Hardly anyone around theCasper College men’s basketballteam could have predicted this.

After all, there was a newcoach in town, and plenty of newfaces on the team.

Never mind all that — the T-Birds, led in part by a home-statecontingent, had won seven in arow after the Christmas break.Casper was leading theconference and establishing itselfas the team to beat at regionals.

The crowds are back and thestudents are pumped.

“It has been awesome,” saidBrandon Gilbreath, a freshman

from nearby Douglas. “Everynight, somebody picks up theslack.”

Gilbreath says he was “oncloud nine” after hitting fordouble figures in the T-Birds’impressive victory overNorthwest of Powell.

For Robbie Phillips, thesophomore from Casper, theseason is a flip-flop from a yearago. “We are much more of ateam,” he says. “The effort isthere, and we help each other.”

Nowhere is that more apparentthan on the defensive end of thefloor, where the T-Birds are again

one of the top teams inthe region. Casper givesup just 68 points pergame and 39 percent shooting bythe opposition.

That kind of energy by theteam, complete with the return ofa cheerleading squad and abrand new mascot, has EricksonGymnasium hopping again.

Two other Wyoming players —Doug Baker of Chugwater andJoe Johnston of Saratoga — havehelped turn things around. KenLove (Indiana), Dwight Collins(Detroit) and Jermaine Symonds(Toronto) have been outstanding

in their freshmanseasons.

“Our goal whenwe got here was to re-establish T-Bird basketball,” coach BillJohnson said.

“I look up there at all the(championship) banners, and wewant to get back to that kind oftradition.”

Mission almost accomplished.The T-Birds are the talk of thetown; maybe even the region.One thing is for sure, they haveserved notice to their opponents.And they are certainly worth theprice of a ticket.

SPORTS

Brandon Gilbreath of Douglas, Doug Baker of Chugwater and RobbiePhillips of Casper all play important roles for the T-Bird men’s basketball team.

Thethought ofsix to

eight years ofcollege can bedaunting. Evendownrightdepressing.

Many studentswonder, ‘Isn’t there aquicker way to get agood paying job?’

The answer is yes.Trade, technologyand health careersare in high demandright now, andregionalemploymentoffices expectthem to stay that way.

There is anationwideshortage ofworkers intrades andtechnology

TrentNannemann ofGillette is awelding major,while LindsayJackson camefrom Reno,Nev., for CasperCollege’s nursingprogram.

� Dates to rememberEarly registration June 4Early registration July 9Early registration August 6Early registration August 20Fall semester begins August 23

Prospective student checklistFor more information call (800) 442-2963 or 268-2110

❏ Complete application for admission andreturn to Enrollment Services

❏ Request high school transcripts or copy ofGED sent to Enrollment Services

❏ Request college transcripts from anypreviously attended college

❏Verification of MMR if born after Jan. 1, 1957❏ SAT, ACT or Compass scores within last year.

� Don’t be a stranger!One of the best ways to decide on a college

is to make a visit.Marty Frank, admissions coordinator at

Casper College, said he encourages everystudent to visit campus before making adecision to attend a college.

To visit Casper College, simply log onto theWeb site or call to set up an appointment. Ifyou are an in-state student, why not plan tovisit during state tournament time? Casperhosts the state wrestling tournament thethird week in February. State basketballtournaments are held the first two weeks ofMarch and state track runs the third week ofMay.

Frank says the best days to visit are dayswhen classes are in session. That way studentscan meet with an instructor in their area ofinterest and visit with current CC students.

“We think students will like what they see,”Frank said. “We are proud of our facilities andproud of our instructors.”

� Living on campus?Fall and Spring Semesters

20-Meal Per Week Board Contract Double Occ. Single Occ.

per semester per semester

Room $ 735 $ 1,100Board $ 870 $ 870Total $ 1,605 $ 1,970

15-Meal Per Week Board ContractDouble Occ. Single Occ.

per semester per semester

Room $ 735 $ 1,100Board $ 840 $ 840Total $ 1,575 $ 1,940

10-Meal Per Week Board ContractDouble Occ. Single Occ.

per semester per semester

Room $ 735 $ 1,100Board $ 810 $ 810Total $ 1,545 $ 1,910

� Get up, get out and have fun!Intramurals are a great way to make new

friends at Casper College. Here are just a few ofthe activities offered by the Student ActivitiesBoard.

