Jan 29 2010

Meet the other Saints

Test your Saints and Colts knowledge with the Super Bowl XLIV trivia challenge.

Crr sader —Page 4B

January 29

2010

Naughty Aughties

Play the game of the decade and recount some of the more memorable moments of the past 10 years.

SEWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE/ AREA TECHNICAL SCHOOL www.crusadernews.com

Year 41, No. 6

SIFE is sponsoring a Haiti benefit lunch Jan. 31 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at First Christian Church, 920 N. Jordan in Liberal.

All donations will go to the family of Seward student Regine Beauchard who is from Haiti and featured in this issue of the Crusader.

TRiO is hosting a Lunch ‘n’ Learn from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 1 and Feb. 3 and from 12:30 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. Feb. 2 and Feb 4 in the library.

TRiO students participating will receive a free lunch, but must sign up ahead of time.

Academic and career adviser Robert Herbig will be teaching success shops.

“How To Use Your Time Wisely” will be 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Feb. 3, and “The Future is Yours” will be 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Feb. 10 in room A125.

Crusader photo/ Logan Green

Job fair scheduled for Allied Health students The Allied Health job fair is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Feb. 4 in SW220 C and D. Registration fee is $20.00 per table. Booths will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis.

Setup time is 10:00 am.

For more information, contact the business and industry office at 417-1171.

Saints ESP offering three scholarships

Saints ESP will offer three $100 scholarships for next 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 to that.

The deadline for the scholarship is Feb. 5.

Saint freshman Victor Rodriguez kicks back in one of the new leather seats in the student union. The union was renovated by the student government organization on a budget of $6,000. For more pictures of the union renovation visit www.crusadernews.com under the multimedia tab.

SGA revamps student union Zach Carpenter Crusader staff

Extreme Home Makeover? Not quite, but Seward County Community College/Area Technical School’s Student Government has been planning for the past year to remodel the Student Union.

Wade Lyon, director of student activities, got on board with the project. According to SGA president Edgar Rosales, the SGA presented its plan for remodeling to the board of trustees and the plan was approved right before winter break of the 2009 fall semester.

On Jan. 14, the new furniture was moved into the union to stay.

Among the new additions are four small tables, eight green chairs which accent the four black leather seats, one sectional couch, four black coffee tables and two new ping-pong tables, all from Overstock.com and Modern Line Furniture out of New Jersey.

“It gives a better environment for college vibes,” Rosales said.

Rosales said they still plan on adding a game console, surround sound system and another flat screen television hopefully by the end of this semester.

Lyon would like to see some new wall furnishings as well.

“We’ll probably keep trying to add things as we go, maybe get some artwork and some different things to liven it up even more,” Lyon said.

SGA’s budget was around $6,000, and, according to some

students who frequent the union, it was money well spent.

“They kind of gave it a more homey look for anyone who wants to study or do their homework so they don’t have to really strain too much to concentrate a little more,” SC student Cody Denham said. “And the two new ping-pong tables make it so that if there is a lot of people who want to play. They won’t have to have a long line of people who want to play at one table.”

Celeste Donovan, dean of student services, commended the SGA students for the selections made.

“I think the students did a really nice job of picking out the furniture that they really wanted, to make it a more inviting, comfortable student union,” Donovan said. “This year the Student Government decided that they would really make it happen.”

SGA gathered sample pictures from different furniture companies and the students picked out the green and black furniture that now adorns the union.

Sophomore Christopher Perez believes that the improvements make a nice social space.

“It’s pretty good stuff, we got a lot of things where we can hang out and talk and chill,” Perez said.

Rosales and Lyon both agree the student union has seen more faces than usual lately due to the recent upgrades.

“People want to be there,” Rosales said.

Graduation robes on sale February only Graduation robe orders will be taken from Feb. 1 to Feb. 29 in the Saints Bookstore.

There will be a graduation charge of $36 plus tax for associate degree candidates and $31 plus tax for certificate of completion candidates and is due when placing robe orders.

The Student Government Association is currently preparing for the 2010 homecoming.

The coronation ceremony has been scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20 following the Lady Saint’s 6:30 p.m. basketball game against Dodge City Community College.

Campus Ministry for Christ has nominated Kiara Lowery and Logan Michael Green; HALO will be represented by Jessica Palacios and Saul Rico; Phi Theta Kappa has nominated Jordan Eder and Zane Atchley; Edgar Rosales and Lily Torres will represent SGA. Shaley Thomas and Layne Greeson will represent SIFE; Haley Adkinson and Frank Ruano for concert band; Jasmine Mitchell for Skills USA and Brandi Colvin will represent SNA. Jeanette Contreras and Omar Rios will represent Kylix and the Crusader will be represented by Morgan Allaman and Will Rector.

The deadline for student organizations to nominate one female and one male candidate is Jan. 29. Names should be submitted to Wade Lyon in the Student Activities office next to the bookstore.

The schedule for voting will take place thereafter, with first round voting Feb.1-3, final announcement of candidates on Feb.4, and final round of voting Feb.15-17.

Following the men’s game which starts at 8 p.m., there will be a dance from 10 p.m.-1 a.m in the student union.

SGA will continue planning for homecoming events during regular meetings on Mondays at 4:30 p.m. above the bookstore and welcomes any students to come.

SC gets involved with Kansas day Sigma Chi Chi is teaming up with Seward County Historical Museum, Kansas Corp member Lacy Garcia and USD #480, today to provide Kansas Day activities for eight Liberal fourth grade classes.

Students attending will be: Mario Armendariz, Corey Clark, Dayton Davis, Carlos Enriquez, Aaron Gibler, Mark Hartle, Keaton Kliner, Dominique Lee, Dustin Little, Michael Mages, Andrew Mains, Francisco Moreno, Jaime Peralta, Adam Regier, Enrique Rodriguez, Janette Vargas and Garcia.

• See Kansas Day page 3

PTK plans induction ceremony for spring The spring 2010 Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony for new members is scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 21 in SW229.

In order to be eligible to be invited to join PTK, students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours and have a 3.5 GPA. Contact Debbie Stafford at debbie.stafford@sccc.edu or 417-1106 for more information.

Liberal, Kansas

Anti goné Lowery Crusader staff

TRiO hosts lunch and workshops

Student Government Association is bringing in Zapped Laser Tag Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Laser tag activities will be in conference room SW229C and SW229D. Students may bring a team or show up alone.

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

SGA prepares for Feb. 20 homecoming

SIFE sponsors Haiti benefit luncheon

SGA provides laser tag for SC students

—Page 5

Haitian student shines in time of hardship Anti goné Lowery Crusader staff

Haiti, a small country in the Caribbean, continues to undergo reconstruction from a 7.0magnitude earthquake that hit the country on Jan. 12. More than 1 million people were affected by the first destructive earthquake, while recent earthquakes of smaller magnitudes have also added to the country’s damage.

Haitian student Regine Beauchard, who arrived at the college in the fall of 2009, has also been affected by the earthquake despite being away from home.

“This recently outrageous

disaster that just happened to my country was probably one of the most terrifying moments in my life. Not knowing anything about my family caused me to have so many negative thoughts running through my mind,” Beauchard said after she heard the news of Haiti’s first earthquake.

Beauchard tried many times to reach her family once she heard the devastating news of Haiti, but was happy when her family reached her two days after the earthquake hit.

“I felt so relieved and had an intense feeling of well being by just hearing their voices,” Beauchard said.

None of Beauchard’s family

Beauchard

members or neighbors have been injured or killed by the earthquake, but their homes, have been devastated.

“I’ve been told a few people

have left the city to go to the provinces to join other family members, but the majority remain in the street near their homes,” Beauchard said.

Beauchard’s host family, Fred and Karen Cress, as well as teachers and students, have been very supportive during this time of grief away from family and friends.

“My host parents were being so supporting during this tragic event by reassuring me they will be ok, and calling others to keep me and my family in their prayers,” Beauchard said.

“Throughout last week, several people, such as teachers and former classmates, came up wondering if I was ok, saying ‘I

thought of you a lot.’ I’m so thankful for their concerns.”

As a student-worker for the associate dean of educational services, Dale Reed, Beauchard’s work ethic and personality is also noticeably apparent.

“Regine is an outstanding young lady; pleasant and seemingly always in good spirits. I would take a dozen of her as both a person and a worker,” Reed said. “She will be successful in life.”

Beauchard also works with the administrative assistant to educational and student services, Sara Marshall, who also

• See Haiti page 3

NEWS

2 CRUSADER

SIFE

Friday, January 29, 2010

Clever Cash

Stock Market a good investment Part I

Board of Trustees approve changes Contributed to Crusader

The Seward County Community College/Area Technical School Board of Trustees met Jan. 4 to approve plans for proposed changes to facilities and programs at the Area Technical School and the college’s longrange strategic plan.

The board approved proposed modifications at the area technical school facilities, as presented

by Dr. Bud Smithson, director.

The proposal would allow similar programs to be located in closer proximity and maximize use of current floor space and facility design.

