Dragon's Tale - Spring 2012 Issue by HutchCC Dragon's Tale Magazine

Zoo Science: Where the Wild Things Are Expanding Leadership Skills

Stealing the spotlight

The History of Lockman Auditorium

Dragon’s Dragon’s Tale Tale Staff Staff Pictured are the Dragon’s Tale staff members for the 2012 spring issue: Top: William Gates, Hannah Arthur, Samantha Smith, Dustin Lies. Middle: Heather Applegarth, Andrea Ratzlaff, Susi Acosta. Bottom: Rachel Wasko, Morgan Oriet.

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

staff

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Table of Contents

08 30

18 Duke the Dragon . . . 02 Foreign Language . . . 04 Lockman Auditorium . . . . . . 06 Tansportation . . . . . 08 Zoo Science . . . . . . 12 Leadership Scholar . . 14 Undecided Majors . . 16

Criminal Justice . . . . 18 Teresa Preston . . . . . 22 KNEA . . . . . . . . . . 24 Golf . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Softball . . . . . . . . . 30 Baseball . . . . . . . . . 32 Track . . . . . . . . . . 34

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Table of contents

Behind the Mask The dragon that entertains the crowd.

The Hutchinson Community College mascot has recently changed his appearance. The new mascot made his first public appearance on January 21 at the HCC basketball game. Duke the Dragon has been the mascot for the college for many years and has had many different looks. Street Characters Inc. designed the new suit. The Quarterback Club raised the money to buy the new suit.The updated costume has many new features that the old one didn’t have. “The new suit is pretty high tech as mascot uniforms go, it has all detachable parts for easy disassembly, a vest with slots for ice

Duke the dragon

packs so it’s easier to remain cool, and it is remarkably light weight for its size,” Duke the Dragon said. Duke made his debut around the league starting at the Region 6 tournament and also appeared at the national tournament to support the women’s basketball team. During the games, Duke’s job is to get the crowd excited and cheer on the mighty Dragons. “I do try and stay on the sideline most of the game but then I try to During a media time-out, Duke cheers on three girls attempting to unwind two rolls of steamers. Duke entertained the crowd during many of the media time-outs.

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go into the stands and interact with the crowd at least once during the game,” Duke said. The athletic department wants the identity of the person in the suit to be kept a secret. “It’s a secret because it is in the Mascot 10 commandments that one must maintain a secret identity, like a super hero,” Duke said. Duke has made many appear-

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Rachel Wasko

ances at basketball games but he has also been sighted at other school-related events. He recently attended the Child Care Center and read books to As part of the mascot’s many activities, Duke greets the children at the HCC Child Care Center. Duke visited the children who greeted him with many hugs and knuckle bumps.

In the middle of a team huddle, Duke pumps up the players during a warm up on the court. The mascot interacted with the audience as well as the players and encouraged team spirit throughout the season.

all the children. While there, Duke and the kids sang a song called Duke the Big Blue Dragon. The student inside the suit was first just doing it as a volunteer after he expressed his interest, but soon found out that there was a scholarship offered to portray the character. “I receive a small scholarship and there’s always the satisfaction

of putting a smile on people’s faces,” said Duke. The new suit has been a hit to dragon fans everywhere and hasn’t received any negative feedback. Duke has been the face of the college for many years and the suit is just the next step in the evolution. The student that wears the suit has a very important job of promoting

the college in a positive way. The new mascot definitely has a new youthful persona. Not only does he cheer on the athletic teams but he dances as the band plays and helps during media time-outs. He has made himself noticed at the games and will be continuing the hard work. “Putting a smile on children and

Duke the Dragon passes the crowd searching for applause. Duke helped during games to get the crowd to cheer on the Blue Dragon basketball teams.

elderly people’s faces, and dancing with the dancers during time-outs of the home games is the best part of being Duke,” Duke said.

Evolution of Duke 1970’s Duke

1990’s Duke

Early Duke

Current Duke

Photos Courtesy of: Public Information

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duke the dragon

photos & story

Heather Applegarth

Learning another language takes both discipline and time.The foreign language classes offered at HCC provide just that with a diverse teaching staff and a relaxed learning environment. “I make it as colorful as I can,” Paula Luteran, foreign language instructor, said. Luteran’s classroom techniques vary from watching foreign movies, listening to music of various cultures, and group work. Luteran teaches the Spanish and French I, II, and III.The textbooks acknowledge the cultural topics such as, art, literature, cooking, and historical and political facts. She presents the grammar in the simplest terms possible along with memorization of vocabulary.

HCC offers Spanish I, II, and III, French I, II, and III, German I,II, and III, and workplace Spanish 100. Each course is 3 credit hours. Studies in foreign language may be combined with other majors in study where communication with people is necessary. It is preferred that students take the classes in sequence so the current knowledge acquired is fresh in the mind to continue to the more difficult levels. “We have few language majors,” Luteran said. “Mostly the students are learning for pleasure and personal growth, plans of travel or pairing it with their field of study,” Each class participates in a variety of cultural exercises. Some include French soirees, crepe (French pastry) making demonstrations, movie nights, performances by cultural artists, and partaking in HCC’s Cultural Appreciation Day on campus. Cultural Appreciation Day is hosted by the HCC nursing program. Information tables about cultures and other subcultures from around the world are set up around the Parker Student Union. Students are encouraged to participate and learn more about the different cultures. “I thought it was very interesting and very eye opening. It makes you

Learning the language

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realize how different cultures are in this world,” Jennifer Stephenson, McPherson, said. Students are presented with the opportunity to travel abroad at their own expense with an organized group and do a research project for the class as extra credit. There is a foreign language club forming next September. Language majors or students who are interested in foreign culture and language are welcome to join. The idea of the newly developed club is to bring culture to campus. Previously, HCC brought classical guitarists for performances as well as the Mexican Ballet Folklorico, a group from Newton, to bring entertainment to the community. They hope to do many activities such as that with the club. “I think that with the club it will provide an opportunity for students to practice together,” Luteran said. Summer classes are also available. It is an intensive course through the duration of four weeks. Arrangements can be made if a student is interested in learning a different language over the summer. “I don’t think any language is particularly the ‘hardest’ to learn. If you want learn, you will,” Luteran said.

