Dragon's Tale - December 2022 Issue

Nina Becaro | ARUJÁ, SÃO PAULO

Major: Journalism

After HutchCC, plans to learn everything there is to know about the world of journalism.

Alonso Frances-Aguilar | SCOTT CITY

Majoring: Visual Media Design - Emphasis in Graphic Design/Web Technologies

After HutchCC, he plans to start his own media stuido.

Jaden Harp | ANDALE

Majoring: Visual Media Design - Emphasis in Graphic Design/Web Technologies

After HutchCC, she plans to launch her graphic design career.

DRAGON'S TALE STAFF

Ashlyn Neufeld | HUTCHINSON Major: Agriculture

After HutchCC, she plans to transfer to Kansas State University to major in Animal Science and Industry with a focus on large animals.

Hailea Redinger | HUTCHINSON

Major: Undecided

She plans to find her career path soon and decide what the next step in her life will be.

THE PSYCHOLOGY TEAM 2 Science of Psychology on Campus | Jaden Harp

FINDING THEIR WAY 6 Grads Follow Their Passion | Nina Becaro DIAGNOSED WITH HOCUS POCUS 10 Fall Homecoming | Staff AUTUMN SERENADE 12 Student Music Concert | Staff MACBETH 14 Student Theatre Production | Staff

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOUCHDOWN BY TOUCHDOWN A Football Season to Remember | Ashlyn Neufeld

Posing in front of the media production green screen is Media Production Analyst & Trainer Bobby Obermite. He found his interest in video production and followed that passion.

ALL-AMERICAN MAN Profile: Track Coach Robert Spies | Ashlyn Neufeld

The Dragon’s Tale is published four times a year by the Magazine Production class of Hutchinson Community College, 1300 North Plum, Hutchinson, KS, 67501. When compiled, the four issues serve as an overview of the activities and the people of HutchCC during the school year.

Nina Becaro | Cover Photo

Science of Psychology on Campus

Some individuals know what Psychology is, but do they really know the deeper meaning beneath it? According to the Georgia State University website, when dealing with science, psychology uses systematic methods to observe human behavior and draw conclusions. The goals of psychological science are to describe, predict, and explain behavior.

A major factor of psychological thinking is nature versus nurture. Nature refers to how genetics influence a person’s personality, whereas nurture refers to how their relationships and childhood impacts their development.

“We have our nature which is what we were born with, but we also have our nurture. No matter what you're doing, no matter what type of job you're doing or anything, it's going to involve the psychology of learning because of how individuals

Harp | P hoto Psychology Professor Brian Nuest draws a demonstration while lecturing over a topic. Students listened while Nuest went over the new lesson of the day.

respond to reinforcement and how people associate with connections,” said Brian Nuest, Hutchinson Community College Psychology Professor.

Individuals are raised and nurtured differently and this can majorly affect their nurture in life. For example, when an individual experiences a rough childhood and isn’t used to affectionate behavior, it can affect their future relationships and behavior towards others. Whereas their nature, they were born with it rather than learning and developing these traits over time.

Nature versus nurture is only the beginning of the importance of psychology. Studying the subject could help improve relationships, communication, build self-confidence and enrich a person’s career.

PSYCHOLOGY The

Jaden

›

Jaden Harp | P hoto

Psychology Instructor Sydney Fountain watches over her students while they participate in an activity. The students were competing against other teams to have the best structure in the marshmallow tower challenge.

Interested in a Career in Psychology?

A psychology degree can start at HutchCC.

“You don’t have to decide for a while, so that’s just fine,” said Psychology Assistant Professor Taliatha Hudson-Palmer.

First consider exploring the variety of career paths one can pursue that can still partake in psychology.

“Take General Psychology because in General Psychology it covers so many different topics and then when you cover topics that you’re like, wow, this is really cool, then

that can kind of give you some knowledge of what you’re interested in,” said Psychology Instructor Sydney Fountain. “For example, if you’re interested in the biology side of psychology then you can kind of be more focused when you get into some elective classes.”

