2023-2024 Peru State Times (Peru, NE) - Issue 1-4 & Issue 1-4

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Check out page 8 to meet the Peru State Times staff for the 2023 fall semester

(it’s not too late for you to join the team!)

Home games coming up:

- Homecoming: Football vs Missouri Valley College (Oak Bowl, Peru, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.)

- Peru State Golf Invite (Table Creek Golf Club, Nebraska City, Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. and Oct. 7 at 9 a.m.)

- Volleyball vs Central Methodist University (AWAC, Peru, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.)

- Volleyball vs Missouri Valley College (AWAC, Peru, Oct. 14 at 10 a.m.)

- Football vs Graceland University (Oak Bowl, Peru, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m.)

Want to share your ideas for the Peru State Times? (Scan the QR code to the right) Features

Written By Jasmine Guanzing New Associate Athletic Director

Ashley Baldassarre is the new associate athletic director at Peru State College.

Baldassarre shared her goals for athletics and what is has been like taking on this role.

Baldassarre also gave insight into her role involving game administration.

“My role within game day operations is to help create this environment that we help bring fans to the

games,” Baldassarre said. “But also make sure the athletes feel seen and feel like they have a great environment to play.”

Baldassarre shared a message with students, faculty and supporters of Peru State College’s community.

“Understand big changes are going to happen,” Baldassarre said. “Definitely want as much community input as well because students help bring those ideas.”

Baldassarre said that she wants to create a D1 atmosphere at a small college.

Written By Jasmine Guanzing New Head Baseball Coach

Peru State College’s new head baseball coach, Blake Beaber, shared his vision for the future of the Bobcat Baseball program within the college’s Athletic Department.

Beabar said that the thing that excited him the most about joining the athletic department and campus community is the idea that they can do great things here.

“Project Roar has kicked off and we’ve already made improvements to the field,” Beaber said. “The Heart of America is a great conference, and the new leadership

wants to win.”

Beaber said that the campus community as well as the whole community of Peru, Auburn and Nebraska City have been awesome from the start.

“People truly care about Peru State and that’s great to see because that isn’t always the case everywhere you go,” Beaber said.

Beaber went into detail about his vision within the context of the athletic department and Project ROAR.

“Our vision is simple,” Beaber said. “We are going to recruit hard working, talented student athletes here, and we are going to challenge them every

day to give everything they have on and

off the

field.”

Beaber said he thinks Project Roar is going to be an attractive piece in the recruiting trail and is also going to allow student athletes a better practice experience to continue to develop into the player they want to become.

Regarding his coaching philosophy and how it will guide his leadership on the Peru State Baseball Team, Beaber said that he has always thought the best leaders lead from the front.

“We are going to be right there with our guys in everything we do on and off the field,” Beaber said.

Photo Provided By Peru State College Website

Photo Provided By Peru State College Website

Photo Provided By Clipart Library

Entertainment

Cuckoo and the Canine

Written By Michaela Stanley

Cuckoo the cat loved to visit her friend Winston. He always seemed to have the best stories to tell.

“Good morning,” she greeted one day, balancing on top of the fence to the backyard. Winston lifted his head from where he’d been smelling a flower bush. His tongue lolled as his ears perked up.

“Have you any stories today?” Cuckoo asked,

whiskers twitching.

Winston barked, prancing over on stubby legs. He barked again, plopping himself down in front of her.

“I see,” Cuckoo drew her tongue over a paw. “And what happened next?”

Winston growled. He spun in a circle before ending with a highpitched yip.

“Well,” Cuckoo murmured. “That does sound like it was fun… Are you sure that all of that really happened?”

Winston put his front paws on the fence, staring her down. Cuckoo got the hint.

“Alright,” she

Across:

murmured, shaking her head. “I’ll believe you. And I also believe it’s time for my breakfast.” She jumped down from the fence onto the opposite side. “Thank you for sharing that story with me,” she purred. “I’m quite jealous of your adventures.”

Winston barked several times in farewell as she trotted off.

Or at least, she assumed they were farewells. She didn’t speak dog, after all. But Winston always seemed to have something to say, so she liked to lend him a listening ear. It only seemed considerate of her to do

1. What is one of the most important tools for Wendy Waugh?

3. Last name of NAIA and Heart Special Teams

Player of the Week

4. What sport has a new head coach?

6. First name of new associate athletic director

7. What type of animal is Cuckoo?

8. This issue’s featured club

10. keep, _____, or cut down

Down:

2. Apartments that were torn down

5. Mandate Nebraskans are worried about

7. Relates to social media influencers

9. Wednesday night’s homecoming activity

Crossword Notice:

The first person to submit a photo of their completed crossword puzzle to the student Editor-in-Chief will win a Peru State College T-Shirt (All answers to the crossword can be found within the contents of this issue.)

Comic By Michaela Stanley

Oak

Hill

Apartments

Written By Ean Miller

A major change has occurred for Peru State College as the Oak Hill Apartments, a longstanding fixture since 1955, were demolished this

summer. Initially constructed as married student housing, these apartments became popular among upperclassmen seeking more independent living with the added convenience of kitchens and more

Photo By Ean Miller

Homecoming: Cats from the Past

Written By Rachel Wertenberger

This year’s homecoming theme is “Cats from the Past.”

Director of Student Life and Activities Carrie Mae Burnahm said that the theme was picked last spring. The Campus Activities Board, the newly elected Student Senate President, Beck Hupp, and the Vice President, Shannon

convenient parking, but the buildings also had their issues too. The buildings were noticeably dated and in need of major renovations. Extensive upgrades and renovations would have been needed to maintain them as student residences, so it was determined that they reached the end of their useful life. Leaving them to deteriorate poses safety concerns for the college. It is currently unknown if there will be new residence facilities built on the site. Many on campus have expressed a desire to construct

Jones, met together to decide on the theme.

There will be different events happening throughout the week.

Here is a list of some of the activities that will be happening:

Monday – 50s Day

Bobcat Diner during lunch in the cafe

Tuesday – 60s Day Oakstock at 8 p.m. on TJ Majors Lawn (To showcase your talent, email cburnham@peru.edu to sign up.)

Wednesday – 70s Day Price is Right at 8 p.m. in the

new dorm apartment facilities, such as Chadron State College’s own Eagle Ridge apartments that also provide apartment-style living solutions to upperclassmen at CSC.

This project is unrelated to Project ROAR, which is adding new facilities for athletics and intramurals to the campus. The demolition costs have been factored into the college’s budget.

PAC (chance to win prizes)

Thursday – 80s Day Power Paint Jazzercise at 5:30 p.m. behind AV Larsen (wear white)

Friday – 90s Day

Nostalgic Snacks during lunch in the cafe (and board games too)

Saturday – Homecoming Parade 10am Downtown

Peru, Tailgate and Games 11am-2pm at the campus quad, Football vs Missouri Valley 2pm at the Oak Bowl and Coronation of Homecoming Royalty

halftime of the game in the Oak Bowl

Photo Provided By Peru State College Website

Photo By Ean Miller

Opinions

Internship with Pete Ricketts

Written By Reagan Connelly

This fall I have the fantastic opportunity to work as an intern in the Lincoln office of U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts. One of my responsibilities is to deal with constituent concerns.

Voters can call into the office to share their opinions with the senator about the direction of the country.

This semester I will be documenting the concerns Nebraskans have.

The primary concern of Nebraskans is the electric vehicle mandate introduced by Biden.

Many Nebraskans are

worried the Midwest is not equipped to meet the demand of a completely electric automotive industry.

Regarding these concerns, Senator Ricketts has introduced a bill that would allow states to continue using gas powered vehicles as well as increasing the use of ethanol for cleaner emissions.

Criminal drama:

When actions go beyond drama and become crime

Written By Virginia Kouba

As the internet became more popular, people and pets rose to fame on social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Content ranging from dancing to true crime to make-up tutorials to story times to day-in-the-life vlogs are shared daily all over the internet. Hundreds of thousands of people watch these Internet celebrity influencers’ content.

Over the past couple of years, many of these influencers have fallen from grace and have been ‘exposed’ for certain actions they have done in the past or were still doing at that time. At times, these actions would lead followers to ‘cancel’ them because

of this ‘drama.’ However, labeling some of these actions as drama proved to undersell and underappreciate the criminal nature of these actions. One influencer was in group chats with their underage fans for years messaging inappropriate things and another influencer was found to have been messaging underage fans explicit content. Another influencer with no nutrition education scammed their followers by advertising personalized workout and eating programs while selling them all the exact same cookie-cutter plans. Worse, the unhealthy diet plan led some customers to either develop or fall back into previous eating disorders. Recently, yet another makeup influencer was ‘exposed’ for allegedly faking results in their advertisement for makeup products as well as not properly disclosing sponsorships and ads.. These actions go against FTC guidelines.

All of these actions are wrong, but some are actual crimes that can and should lead to real consequences.

Yet, in this era of social media, it seems all an influencer needs to do is ‘take accountability’ by posting an apology video with appropriately long pauses of silence while fighting back tears and promising to do better in the future, and then it’s back to regularly scheduled content within two weeks. Is this how individuals who commit real crimes like faking product claims and messaging minors’ explicit content should be treated? When the biggest consequence is losing followers and views, what is the incentive to do better?

As consumers of content, we need to lend our views and support to the honest individuals on the platform and not continue to aid and enable these influencers in their criminal drama.

Graphic By Virginia Kouba

Photo Provided By Reagan Connelly

Photos Provided By Virginia Kouba

Jordan Kempf: NAIA, Heart Special Teams player of the week

Story By Elaina Riley

Jordan Kempf from Dallas, Texas is recognized as NAIA and Heart Special Teams Player of the Week. He is the first PSC football player with this recognition since 2015. Prior to being a Bobcat, he had not seen the field for a year and a half due to a rib injury.

Defensive Coordinator Sean Wilkerson was a deciding factor for Kempf’s transition to Peru after working with him at Butler Kempf credits Wilkerson for not only his coaching, but also for truly caring about his players.

2023KingHomecoming and CandidatesQueen

• Lara Wells and Devin Adams

• Sarah Davis-Kovarik and Garrison Dodge

• Elaina Riley and Carson Vinsky

• Alyse Foster and Sawyer Kinnison

• Laini Fullerton and Carson Maas

“I knew he would take care of me,” Kempf said. “It felt like God was calling me back to play for him.”

Kempf recalls his baby pictures being with a football. He was born when his father was 18, and he grew up watching him play football.

After looking at a map and believing Peru looked as big as two blocks, Kempf said he was pleasantly surprised when he got here to see it was slightly bigger. Kempf said that his favorite thing about Peru is the chicken fingers at KJ’s.

In the future, Kempf hopes to give back and spread his knowledge of the game in some form, with his dream being the NFL.

“I hope to surprise some people. . .spark some interest,” Kempf said.

Kempf said he is thankful for Bobcat football fans and the support that he is not always able to see. Kempf also said he is grateful for the recognition he has been getting.

“It feels good,” Kempf said. “It gives me extra energy going into these upcoming games.” Photos Provided By Jordan Kempf Graphic By Katelyn Crawford

New VPAA: Wendy Waugh

Story By Elaina Riley

Vice President of Academic Affairs, Wendy Waugh from Lincoln, Neb. said she is eager to start her journey at Peru State.

Waugh previously worked at Chadron State College for 30 years, as well as Wesleyan University for one year, before her arrival at PSC.

Waugh worked her way up from professor, to dean, to now an administrative position. She credits part of her success to working under a strong female leader, President Graciela CaneiroLivingston, at Wesleyan.

Waugh wanted to move closer to her daughters who live near Southeast Nebraska. Former VPAA Tim Borchers reached out to Waugh for the new position, and she said she believed this

was a good next step.

“This feels like the path I am supposed to be on,” Waugh said.

Waugh represents all academics on the highest level. A strong part of her job is identifying emerging leaders and giving them the boost they may need.

Since Borchers left her a 28 page, single spaced document explaining the position, she said she knows the job is not an easy feat.

“You have to be a strong advocate for your academic unit,” Waugh said.

Waugh wants students and faculty to know that they have her support, and she strives to think about how her decisions will impact the campus community.

Being a first

generation graduate, she said she has compassion for the student body and their needs.

“I didn’t know what it took to be successful in college,” Waugh said. “It was scary for me, but I persisted.”

Waugh’s plan for Peru State is to keep consistency and add value to the college. Collaboration is one of the most important tools for Waugh. She also focuses on facts and data to make informed decisions.

Waugh said that the thing she finds most rewarding with her career is watching students excel and being a part of a larger mission.

“These are my small contributions, and I get to see students soar,” Waugh said.

Other staff featured on this page (from left to right)

• Dr. Gregg Seay (Dean of Graduate Programs) has taken on the role of Interim Dean of School of Education

• Wade Halverson is the new defensive coordinator (defensive backs coach) for the Peru State College football team

How Wendy Baugh Impacts Students:

• Discuss issues with student senate

• Respond to students’ needs

• Policy making and enforcement

• Source of support

• Enrollment management

• Supervise services programs

• Work with student financial aid

Graphic By Elaina Riley

Photo Provided By Peru State College Website

Meet the Peru State Times Staff

Thoughts for the trees

Written by Max Guhde-Egger

As the cement dries, may we spare a thought for all for the trees cut down to help with the new construction on the Quad, and another thought for the one tree that they did not cut down that drops fruits that smell like cat vomit when crushed. This tree is located between Jindra and Hoyt.

May another thought go out to all the trees that were cut down, even when they were marked ‘Do Not Cut Down’ and to the trees

that may or may not have been replanted elsewhere.

For any new students or those that did not know, there were three categories for the trees on the Quad: ‘Keep,’ ‘Relocate’ and ‘Cut’ that were used, and some of us noticed whether or not these markings were followed.

May a thought go out so that all trees are cut down with authorization on city property or rights-of-way.

No Pin Oak, Silver Maple, Siberian Elm, Black Locust or White Poplar should be planted because of the problems they can cause.

May an eye be kept so no trees are planted within four

feet of any sidewalk.

May students spend some time researching Tree Law, enjoying nature and the new Quad with, hopefully, more trees to be planted there soon.

Home games coming up:

- Volleyball vs Mount Mercy University (AWAC, Peru, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.)

- Volleyball vs Clarke University (AWAC, Peru, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.)

- Volleyball vs Grand View University (AWAC, Peru, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.)

- Volleyball vs William Penn University (AWAC, Peru, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.)

- Cross Country: Nebraska’s Toughest Mile (Peru, Oct. 28 at 9 a.m.)

- Football vs Clarke University (Oak Bowl, Peru, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m.) Want

Erison

Vonderschmidt

Written By Elaina Riley

Freshman Erison

Vonderschmidt from Falls City, Nebraska is a consistent game leader for Peru State Volleyball.

After high school, Vonderschmidt said she had back issues and was burnt out on the sport. Vonderschmidt attended SCC for a year and chose not to play a sport there. Vonderschmidt said her mind changed when teammate Michelle Beer and Coach Madison Kindle reached out to her to come play for the

Bobcats.

“I was honestly missing it a lot,” Vonderschmidt said.

Vonderschmidt has been playing volleyball since 3rd grade, including her time at Falls City Sacred Heart.

“It came easy to me,” Vonderschmidt said. “I loved it, but I was also able to take it seriously.”

On gameday, Vonderschmidt listens to a motivational speaker that she has listened to since high school. She also eats a lot of candy, her favorite being Sour Patch Kids. Vonderschmidt has a big following at home games in the AWAC, with family,

friends and others from Falls City showing up.

“They love watching me,” Vonderschmidt said. “it brings them joy to see me on the court again.”

