THE
COLLEGIAN Friday, February 18, 2022 | Volume 110, Issue 8 | North Newton, KS
Josh Kennell shows students how to measure and cut the fabric for his event in which materials were recycled into Boomerang Bags. Photo by Emily Brandt
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KIPCOR creating space for transformation
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Editorial: Consistency in enforcing policy
8
10
Cheer and dance teams experience comp success
Michalski reaches 1000 career points
12
Forensics team grows under new leadership
2 NEWS
Creating a chance for transformation with KIPCOR JOSUE COY DICK Staff Writer
“I grew up hearing all the time that the truth will set you free, and that is what I think about when I remember the circle. I came out of there and I was just
so free. I could finish out my workday, I wasn’t stressed or feeling worn out, and I stayed that way for quite a while,” said Chywonna Gonzalez. Chywonna Gonzalez, Coordinator for Residence Life and an alumnus of Bethel, participated in a Bethel College
From left to right: Alejandra Martinez, Sam Wilson, Josué Coy Dick, John Koontz, Vanessa Torres, Eli Regier, Miguel Molian Chavez pose after participating in Bethel’s first student Racial Healing Circle at KIPCOR. Photo provided by Eva Lapp
Racial Healing Circle, an experience now available to students, faculty and staff. Bethel was chosen last October to be a Campus Center for the Truth Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) initiative. The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) selected Bethel to participate in this program, launched by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Bethel is the only campus center in the state of Kansas. The Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, (KIPCOR) is the coordinator of TRHT at Bethel, partnering as an affiliate organization. Sheryl Wilson, director of KIPCOR, explained the basics of racial healing circles. “[They] are the ground floor. I believe that without all of us having the most basic conversations about how we are going to be in community together, we can’t have what I consider the 10,000 foot conversations about eliminating racism,” said Wilson. Robert Milliman, Vice President for academic affairs and dean of faculty hopes that students will help make that climb. “I would anticipate that student involvement will help lift up the cause and expand the influence… because I sense that students are hungry, and they can help to partner in seeing TRHT move forward,” said Milliman. One student who has already been involved in racial healing circles here at Bethel is Venessa Torres, a junior majoring in psychology. “I felt a big connection with everyone
in that circle. I felt vulnerable and that made me feel good about myself because I felt that I could say anything related to the prompt question. I felt that I could express myself in ways that I can’t with certain people,” said Torres. The AAC&U granted Bethel a license to use its materials and the Bethel TRHT team has been working on an action plan that focuses on the TRHT pillars of Racial Healing and Relationship Building, Narrative Change and Erasing Social Barriers. “[AAC&U] is giving us some materials, but they are not coming in with a team of people and saying you do it this way. This is a program that we get to all weigh in on as partners. We are co creating this,” said Wilson. When asked if he would consider participating in another circle, freshman and Bible and Religion major Peter Buller from Inman, answered. “Yes, absolutely, I would love to attend another circle and I look forward to the next time I can participate in one!” said Buller. Milliman shared the sentiment expressed by Buller. “I am a privileged white guy. I want to change. I want to see change and I want to see our vision, our welcoming statement fulfilled. I am glad to be part of it. I am enthusiastic,” said Milliman.
SGA met on Sunday, February 6 in the chapel. The Senate of the Student Government Association voted on the following: • Bill to Appoint Hayden Wallace to the Position of Freshman Senator - Approved The next meeting will be held on Sunday, February 20 and students are invited and encouraged to attend. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or ideas regarding anything you think SGA should address, please feel free to reach out to any SGA member or send comments to sga@bethelks.edu or through the website, bethelsga.wordpress.com
NEWS 3
Navigating collegiate trips with COVID takes flexibility
APRIL POWLS Staff Writer
In the past, Bethel College has taken students on faculty-led trips to places like Europe, around the United States, the Middle East and regularly to Mexico. However, with the rise of COVID-19 in 2020, trips were canceled or suspended until the pandemic had reached a manageable state. Now, after nearly two years since the beginning of the outbreak, trips have become a very real possibility again. One of the first Bethel affiliated trips to return was the Jerusalem seminar, led by Peter Goerzen. Set to take place late December of 2021, this trip would have included students and members from the
community and traveled to the State of Israel to visit Jerusalem. “About a year ago, there was a lot of optimism about running the trip, with highly-effective vaccines becoming available to the general public in the spring and summer. The emergence and surge of Delta in the late summer put a bit of a damper on things, but then booster shots proved effective, and it looked like the trip would run. We decided to move forward with the trip in the Fall,” said Goerzen The trip was canceled just several weeks before their departure due to the Omicron variant, causing the State of Israel to close its borders The May term trip to Mexico was also canceled last month, but due to lack of participants.
Another trip set to happen during May term at Bethel is the European Choir Tour. This trip, a three week educational choir performance tour through Eastern Europe, will be led by Bill Eash and Mark Jantzen. As for now, the trip is full steam ahead, but the state of the world will be closely monitored. If the tour is canceled, the students will have an opportunity to get a refund, the percentage of which depending on how close the trip is, but optimism is high considering that the European Union is unlikely to shut down. “Each trip is unique, and the best thing is probably just to be in contact with the trip planners, who are themselves working with travel agents or partners to have the most current information,” said Goerzen.
All students participating are aware of the risks involved in traveling overseas at this time. Additionally, all students are required to be fully vaccinated and will be tested twenty-four hours before departure. Trip organizers are fully expecting vaccine and testing travel requirements to change in the next three and a half months and are working to be as flexible as possible. They encourage students to be flexible as well, not only in the time leading up to the trip, but during the trip too. “Be attentive, be flexible, learn from the culture you visit, try as much as possible to fit in, don’t be an American overseas… Be gracious, be thankful, because there is a significant portion of the population who can’t do what we get to do, look out for each other, be a community…” Eash said.
