(Continued pg 5) (Continued (Continued on pg 3) (Continued Volume 13, Issue 1 Issue 13, Volume - Sydney Boddie, Student - Sydney - Francisco Lobato, Student Lobato, - Francisco - Micaela Chumley, Student Chumley, - Micaela Cheek explains attending that their while once-a-week in-person classes, students are one least sit at to required each other to chair apart from practice socialdistancing. At the end of class, expects her Dr. in-person Cheek classes to wipe down their desk entire (if used) and class computer in sat and chair the student with disinfectant wipes spray and to prevent spreading. from COVID-19 She knows how her with time spending in class important students is and will take any In this issue: In this burdens (not having the money or the money (not having burdens to their homes. Although to of the spread stop necessaryto COVID-19, social distancing can health of on the mental a toll take students. like many Francisco, students at has struggled College, Grayson during pandemic,the monetarily greatly affectinghealth. Early spring, her as Covid-19 spread mental throughout shopping the restaurants, many world, and entertainment centers, centers were forced to close the curve” of “flatten to the order in spread. Francisco, who works at Cotton Patch in Denison, Texas, was worried. She states, “I lacked adjust. and had to the resources on pg 2) (Continued books), for pay to stability transportation, householdrent, etc. strategies Lack of educational Dr. play also can system” “educational Parsons adds of the challenges in the a part that the Anatomy and Physiology course’s is due This challenge success rate. to a lack of on focus “imagination, creativity and concepts” application during period of the of growth students’ time on the preparation K-12, focusing for standardized tests and not on all the learning styles for “long-term retention.” Due havingto to use new tactics thatwere not taught all retain to needed K-12 grades in the information in such amount a short of time, A&Peither “sink students or swim” within the 1 courses Physiology and Anatomy and 2. into into practice.” distancing social to due socializing Thehas lack left many students confined of Students/Faculty adapt to online learning pg 3 learning to online adapt Students/Faculty pg 5 Field Career HVAC at look Inside pg 7 aid financial How to master
Above: Student Francisco Lobato feels the stress of 2020. (Photo by author) by of 2020. (Photo the stress feels Lobato Francisco Student Above: A new normal? The mental health A new normal? The mental health impact of COVID -19 on Students Early spring of 2020, a new virus new a 2020, of spring Early students many of lives the affected around the world. Millions have experience died, and many persisting symptoms even after but not only physical recovery, also mental. the by guidelines set distancing Due colleges Control, Disease of Center to social States the United throughout shut down. to been forced have plans norm/Changing New Nancy a number of students, Like Francisco, a graphic design major struggled College, Grayson at adjustingto this new normal. Not only was she not able to see her friends while quarantining, impacted this pandemic greatly but her mental states, “I wasn’t in the health. best place Francisco before, [and] I lost many skills social because they weren’t put With success passing example for challenges, comes to in order in college courses many pursue one’s desired career like a courses etc., dentist, nurse, doctor, to roadblocks become can that someone’s course of action. For students, College some Grayson Anatomy and Physiology can be need in they that one course that a of pursuit their continue to order in healthcare. career Situational challenges Dr. Professor Patrice at Grayson College, has Parsons, spent Biology over 20 years medical within field. the Shecontends that Anatomy and Physiology “the due to challenging course is a situational never and almost face students challenges from that intellectual Situational challenges refer capabilities.” to a student’s personal financial children, having instance, life, for Success in Anatomy & Physiology? in Anatomy & Physiology? Success It’s Possible! further precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19. of the spread to help prevent further precautions COVID-19 precautionsare also evidentMcDorman, Cosmetology workforce in major classes. and resident Gracie of Jones Hall at including herself, student, single Cosmetology Grayson every that relates College, to morning the in 7:30 at Monday-Thursday time on arrive to expected is they are allowed before to into enter checked the get their temperature salon/classroom. Grayson College (Continued on pg 7) (Continued (Continued on pg 6) (Continued - Korey Medart, Student - Korey - Azia Lokeni, Student - Azia Lokeni, Above: Student Benjamin Lopez prepares for a day of online learning. (Photo provided by Lopez.) by provided a day of online learning. (Photo prepares for Benjamin Lopez Student Above:
suggested suggested evacuation, whereas a evacuation. a mandatory 3 is Level Rapid exit Hald had the bare minimum of a for prepare plans in place to wildfire.Realizing the sudden risk to her and lives, Hald her decided it was grandchildren’s best to “quickly get out of [the] one-road In town--ahead of else.” everyone the chance that authorities might shut down the only road that goes through the town, her dog, and the children, grabbed she quickly her medicine and loaded in them the car.
Below: Talent, Oregon left unrecognizable by fire. (Photo by Carrie Brown) by fire. (Photo unrecognizable Oregon left Talent, Below: , Grayson College is home to is home to College , Grayson Community College Review
TheViking October, 2020 October,
that that a fire at Levela One was a resident resident of Ashland. Hald explains 63-year-old Carolyn Hald, a lifelong lifelong a Hald, Carolyn 63-year-old Ashland, Oregon, according to order order was at a Level One in By 11 that morning the evacuation evacuation the morning that 11 By their loved ones. their loved threatening the safety of them and of them the safety threatening surrounding surrounding cities awoke to fires Medford, Medford, and numerous other 8, residents of Talent, Phoenix, them. The morning of September them. The morning of September what what the world had in store for September September 7, they did not know their eyes the night of Monday, When Oregon residents closed
