May 9, 2009 Crusader Graduation

CRUSADERSeward County Community College • Special Section • May 2009

GraduatesGraduating

Students, MajorsPages 2-14

FeaturesA Look at Students’

LifestylesPages 2-13

HonorsStudents/Instructors

RecognizedPage 14

ScheduleGraduationSchedulesPage 16

NationalsTennis, Softball andSIFE go to Nationals

Page 15

CRUSADER SPECIAL2 May 2009GRADUATION

Will RectorCrusader staff

Jacob Riggs went from being a Liberal Redskin toa Seward County Saint. Now, after two years at thecollege he will graduation May 9 with an Associateof Arts degree.Many words can be used to describe what Riggs islike: calm, quiet, friendly, laid back, and funny areused often.Calm and quiet definitely explain how Riggs wasable to win the Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournamentduring the 2009 homecoming festivities.“Winning the poker tournament is definitely one ofmy favorite memories because there were a lot of peo-ple playing, and I won a flat screen TV,” Riggs said.Another characteristic of Riggs is being able toadapt. He has changed his major since starting atSCCC.“I started off as a communications major,” Riggssaid. “This year I took a night class in graphic design,and I really enjoyed it. It helped me to discover anopportunity to do something that I had not thoughtof doing, so I switched my major.” His interest ingraphic design has opened up a new world for Riggs.Outgoing could be added to his list of traits, as heis a part of the Singing Saints Choir, the treasurer of

the Kylix art club, and is the secretary of HALO.“I have had a lot of fun getting to know people byparticipating in the choir, Kylix, and HALO,” Riggssaid. Riggs and his best friend Sergio Padilla alsoplay music together just to pass the time.“In our free time we like to just hang out, playvideo games and write songs,” Padilla said. “Ourfreshman year over Christmas break, we playedXboxevery night until three or four in the morning.”“I like to hang out with my friends,” Riggs said. “Ialso like to sleep.”The word adventurous comes to mind, as well asfunny, when Riggs and Padilla describe a trip that thechoir took to New York City.“We were in New York City, and we had just beento the Empire State Building. We wanted to seeGroundZero because we were leaving the next day, sowe rushed over to see it. We ended up having to takea bunch of different subways to make it across thecity to make it back in time for curfew, it was crazy,”Riggs said, while laughing and remembering the tripwith Padilla.Riggs will leave Liberal to go to Wichita StateUniversity to continue his education and to worktoward a bachelor's degree in graphic design.

Graduation 2009

Crusader photos/ Morgan Allaman & Logan Green

Jacob Riggs helps with instructions during Children’s Art Day sponsoredby Kylix art club. At right, Riggs works in the art studio on campus.

Graphic design opens new world

“It helped me to discover anopportunity to do something that Ihad not thought of doing.”

— Jacob RiggsAssociate of Arts, Graphic Design

As each student walks across thestage to receive a diploma, thegraduation attire is symbolic ofsuccess.The tassel is the best representa-tion of this. Each strand is sym-bolic of the journey with gradua-tion.The strands could represent theclasses they have taken, theinstructors who have helped them,

the peers who have assisted themin classes, or the memories thatthey have made.While each individual strandmay seem insignificant on itsown, together they make the mostsignificant piece of the attire.As the graduates dress with thecap, gown and tassel, along withany honor cords or stoles earned,they are completing the college

experience and preparing for thenext step.Some will head to other academ-ic institutions while others willenter the workforce, though theywill they will always be connectedby the graduation ceremony theyhave shared.Graduation is the celebration ofthe accomplishments they haveachieved.

In this issue, traditional gradua-tion attire is highlighted, alongwith 12 graduates of the Class of2009.While each graduate is importantand has a story to tell, the follow-ing is a selection of some of thestories of Seward CountyCommunity College/ AreaTechnical School graduates.

Jacob RiggsJacob Riggs

CRUSADER SPECIALMay 2009 3GRADUATION

Travis ParkerTravis ParkerTanner WoodsCrusader staff

In a world that shows more andmore athletes getting into trouble,it is always nice to hear an occa-sional story about an athletepraised for his character rather thannews showing the lack thereof.Sophomore Saint baseball play-

er Travis Parker is one of thosestories.While most character stories

written about an athlete arereserved for the not-so-famous or“under-appreciated” player whosometimes falls under the public’sradar, this isn’t the case for Parker.Parker put himself in the Seward

County record books as the Saintsall-time single-season saves leaderas a pitcher and leads the team inseveral offensive statistical cate-gories.He is a native of Lincoln, Neb.,

who transferred to Seward afterplaying a year at Kansas CityKansas Community College.Parker has been a big addition to

the Saints program, according toHead Coach Galen McSpadden.“It takes three bones to complete

a person, a wishbone, a backbone,and a funny bone. He has given

the backbone,” McSpadden said ofParker and this year’s Saints.McSpadden sees that Parker’s

profile stretches farther than hisperformance on the baseball field.“He is a good person,”

McSpadden said. “He is a personof character instead of a character.”When describing Parker, disci-

pline, intelligence, respect for oth-ers and pride in how he does thingswere all qualities McSpadden cred-ited Parker with having.

Parker gives credit to his parentsfor teaching him how to act andteaching him to respect everybody.Praise from coaches is one thing

but to receive respect from a team-mate is usually even more reward-ing.Sophomore outfielder Austin

Vanderwork had nothing but goodthings to say about Parker.Vanderwork said Parker is hard-

working andwoulddo anything fora teammate.

Vanderwork continued thatParker is a guy who would take theclothes off of his back if he sawsomeone needed clothing.“Loyalty to this team,”

Vanderwork said when asked aboutreasons he respected Parker. “If itcame down to him not playing andsomebody playing in front of him,he would do that.”Loyalty is a quality that is

important to Parker anda big thinghe looks for in friends.Parker believes loyalty is “doing

anything for somebody you knowthey would do for you.”This past Monday, Parker again

came up big for the Saints, help-ing the team advance to the RegionVI tournament.However, if someone were to

talk to Parker after the game theywouldnot have even known he hadjust struck out the final batter withthe bases loaded in a one-run gamegiving him his second save of theday.Being humble wasn’t on the list

of qualities Coach McSpaddentalked about, but those who knowParker best would probably add it.

Pitcher brings character to all-time college record

Crusader photo/ Alma Hidalgo & Shelby Rundell

Travis Parker pulls ropes as he participates in the mechanical bull eventat Dorm Palooza. Left, Parker plays third base against Hutchinson.

SCCC/ATSCandidates for

Graduation

“It takes three bones to completea person, a wishbone, a backbone,and a funny bone. He has given thebackbone.”

— Coach Galen McSpaddenabout Travis Parker

Associate of Arts,Liberal Arts

Associate of ArtsGloria AguilarLarissa ArnoldCourtney AugerSeth AustinBrenda BorregoRaegan BroadieNicole BurkeyIlse CambronAngie ChaconCorey CollinsJuanita ContrerasBailey CrandallHaley CrosierRobert DoranFlor GalindoJustin GilmoreKatelyn GlennGabrielle HallAlma HidalgoLana HittleMikel Huston Jr.Melissa IsaacVictoria JacobE. Jimenez-SianezDaniel JohnsonKade KaukAmanda KempkeCrystal KiehlJessica KochVesta KunselmanElisa LabraStephanie LeeStephanie LopezRachel McDonaldTasia McEntireMichelle McNabbZachary MillerJosie MolinaKeegan MorrowSergio Padilla IIITravis ParkerJames PowellJacob RiggsVannessa Simmons

Chelsi ValdezEditor

When a city girl from Houston,Texas, moves to a small south-west Kansas town, there can bequite a culture shock, but LaNellTaylor feels right at home, thanksto the people she’s come to knowduring her time in Liberal.“It’s the people,” Taylor said.