The new Natural Gas Compressor Services Program will be housed in the existing carpentry area. The compressor program requires a thicker floor and drainage for petroleum products and the current carpentry lab, which was originally the diesel lab at the technical school, has a joint wash bay with machine tool and a closer classroom. This change would also place the compressor program closer to similar programs, such as Machine Tool Technology, Automotive Technology and Diesel Technology.

CRUSADER

Dale Reed, associate dean of educational services, informed the board that the college is still looking for an instructor for the gas compressor program.

The Construction Trades Technology program would be moved to the HVAC lab where these two programs can work together in training students. Students can work together for construction and HVAC installation projects by using the large lab area.

The college would move the vending machines to the cafeteria area and create a program display as well. This is intended to create an increased awareness of the programs, activities and student achievements at the ATS while improving the arrangements in the student lounge.

The final plan would use empty classrooms for conference rooms, convert the kitchen to a deli, fast food and snack area for students and provide furniture upgrades for the computer lab.

The next board meeting is Monday, Feb. 1 in the boardroom.

I For full story, see CrusaderNews.com.

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Phone: 620.417.1459

Fax: 620.417.1169

CrusaderNews.com

editor in chief Morgan Allaman

news editor Dana Loewen entertainment Jose Rodriguez online editor Deisi Barboza sports editor Rustin Watt

on the next Crusader edition, I will Another way to make money is give some tips in how to invest through Capital Appreciation and make money in the Stock which is the profit you keep after you buy a stock and sell it Market. a higher price. The stocks’ Now it is important price is defined through for you understand how one of the basic economic stocks trade. Every time law, the supply and stocks are bought and demand. If there is a highsold it is a transaction er demand (more people called trading. Every buying than selling) the company has a ticker stock price will rise, and if symbol, which is the the supply is higher than unique code used to demand (more people sellidentify a stock, for “Anybody ing than buying) the stock example IBM (NYSE: can make price will get cheaper.

IBM) and Microsoft Buying stocks you can (NASDAQ: MSFT). A money in choose either Common stock, or security, repre- the stock Stock or Preferred Stock. sents a share of the comCommon Stock entitles pany or part of the own- market.” ership. But where the —Carlos you to voting rights and any dividend that the comcompanies sell their Souza pany decides to pay, the stocks? A company can dividends for common sell directly to stock can vary with the investors, but usually they will sell through a brokerage company success. Preferred Stock firm. The brokerage firm will buy has a set dividend that does not and sell the stock in a security vary with the company’s perforexchange. There are three big stock mance, and preferred stockholders exchanges in United States, the also receive their dividends before New York Stock Exchange the common stockholders.

(NYSE), the American Stock I Carlos Souza is a Seward stuExchange (AMEX), and the dent majoring in business. He not National Association of Securities only writes this financial column, Dealers Automated Quotation but he also plays tennis and is involved in Seward’s Students in System (NASDAQ).

There are two ways of make Free Enterprise.

In the Feb. 11 of the Crusader, money owing stocks: one method is through dividends that are paid Carlos will discuss how to choose to you as your share in the com- successful companies for stock pany’s profit. Dividends are gener- market investments in Part II of ally paid quarterly or yearly. this installment.

Crusader Photo/ Miguel Campano

Non-traditional students interested in Medical Transcription attend a meeting to learn about an online class through Career Step, a healthcare education company. Students who enrolled were offered a free laptop.

reporters/photographers

Crusader photo/ Alfredo Anaya

Jaime Peralta, Lindsay Alvarez and Marina Guardiola write down facts in a Criminal Investigation II class. As a class project, the students solved a set up crime scene.

Anybody can make money in the stock market. Probably you are thinking now that it requires a lot of money, time, and knowledge, but you can start with less than US$ 100.00 and a little basic information.

First of all you should understand why stocks are good investments. Basically there are three main reasons to own stocks, first because you can buy a piece of a successful company with just a little money compared with its total value. Second, because it has been the best investment over time, it has returned an average of 10.5% a year for the past 75 years, it has a return average much higher than other investments such as Corporate Bonds (4.5%), U.S. Treasury Bonds (3.3%), and Saving Accounts (1.8%). These rates were posted at the same time inflation grew at 3.3%. The third reason has to do with liquidity that allows investors to quickly and easily sell securities. This is an attractive feature of investing in stocks, compared to other less liquid investments such as real estate.

Obviously you have the risk of losing money but you also have the opportunity in to invest in successful companies that will give you a return that you can’t even imagine, for example a $10,000 investment in Microsoft in January 1990 was worth about $900,000 in January 2000. Later

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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, Dana Loewen, Rustin Watt, Jose Rodriguez, and Deisi Barboza.

Advertising is accepted. Rates are $4 per column inch or $4.80 pci for color ads.

Insert rates are $50 per thousand. Classified ads are free to SCCC students, faculty and staff; classified rates for all others are $4 per ad, limit of 20 words. The Crusader staff reserves the right to refuse advertising.

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Friday, January 29, 2010

CRUSADER 3

Kansas Day: Students help • co nti nued from page 1

Travel link Crusader photo/ Screen shot

Through a travel link on the www.sccc.edu Web site, anyone can book airlines, hotels or cars. A percentage goes to scholarships.

Travel link earns college money for scholarships

Joseph Hoffman Crusader staff

The activities for the fourth graders will include a “Jeopardy-like” game about Kansas History and tours around the Coronado Museum.

The students will also take part in an essay competition entitled “What I learned about Kansas History.”

The fourth graders have one week to complete the essay, and the top entries will

win prizes such as family movie passes, college basketball game tickets, bowling alley tickets, T-shirts and other memorabilia.

Judges for this competition will be SC Dean of Student Services Celeste Donovan and Garcia.

“I was really glad to see the Criminal Justice club step up and take this activity,” Donovan said.

Garcia will also be at the Butler County History Center and Oil Museum in El Dorado, on Jan. 30 with the Kansas Corp volunteers.

Kansas Quick Facts State Bird State Animal State Reptile State Amphibian State Flower State Tree Gained Statehood Motto Song

Meadowlark Buffalo Ornate Box Turtle Barred Tiger Salamander Sunflower Cottonwood January 29, 1861 Ad astra per aspera Home on the Range

The travel link on www.sccc.edu is not only a convenient vacation search engine, it also helps earn scholarship money for the college.

A place open for anyone to plan and book a business trip or vacation is conveniently located on the homepage of the college’s Web site.

The travel link proves beneficial to the college by donating a percentage of the money spent on vacations or airline tickets to the Development Foundation for scholarships.

“It’s a convenient link because you can book your rental car, airfare and hotel in one place,” Dean of Administrative Services Tommy Williams said.

The travel link is located under the Quick Links subheading on ww.sccc.edu, and all it takes is one click to get to a Web site that has a search engine for booking flights, whether it be in the country or internationally. It also works for rental cars, vacation spots and hotel rooms.

Crusader photo/ Alfredo Anaya

Dean of Student Services Celeste Donovan and Dean of Administrative Services Tommy Williams walk on the track at the Wellness Center.

Staff makes resolutions Dana Loewen News editor

Students complete GED through the college Logan Green Crusader staff

Each month the Colvin Adult Learning Center has a number of people who have met the requirements to graduate from the GED program. The students are required to pass a test containing the five subjects of math, science, reading, writing and social studies to be able to graduate with the other GED completers in May. The following is the list of those who have completed the GED program in the previous month of December: Gabriel Almaraz, Sergio Dominguez, Dixie Hunt, Alma Jaques, Justin Lambert, Iliana Macias, Raquel Montiel, Diana Sanchez, Edgar Saucedo and Robert Smith Jr.

Omar Rios Morgan Allaman

People’s Choice award

Haiti: Seward student perseveres after quake • continued from page 1 complimented her maturity during this recent tragedy.

“Regine still goes to every class and does all of her homework.

Whenever she can, she watches the news, reads stories on the Internet and chats with her family,” Marshall said. “Regine has handled everything really well and is very appreciative to everyone for the things they have done for her and her family.”

Beauchard does not know how long it may be until she can return to Haiti because of the severity of the situation, but she is doing her best to stay positive while away from her family and friends.

“I’m trying to keep a high spirit with all that’s going on in my country. It is so heartbreaking to see how much ravage this disaster has caused. However, we as Haitians never give up. We always keep our heads up and manage to keep a smile on our face no matter how bad things seem to be,” Beauchard said.

Campus club SIFE is sponsoring a Haiti benefit lunch Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at First Christian Church, 920 N. Jordan in Liberal, in which all donations will go to Beauchard’s family.

Other support groups, such as Habitat for Humanity and popular Haitian singer Wycleaf Jean’s Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund, continue to seek contributions in order to help with aiding the people of Haiti.

Brown’s Shoe Fit Company in Liberal also plans to help the people of Haiti by collecting new and slightly used shoes to send as contributions, in part with the group “Soles for Souls,” that can be dropped off in the store.