According to According Sanitary precautions around campus around precautions Sanitary that we have been faced with. been faced have we that will slowly begin to move forward with life while accepting the hardships hardships the accepting while life with forward move to begin slowly will amount of students to be in class together. Math Professor Dr. Billye and continuing on with school, whether it be virtually or in person,we about 4,636 with students ofa ratio 28:1,student:teacher areasonable New Academic Year Adjusts to Pandemic Reality to Pandemic Adjusts Year New Academic less isolated while still being Coronavirus safe? safe? being Coronavirus still while less isolated biggest question is how do we have fun on campus and make others feel others make and campus on fun have we do how is question biggest allowed to have a social life or friends outside of their dorm building. The building. dorm their of outside friends or life social a have to allowed the restrictions dueto the pandemic, theyfeel as though they are not days it feels as though there is nothing to do other than homework. With homework. than other do to nothing is there though as feels it days close to them. That is how many students feel living on campus. Many own own bubble or someone else’s bubble, you are careful not to get too another bubble, they both pop. Since you know that you could pop your your pop could you that know you Since pop. both they bubble, another Imagine living in a bubble, but when your bubble gets too close to Wildfires devastate Oregon guidelines, sanitizingregularly, sure sure they follow the COVID-19 deserve. By schools schools making By deserve. getting theeducation they make sure all students are are all students sure make everything everything in their power to worldwide worldwide have been doing our lives, school boards school boards our lives, been a difficult adjustment to circumstances. Although it has circumstances. changed due to the due to changed and it will probably be forever changed our everyday lives, lives, our everyday changed affected our entire world and deadly Coronavirus has deadly Coronavirus tragedy, and change. The and change. tragedy, nothing but full of surprises, The year of 2020 has been of 2020 The year
what is going on. on. is going what many many events, online and in person, are posted to let all students know many many students do not know about is the Viking Facebook page, where put on many of the activities forGrayson students,says that one place do. Jayce Randolph, a dorm monitor for Viking and Jones Hall who helps helps who Hall Jones and Viking for monitor dorm a Randolph, Jayce do. study study although the reality is that they just do not know what there is to Many students feel as though there is nothing to do on campus besides campus on do to nothing is there though as feel students Many Viking Facebook page Viking Facebook How about some COVID fun? Page 2 Mental Health October 2020
Editorial Turning tests into testimony -Angie Rodriguez, Student This year has brought a on this journey. Take into great deal of tests, for all of consideration that a horse us. We have been will always walk in the quarantined and masked. direction that its eyes are We have lost loved ones, looking. A distracted horse missed school, lost jobs, will turn his head and look and have been unable to away when stopping along Facts travel to see loved ones. The his path to graze and see list continues endlessly. How what scrumptious treats he About do we accomplish what may find and then travel seems like such a herculean further afield…and Fast Suicide task? A good start might be: eventually his path is out of “Find the silver lining in all sight. In the same way, we situations.” But how do we also continue to focus by ● Suicide is the 10th leading ● Suicide attempts rose 73% get from the proverbial here keeping our eyes on our cause of death in the US. between 1991 and 2017 to there? chosen prizes. among Black high school ● On average, there are 132 My testimony involves the If we allow ourselves to students. (source) suicides per day. devastating experience of become distracted while we ● White youth still die by being the first person to find are on our chosen path, we ● In 2018, firearms suicide at a higher rate, a family member after he might make a different accounted for 50.57% of but the rate of black youth had lost his battle with PTSD decision that changes the all suicide deaths. suicide is increasing faster and had taken his own life. course from what we have ● Suicide is the 2nd leading than any other racial or The horror of that day chosen. Before we know it, cause of death for ages ethnic group. (source) revisited me on an hourly we are so far from our path 10–34. basis and continued to haunt it seems as though there is ● Since the start of the me for what seemed like no easy way back and we ● 10.3% of Americans have COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis forever. Planning the funeral have just complicated our thought about suicide. mental health hotline has and memorial services filled lives that much more. Amid ● 54% of Americans have seen an 891% spike in my waking hours, and the pandemonium of this been affected by suicide. calls. (source) nightmares took away any pandemic, we have the tools peaceful slumber I could we need, right here at ● 90% of those who died by hope for. Grayson College, to become suicide had a diagnosable My grades and attendance our own rock in the stormy mental health condition suffered, and I was in danger seas. at the time of their death. of losing scholarships. I felt Contrary to popular belief, prevention like a zombie, walking asking for help does not Source: month through life on auto-pilot. I show weakness. Rather, I American Foundation for Suicide Prevention counseling.org was doing things, but have learned that it takes a nothing was getting done, stronger person to ask for and depression seeped in help when it is needed. We like a psychological poison. have some of the best I reached out to the resources here at Grayson Want to See Your Work In Veterans Service Office for that I have ever encountered, local resources to seek and Grayson is not my first The Viking? counseling and they assisted college. me by directing me to The staff and resource Send your work to our editor: Email us at: Barbara Malone for the programs here are directly [email protected] counseling I needed. Our responsible for helping me local chapter of Phi Theta not only to survive the 2020 Next Deadline: November 6th Kappa adopted me into their Spring semester, but to organization, taking me with continue to be strong them to the Phi Theta Kappa enough to stay in school and Texas Regional Conference continue my education. in Abilene. I am so very grateful for I found a rare and loving everything Grayson College camaraderie amongst both has done for me, but the organizations. I have also hardest step was that first found support with our one. The decision to reach Student Support Services, out and ask for help was the who have fantastic tutors most difficult, and after that, and helped me to maintain I became amazed at how the my GPA and be named to cogs began to turn in this the 2020 All-Texas Academic wonderful organization. Team. Presently, I have maintained Decide what your goal is for my status as a student at the next day, week, month, Grayson and I am due to year, etc., and block out the graduate summa cum laude extraneous to focus on the in the spring with my next step of your path. Associates Degree in Remember this: the personal Business Administration. I tests you encounter in am also a work study in the achieving your goals are Veteran’s Service Office, and simply a path to your I am president of the Student testimony, your well- Veterans of America club. deserved reward. Thanks to the wonderful Most importantly, to keep people at Grayson College, I focus, you must keep your didn’t just survive, I thrived. eyes on your path. Your eyes This is my testimony; now are the most important tool create yours.
