, “Mrs. Stricklin is a teacher that is very organized and detailed in her teaching. She makes sure every single student understands a topic before moving on. She encourages asking questions and puts down a student for being wrong.” She said she encourages students who are “scared” of math to own it. “Just call it out. Say, ‘Hey I’m bad at math.’ I’ll help you work through that. There’s a lot of things I’m scared of. I’m scared of taxes, but that doesn’t mean they go away. Don’t hide behind it or use it as an excuse to not succeed,” said Stricklin. “And what is the fear of math in reality? Is it a fear of failure, not knowing, or looking dumb?” She said she wants students to talk through their fears and struggles with her, so she can identify issues and help them through the problem. Stricklin said that a student advocating for themselves is an important skill learned in college classrooms that is important for life after school. “Math isn’t so much about knowing the right answers right now, but what do I do when I don’t have the right answers. It’s so much more than crunching numbers. It’s really about thinking critically, knowing what to do when I’m stuck, and (then) finding help.” Roccaforte said, “Mrs. Stricklin has taught me that to truly understand a subject, you need to know the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’. She encourages thinking critically and grasping every aspect of a topic.” Also teaching math 900 and 930, Stricklin knows that not every student is taking math because they are interested in the subject. For students struggling in math, Stricklin provided advice. “Give yourself permission to be a learner. And remind yourself you are learning more things than just math,” said Stricklin. “We learn nothing by getting on a bike and riding it perfectly, but after the first time flying over the handlebars, I’ll never push the front brake on the bike again.” Stricklin explained that not everyone is supposed to be A+ in every subject. She said that it’s okay to not be good at something such as math, and it’s important to find your A+ subject. While attending the University of Wyoming, Stricklin said she changed her major at least nine times! For the first two and a half years of her college Kaley Pieper/Chinook Teresa Striklin uses her trusty meter stick to idenify points on — See Stricklin, Page 3 a graph. �Page 2 Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: Work worth doing College is a time to find out who you are and what you want to be. For many of us, we came with a set plan. We came to school with a selected major, thinking we knew exactly what we wanted to do with our lives after formal education. For others, selecting a major was more difficult. How are you supposed to know what you want to do until you retire? How do I narrow down all my effort and energy into one narrow category of study that will dictate the job I am qualified to work? And the truth is, you don’t have to narrow it down just yet. It’s more important to explore your options, and find a career path that makes you passionate. Your career is more than a job that earns you money to get by to the next week. Even if you’re rich enough to enjoy your weekends, you’ll still be unhappy if you spend your weekdays hating your job and wanting to be anywhere else. Although it might sound cliche, if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. You need to find work that is worth doing. According to an article by the University of Southern California, people who enjoy their jobs are more likely to be optimistic, motivated, learn faster, make fewer mistakes, and make better business decisions. Not only will loving your job make you happier, but it will also make you better at doing it! Steve Jobs stood in front of the 2005 Stanford graduating class and said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” When choosing your career, it’s important to choose a pathway that excites you. Find what gets you out of bed in the morning, and what inspires you to do your best. If you love art, find a job that allows for your creative brain and contribute your artistic ability to your career. If you love talking and working with people, find a position that harnesses your people skills and lets Kaley Pieper According to Kaley you exhibit them. So, what if you don’t know your strengths? What if you haven’t yet found your passions? Go search for them. Job shadow someone in your field, take a class unrelated to your major or try out new clubs. Try, fail, and try again. Everyone has something that makes them excited. Find that thing that puts you “in the zone” when everything else leaves your mind, and you are totally focused and engaged. Don’t be afraid to change your major -- and then change it again. Because now is the time to realize what you love to do, not when you’re 40+ and have been working a miserable job for 20 years. And most importantly, don’t solely choose your job based on the amount of money you can make because passion will always trump profits, and your joy should always prevail. So when you go home for Christmas break, and that one family member asks you, ‘Well what’s the plan?’ or ‘What’s your major?’ it’s perfectly fine for you to answer with something like, “That’s what college is for me to find out.” And if criticized for changing your major, or switching career paths, remember this quote from Theodore Roosevelt, “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” Find your work worth doing. aper p s ewCollege’s Casper ok N nline o n i O ChStudent Now Voice Since 1945 “ As we head down the home stretch towards finals week and then into the holidays and New Year, I want to leave you with two messages. The first is take time to simply enjoy. Enjoy the weather, the season, your friends and family, and everything else life has to offer. All too often we become focused on one or two aspects of our lives, i.e. work and school, and other aspects of our complex lives become neglected. So please don’t get too focused on the hustle and bustle of the season, and take some time to just enjoy life. My second message is a reminder the holidays can be a challenging time as many people struggle with increased anxiety or depression. Adding the burden of believing everyone should be happy this time of year to someone already struggling with current life challenges, can make everything seem even worse. Whether this scenario describes you personally, or you have a friend or loved one who struggles, please take extra care this year to watch for the signs of emotional distress. Remember, there are many resources at the College, the county, and the state to help anyone having a tough time. Also know you can reach out anytime to any member of our staff, and ask for assistance, and we will put you in touch with trained professionals who can help. Best wishes for a peaceful and restful holiday season… Please don't get too focused on the hustle and bustle of the season, and take some time to just enjoy life. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President The season of giving Rachelle Trujillo Rachelle's Reflections In some ways, 2021 was just as challenging as 2020. If this is the case for you too, the best thing you can do for yourself going into a new year is to serve others. I truly believe that it’s impossible to be sad or upset while helping someone else, so what better way is there to end the year? Being a college student means we are no strangers to penny pinching, but luckily for us doing kind gestures for others doesn’t always have to be expensive. Here are five, nearly free ways that you can serve others not only in the last month of 2021, but anytime throughout the year. 1. Thank someone working in customer service, and acknowledge their job isn’t easy. Many college students have at one point or another worked a low-paying job dealing with grumpy customers. If you are one of them, draw on these memories and pass some empathy along to the Walmart clerk, a restaurant manager, or telephone operator. A few simple words of acknowledgement and appreciation will go far. 2. Call an older relative. If you are lucky enough to still have grandmas and grandpas here with you, be sure to check in with them. Many of us can’t comprehend it now, but one day some of us will understand what it means to have our young, cool, and extremely busy grandkids stop and take the time out of their day to check in. If you don’t have grandmas or grandpas to call anymore, consider calling an older family friend, aunt, uncle, or even your parents. Regardless of who you call, the small gesture will mean the world. 3. Leave a glowing review for a local business. Many small businesses are still struggling following the pandemic. If you can’t give them your business all the time, leave a good review for the times you have. Good publicity means a great deal to growing businesses, and the best part is that it only takes a minute of your time. 4. Compliment an employee to their boss. Similar to thanking someone working in customer service, take a second to flag down a manager and compliment your server, barista, or anyone else that took extra care to provide you great service. Not only will the employee likely hear it from their boss, but their boss will see first-hand that they have a good worker on their team. 5. Compliments a stranger. We have become so accustomed to staring at our phones or looking the other way as we pass someone in the hall -- I’m guilty myself. As easy as this is, think about the time someone has gone out of their way to compliment your outfit, smile, or hair. A few words of affirmation will leave someone holding their head high for the rest of their day, and you’ll feel good for having made someone feel seen. Is it possible to be a vegan? Vegan as a noun is defined by Merriam-Webster as a person who does not eat any food derived from animals, and someone who does not use other animal products. Vegan as an adjective is described as eating, using or containing no food or other products derived from animals. Before I go any further, let me pause to clarify that this article is not meant to slander the products made from cattle. However it is quite the opposite, after reading this message, I hope you will gain knowledge and an understanding of the amazing benefits we enjoy everyday from cattle alone. First, let's examine ‘vegan’ as a noun. Since vegans cannot consume any animal products we will look at the by-products of a cow to start. According to AgClassroom.org, there are more than 10 edible byproducts that come from cattle. Things such as jello, yogurt, mayonnaise, soft shell medi- Join the Oil City Ag Club Help with the lamb and pig sale Participate in community service Make new friends Discuss trending agriculture topics Test your competitive side Join us for good food and fun Contact faculty advisor Heath Hornecker hhornecker@caspercollege.edu WA 111 December 1, 2021 CHINOOK cines and many other items contain by-products from cattle. I’m not sharing these facts to scare you or make you not want to consume these products; however, many people have never been exposed to the immense amount of commodities cattle alone produce. These are just a few of the edible byproducts that come from cattle. So now let’s view ‘vegan’ as an adjective, as an adjective one cannot eat, use or contain any products from an animal. If you are choosing to make the transition into or you’re already vegan, note that when driving a car or taking some form of public transportation, you are using cattle byproducts whether you know it or not. Let me explain. The tires that are on the vehicle are made of rubber, which contains products from the excess fat on a cow. Whether or not you purchased those tires, you still may be contributing to the use of these products. When choosing to use public transportation the price of your ticket goes in part towards tires and fuel. Within biodiesel there are cattle by-products diesel technology forum states that 84 percent of all public transportation is a diesel bus. Based on transportation alone the likelihood of someone being able to be a true vegan is almost impossible. Let’s talk about some of the other items that most people are accustomed to using that also contain by-products. Regardless of the fact that you may or may not own a home, according to the National Association of Home Builders in 2019 the amount of homes built on a concrete foundation was up 46% from 2018. Surprisingly enough concrete also contains by-products from cattle. With that being said, based on by-products from cattle alone, it is basically impos- Paige Noble AgVocating with Paige sible to be a true vegan no matter your definition. Further research of other animals continues to support the fact that being a vegan is not possible. So take a look at the foundation of your home, the insulation and the paint on your walls, your food, and your transportation, all which contain cattle by-products. Step back and really consider how impactful cattle really are on your life. Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class, titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �December 1, 2021 Page 3 CHINOOK Stricklin.................................................. Kaley Pieper/Chinook Stricklin helps freshamn Katie Baumstarck learn graphing equations in Math 1400. career, she found herself very unsure of what she wanted to do with her life. Since her family owned a Hallmark store in town for 49 years, she first assumed that she would get her business degree and take over the business from her father. While growing up working retail in the store, Stricklin learned many valuable people skills. Her upbringing also instilled in her the importance of hard work and the will to strive for excellence. Her family worked 365 days a year to run the store. “When you own your own business, there’s no such thing as a day off,” she explained. But after one semester of macroeconomics, she realized business was not for her. She then tried many other career paths including social work, accounting, business administration, and psychology. “It’s okay to explore, (to) think about what sounds fun and try it. I think we’re so focused on finding a major and getting it done. You have a long adult life to be an adult, so just explore in college. I would much rather students take longer to graduate and love what they’re doing than to graduate and hate it,” she said. Stricklin also said that if she could do college over again, she would spend more time on adventures and making friends than focusing so hard continued from page 1 on academics. “Not that focusing on academics is bad, but it’s okay to go on adventures and have responsible fun with friends. Sometimes we focus too much on getting the degree and less on adventures. I wish in college I would’ve gone on a mission trip,” Stricklin shared. While she did get the opportunity to go on a mission trip four years ago, she said she realized the benefit she could have gained from the religious trip in college. Stricklin describes herself as a religious woman who hopes that her walk with Jesus comes out in the way she treats people. She said she also hopes that when students are in her class they feel loved, appreciated, and valued. She also “prayer walks” in her classroom around all the desks in the morning before she teaches. Roccaforte’s favorite part about her teaching is the time she gives each individual student. “Every class, Mrs. Stricklin interacts with each student individually, which you don’t see from a lot of other professors. My favorite part is being able to leave class every day feeling like I learned something, and I didn’t waste my time,” he said. Professors like Stricklin make CC a college that is able to enrich the lives of students and the community alike. The life of a non-traditional student at CC Isabella Coronado Chinook Writer Do you ever wonder what a non-traditional student is or what college is like for someone non-traditional students? A non-traditional student doesn’t follow the traditional path that students take coming out of high school. Nowadays, these students are known as non-trad students. Non-traditional students come from different scenarios, but in the end, the students work to complete their education just the same. Diana Craige is just one example of a non-trad student that attended CC. Born in Alamosa, Colo., Craige later moved with her family to Casper. She is married to Dwight Craige. She has three kids, Randy, Raymond, and Melody. Craige became a grandma about four years ago and she loves being one every single day. Craige got a job at the Star Tribune in 1979 (now the Casper Star-Tribune), a role she credits as one of her ‘first real jobs.’ She worked there for 31 years. She started in the news department of the Tribune and then moved over to the business office. In 1981 she found out that her job covered the cost of taking a college class if the class associated with work. “The Star Tribune was very helpful with the whole process and helped work around my schedule so that I could go to the college to take my classes.” Craige took accounting at the college for her first class. Around 1984, her publisher tried to persuade more people to take classes, and he said he would even cover a degree if someone wanted to continue taking classes at the college. Once Craige heard about the opportunity, she found out more information so she could qualify for more classes. She ended up submitting a proposal for a business degree paid for by the Star Tribune, which her publisher accepted. She tried to schedule her classes during her lunch breaks or take night classes so she could still maintain her full-time work schedule. Craige described what it was like going back to school. She spoke very highly about school and expressed her excitement to return to the classroom. Craige said, “You’re really ready, where I think sometimes when you go from high school straight to college, I think something people think ‘ugh this is boring’ compared to when you are a non-trad. Every class was interesting and exciting to go to.” Going to college proved a lot of fun for Craige, especially when she started taking a bunch of new classes. Craige said she found herself almost living a double life going to school and getting her associates while also being a full-time mom with a full-time job on top of school. Taking college classes made Craige feel like she could be herself at school. “I was a mom, a full time mom, so it was the only time I could be Diana. I wasn’t mom, I wasn’t the employ, I wasn’t Mrs. Craige, I was just Diana.” She said she always found CC a very personable school to attend. Craige described what she liked about CC. “Your teachers got to know you, you weren’t scared to ask for help, and the labs were great. And whenever you needed outside help, everyone was willing to help and make sure you were satisfied with your learning at CC,” Craige said. While earning her associate's degree, Craige worked in the business office at the Star Tribune. After for 21 years in the business department, Craige said she spend the last 10 years of her time with the Star Tribune in the advertising depart- ment. She actually work in dual departments as a supervisor for accounting and in statistics for advertising. After she completed her associates degree, Craige said she didn’t think that she would want to go back to school, but after a few years passed, she returned to school through University of Wyoming at Casper. There, Craige earned her bachelor's degree and later got her teaching license. She taught for 10 years before she retired in May of 2021. Cindy Roybal is one of Craige’s nieces. She spoke very highly of her aunt’s impacts on her life and all of her accomplishments as a non-trad. Roybal described Craige as one her closest aunts. She also believes that Craige is the aunt that she is most like. Roybal shared how she thought her aunt going to CC helped open a lot of opportunities for her and her career. It also helped her balance spending time with her family as a parent while also getting a degree. “She’s taught me how to take things in stride and how to find the silver lining in every situation. When you face an obstacle, she always faces anything with positivity and laughter and it helps her get through hard times,” said Roybal. Roybal described Craige as one of the strongest people in our family. She said her aunt is always a great role model because no matter what comes her way, she always figures out a way to look on the bright side. Roybal said, Craige is a very bright person and has achieved so much in her life. Craige said she wanted to share her story to show students in college now what it is like to be in college with a family and a ful- time job. Even though Photo Courtesy of Diana Craige it came with difficulties, Craige said she Diana Craige is posed in a photo with her husband Dwight wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Craige, who she has been married to for almost 40 years. The end of Fall semester is almost here. Locations/Hours Tobin Dining Hall : Mon—Fri Breakfast 7am—9am Continental 10am—11am Full Lunch 11am—1pm Grill/Salad Be sure to use your Sat—Sun Brunch 11:30am—1:30pm Meal Plan’s FLEX $$ All funds expire on Dec. 18 2021 and do not carry over to Spring Semester! 1pm—2pm Everyday Dinner 4:45pm—6:45pm SubConnection : Mon—Thurs 7am—6pm Fri 7am—3pm Leisinger Doornbos Lounge and GW 3rd Floor: Mon—Thurs 7:30am—2pm Fri 7:30am—1pm Convenience to fit your schedule Your meal plan can be utilized for a Breakfast or Lunch Combo Meal at SubConnection, Doornbos Lounge and Gateway 3rd Floor locations until 2pm Monday thru Friday! �Page 4 CHINOOK Performing "Narnia" December 1, 2021 Erin Geldien/Chinook From left to right, Carter Brown, Skylar Lane, Abigail Disburg, Alex Brus, play the two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve from the classic movie "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" made into the musical. The four were reading a note left on Mr. Tumnus' house when they were startled by two beavers. Erin Geldien/Chinook Aslan, played by Dylan Coleman, sings to the "kids" and other creatures from Narnia. Erin Geldien/Chinook Erin Geldien/Chinook The two beavers, played by Nicholas Goar and Anastasia Zetti, share a deep discussion after descovering "the two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve." Mr. Tumnus, played by Matthew Hills, talks to Lucy, played by Abigail Disburg, inside his home. The two drink tea right after Lucy walked through the wardrobe into the magical land of Narnia. Erin Geldien/Chinook Edumd, played by Carter Brown, listens to Jessica Cowen sing about Narnia and all the things he could experience if he brought his siblings to the castle with him. Erin Geldien/Chinook The Witch, played by Jessica Cowen feeds Edmund, played by Carter Brown some turkish delight. Enjoy a friendly game! Open gym Thursdays from 7 - 11 p.m. Liesinger Hall Gym *excluding game days* �December 1, 2021 Page 5 CHINOOK Kristina Pham runs rain or shine Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer Rain-or-shine runners are a rare breed. Regardless of snow, wind, or any other weather patterns thrown their way, rain-or-shine runners pound the pavement in their tennis shoes almost any day of the year. Among them is Kristina Pham, an instructor of psychology at Casper College and a rain-or-shine runner for 15 years now. “There were only three days last year that I didn't run,” Pham said. “I’m usually up by 4 [a.m.] ... I just get up, have a cup of coffee and then it's get changed and get out the door.” Pham’s daily morning routine stays pretty consistent throughout the week. In her classroom and teaching by 8 a.m., she aims to run eight to ten miles on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and eight to 12 miles on her days off. The distance is higher if Pham is training for a race, which she did relatively often before the Covid-19 outbreak. “Running has always been a part of the daily routine from what I can remember,” Anasofia Pham, Kristina’s daughter said. “I always remember growing up that no matter how early I woke up, my mom had already been up and had done her morning run.” Still, Kristina never saw herself as a runner growing up. She didn’t take up running at all until she was about 34. “You know, it's funny. I was looking at [a childhood scrapbook] with my kids a while back,” Kristina said. “And every year it was like, oh, I won all these awards at field day for running. And my kids were like, ‘how did you not know you were a runner?’ I don't know… I never thought of myself as athletic.” But today Kristina is still winning awards for her running. Currently, Kristina holds 12 US age group records and 20 state age records in Arizona for the 12k to 30k, according to the USA Track & Field American Records. She broke eight of those records on the same day. “On my taxes it says I'm a semiprofessional athlete,” Kristina said. “Which means that I make enough money to have to pay taxes on it, but it doesn't actually support me.” Some of Kristina’s different types of races include track, road racing, and mountain running, though she said long distance remains her favorite. Kristina started to say that she found her morning runs to be a stress reliever, but she quickly corrected herself, mentioning the goal she sets for herself during most runs. If Kristina runs her ideal time or distance, the day is set up to succeed. But if the goal isn’t met, she said the day is met with frustration. However, the run isn’t completely worthless. “I do my best thinking when I'm running,” Kristina said. “If I think to myself, well I want do this in class with my students, but I'm not sure how to work out the details of it -- it's when I'm running that I like to figure that stuff out… I just kind of tune everything out and am able to just kind of work out all the stuff in my head.” Again, such runs takes place in whatever weather is thrown her way. Kristina said her least favorite to brave is the wind, but she said she doesn’t mind the snow. “I would take the snow,” Kristina said. “It seems like the town is just so quiet. It's just the most beautiful -- it’s my favorite.” Regardless of weather, Kristina said she just likes the running part. “It's like the thing that makes me the happiest,” Kristina said. “Maybe not the thing that makes me the happiest… my kids might be upset if I said that. It just makes me really happy. I really enjoy it.” Kristina said a post she wrote for her personal blog back in October 2014 best described her feelings for running. The writing today still reflects the worry back then that she wouldn’t be able to recover from an injury. “I don’t think I can express how I feel about racing. I love racing with a passion that most people reserve for romantic relationships,” Kristina wrote in her blog. “I am never happy, I always want more, I always want better… What drives me is this internal need to do better than I did in the past.” Kristina said she’s maintained the blog for years. However, regardless of all the writing ranging in topics from morning runs to personal anecdotes, the specific post expressing her feelings for running stuck out enough for Kristina to mention it, even after seven years. “I have said this before, but I truly believe I am a better runner,” Kristina wrote. “I know I can perform better, this is why I am so emotional about my running. I can’t give up. No more regrets.” Photo Courtesy of (royalty-free) Aravaipa Running Kristina Pham, instructor of pyschology at Casper College, competes in the Silverton Alpine race this past summer. www.caspercollege.edu/chinook Check Out the Digital Learning Center Students: Have you heard of MyCCMoodle? It’s the online space where your grades and syllabi live ... among other resources your instructor might share. The DLC makes sure you’re geared up to succesfully navigate the online portion of your courses. What we can do for you: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. Zoom – become a pro Zoomer and feel confident attending a Zoom class meeting 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Online tutoring — Sometimes we all need a shoulder to lean on and NetTutor has the perfect one! 5. Quite place to study - Crack open your books in the DLC. Draw on our walls. Use our computers. Eat our snacks. Teresa Millan Camille Cockrell Mike McLemore Drop by by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882 