Gotta Catch‘em All

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Photo Credit: Whitney Browneller/CNM Chronicle
Photo Credit: Whitney Browneller/CNM Chronicle

By Whitney Browneller, Staff Reporter

CNM students were asked to share their own opinions about the new mobile game, Pokémon Go.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography student, Ashley Tucker-Wager said that she thinks that people are going crazy over Pokémon Go because they grew up with it.

She said that people either grew up playing Pokémon on their Gameboys or they grew up watching the show.

“It’s exciting to have something new to play of that world,” she said.

It helps people get out of the house, she said.

People are getting more exercise and visiting new areas, which means that they are also meeting new people by going to these areas that have Pokémon stuff, she said.

She said that these are just some of the many reasons she likes the game.

“It’s fun and interactive,” Tucker-Wager said.

Tucker-Wager said that it has helped her talk to new people by providing a common ground.

“I’ve talked to new people at the park that I probably would have never met or talked to because I don’t really talk to new people very well,” Tucker-Wager said.

She said that it gets you doing things you normally would not do if you were stuck at home on the couch.

If you do not have time to play it all the time just play when you can and it is still fun, she said.

Another Diagnostic Medical Sonography student, Claire Darling, says that she is totally indifferent to the whole game.

“I don’t even really get how to play it,” she said.

If students find it difficult to play because of data charges, the school’s Wi-Fi is avalible during the intersession so students can still play the game while using the school’s Wi-Fi to avoid data charges.

According to a Pokémon forum, there are quite a few Pokémon stops on the CNM Main campus with one being under the bridge on Coal, a few near the JS building, one in the courtyard near the L building, one down by the SSC building, one at the KC building.

The “poké” stops are areas that Pokémon players go to get experience, poké balls, and poké eggs.

For more information on how to play Pokémon visit the official Pokémon website at www.pokemongo.com

Calling All Extras, Acting opportunities for students

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Image and information from website Lathamcasting.com, previous films the agencey has cast for include: The Reach, Gunslingers:Icons of the Old West, Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey, The Sixth Gun, Frontera, Sweetwater, SEAL Team 6: The Hunt for Osama bin Laden, Blaze You Out, This Must Be The Place, Truth Be Told, Stargate Universe: Malice.

By Wade Faast

Staff Reporter

The New Mexico film industry is in full swing with projects across the state and they need background actors, which is an opportunity for CNM students to make some extra money said Lorrie Latham with Latham Casting.

Latham casting is looking to cast extras for an upcoming six part western series that will start shooting in mid-August and run through early December, she said.

The production will require at least 2,200 actors, with many being recurring roles she said.

According to Latham that is not the only major project going on, other local casting firms are looking for extras daily.

Extras should be prepared for long days though because most days will require twelve or more hours of filming, she said.

Most background roles pay minimum wage, which can add up quickly with any time over 8 hours in one day paying overtime, said former CNM and current UNM student Clayton Salberg.

“It’s not a way to make a living, but more of a hobby,” he said.

Clayton started doing background work in April of 2015 during his last year at CNM, he said.

In the summer of 2015 he landed the role of a fighter pilot on Independence Day Resurgence, he said.

The days are long and many times there can be hours of downtime, which allowed him to work on homework in-between scenes, Salberg said.

Salberg majored in Health Sciences while at CNM but after working on movie and television sets he switched his major to theater when he transferred to UNM, he said.

Networking through Facebook groups for local casting calls can allow students to keep an eye out for extra casting calls that need actors, he said.

Facebook background actor groups offer people new to the industry a chance to ask questions and get advice from more experienced individuals, casting directors will also use these groups to put out casting calls especially ones that come up at the last minute, Latham said.

If interested in getting started in background acting, Latham recommended going to the City of Albuquerque’s How to be an Extra information webpage, the page provides FAQ’s on being an extra along with links to several casting companies here in New Mexico.

One of the important pieces of getting into the field is a headshot, it doesn’t need to be professional or high quality, it should not be a selfie though, she said.

Latham advised that the most important aspects in a headshot are that it be clear and not too close up, casting directors want to see your hair, face, and body type, she said.

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Find more great information at the city of Albuquerque’s

‘How to be an Extra’ information webpage.

