F x Times
A student–run publication
October 2014
4-10 Club Spotlight
10
Ask Foxy
14
Author Chat:
Angella Graff
18
Burial Chamber Feature
21 Patti Jorgensen
24 Alumni Feature:
RN Program Deana Kenjesky
26 Security Spotlight
28 From the Archives
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Articles can be submitted to [email protected]
A DIGITAL VERSION OF THIS PUBLICATION CAN ALSO BE DOWNLOADED AT: WWW.FVTC.EDU/FOXTIMES
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CONTENTS
Fox Times | OCTOBER 2014
2 From the Editor
3 Letters to the Editor
13 Cheers and Jeers
14 Author Chat: With Angella Graff
5 Phi Theta Kappa
20 Domestic Violence Awareness Month
6 Flexographic Club Recognizing Recycling
AITP
21 Patti Jorgensen Interview
4 Student Government Elections
7 FVTC International Students Back to
College Party
8 Interview FOXperts President
Jordan Terrell
9 Student Activities Committee
10 Frolfing Foxes
Ask Foxy
11 October National Awareness
National Novel Writing Month
18 Burial Chamber
23 Wednesdays with Wolfgang
24 Alumni Feature: RN Program
Deana Kenjesky
25 Halloween Funfacts
October Word Scramble
26 Security Spotlight – Ryan Scheel
27 Recipe of the Month
28 From the Archives
29Comics
12 Flash Fiction Challenge
Poetry Challenge
Advisor
Shannon Gerke Corrigan
[email protected]
Fox Times Staff Members
Rich Weber — Editor In Chief
William Miller — Layout & Design
Editor
Patty Jacob —
­ Reporter
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 1
I have written and rewritten this editorial several
times this month. In fact,
my layout editor Bill is
getting quite cranky that I
haven’t uploaded this yet.
Simmer down Bill, this one
has to be just right.
There are a number of great
things in this issue, an interview with Patti Jorgensen, Vice
President of Student & Community Development. A spotlight
on some clubs, feature on the Burial Chamber Haunted
House complex, and an interview with Security Intern
Ryan Scheel.
There are a pair of very serious topics being addressed in
this issue. Student Activities Committee (SAC) President
Patty Jacob wrote an article about breast cancer, and I have
written an article on Domestic Violence. Unfortunately, I
have many female friends that have been victims of domestic
violence. This is a subject that I feel strongly about.
What prompted me to write about this subject? I overheard
some conversations as I was passing through the halls here
at Fox Valley Technical College that incensed me and made
me literally sick.
Suggestions that Ray Rice’s fiancée should have “listened”
better, or that she should have “known her place”. That it is
her own fault that Ray Rice needed to “tell” her twice, and
other things that I refuse to repeat.
Some people have told me that a student publication is not
the place to discuss the weightier issues in society. I disagree
completely. I want dialogue. I want to provoke discussion
on sensitive issues. Feedback from the student body, faculty,
and anyone else that reads something within this paper is
extremely important.
I have heard nothing but good things so far about the paper,
even though we haven’t tackled the big stuff yet. The August/
September copy was intentionally kept issue light and
information heavy. Beginning with this October issue, we
will begin tackling societal and community issues that affect
us all.
I have very definitive views on many topics and issues. If
it interests me or concerns me in anyway, I will investigate
and research the heck out of it so I can make an informed
decision. Many people will agree with me, others will
disagree. I am fully open to any and all dialogue these topics
will bring up. It makes for a stronger publication and will
lead to a more cohesive student body.
By all means submit counter points to articles you see within
these pages. I invite anyone and everyone to participate. As
I have said before, the more viewpoints shared the greater
the opportunity for understanding and finding the proper
middle ground. Civil discourse is something that is seriously
missing in today’s society, especially on important issues.
Included in this issue as well is photos of your newly elected
members of the Student Government Association. (SGA)
Congratulations to all of the winners!
As always, questions or comments are welcome. Submit
them to [email protected], or to the Fox Times
Facebook page.
Have a great October, and enjoy all of the fun festivities that
will be happening all month long. Thank you for stopping by.
Rich
F x Times Articles Wanted
I have very definite plans for this publication in the
future months. I am looking for more participation
from you, the student body. Here is a list of articles that
I am looking for.
November Issue — Why are you thankful?
Thanksgiving stories, poems, photos, charity work,
whatever you can think of. If you want to submit
something and need a boost or idea, let me know.
December Issue — Holiday memories, good or bad.
Maybe you have funny stories of your family having a
great time during the holidays. Possibly you could have
stories about massive family brawls and trips to the
emergency room.
2 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
What did you enjoy most about 2014? What will you
miss, glad to see pass on by?
What are you looking forward to most in 2015? What
do you hope to see next year?
Are you graduating this month? If so, what are you
most excited about?
January Issue — Everyone has New Year’s
Resolutions, what are yours?
These are just a few examples of things you can
submit. I am always looking for more articles on areas
of interest within and outside of the college. Do you
have an exciting hobby you wish to share with people?
Email me at [email protected]
Dear Editor,
I am amazed at how well the new library turned out. So
much better than that really old one we had with the old
library smell. The new study rooms are awesome. A lot more
room for everyone to study at. The only bad thing is that
there are so many people in there now.
— Library Girl
Editor — On behalf of the administration, thank you. I will
be sure to pass it along. Are more people using it really a bad
thing though?
Dear Editor,
Why is the internet so slow here? I paid a lot of money to
come here and the internet takes forever to load things. The
computers are old too, and Windows 7? Really? Did they get
it free or something? Why do I have to pay for printing too?
Isn’t that what my tuition is for? Really didn’t expect to get
nickel and dimed.
— Feeling Ripped Off
— Hungry Nurses
Editor — I’m not sure, maybe there are plans for the C
building when the Public Safety programs move over to the
new Public Safety facility. I’ll mention it and update on the
Fox Times Facebook page what I found out.
Dear Editor,
Why is it so hard for people at this school to know how to
park? Either they are too far over, not far enough in, or too
far in taking up multiple spaces or half of the aisle. It isn’t
that hard people! Especially these giant pick-up trucks that
take up two spaces AND stick out in the aisle. If you aren’t
man enough to handle your “truck” then drive something
you can handle, like a Smart car or a tricycle.
— Parking Lot Rage-Face
Editor — Ooh, ouch. A tricycle huh? I agree, parking
between the lines should not be as difficult as some people
make it.
Used with permission
Editor — I believe the IT people just replaced many of the
computers in the college. In my opinion Windows 7 isn’t
as good as XP, but far superior to Windows 8. Boy I dislike
Windows 8. Printing is expensive, I don’t think a nickel a
page is too much to ask.
Dear Editor,
How come there isn’t a food kiosk over by the Health
Simulation building? Sometimes we only get a short break
and can’t get all the way to the commons and back in time.
Vending machine food is too expensive and not very good.
It is nice to have the Connections cart there, but most of the
time its credit card machine doesn’t work and many of us
have to go without coffee.
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 3
Your new Student Government Board!
Olbis Morrobel, President
Jason Oertel, Vice President
Julie Fry, Secretary
Zaida Landry, Parliamentarian
Choua Vue, Treasurer
Brad Lambie, Member at Large General
4 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
Christiana Coakley, Member at Large Clubs
By: Jeri Zilisch
Phi Theta Kappa will be having member meetings for
anybody that is interested in attending. This is open to all
that have an interest in Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and
to become more involved in building your leadership skills
and working with different kinds of fundraisers. It is a great
place to get to know people and be a part of a group that takes
pride in their organization. See below for the list of member
meetings for October as well as bake sales, popcorn sales,
fundraisers, information sessions about Phi Theta Kappa, and
the Fall Leadership Conference.
Phi Theta Kappa Meetings
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 from 8:30 am — 9:30 am
Wednesday, October 8, 2014 from 8:30 am — 9:30 am
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 from 8:30 am — 9:30 am
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 from 8:30 am — 9:00
am (bake sale after 9-1)
Wednesday, October 29, 2014 from 8:30 am — 9:30 am
Phi Theta Kappa Popcorn sale
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 from 9:00 am — 1:00 pm PTK Information sessions
October 7, 8, 9 (2 sessions)
FVTC Open House October 7, 2014
Fall Leadership Conference (Madison) October 17—18
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 5
Flexographic Club
Recognizing Recycling
By Tyler Tennessen
Did you know that you can recycle your chip bags?
TerraCycle has made a name for itself by creatively
reusing these snack wraps, drink pouches, candy wrappers
and chip bags. The company turns them into school
supplies, bags,
toys, pet products,
household cleaner
bottles and even
materials for your
garden.
This information is
coming from your
friends over at the
Bordini Center. You
know, the brick
building kiddy corner
from the Fox Valley
Technical College
main campus?
We’re learning how
to operate printing
presses over there
and go through
our fair share of
paper. This is why
we’re calling special
attention to recycling.