Vonderschmidt spoke about having difficulty in the weight room, but is working on getting muscle back. After a tough loss, Vonderschmidt talks about the difficulty of getting back into practice.

“It may be hard mentally,” Vonderschmidt said. “If you want to succeed you have to push yourself and be there for your team.”

Vonderschmidt’s future plans are using her Psychology degree in Geriatric Psychology

Kennedy Miller

Written By Elaina Riley

Junior Kennedy

Miller from Plattsmouth, Nebraska is a middle blocker for Bobcat Volleyball. She is a double major in Elementary Education and Physical Health.

Miller ran track at Wayne State before she arrived at Peru.

Miller said her passion for volleyball started in elementary, while playing volleyball for a club on Wednesday nights.

When she blocks people, Miller said she loves the sting on her hands from the ball.

This is Miller’s second year at PSC. She ended

or Counseling.

Vonderschmidt said her goal for this season is to build great connections on and off the court, as well as

last year with an injury with two weeks left in the season. After her surgery in December, she started the healing process to get back on the court. “I was fully cleared, but nervous to get back after not playing for 8 months,” Miller said. Miller is also an athlete with Type 1 Diabetes. She was diagnosed when she was three years old. Miller said that morning practices at 7 a.m. can be challenging because she has to wait for her blood sugar to get back up. Miller makes sure to always have a Gatorade with her, as activity can bring her levels down.

help to develop the program.

“I love the competition,” Vonderschmidt said. “I love showing up and doing my job.”

“Diabetes is hard to regulate even for those who don’t play a sport,” Miller said. “I have to deal with all of the different energies and spikes.”

The team’s goal is to make the conference tournament. Miller’s personal goal for this season is to never lose the love of the game.

“It can be difficult sometimes, having one game after another, especially when you are on a losing streak,” Miller said.

Miller’s future plans include teaching and continuing her career with the Bobcat Volleyball program.

“If my body allows me to, I want to play up until I can’t.”

Photo Provided By Elaina Riley

Photo

Provided By Elaina Riley

Entertainment

Comic By Caleb Kozeny

Across:

3. What does Adria love?

MAD LIBS: Camping

Written By Caleb Kozeny

Complete this first, then fill in the blanks after.

(location) (noun-s) (noun-s) (noun) (adjective) (adjective) (adjective) (adjective) (noun-s) (verb-ed) (noun) (verb-ing) (verb-ed) (noun) (noun) (noun) (verb) (verb) (noun) (verb) (noun) (noun-s) (adjective) (noun) (adjective) (adjective)

7. Number of bags created for children in Auburn

8. What type of comments are common on social media?

9. Acronym of the club featured in this issue

11. Name of university volleyball competitor Oct. 21

12. MAD Libs theme

Down:

1. Madison Wittwer’s favorite book.

2. When did Miller’s passion for volleyball start?

4. First name of new graduate assistant.

5. Vonderschmidt’s major.

6. 30 plays in 60 minutes.

10. Last name of new professor of education.

Crossword Notice:

The first person to submit a photo of their completed crossword puzzle to the student Editor-in-Chief will win a Peru State College T-Shirt (All answers to the crossword can be found within the contents of this issue.)

This weekend my friends and I went on a camping trip. We hiked all day and night and finally arrived at our camping spot in the __________. When we arrived, we set up the campfire and roasted some __________ over it. The __________ were cooked to __________, and everything smelled __________. The smell was so __________ it attracted a __________ bear. This bear did some __________ things in exchange for some of the roasted __________. First,

he __________ onto a __________ and started __________. We all __________ at the bear. He then went for a __________ in the __________ and brought back a __________ for us. Seeing us __________, the bear __________ a __________ and __________ off a _________. We finally said alright and gave the bear some __________. The bear was __________ and walked off back into the __________. It was a __________ __________camping trip this year.

Social Science Club Backpacking in Auburn

Written By Caleb Kozeny

Every Wednesday in October, some members of the social science club head down to Auburn for the

Auburn Backpacking Program.

The backpacking program is a food drive based in the Auburn Lutheran Church, designed to help the children of the area.

We created 30 of these bags for the children on Oct. 4. Each bag had an assortment of goods from juice boxes to cans of soup.

Although assembly lines could be a little monotonous, the work went by quick, and within a blink of the eye, we had our bags made and packed.

After we prepared the bags, we took our carts and headed down to the elementary school to get them ready for distribution.

We put them on the shelves and called it a day.

Backpacking Program

1. First day: Oct. 4

2. Number of bags created: 30

3. Process: prepare bags by assembly line, place in carts, bring carts to elementary school, put bags on shelves

Peru Theatre Company Presents DISCO: 30 plays in 60 minutes or your pizza is free

Cast:

Aly Foster (Host)

Becky Hupp (Host)

Lucas Hrabik

Brooklyn Williamson

Trey Drake

Anthony Priester

Nick Hower

Charity Bulmer

Sophia Lannin

Grace Darling

Phoebe Wilson

Emily Mattox

Kalika Schryer

Caleb Kozeny

CoDee Hartle

Dates:

Oct. 31 at 6 p.m.

Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Photos By Caleb Kozeny

Graphic By Caleb Kozeny

Opinions

Internship with Pete Ricketts

Written By Reagan Connelly

This month with the government shutdown looming over our heads, the Senator’s office has had several people calling with concerns about the shutdown.

Many constituents were chiefly concerned

about not being able to get their social security checks. Others were angry that the government, who is in charge of running a country, is acting irresponsibly.

Several constituents called to tell the senator that they wanted him to take action against Gaetz and his coalition for causing chaos in the senate.

Other concerns voiced by Nebraskans were centered around the Trump indictments. A few are calling for Senator Ricketts to impeach Biden, but most are demanding that Senator Ricketts come out in full support of Trump.

Senator Ricketts has not taken a stance on any presidential candidate.

As an office, we

do not endorse anyone. Instead, the senator prefers to stay out of political battles and focus on serving his constituents.

Hate Comments on Social Media

Written By Virginia Kouba

As the saying goes, ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.’ For most of humanity, words can hurt more than they let on. Unfortunately, it is rare to be able to scroll through social media comments without seeing the occasional, or frequent, hate comment. These unhelpful, nonconstructive comments tear apart people’s appearances, their way of living, their opinions, and any other related factor present in the post or video.

After reading such comments, it is common to ask oneself, what made the person behind the words okay with typing it out? Is this eagerness to write and

post hate comments increased due to the feeling of safety that hiding behind a keyboard provides? It is safe to say that many of these ‘keyboard trolls’ would not be as ready to spew their hateful words if the target of these vocalizations were in front of them physically.

Why do interactions on the internet have to be this way? Why is the internet and social media such a negative space? Why should social media be retained for the few thick-skinned individuals brave enough to stay on it?

While it is fair to mention that some accounts thrive on discussing controversial topics purely for the interaction they get

out of hate comments, for the majority of posters, whether lifestyle vloggers, rescue/fosters, or creatives like singers or artists, if asked they would probably say that receiving less hate would be appreciated.

Let’s keep freedom of speech. If you want to argue, do it constructively. Debates should use logic and facts, not personal attacks, emotional rants, or verbal barrages that throw around harsh labels. Too many people online rush to silence or cancel others based on their words. Instead of continuing this trend of negative social media commenting, just do better. Post thoughtfully or scroll on by and don’t engage at all. Spread love, not war.

Graphics By Virginia Kouba

Getting to know Madison Wittwer: Natural science major and psychology minor

Story Provided By Reagan Connelly

Hello,

My name is Madison Wittwer. I am a natural science major with a biochemical focus. I am also working on completing a minor in psychology.

My plans after college include attending the University of Nebraska Medical Center for Physical Therapy School to become a physical therapist and serve the rural communities of Nebraska.

I am 20 years old and a Junior at Peru State College. I am from Columbus, Nebraska, and graduated from Scotus Central Catholic High School in 2021.

My favorite class currently is Anatomy, because it is nice to be able to reference my own body for some of the anatomical terms. I do not have any favorites, but if I had to choose, I would pick Dr. Welsh as my favorite professor. With that said, I am very fond and grateful for all of the faculty and staff in Hoyt!

My favorite part about attending Peru State is the phenomenal class sizes. I believe the small class sizes allow for a more personal relationship with each of my professors.

I am currently involved in Women’s Cross Country, The Bobcat Dance Team, and I am president of the

Catholic Student Union. I am also a member of the science club, National Student Leadership and Success, and Peru Athlete Student Association.

I have two brothers, one younger and one older than me. I also have an amazing English Cream Golden Retriever named Bella and two guinea pigs named Dexter and Darwin.

I enjoy reading, working out, listening to music, watching TV, and hanging out with friends in my spare time.

My favorite song is Sheluvme by Tai Verdes. I like how happy the song makes me feel. My favorite singers are Giveon or Drake and my favorite band is CAIN. I enjoy singing, so any song that I can sing, I will blare in my car for jam sessions.

My favorite movie is White Chicks because it never fails to make me laugh. I have seen that movie so much that I can hear it and see what is happening in my head! My favorite actor is Tom Cruise,

gotta love Top Gun!

My favorite book I have read, currently, is Verity by Colleen Hoover. She is also my favorite author currently. I think she has some very good attributes as a notable writer, and her books keep me wanting more!

My favorite celebrity is Reese Witherspoon. I love the fact that she is a bookworm like me! She has her own book club with books that have women as the main characters, supporting the women’s empowerment movement.

I tutor Zoology and Chemistry on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. I enjoy tutoring, it is rewarding to know that I can help someone succeed!

My favorite food is really anything homemade. I really enjoy anything with cheese or pasta!

My perfect evening is not having plans after 7 p.m. I am normally so busy that most nights I am not able to wind down until 9 or 10 p.m.

The perfect weekend would

be being busy on Friday and Saturday doing my favorite activities, dancing, singing, working out, and maybe going out with my friends, but on Sunday, my only plan is to go to church. The rest of the day is left unplanned.

My favorite place on earth would have to

be my childhood home. I have so many memories there, how could it not be?!

I think my friends would describe me as ambitious, honest, beautiful inside and out, and bubbly. I would describe myself as a happy, busy, intelligent, and kind-hearted individual.

Photo Provided By Reagan Connelly

New Graduate Assistant: Gwyn Williams

Story By Elaina Riley

Gwyn Williams of Indianola, Iowa is the new Graduate Assistant in the Athletic Department. She is currently a graduate student at Wayne State, for a Master of Science and Organizational Management.

Before coming to Peru, Williams played volleyball at Iowa Wesleyan. She also worked as a GA there prior to its closing in May of 2023.

Williams said on a random Tuesday in March, she and other staff got an email to

meet. They were told that Iowa Wesleyan would be closing. Williams said she was worried about finishing her masters degree and finding somewhere to work.

“No one saw it coming,” Williams said. “I was wondering what my next steps would be.”

Former Athletic Information Director

Tyler Fangman reached out to Williams about the position. Williams said she, as well as three others from Iowa Wesleyan, were

drawn to Peru’s Athletic Department.

“I was excited for the evolving athletic department and new visions that I would be included in,” Williams said.

Williams plans to be a High School Athletic Director and help kids develop their athletic abilities. She has two years of her masters left.

At Peru, her duties as GA are constantly changing, whether it is posting on social media, updating the website or posting articles.

Williams said that this position challenges her to get out of her comfort zone.

“There are good changes happening in the Athletic Department,” Williams said.

“Though it can be overwhelming, I am able to see our vision coming to life.”

Dr. Grace Leu: New Professor of Education

Story By Katelyn Crawford

Assistant professor

Grace Leu is a new staff member in the school of education at Peru State College.

Leu began her secondary education at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y. where she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2003.

After receiving her degree, she worked in Texas and Oregon as an adolescent counselor.

Leu went on to study at Forham University in New York, N.Y. to earn her master’s degree in

Teaching General and Exceptional Adolescence English 7-12 in 2013. Leu taught for eight years in New York City, Los Angeles, Taiwan and Kansas.

Just before coming to Peru, Leu was enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. where she received her PhD in Special Education. The Peru State College website gives a short biography, in which her academic interests are listed as being in inclusion,

critical literacy, diversity, disability studies and coteaching.

On behalf of the Peru State Times student newspaper, our staff would like to welcome Leu to Peru.

Get to know the new member of the School of Ed

Grace Leu

Office location: TJ Majors 303

School email: gleu@peru.edu

Photo Provided By Peru State College Website

Photo Provided By Gwyn Williams

Our Light (a short story for fall)

Story By Michaela Stanley

Adria loved lights. Large ones, tiny ones, round, misshapen. Lights that twinkle, lights that pulsed. Even the ones that flickered in and out. They were all beautiful to her, and so she surrounded herself with them.

They were all throughout the house, glowing warm and multicolored. Adria loved the individual bulbs. She knew them by heart. They all had a story to tell. Some from many years ago. Some, not so many. Both were equally fascinating. Adria made her way through the crowded hall. There was happiness here, and community. The lights overhead

were dim, but it was as if she could see the glow of life in everyone’s chest. She would never truly be in the dark. Not when there were good people in this world to be around.

She found her husband and sat down beside him. He laid a comforting arm around her shoulder, asking,

Fall Recipe

“What do you say? Are we good hosts?”

Adria relished in his warmth, leaning closer. “I think so.”

Her husband looked around.

“Maybe we should have gotten glow sticks for everyone.” Adria shook her head, closing her eyes. “Nah,” she murmured. “There’s plenty of light to go around.”

One thing you can do this cold holiday season is enjoy some nice apple cider. We all see recipes for pumpkin spice floating around so let us share another classic fall flavor. First gather your ingredients of 10 large, quartered apples, water, ¾ cup white sugar, and 1 tablespoon each of ground cinnamon and ground allspice. Second, place the apples in a stockpot and cover with water by at least 2 inches. Then stir in the sugar, cinnamon, and allspice and bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat. Let it boil uncovered for one hour, and you will then reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer covered for two hours. After this, you will strain the solids out with a fine-mesh sieve and discard the solids, and then drain again to make sure this is nothing floating around. You can serve warm or refrigerate it to have cold. Enjoy this flavorful drink at your leisure.

Where to go for Halloween this season:

• Scary Acres (17272 Giles Rd, Omaha, NE 68136)

• Roca Berry Farm (16531 S 38th St, Roca, NE 68430)

• Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard (12102 S 180th St, Gretna, NE 68028)

• Indian Cave State Park (65296 720 Rd, Shubert, NE 68437)

• Eagle Hollow Scream Park (617 S 238th St, Eagle, NE 68347)

Graphic By Max Guhde-Egger

Graphic By Max Guhde-Egger

•

•

•

Coffee is Back!

- Check to see how many Bobcat bucks you have.

- Bobcat bucks do not roll over, so use them all before the semester ends.

- The coffee shop closes at 3:30 p.m. or 5 p.m. depending on the day.

- The coffee shop is closed at noon, as the worker is eating lunch.

- You can add extra flavor to your coffee.

- Make sure to look around the entire coffee shop because there are more snacks and drink to discover.

Jett Tolentino: Year Three Peru State College Bowling

Written By Elaina Riley

Jett Tolentino of Oahu, Hawaii has bowled at Peru State for three years.

“Being from Hawaii has had a big impact on who I am and how relaxed I am at almost all times,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino is a Psychology major. He said he has an interest in understanding others as well as opportunities for growth as individuals.

Tolentino has been

bowling for seven years. He said what started as a family activity on the weekends turned into a passion. He credits his mentor at the bowling alley for helping him build his skills.

“Family time got a little too competitive,” Tolentino said. “I thought I would try out for my high school team instead.”

When it comes to a tournament, Tolentino is sure to be wearing his “lucky hot pink belt.”

Tolentino said his biggest supporters are his parents, despite the time difference.