SC announces winners Al fredo Anaya Crusader staff

The spring semester People’s Choice Award winners are Morgan Allaman for the photography category, Omar Rios for the 2-Dimensional art category and Karla Bartel for the 3-Dimensional art category.

This year’s art exhibit was displayed from Dec. 9 to Dec. 14, and voting took place during that time.

There are three categories to the exhibit, which are 2-Dimensional art, 3-Dimensional art and photography, and the winners are voted on by the people who attend the exhibit.

Allaman is a second-time winner in the photography category, and she was enrolled in Digital Photography II class during the contest. Her photo is of her beagle puppy, Ronald, with a daisy in his mouth.

Rios is currently in a graphic design class and was in Drawing I last semester.

His piece was from a class assignment, and he was influenced by robot inspired art from a Wichita museum.

Bartel is a non-traditional student who was enrolled in a ceramics art class. Her “Lady in the Water” sculpture was the first ceramics piece she has ever made.

According to art director Susan Copas, the next People’s Choice Award exhibit is planned for the end of this semester.

Karla Bartel

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Many people don’t make New Year’s Resolutions, and those who do, don’t always succeed.

But it is possible.

Not all resolutions have to be started on the first day of the year.

According to Dean of Administrative Services Tommy Williams, New Year’s Resolutions are too hard to keep so he’d rather not make them in the first place.

But whether they were New Year’s Resolutions or not, he has set some goals for himself lately.

He decided to stop smoking in July and succeeded.

He’s also working on losing weight by watching what he eats and walking at the Wellness Center.

“I just got tired of being fat,” Williams said. “You have to get your mind made up and follow through. It’s up to you, not anyone else.”

“When I was smoking, people kept telling me I needed to quit, but it’s not their decision to make,” Williams said. “Finally I did and I made it.”

Failing doesn’t mean you should just give up.

This year, Director of Business and Industry Reenie Jackson made a resolution she’s made every year for 14 years. She wants to quit cursing.

“I’m surprised I’ve made it this long,” Jackson said mid-January. “I always seem to blow it.”

She knows it sounds better to not cuss.

“I cuss too much. I sound like a sailor,” Jackson said.

“I’ve had this resolution for a long time and I’m still trying,” Jackson said. “I’m not giving up — until death probably.”

“I made it to April one year,” Jackson said. “That’s the longest I’ve gone.”

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OPINION

4 CRUSADER Our View...

Friday, January 29, 2010

Q

Students should send thank you notes for scholarships Students who relieved a scholarship last semester had all semester to send thank you notes to the contributor of their scholarship yet many did not. It is important that students send a thank you note for their scholarship not only because it is polite but because they could lose their scholarship if they don’t.

While many students would rather just send a quick e-mail or scribble a quick note on scratch paper, a well thought out thank you note is important. Any scholarship you relieve has a big impact on you, and your donors deserve to know how much their generosity means to you.

Having worked hard to meet the requirements of the scholarship, you might feel you earned the money. However, you are not entitled to it. No one had to give you anything to help you attend college and further your schooling.

During the first week of the spring semester, pink flyers were posted on doors around campus with long lists of students who forgot to send thank you notes and instructions on where to go for help. A drop box was also conveniently located outside the Developmental Foundation office. Next to the drop box were brochures including reasons for thank you notes, why to write them, how to write them and what to include.

The point that will catch your attention the most is that scholarship thank you notes are required before the school will pay scholarships in the spring. This means that taking a short amount of time to write a thank you note can mean the difference between losing your scholarship and continuing to relieve it.

We believe all students should be aware of the importance of sending a thank you note for each scholarship they relieve as early as possible.

DoyouthinktheUnitedStatesis playingacrucialroleinthe aftermathoftheHaiti earthquakes?Didyoudonate,or knowsomebodywhodid?

“We’re not doing as much as I would like us to. We should take more of a leadership role; we weren’t even one of the first countries on the scene to help, it was China.

I’ve considered it, but I don’t know if it’s safe or how much of the money actually gets to the people that need help.”

Ana Rivero

Crusader Illustration/ Miguel Compano

“Yes, I believe so. I think all the athletes who have money are helping out too. I don’t really know about all the other people, but I think we can all do more as individuals to help.

I have considered donating, but it’s a tough time, and I’m broke.”

Malachi Hall “I think we are doing as much as we can to help with all the political visits and donations. I think we’re doing quite a bit.

I don’t have the funds to do it, but I know my step-mom has donated.”

Former homeschooler learns life lessons in college Carpenter@crusadernews.com

Zach Carpenter Crusader staff

I’m used to talking and posting my opinions on forums and Facebook and whatnot, but not an actual newspaper, something that is published by the press.

When I found out that an opinion column was about opinions, I had two different reactions: One was, “Really? I don’t have to worry about using last names if I mention a person or word it such and such a way. I can be myself,” The second one was, “Can I really put down my ‘opinion’ and not get myself in a ringer for what I wrote, whether a person agrees with it or not?” Well, after successfully having three columns printed with positive feedback I figured I’d be okay. It’s not that I never had a chance to express myself or get my opinion out there.

I was home schooled. I did most of my school work online and I had several online friends, most of whom I still keep in touch

with via Facebook or phone. I expressed myself to them and fit in just fine, but what is making the difference here is not necessarily the fact that my stuff is in the paper, but that there is no screen between me and my classmates this time. I had other friends at church and Boy Scouts and other things, but I didn’t see them every single day.

Now I’m around other people my own age almost all the time. It’s becoming common place to see somebody my age or a little older pass me in the hall or at the student union.

I know, the way I’m writing this it sounds like I never saw the light of day and my only line to the outside world was through the computer. Not true. All I’m saying is I’ve changed a lot since coming here. (College does that to people.)

I’ve grown up a lot, and I’m far from finished. I know I shouldn’t be surprised when a unique challenge comes up, because there are a lot of things going on that I’m very new to.

I talk to my friend Raymond, a fellow musician and great friend. The dude is like 36, married and has a band called Bipolar Echo (Look them up on MySpace.) I tell him about all the stuff going on with school, people and growing up, and he just laughs at me. I’m all like, “Why is that funny?” He says, “Because I’m

still learning that, too!” And we’re not talking about the academics either.

So, yeah, I’m not finished growing.

Hopefully I won’t hit any Anti-Zach barriers and stop growing.

Just when you think you know it all, something else comes up and bites you in the bum. And after you get done bandaging your rear-end from the teeth marks of said situation, if you learned from it, you can laugh at the situation and move on. So in the words of my good buddy Paul, “He who began a good work in you will surely carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:6

“Just when you think you know it all, something else comes up and bites you in the bum.”

Michael Mages

“I am proud of our administration for quickly responding in such a positive manner to such devastation, but there’s so much that needed to be done even before this happened, so it’s hard to say just how much is really enough.

I have personally donated, and our SIFE group is doing a donation for a student from Haiti. SIFE has been helping a different part of Haiti for Kim Thomas the past three years, and we are continuing that. And if all goes well, hopefully I get to go back this summer.”

Anna Castanon

“I think the United States wants to help, but we’re not doing as much as we can. People want to help because it’s a foreign country, but they should try to do more than what they are doing now.

I really don’t know anybody that has donated, but I’ve considered it.

It’s college though, and it’s a tough time, we’re all broke.”

Some Facebook users join too many pointless groups Anaya@crusadernews.com

Al fredo Anaya Crusader staff

Like most common folks, I like to partake in a little activity known as social networking, particularly of the Facebook variety.

I enjoy the nifty little videos you can post on people’s walls which are more personal than just a regular comment or a boring e-mail.

I am also quite fond of the fact that just about everyone I could think of contacting maintains a Facebook page. But as with all things, not everything is always rainbows and butterflies in our cybernetic world.

In recent news feeds I have been getting many updates on how my friends are joining a bunch of random Facebook groups, which I do admit at first I thought were very funny and amusing, but then it got really annoying to be informed that somebody joined a group so their pet kitten wouldn’t be abducted by pirate aliens. Is that really necessary?

Facebook groups were designed as a way for people with common interests to get together and have a place to discuss ideas and talk to people who share the same beliefs, not so your friends think you’re funny and cool by seeing you join all these groups.

This entire random group joining business eventually got to be a really big annoyance for me, so I decided to show everybody just how annoying it was by joining randomly stupid groups as well.

“I decided to show everybody just how annoying it was by joining randomly stupid groups as well.”

One of my personal favorites is, “It’s right behind you. Don’t ask me Dora, you’re the explorer.” I’m sure most of us have wondered this as we sit down and watch Dora the Explorer as she constantly asks us where random places are like the magical shoe cave. This group has about 400 members, believe it or not.

Another one of these groups was titled something like “It’s OK Pluto, I’m not a planet either.”

Well, I’m glad Pluto will be comforted by 128,974 fans next time he logs into his Facebook page. I’m glad we all live in such a caring world.