or dlc@caspercollege.edu. Dave Siemens Don’t wait! Get your questions answered now. Tyler Sanner A MyCCMoodle app is coming soon! �Page 6 December 1, 2021 CHINOOK Former Chinook staff member pursues bigger Paige Noble Chinook Writer Previous Casper College graduate Derek Schroeder found success in many different aspects of his life. Immediately after graduating from CC where he wrote for the Chinook, Schroeder chose to continue his education at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz. where he pursued degrees in environmental studies and journalism. There too, he wrote for the student paper. Schroeder spoke to where his interest in writing began. “I really got the bug to be a writer at Dean Morgan Junior High School. One of the first five paragraph essays my English teacher had us write, she took me aside and said, ‘Derek this paper is really good. You have this voice I think you need to pay attention to.’” Following such praise, Schroeder utilized that momentum and carried it through to where he is now. Once in high school Schroeder immediately started writing for the “Gusher,” the school newspaper at Natrona County High School. He then wrote for the Chinook at CC and the paper at NAU. Mimi Schroeder, Derek’s mother, recalled his personality in school and his passion for writing. “She just fell in love with him, all of his teachers adored him,” said Mimi. Derek has been able to work in many different fields. While in Arizona he said he worked for non-profits, which really spiked an interest in environmental studies. Because of those work experiences, Derek then switched his degree to environmental studies and started pursuing a life devoted to bettering the environment. After graduating from NAU, Derek moved to Oregon to work on local farms where he learned more about agriculture and the benefits of rotational grazing in cattle. “Tomatoes were his thing. He could grow some mighty fine tomatoes,” said Mimi. While Derek worked on the farms he learned a lot about the benefits of grazing livestock. “It was a really fun experience learning all about sustainable farming practices,” said Derek. His time in Oregon coupled with growing up in Wyoming further sparked his passion for the environment and using sustainable goods to better the environment. He said he works to always promote sustainability in whatever field he works. In addition to Derek’s passion for environmental studies, he also values the fine arts. From a very young age, others noticed Derek’s passion for music. Somehow Derek always finds himself tied to music whether that is from his days in high school playing in the guitar ensemble or playing with his current band. “He loved the guitar, and was very good at it. He played in the elite guitar ensemble throughout school.” said Mimi. “Even Mrs. Martin said he's just wonderful; he picks up things so easily.” Not only is his passion for the arts evident through music, but it is also abundantly clear through Derek’s photography. After working on farms in Oregon Derek took a job with LifeTouch Photography and quickly expanded his knowledge and passion for photography. “I’ve always been excited about photography,” said Schroeder. Once the opportunity to grow with the company presented itself Derek jumped on it. Whether writing for a journal, practicing real life sustainable farming, or snapping pictures, Derek finds success from passions established in his childhood. Such passions continue to align with his beliefs and help better the environment, capturing the true beauty through words and images. This is Derek Schroeder. Photo and Caption Courtesy of Derek Schroeder Shown above is a photo I took of my good friend fly-fishing for steelhead near the Oregon Coast. Steelhead are a rainbow trout that has migrated from it's home river to the ocean and returns to spawn. They are by far my favorite type of fish to chase with my fly rod. As you can see, it's a type of visual poetry to cast big flies and heavy lines to these inspiring creatures. Photo and Caption Courtesy of Derek Schroeder Below -- This is from a backcountry climbing trip I took in Alaska with my friend Eamon. We were outside of Fairbanks, and dodged some feisty goldminers, more mosquitos than I thought was possible anywhere and nasty weather to climb these amazing spires. A trip I won't forget. Photo and Caption Courtesy of Derek Schroeder Above -- Wakauna Falls outside Portland, OR. Waterfalls are gorgeous but very hard to photograph creatively. This was my attempt at creating a neat composition and I still come back to it as one of my favorites. It's a good advertisement for Circular polarizers as well. Photo and Caption Courtesy of Derek Schroeder Left -- A small glimpse from life on the Deck Family Farm in Junction City, Oregon. Pastureraised pork is kept in moveable parcels and fed hazelnuts sourced from nearby orchards. The pigs graze, till and fertilize the pasture. The pasture is then seeded and beef cattle will graze it in the summer. Photo and Caption Courtesy of Derek Schroeder Above -- My wife and I backpacked through the mountains in Peru, and this wonderful local hiked all the way to our camp at 14,000 feet and sold us some llama wool hats and gloves. We were astonished to see she hiked nearly as far as we did in sandals and skirts. �December 1, 2021 Page 7 CHINOOK The T-Birds road ahead Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer The T-Birds season is underway with many new recruits, red shirt freshman, and two returning sophomores. The team started the season 4-4 with a three-game home stand ahead. The squad looked in good form only losing close games but winning games by big margins. The highest win came in the T-Birds first game of the season. The team beat Real Salt Lake Post Grad 109-69 and kept that momentum to win the “GW Mechanical Tip Off Classic.” Returning sophomore Peter Turay proved a reliable leader coming off the bench playing 22 minutes a game while scoring 10 points per contest. He shot 61% from the field. Coming from London, Turay makes a big impact on the team, and he said he hopes to lead new recruits as one of the two returning sophomores. Casper native Davion McAdam looks to put gain on his experience from his last season and translate that to his final season at Casper College. “It has been a blessing (being) from here and (to) compete at such a high level and continue playing in front of people who truly care for me,” said McAdam. “This year is different from my freshman year because I have higher expectations for myself and from the coaching staff as well.” McAdam averaged 5.5 points, shooting 50% shooting from the field. One of CC’s new recruits is true freshman PJ Ngambi, a guard out of Nebraska. Ngambi made an immediate impact on the team earning starter minutes and averaging 11.4 points a game. Red-shirt freshman Rashaun Agee leads the team in scoring with 15 points a game from the forward position. The T-Birds look to capitalize on their strong start at home where they boasted an 8-3 record last season by winning these next three before playing a tournament in Gillete. The team finished last year’s season with a winning Freshman guard, Joslin Igo, prepares to shoot in a recent home game. record of 13-8. The T-Birds hope to improve that record and bring a championship back to Casper. Brendan Saunders/Chinook Building blocks in 2021 Brendan Saunders Chinook Writer PJ Ngambi, a freshman guard, takes a shot at a recent home game. Brendan Saunders/Chinook The Lady T-Birds are off to a hot start after almost pulling off a perfect season last year with a close loss in the regional championship game against Otero Junior College. After a strong season that ended with a close loss of only five, the Lady T-birds look to build on the momentum from last season and correct the mistakes made in the championship game. Coach Dwight Gunnare looks to key in on those weak spots. “We had trouble handling pressure and with boxing out in the paint for rebound. We looked to recruiting to help fix those problems. We have been focusing on dribbling and boxing out in practice as well,” said Gunnare. In addition to the new recruits, the Lady T-Birds five returning sophomores took the leadership role of the team in stride. “They have been tremendous. They understand the drills and they translate that to the freshman class in practice,” said Gunnare. One of the returning sophomores, Joseana Vaz, is the player Gunnare praised for a breakout season last year. Vaz built off of the confidence from last season and brought it to the hot start this year. Averaging 14.7 points a game while shooting 45% from the field, Vaz found her role as a leader of this team. “Being a starter as a freshman helped my confidence a lot. I can feel the trust of the team with more plays being run through me and for me,” Vaz said. Coming from her home country in Praia, Cape Verde, Vaz also used her freshman year to acclimate to playing in the United States. “I got to learn a lot about how plays are run in America last year, so this year I am lot more familiar with how they are run while getting more minutes.” Vaz and the Lady T-Birds made a statement at the start of the season, and they aim to go right back to the championship this year with a winning result. At 5-2, the Lady T-Birds play in the Casper’s Thanksgiving Classic before hitting the road until January 19 where they hope to top the conference. International students in the post-COVID world Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer The Coronavirus pandemic affected nearly every aspect of people’s lives. As the world begins to recuperate from the changes seen over the past two years, traveling is increasingly returning to prepandemic levels. For college students, studying abroad is an extremely attractive option, and looser restrictions mean young people are able to once again experience new cultures and campus life. Sophomore Keanu Jardim felt relieved to receive the opportunity to come to Casper College from his hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa. “I didn’t know if I would be able to make it because of COVID. It took a really long time to get my visa” Jardim said. “ It’s really exciting being here. It’s a great experience that I’m really grateful for.” Jardim lived in South Africa his whole life, and he said he finds it interesting to see the different ways holidays are celebrated. Halloween, for example, is not so much a big deal in South Africa as it is in the U.S. He said people here go “all out.” While Thanksgiving is not celebrated in South Africa, Jardim said those in the U.S. enjoy Christmas nearly the same way with feasts, gifts, and lots of family time. However, some international students do not have the option to head home for the holidays. This year, both Jardim and Konato Campbell, a fellow sophomore from Kingston, Jamaica, have the chance to spend this special time of year with loved ones. For Jardim, travelling to South Africa is not an option, but he is able to visit family in Portugal. Campbell is lucky enough to enjoy the holidays with loved ones back in his hometown. “I’m ecstatic,” Campbell said. “I really miss my family, so I’m happy to go home.” For many international students, holidays are one of the few times of year where they can see family again. It’s a big decision to move across the globe and hundreds of miles away from — See post-COVID, Page 8 Medal of Honor recipient WRITING CENTER visits Casper College The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Create a resume Craft a scholarship essay And so much more! Baylee Darling/Chinook Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha came to visit Casper College on November 12th. He detailed his journey from his childhood years and into the army. He talked about how his father had been in the army, and how he himself asprired to join as well. He originally wanted to join to pay for college, but ended up staying in it, serving our country for over 10 years. He recounted his experience of being deployed in Afganistan, mentioning not only the horrors of war but also the close brotherhood that he and his team shared. For his service in the Battle of Kamdesh in 2009, he recieved a Medal of Honor, which was awarded by former President Obama in 2009. The Medal of Honor is the United States government's most prestigious military decoration awarded to those in service to us who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor and bravery. Romesha's story proved just how much he deserved this incredible honor, and we thank him for coming to share his experiences with us. Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu �Page 8 December 1, 2021 CHINOOK Post-COVID...continued from page 7 loved ones, but for Campbell and Jardim, it was a risk they were willing to take. “I heard about Casper College from a soccer agency. My dream was to always attend college and play soccer, so coming to Casper made that dream a reality,” Campbell said. Moving to a new country and college comes with its pros and cons. Both Jardim and Campbell hail from warm climates, and each said the cold weather, especially the wind, is not something they’re fond of here. Weather aside, both men appreciate the opportunities Casper and the college offer, including scholarships and athletics, along with its services like counseling, tutoring, and wellness. Both students also said they experience a sense of safety and security in the Casper community. “There are more opportunities here than back home” Campbell said, “And back home, there is a lot of violence there.” Jardim echoed the same sentiments, saying that Casper is much safer than his home- town in South Africa. Overall, Jardim and Campbell agreed that they both enjoy being in Casper. Aside from the cold weather and wind that Jardim mentioned he disliked, both men made note of the friendly people they have encountered in Casper, and how it's these individuals that have made their time here memorable. “The people here are really nice and friendly,” Jardim said in closing. “That is one of the best things I really like about being here in Casper.” Photo Courtesy of Cory Garvin Like Konato Campbell, Keanu Jardim hoped to play soccer upon enrolling at Casper College. He is one of many international students that make up CC’s athletic teams. From animal science major to pharmacist Photo Courtesy of Jamie Hornecker From left to right, Heath, Jamie, Nolan, Emmy, Carson and Jansen Hornecker posed for a family photo. Heath Hornecker is also an instructor at Casper College, and both he and Jamie are alumnis of Casper College. The couple met during their time in Casper. Cameron Magee Chinook Writer Jaime Hornecker grew up loving the agricultural way of life, but after completing her bachelor's degree in Animal Science, she found herself in a pharmacy and hasn’t looked back. Hornecker grew up in Culbertson, Nebr. on a small farm and ranch. She lived the small rural life, calling her upbringing ‘laid back and wonderful.” “We had a great childhood growing up. We were very involved in 4-H, and I traveled to the neighboring high school for FFA because my school was K-12th and didn’t offer it,” said Hornecker. After graduating high school, Hornecker found herself judging livestock at Casper College while also working towards an associate's degree in pre-veterinary medicine. After CC, she made her way to Texas Tech University where she continued judging and received a bachelor's degree in Animal Science. Hornecker thought she found her way in agriculture, but then she also made connections in the Texas Tech pharmacy department as a volunteer. “My farm animal reproduction teacher was a human reproductive physiologist. I made a connection with him, and he was writing letters of recommendations for me. I was going to go work for him at the hospital and somehow, I found myself in the pharmacy. The rest is history,” Hornecker recalled. Looking back, Hornecker remembers her professors accepting her animal science classes in place of human science. “My family always jokes about when I went to pharmacy school, I had to have an anatomy class and they accepted my anatomy of farm animals' class for the human anatomy class. They don’t do that anymore, but at the time it worked,” said Hornecker. Hornecker mentioned that she would have really enjoyed animal medicine, but she looked for something family friendly while maintaining a medicine interest with an agriculture interest on the side. “There are many vets who are successful at having a family and practicing. Pulling calves at 30 below zero and the wind is blowing, that type of thing really factored into it -- maybe it was a lifestyle thing,” she laughed. Hornecker is a pharmacist by training, but she is now ultimately a teacher as a professor for the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy. “Part of my job with the University of Wyoming, in addition to my responsibilities with teaching is that I have my own practice,” said Hornecker Hornecker practices in Casper because the School of Pharmacy put her there as her practice site. That is where she not only sees patients but also where students come to work in the clinic and learn more about pharmacy in a real world setting. “I take fourth year pharmacy students while they are in their clinical rotations. I will get a group of two students at a time for four weeks. I usually have five to six groups throughout the year,” Hornecker said. In addition to clinical rotations with pharmacy students, Hornecker also runs a PTY1 residency program for pharmacists. The program is for graduated pharmacists that chose to do an extra year of training. According to Hornecker, sometimes the pharmacists choose to train an extra year because they want to get into a specialty pharmacy position that requires more education. In addition to students rotating in and out, Hornecker also manages two pharmacy residents who work with her for a full year. Hornecker’s job contains many parts she enjoys, but she spoke to her favorites. “Getting to contribute to the professional and personal growth of the students and residents that I work with, that is number one. The second favorite part of my job is the relationship with my patients. I started with a lot of my patients in my residency. We joke with the students that they have seen my kids be born because we have been seeing each other so long,” Hornecker said. The last year made working in health care extremely tough for many in the workforce, and Hornecker brought light to such changed times. “It’s always tough when you lose Success after a degree from CC Audrey Axtell Chinook Writer Casper College takes pride in not only employing high quality educators, but also in having an abundant amount of CC graduates back as current professors, and Jeremy Burkett is no exception. Burkett is an agriculture professor and the CC Livestock coach, a position he’s had for almost 13 years. Burkett’s office is lined with banners and trophies won by CC’s livestock team over the years along with photos from team trips. Several of Burkett’s students received the Academic All-American award, a mark of achievement all members strive to accomplish. The award is given to students for academic excellence in combination with a high level of performance at national judging competitions. Burkett is the current state executive director for the Wyoming Pork Producers, as well as a member of the National Pork Board. He said agriculture has always been a part of his life in some capacity. According to Burkett, he grew up raising show hogs with his parents and siblings. He spoke to the impacts this lifestyle made on his career choices. “Judging and being involved in ag has definitely put my professional career on a totally different trajectory. I would not be where I’m at today without those opportunities and making those connections,” said Burkett. Burkett began livestock judging himself when he was a freshman in high school, and he continued his career through 4-H and FFA. After graduating, he judged at a collegiate level for CC on scholarship under Kelly Burch. Burkett held the state FFA presidential office for Wyoming while attending CC, which provided even more travel opportunities. After competing for the CC livestock judging team, Burkett went on to earn his bachelor's in animal science at Colorado State University followed by his master’s in animal science and meat science at Iowa State. He later received his PhD from Iowa state as well. Burkett said he did not intend to become a professor, but he finds the work very rewarding and enjoys working with his students. Burkett said he initially intended to become a veterinarian, however if you asked his wife she would tell you he was meant to be a teacher all along. After being accepted to vet school, Burkett decided to work towards his PhD instead, and he became a professor for CC shortly after. “I really plan on staying here, obviously not only raising a family in Casper, but competing with my team at the local, state, and national level has been incredible. Casper is a great place to live, to work, and a great environment to raise a family,” said Burkett. “Life will throw you different avenues and career paths. It’s important to trust your heart on where you need to be”. Coaching at CC even shaped the way Burkett is raising his own kids by getting them involved in agriculture through showing lambs, being in 4-H, and FFA activities. Burkett’s oldest son is just starting livestock judging at the high school level this year as a freshman. During the judging season a patient,'' said Hornecker when talking about the hard parts of her job. “Especially during the pandemic, a lot of us have seen what death and dying do, especially when it’s close to home it’s hard.” Hornecker enjoys what her job offers in terms of clinic life, but there are also perks outside of the pharmacy. “Teaching and working in the clinic gives me more flexibility than you do in a lot of other pharmacy jobs,” Hornecker said. “At Walmart you are stuck there from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and you can’t get away to see your kids' activities. I really appreciate how flexible my job is so I can get away.” Hornecker has four children -Nolan, Emmy, Carson and Janson who all appreciate how hard their mom works not only at her clinical job but also how much she provides for her family. “My mom is a rockstar because she always compliments me on my grades in school, my athleticism and strength. She is always supportive on the sports I do like skiing, baseball, and other things like football,” said Carson Emmy, mentioned that her mom tries to help them be their best so they can succeed at anything they try. “She pushes us to be the best at everything and not give anything but our best work. She helps us work our livestock, helps us with school, and anything else that we might need help with,” said Emmy. Jansen, the youngest sibling said, “She always challenges us to be our best, and I appreciate that because I know it’s going to make me into a better person.” Nolan, who is the oldest, says his mom means the world to him, she is always there for him and helps him become the best person he can be. “She has always been a leader to me, and she always tells me to become a leader and what it means to become a leader. Her influence has really impacted my life on the person I have become today,” Nolan explained. itself, team members become like a second family to Burkett, and he often treats them like his own kids. Burkett said it’s not uncommon for him to shed a few tears during graduation. Students travel long distances to judge at CC, and Burkett goes the extra mile to make students feel like they are at a home away from home. “One of my favorite things about this job is watching students grow, develop their judging skills, and find their groove,” Burkett said. “By the end of every season, we’re no longer just a team, we’re a family. I would do anything I could to help out any one of these kids''. Students throughout the agriculture department appreciate the work Burkett does for his students and team members. Whether inside the Submitted Photo classroom or out, Burkett is Jeremy Burkett, an agriculture professor, posed for a photo. always finding ways to help his students. serious when he needs to be. his students in every way he can Paige Noble, a previous His students that know him while pushing them to strive member of the livestock team well feel like he’s a true friend, for excellence, according to and a current work study not just a teacher”, said Noble. Noble. His best qualities tend for the ag pavilion, spoke to “I know I could go to him for to shine when he’s with his Burkett’s character and impact anything I need, and he’ll be livestock team, being a mentor, on his students. there to help”. a coach, but most importantly, “He’s such a kid, but still Burkett continues to help a friend to lend an ear. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2021-12 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2021-12 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from December 2021. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2021-12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/51b74355369a4ff03665c1a92375b59a.pdf b83af8edd3f6ff3fc17234c12e263337 PDF Text Text March 1, 2022 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Single parent program supports Charlize Fritsinger Chinook Writer Casper College’s Neil and Doris McMurry Single Parent Program offers various services to support single parents yearround, and there are openings for more students. The Student Success Center, located in the Gateway building, is where many students go for advising or for a tour around campus. The single parent program is also located in the Student Success Center. The McMurry family established and funded the program after it was clear the college needed a program to support single parents at Casper College. Heather Owens, the student success advisor tasked with running the single parent program, spoke about the initiative. She said services offered through the single parent program include the McMurry Scholarship, a textbook loan program, a Pathfinder Credit Union free financial literacy course, access to a clothing closet and school supplies, as well as case management services linking parents to community services. The entirety of the program is designed to support parents and provide them with resources they need to not only go to school traditionally but for many parents non-traditionally. Owens said that many of the parents in the program are non-traditional, have already started raising their families, and decided to come to college. “Because of that, there’s a little barrier like isolation. I think a little bit just because they don’t fit into that 18, 19-year-old category,” Owens said, “Helping just break that isolation and honestly realizing that these guys are rock stars. Like that’s what I just some of them just blow my mind at how they’re accomplishing.” Jonathan Lucas, a single father and new non-traditional student at CC is studying secondary education. After meeting with an advisor, Lucas was introduced to the single parent program and involved ever since. According to Lucas, “It’s a program that helps single parents have a second chance at coming back to college.” He said the program helped him with books, tuition, gas, and even possible future bills. After serving in the military for 7 years as a US Army Paratrooper, Lucas made the decision to come back to college, and he expressed how beneficial he finds the program. However, even with the support of the program, the need for support from peers and faculty is also needed. “Understanding. Understanding what it’s like to have your life on hold. You know, when your children are sick, you’re down, you can’t come to work, you can’t come to college. You might not be able to make it to work. Understanding what entails that,” Lucas said. Charlize Fritsinger/Chinook Casper College student Jonathan Lucas posed for a photo in the lobby of the Student Success Center where advisor Heather Owens and the single parent program are located. Lucas added that he thinks or hopes faculty would be more lenient or appreciative of the hard work that goes into completed assignments and projects. He said those assignments might seem like they were done quickly, but perhaps they were done exhausted. Understanding and empathy are what