2011 graduation issue

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C RUSADER Seward County Community College /ATS • Graduation Special Section • May 2011 C O L L E G E S T Y L E F o r t u n e b e f r i e n d s t h e b o l d Graduation Special Section • May 2011 Dormapalooza & Intramural sports —Page 16 Schedule of events —Page 2 Graduates List —Pages 3-13

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The Graduation issue of the Crusader features a hand of graduatates from Seward County Community College/Area Techinical School.

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Page 1: 2011 Graduation Issue

CRUSADERSeward County Community College /ATS • Graduation Special Section • May 2011

C O L L E G E S T Y L E

Fortune befriends the bold

Graduation Special Section • May 2011

Dormapalooza & Intramural sports—Page 16

Schedule of events—Page 2

Graduates List—Pages 3-13

Page 2: 2011 Graduation Issue

May 20112 Fortune befriends the bold

Tom E. Williams will retire after32 years at Seward as a fiscal offi-cer and dean of administrative ser-vices. He plans on spending timewith family and enjoying his hob-bies, such as coin and stamp col-lecting. Those who have workedwith him will miss his opennessand sense of humor.

Steve Cauble resigned after 27years on the Board of Trustees.He had been elected chairpersonfor the 2010-11 school year. Hiscareer as an optometrist has re-quired him to relocate, leading tohis resignation. According to col-lege President Dr. Duane Dunn,his great insight and passion willbe greatly missed.

Melody Ratzlaff is retiring after11 years at the college as assistantregistrar. She was also in the firstSeward graduating class. Ratzlaffplans on traveling with her husbandand spending more time with fami-ly. Her co-workers will miss her or-ganizational skills and work ethic.

Betty Glenn will retire after32 years. Glenn has worked infinancial aid, and as a cashier inthe business office. She was inthe first Seward graduating classin 1971. Glenn plans on spend-ing more time with her grand-children, and is also consideringcontinuing to teach math parttime.

Williams Glenn Ratzlaff Cauble

8 a.m. — Phi ThetaKappa Honors Breakfast9:15 a.m. — Graduatesmeet in the Internet Cafein the Student Union

10 a.m. — GraduationInvocation by

Dr. Cindy HandleyWelcome by Dr. Duane DunnStudent and Faculty

AwardsIntroduction of SpeakerRegent Gary SherrerSpecial Music by ChoirPresentation of Graduates

Presentation of DegreesAcknowledgement of

Class of ’11Benediction by Rick BrennemanRecessional

3 p.m. — GED Graduation

Schedule of 2011Graduation events

hrough trial and error, we learn lessons in life. Success isa virtue we can never experience without knowing failure. Fourteen Seward County Community College students have madethemselves stand out from the rest through bold leadership roles,and dedication.

We cracked open a part of these students’ lives to find outwhat drives them to succeed and what hopes and goals they havein store for the future. These students were selected in no particular order but were recommended by their advisers or peers.

Join the Crusader staff as we take a peek into the lives andaccomplishments of a few students of the Seward graduatingClass of 2011. As these and all graduates set forth to discovertheir fortunes, we take words not from mere fortune cookies butfrom the poet Emily Dickinson.

“Fortune befriends the bold.”

T

~2011 retiree honors~

Page 3: 2011 Graduation Issue

3May 2011 Fortune befriends the bold

Jace MooreJace MoorePitcher earns respect with winning attitudeDana Loewen

Editor

Jace Moore isn’t just an outstanding studentand baseball player. His positive attitude iswhat puts him over the top.

Moore is a left-handed pitcher on the Saintsbaseball team. In 2011, his statistics on themound were 2-0 in a total of 13 inningspitched in eight games.

He also is majoring in chemistry and was onthe President’s Honor Roll for 2010.

Moore plans on playing baseball at a four-year college next year and going into pharma-cy school.

Moore came to Seward from Moscow. Hechose Seward because of its prestigious base-ball program and good academics.

The assistant baseball coach, Mike David-son, was greatly impressed by Moore’s atti-tude on and off the field.

“As a person, he’s a great guy,” Davidsonsaid. “He does everything you ask and does-n’t complain. He’s an outstanding young manand a great team player. He’s been instrumen-tal in getting us where we are as a team.”

His proudest achievements at Seward havebeen succeeding in upper-level science class-

es and having two good years of baseball.Moore has made many memories at Se-

ward, one of the best was the game-winninghit in a conference game last year.

According to Moore, the most importantthing he has learned while at Seward has beenhow important relationships are.

He has proven how seriously he takes hisrelationships with his peers by being awardedthe Wade Johnstone Award both of his yearsat Seward.

The recipient of the award is chosen by hispeers on the baseball team, and is based on at-titude on and off the field, work ethic, acade-mics, class attendance and perfor-mance on the baseball field.

“I was honored,” saidMoore. “It made me feellike my teammates real-ly cared about me.”

One of thoseteammates washis roommateJordan Dallalio,who Moore said influenced him the most thisyear.

“I would describe him as a hard-workingand well-rounded individual,” Dallalio said.

“I think he was chosen because it was evidentamong his peers as well; they all notice thathe’s constantly outworking and excelling inhis classwork and in the field. He’s alwaystrying to get better, whether it’s athletically oracademically.”

Overall, Moore has loved his experience atSeward and feels it was a great choice forhim.

“I’m really glad I chose to come here,”Moore said. “I can’t really see myself at anyother college for my first two years.”

“He’s an outstand

ing young man

and a great team player.”

- Mike Davidson, base

ball coach

CANDIDATES FOR ASSOCIATEs IN APPLIED SCIENCEAccounting:Emily Faye WillisAssociate Degree Nursing:Terri Ann AbernathyLyudmyla BattinCaitlyn Michelle BullisBrandi Nichole ColvinRuby Victoria DeHerreraHalee Jean FullertonLaura Yudith GomezMariana GonzalezGabriela I. GrajedaChelsea A. GrayPam K. HagmanTerra Sharee HennighKimberly J. LairdAshley Marie LimbockerTonya Sue LivingstonSarah Kylie Martin Meriell M. MartinezElizabeth MercadoSandra O'TooleKanadi Shawnee PadenCourtney C. RezaAmanda Mae SallaskaKristen Alexandria SchnittkerMaygan Rachelle TwillegerShawna Lynn WiebeAuto Body/CollisionRepair:Samuel Kyle DillonEleazar FernandezJustin OrtizAutomotive Business Management:Cesar LujanJesse O. RosasAuto Mechanics Technology:Steven Scott AkersJesus MorenoJoshua PerezBusiness Administrative Technology:Barbara E. BurnsZulema E. CanoJennifer DanielsAnabel EstradaErica Rodriguez GantBeatriz GarciaBrianda Vanessa GonzalezCristina A. OropezaIrma L. OrtegaYolanda PerezBusiness Marketing/Management:Katherine Y. AlvaradoTabitha H. McCannJoel MirandaClair Anne SimsValeria E. VergaraCosmetologyHillary L. AndersonKatlynn SheltonAshleigh Marie SnookDemetriou Nicole Werner

Page 4: 2011 Graduation Issue

May 20114 Fortune befriends the bold

Connie WhiteleyCrusader staff

“I love it. I don’t want to leave,” KelseyCook, SCCC/ATS graduate of the yearnominee, said of the college. “It is reallygreat. The people are really nice. The fac-ulty are amazing. They are always friend-ly and helpful. I am really glad I camehere.”

