H€C Drama & Wilkes Pta>niak^
October 2006
FALL EDITION
Volume 37- Issue 2j
WCC Takes Over
Washington, again!
By Nolan Belk
In the Spring of 2003, just before Easter, the Yoshino Cherry
trees Uning the tidal basin in Washington, DC, reach full
bloom, and Wilkes Community College was there to see the
beautiful pink blossoms reflecting in the waters and framing
the famous Jefferson Monument. We weren’t visiting just to
see the stunning scenery, however, we were there to learn and
grow by putting faces and stories on the Holocaust; by seeing
the evolution of womens history, civil rights, and the unfolding
horrors of 9-11 shown in the National Museum of American
History; by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with North Carolina’s
newest Senator, Ms. Elizabeth Dole; and by experiencing the
multiculturalism present in a city that is not only the heart of
America, but also the center of power and influence for much of
the world.
The WCC group, led by Belinda Smithey, Jeff Hatley, and Nolan
Belk, traveled to Washington by bus, arriving at our hotel, a
well-appointed Marriot not far from the Pentagon, in time to
relax only a short time before heading to bed. On our first day
in the city, we had big plans: we were to ride the subway — a first
for many of us -- to meet Senator Dole at her ofliices for a group
photo before touring the Capitol Building. Senator Dole was a
bit delayed due to an important meeting concerning the War in
Iraq, but we learned a great deal from her staff about how the
U.S. Congress operates and about what Senator Dole does for
North Carolina and for America. We did get our picture with
Senator Dole, about whom Valerie Harris said, “It was such an
See WCC Goes To DC on Page 3
Myths, Lies, and
Legends: The 15
Minute Rule
By Michael Triplett
We’ve all done it before. We get to class, sit down, and notice there's no
teacher. A few minutes later the “talk” starts:“Where is he?,’’“Did you see
him come in this morning?,” and then the BIG one inevitably follows: “How
long do we have to wait until we can go home?" Tlien all of us who are in our
seats wonder to ourselves," Will she/he count us absent if we leave?," and "is
there really a 15-minute
rule?" However, the
teacher usually comes
in only five minutes
late, crushing whatever
hopes there were of
leaving early.
How long do wc have
to wait until
we can go home?'
I asked some WCC
teachers what they
thought about
the fifteen-minute rule, and some do have a rule; although, I learned some
instruaors were resolved to be on time regardless of circumstances. But if
they are going to be absent or late, they said they’d send an e-mail, post a note
in the classroom, or let the class know in some way that they would be tardy or
absent. Two instructors mentioned the degree system myth: for every degree
the teacher has they get to be five minutes late. Another was that for every fifty
minutes of dass the instructor could be ten minutes late.
See Waiting., on Page 3
Hitch A Ride VWth P. A.R.T.
By Michael Triplett
On August 24,2006, the Piedmont Authority for Regional
Transport, PART, did something that made commuting along
421 cheap and easy. PART, working locally with Wilkes
Transportation Authority, started the new Mountaineer Express
with service fi-om Greensboro to Boone, and runs twice daily,
seven days a week, stopping locally near the WCC tennis courts.
The bus fares are—assuming you are departing from Wilkes
Community College—from $3 to Boone, $3 to Yadkinville, $5 to
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, $5 to
See Get On The Bus on page 2
f
WHAT’S INSIDE
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I
Cougar Cry Stiijf
Reduce tobacco use
Celebrating Diversity
College Calendar
Ihe College has a radio station?
Different Cultures One World
Club Corner