April 6, 2011

Farm Education Day

Children’s Art Day

The agriculture department and Farm Bureau welcomed 1,500 elementary children.

Kylix Art Club sponsors day of teaching children art projects.

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Year 42, No. 8

April 6

Xtreme Challenge Awards

2011

High school students come to campus to compete in SCCC/ATS academic challenges.

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Tennis Matches Up Saints tennis teams are victorious despite tough weekend and strong winds.

e Crusader www.crusadernews.com

• A MASCOT SEARCH is currently open for submission on ideas for a school mascot.

SCCC/ATS will remain the Saints. Anyone interested can submit an idea. Those wanting an idea considered should submit a name for a mascot, a short story on why it should represent the college, and his or her name and phone number. Submissions will be taken through May 1. For questions, contact Roy Allen at roy.allen@sccc.edu.

• FINAL DEADLINE for ordering graduation caps and gowns is Friday. No orders will be placed after that date.

• HELP JAPAN by saving your pennies and making a donation.

SIFE is sponsoring the fundraiser, and will be taking donations from noon to 5 p.m. April 10 outside Wal-Mart.

• SPRING BRUNCH will be at 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. April 17 in the Student Union. Admission costs $6 per person and includes food and entertainment by student and faculty performers.

• SPRING FIESTA will be from 1-4 p.m. April 10 on the main campus. Activities, games, competitions and concessions will be available for the community.

• CAR SHOW is 1-5 p.m. April 10 at the ATS campus. Sign up to participate by calling 620417-1154. A $20 registration fee includes two lunch tickets and will benefit student scholarships.

• GRADUATE ASSESSMENT testing is at 1:30 p.m. April 7 and 9 a.m. April 9. Day classes are cancelled Thursday so students can concentrate on the assessments. All sophomores are required to participate and must sign up in advance by turning in the sign-up sheet they received in the mail or contacting Alaina Rice, administrative assistant to the dean of instruction. Graduates are to meet in the hallway in front of the library Thursday or Room A168 Saturday.

• TRAVELING EXHIBIT is featured in the library during the month of April called “A Photographic Narrative: Indians of Kansas.”

• SECOND ANNUAL POETRY NIGHT will be at 7 p.m. on April 14 in the SCCC/ATS Humanities Building Band Room.

The event coincides with National Poetry Month and Seward students will read poetry and perform vocal/guitar music selections. The event is free and everyone who is interested is invited to attend.

Dana Loewen Editor

Crusader photo/Alfredo Anaya

Nursing students began the phonathon fundraiser on Monday evening. Front row, Mariana Gonzalez and Caitlyn Brown make phone calls. Back row, Shawna Wiebe, Sandra O’Toole, Sarah Martin and Kanadi Paden.

Other clubs to be involved include SGA, SIFE, cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, HALO, tennis, PTK, Crusader, baseball, softball and ATS.

Phonathon goal set to raise $33,000 for scholarships Li zul y Monarrez Crusader staff The phonathon goal of $33,000 plays off the college’s ranking from the Washington Monthly, which places SCCC/ATS No. 33 in the top 50 list for best national community colleges in the nation. The annual phonathon to raise money for scholarships started Monday, and will conclude Friday.

“Our goal last year was $20,000, and we raised $36,000. This year we set our goal to $33,000. I am a little nervous because, as of now, not as many people signed up compared to last year,” Dean of Student Services Celeste Donovan said.

“But whatever money we raise is good,” Donovan added.

Tammy Doll, director of development, also added, “Last year’s phonathon was very successful, so I’m really excited to see how this one goes.”

Clubs and organizations volunteered to participate, including nursing, Student Government Association, Students In Free Enterprise, cheerleading, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, Hispanic American Leadership Organization, tennis, Phi Theta Kappa, Crusader, baseball, softball, and, joining this year for the first time, the tech school and high school students that at-

tend ATS. Prizes for students are a 32-inch flat screen TV, 8 GB iPod Touch, $150 Wal-Mart gift card, two digital cameras, 20 large pizzas, $300 Visa gift card, $500 cash for the club or organization that raises the most, and prize drawings will be awarded every shift.

Faculty and staff will also be able to participate anytime during the week. The prizes for faculty and staff include one day off for any faculty or staff member who raises at least $1,000, half a day off of work for closest to $1,000, third place receives VIP parking for a year, fourth place receives a GPS, and fifth place receives four passes to steak night.

Participants are challenged to each raise at least $100 of pledges and will receive plastic beaded necklaces for each pledge, to show how many pledges they’ve received. Also, once students reach $100, they will get a cookie. Organizers will provide candy bars, bubble gum and other fun items to make the experience more exciting for the participants.

Participants will be given a list of alumni to call to request pledges for scholarships, and they can bring their own list if they wish to.

“When students participate, they appreciate their scholarship money a lot more,” Donovan said.

Student poets and musicians will have the chance to show their talent to the school and community at the second annual Poetry Coffee House at 7 p.m.

April 14 in the Shank Humanities Building band room.

SCCC/ATS students will be featured, reading their original poetry and playing acoustic guitar. The first, second and third place winners of the high school poetry contest, sponsored by the English department, will also read their winning poems.

The event coincides with National Poetry Month. Admission is free to anyone who would like to listen to the poetry readings and musical numbers. Hot coffee, flavored iced coffee, tea and a variety of snacks will be served.

English instructors Janice Northerns and Bill McGlothing are hosting the event. They felt it would give an opportunity for students to perform their unique talents.

“It was something we wanted to do for a while,” Northerns said. “There are lots of athletic events, but we wanted to draw in students with other interests like writing and reading.”

It’s also a new event for those in the community to have the chance to experience live poetry readings.

“There are few opportunities to listen to poetry,” McGlothing said. “We tapped into an audience that’s been there, who have an appetite for good writing.”

After last year’s success, they knew it would become an annual event.

“Everyone that came seemed to have a great time, and we got tons of positive feedback,”

Making students believe that the chair in which they are sitting on has a mind of its own, or that they are mathematicians incapable of counting to 10 were a few of the tricks performed by mentalist Brian Imbus March 29 at the Showcase Theater.

Imbus began the performance by talking about his goal of the night: to entertain the audience, and to turn nonbelievers into believers.

And entertain he did. Laughter and astonishment sprung throughout the performance. The tasks which Imbus was able to do were beyond belief. He was able to read the minds of audience members, and guess the words selected by students Natalie Cano and Britny Hintergardt from a 180-page book.

To the surprise of Cano and Hin-

Liberal, Kansas

Northerns said. “It was awful weather, but there were still around 60 people there.”

Both have high hopes for this year’s Poetry Night as well.

“I hope everything goes as well as last year, because it was perfect last year,” Northerns said. “We had a great crowd, the students did a wonderful job of reading, and the music was great.”

They are still recruiting student writers who would like to read their original poetry.

“It gives writers a chance to go public, to be heard,” McGlothing said. “It’s fine to read a poem, but the whole experience is to hear it.”

Many of the readers will also be published in the Telolith, the school’s art and literature magazine, published every spring.

Featured SCCC/ATS student poets include Chris Bobeda, Gwen Friesen, Samantha Gillespie, Dana Loewen, Alexander Olinger, Jose Rodriguez, and Caitlin Workman. Poems by these students appeared in last year’s Telolith or are slated for publication in the upcoming issue. Original acoustic guitar music and vocals will be provided by Bobeda and Lindy Kowalchuk. McGlothing and Northerns will also read. Both are published poets and have read their poems at numerous conferences and events.

Any students who would like to participate in the Poetry Coffee House should talk to either Northerns or McGlothing.

All are welcome to attend the relaxing evening of poetry, music, coffee and snacks.

“I hope we get a good audience with open ears, eyes and minds for a different kind of night out,” McGlothing said.

Title V grant leads to new corrosion technology program Zach Carpenter Crusader staff

This corrosion technology simulation demonstrates cathodic protection, which is the process of sacrificing one material to protect another. This simulates a process that breaks down water into hydrogen and oxide.

Using the Title V grant of $3.25 million received last year, the college has made considerable progress since October on the new Corrosion Technology program with the hiring on of Corrosion Technology specialist William Worley.

Worley has worked to adapt the Corrosion Technology curriculum from the curriculum used at Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas. Kilgore College and the University of Akron in Ohio are the two leading colleges specializing in corrosion technology courses, and Seward County will join in teaching the courses.

