The Current (pages 1-10)

Whitney Marshall

T able of C on T en T s

Editor

Whitney Marshall

Managing Editor

Whitney Marshall

Staff

Talya Nicole

Brittany Ashton

Chelsey Erin

Logan Paquiana

Wesley Toby Charles

Advisor

Michelina Mae

The Current is the official student publication of Three Rivers Community College. The Current is written, edited, and designed soley by students. This edition of The Current is not officially in production and was created for a class project by Whitney Marshall in Digital Imaging in the Spring semester, 2023.

If you would like to contribute to The Current, please feel free to email submissions and ideas to trccnewspaper@gmail.com or directly to kamenta@ threerivers.edu.

Pg 4 TRCC’s Niche Talya Nicole

Pg 6 Attending College Just Became Cheaper Chelsey Erin

Community

Pg 9 Soup 4 U Chef’s Challenge Brittany Ashton

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Education

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Entertainment

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TRCC’s Niche

Creating community in our communities

Written by: Talya Nicole

Three Rivers Community College’s niche in the hierarchy of colleges is the intimate option in an otherwise impersonal world. Three Rivers is, by multiple accounts, much more about interpersonal relationships than many of the larger schools.

Chris Boyle, returning student to Three Rivers Community College, and editor of this issue, had this to say on the matter. “Three Rivers’ niche is its very unique sense of community in that you really get to know other people in your major.”

Chris started his college experience at Eastern Connecticut State University. From there Chris came to Three Rivers Community College where he found the community within the Graphic Design program. He then transferred to UCONN for a semester and then returned to Three Rivers.

He had this to say on his experience at a larger college: “Whereas at a larger school you’re just another number or

a face in the crowd, TRCC puts genuine effort into giving you a community backing. You’re still all in competition, which is good. But having people available to you for support, doing the same stuff you’re doing, common goals with different backgrounds. In the graphics program especially the group as a whole is very much so on your side, and TRCC like anything else is what you put into it. ” Chris recognizes that Three Rivers fosters a sense of community.

Chris also noted this from his experiences at other schools, “At Three Rivers the common goal from the students as well as the institution is to get you to LEAVE and move on, to advance, whereas a lot of programs at other schools, especially larger, almost purposely set you back and waste time. Whether out of ignorance or greed, one of the two.”

Tucker Noniewicz, 2nd year at Three Rivers Community College, also has had experiences at other bigger colleges. Tucker had this to say “Three Rivers feels a lot more

“TRCC puts genuine effort into giving you a community backing.”

personal than the university I was at previously. Most importantly it’s local.” The locality of Three Rivers or any community college for that matter, is one of the most prominent features of its niche

“My previous college was far removed from my home, and I ended up feeling isolated. I think community colleges are special in the regard that they are a middle ground between a known quantity, one’s home, and an unknown experience, university. I was much more comfortable around an area I know”

The iconic clock tower at Three Rivers, a place of genuine community.

Attending College Just Became Cheaper

Changes made aim to help students in need

Written by: Chelsey Erin

Let’s face it, attending college can be expensive. Whether going to a state or local community college, like Three Rivers, tuition, fees, books and supplies can run into the thousands per academic year. With tuition and fees set in stone, and the average for books and supplies being $1,242, looking for ways to save just became easier.

You may recognize the Follett name from when you click on what required books you need to purchase for a class. However, you may not know that Follett Higher Education Group just made a deal with this college and the other 11 community colleges in the state, to help reduce the costs of books, both new and used.

The generosity of Follett was the result of discussions between them and Connecticut State Colleges and Universities President Mark

Ojakian, who collectively were looking for ways to make things a little easier for those continuing their education.

Since this past summer semester, students have been able to take advantage of this coordination; students will now get a 10% discount on books at the school’s bookstore. In addition, they will price match from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Normally, the book for Advertising Design, Advertising by Design, has been $60 at the college bookstore, and is now $54.40; however, at Amazon. com, the same book is $41.04, which the bookstore will match.

The process is quite simple. On the day you wish to purchase your books from the school bookstore, print out the page from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, showing today’s price of the in-stock item. Give the book and your print out to the friendly sales associate, and you will get the discount. If finding it cheaper on either of those websites fails, you will still get the 10% off new textbooks. Keep in mind, our

Flyer from checkout line.

bookstore will price match for new, used and rental textbooks. It seems like a win-win.

Recently, students were asked as to whether or not they were aware of this news and if it will encourage them by purchasing from the bookstore now.

Anna Estrada was not aware of the deals, but felt it would make things easier and quicker, since ordering online takes time to arrive at your house; as compared to, going to the college bookstore and getting it instantly.

Curtis Patsiga, also didn’t know this was an option and was encouraged to make his purchases at TRCC since they price match.

Casey Hank echoed Estrada’s and Patsiga’s position on not having this information; however, Hank did reply that, “I am looking forward to the potential for lower prices in books. I personally always get my books through the bookstore, so I will be more interested in getting them at the school store.”

If you would like more information about the details, visit the bookstore, conveniently located just inside the main entrance or jump online to http:// www.bkstr.com/threeriversccstore/shop/textbooksand-course-materials. Enrollment in class for the Spring semester are going on now, so check out the deals and save some money.

“Students will now get a 10% discount on books at the school’s bookstore.”

Davon Brown

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Soup 4 U Chef’s Challenge

Local Chefs compete for best soup in Norwich.

Written by: Brittany Ashton

Eleven restaurants from around Norwich will be competing for the title of best soup February 7th in Chef Ceil Vardar’s “Soup 4 U Chef’s Challenge.” The event will be held at the Wauregan Ballroom.

The public can purchase tickets to the event that includes a tasting of each soup and the ability for a guest to vote on their favorite. There are two serving times that are available for ticket purchase on the day of the event; 5-7pm or 7-9pm.

Tickets are purchased online for $18 and include 11 tasting tickets for each competing soup as well as one red voting ticket, of which are presented at the door. Participants of the challenger receive a certificate of their entry,

and the winner is presented with a custom made trophy ornamented with a Le Creuset soup pot.

The event is currently kept exclusive to Norwich owned restaurants. The participants of this year’s challenge are Brick and Basil, Cafe Otis, Canggio, Craftsman Cliff Roasters, Harp and Dragon, Illiano’s Grill, Lazizah, Royal Punjabi, Tulli’s, These Guys Brewing, and Uncle D’s Blazin’ BBQ.

Each restaurant chooses their own soup to prepare for the event, and no two soups are exactly alike.

Last year’s sold out competition was held at Epicure Brewing and was attended by 200 people. Some participants felt they were under prepared as

they were not expecting such a large turnout.

Vincenzo Race, owner and operator of Illiano’s Grill, participated in the event last year and will be returning to compete. He will be making gluten free and vegan minestrone to highlight the restaurant’s menu options for a variety of diets.

“I made eight quarts. This year I want to make twenty-two,” he said. “There were so many people, over one hundred. It was just incredible.”

Chef Ceil Vardar, local chef and winner of Food Network’s Chopped, is a self-taught chef whose passion for cooking lead to the creation of the competition. She came up with the idea for the competition as a way to highlight

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Since last year’s installment of the event, there have been ideas in ways to change how it is structured and who should be able to compete. Vardar said that they have talked about expanding the competition, but she would like to keep it limited to only restaurants located in Norwich.

“I want to keep the contest in Norwich to keep the business in Norwich,” Vardar said.

All proceeds for the event go to benefit the Norwich Events Organization that oversees community events such as the competition itself. This money goes towards parades, fireworks, and other events.

Last year’s Soup 4 U Chef’s Challenge raised $3,000.

“I love the community of Norwich.” said Illiano’s Race. “Whatever I don’t use is a donation and even just that

“Last year’s Soup 4 U Chef’s Challenge raised $3,000.”

First Place Trophy from the 2020 Competition.