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Visit the Student Art Show Over Break by Mac Mercer
by Mac Mercer, staff writer Fall semester art, multimedia graphic design, and photography students will have their submissions on display for everyone to enjoy. The exhibition runs from Dec. 4,2024 through Jan. 19, 2025. Located at The Gallery at Studio West, 22 N...
“Wicked” Brings Magic to the Big Screen by Destiny Striffolino
by Destiny Striffolino, staff writer The highly anticipated movie adaptation of Wicked finally hit theaters on November 22nd, and it’s clear that this cinematic reimagining is here to capture the hearts of both longtime fans and newcomers, alike. Directed by Jon M....
Winter Wonder Awaits! Five Festive Activities to Spice Up Your Holiday Season by Garrett Polunci
by Garrett Polunci, staff writer If you’re looking to spend time with friends this holiday season or finally take that special someone on a date, here are a few ideas for your next winter adventure. Whether you’re looking for a cozy night at home or to explore the...
The Best Versions of Uno by Seth Phillips
by Seth Phillips, staff writer Uno is a game forged from the fiery pits of crushed spirits of family and friends who have been decimated by the unruly power of a draw four card. The question is, which version of uno is the best? #7 Uno All Wild Have you ever wanted to...
CC Tigers Back on the Prowl by Quinn Kreck
by Quinn Kreck, staff writer Colorado College Men's Ice Hockey team earns best National Ranking in over 10 years. Colorado College’s long streak of poor season performances appears to be coming to an end, as the Tigers are off to a great start to the 2024-25 season....
Graduating Into Uncertainty: Students Share Mixed Feelings About Life After College by Trista Crittendon
by Trista Crittendon, staff writer Graduation is an exciting milestone, marking the end of years of hard work and the beginning of new opportunities. But for many students, it also brings uncertainty about what comes next. Some, like Jose Mejia, a senior accounting...
Restaurants for Broke College Students by James Bui
by James Bui, staff writer You’ve probably been in this situation before: you go to a restaurant looking for a bite to eat just to be slapped with the realization that you were charged $15 + tax + a parking improvement fee for a sandwich. This rightfully might drive...
Colorado Public Radio Invites PPSC Students to Be on the Air by Garrett Polunci
by Garrett Polunci, staff writer In October, CPR News reached out to students in the journalism program at PPSC and invited them to take part in their program, Listening Across Divides. This program is meant to inform listeners about the issues on their ballots and...
The HIGHs and Lows of Technology: HIGH Altitude Dance Ensemble Explores AI, Social Media & Human Connection by Trista Crittendon
by Trista Crittendon, staff writer The High-Altitude Dance Ensemble (PPSC's student company) is excited to present its fall production, focusing on the timely themes of technology, social media, and AI. This thought-provoking performance will take place on Friday,...
Students Write Mo with NaNoWriMo by Quinn Kreck
by Quinn Kreck, staff writer The month of November is national novel writing month (NaNoWriMo). NaNoWriMo creates a challenge for writing a 50,000-word novel over the course of the month, or members can set their own word count goal. “National Novel Writing Month is a...
New Behavioral Health Program Sees Fast Growth by Destiny Striffolino
by Destiny Striffolino, staff writer The Behavioral Health Program (BEH) launched this fall at the Downtown Campus with 120 students enrolled. With multiple innovative pathways that blend academic rigor with hands-on learning, the program and its trajectory keep...
Staff Writers Explain 2024 Ballot Measures in CO
This year's ballot is a long one. With many important issues up for a vote, it's critical to take time to understand what is proposed to change. We've taken the jargon of a few hot-topic issues and translated them for you. (We're still working on some and will publish...
Endless Clubing: Student-Led Clubs Want Your Attendance by James Bui
by James Bui, staff writer Are you interested in Anthropology? Are you an honor student looking for a community to further your future? Or perhaps a nursing student looking for a mentoring program? The numerous clubs around campus easily answer these queries. Each...
Students Get eXtra with the Radio by Seth Phillips
by Seth Phillips, staff writer Did you know that there's a student operated radio station at Centennial Campus called eXtra Music that plays a variety of alternative hits? The programming on eXtra Music plays a mix of the best alternative hits of today and 2000s...
SGA: An Alternative to Yelling at Your Peers by Garrett Polunci
by Garrett Polunci, staff writer The Student Government Association (SGA) serves as the primary advocate for the needs of PPSC students. SGA seeks to better the student experience by communicating the needs and concerns of students to staff, faculty and...
Publications Seek Student Submissions by Quinn Kreck
by Quinn Kreck, staff writer Students looking to be published for the first time have the opportunity through the student literary journals published by the English department, Parley and SITREP. Now is the time to submit as both publications are looking for student...
Things to Do This Summer by Michael Sanchez
by Michael Sanchez, staff writer Curiosity Unlimited Annual Celebration May 10: 11:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. A session of collaboration and group creation. Teaching, learning, and practicing collaboration and sharpening creative impulses. Luncheon and lectures by UCCS...
Behind The Blueprint: PPSC Downtown Campus Hopes for Spectacular Transformation by Amanda McCann
by Amanda McCann, staff writer Over the summer, a redesign committee will convene to discuss ideas for making PPSC’s downtown campus a more desired location for students to enroll in. The project, which began in March, is currently in the information gathering stage...
AI Enters the Classroom by River Hampton
by River Hampton, staff writer AI continues to gain traction within the academic space; students use it to write essays and discussion posts, and professors use it to build content and grade assignments. The controversy around AI use then leads to discussion in the...
Unify America: Changing Conversations One Call At a Time by Anna Mayfield
by Anna Mayfield, staff writer Sociology professor Gloria Nikolai has been offering an opportunity through Unify America for many years. And this year was no different. Joined by other faculty members at PPSC, Nikolai connected her students to the organization that...
