May 2017

Crusader Seward County Community College

Year 48, No. 8

Athletes move foward- pg 3 Graduates plan their next move- pg 4

Liberal, Kansas

May 3, 2017

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Cinco De Mayo Schedule Saturday, May 6 Princess Pageant- 5 p.m Queen Pageant- 7 p.m Entertainment- Professional dancers from Mexico Sunday, May 7 Parade- 3 p.m on 11th Street Jalapeno Contest 1st place: $75 2nd place $50 Pageant: There are 13 girls. All of them are students at Seward County Community College. This year the girls are displaying culture costumes to represent their culture.

Sophomore Vianca Gasca leaves her mark on campus with her personalized tile. It’s a tradition for SCCC graduates to decorate tiles at the end of the year. (photo by Brynn Grieshaber)

CRUSADER

Web: www.crusadernews.com Phone: 620.417.1459 Fax: 620.417.1169

Editors: Angelica Alfaro and Brynn Grieshaber Photo Editor: Keynitra Houston

Staff: Odalys Avalos, David Gomez, Lisa Suzuki, Yesenia Montanez, Jessica Aldave-Ramos Follow us on: facebook.com/CrusaderNews Graduates leave their mark at Seward County Community College by painting personalized tiles to be placed on the concrete wall along the amphitheatre. (photo by Brynn Grieshaber)

Twitter@CrusaderNews

The official student newspaper of Seward County Community College is publsihed monthly by journalism students during the regular college year, except on school holidays and during examinations periods.

One copy of each isssue is distributed free to each student, faulty and staff member, with subsequent copies avialable 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 voice in letters and editorials are not necessarily those of Seward County Community College.

Advertising is accepted. Rates are $5 per column inch or $5.25 pci for color ads. Insert rates are $50 per thousand. The Crusader staff reserves the right to refuse advertising.

Mail to: Crusader, Box 1137, Liberal, KS 67905, or email editors@crusadernews.com.

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Saints’ Athletes Moving On David Gomez

Reporter

Athletes finishing their athletic career at Seward county community college had a big decision to make this school year. These selected athletes had to decide on where they would continue their athletics, for some the choice was already made. For the few lucky enough to continue playing their sport of choice, there was a great deal of thinking that went into deciding their future.

The Lady Saints Basketball team had a great season this year. The Lady Saints were able to win the battle on the boards thanks to sophomores Clitan de Sousa and Joanna Grymek, both whom signed at Oklahoma State University.

De Sousa hailing from Maputo, Mozambique, averaged 16.1 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game in her final season as a Lady Saint. De Sousa helped SCCC to a runner-up finish in the Jayhawk Conference

and the Region VI Tournament.

De Sousa thanks Seward and her coach, Toby Wynn, for helping her improve her game and also helping her realize which path she would follow after her time at SCCC. “Seward was very valuable to me and I’m a better player because I came here,” said De Sousa.

Ultimately, De Sousa signed with OSU but she mentioned that she was also considering other colleges, but felt the level of competition at OSU was the best available.

“The competition would be on another level, and because OSU is in the big 12, it has always been a dream of mine to play in (the big 12),” said De Sousa.

Jared Biddy transferred from Texas Tech after his freshman year. He is now transferring to Southeastern Louisiana University He mentioned that he didn’t like the amount of playing time he was getting at Texas Tech and thought that he could get more

playing time at Seward.

“I feel like Seward gave me a second chance,” said Biddy.

Biddy is currently batting a .314 batting average with 4 homeruns and 19 RBI. He has also been a great factor as a pitcher, starting 12 games with a 4-5 record, 69 strikeouts and a 5.68 ERA. While he plans to transition into being only a pitcher for the Lions, Biddy has shown that he is more than capable to be an

Maritza Mesa is transfering to University of Arkansas at Little Rock. (photo by Keynitra Houston)

Jared Biddy is transfering to Southeastern Lousiana University. (photo by Keynitra Houston)

affective hitter.

Another pair of teammates transferring to the same school are Lady Saints volleyball players, Melissa Guidotti and Maritza Mesa. Both will be playing volleyball at University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

Guidotti and Mesa were sensational in their sophomore season, leading their team to a Jayhawk West and Region VI Championship before pushing the team through to an 11th place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament.

Guidotti was a 2nd Team All-Conference and 2nd Team

All-Region selection for her work during her sophomore season.

Mesa also has some accolades to her name as she was named an Honorable Mention NJCAA All-American, the first Seward player to reach All-American status since 2008, and was a 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-Region VI player in 2016.