And that’s not even the beginning. It’s crazy how people can just

create a random page and get thousands of users to join and become fans. Like the group “The dollar you are holding could've been in a stripper’s butt crack.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I or the other 50,000 members of the group will be able to think about our money in the same way again. Also, whoever started this should probably pick up a nice book to occupy their time.

All of those groups are pretty ridiculous, and I’m sure if I wanted to I could find groups that are probably worst than that, but I will save us both the trouble and let you discover them on your own. Let me just say, you don’t want to be the friend that ends up getting hidden from the newsfeed just because you can’t control yourself with your group joining antics.

Also, it makes you seem a little less smart when you decided to become a part of a group that someone with too much time on their hands randomly decided to create.

Required Social Security Number makes it a Slave Surveillance Number Campano@crusadernews.com

Mi guel Campano Crusader staff

Some time ago, when a group of college students went to a local discount store, one of the guys in the group asked a man in a bank office in the same building how to open a bank account, specifically a savings account. The answer of that man was: $100 and your Social Security Number.

Apparently, if you are going to open a bank account, the first thing the bankers ask about is your SSN. If you tell them that you don’t have a SSN,

they will refuse almost immediately to open the account. So, what can people do if they don’t want to give private information to the banks? How can they convince them that it’s not that necessary?

Here are some ways: According to the U.S Code of Federal Regulations, CFR 3 A7 404.1905, the Security Number can be legally ended.

Banks cannot pressure a customer legally to tell about his SSN according to 31 CFR 103.34 (a)(1).

Banks are not asked to provide the taxpayer identification numbers at the end of the year on the Form 1099 under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 6041.

According to 26 CFR 301.6109-1© the bank is not under any legal obligation to obtain a SSN from customer.

It is classified as a crime under 42 USC 408 if

one is threatening or forcing someone to provide his/her SSN. So, how do you open a bank account without a SSN? Some people can do it by way of court. Court usually provides the relief to the customer.

Some people open their accounts in the name of some fake trust. In this way they don’t have to provide their SSN and trusts are non-human so it can’t have a SSN. A trust is formed under common law and is fully in accordance with the laws of the State of Kansas.

Obviously when you are opening an account in the name of a trust, you don’t have to show any part of the trust

“Apparently, if you are going to open a bank account, the first thing the bankers ask about is your Social Security Number.”

to bank. One can open a non-interest bearing account in this way.

To open such type of accounts one has to get knowledge of constitutional laws and if you don’t then you can go to a lawyer for a advice.

Be sure of your state laws to open a trust. All this should be done according to the laws and rules of the state.

Last of all, if you want to give your private information and open your bank account by the “easy way”, just accept and give your SSN. But remember that the simple act of giving your Social Security Number can transform it in a “Slave Surveillance Number.”

Sound smarter by saving yourself from simple spelling mistakes Loewen@crusadernews.com

Dana Loewen Crusader staff

One of my biggest pet peeves is grammar and spelling mistakes. This, I know, is kind of nerdy.

So when reading people’s posts on Facebook and other places, I often get the overwhelming urge to

correct them. Sometimes I do, but most of the time I don’t, figuring I’ll sound annoying because obviously people don’t care if they spell things right or not. I don’t mind texting lingo like abbreviations and not capitalizing proper nouns or anything like that, but some stuff you should just know. So, here for your information are five easy-tolearn spelling and grammar rules to make you sound smarter.

“...people don’t care whether they spell things right or not.”

1. “Your” means you have something.

“You’re” means you are something. Just remember that the apostrophe means it’s actually two words (“you” and “are”).

If you don’t know which one to write just read it as “you are” and see if it sounds right or not.

2. “Its” and “It’s” follow the same rule.

“Its” is possessive, meaning it has something. “It’s” is a contraction for “it is”. So just read it as “it is” if you’re not sure.

3. “Ridiculous” I have problems with this

one sometimes because we (here in Kansas anyway) pronounce it “re-diculous.” So just remember that it’s an “i” not an “e.”

4. “A” and “An” This one’s pretty easy to remember. Use “An” if the next word starts with a vowel sound. Use “a” if it’s a consonant sound.

I met a doctor who lives in a house with a unicorn. I also met an entrepreneur who eats an apple and an orange in an hour.

5. “Weather” is temperature, rain, wind, etc.

“Whether” comes before two choices. Do you know whether the weather will be nice or not?

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, January 29, 2010

CRUSADER 5

Naughty Aughties

It was a decade of decadence, new technology and innovation but what were some of the more memorable moments?

Materials: One dice Four markers Game board

Rules: Start with $2,000 and reliable bankers to keep track of money.

START

Fist pump into the new decade with Snookie.

Buy Ed Hardy apparel -$2009 and dignity

+$2009

2007 2006

2000-2009

Von Dutch apparel all the rage. Update wardrobe.

-$2002

2005 2002

You just won American Idol. +2 spaces.

You just bought the first season Lizzie McGuire on VHS. -$2002

2003 You found Nemo! +$2003

CDs

1. The Beatles, “1” 2. 'NSYNC, “No Strings Attached” 3. Norah Jones, “Come Away With Me” 4. Eminem, “The Marshall Mathers LP” 5. Eminem, “The Eminem Show” 6. Usher, “Confessions” 7. Linkin Park, “Hybrid Theory” 8. Creed, “Human Clay” 9. Britney Spears, “Oops!...I Did It Again” 10. Nelly, “Country Grammar” *mtvnews.com*

Britney attacks your car with an umbrella.

Collect insurance money. +$2007

Pluto demoted to dwarf planet.

-10 spaces Update wardrobe to be “boho” chic.

Prairie skirts, peasant blouses and oversized bags.

-$300

Spotted with Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton. +$2005

You frenched Madonna and Christina Aguilera.

-10 spaces

Wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl!

-$550,000 to the FCC

G am e & D esign by Jose R odriguez

B est sellers of the decade...

There’s no official name for the decade. Some of the names being thrown around are the “noughties,” “aughts” and “double zeros.”

Recession Go back to start.

2008

2001

9/11 Attacks Go back to start.

Spotted with Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton -$2008

2000

Shell out the $299.99 for a first generation iPod.

-$2008

2009

You survived Y2K +3 spaces Front row seats to the ʼNSYNC and Britney concert!

-$2001

Leopard print Snuggie

Books

1. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling 2. “Twilight” by Stephanie Meyer 3. “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown 4. “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini 5. “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell 6. “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson and David Relin 7. “Freakonomics” by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner 8. “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy 9. “The Shack” by William P. Young 10. “Dead Until Dark” by Charlaine Harris *about.com*

ENTERTAINMENT

Bucky Wild

6 CRUSADER

Q&A

Friday, January 29, 2010

Bucky Covington reaches out to touch hands during the concert which was a part of Country Showdown Weekend at the James Maskus Auditorium on Jan. 23. For more photos and to hear an exclusive interview with Bucky Covington, go to CrusaderNews.com and click on the multimedia tab.

Country artist brings energy, thrills to Liberal

Country singer and former “American Idol” contestant Bucky Covington was a whole lot of country and a whole lot of rock ’n’ roll adding up to one amazing show.

The day before the Country Showdown, a vocal concert took place where 25 hopefuls competed for cash money and prizes.

Profits from both shows went to support Liberal High School Booster Club.

The top three also got the opportunity to open for Covington.

The top three finalist were Chelsea Beck, Matt Holly and Denasa Rice.

Covington had the crowd up on their feet right from the start.

Covington was also very interactive with the crowd, as he would sign autographs and even pose for pictures while singing at the same time.

During one of his songs, he invited a little girl on stage and showed her how play an air guitar.

Throughout the show, Covington sang a variety of songs including original songs like “A Different World,” covers such as

Elvis’ “Suspicious Minds” and also three new songs including “Mexicoma,” a feel-good, laid back song.

Covington also shared the stage with his band including his twin brother Rocky.

It was great to see Covington hand over the mic to his brother, and they even sang a Willie Nelson song together.

The Covington twins were a great novelty in the show as they both have strong musical ability.

Covington ended the show by performing “It’s Good to Be Us.” He even walked around the auditorium, and he had the crowd cheering along with this upbeat tune.

For an encore, he sang Georgia Satellites’ “Keep Your Hands to Yourself.”

He also gave shout outs to his band, and each member played a solo that ranged from Van Halen’s “Jump” and the theme from Rocky during Rocky’s solo, of course.

Overall, the show was upbeat, and never a dull moment as Covington and his band kept the crowd moving.

“When you’re doing what you love, It’s not work. It’s just getting up.”

Bucky Covington

What was your first impression of Liberal, Kansas?

Flat. Well, where I’m from, the East Coast and over in North Carolina by the foothills and mountains, and I just brought a farm outside of Nashville that are like even bigger hills. So the first thing to hit me when I got up this morning was, “Wow, it’s very flat.” But it’s something very different.

Do you have any pre-performance rituals?

I’ll jog in place. I’ll sing about a half of a song while jogging in place and pretty much the reason why I do that is the first time you get winded, it winds you, the second time it winds you it isn’t so bad. So I go ahead and wind myself out a little bit, probably about 15 minutes or so before I go on stage.