Basketball, coed volleyball, bowling,racquetball golf tournament, tennis, rockclimbing teams are open to all students.

Aerobics, ice skating and swimming are heldat venues off campus.

The Casper College cheerleading squad madea return to the court in 2004, and is open to allstudents.

Scholarship sports available are men’s andwomen’s basketball, volleyball and rodeo.

Visit our Web site at www.caspercollege.edu

HOME OF THE THUNDERBIRDS

TODAY

www.caspercollege.edu (800) 442-2963A NEWSPAPER FOR FUTURE CC STUDENTS

Fast carsCasper College

studentcreates theparts for hisracing

machine at CCNews, Page 2

Standing tallThe Casper College men’s basketball team has been on a hot streak,while the volleyballteam earned a berth at the nationaltournamentSports, Page 4

The 411� News � Money � Life � Sports Careers that work

EngineeringBookkeeping 10.68Secretary 9.99Office clerk 8.95Enviro tech 19.95Mechanical tech 18.30Inspector 18.20Civil tech 15.16Manager 34.82Engineer 24.75

ComputersRepair person 14.35Operator 12.16Designer 11.79Data Entry 8.62Network tech 20.63Support person 13.98Engineer 28.73Systems analyst 21.94Programmer 20.01

HealthPharmacy tech 11.01Assistant 10.87Home aide 8.06RN 19.04Lab tech 13.01EMT 8.81Dentist 52.73Occ. therapist 22.77Phys. asst. 31.15

ConstructionMetal worker 17.45Carpenter 17.26Plumber 15.68Roofer 13.68Drafter 14.11Manager 28.18Estimator 22.39Painter 8.83Driver 14.69

EducationLibrary tech 9.60Teacher asst. 7.87Collection spec. 17.06Social worker 12.65Administrator 32.59College prof. 25.21HS teacher 18.02Elem. teacher 17.44Librarian 18.02

RetailRepair 13.88Butcher 12.14Stock clerk 10.13Analyst 19.61Hotel manager 14.25Mechanic 12.61Sales manager 26.50Purchaser 22.35Auditor 21.12

Here’s a look at what they’re paying Wages are per hour. This is a small sample and a rough estimate of wages ineach industry. Source: Wyoming Department of Employment

Page 4 Casper College Today Spring 2004

Continued on Page 3

Address: 125 CollegeDrive, Casper, WY 82601Main Phone: (800) 442-

2963 or (307) 268-2110Sports Arena: “Swede”

Erickson Thunderbird GymTickets: (307) 268-2630

Ticket Prices:Students FREEAdults $4Ages 17-under $36-under FREE

Important extensions:Activities board 2271

ACT Center 2085Business Office 2691Admissions 2458Bookstore 2202Career Center 2662Counseling 2366Fam. Resource Ctr. 2586Financial Aid 2503/2510Housing 2205Insurance 2263Library 2269Placement 2662Registrar 2220Security 2688Student health 2263Tutoring 2515

Casper College students find success in today’s hottest jobs

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 112CASPER, WY 82601

117125 College DriveCasper, Wyoming 82601

Casper College basketball team serves notice‘It has beenawesome.’

Brandon Gilbreath, abouthis CC experience

Spikers hang bannerCasper College has had a long

history of success in volleyball.Still, it wasn’t until this yearthat the Thunderbirds hungtheir first regionalchampionship banner. Thenew banner was dedicated inJanuary, and coach AngelSharman says she is alreadyplanning to hang another onein 2004!.

It all started in junior highfor race car driver and builderCameron Wagner. A classmatehad a dwarf racing car andafter a year, Wagner finally gotto drive it. That was all it took,and the rest, so to speak, isracing history.

Wagner iscurrently refittingand redoing hissecond race car,which has seenhim throughtwo entireseasons. Wagnerraces in thedwarf car divisionwhere the driverseasily hit speeds of100 miles per hour. Dwarfcars are a 5/8 scale resemblingthe body of a 1928 - 1940’svintage automobile. But thelook is the only thing that thedwarf resembles.