Never Too Young To Go Big

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By Hilary Broman, Staff Reporter
Iris Delval is a 16-year-old psychology major at CNM who is also an artist, a singer, a baker and a writer.
She had always been interested in psychology but it was her Intro to Psychology teacher who inspired her to change her major from medical lab technician to psychology, she said.
“She loves her job. It’s incredible how she talks so passionately about her work,” she explained.
Delval’s goal is to specialize in clinical psychology, she said.
Delval is half way through the psychology program at CNM and she will receive her associates degree by the time she is 17 years old, she stated.
“A lot of people think I am in the dual enrollment program,” Delval said, “but I graduated high school when I was 15.”
Delval went to a charter school when she was younger, she skipped ninth grade and then finished up her diploma at an online school, she explained.
“It’s different being in college, I never really had the high school experience in a classroom setting,” she said.
Although Delval is busy with school she also takes time to focus on her creative outlets, she stated.
“I love to bake!” expressed Delval, “I’ve been baking ever since I was young.”
Delval bakes for events for family and friends, she said.
“I’ve never made a wedding cake but I recently made cannoli for my brother’s wedding,” she explained.
Her specialty is cheesecake, she said.
She has made cheesecakes for a couple of her classes and said that she hopes to open her own bakery one day.
Delval also enjoys drawing and she believes that art will help her in her career as a clinical psychologist, she explained.
“I think that art is a stress relieving activity,” she said.
She thinks that art will be a good tool to use to help her future clients relive stress, she explained.
Her artistic inspirations come from abstract and surrealist art, she said.
Delval specializes in pencil and sharpie drawings, she said.
“I am taking an art class next term! I am excited because I’ve never taken an art class before,” she said.
Delval stated that her parents are extremely supportive in all her professional and creative endeavors.
She also enjoys singing as a hobby, she said.
“My dad wanted me to try out for The Voice,” she said, “but I prefer to sing just for the love of it.”
Delval realizes the importance of making time for creativity to blossom while pursuing an education, she said.
“I’m also writing a sci-fi book!” Delval explained excitedly, “I’ve been working on it for about a year!”
When Delval finishes her degree she hopes to move to Pennsylvania for a change of atmosphere, she said.
“It’s not too hot, it’s not too cold and it rains a lot there. I love the rain,” she said.
For now, Delval is concentrating on finishing her associates degree at CNM and enjoying her creative outlets, she said.
To check out Delval’s art and contact her to bake for events follow her on Instagram at the_lovely_iris_
https://www.instagram.com/the_lovely_iris_/

Paws Up for College

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By Hilary Broman

Staff Reporter

The Dean of Students office and the security department partnered with the Children’s cancer fund of New Mexico to host Paws Up for College, said Libby Fatta, the Paws Up for College event coordinator.

“We wanted to organize a full day of college for all of the children who are battling cancer and who are associated with the Cancer Fund of New Mexico,” she stated.

CNM hosted the event on July 29 at Main Campus.

They arrived on campus between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., they had an orientation where they checked in and got students IDs as well as backpacks with school supplies, water bottles and a T-shirt, she said.

About 30 students attended on Friday, ranging from ages 6 to 18, she said.

“We were really excited to have the variety of age groups” she stated, “We paired some of the older teenagers with the younger ones so they could have that mentorship within the day.”

The levels of illness of the children were also varied, Fatta said, “Some were healthier than others.”

There were between 30 and 40 volunteers including staff and students from the dean of student’s office, the security department, the marketing and communications office, the foundations office and the executive council of students, Fatta explained.

Chief Corvino from the security department had the idea for this event, Fatta said.

“He previously organized a hero academy with the Albuquerque Police Academy where they did a similar event.” Fatta explained “They would have the children from the Cancer Fund of New Mexico do a day of police training and at the end of the day they were rewarded a badge. We wanted to do something similar but in a college setting.”

Fatta’s motivation for the event was to provide an enriching experience for the children, she said.

“I feel terrible that cancer is something that they have to go through especially at such a young age but I hope they were inspired to keep dreaming about college and pursuing a degree,” she expressed.

Fatta stated that she is optimistic that this will become an annual event.

The Grove Café and the Executive Council of Students sponsored breakfast, she said.

After breakfast the students attended five classes throughout the day, she said.

The first class was a fitness class where they learned basic fitness information and participated in fitness activities, she said.

The second class was in the simulation lab where the students learned how to do different medical simulations, Fatta said.

After that they went to lunch, which was sponsored by Saggios, she said.

At lunch they participated in a painting activity where the students painted their hands and put their handprints on a large piece of butcher paper, Fatta explained.

In the third class of the day the students learned how to use Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC) equipment.

The fourth class was a truck-driving demo and they ended the day in a culinary class where they made chocolate dipped strawberries, Fatta said.

“We wanted to give them different types of program options throughout the day so they could know that there are more than just the normal degree options,” Fatta expressed.

At the end of the day there was a graduation ceremony where the students earned a Suncat studies certificate, Fatta stated, each student was allowed to invite two family members to the ceremony.

