Dragon’s Tale3page topic

creat iv i ty at work

an honorablemention a hero in

disguisecollegedebt

Fall 2012 Cover.indd 3 10/30/12 1:37 PM

Dragon’s Tale*

06-07

staff

meet the staffDragon’s Tale staff members for the 2012 fall issue

Carolyn DurbinEmily File Susi Acosta Ad ManagerVictoria HendricksAndrea Ratzlaff Design EditorTaylor MitchellPat MooreMayra RamirezMorgan Oriet Copy EditorTaylor Thimesch

Not picturedDarren RameyJustin Hodge

08-11Elementary Education Morgan Oriet

ITS Department Susi Acosta

04-05Creative Hobbies

Andrea Ratzlaff

02-03Honors Program

Victoria Hendricks

TOC.indd 2 10/30/12 3:39 PM

Dragon’s Tale1

06-07

table of contents

The Dragon’s Tale is published three times a year by the Magazine class of Hutchinson Community

College, 1300 North Plum, Hutchinson, KS 67501. When

compiled, the three issues serve as an overview of the activities and the people of HCC during

the school year.

12-13

18-19

14-15

20-2122-2324-2526-2728-37

08-11

04-0502-03

what’s inside

16-17

Fair FoodEmily File

College DebtPat Moore

Fire ScienceCarolyn Durbin

Non-traditional StudentsTaylor Thimesch

Cross CountryMayra Ramirez

VolleyballDarren Ramey

SoccerTaylor Mitchell

FootballStaff

Ads

TOC.indd 3 10/30/12 3:39 PM

Dragon’s Tale2honors program

Explore the Honors Program and find out what

students can gain from it

She got her wish, for the Honors Program offers honors shells in most gen-eral education classes and electives.

The Honors Program is also working on making classes more flexible, hoping to have a plan within five years.

“The Honors Subcom-mittee has discussed looking into online, evening, and other campus classes,” Ryan Diehl, instructor of English and Honors Program Coor-dinator, said.

One of the many things the Honors Program offers is preparation to a four year institution.

“The Honors Program helps the student create a strong work ethic that will assist students when they transfer to a four year insti-tution,” Diehl said. “The classes should also strengthen writing, study, and research skills.”

It’s not all work and no play, though. The program also has an array of social and community projects to participate in as well.

The Honors Student Council also has many differ-ent activities for the students.

“We have partnered with The Volunteer Center of Reno County for the United Way Day of Service and sponsor the annual Food Bank of Reno County food drive. In addition to this, we also go to Third Thursday, have movie nights, explore The Kansas State Fair, and pretty much anything that honors students are interested in,” Diehl said.

The atmosphere and

financial perks are another ben-efit with being in the Honors Program.

“You get more discussion out of honors classes, which I think is really important as far as expanding your intel-lectual basis,” Daniel Eckhoff, Hutchinson, said. “As far as financially, we have the Honors Merit Scholar, and elsewhere at other universities there are scholarships you can get.”

To be eligible, someone must either have an ACT score of 26 or higher, be an HCC Presidential Scholar, or having taken at least 12 hours of col-lege credit with a GPA of 3.25. However, Diehl said, students who do not meet these criteria but are still interested in taking honors courses may meet with the coordinator and apply for provisional status.

The Honors Program could also be called “The Caring Honors Program”, desiring constant feedback.

“We have the Honors Stu-dent Council made up of execu-tives that you can go to, and of course, there’s Ryan Diehl, the coordinator,” Eckhoff said.

In a nutshell, the honors program aims to improve the overall lives of its students.

“One goal the Honors Pro-gram has for its participants is to make them active participants in life,” Diehl said. “This then will assist them in both the workplace and out in the com-munity. They will have strong critical thinking skills that will help them in every part of their lives.”

With all that the Honors Program has to offer students, it is the hope that the dangling question of who will join will soon be answered.

As cool blues and warm crimson greet college freshman into the room where future potential honors students gather, a question of who joins the Honors Program dangles in the air.

A recurring theme amongst honors students on that “it” factor the program delivers is evident.

“I joined the Honors Pro-gram because I wanted an opportunity to take advanced classes,” Trischia Ruckert, Hutchinson, said. “I had always wanted a challenge in high school and few classes could do that for me.”

photos&story

V i c t o r i a H e n d r i c k s

An

onorableMention

H

154 288

said no

said yes

442 students surveyed

Students Interested in Honors Courses

002-003.indd 2 10/30/12 5:27 PM

Dragon’s Tale3honors program

Honors students explored downtown Hutchinson during their annual Third Thursday event. They analyzed a billboard that promoted changing the town’s name to Smallville.

Andrew Kester, Wichita, and Emma Flynn, Lindsborg, roam through a building at the Kansas State Fair. Both Kester and Flynn admired a quilt.

Andrew Kester, Wichita, stops at the petting zoo at the Kansas State Fair. Kester attended HCC’s state fair excursion during his second year as an honors student.

002-003.indd 3 10/30/12 5:27 PM

Dragon’s Tale4creative hobbies

When Do-It-Yourself proj-ects, career choices, wedding planning, or creating memories are involved, Pinterest and Tumblr spark creativity among HCC students.

“I have always loved it,” Ciara VanBruggen, Buhler, said. “I remember in kindergar-ten, I absolutely loved coloring the letter sheets. I guess I have always been artsy.”

Pinterest inspires VanBrug-gen to create and put her own twist on projects found on the website.

“Pinterest is my hobby life. It sparks my creativity,” VanBrug-gen said.

VanBruggen explains that her creative time helps to express herself and relax.

