Dec. 3, 2009

December 9

Crusader

Mighty Megadeth

Crusader reporter Rustin Watt interviews bass player James Lamenzo of Megadeth.

—Page 8

SEWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE/ AREA TECHNICAL SCHOOL

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

www.crusadernews.com

Year 41, No. 5

2009

Liberal, Kansas

Former SC coach and resident of Fort Hood deals with attack Dacee Kentner Crusader staff

Miss Liberal Pageant contestants needed Full-time Seward County female students between the ages of 17 and 24 have the opportunity for a scholarship through the Miss Liberal Pageant.

To enter, students must present good moral character; be single; never married, divorced or pregnant; be a resident of Seward County for at least six months; and be a U.S. citizen.

The Miss Liberal Pageant will be Feb. 14, 2010, in the Liberal High School Auditorium.

For more information contact Lu Haynes at 620-6249153 or haynes@swko.net

Everyday is a risk for the current United States military.

With a war overseas and the constant threat of terrorism, no soldier is immune to the effects of war.

Recently, however, Fort Hood, Texas, the largest military base in the United States, came under attack from within when army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan shot and killed 13 people and wounded 30.

Former Seward County Community College bookstore employee and assistant softball coach Michelle (Armstrong) Palma and her family were among the 40,000 military resi-

dents who lived on base at the time. She first heard of the attack from her son, who was leaving school when the teachers called the kids back inside.

“My 13-year-old, actually, called me from school,” Michelle explained. “It was an early dismissal school day and the elementary school where I worked had already been dismissed. I couldn’t believe it!”

Both the elementary school and Smith Middle School, where Michelle’s children attended school, are within a mile of the building where the attack took place. Michelle’s 12-yearold son had been sent home sick from school that day and was home alone when the lockdown took place. As she was trying to get in touch with her

family, Michelle realized that the cell phone towers were down and getting through on the landlines was becoming difficult.

“He had been home about a half hour by himself. The first thing I did was call him and make sure he was OK,” Michelle said. “Then I called my husband.”

Michelle’s husband Sgt. 1st Class Johnny Palma was at work when the lockdown occurred.

“The building he works in is 10 blocks from the building where the shooting took place,” Michelle explained.

Initially, Palma was not made aware of why the lockdown was occurring. Instead he was given orders to communicate

The Palma family with his crew to make sure everyone was safe. Next they were directed to the company, the administrative headquarters

PIE dismisses merge rumors Zach Carpenter Crusader Staff

Library books due

All library books are due back by Thursday, Dec. 10.

Students who have not turned in their library books will have a hold put on their transcripts.

Administrators to serve free breakfast

The Moonlight Finals Breakfast will be served 910:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in the cafeteria.

The Moonlight Finals Breakfast is a tradition at the college where students are encouraged to take a break from studying for finals and eat breakfast served by the administrators of the college.

Breakfast will be free to all students.

The Laramie Project performance Dec. 15 The theater appreciation class will be performing a reading of The Laramie Project at 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 in the Showcase Theater.

The Laramie project is based on the true story of the murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyo. Admission is free, but the reading is not suitable for children under 13 years of age.

Bookstore buys back books

The Saints Bookstore will be buying back and collecting text books Dec. 14-16.

The store hours will be from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Students wishing to sell back their used text books must bring their student ID. Students who are on book scholarship must return all books or else they will be charged for the books.

Art by Daylyn Young

Student art exhibit open for viewing The college’s biannual student art exhibit will be hung in the Shank Humanities building this week.

The exhibit will display the art created in the college’s art classes this semester, and displays media from photography to jewelry.

on base, to be locked down.

They remained there until the premises were cleared.

•See Fort Hood Page 7

Telolith entries receive awards Jose Rodri guez Entertainment editor

Edward Kentner won third place in the humor division of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association awards for his story “Edward” in the student art and literature magazine the “Telolith.”

“This is a big deal,” said English instructor Bill McGlothing. “It placed among other entries from four year schools where they have departments dedicated to creative writing.”

Kentner was pleased with his win.

“It’s great, a bit embarrassing getting recognition, but it’s very humbling,” Kentner said.

The CSPA awards are through an association that honors student journalists who produce newspapers, yearbooks and magazines. It was founded in 1925 and is operated by the Columbia School of Journalism in New York.

Another winner was Bill Asumussen who won a certificate of merit for his story “Workweek Lexicococryptography.”

Something both men have in common is that they were both in the creative writing class taught by English instructor Bill McGlothing every fall.

“I had both in the creative writing class, not that I want to take any credit at all. Both those students worked hard and it’s paid off,” McGlothing said.

However, both Kentner and Ausmussen agree that the class was a major part in their success.

“Immensely, the benefit is the feedback you get having other people read stories and comment on them,” Ausmesssen said.

Kentner agrees that the class was a big help.

“Absolutely, in fact I would call him (McGlothing) my inspiration,” Kentner said. “I’ve always done and enjoyed writing but he’s challenged me and I’m grateful for that.”

This is the first time the magazine has been recognized for writing. Overall, the magazine ranked as silver medal finalists. They were gold medal finalists last year.

“We would certainly have liked to have a gold, but that was the judge’s choice,” said art instructor Susan Copas.

•See Telolith Page 7

Courtesy photo

Amber Ansari of Liberal, who is currently enrolled in classes at Seward, poses with her husband on their wedding day.

Life, home what people make of it Fareeha Amber Ansari Guest columnist

“You are transferred to Liberal, Kansas”, my manager said to me. It was Duncan, Okla., and I was working as engineer for an oilfield company. I walked out of his office thinking it was just like any other transfers that I had taken in the past. However, this thought took a 180 when I announced my new station to my colleagues. I was swarmed with a multitude of tell-all tales about Liberal and none of them sounded encouraging.

September 1, 2004, was a frosty evening and I was driving to Liberal with a heavy heart. It got heavier as the terrain got flatter. Was everything I had heard true? I asked my new boss the first day of my assignment, “In how much time can you transfer me out of here?” Little did I know that the place I wanted so much to get away from would one day become my home away from home. How? Only time was going to tell.

My mom always says that things happen for reason, and for the first time in 33 years, I believe her. I have been in Liberal for five years now. In these five years, every day I have learned something new and good about the small town Liberal and life in general.

Some of the best teachings of life don’t come from the book. That is the first thing I have learned.

I am originally from Pakistan. My husband is from India. Both of us have travelled across the oceans pursuing our dreams and two very different careers. He is an orthopedic surgeon, and I am a civil engineer. Of all the places in the world, I met my husband in this little town tucked away in High Plains. I have learned the grace of destiny. The two sisters who introduced us were complete strangers to me. Yet they made the effort to introduce me to someone in town. I have learned you can meet angels anywhere, and they don’t have to be from your country or religion. I have seen the spontaneity of goodness in this small town.

My husband has worked in many places around the world and within the US. He often exclaims with joy that the doctor-patient bond that can develop in a small town is not possible in big city. “It makes your job worthwhile when you receive thanks or a grateful smile from the patient,” he says.

For many people, big cities are synonymous with success. And for the most part, it is true. Big cities have jobs, the glamour, and “everything else lifestyle.” But not everyone can live in big cities. We are taught from a very young age about making choices, and which ones are good or bad. What we are not told a lot about is how to manage when we are not given a choice. For me coming to Liberal was not a choice. But being here I have learned that being thankful is also a choice. Trying to look beyond the obvious and finding beauty in little things is also a choice. The flat lands of Liberal which I did not like before are now prairies with rabbits running around. They are still flat but now they look beautiful. Most of us think of life as a mold which shapes us. But I think that life is a like jelly and we are the molds ourselves. It is up to us to how we want to mold the jelly-–our life.

Currently I am taking classes at SCCC. Obviously it is a step back for me and hence most of the students here are younger than I am. They remind me of the times when I was their age, and under a lot of pressure to get good grades, a good job, and then join the rat race of being the best at your job. The problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you are still a rat who is constantly pushed to race again. In the end we are all unhappy rats confined to our dreams. Solution: Open Up. Most of the students reading this article will soon graduate and pursue careers in Kansas or elsewhere. I would like to say that wherever you go and whatever you do, remember it is entirely up to you to make a school, a university, a career choice, a city good or bad. My husband and I are both very far from our homeland but we have come to love the small town Liberal so much that it is the only place in the US we proudly call our home away from home. Be open to the prospects life is going to walk you through and embrace with an open heart the places life takes you to. Across the oceans– if we can do it, maybe you too can someday call an offbeat career your passion and an unusual place your home away from home. You meet the best people and build castles of memories in places you least expect to.

Rumors have been circulating for quite some time now about the “merge” of the Gas Compression Institute and the Measurement and Pipeline Institute, but according to Petroleum Industry Education committee member Don Ukens, that is certainly not the case.

“That is just a rumor,” Ukens confirmed. “We’ve talked about that possibly happening for as long as I can remember, because the number of employees in the gas market continues to decline as companies cut back on operating jobs, so we get fewer people in the immediate area to attract to the gas institute.”

PIE is the umbrella over the two institutes, and according to SCCC Dean of Educational Services Dale Reed, PIE is assessing and evaluating the future of the two institutes because of declining attendance.

PIE has hosted the two committees, the Gas Compression Institute in the spring and the Measurement and Pipeline Institute in the fall.

Last year PIE advertised the two institutes by radio in Trinidad, Colo., Chanute, and Amarillo, Texas.

People from these areas attended, but now in addition PIE is looking in Seward County for new faces.

PIE has enlisted the help of students from SCCC’s journalism department for advice on how to market the two institutes in a highly appealing way.

The days of sending out invitations to the people who attended these events previously with the urging “Come on back!” are over and done with, according to PIE member Dave Miller.

The attendance of these two institutes is not just declining locally.

Attendance has dropped in Denver, Colorado, and Oklahoma University’s attendance is down to mere handfuls of potential employees.

With dwindling numbers like this, PIE continues to trudge forward to create awareness of how important these institutes are.

“This has been one of my beefs for a long time,” Ukens said. “I don’t think anybody in Liberal in the business community understands what this gas institute does for Liberal, because we bring in more people than pheasant season.”

He supported his point with the fact that when people travel to these events they buy fuel, check into motels, buys meals, and some buy clothing.

Each event lasts three days and, “It’s millions of dollars for the local economy,” added PIE member Tom Kitts.