Plans for renovations to the Tech School to accommodate the new program have gone to bid. The addition to the Tech School that will house classrooms and

Crusader photo/ Zach Carpenter

Mentalist reads minds, hypnotizes, entertains Raul Lemus Crusader staff

Presorted Standard US Postage PAID Liberal, KS Permit NO.114

Live poetry, music to be performed by Seward students

News notes

• ENROLLMENT for summer and fall semesters begins April 11.

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tergardt, as well as audience, Imbus said he used body behavior to deduct that the words chosen were jackhammer and photographer.

“It’s surprising how he figured out the words the girls picked out with barely just looking at them,” Marycarmen Perez said.

Imbus put his abilities of mindreading to further use with audience members. With eyes taped shut by six strips of tape, blindfolded and a piece of tape over his nose, Imbus appeared to be able to deduct the thoughts of the audience members who had written down their thoughts. The thoughts ranged from family members, four-digit area codes, and questions about life.

Student Fabiola Fraire described her first impression of the act as being “fake, but as it continued I thought it was amazing when he was, in a way, reading people’s

minds.”

Conny Hernandez described the act as “freaky, but fun.”

From mind-reading, Imbus moved to hypnotism. Michelle Duford and Sydney Cicchetti volunteered to be hypnotized and entertain the audience. Highlights of this act included Duford being a highly intelligent mathematician who was unable to count to 10 due to not remembering the number seven. Cicchetti was made to believe that the chair in which she was sitting was being rude to her, as well as being unable to remember her name even when offered money for it.

“I liked everything about the show. This was the first time I came to a performance. Hopefully I can come next time the college has another hypnotist,” Fraire said.

The show concluded with Imbus’ final act, which left people mysti-

fied. According to Imbus, two nights before the performance he had a dream. In this dream he saw the model, color, and license plate number the audience members would describe. He wrote down this premonition, and placed it inside a pocket in his wallet. Two volunteers retrieved the paper from the wallet, which Imbus had not touched during the performance, and read it to the audience; to the bewilderment of everyone present what the audience had described, Imbus had dreamed two nights before.

Francis Brown, director of the academic achievement center, said she was left wondering about the authenticity and reality of the acts performed by Imbus.

The next day, the topic of conversation was the idea that perhaps Brian Imbus does have mental reading capabilities.

workshops for students enrolled in the program will be in the auto body building.

The program will also feature an outdoor lab where students will get hands-on training working on pipelines used to simulate corrosion scenarios.

The program is in the process of getting approval from the Kansas Board of Regents.

Corrosion technology is a far reaching field which includes energy, infrastructure, transportation systems, national security, and more.

On average, corrosion techs start out with an annual salary of $60,000 per year, and with more experience, yearly salary is around $99,000.

The Corrosion Tech program is the first of the three high demand programs to be created by the college over a five-year time line.

Mentalist Brian Imbus gives students Sydney Cicchetti and Michelle Duford commands while they are under hypnosis.

Imbus performed tricks of reading people’s minds as well as hypnotism.

Crusader photo/ Raul Lemus

NEWS

2 CRUSADER

Wednesday­­,­April­6,­2011

Board of Trustee Seward invites community to campus for Spring Fiesta, Car Show members re-elected Dana Loewen Editor Games, music and more will be on campus April 10 at the forth annual Spring Fiesta and Car Show.

The Spring Fiesta is from 1-4 p.m., and is open to the community.

“It’s a chance for community members to get out on campus,” Kylee Harrison, admissions coordinator, said.

The day’s activities will include carnival games, face painting, competitions, inflatable games, prizes and hair and nail styling, all done by campus clubs. There will also be music provided by La Mexicana and The Legend radio stations, and concessions. The Colvin Adult Learning Center will host the

information booth. There will also be information booths about the college’s programs.

“It’s purpose is to get community members on campus and expose them to the college community,” Celeste Donovan, dean of student services, said. “Sometimes people are nervous to come, so if we can get them here, maybe they won’t scared to come back to talk to admissions or come to a game or a play.”

According to Harrison, people should come because it’s a fun family activity and children can win prizes by participating in the games and activities, while adults can take a closer look at the college.

The Car Show is from 1-5 p.m. Anyone who would like to enter the competition can call 620-417-1154. There is a $20 registra-

tion fee which includes two lunch tickets.

Proceeds from the fee will benefit student scholarships.

Sunday, the community can look at the cars and vote for their favorites. The people’s choice awards will be at 4 p.m. Classes are pickups, motorcycles, classic cars, muscle cars, street rods, imports, tractors, low riders and stock cars.

Butch Garst, machine tools instructor, is in charge of the Car Show. According to Garst, the Car Show is a way to give back to the public and to bring people to the Tech School to see the programs.

“It’s a treat to see all these cool cars that people bring,” Garst said. “The kids will be working in their programs, so people can come through and see what they do.”

S aints in

Dana Loewen Editor

The Board of Trustees elections were April 5. Members up for re-election were Dr. Steve Cauble, Marvin Chance Jr. and Rick Brenneman. None of the positions were contested.

Chance

Brenneman

Cauble

Science students make soap for competition Maegen Rider, Jazmin Zeledon, and Luis Pauyac set up their homemade soap display in one of the science labs.

The soap challenge was judged by faculty members March 31.

S ervice An Nguyen paints the trim of the doorway at the Stepping Stone Shelter.

At bottom, Eduardo Munoz spray paints the side of the building.

Crusader photo/ Raul Lemus

A display is set up featuring the homemade bars of soap in shapes such as flowers and cowboy boots. Students were encouraged to be creative with displays advertising their soap.

Crusader photos/ Alfredo Anaya

Crusader photo/ Raul Lemus

SCCC/ATS

March 22 — An incident report was filed for damage to the back window of a vehicle parked in the north parking lot of the ATS. A back window of an SUV was broken. Upon investigation is was determined that the window was blown out by the high winds.

Crusader photo/Alfredo Anaya

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Phone: 620.417.1459

Fax: 620.417.1169

editor Alfredo Anaya editor Dana Loewen entertainment Octavio Rodriguez online editor Deisi Barboza

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Phi Theta Kappa sponsor Debbie Stafford holds the ladder steady as student Adriana Vazquez paints the window trim on the building.

Saints in Service planned to complete 150 hours of community service to celebrate the 150th birthday of Kansas, by having members of all campus clubs volunteer to do community service.

Crusader

Security Report

Natalie Cano Zach Carpenter Jeanette Contreras Joseph Hoffman Megan Kearns Raul Lemus Heidy Molina Lizuly Monarrez Jose Rodriguez Omar Rios Reanna Tumlinson Connie Whiteley

April 4 — An incident report was filed for disorderly conduct at the SLC. A student decided to deface the front entrance doors to the SLC. No Damage. No injuries. Further disciplinary action pending.

Kansas Associated Collegiate Press

The official student newspaper of Seward County Community College/Area Technical School is published bi-monthly by journalism students during the regular college year, except on school holidays and during examination periods.

One copy of each issue is distributed free to each student, faculty and staff member, with subsequent copies available for purchase in the Crusader office at 50 cents each.

Letters to the editor will be considered for publication if they are signed and the authenticity of the writer’s signature is verified. The staff reserves the right to edit for length. Opinions voiced in letters and editorials are not necessarily those of Seward County Community College/Area Technical School or the Crusader.

Staff editorials are decided on and written by members of the editorial board: Alfredo Anaya, Dana Loewen, Octavio Rodriguez, and Deisi Barboza.

Advertising is accepted. Rates are $4 per column inch or $4.80 pci for color ads. Insert rates are $50 per thousand. Classified ads are free to SCCC students, faculty and staff; classified rates for all others are $4 per ad, limit of 20 words.

The Crusader staff reserves the right to refuse advertising.

The Community Bank offers Internet Banking and two locations at 2320 N. Kansas and 303 S. Kansas in Liberal.

C 3 NEWS Ratzlaff retires after 11 years, Agriculture department prepares for hopes to fulfill traveling dreams Celebrity Judging Auction, animal sales Wednesday, April 6, 2011

RUSADER

Al fredo Anaya Editor

problem that may arise, and that she will take care of it promptly – I am really going to miss that about her. Personally, I will miss the times we Assistant registrar Melody Ratzlaff has been spent outside, visiting and laughing while I smoked working with students for 11 years, but after this a cigarette, and she blocked the sun from my eyes,” semester is done she will retire with hopes of a Wehimer said. change of scenery.

One of the most challenging times for Ratzlaff Ratzlaff was part of the first graduating class at was when the college decided to start using the BanSeward along with Associate Dean of Educational ner computer information system in 2001.

Services Dale Reed and cashier Betty Glenn.

