Feb. 19, 2021 Hutchinson Collegian

The student voice of Hutchinson Community College

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February 19, 2021

pinion

Aaron Strain discusses how younger generations seem to be leaving Kansas sooner than others. Page 2

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Nicole Ingold and Joy Reiss work on putting short films together at Building 12.

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ports

HutchCC Spirit Squads push through hardships to get past the pandemic safely and support other teams.

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Weekly High Temperatures

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What are outdoor sports supposed to do when the temperature gets well below freezing? Page 6

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Crazy Cold Causes Chaos

By Sam Bailey Editor In Chief

The past few days have plagued much of the United States with extreme cold weather and snow storms.

On Monday, the temperature at Hutchinson Community College hit extreme lows with a “feels like” temperature of minus-30 degrees Fahrenheit at times.

With this extreme weather, dorm students rely heavily on the heat and water systems provided to them from the residence halls.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 8, Elland Hall could no longer access water in the entire building, due to a leak in the pipes outside.

“The water leak outside Elland Hall Monday morning was a cracked four Ductile iron pipe, supplying domestic water to Elland Hall,” said HutchCC Director of Facilities Don Rose. “We think that it was just the age of the pipe that caused the crack.”

Rose said the pipes were installed in the late 1960s.

“The City of Hutchinson employees responded since water main breaks are their domain, and the water was back available in Elland Hall by noon. Full hot water was available by 9 p.m. Monday night,” said Director of Residence Life & Student Activities Dana Hinshaw.

While repairing the leak, the workers also spotted damage on a nearby pipe and fixed the damage there as well.

While the concern for the damage appeared to be cold weather at first, students shouldn’t worry about the water shutting off again because of these pipes.

The wrap that was used to fix the pipes should last at least five years, Rose said.

Even though the water was soon turned back on, students still had to get ready for classes in the morning with no water and freezing temperatures outside.

“Me and my roommate, Miquela Guarjardo, woke up and didn’t have time to go somewhere else,” El Dorado freshman Cheyenne Collins said. “I used a water bottle and a bowl to brush my teeth and wash my face in my dorm room.”

Upcoming events Feb. 19-20 — Volleyball hosts the Blue Dragon Classic at the Sports Arena Feb. 20 — Big Bandemic (with Strings) Concert at B.J. Warner Recital Hall, 7 p.m.

Feb. 22 — Women’s and men’s basketball vs. Dodge City, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 23 — Softball vs NOC-Enid at Fun Valley Sports Complex, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

If a student wanted to take a shower before the warm water started working again, they had to either take a cold shower in their hall or walk over to adjacent Kent Hall.

In the amount of time it took to walk the distance between the dorms that day, the weather would freeze wet hair, making this a concerning trip for many.

“I did end up showering with cold water. I had left the water on for 10 minutes and it wouldn’t get any warmer,” Collins said. “It was so cold I couldn’t stop shivering.”

The same day the water shut off in Elland Hall, the heat stopped working in Kent Hall.

“HutchCC Maintenance workers came as soon as it was reported and had heat back on in Kent Hall by around 10:30 that morning,” Hinshaw said.

While the heat was fixed the same day the concern was brought to the dorm office, students may have gone without heat even longer.

“I don’t remember the exact date of when the heater shut off, but I know that at least three days we didn’t have heat, and then it finally worked again,” said HutchCC sophomore Erik Bannister.

If students notice these problems, they can call the RA on duty or contact the adult on duty.

“Those numbers are posted on all outside doors and on the office door,” Hinshaw said. “Maintenance staff are monitoring the weather and our systems, that being said, our residents need to report when they are aware of a problem. The sooner we are aware of an issue, the quicker we can respond.”

Patience and understanding is asked of the dorm residents during this time.

“We are very sorry for the inconvenience these situations might have caused our residents. We are so lucky to have such a dedicated and skilled maintenance staff to deal with problems that arise on campus. The cold snap we are experiencing is extreme and challenging for everyone. We appreciate the patience of our residents and hope these instances did not create too much hardship for them,” Hinshaw said.

The happenings around campus

College Student Weather Report Friday High: 34; Low 19 So. Cold.

Saturday High: 41; Low 27 It’s getting warmer!

Sunday High: 44; Low 25 Practically summer Weather source: accuweather.com

Photos by Emily Branson/Managing Editor

Visit and follow us on social media @hutchinsoncollegian @HCC_Collegian the_hutchinson_collegian hutch_collegian

Opinion

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No, marriage is not “implied consent” for sexual battery Our view In an editorial last year, the Collegian asked, “how is this legal?” Now, we ask, “do we really have to say sexual battery is bad, no matter the circumstances?”

Sadly, the answer is, “apparently so.”

Current Kansas law defines sexual battery as “the touching of a victim, who is not the spouse of the offender… who does not consent thereto.” This gross wording stigmatizes victims, turns them off from reporting abuse, and potentially gives perpetrators a legal loophole.

Most state legislators are working to end the so-called spousal exemption, but not without ridiculous pushback from some of their colleagues.

HB 2120 passed the House 110-13 and is now in a Senate committee. One of the 13, a Representative from Wellsville, wondered aloud if passage would “(trigger) ethical obligations for what would seemingly be a routine act between man and woman.”

He offered a hypothetical scenario.

“Imagine after a long, hard day at work, and let’s say wife or husband is already asleep, and then perhaps touches the spouse hoping to arouse sexual desires, or perhaps it happens the next morning,” he said. “To me, I think if we change this law, a crime has been committed.”

Be careful what you wish for

Obviously, every relationship is different. The question in his hypothetical is how the couple previously and verbally agreed to give consent, and if they give consent in that exact moment.