PSYCHOLOGY Team

Jaden Harp| P hoto

Psychology Assistant Professor Taliatha HudsonPalmer summarizes the meaning of the activity the students just participated in. Groups of students were assigned to determine which emotion fits into the different categories on the chalk board.

Meet the Team

Sydney Fountain-

She has been teaching at HutchCC for two years. As a freshman in college, she had no clue what she wanted to do. She took General Psychology and absolutely loved it. Because she thought it was interesting she took another class and liked that one, which then led Fountain to earning her master’s degree in psychology.

Taliatha Hudson-Palmer-

She has been teaching school psychology full-time at HutchCC since 2019 but started teaching part-time from 2016-2019. It was a convenient degree for her considering the fact that she always wanted to teach at the college and there was an opening for a psychology professor. Hudson-Palmer talks very highly of the students attending HutchCC and said, “I really like the kind of students that are here at HCC, I really, really love the students.”

Brain Nuest-

He has been teaching psychology for about 20 years, 17 of those years at HutchCC with a couple part-time years for the college before that. Starting as a graduate student teaching classes, Nuest was interested in psychology after he did the outreach and then applied for a full-time position and has stayed with it ever since.

Psychology Sub-Disciplines

The study of Psychology can vary throughout many different fields. According to the University of District of Columbia, some different sub-disciplines of psychology include:

Sports - Sports psychology focuses on how psychological factors affect athletic performance.

Music - Music psychology aims to explain musical behavior and experience and how it's processed, responding to and incorporated into everyday life.

Forensic - Forensic psychology applies research and clinical specialities in other areas of psychology to the legal area.

Health - Health psychology focuses on how Psychology, Biology, behavior, and social factors that influence health and illness.

Industrial - Industrial psychology, to which refers to the applied organizational psychology, is used to study, observe and analyze human behavior in the workplace.

Finding Their Way

Nina Becaro | Reporter

College life is not always the easiest. Students have to make multiple decisions on a daily basis and sometimes they can get lost during the process. With that, three Hutchinson Community College graduates volunteered to talk about how they accomplished their goals, overcame obstacles, and finally found their passion. Denny Stoecklein, Bobby Obermite, and Megan Bartley give tips on how to find the career that best fits each of them.

"Even through the hard times, I was confident that this is what God has called me to, and if it is His, He will always make a way," Megan Bartley

"Between the DVDs, behind-the-scenes documentation, and two shelves of random filmmaking books, I began to develop the confidence that I could make movies from the Midwest," Bobby Obermite

“Do some things out of your comfort zone because that’s when you grow," Denny Stoecklein

Denny Stoecklein LEADING THE WAY

Born and raised in Hutchinson, Denny Stoecklein has a lot to tell when talking about a career.

After taking two years of classes at HutchCC, he decided to transfer to Kansas State University to continue his studies in business and marketing. During his HutchCC college years, his advisor Mrs. Closterman helped him choose the best classes for his future career so that he could succeed. Stoecklein finished college and spent his first four years working in the grocery industry. However, as the company was going through some challenges he decided, along with his family, to move back to Hutchinson and plan his future here.

Growing up, Stoecklein used to spend all day at the Kansas State Fair, so when he moved back to Hutchinson and saw that they were hiring he took a deep breath and applied.

“It was pretty cool that you could be on the other side,” Stoecklein said about the possibility of being a part of the KSF instead of a visitor.

He worked for about 20 years and grew in his position starting as the special events director to assistant manager, and eventually the KSF manager. However, as everything in life, not all things are easy and obstacles will arise. As a shy and introverted kid, Stoecklein had to figure out how to overcome that and speak out for himself. His solution to that was simple - get involved. That is his advice to students. After doing that, students have the chance to meet new people along with joining new clubs and activities.

Stoecklein said, “Do some things out of your comfort zone because that’s when you grow.”

Getting out of his comfort zone, Stoecklein made a career change and left the KSF to return to the HutchCC campus as the Director of Marketing. He has been in this position for the last seven years. His advice for current students is to not be in such a hurry to get out of school and enjoy as much as possible.

“Life changes so make sure you are ready for that,” Stoecklein said.

Courtesy | P hoto Denny Stoecklein, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, poses for a picture while on a skyride at the Kansas State Fair.