Irons in the Fire by Shannon Schumm
by Shannon Schumm, guest columnist Procrastination. We all know it, and some of us excel at it. I am sure if a degree were offered, I’d likely have my doctorate by now. Psychology calls this fear or anxiety, but I blame mine on not being able to start and being a bit...
Students Recognized by City for Graphic Design by Ezekiel Siegrist
by Ezekiel Siegrist, staff writer PPSC students Emanuel Lopez and Trieu Ngyuen have received recognition from the city of Manitou Springs for their graphic design work during the 2024 Emma Crawford Coffin Race. Ngyuen was awarded for his design of the brochure layout...
Paving a Path for the Future of the Colorado River by Julian Nguyen
by Julian Nguyen, contributor The Colorado River has been a source of life for millions of people since the 1900s by being a major part of the ecosystem. Because of the unequal distribution of water, the states created the Colorado River Compact to make sure everyone...
Designer Babies: To Genetically Edit or Not by Anna Cuellar
by Anna Cuellar, contributor How has genetically modified embryos revolutionized medicine today and where do people stand regarding this medical advancement? The process of modifying the genetic material of an embryo to potentially improve the health and development...
Homelessness in Denver and How it Affects Our Community by Amber Ware
by Amber Ware, contributor Homelessness is on the rise all over the nation, but in Denver, homelessness grew 46% from 2022 to 2023 (1). Homelessness not only effects the individual experiencing it, but the communities around them. The homeless community pollutes the...
Go Vote Colorado! How to Register to Vote in El Paso County by River Hampton
by River Hampton, staff writer Registering to vote can be daunting, but Colorado makes it easy with a variety of options available. Voting can feel like an overwhelming process, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Registration is the first step towards...
Unlocking Financial Success: Navigating the Future for College Students by Amanda McCann
by Amanda McCann, staff writer With the rise of inflation, it can be harder and harder for college students to put any money aside for retirement. Learning what resources are available for students at the college and in the community is useful knowledge to begin the...
Mathematics Colloquium Around the Corner
The Mathematics Department and its students invite the PPSC community to attend its bi-annual Mathematics Colloquium on Friday, Apr. 12 from 11:30 a.m.−3:30 p.m. at the Rampart Range Campus in rooms W101 and W102. In its seventh year, the event has quadrupled since...
Get Tickets to Murder on the Orient Express; Opens April 11
Pikes Peak State College Theatre Department presents: Agatha Christie’s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS Adapted by Ken Ludwig Directed by Sarah Sheppard Shaver All aboard the opulent Orient Express from Istanbul to Paris! Eleven strangers on a train find themselves...
Irons in the Fire by Shannon Schumm
by Shannon Schumm, guest columnist Wavemakers In March, the common ‘honored’ theme for classrooms, media, and billboards is to celebrate historical women. I have seen commercials referencing Amelia Earhart, or black and white photos of rallies supporting The Women’s...
SGA Proposes New Student Technology Fee to Boost Campus Tech Resources by Amanda McCann
by Amanda McCann, staff writer From Apr. 2-9, all current PPSC students can vote on the newly proposed technology fee that will go into effect for the 2024–25 school year. Earlier this month, an email was sent out to the student body regarding the new fee, which...
Statue Removed Following Damages at Downtown Campus by Ezekiel Siegrist
by Ezekiel Siegrist, staff writer A statue called “Breathe” by Joan Benefiel was damaged at the PPSC downtown campus and has since been removed from the display. Associate Dean of Arts and Social Sciences, Benjy Davies says “I have heard several rumors that the cracks...
PPSC Halts Club Creation for Spring 2024 by Cooper Hill
by Cooper Hill, staff writer In a significant move impacting the student body, PPSC has decided to temporarily halt the creation of new clubs in the 2024 spring semester. This decision, spear-headed by the Inter-Club Council Board, stems from the ongoing vacancy in...
English Department Presents Spring Reading Event by Michael Sanchez
by Michael Sanchez, staff writer Each year PPSC holds an event known as the Spring Reading, where students and faculty come together to celebrate their collective creative works, as well as distinguishing a visiting author as its special guest. This year is no...
Work Study and You by River Hampton
by River Hampton, staff writer Going to college can make finding school-work-life balance difficult, and the work study program is designed to ease the stress of a demanding schedule by offering flexibility, community engagement, and workforce transitioning tools....
Single Stop at PPSC by Ezekiel Siegrist
by Ezekiel Siegrist, staff writer Single Stop at PPSC is the next step to developing Student Life programs for the benefit of students who may be struggling with poverty. Single Stop has worked to create connections with Mobile Food Markets (MFM) and community tables...
The Women Behind PPSC’s WhoDunnit? by Anna Mayfield
by Anna Mayfield, staff writer The whodunnit, murder-mystery genre of literature is popping up just in time for Women's History Month, and in an illustrious endeavor to bring attention to the women of the genre, PPSC Professor Dionne Howell has offered a selection of...
Irons in the Fire by Shannon Schumm
by Shannon Schumm, guest columnist I am a “why” person. Not much holds interest to me unless I have a chance to understand why it is important (shocking that I am in school, right?). I suppose I could apologize to all my professors who could be reading this, but by...
2024 Winter Season Breaks Records by Jessica Moore
by Jessica Moore, guest writer Colorado weather is well known for its variability, and that standard holds true through the winter season. Colorado winters can be mild and dry, but they can also be frigid and wet, and produce periods of heavy snow, high winds, and...
Homo Ex Machina by Martin Conrad
by Martin Conrad, Chair of Humanities, guest columnist Humans have always had a curious relationship with information — more specifically with the veracity of information. Arthur C. Clarke pointed out that information is not knowledge, and that knowledge is not...
Black Box Theatre Hosts Murder-Mystery Events by Michael Sanchez
by Michael Sanchez, staff writer Patricia Meredith Masterclass & Visiting Writer Spotlight Mystery author Patricia Meredith will lead a writing workshop and masterclass on the murder-mystery genre. Meredith is an author of historical mysteries that are...
PPSC Fitness Center Aims to Provide Activities and Classes for All by Cooper Hill
by Cooper Hill, staff writer The Fitness Center at PPSC Centennial campus, located in room A262, offers a diverse array of activities, clubs, and classes tailored to meet the health and wellness needs of all members of the PPSC community. The Fitness Center is open...
Global Village Dicussions Tackle Important Topics by River Hampton
by River Hampton, staff writer Global Village, an open discussion table for students and faculty, dove right back into weekly meetings last month, offering a safe space to cultivate conversation focused on global diversity and community accessibility at both...
Recharge Your Mind and Body for Spring by Jodi Teeples
by Jodi Teeples, staff writer Winter break is over, and oh how nice it was to have a break from classes. Hopefully everyone was able to relax a bit and enjoy time with family and friends. Soon enough, the hustle and bustle of the semester will be in full swing, and...
YDA Presents Shifting the Lens by Amanda McCann
by Amanda McCann, staff writer ENT Center of The Arts, Colorado Springs, Colo. — On Thursday February 8th, the Youth Documentary Academy will host “Shifting the Lens: Real Films, Real Talk,” an evening showcasing eight films produced by high school students that focus...
Prepare for the Week and Change Your Life by Anthiya Adams
by Anthiya Adams, staff writer Have you ever wished for more hours in the day or that you could clone yourself to get more done? In a constantly changing, fast-paced world, it can feel impossible to get everything done, let alone done well. Preparing yourself for the...
Jean Manthei: The Woman Behind the Camera by Kayla Salazar & Khaleigh Reed
by Kayla Salazar & Khaleigh Reed, staff writers “Every author wants to be successful, and be the best seller. That's just human nature, but what I think I’ve learned is that it’s getting your book out there, it’s having the guts to write the book to begin with,"...
10 Movies to Watch When You Don’t Want to Use Your Brain Anymore by Alex Organa
by Alex Organa, staff writer As a true red-blooded American, when I get home after a long day of work, I want to watch something that does not demand anything from me. Life is hard, and movies offer an easy hour and a half escape from the madness. Over the years, I’ve...
CO Rep. Stephanie Vigil to Visit LGBTQ+ Club by Anthiya Adams
Colorado State House District 16 Representative, Stephanie Vigil, will visit the recently revived PPSC LGBTQIA Club at 1 p.m., Thursday, December 7, 2023, in Centennial Campus conference room A351. The visit is an opportunity for Representative Vigil to introduce...
Lending A Hand: Volunteering around the Holidays by Jodi Teeples
by Jodi Teeples, staff writer The holidays can be an overwhelming time of year. Classes are winding down as studying for finals begins. People are decorating their homes and making plans to spend time with loved ones. People are feeling the stress as they plan the...
Need Some Self-Care? Here’s 10 Ways to Use Essential Oils by Lyndsey Rogers
by Lyndsey Rogers, staff writer Aromatherapy has been knowingly used since the ancient Egyptian culture started implementing various oils into beauty products, health aids, and spiritual ceremonies. Ancient China and India both used oils with a similar emphasis on...
LGBTQ+ Youth Face Critical Issues and Need Support by Anthiya Adams
by Anthiya Adams, staff writer LGBTQ+ youth are experiencing disproportionately high depression, anxiety, suicide, and self-harm rates compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers according to the 2022 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s...
Southwest Foodservice Excellence Ups the Food Game at PPSC by Bella Schulte
by Bella Schulte, staff writer In addition to changing the name of the college, PPSC is making changes all around -- one of them being the café. After seven years with the foodservice company Paragon, PPSC’s cafes have been taken over by a new company, Southwest...
LGBTQ+ Club Holds Naming Contest at First Meeting
The LGBTQ+ Club is back up and running and will hold its first meeting on Thursday, November 16 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. in The Grove at Centennial. The meeting will be a meet-and-greet with light snacks, and a contest to name the club. The winner will be announced in...
Election Ballot Measures Round-Up by Anthiya Adams
by Anthiya Adams, staff writer The November 7, 2023, election is here. If you are struggling to understand the local and statewide ballot measures, look no further. For some, the language used to explain the ballot items can be confusing and deter some from voting or...
Why You Shouldn’t Vote by Taylor Jones
by Taylor Jones, staff writer Didn’t we just do this? I feel like I was waiting for summer to begin and now it’s suddenly fall, my procrastination has caught up with me, and its election time, again. I thought this was supposed to be like the Olympics! I vaguely tune...
The Math Colloquium is Back: Where Math Meets Inspiration
Calling all math enthusiasts, problem-solvers and anyone intrigued by the magic of numbers. PPSC's annual Math Colloquium is just around the corner, and is open to all faculty, staff and students. This yearly event features guest speakers, student presentations and...
Parley, PPSC’s Arts & Lit Journal, Seeks Submissions from Creatives by Kayla Salazar
Have you ever wondered if there was a place for students who have creativity/vision like yourself to get published? Well, wonder no longer. Here at PPSC we have an inclusive arts and literary journal, Parley, that invites all creative students to express themselves....
PPSC Theatre Presents: John Proctor is the Villain
Pikes Peak State College Theatre Department presents John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower, directed by Sarah Sheppard Shaver. The show will run from Nov. 9-12 and Nov. 16-19 at Studio West. THE STORY: At a rural high school in Georgia, a group of lively...
November Events from Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
1st, 5pm: Salon of One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Centennial Grove. 2:30pm, Movie viewing of OWFOCN. Centennial Grove 3rd, 5pm – 8pm: Reception for the Veterans’ Voices Exhibition. The Gallery Studio West. 3rd and 17th, 5:30pm: Friday Night Movie Club. Rampart...
Irons in the Fire by Shannon Schumm
by Shannon Schumm, guest writer Who am I? I am likely the overlooked student somewhere close to the front row of your class. I am the “non-trad” (non-traditional student) who asks 100 questions, or that will speak up when there are crickets in the room. You’re...
Fun in the Shadows of Pikes Peak by Garrett Koontz
by Garrett Koontz, staff writer Hallow-e’en and Dia de Muertos Events The leaves fall away, and the air loses that summery swelter (well, maybe.) Autumn arrives in Colorado, bringing with it a spread of spooky sights: skeletons, spirits, ballot initiatives, and paper...
A Govt. Shutdown Means More for Colorado Springs by Ezekiel Siegrist
by Ezekiel Siegrist, guest writer The United States at large is staring down the threat of a government shutdown. The House of Representatives is in a state of disarray that could cause a national crisis, and one area that could see much turmoil is Colorado Springs....
Colorado Online@ Replaces Old System by Alex Organa
by Alex Organa, staff writer Big changes are happening to online classes at PPSC, yet, these changes have likely not entered the radar of many students. The changes come at the state level, and will change the way registration looks this year. Currently, the state is...
Communication Courses Offer a World of Skills by Bailey Garcia
by Bailey Garcia, staff writer Students pursuing a communication related degree are often faced with having to defend the worth behind their field of study. Is this because of a miscommunication? When entering college some students are not fully aware of what exactly...
PPSC Student Leaks How To Use The Student Portal by Dimitri Berger
by Dimitri Berger, staff writer Every year the internet has been in our lives, people and aardvarks alike struggle to understand website design. College students do not have time to learn how certain websites work and all the quirks within it. Due to recent years and...
Student Clubs Seek Members by Canaan Owens
by Canaan Owens, staff writer PPSC’s clubs have taken a significant hit in recent years due to the pandemic, and now they are hoping to draw students back in. The college has been making an active effort to get clubs up and running to the state that they were in...
CCCS Offers Bridge to HBCU Program by Khaleigh Reed
by Khaleigh Reed, staff writer The Colorado Community College system officially begins its first semester of the Bridge-to-HBCU program Fall 2023, a transfer agreement with two and possibly one more, Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The partnership with...
A New State of College for a New State of Education by Taylor Jones
by Taylor Jones, staff writer Change. Change is a constant in our lives, and there is no exception in education. Students and faculty at PPSC have seen some significant changes to the school over the last several years. In response to evolving demands from the...
A Farewell to Textbooks? by Garrett Koontz
by Garrett Koontz, staff writer “All of my books are online this semester,” says student Austin Ortyz. “[My classes] switched over to online books only,” says student Josiah Walker. Ortyz and Walker haven’t had to carry around a single textbook this year. They aren’t...
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival is Back (Free Tickets Available) by Anthiya Adams
by Anthiya Adams, staff writer PPSC students have an opportunity to experience diverse storytelling methods, cinematic techniques and filmmaker forums for free, at the 36th Annual Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival at Colorado College, Oct. 20-22,2023. RMWFF began...
October’s Music Round-Up by Jodi Teeples
by Jodi Teeples, staff writer As summer officially comes to an end, so does outdoor concert season. It was fun, Red Rocks. See you next summer, Fiddlers Green. But we still crave live music. We need music in our lives to wind down from the school week, to blow off...
Coffee Klatch: Find A New Place to Study by RJ Wagner
by RJ Wagner, staff writer The Sleeper Picks Building 3 Review - 2727 N Cascade Ave Suite 155, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Building 3 is a lovely little coffee shop outside of downtown, on N Cascade Avenue off of Filmore. My personal favorite, this shop offers great...
The Cost of Everything: Students and Schools Confront Rising Prices By Aj Silva
by Aj Silva, staff writer Hope is on the horizon for Pikes Peak State College students who find it difficult to attend school while making ends meet. New financial aid laws and increased school resources are in motion to help students finally overcome skyrocketing...
When Horsing Around is the Goal by Cat Rimbach
by Cat Rimbach, staff writer Rowan was six years old when he escaped and ran to his neighbor’s pasture filled with a herd of mares. The leader of the herd was always angry and often aggressive, her reaction to this severely autistic boy running to her and laying down...
The Voice’s Tasha Jessen Performs at Ultra Flat Black Gallery & Lounge by Latrice Owens
by Latrice Owens, staff writer NBC’s The Voice is a singing competition and is known for discovering new talent. The contestants sing their hearts out for a chance to win a large cash prize and a record deal. Among the talented hopefuls competing in the current season...
From Sky Sox to Vibes: A Brief History by Jon Oden
by Jon Oden, staff writer Colorado Springs has had a long standing tradition of baseball in town, even before the Colorado Rockies were a team. Colorado Springs began having baseball in town in 1988 with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox who at the time was the AAA...
Mario Kart Wii: 15 Years Later by Katie Chase
by Katie Chase, staff writer With its strong player base, Mario Kart Wii in North America just celebrated its 15th birthday on April 27. Though Nintendo shut down the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection in 2014, fans have kept the online Wii services alive through a...
Tears in the Heart of Africa by Bryce McGraw
by Bryce McGraw, staff writer But the continent of Africa has experienced a multitude of conflicts that have gone virtually unnoticed, specifically by the United States and other major world powers, in connection under NATO. Among the many events that have risen and...
Sun’s Out! Fun’s Out! It’s Time to Enjoy Some Local Food Trucks by Sa’Mya Hall
by Sa'Mya Hall, staff writer It’s 65 degrees on a Tuesday afternoon. Allergies are in full bloom and amongst the chorus of sniffles, slight gushes of wind blow a delicious, mouthwatering aroma coming from the food trucks parked on the side of the street. Crowds of...
Colorado Shows and Venues: Summer 2023 by Francesca Blasi
by Francesca Blasi, staff writer As finals week is wrapping up and summer is rapidly approaching, you may be wondering what to do with your free time as you either await the next semester of school or celebrate completing your time here at PPSC. Well, you’re in luck!...
For Student Seeking Community, There is Hope Yet by Francesca Blasi
by Francesca Blasi, staff writer Do you feel lost, isolated, and disconnected from your fellow students? Do you find yourself showing up to school, only to wander aimlessly as you make your way from one class to the next, not entirely sure of anything else going on...
Help Save the Monarch Butterflies by Isabella Leo
by Isabella Leo, staff writer Everyone talks about the beautiful butterflies they see in the spring, and how they make everyone’s day. Beyond their beauty they even benefit the world by pollinating plants and aiding scientists in discovering the health of an...
Get Involved with Student Government by Cat Rimbach
by Cat Rimbach, staff writer The student government at PPSC is an easy and crucial way to get involved. Often overlooked, the student leadership at school is a great place to start addressing changes or new clubs that a student may want to implement. Twice a month all...
Mental Health: What Can PPSC Do for You? by Latrice Owens
by Latrice Owens, staff writer Mental health has become a critical issue, and accessing mental health services can be difficult with private healthcare's ever-rising cost. In an effort to embrace wellness, PPSC offers counseling services and fun wellness programs on...
Student Proposes a Sustainability Plan for Centennial Courtyard by Katie Chase
by Katie Chase, staff writer Salome Carrasco, a PPSC student, has written a proposal for gardens in the Centennial Campus courtyard. The proposal is to divvy up the courtyard into sections, managed by several clubs at the Centennial Campus. This would mean creating...
A Whole Lot of Heart and Humor Played on Shuffle: A Review of Aarnie’s Mixtape Vol. 1 by Kat Atherton
by Kat Atherton, staff writer Like a hand-picked selection of music, carefully ripped onto a cassette and scribbled all over with love, Aarnie’s Mixtape leads from one short play to the next with intent and good humor. The compellation of one-act plays is unique,...
Insight into Production: The Making of Aarnie’s Mixtape Vol. 1 by Chloe Ortiz
by Chloe Ortiz, staff writer PPSC's theatre department is currently showing Aarnie’s Mixtape Vol. 1, a compilation of ten one-act plays. Each play has been created and performed by both current and former PPSC students and staff. With Spring performances underway; I...
Photo Gallery: An Evening of Poetry with Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius by Kat Atherton
by Kat Atherton, staff writer
For KXRE 102.1 and 89.1 FM, Listening to Over 2500 Songs Just Got a Little Easier by RJ Wagner
by RJ Wagner, staff writer The PPSC student-run radio station is eager to announce the launch of a new app, and an improvement to the listening experience. The app will help to solve the problem of poor signal service hindering song clarity. The signal that the radio...
Mathematics Department Announces In-Person Math Colloquium by Ally Archuleta
by Ally Archuleta, staff writer The PPSC Math Department is delighted to announce that there will be an in-person Mathematics Colloquium this Spring. It is to take place Friday, April 21, 2023 in Room W101 at the Rampart Campus. Students are encouraged to...
Global Village Brings Community Conversation to PPSC by Kat Atherton
by Kat Atherton, staff writer Groups of students congregate, at the Centennial Campus Grove on Wednesdays and at the Rampart Range Atrium on Tuesdays--taking precious free time otherwise spent at jobs or immersed in more traditional scholastic pursuits--to engage in...
MythBusters: Voting In Colorado by Cat Rimbach
by Cat Rimbach, staff writer Voting is often an intimidating feat. For many younger members of the public and for those that aren’t quite sure where they stand on their ability to register. Colorado is one of the few states that makes this process more inclusive and...
How to Register to Vote in Colorado by Destin Palacios
by Destin Palacios, staff writer The Colorado Springs mayoral election is approaching soon on the April 4th, 2023 ballot, so it’s important to make sure you are registered to vote so that you can have an impact on the local community here in the Springs. There are...
Your Quick Guide to Mayoral Candidates; Vote April 4
With 12 candidates running for mayor in the upcoming elections on April 4, it's critical to be in the know. Below, you will find a brief synopsis (in alphabetical order) on each candidate based on their backgrounds and their future promises. Be sure to check out each...
PPSC Strives to Achieve Equity & Inclusion Post-COVID by Aj Silva
by Aj Silva, staff writer Pikes Peak State College's journey towards promoting equity and inclusion on campus post-COVID has been filled with successes and challenges. As the staff, faculty and students continue their efforts toward creating a more equitable and...
PPSC Provides Free Food for Students and Staff by Isabella Leo
by Isabella Leo, staff writer Did you know there's free food available at all of our campuses? Between the Community Table and monthly food markets, students, faculty and staff have access to healthy goods. The community table always has offers or events coming up,...
LGBTQ+ Club Welcomes All by Francesca Blasi
by Francesca Blasi, staff writer The LGBTQ+ club is open to all at Pikes Peak State College’s Centennial Campus, and its members are making strides to increase inclusivity and support for students and staff alike. Any students or faculty members looking for a safe...
Why you should participate in the Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Registration is now open for the Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum until April 4th This event is a way for you to build experiences here at the college that can benefit you at both your transfer institution and in the job market. Steps to participate: Make...
Embrace Community at Global Village by Kat Atherton
by Kat Atherton, staff writer Faculty, staff, and students have an opportunity to embrace their global community at Global Village. The student-led and community-oriented event has a new weekly time. Meetups will now be held at the Rampart Range Atrium on Tuesdays at...
Personalized Training & Advanced Equipment Available for Students and Staff by Michael Martinez
by Michael Martinez, staff writer Are you sick of once again claiming “this is the year I lose weight?” The motivation to drive to the gym seems impossible after six draining hours of tedious lectures. The combination of classes, work, and life causes stress, tension,...
The Community Table Open to Staff and Faculty; Free Food by Chloe Ortiz
by Chloe Ortiz, staff writer The Community Table, located in room A-312 at Cenntenial Campus, is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the spring semester. Students, faculty, and staff may access this free-food market at anytime during these hours. The only...
PPSC Publications Now Accepting Submissions by Ally Arculeta
by Ally Archuleta, staff writer PPSC offers a chance for students to show off their creativity in its literary and arts journal, Parley. Each academic year, various genres of work get published for the student body to see, whether displayed on the Parley website or in...
Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius Performing at PPSC’s Visiting Writers’ Series by Sa’Mya Hall
by Sa'Mya Hall, staff writer PPSC will welcome local poet laureate, Ashley Cornelius, to perform at PPSC's Visiting Writers' Series on March 23. Any and all are invited to attend. Cornelius is the 6th Pikes Peak region Poet Laureate and the first black woman to hold...
PPSC Launches Racial Equity Learning Challenge by Aj Silva
by Aj Silva, staff writer The Equity and Inclusion Office at PPSC began its 21-Day Racial Equity Learning Challenge on Feb. 1, with participation open to all staff members, faculty, and student workers at the school. The challenge encompasses a series of brief online...
An Interview about Open Educational Resources by Abbie Guillen & Jason Barber
by Abbie Guillen & Jason Barber, staff writers $1,420. That is how much two-year college students are spending on books and supplies every year on average, according to College Board. That is a jarring number considering community colleges market themselves as an...
You’re Not Alone. Encouraging Words for Those Suffering from Depression and Anxiety by Jason Barber
by Jason Barber, staff writer Op-Ed Have you ever been depressed? I’m not talking about your girlfriend or boyfriend broke up with you, and so you’re real sad. I’m talking about deep down, this-can’t-be-the-way-things-are,...
PPSC Expands Program Offerings by Zack Edwards, AJ Mannering, & Lyndsey Rogers
by Zack Edwards, AJ Mannering, & Lyndsey Rogers, staff writers With growth comes change. And Pikes Peak State College is working to meet the change within the community by expanding its program and degree offerings as an effort to help the rising career needs of...
Students Invited to Vote on New Fee by Lindsey Rogers
by Lyndsey Rogers, staff writer Students at Pikes Peak State College pay institutional fees every semester. What does the money for these fees go to? Well, from November 20 to December 4, students have the chance to vote on a proposed fee using a link sent to their...
Weeding Through the Legalese on Three Popular Propositions by Zach Ogrodny
by Zach Ogrodny, staff writer With mid-term elections here, blue books have been distributed statewide, detailing the amendments and propositions to be voted on this fall. Although Blue Books can be incredibly beneficial for voters, the ballots themselves often...
Understanding Elections by Abbie Guillen
by Abbie Guillen, staff writer Voter turnout matters. And now that the mid-terms are here, it's time to get out and vote. Low voter turnout is most prominent in local, midterm, and primary elections because most people seem to care about presidential elections....
High Schools Need to Up Their Voter-Education Game by Alyssa Enriquez
by Alyssa Enriquez, staff writer Mid-term elections in Colorado are being held on November 8th. With the elections less than a month away, what are local high schools doing to help and prepare their students for local elections? It turns out, nothing. Within District...
Using the Blue Book to Understand the Ballot
by Jason Barber, staff writer Last week, journalism students held a round-table discussion of the hot topics in this year's election Blue Book. The discussion tackled some questions, shared ways and means for registering to vote. It was a small attempt to help...
Colorado Ensures Safe & Effective Voting by Lyndsey Rogers
by Lyndsey Rogers, staff writer When it comes to mail-in ballots, many people are wary of the reliability and safety. Of late, this voting style has been under scrutiny as many claim mail-in ballots can easily be tampered with or can be used to benefit one specific...
Student Life Hosts Power Hour to Help You Refuel by Zach Ogrodny & Tron Jarrett
by Zach Ogrodny & Tron Jarrett, staff writers Feeling lethargic and need a pick me up to get you through the week? Student life is here to help you out on every other Wednesday with Power Hour now through November 29. Stop by either the Rampart or Centennial...
Drag Queen Charity Bingo Event by Lyndsey Rogers & AJ Mannering
by Lyndsey Rogers & AJ Mannering, staff writers On Tuesday, Oct. 11, Student Life is putting on Drag Queen Charity Bingo in the Centennial Campus Theater. A pre-game will take place from 4pm-5pm and will provide an opportunity to take pictures and grab a mocktail...
Breathin’ Better: Smoking Awareness Tabling Event by Jason Barber & Sergio Beas
by Jason Barber & Sergio Beas, staff writers Want to finally quit smoking? Need some help? Join PPSC Student Life on Thursday, Nov. 17 from noon to 1pm at the Centennial Grove & Rampart Student Lounge to find your path to Breathin' Better. The date of this...
Textbook Accessibility in Future Semesters by Noah Depner and Lance Hinsley
by Noah Depner and Lance Hinsley, staff writers This spring, PPCC had a handful of issues with textbooks that its hoping to fix for future semesters. Although the majority of students could access their free textbooks through Desire to Learn (D2L) online, roughly 20%...
PPCC to be Rebranded as Pikes Peak State College by Tucker Reeves
by Tucker Reeves, staff writer Bearing the name since 1978, Pikes Peak Community College will become Pikes Peak State College in fall of 2022. The name change represents a shift in attitude and a shift in programs at the college. In short, we’ve outgrown our britches....
LGBTQIA2+ Students in the Pikes Peak Region are Struggling. Here’s What PPCC Can Do to Help by Mercy Austin and Alaska Woods
By Mercy Austin and Alaska Woods, staff writers **Content warning for discussions of suicide** Susan Peiffer (they/she) works as the programs manager at Inside Out Youth Services, a local non-profit for LGBTQIA2+ youth. They are responsible for everything that...
Time for the Oscars to Self-Reflect by Colin Bridgman
By Colin Bridgman, staff writer With viewership of the Oscars/Academy Awards in decline for years, it seems likely that future audiences will be treated to a more commercialized festival in the years to come. According to Statista, viewership of the event has...
Student Government Association Election Results Are In
by Lance Hinsley, staff writer Through the election on April 12 and 13, 153 students voted to fill 9 out 10 of the available positions. The one position that pertained no candidate on the ballot was the SGA Public Relations Senator, which was appointed by current SGA...
Economics Discussion Series Returns
This series is organized by students to bridge academic discussion with real world issues. Each week presents virtual Q&A with college and community leaders about solutions to local and global problems. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND Join the conversation Invite a...
Catch PPCC’s Adaptation of The Seagull
Pikes Peak Community College is proud to present Anton Chekov’s The Seagull, adapted by Colin Bridgman, Kirstyn Gatch, and Sarah Sheppard Shaver. Come see a free performance featuring PPCC students! Russia, summer of 1896, on the lakeside estate of Petra Sorin:...
Inaugural Pikes Peak Poetry Summit Happening This Weekend by Colin Bridgman
by Colin Bridgman, staff writer It’s National Poetry Month! This Saturday, the first-ever Pikes Peak Poetry Summit is set to take place at Knights of Columbus Hall, 20 W. Pikes Peak Ave., from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The fest, organized by Pikes Peak Poet Laureate...
Student Veterans Organization Helps Veterans Transition from Military Life to College Life by Colin Bridgman
by Colin Bridgman, staff writer The Student Veterans Organization (SVO) is always available to support our military students. Through resources, community, and events, the organization provides an outlet for students during their duration at PPCC. According to Sydney...
Speaker Panel Addresses Controversy over Censorship in Children’s Literature by Mercy Austin
by Mercy Austin, staff writer On Thursday, March 17 from 3-4:40, PPCC hosted a virtual speaker panel featuring experts on children’s literature and local politics to discuss challenges libraries and schools often face regarding censorship and children’s access to...
Want Some Interesting Classes for Fall? by Tucker Reeves
by Tucker Reeves, staff writer As registration for Fall 2022 gears up, don't forget there are many classes at PPCC that you might not think of right away. Here's a short list on some interesting finds. Of course, if you are interested in these classes, be sure to talk...
Tax Help for PPCC Students Saturday, March 20 by Logan Brasili
by Logan Brasili, staff writer PPCC has again teamed up with Tax Help Colorado, to help their current students fill out the 2021 tax return season. To sign up for an appointment on Saturday, March 20 for Tax help, go to...
March & April Events at PPCC by Alaska Woods
by Alaska Woods, staff writer Faculty Music Recital When: Sunday, March 13, 2022. 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Where: Centennial Campus Theater What: William Malone & Abe Minzer, Saxophone and Piano Creating a Livable Life: Group Counseling for People Thinking about Suicide...
Office of Sustainability Needs Student Support by Noah Depner
by Noah Depner, staff writer Colorado is behind in recycling. In 2020, the statewide recycling rate was a mere 15%. In fact, according to The State of Recycling and Composting in Colorado (5th Edition), Colorado was behind the national recycling rate of 32% in 2020....
The Show Will Go On by Colin Bridgman
by Colin Bridgman, staff writer Post-pandemic, PPCC is returning to more traditional live theatre, beginning this semester with performances of The Seagull at the Downtown Studio Campus, running April 14–17 and 21–24. The Theatre department is full of people looking...
Community for LGBTQIA+ Students at PPCC by Alaska Woods
by Alaska Woods, staff writer LGBTQIA+ students can find solace in a new Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA), created last semester by Ricardo Perez, Director of Student Life at PPCC. The GSA provides a safe space for LGBTQIA+ students to convene. In...
New Sustainability Club adds student voices to the environmentalism conversation by Mercy Austin
by Mercy Austin, staff writer Founded in fall 2021, PPCC’s Sustainability Club is a student-led program dedicated to environmental and sustainability awareness, advocacy, and education. The club is open to all students and hoping to recruit new members as the semester...
Connection, Art, y Español: Latino Alliance Happenings
PPCC's Latino Alliance is providing our college community with rich cultural experiences and discussions. Co-chair of the Alliance, Fabiola Lopez, celebrates the integral support of the group and what it provides for our student body. Lopez encourages others to join...
PPCC Celebrates Latino Voices!
The Paper will now house a Latino Voices section as one of the many efforts at PPCC to learn from the diverse perspectives in our Hispanic/Latino/a/x community. This new section will publish varying viewpoints and experiences while showcasing the different events and...
Dakota Promise Program Keeps Its Promise
by Nick Smith, staff writer Education is a boon to a successful community and Pikes Peak Community College knows that well. The Dakota Promise Program (DPP) is an initiative created by PPCC to make college more accessible for high school graduates from the southeast....
PPCC COVID-19 Climate Survey Tells All
by Dan Bondarchuk, Nick Smith, and Tori Stephens staff writers When we first set out to learn how our PPCC community was processing our current COVID-19 times, we imagined that we would see a variety of perspectives, but we weren’t quite prepared to find the depth and...
December’s Virtual Economics Discussion Series
Economics & Entrepreneurship Faculty Warren Munick helps coordinate rich discussions and connections between PPCC students and community leaders. The Economics Discussion Series is organized by students to bridge academic discussion with real world issues. The...
PPCC Professor Publishes Book; Now Available!
by Tori Stephens, staff writer English professor Brook Bhagat immerses us in the land of poetry, full of paradox, imagination, and nature in her new book Only Flying. Released in November, Bhagat’s work is a testament to the talented faculty here at PPCC. A...
Decriminalization Does Not Mean Legal…
by Dan Bondarchuk, staff writer …at least not yet. While Colorado continues on this progressive trajectory of legalizing and decriminalizing different substances, it’s important to note that this does not mean a free-for-all for the public. So what does it...
The Learning Commons Has A Lot to Offer
by Tori Stephens, staff writer The Learning Commons (LC) provides free tutoring services, library resources, research assistance, technology access, and academic support for the PPCC community at large. “One of my favorite things about the Learning Commons is that we...
Liberal Arts Humanities Forum
Students, We are excited to launch the Liberal Arts Humanities Forum (LAHF), to be held on December 3rd; this co-curricular event is an exciting way for you to gain experience and to share publicly what you are doing in your classes. We ask that you, as students, work...
EXPO Highlights Student Work
Interested in publishing your research? Your ideas? Your work? This year, student work will be featured through the EXPO here at PPCC's student newspaper as well as displays on campus. Check the EXPO tab up top for all the latest publications. Last semester, the EXPO...
Mystery of the Red Dress Event
On November 17th, Student Life will host the Mystery of the Red Dress Event in the Rampart Range Campus Atrium from 11:00 a.m.- noon. This murder-mystery event will collect donations for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Come learn about indigenous heritage. ...
Global Village Connects with Students, Faculty, and Staff
by Dan Bondarchuk and Nick Smith, Staff Writers Each week, PPCC students are invited to attend weekly Global Village roundtable sessions. The discussion hour allows students to get real answers to real questions—to gain authentic perspectives on global human issues....
Oral History: Media Interview with C.M. Red Elk by Anthiya Adams
Influencers are everywhere, but across the ages no one has been more influential than the media. On a sunny, warm October day, my 74-year-old mother, Cahuilla Margaret “C.M.” Red Elk, sat with me to discuss the media’s influence on her life. Born in Hollywood,...
Decoding Registration
It's that time of the year again, when we rush to register with the promise of a new semester in the air. You can almost smell the new classes in the air. Registration can be daunting and the codes on the schedule can be hard to read, so here is the breakdown to help...
Get Published! Arts Journals Seeking Submissions
by Nick Smith, staff writer Parley Publishing, PPCC’s publication group, showcases writing, art, journalism, scholarship and graphic design – all made, curated, and edited by students. All publications are currently looking for submissions. The OG standard is Parley,...
Need Certifications?
Pikes Peak Community College is stepping up its working partnership with the Pikes Peak Workforce Center to offer free or low-cost, short skills training courses. These trainings create opportunities for unemployed or under-employed workers to retool and for employers...
October is Cybersecurity Month
by April Frost, Assistant Professor in Cybersecurity & Networking This October marks the 17th year of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM). The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, is...
Get Out The VOTE!
Be sure you are ready for the 2020 election. Due to COVID there will be some changes so ensure you’re up to date. In Colorado, all registered voters will automatically receive a mail ballot so you can vote safely. PPCC has a ballot drop off box at both Rampart and...
Welcome SITREP, PPCC’s New Lit Mag
Along with Military and Veterans Programs, Parley Publishing and the English Department have partnered up to create a new avenue for student voices: SITREP, a Military Literary Magazine. This November will launch the inaugural page at PPCCParley.com in honor of...
Gorton’s Fisherman Sets Sail For The White House
Fish stick fans are reeling this week after 170-year-old brand ambassador of Gorton’s Seafood, the Gorton’s Fisherman, announced that he is running for President in 2020. Since Fisherman’s announcement, detractors have come to the shore, attacking him and his lack...
Expressive Arts Project Facilitators Share Activities
The Expressive Arts Project The Expressive Arts Project (EAP) at Pikes Peak Community College is dedicated to community building and student success through shared creative experiences. The community anticipates EAP’s seasonal events like the ART Seedlings Festival,...
Higher Ed Funding Depends on Census Count
By: Tara Alexander | News Editor Students can have a significant impact to their schools and communities by completing the 2020 Census. 2020 Census Fact SheetDownload This nationwide survey helps determine government funding for the next decade. The Quad...
Stay Healthy with These At-Home Workouts and Home Gym Tips
By: Tara Alexander— Staff Writer In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, staying healthy is a top priority, yet gyms are closed which restricts the actions that people may do and disrupts routines that people may have developed. Thankfully, many popular and effective...
Malcolm X: Relevant in Life and Death
By Lacey Berig “If you are not ready to die for it, put the word ‘freedom’ out of your vocabulary.” – Malcolm X The newly released Netflix documentary Who Killed Malcolm X? resurfaces eye-witness accounts and old facts, prompting a re-investigation into the killing of...
Navigating the News
Check out this handy guide to help you become a better news consumer. How to Read the News
Biden Killing it at Abandoned Radio Shack
By Taylor Gorman, sometimes Staff Writer Presidential hopeful Joseph R. Biden is finally connecting with his audience at a RadioShack in Elko, Nevada. Disappointing in recent polls and faltering in debates, Biden, 77, previously has had a tight hold on the democratic...
Join our team
Interested in writing for The Paper? Or writing in general? Consider taking JOU 106. Like publishing and want to work at Parley Publishing? Consider taking JOU 215. Want to learn more about Mass Media? Look into JOU 105 For questions/concerns/information,...