The students of Dan Pohl’s German class participate in a matching game of German nouns. Mandy Zumalt, Nickerson, pointed to the screen to get a matching pair. Inset photo: The game board is displayed on the projection screen. Pohl reacted to the student’s correct match.

Emily Roberts, Hays, and Brook Baalman, Wichita, work as a pair to go over their vocabulary words. Students worked in pairs as a common practice for the Spanish class.

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Paula Luteran, foreign language instructor, goes over the previous week’s test with her Spanish class. Luteran taught Spanish and French I,II, and III.

learning the language

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hen Hutchinson Community College was founded in 1928 (then known as Hutchinson Junior College), the college had no place to call its own. For 11 years, college classes were held on the third story of a former Hutchinson High School building. It wasn’t until 1938 that the Hutchinson Board of Education purchased the land that would become HCC’s main campus. One year later, the construction on Lockman Hall, namesake of C.M. Lockman, was completed in 1939. Architects McCrackin & Hiett designed Lockman Hall, and Foy Construction built it. During the early years of HCC’s history, Lockman Hall facilitated all of the college’s needs. Faculty offices, classrooms, labs, a library, and even an auditorium were located in Lockman Hall. Similar to many parts of Lockman Hall, the auditorium has been

Lockman auditorium

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William Gates

repurposed several times during its history. However, it still maintains a charming, antiquated atmosphere that is a unique reminder of the building’s past. When Lockman Hall first opened, the auditorium located at the north end of the building served as the setting for most of the social activities on campus. Dances, plays, jazz concerts, symphonic band concerts, and choral concerts were all held there. It was also used for student enrollment, graduation ceremonies, and once held a Santa Fe Trail Symposium. When Stringer Fine Arts Center opened in 1988, the concerts and plays that were once held in the auditorium in Lockman Hall were held in the Gallery Theatre and B.J. Warner Recital Hall. The Lockman auditorium was mainly used for storage for several years afterward, until 1999, when the

Workforce Development Center moved into the auditorium. After they relocated in 2006, the science department moved in to the auditorium while the Richard E. Smith Science Center was being renovated. When the science center was finished in 2010, the science department moved. The auditorium is currently home to the GED program and testing center. Despite all of these changes, the auditorium still maintains much of its historical value.The 25 leaded-glass windows that are of unique and symbolic importance to the auditorium were preserved between panes of glass when new windows were put in. No permanent structures have been built in the auditorium, either. “There are some that would like to see it go back to the original, but I don’t know (if) that will ever happen,” Tom Dillwith, HCC These wrought-iron light fixtures with decorative panes of pale golden glass are still suspended from the vaulted ceiling of the old auditorium. They served as a reminder of the building’s past, in stark contrast with the cubicles below. Photo by William Gates

custodian, said. “Is there anything actually being done? No, there’s just stuff that’s being prevented. They had talked about coming in and building permanent walls and just doing away with the whole space, and he (Dr. Berger, HCC President) said no.” So while the auditorium continues to adapt to the college’s needs, new layers of history are piled on top of the old. Peeling back the layers reveals a building that has adapted to the school’s needs and the community’s needs for the last 74 years. It’s easy for some to become nostalgic imagining, or remembering, the atmosphere that existed inside the auditorium when the sound of jazz music filled the air, or applause reverberated through the room as the curtains closed between acts. Perhaps one day the auditorium will return to that former state, but that shouldn’t detract from the important role it plays now. The GED program that the auditorium now accommodates is vital to the college and the community of Hutchinson, and it’s likely that the auditorium will continue to adapt to whatever needs HCC has in the future.

Students lounge around Lockman Hall Auditorium in a photo from the 1956 HCC Yearbook. The exterior did not change significantly between 1956 and 2012. Photo Illustration by William Gates

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Text above the north entrance to the auditorium reads “Whoso Findeth Wisdom Findeth Life.” This was originally the main entrance to the auditorium. Photo by William Gates

lockman auditorium

How do you get to class? Students and Faculty display their differing personalities through their modes of transportation. photos & story

Hannah Arthur

ransportation is a must for college, whether it’s one’s own personal vehicle, public transportation, or just one’s own two feet, students and faculty need to get to classes somehow. Some students and faculty have more unique modes of transportation that tend to attract attention. “I drive a ’31 Ford; people’s reactions to my car (are)‘man that car is made for little people,’” Elwyn McRoy, men’s assistant basketball coach, said. McRoy’s car turns a lot of heads as he drives through the HCC campus. Erin Gould, Hutchinson, also receives attention when riding her Vespa scooter to class. “Most people stare, or at least give me a second look. It’s hard not to smile when driving it around. I can see it puts a smile on many people’s faces. Hutchinson residents aren’t too used to seeing bright blue scooters,” Gould said. Alysse Barlow,Arlington,Texas, enjoys riding her bicycle to her classes. “I actually love riding my bike. It’s like a mini-workout to keep in shape,” Barlow said. Drivers tend to pay less attention to bike riders, as Barlow has come close to a collision.

“Most drivers respect me, but there was a time I was almost to the driveway into Bogey’s, and this man was not paying attention while pulling out and almost hit me, luckily I have good brakes,” Barlow said. Even bad weather doesn’t deter Barlow from bicycling to class. “Weather doesn’t really affect my travel to class because if it’s raining or cold, I have a huge coat that protects me,” Barlow said. However, students who walk to school find bad weather to be a nuisance. “If it’s a nice day, weather doesn’t mean much. When it’s a bad day, time is really added on Dennis Unsderfer, Hutchinson, races by on his motorcycle on a cloudy day. Earlier that day he had to put the bike in the garage and forgo a ride because of a sudden rain shower.