Cook, who is originally from Ulysses, isa second-year SCCC/ATS student and afirst-year nursing student who will receiveher LPN certificate on Saturday.

“I am graduating with my certificatethis year,” she said. “I don’t get the big de-gree next year, unfortunately.”

Cook is involved in two campus clubs.She is the president of the Phi ThetaKappa honor society and the vice presi-dent of the Student Government Associa-tion.

Cook was also recently announced as aKansas Campus Compact Frank NewmanCivic Fellow. An elite group of only 137students nationwide receive this honor.

She was recognized for her volunteerleadership roles in community initiativessuch as food drives, fundraising efforts fornonprofit organizations and her involve-ment in the college’s recycling program.She has also helped with Saints in Serviceprojects.

Cook was nominated by DebbieStafford for both the graduate of the year

and the Frank Newman Civic Award shewon.

“I think it is quite an honor,” Cook said.“I was really caught off guard and sur-prised when they told me, but I was excit-ed at the same time.”

Stafford, counselor and coordinator ofStudent Development and Phi ThetaKappa adviser said she was inspired tonominate Kelsey for the awards. “I be-lieved she was extremely deserving of therecognition for her time, energy and ef-forts this year,” Stafford stated. “I wasconsistently amazed by Kelsey’s ability toeffectively manage her academic load,part-time student worker position, part-time off-campus job, and her responsibili-ties as a Phi Theta Kappa officer.”

The civic award is based on communityinvolvement.

“In PTK, we are involved in a lot ofcommunity activities, so that counted a lottowards community service, and I did a lotof community service in high school,” shesaid.

Cook said she volunteers for the per-sonal benefits it provides.

“You get such a good feelinginside when you help people andyou can help the community andnot expect anything back,” Cooksaid. “How you feel after you help some-one it is better than doing it and gettingpaid for it.”

Cook’s parents, Lorene and Terry Cook,

say they are very proud of their daughter. “Kelsey has worked very hard and she

is a very good person,” her mom said.“She is an excellent student and hasworked very hard, and, as her parents, weare very proud.”

Stafford said she believes Cook is an ex-ceptional leader and a diligent student.

“Kelsey is definitely an outstanding stu-dent,” Stafford said. “She is genuine, kind,caring, and very concerned about others.She is committed to the goals and missionof SCCC/ATS, and is a presence in ourcommunity. She is amazingly awesome.”

Cook said she plans to continue her ed-ucation after she earns her associates RNnext year and go on to get her bachelor’sand her master’s degrees to be a nurseanesthetist.

“I have quite a few years to go,” Cooksaid.

Kelsey CookKelsey CookNursing student stays involvedthrough community service

“Kelsey has worked very hard and

she is a very good person."

- Lorene Cook, mother

Page 5: 2011 Graduation Issue

5May 2011 Fortune befriends the bold

Deisi Barboza

Online editor

Winning NJCAA Freshman of the Year lastyear wasn’t something Fanny Benincasadreamed of. “I didn’t expect it at all, but it wasa good feeling,” Benincasa said.

Although Benincasa didn’t expect to re-ceive this recognition at the national level, shedoes consider the award the highlight of hertime at Seward County Community College/Area Technical School.

Benincasa, who is originally fromBoudreaux, France, heard of Seward througha recruit. It was though this recruit that tenniscoach Darin Workman heard of Benincasa.“A recruit from France sent me her informa-tion and I liked her. She’s been a great studentand tennis player,” Workman said.

Benincasa said she never had heard of Se-ward before being recruited. “I didn’t evenknow Kansas existed,” Benincasa said with alaugh.

The biggest surprises of coming to Americaaccording to Benincasa have been the smalltown atmosphere and language, as it was herfirst time in the United States and she “didn’tspeak any English at all,” Benincasa said.

Benincasa said she was used to the big city

living of Boudreaux compared to small townlife in Liberal.

Despite all these changes, Benincasa had afavorable experience at Seward. “The peopleare very nice and would teach me things,”Benincasa said.

Benincasa notes former Seward studentStefan Ignjatovic who has helped her out themost with the language barrier as he spokeFrench and English.

In her second year at Seward, she was ap-pointed as captain of the Lady Saints tennisteam. “She does a very good job of being cap-tain. I’m going to hate to see her go nextyear,” Workman said.

Not only has she been getting praise fromher coach but also from her teammates. “Shetakes the role of being captain very seriousand she was able to pull the team together inrough times,” teammate Caitlin Workmansaid.

Other teammates also shared their thoughtsabout Benincasa’s experience as captain ofthe team. “She’s a great captain, as she helpsout a lot. She’s a great player also,” teammateKauna Goncalves said.

During Benincasa’s time at Seward she hasbeen mostly involved in tennis, yet she saysshe liked her business and psychology classes

the most. During Benincasa’s sophomore year at Se-

ward she has been the No. 2 singles player forthe Lady Saints and in the No. 1 doubles withteammate Dariya Dashutina.

Benincasa is a business major and isn’t surewhat she wants to do after college. “I wantedto be a flight attendant, but I don’t know any-more,” Benincasa said.

During this week, the Lady Saints tennisteam was at nationals, and Benincasa wasnamed Region III player of the year. Benin-casa lost in the round of 16 in both singles anddoubles with her doubles partner.

“We played well in all of our matches,”Workman said.

This was Benincasa’s second time at the na-tional tournament. The team finished 12th outof 31 teams at nationals in Tucson.

After this year, Benincasa will transfer toplay tennis for North Carolina Central. Oneof the reasons she choose the school was forits scholarship offer.

Benincasa said she was looking forward tograduation as she has never experienced com-mencement before. “I’m pretty excited be-cause in France we don’t have graduation, soit is my first cap and gown,” Benincasa said.

Diesel Technology:Tanner Paul BarnesCory BransgroveCody BrennonJesus E. BurciagaJesus GonzalezMatthew HemphillEric Ivan HernandezMarco A. HuertaGilbert Pinon Jr.Ramiro Alonso RiveraJesus SalaisAndrew David WilliamsDrafting and Design Technology:Jose R. GaytonJesus Omar HolguinJeffrey WilsonHeating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration:Gregory W. KlausJeramie SchwindtMachine Tool Technology:Dale BorenJonathan Renner YowellMedical Assistant:Rachel Jo EvansStephanie FinnKristine MaesJasmine N. MitchellKaitlyn NickelDiana Lee NietoSonia Belen RamirezJessica SnodgrassMedical Laboratory Technician:Stephanie C.A. BernthalCourtney ClineShawn D. ColeTiffany Renee InceJeremy Robert KrzeszewskiReba Maria LasseurLeah Jo Livo-JohnsonCourtney Brooke LohrRachael A. MoonNoemi NavarreteTiana Marie StebensKendra C. StephensKristen WheelerRespiratory Therapy:Jose GarciaJennifer HolguinAbbey KeyesKyle James MerhoffKristina Kay MurryErica Lynn NovackNatalie ShepherdPatrick M. SlatteryVanida Victoria Vilaysing-SchmittWhitney WeberDonald Wyan

Tennis captain overcomes language barrierFanny Benincasa

“I’m goi

ng to ha

te to see

her go n

ext yea

r.”

- Darin Workm

an, tenn

is coach

Fanny Benincasa

Page 6: 2011 Graduation Issue

May 20116 Fortune befriends the bold

SIFE president takes leadership rolein community, campus organization

Poe CastilloPoe Castillo

Zach Carpenter Crusader staff

Unassuming is one way to describeeducation major Poe Castillo.

A student from Turpin, Okla., Castil-lo became president of Students In FreeEnterprise, the student business club, inthe fall semester of 2010.

He had been a member of SIFE for ayear prior to getting elected as presi-dent.

Castillo said he has enjoyed his timeat SCCC immensely.

“I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve had a lot ofgood times here,” Castillo said. “I was-n’t so hot about going to a communitycollege at first, but it’s been worth it.”

During his time as SIFE president,Castillo has been instrumental in orga-nizing events for the college and aroundthe community, such as the Haunted

House that was featured as part of lastyear’s Trick-or-Treat Street. The Haunt-ed House raised close to $1,000 forfunding of trips for competition duringthe spring semester.

“Poe is an amazing individual. He isextremely reliable and dependable, andhe is never at a loss for ideas,” saidCastillo’s former SIFE adviser andbusiness instructor Kim Thomas.

Castillo’s leadership skills have beenexceptional during his time as SIFEpresident.

“He knows how to take charge, andhis peers really enjoy working withhim,” said business division chairper-son Marcia Hatcher. Castillo knowswhat it is like to be a leader by servingthose in need in his community. He or-ganized a food and soup drive at Step-ping Stone Homeless Shelter by col-lecting canned goods from churches

around the area as well as Dillon’s anddonating them to the homeless shelter.The food and soup drive has been aSIFE endeavour to help the homelessfor the last two years.

“We’ve done so much for the com-munity here, and it’s really been thehighlight of my time here at Seward.I’ve had a blast in it,” Castillo said.

Castillo plans to transfer to Fort HaysState University after graduating tocontinue his business studies.

“He knows how to take charge and his

peers really enjoy working with him.”

- Marcia Hatcher, business instructor

Page 7: 2011 Graduation Issue

7May 2011 Fortune befriends the bold

Photographer shoots for successLizuly MonarrezCrusader staff

Busy schedules and big expectationshaven’t stopped this talented future photog-rapher.

Jeanette Contreras has been involved inmany activities while at Seward. She was amember of Kylix art club, Student Govern-ment Association, Crusader newspaper,Cheer and Dance, Hispanic American Lead-ership Organization, SCCC Show Choir,chorus and was also this year’sSCCC/ATS Homecom-ing Queen.

A f t e rg r a d u a t -ing, sheplans totransfer to KansasState University to pursueher photography career.

“I’m really excited about having the op-portunity to deepen my interest in photogra-phy at K-State,” Contreras said. “But, also tofinally leave Liberal,” she said with a smile.

After graduating K-State, Contreras plansto open her own photography studio.

She has gained much of her interest in pho-tography through her art instructor and Kylixsponsor, Susan Copas.

“I’ve known Jeanette since she was afreshman here. One of the things I admireabout Jeanette is that she is very organizedperson,” Copas said.

Copas also admires her progression in pho-tography while at Seward.

“She has really grown in her understand-ing of the camera and how the camera works.Over time I have seen her develop a person-al statement she wants to make with her pho-tographs. She has discovered herself throughher photography.” Copas said. “I’m reallyexcited she is going to transfer and continuein her photography interest. I know she’ll dowell.”

Along with her classes and school activi-ties, Contreras also controls the managementof her dad’s stores, Yess Boutique & Salon

and Kidz Club. Her father,Guadalupe Con-treras, is verygrateful thatJeanette helpshim manage bothstores and thanks

her for helping tosmoothly run thestores.

“Jeanette has beenthe daughter that

has taught me alot. She has

shown me how tobe more responsi-

ble as a human being. Any parent can saythey have a good daughter, but Jeanette istruly a good daughter,” Guadalupe said.

He also expressed how she runs their homeand how she manages to keep it under con-

trol. “In our home, she is the one that sets therules. She’s the one that says ‘don’t put yourshoes there, pick up your room, dirty clothesgo here, don’t leave your towel on the floor.’She is very meticulous. It’s going to be verydifficult not having her at home anymore,”Guadalupe said.

Guadalupe looks back on a particular timewhen Jeanette ran for Miss Cinco de Mayo.Participants had to raise money, and whoev-er raised the most would win. Contrerasraised $3,500, and won. He said he was veryproud of her because she worked very hardand did it all by herself. “I only gave her$10,” Guadalupe said. “She is a very enthu-siastic young lady and anything she sets hermind for, she can reach.”

Her mother, Sylvia Amparan, is also veryproud of her and her accomplishments and isexcited that Jeanette is going to continue tofulfill her dreams.

“She has been a great person and I’m gladshe is going to continue going to school. I’mso thankful that God gave me such a wonder-ful daughter,” Amparan said.

Contreras says she will miss her family andfriends and will always keep them at heart.She’s also thankful for her experiences atSCCC/ATS. “I am thankful for all the greatopportunities SCCC has granted me. I knowthat with my hard work and dedication, mydream as a professional photographer willfulfill and make my parents proud, which isone of my biggest motives in life,” Contrerassaid.

