The college movie life’s for me?

Rodney Dangerfield and Chris Farley had life figured out when they took the lax route to graduation. Although Dangerfield had already lived life by the time that he, Thornton Mellon (Back to School) went back to college to earn his degree, he and Chris Farley, Tom Callahan Jr. (Tommy Boy) realized that the real world is hard and that life is easier when it is confined to fraternities and house parties (at least in the movies).

The point I am trying to make? I wish my life were as cool as a movie, where I could be Ferris Bueller whenever I felt it necessary, but free like Macaulay Culkin and never have to worry about money (Richie Rich). Sadly, the odds of my life turning out like a Hollywood film are slim to none. Heck, I can’t even follow the one rule about fight club. I don’t understand why the simplicity of a fictitious plot cannot be applied to my overwhelming college life. If only I could be more like Ryan Reynolds in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, where I would rule the school and never have to worry about mundane things such as “growing up” and “getting a real job”, however; my name isn’t Peter Pan. I haven’t found the fountain of youth and I have to start getting used to waking up at the indecent hour of 7:30 a.m. I am gradually stepping closer to the steep edge of adulthood and responsibility.   I feel like my time in college has adequately prepared me to become the next President of Tim McGraw’s fan club. Even if I don’t turn out to be a “winner”, no matter what curveball life may throw at me, may it be wrinkles, osteoporosis, sleep apnea, or dentures; I will always feel as if my story could have been told better if it would have been a movie first.

Happy summer!

Sincerely,

Cassie Paulsen

Freshman year coming to an end soon

Wow! Time sure does fly by, but what an awesome freshman year experience I have had at Central Wyoming College. The spring weather has sure come in full swing so today in our Sports Medicine Taping Class, we were able to go outside and tape each other on the picnic tables thanks to our teacher Scott Pope!

It’s been a year of getting to know other students and faculty and really becoming a part of the college family that we have here. It’s been a fun experience getting to know my instructors also, all of which I have enjoyed learning from.  I love the feeling of walking through the cafeteria or even the hallways of campus and seeing some smiling face of a friend or a teacher.

I look forward to returning to Riverton this fall and pursuing my degree and getting to know more people with all of the opportunities that come with it!

Danni Jo Hinman
Quality Leader

Busy Week

I am a theatre/equine major and this week is a big week for both programs. Earlier this week The CWC Equine Center hosted a representative from the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) to put on a Certification Clinic along with members of the CWC Equine Staff. Six of the CWC Equine students, including myself, participated and became certified horseback riding instructors. We were all a part of the Teaching Riding class which prepared us for the clinic. During each class period we taught mock lessons to each other. We were to teach the material in a fun creative way while upholding CHA standards. The class was great fun as we impursonated  a variety of different ages from eight to senior citizens. Everyone taught around thirteen lessons so we were very well prepared for the Certification Clinic. During the clinic each of us taught three lessons in front of the CHA representatives. We were graded on a scale of 1-10 on safety, horsemanship, teaching skills, group control and professionalism. One of my lessons was a trail ride and since we couldn’t actually all go on a real trail ride I made a pretend one in the arena.

To make my trial ride fun I decided to give it a pirate theme. On the trail ride we were searching for buried treasure, we talked like pirates and everyone had a great time. I bought some candy and at the end each of the riders got a piece. My theatre background really came in handy allowing me to utilize theatre skills to create a fun environment. CHA has four levels you can certify at. Level One being beginner and Level Four being master instructor. You must ride one level above the level you are teaching. I certified at Level Two for both English and Western Riding. My certification tells prospective students that I am a knowledgeable and competent instructor. I am excited to use what I have learned in my summer job as a horseback riding counselor at Camp Cheley!

The CWC Theatre Showcase is this weekend and I am really looking forward to it. The last couple of nights we have had our dress rehearsals and it’s shaping up to be a good show. Everyone has worked hard on our short plays and we finally get to show them off. If you are looking for some free entertainment this weekend come to the Dance Studio in the Arts Center at 7:30 Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 and at 2:30 Sunday, April 22.
By Amanda Hessler
CWC Quality Leader

Duel majors takes planning

The end of the semester is drawing near only a few more weeks and summer time is here at CWC. My name is Benjamin Gale, I'm a sophomore here at CWC, and for a sophomore its an exciting time because your ready to graduate and move to another school. However, I will be returning this next fall to finish up my additional major in TV broadcasting. If your planning to complete two majors and you want to leave in two years, it's important that you have a good schedule of classes figured out. This may mean that you need to enroll in more classes per semester. If your not good at juggling a lot of homework, than I advise taking another year to finish or maybe just a semester.

Thanks for reading my blog posts. This is the last blog I will be writing for awhile. I hope that all your plans work out. If you come to CWC you'll probably see me right away.

Have a great summer!

Ben Gale
Quality Leader

UW coordinator on campus Thursday

Carolyn Haney, the BSW Coordinator for the Division of Social Work at the University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences will be on the CWC campus on Thursday, April 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Main Hall.  Students interested in the Social Work program at U.W. are encouraged to visit with her.  Thanks!

Paula Hartbank
Central Wyoming College
Student Support Services-Education/Transfer Coordinator

An opportunity to paint a mural

Opportunities open themselves up at CWC. As an art major I am always searching for ways to challenge myself. When John Gabrielson asked me to paint a mural outside of his house I was stoked! I have painted one mural in the past that was 6 by 7 feet. This time I am able to paint a mural that will be about 10 feet by 9 feet. He told me that he would like something along the lines of sunflowers and country scenes. As a family friend and professor at CWC I want to do the best job I can for him. It excites me to be involved in a project like this where I can let my art work shine. It is also a great opportunity for me because I am going down to the University of Northern Colorado to finish out my degree in Art and English Education

As the excitement of being an artist runs through me I get anxious to start painting, but before that happens I have to plan everything out. First, I sat down and drew different sketches for John to pick out. After that we have to figure out the dimensions in order for them to be correct on the mural. My canvas is going to be ply wood. Once John and I figure out the size for the canvas he will measure it out on plywood and build a frame for it. After that comes the fun part! I will primer the wood a few times in order to create a smooth surface to paint and and reassure that it lasts over the years. Then we will project my drawing onto the real thing to ensure accuracy. Painting murals is extremely difficult to freehand so this is essential in making everything proportional in the painting. This is when my artistic abilities can come to work and I can paint a beautiful work of art! I simply cannot wait to start this project and stand back and look at it when it is all finished! Plus the painting will be facing a road for all to see!

Nicole Cooper
Quality Leader

Advanced Reporting class demanding but fun

After finally graduating from news writing, I have moved up to advanced reporting.

It’s not that I never liked news writing, it’s more that there were so many rules to remember… Write out these numbers, but just write the number for these, oh, but combine these numbers with written out AND just the number, use this word, not that word. It’s hard to keep them all straight. However, I finally got them down and was encouraged to sign up for advanced reporting.

I was really nervous to take the class at first, because I thought, “Well, if it’s anything like news writing, it’s going to be a long semester.” There are so many people in this class that know what they are doing, and they produce excellent work. I feel like it’s hard to do the same quality of work when they have been here for so long, but it is my first year.

Every Monday is our “news meeting” where we bring in ideas about what news we want to have go over the air. After that week’s producer approves what you want to write about, during the week we write up our news stories and interview our people, then it goes over the air at noon on Friday. Then it starts all over again the next week!

Every week we get a new producer and a new talent. We all take turns doing each one at least once. It’s nice because we get to experience the stress and pressure of being a producer, and the quick thinking and confidence of a talent.

While the class is demanding, I have found that it is easier if you get things done quickly and keep all your information organized. This is not just important in the classroom, but in everything else that I do.

Jonnie Crossland
Quality Leader

College Life

I never imagined that college would be that much different than high school. Looking back there were always the clichés about college students and how life is just one big party, but I have learned that the fun one has at college is determined on their own interpretation of the word “party”. For me, I have found excitement in joining clubs and on campus activities such as INBRE, Undergraduate Research Club, and Quality Leaders.

College has given me the opportunity to interact with people whom I wouldn’t have even glanced at in high school as well as given me a chance to help people through exercises and activities I never thought possible. I find that while it is still hard for me to get up for an 8:30 a.m. class, it is more because I am lazy than the fact that I don’t enjoy going to college. I couldn’t ask for better professors, classmates, and general faculty because while I am here to learn, I am also here to grow as a person not just a student and the college environment makes it fun and easy to do both.

I am finding that the allure of college stems mostly from misguided notions of independence and responsibility but the fact of the matter is that I am still a kid at heart and while I like the fact that I can go out and help people as well as work and go to school, it is still nice to come home to a great family. What I thought college was a year ago is a complete 180 to what “the college life” actually is. Every day I am an active member in the on campus community as well as being well involved off campus too, and to me that is the best party anyone could ask for.

By Cassie Paulsen
Quality Leader

Come watch the Rustler Volleyball team

Tonight at 6:30pm the current Rustler VB team will take on a Rustler Alumni team made up of 9 players representing each team since volleyball returned.  Click on the link below to see the poster that includes pictures of those who are making the trip back to Riverton to play…

http://www.cwc.edu/web/cwc-website/life/athletics

Valley City State University on campus Thursday

Dr. Gary Thompson with Valley City State University in North Dakota will be on campus on Thursday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Main Hall.  Valley City offers several online education degrees as well as other online degrees/programs for students seeking Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.  If you are interested in visiting with Dr. Thompson, please make an appointment with Paul Hartbank at 307.855.2169.  Although appointments are not required, they are encouraged. 

Equine Clinic next weekend

Instructor Don Harrington teaches Basic Horsemanship on Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15 and Ranch Roping on April 21 and 22. Both courses run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  More information is available on our CWC website.