ECHO_2014_12.pdf

Rochester Community & Technical College Volume 83 - Issue 4- DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015
By Zech Sindt
Editor-in-Chief
zechariah.sindt8464@mb.rctc.edu
There comes a point in almost every
student’s life when they ask themselves,
“How am I going to make it financially this
semester?”
Most RCTC students juggle work, family,
and education, trying to balance their lives
to make ends meet while keeping their
eye on the future. A large percentage of
struggling students eventually throw their
hands up in despair and walk away from
college because of their financial situation,
and they never achieve their full potential.
The RCTC Scholarship Foundation
can help. More than 230 students receive
scholarships each year, and according to
Roxy Roadway from the Foundation office,
many students qualify for more than one
scholarship.
The Foundation awarded more than
$241,000 in scholarships during the 2013-
2014 school year and the average award was
$1,000 per student, but Roadway says there
could have been more.
Roadway says that many students
do not even know about the scholarship
opportunities available for them. Some of
those who know about them decide not to
take advantage of them, or they simply do
not understand the application process.
Students can start the application process
by visiting www.rctc.edu/foundation and
filling out the application. A listing of
available scholarships and their requirements
is available www.rctc.edu/foundation/html/
scholarships.html. The Foundation offers a
variety of scholarships with diverse criteria
which are usually based on financial need,
achievements, demographics, demographic
area, community service and volunteer
work, extracurricular activities, and major.
Many of the applications require students
to write an essay – often a statement of
purpose. According to the Foundation
website, each statement or essay should
grab the interest of the reader and leave
them with a good impression. When asked
to write about the student’s chosen career
path, the student should be very clear when
describing how their chosen field of study
will affect or contribute to their long-term
goals, and they should describe any activity
they are doing to achieve their objective.
Students can call the Foundation at (507)
281-7771, or stop into their office at HC109
for more information.
Time to
ca$h in
More than 230 scholarships
available to RCTC students
Alexa Schendel is an inveterate video gamer who also has an
interest in Japanese fashion.
By Sarah Jeanson
Managing Editor
sarah.jeanson4357@mb.rctc.edu
Everyone has his or her own
definition of what it means to “be
different,” which makes sense
because if everyone is different
then they should have a unique
answer to the question.
The things that happen to us
in life shape who we are and who
we will become. The ways we
were raised influenced the ways
we acted when we were young
and the ways we still act today.
Who we were born as are complex
mash-ups of genetics and mind-
blowing science. The incredibility
of growing a human being within
a belly is awesome.
So, to “be different,” is to be
exactly who you are. Not whom
others think you should be. This
might seem cliché but it has a lot
of meaning. People may think
that it is wrong for others to
change themselves from who they
were at birth, whether it may be
dressing like the opposite sex, not
“talking like a lady,” not being
“manly” enough or liking things
that are “feminine.”
Whatever it may be, if someone
is too much of something or not
enough of the other then they are
seen as not who they are supposed
to be. Confusing, right? Think of
how it would feel to be told on a
daily basis that you weren’t being
“who you were supposed to be.”
For Liam Witte and Alexa
Schendel being who they are
hasn’t always been the easiest.
Witte and Schendel are both
transgender individuals and
students at RCTC.
Witte is going to school to be a
paramedic and works full time at a
restaurant in Lake City. “My free
time usually consists of writing,
singing, or dancing. Depending
on the season I’ll also spend much
of my free time outside enjoying
the outdoors, playing soccer,
hanging out with friends and
snowboarding,” Witte explained.
Schendel is a huge gamer
and likes to spend her free time
playing her favorite games. “I
like RPGs and Platformers
mostly,” Schendel explained.
“I also like Jfashion, which is
Japanese fashion.” Schendel also
describes herself as being a type B
personality.
Witte and Schendel can be
described as your average college
students, seeking to find who they
are as young adults in an ever-
changing society.
Transgender Students
continued on Page 10
Transgendersseek
understanding
Photo courtesy of Jerry Olson/Rochester Post-Bulletin
By Brock Stevens
Staff Writer
brock.stevens5886@mb.rctc.edu
Students can choose what channels they watch in the cafeteria.
By going to the Student Life offices above the cafeteria, students can
suggest a channel to Student President Michael Wenzel, Student Life
Director Scott Krook or Student Life Assistant Cody Pogalz.
“If a student came and suggested a certain program or wanted to watch a
particular sporting event that may be on, or any other kind of a show, they
can come and ask, and we can change it,” said Student President Michael
Wenzel. “We have eight of them so it’s never a problem. All of these TVs
were purchased by students. The cable bills are paid by the students, so the
students determine what’s on the TVs.