“One of the challenges was the Banner system, Registrar Donetta Dreitz has worked with Ratzlaff which is our student information system, and just and has taken notice of her work ethic and ability learning how to figure it out and make it better for to interact with students. us,” Ratzlaff said.

“She is extremely Some of her favorite thorough, accurate and memories include being organized,” Dreitz said. a booster parent for the “I’m really going to softball players. miss her because of her “My husband and I cleanliness and work used to be booster parethic but I’ll have her on ents for the softball speed dial even though girls. My niece was acshe’ll probably hang up tually one of the first when she sees my numCanadian students to ber.” come to school here.

Institutional research But, overall we really and data analyst Teresa enjoyed having the Wehmeier, who also chance to be booster parworks in the registrar’s ents and meeting stuoffice with Ratzlaff, redents,” Ratzlaff said. calls a particular time After Ratzlaff retires, when they went on a It’s kind of our bucket list, but she hopes to be able to business trip. travel around the country we just really enjoy getting out “The most memorable and spend more time work related memory there and taking in the scenery. with family. was a trip we took to “If the gas prices go Las Vegas for a business trip. In the evenings, she down, my husband and I want to travel,” Ratzlaff loved to gamble,” Wehmeier said. “One night she said. “We have a granddaughter in Stillwater, Okla., didn’t get in before I went to bed, but the next and we want to be closer to her.” morning she popped right out of bed when she Ratzlaff said she and her husband enjoy sightseeheard me. I knew she must have won big to be up ing, and plan to visit several states and state parks. so early, and she did. She was only up early because “We want to go to Glacier National Park, the she wanted to show me the tax form she had to fill Canadian Rockies, southern Louisiana, Alabama out.” and Mississippi. My husband wants to see the SeWehmeier will miss knowing that Ratzlaff will quoias,” Ratzlaff said. “It’s kind of our bucket list, be here to help with problems, or simply having but we just really enjoy getting out there and taksomebody to talk to. ing in the scenery.”

“Knowing that Melody is always on top of any

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Glenn to retire after 32 years of work at Seward, ready for time with family Al fredo Anaya Editor

“Our husbands work together and her husband worked with my father-in-law, so we kind of knew each other,” Beer said. “We always can relate to one Seward County Community College cashier another because our husbands are both really simiBetty Glenn will retire at the end of the semester lar. They’re both stubborn.” after working at the campus for 32 years.

Beer has enjoyed having the opportunity of Glenn graduated from Seward in ’71 with the first working with Glenn because she’s always willing graduating class and began working for the college to help her, or share stories about the college. in June 1979 in the financial aid office.

“I’ve enjoyed all the stories and everything from “I’ve seen the campus change a lot since I gradu- the past about students, athletes and co-workers,” ated in ’71 and some of the people I work with used Beer said. “She’s taught me a lot because she’s been to be my past instructors,” Glenn said. doing this job even before we used computers. It’s Glenn recounts how she’s faced a variety of chal- fun to hear about all the changes.” lenges working at Seward, like when she had to Overall, Beer is happy to see her friend and cotransfer the college books to computer, but was worker have the opportunity to retire and to be able able to do so with help from Tommy Williams, to spend time with her grandchildren. who was the accounting “I am happy for instructor at the time. her retirement beAlong with the chalcause she’s been lenges, Glenn has many working here for so good memories while many years and her working at Seward, such grandkids live far as the bonds she’s develaway,” Beer said. oped with her co-work“So, she’ll be able ers. to see them more “I can remember when now and catch up we had campuswide on the time she’s meetings in the board missed with them. I room to celebrate birtham happy for her, days, and it just felt like but I will miss everyone was a big famher.” ily,” Glenn said.

Dean of AdminisShe’s also enjoyed I want to sort through things at trative Services having the chance to inTommy Williams teract with students by my house, and to use my who has worked sponsoring Campus with Glenn in the grandma degree to see my Messengers for Christ, Business office for and being a booster parmore than 20 years grandchildren more often... ent for students. describes her as a She said she has also enjoyed seeing students hard worker who is always willing to work with change in their two years at Seward. students.

“Being able to sponsor Campus Messengers for “Betty is a quiet person, but has a conscientious Christ has been something I enjoy, and seeing how and subtle mischievous streak to her,” Williams much students change so much from the time they said. “Betty has always been dependable and been start as a freshmen to by the time they graduate as here for the students.” sophomores,” Glenn said.

Glenn hopes to be able to spend more of her time Another memory that stood out to Glenn was with her grandchildren after she retires and maybe being a state officer for the Association of Kansas even continue to teach.

Community College Office Professionals while “I want to sort through things at my house, and working at Seward. to use my grandma degree to see my grandchildren “One of the neat things about working here was more often, and also to possibly continue to teach being able to be part of the Association of Kansas math part time,” Glenn said.

Community College Office Professionals and But she does know she will miss the people she meeting people there and being a state office for the has worked with for so long. organization,” Glenn said.

“I will miss being around the students and the Accounts receivable manager Jeanne Beer has people I work with, and now I’ll have to take them worked with Glenn for seven years, but has known out to lunch to find out what’s going on,” Glenn before that her because of their families working said. together in the past.

Joseph Hoffman Crusader staff This semester the ag department hosted the Southwest Kansas District FFA contests on March 2, which included crops, food science, entomology and farm management divisions. The department also received 1,500 kindergarten and first grade students for Farm Education Day on March 22. Recently, during the campuswide Xtreme Challenge the SCCC ag department participated, hosting animal science and virtual livestock judging contests, with Dandi Thomas and Payton Fleming from Elkhart High School placing first and second overall, and Jessica Johns from Rolla High School in third place.

Upcoming events include the Block and Bridle Pig sale on Friday, April 8, the Beaver County Pig sale, and Block and Bridle lamb and goat sale on Saturday, April 9.

The Block and Bridle Pig sale will start at 7 p.m. on Friday and 120 pigs are expected to sell at the ag building. The Beaver County pig sale will take place at noon on Saturday with 50 hogs, and the

Block and Bridle lamb and goat sale will begin at 6 p.m. that evening.

April 15 and 16 will mark the 15th annual Celebrity Livestock Judging Auction. Businesses in the community will compile a team of four judges including at least one “celebrity,” or expert judge. The auction will take place on Friday, April 15 with proceeds going towards scholarships for SCCC livestock judging team members. The actual judging contest will take place Saturday, April 16.

The ag department will host the Southwest Kansas District FFA Judging contest on Wednesday, April 20, expecting nearly 300 high school students.

The judging team finished in February. The year, included High Scoring individual at contest and multiple top 10 individual rankings, according to agriculture instructor Brett Crow. The department is also in the process of hiring an additional ag instructor to help put emphasis on an agronomy program.

Davis, Haas nominated for NISOD, set to travel to Austin this summer Reanna Tuml i nson Crusader staff Commitment. Positive Attitude. Student Interaction.

These qualities are what it takes to get nominated for the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, known in the academic world as NISOD. James “Koko” Davis, director of Student Living Center, and Jared Haas, biology instructor , are this year’s nominees from Seward County and will have the opportunity to go to Austin, Texas, this summer to receive their awards.

“I am looking forward to it.

I think it will be a great experience,” Haas said.

NISOD originated in 1989 at the University of Texas in Austin and recognizes leadership in community colleges.

“It focuses on community colleges, so many times you will go to a big conference and it will focus on the four-year colleges. This program really

focuses on what we do here,” Cynthia Rapp, dean of instruction, said.

Last year’s nominees from Seward were Donna Fisher, director of financial aid, and Janice Williams, computer information systems instructor.

Staff and faculty nominate their peers. After that, Rapp and a group of four or five staff members decide on the staff members that they feel fit the bill. These names are then sent to Dr. Duane Dunn, president of Seward County Community College/ Area Technical School. After Dunn approves them, the names are sent to NISOD. “I am very thankful for this nomination and truly blessed to have even been considered for this award,” Davis said.

Davis said he thanks his support group including Celeste Donovan, Pam Perkins and his RAs. “Without all of these individuals my job would be a bit of a struggle to say the least,” Davis said.

Haas

Davis

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Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Seward seeks more student involvement for future Dana Loewen Editor Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a new club that was started on campus this semester. The club is non-denominational and welcomes both athletes and nonathletes, though the meetings are geared toward athletes.

“The primary purpose is to see Christian athletes grow in Christ and to reach out through the arena of sports to introduce others to Christ,” Nathan Engelman, FCA sponsor, said.

According to Engelman, his

vision for FCA is to see a large number of students become involved in active ministry to their peers and also to see, ultimately, lives changed through the power of the gospel of Christ.