Simon Cowell recently announced that he was leaving “American Idol” at the end of this season. Do you think the show can be the same without him?

That is going to be the big question. Definitely as a contestant from Simon Cowell, I think

everyone wants his approval.

With me, it didn’t really matter too much because he admittedly hates country music. It just makes it easier for me to write it off, but I think a lot people do watch the show to get into the contestants...and you start liking them but I think mainly people watch that show because of Simon Cowell. What is Simon gonna say to who and when is he gonna say it. I think there is a chance it could hurt the show a little bit. I really hope it doesn’t because it does do a lot of great things for a lot of people like myself.

What is something that has surprised you the most about the music industry?

It’s a lot more involved than I would have thought coming in.

I knew making the album and stuff like that but you forget about doing all the press and...doing a lot of charity stuff.

I do a great bit of charity work giving back to kids, with Arthritis Foundation and USO. I think just all together the schedule itself is busier than I would have thought. I mean it doesn’t suck at all. When you’re doing what you love, it’s not work. It’s just

getting up.

You’re on the road quite a bit with your twin brother Rocky. Do you think it’s important to have family on tour?

You know for me it was. If I had a regular brother, like for instance I have a normal sister who is not a twin, I don’t find myself having to be with her as much. A twin brother is somebody that you share everything with. I mean, everything from hand-me-down clothes to a combo at Hardy’s. You have to share everything. I went on road for probably about two years give or take and Rocky wasn’t there, and that sucked. I didn’t like that at all. For me it is very important to have my brother out on the road with, but I can’t answer for everyone. I think in a lot of cases it might be better off you if did not go with family.

Deisi Barboza conducted this interview after following the Bucky Countdown since November. She decided he was an overall nice guy & posted his full interview on CrusaderNews.com click on Multimedia tab.

Review by Deisi Barboza • Photos by Miguel Campano

Covington laughs during interview with The Crusader before the show on Saturday.

Throughout the show, Covington would switch between acoustic and electric guitar.

Covington sings during show at the James Maskus Auditorium.

Covington, left, shares the stage with his twin brother, Rocky, right.

Covington, right, shows a little girl how to play “air guitar” on stage.

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, January 29, 2010

‘Beauty and the Beast’ Auditions

‘Beauty and the Beast’ auditions will be Feb. 8, and 9 at 7 p.m. in the SCCC/ATS theatre.

The vocal part of the tryout will require 16 measures of music prepared and memorized. Those interested should bring a copy of the music for the accompanist.

Callbacks, by invitation only, will be Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in the SCCC/ATS theatre. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ rehearsals will begin Feb. 15 and the performances will be April 22-24.

Those interested may contact Alison Chambers at 417-1460.

Comedy Review | Alfredo Anaya

Telolith entries being accepted Nathan Wheel er Crusader Staff

The student creative arts magazine Telolith is now accepting entries for pottery, paintings, poetry and prose to be included in their yearly publication around the end of the spring semester.

The deadline for entries is March 12, and those interested are to submit visual art to Susan Copas in room H108 and literary works to Bill McGlothing in room H107.

The magazine tries to be as inclusive as possible, and “is not an elitist publication,” according to McGlothing. Art included in the magazine is converted to grayscale, but it is encouraged to submit in color anyway. When the magazine is published, there is a large reception celebrating it, where everyone is invited to attend.

The literary work is chosen by McGlothing, while art is chosen

by Copas. The layout and cover are designed by students Jessica Maneth, Karem Gallo , and Omar Rios from the graphic design class taught by Copas. Maneth, a Telolith veteran from last year, is looking forward to making her second publication, while newcomers Karem and Omar are eager to enter the fray. Gallo said the task was kind of scary but Rios is looking forward to the challenge.

Both Copas and McGlothing have worked on Telolith for a little over a decade. Copas says she “thoroughly enjoys” working on Telolith, while McGlothing says he derives “enormous satisfaction” from the work.

McGlothing said that the magazine has more publicity and support then when he first started more than a decade ago.

Copas recalls that 10 years ago, a common occurrence was for computers to crash from handling the (back then) enormous file sizes. “I’m very glad that that doesn’t happen anymore,” Copas said with a laugh.

Movie Review | Logan Green

Cameron Sinks Titanic Avatar

Poetry to pop in February readings

A poetry reading will take place in the Seward humanities band room at 7 p.m. Feb. 25.

Students from the creative writing class will read their work and others are invited to sign up or listen. Live music will be played and refreshments will be served. Anyone interested should contact Bill McGlothing at 417-1457.

CRUSADER 7

Crusader photos/Alfredo Anaya

“Secret Agent Dragon” makes a snap joke about furry fish during the Mission Improvable show Monday. The secret agents made jokes about many random subjects as suggested by students throughout the show.

Mission Improvable brings the laughs The Mission Improvable show at Seward Monday started out with four improv agents known as “Agent Orange,” “Agent Party,” “Agent Dragon,” and “Agent Espionage” telling the audience they would have several improv missions through out the show, and handed out envelopes to the audience.

The missions could be accepted by shouting “I have a mission should you choose to accept it!” to the improv agent.

The four guys were highly energetic and got the audience into the show by telling them they were going to shut off the part of their brains that tells them not to randomly shout out suggestions.

The improv agents then proceeded to divide the audience into two halves, one being the side of lions and other side being the bears with the exception of one woman who was team prairie dog all by herself.

The comedians started im-

provising scenes from genres that were shouted out. They ended up doing a very funny scene with two guys both being salami makers and skate boarders, which then ended up being in a drama, followed by a romance, followed by a documentary, and ending by being a broadway musical.

It really was as random as it sounds. They continued with their next mission, which was to do snap jokes, insulting each other with things the audience shouted out to them. The insults included subjects from upbeat walnuts to furry fish and partying in pants.

Most of the audience was laughing because most of the jokes made no sense and included very random references to anything from Star Wars to Miley Cyrus.

The improv agents did other scenes, including one with an audience member participating by washing her hair for the Olympics while

being from Czechoslovakia competing against a Canadian opponent, spelling random words and making sentences out of them, while two audience members handled two of the agents who were dummies. The dummies were only performing the movements the audience members decided to make them do.

The show ended strongly with having pretty much everyone in the audience laugh at one point or another throughout the show.

Their final skit was having one the agents guess a series of random activities the audience thought of, which were showering with ketchup instead of water, celebrating Kwanza with the Easter bunny, and bungee jumping to their death from a Brontosaurus.

The audience applauded loudly to the Improv group of very funny guys, they did a very good job of entertaining the students for the evening.

Secret “Agent Orange” expresses his competitiveness as he was acting as a Canadian olympian competitively washing his hair against his Czechoslovakian opponent played by Seward student Malesa Green.

KOOCHEL’S INC.

Director James Cameron has always been a fan of science fiction and when he had the vision of a Garden of Eden-like world while making the Titanic, Jim wanted to do the science fiction world justice by bringing the best tools that he could to make his dream come to life, thus Avatar was born.

Cameron wrote the script for Avatar in 1995, and planned to make the movie shortly after the release of Titanic, which reached theaters in 1997 and was the first movie to reach the one billion mark.

But after consulting with his staff he realized that the special effects needed to produce such a movie had not been created yet. He decided to put the movie “on ice” and work on his successful Terminator series until he felt computers had finally caught up with him.

Yet major hits with movie-goers, none compared with the Titanic and its immense presence and gravity in the cinematic world. It wasn’t until 2002 did he feel ready to pursue Avatar again.

After seeing the realistic emotions portrayed by other computer generated imagery characters, he felt that with a little push, James could produce the technology needed for the movie. James and his crew spent two years developing the tools needed to create his vision, along with revolutionizing the way CGI movies are made.

James has always pushed the envelope on the ways movies are made, but this movie “pushed back” as James said. James talked of the tough challenges that him and his employees faced while making the movie. It has been speculated that there might be a sequel to Avatar, with James Cameron even confessing to the possibility.

With a movie that stuck at number one for years in ticket sales that many critics expected would be surpassed by now, how ironic that the same director would break his own record. Owning the top two movies internationally and nationally, Cameron truly is the King of the cinematic world.

Game Review | Joseph Hoffman

Players drop into massive action exclusive to the PS3 MAG

Massive Action Game is a fantasy come true for many military shooter fan boys who own a Playstation 3. MAG drops you into the action from the very beginning in military fashion, shipping you to basic training where everything is learned, and eventually dropping you into the real deal.

From day one, you are given the option of three factions to choose from: the Unites States Army affiliated Valor, The SVER, which is a group of mercenary soldiers from China, India and Russia, and the Raven PMC, which is a high tech military force from Europe. After you have chosen your faction, you are put into basic training.

One of the best things about MAG, other than the 256 players that can participate in one match, is the customization and ranking system. For every kill and objective obtained while in a match, your player gains experience which allows you to climb the ladder of ranks , eventually being able to hold leadership positions and hone your skills in three weapon classes.

