March 3, 2023 Collegian

Student Census: What class should you take next semester?

By Carly Thompson Staff Writer

With fall enrollment kicking off, there are tons of class options that may be somewhat overwhelming for students. However, it is important to pick classes that will be beneficial to each individual, based on each major.

Check out the HutchCC website under “course search” to see classes offered and class descriptions. Also, when thinking about what classes to take for the 2023-2024 school year, keep these recommendations in mind from fellow HutchCC students.

“I recommend sociology with Kim Newberry. It’s a humanities credit, so it’s easy to get out of the way for a degree. It’s kind of like a hidden subject that is very interesting and very informative to people our age. Also, the teacher is not only the best explainer of sociology but also knows the importance the subject can have on students. I also recommend Macroeconomics with Matt Wilper. Since most people didn’t have finance classes before college it is smart

to take macro. Even if you aren’t a business manager the generation creating the population needs to know about the nation’s economic fundamentals.

Matt Wilper is a very fun teacher and I’ve never heard anyone complain about his teaching methods. He makes the class enjoyable for people that are not interested in business degrees as well.” - Maggie Strobel, sophomore, Associate of Science.

“I really recommend classes with Taliatha Hudson-Palmer. She teaches Psychology, Human Growth and Development, and Human Relations. I think the human relationship class is super interesting and really helps to better understand yourself and your relationships with others. She teaches in a way that is very understandable and makes you want to learn more. I also recommend Sociology because it really expanded my mind and helped me understand people and the world better.” Lillianna Lamagna sophomore, English major.

“I would recommend students enroll in personal

finance. The class is very helpful and teaches you things you need to know when you start to think about the future. The other class I’d recommend is human relations. I think this class can help people learn to communicate better with others. For new students, this class can help them develop healthy relationships with others.” - Maliyah Brown, sophomore, Associate of Science.

I would recommend that students take macroeconomics with Matt Wilper. I enjoyed this class a lot because Mr. Wilper made it very enjoyable.” - Johnny Johnston , sophomore, Accounting major.

“Visual basics, I recommend it as an entry-level to learn the fundamentals of coding.”

Thomas Jones, Freshman, Computer Science Major.

“I recommend Mass Communications, I like the professor and the material is interesting.” - Alex Holt, sophomore, General Studies.

Local teachers staunchly oppose new voucher bill

By Ainsley Trunkhill Manging Editor- Content

American public schools have sought to educate the general population since the 1830s, with public schools today reaching more than 49.7 million students of all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, or incomes. Today, that very system may be under attack.

School vouchers, also known as “savings accounts” or “scholarships”, are gaining traction in Kansas, among other states, under the guise of school and parent choice. Many teachers, administrators, and even parents, however, recognize the threat that these vouchers hold to public institutions.

Traditionally, public school funding originates from a pool of money, the General State Fund, which is assigned to schools and divided amongst students. The base state aid goes directly to community and local schools and is spent in a directed manner on classrooms, salaries, and resources, among other things.

Under new suggested legislations, however, vouchers would pull tax dollars from this General State Fund to finance any private or homeschools that apply. In turn, this dampening of funds will either lessen state aid overall or put more burden on the state to find that money.

“Historically, when the general fund is low, then they borrow from roads and highways. They’ll borrow from Kansas Public Employees Retirement. They’ll lessen funds to things like safety … funding fire departments, police departments,” said Lynette Krieger-Zook, a retired public school educator and a current substitute in public schools. “Any kind of public money is at jeopardy.”

Public schools, specifically in rural areas, are those most in jeopardy, as already-underfunded schools can’t afford to lose students and money to vouchers.

“Let’s say that Buhler loses 10 kids to vouchers. We’re looking at cutting a teacher,” said Samantha Neill, a Journalist and English teacher at Buhler High School and the 2018 Kansas Teacher of the Year. “But if you’ve got a school out west that has 112 kids in their entire district and you lose 10 kids, you’re looking at losing the

district.”

Regardless, the rhetoric used by those in support of vouchers appeals to many, as, on the surface, it appears to advocate for freedom of choice for all families.

Teri Eckhoff, the General Education Advisor and Instructor of Intro to Education at HutchCC, admits to falling for its idealistic appeal. “Years ago, when I first heard about school vouchers, my opinion was ‘Yes! Parents need to have options available regarding the quality of education for

their children because as an educator I know not all schools are good schools,’ ” Eckhoff said. “Then I learned that the private and charter schools receiving the public tax dollars from these vouchers don’t have to abide by the same regulations as public schools. It may provide the opportunity for some students to receive a better education, but it does not provide that opportunity for all students, which I see as a deal breaker.”