Kennell hosts Boomerang Bags for sustainability
ARRAN KEARNEY Staff Writer
Bethel took a step closer toward sustainability as Joshua Kennell, sophomore from Newton, was originally appointed as Bethel College’s ambassador to the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions (CSCS) at the beginning of this academic year. CSCS is an organization founded to, in their own words, “lead Anabaptist efforts to respond to the challenges of climate change.” It operates out of Eastern Mennonite University, Va., and seeks to create initiatives involving Anabaptist and Mennonite colleges in the United States and Canada. Kennell, on behalf of CSCS, hosted Bethel’s first such initiative on campus on February 10, in conjunction with the charity Boomerang Bags. Boomerang Bags is an international organization that describes itself as a “global, grassroots movement.” It was founded in Australia, though it now has branches across four different continents. The chapter in Harvey County, which was founded through “a joint effort of the Newton Et Cetera shop and Shalom Mennonite Church” according to their
website, is one of only two in the state of Kansas, with the other being in Wichita. Kennell was “really happy” to bring this concrete climate action event to Bethel. “I’ve felt kind of isolated... There’s been a lot of Zoom meetings, and not much else if I’m being honest,” Kennell said, discussing his relationship with CSCS. Kennell hopes that this local climate initiative will bring benefits to the community of Harvey County. Boomerang Bags says that its primary goal lies in “connecting and empowering local communities to tackle plastic pollution,” with the essential goal being the reuse of “waste” fabric (that might otherwise be consigned to landfill) in the manufacturing of bags, which can then be distributed among a local community as substitutes for plastic shopping bags. This is exactly what the local chapter hopes to do. Kennell, referring to the event of a few days ago, described the process as follows – “the student volunteers cut and packaged the used cloth, which was sent to the Et Cetera shop [Newton], where local residents will be able to take it home with them to sew into new bags.” These can then be brought back to Et Cetera, to be handed out to shoppers.
It is hoped that the chapter could it, even if we don’t have any significant, grow large enough that “the bags could be noticeable impact on a national level,” handed out at farmers markets and fairs,” said Kennell. Kennell said. Kennell believes that such initiatives are very much in keeping with Bethel’s values, specifically its commitments to peace and justice. Kennell feels that such environmental enterprises have a great deal in common with the efforts of other clubs on campus, such as the Diversity Council and the newly created Community for Justice and Peace. “Peace work takes different forms – I think that peace with creation is vital,” Kennell said. In this same vein, Kennell wishes to promote the work of the Environmental Action Club on campus, with special attention being paid to Climate Week, which centers around Earth Day on April 22. Kennell wishes to promote education more than anything else. “Climate change is not going Josh Kennell helps students cut and assemble their away, I think it would be good sustainable Boomerang Bags. Photo provided by Eva if we can make people aware of Lapp
4 EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL We need consistency in enforcing dry campus policies Parties can be a great way to get to know your peers and maybe create new friendships. However, over the course of this year, there has been a rise in the number of parties on campus that involve the consumption of alcohol. This is a problem that has disturbed many student because of the fact that Bethel is supposed to be a dry-campus; this means that there is to be no use of drugs or alcohol on campus. For reference, this is outlined in the student-handbook released at the beginning of the year. The purpose of this article is not to shame anyone for participating in these activities, but rather to point out the fact that there has been little to no enforcement of these rules. It is no secret that students have NATHAN GARBER consumed alcohol on campus this year Entertainment Editor because there have been many weekends where Warkentin’s courtyard has been College parties are a vital part of the littered with discarded cans of beer and college experience. other alcoholic beverages. Parties are how many people Most concerning is the sheer amount decompress after of broken glass scattered a long week of about, making it a classes or how bit of a safety hazard students celebrate for students walking “I cannot control after passing an through the courtyard. important test or I know of people who what people choose completing a large used to play volleyball to consume while on project. and cornhole in the No matter the campus, but it becomes grass, but that is no an issue when it lowers longer safe for them to occasion for the party, everyone the standard of living on do. parties in their own I cannot control campus” way. what people choose This can range to consume while on from getting a campus, but it becomes couple of friends an issue when it lowers together to play some sort of board or the standard of living on campus. card game, or gathering a bunch of people The only time the staff at Bethel has to hang out and listen to music together seemed concerned about this policy was and play larger group games. during this year’s annual Christmas Gala
if one has to get up for an early class. event in December. So, be respectful of the established Student Life staff worked to make sure there was no alcohol at this event because quiet hours, which (as a reminder) are of Bethel’s “dry campus” policies. I believe from midnight to 9:00 a.m. on Monday through Friday and part of the reason for 2:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. this was that the event on Saturday and was held off-campus Sunday. and they wanted to “I believe if the Another thing put on a good face for administration of the to be mindful of is the institution. picking up trash In doing this, a college really cared after parties. No one double-standard was about being a dry to leave their created, showing that campus, they should give wants room in the morning the staff of the college Community Assistants to see the area only care to enforce around them filled these policies to keep more power to enforce with trash. the perception of the these rules, especially If you are going “dry campus” alive. when substances like to party in a public I believe if the alcohol are blatantly area, try to clean up administration of the after yourself when college really cared abused.” you are done so that about being a dry someone else does campus, they should not have to. give Community In the end, Assistants (CAs) more power to enforce these rules, especially administration and Student Life staff need when substances like alcohol are blatantly to be more consistent when enforcing their dry campus rules. abused. While these rules are important I do not think the number of room inspections or other similar policies to enforce when students are going off should be increased, but the CAs should campus for school events, they are also have more authority to break up parties if important to enforce in the residence halls they are being too loud during established as well. Students also need to be more mindful quiet hours, especially if they know alcohol of their peers so that everyone can enjoy is being used. As I stated before, parties are an the same standard of living while residing essential part of the college experience. on campus. However, the students have a certain amount of responsibility to each other to make sure everyone has an enjoyable Nathan Garber is a senior history and political science major. He is also the Entertainment experience on campus. When participating in parties, Editor for the Bethel Collegian. students should be respectful of those around them. Everyone has a different sleeping schedule, and if those get disrupted, it can hinder academic performance, especially