•See PIE Page 7

NEWS

2 CRUSADER

Dunn talks about American Graduation Initiative

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Anti goné Lowery Crusader staff

SCCC provides online classes for students through EduKan Anti goné Lowery Crusader staff

In its 11th year, EduKan continues to be an effective and helpful online alternative for students who may not have be able to take offered courses otherwise.

If a student chooses to enhance or complete their community college requirements through EduKan, they are able to obtain an associate’s degree, which will transfer on to a four-year university.

While EduKan students are taught from teachers from Liberal, Barton, Dodge City, Garden City, Colby, and Pratt County community colleges, their two-year degree will come from the community college they are enrolled through.

The collection of teachers from the six counties that offer courses through EduKan are a helpful advantage to students who might not be able to take a necessary course otherwise.

“It works out really well with sharing sources,” said Seward president Dr. Duane Dunn about EduKan. With an EduKan associate’s degree, it is possible for a student to transfer to a four-year university, just as if they had taken courses in a classroom.

CRUSADER

2008 - CMA Best of Show, Newspaper, 1st/ Special Section, 3rd 2003-2004 - Newspaper Pacemaker Finalist - ACP 2008 First Place Certificate - ASPA

Phone: 620.417.1459

Fax: 620.417.1169

CrusaderNews.com

Crusader photo/Alfredo Anaya

“Little Women” characters rehearse a scene in which the four sisters, their friend Laurie and his tutor Mr. Brooke surround Marmee, the girls’ mother. Marmee has just read a telegram from Father who is sick. Pictured are Chris Ramirez, Elizabeth Denoyer, Cassandra Anderson, Julie Bunnell, Candy Witt, Jessica Bickerstaff and Derek Fuller.

‘Little Women’ set for stage Dana Loewen Crusader staff

Little Women will be presented by the Rainbow Players at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10, 11 and 12.

The Rainbow Players compose Liberal’s community theatre, comprised of board of directors and other theatre Rainbow lovers throughout Liberal.

“We chose ‘Little Women’ Players because it is a classic, its uni“Little versal and it has Christmas Women” themes. It’s a love letter to simpler, gentler times,” Ali 7:30 son Chambers, Seward p.m. drama director, said. “It’s a Dec. nice way to forget the troubles of 2009 and remember 10-11-12 the humanity in all of us.”

Showcase Tickets can be bought Theatre through cast members, board members, or at First National Bank. Tickets cost $7 for adults and $5 for children age 4-12.

“Little Women” is the story of four young sisters and follows each of their lives as they

editor in chief Morgan Allaman

news editor Will Rector entertainment Jose Rodriguez

online editor James McElvania sports editor Rustin Watt

2003, 2004 - National Online Pacemaker Award 2008 - National Online Pacemaker Finalist - ACP

reporters/photographers

President Barack Obama presented the American Graduation Initiative, a new proposal to benefit community colleges by providing federal support, on July 14.

The proposal is based on a 10-year plan to help step up the focus of America’s community colleges and its percentage of graduates.

Because the AGI is a new proposal, there are currently no particular strategies on how to implement it for the benefit of students.

“It is still a discussion…a lot of questions about it go unanswered. It is a concept as of now,” said Seward president Dr. Duane Dunn.

The AGI has the potential to benefit students not only with federal support, but with understanding the advantages of completing a community college with an associate degree.

Some universities may not accept a student’s credit hours from a class if they have not completed their community college associate’s degree, but with the degree, it will be transferable.

Because the AGI is based on community college’s measurements of students who graduate with a two-year degree, it is important to educate students and teachers about this concept.

“There will have to be adjustments,” said Dr. Dunn, who believes the AGI can be a beneficial concept.

Because losing federal money can hurt a community college, the AGI plan is a constructive concept formed to help continue the education of community college students.

grow older. It’s loosely based on author Louisa May Alcott’s own childhood and experiences with her three sisters. The story is full of life lessons and interesting characters.

Jo is the main character, based on Louisa May Alcott. She’s the tomboy of the bunch, outspoken and bold, with a passion for writing.

Meg is the oldest and most responsible sister.

Beth is the quiet, soft-tempered one, with a love for playing the piano.

Amy is the youngest and is a talented artist.

She tends to be more spoiled and selfish.

Other characters are Marmee - the girls’ mother, Father, Laurie - the girls’ neighbor and good friend, Mr. Brooke - Laurie’s tutor who falls in love with Meg, Mr. Bhaer - Jo’s writing mentor, and Aunt March - the girls’ rich aunt.

Cast members include Julie Bunnell as Jo, Jessica Bickerstaff as Meg, Elizabeth Denoyer as Beth, Cassie Anderson as Amy, Candy Witt as Marmee, Jim Karlan as Father, Chris Ramirez as Laurie, Derek Fuller as Mr. Brooke, Chris Tibbets as Mr. Bhaer and Jennifer Knox as Aunt March.

Alfredo Anaya Deisi Barboza Devon Box Zach Carpenter Chris Flowers Logan Green Taylor Hugg Dacee Kentner Dana Loewen Antigoné Lowery Landry Mastellar

The Woman Behind

Little Women

“Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women” is a recently released book available in bookstores nationwide and online.

TV Premier at 9 p.m.

Dec. 28 on PBS. Find more information at http://www.alcottfilm.com/

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: Morgan Allaman, Will Rector, Rustin Watt, Jose Rodriguez, Dacee Kentner and James McElvania.

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.

Need a last-minute class?

Jim Nelson Branch Manager

Tel: 620 624-0171 Fax: 620 624-7578

email: jim.nelson@fcbw.com Farm Credit of Southwest Kansas, ACA

2451 North Kansas, P.O. Box 1294 Liberal, Kansas 67905

See It

First

Online courses & degrees

When You Follow The

Seward County Community College X Area Technical School

A partnership of:

Barton County, Colby, Dodge City, Garden City and Pratt community colleges

$125 per credit hour

Leader H IG H P L A I N S

Daily LEADER

Please Call The High Plains Daily Leader At 620-626-0840 Or Stop By At 218 S. Kansas ¥ Liberal, KS

Session IV—Dec. 14-Jan. 8 Enroll by Dec. 11 AN177 - Cultural Anthropology AR175 - Art Appreciation BU177 - Human Relations CO176 - Intro to Computer Concepts and Applications

GE176 - World Reg. Geography MU176 - Introduction to Music PO176 - American Government PS176 - General Psychology

Enroll online at www.edukan.org

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

CLUBS

CRUSADER 3

international

international student organization participates in diversity fair, flag ceremony

FLAGGED Thirty-four students representing 19 different countries from Brazil to Serbia were honored at this years 5th annual flag ceremony. The flags in the student union are there to represent the countries of the international students.

International Student Organization gets involved in its second year

Two events recognized international students and their home countries in November.

The annual international fair was sponsored by Liberal High School, the Diversity Council, and Seward County on Nov 6, followed by a campus flag ceremony recognizing international students Nov. 16.

The international fair featured fifty booths and several performers, including musicians from Hong Kong, and Bolivia.

Seward’s International Student Organization also had 12 members at the fair to tell about their different cultures and pass out information about the college.

“The International Student Organization participated in the international fair because it was good exposure for the club, and Russian students Kate and Levan (Gabashvili) were invited by a teacher who wanted them to talk about their country and share about their culture,” Patsy Fischer, club sponsor, said.

The international student or-

ganization is a fairly new club, as this is only the second year that the club has been active.

The year the club started, it was sponsored by Frank Challis and Fischer.

For this year, the club held its first meeting of on the first Sunday of October and has met monthly since.

ISO is a way for international students to get to meet other international students like themselves, and learn about other cultures while helping the community.

“I get to meet new people, I get to learn about other countries and all of the people in the club get to make new friends,” Kelen Ricardo, International Student Organization member said.

The elected officers for this year’s international club are President Alexander Sturanovic, Vice President Alksandar “Sasha” Doroshkov, Secretary Mateus Cabizuca, who is also the SGA representative, and Reporter Gustavo Ruiz-Abad.

“Coming from the other side

of the world, and leaving their countries so young, they form a bond because they can relate with one another. They want to belong and they want to be a part of the campus,” Fischer said.

On Nov. 16 the 34 international students representing 19 different countries were honored at the fifth annual SCCC/ATS flag ceremony. The flags in the student union are there to represent the countries of the international students.

“Seward County students are really good at embracing the international students,” Fischer said.

Currently the international student organization is discussing fundrasiers and events that they would like to be a part of. Some of the events discussed include selling food from their home countries, helping to clean up garbage and recycle, and collecting canned goods to donate to the Stepping Stone Shelter.

“I think the club is doing very well,” Sturanovic said. “We have a lot of plans going.”

HINO NACIONAL BRASILEIRO Kelen Ricardo, Paula Verdasca, Carlos Sousa, Ramon Stedile, Sheina Fernandez, Mateus Garcia, Fernando Soni, Christian Romanzini and Eduardo Muñoz sing the Brazilian anthem during the fifth annual flag ceremony.

Story and photos

by Alfredo Anaya

DIVERSITY FAIR Mateus Garcia, Christian Romanzini, Fanny Benicasa, Gustavo Ruiz-Abad, and Patsy Fischer talk to people at the international fair. Twelve International Student Organization members shared about their cultures with members of the community.

CLUBS

4 CRUSADER

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Q&A| SIFE

SIFE organizes a canned food drive and seed collection to benefit communities of Liberal and Haiti.

What has SIFE done to prepare for this project?

We recently wrapped boxes and put flyers on these boxes to collect the canned food and seeds, which will be distributed to others in need. We took these boxes to local businesses, such as: • Southgate Cinema 6 Movie Theatre • First Christian Church • First Southern Baptist Church • First Baptist Church • Fellowship Baptist Church • Emmanuel Southern Baptist • First United Methodist • All Nations • Church for All Nations

We also put boxes around campus at the following sites:

Crusader photo/ Antigoné Lowery

Sophomores Liz Ginther and Jon Tassin play musical chairs at the Big Brother’s/Big Sister’s Phi Theta Kappa Christmas party. The party had over 30 people participate, and played games such as duck duck goose, musical chairs and pin the nose on frosty. During the party the Phi Theta Kappa members gave away the 487 books they collected through a children’s book fundraiser.

• Main lobby by the Information Desk • Student Union • Main entrance to Vo Tech • Main entrance to Epworth • Main entrance to Colvin Adult Learning Center

PTK provides food baskets for students in need Phi Theta Kappa members participated in a scavenger hunt in order to collect food to donated to people in need.