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Discounts All Around

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By Whitney Browneller, Staff Reporter
CNM and UNM students who have a valid student I.D. are able to get discounts at various places across Albuquerque and even online.
REGAL CINEMAS: offers 10% off movie tickets to students with a vaild I.D.
JOANN’S: Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts store offers a student discount program. Students ages 14 and older can go online and register for the program. Those who are registered are able to get 10% off their purchases and are able to use additional coupons. Jo-Ann customers are also able to use multiple coupons in one visit, not the same coupon though.
AMAZON: Amazon offers students 50% off their Amazon Prime services, which includes two-day shipping, video streaming, and a free six-month trial before you have to pay anything. Just visit the link below. https://www.amazon.com/gp/student/signup/info?ie=UTF8&hvadid=58820639035&hvdev=c&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvpone=&hvpos=1t1&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvrand=16125314376528815031&ref=pd_sl_8wzbfj88rx_b&ref_=sm_mkt_paper&tag=googhydr-20
PUBLIC LIBRARY: The Albuquerque public libraries offer free passes to local museums and to the zoo for check-out. You must have a valid public library card and not all passes are always available. It is on a first come, first serve basis.
CHOCOLATE DUDE ABQ: If students subscribe to receive the Chocolate Dude newsletter, they receive a coupon to pick up a free caramel apple at The Chocolate Dude store which is located at 3339 Central Ave. NE, Suite E. in Nob Hill.
GOODWILL: Every Monday the Goodwill thrift stores throughout Albuquerque offer 25% off.
SPOTIFY: Spotify premium is available to students for 50% off if they use their student email and sign up under the student offer.
AMTRACK: The Amtrak now offers 15% off the lowest value or flexible fare when students book at least 3 days in advance. There are some limitations. Students must have a valid I.D. and must be between the ages of 13-25. It is also not combinable with any other discount offer.
WAFFLE HOUSE: The Waffle House on Yale boulevard offers students 10% off their purchase with a student I.D.

MODCLOTH: Modcloth, an online clothing store, offers 15% off for college students when they register here (http://www.modcloth.com/students)
OTHER: Unidays is a website that offers multiple discounts to college students (https://www.myunidays.com/)
AMORE NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA: get 10% off with a vaild student I.D. located at 2929 Monte Vista Blvd NE.

 

 

 

 

CNM Sky Warriors

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The Sky Candy Chase crew are responsible for chasing and recovering the hot air balloon. Photo credit – Hilary Broman
Proud Sky Warrior wearing the team shirt. Photo Credit – Hilary Broman
The Sky Scholars Patch – The Sky Scholars are a group of young people who have recently aged out of the foster system that work with the Sky Warriors. Photo Credit – Hilary Broman
The Sky Warriors at ground training where they learn how to set up the hot air balloon and take it down. Photo credit – CNM Instagram (photographer unknown)

By Hilary Broman, Staff Reporter

The CNM Sky Warriors is a hot air ballooning program in which student veterans learn how to be a part of a ballooning crew.

“It’s all about team building,” David Walker, crew chief and administrative coordinator for the veteran’s resource center, stated.

People in the military are used to working together as a team, said Walker who is also a Vietnam era veteran.

“A lot of veterans have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other issues that may cause them to isolate themselves. The goal of the Sky Warriors program is to help vets come together, work as a team, pull them out of their shells, and give them a mission purpose” Walker explained.

There are 4,445 registered veterans at CNM, which makes it the college with the largest veteran population in New Mexico, Walker stated.

“It’s been very successful with all of the veterans we’ve worked with so far,” said Diana Myklebust, hot air balloon pilot and administrative coordinator for the dean of students.

“We had a veteran who didn’t talk to anybody. He used to come into the VRC, get a cup of coffee and leave. Now he is very outgoing. He’ll come in and visit with everybody.” Myklebust said.

“This is the success we want. We want to help acclimate veterans to become more comfortable with the CNM environment and contribute to their overall success here.” Myklebust explained.

Transitioning from the military to college can be extremely difficult for veterans, Walker stated.

“The Sky Warriors program and the VRC provide veterans with the type of structured environment that they are familiar with,” said Walker.

“Support is the key element in all of this,” Myklebust stated.

The Sky Warriors have just finished their third ballooning season where they partnered with the New Mexico Child Advocacy Networks (NMCAN) for the first time, Myklebust explained.

The veterans (sky warriors) helped mentor students who have recently aged out of the foster system (sky scholars), said Myklebust.

Along with the sky warriors program many of the sky warriors and sky scholars are also participating in a 40-hour leadership workshop where they focus on working together and team building, Myklebust said.

Veterans and foster kids deal with similar issues such as PTSD, anxiety and lack of structure, Walker said.

“The Veterans are helping to mentor and guide them and provide them with the structure that they need. They are also helping them get into college,” he said.

“The Sky Scholar program has been so much more successful than we had anticipated,” said Nick Vottero, NMCAN program coordinator.

NMCAN is working on developing an on campus community where the Sky Scholars can feel safe to seek support when dealing with the stresses of school, he said.

