Feeling Groovy on the Stage

Central Christian College production for the fall is the always entertaining and whimsical “Mid Summer’s Nights Dream.” This Shakespeare original is being given a new twist, a tie-dye and camouflage twist. Using original dialogue from the play the setting has the entire story takes place during the 1960’s. The production promises a colorful cast with many returners including David Noren and Kathryn Lott who are both seniors this year. Joe Hirsh will also be gracing the boards with his vibrant personality as an actor and co-director of the play. Many other returning performers will act in this lively and extremely funny play.
It will have you trying on your old bell bottoms again as the energetic cast divides up into hippies, military, and some sort of village person…The hippy fairies will espouse peace and love, yet cause more mischief for young love than peace, and militant Athenians will run amok trying to keep the lovers apart. As with most of Shakepeare’s plays there are comic elements to please any audience. Things are made even more interesting when a band of rag-tag, amateur actors stumbles into the hippy fairies forest while trying to get a play ready for the military Duke’s wedding feast. 
 In short, audience members should come ready to laugh at the high-energy comedy in store for them. The actors have promised to give their best performance and be as groovy as they can be. With that said, ON WITH THE SHOW!

 By: Kathryn Lott

A Mural to Honor our Soldiers

  

    The Central Christian College art department was given the job of a painting that would cover the side of the American Legion Building in McPherson representing the different wars the town has taken part in since the founding. The painting started in June, and they expect to finish at some point in November. Amanda Shaw, under the supervision of Prof. Naomi Ullum with the help of Stevie Penn have planned, organized, and spent hours painting. The goal behind the painting is to be a storyboard to educate people, as well as memorialize what people have fought for and sacrificed.

    The painting is being completed in different sections in the New Art Studio the school has established in the last year. Amanda Shaw works on the painting five days a week, for eight hours each day. Amanda says that she has easily spent 800 hours on the painting and with the planning and prep there has been at least 1,000 hours put into the pieces thus far. Before they started the painting they spent months researching and coming up with a plan for the final product. In addition to the ideas from the gentlemen at the American Legion Building, they consulted pictures and concepts from people, online resources, and in books.

    The painting represents the major wars that McPherson has been apart of since the town was founded after General McPherson. There are 5 wars that are represented with the main ideas and events. Not only from the war side, but also what the town and people at home sacrificed. WWI and WW2 are both represented, along with the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Middle Eastern War. According to Amanda, the hardest part of this was going through all the material to decide what aspects of each war they wanted to draw into the storyboard.

    This is a great example of how art has the ability to educate and touch the community. Taking part in this project has been a great opportunity for Central, as well as the community to see what the students have the ability to do. This project has benefited both parties. The men from the American Legion Building stop by quite often to see the progress out of anticipation for the final outcome. When November comes many people are looking forward to the unveiling of the final product.

Minor Set Back for a Major Comeback

Head women’s basketball coach of Central Christian College, Chris Honeck is man that has had a major set-back and has come back stronger than ever. Last year, he went through a life threatening illness called, diabetic amytrophy, which is a neurological condition that affects the muscles in the legs. Through this illness, he went through losing feeling on the whole left side of his body. Then gained movement back through rehab and support from family, friends, and players and was able to start walking with a cane, which then moved to having full use of his limbs again. In the last week he had a doctor’s visit where he was told the news that he is in better health than he has ever been in the past 3 years of his life. His diabetes are stabilized, and he has lost 35 pounds in the last year which has caused him to feel better than ever. The way that he keeps his physical therapy in tact is playing golf which is not only requiring him to work all of his muscles but it is strengthening his core. The key component to a strong body, starts at the core. He has accepted the limitations that he did not have before, which has made him find strengths he never had before mentally and physical. The only thing that bothers him now is the residual pain in his legs from time to time.  