Megan Bartley THE OT GIRL

Faith. Dreams. Goals.

It all started at Craig Hospital in Colorado when Megan Bartley’s father suffered a traumatic brain injury. It was at that moment she witnessed the power of occupational therapy, along with a Godinspired dream that showed her future days.

Fast forward to now, Bartley’s purpose was to give others what someone was able to give to her family. With that, on Oct. 31, she launched Clothed in Compassion, a non-profit pediatric occupational therapy clinic in Hutchinson. Her goal is to focus on giving access to those in need and keep thriving their purposes, regardless of their circumstances.

To get where she is now things were not always easy. Bartley spent days researching the process of earning an OT degree, took

as many credits as she could in high school, and eventually attended HutchCC where she joined all types of clubs on campus. Not only that, she highly recommends future students to take the leadership and public speaking classes.

“Leadership courses encourage you to take a deep dive into what makes you tick,” Bartley said. “Assess which type of leader comes naturally to you, as well as giving you a chance to identify what type of leader you wish to become.”

One of the hardest moments throughout her journey of becoming an OT was to keep traveling from place to place, and university to university. Whenever she started to make new friends and finally found a good church to go to, her alarm would ring and it was time to move again.

No one can overcome obstacles without outside resources and help. That wasn’t different with Bartley. God and family were always by her side and pushed her to look forward to accomplish her dreams.

“I was confident that this is what God has called me to, and if it is His will, He will always make a way,” Bartley said.

During her years at HutchCC, Cindy Keast, Tammy Barron, and Dana Sneed were constantly cheering for her future success. As no one is going to do your own work, Bartley is always encouraging future students to get up and do your work but whenever needed, always ask for help. She said it is important to take a break whenever things are starting to be too much. Mental health is one of the first steps to accomplish future goals so it is necessary to take a good look at it, every once in a while.

“You’re not a machine, you’re human,” Bartley said. “Life is too short to be stressed all the time.”

Nina Becaro | P hoto Megan Bartley, Occupational Therapist, chooses which pencil to give as a prize to one of her patients. Bartley recently opened her clinic to help kids all around Hutchinson.

Lights Camera Obermite Bobby &

In love with movies since before he could talk, Bobby Obermite had a rollercoaster of career paths before coming to his final decision.

While growing up in the era of the DVDs, he started to enjoy and focus more on the bonus features than the movie itself and without noticing, something sparked in his mind. At 17 he worked at Hastings, a local movie rental store, and the only good thing about that was a section of books on filmmaking and access to all types of movies.

Little by little, his interest in the video camera grew.

"Between the DVDs, behind-the-scenes documentation, and two shelves of random filmmaking books, I began to develop the confidence that I could make movies from the Midwest,” Obermite said.

Starting his education journey at HutchCC, Obermite said one of

his mentors was Instructor Vance Tyrell. Running the department for 32 years, Tyrell contributed a lot with his kindness, support, and knowledge for Obermite.

“His characteristics were intricate in where I am today,” Obermite said.

Even though his journey led him to the University of Kansas, Obermite likes to say that when he ended his education that was the time when he actually got the work done. The film classes focused mainly on watching a film and writing about it, and that did not help him much. His next steps were to buy the needed equipment and learn as much as he could.

Starting with a small camera and 1,000 clips a week, he said his “confidence, knowledge and portfolio were growing, as well as, my influence in the industry.”

From applying for an 18-month no interest card to spending all his salary on all types of gear, that was just the beginning of living the dream for Obermite.

Now, as HutchCC’s Media Production Analyst and Trainer, Obermite has an obsession. He proves that he can do this, even with the support of family and friends, self-motivation is the key to accomplish the final goal.

One of his tips for future students is to have the drive to make it happen, instead of just sitting down and waiting. Work hard, be in love with it, and don’t ever stop pushing.