Ethan Adams is a baseball player who has been coming to the FCA meetings since its beginning.

“I love the lessons, and I love to hang out with everyone and talk about whatever’s going on in our lives and just relaxing,” Adams said. “It’s a great environment.”

There has been an FCA at the

college in the past, however, it hasn’t been continued in several years. According to Engelman, he’s using this semester for “getting it off the ground,” and plans to branch out more in coming semesters. His focus this semester is building, making people aware, and getting the word out.

For the future he’d like to add games, activities and music to the bible study, while still tying in the spiritual aspect.

“Hopefully, we’ll see it become a staple; become a presence that athletes who come in will notice,” Engelman said.

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FEATURE

4 CRUSADER

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

From fat to fit

part 2

Split with reality leads to healthier life-style commitment Al fredo Anaya Editor I should have known when I bought them that the size 30 pants would never fit me.

But, I liked buying pants in a smaller size than my 190-pound, 5foot-6-inch frame needed. It helped me believe I wasn’t really as fat as I was at that point.

However, getting those size 30 pants was probably the best and worst choice I have ever made.

After quite a few minutes of hard work I had proudly stuffed myself into those new pants. I was about ready to pull out of my driveway, when a combination of the most hilarious and depressing thing happened: the pants ripped.

Generally, I would have laughed to no end if this would have happened to anybody else but me, but since it indeed happened to me, I was just kind of shocked and disgusted with myself.

I can honestly say that for most of my life I have lived to eat. My parents didn’t really care that I was a chubby kid, because they always told me that I would grow up to be tall and I would even out.

I believed them, so I ate whatever I wanted no matter how unhealthy it was. But, as the quote goes, we should eat to live, not live to eat.

Coming from a Hispanic family, I have been blessed to be around people who know how to cook. My grandmother even makes artisan bread and cheese. And as cliché as it sounds, my mom is the best cook in my book.

However, at a certain point I stopped attributing the good feelings I got from eating with family to just eating in general.

After my mom died from cancer when I was 13 years old, nobody really cooked at my house. We just ate sandwiches or whatever we could throw in the microwave.

I definitely missed the meals my mom used to make, but I got to a point where food was just a form of comfort.

Through high school, seeing food as comfort only got worse. I had friends whose parents didn’t cook for them at home, or for various reasons, they really seemed to enjoy the fast food lifestyle. I got sucked in, and probably went to get Sonic, BK, or Wendy’s about four or five times a week. The fact that I worked at Subway didn’t help much either, because even though there are healthy options available, I wasn’t really in a mindset to actually want to eat healthy. I was enjoying the free soda and sandwiches way more than I should have, and that showed.

I weighed more than 190 pounds the fall semester of my freshman year at Seward.

After the day my pants ripped, I certainly couldn’t ignore my weight problem anymore.

That semester I was also in a psychology class with SCCC instructor Katy Redd, and she had given the class an assignment in which we all had to set a goal for ourselves and keep track of it for a month.

My goal, naturally, was to lose some weight. I started by wanting to lose 30 pounds and get down to 160. I completely changed my diet, cut out soda and started going to the Wellness Center to do cardio workouts.

It was hard at first, but I stuck to it and some of those changes became easy after a while. I managed to reach my goal, and I was happy with myself. And people around me also noticed.

BEFORE

But even though I managed to lose so much weight, I wanted to lose more. During the summer I extended my goal and strived to get down to 140 pounds. I also worked out several hours a day, played tennis with my friends and ate healthy.

Towards the end of the summer, I managed to get down to 133 pounds, which is also where my current weight is.

People have asked me a variety of questions regarding my weight and how I did it, ranging from, “What did you do?” to “What pills did you take?” or even a comical one when somebody I knew asked me what happened to my fat, as if my fat was a pair of shoes.

In the end, losing weight might be hard, but for me, it was not as much of a challenge as people make it out to be.

One has to set reasonable goals, do small changes in order to make them everyday habits and stick to what they’re trying to do, no matter how frustrating things may get.

I’m glad that with the help and support from my friends and family I have been able to reach my goals, and have also been able to influence them to make more healthy changes in their diet.

My family no longer buys soda, which not only saves us money, but also helps us keep the weight off.

My sister, Anahy, now cooks at home more often in order to make sure that what we’re eating is healthy, and when I go out to eat with my friends, they are also now more aware of what they’re paying for.

It’s funny that a pair of ripped pants had so much influence on me, but in the end I truly am glad they did because I don’t know what possible health problems being overweight could have caused for me.

I’m glad that sign helped me set a goal for myself, and lose more than 60 pounds with a change of diet and more physical activity.

AFTER

190 + POUNDS

133 POUNDS

Courtesy photo Courtesy photo

Anaya eats some leftover cheesecake at the Liberal High School journalism room during his senior year. Anaya was at his heaviest weight during his senior year of high school and freshmen year at Seward.

From left, Alfredo, Ashley, Anthony and Anahy Anaya stand together at St. Anthony’s church after a Sunday mass.

Courtesy photo

From left, Anahy, Alfredo and Ashley Anaya pose for a photo at Pizza Hut during a family dinner.

Courtesy photo

Anaya holds a can of sweet peas at the store showing his healthier food choices.

NEWS

5 CRUSADER

Wednesday­­,­April­6,­2011

Elementary students on the Seward campus for Farm Education Day April 22 were informed about healthy eating habits and the proper serving portions. Some 1,500 students attended.

A Farm Bureau employee hands a baby chick to an elementary student. Students from the elementary schools spent part of Farm Education Day visiting the ag building where they were lead through different stations and activities involving agriculture.

R IDING TO F ARM EDUCATION DAY

Southwestern Heights FFA member talks to McDermott students about goats and other farm animals.

Some 1,500 students from the USD 480 elementary schools had the opportunity to learn different aspects of agriculture during Farm Education Day April 22 sponsored at Seward County Community College/ Area Technical School by the Farm Bureau.

Farm animals as well as farm equipment was on display for the children. The children were given the opportunity to climb in a John Deere tractor.

— Heidy Molina FFA member helps a girl climb down from a tractor.

Photos by Alfredo Anaya Jeanette Contreras Heidy Molina

Second grade students from McDermott Elementary stop to pet Sly. The children spent some time in the ag barn where they learned about different animals and different types of soils.

Students from a local elementary school pay close attention to the information given to them.

ENTERTAINMENT

6 CRUSADER

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Column | Octavio Rodriguez

Future films seem devoid of originality Hollywood is dead. I’ve been were seasons reserved for the waiting a long time to say it more introverted, intelligent now. I’ve officially lost hope in films and moviegoers, the the future of popular cinema after movies released these past sealaying my eyes upon the “com- sons have made it feel like a ing soon” lists of websites and blockbuster summer at the cinetheaters. A slew of comic book mas year round. Even the Oscars movies with rehashed were terrible this year. story lines. “Green Maybe it’s because Lantern” is basically smart movies don’t “Iron Man” with a ring make money anymore. and tights.

“Inception” almost Ridiculously stupid never happened beanimated films, (mostcause studios didn’t bely from Dreamworks. lieve it had moneyPixar is where the gold making potential. The is, even though parent ’90s cult-classic “The company Disney Iron Giant” actually sucks.) And reboots and flopped and after that, Rodriguez remakes of already studios started turngreat films and film se“Hollywood is ing down smart aniries. Does the world remated films. ally need a remake of turning into the Hollywood has “Conan the Barbarian?” music industry. just turned into a or “The Great Gatsby?” greedy, corporate Corporate, maAnother thing that money-making senseless, caught my eye was that chine. And that’s WB is making a live- pointless, pop what it all comes trash being action adaptation of down to. Money, the “Akira,” the classic released by the supposed “root of all It’s turned it manga and animated masses with evil.” film written and directinto an ugly atrocity only very few with extremely few ed by Katsuhiro Otomo. But wait! artists actually great qualities. Will They’re changing the future generations be having any character’s names from able to view any of quality.”

“Tetsuo” and “Kaneda” these films and call to more American them a staple of our sounding names like “Travis” times? Part of this generation’s and “Kevin!” And changing the art and culture? All that I’m rootsetting from Japan to New York ing for in this new generation of City! I would hardly even call it films is, as George Lucas would “Akira” anymore! This is the say it, “A New Hope.” kind of crap Hollywood is com- Hopefully this greedy corporate ing up with? Originality seems machine will be taken down by a to be lacking. It seems future rebel alliance.