“It will be 3 a.m. Hawaiian time and they will be up watching a livestream of my

tournament,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino’s goal for this year is to bowl an average of 200.

After getting second at Conference last year, Tolentino said that the team aspires to win conference and succeed in postseason. Tolentino said that his strengths as a bowler are his versatility, with being able to play the whole lane comfortably.

“I turned down baseball offers to bowl,” Tolentino said. “It’s more than a hobby.”

The bowling team is having changes this season, as the practice location moved from Auburn to Nebraska City. The team is hosting their first ever matchup against Baker at Arbor Lanes in Nebraska City on Nov 11 and 12.

Delana Dotson: Year One Peru State College Cheerleading

Written By Elaina Riley

Delana Dotson of Omaha, Neb. is a freshman on the PSC Cheer Team. Dotson attended practice for the team back in December 2022 and was then recruited for the team.

Dotson has been cheering for almost her entire life, and she said it feels like second nature to her. Her background includes being a part of the All Star Cheer Team.

“I actually got my start in a church cheer group,

and I joined when I practically learned how to walk,” Dotso said.

Coming into Peru, Dotson said that having a lot of new people on the team helped her with the transition. Out of a team of 14, only five are returning.

Dotson said she is continuing to adjust to co-ed cheer and the different dynamic that comes with it. She also switched from being a base to a flyer.

Dotson said her parents are her biggest supporters. They drive every weekend either to visit her or watch her cheer.

“They were so excited to get their ‘Bobcat

Mom’ and ‘Bobcat Dad’ shirts at the Cat Cave, and are now looking for a tailgate spot,” Dotson said.

This will be the team’s first year competing at a National level. They are accepting donations to go to Florida for the competition.

“We are going to see a high level of cheer there,” Dotson said. “We can learn from it and gain experience.”

Dotson said that she is excited for the competition season coming up.

“I love that feeling that you get before you go on stage–half nervous, half adrenaline,” Dotson said. “But you know that you will never do the routine 100% perfectly.”

Photo Provided By Elaina Riley

Photo Provided By Elaina Riley

Entertainment

Fun Horoscopes

Written By Reagan Connelly

• Pisces: Bad luck will follow you into every room this week. Be sure to walk backwards through each doorway to ward it off.

• Libra: You have some tough assignments this week! Be sure to study hard and attend a tutoring session or two!

• Capricorn: This is your week! Be sure to strut with confidence

this week!

• Aquarius: Sorry, this is not your week. Dress like a million bucks this week to make yourself feel better!

• Sagittarius: You deserve a little low key fun this week. When your homework is done, pop some popcorn and watch your childhood favorite movie!

• Leo: You will meet someone very interesting in the library this week. There’s no way to know who it might be, so don’t hesitate to approach a stranger!

• Cancer: Spend some time in nature this

week. It’ll be good for you to cleanse your mind.

• Taurus: Get plenty of water and sunlight this week!

• Aries: Start a new project this week. You’ve got lots of luck this week!

• Scorpio: Treat your best friend to coffee this week. They’ll appreciate the gesture and it’ll bring you lots of luck!

• Gemini: Incorporate your favorite color into your clothes this week.

• Virgo: Go for a walk every day this week. It’ll be good for your energy!

FRESHMAN ADVICE

• Make sure you go to bed on time

• Have snacks in your room for the times when you are hungry, but the cafe is closed

• Make sure to wake up in time to meet your advisor

• Make sure to clean your room occasionally, take out your trash

• Have plenty of pencils

• Look to see if you can download your course books online

• Do not slam your door

• Do not be afraid to wander

• Check out the trail behind the AWAC

• Donate blood if possible

Down:

Crossword Notice:

The first person to submit a photo of their completed crossword puzzle to the student Editor-in-Chief will win a Peru State College T-Shirt (All answers to the crossword can be found within the contents of this issue. There are no spaces.)

Across:

Graphic By Max Gude-Egger

5. What club is featured in this issue?

8. What are rescue animals facing a risk of?

9. What should everyone donate if possible?

11. What kind of office hours did Senator Ricketts hold?

12. What is a testament to our community’s unwavering commitment?

13. What branch of the military was Kyle Ryan in?

1. What was the QUAD covered with on Oct. 23?

2. What is Courtney’s favorite band?

3. What is Delana a part of at Peru?

4. What state is Jett from?

6. Where might a Leo meet someone interesting?

7. What type of hat does Dr. Nehls wear during classroom role-playing exercises?

10. How many campus visits did Alyse go on before coming to Peru?

Giving Day Donations for Project ROAR

Written By Jasmine Guanzing

2023 has been a year of change on the Campus of A Thousand Oaks. For students, the changes are obvious. Between the geothermal project that had the quad torn up, and then subsequently rebuilt in a new, stylish manner, as well as the mass amount of dirt-moving happening just north of the Oak Bowl, that is

a clear sign of change. Improvement is a good thing on campus-but like most things, it doesn’t come without a price.

Giving Day wrapped up on the Oct. 26, with over $100,000 raised to better the college. Giving Day is a day when the college community comes together and makes some kind of contribution to Peru State College.

“Giving Day is a testament to our community’s unwavering commitment to the values that define our institution,” Peru State College President Dr.

Michael Evans said. “It’s a reminder that no matter the size of the college, every contribution counts, and together, we can achieve remarkable things.”

According to Peru State College’s donation webpage, nearly $57,000 of the $102,000 donated to the college is going towards Project ROAR.

Project ROAR is an initiative to create new athletic facilities to benefit not only student-athletes but the everyday student and Peru’s community too.

According to Peru State College’s athletics

webpage, there are going to be five new buildings: the diamond building, the diamond dome, the multipurpose dome, the multipurpose

support building and the softball stand. The new facilities will support not only athletics but also intramurals and other student activities.

Photos By Ean Miller

Internship with Pete Ricketts

Written By Reagan Connelly

This month at the Senator’s office, we held mobile office hours in Auburn. Senator Ricketts will hold mobile office hours in all 93 counties in Nebraska. The purpose of these mobile office hours is to bring the office to Nebraskans who may not be able to travel to one of the stationary offices. Nebraskans can go to these hours to get help with

navigating government bureaucracies. They can get help with passports, VA benefits and social security.

This month, our office has also been fielding calls about the war in Israel as well as complaints about the House of Representatives.

We did not get many calls during October because our phones and internet were down. We were unable to receive any phone calls for several weeks and had to use mobile hot spots to do any work.

The most exciting thing we did last month was host some Service Academy interviews. We had high school seniors from all over the state---some from as far away as Ogallala!---travel to Lincoln to attend these interviews.

My coworker, Annie, and I set up a table in the lobby of our building and escorted the interviewees to their interviews. We loved having the opportunity to get to know these prospective candidates as we escorted them around.

Stigma Around Rescue Animals

Written By Virginia Kouba

When you hear someone say they adopted a rescue animal, what is your first thought about that pet? For many people, their expectations revolve around the pet being behaviorally unstable and not fit for the average family with young children. After all, the pet ended up at the rescue or shelter for a reason...probably because it bit someone or otherwise acted out in some terrible way, right?

The truth is, especially with the high cost of living continuing to impact

many lives, the majority of animals that end up in shelters aren’t there because of anything they did. Having too many animals, housing problems, and owner death are among the top reasons why pets are surrendered to shelters. A large percentage of pets in shelters are there because of human issues, not due to their own fault, demonstrating how a commonly believed narrative falls apart with a little research.

While some rescue

animals do come from terrible situations like hoarding or abuse cases and may suffer the mental effects from that, many others are welladjusted pets who are just waiting for adoption. Unfortunately, due to the stigma around rescue animals being damaged goods, their forever family may turn away from the shelter doors, pursuing a different avenue of acquiring a pet, leaving the rescue animal to face the risk of euthanasia due to an overcrowded shelter system.

Graphic By Virginia Kouba

Photo Provided By Reagan Connelly

Courtney McClintock: Student Spotlight

Written By Reagan Connelly

This issue’s student spotlight is sophomore Courtney McClintock.

Courtney is a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She is 19 years old and graduated from Falls City Public School.

Courtney’s favorite class is Victimology and her favorite professor is Shawn Sherman. Her favorite part about attending Peru State College is the Correctional Leadership Scholarship Opportunity. She plans to go into law enforcement after college and do investigations and undercover work.

Courtney is a CAB executive, and is a member of the Student Senate, Kappa Omicron Rho and Club Volleyball. For fun, Courtney likes to work out, read and bake. Her favorite song is Bad Decisions by Bad Omen and her favorite band is Daughtry.

Courtney’s favorite book is The End of Forever by Lurlene McDaniel because “it is a two novel book that takes you into a heart-felt story of two sisters that shows how much something can

mean to you, especially after you have lost it.”

Courtney works parttime at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution as a correctional officer. She said she enjoys this job because it brings something new every day. To Courtney, the perfect evening would be working out, coming home and making a home cooked meal and watching a horror movie or a true crime documentary with her roommate.

Be sure to say hi to Courtney if you see her on campus!

Alyse Foster: 2023 Homecoming Queen

Written By Elaina Riley

Alyse Foster of Indianola, Neb. is a Senior at Peru State College. Being from a small town, Foster said that she was prepared to come to a college of Peru’s size.

Foster’s original path was majoring in Wildlife Ecology. This changed to Criminal Justice with minors in Theatre and Psychology.

She credits Professor Danny Hayes for his mentorship in her major change.

“Criminal Justice

is something I have always wanted to do,” Foster said. “It’s easier to understand the minds of criminals over chemistry.”

Foster’s mother is also an alum. Foster said her mother always hoped and encouraged her to choose Peru.

“We probably went on six campus visits before I came here,” Foster said. “She was so excited.”

Upon her arrival at Peru, Foster said she looked forward to

joining Peru Theatre Company. In her time here, she said some notable roles have been Claire in Proof and Joan in Love Song.

Foster said she has become more involved on campus every year. As a Morgan RA, she strives to be a resource and safe person to talk to. Foster was also crowned Homecoming Queen this year.

“It was so rewarding,” Foster said. “It’s nice to know I’ve made an impact on campus.”

Photo Provided By Reagan Connelly

Photo Provided By Reagan Connelly

Kathi Nehl’s Innovative Classroom Teaching Style

Written By Caleb Kozeny

It is commonly believed on campus that Dr. Kathi Nehls has some unusual teaching styles. The students in her Women’s History class are currently playing a game called Greenwich Village, 1913, part of a pedagogy called Reacting to the Past.

“Reacting is a pedagogy pioneered at Barnard College that immerses students in critical moments in history while introducing them to the major primary texts and ideas of that period,” Nehls said.

These elaborate role-playing exercises provide students with opportunities for historical research and analysis, critical

thinking, argument and debate. The game introduces the students to the contingencies embedded in a particular historical moment. The games cover 6-8 class periods. Students immerse themselves in early twentieth-century Greenwich Village. They explore questions of woman suffrage, labor, radical politics and the tensions that framed this period.

In this game, Nehls assigns her students roles as either important historical characters or as composite characters. Students must research their characters’ beliefs and motivations and roleplay them in class.

Each student is assigned to a suffrage, labor or indeterminate faction. The students must make persuasive speeches defending their factions’ beliefs while also attacking and criticizing arguments from other factions’ characters. They also must defend themselves from their character’s scandals and personal lives which might come into play.

give students a better sense of community. The games allow the students to travel back in time and truly put themselves in the shoes of the people who lived during these monumental events. Nehls does a variety of these games all set during pivotal moments of history. The event in this Women’s History class is the Women’s

Rights Movement and labor movements of 1913, but she has also done the U.S. Constitutional Convention, Athens in the year 403 BCE and Kentucky in 1861. Some of her other teaching styles are lectures, studentled discussions, student conference presentations and trips to critical historical locations.

Veteran’s Day with Kyle Ryan

Written By Caleb Kozeny

Nehls (while wearing a police hat) censors the speeches of radicals such as anarchist Emma Goldman and birth control advocate Margaret Sanger. These games are designed to make the students think critically while they analyze these important historical events and Photo Provided By Peru State College Website

When he was fresh out of high school, Dr. Kyle Ryan wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. Ryan’s friend had just recently enlisted in the navy, and he decided to check out the recruiting office to see if it was something he would be interested in.

Upon entering, he walked past all of the different branches and all of the recruiters sitting upright waiting for him to enlist. When he reached the navy’s recruiter, Ryan saw

the recruiter reclined back with his feet on his desk, talking on the phone. The recruiter welcomed him in and, after finishing his call, asked Ryan what he wanted from the navy.

Ryan said he joined the navy then and there and upon entering, he didn’t struggle at all to adapt to military life.

During his time, Ryan said he stood among his heroes and often felt like the ordinary among the extraordinary.

Ryan said his biggest

fear in the military was letting his friends and heroes down. Upon leaving, Ryan said his biggest adjustment was losing that sense of brotherhood and self-improving unity that the military offered.

Ryan protected the United States from all threats, and he said he’d gladly serve again in a heartbeat.

Other veterans on staff are Ken Curtis, Greg Galardi, Matt Gleason and Shawn Sherman.

Photo By Caleb Kozeny

PSC QUAD Project Coming to a Close

Written By Ean Miller

On Monday, Oct. 23, students on campus got their first look at a project long in the making. The new quad had finally been (mostly) completed, as previous muddy dirt was covered with fresh sod, and unopened pathways and areas were once again opened. For freshmen on campus,

this was likely their first real look at the quad on campus. For upperclassmen, it’s a welcome change that brings new life to an otherwise traditional and dated area. The project, which began last semester, brings geothermal heating and cooling to the library and CATS building. This not only helps remedy

the temperature issues that many students have experienced in these buildings, but it also allows for the climate control to be performed in a more ecofriendly manner.

The project encountered numerous setbacks, and the problems are not yet resolved. The project is being wrapped up far behind

schedule, but just in time as winter rolls in. However, due to the new concrete, salt to melt the ice in the winter cannot be placed, meaning only small stones to add grip have been placed thus far on freezing days. However, it can’t be disputed that the quad being open is a good thing for all members of campus.

Photos by Ean Miller

Written By Elaina Riley

Sam Stewart of Mount Ayr, IA is a senior in Peru State Women’s Basketball. She said she chose Peru because of the basketball program, which teammate Maddy Duncan encouraged her to join.

Growing up, Stewart recalls looking up to her cousins’ basketball careers, but she said an important aspect for her was playing with her sisters.

This season, Stewart changed her number from 32 to 20, in honor of her sister who recently passed away.

Stewart’s sister, Madalynn, played at Southwest Iowa Community College with the number 20.

“It reminds me of who I am playing for and why I am playing,” Stewart said. “It gives me a sense of relief knowing that she is still with me, even though she cannot physically be here.”

In her four years on the team, Stewart said she loves the team aspect and closeness that has carried through every season.

“It has been great seeing myself improve year by year,” Stewart said. “I’ve gained a tougher mentality and I can hustle harder.”

Stewart credits Dr. Ryan as a mentor, helping her with

school and her personal life.

“He’s one of the main reasons why I’m still doing what I’m doing.”

Stewart said that Duncan has also been an important figure in her journey. They played together on a traveling team in high school before their time at Peru.

“We both know what the other is capable of and what we do best,” Stewart said. “I know when I need to get her the ball and she knows when I’m more comfortable with it.”

Stewart said the team’s goal is to make it to the conference tournament. Being a senior, she said that she is a vocal leader and not afraid to give constructive criticism.

On gameday, Stewart said that talking to her parents and praying as a team are important for her to be mentally ready.

“It’s nice to think of the support I have–not just from my parents but from teammates, coaches, professors…especially when being farther from home.”