The club usually donates to members of the community, but this year they voted to help out students, and according to Phi Theta Kappa advisor Debbie Stafford this worked out very well. The club was able to provide 12 baskets and one person donated 12 turkeys.

The event lasted one hour on Nov. 22. A prize was given to the members that finished first, Kristiana Brisendine and Liz Ginther, but since the prize was eight movie tickets and in total eight members helped out they decided to share with the other members.

“So everybody was a winner” Stafford stated. Tickets were donated by Mitchell Theatres. “Its a service project that we will continue to be because we help our community and our students. We are really appreciative of the donations, without the donations this project would have not been successful.” Stafford said.

Skills USA hosts blood mobile today by appointment only Skills USA will be hosting the Blood Mobile 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 9. Employees and students who signed up to give blood need to make it to their appointment on time.

If you have forgot your appointment check the Technical School bookstore window for a list of appointments.

Those who give blood will receive a free t-shirt.

Saints ESP offers scholarship for business majors Saints ESP will be offering three $100 scholarships for the spring semester. Requirements for the scholarship include a completed application with signature, a letter of recommendation, to be enrolled in at least six credit hours, and a cumulative GPA of 2.5.

The scholarship is geared towards non traditional business majors but not limited.

According Saints ESP president Pam Perkins the main question is “Does the student need help financially?”

The deadline for the scholarship is Feb. 5, 2010.

Saints ESP is also preparing to host the Association of Kansas Community College Office Professionals conference. Saints ESP secretary Teri Barnes is hoping the attendance for this event will be around 125 as people from 19 community colleges and other technical schools from all over the state are expected to attend.

Barnes also serves as the AKCCOP president and the conference will be on April 14, 15 and 16.

Kylix gets crafty

Are SCCC students encouraged to help out? If so, how?

“SCCC students are definitely encouraged to help out. It would be very beneficial if students donated as much as possible, even if it’s a minimal amount of cans or seeds. It would be great to see students getting involved for such a great cause.” -Shaley Thomas, SIFE President.

“This project hits very close to home.

All of the cans collected go to local individuals and organizations in need.

Around holiday time such items are needed by those that aren’t as fortunate as others.” -Tasha Newton SIFE Vice President

Tigers scouts visit Crusader class Dacee Kentner Crusader staff

Liberal Cub Scouts Pack 43 Tiger Cub Den 2 visited the Seward County Community College/ Area Technical School Crusader office Monday, Nov. 30, in hopes of earning their Tiger Cub Badge through a Go See It communication and newspaper adventure.

The SCCC/ATS Crusader staff welcomed eight Tiger Scouts to the newspaper office to learn the steps that it takes to produce an awardwinning newspaper. Scouts

include Alberto Ramirez, Andrew Portillo, Ashton Long, Draven Skinner, Nicholas Bond, Chandler Hinton, Brandon Fuchs, Cameron Fuchs and Den Leader Christina Mauldin.

Crusader editor Morgan Allaman took the scouts through a computer tour, teaching the students the fundamentals of working up pictures and photoshop cutouts.

Next, the scouts listened to online editor James McElvania explain the advantages of an online newspaper. McElvania answered questions regarding the internet and how

it is evolving the news industry.

Last, Crusader staff member Deisi Barboza showed the scouts how to upload a photo gallery for the Crusader Web site, www.crusadernews.com.

The scouts were photographed throughout the Crusader tour and then helped Barboza in putting up the picture gallery.

After an evening of journalism and fun, the scouts enjoyed homemade cookies and “puppy chow” prepared for them by Allaman and a new knowledge of the newspaper industry.

What does the project do for the community?

“This project provides food for the needy, local families in our community.

For this reason, it’s been a great experience that we have all enjoyed. It shows that there is still good in the world.” -Poe Castillo SIFE member

Who do the benefits go to?

• Mexican American Ministries • Stepping Stone • The Food Cupboard • Lambert, Haiti

Does this tie into any long-term campaign/ projects you have going on?

Art by Omar Rios

Kylix sells art Friday Morgan Al l aman Editor-in-chief

a alm P el bri a yG tb r A

Crusader photo/ Morgan Allaman

Kylix members Omar Rios, Jon Vanwinkle, and Steffy Thottasseril entertain themselves at the Liberal craft fair. The Kylix members painted children’s hands and assisted children in Christmas crafts for $1 donations.

What are the benefits of this project?

Tiger Scout News/ Alfredo Anaya

Editor Morgan Allaman shows Tiger Scouts how to do a cutout during the group’s tour of the Crusader student newspaper office at Seward County Community College/Area Technical School Nov. 30.

Art by Nicci Young

Friday, the campus art club Kylix will be selling works of art in the Shank Humanities building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Art will be prepriced with prices starting at $5, but additional donations may be made. Baked goods and $10 scarves will also be sold.

Art sold will be of all medias, and money made will go toward the Kylix spring trip.

Kylix president Jon Vanwinkle believes this art sale shows art students the business aspect of art.

“It helps people understand that a career in art can go places,” Vanwinkle said. “It can go places, and this show should help them realize that. Art can take you places– not just to the art studio.”

Vanwinkle believes people should donate art to be sold.

“Get your name out there,” Vanwinkle said. “If you think you have talent, I think you should show it.”

Kylix advisor Susan Copas says Kylix has not yet decided where they will go, but their trip will consist of a visit to an art museum.

to

Yes, this ties into our Market Economics project that we will be presenting at Regional Competition in March. In the past, we have been connected with Haiti and have done numerous projects to help out this less fortunate country. Through this project, we will be sending the seeds collected help them start crops.

Are there any other projects you have going on during the month of December?

During December, we are in the process of introducing our campus to recycling.

It is well underway and we should be seeing fast progress in the coming months. We are also communicating with Sam’s Club out of Garden City, KS in which we will help businesses Go Green. Both of these projects will be a part of our Environmental Sustainability projects.

Final thoughts on the project:

“This project has been going great and we look forward to seeing the impact that it will have upon our community, as well as Haiti. We encourage everyone to do as much as possible to get involved with such a great project.”

-Layne Greeson, SIFE member

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Holiday open house at the bookstore!

All library books due Dec. 10

OPINION

Coming home proves beneficial Box@crusadernews.com

Devon Box Crusader staff

Our View...

Social networking sites beneficial to campus clubs Facebook and Twitter logos have been making appearances all over campus. With Internet networking sites, students can keep up with everything happening on and around campus. The college library, bookstore, Saints and Crusader newspaper all have accounts.

With the evolution of internet networking, clubs can inform students of the happenings on campus. This can prove beneficial to students so they will have a good way to know when the library is hosting a special performance or the bookstore is having one of their fun contests.

It is good to see that the campus is opening up to all the new technology available to everyone for free and of course the free advertising. Who doesn’t love the “FAIL” pictures posted on the bookstore’s Facebook?

The Crusader staff would like to encourage any campus clubs or organizations to join the rest of the world on the social networking sites. Some of the benefits may include an increase in membership and a working relationship with the rest of the clubs on campus.

Free advertising is great and can be a lot more effective than flyers on the wall. It isn’t hard to start a fan page on Facebook or a Twitter account, it may be time consuming but assigning someone to update the networking sites will be a big help.

We would like to thank the current clubs on networking sites and encourage them to keep doing a great job. And if your club is not on any site put down the paper (or wait until you read all the great columns and reviews) and start one now.

Conservativism a thing of the past Kentner@crusadernews.com

Dacee Kentner Crusader staff

Conservativism must die. The word conservative itself sends a nasty chill up my spine. Looking at conservative’s dictionary meaning and its synonyms, traditional and old-fashioned, I find myself content that these ideas should disappear within a few decades.

Tradition has been losing a battle with Liberalism for sometime.

Liberalism is the opposite of tradition, its progression and openmindedness.

The losing fight for tradition started in the 1950s when television entered the home. Many types of media had been around for hundreds of years before, but now it was in your living room, staring you in the face. No longer did evenings have to be filled with family time around a radio or reading books or chores. Now you could relax and let the television entertain your mind, no longer thinking for yourself at all.

Another loss in the battle of tradition came as women found the courage to leave their men for feminine independence. No more would they have to be cared for or mistreated by a man. And men enjoyed this change, too. They now had the freedom to walk out of the home for whatever reason, as long as they paid their child support.

Many more battles have been lost throughout the years. The idea that college and career should come before a family. The introduction of openly gay communities. The internet. The evolution of a hip-hop and drug society that stems from racial controversies of the 1960s. The idea that America is no longer a Christian-based country that speaks only English. Get over it!

American society has evolved into an ugly, materialistic and narcissistic society of spoiled children and spoiled adults. That is the solid truth behind every American door. But the hands of time only tick one way and change has become inevitable.

Politicians have enough money to run the country with little to no say by the people. We can try to hold each other to traditional standards in our small communities, but beyond the local society we have no actual control.

The morality and ethics taught in school are rarely practiced or publicized by society. The media runs households, telling us that we cannot live without iPods and smart phones and laptops. That we cannot be mad at Tiger Woods or any other celebrity for demoralizing the fabric of our once hard-earned American soil.

Because no longer is American soil hard-earned.

Most of us have been born into middle-class America, where parents have promised to give us everything we want, regardless of our lagging grades or lazy attitudes. For the children of today, a homemade stocking would not be enough to satisfy their needs on Christmas morning. They want lights and videos and lots of action. And so parents give it to them, just to see their smiling faces.

Our world has changed from yesterday, and it makes me wonder how other people can hold so tightly onto traditional ideas. Instead of wasting time trying to get the past back, I believe it is now the people’s turn to embrace progression, move forward and find ways to help the lost souls of tomorrow find peace beyond materialistic addictions. Besides, in the long run, how could we live without Google?

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the editor will be considered for publication if they are signed and authenticity is verified. We reserve the right to edit for length. Submit letters at editor@crusadernews.com, mail to Box 1137, Liberal, KS 67901, or bring by the Crusader office in AA131.

CRUSADER 5

Rock Chalk Jayhawk trumpeter attending every KU football game for free sounds appealing to the average Jayhawk fan. Sadly enough, being weird is the one thing I’m really good at. My first semester of college, I attended the University of Kansas. Why KU? I really had no idea. Not only was I a KU student, but I was a member of the Marching Jayhawks. Sounded good to me!

Making friends seemed inevitable and my sister lived in the area.