Elwyn McRoy, assistant basketball coach, drives his ‘31 Ford into the Sports Arena parking lot. He modified his car with two screens, one in front of the passenger seat, and one under the hood.

Transportation

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Transportation

because you don’t know what the weather will bring,” Gannon Veh, Hutchinson, said. Veh walks the three and a half miles to most of his classes, but also has a car for bad weather or time constraining situations. S e t h C ox , M c P h e r s o n , commutes 20-30 minutes to class. Weather also plays a role in his travel. “I have to leave early when the roads are all iced over or when the snow is quite extensive,” Cox said. McRoy avoids driving his car during bad weather for different reasons. “The car has no windows or heat, so rain or cold weather isn’t the best to drive in,” McRoy said. “Whether or not I can drive my moped greatly depends on the forecast. Rain, snow, and cold temperatures keep my moped parked in the garage,” Gould said. Motorcyclists also have to be aware of the weather before riding. “If it’s cold, you could always put more layers on, but when it is Seth Cox, McPherson, tries to find a parking spot after his long commute from McPherson. He eventually found a spot after a few minutes.

transportation

raining or snowing, you can’t ride because it may be too slippery,” Charlie Unsderfer, Hutchinson, said. Charlie and Dennis Unsderfer, both from Hutchinson, share a motorcycle that they bought together last August. “Typically, we alternate the sharing every other day, Dennis

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tends to ride it more than I do,” C. Unsderfer said. “Sharing doesn’t bother me too much, we generally switch off. Soon we will have another bike so it won’t be a problem.” D. Unsderfer said. The two have done quite a few

Alysse Barlow pedals her bike down the sidewalk past Building 12 on her way to class. She attended Video Production II and filmed for a Reigns of Hope video shoot.

modifications to their motorcycle, including LED lights. “Most people tend to stare as I ride by because we put a lot of LEDs on it, or because they want to race,” C. Unsderfer said. With the rise in gas prices, commuters especially are seeing a rise in gas bills. “Of course my bill is larger, but since it is relatively inexpensive to attend HCC, the gas prices aren’t as big of a deal,” Cox said. However, the change in gas prices hardly affects moped riders. “The moped gets about 100 miles to the gallon. It’s probably the most cost efficient motorized vehicle,” Gould said. One advantage to riding a scooter or motorcycle is the parking areas on the HCC campus. “I love it because you have your own personal section for parking, it’s really convenient especially going -Alysse Barlow, to class, you can just park Arlington Texas and walk in,” C.

“

Unsderfer said. H owe v e r, some changes could be made. “I think the parking could be a little better. I just wish they had something I could use to lock my moped to. It’d be nice not to have to park it on the bike rack,” Gould said. For car and truck drivers, parking around campus can be scarce. “What makes parking around campus difficult is the lack of parking spaces. I generally get lucky

I actually love riding my bike. It’s like a mini-workout to keep in shape.

”

Gannon Veh, Hutchinson, walks to class on a sunny day. He walked over three miles to get to his classes but drives during bad weather.

Erin Gould, Hutchinson, rides her scooter toward the parking area for motorcycles. She rode to campus to attend Advanced Digital Imagery,

and find only one spot, but that’s not always the case and one can see other drivers having problems with it, driving around the parking lots for up to 10 to 15 minutes waiting and hoping for people to leave. If a solution could be resolved it would be very convenient and helpful to any of the students and be a plus for incoming students looking at the college,” Cox said. No matter what, these students and staff allow their personality to show through their own unique forms of transportation.

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transportation

Whether an animal is flying, swinging, hopping, racing, or creeping, the Zoo Science major at Hutchinson Community College is a “wild” major for animal lovers. “Ever since I was three, I have always been fascinated with insects and outdoors,” KayLyn Lemons, Hutchinson, said. “That just grew into more exotic types of animals and I have always liked animals. So Zoo Science was my option.” Zoo Science seemed to be the best career path for Lemons. “I still love going to zoos, even just going to pet stores. I love any place with animals,” Lemons said. Lemons volunteered at Operation Wildlife in Linwood during baby season. “That was probably the best experience I’ve had so far,” Lemons said. “It was more with the orphaned babies or someone (finding) an animal injured and we take care of them and release (them) into the wild.” Whether at home or away, Lemons surrounds herself with the animals she loves. “I have a Sulcata tortoise. It’s a tortoise found in Africa. They get to be pretty big, they get to be of the age of almost 200 maybe 250,” Lemons said.

Zoo Science

Because Lemons has a love for all animals, it proved to be difficult to pick a favorite. “I have no clue; I’m hoping that while I’m in the field I will find out my favorite animal. I like everything, like even creepy animals like tarantulas,” Lemons said. “It would probably be something big.” The Zoo Science major focuses on all types of animals, which provides many opportunities for students to study abroad. “I’ve always wanted to live in Australia, but I’m hoping to maybe travel everywhere to study. That would be awesome,” Lemons said. “I really want to study abroad.” MelissaVanWey, Glen Elder, has also declared a Zoo Science major. “I’ve always loved and been fascinated by animals — often more than I enjoy people!”VanWey said. “As I’ve gotten older, my main interest has become exotic animals. I prefer the big animals that could crush me, poison me, or eat me to the mild domesticated type!” Like Lemons, VanWey has a love for animals, especially those in need. “I would love to work in a zoo or especially on an endangered species reservation providing veterinary care for the animals, and

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Marcy Krause, zookeeper at the Hutchinson Zoo, gives the foxes a mid-morning snack, but only after a few tricks. Krause trained the animals was part of the rehabilitation process.