He didn’t expand upon those points.

Instead, he asked, “It gets to what does the sanctity of marriage mean? ... When you do get married, what does that mean? And what implied consent are you giving?”

If his scenario, specifically without consent or precedent in a couple’s relationship, is a “routine” for them, that’s problematic. Touching someone, with the intent to arouse them and without their consent is wrong in all circumstances.

We concur with Rep. Nick Hoheisel, R-Wichita, who said in a tweet, “A marriage certificate is not a license for an individual to sexually abuse or batter their spouse.”

Rep. Paul Waggoner, R-Hutchinson, was another of the 13 “nay” votes.

The law change is simple and necessary. It’s a crying shame that the process to do so has taken so long.

Like we said in January last year, violence can happen to people close to you.

Be aware of and alert your loved ones to potential red flags. Personal counseling and other resources are available and free to everyone on and off-campus.

As always, know that you are loved and are not alone.

The privilege to not care about politics Privilege needs to be acknowledged as a driving force in American society.

You might have heard of “white privilege’’ before, but out of context or without definition. White privilege is the unearned, mostly unacknowledged, social advantage white people have over other racial groups simply because they are white.

An example of white privilege is being able to go to the store without the expectation of being followed or harassed by staff, or when the media says white people “scavenge” while people of color “loot” a store during or after a natural disaster.

The cliché, “I just don’t care about politics” comes from a place of privilege. Even when my People of Color friends say “oh, I try not to be involved in politics,” it’s just not possible for them. They know more on what’s going on than white people their same age. We have no choice but to pay attention because we have stakes in new policies.

Columnist

Leslie Grajeda As a lesbian Latina, I don’t have the luxury to not care on what’s going on in politics. It’s tiring, and I wish I could have a break like my straight and white peers.

I wish I didn’t have to advocate for my existence every day to politicians in government and strangers I meet. I wish I didn’t have to constantly think about my safety when I dress the way I do. I do it for myself but for others to know that they’re not alone.

Even within the past month, I’ve been referred to as a “colored person”.

The gross fetishization I experience as a brown lesbian is all too common in everyday life. Some people only see me as

The Hutchinson Collegian The student voice of Hutchinson Community College

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The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, February 19, 2021

something to conquer and have.

It isn’t an option for me not to vote, because my inaction actively hurts me. I am reminded this Black History Month of Martin Luther King Jr.’s warning on the white moderate. By not actively denouncing and deplatforming white supremacists, you silently side with them.

In much the same way, silence and inaction on LGBT, racial and women’s issues from people with privilege loudly and actively helps our oppressors. The more you give disgusting people a platform, the more of a chance that these people indoctrinate another supremacist.

If you live in privilege, use it to learn about the struggles of those without it, and fight for their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

If we don’t all have those rights guaranteed to us, then no one does.

Leslie Grajeda is a Hutchinson sophomore studying journalism.

E. G. Weinhoffer/Cartoonist

Is it time to get the heck out of Kansas?

Our state faces a serious problem: young people are fleeing.

Kansas’ regressive politics and perceived limited career opportunities cause many millennials and zoomers to leave for broader pastures. While it’s not the only solution, some simple policy changes, already enacted in the states they’re fleeing to, could help buck the trend.

First, I know I do not speak for every member of “my generation,” who hold as differing opinions and experiences as any group. Rather, this is based upon my lived experience being part of a diverse, aware, connected, yet depressed and disillusioned generation.

So, why do we want to leave?

For the first time in history, younger generations are worse off financially than their parents. Millennials, and some zoomers, came of age through two economic recessions. The 2008 housing bubble explosion was the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression; then, 2020’s coronavirus crash overtook its ranking.

According to The Upshot, landlocked states like Kansas tend to have a lower cost of living and, because of out-ofstate attendance at public universities, technically subsidize other states’ skilled labor force. However, without a wide range of job opportunities in these states, keeping graduates is a challenge.

Then, without a college-educated workforce, creating those jobs in the first place is difficult. Naturally, people want to go where they can comfortably live while working a job they actually want to do.

This generation of Kansans attended K-12 schools during the worst of Gov. Sam Brownback’s trickle-down tax experiment. The right-wing pipe dream created two contrasting results: a windfall for Kansas’ wealthiest people and economic and job growth devastation.

The unconstitutional underfunding of schools forced years to end early, school district consolidation, and staff cuts. Brownback’s veto of Medicaid expansion, and his push to privatize the state’s public healthcare program for low-income individuals entirely, caused rural hospitals to close.

Collegian Staff Editor In Chief Sam Bailey Managing editor Emily Branson Opinion page editor Aaron Strain Sports editors Adam Kolb, Bailey Pennycuff Online Edtior Kyran Crist

Editorial cartoonist E. G. Weinhoffer Staff members Sophia Carter, Danielle Gadberry, Brooke Greene, Leslie Grajeda, Joel Muhs, Sarah Newberry, Zariah Perilla-Best, Laci Sutton, Nick Williams Collegian Adviser Brad Hallier

www.HutchCollegian.com

Alongside austerity came reactionary social policy. Brownback supported blocking marriage equality and other LGBT-discriminatory actions that are already being written about negatively in history books.

With all of these forces combined, in 2016, Kansas faced “a net migration rate of negative 2% among college educated people under 40 - meaning more young people were moving out than in,” according to the Kansas City Star.

Now, the Kansas Legislature’s Republican supermajority seems to be going full-steam backward. Yet again, they are wrecking the state’s economy and, therein, the hope of retaining young people. Legislators are considering bills to give multinational corporations handouts, divert funds from public schools to discriminatory private schools, and attack transgender children.