“Don’t expect others to care about your dreams more than yourself,” Obermite said

"Now our program's nucleus is filmmaking. [With] learning the filmmaking techiniuqes, the students can take those skills and work anywhere in the media production," Bobby Obermite

Nina Becaro | P hoto

Nicole Ingold, Haven, and Bobby Obermite, Media Production Analyst, work in the green screen room on installing a camera on a rail. Obermite has his own media production company called Blue Barn Production.

diagnosed with hocus pocus

The fall homecoming week celebrated with the Hocus Pocus theme on Oct. 24-29. Monday consisted of a Hocus Pocus medallion hunt, scary movie at the Fox Theatre and preliminary voting began. Tuesday was a skating party as students dressed as horror film characters. Wednesday included a homecoming assembly at the Gowans Stadium, final voting, and a Blue Dragon volleyball game versus Barton. Thursday night was Halloween costume dance at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Friday's event was a free witches brew in the Grab & Go in the Parker Student Union. Homecoming week ended with the crowing of King and Queen at the Blue Dragon football game versus Highland Community College.

Alonso Frances Aguilar | Designer Nina Becaro & Jaden Harp | Photography

SERENADE

On Oct. 20, the Autumn Serenade directed by Neal Allsup and Wind Symphony directed by Eric Stambaugh performed during their fall concert at the Stringer Fine Arts BJ Warner Recital Hall. The group was also joined by special guests from the Sterling College Symphonic Band directed by Larry Brownlee.

Ethan McDonald Jacquline Spahr

Maddie Holland, Hutchinson

Eric Stambaugh, Music Instructor & Band Director

Eric Stambaugh, Music Instructor & Band Director

Elizabeth Graber

Tyris Chapman Kaylee Unruh & Cecil York

Brooklyn Golden

Neal Allsup, Professor & Director of Choral Activities

Maggie Strobel, Hutchinson

Alonso Frances Aguilar | Designer Nina Becaro | Photographer

MACBETH About the Play

On Oct. 7, the Hutchinson Community College Theater Department reenacted the production Macbeth. The play is a classic tragedy about a man named Macbeth who foolishly carries out his demise after three witches told him of prophecies. Macbeth becomes the king of Scotland through wicked ways and at the end of the play, Malcolm dethrones Macbeth and kills him.

› Bridgette Gibbs, Dallas, Texas, plays Hecate and is surrounded by three witches, Samatha Moore, Gardner; Carolyn Thompson, Kingman; and Juliana Menestrina, Wichita. She condems Macbeth, securing his fate with prophecies.

Grieving over the sight of his beloved wife, Macbeth holds Lady Macbeth after her death. He was left wondering what his next move should be.

After being murdered by Macbeth, the character Banquo played by Ethan Mcdonald, Halstead, comes back from the dead. Haunting Macbeth, Banquo made him feel guilty.

In deep thought, Macduff played by Noah Buller, H utchinson, talks with Malcolm, played by Ryan Best, Andale, about taking down the tyrant Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth played by Gibbs stares at the long road ahead of them to becoming rulers.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, played by Page and Gibbs, comptemplates their scheme to become rulers of Scotland. The two spent hours perfecting each scene before the live performance.

Cast as Malcolm is Ryan Best. He grieves over the demise of his father, King Duncan, after finding out he was murdered.

The Crew

Playing the part of Macbeth, Damien Page, Hutchinson, contemplates his next move. The character plans to kill Duncan to become the new king.

Carolyn Thompson, Kingman Juliana Menestrina, Witchita Samantha Moore, Gardner Lamonterious Jones, Milaukee, Wis. Ryan Best, Andale, Kansas Andrew Voth, Hutchinson Damien Page, Hutchinson Ethan Mcdonald, Halstead Bridgette Gibbs, Dallas, Texas Noah Buller, Hutchinson Theatre Director Deidre Mattox

TAKING FORM

Aguilar | Designer & Photographer

Hutchinson Community College art students express themselves in different forms and in different classes. Whether it be freehand art or computer created, there are different career paths to help students focus on their individual interests. Examples of art can be found inside and outside the classrooms across campus.

The Visual Media Design program uses computers to create 3D effects for multimedia purposes.

Alonso Frances

Exploring the different art mediums, fine arts students use clay, wood, oil paint, charcoal crayons, and ink to create their projects. They also focus on the studio art courses like 2D design, 3D design and drawing.