Facing their fears by going up in the balloon and being a part of the team dynamic on the chase crew are both helpful in building the community that NMCAN is trying to establish, he said.

“We’re just very thankful that we have this program and that CNM has allowed us to do this for our veterans here,” Myklebust expressed.

Myklebust has been involved in hot air ballooning since 1983, she sated.

She and her husband lend their personal hot air balloon to the sky warriors to practice with as well as pilot and teach them how to set up and use the balloon, said Myklebust.

“I am extremely passionate about hot air ballooning. My husband and I love sharing our balloon experience with others. That’s what makes ballooning so much fun,” Myklebust said smiling.

“Recovering the balloon is half the fun,” Walker said, “It’s the thrill of the chase!”

Myklebust and Walker are thrilled about how successful the program has been, they said.

“The program is still in its infancy but it is doing very well and progressing rapidly,” she said.

Jonathan Banks, a star in Breaking Bad, has taken an interest in the Sky Warriors, Myklebust explained.

“He is very very passionate about our veterans and to help them be successful. He even said that he would come out and actually go out and fly with us next time he was in town. He thought it was a fantastic program,” she said.

Walker and Myklebust have many plans for the future of the Sky Warriors and the VRC, said Walker.

“One of our major goals is to have an all-female crew,” Walker expressed “As well as a Veterans Resource Center at every CNM campus.”

“We’ll push until we get it. All we’ve got is time,” Walker said.

The fourth Sky Warrior season will hopefully start in the fall, Myklebust said.

If anyone is interested in joining the Sky Warriors they can visit the VRC at main campus in the SSC building, room 207,” Walker said.

For more information about the veteran resources provided at CNM click here.

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Beating the Odds

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By Hilary Broman, Photo credit Hilary Broman

Staff Reporter

April Vezie, a welding major was one of fourteen CNM students who competed in the National SkillsUSA competition and out of those fourteen she was the only female, she said.

Despite her hearing loss, Vezie has acquired a talent for public speaking, she said.

“Apparently I’m really good at it but sometimes I get so nervous that I forget my own name,” she said.

This was her second time competing in the extemporaneous speech category and her third time competing nationally, she said.

She placed fourth in the extemporaneous speech category, which is often referred to as speaking off the cuff, she stated.

Vezie is also the chapter president for SkillsUSA as well as the secretary for the Women Advancing in Trades and Technology chapter at CNM, she said.

In the extemporaneous speech category each participant is given a topic and five minutes to prepare their speech and this year Vezie’s topic was about what patriotism means to her, she said.

“Patriotism is not just being dependent on other people and other countries, it’s building up our own economy, loving our neighbors, and actually getting to know our neighbors. America today is not the same country I was brought up in,” she said.

Vezie grew up in New Mexico and she knew her neighbors well, she explained.

“If I got out of line not only was my neighbor going to spank me but when I got home I was going to get another spanking,” Vezie said laughing.

Although Vezie is a gifted public speaker her passion is welding, she said.

“I live to weld!” Vezie said with excitement.

Vezie is also adamant about choosing passion over talent, she said.

“I am a horrible welder. I’m probably the worst in the program but I love it. It’s important to find what you love and not let anything stand in your way,” Vezie said.

She likes to prove the naysayers wrong, she expressed.

“Don’t put limits on me,” said Vezie, “I used to wear leg braces as a kid. The doctors told me that I’d never be able to walk. Well yes I can!”

She also likes to show others that they can succeed too, she stated.

“Everyone has problems. It may be that they can’t hear. It may be that they can’t walk. Maybe they have a prison record. They shouldn’t let that stand in their way or let other people determine what they are capable of,” she said.

Vezie is entering her second year in the welding program at CNM and her first year was not without struggle, she stated.

“I’ve wanted to walk out. I’ve walked out of the classroom and didn’t want to come back,” Vezie said.

If not for the support of her classmates whom she considers family she would not have made it this far, she said.

Vezie plans to continue on her path to become a welder as well as compete in the SkillsUSA competition next year and she is ready to compete in welding, she said.

“My instructor, Chris Woods, challenged me to compete in the individual welding fabrication or sculpture category next year. He told me that it’s time to put on my big girl panties!” Vezie said smiling.

Vezie does hope to see more women compete and represent CNM next year, she said.

“I want to show that girls are pretty awesome and we can do it too!” she said.

At the end of November, the SkillsUSA chapter will start holding in house competitions and Vezie encourages students of all trades to compete, stated Vezie.

She encourages all CNM students to find something that they are passionate about and pursue it.

“It might take long, but you’ll get there,” she said.

To read April’s full inspirational speech click here: Skills speech

For a printable copy of this story click here: printable April Vezie.edit (1)