Working students on edge
The end . . . Page 4
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Students feeling unsure about work status
Spring sports athletes come to term with the end The student voice of Hutchinson Community College
April 3, 2020
www.hutchcollegian.com
Vol. 61 Issue 18
Deserted everywhere Coronavirus makes HutchCC campus barren
Photos by Kenneth Ryan/Collegian The coronavirus pandemic has ended face-to-face classes at Hutchinson Community College. COVID-19 has made the campus barren and empty when it’s usually filled with students and staff. Spring has sprung, but with no one to celebrate it.
Virtual graduation means virtual cap toss By Rachel Lyons Staff Writer
On March 31, Hutchinson Community College announced plans to hold a modified version of commencement, utilizing a virtual format. This follows the recommendation of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guideline that large gatherings of 10 and more people should be limited until on or after May 10. Hutchinson Community College President Carter File said in a press release, “The academic achievements of
Upcoming events ... ... ... lol
our students deserve to be properly recognized and celebrated. Toward this goal, we are planning a virtual ceremony to be held at the regularly scheduled time Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m.” Viewers can expect many traditional elements of a graduation to be honored, includ-
ing reading the names of graduates who have turned in required items and a program’s creation. This list of names and the program for the event will be available on the HutchCC website, and will later be accompanied by a recording of the program
for on-demand viewing. Licensed Practical Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing, Health Information Management, and EMS pinning ceremonies will follow the altered format of HutchCC’s main commencement exercises. More information for
The happenings around campus . . . we wish
Blue Dragons weekend forecast
Friday — Who even knows, man. Saturday — The sun? Don’t know her. Sunday — Wait, what’s the “outiside”?
these ceremonies will follow upon the finalization of format and timing. Additional information about Hutchinson Community College can be found at www. hutchcc.edu, Facebook HutchCC, and Twitter @HutchCCNews.
Inside Scoop
Opinion: Page 2 - Emily Fehrman writes about her experience during this uncertain time. - Bailey Pennycuff writes about the sudden ending to her promising softball season. Sports: Page 4 - Women’s basketball doesn’t get shot at national championship.
Opinion
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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. Copies may be found on campus Friday mornings, or in Shears Technology Center, room 207. Our newspaper is printed by The Hutchinson News.
Staff
Editor In Chief Tabitha Barr Campus editor Jared Shuff Opinion page editor Emily Fehrman Sports editors Adam Kolb and Bailey Pennycuff Social Media Coordinators KJ Ryan and Shea Hubbs Online Web Master Aaron Strain Editorial cartoonist Kristin Anguiano Staff members Samarah Bailey, Emily Branson, Jake Brown, Rachel Lyons, Bre Rogers, KJ Ryan, Caleb Spencer, Laci Sutton, Leslie Grajeda, Jordan Arheart Adviser Brad Hallier
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.
On the web
Visit our web site at www. hutchcollegian. com Our e-edition can be viewed at www.issuu.com
Social media
Facebook: The Collegian Hutchinson Community College Twitter: @HCC_ Collegian Instagram: the_ hutchinson_ collegian SnapChat: hutch_collegian
Nondiscrimination 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. The following person has been designated to monitor compliance and handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies (www.hutchcc. edu/equity): Jake Gunden, Coordinator of Equity & Compliance 1300 N. Plum Hutchinson, KS 67501 (620) 665-3500 equity@hutchcc. edu
The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, April 3, 2020
We’re All In This Together This week I had a really hard time figuring out what to write about. With the current state of our world, I knew I couldn’t just write my column as if nothing was going on. So I’m going to write about the struggles I’ve encountered, for those who feel alone, like I do sometimes. As the Wildcats of East High say, “we’re all in this together.” When all of the coronavirus talk started, I wasn’t sure how it would affect my daily life, let alone my mental health. First, Hutchinson Community College canceled in-person classes, and I thought that would last a few weeks until things got under control. But then they sent everyone in the dorms home, and I knew that meant I wouldn’t see many of my friends for a while. That’s been one of the hardest parts for me, I finally gathered a group of friends who were good people, and good to me. They became a staple in life if I’m being honest. Such a regular part of my everyday life, just gone. I know they’re just at home and being safe by social
Columnist
Emily Fehrman distancing, but this all still sucks. Not to mention just how isolating this has all been. I know that’s the point, but being alone this much isn’t good for anyone. I have two roommates but they both have essential jobs, and therefore, I don’t see them much. My mental health has been declining at a slow rate, and yet I’ve already thought about chopping my hair to shoulder length (it’s currently so long it touches the top of my jeans)
… so maybe it’s going faster than I originally thought. On top of that, jobs aren’t readily available due to shops closing their doors and firing people, or they aren’t looking to expand their staff right now. All with good reason, but it’s still all just so frustrating. If everyone would just practice social distancing and self isolating, then this pandemic could be over much sooner than expected. All those kids who still went on spring break trips have made me lose some hope in the generation. I’m not sure if my mental health will make it to August, if I’m gonna be honest. But it is what it is. Everyone stay safe and stay home as much as possible if you can. And wash your damn hands! Emily Fehrman is a Pretty Prairie sophomore studyingJournalism. She is the Opinion Page Editor.
The world will be normal again, but will I? I found out the news of Hutchinson Community College halting face-to-face classes due to the coronavirus on Sunday with everyone else. I was spending time with someone I care about when the message was sent, and it bummed me out. But I pushed it off for the night and just searched for more information through news sites. I didn’t fully feel the sadness of it all until Tuesday night. Brad Hallier isn’t just a teacher. He’s someone who’s always there for his students and has always been there for me. I would be lost as the Editor In Chief if Brad wasn’t leading me to success. He has pushed me further in a leadership role than I ever thought possible. For example, without him, I wouldn’t have had the courage to publish my suicide experience column. Now, this big goof (Brad, I mean) started a Twitter thread about how much he’s going to miss each person in the newspaper staff. Then he started a Twitter DM with all of the staff and proceeded to make the tears fall harder. But it wasn’t just Brad making
me emotional. All of the newspaper it every week and it made the stress staff started to share how much worth it. they are going to miss each other. It’s not fair. Coronavirus has We are a family and they can’t screwed us all over and it keeps believe our time together this year getting worse. The newspaper is is up. a part of me. I spend I drove home a lot of time working that night and sat on it, caring about it, in my pickup truck writing for it, designreading through ing it, preparing it, everyone’s mesand marketing it. It’s sages. That’s when my baby. Now I’m I broke down. I finding out that I’m haven’t sobbed that not able to have the hard since I put out experience of workmy suicide article. ing with my staff This stupid virus on it like we used Tabitha Barr is not only ruining to. Being told that my plans, but it’s my last semester of ruining my time with my newsbeing Editor In Chief is basipaper family. As Editor In Chief, cally thrown away is absolutely these are my people; this is my heart-wrenching. family; I love these people more I have put my heart and soul into than ever. The Hutchinson Collegian. I hurt. I don’t want to leave them just I’m in pain. I want my life back. yet. I’m an awkward individual, I want my last year at Hutchinson and I make a lot of stupid jokes, but Community College to be normal. I care about all of them. They’re Ever since the world has been not just staff members, they’re my self-quarantining, I’ve felt nothing friends, my family. I can’t believe but emptiness. I feel nothing a lot there won’t be another Wednesday of the time. full of rowdy people that tease and My mental health has been love each other. I looked forward to straddling good and bad for a
Columnist
while now, but this has tipped it into the lower end. There are times in the day where I can’t move. I can’t even watch a YouTube video because I don’t have the effort to open my phone and pick a video. I just sit and stare at the ceiling because I feel nothing. I’ve been trying to stay strong for my family, friends and for my newspaper family. But I’m running out of fake masks and tissues. I’m exhausted. I know this will get better. That eventually things will go back to normal and I’ll be okay. But right now I can’t understand my mix of emotions. What I do know is that I’m hurting. I hate isolation when it’s not my choice because my mental health is plummeting. I know that the world will return to normal, but I don’t know if I ever will.
Tabitha Barr is a Nickerson sophomore studying Media Communications and Production. She is The Collegian Editor In Chief.
A new meaning for seasonal depression Imagine this... you’ve just been handed the most delicious-looking ice cream cone you have ever seen. It’s a double-dip cone with your favorite flavors, topped with gooey caramel and sprinkles. Of course, you must also imagine a juicy cherry on top. You have been looking forward to this ice cream cone for a long time - perhaps you had been anticipating this heavenly treat as part of a birthday tradition of some sort. Now, imagine a giant bird flies above you and snatches the dessert right as you’re about to get your first taste, then drops in on the ground directly in front of you. Then a kid on a bike pedals by and runs straight over it. This heart-wrenching scenario is only a slight fraction of what it felt like when I was told the Hutchinson Community College softball season was canceled because of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. Our team has improved immensely since the fall season - mostly due to our amazing chemistry. We were not even halfway through the season, and yet we beat a team (Butler) that we haven’t defeated since 2006, broken the stolen base record (shoutout to Lexi Williams with 28 stolen bases) and in
our first conference doubleheader, we beat Colby by 21 runs. I wish I could capitalize numbers. This is how I relate the ice cream to being so scrumptious - the delectable caramel, the tasty
Columnist
Bailey Pennycuff sprinkles. This is how our team is. Taylor Ullery’s clutch home runs - top-tier cherry. Maryssa Rollin’s whopping 32 RBIs without a doubt, is better than the crunchy cone. Natalie Bevan’s hacky-sack skills - incomparable to even the best flavor of ice cream in the world (mint chocolate chip, of course). Our dugout’s continuous intensity - better than any ice cream cone could make anyone feel.
The potential of this team was insane. We could have made history. Usually, I like to look at the positive side of everything. However, social media isn’t helping. The world is shutting down quicker than I could have imagined. My heart aches for the athletes around the world whose careers were so abruptly ruined. I can’t even wrap my brain around what I would be feeling if I was a senior at Augusta High School again. Maybe I would have never won the Class 4A State Championship in softball. Or what if I was a sophomore this year… the last at-bat of my life would have really been a roll-over groundout to the second baseman. Within all of this madness, at least we know no spring sport college-athlete will be charged for this year’s participation. Meaning we get another year of eligibility. Perhaps, maybe we could buy another ice cream cone.
Bailey Pennycuff is an Augusta freshman studying Pre-Dental Hygene. She is the Co-Sports Editor, and an outfielder for the softball team.
The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, April 3, 2020
Campus
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Puzzles
Photo by Kenneth Ryan/Collegian Hutchinson Community College student Jordan Arheart sorts through loaves of bread before stocking shelves at the Dillons Marketplace.
Working students deal with much uncertainty By Emily Branson Staff writer
With the world being in the middle of a pandemic, there is no doubt that students are left in a panic. Classes are canceling or switching to online formats, residence halls are closing for the semester, and some students are losing their jobs. With the majority of business temporarily closing or shortening their hours, several students at Hutchinson Community College and colleges across the country have found themselves in the middle of a crisis, and without an income. Clearwater freshman Caitlyn Johnson was recently laid off from her job at Carriage Crossing in Yoder. This lay off came as a shock to Johnson, as she had only heard rumors of it occurring. “It had been talked about and a rumor was going around,” Johnson said. “I didn’t think it would actually happen.” Some workplaces have offered compensation during this time of hardship. Compensation could be for a number of weeks, or at least until employees have found an alternative answer. For Johnson, that is not the case. “We are not being compensated at this time,” Johnson said. “They’ve told us ways to file for unemployment but that’s about it. Once this all passes, we will go back to the normal schedule and if we want to go back, they will gladly take us back. ” Being a college student with bills to pay and rent due, it is incredibly hard to imagine your only source of income being taken away without any warning. With no telling of how long this hardship will last, the only option for most
Sports
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fall is the continuation of me playing the best golf I can, to get the best results that I can, as well as always trying to better myself to be able to be in the three or four years time,” sophomore golfer Charlie Crockett said. As far as using the extra year of eligibility, many athletes are faced with a difficult choice as to what they should do for the coming year. Wilson says she doesn’t know where she will be next year but says, “I do plan on using the extra year.” Baseball coach Ryan Schmidt had advice for student-athletes, as far as what they should take care of first during the time away. “We can’t lose sight of our academic responsibility,” Schmidt said. “If we can play summer ball that’s great, but we need to finish this semester academically first.” Softball coach Jaime Rose also mentions academics when looking to the
students is to apply for another job and hope that they can make it work. “I am currently applying to other jobs in hopes that I can get another income,” Johnson said. “ I need to pay for my rent and bills.” Halstead freshman Faith Gruhle is on the other side of this spectrum, however. Gruhle works in a long-term care facility. At her job, the need for healthy employees is crucial and desperately needed. The facility has needed to implement more precautions and take extreme measures to ensure the health and well-being of all residents and employees. “Before COVID-19 made it into the US, they didn’t do anything for these kinds of precautions,” Gruhle said. “Now that there have been more cases in Kansas, they have cracked down and we have to have our temperature taken once we go in to work and no one is allowed closer than six feet of each other.” These precautions have helped keep the virus out of the facility but have added more stress for the employees. “We can only have limited people in the dining rooms,” Gruhle said. “There aren’t any more activities going on so people aren’t as entertained and in general, it’s stressing out all workers and residents.” At the end of the day, healthcare workers know that they are protecting people’s lives by keeping themselves healthy and taking on extra duties at their places of employment. “We are putting ourselves on the front lines of this virus,” Gruhle said. “We can’t just go home. We have to stay there and take care of them no matter what. It’s risking ourselves.” future and well being of student-athletes. “Our plan going forward is to do the things we would normally do,” Rose said. “We will obviously have to adapt some of those things along the way. Finding ways to help our athletes from a distance both academically and athletically is our No. 1 priority.” A future without the COVID-19 pandemic seems distant for many athletes and coaches, but there is still hope in the tightly-woven athletic community at HutchCC. The loss of a season can be heart wrenching, but athletes must stay strong and look to a better future, one day at a time. “Obviously, we were heartbroken, just like every player and coach in America, but we understand why it had to happen,” Rose said. “I think Bonnie Tholl, assistant coach at the University of Michigan, said it best. ‘It may not have been their choice, but sacrificing their season could be the single finest moment in their collegiate careers - possibly saving a life. Perspective is difficult so soon, but it can help in reframing the heartache.’”
Classes continue, as does on-campus help By Emily Branson Staff writer
For students at Hutchinson Community College, the abrupt transition from face-to-face classes to online classes has been life-altering. Students did not have much of a warning before classes were canceled, leaving them feeling unsure of how their classes would continue after spring break. For Sedgwick freshman Lucas Vandegrift, the majority of his welding classes cannot be taken online, like many other classes at HutchCC. “I take mainly face-to-face classes,” Vandegrift said. “Those require me to physically be there and weld material.” With the entire state, and many parts of the country, limited to no more than 10 people gathering in one location, having face-to-face classes is challenging. However, during this transition, HutchCC instructors have been working diligently to determine how they will finish classes for this semester. “From the emails I’ve received from my instructor, Greg Siepert, I was told that he’s trying to set up a time where a 10-person class can come in and work,” Vandegrift said. “(Siepert) works his tail off for us and we’re all gonna do our best with whatever the verdict comes to.” While Vandegrift and many other students are willing to be flexible in the coming weeks, it doesn’t take away the feeling of uncertainty at this time. “From my own outlook on this, it sucks,” Vandegrift said. “They could have us not being able to go back in at all. The first thing that came to my mind was ‘Are they going to refund?’. I’m not sure the welding classes are the most expensive but they do cost a pretty penny.” With all of the changes being
thrown around, students are trying their best to be understanding and adaptable in such an unprecedented time. “I’m anxiously waiting for an answer and trying to stay fluid with all these changes,” Vandegrift said. For all students at HutchCC, regardless of what their current class schedule looks like, Rimmer still has plenty of resources for tutoring. “We are offering as many services remotely as possible,” Brad Fenwick, Director of Rimmer support services, said. “We continue to offer all services on campus.” To help all students, Rimmer is offering online, face-to-face, and Zoom tutoring. All face-to-face tutoring will be conducted with social distancing guidelines. “Students just need to contact us to set up a time to meet with a tutor and we will connect remotely to anyone who doesn’t want to come onto campus,” Fenwick said. “Additionally, we can answer questions via email.” With a plentiful amount of resources available, it is crucial that students utilize these options to continue to be successful in this new way of learning. “We recommend that students stay active in their classes, stay in contact with their instructors, and get in touch with the staff in Rimmer as often as possible,” Fenwick said. “We will do everything we can to help everyone learn their material and be successful in their classes, and we can often offer tips along the way that will help you make the most of your virtual learning.” Visit www1.hutchcc.edu/administration/rimmer-learning-resource-center/ or email tutors@hutchcc.edu for more information
The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, April 3 , 2020
Sports
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Feeling the impact of COVID-19
Photo by Bre Rogers/HutchCC Sports Information Baseball player Drew Reetz slaps hands with Hutchinson Community College baseball coach Ryan Schmidt after hitting a home run against Coffeyville.
Spring sports canceled because of coronavirus By Sam Bailey and Jake Brown Staff Writers
The year 2020 has already engraved itself in memories forever, and the world has only seen three months of the year. With the latest news of spring sports being cancelled worldwide, the NJCAA was left to decide the fate of thousands of athletes across the nation. The cancellations of the spring seasons left athletes at Hutchinson Community College feeling the impact of COVID-19. “It sucks, spring is a great time to self evaluate for the upcoming season … I am bothered by not playing football right now,” freshman football player Kingsley Ugwu said. Football wasn’t the only sport feeling the impact of the loss of a season. While basketball was able to play the majority of their season, they were robbed of arguably the most important time of the year. “It’s upsetting that we put so much hard work into having a great season and we don’t have the chance to play for the national championship,” said freshman women’s basketball player, Presley Barton. While football got lost their spring season and basketball got the promise of a chance to win a national championship stolen, some sports didn’t get that lucky. Softball, baseball, outdoor track and field, and golf all got their seasons torn away from them when the announcement went out that all athletic events were to be suspended for the remainder of the season. “Like all the other spring sports, the golf team and myself were extremely disappointed with having our season cut short because of what is going on with the pandemic. We may have had the best team we have ever had at HutchCC in my 20 years,” said Blue Dragons golf coach Chris Young.
Photo by Bre Rogers/HutchCC Sports Information Hutchinson Community College’s Sadie Loney pitches during a game against Northern Oklahoma-Enid at Fun Valley Sports Complex.
Along with golf, the Blue Dragon’s softball team was having a promising year that was ripped away from them. They were 18-6 and owned a rare win against perennial power Butler. “I am really sad that our season got taken away, because this is one of the best teams I have ever been on,” sophomore softball player Ashley Wilson said. “I had so much fun with all the girls. It is more than just softball.” On March 13, the NJCAA gave spring athletes a light at the end of this dark tunnel. They announced
they will not charge spring sport athletes a year of eligibility due to the coronavirus. The NAIA and NCAA have followed with similar announcements. Spring athletes had what were some of their safe spaces ripped away from them in a time of darkness and confusion, but at least they will be able to work toward their next year of eligibility, knowing that this year wasn’t forfeited. “In terms of what we can see for me this coming See Sports, Page 3
Heartbreak for HutchCC women By Adam Kolb Co-Sports Editor
Due to the rising spread of COVID-19 or Coronavirus, sports all around the world are cancelling or postponing their seasons, which means the Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball teams season has come to an abrupt end. It was announced early-March that the NJCAA Divsion 1 Men’s and Women’s basketball tournaments would be postponed until April 20. However, just four days after the postponement was set, the NJCAA decided to cancel all spring competition and unfinished winter sports championships, following the advice of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, to make sure to keep everyone safe in these tough and confusing times. “It’s been something we’ve never experienced,” said Blue Dragon head coach John Ontjes. “It’s been difficult.” The Blue Dragons finished the season with a 28-4 record and were the 12th seeded team in the 24 team tournament. They had a date set to play 21st seeded Tyler Junior College at 12:30 p.m. on March 17, in Lubbock, Texas before the cancellations took place. “I’m just disappointed for our players,” Ontjes said. While it is disappointing for all players, the level of
heartbreak is felt even more by the sophomore players, including Abby Ogle. “I wasn’t shocked by the news of the tournament being cancelled, but I was very sad that that was the end of our season,” Ogle said. “We were ready to play at nationals and really thought we could make a run at nationals.” Despite the unfortunate events that Ogle has endured in the last week, there are still happy memories to look back on from her time as a basketball player at HuthCC. “Some of my best memories at Hutch were from nationals last year right after we won our game to make it into nationals, and we were celebrating in the locker room with coaches,” Ogle said. “But my favorite one from this year is when we beat Seward for the second time and won the conference.” Ogle is one of five sophomores whose season was cut short. Brooklyn Betham, Lauryn Mapasua, Sasha Francis, and Makayla Vannet were the other players who had usetting ends to the season. “I’ll miss the competitiveness they bring and (their) maturity,” Ontjes said. Even though their season may have been cut short, the memories they have made here at HutchCC will always live on.
Photo by Nathan Addis/HutchCC Sports Information Abby Ogle dribbling the ball in a game at the Sports Arena.