“We found that overwhelmingly, Fox News is most popular with this
age demographic,” Wenzel said. “They spend a lot more money on their
TV programming and have a big budget. Some of the news stories and talk
shows and stuff on there, are interesting to students.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: We welcome comments at www.rctc.edu/echo
about what channels you prefer. Echo Photo by Brock Stevens
‘Desire For Magic’ art exhibit
Page 6
Record-breaking
season ends in heartbreak
Page 8
Who has the remote? TVs on campus

2 NEWS
2 NEWS
2 NEWS Rochester Community & Technical College | The Echo
By Danielle Kruger
Staff Writer
danielle.kruger2528@mb.rctc.edu
After working in the
manufacturing field for 25 years,
RCTC computer-aided drafting
instructor Brian Bahr noticed his
former employer’s difficulties
finding quality workers.
RCTC’s Precision
Manufacturing Technology major
is geared to solve that problem by
offering students a combination
of online coursework and hands-
on training. The program is
designed to prepare students
for a technical career using
computer-aided manufacturing
and computer-aided drafting tools
and techniques.
Bahr has been an instructor
since the beginning of the PMT
program two years ago. He was
drawn to the field by his passion
for design and fabrication.
Students who share the same
interest, have a “hands-on attitude
or struggle with traditional
education might be drawn to this
major,” said Bahr.
The biggest hurdle facing
RCTC’s PMT program is getting
the word out. Currently there
are 11 students enrolled in
the PMT program. To achieve
this goal, Bahr stresses the
importance of partnerships with
local manufacturing businesses
and high schools. Creating these
connections will not only bring
awareness, but also help students
better plan for their futures.
High school students have
the opportunity to tour the PMT
Department. For example, the
STRIVE group recently visited
the program at the Heintz Center.
STRIVE is a program for high
school seniors who have faced
some academic challenges, but
want to make the most of their
last year of high school.
Hands-on learning
mirrors job market
Vera Rybalkina is enrolled in computer-aided drafting and Precision Manufacturing Technology courses.
Photo courtesy of Brian Bahr
Precision Manufacturing Technology
responds to needs of employers

3
3
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To schedule an appointment with us in
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Rochester Community & Technical College | The Echo
By Grace Boyum
Staff Writer
grace.boyum4051@mb.rctc.edu
Joining Cub Scouts in second grade was Grant Reimer’s first step
toward Boy Scouts and the rank of Eagle. Now, 10 years later, he is almost
ready to become an Eagle Scout.
For the past eight months, Reimer, a Post-Secondary Enrollment
Options student at RCTC, has been working on his Eagle rank, including
an extensive service project that Reimer had to plan, organize and lead.
For his project, Reimer built a gaga pit for the youth of Salem Road
Covenant Church where he attends.
Although he first considered doing playground modifications, this idea
proved to be too expensive. That’s when it was suggested that he build a
gaga pit, an octagonal fenced area used to play free-for-all dodgeball.
But getting an idea was only the start. Next, Reimer had to research
how to construct the pit, write a proposal detailing how he would carry out
the project and secure funding. After that, came planning the workday and
enlisting volunteers.
Most of Reimer’s nine volunteers came from Troop 80, Reimer’s own
troop, and a few from other activities. By the time they were done, they
had totaled more than 100 hours of planning and labor.
When asked if he would recommend that other scouts earn their
Eagle rank, Reimer said yes. He went on to say, “It shows that a person
is dedicated to a cause, and this is a great way to improve or build upon
character traits you might have.”
Earning the Eagle is no small thing, and only 6 percent of all Boy
Scouts do it. But seeing other scouts attain the rank of Eagle was inspiring
to Reimer. Also, he said, “It gives you good life experience.”
With only some paperwork and some badges left, Reimer has almost
completed the requirements for the award. “Once I earn it, I’ll look back
and be glad I did it,” he said.
Scout goes gaga
over Eagle project
Echo Photo by Kohl Hanson
Grant Reimer’s Eagle Scout project totaled more than 100 hours of planning and labor.

December/January
2014-2015
Volume 83, Issue 4
CC-209
507-285-7246
RCTCecho@gmail.com
www.rctc.edu/echo
Editor-in-Chief
Zech Sindt
Managing Editor
Sarah Jeanson
Graphics Manager
Kyong Juhn
Sports Editor
Ben Haney
Photo Editor
Emmy Miller
Arts/Entertainment Editor
Josiah Smith
Business Manager
Kohl Hanson
Advertising Sales
Danielle Kruger
Staff Writers
Scott Arndt
Grace Boyum
Parker Rosedahl
Brock Stevens
Betty Truitt
Faculty Adviser
Dwight Boyum
We want to hear from
our readers. Send your
comments, story ideas
or upcoming events to:
rctcecho@gmail.com
The Echo is a free publication
written by RCTC students who
are dedicated to freedom of
press, while reporting on issues
affecting the student body, faculty,
administration and staff. Letters
to the editor are subject to editing
for content and length, and opinions
expressed within The Echo do not
necessarily reflect the views of
Rochester Community and Technical
College’s administration, faculty,
staff or student body. Ten-four.
