April 4 2012
Saints finish third at NJCAA national tournament. — See Sports Special Section
Crusader VETS
Presorted Standard US Postage PAID Liberal, KS Permit NO.114
Year 43, No. 10
www.crusadernews.com
Liberal, Kansas
Part 1
in the Classroom
Courtesy photos
Specialist Barnhart awaits for the all-clear signal to fire the 50-caliber during field training while stationed in Korea.
After serving our country, many veterans return to college campuses. The Crusader would like to honor those who fought for our country through the stories of local veterans on campus.
Liberal grad returns for college after service Tonya Loewen Crusader staff For Specialist Ashlee Barnhart, deciding to serve her country overseas was easy. Barnhart, now Seward County Community College student Ashlee Barnhart, worked as a medic at Camp Carroll, near the city Wae Gwan in South Korea. Barnhart was stationed there from May 2007 until May 2008. During her year in South Korea, she was trained to work in the emergency room, as an on-site medic, and many medical exercises. Barnhart, originally from Liberal, chose to forgo college after graduating from Liberal High School in 2007 and instead serve in the U.S. Army. After her work in South Korea, Barnhart served in Fort Riley until 2010. Since coming back to the states, Barnhart has decided to attend college in order to have a medical degree.
Barnhart is not sure as to what part of the medical field she wants to go into, but possibly might get her CRNA. South Korea really made an impact on Barnhart, from the cheap prices to delicious food. “I loved it; everyone there is really nice, and the food is amazing,” Barnhart said. “I would definitely live there.” Barnhart lives in Liberal now with her 3-year-old autistic son while studying for her associates degree. After graduating from Seward, Barnhart plans to go back to the Army and hopefully become an officer and work in the Army for 20 years, then retire. Barnhart hopes to work in South Korea again for the remainder of her service. Barnhart got married in 2010 while stationed at Fort Riley. Her husband was deployed to Camp Liberty in Iraq while she had their now 15-month-old daughter. The two separated recently, with him taking care of
their daughter, who adores him, and Barnhart taking their son. While she misses her daughter, she says it’s really a “blessing in disguise.” Serving the country overseas may not be what most want to do with their life, but Barnhart believes that everyone should experience it. It reformed her life, and she is very thankful. Before serving, Barnhart was a wild teenager who partied all the time. Now, she thinks about her country and family first, and gives all the credit to the United States Army for not only saving her life, but allowing her to save others lives at the same time.
Ashlee Barnhart Ortiz
Phon-a-thon allows students to give back to the college Raul Lemus Online editor
Crusader photo/Jose Medrano
Carlos Dorado,sophomore baseball player, makes calls during the Phon-a-thon to raise money for the SCCC/ATS Foundation.
The Phon-a-thon started off with the baseball team raising almost one-third of this year’s goal of $30,000. The money raised in this event is used by the Development Foundation for scholarships awarded to Seward County Community College/Area Technical School students. Students from campus organizations aid the college by calling businesses, alumni, family and friends for donation pledges. Students receive prizes for participating, also faculty members received incentives for participating on the last day of the Phon-a-thon. According to Celeste Donovan, dean of students, students have been able to raise nearly $27,000. She believes that this year’s goal could be reached. Donovan
is involved in the planning and overseeing of shifts for the event. Tammy Doll, director of development, also puts time and effort into orchestrating the event. “I have helped for the past three years. It has always been really fun, as the administrators make it a fun competition,” Kelsey Cook, a student in the nursing program, said. The first student in each time block to receive a pledge of $100 receives a ticket for a free “Any way you want it” large pizza from Pizza Hut. For faculty, a variety of prizes will be given, including a day off, pizzas and bookstore items. Faculty prizes will be given based on luck of the draw. Also, for students, candies and other prizes are given every shift. “I thought it would be two long hours, but the Phon-a-thon turned out to be really fun and getting the free pizza was a
plus,” Conny Hernandez said. Hernandez called alumni and businesses for donations during her shift with Phi Theta Kappa. Other prizes will also be given during the Dormapalooza event held later this year. This year’s prizes include a Flat Screen TV, iPod touch, surround sound speakers, gift cards, and other smaller prizes. Students receive beaded necklaces for each pledge they are able to secure for the Phon-athon. Rather than a fundraiser, at times the Phon-a-thon becomes more of a fun competition between students to procure the greatest amount of necklaces. Competition between the nursing students and the baseball team once again heated up as they both competed to be at the top in fundraising amounts. Last year, the nursing department beat the baseball team for the No. 1 spot. Results of the Phon-a-thon
later on will determine which club or organization met their goal and who was able to receive the greater amount in pledges. According to HALO’s adviser Frances Brown, HALO has taken the third spot in the last two years; this year they hope to go beyond the amount they have raised in past Phon-a-thons. Last year they were able to raise $3,000 with the aid of club members. According to Donovan, the Phon-a-thon has not always been carried out by students, but rather by the community. However, students seem to enjoy taking part in the fundraiser that aids them with scholarships to complete college. “They have given me scholarships, so I feel like I should help out, but I always enjoy it,” Cook said.