“Sometimes I even procrasti-nate my homework just so I can do something else,” VanBrug-gen said. “It clears my mind.”

DIY projects, recipes, fash-ion tips and tutorials are plentiful on Pinterest, which VanBruggen fully takes advan-tage of.

“I absolutely love doing hair, so I am actually going to take a year off and go to cosmetology school,” Vanbruggen said. “I think Pinterest has helped me with that because I can take my ideas off of it.”

In addition to career pos-sibilities, VanBruggen uses the site to express her personal style.

“I enjoy doing any paper craft. In a lot of my art work I like to incorporate Bible verses,” VanBruggen said. “I think Bible verses are very inspiring and I also think they are very beautiful.”

Creativity easily defines VanBruggen’s lifestyle, seen in her career choice as well as future plans.

“I cannot imagine myself ever not being crafty. I don’t see myself ever just sitting down,” VanBruggen said.

Pinterest also proves to be very resourceful for Kelsey Moore, Hutchinson, who is planning her wedding through ideas on the website.

“You can search a topic and artistic pictures, DIY, photogra-phy ideas fill your ‘main feed.’ A new app for my phone makes it easier and quicker to ‘repin’ different ideas,” Moore said.

Moore has organized her wedding into different “boards,” or categories such as photography, reception, ceremony and dress ideas.

“It’s a lot cheaper than using a wedding planner. A lot of people have used it. Differ-ent wedding blogs are great resources,” Moore said.

Moore expresses her artistic flare through DIY projects such

as braided jersey scarves and bracelets. Her wedding will reflect her artsy style.

Pinterest inspires many stu-dents but for Kyle Thompson, Hutchinson, sites like Tumblr and various media inspire him to create designs on his pre-ferred mode of transportation, his longboard.

“The first longboard that I bought was actually a blank deck,” Thompson said. “I wanted it blank just so I could draw on it. Some of the decks have designs that I don’t like. I wanted to make it personal.”

Thompson attended Ceder-ville University in Ohio last semester and needed a quick way to get around the campus, and longboards were the popu-lar way to go.

“My first board was all sharpie. Some people thought that it was just a graphic sticker,” Thompson said. “I have used paint twice, and then I’ve done a colored sharpie one. Paint has a 3D look to it. But it’s cooler to say that I did that with sharpie.”

Thompson explains that there are two parts to complet-ing the design. He first scrapes off the old design to get to the raw wood, puts finish on it, draws the design, and applies gloss to complete the work of art. The whole process takes about 12 to 15 hours.

“Make time. Always make time. People make time for the things they love to do. This was something that always inter-ested me and I like art so I like designing them,” Thompson said.

Inspiration for the designs spring from various forms such as graffiti, music, funky colors, nature, and random design including tattoos.

“All the brands have the same kind of standards and logo on the bottom,” Thompson said. “It’s nice to say that mine’s the one over there, the one that is definitely not like the others.”

Being unique is clearly one of Thompson’s motive for designing these longboards.

Thompson also takes pride in having something unique to share with his future children, friends, or coworkers about what he did in college, riding his custom-designed longboard around campus.

Pinterest and Tumblr inspire these students to express them-selves and ultimately create memories that can be shared with future generations.

photos&story

A n d r e a R a t z l a f f

Kyle Thompson, Hutchinson, longboards to school almost every day. Thompson designed the bottom of his board with a sharpie marker.

004-005 Hobbies_Update.indd 4 10/30/12 1:34 PM

Dragon’s Tale5creative hobbies

004-005 Hobbies_Update.indd 5 10/30/12 1:34 PM

Dragon’s Tale6information technology services

photos&story

S u s i A c o s t a

Information Technology Department Assists with Technology Equipment Problems

Modern day technology has the attention of everyone nowadays. People around the world have all kinds of high tech equipment. About 90% of college students own a personal laptop. Being involved with technology, a person can run into some problems.

The Information Technol-ogy Services, better known as the IT Department, is designed to help HCC staff, faculty, and students with any technology failure. They work with closed-circuit televisions, security cameras, interactive TV (ITV) systems, projectors and document cameras, and computer problems, free of cost.

“We work on a long list of problems,” Glenn Acheson, technical support manager, said. “Essentially if it has to do with a computer or the network, we are likely involved in some fashion.”

The department consists of a total of 18 staff members and

also employs several student workers.

“It has been a great experi-ence,” Jeff Daze, Wichita, said. “I’m getting a lot of real world experience that’s exposing me to different real world situations that could help me in the future.”

Learning something new can be quite challenging at times. Some students love to experiment and engage in n e w ch a l l e n g e s wh i l e others don’t think the same way. Learning systems for the first time is not an easy task when you’re a new student. There are many programs a student has to learn. Some procedures are more difficult than others.

“Sitting in front of a soft-ware I haven’t had much experience on was difficult for me than you have to learn all t h e d i f f e r e n t p r o c e -d u r e s . N o b o d y r e a l l y teaches you how to do it but when you’re actually doing the job,” Richard Petrie, Hutchinson, said.

If a person is busy and

Connected

Get

Typing, Chris Buff, Newton, logs into his computer before he gets started at work. Buff waits patently for a student who needs his help.

006-007 It Department.indd 6 10/30/12 12:59 PM

Dragon’s Tale7information technology services

How to save your battery’s

life

not able to walk to the IT department to solve a technical problem, there are options. That person can call IT at 620-665-3514 and a staff member will walk them through a concern over the phone. This is not something most people have to do on a daily basis. Being able to solve a concern through the phone is not an easy task.

“It took me a while to get used to working on the phone because it’s a differ-ent mentality,” Chris Buff, Newton, said.

Through the year, the IT Department staff members will be given the chance to help the HCC employees as well as gain job knowledge.

Technology is the fast-est growing and advancing element in our economy today, it will continue to grow everyday, every month and every year. Technology in recent years has advanced quickly which means more failures. With all of this new technology, the IT Department is assured new issues and challenges.

Technical Support Manager, Mo Odeh, talks on the phone while he waits for the day to get started. Odeh answers questions to an HCC member.

Jeff Daze, Wichita, discusses a program with Buff. Both IT stu-dents returned as staff members.

Information Technology Department Hours

Monday-Friday 7:30am-9:00pm

Saturday8:00am-Noon

Sunday1:00-5:00pm

Located in Lockman Hall Room 108

Dim your screen. Your laptop battery requires a lot of energy. Keep it dim but still capable to

read your screen.

Hibernate DON’T standby. Hibernating saves more energy be-

cause it saves your work to a hard drive then it

automatically shuts your laptop down almost all

the way.

Take care of your bat-tery. Don’t leave your

battery charger plugged in all day, this actually

harms your laptop.

DON’T pack your laptop in a backpack or other enclosed space. It causes the battery to get

hot and damages it.

Avoid multitasking! Try cutting down programs running in the back-ground.

006-007 It Department.indd 7 10/30/12 12:59 PM

Dragon’s Tale8elementary education

story

M o r g a n O r i e tschool teacher, Mrs. Rich-mond, because she was really caring and she made people feel like they were important and she was just good around kids,” Lacie Story, Hutchinson, said.

Gabby Fischer, Olathe, also remembers her teacher from middle school, Mr. Haines.

“I was never a person who was into school, actually, but he got me motivated and he was just so much fun, so I will never forget him and I still keep in touch with him till this day,” Fischer said.

Hutchinson Community College offers multiple educa-tion degrees that can create this career. The Elementary Edu-cation degree sends students through a four-year program, two years at HCC and two more years at a four-year institution. With a bachelor’s degree, the new graduate will find a teach-ing job with a classroom full of students.

“Enjoy each child, because everyone has something special and unique to offer,” Jennifer Forker, early childhood educa-tion coordinator, said.

The HCC Child Care Center provides students in the elementary education field with the opportunity to spend time with young children before they choose this major. It is a way to find out if it is really what they want. However, HCC is not the first start. There are many options through the years, before college, to dis-cover whether or not this is the appropriate career. Story has explored several.

“I have been a cadet teacher in high school, I was in Youth Friends, and pretty soon I will be doing an internship project where I am going to have to teach or mentor students, so I think those are some good activities that I’ve been involved in,” Story said.

The internship will be completed through the Leader-ship Class. Another option for elementary education majors is Nutrition, Health and Safety, which is taught online by Instructor Starla Wells.

“This course helps students gain an understanding of the roles that nutrition, health and safety plays in the lives of young children and families,”

From Superman and Wonder Woman to Batman and Robin, the world has been captured by heroic acts in movies and comic books. These are the big names that everyone knows, but there are some names that go

unnoticed. A cape and a mask are not necessary elements of an everyday hero.

Some children view their mom or dad as a hero. Some-times an aunt or uncle can be eligible for the title, but more often than not, a child can find a hero in their teacher.

“That would be my pre-

Changing Lives with an Elementary Education Degree

Alexis Johnson, Macksville, and Cody Zenger, Belleville, listen to group discussions about Trunk or Treat. Johnson and Zenger were nominated for officer positions and gave short speeches stating why they would be good candidates.

Photo by Morgan Oriet

008-011 Elementary Education.indd 8 10/30/12 12:39 PM

Dragon’s Tale9elementary education

Wells said. The class offers a variety

of activities for a student to gain a strong knowledge base of the subject. Some projects include day care center regula-tion assignment, a fetal alcohol syndrome poster, or parent checklists.

“We also conduct online discussions about TV viewing for kids, day care regulations, nutrition guidelines, child abuse and neglect, ADHD and other diagnosis of young children, childhood obesity, and meal planning and parent involve-ment,” Wells said.

The main courses for ele-mentary education majors are Introduction to Education and Introduction to Education Practicum, also taught by Wells.

Tye’ Richardson, Kennesaw, Ga., and his partner match the playing cards in their game. The reading comprehension students met with their partners once a month.

Photo by Taylor Mitchell

“Students will work on class projects that expose them to opportunities that give them a chance to explore why they want to be a teacher, what teachers today can expect in the classroom of themselves and of their students, and to gain an overview of what makes a teacher effective,” Wells said.

The Introduction to Educa-tion course is more learning about a teaching career and the Practicum offers more of a hands-on experience.

After finding the treasure chest, Michael Potter, Kingman, helps his reading buddy with the bandana and other costume items. The students played out the theme of pirates for the day.

Photo by Emily File

008-011 Elementary Education.indd 9 10/30/12 12:39 PM

Dragon’s Tale10

Dillon Cotter, Hutchinson, reads aloud to his buddy. KNEA and the reading comprehension students participated in a Reading Buddy Day at the HCC Child Care Center.

Photo by Emily File

“The Introduction to Edu-cation Practicum does have a background check for the students because they will be working in the classroom setting in various elementary build-ings,” Forker said.

The first task the student needs to take care of in their practicum is finalizing their preferred choice of grade level.

“I then work with them to find a placement that is conve-nient for them and work with the administration to find a

cooperating teacher that will allow them to spend at least 40 hours in their classroom work-ing hands on with the students,” Wells said.

Once the student is placed in a classroom, the practice of being a real teacher begins.

“They are asked to experi-ence the classroom from a teacher’s perspective, to exam-ine the motives for entering the teaching profession, and to decide whether or not to con-tinue preparing for a teaching

elementary education

career,” Wells said. “They will do this by selecting activities where they are observing, tutor-ing, paper grading, preparing materials, creating bulletin boards, developing teaching projects and teaching in small groups.”

Aside from the classes, students have the opportunity to join the Kansas National Education Association as an extra curricular activity. This year Sara Vytlacil, KNEA presi-dent from Belleville, works with

Rachel Santine, KNEA advisor and speech instructor, and Teri Eckhoff, assistant advisor and reading specialist, and a team of future education students.

“Last year, I was the PR offi-cer, so I did the public relations, but this year, my roommate/best friend is the president so I am just really working with her and helping her with activities,” Fischer said.

A variety of classes, along with the HCC Child Care Center, and the KNEA all pro-

008-011 Elementary Education.indd 10 10/30/12 12:39 PM

Dragon’s Tale11

L E A R N I N G OUR

elementary education

vide the skills needed to become a teacher. With everything in life, there will always be room for complications.

“One of the cons for the educational field is the seem-ingly never-ending govern-mental changes,” Forker said. “Kansas has recently adopted the Common Core Curricu-lum, which puts more emphasis on career and college readiness, in the hopes of making our students more competitive in the world market. It will also engage our students in more critical analysis and applica-tion; so in the long run, this governmental change may turn out to be a pro.”

It is always important to accept the good and learn how to manage or make the best of the bad of any job or situation.

“The biggest pro is the opportunity to change a child’s life,” Forker said. “I have always felt that teaching is the most important job anyone can have, with the exception of being a parent.”

The light bulb moment is another positive aspect of being

a teacher and may have the power to determine whether or not the difficult tasks and obstacles are worth the rewards of the field.

“It’s a really good feeling because you get to see that you’re doing something right, that you’ve accomplished something so it’s a good feel-ing knowing you taught a kid something,” Fischer said.

The light bulb moment is not the only experience that will bring joy into a classroom.

“I like that stage where they’re learning how to read and the funny words that they say when they’re doing it, when they’re starting to pronounce stuff,” Fischer said.

A young child is there to grow, play and learn. A teacher is there to educate and to make a difference in that child’s life, but by the end of the year each one of the students that walk through the door will change that teacher’s life in ways that are unexplainable. As students leave for summer break, a real-ization hits that it went by way too fast. One thing to do, other

KNEA advisor, Rachel Santine, sits with Teri Eckhoff, assistant advisor, and Tammy Davis, South Hutchinson. During the meeting, KNEA members discussed Trunk or Treat, the 50/50 rally, and their elections.

Photo by Morgan Oriet

than completing the curricu-lum, is to appreciate that time.

“Enjoy the homemade gifts and drawings they give you, for they are truly given from the heart,” Forker said. “Enjoy the stress of the classroom, because it means learning is taking place. Enjoy the student’s wonderment, because even old souls need to be reminded of simple pleasures.”

A CB ’S

Ask for the different letters until someone shouts out BINGO. Review the letters they have selected and offer a prize if they were able to recognize all letters correctly.

The traditional way to learn the alphabet is to sing the alphabet song.

With the color of choice, have the students paint the cap-ital and lowercase letter of each letter in the alphabet.

Scatter letters throughout the room and have the stu-dents hunt for them.

008-011 Elementary Education.indd 11 10/30/12 12:39 PM

Dragon’s Tale12fair food

The KSF is a once a year, ten day opportunity that Hutchinson gets to take part it. This annual event has come to Hutchinson for years, but this year is even more special than the rest. It is the 100th year anniversy. One of the most defining aspects of this event is all the wonderful foods it brings that every-one can try. These foods aren’t your daily foods, they’re taste bud treats.

It’s back!This year was the 100th

year of the KSF. Every new year of the KSF brings new experiences, bringing a wide variety of food. The ten days out of the year that the KSF is in Hutchinson it always brings a broad range of rides, vendor boothes, and letting taste buds experience new treats.

In an attempt to change the common assumption about all fair food being fried, some venders offer a healthier option.

“I’m not a fan of fried food so the stuffed cucumbers were a healthier choice that I enjoyed,” Mariah Childs, Hutchinson, said.

Even people who indulge in the various fried foods chose to try the healthier vendors as well.

“After all the fried food I consumed, I felt better about myself for eating something somewhat healthy,” Lindsay Turner, Hutchinson, said.

The KSF is one activity that HCC students can take part in because it is located close to campus and is in walking distance. It also provides activ-ites the students might not get to take part in on a daily basis along with a food spread differ-ent from the cafeteria. After 9 o’clock it is free for anyone to get in which is another bonus for the students.

Celebrating its 100th year, some foods could best represent the KSF. There are long-lasting favorites such as, the pronto pup, turkey leg, roasted corn, funnel cakes, dippin’ dots, fried

Lindsay Turner, Hutchinson, pur-chases her first stuffed cucumber at the Kansas State Fair. Turner also tried the fried cheese curds at the KSF.

TasteBudTreatesStudents explore the foods at the Kansas State Fair

Waiting for their chocolate-dipped banana, Samuel Potter, Abilene, and Parker Erickson, Her-rington, discuss what other foods: they would like to try. They decided to trya pronto pup.

002-003 Fair Food.indd 12 10/30/12 12:57 PM

Dragon’s Tale13fair food

pickles, and fried snickers. “A lump of cow of some sort,

something really country,” Ben Cotton, Oxon, England, said.

Food is such an expression of the KSF that the food chosen to best identify the 100th year could be from a broad range.

Each year brings a popular “must try” food as well as old favorites.

“Fried Milky Way. It’s phenomenal,” Mason Varner, Midland, Texas, said.

“I enjoyed the Turkey leg. They are alwasys quite good,” Trey Hayden, Augusta, said.

The fair food is a change from the regular food people are used to eating daily. For most people the food at the fair can’t be bought on any given day . A down side to the tastey treats is the price. It tends to be more expensive than most options.

With the change of pace provided by the fair and the change of food, also comes the

expense. Fair food can give consumers tastey treats but they come at a price.

This can be a challanege for many students who must stick to a budget.

“There was a stand where things were only a dollar, so I spent $4 on 4 hambugers instead of $4 on one thing,” Samuel Potter, Abilene, said.

That food stand made it possible for people who weren’t wanting to spend a lot of money for food.

The KSF is an anual ten-day event in Hutchinson. When the fair comes, it brings a little extra excitement and a different opportunity to the community of Hutchinson.

Despite the fact that there are a lot of different activities happening at the fair, the food is always one of the most defin-ing and popular aspects of this grand event.

Taking his first bite of stuffed cucumber, Austin Boley, Meade, goes onto finish his meal. When done with his meal, Boley, went on to coninue having other fair fun with friends.

photos&story

E m i l y F i l e

TasteBudTreatesAfter waiting, Potter grabs the

chocolate banana from a food vendor. Potter explored other food options as well.

002-003 Fair Food.indd 13 10/30/12 12:57 PM

Dragon’s Tale14college debt

In the rush of taking that next step toward discovering an area of interest and the hope of a promising career, some stu-dents forget about the impact of the financial obligations.

Many students look past the well-intentioned thoughts of caring parents, college staff, financial aid experts and trusted colleagues, focused on ideas and maybe a mindset toward minimizing college debt.

In a perfect world, there would be no college debt, but many students are not able to achieve that level of col-lege funding. Evan Rothwell, Peoria, Ill., is currently one of those loan-free students.

“I had no intention of stumbling down the route that I have,” Rothwell said. “I have some savings, I have two part-time jobs, and I don’t have a credit card. I’m 28 years old and I’ve never had a credit card.”

The value of this expression and the freedom it represents quickly gets lost in the issue of increasing college costs and expanding debt.

Rothwell looked at going to school in Illinois, but the amount he could save helped make the decision to move to Kansas.

“Community college in Kansas is very cost effective,” Rothwell said.

Research and even feed-back from experts in financial aid confess that the solution to minimizing college debt requires sacrifice and hard work from the student. Finding the right-fit college that matches financial resources is a place to start.

For some like Rothwell, a worthwhile sacrifice may relo-cate them to the Land of Oz or other states with cost effective college options. For others, the sacrifice may simply mean a strategic delay.

“Don’t go to college to find out what you want to do,” Tim Shaw, anatomy and physiology instructor, said. “Take time to figure that out and save some money while you’re at it.”

The point is well thought- out plans and strategies along

photos&story

P a t M o o r e

014-015 College Debt.indd 14 10/30/12 4:35 PM

Dragon’s Tale15college debt

with the discipline to carry them out are critical to success of any kind, including finances and debt management.

“If they can get their college degree without debt, they would be ten times further along than someone who graduates owing money,” Shaw said.

A list of facts, along with the pros and cons of each fact or issue of concern can provide a basis for sound decision-making as demonstrated by Ashley Stagner, Newton.

“I did a lot of research about health care and what would be a field I wanted to do before

I actually applied in college, so, I’m hoping that when I get out of school, I’ll be able to get right into dental hygiene,” Stagner said.

Jean Kibbe, acting direc-tor of financial aid, has been involved in financial aid for 30 Story continued on page 28.

Willa Luetters, business office clerk, hands a financial aid refund check to a student. Over $17 million dollars in government-pro-vided student aid was processed by Hutchinson Community College in the 2011-1012 school year.

Phillip Henshaw, Sterling, researches the cost of textbooks as he takes advantage of the convenience offered at the college bookstore. Many textbooks bought and sold on the internet provide savings to the student.

014-015 College Debt.indd 15 10/30/12 4:35 PM

Dragon’s Tale16fire science

Examine the gear that keeps firefighters safe

Walking into many hazard-ous conditions such as heat, flames, smoke and falling debris, a firefighter’s gear is sometimes their only safety net. From head to toe, the gear that firefighters wear helps protect them from the many dangerous conditions relating to their job.

The Fire Science Program at Hutchinson Community College shows students how to use the gear and why the gear is required.

The firefighters’ gear is cru-cial to their survival.

“Every piece is just as impor-tant as the next,” Jordan Crose, Sydney, Australia, said. “If one fails it can be the difference between life and death.”

The different kind of gear that firefighters must have to keep them safe include a helmet, coat, pants, boots, protective hood, gloves, self-contained breathing apparatus, also known as SCBA, and a personal alert safety system also known as PASS. The total cost of the gear with the SCBA is $7,005. The weight of the gear can be up to 90 lbs.

“Some of our equipment used in everyday situations can weigh up to 100 lbs.,” Crose said.

Fire science students use the Jaws of Life and axe to cut into a car. Students practiced using this equipment during a Fire Science Field Day.

016-017 Fires Seince.indd 16 10/30/12 12:40 PM

Dragon’s Tale17fire science

The gear alone can cause stress on a firefighter’s shoul-ders, which means they must be physically fit.

“All of it is needed to keep us safe and to complete the job,” Courtney Siemers, Clay Center, said.

The teamwork of all the firefighters is just as important as their gear. There is a policy that all firefighters go by, called “two-in, two-out.” The policy states that if two firefighters go in at the same time, the same two must come out of the situa-tion or building. Mariah Shultz, Burlingame, said the second most important part is the other firefighters on the scene.

The SCBA helps supply clean air to the firefighters, so that they are not breathing in the smoke. A SCBA typically has three main components: a high-pressure tank, a pres-sure regulator, and an inhala-tion connection (mouthpiece, mouth mask or face mask), con-nected together and mounted to a carrying frame. The cost of the SCBA is approximately $5,600.

PASS is a personal safety device used primarily by fire-fighters in a hazardous envi-ronment such as a burning

building. It sounds a loud alert to notify others in the area when a firefighter is in need of help. A PASS device will auto-matically activate if the device does not detect motion for a certain period of time, typi-cally 15-30 seconds. This alert will signal the other firefighters that their teammate is either seriously injured or otherwise incapacitated. Some devices use a ball bearing on a track to sense firefighter movement and others utilize an infrared beam mounted on a spring.

The idea of a person risking their life in a burning building may sound scary or extreme, but there are many tools that keep them safe.

The challenge, the love of the fire prevention, and safety of the citizen’s inspired Chrissy Terronez, Winfield, to become a firefighter.

Firefighting equipment and clothing continues to change as technology and experience present new and better ways to control fires.

A small group of students work to eliminate a car fire. The program pushed to educate its students on how to handle the various forms of fire.

Jordan Crose, Sydney, Australia, deliberately ignites a hay fire with a blow torch. Students practiced using a water fire extinguisher to put out the fire.

Students work together to spray water to put out a tree fire. Instructors timed each student during this test; this was clocked at two minutes.

016-017 Fires Seince.indd 17 10/30/12 12:40 PM

Dragon’s Tale18non-traditional students

Spending extra time on a proj-ect in AutoCAD, Andrew Green, Hutchinson, creates a layout of a house. Green returned to school for computer drafting.

While watching a film based off of Dante’s Inferno, Jamie Parish, Hutchinson, takes notes. Parish created an outline that compared the film with the text read in class.

Studying in the lower level of the library sits Sean Smith, Hutchin-son. Smith prepared for a criminal justice exam.

photos&story

Ta y l o r T h i m e s c h

back

averageage

minimumage

maximumage

26.7 24.2

84

15

77

15

of 3350female

students

of 2423male

students

VS

DIFFERENCESin

HCC students

statistics supplied by the HCC Information Technology Department

018-019 Nontraditional.indd 18 10/30/12 12:35 PM

Dragon’s Tale19non-traditional students

Non-tradtional students share valuable lessons they have learned about school and the workforce.

focused too.” Jamie Smith,Kingman, also

compared school to work and has advice for all traditional students.

“Go to class, do your work, don’t go to school just to go to school,” Smith said.

“If you don’t know what you want to do, get a job, figure out what you want to do, then go back to school.”

Some believe going to school is difficult, but what about having to come back?

Duane Morris, Minneapolis, is in this situation after his job of thirty-eight years at Hawker Beechcraft was outsourced to another country.

“I had never been on a col-lege campus as a college student before. I was pretty content with my job. I was looking at retirement. My job went away so I was forced into reeducation

in a new trade,” Morris said. Unlike Morris, Andrew

Green, Hutchinson, returned to school on his own after being on disability with Lyme disease for eight years.

“I had a lot of free time so I decided I’d be back in school, it is something I’d always wanted to do,” Green said.

Adjusting back to school was fairly smooth for Green.

“I took college before, I [was] just trying to get through

it. Now that I have a plan it’s easy to get to class and it’s easy to do the homework and it’s easy to absorb the stuff because I want to learn it. [School is] definitely something I want to do rather than something I feel like I have to do,” Green said.

It’s really easy because [I’m] coming from the work force and you’re there for eight hours plus, and here you’re just here for a few hours. It just seems kind of easy, a lot easier when you’re

schoolback to

018-019 Nontraditional.indd 19 10/30/12 12:35 PM

Dragon’s Tale20Cross country

Cross Country Proves to be More Than Just A Sport.....

photos&story

M a y r a R a m i r e z

The sound of the sun goes off in three, two, one. Then, the jour-ney begins as each step meets the terrain. All of a sudden a rush of adrenaline pumps through each one of the runners veins. These are a few mental characteristics the HCC cross country runners go through.

Misconceptions are defi-nitely an issue in the life of a cross country runner.

“Cross country runners run through any terrain they give them,” Taylor Fry, Topeka, said. “Track is simpler than cross country, but cross coun-try is a lot more complicated because of holes, sharp corners, and hills.”

Some people believe that the difference in track and cross country is the environment. When running track, a person is running in an oval shape for the assigned distance. In cross country, though, a runner experiences different courses at each meet.

Most runners believe cross country is more of a mental sport than a physical sport because a runner has to block

The women’s cross country pose for a picture after they ran at the Hutchison Invitational meet. The team consisted of four sopho-mores and four freshmen.

002-003 Cross Country.indd 20 10/30/12 1:28 PM

Dragon’s Tale21Cross country

out all the physical pain in order to maintain motivation and never give up.

“It is more of a mental sport because the entire time you are thinking, did I start off too fast or too slow, who is behind me, who is about to catch me, and do I have a kick left? If your mind gives up on you, then your body will also give up on you,” Orbelin Araujo Rojas, Phoenix, Ariz., said.

Runners are definitely chal-lenged at a mental and physi-cal level, because they have to worry about the race ahead of them and have to block every-thing and anything out of their mind in order to finish a race.

Cross country is so physically demanding that it proves to also be a mental sport.

The men’s cross country team pose for a team photo. The team consisted of three sophomores and six freshmen.