But I was wrong. Instead, I made very few friends at KU, and being in the band only kept me from visiting home and my close sister. I didn’t get along with the girls on my floor, and I basically was just lonely

and depressed. At the end of the semester, I was still undecided on a major, and I felt that I was wasting money by taking general education courses at the most expensive school in Kansas, so I decided to come home. Although I feel I made the right decision by coming home, I can’t help but to feel like a loser when people ask me that ohso-common question, “Why did you come back?”

After a semester at Seward County Community College, my best friend and her fiancé decided to work together to get me to go to Oklahoma State University, where they both attend college. I have to admit that they were pretty convincing. Oklahoma State not only accepted me, but they even offered me a pretty hefty scholarship. I was so set on attending OSU that I even had my living arrangements planned out, but then the college visit came.

I felt nothing during the visit: no excitement, no joy, and no nerves, just pure nothing. So instead of jumping the gun and moving to OSU, I stayed home to do some research on different things I might want to do and different schools that would suit me

best. My boyfriend helped me discover that KU has a really great film program, or so said their website and reviews. So I decided to check it out with a visit in that specific program. Standing there on KU’s soundstage, I felt nerves, excitement, and joy. I knew that although I already left KU once, I would be going back.

I realized that picking a college isn’t all about where your friends or boyfriend are going, or where the college is in relation to your family. It shouldn’t even be about money, although we all know that college charges you out the butt for everything. Of course, that’s what scholarships and loans are for. It’s about where YOU want to go.

It’s about which college offers YOU the best for your interests. Pick the college that gives you excitement, joy, and that lovely tickle of butterflies in your tummy. I have to say that I feel really silly for going back to a college that I once left, but I know it’s the right decision and I’m so excited and ready to go. As a friend told me, “we all gain different things from experiences we go through.”

Student questions life, music Carpenter@crusadernews.com

Zach Carpenter Crusader staff

I can’t really say that I’m ‘shocked,’ but maybe I’m a bit speechless over the fact that I’ve almost made it through one whole semester of college. Some people might think, “One semester, psssshhh, big deal.” But to me, it means something. It means that obviously I’m on the right track.

The right track. I’ve come to many different places in my life where I questioned whether or not I really was on the right track.

College was one of them.

I’m one of the few music majors in SCCC/ ATS. I’m a drummer, (yes, we ARE musicians too for those guitar and keyboard players who think you’re better than us,) sorry,

complex is talking back. Like I said, I’m a drummer, and a music major. As a music major, the main class I need to be enrolled in to have an associate’s degree is Music Theory, which has absolutely nothing to do with drums. So then why have I stuck with it for so long? Because I’ve come to my fork in the road several different times.

I’ve questioned whether or not music was what I was supposed to do with my life. I’ve doubted my ability, and there have been somedays where I didn’t have any passion to pursue those things. I didn’t just plow on through those days as if the next one would be better and hope for the best.

No, I stopped and looked around at my surroundings. I looked up at the scorching hot sun that threatened to whither my dreams from the root up. If there has ever been a civil war within me, it was in those times. I look at the fork in the road once more and I see a life filled with promise and fulfillment on one side, and, on the other, I see a road that looks somewhat more ‘peaceful,’ and more ‘tame.’ I weigh the alternatives in my head for days and sometimes I begin to think the tame road is really my destiny. I look at the other road and wonder if what I’m see-

ing is a mirage. Who wants to chase a mirage? The domesticated road seems to be my fate, so I end up taking a few weary steps in that direction. But I can’t DO IT. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says “I know the plans I have for you. They are plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope!”

It’s when I read verses like that that I get my passion back. Because I am reminded that I am made in the image of God, and he has put his desires and feelings in me. People in my family support me and my choice to pursue music, maybe not as a living, but definitely as an active part of my life.

At some point people start asking in their lives, “why in the HECK am I even here?!”

Many people commit suicide because the overwhelming pain of life, and they see no other way out. Others do it because they feel worthless, like they don’t have a purpose.

But really our purpose is to know God. He says in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you. I will show you great and mighty things that you don’t know.”

My purpose in life is to know the one who gave me my purpose.

Retired chair addresses health care Loucks voices opinions to Congresswoman

Editor’s note: This letter was submitted for publication to the Crusader by Dr. John Loucks, retired chair of the humanities department of S eward County Community College.

Dr. Loucks now lives in Washington state, and this letter was originally written to Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) who represents eastern Washington’s fifth district.

Dear Congresswoman McMorris: I must admit to you that I have never written a letter to any congressperson in my life. My apathy was grounded in cynicism, which could best be summed up by the statement “They really don’t give a damn what their constituents think.” However, my apathetic slumbers have been awakened by the current rancor over health care and the duplicity of Senators and Representatives, who wail at huge federal deficits at present and even greater deficits in the future if the President’s Health Initiatives are passed and yet voted in the past to fight two costly wars in the Middle East, one of which was totally unnecessary, and to grant tax relief for the wealthiest citizens in America.

I come to this discussion as a member of the privileged class.

I am very well educated, and I have never been without health insurance. I am an ordained clergyman with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and I have served churches in the west and mid-west. The last 18 years of my professional career, I was a college professor of history and philosophy and served as a college administrator. I am currently retired, and I’m on Medicare, with the Humana Supplement program. My wife and I own our own home, and we live in a posh suburban neighborhood. We are also registered Democrats.

Although we are members of that elite class, we are profoundly concerned about the over 45,000,000 Americans who are

“Let’s pass substantive legislation that will provide all Americans with quality, affordable health care.”

— Dr. John C. Loucks not insured; about the 18,000 Americans who die every year because they lack health insurance; about the 1,000,000 Americans who face medical bankruptcy every year.

As I sit in front of my computer keyboard this morning, the word “why” keeps coming to mind. Why is it that drug companies in America are allowed to advertise prescription drugs?

Most of these drugs are either recreational drugs, like Viagra, or what Ralph Nadar calls “me too drugs,” such as Embrel, a drug used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Many of these drugs are dangerous and have serious side effects, and the decision about using those drugs should originate with doctors, rather than their patients. I don’t believe countries in Europe or elsewhere allow drug companies to advertise, so why do we? Would not stopping drug companies from engaging in that often dangerous and misleading advertising cut health costs?

Why is it that we allow drug companies to produce medications with overly long patent restrictions, which mitigates against the development of generic drugs in a reasonable period of time? Chang-

ing the drug patent laws to allow for the development of cheaper generic drugs more quickly would be another way of reducing costs.

But there are other whys that come to mind. Why are insurance companies allowed to drop people with pre-existing conditions or to price those between 50 and 64 out of quality, affordable health insurance? Why is there “a doughnut hole” in Medicare Part D, which often places financially strapped seniors into even more of an economic bind? Why has it taken congress over sixty years and five major attempts to overhaul our nation’s health care system?

I think I have harped enough!

What are my solutions? I would really prefer a “single payer” program similar to Canada. Although it has been lampooned by many pundits on the right and left, I really do think that it could be adapted to our country. The Canadian Health Plan has been in place since 1964, costs about $5,000 a person (as opposed to over $7,000 in America), and covers every citizen in Canada with quality, affordable care. However, I understand this is not even being considered as a workable solu-

tion, so I would opt for some form of public option or at the very least, some kind of co-op system, which would be interstate and would have the power to leverage insurance companies to offer lower rates and insure the un-insured. I think we need to take action because the cost of health insurance, according to many experts in the field could double for the average American family to over $24,000.

In whatever form the health plan takes, I do hope that it will incorporate the four key aspects of health care reform as presented by A. Barry Rand, CEO, and Jennie Chin Hansen, President of ARRP, in their recent editorial “Health Reform: The Time to Act is Now,” in the September, 2009 issue of the AARP Bulletin: “Lower drug costs and strengthen Medicare. Close the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole,” ensure patients’ access to their doctors, not increase copays, and crack down on fraud and wasteful spending.

“Protect. . . health care choices. Make sure (citizens) can choose (a) doctor, . . . health insurance plan and where to receive care.

“End discrimination by insurance companies. Prevent insurance companies from denying . . . coverage because of a preexisting condition or using age to price Americans ages 50 to 64 out of affordable, quality health insurance.

“Guarantee stable, affordable coverage. Ensure (people) have the security of knowing that if (they) lose or change jobs, (they) will be able to get affordable, quality health insurance” (8).

Congresswoman, the time is now! Don’t let the myths perpetrated by the “fright-mongers” block you from fixing the ailing American Health Care System.

Let’s pass substantive legislation that will provide all Americans with quality, affordable health care!

—Dr. John C. Loucks

NEWS

6 CRUSADER

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Ryan Nelson moves sheep around. Nelson did this so that the judges can get a better look at them.

Livestock judging contest earns for ag scholarships Dacee Kentner Crusader staff

This year’s Seward County Community College/ Area Technical School Celebrity Livestock judging contest consisted of 14 teams and raised more than $8,000, the third highest total in contest history. This is the 12th year that the contest has taken place.

Proceeds from the event are used for student scholarships in the agriculture department. Results from the event are as follows: High Team Overall: Farm Credit of Southwest KansasJohn Lynch, Chris Charmasson, Vernon Baehler, Celebrity Judge Ashley Harrison High Team Feedlot Division: Winger Feedyard/Eisenhauer Harvesting Agriculture Division: 1st-Farm Credit of Southwest Kansas; John Lynch, Chris Charmasson, Vernon Baehler, Celebrity Judge Ashley Harrison 2nd- KSCB; Francis Brown, Trent Winchester, Craig Rucker, Celebrity Judge Zach McCracken 3rd- Mortgages Unlimited; Dr. Duane Dunn, Lance Waugh, Carlie Spiker, Celebrity Judge Sam Rucker 4th- First National Bank; Barry Angell, Gary Gold, Robin Louderback, Celebrity Judge Brett Rooney 5th- Light Angus Ranch; Alison Bridget Chambers, Matt Kenetter, Kolt Hayes, Celebrity Judge Trevor Winchester

Upper: Tasha Duvall helps move the pigs around so judges could mark for posture. Left: SCCC/ ATS alumni Erin Russel writes down scores on the judging sheet. Russel is now judging at Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

RIght: The llama class was used as a tie breaker.