(Continued from “New Normal” pg 1) enormous effect on his mental health. “I didn’t screen and a professional counselor makes Though Grayson wasn’t my first choice, it was think much would change [as a result of the the session not as personal and can sometimes the better choice [of college] financially.” The pandemic],” he says, “but not being able to go be intimidating. lack of resources due to restaurants closing places and see people made me anxious at Time to reflect left many students like Francisco hesitating times.” However not all effects of the pandemic have about whether to pursue a secondary Counseling resources available but online been negative. Because students have had so education at all. “I was hesitating on going to Although Grayson College provides help to much free time, many have used this time to college because I knew classes would be students like Lobato and Francisco, it’s not reflect on their original decisions regarding online,” she explains. always easy to reach out and ask for help. college. Francisco says, “I questioned my Miguel Lobato, a graphic design major who When asked if the resources on campus were decision [regarding college] in the first place, graduated from Grayson College in 2018, also helpful, Francisco says, “Personally, I haven’t but this pandemic gave me the chance to think found this fall to differ from what he had had the opportunity to reach out and ask for about my choice [graphic design]. In a way, it originally expected. Lobato had originally help. I’d love to but they’re online.” reinforced my plan.” planned to graduate, take some time off, and Lobato agrees: “Commuting made [reaching Lobato also experienced a few positive effects save up enough money to continue his out] difficult since I’m an out-of-state student in the financial realm because of this pandemic. education at the University of North Texas. But and never had the time.” Even though the help Because my classes are all online now, I’m able because of unprecedented times, Lobato will is provided, social distancing guidelines make to save up the money I would’ve otherwise no longer be attending classes on campus but it hard for the student to feel comfortable spent on housing,” he says. all of his classes will instead be online. Like talking to a computer screen. According to many students, this small change has had an Francisco, the divide between a computer Page 3 COVID Challenges October 2020
Virtual v. face-to-face education- Benjamin Lopez, Student Of the approximately 1,000 decisions regarding their and relationships. Still, newly students who attend Sam education plan. David Salazar, certified homeschool teacher Rayburn High School, 106 a high school senior currently and mother of nine Lori opted to stay home and attending Midlothian High Parrott claims that online remain online for the school School located in Midlothian, schooling isn’t any different year, which added a different Texas, has inside his room, an from homeschooling. “There branch to the ever-growing advanced computer setup, are still groups that somebody tree that is educators’ tasks. multiple monitors, and a can find to study together or Mark Gibbs, both an comfortable chair for what just hang out with,” she administrator and history he thought would be used for states. teacher at Sam Rayburn High “extended schooling After the pandemic hit, School, states that there are sessions.” Midlothian High approximately 3.4% of certain benefits to both in- had informed Salazar that he students are now person and online learning. would have the option of homeschooled, according to “At the end of the day, a learning online or returning the Center for Disease degree holds the same to the classroom. Control, a percentage weight. It doesn’t matter the “Almost immediately after consisting mostly of method in which someone [being informed that he elementary and middle Above: GC Staff assists a student during dorm check-in gets it,” he says. Gibbs would have a choice], I found school-aged students, with on August 11. believes students who have a part-time job and applied parents deciding to teach (photo provided by GC Marketing) chosen to remain online have for a bunch of hours and them on their own. much more personal freedom acquired a better [computer] “Online schooling,” Parrott and time to themselves. In set up so that I would be claims, “doesn’t necessarily contrast, those who decided more enticed to sit down and mean somebody should stay to return to school have more do schoolwork,” Salazar in their room all day and stare (Continued from “New Academic Year” pg 1) room to develop explains. He opened his at a screen.” She emphasizes Not only that, McDorman voices that she relationships. backpack to reveal new that since she began and others are to completely sanitize their “While I don’t know if I supplies and a laptop. homeschooling, her children station with many different disinfectant consider this a good thing,” “I hated it [online education] have grown much closer as a items any time that they use any of the Gibbs chuckled, “my online after the first two weeks. My team and have learned equipment, regardless of whether they kids certainly have more time life became a daily routine of essential skills outside of practice on a mannequin or others in the to themselves, but let it be doing the same thing. Wake education, such as teamwork salon. known that being in a physical up, do school work, go to and leadership. In-person and virtual learning classroom allows me to work, get home and relax for There are many factors to environments understand my kids better a bit before bed, and then consider when weighing the In order to succeed when taking classes-- based upon their personality. wake up and do the same benefits of online schooling regardless of whether they are learning in Tone can’t always be read thing over again,” he reveals. vs. in- person learning, such person or virtually-- students have to put right through taps on a Salazar’s routine became as mental health and forth the effort. Although this 2020-2021 keyboard.” Gibbs believes boring for him because he important electives such as school year hasn’t been ideal, Grayson is that more students will was used to the spontaneous speech and physical accommodating everyone and doing its eventually migrate back over day-to-day life that going to education. Being in a physical best to keep students in college to further to a physical classroom school brought. “I lost many classroom setting offers the their education. because the opportunity to friends, and I missed seeing chance to build friendships McDorman expresses that she is “only forge new relationships people every day and being and relationships with fellow having to complete 6 hours of online outweighs staring at a screen social in general,” he reflects. students and teachers. schooling while the rest is more hands-on for most of the day. Salazar states that he is much However, remaining at in person, which I enjoy because online New education set-up happier going to a physical home or online offers more schooling is difficult for me… .” Dr. Cheek While the novel Coronavirus school because his day flexibility and the opportunity concurs that “the majority of students pandemic has forced teachers becomes more dynamic. to create a set routine. There learn best in person, especially those who to extend their reach into the Teamwork and leadership are benefits to both of the struggle, but I do believe that virtual online realm, the students through online schooling choices, but it’s ultimately learning can be incorporated in ways that (especially incoming seniors) Learning in-person has its the students’ decision. benefit students of all skill levels.” have had to make tough benefits, such as busier days Challenging teaching style Although our world has been affected by the global pandemic for about 6-7 months Editorial Information now, we are all still sacrificing our everyday The Viking is published by Writers Unlimited and Sigma Kappa Delta as an lives to live as normally as possible in the ongoing service project to the college. This newspaper is provided as a forum for midst of this disease and its spread. Masks, public opinion. Participation in the production of The Viking is open to all students, face shields, hand sanitizer, disinfectant, faculty and staff of Grayson College. and so many more items are such a huge The views expressed in The Viking do not necessarily reflect the views of the part of our world today that have changed Editor, Writers Unlimited, Sigma Kappa Delta, the Board of Trustees, the all of our lives and forced us to adapt to administration or the faculty and staff of Grayson College. completely new standards as a way to live Submissions and corrections may be sent our editor, Storm Anderson, by email at safely and healthily. [email protected] Dr. Cheek expresses her concerns about teaching with precautions by mentioning that “the most challenging part has been COVID struggles in the community having to teach my larger face-to-face - Kendall Sluder, Student classes on a split schedule in order to All schools and colleges precautions. Hill states that been tough for my child to observe proper distancing guidelines. As a around the world are having students must arrive early for succeed,” she elaborates. result, I am teaching virtually and in-person to take specific precautions temperature checks and Teacher’s perspective simultaneously during the same lecture.” due to COVID-19, including remain six feet apart. “Social Not only has COVID-19 This teaching approach can be difficult for Grayson College. Though the distancing makes it hard to do affected college professors, students because of the disconnect college offers many any group work or labs,” she but it affects K-12 teachers between the teachers and students. opportunities for students to reports. just as much. Kacy Garner, a Especially with Dr. Cheek’s teaching an learn, expand growth, and Hill definitely feels COVID-19 Grayson College alumnae and advanced math class, this could cause achieve their goals, has decreased her learning dyslexia therapist, teaches in great concern for students who really unfortunately, due to the abilities: “If this pandemic a program that is “multi- struggle with math and need more face-to- ongoing pandemic, most were over, all students would sensory with direct immediate face or pen/paper interaction, she notes. students at Grayson College be able to experience all the feedback,” making it difficult have not been able to fulfill great things Grayson College for students who are online to those objectives. has to offer. Right now, we all “se[e] things that are Learning challenges have to believe in ourselves happening inside the lesson/ Haylee Hill, a new student at and hope this blows over class and . . .get immediate Grayson College, comments, “ soon.” feedback.” Garner worries I hate not being able to see Parent’s perspective “because I feel like I can’t my professors face to face or Crystal Bahle, a parent of a meet their needs as effectively not being around other Grayson College student, sees doing virtual, whereas in class classmates.” She learned the struggles her child is I could be there physically to more easily in high school facing both at home and at help with their academic with the physical presence of school. Bahle explains, “Due growth.” She notes that “time her teachers and the ability to to the ongoing pandemic, a management and balancing ask questions face to face. As lot of people have lost their instruction between an online student, though, “it jobs. My husband and I are synchronized learners and is easier for [her]to included.” She fears her child face- to- face learners” are a procrastinate” with the longer is concerned that the income daily struggle. “Teaching both deadlines. “I always say, ‘It is loss will affect her ability to types of learners not due until tomorrow, so I continue attending college. simultaneously is like teaching will just do it tomorrow.’” “This also puts a strain on two classes at once. Often, I Students who are taking on- parents. All parents want their feel that this takes time away campus classes are also children to succeed, and from the face-to-face having to take extra without the income it has learners,” she explains. Page 4 COVID Controversies October 2020
Fear and loathing in a time of COVID-19 - Crystal Hayes, Student “Social distancing” is a phrase and is not as serious as the media humans, and the fear of being blasé attitude about something so now ingrained in our minds, but is has made it out to be. around others is not healthy.” deadly,” she reveals. COVID-19 creating more distances With such varying viewpoints on Professor Sumrall believes that Controlling fear than just social? this subject, it’s bound to cause COVID is a serious problem but Professor Sumrall herself got Social distancing and masks tension in normal day- to-day also that the media is “making it caught up in the panic that Social distancing became a relationships. Dennis F., a 72-year- worse.” Like many others, she is COVID-19 has created. “In the phrase we all got used to hearing old retired United States Air Force concerned about the health and beginning, I checked the CDC and slowly learned to adhere to. veteran and insurance salesman wellbeing of her family and [Center for Disease Control] Masks started flying off the shelf, from Yakima, Washington, stands friends, so she chooses to stay website religiously. I read at a rate that it was nearly firmly on the side that this virus is home, which can be frustrating to everything multiple times a day. I impossible for manufacturers to not nearly as terrible as it’s been some people in her life who want would follow the map of how keep up with, both for the public, made out to be. “I believe that her to join them out and about. “I many new cases there was daily,” but especially for the medical the media has been making this want to do my part to protect my she comments. Fear sat with her, frontline personnel caring for to be an even bigger deal than it loved ones. I’m worried my preventing her from going out in victims of COVID-19. For a while, really is. It’s nothing more than a parents, family, my son, or older public either by herself or with there was mass panic. Everything flu virus, and I think everything friends will catch it and not be her son. “I started realizing how in the stores started clearing off we have been required to do is able to recover,” she adds. unhealthy it was. I decided I had the shelves as people were overkill,” he states. When asked if he feels like to stop watching the news all the worried whether they’d be able to Elaine R., a 56-year-old aspects have changed in his time,” she adds. By not allowing get the items they’d need. Even in homemaker from The Colony, relationships, Dennis F. laughingly herself to constantly check the the midst of the beginning of the Texas, disagrees, “This virus is replies, “Probably so. I’m a internet for COVID-19 updates, pandemic, the country seemed dangerous, and it breaks my heart Republican, and I think that this that change allowed her stress unified in trying to flatten the that people don’t seem to care virus has been partly a ploy to level to go lower, and also allowed curve and knock out COVID-19 so about the welfare of their fellow undermine the election coming her to become less paranoid and life could resume as normal. humans.” Elaine has a long history up. My son, he’s more liberal than cautious. “My husband is a nurse Differing views of volunteering and helping in any I am, and we’ve had to learn to who works in the COVID unit at After a few weeks of enthusiasm, place she can, but especially with not discuss this subject anymore Texoma Medical Center. I get my though, many people started animals. She volunteers at her after my wife made us call a truce. info from him and life is much getting antsy, seeming to have a local homeless shelter twice a Same thing with my nieces and better. I know it’s dangerous, but hard time adjusting to the new month and has been helping out nephews. They believe the ‘dire’ I’m not living in fear anymore nor way of life COVID-19 had created with food distribution as well level of this thing and buy into the am I pessimistic about everyone for us. Tensions started rising, and since the pandemic started. “We mask wearing and social getting it,” she adds. people wanted answers as to why see everyone coming through the distancing. There’s been an Trying to understand how the “flattening the curve” was taking food distribution line, people on unspoken agree-to-disagree world could be so split on such a so long. Blame started to be both sides of this virus, and we do invoked,” he says. hot topic that is running rampant assigned, turning this pandemic try to keep things neutral. But One of Elaine’s close friends in our country is not easy. This into a political hot topic. when I see people without their contracted the virus early on and virus has undoubtedly stirred up Misinformation was spread, masks, or others just out and is still facing health issues because fears that people have never arguments were starting over about with no regard to social of it including to likely be on experienced before and may not whether the new way of life was a distancing, I want to scream. I oxygen for the unforeseeable know how to process. Where at rights violation, and blame was want them to know that this is a future. When asked about the one time, friendships were great, being assigned everywhere. On real thing, and it’s impacting real impact of the pandemic on her it has now destroyed them. Family one side, there is the group that families,” she adds. relationships, she just sighed, members are arguing where there firmly supports the scientific side Relationships affected shook her head, and one could was not a problem before. of the virus--how to deal with it Rachel Sumrall, a psychology see tears starting. “I’ve walked Judgement is running wild all over and that by doing so, we could get professor at Grayson College in away from a few long-time the place, from both sides. Yet, back to normal life. On the other Denison, Texas, states poignantly friendships because of this, Americans have a long history of side are people who believe that regarding COVID-19, people that I have known fifteen banding together during times of COVID-19 was politically driven “Relationships are a crucial part of plus years. I couldn’t handle the crisis. Editorial The mask debate - Stacy Reagan, Student Essential: The new class The year 2020 has brought unsettling education field, but teaching with a mask - Professor William Leo, times, with more diverse opinions than on during the pandemic makes that of citizen Criminal Justice ever before. Black Lives Matter, the challenge more difficult. Lisa Johnson, a Government bureaucrats have created by election, and social distancing have added science teacher from Mountain Valley decree, rather than through legislation, what jobs, extra tension to this year. The debate over Middle School has gotten used to wearing businesses, and activities in society are essential masks seems to be especially divided, with a mask while teaching, but it wasn’t easy or non-essential. I believe that most, if not all people either fully for or against masking at first. She wears a hearing aid, and most people correctly believe that their job is essential up. masks would rub on the device, causing a and is necessary to provide a living for themselves Medical Perspectives great deal of interference. and their families. No one in government has the “This is a situation no one wants to be “Students are required to wear a mask, but right to pick and choose whose employment, in,” Vanessa Byron, a nurse from Red River I have a very large science room, and we sit businesses, or activities are necessary or essential. Emergency Room, in Sherman, Texas, farther apart than required and we have In essence, what these non-elected bureaucrats states. Byron has heard many complaints one class [that is small enough] to be mask have done is create two new classes of citizens: from the patients about the requirement free,” explains. The only issues she has the essential and the non-essential. The saddest of having to wear masks, but the only seen with required mask wearing was part of this injustice is that our elected officials at adverse effects she has seen of wearing a some masks breaking, and the students all levels of government never questioned this, mask, as a healthcare professional, are having to wear school-issued disposable but like sheep followed and even embraced the acne and some indentations on their face. masks. Getting winded after a lot of concept. Being around COVID-positive patients moving around in her class is one of the These new classes of citizens were created by while wearing a mask, but not catching it biggest challenges for Johnson. what has become a ruling class--a class that herself, leads her to believe that mask Add in the struggles of being a special disregards the Constitution because their agenda wearing does help stop the spread of the education teacher during the pandemic, is more important than the people’s rights. As virus. and mask wearing becomes even a greater very well stated by Benjamin Franklin, “Those While not positive if the masks fully challenge. “How do you force a student who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a protect people if they are not medical who is non-verbal and doesn’t understand little temporary safety, deserve neither grade, Byron does believe some protection why [we have] to wear a mask?” Tonya liberty nor safety.” comes from wearing any type of mask. No Waller, a special education teacher at Perhaps one of the problems that allowed this increase in breathing issues has been seen Mountain Valley Middle School, wonders. situation to develop without public outcry is the in her facility, but patients have complained Teaching children who have a hard time lack of teaching and reinforcing the meaning of of not being able to get a deep breath or reading or understanding when unable to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights inour breathe normally. see a speaker’s mouth for pronunciation is schools. Melissa Smith, a Registered Nurse from difficult, she explains. The protocol for any For a little refresher here is the wording of the Southwest Medical Center in Houston, mask-wearing issue is to break down into First Amendment, which was disregarded outright Texas, states, “The COVID numbers have the simplest terms why the students must during this pandemic, “Congress shall make no dropped [in our facility], but it would be wear a mask. Waller emphasizes that law respecting an establishment of religion, or hard to say if it has anything to do with enforcement becomes an issue when the prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging wearing a mask.” The hospital has seen students constantly rip the mask off with the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the patients complain of difficulty breathing their hands and throw it on the ground. right of the people peaceably to assemble, and when being forced to wear a mask for Masks in Businesses to petition the government for a redress longer than thirty minutes at a time. The Businesses are not excluded from this of grievances.”Nowhere in this document is there hospital has employees who have asthma. “madness.” Pamela Russell, a dental office a waiver for a pandemic. If they wear the masks for long periods of employee in McKinney, Texas, states, “I We have had dangerous pandemics, epidemics, time, they do develop breathing issues. have had a client storm out screaming at and other serious contagious illnesses before, but Smith adds, “From my observation most me when I told her she was required to never have parts of the Constitution been people don’t wear the masks correctly” wear a mask.” Signs are on the office front suspended because of it. There is no provision for but thinks that medical grade and cloth door stating one is required to wear a mask the suspension of our Bill of Rights because of masks work about the same. In order for a upon entering until they reach the dental illness. We have --when needed-- quarantined the mask to be properly worn, she explains, chair. The employees haven’t had any contagiously ill. Yet never in our history have we the nose and mouth must be completely problems wearing the masks, but some selectively suspended Constitutionally protected covered. clients refuse, so they are not allowed to activities and closed our society to “protect us” On the Education Front enter the premises. Clients walking out from ourselves. History will judge this sad event in Being a teacher would likely be a could potentially be detrimental to a small our times. challenge for anyone who is not in the business. Page 5 Career Prep October 2020
Earn more with a HVAC certification- Jared Vanderzwart, Student Going to trade school or going Could online straight into the job? That is a question many Grayson workforce training hurt students may ask themselves at the start of their journey into a career chances? Heating, Ventilation and Air -Kandice Carlson, Student Conditioning career. Most HVAC companies around the Sami Thompson, a sophomore Texoma area are considered small nursing student, is still adjusting to businesses that will bid certain jobs the recent changes Grayson College by the hour. If their employees are is undergoing. In the beginning of well trained, they are able to the Fall 2020 semester, nursing problem solve and install students like Thompson were equipment quicker, which means meeting on campus for their more money for the business. “If I lectures, but are now strictly get a new hire right out of Grayson’s Above: An HVAC technician at work. (Photo provided by Getty Images.) online. “Nursing students cannot HVAC program, I could have them “Having been in the trades for anywhere from $50-$125. At learn about their career and how out in the field, making the over thirty years; I can tell a Grayson, however, they can be to care for patients in their future. company money within thirty massive difference between administered for $25. The [Having to be online] has made my days,” says small business owner someone who has attended a trade professors giving the tests will college courses, in particular Rachel Willingham. school and one who hasn’t. I’ll also review the subject matter Microbiology, harder to learn,” In regards to starting wages, always take the one who has!” of each test before giving it. voices Thompson. Willingham said she would start states Master Electrician and small When taken outside of Although class structures may be new hires with no training at $10 business owner Matthew Grayson, the tests will be given making it harder for students to to $12 an hour. However, if the Vanderzwart. Vanderzwart himself back to back and in a testing learn, Jen Bridges, History professor employee attended Grayson explains he never attended a trade center with other students at Grayson College, expresses, College’s HVAC Program they could school because he needed to taking different tests for other “Grayson College has done a expect a much higher starting immediately start earning. professions. wonderful job responding to the wage. Someone with an Apprentice “The only downside I can see to a “Grayson College has an needs of both students and faculty. Certification would receive an offer trade school for any trade is that awesome program. I would These are unprecedented times, of about $15 per hour. If one went you will most likely accrue some prefer to hire someone with and as a faculty member, I feel that further and earned the Technician debt, and that time spent in the training over one who hasn’t. It Grayson takes my health and safety Certification, starting wages would classroom could be in the field, is easier to train someone with seriously.” jump up to $15-$20 an hour for earning money.” Vanderzwart schooling than with no Bridges, who already taught online residential work or $50-$100 for continues, “Getting higher wages experience,” Willingham says before the pandemic, was prepared commercial work. With these and landing better job offers after about hiring students right out for the online switch-over. Bridges certificates only requiring a few trade school should often offset of the course. She pays HVAC states, “I appreciated the college’s semesters to complete, they could that earning time lost.” trade school graduates more willingness to allow our courses to be very beneficial, especially if one Beyond the direct because she is paying for their be primarily online in order to is able to use grants to help pay for knowledge learned in the HVAC knowledge. “The smarter they promote health and safety.” schooling. program, there are also other are, the more money they can Pros and Cons Is the training one would receive benefits to attending Grayson’s earn for themselves and the Feelings toward in-person vs. at Grayson actually relevant to the program as well. When in the field, company,” she adds. online education around campus work done in the field? “YES! When every HVAC Technician must seem to be clear for some it comes to the trouble-shooting possess a certification from the disciplines. Thompson feels nursing aspect especially,” exclaims Chris*, Environmental Protection Agency students need in-class courses to a Grayson HVAC graduate. The in order to handle refrigerants. Want to See Your experience labs, so they can more knowledge one has in this Two of the professors at Grayson’s effectively learn to care for patients field, the quicker they are at fixing HVAC program are certified to Work In in their future. Online courses also problems. “Our calls have a base proctor the EPA’s tests. “Earning The Viking? have a disadvantage as students do charge of one hour. So if we are these certificates will make you not get to engage and develop able to get out [of the job] before more appealing to potential an hour is up, we are making more relationships with other students employers. These certifications Send your work to our editor: or educators. Bridges agrees, “It is money,” he explains. also let whoever is reviewing your Email us at: more intimate and easier to relate Additionally, employers prefer to application know that you are [email protected] the importance of certain issues hire someone with prior capable of completing any aspect when students are able to see me knowledge. Then the business of the job safely and legally,” lecture and feel the energy.” doesn’t have to pay new hires to explains Willingham. Next Deadline: November However, according to Bridges, learn the trade in the field. These tests can normally cost 6th online teaching is a valid method of instruction that imparts the same information to students and (Continued from “Anatomy” pg 1) advantage are just some not studying) wouldn’t work in allows more flexibility. The course A&P 2 covers strategies one can use to succeed college. A lot of ignorance had to Hidden Benefits of Online terminology, structures, and in these challenging courses. One be shut out, and a new beginning Bobbie Hill, employee at Richdale functions of the human body really has to interpret what is of “asking questions and looking Apartments in the property inside and out. But some are able happening in the lab and lecture at information in a completely management department, has to understand the specifics rather and try one’s hardest. They must different manner” was the only experienced both online and in- than the larger context. For dedicate themselves to the class strategy that could extinguish the class courses before joining the example, some may understand as best they can. feeling of discouragement. “It workforce. She took online courses joints better than the digestive Laci Bandy, a sophomore at was the understanding of the due to their convenience while system. Rick Chumley, Registered Grayson College, is currently information and identification of working full time and raising a Nurse at Nacogdoches Hospital, majoring in Radiology and the limitations in that family. However, she believes the is currently a Registered Nurse in recently started the Phlebotomy understanding that motivated in-class environment improved her the NewBorn Intensive Care Unit program. Bandy completed me more,” she recalls. work communication. Hill states, at Nacogdoches Hospital in Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 Chumley also experienced some “During in-class courses, I learned Nacogdoches, Texas and worked last year and notes what led to feelings of discouragement how to communicate with students in the Emergency Department her success was “using the within his time of taking Anatomy and professors by experiencing for two years prior. He contends resources that were available to and Physiology. In particular, he group projects and presenting that when he took Anatomy and me, such as the library, study notes, “Not understanding how a speeches.” Physiology in college, before hall, tutoring sessions, and open system works or remembering Hill believes whether students get becoming a nurse, his strongest labs.” The keys to her the name of a bone, muscle, their education online or in class is subject was “the muscles and accomplishment were “total nerve group while in the middle irrelevant. The workforce is already how they function and grow.” concentration on the task at of a test.” However, “taking a virtual. Hill conducts interviews at In contrast, Dr. Parsons’ hand, repetition of re-reading, break from everything Anatomy her current job completely virtually strongest subject during all of her and looking at the criteria that I and Physiology related, going to through Skype, Zoom, or phone. years in Anatomy and Physiology was studying, [and] keeping up study groups and trying not to “Even before the pandemic, was her “greater understanding and not falling behind in the stress about the situation and interviews and meetings were of the processes involved in the course,” a list echoed by Chumley. learning how to cope with the conducted over Skype,” explains discoveries.” The “textbook” was Overcoming discouragement problem at hand” displaced that Hill. really her easy entrance to the For Dr. Parsons, discouragement terrible feeling of unreadiness. Further, many jobs require a course because it gave her the in her academic journey came Bandy has also experienced a significant portion of remote or information needed to be from “disillusionment” and a sense of giving up/becoming online work. Bridges agrees with successful and expand her realization “that there were discouraged within the course Hill that online work prepares knowledge further. other people smarter, more but agrees that “the best advice I students for the workforce. Bridges Success strategies mature, and with much better have ever gotten, that can apply expresses, “Grayson students will To succeed in Anatomy and study skills” than what she had at to almost any situation, is to feel be flexible and ready to face Physiology, one has to be the time. But she overcame this it and deal with it as you see fit,” whatever challenges the workforce attentive. Going to class, taking feeling by “some maturing and meaning to accept the challenge. provides them…[as]…the ability to notes, fully understanding what an honest examination of my Giving up definitely wasn’t an work in a largely virtual format is one’s own notes are saying, situation,” realizing that what option in her eyes. All she could completely relevant to today’s finding a study group, using had worked in high school do was learn from her past world.” services offered to one’s (meaning procrastination and mistakes and grow in knowledge. Page 6 Fun and Connections October 2020 Grayson County bike trails provide much-needed relaxation - Brian Welch, Student enjoy their ride. Richardson Bike Mart, located in So, how much was invested in the Richardson, Texas, located at the building the trail and how was the corner of Campbell and Coit Road, trail planned? Griffin explains, provides bike sales, repairs, rentals “Austin College bought the chain and community planning and events. saw, shovels and rake to clear the They have been serving the biking trail path. That was the only money community since 1962 and have 3 put into the project, other than my stores in the DFW Area. Bike Mart personal time.” The process was provides community support, arduous. “It took me just over 3 planning and sponsorship of many years, by myself, walking the trail, planned events from road rides, finding the best way to bypass a tree, mountain bike trail maps and where to make a turn to switch back information. the direction, how to either avoid or Grayson County has few bike stores traverse a creek with active water with no real online support for sales flow,” he recalls. or community involvement, an As he walked the trail, Griffin would aspect that would need to change in mark the trees that would need to the Grayson area to really boost the be removed, clear a path with rakes, biking community and public and trim branches as he moved on. involvement. Bike stores provide an The finished 8-mile loop runs along environment for sales, repairs, Center Street in Sherman, trailing knowledge of mechanical issues, behind Sory Elementary then finally trails in the area and riding events Above:Binkley Trail offers something for riders with varying degrees of skill (Photo by author) connecting to a trail that leads under planned and community support. In Center Street and connects with most cases, bike shops are the One of the best ways to relax believes Grayson County could Herman Baker Trails. meeting and starting points for is to enter a mountain bike trail use more bike trails. DORBA connection in Grayson planned rides, group meets for head and disappear from the Binkley Trail creation County and Bike Mart support training, classes on how to care for world under and around a Griffin designed, built, and DORBA.org (Dallas Off Road Bicycle bicycles, and sometimes just a fun shaded canopy of trees. received funds for the popular Association) is a Dallas organization location to hang out. Accelerating down a dirt and trail near Sory Elementary founded in 1988. Since then, the The community of Grayson County rock trail that has been carefully School, Binkley Trail. This trail organization has put in over 9,000- should try riding, whether it be in planned and carved into the was funded by Austin College 10,000 hours into building and your neighborhood, trails, BMX earth, avoiding or maneuvering and took him just over 3 years maintaining over 30 trails throughout parks or any other location that tree roots, covered rocks, and to build, by himself. He poured North Texas, including trails at would allow everyone to get those avoiding the tree trunks is a his time, blood, and sweat into Eisenhower State Park and Binkley pedals moving and heart pumping so relaxing activity. a trail for fans of trail bicycle Park. DORBA membership numbers the community can breathe some However, in our area, that’s riding. The trail offers something total about 85 in the Grayson area, a fresh air and see our beautiful slice not so easy. Jason Griffin, a for riders with varying degrees small number compared to the of North Texas in a way you haven’t former Pro Mountain biker of skill from beginners to almost 1,800 listed on the DORBA seen. living in Sherman, Texas, advanced so that all ages can website.
(Continued from “COVID Fun” we can all participate. pg 1) Many of our planned INTERESTED IN The Viking Facebook page activities can also end with allows students to meet many students walking ATHLETIC TRAINING? virtually and find the new away with different prizes places where they can also such as TV’s, Keurig Coffee meet physically. Many machines, and even money. students such as Zoe Lott, a Freshman Ella Laurence sophomore on the softball enjoys the many different team who lives in Viking activities that the school Hall, enjoy the online organizes specifically events that the Viking because she likes to hear Facebook page holds. about the cool prizes, Previous events included whether she wins them or virtual bingo as well as not. SLICE, a weekly workshop Relaxing dorm spaces focused on professional Many students find development. SLICE is themselves wanting to hosted every Monday night spend time together but do BENEFITS DOCUMENTS NEEDED at 7pm and topics change not know what spaces are Room Scholarship Completed Application every week. Lott says that available and what they $250 Stipend per Semester Two Completed Recommendation it is most fun when one is could do in these spaces. Travel with assigned team(s) Forms playing with the people Each dorm building has IDEAL CANDIDATES PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS one knows from school. 2.5 GPA on 4.0 Scale different places available Students in a Health Sciences On-campus housing preferred In-person activities for students to hang out in Pathway majoring in massage If selected, students will need to therapy, nursing/pre-nursing, As far as activities in and study in as well. receive a Hepatitis B vaccination physical therapy, kinesiology etc. person go, many of our and complete CPR and AED Viking Hall has the main Students who want to be athletic certifications staff are trying their hardest lobby, which is on the first coaches Interest in sports Athletic Training Majors to ensure that we are not floor, that have tables, Communication Skills only in a safe learning and chairs, couches, and a TV PROGRAM SIZE CONTACT living environment, but for students to use. The Melaney Card, MS, LAT, ATC also a safe environment second floor of Viking Hall 12 students will be accepted into the program Athletic Trainer that we can have fun in. For has the game room, which [email protected] or 903-415-2618 in-person activities, our is equipped with two ping staff is asking that we pong tables, chairs, and a grayson.edu students take responsibility TV, as well as an Xbox. and wear our masks and Jones Hall is equipped stand 6 feet apart when we with study rooms on every can. floor, as well as game rooms We should also be honest that have TV on all three and notify them when we floors. Dorms, game rooms are showing symptoms of and study rooms are open COVID and not come out to every day at all hours. activities when we are One place students are feeling sick. Different not aware of is the events call for different Recreation Center in the measures against the virus, Student Life Center, which so they are asking all is above the bookstore. The students to follow the rules Recreation Center is that are explained at the equipped with pool tables, event. TV, ping pong tables, and a Randolph puts on many video game lounge and is different types of activities open on weekdays from 8 and wants students to am to 3 pm. know that there is a Although college life planned activity for every seems to be less than what week, whether it be in many had thought it would person or online. Our be, there are still multiple Student Life team is activities that students can working hard to make every discover and do together. activity free for students so Page 7 Student Resources October 2020
Student Support Services now 8 Great tips for Mastering accepting applications for Fall 2020! your financial aid - Kenzie Randolf, Student Support Services - Noah Scheibmeir, Financial Aid Student Support Services (SSS) is now accepting 1. Have your tax information ready. applications for Fall 2020! SSS, funded by the U.S. The Department of Education will frequently select students Department of Education, is a TRIO program who submitted a FAFSA for verification to prevent fraud. If dedicated to increasing the retention and this happens, you will need to have your signed taxes ready graduation rates for low-income, first-generation, to submit for verification. The taxes in question must be from and/or current students with documented two years before the current school year you are applying for. disabilities at Grayson College. Resources we So for 20-21, you will want taxes from 2018. For dependent provide include: advising students on which classes students, this also means having a signed copy of your to take to complete their degree plan, assisting with parents’ taxes. exploring 4-year universities and the transfer 2. Understand the difference between a dependent student Use this QR code to go straight to the process as well as applying for financial aid, helpful and an independent student. application! life-skill workshops, scholarship opportunities, one- Many think that because they do not live with their parents they can be counted as an independent student. However, on-one tutoring, and providing a supportive climate for student success. Students this is not how the Department of Education defines have the opportunity to work directly with our staff to explore current academic dependency. To be considered an independent student you needs and the resources available to develop an individualized system of support. must be over the age of 24, married, have children or other If you’re interested in joining our program, email us at [email protected]. dependents you support by more than 50%, or be a veteran or active duty in the military. If none of these qualifications are met then you are considered dependent. Phi Theta Kappa activities remain Please note: there are special circumstances where the dependency reasons above do not apply. If you are in a uninterrupted - Storm Anderson, Editor position where you do not have access to parents or guardians Late spring and summer are the please let the financial aid office know and we will look into busiest times of year for Grayson your particular circumstances. College’s Omicron Psi chapter of 3. Look up the deadlines for any documents you need to the Phi Theta Kappa Honors submit and schedule those deadlines in your calendar for Society. Despite the pandemic, 1-2 weeks earlier. this year has been no exception. Typically, most schools have a priority deadline many This April, the chapter virtually months prior to school starting. You would want to make attended the International Phi sure you confirm with the school’s Financial Aid Office as to Theta Kappa conference, where what their date is. Also, keep in mind that need-based aid they successfully ran a candidate such as Pell Grant and FSEOG are usually awarded on a first- for International President. come-first-served basis, so the earlier you submit your FAFSA, Following this, the chapter the higher chance you have of receiving that additional aid. hosted a spring induction in early The early bird gets the worm. May, led a card-mailing campaign Please remember: The FAFSA application opens up almost for the elderly in June, virtually a full year in advance for students to complete. For example attended another conference in for the 2021-2022 academic year, the FAFSA will be available July, held two orientations, and October 1, 2020, and will have a final deadline of June 30, laid the ground work for two 2022. major projects to take place 4. Make sure you are registered for classes. during the first Fall term. Above: Chapter officers invite you to their Wednesday meetings. (Photo provided by Phi Theta Kappa) You will need to register for classes so your financial aid can The first of these was a TEDx event cohosted with a sister chapter from Collin College. This digital event contained be applied to your account. three student and two professional speakers discussing topics related to sociology You will also need to meet with your Success Coach to and human conditioning. outline a plan of action on completing your degree plan. Their second event partnered the chapter with the United Way to connect Financial Aid will only pay for classes that are part of your students with nonprofits addressing housing and food insecurity, child advocacy, degree plan and required for degree completion/graduation. and more. Students can learn more about these programs at the Virtual Resource 5. Be aware of your GPA and Pace. Fair to be held October 6th from 3-5pm. The event is accessibe through the College GPA is your grade point average. It has to be a 2.0 or higher and chapter’s social media feeds. in order for you to qualify for financial aid. The chapter also has plans for events throughout the rest of the Fall Term including Pace is the number of hours you complete or pass vs. the Pumpkin Decorating and Costume contests in October, virtual cookie decorating number of hours you attempted. So, if you signed up for 12 parties in December, and an induction ceremony at the end of the Fall term. hours, but drop, withdraw, or fail six of them, your pace You can join the chapter in their future activites by visiting their Facebook and would be 50%. The Department of Education requires that Instagram feeds at ptkomicronpsi. They host meetings every Wednesday at 12:30. you maintain at least a 67% pace for your entire college career to maintain Financial Aid. Keep in mind: this also includes developmental, dual credit, and transfer hours. 6. If you are needing to drop a class for any reason always check with financial aid first to make sure it does not risk you losing your aid. Normally there is not an issue so long as you pass one of the other classes that you signed up for, but dropping classes can affect your GPA and pace. resulting in loss of aid, or if you drop too many hours it can result in you needing to pay your aid back, even your grants. When in doubt, please reach out to financial aid at [email protected] and we will be happy to help you. Dropping or withdrawing from classes can also affect your maximum time frame allowed to complete your degree. Once students have reached 150% of their degree in attempted hours, they are placed on financial aid suspension. Above: Fire burns large swath of Oregon, Sept. 8th 2020 (Photo by Carrie Brown) For example, a 60 credit hour degree program, once students (Continued from “Oregon” pg 1) the fire traveling north up Interstate 5 have attempted 90 or more hours, they are automatically In the midst of panic and utter fear, from Ashland, were deploying the placed on financial aid suspension and will be required to Hald realized that “houses can be same tactics. complete the appeal process before being considered for replaced, whereas we can’t be built up Mental trauma financial aid in a future semester. again.” During the 72-hour battle against the 7. Attend Your Classes. Speculation of fires’ beginnings raging fire, citizens like Hald, Brown, Related to our previous point, if you do not meet attendance As to how these fires were started, and thousands of other residents requirements the Department of Education can and will ask many residents have speculated. along the West Coast suffered mental for any grant or loan money to be returned to them. Even if a Dustin Baker, firefighter-paramedic, and physical trauma. Suffering the loss particular class is one you are struggling with, attending it is rescue diver, and CAD specialist, of properties and businesses, financial still your best course of action for protecting your financial suspects a “majority of the fires were hardships, and further strains to the aid for that year and the future. developed from negligence of people.” medical system during a pandemic If you are unable to attend a class, or all of your classes, for Other residents such as Carrie Brown, add to the psychological trauma of any reason, let Financial Aid know as soon as possible so we a teacher, believes “the fires [were] a having to fear for everyone’s safety, can help determine a course of action for you to take. result of criminal acts in addition to including their own. 8. Take advantage of our Contact Us Page for making natural disasters.” Since the peak of the fire’s destruction appointments in advance. According to Baker, when a wildfire has been contained, local groups have Lines are exhausting, and in our COVID-19 world they can has begun to roll with the wind, received clothing, food, and school even be dangerous. Dodge the line by requesting an firefighters will approach the fire from supply donations from thousands who appointment through the “Contact Us” section on the the outer edge to start burning a have been fortunate enough to have Financial Aid page. perimeter around the fire to contain it. had their lives and property spared Here are the links: This process will create a barrier that from detriment. Financial Aid Homepage: https://grayson.edu/FinancialAid/ has no fuel for the fire, causing it to Schools in the affected areas will begin index.html stop progressing. Baker adds that “a class though virtual learning platforms Financial Aid Contact Us page: https://grayson.edu/ fire can’t burn something that has starting September 28, according to FinancialAid/financial-aid-contact%20us.html already been burned.” Brown confirms Brown. Financial Aid Appointment scheduling page: https:// that the firefighters who surrounded advisingcounseling.as.me/FAVirtualAppointments