THRESHPECTIVE 5
THRESPECTIVES What is the value of student-led Convocations? Passionate student-led Convos spark hope The problem with student-led Convocations is they are not actually the product of student initiatives, and ARRAN KEARNEY are instead the Staff Writer result of the administration pushing students to promote certain institutions of events within college life. A great example of this would be the Student Government Association Convocation which, regardless of the enthusiasm of its student leaders, always follows a set format and contains the same sorts of information. It is a Convocation I have heard three times now and which, in spite of the most recent installation featuring an impassioned and genuinely engaging speech by the SGA President, I do not relish hearing again. The same is true for other sorts of student-led Convocations, such as when students are called upon to deliver the results of their senior projects. Most presenters relish this prospect presumably as much as Donald Trump looks forward to filing his taxes. There is no organic and deep-seated enthusiasm, and nor indeed are the subjects in question (while they are assuredly fascinating to the individual) generally all that appealing to the wider Convocation audience. There are exceptions, and we witnessed one of those just the other week. I must confess, not native to this land, the concept of “Black History Month” was quite foreign to me, and I viewed the Convocation with some apprehension, seeing it as a vehicle for a type of radical politics I would not subscribe to. However, I was very much mistaken,
a genuinely student-led Convocation. These students had diligently researched their presentation, and brought forward several admirable figures from Bethel’s history for the attention and appreciation of the student body. Most compelling of all was how clearly invested all of those presenters were in their subject. They wanted to share what they had learned with their fellow students, and they truly believed what they had to say would be of value to them. The administration, if it truly wishes to revitalize Convocation, could not find a better place to start than here. Scheduled student appearances talking about mundane and repetitive subjects are not “student-led.” A student’s face is simply superimposed onto whatever it is the administration wishes to talk about. The newly created “Community for Justice and Peace Club” − responsible for the aforementioned Convocation to honor Black History Month – has shown us an excellent example of how student-led Convocations can benefit the college. Invitations to speak at Convocation ought to be extended to other clubs, societies and organizations on campus. Students like to hear what other students are passionate about, and Convocation seems an excellent way to facilitate this. A combination of student-led presentations (and especially those that are permitted to discuss potentially controversial topics), alongside engaging outside speakers, could revive the great tradition Convocation once represented. . Arran Kearney is a sophomore history major. He is also a staff writer for the Bethel Collegian.
Solicit new voices for fresh Convo topics With students grumbling incessantly about Convocation satisfaction or dissatisfaction, the value of studentBETHANY POWLS led Convocation Editor-in-Chief is called into question. We are a fairly small and intimate campus, so it is reasonable to assume we would want to hear from our peers in fields of research, celebrate their excellence and take in the general creativity of campus. However, whether or not we increase student involvement depends entirely on the level of involvement. To start, it is no secret we students tend to become overworked. It is also no secret the same students keep ending up behind that podium, usually as a result of their involvement in other activities. Secondly, if Convo is meant to broaden our horizons and open us up to greater community, why are we consistently tapping into the same tired group of people? Why aren’t we pulling professionals from out in the world who can speak something new into the environment that is this campus? Perhaps the solicitation of greater student participation in Convocation has arisen from a lack of drive or motivation to look for diverse speakers. I can remember a time, not long ago, when there was a semester’s worth of Convos I wanted to attend. Now, however, I see a rather predictable set of topics and speakers that I’ve already heard from in a non-Convo setting. Additionally, I’m afraid the world beyond college does not necessarily
views espoused by Bethel and students should be made aware of that fact, not through antagonism, but through the informative observation that Convo can present. As a senior, I have been involved in more Convos in the last year than I in my entire career at Bethel. Just the other week, someone mentioned the Collegian should host a Convo and I cringed, knowing full well the amount of time, stress and added pressure that would pile on to an already tense semester. We are students. We are tired. We are carrying a lot of responsibility already and those asked to speak or participate in Convo are usually carrying the most. In order to have growth, one must pour into the students first if one is going to expect them to pour out into the community. If you want greater student involvement, tap into students who actually want to put their all into Convo and start a selection committee. Have students participate in the solicitation of speakers and presentations. I miss the Convos from a few years ago and I truly wish I had the time and energy to go search out people who discuss topics that intrigue me. That is now up to younger Bethel students. As a cautionary note to those who have the privilege of influencing said students: don’t be lazy with the responsibility you have to make Convo rewarding for all students, instead of an obligation for the many required to attend and a chore for the few who are asked to present. . Bethany Powls is a senior English and History double major. She is also Editor in Chief for
6 COMMUNITY
Word on the Street
What are your favorite memories associated with Valentine’s Day and why? SENIOR
Drannon Lenox
“My favorite memory by far has to be my second grade Valentine’s Day in Ms. Laws’ class. I was receiving all of the ladies’ Valentine’s Day cards and thought I was really the best guy in second grade. That was until I realized everyone received a Valentine’s Day card. Still a great memory though.”
SOPHOMORE
MiLan Bucek
JUNIOR
katey WiLheLM
“My favorite Valentine’s Day tradition was having the Valentine’s Day parties in elementary school. The night before, my mom would help me make my Valentine’s Day gifts for the class, and I would always stress over what to write on everyone’s Valentines. I think the best part of the day was when I would get home and read what everyone had written or given me for Valentine’s Day, because it was one day of the year everyone was nice and cared
FIRST-YEAR
JorDan Boone
“In the Czech Republic, Valentine’s Day is not popular. We see Valentine’s Day as a day of love and only young couples give gifts or flowers to each other. There are lots of commercials about the holiday with special offers, but people are not interested in it. Contrastingly, people here are very interested in Valentine’s Day and most couples are trying to give each other something nice or go out and eat something fancy.”
