Spartan Times

Softball ladies pound Utah Storm at home scrimmage

    Yet another successful weekend came and went for the Lady Spartans softball program. The weekend of Oct. 23- 24, the Lady Spartans played a double header against the Utah Storm, a travel team from Ogden, Utah. The CNCC program went undefeated, beating the Storm 7-3 in the first game and 16-2 in the second. › Continue reading

Tags: CNCC Athletics, Features, Lady Spartans, Softball, Sports

Gymkhana brings campus and community together

Riders from the community and from CNCC's horsemanship program showed off their handling skills at Gymkhana on Oct. 17. (Photo by Sam Torno)

 Students involved in Colorado Northwestern Community College’s Horsemanship/Horse Management Program and Horsemanship Club held their Gymkhana and the Ag Olympics on Oct. 17. It brought students and community members together for what many felt was a fun event.

    “I believe the event went well,” Horsemanship Instructor and Program Director Brandon Velie said. “The students worked very hard to get everything set up, and I believe everyone who attended had a great time.” 

   A gymkhana is defined as “competitive games on horseback,” according to the “Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.” › Continue reading

Tags: Features, Gymkhana, Horsemanship Program, School Activities

Blake Wanstedt: High school student carries college workload

Junior Blake Wandstedt takes on college courses at CNCC while meeting his demands at Rangely High School--all with a good attitude intact. (Photo by Whitney Chumacero)

   Each year, millions of high school students focus on social events, the latest trends, and getting away from their parents. Yet some students are not as concerned with these things as with getting ahead while still in high school. As a dual enrollment student at both Rangely High School and CNCC, Blake Wanstedt is one of them.

   CNCC works with other high schools in the county, including Hayden, Hotchkiss, Moffat County, Delta, Meeker, South Routt, and Rangely. In some cases, instructors go down to the high schools and teach the classes there. In other cases, the student comes to the campus and, in that case, the student will need a permission slip from a parent or guardian.

   Dual enrollment credits that apply to both Rangely High School and Colorado Northwestern graduation requirements give high school students an opportunity to receive college credit while still in high school.

   Jim DeLung, CNCC’s director of counseling and career planning, says that the program is beneficial. › Continue reading

Tags: Rangely High School, Spotlight

Point/Counterpoint: A holly jolly October….or not so much?

Hey, guess what? Christmas is in December

CNCC's library has gotten into the holiday spirit early this year with a twinkling Christmas tree already on display. (Photo by Michelle Snowden)

   The signs of fall are all around us, with the new crisp weather and trees dropping their leaves, changing from green to vibrant yellows and oranges.  A week’s worth of Halloween events have been planned for students at CNCC to enjoy this unique fall celebration.

   So why, if it is so obviously October, are there Christmas lights up in the library, outside of Ross Hall, and in stores?  Why do you see Christmas decorations and advertisements in the majority of stores?

   Christmas is 56 days away. Halloween and Thanksgiving have yet to come before that day of giving gifts to those you love, spending time with family, or having a religious experience. Which is what Christmas is all about, right? › Continue reading

Tags: Holidays, Opinion

A natural approach to education: Part 4 of the 5-part series on Vision 2010

One way the college hopes to improve the student experience is by making the Outdoor Recreation a hallmark program that offers both fun and education. Here, the ORP takes students skydiving in Moab on Oct. 23. (Photo by J.R. Robinson)

  The Outdoor Recreation Program is one aspect of the college that is being changed through Vision 2010 in order to improve the student experience at Colorado Northwestern. Vision 2010 is a revisioning of different aspects of CNCC, from programs to technology.

A big aspect of all of Vision 2010 is incorporating more of the environment into the student experience, and Vision organizers hope that ORP trips will help make that happen.

    “Students might come here for the outdoor opportunities the college has; they need to have the best educational experience we can provide,” CNCC Vice President of Instruction David Smith stated.

   As a result, the ORP committee for Vision 2010 is trying to bring more students into the ORP programs. › Continue reading

Tags: ORP, Vision 2010

CNCC enjoys a night of mind-bending fun

In the month of Halloween, people are always looking for the spooky, the spectacular and, of course, the just plain weird to experience. Chris Carter, who calls himself The Mentalist, is one person who fits all of the above categories. › Continue reading

Tags: Features, student activities, the Menatlist

Is the cafeteria meal plan worth the extra cost?

Robert Underburg is a regular sight for most students living on campus;as are most cafeteria staff as they prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner to hoards of hungry college students. (photo by Darnell Thompson)

  According to the “Colorado Collegiate Handbook,” nearly every college and university in Colorado requires first year students to live in the residence halls, as well as have a meal plan. The problem is that, for some students, it may not be worth the some thousand dollars a semester that could be used for groceries.

   Here at CNCC, students are not required to live in the residence halls, but with some students living so far away from home, it’s easier to live there than go through the hassle of finding a place in town. › Continue reading

Tags: cafeteria, Food, meal plans, News

Rural Philanthropy Days puts CNCC on the funding map

   On Sept. 16-18, the Northwest Colorado Rural Philanthropy Days (RPD) was held in Steamboat Springs and Colorado Northwestern Community College. There, representatives were able to “inform the donor representatives at each table about our projects that we wished (for) their consideration,” Foundation Director and proposal presenter Beverly Gibbs said. › Continue reading

Tags: Philanthropy days

Movie review: “Duplicity” just disappointing

"Duplicity" offers action and an interesting plot, but the confusing storyline and so-so acting makes this a "don't gotta see" flick.

 ”Duplicity” is a 2009 movie starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen as Clair and Ray,  a couple of corporate spies in love who are out to make over $40 million. This film is designed to make the brain work a little too hard after a long day and is best left alone unless there is nothing better to watch. › Continue reading

Tags: Entertainment, Opinion

Help me, I’m failing!: Tips on how to bounce back from a failing grade

Students may not feel like they have too many options when things start to get rough, but the truth is, all they have to do is ask for help.

  Sometimes receiving good grades is the least of your concerns when you are failing a class. Midterms are right around the corner, so getting that passing grade is crucial if you want to get the credit hours you deserve.

   But burying your nose in a book or studying until four in the morning doesn’t have to be your only option when you are failing.

     When students are failing, the simple solution would be to ask the instructor for help, but for students, that may not be that easy. › Continue reading

Tags: Miderms, News