Crusader photos

by Alfredo Anaya

Agriculture Affilliate Division: 1st- Byron Bird and Associates; Darin Workman, Judy Williams, and Celebrity Judge Kent Williams 2nd- N & N Farms; Missy Imler, Alissa Imler, Jessica Swan, Celebrity Judge Blake Williams Tie 3rd- Winger Feedyard/ Eisenhauer Harvesting; KayLonni Williams, Mike Myers and Celebrity Judge Ernie Heitschmidt Tie 3rd- Great Western Dining/ Texhoma Livestock; Jerry Odle, Sara Morey, Quay Grant, Celebrity Judge Erin Russell 5th- Hatcher Land & Cattle/ Western State Bank; Maddie Plunk, Gary Hoffner, Celebrity Judge J.R. Sprague Individuals: Darin and Tommy Award (worst sheep score): Tommy Williams High SCCC/ATS Faculty MemberDarin Workman Overall Individuals Zach McCracken 1st 2nd Sam Rucker 3rd Mel King 4th Craig Rucker 5th Kent Williams Tie Alan Imler Tie 5th 7th Erin Russell 8th Brett Rooney 9th Ashley Harrison 10th Jessica Swan 11th Chris Charmasson 12th Blake Williams 13th Trevor Winchester 14th merle Nickelson 15th Judy Williams Tie 15th Ernie Heitschmidt Tie Agriculture Coordinator- Evan Winchester

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Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Fort Hood: Shock sets in

• continued from page 1

past

NEWS

CRUSADER 7

present

“Everyone is in shock and disbelief. We feel it was our own family shooting at our own family,” Palma said, just days after the shooting.

The day after the attack, school and work continued for the residents on base. According to Michelle, many children were kept out of school by parents wanting to keep them safe in case any other attacks took place.

“My 12-year-old didn’t want to go, but I knew he would be safe at school,” Michelle said. “My husband and I sat down and talked to him that morning so he would not be afraid to go to school.”

Soldiers stood guard in front of the schools on base.

Resources also became readily available to the families affected by this attack. Michelle was a member of the family readiness group on base designed as a wives helping wives cope organization. They collected food donations for the families that have been directly effected.

“Everyone on the base is trying to keep things as normal as possible,” Michelle said. “We are grateful for all the prayers and support.”

The Palmas weathered the Fort Hood attack, even in the face of an upcoming move for the family.

The Palmas will relocate this Friday from Fort Hood to Virginia.

Telolith: Art publication receives honors • continued from page 1

The spring of 2009 graphic design students designed the magazines, they included Jessica Maneth, Larissa Arnold, Jacob Riggs, Alma Hidalgo and Raegan Broadie.

“We’re pretty much going to do the same process all over again,” Copas said, as they prepare for the spring 2010 “Telolith.”

Submissions for the “Telolith” are taken during the spring, by Susan Copas for art and photography and Bill McGlothing for writing.

PIE: Institutes will not combine next semester • continued from page 1

As technology and services are improved, companies need to know in order to maintain efficient ways of doing business. PIE’s mission is to keep companies informed, and to educate and train potential employees about the field, how to do the job right, and how to stay safe on the job. There is not going to be any marriage of the Gas Compressor and Measurement and Pipeline Institutes.

Activity has been to come up with effective ways to market the company and make the perception of the value of what they are doing increase so people in management will be eager to send recruits to the events hosted in the Spring and Fall.

Their angle is to ensure everyone gets a piece of the PIE.

coming soon

In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the college, which opened for classes in 1969, and the start of the Crusader the same year, the 2009 Crusader editors and staff are re-creating photos to compare those from the past 40 years to today. This 1974 Trumpeteer photo pictures a musician from the group LAFF which performed at the 1974 spring formal.

SC donates to ’09 United Way effort Dei si Barboza Crusader staff

This year, the Seward County Community College/Area Technical School employess joined to donate $4,234.50 to United Way, a $1,721.37 decrease of last year’s contribution, however, they still made 70 percent of their goal of $6,000.

The college has three co-chairs, Patsy Fisher, Steve Wiens and Justin Morales, responsible for organizing fundraisers on campus for United Way. Donations to United Way were made by payroll deductions or check and it would also come off taxes as a donation. “It makes you feel good when you’re helping the community but it’s a personal choice.” Fisher said.

Although the exact year the college began getting involved with United Way is unsure, United Way Executive Director Kay Burtzloff thinks “probably since the college started, its been a long time.” One thing Burtzloff noticed was the increase of help from the college in recent years.

“It’s doubled in recent years, when Dr. (Duane) Dunn stepped in, he gave a lot more focus and support to us.

We’ve gone to a $3,000 campaign to a $6,000 campaign.”

Despite the gained interest, the recession has been on the minds of the co-chairs. “It’s been tough with current economical problems. It’s kept it from being as high as past years but most employees want to see the community thrive,” Wiens said.

One of United Way’s main goals is to raise money for 26 different agencies service the Southwest area and Oklahoma Panhandle a couple of those agencies are: American Red Cross, Big Brother/Big Sister, KIDS Inc., and Stepping Stone Shelter. “A lot of my agencies are one person employed with a lot volunteers. They don’t have time to have full time fund raisers. My agencies depend on me to raise money.” said Burtzloff. With economic problems, Burtzloff stated that means a lot more demand for services but non for profit organizations always get hit hard.

However, the co-chairs are still optimistic. “Times are tough, people are getting laid off, I have a steady job and I’m doing my part, as my passion is to help people,” said Morales.

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In a 2009 re-creation of the photo at left, current foreign exchange Seward student Ramone Stedile plays guitar in the Student Living Center.

Playing guitar is a common activity for some of the international students.

SIFE

Clever Cash

Financial Crisis: Understanding and Restarting

Since last year’s fourth quarter until now, we have heard a lot about financial crisis, bank failures, recessions and unemployment. But how did we really get to this point and what is going to happen with our future?

The term Financial Crisis is utilized to describe a moment in the economy where the market does not work how it is supposed to work and when it is in a recession period (employment, inflation, and industrial production is going down).

Since September of 2008, we experienced the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Generally there are four types of financial crisis: Banking Crisis, Speculative Bubbles and Crashes, International Financial Crisis, and Wider Economic Crisis. Several economists agree that the financial crisis which we are living now is so rude because it was a mix of all of these types.

The crisis can be attributed to a number of factors pervasive in both housing and credit markets. But before we talk about the causes of the financial crisis, it is important to understand a couple of concepts.

Today houses are not only a place to live, they are also investments due its trend of constantly growing prices, so several people usually buy it to resell it later for higher prices.

If it occurs in excess, it can create an economic bubble, which occurs when trade products or assets with inflated values, prices much higher than its real value, often caused by consumer expectations and/or speculations. These factors occurred in the U.S. economy when a bubble was raised in the houses market, making the housing prices become above their real (equilibrium) price caused mainly by subprime loans.

Both the demand and price for homes increased, such as between 1997 and 2006 when the percent of a typical American house increased by 124 percent. But every bubble burst and prices go back to their real prices, and this one was not different. In 2007, the housing prices started to decrease caused by excess in housing inventory, resulting in a disequilibrium in this market affecting the banks which made high risk loans to finance these homes. Because most of those loans, approximately 80 percent, made for subprime borrowers were adjustable rate mortgages, so when the housing prices start to decline, refinancing became more difficult and as adjustable-rate mortgages began to reset at higher rates, mortgage delinquencies soared.

As a result of these factors, banks start to bankruptcy. When the Lehman Brother Bank, a large financial institution, became bankrupt in September of 2008, it officially marked the start of the crisis. These aspects together affected the confidence of the consumers, making people spend less money and deregulating the economy affecting families and firms around the world.

What does it cost for the United States? Between June 2007 and No-

vember 2008, Americans lost more than a quarter of their net worth. By early November 2008, a broad U.S. stock index, the S&P 500, was down 45 percent from its 2007 high.

Housing prices had dropped 20 percent from their 2006 peak, with futures markets signaling a 30-35 percent potential drop. The unemployment rate raised from 4.4 percent to 9.5 percent.

But I guess that the real worries that most of us have now is about our futures.

There are two issues that we should t h i n k about, “We can expect the when is it unemployment over and rate to be higher what hapthan it was, pens after that? increasing the Several importance to be econoready for future mists inchallenges.” cluding the Inter—Carlos national Souza Monetary Fund and B e n Bernanke, fed’s chairman, agree that the global financial system shows sign of recovery, but we still need to be aware to avoid a new slump. The trend with the new regulations imposed by World Bank and IMF is that for the next year most parts of the world will be in a period of expansion again. Also, it is important to remember that it is the worst slump in the world economy since the Great Depression in 1930, so it is expected that consumers will spend less and save more, which is not good for the economy as a whole.

We can conclude that the growth will not be so large as it was in earlier times, we can also expect the unemployment rate to be higher than it was, increasing the importance to be ready for future challenges.

But what exactly we should do after crisis?

•As a Student: It is important to focus on the challenges that you can face in your career, knowing that the market will be more restricted, will increasing competition because there are less job opportunities.

•As a Business Student: This is the best moment for us to understand what happens in recession periods, because certainly we will face more recessions in our business life.

•As a Investor: Now is the best moment to invest, mainly in stocks, because the prices are lower than they really are and the trend is that they will raise.

•As an Employee: Now is the time to work hard and as efficiently as possible because unemployment rates will probably remains high for at least couple of more months.

ENTERTAINMENT

8 CRUSADER

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

M E TA L M A STE RS TE A R IT U P IN K A NSA S CITY CLU B V E NU E

M E TA L LE GE ND DA V E M U STA INE

Crusader photo/Rustin Watt

MegadethEndgameTourhitsKansasCityontheKillingRoad Rusti n Watt Crusader staff

Fog and smoke filled the air as spotlights shone down on bassist James Lamenzo, drummer Shawn Drover, and new six-string shredder Chris Broderick as they one-by-one took the stage. The crowd’s screams and chants of “Megadeth” were drowned out to piercing screams from all directions when frontman Dave Mustaine shredded his way to center stage.

Mustaine and Broderick traded solos back and forth in their intro—which happened to be “Dialectic Chaos,” the intro off of “Endgame.”

I was in the presence of the mighty Megadeth at the capacity packed Beaumont Club in Kansas City Dec. 5, for a leg of the Endgame Tour.

The classic Marshall stack off both sides of the elevated drummer, Drover, blasted

through the crowd that was sweating with anticipation.

A near-90-minute setlist of what I consider a greatest hits compilation took headbanging classics from Megadeth’s metal masterpieces like “Peace Sells...But Who’s Buying?,” “Countdown to Extinction,” “Rust In Peace,” and also four tracks off the new highly touted “Endgame.”

Smoke crawled overhead, and beer quenched many a thirst as Mega-fans from all generations put their devil horns up and banged their heads to Megadeth’s arsenal.