Paper Facts
• The recycling symbol called the “Mobius Loop” is
named after August Ferdinand Möbius (1790-1868), A
German mathematician.
• Using old paper to make new paper uses 30 to 50
percent less energy than making paper from trees.
• 40 percent of all waste going to landfills is paper.
Cutting down on paper waste will extend the lives of our
landfills. And the tax payer pays for the maintenance of
a landfill… meaning you and me.
• Newspaper can be recycled into egg cartons, game
boards, new newspaper, gift boxes, animal bedding,
insulation and packaging material.
• Office paper is recycled into paper towels, tissue paper
and toilet paper.
• Corrugated (another
paper product FVTC teaches
us to print on and what we
call the “substrate”) which is
old cardboard is created into
new cardboard and cereal
boxes.
• Approximately 1 billion
trees worth of paper are
thrown away every year in the
U.S.
• Recycling a single run of
the Sunday New York Times
would save 75,000 trees.
• A tree can absorb as
much as 48 pounds of carbon
dioxide per year and can
sequester 1 ton of carbon
dioxide by the time it reaches
40 years old.
• If all of our newspaper
was recycled, we could save
about 250,000,000 trees each
year. That’s a-lot of trees! I think we could all breathe a
little better if we recycled one more thing a day than we
normally would.
Another way to recycle is re-purpose the items you throw
out by finding new uses for them. Use an empty ketchup
container as a pancake syrup bottle. Use Frisbees to
reinforce your paper plates. Turn an old door into a coffee
table. I did and this works great!
AITP, The IT Organization of Fox Valley Technical College
President Michael Milspaugh, Vice President Jessica
Meshke, Treasurer Daniel Kobs, and Public Relations
Officer Mark Ferrel went to the Professional Chapter
meeting September 17th. We had a great time meeting and
networking with people from all walks of life in the IT field.
There were CEO’s, System Administrators, Programmers,
Web Developers, and many others.
6 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
The Professional Chapter of AITP meets once a month
at the Holiday Inn in Appleton. We met the Regional
President, Larry Schmitz. He was happy to see so much
participation from our chapter at the meeting. We also met
one of the National Board members. We look forward to
our next opportunity to meet with the bigger organization.
Come join us.
FVTC International Students Back to College Party
By: Olbis Morrobel
On Saturday, September 6th, 2014, the FVTC Global
Education and CASSOL Productions organized a
welcome party for the new international students.
The production of this event was in the hands of
Cassandra Benoit, an international student from
Haiti, and Olbis Morrobel, an international student
from the Dominican Republic.
The objective of this party was to put all of the
international students together in order to celebrate
the cultural diversity of all the different countries that
we are from. Around 70 international students and
community people attended to the event. The music
was in the hands of DJ Ryan, the good music got
everyone dancing. The food was handled by Chef Mike.
Moreover, the opening of this party was coordinated
by Matilde Nunez, an international student from the
Dominican Republic who performed bachata and
merengue. After the partygoers enjoyed a hip-hop
dance demonstration by Charline Rouamba from
Africa. Other presentations included Cassandra Benoit
and Jenny Metellus who interpreted different songs.
On behalf of the FVTC International students I
say thank you to the wonderful team of the Global
Education department, DJ Ryan, Chef Mike, the
FVTC security department, and the people in charge
of the facilities.
Impressions about the party:
“The best party ever in the U.S. — fantastic!”
— Juan Carlos Altamirano (Nicaragua)
“The party was very fun, I danced a lot, I had a lot of time I
did not have fun like that.”
— Cinthia Palacios (Mexico)
“It was a big party, at the end everybody was happy and
satisfies.”
— Ivan Maldonado (Mexico)
“I enjoyed a lot, it was wonderful.”
— Vicente Daniel Hernandez (Mexico)
“I had a lot fun; I danced even the announcement of the DJ.”
— Rafael Colas Ogando (Community person)
“The party was wonderful, I congratulate you.”
— Douglas Patarroyo (Venezuela)
“I loved the atmosphere and I loved the food. I was
also pleased to see that everybody was respecting and
understanding my culture when I explained that I couldn’t
dance with a boy!
In Bangladesh we have something similar to the tortillas
called roti, so it tasted like home!
The only thing I probably wished for was an official
photographer, maybe someone who could have
volunteered to capture the moments in an organized way!
Too many exclamation marks. This is my review of
#FVTCBackToSchoolParty”
— Farzana Fayeza (Bangladesh)
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 7
Interview President Jordan Terrell
Fox Times — What is FOXperts, and what is
its mission?
Jordan — We are Future Office Xperts and our
mission is to work and learn together while working
to achieve our individual goals and career paths.
FT — Are there specific programs you need
to be in to participate in your club, or can
anyone in the school join?
Jordan — Unfortunately, not everyone can join our
club. We are strictly a business program oriented
club. Marketing, Office assistant, Professional
Communications, Business Management, and
Medical Office Assistant. Anything business related
can join us.
FT — Are there any dues or requirements for
joining, other than program?
Jordan — No dues, no formal requirements other
than come to the Tuesday meetings and maintain
strong grades.
FT — Strong grades?
Jordan — To get the most out of any club, you need to
complete your assignments and have your grades in
order. Class work comes first, then you can have fun
with the FOXperts.
FT — What type of events do you sponsor, if
any?
8 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
Jordan — We sponsor Dress for Success, where we
provide bins around the school for people to drop
off business clothes, business casual, you know,
interview clothes. We then sell those clothes at a
steep discount to people that need clothing for an
interview.
We also printed and formatted Chef Jeff’s cookbook.
Proceeds go to culinary scholarships.
FT — When and where do you meet?
Jordan — Room A141B on Tuesday’s, from 11:30am12:15pm.
FT — Last question, are there any last words
you would like to say to the student body
about FOXperts?
Jordan — Of course! We are a young club, about
three or four years old, but don’t let that fool you.
There is a great core group of members in the club
and we are ready to make our presence known. I
think membership provides three main things for a
student, leadership skills, networking, and adding a
co-curricular to your resume. We have a lot of fun,
and I invite you to stop by a meeting and see for
yourself!
Interview with President Patty Jacob
Fox Times — What is SAC and what is its mission?
Patty — We line up speakers for the speaker series,
Christmas Party for kids, Halloween party for kids, set-up
most of the activities and events. Fall picnic, the end of year
family picnic, things like that.
FT — How many people are usually on the SAC
committee?
Patty — We had a number of people graduate, so right now
we have 6 people, and we are always looking for more!
FT — What is the best part of being in SAC?
Patty — The connections that you make with the students
and just a tremendous amount of fun. Participating in these
events is a great time and I encourage everyone to at least
give it a shot.
FT — Are their requirements to joining SAC?
Patty — Yes there is. You must maintain good grades, be an
active student, and have a great attitude.
FT — What event are you most excited for this
year?
Patty — The drive-in movie. I missed it last year and heard it
was a blast. I am looking forward to this one.
FT — Last question, are there any last words to the
student body you wish to make?
Patty — Sure, SAC is a fun and enjoyable club to be a part
of. We are really at the heart of all events here on campus,
we organize the events, we select the events, and we work
the events. Sometimes it is a lot of work. We always have
fun. Leadership retreats, officer positions, I am glad that I
joined this club. The opportunities provided me have been
great and I have met some tremendous people I wouldn’t
have otherwise.
SAC EVENTS
Packer Party
Thursday, October 2nd
5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Appleton Commons
Free with Student ID
Name that Tune = Games, fun, & Prizes
Tuesday, October 21st
11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Appleton Commons
Free
Casino Night = Free Fun & Prizes Party:
Friday, October 3rd
5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Appleton campus Room E130
Free with Student ID Frank Meeinks Ex-Skinhead
Tuesday, October 14th
11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Appleton campus, Culinary Theater
Room E130 AB/CD
Free
Children’s Halloween Party
Saturday, October 25th
1:00 pm
Appleton Commons
Free
Student Halloween BINGO
Prizes and Fun
Friday, October 31st
6:00 pm
Appleton Commons
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 9
Frolfing Foxes Sept. 27, 2014 Outing
By Craig Honer
The Frolfing Foxes had their first outing this year at
Tellulah Park in Appleton. The members that were there
had an awesome time. Those members included President
Craig Honer and his son Christopher Honer, Ezra Kizewski
and his father Eric, Pleasure Diale, and our awesome
adviser, Johnathon Iwanski.
We all met at 2:00 in the parking lot and introduced
ourselves and went over rules of the club while eating tasty
cookies made by John’s wife. After the introduction and
rules we started playing, and what an awesome day for
discing. Perfect weather! Couldn’t ask for a better discing
day. As we played we talked a lot.
We talked so much that we had to let people behind us go
ahead because the conversations were so engrossing. We
talked about discing with different styles of discs, different
ways of throwing discs, and different approaches, our
programs that we’re in, weather in Africa, jobs, and what
we like to do in our spare time.
I’m sure there was more also that we talked about also but
what was nice was that this was not only a school outing
but also a family outing. It was nice to see people having
fun all while discing and picking up garbage as we played 9
holes. I’m really looking forward to our next outing!
Email me at [email protected]
Foxy,
Why is it so hard to hook up with a perfect chick? One that
cooks and cleans, looks like Barbie and won’t nag me about
drinking with my buds or playing video games? Isn’t that
what chicks are supposed to do anyway? After she is done
cooking and cleaning, we can hook up then she can go away
until I’m hungry again. Chicks need to stop being so clingy.
Am I right?
— Looking for love
Dear Looking For Love,
Thanks for writing me, well, your question is so Stepford
50’s of you. Let’s tackle your usage of the term “chicks” first.
They don’t like being called chicks, they prefer being called
Women, that is strike one against you.
10 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
Second, I can imagine that you are perfectly capable of
cleaning up after yourself and either cooking for the lady,
or helping her with the task. I have found that women enjoy
“co-op” cooking and find it quite romantic.
“Isn’t that what chicks are supposed to do anyway?” Sigh.
No, just… no.
Third, you honestly think anyone is going to want to “hook
up” with you after cooking and cleaning? Really?
“Chicks need to stop being so clingy.” Wow, or you need to
get up off of your deadbeat butt and handle some of your
own business. Trust me, no “chick” is going to be clingy to
you.
Thanks for writing!
October National Awareness
By: Patty Jacob
AIDS Awareness Month
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Bullying Prevention Month
Campaign for Healthier Babies Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Dental Hygiene Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Filipino American History Month
Fire Prevention Month
Italian-American Heritage Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
Selective Mutism Awareness Month
Vegetarian Awareness Month
National Awareness for the month of October includes
Aids Awareness to Vegetarian Awareness, but the one that
means the most to me is that October is also Breast Cancer
Awareness month.
Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer
in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United
States will get breast cancer at some point. The good news
is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found
and treated early. A mammogram — the screening test for
breast cancer — can help find breast cancer early when
it’s easier to treat. Mammograms are usually not required
until you reach your forties, but for younger women you can
perform your own self-examination.
National Novel Writing Month
(NaNoWriMo)
By Rich Weber
November is National Novel
Writing Month, or “NaNo” for
those of us in the biz. What
is NaNo? It is a month where
the only goal is to get 50,000
words onto paper or screen. No
editing, proofing, self-doubt, selfsabotage, nothing. Just write.
Simply, just do it.
In order to achieve the 50,000
words the goal daily is to hit
around 1,700 words. This is the
perfect time for those of you that always wanted to write the
next great novel but were afraid to do so. A month without
doubting your writing ability, without fear. You let the words
flow in whatever direction they choose to go, eventually a
story will appear. If it doesn’t, well that is what editing and
revision is for!
Why do most people never write that literary masterpiece
that constantly nags at the back of their mind? Fear, soul
crushing fear. Thoughts like “I can’t write”, or “I don’t know
the proper rules of grammar”, etc. I have even heard the
“I’m not smart enough to write a book” sayings. To borrow
a phrase from my United Kingdom friends, bollocks to all
of that.
On November 1st, millions of people from around the world
will sit down and begin writing. They won’t stop until
December 1st. Will you be one of them? I will be. Let me
know if you choose to do it. There is http://nanowrimo.
org/ which is the official site of NaNo. You can sign up, join
a group from the area, or stay by yourself. It is a wonderful
site and I highly recommend it.
I was a young adult when my mother was diagnosed with
breast cancer when she was in her forties and she was
lucky that it was found right away and she did not have
to have any chemo treatments, but did have to have her
breast removed. After telling my doctor about my mother, I
started going for mammograms before I reached forty. Just
recently my 30 year old daughter felt something that did
not feel right and went to her doctor right away knowing
that breast cancer does run in the family. After many tests
she was diagnosed with “Invasive Ductal Carcinoma”. You
know when you here the “C” word, your world just kind of
stops and for my daughter it did. Luckily because she was
proactive she was able to find it soon enough to make some
good decisions. She will be doing surgery soon to remove it
and I hope all goes well with that.
So please be proactive as studies have found that 1 in 8
women are diagnosed with breast cancer. It only takes a
few minutes of your time, DO IT TODAY!!!
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 11
By Rich Weber
Welcome to the Flash Fiction Challenge!
Quick example…
There has been some question as to who can enter
the challenge. The answer is simple. Anyone, Staff,
Students, Faculty, Family members of Staff, Students,
Faculty, etc. Do you have a pulse and breathe? Then
you can enter! You might win a prize!
…as I walked into the room and saw an apparition
draining the life from a small child…
Flash Fiction is typically 500-1,000 words in length,
for these challenges, we are looking for 500-600 word
maximum. We are looking for as many of you, the
student body, to submit your stories. The challenge is
that I will give you a sentence, and you will need to
create a story with that sentence as inspiration.
The Fox Times team will select the three best stories
among the submissions for publication in the next
edition of Fox Times! All submissions must be the
submitter’s original, unpublished work and sent in
for inclusion in the November issue no later than
October 17th, 2014. Anything received after that
date will be included in following issues.
The sentence (or prompt) this month is,
… I walked into the room and saw…
Your theme this month is horror.
Yes, this gives you a very broad idea, but the theme
narrows it just a bit. Use your imaginations and have
fun with it!
Submit your Flash Fiction stories to fvtcfoxtimes@
gmail.com with Flash Fiction in the subject line.
*Stories will be judged based on grammar, spelling,
typos and adherence to the challenge parameters. Any
questions, let us know!
Welcome to the Poetry Challenge!
Poetry is a fun, creative, and
exciting endeavor for millions of
people across the globe.
A goblin or ghoul
Hiding in cranny or nook
A specter or spook
Don’t be a fool
It is only bones and skin
Bump, bump it goes
Crawling across my toes
Fear is going to win
The prompt this month is freestyle
with a horror theme. In honor of
October. Rhyme if you choose, or
don’t rhyme. Entirely up to you.
Chains are dragging
Ring, ding and clang
Boom and bang
My courage is flagging
A run of cold sweat
Do you hear the moaning
And the groaning
It is real I bet……
As an example, here is one I wrote
a while back.
From the black
Monsters are peeping
My flesh is creeping
Man, this is whack
© Rich Weber
Whispers in my ear
In the dark
A spectral bark
Can you hear
Feathers along my spine
Into the maw I am peering
What is it I am fearing
That hand is not mine
12 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
That is your challenge this month.
Please submit your original,
unpublished work to fvtcfoxtimes@
gmail.com with Poetry Challenge
in the subject line by October 17th,
2014 for inclusion in the November
issue. Any submissions after that
date will appear in following
issues. Thank you for participating!
Cheers — To the beginning of the FVTC Foxes
Basketball season! Good luck guys and gals!
Cheers — To the library staff handling the
construction like champs, and now keeping
the new wide open library quiet so people can
study.
Cheers — To the coming of everyone’s favorite
holiday, Halloween. Such a fun time. Be safe!
Jeers — To four more weeks of nonstop
political commercials.
Jeers — To the NFL and their fumbling of
conduct issues of late.
Jeers — Summer is gone, then again it never
really showed up
If you wish to submit a cheer or jeer, send an email to [email protected]
with cheers and jeers in the subject line.
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 13
Author Chat: With Angella Graff
By Rich Weber
Aloha and howdy my friends! Welcome
to another edition of Author Chat!
This month on the couch is editor and
author, Angella Graff. She has a great
many fantastic books out there, do
check them out. Without further ado,
let’s get to the interview. See what we
can find out by prying and probing, Fox
Times style.
Thank you very much for taking the
time to do this Angella, I know you are
incredibly busy.
Fox Times — What do you enjoy
most about the writing process? Angella — Writing has always been my way to unwind, so
getting into that flow where the words just come pouring
out feels amazing. It’s like a stress relief. A very close
second, though, is reading what I’ve written after taking
some time away from it. Sometimes it makes me wince,
but I love the moments when I read back and think, “Wow
that sounds really great, I can’t believe I wrote that!” I
know it sounds arrogant, but it’s a nice feeling.
FT — What have you found to be your biggest
struggle as an Author?
Angella — Time. And I think most writers will agree with
me, too. Being a mother, wife, and editor, finding time to
dedicate to my books is tough. The worst part is deciding
to sit down with my manuscript, but having the weight of
my to-do list hovering over my shoulder. It’s hard to sit
down and let the words flow when all I can think about is
how much isn’t getting done while I’m working on my book.
FT — Are you a pantser or plotter, or a mixture of
both?
Angella — I’m a plotter. I’m not the kind of plotter with
complicated outlines and stuff like that, but I always have a
bullet point sheet for the series of events. I have character
sheets which is essential in a series, to make sure there
aren’t any gaping plot holes. Sometimes I’ll be struck with
an idea in the middle of the chapter, but I usually take a lot
of time to make sure it can fit and remain consistent with
the past and future of the story before I put it in.