many nontraditional students and single — See Parents, Page 3 CC, Hogadon offer night skiing to students Kaley Pieper Chinook Writer Hogadon Ski Area sits at the top of Casper Mountain where views of the sunset are hard to beat. The white snow is a stark contrast to the beautiful red, orange, and purple sky. And thanks largely to the Zimmerman Family Foundation, and many other contributors, this nighttime view is one that anyone can experience. While busy daytime schedules can limit time on the slopes, Hogadon Ski area offers night skiing, an experience that started a few of years ago when installation of the lights on the mountain began. Adam Lutz, an organizational leadership and business management major at Casper College, served on the team that put night lights on the slopes. He and his crew spent lots of time and effort to install the lights. When asked about the process, Lutz said, “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a process of just putting one foot in front of the other, even if you’re moving backward.” After the long process, the lights are finally up! Large light poles now illuminate several runs. The Hogadon Basin Ski Area is open from 3 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for night skiing with about an hour overlap between day and night skiing. The lighted runs include Morning Dew, Park, and Boomerang. “We’re trying to really get the word out. The idea has been very well-received now that it’s going on. All the work and a couple of setbacks… it’s nothing when you’re up there, looking at the lights, and you can see Casper down below. I’ve never skied at night before this, so it was definitely a really awe-inspiring experience. And the first night it was open, we got a little extra snow the day of, and it was clear... And the sunset was perfect…” Lutz said about the experience. The idea for skiing in the dark of night comes from Lutz’s father’s home back in Michigan. Lutz fondly remembers hearing stories about his father and his friends going up the mountain after school to ski and snowboard on the artificially lit slopes until late at night. Since having school all day can leave students busy, night skiing gives an opportunity to still get out onto the mountain. Hogadon isn’t the only resort to come up with the idea. Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole Wyoming also provides lit runs. But here in Casper, college students only have a 15-minute drive to the Hogadon Ski Area. “It’s an opportunity for skiers and snowboarders alike to get out there and hone in on their sport. It allows you to come out more than just on the weekends.” Lutz said. “We want to get the word out and make the access to the area easier. God-willing with some snow, we can make [Casper] a nice little ski town, as it always has been.” A Casper native, Lutz recalls shoveling snow in the morning in order to get money to ski for the rest of the day with his brother. “Looking back on it, it’s a huge blessing in my life that I’ve been able to do that (Ski at Hogadon) with my family, and I want to make sure that continues to grow and is there for generations.” Despite the relatively dry and snowfree winter, the team at Hogadon Basin Ski Area is still working to get snow onto the slopes to give skiers a positive experience according to Lutz. The Natrona County and Kelly Walsh high school ski teams spend a few days a week practicing on the slopes. Besides regular weekend night skiing, the ski area also hosts promotional nights such as men’s night, and youth night. For adults, regular night ski lift tickets are a discounted $25. But Student Life offices make it even easier to hit the slopes my providing $15 ski vouchers for students. To get the voucher, students must bring student ID’s to the fourth floor Student Life Offices. Chris Stier, the Student Activities Coordinator at CC, works with the Hogadon Basin Ski Area to get the vouchers. “The ski vouchers have been actually a long work in process. I’ve been working with some people as part of the Hogadon Night Skiing Project. It was kinda put on hold last year with COVID, but they give a discount and Student Life offsets that cost for students. The same way it works with the movie tickets,” said Stier. Photo Courtesy of Adam Lutz A lone snowboarder rides the dark ominous lift ride towards — See Skiing, Page 3 the top of the mountain. Dance majors fueled by passion, not fear Jay M. Roccaforte Chinook Writer Jay M. Roccaforte/Chinook From front to back: Casper College students McKenzi Pieper, Kaitlin Koehn -- a graduate of the dance program -- Abigale Lipson, and Olivia "Liv" Daniels participate in a class led by instructor Jodi Jones. While Casper College dancers perform “Shadowed Winds and Ghost Roads” from late February through early March, many may be wondering what dance majors are all about. Dance majors make up a small majority of the students at Casper College, but the program impacts the students in a big way. CC offers many programs for students, but the dance majors choose their path for their clear love and admiration for the world of dance. Freshmen McKenzi Pieper and Abigale “BB” Lipson are just two lifelong dancers with passionate for the program. “I’ve been dancing since I was three,” Lipson said. “I could never see myself sitting in an office or doing any job where I wasn’t moving.” The head instructor of the dance program is Jodi Jones, and with CC being one of very few two-year schools to be accredited in dance, Jones said she is excited to see her performers grow during their time here. According to Jones, “Our job is not to grow professional dancers. Our job is to grow that artist to whoever or whatever they might find as their passion as they go through the program.” Jones also said she holds a firm belief that being a dance major is about more than performing. Dance majors follow an extensive and consistent routine that helps them grow in various ways. “Every day, I have two to three movement classes, then two to three other classes on top of that,” Lipson explained. “Then (I have) rehearsal from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., and on Saturday’s, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.” While the heavy workload may be intimidating to many, the Dance majors at CC take it on by choice. According to Pieper, “It’s a lot, but it’s worth it. It keeps us busy. We’re not sitting around, twiddling our thumbs.” Many aren’t aware of how busy the world of dance can be, and Jones believes people share some other misconceptions about dance. “People think ‘oh, okay. They’re probably not really smart, they’re probably not good at anything, or they’re never gonna get a job,’” Jones said. However, in reality, Jones firmly believes in the program’s impact on her students. “What they’re going to — See Dance, Page 3 �Page 2 March 1, 2022 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: The generational divide John Watts J’s Journal Whether you’re a Baby Boomer, Generation X, or Generation Y, we all share the same thing in common: a disapproving opinion of Generation Z . No, but seriously, there is a pattern of con-secutive generations having resentment over the next generation. To answer the question of this fallacy, it is important to break down the demographics and significant world events that shaped the culture in which the populous was raised. Baby Boomers (1946-1964) grew up during the Cold War era and had the honors of following the greatest generation. They grew up during a time of economic growth, which gave birth to hard workers loyal to their occupations. Baby Boomers who don’t stay with one company for more than a decade are either born in the wrong generation or going through a mid-to-late life crisis. This generation is known to like rudimentary schedules, and they will almost always pre-fer a phone call over a text. Generation X (1965-1980) grew up during the Civil Rights movement, Space race, and Wa-tergate. This generation grew up in a time where it seemed more feasible to send a man to the moon than to have a computer fit in their pocket. The dynamics of family life changed drasti-cally as numerous women joined the workforce, and the American consumption lifestyle took off where houses got bigger, cars multiplied in people’s drives, and toys came in nearly every cereal box. Generation X is best known for their independent nature that they gained as a re-sult of very little parental supervision. Generation Y (1981-1995), better known as millennials grew up during the Reagan Era, Chal-lenger explosion, and the first mobile phone. This generation was raised by technology and Starbucks and have grown up to be cat and dog parents. Jokes aside, many millennials have postponed marriage to choose a career over having a family, as shown through a decline in population and the highest college participation numbers of any generation. Shaped less by physical labor and more by specialized jobs, many of them have softer hands and hearts. The biggest traits for millennials are the accepting of diverse work places, job-hopping, and equal pay and equality. Generation Z (1996-2012) grew up during the Iraq War, 9-11 attack, and a global recession. For them, airport security is a normal procedure, and paperless plane tickets along with Uber are the way to travel. With gas prices being so high, this generation truly doesn’t know the value of a dollar. All it takes to bridge the generational divide is to focus more on the similarities than the differ-ences. Every generation thinks the next generation is crazy, but couldn’t that be an age thing? Weren’t we all immature at some point? What happens when the generation who brought new life into this world needs help at the end of their life? Let us not make disrespect a stereotype; instead, let us establish respect as the new social norm. As long as Boomer doomer jokes are being made and millennials consume a ridiculous amount of avocados, our country will be held together by the glue of empathy in action. “ You have persevered through the most severe disruption in your life anyone has seen in decades, and thus I strongly suspect you can now approach and handle new obstacles better than ever before. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President The Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle (1795-1961) once said “Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.” The sentiment behind this quotation has often been an apt description of our students as many of you have overcome immense obstacles to not only make it to college, but to continue to persevere and complete your program. However, I believe this sentiment is more pronounced now than has been the case for quite some time. The COVID-19 Pandemic ushered in concerns, emotions, fiscal realities, and lifestyle changes on a scale not seen in our world for several generations. Quite simply, none of us have lived through anything similar. While it would be a bit premature to call the Pandemic “over,” most indicators point to the increasing likelihood we are exiting a pandemic and entering an endemic as seen with many other diseases the world lives with; it does appear the worst is likely behind us. So my question for you today is: What are you going to do now? How are you going to view and approach your goals and dreams moving forward, and how will you react to new obstacles? Certainly new obstacles will arise as inflation, political turmoil with the recent hostilities in Ukraine, and supply chain disruptions are just a few To click or not to click Kaley Pieper According to Kaley It’s 12 o’clock. I sit down for lunch. Buzz, buzz. The quick sound of a Snapchat notification vibrates the table as I start to eat. I quickly pick up my phone and check it, of course. Oh it’s just from that person? I’ll just answer them later. Buzz, buzz. The Instagram banner notification pops up on the top of my screen. My best friend from back home just posted for the first time in a while. I better go give it a like! Oh, it’s a selfie? That requires a cheesy comment too. Buzz, buzz. Another Snapchat. Buzz, buzz. A text message. Buzz, buzz. Now Twitter. I stop and check the time. 12:14. I start to eat my, now cold, cafeteria spaghetti. Did I really just spend 14 minutes staring at my phone? I look up at my friends sitting across from me at the table. I’ve barely said a word since we’ve sat down. I ask them how their day is going. But they’re on their phones too, and their answers are brief and distracted. Buzz, buzz. Another notification. But this time I pause before I turn over the screen to check. What was this incessive need that I felt to pick up my phone? Buzz, buzz. Maybe it’s something important. Buzz, buzz. “Look at me” it seems to scream. I pick up the phone and get sucked into the trap that we as a society have accidentally laid for ourselves. Social media integration is becoming more and more prominent in our society each day. Almost everyone has a phone in their pocket at any given moment. And while liking a cute picture of a kitten, sending silly filters to your friends, or catching up on the daily scoop by scrolling through Facebook might not seem too insidious, social media also has very negative effects on our individual brains and society as a whole. Forget hard drugs or nicotine, we are addicted to our phones. According to an article by Werner Geyser, a professional in social media and influencer marketing, social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram produce the same neural circuitry caused by gambling and recreational drugs. A constant stream of retweets, likes, and shares affects the brain's reward area and triggers the same kind of chemical reaction as other drugs, such as cocaine. Addiction isn’t the only negative The mind is the only limit... The most enlightened I have ever felt in Wyoming was at the recent 37th Annual Casper College Humanities Festival and Demorest lecture series. I became captivated by the stories and historical facts provided throughout the festival. Most, if not all the speakers had connections to Wyoming in some way or another. If I was forced to choose a favorite speaker, I simply could not. Every single presentation brought new valuable information to light. Reading