EDITOR’S NOTE: Newspaper staff from A. Vito Martinez Middle School spent the day exploring journalism with MED 225 students and Chronicle/NCClinked editors. The following articles were written by the middle school students.
Stories from Wentz
By AVM students Ian Rennert, Krzysztof Noga and Jordan Rojas
Photo by Kelly Echeverri
When entering Wentz concert hall, the sounds of pianos and trumpets were being played. Some students are in the hall and most are already in class.
When students in Wentz were asked, “What does college mean to you?” most replied, “It gives opportunities to study for a career.”
David Soto, an education major at North Central College, said, “It expands knowledge and makes you grow spiritually and helps you become a better person.”
Soto dreams of becoming a high school history teacher. By going to North Central College, he can achieve this dream. College gives Soto many opportunities for his future career, which is Amy’s vision as well.
Amy Berggren practices being a vocalist at North Central College.
Berggren, a music, psychology, and Spanish major, said, “I like the college’s many opportunities to study for a future career although it creates stress.”
Tim Goulding, another student, also shares the same perspective on college’s opportunities and difficulties. He said that college is a gateway to future careers.
Goulding, an Interactive Media Studies major, said, “You have freedom and control.”
College helps many students like these achieve their goals in life and prepare them for future careers by giving them numerous opportunities.
Conquering their fears
By AVM students Diana Hernandez, Faith Miller and Hamide Azizi
College is harder than high school. It has a lot of homework, it’s nerve-wracking, and there are many distractions.
It’s also the best time of many students’ lives.
Many students came into college with fear and doubts. “My main concern was that college was going to be harder than high school” said Eric Gruber, a North Central College senior. Senior Andy Suzuki agreed, saying he “expected to get tons of homework and a lot of reading.”
Though these fears were realized, even more positive aspects of college balanced them out. Even with homework and studying, senior Sam Reiman found time to become the manager of the student run campus radio station. “I saw an opportunity to follow my dream” he said.
Professor John Madormo enjoyed college so much that he still hasn’t left. As the general manager of the radio station, Madormo works with college students on a daily basis. He still remembers his own college experience fondly. “I loved the independence,” he said “it was a completely different experience but a great one at that.”
Despite the negative opinions that many college students came into school with, the experience has changed their minds and their lives.
‘Extreme high school’
By AVM students Christine Bello, Chanel Simanton, Hannah Pruett and Delaney Thurston
College is a different experience for each student. Through the eyes of a 7th-grader, college is viewed to be a scary and difficult environment. Chanel Simanton, a 7th-grader from A Vito Martinez Middle School says, “It is an extreme high school and it costs more money.”
While walking through the North Central College campus, the middle school visitors asked a variety of NCC students what they thought of college.
Skylar Bayer, a junior at North Central and an employee and the Boiler House Cafe, says, “I like a lot of the classes that I’m taking. You miss your family, but the friends that you make become your family.”
After visiting the Boiler House, the middle schoolers made their way to the radio station. There, they saw a live a broadcast and had the chance to tour the entire station.
Sam Reiman, the station manager, says, “I like the interaction with the audience and that is a useful resource.”
Each student has a different view of college, however after talking to a myriad of NCC students, the 7th-graders have a more positive outlook with their future educational plans.
Tough, but worth it
By AVM students Kaylee Kasper, Vady Bratkovich Sheila Ramirez
Even though college can be difficult and stressful, many students still enjoy the experience. “I like college, you learn new things and meet new people,” said Ann.
The classes can be tough, but teachers are usually willing to help. “(The teachers) are very nice. They have office hours; they’re available to help you if you need help,” said Avery Moore.
The classes differ in difficulty level, but having time to do homework can help. “Some (classes are harder) than others, but they are pretty manageable with all the time we have to do homework,” said Rudy.
Chatting with ‘the legend’
By AVM students Noah Flores and Anaya Haynes
Today we interviewed two track coaches about training students here at North Central College. This is what they had to say.
Starting with men’s track and field coach Derek Nelson, aka “The Deer Man,” he was asked about the different sports he has played.
“I did rugby, hockey, intramural basketball, track and field, and soccer,” Nelson said, adding that he found it “easy” to balance athletics and school “because track time was track time and homework time was the same.”
Coach Al Carius also talked about his days as a college student. “I was a track runner in college and I liked to see myself get better.”
Carius said that even though coaching can be difficult sometimes, his favorite part of the job is “seeing people grow.”