Stewart’s future plans are graduating in the spring with a degree in Kinesiology. Her next step is getting her Masters at UNO for Athletic Training.

Stewart said she is excited to finish out this season.

“I’ve stuck with it, but it’s gone quickly…I want to continue to play the hardest I can every game.”

Sam Stewart changes jersey number in honor of sister

Photos Provided By Elaina Riley from Peru State College Athletic Website

Entertainment

Ingredients

• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1 cup margarine, softened

• 2 eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Issue 4 Crossword Puzzle

Across:

Instructions:

Christmas Sugar Cookies

1. Gather all ingredients.

2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.

3. Beat sugar and margerine in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.

4. Beat first egg into butter mixture. Beat second egg into mixture along with vanilla extract. Add flour mixture and stir until dough is combined.

5. Wrap dought. Chill in the refrigerator for two hours.

6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease two cookie sheets.

7. Roll out dough on a clean, floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters and arrange them on cookie sheets.

8. Bake for about 6 to 8 minutes until edges are golden.

9. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Serve and enjoy.

2. The _______ is the new coffee shop in Auburn.

7. Marcus Aurelius is the author of ___________.

8. What type of information did Reagan compile?

10. Which high school did Jean graduate from?

12. Which club is featured in this issue?

Down:

1. There is a recipe for this type of cookie.

Recipe from All Recipes

Crossword Notice:

The first person to submit a photo of their completed crossword puzzle to the student Editor-in-Chief will win a Peru State College T-Shirt (All answers to the crossword can be found within the contents of this issue. There are no spaces.)

3. Kohl is a part of cross country and _____?

4. What subject did Dr. Nies’ father teach?

5. What is Elena’s favorite art medium?

6. Two safety concerns with family vlogging are ________ and kidnapping.

9. What number is now on Sam Stweart’s jersey?

11. Where can you purchase an ice scraper?

The Cenacle Coffee Shop and Bookstore

Written By Virginia Kouba

The Cenacle Coffee Shop and Bookstore, founded by Dawn Weiss and family, opened its doors in Auburn on Nov. 12. It is designed to be a comfortable place to socialize, play games and/ or get some work or studying done. Peru students receive 15% off when they show their student ID. The shop

offers a soup of the day and scones made fresh daily by nearby Phenom Risen Creatives along with various hot and cold drinks. On the book side of the store, there are planners, old and new novels, and a shelf of the owner’s favorite books. There are also plushies and hats made by Melissa Weiss for sale. Joined to the shop is the White Studio and Gallery which houses the prints and original works by Reagan Weiss.

The Cenacle building was originally a bakery, although it sat empty for several years until Weiss and her husband,

Jamie, purchased it over three years ago. The whole building required extensive remodeling. The renovation process included replacing the lights, removing over 3000 pounds of flooring and Jamie building staircases, ramps and bookcases. The mural of flowers and wheat stalks that graces the walls was painted by Reagan Weiss.

The Weiss family lived in Auburn for over 12 years before moving away, but returned in 2019, deciding that the small Nebraska town was a good place to lay down their roots and

eventually retire. Weiss says that she always wanted to have a bookstore called the Upper Room with a loft area. However, she discovered other people had the same idea, so she decided to name her store after the upper room that Jesus is thought to have hosted the Last Supper in.

Weiss hopes that Peru State students feel comfortable coming to study, use the Wi-Fi and socialize with friends, even if they don’t buy anything. It is currently open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 8 pm.

Photos By Virginia Kouba

Internship with Pete Ricketts

Written By Reagan Connelly

As my internship draws to a close, my projects have also been wrapping up. Throughout this semester, my biggest project has been to compile an Excel spreadsheet of the contact information for county government officials of all 93 counties in Nebraska as well as the secretary and board chairperson

or mayor for every incorporated town in Nebraska. I finally finished that project a few weeks ago.

I have also made a spreadsheet of every Rotary Club in Nebraska. Now I am working on a spreadsheet of contact information for every superintendent and principal for every Nebraska high school. Our office has gotten its wifi and phones fixed and has continued to receive antisemitic calls. We have also been receiving opinions about the economy.

The Issue Around Family Vloggers

Written By Virginia Kouba

For many years now, ‘family vloggers’ have been filming and monetizing their children’s lives by posting it all on social media platforms.

Filming children’s vulnerable and embarrassing moments is an invasion of their privacy, and it also can lead to safety concerns. For example, filming their children’s schools could lead to stalking or kidnapping. Vloggers defend

their actions by saying that they just want to document their children’s lives. However, this defense falls apart when it is realized that parents can record their vacations and other fun life moments without sharing them on the internet for millions to see.

Other vloggers say they will stop if their children ask them to, but would they? The bigger channels bring in so much money that dollar

signs in their eyes may block out their children’s discomfort. The parents may have quit their day jobs, and the children might feel pressure to not ruin their lifestyle or disappoint their parents.

Children of family vloggers are discussing how dysfunctional and rough their childhoods were. Their parents chose money and fame, missing out on real moments with family because they were too busy getting everything on camera.

Graphic By Virginia Kouba

Kohl Rutherford: Social Science Education Major

Written By Elaina Riley

Kohl Rutherford of Maywood, NE is involved in Cross Country and Cheerleading at Peru State. Rutherford said his favorite part about cheer is group stunts.

“It’s such a good moment when you throw it up and get the stunt right,” Rutherford said.

Rutherford said he has enjoyed cross country, especially getting to know the team and build comradery. He said he is happy with the season, as he PR’d at every meet and showed improvement. Rutherford also serves as Lance Corporal in the Marine Reserves. He said what brought him to Peru

was the distance to his unit in Omaha.

Rutherford comes from a military background, which he said is a reason he enlisted. He planned to go to a community college in North Platte, but instead ended up at the recruiting office meeting with Sgt. Pinedo.

“I liked what the recruiter told me about being in the Marine Reserves and still going to college,” Rutherford said.

Rutherford enlisted a month later on his 19th birthday. He said he looked forward to boot camp.

“I was scared, but I knew it was excitement over fear,” Rutherford said.

He said that the military is shaping him as a person, especially in learning the importance of time. Rutherford also said that he is learning discipline and brotherhood, where he is automatically connected with other Marines.

“I could walk up to a retired vet and start talking to him, with it turning into an hour long conversation.”

Rutherford plans to continue with Cheer and cross country in his time at Peru. His major is Social Science Education with a coaching endorsement.

“When I finish my time in the military, I could see myself doing that and enjoying it,” Rutherford said.

Elena Martin: FINE ARTS MAJOR

Written By Elaina Riley

Elena Martin of Kansas City, MO is a senior on campus and a Fine Arts major. They started as an Art Education major, but quickly changed their path.

“There was a lot of push to be a teacher,” Martin said. “I was thinking about it and said, ‘that’s not me.’”

Growing up, Martin said they recall sitting at home and drawing cartoon characters. In high school, they turned to art to help with their mental health.

“My sketchbook is not going to judge what I am doing,” Martin said.

Some themes that they usually explore with their art are gender and sexuality. Their favorite medium is painting.

“I want to make art for a reason,” Martin said. “I want to make someone uncomfortable if I can.”

Their future plans are to get into tattooing and enter into the workforce.

“From then I will develop a portfolio and sell my art,” Martin said.

Photo Provided By Elaina Riley from Peru State Athletic Website

Drawing By Elena Martin

Photo Provided By Elaina Riley

Dr. Kristi Nies: Professor of Journalism and English

Written By Caleb Kozeny

Growing up with a mother who taught English and a father who taught History, Dr. Kristi Nies found her love for English.

In 1997, Nies was offered a teaching position at Peru State College, and she quickly fell in love with the position.

Besides the paperwork, Nies said that the most challenging part of her job is also the most fulfilling. Many of her incoming students hated English in high school and brought those views with them to Peru. Some of these students get discouraged from writing and believe they cannot do it.

This makes teaching English difficult because the students are unmotivated and jaded to the subject. Through many fun writing prompts and in class assignments, students are shown that writing can be enjoyable.

“She sees it from our generation’s perspective, and she could relate to our lives,” freshman psychology major Lashy Perez said. “She tries her best to make one on one connections with students. Regardless of how she is feeling, she makes every student feel important and supported.”

Nies said her favorite

part of the job is working with these students and learning something new every day, whether it be something like new slang or new positions and views on life.

Nies said she loves watching to see where her students and the Peru State Times Staff take their careers and education.

She also said she loves seeing all of the internships, careers and grad schools students go to after their time at Peru.

When asked if she saw herself leaving Peru, Nies jokingly said, “No, not at all. They’ll walk in and find me dead in my office one day.”

Find Jean in the cafeteria main line

Written By Max Gude-Egger

A person that everyone should be able to recognize by now is Jean, the lady who works the main line in the Peru State College Cafeteria. Her full name is Loris Jean Rice, born in 1956.

Jean attended three different high schools: Humbolt, Lewiston and Johnson, of which she graduated from Johnson.

She has two children, a boy and a girl, four

grandchildren, three boys and one girl and one great grandson.

She held a Bible study at Good Sam’s for about 42 years with her husband, who she has been married to for 47 years, but who has sadly passed away.

Jean has worked at two sewing factories, a cabinet factory in Auburn and a lawn mowing factory in Auburn.

She came to Peru because she did not want to drive too far and a friend told her about

the job.

“I really like working here,” Jean said “I’ve never worked around young adults, and I never thought I would work around college students.

Jean also said she enjoys working with the people around the main line.

“One of the best experiences is working with you kids,” Jean said. “I will miss you when I retire.”

When you see Jean, please make sure to thank her for being here.

Photo Provided By Peru State College Website

How to prepare for winter break

Written By Max Gude-Egger

Winter is coming and here are some tips to prepare for it.

There will usually be an email or a RA that will tell you what you will have to do for the dorms, so you might hear some of this again later.

Make sure to unplug your fridge, have it empty and put a towel inside or underneath it to catch any

water when the ice buildup melts.

Start packing some of your stuff a couple days before so that way there is less to pack when you will actually be leaving.

Make sure all electronics are unplugged and that the room is clean.

Make sure you have winter gear, a heavy coat, gloves, hat and snow boots.

If you don’t have anything, there is the Neighborhood Closet in Auburn and another thrift store in Nebraska City that you can purchase winter clothes. Of course, there is also Walmart as well.

Get an ice scraper to scrape off any snow or ice from your windshield. You can buy these at NAPA in Auburn.

As finals draw closer too, make sure you look at the final schedule and figure out if you are having a final and when that will be.

Also see when study times are because some professors will hold a study session so students can feel more prepared for the final.

Take a deep breath and hold strong.

What to Read Over Break

• The Caravel by Stephanie Garber

• Lord of the Rings

• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

• That Summer by Sarah Dessen

• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah Maas

Graphic By Max Gude-Egger

Skyler Wilson plays with pride

Written By Elaina Riley

Skyler Wilson of Omaha, NE is a senior player for Peru State Basketball.

Growing up, Wilson began playing basketball at his grandma’s with his uncle. He said he was involved in other sports but enjoyed basketball the most. By 8th grade, Wilson said had developed a passion for basketball.

“Playing with my uncle helped,” Wilson said. “He had a couple of years on me.”

Wilson graduated high school during the time of COVID with two D2 offers. He said Peru was ideal for him so he could stay close to home during the pandemic.

Wilson has been on the team for four years. Last year, he began as a starter before facing an injury at the beginning of the season. Though he returned, he said he could not play at his normal level. Wilson said he took this as a learning opportunity.

“I could pout and be negative energy for the team or stay positive and help the team in those moments,” Wilson said.

Wilson has been

captain on the team all four years. He said strives to be a vocal leader for the team.

“My leadership has grown every year as a captain,” Wilson said.

Wilson said his biggest supporters are his family as well as his wife Haven.

“She gives me motivation,” Wilson said. “She encourages me and points out what I did well in a game.”

As the end of the season is approaching, Wilson said he is reflecting on his time here.

“I have mixed feelings,” Wilson said. “Basketball has been my whole life, but I’m excited for other experiences.”

Wilson is majoring in Secondary Math Education, which he said is inspired by seeing his mother teach. His future plans include student teaching and starting his career in the Omaha area. He said he wants to focus on not just teaching kids content but also life skills.

“I want to know that I impacted their life in a positive way,” Wilson said. “That’s the teacher I want to be.”

Skyler Wilson looks for a pass. Photo provided by Skyler Wilson

The Chase

A Poem

By Trey Drake

Must run, run, run, for that dollar, I will catch it and then fly. I’ll be happy when I do, And like Lazarus I’ll rise.

I’ll wait, wait, wait for the right time,

I will plan out my attack. Partake as prince of the pride, And I will cut others no slack.

You are a soft, soft, soft, cloud, I am really like thunder. They’ll never see it coming, And the riches I’ll plunder.

Nothing else matters at all.

I will never give up the chase. I’ll give it all to catch it.

And my sins it will erase.

It has not yet happened, It will be real in a bit.

But I must tread carefully, So, for now I wait and sit.

There can be only one winner.

Aren’t we all in the chase?

They’re all the same as I.

I’ll roar when I reap the race.

Must run, run, run, for that dollar,

I will catch it and then fly.

I’ll be happy when I do, And like Lazarus I will rise.

Love Conquers All

Written by Emily Mattox

Dear Chloe,

I know that is has only been two weeks since you left for Nebraska, but I want you to know that you will always be in my heart. I miss you every day. I miss your laugh, your smile, and just being with you. I know that you are worried about this long-distance relationship, but I promise with all the love in my heart that we are going to make this work. There is no one I would rather spend the rest of my life with than you. You are my moon, my stars and everything in between. You are my everything, and that is never going to change. I also wanted to tell you that I decided to come and visit you during Thanksgiving since you cannot be here with your family. I also might be coming with a big surprise that you are going to love. I can not wait to see the look on your face when I get there. I am dying to see you. You mean the absolute world to me. I love you always and forever.

P.S. What ring size are you again? Your mom doens’t know, and I was just wondering.

Yours, John

Dear John,

I can’t beleive that you asked me to marry you right in front of all my friends. Of course I said yes, and now we are engaged. I could not be happier. Is is bad that I want to already start planning our wedding? I am just excited, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you so much, John, always and forever.

Yours, Chloe

Graphic by Reagan Connelly and Trey Drake

PTC presents Lovey Dovey

Written By Caleb Kozeny

Peru Theater Company’s February project is a showing called Lovey Dovey. These are a collection of student-directed plays that include scenes from the plays Almost Maine and Love Sick written by John Cariani.

The student directors spearheading this production are Alyse Foster, Trey Drake, Jordan Deloskebuck and Lucas Hrabik.

Growing up going to productions at the Rose, Orpheum and Loft theaters, Lucas said he developed a love for theater. He was first encouraged to join

theater in his hometown of Louisville, Nebraska. He got his first taste of acting during the time he spent at the Loft Theater in Manley.

He said he loved being on stage and continued this passion throughout high school and college.

Lucas said he has always wanted to direct, so he and Alyse Foster took control of organizing and setting up the Lovey Dovey plays.

Lovey Dovey is more of a staged reading rather than a full production, so this leads to a much

shorter preparation and rehearsal.

“It gives me a new perspective on directing,” Hrabik said. “Especially peer-wise.”

Some members of PTC are brand new to theater while others are more experienced. Working with a wide variety of people teaches Hrabik how to be flexible and how to be a better director in future endeavors. such as coaching and directing in high school and community theaters.

Some of his later projects this year include Orphans by Lyle Kessler, a dark comedy set to

release in April, and Disco Citizens, a series of 30 student-written plays.

“Join the theater,” Hrabik said. “It’s a great place to be. If you have any interest in theater, come watch our shows for free. Support the arts. If you want to come get involved contact me, Laura Lippman, or Alyse Foster.”

A common misconception

Hrabik said he would like to change is the belief that theater is just acting.

There are many roles behind the stage like costume design, sound design, lights, stage management, directing and even writing. For those who want to get involved in acting, Hrabik said he recommends trying out Disco Citizens because it’s low stakes and an easy way to get involved in the art.

The Lovey Dovey showings will take place on Feb. 12 and 14 at 6 p.m., Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. and Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Support the arts!

Suzie Adams assists Layla McIntyre in the Student Services office. Photo by Virginia Kouba

Graphic by Virginia Kouba

Lucas Hrabik directs at rehearsal.

Photo by Caleb Kozeny

Your Opinion is Your Opinion. Don’t make it personal

Written By Virginia Kouba

An opinion is a view or belief about a topic that is not based on fact; rather, it is based on personal judgment and experiences. Despite this official definition, when confronted with a perspective different than their own, many people take it personally. Views on politics, current foreign wars, abortion all cause tensions and tempers flare. People have different views. These aren’t facts, just opinions.

People feel the need to defend their personal opinions, which is fine. However, it becomes an issue when the defense gets heated, and the individual proclaims that their opinion is ‘right’ despite these beliefs being theirs and theirs alone. Just because someone’s opinion clashes with yours does not mean that they look down upon you or

that it is any determination of character.

This can especially be an issue when one is raised in an echo chamber of their own values; it may be jarring to be presented with a clashing opinion. Personalities also play a part in this issue. Some people can’t feel like they are wrong and that leads to them taking things personally and aggressively defending their personal beliefs.

There are no such things as wrong opinions, just different ones. Perhaps the world could be more productive and peaceful if its citizens respected each other more and accepted that each opinion is based on individual beliefs and values and that not everything should be taken personally.

GREEN, GREEN GRASS

Written By Max Guhde-Egger

We have all seen the grass the has been laid down on the quad to help cover up the construction. The grass rolls used are called sod and can cost between $0.30 and $0.85 per square foot. Fun fact time, the sod takes 10 to 14 days (about 2 weeks) to take root and will fully take root in 2 to 6 weeks if it is given good sun, air and water.

Sod is also grown exactly as you would think it would. Grass seeds are planted, watered, and grown until they are mature. Then a special machine is used to cut strips of the grass and soil up and are then rolled and sold. It’s always great when the processes for certain items are exactlyas you imagined, don’t you agree?

Now for anyone wondering, like myself, why the grass is still rather green, even though it is in the middle of winter and we went through some harsh winter storms around the new year: grass can remain green because they retain their chlorophyll for photosynthesis during the winter. Also, there are some types of grass that stay green year-round. This is usually cool-season grass like Fescue. Furthermore, the grass can still be green even after snowstorms because snow acts as a blanket, keeping the grass underneath slightly warm and moisturized. So here you go: the grass appreciation piece that was going to be written at one point or another for all you lovely readers to see.

Graphic By Virginia Kouba

Max Guhde-Egger pulls up a section of grass. Photo provided by Max Guhde-Egger

Diego Oquendo: “Por mi familia”

Written By Elaina Riley

Diego Oquendo of Merida, Venezuela is in his third and last year playing for Peru State Baseball.

Oquendo said he has been playing baseball since age 4. He would play with his brother, who said he looked up to. He had a dream to play professional baseball at the age of 16. It wasn’t until he arrived in the U.S. at age 22 that he spoke his first sentence in English.

As an international student, Oquendo said he took steps to arrive here by getting a visa and going through the U.S. Embassy. He arrived in Texas for Junior College.

“I immediately started baseball practice and I had barely any time

to adjust before classes started,” Oquendo said.

Oquendo said that leaving his family was difficult for him, as he had to learn to speak to them through a phone or video call.

“I’m more used to it now,” Oquendo said. “I know that I am here to give them a better future.”

Oquendo said what brought him to Peru was former assistant coach Gianfranco Garlobo. As a Bobcat, Oquendo said that a highlight for him was starting the second game in the conference tournament. It was Peru’s first win at conference in about five years.

“That game I threw seven innings,”

Oquendo said. “I was a key component to that win.”

As a pitcher, Oquendo said he has a special warm up while on the mound. He takes his hat off and looks down at the jersey numbers of him and his brother. He also has the message “Por mi familia” written down.

“I look down at these things and I’m focused,” Oquendo said.

Oquendo’s future plans include going to graduate school and becoming a Sports Psychologist. He is an advocate for mental health awareness for athletes.

“Their mental health is as important as physical,” Oquendo said. “Too many miss this to go onto the next level.”

Diego Oquendo pitches to the opponent’s batter. Photo provided by Diego Oquendo

Jackie Whisler: committed staff member at Peru State College

Written By Elaina Riley

Jackie Whisler of Peru, NE works as a Custodian in the Library and CATS buildings on campus. Whisler has been a Peru resident since 1985. With this, she has seen many natural disasters in the town such as the floods in 2019.

“It is a beautiful area to live in,” Whisler said. “It was nice to see the rebuilding after the floods.”

Whisler has been working at Peru State for 16 years. In her time here, Whisler has seen many improvements on campus. In her first year, work on the AWAC just got done.

“I’ve been through almost every renovation in all the buildings,” Whisler said.

On a typical day, Whisler checks in to work at 6 a.m. She works in the library until she moves into CATS to pick up the trash, clean the tables and anything in between. Whisler also said she enjoys training new workers.

“It is rewarding to train someone and see them become a great employee,” Whisler said.

Whisler said she enjoys working special events on campus, a highlight being the 2013 Florida Georgia Line concert.

She said her favorite place to work is the library, as she can interact with students and workers there.

“The library is like my baby,” Whisler said. “I do as much as I can by myself.”

On snow days, Whisler still shows up to campus unless the school is totally closed. She is responsible for snow removal and keeping the sidewalks clear. Whisler said one of the hardest parts of her job is summer cleaning in all of the dorms.

“My jobs aren’t just inside the buildings,” Whisler said. “I do everything from pulling weeds to changing light bulbs.”

Another addition that Whisler said she is excited for is a maintenance worker being assigned to each building. Though she said she likes to work alone, she will appreciate the help.

“I believe a person fits every building they work in,” Whisler said. “We’re like family.”

Whisler has had a cleaning business on the side as well as an AirBNB that she rents out. She has been able to meet several parents of college students through this, some who continue to come back during the entirety of their child’s time at Peru.

In Whisler’s time here, she has experienced a turnover of employees but has stayed for the love of students and other people.

“There are students from years ago I still have contact with,” Whisler said.

In the future, her retirement plan includes camping, or as she calls it, “glamping” with her camper. Whisler and her husband, Josh, have a campground by the river and property by the trail head. Whisler also said that she loves going to her grandchildren’s activities.

“I have six grandkids ranging from 1320,” Whisler said. “There’s a lot to go to.”

In the meantime, Whisler is still

planning to work for the college in her custodial position. She said she likes to keep busy and spend her time working here.

Whisler said some may have misconceptions about her job.

“We do a lot more than people may think,” Whisler said.

Jackie Whisler with co-workers. Photo provided by Peru State College Library

Jackie Whisler pictured above. Photo provided by Peru State College

School of Education Introduces New SMART Program

Written by Rachel Wertenberger

NebraskaSMART (Success

Made Accessible through Rural Tutoring) is a tutoring program that has recently begun for ESU 1, ESU 4 and ESU 13 students. Julie Dickerson is the Director of this program and Dr. Gina Bitter is the Coordinator of the Peru State College tutors. There are tutors working for this program at each of the Nebraska State Colleges, which are Chadron State, Wayne State and Peru State.

1. What is this program?

Nebraska students in grades K-12 within Educational Service Units 1, 3 and 14 have free access to online tutoring with a qualified tutor in specific subject areas. Students can request pre-scheduled appointments with a tutor or log in to be connected with the next tutor available in the queue. Students should provide homework for which they wish to receive help or topics that they would like to cover. Tutors are full-time students at Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges who have

been admitted to the teacher education program, have completed background checks and received training through their teacher education program coursework.

2. How will K-12 students benefit from this program?

Students receive one-on-one tutoring in an online classroom where they can see and talk with their tutor. Students’ individual needs can be addressed by the tutors during tutoring sessions. Recurring tutoring appointments can be scheduled for consistency, or students can join on-demand tutoring to be connected with the next available tutor for convenience.

4. How did this program start?

Representatives from the Nebraska State Colleges and Nebraska Department of Education explored opportunities to meet K-12 students’ needs in rural Nebraska through tutoring. They met with the Director of

Dakota Dreams in South Dakota to learn about the online tutoring program they have developed and implemented. The Nebraska Department of Education expressed interest in supporting a similar program through grant funding that would utilize teacher education candidates as tutors to virtually tutor K-12 students in rural Nebraska. The Nebraska State Colleges applied for and was awarded a grant from the Nebraska Department of Education to create this program.

Not pictured: Taylor Hendricks, Kylee Fisher

Photo provided by Rachel Wertenberger

Peru State Times

Come sail into SAIL (Students Active in Leadership) to increase your leadership skills and get volunteer hours. The club stands by the quote “Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better” by Bill Bradley.

Peggy Groff is the head of SAIL. The president is Rebecca Traeger. The vice president is Bernice Hilker. Meeting times are on every other Tuesday from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

The next upcoming meeting is March 12. Students who are a part of SAIL will be taking a trip to the Brownville Antiquarian from 4 - 5 p.m.

The following meeting will take place on March 26 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

If you are interested in joining the club or taking a trip to the Brownville Antiquarian, contact Peggy Groff at PGroff@peru.edu.

Upcoming Events

• Bowling Night - Thursday, Feb. 29 from 8 - 11 p.m. at Arbor Lanes

• Bingo Night - Wednesday, March 13 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in TJ 114

• Bowling Night - Thursday, March 21 from 8 - 11 p.m. at Arbor Lanes

INDEX

Upcoming Home Games

Baseball: vs. Baker University

• March 23 at 1 p.m.

• March 23 at 3 p.m.

• March 24 at 1 p.m.

• March 24 at 3 p.m.

Softball vs. MidAmerica Nazarene University

• March 23 at 1 p.m.

• March 23 at 3 p.m.

Softball: vs. Bellevue University

• March 22 at 1 p.m.

• March 22 at 3 p.m.

Club design by Kathryn Frazer

Elvis Nguyen: “a name to live up to”

Written By Elaina Riley

Elvis Nguyen of Lincoln, Neb. is a freshman for Peru State Varsity Reserve Basketball. He started playing the sport when his dad threw him into a random YMCA league.

“I was at the YMCA just playing by myself,” Nguyen said. “That’s where I started loving the sport.”

Nguyen then moved on to high school basketball at Lincoln High. He said a highlight for him was going from being one of the worst in the state to being a top five team the next year. He said he had a fairly smooth transition to Peru and gained

connections with his new group.

“It’s a different team,” Nguyen said. “Everyone has their own way of playing. I had to get used to it.”

Nguyen said his comfort zone was shooting guard, but his new position for the Bobcats is point guard.

“Switching to a new role wasn’t easy, but I’m getting the hang of it,” Nguyen said.

Having immigrant parents from Vietnam, Nguyen said he wants to give back to them.

“Life hasn’t been easy coming from a different background than others,”

Nguyen said. “My parents moved to this country and grinded hard for me and my brothers’ future.”

Nguyen said his family is what keeps him going.

“Foreign parents have a different way of showing love,” Nguyen said. “Their actions have shown me a lot.”

Nguyen said his first name brings in a lot of comments. He said his dad was a music lover, naming him and his siblings after his favorite artists.

“My name is a lot to live up to,” Nguyen said. “No one forgets the name Elvis.”

Kaylan Larry: “good things coming”

Written By Elaina Riley

Kaylan Larry of Little Rock, Ark. is a senior for Peru State Women’s Basketball.

Larry attended Fort Scott Community College in Kansas before transferring to Peru.

Larry said she has been playing basketball since she was four years old, starting with a co-ed little league team. She said that her dad is the reason she got into basketball.

“They used to joke that I was a football player with how aggressive I played and how passionate I was,” Larry said.

“And I still play like that.”

Larry said she has memories

of growing up watching the Cavaliers, mainly for Lebron James.

“I said to myself, I wanna do it like he’s doing it,” Larry said. “He’s been my favorite player since I picked up a basketball.” Larry has been playing point guard for the Bobcats for the past two years.

“With my position, I’m like a coach on the floor,” Larry said. “I have to facilitate and make plays for my team and myself.”

On the side, Larry owns her own shoe resell business: “NOLIMIT Kicks” in memory of her brother who passed away

two years ago.

Larry said she has had breaking points where she was close to quitting the sport, but her family and spirituality helped her stay with it.

“Little Rock is a dangerous city and not a lot of good comes from it,” Larry said “I want to be something positive that does.”

As Larry is finishing up her college career, she said she has bittersweet feelings.

“I’ve been playing this game all my life,” Larry said. but I know there’s a lot of good things coming.”

Elvis Nguyen dribbles the ball. Photo provided by Elvis Nguyen

Kaylan Larry looks to shoot the ball. Photo provided by Kaylan Larry

Treat with Respect

Written By Michaela Stanley

Kat and Bob raced each other to the ice cream shop every day. Bob always won, and his little sister Kat always argued that he had cheated. Bob would make comments, and Kat would make faces. Then they would sit at a park and eat, and their feud would melt away.

“I’m full,” Kat announced, her treat half consumed like normal. She licked her sticky whiskers, turning to her brother. “Do you want the rest?”

“Sure,” Bob shrugged. He had already finished his own.

They lounged for a while, identical brown eyes scanning the field. There were birds hopping about and a litter of wolves ran around in a game of tag. After some time in quiet, Kat turned back to Bob with a question.

The Bobcat universe expands. Bob has a little sister now.

“Why do we argue?”

Bob tilted his head in thought. “I don’t know. Because you’re not fast enough?”

“I want to be fast though,” Kat replied, frowning. “I want to beat you to the ice cream shop, and you make winning look so easy. Why is it not easy for me?”

“Probably because I’m older,” Bob reasoned.

“So…I need to be older in order to win?” Kat’s ears swiveled curiously.

“Perhaps,” Bob shrugged again, finishing off her bowl. “But it’ll still take a while.”

“Why do you say that?”

Bob chuckled, his small tail twitching. “Because you could only possibly be old enough to beat me when you can finish your entire bowl of ice cream.”

It did indeed take a while, but Kat was eventually able to finish a full bowl on her own, and the very next day that she did, she finally beat him in their race. Bob smiled at the prideful glint in her eyes. It didn’t need to be revealed that he had let her win. He was just proud of the respect she showed him as she offered half her treat as a token of sportsmanship.

Pizza Toppings

Written by Trey Drake

We all enjoy pizza, don’t we? We all have our favorite toppings. I, for one, like bacon on my pizza. A good friend of mine’s favorite is BBQ chicken. We all have our preferences, but it seems that people unanimously say pineapple is the worst pizza topping, going as far as to say that pineapple just doesn’t belong on pizza at all. While I don’t like pineapple on pizza either, I am fine with it being a pizza topping. I say the people who claim it is the worst topping are completely ignorant of the larger world of pizza toppings.

Starting off with one that is strange but not too bad is ketchup and mustard as a topping. That sounds more like something you’d use as a dip, not a topping but it doesn’t sound horrible. I’ve seen people dip their pizza in Dorothy Lynch sauce, and that sounds worse to me.

One that I think just doesn’t sound right is mashed potatoes as a topping. That just seems wrong. It may not be so bad if you put olives, onions or green peppers to go with it.