Taylor Fry, Topeka, begins to pick up speed towards the end of the course at the Hutchinson Invitational meet. Fry placed 33rd out of 46 runners .

Date Event Team Results

Individual Results

Sept. 1 Wichita State/ J.K. Golden Classic

9

Sept. 15 Hutchinson 1 Cecilia Lane- 5Ashlynn Lambert- 7

Sept. 22 Tabor College 3 Cecilia Lane- 4Ashlynn Lambert- 5

Oct. 13 McPherson College 1 Ashlynn Lambert- 4Cecilia Lane- 7

Oct. 27 Region VI Championship 6

Date Event Team Results

Individual Results

Sept. 1 Wichita State/ J.K. Golden Classic

6

Sept. 15 Hutchinson 1 Oberlin Rojas- 2John Murphy III- 3Isaac Williams- 5Kevin Marks- 8

Sept. 28 Emporia State/ Jock’s Niche Classic

9 Oberlin Rojas- 2

Oct. 13 McPherson College Invitational

2 Oberlin Rojas- 3John Murphy III- 5

Oct. 27 Region VI Championship 6 Oberlin Rojas, 9

Wom

enM

enMario Perez, Pratt, runs down a

hill at the Hutchinson Invitational meet. Perez placed 31st out of 46 runners.

002-003 Cross Country.indd 21 10/30/12 1:28 PM

Dragon’s Tale22volleyball

Under New Coach, Team

Seeks Top SpotWith the 2012 Hutchinson

Community College volleyball season coming into its final stretch, the team is in a favor-able position, boasting a (0-0) overall record, and a 13-1 conference record. The team entered the season with high expectations.

“Our team is focused on winning both the conference and the region. These are very realistic goals for us, but given our position atop the confer-ence we have to be prepared for a very motivated opponent every time we take the court,” Head Coach Patrick Hall said.

Leading the conference, as Hall points out, is a tough but empowering position to be in. On one hand, the team goes in with the confidence of being the number one team in the conference. While on the other

hand, opponents come into the game putting extra effort into pulling off a win to unseat the top seed or get a meaningful win for themselves.

This is Hall’s first season coaching HCC volleyball, but definitely not his first coaching job or volleyball experience. He comes to the team bringing along his years of experience at different colleges in many levels of the sport, as well as several coach-of-the-year honors. Hall’s experience puts him in a position to compare this year’s Lady Dragons with teams he has been a part of in the past.

“Every team has its own unique identity, “ Hall said. “This team has been particu-larly fun to coach because they are so easy to work with every day in the gym. They are eager to advance their technical train-ing, and they like to have fun. There have also been very few problems off the court.”

Hall has made a big impact on the players of this year’s volleyball team.

“It is quite a different expe-rience this year with having a new coach. Hall is a very expe-rienced coach, and has taught us so much. He is really helping us grow not only as athletes, but as students and young adults also,” Emily Oberlin, Ada, Mich., said.

Each new season for any sports team brings new players joining the team. Athletes must attempt to balance a brand new academic environment as well as being a part of a col-

Freshman Samantha Lackey, San Antonio, Texas, prepares to serve the ball during a 3-0 sweep of Cloud County on Oct. 16.

photos&story

D a r r e n R a m e y

Colby Pratt Seward County

Cloud County

Garden City Barton Dodge City Colby Pratt Dodge City

W 3-0 W 3-1W 3-2W 3-0W 3-0W 3-0W 3-0W 3-1W 3-0

Conference Play

Ramey Volleyball DPS.indd 22 10/30/12 6:53 PM

Dragon’s Tale23volleyball

lege sports team. For the Lady Dragons, this year’s batch of new players has shown they can adjust well.

“Our new players appear to be adjusting easily both on and off the court. With our automatic substitutions we start 10 players, 5 of whom are freshmen,” Hall said.

Keeping up with school, sports, and sometimes a job also can prove to be a tough task for all college athletes. HCC vol-leyball, as well as other sports are given the opportunity to handle such a large workload.

“Balancing school and vol-leyball, and even a job too for me, can be stressful sometimes but it’s just important to stay organized,” Ashlyn Wester-man, Liberal, said. “Coach is very supportive of us and helps us a lot with keeping our school work in check through study hall and planners, that support system is great to have when trying to balance so much.”

One factor that may help new players feel more at home, and at the same time be moti-vating for the entire team, is the crowd at each of the games. Whether it is a big home game crowd, or those following the team at away games, the fans bring constant support to the players.

“The crowd plays a big role for us. We hate letting down a home crowd so when we play at home we be sure to do the best we can to impress the crowd. We love when we play at away games and have a rowdy crowd

too. It adds fuel to our fire when the crowd is obnoxious. I love playing in that atmosphere,” Shayne Haley, Katy, Texas, said.

The team also does differ-ent things in Hutchinson to promote both the team and the sport, as well as new fans of HCC volleyball.

“We’ve tried to get out in the community with some clin-ics for younger kids and some promo materials, but we hope to build upon that community support in the future,” Hall said.

This is an opportunity to mold young players that may

one day represent HCC vol-leyball.

With the season nearing its end, the Lady Dragons eye their 6th conference championship in 9 years, and 5th regional championship in 9 years. With the support of the college and community the team strives to make it a reality.

The team celebrates a scoring against Cloud County Oct. 16. Cloud County faced the Lady Dragons in regional play on Oct. 31.

Dodge City Seward County

Cloud County

Garden City Barton

W 3-1W 3-2W 3-0L 2-3W 3-0W 3-1

Overall:

23-8

Conference:

13-1

Ramey Volleyball DPS.indd 23 10/30/12 6:53 PM

Dragon’s Tale24womens soccer

Sammy Lane, soccer coach, calls out a play from the sidelines. Lane started as head coach for the Lady Dragons six years ago.

Melissa Hetherington, Burnley, England, wards off defenders while dribbling the ball downfield. Hetherington led the team with eight goals this year.

Photo Illustration

While leading the ball downfield, Danielle Sheehy, Limerick, Ireland, battles a Coffeyville defender. Sheehy scored four of the seven goals for the Dragons win over the Red Ravens on October 10.

024-025 Girls Soccer-REV.indd 24 10/30/12 7:35 PM

Dragon’s Tale25womens soccer

Isa Whitley, Wichita, hustles to attempt the back tackle move against a Coffeyville Community College offensive player. The Dragons won against the Red Ravens 7-0.

photos

Ta y l o r M i t c h e l l

LoseAfter the early morning workouts and countless

hours of running, it’s down to the 90 minutes

on the field where all the records are set and the

Dragon soccer team leads the nation.

Refuseto

Soccer Schedule/ResultsDate Opponent Time/Results Record

Aug. 28 Neosho County W, 7-0 1-0Aug. 31 Kansas City W, 15-0 2-0Sept. 5 Cloud County W, 7-0 3-0Sept. 7 Independence W, 13-0 4-0Sept. 10 at Hesston College W, 5-0 5-0Sept. 12 at Pratt W, 6-0 6-0Sept. 15 Johnson County W, 3-2 7-0Sept. 18 at Barton W, 2-0 8-0Sept. 22 at Allen W, 5-0 9-0Sept. 26 at Garden City W, 8-0 10-0

Date Opponent Time/Results Record

Oct. 3 Cowley W, 2-1 11-0Oct. 5 Northern Okla. W, 2-0 12-0Oct. 10 Coffeyville W, 7-0 13-0Oct. 14 Butler L, 3-1 13-1Oct. 17 Dodge City W, 7-0 14-1

Region VI TournamentOct. 22 Cloud County W, 11-5 15-1Oct. 27 Barton W, 3-1 16-1Oct. 28 Butler L, 2-1 16-2

Results as of October 30, 2012

024-025 Girls Soccer-REV.indd 25 10/30/12 7:35 PM

Dragon’s Tale26football

59 Players Make Up the Official HCC Football Roster

The defensive line prepares to stop Butler from scoring. Defensive linemen Toby Johnson, College Park, Ga., and Ben Bradley, Nor-cross, Ga., led the way as the best defensive linemen in the nation.

Photo by Staff

026-027 football-REV.indd 26 10/30/12 2:16 PM

Dragon’s Tale27football

Hutchinson Community Col-lege Quarterback Luke Barnes, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., drops back to complete a pass. Barnes completed 23 of 41 for 202 yards and three interceptions and set a single season record with 215 completions previously set by PJ Peters in 1995.

Photo by Saff

Wide Reciver, Miguel Johns, Newton, catches a pass for a short Blue Dragon first down.Johns returned for his second year on the team.

Photo by Staff

Blue Dragon

Results as of October 30, 2012

Aug. 25Sept. 1

Sept. 15Sept. 29

Oct. 6Oct. 13Oct. 20Oct. 27

Football Schedule

CoffeyvilleNavarro CollegeGarden City

Highland

Air Force Prep

IndependenceFort ScottButler

58-2554-34

45-1049-12

66-7

75-0

37-1440-7

W

WW

W

W

WSept. 8 63-49 WDodge City

L

L

026-027 football-REV.indd 27 10/30/12 2:16 PM

Dragon’s Tale28

of books because we were able to buy them and sell them online,” Glascock said.

College costs and the associ-ated debt will always remain the student’s responsibility. Finan-cial freedom is still attainable but it does require searching out the things that can save dollars and reduce debt along with diligence in expense and debt management.

but each student has to discover them and make them work in their favor.

Angela Glascock, instruc-tional designer, is the mother of a former college student who addressed a creative solution to the high cost of books.

“Some of those books are one hundred to two hundred dollars a piece and I’m serious, we paid a total of five hundred dollars for all four years worth

Student loans are one piece of the overall financial aid package.

“We actually make each student take the extra step of doing a loan request work-sheet,” Kibbe said. “That way at least we feel that they know they are taking out this loan, and they are requesting us to process a loan.”

There are creative ways to help reduce education costs

Story continued from page 15.

years and agreed that the roadto being debt-free at the end of college is very difficult.

“It is becoming harder,” Kibbe said.

Most college financial aid offices are sensitive to the potentially destructive impact of college debt, and they work with students to help minimize what they borrow.

advertisements

028-037 Ad Pages.indd 28 10/30/12 8:21 PM

028-037 Ad Pages.indd 29 10/30/12 8:21 PM

028-037 Ad Pages.indd 30 10/30/12 8:21 PM

028-037 Ad Pages.indd 31 10/30/12 8:21 PM

028-037 Ad Pages.indd 32 10/30/12 8:21 PM

Dragon’s Tale33advertisements

028-037 Ad Pages.indd 33 10/30/12 8:21 PM

Dragon’s Tale34advertisements

028-037 Ad Pages.indd 34 10/30/12 8:21 PM

028-037 Ad Pages.indd 35 10/30/12 8:22 PM

Dragon’s Tale36

028-037 Ad Pages.indd 36 10/30/12 8:22 PM

Dragon’s Tale37advertisements

028-037 Ad Pages.indd 37 10/30/12 8:22 PM

Dragon’s Tale2page topic

Fall 2012 Cover.indd 2 10/30/12 1:37 PM