“My favorite Valentine’s Day tradition would be every year when me, my dad and sister would go out to eat and would come home to have chocolates waiting for us. This tradition means a lot to me because it brought us closer together as a family.”
Letters to the Editor The Bethel Collegian will accept letters of up to 250 words. The editor reserves the right to reject or edit letters for purposes of clarity, good taste and accuracy and to prevent libel. Letters attacking a private individual will not be permitted. Anonymous letters also will not be accepted. Letters must include a signature, address and phone number.
EMAIL: collegian@bethelks.edu
THE
COLLEGIAN
The Bethel College Collegian is a student-run newspaper published bi-weekly during the fall and spring semesters. The Collegian is funded by advertisement revenue and student fees. The Collegian will be digitally available to Bethel faculty, staff, students and community members for the 2021-2022 academic year. Feedback may be sent to:
collegian@bethelks.edu The Collegian, Bethel College, North Newton, KS, 67117
STAFF
BETHANY POWLS
ALLISON WEAVER
NATHAN GARBER
CHRISTINE CROUSE-DICK
LIZ ALDERFER
CHARLOTTE EHRMANN
CHARLES WALKER
JULIANNA SCHRAG
MIKI HARKINS
CAPRI STEVENSON-BISOM
SCHYLER ENTZ
EMILY BRANDT
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
FACULTY ADVISER
BUSINESS MANAGER
DESIGN/LAYOUT EDITOR
NEWS EDITOR
OPINION EDITOR
FEATURES EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR COPY EDITOR
WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR PHOTO EDITOR
FEATURES 7
Adjustments for commuters, uptick in enrollment BRETT ESCH Staff Writer
At the beginning of this past fall semester, many Bethel College returners noticed the same thing – an observation that can be summed up in a question often overheard from more than one student: “Am I crazy, or are there a lot more students on campus this year?” Rest assured, you, the student, are not crazy. The institution’s leadership noted this considerable uptick in enrollees as well, and it goes without saying that this is a highly encouraging trend for Bethel, especially coming off the heels of a global pandemic. This shift forced many policy and way of life changes not only here in North Newton, but on higher education campuses across the world. Additionally, leadership noticed an increase in commuter students – undergraduates that enroll at Bethel but elect to live off-campus. COVID-19, obviously, played a role in this emerging trend as well. Or, more specifically, the policy changed in response to COVID-19.
“The institution’s leadership noted this considerable uptick in enrollees as well, and it goes without saying that this is a highly encouraging trend for Bethel, especially coming off the heels of a global pandemic.”
As a result, these questions still remain among Bethel’s student body. First, what is the cause of this rapid influx in students? Second, how has leadership navigated an ever-changing landscape that is the institution’s commuter population?
And finally, how do these trends overlap? Vice President for Enrollment Management Heidi Hoskinson was able to touch on the first and most overarching question. “Enrollment has increased approximately 9% over the last four years... The influx of new students can be attributed to a new CRM technology platform in admissions, intentional growth of specific athletic team rosters, and a strong focus on recruiting students who are good fits for [Bethel]. … Our intentional focus on developing student support mechanisms over the last several years has played a big part in increasing our overall enrollment numbers,” Hoskinson said. That ‘intentional focus’ Hoskinson mentioned includes a renewed attention on Bethel’s end to the recruitment and retention of local students – including natives of Newton, Hesston, and other Harvey County, Ark Valley and north Sedgwick County communities. Thus, the positive correlation between an increased enrollment and an increased commuter demographic naturally presented itself. “8.6% of the new Fall 2021 class are commuting students. Our local recruitment efforts play a role in this figure as proximity to campus is an exception to residential living. There are other situations that qualify for automatic exceptions, and the Student Life office mitigates those requests,” Hoskinson said. This presented yet another challenge for Bethel in incorporating these commuters into campus life and providing them with the full Thresher experience. Vice President for Student Life, Sam Haynes, recognized the school’s role in the daily experience of an off-campus resident. “Bethel makes adjustments often to make all students feel connected to the college... There’s been an intentional effort to engage with commuter students to learn more about their experience and address their needs. Last fall, I along with a couple members of the Student Life Team hosted a special lunch to learn directly about new concerns and discuss updates on services on campus,” Haynes said. These extra steps were deemed
essential by Haynes and his staff as a result of key policy adjustments made during the spring semester of 2020 – immediately following the onset of the pandemic. In years past, Bethel’s requirement to live on campus was notably strict. Receiving an exemption was relatively unheard of as the ‘college life’ of a 500-student campus hinges almost solely on living proximity. Now, the policies are a shell of what they were before March of two years ago. Exemptions are granted at a far more accelerated rate, though Haynes has stated publicly that it is not the school’s intention for this to be the case permanently.
“Exemptions are granted at a far more accelerated rate, though Haynes has stated publicly that it is not the school’s intention for this to be the case permanently. In fact, he felt that the economic effects of the pandemic will propel more non-local commuters – a small yet growing portion of the commuter population – to elect to live on campus in the coming years.”
In fact, he felt that the economic effects of the pandemic will propel more non-local commuters – a small yet growing portion of the commuter population – to elect to live on campus in the coming years. “I believe the pandemic impacted commuters not living at home in a greater way than residential students. The cost of basic items to live and travel … have all increased in cost. The cost to live off campus once yielded big savings, [but] I’m
certain the cost gap of saving versus living on campus is now closer overall,” Haynes said.
“As Bethel anticipates – and hopes for – the school’s sheer enrollment to continue its steady incline, leaders such as Hoskinson and Haynes have proven that collaboration, teamwork, and nurturing relationships are the ultimate avenues to a rich college experience – even in the midst of things the world has (literally) never seen.” As Bethel anticipates – and hopes for – the school’s sheer enrollment to continue its steady incline, leaders such as Hoskinson and Haynes have proven that collaboration, teamwork, and nurturing relationships are the ultimate avenues to a rich college experience – even in the midst of things the world has (literally) never seen. “We’ve relied on our partners in Student Life to communicate with both incoming and current students the mechanisms through which [residential] exceptions could be requested and granted. They’ve done a great job managing a very fluid and challenging residential environment over the past two years,” Hoskinson said.
THE BETHEL COLLEGE COLLEGIAN
8 FEATURES
The Dance team performs in their 2022 Thresher Invitational debut. Photo by April Powls
Evolving cheer and dance programs experience early-season success
LOGAN DEMond Staff Writer
The Bethel College cheer and dance programs are making big moves. Earning top-ten finishes in their first performances of the season, these programs are making their marks in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) and there are no signs of slowing down. The Bethel College cheer team is coming off a 2021 conference championship, and the dance team has climbed its way up the standings each
year since its inception. Both programs, however, have fought their way to where they are now. Despite its recent success, the Thresher Cheer program is only ten years old. Joseph Gogus, current head coach, joined the program in 2014. Having started two weeks before the school year began, Gogus had just four athletes on the roster and three recruits. In his eight years, Gogus has led the Threshers to three KCAC championships, cementing his legacy at Bethel College. The Thresher Dance program began in Fall 2019 and has gained a member each year since. Head Coach Kiley
McCord stepped in last winter and praises her team’s improvement. “This team just has the ability to learn quicker and put higher-level skills in their routines…This year we’ve already changed and upgraded our routine to try to gain points. Last year, based on team abilities, that would not have been possible,” McCord said. Though McCord is immensely proud of her team’s progress and potential, she recognizes and outlines the difficulties of recruiting dancers to a small college. “I’m learning the ropes on recruiting… realizing how challenging it is to get dancers who want to continue dancing
in college, also getting them interested in Bethel, filling out paperwork, and pushing them to make decisions. It’s also a challenge to find skilled dancers who are not just interested in going D1,” said McCord. Most recently, both programs saw success in the fifth annual Thresher Invitational. Hosted in Thresher Gym, this twoday event saw community members, parents and students in attendance, as well as two out-of-state schools having traveled to North Newton. Thresher Gym was rocking as music blared between performances and the
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022 crowd partook in stadium shenanigans. The first night of competition saw both dance and cheer performances, respectively. The Thresher Dance team kicked off the evening with a dazzling dance consisting of jazz, pom (sharp movements that could be performed using pom-poms) and hip hop. This same dance will be performed throughout the season with changes added before each competition to add complexity. As the difficulty of the dance increases, so will score totals. Following six more dances and lots of energy in the stands, the Threshers finished fifth out of seven teams with a score of 55.95. For reference, St. Ambrose University walked away with a first-place finish on night one, having scored 77.26. Following the conclusion of night one dances, the mats rolled out, as did the cheerleaders. Fifth in the lineup, the Threshers took the stage and tumbled their way to a jawdropping performance that saw countless aerial stunts, which left them in third place (75.71) behind Hastings College and St. Ambrose University (88.73). With St. Ambrose having swept night one, both Thresher squads were hungry for day two, packed with even more competition. Day two started with a bang as Thresher Gym was packed with excited fans and athletes. Both the cheer and dance programs were set to perform twice. With cheer up first, Bethel brought the heat in its first performance, but saw a score of just 75, followed by another stellar performance from the dance team (55.36). Neither team placed first in the first half of the day and needed to bring their
FEATURES 9 game to compete with a highly talented slate of teams in the afternoon. Afternoon totals dropped again for both Bethel squads. Thresher Cheer finished fourth overall on Saturday (71.63) out of twelve teams, and Thresher Dance finished seventh with a final performance score of 54.88. St. Ambrose walked away from Thresher Gym with four trophies. Despite the drop in scores, the Thresher Dance squad placed higher in their second outing of the day. Evelyn Manresa, senior from Tampa, Flor., expressed her emotions following the competition. “I’m so proud of our team and everything we have accomplished. After the first few competitions I’m feeling very confident and am grateful to be part of a team filled with such hardworking women. I am really looking forward to competing at conference this year,” said Manresa. Despite a third and fourth place finish, sophomore cheerleader Jayci Mastre from Galva expressed optimism, as well. “I feel like we could have done better but I felt that we gave it our all. I know that as a team we left everything out on that mat. Mistakes were made but we take them to practice and learn from it to get better for conference in two weeks!” Overall, the Thresher Invitational was a success according to parents and athletes who commented on the energy and atmosphere created in Thresher Gym. “It was such a fun environment filled with positivity. The music, interaction with the crowd, and the announcer made the wait times a lot more interesting and fun, too,” said Evie Bartley a first year on the Baker Dance team from Newton. The Threshers will be returning to Thresher Gym once more this season,
Thresher Dance show off a syncopated turn element on night one of competition. Photo by April Powls
this time for conference competition. The same atmosphere will be created but the
final standings are sure to change for both up-and-coming programs.
Thresher Cheer smiles big during their night one routine, as audience looks on. Photo courtesy of Charlie Gibson
Cheerleaders prep for a mid-routine stunt as supporters, friends and family watch intently. Photo courtesy of Charlie Gibson
10 SPORTS
Senior Michalski reaches career milestone in basketball
JENNA MAHONEY Staff Writer
On January 22, 2022 at the women’s basketball home game against York College, senior Kendall Michalski from Topeka scored career point 1000 for the Threshers. At this game, she scored a total of 27 points. During last year’s season and the team’s national tournament run, Michalski was a key component to the team, and she averaged 13 points per game. This season, she is averaging 14 points per game. “I knew I was close to the mark and had a very good chance of getting it. It wasn’t something I was necessarily trying to get but I knew going into it I wasn’t very far away,” Michalski said.
Michalski has played on the team for all four of her college years. “I honestly didn’t think I would (hit this milestone). It wasn’t something I really ever thought about. It definitely wasn’t a goal of mine. I got the biggest smile on my face when I made the shot to reach it. Then turning back and seeing my teammates and coaches cheering for me was very cool,” Michalski said. Her teammates seem to be the most excited about her accomplishment. “It was just one of those moments where you’re so proud as a teammate. You want to see each other succeed and being a part of her getting to that milestone is such a good feeling.
The cheer team is an active participate in the energy of the crowd. Photos by Lindsey Pfannenstiel
SOFTBALL FEB. 19 . . . . . 1 & 3 PM . . . . HOME
Students are active in the student sections during home basketball games. Photos by Lindsey Pfannenstiel
She’s such a hard worker and truly deserved it,” freshman Josie Stupey from Arlington, Wash. said. Teammates that have been with her every step of the way are especially proud. “As a teammate and good friend I was so excited and happy for her. It was awesome to see how all her hard work paid off. She has been a great teammate and leader over the past few years,” senior Sydney Tenant from Peoria, Ariz. said. Michalski has also been a big leader on the team this year. “I was so happy and proud of her. She has been an important
leader for us this year and it has been amazing to watch her succeed,” freshman Carley Robb from Albany, Oreg. said. Michalski feels like one of the big reasons she made this accomplishment was because of her dad and her teammates. “I give all the credit to them [my teammates]. I wouldn’t have come close to reaching it if it weren’t for them. Getting to look up in the stands and see my dad there for the game was pretty cool. He’s by far my biggest supporter,” Michalski said. Derrick Pringle, head women’s basketball coach, is one of the most proud of her.
UPCOMING EVENTS
“Even though this is my first season with her, I feel like I have known Kendall for years. We connected from the first time we met in July. For me it was just a blessing to be a part of her special moment. Kendall is an exceptional person and obviously a great player. Kendall has been a great senior leader for us this year. She went above and beyond what I have asked for her. Her focus and determination in the classroom and on the court has inspired our underclassmen to want to do the same. Kendall has and is one of the best leaders I have ever coached,” Pringle said.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FEB. 19 . . . . . 5:00 PM . . . . . HOME
vs DOANE
WOMEN’S TENNIS
MEN’S TENNIS
FEB. 20 . . . . . 1 & 3 PM . . . . HOME
FEB. 20 . . . . 1:00 PM . . . . HOME
FEB. 19 . . . . . 1:00 PM . . . . . HOME
FEB. 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:00 PM
vs PERU STATE
vs ST MARY
vs hastings
KCAC QUARTERFINALS
FEB. 23 . . . . . 1 & 3 PM . . . . HOME
MAR. 5. . . . . 1:00 PM. . . . . HOME
FEB. 25 . . . . . 3:00 PM . . . . . AWAY
FEB. 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00 PM
vs CENTRAL CHRISTAIN
vs JOHN BROWN
at JOHN BROWN
KCAC SEMIFINALS
vs AVILA
SALT working towards community help
MIKI HARKINS Staff Writer
SALT is the Student Athletic Leadership Team consisting of a representative from each athletic team on campus, who gather to discuss ways to improve the athletic experience at Bethel. To kick off their first meeting this year, members focused on a new goal. “The biggest goal for the year is to kind of redefine what SALT is. This year our mission for SALT is how can we have the best student athlete experience on campus and how can we meaningfully change student athletes’ lives,” senior Drannon Lenox from Norman, Okla. said. In order to work toward this goal, members have divided up into three different subcommittees: gameday
experience, social media and community involvement. Lenox leads the latter group and his ideas for taking action are inspired from past opportunities at Bethel. “It really started off with the idea of starting a school mentorship program in the community. There used to be a program on campus through Bethel athletics with Chisholm middle school where [Bethel] would send a few athletes a couple times a month to meet with a group of students that they determined they wanted to meet with,” Lenox said. Their main focus right now is to send SALT members to visit with students at Chisholm Middle School, but the future plan is to expand this. Lenox believes that the best way to impact the community is
to have any and all athletes in as many schools as possible. “From what I’ve heard from these counselors at these schools, is that they have a lot of kids that don’t have very many role models in their life that could really, really benefit from seeing successful college students, successful college athletes,” Lenox said. Another aspect of this subcommittee is to sponsor events such as the middle school night that took place at the basketball game on January 22. At halftime, middle school students competed against Bethel students in a game of tic-tac-toe. “The idea with that is we get younger kids in the community, we get them free tickets, they bring their parents and they bring other family members and so we give one free ticket and we end up
having a whole family come. The more we can get younger people at Bethel, is good for the college, good for the community and it gives people something to do,” Lenox said. Lenox emphasizes the importance of reaching out to the community and being actively involved with them. “This is a huge life-giving opportunity. By life-giving, what I mean is this is our way to meaningfully give back to the community. That’s really important to me because I’m from out of state and this Newton community has really accepted me and I’ve really flourished here in my life and so to be able to give back, especially to kids, I think is huge,” Lenox said.