The concern of accountability lies at the heart of the problem for school vouchers. In public schools, each dollar spent must be accounted for, and schools must abide by state standards such as ACT scores, curriculum, graduation rates, etc.

Vouchers, however, introduce a double standard in which any private school that applies will receive funding without any form of following accountability. Public schools, meanwhile, are met with lessened funds while still having to adhere to rigorous standards.

Perhaps the most critical standard in regard to the discourse is inclusivity. Public schools accept all students regardless of race, gender, income, or intellectual ability, whereas private schools can deny access to students and do not have to abide by inclusive standards, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act law.

Not only are private schools under no obligation to accept all students, but many do not even provide resources for the special needs students that they do have. Melissa Evans, the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Hutchinson Middle School 7 and a HutchCC graduate who also attended Trinity Catholic High School, describes how this may look in our own community.

See Vouchers, Page 5

Strobel Lamagna

Brown Johnston Jones Holt

Photo by Lee Wellman/Collegian Amber Carithers, a HutchCC alumna, now teaches at Hutchinson High school. In Kansas, the government is considering offering public funds for families to use toward private-school expenses.

A.I. art invasion

The use of AI art programs have become an issue in the past few months. Frankly, these programs would be a great resource for inspiration and concept art if they were trained differently. But as it stands, these programs are trained using stolen art.

Artists often post their work online, trying to get noticed, to get people to buy their work so they can make a living. These programs use artist’s works without their permission. As of right now, artists don’t have the option to opt out. Further, artists aren’t compensated for the works used, so if someone wants a piece in their style, they could get it without paying the artist.

These programs train on stolen styles and it shows. Artists have been able to recognize specific styles, including their own. Using an artist’s name and some descriptors, someone could generate a piece that looks indistinguishable from the artist’s actual work.

Mangled versions of artist’s signatures show up in many pieces. Some images even have what appears to be a Getty Images watermark. This has led Getty Images to sue in an effort to protect the intellectual property of them and those who contribute to the site.

AI art programs being used by someone to steal art has already happened.

Until the training of AI art programs change to become more ethical and protect the artists it so carelessly steals from, it should be avoided.

-For the Collegian Editorial board

2023 is the year to stop people pleasing

I have been a people pleaser for as long as I can remember. I’ve always put others before myself and while I initially thought it was one of my best qualities, I have come to realize that it’s been pretty self destructive. I have allowed

myself to put up with so much more than I should and basically made myself a doormat for people to use and to walk all over. I sacrificed my time and energy for people who couldn’t care less what I’m doing after they’ve been helped. I have put my dreams on hold for people who only come around at their convenience or when they need something and know nobody else will play their games again.

2022 quickly made me realize that wasn’t an option anymore and that I am worth so much more than I ever thought. This year is my year. And while that sounds insanely cheesy and cliche, it’s true.

This is the year I am putting myself first

no matter what it takes and I refuse to let anyone get in the way of that.

I have found my voice and slowly but surely I’m starting to use it. I’m learning to stand my ground and not be a pushover.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m still a caring, selfless person and I probably always will be, however I am learning to establish boundaries for myself and that is something I will never apologize for.

This is a lesson I hope everyone has learned or will learn at some point in their lives.

You can’t continue to sacrifice yourself for the sake and convenience of others. If you aren’t taking care of yourself there’s no way you can take care of anybody else.

Working in healthcare can make this extremely difficult. We are supposed to be there to help others and do the most good for the most people. If I’m not able to recognize the need for and establish solid boundaries for myself, I could be compromising my patient’s safety. While the road to learning this has been anything but easy, it has also been my most valuable lesson thus far. I have finally learned to value myself and have grown so much more confident in myself and where I’m going in life and I couldn’t be more proud and thankful for that.

Be more like John Brown

In this time of renewed civil activism, there is one “controversial” figure I’d like to spend some time writing about. Radical Abolitionist and True American John Brown.

John Brown was a figure in the early to mid 19th century, active right before the start of the Civil War, who is considered controversial for the methods he used while he sought the destructive end to the institution of slavery.

His methods, of course, being the death of slavery’s perpetrators. This is where the “controversy” arises. However, I disagree.

Slavery is one of the worst, most inhumane actions a person can take. The forceful removal of a person’s unalienable rights, if you view this from the perspective of religion, like Brown did, is against the will of God. Many might claim that God’s will was for humanity to have free will, yet slavery is a total and nonconsensual removal of that free will, so how could God allow it?

Brown, being a true hero, took matters into his own hands after the murder of Elijah Lovejoy by a proslavery mob. It was, of course, at a memorial service for the staunch abolitionist that John Brown first would recite his creed. “Here, before God, in the presence of these witnesses, from this time, I consecrate my life to the destruction of slavery!”

John Brown looked at a government that, through whatever means, continued to flounder around and refuse to put an end to the evil institution of slavery, and where others saw a long and winding path to the emancipation of people of color, Brown saw a failing. And he saw the time to act.

I am a Kansan, born and raised, so I have learned about Bleeding Kansas in nearly every history class from second grade to eighth grade. The conflict that happened here in Kansas was awful, but for abolitionists, entirely justified.

We are a few months away from the anniversary of what many would call the “start” of Bleeding Kansas - The Sack of Lawrence, an event in which pro-slavery forces attempted to destroy Lawrence, known as the “Hotbed of Abolitionism” in Kansas. And not soon after, John Brown made his debut when he perpetrated the Pottawatomie Massacre. Brown, five of his sons, and several associates made an outing into Franklin County, where they would gather up perpetrators of the Sack of Lawrence and execute them.

Here’s where perhaps I lose you. These deaths were wholly justified. The men that Brown and company executed were some of the worst of the worst. Maybe not slave owners, but certainly supporters of the practice. Men who wanted Kansas admitted to the union as a pro-slavery state, men who supported the attempt to snuff out Lawrence and would likely support further action in the same vein. I’d argue that Brown’s morals remain intact as well, as he did not kill indiscriminately. He did not kill the wives of the slavers he killed, nor did he snuff out their entire families.

Sixteen-year-old John Doyle was spared where his pro-slavery father and two brothers were not. Brown showed mercy where mercy was deserved and none where it was not earned.

There was no world in which those who sacked Lawrence would see any sort of judgment for their crimes. And thus, John Brown committed himself to what I would call was a moral duty to punish the unpunishable. The deaths of those 5, and the countless

other pro-slavery advocates that Brown would see, in my eyes, are not only justified, but a total act of moral good.

The murder of innocent people, of course, is demonstrably evil. However, I’d argue that pro-slavery advocates were far from innocent. Their role in holding up one of the most evil institutions is definitely not an “innocent” act. In fact, I’d say that when you choose to remove someone’s freedom of choice or their will because you either believe them to be inferior or just because you can, you forfeit any rights you may have had in regards to your continued existence.

John Brown watched his country fail those who built it time and time again, and taught it a lesson we could all use a refresher in. When your country fails, do not ask it to keep failing and let that be the end of your efforts. Go out and do the work. Be it an armed rebellion when you are under constant and unending attack by the government, or protesting and making your distaste obvious.

We could all be a little more like John Brown.

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: Christopher Lau, Coordinator of Equity & Compliance 1300 N. Plum Hutchinson, KS 67501 (620) 665-3500 equity@hutchcc.edu (www.hutchcc.edu/equity)

Cartoon by Briana Payne/Collegian

Columnist

Laci Sutton Laci Sutton is a Nickerson senior studying nursing.

Columnist

Braedon Martin

Early enrollment birds get the worm

By Lizzie Kipp Staff Writer

Midterms are approaching fast at Hutchinson Community College, and - as if the pressure wasn’t already onnow it’s time for students to think about enrollment for the fall semester.

While it’s true that there is plenty of time to sign up for Fall 2023 classes, it’s important to get a jump-start on enrolling.

DJ Chastain, HutchCC’s Coordinator of Advising and Career Development, agrees. He said that he strongly encourages students to enroll as early as

possible - and definitely before spring classes end.

“It helps you to secure your place in courses that might fill up,” Chastain said. “It also allows you to set your schedule now so you can plan out your future semesters here at HutchCC.”

In addition to the fall 2023 semester, HutchCC is currently enrolling for summer 2023 and spring 2024 as well, so students can plan their future to their heart’s content.

Teri Eckhoff, an advisor and instructor at HutchCC, also encourages students to plan ahead.

“Most of the time, you will get the classes you want within the time frames you want, which will ultimately make your life easier,” Eckhoff said.

She notes that even for the general studies students out there, it’s not a problem to figure out which courses would be the most beneficial for them in future terms.

“They can choose any one of a multitude of classes to meet their degree requirement in any situation,” Eckhoff said.

One may expect instructors to give advice like that, but many students like

Coye Stucky, an elementary education major at HutchCC, also find it best to get enrollment done early.

“It allows you more time to plan for schedule changes if needed,” Stucky said.

She also agreed that most students tend to put enrollment off, despite the benefits of getting it done sooner, rather than later.

Enrollment is open now, and students can do it at any time. Academic advisors or the Student Success Center can be contacted to help with all enrollment needs, even if procrastination takes over.

Spreading joy to everyone in the dorms

By Victoria Lewis Staff Writer

Dellareece Rogers is a custodian for the Hutchinson Community College dormitories, whose infectious smile has earned quite the reputation among students and staff for being the most cheerful on campus living quarters.

Originally from the Kansas City area, Rogers has worked at HutchCC for two years, and moved into the Hutchinson area three months ago.

A self-described ‘friendly person who loves people’, Rogers prides herself on spreading her inner peace and happiness wherever, and whenever, she can.

“The best part (of the job) is that I get to come in the morning and smile and make other people smile,” Rogers

said. “I have kids of my own, and I know how it would feel if my kids went off to a different school, so I want the students to feel comfortable and loved - I just love the students.”

This ‘sharing of the love’ is important to Rogers, and she said it “makes me happy, it gives me peace inside knowing that I’m here not just to work but to help and be here for others.

“Everyday is almost the same, but it’s the memories of students who went away and I have bonded with that is touching.”

Rogers ensures that she is there for every student walking the halls.

“Everyone comes from various home lives and so … if that one happy communication during the day will brighten a person’s day I feel like it should be spread,

like my happiness and peace should be spread.”

The students are also quick to show their appreciation for Rogers work, constant joy and occasional free food offerings.

“A lot of you guys actually kinda help me too as far as keeping up your areas and picking up after yourselves - I thank you all for that,” Rogers said. “I feel like it’s a good community here at the dorms. I have only lived here for almost three months and this is the best place I’ve ever worked, not just the students but the staff is like friendly, they’re family oriented and its very comforting.”

Rogers sends a message to all HutchCC dorm students - “If anyone ever needs help and support just come to me I have a listening ear - I’m here for you guys.”

Livestock judging team earns the grade

By Mason Poepperling Staff Writer

Hutchinson Community College has a proud history of campus clubs and organizations. It seems like there’s a club for anyone. One of the more popular organizations in recent history is the Livestock Judging team.

But what exactly goes into livestock judging?

“Each contest is 12 classes (of livestock) and we give eight sets of ‘oral reasons’. The 12 classes involve cattle, swine, sheep and goats,” said Lindsey Lehman, a Mount Vernon, Ill., sophomore on the Livestock Judging team. “Each class is four animals of the same species, and we evaluate them from best to worst. With the eight sets of oral reasons that we give, we are defending our placement and why we say the class the way we did and why we think it gets placed the way we placed it. We place off of the 12 classes into the eight sets, we’ll write down a set of reasons in our notes, we don’t know how the classes got placed until the end, so we go in and give our reasons and weather we got it right or wrong we go in and tell them confidently how we felt about the class.”

Of course to many outsiders, they might

judge livestock by how good the meat they make is. What really makes good livestock in the context of livestock judging?

“It depends,” Lehman said. “With females, the first thing we focus on is structure. If they look feminine and smooth and like a lady. Then, if we’re evaluating males, we want them to be masculine and powerful and add muscle, and we also

want them to be sound because they’re breeding stock, and they’re going to be replicating their features in their offspring. In Market Livestock, especially at this time of year, our first priority is cutability, meaning they’re fresh and they have muscle but we still want them to look like a high quality animal.”

As is with all clubs when competition is involved, it’s not all

sunshine and roses, and livestock Judging is no different, and Lindsey is more than willing to point out its shortcomings.

“There has been a rapid increase of cheating,” Lehman said. “We go to six major contests a year, so five people from each team go out on the floor and compete each day. Coaches aren’t out there, you don’t talk with them, you do your own work. It seems like there’s been a lot of looking off

notebooks and talking to teammates.

“In Denver, back in January, there were two teammates in the same group, which never happens at most of the majors because there’s only five teammates on the floor, and there was a picture of a teammate looking off of another teammates book and the photographer put it on their website, which was ironic because it was the first time that had ever

been caught, and every time the officials are like ‘if you’re caught cheating we’re gonna kick you out’, and that never happens.

Despite these shortcomings, however, Lehman and the other team members look forward to livestock judging every chance they get to do it. The club travels all over the country, from South Dakota to Mississippi to Texas, and many other places.

Photo by Victoria Lewis/Collegian Dellareece Rogers is known around the Hutchinson Community College dormitories for her infectious smile and personality. Rogers works in the dorms as a custodian.

Courtesy photo

Members of Hutchinson Community College’s Livestock Judging team meet for photos with awards won at the National Western Stock Show earlier this year in Denver. The sophomore team finished eighth high team overall.

HutchCC Outreach continues to expand services

By Paige Asberry Staff Writer

Hutchinson Community College Outreach is an extension of the main Hutchinson campus.

Early College Outreach Coordinator Michelle Nuss said the mission of the Outreach programs is to “provide access throughout our service area, which includes Reno, Harvey, and McPherson counties. Outreach provides lifelong learning opportunities, academic transfer, and excel in Career and Technical Education class-

es for early college students to earn college credit while in high school”.

Outreach has two full-service centers in McPherson and Newton that offer advising, counseling, financial aid, bookstores, placement testing, test proctoring, and job-seeker services. These centers provide a full schedule of day and night courses for students with unusual schedules. The McPherson Center is home to the Practical Nursing (LPN) program, while the Newton Center provides the Paramedic

(EMS) program. Outreach Centers also provide a place for workforce training in the communities.

In addition to the full-service centers, outreach coordinates early college enrollment to high school students at over 30 different area high schools.

They began a new program this academic year to provide free textbooks for select academic transfer classes. Students also have access to Career and Technical Education classes, tuition free, through the Excel in CTE program.

“Outreach encourages stu-

dents to be aware of and take advantage of HutchCC’s Step Ahead program,” Nuss said. “Follow our HutchCC Early College Facebook page at @ HutchCCEarlyCollege.”

To round off the services they offer, Outreach offers Lifelong Learning classes for the community.

“Our mission is to provide continuing education opportunities beyond credit hour offerings to gain skills, knowledge, and experiences to enrich your life”, Nuss said. “We offer a variety of courses to fit your interests, budget, and sched-

Region 6 brackets

ule.”

Staples of Lifelong Learning include American Sign Language, Silversmithing 1 and 2, historical religious classes, Let’s Get Growing, and Basic Woodworking.

Outreach expanded their schedule this semester to add Cake Decorating and Dancing classes.

Outreach is always looking to expand programs and instructors. Follow the HutchCC Outreach Facebook page, or contact outreachinfo@hutchcc. edu or call 620-727-2791 for more information.

Health

• Continued from Page 6

a great speaker for student-athletes that offered an avenue. Mark Potter, who is a former head collegiate basketball coach at Newman University in Wichita, came and spoke to my school and he gave an emotion and experience filled talk on the impact of mental health and his own story. However, I do not see other colleges doing the same. I have many friends in college sports who have told me nothing has been offered to them in the way of mental health.

Something needs to be changed. While some mental-health clinics and organizations are trying, more needs to be done. We need to make ourselves so available that all students are not scared about opening up about their mental health. Doors need to be opened, walls need to be broken down, and lives need to be saved.

To help cure mental health, we need to offer free mental help to all studentathletes because life as a student athlete is hard. It is like a full time job while being a student. Pressures are high and expectations are high. Help our student-athletes to win this fight against mental health.

My experience with mental health as a collegiate athlete has been an upand-down ride. As a freshman heading to practice one, I was nervous and I scrutinized everything that I did. That weighed on me. I also struggled to find good friends and that did not help me because I had no one to go to when I was struggling. As my fall season went on and we started to travel, I found myself falling behind in classes and some of my professors offered no help to me. This added a whole new level of stress to education. I found myself frantically finishing assignments and stories even if I knew they were average at best because I did not care. I was just checking the boxes. When the second semester started, it just became harder. The spring baseball season was almost upon us and every pitch and play mattered even more. I found myself prioritizing only baseball, and my academics slipped out of my hands. I was losing control. I found myself up all night, losing sleep over making sure I had a good plan to check all the boxes the next day. My mental health went to levels it had never been. I was degrading myself and putting myself down. I was not eating and I had no motivation to check any boxes anymore. Once I finally had a conversation with my advisor things started to get better. I started to be more open with some of my teammates. This only happened because they made themselves available.

I point this out because it took an avenue of trust for me to overcome my own mind and open up to someone else. This is something that is lacking in collegiate athletics today. My minor case of poor mental health is just an example of what can go through the heads of student-athletes. I cannot encourage enough for people to be strong avenues and friends for people who you could think are struggling. All it takes is asking if they are OK and checking in on one of them. You never know if that simple question can spark a conversation of change for that person.

Sam Ojeda is a Lincoln, Neb., freshman studying journalism. He is the Collegian’s Sports Editor and a pitcher for the Blue Dragons baseball team.

Sports roundup: Baseball struggles

By Sam Ojeda Sports Editor

The Hutchinson Community College baseball team headed down to Oklahoma for a three-game set against Rose State College. The Blue Dragons struggled in a series they normally have success in. They finished 1-2 on the weekend.

The freshman-heavy team split with the Raiders on Thursday. In game one they lost 13-7. Although the offense scored in every inning, the pitching and defense could not hold up.

Game two was a different story as Texas freshman Gus McKay had an electric outing. McKay took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and finished with seven shutout innings of one-hit ball.

Game three was delayed from Friday to Saturday, which slated Texas sophomore Justin Smith as the starter. The Blue Dragons outhit the Raiders but ended up on the losing end 9-6. After a three-run eighth inning to tie the game, the pitching and defense struggled in the ninth to finalize the loss and a disappointing weekend.

HutchCC is now 7-5 as the Blue Dragons head to Enid, Okla. for a midweek game before taking on Jayhawk East opponent Coffeyville CC in a four-game set this weekend.

Men’s Basketball - The Blue Dragons clinched a home game in the first round of the Region 6 tournament after a win over Seward County.

They won 76-71 behind a double-double performance by Aaron Franklin. HutchCC has now won three in a row and are 18-11 overall.

Franklin had 21 points and 10 rebounds and is now fourth all time in single-season 3-pointers. Ra’sean

Frederick put numbers up all across the board with 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.

After an off weekend, the Blue Dragons will host Garden City to close out the regular season on Wednesday night.

Women’s basketball - The women’s basketball team had a similar result to the men. They beat Seward 69-54 behind another Monae Duffy double-double.

After being down at the end of quarter one, they did not look back. They led 50-30 after three quarters and out rebounded the Saints 48-27.

Duffy finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds. While Mya Willams and Kali Howard both finished in double figures in the scoring department.

They are now 22-7 this season and 16-7 in conference play. They finish out the regular season in a home game against Garden City on Wednesday.

Softball - The softball team went 2-0 in their most recent action with 7-0 and 9-0 wins of Labette CC.

Emily Munson, Morgan Pennycuff, and Riley Wertz came together to throw back-to-back shutouts. The pitching efforts helped lead the Blue Dragons to a 10-3 overall record and a 20th spot ranking in this week’s NJCAA rankings.

The last four games have been canceled due to weather which is why they play six games this week. All six games are at home against Sterling College JV, Colby CC, and Butler CC.

Men’s and Women’s indoor track - Although neither team had action this week, they do head to Topeka this weekend for NJCAA Nationals.

World War II through film

By Conner Keating Staff Writer

“Humanities” is a word that can send shivers down the spines of many college students.

When students complain about taking humanities classes, the two that often pop up are music appreciation and art appreciation. These two classes are often taken to fill the humanities credit that’s required in order to graduate for many majors, but what if there was another option? Amore interesting and exciting class that fills the humanities credit.

Hutchinson Community College history professor Tom Percy has been teaching a unique class since his arrival in 1994 called World War II Film History Aclass where students watch films, learn about the history of the films, and discuss them with the class.

“There was an old class here about film history of World War II, but it was more World War II and they only showed about five films. So when I came here in 1994, I was allowed to teach that class so I completely changed the class around,” Percy said. “I decided to change it to emphasize more the films and the history of the films, than the history of the war.”

The class covers 15 different films, all from different times and from various genres. The films chosen also help show the views ofAmerica at the times they were made.

“The goal of the class is to gain an appreciation of how films reflect American society at the time,” Percy said. “The course itself is divided into three primary areas. So the first third of the course we watch films beforeAmerican involvement in the war and how those films change, then the second third is films that were actually done during the war, and then the third part of the films are about World War II that were made after 1945. I do try to give a wide variety of films. I do try to do not all combat films, so there’s dramatic films, there’s even a comedy, there’s a musical, we do some combat films, and I try to deal with the homefront as well

Puzzles

as different relationships in terms of foreign policies, the holocaust, try to kind of fit as much as I can in, to give a whole gambit of films.”

In between films, Percy provides lectures that help set the stage, and give context around the film. What the view of the war was at the time, what was going on in Hollywood, and the United States government’s influence over some of the films.

“It’s three days a week, on Mondays I usually give a lecture, a little bit of background of what we’re going through in class and what that particular film (is), the background of it,” Percy said. “What the studios were doing at that particular time. The Wednesdays are a lab where you watch the film. And then the Fridays are when we discuss the film, usually students have a small reading as well as watching the film to come in and discuss the film.”

Percy also said that towards the end of the semester, students must watch two World War II films that are similar, but from different time periods and do a presentation over them. However, students are able to pick what films they cover.

So I like the idea that students get to kind of choose their own films to watch in addition to the films in class,” Percy said.

Most students who take the class have nothing but positive things to say.

“It was very interesting and informative,” said Katie Kolb, a Nickerson freshman. “I enjoyed watching the movies of course. Percy made everything easy and interesting to understand. Definitely a top three (class).”

Percy said it will be offered in spring of 2024, and is usually 12:40 p.m. to 1:40 p.m on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. However Wednesdays run longer, depending on the length of the film.

“Hopefully get a nice group of people out. The discussions are always lively and we choose some classic films that people probably heard of and some obscure films as well,” Percy said.

Vouchers

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“If a kiddo in Hutchinson decided to go to Trinity and they gave them a voucher … that kiddo’s money, whatever their voucher may be, would go to Trinity, while Trinity still uses our district for special education,” Evans said. “Now they are receiving money for that kiddo while we are still servicing that kiddo, and that’s only if they accept them.”

While private and public schools remain the primary setting for debate in the matter of vouchers, the sphere of homeschooling presents its own unique conflicts. Homeschools, just as with private schools, are under no accountability by state standards despite receiving state funds with vouchers. Any curriculum, even a Nazi curriculum, as was the case in an Ohio homeschool, could be funded by the state. Furthermore, families could use the money for any of their needs without ever actually educating their children, therefore directly targeting the low-income students that the bill claims to protect.

“They’re dangling a carrot in front of parents that are struggling,” said Meischa Zimmerman, a local parent with experience in homeschooling. “It’s like ‘Oh, I’ve got three kids and I could get five grand for each kid if I keep them at home, and who’s going to know?’”

Under vouchers, families do not have to register as a homeschool, nor do they have to register with the Department of Education. Here, the lack of accountability and oversight comes into play again, with serious effects on the necessary education of students. In many cases, public schools serve as the only place where low-income students eat a good meal or are protected from abuse;

Vouchers, Zimmerman explains, threaten the sanctity of that safe environment.

“You are going to have children that get lost,” Zimmerman said. “It’s incredibly scary to me.”

All of these complications of vouchers remain protected by a want for parents’ choice. The media describes a mass Exodus from public schools as parents grow increasingly concerned with “woke” agendas instigated by public schools. Despite these claims, 90% of students still attend public schools today.

Melissa Evans notes this driving rhetoric as her biggest frustration surrounding vouchers.

“It’s being framed and marketed as parents’ choice, but that’s not what people are asking for,” Evans said. “Not my parents. Poll my school’s parents. Not my families.”

In submitted testimonies regarding the bill, 91% opposed it, yet the bill still passed through committee.

“If I felt like this bill represented the families and the students that I serve every day, then I would be OK with it, but it doesn’t,” Evans said.

Evans, along with Lynette Krieger-Zook, Samantha Neill, and Meischa Zimmermann are behind Educate Reno County on Facebook, which urges people to hold state representatives accountable so that their legislation reflects the desires of the people they represent. They state that following representatives on social media, sending emails, and reading quality news sources are all ways to remain active in the decisions that affect your own life. On March 4 in Stringer Fine Arts Center, from 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m., the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber will host a legislative forum that discusses school vouchers, among other issues. The public is welcome to attend.

Miller’s time at Hutch High

Athlete of the week

(Feb 19-25 )

Aaron Franklin

Men’s basketball

Hutchinson Community College alumnus Bryan Miller, who also was an assistant men’s basketball coach under former coach Steve Eck, has opened eyes this winter as Hutchinson High School boys basketball coach. Miller has led a program that has struggled for winning seasons to a 20-1 start to the season headed to Saturday’s substate championship game against Topeka West. Next week, the Collegian will publish a story on Miller and the Salthawks’ season.

People sit down to watch sports every night, and are in awe of the performance of their favorite athlete.

What is overlooked is the mental effect on collegiate athletes. No one can see into the brain or the heart of a student athlete and trust me, it matters.

increasing tragedy is not getting better. It is getting worse.

Columnist

Collegiate sports brings so much competition not only between two teams but also between teammates. Everyone is competing for a spot and that can be taxing. Every pitch, or shot, or jump is criticized by coaches to evaluate which athlete is their best option. Sometimes, these evaluations result in changes in lineups and causes a roller coaster of emotions for the athlete.

Sam Ojeda

Some people blame the pandemic and isolation for these numbers and some blame cell phones and social media. While some of that could be true, the real problem is the lack of avenues for struggling student-athletes to go to when they are in crisis. Universities send out mass emails of phone numbers to use in case of crisis or post them on fliers in hallways. As a student-athlete - I’m a pitcher for the baseball team - I have read or taken time to look at zero of those options and I have actively struggled with mental health as a student-athlete.

Pressure of performance is not the only weight on the brain of an athlete. Classroom performance is just as important. When an athlete is in season, they often miss a lot of classes and keeping up can be difficult and stressful. Grades fall and so does the confidence of the athlete.

If stress of performance on the field and stress of classroom performance are combined, it can cause real mental problems for the athlete.

2022 saw a spike in suicide in collegiate athletes. In 2011 the NCAA did a study that showed 7.3% of student-athlete deaths were via suicide. The most recent 2022 study showed that the number has grown to 16.8%. This

Collegiate sports is changing, NIL (name, image, and likeness) has joined the game. This new rule allows players to gain financially for advertisement or brand deals and other stuff like that. This adds more stress and more pressure into an already stressed life. Now, if a player is extremely good or has some interesting aspect about them, they can make a quick buck. Athletes are pursuing that and that makes performance even more crucial because athletes are now selling themselves. There has been a 3% increase in mental health cases and anxiety diagnoses in student athletes since the start of the NIL era.

Hutchinson Community College had

See Health, Page 4

The Week: Franklin scored 25 points and added 14 rebounds as the Blue Dragons won 76-71 at Seward County. Franklin hit 11 of 19 shots, including going 3 of 7 from 3-point range. He also had a steal and a blocked shot.

Franklin

This Season: Franklin is averaging 22.9 points 8.2 rebounds a game, while shooting 50% from the floor. He has scored a season-best 38 points, coming twice against Pratt.

Mental health an overlooked part of being a student-athlete

at Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa (one game), 2 p.m.

April 13, COWLEY, 1 p.m.

April 15, at Cowley, 1 p.m.

April 17, STERLING JV (one game), 4 p.m.

April 20, at Garden City, 1 p.m.

April 22, GARDEN CITY, 1 p.m.

April 24, at Sterling JV (one game), 2 p.m. April 27, BARTON, 1 p.m. April 29, at Barton, 1 p.m.

Collegiate student-athletes are under intense pressure to succeed in the classroom and on the field. At community colleges, there’s also the pressure to get the best offer possible from the athlete’s next stop.

Blue Dragon schedules. All home games, events in caps.

May 6, COLBY, 1 p.m. Basketball, men’s

Nov. 1, FORT SCOTT, W 124-101

Nov. 4, TRITON, W 113-105

Nov, 5, NEO, W 117-107

Nov. 9, LABETTE, W 139-84

Nov. 11, vs. Victoria at Great Bend W 12195

Nov. 12, vs. Wilbur Wright, at Great Bend, 11289

Nov. 16, INDEPENDENCE, W 99-94

Nov 19, at Cloud County, L 90-75

Photo by Sam Ojeda/Collegian

Photo by Josie Schrag/Collegian