Mesa mentioned that Little Rock offered her the best scholarship out of all of her offers.

“I liked the coach and the team, and they also offered me a better scholarship than other colleges,” said Mesa.

Little Rock business program also interested Mesa.

“They have a great business program with technology that you can use while you’re there,” said Mesa Being a foreign student athlete Mesa mentioned that she had trouble with her English when she first came to Seward. She stated that coming to a smaller school allowed her to transition a larger school. “(Seward) helped me with my English and I am also a way better player than from I first got here, I grew up here, and I think I am ready for the next level,” Mesa said.

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Saints continue car Amanda Pereira will move onto the University of Mary in North Dakota to study physical therapy.

“I got an offer to play volleyball, and it’s a good program with a good educational system that has my major.”

“I chose diesel tech, because I’ve liked it since I was a kid. I enjoy working on heavy duty stuff.

After I finish I’m planning to get a job in my city, Garden City, or maybe I’ll move to Texas,” Abner Reyes-Sosa said.

Odalys Avalos and Angelica Alfaro Reporters

Graduation is just around the corner. The Commencement Ceremony will be Saturday May 6 at 10 a.m. SCCC encourages family and friends to arrive by 9:30 a.m. since the parking lot fills up quickly. There are 401 students graduating this 2017 school year.

There are 179 students receiv-

ing Certificates of Completion, 97 receiving an Associate in Applied Science, 128 receiving an Associate in Science, 41 receiving an Associate in Arts and 12 receiving an Associates in General Studies.

After graduating, students will go their separate ways looking to start their careers or maybe take a break. There are many students who are transferring to other schools, students who want to open their own business and

students who are ready to search for jobs.

Some students will transfer in order to continue their career.

After graduating some students are able to start new jobs since they have their certificates and training completed.

Each student is unique, which is why they find jobs, programs and colleges that fit their future plans the best.

Many sophomores are ready to graduate and transfer to a four-year school. There are 103 students transferring to four-year-universities. Many graduates are still undecided on where to go next, but a lot already have their next step planned out. There are 22 graduates that are undecided and 81 who already know where they are headed next.

Many students decided to stay in Kansas. The top three schools in Kansas that students will be attending are Kansas State University (K-State), Wichita State University (WSU) and Fort Hays State University (FHSU).

Others will be attending schools outside of state which include Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU), University of Arkansas and West Texas

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reers after Seward Abraham Cortez will be continuing his career in diesel tech in Amarillo, Texas. “I started working at a diesel shop my freshman year of high school as a helper and started liking what I was helping out with.”

Julio Esquivel is majoring in Biology with a Biomedical Emphasis. He will be attending school at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. “I had to visit doctors frequently for my scoliosis and after my lumbar fusion surgery the doctors were always very compassionate and happy. As well as my physical therapist. The joint happiness made want to get in the medical field.”

A&M. Sophomore Alejandro Norez, majoring in Computer Information, will attend K-State in the fall of 2018. Norez decided to go to K-State because their engineering program is the best in the state and his friends recommended it.

“Computers have always been interesting to me and since technology keeps evolving I’m sure

I’ll find a good job,” Norez said.

Norez will receive an Associate in Applied Science for Welding Technology.

Sophomore Alexis Lopez is a nursing major and plans on staying at Seward County Community College, because “it’s the best nursing program in the area.”

“I love helping people and giving back which is why I chose the medical field,” Lopez said.

There will be a Capping / Pinning Ceremony for the Allied Health graduates on Friday May 5 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It is estimated that there will be 72 prospective graduates from the Allied Health programs.

Education major Mandee Kaylee Saucedo wants to teach Elementary kids.

“I love kids and my mom being a teacher for 22 years made me

want to become one even more,” she said.

Saucedo plans on transferring to Newman University in Wichita because it’s a great program and “they are very friendly.”

Luis Martinez is a sophomore majoring in Art Illustration.

There are 41 students who are graduating with an Associates of Arts.

“I am a visual learner,” he

explained. “I like to see instead of listening, it gets my attention more.”

Martinez plans on transferring to OPSU, because it’s close by and he can still stay close to his family. Nine graduates will be transferring to OPSU. “It also has one-on-one communication with the professor which I really like” Martinez said.

Although many students are staying in Kansas, many are leaving the state. Students are moving to Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.

Sophomore Ciaralena Perez plans to study in Colorado after graduating with an associates degree in Liberal Arts.

“I love to teach, like just explaining things to people,” Perez said. “The University of Colorado - Colorado Springs is somewhere I would like to go, but I want to look for something more close to home.”

Share your graduation and school memories using #ForeverASaint on social media.

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What is life after college

Brynn Grieshaber Co-Editor

When one graduates college a series of questions are blasted in their direction: What is next?

Where are you going? Are you moving on? So then you really start to ask yourself: What is life after college? It appears that everyone graduating has their life together. I don't want to say peers expect you to know what you're going to do after college, but they do. There's some college kids who have a job with a 401k plan set up and then there are some kids still trying to survive

off of 29 cent packages of Ramen noodles.

Life after college is a great opportunity students are given. Students will go on different paths, some continue their education, there are those who will travel and others will have started their own families. After graduation, it's all up to you on which path you choose. There is no script.

I look around and I don't know what I want to do with my life.

Young adults feel that way and that's fine. While having a plan

can be comforting, sometimes you just have to go out on your own and find your way.

Natural Gas and Compression Tech graduate Edgar Navarro mentioned that life goes on. “I don't feel like I'm done with school, because I didn't need to go to college to get to where I'm at right now, but looking ahead it will pay off with experience,” Navarro said.

Authors of the Washington Post estimated that only 27 percent of college graduates had a job that was closely related to their major. The chances of finding a job related to your degree or major would go up if you moved to a big city.

Here are all these college students agonizing about their choice of major, but it turns out that there is a very good chance that it won't matter. I am here to tell you it’s okay, and don’t stress if you don’t know where life is going to take you after college.

Just ride with it and you will figure it out.

Graduation Schedule:

May 3, 2017

May 1 • Commencement regalia is available for pick at Saints Bookstore • Decorating regalia in any way is not allowed.

May 5 • Commencement practice will be at the SCCC Gymnasium at 3 p.m. All graduates must attend.

• Ceremony details will be discussed Saturday morning and right after will be the line-up and walk through of the processional May 6 • Graduates must arrive at the Student Union by 9:15 a.m.

• Family members and friends are asked to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. since the parking lot fills up quickly.

• Commencement exercise will be held at the SCCC Gymnasium at 10 a.m.

• A reception will be held at the SCCC campus courtyard. Graduates and guests are all invited to attend right after the ceremony.

Dorms Schedule:

May 12 - All residents must be out of the dorms by 5 p.m.

Final Exam Schedule

If any resident is not able to be out of the dorms by May 12th make sure toSeward contactCounty Kate Mulligan to schedule leaving date School Community CollegeuaArea Technical 1801 N Kansas Ave  Liberal, KS 67901  1-800-373-9951

Spring 2017 Finals Schedule May 10-12 (Wednesday - Friday) Class Time

Day

Exam Time

Day

8:00 - 8:50

MWF

7:45 - 9:45

Wednesday

9:00 - 9:50

MWF

7:45 - 9:45

Thursday

10:00 - 10:50

MWF

10:00 - 12:00

Wednesday

11:00 - 11:50

MWF

10:00 - 12:00

Thursday

12:00 - 12:50

MWF

1:00 - 3:00

Wednesday

1:00 - 1:50

MWF

1:00 - 3:00

Thursday

2:00 - 2:50

MWF

3:15 - 5:15

Wednesday

3:00 - 3:50

MWF

7:45 - 9:45

Wednesday

4:00 - 4:50

MWF

7:45 - 9:45

Thursday

8:00 - 9:20

TR

7:45 - 9:45

Friday

9:30 - 10:50

TR

10:00 - 12:00

Friday

11:00 - 12:20

TR

1:00 - 3:00

Friday

12:30 - 1:50

TR

3:15 - 5:15

Thursday

2:00 - 3:20

TR

3:15 - 5:15

Friday

3:30 - 4:50

TR

7:45 - 9:45

Friday

NOTE: A subset of any of these times (i.e. 8:00-8:50 TR and 8:30-9:20 TR are subsets of 8:00 - 9:20 will later) have its finalwill exam Evening classes (classes which begin at 5:00 pmTR)or at the appropriate time listed above. Instructors may pick between the final exam options for the classes which overlap more have exams during their regularly times than one offinal these time periods. In the rare case event that a student has two 7:45scheduled - 9:45 finals scheduledclass on the same day, the instructor(s) and student will schedule one of the final exams at a mutually agreeable time.

May 3-4, 8-9, Wednesday - Thursday, Monday - Tuesday.

Evening classes (classes which begin at 5:00 pm or later) will have final exams during their regularly scheduled class times May 3-4, 8-9, Wednesday - Thursday, Monday - Tuesday .

1/3/2017

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tattoos are new norm

May 3, 2017

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Students speak out on controversy of tattoos Jessica Aldave-Ramos

Reporter

“People shouldn’t judge you for having a tattoo or piercing because it’s none of their business on what you want to do with your body,” sophomore Bree Francis said.

Students believe people who have tattoos and piercings are stereotyped by a society that is more traditional. Judging people for being different has been a way for people to cope with change.

Change can be beautiful, but not all people are accepting of it.

Change is progress.

Students consider that a person with a tattoo isn’t going to rob a bank because they have ink on their skin.

“You never know, a person with a tattoo could save your life one day,” third year student Alyssa Fisher said.

At Seward County Community College, there is nothing in

the Student Handbook that says you can’t have visible tattoos.

There is a professionalism policy that basically states that an instructor must dress profes-

“

... it’s none of their business on what you want to do with your body.

”

-Bree Francis

sional. Instructors should hide tattoos that might be offensive or provocative.

“There isn’t somewhere that says if a person has a tattoo that they will not get a job on the SCCC campus,” said Human Resources assistant Dinora Isidoro.

SCCC is a place that is open to change, it is a place that doesn’t specifically discriminate against tattoos.

“76% of employees feel [that] tattoos and piercings hurt your job interview chances. However, 73% of people say they would hire staff that had visible tattoos,” explained a website called “Support Tattoos and Piercings.”

The world is becoming more accepting with body art. Piercings and tattoos that are visible might still be looked down upon in some work places, but at SCCC it isn’t their main concern.

Education is more important than a tattoo or piercing being seen on an instructor.

People with tattoos could possibly change your life one day.

Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Men’s basketball player Charles Beauregard, got his tattoo in high school and says he got it because ambition means something important to him. (photo by Keynitra Houston) Returning sophomore Breanna Francis, got a tattoo that represents being a survivor. (photo by Keynitra Houston)

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Saints family will miss guard, Erin Kate

Lady Saint player prepares for life after the Greenhouse Brynn Grieshaber Co-Editor

Erin Kate Richardson is a transferring graduate at Seward County Community College. She is majoring in Special Education with a minor in sports broadcasting. Richardson has definitely left her mark here as a dedicated Saint. While attending Seward, Erin accomplished many things and was involved in several school activities and clubs along with playing point guard for the girls basket-

ball team. While attending SCCC, Richardson was involved in Student Promoting Educational Careers, Phi Theta Kappa, theatre, Campus Messangers for Christ, and was an RA (resident assistant) in the college dorms.

Although originally being from Wellington, Texas Erin’s family moved around a lot. Richardson’s family life has always been revolved around sports and education. Her mother is a junior high science teacher, and her father is

a basketball coach. She also has a younger, seventeen-year-old brother named Cooper. Richardson said, “it was nice that they worked in the school district because I got summers off with them. We would always go do things during the summers. I’ve had a really good life with my parents.” During high school she was involved in band, theatre, church, community plays, cheer, track, cross country, basketball, student council, National Honors Society, and Family Career

Erin Richardson, sophomore at SCCC, goes up for a three pointer agianst the Beavers. Richardson finished with 12 points aginst their opponents. (photo by Brynn Grieshaber)

and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). “I did it all!” said Richardson.

Since her father was a basketball coach, Erin started playing at a young age and developed a love for the game in the third grade.

At Seward, Richardson received the KJCCC All-Academic award, the Jamie Talbert Award twice, made 2nd Team All-Conference, was on the President’s honor roll and the Fall Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. As a freshmen, Richardson played in all 33 games for Seward, she averaged 4.2 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

The sharp shooter, landed 34 three pointers in her first season at Seward.

As of right now Richardson doesn’t know where she will be going, but she knows she will be continuing her basketball career.

She has gotten offers from East Texas Baptist University, Delta State, and Bethany College. When asked

about Ms. Richardson, Patsy Fischer, Advising coordinator said, “Erin Richardson has developed into a very well rounded student here at SCCC during her two years. She is known by many for her skills as an athlete on the Lady Saints Basketball team, but yet this young lady has several other talents. She was a huge success last year in the play “Hairspray” and this year in “Sister Act”.

She is a member of PTK and serves as an RA at the Student Living Center. Erin is very near and dear to my heart.

She is one of those students you want to keep and not let go. I will always treasure the time we have had and I see a bright future for this young lady! She is devoted to her family who have been her biggest cheerleaders and support system and a very special young man. My favorite quality about Erin is her ability to share her relationship and faith in God.”