The student voice of Hutchinson Community College
O
C C S One year later...
March 12th, 2021
pinion
Danielle Gadberry discusses being an online student while working a full-time job. Page 2
www.hutchcollegian.com
ampus
The Region 6 Cheer Competiton held at the Huchinson Sports Arena last Sunday. Page 3
ampus
Laci Sutton goes over facts about St. Patrick’s Day and legends of Ireland.
Page 4
Vol. 62 Issue 17
ports
Hutchinson Community College softball coach Jaime Rose earns her 500th win as a coach. Page 6
Collegian file photo A computer lab at Rimmer Learning Resource was inaccesible when Hutchinson Community College closed on March 31, 2020. Most buildings were closed, and classes were moved online for the rest of the Spring 2020 term.
Recognition of the anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdown By Leslie Grajeda and Zariah Best Staff Writers
It’s been nearly a year since Covid-19 has dominated lives worldwide. As the anniversary of when Hutchinson Community College went barren on campus approaches on March 31, students and faculty were asked their thoughts and feelings from the time before life went into lockdown. “I would say the initial reaction that many of us at HutchCC had was ‘how do we move forward and make sure our students are not harmed by this virus/ event in any way? Both from a health standpoint, but also from a loss of learning standpoint.’ The thing I was most impressed by was the single minded focus by students, faculty, and staff to not let this event derail learning in any way.” - Carter File, HutchCC President. “As we look back 12 months, I don’t think anyone would have thought we’d still be dealing with the pandemic a year later. Considering there was no playbook, no precedent that anyone today has experienced, I think it’s commendable how successfully we have all navigated the challenges with minimal interruptions.” - Denny Stoecklein, HutchCC Director of Marketing and Public Relations. “I went to go see the Heat play in Oklahoma so when I found out we were getting an extra week, I just thought awesome I don’t have to write paper for another week. I never ended up writing that paper.” - Cody O’Brien, Wichita sophomore
“I remember feeling the dread. Like I lost my whole senior year and feeling pessimistic about it. “What can I do?” I stopped doing school work because all I thought was “what’s the point?” - Aubreigh Heck, Hutchinson freshman “I didn’t know what to think. I was still confused and I wasn’t expecting us to actually go into lockdown. After a year, I feel better to be out, in class and actually see people.” - Majok Kuath, Salt Lake City sophomore
“To be honest, I didn’t really think much of it. I was upset by the fact that we had to go online and we didn’t even have time to register what was going on. I couldn’t tell my friends goodbye and it was just stressful and confusing.” - Amaya Gabrielle Washburn, Pratt freshman
“From a biological perspective, I was mesmerized to watch the pandemic play out right in front of our eyes. It’s fascinating to consider how something so small commands so much “respect,” causing havoc as it spreads around the globe. Then the realities set in and I wasn’t as mesmerized. I’m so sorry for those whose lives changed for the worse when they lost a loved one or their livelihood. On the flip side, look what we did. Look at what we overcame, both personally and collectively. We saw what we can do in the face of incredible obstacles. Ingenuity reigned. I hope that ‘I can’ mentality sticks, and that if someone gets into a future make-or-break situation, they’ll look back on what they did and learned during Covid and draw encouragement from that.” - Tricia Paramore, The department 4 Chairperson/ Professor at HutchCC.
“On one hand, this last year has seemed like an eternity. On the other hand, it feels like a blur and it’s difficult to believe it has been an entire year since the college made the difficult decision to send students home to complete their semester online. Many students have struggled with the disconnection of
“My initial reaction was really about fear and a little panic. I just wanted to provide the best experience for my students. As for the one-year mark … I’m glad that we have done what we needed to do to be on campus.” - Kim Newberry, a Sociology Professor at HutchCC.
“I was trying to leave the week before they told us to go home. Then I left for the airport in Dallas and crashed in Oklahoma so I was more worried about that. I thought the lockdown was a joke till I got to Atlanta then treated it more seriously. It still feels weird that it’s been one year.” - CJ Ogbonna, Marietta, Ga., sophomore
Upcoming events March 13 — Softball vs. NW Tech at Fun Valley Sports Complex at 1 p.m. March 14 — KJCCC Football Officials Clinic at B.J. Warner Recital Hall at 7 a.m. March 17 — Women’s and men’s basketball vs. NW Tech at Hutchinson Sports Arena at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. March 18 — Volleyball vs. Seward at the Hutchinson Sports Arena at 6 p.m
remote learning and the cancellation of social events. At the same time, many have found productive habits and have connected with others in novel ways during the pandemic. I believe it will be months, perhaps even years before we fully understand this historical event and how it has affected us. In the end, I hope we have learned resiliency and just how strong we are.” - Christopher Lau, The Coordinator of Advising, Career Development, and Counseling at HutchCC.
The happenings around campus
College Student Weather Report Friday High: 51; Low 41 Spring said nevermind. Saturday High: 56; Low 47 Spring is thinking about it. Sunday High: 59; Low 36 Spring clocked out early today. Weather source: accuweather.com
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