Dragon's Tale - Fall 2014 Issue

HCC’s New President Agriculture & Technology Campus Voice

Student Government President

Fall 2014 Cover.indd 3

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MEET THE STAFF Shannon Emery

Brittany Inskeep

Hometown: Buhler Major: Art Plans: Ouachita Baptist University

Hometown: Hutchinson Major: Undecided Plans: University of Kansas

Joseph Griffin

Jamey Lies

Hometown: Inman Major: Computer Support Plans: University of Kansas

Hometown: Andale Major: Undecided Plans: K-State

Kelsea Mcfarland

Kristin Gecho Hometown: Hutchinson Major: Animal Science Plans: K-State

Hometown: Hutchinson Major: Visual Communications-Photography/ Journalism/ Broadcasting Plans: Undecided

Mykala Hedgepeth

Kayla Penner

Hometown: Derby Major: Undecided Plans: Undecided

Hometown: Hutchinson Major: Journalism Plans: Wichita State

Jordan Horsch

Tristan Potter

Hometown: Andale Major: Visual CommunicationsGraphic Design/ Web Technologies Plans: Wichita State

Hometown: Hutchinson Major: Art Education Plans: Wichita State

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

Staff

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

6 8 12 22 24 2

A New Chapter Begins

Dr. Carter File steps into the presidential role

4

Joseph Griffin

Trends

Styles on campus

18

Actor Factor

The process of theater production

8

Kayla Penner

Dragon Zone

Newly-released student portal

6

16

Mykala Hedgepeth/Staff

A Third Dimension

Animation & Game Development

20

Cross Country

Shannon Emery

Techies Meet Farmer Brown

Jamey Lies

22

Soccer

Improving farm techniques with technology Brittany Inskeep

10 Campus Voice Student Government President

Football

Kelsea Mcfarland

Joseph Griffin

28

Volleyball

Staff

Highlights from fall homecoming

14 De-Stress with Chess Club enables students to relieve stress

Kristin Gecho

24

12 Flashback

Jordan Horsch

Jamey Lies

30

Advertisements

Tristan Potter

Staff

Table of Contents

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A New Chapter Begins Dr. File begins his new role as President of HCC story

K a yla P enn er

After thirty-three years, Hutchinson Community College hires a new college President. Dr. Carter File, previously, Vice President of Finance and Operations at HCC, has taken on the new role as president, and is ready to lead the college in success.

File is passionate in fulfilling success for the college.

“In education, and particularly community college, we have the opportunity everyday to change lives,” File said.

His goals for HCC focus on what he believes will benefit the students, as well as faculty. HCC upholds

After making several phone calls, Dr. Carter File, HCC President, smiles at his desk in his Lockman Hall office. In his previous position, File sat in the same office for President’s Council meetings.

Photo by Kayla Penner

the reputation of being a superior school for students, and he wants to keep it that way.

“I want to continue our pursuit of being the premier two-year education institution in Kansas,” File said. “I want to continue expansion, where it makes sense for us to expand.

Adding more programs, adding new courses, and subject matter.”

File wants the best for the college and is ready for any changes that may come in the future.

He was born and raised in Beloit, KS, and attended Beloit Junior/Senior High School. After high school, he attended Cloud County Community College where he earned his associate’s degree. His educational

journey continued on as he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration at Kansas State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Baltimore. He later received his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Nebraska.

File has held positions such as a certified public accountant and vice president of finance and operations that has prepared him for the job as president.

At home, he is supported by his wife Tracey of 26 years and two children.

His daughter Emily, 22, attends Bellus Academy in Manhattan. Samuel, his 19 year -old son, is in Manhattan as well furthering his education at

Kansas State University.

HCC is an important school to File. His goal is to create an environment where students can learn and enjoy college life.

Laurie Sawyer, administrative assistant to the president, said, “I think he’ll do great as college president.

He has the advantage of knowing people here at HCC. He’s friendly and knows how to interact with others. So far, he has done a wonderful job.”

A good leader is important for the students of HCC. “I believe a good leader has good time-management skills and is able to interact with others,” Laura Ratley, Hutchinson, said.

“A good leader is not afraid to say what they think, understanding and

New President

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File talks to guests at a ceromony outside Gowan’s Statium. The college hosted the ceromony in honor of the new Lou Peel WeightTraining Center and the Jack Mull Family Football Complex.

Photo by Kelsea McFarland

encouraging,” Brittany Thorne, Valley Center, said.

File is passionate in fulfilling goals for HCC. He wants to make sure that everyone is working together to make the college successful.

“We have faculty who are completely engaged in student success, in the classroom, outside the classroom, and in life.

They really have a deep caring for students,” File said. “Everybody wants essentially the same goal and that’s what is going to make our students successful. As long as you have an organization where everybody is pulling in the same direction and wants the same things, it is a pleasure to lead.”

His excitement for his new role as president, followed by his motivation, proves File is driven to succeed for the students and staff.

File talks to guests at the annual HCC Convocation. The event focused on future plans and goals for the college.

Photo by Kelsea McFarland

New President

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WHY DO STUDENTS LOG ON?

Glenn Acheson, assistant director of Information Technology Services, showcases the abilities of the new DragonZone. Acheson, along with Loren Morris, director of ITS, worked with individuals throughout the department to bring the new DragonZone to life.

OLD DRAGONZONE

HOW MUCH DO STUDENTS LOG ON? 200 150

The old DragonZone was used for nearly five years before the decision was made to update the student portal. The old DragonZone was slow, unresponsive and sometimes just confusing for students. Some of the main focus while brainstorming for the new DragonZone was that it needed to be easy to use, easy to access and available on all devices.

QUICK FACTS

100

Average DragonZone visits per day

3,812

50 Windows 7 computers make up

0

32.5%

8.4% iPhone Users

of users visiting the website

17.5% Android Users

DragonZone

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ON CAMPUS LIES A ROOM TUCKED AWAY WHERE STAFF MANAGES AND MONITORS OUR STUDENTS ONLINE INTERFACE - DRAGONZONE. IT’S METHODS HAVE REMAINED A SECRET, UNTIL NOW. photos&story

Joseph Griffin

In the months before the fall semester, the ITS staff completely redesigned DragonZone, the student portal. The new portal adapted to all devices and featured an array of customization features.

An idea came to life in the basement of Lockman Hall in January 2014. Through countless keystrokes, frustration, trial and error, successful additions and finally its official release, the new DragonZone is now near its complete form.

As students and faculty prepared themselves for homecoming weekend, Loren Morris, Information Technology Services director; Glenn Acheson, assistant director; and countless other ITS members were preparing for a full release to the public on Friday, Oct. 10.

In past years, to many students, the daily ritual of logging into DragonZone to check email, messages and hand in assignments was becoming a tried and true hassle. As the old DragonZone was slow, unresponsive and sometimes confusing; a new site could surely perform better.

The dedicated ITS staff was willing to put in the work to bring forth a new portal for students to access their information with minimal stress involved.

Their philosophical view of technology puts HCC at the helm of the fast-moving world of computing. Their “Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)” ideology puts students at the forefront of a new technology called responsive web design.

This means that the web site is nearly 100 percent flexible to the device that the site is being accessed through.

HCC is one of the first to use this technology in their student portal.

As things move toward new additions, the ITS department looks forward to the future of DragonZone. Saying that it will not only be a place to obtain information about their schooling, but also a place those students can easily interact. An emphasis on the extra curricular activities offered at HCC will be one of the main points of focus as the site is further improved.For now, students will become familiar with what the portal has to offer.

DragonZone

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photos&story

Shannon Emery

The audience waits eagerly for the actors to come out and give them a show they won’t forget.

Little do they know that behind the curtain is not only actors preparing to show them a new world, but an entire crew working together to create the perfect atmosphere for the crowd.

The production crew which includes students, run around getting everything in place, the actors get into position, and the curtain rises sweeping the audience into an entirely different setting.

That’s what the students at Hutchinson Community College train for, to further their careers in theater.

Students who decide to major in theater generally have background experience and have a basic idea of what the instructor’s expectations include.

Deidre Mattox, theater instructor, said, “Most of the students that we work with have some background in theater already, so they’ve done theater at high-school level, or community theater so they kind of know how it works.”

At the beginning of the year, students and theater staff collaborate and discuss the expectations and the production process. This makes it easier for the students to be able to get right in and begin improving their skills.

With a group of people working together closely and often, arguments about the productions do arise.

It’s the director’s job to handle the situation in a calm, insightful way. They must then get the students to work together so that everything runs smoothly for the upcoming production.

Students have their own role in the production and they know exactly what’s expected of them. They all are equally willing to help each other out, whether it is with the props, costumes, or lighting.

Wi t h t h e v a r i e t y o f jobs available on set, the productions equip students to further their careers.

There are also students who are unsure of whether or not they want to get involved in all of this, even though they are interested in theater.

According to Mattox, even if students are unsure about majoring in theater, it’s worth it to receive a high theater education and they are bound to enjoy the experience.

“I would say that theater is a really great way to discover what your artistic talents might be, because theater is such a collaborative art. It

David Monceaux,Hutchinson, and Deidre Ensz-Mattox, theater instructor, angrily stare in the latest production called “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” The cast played through this scene several times before it was perfected.

involves all of the other arts.

It involves music; it involves, obviously, performing arts, visual arts, dance, and all of that,” Mattox said. “So a student who feels like he or she has an artistic learning, theater is really the place to be, and contrary to popular belief, there are tons of job opportunities for a theater major out there besides just acting, directing or deciding, and with any play that you see, you see the actors.

Although if you look at the program, there are all of these names of all of these people involved behind the scenes, so there are lots of jobs in the world of theater.

So I think it’s really a

Theater

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career path, that has lots of opportunities for students.”

Productions also rely on promotion of the event. The department uses posters, mailings, Facebook, and radio as well as a variety of publicity opportunities.

“If it works out perfectly in time with when the show is coming out, we are even known to do some crazy stuff at Third Thursday,” Mattox said. “One year we were doing ‘Evil Dead’ and we all went out dressed up as zombies and did a little dance.”

The department chooses a variety of plays to keep each season well rounded.

This fall the production was called, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.” It was a small-cast drama that has a combination of students and staff acting together.

According to Mattox, the most intense plays are the small cast, and fairly serious, gritty dramas. She said that the productions that dig around the core of humanity, and who we are as human beings, are the ones that really get students into the production, and make them think. Students involved in theater at HCC get the opportunity to be

involved in working together for the final applause.

“I really enjoy watching them grow as artists and watching them discover new talents they didn’t know they had,” Mattox said. “The way we work is that our students don’t just act or just do technical theater; our students do everything. So actors do tech, and techies act, and it’s always a joy for me to watch students who come here with maybe have one idea of what their talents are, and they discover something new. And that’s really great to watch.”

Monceaux and Mattox exchange glances during an intense scene. The cast practiced for four to five hours a day before the production went live.

Kristen Cruz, Hutchinson, drunkenly dances away while Mason Schneider, Hutchinson, attempts to talk her out of it. Both cast members performed in previous productions at HCC.

Theater

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Joseph Neville, Andale, uses the touch screen capabilities of a combine while harvesting milo. The agriculture program purchased the new technology with a grant shared with Fort Hays State University.

Dylan Burnhardt, Inman; Jacob Miller, Tecumseh; and Corey Lohren,Moundridge, look at a screen inside the ag diesel classroom. The technology enabled students to view what was going on in the field from the comfort of the cab.

Agriculture

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TE

HIES

MEET FARMER BROWN

The agricultural

industry and the technology industry are becoming one in the same.

photos&story

Brittany Inskeep

The use of technology in the agriculture industry is ever growing. As college students, the looming prospect of finding a job is always overhead. The use of technology in agriculture has opened up the field to many new job opportunities.

There are many job opportunities that open up with the expansion of technology in the industry.

Steve Sears, agriculture instructor, said, “If you like gadgets and you’re good at it, you’ll be able to get a job.”

In agriculture, and in most industries, employers are looking for people that have hobbies that reflect these tech-savvy job descriptions.

With technology becoming more prominent, it would be reassuring to hire someone that is often tinkering with the technology used in the field or even the software used in the machinery.

It’s not hard to tell that the majority of people don’t link technology and agriculture together or even see them in the same light.

Sears said, “Often you

think of farmers being the last ones to adopt technology, but often it’s agriculture that leads the way.”

In 2012, HCC partnered with Fort Hays State University and received a grant of $92,000, which led to the purchase of a combine with built-in Global Positioning System.

Like any technology, the things used in agriculture are always changing. At times it can be difficult to keep up with the most modern information and equipment.

“Technology has made it harder to keep up, it’s changing every six months, probably even faster than that,” Sears said.

Although it can be tricky to figure out the technology, it does keep the students interested and engaged. The new software and equipment affect teaching in a big way.

Sears said, “It does help with the teaching because with a big bang factor, you can show them something they’ve never seen before.”

There is no way to avoid the change in technology and the quickness of everything

being in- and out-of-date.

“It’s like buying a computer, the day you buy it, it’s going to be out-ofdate,” Sears said.

Sears made another reference to computers when comparing the Internet to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

The Internet can be used for good as well as bad, and the same goes for UAVs. “You’re putting up all these aircraft with cameras, so the privacy issue must be taken into consideration,” Sears said.

New technology isn’t just showing up in the combines or tractors, it is also being used to genetically enhance plants.

Sears said, “We’re coming up with hybrids that can draw less water, they have drought-tolerant genes.”

With all this new technology, it begs the question: is it worth the money?

Sears said he like to use it but it’s expensive.

Although it is costly, the economic benefits are not shy of outstanding, especially considering the time saver it has become.

Time saving means less fatigue, which then in turn leads to fewer mistakes.

“Timeliness in farming is everything,” Sears said.

The always-changing technology may be hard to learn and then as a follow up, to teach to others, but HCC continues to engage in leading edge technology to help students along their educational path.

Agriculture Technology

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Student Government President Diego Esparza proves his work ethic deserves the titles he holds photos&story

Kelsea McFarland

Who is responsible for the student body’s voice? Who contributes to the student opinion on campus issues?

What does this person do exactly?

Diego Esparza, Macksville, assumes the role of student body president on campus but how many students actually know who is behind this student voice?

“I am Circle K president, treasurer of Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO). I am a resident advisor at the dorms and student government president,” Esparza said.

Esparza comes from a small farm town in central Kansas.

“In high school, I held a leadership office every year.

I was senior class president and K Club president. I was also on my church board of directors as a youth representative,” Esparza said.

After his experiences in high school, Esparza was able to recognize issues here at HCC.

“I wanted to become student body president because I saw an opportunity to shape the college’s tobacco policy. I saw a lot of potential in moving toward a tobaccofree campus,” Esparza said HCC Registrar Christina Long said, “Diego is very good at reading and understanding situations, and he takes care of needs quickly and efficiently.”

Cleaning up campus was a big motivator for Esparza, but his family is really what keeps him going.

“My motivation definitely comes from my family. I want to make my parents proud. They sacrificed a lot for me to get where I am today. Also, I motivate myself because I don’t like to fail. I want to make things better for people,” Esparza said.

Esparza has a lot of motivation to keep him devoted to the many things that fill his schedule.

“I spend a lot of time in class and doing homework.

Also, being a resident advisor takes quite a bit of time.

I go to a lot of meetings in

Diego Esparza, Student Government president from Macksville, prepares popcorn at the HCC home football game. SGA gave away free sunglasses and popcorn for their Sunglasses at Night campaign.

Campus Voice

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hopes of representing the students the way they want to be represented and give them a voice on everything happening around campus,” Esparza said.

Esparza is involved in many things on campus, which helps him set and achieve goals that will benefit the school and the students.

“I want to create a student government that is active and enjoys doing service projects. I want to continue to improve the tobacco policy by facilitating movement toward the shelters that were built around campus,” Esparza said.

“As president, he makes sure the student government achieves their goals.

He pays attention to details and never lets anything slip through,” Long said. “Diego creates an environment that does not have to be micro-

Esparza interacts with fellow students while participating in a marketing video shoot. While working for college’s marketing department, he helped put together some promotional materials representing his SGA position.

Photo courtesy of HCC Marketing Department

managed. I don’t have to worry over things getting done. He also sees projects through from beginning to end with outstanding quality.”

Along with being involved in student government, Esparza serves a resident advisor for the dorms.

“It can be overwhelming at times with all the responsibilities of being student and body president and a resident advisor, but it is truly rewarding to know that you are helping others,” Esparza said.

Esparza has set many

goals for himself after graduation.

“I am going to graduate from HCC than attend Wichita State or KU. I will major in public administration or political science, then maybe law school,” Esparza said.

He eventually wants to work in the field of immigration law.

“One reason why I want to go into immigration law is to

Circle K President Esparza leads the first student meeting. The group voted on homecoming candidates to represent Circle K in the student voting.

help kids in the same situation as I am, to get them to a better place,” Esparza said.

Esparza has a long list of reasons why he is involved in so many things, but he has one really big role model.

Continued on page 30

Campus Voice

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page design

The 90’s revisted on campus during the fall homecoming La’kel Bass, St. Louis, Mo., waits to catch a t-shirt at the homecoming assembly at Gowan’s Stadium. SGA handed out several prizes during the event.

Photo by Kelsea Mcfarland

story

Staff

Joseph Griffin

As students poured into Gowans Stadium on the morning of Oct. 8, the festivities had already begun for homecoming week at Hutchinson Community College.

In the days before the annual football homecoming rally, students participated in events all over city.

Close to 200 students took part in a skating outing at Skateland, almost 600 students danced at the Kansas State Fair grounds and a glow run right on the HCC campus.

Many students were caught off guard when the campus sprinklers turned on just before the start of the glow run.

To finish the week’s activities, students enjoyed a football win against Garden City with the final score posted as 44-14. At the halftime of the game on Oct. 11., the student body voted to crown Braxton Jones, Wichita, and Michaela Golliher, Meade, as fall homecoming king and queen.

Homecoming

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Students dance in sync to a song at the fall homecoming dance. SGA hosted the event at the Kansas State Fair grounds.

Photo by Kelsea Mcfarland Skating around the rink, Sahira Rojo and Briana Cushenberry, both from Hutchinson, follow the crowd. HCC students enjoyed the pasttime activity at Skateland.

Photo by Kelsea Mcfarland

Fall 2014 Homecoming Week Monday - 90’s Skating Party Tuesday - 90’s Glow Run Wednesday - 90’s Trivia & Volleyball game Thursday - 90’s Homecoming Dance Friday - Pep Rally Saturday - Homecoming Football Game

Ryan Krause, Russell, crowns Michaela Golliher, Meade, after the homecoming king and queen were announced. Krause stood in for Homecoming King Braxton Jones, football player from Wichita.

Photo by Kelsea Mcfarland Homecoming

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De-Stress Chess with

A student begins a chess match with one of the white pieces moving first. Chess club members practiced finishing the game by putting the king in checkmate.

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s

HCC Club promotes character building and stress relief photos&story

Tristan Potter

A queen, rook, bishop, or knight may not be familiar terms to most people. To students in Hutchinson Community College’s newest club, the Chess Club, members understand these game pieces and the actions they can take.

After Workkeys Profiler/ Trainer Duane Schmidt’s ethics class, one of his former students was inspired to start the club.

“We all have something in common, the love of chess,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt started playing chess when he was 13, and he has liked it ever since. He uses the game in his ethics class and said it helps students learn how to plan ahead, have respect for others, have confidence in themselves, develop sportsmanship, as well as learning the consequences of their actions.

The club meets Monday Noon-3:00 Tuesday evenings from 5:00-8:30 and encourages students to learn something about the game as well as themselves.

“Playing chess can of course be stressful even for the recreational player if they take it too seriously,” Schmidt said. “Chess can even be addictive, as can many other behaviors. I suppose it depends on how one goes about it.”

Not only does it teach different characteristics but it also relieves stress.

“Recreational chess can help with stress relief because it helps us take our minds off [of] our difficulties.

It gives us a break; a calm place to go,” Schmidt said.

“Also chess helps us focus on one thing for a while instead of continually hopping around from one thing to the next in our minds.

“Another way chess can be a stress buster is because it is time spent building something constructive with another person, it’s recreational.”

Players associate with the characteristics of the game pieces and most claim a favorite.

Cody Fairchild, Kingman, prefers the knight because it can jump.

“Bishop, it’s elegant, it moves diagonally and is a long-range piece,” Schmidt said. “It’s not the most powerful but it is important.”

Whether enrolled in an ethics class that focuses on the character-building aspect of chess or involved in the campus club, students learn something new.

“The game itself is beautiful, like a piece of music or visual work of art with recurring patterns, themes, etc.,” Schmidt said.

Andrew Tolbert, Hutchinson, decides his next move during the chess club meeting. Tolbert won the match against his opponent.

Cody Fairchild, Kingman, dominates the chess board. As part of the chess club, students learned the game pieces and their actions.

Chess Club

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TOP

photos&story

trends

Mykala Hedgepeth & Staff

Dress for Less

New students on campus means a whole new set of trends.

This year’s trends include high-waisted pants and scarves, knee-high boots and cowboy boots.

After polling the student body, it was discovered that 51% of students prefer tennis shoes compared to other types. Forty-six percent of students preferred athletic wear compared to high-waisted shorts.

Students each sport their own style whether it be t-shirt and jeans or scarves and high heels.

Alissa Crane, Ohio, models an outfit from her closet. She purchased the entire outfit for approximately $110.

Tank Top Forever 21 $1000 Jeans Forever 21 $1600

Boots The Buckle $7500

Top Trends

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Caitlen Barnes, Lindsborg, uses scarves to dress up her outfits. She described her style as cute and comfortable.

What type of shoe do students wear most often? sandals 6% flip flops 20% tennis shoes 51% high heels 3% sperry’s 9% knee-high boots 2% cowboy boots 9%

Devonta Staples, Lanette, Ala., wears socks and sandals together.The majority of students chose to wear tennis shoes.

Top Trends

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photos&story

J o rd an H o rs ch

New animation and game development instructor provides a new dimension in visual communications What is your favorite thing about Hutch so far?

I think it’s really just the sense of community here along with the students and the faculty and all the other employees at HCC, just a very strong sense of community here.

What experience do you have in Visual Communications?

Most of the experience I had was actually here, before I left, at Exploration Place. I developed some 3D Elements for use in the booths, and that was just in addition to my duties as a website manager. And basically the last three years I have been teaching down at a community college in San Antonio.

What will you be expecting students to create?

With Digital Animation 1, one of the later projects we actually do is create a

treasure chest and key and then just have them animate the treasure chest opening up. And in the game course we’re actually creating three maps with three different game styles, so we kind of get the full array of game fun stuff.

Any hobbies outside of the classroom?

I’ve been doing some mountain biking, some swimming. Even though I love 3D animation, I love being on the computer, sometimes you have to balance that with a little bit of time away from the computer.

Dustin Simpson, visual communications instructor, focuses on his computer.

Students in the class worked on animation models.

Animation I students work on the construction of a treasure chest in 3DS Max. The process included creating texture that would be applied to the chest.

Talk about some of your future goals.

The future goals for me here is really continuing to raise the bar for students success. We want to reach out more and make sure that potential students out there know that this program exists and how much fun we have.

A Third Dimension

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FALL SPORTS

3D Art

11/3/14 3:01 PM

Head Coach Rod Zook and the men’s cross country team get pumped up before Romp At The Ridge race in Hutchinson. This tradition continued before each event.

Family helps in the LONG RUN Athletes depend on their teammates for encouragement Cross country is seen as a physical sport. Most typically think about country side, long distance running, and a lot of people running out of breath.

These college athletes practice two times a day, averaging 17 hours a week. That’s on top off all their school work.

What most don’t think about is the emotional side.

Being away from family can have a traumatic affect on people. How is it that these Blue Dragons push through and perform so well.

“Literally we are always there to pick each other up!

We all have off days and so we all know what is like,” Breah Waldron, Derby, said.

As a freshman, things can be tough because it’s their first year away from home and for some it’s their first time ever being away from their parents. With the help of cross country teammates, it gets a little easier.

“My teammates are absolutely awesome. I think in a sport like this you have to stick together to make it through and we definitely do,” Katy Spencer, Andale, said.

The sophomores of the group try to be as supportive as possible. They’ve been through the first-year jitters.

“As a team we are really close and it’s always tough to be away from your family,” Trevon Butler, Wamego, said. “I just try to be as friendly to the freshman as I can and as a whole we all get along really well and consider ourselves a big family.”

The sophomores each have their own way of supporting the freshman and whatever it may be it seems to work.

“I am kind of like a mom and anyone will tell you that. I just make sure to hug them a lot and be there to listen. I remind them that even though we aren’t bloodrelated teammates we are family,” Waldron said.

Head Coach Rod Zook is also a big contributor to the family atmosphere and provides guidance while he motivates his runners.

“Coach Zook always pushes us to do our best.

Cross Country

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Coach Zook congratulates Jake Omo, Wichita, after he finishes the Romp At The Ridge race in Hutchinson.The men’s team placed third overall.

Coach Zook, Ashley Claxton, Wichita, and Breah Waldron, Derby, talk after the race. Teammates supported each other before and after each race throughout the season.

He never goes easy on us and always makes us work hard. It’s difficult sometimes but in the end it is always for the better,” Butler said.

Zook builds a special bond with every one of his athletes and encourages them every step of the way.

“Well, personally he always calls me ‘tough kid.’

It is kind of our inside joke so that helps me. He has taught us that no matter how much we hurt and/or want to give up, in the end it is worth it,” Waldron said. “That running is the toughest sport and we have to have a social toughness both mentally and physically.”

The coaches help these athletes on the course as they are reaching the last. This is when the Blue Dragons need them most.

“Both Coach Riggs and Coach Zook scream for us.

They tell us who we have to catch and how much we have left to do,” Katy Spencer, Andale, said. “They are really good at pushing us up in order to finish the last mile even though our bodies want to quit.”

As the season closes, the athletes end as more than just teammates - they became a family.

2014 Cross Country Results JK Gold Classic Augusta 5th Men 4th Women Romp At The Ridge Hutchinson 3rd Men 6th Women OSU Cowboy Jamboree Stillwater, Okla.

9th Men 10th Women Haskell Invitational Lawrence 2nd Men 9th Women Region VI Championships Colby 3rd Men 3rd Women 8th - Angela Lingg Results as of Oct. 29th

Breah Waldron, Derby, hugs Ashley Claxton,Wichita, after the race. Claxton had just set a new personal best.

Cross Country

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Togetherness comes from time on the field for womens soccer.

Every season brings a new group of athletes and a new set of goals set by the team and coach.

Head Coach Sammy Lane has led the Hutchinson Community College soccer team for the last ten years.

“I hope that we can win regionals and nationals titles this year,” Lane said.

Along with the team’s goals, Lane sets personal achievements for himself.

“I hope to have the freshman buy into the tradition of Hutch soccer and learn to care about it as much as I do,” Lane said. “If both of these goals are completed, it will have been a great season.”

For the last ten years, Lane has had three principals his athletes should follow.

“Number one is hard work, number two team makes decisions together, and third use more of we and us and less of you and I. If they could complete that it would make me feel like I have done a good job coaching them,” Lane said.

As a coach, Lane continues to push the girls to work harder and become better on the field. Renee Gillispe, Courtny Boswell,

story

and Taylor Young, all from Wichita, agreed that he has pushed them since they came to HCC and he has pushed them to win.

“The big difference in high school to college soccer is the competitiveness; it’s more like a job then high school where it’s a sport after school,” Melissa Zapata, Giddings, Texas, said. “I feel like its more of a job because of the scholarship, it harder and tougher then in high school, high school was more basic.”

The leadership on the team is a big thing to Siobhan Willison, London, England.

“Every sport has to have leadership for the team, if you don’t have leadership your team will fall apart,” Willison said.

The coaching staff relies on the team leaders. This season that group includes Willison; Jen Rogers, Liverpool, England; and Melissa Vega, Topeka. All three are returning sophomores.

“They all have a pretty strong bond that is like no other. They treat each other like sisters. It also reflects in how they play on the field so you can see it on the field as the play and off the field to,”

2014 Soccer Results Date Opponent

W/L/T

Date Opponent

W/L/T

8-23

Western Wyoming

W

10-1

Barton

W

8-27

Pratt

W

10-4

Cowley

W

9-3

Paris Junior College

L

10-6

Hesston College

W

9-10

Dodge City

W

10-12 N. Okla.-Tonkawaw

W

9-14

Coffeyville

W

10-17 Butler

W

9-20

Allen

10-24 Garden City

W

9-24

Johnson County

W

10-29 Neosho County

W

9-26

Kansas City

W

T

Lane said.

It’s evident to see how much of a family the team has evolved into since they’ve been playing together this season.

“If you get team bonding

Results as of October 30, 2014

off the field you will have a stronger bond, off the field you will have a strong on the field, because they know your off the field level,” Rogers said.

Kristin Gecho Women’s Soccer

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Head Coach Sammy Lane kicks the ball to his players during warm ups before the game against Kansas City. Lane coached the Lady Dragons soccer team for ten years.

Photo by Joseph Griffin

Jen Rogers, Liverpool, England, goes for the ball in a game against Coffeyville.

Rogers received the honor of Player of the Week on Aug. 26.

Photo by Joseph Griffin

During a game against Kansas City, Monica Lewis, Wichita, battles for the ball. The Lady Dragons claimed the win 8-0 on Sept. 26.

Photo by Joseph Griffin

During the game against Johnson County, Karrie McMutt, Winfield, gets in a bind with two opponents. McMutt contributed one point to the Lady Dragons 2-1 win on Sept. 24.

Photo by Joseph Griffin

Women’s Soccer

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photos&story

Joseph Griffin

When I walked into the locker room at 7:50 A.M. on a chilly Thursday morning, I took a quick glance around at the names on the lockers.

The names of the players that will help put Hutchinson Community College in the spotlight once again. The players that over the course of the last few months have taken Hutchinson from the underdog, to the big dog in the Jayhawk Conference.

At the beginning of the season, Hutchinson Community College sat perched behind Butler Community College in the preseason polls once again. For the past 14 seasons, HCC has been the little brother in the Jayhawk Conference, watching idly by as Butler took the crown year after year.

Change was coming.

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Travis Custis, Hampton, Ga., celebrates a touchdown with Marc Saffle, Hutchinson, and DeQuan Bowman, Millville, N.J.The touchdown came during the first quarter of a 35-26 win over the Butler Grizzlies, their first such win since 1997.

10/31/14 1:17 PM

THE FOUNDATION HAD BEEN LAID, THE WALLS WERE STOOD AND NOW THE ROOF HAS BEEN PLACED. WHAT MANY CONSIDERED A LACKLUSTER PROGRAM JUST TEN YEARS AGO, NOW BRINGS IN PLAYERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THEY ARE FLOCKING TO HUTCHINSON, NOT ONLY TO PLAY FOOTBALL, BUT TO BECOME PART OF A FAMILY. RION RHOADES

ISN’T CALLING JUST FOR FOOTBALL PLAYERS,

THE RISE OF A TEAM Blue Dragon football sits, not so pretty, atop the conference standings as of Oct. 20. Having won their first eight games in the season, all while snatching strong victories away from home at Butler and Coffeyville.

The victories are just tick marks on the season though, as this year wasn’t just about taking a share of the conference title for the first time in 19 years. It was about the family that makes it happen.

Men from all over the country make the trek to Hutchinson during the summer. They follow a trail laid out by Head Coach Rion Rhoades and staff. Before his tenure at HCC, the old trail would have led to a stadium that barely filled to half capacity on most Saturdays.

It led to a school best known for its vocational education.

The trail changed course in 2006, when Rhoades took the head-coaching job

in December of that year.

As seasons passed, the trail took its followers to a destination that was rapidly evolving into a national powerhouse.

Rhoades took a paltry program, known for its low finishes in the Jayhawk conference and built it into a contender for Region VI superiority. In his first three years, the Blue Dragons went from 2-7 to 10-2, fighting a tough Butler squad for the Region VI crown. Unfortunately, they sent the Blue Dragons home packing. For the next years, Butler and Hutch faced off for the Jayhawk Conference Crown, but Butler continued to triumph.

After heavily recruiting,

HE

IS CALLING FOR BROTHERHOOD.

it’s 2014 and HCC was fully ready to take on the challenge of facing the conference again.

Rhoades and his coaching staff excelled in recruiting top talent, bringing in NCAA Div. I-caliber players from all over the country. Their impressive haul included the acquisition of former Alabama commit, Alvin Kamara, Norcross, Ga. Not

only did they bring in a top-5 running back, but they also had five top-50 recruits commit to the program before the season began.

BUILDING A FAMILY This team was stacked for success, Rhoades only needed to guide them into the right direction.

Our defense was filled with talent. Jeremiah Ledbetter, Gainesville, Ga.; Mar-

Travis Custis, Hampton, Ga., rushes past Fort Scott defenders on Sept.6 as Jovante Siglar,Overland Park,follows.Hutchinson went on to win against the Greyhounds, 55-10. Custis rushed for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win.

Football

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John Gilbertson,Wichita,stands after catching a 16-yard pass from quarterback Dalton Demos (not pictured).The reception put HCC in position at the Butler one-yard line.

The Blue Dragons failed to reach the endzone and a field-goal attempt from Kassidy Lemons, Hutchinson, was good. After the field-goal, HCC led with a score of 22-20.

quavius Lewis, Greenwood, S.C.; Darius Wright, Irmo, S.C.; Greg Webb, Erial, N.J.; La’kel Bass, St. Louis, Mo.; and Claude George, Lafayette, La., stacked a defensive line that could swarm opposing quarterbacks.

Forcing opposition to adjust to their blistering speed and tremendous strength. They would only allow 20.9 points and 79.5 rushing yards per game.

Defense comes easily to the Blue Dragons, whose head coach is a former Blue Dragon himself. Rhoades played for HCC in 1993 and

1994 as a linebacker.

“Ultimately, the way I coach is a little bit like the way I played. I believe you have to change a little bit of who you are when you cross the white lines.” Rhoades said.

The defense was stacked, but we needed an offense to put points on the board.

HCC didn’t lack offensive firepower, a dual-quar terback threat in Dalton Demos, St. Louis, Mo., and Kylen Binn, Columbia, S.C., could run or pass the ball with ease. With target receivers on the field in Anthony

Autry, Norcross, Ga., and a reliable tight end in John Gilbertson, Wichita. The quarterback tandem would give options on either sideline, especially in times of need.

“It’s different, I’ve never had two quarterbacks,” Gilbertson said. “It gives us different options.”

In the backfield was Kamara, the leading scorer with 20 touchdowns, who weekly showcased his skills reminiscent of former Green Bay Packer, Ahman Green.

The Blue Dragons rushing game is one of the best in the nation, averaging over 260 yards per game.

“I definitely believe, just as a coaching philosophy that you’ve got to be able to run the football on offense and kill the run on defense,” Rhoades said. “That’s how any good team is built at any level.”

This offense could light up the board every Saturday night, averaging 45.5 points per game; sometimes surpassing the average in just the first half, as they did against Highland on Oct. 18.

The team assembled by Rhoades was, on paper, ready to challenge Butler for the conference title. Only time would tell if that was going to be the story.

THE SEASON In their first week, the Blue Dragons faced a soft Bethany JV, trumping them 45-7. Hutch had the ball rolling in the win with a solid rushing effort from Kamara and Bradin Smith, Wichita, who both tallied touchdowns. Hutch ended the game with over 300 yards rushing, and falling just short of 500 total yards.

HCC then moved on to

US

THEM

Bethany J.V. - Home W 45

7

Fort Scott - Home W 55

10

Butler - Away W 35 26 Iowa Central - Home W 42

14

Dodge City- Away W 43

26

Coffeyville - Away W 42

35

Garden City - Home W 44

14

Highland- Home W 58

35

*DATES AND RESULTS AS OF OCTOBER 20, 2014.

THREE GAMES REMAIN IN THE SEASON.

Fort Scott CC for their first conference matchup of the season. Fort Scott didn’t put up much of a fight as the HCC offense scored 31 points in the first half, 24 of them coming in the second quarter. A score of 55-10

Football

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sat on the board as time ran so close,” John Gilbertson, as 20 points were put on the 42-yards to Autry from Binn, out and HCC took a step Wichita, said. board in the last quarter, put Kamara in position to towards its first conference Gilbertson had five recep- giving HCC a 43-26 victory. waltz in to the end zone for championship, but a chal- tions for 60 yards and one HCC’s ground game was the go-ahead touchdown lenge ahead put thoughts of touchdown in the game. a force to be reckoned with; with seven seconds left in a Jayhawk crown on hold.

The Blue Dragons trav- their 345 total rushing the game.

Butler CC had beaten eled back home to face Iowa yards was written in the In the next weeks, the HCC for 23 straight Blue Dragons faced meetings, as HCC two conference teams hadn’t taken a win at home. Garden City over the Grizzlies and Highland came to since 1997. The town to give the then streak was meant No. 5 Blue Dragons to end, and this was their best shot. the year.

Garden City was The Blue Draghandled in a 44-14 ons defeated the win, as Darius Butler Grizzlies in Wright, Irmo, S.C., a grueling battle intercepted on the in El Dorado, second play from 35-26. Twice, the scrimmage set the play from Juwan tone for the remainder Dickey, Marietta, of the game.

Ga., placed HCC in The Blue Dragons the right direction put on a show the to take down the following week, as 52 defending Region first-half points easily VI champs. His 4th conquered the Highquarter, 72-yard land Scotties. Demos reception put the and Binn both shined Dragons in a twoin the win as they put possession lead Alvin Kamara, Norcross, Ga., fights for yardage as he is tackled by a Butler defender on Sept. 13. Kamara up 377 passing yards with over 13 min- led the team with 20 touchdowns as of Oct. 20 and was chosen as NJCAA Offensive Player of the Week in the game, throwutes r emaining in week 7. ing for 6 touchdowns in the game. But together.

Butler fought back quickly Central the next week, which stat book at the end of the Rhodes, who had flipped with a touchdown of their proved to be a less of a chal- day, their third 300-yard up his microphone on his own. lenge as the Tritons were rushing game in the season. headset, stood in the closing “We’ve had a number of dominated on the ground But their dominance didn’t minutes of the game on the close games with them. You game once again with a stop there, as Lewis tallied opposite end of the coach’s know last year, two of them,” 241-yard per for mance. eight tackles, 3.5 tackles for box as his offense was on Rhoades said. “This group Kamara had 171 yards loss and two sacks in the the field. He listened to his fully believed that we could for himself along with four game, earning him NJCAA assistant coaches commuget it done. touchdowns. A final score National Defensive Play of nication with the team.

Demos once again con- of 42-14 showed great team the Week.

“When I flip my mic up, nected with Dickey and put leadership as the game wore During the next week, I just like to listen to those their back to 9 with over on, communication kept the HCC was to face a tough guys. It’s a little bit different eight minutes remaining. team fighting, even after No. 14 Coffeyville squad, at this level. I definitely feel Their lead would not be going up big. and late game heroics that I need to be involved relinquished and the Blue A week later, Hutch trav- from Kamara, Binn, and with one side of the ball,” Dragons would go on to take eled to Dodge City, who hung Anthony Autry, Norcross, Rhoades said. their first win over Butler in close with the Blue Dragons Ga., in the closing moments Hutch ended the game almost 17 years. heading deep into the game, put together a solid 42-35 58-34 after Highland put “We needed to win this but a fourth quarter thrust victory over the second up 22-unanswered points year. We had six overtimes put the Conquistadors out Top-20 team they faced in the year before, we came of a position to take the win the season. A completion of Continued on page 33 Football

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23-12 2014 Volleyball Results

OPPONENT

Odessa College New Mexico Military Yavapai College South Mountain Colby College of So. Idaho Salt Lake Snow College North Idaho Butler Dodge City Seward County Marshalltown Jefferson College Iowa Western Frank Phillips College Pratt Garden City

W/L

W W L L W L L W L W W W W W L W W W

It includes digging, bumping, setting, and spiking. Volleyball is the sport.

The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team has been playing around the state and country, claiming a record of 21-12 this season.

“We hope to repeat as both conference and Region VI Champions,” Head Coach Patrick Hall said.

The success can be contributed to the hours these athletes dedicate to practicing every week.

Depending on the week, the team puts in anywhere from 24-40 hours on the court.

“This team is very ath-

OPPONENT

W/L

Cloud County Barton Garden City Colby Wallace State MSU- West Plains Jefferson College Miami- Dade Dodge City Butler Seward County Pratt Illinois CC Jefferson College Indian Hills MSU- West Plains Cloud County

W W W W L L W L W W W W L W L L W

Can you it?

Results as of Oct. 29, 2014

letic with a great deal of potential,” Hall said. “We’re young, so we have technical skill development to attend to, but we’re getting better there each week.”

The time spent on the court allows the athletes to become familiar with each other’s best abilities and it’s proven by how they cooperate on the court.

“They’re supportive of one another, and they’re committed to making changes in order to keep improving,” Hall said.

The Lady Dragons continue to fight hard as they head towards the Region VI Tournament in November.

Petra Silic, Zagreb, Croatia, and Lauren Darby, Olathe, reach to block a spike from the opposing team. Both players worked together to gain points each game.

Volleyball

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u

t?

Time Devoted to the sport leads to success for the Lady Dragons

Nicole Kinser, Hugoton, shows off her signature move and tips the ball into the opponents court. The unexpected tip always came at the least expected time.

Jai Chapman, Liberal, digs a ball and saves the point.The Lady Dragons played Seward County and won bringing there record to 7-5.

Volleyball

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Campus Voice Continued from page 11 “I have always looked up to Franklin Roosevelt and the way in which he helped further the United States as a whole,” Esparza said.

Esparza may spend most of his time working on projects and new ideas, but he does find some time every once in a while.

“My favorite part of the day is afternoon and evening because I am a night owl.

I like to stay up late. I am not a morning person whatsoever,” Esparza said.

“I enjoy reading books that I like because I don’t have

a lot of time because I am always reading textbooks.

I enjoy spending time with friends and the people in the dorms are pretty cool.”

Aside from spending time at the dorms, Esparza also enjoys farm life.

“I love going home and working on the farm. It used to be a job, but now it is more of a hobby. It is a nice way to get away from everything,” Esparza said.

If anyone doesn’t know Diego Esparza, he will most likely be on a project somewhere. Students may have to catch him on the go but he will stop and talk with a smile on his face.

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Football

Continued from page 27 in the second half, but the game was too far out of reach for them to come back.

RECRUITING Coach Rhoades attributes the success of the season to the players. After bringing in the talent that has given Hutchinson it’s first conference title in almost 20 years, it’s safe to say that this could be one of the most talented groups of guys he’s ever coached.

In his tenure so far at HCC, Rhoades has put himself on the top of many recruits’ lists across the country. They want to play for a program that has a name, but also has results.

HCC gives that to players, on the football field and in the classroom.

One of those players is the two-time All-American in former Tennessee Volunteer and HCC Blue Dragon Cordarrelle Patterson, who last year made the Pro-Bowl his rookie season in the NFL. His success can’t be given to HCC though, as Rhoades points out.

“We helped CP mature as a person, but he engaged in the process. That’s why he was successful. I would love to take credit for his success, but I can’t,” Rhoades said.

“He really bought into it and he what did we asked him to do and what we ask every player to do - work hard, do

what you can to help us be successful. He really became a man here.”

Hutchinson isn’t a destination for every player, but He hopes to see the flow of talent continue at HCC. But some things will always be at the top of his list.

“The two things that I think are the most important are number one, you’ve got to love to play the game.

That really has a lot of control over everything else.

Your willingness to work hard, your willingness to take care of your classes, if you love football,” Rhoades said. “Obviously, being able to have a team mindset.

To me, those are the most important things.”

Towards the end of our conversation, He leans back in his chair, his arms cocked back behind his head.

He’s talking about the last moment of one of the biggest games of his coaching career.

On his desk lay game plans, memos, post it notes and a cell phone that’s always buzzing. His office walls are adorned with the photos of past players who have moved on to bigger things in bigger stadiums all across the nation. Rhoades says that he’s a little behind but hopes to catch up soon.

With his recent recruitment of talent at HCC, it could be filled floor to ceiling by years end.

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10/30/14 12:54 PM