SWCC FUNDRAISER The annual Southwestern Community College athletic fundraiser was held Friday at Creston Elks Lodge #605. See photos from the event on page 10A of today’s paper. >>
RAIDERS DEFEATED Late 2-point conversion sinks the Mount Ayr Raiders in the Class A semifinals of the Iowa High School football playoffs. More on the game in SPORTS, page 1S. >>
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Student age decreasing, diversity increasing at SWCC
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015
SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL ■ More
than 1,000 tickets were sold to Creston High School’s “Seussical the Musical” held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the school auditorium. The musical, which included a pit orchestra, was directed by Jane Warner and Jerry Huffman with set design by Shari Walters and choreography by Leslie Tyler.
By KELSEY HAUGEN
CNA staff reporter khaugen@crestonnews.com
A demographic report of current Southwestern Community College (SWCC) students reveals the average age of students is declining, while the amount of ethnic diversity is increasing. During a SWCC board meeting Tuesday, Beth Kulow, SWCC dean of student services, presented several categories of data collected through student surveys about the 1,656 students enrolled this fall. “Our average age of students is rapidly declining,” Kulow said. “Now, we’re seeing a trend ... of serving that traditional-age student. Students fresh out of high school are selecting to come to Southwestern.” The “traditional” age range Kulow refers to is 18 to 21. “When we look at our full-time students, our average age has decreased yet again: 21.7 (years),” Kulow said. “That’s the lowest I can find that we have recorded in (SWCC) history.” Kulow As for part-time students, the age average is even lower: 19.7. Kulow explained this is due to, at least in part, the large number of students who take SWCC courses while still in high school. This year, 679 students are age 17 and younger, 616 students are in the traditional age group of 18 to 21 and 361 students are 22 and over. This is an overall age decline at SWCC compared to previous years, with more than 78 percent of current students less than 22 years old. “I think the economy has played a large role in the declining age of our students,” said Terri Higgins, SWCC director of marketing and enrollment management. “Right now, with unemployment where it is, most potential adult students are out working. Historically, when we see a downturn in the economy and an increase in Higgins unemployment, that’s when a lot of adults return to our classrooms to retrain or find a new field.” Higgins and Kulow said SWCC’s residence halls have also played a role in bringing in students right out of high school, as younger students are often drawn to colleges or universities with dorms so they can get the full college experience. “The increase in on-campus housing has been a huge asset for us,” Higgins said. “With approximately 280 students living on campus, and almost all being traditional-aged, that’s bound to affect our numbers.” The number of Creston High School students who choose to attend SWCC right after graduation has a major impact on the average age of current students. So, Higgins said they have made large strides in helping local high school students see why choosing SWCC is a good decision. “We work closely with the high school guidance counselors, try to be visible throughout the communities and make high school visits to meet with students,” SWCC | 2A
CNA photos by KYLE WILSON
Above, Horton the Elephant (John Reasoner) is interviewed by The Cat (Tyler Peters) and Thing 1 (Catherine Daily) during the CHS production of “Seussical the Musical” Sunday. Left, An eagle (Evan Taylor) flies above the lead monkey (David Qualseth) after stealing Horton the Elephant’s clover.
Gertrude McFuzz (Maddie Travis), left, throws a tantrum, which causes The Cat (Tyler Peters) and Thing 1 (Catherine Daily) and Thing 2 (Jae Fehrle) to backpedal together.
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CNA photo by BAILEY POOLMAN
for participating in the Iowa Healthiest State Walk in conjunction with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Southern Prairie YMCA, Fareway and Innovative Industries in October. From left are Steve Hunt, Aryn McLaren with Healthiest State Initiative, State Fire Marshal Jeff Quigle, Healthiest State Initiative Chair Terry Rich, Jackson, Jami Haberl with Healthiest State Initiative, Nicole Kennedy with Live Healthy Iowa, Lynn Irr with Southern Prairie YMCA and Carol Eckels with human resources at Greater Regional Medical Center. Not pictured is Mark Benbow of Fareway. The money will go toward Creston firefighter physicals. Healthiest State Initiative is a privately led effort to engage Iowans and their communities to live healthier and be more active.
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Copyright 2015
Volume 132 No. 120
■ To view all photos and video taken at the musical by the CNA, visit www.crestonnews.com.
Getting healthy: Creston Fire Chief Todd Jackson, center, accepts a $1,000 check from Healthiest State Initiative Friday at Creston Fire Department
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General Schmitz (Emma Saylor) puts the fear in one of her cadets (Marika Chubick) during the CHS production of “Seussical the Musical” Sunday.
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