Now the Australians have toppings that are exactly what you would expect people from the land down under would put on pizza--crocodile, kangaroo and emu meat. This sounds odd, but to be honest, I think I’d like to try it.

The last topping I’d like to include is probably the weirdest one: squid ink. The entire pizza is black, and if you saw it in person, the only question you would have on your mind is who in the world thought that would be a good idea?

So you see? There are far worse pizza toppings out there than pineapple. Next time you think about judging someone who asks for pineapples on their pizza, just remember that they are normal compared to a person who orders a mashed potato, kangaroo and squid ink pizza.

If you would like to order pizza from a place that only has more traditional toppings, the best place to choose from is North Fork One Stop, located at 221 South Nemaha Humboldt, Neb. 68376 It’s the best pizza in the county!

Graphic by Michaela Stanley

Pictured are the pizza toppings available at North Fork One Stop.

Photo by Trey Drake

The Market changes its hours to better fit the needs of the community. Graphic by Emily Mattox

Etiquette Dinner and Financial Planning

Creating a solid financial plan can be a struggle on your own. If you are in need of some help, come to the Etiquette and Financial Dinner. In addition to creating a solid financial plan, you will also lear about proper business etiquette at social events and dinners. The required dress code is: no jeans or shorts. Before the dinner, there will be a social event. All students are welcome to attend.You must register by Friday, March 1. Scan the QR code below to register.

When: Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Social event from 5 - 5:30 p. m. in the Burr Oak Room

Dinner from 5:30 - 7 p.m. in the Live Oak Room

Available Career Services

Written By Virgina Kouba

Need help figuring out what to do after graduation? Want help with a resume or finding a job? Peru State College offers Career Services, a resource available to help in areas of resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, finding jobs or internships, and exploring career paths for different majors.

Suzie Adams, a member of the Peru State College staff, is in charge of the in-person aspect of Career Services. Adams’ office, located in the campus library in room 103, is open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Adams’ main responsibilities include internship and career preparation like reviewing students’ resumes and cover letters and preparing them for interviews. She also organizes the fall and spring career fairs, etiquette dinners for students to fine-tune their abilities to politely eat and interact with future prospective employers and Handshake, which is a jobfinding platform. Additionally, Adams reaches out to businesses and companies in order to foster relationships for internship possibilities for Peru State College students.

Among those responsibilities, Adams helps students with jobrelated tasks by offering resume reviews and providing graduating students advice on their future career plans and where they might find jobs.

Adams’ approach to helping

students with career plans is individualized. She will ask them what their goals are and their current situation, walk them through their options and give them resources to help them make the best decision for themselves.

“Career services is a free resource for you to use,” Adams said. “Take advantage of it.”

Adams also said that it is a great opportunity to look and see what jobs are out there on Handshake and have your resume reviewed for free.

While walk-in appointments are welcome, Adams encourages students to schedule a meeting if interested in any of the services she offers. Students can do this by email or by visiting Careerservice. peru.edu to see her availability and schedule a time.

Students can find Career Services at CareerServices.Peru.edu.

The site has a variety of resources, articles and links to explore career skills, explore opportunities related to different majors, see upcoming events and see job opportunities.

The online resources offer general information on how to answer interview questions, how to compile a solid resume and write engaging cover letters and how to expand one’s professional network.

If one is looking for specific advice from a knowledgeable source, then scheduling a meeting with Adams would be best.

Does Peru have its Priorities Straight?

Written By Virgina Kouba

Looking around at the new quad and infrastructure for Project ROAR as well as the new recreational and sports facilities, it may seem as if Peru State is growing and thriving. However, upon further inspection, when talking with students around campus and looking at the turnover rate of some staff, maybe a darker truth is beneath the surface.

A close observation of the campus reveals mechanical issues in academic buildings, campus apartments and residence halls. Stories of broken AC units, mold, faulty plumbing and a broken handrail highlight the challenges of keeping up with the maintenance requirements of older buildings. Food issues are another top issue: raw chicken, a moldy bagel and stale cake. A couple of students were overheard discussing how uncooked their pizza was.

The AL Wheeler Activity

Center, which houses the weight room and fitness center, also has its issues. Some of the cardio machines and weight equipment do not work. There are holes in the walls of the fitness center that have been there for quite some time, and at least one window is covered with caution tape. These issues exist in Peru’s current recreational facilities, yet just down the road, a massive construction project is underway to create more buildings that will need to be taken care of. While injecting new capital to offer more opportunities for students is important, maintaining the current facilities is just as essential. PSC should prioritize money and effort for maintenance so handrails are fixed, mold is removed from living areas and holes are patched.

What other systemic issues exist on campus that perhaps the faculty and staff are aware of? There has been quite a high turnover rate in head coaching staff in recent years for football, women’s volleyball and women’s basketball especially. Does Peru have its priorities straight?

Internship with Nebraska Unicameral

Written By Raegan Connelly

Last semester, I was very honored to take an internship with the United States Senate working in the state office of Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts. Alas, that internship came to an end last semester.

However, this semester

I am thrilled to be doing another internship, this time with the Nebraska Unicameral. This internship is one offered by Peru State College. I am working in the office of District 1 representative Mrs. Julie Slama.

Though the internship got off to a rocky start since everyone was snowed in those first few weeks, I’m happy to report that I have now been working regularly at our beautiful capitol.

Senator Slama is the head of the Banking,

Commerce and Insurance Committee, so my main job is to write bill summaries for the committee. Basically, I have to go through these bills article by article and summarize what each article says. It’s tedious work but surprisingly kind of fun!

Graphic by Virginia Kouba

Johnathan Cunningham: lover of mechanical pencils

Written By Reagan Connelly

Meet Jonathan Cunningham, a 23-year-old freshman here at Peru State College. Cunningham is majoring in predentistry but is looking into switching to biomedical engineering.

“I’m really at a crossroads right now,” Cunningham said. “I could continue with dentistry, but I’m leaning towards biomedical engineering.”

If he does take that route, Cunningham said he would be interested in doing development research.

Cunningham grew up in Omaha and graduated from Omaha Northwest High School. He is the youngest of three children and has two older sisters. One is 35, and the other is 32.

Cunningham said he is looking forward to taking a philosophy class with Dr. Jason Phillips next semester because Phillips is his favorite professor.

Cunningham said he likes Phillips because of his vast knowledge of history.

“I like the little jokes he throws in there,”

Cunningham said.

Cunningham also said he relates to Phillips as the two both love history, comic books and philosophy.

Though Cunningham is a member of several clubs on campus like the Psychology Club, SSS and the Social Sciences Club, he said he focuses more on his studies.

When Cunningham isn’t studying, he said he enjoys reading, philosophy, history

Cameron James: new student joins PTC

Written By Trey Drake

Today’s spotlight is a new member of the Peru Theater Company. Cameron James is new to campus but isn’t exactly a freshman. He previously spent seven semesters at Nebraska Wesleyan University pursuing a theater major. James said he decided to transfer here due to financial reasons as well for his mental well-being from

stress and grades. James said that his favorite thing about Peru is the fact that it’s a small-town community.

Compared to Wesleyan, James said that it has so far been a lot less taxing on his mind and less stressful too.

Though James was pursuing a theater major at Nebraska Wesleyan, Peru State College does not offer theater

as a major, only as a minor.

“It’s nice,” James said. “I might not be able to major in theatre, but it’s a good enough size that I can still have fun and do one of my favorite things.”

James participated in high school one act and speech, and he will continue to pursue theater at Peru State college in whatever capacity he is able.

and going down rabbit holes to learn all kinds of new things. He also said he enjoys reading poetry and comic books.

This Peru student also has a rather unique obsession. Cunningham is currently obsessed with mechanical pencils. He collects all kinds of pencils and even follows the mechanical pencils subreddit.

Cunningham listens to many different genres of music, so he doesn’t have a favorite song. He said his favorite singers are Kanye West and Earl Sweatshirt.

“I like Kanye because he’s a musical genius,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham said he likes Earl Sweatshirt for the same reason but also because he relates to many of his songs.

Cunningham said he favorite movie is the

1995 movie Ghost in the Shell because it’s a good dystopian movie. His favorite book is a Star Wars comic book called “The Dark Empire.”

Cunningham said his favorite place on earth is Flagstaff, Ariz. because there is no light pollution and the stars are incredibly visible.

He said his perfect evening would be watching the Aurora Borealis and his perfect weekend would be spent backpacking in Nordic countries.

Cunningham said he would describe himself as “a wandering, whimsical wizard,” but he doesn’t know how his friends would describe him.

“I don’t really pay attention to what others think of me,” Cunnginham said. “Thinking about how others perceive you keeps you in a box.”

Jonathan Cunningham holds his mechanical pencils. Photo by Reagan Connelly

Danny Hayes: broadening perspectives and making a difference

Written By Elaina Riley

Danny Hayes of Peru, Neb. has been teaching at Peru State for 12 years. He graduated from Peru in 2002, where he recalls living with his wife Nikki in the old Oak Hill Apartments.

Prior to Peru State, Hayes worked at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution and the Nebraska State Penitentiary for 10 years. Hayes started as a Unit Caseworker. He worked in the housing unit, searching cells and resolving issues.

“It sounds like all I was doing was paperwork, but that was not it,” Hayes said.

In 2012, there was an opening at the college for a Criminal Justice Instructor. Hayes said that he enjoyed teaching while working in corrections and wanted to continue to do it.

“It’s not always conversations about class,” Hayes said. “It’s about what’s going on in their lives and figuring out what’s important to them.”

Hayes said that he strives to be an effective instructor with a conversational teaching style. He also has an open-door policy, where students can come and talk at any time.

“It’s important to provide an environment where people feel comfortable and they can ask questions or bring up topics,” Hayes said.

“Students have so many things going on. I’m glad I can help them on this journey because it can be difficult.”

Hayes said his areas of expertise are Criminal Justice and Sociology. His CJ classes are more hands-on, with fingerprinting, blood spatter, searches and crime scene investigations. For Sociology classes, he covers a wide variety of topics, including different types of families, religions and diversity issues.

“I like to broaden perspectives,” Hayes said. “If there are issues that don’t affect us or people we know, they can be invisible to us.”

Hayes said that what he finds the most rewarding about his job are the interactions and conversations with students.

On campus, he has been involved in several activities such as CJ Club, KOR, Pride and Golf Club. Hayes said a highlight for him is taking students on study abroad trips, where he has been to Europe three times. He also takes his students to Criminal Justice Conferences anywhere from Baltimore to Sacramento.

Hayes said another major part of his life is beekeeping with Nikki. In 2012, Hayes said they learned about the decline in the bee population, and they wanted to help the cause.

“Our goal was to get a hive of bees when we moved out to the farm,” Hayse said. “That turned into seven hives and 40 years’ worth of equipment.”

He said that there was a definite learning curve for the first few years.

“I learned that each hive has its own personality,” Hayes said. “There are hives I could open and

Danny

look through without a suit on, and there are others I would not even walk in front of.”

The spring is a busy time for them, as the bees are making the most honey at this time. They harvest the honey in the fall and sell it to the community.

Hayes’ wife also owns a company called “Earth and Owl” where she focuses primarily on trampoline fitness. Hayes said he sometimes has special appearances on her TikTok and Facebook

videos.

With all his kids almost out of the house, he said he enjoys experiencing things with them and going on vacation. In his free time, he said golf is his go-to activity.

Hayes plans on staying in Peru and continuing his teaching career.

“Students have so many things going on,” Hayes said. “I’m glad to help them on this journey because it can be difficult.”

Hayes teaches in his Social Contemporary Problems class. Photo by Elaina Riley

Features

PSC Hosts History Day

Written by Caleb Kozeny

On History Day, middle and high School students swarm colleges where they compete for State and National recognition.

“History Day is the seminal social event of the season,” Dr. Jason Philips said.

The students present their papers, exhibits, performances and websites while also looking at potential colleges and universities.

National History Day reaches over half a million students per year.

This event first started as a small contest in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1974. It swiftly spread across the nation and came to Peru State College almost 40 years ago. Feb. 23 marked the 40th anniversary of this event. To celebrate, the school made coffee mugs, showing off Peru State College’s iconic bobcat sharply clad in his Abe Lincoln gear. These mugs were given to judges, their assistants and special award winners.

“Students pursue topics

they enjoy and participate in historical work intrinsically with what they are interested in,” senior Becky Hupp said.

Philips said that this event was important for bringing prospective students in.

Philips also said that in the future, he would like to see this event expand to more schools around Peru.

History Day and events similar may help prospective students made a college decision sooner. This event sounds like a great opportunity for prospective history students to get started.

Upcoming Civil Rights Tour

Pictured is one of PSC’s History Day mugs. Photo by Caleb Kozeny

Graphic by Caleb Kozeny

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER NEEDED

Do you enjoy using social media and wish to run a Peru State Social media page? Well, you are looking at the right place. The Peru State Times is in need of someone to run the peru_state_times Instagram. This is a paid position. For more information, contact Dr. Nies via email at knies@ peru.edu. The only requirement for the position is that you enjoy social media and enjoy designing posts for an Instagram page!

Upcoming INDEX

Research and Creativity Expo

April 9

The Research and Creativity Expo is an event that provides students with an opportunity to present their research while other students can come and observe.

• Registration and Check in: 8:30 - 9 a.m. at AWAC lobby

• Poster Exhibitions: 9 - 9:50 a.m. at AWAC gym

• Oral and Creative Presentations: 9:45 - 10:50 a.m. in Jindra Black Box, CATS Conference Room and the PAC

• Lunch and Certificate Presentation: 11 a.m. in the Live Oak Room at the Student Center (This is RSVP required.)

• Peru Theatre Company Production: 6 p.m. in the Jindra Black Box Theatre

Club design by Caleb Kozeny

Graphic by Alyssa Bock

Graphic by Alyssa Bock

Kylee Dieckmann: “practice is where it all happens”

Written By Elaina Riley

Kylee Dieckmann of Holton, Kan. is in her sophomore season for Peru State Softball. Aside from the softball program, she said what brought her to Peru was her sister, Karley, who is an alumna.

Dieckmann said she recalls good memories growing up playing t-ball. As her school didn’t have softball, Diekmann’s experience comes from being on traveling teams since the age of 7.

“With the traveling team, those are the best memories,” Dieckmann said.

“Trying new foods, meeting new people…”

Dieckmann said she credits the team captains and coaches for their work to keep the team lively. This season, Dieckmann said that the team is doing a group prayer before every game.

“Then we break into rock, paper, scissors,” Dieckmann said. “It sounds funny, but it gets us hype to play.”

Dieckmann said that she loves not only the sport, but also the life lessons that come with it. Though she is only a sophomore, Dieckmann said that she is a

leader on the field. She said she enjoys helping others get better.

“Practice is where it all happens,” Dieckmann said

Dieckmann said that her family has helped shape her as a person and an athlete. Her older sister, Karley, runs an organization called “Disable the Label,” inspired by her sister who has down syndrome. Dieckmann said that she hopes to get more involved with this organization in the future.

Dieckmann’s major is Exercise Science, and she plans to work as a Physical

Therapist Assistant. She also said she hopes to coach softball in the future.

“I want to help them learn the game.”

Nicholas Berry: “made beautifully and with mastery”

Written By Elaina Riley

Nicholas Berry of Turlock, Calif. is an Athletic Trainer for Peru State Athletics. After finishing grad school in Kansas, he started work at Peru in June of 2022. Prior to that, he was an intern with the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Berry said he was inspired by his high school Athletic Trainer, Mike Collins, to join the profession.

“I liked him as a person and I liked the job he did,” Berry said. “I saw his passion for it.”

As an AT, Berry said he tapes athletes, prevents injury and maintains their overall health. AT’s are at

every game and practice.