Graphic

Graphic Design students choose between transferring to a university or completing the Visual Media Design program. The Graphic Design & Web Technology students use computers to create vector and raster artwork.

Capturing THE SHOT

Photojournalist Lynsey

Nina Becaro | Reporter

Every year, the Dillons Lecture Series invites all types of guests to talk a little bit about their career, life, and accomplishments. This year wasn’t different. Lynsey Addario, born and raised in Westpoint, Conn., is one of the greatest photojournalists ever. She brought her experiences to life as she addressed the student body and community members on Nov. 1.

When she was about 12 years old, her father gave her a used Nikon FG, after that she bought a photography book and little by little taught herself how to use the camera. As the majority of kids, Addario was too shy to take pictures of others so her best models became flowers, cemeteries, and night skies.

Addario grew up and her mind became more mature along with her interests, now flowers weren’t enough. After being a freelance photographer for the New York Times and then an Italian newspaper she started to expand her skills. An assignment for Life Magazine took her to Afghanistan where she was to capture woman who were suffering under the oppressive rules of the Muslim fundamentalist Taliban regime.

The purpose of her photos is to showcase the real scenes of war around the world. She has been known to turn the camera on the innocent who are displaced by war.

Not only capturing moments of what women, kids, and noncombatants face during war, Addario showed the world the tough reality of war. She put herself into harm’s way in order to capture these images, even while she was pregnant herself traveling to Senegal, Kenga, Somalia, and Gaza.

Addario continues to go out in the field and show to the rest of the world what real life is and how not everyone is living a fairytale. Addario uses her platform to change the world and people’s idea of what is actually happening behind the cameras, little by little, shot by shot.

Addario shows what it is like to be behind the cameras.

Don't miss

Addario concluded her speech with photos and videos, while also being filmed by a production company for a documentary.

Nina Becarwo | P hoto

‹ Nina Becaro | P hoto Lynsey Addario, photojournalist, starts the Dillon Lecture Series with a photo presentation. Addario participated in assignments all around the world, such as, Senegal, Gaza, and most recently Ukraine.

Downtown Fall Carnival Downtown Fall Carnival

In 2018, the Hutchinson Rec began organizing the Third Thursday activities in downtown Hutchinson. The purpose of Third Thursday is to celebrate local art, music, and commerce. It is a monthly festival that encourages all ages to participate. One bonus for Hutchinson Community College students is that Third Thursday is also a free event. On Oct. 21, the community celebrated with a fall carnival and Halloween-themed event. Participants arrived in their Halloween costumes to join in on the festivities.

Sponsored by Bin Shop’n, Mark Borecky Construction attended Third Thursday for the first time. Their team constructed a haunted trailer for participants at the community event. The photographed family walked into the haunted trailer to be greeted by the horrors inside. The construction trailer featured a maze that was covered in scary props of skeletons, bats, goblins and more on the walls and ceilings. For those that were too scared to go into the trailer they were able to stand outside the trailer and watch live footage provided by night vision technology.

Mark Borecky Construction

Ghouls just wanna have fun! The Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland have been attending Third Thursday for many years now. Every month, there are different scout activities presented at their booth that consists of arts and crafts for passing participants. These arts and crafts can be used for Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere. SWAPS can consist of small tokens or keepsakes that girls can trade with other girl scouts that represent a memory or special event.

Girl Scouts of Kansas Heart land

Salt City Chiller is a known member of Third Thursday for two years and counting. This mobile snow cone van travels around Hutchinson selling chilled shaved ice. They frequent many ball games, parks, parades and more around town as well. The snow cone van can also be booked for special events or personal parties. When visiting the van, they encourage people to try creating their own chiller by adding a variety of flavors.

SALT CITY CHILLER

aTeam above all

Blue Dragons celebrate sophomore night

Hailea Redinger | Reporter & Designer

Winning 14 games and only losing four this season, the Blue Dragon soccer team has been doing great.

The team’s success can be attributed to Head Coach Sammy Lane who has 17 consecutive winning seasons under his name. Lane has also just been named the Jayhawk West Coach of the Year for the eighth time.