these stories or historical events alone limits a very crucial understanding of the life experiences of the individuals who experienced them. Getting to hear the information presented by the speakers themselves felt like catching up with an old friend. The emotion current examples. My hope is you answer this question by recognizing you are stronger, wiser, and more confident than ever before. You have persevered through the most severe disruption in your life anyone has seen in decades, and thus I strongly suspect you can now approach and handle new obstacles better than ever before. As Carlyle might say, you have certainly proven you have a strong soul… could be felt in every word, connecting me to the history of these amazing people. I rejoiced in the possibility to join the conversation via Zoom call for the select meetings I could not physically attend. The experience in person most assuredly is the best way to enjoy the festival, but when I wasn’t able to attend the second day there was a means to keep me connected. The captivating narrative unfolded further at the end of every presentation when the floor opened up for questions to the live and online participants. Depending on what was asked, new areas of exciting details revealed themselves and intensified my interests significantly. Attending the festival, I found myself enjoying a variety of ideas presented in various arts such as a nonprofit bilingual radio station, filmmakers screening, award-winning playwright, extraordinary dance theater production, courageous sport activists, stunning musical performance, and life-changing speakers. Professor Tracey Owens Patton, Ph.D. used her own family history as a primary source for a largely erased history exploring issues of race during wartime in Germany. The research shared by Patton will live in my mind rent-free forever. I encourage everyone to attend the humanities festival in the future for you will not be disappointed. My only wish would be to have a higher turnout at the festival. Each Use the QR code on the left to enter our Spring Semester 2022 Customer Satisfaction Survey. impact social media has on our health and well-being. Social media statistics clearly show a negative correlation between social media use and self-esteem. When young people, especially young girls, scroll through Tik Tok and see all of the seemingly perfect lives and bodies of other “hotter” girls, it can be detrimental to their body confidence. "Photoshop and filters present people and things in their best light," says Jill M. Emanuele, PhD, the senior director of the Mood Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, "It creates a distorted fantasy world and raises the bar on what people perceive is 'the best' way to be." For a relatively new technology, the internet and social media have been integrated into our lives on a personal and professional level. But most people know the harmful effects it can have. So why do we use it? Why doesn’t everyone log off and unplug? It’s too convenient. It’s too addictive. We are sucked in. It’s hard to resist and easy to think that social media is just another part of our lives. But the next time you find yourself staring at your phone for hours on end, think about the time you spent staring at a screen that could’ve been used doing something else. Check your screen time. Is that really healthy to stare at a 5-inch screen for 3+ hours every day? Buzz, buzz. Is that Snapchat picture of half of someone’s face really worth feeding your growing addiction? Buzz, buzz. Don’t pick it up. Buzz, buzz. Go experience life. Buzz, buzz. Your phone can wait. meeting hosted only a handful of audience members, despite the festival's openness to the public. Maybe then we could gain more understanding of one another and spark conversations in our community. Wyoming as a whole needs to be exposed to humanitarian efforts and opinions. My personal experience in this state has been unpleasant because there tends to be more close-minded individuals focused most on their own personal liberties rather than any oppressed group. When I first moved here in 2019, it felt like I traveled back in time. The social aspect here feels very one-sided and forcefully so, as in people aren’t free to express themselves here without hostility. We could all benefit from impactful Max Tasche Max-imum Effort movements and caring more about timely issues rather than giving way to tradition and comfort. 2022 Graduation Speaker You can also enter the survey at https://tinyurl.com/y3byazz8 Enter your responses between February 28 and March 11 Would you like the honor of being the featured speaker at CC’s 2022 commencement? Did you graduate in Dec. 2021, or will you graduate in May 2022 or Summer 2022? Don’t miss this opportunity! The winner of this year’s competition will receive the honor of speaking at graduation, Friday, May 13, and receive a $500 scholarship to the transfer institution of their choice. 4 entries will be selected to Win $50 in Flex Bucks! Request an application from Megan Schafer at mschafer@caspercollege.edu. Applications are due Friday, March 18, 2022 Applications can be submitted via email to Megan Schafer at mschafer@caspercollege.edu Tryouts are Friday, April 8, 2022, 2-5 p.m. �March 1, 2022 Page 3 CHINOOK Parents.................................................... parents ask for when going through college. According to Owens, the program is assisting around 90 students this semester, but she suspects there are many more around campus without awareness of the program. Unfortunately, many students do not know about the program's benefits. Signing up for the program involves a few easy steps. There is a quick application on the CC website if searching “Single Parent” into the search bar, and the application is sent directly to Owens. From there a meeting is scheduled where she provides an overview of the program and what is needed to be fully accepted. “Eligibility requirements: You Skiing.......... cannot have a previous degree prior to the one you’re currently working on. You have to have completed the FAFSA and to receive the scholarship portion of it you have to maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA and a 67% competition rate. And oh, I mean, I guess the big one is that you have to be a primary custodial parent of continued from page 1 one or more of the kids. So I do ask for documentation to show that. Typically the documentation I get is court documents showing that you were awarded primary custody, or a birth certificate with only your name on it, or tax documents showing that you claim one or more of the kiddos,” Owen said. The program is busy at the beginning of the year with the textbook program, but many of the services are available year-round and the application is too. Owens said, “If you’re a single parent come see me, I always want more people, always. (I) always want my list to grow for sure.” continued from page 1 “That way it’s even cheaper for students to utilize. Where we live, it’s cold, so we have to take advantage of the outdoor opportunities that we have. It’s a great opportunity for students to get out there while being able to afford it.” Stier explained that the 2021-2022 academic year is the first year the college offers ski vouchers, so the college is piloting the program. At the end of the year, the college plans to evaluate the success of the program and make any changes to better the experience for students. As of now, the vouchers are only good for Friday and Saturday nights. “Knowing our students are in class up until that time, it worked out that it was a good opportunity to specifically our students and their schedules,” said Stier. Student Life also offers other activities for students to take advantage of during the winter months including movie nights, bingo, intramural sports, a comedian, and other events. Hogadon Basin Ski Area and Student Life work together to give students the opportunity to ski when it fits their schedule at an affordable price. Photo Courtesy of Adam Lutz Lutz shared his photo featuring the breathtaking view of the lights of Casper. The photo was taken from the top of Casper Mountain at Hogadon Basin Ski Area. Dance...................................................... Jay M. Roccaforte/ Chinook Front to back: McKenzi Pieper, Kaitlin Koehn, Abigale Lipson, and Olivia "Liv" Daniels dance in intermedia ballet I and II. learn and deal with on a daily basis are gonna give them all these amazing career skills! They’ll be able to go into any field they want to.” Jones said. A college student’s hardest decision is their major, and whether driven by fear or love, the decision can propel an individual into the next stage of their life. Lipson has always been passionate about dance, but needed an extra push to pursue her major in college. “I had a talk with my sister,” Lipson said. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be good enough, and she told me ‘you’ll get good enough.’” It seems like an impossible amount of devotion to many, Providing a place for life and faith Rachelle Trujillo Chinook Writer Casper College’s chapter of Campus Ventures is a non-denominational Christian organization that gives students individualized fellowship opportunities and helps them “figure out life and faith,” as promoted in the organization’s tagline. CV is an organization found on college campuses across the country. Students aren’t required or expected to identify with a certain religious background because the organization welcomes everyone. The organization’s “figuring out life and faith” message is geared towards college students as they leave behind their home churches and their family’s beliefs to begin a life of their own. Some students find the transition challenging. According to CV advisor Dave Weeks, the college age is one of the most tumultuous times in a person’s faith. “Students at this age can be wondering ‘what do I believe?’” Weeks said. “ ‘Do I walk through my own beliefs, my parents’, or do I need to start my own faith journey?’” Weeks knows all about this time of transition for students after serving as a CV volunteer for eight years prior to becoming a main advisor for the last 17. Over Weeks’ tenure, hundreds of students participated in CV at Casper College. His experiences with the group include cleanup following Hurricane Katrina, visiting Peru to work on local construction projects, and teaching the English language throughout areas in Mexico. “We don’t wanna just take, we want to give back,” Weeks said. The work doesn’t only extend internationally; community service is also an important component to CV. Around Natrona County, CV works with various food pantries, homeless shelters, and other non-profit organizations. Service is a cornerstone of what CV is about, but building relationships is equally important. First-year CV students Skylar Gott and Zachary Tenney are two of the roughly two dozen members this year. Gott, a Casper College nursing student from Indiana, said she is very grateful to be with the organization. “I met all my best friends through Campus Ventures,” Gott said. “It’s also just helped me grow my faith so much.” Tenney echoed a similar sentiment. “Once you reach that college age, you start thinking ‘where am I going in my life?’ Being a part of Campus Ventures says ‘I am going to make this [my faith] a part of my life’” said Tenney. Both Tenney and Gott said CV puts on countless activities to help foster such connections and spiritual growth. In fall of 2021, the group spent a few days in Rapid City, S.D. for a fall retreat. There, students spent time both together and individually worshiping in Chapel, doing devotionals, and listening to guest continued from page 1 and even though Pieper has also danced for 16 years, she says she wasn’t always confident in pursuing dance either. “I wasn’t positive on where I wanted to go with my life in the future,” Pieper said. “Thank you to my parents, who said ‘you should do this,’ and here I am!” According to Pieper, in her short time at CC, she’s grown more as a performer than she ever thought possible. Whether due to the instructors, the commitment, or the environment that comes with being a dance major, she is proud of her growth. “I’m finding what dance really is to me,” Pieper said. “The first 16 years of dancing, I really didn’t have an actual studio like here (at CC), but now that I have this environment, I’m like, ‘wow, this is what dance is!’” Everyone worries about their major at some point, but in Jones' experience, her students have never voiced regrets in pursuing their passions. Throughout one's time at Casper, the potential for growth is limitless. “If you’re really passionate about something, and that’s really where you are and who you are, you will never be miserable in what it is you’re doing,” Jones said. “The door is open. Follow your heart.” speakers. Over the summer, a special opportunity called Project Impact will be available to students. For the event, students who choose to participate will move to Denver, and spend the summer learning tangible ways to make faith a more prominent part of everyday life. While the major events are fun and exciting, the weekly meetings and regular get-togethers are just as impactful, according to Gott and Tenney. For the first time since before the pandemic, CV worked with Student Life this past February to host a Super Bowl watch-party in the T-Bird Nest. Looking to the end of the year, the organization is planning an end of the year party to provide food and fellowship to everyone who wants to attend. In between it all, CV students can be found skiing, snowshoeing, camping and more. “We do anything we can outside,” Weeks said. CV meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Physical Science Building, room 103. Weekly meetings include small group discussions, devotionals, and guest speakers. Weeks expressed that students are welcome to email advisors, connect on Facebook or Instagram, or just sit in on a meeting to see everything for themselves. “Everyone has a faith of some sort in Photo Courtesy of Dave Weeks something,” Weeks said in closing. “It’s From left to right: CV members Sam Orr, Zachary Tenney, just about helping students walk through and Maisy Wilkson posed during an outdoor retreat in fall what theirs is.” 2021. Wellness Center introduces Nod app Nod supports students to build social connections in three ways: 1. Ideas: Prompts based on the science of social connection that help you take action. 