“We’re basically first responders for the athletes here,” Berry said.

Berry is the AT for baseball and women’s basketball, and he helps with football in the fall. His busiest times are the mornings and afternoons, when athletes schedule treatments.

“I love interacting with the athletes,” Berry said. “It’s nice to see them succeed in their sport or in life too.”

Berry said that he works to honor his mother, who passed away while he was in high school.

“Grad school was difficult

to get through,” Berry said. “I knew it was going to be a grind, but I’m glad to be doing what I’m doing.”

Berry said he is a big Giants and 49ers fan.

“I’m also a complete dweeb,” Berry said. “Whether it’s anime, DND, Magic.”

In the future, Berry said he plans to move back to Kansas and continue in his career there.

“I have an interest in how the body works and a Christian belief that we were made beautifully and with mastery,” Berry said. “Everyone is crafted the same but different.”

Kylee Dieckmann gets ready to bat. Photo provided by Kylee Dieckmann

Nicholas Berry assists an athlete.

Photo provided by Nicholas Berry

Fierce as Fluff

Written By Michaela Stanley

The little cat streaked through the grass, tail low and paws silent. She paused, heartbeat racing inside her chest as she caught sight of the huge creature ahead. Bingo. She continued forward slowly, eyes trained on where she would strike“It’s time for dinner!”

“Mom!” The kitten complained, whirling around on the spot. “But I’m about to complete the hunt!”

“Come on, Kat,” her brother Bob removed the Viking helmet from his head. “We can continue afterwards.”

Kat huffed, her tiny

bobcat tail twitching. Bob gained a mischievous look. He pounced forward, taking his little sister by her scruff.

“Even the fiercest of hunters has to eat, you know.”

“I guess that’s true,” Kat fell limp, allowing herself to be carried inside. Bob placed her in a chair at the table.

“What have you two been playing?” Their mother asked from the kitchen.

“Warriors!” Kat exclaimed. “I’ve been tracking a rhinoceros for weeks now, and I just caught up with it!”

“That sounds exciting,” their mother laughed. “Are

you a rhinoceros too?”

“Nope,” Kat smiled. “I’m just me.”

“Well then, it’s a good thing I called you inside.”

“Why?”

“Because these,” their mother set a plate in front of her, “are special dinosaur chicken nuggets. They’ll give you super strength and speed.”

Kat’s eyes grew wide, as did Bob’s. He cleared his throat nervously. “Mom, this rhinoceros is… Bob-sized. Don’t give her ideas please.”

It was too late. Kat was already devouring her meal. She grinned widely. “I can feel it! I’m getting stronger by the

bite.”

“Mother. Help me,” Bob pleaded as he was dragged away from the table. Their mother only laughed at the vivid creativity her daughter bestowed. She

watched as the two of them went back outside, Viking helmet implemented once more.

Maybe dinner could be postponed. It was a rhinoceros Kat had been tracking after all.

Stardew Valley Game Update

Written by Max Guhde-Egger

As some people may already know, Stardew Valley had its 1.6 update this March. Concerned Ape, the creator of Stardew Valley, has been feeding people information on what the update has in store and all of it was looking promising.

Right-to-left farming is the same speed now as left-to-right farming, as

right-to-left was a couple seconds slower. This is one of the tidbits players were told as the update date came closer.

Stardew Valley is a farming sim game where you plant crops, fight monsters and mine in the caves. There are NPCs that you can romance and marry. There is also a pet that you get to take

care of. The story is that the player’s grandfather passed away and left you a farm that you begin to take care of. There is hidden lore about a war and the effects it has on the valley. This game also has a multiplayer option so you can play with your friends.

It is playable on PC,

switch and mobile devices.

On Steam, you can buy it for $15, but sometimes sales happen, and it can go down to $12.50 or lower depending on the sale.

For switch, the game can be bought for $15

up to $50 or more. For mobile devices, it can be purchased for about $5.

I would greatly recommend people to play this game when they have the chance.

Graphic by Michaela Stanley

BOOKSHIRE: Peru opens new coffee shop

Written By Reagan Connelly

The cutest little coffee shop in town is now open! Bookshire Coffee is a familyowned coffee shop right next to the Casey’s here in Peru. The shop is perfect for

college students with low prices and plenty of places to quietly study.

Bookshire is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week. The menu includes lattes,

mochas, matcha, hot chocolate, cold brew, London Fog and chai tea.

The shop offers a variety of teas and pastries as well.

The shop also sells

books written by the owners. These books are inspired by cozy shire life and offer many cottage core recipes for those who want to slow down their lives.

The shop also has a large collection of used books from recipe books to children’s books to adult novels. Check it out when you get the chance!

Treats by Ashley in Auburn

Written By Max Guhde-Egger

A package of cupcakes from Treats by Ashley. Photo by Max Guhde-Egger

There is a new bakery that has opened in Auburn called Treats by Ashley. It is at 118 J Street in Auburn, next to The Neighborhood Closet and Hair-N-More.

It is open Friday and Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.

A facebook page by the same name gives updates on when the bakery is open and what treats are available for purchase that day.

On the Facebook page, you can also contact Ashley if you want to place a personal order such as a birthday cake.

At the bakery, there are cupcakes of all

different flavors like confetti, strawberry, chocolate, red velvet and more. There are also a variety of bagels: sesame seed, poppy seed, salt, everything and cinnamon sugar.

There muffin flavors are blueberry, lemon raspberry and banana.

The cookies available are monster, chocolate chip, lemon, red velvet, snickerdoodle, banana bread and lemon.

Different drinks are also available for purchase at the bakery when you stop in.

These flavors might not always be there, so

if you see something you like, get it while it is there.

Parking is available in front of the store and on the roads surrounding the square.

Inside the bakery, there are multiple tables and games to be used, so bring your friends, grab a snack and drink, and play a game of bingo or two.

A call to stop cat discrimination

Written By Virgina Kouba

There is a visible trend of cats being the black sheep of the pet world, and it should stop.

A stereotype portrays cats as standoffish, unfriendly and untrainable. Dogs are stereotyped as affectionate, playful goofballs who are extremely loyal to their owners. When a cat is friendly and loving, they are ‘like a dog.’

A lot of ‘dog people’ vehemently hate cats. Maybe the hate stems from one past negative interaction. Perhaps they don’t like that some cats assert boundaries and live life on their terms or that one must work for a cat’s affection. Maybe

they believe all cats are disloyal and emotionally unavailable.

However, if these people were able to look past their bias, they would realize cats are extremely admirable, diverse creatures worthy of love and respect.

Cats are opportunists. They saw humans as their ticket to food and a comfortable lifestyle and domesticated themselves. Cats are smart. They can be trained to walk on a leash, perform tricks and ring a bell to go outside. Some love nothing more than to curl up with their favorite person for a nap.

When people are allergic to cats, they are vehement

about not touching or going near them, even refusing to enter a cat owner’s house. Are dog allergies handled the same way?

Is any opposition to dogs smiled upon? Owners say their big dog is just ‘saying hello’ when it jumps on someone. Imagine the reaction to a cat owner saying the same thing.

Next time you feel the urge to make any statement about hating cats, please reconsider. It’s 2024. Let’s stop discriminating against a whole species.

-Signed, a lover of BOTH canines and felines who is tired of the stigma surrounding cats.

Internship with Nebraska Unicameral

Written By Raegan Connelly

Things in the Nebraska Legislature have been ramping up for the end of session. Right now, debates are taking place in the chamber as senators prepare to vote on bills.

In other news, Senator Slama has decided not to run for reelection,

choosing instead to spend more time with her son and focus on her private practice. Because of this, things have slowed down in her office as we begin to tie up loose ends and prepare for her exit from the legislature.

As for my own work,

I continue to help with the newsletter, take notes on debate and generally help out wherever I can.

Last week Peru State College did a press release about me, and I was in a bunch of local papers, so that was really cool!

Graphic by Virginia Kouba

Reagan Connelly stands with Julie Slama in her office. Photo provided by Reagan Connelly

Grant Hallstrom: found in a unique situation

Written By Reagan Connelly

Meet Grant Hallstrom. Hallstrom is a history major here at Peru State College. Outside of school, Hallstrom enjoys volunteering as an assistant to the basketball team at his Alma Mater, Syracuse High School, golfing and hanging out with friends.

As Hallstrom prepares to graduate, this semester has found him in a unique situation as his dad, Bob Hallstrom, has decided to run for office.

Hallstrom said

his dad came to the decision to run for the recently open District 1 seat in the Nebraska legislature after 3 weeks of discussion with his family.

“The night before, we had one last big meeting and decided ‘ok we’re doing this,’” Hallstrom said.

Hallstrom said he contributes to the campaign as “treasurer and cheerleader.” He also helps by picking up and delivering yard signs.

Hallstrom said he supports his dad’s

plan to run for office, adding that he thinks his dad will win, as he has 40 years of experience to back him up.

The most interesting part of the campaign for Hallstrom is the different connections made through campaigning.

“You meet a lot of interesting people,” Hallstrom said.

Campaigning takes a lot of time and work, but Hallstrom balances his life between school and campaign by

Grant Hallstrom stands with his family at a Husker game. Photo provided by Grant Hallstrom setting aside specific days to work on the campaign and the rest of the days to focus on school. Bob Hallstrom’s platform is a “strong conservative

Angelisne Owens-Foster: BSU Student President

Written By Caleb Kozeny

Angelisne OwensFoster is a sophomore here at Peru State College. She came to Peru to study zoology, but due to a change of heart, she now studies elementary education.

During her freshman year, Owens-Foster joined the Dance Team and the Black Student Union in what she called “a leap of faith.”

Her friend joined BSU, and she wanted a to

try something new. Owens-Foster is now the president.

This year, the Black Student Union has participated in multiple volunteer events. They have hosted a speaker, and they have held many cookouts. These cookouts are designed to help celebrate the African American community in Peru, while also having some good food.

To wrap up this semester, Owens-

Foster plans on having one last soul food cookout during dead week.

For next semester, her goals within the club are to promote better cooperation between the student organizations, get more involved on campus and grow the Black Student Union in members.

“It’s a common misconception, but you don’t have to be black to join the BSU,” Owens-Foster said.

voice for Nebraska.”

Black Student Union president Angelisne Owens-Foster pictured to the left. Photo by Caleb Kozeny

Jeremiah Villeneuve: turning something raw into something beautiful

Written By Elaina Riley

Jeremiah Villeneuve of Peru, Neb. has been a maintenance worker at Peru State for nine years. While here, Villeneuve has worked on building the Campus of a Thousand Oaks Wellness Trail as well as the Pilot Employee Wellness Program.

He said he strives to give back to the community and build relationships with staff and students.

“Working at Peru State College has given me the opportunity to give back to the community, purchase my first home and positively impacting the ones I work with,” Villeneuve said. “Starting Villeneuve Woodworks in a small town has given me the ability to expand the network vastly.”

Villeneuve attended Peru and played football from 2002-2004. After taking time off to work construction and carpentry, he finished his degree in 2017. Villeneuve was also was a student worker, helping build some of the structures.

“The biggest change on campus was the Delzell renovation,”

Villeneuve said. “Back then, we had no AC, brown water, no elevator and touchy electrical

panels. I was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the remodel as a student worker with the maintenance department before coming on as a full time employee.”

Villeneuve is an entrepreneur, where his main focus is high-end furniture for residential customers and businesses. He said his style is “Midwest Modern,” which highlights the natural beauty of the different slabs.

Villeneuve started his business in 2021. He said that tying “The Campus of a Thousand Oaks” and a beard helped bring his brand full circle, making it iconic.

“People have told me that they see me in the brand,” Villeneuve said. “I want to build it to be as recognizable as the Nike swoosh.”

Villeneuve said that Sally Adams, former staff member, helped motivate him to sell some small carvings at craft fairs. He attended Workbench Con in Atlanta, Ga., where he said he met the Makers that inspired him to take his business to the next level.

“I don’t have any business background,”

Villeneuve said. “I taught myself. I’ve been around carpentry and woodworking my whole life.”

A large aspect of his business is through word of mouth, social media marketing and reaching out to businesses in the community.

Villeneuve said that he recognizes the power of a phone and ease of making videos.

“Social media is free,” Villeneuve said. “The power to monetize content, brand deals, sponsorships and affiliate marketing can change your life. All it takes is one video or post.”

Villeneuve sells maintenance materials for cutting, charcuterie boards and different types of merch, ranging from hats, shirts, stickers, tumblers and mugs.

Villeneuve takes commission work, but he also sells premade products for markets such as the Brownville Flea Market.

“It’s a chance to network and see people face to face,” Villeneuve said. “It’s important to get leverage in small towns.”

He has also tied the brand together by his beard care line of balms

and oils. Villeneuve’s beard care products are sold at Dutch Pantry as well as Big Red Sawmill.

One of his favorite builds is the large bench he did as a memorial dedication for Arbor Day Farms.

“I love taking something raw, and turning it into something beautiful,” Villeneuve said.

“Highlighting the natural beauty without covering up imperfections.”

Villeneuve said he had humble beginnings as he bootstrapped his way up. He was ready to move into a larger shop downtown before the place exploded–he said he dodged a bullet.

Villeneuve said that he is engaged to the love of his life, who

he met on campus.

“I will be leaving Peru next year to pursue my passion for woodworking full time,” Villeneuve said.

Villeneuve said he stresses the importance of engagement on social media platforms.

“For all young entrepreneurs, do not be afraid to fail,” Villeneuve said. “Just start. Keep your expenses minimal, and watch your business grow! Get on social media and make content!”

Check out

Jeremiah’s work on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube. Please consider subscribing, and reach out if you’re interested in learning more.

Jeremiah Villeneuve sits on a bench that he made. Photo provided by Jeremiah Villeneuve

Features

Legal Cannibalism

Written by Trey Drake

A popular show going on right now is Society of the Snow. It premiered on Netflix on Sept. 9, 2023 and has been very successful and popular.

Though I’m sure most people going into it knew this already, this show was based off a real-life event. I n 1972, a Uruguayan rugby team crash landed in the Andes mountains. In 72 days, 16 people managed to survive, dealing with extreme cold, starvation and dehydration. Over the course of the duration, some of them did indeed resort to cannibalism in order to survive.

The most interesting discovery made while researching this topic was that they did not technically commit cannibalism, at least

in the legal sense. Cannibalism in the legal sense is a crime in which someone murders another human being and then consumes their flesh.

There is, in fact, a legal version of cannibalism, known as anthropophagy. While the exact definition of anthropophagy is human cannibalism, once again in the definition of the law, anthropophagy is the act of consuming an already expired person as a means to survive.

In even rarer instances, a person gives another person consent to the eating of their flesh. To sum it up, cannibalism is murdering and eating someone, but anthropophagy is scavenging an already dead person and eating them.

What’s the Difference?

Cannibalism

• Illegal

• Involves murder

• Human consumption Anthropophagy

• Legal

• Person is already dead

• Human consumption

Events This Month

• Sexual Assault Awareness Month

• SAAM Show: What Were You Wearing?

• Research and Creativity Expo on April 9 (more information on the front page)

• Jazz Festival on April 12

• Peru Theater Company’s production of “Orphans” on April 17

Letters, cartoons, artciles, pictures, and any other material can be sumitted to the Times via email at perustatetimes@gmail.com. The Times reserves the right to edit any submission for grammar, length and clarity. The Times also reserves the right to decline the publication of any material, including paid advertisements, for any reason. To view previous issues of the Peru State Times, view https://peru.libguides.com/archives/newspapers.

Kaelyn Hamblen: Peru State College Softball

Written By Elaina Riley

Kaelyn Hamblen of Omaha, Neb. is a sophomore and third baseman for Peru State Softball. She transferred at semester in 2022 from Buena Vista University.