The marksman class focuses on sniper rifles and assault rifles with the player being of average speed and skills. The medic can heal players on the field once they have been shot down, and lastly the engineer, who can carry many heavy guns and RPGs, can work on downed tanks and turrets. Many of the skills you earn can be mixed and matched so everyone can have his or her own unique experience.

The only problem that may have some players concerned is the accessibility for beginners of military tactics. Since there are so many things happening at once, communication is essential in survival and victory. Also the fact that if the player wants to switch factions, he must start from drawing board. So it is best to think through your faction decision. Overall MAG is a very satisfying shooter and will keep players on the battlefield for a very long time.

Liberal’s only locally owned parts store.

Automotive Parts Automotive Automotive Detailing Wash-Wax-Shampoo Oil-Filter-Lube

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

Parts: 620-624-0181

OPTICAL 20/20 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

Premium Oakley Dealer

LISTEN TO “THE SPORTS GUYS” Monday - Friday 7:37 a.m.- 9 a.m.

Home to Liberal High School & SCCC Sports T DARN “IT’S THE BES EVER.” W O H S S SPORT

Get your Oakley Radar at your local Optical 20/20 retail store.

620-624-2020 40 E. Tucker Road Liberal, Kansas

Montm artre

Piazza

Navona Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s most infamous fountains, which many visit in order to throw a coin over their shoulder and make a wish.

Montmartre in Paris, known mostly for the Sacré Cœur, is filled with French restaurants and eager artists.

Colosseum

The Colosseum is a Roman amphitheater in which gladiators fought for entertainment.

INFOPAGE

Piazza Navona features the Fountain of Four Rivers and entertainers such as mimes.

...or Paris

Tyrrhenian Sea

Friday, January 29, 2010

Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica is a large archeological site that was the harbor city of ancient Rome.

Rome

When in

Trev i Fou ntain

8 CRUSADER

The Louvre in Paris is the world’s largest art museum.

Louvre

The Tyrrhenian Sea is part of the Mediterranean Sea off the western coast of Italy.

Traveling abroad on abudget Many, myself formerly included, believe international travel just doesn’t see eye-to-eye with their income, but now that I’m officially a world traveler, I know traveling abroad doesn’t have to break your bank account.

Morgan Al l aman Editor-in-Chief

Two weeks ago, while most of you were sitting in class, I was sipping lattes in France and exploring ancient Rome…on a minimum wage budget.

I’m no money guru, but I’d like to offer some tips and tricks that helped a poor college kid like me spend a week in Europe.

First and foremost, learn to love travel genius Rick Steves. Steves has travel books out for just about every European country, and I highly recommend reading the book of the place you’re considering. They’re only $20, but you’ll get more than you can imagine out of your trip just by reading the books.

Steves gives history, opening and closing times, prices, highlights, hand-drawn maps and bus and metro lines that take you there, not only to mainstream sights, but also to more intimate sights that will give tourists a true look at the city and lifestyles of the locals.

Steves isn’t hesitant to tell you a place like the Eiffel Tower is “crowded, expensive and there are probably better views in Paris,” but after visiting more than 20 sites listed in his Paris and Rome books, I’ve found his opinion to be pretty legit, and the fact that he adds humor makes it easy to read.

Steves also helps cut museum costs by providing free downloads he narrates so tourists don’t have to pay that extra $8 for audio guides in English, and by giving you secret info, such as Versailles is cheaper to go to later in the day.

And if I have yet to sell you on Steves’ book, he also offers survival phrases in other languages like, “Do you speak English?” that you will use time and time again, and briefs on cultural traits, such as the French find it rude when people are loud on the bus or metro, that will save you from looking like a “dumb American.”

Potential tourists can catch Steves on his public television program, his talk radio show or his online website, www.ricksteves.com, all dedicated to travel.

My next tip to cut traveling costs is to stay in bed and breakfasts. In Europe, hotels are ridiculously expensive and most definitely not luxurious. Don’t let the hotel lobbies fool you because your room will look a lot like a motel room, and some don’t even have bathrooms in the room.

Hostels, which are not nearly as scary as the movies suggest, are the cheapest option and are a lot like dorm rooms except you’re sharing the room with both male and female strangers, and the bathrooms are down the hall, which are also shared by both male and female strangers.

To find that happy, comfortable medium, go

with staying in bed and breakfasts, in which you stay in spare rooms of actual homes of people in the community. The cost is not much more than the hostels, but in most cases you will get your own private bathroom and bedroom, and get a chance to view how home life works in that country and talk one-on-one with your host.

Another money saving tip to consider is investing in an international student identity card at www.isic.org, which provides discounts at almost any international museum and saves tourists money on calls made while out of country. Otherwise, making international calls from American cell phones can cost up to $2 a minute if your calling plan includes international calls and can get pretty complicated.

Also, whether or not your phone will text depends on if that particular country supports texting. In both France and Rome, I was able to receive messages but never able to send them, and only one time during my week stay did I see a local texting.

Investing in a packaged metro, bus and train ticket is a smart way to travel within the city and save money. Surprisingly, the metro, bus and train can get you within five blocks of just about any place you’d want to see and are pretty cheap.

Plus, taxis are expensive, and, personally, you couldn’t pay me to drive in a place like Rome (YouTube it, it’s crazy).

When it comes to saving money on food, good luck. Small portions are served at big prices just about anywhere, except McDonalds.

Also, beware of sitting fees. Some restaurants actually charge money to sit down to eat. I got gypped out of $6, because I could see Palatine Hill out the window as I ate my $15 chicken leg, which brings me to my next tip. Walk that extra mile away from a huge tourist attraction to find a place to eat, otherwise the food and service, in most cases, will be mediocre and more expensive than usual.

And while you’re in that restaurant, remember to use the restroom before leaving. Otherwise you will pay up to $2 to use a restroom elsewhere.

And to let you in on the secret that will probably save you the most money out of any of these tips…. travel in the off-season. Yeah, it’s going to be cold, but museums, plane tickets and hotels are tons cheaper, and places are less crowded, which means less time standing in lines and more time sightseeing.

International travel is an opportunity unlike any other, and I recommend it to everyone — if not for the historical value, then for the cultural knockout it delivers. Seeing new parts of the world is possible, no matter your budget.

Crusader

Section B • Page 1

SPORTS Friday, January 29, 2010

SEWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE/ AREA TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Barnes drops 29 to lead Lady Saints past Lady Broncbusters Four Lady Saints score 13-plus to push past Garden and remain atop the Jayhawk West The Lady Saints nearly reached triple digits in a 96-77 win over Jayhawk opponent Garden City Community College Wednesday.

Nine Lady Saints scored in the contest with four scoring 13-plus.

Barnes continued her spectacular season and led the way for Seward with 29 points.

The Lady Saints, since their loss to Labette, are 9-0 and have knocked down conference opponents Cloud County, Colby, Dodge City, Coffeyville, Pratt, Cowley, and Garden City en route to a No. 10 national ranking.

Seward came out of the gate a little slow in Wednesday night’s clash with the Lady Broncbusters.

The Lady Saints trailed for most of the first eight minutes of the contest until Seward guard Kendra Spresser sunk a shot in the lane to put the Lady Saints up 11-10 with 12 minutes to play in the first half.

Garden City regained the lead with 11 minutes on the clock, 1413, but that would be the last time Garden would see themselves on top.

The Lady Saints went on a 9-0 run capped by a Megan Lassley three pointer to take an eightpoint lead 22-14, with near nineand-a-half minutes until the break.

The Lady Saints maintained the lead and went to the locker room up 10, 45-35.

Vaneza Junior started the second half off with back-to-back buckets to spark an 8-0 run out of the locker room and put Seward up 18, 53-35.

Rachel Barnes

Megan Lassley

Vaneza Junior

Nadia Rosario

A three-pointer by Lassley put Seward up 21, and the Lady Saints kept marching from there.

Rachel Barnes and Nadia Rosario beasted in the paint, while Lassley and Junior were banking by driving to the basket and finding open jump shots off of transition.

After going up 21, Seward kept a foot to the throat of the Lady Broncbusters and finished just four points shy of 100 in the 9677 win.

Rachel Barnes continued to dominate as she led the Lady Saints with 29 points along with five assists and six rebounds.

Rosario fought hard down low and finished the night with 17 points and seven boards. Junior found points off transition and reached double digits with 15 points.

Lassley scored 13 and had seven assists on the night as well.

Nine Lady Saints scored in the contest with four ladies scoring 13-plus.

Seward moves to 20-1 on the season and 7-0 atop the Jayhawk Conference.

“Our goal is to win the conference and then worry about everything else after that,” Rosario said. “We have to take things one game at a time and we’ve got to bring it every night as a team, not as individuals, and it’s definitely attainable.”

Seward will travel to El Dorado to take on Butler Friday night followed by a highly anticipated matchup with the No. 24 Lady Blue Dragons Monday night in Hutchinson.

