Jan. 29, 2021 Collegian

The student voice of Hutchinson Community College

O

January 29, 2021

pinion

Staff writer Kyran Crist talks about taking the time to take care of yourself.

By Laci Sutton/Staff Writer

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ampus

Hutchinson Community College’s Esports team to hold open tryouts. Page 3

Vol. 62 Issue 12

ports

Women’s basketball storms back to beat Coffeyville.

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Kansas Day Unique Attractions

State Facts

World’s Largest Ball of Twine (Cawker City) Big Brutus- World’s Largest Electric Shovel (West Mineral) Truck Henge (Topeka) World’s Largest Easel (Goodland) Erie Dinosaur Park (Erie) Liberty Bell Made of Wheat (Goessel) World’s Largest Collection of the Smallest Versions of the Largest Things (Lucas) World’s Largest Baseball (Muscotah) World’s Largest Hand Dug Well, aka The Big Well (Greensburg)

Population - 2,913,805 as of 2020 Biggest City - Wichita State Song - “Home on the Range” State Motto - Ad astra per aspra (to the stars through difficulties)

State Life State Bird - Western Meadowlark State Insect - Honeybee State Amphibian - Barred Tiger Salamander State Reptile - Ornate Box Turtle State Mammal - American Buffalo State Flower - Wild Sunflower State Tree - Cottonwood

Government Statehood- Jan. 29, 1861 First governor - Charles Robinson (1861-1863) Current governor - Laura Kelly (up for re-election in 2022) Capital - Topeka

Famous Kansans

Dwight D Eisenhower (34th U.S. President) Bob Dole (U.S. Senator and 1996 Republican presidential nominee) Amelia Earhart (first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic) Kirstie Alley (actor in “Cheers” and “Veronica’s Closet”) Walter Chrystler (founder of Chrysler) Clint Bowyer (NASCAR driver) Jeff Probst (host of reality show “Survivor”) Eric Stonestreet (actor in “Modern Family”) Martina McBride (country music singer) Barry Sanders (Pro Football Hall of Famer) Walter Johnson (Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher)

Laci’s Favorite Place Commercial Street Diner (Emporia) - They have the absolute best breakfast I have ever had. My sister went to Emporia State and lived in Emporia for a few years.

Whenever we went to visit her, Commercial Street Diner was an absolute must stop. If you ever go, I highly recommend ordering the “Janet’s Mess”.

Photos by Sophia Carter/Collegian

EspresGO!

By Danielle Gadberry Staff Writer

A new place for those students who lack sleep to get their espresso, but this time on Hutchinson Community College’s campus.

Jack Kipp and Justine Fast have opened Grab and Go in the student union. This is a place for students to grab quick pre-made sandwiches, salads, coffee/specialty drinks, breakfast items like muffins and scones, and take them to go, but they’re expanding on their selections currently.

The Grab and Go opened last week, where they started by handing out free samples to get the word out. Now they are open for business. Hours are 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., but they are hoping to extend their hours soon, once more

inventory is stocked, for students who don’t get out of class or practice until late.

The espresso served is from Oregon and it’s called Long Bottom Coffee and Tea, Fast said it was a friend’s dad’s company and she’s been drinking it for close to 20 years.

“It’s the freshest espresso in town,” Fast said.

Kipp and Fast are hoping to brand their coffee shop and open it to the public as well. They believe this would be a good way to grow the Blue Dragon community and keep the community more involved in what’s going on on campus.

Grab and Go has seating for students who want to grab a coffee or a bite and sit down for homework or chatting with friends.

Upcoming events Jan. 30 — Women’s and men’s basketball vs. Neosho, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 — Volleyball plays Barton at home, 6 p.m.

Feb. 3 — Transfer Fair at Parker Student Union, 9 a.m. - noon.

Feb. 6 — Women’s and men’s basketball vs.

Cloud County, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The happenings around campus

College Student Weather Report Friday High: 56; Low 42 Hope you step in a puddle and get wet socks.