2. Reflections: Short in-app exercises help students process social experiences, track their mood, reduce self-criticism, and build resilience so you can keep progressing toward your social goals. 3. Testimonials: Real student perspectives on social connection to help you learn from others and understand the ups and downs along the way. Connect with a Wellness Center counselor for a deeper dive into reaching your social goals. Call 307-268-2267 Join our staff this fall! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one credit class, titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �Page 4 CHINOOK March 1, 2022 T-Birds to Region IX Tournament Abigail Landwehr/Chinook Shooting a free throw, sophomore Peter Turay playing forward for the CC Men’s Basketball team, takes his aim at the basket during a home match against Central Wyoming College on Saturday evening. The game was won by the T-Birds with a score of 91-75. Following the game's win, the team has qualified for the Region IX Tournament where the team will travel to La Junta, Colorado during the upcoming week to enter the bracket as the No. 3 seed in the North sub-region. Abigail Landwehr/Chinook Men's Head Basketball Coach, Shaun Gutting, addresses his team during a timeout as a part of Saturday’s game. Abigail Landwehr/Chinook (Above) Belen Morales Lopez, a sophomore playing point for the Lady T-Birds, goes in for a layup during a home game against Snow College earlier in the season. The game was won by Snow 69-68. “I’ve improved my game a lot,” Lopez said. “I am really happy with the steps I am making and hopefully I can help my team to get the Championship of Region 9.” The Lady T-Birds have won the South Sub Region with a record of 10-0 and are starting to get into the regional tournament. According to the National Junior College Athletic Association, the Casper College Women’s Basketball Team is currently placed 15th in the Division 1 rankings. (Left) In hope to send luck to the players, the student section directs “spirit fingers” towards one of the CC players shooting a free throw during a home game. �March 1, 2022 Page 5 CHINOOK A hot take on fire science Julie Seidel Chinook Writer In service for over 13 years, the Fire Science Association at Casper College is an excellent program that produces hard working firefighters. Life as a firefighter can be both physically and intellectually testing. The Fire Science Association is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for fire service employment. Not all fire departments require an academic degree to get a job, so some may wonder why students seek such a degree. Students choose to further their education in fire science, as the coursework provides critical knowledge that can help them better protect the community. The formal degree can lead to promotion opportunities and additional career options too. “If you want to become a firefighter, you have to become a servant of the community,” said Dale Anderson, the fire science instructor at CC. Anderson’s work with the program started 27 years ago. In the beginning, he worked as a firefighter and participated in the program part time. Once he retired as a fireman, Anderson became a full time employee and took on a larger role in the program by developing the Fire Science Association 13 years ago. The association is student run, which means the CC students elect their own leaders at the beginning of each school year. The students strive to help out the community by attending community service events like Mealson-Wheels and the Special Olympics Jackalope Jump. When students select their fire science major, they are a part of the program. About 35 students currently attend the program at CC. According to Anderson, even though not all of the students participate in the Fire Science Association, they continue to show good leadership and attendance at events. The fire science coursework includes very few practical exercises. To counter, the Fire Science Association focuses primarily on such practical exercises. The students of the association are able to participate in more events, such as the maze. The students love to gather on Friday nights to enjoy some pizza and participate in the maze, according to Anderson. The maze includes multiple training props, such as the trap door. These real life situations simulate the experiences the students will partake in as firefighters. The practical exercises promote team building and provide the opportunity for students to get to know one another. According to Anderson, once the members build a community within the association, they are able to help their local community. Along with all the volunteer work the association also participates in profitable opportunities. The association contributes to the community by providing vending at the Ford Events Center in Casper during state events, and in return the association receives a bit of funding for the association. Due to COVID, the association has not used much of their income. “And the only thing I ask is that half goes to a non-profit,” said Anderson. “But since COVID, the last two years, they haven’t done much of anything with their half of the money.” Kathy Thomas, the Natrona County Republican Women committee co-chair, recently reached out to Anderson in December to get help with the Veterans Wreath Pickup, a nonprofitable event, at the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery. Thomas requested the students in the Fire Science Association help place the wreaths a week before Christmas and regather them at the end of January. Even though the timing clashed with the CC’s holiday break, the association still had a turnout of 20 students. Thomas emphasized that the event could not have happened without the support of the Fire Science Association. Dominic Jahr, a 20 year-old member of the Fire Science Association said, “I really enjoyed helping out with the wreath pickup. It was a blast and I am happy to help my community.” Jahr joined the Fire Science Association at the start of the 2021 fall semester. Jahr stated. the dangerous life of a firefighter was not always his dream. He participated in many extracurricular activities, such as football, basketball, and he even earned a scholarship to run track. Jahr said his uncle, brother, and a couple of his friends introduced him to the world of fire science when they took an interest in the major. According to Jahr, the job is not for everybody because of the dangerous aspect of it all, but after becoming a part of the program, he quickly accepted the challenge. He said he hopes to soon join the Evansville Fire Department as a volunteer or possibly a part time firefighter. “Being a part of the association, I’m definitely learning far more than I would’ve in just the fire science program,” said Jahr. Jahr is a servant of the community and he plans on staying that way. He participated in serving food at Wyoming Rescue Mission, our local homeless shelter, for two years. He said such activities created who he is today, and without them he is not sure if he would have become a servant of the community. “One of the main things I get out of the association is public speaking,” says Jahr. “You learn how to publicly speak in front of the community as a firefighter.” He said his community service has taught him to be more of a people person and develop an outgoing personality. In developing his communication skills, Jahr feels like he is one step closer to becoming the best firefighter possible. According to Jahr, firefighting is one of the most fulfilling and respectable callings in the world. In addition to the fact that one gets to save individuals lives, you also become responsible for keeping the community under control in a crisis. A fireman must be a brave, daring individual with strong critical thinking, and quick decision making abilities. “You can go and help an elderly lady that fell down, and at the end of the day she would bring you some freshly baked cookies,” quoted Jahr. “It is not just going into houses that are on fire, but the small things you can do to make your community a better place.” Julie Seidel/Chinook Pictured above is the fire science students supply lockers at Casper College. Julie Seidel/Chinook Focused above is Dominic Jahr's personal locker, also located at Casper College. www.caspercollege.edu/chinook Taking online or hybrid courses? Students: We make sure you are able to access online learning resources needed to learn in your classes. We will also help you learn to utilize the digital tools available to you for all your classwork. Examples of items we can help with: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. ZOOM – help you learn to access and use Zoom for your remote course meetings and collaborations 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Accessing Office 365 .- such as MS Word and PowerPoint 5. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it, using NetTutor. Plus a lot more! Contact us. Don’t wait! Get your Questions answered now. Teresa Pat Mike Tyler For help or more information stop by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Dave Camille �Page 6 March 1, 2022 CHINOOK Forensics: Building a generation of advocates John Watts Chinook Writer Casper College's Forensics Team posed for a team photo. Pictured in the back row (left to right) is Brax Sambrano, Shelby Davis, Curtis Winfrey, Jay Roccaforte, Emma Rudell and Alex Walters. Front (from left to right) is Markie Whitney, Pearl Taylor, Violet Wright, Hart Doherty, and Emma Kellick. The Casper College Forensics Team participates in competitive speech and debate on campus where advisors and students are focused on building a generation of advocacy through strong, confident speech. The forensics team is made up of full-time students who write, practice, and perform many different styles of speech. According to Casper College student Jay M. Roccaforte, it is not uncommon for many students with a forensics background in high school to partner with college freshman who have little to no experience. According to Casper College’s assistant forensics director and communication instructor Ethan Fife, the main reasons for students to join forensics is to work on communication skills, discuss subjects on a deeper level, and then advocate on a platform. Fife mentioned the benefits forensics gives to students. “The students get a space to debate in a safe and structured environment,” said Fife, adding that the environment allows for a “deeper level of discussion than surface- layer encounters in public.” In a recent interview, Douglas Hall, CC forensics director and communications instructor, mentioned the social platform available to each student. “The students no longer see Forensics as a game but as an opportunity to make a change.” Due to the structure and the forensics no topic is off-limits rule, every student can use their position and voice to be the change that both Fife and Hall talked about. Hall said, “The thing I enjoy the most about teaching is ticipate in the Annual Platte River Clean-Up. In January, the group participated in Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, including Casper’s annual march on Monday, then on Friday the group volunteered with Project Homeless Connect. According to Erich Frankland, a political science instructor who started serving as the faculty advisor for Campus Democrats in 1998, “The current leadership is really focused on social justice. They really want to engage with the community and do volunteer work.” Campus Democrats continue to work on the creation of the Casper Freedom Trail in conjunction with ServeWyoming, a project that started two years ago. The project started as a way to engage the community during the pandemic. they can do to change things in Wyoming, as well as get them involved with meaningful causes. “If you care about not only your Casper community, but your country at large, this is a group that will inform you on key issues and give you an opportunity to make a difference” Frankland stated. “This is a group that is welcoming to different political views and perspectives, even if you feel you lean conservative or Republican, we aren't going to exclude you. You can really make an impact in state and local politics as part of this group” In March, the Campus Democrats will travel to Cheyenne to watch the Wyoming State Legislature in action and learn more about Wyoming politics. Photo and Courtesy of Cory Garvin Jay Roccaforte posed for a photo as a member of the Casper College Forensics team. Submitted Photo getting to watch the students develop and become impassioned advocates as competitors and individuals.” Under the guidance of Hall and Fife, a generation of advocates are born. Roccaforte explained that each forensics student is required to compete in four different events over the course of a semester, and they accomplish this by choosing from a list of events including: persuasive speaking, informative speaking, communication analysis, after dinner speaking, Lincoln-Douglas debate, parliamentary debate and many different interpretational events. Students competing in speech create a ten minute speech for each of their events, which will result in 40 minutes of content created and memorized annually. Memorization is in the back of every forensics student’s mind, and they can often fade into thinking about their speeches through the day. Roccaforte, who is still memorizing and perfecting the speeches he created in early fall 2021, said, "You have to be careful not to be the kid walking down a school hallway with an open mouth rehearsing your speech.” Before the students can commit their speech to memory, they must first give birth to the ideas and issues they want to raise. For many students, the process of writing a speech starts by collecting newspaper clippings, film segments, social media posts and other forms of media that will inspire and support