Going into the season this year, Honeck wants to stay true to his coaching philosophy which has not changed since first becoming coach of the women’s program. He wants to put more emphasis on the core beliefs which is what he believes will drive the team to be the best the team that he believe that Central Christian College has ever had with the women’s basketball program. Honeck believes that the team has more talent than ever in the past, chemistry is there that has never been present, and he stated, “even if we weren’t more talented, I think we would have a pretty good year just because of how close we are.” Internal expectations that both him and the assistant Coach Sarah Rhodes wants for the team is to walk away and say that this was the best time that they have ever had playing basketball. Both coaches also agree that no matter where the player was individually at the beginning of the season spiritually, that they grew with their relationship with God at the end of the season. External expectations that he has for the team is to play in February in Iowa at the conference tournament, and from assistant Coach Sarah Rhodes she would like the team “to be more than just good at basketball, but be an example to the community, and seen as classy young ladies.”

Honeck and Rhodes both want the team to not just be able for 40 minutes, but now have mental toughness, and team effort which will play into it meaning more than just a win for the ladies. It will carry over into real world outside of basketball which can be applied to life. They also want it to be where the women’s basketball team will be respected by other teams to know that win, lose, or draw there will be a fight and with the team he has this year, and the only thing that can hold them back are themselves. This team has faced many adversities in the past, but from the coaching staff, to the players, they all know that the come back from their set-backs has yet to come and they are patiently waiting for their time.

Article By: Olivia Richard

Central Walk's for Babies

Central Phi Beta Lambda hosted the 2nd Annual Walk for the March of Dimes this past Saturday October 3rd. PBL members from all over Kansas came to support Central PBL and the March of Dimes. They had the special privilege of hosting the PBL National Officer Kennedy Reynolds, the Mountain Plains Regional Vice President. This year's walk was a success and raised over $400 to go to the March of Dimes and the fight against premature birth. Phi Beta Lambda has been united with March of Dimes for nearly 40 years and has helped raise over 15 million dollars.

In case you were unable to attend, you can still make a donation to March of Dimes. With a donation of $10, you will receive a complementary t-shirt from the walk. All the proceeds from the shirts will go to March of Dimes.

By donating to March of dimes you will be a part of helping end premature births. And will also have a shirt to raise awareness to others. So please consider donating. You may turn in your donations to any of the PBL Officers, Dr. Ferrell, or Heath Whitehouse.

By Jody Bohnenblust

Ritchhart takes the Plate

The past several years have provided roadblocks for the Central softball program. Having three different coaches over three years can make it difficult for a team to focus on a game. However, they believe the uncertainty is now over with the addition of Mark Ritchhart the new head coach. When asked how she feels about Coach Ritchhart Mandy Jacquez a junior said, “he is so great. He really cares about us on and off the field.” Later a group of players was asked and the consensus was that, “he’s such an awesome coach and we love him and how he pushes us to be better.” The team spoke incredibly highly of him that I was excited to sit down and interview him myself.

When I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him, we covered several questions about the program.  First I asked; how are you going to prepare for the team this upcoming season? He replied

“the mental aspect is very important. I want the team to do softball stuff on the regular basis. Making sure that the program is based on a positive environment, always having a winning attitude. I want the ladies to know that they are here for a reason, and that not everyone gets this opportunity and that they have a special gift.”

I then asked how did he feel about this year’s team? He replied “that I was very surprised how they accepted me in the program, and that the ability of the athletes I have excites me and I’m expecting a good year this year.”  Being at a Christian school I asked him what does he do to make the team connect closer to God? He replied

“we have devotion once a week, we pray at the beginning and the end of every practice. I enjoy having them connecting to God here and hopefully they connect with him after they leave from here as well. I always want my players to have God centered in their life.”

I agree with Coach Ritchhart this will be a great year here and I wish him and the softball team the best of luck this year.

By Alonzo Stafford

Al Henrion my Mentor and Friend!

The summer of Al was not at all what I thought it would be. A year and a half ago I heard Al Henrion, the stained glass teacher at Central, say that he had a glass business of his own. He said sometimes he got behind on the orders he received because it was just him working. He was not advertising, just talking, but a little switch went on in the back of my head. I asked Al later that same day if I could intern with him over the summer in a years time. The short answer is that he said yes and I learned many things I did not know before.

At first I thought the summer would mostly be consumed with stained glasswork at Al’s studio in Pinconning, Michigan. It was not. The first five weeks of summer where spent finishing up Central Christian College’s new Art Lab, that I affectionately call “The AL”. This was my favorite part of the summer. Al is essentially a jack-of-all- trades and he taught me a plethora of skills involved in construction and the finishing of a building.

            I learned how to wire outlets and switches, cut/put up dry wall, plaster walls, and lay carpet. I cut trim for doorways, windows, floors and ceilings and painted a cement floor. I also became a true master of painting walls and staining wood. The entire experience was rewarding and taught me more than I could have imagined. Al is a great tutor. He would patiently show me how to, efficiently, do a job and then would leave me to my work. It was exactly the kind of work environment I like to be in.

            It was a blessing to have a mentor who took pride in the work being done. Al would always make sure a job was done to the best possible measure and he really enjoyed doing a good job. That sort of example rubbed off on me. Working with Al on that building gave me more Central pride than the previous two school years put together. I love that I can now say I helped finish that building, that even when I graduate I can come back and see my handiwork put to good use. One of the main factors that pushed me to be careful and precise was thinking of students, like Mayuko Shono, using the building. I really wanted it to be nice for her and others. Central has a cool history of its students and alumni continuing to support the school and I am really glad I could continue that history.

            The rest of the summer was devoted to glass projects, both warm and cool, in Michigan. Warm glass being glass that is fused in a kiln and cool being normal stained glass. I had the privilege of taking my best friend Jessica Massie (an alumnus of Central) with me. Al and Jody, his wife, treated us like royalty. We had full run of the glass studio and it was a blast making projects. Glass can be tedious sometimes, but the finished product is worth it. The most useful part of the summer, to me, was going to the art shows were Al and Jody sell their glass. Watching and helping with that process helped me to realize that glass will probably not be a career for me. I love it, but I am not a savvy enough businessperson to make it a career.

            The summer was exceedingly interesting, fun, and challenging. Al is interested in making this same sort of experience open to future Central students who are looking for an art internship. I would recommend it. There are few opportunities that will be as much fun and instructive as a summer with Al and Jody Henrion.

By Kathryn Lott

Central Students Get Down and Dirty

Starting this year Central students are experiencing the art of getting dirty in the newly remodeled warehouse thanks to the new ceramics class the school is now offering. The students are being taught the fundamentals of ceramics by Shane Dawson. Dawson is excited about having the opportunity to start the new program and sees it as a start to three dimensional arts at the school. He hopes to see it spread to a sculpture class, or other arts that create larger projects.  

    In recent years Central made the decision to expand the art department. This past year the school renovated a Morton building across the street to be a hands on art studio.  Thanks to a Grant from the Windgate Foundation, Al Henron, and many other volunteers, it is now ready for students. It is currently geared for a ceramics studio, and will have the ability to host stained glass classes this Interterm. The ceramics students have access to a table to wedge clay, wheels to throw on, kilns to fire their work, and other tools as well. The studio is still in progress but has the ability to fully function as it is.

    Having a ceramics studio gives students the ability to make three dimensional art. Ceramics is unique because the Bible talks about God being the potter and us being the clay. It gives students the opportunity to see their work the way God sees them. There is investment that goes into every piece. There is no such thing as perfection. The things that the onlookers may see as flaws, are what make the art beautiful in the eyes of the artist. God sees His people the same way. Ceramics class has given students a reason to get their hands dirty, a way to release stress, and put a visual to God’s word.

The Boys are Back in Town!

            Coach Tony Romero is the head men’s basketball coach here at Central Christian College. He is a father of three and fulfills every part of the words husband and dad. Coach T, Tony Romero’s most common nickname, has been coaching for 12 years. He’s served as an assistant coach for 5 years, and has been head coach for the past 7 years. I use “serve” specifically because that is part of Coach Romero’s philosophy- having a servant attitude.

            Coaching is more business oriented than one might think, and preparations for each season can be time consuming, stressful, and nonetheless each decision is extremely vital. When it comes to being a college basketball coach, recruiting comes first. “I felt like our returners are pretty solid,” was his response when asked about the recruiting for the upcoming season. Returners are those players that have experience with the program from past years or semesters, and Coach T expressed his confidence in such players. Acquiring/keeping other coaches for assistance is also a part of the recruiting process, and unfortunately Coach Romero is no longer accompanied by either of the assistant coaches from last year. He says it is “kind of stressful” trying to find an assistant coach. However, he has added former teammate Guy Gardner to the coaching staff and says he is “confident in the guy we hired.”

            Coach Romero is “excited” and “very confident” in this year’s team. “I feel like we’ve been building up each of the last couple years and improving in some ways, and physically maturing;” as a player it’s obvious to see Coach Romero’s high anticipation of the group ready to accept the challenge of protecting our home floor, Dr. Jerry E. Alexander Arena.

            A well-known player and role model on and off the court, Brandon Glynn states, “I feel like I’ve gotten better under this program… and regardless of the budget that we’re on compared to other bigger schools, we  have great opportunities to grow as players and look nice while doing it.” We’re all undoubtedly excited to be represented by not only the basketball program, but all sports teams holding up the reputation of the CCC Tigers!

By: Kendric Warren

Does Jesus Change Everything?

            This year at Central Christian College the chapel theme is “This changes everything” proposed by Pastor Justin Mourn. But the real question around is, Does Jesus Change Everything? When observing the situations going on in the world of a college students everyday life, the real mental and spiritual fight is questioning Jesus’ existence or if God is even real.

Every four years at this institution there is a theme that is developed and followed around the campus. This quadrennial the theme is called the “C.O.R.E.” beliefs. Last year was the “c” meaning, connect, this year the focus is on the “o” meaning, open yourself to the life changing work of the gospel. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV). Pastor Justin’s goal is hopefully to reach to the students so that they will learn who God is. He stated that he wants to “connect to the students on a level right where they are at.”

To make sure that there is a way for students to have tighter community and not feel alone, there are small groups or HBC’s (Healthy Biblical Communities) and Mourn feels these are important. Small groups are a way for students to build a community and learn how to overcome spiritual battles that they are having within themselves. They are a way of conquering that feeling of being alone in a new place without being alone. He believes that the small groups help share life and build a tighter community by making relationships stronger. Pastor Justin will be making a landing page on the schools website to help the small group leaders who are stuck and do not have an idea on what to talk about that week in HBC. He will make a video on Tuesday chapels only that will give the leaders games, video clips, scriptures, and give one tip on how to be a great small group leader. It is free and optional help that would be a great way to start off the small groups, and to have continuing series for the remainder of the HBC.

The real question is not “Does Jesus Change Everything?”  The real question is are you open to letting Him change everything?  So, get involved, join a group, attend and listen in chapel, and keep yourself open to the changes that will come.

By: Olivia Richard

Hoxie's Plan for Success!

            During offseason, Coach Aaron Hoxie of the men’s Soccer team at Central Christian College did a lot of work to prepare for this upcoming year. His team did fairly well last season ending in a post season against Tabor College. The players and coaches are excited to be back and shake off last season. Coach Hoxie said “I’m excited to bring back all of my starters from last season and welcome in the new recruits as well.”  

            Hoxie’s preparations for this year include “a lot of hard work,”  recruiting, figuring out which players were staying and leaving, which students were prepared for the year, and who he thought had most improved over the summer break. He also did a lot of scouting of other teams; including going to the schools or watching film. He also spent a lot of time figuring out game plans, substitutions, and who were the best players on the team.

When asked “what has Coach Hoxie done differently this year compared to last year?” Oscar Gudino, one of his senior players said, “He’s more of a player coach, has higher expectations and he cares more about his players on and off the field.”

            Hoxie thinks that his players are more prepared after the recent preseason games; which exposed some flaws, and believes that the team will be better than last year. Hoxie ended with, “The team is headed in the right direction and this will be an exciting year.”

By Alonzo Stafford

Larry Dethroned

Central Christian College has started a new tradition of awarding a teacher with “The Teacher of The Year” award at the end of each academic year. The Teacher of the Year Award is given based upon votes from peers, faculty and students. The recent winner of the award is Dr. Robin Jackson. Dr. Jackson has worked 15 years at Central as an academics, mathematics and natural science instructor.

I asked Dr. Jackson how it felt to dethrone Larry Anderson as the second recipient of this award and she replied, “ I don’t think of it as a dethroning, but the joining of exemplary company.” She said that she was both stunned at receiving the award and appreciative of the vote of confidence from both her peers and her students. Dr. Jackson also expressed pleasure in receiving this award because teaching is her second job, for 20 years she was a professional analytical chemist and this award is a wonderful recognition that she is “on the right track” and the students are actually learning from her.

Dr. Jackson’s drive and passion is to live out her testimony to Christ and show that God’s Word and science “absolutely fit together.” She tells all her classes that chemistry and math are just a front for showing that God’s Word is literally true. I inquired what her advice to other teachers might be. Her enthusiastic reply was, “ Never be afraid to make your teaching hallmark that you will teach the truth of the Bible.” She said that in any subject the goal of teaching is to point to truth so in the end “there is only one subject and that subject is The Truth.”

Her favorite aspect of teaching is “helping students acquire the tools they need to teach themselves… a successful teacher is someone who has taught a student to no longer need them. You hope that spiritually and emotionally they still want you around, but they can think for themselves.” Central is honored to have Dr. Jackson as teacher of the year. We greatly anticipate what her reign will bring!

by: Kathryn Lott

Phi Beta Lambda Goes to Nationals

A group of six students and two advisors and one other staff member have arrived back from Chicago, IL after attending the PBL National Conference.  The students are Josh Black, Liz Caron, Brady Sherman, Todd Nelson, Tara Kemp, and Grace Chaires.  The advisors are Heath Whitehouse and David Ferrell.  Rich Martin accompanied us as a quasi-advisor, tour guide, PBL alumnus, former PBL national winner and native of the Chicago area.  He got us around the city of Chicago.

We experienced a range of emotions during the trip.  We had a great experience seeing the sites of Chicago including a) the Bean (I hadn't heard of it before), b) the Navy Pier, and c) Millennial Park among other sites.  We attended a variety of workshops and competed in various competitions.  We stayed at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago situated right on the Chicago River.  The view was outstanding.

Unknown to us until the first day of the conference, our state advisor mistakenly left off of the official national event registration, three of our events effecting four students.  They were Marketing Analysis and Decision Making (Josh, Brady, Liz), Public Speaking (Josh) and Retail Management (Tara).  Each of these students had qualified in these events during State competition.  In fact, our Marketing team had taken first and had left our competition in the dust.

To make a long and hard process short, after much research, deliberation, discussion, two separate times with the PBL CEO (a very nice lady), we were not allowed to complete in these events since the state advisor failed to properly sign us up and did not properly proof her work (others from the Kansas delegation were left off as well). 

The good news is that the national office is changing their procedures based on our persistence with all the decision makers (whomever would hear our plight) which will help resolve this particular issue in the future.  David Ferrell is also crafting a protocol/proposal for the national office to consider for other discrepancies that occur.  It just wasn't right to penalize the students, who had done everything that had been asked of them, because of an error made on up the chain.  Because it effected four of our six students, it kind of put a damper on the week for us.  Josh Black was not allowed to compete in either of his two events because of some other persons mistake.

However, we are pleased to report that we still brought back a SECOND in Marketing Concepts by Tara Kemp.  This was an individual testing event.  We also brought back a FOURTH in Local Annual Chapter Report.  Our president, Liz Caron, was the primary writer and crafter of the report.  These are significant in light of how many students/colleges would have participated in these events.  There were 2300 students attending the conference, probably 35 or more competing in Marketing Concepts and probably 25-35 PBL local chapters submitting a chapter report.  For us to place as high as we did is a testament to our students and to our program.

Thanks to many of you for your support and prayers.  Next year to Atlanta.

David Ferrell