A \ v ^ M ,%^ v jfcjlf Butler students tend a Relpinj hand to El Dorado's mentally m and physically challenged community. All-Kansas COLLEGIATE JOURNALISM IN (Ail-Over Again) For the third year in a row, The Grizzly Magazine has received the All-Kansas award, which is given to the magazine by Kansas best collegiate in the state, the Associated Collegiate Press. In addition to this overall award, the magazine staff brought home 3 8 individual awards including the sweep of all five photography categories and the Journalist of the Year award. 1999 Magazine Journalist of the Year 'iillsi: wif m PI JUSTIN HAYWORTH. former editor 'jf&mKgfc, Journalist Of The Year First Place News Photography CHRIS LAWRIE Ss^r First Place Sports Photography photo editor £t| ! First Place Single Ad Design 1 ' fc'" MIKE SHEPHERD, editor First Place News Writing First Place Photo Essay First Place Sports Page Design First Place Table of Contents Page Design First Place in Photo First Place Single Ad Design First Place Feature Photography Illustration ^Volxi.m.e *n er l^Jvi 1> Spring 1999 Mike Shepherd Editor Chris Lawrie Photo Editor 4 Meet Floyd Ray Michael Bergkamp Editorial Assistant To Floyd Ray, KBTL is just Kristy Egbert Feature Writer another radio station. After working at three commercial Kim Gaines stations in Wichita, find out Writer/Photographer why he decided to make the move Jessy Clonts to Butler. Writer/Photographer Story by Kristy Egbert Jennifer Elliott Feature Writer 26 Cover Story Travis Milne Feature Writer After the Winfield State Dave Kratzer Hospital closed in 1996, Faculty Advisor patients there had nowhere to go. Now, with help from i dBm* JHjffiffttow' Butler students, 30 of them call El Dorado home. MEoLjga^iLii^e Story by Jennifer Elliott Butler County Community College 34 the Shoes It's 901 S. Haverhill Road Building 100, Room 104 El Dorado, Kansas 67042 (316) 322-0893 What's up with girls and their (316) 322-3280 shoes? These days it seems that Letters to the editor encouraged there is more shoe fashion-and big shoes at that-than ever. They've certainly come a long way from just saddle shoes and penny loafers. Paulette Schadegg of El Dorado shares a hug with Story by Jessy Clonts Warren Wade, a resident of the Creative Community Living house on Wedgewood Street in north El Dorado. Photo by Mike Shepherd. Story on page 26. The Grizzly 3 I'k*fwSL ^rw another day Ray Just for Floyd Story by Kristy Egbert • Photos by Mike Shepherd The way Floyd Ray sees it, KBTL is just another radio good idea. Now he has to struggle with handling both of station on the dial. After all, the 39-year-old alternative his jobs, keeping his grades up and working for the rock deejay has been in the radio slash music business school's radio station. for as long as most traditional college students have been "I couldn't maintain a reasonable grade point average alive and in radio specifically since 1991 when he landed a being a full-time student but with my college hours cut , gig with KEYN and KQAM in Wichita. Then, in 1995, he back I'm still only working part-time at both jobs while started on the midnight to 6 a.m. shift at KICT-95. When continuing my education," Ray says. The last two semes- that station moved to pre-recorded shows during the ters he was a full-time student, but this semester his two overnight hours, Ray moved from an air talent to his cur- jobs only leave him enough time to take four hours of rent job as the station's remote technician. Radio Production and Applied Radio. He's on the air from Hard work and an education do pay off despite noon to 2:00 pm every Wednesday. whether most people would like to admit it. And it's that "I've always really been into music and always hung education that Floyd Ray is hoping will propel him into out with friends who were in bands. I was always able to even greater jobs. meet famous people mainly through friends and the Ray is a non-traditional student here at Butler working events I worked. I helped work various events like Oz Fest as a deejay on the school's radio station. He also works for and the Christmas Crusade for Children. These things led Wichita's KICT-95 and also hosts a contemporary rock and to my job at T-95," Ray explains. alternative music video show. Ray injured his back in 1991, With all of his experience with these events and the forcing him out of his job and into rehabilitation. As a knowledge he had from previously working at a Wichita AM result, he decided that coming back to school would be a station, T-95 hired him part-time while they fixed their 4 The Grx»ias5Bly ifComing to school me what got is where am, or else I probably be I'd out there mowing yards, 99 Floyd Ray starts off his nights as the remote technician for T-95 my back won't hold together much longer through the by driving to the location to set up the transmitting equipment. physical tasks of it, so I would rather be on air or working This particular