Mustaine, with his signature Dean flying V, black long sleeve button up, with Megadeth wristbands, banged his head with his curly strawberry locks swaying as his fingers moved with fury through tracks like “Tornado of Souls,” “Wake up Dead,”“Skin Of My Teeth,” and many other ’deth classics along with

“Endgame” single “Headcrusher,” which was nominated for a Grammy for best metal performance last Wednesday. That makes the band’s eighth consecutive nomination.

Moshpits widened during face melting tracks like “Symphony of Destruction” and “Holy Wars” and lighters fanned the air as voices echoed Mustaine’s in classic Megadeth ballads “In My Darkest Hour,” and “A Tout Le Monde.”

Despite being recorded in 1986, the political track “Peace Sells” found itself applicable today as Mustaine made his view on what he’s going to do in the ballot box in 2012 very clear. In a cleaned up context of Mustaine’s typical in-your-face political statement, he said that come 2012 when he steps into the voting booth, he guarantees he won’t vote for who’s in office right now. The crowd went crazy and every fist in my line of sight pumped in the air and not one boo was heard as the

crowd cheered. Mustaine went on to say he won’t support a “freedom stealer” and that he’d put his name on the ballot before that ever happened, and the crowd roared in approval even louder than before, Mustaine made himself at home in the Midwest red for sure.

Mustaine also dredged up old battles and called Metallica “fags,” but who can disagree? While Megadeth is up for best metal performance, Metallica is up for best hard rock performance along with Nickelback and Linkin Park, I think Dave had it right.

When the night came to a close, the four made a classic bow at the front of the stage before tossing out picks, drumsticks and wristbands. Mustaine left the crowd with a “Thank you, and God Bless.”

Megadeth will round out its Endgame Tour Dec. 13, and prepare for the American Carnage Tour with Slayer and Testament which will begin in Seattle Jan. 18.

thing to do is to walk amongst the populace, go to bars, just kinda see where people’s heads are at. ... I’ll get up early in the morning now, cause I can, and I’ll hit the bricks and see what’s going on in town. I have more adventures that way, and I meet cooler people and I get more inspired to come back and play a show for those people when I’m in a town and I get to know them a little bit. I like the big places; I like the small places. It all has to do with who comes out and how much fun we’re having.

J a m e s La m e n zo join e d M e g a de t h in ’0 6 a n d ha s p la y e d w it h m u s ic ia n s s u c h a s A c e F r e hle y , D avid Le e Rot h, Oz zy , Za k k W y lde , Sla s h, A e r os m it h, a n d of c ou r s e , Da v e M u s t a in e .

Roadrun n e r Re c or ds g a v e Cr u s a de r Re p or t e r Ru s t in W a t t t he op p or t u n it y t o in t e r v ie w J a m e s La m e n zo p r ior t o t he De c . 5 s how in K a n s a s Cit y .

Q : Metal brings to mind a misconception that all metal is “satan worship”, anarchy loving hate music.

Megadeth is not so much that case, How do you see the metal community today?

LA M E NZO : A lot of it is transfixed with the darker side of life as we know and the darker side of religious intent. That kind of goes hand-in-hand with metal. I mean, we grew up on Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, and they kind of started it because they thought the movies were cool. ... We’re older guys now. We’re not kids anymore, so when Dave starts writing about what’s going on with the future of mankind based on governmental jurisdiction and how things are moving politically, that’s a very legitimate point of view from his side, and I think the thing about Megadeth that people really grab on to is most of us tend to feel disenfranchised. It’s such a hard world out there these days just to even make a living, so a lot of people, when they start hearing Dave spew out what he’s noticed and comes in as a reporter, I think people latch on to that. ... They tend to find themselves in it and that’s what great music is all about. I remember listening to a lot of Pink Floyd stuff and a lot of that had that kind of feeling of disenfranchisement, and I responded to that great as a 19 year-old. I thought that was killer I was there hook, line and sinker.

Q: Christmas is coming, if you could give your bandmates the perfect gift from James, what would that be?

LA M E NZO : Probably the absence of my presence for 10 minutes. (Laughs)

Q : Where is your favorite place to play or your favorite type of venue?

LA M E NZO : I love touring everywhere, I really do.

I get to meet lovely people like yourselves, and I’m not blowing smoke up your ass, but honestly, my favorite

Crusader photo/Rustin Watt

New addition to Megadeth lead guitarist Chris Broderick hits a riff.

Broderick joined Megadeth for the production of the ’09 release “Endgame.”

Q : Metal has grown greatly through the years and has spanned off into different genres of metal, who are some of your favorite bands today?

L A M E NZO : I go in and out. Mostly the bands I tour with because I get really familiar with their music. I love Machinehead. I thought they were great. I actually liked Static-X when we were with them and it’s surprising because it’s basically dance music, but they had a good vibe to them. I love In Flames.

I would never have thought I’d say that until I started hanging with the guys and found out what they’re about and their music is great.

Q : Like you said, you’ve been touring for over 25 years now, do you ever get the “pregame jitters” before a show after all those years?

I’d j ust g et u p, pu t on my su per h e r o c os t u m e a nd g o.

— J a m e s La m e n zo

L A M E N Z O: Not me, no. The guys get pissed off at me constantly but, you know what, I feel more at home on stage than I do at home. To me, I’ve been doing this for so long that fear is a silly thing, ’cause I can’t wait to get up there and do what I do. So to be afraid of it would be, ya know...why fear what you love to do.? ... I used to take naps when I first joined the band just before we’d go on, and Dave (Mustaine) would go, “What are you doing? Wake up.” I was like, “Ya know, I’m fine,” and I’d just get up, put on my super hero costume and go.

At left, James Lamenzo grooves on his bass during the Endgame Tour in Kansas City.

Crusader photo/Rustin Watt

For full interview in audio, check crusadernews.com

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

inter

ENTERTAINMENT

WConcert

Music | Deisi Barboza

Shakira lets out her inner ‘she wolf’

Music department features Wind Ensemble, Singing Saints Choir and Sound Express Show Choir

Shakira

The show choir performs “Let the Sunshine In.” From left, Logan Green, Ashlee Sauer, Isaac Fuentes, Trina Fosdick, Heather Grant, David Linares and Angela Wesley. Top photo, music instructor Darren Workman leads the band.

Concert brings frills, festivity to fans The Showcase Theatre housed a full audience Dec. 4 for the college's music department winter concert featuring the Wind Ensemble, the Singing Saint Concert Choir and the Sound Express Show Choir.

The Wind Ensemble started the show off strongly with three festive songs known as the “Three moods of Hanukkah” they continued with other performances of other traditional Christmas songs including “Carol of the Bells” and “Dona Nobis Pacem.” The Wind Ensemble ended their set strongly with 3 very fast paced songs known as the Russian Triptych.

It was a very good show and conductor Darin Workman introduced every piece performed very well, and even made a few jokes in between. The audience applauded their performance loudly, and The Wind Ensemble set the mood for the show.

The next group to perform was the Singing Saints Concert Choir, Directed by this year’s new choir director Magda Silva.

They started off their show with the ‘60s

Angela Wesley gets ready to perform “Dance of the SugarPlum Fairy.”

CRUSADER 9

body thought would be sheet music, but she threw the audience off and got quite a few laughs when it was a picture of a squirrel. Monotone Angel was another song that stood out, the special angel part was sang by Isaac Fuentes who sang in a monotone, loud voice throughout the song and got quite a few laughs from the audience.

The show was ended with a performance by the Sound Express show choir.

They started with a very funny Tetris-inspired version of Theme A. It was followed by another funny performance of Logan Green, David Linares and Isaac Fuentes Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy, with all wear tutu’s as they perform “Dance of the the singers wearing some very attention drawing tutus. They ended the concert Sugar-Plum Fairy.” with a very well done version of another 60s song, Aquarius. song “California Dreamin” by John Overall, you could tell that all of these Phillips. The ‘60s song selection was to go performers and both of their directors had back to 60s when the college was first opened, since this is the 40th anniversary of put lot of work into their songs for this perthe college. Silva began the song by show- formance. ing the audience a picture of what every-

Singing Saints Concert Choir perform winter concert pieces directed by vocal music instructor Magda Silva. Choir members include: Trina Fosdick, Isaac Fuentes, Heather Grant, Bailey Graves, Logan Green, Tessie Huelskamp, Kayla Knudsen, David Linares, Kiara Lowery, Gina Mangold, Luis Pauyac, Tiffany Prater, Victor Rodriguez, Ashlee Sauer, Christian Torres, Lilia Torres, Thuy Truong, Tuyet Truong and Angela Wesley.

Shakira is the music industry’s hermit, she locks up for a couple of years then once she is ready she crawls out of her shell and displays to the her daring and innovating music to the world.

“She Wolf” and its Spanish counterpart “Loba” were the first single of the album. It was the typical hip shaking song audiences are used to yet she gives us touches of disco that make this song get stuck on repeat.

However, one memorable thing about this single wasn’t just the song but the viral video campaign where videos of She Wolf attacks were uploaded to YouTube and fans followed with their own She Wolf sighting videos.

“Did It Again” is one of the best songs on the album. The military march beat, the catchy lyrics and the goat like yowling are the elements to make this a signature Shakira tune.

“Did It Again” is the second single off the album in Latin America and Europe and hopefully it will get released in the US. Low points in the album include the rent-a-rapper fest “Give It to Me” featuring Timbaland and Lil’ Wayne, and the dire “Gypsy.”

Sorry but bandwagon jumping is not something I tend to associate with Shakira, and even though she does work with the Neptunes for the majority of the album she does manage to keep her identity. Yet in “Give It to Me” she fails to do this. “Gypsy” is different, the bland beat doesn’t make it a stand out track and its certainly not charming like most of Shakira’s songs.

Overall, the album is another classic from Shakira, her one of a kind style and feel but still a breathe of fresh air. One can really tell she wanted to have fun with this album and does so successfully. It might not inspire everyone to get up and dance but it does let one forget about the stresses of everyday life and just relax.

Movie | Jose Rodriguez

Indie movie charming, better than expected (500) Days of Summer

Hipsters, dance numbers and The Smiths are all things found in one of the best movies of the year, “(500) Days of Summer.”

Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) doesn’t believe in love. Her parents divorced when she was young so she finds the concept of love to be fake. Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon Levvitt) is a greeting card writer who has spent his whole life thinking he was meant to find his one true love.