“Everything on these cars is

built from the ground up. Youbuy the frame and then youbuild around it,” says Wagner.Of course there are rules thatWagner must follow for theconstruction of his racingmachine. But, that doesn’t stop

him from creatingadaptations and new partsfor the car. For instance,

Wagner modified amotorcycle wiring

harness towork in therace car,and hecompletely

re-designedthe rear end.

“The way acar works on

dirt and asphalt are twodifferent things. I decided tolook at what was going on;shocks, springs and where theweight goes and is transferred.The old rear end wasn’t

working, so through the processof elimination I thought that achange might help,” Wagnersays.

In fact, the change did helphim in the last half of theracing season just last year.

“I’m a custom kind of guy,and so I created (most of) theparts in this car at the CasperCollege machine shop,” he says.Parts for the front suspension,shift linkage, rear end, andminor engine parts were allbuilt by Wagner at the collegeshop.

Wagner was a full-timestudent at Casper Collegeduring his last year of highschool, “just so I could makestuff.” He is now in his secondsemester at Casper Collegewhere he spends much of hisspare time working on his racecar in the CC machine shop.

Wagner gets great help andsupport from older brother

Branden, a Casper Collegegraduate.

So has all their hard workpaid off? Well, with 30 winswith Cameron’s current car, theCasper Speedway, the answeris a definitive “yes.” And therest is sure to be racing history.

Q Will there be aid for students whodon't attend full-time?

A You don't have to be a full-timestudent to receive aid.

Q I am not a high school graduate. CanI still get financial aid?

A Students without high schooldiplomas and are 18 years old can

qualify for financial aid if they have aG.E.D.

Q My parents will not complete theirfederal tax returns before the

deadline for filing the FAFSA. Should wewait to file the FAFSA until their returnshave been completed?

A No, you can complete the FAFSAbased on reasonable estimates of

your parent's prior year income.

Q Do I have to file for financial aideach year?

A Yes, both Casper College and thefederal government require

students to apply for financial aid eachyear since it is possible that a family'ssituation may change from the prioryear.

Q What if a parent refuses tocontribute towards my college

education?

A In fairness to all students, CasperCollege financial aid decisions are

based on the ability and not willingnessof a parent too contribute towards yourcollege education.

Q My parents are divorced (orseparated or never married). Do

they both need to provide financialinformation?

A Yes. Your custodial parent, and theirspouse if they have remarried,

needs to file the FAFSA.

Q Am I guaranteed a job on campus ifhave been a awarded Federal Work-

Study?

A No. Federal Work-Study is anopportunity to work. It is not a

guarantee of on-campus employment.

Q I missed the deadline for applyingfor aid, can I still apply now?

A Yes, the deadlines are for priorityconsideration only. You may still

apply for assistance at ant time duringthe academic year. However, fundingmay be limited for late applicants.

Q What is Casper College's FederalSchool Code?

A Casper College Federal School Codeis 003928.

Q When does repayment of myparents' Federal PLUS loan begin?

A There is no grace period for thisloan. Repayment begins within 60

days after the final loan disbursementfor that academic year. Your parentsmust begin repaying both principal andinterest while you're in school.

Planning to attend collegenext fall but till a little shortof resources?

While some prioritydeadlines have passed, thereare still plenty of scholarshipsout there and time to apply.

Every year there arescholarships atcolleges anduniversities forwhich there areno applications.

SteveDobby,CasperCollege’sscholarship coordinator,recommends that you apply for anyscholarship for which you arequalified.

Here are some importantthings to remember:

1. Most colleges require thatyou fill out FAFSA first, andthey may require anapplication for admission;

2. Be complete with yourapplication form (some willdisqualify you if the form isnot filled out correctly);

3. Type your form if possibleto make it more legible;

4. Write good essays (make

sure someone proofs your copywith you);

5. Meet the deadline!Paul Marquard is the

distance education coordinator at Casper College. At his presentationduring orientation, he makesthis point: “Applying forscholarships is the best part-time job you can get.”

It takes a lot of hours at $6per hour to make theequivalent of a $1,000scholarship.

NEWS MONEYPage 2 Casper College Today Spring 2004 Spring 2004 Casper College Today Page 3

fields – i.e. automotive and dieseltechnology, welders, machinists andcarpenters. The aging populationmeans more and more demand forhealth care, too. That translates intofuture job opportunity in fields likepharmacy, respiratory therapy andradiography.