Why would young people, who tend to be more accepting of diversity and politically engaged, want to stay here? To paraphrase David Bowie, we’re quite aware of what we’re going through as we try to change our world.

To save this state (that I know we all love), maybe let’s not do that.

Instead, we can fund Medicaid expansion through the legalization and taxation of marijuana, pass antidiscrimination laws, invest in public education, and create better job opportunities to keep young people here and our state afloat.

Columnist

Aaron Strain Aaron Strain is a Hutchinson student studying Journalism. They are the Collegian’s Opinion Page Editor.

Letters to the editor The Hutchinson Collegian welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include the author’s signature, address and phone number.

The Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for style, legality and length. Letters may not exceed 300 words.

Send letters to hallierb@hutchcc.edu.

Non-discrimination statement Hutchinson Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, military status, sexual orientation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law, or by college policy.

For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies contact: Brett Bright, Coordinator of Equity & Compliance 1300 N. Plum Hutchinson, KS 67501 (620) 665-3500 equity@hutchcc.edu (www.hutchcc.edu/equity)

Campus

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, February 19, 2021

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Popular Netflix series gets college student approval

By Sam Bailey Collegian Editor

Review

While period dramas are far from new in the world of television and film, many fail to rise to the occasion the way the Netflix original series “Bridgerton” has.

Based on a book series by Julia Quinn, the directors of “Bridgerton” sweep audiences off their feet and take them into the stunningly beautiful world of 1813 England amid the heat and drama of the social season.

The show revolves around the inner workings of finding suitable matches for the children of the notable Featherington and Bridgerton families, providing viewers with all the sex and scandle possible in 8 episodes.

While the show is based in the early 1800s, it takes on modern day culture and ideals while offering a look into what the past could have been with today’s diversity in the ruling class.

Queen Charlotte is at the center of the show, bringing attention to main character Daphne Bridgerton (played by the stunning Phoebe Dynevor) and often starting chain reactions that affect the overarching story.

The character of the queen would not have been anything overly extraordinary if she was not played

by Guyanese-British actress Golda Rosheuvel, creating a story where Black rulers are common and accepted in a world often thought of as being exclusively white run.

This not only allows for potential interacial love matches, but opens conversation on race and how the world views others in comparison to ourselves.

On top of the underlying racial and social topics are the issues of gender roles and the social expectations for young adults becoming members of society.

The characters in this series are woven together beautifully in a way that empowers young women and encourages the audience to question the pressures

we put on gender stereotypes in society.

While there are numerous strong and powerful women in the series who break down social norms and fight for their own destiny, this show is not for the young mind.

Behind all the triumphs of the characters are layers of degrading messages toward women, whether it be that they are too bold, too smart or even too independent.

The basis of the show is that women reach a certain age and are to shut up and look pretty in the attempts to lure in a husband who will sire strong children and give the girl a purpose in life. This means that every time a woman goes out on her own or tries to make her own destiny, she is going against society and the messages the characters in the show put out.

This being said, the voice of the narrator is indeed a woman and is perhaps the most powerful character in the entire series, Lady Whistledown.

Lady Whistledown runs a gossip column that is sent out to the entire population and spills the details of every scandal throughout the whole story, while hiding the biggest detail of all, her identity.

“Bridgerton” creates a beautiful world where sexuality and scandal are explored and encouraged throughout. There are issues within the show like gender roles, questionable decision making, and immature approaches to problems, but it also shows how these real world problems can be fought and overcome by even the least likely person.

This tale from the past pulls audiences in with it’s old charm while holding our attention with modern takes on the aspects of the characters lives, even featuring covers of modern songs like “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish and “Thank U, Next” by Ariana Grande during ballroom dances.

While stories of outwardly perfect couples with seemingly unattainable good looks are far from uncommon, “Bridgerton” beautifully spins this old

HutchCC students make short film

By Zariah Perilla Staff Writer

Almost everyone has seen a movie, but even more are being produced daily.

Hutchinson Community College Media Production and Analyst Trainer Bobby Obermite said that nearly five to 10 films are being produced every 10 days at Hutchinson Community College.

The Media Production and Communication department is located inside Building 12, which is off the main campus, about a half mile north at 1800 N Plum St, so it may not be as well known to HutchCC students. But it has amazing opportunities.

Opportunities that HutchCC students Nicole Ingold and Joy Reiss took advantage of.

They combined to produce a short film called “Pretty Now?”, which is about bringing awareness to eating disorders. A heavy topic, but one they hope drives a much-needed conversation. The film aims to bring light to it, as well as provide information on how to get help.

“Why we put the links at the end of our film” Ingold and Reiss discussed how they bonded over eating disorders, and how they both struggled with them for years while discussing it in class one day, and

the negative effects on being on opposite sides of the spectrum. Thus, they decided that this would be the focus of the film.

The two entered this film into a first-year filmmakers contest called “First-time Filmmaker Online Session partnered with lift-off global network”, and “Pretty Now?” ranked 41 out of 115 entries.

The film’s aim may help bring perspective of what it’s like to face their challenges. What it’s like to walk in their shoes.

In addition to “Pretty Now?”, Ingold and Reiss recently released another short film called “Piano Man,” “which is a love story about a woman who sees a guy everytime she hears a certain song” and although they have no other films in the making, they said they have ambitions to produce more in the near future because of how the curriculum is set up.

“The student’s are required to come out with a short film about once a week, and with how many students there are that means about 10 films are produced,” Obermite said.