Hollywood is turning into the n Octavio Rodriguez, who music industry. Corporate, plans to help the rebel alliance on senseless, pointless, pop trash the forest moon of Endor and being released by the masses save the galaxy from the clutchwith very few artists actually es of the evil Empire, can be reached at ORodriguez@cruhaving any quality.

While fall, spring and winter sadernews.com

Crusader photo/Octavio Rodriguez

Children’s Art Day, hosted by the Kylix art club took place April 2. Club members taught art techniques and helped children develop new skills.

The art day is a bi-annual event. Above, two young artists have fun while working on cutouts. At right, Gina Rodriguez shyly looks at the camera while painting. Each of the kids were assigned into groups to work with for a set amount of time before they rotated with other groups. The event was put together to raise funds for Kylix’s annual trip.

Art club teaches children new skills Dei si Barboza Online editor Children on campus learning new things might not be a regular sight, but on Children’s Art Day this is the scene. However, although the routine may be the same, the projects these children learn aren’t.

Children’s Art Day is an event in which Kylix art club members help teach children new art techniques and help them on new projects. The club usually host one in the fall and another in the spring semester.

Although this is a bi-annual, event, it has something new each time. “There’s always something new. This is my fourth

time doing it,” Kylix president Karem Gallo said. Despite being her fourth time helping with the event, Gallo expressed that it is always fun. “The little kids always put a smile on my face. It’s good for the kids to get creative.

I’m a little sad this is my last Children Art Day,” Gallo said.

The projects for each Children’s Art Day varies.

“This one was different because we tried a new project with kites,” Copas said. Other projects included water color resist and relief structures. Not only do the children attending learn new techniques they also learn a little bit of art history. “We also did a project based on Henri Mastisse

where they learned about paper cutouts and an artist with a disability,” Copas said.

The changes in projects are important as there are children who have attended past Children’s Art Day. “I really liked the different art projects,” Gunnar Geist said.

Geist is a second grader at MacArthur Elementary. He said this wasn’t his first Children’s Art Day and he said he likes to do art because it makes him feel good.

Even first-time attendees enjoyed Children’s Art Day, such as Cottonwood Intermediate fourth grader Saoirse Hale. “I think I wanna go back next year,” Hale said. Both Hale and Geist said

their favorite project of the day was the relief structure.

Children Art Day is not only enjoyed by the children the parents are also supporters of the event. “They just love these art days. My husband and I always look forward to see what the kids come up with,” Kathy Thompson, mother of twins Anneliese and Anders who often attend this event, said.

Thompson also noted that Anders did not attend this time.

Thompson said that she looks forward to community art events such as Children’s Art Day. “We are thankful that the college puts on this event,” Thompson said.

CD Review | Octavio Rodriguez

Another bold Stroke is made

CD Review | Alfredo Anaya

Panic! manages great comeback “Vices & Virtues” is Panic! At The Disco’s whole new spin on their familiar sound on their debut album “A Fever You Can't Sweat Out.” Since the departure of former lyricist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker, the status of the band with the two remaining band members Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith was uncertain.

However, Urie was the one who took the pen and the reins in writing the lyrics for “Vices & Virtues.” Even though his lyrics are not as complex as Ross’, Urie has managed to do a decent job in keeping the listener wanting more.

Although the sound is reminiscent to “A Fever You Can't Sweat Out,” the band's control of sound and lyrics has mellowed out and matured. There are no more random instrumentation breaks in songs, but instead the band has a more put together sound. They are back to the more catchy dramatic pop sound that they abandoned for their sopho-

more album “Pretty. Odd.” but have found a balance between the ballads and the power pop sound.

The albums first single, “The Ballad Of Mona Lisa” has that dramatic mysterious quality with catchy lyrics that gives a good insight on the rest of the sound of the album.

The band also addressed the departure of the former members in the song “The Calendar” that starts with the lyrics “They say if you don't let it out/You're gonna let it eat you away” and has a more of an emotional background to it. On those same lines, the song “Sarah Smiles” is one of the ballads that balances out the album. The song, written for Urie’s girlfriend, has more of the acoustic ballad sound found in “Pretty. Odd.” but still blends in with the rest of the songs on “Vices & Virtues.” The album also closes on a good note, with the song “Nearly Witches” which starts with a French children's choir signing the melody, quick-

ly moving to a catchy beat making the listener want to hit the repeat button.

Even though Panic! has received mixed reviews on “Vices & Virtues” for trying to return to their old sound they have found a good balance between the catchy sounds of “A Fever You Can't Sweat Out” and the more put together sounds of “Pretty. Odd.” Listeners of the band will definitely find at least one song from this album that they will keep on repeat in their mp3 player for a few days.

“Vices & Virtues” is a good sign that the band has a future even without their original lyricists, Ryan Ross, and can only continue to improve on the sounds of this album. Urie may not have gone for the complex and deep lyrics, but he definitely managed to make it more real while still keeping it catchy and entertaining.

Review | Octavio Rodriguez

String Quartet show impresses

The Texas String Quartet played to an enthusiastic audience on March 21 at the SCCC/ATS Showcase Theater. The quartet played through classics by Bach and Purcell, as well as songs by more modern artists such as Muse, Ozzy Osbourne, Steely Dan, Rush, System of a Down and Skillet.

The quartet seemed extremely happy to be in Liberal and it made for a great atmosphere that night. The way they played the songs made it seem as though they had been together for years, although they had only met and practiced as a full quartet two days prior to the event.

The classical songs played were all extremely recognizable and flowed very well together, though it felt like they dragged on a bit. Eventually the quartet moved on to the songs the audience was waiting for that night, the rock songs. There was somewhat of a break between the transition due to technical difficulties, but the quartet went on to rock throughout the night, beginning with “Uprising”

by Muse and following with “Crazy Train” by Ozzy and “Aerials” by System of a Down and “The Last Night” by Skillet. What surprised me the most was that the songs were arranged for strings by the groups leader, Shelly Duell. The group also put a lot of energy into their performance, which made a great show even better. Grant Matthews also filled in on percussion for the more modern songs, adding a great accompaniment to the electric stings. The audience gave the quartet a great reception and the quartet did an encore, performing “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga, proving the group had an expansive set of styles at their disposal.The show was great and food and drinks were offered after the performance, which made it even better. I would definitely attend any future performances by the quartet. Hopefully SCCC/ATS is able to put on another musically oriented show as great as this one was.

It’s hard to believe that “Is This It,” the debut album by the Strokes that changed the modern rock scene of the noughties was released 10 years ago already.

Its also hard to believe that it’s been five years since the Strokes released their third album, “First Impressions of Earth” and announced a hiatus.

Since then, Julian Casablancas, Albert Hammond Jr. and Nikolai Fraiture recorded their own solo records while the other two Strokes remained silent.

Five years has been a long enough wait for anxious fans such as myself for the band to release something as a unit, and I am glad they’re back to form with “Angles.”

To be honest, upon first impression, “Angles” feels somewhat rushed. It felt as thought it breezed by. It definitely has to be listened to more than once to actually absorb some of the passion behind it.

The deceptively simplistic guitar delivery from

Hammond and Nick Valensi shines on tracks such as “Machu Picchu,” “Undercover of Darkness,” and “Two Kinds of Happiness.” The spot-on drumming from Fabrizio Moretti, along with the incredibly melodic bass brought by Fraiture, and Casablanca’s enchantingly captivating voice equate to some of the catchiest songs of the year, and possibly the decade. Some of the songs are also obviously inspired

by Casablanca’s solo efforts, with added synths and effects. “Call Me Back” has no percussion throughout the song, and is one of the albums more moody and almost haunting songs. “Life is Simple in the Moonlight” is also one of the more moody tracks, making for a great album closer with its mellow guitar melodies and laid back chorus.

The album basically encapsulates styles of the band’s previous efforts while adding new elements to create this catchy, experimental piece of work.

The Strokes once again prove that they are masters of their craft.

Movie Review | Octavio Rodriguez

New flick fails to grasp concept

“Sucker Punch” is a film directed by Zach Snyder, the supposed visionary behind “300” and “Watchmen.”And I use the term visionary loosely now because I loved “Watchmen” and “300,” but this one falls short.

“Sucker Punch” is a blend of fantasy, steam punk and sci-fi set in the mind of it’s unreliable narrator, Baby Doll. After accidentally murdering her sister, she is sent to a mental asylum, where the main director is paid off by her father, so she will be put through lobotomy and will be unable to claim her mother’s fortune.

To be blunt, “Sucker Punch” just doesn’t line up very well. It goes in and out of scenes too quickly, almost to the point where the audience can’t match it up. The story also becomes bland and predictable throughout.