“The season this year was one of the most enjoyable seasons I've had in the past five years,” Lane said.“We finished the year 14-4 and narrowly lost to Butler in the region six semifinals game.”

If Lane could describe this year’s team in one word he said it would be teamwork.

Nina Becaro | P hoto

The Blue Dragon soccer team huddles together before playing their game. They won 3-1 against Cowley College on Oct. 19.

“I wanted to go to nationals but we were unlucky against Butler,” Julia Dias De Souza, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil, said. “We dominated the game but we weren't able to score. But that’s how soccer works. The beauty of the sport is the uncertainty.”

Diaz has been playing soccer since she was six and was one of many sophomores celebrated on sophomore night on Oct. 18. They each got a picture collage and a flower from their coaches.

In addition to the sophomore night, the Blue Dragons won 3-1 over the Cowley County Tigers. That night all the girls wore pink to show support to their Assistant coach Dave who lost his wife Jan to cancer.

“My favorite moment was seeing the look on my assistant coach’s face when all the girls arrived for the warm-up game on sophomore night wearing pink shirts with his name and his wife’s name on them,” said Lane. “We wore the shirts to remind Dave how much we were thinking of him and how much the girls really cared for him.”

‹

Taking

2022 SOCCER SEASON Scoreboard

Date Opponent Result Score

Aug. 26 Western Nebraska CC W 3-2

Aug. 27 at Northeastern Junior College W 4-3 Aug. 31 at Kansas City Kansas CC W 3-1 Sept. 4 Western Wyoming CC W 1-0 Sept. 7 at Garden City CC W 5-0 Sept. 10 Neosho County CC W 2-0 Sept. 14 Dodge City CC W 6-0 Sept. 17 at Johnson County CC L 3-1 Sept. 21 at Cowley College W 2-1 Sept. 24 Coffeyville CC W 2-1

Oct. 1 at Butler CC L 3-0

Oct. 5 Barton CC W 2-0

Oct. 8 Garden City CC W 3-1 Oct. 12 at Dodge City CC W 6-0 Oct. 19 Cowley College W 3-1 Oct. 22 at Barton CC L 2-0

Oct. 30 Johnson County CC W 4-3 Nov. 3 Butler CC L 1-0 Results as of Nov. 17, 2022

Tracking the ball, Jayda Wyatt, Wichita, waits to make

a

man, Wyatt played as a forward on the team.

Nina Becaro | P hoto

her move. As

fresh

Nina Becaro | P hoto

a picture on sophomore night is Assistant Coach Dave Thomas; Julia Dias De Souza, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil; and Head Coach Sammy Lane. All sophomores received a framed photo and flowers.

FINISHING

A fourth place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Cross Country meet topped off the season for the Hutchinson Community College's women's team. The team traveled to Tallahassee, Fla., to compete at the Apalachee Regional Park course.

Other highlights included the ThirdTeam All-American honors for Serenity Larson, Dodge City. She also finished in 12th place at the national meet.

The men's team finished their season on Oct. 28 at the Region VI/KJCCC meet held in Hutchinson.

FOURTH SNAPSHOTS

Season

National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Cross Country Finals Women'sTeam

SerenityLarson,DodgeCity

HutchCC Blue Dragon T&F and XC Courtesy Photos

of the

2022 Cross Country Results

Sept. 1 Terry Masterson Twilight Classic

Women - Team -2nd Place

5th Place - Serenity Larson Men - Team - 10th Place

Sept. 17 Greeno/Dirksen Invitational Women - Team - 4th Place

Sept. 30 Chili Pepper Festival

Oct. 14 Ollie Isom Invitational

Women - Team - 2nd Place

3rd Place - Serenity Larson

4th Place - Taylor Hoskinson

5th Place - Gracie Lambert

6th Place - Louise Cocking Men - Team - 3rd Place

7th Place - Hayden Keller

Oct. 28 Regional VI Cross Country Championship

Women - Team - 1st Place

3rd Place - Serenity Larson

4th Place - Louise Cocking

6th Place - Taylor Hoskinson

Nov. 12 NJCAA Cross Country Championship

Women - Team - 4th Place

12th Place - Serenity Larson

“Touchdown Blue Dragons,” said the announcer after Hutchinson Community College added yet another six points to the scoreboard.

The HutchCC Blue Dragon football team has been leading the rankings for weeks now, following some of the biggest seasons that the team has had. The team won their first national championship two years ago, and went 9-2 overall last season.

Head Football Coach Drew Dallas said, “I think if we go 1-0 each week, that ranking will take care of itself. That number one ranking only matters if it's at the end of the season.”

Coming into this season, the team expected big things for themselves. They took it week by week and focused on controlling their outcome.

“[Most excited about] the opportunity to control our own destiny. When it is this late in the year, and you still have ultimate control over your goals, that is really all you can ask for,” said Dallas.

Football is the ultimate team game and no one man will make a team great. This season for the Blue Dragons has been about working together and letting their time, effort, and teamwork be shown off, which is what has been happening with each win.

“Our football team shows up to work and handles business pretty much on a daily basis. For the most part, they operate the right way and approach each day with the right mindset and it’s paying off for them,” said Dallas.

The team has been ranked No. 1 for about six weeks now, having been within the top three spots since preseason. The

10 0

2022 Football Season Scoreboard

Date Opponent Result

Aug. 27

Ellsworth CC W, 70-7

Navaro College W, 42-0 Sep. 3

Sep. 10

Iowa Central CC W, 31-28 Sep. 24

Coffeyville CC W, 14-9 Oct. 1 Butler CC W, 27-19 Oct. 8

Dodge City CC W, 47-14 Oct. 22 Garden City CC W, 65-7 Oct. 29 Highland CC W, 31-7 Nov. 5 Independence CC W, 53-0 Nov. 12 Iowa Western CC W, 29-28

Results as of Nov. 15, 2022.

team has definitely had its challenges this season with injuries and just all out close call endings.

Dallas said, “We had a string of turnovers in both of those games [a close game against Coffeyville and a win in overtime to Iowa Central] and were able to overcome it against two really good football teams.”

Undefeated - a title most teams can not claim - belongs to the Blue Dragons as they finished their regular season on Nov. 12 with a win against Iowa Western. The next stop on their journey is a home semi-final game on Dec. 3 at Gowans Stadium.

Ashlyn Neufeld | Reporter & Designer

Blue Dragon football has a season to remember.

Punter

two punts during the game totaling 121 yards.

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Head Coach Drew Dallas asks a referee for clarification on a questionable call. The Blue Dragons defeated Independence Community College 53-0 on Nov. 5.

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Trevor Whiteman, Udall, sends the first punt of the game towards the end zone. Whiteman had

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Running Back Dylan Kedzior, Claremore, Okla., runs the ball in the first half of the game. Kedzior rushed 85 yards total in the Independence game.

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Benson takes a tumble while catching the ball in the first half of the Independence game. Benson had 95 receiving yards during the game.

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Wide Receiver Malik Benson, Lansing, looks down at his opponent after catching the ball. Benson had four receptions and two touchdowns in the game against Independence.

‹

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto Quarterback Dylan Laible, Little Elm, Okla., passes the ball in the first quarter of the Independence game. Laible had 150 passing yards and two touchdowns against Independence.

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto Kedzior pushes toward the end zone in hopes for a touchdown. Kedzior had one touchdown against Independence and scored nine touchdowns throughout the season.

‹

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto Long Snapper Ashton Ngo, Andover, sights in his teammate before a snap.

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Defensive back Monterio Smith, Bessemer, Ala., celebrates a play.

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Offensive Lineman Izaya Vimahi, Kahuku, Hawaii, prepares for the play ahead of him.

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Defensive back Dasheen Jackson, Columbus, Ga., runs to intercept a catch.

Pass, Set, Hit

Blue Dragons compete throughout the season. of the

The Blue Dragon volleyball team ended their season on Nov. 4 at the Region VI Tournament semifinals after losing to the Butler Community College Grizzlies. The Blue Dragons boasted a season record of 26-12 with several all conference selections as well as Freshman of the Year Taniya Golden, Omaha, Neb.