wher e th hopefully doing my part to help in conservation efforts,”VanWey said. VanWey plans to transfer to four-year university to finish her education. “Friends University in Wichita has a Zoo Science program that offers internships at the Sedgwick County Zoo, and that is probably my number one option.” VanWey said. “Eventually however, I’ll probably be looking into K-State to study to become a veterinarian.” The Zoo Science program at HCC was designed for students who are planning to transfer to Friends University in Wichita. “One of the reasons that we set up this working agreement with them was so that students that are interested in working with animals would have some other options,” Joyce Barker, biological science instructor, said. “When they transfer to Friends,

W IL

they have a working relationship with the Sedgwick County Zoo and that’s where they like to have their students intern.We would be giving them the coursework that would get them ready to transfer into the program when they go to Friends,” Barker said. Even though students love working with animals, the Zoo Science major involves a difficult curriculum. “You have to know everything, every aspect like skeletal structure. Even the little things like ants and their structure,” Lemons said. “A lot of math and you do actually have to write a lot of theories about different animals.” Majoring in Zoo Science helps animal lovers accomplish their goal of doing something they love. “A highlight would be working with the animals,” Barker said. “It’s a major that I had considered

things are photos & story

before I went into education. There had been times that I was at the Sedgwick County Zoo and I would see some of the students that were working in this program and they just seemed so happy. It’s not a profession that makes a lot of money, but if you like working

Andrea Ratzlaff

with animals, especially exotics, it would be wonderful.” “Junebug,” the bobcat, poses for a picture in the Rehabilitation Center at the Hutchinson Zoo. The zookeepers nurtured many orphaned animals and trained them just like “Junebug.”

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Zoo Science

Heading made by Dustin Lies

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Susi Acosta

Everyone knows that college isn’t cheap. Many college students have to pay for their own education, while other students pay in different methods such as using financial aid, loans, grants, or scholarships. Every year scholarships are awarded to students at Hutchinson Community College. One scholarship that a student can receive is the Presidential Leadership Scholarship. Carol Neuschafer, leadership coordinator, is in charge of awarding this scholarship. “It is such an honor to be a leadership scholar,” KristenTaylor, Lindsborg, said. “I have enjoyed this opportunity the college has provided for me and I try not to take advantage of it.” Students are chosen on their academics and their high school participation in clubs, holding offices in organizations, participating in or helping organize high school activities, and participation in the community. Another big component is completing the scholarship application correctly, Once that is done the selection

Leadership Scholars

committee reviews the application thoroughly as well as the personal statement. Students must also maintain a 3.0 grade point average and meet the required testing scores in their ACT or SAT. Like every sport or organization, a student has to follow some requirements. Each student must complete 20 hours of documented community service besides their internship for each year they receive the scholarship. Students are matched with an internship for a greater understanding of their future career. “Internships seem to create a passion for completing their educational goals. Students seem to enjoy this experience and are very appreciative for the opportunity given to them,” Neuschafer said. “The rewards are many, and I feel so fortunate to be given the responsibility and opportunity of making this all happen for them. It also allows the mentors to see opportunities for the future employees.” There are approximately 180 mentors in Hutchinson and the sur-

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At the library, Reyna Rodriguez, Scott City, finishes her scholarship application online. Rodriguez reapplied her scholarship for next fall.

rounding communities. Neuschafer is in charge of meeting with the students and placing them in an internship. In the beginning of the year and before the student starts their 30 hour internship, Neuschafer and the students discuss their chosen major or their strong academic interest. She then assimilates all the information and matches the information that will benefit the student for further

knowledge in their future career. “It’s my responsibility to monitor the internships throughout the time the student is in placement,” Neuschafer said. “An evaluation form is than filled out by the mentor and student is required to write a summary of their experience.” While the students are completing their internships, many of them learn different tasks.

Megan Wood, Macksville, talks about her plans for the next fall semester. Carol Neuschafer, leadership coordinator, met with Woods and arranged her scholarship.

“I learned that no matter what you are doing, you need to give it your all, because there is always somebody watching and waiting to offer you a job,” Beau Jury, Sublette, said. Not everything is easy when it comes to completing an internship. Responsibility, time, and patience are all required. “My intern was at Grossardt & Gilbert, LLC Certified Public Accountants,” Reyna Rodriguez, Scott City, said. “The most difficult task was following the work

Kristin Taylor, Lindsborg, heads to her photography class. Taylor completed her sophomore year as a Presidential Scholar.

the workers were showing me. Sometimes I was unsure of what they were talking about since I had no previous knowledge about those topics. The workers were very helpful though.” For the upcoming 2012-2013 year, HCC has received over 1500 scholarship requests. The scholarship committee has many candidates applying for the same scholarships. For the students who receive the Presidential Leadership Scholarship they will be experiencing a chance to help pay for college as well as gain job knowledge.

Top 4 ways to fill out a scholarship Information provided by Carol Neuschafer

DON’T leave

any questions unanswered. The committee must know you read the question. If not applicable then note that.

DO review your

application with scrutiny to make sure that you have done the best of your ability and acknowledge each question asked appropriately.

DON’T cross

out words, poor penmanship, or incomplete poorly structured sentences can be a detriment to the applicant.

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DO make sure

the application is complete before submitting and that it’s received by the school by the deadline date.

Leadership Scholars 15

What am I

DOING here ?

Students Declare Undecided Major photos & story

Morgan Oriet

Dreams of being princes and princesses are fun as toddlers, but those quickly fade from reality as years go on. When age level rises, confusion escalates harmoniously. From middle school to high school to college, decisions and questions become more persistent. Things change fast and before the blink of an eye, life-altering choices need to be made such as what college to attend, what field of study to enroll in, and ultimately, what career to pursue.This is not as easy as it sounds, though, and many students come to college without a set-in-stone plan. At Hutchinson Community College, life preparation classes such as Career and Decision Making, are available for students

undecided majors

who have no certain major in mind. Additionally, there is a Student Success Center that is accessible to help students at no additional charge. “Since cost can be an important part of any college choice, HCC offers much value for the money,” Linda McVey, secretary, said.