“It was a quick turnaround, but I didn’t want to wait to start playing here,” Hamblen said.

Hamblen said that she grew up around the game, as her parents played slow pitch softball, and she played club ball at the age of eight.

Hamblen said that her

faith has shaped her as a person and athlete. She said she has recently been getting more into her faith.

“I play for Christ and leave it to him,” Hamblen said. “He doesn’t care how well I do in a game.”

Outside of softball, Hamblen said she has a passion for singing. She said her mom recalls her singing and dancing before she could talk.

On campus, Hamblen is involved in concert choir.

She said that she enjoys

expressing herself through these two very different activities. She said she is also able to be a leader in both.

“I have to balance choir and softball,” Hamblen said. “I’ll be on the field with a song stuck in my head or practicing my music on bus rides.”

Hamblen is an exercise science major, and she has recently added an art minor. In the future, she plans on going to grad school and becoming a physical therapist.

“I can’t do injuries on the spot,” Hamblen said. “I want to be more behind the scenes.”

Gustavo Rivera: Peru State College Baseball

Written By Elaina Riley

Gustavo Rivera of Bayamon, Puerto Rico is a junior for Peru State baseball. Prior to Peru, Rivera attended Junior College in Texas. He got recruited to Peru while playing for a summer league in Kansas called the Bravos.

As a child, Rivera said he got his black belt in taekwondo and did gymnastics. Then his dad introduced him to baseball.

“It didn’t take a lot of time for me to love the game<” Rivera said. “It wasn’t a hard choice to continue with it.”

Rivera watched the Yankees, and he said his favorite player was Jorge Posada from Puerto Rico.

“When I was younger, I wanted to be that guy,” Rivera said. “I became a catcher like him and wore his number.”

In Rivera’s career, he has always been the catcher. This year, he switched to left field and was included in the batting lineup.

“This season I made my first college career home run, and the whole team celebrated for me,” Rivera said.

Rivera said that his

strength is now hitting. He also said that it helps to have teammate Antonio Benitez behind him in the lineup.

“It’s nice to be able to come in at moments and be there for my team,” Rivera said.

Outside of baseball, Rivera has been working at the local bar for four years. He is double majoring in kinesiology and psychology.

“Athletes get injured and they need to bounce back,” Rivera said. “The psychological part of rehab is really important.”

Rivera said he is looking

“Another year to play,” Rivera said. “That’s what is motivating me. One more year of the grind.”

Kaelyn Hamblen tagging opponent out. Photo provided by Kaelyn Hamblen

Gustavo Rivera up to bat. Photo provided by Gustavo Rivera forward to finishing his college career.

Entertainment

The Candle

Written by Caleb Kozeny

Rain pattered against the window, as the thunder growled softly in the distance. As I leaned against the sill, I was mesmerized by the dance of the candle’s flame. It flickered as it fought for its survival, greedily gasping for breath. With each inhalation, this once feeble flame grew brighter and bolder. Its ardent flicker brought a warmth to my face that rivaled the gloom outside.

I cracked the window and the wind rushed in seeking asylum from the dreary night. Boreas arrived first and strangled the flame nearly into submission. The blaze choked and gasped for breath, but its flickering fought on. Not showing any form of capitulation, the spirit valiantly defended its right to live.

This tenacity proved rewarding when the primordial Anemoi calmed his fury and released the icy chokehold. High on its own triumph, the audacious flame grew again, this time more

vibrant and furious than before. Its heat melted through the dripping wax at a fallacious speed, ironically shortening its own lifespan.

Sensing this hubris, the wind came back, this time with assistance from the raging storm outside. The thunder roared like a jaguar as the rain ferociously pounced on its prey. With an accuracy to rival a shot from William Tell, the rain extinguished its adversary.

After a few seconds, the only memory of the flame and its hubris was the melted wax. What a foolish yet oddly familiar set of events I thought.

To The Future

Written By Michaela Stanley

The day Pax got his degree was a happy one, but also chaotic. Any pup wanted to walk across the stage, receive their diploma, and trot back off without stumbling. Pax was not so fortunate to have dainty paws though, and when his time came, he promptly tripped.

“Your mom got the whole thing on video,” Bob exclaimed a little while later, after they had settled on the lawn for lunch.

“Great,” Pax muttered, ears drooping. “…was it entertaining at least?”

“You tell me,” Bob shrugged.

“All I heard was laughing,” Pax slumped forward into the grass. “So I guess yes?”

Just then, an arctic fox came up to them. “Pax?” She asked.

Pax jolted upright, ears perked. “Yeah? What’s up, Alaska? Congratulations, by the way.”

The white fox smiled. “Thanks. You too. I just wanted to come say thank you.”

Pax tipped his chin. “You’re… welcome?”

Alaska laughed, her outburst ending in a yip. “For the falling joke. I was really nervous walking the podium. But you made me feel a bit better.”

“Oh… Oh! Yeah, of course. That’s what I’m here for,” Pax grinned, tail wagging.

He liked the way Alaska laughed. It made him feel better about the moment too. If she could laugh about it, then maybe it hadn’t been that bad. And besides, it didn’t matter in the grand scheme, when both of them now had their futures to look forward to.

Photo courtesy of wallpapers.com

Photo courtesy of pixaby.com

The BookShire: Featuring the Family

Written By Elaina Riley

Preston Shires, originally from Porterville California, is the co-owner of The BookShire, along with his wife Sylvie. The two met in a Medieval Literature class while Preston was in France for college.

Preston said his family were old time settlers, moving to the Nemaha County area in 1854. His grandfather Homer Matthews owned the farm, which was then given to his mother, and then to Preston. Sylvie is originally from France.

“We have lived in Nebraska for over 35 years,” Sylvie said. “It is our home.”

In 2019, they put up a bid for the space that is now the coffee shop. Preston said that he did not think it would get accepted, but trusted God’s plan to go through with it.

“I saw that the old car wash was up for sale,” Preston said. “I thought, well, we could make a coffee shop out of that.”

Preston said the theme of their coffee

shop is inspired by English tea houses. He also said that Sylvie was partial to the idea because her great-grandmother had owned a tea shop in France. He describes the style as Country Victorian.

“We had professionals help with electricity, plumbing, and tiling,” Preston said. “The rest…we did ourselves.”

Along with drinks and baked goods, they have games and offer free books. Preston and Sylvie sell their own books as well.

“The name of the shop comes from our last name, Shire, and our love for books,” Preston said.

Preston said that he is surprised by the variety of drinks that can be made. He also said that he likes to be more behind the scenes.

“I work on repairs,” Preston said. “Sylvie developed the style. She’s the face of the place.”

Their son, Sheldon, has a background with restaurant management at Lied Lodge in Nebraska

City. He developed the menu and runs the social media accounts. His wife Ellie does the baking.

Sheldon said that they have had an enthusiastic and supportive welcome to the community. They plan to add a drive-thru this summer and expand hours to fit the needs of students for next school year.

Sheldon said they are adding more food and drink options to the menu.

“We have something for everybody,” Sheldon said. “We want to be a space that students can come to after class.”

Preston and Sylvie Shires pictured above. Photo by Elaina Riley

Graphic by Reagan Connelly

Animal Disposability Mindset

Written By Virgina Kouba

Household pets are sometimes viewed more as commodities and house accessories than living beings. Designer dog breeds are purchased as eye candy for the home or status symbols. People seem to forget that they need to put work into these pets; hours of training, exercise and love build a strong bond and a healthy pet. Neglecting these essential elements can lead to dogs that ‘act

out’ and ‘misbehave.’ Instead of spending the time to fix the situation they created through neglect, owners dispose of the bothersome creature. Whether a spur of the moment adoption from a shelter or a purchase from a roadside stand, people choose to bring a living, breathing animal into their families. What happens when this creature isn’t what one thought it would be?

What happens when the puppy experience isn’t just furry cuddles and adorable photo shoots, but instead potty-training messes, expensive vet visits or sleepless nights due to crying?

Since when did it become so commonplace to discard a living creature when it no longer serves its purpose? While cats and dogs aren’t viewed the same as human children, they

are innocent lives that adults have chosen to take under their care. It’s socially acceptable, if not necessarily smiled upon, to drop off an older cat or dog at a shelter when they don’t fit into your life anymore. This is a call to take accountability.

Do the breed research. Be ready for the animal, timewise and financially. Make a commitment to this pet for its lifetime.

Nebraska’s Congressional District Method

Written By Reagan Connelly

With the end of the semester comes the end of the legislative session and the end of my internship. This was an incredible experience, and I could not be more grateful to the Vrtiskas for giving me this opportunity.

As the legislature wound down, the office I worked in faced a unique situation. Normally Senators’ offices get ready for the next session, but since Senator Slama is not running for reelection, there was nothing to prepare for.

Instead, we focused on finishing the bills that were already in process, a very big

thing that happened in the legislature this past quarter.

A few years ago, Senator Slama introduced a bill that would change the Nebraska Electoral College system from a Congressional District Method to the Winner-TakeAll Method used by 48 states in the Union.

The Winner-Take-All Method is the system in which the candidate who wins the majority of the electoral votes takes all the electoral votes in that state. For example, Illinois has 19 electoral votes, if the Democrat candidate

wins 10 and the Republican candidate wins 9, the Democrat candidate will get all 19.

In the Congressional District Method, the candidate gets the votes he won. For example, Nebraska has 5 electoral votes. If the Democrat candidate wins 2 votes and the Republican candidate wins 3 votes, the Democrat candidate gets 2 votes, and the Republican candidate gets 3 votes.

Slama’s bill got delayed indefinitely. A few weeks ago, it was reintroduced by Senator Lippincott. Although

several republicans voiced support for it, when Slama called their bluff by calling it to a vote, it did not garner enough votes to pass. This caught the attention of media across the nation as all eyes turned to Nebraska, waiting to see what we would do.

As of the end of legislature, Nebraska has not adopted the Winner-Take-All System and has remained the only state, along with Vermont, to have the Congressional District Method.

Photos by Virginia Kouba

Brandon Kristensen: next year’s senate president

Written By Caleb Kozeny

Brandon Kristensen is a junior here at Peru State College with majors in Health & Physical Education and Social Science Education.

“Quite frankly, I couldn’t pick what major to choose, so I just chose both,” Kristensen said.

Kristensen said he wishes to do both because he loves coaching and he had a good history teacher growing up.

Kristensen is also president of Student Senate next year. He said joined the senate

this fall because he wanted to change a few things around campus. He also said he knew quite a few senators.

Kristensen said that next year, he hopes to fill the senate and get more diverse voices heard.

Many activities and organizations around campus are funded by the senate, such as CAB, club sports and various trips. The senate also gets a bit of say in some contracts around campus to help formally voice

student concerns.

Kristensen is also a part of cross country, the Peru Association of Student Athletes, Social Science Club, Outdoor Club, and he works for admissions.

“If you’re interested in the senate, come talk to us in the fall,” Kristensen said. “We’ll put you guys on. We’re not looking to scare anyone away. Also, don’t be afraid to ask what’s going on in senate. Any senator should be able to tell you what’s happening around campus.”

Laura Miller: president of the science club

Written By Caleb Kozeny

Laura Miller is a senior here at Peru State College with a major in wildlife ecology.

Miller came to college to become a zookeeper, but after a zookeeping internship in North Dakota she had a change of heart.

“I just wanted more out of my science education,” Miller said.

Miller said she was confused about her path, but she knew she liked research.

“Each thing we know comes from someone who worked really hard,”

Miller said. “I kinda want to be a part of that: add another sentence to a textbook or something.”

Wanting something to do around campus, she joined the Science Club her freshman year.

Miller is now the president of the organization and a part of the honor society Beta Beta Beta.

The Science Club does many things around campus like having presenters in relevant fields come and talk to their members. They also volunteer at

the Brownville library, and they clean up the highways.

Miller said she hopes the Science Club grows and gets a better turn out at events. There has been a lack of participation in many areas of the campus, and she said she hopes that changes.

Miller said getting out of her comfort zone and exploring her other interests has made her so much more rounded as a person.

“Don’t confine yourself to how you think you identify,” Miller said.

Brandon Kristensen pictured above. Photo provided by Brandon Kristensen

Laura Miller pictured above.

Photo provided by Laura Miller

Cody Warren: inspiring others through art

Written By Elaina Riley

Cody Warren of Auburn, Neb. has been working maintenance at Peru State for three years. He graduated from Peru in 2019 and met his partner Hannah here. Aside from his job on campus, Warren is an artist.

Warren said he has been making art since he was a kid, starting with notebook sketches. He remained a sketch artist until 2021, when he decided to expand to paintings.

“I’m not traditionally trained,” Warren said. “I want to keep it like that. It keeps me creative.”

Warren said he loves painting in the afternoon where he has a small window for sunlight. He experiments with thick paint, bright colors and bold lines. He said he loves getting into his “flow” when making art.

“Some artists

enjoy it when they are done--seeing an accomplishment,” Warren said. “I like the journey in between.”

Warren said his style is contemporary and interpersonal. He said he enjoys painting clowns because they are cool, edgy and have a creep level that will make some viewers uncomfortable.

“Painting clowns... it represents me…we all put a face on in society,” Warren said.

Warren said that he gets inspiration from life experience and the struggles he has faced.

“It’s my life I am putting onto a canvas,” Warren said. “Some things you just can’t be taught; you have to go through it.”

Warren said that he started painting in his bedroom and now has a personal studio to paint at.

He said that he hopes to blossom once he gets his own space.

Warren said his goals are to eventually go full time and to sell to people in other areas.

“It’s difficult to get your art out there,” Warren said. “You have to not care what people think.”

Warren said that he stresses the importance

of art, where everyone is an artist with how they express themselves.

Richard Clopton: using art to teach science

Written By Elaina Riley

Dr. Rich Clopton, professor of biology, uses art to teach science. He has been teaching at Peru since 1995, and has given roughly 8,000 lectures.

Clopton mentors students in the lab as they do their own projects. In his own research, he focuses on the evolution of biodiversity, where he studies parasites and insects. He does

research with his wife, Lab Coordinator Deb Clopton.

“We do everything from collecting to dissections to DNA extraction,” Clopton said. “We use a whole toolbox of techniques.”

Clopton fixed his first clock at 18, after he broke it as a child and his grandfather kept it for him to reassemble.

“I’ve always been interested in clocks,”

Clopton said. “A clock is really just a mechanical answer to making a weight fall at a known rate.”

In his lectures, Clopton draws and has students follow along.

“I think it slows the lecture down…with the way people’s minds work,” Clopton said. “I put pieces in a physical space while explaining.”

Cody Warren’s art. Photos provided by Cody Warren

Richard Clopton with his clock. Photos provided by Richard Clopton

End of the Year Info

Written By Max Guhde-Egger

College is ending soon, so this is a reminder for what might need to be done.

For class, look at your assignments to make sure that you have everything in so your professors can grade. You want to make sure you are getting the best grade possible.

Try to show up for the last few classes we have, no matter how tempting it might be to stop attending. Check when your finals are and make sure to study up, but more importantly, make sure you get a proper amount of sleep.

For the dorms, check fridges and get rid of moldy food or anything that might not survive the trip home. Sweep

and vacuum your room, and try to clean the sink if possible. Do any laundry that needs to be done so you won’t have a need for a separate container for your dirty clothes.

The latest you can stay in the dorms is May 3 at 5 p.m. Make sure to check out with your RA so they can walk through and verify that the room is clean and that nothing is damaged. Turn in your key when you are ready to leave to either your RA or the ResLife office.

Have a great summer! May the graduates have a great summer of job applications, and for others, a great summer before another year of college.