Pantsing, for me, is a big no-no. As an editor, I’ve seen it
leave some gaping plot holes, and it tends to leave out a very
crucial part of the story—foreshadowing. If you’re pantsing,
generally the story is flowing as you write and you have no
concept of where it’s going to end up. In doing that, it’s hard
to foreshadow the ending and that’s a very essential part
of the writing formula. Yes fiction doesn’t have a lot of set
rules, but there are some, and pantsing makes it hard to
follow those rules.
I know I get a lot of side-eyes and people angry with me
because it’s the only way they can write — but my only
14 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
advice to them is to just say that
editors and readers can always tell if
your story is pantsed.
FT — Do you have any projects
you are excited/passionate
about, yet are unable to finish
them?
Angella — Oh yes that happens to
me all the time. With books, I get
struck by ideas in an almost frantic
way, but more often than not, when
I sit down to write them out, the
idea sort of loses steam and I give
up. I have a huge folder on my
desktop full of one or two chaptered
manuscripts that I might come back to… one day.
FT — Exposure is the biggest obstacle for Indie
Authors, how have you battled that, and do you
suggest anyone follow the path you have laid?
Angella — Honestly that’s a tricky one because there’s a fine
line you have to walk as an indie author. They say that any
exposure is good exposure, and maybe that’s true, but a lot
of it can label you an “Author Behaving Badly” and for me, I
never want to cross that line.
I’m not a huge social media fan in the first place,
so interacting on facebook and spamming my links
everywhere is a social faux pas in my eyes. I do try and
budget myself some marketing, websites and book tours,
things like that. It’s expensive work for sure, but hopefully
it’ll pay off in the end.
I don’t know that I’m qualified enough right now to tell you
whether or not it will work for you. My only advice to indies
is prepare yourself to pay for marketing. I know it’s a tough
market but it’s a worthy cost for sure.
FT — Alexandra Fry, Private Eye is a great read
from beginning to end. What are you most proud
of with this book? Angella — Honestly, I’m most proud of being able to get
into the mindset of a 12 year old. It’s been a long, long,
loooong time since I was that age, and I was terrified I
wasn’t going to be able to make her character relatable. I
have a 12 year old at home, but most of the time when he’s
jabbering away, I sit and stare at him, totally unable to
comprehend what the heck he’s talking about, haha! No
not really, but I do struggle to remember what it was like to
experience all of those things he’s currently going through
in middle school, so I’m very proud I was able to capture
that in the book.
FT — As an Author of many books, how many of
your preconceived notions about writing have
come true? How many have fizzled into thin air?
Author Chat: With Angella Graff continued...
Angella — Well the answer to your first questions is —
no. Honestly, I had the very almost Hollywood style idea
of what writers were like. The struggling to write a book,
then someone gets a hold of it, loves it, and BOOM, next big
thing. standards in the self-published market, the title has taken
on a pretty negative connotation. I understand the desire
to stay away from big business publishers. I’ve seen the way
they can use contracts to screw over their authors and I
don’t want that for myself.
But watching them all fizzle into thin air hasn’t been a
bad thing. It’s been a learning experience and I’d rather
know the truth about what writing is like rather than the
idealized version of it. So I can’t say I’m disappointed at all.
However there are a ton of books out there that should have
never made it to market, and that makes it so much harder
for those of us who take the time to produce quality work.
My books have all been professionally edited, formatted,
designed, and marketed. I’ve taken all the steps a
traditional publisher would. However I’m competing in the
category of some books that were barely given a MS word
spell check, and a MS paint job cover.
FT — When did you decide to be a Writer? And
why?
Angella — Oh well probably since birth, haha! No really,
from the moment I was in Kindergarten and people would
ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up, little girl,”
my answer was always A Writer. Sometimes it was an
Egyptologist, or a Marine Biologist, or Famous Violinist,
but it was always followed by, and A Writer.
Writing is something I’ve always done, since I could put
pen to paper. I remember getting in trouble at school for
rushing through my desk work so I could get back to the
story I was writing. In second grade they thought I wasn’t
being challenged enough, so they moved me into the “smart
kid’s class” so I wouldn’t be sitting around writing at my
desk all day. Little did they realize I just had no interest in
the regular school work stuff, it had nothing to do with my
smarts!
FT — Which fictional character would you most
like to meet? What would you ask them? Angella — Easy! Sherlock Holmes (and hopefully Doctor
Watson would be there). And my first question would be,
“Can we go get a pint?” I feel appropriate hijinks would
ensue after that!
FT — Do you have any daily writing rituals? For
example, all of your pens must face a certain way,
or you wear a funny hat for inspiration?
Angella — You’d think I would, because I’m extremely
picky, but actually I don’t. I think as a mother I’ve learned
to just sort of squeeze my writing in wherever I can fit it in
between kid stuff and home stuff. Although I usually have
“writing months” where I cancel all of my outside hobbies
and extra stuff, and focus solely on finishing a project. It’s
what I’m currently doing with book five. My only routine is
that I need quiet—and luckily for me all my kids are school
aged so I have the entire day—my social media has to be
turned off, and I need to have a full supply of ice water and
coffee. Ice water because I live in Arizona and it’s essential,
and coffee because we all know that’s a writer’s life’s blood.
FT — In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle
facing Authors in 2014-2015?
Angella — Truthfully, I’d say self-published works is and
has been the biggest obstacle for authors. Granted I’m one
of those obstacles, but the truth is, without a lot of industry
A lot of time bloggers and marketing sites won’t even
look at my work for advertising or consideration because
it has been self-published. It’s like swimming upstream
sometimes. It’s worth it, because I’ve seen a lot of self-pub
books make it huge, and a lot of my writing colleagues are
taking all the necessary steps when it comes to releasing
a book. But the market is flooded now, with self-published
genre fiction so being noticed is getting harder and harder.
FT — How do you write? Pen and Paper? Pencil?
Computer, typewriter, or cave drawings? :D
Angella — Cave drawings! If only I could draw that well,
seriously! But no, I work solely on my computer. My brain
moves so fast I can’t write on paper without massive hand
Get me stamped at Student Life for a FREE Cappuccino @ Connections Cafe
cramps. I remember back in the day before computers
were in every house, I don’t know how I managed to
scribble out so much, but I had massive stacks of loose-leaf
papers all over my bedroom. Honestly, keyboards have
been a godsend haha! FT — The Judas Curse series is fantastic. Four
books are out now, how many more are left in the
series, and what might we expect from them? Angella — There’s one more book in the series titled
The Rise of Apollo. Originally I intended on making it a
lot longer. I was contemplating twelve books, but then I
realized the story didn’t have much more to tell beyond
book five. (side note, the five starred pentagram was an
early Christian symbol representing the five wounds of
Christ. My editor reminded me of this and said with that
take on it, five books is fitting haha! That’s why I love her!)
There’s going to be a very definitive ending for sure, and
all of the questions regarding Mark and Judas, and Ben’s
powers will be answered by the end. I do have a sort of
sequel planned, involving different characters which takes
place twenty years after the events in Rise of Apollo, but I
don’t have a date set for that currently.
And first thank you for saying it’s fantastic. The Judas
Curse series is my literary baby. It’s a story line I’ve been
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 15
Author Chat: With Angella Graff continued...
writing since I was in college and trying to perfect, and
I finally feel like I have it right. There’s definitely going
to be a major twist at the end, some massive character
development, and new faces. I think the last book will
really make the series hit home, but then again, that’s just
me speculating. We’ll wait and see what the public has to
say about that one haha!
FT — You are lost at sea and find an island refuge.
Miraculously, your three favorite books are there.
What are they and why those?
Angella — Oh this is the worst question because it’s hard
to rank my favorite books. Some of my most favorite books
I’ve ever read are books I only ever plan on reading once.
But for the sake of answering the question, let’s list three
books that I wouldn’t mind reading over and over again
(and actually have).
The first has to be The
Talisman by Stephen King
and Peter Straub.
Honestly, a lot of the hate mail runs together and we have
a good laugh and move on. It still just boggles the mind,
though, when “good Christian folk” use threats of murder and
violence against me. Sort of missing the point there, guys!
(2014) Not so much anymore. It’s definitely been a while,
but it usually ramps up right around the time another book
gets released, so I’m preparing myself (haha). I occasionally
get reviews where the reader is upset because they feel like
it’s an offense to religion, or they were expecting something
more biblical. I’ve had readers complain because I didn’t
stick to the idea of biblical canon, for example; Mark being
a gospel writer instead of the way he is in my series — the
responsible party for the bible as a whole.
It’s definitely a controversial subject, but I knew it was going
to be the moment I came up with the concept for The Judas
Curse so I can’t say any of the
hate mail surprises me.
“I was once likened to
Hitler by a family member,
which sure was fun.”
The second would be Dune
by Frank Herbert (although
if any of the Dune series —
except Dune Messiah since it’s so short — was in that pile
I’d be happy).
The third The Witching Hour by Anne Rice.
FT — If you could have a Literary career in the
mold of a current Author, living or dead, who
would it be, and why?
Angella — That one is tough, and in fact, I was just talking
to my friend about it the other day. Honestly I’d love to
have a career something more along the lines of say Jim
Butcher or Christopher Moore, or even Neil Gaiman (I
mean, who wouldn’t want to take writing sabbaticals in
British Castles, right?!) I’d like to be successful enough to
be known, maybe invited to comic con (oh yes please!) but
I’d still like to be able to attend my daughter’s basketball
games without having people point and stare. I know
people say this all the time, but I honestly mean it. There’s
no way I could handle a career like JK Rowling.
FT — I have read that you receive “hate mail”
over the Judas Kiss series. What has been your
favorite of these “fan appreciation” letters/
emails? (Asked in 2013) Do you still receive hate
mail? (Asked in 2014)
Angella — Oh my. Hmm. A lot of it is Christian
motivated. I’m not a Christian, but I come from a very, very
extremely religious family. A lot of them the born-again
fundamentalist Christians. I get a lot of threats, sometimes
of violence, sometimes of hell. I get told there’s “no such
thing as a good person without Jesus,” things like that. I
was once likened to Hitler by a family member, which sure
was fun. 16 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
FT — Has there been a
character you wrote
that you intended to
elicit a specific reaction,
and received the exact
opposite reaction? Other
than “Ben” and I of course. Angella — Haha! Hmm, yes actually. Initially Hades was
supposed to be a one-off character and he was going to be
killed off at the end of Cry, Nike! However, I fell in love
with him, and in fact, so did my beta readers and editor,
and we realized it just wouldn’t be the series without him. I
intended on making a sort of smarmy, “southern-comfort
soaked” ass, and he ended up being a very well-loved
character that no one wanted to see die. So yes.
FT — Which of your published works are you most
proud of? Why?
Angella — That’s a tough one because I’m proud of both
my series. The Judas Curse was something I began to
conceptualize in college when I was getting my Theology
degree. I actually wrote the series as one book and turned
it in for evaluation by a literary agent who visited the
university. He read a few chapters and was so impressed
he requested the entire manuscript. However once reading
the full thing, he said he wasn’t sure there was a market for
the book considering how controversial the subject matter
was. I put it on the back burner and then after I met my
husband, I was discussing it with him and he pointed out
that the book actually sounded like a series.
Bringing that series to life was accomplishing a huge goal
I’d had for a long, long time. So I’m extremely proud of that.
On the flip side, Alexandra Fry, Private Eye was something
I never even considered writing. I’m not a big YA fan as far
as my own reading preferences. When my daughter asked
me to write a series for her age group, I wasn’t sure I could
do it. I didn’t think I’d be any good at writing from the
point of view of a teenager.
Author Chat: With Angella Graff continued...
I had to work really hard to put myself into that mind-set
and even now I struggle with keeping her behaving and
talking like a child instead of an adult. But when the first
book was released, everyone loved it and I realized that
even though I never thought I could write YA, I had done a
really decent job of it. So I am most definitely as proud of
writing that series as I am of The Judas Curse.
FT — Alexandra Fry is a great character and YA
series. Two books are currently out, how many
more do you have planned? Could it become a
lengthy series like Nancy Drew?
Angella — Currently I have planned a total of six books for
that series. It started off with Alexandra in seventh grade,
and I plan to do one book per grade until she graduates
high school. If the series takes off, who knows, there might
be a sequel of her college years or maybe a spin-off. But for
now I’m trying to keep the series at a reasonable number.
FT — You are donating most of the proceeds
of Alexandra Fry, Private Eye to charity. Can you
tell us a little bit about that?
Angella — Absolutely! Before I started writing Alexandra
Fry, I knew I wanted to write a series where part of the
proceeds go to the Autism Alliance. The Tucson Alliance
for Autism is a fantastic foundation, especially here in
Tucson where I live, where there aren’t a lot of services for
kids who are on the spectrum.
When I first heard the word Autism after having my son
evaluated, I was terrified. I knew next to nothing about
what that meant. I had this fear he’d suddenly regress
and be unable to care for himself, and just a whole host of
media-fed fears regarding Autism itself. The foundation
helped in more ways than I can count in not just easing
those fears, but pretty much everything regarding having
an Autistic child.
My son is now social (as much as any sullen 12 year old boy
wants to be, anyway) and he’s loving middle school, his
xbox (of course) and every preconceived notion I had about
Autism has been thrown out the window. I knew that I wanted to give back to that foundation and
when I decided to be a writer, I thought what better way to
do that? It’s a constant flow of income, however large or
small the checks are each month. Every little bit helps, and
they are seriously wonderful people. The first book in the Alexandra Fry series has 100% of
my royalties being donated. I will be donating 20% of the
subsequent books in the series to the foundation as well, so
hopefully as more books come out, the bigger the donations
will be, and the more I can help! Fox Times — Thank you again Angella, I appreciate it!
Angella — Anytime Rich! Thank you for having me.
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 17
By Rich Weber
Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year.
Ghosts, ghouls, and goblins along with vampires.
Horror movies, books, and kids in costumes trick
or treating. The feel of the autumn air, crispness
of the leaves and the sounds of the horseman on
the wind.
I love haunted houses, I dislike horror movies,
but absolutely love haunted houses. I have
been to quite a few of them, and there is a clear
favorite. Yes, you guessed it! Burial Chamber
has been scaring people and doing it better than
everyone else in the valley since 2001.
Matt Mars, the man behind the madness has
been haunting the populace since 1993 when he
formed Mars Haunted House in Milwaukee, WI,
which is still running today. I was fortunate to
get a few minutes of his time recently for a chat
regarding the upcoming season and what we can
look forward to in the future.
Fox Times — How long does it take to get things
ready for the next season?
Matt — I usually begin thinking and reimagining
the houses in January, but this year I will start
in November. There are always changes and
improvements that can be made to enhance
the user experience. The houses stay up
permanently, and I am constantly tweaking
things to provide a new experience each time.
FT — So far I have been to chicken to do the
Burial Simulator, how popular is it?
Matt — It is a very popular attraction for us, in
fact I am looking to expand it next year. I planned
on getting that done this year but time ran out.
An even bigger and better ride than we have now.
No worries, it isn’t for everyone.
• 2 Free Drinks in Duffy’s Pub
• Welcome Snack
• Free large Pizza
All for just $159 at the Comfort Suites in
Appleton. It is one heck of a deal, and many
people take advantage of it.
FT — What do you like best about this location?
Matt — I love the whole place. The building
is perfect, has plenty of room for continuing
expansion and has the right ambience. The
woods is large enough to have Phobia in it, with
room for more. The only thing I would change if
I could is the parking. I would love to have more
parking, definitely something to focus on in the
future.
FT — When do you open up for the season?
Matt — Our first night is September 27th. (Rich- I
have included the schedule.)
FT — It takes quite a few people to put on the
attractions that you have. How many actors/
actresses do you have, and do you see much
turnover in your staff?
Matt — It does take a lot of people to make a great
haunted house experience. We have around
90-100 actors/actresses and we keep the vast
majority of them from year to year. It is a great
experience for them 17 nights a year, and they
keep coming back for more. I think my longest
term haunter has been with us for 8 or 9 years
now, maybe even longer.
FT — Thank you very much Matt for taking the
time to speak with me. I appreciate it a great
deal.
FT — What is your best package?
Matt — My pleasure, thank you for thinking of us.
Matt — The “Spend the Night” package.
There are discounted VIP tickets to Burial
Chamber in Student Life. $35 for all three
haunted houses, Phobia, Insanity and
Adrenaline. *While supplies last.
• 2 QuickPass passes to all open haunted
houses for that evening
• One Night Stay in a Traditional Suite
• Free shuttle to and from the haunts. Limited
to 11 people every 30 minutes, sign up in
advance.
18 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
I am looking forward to seeing the changes they
have rolled out for this year, will I see you there?
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 19
*If you are in need of assistance with domestic violence,
contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline,
1-800-799-7233 | 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
http://www.thehotline.org/
Harbor House, Fox Cities 1-920-832-1666
Calumet County 1-920-849-7819
Toll Free 1-800-970-1171
http://www.harborhouseonline.org/
You are not alone, get help if needed.
Ray Rice. Jonathan Dwyer. Greg Hardy.
Ray McDonald. Adrian Peterson. Floyd
Mayweather. Jon Koppenhaver (UFC
fighter, “War Machine”). Hope Solo.
Jeramy Stevens. These names have
been splashed across every possible
media outlet, website, talk radio,
magazines, papers, it is everywhere.
Why?
Violence against women and children.
By now we have all seen the videos,
pictures, and read the horrifying accounts. The
past few weeks have really brought domestic violence
to the forefront of the American consciousness and
attention.
The mounting public pressure on the National Football
League has forced them to change their personal
conduct policy, for players, staff, coaches, and owners.
Roger Goodell, once considered untouchable as
Commissioner of the NFL, may lose his job due to
the callous way the league and he reacted to domestic
violence.
Steve Biscetti, owner of the Baltimore Ravens may lose
his team due to his possible involvement in covering
up the Ray Rice crime. Hall of Fame Tight End and
longtime current General Manager of the Ravens Ozzie
Newsome, may lose his job for the same reason.
What is domestic violence? From the United States
Department of Justice website;
“We define domestic violence as a pattern of abusive
behavior in any relationship that is used by one
partner to gain or maintain power and control
over another intimate partner. Domestic violence
can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or
psychological actions or threats of actions that
influence another person. This includes any behaviors
that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate,
frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt,
injure, or wound someone.” http://www.justice.gov/
ovw/domestic-violence#dv
20 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
Pretty simple explanation, right? It doesn’t matter if it
is a man hitting a woman, or a woman hitting a man, it
all falls under the domestic violence umbrella.
Here are a few statistics from the National Domestic
Violence Hotline.
http://www.thehotline.org/resources/statistics/
• On average, 24 people per minute are victims of
rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate
partner in the United States — more than 12
million women and men over the course
of a year.
•
Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%)
and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the US have
experienced rape, physical violence
and/or stalking by a partner and
report a related impact on their
functioning.
• Nearly half of all women and
men in the United States have
experienced psychological aggression
by an intimate partner in their lifetime
(48.4% and 48.8%, respectively).
•More than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more
than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the United States have
experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking
by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
• Females ages 18 to 24 and 25 to 34 generally
experienced the highest rates of intimate partner
violence.
• Here are a few statistics from right here in the Fox
Cities, care of Harbor House.
http://www.harborhouseonline.org/
“In 2013, Harbor House served families in crisis in the
following ways:
• 256 people received safe shelter
• 843 women and 304 children participated in oneon-one counseling sessions
• 340 women and 216 children attended support
groups
• 663 women and 285 children received legal advocacy
• 15,028 crisis calls were taken through our 24-hour
telephone helpline;
• 96 community education training and speaking
presentations were given.
• 8,526 K-12 students and educators participated in
our school prevention education presentations”
If you are a victim of domestic violence, please get help
by contacting the hotline, Harbor House, or your local
police department. You do not need to suffer, nor do
your children. Help is available.
Patti Jorgensen Interview
By Rich Weber
Vice-President of Student and Community Development Patti
Jorgensen and I sat down for a chat a few days ago about a variety
of issues facing students and Fox Valley Technical College. If you
haven’t met Patti yet I highly recommend doing so at your earliest
convenience. She is a strong advocate for the students in this
school. Here is our conversation.
Fox Times — For students that haven’t met you yet,
who are you and what is your role here at Fox Valley
Technical College?
Patti — My name is Patti Jorgensen and I am the Vice-President
of Student and Community Development. If you think of the
college as two separate sides, the instructional side and the
support side. I have executive over sight over the support side of
the college. Recruitment, Admissions, Registration, Counseling
Services, Multicultural Services, and Student Life being examples
of that.
FT — I’ll start with an easy question for you, which of
the departments that you oversee is your favorite?
Patti — *Laughs* Oh an easy one, huh? Well, I am sure my staff
is waiting for this answer. Every department I oversee is my
favorite. How is that for a response? *Laughs* seriously though,
probably my favorite part of the college today is the Student
Success Center.
The energy and vibe in that area is fantastic, and it is always in
use! I love that the students have embraced the area, the TLC
upstairs, conference rooms, everything about it. I like to walk
through there and soak up the atmosphere, realizing that we
filled a very real need.
The staff in the Student Success has been great and really focused
on engagement with the students and visitors in the center, which
makes it even better.
FT — In your opinion, does FVTC focus enough on the
complete student experience? For example; offering
enough clubs, co-curricular activities, volunteer
opportunities, to go along with the education they
receive?
Patti — I think the answer isn’t as much about the numbers,
but the quality of the offerings. We have around 50 clubs/
organizations on campus that fill a variety of needs. Many of
them have tremendous engagement, some of them not as much.
Our focus is on the quality of the clubs, and adjusting club/
organization needs as warranted by student demand.
O.W.L.S. (Older Wiser Learners) was a great example of us
adapting on the fly. With the economic downturn of 2007-2010,
we saw a great deal of dislocated workers. We established the
OWLS organization to fill that need. At that time it was necessary
for the influx of dislocated workers to network and commiserate
among themselves. To feel comfortable.
FT — The 2014-2015 school year is upon us and has
begun. What are you looking forward to most this
year?
Patti — Being in the education environment, I get the opportunity
to meet a lot of students in different settings. The determination
of the students, regardless of their personal situations
overcoming barriers and completing their education. Seeing the
students fully engaged in the process and taking full advantage
of everything FVTC offers. That is something I really enjoy, and
look forward to daily.
FT — You are
stranded on
a desert isle.
Amazingly your
four favorite
books are there.
What are they,
and why those?
Patti — Unbroken, by
Laura Hillenbrand
about Louis
Zamperini.
The Confederacy
of Dunces, by John
Kennedy Toole.
Tom Sawyer, by Mark
Twain.
To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.
FT — When did you decide to enter education
administration? Why this field?
Patti- I found my career later in life, I was in my early 40’s when I
realized that you can work at a college. It sounds silly I am sure, I
really didn’t know you could make a career out of college. I didn’t
know what I wanted to be when I grew up.
I taught an adult education class at Lakeland College, and it
just hit me, this is what I want to do. After a number of years
at Lakeland, I came to FVTC and this is where I will finish my
career. I cannot imagine doing anything else, if I have one regret,
and I don’t do regrets, it is that I did not figure it out sooner.
FT — In your experience, what do students need to do
to ensure they succeed in their educational goals?
Patti — Do not be a passive learner, there is a lot of competition
for jobs among other things. There is an amazing value to
students engaging themselves in as much of the college
experience as possible. Such a variety of experiences available,
take advantage of all of it.
FT — Could you name your favorite achievement or
rather, achieved goal that you have had in your time at
FVTC?
Patti — I was a part of the team that conceptualized the Student
Success Center, and it is great to see it achieved as we imagined it.
A year ago I finished my PhD. I am very proud of that.
I am also proud of the Financial Wellness Center in Counseling.
Dianne is extremely knowledgeable about the subject and fully
on the side of the students. An amazing resource for the student
body.
FT — When you are not here at school, what do you do
for fun?
Patti — I do yoga, I love yoga. Reading, movies, walking my dogs.
Unfortunately not as exciting as most people.
FT — Thank you for the time Patti, I appreciate it.
Patti — It was my pleasure, thank you!
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 21
What can the Wellness Coordinator help students with?
“Good question! My ultimate goal is to help you reach your personal wellness goals in mind, body and spirit.
There is no cookie cutter mold that works for everyone so I will work with you to find what best fits you
personally. Maybe your goal is a physical change or stress management or maybe you just feel unfulfilled and
don’t know what is missing in your life. I am here to be your health coach, encourager and friend as you go
through your own amazing transformation to become your ideal self whatever that may look like.” ~Marissa
Hunnel CWWS, CWP-Wellness Coordinator
In the Wellness Center we offer a variety of FREE services to you as students:
1. Wellness Incentive Programs – Participate in a variety of year round wellness programs to help you
stay on track and upon completion your name will be entered for a chance to win all types of prizes including
FVTC Wellness Center branded merchandise, Free Smoothies and up to $50 gift cards!
2.Group Exercise Classes – Check out our current group fitness schedule in the Wellness Center to find a
time that works for you. Classes range from 10 minutes to 1 hour and are for ALL fitness levels!
3.15 Minute Individual Consultations – Come to the Wellness Center desk to schedule your consultation
when it works for you. We offer a variety of consultation topics:
• Fitness Assessment – You will undergo a test which includes 1 minute of pushups, 1 minute of sit up, 3
minute step test and a flexibility test to give you a starting point. Each month come back and retake this
assessment to track your progress!
• Body Measurement Assessment – During this appointment we will record all your current body stats
including: height, weight, inches, body fat and blood pressure. Knowing your numbers is a powerful tool
and a GREAT way to start any program.
• Nutrition Assessment – Come to this appointment with a food log with at least a 3 day food record log and
together we will create a realistic eating plan.
• Equipment Orientation – During this meeting we will show you around the Wellness Center and teach
you how to use the equipment, show you proper form while using the machines and set you up for success
during your workouts.
If you have any questions about services offered please see Marissa Hunnel, our Wellness Coordinator.
22 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
Welcome to another
wonderful Wednesday with
the esteemed Wolfgang
Wallschlaeger! I am very
fortunate to sit down with
the maestro every few weeks
and chat about the goings on
within the college. Here is
our conversation.
Fox Times — Thanks for seeing me again
Wolfgang, can you tell me some of the things you
have going on this month?
Wolfgang — You are welcome Rich. Certainly, I have a Lunch
& Learn scheduled for October 16th, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM at
the Oshkosh Student Resource Center, about Overcoming
Test Anxiety. I am also planning on having a Lunch & Learn
on the Appleton campus regarding Depression, date to be
determined.
FT — October is the National Awareness Month
for a number of causes. Breast Cancer, Bullying,
Depression, and Domestic Violence chief among
them. Do you have any plans other than the Lunch
& Learns to address these issues?
• Alcohol/drug abuse
• Anger management
• Anxiety
• Co-dependency
• Communication
• Depression
• Divorce
• Domestic/date violence
• Eating disorders
• Finances
• Gambling
• Grief
• Legal issues
• Parenting
• Phobias
Wolfgang — I do have some ideas on ways to address some
of these issues, I tend to keep them fairly close to the vest
unless the opportunity or need arises for me to do so. If
anyone wishes to speak with me in a 1 on 1 setting regarding
any of the named issues, my door is always open.
• Relationships
FT — The LifeLINE program, what is that, and how
can it help the students?
• Self-help
Wolfgang — LifeLINE is Fox Valley Technical College’s
student assistance program which offers free, confidential,
caring help to all students. This service is designed to
encourage students to take the initiative for their own
health and well-being through the early identification and
resolution of ATODA and Mental Health problems.
Everyone experiences personal problems periodically, which
increases stress in our lives. Often we are able to cope, but
sometimes we are overwhelmed and other areas of our
lives are affected. Our relationships, our ability to focus
on work or school, our mental well-being in general can
be compromised. Having the courage to engage a helping
resource can be the first step in resolving the problem.
That is the definition of LifeLINE from my brochure. My
definition is simply this, LifeLINE is a valuable resource
for any student struggling with personal issues. Here is a
short list of some areas in which information and help are
available:
• Children of alcohol dependent people
• Smoking Cessation
• Self-esteem
• Sexual abuse/assault/date rape
• Stress/stress management
FT — Wow that is a lot of issues to cover.
Wolfgang — Indeed it is, and there is a vast need for these
services. I try to fill that need as best as I can.
FT —I know that you are very proud of your
Smoking Cessation program. Can you talk a little
bit about that?
Wolfgang — I am very proud of the program, and the people
that are both working through and succeeding in their
cessation efforts. If students come and speak with me,
confidentially of course, I can assist with their effort to stop
smoking. Gum and patches are available from me, free of
charge.
FT — Thank you Wolfgang, I look forward to our
next meeting.
Wolfgang — My pleasure.
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 23
Alumni Feature: RN Program
Deana Kenjesky
By Rich Weber
In discussing possible articles with
students around campus I heard that
it would be interesting to see features
on successful alumni. Luckily, I
went to High School way back when
with a recent graduate of Fox Valley
Technical College’s ADN Program,
Deana Kenjesky.
unit and love it! I started working
at Rennes after I obtained my CNA
certification through FVTC and
gradually moved to an LPN position,
then finally, an RN position. I have
been very fortunate to work for such
a great company that worked with my
school and clinical schedules.
If you happen to have ideas of alumni
you would like to see featured, or a
particular program, let me know via
our email. [email protected]
let’s begin.
FT — What is the best part of
being an RN, the worst?
Fox Times — Thanks Deana, I
appreciate the time.
Deana — You’re welcome.
FT— There are many different colleges offering a
RN program, why did you choose FVTC?
Deana — There were a number of reasons I chose FVTC to
further my education.
First, FVTC offers classes that fit around my schedule and
my life. I required a school that allowed me to work and
spend time with my family while continuing my education.
And because the campus was close to home, I didn’t have
to spend hours in my car. FVTC’s high rate of graduate job
placement, and cost were also major deciding factors. I
didn’t want to graduate with a huge amount of student loan
debt and not be able to find a job!
FT — When did you decide to pursue a nursing
degree, and why?
Deana — Nursing was something I’ve always wanted to
do. I remember reading about Clara Barton and Florence
Nightingale when I was in grade school. I admired my Aunt
who was an RN, always thinking, “Wow! She is amazing!”
However, school wasn’t something I could afford after
graduating high school. Instead I worked in a mill and then
as a hair stylist. But I realized I wasn’t happy when I went to
work! I finally decided that there would never be a perfect
time to go back to school for nursing and I just did it.
FT — Where are you working now, and how
long did it take for you to find a position after
graduation?
Deana — I currently work at Rennes Health and Rehab
Center, a skilled nursing facility. I’m an RN on a rehab
24 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
Deana — The best part? All of it. The
good, the bad, the sick, the wounded.
I learn something from every patient
every day. The worst? Losing people.
It never gets easier.
FT — Did you participate in any
clubs/organizations when you
were a student? If so, which ones, if not, why not?
Deana — I did not participate in any clubs or organizations.
I had the best intentions when I started school but quickly
found out that being a student was something I really had
to work hard at! Between work, family and school, I felt like
I just didn’t have the time to participate.
FT — If you could go back in time to the day you
started at FVTC, what is the one thing you would
tell yourself?
Deana — Set aside time to do nothing. It’s so important to
find time to decompress, relax and just breathe! You can’t
do everything! Don’t worry about cleaning, dishes and
laundry. Eventually someone else will do it because they
don’t have anything to wear or dishes to eat from!
FT — Last question, if you could address the
incoming class of RN students, what would you
tell them?
Deana — The instructors ARE NOT out to get you! They
honestly have your best interests in mind and WANT you
to succeed, sometimes more than you may want it! If you
stumble, someone will be there to pick you up. We all have
made mistakes, and in time, you will laugh at yours! No
worries! Don’t ever give up.
FT — Thanks again Deana!
There you have it my friends, remember, if you would like
to see someone or a program in particular featured, let
me know.
1. Because the movie Halloween (1978) was
on such a tight budget, they had to use the
cheapest mask they could find for the character
Michael Meyers, which turned out to be a
William Shatner Star Trek mask. Shatner
initially didn’t know the mask was in his
likeness, but when he found out years later, he
said he was honored.
2. The first Jack-O-Lanterns were actually made
from turnips.
3. Halloween is the second highest grossing
commercial holiday after Christmas.
4. Fifty percent of kids prefer to receive chocolate
candy for Halloween, compared with 24%
who prefer non-chocolate candy and 10% who
preferred gum.
5. The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown
by Norm Craven, who broke the world record
in 1993 with a 836 lb. pumpkin.
6. Stephen Clarke holds the record for the world’s
fastest pumpkin carving time: 24.03 seconds,
smashing his previous record of 54.72 seconds.
The rules of the competition state that the
pumpkin must weigh less than 24 pounds and
be carved in a traditional way, which requires
at least eyes, nose, ears, and a mouth.
7. Halloween originated in Ireland over 2,000
years ago Ireland is typically believed to be the
birthplace of Halloween.
8. Scarecrows, a popular Halloween fixture,
symbolize the ancient agricultural roots of the
holiday.
9. Scottish girls believed they could see images
of their future husband if they hung wet sheets
in front of the fire on Halloween. Other girls
believed they would see their boyfriend’s faces
if they looked into mirrors while walking
downstairs at midnight on Halloween.
10.Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was one of the
most famous and mysterious magicians who
ever lived. Strangely enough, he died in 1926
on Halloween night as a result of appendicitis
brought on by three stomach punches.
11. According to tradition, if a person wears
his or her clothes inside out and then walks
backwards on Halloween, he or she will see a
witch at midnight.
12.In 1974, eight-year-old Timothy O’Bryan died
of cyanide poisoning after eating Halloween
candy. Investigators later learned that his
father had taken out a $20,000 life insurance
policy on each of his children and that he had
poisoned his own son and also attempted to
poison his daughter.
Both Salem, Massachusetts, and Anoka,
Minnesota, are the self-proclaimed Halloween
capitals of the world.
1. lenhwoale
2. mkpnipu
3. sghto
4. siprvmea
5. tsripea
6. crkit ro etatr
7. dncya
8. cthwise
9. olewhnela smtouecs
* Answers on page 27
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 25
This month I am spotlighting
Security Intern Ryan Scheel. We
sat down for about an hour a few
weeks back for an interesting chat.
Here is the interview.
Fox Times — What program
are you in?
Ryan — I am in my fourth and final
semester in the Fire Protection
Technician Program, otherwise
known as the Firefighter Program.
Structural firefighting, responding
to house fires, medical calls, things
like that.
I just started my internship with
the Appleton Fire Department. I
know now that I made the right
choice in career.
FT — Is it as fun and
glamorous as Backdraft portrayed it?
Ryan — *Laughs* Well, you know how Hollywood makes
things look. I do think it is fun, but serious work. Hard
work too. It is an awesome job that everyone I have spoken
to loves what they do. A lot of training and maintaining
the equipment, long schedules, so not sure about the
glamorous part.
A lot of medical calls though.
Get me stamped at Student Life for a FREE Cappuccino @ Connections Cafe
FT — The glamorous part comes later when you
appear in those firefighter calendars huh? Maybe
a Men of Security Services calendar?
Ryan — Oh wow, I’m not sure how well that would sell
though. They might sell it in the book store.
FT — What made you pick firefighting?
Ryan — My Grandfather was a firefighter, my Father just
retired from the police force. I guess I am following in their
footsteps. It was either police or fire, my Dad suggested
firefighting would be more to my liking.
26 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
FT — What made you become
a Security Intern?
Ryan — I needed a job, and I saw
the different things that Interns
do. I spoke with a couple of guys I
knew that were Interns and they
loved it too. It was/is a perfect fit
for me.
FT — Do you get much grief
as an Intern?
Ryan — Not often, most people
are appreciative of our presence,
whether we are responding to a
vehicle jumpstart or to unlock a
door, medical calls. Sometimes
you’ll get a “red shirt” here and
there, but not often.
FT — What do you like best
about being with Security?
Ryan — I like getting to know everyone around campus
the best, and the wide variety of calls. It is an interesting
job and you see or do something new every day. The
interactions with the students and faculty are always
interesting.
FT — What is it like working for Security
Manager Jayme Bowman?
Ryan — Jayme is awesome to work for. She sets a high
standard of performance and expects each of us Interns to
meet that standard. That is what I signed up for. If Interns
don’t meet those expectations, well, the standard is very
high.
FT — What is a typical shift like?
Ryan — Our shifts are 5 hours long, night shift is usually 6
½ hours.
FT — Thank you for the time Ryan, I appreciate it.
Ryan — No problem, this was fun.
There you have it my friends, who will be in my Spotlight
next month? Oh, and look for those Security Interns
calendars soon…
Recipe of the Month
By: Patty Jacob
Do you ever find that by the end of the week that the
bananas you bought in the beginning of the week have
turned brown and now you do not want to eat them! Don’t
throw them out just yet, if you have 15 minutes you can
simply turn theses brown bananas into something good
to eat. I have found this recipe and have been using it for
many years now and my family loves and always asking for
me to make some. It will only take you about 15 minutes to
prep and about an hour to bake. The best bananas to use
for banana bread are those that are over-ripe. The yellow
peels should be at least half browned, and the bananas
inside squishy and browning.
1 cup of sugar
Hint: Don’t have time to make it now, toss the browned
bananas into a Ziploc baggie and put them into your
freezer, then when you are ready to make it just pull your
bananas out. (They do not take long to thaw out). Also you
can make several batches at a time and freeze the bread
after it has baked. This way you will have Banana Bread
when you want it.
In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until
smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
Banana Bread
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
Method
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and butter a 4x8-inch
loaf pan.
Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten
egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour
to 1 hour 10 minutes (check at 50 minutes) at 350°F (175°C),
or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove from oven and cool completely on a rack. Remove
the banana bread from the pan. Slice and serve. (A bread
knife helps to make slices that aren’t crumbly.)
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Yield: Makes one loaf
Ingredients
2-3 very ripe bananas, peeled
If you have a favorite recipe and would like to
share it with others, please submit your recipe to
[email protected].
1/3 cup melted butter
WALK–IN FLU SHOT Clinic
Room A164–A166 Health Service
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM & Noon – 3:00 PM
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Riverside Campus – Room 220
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Price:
$5.00
$16.00
Students carrying at least 6 credits
Employees or students carrying less than 6 credits
Clinic Information:
• Blood Pressure check upon request
• No pre-registration
• 200 Vitality Points for employee that qualify
October Word Scramble Answers from page 25
1) Halloween, 2) Pumpkin, 3) Ghost, 4) Vampires, 5) Parties, 6) Trick or Treat, 7) candy, 8) Witches, 9) Halloween Costumes
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 27
By: Donn Lord, March 30, 1973
Should draft resisters and deserters be given amnesty, or
should they continue to be punished and forced to live in
exile? The question is difficult to answer now that the most
controversial war in United States history is over. President
Nixon and many others believe that the United States cannot let
draft resisters and deserters off scot-free when other men in the
same situation fought and sometimes died.
American soldiers and those who served in Vietnam do not
tend to take a loyal or patriotic view of the war but feel it
was something they had to put up with. The amnesty issue
transcends a person’s loyalty and patriotism to his country
to a basic moral question. Is amnesty justified under the
circumstances?
Nearly everyone in the United States agrees that the United
States should not have become involved in Indo China the
way we did. Then why punish those, who because of their age
and eligibility, are in exile or in jail because they saw the light
first. Those now in exile include some of our generation’s most
passionately concerned men.
The case against amnesty is compelling with three million
having fought in the war and fifty-five thousand dying. Would
it be fair to those who fought and died to forgive those who
refused?
But should human law be obeyed or a higher law then the
Selective Service law be obeyed? The principle that a man’s
conscience take precedence over the laws of his government
was reinforced at the Nuremberg War Trials, which rejected
the claims of Hitler’s lieutenants that they were only following
orders of their government. Historically, Democratic countries
have countered with the argument that they represent the
people’s will and the people’s morals.
Should an individual have the right to obey or disobey the
laws he wants to? I believe that a person should obey the laws
of his country but if his conscience dictates otherwise, he
should take his own course of action even if it is against the
law. There are some laws that are so unjust that any person of
conscience and determination cannot obey them. Segregation
laws that discriminate against race are a good example. The
war in Indo China was another.
The amnesty question has no correct answer. If amnesty
is passed with a condition that our exiles must commit
themselves to alternate service such as the Peace Corps or
VISTA, they will be admitting guilt on their part.
President Nixon and his advocates who want harsh treatment
of our country’s deserters and resisters seem to be trying to
get their “pound of flesh” from these men in return for the
men this country wasted in Vietnam.
Let’s face it, the United States has to be willing for once
to admit it has made a mistake; it is not a question of the
government forgiving our exiles. These men stood up for what
they believed in; giving up their homes, families, and friends,
in support of their consciences. Let’s change our laws and let
these men come home if they choose, with no strings attached,
and let us not make any more mistakes like Vietnam.
28 | FVTC STUDENT PUBLICATION | OCTOBER 2014
By: Zip Zornow, May 4, 1973
Marijuana
The shades of windows falling fast
As through the dingy alley passed
A who bid, mid snow and ice
A pipe filled with that strange device —
Marijuana
His brow was sad; his eyes beneath
Were glary like a Christmas wreath
And then he opened up and sung
To friends who understood his tongue —
Marijuana
“O stay,” a freak had said,” and hope
That soon they’ll bring us some more dope”
A tear stood in the lad’s blue eye,
But still he answered with a sigh —
Marijuana
A young lad, by the faithful hound
Half buried in the snow was found,
Still grasping in his hand of ice
A pipe made for that strange device —
Marijuana
There in the dawnlight cold and gray
A lifeless, deranged lad will lay
And from the sky, serene and far
A sound fell, like a falling star —
Marijuana
By: Joe Norsworthy, May 18, 1973
I hope that most people did not pay too much attention to the
poem about marijuana in the last issue of the school paper.
For someone who has never experienced pot, it could have left
an impression that the young lad died because he was high on
marijuana.
So, I just wanted to let you know that it wasn’t the “Pot”. It
was probably caused by the wart on his middle finger, or the
arrow through his left earlobe, or that he was completely nude
during the entire snow storm.
I say these things in hopes that you realize the ridiculous
things that have been stated against Marijuana. Although
pot is classified as a mild hallucinogen, it does not produce
hallucinations except under an abnormally high dosage. Small
dosages amount to acceleration or relaxation.
President Nixon’s commission on drugs has already concluded
that, “There is no evidence that experimental or periodic use
of Marijuana causes physical or psychological harm to the
user.”
Marijuana is indeed a counterculture of our times. What
makes it appear to be so bad are the vast amounts of hard
drugs, which are also part of this counterculture. The laws are
excessively harsh for the user, no matter what the President’s
commission has pointed out. Their aim is to penalize this
counterculture because they believe its manners, morals, and
all its works are bad.
So now you can see how everything falls into place.
Used with permission
FACEBOOK.COM/FVTCFOXTIMES | 29
Where quality and flexibility meet.
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Transfer your FVTC degree
to a UW Oshkosh bachelor’s
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Transfer up to 60 credits and
complete your bachelor’s
degree in as few as two years.
Ready to learn more?
Contact the UW Oshkosh
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Debbie Harris
[email protected]
(920) 424-0234
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Online Degree & Certificate Programs
uwosh.edu/llce