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In the Career and Decision Making class taught by Jim Ewert, college counselor and tutor services coordinator, students can further their knowledge of what career to choose when they learn how to use a decision making model. The main objective is to help students

Trent Oborny, Hutchinson, focuses on the front of the classroom. Jim Ewert’s Career and Decision Making class had Tim Evans, advisor for technical programs, as a guest speaker.

explore different courses and find the area of study that they are interested in and hopefully lead them into their dream career. “Taking introductory and exploratory courses related to a major and general education courses can help expose students to different fields of study,” Ewert, said. The Student Success Center, located in Parker Student Union, offers tutoring, disability, and orientation services. Assessments, academic advising, and personal or career counseling are also available for students that are in the process of deciding their major. “Tutors slow it down for you, and they recognize the problem,

Sarah Reichenberger, Andale, and Shea Schweizer, Plevna, look through pamphlets. Reichenberger used tutoring services at the Students Success Center.

and they work with you,” A.J. Schmidt,Atlanta, Ga. said. “Tutoring has helped me a lot.” “Studies show students change their majors, on average, four to six times through four years of education,” McVey said. “At the community college level that would mean students change majors an average of two to three times.” A possible scare about changing a major too many times is that a student may get beyond on credits for the simple fact that not all majors require the same courses. However, sometimes this is not always the case. “In some instances, changing majors does not postpone graduation,” McVey said. Some areas of study, though, are very unique and can delay the completion of all the required courses. “There are some majors that are so different from each other that the student switching majors

Ewert stands over Deveon Dinwiddie’s, Hutchinson, shoulder evaluating his work. Students used tutoring services as one on one, online, or department based.

would be at least one to two semesters behind,” McVey said. Life altering decisions are made very often. The most important ones start when a child turns eighteen, graduates from high school, and has to step into the world as an adult. Family members, teachers, and other friends are constant advocates for college while brochures shuffle in through the mail. What college to attend, what sports to play, what clubs to join, life in the dorms or at home, what to major in, what to become… these are all constant questions that future students must answer. It is hard, but HCC is one of many places to find those conclusions. “The HCC setting is an excellent way for undeclared students to complete basic requirements prior to transfer to a 4-year college,” McVey said. Infographic by Dustin Lies

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undecided majors

photos & story

Dustin Lies

Students learn the process of investigation to help bring order and peace to society through the Criminal Justice program. At the college level Chuck Fann, criminal justice instructor, finds out what the students want to do with a law enforcement or crime scene investigation job. Whether it’s transferring on to a four-year school or getting a job right out of college, there are options. This plays a big role in what path the student takes according to his/ her classes. “What I try to do is encourage people to go toward the AA or AS degree, primarily the AS degree, that way while they are here they’ll work primarily on their gen eds and then, when they go onto their four year college they can either continue their criminal justice, or they can maybe major in something else and use criminal justice as a minor,”

Criminal Justice

Fann said. “The way I envision it, at this particular level here at HCC, I want to give them some core courses even the AS degree does that to get 18 hours of criminal justice and the courses are actually selected by our advisor committee, matter of fact the meeting we had in December, we went through and we modified our recommended courses we parted down 6 to 4 recommended courses to kind of meet that individuals need.” While going through the process of getting the degree students come to find out they learn many different things and are surprised what they learn in their classes. “We have learned to approach a crime scene as an investigator and the first officer on the scene. We have learned how to photograph a crime scene, fix or determine placement of evidence and document a crime scene. Currently, we are learning how to find and pick up fingerprints on several types of surfaces,” Cameron Nelson, Newton, said. To get students to learn these processes better for the actual job,

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they perform scenarios in their classes to get the real life feel of how things will lay out in a crime scene. They learn how critical it is to take details like where everything is positioned and the importance to not miss a thing. “We do full scale homicide scenarios where there is blood splatter bullet casings and signs of a struggle we have to look into,” Drew Popplewell, Oxford, said. To get an even more realistic feel on the job, HCC provides a chance for the students to participate in an internship. “The criminal justice provides a couple of internships that will get us started into are career or look good on a resume,” Nelson, said. “One example is being on HCC campus security, a couple of criminal justice major’s work for HCC security. Another is becoming a cadet, which is basically riding along with Hutchinson Police Officers and get to see what an average day is like for a police officer in Hutch.” To do an internship while you are pursuing this career gives you a wider view on how the job will actually be.This also gives a greater meaning to the students. “To me it means the protection and safety of the general public and to make sure justice is served to all,” Popplewell said. “The criminal justice program is important to me and many others now because it is giving us skills and knowledge we will use every day in the field,” said Nelson. “The program has many different courses that change with what field of criminal justice someone plans on pursuing. It means a lot to me because it is providing a good start into the criminal justice world.” With the Criminal Justice meaning a lot to these students,

it’s a very important program. Although there are people that believe different. “Criminal Law as anticipated is fundamental to our success. We need to understand the law,” Fann said.“Unfortunately a lot of people believe that Criminal Justice is what I label as a Dumbed Down Major otherwise saying I’m going to go major in Criminal Justice cause all I have to do is write a ticket. They don’t realize the dynamics or the breathe of the profession.” People that understand how complicated the program is turn the other way and look at the job in a completely different way.They

Chuck Fann, criminal justice instructor, teaches his students how to measure the placement of the crime scene objects. He arranged a crime scene for his students and they measured all of the details.

Drew Popplewell, Oxford, and Michael Ludlum, Cheney, measure the placement of the knife in the crime scene. The scene included a knife, bullet, table and an overturned chair.

Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tale

Criminal Justice

look to the TV and see shows like “CSI: Miami” and think the job is just like the show. “Periodically in class, we will compare real life scenarios and events with those scenes on famous TV shows like CSI and other criminal justice TV shows,” Nelson said. “People would be surprised about how different real world crime and police work is compared to the popular TV shows like CSI. A lot of the things you see on the show are a little more difficult then what they make it appear, like gathering fingerprints and performing blood splatter test. Here at Hutchinson Community College the instructors want to make sure the students know its not like the shows. “We try to give them a real world exposure as best as possible in a setting to what they are going to encounter and help prepare them for the challenges of the profession, whether they go directly into the profession or go onto a four year school,” Fann said. “With either decision HCC will prepare them for that next step.” To have the opportunity to understand how it will be makes an impact on the students. They find out how much different from the shows it is. “All the techniques seen in movies and shows is a lot harder then shows and movies make it look,” Popplewell said. “There’s a lot more procedures to follow and The crime scene investigation students perform the process of how to lift a fingerprint. The students practiced two types of procedures for lifting fingerprints.

Criminal Justice

Dragon’s Tale

techniques to use to acquire the evidence you need to solve a crime. The techniques get complicated do to the system on how things are done. Know how to use these techniques and when to use them in the different environments is important too. “I tell you right now that I never arrested anybody that did not need to be arrested based upon their actions,” Fann said. “The respond I make that statement because I knew at the time I said you are under arrest that the person life was changed forever more, so we have to have people that are ethical, we have to have people that are mature because people don’t realize the actual responsibilities you gain by being a part of this profession.” Going into this profession takes a dedicated person to learn the system. This is an important decision for the students. “I decided on a criminal justice degree because I want to become a US Marshall someday. Becoming a US Marshall requires a bachelor’s degree. After deciding on my career goal and I figured a bachelor in criminal justice would be the best option I could take,” Nelson said. “So I will be getting my associate degree in applied science in criminal justice at the end of the this spring semester then I will be transferring to Wichita State next year to get my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.”

Looking at going to a four-year school has to have a starting place. Some people get referred to which college to go to by their local friends and neighbors. “My local police chief recommended HCC’s program saying it was one of the best in the state,” Popplewell said. “I made my decision because I want to make a difference in my career and be able to help people.”

Truman Wiles, Hutchinson, executes a tape lift procedure to prepare the fingerprint on the glass for lab test. He followed this up with trying to get a fingerprint off a can of pop.

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Criminal Justice

photos & story

Teresa Preston

Samantha Smith

HCC bids a farewell to retiring art instructor after sixteen years.

Setting up for her jewelry design class, Teresa Preston, prepares to cast. Students used this method when they made jewelry out of metals.

Teresa preston

Dragon’s Tale

It all started in fourth grade. Teresa Preston was assigned a project to illustrate a story along with the rest of her classmates. The admiration of her peers over her project initiated an epiphany. From then on, all she ever wanted to do was teach. Preston graduated from Buhler High School and continued her education at Bethany College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art Education. She continued in pursuit of a higher education at Fort Hays State University where she was awarded her MFA in fine arts. She than landed her first job teaching at Corpus Christi in Texas where she worked for six years before venturing back to Kansas where she taught at her alma mater for ten years. Preston has dedicated her artistic abilities and teaching talents to Hutchinson Community College for sixteen years. This year marks her last year as an instructor as she enters retirement. She currently teaches art history, art education, art appreciation and jewelry design. Students in her classes have had the opportunity to engage in interesting projects and even travel

across the states. “My favorite part is seeing kids get into it and seeing their excitement,” Preston said. “I love to see their aha! moments.” Aside from teaching, Preston is notorious for her passion for traveling, especially for her voyages to Africa. In 1998 she wrote an essay for her MFA over adornment in Africa. She traveled to meet with Ashanti goldsmith John Holm, who showed her how to cast. Since then, Preston has made several other trips back to the area to explore the Ashanti art and culture. “I feel a connection with the people there,” Preston said. “They have nothing like we do here.” Last summer, Preston organized a very unique art convention that gave instructors from around the country an experience of a lifetime. Several of the artists she has worked with traveled from Ghana to the states to portray authentic Ashanti artwork and illustrate one-on-one how they are made. The purpose of the convention was for instructors to take what they had learned and apply it to their own classrooms. Her next trip to Ghana will be in 2013, when she will travel to revisit the same artists who were involved in the art project last summer. As Preston enters retirement she is hopeful of two things in her future; to work on her own art and continue traveling. Her own personal experiences inspire her work which she hopes to have showcased in art galleries in the future.

Photos to the left and below are a display of Prestonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artwork.

Preston lectures her art education class. The class learned about different teaching methods.

During her jewelry design class, Preston helps Olivia Rausch, Garden Plain, with her project. They used the casting method to complete her jewelry.

Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tale

teresa preston

Kansas National Education Association Student Program Sweeps Campus story

Ember Sipes

Standing out -- “It is no longer enough to simply graduate from college, you need to stand out.” Every group on campus has a different emphasis and reason to join. For the Kansas National Education Association Student Program standing out is theirs. Each person has potential and

Student Knea

talent, but becoming a part of something bigger than oneself is what can make an individual shine. Every group on campus has the potential to bring out the best in students. The Student Government Association sanctioned the Kansas National Education Association Student Program in the fall 2010 semester.

Dragon’s Tale

Rachel Santine, KNEASP sponsor and HCC speech instructor, decided to begin the program after going to a Kansas National Educators Association Representative Conference with Kathy Mendenhall, speech instructor, and Charlene Widener, fine arts department chairperson. At the conference she noticed that there were banners hung

around the entire room. The banners represented the entire state’s different college programs, expect for HCC. Mendenhall, Santine and Widener were also astonished by the fact that they were one of the only community colleges not represented at the conference. At the conference she met the coordinator who later sent her

Dressed as a doctor, Brett Arndt, Colwich, prepared his trunk on Halloween night with streamers and balloons. Children from all over Hutchinson attended the trunk-or-treat on campus. Photo by Dustin Lies “Oscar the Grouch,” welcomed children to Sesame Street in the trunk-or-treat line-up. All ages were welcomed to join in the activity. Photo by Dustin Lies

Dragon’s Tale

Student Knea

KNEA students collaborate with HCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reading Buddies program at the HCC Child Care Center. This activity taught the children to make a dragon out of construction paper. Photo by Ember Sipes Shannon Donaldson, Hutchinson, helps a child at the Child Care Center trace her hand. After the trace was complete, they cut it out to make the body of a dragon. Photo by Ember Sipes

information as to how to start. After talking to students she found one to help her start it, Amber Aiden, who became the president. Last year KNEASP did many things to leap into action with their program. In the fall they helped with the canned food drive on campus and were honored with the golden can. They also helped at the Salvation Army. During the spring they held teacher recognition in coordination with Valentines Day where they set up booths and people could come and send valentines, like a cookie and a card or flowers, to a teacher or significant other. They then delivered all of the Valentines around campus.