“The people are great.”One of those people who have

made Taylor’s time at SCCC/ATS so enjoyable is head basket-ball coach Toby Wynn.Coach Wynn believes that

Taylor’s time at the college hasmade her a better all around basket-ball player. Wynn describes Tayloras vibrant and fun and said she hasa good spirit.Wynn also described Taylor as

artistic andmusical, both of whichare words that aren’t necessarilyalways used to describe a basket-ball player.“She’s very artistic and loves

music,” Wynn said.Taylor’s love of music is evident

when she talks about a musicalgroup she was part of before leav-ing Houston. She rapped in thegroup and they even released a CD.When Taylor came to Seward,

she had to leave her rapping careerbehind for a career in basketball,which has worked out well so far.She has become a well-rounded

player, improving both her shoot-ing and ball handling skills. Atthe end of her sophomore season,Taylor was averaging 9.3 pointsper game and had a total of 67

rebounds for the season. She shot63 percent from the free throwline and 35 percent from the three-point arc. She is planning totake her skills to Division IUniversity of Texas in Arlington.Not only is she a musician and

an outstanding basketball player,she is also an Resident Assistantin the Student Living Center anda student ambassador for the col-lege. Both are titles that requirebeing in good standing and repre-senting the college in a good

manner, Taylor does these thingswith no problem.Taylor will graduate from

SCCC/ ATS with an associatedegree in liberal arts. She is a psy-chology major and plans to get hermasters. She also plans to eventu-ally teach in a high school orbecome a counselor, howeverTaylor’s career in basketball isn’tcompletely out of the question.“I obviously love to play bas-

ketball,” Taylor said. “If an oppor-tunity presents itself for me tocontinue my basketball career Iwould definitely do that.”Taylor feels as if she has grown

up, thanks to her experiences whileat SCCC/ ATS. She came toSeward to play basketball for theLady Saints and after graduationwill go back to Texas to play bas-ketball at the University of Texasin Arlington, all grown up.

“I came here as a kid and I’mleaving as a young woman,”Taylor said.

CRUSADER SPECIAL4 May 2009GRADUATIONGraduation

Cap &Gown

GraduationCap &Gown

Lady Saint leaves SC for Division I collegeThe graduationcap and gowncombination hasbeen around, inone form oranother, since the1300s. However,it wasn’t until1893 that asystem of gownstyle, cut, fabric,coordinatingaccessories andcolors weredeveloped todesignatedifferent types ofdegrees, fields ofstudy and collegecolors.

“I came here as a kid and I’m leavingas a young woman.”

— LaNell TaylorAssociate of Arts, Psychology

LaNell TaylorLaNell Taylor

LaNell Taylor,far left, partici-pates in thewhiffle ballhomerun derbyduring DormPalooza at theStudent LivingCenter. Taylor,at left, is amember of theLady Saintsbasketballteam. She willleave SCCC/ATS after grad-uation to playfor theUniversity ofTexas inArlington.During her timeat SewardCounty, Taylorhas been a stu-dent ambas-sador and aResidentAssistant in thedorms.

Crusader photos/Shelby RundellChelsi Valdez


Alyse OwnbeyAlyse OwnbeyAssociate of Arts

Abby SlederEmily SlempLaNell TaylorAustin TerhuneChelsi ValdezTanner WoodsLa Von WrightVioletta BrownJamie GilbertAlicia Gonzales

Associate ofApplied Science /Accounting

Lisa FehrSamantha Shepard

AAS / AccountingTechnician

Billie AdkisonAAS / AdvancedNursing

Kacie AbbottRonni AndersonSheila BryanNayeli BustillosErica ButlerSusan ButterfieldAlva DeLaTorreHeather FiggerAshley KnierJennifer LeonardValarie MusgraveCrystal OlivarezNancy OrtizLucia RamirezLila ReyesElsa SanchezNorma SanchezKaren ScottJamee SewellRejeena ThundiyilTeresa ToscanoAna TrejoShayla WeatherbyCindy Zapien

Crusader photo/Logan Green

Cosmetology student Alyse Ownbey trims Academic Acheivement Center assistant Pam Freeman’s hair recently at the SCCC/ATS hair salon.

Cosmetology student makes the final cutLogan GreenCrusader staff

When it’s time for a haircut, one choice inLiberal is very affordable. The cosmetology stu-dents offers a haircut and style for $6.In one comfortable chair in the cosmetologyhair salon, customers talk to a blonde (who issometimes brunette) as she snips away at theirhair.Although many hair stylists act like they arelistening, customers note that this one actuallyseems to care.That’s because she does.Alyse Ownbey, who will graduate with a cos-metology certificate this spring, has been livingout her dream as a hair stylist as as she finish-es the cosmetology program.Ownbey usually spends her time at this sec-tion of the college, improving her skills. She isalso a lifeguard for theWellness Center on cam-pus.She was so busy that at the beginning of theschool year, she and her roommate didn’t meetfor two weeks.Ownbey is a bubbly girl who just likes tolaugh. She grew up in the small town ofCampo, Colo., with five people in her graduat-ing class, with her being the only girl in hergrade.Ownbey has always been popular among

friends for her talent in styling and cutting hair.When she was in high school, she helped dohair for proms, even after she was dressed in herprom dress. Her senior year of high school shestyled six girls’ hair in addition to her own.Shewent back to her hometown this year to do hairfor prom as well.In the dorms, people also ask her to do theirhair.Ownbey usually doesn’t watch much TV,

and if she does, she has it scheduled out: CMTin the morning and Lifetime at night.Because of living in a small town, with apopulation of less than 200, Ownbey likes togo to different cities, and make new friends.

Roommate Jessica Lulf said“whenever we goout she seems to have a connection to every-one.”All this works well with Ownbey’s love forroad trips, and spur of the moment decisions,like a time that she and Lulf decided to travel toHays at midnight.Ownbey graduated at the top of her class, asvaledictorian at Campo High School, whichshe protests to not being worthy of, showingher humbleness. Along with modesty, Ownbeyis a giving person. Lulf recalled a time whenOwnbey’s cosmetology friend Megan Nickelcouldn’t drive her car to Turpin, Okla., becauseof a broken headlight, and Ownbey let Nickeluse her new car.Ownbey has always handled responsibilitiesshe’s been given well, and because of her lead-ership experience in high school, does whatever is given to her professionally. Growing upin such a small town, Alyse and her sister,Paige, have both regarded each other as bestfriends, and do most things together. In twowords, Paige describes Alyse as “outgoing” and“smiley” and that her favorite thing about Alyseis “that she is always smiling.”Alyse plans to move on and go to college atWest Texas A&M University in Canyon,Texas, to achieve a major in business.At some point in the future, she plans toopen a spa, using her degrees to her advantage.

“We get to hear every-thing. For an hour theysit in our chair andshare details of theirlives.”

— Alyse OwnbeyCertification, Cosmetology

Candidates for

Graduation

Tanner Woods, age8, pitches for theWeatherford Eaglesin peewee base-ball.

CRUSADER SPECIAL6 May 2009GRADUATIONAcademic

HoodAcademic

Hood

AcademicHoods areblack, madefrom the samefabric as thegown. They varyin lengthdepending onthe degree fromthree feet tofour feet, andthe doctoralhood is wider.They are linedwith college oruniversity col-ors. They aremade to drapearound thewearer’s neckand shouldersso that the larg-er portionhangs down thewearer’s back.Some hoodshave a velvetlining to signifythe degree ofthe wearer.

Morgan AllamanNews editor

Tanner Woods was helping coach hisdad’s basketball team at a summer teamcamp last summer at Seward CountyCommunity College when his cousin,Toby Wynn, the Lady Saints basketballcoach, told him he should try out toplay baseball at Seward.Although Tanner hadn’t played base-

ball in two years, his cousin sawpromise in him.“He’s just a good student of the

game,” Wynn said. Whatever sportshe’s been involved in, he spends timestudying all the little details and thingsthat are important.Currently, Tanner is the catcher for

the Saints baseball team, and hebelieves it was in God’s plan for him toend up here.“It was really a chance thing,” Woods

said. “I call it a God thing. God led mehere and opened up this opportunity.”Woods is an education major who

plans to teach business, journalism orhistory and also coach.Once on campus, Tanner found a

niche as a sports writer for the Crusaderstudent newspaper and enrolled in newswriting classes.His classroom experiences have been

varied. He came to SCCC from WestTexas A&M University with 74 credithours.Tanner was the valedictorian of his

class in his hometown of Follett,Texas.Kristi Woods, Tanner’s mother,

believes Tanner is his biggest critic.“We set the standards, and his stan-

dards for himself were always higher,”Kristi Woods said. “He just has veryhigh expectations for himself. He’s abit of a perfectionist.”At SCCC, Tanner is a finalist for the

WA Shufelberger award, given to amale and female graduate who partici-pates in athletics and have the highestGPA.Tanner also excels at sports.“As soon as he could walk, we knew

he was really coordinated,” KristiWoods said. “From then on, he alwayshad a ball in his hand.”Tanner’s father, Shane Woods, said

when Tanner was younger he never real-

ly understood why the other kids didn’tget the game or were more consumedwith snack time or daisy picking.Tanner was watching major leaguenine-inning baseball games by the ageof 3, and by the time T-ball started, heknew the game inside and out.“I saw him make an unassisted triple

play in T-ball,” Shane said. “He caughta line drive, touched second and firstwhile the other kids couldn’t figure outwhat they doing.”By age 4, Tanner had discovered

ESPN’s Sports Center. Through thewonder years, to follow, Tanner playedbaseball, basketball, soccer, and foot-ball.In high school, Tanner was one of

two people in the state of Texas to everobtain 10,000 yards of total offense intheir high school career in 6-man foot-ball, andhe was inducted into the sportshall of fame for it. He was also an all-state player in football, basketball andbaseball.After high school, Tanner played

football as an inside receiver atWTAMU.Tanner’s girlfriend, Ashley Arnall,

believes Tanner credits his hardwork tohis passion for the Lord.“He works harder than anyone I have

ever met,” Arnall said. “But moreimportantly I think why Tan has beenso successful is because he alwaysgives the glory to God. He knows thatGod has given him the ability, and theleast he can do is let everyone elseknow that.”Although Tanner has had much suc-

cess at SCCC, he doesn’t consider hissuccess an achievement.“I don’t know that I ever look at

those things as achievements,” Tannersaid. “I think I’ve been given the abili-ty to do things like that and I think thatif the Lord gives you those kinds ofabilities and talents, you should usethem—whatever that may be.”Woods is not yet sure of his plans for

next year, but hopes that God will takehim in the right direction. He stillwould like to play baseball somewhere,but he is still waiting for an opportuni-ty.“God is in control. Wherever he leads

me, I will go,” Woods said.

Tanner WoodsTanner Woods

Crusader photo/Shelby Rundell

Saints baseball catcher Tanner Woods joins activities out-side the Student Living Center at Dorm PaloozaWednesday.

“I call it a God thing. God ledme here and opened

up this opportunity.”— Tanner Woods

Associate of Arts, Education

Christian student a nice catch

Courtesy photo

James McElvaniaOnline editor

In the early part of Decemberof 2008, Virginia Loewen cameto the college weekdays as a stu-dent, but by late December, shecame to SCCC/ATS each day asan employee.“I can’t say

that I imag-ined myselfworking inthis officewhen I firstcame toSCCC,”Loewen saidof herDevelopmentFoundationjob.“I didn’t

really have adefinite planfor after gradu-ation; mygoal was toearn mydegree, andthen go fromthere.”Loewen

began work-ing as a secretary and bookkeep-er with the DevelopmentFoundation when she first cameto Seward County. She is incharge of keeping all of thefinancial records, as well askeeping things organized.The Development Foundation

keeps alumni records, providingfor student scholarship needs andmuch of the funding dealt withon campus.Loewen decided to work for

the Development Foundationafter finishing her associatedegree, simply because it seemedlike the perfect opportunity forher. Working for theDevelopment Foundation right

after graduating allowed Loewento stay in the area that she want-ed to, as well as get a job rightaway.Aside from working for the

college after graduating, she isjust like many other graduates.In her free time she enjoysspending time with her friends,

going bowling,and going to themovies.Loewen is

also veryinvolved withher local church.“I spend quite

a bit of timehelping out withchildren’sSunday School,the churchlibrary, and theyouth group,”Loewen said.While she was

a student atSCCC/ ATS,Loewen was apresidentialscholar and amember of PhiTheta Kappa.“She’s super

intelligent and works really hardto succeed,” said Jenica Moore,Seward County CommunityCollege presidential scholar andgraduate. “She is more thanwilling to help anyone on any-thing at anytime.”“I’ve known her since she was

a student and a presidentialscholar her freshman and sopho-more years,” said Tammy Doll,director of the DevelopmentFoundation.“She’s just really pleasant to

work with,” Doll said. “Whatmore can I say? If I tell every-one how great she is, they’ll tryand steal her away from me.”


Foundation helpsdevelop career

“I didn’t really havea definite plan forafter graduation; mygoal was to earn mydegree, and then go

from there.”— VirginiaLoewen

Associate of Science,Business Administration

VirginiaVirginiaLoewenLoewen

Crusader photo/Jessica Lulf

Virginia Loewen eats ice cream at the All-Staff meeting in the center ofcampus Wednesday. Loewen will walk at graduation, although she com-pleted her degree in December and began working full-time in theDevelopment Foundation office that same month.


Virginia Loewen works at her computer in the Development Foundationoffice on campus. Loewen has been working as a secretary and a book-keeper for the Development Foundation since late December 2008.

Candidates forGraduation

AAS/Auto BodyCollision Repair

Gerarado GutierrezAAS/AutomotiveBusinessManagement

La Von WrightAAS/AutomotiveMechanicsTechnology

Gerarado GutierrezAAS/Business

Yessenia PachecoAAS/BusinessMarketing

Billie AdkisonJessica HitchcockDiana Valverde

AAS/ConstructionTrades

Cheryl RickersAAS/Cosmetology

Ingrid SotoCheryl Valdez

AAS/CriminalJustice

Thomas CashShannan Gehrer

AAS/DraftingTiffany FordAdam FroelichAndrew Morgan

AAS/Heating andAir Conditioning

Susan BoothAAS/IndustrialElectronics

Chris McDanielAAS/MedicalAssistant

Ashley DuncanKimberly LairdKimberly SirokyKayla Wright

Chelsi Valdez has hadmany labels throughouther life—editor, student and one of the mostimportant labels, Mommy.Aside from being the Crusader college news-

paper editor, a full-time student and employee atPayless Shoe Source, Valdez is also the busymother of her 2-year-old son Aiden.She graduated the salutatorian of her Moscow

High School class. Valdez started her foray intothe world of journalism her sophomore year ofhigh school on the staff of Moscow High’spaper, The Cat’s Claw. She went on to becomethe editor-in-chief her senior year.One bonding element to Chelsi’s experience

in high school journalism was her motherMarcie Valdez, who was also her high schoolnewspaper adviser and her English teacher.“My mom was the first person to teach me

how to read and write,” Chelsi said. “Shesparked my interest in journalism.”The feelings are mutual as her mother has

seen Chelsi’s writing evolve over the years.“She’s always been a good writer, but I think

she’s a lot better with details and descriptionsnow,” Marcie said.Another person who noticed Chelsi’s talent

was college newspaper adviser Anita Reed.“I met Chelsi when she first came to the

Xtreme Challenge three years ago,” Reed said.“I saw her writing, and I thought it was reallygood, so when she was enrolling in the summerI talked to her about being on the Crusaderstaff.”Her freshman year at the college, Chelsi was

asked to be the sports editor, an important posi-tion on the Seward County CommunityCollege campus.“When Anita called me and asked me if I

would be the sports editor, I was kind of sur-prised but very excited about the opportunity,”Chelsi said.She proved herself in the position as a fresh-

man and was promoted to editor-in-chief at thestart of her sophomore year.“She became the heir apparent,” Reed said

about Chelsi’s advancement. “Chelsi is fun towork with. She always enters the newspaperoffice with a ‘ta-da’ and she’s really goodat stay-ing calm in the types of stressful situations edi-

tors often face.”None of Chelsi’s success would be possible

without the support of her family, she says,especially that of her mother who has helpedcare for Chelsi’s son. Chelsi also appreciates thecomplete support of her dad, Tom Valdez.“My parents have both been very supportive

of everything I’ve ever been a part of. They bothhelp care for my son andencourage me in every-thing I’m involved in.”Chelsi is one of the many students who com-

mutes to college; however, she had a scare lastspring, when she rolledher car on her way hometo Moscow.“She actually rolled my car,” Marcie said. “I

don’t worry about it, but it was definitely scaryfor a while. A lot of times she puts in a lot ofhours, and she’s there really late, so that’s whenI worry.”Chelsi will graduate with an Associate ofArts

in communications. She will continue her edu-cation in the fall at Wichita State University,where she has applied for an editorial positionon the Sunflower student newspaper.“I can see Chelsi going on to a successful

newspaper or magazine career because, as she’sworking, writing or laying out newspaperpages, she talks about how cool it would be todo this as a job,” Reed said.Chelsi lead the way for a Crusader staff that

won an American Scholastic Press Associationfirst-place award, plus a Silver Medalist awardfrom the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press,and 27 individual awards at state, with six ofthose going to Chelsi for sports news writing,photo essay, interior page design, feature writ-ing, editorial writing and on-site copy-editing.Chelsi’s time at Seward County has been

busy and successful, and graduation day will bea time to celebrate her accomplishments.“Yes, I am excited to see her graduate, she’s

put in a lot of work to get where she is,” Marciesaid.

May 2009 98 CRUSADER SPECIAL GRADUATION

Jose RodriguezEntertainment editor

Juggling is a skill that college students try toturn into a sport, along with multi-tasking andburning the candle at both ends. While manytry to juggle, most never completely master theart.Editors Chelsi Valdez and Jessica Lulf have

been juggling any number of responsibilitiesduring the past two years at Seward County

Community College/ Area Technical School.The Crusader isn’t only the name of the paper

they work on, it is also who they are as indi-viduals—crusaders for the advancement of tech-nology, individual goals, and the well- being ofthe college. These sophomores have not onlyheld editorial responsibilities on the Crusaderstaff at the college but also have been involvedin many other campus activities.

Editors juggle college, jobs,newspaper in busy lifestyle

JessicaLulfJessicaLulf

ChelsiValdez

ChelsiValdez

Candidates for

Graduation

AAS/Medical LabTechnicianDebora HarroldAlaina HeinitzSheila MoffettCallie MosburgMark Waggoner

AAS/RespiratoryTherapyKayla BostonJacci ChavezNicole DeSantosLyndsie FosdickKatrina KlineHeather LefortKrystal MirelesLeah NorrisCalvin NtinikaTimothy PerkinsBrandie SmithDustan Sprowls

AAS/SurgicalTechnologyKarleigh BennettGabriela GrajedaHilda IsidoroLaura Martinez AnayaRebecca Zielke

Associate ofGeneral StudiesTrenton Yeary

Associate ofScienceDiego AbreuAlexander AlmanzaHermelinda AnguianoAbdiel ArevaloClarissa ArteagaBrenda BaezaRocio BaezaCharity BaileySuzie BoschmanRaymond BourneKaren Brown

Matthew BrownRosa CamposAnabel ChavezCristina ChavezDaniela ChavezVeronica CiprianKassandra ColeRosa De LeonJose Del RealCharles DelayAna DominguezJett EderBrenda ErivesKyrie EsareyMelissa FordCedric FranklinLisa FriesenMaria GalanDiana GillLayne GreesonMitchell GroverThiago GuilhermeSherrie HarrisonBrie HeatonMichael HernandezSteven HooksStephannie JonesRockendra KhemrajKasey KruegerEmmanuel LaraAlyssa LarsonSantiago LeonVirginia LoewenLacy LongestJessica LulfJesus ManriquezPhillip MartinezTrenton MartinezIdania MedinaArlette MendezIvan MichelliYates MusgroveChelsea MyersDavid NietoTimothy OchoaAlexie OldsSantos Ornelas

Crusader’s fearless leader moves on

Chelsi Valdez and Jessica Lulfshow off an AssociatedCollegiate Press OnlinePacemaker Award presentedto the Crusader newspaperstaff at a national conventionin Kansas City this fall. Thetwo shared editorial duties,friendship and many sleep-less nights this semester asthey dedicated themselves toworking whatever hours ittook to make the Crusaderthe best that it could be,while they also worked 20-30hours per weeks at otherjobs, carried 18 to 24 credithours at college, made goodgrades, and trying to balancefamily and friends in the mix.

Crusader file photo

Jessica Lulf is always doing something.Whether she is in the Crusader office trying tofinish the newspaper, doing homework, orheading off to her job in the Dillon’s pharma-cy, she rarely has a moment to herself.“I am just like any other college student. I

love my naps but I find that it makes thingsgo faster if I skip them,” Lulf said.She is super involved in campus life. “I

have a hard time saying no,” Lulf said.That trait has gifted Lulf with rich college

experiences. She is not only a Crusader editor,but she is also the Phi Theta Kappa honorsociety president, a member of TRiO, and arepresentative for the Student GovernmentAssociation.Lulf is the oldest of three siblings, so the

role of leader is not new to her.“She was my first born so everything was

new and cute with her,” said her mom, LaurelTruitt.Lulf’s work ethic has been evident for many

years now, according to her mother.“She would like to have everything clean.

She’d stay up until 11 cleaning and sleep inuntil noon. Nothing’s changed; she still lovesto sleep in until noon.”Those times don’t come too often these

days, especially with 24 credit hours and a 20-hour work week. But Lulf perseveres.“I’ve really enjoyed it. I know I did a lot of

things I wouldn’t have been able to do if I hadgone to a four-year university first,” Lulf said.Her newspaper adviser sees Lulf as an orga-

nized team member who knows what’s goingon around campus.“She is so connectedwith so many groups,”

said newspaper adviser Anita Reed. “She's alot of fun to work with. She’s done amazingthings, like breaking all of our advertisingrecords. She has served as ad manager, onlineeditor and finally editor during her two yearshere. She’s smart and she works very hard, soshe’s respected a lot by faculty and staff.”Taking on a lot of responsibility is not new

to Lulf who was also employed last year inthe dean’s office working with Dean ofStudent Services Celeste Donovan and Dale

Reed, the associate dean of education.“She’s a delightful young lady,” Donovan

said. “She is very professional and has a lot ofgreat skills.”Lulf’s work ethic is lauded by faculty mem-

bers and students who notice that she goesabove and beyond in her work.“Her work ethic is exceptional. She’s very

caring about the staff. I was recently at a meet-ing where she did a presentation and she madesure not to take up too much time. She’s verydependable,” Donovan said.Lulf’s many responsibilities have translated

into success beyond the academic level as shewas second runner-up in the Kansas CollegiateJournalist of theYear competition and receivedsecond place in the state in series writing,third place in single ad design and honorablemention in news photography.“The awards show that you not only do

stuff, but you do it well,” Lulf said. “It alsoshows that other people take note and appreci-ate the time you put into your work.”Many students find it hard to stay active in

school andmaintain good grades, but Lulf hasfound a way to balance both.“Some of it is teachers working with me,

but at a certain point it results in some sleep-less nights. I sacrifice time with my friends todo my activities, and they will tell you theyhate the paper because I’m always there.”Lulf will graduate with an associate degree

in business.She will be a pre-pharmacy major at

University of Kansas next fall, and many seeher future as being bright.“I think she’ll be successful in whatever she

wants to do,” Reed said.Lulf wants continue in journalism and has

applied to be on the staff of the UniversityDaily Kansan.Her can-do attitude will likely have her as

busy at KU as she has been at Seward.“She is a great example, she did everything

herself,” Truitt said. “She paid for her carwhile holding a part-time job and still work-ing on the paper. She shows everyone thatyou can do it.”

Associate of Arts,Journalism

Associate of Science,Business

Lulf to continue balancing act at KU

Jessica LulfEditor

Two years ago, when ThiagoGuilherme stepped off the planefrom Brazil, he knew very littleEnglish, he did not have a hostfamily and his knowledge ofLiberal was that it was located inKansas.Guilherme was most worried

about how much English he couldspeak and where he would live. Alocal family, the Brennemans,helped resolve Guilherme’s livingsituation.Unsure of committing to a stu-

dent for an entire school year, theBrenneman’s agreed to hostGuilherme for a couple monthswhile a family was found for himfor the rest of the school year.Things turned out a little differ-

ently than they had planned.Guilherme has stayed with theBrennemans since.“He just fit into our family,”

Rick Brenneman, Guilherme’sAmerican dad said. “He became apart of us so quickly.”

Guilherme is very thankful forthe way things worked out withhis host family.“I thank God everyday for my

American family.”Guilherme came to Liberal to

play basketball for Seward CountyCommunity College/ AreaTechnical School. During hisfreshman year, he was red shirteddue to injuries.This year Guilherme triedout for

the team andmade it. According to

head basketball Coach BrianZollinger, Guilherme played adefensive role for the team thisyear.“He was able to play a role

where he brought a lot of defensivetoughness to our team,” Zollingersaid.Guilherme has also worked at

the cafeteria at the college.“Every time anyone goes to the

cafeteria,Thiago is at the cafeteriato take your money or whatever he

has to do. He’s always got a goodmorning for you. He is alwaysshaking hands and smiling,” Ricksaid. “When people meet Thiago,they meet Thiago.”One aspect Guilherme brings to

the things he does is a positiveoutlook.“I try to make everybody

happy,” Guilherme said. “MyAmerican mom Melissa says I’malways happy, but that’s how itworks.”

Guilherme is graduating fromthe college with an associatedegree in business administration.For next year he has signedwith

Northwestern Oklahoma StateUniversity in Alva, Okla., to playbasketball. The appeal of NWOSUto Guilherme is its closeness toLiberal.“It's close to Liberal so I can

always come home and visit peo-ple from college,” Guilherme said.“Everything worked out quickly. Ithink God wants me to go there.”


Thiago GuilhermeThiago Guilherme

“I don’t know that we could havefound or had a better person in ourhome for the two years.”

— Rick Brennemanabout Thiago Guilherme

Associate of Science, Business Administration

Thiago speaks to the heart of American friends

Crusader photos/Jessica Gonzales

Thiago Guilherme makes playsfor the Saints basketball team.

Courtesy photo

Rick Brenneman, Melissa Brenneman, Thiago Guilherme and Blake Brenneman take a family picture together atthe Saints Athletic Banquet May 1. Guilherme received two standing ovations after giving a speech at the banquet.


GraduationAssociate ofScience

Edlin OrtizJennifer OwensJose PadillaHector PeraltaAmanda PiersonCory RashShaun RiceClaudia RiveroCaio RodriguesElizabeth RohloffSam RuckerCara RussellEthan SchiltzKevin SchultzMackenzie ScottLandy SegerJelena SimicKimberly SirokyWonJae SonValerie StevensAustin VanderworkJuliana Vilas BoasJared WagnerAmi WangNikki WhiteKayLonni WilliamsSean WilliamsFabiola WisneskyChelsea PipkinJessica GokeyCindy MadsenMartin NevarezKristin Holtorf

Certificate/AutoBody CollisionRepair

Ernesto BenitezOctavio GomezTimothy McCulleySkyler McKinleyVietnam NguyenSteven OldsJoshua Pearson


Yates Musgrove

Rustin WattSports editor

An athlete basically all of hislife, Yates Musgrove left the play-ing field after high school to attendSeward County CommunityCollege.Musgrove grew up in Hugoton

and graduated from Hugoton HighSchool. He played football, bas-ketball, and track throughout highschool and was an all district hon-orable mention in both footballand basketball.One of Musgrove’s favorite

memories from high school was asingle baseline play in a basketballgame.“Sophomore year we had a trick

play we named ‘dee-da-dee’ and itwas a baseline play,” Musgrovesaid. “We were playing Leoti and itwas a JV game at that point. I hadtwo quarters with JV I could playbecause I also had to play for var-sity, and we were tied and it wasfourth quarter. We had it on thebaseline and the play was, I sprintout and dive on my stomach andstart barking like a dog, then we’dthrow it in and cash a three.Everybody looked, and they threwit in to my teammate who missed

the three, so I went in and rebound-ed it and put it up for a two-point-er. We got ahead but after that, theother team was just kind of moral-ly defeated. They just couldn’t doanything. We jumped out about15-points on them after that. Thatwas pretty fun.”Musgrove got offers to play

football but most of the placeswere too far away or too expen-sive. SewardCounty was where hefound home after deciding he’d liketo stay close to home and near hismother, Pam Musgrove.He was going to attend Seward

on a presidential scholarship, butthat fell through. However anotheropportunity presented itself in theform of a sports medicine scholar-ship. Musgrove was already usedto being around injuries since hismother is an RN. This is wheremany SewardCounty alumni havegotten to know Musgrove outsideof the classroom.From being an athlete in high

school Musgrove knew whatmany athletes feel and think andbrought that into the trainers’room.“I do what I have to do to keep

them playing,” Musgrove said. “I

don’t really follow the guidelinebook all the time.“I remember being there. I’ve

had a lot of injuries where I didn’tget treatment and played throughit, so I know that kind of mentali-ty. A lot of athletes will get hurt,but don’t want to sit out. I do whatI can to make it safe for them toplay. At least safer than what itwas.”Being around his mother has

impactedMusgrove in becoming atrainer and also going to KansasState University for pre-med.Musgrove isn’t sure what area hewants to really focus on but islooking into radiology.Not only has Musgrove got

some medical background from hismom but also from being the aver-age daredevil child. One ofMusgrove’s favorite things as achild was playing with friends andsometimes what seems like a goodor funny idea goes sour.“I played with my friends a lot

andwoundup in the hospital a fewtimes as a child,”Musgrove admit-ted.Musgrove’s mother Pam realized

something about him at youngage.

“I just don’t think he really real-ized danger or cared about doingsomething that may be dangerous;he was a pretty fearless child,”Pam said.Musgrove has been active at

Seward County and has taken partin many intramurals. Musgrove’steam won the water balloon dodge-ball competition last year.Musgrove also took part in therecent Rockband competition andfundraiser.Musgrove has been an R.A. in

the dorms as well and has keptgood standing academically atSeward after being salutatorian inhigh school.“Yates is just really responsi-

ble,” Student Living Center man-ager, James “KoKo” Davis said. “Ijust don’t really have to ask him todo anything he’s already doing it orhe’s calling me asking what he cando before I even think of askinghim, he takes the initiative.”Musgrove will be headed to K-

State in the fall and begin on theroad to become a doctor, radiolo-gist or whatever he chooses in thepre-med program.


Yates Musgrove rides the mechanical bull at Dorm Palooza on Wednesday night as Jamie Gilbert and Kade Kauk watch inthe background. Musgrove also participated in the Tug-O-War competition to finish off the events.

Yates Musgrove“I do whatI have todo to keepthemplaying.”

— YatesMusgrove

Associate ofScience,Biology

Mother influences career choice for student


GraduationHector Perez LaraMatthew PurvisMartin Rosales Jr.Calvin Unruh

AutomotiveBusinessManagementJesus BecerrilCarlos Ibarra

AutomotiveMechanicsTechnologyBrandin AragonJose ArredondoEbeneser GonzalezFrancisco GonzalezGuadalupe HermosilloRafael MaciasKristopher McCuneRafael OrtizRichard PiedraTanner RiceFreddy RodriguezOscar RosalesCristhian SianuquiRodolfo Valenzuela

Business AdminTechAdriana AlfaroEvelin Espinosa

ConstructionTradesIsmael Ruiz

CosmetologyMaria AlvaradoKimberlee BreuerLuz CastilloOnika DavisLuz HernandezLori MontoyaMegan NickelAlyse OwnbeyBrenda PeraltaStephanie Piper


Student mother graduates with motivation from son

Crusader photo/ Tyler Savely

Larissa Arnold and her son Adam laugh as Adam plays with a graduation tassel. Arnold will graduate Saturday with plans to move on to Iowa State.

Tyler SavelyCrusader staff

Larissa Arnold is an artist, amusician and a psychology major,and she is also an excellent stu-dent, a soon-to-be graduate and amother.

Arnold gave birth to her sonAdam a few days before Christmas2007. Adam was a surprise baby,coming into the world only twoweeks after the discovery of hisconception. It was a rare case inwhich none of the tell-tale signs ofpregnancy were apparent, andwhen it was found that she waspregnant, it was a tremendousshock to the entire family.However, where most families

may have been scared or upset,Arnold and family could only benervous and excited.They were not nervous for

Adam, and why should they bewith a family as tight-knit andsupportive as their own? No, theywere nervous for Larissa.“Wewere worried that maybe she

wouldn’t finish college,” saidArnold’s mother, Cindy Arnold.So far, Larissa has done an

exceptional job of eradicatingthose doubts.Larissa is a motivated person,

according to Debbie Stafford,counselor and psychology instruc-tor.“She is extremely motivated,

goal oriented, and possesses astrong desire to succeed. She is anextremely insightful, intelligentyoung lady,” Stafford said.Stafford said Larissa demon-

strates an ability to think criticallyand evaluate information in ascholarly manner. Larissa displaysa maturity level beyond her age,according to Stafford, and enhancesthe classroom discussions with arefreshing approach to controver-sial topics.

Growing up in Hugoton,Larissa showed signs of being acaring and giving person. She was

the kid that went trick-or-treatingwith her siblings every Halloween,and at the end of the night, gavethem all of her candy, just because.She grew up an artistic and cre-

ative child, always doodling anddrawing, among other artisticendeavors.To this day, she plays guitar and

piano, though she claims to be notquite as good as her fiancée, andAdam’s father, Chris Reyes.Going to college while fulfilling

her role as a parent has offeredsome challenges.“It’s pretty difficult, but it helps

too. It keeps me motivated andlevel headed.”To make time for Adam and

allow herself more time to devote

to being a parent, Larissa takesboth campus and online classes.This affords her more time withone of the most central parts of thefamily’s life, little wide-eyedAdam.“Oh my gosh, he means every-

thing. He’s a wonderful, smartchild,” Cindy said.Next fall, Larissa and Chris plan

to move to Ames, Iowa, whereLarissa will attend college at IowaState University.She will major in psychology

with the hopes of one day being aclinical psychologist. She is ner-vous about taking Adam to collegewith her, but also excited to beleaving the bland Kansas country-side behind, and on to a new life.Her family plans to visit them at

least once every three months, atestament to how close they are.With the support of her family,

her fiancée, and the wise-beyond-her-years grasp of what is impor-tant that Adam provides her, shefalter.As Stafford put it, “Larissa has

been truly impressive with regardsto her ability to juggle the respon-sibilities of raising a child alongwith the academic rigors of a fullcourse load.”

“(Being a parent) is pretty difficult,but it helps, too. It keeps me motivatedand level headed.”

— Larissa ArnoldAssociate of Arts, Psychology

Larissa ArnoldLarissa ArnoldHonorSymbolsHonor

Symbols

Students whohave demonstrat-ed exceptionalacademic effortare entitled towear varioushonor symbols.All students desig-nated as cumlaude, 3.5-3.64GPA; magna cumlaude, 3.65-3.84GPA; or summacum laude, 3.85-4.00 GPA, willwear gold honorcords to gradua-tion. All TRiOgraduates willwear green honorcords. Those inPhi Theta Kappawill wear goldstoles.


Top livestock judger set to graduate with honorsAshley HinesCrusader staff

This year Seward County willgraduate some of its top athletesand top students, but they will alsograduate a few of their top judgers.Jett Eder has been a successful

judger for Seward County’s live-stock judging team as well as a topstudent.Eder was rarely out of the top 10

during his two-year reign at SewardCounty and also was the sixthhigh individual at the NationalBarrow Show in Austin, Minn.,and the fifth high individual in rea-sons at the NAILE in Louisville,Ky., and finished his career thehigh point individual on theSCCC 2008-09 livestock judgingteam.Eder also did well in the class-

room, he will graduate SewardCounty with summa cum laudehonors. Earlier this year, he wasnominated to the All-KansasAcademic Team and nominated tothe National Academic Team. Ederwas involved in organizations suchas Block and Bridle, Phi ThetaKappa, Collegiate Farm Bureau,and of course the livestock judgingteam.The Sharon Springs native

plans to attend Oklahoma State

University to judge livestock andcomplete his bachelor’s in animalscience with a minor in biotech-nology.“I’m going to miss the personal

contact that you can develop withthe instructors at SCCC. Goingon to the next level, I don’t knowthat I will be able to call or e-maila professor to get help on a partic-ular problem over the weekend,which here, was a definite option.The instructors here will bend overbackwards to help you when youseek it out and I will certainly misstheir willingness to see you suc-ceed,” Eder said.The hardest part of college for

Eder is a common emotion formost college students.“The most difficult aspect of col-

lege life for me was to keep moti-

vated andget to class. Life as a stu-dent goes so much easier when youappropriate your time for classregardless of how tired you feel orhow boring or tedious the subjectmatter,” Eder said.Eder says that aside from his

internal motivation to succeed,that his drive andmotivation camefrom his parents.“My parents have instilled with-

in me a desire to achieve excellenceto the best of one’s talents andabil-ities, and to me, graduating withhonors is simply using my God-given abilities to the fullest,” Edersaid.Eder recognizes his livestock

coach Ryan Orrick as the professorthat impacted him the most.“He has taught me, and my

teammates, many lessons not only

about evaluating livestock, butalso life,” Eder said. “From him, Ihave learned that sometimes youwin, sometimes you lose—butregardless of the outcome keepyour head high, keep it fun, dustyourself off and never quit workingto make yourself better.”Orrick admires Eder for his pas-

sion and for all he does in return.“His character is above

reproach,” Orrick said. “He is dis-ciplined in everything that he does.He is mature and remains true towhat he believes in.”“Jett is the kind of kid you wish

you had a hundred just like him.He was passionate about livestockjudging. He worked hard and wasvery talented. Jett did a great jobjudging for me and was one thatwe had to count on to put up agood score.”Eder works hard to prove himself

as a winner. He believes that work-ing hard is all that a person can do.“Often the difference between the

winner and the loser is a little luckand a lot of work. You can’t con-trol the luck, so make sure you dothe work,” said Eder.Eder will walk the stage at

SCCC/ ATS on May 11 to receivean Associate of Science degree.

EderEderJettJett

“Jett is the kind of kid you wish youhad a hundred just like him.”

— Ryan Orrick on Jett EderAssociate of Science, Pre-Vet

Jett Eder, amember of thelivestock judg-

ing team, poseswith his All-

State AcademicTeam award

that he receivedthis past year.Eder has placehigh in judgingevents in-stateas well as in

Kentucky andMinnesota.

Crusader photoShelby Rundell


GraduationCosmetologyMayra RenteriaGuadalupe RosalesS. SandovalMaggi StavigOlivia ValenzuelaDesiree WardCrystal Zirkel

Diesel TechnologyNathan HartnettDustin JohnsonSean Martinez

DraftingJesus GarciaJuan GonzalesJorge LopezXavier Mandujano

Heating and AirConditioningBlake HillChristian HinojosaJoel JaquezCarlos NunezScott ShultzLevi SturgesJesus VegaZachary WesterFernando Zabala

Machine ToolTechnologyMatthew ArthoJuan FloresJonathan WebsterEmmanuel Zapien

Medical AssistantShelby BanningSara CasasMaria GodinezAsusena HolguinDanessa RamirezAraceli Reyes-Barrera

Practical NursingMirella BuchmanJosiah CervantesMaria Chavez


Student of the Year candidates

Instructor of the Year candidatesInstructor of the Year candidates

Katy ReddBehavioral Science

Lori GeisVocal Music

Rachel McDonald Sergio Padilla Jessica Lulf Karen Brown

Cristy MulanaxCriminal Justice

Before students left forEaster break, they were giventhe opportunity to nominateinstructors for the Instructorof the Year award.Students completed a form

stating the teacher that theywanted to nominate and a briefexplanation of why they feltthe instructor deserved theaward.After the instructors were

nominated Wade Lyon sentthem a letter informing themof the nomination and thosewho were interested couldreply back explaining theireducation history and otherinformation.The Student Government

Association narrowed theinstructors down to three fromthose who returned forms.A committee of SGA stu-

dents interviewed the finalthree instructors. The commit-tee then voted on the instruc-tor that they felt deserved theaward. The award will be pre-sented at graduation.

Major: BiologyDegree: Associate of ScienceWhere are you going: Nofinal decision yet! Soon!Activities: Women’s

Basketball, PTKOffices held:

Vice President – PTKMajor accomplishments:

Jamie Talbert Award,President’s Honor Roll

Major: Elementary EducationDegree: Associate of ArtsWhere are you going:

Oklahoma Panhandle StateUniversity

Activities: CMC, Choir,BoardMember for Liberal RapeCrisis and Domestic Violence

ServiceOffices held: President of

CMC andVice President of SGAMajor accomplishments:

Singing in Carnegie Hall in NYC

Major: Business/ Pre-pharmacyDegree: Associate of Science

Where are you going:University of Kansas

Activities: Crusader, PTK,TRiO, SGA

Offices held: Crusader- AdManager, Online Editor, Editor;

PTK- PresidentMajor accomplishments:KACP Journalist of the Year

Second Runner up; TRiO Studentof the Year

Major: PsychologyDegree: Associate’s of Arts

Where are you going:Wichita State UniversityActivities: Choir, Men’sEnsemble, HALO, PTK

Offices held: President ofHALO, Treasurer of PTK

Major accomplishments: All-Kansas Academic Team Member

Student of the Year candidatesSCCC/ATSCandidates for

GraduationPractical NursingErica DeSantosRuth EdwardsMelissa GlassLaura GomezAmy Hanning-WrightBrie HeatonLeah HillmanMelissa HouseMicaela LuckJose MaldonadoElizabeth MercadoMarla NewtonChelsea PipkinRaquel ReyesFarrah RobinsonAmanda SallaskaQuianne SchmidtAllison StokesTammie ThompsonBrandy TranNichole VarnerYolidia VillezcasJamie West

SurgicalTechnology

Ashley DavisAngela HawkLexi HoneyNelly IsidoroLaSasha LiraTina McIntyreMartha Ramirez

WeldingCory BransgroveJuan CerdaOmar ChairezDeWayne CollinsManuel DelgadoFabian EnriquezMiguel EsparzaGerman GarciaJustin HagermanRey LujanJulian Martinez


Softball strikes hot in regionals,earns first shot at national title

Antigoné LoweryCrusader columnist

Tennis, unlike all other sportsat Seward County CommunityCollege/Area Technical School, isan individual sport in manyways. We tennis players mustrely on ourselves on the court(with the exception of playing ofdoubles) if we want to win.However, in order to truly succeedon the court, we must act as ateam off of the court.The common phrase “there’s no

‘I’ in team” is a bit cliché, butalso true in more ways than one.Coming to SCCC/ATS, I had noidea how important it would befor our women’s team to supportone another in order to get pastregionals so that we could makeit to the national tournament inTucson, Ariz.Supporting one another with

simple gestures such as saying“good job” or “you can do it,” isall it really took for us to pullthrough at the regional tourna-ment to qualify for nationals,because our support was earnestand humble.Despite a few unexpected loss-

es, we were able to gather enoughconfidence and determination tostay focused throughout our lastmatches in order to qualify fornationals by half a point.It truly was a team effort, and,

while I can only speak formyself, I don’t think I wouldhave become regional championor that we would have made it tonationals if we had not supportedone another wholeheartedly.

College tennis, at least for me,was in many ways all about com-peting, but as I have come to theend of my freshman year havingplayed in a national tennis tourna-ment as a regional champion, Irealize that it has brought morethan just competition.Playing college tennis has

helped me to develop friendshipswith my teammates, and evencompetitors, while also helpingme to gain confidence that I did-n’t even realize I had.I began my freshman year play-

ing safe and with very little con-fidence. With the help of mycoaches and their honest, yet faircritiquing, and the support of myteammates, I have become a morerelaxed and confident player bothon and off of the court.While I will be the first to

admit that I have much morework ahead of me to become abetter tennis player, I will also bethe first to say that the help Ihave been given and continue toget from my coaches and that Ireceived from my sophomoreteammates is the reason why Ibelieve in myself as much asthey believe in me.College tennis may not be

described or looked at as a teamsport, but players must act as ateam off of the court in order tosucceed on it.Only this year have I learned

that, but now I will alwaysbelieve it.

n Editor’s note: The LadySaints tennis team ended its sea-son with a No. 21 NationalRanking.

Contributed to Crusader

Students in Free Enterprise grad-uates will make a brief appearanceat graduation, but a ticket to com-pete at nationals will have the stu-dents walking across the stage andout the door Saturday, as they willleave graduation early in order to

meet a plane in Wichita.From there, the group will go to

national competitions inPhiladelphia, Pa.The opening ceremonies will be

Sunday night, with competitionsMonday and Tuesday.The final round is Tuesday after-

noon, with awards that night.

SIFE sponsor Kim Thomas andthe students will return homeWednesday.The seven SIFE members who

are graduating this year includeYessenia Pacheco, Layne Greeson,Jessica Gokey, Kasey Krueger,BillieAdkison, Claudia Rivero andValerie Stevens.

Courtesy photo

Lady Saints softball celebrates after winning the regional championship in Pratt on Monday, May 4. The LadySaints will travel to the National Tournament in St. George, Utah, Monday morning. First round play will beginThursday.

SoftballSoftballTe

nnis

Tenn

is

Will RectorCrusader staff

The Seward CountyCommunity College Lady Saintssoftball team were named RegionVI Champions in Pratt Mondaynight.The Lady Saints entered the

Region VI Tournament as thenumber one seed and proved thatthey deserved the honor as the firstthree rounds were played inWichita at Two Rivers SportsComplex and the semi-final andfinal rounds were played in Prattdue to weather.

The Lady Saints received a byefor the first round of play and facedColby in their first game and won3-1. The Lady Saints then facedGarden beating them 6-0 knockingthem into the losers bracket andgiving themselves a place in thechampionship game facing GardenCity.Courtney Auger got the start for

the Lady Saints andwas as solid asshe has been all season by givingup two earned runs on four hitsand struck out 12 bringing her sea-son record to 23-5-1 (9-1-1) and243 strikeouts.

Shelby Casey was one for threein the game with two RBIs,Marisa Coats was one for onewith an RBI, and Jill Rodgersadded an RBI to the Lady Saintsbox score.The Lady Saints will now travel

to the NJCAA NationalTournament for their first time inthe program’s history.The tournament will take place

in St. George, Utah. They will beleaving Monday morning on thelong road trip and will play theirfirst round at either 11 a.m. or 2p.m. Thursday.

Courtesy photo

Antigoné Lowery and head coach Darin Workman celebrate at the nation-al tennis match in Tucson, Ariz. The team ended its run at No. 21.

SIFE headed to Philadelphia for national competition

Tennis truly a team sport


GoldFirst National BankThe High Plains Daily LeaderThe TimesSilverPanhandle Oilfield ServiceSaints BookstoreSouthwest Medical CenterThe Community BankBronzeSouthgate 4BasicAl Shank InsuranceAyr LanesBirthlineCarroll Auto GlassDoctors of OptometryEdward D. JonesElite MotorsFarm CreditHay Rice &AssociatesHeritage RealtyJury Farrar & AssociatesKSCB RadioMortgages UnlimitedOptical 20/20Scantlin’s FurnitureSCCC CosmetologySGASouthern Office SupplySunflower BankTek StyleCustomBumper to BumperC Dean Riney

The 2008-09 Crusader staffappreciates the support ofour contract advertisers:

Contributed to Crusader

Sheila Frahm, former executive director ofthe Kansas Association of CommunityCollege Trustees, will be the speaker for38th annual graduation at Seward CountyCommunity College/Area Technical School,10 a.m., Saturday, May 9 in the SCCC/ATSgymnasium.Frahm grew up in Western Kansas as a

“farm kid”, married her childhood sweetheart,Ken, and raised three children.Throughout her professional and political

career, Frahm, a Fort Hays State Universitygraduate, has always worked with education-al issues andhelped form policy: local schoolboard member, State Board of Education;Kansas Senate as Majority Leader and Vice

Chair of the Senate Education Committee.Frahm also chaired the Governor’s PublicEducation Advisory Commission forGovernor Hayden and served as the education“point person” while Lt. Governor withGov. Graves. Sheila also served in theUnited States Senate following the resigna-tion of Sen. Bob Dole when he ran for pres-ident.This year, Frahm retired as executive direc-

tor of the Kansas Association of CommunityCollege Trustees. She notes she was in agreat place during exciting times in KansasHigher Education. Community collegesplay an important role for Kansas’ studentsand she has enjoyed helping them have aunited and strong voice.

Presidential Scholars

Earlier this year, some presidentialscholars and ambassadorsshowed their hops for Crusaderphotographer Shelby Rundell.Presidential scholars are the topacademic students from their highschools who attend SewardCounty Community College/AreaTechnical School. Presidentialscholars attend college with fullacademic scholarships.Pictured, from left, are WillRector, Edgar Rosales, StephanieBoaldin, Karla Ortiz, Melissa Isaac,Shaley Thomas, Jose Del Real,Martin Monarrez, and ChrisChambers. Presidential scholarswho will graduate in 2009 includeAshley Davis, Jose Del Real, LisaFriesen, Melissa Isaac, VictoriaJacob, Virginia Loewen and AlyseOwnbey.


Graduation EventsGraduation Events

Frahm to address graduates

Shelia Frahm

Nursing Capping and Pinning 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 8 Gymnasium

Phi Theta Kappa breakfast 8 a.m., Saturday, May 9 SU214 East/West

Event Time Location

Reception 11:45 a.m., Saturday, May 9 CourtyardGraduation begins 10 a.m., Saturday, May 9 Gymnasium

Graduation for Kansas StateHigh School Diploma candidates 4 p.m., Saturday, May 9 SCCC Cafeteria

Documents

May 9, 2009 Crusader Graduation