Their ideals collide when Summer is hired to work as their bosses assistant Tom instantly falls in love with her but it is on an office outing that he finds out she does not believe in love.

Even then the couple starts to get to know each other better by going shopping at Ikea together and watching old movies.

Every day they get more comfortable with each other and Summer starts to open up to Tom. It all starts going downhill and Tom is thrown .

The movie is told in nonchronological format with a number appearing on the screen to inform you what day it is. It keeps you on your toes because you want to find out what went wrong and when.

I was set off by the movie because how many more “boy meets girl” movies are going to be forced down our throats? And generally indie movies that get a lot of hype and media attention are usually a let down to me the most recent one being “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.” The movie really delivered on originality and humor.

The movie is scheduled to come out on DVD Dec. 22. It is a great addition to a movie collection and will make you want to start dancing

Book | Jose Rodriguez

Video Game | Miguel Campano

Novel pushes limits inspires hope

Game takes player around the world

Push

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Okay, I’m not going to lie I didn’t know about the novel “Push” until I saw the trailer for the movie “Precious.” The movie looked moving, sad and possibly Oscar worthy so I thought I would check out the book since in my experiences the books are always better than the movie.

The novel is set in Harlem, the neighborhood in New York City, in the late ‘80s.

Claireece Precious Jones is a 16 year old Jr. high student who is pregnant with her second child.

She lives with her abusive mother Mary and is raped by her father Carl who gave her both children. She gets kicked out of her school for being pregnant so she starts attend-

ing an alternative school where she meets Blu Rain, the teacher who helps Precious overcome the odds and learn how to read and write so her dream of going to college and being able to care for her children will come true.

This book was one of the most intense books I have ever read. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. Firstly, it is written in pidgin English so words are sounded out which really puts you in Precious’ shoes. After getting past that you have to get past the abuse and it is not easy.

It was a life changing book honestly, I’ve never read anything so gritty and raw.

Sadly, the movie did not live up to the amazing novel.

From Afghanistan with the U.S Army up to Siberia as a secret agent of the CIA, passing for Rio de Janeiro Fighting in the favelas, Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is possibly the best FPS right now on the market of video games; With images in high definition and missions that challenge the skill of any player, this game is projected as one of the best in his type.

The game has 3 ways to play it, which are single player, multiplayer and special ops, in any of them the quality is amazing, and to the persons who have not played yet this amazing game, I say to them that sincerely, they will not be disappointed.

Right now, versions exist for the Xbox360, PS3 and PC, though especially I recommend the versions for PC and Xbox360, due to the realism of the graphs, besides which possibly they will be the first platforms in receive an expansion to complement the original version.

The only thing that I can say to you without breaking the magic of the mystery about this video game, is that if you like automatic guns and cannons, military operations and the adrenaline to the maximum in the most incredible actions, this game is for you. So, create a Gamertag and let’s play buddy

INFOPAGE

10 CRUSADER 00 - $3 300 d i $ 0 Dro oks - - $20 300 o Eb Video ch - $ - $200100 u $ p Fli le iTo creen yer p amS Pla p A re s D lick HP Netf ku Ro

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

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For college age students, the focus for Christmas gifts has shifted from toys such as action figures and remote control cars to the latest in technology. As technology advances more and more rapidly. there is always a new and improved electronic devices out there. With many of these advances showing themselves around the holidays , young adults are more prone to feel the need for these items or under the Christmas tree. These are just a few of the hottest electronic devices ready for the Christmas gifting season.

The e-book allows you to download books online and read them on your portable screen. They allow readers to carry many books around with them along on trips just on the compact screen.

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Mattel Mindflex

One of the most interesting electronic games to come out around this holiday season is Mattel's Mindflex. The person playing the game wears a headband that reads their brainwaves which causes the ball to rise on a small stream of air. The harder you concentrate the higher the ball rises, but when you relax your thoughts the ball begins to go down. Using your thoughts and concentration the player guides the ball through a miniature obstacle course. The obstacle course can be customized in many different ways to fully challenge your mind. Mattel's Mindflex can be found in stores for around $90. It is a great gift for kids and a great way to get their minds running and thinking. If you are looking for a unique gift then look into the Mindflex.

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The Zune HD features a stunning 3.3-inch High Definition OLED touch screen that supports both MP4 and WMV video formats.The User can play Microsoft created games on the Z HD and can hook the Zune up to any tv’s video and audio via it’s HD Port. Over all, the Zune HD is one of the most innovative Music Players on the market today and allows listeners not only to hear their music, but to touch it... in HD.

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For the Netflix user who does not want to wait for the mail, movies stream directly from Netflix to your television. All at the affordable price of $100.

Garmin GPS

The Garmin GPS is a great gift for the traveler in your family. It is a very efficient travel tool.

Whether you are driving across the country or just across town the Garmin GPS gives you step by step directions to get you where you need to go. The Garmin GPS can be found in stores for approximately $200. This is the new way to travel.

Crusader SEWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE/ AREA TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Section B • Page 1

SPORTS

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Lady Saints sho o t o u t t o spectacular 10 -0 start R ust i n Wat t Sports editor

The No. 22 Lad Barton County y Saints move to 10-0 on the in Barton since 06 Great Bend Friday night. T season following a 70-56 win over -07. he win was Sew The Lady Saint ard’s first win s in he ld the conf in Annie Kassa ngo to just six erence’s leading rebounder an d points and seve averages. n rebounds, wel No. 2 leading scorer l below her seas The Saints forc on to move to 10-0 ed 34 turnovers en route to a 70-56 win over . the Lady Couga The Lady Saint rs Dragons at the s did have to battle Dec. 2, w Green House. hen they took on Hutch came in the Lady Blue Lady Saints seas to the night ranked No. 11 in the Lady Saint on last year in the Regional C the country. Hutch ended the s ha underdog but le have not let slip their minds mpionship game, something . The Lady Sai ft the night the nt Western Divisio top dog with a 53-43 win over s came in the n riv their Jayhawk The Lady Saint al Lady Blue Dragons. began with an s takedown of ranked oppone nt ex Nebraska in Gar citing bout with Western s den City Nov. 28.

The Lady Saint gain some na s came in seeking to tio they did, reachi nal recognition and ng the national top 25 after the bout.

"We knew we game up," Lad had to step our y Ginther said. "W Saints guard Liz game coming e knew it was a big in we were ready , we were pumped, to knock them of go. We wanted to what we’re capa f and show everyone ble Seward went in of doing. ” before a down to to half with a 40-31 lead stretched their the wire finish. The Lady Saint le Nebraska starte ad to as much as 11 before s d to chip away.

Western With a little ov er fo ur m inutes to play S er in the corner ew four-point gam by Western Nebraska quickly ard was up 56-49. A three poin e, 56 -52. tightened things tup making it a Seward answered by ge tti ng Spresser for a th it to the wom 19 points and garee of her own, she had four on an with the hot hand in Kendr a ve th the ni Western Nebrask e Lady Saints a 59-52 lead la ght and led Seward with te a fast broke for .

Barnes free thro a layup to mak wm e it 59-54 before Western Nebraskade it 60-54. a Rachel a nailed anot to make it a on e-point game, 60 her three and got a steal and a fast break layup -59.

Spresser was and capitalized fouled driving the baseline with on the 1-1 oppo minute twenty rtunity to put S the Lady Saints in the bonus to play. eward up three, 62-59, with a Seward got the ba ll ba ck Nebraska regain and tried to m ilk ed possession an one, 62-61. d got a putback the clock before Western on their end to get within With 16 second s to pl ay V for a 1-1 but he aneza Junior w as fouled and w Rachel Barnes. r shot rimmed out and was en re B bounded near th t to the line ar ne s at te m pted to throw defender and it e sideline by the sk around until a W irted away. It was passed ah ball off a Western Nebraska ea what appeared toestern Nebraska post picked it d to the block where it rolle up d be out of the scru th e le ad st ea and said, "No, she walked with ler or possible game winner. m and put in for Aw onds to play. it" and Seward regained posses histle chimed in sion with nine Western Nebrask seca put Spresser at to the ball bein th e lin e for a 1-1 with g passed in. a foul on the flo Spresser's fre or prior wing for a thre e throw rimmed off and Wes e. Nadia Rosario tern Nebraska ki er Western Neb cked it ahead to came from the ra the arc. It was ska post kicked it back outsid post and got a piece of it as an the long e for oth“I thought she and the Lady Saints escaped to a wide open shot from behind tra m ve ov led, ” Lady Saint e to 8-0 on the seconds. “I calle s head season official made a d travel from the sideline, I th coach Toby Wynn said on the . good call. Then ought she shuf final lenge it, so I w fle th asn't really conc e first three I knew Nadia w d her feet and the as out there to rebounds and th erned. Where yo ch ey give up game w battled it out for one more th u get concerned is with offens alive re in e ne an rs d . that Luckily on our able to win the side she shot it 's normally where you game. ” a tad long and w Seward is no e were Community C w10-0 and will play North ollege at the P eastern Junior epsi Classic in Wednesday’s co College Labette nt rescheduled for est with Colby has been ca the Green House Dec. 11-12.

Monday. ncelled due to weather and is

Megan Lassley

Barnes named n ational player of the week

R ust i n Wat t Sports editor

Rachel Barnes

9. 5 boards.

Definitely th Lady Saints st National Player e kind of numbers deserv Conn. , Rachel ellar sophomore out of W ing of B of in at the No. 22 sp Player of the Warnes, was named NJCAA Div dsor, Since being na the Week honors. ot is ee m io k ed n af I N te at r io av W na eraging nearly ednesday night . l B double after the ar P ne la ye s ha r s not slowed do of the Week a doubleat the Green H Saints picked up wn a bit.

Lady Saints to ouse the No. and Frank Philli The wins over Clare ok on the No. ps. ndon play Saints traveled to Garden C Dragons from H 11 ranked Lady 22 ity Nov. 27-28 At the Billy’s/ ed New Mexic ut Blue and o Junior Colle Hutch knocke ch.

Western Nebrask Lady Saints took Days Inn Classic Nov. 20 ge and No. 10 d S -21 the a. ew on Clarendon an ar d out of the R Tournament last Barnes recorded In Seward’s w d Frank Philli egional se The Lady Saint ason.

Junior College a double-double on New career high 30 in over Clarendon, Barnes sc ps. s fir M st points, raked se w ex or co ith ed ic nferen o a Seward’ 11 points and out two assists ven boards and s 73-60 win to 10 boards in a classic clash between Jayh ce game proved to be in m awk Western D ov riv e al to s. only played 23 the Lady Saints 119-70 win. dished 7T 0 he on the season next day the ivision min Barnes ed With the stakes Western Nebrask Lady Saints took on a very ta .