Possesses the ability to score nearly at will and overpower opponents in the paint.

4

Rachel Barnes

Rusti n Watt Sports editor

Ability to blaze past defenders and dish out some hot passes.

Uses stealth to force turnovers and steals as though the offense doesnʼt even know sheʼs there.

VANEZA JUNIOR

MEGAN LASSLEY

NADIA ROSARIO

Uses length and long frame to reach past opponents and get in position to attack the glass.

Heart that beats to her own drum Basketball player overcomes heart problems that threatened her court career

Wi l l Rector Crusader staff

Crusader photo/Antigoné Lowery

Katie Hart and Morgan Skomal found time out from school and basketball to volunteer for the Kansas Corp project in Greensburg on Oct. 24. Skomal and other Seward students helped with projects around Greensburg.

Most students go about everyday as any other day. They get in the same routine and days seem to run together.

Student athletes are the same.

They go to their classes, and then they go to their practices or games, but what happens when that routine is interrupted with an “abnormal” beat?

Morgan Skomal is a freshman on the basketball team here at Seward, and was faced with a serious situation in December the week before break.

“I was stressed with break getting closer, finals, and basketball games,” Skomal said. “Then one day I noticed a difference in my heart.”

Skomal began feeling a difference in her heart beats. She immediately went to the doctor.

“I went to the first doctor,” Skomal said. “And he said I couldn’t play in the Pizza Hut

Classic against Northeastern and Labette because something was wrong with my heart, and he mentioned the possibility of needing surgery on it. He told me I needed to go see a specialist.”

The doctor said Skomal was having premature atrial contractions or PACs for short.

“Coach(Penny) Jones went to each doctor’s appointment with me that last week before break,” Skomal said. “Coach(Toby) Wynn understood that I couldn’t play, but was encouraging me that it would only be a minor speed bump and to keep him up to date on my appointments over break.”

Skomal sat out the two games during the Pizza Hut Classic, but continued to support the team.

“Those two games I had to sit out drove me crazy,” Skomal said. “I wanted to be out there on the floor with my team, but I couldn’t. I just cheered my hardest for them on the bench to show them that I was still there.”

Over the break, Skomal visited a specialist for a second opinion and was blessed with good news.

The doctor said Skomal was having premature atrial contractions, which means that her heart was beating abnormally. He assured her that she would be fine, and he gave her clearance to begin practicing and playing again. The doctor added that she needed to take care of her heart.

“The specialist told me that I couldn’t have any caffeine and that stress would cause the abnormal beats,” Skomal said. “It was such a relief to find out that it wasn’t life threatening and that I could get back to playing again with my teammates. I had been doing a lot of praying.”

Skomal came back from break and back to the Lady Saints with a new perspective.

“The situation made me take a look at the bigger picture and realize my role with the team,” Skomal said. “I had a bitter taste in my mouth knowing that I

couldn’t play in the only game we have lost so far this season and it motivated me to work harder and to help the team as much as I could.”

The team grew stronger after Skomal’s medical scare.

“We grew stronger because we are like a family,” Skomal said.

“We realized we’ll have to face adversity and overcome it in any way possible. You can’t find a team with more heart than we have.”

Skomal also has a reminder in the form of a tattoo for tough situations.

“I have a tattoo on my back with the Philippians 4:13 Bible verse, and Carpe Diem below it,” Skomal said.

Carpe Diem is Latin for seize the day.

“It reminds me to never take anything for granted and to live each day as its own,” Skomal said. “You have to count your blessings every single day and be thankful for them.”

SPORTS

2B CRUSADER

CRUSADER 3B

Friday, January 29, 2009

Lady Saints aim for another trip to Utah

Nolen carries Saints past Garden City

Wi l l Rector Crusader staff

Crusader photos/Rustin Watt

Above, Marky Nolen goes up under the basket in traffic in Wednesday night’s contest with the Garden City Broncbusters. At right, Marky Nolen works to break away from Garden City defenders in transition.

Nolen recorded a double-double at the Green House Wednesday night to lead the Saints to a 78-73 win over Garden.

Jayhawk Jayhawk West West Standings Standings Hutch Seward Butler Dodge Pratt Barton Cloud Garden Colby

6 6 5 4 4 3 3 1 0

1 1 2 3 3 4 4 6 8

Saints remain atop the conference after bout with Garden City

Rusti n Watt Sports editor

Sometimes somebody on at team may have to step up and carry the load, and Wednesday night Marky Nolen carried the load for the Saints.

Nolan recorded a double-double with 25 points and 12 boards to move Seward past the Garden City Broncbusters, 78-73.

The Saints were in a battle at the Green House Wednesday night.

Seward shot out to a 6-3 lead but soon found themselves down 17-11 with a little over nine minutes to go in the first half.

The Saints fought their way back to tie the game up with three minutes to play at 23 apiece.

From there, the Saints traded buckets and free throws with the Broncbusters as Seward went to the locker room with the game knotted at 30.

The second half the Saints were able to string some baskets together and held a 12-point lead with just 51.3 seconds on the clock.

Garden moved to a full-court press and began fouling to try and conserve clock. The Saints made things easy on Garden in that final minute turning the ball over twice on inbounds passes and putting Garden’s best outside shooter, Chris McHenry, at the line twice in the final minute following fouls while McHenry was attempting a three.

It was an ugly last minute that Garden got within four points, 77-73, with 11.7 seconds on the clock. It was too little too late for Garden City though as the Saints finished with a 78-73 win over their Jayhawk West opponents.

“We did a lot of dumb things,” Saints head coach Bryan Zollinger said. “We were trying to throw touchdown passes the length of the court, we turned the ball over, didn’t rebound, and we were fouling three-point shooters.”

Despite some “dumb” mistakes, Seward is 6-1 inconference and tied with No. 9 Hutch for first in the Jayhawk West, not enough for Coach Zollinger.

“The conference is up for grabs,” Zollinger said.

“And right now, we are the worst conference leading

Crusader photo/Will Rector

Sophomore Marisa Coats throws a ball to first during a practice on Jan. 21. Coats was an All-West Region selection last season.

Gone are the days of sleeping in and being lazy all day as the Lady Saints softball team is back to work following winter break.

The Lady Saints are working towards making a repeat performance from last season’s conference and regional titles and making a repeat appearance at the NJCAA National Tournament in Saint George, Utah, where they finished off an outstanding season as the seventh ranked team in the nation.

The Lady Saints have added some new faces to the team for the spring semester to help aid their quest.

Freshman Brittany Demas comes in from Maple Ridge, British Columbia as well as freshman Lauren Barker from Lubbock, Texas.

“Seward was appealing because Brianna (Baron) and Erin (Roufosse) said that they had a great time down here and that the team was really good,” Demas said. “It sounded

like something that I wanted to be a part of.”

Sophomore Marisa Coats returns off her Second Team All-West Region selection from last season and is looking to turn that into a First Team All-West Region selection and go beyond to become an AllAmerican.

“We have a really talented team this year with a lot of returners and freshmen who have been working really hard,” Coats said. “I personally want to gain more confidence at the plate so I can keep my average above .500. My biggest personal goal would be to earn an AllAmerican banner in the Green House.”

Coats led the team in nearly all major hitting statistical categories posting a .432 AVG, six HRs, 62 RBIs, .637 SLUG%, .459 OB%, and a 1.095 OPS. Erin Roufosse returns for her sophomore season as the ace of the Lady Saints pitching staff as she blossomed into a reliable starter last season posting a 4-5 record with one save, 1.76 ERA, and 63 strikeouts in 16 appearances, 11 as a

starter.

“We definitely have the potential to get to Nationals this season,” Roufosse said. “We need to limit our errors and stay focused. We have a good defensive and offensive team this season.”

Pitching is key to a team’s success and Roufosse has a few things she would like to do better.

“I need to be smarter with knowing what pitches to throw and when to throw them,” Roufosse said. “I want to know the opposing teams hitters and use pitches that are going to work effectively for me.”

Along with Coats and Roufosse are eight other sophomores returning from last year’s team.

Eight freshmen, including Demas and Barker, will fill out Coach Andrea Gustafson’s roster for this season.

The Lady Saints first game will be Feb. 13 in Fort Worth, Texas, and their first home game will be on Pancake Day, Feb. 16 with the first pitch to be thrown at 2 p.m. against Pratt.

File photo

Balls will fly in dodgeball intramurals Intramural dodge ball will begin Thursday, Feb. 4 in the SCCC Green House.

Registration deadline to submit entry forms is Feb. 4 by 5 p.m. to Wade Lyon in SU118 next to the bookstore.

The first place team will each receive an intramural sports champion t-shirt.

Eligibility requirements for intramurals are outlined in the entry wavier form, which all participants are required to read and sign.

Each team is limited to no more than six players during a game and must have a minimum of four players to avoid forfeit.

Each match is best two out of three games, and each game is five minutes long with one 30 second timeout per game.