Student Knea

Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tale

During the Spring KNEASP They also told spooky Halloween Conference they worked in an stories to the children. elementary school’s greenhouse, Vice-President Brett Arndt, which is connected to the school. Colwich, said, “The truck-or-treat The greenhouse was ran by faculty was my favorite activity this year. and provided for Everyone dressed up people in need. and we had over 300 They also formed people who particia team for Big Brothpated.” ers and Big Sisters Another imporand participated in tant activity they the Bowl for Kid held this semester Sake so they could was a Child ID event. support children They set up one at and help match them the HCC Child Care with a Big. Center and one at the With suppor t Children’s Museum -Rachel Santine from faculty on in the Hutchinson campus this fall they Mall. held a Trunk-or-Treat on HallowThe Child ID is an important een. Cars were parked all around event that protects children the Stringer FineArts building wel- and gathers all of the informacoming everyone to join in the fun. tion needed to put up an Amber

“They are doing twice as much, twice as fast this year.”

Alert for a child if one were to ever go missing. The students in KNEASP care a lot about children and showed that through the Child ID, but also through the Reading Buddies program. Reading Buddies is an organization that pairs up with Teri Eckhoff’s, co-advisor of KNEASP, reading comprehension class and goes to the Child Care Center to read and do activities with the kids. “We are basically there to show them that reading is fun and that you can do a lot with knowing how to read,” Jamie Spoonemore, KNEASP president, said. The program is steadily growing with 14 members this year. “I am confident in my officers; we even went with two freshmen

Jamie Spoonemore, Hillsboro, demonstrated for two girls at the Child Care Center. She showed them how to trace the different shapes needed to make their dragons. Photo by Ember Sipes

elect this year.They are guaranteed officer positions next year because of their efforts,” Santine said.“They are doing twice as much, twice as fast this year.” The KNEASP program is rewarding and has many benefits. Students can take political action and network within their community better. They have ideas and they can turn them into action.

Dragon’s Tale

Student Knea

Mike Muller, Omaha Neb., watched the ball as it glides away after his swing. Muller scored a four under 136 with five birdies and three bogeys. Photo provided by Steve Carpenter

Layout

Dustin Lies

In the Jayhawk Conference #5, the Hutchinson Dragons placed first with a score of 586 putting them 18 over the course par. They scored a 299 in the first round and a 287 in the second round. Ben Cotton, Oxow England, placed second in the individual bracket with a total of 143. Ryley Haas, Colby, followed him placing third with 146.

Golf

Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tale

Mason Varner, Midland Texas, knocks the ball from the rough onto the green. The Blue Dragons placed second overall in the Garden CIty tournament. Photo provided by Steve Carpenter

Ryley Haas, Colby, drives the ball down the course in Odessa, Texas. Haas landed in the top 10 of the individual bracket. Photo provided by Steve Carpenter

Infographic

Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tale

William Gates

Golf

Lady

DRAGONS DOMINATE THE Rituals and Superstitions Help the Lady Dragons Rule the Field On the mound, the pitcher looks at home plate, watching the batter take her stance with the bat tightly in her hands. She taps the plate twice with her bat, indicating that she is ready. Behind the batter, the catcher signals different types of pitches for the pitcher to choose. The pitcher then nods her head to the appropriate pitch and the game begins. At Hutchinson Community College the Lady Dragon’s softball

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friends university JV W 9-1, L 1-2

Sterling college jv W 9-0, W 14-2

softball

Morgan Oriet

central christian W 20-12, W 14-5

Butler L 0-14, L 4-15

Dragon’s Tale

Pitcher Brittany Delaney, Hutchinson, winds up her arm to send the ball to the batter. Delaney struck out many opponents. Photo by Morgan Oriet Dodge city L 0-1, W 4-3

Barton L 2-7, W 4-3

team has only a few requirements to make it onto the team. “Requirements to get on the team are to have understanding of the game and to play it to your full potential,” Sydney Locke, Mulvane, said. “Requirements to stay on the team are to have good grades.” Each season brings new players, new challenges and new experiences. Freshman softball players that are new to the team have the biggest adjustments to make. “It was a little rocky for me at first, but now it has turned out to be a lot of fun,” Locke said. One of the challenges the team has had to overcome was that the sophomore pitcher left the team. The challenges on the field continue for several innings, while the softball girls battle for the victory during every game.The team, individually and as a whole, has the same goals for this season. “Have a winning record, try to win the conference, be enthusiastic at practice, as well as in the game,

mcpherson college jv W 10-5

cowley L 1-9, L 0-9

Independence L 1-7, L 1-3

Riverland CC W 17-0, W 16-0

Mariah Wedel, McPherson, stands on first base waiting for the oncoming runner. With her foot on base, Wedel removed the chance of the Heartland player scoring. Photo by Morgan Oriet

be disciplined, and make it to the championship game,” Mariah Wedel, McPherson, said. The team has ambitions to make it to the top and they work practice after practice to make that happen. “My practices mostly consist of batting and outfield,” Locke said. Before games, the team has a consistent routine to promote good luck. “We do the same warm up, and then the innies do their thing, and the outies do their thing, and then we come together,” Wedel said. “We sit and wait for Coach Rose and Coach Rose comes over and is like ‘two breaths’ and gives us a little pep talk, then we go do our jump circle, and we take the field.” As individuals, the softball girls have their own ways to success, a certain ritual that continues their winning streak. “My pregame rituals are listening to any kind of music to get

pumped up,” Locke said. As a team, they have a little friend watching over their game. “We have this little action figure that we put on the fence, Humphrey,” Wedel said. Another way that the team encourages a positive outcome in their games is their superstitions. “We can’t cross the bats, and the coaches kiss the ball after our warm-up,” Locke and Kelly Buckman, Lyons, said. Each player is unique in how they play their game and what they use to help themselves win, but when the pitcher throws the first ball and that game starts, the girls team up and do everything necessary to dominate the score board. With constant rituals and reliable superstitions, the Lady Dragon softball girls can take the field with confidence and pride.