was something I was very aware of when I would come to games,” said Roth. The rivalry seems to come from both teams being Mennonite based schools. The decades-long history comes from the competitiveness between the two schools fighting for athletes, along with a religious factor that goes deeper than the school itself, becoming a bigger source for the rivalry. “I don’t think Bethel has as many true Mennonite students on campus as they did when I was a student. With recruiting branching out into other states, we’re not ‘fighting’ for the same kids. With Tabor and Bethel being only 30 miles apart, they were always recruiting the same kids back in the 80’s and 90’s,” said Stacy Middleton, the athletic operations administrator. No one is quite sure how far back the rivalry goes, but the
match-up was huge during the 90’s and leading up to today. Coaches, athletes, and professors from each sport tend to be more excited for this faceoff than any other. The football game between Tabor and Bethel was even called “the Mennonite Bowl” or “Menno Bowl.” The atmosphere created by these rivaling teams can be tense. Both teams are highly competitive and the above average attendance of fans is often a result of the short distance between schools, and makes for a large crowd on game days. Bryant Mocaby, a senior basketball player from Goddard, remembers last year when the men’s team was down by 20 at halftime and pulled out a win in the second half. “It was one of the craziest games I’ve ever been a part of. Knowing that we made a lot of people proud that have gone to
school and are currently going to school at Bethel is a great feeling. Wins like that gives us a little boost to strive for that feeling again and to keep it rolling,” said Mocaby. Even though the rivalry has historically resulted in the biggest games of the year, there has been a shift in how big the Bethel/Tabor games are for each athletic team. Each of the athletic teams at Bethel are finding new opponents that are becoming bigger rivals for them. For most athletes, the rivalry was a big deal their first year and has dwindled to a more playful tradition rather than an actual rivalry. “I hate to see it end. Didn’t matter what sport was playing, the stands were always packed full and the student sections were just crazy. It was so much fun to be a part of,” said Middleton.
The men and women’s basketball team recently played their home game against our rivals, Tabor College, at home. This brought many fans from both teams to watch the rivalry go down. Tabor has been a longtime rival and this was seen as a time for every student and athlete to step up and perform the best. Student athletes often hear about the Tabor rivalry from the very moment that they enter Thresher gym or Thresher stadium their first year. Other students like Jensen Roth, a senior from Abilene, have known about the rivalry since a very young age. “My grandparents are huge supporters of Bethel, so I remember hearing about the rivalry as I was growing up. It
The Sideline
LAUREN MCCREARY Staff Writer
CHARLIE GIBSON SENIOR CHEER
A fading rivalry between Tabor and Bethel
LAUREN MCCREARY Staff Writer
SPORTS 11
What does comp season look like for the cheer team? “We started this year’s comp season with a better idea of who stunts and works well together through working on team building in the football season...”
What is it like being one of the seniors on the team and how does this affect your team role? “I would consider myself a bit of a team mom. Being one of the oldest on the team and having more experience on the cheer team gives me insight into different things that I didn’t know as a freshman or sophomore.”
What has cheer taught you and will be something that you will carry on with you in your future career? “Cheer taught me how to trust myself and my abilities, both physically and mentally.”
12 ENTERTAINMENT
Forensics team looks to reemerge in excellence under new leadership TRISTAN ENGLAND Staff Writer
The Bethel College forensics program has been a historical staple of academic success within the Bethel community, with much of the school’s national attention deriving from the program. Likely, forensics photos from several years ago are still used for promotional brochures in admissions. Additionally, the organization has a display cabinet in the FAC housing some notable awards and accomplishments from over many years of competitions and success in performance. However, in recent years, the program has struggled to keep its head above the water, especially with turnover in leadership and within the communication arts department. With the lack of an official coach and the surge of COVID-19 over the past two years, the forensics program has been latent. Under the leadership of new head coach Cristy Dougherty and her commitment to the revival of the program, the forensics team has a renewed drive for success this spring. With the arrival of new leadership, the team has gained several new members, a step in the direction of regrowing the program as a whole in the hopes of recruiting more students in the coming years. Even though most of the students participating are new to college-level forensics (with over half of the participants only in their first year in college) the small team of seven has already gained critical experience in the handful of meets they have participated in. With a mix of forensics veterans like seniors Char Ehrmann, from Wichita, and Nathaniel Schmucker, from Geossel, leading and teaching the new members, the forensics program is in a better position to remain a prominent group on campus. The group of younger members
includes Hayden Honomichl, sophomore from Great Bend, Emil Benavides, firstyear from Stockton, Emily Guldner, first-year from Independence, Sophia Chindamo, first-year from Lawrence, and Tristan England, first-year from Pretty Prairie, who have already begun to plant their roots in the program. At their first meet for the semester, the Charlotte Motor Speechway tournament on January 29, the team competed against national champions in their events. At this event, they notably competed against colleges much larger than Bethel, such as Texas A&M and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and participated as one in over 20 other teams. This meet saw Ehrmann compete in the categories of Interpretation of Poetry and Program Oral Interpretation. Chindamo competed in the category of Interpretation of Poetry, England competed in the categories of Impromptu Speaking and Informative Speaking and Benavides competed in the category of Program Oral Interpretation. The Charlotte Motor Speechway tournament ended with England achieving a sixth place position in category finals for Informative Speaking In order to raise campus awareness of the team’s efforts, the forensics team will perform for Convocation on February 25 as part of the Spring Speech Showcase. There are still plenty of meets to come before the team heads to Nebraska in April. So far only one event that the team participated in has qualified for nationals, but Dougherty remains optimistic. “We just have to get out there, and trust in the system,” Dougherty said. The next competition for the forensics team will occur as a virtual meet on Sunday, February 20.
Char Ehrmann, Emil Benavides, Sophia Chindamo and Tristan England competed in the Charlotte Motor Speechway on January 29 in the categories Interpretation of Poetry, Program Oral Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking and Informative Speaking. Photo courtesy of Emil Benavides
ENTERTAINMENT 13
Parent’s Association works to connect to students
LOGAN DEMOND Staff Writer
Lettuce, salsa, tomatoes, ground beef with taco seasoning... these ingredients come together to make the perfect meal. While many Americans prefer them in a taco shell, Midwesterners prefer them in a bag of Fritos. This collaboration of ingredients can be found at public events throughout Kansas and abroad—disgusting to some, loved by many. That is why, in early February, the Bethel College Parents’ Association hosted a walking taco night in Memorial Hall. The event featured games such as cornhole, cards and, of course, walking tacos. “The Parents’ Association has done a
walking taco event in past years, although not last year due to Covid. It had been a favorite of students in the past and so we decided to bring it back. Games and cornhole were available for students to play during the event…We served about 100 people. Students seemed to enjoy the tacos and there was some pretty competitive corn hole happening during the event. Look for another Parent’s Association event sometime around Easter,” said Joan Entz, co-chair of the Bethel College Parent’s Association. Noteworthy conversation among students emerged from this event. As local students stood behind this Midwestern delicacy, those from other parts of the country were firmly against the idea of tacos in a bag. Aubry Grame, junior from Kalispell,
Mont., voiced her opposition to walking tacos. “Walking tacos are rather repulsive to me. It seems much more logical to just eat the taco in a shell or on a plate, the way they’re intended to be eaten. It’s not doing the tacos any favor to try to ‘dress them up’ when it ends up being a mess in a bag. That’s not an enjoyable experience,” Grame said. While the jury is still out on whether walking tacos are a fan favorite outside of the Midwest, the Bethel College Parent’s Association will continue its efforts to provide entertainment for the student body. According to Chywonna Gonzalez, the Parent Association Advisor & Liason, “the Bethel College Parent’s Association (BCPA) supports students and recognizes
parents as vital members of the college community. The Parent’s Association is governed by a council made up of parents and individuals who love to support Bethel students. The council works with the Office of Student Life to plan their events…All parents or guardians of Bethel students are invited to join the Parents Association at a membership fee of $25 per person. Membership fees help support the association’s activities. Volunteer opportunities are also available.” The Parent’s Association is responsible for many on-campus activities such as the Fall Festival children’s park, Halloween bonfire, the lighting of the Christmas tree in the Caf, the desserts provided at the annual Lighting of the Green and will be hosting more events in the Spring.
Femcore event provides necessities for campus BETHANY POWLS Editor-in-Chief
With the surprising arrival of hygiene products now found in all women’s and unisex bathrooms on campus, Femcore kick started greater participation in the campus community. This tradition of stocking the bathrooms with hygiene products is a long-standing one for the organization in the spring. Femcore president-in-training Emil Benavides, first year student from Stockton, weighed in on the club that has been an active group at Bethel over the past decade. “I think Femcore has lost its influence. I think a lot of people on campus either don’t know or forgot that Femcore existed and if there isn’t a presence on campus then there isn’t an influence. Luckily, we’re working towards changing that!” Benavides said. With March quickly approaching, Femcore is right in the middle of planning for Women’s History Month, which is typically when the organization is most active. “Right now we’re currently
brainstorming some ideas for Women’s History Month. We are for sure planning a ‘Build Your Own Bag’ night towards the end of the month. We’re receiving a lot of contraceptives, pregnancy tests, and other stuff like that and we’re planning on inviting the student body to take what they need. There are also some collaborations with other organizations on campus that are currently in the works,” Benavides said. The “Build Your Own Bag” event is also one that Femcore regularly hosts, and bags have included self-care products in addition to more hygiene supplies. This also functions as an outreach tool for the organization and helps raise awareness. “Our strategy for boosting participation in Femcore is just planning a lot of events,” Benavides said. Because campus participation in the group has declined over the past few years, new members are working to engage with potential new members. New members of the group remain enthusiastic about the organization’s progress. “At a meeting, we were looking for ways to get our name out there and
make some sort of impact on campus. Our president, Char, had said that they wanted to put pads and tampons in all the bathrooms on campus, so we took
that idea and ran with it, adding some other necessities like lotion and spray deodorant. It was a lot of fun putting the kits together,” Benavides said.
Members from Femcore prepare hygiene packs for each of the bathrooms on campus. Photo courtesy of Femcore
14 GAMES
Blorg Trek Arthur Mahrer is a junior from Fort Pierce, Fla. His major is history and political science. In addition to writing for The Bethel Collegian, Mahrer has started a comic series featuring Norman and his alien friend, Blorg. This comic features Norman as he stresses over upcoming assignment deadlines. Hopefully this serves as a reminder for you to keep track of your deadlines and keep moving forward in this semester! Onward! For more information, feel free to email Mahrer at arthurjmahrer@bethelks.edu.
ADVERTISEMENTS 15
THRESHER CLASSIFIED Direct all inquires to Megan Kershner in WAC 215 or check out Handshake to learn more about these job opportunities On-Campus Jobs
Off-Campus Jobs
- Mojo’s Team Member
- YMCA Lifeguard
- Student Custodian
- NMC Heath Nurse Tech
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YOUR AD HERE email charlesrwalker@bethelks.edu for inquires
- Student Chaplain
Sunday School @ 9:30, Worship @ 10:45
Potluck meals on the first Sunday of each month NEEDED
peacemakers, teachers engineers, administrators agriculturists, leaders support staff, nutritionists community workers and more ... Find current opportunities
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Mennonite Central Committee
THE BETHEL COLLEGE COLLEGIAN
Sustainable Boomerang bags crafted by students
Josh Kennell, as Bethel College’s ambassador to the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions (CSCS), was able to host an event that involved the crafting of Boomerang Bags as part of an international movement to support sustainability. Students were able to cut pieces for the bags from a variety of materials and package them for sewing. Photos by Emily Brandt
PHOTO FEATURE 16