The visuals were one of the

main highlights in the film. The characters drifted in and out of fantasy and reality, shifting from a Japanese setting, World War II, and a high speed futuristic train.

Most of the film was obviously shot in green screen, like Snyder’s “300”, and it is absolutely gorgeous to look at.

The action in the film was completely over the top ridiculous. Fights with gigantic samurai, undead Nazis and cybernetic androids make the film’s action scenes feel like a very long video game commercial. It’s just mind numbing, but still no quality.

The scenes where bullets, bodies and swords weren’t flying around were the greatest. The tension in the final scene is attention grabbing and adds value to a film that lacks it.

The acting was sub-par. Emily Browning and Oscar Isaac gave some pretty standout perfor-

mances, while Vanessa Hudgens was a bit dull. I did expect more from Abbie Cornish and Jenna Malone, who have done some great performances in the past.

Jon Hamm had a few brief scenes, which is upsetting because he’s absolutely brilliant in “Mad Men.” One other great thing about the film was the soundtrack. With covers of “Tomorrow Never Knows” by the Beatles, “Asleep” by the Smiths, and “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane, the background music throughout was great.

In all, the film was visual eye candy, but the story and ridiculous action hold the film back from being truly great. The concept was good, but the execution, not so good. When it ends, the film will leave you feeling, well, sucker punched.

OPINION

7 CRUSADER

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

OUR VIEW —

CAAP assessments crucial for evaluating student success

I hav e to d o good.. .

Q:

Do you know what the sophomore assesments are?

Are you prepared to take them? Why?

Jr. Lopez “Yes. No, because I don’t know what to expect.”

Crusader photos/Jeanette Contreras

All graduates who will receive an associate degree or certificate of completion in 2011 are required to take the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency scheduled for April 7 and 9. Graduates should have received a letter about this in the mail, telling them to turn in a sign-up sheet, choosing what day they can attend.

Sophomores who haven’t done this yet need to contact Alaina Rice, administrative assistant to the dean of instruction.

According to Cynthia Rapp, dean of instruction, failure to participate in the assessments will result in a hold being placed on your final transcript.

“It’s required by the crediting agency to have evidence of student learning; part of that has to be data that can be compared to other institutions,” Todd Carter, director of research and assessment said.

All day classes on Thursday are cancelled for the assessments. Those who have chosen to participate on Thursday must be at the table in the hallway outside the library in the Hobble Academic Building at 1:30 p.m. If you plan to come Saturday, you must meet at 9 a.m. in Room A168.

The assessments will be in rooms A168 and A170 on Thursday and Room A168 on Saturday. Graduates should have gotten a schedule in the letter received, however if you lost your, you may contact Rice or Rapp. Testing is scheduled to be completed by 4 p.m. Thursday and by 11:30 a.m.

Saturday.

Luis Pauyac “Yes. Yes, I feel that all my classes have prepared me for it, especially writing.”

The assessments will be composed of two parts: the critical thinking part, and the First Year Seminar post-writing assessment, which is compared to the writing assessment done at the beginning of First Year Seminar.

The results of the assessments are not kept hidden from students. Students who complete the test will receive the results in the mail within six to eight weeks. They can use these results to better understand their skill level and learning abilities.

The results of the assesments are instrumental in helping the faculty to better teach students, and in comparing the teaching success of SCCC/ATS with other colleges.

“We use it as one of the indicators of how effective we’ve been in teaching,” Carter said. “If they don’t give their best effort, then we’re not really getting a good picture of how we compare to other institutions.”

Although no student is jumping at the chance to take a test, the data is important to the school.

“I know to you guys it seems like just another test, but we really do use the data,” Carter said. “We have a faculty meeting the same day to decide how it’ll be used and how we’ll go about using the data.”

We believe students should be well-informed about the CAAP assessments and their purpose, and as a result, should take them seriously and do their best work so that SCCC/ATS can become an even better school.

Steffy Thottasseril

Cesar Lujan

“Yes. No, because I didn’t practice for it.”

“No. Nope, I’m not prepared because I do too much homework.”

STUDENT LIFE —

STUDENT LIFE —

3D art class leads to new insights Manners leave impact on those we meet Deisi Barboza

Online Editor

When enrolling in class for the next semester, I always ask myself “Do I really need this? Does it count as a humanity, behavioral science, etc.? Do I have time for it?” I ask myself so many questions that I usually find an excuse not to take a certain class that sounded interesting to me. However, one class that did catch my eye and I did actually take was glass blowing.

I had past experience in it as I took 3D art in high school and made a paper weight and a vase. Since I knew the instructor, I decided it was worth a chance. I first listed in the class hoping it would just be an easy A, but I actually started to enjoy the art.

It’s a demanding art, as one has to stand in front of a 1,000 degree fire and rotate a glass piece on a pole making sure it stays leveled and doesn’t slump down. I have to plan everything out before hand, picking out the colors I want to use, what shape I want the object to be and how big. During the process anything can happen, so a mind open to mistakes is required as well. Mistakes aren’t always a bad thing. One time I tried making a bowl, but the bowl folded over itself. I could have start-

ed over or continued and gotten a different piece. I decided to see what would happen if I continued.

I’m glad I did because I ended up with a very unique looking vase. It has a wide round bottom with a long narrow neck; it’s also misshapen like it’s almost melted. It reminds me a lot of surrealism art.

I probably never thought of that idea if it wasn’t for that error. Where else can my mistakes turn out to be beautiful pieces of art?

Another thing this class has opened my mind to was how I view art. I used to look at vases and other glass pieces and decided if I liked it depending on if I thought it was pretty or not. Now that I know all the work that goes into one piece, I look at the small details and judge the piece by its craftsmanship. I look to see how even the sides are, the consistent thickness, and if there are air bubbles in the piece. When I went to the Wichita Art Museum last semester, I saw so many glass pieces and I don’t remember looking at the pieces judging if I liked the colors, or whatever, I remember looking at the craftsmanship of the piece.

Originally, I was only planning to take one semester of the class, but by the end of last semester I decided to take Glass Blowing II. I’ve enjoyed all the pieces I have made this semester. I have started to enjoy making slump bowls, which is a type of bowl that is made of by glueing pieces of glass together and placing the sheet of glass over a mold, then placing the glass and mold in a kiln and the sheet melts into the shape of the bowl.

Before this class, I was the least artistic person ever, as my drawing skills are the same as a 5-yearold and my experiences with clay have been negative. I am happy I took the chance to take this class and I suggest others to stay open to what classes are available here on campus. After all, college is suppose to be a time to explore different subjects. n Deisi Barboza, who has learned that mistakes aren’t always bad when it comes to making art, can be reached at Barboza@CrusaderNews.com.

Natalie Cano Crusader Staff

Working at the movie theater has shown me that all customers fall into different categories according to the social skills displayed to me in the few short minutes they spend placing their order; The Outstanding, The Good, The Rude and The (ahem) Slow of Thought. Each categories has its own distinct criteria and the traits these people posses for each are applicable to the everyday world and not just at the concessions and ticket booth counters.

The Rude are the group who most often ruin my day. When I greet them, they refuse to meet my eye or return my greeting. They ignore me when I ask questions and usually simply list their order without so much as a “please.”

This particular group is exemplary at ensuring that I feel like I am less human, and therefore less worthy of civil treatment than they are. They really make this point clear by avoiding “thank you” at all costs.

The Good make sure to make eye contact, they say please and thank you, and most importantly they know exactly what they want by the time they get to the counter. These people are prepared when it comes time to pay and do nearly everything with

STUDENT LIFE —

a smile on their faces.

The S low of Thought is by far the most frustrating group of people I have ever met. They are the wonderful bunch who stand in line for roughly 10 minutes and then arrive at the counter and, finally, the thought to consult the menu strikes them.

They don’t so much as greet me or make eye contact because they are too busy standing with their mouths agape, staring at the menu, and yet this group still has the audacity to ask me the price of every item on the menu as they stare right at it.

When they order, they literally will make the statement “I’ll have a soda…and umm…a popcorn,” as though it is not only my job to serve them, but to also read their minds to know exactly what size and type of pop they need.

The Outstandi ng are the group we should all strive to be a part of in every aspect of our lives.

This group possesses all the good manners of the Good group, but with a little more personality and flair. The Outstanding make conversation and are able to brighten my day instantly.

They recognize that the people who are there to help them don’t necessarily have to go out of their way to do the best they can, and The Outstanding recognize that by treating others like equals they will get exactly what they want. I have found that I am more than willing to go out of my way to ensure that the orders of these people is perfect and that they fully enjoy their experience, even if it as small as perfectly buttered popcorn.