He wishes that it was more popular but unfortunately “It’s like our own little world.

“There’s kids who are born and raised in this town who don’t even know about how amazing our program is. And then they go to some college like KU and, as far as I know, they don’t have a program for film there.”

storyline into a modern tale in a past world that grips audiences and never lets them go.

The show takes hold of audiences through lovable characters and incredible storylines that bring them all the way into the last seconds of the series, making them wish for even more.

Luckily for fans of the show, Netflix has announced a second season is in the works and will begin production in the spring of 2021.

Far from home

Some students are used to the cold, out-of-state students, not so much

By Sarah Newberry Staff Writer

This frigid weather is something to be wary of and in the know about so you can keep informed.

The bitter cold, and sometimes dangerous weather, Hutchinson has experienced recently is breaking records. It hasn’t been this cold since the 1960s or 1970s.

With the temperatures dropping down to minus-16 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday according to Accuweather, it is undoubtedly dangerous, and advised that no one be going outside unless necessary.

Before the weekend of Feb. 14, it was cold, but not as cruel as this. From Feb. 7-11, high temperatures were in the teens daily, while lows dipped to as low as 7.

From Feb. 12 through Feb. 16, high temperatures ranged from 15 degrees Saturday to 2 degrees Monday.

Hutchinson Community College even cancelled classes Monday and Tuesday due to extreme cold, coupled with snow and the possibility of losing electricity on campus.

Bryant Selebangue is a HutchCC sophomore from Lasalle, Quebec and he said he was not fazed by this kind of weather. To him, it may feel like a taste of home when he is so far away. It might even feel like a heatwave of sorts. This kind of weather, somewhat out of the norm for Kansas, is perfectly normal for Selebangue, who also plays for the men’s basketball team.

“This is an everyday thing for me,” Selebangue said.

According to Selebangue, it gets much colder in Quebec than it does here. They measure their degrees in Celsius, not

Fahrenheit, but it still gets down into the negatives there. Also, Selebangue said they can get 10 feet of snow or more. If that happened down here in Kansas, it wouldn’t end up very well.

“We have an excellent system for dealing with the snow in Canada, one of the best, I think,” Selebangue said.

When they do have a lot of snow, people still go on with their everyday lives, and school hardly gets canceled in Canada. In Kansas, people complain about the cold weather, even though they have lived here their entire lives.

“People should suck it up and stop complaining,” Selebangue said.

On the other hand, CJ Ogbonna, a sophomore from Atlanta, has an entirely different story and perspective on this cold weather. Coming from the South, this cold is something that is a shock to him. While this weather is typical for someone like Selebangue, Ogbonna said he thinks quite the contrary. He doesn’t like this icy weather at all.

“People are very, very crazy to go out in this weather,” Ogbonna said.

While Selebangue wouldn’t mind having classes when wind chills are well below 0, Ogbonna thinks otherwise.

“It is too cold to be holding classes; we shouldn’t be holding them at all,” Ogbonna said.

Ogbonna, like many other students, did get his wish when classes got canceled because of the bad weather.

When there is bad weather like this or worse up in Canada, life is rarely shut down. But in the South, minor snow accumulation can result in closing schools.

Kansas is in between and it can take a significant bout of poor weather to close schools, like what the area saw this week.

Photo by Emily Branson/Photo Editor

Photo by Brooke Greene/Staff Writer

Sports

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HutchCC Blue Dragon dancer Ellie Flynn.

Taylor Pickering (top), Brandon Bobbitt (left), Eli Jellison (right) and Brooklyn Koger (back).

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, Febuary 19, 2021

Left to right - Julia Whitford, Carrie Lyne, Amari Lowe.

Photos courtesy HutchCC Sports Information and Alyssa Freeman HutchCC basketball player Chris Robinson (10) goes for a rebound along with Bryant Selebangue (0) during a game against Neosho.

HutchCC softball player Madison “Dink” Grimes gets ready for the ball against Fort Scott.

Cheer and dance teams are back in action

Roundup: Men’s Blue Dragons basketball thrashes Allen County

By Laci Sutton Staff Writer

Sports as we know it have changed drastically since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Numerous sports seasons have been postponed and even cancelled. Athletes and coaches have been dealing with countless changes prior to and during their seasons.

The cheerleading and dance teams at Hutchinson Community College are no exception.

All fall sports, with the exception of cross country, were moved to the spring. Golf also played a fall schedule. But no football or basketball until 2021 pushed back the start for the spirit squads as well.

Carrie Lyne is a HutchCC Dragon Dolls, the dance team, sophomore from Ellsworth, and she said the fall semester was different.

“It was weird not having any games the first semester.” Lyne said. “We just spent the whole semester practicing.”

Before the pandemic, the cheerleaders and Dragon Dolls had been at the football and basketball games.

This year, the spirit squads have added a new sport to their schedule.

In addition to basketball, the cheerleaders have also been supporting the Blue Dragon volleyball teams.

Another challenge the spirit squads have faced was the lack of fans allowed into the games at the start of the season.

Spectators were not allowed to attend games, per the Jayhawk Conference, in an attempt to keep athletes, coaches, staff, and spectators safe during the pandemic. Limited fans have been allowed since late January.

“It’s not as fun to cheer to nobody, but we power through it.” said Audrey Davis, a freshman cheerleader from Wichita.

Sarah Acosta is a HutchCC sophomore Dragon Doll from Hutchinson, and she also saw it weird to perform in front of an empty arena.

“It’s been really different,” Acosta said. “The first few games, we didn’t have any spectators, so it’s like we were cheering to no one, which has been a really big adjustment for us.”

Through all these changes, the spirit squads are holding onto normalcy

as much as possible. The Dragons Dolls dance team and the HutchCC cheerleading team are both still set to compete this spring.

“A lot of our choreography is really complex and really new,” Acosta said.

“Comp season is always challenging but we’re definitely ready for it.”

Ashley Mann is a HutchCC freshman cheerleader from Wichita, and she is optimistic for the rest of the spring semester.

“We’re putting in a lot of work for our competition.

It’s going pretty good so far.” Mann said.

The teams plan to compete at the NCA and NDA College Nationals on April 7 in Daytona, Florida.

There’s still time to join the HutchCC spirit squads for the 2021-22 school year. Tryouts will be held in person 10 a.m. on March 14 in the Sports Arena.

Courtsey photo Alyssa Freeman From left, Carrie Lyne, Ashlee Mann, Audrey Davis, Sarah Acosta pose for a picture in between basketball games at the Sports Arena.

Women also win comfortably against Devils.

By Adam Kolb Co-Sports Editor

The Hutchinson Community College men’s basketball team took down the Allen Community College Red Devils on Saturday night at the Sports Arena by a score of 80-62.

The Red Devils started the game on a quick 10-2 run, but the Blue Dragons didn’t let the game get away from them, and had the game tied at 31 with 3 minutes left in the first half.

The score at halftime was 37-34, a three point advantage for the Blue Dragons. Matt Mayers and Majok Kuath both had eight points in the first half, which led the Blue Dragons in scoring.

The second half was the turning point.

Hutchinson outscored Allen 43-28, and at one point held a 23-point lead.

The Blue Dragons only shot one 3-pointer the entire game, missing it.

What they lacked in a 3-point presence, they made up for in points in the paint. They outscored Allen 46-18 in points in the paint. The Blue Dragons had solid scoring all around with Stephan Gabriel leading the way with 20 points. He also added

eight rebounds and two steals. Mayers finished with a double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

Kuath had 14 points, and Isiah Bujdoso chipped in with nine points.

The Blue Dragons shot 55.8 percent for the game, compared to Allen’s 32.3 percent.

Women’s basketball Tor’e Alford sank a season-high five 3-pointers and Lojong Gore posted a double-double as the No. 17-ranked women’s basketball team turned a huge first quarter into a Jayhawk Conference victory over the Allen Red Devils.

Hutchinson put together its second-longest scoring run of the season in the first quarter to break the game open and roll to an 80-49 win. Alford finished with a season-high 19 points to lead the Blue Dragons.

She added five rebounds, four steals and four assists.

Gore earned her second double-double of the season and third of her career with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while also having a career-high six steals.

The Blue Dragons shot 40.3 percent for the game, going 11 of 28 from 3-point range and 7 of 13 from the freethrow line.

Defensively, Hutchinson held Allen to 34 percent shooting, and had a season-high 23 steals.

The Red Devils turned the ball over 32 times.

The Blue Dragons are now 32-3 all-time against Allen and have now won eight straight against the Red Devils. Hutchinson improves to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the Jayhawk West.

The Blue Dragons will travel to play the Cowley Tigers on Wednesday in Arkansas City.

Mayers earns award - HutchCC sophomore basketball player Matt Mayers was named the NJCAA national player of the week after two tremendous performances in a pair of Blue Dragon wins last week.

First, Mayers had a double-double and hit a last-second shot as Hutchinson beat Independence 79-77. Mayers scored 26 points on 13 of 15 shooting.

Then, Mayers had 19 points in a comfortable win against Allen.

Volleyball gets two awards - Sophomore Chloe Price was named Jayhawk Conference setter of the week, and sophomore Jenna Thorne was defensive player of the week.

Price had 33 assists and Thorne had had a double-double, as Hutch swept Dodge City in its only match of the week.

Throne had 16 digs, four block points and was perfect on her serve receives, connecting on all 10.

Campus

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, February 19, 2021

Collegian, News to partner with campus stories

By Brooke Greene Staff Writer

As newspapers struggle among the strong grip that our social media outlets have over younger generations, it becomes more and more important to pass on the traditions and knowledge of the printed papers.

Rather than solely work with an online news edition, Hutchinson Community College has thrived in getting students involved in news outlets. The Hutchinson Collegian has partnered with The Hutchinson News for many years as the the company that prints The Collegian, but the partnership is gaining depth.

This week, starting with the Feb. 19 print edition, The Collegian and The News have agreed to include Collegian staff writer’s articles in the Hutch News’ print editions.

“The Hutchinson Collegian and The News have been professional allies for some time - we print the Collegian here in Hutchinson, and work with staff at HutchCC when a college-related story crops up. The News is excited to offer a platform for writers at the Collegian to reach a broad audience,” said Cheyenne Derksen, the Managing Editor at Hutch News.

Brad Hallier, the journalism advisor at HutchCC reached out to The News in hopes to find a way for journal-

ism students to get their articles more involved in the community. The Collegian covers local news as well, which makes for local content in a newspaper that is already struggling from staff being cut off due to the pandemic and budget restrictions.

“I’m always thinking of ways to get journalism students chances to build a vast portfolio and resume,” Hallier said.

“By having their articles printed in The Hutchinson News, students with The Hutchinson Collegian will be able to add something to their resume, that they have had work printed in a daily newspaper that reaches as far southwest as Elkhart. This also allows more newspaper readers to see what is going on our campus, and it gives us a potential recruiting boost, as our students’ work will be in many cities the college recruits high school students from, including McPherson, Newton, Lyons, Dodge City, Garden City, Scott City, Liberal and many others.

“We will send our stories to The News by Thursday. They may use any or all stories in their print edition as soon as Friday, or the day our print edition comes out, or any time after. We just ask our stories come out in print first before they use them. The News doesn’t have to use any of them either. It’ll be their choice, as far as

what they use in print.

We have not worked out details regarding using our stories on The News’ web site yet, but we hope we can find a way that benefits both newspapers.”

This could be an amazing opportunity for our community, as news may become more transparent and accessible throughout Hutch and the surrounding areas. The Collegian and The News have collaborated for a long time, with deeper connections than just the printed papers. Students have even been reached out to for jobs as prepress technicians through The News, such as Kyran Crist, the Online Editor for the Collegian, to get their foot in the door in a constantly evolving career field.

“When students graduate, they’ll face a diverse audience, rather than only their peers,” Derksen said. “At The News, student journalists can tell stories and share information needed in the Hutchinson community on the whole.

When the Collegian prints, I would walk back into the print shop and pick up a copy to read, just for myself, to keep up to date on HutchCC happenings.

Now I’m glad to share those stories that interested me with other readers in our community who might not have access to the college’s publication.”

Plenty of tutoring services offered at Rimmer

By Zariah A. Perilla -Best Staff Writer

Hutchinson Community College students have an amazing opportunity free tutoring.

Rimmer Learning Resource Center offers tutoring any time they are open, which is Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., and Fridays 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

English and math tutoring are always available, but if needed, other classes are tutored through appointment, which can be viewed at https://www.hutchcc. edu/rlrc-tutoring.

Brad Fenwick, HutchCC Director of Rimmer Support Services, runs this program, and if students need any other assistance, he said he is happy to help.

“Everyone needs a little help from time to time,” Fenwick said. “Good students will seek out that help.

Every semester, we see that students who come to tutoring earn an A, B, or C in their courses at a rate of over 80%.” If a student wants to become more involved and wants to tutor Brad also is the guy to talk to. Apply online at https://www.hutchcc.edu/ rlrc-tutoring and Brad will overlook your application.

Puzzles

Sports

• Continued from Page 6

eager to play,” Rose said.

While the HutchCC campus was closed Monday and Tuesday, Rose’s childrens’ schools were shut down the same days.

“We are definitely an outdoor family.

The kids have even braved the sub-zero temperatures to sled. Like everyone, we are looking forward to some warmer, sunnier days,” Rose said.

Schmidt’s life away from baseball has not changed much, as his children are not physically going to school.

“Remote learning has kept the kids in a rhythm with school. We have stayed pretty close to the house with the weather. Our family is just rolling with the punches that Mother Nature throws at us,” Schmidt said.

Additionally, Schmidt has found a way to be grateful for these frigid times.

“I think the weather inspires creativi-

DLS, Computer Connections postponed

By Zariah A. Perilla-Best and Kyran Crist Staff Writers

The Dillon Lecture Series committee has decided that because of Covid-19 the two spring lectures have been rescheduled to the fall.

Molly McVicker, the DLS committee chair, said., “While seeing signs of improvement locally, we feel the responsible thing to do is move these two lectures to the fall”.

Mark Tillman, former

commander of the Air Force One, is now scheduled for Sept. 21. Tillman was chosen under President Geroge W. Bush as the nation’s 12th presidential pilot.

Amanda Knox, an exoneree, journalist, public speaker and author, is now scheduled for Nov. 9. She spent almost four years in an Italian prison and eight years on trial for a murder. Knox now speaks up for people who were also wrongfully convicted and

Page 5

to inspire people to people to have compassion and empathy.

Computer Connections Fair still expected to happen later in spring - Due to the campus being closed Monday and Tuesday, and due to the uncertainty of the weather and roads, the Computer Connections fair was postponed. Although it has not been rescheduled yet, it is expected to be rescheduled for late March or early April.

ty,” he said. “I think it allows you to slow down. It gets to be mental too. You have to find ways to motivate yourself, but more importantly you need to find the ways that are going to reach the players and help them grow and develop. You have to rise up and meet the challenges.”

As a player, time at practice cannot be the only time work is put in. In order to be great, it takes a great deal of determination, and it requires keeping the end goal in mind.

“Staying motivated definitely isn’t easy when the weather gets like this, and I’m sure most people would agree with that. But personally, I try and do what I can indoors and my teammates are truly the ones that keep me motivated,” Simoneau said. “My overall goal for the season would be to play to the best our best, in every single game and have fun doing it, because if we’re doing that, we’ll be more likely to be successful overall in our season.”

Refs

• Continued from Page 6

hit the panic button yet, as he said he believes the officiating club on campus can help resolve the issue.

“The goal of the club is to get more college students into officiating. We are currently seeing a scary decline of officials in all sports throughout the state, and we try to recruit and train students to combat that issue,” Shanline said.

Being an official is a lot more than running around during a game.

Iit also comes with many challenges. However, there is one challenge that Shanline strives to defeat each

game - perfection.

“In my experience, the most challenging part of being an official is the constant drive to be perfect and never miss a call, and then realizing that is a goal that is next to impossible to attain. I still go out there with the goal to be perfect, and I officiate the game the same way I would any other game.”

It is hard to imagine a world without sports, but that would be an unfortunate reality without anyone to officiate the games. That is why the HutchCC officiating club is and will continue to do its part in churning out officials to help keep the sports we love afloat.

Sports

Page 6

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, February 19, 2021

Athlete of the week (Feb. 7-13) Jenna Thorne, volleyball

Photo Courtesy HutchCC Sports Information Kylee Dunn slides into third base during a Blue Dragon softball game against Northern Oklahoma College-Enid during the spring of 2020.

The bone-chilling temperatures have led to games being postponed and outdoor sports needing to be creative to practice.

Sports at HutchCC affected by the cold

By Bailey Pennycuff Co-Sports Editor

Dripping sweat. Sweat so bad, it feels as though their gloves are going to fall off.

Such a horrible sweaty mess, that it mixes with the dirt from diving the play before, making a muddy mixture on their bodies.

This is what most baseball and softball players are used to. Imagining their summer-ball days, compared to what the Hutchinson Community College teams are facing now, is a bit of a difference.

Over the past couple of weeks, the baseball and softball teams haven’t dared to hold practice outside on the field, even though their seasons have started. However, these teams have found a way to keep working.

“The cold weather has forced us to practice inside,” HutchCC softball coach Jaime Rose said. “When it is below freezing, we either practice in one of the Sports Arena gyms or rent out time at Home Plate Club.

When stuck inside for an extended period of time, you have to sometimes find creative ways to work on different aspects of the game.”

Creativity is, in fact, a dire necessity for

these outdoor sports coaches, and baseball and softball aren’t alone. The golf team is prepping for its spring season, and traditional outdoor fall sports like football and soccer and being played in the spring after COVID-19 concerns moved those sports from the fall to the spring.

“Our practice schedule has been thrown upside down. We have practiced in four different facilities, trying to be as creative as we can possibly be,” HutchCC baseball coach Ryan Schmidt said.

Even though the cold has impacted the location of practices, true athletes give 100 percent effort, no matter where they are.

“Although even with us practicing inside, I truly believe we do get better with each and every practice, whether it’s inside or out,” freshman infielder Madison Simoneau said.

Unfortunately, practices are not the only aspect of these sports that are being disrupted.

For the softball team, the weather has caused three rescheduled doubleheaders, and one has been cancelled.

The baseball team has cancelled three doubleheaders, and rescheduled two.

“We’ve pushed games up, and moved games back in order to try and get in every game that we possibly can,” Simoneau said.

“I know the entire coaching staff and everyone involved is working very hard to help us achieve getting every game in - and for that, I’m so grateful.”

Regardless of the amount of practices, the Blue Dragon coaches make sure their teams are prepared to play anytime.

“The weather is outside of our control, and when you play an outdoor sport, you get used to it,” Schmidt said. “The message to our team has been ‘Be ready for the next scheduled game.’ We have to be ready no matter what. There have been seasons in my past where the first time you were outside was on your first game down south somewhere.”

Same for the players, they do not like to be cooped up indoors during what should be their scheduled season.

“If you have played an outdoor sport long enough, you have encountered weather related layoffs before. Once we get back on the field, I know the players will be very See Sports, Page 5

The week: Thorne had another typcially-strong performance as the Blue Dragons comfortably swept Thorne Dodge City. Thorne had a double-double and led Hutchinson offensively and defensively.

She had 14 kills on 19 attacks, and committed just one error, a .684 hitting percentage. Defensively, she had a teambest 16 digs. She also chipped in on four block points, and she added a pair of service aces.

The season: Thorne, a sophomore middle hitter from New Zealand, has been one of the most consistent performers so far this season for the 7-5 Blue Dragons. She is averaging 3.6 kills per set, has a .278 hitting percentage, and averages 3.51 digs per set. She also averages 0.67 blocks and 0.4 aces per set.

Stop blowing hot air and start blowing whistles

By Joel Muhs Staff Writer

Season after season, sports fans cheer on their favorite teams, but seldom is there much thought put into the ones that regulate the games referees.

Much like how a game needs players to operate, it also needs people to referee, umpire or officiate the game or match, or else no game can be played.

However, officials are in high demand after the state of Kansas has seen a dramatic drop-off in officials over the past year. To help combat this problem, Hutchinson Community College provides an on campus officiating club that serves as an outlet to help train and send potential new officials into the sporting world.

Although officials can be taken for

granted sometimes, there is a lot of preparation that goes into being an official before they can begin to put on the stripes. It begins with pegging down a sport that an individual would like to officiate, and then it’s all about learning everything that has to do with that sport from there.

“In a nutshell, we focus on sports of interest, rules understanding, and then hopefully get them out into some games,” Shanline Ryan Pinkall said, a HutchCC biology instructor and the faculty sponsor of the officiating club.

New members are something that the club is always welcome to, given the current official shortage.

“We mainly try to recruit through posters around campus, word of mouth, and we try to get some things out on Facebook,” Pinkall said.

Due to the small amount of officials available, the current ones are having to work even harder to ensure games can be played.

“Yes,” was the simple answer given

by Pinkall when asked if they are doing more because of the shortage.

“They’ve had to cancel games or postpone games just so they can have enough officials to officiate the game,” Pinkall said regarding the games from high school and at the youth level, “But the higher you go into the college ranks, the officiating numbers become more stable.” Zach Shanline, a HutchCC sophomore from Pratt who heads the club, also

noted the overtime work they’ve had to put in.

“As a currently registered referee, yes. The majority of officials do have to work more and more games to make up for the referees that are leaving the profession for various reasons,” Shanline also raised concern for the available high-school officials for postseason basketball, as they are barely able to cover as is.

“The shortage will be increasingly apparent as we are approaching the postseason of basketball,” Shanline said. “The amount of postseason-eligible officials is barely over the number of required officials that we need to work all postseason assignments.”

However, Shanline isn’t ready to hit See Refs, Page 5

Blue Dragon sports schedules and results. All home games and events in caps.

Baseball

Feb. 2, at Northern Oklahoma-Enid, L 8-7 Feb. 18-20, at Central Oklahoma Classic Feb. 23, at Redlands, Okla., 2:30 p.m.

March 4, at Coffeyville, 1 p.m.

March 6, COFFEYVILLE, 1 p.m.

March 9, at State Fair, Missouri, 2:30 p.m.

Basketball

Jan. 22, BETHANY JV (women), W 92-34; SEMINOLE STATE (men), W 87-71 Jan. 27, COFFEYVILLE, women, W 92-34; men, L 88-68 Jan. 30, NEOSHO COUNTY, women, W 10058; men, W 83-70 Feb. 3, at Butler, women, L 56-50; men, L 66-65 Feb. 6, at CLOUD COUNTY, women, W 76-44; men, W 73-52 Feb. 10, at Independence, women, L 70-64; men, W 79-77 Feb. 13, ALLEN COUNTY, women, W 80-49 ; men, W 80-62 Feb. 17, at Cowley, women W 84-61; men, L 113-99 Feb. 22, DODGE CITY, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 24, at Northwest Kansas Tech, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 27, at Seward County, 6 p.m.

March 3, PRATT, 6:30 p.m.

March 6, at Garden City, 2 p.m.

March 9, BARTON, 5:30 p.m.

March 13, at Colby, 2 p.m.

March 15, at Dodge City, 5:30 p.m.

March 17, NORTHWEST KANSAS TECH, 5:30 p.m.

March 20, SEWARD COUNTY, 5:30 p.m.

March 24, at Pratt, 5:30 p.m.

March 27, GARDEN CITY, 5:30 p.m.

March 29, at Barton, 5:30 p.m.

March 31, COLBY, 5:30 p.m.

Football

March 26, COFFEYVILLE, 7 p.m.

April 3, at Butler, 7 p.m.

April 11, ARKANSAS BAPTIST, 1 p.m.

April 18, at Fort Scott, 1 p.m.

April 25, GARDEN CITY, 1 p.m.

May 2, at Independence, 5 p.m.

May 9, HIGHLAND, 1 p.m.

May 16, DODGE CITY, 1 p.m.

Golf

March 22-23, at Trophy Club, Texas March 29-30, at Jayhawk Conference Tournament, Manhattan April 12-13, at Jayhawk Conference Tournament, Crestview North, Wichita April 19-20, at Jayhawk Conference Tournament, Newton April 26-27, at Region 6/District 3 Championship May 10-13, at NJCAA Championships, Lubbock, Texas

Soccer

April 2, at Johnson County, 5 p.m.

April 5, at Barton, 2 p.m.

April 7, GARDEN CITY, 2 p.m.

April 10, BUTLER, 2 p.m.

April 14, at Cowley, 5 p.m.

April 17, COFFEYVILLE, 2 p.m.

April 19, DODGE CITY, 6 p.m.

April 28, BARTON, 6 p.m.

May 1, NEOSHO COUNTY, 2 p.m.

May 3, at Garden City, 6 p.m.

May 5, COWLEY, 6 p.m.

May 8, at Kansas City, 2 p.m.

May 12, at Dodge City, 1 p.m.

Softball

Feb. 5, FORT SCOTT, W 3-0; W 27-0 Feb. 23, NORTHERN OKLAHOMA-ENID, 2 p.m.

Feb. 26, at North Central Texas, noon Feb. 27, at Murray State, Oklahoma, noon March 2, FRIENDS JV, 2 p.m.

March 9, HESSTON, 1 P.M.

Track and field (indoor)

Feb. 19-20, at Region 6 Championships, Pittsburg

Track and field (outdoor)

April 2-3, at Friends University, Wichita April 7-10, at K.T. Woodman Classic, Wichita State April 15-17, at Kansas Relays April 17, at Tabor College, Hillsboro April 24, at Southwestern College, Winfield April 29-30, May 1, at Region 6 Championships, Arkansas City May 11-13, at NJCAA Championships, Levelland, Texas

Volleyball

Jan, 25, at Garden City, L 25-14, 25-23, 21-25, 25-20 Jan. 28, PRATT, W 25-15, 25-16, 25-20 Jan. 30, at Laramie County, Wyoming; vs. Eastern Wyoming, L 22-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-17, W 17-15; vs. Trinidad State, W 25-14, 25-8, 25-16; vs. North Platte, Neb., W 25-20, 25-14, 25-16.

Feb. 1, BARTON, L 25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 29-27 Feb. 4, at Independence, W 25-8, 25-17, 20-25, 25-12 Feb. 5-6, at West Plains, Missouri; vs. Trinity Valley, Texas, W 25-18, 28-26, 25-22; vs. Missouri State-West Plains, L 25-23, 25-22, 25-23; vs. Jefferson, Mo., W 21-25, 25-19, 25-18, 20-25, 15-5; vs. New Mexico Military, L 250-20.

25-19 25-13 Feb. 8, COLBY, ppd Feb. 11, DODGE CITY, W 25-5, 25-13, 25-15 Feb. 15, at Seward County, ppd.

Feb. 18, BUTLER, 6 p.m.

Feb. 19-20, BLUE DRAGON CLASSIC Feb. 25, GARDEN CITY, 6:30 p.m.

March 1, at Pratt, 6:30 p.m.

March 4, at Barton, 6:30 p.m.

March 8, INDEPENDENCE, 6 p.m.

March 11, at Colby, 6:30 p.m.

March 15, at Dodge City, 6:30 p.m.

March 18, at Seward County, 6:30 p.m.

March 22, at Butler, 6:30 p.m.