Jeanette ContrerasJeanette Contreras

“She has discovered herself through her photography.”- Susan Copas, art instructor

Surgical Technology:Isela Alvarado FavelaJuan HernandezJoshua Martin Frank MaestasMaricela MaldonadoJasa J. MarshHilda G. NajeraCandidates for Associates in Science:Rogelio A. AlvarezJacob Wesley AndersonMario ArmendarizNancy A. ArrendondoAndrew AugerotJosie AvalosLuis BarbozaFanny BenincasaAndrea BerryKelsea BlackstockSandra J. BonillaLindsey Raye BowlingKristina M. BrownDonna S. BrownCody BuchmanCecilia Carrillo-GrajedaBerakah Lynn CarterAnna Gabriela CastanonDaniela Yvette CatanoChristopher Lynn ChambersChristopher Domonique ChaneyAngelica ChantharathAngelica Mercado ChavezCorey Shane ClarkJeanette ContrerasCaleb Eugene CraneKelsey DarnellTawny Gage Mills DavisSam DeckerCody Lee DenhamJuan R. Diaz de leonMeagan Nicole ElliotSheina S. FernandesJoyce B. FindleyTara A. FloresMaria Guadalupe Aguilar FrancoAlexis FrancoTalayna Leigh FrantzClaudia Elaine GarciaAaron Russell GiblerTrevor GonzalesJose Manuel GonzalezBailey J. GravesMarina Lanae GuardiolaHeather Marie HallerBarbara HannaJonathan HannaLandon Michael HarpKyle Henke

Page 8: 2011 Graduation Issue

98 May 2011Fortune befriends the bold

Alfredo AnayaAlfredo Anaya

Dana LoewenDana Loewen

Jonathon Ryan HernandezLaurie M. HinesTyler Jay HumbleMilos KeseliJaime MaldonadoJessica E. ManethGina L. MangoldJordan Gabriel MartinAnthony C . MartinezChris Kelvin McDanielMorgan W. MerrihewZachary W. MillerDevin Lee MillerJace MooreIrving MoralesVictor MorenoEduardo MunozBuddie C. NeatherlinTeddie J. Nolen, JrAlexander Johnevich OlingerBriceida M. OrtegaLuis PauyacMarycarmen PerezSylvia PerezReanna Dawn RamosAdam J. RegierMaegen RiderLuis RiosEnrique RodriguezHannah RotoloFrank Ruano IIAshlee M. SauerAaron SchafferBrittany Renee SheltonDavid Michael ShortMelody Kaye SmallJuraj StepanovicRici SwartzAngela TarangoSteffy ThottasserilJoshua TownerThuy TruongThuy Ngoc TruongJanette VargasAlexa WentworthJazmin ZeledonHaydee ZeledonCandidates for Associate in ArtsLexi Nicole Amos-LyddonJose Alfredo AnayaDeisi BarbozaKristina BrisendineStacie Lee CarverHipolito Castillo Jr.Sydney Maria CicchettiKicki Nikita ColeBrylee JoLynn CourkampStefani B. CroyJordan DallalioKevin Alex DomrzalskiGwendolyn Kay FriesenIsaac M. Fuentes

Derek K. FullerKalee Renae GoodsonLogan Gabriel HallMalachi James HallTyler HillJordan Lee Dewayne JonesDana Christine LoewenEusebio LopezEunice C. LuncefordMonica MaciasAshley M. MartinezChris Kelvin McDanielSugely MendozaJon A. MestasLizuly MonarrezJace MooreLynda MusickMarquell NolenGabriel PalmaMarisol PaviaMary Inez Ochoa Perez Paul PulleyKarla Denisse RamosMaria del Socorro ReyesAlaina Maria RiceSumr Briann RobinettJose Javier RodriquezMacayla Ann RomeHannah RotoloFrank Ruano IIBryce Lynn RuffAndres SalasDawn Nicolle ShultzLeah SitterMorgan SkomalCiara B. SmithKendra SpresserTawnee Jean SteemanIsiah Booker ThawSteffy ThottasserilLilia Margarita TorresNicolas D. VanWyheAdriana Isabel VazquezBethann R. VoldenEdward WilliamsCandiates for Associate in General Studies:Joseph Alan HoffmanJeremy JonesMikayla D. Knudsen

Heidy MolinaCrusader staff

Alfredo Anaya grew up watching the news.“I used to think that Spiderman was cool be-cause he was a reporter,” Anaya said.

Now Anaya has used some of his own innerpowers to achieve reporter-type success in col-lege, such as being chosen Journalist of theYear among two-year colleges, being editor ofthe Crusader and winning awards for photogra-phy and news writing.

Anaya become involved with the Crusaderstudent newspaper staff because of a couple offriends. “My friends involved in the papertalked me into joining,” Anaya said. “MorganAllaman and Jose Rodriguez invited me to ameeting, and it seemed like a good environ-ment.”

Anaya has been part of the Crusader since hisfreshman year at Seward County CommunityCollege. Journalism has had a lasting impres-sion on Anaya. “I got involved in photographyfor news,” Anaya said. Anaya also changed hismajor from psychology to journalism. “Thispast year has persuaded me to gomore into journalism,” Anayasaid.

Anaya’s sister, AnahyAnaya, is not worriedabout her youngerbrother’s changein major. “Ithink that hehas the talent andthe passion,” Anahy said. “Journalism is some-thing in him. He can express himself and knowshow to get the point across.”

Anahy also looks up to Alfredo. “He’s myrole model. He has such determination to fol-low through,” Anahy said. “The fact that hedidn’t have the guidance of either of our parentsjust shows how strong he is. He has never hadanyone to control him. He does it himself.”With an absent father and their mother passingaway of breast cancer in November 2003, thefour siblings pulled together to form a family.

Anahy is not the only person who thinks Al-fredo has a good control over his life. Onlineeditor and fellow Crusader staff member DeisiBarboza also thinks highly of Alfredo. “Hetakes things seriously,” Barboza said. “ He’s notyour typical college student. He gives a 100percent effort, not just 5 percent.”

Alfredo is proud of the staff he got to workwith this year and appreciates the help the staffprovided. “The staff covered real issues that af-

fect the students like tuition rates going up forillegal immigrants, the DREAM Act, and thecollege not having a soccer team,” Alfredo said.

Anaya also pointed out that this year the staffwent outside their comfort zones. “Journalismis not what you want to write; it’s about gettingthe news out there,” Alfredo said.

According to Alfredo, his older sister is theperson that keeps him on track whenever hegets lazy. “She’s a big part. She supports me ineverything I want to do,” Alfredo said.

According to his sister, the long nights thatAlfredo puts into the Crusader or writing anacademic paper don’t really affect the way heworks the next day. “I think that the reason thelate nights working on the newspaper don’t af-fect him is because he enjoys working on it,”Anahy said. “Although they do affect me. SinceI’m also in the mother role I’m always wakingup and calling him to see where he is at or whathe is doing.”

Anahy is very proud of all of his awards andaccomplishments, like first place in featurewriting, second place in feature photography,

honorable mention inillustrations, and a na-tional third place infirst-person experi-ence writing. “Hemakes me proud

every day,” Anahy said.“He means the world

to me along with ouryounger brother

and sister.”

According toAnahy even though theirfamily is only their siblings, Alfredo is alwaysthere to be a father figure and a role model tothe younger siblings. “I look up to him becausehe always gets his goals accomplished and thatsets a good example for the kids and for me,”Anahy said. “He’s the one that keeps everyoneunder control.”

Alfredo feels that his younger siblings, An-thony and Ashley, made him be an example tolook up to. “I hope they do better than what Idid,” Alfredo said.

During his spare time Alfredo likes to read.“I’m one of the few college students that actu-ally likes to read,” Alfredo said. “I’ve recentlyread some Jorge Ramos and Anderson Cooperbooks.”

After graduation, Alfredo plans to attend FortHays State University either in the fall semes-ter or spring semester.

Raul LemusCrusader staff

Hard work, determination,and a spirit to learn newthings are a few of the qual-ities of Dana Loewen.

As co-editor of the Cru-sader, her determination isoften put to the test in orderto meet deadlines; howev-er, her calm and composedmanner give the image ofquiet strength.

Loewen, a presidential scholar,as well as graduate of the year nomi-nee, is graduating this year from Se-ward County Community College/Area Technical School with a 3.86GPA and leaving a behind a history ofawards and recognitions as an editorof the Crusader.

“The Crusader is what I’m the mostinvolved in. It takes a lot of time andeffort, but it has all been worth it,”Loewen said. “I have gotten a lot ofexperiences, especially in journalism,being able to compete with other col-leges and learn new things.”

Besides being a part of the awardsthe Crusader staff has received underher leadership, she has also beenawarded second place in an on-sitecopy-editing contest, among other in-dividual awards.

“I really enjoy editing, so that’s myfavorite award that I won,” Loewensaid.

Being a Crusader editor takes mostof Loewen’s time, however, she stillhas time to devote to volunteer workand campus organizations. She is amember of Campus Messengers forChrist, Phi Theta Kappa, band andchoir.

Anita Reed, journalism instructorand Crusader adviser, has workedclosely with Loewen since she was afreshman. Reed described Loewen asa individual who “isn’t loud or self-promoting,” and that “she exempli-fies the type of student that makes meproud of SCCC/ATS.”

“She has been a really joy to workwith, always calm and collected,”Reed said. “It’s nice to have the calm

in the storm.” Loewen is the eldest daughter of

Verle and Sharon Loewen, andwas born in Meade. She has twoyounger sisters Tonya andHeather Loewen.

“I grew up inMeade; I lived in the

same house all my life,”Loewen said.

“Coming to the dorms here was achange, but wasn’t too difficult,”Loewen said. “My time here has pre-pared me for my next college.”

Loewen has a passion for writing,and she plans to transfer to WichitaState University and major in journal-ism.

Isaac Fuentes, a close friend, saidthat Dana is a unique individual.

“She seems very dedicated and at-tentive towards her passions,”Fuentes said.

Another passion that Dana has isher Christianity. In addition to her in-volvement in CMC and the AWANAprogram at First Southern BaptistChurch, she has been a part of threedifferent weekly Bible studies duringthe past year. She also attends churchregularly at either her home church inMeade, Emmanuel MennoniteChurch, or in Liberal at FSBC. Danawas also an intern for Wycliffe BibleTranslators in the summer of 2010.

“I plan on being involved in manymore things like that in the future,”Dana said. “I’ll probably be volun-teering at church camps some duringthe summer, and hopefully I can finda good Christian campus club and achurch with AWANA that I can be in-volved in.”

Even though Dana has a calm andcomposed demeanor, Fuentes saidthat “deep inside she is a little crazy,because she joined skydiving.” She’llbe jumping out of a plane along withFuentes and three other friends inPueblo, Colo., on May 28.

Dedication leadsto editor’s success

Hard-worker discoverspassion for journalism

“He’s my role model. He has such

determination to follow through

.”

-Anahy Anaya, sis

ter

“She has been a real

joy to work with,

always calm and collected."

-Anita Reed, Crusade

r adviser

Courtesy photos

Above: Dana Loewen and Alfredo Anaya went to theKSCB radio station to talk about the Crusader on JoeDenoyer’s morning show Thursday. Loewen andAnaya have been co-editors of the Crusader this year.Together, they brought the Crusader to being a GoldMedalist at the Kansas Associated Collegiate Pressawards for the first time in 10 years.Right: Online editor Deisi Barboza and Loewen sit onone of the many decorative horses in Louisville, Ky.,where the National College Media Convention was inthe fall of 2010. The Crusader was awarded SecondPlace Best of Show for special sections.

Left: Crusader staff members Ivan Gaytan, Octavio Rodriguez, Raul Lemus,Lizuly Monarez, Deisi Barboza, JeanetteContreras, Heidy Molina, Dana Loewenand Alfredo Anaya display their individualawards from the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press. Anaya was awarded theprestigious Journalist of the Year award,as well as four individual awards, including first place in feature writing andsecond in feature photography.Courtesy photo

Page 9: 2011 Graduation Issue

Reanna TumlinsonCrusader staff

Hannah Rotolo, a graduatingsophomore from SCCC/ATS, hasmany interests, hobbies, andplans for the future which includenursing and spending time withfamily.

Even though Rotolo is fromLiberal, this is her first year atSCCC/ATS since she played atBarton her freshmen year be-cause she was offered a scholar-ship. “Liberal is home, of course,and I missed my family. Also Se-ward is better at basketball, ofcourse,” Rotolo said.

One of her favorite memoriesat Seward was getting a chance toplay basketball. “Getting the op-portunity to transfer here and

play in front of my home townone more time will be some-

thing I remember fo rever, ”

Rotolo said. Rotolo also enjoys golfing with

her family. “I am real close to myfamily, I have one older brother.We go golfing together andwatch weekly TV shows. We tryto eat dinner together as much aspossible because we are all sobusy,” Rotolo said.

Something Rotolo does in herspare time is go to Applebee’swith friends for half-price appe-tizers. Rotolo also works at Tan-It in Liberal and for Dr. VirgilioTaduran, who is a sports medi-cine doctor.

Kendra Spresser, a sophomoreat SCCC/ATS and a friend of Ro-tolo’s, took note of her upbeatpersonality. “She works veryhard at whatever she does, butshe is also a really sweet personwith a funny sense of humor. Sheis so kind and soft spoken, but alot of people don’t see or hearsome of the funny things shesays,” Spresser said.

After graduating, Rotoloplans to attend Arizona StateUniversity to become a

nurse anesthetist. She will firstget her bachelor’s degree as anRN, and then she will attendgraduate school, also at ASU, toget her nursing degree. One ofthe things Rotolo will miss aboutSeward is working for director ofpublic information, Andy Yoxall.“I spent the most time with Andywhile I was here and she helpedme so much with Arizona State.She was my boss and my adviser,and school is going to be a chal-lenge without her. I’ll definitelymiss her,” Rotolo said.

Yoxall has known Rotolo foryears because Yoxall's daughteruse to baby-sit Rotolo. “Betweenthe two of them, they always hadto be moving. They always had tobe doing something. The two ofthem together had a lot of energy,which is something I have alwaysadmired about her. That plus herenthusiasm for life can easilymake a person feel better aboutthemselves as well. We needmore Hannahs in this world. Weneed more smiles like hers,” Yox-all said.

May 201110 Fortune befriends the bold

Jose VazquezCrusader staff

As Jeremy Jones watched onTV his hometown Chicago Bullstake on the Atlanta Hawks in thesecond round of the NBA playoffs,he reminisced about his sopho-more year at Simeon HighSchool.

Jones recalls his experienceplaying with the current MVP ofthe NBA, Derrick Rose, in prac-tice. “He would hang out with usbefore and after practice and he hada calm personality, but when thegame started he became a wholedifferent person and the drive andfocus he had was one that inspiredme to play at my best,” Jonessaid.

Jones started to start developinghis basketball skills at age 4. “Mymom had just bought me a smallkids hoop, and I would play onthe hoop all day around the houseand I would be slam dunking theball,” Jones said.

At Simeon High, Jones aver-aged 21 points and four assists per

game and was named to the All-State and All-Conference teams.After high school, he signed toWest Texas College. Jones’ WestTexas College team played Se-ward his freshmen year and beatSeward 77-73.

After his freshmen year, Jonestransfered to Seward. “When Iplayed against Seward I saw howCoach Z (Bryan Zollinger) letthem mesh together and play to-gether, and I wanted to see howwell I could play for Coach Z andwhat he had to offer me to im-prove my skills as a player,”Jones said.

After one year at Seward, Jonesaveraged 19 points and five assistsper game this season and lead Se-ward County to a Jayhawk WestChampionship and a 27-7 record.He also won the Jayhawk Westplayer of the year award. “I wassurprised that I had won. I thoughtJoe Mitchell from Hutchinsonwould have won it,” Jones said.

Jones has signed to KansasState University in the fall andwill play for coach Frank Martin,

one of the nation’s top head coach-es. He chose K-State over numer-ous offers including ArizonaState, Houston and South Flori-da.

“When I had my college visit atK-State, a lot of people were sokind and friendly to me, just asthey are here in Seward, and thatis when I knew that I was goingto attend K-State,” Jones said.“I’ve seen how Coach Martincoaches his players.”

Jones is currently undecided inchoosing a major. He is the eldestof four children with his twoyounger brothers, Jermaine, 17,and CJ, 1 year old, and his sisterTalicia, 14. Jones uses his familyas inspiration to succeed in bas-ketball. “I play for my family socan they succeed and look up totheir big brother andbe proud. I want tosee how far basketball cantake me,”Jones said.

Basketball player goes from Saint to WildcatJerem

y J

ones

Jerem

y J

ones

Hannah R

oto

loH

annah R

oto

lo

“I want to see h

ow far

basketball c

an take me."

- Jeremy Jone

s

“We need more Hannahs in the world.

We need more smiles like hers.”

- Andy Yoxall, director of public info.

Lady Saint’s positive personality shines

Page 10: 2011 Graduation Issue

11May 2011 Fortune befriends the bold

Rogelio AlvarezRogelio AlvarezAlfredo AnayaEditor

It’s enough of a challenge for many to be afull-time student and have a part-time job.

However, Seward County Community Col-lege Student Rogelio Alvarez is enrolled fulltime, has two jobs and is president of the busi-ness honor society for the Kappa Beta Deltaorganization as well as a Hispanic AmericanLeadership Organization member and a TRiOtutor.

Alvarez admits that sometimes managinghis time wisely was a challenge, but is nowvery aware of how important it can be. “I havelearned that if you can get organized, you canbe successful. I have learned to plan ahead,”Alvarez said.

Kappa Beta Delta is an organization thathelps business students get experiencedoing different types of business net-working in the community. Theyhave worked with the Lion’s Cluband also the Kiwanis organization.

Alvarez is a business majorwho was inducted into KappaBeta Delta this year, and later de-cided to run for the office of pres-ident of the organization becausehe wanted to be a leader for the club.“I volunteered because I wanted to take

a leadership role in the program and I like toget involved in things,” Alvarez said.

Tanya Dowell, one of the sponsors for theorganization, has had Alvarez in several busi-ness classes and feels like he did a lot for theclub this year. “Rogelio took initiative to mak-ing sure things that needed to be done gotdone,” Dowell said.

Dowell also notes how Alvarez is very fo-cused and responsible, and is was a good rep-resentative for the organization. “He’s verydedicated to everything he does and I appreci-ate the responsibilities he has taken and theleadership he has provided for Kappa BetaDelta,” Dowell said.

Along with being a part of Kappa BetaDelta, Alvarez is a member of the TRiO orga-nization and is a peer tutor for the program.

“Being a tutor has helped me giveback to students and be able topractice things I have alreadylearned,” Alvarez said “It’s a good

experience to help somebody else.”Rober Herbig, SSS academic and

career adviser, believes that Alvarezwas a good tutor because he is

friendly and always will-ing to help.

“It benefiteda lot of

students because he is always available and iseasy to approach, so anybody that took advan-tage of Rogelio’s tutoring definitely benefit-ed,” Herbig said.

Along with being involved in campus orga-nizations, Alvarez also works at H&R blockduring the tax season and helps his parentsMaria and Rogelio Sr. run their business, LaPequeña.

After graduating from Seward, Alvarezplans to transfer to Wichita State University tocomplete his bachelor’s degree in business. Healso hopes to get his master’s degree and ulti-mately become a certified public accountantand work for a firm.

Herbig believes that Alvarez is a good ex-ample for other students in that he has a goalas far as what he want to do with his educationand career goals. “He’s a very good examplefor students, especially in the area of being fo-cused and knowing what he wants. He’s notarrogant, he’s just quietly confident,” Herbigsaid.

Alvarez is thankful that he had the opportu-nity to attend Seward because it has helpedhim stay focused on his goals and meet newpeople. “The school has shown me to be suc-cessful as a person and as a student,” Alvarezsaid.

Business major cashes in on priorities

“He’s not arrogant, he’s justquietly confident.”

- Robert Herbig, academic and career adviser

Candidates for Certificate of Completion:Auto Body/Collision Repair:Everardo Acosta, Jr.Maverick Dakota ElamDemetrius J. GuillenDaniel Ramon Morales, Jr.Jesus E. MunizGerardo MunozAlberto Quijano, Jr.Ezequiel Rascon, Jr.William C. RoachJorge Antonio RosasHector Michael Baca SanchezDallas J. SmithAutomotive Business Management:Raul ArroyoGraciela ArteagaShane LowryAdrian VasquezAuto Mechanics Technology:Emery Jordan BallCody BellDerek BurnettAlexander ChaffinCaleb CrawfordTrenton EagleEric M. Garcia PerchesZach HaddicanRyan W. MooreOctaviano NieblasEzequiel Silva Luis ZapataBusiness Administrative Technology:Brianda Vanessa GonzalezAlma VergaraCIS Computer Graphics:Vanessa Jo BrooksCosmetology:Abigail T. BarriosKadee Rein CulverMaria Marlen GallegosCaily D. GrindleDeborah Lila KellingAllison KnierLeslie LanderosAmber N. LauerBrittney Morgan LeonardRosio MaresAnayeli MarquezValeria MarquezAbigail MartaTara MartinezPaula Nallely NietoFatima OrtizNidely PerezGisela Sandoval

Page 11: 2011 Graduation Issue

May 201112 Fortune befriends the bold

Marycarmen PerezMarycarmen Perez

Jose RodriguezCrusader staff

Dependable is one word many whoknow Seward Student MarycarmenPerez use to describe her.

“She’s dependable, responsible, andshe never complains,” Frances Brown,Hispanic American Leadership Organi-zation adviser, said of Perez.

Perez is graduating from SewardCounty Community College/ Area Tech-nical School with a degree in account-ing. She was also the secretary ofHALO.

“It got my attention. I liked it,” Perezsaid on joining the club.

She was a member both years at Se-ward and decided to run for office hersecond year.“I wanted to be some-body. I wanted to be more in-volved, I wanted to do morefor HALO than just be a

member,” Perez said.Perez, who graduated from Ulysses

High School, is also a tutor on campus.“It was great to work with her,” co-worker and HALO member Daisy Tapiasaid. “She can brighten your day ifyou’re down, and she’s a really goodperson.”

HALO president Carlos Ruiz agreesas having Perez around made his jobeasier. “She’s just very dependable, likeif I knew I was going to be late or if Iknew I wasn’t going to make it, I knewshe’d be there. She’s very responsible.”

The accounting major found that theexperience in the club helped her learnmany future skills. “It helped me learnto communicate with peo-ple and to be

more involved and talk to people I’m notreally familiar with,” Perez said.

Perez also enjoyed the perks that lead-ership gave her. “More people knewwho I was,” Perez said.

Perez will be transferring to WichitaState University in the fall to continueher education. “When I was a senior inhigh school, we took a trip and welooked at the school and I liked the pro-gram and the school,” Perez said. “AndI just want to get away from SouthwestKansas and go to a big city.”

Brown has noticed a change in Perezover the past two years. “She has ma-tured and she’s always been responsibleand helpful,” Brown said. “She has thequalities that are needed to be success-

ful.”

HALO member learns leadershipskills through campus club

“She has the qualities that are

needed to be successful.”

- Frances Brown, HALO adviser

Page 12: 2011 Graduation Issue

13May 2011 Fortune befriends the bold

Gwen FriesenGwen FriesenCelestina Padi l la

Crusader staff

Gwen Friesen is not your average non-traditional college student. The 30-year-old Moscow resident attended PlainviewChristian School from grades kinder-garten through eighth. She then tookhigh school correspondence courses outof Illinois, which is an equivalent tohome schooling. After she had complet-ed that stage of her education, she devot-ed time at home, but then had a desire tobecome a student once again.

Friesen began to take classes at Se-ward County Community Collegein 2007. She began with a fewcredit hours, gradually get-ting accustomed to studyingmore, and became more in-

volved in the college. Throughout hertime at SCCC, she has had work pub-lished in the Telolith literary magazine,been a member of Phi Theta Kappa, astudent participant in TRiO, and was alsochosen to represent SCCC for the 2010-2011 All-Kansas Academic Team.Friesen said being a part of the Academ-ic Team was an honor, especially due toall the interesting people she met. Whenshe is not on campus she spends the ma-jority of her leisure time outdoors. If notoutside, she spends time reading, surfingthe web or playing games online.

Friesen’s overall experience atSeward has been very positive.

“I've really enjoyed it; everyoneis helpful, friendly and there’s al-ways someone to help,” Friesensaid.

Psychology instructor Katy Redd hasalso taken note of Friesen’s unique per-sonality. She said she “really admiresher. She’s always positive; she's bright,insightful and willing to speak up inclass. She violated my expectations in avery positive way.”

Redd also said, “She was a joy to havein class, and she truly shines academical-ly.”

Friesen’s future plans include attend-ing Fort Hays Virtual College, and shehopes to pursue a degree in elementaryeducation.

Friesen ultimately is glad she has beenable to meet her goal of graduating fromSeward.

Non-traditional student reaches graduation goal

Jessica C. SisseckViridiana VargasNicolette Cheyanna YoungDiesel Technology:Jefferson BachBrandon R. ElliottJose HerreraDrafting and DesignTechnology:Jose M. TorresHeating, Ventilation,Air Conditioning andRefrigeration:Eric Alejandro AlconCrystal J. ChambleeMatthew J. ChambleeTony L. DelkRafael Diaz-LozadaFernando FraireTrevor FrydendallJose De Jesus GodinezJosue Otoniel Arguijo Martinez

Francisco A. MorenoMiguel Angel OrdonezVincente L. OroscoJames L. PierceElihu ValenzuelaMachine Tool Technology:Tho D. Vo Medical Assistant:Amber CostillaEmily Deming-WaymanCasey LeAnn DrummKiana Monae GoitiaMaria Dianeli MorenoMegan Renae NickelCherry RiderMedical Coding andReimbursement Specialist:Glenda Rojas AcostaTriana Elizabeth BarraganDiana Marie GillRebecca ZielkePractical Nursing:Reyna Silvia AguilarChristopher Adam BobedaMary E. BraleyAlyson Anne ChildressBrittany CoenKelsey Dawn CookJentri CooperMargaret A. CortezRonald CristAshley DuncanTasha Michelle Duvall

Marilyn Eddleman-CosbyAngela Lee FabbroLiberty L. FeenstraLuella A. FregonVirginia GastelumSamantha M. GillespieAlma GranadosDaisy GrewellElisha HamiltonTak Yee LeungRocheal MathisAnnalynn NguyenIrma H. O'BryanLaSasha R. LiraMandie Denise SlackMartin SwansonCrysta Lyn TuttleCheri VanDoren-CookSalesperson:Frankie MendozaSurgical Technology:Sue BlumenstockTabatha D. BrooksAnabel ChavezSindy L. FigueroaJessica HitchcockJessica C. HutzlerJamie LockeGregory J. MirandaLizeth S. PerezRandi Leigh PriestJuan C. RamirezKatheryn Elizabeth TannerDesiree ThompsonWelding Technology:Shawn M. BrownMarcos MartinezJose G. PerezRene RiosLuis Carlos RonquilloSamuel Santibanez IVJohnny Torres

2011

List of graduates

provided by SCCC/

ATS registrar.

“She was a joy in class, and she trulyshines academically.”- Katy Redd, psychology instructor

Page 13: 2011 Graduation Issue

May 201114 Fortune befriends the bold

Ivan GaytanSports editor

A graduation ceremony that onceseemed impossible is nearing forauto body/collision repair studentDaniel Morales.

Morales attends the technicalschool and will receive his certifi-cate in auto body/collision repair onMay 14. But Morales’ path to gradu-ation has been more difficult thansome.

A few years back, Morales was al-most killed in a car crash and wasleft completely disabled. Moralessaid he was part of an attemptedmurder situation.

He was rushed to the ER in life-threatening condition. Morales hadtwo collapsed lungs, all his ribswere broken and multiple bones inhis body were, too. At this point,Morales recalls that doctors said hehad only a 1% chance to survive.

The medical staff advised pullingthe plug on Morales, but his momstill had hope that he would survive.He said the doctor gave his mom anorgan donor form, but she ripped it

up.Morales’ family argued to get him

airlifted to a bigger hospital. Theirconcerns were finally met, andMorales was airlifted to Wichita.

There, Daniel was put on a floorwhere all the patients had a 80 to90% chance to die.

“I was put on a special bed that ro-tated so my blood would keep rush-ing though my body. I was basicallya rotisserie chicken.”As the years passed, Morales made

it through his surgery, but he had torelearn everything. Although hewasn’t expected to walk again, heleaned how to walk, relearned howto eat, and other basics.

Now he is fixing and rebuildingcars. Morales made an incrediblerecovery and is doing every-thing he was doing before.

“I use this as my rehabili-tation to try to focus and getmy mind on a goal,” Morales said ofhis technical school experience.“I'm not even supposed to be alive,but I’m glad I am. Thanks to the bigman upstairs and my family, whoprayed for me and never gave up

hope.”Morales doesn’t want to stop; he

wants to keep on going and furtherhis education. He hopes one day hecan get a job so he can take care ofhis family.

He also hopes that one day in thefuture he can get his associates andgo on to a bigger college for hisbachelor’s degree.

“For the meanwhile, I’m going tokeep doing this, even if I graduate,I’m going to come in a couple hoursa day and keep working on cars. It’s

what I like to do, fornow.”

Daniel MoralesDaniel Morales

“I’m not even supposed to be alive,

but I’m glad I am.”

- Daniel Morales

Car crash survivor gets second chance

Page 14: 2011 Graduation Issue

Fortune befriends the bold 15May 2011

Octavio RodriguezEntertainment editor

Lyudmyla Battin is a nursingstudent at SCCC/ATS. She isoriginally from the Ukraine,where she also studied nursing, anexperience she described as “sixyears of misery. It was long andfull of hardship.” She lives in Per-ryton, Texas and is employed atOchiltree General Hospital.

Battin is a person of few words.She also seems humble and isdedicated and passionate abouther profession. “I don’t want to bein administration. I like my pa-tients, it’s just my cup of tea,” shesaid.

Though she has been in the U.Sfor 11 years, it took her a longtime to adjust to the customs andpeople. “It’s a lot different. It tookme about three years to just blendin,” Battin said.

The population also had an ef-fect on her way of life, because in

the Ukraine, she lived in a biggercity. “I came from a large city inUkraine and when I moved to thislittle town in the middle ofnowhere, it took a while to ad-just,” Battin said.

Apart from that, she hasbrought the things she has learnedacross the world into the class-rooms here. She was already avery experienced veteran in thenursing program before coming toSeward.

“Lyudmyla has such expertisein the medical field already be-cause of the education she hashad, so she has a great under-standing of the things we’re talk-ing about. She’s a professional.She’s always very helpful to oth-ers,” nursing instructor Veda J.King said.

Although she is highlyregarded, being a for-eigner has still beenhard for Battin attimes.

“Even though I got my citizen-ship several years ago, I still feellike a foreigner. I can’t reallycommunicate sometimes and fol-low directions as well sometimes,but everyone was very helpful.”Battin said.

Even though there is that gap incommunication, the instructorsand students in the nursing pro-gram look up to Battin for herknowledge and honesty.

“She’s a very intelligent girl andshe’s been an awesome classmate,and we really look up to her for allher knowledge,” said BrandiColvin, another nursing student.

Aside from school, she also hastwo children; both are boys, one is10 years old, the other 6 years old.Her long-term goal is to obtainher BSN in nursing within thenext year.

Lyudmyla BattinLyudmyla Battin

“She’s a professional.

She’s always very helpful to others.”

- Veda King, nursing instructor

Nurse positively aims toward life goal

Page 15: 2011 Graduation Issue

May 201116 Fortune befriends the bold

Intramural ChampsIntramural Champs

Alfredo AnayaEditor

Flag football, coed sand volley-ball, 3-on-3 basketball and dodge-ball were four of the intramuralsports offered at Seward this year.

Many teams competed, but onlyone group of teammates won allfour events. Team leader LandonHarp, along with Aaron Schaffer,Nathan Nelmes and BerakahCarter, competed to win the fourintramural sports.

Harp feels that he didn’t have todo much leading because his teamalready had good teamwork. “Weall had good chemistry and knewwhat we had to do to win,” Harpsaid. “It wasn’t exactly leadership,more just trying to motivate themto do what they already knew howto.”

For Nathan Nelmes, playing flagfootball was a new experience, al-though he has played many sportsin the past and is part of the Sewardtennis team. “It was my first timeplaying flag football, so that wasnew for me,” Nelmes said.

Nelmes felt like overall they hadgood team dynamics and all ofthem share a love for sports.

“We’re overly competitive. Welove sports, and we’re all good ath-letes, and especially Aaron Schaf-fer. He is very competitive,”Nelmes said.

Wade Lyon, director of studentactivities, had a chance to see theteam play and noticed they had bet-ter communication than otherteams. “They talked a lot more thanthe other teams. If anybody made amistake they weren’t afraid to leteach other know,” Lyon said.

Lyon also said that students whoget involved in intramural sportsget chances to meet new people.

Harp did admit that there were afew teams that gave them competi-tion in the events, but he believedin his team. “In each sport we hadone team that gave us some trou-ble, football it was Cesar Lujan’steam, basketball it was David Car-rillo’s team, and volleyball it wasBalls ’n’ Dolls,” Harp said.

Four friends stick togetherto take down competition

Crusader photo/ Alfredo Anaya

From left, Nathan Nelmes, Landon Harp, Berakah Carter and AaronSchaffer stand holding a volleyball, a basketball and a football. Theteam won all four intramural sports events this year.

Flag Football:Underdogz

YankiesLet Me See Your TDs

The Other Guys3- on-3 Basketball:

Harp’s TeamTeam And None

Ball ErrorsDirtbagz

Coed Sand Volleyball:DNA

Los ChicharitosSomos O BichoBalls ‘N’ Dolls

Dirty Beaches Against Safe SetsZombielanders

Dodgeball:The Joes

The Muffin StuffersSomos O Bicho

S.C.A.A.R.Spartans

Harp’s HerosDirty Ballers

2010-2011 Intramural

Teams

DormapaloozaDormapaloozaStudent Willy Gustin runs powerfully against the force of the cord pullinghim back, to score a point and win the game against his friend. Dorma-palooza is an event that takes place once a year during the spring semester. Students living in the dorms participate in fun-filled activities throughout the evening.

Tasha Duvall blows a raspberry asshe is lifted by the mini bungee-jump machine at this year’sDormapalooza.

Leo Bo Wangand Carlos

Dorado look onward with

smiles. Doradoplayed many ofthe activities atDormapalooza

May 5, includingthe one pictured.There was freefood and drinksgiven to anyone

attending theevent.

Levan Gabashvilirides a

bucking bull atDormapalooza.Gabashvili is

one of the manyforeign students

on campus.There weremany other

activities for thestudents to try

out as well.

Photos by Octavio Rodriguez