Snapshots

Season

Elizabeth Kliewer | P hoto

Elizabeth Kliewer

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

2022 Volleyball Season Scoreboard

Date Opponent Result

Aug. 19 Indian Hills CC L, 3-2

Jefferson College L, 3-0

Aug. 20 Missouri State University W, 3-2

Iowa Western CC W, 3-2

Aug. 22 Ottawa University JV W, 3-0

Neosho County CC W, 3-0

Bethel College JV W, 3-1

Aug. 24 Dodge City CC W, 3-0

Aug. 26 Eastern Wyoming College W, 3-1

Frank Phillips College W, 3-1

Aug. 27 Clarendon College W, 3-1

Casper College W, 3-0

Aug. 31 Seward County CC L, 3-1

Sept. 2 Cloud County CC W, 3-0

Friends University JV W, 3-0

Sept. 7 Pratt CC W, 3-0

Sept. 9 Casper College W, 3-0

Western Nebraska CC L, 3-1

Sept. 10 Indian Hills CC L, 3-0

Northeastern Junior College W, 3-1

Sept. 14 Colby CC W, 3-1

Sept. 21 Garden City CC W, 3-1

Sept. 23 Jefferson College 2, 3-1

Iowa Western CC L, 3-1

Sept. 24 Trinity Valley CC L, 3-0

Mineral Area College L, 3-2

Sept. 26 Barton CC W, 3-1

Sept. 28 Dodge City CC W, 3-1

Oct. 1 Seward County CC W, 3-0

Oct. 5 Cloud County CC W, 3-0

Oct. 12 Butler CC L, 3-0

Oct. 15 Colby CC W, 3-2

Oct. 17 Pratt CC W, 3-0

Oct. 22 Garden City CC L, 3-1

Oct. 26 Barton CC W, 3-0

Oct. 28 Butler CC L, 3-0

Nov. 2 Cloud County CC W, 3-0

Nov. 4 Butler CC L, 3-1

Elizabeth Kliewer | P hoto

Elizabeth Kliewer | P hoto

Elizabeth Kliewer | P hoto

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

All Man

Ashlyn Neufeld | Reporter & Designer

Robert Spies, the All-American and world-ranked sprinter is flying through his fourth year as head coach of the Hutchinson Community College track and field team.

Spies first came to HutchCC in 2019 after Coach Pat Becher retired. He came from a previous position, coaching at McPherson College since 2013. With over fifteen years of coaching experience under his belt, it's safe to say that the Blue Dragons will continue to improve under his wing.

Spies first got started with track in grade school where he would attend all-school meets once a year.

“I would say my mom was the first real push for track and field way back then. She would have me training for this once-a-year meet a month in advance, which at the time I didn't like, however, the end results of that work would always pay off,” said Spies.

Spies got inspiration from many people including his middle and high school coaches.

“Dave Schneider and Jeff Fuss were great influences in my life,” Spies said. “I truly appreciate them to this very day for their guidance in the sport.”

Though he had many accomplishments

through his time as a student athlete, Spies had a couple that stuck out the most.

Spies said, “Being world ranked in the 60m sprint is up at the top, however, also being an All-American in the individual sprints as well as on a few different relays is up towards the top.”

Sprints, though, weren’t his only event as a young athlete, he also worked very hard as a long jumper. He now coaches all events from jumps to runs to throws with the help of a few great assistant coaches, one of which being his wife, who coaches jumping events.

A look into a life and career that is being 'run' well.

Where he's CoaChed

The excitement builds as the season quickly approaches.

"I'm probably just the most excited about getting ready for competitions and having the ability to compete because fall always seems to take so long to get through," said Spies. "I'm just ready for everyone to get out there."

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Spies helps Kaylee James, Jetmore, on hurdles at practice. Indoor season begins on Jan. 21 at Washburn University.

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Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Head Coach Robert Spies helps Christopher Brown, Westmoreland, Jamaica, with an attempt in the weight throw. The athletes prepared for indoor season to start.

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

Spies watches the throwing form while his athletes practice. Spies puts in seven hours, give or take, with the throwing group each week.

Ashlyn Neufeld | P hoto

During a cold November practice, Spies leads and encourages his runners.