Saturday High: 49; Low 29 I wanted rain, but it’s cold enough to be more snow.

Sunday High: 45; Low 23 Wakey wakey clouds and sadness.

Weather source: The Weather Channel

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

Opinion

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Take time to sit back

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, January 29, 2021

Don’t be scared of your emotions

Our view As the spring semester starts up and everyone readjusts to their daily schedule and work loads, it is important to remember to take care of yourself.

The world that we live in tends to go full speed, and it is OK to admit that it can be exhausting. Between school, work, sports, activities, family life, social life, and a million other things, life can get pretty chaotic and stressful. When a person is under too much stress, it can lead to health problems and poor mental health.

That being said, knowing how to take care of yourself is crucial.

In our society, we often take little time for ourselves when we need it most. Learn to say ‘no’ and choose to save time that is just for you. Leave time in your day when you aren’t responsible for anything.

In that time, do whatever you know relaxes you: put on headphones and listen to your favorite albums, bake a batch of cookies, or talk with a friend.

It is OK to slow down, take time, and just relax. Not everything has to be perfect and not everything has to be accomplished in a day.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your life doesn’t have to be all sorted out either. It’s all going to be all right.

Kristin Augiano

- Collegian Editorial Board

Happy birthday, Kansas!

Now, grow up From its establishment as a radical free state on Jan. 29, 1861 to its centrality in the 20th-century populist movement, Kansas holds a special place in progressive history.

Now, as the same political party that devastated state finances less than a decade ago once again holds unanswerable power, families and communities play second fiddle to corporations and millionaires.

As it turns out, the Brownback years were not “just a phase” for our state, and it has learned nothing from them.

After Kansas got out of its toxic relationship with former Gov. Sam Brownback, the state reversed corporate tax breaks and restored funding to public schools. This set Kansas up for economic recovery and flourishment.

Then, COVID-19 and an election season entered the picture.

After Gov. Laura Kelly instituted base-level public health guidelines last March, legislative leadership stripped her legal executive powers and stymied every action aimed at curbing the pandemic. At various points, Kansas counties ranked among the worst in the country for positive test rates, hospitalizations and overcrowding, and vaccine distribution.

Columnist

Aaron Strain Across the state, Republican moderates lost primary elections to Trumpian insurgents. Now, the GOP holds supermajorities in both state legislative chambers, giving the party carte blanche to fulfill its destructive goals.

Last session’s longfought and bipartisan effort to expand Medicaid, which could provide some 100,000 poor Kansans with healthcare under the Affordable Care Act, is all but dead.

While not outright banning it, a proposed state constitutional amendment could overturn a Kansas Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing the right to an abortion under the existing constitution. If it passes the legislature, voters would decide its fate during a Republican-dominated, low-turnout primary election in 2022.

A bill marketed to increase transparency in taxation was ironically given only 24 hours of hearings

The Hutchinson Collegian The student voice of Hutchinson Community College

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before passing out of committee. It may have the unintended consequence of limiting local ability to raise taxes when needed.

There’s an act to expand the school voucher program, which may divert even more funding away from public schools.

These, and other crazed measures, are being passed through the legislature at break-kneck speeds and without time for public rebuke. This is no way to run a government. This is no way to ensure the prosperity of citizens.

Not every legislative action this year has been as extreme. There are bills to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day and give food sales tax to low-income families. Their likeliness to pass, however, remains to be seen.

As someone who shares a birthday with Kansas and has lived here for all 22 years of my life, I have a lot of personal investment in the future of my home state.

So, take this critique as a kind intervention from someone who knows and loves you. It’s time to move on, Kansas, you’re better than this.

Aaron Strain is Hutchinson student studying Journalism.

They are the Collegian’s Opinion Page Editor

Make this a semester for self-care, you deserve it Self-care is becoming a more common topic, something the pandemic has brought us because, one, we are all trying to stay healthy to make sure we don’t catch and spread the virus. Two, we are in a rocky and unsettling time that has everyone on the brink.

But even though it’s making the rise it needed to, I still feel like it isn’t given the thought it should.

It isn’t just saying “treat yo self” when you are deciding whether or not to eat out or blow big bucks on something extravagant.

Self-care is also remembering to drink water to fuel your body like it needs to be fueled, recharging all your empty batteries, recognizing those batteries and why they’re drained.

We are all basically houseplants with more complicated emotions.

The basic needs some days are all we need. But in the rush of the day, week, month, time slips by and you can’t remember the last time you felt recharged. It happens and that’s OK, but when you know and feel just drained, there is no shame in saying “I need some me time.”

I think for so long society has had an “everyone else first and your needs last” kind of mindset, which yes you should always be kind and there for others, but not to the point where it’s detrimental to yourself, and it’s not selfish to say such.

Mental, physical, emotional health. These are things that matter and should be prioritized just as much as anything on your daily agenda. You are worth it. You are

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, Zariah Perilla-Best, Laci Sutton, Nick Williams Collegian Adviser Brad Hallier

www.HutchCollegian.com

more than worth it. Drink your water, eat a whole cake, spend a night baking to whatever playlist, buy a butt-ton of bath bombs, grab a friend and drive around screaming your lungs out to whatever gets your head banging, buy that thing that makes you happy, read that book, don’t read that book, sleep in, ask for a hug, ask for space, go to a party, don’t go to that party.

People may get mad you don’t want to go do things, offended that you don’t want to spend all your time doing things they want you to do but you know what.

Let them. Flash a smile and walk away.

It’s 2021. Self-care is not something we should still feel like we need to put on the shelf until we get to it after it’s collected cobwebs and we only remember because someone points it out.

Just do what you got to do to be you boo, the healthy you.

Columnist

Kyran Crist

Kyran Crist is a Hutchinson sophomore studying journalism.

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, January 29, 2021

Puzzles

New coping group beginning on campus

By Sarah Newberry Staff Writer

The new coping group at Hutchinson Community College is undoubtedly something many students should consider.

Led by the social worker on campus, Melody Wagler, it is something new and perhaps helpful. Wagler started this group because she said she enjoys providing mental support in a group format and wants to make it more accessible.

It is not exactly a deep processing or counseling group. The group’s purpose is for psychoeducation, or mental health education, on topics such as anxiety, self-care, depression, grieving, stress, and others as well.

Wagler said she is hoping for a turnout of at least four or more, but she is happy even if two people show up. If two people show up, she is glad to have reached out to those few people and provided support and education.

Wagler said she is hoping that the group format can provide a place to

learn and share coping information that has to do with mental health topics.

There are many goals of the group that Wagler has created. One of her overall goals is for the group to fit the needs of those in attendance. She also hopes to provide a safe place for students within the group. Wagler would also like to normalize stressors and mental health issues as well.

“I imagine the group to be a place where members can note that they are not alone and that their struggle is not unusual, and struggling is especially common in this time of COVID,” Wagler said.

Everyone struggles at one point, and it is entirely normal.

“Just because it’s not unusual does not mean it’s not important and deserving of care,” Wagler said.

The pandemic has affected everyone, especially many people’s mental health. People are isolated and cut off from the world in certain aspects, which does not help mental health.

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The pandemic can also enlarge common fears or irrational ones and make them prevalent or seem rational. One way to cope with that is keeping in close contact with family and friends, virtually or in-person if possible.

Another coping skill that Wagler uses is Radical Acceptance, which is accepting your emotions and acknowledging them. Also, it would help if you felt your feelings in that present moment.

Wagler became a social worker to help people. She also did not like seeing people falling through the gaps of support and wanted to provide for those who needed it. She said she enjoys a group support format and reaching out to people.

Wagler said that mental health impacts each part of our lives and is essential. Mental health is often stigmatized, and Wagler wants to change that. She hopes to spread awareness on the subject and reach out to people using the group she started.

Esports tryouts

Photo by KJ Ryan/Collegian Hutchinson Community College Esports coach Heath Hensley talks to gamers during a fall meeting.

By Zariah Best Staff Writer

Many Hutchinson Community College students fill their time with various activities.

If you enjoy filling your time with video games then there could be quite the opportunity for Blue Dragons. The Blue Dragons Esports team is having open tryouts on Feb. 3, from 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Esports room in the basement of Parker Student Union. Signs will direct prospects on where to go.

The games that stu-

dents interested in trying out should prepare for are “Overwatch”, “Call of Duty: WarZone”, and “Rocket League”.

If the idea of playing video games and maybe even making friends doesn’t sound great enough, then maybe this will - there are two scholarship opportunities that participants will be competing for.

“We will watch for in game ability, teamwork, and communication,” said Esports coach Heath Hensley.

Students can expect a “fun yet hard working

atmosphere.”

For those interested in trying out, Hensley said that practices are held all throughout the week to help with work and class schedules.

“It’s left to each player when they practice,” Hensley said. “Each team is required to enter and participate in a ranked tournament this semester.”

Interested students should pr-register with Hensley via email at hensleyh@hutchcc. edu. Those trying out are required wear your masks.

2021 transfer fair

By Leslie Grajda Staff Writer

Last year was the first year Hutchinson Community College had the Transfer Fair.

More than 20 four-year Kansas colleges attended. There will be another Transfer Fair this year, but as with most things, COVID-19 has forced the fair to make changes.

This year, the fair will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 3 at Parker Student Union’s basement, and Michelle Wortham, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Student Services, said the event had to downsize to ensure social-distancing requirements.

“We want to make student safety

a priority,” Wortham said. “Seven of the 10 colleges invited have expressed a great desire to attend. Admissions counselors from Wichita State, Kansas State, Emporia State, Fort Hays State, Pittsburg State, McPherson College and Southwestern will be on campus.”

By attending this Transfer Fair, students will have the opportunity to meet admissions counselors from some of the biggest schools in Kansas.

These counselors will be able to give students information on transferring after graduating from HutchCC, walk them through the process, and answer questions.

Some colleges have scholarships available, primarily suited for a transfer student, and many schools are expected to have giveaways for attendees.

Baker

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said he is facing the challenges this season presents.

Most basketball players have that certain NBA player that they try to model their game after, but there are multiple players Baker said he keeps his eyes on in terms of trying to emulate them.

“Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Jamal Crawford” were among the players that Baker pays closest attention to.

When asked who he would play a game of one on one against in the NBA, it didn’t take Baker long to say “I gotta go with Steph.”

Women

• Continued from Page 4

drove to the basket really well and were able to get me open for the shot,” Adams said.

A couple of factors played a large role in the Blue Dragon comeback.

“I think the bottom line was, we guarded better in the second half; we didn’t give them as many easy baskets. We also made more baskets ourselves,” Ontjes said.

In the fourth quarter, as the Blue Dragons were slowly closing the Red Raven’s lead, it was Tor’e Alford’s 3-point shot from the key that switched the lead, one that they would go on to never lose.

That would be Stephen Curry, who is second all-time in 3-pointers made, a two-time MVP and a three-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors.

Besides basketball, Baker considers himself to be a “pretty laid back guy. I just chill,” but still enjoys his streaming shows.

“Man, I really enjoy “Power” and “The Chi”, Baker said. “You gotta check those out.”

With such a short season at hand and all of the complications the Coronavirus can bring, there is no telling what exact-ly will go down this season.

However, the player that hails from Tempe, Ari-zona brings a sense of consistency and calmness that will help right the ship.

Although it was only the team’s second game, the comeback showed a lot of heart. This team refused to lose, and played it out til the final buzzer.

On the other hand, since it was only the second game, the team still has a lot of improving to do.

“This team has a long way to go,” Ontjes said.

“We’ve got to become better defenders on the ball. Offensively we have to execute better. This team is missing a lot of practice, and for a team to be sharp and crisp, we need every practice we can get.”

What really hurt Coffeyville, was two things - fatigue, and missed free-throws.

Fatigue could have played a role in the missed free-throws, but it was a

critical part of their loss.

Once fatigue hit the Red Ravens, they were turning the ball over twice as much as they were in the first half.

“Because they (Coffeyville) had gotten so fatigued, we got three big steals, and it really allowed us to gain momentum,” Ontjes said.

In the fourth quarter, the atmosphere intensified as tensions rose.

With every call from the referee, each player seemed to accumulate more anger.

“I was definitely letting the refs dictate my game for a while, but thankfully, my teammates had my back and we came out with the dub,” Adams said.

Alford had 15 points for the night and sophomore forward Lojong Gore scored 12 points.

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Sports

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, January 29, 2021

Baker in the spotlight

Athlete of the week (Jan. 17-23)

Matt Mayers, men’s basketball

Photo by Dylan Shah/HutchCC Sports Information Hutchinson Community College sophomore guard Josh Baker looks to attack the defense during a game earlier this month against Seminole State. Baker is one of the top returning players in the Jayhawk Conference.

HutchCC sophomore looks to get Blue Dragons back to national tournament

By Joel Muhs Staff writer

At first thought, a lot of people wouldn’t think twice when Hutchinson Community College and Arizona are mentioned in a sentence together.

However, those two connections carry a deeper meaning for the Blue Dragon men’s basketball team, as top player and Arizona native, Josh Baker, gears up for another season.

In Baker’s second year, he

Women’s basketball takes down Coffeyville

By Bailey Pennycuff Co-Sports Editor

The 12th-ranked Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team faced Coffeyville on Wednesday night at the Sports Arena in a key early-season Jayhawk Conference matchup.

Early in the game, it was not looking good for the Blue Dragons.

The Red Ravens were up big the whole first half, and at halftime by 16 points. Although they continued to lead the whole third quarter, that is when Hutch began to cut the deficit.

The comeback didn’t stop there, as the Blue Dragons surged ahead in the fourth quarter and won 70-63.

“During halftime, (head coach John Ontjes) basically said we need to get everything together and start decreasing their lead. Slowly work at it. We can’t get all the points back in just one quarter,” freshman guard Kayhla Adams said.

Adams scored 16 points for the night, with 12 of those points being beyond the 3-point arc.

“Honestly, the only reason I did well with my 3s tonight was because of my teammates. They See Women, Page 3

looks to help the Blue Dragons improve the 23-9 mark from last season. In his freshman year, Baker averaged 13.7 points, 2.5 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.3% from the floor and 48.7% from beyond the 3-point arc.

This season, however, Baker said he believes they are ready to make yet another run at a title, especially after a disappointing 110-91 loss to Cowley Community College to end last

season in the Region 6 tournament quarterfinals.

“For sure. We connect a little better than previous teams and we have a special group this year,” Baker said about if this team has what it takes to take home a title.

That coveted title, which includes a trip to the NJCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Championship in Hutchinson, will have to come a little bit differently than in previous

years. This year, the HutchCC men’s basketball team will have a condensed 22-game season to help fit everything in all in one semester. This new and unusual season, which has the fingerprints of Covid-19 all over it, comes along with different ways to navigate the season.

“Staying prepared as much as possible” and “how to interact with everyone and be safe with Covid” are a couple ways Baker See Baker, Page 3

The week: Mayers helped get the Blue Dragons off to a great start in am 8771 win over Seminole Mayers State.

Mayers scored a game-high 22 points on 6 of 9 shooting, and he also swished 9 of 10 free throws.

Mayers added 11 rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals.

The season: Mayers is a sophomore from Hastings-On-Hudson, N.Y. As a freshman, Mayers had a modest season for the Blue Dragons, scoring 3.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.5 rebounds a game. The season ended after 21 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.