4 OPINION
4 OPINION
4 OPINION Rochester Community & Technical College | The Echo
By Simon Hawthorne
Westerners, in our
current time, take it as a
fact that we as a universal
whole are endowed with
inalienable rights from
birth, and that these are
natural rights we have as
humans. This is fundamentally a myth.
It’s something we tell ourselves to justify
our society’s tendency to interfere with
societies that are far removed from our own.
Rights are not determined by birth, but by
the society one is born into. To make them
universal is to invite conflict, and we don’t
want that.
People are born into a society and are
raised upon those society’s values. The
societies mold them through forces like
family structure, education institution, clubs
and organizations, market forces, religion—
and the most explicit: the state. The state
exists not only as Thomas Hobbes argued
(to ensure security) but as the final arbiter
of a society. The state, at its core, acts to
validate the societies’ coercion of persons
within when they do not conform to the
other means by which societies coerce those
born within them, usually through means
that do not use extreme force. However, if
a society feels the actions of a person are
too repulsive to its values, it will empower a
state to take extreme action to ensure others
don’t do the same.
The fact that a society attempts to form
people is a distinction that we in the liberal
democratic west would like to avoid. We
assure ourselves that what we do is because
we have decided out of our own rational
thoughts, not because we were molded
from birth to believe that we are largely
detached from others. We would like to
think that our parents telling us we could be
what we wanted to be, that our commercial
enterprises on TV and books present the idea
that we are perfectly capable of anything,
only if we put our mind to it, and that we
can achieve great feats entirely by ourselves.
This leads us to conclude that this is the
natural state for us, and for everyone. What
religion we have generally also is part of
this focusing on our personal relationships
with a higher power, not the communal
relationships.
All of this leads us to believe that we
are fully actualized individuals—and that
all anyone needs to become one is to be
woken up from their slumber. We think that
spreading our values of societies that cannot
“appreciate” what we enjoy is actually
beneficial.
It’s in the spreading of society’s values
that avoidable conflicts come to be. Societies
that believe their values are universal
can easily interfere with other societies.
Generally, these other societies they will
attempt to interfere with will not be societies
that they are closely related to. But we have
our conflicts with societies that are largely
alien to us, as with Iran calling the west
decadent or the west lambasting Singapore
for their attempts to spread Confucian
values to a population built on the ideas
of Confucius. This failure to accept alien
cultures lead to uneasy conflict, and can lead
to wards between societies.
Now this is not to say that a society
cannot interfere with another if it does
indeed pose a threat to it. If a society is
warlike and as custom must dominate and
exterminate other societies, then it behooves
other societies to eliminate this culture.
However, unless actual violence indeed is a
problem, a society should not interfere.
When the West decries the treatments
of homosexual persons in Iran and treats
this as a reason to change Iranian culture,
the West should remember that barely a
century ago it treated those people with
similar horribleness, and that it was only
through evolving our views as a society as a
whole that we changed our treatment of such
persons.
To force a people to change their values,
and not let them evolve with time to see
them is to invite an infinite conflict from
the west with those “offending societies.”
Change of a society must come from within
(unless the views as previously stated
require conflict with others). However, if
one society is repulsed by another society’s
treatment of its persons, it should be free to
take in said people. But to go beyond that
and actively interfere with that society is to
invite extreme conflict. Conflict for the sake
of making one societies concept of rights
conform of another’s.
The concept of rights can only be
changed through peaceful evolution that
allows a society the leeway to make
advances and, occasionally, to make
mistakes. Interference allows for resentment
to explode. Outside more radical societies,
peaceful evolution can determine a society’s
values.
Simon Hawthorne, who graduated from
RCTC in May, is a student at the University
of Minnesota-Duluth.
A society must change from within
By Sarah Jeanson
Managing Editor
I’ve always said that the
right accessory can make for
the perfect outfit, can top it off
and complete a look, but what
about practicality? What about
when we are talking about
winter accessories? The rule still
applies. Winter accessories are
not only practical, but are vitally
necessary as well.
A pair of mittens or gloves, a
muff, a hat, earmuffs, a headband,
a scarf, wool socks, leg warmers,
boots, can all be exactly what you
need to stay warm this winter.
This year is especially important,
seeing that winter decided to
arrival earlier than expected.
One of my biggest pet peeves
during the winter season is seeing
people shuffling through the snow
trying to reach their destinations,
against the fidget winds, with
exposed hands and bare ears.
So, this winter, always remind
yourself of the following before
rushing out the door: Do I have
the accessories I need to stay
warm? Are they practical? Am
I stylin’? If you have what you
need to stay cozy, and if the
accessories are completely your
look, then you are good to go!
It’s that simple.
Here are two extra tips when it
comes to accessories; they apply
to winter add-ons as well.
One, don’t be afraid to mix
and match patterns and textures.
Patterns can be mixed quite
easily in the winter. You can treat
Nordic styled sweaters, scarves
or mittens as solid colors. Think
of it like lace. Lace has a specific
texture to it but it is still a solid
color, allowing you to mix it
other patterns. For men, don’t be
afraid to do a Nordic sweater with
a plaid or patterned button up
underneath.
Two, stick to the rule of
thirds. No, I’m not talking
about the same rule people use
in photography of meaningfully
spacing their photos or leaving
head room for people in filming.
I’m talking about three colors;
when you have an outfit of solids,
stick to no more than three colors.
Otherwise, the outfit starts to
get overwhelming. Have fun
mixing contrasting colors in an
outfit, like a blue sweater with
a maroon scarf underneath and
complementary colors, like a
red dress with purple shoes and
a wrist full of warm colored
bracelets.
Sarah Jeanson is a
merchandising specialist for Old
Navy in Rochester.
Bundle up, it’s going to be brutal out there
Echo photo illustration by Sarah Jeanson

OPINION 5
OPINION 5
OPINION 5
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EOE/AA
Use for Echo
By Grace Boyum
Grace Notes
grace.boyum4051@mb.rctc.edu
When the platypus was first
discovered, scientists weren’t sure how to
classify it.
After all, it has fur and nurses its young like a mammal,
but it lays eggs like a reptile. What’s more, it has
webbed feet and a bill like a duck. Although most of its
characteristics are those of a mammal, it has a few that are
more commonly found in other creatures.
Trying to classify people by their convictions and
viewpoints is often like trying to classify the platypus. Since
the elections, terms like Republican, Democrat, conservative
and liberal are applied readily but not necessarily accurately.
These terms bring to mind different words. To one
person, “conservative” means traditional and thrifty, while
“liberal” means unpatriotic and spendthrift. To another
person, liberals are progressive and altruistic, while
conservatives are prejudiced and uncharitable.
With labels and impressions like these, is it any wonder
that politics is a volatile topic? All too often, people forget
that Republicans aren’t necessarily unreasonable nor
Democrats immoral. Just because you may consider yourself
one or the other does not mean that you hold the exact same
convictions as another self-identifying conservative or
liberal.
Nor is it important to identify with a particular party.
Your own combination of views is not going to specifically
match any political groups. Why should you have to tailor
your beliefs to the ideals of some other person, in this case,
the founder of a party? Contrary to what some people think,
it is not spineless or indecisive to not “think” a straight party
ticket. So long as your opinions are consistent, it’s not feeble
to have a unique mixture. Perhaps it takes more courage to
break the mold and not align with a particular party than to
identify yourself as a Democrat or Republican.
Although it’s acceptable to declare your party allegiance,
it can lead to misunderstandings. People may make false
assumptions about your views on different issues. While
political labels can be a useful tool for getting a general idea
about someone’s opinions, often people assume too much,
and this can lead to heated arguments. Often the problem is
that people are both concerned about the same problem, but
their solutions seem to be opposite. But if you don’t take
time to understand the other person, you may not realize
this.
If people are going to work together, they have to stop
thinking about their differences and recognize what they
have in common. In the case of political parties, the aspect
in common is that we’re all Americans, and we all want our
country to do well. On a larger scale, we’re all part of this
world. To ignore the needs of one group, to indulge in “us”
vs. “them” mentality, is to dehumanize ourselves.
So the next time you’re discussing politics with someone,
and they announce their political association, before you
make assumptions about their opinions, think for a moment,
“Maybe they’re a platypus?”
Grace Boyum is a sophomore majoring in liberal arts
and sciences at RCTC.
Look around, and you’ll see there are platypuses among us
By Sarah Jeanson
Managing Editor
You may think it is immoral, you may
think it is a choice, you may have personal
problems with people who are transgender,
but how much do you really know about
them? How many questions have you
asked?
You do not have to be 100 percent
comfortable with this topic, but a demand
for respect is needed in today’s world. We,
as a community, in today’s society, can
choose to learn, can choose to be kind, and
can choose to accept others as they are. It is
up to every single one of us to ask the right
questions in order to broaden our minds.
I often remind myself that I do not have
agree with someone all the time, nor do I
have to like what they do all the time in
order to be friends and get along with them.
Learning how to put aside differences for
a common good is what life is all about.
People have to learn how to work with
those who are different from themselves.
This means you have to learn to work with
everything that comes along with other
people.
My best friend and I have known each
other for 21 years. We know each other like
the backs of our own hands, and we also
know that we do not agree on every topic.
We have the respect for one another to know
that it is OK to disagree.
If you are uncomfortable about
transgender issues, learn. If you do not
understand what it means to be transgender,
ask. If you do not know how to properly
address a situation or ask a question, educate
yourself. Learning is the base of all human
knowledge.
It has been said many times before,
by many famous, brilliant minds, that
knowledge is power. Learning does not stop
after education. Learning stops when life
ends. So, keep learning and acknowledge
when you do not know something.
When someone acknowledges that
they do not know something, that is when
amazing things happens. The individual
moves from ignorance to empowerment.
People may think to themselves, “What
do I know?” Others may ask, “Who cares
what you think?” When we start to educate
ourselves and respect each other, maybe
these questions will stop being asked.
Sarah Jeanson is a sophomore majoring
in liberal arts and sciences at RCTC.
What do we know? Does it matter what we think?
Correction
Two people were
identified incorrectly in a
caption run with a photo in
the November edition.
From left to right they
are Naidira Hodzic and
Samir Hodzic.
McClatchy Campus News
Demonstrators attend the Minnesota
State High School League’s Dec. 4 policy
meeting about transgender athletes.

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6 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Echo Staff Report
For the past month, an Art Exhibit titled “Desire for Magic” has been on
display in the Art Gallery.
The exhibit was created by Jason Pearson, who for the past 10 years,
has been creating various forms of art, including drawings, paintings,
performances, and site-specific art installations.
Pearson holds a bachelor’s of fine arts from Minneapolis College of Art
and Design, and a master’s of fine arts from Syracuse University. His art
has been shown nationally and internationally, and he is a recipient of many
grants and residencies, including the McKnight Photography Fellowship and
Arteles Creative Residency Program in Finland.
Exhibit features‘Desire for Magic’
Photos by
Kyong Juhn

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 7
Josiah Smith
eavesdrops
These words you read here
may be a bit lewd
But they’re fun to read when
they’re misconstrued
So I ask of you, for this next
coming year
Please watch what you say and watch who might hear.
Here are just a few of the colorful sentences that have been
heard around campus.
“Ass-less chaps, there like chaps, but ass-less!” — guy in
Music Department
“I used to pick off the white stuff, but it just takes too
long.” — girl in Art Hall
“Don’t do shrooms and then go to class, trust me.” — guy
in cafeteria
“Yes, I let them paint my nails for gas money.” — guy in
Singley Hall
“Only the long one works, the short one is a bit finicky.”
— girl in Health Science wing
“Can you stay so I can play with your ball?” — girl in Music
Department
“Why are there so many little people up here, it feels like
I’m in The Wizard of Oz.” — guy in cafeteria
By Josiah Smith
Arts & Entertainment Editor
josiah.smith4122@mb.rctc.edu
RCTC students Luke Austin Zach Swanson have
recently started the Creative Writing Club that will
meet every second and fourth Tuesday at 3 p.m. in
MH203.
The object of this club is to “take your mind for a
walk,” said Austin. Some of the topics the writers in
this club focus on are flash fiction, short story work
shopping, creative writing events and poetry writing
as well. Austin says that the word “creative” is very
broadly defined in its reference to creative writing.
The club is for anyone who is interested in writing
creatively.
Jeff Lepper and John Sievers are co-advising the
Creative Writing Club. The main goal of the club is
to provide a space where like minded students can
get together and write and share their creative writing
ideas. Anyone is welcome to join.
People involved hope to keep the Creative Writing
Club from being similar to a college class, by having
it be a more recreational get together. Hopefully, this
club will provide an opportunity in both quantity and
variety for creative viewpoints.
It is the club’s desire to take an extracurricular
activity, which enhances learning, and apply it in the
college classroom. Austin said that this would be a
way for someone to “explore the world outside of
you.”
You’re invited to‘take your mind for a walk’
Photo by
Josiah Smith
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8 SPORTS Rochester Community & Technical College | The Echo
By Emmy Miller
Photo Editor
emelia.miller5869@mb.rctc.edu
The Yellowjacket football team
had a rough start to the season. The
team opened with two wins against
Vermillion and Mesabi Range, but
had to forfeit both games. Two forfeits
followed by a loss on the road to
longtime rival Central Lakes left the
team 0-3.
September 13 was the homecoming
game against Ridgewater. This was the
first year that RCTC and Ridgewater
will play for “The Hammer.” The
Yellowjackets came away with a 28-24
victory over the Warriors, taking home
the Hammer for their first official win.
Following homecoming, the
Yellowjackets traveled to North
Dakota for a matchup against North
Dakota State College of Science.
RCTC suffered a tough loss to the
Wildcats, which left the team with a
1-4 record. The Wildcats had to forfeit
to the Yellowjackets.
The Yellowjackets beat Minnesota
State Fergus Falls and Minnesota West
the following two weeks. RCTC then
had a bye, which led them into their
last regular season game against Fond
du Lac. The Yellowjackets finished the
regular season with a 42-0 shutout.
RCTC hosted NDSCS in the first
round of playoffs. “We beat them in
a huge, dramatic fashion,” said Head
Coach Bill Quistorff. RCTC defeated
NDSCS 54-31.
The Yellowjackets then faced
Dakota College-Bottineau in
the second round, also a former
scholarship school, in overtime with a
field goal.
RCTC rolled over Central Lakes for
back-to-back state championships, this
year beating them 40-21.
The RCTC Yellowjackets once
again, received a bowl game berth after
clinching the MCAC Championship
title. On December 7 they played
in the Graphic Edge Bowl in Cedar
Falls, Iowa, where they were matched
up with Iowa Central for the second
year in a row. Last year they suffered
a heartbreaking overtime loss to the
Tritons, and this year the Yellowjackets
fell to them 41-27.
“On behalf of the coaching staff
and the players, we just want to say
thank you to everyone that gave us
the support that we got this season;
whether it was coaching staff, support
staff, members of the community,
members of the student body, faculty
members, athletic department staff,
Jean and Patti. We just want to let them
know that it does not go unnoticed or
unappreciated,” said Head Coach Bill
Quistorff.
Overall, the season was record-
breaking. Freshmen quarterback Nick
Rooney broke the school record for
number of touchdowns in a season
(48), most passing yards in a season
(3,536), most passing yards in a game
(569), and most passing touchdowns in
a game (7). Rooney also ended up first
in the nation for number of passing
touchdowns this season with 48.
Freshmen wide receiver Patrick Bolton
also broke multiple school records
this season for most receiving yards
in a season (1,277), most receptions
in a season (73), and most receiving
touchdowns in a season (23). Bolton
ended the season first in the nation for
number of touchdowns with 23.
RCTC defense was also nationally
ranked. The Yellowjacket defense
was first in the nation for sacks this
season (67) and fourth in the nation for
defensive interceptions with 21.
Jackets end record-breaking year
Sophomore linebacker Travis Frank intercepts a pass dur-
ing the Sept. 13 homecoming game Ridgewater College. He
returned it 31 yards for touchdown in a 28-24 victory.
Echo Photo by Emmy Miller

SPORTS 9
SPORTS 9
SPORTS 9
Start at RCTC and finish with WSU-Rochester
www.winona.edu/Rochester
507.285.7100
rochscs@winona.edu
Path to Purple Programs:
• Accounting
• Human Resources
Management
• Business Administration
• Individualized Studies
• Computer Science
• Nursing
• Elementary Education
• Social Work
• Healthcare Leadership
and Administration
Stop byWSU-R Student & Campus Services, next
to the RCTC Cashier's Office, or the UCRWelcome
Center to schedule an admissions appointment.
.
Pantone 418 & 369
Currently Hiring Full-Time and Part-time Resident Assistants
A.M., P.M. and overnight shifts available
No experience or CNA required
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507-286-8528
Apply in person or
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EMAIL: jkavitz@gentletouchhealth.com
SPORTS 9
SPORTS 9
SPORTS 9
Start at RCTC and finish with WSU-Rochester
www.winona.edu/Rochester
507.285.7100
rochscs@winona.edu
Path to Purple Programs:
• Accounting
• Human Resources
Management
• Business Administration
• Individualized Studies
• Computer Science
• Nursing
• Elementary Education
• Social Work
• Healthcare Leadership
and Administration
Stop byWSU-R Student & Campus Services, next
to the RCTC Cashier's Office, or the UCRWelcome
Center to schedule an admissions appointment.
.
Pantone 418 & 369
Currently Hiring Full-Time and Part-time Resident Assistants
A.M., P.M. and overnight shifts available
No experience or CNA required
Sign-on bonus through December 31, 2014, of $300.00
******NEW WAGE SCALE******
NOW PAYING FOR PRIOR EXPERIENCE !
STARTING AS HIGH AS $13.85 PER HOUR!
PLUS
PAY DIFFERENTIAL FOR P.M. & OVERNIGHT SHIFTS!
AND
We offer benefits: Health, Dental, Life, 401K and more!
Provide hands-on care, physical and emotional support to our residents.
Strong oral and written communication skills required.
We are an assisted living community for memory loss residents
4220 NW 55th St.
Rochester, MN
507-286-8528
Apply in person or
FAX 507-286-8527 or
EMAIL: jkavitz@gentletouchhealth.com
Ben Haney
Sports Editor
Benjamin.Haney0206@mb.rctc.edu
The Rochester Community and Technical College wrestling team has
kicked off another season.
Coach Randy Rager said he is excited for this season because it was a
good recruiting season and the team has a lot of local talent. Some of the
wrestlers on the team include Mason Moreno, Thomas
Miller and Carson Henry.
Rager said Ridgewater Community College is going
to be a tough team to beat because they also had a good
recruiting season.
Last season, the RCTC wrestling team was 10-3 in
duels. The team won the NCAC championship. Rager
expects the team to win the NCAC championship again
this season. The team also placed at the National Division
III-Championship Tournament last season.
When the Echo asked about any injures on the team he said, “It’s
wrestling so there will always be bumps and bruises. In wrestling you need
to be mentally tough.”
Randy Rager
Wrestlers look forward
to season with high hopes
Ben Haney
Sports Editor
Benjamin.Haney0206@mb.rctc.edu
The RCTC Yellowjackets volleyball team took home third nationally at
the NJCAA Division III Tournament on November 14-15.
In their first match the Yellowjackets swept Davidson County Community
C ollege in three sets by a score of 25-17, 25-9, and 25-20. The Yellowjackets
then played Lorain County Community College.
RCTC won the first set 25-15. However, Lorain would come back and
take the win in the next three sets by a scores of 25-21, 25-23, and 27-25.
After losing this match RCTC would face Brookhaven College for third place
in the tournament. The Yellowjackets got the win in three sets to take home
third place nationally.
This is the best finish for RCTC nationally. The Yellowjackets took home
fourth place in 2000.
Volleyball team finishes
third in the nation
Tues, Jan. 6 Northland CC/Augsburg Triangular
Friday, Jan. 9-10 NWCA National Duals at Fort Wayne, Ind.
Sat., Jan.17 Worthington Open at Worthington
Wed., Jan. 21 Itasca CC Dual
Sat., Jan. 24 Minnesota/Iowa Duals at Mason City, Iowa
Wed., Jan. 28 Minnesota West Dual at Worthington
Sat., Jan. 31 MCAC State Tournament at Grand Rapids
Thursday, Feb. 5 Ridgewater CC Dual
Sophomore Brianna Atkins goes
for a spike. Atkins was named
to the NJCAA Division III All-
American first team.
Echo Photo by Emmy Miller Echo photo by Emmy Miller
Sophomore Danielle Adams
goes up for a spike at the
National Division III Tournament.
2015 wrestling schedule

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By Sarah Jeanson
Managing Editor
In hope of helping people understand more and
broaden people’s minds, Liam Witte and Alexa Schendel
answered questions on what it means to be a transgender
individual in today’s world and how the discrimination and
misunderstandings can start to dissipate.
For some people, discrimination comes from a lack
of understanding something or someone, for those who
don’t understand the word “transgender” how would
you explain it to them?
LW: “The definition of transgender is ‘denoting or
relating to a person whose self-identity does not conform
unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female
gender.’ Some people think gender identity and sexual
orientation are connected. This isn’t true. Someone’s
gender identity is the way they perceive themselves, and not
about whom they are attracted to.”
Some people want to understand others who are
different from them but are afraid of offending others or
don’t know how to ask questions. What do you have to
say to people who want to know more about people with
similar stories like your own?
LW: “It all depends on the person. Being me, I don’t
have a problem answering questions from people as long
as that person is asking to become knowledgeable and not
to harass. It helps to ask someone first if it’s OK to ask
them questions, and more often than not they will agree
to [answer questions]. Also, I’d say to be patient, because
stories like mind are lengthy and very personal.”
What do you think would make it easier for people to
understand transgender individuals?
LW: “To take the time and be willing to want to
understand. It helps to have an open mind when trying to
understand something you don’t really know about. Also,
ask appropriate questions to help gain more knowledge. The
Internet is a perfect learning tool, but also connecting with
someone that is transgender can be insightful as well.”
Do you get offended if someone doesn’t understand
your situation? How do you help others understand?
LW: “The only time I really get offended is if someone is
intentionally being ignorant about my situation. Otherwise,
I have a lot of patience with people when trying to help them
understand, or to help remind them if they slip up on proper
names and pronouns.”
Why do you think there is so much discrimination
against transgender individuals?
LW: “I believe it goes along with people not really
understanding the topic of it or being something different
from what people are used to.”
What do you have to say in response to the following
statements?
You chose to be this way:
LW: “I didn’t choose to feel like I was born in the wrong
body. I didn’t choose to feel depressed because the image I
saw in the mirror didn’t match the image I saw in my head.
However, I am choosing to do something about it. I am
choosing to make certain decisions in order to be happy.”
AS: “Sometimes I wonder if I choose anything, to be
honest. I think I’m mostly a product of my genetics and
environment.”
You should accept who you are genetically/what sex
you are at birth:
LW: “I have accepted that I was given the opportunity to
live as both female and male. I have a certain understanding
of women, which men born male will never understand. I
don’t accept that I need to fit into society’s stereotyped
gender identities.”
AS: “LOL why should I?”
Transgender continued on page 11
‘Gender identity is the way your perceive yourself’
Photo courtesy of Liam Witte
Liam Witte is in the Emergency Medical Technology
program with plans to be a paramedic.

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What message do you have for those
who are struggling with their sexuality,
sexual orientation and/or their identity in
general?
LW: “At first it’s going to feel like things
won’t ever get better. Sometimes you’re
going to fight so hard and feel like you’ve
made no progress. That feeling doesn’t last
forever. My message to you is that you’re
not alone. So many people are here and
willing to help you through the storm you’re
in. I know it’s hard to reach out, but it’ll
make a difference. Sometimes it take you
recognizing you’re strength and being that
person who isn’t afraid to be who they are in
order to see potential. It’s hard to stand out,
believe me I know, but once you do, there’s
this somewhat magical thing that happens.
You help someone else to find the strength
to do the exact same thing. We all need to
help and support one another, which then
turns single cries into a boisterous plea for
acceptance and equality that will be heard by
the masses.”
AS: “Good luck … it’s tough, but it gets
better … eventually.”
What would you like people to know
about transgender individuals?
LW: “That we are human beings with
beating hearts, and feelings just like any
other. We just take a few more steps in
our lives in order to feel comfortable with
ourselves and our bodies. Which we aren’t
the only ones who struggle with a poor
self-image, many people face this issue,
regardless of who they are.”
AS: “We’re human beings, we’re not as
crazy as people might think we are, and just
treat us like everyone else, I guess.”
What did you know you were
transgender?
LW: “I knew at a very young age that
somehow I was different. I always thought I
was born a male, and just wasn’t developing
like other little boys. I couldn’t understand
why I had a feminine name and why female
pronouns were used. It wasn’t until puberty
that [things were] put into perspective that I
was born in the wrong body. Nobody really
saw this dilemma of mine that was festering
and growing on the inside, they just saw me
as a tom boy [who] would eventually grow
out of the phase and move on.”
AS: “I guess somewhere in my teens. I
suppose looking back on it though, I was
always transgender.”
Is having a support group important to
young adults/ teens who are struggling?
LW: “Having a support group is crucial.
Being young, you see every issue and
problem as being somewhat ‘end of the
world’ severity, and a lot of the times it truly
feels that way. Also, young adults and teens
are at a crucial time of self-discovery and
need help to sort of figure things out. It’s
also at this age when high percentages of
them have depression and high levels of
anxiety. This, on top of everything else, is
overwhelming, so a sense of support help
to alleviate some of those high intensity
stressors.”
AS: “Yes. A support group is important
for any human, seeing as we’re social
creatures and all. Even more so for someone
who is going through something tough.”
Do you have someone in your life you
know you can always go to without him or
her judging you?
LW: “There are a few of my close friends
and family that I have who have always
been there and supported me from day one.
They understand my situation, and are there
if I need help. Which I’m very fortunate to
have, because some people feel as if they
have no one.”
AS: “Yeah, I guess my best friend,
David.” Schendel said David doesn’t care
enough to judge her.
Do you think people in general are
closed or open-minded about transgender
people in today’s society? How can it
improve?
LW: “I feel that people are both. Much
of our society is still in that closed-minded
ignorant section, but we also have a huge
growing network or support for those
who are open-minded and willing to try to
understand. This can only improve if people
take the necessary time to understand. So
many issues in today’s world are caused by
people simply not taking the time to step
outside their ignorant box and learn about
something they don’t know about.”
AS: “It is very varied. I suppose [as
a whole] we have a [long] way to go. I
suppose sympathy and understanding would
be a good place to start. Basically, everyone
needs to just chill.”
Do you think people — gay, lesbian,
straight, bisexual, intersexed, transgender,
etc. — will one day live together without
discrimination? What would it take?
LW: “I believe one day we can get to that
point, it’s just going to take time and a lot of
positive progression towards understanding
and equality. It’s today’s younger generation
that can make this happen by teaching
acceptance and love to those who are
different from ourselves.”
AS: “I suppose it’s possible … although
world history shows us that people are
always fighting …”
Transgender
Continued from page 10
Photo courtesy of Jerry Olson/Rochester Post-Bulletin
Alexa Schendel

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