For all inquiries, please contact Wade Lyon.

team in America.”

Marky Nolan’s double-double led the Saints, Latiq Agard dropped 19 points and Jon Tassin contributed 14 points.

The win moves Seward to 17-4, 6-1 in conference.

The No. 22 Saints will travel to El Dorado to take on Butler Friday night and will take on No. 9 Hutchinson Monday night in Hutch.

Saints head coach Bryan Zollinger works to get his point across to an official in the final 37 seconds of Seward’s contest with Garden City Wednesday night at the Green House.

Zollinger’s Saints took the contest 78-73.

Crusader photo/Rustin Watt

Two Saints receive Player of the Week honors Tony Smith

Rusti n Watt Sports editor

Saints point guard Tony Smith was named the Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week following his performances against Pratt and Cloud County.

Smith recorded 18 points, pulled down nine boards and dished out nine assists, nearly a triple double, against Pratt.

Against Cloud, Smith was 6-9 from the floor and dropped 23 points along with seven rebounds and eight assists.

Smith is leading the Jayhawk conference in assists thus far, averaging just over seven a game.

The Seward pointguard also fourth in the conference in scoring, averaging 16.2 points a game along with two-and-a-half steals putting him at sixth in the conference.

Smith and the No. 22 Saints will travel to El Dorado this Friday to take on Butler before a battle with the No. 9 Hutch Blue Dragons in Hutchinson on Monday.

The Saints return home Feb. 3, to face Barton, and Feb. 6, for a bout with Colby.

Rusti n Watt Sports editor

Jon Tassin

Crusader photo/Logan Greene

From left, Lindy Dee Kowalchuk, Nathan Helmes, Rafael Raw, Laercio Lobo, Mateus Cabizuca, Kauana Goncalves are all newcomers to the Saints tennis team this season.

Jon Tassin, Seward’s 6-8 forward out of Pontiac, Mich., was named Conference Player of the Week for solid performances against Colby, Raleigh’s Finest, and Dodge City last week.

Against Colby, Tassin scored eight points along with five rebounds.

Against Raleigh’s Finest last Wednesday Tassin scored 14 and was good for five boards.

In Seward’s loss to Dodge City last Sunday, Tassin scored 19 with 3 rebounds.

Against Garden City Wednesday night at the Green House, Tassin continued his production with 14 points and five rebounds.

Tassin is second on the team in shooting percentage and steals.

Tassin and the No. 22 Saints venture to El Dorado Friday for a Conference matchup with Butler before a highly anticipated clash with No. 9 Hutchinson Monday.

The Saints return home Feb. 3, to face Barton, and Feb. 6, for a bout with Colby.

New additions to Saints tennis team seek to contribute and build on last year’s success Mi guel Campano Crusader staff

Five new international players joined the Seward tennis team this semester. Rafael Raw, Laercio Lobo and Kauana Goncalves from Brazil, Nathan Helmes from Australia, and Lindy Dee Kowalchuk from Canada are the new replacement players for Levan and Ekate-

rina Gabashvili from Russia.

This arrival of new players is expected to be very helpful to the team.

“The new players offer a new and fresh style to the team. Also, the skills of the new people are the perfect compliment to the old ones, so we should be ready for any challenge,” said Coach Darin Workman.

Last semester, the men’s team was ranked

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13th in the nation and third in the region. Players Carlos Souza, Christian Romanzini and Eduardo Munoz were among a few to have an excellent season, putting our college at the top of the scoreboards.

The Lady Saints also had an excellent season. Fanny Benincasa placed 10th nationally for the fall semester, while former player Ekaterina Gabashvili was also ranked nationally.

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SPORTS

4B CRUSADER

Friday, January 29, 2009

Food and entertainment score for Super Bowl

Trivia

•What team drafted Peyton Manning’s father Archie in 1971 and kept him for 10 full seasons?

• 13 percent of Americans order takeout or delivery for the Super Bowl.

A) Pittsburgh Steelers B) Baltimore Colts C) New Orleans Saints D) Dallas Cowboys

• An estimated 50 million women will watch this year’s Super Bowl.

• How many Super Bowls have been played in Miami?

• An estimated 58 percent of Super Bowl TV viewers prefer bathroom breaks during the game rather than miss the commercials.

A) 2 B) 5 C) 9 D) 10

•How many individual career NFL records does Peyton Manning hold?

A) 10 B) 20 C) 30 D) 40

•What triggers Saints quarterback Drew Brees’ allergies?

A) Dairy B) Wheat C) Gluten D) Eggs E) All of the Above

•What NFL teams have yet to reach a Super Bowl?

A) Lions and Jaguars B) Texans and Browns C) Vikings and Jets D) All of the Above E) A and B

•What was Reggie Bush’s 40-yard dash time during USC’s pro-day before he was drafted?

A) 4.24 B) 4.33 C) 4.38 D) 4.42

•As a senior at Purdue, Brees received the Academic All American Player of the Year award.

He is now taking the Saints to the Super Bowl.

What other Purdue quarterbacks have played in the “Big Game?”

A) Len Dawson B) Bob Griese C) Kyle Orton D) Jim Everett E) A and B F) All of the Above

Two of the most prolific passers in the game square off in Super Bowl XLIV Rustin’s pick Saints 31-24

Who’s got the edge?

We already know that the Colts and Saints can put points on the board. They’re arguable the two most explosive offenses in the Rustin Watt league.

Where this game is decided is on the other side of the ball.

That, is why the Saints will hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

The Saints were No. 2 in the league in forcing turnovers and that showed in their NFC Championship game where they forced five on Brett Favre and the Vikings.

The Saints also pressured Favre and put the hurt on him in the contest, something Manning doesn’t see a lot of.

Brees completed over 70 percent of his passes this season and a former Heisman winner by the name of Reggie Bush is starting to really make his presence felt.

The Saints defense led by Darren Sharper along with Drew Brees and Reggie Bush will be the difference come game time.

If the Saints manage to force a couple turnovers and Drew Brees keeps the offense rolling, I take New Orleans 31-24 over the Colts.

• How many Super Bowls has Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri hit a field goal in?

Will’s pick Saints 34-31

Offense, offense, and more offense. That is what we’re going to see on Super Bowl Sunday.

The New Orleans Saints will Will Rector take their high scoring, yard munching offense into Miami to face the super NFL computer robot quarterback Peyton Manning and his Indianapolis Colts.

Both offenses will be led by their quarterbacks, but Reggie Bush is going to be the make or break player for the Saints. If Bush doesn’t have at least one big play in the game the Saints will be hurting. Bush can change the momentum of the game with one quick step in his sub 4.4 speed.

Manning and the fast paced, no huddle offense that the Colts run will have the Saints on their heels at first, but once the nerves settle down and the defense steps into their gameplan they should be able to keep the game close.

In the end, Drew Brees and Bush will lead the Saints to their first Super Bowl title and showing the much deserving fans in New Orleans their appreciation.

Tebow commercial controversy Rusti n Watt Sports editor

A) 0 B) 2 C) 4 D) 5

• How many University of Miami Hurricanes will play in Super Bowl XLIV? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4

Tim Tebow

The former Heisman winner and National Champion quarterback for the Florida Gators will appear in his first Super Bowl this year. No, Tebow won’t play he hasn’t even been drafted yet, but he will make an appearance in a Super Bowl ad this year.

A lot of controversy has circulated over the ad, despite the fact no one has seen it yet.

The ad is said to be a Pro-Life ad featuring Tebow and his mother Pam. CBS acceptance of the ad has caused quite the frenzy. Those on the left side of the political spectrum aren’t too happy with the broadcasting station’s acceptance.

It’s a shame that an organization by the

name of Focus on the Family is under so much fire. The fact of the matter is they paid for their time like everyone else and they are presenting their stance on an issue with a first-hand testimony from Tebow and his mother.

Tebow’s mother Pam ignored doctor’s advice to have an abortion because of complications when she was pregnant with Tim. Why all the ruckus, why are people so against Focus on the Family? First off they commercial hasn’t even been aired yet and the critics should wait to cast stones until it is shown Super Bowl Sunday.

Maybe promoting families will be good, whatever the case, it’s going to be pretty tough to find a spokesman with the popularity of Tim Tebow to counter.

• More drivers are involved in alcohol-related accidents on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year (except St. Patrick’s Day), according to the Insurance Information Institute.

• Super Bowl fans spend more than $50 million on food during the four days prior to the Super Bowl.

• Eight million pounds of guacamole is consumed on Bowl Sunday.

Super

• 14,500 tons of chips are eaten along with that guacamole.

• Of the top 10 most watched television programs of all time, nine of them are Super Bowls.

• Budweiser has been the exclusive Super Bowl beer advertiser for the past 13 years.

• Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest winter grilling day of the year.

• 6 percent of Americans call in sick the Monday after the Super Bowl.

Also on that same Monday, antacid sales increase by 20 percent.

• Only 5 percent of Americans will watch the game alone.

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Answers:

C, C, C, E, E, B, E, C, C