789 10 9774 https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/74d366afcda5b65e342c2f2e3bbc2216.pdf a07de04048faa33d3019249c3c546283 PDF Text Text November 1, 2023 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 The ‘Scoot Gang’ strikes again Nina Bivens Chinook Writer Casper College does not currently allow rollerblades, skateboards, or anything similar on campus, as interpreted by CC security. International exchange student and soccer player Zack Gorman explained that the regulations prove especially challenging for foreign students with little access to other transportation, “During my time at Casper Community College, I have had the privilege of meeting several international students who face numerous challenges when it comes to getting to class in a timely manner. Many of these students do not have the money or the time to obtain a driver's license, let alone a vehicle,” Gorman said. With the current regulations, some students are at more of a disadvantage than others. Regarding one particular incident, Gorman said, “My friend was late to her class due to long commutes from building to building. Despite leaving her class as soon as she was dismissed, she encountered unexpected delays and arrived late. Witnessing her frustration and disappointment made me realize how crucial it is for our school administration to address this issue.” To mitigate the issues they were facing, the soccer teams and other international students turned to using scooters on campus. According to Dean of Students Corey Peacock, campus security originally denied the use of scooters due to current policy. When asked about the current policy surrounding other means of transportation besides cars and bikes, Peacock said, “It’s generally well-known by students that skateboards are not allowed on campus. I think there was an assumption made by a lot of folks, including campus security, that scooters fell into that classification. So, security asked students with scooters at the beginning of the year to not have them on campus.” In response to the current policy, Gorman and others who owned scooters decided to try and get the rule changed. To do so, Peacock said the students started a petition. In regard to the petition, Peacock said, “This one happened to be very successful in getting a lot of names. They presented to student senate, and student senate was able to go through the proper channels to try to look at policies.” Peacock said that the meeting included students, student senate, security officers, and himself. They very — See Scoot Gang, Page 3 Submitted Photo Zack Gorman, International transfer student and soccer player, rides his scooter on campus earlier this semester. CC's budget: Where do student fees go? Kassadee Lym Chinook Writer Kassadee Lym/Chinook Connie Brooks is pictured here helping Casper College student Ceara Moffatt with financial questions in the Gateway Building. Casper College students pay large sums of money to the institution each semester, and the money is distributed to fund various aspects of the college. The Chinook investigated how tuition and mandatory student fees are decided and where the money goes. Lynnde Colling, vice president of administration at CC, explained the allocation of received funds and where they come from. She also explained the structure of the operating budget at the college, which classifies into three main categories: state appropriations, local appropriations, and tuition and fees. Colling said that state appropriations are money the college receives from the state, whereas local appropriations are money the college receives from local property taxes. Colling said one challenge the college must navigate when dealing with both sections of the budget is fluctuation. Because of the mineral industry and other variables in the state of Wyoming, Colling said, “ It’s (the budget) is not necessarily flat. It’ll have big ups and downs.” Colling also explained that steady inflation increases the price of medical supplies, equipment, and technology software. However, the operating budget of CC remained relatively steady. Colling shared another example of a budget challenge that occurred in 2021. CC’s operating budget saw a two-million dollar shortfall. To deal with this, Colling explained that she and her team worked to refigure the budget to avoid cutting any piece entirely. “It's not easy to do quickly, so you have to be looking ahead at the what-ifs,” Colling said. Tuition and fees make up the last segment of the operating budget. Colling explained that the Wyoming Community College Commission fixes tuition. The commission works together to decide a set tuition rate for all accredited community colleges in the state based on several statistics and how the state compares with others in the region. Colling said, “They (the commission) put a lot of focus on affordability and accessibility for students.” She further explained that the commission will maintain the in-state tuition price until fiscal year 2025. In terms of fees, Colling explained that mandatory student fees vary by college. She said CC ranks second in the lowest student fees of the community colleges in the state, behind Eastern Wyoming College. Hailey McKenzie, CC student and livestock judging team member, explained that cost became one of the biggest factors in deciding to leave her hometown of Jefferson, Ore. “ This(Casper College) was one of the cheaper junior colleges that I looked at,” McKenzie said. While student fees at CC are on the lower side, the allocation of the fees differs amongst other colleges as well. Colling said each community college decides the allocation of its student fees. CC’s mandatory student fees are set at $42 — See Budget, Page 3 Brushing boundaries LucyJane Crimm Chinook Writer People say if you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life and for Casper College drawing and painting instructor Justin Hayward, that definitely rings true. For 16 years, Hayward has taught and inspired art students at CC while continuing to further his own art career. “I [paint] as a profession, but it’s also my hobby. I love to do it,” Hayward said. “I’m constantly drawing, sketching, creating. Outside of class, between classes, and during classes I’m always working on something.” Hayward doesn’t just paint as a hobby,for class or for exhibits. He also does portrait and landscape commissions as a profession. People reach out to him after finding him on social media or hearing about him by word of mouth. There are even some commissions that he applies for. Hayward is currently doing a commission for the Air Force Academy in Colorado. “The graduating class every year hires an artist to do a painting, I applied and they chose me,” Hayward explained. “The painting is going to be given to the keynote speaker of the graduation. There’s some rumors of who it is, but I don’t know for sure until they actually announce it.” Hayward’s passion for art began at a young age, and he drew as a child. He knew he wanted to continue pursuing art, and he wanted to be a Disney animator when he grew up. When he first started art as a child, he had limited access to mediums so he mainly drew, but when he was in high school, he was introduced to the world of painting, which became his main medium when starting his career. “I was always good at it [art] and teachers started to point it out at a young age. I wasn’t good at anything else, so I just kept pursuing it,” Hayward said. “Oil paint is my main medium. I’ve used it for so long. I just know all the tricks to it and selling work- it seems like buyers want oil painting more than an acrylic or watercolor.” Hayward is a realist artist and mostly does landscape paintings but also explores portraiture and still life. When creating his landscape artworks, he said he takes an immersive approach by going on hikes, photographing the scenes, and carefully observing the surroundings before translating them onto a canvas. He even occasionally brings his art supplies out on LucyJane Crimm/Chinook — See Hayward, Page 3 Justin Hayward stands in front of his painting that hangs in the hallways of Casper College’s new visual arts building. �Page 2 November 1, 2023 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: Our expectations of college The way college culture is presented throughout the years in movies/TV shows is toxic. They push the narrative of being attractive, party-heavy, and somehow maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Television portrays students effortlessly acing/passing all tests and classes like cake. The reality of taking hard courses is not shown. This implies that school is easy and so is maintaining a social life. The truth is, that every aspect of college is challenging and requires long nights and dedication. There are aspects of everyone's academic career that test the student's capabilities. This fraud has made it both difficult and easy to normalize struggling situations. Although everyone experiences some form of setbacks, no one talks about the pressure of it all. Television puts out this narrative of how a person's romantic and social life should be. Painting a picture that shows nonstop parties, love triangles, and instant deep friendships isn't a college norm. Making long-lasting relationships in college is difficult. Either it's too awkward and childish to ask “Hey wanna be friends?” or people have their friends. Making friends can also turn into a drama-filled horror show. As for relationships, this generation is so afraid of rejection that their true emotions are never laid out on the table. There are factors like bad intentions and toxic situations, nevertheless, signs are pointing to those red flags. In television, they go by troupes, like friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, or forbidden love. It’s unrealistic movies like “Legally Blonde” or “Mean Girls” that set the notion that school is easy as long as you have “pretty privilege.” Because apparently, that's the most important takeaway from life. This is what people expect when going to college. In America, there is a well-used term called party schools (colleges). These are universities with a high reputation for having large numbers of students who regularly party and drink alcohol or use drugs but do not spend much time Yaasmiyn Hickman Yapping with Yaz studying. Examples would be: Tulane University, Florida State University, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. The outcome for students is the ongoing sense of freedom that is imagined. But it in fact makes the college process harder. The lack of focus plus the built-up tolerance to alcohol and drugs can cause addiction. But no one wants to watch a movie about the struggles and realizations that college has to offer. Hollywood sells it as the best years of a person in their late teens or early twenties life because of the connections and memories. Movies often gloss over the importance of time management, as well as financial realities. A lot of the time, students have to balance school work, studying, a part-time job, and kids, all while trying to sustain a social life. Lately, college TV shows have been moving to showcasing the normalcy of a messy life. The characters have been exhibiting acts like backstabbing and self-sabotage to be relatable to the viewers. All in all, college culture is a combination of what television portrays because it is embedded into our minds at a young age. The transition to adulthood is complex, and there are so many different categories that people fit under. What they don't say is the pressures eventually fade away into achievements. In the end, college isn't a movie or easy lightwork. It’s a point in life where hard work pays off, connections are built, and finding yourself is expected. As I sit composing this article and looking out my office window I see a calm, peaceful scene. The flags on the flagpole are barely moving, and despite a few clouds in the sky, it is a beautiful October day. However, the forecast calls for very cold temperatures in the next few days, with a chance of snow. Although this news is unwelcomed by some, seasonality helps us mark not only changes in the weather, but also changes in our lives. Not as predictable, but certainly as ever present as seasonal weather changes, is conflict between human beings. Whether we are referencing something as trivial as a disagreement picking between two different restaurants, or are referencing a globally-significant armed conflict, given enough time, some level of conflict will develop between different groups of individuals. Accordingly, a pragmatist does not spend time wondering if conflict will arise, but instead allocates their time thinking of ways to respond when it does arise. Whether the change facing you is the natural aging and progression of your children, or the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one, we all need coping strategies. Whether the issue at hand is what movie to watch this evening, or what side of a perceived moral issue you find yourself on, the possibility oaf conflict, at some level, is always present. Avoidance and denial are seldom adequate responses, nor useful coping strategies. Please understand I am not suggesting each of us go through life enthusiastically embracing all forms of change that present themselves, nor am I suggesting we look for potential conflict around every turn. I am suggesting maintaining a mindset that change is a constant in our world, and conflicts may arise at any time and at any level, ensures you will not be taken completely off-guard, and thus be more prepared to meet the challenge as presented. Challenges are not inherently bad. Properly met and addressed, some challenges can turn out to be defining moments in our lives. The variable each of us can control is choosing whether we allow such challenges to become negative defining moments, or positive defining moments. Challenges are not inherently bad. Properly met and addressed, some challenges can turn out to be defining moments in our lives — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President The Joy of Intramural Sports I was a college football player in the spring of 2023. Now, I’m just a student in college looking to keep my competitive edge. Casper College intramural sports allow me to do just that, but there are also a few problems with the structure of the programs. I’ll share my experience and suggestions. The school offers basketball and volleyball, so I always feel like I have something to look forward to and keep my love for sports alive. Being from Casper, I was invited to join a team with my friends from high school and have loved every moment of it. I am able to keep my competitiveness without the fear of being yelled at by a coach or punished for doing something wrong. Intramural sports at CC are a great way to meet new people and get together with friends to play organized sports. Each sport is refereed by students, and players are expected to call their own fouls on the basketball court. Such practice promotes good sportsmanship and brings the joy of playing sports to weeknights. I have met many new people and enjoy the sports I love while building relationships. Though these sports are very fun, there are a few problems. There is a lack of organization when it comes to scheduling games, and there is not a clear place to find the game schedule. The schedule can be found online under student activities on CC’s website, but it isn’t promoted or wellknown unless you are actively looking for it. The next problem is the lack of rules for coed. I found that when we played coed basketball, there were very few girls who played. I believe that this is because of the lack of rules on the matter. Some may argue that there aren't any girls who want to play, but I believe this is because they are often forced to play against a team that consists of all guys. This structure takes away some of the fun for female athletes and draws less interest from the female student body. If there was a rule stating that each team must always have one female player on the court, then there may be a greater interest among the student population and bring more teams to the table. There were only five teams that played during the basketball season and many instances occurred when the other team did not show up to the game. If there were more teams, the season could be longer and teams could play different groups of people. The change Lane Johnson Johnson's Journal could also allow for new friendships to be formed. Overall, intramural sports are a great way to have fun and meet new people, though there are a few problems. I highly recommend looking into playing these sports and for the chance to compete in something. It is always a joy to win the championship and it would be even better if there were more teams to play against. caspercollegechinook.com Phishing attack kicks off awareness month Geoff Cooper/Chinook Kent Brooks, director of the CC IT department is pictured here at his desk. Brooks spoke to the Chinook about a phishing attack at the college. Geoff Cooper Chinook Writer Casper College suffered a multiwCasper College suffered a multiwave phishing attack in the middle of last month. Phishing, according to IBM, involves digital or voice messages that try to manipulate recipients into sharing sensitive information, downloading malicious software, transferring money or assets to the wrong people, or taking some other damaging action. According to CC’s IT director, Kent Brooks, “The first wave was over 2,000 emails, and of that, two hundred were opened.” Brooks and several IT staff spent the weekend of Sep. 15 dealing with the attack, and he said he personally clocked thirty-two hours at the office during the ordeal. Most of the work involved notifying students, faculty, and even other institutions that may have been affected. In addition, Brooks said he and his team manually went in and pulled the emails from the receivers’ inboxes. Brooks said that the ratio between students and faculty who engaged with or became compromised by the phishing emails was close to evenly split. This particular attack aimed to obtain personal information that circumvents the multi-factor authentication in place for CC logins, and it worked in at least one instance. The victim’s account was taken over. “It was totally social engineering,” said Brooks. “There’s no technical thing that would have stopped it.” Social engineering, in this context, is the use of deception to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential or personal information that may be used for fraudulent purposes, according to Oxford Languages. It is also known to organizations, like IBM, as “human hacking.” With the advent of things like multi-factor authentication, the only variable left to exploit is the user. “It is way more challenging for me to hack your password than it is for me to ask you politely,” said Brian Clark, the IT network coordinator for CC. Despite the recent phishing attack, campus functions remain undamaged. As for the individuals affected, both Clark and Brooks want to change the narrative around cyber-attacks. In their experience, whenever someone falls victim to an online scam, they aren’t regarded with compassion like any other victim. Rather, they are blamed for falling for the scam. Victims even blame themselves and often express shame or embarrassment. Neither Clark nor Brooks believes this to be the appropriate response. For them, the blame rests solely on the criminal behind the scam. “I have a master’s degree in cyber security, and I’ve fallen for phishing,” said Clark. “It’s going to happen because we are trusting people. People need to recognize that they were trusting, not stupid.” According to both Clark and Brooks, it doesn’t help that these attacks are consistently improving either. Phishing attacks are way better now than even just last year. With the advent of something like ChatGPT, scam messages are getting harder and harder to detect. Many of these messages originate from outside the United States, and with the help of AI, scammers are capable of much greater linguistic nuance. With this in mind, the IT department will continue to send out information and resources regarding cyber threats, and they have the resources to organize fake phishing exercises for awareness in the future. The most important thing for users to understand is that IT will never ask for passwords or logins, and neither will any other reputable business. Any suspected campusrelated phishing attempts should be reported to the CC IT department. �November 1, 2023 Page 3 CHINOOK Scoot Gang............................................ amicably put their heads together to come up with solutions. Peacock said. “We want to see these devices be allowed, but we also want people to be safe and responsible with their use.” Considering the reasons that students wanted scooters on campus, and that the current student policies do not mention scooters specifically being banned, student senate as well as Peacock drafted a policy for CC’s policy committee to consider. However, a policy change must go through a step-bystep process before it can be implemented. “What we’re proposing is a policy that does allow all of these non-motorized vehicles, so skateboards, rollerblades, longboards, and non-motorized vehicles,” he said. Peacock spoke about the main deciding factors in changing the policy. He said, “I’m all for student advocacy. I think it was a good continued from page 1 example of students bringing up something that they would like to see us looking at and what our current policies currently say.” While it takes time for policies to go through the proper channels, the future of Budget..................................................... per credit hour. Colling chairs Casper College's Student Fees Committee, which determines how those funds are split. Student senate President Taylee Siemons represents student involvement on the committee. Nearly half of the student fee funds (49.19 percent) go to technology support. The smallest portion of student fees is publications. In fiscal year 2024 the fees will rise from no allocation to .36 percent of student fees. The Casper College Student Senate Hayward..... receives some of the other portions of fees. Student senate prioritizes funding requests from clubs. Student fees are also used to allow student free admission to athletic events. A general course student fee minimizes course fees and supports academic allowing non-motorized vehicles on campus is potentially up for a big change. When asked whether he will personally invest in a scooter, Peacock said, “I will not, mainly because I’m old. I don’t want to break my face.” continued from page 1 operating budgets. Klacie Groene, Wyoming resident and fitting and showing club president said, “Student fees allow my club to take cool opportunities.” Groene mentioned that through student senate funds, her club gets to take a trip to the Cheyenne Livestock Expo to exhibit heifers. However, Groene is not the only one in this case. Casper College student fees support opportunities for students, and tuition contributes to the CC’s operating budget. continued from page 1 WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Art Courtesy of Justin Hayward Justin Hayward, visual arts instructor at CC, shared a photo of one of his paintings for publicaiton in the Chinook. Hayward's art is exhibited across the country. hikes with him and paints the landscape right there. “Usually when people go [hiking] with me, they get annoyed because I have to stop to look and take pictures, or I’ll just sit for a while and just see how the light is falling on the objects,” Hayward said. Hayward originally got a degree in illustration and illustrated a few books, but ultimately decided that his role was to teach others. He found inspiration from the teachers he had in high school and college to get him to where he is now. He said, “I wanted to be an animator as a little kid. Then as I got older, I had some really good teachers throughout high school and college, and that inspired me to be a teacher. I think if I didn’t have those teachers, I probably wouldn’t be where I’m at.” Much like his teachers before him, Hayward’s passion also extends to his students who admire his artistic abilities. Fine art major Sierra Farquhar-Baltazar took 2D design in the spring of 2023 and is currently taking his drawing class. She said she’s learned a lot from Hayward. “I was a one-trick pony, and taking his 2D class really forced me out of my box… I was able to try different media, color palettes [and] subjects. His drawing class made me realize I really didn't have as great of a grasp on the fundamentals that make a drawing go from good to great. These tools have greatly improved my work and my confidence within these works,” Farquhar-Baltazar said. If Hayward didn’t seem busy enough already, he’s also had his art featured in numerous art exhibits and shows in museums. Locally he exhibited his art in the Nicolaysen Art Museum, Art 321, Casper College and other art shows around town. He displayed a portrait in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. Many museums around the nation featured his work including Utah, Michigan and New York to name a few. “I think early on I knew I wanted to do something with art,” Hayward said. “The A/’s came easy in Art… I knew at an early age, I just didn’t know what I was going to be doing… but I just knew it would be something with art.” Hayward made his mark with his art, but it’s still just the beginning for him. As he furthers his art career, he will continue to inspire and teach the new generation of artists. “I've seen many of his [paintings]. I have a profound respect for him as an artist, so I stalked him a bit- - artistically, that is. I love them. He's very versatile, and his talent is inspiring,” Farquhar-Baltazar said. “Justin is tough and sometimes he seems very stern. That's not uncommon with instructors, but he warms up to you and then he's hilarious. He's very honest but he's really helpful and goes the extra mile to see you succeed. If he tells you (that) you did a great job, you know he's not pulling your leg. He has good hair, good jokes, and good clothes. Despite what other people might say.” Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu �Page 4 November 1, 2023 CHINOOK From classroom to club to career Abrielle Santee Chinook Contributer Casper College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Club prepares students for future careers in the OTA field. Because occupational therapists work in such a wide array of settings, community outreach is crucial for OTA students to develop their skills and find their niche. The OTA club allows students to build leadership skills, grow a social network, and practice real-world problem-solving skills. To help support students, the OTA club provides leadership opportunities. Each member has responsibilities within the club. Lyndi Jensen, a second year OTA student and OTA club member explained, “Every member of the club has a role to help it run effectively.” In addition to an officer team club members are put in charge of hosting fundraisers, voting fÅor projects, participating in mentor programs, and staying active in collegehosted events. Club leaders encourage members to identify opportunities to make a dif- ference. Additionally, community partners allow students to get a better feel for clinical sites before they enter fieldwork rotations. Club members get to build connections with people already working in their career field while also getting used to communicating with the patients they will eventually see. “It (the club) helps us have a foundation so once we are graduated we have connections with people. We have good relationships with them, and we’ve had positive interactions with them so we’re set up for more success leaving the program,” said Jensen. Strong relationships can provide job opportunities and future internships. The OTA club takes students to the American Occupational Therapy Association national conference. At the conference, students meet other college students in addition to seasoned professionals and get an idea of what occupational therapy looks like across the nation. On campus, the club helps teach students to handle their time responsibly and balance their heavy course load while building strong relationships with professors and fellow classmates. Classroom teaching meets real-world application as students go out into their communities and find problems to make solutions. “As part of the program, we really focus a lot on being good stewards. Good stewards to the clients to the community, and we want to emulate that in the club,” said Melissa Neff, OTA club advisor and CC Instructor. The club donates to local clinics, as well as many other organizations. The OTA club is increasingly active in community service with the goal of helping students recognize the impact of giving back to their communities. Neff explained, “We like to Submitted Photo give people a good quality of Pictured from left to right: Tana Downs, Jessie Nesterenko, Lyndi Jensen, Raesha Vanderhoff, life. It’s what we do.” and Alona Wilkerson participated in highway clean up as part of OTA community service. Whether it’s dealing with muscle or mind, the occupa- dents, the club is open to all Around campus, the OTA are a very active club, and tional therapy field strives to CC students. To join the club, club is responsible for the the students stay very engaged give independence and confi- students attend club meetings sensory room in the Goodstein in the classroom and in their dence back to those in need. and pay dues of five dollars Foundation Library, caring for community.” “The OTA club is all about a semester. The club partici- the rose garden in Liesinger This mindset earned the helping people become better pates in many organizations Hall, and campus food drives. OTA club the Casper College by doing,” Jensen said. like Reach for a Star, Grief Neff said, “I’m very proud Club of the Year award last While established for occu- Camp, Advancing Abilities, of the club. Even though we year and will take these stupational therapy assistant stu- and the Jackalope Jump. tend to be a smaller club, we dents far in their careers. Need help with homework? The Residence Hall offers tutoring services Nina Bivens /Chinook This is room 200 in the Residence Hall where free tutoring happens every Sunday-Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:30. Bernadette Pieper Chinook Writer Casper College provides free tutoring services in the Residence Hall for a few years now, but students are not taking advantage of using it when tutoring is needed in their academics. The tutors are available Sunday through Thursday from 6:30 to 9:30 every night for free. “Tutoring is very powerful,” said Liz Dobson, the residence hall coordinator. Dobson is also in charge of the tutors in the Residence Hall. She talked about how students who might not know about peer tutoring know how successful it could be for them to go to a tutor to get help. In the 2022-2023 school year, 4,614 students were enrolled at CC. Out of the enrolled students, 80.3% never used tutoring services, including the tutors in the residence hall, the Writing Center, and the STEM Center at CC. The tutoring services in the Residence Hall is open after the Writing Center and STEM Center close. There are two tutors in the Residence Hall. Nina Bivens, tutor, a sophomore, and public relations major tutors students who need assistance or help with English or any communication classes. Lewis Gordon one of the tutors, a sophomore, and a soccer player, tutors students who need assistance with math or science classes. “We are here to help you,” Bivens said. Bivens talked about how there are times that the tutors see several students a night between Bivens and Gordon, but then there are other nights when the tutors don’t see any students. Dobson said she sent out emails to students and posted flyers in the Residence Hall to advertise the tutoring services, and she wants to reach out to faculty to have them inform students as well. Dobson explained that she worked as a tutor when she went to college and wants to help students thrive academically or receive help from the tutors in the Residence Hall. She said she sees a lot of potential in Bivens and Gordon to help any student to succeed in their work for classes. “The one-on-one attention with someone who is helping you learn how to study but also be successful with the material can be the difference between an “F” and a “B” or “A,” Dobson said. Dobson talked about how the tutors plan to reach out to any student on the “D” or “F” lists soon why midterms just got over. The tutors are there to help any student, but can help students who are almost on academic probation. “Tutoring can also be mentor coaching,” Dobson said. “There is always room for improvement.” Tutors can help students with their coursework, but they can also help students with other skills like time management, academic skills, mentorship, or coaching the students to do their best. “I think overall tutoring is very important,” Bivens stated. “It should not be shameful to come in and get help if you need it.” Students might be shy about going to a tutor making them lose confidence in their work, but going to a tutor can help students to change their academics. Bivens talked about how students might be ashamed, dumb, or unintelligent of themselves if they are seen by friends when getting help from the tutor. Casper College provides free tutoring services across campus why pay for a tutor when students can get it for free? The Residence Hall tutors are there to help students with their academics, academic skills, time management, and can mentor the student. Tutoring is a great resource and tool for any student who is in need of assistance with their class work. Don’t be shy to go and get help if needed. caspercollegechinook.com 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 COMM2390. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �November 1, 2023 Page 5 CHINOOK On the lamb Photo courtesy of Abrielle Santee The ewes and Homer the goat peacefully graze at the Casper College Ranch. Abrielle Santee Chinook Contributer Ovine convicts escaped their enclosure at the Casper College Ranch on Saturday, Sept. 23 and ended up in a barn where they ate a small portion of students horse feed. The college's sheep flock consists of two rams and 20 to 25 head of breeding ewes. A student alerted authorities of the breakout around nine p.m. Saturday. Sunday morning Agriculture Instructor and Advisor Heath Hornecker brought CC student and work-study employee Garrison Utter onto the scene to round up any last stragglers and find out how the sheep escaped. Once out at the ranch, they found a small hole in the fence. Hornecker explained that regardless of the fence's state, sheep rarely stray from the flock. For this reason, he and several others in the college's agriculture department believe a phony shepherd infiltrated the barnyard. The criminal in question is named Homer. Homer is the free-range goat orphaned at the ranch and then adopted by the college. Agriculture Instructor Anne Wood said, “He is well loved and the troublemaker of the ranch.” When talking about the ewes getting out, she said, “He’s the leader of the bunch, and these are pregnant and hormonal women happy to follow their new best friend.” Homer now resides inside the fence with the flock. The Agriculture Department hopes this will dispel his loneliness and halt his mischief. Coming to his defense is Homer's number one fan and Dean of the School of Science Gerald Hawkes who insists Homer is a scapegoat -- a goat in the wrong place at the wrong time. Back on the ranch the flock’s safety is one of the top priorities for ranch staff. Saturday night, the students shooed the wooly escape artists out of Barn 3 and put up a temporary panel to prevent them from re-entering the barn. Barn 3 is the stalling barn the rodeo students used to house their horses and tack, including their feed and hay. The next morning Hornecker and Utter found the last couple of ewes around the pivot, eating alfalfa. Ranch staff moved the panels and perpetrators away from the faulty fence and into a more secure location until someone could mend the fence. Hornecker and Utter examined the ewes for any sign of injury or illness before checking the barns for stolen contraband. “It’s a big concern -- you don’t want them to get into any hay left out for other animals or anything else they’re not supposed to have,” Utter said. Sheep, being small ruminants, makes them prone to bloat, which is a disease caused by rapid changes in a ruminant's diet and overfeeding. Bloat is a common disease that can be fatal if not treated in time. On top of that, sheep cannot ingest copper, a heavy metal essential in horse rations. No one knows exactly how many sheep broke out or for how long. Between the break-in buffet in Barn 3 and the feast out at the pivot, Hornecker happily reported that there weren’t any signs of bloat or injury. “We had attentive students that said ‘hey this a problem,’ (and they) knew it could be a really bad problem and were able to get the sheep moved out and back somewhere safe before it became an issue,” Hornecker said. The absence of students who normally care for the sheep made everyone even more grateful the ewes came out unscathed. Approximately two weeks later, the flock staged another breakout. This time, ranch staff found no sheep outside the pen. Instead, they found an open gate and hoof prints in the mud. Whether this is a user error or a sign of Homer's increasing intelligence is still up for speculation. Whatever the case may be, the agriculture department is discussing plans to add chains and a padlock to increase the security of the enclosure. In the meantime, Hornecker said, “All sheep are safe. Everybody’s happy. Hopefully, Tuesday (Oct. 10), we’ll find out if everybody’s pregnant and on schedule to lamb.” Having survived their jailbreak antics, all the ewes, joined by Homer, took a field trip up to the ag pavilion on Oct. 10 for pregnancy checks and vaccinations. Professor Hornecker’s Introduction to Animal Science class gave the bunch lots of love while learning how to properly ultrasound and give shots. 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 November 1, 2023 CHINOOK "The Drowsy Chaperone" takes the stage LucyJane Crimm/Chinook CC put on the musical the Drowsy Chaperone Oct. 13 - 21. The musical was a comedy story of a love struck performer who gave up her life in the spotlight to marry, but all was not as perfect as she hoped. This story was all told through the eyes of a reminiscent man in a chair who was listening to the play with the audience and adding his own commentary. Above and to the left, Janet Van de Graaff, played by Abigail Larsen, is interviewed by a reporter before performing the song “Show Off.” Above and to the right, Abigail Larsen and Roman Gaddis dance on stage together, the two play the main love interests in the play. To the far left, Mr. Feldzieg, played by Kadyn Riley, is threatened by two gangsters played by Rhynne Zmiewski (left) and Aster Harrison (right). Left, Kyler Rabourn, who plays the unnamed Man in Chair, takes a sip from his tea cup as he reminisces about his favorite play, the Drowsy Chaperone. Lighten Your Load Presented by CC Counseling Services Join us to visualize throwing away stress. Take home stress busting swag! Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Casper College Union/University Building, first floor �November 1, 2023 Page 7 CHINOOK Soaring to new heights Lane Johnson Chinook Writer Submitted Photo Aviation student Tyler Petersen stands in front of a plane at Natrona County International Airport. He’s pictured holding certificate for the completion of his first solo flight. Casper College currently offers an aviation program through a partnership with Rising Wings Aviation. While Rising Wings Aviation takes care of the aviation classes off campus, the connection with CC allows students to receive more financial aid, according to the academic chair of the aviation program Justin Eggemeyer. Eggemeyer spoke with the Chinook about the cost of aviation in general and covered many details about the expensive major. He explained that through CC, students can earn an associate’s degree of applied science in aviation. “If a student doing aviation wants to take out student loans, they have to do private student loans,” Eggemeyer said. He explained that many of these private loans require students to provide a “cost of attendance” and Rising Wings Aviation doesn’t provide that information. He went on to explain that Rising Wings Aviation partnered with CC to allow students to provide a cost of attendance for private loans. According to Eggemeyer, Rising Wings Aviation is a separate entity where people can attend flight school without going to CC. Eggemeyer talked about how students can take aviation classes online or at the Natrona County airport. He said a cost chart for Rising Wings Aviation is available on the CC website, separate from the cost of attending the college. CC allows students to complete general classes such as history, math and science that are still required to get a degree in Aviation. Eggemeyer then said Rising Wings Aviation offers the rest of the classes needed. The Federal Aviation Administration follows very strict rules about hours, so there is no time table for when one can complete their degree, according to Eggemeyer. Students must complete a certain number of flight hours in order to get their license for two different levels of piloting. Eggemeyer explained that, “a student should be able to go all the way through private, instrument, and then commercial in two academic years. Many do not… because it’s a lot of hours.” For a private pilot license, students must complete 40 total flight hours and 10 of those hours must be solo flights, according to the Rising Wings Aviation FAA flight chart. The chart also gives students a relative price estimate for each of the four sections of aviation. For the private pilot license alone, there is an estimated cost of $17,000. The total realistic cost estimate for a student obtaining their private and commercial license and their instrument and multi-engine ratings will come out to approximately $101,000. Eggemeyer explained that the cost is why CC decided to partner with Rising Wings Aviation to help make things somewhat more affordable for students. He also said that students can get jobs as an instructor after a certain amount of hours with Rising Wings Aviation. He said that the opportunity helps students continue getting the many hours required by the FAA. Aviation major Tyler Petersen talked about how CC helped him tremendously on his journey into the aviation program. He said “I’m still working towards my private license, but attending CC has made my experience a little bit easier.” Petersen is in his third year at CC and he is pursuing a second associate degree while also continuing his aviation education through Rising Wings Aviation. He credits CC for helping him make his goals more attainable. Though CC doesn’t directly have an aviation program, its partnership with Rising Wings Aviation helps many students find a more affordable option to get into the aviation field. About Us Discover the educational opportunities at UW Casper, the exclusive branch campus of the University of Wyoming. At UW Casper, we are dedicated to serving site-bound students, whether you're following a traditional path or pursuing education on your terms. Our diverse range of bachelor's and master's degree programs are offered through both asynchronous and traditional delivery methods, catering to your unique learning style. Plus, we're proud to offer a variety of scholarships to make higher education a valuable and accessible experience for every student. Join us in shaping your future at UW Casper, where excellence in education meets your needs. Bachelor Degrees Master’s Degrees Master of Social Workadvanced standing and standard programs available Master of Counseling- school counseling and mental counseling available Organizational Leadership Biology Communication Psychology Medical Laboratory Sciences Elementary Education Social Work Zoology Sociology Secondary Science Education Criminal Justice General Studies Career & Technical Education Make an appointment with an advisor today! 307-268-2713 Union/University Building #435 uwyo.edu/uwcasper/ �Page 8 November 1, 2023 CHINOOK Lady Thunderbirds climb the mountain Carlos Fandal III Chinook Writer In the world of college sports, there's a quiet champion waiting to take its place in the spotlight. Volleyball, with its unique blend of finesse and power, often operates under the radar. It’s as challenging as any collegiate or professional sport with its quick-paced nature that requires split-second precise decision-making. The necessity of teamwork and communication among players makes it even more demanding, straining players physically and mentally. Still, volleyball is often questionably overshadowed by other major college sports like basketball and football. Head Volleyball Coach Angel Sharman, a twenty-year coaching veteran, spoke to the Chinook about the sport at Casper College. “I just think it's a great and beautiful sport when it's played well. The athleticism of the athletes out there is just… it's fun to watch. It's a complex sport that people don't understand too much.” Sharman said. Sharman’s years of experience illustrate a passion for the sport that goes much further than just having fun. What’s crucial is her commitment to the growth of volleyball, as well as women's sports as a whole, even if it’s an uphill climb. “If our women want to play any kind of sports, they have to go overseas. Their opportunity is just not there like it is with basketball, where they have a little bit more opportunity. If we can get a professional league in the United States to see all these kids continue doing what they love to do and still have their profession, it would be kind of fantastic… Get men's volleyball here, I think that would help as well,” Sharman said. Despite this, the Lady Thunderbirds are in the midst of a remarkable season so far, winning 22 games and losing only 11. Of particular note is the team’s stellar conference record of eight wins and two losses, which mirrors their record on home turf. Midway through September, the Lady T-Birds began a nine-game winning streak, showcasing their prowess with six consecutive shutout victories during this impressive run. Consistency can be tough to maintain, but Sharman manages to keep her team prepared to win. “We have a goal set. We talked about that at the beginning of the year. And again, we talked about unity with our team, and I think the unity of volleyball is huge. Eight people have to be in sync to be successful because if you have a weak link, the opponent's going to find that weak link. So you have to have players that trust each other and just are hungry to win. And I think this group is hungry to do that,” Sharman said. Sharman leads by example for her players and school to keep getting better and better every day. “If they (The Lady Thunderbirds) see me being a little bit lazy coming into practice, then they're going to follow those footsteps. We want to keep climbing that mountain. We just need to keep climbing. We talked about 2% -- getting better 2% every day. That's what we're trying to do” Sharman said. Volleyball's journey to the limelight begins with the Thunderbird community. The Lady Thunderbirds are giving their all, and it's up to the community to rally behind them. By attending games and cheering on the volleyball team, these athletes can shine as the stars they are meant to be. Sharman's commitment to unity and improvement is driving their success, setting an example for the entire team. Her vision for volleyball's growth and opportunities for women in sports paints a bright future for this sport. As volleyball's star continues to rise, it inches closer to the limelight in college athletics. As Sharman said, “We want Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez to keep climbing that moun- Nia Surman, a Casper College student athlete from New Zealand, attacks the ball during a tain.” recent volleyball game. New Beginnings for CC’s Men's Basketball Team Submitted Photo The Casper College Men's Basketball Team shoots around in the Erickson Thunbird Gym earlier this fall. Yaasmiyn Hickman Chinook Writer As November approaches, so does the start of a new basketball season. This year’s Casper College Men's Basketball team is made up of new players, new coaches, and new attitudes. One of the exciting aspects of this upcoming season is the new coaches setting the scene. College basketball is an opportunity for aspiring athletes to work their way up to their dreams while juggling the stresses of school work, ambitious goals, and intense practice. Dedication and chemistry are primary attributes that go into preparing for a good season. The root of the team is CC’s new head coach, Tom Parks, and new assistant coach, Deion Anderson, who work with a nurturing but tough strategic method. The team spends six days out of the week practicing for two hours with an additional hour of lifting. The coaches put in work to go the extra mile for the team. Anderson stated, “It’s not work if it is doing something that you love.” The world of basketball is wide and broad on its own. With high school, college, NBA, and professional leagues overseas, there is always a coach on the sidelines. Coaches serve the players by guiding them in the art of the game and in making improvements. They tweak defensive strategies and shooting techniques, and they foster the ability to make split-second decisions on the court. Coaches contribute the proper elements that go into the sport mentally and physically. A large majority of players gravitate toward coaches as role models. Anderson sees himself as responsible and reliable for all fourteen players. He stated he does his best to be there for his players whether it's getting them a tutor, providing them with a ride, or giving them advice. Both coaches are there to better the lives of each player by being a part of guiding each athlete's future to success and happiness. As the basketballs start hitting the gymnasium floor, players prepare for the upcoming games. The dynamic of each team differs over the years at CC with the different types of players displaying their collective personalities. This year’s team looks closer in strategy, as well as in friendship. Since rooming with one another and being each other's first interactions with CC, the players have formed a fast closeness, not only sharing the same love for basketball but creating a long-lasting sense of comfort. As with any team, it is important to build a strong connection. Trusting each other on the court is crucial to the game. The CC players also spend time with each other in practices and classes while also rooming together. The chances of forming a connection are easier and faster. This year’s team is more unified than previous years. According to returning sophomore, Jaden Peters, “The team this year has a lot of outgoing personalities, which made it easy to form close connections. We all talk a lot because we spend most of our time together.” In community college basketball, every victory is celebrated as another milestone to get closer to a goal. The more athletic achievements that are collected, the better they get as players and coaches. There is more than standing on the sidelines, screaming and pointing. Coaches and teammates provide motivational direction that not only shapes the players on the court but also the people off the court. Running up and down the court, they symbolize the flexibility, opportunity, and transformative power of sports. This shows the true determination of an interworking community. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2023-11 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> Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from November 2023. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2023-11 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/064000d9e89a38140558fcddb5a1de73.pdf 21d36775568fbd6db5cc1b898b996556 PDF Text Text December 1, 2023 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Dancers flash mob the cafeteria Lucy Jane Crimm/Chinook Jodi Jones' dance ensemble class takes over the cafeteria on Wednesday at noon in a flash mob. Bri Weigel's survey of media production class collaborated with the dancers to do video, photography, commentary and live coverage of the event. Honoring heroes: Veterans day at CC Carlos Fandal III Chinook Writer Veterans Day stands as a tribute to the brave men and women who wore the uniform of the United States Armed Forces, selflessly dedicating themselves to the defense of our nation and the preservation of the freedoms we hold dear. Casper College has many veterans amongst its student population. Veterans bring a unique blend of experience and dedication to the campus ranging from majors in agriculture to computer programming and everything in between. Caleb Lindsay is one CC student who served their country and brought that experience to CC’s campus. He is one of many with a career as a soldier, but his experience in the service remains very unique. “I was a cavalry scout. So I did reconnaissance on the battlefield, kind of painting a picture of it for the battlefield commander. Realistically, I spent a lot of time mopping floors and looking at broken trucks,” Lindsay said with a chuckle. Lindsay did much more than that, however, and traveled the world doing so. “I did some Pacific pathways -- rotations to different Pacific countries to train with their militaries. After I got out, I went into private military contracting and went to Afghanistan for many years.” As another Veterans Day comes and goes, it’s important to remember why the holiday is so important. It’s a day of honor to those who selflessly served the nation. To a veteran, the day has a very different meaning however. Lindsay shared his thoughts about the holiday's significance. “Veterans Day is my opportunity to give back to my brothers and sisters. For me, it's about giving back to them and honoring their services, and for people who didn't serve to also give that opportunity.” Lindsay said, before furthering his thoughts on the holiday. “I mentioned I was mopping floors, but realistically, I was ready at a moment's notice to go anywhere in the world to defend the freedoms that we enjoy here. It's an opportunity for ourselves, for us to give honor to our brothers and sisters as well as people to give respect to us for what we sacrifice” Lindsay said. More and more citizens are molded into veterans every day, with the recent events in Ukraine. For those unaware, roughly a year ago, the Russian army invaded the country of Ukraine. In a precautionary response, the U.S. Army has deployed thousands of troops in surrounding countries. One such citizen turned veteran, Sergeant Nathaniel Seth Jordan, is a Casper native who joined the Armed Forces after attending and graduating from Natrona County High School. He works in the IT department at Fort Campbell, in Kentucky. Despite being excited to explore a new hemisphere, his time in Europe quickly turned sour. Sergeant Jordan shared his story with the Chinook following his deployment to the potential front lines near Bucharest, Romania. “We were put in these tents where there is no ventilation, and when a sickness started, there wasn't a single person — See Veterans Page 3 Caleb Lindsay, one of many CC veterans, speaks at the CC Veteran's Ball. Submittted Photo Jenny Johnson: The glue of a pro-rodeo family Photo Courtesy of Jodie Baxendale Kellan, Kress, Jenny, Jhett, and Carson Johnson pose for a family photo. Jenny teaches in the education department at Casper College, and her husband, Jhett, is the college's head rodeo coach. Jenny's two older sons rodeoed for CC on one Jhett's former teams. Kassadee Lym Chinook Writer Anticipation fills the atmosphere with the screams of an eager crowd as rodeo cowboys give their all to compete for their chance to win the world at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. However, amidst the excitement of the arena, an anxious mother of three young cowboys wishes her husband to return with ten fingers intact and the world title in his grasp. Jenny Johnson is the wife that stood behind the five-time NFR Qualifier and NFR World Champion, Jhett Johnson. She also raised the 2021 College National Finals Rodeo Team Roping duo and Gold Medal Winners at the Days of ‘47 Rodeo, Kellan and Carson Johnson. She is the glue that holds a pro-rodeo family together. Jenny spent her childhood riding her horse to a one-room schoolhouse near Sturgis, S.D. 4-H projects and time on her family's ranch filled her younger years. Both experiences are integral pieces of her childhood that she hopes to instill in her three cowboys. Time in the saddle paid off for Jenny, and she earned a scholarship to rodeo at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kan. After competing there Jenny finished her bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in early childhood at the Oklahoma Panhandle State University. On the college rodeo trail, Jenny crossed paths with her now husband, Jhett Johnson. As a couple, the two-faced adversity. Jenny became the foundation that kept her family stable, whether supporting her sons and husband to chase their dreams or holding her family together during tough times. When Jhett and Jenny were only engaged, they received the news that Jhett had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. Jenny explained that faith kept her going. She said, “We pray a lot. You have to because there are some things that are just out of your control.” Fortunately, the couple moved forward. They had three children: Kellan, Carson, and Kress. Faith and a strong network of support held Jenny’s family together. While Jhett worked to achieve his dreams of becoming a world champion, Jenny played a crucial role in running everything seamlessly in Casper. Her two older boys, Kellan and Carson, explained that their mom took the thankless job of caring for everything at home, from driving them to late-night basketball practices to hauling horses. Jenny looked to what she explained as her, “teaching family” for support. While teaching, raising young children, and supporting her husband on his dream trail, Jenny completed her master's program and national board, twice. “She’s a go-getter,” Kellan said of his mom. Burnout never crossed — See Johnson Page 3 �Page 2 Chinook Stance Divine's Intervention: Get involved! Join extracurriculars Bernadette Pieper Blurbs with Bernadette As I sit here and write this piece and reflect on my college experience, there are some things that I would have changed in my first year of college. One of the biggest things I would have changed is getting more involved in activities or clubs on campus. I wanted to get the college experience first so I did not get really involved in anything on campus until the second semester. Being involved can help students in many different ways. Casper College provides us as students with so many activities, clubs, organizations, and events for students to take part in. The college offers at least 30 clubs or organizations. There are events like game nights, bingo nights, watch parties, intramural sports, and other events for us to participate in. There are times that clubs and organizations will host some kind of event to get more students involved and to treat us to something fun. Being involved can help us meet new people, make new friends, reduce stress, and help our bodies mentally and physically. Joining campus activities helped me learn time management and other life skills -- and to be December 1, 2023 CHINOOK honest it can help build our resumes. According to a 2023 Gitnux article about college students in extracurricular activities, “Students in extracurricular activities are 12.6% more likely to graduate compared to nonparticipants.” Getting involved can help us grow and learn so much. It can also help us as students to do better in school. Some activities, clubs, or organizations are not for everyone, but we just have to try to get out of our shells and be involved. It is not going to hurt us to try something new. A lot of the activities require little to no commitment or time before participating. I have found from being in some clubs, organizations, and going out to some events that it is a decompressor and helps me to just take a moment to refresh myself before going to do homework or study for a test. I think that being involved in extracurricular activities helps me practice so many skills. I honestly recommend that every student join a club, organization, or intramural sport. At the very least, attend an event. Some clubs and organizations were established from majors or classes that students take. Other clubs and organizations were established to have more entertaining events on campus. If you are interested in any clubs, organizations, or other activities I suggest visiting with friends and professors, as well as taking note of the posters that are hung up around campus. A lot of information is sent out via email too. Let’s try something new! Get involved and be active. “ As we wind down the fall semester and rush head-long into the holiday season, I want to discuss two important and related topics: life balance and emotional health. Balancing the ever-changing demands of everyday life is challenging enough, but such balance can be even more precarious during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. As such, I ask you to take extra care over the winter break and embrace the holiday season, spend time with your friends and family, and engage in any activity that brings you peace and happiness. It is all too easy to become fixated on a single aspect of our lives, and thus unintentionally neglect other, equally important, aspects. So please, over the holidays, be sure to keep things in balance, and don’t neglect any one aspect of your life, especially your personal space and time alone. Along that same thought process, you likely know the holidays can be especially challenging for those who struggle with increased anxiety or depression brought about by the seasonal focus on happiness, family, finances, et Whether this scenario describes you personally, or you have a friend or loved one who faces with some of these challenges, please take extra care to watch for signs of emotional distress both in yourself and in those around you. 