location is America's Pub in Old Town. Here he with the administration part of it. That's where the money is seen calling back to the station to see that he has a clear is-administration," Ray says. channel. Two of his favorite remotes would have to be Oz Fest and the Summer Drag Boat Races. He also enjoys the department store remotes because he gets to meet a good cross section of the public. That isn't good for the station, though, because then the public will start to recognize him instead of the deejay on location doing the broadcasting. When asked if he met a lot of famous people since he started working at T-95, he replied that he doesn't meet any more now than he did before because he's always been into music. "When I was 16, 1 was hitch-hiking in Arkansas on my way to work from the local swimming hole when three girls picked me up. A couple of years later when I was 18, I found out one of the girls was Joan Jett and the other two were playing for the Go-Go's," Ray says smiling. After he is done with the equipment check, Floyd walks He's talked to Chuck Berry, but so far his favorite per- around the building hanging up banners. Opposite page: Then son he has met would have to be Billy Squire, because he it's back to the station to operate the board. Though the music is someone Ray can identify with from his earlier days. is selected and played by a computer, someone has to be there "I feel like I've been given these opportunities because to push buttons. When the live remote is over, it's back to the I've shown that I'm willing to be educated. I still may have location to tear it all down. to spend that 10 years to get a good start, and it appears the education is helping me get that foothold so that in 10 computers. That break gave him the start he needed. years my career will be on its way and not just getting off In the beginning his job was part-time air talent, but the ground. I do plan on attending school here until I get now he fills in and does air shifts for people when they go my associates degree, and then I plan on going on to a on vacation or are sick. He fabricates shows-meaning he four-year college to get a bachelor's degree as work brings in a couple of people and they act like they're doing allows," Ray says. something for six hours when in reality they're there for Ray's second job is hosting a contemporary rock and only about two hours. "Remember-this is radio. It's all alternative music video show called High Voltage, which UHF about what you say and how you say it," Ray says. airs Friday and Saturday nights at 10:30 on TV-53, a Ray's main job as a remote technician doesn't leave a lot station. That requires digging out your old rabbit ears of time for air shifts. Anything that T-95 does away from because it's not on cable. the station is what he works on. He makes sure they have "The show is kind of like an internship, as yet I have everything they need at the remote location, like a broad- not received a paycheck. As of now we have no advertis- cast booth, microphones, banners and a clear channel to ers, but we just went on the air and we're trying to do a transmit from. Ray also coordinates promotional events real hot show," Ray says. and is usually in charge of the prize bag and its distribu- And it's all because of education. tion. "Coming to school is what got me where I am," Ray "While I enjoy my job as a remote technician, I know says. "Or else I'd probably be out there mowing yards." The Grizzly S 3m :. ;, ;.;•. ..... ?fc' i Butler sophomores Kevin Kichler and Londagin Jxistin hit the campaign trails in '99 seeking office and speaking out against the current political world. •. by Mike Shepherd and Stories Dave Kratzer Photos by Mike Shepherd | Kevin Kevin Kichler's no stranger to small towns. Born in Fort Scott, he moved with his parents to Towanda shortly after his fourth birthday where he lived until he was 18. Then, he moved back to daily true of small towns. In fact, it is done. I guess that's just the way it southeast Kansas to tiny Strauss for that "small town" image he wants to goes, it's been like that everywhere awhile while going to school off and get rid of. I've been," he says. on in Parsons and Pittsburg and "Group A will do anything to stop He's relying on his upbringing to working in Girard for a chain restau- Group B from doing what it take care of that. rant. Now, he's back in Towanda and wants-even if it is right for the city," "We should take care of us first," vying for a seat on the city council. he says. "I want to get rid of that." Kichler says. "Let's not feed the peo- To say that Kichler is just your To start, Kichler wants to cut down ple in Africa; we need to straighten up ordinary political office candidate is on the number of executive sessions our problems first before we worry misleading, by a long shot. To start, the council retreats to. about others." the 21-year-old community college "Any time they want to make a And right now, that big problem in student has no agenda. Instead, he decision or discuss something that Towanda is getting the mileage signs says, the best way to lead a city is to could be controversial, they go behind put back up along the newly finished form decisions on issues as they arise. closed doors to keep the community K-254 Highway. Back when the old Living in small towns all of his life out of it," Kichler notices of current two-lane went right through the heart has left him quite skeptical towards meeting procedures. "I think the com- of Towanda, there were signs on typical political games. It's alright to munity should be the most involved." either side of the town notifying have opinions on things, but citizens But, he doesn't know for sure if he motorists of the miles remaining until ought to know that the people run- would have much luck at that. If he the town. Now, those same motorists ning their city could and would make had been elected this spring to one of can fly right by Towanda at 70 or educated, not biased, decisions for the three open seats, he would have more and not even know it's there. them. been one voice out of six. He lost, "We're not even out there any- "The council does what the council though, finishing fifth out of six. His more," Kichler says. "And the council wants and there's no communication would've-been colleagues should is trying to figure this out for them- between them and the residents. I know that he wouldn't necessarily be selves-negotiating with the state. want to open up communication just another voice spewing their ideas. "Nobody in the town knows between the two," Kichler says. And, he concedes, the way things are what's really going on. People want to Although that appears to be the is the way it's always been. Not only know but the council hasn't told case with just about any city or state in Towanda, but elsewhere. them." government, Kichler says it is espe- "That's the way it's always been And Kevin Kichler should know; he's a cook at the Rusty Bucket Cafe IINobody the town knows what's in on the eastern edge of Towanda. "Working in the diner, I see more of going on. People want to know but the community than they do, I think, because I'm out in it. the council hasn't told them." "But, I like cookin'." & The Grizzly ? and hear what they think," Londagin the scenes telling others how to run says. "If something important goes on their campaigns." in this community, you'll hear about it The 1997 graduate of Augusta High I B I S I at Dairy Queen. That's what I like School decided to run for the board of IB BS ( i Justin about the job." education because he felt the district Londaqin Unfortunately for Londagin, he fin- needed to work harder to improve ished a distant third in his school technology available to students, Q board quest. improve graduation rates and "cut- I But his recent foray into politics ting district waste." isn't his first. In 1996, he ran for And how did voters react to his District 77's Kansas House of platform? Representatives seat. Operating on a "If everybody who says 'Good shoestring budget and running as a luck, we need fresh blood,' and really "ustin Londagin is like many Democrat, Londagin lost in the means it, then I should do well. I've Butler students. He has a part- August primary that year, but learned had nothing but good comments," he time job to make ends meet. In valuable lessons about the realities of said a week before the March 2 prima- hiiss*"ccaasse, he works at Dairy Queen in politics. ry. Augusta. He considers it ground zero One was that a shrewd candidate Londagin was one of four candi- for public dialog about civic issues shouldn't answer position surveys dates, one of whom is an incumbent. that affect local taxpayers. sent to him by special interest groups. The day after the election, he chalked While he's cleaning tables and Another lesson was that a politician up the defeat at the polls to Augusta's waiting on customers, however, needs to be an effective public speak- unwillingness to allow younger citi- Londagin is doing much more than er. Still another was how to buy cam- zens to lead. earning a paycheck. He's keeping his paign advertising cheaply. And final- "If you're young and not a star ath- finger on the pulse of the community, ly, he learned that while he likes poli- lete in Augusta, then the city's not which is essential for the 20-year-old tics—and might make a career of it—he going to give you a shot," he con- politician who ran for Augusta's USD doesn't want to be a perennial candi- tends. "But I might try it 402 school board in March. date. again...maybe somewhere else, or "I meet all kinds of different people "I'd rather be the person behind maybe when I get older." IIIf you're young and not a star athlete in Augusta, then the city's not going to give you a shot." The Grrizzly WMumm^nim^fli^ id to Clark's Uniforms vM8&'wSw?!SftBTwa^l2> & The Grizzly