Dale Williams is the careerspecialist at Casper College. He saysthe two-year degree option works fora lot of students. Some CC programseven offer one-year certificates,enabling students to enter the workforce after two semesters.

The field of machining is a greatexample of a high demand field andnot enough qualified workers.“Everybody we graduate inmachining gets a job,” Williams says.“In some cases companies try to takeour students before they graduate.”

The days are over that a highschool graduate can simply walk intoan entry-level position with a

company and pick up machiningalong the way. Technical training isa prerequisite, because machininghas gone “tech.” Computer numericalcontrol (CNC) machines need to beprogrammed properly to execute ajob.

The automotive industry findsitself in a similar situation – notenough quality technicians to fillhundreds of jobs. One auto dealer inCasper said he has had to postnational ads to fill positions inWyoming. He simply can’t findenough workers.

For a couple of reasons, CasperCollege makes sense. First,companies like to hire from theirown region. Second, Casper Collegeis less expensive than attending aprivate trade school. (Trade schoolscan cost thousands of dollars more.)

Health care jobs will continue tobe in demand, according toemployment offices in the five stateregion.

Hot jobs: Technical training and health care jobs continue to be in demandContinued from Page 1

Everything you want toknow about financial aid< A

lmos

t

The 411Address: Student

Financial Assistance Office,Casper College, 125 CollegeDrive, Casper, WY 82601Phone: (800) 442-2963 or

(307) 268-2510 Contacts: Darry Voigt,

Director, Student FinancialAssistance/VeteransCoordinatorStephen Dobby,

Scholarship & LoanCoordinator

� AutomotiveTechnology

� Computer Science

� ConstructionTechnology

� Criminal Justice

� Diesel Power

� Drafting

� Electronics

� EmergencyManagement

� EnvironmentalScience

� Fire Science

� Machine Tool

� MedicalTranscription

� Nursing

� OccupationalTherapy Assistant

� ParaEducator

� Paralegal

� Pharmacy Assistant

� Radiography

� RespiratoryTherapy

� Welding

CC career options(degrees you can earn in one or two years)

What to do hereOn campus: Krampert Theatre

runs many productions each year.Durham Hall hosts numerous eventsduring the year, and art displaysfrom visiting artists, faculty andstudents are shown in the GoodsteinGallery.

Dig up dinosaurs at the TateMuseum or examine Wyoming'swildlife up close in the WernerWildlife Museum.

Check out the Annual LiteraryConference and the fascinatinghistoric Casper photos in theGoodstein Library.

The Student Activities Board is alsoa good place to expand your sociallife.

Off campus: Students at CasperCollege have access to some of thegreatest outdoor arenas and vistasanywhere. Casper Mountain, just 20minutes away, is home to theHogadon Ski Area and numerouscross-country ski and snowmobiletrails. All over Wyoming there ishunting, fishing, climbing andexploring to be done.

The Eastridge Mall and thedowntown area, as well as numerousplazas, offer shopping, theaters andgood food. There are museums andgalleries all over town.

The Wyoming Cavalry indoorfootball team and Casper Rockiesbaseball offer a taste of professional sports

LIFE

Getting hereFrom southwest: Follow Highway

220/CY Avenue. Turn right on PoplarStreet, left on College Drive/25th Street.Follow College Drive to the CasperCollege sign, turn right onto campus.

From south, east: Take I-25 Exit 185,turn left onto Wyoming Blvd., followingWyoming Blvd. to stoplight at CasperMountain Road, turn right. Follow thatroad until you reach the Campus Driveintersection, turn left.

From north: Take I-25 Exit 188B andturn right onto Poplar Street. FollowPoplar until you reach CollegeDrive/25th Street intersection. Turnleft, follow College Drive until you seeCasper College sign, turn right.

From west: Follow Highway 20/26through Mills until you get to thePoplar intersection, turn right. FollowPoplar to College Drive/25th Streetintersection, turn left. Follow CollegeDrive until you see Casper College sign,turn right.

Cameron Wagner, front, and hisbrother Branden work on theshrinker, which allows them to bendthe new back window piece into theproper shape.

CC student races dwarfs