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 we will put you in touch with trained professionals who can help you or a loved one sort things out and get back to a healthier and happier emotional state. Best wishes for a peaceful and wonderful holiday season… It is all too easy to become fixated on a single aspect of our lives, and thus unintentionally neglect other, equally important, aspects. — Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President A lit conference that didn’t put me to sleep Casper College held its 37th annual literary conference earlier this month, specifically from November 7th - through the 9th. The chosen theme for this year was the “wilderness.” Given the title of this column, it would be reasonable to surmise that I only attended out of scholastic obligation, and you would be correct in that assumption. Despite my preconceived notions though, I enjoyed the workshop that I sat through. I didn’t even open my energy drink. The presentation I observed was put on by Christine Peterson. Peterson is a journalist that’s written about the environment and outdoor recreation for over a decade. She has written about grizzly bears, wolves, elk, insects and more recently: chronic wasting disease. She started at the Casper Star Tribune, but she’s currently working fulltime freelance. She has some impressive publishing credits under her belt, too. Namely National Geographic, which is where my interest piqued. I’m both a photographer and a journalism student, so I was interested in what she had to say. I’ve always wondered how people go about submitting to major publishers, and how the pay involved with that even works. Did you know that freelance writers are often paid in cents per word? I didn’t, and now I feel like a bit of a chump writing this for free. Anyway, she also showed us a few pieces of writing from her own body of work and from some other journalists. It was an exercise in creative writing essentially, and there was a fair amount of discussion between members of the audience about what worked for them and what didn’t. Particularly regarding chronic wasting disease. Words like viscous or moist have a certain connotation after all, and this is seen plainly in the way you just reacted to reading the word “moist.” Overall, the discussions that Peterson fostered were fun to observe. There were writers from several backgrounds who had traveled from all over to attend the conference. Poets, fiction writers, and wannabe journalists like me. Plenty of perspectives on display. I won’t lie to you and say that I’d have attended this regard- Geoff Miller Mid Level Geoff less of a teacher’s instructions, but what I will say is that I’m looking forward to something like this next year. www.caspercollegechinook.com 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 �December 1, 2023 Page 3 CHINOOK Veterans................................................. that didn't get it. They didn't really treat the sicknesses either because it was usually a flu. So, you know, if you get sick, they kind of just give you some ibuprofen,” Jordan said. Camp conditions worsened as time went on. “Some depression came because you don’t see any- thing but the camp fences. I couldn’t really see the outside world because we were literally in a Romanian base camp inside of a camp, our American camp was inside of a Romanian camp. So when you look outside of the fence, you just see another camp. There were people in close quarters -- some people couldn't handle it and would start just taking it out on each other,” Seth said. Seth’s unit waited patiently at the read in case of the worstcase scenario. His said his unit was directly on the other side of the line drawn in the sand by the United States. If Russia had crossed the line, he and his unit would be up to bat against the force of the Russian Army. “It was really scary because where we were wasn't really tactical. If the war had escalated, we would have been hit by missiles. We wouldn’t even have had a chance to fight, which was really scary to think about. We would have died continued from page 1 without even having a chance. Thinking about the fact that, if things were to escalate, we would be just immediately toast. What would we be, a martyr? I had those kinds of thoughts, but they don't do anything for the good of getting the job done,” Seth said. The legacy of the nation's Johnson................................................... Jenny's mind. She said, “I never was looking over the fence wishing for something different or more material things. I had a job and it was to raise my boys, keep everything going at home, and teach third graders.” Although it was not always easy, Jenny explained she never kept challenging aspects of her life from her children. She believes that your kids need to watch you overcome obstacles. “I think it's important for your children to see you struggle and how you overcome it. Because they're going to be able to take those skills and say, oh yeah, they overcame that. They can accomplish anything,” Jenny said. Her philosophy must have proved helpful because her boys are not strangers to success. Jenny instilled the value of family into her sons, and Kellan and Carson explained that because of their mom, family drove them to achieve their goals. Carson, Jenny’s middle son, said, “Everything we did, we did as a family.” The boys grew to rely on each other. Kellan, the oldest, said, “She (Jenny) was always big on your brother is who you always have to fall back on…we’re in each others' corner no matter where life takes us.” Jenny helped create a bond that allowed Kellan and Carson to go on and win the 2021 CNFR, amongst other accomplishments. However, Jenny is also proud of the role model her older boys created for her youngest son. She said, “I was gifted with really great children… and Kress had the opportunity to have wonderful role models.” Jenny was able to raise those role models by focusing on creating gracious winners. Although her husband was unarguably successful, he too shared his time of not making the spotlight. Jenny said her boys and others witnessed their father, Jhett, make it to the NFR, but they did veterans goes far beyond the designated date of remembrance. Veterans like Lindsay, and Jordan shaped the course of history and continue to change the fabric of society. As the day comes and goes, appreciate the cost of freedom and remember the meaning of Veterans Day. continued from page 1 not always understand the failures that formed such success. She said, “They didn't see the 1992 to 2005 and all the things in between.” Jenny supported her husband through the failures that led to winning. But when big wins were found, Jenny was the first to yell. Kellan and Carson explained that when they won the CNFR together, Jenny's reaction matched when their dad, Jhett, won the world. Carson said, “She was screaming, yelling. She was proud to see us do it together really.” Her oldest son Kellan said, “She cries, yells, hoops, and hollers. She’s always on our team.” With Jenny’s support, both boys continue to team rope together today as part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Not only does Jenny play a pivotal role in her family’s team, but she also contributes to the success of the Casper College Rodeo Team. Alongside her husband, now CC’s head rodeo coach, Jenny works to create an atmosphere where rodeo athletes have the opportunity to succeed in the classroom, in the arena, and in life. Jhett and Jenny Johnson are the team that supports CC Rodeo. “If you come to Casper College you’ve got my dad and my mom. That’s just like having a family away from home,” Kellan said. The CC team is not the only ones that benefit from having Jenny on their side. Her boys also recognize the blessing that is their mom. Kellan said, "She showed us everything outside of rodeo -- that life’s bigger than rodeo.” Jenny’s behind-the-scenes support drove the success of her three cowboys, Kellan, Carson, and Kress, and her world-champion husband, Jhett. Submitted Photo As Kellan said, “I love my mom and I Jenny and Jhett Johnson posed for a photo while out for a ride. Jenny grew up riding and wouldn’t trade her for nobody.” earned a rodeo scholarship to college. AI in classrooms is sparking conversation Yaasmiyn Hickman Chinook Writer A new age of teaching and learning is approaching with the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms. Students and teachers are beginning to use these new tools to potentially add advantages to the curriculum. However, with new positives come negatives that are set to disrupt the main focus, such as concerns about academic credibility and lack of creativity in the school system. What can AI do to change the lives of students? John Bailey wrote an article called ‘AI in Education,’ written in 2023. In the article, he said, “AI’s ability to conduct human-like conversations opens up possibilities for adaptive tutoring or instructional assistants that can help explain difficult concepts to students.” The Chinook explored the topic at CC. Kathryn Morgan, an assistant at Casper College’s Writing Center, shared her thoughts. “There are chatbots that act as an extension of your search engine, acting as an online secretary to help you get everything in order on your technological device," Morgan said. " The con is letting it take away a person’s ability to think, as well as real human interaction.” According to a 2023 article by the Brookings Institution titled ‘Should schools ban or integrate generative AI in the classroom, “schools that ban AI deny students and teachers the potential opportunities to leverage the technology for instruction and lesson development.” This form of learning could benefit different learning styles. Morgan expressed her thoughts on the ongoing developments surrounding AI in classrooms. “There are parts of it that are extremely helpful, but it could lead to threatening specific types of job markets, ” Morgan said. “For example, there's AI that has been designed for tutoring, like in math, English, and even in computer science. I think as a tutoring tool it can be good but not the same as human interaction learning. It's designed to help break down things into easier language. However, the danger in that is students will use the generator to get the answer.” With the rapid usage of AI/ ChatGPT, students have expressed a sense of relief in their workload. The AI tool is capable of writing papers, solving math problems, and generating ideas. Students look at this strategy as a skeleton key for the ongoing semesters. Veronica Sulzman a sophomore at CC talked about the importance of education and obtaining a degree. “I used to go to the Writing Center all the time, and they really help. However, in my current English class, the requirement is that we have to use AI to help generate ideas and formats for our papers,” Sulzman said. “It (AI) helps with general education classes too because you need those classes as a refresher for later on in life. The other day I was telling my daughter that English isn’t a needed subject. But people need to know the proper basic rules of writing emails or papers properly. AI helps you understand the different formats faster. “ The main concern with AI is that students will use the tool to cheat in their classes, which could cause a generation of students to disregard the material. Morgan spoke about the issue. She said, “One of the things that is being recommended for teachers to do is basing their papers on in-person human experience.” AI is looked at as both a tool and a threat to students and teachers. The challenges it brings aren't solved easily, but continue to spark curiosity in schools all over the country. �Page 4 CHINOOK December 1, 2023 The Shining Light that is Valerie Innella Maiers Yaasmiyn Hickman/Chinook Valerie Innella Maiers, Visual Arts Instructor is photographed in the Tobin Visual Art Center. She personally selects artwork that goes into the Strausner building at Casper College. Yaasmiyn Hickman Chinook Writer Valerie Innella Maiers, PH.D., has experienced a very cultured life. She is a visual arts instructor at Casper College. She lives a life full of opportunities and culture. Coming from Central New Jersey, she felt that teaching was a part of her calling. Taking a break from working full time at art galleries, Innella Maiers applied to teach at Casper College to pursue her love for art and teaching. Innella Maiers said, “I've always been interested in art. I did study art history but didn't expect to teach full-time. I moved to Texas and they offered me the opportunity to teach an introduction to art class, which I really enjoyed. Then I went back to school to get my doctorate in Art Education. Now I get to both teach and work in art galleries.” Teaching wasn't even a part of her initial life plan. An out one-time experience stimulated an interest that wasn’t there before. Bringing the need to do it again, and eventually turning it into a career. Innella Maiers found joy in teaching students about her passion. Innella Maiers shared some of the things she enjoys about teaching. “Teaching is something that came to me unexpectedly. Learning about the different types of kids and what they want to do with their degrees is a refreshing chapter that I look forward to every day,” said Innella Maiers. Coming from a highly populated state, Innella Maiers said she loves everything Casper, Wyo. offers. The flat lands are different from the city life in New Jersey, yet she never fails to find hidden gems of joy. “I love to visit family back in New Jersey and visit New York, but in Wyoming, you're surrounded by this beautiful landscape,” Innella Maiers said. There's less traffic and more opportunities to go hiking. Especially since fall is here and there are turkeys and deer right outside the art building.” Maiers is active in the community by directing the Casper College Humanities Festival each year. The festival is an event that explores disciplines from social and physical sciences, humanities, and fine arts. She is also very involved in The Casper College Foundation of Fine Art Collection. Where art pieces are selected to be furnished into buildings all over Casper, Wyoming, including CC. "The Humanities festival mainly focuses on humanities, but we touch on other areas. There are speakers from political science or related to agriculture,” said Innella Maiers. “All the visual art on campus is a part of The Casper College Foundation Fine Art Collection.” Innella Maiers explained that she is often moving art or loaning art to museum expeditions. She said some of the artworks are from past students, but most of the collection is from artists across the United States. There was so much accomplishment, as she spoke of all the art she handles. Innella Maiers radiates a bright and comfortable presence. She spoke full of content happiness, especially when talking about her travels. Europe is a continent that is filled with classic and popular art. “I teach travel courses, as well and this past summer I taught a class about the Georgian era of Scottish art and architecture in Edinburgh, Scotland for the University of Wyoming. Then for three weeks, we were in London England to gather art information and incorporate it into future classes,” Innella Maiers explained. Innella Maiers said she was part of a fellowship with the University of Wyoming faculty in Jerusalem, Israel this past January. She said she got to see the earliest churches and modern/ contemporary art. For CC I've taken students to places like Spain, Morocco, and Budapest. Students who major in art classes at CC take at least one of Innella Maiers’ classes. Freshman Moriah Jones spoke about her experience with Innella Maiers. “I love Valerie. She is the sweetest, most interesting person I've ever met. Whenever I have questions or need clarification, she always approaches the situation with care. I never feel lost or angry after our interactions. Valerie has a subtle sweetness about her,” Jones said. Flash Mob! WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu LucyJane Crimm/Chinook Casper College dancers Bella Garro and Nate Skoglund performed in a flash mob in the cafeteria on campus. Garro and Skoglund are taking Jodi Jones' esemble dance class this fall. �December 1, 2023 Page 5 CHINOOK Unexpected leap to journalism Lane Johnson Chinook Writer In August of 2022 Garrett Grochowski moved into the dorms of the University of Wyoming in Laramie and prepared to pursue his degree in anthropology. The Friday before classes started, Grochowski decided he didn’t want to be in Laramie or study anthropology because of many things going on in his life, mainly his dad getting very sick. Acting on a whim that weekend, Grochowski decided to apply at Casper College before things got going at UW, and he moved back home to Casper. “I got registered for all my classes and then went to that first class like an hour later,” Grochowski said. Grochowski knew that he no longer wanted to do anthropology and wanted to instead get into journalism because he knew he enjoyed writing. He said he felt very fortunate when accepted at CC because of how quickly he changed his mind at UW. “I dropped my classes at UW before I came back,” he said. “So if I didn’t get into Casper College, I would have been out a semester.” Grochowski grew up in Casper and felt like returning was the best option for him with many family issues going on at home. He also believed that he grew up and matured slower than his peers. “I feel more mature. I feel like an adult actually,” Grochowski said about coming home. “I was able to be there with my dad when he passed away. And I’m happy -- And I don’t think I’d be as happy, and I’d have a lot more regrets.” He said that coming to CC was a great experience because of the small atmosphere and things are more “intimate” with the teachers and peers. Grochowsk said CC helped him know that he wanted to be a journalist. He added he isn’t sure that even the same journalism degree track at UW would have led him down the same path. “It’s kinda crazy how when you start college, the expectation is like just pick something, and then get a degree in that and then it’ll be the rest of your life… If I was into [communication at UW]… I wouldn’t be as sure as I am now without the experience I got in Casper.” Grochowski added that his teachers were great at CC and really helped him know that he loves journalism. He believes that Communication Instructor Bri Weigel was a huge part of his experience at CC, and she was a mentor for him to get into doing the things that he loves. “She’s been great because she’s helped me find things outside of CC that have vastly helped me… She’s genuine, and she’s like a friend,” Grochowski said. “She doesn’t treat you like you’re a student there to take her class. She’s trying to build you into the person you’re trying to be.” Grochowski shared high praise for Weigel and is thankful that she still reaches out to him to give him more opportunities to learn. He said he wouldn’t have worked at Oil City News if it wasn’t for her, and he is happy that she still makes him feel as though he is a part of CC even after he left. “She set the foundation for the writer that I am today,” said Grochowski. Grochowski and his good friend Marc Sanford worked at Oil City News over the summer and both said they gained extensive knowledge from the experience. Sanford talked about their time at Oil City News and explained that Grochowski went above and beyond. “We were only supposed to work 20 hours a week. He probably worked 40. He put in so much work for that company,” Sanford said. Grochowski made an impact in just three months of working for Oil City News. His peers at CC know about him and he definitely left a mark on the community according to Sanford. “It shows that he is a pretty special dude -- that he was able to make that much of an impact,” Sanford said. Grochowski and Sanford are now roommates at The University of Wyoming, and Grochowski is very grateful for his opportunity to be a student at Casper College. Grochowski believes that his time at CC set up his future and allowed him to get back on track in his life. He built the foundation for his future, and Photo Courtesy of Ben Winckler Photography it goes back to that last second Garrett Grochowski, a former CC student, posed for a photo. decision to return home for a Grochowski found his love for journalism when he made the year. last-minute decision to attend college in his hometown. Building the future on the foundation of the past Geoff Cooper/Chinook Darrin Miller, welding instructer at CC, is pictured in the welding shop on campus. Geoff Cooper Chinook Writer Inflation and cost of living are two commonly discussed concepts, and they only ever seem to be going in one direction very quickly – a direction and a pace that wage growth is unable to match. The days of buying a new part to replace the old or the broken will soon be over, but there is still hope in the form of teachers like Darin Miller, one of the welding instructors here at Casper College. Miller’s early life on a farm in Torrington, Wyo echoes our world’s current predicament. “We couldn’t afford new stuff,” said Miller. “We had to fix the old stuff, and I think now we’re starting to see that again. In the last three or four years, and even before that, it turned into a throwaway world. And now with shipping lanes how they are and everything on back order it’s starting to be like it was before. People are going to have to learn how to rebuild stuff again.” Miller doesn’t necessarily see this as all bad because there’s a fair amount of merit in making do with what you have and being self-sufficient. Growing up on a farm with old equipment and irrigation that’s done by hand takes a bit of ingenuity after all, and it’s what set him on the path to where he is now. “I think one time, the planter broke, and dad welded on it three times,” Miller said. “He didn’t know what he was doing, and I dang sure didn’t know what I was doing, but he started throwing stuff so I asked if I could take a crack at it.” After successfully fixing the planter, Miller said he became the farms resident handyman. This knack for fixing and rebuilding equipment led to a degree in diesel technology and in welding from Eastern Wyoming College. He was always fascinated with seeing how things tick and reverse engineering them with the goal of “building a better wheel.” Unfortunately, he got out of welding school in 1986, during an oil bust. “You couldn’t buy a job welding, even here in Casper,” Miller said. Miller got married the same year and needed a way to pay the bills. He enlisted in the US Army shortly thereafter and was stationed in Ft Hood, Texas. He later attended a Reserve Officer Training Corp program and commissioned as an officer before becoming the commander of the maintenance unit in Guernsey, Wyo. Leadership in the Army tends to involve a lot of meetings, logistics and paperwork, so whenever Miller needed a break from that he would go down to the shop and help the enlisted. “I tell you what, it was a lot of work, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” Miller said. Despite being in a leadership position for many years in Guernsey and completing his military service as a Major (Promotable), Miller said he never really saw himself as a teacher. It was a friend of his dad’s, who worked for the job service here in Casper, that got Miller to apply for the job here at CC. Right around that same time, Miller was working on a welding job down in Torrington. He was hired because the guy before him almost died on the project. He said teaching sounded better by comparison, so he’s been doing it ever since. In addition to welding, Miller saw to the development of the auto body shop and a fabrication shop at the college. Students rebuild classic cars and learn how to reverse engineer and produce older machine parts that aren’t made anymore. Miller also takes the students to assist in the Platte River Cleanup with the goal of giving back to the community and teaching team building. Between the military and teaching, Miller said that his proudest accomplishment is his students and the success they find in the welding program. Students like Marvin Aragon, whom Miller hired to teach with him after he went through CC’s program. “I taught him how to weld once. I know I don’t have to do it again,” Miller said. Aragon graduated in 2016 and went back to his hometown of Lander for a few months. He didn’t find any work, but luckily for him, Miller reached out to let him know there was a job at Pepper Tank here in Casper. He worked there up until a couple of years ago when Miller called him again and asked if he wanted to come teach at the college. “I had my concerns. I had my doubts, but he talked me out of them,” Aragon said. Like Miller, Aragon never saw himself teaching, but he’s glad he took the leap. For Aragon, working with Miller is a blast. He loves coming to work and seeing a new group of students every year. Despite being a teacher himself, he still learns a lot from Miller. “I don’t think I could ever get tired of working with him. He’s the best teacher I’ve ever had,” Aragon said. The two became friends when Aragon stopped by to visit during his time at Pepper Tank, and he said that other students come back from time to time to get advice from Miller or bounce ideas off of him. Despite having an old school teaching style, he said Miller is very approachable, and he believes the way Miller is running the program really works for their students. Welding, to Aragon, is foundational to society. Just about everything you see, every building you enter, needed a welder at some point. It’s just a matter of finding the people who want to do the work and training them. Both Owen Nielson and Zane Neville started in the welding program this semester. Nielson plans to go to work on an oil pipeline, and Neville plans to work in structural welding. Like Aragon, they describe Miller as old school. “He doesn’t go around the truth. He tells you what you need to do and how to figure it out,” Nielson said. Both students said they appreciate his old school attitude because they think it’s preparing them for the real-world in welding. They described welding as an old school profession, one that won’t treat them like glass. At the same time, they also described Miller as an open book. Someone they feel comfortable coming back to for advice. “He allows you to give your best shot,” Neville said. “I don’t think it’s ever good enough for him though. He wants you to keep getting better and better and better, which I think is needed in a teacher.” Miller has been teaching for over thirty years, and though his military days are far behind him, he believes that the patience and leadership qualities he learned in the Army are a large part of his success in teaching. The three attributes of a leader, and subsequently a teacher, according to the Army, are character, presence and intellect. All three of these attributes are clearly seen through the descriptions given by Miller’s students – students who are now more prepared for a world that can’t just throw things away. Partnering to better serve the deaf community Geoff Cooper/Chinook In partnership with Serve Wyoming - Student Learning Initiative, Emergency Medical Students and American Sign Language students at Casper College worked together to learn more about deafness. The training involved local deaf community members in simulation activities where the EMS students interacted and cared for deaf patients. The simulation activities help prepare up-and-coming first responders for caring for this patient demographic. Above and to the right: Tia Iedema, Kaela Lundstrom, and Dawson Butler practice sign language with instructor Gail Schenfisch. To the left, Raghuram Prasad, Kevin Tomphson, and Dawson Butler work with a deaf volunteer. �Page 6 December 1, 2023 CHINOOK Fall sports recap Photo and content courtesy of the Casper College Public Relations Department The men's soccer team celebrates at a September game against Western Nebraska Community College. The men's soccer team finished at 10-7-7. The team won the Region IX Northwest Plains District Championship beating Otero College. The final score was T, 1-1. Because they were the Region IX winners, they went on to the 2023 NJCAA D1 Men't Soccer Chapionship in Wichita, Kan. In the national tournament, the T-Birds entered pool play with two other teams. If there was a team in the group that could beat the other two opponents, then that team moved in to tournament play. In the first game against Arizona Western College, the T-Birds lost 1-0. The next game was against Louisiana State University-Eunice. The T-Birds won that match 2-1. However, Arizona Western College also beat Otero, so AWC moved on. Photo and content courtesy of the Casper College Public Relations Department Licia Echevarria serves the ball at a September game against Gillette College. The women's volleyball team ended a great season with a 30-14 record overall. The team had a 4-1 record in the Region IX Tournament, taking first in the B bracket. The showing earned them a trip to the 2023 NJCAA D1 Volleyball Championship in Hutchinson, Kan. The Lady T-Birds lost their first match to Miami Dade College and went to the consolation round where they beat Blinn College and New Mexico Junior College. In the game to determine ninth place, they lost to Indian Hills Community College and placed 10th in the tournament and in the country. This is the highest the volleyball team has ever placed in the national tournament. Photo and content courtesy of the Casper College Public Relations Department Michelle Cave kicks to score in a September game against Laramie County Community College. The women's soccer team finished at 13-2-2. The team made it to the semi finals in the Region IX Northwest Plains District Championship but lost to Otero when the game ended 0-0 in regular time, and Otero beat them in double overtime. 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 at brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �December 1, 2023 Page 7 CHINOOK Beyond the cap and gown: Behind the scenes of graduation Submitted Photo Casper College 2023 graduates celebrated at commencement after being presented with their degrees. LucyJane Crimm Chinook Writer Every college student looks forward to commencement day, but what goes on behind the scenes for graduation? Who ensures that each student completes the right credits and fills out the proper forms? Who makes sure each student is getting the information they need? And what happens if they don't receive it? It’s a more complicated process than students may think. Casper College’s Registrar Linda Nichols stressed the difference between gradua- tion and commencement. She said graduation is the official process of completing the program and receiving the degree, while commencement is the celebration that happens after graduation. CC ‘s 2023 graduates need to note important upcoming dates- - April 1 is the deadline for students to apply for graduation, Feb. 24 - April 14 is the window for students to order their cap and gown, and commencement practice and ceremony is May 12. All the departments at the college play a role in graduation and commencement, but a lot of the process starts in the records department. “Students see MyCCInfo and we [staff] have the administrative side of it that we use to process [degree evaluations],” Nichols said. “When we run a degree audit, it looks a lot like the progress that students see… But sometimes there's unique pieces in there that are different for degrees, and we can’t make it show properly. So there’s sometimes manual edits or updates that we need to do.” The records department handles the forms for graduation and commencement. The process starts when students fill out their first degree evaluation, typically in their third semester, to make sure they are taking the correct classes, fulfilling requirements and planning appropriately. Then in the last semester of college, students need to fill out the graduation application. Once that form is sent to records, the students are once again run through the degree evaluation process before the degree is posted. The degree evaluation process happens a third time when final grades are posted to ensure they have everything they need. “Those are electronic forms, so the student logs in to submit those forms and then it comes to us electronically… it comes to us in an electronic queue, so then we go through and process those. Then we send them back to students electronically,” Nichols explained. Any forms that need to be filled out can be found on the Casper College website in the records section. Graduation and commencement information and deadlines can be found on this page. If students have questions about graduation, they can email the records department. “When it gets to the end of the semester and we’re ready to start checking grades and posting, the name of the game is like Santa making a list and checking it twice- - and three times and four times. Just going through and making sure everyone is on the list and they’re registered for what they need to be,” Nichols said. Walking across the stage and finally getting that diploma at commencement is a very exciting moment for most students, and the CC public relations department also plays a big part in making commencement run smoothly. From photos, to livestreams and even just hyping students up, the public relations department wears many hats. “We view [commencement] as a celebration of students and their achievements. We really want them to be celebrated that day, so we try to do things that assist with that,” Director of public relations Christopher Lorenzen said. “Usually, we put together the commencement program, we get it all together and produce it. We do the livestream of the events and some photography. We do the news releases about it, and then after we send out dean’s lists and presidents lists to local papers. We do social media posts to celebrate it. There’s just all kinds of little things- - we’re even helping design the diploma cover.” PR’s most important role on the day of commencement is the livestream they do of the ceremony. Commencement takes place in the Ford Wyoming Center and PR streams the footage and audio live onto the CC YouTube channel for family members and friends who are unable to attend. “I think the live stream is really important to all the families that can’t make it to commencement, especially for our international graduates,” Lorenzen added. As is the way of life, not everything will always go according to plan. Every year around graduation and commencement, some problems arise. One of the biggest problems is making sure the students are receiving emails with information and completing the forms they need to. “Unfortunately every semester we get to the end of the semester and a student kind of shows up out of nowhere saying ‘Hey I’m graduating!’ Really? Because you never told us. We always do our best at accommodating when students miss deadlines,” Nichols said. Some of the challenges the PR department faces come with their biggest role, the commencement livestream. “The biggest challenge is putting on the live broadcast of the event,” Lorenzen said. “It takes a lot of us. It takes a whole department to support it. We’ve got it down, but there's always something that happens that you don't anticipate. From a bad HDMI cable to a camera that goes out, or even the internet configuration.” Students play a big role in graduation and commencement going smoothly. Nichols said that students can make a big difference just by checking and reading emails in a timely fashion and by paying attention to deadlines and communicating with advisors. The biggest factor in a successful graduation process is communication. Dr. Divine’s journey to president of the college Bernadette Pieper Chinook Writer Submitted Photo Casper College President Dr. Darren Divine posed for a photo in the Gateway Building. Submitted Photo Dr. Divine addressed the audience at the 2023 Casper College Commencement ceremony. He started his career as a professor before becoming the faculty senate chair followed by associate vice president to vice president of academic affairs. Now he is president of Casper College. As if that were not enough, he also mastered being a husband, chocolatier, and competitive pistol shooter. Darren Divine, Ph.D., began his journey as the president of the college in the summer of 2015. Before coming to CC, he worked as a professor and then vice president at the College of Southern Nevada and at the University at Las Vegas. Divine said he never thought he would be the president of a college, but he references a quote that helped him along the way. He shares the quote with students, crediting a professor from one of the colleges where he worked. “Discovery is recognizing something you didn’t know existed,” Divine quoted. He majored in biology before starting his career. His love for biology stemmed from his father because he was a fisheries biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. His career has helped him along his journey to become president. “I would not trade it for anything. The reason that I got into this was because of the students. I wanted to teach. It's no different now,” said Divine. “At the end of the day, the answer is well that is part of my job, but that’s not the important part…My pleasure, my honor, my joy is to celebrate students and support students.” Some of Divine’s goals for the college are to keep up with the changing needs in life in order to meet student needs. “If I could impart anything to anybody, it is to remind them that everything we do is for students. Literally, there is not a job on campus that isn’t here for students,” said Divine. Others have seen that Divine is there for the students and that is what helps CC to bring in more students. “One of the things that is very clear when you meet Dr. Divine is that he is passionately committed to the college. He believes the student comes first and focuses on the student’s needs and where our decisions are made in daily work,” said Christopher Lorenzen, director of public relations at CC. Lorenzen and Divine both talked about how Divine loves to support students. Divine traveled over 1,000 miles to watch the men’s Soccer team at Regionals, the volleyball team at Regionals, and the music concert with the Dean Morgan Middle School. Divine talked about how he is always heartbroken if he cannot make it to an event that involves CC students. He said he really wanted to make it to the Nationals to watch the soccer team and volleyball team but he could not. “I got to put my big boy pants on,” Divine said, as he has other obligations as president. When Lorenzen started his job at CC, he noticed how Divine does so much for the college and the students. “I was blown away by the positive perception that the college has. You can really see how Darren and the trustees lead the college. Their passion is for the students,” said Lorenzen. Aside from serving as president of the college, Divine is a chocolatier in his spare time. He found a passion for it after learning about chocolate from his father at an early age. He remembers every Christmas his dad would make chocolate pretzels and more. There was just one day out of the blue when he started to do the pretzels and more with chocolate when he was working at the college in Las Vegas. Divine said that when he and his wife lived in Las Vegas, she took him to a cake and chocolate shop where he met the owner. The shop’s owner helped him with his passion for chocolate. Since then, Divine perfected his work as a chocolatier. He occasionally offers a class for others to learn, giving him the opportunity to share one of his passions and still be a teacher. Lorenzen stated, “He likes to master it. He significantly enjoys his work. You can see by all of the things that he is involved in.” Lorenzen talked about how Divine is passionate about his hobbies, and works hard to master his crafts, like being a chocolatier and a competitive pistol shooter. Divine also participates in many pistol shooting competitions. He is a ranger too, meaning he helps with setting up for competitions. Divine said that since working as president, he has not had much time to shoot or to go hunting. He talked about how he hopes to get back to doing it more often, but he has been doing his job as president first. He really enjoys his pistol shooting competitions and all of his other hobbies. Divine is there for his students and employees. When he talks with students or employees about their experiences here at CC or things brought to his attention he tells them this: Divine said he tells this to students and others, “A phrase I always use, ‘Achieve your goals and realize your dreams.’” www.caspercollegechinook.com �Page 8 December 1, 2023 CHINOOK The art of connection Nina Bivens Chinook Writer Picture a stage in a theater where one side of the stage belongs to the music department and the other the theater department. Such a place exists at a community college in Scottsbluff, Neb. Almost 28 years ago, two individuals worked together on opposite ends of the stage, but they never met for five years. It wasn’t until Terry Rogers, the coach for the theater program at the time, reached out to Cindy, a piano instructor. He wanted her help with the upcoming school play, specifically to take the role as a rehearsal pianist with ridiculous hours and a paycheck of only $200. Wanting to provide for her family and take on a new adventure, Cindy said yes, igniting one of the most successful love stories to grace Casper, Wyo. Loving husband and Casper College Communication Instructor Terry Rogers grew up in an environment where there wasn’t a lot of money, but his needs were met and he was highly involved. However, Cindy Rogers, private piano instructor and loving wife grew up as an only child with parents that loved each other unconditionally, setting a great foundation for what a marriage or relationship should look like. Both Terry and Cindy were previously divorced. Fortunately, the splits created an opportunity for Terry and Cindy to cross paths. Cindy said, “We both remember what the first marriage was like. We both had a very hard first marriage, so we both know how bad it can be. So we both really think of each other first. Love is more than a feeling -- it's a commitment.” One of the most unique qualities about Terry and Cindy’s relationship is how they inspire each other. “In some ways, we are very much alike, and in some ways we are very different,” Terry said. “I'm inspired by her ability to trust in her heart and always, always see the best in people. I wish I could be like that.” Because of their experiences, Terry and Cindy came together and created a solid footing. Cindy spoke to Terry’s strengths. “He (Terry) is so steady and calm,” she said. “He is the steady line of the relationship -- that's how my mom and dad were too. He makes this place so safe for us and for me.” This shared inspiration has allowed the couple to be together for almost 28 years with their anniversary coming up this month. Terry shared what advice he would give to others wanting to have a stronger relationship like his with Cindy. “Being open, honest and transparent gives us the ability to have real conversations. It's like a positive cycle that keeps feeding in on itself,” Terry said. Cindy shared the same sentiment. “There is an openness towards one another -- trust, a willingness to be kind to one another regardless of what we feel in the moment,” Cindy said. “There is a commitment not to be rude or disrespectful. We agree that certain behaviors aren’t okay because we have respect for one another.” Terry explained that there is a space between two people when they hug each other, and it is called the inside space. Terry said that “We talk about keeping inside on the inside and the outside on the outside, and the outside always wants to get on the inside and that pushes you apart.” Overall, both Terry and Cindy believe that focusing on their relationship and keeping other factors out of it is the center of creating a healthy Submitted Photo Communication Instructor Terry Rogers and his wife Cindy stopped for a photo while out on an adventure together. The couple will celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary this year. environment in a relationship that can last a lifetime. In the end, this relationship works because of the effort to have trust, honesty, and communication between them. As Cindy puts it, “It’s a sacred thing to us. It’s a relationship like no other.” Casper College's 'It's a Wonderful Life' LucyJane Crimm/Chinook From left, Kyler Rabourn, Nathan Skoglund and Kirsten King read their lines off on stage. The play was a radio adaptation of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” so the actors focused on voice acting and setting the scene of a radio station. LucyJane Crimm/Chinook Abigail Larsen brings a water pitcher to the other actors on stage. Larsen played the role of an assistant at the radio station. LucyJane Crimm/Chinook Ambrosia Johnson, who plays Mary Hatch Bailey, stands at the microphone as she performs her lines. Pictured here are the foley artistse in charge of sound effects using props. LucyJane Crimm/Chinook �December 1, 2023 Page 9 CHINOOK About Us Discover the educational opportunities at UW Casper, the exclusive branch campus of the University of Wyoming. At UW Casper, we are dedicated to serving site-bound students, whether you're following a traditional path or pursuing education on your terms. Our diverse range of bachelor's and master's degree programs are offered through both asynchronous and traditional delivery methods, catering to your unique learning style. Plus, we're proud to offer a variety of scholarships to make higher education a valuable and accessible experience for every student. Join us in shaping your future at UW Casper, where excellence in education meets your needs. Bachelor Degrees Master’s Degrees Master of Social Workadvanced standing and standard programs available Master of Counseling- school counseling and mental counseling available Organizational Leadership Biology Communication Psychology Medical Laboratory Sciences Elementary Education Social Work Zoology Sociology Secondary Science Education Criminal Justice General Studies Career & Technical Education Make an appointment with an advisor today! 307-268-2713 Union/University Building #435 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 2023-12 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. 2023-12 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from December 2023. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2023-12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/0be94553ffb7b47510039238ef6ead0c.pdf 5607a6096799ccec4c9955ccf80e4ce1 PDF Text Text March 1, 2024 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 "The Lightning Thief" Theater students work hard to prepare musical Lairen Brush Chinook Writer Lairen Brush/Chinook Theater Instructor Richard Burk visits with students in his acting II class. Students pictured here include (from left to right) Ella Meyer, Abigail Ehrlich, and Kyler Rabourn. The department is activeling working on the "The Lightning Theif," set to open on April 18. Much like the rest of the ensemble in the Theater Department at Casper College, Ella Meyer, a student for the theater student, and Richard Burk, an instructor for the theater performance degree, are preparing for the upcoming play adaptation of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, which will run April 18 through the 27. Some students, like Meyer, did not have much theater experience prior to attending Casper College. They mainly participated in underfunded high school programs that didn’t accurately represent how a professional production should run. For instance, the shift to the college stage meant going from unstructured tryouts to a more professional feel. Meyer said she finds the tryouts at CC challenging. In CC’s theater department, students are also part of the greater cast, such as assistant stage managers among other positions. The Lightning Thief is a student cast, with the exception of the five-piece accompanying orchestra as it will include both local musicians and students. With the upcoming release, the passion and dedication of the actors and crew is strong despite the production’s strain on their schedules. “You don’t really have time to socialize,” Meyer said. “And you only socialize with your cast. And if there’s a problem within the cast, there’s just a problem.” Due to the amount of work required for a play, theater students don’t really interact with classmates outside the Theater Department during this time. For instance, the participants in the Lightning Thief rehearse for nearly six weeks before opening week, and even have a guest choreographer coming to help them. Students and staff alike all handle the stress differently. Some are stressed at the time of the auditions while others feel stressed in the middle of the process when the time necessary for the production conflicts with midterms and assignments in other classes. Some are stressed throughout the entire process. Despite this, Burk said all that stress is hidden once the play begins as the theater program seems to bring out something in the students, giving them an outlet to be extroverted when they normally wouldn’t be. “I’m definitely extroverted,” Meyer said. “I’ve always been extroverted and really loud.” This trend is not normal outside of theater classes. “In a new class, I won’t talk to anyone, like any class outside of theater classes that I have,” Meyer said. However, Burk said the theater department gives students an opportunity to express themselves differently as he believes most of the theater students are introverted, even if they deny it, but then act out in a very extroverted way by being very outgoing in their performances. Richard Burk said, “And, of course, they’re anxious to make sure they’re expressing the thoughts behind the Lightning Thief, which I think has to do with fitting in, feeling like you can’t fit in, feeling like the world doesn’t recognize you for who you are.” — See Theater Page 3 CC Course teaches basic self defense, legal defense Geoff Cooper Chinook Writer Geoff Cooper/Chinook Butch Steinle, former SWAT officer and current Casper College self defense instructor, poses for photo in front of a target. It’s unlikely to end up in a dire self-defense situation, given Wyoming’s violent crime rate, but self-defense isn’t really about the every day. It’s about being prepared for the worst day. “Situational awareness can help you avoid a majority of conflict,” said Butch Steinle, the instructor for Casper College’s self-defense course. “But if you’re in it and it finds you and you can’t avoid it, then you need to know how to execute a certain amount of force swiftly and violently.” Steinle served as a police officer in various capacities for seventeen years and has an extensive background in both armed and unarmed combat. In addition to serving as a SWAT officer, Steinle is a certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructor, and this is the basis for CC’s course. According to Steinle, “The main focus is on Jiu-Jitsu because you can take a hundred- and ten-pound female and she can leverage her entire body onto a specific area of an opponent or a predator and inflict pain or even injury to the point where she can get away.” However, getting away isn’t the only thing to consider in a self-defense scenario. “Self-defense isn’t just going home, it’s also staying out of jail,” said Steinle. “You need to know when to stop and de-escalate so you don’t end up in prison.” Besides a background in criminal justice, Steinle has also been investigated himself, as many SWAT officers are, for various events in the line of duty. He brings this unique perspective to the program and imparts those lessons to his students. Zoe Swanson, a student enrolled in his class this semester, said that the Steinle relates any given scenario with a volume button and explains when that button needs to be turned up or turned down. “It’s really nice because it’s adjustable for each situation,” Swanson said. “It’s also a very safe environment to practice in, and he really takes his time going over each move.” This safe environment is something that Steinle is deliberate in fostering. “A lot of people are intimidated by this kind of stuff,” Steinle said. “So, I really try to create a safe, fun, and friendly environment. Especially since some of the people pursuing this might have experienced some level of trauma in their life. I want them to feel safe to practice in a controlled environment where they can regain their confidence.” Besides being a confidence builder, this class is also available as a PE credit, and it is a unique opportunity for the community since you don’t have to be enrolled in a degree seeking program to attend. The class is currently listed as PEAC 1041 for those interested in registering next semester. Searching for awe every day Abrielle Santee Chinook Contributor Submitted Photo Chad Hanson, a sociology instructor and advisor for the social work program at Casper College, recently posed for a photo. People from all different walks of life fill each office and dorm room of Casper College. Sitting in the space of others gives one a glimpse into their world. If a student walks down the hallways of Liesinger Hall and finds themselves in the 175 office pod, tucked away in the corner is LH175B. Upon entering the office, a few things will stand out. These might include a mug with a snake in the clutches of an owl, a festive sombrero, and three pine cones set up behind the desk on the window where the light can shine in on them. Books fill the shelves, ranging from philosophy and scientific study to poetry. Pictures of landscapes and horses hang on the walls like portals back to fresh air and wideopen spaces. Knickknacks and stickers garnish the room on every available surface, a reminder of where they came from. The desk, however, remains moderately clean and organized. Splashes of color decorate a black bookshelf and white walls. In a place where everything seems out of place, everything is where it should be. It feels like the walls are telling those who enter they belong too. Welcome to the office of Chad Hanson. Hanson is a sociology instructor and an advisor for the social work program at CC. Hanson searches for inspiration in everyday life and brings that experience and attitude into the classroom. Hanson's story took him from the snowy nights of Minnesota to the mountain biking trails of Arizona and the lakes and rivers of Wisconsin. Hanson admits his reason for moving to Wyoming might seem a little unorthodox. He said, “This isn’t usually the reason people make professional decisions, but I moved to Casper to teach here so that I could fish in the North Platte River. I’ll cop to that.” Following the fly fishing, Hanson found himself in a trout and nature lover’s paradise. The move put him in touch with the Bigh Horn and Snowy Range mountains. More then just a change of scenery, Frankland said, CC gave Hanson more creativity with his program and a better connection with students. Political Science Instructor and personal friend of Hanson, Erich Frankland, described Hanson as one of the most engaging instructors at CC, stating Hanson makes his coursework relatable. He connects with many students, a helpful skill for an instructor of a common prerequisite. Frankland said, “The ancient Greek philosophy of education is mind, body, heart, or spirit. We’re obviously focused on the mind here as a college, but I think he sees students with a more holistic perspective.” By looking at students with a broader lens, Hanson makes them feel comfortable. Frankland said college can be intimidating, especially for students from smaller towns, different states, or foreign countries. People feel listened to and valued when talking to him, which reduces their anxiety and creates an environment like the one he had going through school. Good teachers have good teachers. Hanson is no exception. “I had role model after role model. Sometimes I'll catch myself. I’ll say something or — See Hanson Page 3 �Page 2 March 1, 2024 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Chinook Stance The perfect spot for lunch Lane Johnson Johnson’s Journal Imagine you wake up late for school and don’t have a chance to make yourself lunch. You have a 45-minute break between classes in the afternoon and don’t have a meal plan at the College. You could always just grab lunch from one of the fast-food restaurants in town. But what's the fun in that, when Casper College has a cheap delicious option right here on campus? Sub Connection is the perfect choice for a quick lunch. I have found myself getting a sub many times throughout my year at CC. When I walk into the Union Building and take a prompt right I’m greeted with a delicious smell of fresh bread and coffee. I love having the option to stay on campus and get a cheap meal. Sub Connections also has a Starbucks menu so it doubles as a coffee shop. Students who need a little caffeine to start their day off have the perfect option. Having a coffee shop on campus is also nice when you only have a small break in between classes and want to just hangout around campus. You can always go grab a drink and find a quiet place to study and catch-up on school work during the day. Sub Connection also recently added salads to their menu with the build your own option. If you have a sweet tooth there are also many desert options you can add on as well. These many options are great for any college student or professor with a break in their schedule. I have eaten a homemade sandwich for nearly every lunch since I was six-years-old. Now I can go into Sub Connections and have them make my signature ham and cheese sandwich for the cheap price of $4. The prices at Sub Connection are what make it so appealing to me. Having the ability to spend less than $10 on lunch gives me a good and affordable option for those days when I don’t feel like making lunch or when I wake up late and have to hurry out of the house. Sub Connections is the perfect hybrid of snack stand and fast food that it’s a no-brainer when you’re free and hungry on campus. caspercollegechinook.com As I was thinking about what to write for this edition, I looked back over previous submissions, and came across this topic from last year. As I sat and thought about it, I realized it is as important, if not more so, than before. So, with that idea as my “ inspiration, here are some updated thoughts on the world of politics. While Mark Twain is revered for his legendary and enduring prose, one of his most famous quotes is “Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself.” Now while this particular quote is humorous to some and exasperating to others, it is nonetheless part of the large genre of jokes about politicians and politics. Although I enjoy a good joke as much as the next person, I urge you to look past the joke-level, and ponder the purpose and function of politics. While each of us has our individual opinions of the political process, and individual or groups of politicians, I urge you to not cast aside the political process altogether. As I write this article, the race for the U.S. Presidency is ramping up to what will surly to be a full-throated campaign on both sides of the political divide. In addition, the Wyoming Legislature is in the middle of their four-week Budget Session to determine the state’s funding levels for the next two years. Both of these processes have the potential to not only shape how our national and state governments will operate in the near term, but they will also affect each of our lives, to some degree or another. Please know this is not a partisan political message, or a call for everyone to drop their current plans and run for elected office. Having said that, I would encourage anyone who is interested or feels compelled, to run for an elected office. I firmly believe everyone needs to be aware of the pieces of legislation being proposed and moving through your local, state, and national political processes. Democracy is a process of the people. Without being involved; without making your voice heard through public discourse, communication with elected representatives, and through the election process, you are leaving your future to the desires of others. While each of us has our individual opinions of the political process, and individual or groups of politicians, I urge you to not cast aside the political process altogether." — Dr. Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Literally, just talk to people I would like to preface this by saying, I am not a social person. Especially not with making the first move or impression on a new person. This is not a matter of being introverted or extroverted, I just tend to watch people, before even attempting to talk to a specific person. Granted, this could be seen as unintentionally creepy and I am fully aware of this. And I am fully aware that my people-watching could also be considered socially awkward, making it difficult to make new friends. My now best friend was the only spur-of-the-moment decision I made to talk to someone and that interaction was weird to a certain degree. She had been pronouncing a name wrong and I, sitting against a wall and reading a book, decided it was a good idea to correct her while talking to another person. Our next interaction was purely based on a mutual friend. Then, as they say, the rest is history. Outside of her, I have a maximum of five people that I have a conversation with on any given day. I don’t believe that I am the only college freshman with this issue. While the small size of Casper College may be my only basis for comparison, I do know that the struggles of talking to people in a large environment to the point of developing lasting, meaningful friendships is rare. CC offers the advantage of a small campus size compared to the much larger University of Wyoming in the college town of Laramie, so running into the same people is a given. Also, the class sizes are smaller, which makes striking up a conversation easier. I strongly believe in the ability of humans to adapt to situations. Taking the initiative is always a good idea, despite initial hesitance. The world at large is quite varied and presents so many opportunities to adapt to progress in life. I do hold strong to the belief that you just have to talk to people, as difficult and awkward as it may be at first. I have only recently made a friend outside of my friends from class. The conversation only started because of the icebreaker at the beginning of a class’ semester. The conversation would have ended there if I hadn’t shared a second class with them on the same day. Luckily, I did and they just happened to be sitting alone by the time I got there. I have added another person to my small list of five by midterms of this semester. Outside of talking to people, there are other ways to add to your social circle. Sign up for extracurricular activities. Look into different clubs. Try new experiences. Just be present and try not to overthink it. Just interact with people. Force yourself to strike up conversations, even if it’s just for an assignment or about a mutual class. Be out there. Put yourself out there. College is intrinsically made to force you to interact with new people. ‘Finding yourself’ is just a small part of interacting on a college campus. Casper College is filled Lairen Brush Brushing out the Details with a wide variety of students who come from everywhere, so why just limit yourself to one or two people? Don’t be a sheep, following the people from high school. Meet fellow students and develop friendships for this new and different stage of life that will make your college experience more gratifying and enjoyable. We are all here for educational purposes, so let’s educate each other about ourselves too. 34th Annual Wellness Conference April 4 and 5 at Casper College Gateway Building Thursday, April 4 is FREE to students, faculty, and staff and will feature a special screening of the PBS documentary “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness” from 6-8 p.m. This award winning film is inspired by Casper College alumni Kee Dunning and the work she has done in her community around mental health awareness and advocacy. The screening will be followed by a panel Q&A discussion with Kee and other individuals featured in the film. Casper College Counseling Services believes in the importance of offering professionals, students and interested community members opportunities to learn about a variety of topics related to both physical and mental health. �March 1, 2024 Page 3 CHINOOK Theater................................................... Burk said he believes the theater department is helpful to students within the major as “it prepares them to move forward in the industry in preparing for a career,” but that doesn’t mean the theater program only benefits those in the major. “The benefit for people who are not majors is that everything we do is geared towards becoming comfortable and capable in the moment and in the presence of others… They are often willing to speak their mind, and I find often that students who are not involved in theater are not quite as ready to speak their mind,” Burk said. continued from page 1 Meyer, while she does not wish to pursue a future in theater as an actor, does wish to hopefully teach the subject and skills later in life. Hanson................................................... Chad Hanson is pictured above. He is journaling and observing on a warm day. Submitted Photo do something. If I have a moment to reflect I go, ‘Oh that was my old teacher Mike. I just did Mike,’” Hanson said. Hanson believes three factors make a good teacher. He said teachers need to know their subject, have a sense of humor, and they need to like students. Hanson has always enjoyed being in and around education. He considers himself lucky to work in schools and classes that always seemed joyful. While Hanson graduated with an extended major in Sociology, meaning he took more than the regular number of sociology courses, he initially pursued an art major. Hanson said, “It felt like a fit that I was unaware of till I actually put my feet in a (sociology) class and started learning about it. And on top of that, the person who taught the class just looked like he was having a barrel of fun.” Hanson liked the kind of worldview openended questions sociology tried to tackle. Hanson hasn’t given up his artsy interests like photography, ceramics, and music. The lines between art and sociology can get blurred. Hanson said, “Art can be seen a couple different ways. Some people would say it’s a reflection of culture and our way of life. Other people would say art, whether it's visual art, painting, films, music probably fits here too, maybe these forms of art are more than a reflection of our culture. Maybe they actually give shape to our culture. I think in the end, it’s probably both.” Hanson sees societies and art everywhere. He is an accomplished writer, and his wife is a painter and photographer. The pair bike around Casper, adventure in the mountains, track down wild horses and attend poetry readings and folk The Lightning Thief opens April 18. Burk encourages attendance. “Because it’s going to be great fun,” he said. continued from page 1 music concerts. One can find him where spirits are high, the coffee is black, or the inspiration is flowing. Hanson is constantly learning and reading new studies. Frankland said his ability to immerse himself in any new project or interest and then bring that back to the classroom helps to make topics and resources accessible and relevant to students. Frankland said, “He’s a bridge between academia and personal experience.” Hanson encourages students to take life a little slower to appreciate all the little moments. In his award-winning poetry, Hanson gives life to the awe-inspiring places he’s been able to see. Hanson continues to follow his passions, writing both sociological analyses and poetry. His advice is to start early and revise often. Hanson believes things are added and subtracted from a story to give it more life. “He has an infectious energy, and you can’t help but get excited about what he’s excited about,” Frankland said. Hanson thinks every new project becomes his favorite. His current project combines his love for wild horses with his fascination with the human experience centered around the sense of awe and wonder. “Now that I’m reading a lot of that research, it’s easy to go back through my life and realize just about everything I did was geared around that (wonder),” Hanson said. So whether or not a student knows the stories of the sombrero of destiny, three Red Feather Lakes pine cones, or the hike with the great horned owl and the snake, Hanson's feelings of connection between people and the wonder of nature are understood. Join our Chinook staff this fall! Interview & write Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising The Wellness Center Workshop Series Declutter Your Mind Workshop Are you anxious, feeling overwhelmed, or have a hundred thoughts running through your mind? You are not alone! Our Casper College Wellness Center counselors will help you discover ways to manage stress and realign your focus. We’ll discuss ways to create a calming physical space, assess the impact of technology use, and identify ways to add joy to your life overall. Explore web development Create social media content The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications Tuesday, March 5, 4-5 p.m. In the Residence Hall common area, across from the front desk. Pizza and snacks provided! Casper College provides equal opportunity in education and employment — caspercollege.edu/nondiscrimination. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �Page 4 March 1, 2024 CHINOOK BOX OFFICE open April 1st 307-268-2500 April 18-20, 25-26 pm 7:30 April 20 & 27 pm 2:00 ON THE MCMURRY MAINSTAGE PURCHASE TICKETS AT caspercollegearts.cc MAY 6 Musical Theatre & Acting Showcase on the McMurry mainstage 7:00pm MAY 8-9 Student Dance Showcase in the Scifers Dance Studio 7:30pm showcases are FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC �March 1, 2024 Page 5 CHINOOK Casper College Spring Basketball Update Photo Courtesy of BQGauck Photography Elli Rettinger, a physical therapy major and Casper College Rodeo Team member, competes in goat tying. Breaking stereotypes: The rise of women in rodeo Saioa San Francisco Arilla Chinook Writer In the Casper College rodeo arena, women are breaking barriers and rewriting the rules of athleticism. Cowgirls rewriting the storybooks of rodeo. Back in 1920, women couldn't even participate in rodeo. Elli Rettinger, a CC cowgirl studying physical therapy at Casper College said, “As the times are changing, more women are getting into it, which is great.” The women’s team at CC didn´t have a coach until this year, making the women’s rodeo team less popular. Rettinger said, “In past years we had eight people on the team. This year we have 20 girls, and now that we have a female coach I think the numbers will get bigger.” In a sport traditionally dominated by men, the rise of women in rodeo is a story of courage, perseverance, and a lot of heart. Women like Rettinger try every day to prove they belong in the sport. Rettinger continued with her disciplined approach to the rodeo even with a broken ankle. She said she told the doctor, “You are not putting me in a cast. I would wear a boot walking around but not when I am on my horse.” The women share an amazing passion for the sport, and they will do anything to keep participating. Rettinger said, “I´ve been doing this since I was born. It is like second nature for me.” It's not just about winning medals or setting records, it's about breaking barriers and blazing trails, showing the world that women belong in the saddle just as much as men. Differences between genders in the sport can be challenging for the female athletes. “I try not to affect me, but generally it does affect a lot of women,” Rettinger said. Rettinger explained that the breakaway roping event at the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas doesn't let women run in the same building as men. As more women enter this sport, they are trying to come together and push event organizers to allow the women to compete in the same building as the men. She also explained that some men look down on women when they try to rope. Rettinger said, “I think it affects women more subconsciously than they think.” Although women are still fighting for equal footing in the sport, the rodeo industry is working on equality of genders. Cowgirl Bobbi Krammerer, a nursing student at CC said, “The rodeo industry has leveled the money to be won out in the last decade. Different associations create different opportunities for both men and women.” At CC, the female rodeo athelets are challenging stereotypes and proving that the arena is no place for gender discrimination. Their journey hasn't been without its challenges. They've faced skepticism and prejudice, but they've refused to back down, pushing through the obstacles with a determination and belief in themselves. A lesser-known sport: Pickleball Andi Schissler shoots a 3 pointer. Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez The women have had a great season with a record of 22 and 5 as of February 22. The women had a huge scoring night on Thursday, January 18 playing Central 115 to 48 win. The team will compete at regionals in March. Head Coach Dwight Gunnare said the Lady T-Birds have been ranked in the NJCAA Top 25 polls several times this season. Gunnare said, “If we can shoot a respectful percentage and continue to improve defensively, we will have a legitimate opportunity to compete for the Region IX Championship in March. Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Nate Sasser III goes up for a layup and Jimmy James watches. The men have had a great season too with a record of 19 and 8 as of February 22. The men have been having really high scores and games. The men played United Tribes Technical College on Saturday, January 6 winning with a score of 118 to 82. They have a few more games before they go to regionals in March. Lane Johnson Chinook Writer Pickleball is a sport that is stereotypically popular with older people. Many who hear the word pickleball think of an elderly person playing the game in their free time and nothing much more. Sam Dia, pickleball instructor at Casper College, and chief operating officer of the recently opened Casper Pickleball and Sports Complex in town begs to differ. Dia teaches pickleball at CC. He started when the college added the sport as an option to satisfy the physical education credit two years ago. For the past four years and counting, Dia also teaches a class through CC’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute program. The credit class at CC limits the roster to 12 people because a max of four people can play at one time, and there is only room for three courts in the Liesinger Hall gym. Die explained the benefits of pickleball “It’s truly the most social game. It’s good for your mental as well as your physical health,” he said. Dia added that, “People live longer healthier lives that do play pickleball.” Dia said he hopes to bring more awareness to the sport and bring it into the youths’ eye. Opening a pickleball complex in town was his first stepping stone to reaching this goal. Dia said he believes that pickleball is “multi-generational” and “easier on the body” than other competitive sports that can be played after one's school days. There are eight students in Dia’s current pickleball class, all of whom have expressed increased interest in pickleball and playing the game, even after only the first few weeks of class. Dia asked his students Cornhole Tournament! Lane Johnson/Chinook Sam Dia prepares to serve at his pickleball complex. He is an instructor at Casper College. how interested they felt about the game on a scale of 1-10 on the first day of class. The average answer then was around five or six. He asked the same question four weeks later, and the answer increased to nine or ten. Tyler Hill, one of Dia’s students, said that he really only chose pickleball at first because he needed a PE credit. After the first few weeks, Hill said he is now happy that he chose to take it. When asked about playing pickleball after the class is done he said, “Oh yeah, without a doubt. This game’s super fun and I could see myself staying healthy and active playing it.” In just a few weeks, Hill’s outlook on the game and who it was played by drastically changed. Dia said he hopes that more youth will pick up interest in the game with a means to play right here in Casper. Located at 1911 Dunlap Way there should be no excuse to not try the game out and see if it’s enjoyable. More information can be found at www.casperpickleball.com. Geoff Cooper/Chinook Irena Fernandez participated in a cornhole tournament at Casper College on January 25. The college gave away several fun prizes. �Page 6 March 1, 2024 CHINOOK The American Dream Faythe Fowler Chinook Writer Foreign students adjusting to the American lifestyle from their home country is challenging, yet easier than expected. Many foreign students are specifically recruited here for the athletics programs. Anna Csenyi, a Casper College sophomore, moved from Szolnok, Hungary to play basketball for the college. She said she wanted to try a new lifestyle, and the United States is the best place for her to improve her basketball skills and her education. One of the hardest challenges Csenyi faced transitioning to life in America was the differences in how basketball is played. She said that basketball at an American collegiate level is much faster and more intense than what she is used to back at home. Although it is a big culture change living in America, Csenyi said she came prepared for the fast-paced, busy lifestyle Americans live. “As [for] American culture, it didn’t really affect me that much, I was expecting this already,” said Csenyi. Learning about American culture in school and personal experiences and relationships with people living in the States made her transition easier. Teodora Popovic, a CC freshman from Bosnia, also transitioned easily from her home country. Popovic stated that her older brother also attends college in the states playing lacrosse in Wisconsin, and his stories and experiences prepared her for life when she moved to the States as well. She said that the education in America is more appreciated than in other countries, so her main focus is to get her degree. Aside from her education, CC recruited Popovic to CC to play volleyball. A major challenge she said she faces is the language barrier and the fact that she is still learning to be fluent in English. Popovic said she is thankful her roommate is from her same country, and they speak in their first language together often. “She helped me a lot with everything that I didn’t know when I first came; she showed me the campus, she showed me where the classes are,” said Popovic, grateful for her sophomore roommate to show her the ropes. Both Popovic and Csenyi appreciate how the American education system works so closely with athletes to adjust to their sports schedules and ensure that school and earning a degree are still the main focus during their short time at CC. Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Anna Csenyi, a sophomore at Casper College, drives past an opponent at a recent game. Csenyi spoke with the Chinook about her foreign exchange experience in Casper. She is from Szolnok Hungary. A personalized college experience at UW-C Aliesia Berryman Chinook Writer University of Wyoming at Casper (UW-C) is aiming to close the higher education gap for Casper locals. A higher education isn’t always easily attainable for everyone who desires to pursue a degree. Single parents, fulltime workers, and caregivers for aging family members must overcome significant hurdles in order to attend college. Valorie LeeLyman Garrett is the Academic Advising Professional of UW-C and considers herself the “one-stop shop” for students. She helps with advising, planning, registration, and so much more. Garrett herself is an alum of both Casper College and UW-C. When she pursued her degree as a single mother and could not relocate to Laramie to pursue a Bachelors. UW-Casper provided exactly what she needed. She graduated with a bachelors in biology in 2015 along with her two associate degrees from CC. She is currently pursuing her Masters online through University of Wyoming. She said, “This experience allowed me to better relate to the student population we serve at UW-Casper because I have walked in their shoes.” According to UW-C dean, Brett Pickett, Ph. D., historically speaking, the majority of students are elementary education students. He also said that the majority of elementary teachers in Casper today received their degree at UW-C. Additionally, a popular, up-and-coming organizational leadership degree is 100% online. When Garrett walked through the halls of UW-C she spoke passionately about each unique room. Classrooms and offices for UW-C are located on the upper floor of CC’s union building. She said, “We mainly have non-traditional or online students so each room is built in with the technology to conduct zoom based classes.” Classrooms are equipped with cameras on both sides of the room allowing students attending online to really feel like they are in the classroom. In-person students get microphones that they can turn on when they would like to speak, and off when they are done. As a UW-C student, one can participate in all organizations and events hosted through CC as well as any clubs offered through UW-C. Garrett affectionately refers to this as, “Doublelove.” All clubs and programs are student-led and student-driven. She said the social work club is the most popular. Another benefit of attending UW-C is the financial assistance that students can receive through scholarships and the work-study program. Jessica Steward, once a work-study student herself, is the Program Coordinator for the school. Work study students do projects that benefit the school based on their preferences. “We meet bi-monthly to finetune any projects they are working on,” said Steward. UW-C offers scholarships tailored to its non-traditional and transfer student body. A smaller student body (just under 400 compared to upwards of 4,000) means better chances at winning them! Students who go to UW-C enjoy a school that is built for their success. The classrooms are big and bright, creating an environment for open minds and creative thinking. Intimate classes build lifelong friendships and memories, and the carefully vetted teachers Aliesia Berryman/Chinook and staff make it their goals to ensure the The University of Wyoming at Casper is located on the fourth floor of the Union Building at students are getting the personal attention they Casper College. Academic Advisor Valorie LeeLyman Garrett's can be found in the office space deserve. pictured above. 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 �March 1, 2024 Page 7 CHINOOK Casper College Esports Club: safe space on campus for competitive, casual gameplay Anthony Sturt Chinook Writer Photo Courtesy of Austin Emmert Casper College's Overwatch team is pictured above competing in a match against NCHS. Players include (from left to right): Clifford Smith, Juliana Kahoun, Dustin Davis, Ozzy Ness, and Magus Dickinson. The Casper College Esports Club welcomes gamers of all skills levels regardless of whether they are more interested in competitive or casual play. Austin Emmert, a business administration major who founded the esports club in the fall semester of 2023, serves as president of the club. Emmert said, “ For our focus on our competitive side– it's getting competitions for our players to play in– tournaments, online, in person, whatever that be. And then for our casual gamers, it's giving them a safe space on campus for them to meet new people and play games.” The esports club’s main competitive games are Overwatch, Valorant, and Rocket league, but club members are also interested in forming teams to play Rainbow Six: Siege and Counter Strike: Global Offensive. The club is not currently involved with a competitive gaming organization, but Emmert said that the club aspires to join the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Esports league. “The biggest problem right now is paying that membership fee,” said Emmert. The fee to join the NJCAA Esports league is $2,000, and the enrollment period is from July to June, according to the website. Emmert stressed that players are not excluded from competitive play because of a lack of skill, and that players who want to improve are offered coaching by the more experienced players of the game in question. “I coach our Rocket League team because I'm a top one percent player myself, and then our two top 500 players help coach the Overwatch team. So, there's always opportunity for coaching to be had in esports (club),” said Emmert. The esports club meets at 7 p.m. every other Wednesday for its bi-weekly game night. These events generally include party games like Jackbox, Mario Kart, Super Smash Brothers, and others. The next club meeting is set for March 6, and the title played will be Wii Sports. Each meeting centers around a different game. The club has a membership of 30 to 40 CC students, as well as students from high schools in the local area, a few from the University of Wyoming, and local community members. Trevor Elijah, an officer in the esports club, said that the club worked with the college’s PR department to promote the club, and one method employed was to attach posters to all of the card readers in the dorms. The Esports Club’s Overwatch team hosted Natrona County High School’s team for a best three of five match on February 6. CC’s Overwatch team won the event, and the two teams played several matches for fun after the fact. The event was live streamed at www.twitch.tv/caspercollegeesports. Devin Fulton, the Student Life Coordinator for Casper College, recently came on board as a faculty advisor for the club. Fulton also serves as advisor to the Student Senate, which is how he initially became aware of the club last fall. “Students like Austin Emmert and Trevor Elijah, just seeing them campaign for their own club, getting students to join their Discord, putting on events like this. It's been awesome to see, especially from a Student Senate standpoint where we encourage clubs to be active on campus. These guys who just started back in September– they've been killing it on campus,” said Fulton. Burk to retire in May but remain in the industry Bernadette Pieper Chinook Writer At a young age, Richard Burk (Rich) thought he would be a fireman when he grew up and his brother would be a policeman. However, his mind was changed when he was a junior in high school and his English teacher talked him into auditioning for a play. Burk said he was cast as Peter Van Daan in the play, which changed his mind about his future career. A friend who also participated in theater and who was a year ahead of him in college encouraged him to go into theater at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. There, Burk studied drama and theater. He then earned his master’s degree in acting from the University of Illinois. Burk is now an instructor for the department of theater and director of many of the shows produced at Casper College. Burk will be retiring in May from instructing at Casper College. He said, “I believe that all great actors are introverts. And because they’re introverts, they know that they have to fit into various different worlds. So they have learned to effort their way of introversion so they can do the job of the actor—to bring a character to life.” Burk talked about how he too was shy and introverted and that acting helped him to get out of being shy and introverted. He never thought that he was going to be an actor. He is an actor but also a director and directs a lot of the plays that are done at the college. Burk stated, “I like directing because it's coordinating a whole group of people in one common journey, and I am acting all of the roles. And I like acting because it's all on me to do what I have to do create the character moving forward so that everybody in this group can move forward in the same journey.” Chontelle Gray, a theater instructor at CC, talked about the teamwork aspect of working in theater. She said in theater, the team works together to help create a show. According to Gray, theater is a collaborative job because not just one person can instruct and help all of the actors, the scenes, backgrounds, backdrops, setting, and all of the other things that go with acting. Multiple people work together to create it. While Burk spends much of his time directing, he is willing to work with the other instructors to help create a good show for the audience. Gray said, “You can tell that he really enjoys being a director. He has a lot of fun when he directs.” Even though Burk is a director and an instructor at the college, he still finds time to act. Last year he acted in a film, and he is currently acting in a local independent film. He got the acting part in the film “A Midsummer Night's Dream” last year because a student got sick. “I teach so I am acting every day,” Burk said of his role as a theater instructor. “I like both acting and directing.” Gray talked about how Burk comes from a diverse background that helps with theater. She said he is skilled in movement, fight choreography, scenic background, and more. Gray explained that Burk’s background is helpful when another instructor is in trouble, as Burk can offer assistance. There are also times when instructors and staff can swap positions and do the other person's job for a scene or part of the performance. Such performances require the instructor’s full attention. So, Burk said he is still more focused on teaching the students and will worry about what he will do during retirement when it comes. “I have been spending my intellectual energy and time being a Casper College faculty member, which is worthy in itself,” Burk said. Burk talked about how he does not know what he is going to do in his retirement because he will not be on a strict schedule working in an academic year. He knows that he wants to travel, maybe do some acting, directing, writing, and much more. Burk said he is interested in helping to solve problems that exist today that need to be discussed, like human inequity. Burk said he once read that stuck with him. He applies the quote to his life. It reads, “Your goal in life should be simple -do your best today, and if you wake up tomorrow, do the best you can do that day…” As he wraps up his final semester, Burk continues to teach and help students learn about drama, theater, acting, and much more. Even in retirement, Burk said he will make it a point to come support and watch the shows at CC, but he will let the new instructor do the instructing. As Burk taught throughout his career, he said he always shares a specific message with his students. He says, “Excellence can be attained by you if: One, you care more than others think is wise. Two, you risk more than others think is safe. Three, you dream more than others think is practical. Four, you expect more than others think is possible,” Burk said. Photo Courtesy of Erin Brown Richard Burk, a theater instructor at Casper College, is retiring this spring. He is focused on wrapping up his last productions at the college before considering what retirement will bring. "The Lightning Theif," set to open on April 18. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2024-03 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. 2024-03 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from March 2024. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2024-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/316be22b0b2ed54a9c1798c5c475163c.pdf f02ae75467c4bf0590ccc9e4e334c0a2 PDF Text Text April 1, 2024 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Building a dynasty Lady T-Birds make it to second round of nationals Lane Johnson Chinook Writer The Casper College Women’s Basketball Team recently completed another season where the women won both the region IX tournament and the sub-regional tournament. The team posted an overall record of 28-5. For the Lady TBirds, this season marks the seventh North subregion win in a row and added on their third region XI championship. The women earned a bid to the National Junior College Athletics Association national tournament for the fourth year in a row. Sophomore and All SubRegion Guard Logann Alvar talked about how the season started slow because only three sophomores returned to the team this year. She said it took the young team a few games to get used to playing with each other. “At the end of the year, when we had our end of season meetings, he just kind of emphasized how big of a role we were going to play,” Alvar said about last season. Alvar explained that coming into this season, she knew the coaching staff held very high expectations, and she knew that the pressure for her was higher than her freshman year. Alvar highlighted that two of the team’s five losses occurred within the first two weeks of the season. One of those losses came from Northeastern Junior College, whom the Lady TBirds beat in the Region IX championship game. Freshman teammate and guard Saioa San Francisco agreed with Alvar. After the first two losses, the team met to reflect and prepare for the rest of the season. “That meeting made us really realize that we had to be a good team like last year. They were a good team, so we had to be a good team,” San Francisco said. The Lady TBirds have not lost a game since the end of January. The Lady’s started off their tournament run looking strong with a first round win over Blinn College beating them 72-61. They went into the second round ready to face third ranked Northwest Florida State College. The Lady T-birds ultimately fell short losing 69-76. CC will look forward to next year where they hope to replicate the success they had this season and continue to play for a national championship. “I think next year, we’re going to be more prepared Photo Courtesy of Lucy Jane Crimm Pictured above (left to right) is Luca Acs, Saioa San Francisco, Andi Schissler, Arantxa Concepcion, Adama Badje, Logann Alvar, Angela Astorga, Anna Csenyi, Head Coach Dwight Gunnare competed in the second round of the NjCAA National Tournament. The team lost to Northwest Florida State after beating Blinn College in the first round. A second round appearance is the farthest the Lady T-Birds have advanced in the tournament since 2010. when the season starts,” San Francisco said. The Lady TBird’s had eleven freshmen on the roster and hope that many of them will return for their sophomore season and build on this year's success. the only options for attaining a four-year degree are attending the University of Wyoming at Casper (UW-C) or leaving Casper entirely. “If they’re going (to college) to get the in-class or humanities, they got to go down to Laramie or CSU or some other place,” David Zoby, an English professor at Casper College said. According to Nathan Blank, a political science instructor at Casper College, Wyoming students receive greater educational investment in the K-12 system than the average American. Wyoming makes greater investments in education than many surrounding states. For K-12 students, music programs, after-school activities, and innovative technology are seen throughout schools to enrich learning. These in-state investments are different when in comparison to higher education. While high schools get iPads and Chromebooks, Casper College gets an empty UW-C building. Many are worried about the rate at which people are leaving Wyoming to attend college and find work. According to the Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming Initiative, 60% of those in the 18-24 year-old range are leaving Wyoming. “It’s all about providing opportunities for students -preparing a workforce that’s educated in useful fields. That will help grow our economy,” Blank said, “And hopefully allow us to retain that investment.” A study from the Brookings Institute found that the quality of colleges greatly affects the size of these benefits. According to the study, highvalue-added four-year colleges contribute $265,000 more per student to local economies. This contribution is less for high-value-added two-year colleges at $184,000. “There’s examples all over the United States of these places where a university or a college stimulates the economy, gets people to move there, and gives students a place to stay and practice what they learned,” Zoby said. As a small town compared to the rest of the United States, Casper could stand to benefit from the economics brought forth by more four-year degree offerings, whether through UW-C or Casper College directly. In 2019, Axios studied the economic benefits of having four-year colleges in small towns. The study found that such towns as Boulder, Colo., Ann Arbor, Mich., South Bend, Ind., and other small towns benefited greatly from a four-year college. However, there has been reluctance to make a second four-year institution in Wyoming. For one, there are the costs to convert one to another. Converting Casper College does not involve just doubling the years. According to Brent Pickett, the dean of UW-C, making CC a four-year institution involves a massive shift with the hiring of new professors and making sure there are enough classrooms and students. Two years ago, the UW-C phased out the English program due to insufficient students. “But in the end, we just didn’t have enough students in English as a major to make it viable at UW-Casper,” Pickett said. “So we had to pull the plug on (the program).” Population is another important factor. Wyoming has a total of about 500,000 residents. Stretching resources may not seem worth it to some Two-year degrees or four-year degrees? Lairen Brush/Chinook Brent Pickett, the dean of the University of Wyoming at Casper, is standing with a Plaque of Donald E. Chapin, an attorney that worked with both Casper College and the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees. Lairen Brush Chinook Writer Keenan Morgan Tyler Cooper Contributors In 2019, the state of Wyoming authorized community colleges within the state to offer four-year degrees, specifically a Bachelor of Applied Science degree. This authorization applied to Casper College, yet the school still does not have a four-year degree offering. For students attending college in Casper, — See Degrees, Page 3 What did Casper College students do for spring break? Bernadette Pieper Chinook Writer Casper College’s spring break went from March 9-16, and students and faculty took a week off. Students mostly either went home, escaped on a vacation, or stayed at the college. Students could relax and recharge, adventure to different locations in the U.S., or even explore another country. Spring break is a big event for most colleges in the United States. Spring break typically happens between mid-March to the end of March. Spring break overall is a mental decompression so students can relax before finals. Spring break also helps professors catch up on grading and get ready for the last part of the semester and also time to relax and recharge, according to Dr. Messina & Associates article “Why is Spring Break Important?” In an ASL 1020 class with seven students, one student went to Florida, four stayed in Casper, and two went home to their families outside of Casper. Students in this class reported that they hung out with family and friends, worked, adventured, snowboarded, and relaxed. Some said they completed homework while others avoided any school related tasks and enjoyed their time away from college. A student in the ASL class, Zoie Bonczkowski said, “I like spring break was earlier in the month. It felt like a long semester and by having that break it was enjoyable. I like how we did not have spring break with the high school students.” Meanwhile, student athletes on the basketball teams stayed at the college because they had games and practices. Both men's and women's basketball teams played games for the NJCAA tournament during the week of spring break. Additionally, some students did not leave campus due to not wanting to go home or avoiding travel. Other students stayed at the college due to club or activity obligations and some said they just wanted to stay at the college and hang out around Casper. Julie Seidell, student said, “I really enjoyed breakt to breathe and relax. I stayed here in Casper and hung out with friends, worked, and went snowboarding a lot.” CC’s spring break at the end did have some weather that made some students question if they were able to get back to Casper for the week of school after break.There were some sporadic snowstorms and thunderstorms across the United States. Talking with a few students that went home that live in the western part of Wyoming there was a snowstorm that came through and roads were closed, but they were able to make — See Spring break Page 3 �Page 2 April 1, 2024 CHINOOK Divine's Intervention: Chinook Stance Using the calendar as our guide, Spring has arrived! While the term “Spring” in Wyoming may have a somewhat different flavor than in other places around the country; nonetheless, days are getting longer, temperatures are warming up, and the annual rite of March Madness is upon us. All of these events ultimately lead me to ponder the concept of “Spring Fever.” Traditionally, the term has been used to describe a yearning to spend more time outdoors enjoying longer days and more temperate weather, while eschewing our responsibilities. Although Spring Fever is usually referenced in a negative light, I am going to lobby for a more nuanced evaluation. Don’t give up, keep pushing Bernadette Pieper Blurbs with Bernadette As spring break ended a few weeks ago and spring weather is starting to make its way to Casper, I feel the itch to avoid doing my homework or not wanting to go to classes. I’m definitely feeling that spring fever. But I know there are less than eight weeks left until this spring semester is done and this semester will be over before we know it. It is crazy how fast this semester went. I know I’m not the only student who feels like this -- after talking with some classmates and friends who are feeling the same way, I know we just have to keep pushing and not give up. I need to stay on top of my homework, go to class, and go to the extracurricular activities that I am involved in. They say that the second half of the semester is harder and more work is done, and I don’t disagree with that. Teachers are adding more assignments, tests, and quizzes, the material is getting harder, and classes are diving in with deeper information, but students just do not want to do it. Spring fever is strong. Malcolm X once said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” The quote by Malcolm X helps to keep me going and not give up. It does have a good message that the education that we gain today will help us in the future. We have to keep taking one day at a time and one class at a time. We cannot be stressing ourselves out and overwhelming ourselves because it is not going to help us to succeed and get anything done for our classes or for our personal lives. Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” This quote by Mandela is true -- we are itching for the semester to be over and want to have a summer break. We are thinking that it is going to be impossible to get to that day at the end of the semester, but it will be here before we know it. If you are struggling with any class, assignment, or learning some material, don’t be afraid to ask questions in class or set up a time to go get help from your teacher. If you are afraid to talk with your teacher, there are resources to help out on campus like the STEM lab, Writing Center, tutoring in the dorms, and the library. The nice thing is that they want to help students clarify course concepts, provide an extra set of eyes on a paper, or help students understand the information better. Keep pushing through because there are less than two months left of this semester and summer will be here. Don’t give up in your classes. If you are in need of help, don’t hesitate to reach out. “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” Nora Roberts. “ Study after study has shown in most aspects of life, balance is the key to a healthy and sustainable equilibrium. Time management is one of the biggest tasks that students struggle with in college. After moving away from home and finally living life on your own, it can be hard to get into a routine and get your priorities straight. Oftentimes, I found myself pushing school aside and focusing on spending time with my friends, letting my grades slip and my memories grow. I get it, you’re only in college once, and those memories are important, but don’t forget the real reason you’re here: to get a degree. If you go about your time properly, you can still maintain grades and make those life-long memories and friendships. The most beneficial skill I learned during my freshman year of college was to visually plan out your schedule. I use Google Calendar to color-code my classes, assignments, extracurricular activities, and personal plans. My roommate uses an agenda and color codes her assignments week by week. There are many organization methods, but as long as your method makes sense to you, then do what works best for you and your organization. Explore social media & web development The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu Another huge aspect effecting time management is distractions. Distractions nowadays are found everywhere, the biggest one being your phone. I always try to put my phone in a different room or turn it on Do Not Disturb to avoid the temptation of looking at it constantly. It also helps me maintain my focus; once I am in the mindset of getting things done, I find it harder to fall into distractions. Having a set routine plays a huge role in time management. If your schedule follows a close routine, it's much easier to stick to that same routine and get your homework done. People who don’t get up at the same time, have a sporadic daily schedule and no set routine are more likely to forget tasks and assignments that need done. The most important role in managing your time properly is not waiting until the last minute to do everything. Work on homework for a few hours each day, and then call it quits and enjoy your social life. If you do a little bit each day, you will find yourself having more time to relax and enjoy what college is all about -- making Faythe Fowler Have faith in Faythe friends and making memories. It took me a while to figure out what worked best for my schedule, but once you get to know yourself a bit better, you are able to take control of your schedule and ensure everything is completed on time. And you’ll still saving time to live your life and experience college to its fullest. The importance of stories in life Practice interviewing & writing Learn sales & advertising — Dr. Darren Divine, Ph.D., Casper College President Time management in college Join our staff this fall! Take photos & design Shirking responsibilities is almost never a positive path forward, but perhaps it is the “shirking” part of this concept we need to explore. Study after study has shown in most aspects of life, balance is the key to a healthy and sustainable equilibrium. Whether we are referencing foods we eat, investment strategies for our finances, or any one of the myriad daily habits we indulge in, moderation and balance is the key. So…. while I am not offering free license to set caution to the wind and indulge in Spring fever on a full-time basis, I am reminding us all a balanced approach to life is the proven path to success. Geoff Cooper Mid Level Geoff It is widely accepted that animals operate based on instinct—a set of innate behaviors that require no learning or practice. This simplicity exempts creatures in the animal kingdom from many human experiences such as anxiety and indecision. For instance, birds migrate south without year-long deliberation. They are not burdened with pondering grand ambitions or future aspirations; their focus lies primarily on daily survival. While we may feel that way sometimes, human beings aren’t quite so blessed with simplicity. We dream of the future and work towards our aspirations, and this requires a level of flexibility that isn’t always conducive to an instinctual response. Given that, we’ve learned to store our collective knowledge and wisdom within stories. These narratives can provide a foundation for how to live and a guiding light in darker times. They can also instill a sense of hope -- hope that even at their worst, our lives can improve if we overcome the obstacles in our way. Now, to be clear, none of us will enter a labyrinth to confront a minotaur, defend Helm’s Deep against an army of orcs, or join forces with gods and heroes to defeat Thanos. However, the relatability of these stories does not stem from their circumstances but from the underlying metaphors they represent. The monsters we confront symbolize our inner struggles, making the hero’s journey a compelling narrative of self-discovery—a journey inherent to every individual. So, what motivates us to confront these internal foes? What propels us on this adventure? Undoubtedly, it is the characters within these stories. Their personalities, emotions, and responses to challenges become a source of inspiration during difficult times. Whether these characters are real or imaginary, they serve as beacons that guide us toward perseverance and integrity, even when faced with easier alternatives. Moreover, they provide a sense of stability and reassurance in a world fraught with uncertainty. This is exactly why heroes are often portrayed as paragons of human virtue. Icons like Captain America and Superman represent ideals to strive for, acknowledging that perfection may be unattainable—and that's okay. Being a good person and leading a meaningful life doesn't require monumental feats like destroying a Death Star or defeating the Galactic Empire. Though, if you do want to live a fulfilling life, don’t take any notes from more recent iterations of Luke Skywalker. Even if you technically do the right thing in the end, it’s pretty uncool to abandon everyone you care about in favor of dying alone. Ultimately, the true value of stories lies not just in their entertainment but in their ability to shape our perspectives, influence our actions, and enrich our lives with meaning and purpose. They remind us that we can make an impact through our choices and the values we uphold. This is the importance of stories. �April 1, 2024 Page 3 CHINOOK Degrees.................................................. citizens, especially with other states as an example. “And I hear that Montana has three four-year institutions, and all three feel starved,” Pickett said. If Casper College became a four-year institution, the degrees offered have to be viable to the state’s job market. Otherwise, the investment would not be worth it to Wyoming’s economy or give an incentive for people to stay. Another argument in Spring break............ support of allowing more four-year degree offerings to students in Casper is that the University of Wyoming has a monopoly on higher education continued from page 1 due to its dominance over the state’s four-year offerings. “I can’t get past how monopolies are never good. Having more choices, keeping kids in the state, providing opportunities to keep them in the state, to me, are really good objectives, and so I can’t shake that,” Blank said. continued from page 1 it back that Sunday before classes started on Monday. A few students who went to the eastern part of the U.S. had some flights delayed due to bad thunderstorm. Kassadee Lym, student, said, “I live in the Southwest part of Wyoming and there was a snow storm that came through, but I was able to get back on Sunday. I did question if I was going to make it back or not.” There were some clubs and organizations that had students go on some other related trips for their club or organization. CC Student Life did have around twenty students go to Moab, Utah for a three-day trip to adventure and hike Moab. “I really enjoyed the trip to Moab. It was at the beginning of spring break. We went hiking and it was a straight up hill hike that we went on one of the days,” said Katelyn Boespflug, a student at CC. Across the CC campus students did various activities for spring break. Spring break Submitted Photo provided time for most stu- A group of Casper College dents across campus to relax, Students that went to Moab, recharge, and mentally decom- Utah for spring break. press. Many students enjoyed their time off with little to no homework. Now it is back to hitting the books for the students at CC. After spring break CC has eight weeks left of the 2024 spring semester. Rodeoing with buddies Geoff Cooper Chinook Writer Talon Elshere, originally from Hereford, S.D., is a dedicated rodeo athlete specializing in bronc riding, team roping, and steer wrestling. His passion for rodeo led him to Casper College, where he joined the school’s rodeo team. For Elshere, rodeo is more than just a competition— it's about camaraderie and enjoying the sport with his buddies. "Money comes second when you're having fun with the boys," Elshere said. "And you’d rather get beat by your buddy than some other guy." Despite ranking third in the Central Rocky Mountain region, Elshere remains grounded and aware of the risks involved in rodeo. “There’s a chance of getting hurt, but you’ve got to pay the price to win the game," he said. This risk, according to Elshere, can be mitigated provided you stay fit. This doesn’t necessarily require hours in the gym. For Elshere, it’s more like working on the family ranch and breaking colts. Elshere credits Sandy Forbes, the assistant rodeo coach for CC, with his decision to join the team. After a couple of semesters in Texas, he sought out Wyoming cowboys. “They’ll tell you when you messed up and praise you when you do good,” Elshere said. Beyond competition, rodeo is about entertaining the crowd and showcasing skills developed through hard work. Elshere said he represents Casper College with pride, embodying the spirit of a cowboy dedicated to his sport and appreciative of the bonds formed along the way. Elshere's journey at Casper College reflects the essence of rodeo—a combination of skill, camaraderie, and passion for the sport. Photo Courtesy of Chuck Miner Talon Elshere, a member of the Casper College Rodeo Team, is pictured competing in bronc riding. He transferred to Casper College from a school in Texas, and he is ranked third in the Central Rocky Mountain Region. Taking online or hybrid courses? Students: We make sure you are able to access online learning resources needed to learn in your classes. We will also help you learn to utilize the digital tools available to you for all your classwork. Examples of items we can help with: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. ZOOM – help you learn to access and use Zoom for your remote course meetings and collaborations 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Accessing Office 365 .- such as MS Word and PowerPoint 5. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it, using NetTutor. Plus a lot more! Contact us. Don’t wait! Get your Questions answered now. Teresa Pat Mike Tyler For help or more information stop by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Dave Camille �Page 4 April 1, 2024 CHINOOK Student engagement for campus events lacking Aliesia Berryman Chinook Writer Avy Overstreet Contributer Casper College event planners are having a difficult time reaching out to and engaging with students in a world where students communicate chiefly through social media and who are more likely to be a commuter student. Resident Hall coordinator, Elizabeth Dobson, said, 32% of traditional-aged students and 16% of all full-time students live on campus. CC hosts many events on campus aimed to engage students socially and to give them an opportunity to relax from the stresses of school. On Thursday, Feb. 29, Student Life Coordinator, Devin Fulton, hosted a silent disco in the T-bird nest. The event featured flashing lights, snacks, refreshments, and light up foam noodles. Rae Mann, a museum studies major from North Carolina, attended the disco and tore up the floor dancing. They took the floor multiple times during a dance-off one of the Djs started. “I have always loved dancing, but doing so in public was not always seen as a good thing,” Mann said, referring to their high school experiences. “Nobody is judging anyone here. I found a home in Casper.” When asked to rate the silent disco event five other students gave it an eight out of ten or higher. Emily Martinez, a nursing student, even gave it an eleven. Katlynn Gardener, a graphic design major from Washington, worked for eight hours before attending the disco and still said she had fun. She too rated the event, “How could it not be an 8 if you get baja blast?” she asked us and she took a sip of her mountain dew beverage. After the event, Fulton shared that around fifty students attended the event at any one time. Of other events hosted on Thursdays, Fulton said, the most popular events are bingo and casino nights. Yet, there are some events that bring in as little as five people. Out of approximately four-thousand students that’s less than 0.02%. Foundation member and Associate Director of Development and Alumni Engagement, Ann Dalton, and her co-worker Rachel Macy are the main protagonists for CC’s homecoming games. Case Western Reserve University says, homecoming in college is seen as something that brings students and alumni together and is typically characterized with a homecoming court, dance, and games. While Dalton and Macy attract many alumni to the games, they admit they struggle to engage current students. Dalton and Fulton agreed that attracting commuters, who make-up the majority of CC students, to events is difficult. “When I get home, I don’t want to come back to campus and brave the Wyoming wind.” Fulton said. Macy said, on top of not wanting to leave after coming home from a long day, getting the word out to students is a different endeavor than just five years ago. The Foundation and Alumni Association sends emails and text messages but the association found that students unsubscribe from the services because they receive too many messages. Fulton also does various things in order to get the word out about events. CC students get an email from him at the beginning of every week detailing what is going on each day. He is also exploring using a new app called Band, which is free for use. “The challenge is trying to reach students where they are,” Macy said. According to recent studies, phone and social media usage increased due to the COVID19 pandemic. Dalton said the foundation posts ads around campus, as well as on Facebook to spread information about events and news, but there is a chance the majority of students at CC get most of their information from Instagram instead. In January, Pew Research Center reported that while 67% of people aged 18-29 use Facebook and 78% of them use Instagram. In 2021, PRC also reported that more than eightin-ten Americans get news from digital devices. The COVID-19 pandemic forced people to communicate mostly through the internet rather than in person. This trend is still prevalent five years after the start of the pandemic. The Mckinsey Health Institute found last April that the generation which spends the most time on social media is Gen Z. Mckinsey also says, “While social media and tech consistently have positive impacts across all age cohorts, the negative impact increases substantially for younger ages.” Event and extracurricular activity participation could potentially help with this problem. In 2019 Ohio State University’s Center for the Study of Student Life found “that college student involvement is positively related to academic performance, cognitive development, well-being, leadership and multicultural awareness.” Involvement in extracurricular activities and events can be an important part of the college experience, but quickchanging technology means that CC event planners need to adapt accordingly to engage their student body. Aliesia Berryman/Chinook Kylie Wheaton at the silent disco. She is a student-worker for Devin Fulton in the Student Life Office. Aliesia Berryman/Chinook Rae Mann tore up the floor at the silent disco. They are a museum studies major who enjoys dancing. 34th Annual Wellness Conference April 4 and 5 at Casper College Gateway Building Thursday, April 4 is FREE to students, faculty, and staff and will feature a special screening of the PBS documentary “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness” from 6-8 p.m. This award winning film is inspired by Casper College alumni Kee Dunning and the work she has done in her community around mental health awareness and advocacy. The screening will be followed by a panel Q&A discussion with Kee and other individuals featured in the film. Casper College Counseling Services believes in the importance of offering professionals, students and interested community members opportunities to learn about a variety of topics related to both physical and mental health. �April 1, 2024 Page 5 CHINOOK BOX OFFICE open April 1st 307-268-2500 April 18-20, 25-26 pm 7:30 April 20 & 27 pm 2:00 ON THE MCMURRY MAINSTAGE PURCHASE TICKETS AT caspercollegearts.cc REGISTER FOR Theatre & Dance courses for the Fall scan for info about scan for info about ALL are welcome to register for courses in Theatre & Dance T H E AT R E MAY 6 Musical Theatre & Acting Showcase on the McMurry mainstage 7:00pm showcases are D A N C E MAY 8-9 Student Dance Showcase in the Scifers Dance Studio 7:30pm FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC �Page 6 April 1, 2024 CHINOOK Renovations delayed for LH and T-Bird gyms Saioa San Francisco Arilla Chinook Writer Peter Moss Contributor At Casper College, history reverberates through the corridors of Liesinger Hall and the Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym. These structures are more than just brick and mortar – they are a legacy of learning, athleticism, and community. Casper College is delaying the renovation plans for Liesinger Hall and the Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym. The institution musty have other prioritize other projects es before they looking into thehose buildings. The two structures serve as the backdrop for countless memories and shape the experiences of students and faculty Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez alike. However, the call for The men's basketball team warmed up for a game in the Thunderbird Gym earlier this year. renovation underscores the The college built the gym in 1968, and it's undergone several renovations, yet there is much need to adapt to the demands to improve as of 2024. of the present while preserving the essence of the past. Modernization brings with it the promise of enhanced facilities, improved functionality, and increased safety standards. Yet, it also presents a formidable financial challenge that requires careful navigation amidst competing priorities. The administration building of Liesinger Hall was built in 1954 costing $800,000. Consequently, the Fitness Center was built in 1955 using the remaining money, and the college hasn’t remodeled the structure since then. Allen Sanchez, building structures foreman at CC said, “It was a good investment for a gym at that time.” He added that after 70 years, “It definitely should be remodeled. It is a very old gym.” This building holds a special place in the hearts of many. However, Liesinger Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus and needs revitalization. Brighter classrooms, state-of-the-art labs, and accessible technology are not mere luxuries but essential components of a 21st-century learning environment. Yet, as the college yearns for these improvements, the institution is also acutely aware of the financial and space constraints. Corey Peacock, dean of students at CC said, “We know the LH building and gym needs attention.” According to Peacock, there is a three-to-five-year plan to repair and upgrade buildings at CC, but the plan needs to be approved through state legislation and needs funding. Peacock added, “The LH building and gym didn´t make it into the college 5-year plan priorities.” Liesinger Hall is a very large building that houses several departments, many faculty members, and busy classrooms. According to Peacock, a plan to remodel the LH gym and building would take over two years to complete. Peacock said, “During that time, we would have to reassign space for all faculty members in other buildings, and that, is very unlikely to happen.” Similarly, the T-Bird Gymnasium, once a beacon of athletic excellence, now grapples with the weight of deferred maintenance and outdated facilities. For athletes, coaches, and fans alike, the gym represents more than just a venue for sporting events—it embodies a legacy of teamwork, perseverance, and triumph. The building has been in place since 1968 with several remodeling projects since then. Sanchez said, “Although a lot has changed, there are a lot of things here that could be improved. And I know it has been talked about to make an expansion and improvement of the gym.” The Athletic council and the athletic department have been advocating for the expansion of the T-bird gym. Sanchez said, “An expansion could be good, but it would cost a lot of money.” Money has a process to get into the college and it needs an approval plan to be used. Peacock said, “The equipment is easier to repair than the actual gym but an actual project for the T-Brid gym would take many years to get approved and to be done.” In addition to Liesinger Hall and the T-Bird gym, other many facilities need improvement and expansion. Peacock mentioned one in particular. “We are looking into upgrading the soccer field,” he said. Many buildings and sports facilities on campus need assistance. While the college is considering the upgrades, the projects need time and money to even be approved. By prioritizing strategic investments, leveraging external partnerships, and harnessing the creativity and ingenuity of our community, we can ensure that our campus continues to thrive for generations to come. Photo Courtesy of Western History Center The photo to the left is from the Western History Center's 1997 archives. The women's volleyball team appears to be listening to their coach while sitting in the Liesinger Hall gym. Is a college degree worth it? Some question the value, others benefit from higher ed Kyrah Hoppa Chinook Contributor Jean Scott Contributor Going straight to college after graduating high school, not going to college, or even going back to college -- Is it worth it? The age-old debate continues. According to a 2022 article by Katherine Schaeffer, a research analyst at Pew Research Center, “In February 2020, just before the COVID-19 outbreak began in the U.S., only 1.9% of college graduates ages 25 and older were unemployed… By June 2020, after the pandemic hit, 6.8% of college grads, 10.8% of workers with some college, and 12.2% of high school grads were unemployed.” Eric Valdez, the public relations art director at Casper College, is a college grad who is using his degree. Valdez earned an associates of arts degree from CC and later went on to get his bachelors of fine arts in Ohio. A job found Valdez once he moved back to Casper, as his friend referred him to an ad and design agency. After many freelance jobs in between, he then worked at Wyoming Medical Center for about 18 years as a fulltime designer for advertising and marketing. He is currently employed at CC. With advances in technology and AI, fear and unknown increase within people who are seeking a degree in art. AI is creating the question of what jobs it could possibly take over for humans. Valdez, being an artist before design using computers and AI, recommends his degree to future college students. “You still need that human connection to the artwork in order for it to be real and for people to kind of sense that mindset and sense of emotion,” Valdez said. Valdez also explained how it is cheaper for artists, especially digital artists, because the need to buy physical paints, brushes, pencils, etc. is down. All you really need is to pay for a couple of programs and you get all of the colors and design aids that come along with it. Some may seem skeptical about getting a degree, and they aren't alone. A 2021 article written by Jennifer McDermott, an author featured in popular news companies such as Forbes, USA Today, Huffington Post, stated, “53.2 million Americans aren’t sure their college degree was worth the money.” On the other side of things, there are plenty of college graduates who are not using their degree. Anna Miller is a scholarship coordinator at CC, and she is not using her degree. Miller earned her business administration degree at CC before later pursuing her bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Wyoming at Casper. One of the requirements for a scholarship coordinator is to have a bachelor's degree, but it doesn't matter the degree’s specialty. In some parts of her job, she is using the knowledge learned from that specific degree in her daily tasks, but she said she does not use all of her coursework. “Really, the only thing out of the business admin degree I'm probably not using is like, market analysis, or creating a business or running a business. But everything else – network(ing), problem solving -- I'm doing on a daily basis,” Miller explained. However, when it came to recommending her degree to students, Miller seemed a little hesitant. Although she uses the knowledge she gained in college during her day to day, she feels there are more beneficial degrees. She said, “But I may also say the leadership and organization one would be maybe a little more beneficial. Because I think you probably would gain more from that in this current position.” Miller said she believes experience means just as much if not more than a degree. She said that skills learned means just as much as “a piece of paper” and having the skill to be able to do the job is sufficient enough. “I kind of feel like when you put a degree limitation on a position, you may not get the best applicants that are out there because they may have the experience, they just may not have gone to school through the process to get that degree,” Miller stated. The same 2021 article written by McDermott said, “It’s little wonder that such a high percentage of those with degrees think their college wasn’t worth the money, given the 28.2% (14.5 million) of them who are unable to find a job within their field of study.” Pursuing a degree in college costs a lot of money, so understanding the outcomes of all the investment and time is very important. Knowing exactly what one is able to do with the degree and the opportunities available without the degree could save money and time. �April 1, 2024 Page 7 CHINOOK Student loans: Helpful but with a catch? Anthony Sturt Chinook Writer Brett Lane Contributor Students at Casper College use their student loans to cover their education expenses, and to facilitate more focus on studies and home life. According to the Department of Education’s student aid page, student loans can be borrowed from the federal government or a private lender such as a bank or credit union. According to the Federal Student Aid Handbook, the money may be used for expenses such as tuition, books, room and board, dependent care, and more. The extra funds provided by student loans can make it easier to complete college without being overburdened by living expenses. Ashley Callender, a social work major at Casper College, suggested that her loans allowed her more freedom to focus on family and academic achievement. Callender said, “Well they've allowed me to be able to focus on school and be at home with my kids. So it's covered my bills and given me the opportunity to be able to focus on school and home life without having to work so hard.” Additionally, Callender stated that she found her student loan necessary for her Casper College attendance. According the the Federal Student Aid website, federal loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized student loans do not accrue interest while the student is in school, while unsubsidized loans do. Veronica Mojica, who is a double major in social work and addiction studies at Casper College, shared current and past experience with student loans. “In the past, like in 19992000, I didn't pay them back like I was supposed to, so years down the road I didn't get a tax return back for a few years because the government – the IRS – took their money back. So that kind of sucked, but it also taught me how I needed to learn how to be responsible,” said Mojica. Struggling to pay off student loans is not a unique phenomenon. A 2022 CNBC survey found that 81% of adults with student loans say they’ve had to delay one or more key life milestones because of their debt. Some of these milestones included having children, paying off other debts, buying a home, and saving for retirement. According to Education Data Initiative, the outstanding federal loan balance is $1.602 trillion, and the average debt balance is $37,088 per person. With an interest rate of 5.5%, that balance would accrue $5.59 in daily interest, and $167.70 over 30 days. According to Education Data Initiative, the total student loan debt in Wyoming is $1.7 billion, and the average debt balance is $31,250 per person. Wyoming’s average debt is lower than the national average. According to Article 7, Section 16 of the Wyoming State Constitution, “This provision states that the University will be equally open to students of both sexes, irrespective of race or color and tuition will be nearly free as possible.” Wyoming is the only state to mandates that college be as cheap as possible, which contributes to the state’s student debt being lower than the national average. Jessica Padilla, a social work major at Casper College, went to school for accounting 10 years ago, but did not complete her degree because of unforeseen circumstances. She needed six credits to graduate. After leaving college 10 years ago, Padilla defaulted on her student loans. When she decided to return to school, she needed to take out more student loans to attend Casper College. Padilla Said, “I was actually in default and that Fresh Start Program let me just start school immediately where– when I was in default last time I had to make 10 on-time payments before I could even get regular financial aid or student loans and so that program helped me get into school faster.” The Fresh Start Program, also known as the Fresh Start Initiative, is an IRS program that helps taxpayers resolve Anthony Sturt/Chinook Pictured above is Jessical Padilla, a social work major at Casper College. Padilla borrowed student loans to return to school after dropping out 10 years ago. debt. According to the website, the program is available to people who owe $10,000 or more. They can settle a debt for less than is owed, pause payments and collection actions, arrange an installment plan, and waive or reduce penalty fees. Despite having struggled with debt in the past, Padilla expressed a positive, but cautious view of -student loans. “I think that it's really good that they have that (student loans) available for students, and I think it's almost too easy to get the loans. So I do pay attention like what I'm accumulating because it is going to add up by the time I get my degree,” said Padilla. Mojica said that she thought a live representative should be there to walk prospective borrowers through all of the details of student loans. She described applying for and receiving her student loans online. “If I had a way to do it, I'd get somebody to do like a – even if it's just an hour in one of these rooms, to give you a one-on-one on what you're signing up for,” said Mojica. Callender also suggested changes, but her solution focused on American education as a whole. “I think that, in an ideal world, education would be free. In my heart, I feel like every person has a right to an education, and it would be nice for people to be able to go to school and not have to have the worry of the financial part of it,” said Callender, “Could I change that? Not necessarily, but -- yeah, if I had it my way, that’s how it would be.” caspercollegechinook.com Judging Contest at CC Photo Courtesy of Gabriella Trenda Casper College student Emily Taylor shows a pig at Casper College’s recent ag contents. Faythe Fowler Chinook Writer The Casper College Livestock Judging Contest, hosted on Saturday, March 23, strives to be the premiere contest in this region to benefit 4H and Future Farmers of America students. Students come from all over the state to enter the contest to prepare for upcoming state and national-level contests. Heath Hornecker, a faculty in CC’s Agricultural Department, strives to put on a well-organized, high-quality contest. “We hold the contest every year to provide a practice for all of the FFA and 4H teams who are training throughout Wyoming and the region,” said Hornecker. Hornecker explained that various people provide the cattle, and the college already purchased the pigs and lambs used for the contest. With so many students participating in this contest, organization is key. Between ensuring the participants are where they need to be and scoring cards accurately and efficiently, a lot goes into the behind-the-scenes of the contest. The tabulation room is one of the most critical components of the contest. Anne Wood, also a faculty member in the college’s ag department, runs the behind-thescenes tabulations. To ensure the integrity of the contest, students are not allowed in the scoring room, and cards are scored as soon as possible. Results and awards are presented shortly after, for all age divisions competing. The Torington-Lingle FFA advisor Jason Groene brings his team to this contest every year. “It’s tradition,” said Groene. “It’s a quality contest when we come. The guys always make sure it’s a really good experience for the kids, and it's probably one of the most complete contests this time of year that we can get some practice before we head to state convention.” The Wyoming State FFA Judging Contest is held on April 11, and the CC contest serves as a good practice. On top of the adult's help with the CC contest, Hornecker and Wood both agreed that this contest is student-run and led, and the CC ag students put in so much effort to ensure the event runs seamlessly. Hornecker said the students get up early and stay late so that everything is where it should be, papers are correct, animals are healthy, and the pavilion is clean. “I think it’s amazing how all of our students at CC pull together in the agriculture department to make sure we put on one of the most well-attended and well-organized events,” said Wood. This contest is a great event hosted by the CC Ag Department, and it shows the hard work and dedication of the Ag students at CC. The event also showcases what the CC Ag Department offers and ultimately serves as one of the most effective recruitment opportunities available. Hornecker said, “It’s a benefit to us because then we bring a lot of students onto campus, and we get to showcase and highlight a lot of our students and facilities and our programs, which we hope turns into a good recruiting tool.” � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2024-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2024-04 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from April 2024. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2024-04 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/84acb632434873190629ee0b2ec1eb36.pdf ca55b55f6f2b6b89efef60ef920a4db1 PDF Text Text May 1, 2024 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Next year's student senate electees By Lane Johnson Chinook writter Photo Courtesy of Zach Nagy This year's senate included thirteen members: (Back row left to right) Natalie Schults, Jonathan Nachbar, Katelyn Boespflug, Keenan Morgan, Amy Mackay, Bernadette Pieper, Kassadee Lym (Front row left to right) Taylee Siemens, Jacie Coupens, Shani Osorio-Alcala, Gabrielle McVay, Caitlin Grenfell, Taylor Dye Money across CC sports By Faythe Fowler Chinook writter As a whole, athletics programs at Casper College receive a budget from various sources to divide and decide what happens with the money. There is an overall budget for each sport that is created by financial services, depending on various factors that affect the budget. “The college gives us two budgets,” said Ben McArthur, the men's head soccer coach at CC. “There's a scholarship budget, which goes towards scholar-shipping players… and then there’s an operations budget, which pays for gear, hotels, food, travel, referees, things like that.” From that budget, Linda Toohey and Paul Marble collaborate and approve budget items for each sport. They must keep things equitable between men’s and women's sports but understand that there will be budgeting differences between all sports. “One team may just have more of an expense than another,” said Toohey. “But we try to keep it as close as we can.” Brooke Downs, the director of financial services at CC, provided the 2023-2024 academic year budgets for each sport. These budgets include coach salaries. For example, the rodeo team received $318,000 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Jhett Johnson, the head rodeo coach at CC, said the budget mostly goes towards animal leases and feed, as well as travel and rooms. Volleyball, however, received $156,000 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Every spring Casper College hosts an election for new student senate members. Each school at the college gets two representatives with a total of five schools according to Student Life Coordinator Devin Fulton. The schools include: Business and Industry, Fine arts and Humanities, Health Science, Science, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The senate positions are voted on by students, including the student body president. The president position is open to anyone currently on the senate that is returning next fall, and if nobody runs, the position is then open to the campus, according to Fulton. “We’ll have our officer election meeting on our final meeting of the semester on May 1,” Fulton said. The senate officers such as, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and the public relations coordinator are voted on internally to give each school a fair chance to be represented. The internal process is the reason that students don’t also vote for vice president in the main election, according to Fulton. Katelyn Boespflug ran unopposed this spring and was elected as president. Boespflug’s role includes listening to student complaints and suggestions, as well as providing a voice for the student body at upper level committee meetings. “My biggest goal as president is to be more in touch with clubs,” Boespflug said. Boespflug plans on going to more club meetings and feels that the clubs do a pretty good job already. She wants to help out with internal club activities, as well as offer a listening ear because it is something that she wants clubs to be aware of. Soon to be vice president Shani Osori-Alcala agreed and hopes that she can help the student body feel more included in the goings of campus. “I always just want to make the room more open to talk freely,” Osori-Alcala said. Osori-Alcala wants people to feel more lively and wants to make sure that the senate is a fun place where everyone can be comfortable with each other and voice their opinions freely. There is another election that happens in the fall semester. Fulton said the student senate holds elections for new freshman students to fill positions that may have been emptied over the summer. This is due to various factors, including the number of coaches and the number of teams. Volleyball is a smaller team – consisting of only 15 players – and only a women's team, with two coaches. Rodeo has a women's team with 11 athletes with one coach, and a men's team of 30 athletes with two coaches. The sheer size difference in the teams can explain the $162,000 difference between the sports. Other sports funding is adjusted for team size and their need for types of equipment. According to Downs, all budgets include coaches' salaries; men's basketball receives $223,000, women's basketball receives $228,000, men's soccer receives $207,000, and — See Sports Page 3 Faythe Fowler/Chinook Picture to the right are two members at the financial aid staff at Casper College. The financial aid office is located in the third floor of the Gateway Building. Onto a new chapter of life Bernadette Pieper Chinook Writer Bernadette Pieper/Chinook At the ASL potluck last month, Gail Schenfisch interprets what a student is saying about giving her a present and congratulating her on retirement. The closing of a chapter of life for Gail Schenfisch, an American Sign Language instructor and interpreter, is around the corner. She started her teaching career at Casper College 28 years ago where she built the existing ASL program. In 2017, Schenfisch made ASL an established degree at CC. She will retire at the end of the spring semester. While she said she is sad to go, she is ready for a new chapter in her life. “I kind of call it my graduation because I am graduating into a different genre of life,” Schenfisch said. Schenfisch started her career teaching ASL for the School of the Deaf in Casper. She taught there for eleven years, and then she took time to raise her kids. She then started to teach at the college as an adjunct teacher until she became a full-time instructor. “I am most proud of establishing a two-year degree in ASL studies that offers four levels of ASL. And we are the only institution in the state of Wyoming that offers four levels of ASL at the college level,” said Schenfisch. She is very thankful for the college and all of the support the institution provided her to help with the ASL program and what the program does for students and the deaf community in Casper. “We have a lot of special events that are big capstones for the students, like the Deaf Fest in the Fall. This helps expose students to ASL poetry and literature. Sign Fest evolved with one presenter and local community member eight years ago. And this year we have developed to the point of having a deaf educator. With the help of BOCES, we have brought in a deaf artist. The last four years we have had deaf artists who are nationally known,” said Schenfisch. As she steps away from the classroom, she will not be missing out on the action of signing because she will still interpret. She interprets for the State of Wyoming. Schenfisch said that while she does travel around the state for interpreting, but also stays busy in the Casper community serving the deaf. She also said she will stay available for for signing activities at the college or in the community. She also wants to take time to travel, be with family, learn to speak French and grow in her new passion for oil painting. “About six years ago, I took an art class and really found the passion for oil painting. I took that class because I wondered what I was going to do in my retirement,” Schenfisch said. Besides finding a passion for oil painting she has also found a passion to travel. She said she has traveled to five of the seven continents with Antarctica and Australia left, but wants to visit all seven within her life. Schenfisch said she’s already hit all 50 states. She said plans to spend more time traveling with her family and some close friends. She is very proud of all of the establishments and accomplishments that she has done for the ASL program, the students, and the college. Schenfisch said she is going to miss the classroom, but she will not be far from the college or doing what she loves the most -- signing traveling, and oil painting. She is ready to begin her new chapter of life. �Page 2 May 1, 2024 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Standing Up Against Violence Aliesia Berryman Alie's Quests for Happiness After the distressing and tragic events that took place at the Eastridge Mall in Casper on April 7 many Casperites are in shock. The community collectively grieves the loss of a fourteen-year-old boy. From what I’ve seen, the tragedy made all of us reflect on our city, our schools, and ourselves. As young people in America, it is essential to be aware of and fight against violence. In a press conference with the City of Casper, Natrona County, and the Natrona County School District, Vice Mayor Lisa Engebretson called for people to speak up. I doubt there are very many of us who haven’t seen something on social media, in the streets, or at school that called for possible action on our part. Whether or not we took action could have meant life or death for those involved. Often in these situations, you may find yourself saying: “It's not my business.” or “Someone else can deal with it.” Or perhaps you are scared of doing the wrong thing and being ridiculed. I personally like to believe that the world is full of people who are braver and more resilient than me. It may be easier to think this way but even if there are some people who are willing to say something, there are never enough. I have heard stories of people who were in the right place at the right time and managed to save a life. Each and every one of us are capable of doing that: of standing up for people whose voices aren’t heard. Our silence empowers wrongdoers and contributes to a culture of indifference. One night, I was inside my apartment when I started hearing shouting on my street. A group of highschool students were in the street—a very busy street I might add— arguing with each other. Cars were coming from both directions. Drivers stopped their cars and honked and yelled at the kids. The grown adults driving in the cars did nothing. They were more annoyed about not being able to keep moving than anything else. Unsure of what to do, I did something probably many of us would have done—I called my mom and asked her what I should do. We decided that I would call the non-emergency number. I did so, and a police officer showed up in minutes. The kids were broken up and the street was cleared. Divine's Intervention After witnessing demonstrations and conflict on college campuses over the past couple of weeks, I decided it might be timely to revisit a topic I first addressed back in 2022. The American educational reformer and President of Antioch College, Horace Mann, once said, “Do not think of knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ “ from yourself ten years ago.” Conflict has always been a part of the human race, and will never be eliminated. Whether we are referencing all-out armed conflict, demonstrations stemming from armed conflict such as the current Israeli actions against Hamas, or even a simple disagreement between two individuals about what political candidate to support; conflict is inevitable. Thus the pragmatic question is not will you be involved in conflict, but how will you respond to conflict when it arises. A proactive approach to dealing with conflict is awareness of the possibility, and consequently having avoidance or coping strategies at the ready. Whether the issue at hand is where to go to dinner, how to raise children, what to do about crime rates, or how to deal with unwanted neighbors, the possibility of conflict, at some level, is always present. Ignoring the reality of potential conflict, while perhaps While my situation did not escalate into violence, I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t spoken up. Did I save someone’s life that day? Did I prevent a terrible accident? I will probably never know. But if I hadn’t done something- and the situation had escalated, I would have felt guilty. As we mourn the loss of a young life and grapple with the unsettling realities of our society, let us not succumb to the temptation of passivity. Instead, let us rise to the occasion, emboldened by the belief that each of us has the power to effect change. Together, let us break the chains of silence and pave the way for a future where justice and compassion prevail. Take care of yourself and each other this summer! an attractive strategy for the short-term, is very likely a poor strategy for the longer term. Please understand I am not suggesting you should go through life expecting conflict to arise around every turn. I am; however, suggesting maintaining a mindset that conflict could arise at any level of our lives, ensures you will not be taken completely off-guard, and thus will be prepared to meet the challenges as presented. A proactive approach to dealing with conflict is awareness of the possibility, and consequently having avoidance or coping strategies at the ready. — Dr. Darren Divine Ph.D., Casper College President caspercollegechinook.com Taking online or hybrid courses? Students: We make sure you are able to access online learning resources needed to learn in your classes. We will also help you learn to utilize the digital tools available to you for all your classwork. Examples of items we can help with: 1. MyCCMoodle — including how to submit assignments, participate in forums, etc. 2. ZOOM – help you learn to access and use Zoom for your remote course meetings and collaborations 3. Google Suite — Google Docs, Drive, GMail, etc. 4. Accessing Office 365 .- such as MS Word and PowerPoint 5. Online tutoring — How and where to get extra help as you need it, using NetTutor. Plus a lot more! Contact us. Don’t wait! Get your Questions answered now. Teresa Pat Mike Tyler For help or more information stop by Liesinger Hall, room 132 or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Dave Camille �May 1, 2024 Page 3 CHINOOK Sports...................................................... women's soccer receives $223,500. The athletic director receives $342,00 and all athletic trainers receive $104,000. “Our ratio of men to women on campus is approximately 60% women to 40% men,” said Toohey. According to Marble and Toohey, budgets depend on how long certain coaches have been at CC and equity between men's and women's teams. They evaluate and agree upon a budget that is fair for all sports. There is also additional fundraising to help support the athletic program. The athletic department as a whole fundraises, as well as individual sports. “[The] golf outing. That’s our big one,” said Marble. “Each sport does fundraising to help their cause and help the department in various forms.” Johnson said that the rodeo team hosts a rodeo school over the summer continued from page 1 that brings in revenue for their team. The kids get help, as well as the athletes that learn from teaching, according to Johnson. “We run a soccer camp, and we sell concessions during state basketball,” said McArthur. “Those are our two big fundraisers.” Money earned from fundraising goes to additional perks, such as additional equipment, gear, or team clothes, said Marble. The money dedicated towards sports at CC is carefully revised and ensures that each sport has the funds needed to succeed on and off the field. The life lessons learned in theater production By Geoff Cooper Chinook Writer Richard Burk, a longstanding figure in Casper College's theater department, directs his final production with "Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief." The production ran from April 18-20 and April 25-27 at Casper College. His departure marks not just an end to his career but also the continuation of the profound life lessons he instilled in his students. "Theater requires ownership at every level," Burk said. "Everything you do, you must be completely responsible for. That is the life lesson of theater." Burk isn’t just interested in imparting a lesson to his students. He also hopes that the audience will glean some key insights from the story they’re presenting. “I think it’s a story of Percy Jackson figuring out who he is,” Burk said. “There’s a lot about kids being left on their own or abandoned, but they’re not victims. They’re empowered to figure it out and grow into their best selves.” The star of the show, Wyatt Buhler, is interested in Percy for similar reasons. “What drew me to Percy’s character is that he’s questioning who he is,” Buhler said. “Since starting college, I’ve also struggled with whether I’d like to continue theater or stick with my physical therapy program.” The selection of "Percy Jackson" stemmed from its widespread adaptation by reputable theaters nationwide, a choice Burk said he embraced after hearing the music and reading the script. However, adapting a play with fantastical elements presents unique challenges. “You can’t exactly blow a hole in the Gateway Arch on stage,” Burk said. The story also flows relatively quickly from scene to scene and from location to location. The plot requires a degree of flexibility from the set designer, Shontelle Grey. “Since things aren’t always what they seem in the world of Percy Jackson, we were able to use dynamic scene elements that represented different things,” said Grey. The trolley-like design of these elements allows for them to be moved around frequently, whether the scene requires a bus to explode or an attic to house a spooky character. The portrayal of monsters in a fantasy adaptation was another creative challenge embraced by the costume department, led by Daryl Wagner. “This was a lot of fun because of the monsters,” Wagner said. “We really got to go over the top with a few things.” Burk’s influence on each moving part of this production is evident. As his tenure at Casper College concludes with "Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief," the production serves as a testament to his dedication to theater education Geoff Cooper/Chinook and the enduring impact of storytelling in the Wyatt Buhler is pictured above. Buhler portrayed Percy Jackson in "Percy Jackson and the theatrical realm. Lightning Thief," a production that ran at Casper College last month. It’s not retirement but a new adventure Submitted Photo Dr. Darren Divine is pictured speaking at the 2022 Casper College commencement ceremony. Divine is retiring from his role as president of the college in June. By Bernadette Pieper Chinook Writer After serving as President of Casper College for nine years, Dr. Darren Divine is stepping into a new chapter of life. He will slowly leave his position after graduation in May and is set to turn over the position to the new president by June. “I don’t like the word retirement. The challenge of retire- ment is what does it mean,” said Divine. He said he’s thought about retiring for several years now and everything just lined up that this year was the time to retire. In his retirement, Divine said he plans to travel, volunteer, complete his six months worth of work around his house, spend more time with his wife, working on his hobbies, and he wants to come back for college events. He plans to stay in Casper for retirement. Looking back on the past nine years as president of the college, Divine said he really enjoyed his role. He spoke of what he sees as his biggest accomplishment. “In this case, I would define accomplishment as anything that helped students succeed and achieve their goals,” Divine said. In addition to the overall emphasis on student success, Divine highlighted another accomplishment that sticks out to him. Divine talked about how he is most proud of getting a graduation speaker that is a student and not someone famous like it was before he came to Casper. “I just don’t agree with that, and I think graduation should be all about the students. I changed the model where we have the contest. The contest is where the student can write the essay and audition to become a speaker at graduation. I abso- lutely think that it is the way it should be. Graduation should be all about the students,” Divine said. Along with accomplishments, there are also always challenges that one must overcome. Divine said there was a time when the whole state saw a big downturn creating a financial burden that affected the college. He said he had to “tighten its belt” and figure out a way to overcome. Another challenge Divine spoke about overcoming came when the college purchased the ranch campus and rodeo practice arena. He said this was a challenge for him because he stepped in when it was just purchased, so he… and got the situation all figured out of what was needed, what all needed to be fixed, what elese was needed to have the campus function correctly and smoothly and any other financial things to go with the campus. “It's all about the students and people getting that next goal in life. Why wouldn’t you want to go out and celebrate student success from music, (to) graphic arts, athletics, forensics, or livestock judging,” said Divine. “I plan to attend events that are done by students of the college during retirement.” Divine said one of the things he will miss in retirement is representing the college and the students of the college. Representing the students is a very meaningful thing to Divine. Anything that dealt with students he was there for. Also just representing the college and being the face of the college meant a lot to him. He was always at student events representing the students and the college. Making sure that students succeed and achieve their goals meant that he is doing his job. One thing Divine said he won’t miss is the constant cyber-attacks on the college. “Having to worry about the attacks, not physical attacks constantly, but cyber-attacks -- cyber security. It is neverending. I would say it is getting more constant,” said Divine. Divine has done a lot of within his nine years of being president from accomplishments, helping students to succeed, students to achieve their goals, and overcome many challenges. He is looking forward to what retirement is and what it will have in store for him. �Page 4 May 1, 2024 CHINOOK Letting passion influence your future plans Photo Courtesy of Skye Watts Zoë Von Gunten sits with a Walt Whitman book given to her by her brother Maxwell. Aliesia Berryman Chinook Writer From the moment one can hold a conversation, a common question is: What do you want to be when you grow up? Upon entering junior year of high school the pressure surmounts and wrong decisions can cost time and significant amounts of money. There are many approaches to figuring this out for oneself: one might go for a career that is financially advantageous while another might want a career that allows them to stay at home with kids. Yet another option is to go for a career that requires traveling the world. Whatever route one takes, the one thing that promotes the most lifetime happiness is finding a career that involves passion, yet figuring out what it is one loves doing can be half of the journey. The pressures of family and society can prevent one from doing the things they love and ultimately push them down a career path that leads to misery. Zoë Von Gunten is someone who pushed past those pressures and is now studying English at Casper College with plans to make a career doing what she loves. Von Gunten is most often in Strausner Hall where she attends several classes. She is often recognized by her colorful and eccentric clothing. If not at school, Von Gunten can likely be found working at the Bourgeois Pig, a popular downtown cafe. Von Gunten planned on studying music when in high school. “I used to think I wanted to be a music major. I played saxophone, and my entire family on my mom’s side, they’re all musicians. And of course my brother played saxophone, so in my brain I was like – I’m going to do what you do,” Von Gunten said. “That wasn’t really where my heart truly lied.” She said the transition was difficult. “I literally had to break up with music and be like, I’m gonna go flirt with English now.” “What you thought was beautiful may actually be harmful.” Studying English presents its challenges. The University of Wyoming at Casper used to offer an English bachelor's degree and no longer does due to lack of demand. Even getting an English degree at CC requires some hoop jumping due to only a few classes being offered per semester. Barriers exist outside of college as well. The financial outlook for most English majors is dreary. Rena Goldman at Business Insider rated the degree path as one of the twelve worst for career potential. It took a very supportive teacher to show Von Gunten the joys of reading and writing. Von Gunten said her support came from her high school senior year AP language arts teacher Jamie Tipps. She said Tipps introduced her to the world of literature, particularly short stories and poetry. “She really fostered my love of English and she encouraged me to be very creative where I couldn’t find this creativity in music,” Von Gunten said, “As creative as music is, I found I was more expansive in literature.” Of Tipps she said, “She was really the person who grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the water and said, you will be fine.” Von Gunten described her high school experience as being very stifled. She said, “There were not a lot of teachers there who truly wanted to invest their time into what I was interested in.” Tipps fostered in Von Gunten more than just a love for literature and writing, she also introduced her to the world of editing. Von Gunten is a tutor in the Writing Center at CC, and she is also a literary editor for Expressions magazine. She decided that her goal in life is to become an editor. Tipps put together a “case book” of her students’ writings, and the creation of this collection is ultimately what steered Von Gunten into the desire for editing. This, she believes, is her one true path. She said, “I think in there too, that also made me kind of realize that I think I want to be an editor because we would do peer editing and my peers would come up to me and be like: Hey, um, you’re really good at this. Can you help me edit this?... This is something I truly enjoy and I felt like I truly found what I wanted to do and what I really was meant to do.” Von Gunten is already planning for the future. “I want to edit for a publishing company and edit books, which first and foremost, I may end up working with authors I’ve read and that I love and being able to read their manuscripts and be helping with it? Like, what a freaking cool thing to do. To help someone put out a book that may change the world. That’s so cool.” “And on top of that too. I would say very sly of me, but my loophole idea too is as a creative writer. If I work for a publishing company, it may give me more of an in to be like, ‘Hey guys, I have a manuscript. Do you want to read it maybe?’” A creative writing passion is one that lots of people carry but only an elite few make a living from. Von Gunten said, “You either make it or you don’t. You have to get lucky. For years, some authors will be putting out books and they’ll be great but they’ll never be known. Some of the best books we’ve ever had, the classics, some of those authors were just totally shunned from society. Later, once they’re dead, you know and have no money to their name and know one knows them, they’re like ‘Wow, this book is life-changing.’” Von Gunten believes that everyone should read, and that you don’t have to be an English major to fall in love with books. “Something that really peeves me, is people being like, ‘Well I’m an engineering major. I don’t need to write,’” Von Gunten said. She added, “You do. I wish people understood that writing is such an integral part of our lives. It Love Across Borders is a literal written account of history while also being the thing that shows people what you’re about.” Von Gunten understands the difficulty in understanding and appreciating literature. She subscribes to the idea of some people leaning more towards math and logic while others, like her, lean more towards creativity. Yet she wishes to emphasize the purpose behind literature and working with someone on a piece of their writing. “We need to understand that there are gray areas and there is beauty in not knowing. And if you can learn to understand that it’s okay to not know everything, I think that just opens up so much more possibility.” she said. Von Gunten found that those who love creativity will gravitate towards each other. “We’re all just a bunch of weirdos, and we all just want to write some silly little stories.” she said. In studying writing and literature, Von Gunten found the confidence to be herself. When comparing herself to others she no longer looked at herself negatively. Instead, she looked at herself as someone who could reach greatness. She said, “It’s okay that I’m not being the best.” She said she is formulating a story in her mind that she hopes to write and get published someday. It is a story about getting over grief. “I finally feel like I found a concept that’s really fun that I’m super excited to actually pursue,” Von Gunten said. She said she hopes to find herself somewhere in the Pacific Northwest editing her “little heart out with my little kitties around me… Hopefully at least. If that doesn’t work out I’m probably gonna just go running screaming into the woods and vanish.” A Colombian teacher's journey to the American west Saioa San Francisco Arilla Chinook Writer In a heartwarming story of cross-cultural connection, a Colombian woman found love and a new home in the heart of America's Wild West. Nohora Groce a Spanish teacher at CC was born in Colombia, Bogotá. She was married for two years in Colombia until she became a widow. She didn't find another person to be able to share her life with. Groce said, “Things were changing in Colombia at that time. Women were gaining strength and independence, and men were terrified.” She added, “It was very difficult for me to be able to date someone else. I couldn´t see myself dating again.” She worked in international commerce for 11 years with people from all over the world, especially people from Sweden. She said she thought she was going to end up marrying someone from Europe. Some of her friends talked to her about a dating app to meet people from other countries. “The app was very well structured -- it did a study and evaluated your personality,” she said. “The people from the app then are the ones who make the match for you.” A month passed before she could have any contact with the one who would be her future husband, Mark. As soon as they were in contact, he wanted to ask her how well she spoke English. The first time they had a proper conversation, they talked for two hours. She went on a business trip to Europe and during that time she decided she wanted to go visit him in the United States. Groce said, “I decided I wanted to see him because I was seeing couples and babies everywhere and I truly wanted to form a family.” Six months went by and he insisted on meeting her. Groce planned to go to Miami States in December. She spent several days with her nephew before finally visiting him. During that time, she found something in him she could have never found in her home country “It was beautiful. I felt like I was in love with him without knowing him,” Groce explains. She spent 10 days in Wyoming before going back to Colombia. Groce said, “I went back to Colombia because that was how it was planned, but my head was here, in Casper.” During that time apart, she tried to convince him to go to Colombia, as he didn´t have work in Casper. He didn´t know Spanish and was very scared of moving to another country. She told him to learn Spanish and find a job in Clombia as she was willing to move to America for him too. Groce added, “Here in Colombia we are very… how do I explain it? We dive into the water, (and) we never stop.” She thought everyone was going to have the