their message. Two other elements in creating a speech come in the form of character studies, which provide a relatable emotion, and tropes (figures of speech) from movies and plays. Once the speech reaches full maturity and is ready for competition, it is up to the speaker to make the words on the page come alive. Roccaforte said the best way for the speaker to connect with the audience is to “present a familiar topic that will develop into a new point of view.” This new vantage point allows a persuasive argument to take place and form within a ten-minute time constraint. To gain recognition from the judges the speech must be, as Roccaforte said, “organized and effective in delivering the topic.” Once these two pieces are in place, the speaker will put on a performance with the varying inflections and complementary gestures taught in forensics. While Forensics is a competitive team, the work impacts individual students directly. Roccaforte confirmed forensics’ effectiveness when he said, “Speech was an opportunity to find my voice and become more confident” and it “changed how I live every facet of my life.” Roccaforte explained that whether speech comes in carrying on an intellectual conversation or confidently asking or answering a question in class, he possesses the tools to communicate effectively. The tools Roccaforte and his fellow classmates build are as Fife described as an open-minded approach to free speech, respectful debate, inclusivity, and diversity with unity. Within this environment, team members embody impassioned advocates, as Hall discussed, they share the advocacy platform Fife mentioned, and they use their new-found voice to communicate like Roccaforte. Campus Democrats represent in community Violet Wright Chinook Writer Casper College student organization, the Campus Democrats is a multifaceted group that invites students to learn about how students can impact their community. The organization is the oldest on campus and involves students in many different ways. The group emphasizes political education, specifically on issues that affect students in Wyoming. Additionally, the group is involved with many service projects around Casper. e group already completed three service projects this academic year. In September, the Campus Democrats were one of two campus groups invited by the Bureau of Land Management to par- The trail allows people to tour sites that are part of Casper Civil Rights Movement history. Skyler Nelson, a nursing student at CC and the President of the Campus Democrats explained, “I think the turn-out could be a lot more. If we get the word out more I think a lot of people in our community would be interested in things like the Martin Luther King Day service,” she said. “It really brings everyone together in such a beautiful way.” The group might have “democrats” in the name, but it is open to all students on campus regardless of political leanings. The group is mainly student-led and currently focused on helping students gain a better understanding of what Photo Courtesy of Skyler Nelson Skyler Nelson, a nursing student at CC and member of the Campus Democrats, studies for classes. �March 1, 2022 Page 7 CHINOOK Using stickers as a form of self-expression Abigail Landwehr Chinook Writer Walking into almost any spot on campus and seeing students at work on devices will most likely give one a look at a newer rends among college kids -- a trend that’s doing two things, adding some color to a plain laptop lid and giving a glimpse into personalities without uttering a single word. Stickers showcase everything from school logos to obscure movie references, and the colorful decor is becoming a more common sight on student’s devices. Sometimes there’s only one or two, and other times the owner plastered their device with so many that it’s hard to tell what was originally underneath. Ellie Vaughn, a sophomore at Casper College majoring in psychology, scattered about 12 stickers on display across her laptop lid. She said she received most of the stickers randomly for free but a couple of them represent more meaningful backstories. “The ‘life is simple’ one I got from my little brother before I moved away for college,” Vaughn said, referring to a sticker of a mountain with the phrase written underneath. “The cat with lots of eyes my roommate bought me when we first moved here, and the lgbtqia+ flag I got because I consider myself an ally of the community.” She said she understood the idea behind students using the stickers to express themselves. “I’ve been told a lot of different things about what people first think when they see me,” Vaughn said. “Sometimes people think I don’t look friendly, or I look like someone I’m not. But I think that if someone sees the stickers, they kind of say who I am.” Another member of the laptop decorating committee is Douglas Hall, a communications instructor at the college. A couple of the stickers on his device’s lid include a sticker from the Casper College Forensics team Hall directs, the logo of a board game, and references to the ‘90s TV show Twin Peaks. “It kind of communicates a little bit of my personality,” Hall said about his stickers. “Like if you recognize the stickers, that would, you know, probably start a whole conversation.” The most notable of Hall’s stickers is a red rectangle with white text reading, “don’t be chicken” in all caps. “I put it on here because whenever [students are] doing their stuff, they can see the back of my computer only,” Hall said. “It seems appropriate because we need them to do big brave things.” He said he collected the sticker from a box of artificial chicken nuggets he bought a while back. “It's a way to communicate Abigail Landwehr/Chinook who you are,” Hall added about the stickers. “Or at least put Markie Whitney prepares for forensics competition in the squad room with Doug Hall, comsome form of self-expression munication instructor and head coach of the college's forensics team. Hall puts stickers all over the lid of his laptop as a form of motivation and expression. onto your devices.” Casper College theater: A look behind the scenes Isabella Coronado Chinook Writer Students involved in theater at Casper College shared the stereotypes put on them because of their interests. No one really knows what theater is actually about until experiencing it for themselves. Many judge theater before learning what goes into putting on a production. Theater requires a variety of skillsets. Kaitlin Koehn, a native of Riverton, Wyo. spoke about her theater experience and wanting to be a part of productions as a department specialist. Koehn started out as a dancer, though she said once she started CC’s dance program as a student, theater also peaked her interest. One of her friends that attended CC studied theater performance major and another musical theater. Koehn said she attended dance shows, plays, and musicals with her friends. “I think really through those two friends of mine, I found a love and appreciation for theater,” Koehn said. Koehn said she thinks it’s common for people to stereotype theater kids as dramatic. While such an assumption is not always incorrect, she said people just tend to take it the wrong way, meaning everyone looks at it as a bad thing. Koehn said, “It’s almost like we’re one big family, and I think that makes them more comfortable and outgoing. And just like any family, there’s always drama, and I think because of that they tend to be more comfortable with each other.” Anastasia Zetl is a current student at CC majoring in Musical Theatre. Zetl is from Casper, Wyo. where she started doing theater in fourth grade. She’s currently helping with tech for the production that they are working on now which is The Shadowed Winds and Ghost Roads, as well as working on the crew for the recent productions of Narnia and Mamma Mia. Growing up, Zetl said she loved watching movies and seeing shows, and she always wanted to be a part of something like that. With her degree, she said she hopes to find successful theater, fulfillment, and to be able to help others emotionally through art that she expresses while putting on a production. Zetl said one of the biggest stereotypes theater kids withstand is the notion that they’re annoying and talk a lot. “For the most part it’s true. I’ve met lots of people who are very flamboyant, are very expressive, and in touch with their emotions,” said Zetl. Zetl expressed her feelings on what she wished people knew about theater kids. She said many people have a perception of the way theater kids think or the way they act, and so they tend to keep boundaries from getting to know theater kids. Zetl said she wishes people knew that theater kids enjoy a lot of the same things everybody else does in other departments, and that they’re not always “weird.” At the end of the day, Zetl What’s your next move? said everybody is weird and theater kids get a lot of judgment because they’re doing something that is out of the comfort zone of a lot of people. Another current student talked about her experience in CC’s theater program. Elizabeth Crowley is a native from Wheatland, Wyo. currently in her second year as a double major in multimedia (communication), but she said she mainly focuses on her major in technical theater. She contributed to every show in the last two years and is now focusing on aspects like stage management, the more technical aspects of putting on a production. Crowley said she wants to use her degree and work in big theaters or just within the theater industry. She realized that a lot of people in theater were similar to her and ended up having the same thinking process as she did. From a technician's point of view, Crowley talked about how she wished people knew there is much more than going on stage and just performing for theater kids. She said, “Not everybody is a performer. Normally when people think of theater kids, they always just think of performers, but there are technicians, builders for sets, and just a lot more aspects than people think,” said Crowley. Crowley described theater in one word. She said, “Overwhelming but in a good way.” Although several stereotypes about theater exist, Koehn, Zetl, and Crowley all recommend theater, sharing in the sentiment that working on a production is a good experience, and there’s a job for everyone. Zetl said it’s a perfect way to express oneself while not feeling judged. Putting on a production requires many specialties and significant time. The process can also prove emotionally draining, but as hard as theater is, Koehn, Zetl, and Crowley agreed they wouldn’t change it for anything. WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Max Tasche/Chinook Nathan Baker, music theory coordinator and faculty advisor for the thunderboards gaming club, recently smiled for a photo on campus. Max Tasche Chinook Writer The Casper College Thunderboard Gaming Club plays board games in the music building for two hours once a week to provide social engagement and promote strategic thinking. It all started back in the fall of 2017 thanks to a couple of computer science majors who approached Nathan Baker, now faculty adviser for the club, due to his reputation for liking board games. Baker came up with the name, "Thunderboards" as a play on words for CC’s thunderbird mascot. Like every club at CC, there are certain requirements, it is not all just fun and games. The club's main service project involved playing games with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming. The club still operates in a leadership structure, with officer positions assigned to students and staff, and they volunteer a certain amount of hours. Officers meet before the games begin to cover the Thunderboards basic club requirements, and then it is off to gaming. The club is uniquely situated in a crossover of nerd-dom and familiar home activity, it helps bridge the gap between outgoing people and the more reclusive types. Those who want an avenue to explore getting to know others can find a safe space to develop friendships and socialize. The Thunderboards supply social stimulation, and also a stress-free environment to just take a break and provide amusement. Baker put the club into perspective, “It’s a great opportunity to just blow off some steam, you know? College is a lot of work, especially for a lot of our students who are also working a part-time job to take care of things, and sometimes it’s just nice to show up, have a place to relax and unwind, and beat someone up on the game board.” Catelyn McCardle is a sophomore at CC who recently joined the club in the fall of 2021 without any prior board game experience. She explained, “I don’t think that we have to be serious in getting down to business all the time. You don’t have to think unless you’re thinking about what your next move is.” Both Baker and McCardle share a common opinion of how unique the club is compared to others on campus. McCardle wants to assure everyone Thunderboards is a place to vacation from your burdens, “It’s all just about getting together playing some games, having some fun, and leaving your classes outside of the door because this is where you simply just kind of escape reality for a moment, and I think everybody could use an escape from reality sometimes. I don’t think you can get that in many other clubs.” Degrees and certifications require a lot of attention. The Thunderboards understand such pressure and actively seek members to come hang out to share in the fun. The club is open for all interested and there is no player limit, and those interested are free to contact Nathan Baker at nbaker@ caspercollege.edu. Baker spends most of his time in the music building where he reserves a room, not too far from his office MU 210, to bring all his games. The club is still deciding a time to meet for the spring semester. Brainstorm possible paper topics Create a resume Craft a scholarship essay And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2022-03 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2022-03 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from March 2022. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2022-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF