Opinion
Page 2
‘Tis the season to be ... hateful? Our view
As sang by MAGIC!: Why you gotta be so rude? There has been too much arguing going on and not enough happiness and cheer being spread around this season. Thanksgiving seems to have gone by so fast and yet did anyone really stop to think about what they are thankful for? Or did they just eat a gigantic meal and take a nap afterwards? With all of the terrible events happening recently, the world could use some laugher and kindness. What ever happened to being hospitable and welcoming to people? It seems that society is too wrapped up in social media and certain standards of “normal” that they treat people like they are the better person. There are too many hypocrites in this world and with a bit of warm Christmas spirit, you can improve someone’s day. Just a friendly smile can make someone’s day or asking how they are doing could impact their mood.
The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, December 1, 2017
Stress Season
So what is with all of the judging going on? Tabloids and TV shows make gossip too hard to resist, and we try to fit into “Hollywood” expectations, which are almost impossible to accomplish. Why must we compare ourselves with everyone around us? There is no reason to point out flaws in you or someone else just by a one-second glance. Think about people judging you based on your appearance. You probably wouldn’t like that very much either. “Killing people with kindness” is a great rule of thumb that everyone should use. Be happy this Christmas and help others be happy too, and don’t judge people just because you think you know what’s going on in their lives. Take the time to get to know someone before you write them off. Come on people, it’s the time to be jolly! It isn’t the time for a bunch of Scrooges to be ruining the cheery time of year for others.
Kourtney Sweet/Collegian Cartoonist
The unfortunate events of Brenna Every year, my family would take a trip to see my grandparents in Atwood either for Christmas, spring break, or summer vacation. It’s a good four-hour drive from Little River. We don’t go very often anymore because our grandparents moved to Little River, but Atwood is still one of my favorite places to visit. One Christmas, I believe I was about 7-years old, I went to a friend’s birthday party after our YMCA basketball tournament. I ended up staying the night there and the next morning my family was planning on going to Atwood.
My Christmas experience
My dad stayed home this time, so my mom came and picked me up with my three sisters. On the way, my younger sister and I had our usual fights about not having enough room in our family’s mini-van and about staying on our own sides of the seats. Four agonizing hours later, we finally spotted the tell-tale plants and hills of Atwood, we all got excited. The whole way, I had been trying not to itch my head because it had been bothering me that entire time. I told my mom, but she didn’t think there was anything to worry about.
Columnist
Brenna Eller When we got to our grandparents’ house we noticed that their lights were all off and their car was gone. My mom decided to call them and we found out that they were actually in
Texas seeing some family members. So we decided to see some other family in Atwood, since my parents are originally from there. My mom has a lot of friends there too so we still had plenty to do even though our grandparents were gone. So, what is the unfortunate event you ask? WelI, I was sitting at the dining room table itching my head again, what seemed like the millionth time. This time it was a horrible feeling like something was crawling around on my head. I put my fingers to my scalp and at the same place I was going to scratch, I
touched a little bug. I pulled it out and looked at it in disbelief. My mom came in after hearing me scream. She asked, “What’s wrong?” And I just told her to look on my head. She did and she started yelling too. After combing through my hair and putting any kind of solution she could find in it to drown the disgusting creatures, we finally killed all of the lice. We disinfected the entire house, washed any blankets, sheets, and stuffed animals we could find, and then went on with the rest of our trip paranoid. On the bright side, I haven’t had lice since then!
Eller Family Photo/ Courtesy Photo
This picture was taken of my family one Christmas a few years ago to resemble famous “Awkward Family” photos. On the far left is me, then my oldest sister Danielle, my mom in the middle, my other older sister Leisha, and then my younger sister Kylie.
A new beginning for The Collegian
I’ve never been an educator before this semester started. All I’ve ever known in the professional world was being a sports journalist. When my time as a newspaper guy ended on May 31st of this year, my future was as uncertain as a typical college student’s. Fortunately, some outstanding people at Hutchinson Community College recommended that I become the new journalism instructor and adviser to The Hutchinson Collegian. I love journalism. After my family and soccer, journalism is my true love. Having the opportunity to teach college students journalism was intriguing and exciting. Really, all I
wanted to do this semester was pass on my love of journalism. I don’t know whether I succeeded in that or not. But here’s what I do know – the seven students who were on staff this semester worked their baguettes off to make The Collegian the source to read news about HutchCC. While I have never been an educator before, I didn’t come into this semester naïve. I’m well aware of what had happened with The Collegian the last few years and that there were some bridges burned. But I wasn’t concerned with any of that. One of the first days of class, I let my students know what our goal was for this semester – to have
The Hutchinson
Collegian
The Hutchinson Collegian is the official student newspaper of Hutchinson Community College. It is created by the Newspaper Production class each week during the academic year, except for when school is not in session, or during final exams.
Advisor
Brad Hallier
people read our product. I wanted to see students looking at our newspaper. I wanted to see faculty and staff reading it. I wanted an increased web presence and improved social media. I wanted to see people sharing stories
on Facebook and retweeting stories on Twitter. Again, I don’t know how well we succeeded at that, but the results were encouraging. Several times this semester, the student-publications box in Lockman Hall was empty. Small newspaper stacks in Shears Technology Center, Lockman, Parker Student Union and the Sports Arena were often gone, or, at least, had been shifted around. The students have done some outstanding work. From the Halloween edition to problems with Student Health Services to the best sports features on Blue Dragon athletes seen in this publication maybe ever, I can’t say enough about how well Merissa Anderson,
Staff
Editor: Merissa Anderson Campus editor: Emma Cox Opinion page editor: Brenna Eller Sports editor: Lucas Barlow Online editor: Amanda Carney Adviser: Brad Hallier Staff members: Amaelle Caron, Cassidy Crites, Jack Greenwood, Allie Schweizer, Kourtney Sweet.
Emma Cox, “Unfortunate” Brenna Eller, Amanda Carney, Lucas Barlow, Jack Greenwood, Cassidy Crites, and Kourtney Sweet have done this semester. I’ve never been in journalism for myself. Compliments, while appreciated, often embarrass me. And rest assured, I’ve heard a ton of compliments this semester, often geared toward me. I appreciate it. I really do. But The Collegian is not about me. I never want to see my name in this publication again. This publication is by the students, and for the students and entire HutchCC community. We’re living in interesting times, especially when it comes to jour-
nalism. When practiced properly and ethically, it’s one of the most rewarding and noble professions in the world. My hope is to guide students who take my class, and help them practice journalism the right way. To the students of HutchCC, keep reading the newspaper. Take a journalism class (we have tacos and pizza!). And to the faculty and staff, thank you for welcoming me to your world. I hope you’re as happy with The Collegian as I have been. And please, if you have one of my students in class and you’ve liked what you’ve read and seen, pay them a compliment. They’re the ones who deserve it.
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.