same mentality, but he didn´t. So, she started thinking about moving to the United States. “I had no desire to run away from Colombia -- I had my job, my apartment, and everything was good. But something was missing. I was missing someone to share that life with,” Groce explained. They talked about her spending a couple of months in Casper, and so she did during the summer to see if she would be willing to move to Casper with him. Groce said, “I had a very stressful life back in Colombia. Wyoming gave me peace -- I liked that peace.” Groce must manage her stress. At age 27, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a syndrome that causes pain in different parts of the body. Stress is one of the things that causes the most pain with that kind of syndrome. With jobs as stressful as Groce’s, she thought that by moving to Wyoming, her health would improve. She then resigned from her job and sold her apartment along with everything she had beside her bed. Groce explained, “The hardest part was saying goodbye to my mom. I had a very strong connection with her being the youngest and only girl in the siblings.” She finally moved to the United States in December of 2006. They started their life together and a year later, in 2008, they got married. Soon after, Sofia, their oldest daughter was born. Sofia, Nohora´s daughter is now 15 years old. She knows Spanish and English and has traveled to visit her family back in Colombia. Sofia said, “I am very grateful for my roots, I think knowing two languages from a young age has helped me in a lot of ways.” Being a multicultural child and knowing two languages can be very beneficial to the development of children. Sofia explained, “I want to go back to Colombia. I’d like to be able to understand both languages, Spanish and English because it allows me to communicate with more people” Groce's story isn't just about crossing borders for love. It's a testament to human strength and the magic of taking risks. Leaving everything familiar behind to embrace the unknown takes bravery, but Groce did just that. And in Wyoming, she didn't just find love; she found a piece of herself she never knew was missing. Submitted Photo Nohora Groce, a Spanish instructor at Casper College, shared her story with the Chinook. Groce moved to Wyoming from Columbia to start a live with her husband, Mark. Submitted Photo Groce and her family are pictured here. Her daughter, Sophia, spoke about her experience as a multicultural child. �May 1, 2024 Page 5 CHINOOK CC students perform "The Lightning Thief" Geoff Cooper/Chinook Pictured above is Abigail Ehrlich rehearsing sword fighting choreography with student Savannah Kiggans. Casper College's production of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.” ran April 18-20 and April 25-27 on the McMurry Mainstage. Geoff Cooper/Chinook In the photo above is student Abigail Ehrlich as Annabeth Chase, the daughter of Athena. Shown above is Nathan Skoglund as Ares, the Greek god of war. Geoff Cooper/Chinook Geoff Cooper/Chinook Pictured above Cameron Allender fends off two Camp Half Blood attackers. Geoff Cooper/Chinook To the left Richard Burk directs rehearsals with Wyatt Buhler and Nathan Skoglund. Burk also directed the entire production and will be retiring after the spring semester. �Page 6 May 1, 2024 CHINOOK Spring soccer update Lane Johnson Chinook Writer The Casper College Men and Women’ Soccer Teams have completed the spring season and look forward to competing for the national title again in the fall. For the freshman, the spring season is an opportunity to improve and gain more experience playing at the college level. For the sophomores the season provides a final few games to show why they should be able to continue at a higher level. Both the CC Men’s and Women’s Soccer Teams were scheduled to play five games this spring but two were canceled. Lewis Gordan and Cole Venable are both sophomores for the men's soccer team. They agreed that the fall season is the one that matters, and they are now just looking to prepare the freshman for the next fall as they transition aways from Casper College. “We try not to have a different outlook on the spring season,” Venable said. Venable talked about how they need to keep a good attitude for the freshman so that they can continue to get better and continue the success they found last fall. The men were the first CC team to appear in the national tournament, according to Venable and Gordan. “It’s good practice for the freshman and obviously for those (sophomores) who are still trying to find schools -- it's good,” Gordon said. Emmy Finlinson and Kaylinn Gallup are both freshmen for the Lady TBird’s. They have similar thoughts about the spring season. They agreed that they see it more of an offseason practice time to get better and prepare for the fall season. The women did not make the national tournament in the fall but are optimistic about next year. “We’re constantly practicing with nothing to work towards right now,” Finlinson said. She said she wishes the spring season included more competition, as she feels that the team is focused and working hard every day. She believes that at higher divisions the spring season is much more serious. Yet she feels that CC does as much as it can to maintain a highly competitive environment during the spring. “It’s not really a full season. It feels like it’s just preparatory for the next season -- just kind of having fun together while it lasts,” Gallup said. The spring season is more of an offseason Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez with a few games, and both the men and women’s teams are excited for the upcoming Goalkeeper Hugo Amo, a sophomore from Spain, defends the goal in a September game against Western Nebraska Community College. fall season. Libby Winchell: CC’s first women’s rodeo coach Faythe Fowler Chinook Writer The women’s rodeo team added a new member to their roster this year; a women’s coach. Hired just this year, Libby Winchell is the first Women’s Rodeo Coach at Casper College. Winchell is originally from Scottsbluff, Neb., where she grew up surrounded by the rodeo lifestyle. “My mom rodeoed,” Winchell said. “I have an older sister, and she was rodeoing before I was.” Winchell continued her rodeo journey in college by goat tying, breakaway roping, and running barrels for Eastern Wyoming College before transferring to Tarleton State University. Winchell found success in the arena from the of her collegiate career. “I made the college finals my first year,” said Winchell. “I was a 6.5 in the first round… and like a 7.5 my second round.” After her graduation from Tarleton State in May of 2023, she wanted to continue her rodeo career and didn’t plan on coaching at CC. “My kind of game plan was just to go rodeo,” Winchell said. “Then, a phone call changed everything, you could say.” Spanning over just a few weeks, Winchell received calls from various CC staff members, offering her a position as the new women’s rodeo coach. “Sandy Bob (Forbes) called me and inquired if I would be interested,” Winchell said. “And Jhett (Johnson) called too. Then I got a call from Paul (Marble), the athletic director… and I was here two days later, interviewed, and got the job.” Since her hire at CC, coaching the women proved successful. Winchell said she enjoys her time here, enjoys her team, and thinks the school and facilities are great. “The opportunities are endless if they want to come to school here,” said Winchell. “They get to rope and practice every day. A lot of other schools don’t get to do that.” Waci Thomson, a freshman from Alberta, Canada, runs barrels, breakaway ropes, and ties goats for the women’s team. “She pushes us to do our best,” said Thomson. “She’s good with a rope, so she can see something and help.” Winchell offers her help every day and is there for her team. Thomson said she helps with horses, setting up and running practice, roping swing techniques, and anything else she can. She wants to see her team improve and succeed more than anything. As well as coaching the women's team, Winchell also offers her help to the men’s team. “She usually helps the calf ropers a lot, knowing what calf horses should and shouldn’t do, she's there to help,” said Hayes Hammond, a team roper and calf roper on the men’s team. Winchell, as well as the other rodeo coaches, are there for the benefit of the athletes. “All of the coaches here, they don’t teach, so our coaching is our full-time gig,” said Winchell. “So we're here as much as we can be, and if kids do need anything, we're only a phone call away.” Winchell strives to bring personal improvement to her athletes and truly wants to see them succeed in all areas of their personal, school, and rodeo careers. “She overall has helped me and the girls a ton, inside and out of the arena,” said Thomson. Photo Courtesy of 4 Bar C Photography Libby Winchell, CC's first Women's Rodeo Coach, is pictured here breakaway roping. Winchell's athletes spoke about how she's good with a rope and pushes them to be their best. Artist, cat whisperer, and partner Lairen Brush Chinook Writer Walking around Casper College, students, staff, and faculty may be able to identify origami birds surrounding the halls, hidden on bookshelves, or hanging out under a computer monitor. They could depict a crime scene surrounded by onlookers or isolated all alone. These cranes originate from Nadine Francisco, an art major at Casper College. Francisco grew up in Casper after their grandma gained custody of them from their biological mother. Francisco considers this grandma to be their mom and refers to her as such. While growing up, their mom supported them and their creativity, especially when Francisco wanted to help make cranes for an event without any previous experience. Origami is not a natural talent for Francisco. “I learned how to make cranes when The Nicolaysen did the 1001 cranes,” Francisco said. “There were only four participants. I was one of the four.” The only reason they participated in the event was because they had nothing else going on at the time. “I’m a little kid that wants to help,” Francisco said, “I’m bored.” However, this one-time event participation continued to grow with time. “In high school, I would make cranes and hide them,” Francisco said. “I didn’t do this proportions of it. I did like one or two, maybe, and hid them around and people liked them.” “That’s how they express themselves,” Francisco’s partner, Haden Schell, said. “It’s definitely one of their ways to cope with their depressive episodes.” Mental health can lead to non-productivity and isolation. Francisco uses crane making and hiding to keep busy and to keep from falling deeper into depression. However, this is not the only reason they continue to make cranes. Francisco stated that they struggle with many things, including having autistic traits and ADHD. As a result, classroom settings are difficult for them and they utilize many aids to assist themselves, such as making and hiding the cranes. “I am unable to do full-time as a student because I get too overwhelmed. Then I do poorly in classes,” Francisco said. Cranes are used as a fidget accommodation in classes for Francisco. This accommodation is for an ADHD diagnosis. Sometimes keeping your hands busy helps to focus on listening. They then place them around campus. Francisco also gains support from real life animals. Francisco and Schell own two cats: Husk and Grums. Husk is a cat the couple got mid-COVID to help Nadine. “We were just going through the list of names, and we hit one, and he just perked right up,” Haden said. They originally wanted to name the cat Alastair; however, the cat had a different idea. “We call her the cat whisper because everywhere we go, we’ve got a little cat following us!” Schell said. “She can be very romantic,” Schell said, “Definitely the sweetest person I’ve ever met.” She uses her art skill in many ways, not just for the cranes. Schell and Francisco have been going to the Comic-Con here in Casper for a while now. Francisco has made many of the costumes they wear. The costumes don’t always stay together, but progress is still being made. “[Schell’s] stayed together longer than mine,” Francisco said “My mask kept breaking, but the fabric was fine. It was the first costume I’ve ever made.” Francisco plans to wrap up her art degree within the next two years. She plans to sell her art as a business venture, but progress is progress. “I don’t know how to do it, so I’m learning slowly,” Francisco said. She does have hopes for the future and this journey with her art. “Once I’m done with college, I’ll hopefully try making myself better as an artist,” Francisco said. Lairen Brush/Chinook Pictured above is Nadine Francisco (left) and their partner Haden Schell. Francisco makes origami birds and places them around campus for all to enjoy. Submitted Photo Shown to the left is a flock of Francisco's birds. caspercollegechinook.com �May 1, 2024 Page 7 CHINOOK Martha Vargas A story of relocation, acclimation, separation, reunion Anthony Sturt/Chinook Pictured above is Martha Vargas, an emplyee at the Tobin Dining facility at Casper College since 2022. Anthony Sturt Chinook Writer Martha Vargas, a grill cook at the Tobin Dining Hall at Casper College, fulfilled the roles of wife, mother, pastor, and employee since arriving to Casper in 2001. Vargas overcame the dif- ficulties of immigration from Mexico, engaged as a leader of her church, and worked to raise her daughters to adulthood. Vargas also overcame the departure of her husband when immigration officials ordered him return to Mexico for one year, and then prevented him from returning for 13 years. According to Vargas, she was born in Villa Aldama Tamaulipas, Mexico. She moved to Casper with her husband and two daughters, while her adult son remained in Mexico. Vargas said that the family came to Casper because her brother-in-law already lived here. Vargas described her first winter in Casper as ‘very bad.’ “(There was) a lot of snow, and we didn’t pray for this because we didn’t know (there would be) a lot of snow,” said Vargas. Vargas said that the family had never experienced a cold winter before arriving in Casper. They didn’t own suitable clothes for the weather, and the freezing temperatures caused the pipes in their home to burst, leaving them temporarily without water. Vargas said that her brotherin-law helped the family overcome the difficulties of the family’s first winter in Casper. Vargas said that her brotherin-law already lived in Casper for ‘a long time’ when they arrived. The family also struggled with the language barrier when they arrived in Casper. Vargas estimated that there were only three families in town who spoke Spanish at the time, and in most places she went, she could not talk to anyone. Vargas’ daughter, Sara Mena-Vargas, said that her mother stayed home to take care of the children when the family lived in Mexico, and she entered the labor force upon arrival in Casper. According to Vargas, she first worked at the Hometown Buffet for three years, then One Hour Martinizing for 16 years before starting at Casper College nearly three years ago. Vargas said that she and her husband both served as pastors at the Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal church in Casper. Vargas’ husband led the church until 2010, and then she took over the role when her husband was no longer able. Vargas then fulfilled the role until 2022. According to Vargas, immigration officials determined that her husband needed to return to Mexico for one year in 2010, so he had to vacate his role as pastor of the church. She said that every time the return date drew near, the time officials required him to stay in Mexico increased. Initially, the timeframe changed from one year to three years and then increased to 10 years. Vargas said that when the 10-year mark approached, the closure of Immigration offices due to the COVID-19 pandemic further delayed her husband’s return. Vargas’ husband returned in July of 2023. Mena-Vargas described her father’s departure as a deportation, but Vargas clarified that her husband cooperated with immigration officials and returned to Mexico when he was ordered to do so. Mena-Vargas said that she was 14 when her father returned to Mexico. Her older sister had already left the family home by that point, so she and her mother shared the caspercollegechinook.com house from that point on. Mena-Vargas said that the 43 years of her parents’ relationship includes the 13 years that they were separated. “I think it was difficult because she had to become a single mom to me and take care of me, and figure out all the bills, and figure out all the car rides. She had to be the one to teach me to drive when my dad taught everyone else to drive,” said Mena-Vargas. Mena-Vargas said that she and her mother fought about various issues in the weeks following her father’s departure. She attributed these clashes to the stress brought on by her father’s absence. “But I think it made our family stronger because we all had to just rely on each other, but it also was super hard on my mom because suddenly everything was on her,” said Mena-Vargas. Vargas said that she served as a chaplain from 2019 to 2022. As a chaplain, Vargas attended events such as queinceaneras, funerals, and graduations as a representative of the church. Vargas also helped new families find housing, food, and anything else that they needed. “Yeah, when they were sick, we can help apply for the doctor, for the medicine, for the different parts of help for something. We help in this and we talk with them to help them stay calm,” said Vargas. �Page 8 2nd Annual De-Stress Fest Lane Johnson/Chinook Casper College hosted its second annual De-Stress Fest earlier this spring. De-Stress Fest featured booths and activities for students to enjoy, as well as a keynote presentation on stress from University of Denver Ethics Professor Corey Ciocchetti. May 1, 2024 CHINOOK Join our staff this fall! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & web development The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2024-05 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. 2024-05 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from May 2024. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2024-05 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/648195d9b2f3264b04004b46444ce9e9.pdf d6cf8f299cf9d59640b2576763ac5b3e PDF Text Text October 1, 2024 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 The international experience at CC By Saioa San Francisco Chinook writer Saioa San Francisco/Chinook Csenge Szomszed brings her suitcase to her room in the residence hall at Casper College during the first week of classes as she begins her academic journey overseas. Blanking out in politics By Lairen Brush Chinook writer Dr. Nathan Blank, an instructor at Casper College, enriches the courses he teaches through a connection to personal experiences and fostering civil discussions in a politically driven environment. He grew up in California, attended school in Australia for his doctorate, and did research in the Philippines. With this knowledge, it is used in the context of his classes. “I think [his education] helps him present information in a well-rounded way,” Keenan Morgan, a former student at Casper College, said. This background enhances the classes that he teaches from the upper to lower levels. “I share those perspectives with students that … need to break out of our American centric viewpoint,” Blank said, “To take off our Red, white, and blue glasses and try to view things, especially international events and phenomena from a more diverse perspective.” Blank presents the information in the same tone as he does outside of it. Morgan said, “He’s the same guy, honestly. Same jokes, same dry humor.” The humor is not a lowdown, though. “I think the healthiest thing for us to do is to laugh and to make fun of ourselves, especially in America,” Blank said. “To make fun of politicians across the spectrum and, to be honest, to not take ourselves too seriously.” There are differences in how the levels of classes are taught. Lower levels are more traditional and slideshowbased, and upper classes are more discussion-based, which comes with challenges on their own. The fall semester begins at Casper College, and the calm campus in Wyoming becomes a swarm of activity as students from all over the United States and the world stream into the dorms, eager to start a new chapter in their lives. Freshman international students are among these newcomers. For many, this starts a transforming journey, academic, social, and cultural. However, their initial impression frequently includes a cultural surprise: the significant contrasts in how American and overseas students handle settling in. Csenge Szomszed, an international student from Hungary at Casper College, explained, “I was surprised when I saw Americans moving in; when I came here, I was trying to keep it simple and just bring necessary stuff like clothes and bedding.” Differences when moving into an American college coming from a European country can be very noticeable and strange at first. Some people tend to experience culture shock during the first month, and some never get used to it. “I have been living in dorms since I was 13. In Hungary, when you move into a dorm, you just bring bed sheets or pillows, but you would never think about bringing a whole fridge or microwave like I´ve seen Americans do.” Szomszed explained This disparity is typical among many overseas students. While American students generally bring a variety of goods to make their dorm rooms seem more like home, international students frequently come with only the necessities. Travel practicalities, customs regulations, and cultural conventions around minimalism frequently demand they carry less. “I would have never thought about having a TV or a couch in my room, but when I saw other Americans' rooms, I got jealous, and I started to think about decorating my room,” Szomszed said. This cultural difference is indicative of larger lifestyle preferences. In many places of the world, college life is more about function than luxury. On the other hand, American pupils value comfort, individualism, and convenience. Decorating a dorm room is a rite of passage for them, an expression of their individuality, and a means of — See Internationals Page 3 Blank said, “We’re really tearing it apart and trying to come to some conclusion on what these things mean in a real way. It’s the interactions in class where we can take all this book information and whether or not I did a slideshow and try to come up with: What does this all mean? What’s the point? ” His nature can cause students to be open to talking to him. “If I have a question about something I know I can go to him, whether it’s schoolrelated or politics-related,” Morgan said. “Or if I just want to see what he thinks about something.” Dr. Nathan Blank is passionate about his study and it shows in how he presents himself both in and out of the classroom. “Dr. Blank is Dr. Blank,” Lairen Brush/Chinook Morgan said. Casper College Political Science Instructor Nathan Blank presents about the president's expressed powers during his class. High hopes for T-bird Men's Soccer Timothy Huber Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Zach Nagy/Casper College Public Relations Parker O'neill, freshman of Casper, Wyoming (left,) prepares to pass the ball to a teammate during the Thunderbirds' 3-1 win against Trinidad State on Sept. 7 at Murane Field. Coming off a successful 2023 season, the Casper College men's soccer team has high expectations this season and its players look to exceed those expectations. The team entered this season ranked as the 10th best team in the nation after a remarkable late-season run that gave the squad a bid in the NJCAA national tournament last season. Although the national tournament is not played until late November, that goal is very prominent to players, specifically, freshman Midfielder Parker O’Neill. According to Parker, this season, the team is looking “to try to dominate the region…and try to make it to the national tournament again” Parker, a graduate of Kelly Walsh High School, here in Casper, dedicates a large portion of his time and effort to the game of soccer. When asked the question, “What would you do if you were not playing soccer”, he had no clue how to respond saying “that’s a hard question…I don’t know, [soccer] has kind of always been there” This type of love for the game that he has had from a young age has played a significant role in the start of his college playing career. Parker put the program on notice as he jumped right in as a freshman on this historically, successful team. He has strongly impressed the coaching staff, as Assistant Coach Conner Schmidt talked about Parker’s leap from high school to college in overall competitiveness, “he looks right in place, so it’s just really comforting as a coach to see [Parker] step up to the next level and thrive” Schmidt said. Parker notched his first career goal at the collegiate level in the team’s 5th game of the season versus Truckee Meadows Community college of Reno, Nevada. Parker is not the only freshman this program needs to see succeed as 20 of the team’s 26 players are freshmen. Some of these first year players include: Goalkeeper Iori Tanaka and Midfielders Justin — See Soccer Page 3 �Page 2 October 1, 2024 CHINOOK Chinook Stance Are flipped classes better? Lairen Brush Brushing out the details College Campuses have many new and different ways of innovative learning. That may be more handson, the guidelines adhered to are vague at best and downright strange at worst, and you follow a track that interests you. No more of this is the right way and you’re wrong if you don’t do it this way. If you’re coming in for college from a high school, you may have professors with what is known as a “flipped classroom.” When it's described, it makes no sense. Homework in the class, and teaching outside of it. I even thought, “That’s not how learning works. You follow a path given to you, taught by people who know it. It's a routine with few changes between courses.” However, in the greater schemes of College, this makes sense. Homework is putting the knowledge you learn in class to work. In College, you are actively learning to get a job where the knowledge can be applied. College is a practice session. People can downgrade it all they want to a waste of money but that’s not what it is. This way of learning has many pros and cons. For pros: you can interact with classmates and the professors more. This is mainly because the courses tend to be group work to help each other. The professor walks around and clarifies the material, allowing students to ask questions from those that know it better. However, it is not the best for those of us with problems of the social variety. I am not social. In fact, I dislike interacting with people. The idea of it is anxiety-inducing to me. I much prefer the self action of lectures and homework. I also don’t tend to learn better this way as it requires me to ask questions, an action that causes way too much investment. You have to actually ask the question, show what you’ve done so far (another anxiety inducing act), and wait for the answer. All this doesn’t even include the action of if you will get the answer for the question you are looking for. Sometimes, to help with the anxiety (and some of my ADHD), I try to get to the point as fast as possible. This can include skipping words, talking to fast, ignoring irrelevant information, and skipping it if I get confused. This does not help when the professor answers the part I know, and not the part I don’t. To counteract the action of what I know is clarifying, I treat it as correcting someone. This means that I don’t want to correct someone, so I dont. My question is not answered. My confusion is not cleared and I am still stuck. I can’t fall back on fundamental knowledge I should have by week 5 and midterms and the class is significantly harder. Overall, this way of learning helps the times you know the information and not the times you don’t. It is supposed to help you learn and apply what you have learned, but it just confuses you if you don’t have the basics of information. From the President's Desk Dear Students: Welcome to Casper College! I hope your year is off to a positive start and you are settling into the rhythm of being a college student. I also hope you are meeting new people, learning new ideas, and taking advantage of all the programming we have for you at the college. There is truly something for everyone here at Casper College! While college is fun and exciting, I know it can be stressful as well. I was once a college student, and I remember having a few exams and research papers due in the same week–not to mention work and trying to have a little bit of a life and some fun. While it seems overwhelming at first, there are a few things you can do to find some balance with all your responsibilities to make it all a bit more enjoyable. One of the most effective ways to navigate this stressful time is to stay connected with your instructors. They’re not just there to grade your papers—they’re a key resource for your success. If you're feeling uncertain about how you performed on your exams or need help with upcoming material, don’t hesitate to reach out as they appreciate students who are proactive about their learning. If you're struggling, your instructors can often provide guidance, additional resources, and support. Building strong relationships with your instructors also has longterm benefits. They become your mentors, offer valuable advice, and provide recommendations if you’re looking for internships, jobs, or transferring to a four-year university. Beyond your instructors, the college offers many support services that are designed to help students succeed. If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, there are resources Brandon Kosine, Interim President that can make a big difference: Tutoring Centers: Whether it's math, science, or writing, our tutoring centers offer personalized help to make challenging material more manageable. Counseling Services: If your stress feels unmanageable, or if you're dealing with personal issues that are affecting your academic performance, counseling services are there to provide emotional and mental health support. Career Services: If you're thinking about your future career, career services can help you explore job opportunities, build your resume, or prepare for job interviews. Using these resources is a smart way to stay on track and ensure you’re getting the support you need. It’s easy to get caught up in the grind of studying and working, but taking breaks and setting aside time for yourself is crucial. Research shows that taking breaks can actually improve focus and productivity. Try stepping away from your work and doing something you enjoy— whether that’s hanging out with friends, going for a walk, or simply watching a favorite show. College is about learning, but it’s also about balance. Give yourself permission to relax and have fun. This is also the time to explore your interests outside of academics. Join a club, attend campus events, or volunteer in the Casper community. These experiences can help you build friendships and make lasting memories during your college years. Many of my friends now are people I met when going to college. Finally, college is an exciting time of personal growth and discovery. While exams and deadlines are important, so is navigating and enjoying your journey. Yes, there will be stressful moments, but remember that these experiences are part of a larger process that will lead you toward your success. So, take some deep breaths, talk to your instructors, use campus resources, and make time for fun along the way. You all have such bright futures, and I can’t wait to see where your journey leads! Whether you’re a homebody or a social butterfly, our classes offer something for everyone! Spice up your evenings with our “Salsa Date Night,” or embark on epic adventures with “Discover Dungeons and Dragons.” Choose your adventure and make unforgettable memories! Questions? Contact Community Education, comm_ed@caspercollege.edu, 307-268-3401. Casper College provides equal opportunity in education and employment — caspercollege.edu/nondiscrimination. �October 1, 2024 Page 3 CHINOOK Internationals........................................ creating a home away from home. The variance in movement techniques reflects underlying cultural beliefs. Many European countries have little space in their dorms. In contrast, American consumer culture pushes students to equip themselves with all of the comforts of home, even if it means carrying a car full of possessions. Even just having a car can make a major impact on how internationals deal with their life here in America. Most people in Europe don't depend on cars to get to places. In contrast, here in America, especially in Casper, it is essential to have a car. “I never realized how much I would miss having a car until I arrived." Hedy Bechar, an international student from France at Casper College, said, “In France, I could walk or take public transport everywhere, but in America, it seems like you need a car for everything. Even going to the grocery store feels like a challenge without one." Cultural differences go beyond the relocation process. International students may meet different practices and social expectations, which influence their experience. Meal times, classroom involvement, and even informal greetings differ significantly from what they are accustomed to at home. Food is a big topic among international students. “American food is so different from what I'm used to," Bechar said, "In France, meals are smaller, fresher, and more focused on quality. Here, everything is bigger—huge portions, lots of fast food, and way more processed stuff.” Despite the hurdles, many international students view cultural differences as a learning opportunity. The variety of experiences—whether decorating a dorm room or participating in class discussions. It enriches the campus environment, encouraging mutual understanding and global knowledge. “The whole experience has been eye-opening, I’ve learned so much about American culture just by living here, and I would recommend any international students to go through this experience at least once in their lives. You grow so much as a student and individual.” Szomszed said. Colleges continue to welcome students from all over the world, and the diversity of cultures, customs, and opinions improves the campus community. Being accepting of international students will transcend cultural gaps, forge lifetime friendships, and foster a genuinely global learning environment. The process of settling in for international students may differ, but it is just as significant since they bring not just academic objectives but also a rich cultural background that contributes to the complex tapestry of college life in America. Soccer..................................................... Godbout-Garon and Roy Nozawa. They also return key pieces such as their leading scorer, Linus Musielak, who has five scores and three assists so far. The team also returns two Wyoming natives, Court Gonsalez and Trae Bennett, both from Worland, Wyoming. Coach Ben McArthur is a big advocate for hard work and how it leads to success, especially at this level of play“If you don’t show up and give your best effort, you are gonna lose.” McArthur said. This type of effort was displayed in two games this season with different outcomes. During an early September weekend, Casper played home games on back to back days, first against Utah State Eastern, where they found themselves down 3-1 after just 21 minutes of game time. They battled back from this early adversity by scoring four unanswered goals in the second half to win the game 5-3. Three of those four goals were scored over a four minute span early in the half with their final goal being scored by Justin Godbout-Garon in the 75th minute. The next day they played a grueling, tight contest against College of Southern Idaho. This defensive showdown remained scoreless and featured more red cards than it did goals. The tie, however, was broken in the 87th minute when a costly penalty by the opposing team sent sophomore leader Court Gonsalez to attempt a penalty kick, which he confidently knocked in giving Casper the 1-0 victory. Coach McArthur described both games as necessary for the players to grow and the team to become stronger as a unit. The T-Birds will play just 3 regular season games in the month of October, with only one of those being at home, before playing in the Region IX District tournament beginning on Oct. continued from page 1 continued from page 1 19th. Location is to be determined. The home finale against Gillette Community College takes place on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. The T-Birds head into that game with an 8-4-1 overall record and hope to improve its conference record to 4-2 during Saturday's battle against the Pronghorns who have a conference record of 1-4-1. Prior to the Region IX tourney, the Thunderbirds travel south so take on Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado on Friday, Oct. 11, then take on the Lopers in Lamar, CO on Saturday, Oct. 12, both games taking place at 3 p.m. As the T-Birds look to build momentum heading into the Region IX Tournament, they will look to take care of business in the northeastern plains of Colorado as both NJC and Lamar Community College combine for a conference record of 1-7-3. Workin' and learnin' -- Importance of student employees Ashley Hunter/Chinook Aliceson Stranberg blow dries a steer in during her shift as a student employee in the Ag Pavillion. Stranberg is an Ag Business major who participates on the livestock judging team. By Ashley Hunter Chinook Writer Working on campus helps students from all backgrounds, because of the diverse job offerings and the tasks the students are called upon to do. For most students, the college experience extends far beyond the classroom. Student employees are a vital part of the college ecosystem, contributing to its smooth operation, while gaining experience and financial independence. Aliceson Stranberg, sophomore of Newell, South Dakota studies Ag Business at Casper College. She is a work study student in the agriculture pavilion on campus. Aliceson is a busy student who is involved as a junior red angus director for the Red Angus Association and is on the Casper College livestock judging team. As a work study student, Stranberg feeds animals and helps with anything around the pavilion, and when all the work is done there is always time for homework. “It’s ag affiliated, I get to work with livestock, and get to work with people that have the same interests.” Stranberg said. She also explained that it is a comfortable environment to work in, where you can grow and learn more about the agricultural industry. In 10 years Stranberg sees herself graduating from KansasState, and wants to work along purina feeds, being a feed nutritionist. Stranberg also eyes raising her own cattle with a family in either South Dakota or Kansas in the future. With being busy, she genuinely enjoys working on campus because she is able to do the things she loves while maintaining her grades. Dr. Frank Hodnett is an Instructor and academic chair in the agriculture department. Hodnett said that having student employees is helpful to the department because he gets to use students' skills to help meet the department’s goals. By working, students learn from the experience of working, in a safe, and comfortable environment. “We couldn't do what we do in this department without the students that work for us.” Hodnett said.“I feel like it helps us be able to give good recommendations and mentorships as they start in their chosen fields.” Hodnett, also explained that the students are learning life skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives by just working on campus. Balancing two other jobs with the demands of a college life is often a new normal for students, and Bailey Whittle, a sophomore from Casper, Wyoming, is a great example of students who showcase their work ethic. Whittle studies elementary education; and works in the Continuing Education office in the Gateway Building, office 408. Whittle encourages students to work on campus because the people that you get to work with are amazing. “They are always willing to help, and they also make sure school is put before work.” Whittle said. Whittle explained that working on campus helps her stay involved on campus and has grown more as a peopleperson. Caden Bright has never been one to shy away from a challenge. From working at Jersey Mikes, to working in Sub Connection, formally known as the “Sub Shop” on campus, his path has been anything but ordinary. Caden is from Casper, Wyoming and he studied business administration at Casper College and graduated in 2022. He loved the environment on campus so he decided to work in the sub shop. Students can find Caden having fun while making your sandwich by flipping bottles or holding conversations. Caden also works with Campus Ventures on campus, a club where students practice their faith and meet every Thursday on campus. Caden explained that working on campus can be crazy but that “students are always really patient and understanding.”Bright figured that working in the sub shop would help him stay connected with students while making them sandwiches. Bright sees himself in 10 years settled down with a family in either Wyoming or Montana, working in a church or in student ministry. Working on campus seems to be beneficial for all students involved, even students like Caden Bright who have already graduated and strives to stay connected to the roots of student involvement. �Page 4 October 1, 2024 CHINOOK A college instructor's dedication to work Aliesia Berryman Chinook Writer Heath Hornecker, professor in Casper College’s Agricultural Department, father of four and a prominent member of the agricultural education community, defines his success by helping students reach goals and find success in their education and careers. There is not a lot that Hornecker hasn’t done for his students. He supports education by advocating for funds, redesigning curriculum, advising students, hosting conferences, attending conferences, supporting teachers and staff, and, his favorite, teaching. “I really like it when students are in my class,” Hornecker said, “You always hear teachers talk about that lightbulb moment, where somebody either catches on to a hard subject or they find, ‘Man, I like this. This is what I want to do.’” Hornecker himself had this lightbulb moment in the classroom of his former Casper College (CC) livestock judging coach, Kelly Burch. “He was always that person I thought back on that really pushed me to go and try to be a better person, a better teacher, and a better coach.” Hornecker said. Mr. Burch is someone he stays in contact with to this day. During the Social and Behavioral Science Seminar held on Sept. 18, Hornecker spoke to students about forming life-long relationships with their teachers and how that can benefit their future education and career endeavors. Hornecker goes beyond the classroom to make positive changes to education. He currently holds a posi- tion on the Faculty Senate where he and other members get to help with the process of electing a new president of CC. He also served when general education requirements were restructured. He previously served as the academic chair for the agricultural department for 18 years, and he used to be the livestock judging coach for CC. Hornecker has been a member of Wyoming Association of Career and Technical Education (WACTE) for 25 years. WACTE is an organization that centers around teachers and educators in Wyoming who help students be ready for their future careers. There are six divisions in WACTE: Agricultural Education, Business Education, Computer Science, Family and Consumer Science, Trades and Technology, and New and Related Services. For the academic year of 2024-2025, he is serving as President of the association. Jason Eggemeyer, construction professor at CC and member of WACTE, said, “It was exciting to see Heath nominated. I was planning on seconding it, and someone else beat me to it actually.” Eggemeyer and Hornecker started as teachers at CC a semester apart from each other, and have formed mutual respect for each other over the last 20 years. “We have a well respected ag department and judging team,” Eggemeyer said, “Heath, having been there for over 20 years, has really been the face of the department to many.” Eggemeyer said Hornecker reaches out to highschool students and families as a sort of ambassador for the CC agriculture department. “It's really good for Casper College as a whole to have Alesia Berryman/Chinook Heath Hornecker presents to students about networking and the long term benefits of building relationships during the "Surviving or Thriving" seminar hosted by the school of Social and Behavioral Sciences on Wednesday, Sept. 18. that kind of support from all of the highschools in the state with someone like Heath representing us.” Eggemeyer said. Through WACTE, Hornecker has connections with high school and college educators throughout the state. “It's not just summer conference that he sees them, he has a great relationship with all of the highschools around the state.” Eggemeyer said. One of Hornecker’s goals as president of WACTE is to help teachers find success in their jobs. “Whether that is they have a better day at work or they need more tools to help students find success.” He said. He believes WACTE allows educators and industry members to touch more stu- dents than they would see in their own classrooms. “We see a lot of teachers that are leaving the teaching profession, unfortunately. Maybe the pay isn't what it could be for them compared to if they were to go out and get a job in the industry.” Hornecker said. “But we’re short of good teachers.” Harvard Business School states: “The market for middleskills jobs—those that require more education and training than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree—is consistently failing to clear.” Organizations like WACTE, aim to fill this gap by providing professional development for teachers so they can better support their students, encour- aging more young people to pursue the education needed for these middle-skills jobs. Hornecker’s goals also include increasing membership of the association and creating awareness for career and technical education in the Wyoming legislature. In June of 2025, WACTE’s summer conference will be held at CC. “We’re creating more visibility, not only for our faculty to be involved, but visibility of other faculty and teachers from across the state coming to Casper College so we can highlight some of the things we as a school do well at.” Hornecker said. Hornecker and other WACTE representatives have pushed for funding for career and technical education in Wyoming. In the past, WACTE has led the charge for legislature that benefits students and teachers. “The biggest of these was a bill which changed the Hathaway Scholarship Honors curriculum to allow for Career and Technical classes to count so Wyoming students who qualify with their ACT and GPA, can also now count Career and Technical classes to meet the required curriculum to qualify.” Hornecker said. Whether it be in the legislature or summer conferences, as a teacher or a faculty member, Hornecker is dedicated to the success of not just his students, but all students in career and technical education in Wyoming. RAs aren't just the "dorm police" Maria Geis Chinook Writer There to keep things running smoothly and provide a good experience for everyone, it could be said that resident assistants (RAs) are the backbone of the Casper College Residence Hall. There is quite a list of responsibilities an RA takes on when they sign their contract. They happily provide service at the front desk to assist with questions, sort and distribute mail, complete check-ins, check-outs, roommate agreements, and a lot in between. It’s not often that students forget their ID card and lock themselves out of their room, but if, or when that time comes, RAs are there to help out. Providing help in the middle of the night is a challenge that comes with the job, although it’s explained as not being too difficult for being one of the harder tasks. “It’s really easy to roll over and go back to sleep,” Lead RA Travis Scribner explained, “But we signed the contract. We agreed that this was something we were willing to do.” So, even in the middle of the night or on the weekend, someone is always on call to help students out. While many might think that RAs are the “dorm police,” the RAs are simply just trying to help provide a good experience for everyone. “There’s the people that really like to have a good time,” Scribner said, “and we’re there to make sure that they don’t interfere with other peoples’ experience.” When talking with another resident assistant, Taylor Dye, she had a similar answer saying RAs are often made out to be bad guys who are there only to get residents in trouble. “We don’t want to get you in trouble,” Taylor Dye said. Though RAs do enforce policies to keep the halls safe and orderly, they like to focus more on providing a great experience for all of those staying. Keeping the hallways a fun environment to walk through, each hall has a different theme showcasing the interests of the RA while also catering toward something that everyone in the hallway can enjoy. However, RAs claim that it is hard to figure out a good theme that is suitable for everyone. “I try to make it fitting for everybody.” Dye said. Dye’s hallway is currently “Buckles and Banners” which reflects her personality and relates to the residents in her hall because many of them are students on the Livestock Judging team or are students from an agricultural background. Each month an event is put on by one of the RAs and usually takes place in the MultiPurpose Room of the residence hall, across from the front desk. These are great opportunities for students to get out of their room and comfort zone, make new friends, and have fun in a safe environment. The games and activities are meant to be not only social, but educational as well. Scribner mentioned how choosing an activity can be difficult, “It’s not too bad to come up with an idea, it’s just challenging to find one that can be educational and fun.” Playing Mario Kart while wearing drunk goggles was a previous hit, “It is super fun and gives insight on the dangers of drunk driving,” Scribner explained. Another hit program in back-to-back years is having emotional support and service dogs come in for students to play and hangout with. Dye says her activity taking place during the end of September is “Race Chair National Finals Rodeo.” The “rodeo” is happening in the Multi-Purpose Room. Participants will compete in multiple events, one being to race around barrels in the rolling chairs. Kylie Wheaton, a student who currently lives in the Residence Halls, thinks it’s great that RAs put on monthly events in the dorms. Wheaton explained that her friends participated in some activities and heard they are fun. The sophomore resident witnessed some of the excitement first hand, “I walked by the event room and everyone was singing Sofia The First as loud as they could,” she said. Wheaton also thinks the decorations RAs hang in the hall are cute and fun. “My favorite thing is when a new name tag shows up on my door!” She exclaimed. On top of providing lots of fun and educational events for students who live in the Residence Hall, RAs also provide customer service in many ways. Whenever an appliance like a washer, dryer, or things like air conditioning are not working, RAs are typically the first people who are notified. From there, the RAs contact other people to ensure that repairs are made or are scheduled to be made. RAs agree to wear lots of hats in their position and hope that they are not seen as just the police of the Residence Hall. Photo courtesy of Zach Nagy/Casper College Public Relations Resident Assistant Taylor Jue (right) assists a student and her family members during "MoveIn Day" at the Casper College Residence Halls on Aug. 15. Photo courtesy of Zach Nagy/Casper College Public Relations This year's RAs: (Back row left to right) Sophia Zettle, Travis Scribner, Kris Martial, Davin Ro, Dash Lloyd, Jayden Gremm (front row left to right,) Taylor Dye, Chloe Moscorro, Taylor Crook, Jazz Sparks, Brooklyn Cooley and Taylor Jue. �October 1, 2024 Page 5 CHINOOK Falling into the "Swing" of things A group of students break out into a large circle during the line dancing porion of Student Life's Night of Country Swing Dacning on Aug. 29 in the Liesinger Hall Gym. Kylie Wheaton/Chinook Kylie Wheaton/Chinook Two Casper College students end their round of swing dancing with a dip during Student Life's Night of Country Swing Dancing on Aug. 29 in the LH Gym. Kylie Wheaton/Chinook Travis Scribner and Jordan Napier (left dacers) attempt a "pretzel" and "dip" with Bryce Goodwin (right) and his dancing partner during Student Life's Night of Country Swing Dancing on Aug. 29 in the LH Gym. Colten Halverson, sophomore of Wheatland, Wyoming, spins Lola Philo, freshman of Rawlins, Wyoming around during Student Life's Night of Swing Dancing on Aug. 29 in the Liesinger Hall Gym. Kylie Wheaton/Chinook �Page 6 Pursuing a career in nursing Chris Mossman-Larson Chinook Writer The Casper College nursing program offers many opportunities for students who are looking at pursuing a career in nursing. If that is the case, it is no wonder a student would choose Casper College. Not only do students get to learn in one of the best programs in the state of Wyoming, but they learn from some of the best instructors Wyoming has to offer. Nursing faculty advisor Corrine Arross understands that setting students up for success means more than teaching them facts out of a book. “Obviously, I’m teaching the clinical aspects,” Arross said. “But I also feel like I’m supporting them as people, helping them achieve goals, without damaging themselves in the process.” For Arross, that always begins with a simple question. “What is your Why?” she often asks. In doing this, it helps students reflect on their deeper ambitions, helping them stay grounded and resilient during the toughest moments of the program. Those tough moments are what attracted October 1, 2024 CHINOOK former nursing student Paige Blonigan to the Casper College program in the first place. “I feel as though nurses heal people while doctors heal diseases,” she said. Blonigan’s ultimate goal was to thrive in those tough moments Arross readies students for, helping individuals during their worst moments, and providing them comfort and safety through their experience. This was driven by Blonigan’s own past negative interactions with nurses. Reflecting on her time at Casper College, Blonigan calls the nursing program the longest and shortest two years of her life. Her best advice for incoming students? “Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” she says. “It doesn’t make you dumb. If anything, I think it’s more of a strength.” Whether students take Blonigan’s advice to seek help or critically consider Arross’s focus on staying connected to your "why," it is clear that incoming students to the Casper College nursing program will always get essential guidance when they come through the doors. Nursing school is challenging, but with a strong Chris Mossman-Larson/Chinook support system and a clear sense of purpose, The Casper College H.E. Stuckenhoff Dept. of Nursing was granted accredidation for its success is within reach. associate nursing degree program through the spring of 2027. Phi Theta Kappa Encourages Excellence Hailey Carr Chinook Writer The Phi Theta KappaZeta Alpha Chapter at Casper College encourages students to pursue membership and participate in events like Flock and Talk and the Fall Social. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is a national honor society for junior colleges, focused on four key hallmarks: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship. The Zeta Alpha Chapter at Casper College is led by advisors Jared Bowden and Chontelle Gray. The current Zeta Alpha chapter officers are Klacie Groene, president, Miranda Dickinson, vice president of service, Roman Gaddis, vice president of fellowship, Charisma Gallagher, vice president of scholarship, and Shani OsoriaAlcala, public relations officer. To become a PTK member, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and be enrolled in at least six credits during the semester they are initiated. The chapter holds an initiation ceremony each spring to welcome new members. Advisor Chontelle Gray, who is also a theatre instructor, encourages eligible students to join, "PTK really sets students up for success, with many opportunities available through it." Gray said. Once initiated, members meet monthly to plan events and activities for the year, while the officer team meets weekly to organize these plans. Zeta Alpha members contribute to campus life by volunteering, hosting campus clean-ups, and organizing events like "Flock and Talk." Flock and Talk is a forum where students discuss important topics, and the gathered feedback is presented to the college administration for potential improvements. The chapter also hosts social events like the annual Fall Social, which includes carnival games and "Minute to Win It" challenges and is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 2. PTK President Klacie Groene, is a sophomore from Torrington, Wyoming, studying Animal Science and Ag Business at Casper College. Groene plays an active role in leading meetings and planning chapter events. Groene believes that "Being in Phi Theta Kappa is a great way to get involved in the school and build leadership skills." Some membership benefits of PTK include helping students stand out in scholarship applications, college admissions, and job opportunities. PTK also provides a program that assists members in exploring future colleges and careers, offering tailored recommendations based on individual goals. Additionally, the organization provides scholarship opportunities. For Casper College students, PTK gives them a chance to excel academically, develop leadership skills and make meaningful contributions to their school. Through its values of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship, PTK helps members build a strong foundation for future success in both education and careers. With a supportive team of advisors and committed student leaders, the Zeta Alpha chapter offers numerous opportunities for personal growth, involvement, and access to valuable resources. For students seeking to enhance their college experience, PTK is a path toward achieving academic and professional goals. Hailey Carr/Chinook PTK member Hailey McKenzie (left) and Klacie Groene, club president (right) discuss plans for the honor program's activities that are scheduled for the fall. caspercollegechinook.com �October 1, 2024 Page 7 CHINOOK Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & web development The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu Forensics team begins season on the road Kylie Wheaton Chinook Writer The Casper College forensics club is preparing for the season ahead with plenty of new members of the team. The Forensics Club, also known as speech and debate, is preparing to start its season and continue its legacy of success. This year the team is composed of 11 students: Pearl Taylor, Nina Bivens, Davin Ro, Dani Schultz, Jack Cochran, Cass Baedke, Allie Gilliatt, Ivey Goff, Sophia Casner, Corey Kennah and Stephanie Mata. Student and club president, Danielle “Dani” Schultz, is excited about the team this year. Schultz hopes to help create a welcoming environment amongst the team, and hopes speech and debate will have the same effect on others as it did her. Schultz said that speech and debate “helped me use my own voice for good” and she hopes to assist others in finding their voice. Schultz is also excited to mentor the incoming freshman this year and take them under her wing. Casper College student and newly elected team captain, Davin Ro, hopes to encourage and promote team bonding and create a safe space for the team. “I am everyone’s cheerleader” says Ro, “it definitely helps that I am able to bring some sort of energy”. Ro hopes to make the mundane and routine aspects of practice a little more enjoyable as well as level out the usual season slumps, while encouraging and pushing everyone on the team to do their best. Both Schultz and Ro have become grateful for the friendships that have been formed through being part of the forensics team, a friendship that began back in high school. Casper College communications instructor and Director of Speech and Debate Ethan Fife is also amazed at the relationships being formed by students. In fact, the community aspect of forensics is what got Fife hooked from the beginning. “We can walk into a room and you know I’m going to see these people somewhere between 4 to 7 hours every day” says Fife, “and you know you have that friend support there”. Fife hopes to encourage and support this safe environment for the team members and is happy to see these students help each other out. The team is eager to build off of the successes of last season. At the final tournament last year, the team took home a total of 15 medals, of which three Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay were gold, two silver and 10 bronze. Both of those gold medals were taken home by Schultz, who hopes to have the same amount of success this year. The team began their season in late September with a competition in Twin Hall, ID at the College of Southern Idaho. In October the team will travel to Colorado College in Colorado Springs, and in November the team will compete in a virtual tournament. The forensics team is working hard and hopes to continue the successful legacy left before them, but every step they take will be together. Get feedback on a draft Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu caspercollegechinook.com Taking Online or Hybrid Courses? The Digital Learning Center supports your journey by helping you master essential digital tools. We ensure you have access to the resources you need for online and hybrid classes. HOW WE CAN HELP: • MyCCMoodle: Learn how to submit assignments, participate in forums, and more. Plus • Zoom Assistance: Access/navigate Zoom for remote classes and collaborations. lot m a ore! • Google Suite Support: Docs, Drive, Gmail — make the most of these tools. • Office 365 Access: Use MS Word, PowerPoint, and other essentials. • Online Tutoring Guidance: Navigate NetTutor and other resources for extra help when you need it. • Study and Work Spaces: Try out our newly furnished student room to study, relax, or use the computers and printer. • Tech and Snacks: Enjoy snacks like popcorn or ask about our VR and green screen! r You s our i cess ity! c u S r Prio Tyler Teresa Dave Katie 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. Mike �Page 8 CHINOOK caspercollegechinook.com October 1, 2024 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2024-10 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. 2024-10 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from October 2024. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2024-10 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/525d97a0c2e6d2c0e988bd52441a453a.pdf b4456c881e53c3cf3a2b1f91c7c81519 PDF Text Text November 1, 2024 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Collaborating for improved dining Maria Geis Chinook writer more unique meal for things such as Cinco De Mayo or a seafood boil. Many who eat in the dining hall have mixed feelings about the main meals served. Casper College student Nick Mirabal describes the meals as being hit or miss, which is a criticism echoed by many diners. The issue they say is quality. According to some CC students, the meat, usually chicken and pork, is overcooked or undercooked, and meals don’t always look appealing. Students suggest an improvement of quality. “I think it really comes down to quality checks.” Mirabal said, “Just spending more time making sure that the food is more consistent.” Overall, students hope to see improvements to the looks and quality of the food provided in the Dining Hall. Parsons' goal is to have all customers satisfied with the meals, but is also aware that he is not going to please everyone, explaining that there are multiple options for a reason. Also, when talking about nutrition standards, Parsons says that there isn’t a certain nutrition standard to meet because it is a voluntary program. He Jordan Travis, an employee with Sodexo, serves a Casper College student a plate of chicken, rice, and green beans for dinner in the Tobin Dining Hall on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. According to their signage, this dinner plate is part of Sodexo's "Mindful Meals" campaign. The Tobin Dining Hall is the main dining option at Casper College, provided through Sodexo Food Services. Students are offered options from the grill, pasta bar, and the chef’s table along with a salad and dessert bar. However students looking to eat or consume healthier options are occasionally left unsatisfied with their meal. Knowing the planning behind meals could help students better understand that not every meal will be the perfect option, and feedback for the dining hall can help Sodexo know what to improve on. Sodexo General Manager Daniel Parsons puts a lot of work into creating a plan for the dining hall meals. Basics of Sodexo’s budgeting starts at the macro level, looking at yearly, then monthly costs, and is then narrowed down to micro details of weekly and daily costs. Cost per plate has to be considered too. “We do have a plate cost that we try to stay in." Parsons said, "And here in Tobin, where it's all you care to eat, it can be tricky." There are some special days where the daily budget stretches a bit to provide a Hailey Carr Chinook writer Students at Casper College are questioning the Residence Hall’s protocols enforced for safety reasons. Casper College, like many other schools, prioritizes student safety by taking various precautions. The Residence Hall, in particular, implements specific protocols to ensure that students are secure, especially late at night. After 11 p.m., only the main entrances and the northwest door to the dorms remain open for students, while all other doors are locked and inaccessible. Although there are seven entrances in total, residents can only access them during daylight hours, while security personnel and RAs have 24/7 access. Several students raised complaints about this protocol, often questioning the necessity of such a rule. When interviewed about their thoughts on the matter, many expressed frustration, citing the policy's impact on their daily routines and social activities. Trae Tetrault, a student who regularly deals with the protocol, voiced his discontent, saying, "It's very inconvenient when coming in late on weekends." Many students share the feeling that the regulation adds an inconvenience to campus life. Residence Hall Coordinator Elizabeth CC Student Josh Klaassen scans into the Residence Hall from the wing entrance in the courtyard area on Friday, Oct. 25. Maria Geis/Chinook — See Dining Page 3 Residence Hall: security vs convenience Dobson, from Billings, Montana, provided insight for this safety protocol. She emphasized that a major factor is compliance with the Clery Act, which plays a significant role in shaping campus security measures. The Clery Act, officially known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, is a federal law requiring colleges and universities that receive federal financial aid to disclose campus crime statistics and safety policies. It was named after Jeanne Clery, a college student who was tragically murdered in her dorm room in 1986 due to her building's doors being propped open, allowing anyone in. The Act's purpose is to promote transparency about campus safety. In addition to the Clery Act, Dobson explained that funneling people through the main entrances at night helps security conduct rounds more effectively and monitor those coming in late. She mentioned that locking the side doors during late hours is essential to prevent unwanted guests from entering, especially if a door does not shut properly. Dobson acknowledged students' frustration with the policy, understanding that many find it inconvenient. However, she stands by the decision, citing safety as the priority. She expressed concern that keeping the wing doors open late could allow heavily intoxicated students to avoid being seen by security, which poses a safety risk. "I have to weigh student convenience, policy enforcement, and safety," Dobson stated. "And safety and policy weigh a lot more heavily for me." Resident Assistant Taylor Crook acknowledged, "I understand the frustration," but emphasized that the protocol is necessary. With multiple entry points around the Residence Hall, she believes it is safer for security to monitor just one entrance at night. Currently, there are no plans to change the protocol. However, Dobson encourages students to reach out with any questions or concerns. The staff at Casper College are committed to ensuring student safety, even if it occasionally leads to inconveniences. The debate surrounding the Residence Hall’s protocols at Casper College highlights the ongoing tension between student convenience and safety. While many students express frustration over the restrictions and their impact on daily life, campus officials emphasize that these measures are essential for maintaining a secure environment. Ultimately, the commitment to student welfare remains a top priority, even when it necessitates inconvenient regulations. Beyond the net: T-Birds Volleyball Saioa San Francisco Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Zach Nagy/Casper College Public Relations Set up by an assist from Pelin Alci (left,) Emily Ware jumps high for a hit attempt during the T-Birds' 3-2 victory over Laramie County Community College on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Hailey Carr/Chinook After finishing in 10th place at nationals last fall, the T-Birds Volleyball team fell short of reaching regionals during the 2024 fall season, however, players benefited from the team’s growth and defining moments this fall. Emiy Ware, a sophomore Casper College volleyball player from Grantsville , Utah, explains that this season has been one of gratitude and self-discovery. “I am feeling grateful.” she shared. “Grateful that I got to play a sport I absolutely love with some of my favorite people in the world. Although the season hasn’t been the best on the winning side of things, I’ve learned so much about myself and how I handle adversity. I’ve grown as an athlete and a person." Kyrsten Blake, a Casper College volleyball player from Vernal, Utah , echoed Ware's Feelings, noting that moments during the season’s highs and lows ultimately brought the team closer. “Playing with these girls one last time and knowing the bonds we’ve made will always be there, that’s what I’m grateful for.” Blake said. “We’ve gone through the lowest of lows and the highest of highs, but we did it all together, and I’m so grateful for them." Ware reflected on the most memorable events and noted that some of the best times came from bus rides and hotel stays with her teammates. "Long hours on the bus make for unforgettable moments," she remarked, smiling as she detailed how the players' shared court experiences formed a special relationship. Blake concurred, recalling the camaraderie they shared during practice exercises, latenight hotel discussions, and long road trips. These experiences reminded Blake of the value of connection and trust on and off the court. Trust and chemistry took time to develop, especially coming off the high of last season’s success and 10thplace finish at nationals. Ware admitted that the team’s start was rocky, but she was proud — See Volleyball Page 3 �Page 2 November 1, 2024 CHINOOK caspercollegechinook.com From the President's Desk Dear Students: I hope this finds you all doing well after midterms, and now it’s time to turn your attention to the rest of the semester and completing the Fall 2024 semester. I know how difficult this time can be from both the perspective of a student and as a faculty member. College can sometimes feel like a never-ending climb. You’ve attended lectures, read copious amounts of books and articles, completed assignments, and studied. Yet, it often feels like progress is slow. It’s easy to get frustrated when challenges pile up—whether it's balancing work and school, managing personal responsibilities, or facing setbacks in classes. However, the key to success is this: keep going. We’ve all been there—feeling overwhelmed or doubting whether the effort is worth it. Sometimes the biggest obstacle we have is ourselves and our negative self-talk about ability, intelligence, or whatever aspect of ourselves that we feel isn’t ‘good enough.’ It’s normal to hit roadblocks, but remember, frustration is part of the process, not the end. Every course, every test, and every paper is a step closer to your goal, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. Just because things are difficult now doesn’t mean you aren’t making progress. In fact, those tough moments are building the resilience you’ll need to succeed beyond college. When the road gets rough, try focusing on the bigger picture and your ‘why’ you decided to go to college. What brought you here Brandon Kosine, Interim President in the first place? What are you working toward? Maybe it’s the dream of earning your degree or pursuing a specific career. Maybe you are the first in your family to attend college and you want to be a role model for your family. If you haven’t written those ideas down yet, take a few moments to do so and keep them in a safe place. Revisit them at least weekly to help keep you focused. The finish line may feel distant today, but every step forward, no matter how small, gets you closer to it. Think about the person you want to become. How will it feel to look back and realize that you made it through the hard times? Imagine that moment of walking across the stage, diploma in hand, knowing you didn’t give up. Visualizing the end can help you refocus and push through the toughest days. In the end, the journey is about more than just academic achieve- ment. It’s about developing the determination to overcome obstacles and build confidence in your ability to succeed. The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel is like no other—it’s the reward of knowing that you persevered and kept going, even when it wasn’t easy. You will notice a difference in yourself, as will those around you. Your future employer will notice as well. So, when things feel hard, take a moment and remind yourself why you started this college journey. You are capable, you are strong, and your goals are within reach. Keep going—because every step forward matters, and in the end, you’ll be proud of how far you’ve come. All the best in the coming weeks, Brandon The first snowfall of the school year Submitted photo After a longer wait than usual, the first snow of the fall finally arrived on the evening of Monday, Oct. 28. It is typical for snow to introduce itself in late September or early October, but usually by way of a light dusting. This fall, the snow abruptly introduced itself with a scream as Casper received about six inches of snow. This amount of snow can be harmful to the area's trees because of the leaves that are still intact causing a heavier burden to carry - leading to broken branches. Whether you’re a homebody or a social butterfly, our classes offer something for everyone! Spice up your evenings with our “Salsa Date Night,” or embark on epic adventures with “Discover Dungeons and Dragons.” Choose your adventure and make unforgettable memories! Questions? Contact Community Education, comm_ed@caspercollege.edu, 307-268-3401. Casper College provides equal opportunity in education and employment — caspercollege.edu/nondiscrimination. �November 1, 2024 Page 3 CHINOOK Dining..................................................... explains, “That’s where our signage program comes in. Where students are growing and learning to take care of themselves, we provide the tools for them to make good choices.” Each meal option other than the salad bar has Aside from the salad bar, each meal option has a display with nutritional facts like gluten, milk, peanuts, ect, or shows if it is a vegetarian, vegan, or mindful option. Signage plays an important role in helping people eating at the dining hall know the options being offered. It also guides those with allergies on what to avoid and is acceptable for their personal needs. Both physical and digital signs are posted in the dining hall and online. Sodexo uses the Everyday app and the Casper College website provides the dining hall menu along with nutrition facts and calculators. Meals are planned out in a five week cycle, so mune the menu options ahead of time to help make a better judgment of the main meal is a good option for students. Parsons hopes to get a voluntary message program going so that customers can be notified about special days or spontaneous changes to the menu, which some students think is a good idea. Sodexo has preference and satisfaction surveys twice a year to gain information that will help determine what they are going to do in the future. Those who eat at the dining hall should participate in the surveys to help give Sodexo better insight on what to improve. It also helps planners know what is working well and what to continued from page 1 continue doing. “You know, there's a lot of thought that goes into things that I hope everybody sees, but I can't always get the message to everyone.” Parsons said. There is a lot to keep in mind when it comes to making meals for a college campus. Together, providing opinions and insight as a consumer, and planners analyzing and using the feedback will help make eating at Tobin Dining a better experience overall. Volleyball............................................... of how they came together. “We had a little bit of a slow start, but we grew together as teammates and as sisters,” she said. Blake echoed the struggles of adjusting to a new season with fresh dynamics, noting, “We went from a high winning record last year to struggling to trust each other on the court. But we’ve grown so much and learned how important it is to support one another.” Throughout the season, several games stood out as turning points for the team. For Ware, a memorable match against Northwest College marked a significant “team win.” “There was just a feeling about it that I can’t explain; it was such a great turning point for us,” she shared, emphasizing how the unity they achieved in that game energized the team. For Blake, one defining moment came during the team’s “Flight for a Cure” match against Laramie County Community College (LCCC). She described how the game started with LCCC taking the first two sets, but then something shifted. “We played better than I think we ever have and finally played like a team. Seeing us come together and hold our heads high after that game was amazing.” The Thunderbirds went on to win the match in five sets. Despite the ups and downs, both players look back with no regrets. Ware acknowledged, “I hate losing, but I’ve learned so much about myself as a player and a person that I wouldn’t change a thing. I believe everything happens for a reason." Blake agreed, emphasizing that while winning would have been great, the losses taught them lessons they would have missed otherwise. She sees the season as one of growth, both in skill and character. Looking to the future, Ware and Blake hope that next year’s team will prioritize unity, hard work, and selflessness. Ware encouraged future players to stay focused on shared goals. “It takes everyone having the same goal and work ethic to reach your team’s peak,” she said, stressing that dedication and trust are essential for success. Blake agreed, urging the importance of putting the team above individual ambitions. “A volleyball team will get nowhere if people are more focused on themselves than continued from page 1 the team,” she noted, “emphasizing the impact of teamwork and unity on performance.” As they conclude this season, Ware and Blake leave a legacy of perseverance and the hard-fought lesson that sports are about much more than just winning. While the 2024 season was difficult, it is apparent that they have built the groundwork for future Casper College teams to build upon a foundation of mutual respect, hard work, and unbreakable connections of team spirit. caspercollegechinook.com CC Jazz Band welcomes all musicians to a vibrant community Aliesia Berryman Chinook Writer The Casper College (CC) Jazz Band is not your typical college ensemble. Directed by Dr. Josh Mietz, who holds an extensive background in music performance and education, the band offers an inclusive space for musicians with a wide range of abilities from seasoned professionals and novices. Mietz’s credentials include a Bachelor’s in Music from the University of Colorado Boulder, a Master’s in Music from the University of Montana, and a Doctor’s of Musical Arts from the University of Nebraska, bringing a wealth of experience to CC. Before joining CC, he taught at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico, along with teaching at a public school in a small town in Colorado. These experiences shaped his approach to leading ensembles and fostering a sense of community among musicians. "I had a lot of the qualifications they were seeking for this position— clarinet instruction with secondary duties like organizing the jazz fest," Mietz said, "It was an easy fit. I had quite a bit of experience doing the bulk of what was needed." The CC Jazz Band stands out for its open-door policy. While many college jazz ensembles are restricted to music majors or professionals, CC's ensemble welcomes everyone. "We've had a retired dentist, a professional woodworker, high school students, college students, and even retirees play with us," said Mietz. "It's open for everybody. As long as you're interested in playing jazz, we want to give you a venue." This practice of inclusivity extends beyond the jazz ensemble to other musical groups at CC, such as the concert band and the collegiate choir. The goal is to create an environment where community members can engage with music, regardless of their background. "It's part of our role here at the college to foster that interaction with the community," Mietz said, "A lot of schools don’t operate like this. We’re committed to making it a welcoming place for everyone who wants to play." Dr. Mietz’s passion for music is not only evident in his teaching but also in his personal life. Whether he's planning rehearsals or coming up with new ideas during his morning runs, music influences his daily routine. "It's something that's just part of my person," he said. "I’m always working to improve myself and the group, and I spend time ahead of each rehearsal planning what we need to work on." Teacher and student Toby Clouser, plays saxophone for the Jazz ensemble and works as the band instructor at Dean Morgan Junior High. Clouser is one of many community members who wanted to improve their performance and jazz skills. “My goal was to work harder as a jazz musician and to be able to provide better instruction to my jazz students.” He said. Alesia Berryman/Chinook Dr. Meitz conducting the jazz ensemble through their weekly Monday night rehearsal. Clouser says he has the privilege of playing alongside many of his former students. “It’s really fun to be able to make music with them in a different way.” He said. Clouser says he is meeting his goals thanks to the ensemble, “My comfort level has gotten monumentally better. I’m better at tackling difficult styles and rhythm. Being in the ensemble has allowed me to stretch more as a player and figure out what works and what doesn’t.” One year, Mietz had given Clouser a particularly difficult solo and encouraged him to learn it. Then, he had informed Clouser that they would be performing the piece at the Kinser Jazz Festival. “We are friends, but he is always a teacher. He always pushes me musically and in terms of performance.” Clouser said. “It wasn’t perfect, but from where I had started I had made remarkable and significant growth and I’m really proud of that.” When asked what advice he would give to anyone thinking about joining Clouser said, “Absolutely and unequivocally do it. Even if you’re not sure if you’ll like it, it's a good opportunity to give it a try.” Mietz organizes the Kinser Jazz Festival every year in February. This year, the featured musician will be Steven Feifke, and CC’s jazz ensemble’s next performance will be a selection of pieces Feifke has composed. Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & web development The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �Page 4 November 1, 2024 CHINOOK Women's Soccer falls short in title chase Timothy Hubert Chinook Writer The Casper College women's soccer team finished its season after a playoff loss to Laramie County Community College at Murane Field on Saturday, Oct. 26. The lady T-Birds concluded their regular season flying high on a seven game win streak and won eight of their last nine. They finished the regular season with a record of 10-2-3 and a conference-best record of 8-0-1 entering their playoff opener at home against Laramie County Community College. The stakes were high for this team going into the playoffs, specifically for sophomores Macy Sickler, the school’s all-time scoring leader, and Emmy Finlinson, Sophomore Goalie and team leader. Both felt as if the team had unfinished business after losing to Otero Community College in last year’s regional tournament. Finlinson felt that, being a sophomore, last year prepared her and the other sophomores for this season. “We wanted it last year, and we were cut short in our season,” she said. Another reason this team was striving for success in the playoffs was so the sophomores have better chances to be seen by scouts at a national level. Winning the Region IX Tournament guarantees a national tournament berth. In preparations for their playoff matchup against LCCC, Emmy discussed how scoring first and early would have a big impact on the outcome of the game. Casper jumped out of the gate and did exactly that with a goal in the third minute of the game by Freshman Taylor Miller, assisted by Sophomore Michelle Cave. However, this fast start would be all for naught as LCCC would respond with a game tying goal just eight minutes later. The game would then be followed by 75 minutes of defensive battles, as both teams were held scoreless over that time. The crushing blow came in the 86th minute when LCCC took the lead 2-1. This would end up being the final score, ending the lady T-Birds season early yet again. Photo courtesy of Zach Nagy/Casper College Public Relations Sophomore Goalkeeper Emmy Finlinson guides her teammates for a pass during the Thunderbirds' 0-0 tie against Utah State Eastern at Murane Field on Aug. 23. Although this is not the ending to the season players, coaches, and fans were expecting and hoping for, many positive accomplishments were achieved and relationships were made. Sickler knows the teammates she has played with will be “friends for life”. These bonds will not only be recognized on the soccer field but in all facets of life. One statistical achievement the lady T-Birds accomplished was helping Head Coach, Ammon Bennett, get his 400th career win. Coach Bennett has been very successful in his time with Casper, leading them to a combined record of 43-17-12. The team helped him reach this historic milestone in a game this fall. Macy Sickler, the team’s leading scorer this season, also became the Casper College Women's Soccer all-time leading scorer this season. Her offensive ability and shot creating skills led to a lot of personal and team success. She leads this program with 15 goals scored over the last two seasons. The season also had its share of record setting. In its first weekend of regional play, Casper hosted the struggling Trinidad State College. Casper came out firing, scoring twice in the first 7 minutes, one by Casper’s Macy Sicker. That would only be the beginning of the scoring. They went on a scoring rampage leading to a final score of 14-0. This game was described by players and coaches as expected, yet a large confidence boost for many of the players as well as momentum leading into the remainder of regional play. Casper will say goodbye to their sophomores this year, and remember all the memories and accomplishments they made along the way, while they look forward to next season. They hope to build on their success this season, and take it to the next level in doing so. They will have a large returning class with 15 potential returning sophomores. Overall, this marks the end of an era in the history of Casper College women's soccer, and the beginning of a new one. Photo courtesy of Zach Nagy/Casper College Public Relations Sophomore Macy Sickler receives a pass and prepares to move the ball during an early-season T-Birds match. Sickler became the program's all-time leading scoerer this fall. A little bit of a Black Box idea Lairen Brush Chinook Writer Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” immediately starts with an ominous song of the upcoming events, before thrusting the audience into the mind of the young grandson of the original Dr. Frankenstein from Mary Shelley’s novel. The musical was held at Casper College Oct. 11 and 12th, and had follow up performances on Oct. 17-20, but the presentation did not start there. Entering into the Black Box of Krampert Theatre Complex, the first noticeable characteristic in the room are the lights. Colors splash on the ground and the musicians on the catwalk above tune into the correct tones. On all sides is seating with foldable chairs and a quiet chatter from the few there as audience for rehearsal on October 9th. Notes on a piano signal the opening to the musical as the brighter lights dim and soften as the opening scene set up starts. “We had around 30 or so people come to audition,” Joel Shura, the theater instructor at Casper College said, “And because we moved to the Black Box, a smaller space, it created a small intimate cast of ten ensembles and six named characters.” “As far as the rehearsal process went it was fairly boring, because of how easy it was,” Roman Gaddis, the actor that played Dr. Frederick Frakenstein said, “Not boring in a bad way.” The production did not start there, however. “Originally, the show was possibly slated to “ be in our main stage theater and one of the first things that I suggested to the team was what would happen if we were to take a musical and try and put it into the black box space,” Shura said. The goal was to create a personal and intimate experience. “To create a more exciting sort of feel for the audience,” Shura said. The actors had an experience to get over too. “It was definitely a new feeling. This is the first time I've done theater in the round, let alone it being a musical. It was a really cool experience too. It's a lot more personal with the audience,” Gaddis said. Lairen Brush/Chinook There were struggles with the play itself Dr. Frankenstein, played by Roman Gaddis (right) stares in dismay toward a distressed violintoo. ist during the rehearsal of "Young Frankenstein" which was sold out on multiple nights during “I was not confident in my ability to memo- its show dates of Oct. 11-12 and 17-20 at the Krampert Theatre. rize all of it that fast and be able to have all the dances down,” Gaddis said. “Especially the tap dancing.” There were challenges with the music too. “Usually an orchestra will be more together in terms of grouping. And so they were in more of an L shaped formation, I know they had to change the way in which they operate,” Shura said. Both of these challenges were overcome to enhance the performance of the musical. And create a more immersive atmosphere. “This was a great opportunity for us to play, have fun, and create something that we're proud of in product, but also had a positive process as well,” Shura said We had around 30 or so people come to audition, and because we moved to the Black Box, a smaller space, it created a small intimate cast of ten ensembles and six named characters. — Joel Shura, Theatre Instructor Lairen Brush/Chinook Dr. Frankenstein, played by Roman Gaddis, appears to wake up his creature, which was played by Denton Decoteau during the rehearsal of "Young Frankenstein." �November 1, 2024 Who want s that smoke? Chris Mossman-Larson Chinook Writer Amid a surge in vaping on college campuses, students are grappling with the health risks and social influences tied to a habit that has become as common as it is concerning. When faced with the question of why vaping is something worth starting, an anonymous source said, “It all started because of my friends. I was introduced while at work but as the stress of work and school hit me, I kept wanting it more and more.” Casper College’s instructor of addiction studies Kristi Hann understands why vaping can be a vice for many students. “I think it’s (nicotine usage) particularly big in college students because of the amount of studying and work they have to do.” She continued saying that nicotine is a psychoactive substance, meaning that it changes the way your brain works and can cause changes in mood, awareness, thoughts and behavior. When used in a stressful situation, nicotine can become very addicting very quickly. “Continued usage of any nicotine product Page 5 CHINOOK can lead to a lifetime usage.” Hann stated. When talking about advice to give to students who want to slow or stop their nicotine usage, Hann gave some helpful advice. She first said, “Don't ever start.” As quitting is a lot harder when you have already been using it for a period of time. For the students who have already started, “ The need for vaping stems from hand to mouth movement,” Hann explains, “My advice is to try and replace your device with gum or hard candy when you feel the need for it.” As vaping continues to grip college campuses, students face the difficult task of balancing social pressures, stress relief, and health risks. With insight from both students and experts, it’s clear that understanding the reasons behind nicotine use and seeking healthy alternatives are essential steps toward combating this growing trend. While breaking the habit can be challenging, Hann’s advice offers a starting point for students committed to taking control of their health. Submitted photo Over the past decade, newer forms of nicotine options arrived in a variety of options. Options can look like nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, vapes, among other options. Providing "Life" for students in college Kylie Wheaton Chinook Writer Student Life offers a variety of activities and events that provide students with the opportunity to connect with others and build community on campus. Every Thursday, students have the opportunity to branch out with a variety of different activities. From pool tournaments and BINGO nights, to pumpkin painting and swing dancing, Student Life is adding to what one could consider your typical “college experience.” For those looking for something more active, Student Life offers intramural volleyball, basketball and new this year: Pickleball. More than offering entertainment, however, Student Life aims to create a space that fosters community on campus. Brock McElwee is a nontraditional student at Casper College who has “never missed an event.”McElwee says that he has met a lot of people through Student Life and encourages other students to also join in the fun. “Get involved in clubs and try to meet new people in order to have that full-on college experience because if you don’t, and you remain shy,” McElwee said, “then you’re going to be basically expelling yourself from having a good time." McElwee wants to encourage all students to branch out and attend Student Life events and meet new people. Student Life does more than just impact the students who attend the events, but also those who put on the events. Activities and Intramurals Assistant Victoria Boulom says that she enjoys working for Student Life and participating in the events they put on. “It’s always fun doing activities and being involved in them.” Boulom said, “Even though it’s work, I still find it as kind of stress relieving”. While Boulom enjoys working for Student Life, she is also involved in a variety of other clubs and activities. Those who actively participate in Student Life events have wondered why there aren’t more activities. What many don’t realize is a group of six students put on these events: Victoria Boulom, Lucy Jane Crimm, Bryce Goodwin, Shania Scheel, Lyric Wall and Kylie Wheaton. The Student Life team is responsible for setting up, hosting and cleaning up the events. In the height of the semester that can be three nights of volleyball and one nest event per week. All six of these students are full-time and have other responsibilities other than putting on events. Two of the team members have at least one job off campus, three have an additional on campus job and five are involved with clubs on campus with three of those five holding at least one officer position in their clubs. In addition to having a busy staff, Student Life is also restricted financially. Since Casper College is only a junior college, they do not receive the same amount of funding that a university would. Events and intramurals for the spring 2025 semester are set to be scheduled by midNovember. Students can find a list of these events by visiting the "Student Activities" page on the Casper College website. The Casper College Student Life Instagram account is another spot to learn about upcoming events. Kylie Wheaton/Chinook From left to right: Ruby Martin, Emma Winn and Natalie Curren paint fall-themed canvases during Student Life's "Pumpkin Painting" event on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in the T-Bird Nest. caspercollegechinook.com �Page 6 November 1, 2024 CHINOOK Casper College sunsetting Wheeler Terrace apartments Ashley Hunter Chinook Writer Significant changes to housing are coming for Casper College students. On October 1, all students living on campus received an email stating the Wheeler Terrace apartments are going offline for the 2025-2026 school year. Dean of Students Corey Peacock stated in the email that the Wheeler Terrace apartments would be taken offline for the 2025-2026 school year so the college can evaluate the future of apartment-style options that meet the needs of the students. Facilities Director Mitch Masters explained the decision was made to “give the students enough time to find other housing.” He explained that issues with Wheeler Terrace were significant enough that a planning and architect company was brought in to inspect the premises. The company’s report said that the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) of the apartments all had major issues. Major changes would be needed to bring the apartments back to their former glory. The issue is whether Casper College will make that decision. They are looking to hire a company that specializes in student housing to do a comprehensive housing study to find recommendations for apartment style housing on campus. Through this study, the college will have a better idea of whether they should or shouldn’t renovate the building and redo the MEP system. Peacock stated that, “We need more apartment style housing on campus for the students.” Many students already know how quickly Wheeler Terrace fills during the housing renewal and registration process, so that is how the college knows that there is a high demand for apartment style housing. When the study is conducted, both Casper College and the city itself will be looked at. They will look at the rental market, and try to answer some questions with good data to bring back to the college. They will make sure these apartments are meeting the needs of all students, and looking to make changes to the apartments. This can be difficult when students are living in them. Peacock explained that all of the rooms in the Residence Hall are designed to be double occupancy, and CC is considering the idea of adding a few triple rooms. “In my experience at previous schools I think it's helpful for students to have multiple different price points for living on campus.” Peacock said. A triple occupancy room would be a less expensive way for students to live on campus and still experience campus life. Peacock stated the plan would be to use a few of the eight ADA rooms that are on the 2nd and 3rd floor. These larger rooms would help accommodate the third person. This will allow students to have a less expensive room, but also be able to live with two of their friends. “We are currently in the planning stage to figure out what they can do.” Masters said while also acknowledging money is a big driver in this process. CC will bring in professionals to figure out what makes sense for the students and the college itself and how they will move forward. However, until CC has the data, it is hard to say what the plan is for the Wheeler Terrace Apartments. Students living in the apartments say that they have noticed that there are issues with the plumbing in the bathrooms and they have noticed that the rooms themselves need some updating. “The apartments need a little bit of updating” Student Klacie Groene said, “often maintenance hours don't align with students schedules, so it can be challenging to have repairs done to their apartments.” Regarding the apartments, it's all- around a good complex. according to Groene, “It is a good place to live on campus when you want some independence, but still lets you be on campus and close to your classes.” she said. Ashley Hunter/Chinook Wheeler Terrace has 18 apartments, which provides up to 36 students an option for on-campus housing. WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Get feedback on a draft Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu “ “We are currently in the planning stage to figure out what they can do.” — Mitch Masters, Facilities Director on the future of the Wheeler Terrace apartments Taking Online or Hybrid Courses? The Digital Learning Center supports your journey by helping you master essential digital tools. We ensure you have access to the resources you need for online and hybrid classes. HOW WE CAN HELP: • MyCCMoodle: Learn how to submit assignments, participate in forums, and more. Plus • Zoom Assistance: Access/navigate Zoom for remote classes and collaborations. lot m a ore! • Google Suite Support: Docs, Drive, Gmail — make the most of these tools. • Office 365 Access: Use MS Word, PowerPoint, and other essentials. • Online Tutoring Guidance: Navigate NetTutor and other resources for extra help when you need it. • Study and Work Spaces: Try out our newly furnished student room to study, relax, or use the computers and printer. • Tech and Snacks: Enjoy snacks like popcorn or ask about our VR and green screen! r You s our i cess ity! c u S r Prio Tyler Teresa Dave Katie 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. Mike �November 1, 2024 CHINOOK caspercollegechinook.com Page 7 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2024-11 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. 2024-11 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from November 2024. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2024-11 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/f204d8dfebe2f0e6b6c937de9e6a6a13.pdf da024cb7fa75a1f6675aaa6d14631efb PDF Text Text December 1, 2024 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 The College Tour arrives to campus Aliesia Berryman Chinook writer Photo courtesy of Courtney Carr, Production Coordinator for The College Tour Jordan Napier (left) is filmed by The College Tour's film crew in the Wheeler Concert Hall at Casper College throughout the week of Nov. 11-15. Casper College will be featured as the final episode for season 14 of the Amazon Prime series, The College Tour. CC is the first Wyoming school to be featured in the series. Alex Boylan, host and producer of the series, first came up with The College Tour because incoming college students rarely get to go to every college they are interested in. For lots of kids, their parents can only afford to take them on one college visit, and even then that trip is not guaranteed for those students. “We wanted to create something that any high schooler, adult learner, parent, anyone can sit back from the comfort of their home.” Boylan said. “whether it's on TV, on their mobile device, and tour the country.” Boylen said that while every school does a great job in telling its story in The College Tour, every school is presented in the same format. “It’s like apples to apples.” Boylen said. The College Tour reached Casper College in the Fall semester of 2023, and filmed nine students on campus from Nov. 11 - 15. Christopher Lorenzen, head of public relations for CC, was there every step of the way along with other members of his team. “The students did a tremendous amount of work from writing scripts to doing practice videos,” Lorenzen said.. The production team for The College Tour put together a program to help schools with pre-production - which CC was able to complete in half the time in order to secure its spot in this season of the show. The team also led students and faculty through the filming process. “It made things a hundred times easier for us, but it also brought that experience and insight into developing an episode of this magnitude with them.” Lorenzen said. The goal for the PR team at CC was to showcase the college’s strengths like: handson learning, innovation, career readiness, academic resources, and online learning. Having watched students filming their segments, Lorenzen was able to confirm that these attributes were what students enjoyed most about CC. “To hear them say that it's very welcoming and accepting, — See College Tour Page 3 From serving on senate to judging livestock Ashley Hunter Chinook writer Wearing lots of hats, Emily Taylor is actively involved on the Casper College campus where she participates on the Livestock Judging team, serves as a representative for Student Senate, and manages a full course load. Emily Taylor grew up on a small dairy farm in Crockett, VA. Emily majors in Animal Science in hopes of entering embryology. Emily has eight younger siblings that are also involved on the farm as well. Emily is also on the CC Livestock Judging team where she competes in multiple states throughout the year.. Taylor said livestock judging has helped her with her confidence and made her more of an outspoken person. Emily started judging when she was nine years old. She also showed lambs at her local county fair growing up. Emily stated “Meeting people and getting to travel are the best things about judging.” Emily’s next step is to go to a 4 year university to get her bachelor's degree in Animal Science. She had a big role model growing up and that was her 4-H and livestock judging coach. Emily also enjoys cross- stitching and baking. When Emily was a senior in high school she placed 10th at the National FFA convention. This is also where she came across Casper College’s booth. Right there in Louisville she decided that Casper College would be a good fit for her. One of Emily’s Agricultural Instructors, Anne Wood, says that “Emily always has a positive outlook and a smile on her face”. Wood gathered that she is looking to help other people and raising them up while still being able to accomplish her own goals. Emily is very involved on campus, she is the President of the Livestock Judging club, and the Treasurer of the Ag club. She is also involved in the student senate, where they have meetings every Wednesday. They discuss issues on campus and try to stay involved with students and activities. Taylor stated the reason she was on the student senate was “to be a good representative for the ag department and for the judging team”. Emily is a very driven individual and she will be a great advocate for the agriculture industry. Emily says “work hard, and stay focused on your goals, and you will be successful.” Submitted photo Emily Taylor records a score during a livestock judging contest during the 2024 fall semester. Closing the Chapter Gunnare set to retire Saioa San Francisco Chinook Writer Saioa San Francisco Arilla/Chinook Head Women's Basketball Coach Dwight Gunnare shares a laugh with his players on the team's travel bus during the team's early season non-conference road trip in November, 2024. After more than 40 years of coaching, Dwight Gunnare, head coach of the Casper College women’s basketball team, has decided to retire at the conclusion of the 20242025 season. His career has been filled with victories, championship runs, and unforgettable experiences that shaped both himself and the players he coached. As Gunnare moves on to the next chapter, he shared his thoughts on the decision to step away and the journey that brought him here. Reflecting on retirement, Gunnare expressed mixed emotions. “It’s going to be a big adjustment,” he explained. “I know I’m going to miss so much about coaching— working with young adults, being around incredible people—but I’m ready for a change. I’m 65, and I want a more flexible schedule to spend time with my wife, who’s retiring too." While eager for the new opportunities retirement offers, Gunnare admitted, “It’s going to be a new adventure, and honestly, I’m a little nervous about it.” Gunnare’s coaching career has spanned various levels, from high school basketball in Colstrip, Montana, to college basketball in Wyoming. Among all the memories, he said one moment stands out the most. “Last year’s national tournament with Casper College was unforgettable. The gym was packed, and the energy was unreal. I remember standing there wondering how my team felt playing in front of that kind of crowd. It’s something I’ll never forget.” While coaching brought him many personal and professional rewards, Gunnare shared how it also shaped him as a person. “In my younger years, I wasn’t super organized or disciplined, but coaching changed that. It taught me how to be accountable and structured, which is a big reason I’ve stayed in it for so long.” He acknowledged, however, that the demands of the profession were challenging, especially when balancing family — See Gunnare Page 3 �Page 2 December 1, 2024 CHINOOK caspercollegechinook.com From the President's Desk Dear students, Every year at this time, I reflect on the path that brought me to where I am now. Like many of you, I am a first-generation college student. My parents, though deeply supportive, did not have the opportunity to pursue higher education. They taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and the belief that education could open doors to a better future. What they couldn’t provide, however, was a roadmap for navigating the complexities of college life. Being the first in my family to attend college came with challenges. I remember sitting in my first college class feeling overwhelmed, insecure, and unsure if I belonged. I wrestled with selfdoubt, questioned my choices, and often felt the weight of my entire family watching to see if I would succeed. There were moments when balancing everything seemed like more than I could handle. Yet, I ‘kept going’ (reference from last month’s article) and discovered the qualities required to be a successful first-generation student—resilience, determination, resourcefulness, and continued focus on the end goal– graduation. One characteristic many firstgeneration students share is a deep sense of purpose. We don’t take the opportunity to attend college for granted. For many of us, the goal is not only a personal achievement, but also creating a legacy that extends beyond ourselves. We aspire to break cycles, uplift our families, and to inspire others in our communities. Another defining trait is adaptability. As first-generation students, we learn to navigate unfamiliar systems, ask questions, and seek out Brandon Kosine, Interim President resources. We figure out financial aid forms, academic schedules, and campus services often without a guide. These experiences cultivate a unique kind of problem-solving ability that serves us well in college and beyond. Reflecting on my own journey, I realize how important it was to embrace a growth mindset (even though that term wasn’t in mainstream psychology yet.) I didn’t have all the answers, but I was willing to learn and grow. I sought mentors who believed in me, leaned on my friends for support, and worked hard to not let small setbacks (like a bad grade) get the best of me. My path wasn’t perfect, but each step forward brought me closer to my goals. To all of you who are firstgeneration students, I want you to know this: you are not alone. The challenges you face are real, and so is your capacity to overcome them. Every late-night study session, every tough decision, and every moment of perseverance is building a future you can be proud of. While you may not see it yet, all of this will be worth it one day and you will fondly look back on this time, as I am now. Whether you are nearing the end of your degree or just beginning, remember why you started this journey. The end of the Fall 2024 semester is near, so do your best to finish strong. The ability to gather your strength, focus your thoughts and intentions, and then finish is a skill that will benefit you over and over again in life. As I look out at our community of learners, I see future leaders, innovators, and change-makers. You are paving the way for others and creating a brighter future not just for yourself but for generations to come. I wish you all the best in these last couple weeks of the semester. Brandon Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & web development The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu Whether you’re a homebody or a social butterfly, our classes offer something for everyone! Spice up your evenings with our “Salsa Date Night,” or embark on epic adventures with “Discover Dungeons and Dragons.” Choose your adventure and make unforgettable memories! Questions? Contact Community Education, comm_ed@caspercollege.edu, 307-268-3401. Casper College provides equal opportunity in education and employment — caspercollege.edu/nondiscrimination. �December 1, 2024 Page 3 CHINOOK College Tour ........................................ to hear them say that they love being able to get to know their instructors and get their attention, to get all those things that are important at the student level. They're saying that in these interviews. And that validates what we're trying really hard to do here,” he said. The College Tour started in 2020 and Boylan sees how the schools have benefited from being featured in the series. “Enrollments go up, retention goes up, fundraising goes up. I believe it's a 3% increase on average of a retention rate at a college. Which is such an important thing because it just means we're helping students find the right fit.” He said. Lucy Jane Crimm is one of the students featured in CC’s episode. She was given an outline for writing a script and wrote 200-300 words. She also had to memorize it and then say it in front of the camera. “It was a lot more work than I thought. It was very professional, they have a whole process that they use for every school.” Crimm said. The crew worked all day every day during the whole week. Crimm said they had two hour time slots for each subject being filmed. There is also a benefit for the students featured in the episodes as they get a unique addition to their resumes and special access to a LinkedIn page started by The College Tour. “There's a great community there and it's so fun because one student might be moving from Casper to Salt Lake City, UT and find someone there on that page,” Boylan said. Having spent these last four years in the higher education sphere, Boylan wants to give advice to college students everywhere. “Find the people you aspire to be and ask them for some time. Say ‘I’m a college student, can I get ten minutes of your time? I have two questions about your career’. You have a lot of power as a college student. Use that power to open doors, to build relationships now. Those doors start shutting as soon as you graduate.” he says. Post filming, the episode featuring Casper College takes six months to produce. You can find out more about The College Tour and watch previous episodes on their website, www. thecollegetour.com. Along with Crimm, the following students were filmed for The College Tour: Dawsen Pater, Kaitlyn Flower, Keely Shay Ottersbach, Valerie Liska, Jordan Napier, Wyatt Eadus, and Alex Head. Gunnare................................................. life. “Coaching is hard on families. It takes a lot of time, and you have to have a partner who understands that,” he explained. Despite the challenges, Gunnare emphasized the importance of prioritizing family when possible. As for the future, Gunnare remains uncertain about what’s next. “I know coaching is still in my blood,” he stated, “but I also know whoever takes over at Casper College deserves to make it their program without me hanging around in the background.” While he is open to new opportunities, he plans to enjoy retirement and see where it takes him. Looking back on his career, Gunnare hopes his legacy goes beyond basketball. “I hope people remember me as someone who brought in great student-athletes—kids who represented the college well, succeeded academically, and went on to do great things in life.” Gunnare shared a piece of advice he’s carried throughout his career to younger coaches entering the profession: "Never make it about yourself. Be a teacher, explain why you’re doing things, and always check your intentions. If they’re not in the right place, it’ll show.” For Gunnare, the relationships he’s built and the growth he’s witnessed in his players have been the most meaningful parts of his coaching career. “Seeing the light bulb go off for a player or watching a team accomplish something they continued from page 1 continued from page 1 didn’t think they could—it’s the best feeling in the world.” Though Gunnare is stepping away from coaching, his contributions to Casper College and the basketball community will continue to resonate. His legacy is one of dedication, growth, and a commitment to helping young people succeed on and off the court. caspercollegechinook.com Land of Enchantment native brings delight to Casper College school of science Maria Geis Chinook Writer It wasn’t always in Dr. Frank Hodnett’s plan to move to Wyoming, but teaching at Casper College was an opportunity waiting to be taken. With a PhD in curriculum and instruction, Hodnett has been teaching kids and young adults since 1988 starting with 4-H as an extension agent in Roosevelt County. His focus as a leader was around traditional agriculture programs as well as shooting sports. In 2004, Hodnett was appointed 4-H department head where he stayed until 2012. Transitioning to the academic side he became a professor at New Mexico State University (NMSU) and was the department head for AXED, their agricultural education program. Ten years later, Hodnett decided he was ready to retire from NMSU, however he still wanted to work with young people. “I was always told that you would know when you needed to retire, and so I knew that I needed to retire. I knew I was done at New Mexico State, but I wasn’t done working with young people,” Hodnett said. A former colleague of his from New Mexico State, Jerry Hawkes, had moved to Casper and was the Casper College dean for the School of Science. Hodnett texted Hawkes saying that if he ever had a job for someone like him, to let him know. Soon enough Hawkes reached out to him about a position. Hodnett’s wife found a job opening at the Tate Geological Museum online so they both applied for the jobs. After a trip to Casper for interviews he and his wife were both offered the jobs and with a quick turnaround they made the move to Wyoming. “I was retired for a whole month before I started here at Casper College,” Hodnett remarked. Now at Casper College, Dr. Hodnett, commonly referred to as Doc, teaches a variety of classes in the agricultural department. From ag issues to animal production, Hodnett teaches as well as manages others such as the AI (artificial insemination) and hoof trimming classes. Doc is full of jokes and wise advice and brings cheer to the environment around him. Madi Keir, a student in the ag department says, “Doc’s a very outgoing, funny person and is very kind and always there when you need help with anything or want to learn something.” Many other students enjoy having Doc as an instructor as well because of his personality and helpfulness. One of the classes Photo courtesy of Casper College's Agriculture dept. that he implemented at Dr. Frank Hodnett is the coach of Casper College’s Fitting and Showing Team. The team recently competed at the Cheyenne CC is the freshman expeLivestock Expedition showing breeding heifers and partaking in fitting competitions, winning first place in the Collegiate rience class that helps Fitting Contest. students get acquainted with school. gone over some things about Casper College.” story he heard when he was younger It was a class he had taught at NMSU College. School of science students Now Hodnett is the new academic had a saying that’s stuck with him and it’s a great way for freshmen to can participate in the ceremony and chair for the department. Something and that is “If you love what you do, learn about the campus, learn how to receive a paint brand ,on a CC t-shirt he and the rest of the department you’ll never work a day in your life.” apply for jobs and scholarships, and they’re given, on the right shoulder. have started that will be new is That is something he’s lived by his give them a low pressure class where The purpose of it is to show that an associate of applied science in whole career. they have fun learning. students have been taught about general agriculture. Hodnett has “I love ag and I want to learn more A tradition that Hawkes and the college, and to give a sense of more plans that he is working on to and I’m always learning everyday. I Hodnett brought to CC from New belonging and family. Explaining be implemented in the future. really like working with kids so I get Mexico is the branding ceremony. the branding ceremony Hodnett says, Working with youth and teaching to do two of the things I really enjoy The ceremony takes place during “You know, what we try to do with has never been a job for Hodnett. To most, and I get to keep doing it. I’m the beginning of the year, but after that is make them feel like they are a him it feels like it is what he was around some of the coolest people in the Freshman Experience class has part of our department here at Casper called to do or supposed to be. A the world,” said Hodnett Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & web development The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu �Page 4 CHINOOK Catchin' up with Connery Photo courtesy of Edwin Gonzales, CC Public Relations Ethan Connery, a reshirt SO, transitions to defense during the Thunderbirds' 90-84 victory over McCook Community College on Saturday, Nov. 30 in the T-Bird Gym. Timothy Hubert Chinook Writer Casper College is unique in so many ways. The student living experience, professors, courses, and campus activities all have their own flare, and give many students and staff members a place they are proud to call home. One thing that the students, staff, and community have the awesome opportunity to take pride in, is the Casper College athletic programs. These programs can be known by their on-court or on-field success but also by the team chemistry these diverse groups play with. Most of these players come from different backgrounds, but play with similar motivations. These motivations are to hopefully compete at the national level, gain the attention of higher level coaches and scouts, and eventually play at the highest level possible in pursuit of their lifelong dreams. This is especially true of players on the T-bird men’s basketball team, specifically redshirt sophomore, combo guard, Ethan Connery. The Akron native, Ethan is attending Casper College for the second consecutive year after sitting out under redshirt status last season. After being part of the team daily in practices and being a vocal leader from the sidelines last year, Ethan looks to help lead the T-birds to a regional championship and a national tournament appearance. He will have a strong team behind him led by the Division 1 prospect, three level scorer, Abdul Bashir, the double-double machine, Stephen Osei, and sophomores Yel Deeng and Nate Sasser III to name a few. This group is poised for a very successful season that has the potential to leave a legacy in the Casper College community as well as each player’s personal basketball journey. Ethan has faced his fair share of ups and downs in his basketball career. He was a member of the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Basketball team, the same high school that produced basketball legend LeBron James. This talented squad brought home two Ohio State championships in Ethan’s tenure there. He then committed to Wittenberg University, a division 3 school located in Springfield, Ohio. After a season of struggling to find play time and opportunities and averaging just 2.8 points per game that season, Ethan felt he could prove himself more and accomplish his goals somewhere else. “Things didn’t really go the way I planned and I definitely wanted a bigger path for me, especially getting to the D1 level and playing overseas, so I wanted to bet on myself and decided to come to Casper,” Ethan said. He then arrived in Casper slightly late, which factored into him and the coaches coming to a mutual agreement of him sitting out for a year as a redshirt. As a redshirt player, Ethan spent the entirety of the season practicing with the team, pushing them to be better, while retaining that year of eligibility. Although he is in his third year of college, Ethan is considered a sophomore in athletics and has two remaining years as an eligible athlete due to the redshirt. Although he had to watch from the sideline, patiently waiting for where he is today, hearing his name called on game days, he took that opportunity as a chance to improve tremendously as a player and teammate. He looked at the redshirt opportunity, as a very good one, by trying to make the most of it. “I really wanted to take a year to grow as a player, and really just put in a lot of work to work on my body and get a lot better in the game of basketball” he said about his redshirt year. Although his role on the team changed going into this season, his mindset for himself and the team remained constant. He wanted to approach this season head December 1, 2024 on, compete day in and day out, hoping to see his hard work pay off. Some of that work has already been rewarded as he was offered his first Division 1 basketball scholarship this summer. This offer was from Radford University, in Virginia, while he continues to get looks from other major schools. As a spectator, Ethan’s unique playstyle will likely catch your attention. He is a competitor on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. At 6’ 4”, he is oftentimes the shortest player on the court. This, however, does not affect him on the glass, as he averages the most rebounds per game on the entire team with 8.2. He also is usually tasked with defending some of the opposing team’s best offensive players. He thrives on the defensive end of the ball, averaging nearly 3 steals a game. The passion he plays with is unlike many players. Through 9 games, Ethan is also averaging 12 points per game, on 45% shooting, as well as, 4 assists per game, in an impressive 32 minutes per game on the court. One of his best games of the season thus far came in an exciting matchup between them and Northeastern JC. In a game riddled with injuries, flagrant fouls, tempers flaring, and an overall intense game, Ethan matched and at times exceeded the intensity of the other players on the court. With the T-birds down 7 with just 3 minutes and 40 seconds to play, Connery hit a pivotal 3 pointer assisted by Parker Davis, drew an offensive foul on the defensive side, then returned the favor by assisting a 3 pointer to Parker Davis to cut the deficit to one. They proceeded to complete the comeback, winning 89-86 over NJC. Ethan would finish with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1 block to help lead the T-birds to victory. Through 11 games, the T-Birds have a record of 9-2, with victories against North Idaho twice, Air Force prep, Fort Hays Tech Northwest, Northeastern JC, Yavapai college, Miles Community College, Lake Region State College, and McCook Community College. Their 2 defeats came at the hands of Monroe University and North Idaho in their 3rd matchup of the season. The stakes only will get higher for this Casper squad as they will play 6 tough games around the holiday season, before the highly anticipated start of conference play on January 16th, when Casper travels to Powell, Wyoming to take on Northwest College. First they must head to Gillette for the “border wars” where they will take on Miles Community College for the second meeting of the season, and the next day take on North Dakota State College of Science. Dual snake one snake Lairen Brush/Chinook Wandering Gartersnakes are are wild snake species which are native across Wyoming and plentiful in Casper. It is the most common gartersnake one can see in Wyoming. Lairen Brush Chinook Writer A two headed snake was discovered north of Casper in Edgerton by Brian Wagner who donated it to Casper College for Charlotte Snoberger to care for and observe. “[Brian Wagner] found it in a garage,” Snoberger said. The snake heads appeared to be operating separately, however, there was no dominant head established yet. “They each stuck out their tongues separately, and they each opened their heads separately,” Snoberger said. “I don't know if there was a dominant one. There's one that kind of lined up more with the body.” There are many interesting facts about a two-headed snake. According to the Repatarium, “This condition is known as bicephaly. Bicephaly translates to “bi,” meaning two, and “cephaly,” meaning head. Bicephaly occurs when there is an incomplete splitting of an embryo.” “But [Wandering Gartersnakes], ‘give live birth’ meaning that they have internal eggs that are reabsorbed by the body, so they don't actually lay eggs,” Snoberger said. This condition can be found in humans, however it has a different name. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, “When this situation arises in humans, it’s known as conjoined twins.” The snake lived for about 3-4 months which is fairly long for a two-headed animal. “For every 100,000 snake births only 1 will be a two headed snake. That’s a 0.001% “ chance of reproducing a two-headed snake.” The Repatarium said, This is rare even for someone who works with snakes like Snoberger. “But, I'm a herpetologist. I've worked with a lot of snakes, a lot of wild snakes, and I've definitely never seen anything like that,” Snoberger said. There were no noticeable defects. “They both looked perfect. And they were both clearly alive, you know,” Snoberger said. “They were both clearly functioning.” The snake moved strangely presumably because of its peculiarity. “If it moved forward like a normal snake, it seemed like its head would get stuck in between the two heads,” Snoberger said, “So it had a tendency to move backwards and to the left, because the second head stuck out to the right.” The snake died on Nov. 5. How it died is unknown, whether it was from being unable to digest properly or any number of issues with two-headed snakes. “My husband was like, ‘that's a long time for a two headed animal.’ I think it did pretty good” Snoberger said. The snake will be preserved for viewing at Casper College. “And we’ll preserve the snake in ethanol and keep it at the college.” Snoberger said in an email. The snake will be available by next semester, students can email Charlotte Snoberger at charlotte.snoberger@caspercollege.edu, to see the snake in all its preserved glory. They each stuck out their tongues separately, and they each opened their heads separately. I don't know if there was a dominant one. There's one that kind of lined up more with the body.” Lairen Brush/Chinook The two-headed Wandering Gartersnake is held by Charlotte Snoberger, CC biology instructor. — Charlotte Snoberger, Biology Instructor �December 1, 2024 Page 5 CHINOOK The rise of Riah! Chris Mossman-Larson Chinook Writer In a world where style speaks louder than words, one rising designer is transforming her artistic vision into wearable art. With knowledge gained from art classes and borrowed sewing machines, Mariah Geis has begun an exciting journey to turn her creative dreams into reality. Though just starting out, her designs already hint at a unique perspective, blending modern trends with her own personal style. With dreams of making it to the runway, Riah! is ready to sew together talent, ambition, and hard work, one stitch at a time. Mariah Geis, a double art major, was inspired to start her designing journey through her printmaking class at Casper College. She was given complete creative control over an assignment involving linocuts, which is the carving of linoleum blocks to create designs via stamping. Students were told they could use their linocuts on whatever they wanted. “Why not clothes?” Geis said. “So I decided on these Martini T’s.” People loved Mariah’s T-shirts so much that they wanted to purchase them. She figured that if people were interested in buying her shirts, she should start sewing tags into them. This is how the brand Riah! was born. But why stop at T-shirts? Using a borrowed sewing machine, Geis decided to teach herself how to sew other items, such as shorts and pants. Through Instagram Stories, Geis began to gain a bit of traction. She was invited to Denver Fashion Week to assist a fellow designer on the runway. She described DFW as one of the best days of her life. Not only was she there to support her friend, but she also had the chance to envision what her own life could look like if she continued down the design path. “Denver Fashion Week was one word,” Geis beamed. “Surreal.” DFW was also the moment Mariah decided to take her brand to the next level. She created an official Instagram account (@riahreworks) and started releasing clothing drops. One of her drops, “Cowboys Love Fashion,” was Riah!’s spin on western clothing culture. This line included a mix of leather, denim, lace, and gingham pieces, all modeled by Mariah’s friends (photo displayed on page 7.) “It was so refreshing seeing western wear in a different light,” Geis expressed. “It was fun playing around with traditional, very manly Photo courtesy of Maria Geis western wear, CC art student Mariah Geis works on a piece of clothing on a used sewing machine with her and then turning — See Riah! Page 7 brand "Riah!" at the top of the machine. around and Breaking barriers through Billiards Kylie Wheaton/Chinook Casper College Security Officer Daniel Valk poses for a photo at one of the three pool tables in the T-Bird Nest. Kylie Wheaton Chinook Writer Every Friday and Saturday night Casper College security guard Daniel Valk spends his time playing pool with students in the T-Bird Nest. Valk teaches them the rules and fundamentals of pool and then challenges them to a game. But far more important than learning how to play pool, Valk is building relationships and breaking the wall between students and security. Valk is a retired law enforcement officer who has lived in many parts of the country. When searching for a retirement job, he landed at Casper College. Initially Valk applied for a maintenance position, but once the director of security saw his resume, he asked Valk to consider working for security. Since then, Valk has been grateful to be part of the security team and has never looked back. Valk enjoys the flexibility he has with this position and how it differs from traditional security jobs. “What I see here at Casper College,” Valk said, “the philosophy kind of deviates from that traditional security role where community involvement, being part of the larger community, is encouraged and is very flexible in the acceptance of these non-traditional security roles.” Valk chooses to pursue this community involvement in a rather unconventional way: playing pool. “I saw students that were potentially self-isolated, they really weren’t making friends, they were by themselves in the cafeteria, and the only way to engage in constructive conversation was ‘let’s play a game of pool’” Valk said. Valk has found great success engaging with students through pool. He is now the club advisor for Chalk & Awe, Casper Colleges new billiards club. Valk has used this position to connect with many students on campus in hopes to stay connected with them when their time at Casper comes to a close. Former Casper College student Tatiano Do Pinho served as an activities and intramurals assistant for Student Life during the 2023 - 2024 school year. Pinho had many interactions with security through her work study shifts. Her many interactions with security started as nervous conversations, but throughout the year developed into strong friendships. “At first, before getting to know them I was afraid of security, but then they became like ok,” Pinho said, “and then I was like let’s see what this is about, then we became like family at the end.” Despite Pinho only attending Casper for a year, her friendship with Valk grew and became something she will treasure forever. “Dan truly became someone very important to me, I call him grandpa for a reason and that’s just because that’s what he represents to me” Pinho said, “I have my grandpa back at home, he became my American grandpa that is just someone I can rely on and he always has some good advice to give. He’s just someone I trust and I know I can come to him even though I’m far away now, but when I was there, he was defi- nitely a break from everything else when things got tough and stuff.” Pinho hopes to continue to stay in touch with Valk and encourages all students to get to know him. While Valk loves being able to connected with students, he also recognizes how those connections can help him when dealing with a situation on campus. He believes that breaking the wall between students and security helps students feel more comfortable coming to them with their issues. “For security to understand what their [the students] challenges are,” Valk said, “what they may struggle with and what they may need from security, along with faculty, I think is absolutely important.” Valk has also gotten to know some of the Resident Assistants and it seems to have helped make their interactions smoother. “It definitely allows us to I guess be less nervous around security just because we’ve interacted with them where it’s not like a serious issue.” Lead Resident Assistant Travis Scribner said, “or where there’s not a serious issue happening and so that kind of helps, it helps us communicate with them in a way that allows us to get the information out faster because we’re not so tense around them.” Valk hopes to continue building relationships and creating a richer community at Casper College, as well as humbling all students in a game of pool. �Page 6 December 1, 2024 CHINOOK Planting seeds for a brighter future Hailey Carr Chinook Writer When Anne Wood received an email from Mr. Heath Hornecker from Casper College on a quiet Friday evening, she had no idea it would change her life. “You know, they say opportunity doesn’t knock twice. Well, I think it knocked three times on my door, so I decided I should probably answer it,” Anne recalls with a laugh. That decision led her 2,000 miles from her hometown near Buffalo, New York, to become an agribusiness instructor in Casper, Wyoming, a choice she now holds dear. Anne’s journey to Casper wasn’t straightforward. Seven years ago, she applied for a position at the college but ultimately accepted a role closer to home. Four years later, Casper College reached out again, just as she was navigating professional uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though hesitant about the cross-country move, Anne felt drawn to the opportunity. She packed her life into a single trip and embraced a new adventure. Trading Buffalo’s urban landscape for Wyoming’s wide-open plains, Anne found herself on a mission that transcended teaching. “Being part of this community has given me a bigger sense of purpose,” she says with a smile. “I didn’t have that same feeling at any other college.” Anne’s life has been shaped by hard work and resilience. Growing up, financial struggles taught her the value of perseverance. “Nothing was ever handed to me,” she says. “I’ve had to work for everything I’ve achieved, whether it was funding my education, moving for a job, or even just making ends meet.” Her determination carried her through years of working multiple jobs while pursuing her education and navigating the ups and downs of her teaching career. “It’s humbling to know where I came from, but it’s also empowering to see how far I’ve come,” Anne reflects. These challenges have given her a unique perspective, which she brings into the classroom. Anne didn’t always dream of being an educator. As a child, she wanted to become a veterinarian, inspired by her love of horses. But a candid conversation with a college advisor changed her course. “He told me, ‘You like horses too much to be a vet. You want time for them,’” Anne recalls. That insight guided her toward a career in teaching. Her passion for education began unexpectedly while pursuing her master’s degree at West Virginia University. Hoping to reduce her tuition costs, Anne applied for a teaching assistant position in the biology department and discovered a hidden talent. “I realized, oh, I’m okay at this. This is kind of fun,” she says. From there, her teaching career flourished, spanning community colleges and online programs across the East Coast. Since joining Casper College, Anne has found profound fulfillment in her role. To her, teaching agriculture classes is about more than just imparting knowledge; it’s about fostering collaboration and personal growth. “What I love most is watching students grow,” she says. “They come from such diverse backgrounds—rodeo kids, livestock kids, and those who’ve never set foot on a farm. Seeing them learn from each other is amazing.” Anne takes pride in moments when students surpass expectations. “I get to learn who my students are, figure out what they know, and guide them on their path forward,” she says. Her ambitions extend beyond the classroom. As a participant in Casper College’s leadership program, Anne hopes to take on higher leadership roles in her future. Drawing on her experience with diverse student populations, from inner-city learners to military communities, she is committed to helping students achieve their goals. “My hope is to guide this diverse group of learners to succeed, whether they’re mastering AI cattle management or diving into accounting,” she says. Anne’s teaching philosophy emphasizes practical application and connection. “Agriculture isn’t just about growing crops or raising livestock—it’s about understanding the business and communications side too,” she explains. “I want my students to leave here equipped with real-world skills, ready to tackle the challenges of this industry.” Her unique background, rooted in New York State and enriched by Wyoming’s culture, allows her to bridge the gap between theory and practice. This blend of experiences helps her relate to students from all walks of life, whether they’ve grown up on a ranch or are entirely new to agriculture. Anne’s students speak highly of her, praising her dedication and approachability. “She doesn’t just teach us—she mentors us,” says student Karina Mysse. “She’s always willing to help and genuinely cares about our future.” For Anne, teaching at Casper College isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of education, resilience, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities. “If I can help even one student find their path and succeed, I know I’ve done my job,” she said. In a state where agriculture is a way of life, Anne Wood is planting the seeds for a brighter future, one student at a time. Hailey Carr/Chinook CC Ag Instructor Anne Wood presents to her students during her Agriculture Economics class on Monday, Dec. 2. Taking Online or Hybrid Courses? The Digital Learning Center supports your journey by helping you master essential digital tools. We ensure you have access to the resources you need for online and hybrid classes. HOW WE CAN HELP: • MyCCMoodle: Learn how to submit assignments, participate in forums, and more. Plus • Zoom Assistance: Access/navigate Zoom for remote classes and collaborations. lot m a ore! • Google Suite Support: Docs, Drive, Gmail — make the most of these tools. • Office 365 Access: Use MS Word, PowerPoint, and other essentials. • Online Tutoring Guidance: Navigate NetTutor and other resources for extra help when you need it. • Study and Work Spaces: Try out our newly furnished student room to study, relax, or use the computers and printer. • Tech and Snacks: Enjoy snacks like popcorn or ask about our VR and green screen! r You s our i cess ity! c u S r Prio Tyler Teresa Dave Katie 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. Mike �December 1, 2024 Riah!........... continued from page 5 making my male models wear makeup.” She continued by explaining how she has always loved the gender-bending aspect of fashion. It’s Mariah’s prerogative that no matter what the clothing looks like, it belongs to anybody who wants to wear it. Even Geis’s teachers appreciate her ability to be inclusive with her clothing. One stated that the way she refuses to let traditional gender roles define her designs is truly exciting. Geis’s passion for inclusivity in her line is an admirable trait for an aspiring fashion designer. Another aspect that motivates Geis’s work is sustainability. With fast fashion on the rise, Riah! strives to do something more eco-friendly. “In a world where everything moves so quickly, things no longer carry the same depth or meaning,” she noted. For Mariah, thrifting fuels her creativity in two ways. Sometimes, she lets inspiration strike as she discovers unique pieces. Other times, she Page 7 CHINOOK approaches thrift shops with a specific design already envisioned. It’s important for Mariah to take something trendy and hand-make it using repurposed materials. Mariah Geis’s journey is a testament to the power of creativity, ambition, and staying true to one’s values. Through her brand, Riah!, she is redefining fashion by blending sustainability, inclusivity, and bold self-expression. Whether it’s her reimagined secondhand pieces or her gender-defying designs, Mariah’s work inspires others to see fashion as a tool for individuality and empowerment. As she continues to grow her brand and refine her craft, there’s no doubt Mariah is stitching her way toward a future where her vision will shine as brightly as her passion. WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Get feedback on a draft Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Photo courtesy of Marc Sanford Valerie Hedlund and Casey Sebesta pose for ‘Cowboys Love Fashion’ while wearing clothing made by CC student Mariah Geis. Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu Knowledge Enrichment for Youth KEY CAMP 2 0 2 5 Incoming sixth, seventh and eighth grade students First Session: June 8-13 Second Session: June 15-20 Apply for a unique adventure at Casper College. Immerse yourself in campus life, engage in hands-on activities, enrich your knowledge, and explore careers. You must have a teacher’s recommendation. Contact Community Education at 307-268-3401 or comm_ed@caspercollege.edu for more information. Registration opens Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. Apply by Friday, March 28, 2025. Online applications available at caspercollege.augusoft.net//info/landing/key-camp-info. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2024-12 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. 2024-12 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from December 2024. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2024-12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/23dee711d75c839b3e8ffd0a10c2a511.pdf 58d0b29c58511066d59e7a35c8b42f75 PDF Text Text March 1, 2025 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 T-Birds, Lady T-Birds make the playoffs Tim Hubert Chinook Writer Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Abdul Bashir(left) and Bin Basil(right) celebrate during a win on November 1 against North Idaho College. As the regional action of the regular season winds down, the Thunderbirds basketball programs look forward to playoffs. Both teams have eyes set on a Region 9 championship, which would also clinch a berth into the NJCAA National Tournament. There, the teams would enter bracket-style play along with 23 of the most talented junior college teams in the nation. The NJCAA tournament draws attention from fans and national media, as well as college scouts. On the women’s side, the Lady T-Birds are in first place of the North subregion standings, with a record of 9-1 in conference play. The team’s one conference loss came at the hands of the Western Wyoming Mustangs back in mid-January. Since then, the Lady T-Birds won the last 7 conference games, with 5 of the 7 being double-digit victories. The Lady T-Birds most recently came off of a home victory against in-state rival Central Wyoming College on Homecoming weekend. The Lady T-Birds team success is a group effort, but like all great teams, winning requires team leaders. The current group is led by sophomores Andi Schissler and Adama Badjie Coly. A Colorado native, Schissler was named to the Region 9 First Team last season, and she saw her hard work pay off even more this season. This past year, she announced her plans to continue her basketball journey at the D1 level by committing to University of North Texas after an outstanding freshman season with Casper College. As a freshman, she averaged 13.1 points per game, shooting 42% from the 3-point line. She continued to grow and get better this season, as she averages 18.4 points per game, almost 7 rebounds per game, and over 2 steals per game. Schissler and Badjie Coly are the only two primary starters from last season that returned to the Lady T-Birds team from last season. This required both to take on a new role on the team, as well as forced them to mesh with the new players. “They [Schissler and Badjie Coly] attribute that to our team,” Assistant Coach Nate Macy said of their success this season. “Our team has continued to get better and that's why they have succeeded.” He also praised them for their hard work in practice, as well as the endless extra hours in the gym. “We need to finish the season out strong,” said Macy. “In order for us to do that we have to take every game seriously.” A first place finish would give the team a bye in the first round of the region tournament, likely to be located in Nebraska. Coming out of the region tournament on top would clinch the Lady T-Birds the team’s sixth consecutive National tournament appearance where the team looks to bounce back after a crushing loss last year to the eventual National runner-up, Northwest Florida State College. The Lady T-Birds may have the unique opportunity to play in front of a home crowd, as the National tournament will be hosted in Casper in late March. This season, the team plays under the direction of Head Coach Dwight Gunnare for the final season of his career, as he plans to retire after this season. On the men’s side, expectations are just as high, as the T-Birds look for the team’s first region title in six years and just the second region title in nearly 30 years. Head Coach Tom Parks also looks to make his first NJCAA National tournament appearance as a head coach. He led the program the past two seasons. The team is coming off of a loss last season — See Basketball Page 3 Ag students, community gain hands-on livestock experience Hailey Carr Chinook Writer As students and professors returned from winter break, the Casper College Agriculture Pavilion quickly became a hub of activity. In January, the department welcomed new piglets and lambs, giving students a valuable hands-on learning experience. Whether they come from agricultural backgrounds or are just starting to explore the field, students gain practical skills in livestock care, management, and industry practices. “This year, we had work-study students return over winter break to help with farrowing, lambing, and the daily care of sows, piglets, ewes, and lambs,” explained Agriculture Instructor Anne Wood. The hands-on aspect of the program allows students to apply what they learn in class to real-world situations, building confidence and competence in animal care. “Everything we do in class mirrors realworld livestock operations,” Wood added. “Many students have experience with livestock while others are learning for the first time. We ensure they develop the best practices to build their skill set for the future.” A key part of the program is not only working with the animals but also understanding their nutritional needs and overall health. Each animal’s diet is carefully managed to support growth and development. “We supplement the animals with lick tubs, which contain essential minerals for growth and development,” Wood said. “Knowing the ewes were pregnant, they were on corn feed, and the lambs start a grain feed—or ‘creep feed’ as we call it—when they are about one to two weeks old. This helps supplement the mother, especially if she has twins, so none of the lambs lose nutrition during development.” Such real-world practices help students understand the importance of nutrition in livestock management and give them a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into raising healthy animals. For students like Klacie Groene, a workstudy participant, the opportunity to work with livestock firsthand is one of the most valuable aspects of the program. “It gives me hands-on experience not only in classes but also in industries I’m not really a part of, like the swine and lamb industries,” she said. Students aren’t just feeding and caring for the animals—they also take part in a variety of hands-on learning experiences that reinforce their classroom knowledge. “Students get to experience things like ear notching and castrating piglets, lamb harvest labs, yield and quality grade evaluations, and Hailey Carr/Chinook Wood, Agriculture Instructor, teaches the preschool students from the Early Childhood — See Livestock Page 3 Anne Learning Center about the newborn lambs. The art of intentional curiosity Kylie Wheaton Chinook Writer Anyone who spends time around campus interacts with Student Life Coordinator Devin Fulton at least once. Whether asking a random question or inquiring about weekend festivities, Fulton uses his curiosity and unique personality to build relationships with students and share their stories. Fulton was born in Denver but moved to Glenrock at the age of six. After graduating high school, he pursued higher education at Chadron State College with the hopes of becoming a teacher. While working on his undergraduate coursework, Fulton said he discovered that teaching wasn’t for him. He decided to study Photo Courtesy of Lucy Jane Crimm communication with an Student Life Coordinator, Devin Fulton, provides commentary emphasis in public relations during half time of the homecoming basketball game. instead. Fulton also had a natural interest in storytelling and journalism so he worked for the schools newspaper. “I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and creating stories,” said Fulton. “Everyone’s compelled by storytelling and when a story sucks, you can definitely feel it, so there’s a natural pressure for everyone on earth to be a good storyteller.” Fulton wrote a variety of stories and enjoyed the opportunity to talk with and meet different people. What most excited Fulton, however, came in the opportunity to make people feel seen through his curiosity. “It’s cool watching someone light up when you ask them questions that they’re not used to being asked, ” said Fulton. After graduating college, Fulton took a job at a bank that dealt with farm credit services. Six months later he heard about an opening at Casper College for the community education department and jumped on the opportunity. After a year at the college, the Student Life Coordinator position opened and colleagues encouraged Fulton to apply for the position. After the application and interview process concluded, Fulton took over the position. While Fulton is unable to continue writing news stories with his new position, his curiosity about the people around him continues. In only a way that Fulton can, he combines his curiosity with his naturally outgoing and fun personality to break the ice with students. “Creating energy in a conversation makes the conversation much more worthwhile rather than just having a standard conversation just for the sake of saying words to avoid discomfort with silence,” said Fulton. One of Fulton’s favorite ways to be curious is by asking students random, lighthearted questions he comes up with off the top of his head. “Of course I ask dumb questions,” said Fulton. “You know [like], Chappell Roan or Sabrina Carpenter?” Fulton said he always makes a point to ask questions, both silly and genuine, whenever he can and does his best to remember as many of the responses as he can. “I definitely hope I can at least try to make someone's day with remembering or being intentional with remembering details that they were willing to share just about like something they did over the weekend” said Fulton, “and then you remember that [a] couple weeks later, like that feels good to anybody”. — See Fulton Page 3 �Page 2 March 1, 2025 CHINOOK From the President's Desk Chinook Stance Spring break safety and finishing strong Work-Study Programs Hailey Carr Driven by Carr Balancing college classes, homework, and a job can be overwhelming, but for students looking to gain experience while earning money, work-study positions on campus are a great opportunity. As someone who has participated in two different work-study programs at Casper College, I have seen firsthand the benefits these positions offer. Currently, I work in the public relations department and the agriculture department. In my public relations role, I take photos for athletics, help with projects that need attention, attend and learn from my bosses at weekly staff meetings, and overall get to be included with college projects. This job has allowed me to be part of the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the college running, and I’ve gained so much insight into how large-scale events and marketing efforts come together. In the agriculture department, I get to work hands-on with livestock, assist professors with side projects, help plan and execute events, and contribute to marketing efforts. Since most of my classes are in the agriculture department, getting to spend extra time with my professors and assisting with large-scale agriculture projects has made it even more apparent that I will enjoy working in this field in my future career in Agricultural Communications. One of the biggest advantages of work-study positions is their flexibility. Unlike off-campus jobs that may not always be as accommodating to a student’s class schedule, these positions are designed to work around academic commitments. My supervisors understand that academics come first, allowing me to focus on my studies while still gaining valuable experience. Additionally, being on campus means I can seamlessly transition between classes and work, making the experience even more manageable. Beyond convenience, work-study jobs are incredibly beneficial for future career opportunities. Through my work-study positions, I have built a strong professional network, gained hands-on skills relevant to my field, and added valuable experience to my resume. When I graduate with my degree in Agricultural Communications this May, I will have practical experience that relates to my future goals. Additionally, I have developed skills in communication, marketing, event organization, and customer service—all of which are crucial in the professional world. Work-study programs are more than just a paycheck— they are an investment in my future. They provide valuable experience, networking opportunities, and flexibility that other jobs might not offer. I encourage fellow students at Casper College to take advantage of these positions, as they are a stepping stone to success. If you’re looking for a job that works with your schedule and helps you build your career, a work-study position might be the perfect fit. As we approach spring break, I want to take a moment to encourage all of our students to prioritize safety while enjoying a well- “ deserved break. Whether you are traveling, spending time with family, or simply relaxing at home, your well-being is our top priority. If you plan to travel, be sure to research your destination, stay aware of your surroundings, and use reliable transportation. If you're driving, take breaks to avoid fatigue and never drive under the influence. For those celebrating with friends, look out for one another—stick together, set check-in times, and have a plan to get home safely. Remember, responsible decisions now will ensure you return ready to tackle the remainder of the semester. Spring break is an opportunity to recharge, but it’s also a good time to reflect on the goals you set at the beginning of the semester. Once classes resume, we will be in the final stretch. Take advantage of campus resources, such as tutoring centers, faculty office hours, and counseling services, to ensure you finish strong. Time management is key—review your syllabi, set deadlines for assignments, and stay proactive in your studies. We are here to support you every step of the way. If you need guidance, reach out to your advisors or instructors. Your success is our mission, and we want to see you cross the finish line with confidence. Enjoy your break, be safe, and return refreshed and ready to make the most of the rest of the semester. Together, we will end this term on a high note! Whether you are traveling, spending time with family, or simply relaxing at home, your wellbeing is our top priority." — Dr. Brandon Kosinr, Ph.D., Casper College President Student Life hosts silent disco Bella McManus/Chinook Casper College students enjoyed Silent Disco by dancing and playing pool together. Student Life hosted the event at the end of February. Taking Online or Hybrid Courses? The Digital Learning Center supports your journey by helping you master essential digital tools. We ensure you have access to the resources you need for online and hybrid classes. HOW WE CAN HELP: • MyCCMoodle: Learn how to submit assignments, participate in forums, and more. Plus • Zoom Assistance: Access/navigate Zoom for remote classes and collaborations. lot m a ore! • Google Suite Support: Docs, Drive, Gmail — make the most of these tools. • Office 365 Access: Use MS Word, PowerPoint, and other essentials. • Online Tutoring Guidance: Navigate NetTutor and other resources for extra help when you need it. • Study and Work Spaces: Try out our newly furnished student room to study, relax, or use the computers and printer. • Tech and Snacks: Enjoy snacks like popcorn or ask about our VR and green screen! r You s our i cess Suc iority! Pr Tyler Teresa Dave Katie 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. Mike �March 1, 2025 Page 3 CHINOOK Basketball.. continued from page 1 Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez Andi Schissler shoots over Air Force Prep player during a November 16 game. against Western Nebraska Community College in the semifinals of the tournament. The team is currently sitting with a 20-6 overall record and a 7-2 conference record. The biggest win of the season thus far came in a home game against rival Gillette College. At the time, both teams boasted an undefeated record in conference play. The hard fought game was neck and neck for the majority of the game and quite literally came down to the last fraction of a second. Following a missed layup attempt from freshman Bin Basil, the ball was knocked out of bounds. Pending review, two tenths of a second were added back onto the clock, as this was how much time was remaining when the ball landed out of bounds. Coach Parks proceeded to draw up a play to have sophomore Abdul Bashir throw a lob pass to Freshman Stephen Osei. However, in the process of the play, sophomore Ethan Connery was hit in the head by a Gillette player, which after review was called a flagrant foul, granting Connery two free throws. He needed to make just one to win the game. He made the first of two, clinching the win to give the T-Birds sole possession of first place in the Region 9 North standings. Since that game the T-Birds faced ups and downs and are currently one game behind Gillette for the number 1 seed in the region. The race for the number 1 seed is an important one, as the team that stands alone as the number one seed will host the Region 9 tournament and gain home-court advantage. “There are a ton of benefits associated with hosting, obviously playing in front of your home crowd and having them be supportive at every game,” Assistant Coach Deion Andersen said when asked about the importance of hosting. The playoffs are not the only thing the T-Birds are looking forward to. Junior Colleges look to provide players with high-level coaching and solid competition in order to achieve the players’ dreams of playing at a higher level. Casper College already helped two players commit to Division 1 programs next year. Ethan Connery is headed to William and Mary University next season; Abdul Bashir recently committed to Auburn, the number one ranked college basketball program in the nation. Both play crucial roles in leading the team toward success. Bashir, who is considered by some to be the best JUCO prospect in the country, is averaging 26.4 points per game and four assists per game. “We have Abdul Bashir,” said Anderson. “There's not anybody else in the entire country that has a player of that caliber.” Coach Anderson, as well as many fans and supporters, believe that Bashir can be a big piece in Casper College’s success this year down the stretch. He's only one piece of many that makes this team great, however. Ethan Connery contributes in many other ways. Along with averaging 12.8 points per game, Connery leads the team in rebounds with 7.7 per game, despite being one of the shortest players on the team. Coach Anderson explained how rebounding and hard work on defense is what he believes sets this team apart from others. Connery impacts the game immensely in that way, while also averaging 3.8 assists and nearly 2 steals per game. Both teams will close out the regular season with Senior night at home against Eastern Wyoming College on March 1 before beginning the region tournament the following week. Livestock................................................ ultrasounding sheep,” said Agriculture Instructor Heath Hornecker. With a grin, he added, “We also offer an artificial insemination class, which is more of a ‘hands-in’ rather than a hands-on experience.” Beyond learning about livestock care, CC agriculture students recently had the opportunity to share their knowledge with a younger audience. Children from the Early Childhood Learning Center on campus visited the pavilion where they got to see the animals up close, hold baby piglets, pet newborn lambs, and learn about their care. “The goal was to give the kids a great experience with animals firsthand. Some of the daycare kids had never seen livestock outside of a storybook,” Wood said. Wood saidThe visit wasn’t just exciting for the children— it was eye-opening for the college students as well. “I think our students realized how many kids, even in their own community, haven’t had these experiences,” she continued. “Wyoming is a rural state, and we’re strong advocates for agriculture, but even here, there are kids who don’t know what’s in their own backyard.” Seeing the excitement on the children’s faces as they interacted with the animals was a highlight for many students and instructors. Wood recalled hearing the kids exclaim, “I’m going to name this sheep Cotton Candy!” and “This one feels like my blankie!” Plans are already in place for the ECLS students to return in the spring so they can see how much the animals have grown and learn more about their development. Not only is this a fun and educational experience for the children, but it also helps agriculture students practice explaining livestock management to others—a valuable skill in agricultural education and outreach. The CC agriculture program provides students with opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. By caring for livestock, engaging in hands-on learning experiences, and connecting with the community, students gain real-world skills that prepare them for careers in the industry. Instructors ensure students take on meaningful responsibilities, from feeding and monitoring animal health to managing the facilities and hosting events. Agriculture students at CC work as a team, supporting each other as they learn and grow in their field. Their dedication and passion for agriculture make the program truly stand out, offering experiences that prepare them for success in an ever-evolving industry. Hailey Carr/Chinook ECLC student pets a piglet, during a visit to the ag pavilion in early Febuary. Fulton..................................................... One student who found Fulton’s curiosity and spark helpful is Student Senate President and PTK PR officer, Shani Osorio Alcala. Alcala says she enjoys working with Fulton and appreciates his ability to balance continued from page 1 professionalism and fun. “Devin’s just like that fresh air here on campus” said Alcala, “I feel like he’s the adult you can go talk to about like anything and you’ll be like oh right on.” Alcala is grateful for everything Fulton does and feels that he often doesn’t get enough recognition. “I feel like Devin really understands the students and where they’re coming from,” said Alcala. continued from page 1 Fulton hopes to continue reaching out to students and making them feel seen and welcome on campus. He also encourages everyone to be curious and ask questions. “Just seeing someone light up with words is something that we should all try to strive for,” said Fulton. Whether it’s asking about music preferences, or even complimenting someone’s shoes, Fulton will continue to show curiosity and share stories. Join our Chinook staff this fall! Interview & write Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore web development Create social media content 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, 2025 Casper College Wellness Conference 35th Annual Event April 3 and 4 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Gateway Building Casper College Campus The Wellness Center endeavors to provide current, relevent information on wellness and mental health issues to all who are interested. April 3 is for anyone interested in learning more about wellness related topics and Friday is geared more toward mental health professionals. Check out the wellness center website for a schedule and additional information. �March 1, 2025 CHINOOK Page 5 Indigenous Student Alliance recruitment Gentry Hiser Chinook Writer The Indigenous Student Alliance at Casper College seeks to recruit new members following a change in leadership. Taylor Makeshine, a sophomore in respiratory therapy and the new president for the 2025 spring semester, found herself ascending to the leadership role only weeks ago. “Right now with the club, it's starting back at square one it feels like because the previous president graduated and no one took her place,” Makeshine said. The club originally formed as a place for Native American students to be themselves, hang out, and to educate and promote their culture, including the issues they face. However, the club itself faces a hurdle after it was temporarily left without a president. The former president graduated last spring and club membership dropped. Currently, Makeshine and Club Advisor Daniel Gallegos, a political science instructor, turn their sights to recruiting the next generation of students to outfit the alliance. According to Gallegos, “We're just starting in the first phase of getting the word out, getting information out.” He said he hopes to encourage Native Majoring in mathmatics Bella McManus Chinook Writer Charisma Gallagher and Davin Ro are two students majoring in math here at Casper College. The two spoke about their background with math, why they chose to pursue it, and what they see themselves doing with their degrees in the future. While there is always a need for degree-seeking students in every field, the demand for math majors is steadily increasing. This is due in part to the growing technological field in today’s society, and in part to the shortage of math and science teachers throughout the nation. From mathematicians to financial analysts, statisticians to math teachers, math degrees are always in high demand, and extremely valued by employers. Gallagher, who already completed her associates in secondary education, explained that math is like the backbone of many careers, but additional courses are necessary depending on the specific career goals of a student. “There’s statisticians, but you have to take the statistics courses; there’s financial analysts, but you have to take the financial classes for that. There’s scientists and stuff that do a lot of math, but you have to take the science stuff.” Gallagher said she is looking to become a high school math teacher. She said that during the summers, when her students are out of school, she wants to continue studying subjects like statistics, and she hopes to eventually become a college professor of math. Gallagher’s love for math began because her parents both have good math brains, so she said they raised her to be good at math. She said her mom made her and her two younger siblings practice their multiplication tables until they got to know their facts well, and her dad did not allow them to use a calculator. “I hated it at first but those memories are kind of what helped me fall in love with it,” she said. Gallagher said her love for teaching came as she helped raise her siblings and teach them what her mom first imparted to her about math. This semester, Gallagher is taking a class on the history of math and said she loves seeing how math came to be and all the different ways it can be applied today. Her favorite part of math is the application aspect of it. Gallagher said, “It’s kind of the worst part -- like the word problems you have to do in high school -- but I like seeing the background and seeing exactly how everything works out in the end.” Ro, a second-year student currently double-majoring in computer science and math, plans to transfer to the University of Arizona to complete his bachelor’s degree in computer science next semester. He said that his two degree choices complement each other very well, and having knowledge in one makes the other significantly easier to comprehend. “In my mind they're just very very good compliments of each other.” Not many things in life truly challenge Ro; he said he finds that most learning comes very naturally to him. He enjoys his two majors particularly because they make him think critically about the world around him. “My favorite part of it is it actually forces me to put in a deeper thought behind what's happening and how these things work --why these things work. And it gives me a better understanding of most of our world today as well,” he said. Ro is also captain of the forensics team at Casper College. He admitted that when you think of computer science and mathematics, speech and debate and public speaking are not typically things that come to mind, but Ro said he loves being able to learn about his areas of interests, but that he also brings the skillset to present that knowledge to both large groups and individuals. Ro said he thinks this is something that is lacking in many fields, “especially in the tech world…. There’re so many people that are really, really good at what they do… but then a lot of times they're not able to efficiently and effectively present these ideas and concepts to other people.” While all majors are challenging in their own way, a degree in math is unique in its relevance to such broadly different goals and careers. Both Gallagher and Ro demonstrate that though their end goals differ, math is the common road that will get them there. Their passion for the subject will take them far. According to Ro, “The best thing that I honestly could ask for in world as complex as the one we live in now, is the ability to have this form of thought process.” Bella McManus/Chinook Charisma Gallagher (above) and Davin Ro pose for photos with the Chinook. Both students are seeking math degrees at Casper College. American students to join and take on the roles of the club office. “If you don't have that core leadership, then you're never going to be able to pass this on,” said Gallegos. Makeshine herself wants to apply a broader approach. She wishes to encourage membership as a whole from any member of the student body. “It's hard to limit a club to only Native Americans, and I think I want to open back doors to open it to everyone,” said Makeshine. “We're not at that point where we should be limiting it.” The club president encourages any and everyone to become a part of the club. “If you're interested in Native American heritage, culture, and promoting any of that at Casper College, then join,” Makeshine said. Makeshine and Gallegos are united in their goal to preserve the club’s future, and its original purpose of being a home for Native American students. Part of this, they believe, is establishing a consistent meeting time. At this time, maintaining contact with other members happens primarily over email with meetings scheduled on an as-needed basis. “I recommended to the new club president that you should meet at least two times a month, and so we're starting trying to recruit Native American students. So if they're interested, just contact one of us,” said Gallegos. As for plans for the coming semester, the alliance’s biggest event of the year is the powwow. Similar to past years, it is scheduled for May as an end to the school year, and designed to be a community event giving insight into Native American culture and bringing people together. Makeshine and Gallegos each promote this as a significant draw for membership. Makeshine cited it as the thing that first piqued her interest about the club. “When I first heard about the powwow and that it was the Indigenous Alliance Club that was hosting it, I also wanted to see what else they did with Casper College,” Makeshine said. She and Gallegos talked about an eventual goal of a Casper community powwow at the event center, but for now they said they are happy to promote Native American awareness at the college. “The Thunderbirds is a Native American thing, so I was really shocked that there's not a lot of Native resources, even though our mascot is literally a Native symbol,” Makeshine said about her own experience. “This is my first time at a college where there was no Native American scholarships.” When prompted on if his role as faculty offered an advantage in bringing awareness to the administration, Gallegos described himself as a more hands-off advisor. He said he provides guidance, but otherwise, expects the club leadership to bear the brunt of the decisionmaking, including on topics such as how they view the use of a native symbol. Expanding on that, Gallegos said, “Just because you're a student doesn't mean that's all you are. Because you carry everything that you learn here into the future.” As advisor, he said he’s working on developing flyers and a web page to encourage student participation in the club. In the words of President Makeshine, “The main points I really want to hit on is join the club if you're interested.” �Page 6 March 1, 2025 CHINOOK Kids free to learn at ECLC WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Two ECLC children look at fossilized turtle shells at the Tate Museum. Natalie Benson Chinook Writer At the Early Childhood Learning Center on the Casper College campus, children are the ones who determine their learning content and environment. According to Emily Calmes, director of the ECLC, the center follows a Reggio-style curriculum where the teachers observe the children and then base their teaching off of the children’s interests. The teachers conform to the individual needs of the children instead of following a curriculum where each child is forced along at the same pace, despite the possibility of some not being ready. The Reggio curriculum is even used in the infant room, with teachers focusing on how the infants are learning about their playmates and the world around them. They use regular observations to form a curriculum for each child, and with what materials and resources it would be best for them to learn with. With this approach, Calmes said the curriculum can vary wildly from semester to semester. One thing that doesn’t change, however, is how ECLC works with both the campus and various teachers on campus. “We definitely follow the kids' leads,” Calmes said, “On that, the classroom I’m working in right now is very into our college community, and so we’ve gone on multiple field trips.” Trips to the college library and cafeteria are a proven favorite, along with the agriculture pavilion and the Tate Museum. ECLC also occasionally makes trips to specific classes on campus, like as the dance classes. “Their [the kids'] desire for that is really what leads that, so we’re trying to do something Submitted Photo once a week that gets us out on campus,” Calmes said. ECLC’s approach to curriculum is also helped by the diversity of staff members. While the lead teachers of each class have education degrees, there are both part time and work study employees who can be anything from technology majors to biology majors. Odalys Osorio, an elementary education major, said, “You can be literally in any field and come work here. You just have to be willing to like, learn with the kids and love just being with kids.” This means that the children have a variety of sources to learn different things from as well, especially as older students graduate and newer students come to work. How much the teachers are able to affect this curriculum differs. Osorio explained that the lead teachers are the ones with the most control over the curriculum, doing observations and adjusting their curriculums for each child accordingly. Part time workers also do logged observations, and have communication with the teachers on what the kids are doing and need, but have less direct control over that curriculum. Work study students, despite engaging with the children and working closely with them, are not required to do observations or add to the curriculum. Instead, they follow the lead teacher and part time worker’s guidance during the daily schedule with the kids. While ECLC is not one of the louder organizations on campus, it is a very important one, ensuring parents are able to go to classes knowing that their children are safe and watched, and learning more and more about their world, their environment, and their campus day by day. Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Get feedback on a draft Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu caspercollegechinook.com Knowledge Enrichment for Youth KEY CAMP Looking for a rewarding way to spend this summer? Join the team at Casper College’s KEY Camp as a camp counselor, classroom assistant, nurse, or teacher! It’s a valuable experience for your resume and an opportunity to mentor academically inclined sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Contact the Casper College Community Education Department at 307-268-3401 or comm_ed@caspercollege.edu for more information. � 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 2025-03 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. 2025-03 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from March 2025 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_2025-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/3079f470a6d3b423d8cb15c9e9701539.pdf 348d5233df047afa1ad2e6d35b0278c6 PDF Text Text April 1, 2025 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Finalists for the college's presidential search Kylie Wheaton Chinook Writer On March 6 the Board of Trustees Chairman, Dave Applegate, announced the finalists for the Presidential Search at Casper College: Dr. Brandon Kosine, Dr. Benjamin Valdez and Dr. James Taylor. Taylor, the Vice President for Statewide Campuses at Utah State University, withdrew from consideration for the position on March 27, as reported by the college’s public relations department. Still, Applegate said the board of trustees plans to select a candidate in early April. Each of these candidates went through a long and thorough process to get to where they are now. According to Applegate, “All three finalists are very accomplished in the area of educational leadership. They Submitted Photos Dr. Benjamin Valdez (left) and Dr. Brandon Kosine (right) are finalists in Casper College's presidential search. Valdez is currently the the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, S.D. Kosine is the interim president at Casper College. all have been in a variety of roles within various institutions. They’re all we’ve been looking for -- people who had broad experience and a depth of experience.” Candidate Dr. Brandon Kosine Dr. Brandon Kosine is currently serving as the interim president at CC. Originally from Sheridan, Kosine received his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2007 from the University of Wyoming. Kosine is a first-generation college student and hopes to encourage other first-generation college students with his own story and accomplishments. “When you’re first gen you never really see yourself doing these kinds of things. I try to let folks know that I’m first — See Search Page 3 Concealed carry coming to Casper College campus Gentry Hiser Chinook Writer Following the passing of HB0172: Wyoming Repeal of Gun Free Zones Act, Casper College is preparing for the implementation of concealed carry on campus as of July 1. The bill specifically states that those with a concealed carry permit may lawfully carry inside “any public college or university facility.” In response, Interim President Dr. Brandon Kosine created an advisory committee to oversee the preparation of the campus for this change. According to Amanda Nelson, chair of the Faculty Senate and program director for paralegal studies at CC, “There's going to have to be some decisions made on how we move forward as a campus.” Nelson mentioned some areas where decisions are necessary, such as if security is now going to be armed and how weapons will be stored when off person in the residence hall. Currently, security on campus is unarmed and weapons are not permitted inside the residence halls, according to House District 36 Representative and instructor of criminal justice and political science at CCe, Art Washut. The repeal of gun-free zones was not unexpected. Last year, the bill passed both the House and Senate but was vetoed by Governor Mark Gordon. This year, the Governor allowed it to come into law without his signature. “All of the college presidents [and] the community college commission all worked together to present a unified front down in Cheyenne,” Nelson said. “We're very involved, very vocal about what exemptions should be included.” Nelson specified that many of the colleges hoped that firearms would not be allowed in residence halls, at sporting events, or at administrative or procedural events such as Title IX hearings. As far as exemptions included in the actual bill, campus events serving alcohol and locations containing volatile or explosive material are among the few exemptions listed that are not already prohibited under other Wyoming laws. “There's still a lot that's up in the air, and I think that's the hardest part,” Nelson said. The implementation of HB0172 led to apprehension of the changes yet to come, especially pertaining to safety following the permittance of guns on campus. Abby Bishop, education instructor on campus and counselor-in-training at the Casper College Wellness Center, comes to the college with 20 years of K-12 teaching experience. Bishop shared that her perspective on concealed carry comes from a background in neuroscience and how people perceive safety. She said the first thing the brain does when entering a room or different environment is scan for safety. “When I walk into a room and I know there is a possibility of a weapon in the room, it’s hard to feel safe,” Bishop said. However, the common idea that guns have been previously disallowed on campus is inaccurate, according to Washut. Washut said that at this time, there are no measures in place to ensure that people on campus are not already concealed carrying. Bishop referenced signage at school entrances banning guns that schools will now remove. “It’s not about it being the literal law. It's that when you remove the actual ban in general — there is a perceived sense of un-safety,” said Bishop. Washut was a member of the legislature who co-sponsored HB0172. Interim President Kosine asked Washut to sit on the advisory committee for the preparation of the presence of concealed carry on campus. Washut said that before his entrance into the legislature in 2019, “We had a law that said concealed carry permits were not valid, but we had nothing about open carry.” Casper College’s own policy, according to Washut, detailed that students and faculty could not openly carry on campus, but this was not similarly applicable to the public. Due to this, Washut said he requested language in the bill permitting colleges to create policies regarding the storage of weapons when not on one’s person as a concealed carry. This was included in the bill. “We don’t want to have a campus that feels like a prison where you have to get strip searched to come to class every day, right? But that's what Abdul Bashir: Becoming the best Timothy Hubert Chinook Writer Over the last two years, Abdul Bashir became a household name for much of the city of Casper. Very few expected the 6-foot-7-inch guard from Omaha, Neb. to accomplish as much as he did in his two years with the Casper College Thunderbirds Men’s Basketball Team. He will take his talents to the next level, following his commitment to Auburn University. Assistant Coach Deion Anderson said he made an immediate impact on the team. The organization quickly realized how good Bashir could be at a national level. “We always knew how talented he was, but for him to get where he’s gotten, I don't even know when that happened. He has always been him and that’s the only way to put it,” said Anderson. Bashir’s performance on the court in both of his seasons as a starter for the T-Birds illustrate Anderson’s compliments. Starting in 32 games as a freshman, he averaged 19.4 points per game, on 45.3% 3-pt shooting. During his freshman season, Bashir broke the school record for most 3 pointers in a single season, with 124 makes. Then, Bashir broke his own record this season with 131 makes. He also finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in Casper College history, averaging 27.2 points per game last season. This number not only placed him as the leading scorer in the region, but Bashir also led the nation in scoring, making him arguably the greatest JUCO player in America. Anderson shared his experience coaching Bashir over the past two years. “I was blessed with the opportunity to coach one of the best junior college basketball players ever, and I'm gonna stand on that statement,” said Anderson. Anderson said that Bashir's requests to help work one-onone before or after practice are some of the memories he will cherish most. He found shooting exercises to be the easiest, due to the rate at which Bashir made high volumes of shots. “I just had to stand under the rim and pass the ball to him,” said Anderson. Anderson also stressed the importance of Bashir’s incredible leadership in his sophomore season. He praised him for his humility, hard work, and constant desire to be great. “He’s an amazing young man, has a great heart, and does things for the right reason. He's gone through a lot in his life, and he uses all of that to remain humble and remain grounded,” exclaimed Anderson. This quote by Anderson states the main reason why he felt Bashir made such a drastic leap from his freshman season to his sophomore year. Bashir left fans astonished in the team’s second matchup of the season against the team’s rival, Laramie County Community College. Not only did the T-Birds win the game, but they also won shorthanded, as many of the team’s players were serving two game suspensions from an incident earlier in the month. In dramatic fashion, the T-Birds played the second game of the season with three T-Bird soccer players. Freshman Buai Luak posted a breakout game with 12 points and 15 rebounds in his best game of the season. However, the performance of the night came at the hands of Abdul Bashir, a sight that T-Bird fans were blessed to see on a regular basis. Bashir broke the single game record with 49 points against LCCC, two points higher than the previous record of 47, which he tied earlier in the season. He did this on 44% shooting, hitting four three pointers and 21 free throws. He also posted four rebounds and a game-high seven assists. This game extended the T-Bird’s winning streak against LCCC to eight straight games, and you'd have to have if you wanted to significantly increase your level of actual security as opposed to your perceived safety,” Washut said. Bishop stressed that the purpose of taking classes is to learn, and people can’t learn if they don’t feel safe. In her words, people’s baseline for feeling safe is different based on their past experiences and potential traumas. Bishop said, “Whether we see it physically or not — it’s about perception.” Washut cited his feeling that gun-free zones are highly ineffective, along with his appreciation of Wyoming’s constitution — especially Article I Section 24, “Right to Bear Arms” — as his reasoning for his support of HB0172. Bishop responded to the rhetoric that people may already be carrying concealed anyway. “People are carrying anyway — while that may be true—[the] system used to be able to say at least there is a safeguard for me that’s been put in place,” Bishop said. — See Concealed Carry Page 5 brought the team’s season total to 22 wins. Bashir will take another leap in his career next year, as he announced his commitment to Auburn University, the top division one team in college basketball. When asked about what Auburn can expect from a player like Bashir, Anderson spoke highly of Bashir's competitiveness and determination. He said, “He’s not gonna stop. He knows what he wants out of basketball -- he knows what he wants out of his life, and nothing is going to stop him from getting that.” Anderson holds high expectations for Abdul as he continues his basketball career at the next level due to his work ethic and high potential. “They (Auburn) are going to get a true competitor, a winner, a really good basketball player, and an amazing, special human being,” said Anderson. CC will remember Bashir as possibly the greatest basketball player in the college’s history. He will be missed by his teammates, fans, and especially his coaches. “We spent so much time together these past two years. A lot of time, a lot of memories, a lot of laughs, a lot of smiles, a lot of tears…I love the kid. He's always done things the Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez right way, and he's somebody Abdul Bashir starts in a recent game at Casper College. I’m really gonna miss,” said Bashir committed to play at Auburn University next year. Anderson. Auburn is currently ranked number one in college basektball. �Page 2 April 1, 2025 CHINOOK From the President's Desk Chinook Stance Basketball Suspensions Timothy Hubert Technical Fouls with Tim The Casper College Men’s Basketball Team saw numerous memorable moments this season. Some of these memories include Sophomore Abdul Bashir breaking the Casper College single-game, single season, and career scoring records while another came in watching Sophomore Nate Sasser III fly high to the rim, making highlight dunks regularly. Yet another memory sticks from when Sophomore Yel Deeng’s posted a breakout game with a stat line of 21 points, 20 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. However, arguably none of these memories top the game in late February against Central Wyoming College. What made the CWC basketball game stand out was less about the basketball players and more about the fact that the shorthanded T-Birds suited up three soccer players to compete in that game. The soccer players– Court Gonsalez, Shon West and Jael Reyes– collectively accounted for 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal in the 17 point victory. Obviously, though, soccer players suiting up for a basketball game is not a common occurrence at the collegiate level. As fun as it was for fans to watch that game and cheer on the soccer players, they were only in that position due to an incident at the end of one of Casper’s previous games. On Feb. 15, the T-Birds traveled north to take on rivals, the Gillette College Pronghorns. The matchup had high stakes, as the game ended up deciding the tiebreaker for first place in the North region, granting the winner home court advantage at the Region 9 tournament. After an action-packed, back and forth game, the Pronghorns of Gillette College pulled away to secure a 99-92 victory over the T-Birds. However, in the final second, Casper’s Parker Davis hit the ground hard on a contested layup as the buzzer sounded. While on the ground, a Gillette player taunted Davis, leading to Casper Sophomore leader Ethan Connery stepping in between Davis and the Gillette player. The incident caused pushing and shoving, which ultimately led to the benches clearing. Officials, coaches, managers, and some players desperately attempted to separate the two teams. Through the madness of what could have turned out to be an all-out brawl, the Casper players were all led to their locker room. The gym echoed with Gillette fans and players booing and taunting the T-Birds while celebrating the Pronghorns win. In total, Casper’s Connery was the only T-Bird that was assessed a technical foul for the scuffle, while Gillette had multiple technical fouls enforced at that time, as well as an assistant coach ejected for making contact with an official. Over the course of the next week, Region 9 and the NJCAA compiled both video footage and personal accounts from different personnel in attendance that saw the incident transpire. The investigation came to a close when teams were notified of numerous suspensions as punishments for the scuffle. Seven of Gillette’s 11 active players received suspensions, with all but one receiving a two-game ban. Gillette’s assistant coach was also suspended one game for his actions. On the Casper side, Ethan Connery, Rohan Butler, Binael Basil, Nate Sasser III, and Yel Deeng all received two-game suspensions while Blake Neverdon and Buai Luak were suspended for just one game. The reasons for these suspensions were very controversial and even unfair. By rule, any player that leaves the bench area during a fight or potential fight over the course of the game is automatically suspended for at least one game. Any physical contact or unsportsmanlike conduct to opposing players, coaches, or the officials can also leave team members subject for suspension. No punches were thrown and minimal unsportsmanlike conduct was made between opposing players during the scuffle. I believe the NJCAA followed the letter of the law too tightly, as opposed to the spirit of it, as they suspended players who stepped one foot onto the court and did not get involved at all in the scuffle, as well as players who were only trying to separate the teams and maintain the peace and order of the sport. However, the NJCAA and Region 9 completely looked past these details in an attempt to put their foot down and take control of the incident by suspending a total of 14 players and leaving both teams with just four players for their next game. Fortunately for the teams, they both won those games short-handed, as a loss in that point of the season could have had extreme consequences in both teams' push to the playoffs, as well as the location of the region tournament. If I were in the shoes of the NJCAA officials that made that call, I would have similarly seen the need to not leave this incident unnoticed and the players involved unpunished. Some of the actions of certain players absolutely left them subject to punishment based off of the NJCAA code of conduct and sportsmanship policies. I would have suspended the main culprits of the incident from each team, specifically Ethan Connery from Casper and Caleb Hollenbeck and Andrew Fuquay from Gillette College for just one game. The reason for this would be because they did initiate a scuffle and potential fight and continued to instigate as opposed to preventing further escalation. I would not suspend them for longer though due to the fact that the game was over and no punches were thrown. I would not have suspended the rest of the players who left the bench, as the game clock had expired and the game was over. At that point the schools are responsible for the players, not the officials. If the school wanted to punish players, by all means, they could do so. However, I believe the NJCAA officials did not handle the situation in the most unbiased, professional, or fair way possible. Back in November, I wrote to you about reflecting on your ‘why’ you are pursuing a higher education. As you have continued your journey this year, I want to take a moment to talk about something fundamental to your success and fulfillment—your purpose. Understanding your personal purpose can be a guiding force, helping you make academic, career, and life choices that align with your passions and values. At times, life can seem like a series of tasks—classes to attend, assignments to complete, jobs to work. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine “ without stepping back to ask, “Why am I doing this?” But taking the time to explore what truly drives you is one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself. Your purpose is not just about a career or degree—it’s about the impact you want to have on the world and the life you want to create for yourself. For some of you, your purpose may be clear. You may know that you want to become a nurse, a teacher, an entrepreneur, or a skilled tradesperson. For others, purpose might feel like a puzzle still being put together. Purpose isn’t always something you “find” all at once—it often unfolds over time as you explore, learn, and grow. It can also change as you move through life and gain experience or have a shift in priorities. Identifying your purpose can start by asking yourself a few key questions: • • • • What subjects or activities make me feel engaged and excited? What challenges have I overcome, and how have they shaped me? What kind of impact do I want to have on others and my community? What are my core values, and how do they influence my choices? Your academic journey is a powerful way to explore these questions. The courses you take, the professors you connect with, the experiences you gain through internships, service projects, and student organizations—all of these contribute to shaping your sense of purpose. Every step you take can bring clarity and direction. I also encourage you to seek guidance. Talk to mentors, professors, counselors, and peers. Sometimes, others see strengths in us that we don’t recognize in ourselves. Don’t be afraid to try new things, take on challenges, and step outside your comfort zone. Growth happens when we push ourselves beyond what feels familiar. At Casper College, we are committed to helping you discover and pursue your purpose. Whether your path is crystal clear or still taking shape, know that every effort you put in today is building the foundation for your future. Education is not just about earning a degree—it’s about developing the skills, confidence, and sense of direction that will guide you in all areas of life. William James, the father of American psychology once said, “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” No matter where you are on your journey, I want you to know that your goals, dreams, and aspirations matter. You have a unique contribution to make in this world, and we are here to support you in achieving it. Keep striving, stay curious, and always believe in yourself. Purpose isn’t always something you “find” all at once—it often unfolds over time as you explore, learn, and grow. It can also change as you move through life and gain experience or have a shift in priorities." — Dr. Brandon Kosine, Ph.D., Casper College President caspercollegechinook.com �April 1, 2025 Page 3 CHINOOK Search..................................................... gen so that students can hear that message,” said Kosine. “I always told my students in all my classes -- I’m a first-generation college student and here I am, you know, teaching all of you, or I’m in this administrative position because I just think providing that message lets students know that hey, I can do this too.” Kosine has been employed at Casper College since 2012. He began as a psychology instructor and then moved to dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. He then served as vice president of academic affairs before working as the current the interim president. In everything he does, Kosine said he aims to be thoughtful. He strives to ensure that he is taking care of those he leads in a very sincere and genuine way. “I’m a counselor by trade, and I feel like I really try to anticipate the needs of other people and try to support them in the ways that they need supported,” said Kosine. Such support not only applies to the staff and faculty of Casper College, but to the student body as well. Last year Kosine presented the Student First Initiative, also known as the 20242029 Strategic Plan, to the board of trustees. The board approved the initiative, and Kosine began implementing it at the college. The Student’s First Initiative was created to keep students at the center of all decision making at CC. According to the official CC 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, “Casper College strives to provide an education for a lifetime that will prepare individuals to thrive and adapt in an ever-changing world.” The plan also states that CC has a “primary focus on student success that provides learning opportunities to enrich the lives of our students and community.” Kosine is passionate about equipping students with all the tools they need to be successful when their journey at Casper College ends. More specifically, Kosine strongly believes in providing leadership skills and opportunities to all students. “For me personally, leadership is so much about who and how you are as a person and that personal development,” said Kosine. “A huge part of leadership for me, and especially with students, is figuring out what are your values and what are your principles […], and then developing your leadership theory and practice based on that and really having a solid sense of self.” Kosine said he believes that there is much more to the college experience than just classes and homework and hopes to ensure students get the most out of their time at Casper College. Candidate Dr. Benjamin Valdez Dr. Benjamin Valdez is currently the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, S.D. Valdez received his doctorate in Business Administration and Educational Administration from California Southern University and his doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Valdez said he believes in thinking outside the box and being unconventional. He believes it’s an essential skill in this day and age. “I do not believe that you should allow yourself to be defined, and with today’s world being in ever flux and changing, you need to be adaptable,” said Valdez. Valdez said he also sees the importance of taking risks when needed and doesn’t fear failure. Instead, he acknowledges the benefits that can come from failure. “I believe it is from failure that you really learn,” said Valdez. “And being open to failure -- there’s nothing wrong with that.” At Southeast Tech, Valdez took a chance by convincing the school to accept an offer from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to take over a building adjacent to campus in order to expand academic programs. He said the risk resulted in a new state of the art healthcare simulation center. “Our enrollment in healthcare programs, our nursing, medical lab technician, medical assisting, paramedic science, the sonography programs have all increased, and we have what is known as one of the best healthcare simulation centers around,” said Valdez. Valdez said he hopes to take similar risks at Casper College and increase community involvement as well as bring in more funding for the school. “I think there’s a lot of opportunities -- a lot of grants and different opportunities to help increase, [and] to build the infrastructure within the college and provide more opportunities for students and faculty and everybody in the community as a whole,” said Valdez. Valdez believes academic expansion is extremely important in order to ensure that students receive the best and most applicable education they can. “If you want to survive, you have to be able to move that needle and add new programs [and] new opportunities, and [to] really look at what that next step is for the institution,” said Valdez. “There’s an old saying I’ve heard many times in education -- you’re preparing students today for careers and jobs that have not yet been invented.” Valdez hopes to improve the academic opportunities offered at Casper College in order to best prepare students for their next chapter in life. What comes next? Each of the candidates participated in a forum where students, staff, faculty and community members can ask the candidates their questions. The college hosted Dr. Kosine’s forum on March 28 and Dr. Valdez’s forum on March 31. Each will also sit for one more interview with the Board of Trustees before a final candidate is chosen in early April. continued from page 1 WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Get feedback on a draft Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu �Page 4 April 1, 2025 CHINOOK . t p Se 5 2 0 7, 2 REGISTER NOW CC Students run FREE! Use promo code 2025CCSTUDENT when you sign up. Lookout Point Half Marathon • Downhill Half Marathon • 10K • 5K Sign up: caspercollegefoundation.org/tbird-trek Questions? Call 307-268-2325. Casper College provides equal opportunity in education and employment — caspercollege.edu/nondiscrimination. Taking Online or Hybrid Courses? The Digital Learning Center supports your journey by helping you master essential digital tools. We ensure you have access to the resources you need for online and hybrid classes. HOW WE CAN HELP: • MyCCMoodle: Learn how to submit assignments, participate in forums, and more. Plus • Zoom Assistance: Access/navigate Zoom for remote classes and collaborations. lot m a ore! • Google Suite Support: Docs, Drive, Gmail — make the most of these tools. • Office 365 Access: Use MS Word, PowerPoint, and other essentials. • Online Tutoring Guidance: Navigate NetTutor and other resources for extra help when you need it. • Study and Work Spaces: Try out our newly furnished student room to study, relax, or use the computers and printer. • Tech and Snacks: Enjoy snacks like popcorn or ask about our VR and green screen! r You s our i cess ity! c u S r Prio Tyler Teresa Dave Katie 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. Mike �April 1, 2025 Page 5 CHINOOK Concealed Carry.................................. Moving forward, CC’s repeal of gun-free zones committee must concern themselves with safety on campus. “The college has a group called the Blue Moon Consulting Group who is from Colorado, and they specialize in safety protocols, procedures,” Nelson said. The group came to campus in March to conduct a comprehensive study of security protocols. Nelson suspects that the consulting group’s visit will serve to develop a plan on how to navigate the situation going forward. In an effort to avoid confusion and misinformation regarding concealed carry, Nelson said, “We've all tried to be careful not to present information as the answer when we don't know that it's going to be that actual answer.” She maintained that the college is not choosing a side, but instead choosing the best way forward while acting in accordance with the law. “There’ll be a lot of concern up front, people thinking that continued from page 1 terrible things are going to occur as a result, but over time those fears will dissipate,” Washut said. A tragic event could happen just as well today as in the time following this bill coming into effect, Washut continued. He cited the implementation of a similar policy with the University of Utah school system as an event that did not contribute to a mass migration of students either leaving or seeking enrollment with the school, and suspects the same to be true for CC. “Transparency is key,” Nelson said. She said that in terms of faculty retention and recruitment, the college will have to be open about the right to bear arms on campus being enshrined in law. People applying for positions with CC will likely have to be notified of HB0172, she said. According to Nelson, “We just move forward with what we have presented to us and do the best we can with that while being as respectful as we can." Casper College, said she isn’t expecting a huge impact from the bill on campus. “Casper College faculty operate with integrity. We’re people-minded, and we honor diversity,” Covert explained, indicating the mission, vision and values for the campus. She said she believes it will be a rare occurrence to meet someone unwilling to honor a person’s preferred pronouns. “I think this bill represents a minority feeling in the state,” Covert said. “I don’t think it honors Wyoming values, and I don’t think it’s necessary.” She went on to say that since we’ve never been able to enforce what people can and cannot say, this bill is fear-mongering and a bullying tactic that people will use as an excuse not to honor pronouns. Art Washut, a criminal justice instructor at Casper College and a Wyoming house representative, explained that the bill is more of a “prevention, preemption type of law rather than a response law to something that’s already occurring in Wyoming.” He said he doesn’t anticipate a lot of pushback against the bill once people understand why it was passed. Covert said, “I think here on campus, people are operating with more respect and treating people with higher levels of dignity than that, and so I really think that this is not going to have a huge impact.” The main pushback against the bill, she believes, is that people are going to wonder if this bill is really a priority issue for Wyoming. Ava Ostrander, a current CC student and member of Campus Ventures, agreed that the effects of the bill deals with the respect that people are willing to extend to others. She said that it really comes down to how willing you are to treat others’ opinions respectfully without letting their beliefs impact your own. The people who disagree with transgender values, Covert thinks, are the ones who felt it necessary to create a bill that is essentially allowing them to “lead with hate and not treat people in a respectful, proper manner.” People feel forced into using preferred pronouns, Covert said, because they “fear what’s different and what they maybe don’t understand,” said Covert. “I don't think folks fully understand misgendering -- how deeply it cuts and how much it hurts people -- and so I really think it just comes from a lack of understanding and awareness.” Ostrander said, “I know a lot of people who would say, ‘well, I just don't understand… therefore my actions are going to be disrespectful because I'm not going to tolerate this. I'm not going to stand for what I don't agree with,’” She believes that there’s a way to disagree with someone and still respect them and treat them with love. Covert said she sees it as unfortunate that businesses will no longer have the backing of the law to make sure people are treating each other with respect and using the proper pronouns. Washut said that the bill only prevents employees from getting fired or disciplined for not adhering to someone’s preferred pronouns, but there are no laws prohibiting the use of preferred pronouns, or prohibiting people from requesting that certain pronouns be used. He said it can sometimes be easy to accidentally refer to someone using pronouns they would rather not be called, and he raised the question, do we really want to fire someone for that? He said there may be instances where an employee may use the bill as an excuse to treat a coworker poorly by repeatedly misgendering them and creating tension in the workplace. If that were the case, he said, at some point the federal government may get involved and decide what is the best way to deal with those situations. At that point is it really about the pronouns, Washut asks, or is it “about just being a jerk” and creating a hostile work environment? While the law says you don’t have to use preferred pronouns, a company’s policy may say you still have to be respectful in the workplace. Compelled speech is not free speech bill Bella McManus/Chinnok Ava Ostrander poses for a photo. She spoke with the Chinook about the preferred pronouns bill and how she believes it will impact Casper College. Bella McManus Chinook Writer The “Compelled speech is not free speech” bill passed in the Wyoming legislature on Feb. 27 and will take effect July 1. The bill prohibits the state of Wyoming from requiring the use of preferred pronouns. Andrea Covert, the regional director of GEAR UP at Casper College Wellness Conference 35th Annual Event April 3 and 4 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Gateway Building Casper College Campus The Wellness Center endeavors to provide current, relevent information on wellness and mental health issues to all who are interested. April 3 is for anyone interested in learning more about wellness related topics and Friday is geared more toward mental health professionals. Check out the wellness center website for a schedule and additional information. �Page 6 April 1, 2025 CHINOOK Schafer coaches with passion and purpose Hailey Carr Chinook Writer For Eric Schafer, his career at Casper College as the livestock judging coach marks a significant milestone. Straight out of college, he accepted the job and moved to Wyoming to begin his new career. Schafer offers an extensive background in livestock judging, a deep understanding of genetics, and a strong passion for the industry. Originally from central Illinois, Schafer grew up on a row crop and livestock operation. He started showing livestock at a very young age. "When I got to be nine or 10, I started judging, and that was kind of my gateway into the industry. It all started through showing livestock, and I just started getting more involved the older I got," Schafer said. His passion for the industry expanded as he formed connections and pursued greater opportunities. Schafer explained that his involvement grew over time, serving on the National Junior Angus Board and participating in livestock judging throughout college. Schafer attended Butler Community College and later Oklahoma State University where he studied animal science and honed his skills in livestock judging. During his time at OSU, he not only competed but also assisted his coach in guiding younger students, which was instrumental in leading the team to a national reserve championship. He said the experience gave him valuable insights into coaching and mentoring. For Schafer, coming to CC wasn’t just about taking a job – he said his decision revolved around honoring the legacy of a strong program. He had long admired the program's history, especially when Kelly Burch was in charge, as well as the leadership of later coaches like Heath Hornecker and Jeremy Burkett. Schafer said he also recognized the college’s tradition of producing successful students and noted that Wyoming's strong agricul- tural base, particularly in seedstock cattle, proved a key factor in his decision. He shared that his inspiration to become a coach stemmed from the leadership he experienced from his own mentors. "I was inspired by my past judging coaches and their strong leadership. Their impact is what motivated me to become a coach myself,” Schafer said. “I want to be that kind of coach for the younger generation." Schafer emphasizes hard work and discipline in his coaching approach. He believes success comes from outworking the competition through daily practice, livestock visits, and consistent effort, fostering motivation and dedication in his team. He believes in fostering a strong work ethic within his team to not only succeed in competitions but also to set them up for long-term success in life. While the transition from a student to a coach brings challenges, Schafer said he is confident that he will adapt. "The biggest challenge is just getting used to being in a senior-level position and learning the ropes of it," he admitted. For Schafer, livestock judging goes beyond evaluating animals. It teaches valuable life skills such as decision making, work ethic, time management, and responsibility. "Probably the biggest thing I'm the most proud of in this group is we had a very successful winter run there in Oklahoma City at Congress and at the National Western," Schafer shared. "It was a culmination of what we started with, right? I started with this group in August, and we didn't have nearly the same amount of time to get used to each other, but the work paid off." The team demonstrated outstanding performances, earning sixth place at Cattlemen’s Congress and eighth at the National Western. Several individuals achieved notable rankings, including a first-place finish in cattle, a top-five placement in sheep and goats, and a top-five finish in cattle reasons. Schafer expressed that seeing their hard work pay off Hailey Carr/Chinook Eric Schafer is the new Casper College Livestock Judging Coach. He is pictured here guiding his students in judging practice on campus. was one of his proudest moments as a coach. Schafer values the strong bond within the team and takes pride in watching students dedicate themselves, travel together, and achieve success. "What I enjoy most is the camaraderie within the team. It's amazing to see them work hard, travel together, and ultimately succeed." For students pursuing a career in agriculture, Schafer offered advice. "You just have to be gritty. One door closes and another one opens. Agriculture offers growth and opportunities, especially for young people willing to work and learn." Looking ahead, Schafer is focused on continuing the legacy of success at Casper College. “From our program perspective, I really want us to continue growing our student involvement,” Schafer said. “I want us to be a nationally competitive judging program, and I think we’re getting to that point. We’ve been there for several years based on the history of the program.” He is committed to continuing that legacy, ensuring that the ag department at CC remains a place that produces some of the best and brightest young minds in the industry. As Schafer embarks on this new chapter at CC, his drive, passion, and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly continue to inspire and guide his students for years to come. Join our Chinook staff this fall! Interview & write Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore web development Create social media content The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications Celebrate Local Authors Saturday, May 3, 2025 1-5 p.m. Walter H. Nolte Gateway Center, 2nd Floor Lobby, Rm. 221 Celebrate local writers and learn about their latest works. Meet talented wordsmiths, discover hidden gems, and connect with fellow OLLI members. Enjoy a casual atmosphere while exploring new books and supporting your community’s literary scene. Purchase books directly from the authors. Bring a friend who is curious about OLLI or loves supporting local artists. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu For more information contact: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Casper College 307-268-3401 • olli@caspercollege.edu LEARN FOR THE LOVE OF IT! �April 1, 2025 Page 7 CHINOOK Impact of human connection in online classes Natalie Benson Chinook Writer At Casper College, faculty are learning how isolation and the feeling of human connection impacts online learning. While seen most clearly during the rise of online learning during COVID-19, these effects can still be seen in online classrooms today. “Online, I feel like sometimes I’m talking to the abyss, and I’m not real sure if my explanations are connecting or not connecting,” said Teresa Stricklin, a math instructor and the director of the Casper College STEM Center. She said she knows some online students well because they engage with her and advocate for themselves. But with other students Stricklin admitted, “I’m like, you’re just a name on a page and I know nothing about you.” Stricklin said it is much harder to tell when online students are struggling since she isn’t doing the work directly with them in the classroom. She also explained how the workload for online classes is much higher for faculty because teachers have to anticipate where students will struggle in lessons instead of being able to read the room or field questions from students in person. If a student doesn’t reach out, she doesn’t know if they need help until the test scores come in, which can be several weeks after content is taught. This can lead to students feeling isolated and falling behind but still needing that help to understand the content and continue learning well. COVID-19 truly changed the landscape of online learning. “Prior to COVID, we had quite a few [faculty] that were just like, I just want to do my face-to-face stuff. I don’t need any digital stuff. When COVID hit and they all had to transition into it… most of those faculty stayed digitally, so like their gradebook. Even if they were just doing complete face-to-face, they still utilize the system,” said David Siemens, director of the Digital Learning Center. While all classes are required to use these online services, like Moodle, for content and grading, the amount of online work differs. Fully online classes utilize these services greatly, with every aspect of the work online and no regular face-to-face contact. Hybrid classes are similar in that the majority of the work is online; however, there is still a required faceto-face portion of the class at a certain time, which changes from class to class. In-person or fully face-to-face classes utilize Moodle for grading and assignment instructions and completion, but all of the content learning happens in a face-to-face classroom with other students and teachers on a set schedule. The number of online classes is only growing. According to the DLC, in the 2023-2024 Academic Year, 39% of classes in the fall semester were online, 60% were online during the summer semester, and 42% were online during the spring semester. Those numbers don’t include the hybrid or face-to-face classes that utilize the online services that the DLC provides. When it comes to the issue of human connection, Stricklin shared her advice to students taking online classes. Stricklin said, “Make yourself known in a positive way. Connect with the faculty member. Even in week one, if that faculty member has virtual hours, do it. Connect with that person. …don’t just be a name on a roster all semester long. If there’s discussion forums, participate. Participate in them.” If human connection is the hardest part of online classes, then purposefully reaching out is one of the best growth yet. As the use of A.I. rises, so does the use of A.I. detectors. The most common detector used on campus is Turnitin. The software is a plagiarism analysis that detects if any A.I. was used to write a paper. After the analysis, it would show a score of how much A.I. was used and could show not only the teacher, but the student the score as well. Renee Griffith, director of teaching, learning, and assessment at CC, taught some technological classes on campus, and since 2023 she’s taught students and staff about A.I. and how it should be properly used in an academic setting. Griffith decided to teach more about A.I. to everyone after attending a seminar, hosted by A.J. Juliani, where he talked about having less fear about the tool and how it can be used productively to help students with whatever they may need help. When using A.I. with her students, they seemed to like the idea of working with it in her classes. “They were nervous at first,” said Griffith. “After they tried it, used it, and applied it, they had more confidence,” Griffith also said. Griffith sees herself retired in the next ten years but wants to keep teaching about A.I. to others and how one can become better at using it. “I hope to keep learning. I don’t just want to retire and then not learn anymore. I would love to take some courses,” said Griffith. Griffith also wants to help her grandkids stay on top of A.I. technology. “I think it’s really important to know what it is and how they’re using it to guide them through some of the decisions that they have to make,” said Griffith. Natalie Benson/Chinook Teresa Stricklin, math instructor and STEM Center director at Casper College, posed for a photo with the Chinook. ways to avoid feeling isolated in those classes. Stricklin also had one more piece of advice. She said, “The most important thing is if you’re online, you gotta read, triple read, quadruple read the instructions. Because it’s the only way we can communicate sometimes. … and then advocate for yourself, right? Make the faculty member earn their paycheck. That’s why we’re here.” Keenan Morgan and Martina Stowe, both secondary education majors at CC, shared different opinions about the use of A.I. in schools. Morgan doesn’t like the idea of the use of A.I. because of the implications in the pace of development. “Generally, people who know me know that I’m anti A.I. in terms of the pace of development. That stuff concerns me because I think it has wide implications not just for schools, but politics and what people believe to be true and not to be true,” Morgan said. Morgan works at the Writing Center on campus and noticed more and more students ask how to properly use A.I. to help it with their work. “I think we’ve noticed more questions about A.I. or more discussions about A.I. and its appropriateness of it being used,” Morgan said. Stowe took several technological classes from Griffith and learned how to use A.I. and how to properly use it as a tool. “When she taught A.I., it was for how educators can use it in the classroom, and her entire concept was using it as a tool but not using it as something that takes over fully,” Stowe said. Stowe used A.I. platforms in a few of Griffith’s classes and also learned how to use A.I. to create a lesson that revolves around the content they were learning. “We used it in one of our lessons to create an entire lesson with it. We just said this is like the standard we need to follow and then it created it for the rest of us, it would even come up with videos to show.” Stowe said. With continued advancement, the usage of A.I. may become the tool of the future if students are traiined to use the software systems properly. Only time will tell. The use of artificial intelligence at Casper College Kadin Yeager Chinook Contributor Students at Casper College are currently using artificial intelligence platforms, more commonly known as A.I., to help with their coursework. There are positive and negative reactions about A.I. and how it is being used on campus. Cambridge Dictionary in 2025 states that artificial intelligence is a computer software system that has some of the qualities that a human brain has and can solve problems, interpret languages, and create images and videos. ChatGPT is the most used A.I. platform with about 400 million users, according to Shubham Singh of the DemandSage and Backlinko in 2025. DemandSage also reported that usage increased by 33% since December of 2024, marking the platform’s fastest Student Life’s alternative spring break Kylie Wheaton/Chinook Student Life took a group of students on an alternative spring break trip to St. George, Utah. Left, Casper College student Bryce Goodwin is pictured posing at Scout’s Lookout in Zion National Park. To the right, CC students Shania Scheel (front) and Jocie Banks (back) are harvesting basil with Thunder at Switchpoint’s greenhouse. Below, students are shown blowing bubbles and enjoying the scenery at Zion National Park. Students Cameron Logan (front) and Erica Pasley (back) sorting clothes at Switchpoint’s thrift store. � 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 2025-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <div id="dublin-core-rights" class="element"> <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> </div> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2025-04 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from April 2025. 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_2025-04 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF