The
SPECTATOR Oct. 2, 2012
Volume 59, Issue 2
ENTERTAINMENT: Beats headphones, ripped jeans among latest fashion at WNCC, pg. 4 SPORTS: Broussard among long list of local athletes excelling at WNCC, pg. 5 BACKPAGE: Students talk about college life, pg. 8
Winberg: Savoring the sounds of music Hard work, dedication help student blossom into a standout in WNCC’s vocal music program BY JOY ANITEYE Spectator Reporter
M Spectator Photo
Brandi Mendoza talks on the phone during a scene in the WNCC play “Nickel and Dimed.” The play will be presented Oct. 12, 13 and 14.
WNCC Theater presents ‘Nickel and Dimed’
The play, which begins this week, expects to be a hit
alorie Winberg has some advice for people thinking about entering a career in
music. “Make sure that you don’t take it lightly,” she said. “If it’s not your passion, don’t turn your hobby into something that you loath.” For Winberg, a WNCC student, nothing interests her more than being involved in music, whether it’s singing or playing in the band. And she’s pretty See Malorie, page 3
COVER STORY
A Life Filled with Music
BY ALEXANDRIA MOREE Spectator Reporter
For the past several years, the Western Nebraska Community College Theater Department has worked tirelessly to bring our community a variety of both comedic and dramatic plays that broaden our horizons on global, historical, and economic issues and events. L a s t year Pat Ennis and a crew of roughly a dozen people flawlessly delivered the heart-wrenching stage adaption of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” With 14 cast members, this year’s production of “Nickel and Dimed” promises to continue the department’s record of excellence. Ennis, a theater veteran, teaches and heads the ever growing theater department at WNCC. She’s chosen a play that’s a bit lighter yet still carries a powerful message. “It’s a play with a serious message, but it is a comedy; we don’t want people to be scared thinking it’s a downer,” Ennis said of the 2002 stage adaptation by Joan Holden. Originally a novel by Barbra Ehrenreich, the book’s full title, ‘Nickel and Dimed; On (Not) Getting by in
Play Dates Oct. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m.; Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.
See Play, page 2 us on Facebook
Spectator Photo
Malorie Winberg is a a talented singer and musician at Western Nebraska Community College. In this photo, Winberg fills in for vocal music instructor Rita Stinner as Winberg conducts the choir during the national anthem of a volleyball game.
For WNCC instructor Rita Stinner, music plays a key role not only in her career but also in her life BY ABNER PIZANO Spectator Reporter For Rita Stinner, the music program director at WNCC, music is part of her everyday life. She has learned to appreciate music and is quite passionate about it, too. Stinner, who is from Missouri Valley, Iowa, is a University of Nebraska at Lincoln graduate. She’s been at WNCC for 16 years, teaching applied voice Collegiate Choral, Varsities Vocalize, Quintessence, an all-women’s group, and “Just Bluffin,” an all-men’s group. Q: Why did you decide to teach music? A: Music is a universal language. Photo iby Abner Pizana/Spectator Every society in the world has music, so whether we are at peace or at war, or whether we are from Asia, South America, North America, or Europe, we Photo by Abner Pizano/Spectator all share music. Music is someRita Stinner says music is a part of her everyday life. Stinner is the thing that takes us to a different level emotionally. It speaks to director of the vocal music department at WNCC.
our senses and to our feelings, and it is a universal way of sharing something that is more important than making a living or having a job. It is something that takes us to a higher level of understanding. Q: What is the best part about your job? A: My students. My students are some of the finest individuals I have ever met, and we share something amazing together. Q: Why do you think your students have so much love and affection for you? A: I think they understand that my entire day is dedicated to them, and they know that when I’m in school or when I’m out of school I’m always thinking of ways of making their journey here at WNCC more meaningful. They know that most of what I do is dedicated to them, so they just appreciate that and
See Stinner, page 2
Why choose WNCC? Students say there are many reasons BY JOY ANITEYE Spectator Reporter When Chan Stone was trying to decide which college to attend, she wanted to find a place where she felt comfortable and where she would be surrounded by students and instructors who would help her meet her educational goals. And, of course, she also needed to pick a place that she could afford. After visiting her friends in western Nebraska for a couple weeks, Stone real-
ized she had found the perfect place to go to school – Western Nebraska Community College. Stone, who moved to Nebraska from Georgia, said she not only likes the cost of living in the community and the reasonable prices for her college education but also appreciates how hard her instructors work to support their students’ educational goals. She said the strong encouragement she receives from WNCC’s faculty means a lot to her, especially since her family lives so far away.
“Instructors go out of their way to help students with their goals in all subjects, even the ones that they don’t teach themselves,” Chan said. Chan’s story is echoed across campus. Of course, receiving strong support from the staff and student body is just one of the many reasons students chose WNCC. Jessica Lore graduated from Minatare High School and decided to pursue her nursing career at WNCC, before transferring to the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
See WNCC, page 8