We should all make a point to treat others as our equals, no matter how inferior you might find their job. Good manners and a pleasant expression is really all it take to make the difference between ruining someone’s day, and being known as someone who leaves everything better than how they found it, not to mention getting what you want in the best manner possible. n Natalie Cano, who hopes you are currently or will now aim to be a part of the Outstanding group of customers she serves at the movie theater, can be be reached at Cano@CrusaderNews.com.

Student learns lesson about religion through story, actions Zach Carpenter Crusader Staff

I’ve been thinking about a story a good pastor friend of mine told his congregation last Sunday. The story, or analogy rather, begins like this, which is the same story, just with my wording: Imagine that there was a person who received a notice from the IRS. They’re

like, “ah, crap...” and maybe a few other choice words. Well after several days of contemplating opening the stupid thing they finally do it. Much to their shock and surprise the notice reads, “Dear so and so, you are entitled to receive a billion dollars in back taxes.” That person freaks out, but after realizing how ridiculous it is, they come back down to earth and continue to read the letter.

There is a detailed map with directions to the location in Oklahoma City, Okla. where that person is to pick up their billion dollar check, with a list of requested identifications in order to prove that person is who they say they are, and there they will receive a check with the said amount of money. NO strings attached and they can immediately cash it.

I tried putting myself in this character’s shoes as I was listening to my friend tell the story. My friend continued with saying that several people might search IRS tax scams, others might take the bait and check it out, but they might not go themselves. They might think, “I

have family down in Oklahoma City, I can just have them pick it up for me.”

Others would be truckin’ it down there the next day, calling their boss and saying, “I won’t be in to work tomorrow.

In fact I quit because the wages suck!”

(These are my words of the same story, remember.)

The character tells several of his friends about the letter, and they all dismiss him and say, “Seriously, dude?

Don’t waste your gas on that trip.

They’re screwin’ with you. I got the same letter and tore it up cause it’s just a bunch of bull crap.”

Well, this particular character actually decides to go and check it out, disregarding the advice of his friends. He checks into a motel and follows the map to the building where supposedly his money is waiting for him. After showing them the letter and the requested forms of ID, he is given his check.

My friend asked the congregation, “What would you do if you were that person and you were driving home with

all that money? How would you act when you saw your friends who received the same letter and tore it up and threw it in the trash?”

The atmosphere in the room was pretty relaxed; it’s not a formal church, and we’re all pretty good friends with the pastor, so I open my big mouth and say, “I’d be all like, ‘Ha-ha! What now, son?!’” Everybody laughed, and the pastor said, “Isn’t that what we’ve done with the Gospel message sometimes?” He went on to say that by the lives we live, others will either be drawn to Christ, or repelled by the thought of even meeting Him. In reality, our actions and our responses to situations can either be a light, guiding people to Christ, or a hindrance to them coming to know him.

I know that, and I don’t let the blatant fact that I’m not perfect stop me from living my life for Christ to the best of my ability. Then the pastor said something that really stabbed through the heart. He said, “Just because we may live our lives for Christ doesn’t excuse

us from using our mouths also.”

It caused me to examine how much my words line up with the life I try to live. I know that ultimately people will be drawn to the lifestyle and the things a person does, because talk by itself is cheap. But the words a person speaks should come from the overflow of a person’s heart. If my heart is truly for Christ, then the words I speak should reflect that in every conversation I have, with every individual. It’s easy to talk Jesus with other people of the same faith, but what about when I’m talking to somebody who is either atheist, or somebody who just halfheartedly thinks of God in passing, or when they are in trouble? I fear that those conversations haven’t been all that they could be. n Zach Carpenter, who believes it’s never too late to get close to Christ regardless of mistakes or imperfections, can be reached at Carpenter@CrusaderNews.com

SPORTS

8 CRUSADER

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Tennis serves to victory Dei si Barboza Online editor After playing against three of the top nationally ranked teams in the Trojan JuCo Classic in Oklahoma City last Friday and Saturday and then playing against local rival, Barton, in 50 mph wind, on Sunday, the Saints and Lady Saints tennis teams had a busy and tough weekend.

Despite this, tennis coach Darin Workman is pleased with both teams.

“They were so tired and sore. I know they hated it, and they’re probably still mad at me, but I was proud,” Workman said. “It was a very tough weekend but I was really happy. We are where I want to be.”

The men’s team won against the eighth ranked team from Meridian Community College 72 but lost against Tyler Junior College 7-2 and Collin College 8-1 during the tournament in Oklahoma City.

However, the team enjoyed a 63 win against Barton. The 50 mph wind was a challenge for the team. “It was tough; we couldn’t play well,” men’s captain Laercio Lobo said.

The men’s No. 2 doubles team Felie Cruz and Raphael Machado won all three of their matches during the Trojan JuCo Classic.

Cruz noted that this was his first time going undefeated in doubles with Machado.

The women’s team won against Meridian and Collin both 5-4, but lost against Tyler who are ranked No. 1 and were last year’s national champion. “We beat Collin 5-4 which is always a top team, and it was my first time as a coach beating that team,” Workman said.

The women also enjoyed a win against Barton, 8-1.

Workman noted that the highlight from the weekend was freshman Salitza Abrantes who played the both of the last matches in the tournament in Oklahoma City and the duel against Barton and won both matches in tie breakers. “I was so proud of her.

She was able to handle the pressure and come out on top,” Workman said.

Abrantes feels she plays well under pressure.

“Having the pressure of the tiebreaker and knowing the team would lose if I lost really helped,” Abrantes said.

The first tie breaker was her closest as she won it 13-11. “It was really exciting. It wasn’t until half way though the tie breaker I realized it was on me,” Abrantes said.

As the rest of the tennis players had finished their matches, they watched Abrantes finished her match. “Everyone from both sides were cheering,” Workman said. “We’re not just a boys and a girls team, we’re a Saints team.”

Not only were Arbanes’s teammates supporting her during the match, but her dad was also there.

“He started crying because he was so happy because everyone was cheering me on,” Arbanes said who is from Keene, Texas.

Workman applauded Lady Saints tennis captain Fanny Benincasa for her support of Abrantes.

“Fanny was probably the biggest supporter of Salitza,” Workman said. Benincasa said she sees the importance of supporting the other players.

“Yeah, we can see when everyone cheers we are more motivated to win since we play for the team,” Benincasa said.

All-America team recognizes Lady Saints Megan Kearns Crusader staff The Lady Saints basketball team finished the season 21-11 after Cowley defeated them at the Jayhawk West Conference and Region VI Playoff in Wichita.

But honors have come in since then. Freshman Mariah Lee and Ashlynn Knoll were named Honorable Mention AllAmerican by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.

Both were chosen for the NJCAA All-Region VI Team.

Knoll was named second team while Lee was named to the Honorable Mention list.

“The award gave me the motivation for next year to be a great

player,” said freshman Mariah Lee. “It was an honor.” With encouragement from her coaches and her father, Lee thanked God first of all for getting this award.

Lee made a goal to finish off the school year off great and to work harder in basketball next year.

Lee said she chose Seward to get away form home in Houston Texas. “So I can be focused,” Lee said.

Lee also said she fell in love with the coaches and the enviroment on her first visit to the college.

Lee had played basketball and boxing in high school and plans on attending a four-year school after Seward.

“It was on my goal list but I

KOOCHEL’S INC.

was not expecting it,” freshman Ashlynn Knoll said of her honors. She has been playing basketball since she was in the second grade. She said her friends, and most of all her teammates, gave her the most encouragement during the season.

“We had some ups and downs,” Knoll said. “We expected to go further but it didn’t happen and that’s just what makes us work harder for next year.”

Knoll’s goal for next year is to win Nationals with the Seward Lady Saints.

Knoll is also waiting to see what opportunities open up for her as she enters her sophomore year.

LARRY KOOCHEL 2200 N. Kansas• Liberal, KS 67901 Office: 620-624-7451

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Crusader photo/ Ivan Gaytan

Lady Saints lock with Garden City for second place Ivan Gaytan Sports editor The Lady Saints have only a limited number of games left this season to determine if they are going to the playoffs. Standing with a record of 28-7, 5-3, some of the players have really improved.

Sydney Cicchetti has been pitching well in her games, and she had and outstanding game when she helped the Lady Saints with a 6-0 win, defeating the Western Nebraska cougers on March 27.

“She’s become a leader and she has learned her strengths and weaknesses,” said head coach of the Lady Saints, Andrea Gustafson. “We’re a good team, but just not good enough. We just need to focus more and play harder.”

Leah Sitter is definitely taking her advice as she broke the all-

time stolen base record. She has the record of 45 thefts in her career. She got her 45th steal when the Lady Saints went against the Lady Trojans.

Jill Rodgers was named NJCAA player of the week when she hit .478, and hitting six doubles and 15 RBIs. She holds the record for .355 on the season ands played 34 gamesand batted 121 times, Hit 43 doubles and homeruns and RBIs for this season.

On April 4 the Lady Saints went up against the Garden City Lady Broncbusters on a double header at the Lady Saints softball field.

In the first game, the Lady Broncbusters got two runs in the early innings. The Lady Saints came back with with seven runs in the rest of the game as Cicchetti stoped the Lady Broncbusters while she kept striking them out one by one.

Breeana Diaz and Blanca Adame got in the last and final runs finishing the game with the score of 7-2.

Later that day in the second game the Lady Saints didn’t get that look when the Brocbusters defeated them with the score of 15-11. Even though Michelle Duford had some good runs and Leah Sitter, Taylor McDougall and Monique Lopez followed her foot steps but it still wasn’t enough to walk out with the victory.

They will be playing a makeup double header April 18 at Barton.

The Lady Saints now hit the road with five games coming up in El Dorado. Their three games on April 9 start early vs. Maple Woods at 9 a.m., then they play Johnson City at 1 p.m. and finally play Conners State at 3 p.m.The next day they play Eastern Oklahoma and Crowder.

Saints named to All-Region, Jones All-American Jose Vazquez Crusader staff After leading the Saints to their second Region VI Title Game in four years, Jeremy Jones, Marky Nolen and Rafriel Guthrie were all named to the 2011 NJCAA All-Region performers.

Jones was selected to the First All-Region team after leading the Jayhawk West in scoring 19 points per game and averaged four assists. Jones also never had less than 13 points in any of the Saints games and was

over 20 points in eight of the Nolen averaged 11 points and 16 conference games. eight rebound per game this seaJones was also chosen as the son.

Jawhawk West player of Guthrie averaged the Year who was voted 13 points and 4 reby the conference coachbounds per game this es. Jones was selected to season and was sethe Third Team Alllected as a Honorable American team. He has Mention choice. college visits at South Guthrie was one of Florida, Kansas State and just eight freshman Arizona State, scheduling out of the 29 players two other visits before selected. He finished he makes his final colin the top three in Jones lege choice. points, rebounds, and Nolen was selected to steals for Seward. the second All-Region team.

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Monique Lopez fouls the ball when its her turn to bat during the Trinidad double header.The Lady Saints went off to win both games.

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9 CRUSADER

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

McSpadden brings home win No. 1000 Ivan Gaytan Sports editor In his 30th year of coaching the Seward County Saints, baseball coach Galen McSpadden recorded his 1,000th career win March 12.

The accomplishment puts him in the company of only eight active coaches and 21 coaches in the history of the NJCAA who have reached that mark.

His journey to win No. 1,000 started with his first team in 1981-82, and was realized in a game played at Cloud County.

The journey of the games leading up to the win went like this.

Wi n 997: The Saints played at Cloud County March 11, easily beating the T-Birds in the first game with the score of 16-2, a

win that put the season record at 11-8, and the Saints had delivered McSpadden his 997th win.

Wi n 998: The Saints got off to a good start in the second game of that day with a 5-0 lead, but the T-birds stepped up the offense and came back to tie the game at 5-5.

However, the Saints went on to beat the T-birds with the ending score of 9-7, giving McSpadden his 998th career win.

Wi n 999: The Saints led off day two against Cloud County with a solid start into the seventh inning, leading 9-0, but the Tbirds didn’t let them off that easily and scored five runs in the last two innings.

The Saints won the game 9-5 and McSpadden was one game away.

Wi n 1, 000: As the Saints went for the fourth game against Cloud County, the team knew what was on the line.

The Saints were up 2-0. Later in the game, the T-birds got one run.

The game was left in the hands of reliever Willy Gustin. The lefthanded pitcher struck out his opponent and delivered McSpadden his 1,000th win.

McSpadden said he feels very fortunate.

“I didn’t swing or pitch, so I give credit to all of my players and all of my coaches,” said coach McSpadden. “I didn’t feel like it was a race or like there was a finish line.”

He saw the milestone more like a goal of 56 games a season and

2005 McSpadden was named American Baseball Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year.

2004 McSpadden led Seward County to its first-ever NJCAA World Series.

to make it to the playoffs.

“In 1982, it was special because it was my first team,” McSpadden said, but then he added other teams have also been special.

This year’s team and the grit they showed bringing home that 1000th win will hold a memorable place in McSpadden’s heart.

“The conditions that this team was in is what made it very special for me,” McSpadden said.

Several players were either hurt or ill during the fourth game, but the team still played hard to put their coach’s 1,000th win in the record books.

On some days, there’s no crying in baseball, but McSpadden says on the day his team gutted it out to get him win No. 1000, he did cry.

Galen McSpadden

2008 McSpadden was inducted into the NJCAA Baseball Hall of Fame.

At least 82 players who have been drafted in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft or who have signed professional contracts with Major League Baseball organizations played under McSpadden.

Jayhawk West Coach of the Year: •1998 •2003 •2004 •2008 •2010

400th Jayhawk West Conference win in a March 15 home victory vs.

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10 CRUSADER

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Rising to the Challenge: Students participate in Xtreme Challenge Hei dy Mol i na Crusader staff Seward County Community College/ Area Technical School hosted 14 area high schools in the sixth annual Xtreme Challenge contest.

This year more than 380 students registered for the event. The contest is based on 14 challenge areas that range from sports writing to hair braiding.

The number of students registered set a record high over the last six years. The increase in the number of students played a major role in having the awards ceremony moved from the theater to the gym.

Celestina Padilla, a senior from Tyrone High School, was a participant for a third year in a row. “ I felt this year it was more organized,” Padilla said. “ I liked that this year more college students were involved. It seemed like it was an outreach to kids to participate.”

Xtreme Challenge allows students to show off talents in various academic and vocational areas.

“It gives you the chance to express your talents in places that you don’t normally get to,” Liberal

High School student, Kelly Francis said.

If students have a free period during the Xtreme Challenge, they have the opportunity to participate in activities such as a scavenger hunt that takes them all around the campus, giving the students a chance to become familiar with the college and where some of the major departments are located.

At the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the contest, Elkhart High School earned the Overall Award. The EHS students earned more overall points than any other school.

SCCC/ATS programs presented awards in art, English, journalism,welding, trade and industrial education, agriculture, cosmetology, accounting, health information management, criminal justice, business administrative technology, marketing and management, math and science and Computer Information Systems.

For winners and more details on the 2011 Xtreme Challenge go online at CrusaderNews.com, or at Facebook.com/ crusadernews.

Valeria Terrazas from Garden City High School sketches a still-life as part of a drawing challenge she entered through the art department. Terrazas won first place overall in the art competition.

Tech student Andrew Williams, center, clocks the time for a high school student who is changing a flat tire and putting the spare on with a right torque setting. The challenge was one of several at the tech school.

Jacob Williams of Tyrone High School shakes orange TicTacs into the air from containers connected to a ruler as part of a game to pass time as students waited for results from the academic challenges at Xtreme Challenge. Before the awards ceremony, students played some competitive games against students from other schools. During the TicTac shake competition, the student who shook all the TicTacs out of their container won the game. Students were also able to play a game with spaghetti and pasta noodles, another game with pingpong balls and a fly swatter, and a game that had them knocking cups off a table with air from a balloon and a game where they had to move an Oreo cookie from their foreheads into their mouths. Kylee Harrison from the Seward admission office was in charge of the games. For more photos, go to CrusaderNews.com or Facebook.com/CrusaderNews.

High School students had the opportunity to participate in a video game challenge to test their skills.

Morgan Wills, right, of Liberal High School, blows on a fake nail to dry the polish to continue with her challenge in the cosmetology department.

Photos by Alfredo Anaya Heidy Molina Lizuly Monarrez For more photos, “like” the Crusader’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/ crusadernews or visit CrusaderNews.com

High school students from Rolla, Moscow and Elkhart show off their dance moves during a dance competition before the awards ceremony. SCCC/ATS student ambassadors helped with the events.

A high school student keeps his concentration during a competition that involved balancing as many pingpong balls as possible on a fly swatter and transporting them across to a container on the other side of the gym. The student who got the most pingpong balls in the container got a free T-shirt.