Fort Scott L 16-1, L 9-4

Labette L 1-9, L 1-10

Coffeeville W 10-1, W 10-7

Johnson County L 1-9, L 0-7

While standing on first base, Brandi Brown, Belle Plaine catches the pitch. Lady Dragon’s practiced catches and grounders before ever inning. Photo by Morgan Oriet

Highland L 0-7, L 1-6

Brown Mackie College L 4-13, L 2-5

Eyes on the ball, Brandi Brown, Belle Plaine, is up to bat and focuses on the pitch to come. The Lady Dragon’s lost against Cowley College in a double header on March 6. Photo by Susi Acosta

Allen L 3-7, L 1-6

Kansas City L 6-8, W 6-3

Pratt L 7-8, W 6-5

Cloud County L 0-8, L 2-4

Dragon’s Tale

* Results as of April 16, 2012

softball

HCC baseball players re ve al t he ir pre - g am e war m - ups

Rituals have been a part of baseball since the beginning of time. From the curse of the Great Bambino to the batting rituals some players do before every hit. Some players can attribute both wins and losses to following their rituals. Here are a few rituals from our very own HCC Blue Dragon baseball team.

The baseball team always plays the same songs before games. When they’re going for a rally, everyone puts their sunglasses on backwards and turns their hats inside out for good luck. “In between every inning, I walk outside of the dugout completely, and run through everything that happened during that inning,” Jacob The team huddles after a win against the Saints. The Dragons dropped three out of the four games in that series. Photo by Heather Applegarth

Before going in the game Matt Hinkley, Liberty, Mo., warms up his pitching arm. Hinkley came in as a relief pitcher late in the game against Seward. Photo by Andrea Ratzlaff

Temple College L 6-7, L 1-4

Temple College L 3-6, W 8-5

Kansas City W 12-2, W 14-6

Baseball Dragon’s Tale

Kansas City W 6-5

Brown Mackie College W 6-1

Barton W 12-4, W 8-2

Barton L 8-9

Barton L 3-4

Dodge City W 8-0, W 14-11

Seminole State College W 1-0, L 5-7

photos & story

Heather Applegarth and Andrea Ratzlaff

Heissler, Atlanta, Mo., said.“The pitcher, then look at the bat and things I did well and the things take a deep breath before I hit. If that I could have done better. It’s I didn’t I would feel weird.” a great way to focus in.” Some rituals are Some of the players simple,for instance, focus on their clothCooper Langley, ing rituals. Edmonton, “I put my right Canada, lis“Every time sock on before my left tens to the I pitch, I go and playlfix my shirt so I sock. I’ve done this for same ist before feel fresh when three years.” every game. I go out for every Other s are -Josh Markel, Olathe inning,” Jean Acemore complex. vedo, Miami, Fla. “When I’m on Jordan Hicks, Derby, the mound after every said he wears his undershirt pitch, I have to kick the dirt with inside out. Josh Markel, Olathe, said,“I put my left foot and smooth out the my right sock on before my left rubber,” Cullen Rowland, Kansas sock. I’ve done this for three years.” City, Mo., “I have done that my entire life and it would feel difPrayers are included in some of ferent if it was otherwise.” the players’ rituals too. SamTaylor, Vero Beach, Fla., says the Lord’s Prayer before every game. BB Kimbrell, Denver, Colo., Seth Floyd, Enid, Okla., said, returns the ball to the mound. The “I say a prayer for my brother, Dragons had a 30-15 (15-9) record kick dirt twice, tap the bat on as of April 19. my shoulder, point the bat at the Photo by Andrea Ratzlaff

Hesston College W 8-3

Dodge City W 12-0, W 10-4

Rose State College W 15-1, W 11-1

Longview College W 4-3, W 3-0

Garden City L 5-7, W 5-2

Garden City L 4-9, W 9-8

Seminole State College L 2-3, L 1-3

Longview College W 12-5, W 7-3

Crowder College W 14-9

Dragon’s Tale

* Results as of March 28, 2012

Baseball 33

Cheering on his fellow teammates Juwan Cubit, Wright City, Okla., runs the second leg of the mens 4x100 meter relay. Cubit competed in the mens 60 meter dash during the indoor season.

In the steeplechase, Deonta Rogers, Hutchinson, runs the straight away. Rogers and two of his teammates pushed forward as they jumped over the large hurdle.

Shanna Prescott, Larned, pushes through as she runs the relay. Prescott also competed in the long distance races and in cross country.

Running With The Dragons photos & story

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Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tale

Rachel Wasko

Cassie Wiley, Wellington, high jumps at the Hutch Night Relays. She won the indoor national high jump title and tied the outdoor school record with a jump of 5 feet 8.75 inches. Throwing with all his might, Evan Moore, Racine, Wis., shot puts at Gowans Stadium. Moore ranked 9th in shot put in the NJCAA during the second week of April.

Vaulting through the sky, Page Stuhlsatz, Garden Plains, sails over the bar. She ranked third in the nation in pole vault during the second week in April.

Taking a second to pray, an athlete prepares for the next event. Many athletes practiced different rituals before their events.

Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tale

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Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tale