The following utes in the contest. up , B le ni ar a nt gh ne te am s kept her gam t Seward took Frank Phillips on an undefeated ranked No. 10 in the co that walked into the contest another double-double. e up with team untry.

Barnes dropped Barnes only reco Barnes tallied 23 .

22 po in rd ts on the Lady B ed eight points, points along w and battled dow factor down lo assists and two ith 12 rebounds lue Dragons but she was a bi n low fo w an stea In those two ga ls in the Lady Saints 80-56 six one-point upset ov d got 11 rebounds in the Sai g recorded two blocks and r 12 rebounds. Barnes also w mes Barnes aver two steals nts Barnes also put The Lady Saint er Western Nebraska 62-61. aged 21.5 points in. up 10 points an on the night. s win moved S and B ar d eigh to n eward into the to F p 25 10-0 th riday in Great Bend to help m t rebounds on us far on the se ove Seward to ason.

2B CRUSADER

SPORTS

CRUSADER 3B

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Crusader photo/Rustin Watt

The Saints bench celebrates during the final seconds of Seward's contest vs. the Blue Dragons Dec. 2, at the Green House. Hutchinson came into the Green House ranked No. 8 before the Saints topped them and they were run out of the building in a 73-52 route and upset to move Seward to 7-3 and 1-0 in conference.

Crusader photo/Rustin Watt

Marky Nolen looks to find an opening baseline during the Saints contest with the Blue Dragons Dec. 2, at the Green House.

Nolen helped the Saints to a 73-52 win over the No. 8 ranked Blue Dragons.

Saints top defending Jayhawk champion Cougars 83-73 Nolen named KJCCC Rusti n Watt Sports editor

The Saints moved to 8-3 and 2-0 in the conference after defeating last year’s Jayhawk Western Division Champions in Barton County. Six Saints scored in double figures in the 10-point 83-73 win.

Seward jumped on top quick spanning a seven-point lead four minutes into the contest.

The Saints drove to the basket and fed the ball down low for high-percentage shots in the first half.

“I think coach emphasizes that at practice a lot,” Saints post Latiq Agard said. “He tells us we’ve got to get the ball down low more, because we draw a lot of attention and the guards get a lot more open opportunities outside after feeding it to us down low.”

The Saints shot 58 percent from the floor in the first half and cruised to a 20-point, 47-27, lead to go into the break. Tony Smith had already near a double-double in the first half with 10 points and seven assists as Latiq Agard and Marky Nolen combined for another 23 points by the break.

“Marky Nolen has been doing a great job for us,” Agard said. “I didn’t think he’d be this much of a presence, but he’s doing really well and has been picking up a lot of the slack.”

The Saints came out hot in the second half and stretched their lead to as high as 24 points with nearly 16 minutes to play in the contest.

Momentum shifted sides to the Cougars as the Saints went on a

drought. The Cougars scratched and clawed and cut Sewards lead in around 10 minutes from 24 to 4.

From there, Seward would trade baskets but were able to nail their free throws down the stretch pull out the 83-73 win.

The Saints were 16-19 from the free-throw line in the second half and were 23-28 on the night.

The Saints shot 50 percent from the field on the night with six Saints in double figures.

Latiq Agard led the Saints with 20 points and was 8 of12 from the field.

“The points are getting me the ball more and getting me a lot of opportunities rather than in other games,” Agard said. “They got it to me down low early and that got me in a rhythm early and from there I just fed off of my teammates’ energy.”

Marky Nolen added 14 points and seven boards as Donte McCarter finished with 13 points.

Marcus James ended with 11 points and six rebounds and Tony Smith nearly reached a double-double with 10 points and nine assists. Jon Tassin reached 10 points for the first time in five games as the Saints moved to 8-3 on the season.

The Saints have struggled at some points but also have shown some glimpses of what they’re capable of.

“I think we’re doing good,” Agard said.

“We’re getting better everyday and I think when its all said and done we’ll be a lot better and be making a run to round things out if we contin-

ue to grow and get better and keep progressing.”

The Saints bout with Colby Wednesday has been cancelled due to weather and is rescheduled to be played Monday, Jan., 18. The Pepsi Classic is scheduled to take place this Friday and Saturday at the Green House.

Friday the Saints will take on Colorado Christian University’s junior varsity and Saturday the Saints will match up with Labette Community College.

“I feel we’re probably more talented then them,” Agard said.

“But we have to go out there and handle our business and get the job done. We have to continue working hard and getting better everyday so we’ll be better in the long run.”

After the Saints two-game skid in Snyder, Texas, with a 75-61 loss to Odessa and a 77-73 close call with Western Texas, the Saints have rebounded with two straight wins, including a huge 73-52 upset over No. 8 and Jayhawk Western Division Rival Hutch.

The Saints win over Barton County also may show where the team is now headed.

Those two wins have Seward atop the division in the Jayhawk West.

Despite being early and only two-games into conference play, there are no undefeated teams in the conference and the Saints have been picking it up as of late.

Seward sits at 8-3 and 2-0 in conference awaiting Friday’s action.

Jayhawk West Standings Teams

Overall

Seward County Pratt Hutchinson Barton County Butler Dodge City Cloud County Garden City Colby

ring Cate able Avail

44 D Village Plaza 620-626-4400 Monday ~ Saturday 11 am - 9 pm

Conference

8-3 10-2 10-1 10-3 10-3 9-3 6-6 8-5 6-6

2-0 1-0 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 0-1 0-2

Player of the Week Roy Al l en Sports information

Seward County freshman forward Marky Nolen has been named the KJCCC Player of the Week for his performances last week in a pair of crucial early season conference wins for the Saints.

In Seward’s conference opener against #8 Hutchinson, Nolen went 7 for 11 from the field scoring 14 points and grabbing a game high 11 rebounds in the Saints 21 point win.

Against Barton County on the road Saturday night the Wichita native again scored 14 points while pulling down a team high 7 rebounds in a 10 point win to send the Saints to 2-0 in Jayhawk West Conference play.

Despite being just 6-2, Nolen is currently leading the Saints in rebounding at 7 boards per game which also ranks him in the top 10 in the conference in that category.

Nolen’s teammate Saints post Latiq Agard had this to say on Nolen’s play thus far on the season. ““Marky Nolen has been doing a great job for us,” Agard said. “I didn’t think he’d be this much of a presence, but he’s doing really well and has been picking up a lot of the slack.”

Nolen comes to Seward County after playing three years at Wichita South High School for coach Deon Allen. Nolen was also a standout football player in high school earning a football scholarship to National Champion Butler CC. He has three sisters, Shadda (23), Courtney (14), and Shaoyah (13) and one brother, Tim (22).

Committed

Member FDIC

to service, customers, and community.

The Community Bank offers Internet Banking and two locations at 2320 N. Kansas and 303 S. Kansas in Liberal with more drive-thru lanes than any other bank in town.

Ask about The Community Student checking account.

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1011 N. Kansas • Liberal

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Open Thur. 1-9 p.m.

Closing for holidays Dec. 21 Open for appointments Jan. 11

CALL TODAY 620-417-1361

FEATURE

4B CRUSADER

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Call Carroll Auto Glass today for glass repair or replacement:

624-0994

• Top Quality Guaranteed Auto Glass Repair and Replacement!

• Experience Jim Carroll and Steve Reed combine

20 years of service to area customers.

• Come by Carroll Auto Glass at 2240 N. Kansas in Liberal or call for mobile service.

Keep the holiday home fires burning with a beautiful fireplace from

Scantlin’s Furniture from

211 S. Washington Liberal Phone 624-3859 1-800-253-3238

MerryfromChristmas the staff of the

Crusader and CrusaderNews.com

Crusader photo/ Morgan Allaman

The college’s Multimedia Director Doug Browne has made it a tradition to have the most technical Christmas show in town. Browne started his technical show 10 years ago and has added new decorations every year. He now has a 10-minute show with 146 computer controlled dimmer channels and a low power radio station playing Christmas music. The show can be seen at 1660 N. Cain in Liberal.

Browne’s Christmas show consists of:

DR. JIM JURY AND DR. RYAN FARRAR DOCTORS

OF OPTOMETRY

2381 N KANSAS AVE • LIBERAL, KS 67901 620-624-1679 • 800-464-1679 www.juryfarrar.com

Lidia Hook-Gray Broker

Gary Classen Call

toll free at

620-626-6100, visit online at

866-626-6100, Stephanie McVey

Rose Aragon

www.heritageliberal.com or see us at 2 S. Kansas P.O. Box 1736 Liberal, Kansas 67905

of e Homtively i pos E FRE g kin c e Ch d . an nking Ba e nlin

O 711 N. Kansas, Liberal 620-624-8101

www.sunflowerbank.com

• 3 8 , 1 0 5 L i gh t b u l b s • 6 C u s t o m l i gh t ed b a l l s • 7 0 L aw n ar c h es •55 St robes • 9 L i g ht e d de e r • 3 0 M i n i C h r i st ma s tr e e s • 2 8 L i g ht e d c a n d y c an es •1 4 G ia nt In f lat ab le F ig u r es • 4 0 F e e t o f li g h te d g ar la nd • 2 2, 7 1 8 F e e t .o f w i r e

A Doug Browne Christmas Steve T. Cauble, O.D.

Dora L. Davis, O.D.

DOCTORS OF OPTOMETRY 1401 W. 15th in Liberal 120 W. Sixth in Hugoton Call 620-624-4371 or 800-835-0835 for an appointment. www.drcauble-drdavis.com

To have a clear VISION, you must be better than 20/20.

Your home loan professionals KS Mtg Reg. 1996-0112

Contact us at 620-624-7617 Located in the Landmark Center.

Save 10 percent as easy as 1-2-3... at

15th & Western, Liberal

21 Plaza Drive Liberal, KS

1/2 price bowling 6-10 p.m. Tuesdays for students with college ID. ••••••••• Drink and Pizza Specials •••••••••••• • go to ayrlanes.com for info/rates/times • 2050 N. Kansas • Liberal

620-624-8471

-Income/Estate Taxes -Financial Planning -Auditing -Small Business -Accounting

1. Call

620-624-2088 or 620-453-2093.

2. Ask for Stylist Tasha Newton.

3. Present any area school ID for your discount!