Tag: hilary broman

Bookstore to Price Match

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By Hilary Broman,  Staff Reporter

Photo credit, Heather Hay

Sep 6, 2016

September 7 is the last day to use financial aid to purchase books with the new price matching system that the CNM Bookstore has implemented.

If students find a lower price for their textbooks at a different retailer the CNM bookstore will match that price.

They will match prices against Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chegg and other stores.

Students who have already purchased their books for the fall term are able to adjust the price at any CNM bookstore location within 7 days of the original purchase.

The ISBN for the lower priced item must match ISBN of the item being purchased.

Students must purchase the item in the same format that the ad represents whether it is new, used, rented or purchased.

Lower prices may be found online but all price match transactions must take place in a campus store.

Students must supply a printed screenshot of the ad, a hard copy of the ad or an ad shown on a mobile device at the time of purchase.

For complete list of rules, regulations and exclusions click here.

There is an update to this story here.

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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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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)

A Change in Environment for Moms at CNM

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Photo Credit: Hilary Broman/CNM Chronicle

By Hilary Broman, Staff Reporter

The Executive Council of Students is in the process of establishing Lactation Stations which will provide a clean and private place for nursing mothers to breastfeed or express breastmilk at CNM as part of their initiative to create a more sustainable and family friendly campus, said Tisha Hudetz, President of ECOS.

ECOS is hopeful that the Lactation Stations will be installed by the beginning of the 2016 fall term, she said.

As a working mother and student, Hudetz is passionate about helping student parents get the most out of their time at CNM, she said.

“When I became a mother, my perspective changed in an instant. I realized, that we live our lives not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us. It is our duty, as caretakers of our world, to see that it is not just sustainable, but generative for the future generations as well,” Hudetz said.

Hudetz is concerned about how to succeed as a student, employee and volunteer while being a new mother but she is using this experience as an opportunity to discover the areas in which CNM’s resources are lacking, she said.

“I get to navigate through the pitfalls of being a new mom and a student here at CNM and see what’s needed,” Hudetz said.

New Mexico permits a mother to breastfeed in any public or private place where she is otherwise authorized to be, according to The National Conference of State Legislatures.

In 2009, New Mexico House Memorial 58 requested that the governor’s women’s health advisory council convene a task force to study the needs of breastfeeding student-mothers and make recommendations for breastfeeding accommodations in school environments, as stated by NCSL.

Beth Mestas, a modern language major at CNM and a mother of three is excited about the council’s new project, she said.

“I think it’s a great idea! I believe that breastfeeding is a great way to nourish a child, so anything that supports that is great,” Mestas said.

Although Mestas is thrilled about the Lactation Stations she expressed that there are many other challenges that student parents face, she said.

“One of the biggest challenges for me is finding suitable child care during classes. It would be nice if there was a daycare on campus that I could trust and have my kids close by. More online classes would be a nice alternative as well so I can schedule my classes around taking care of my children,” Mestas said.

ECOS is passionate about helping the CNM community and making a difference, said Shaun Patterson, ECOS Vice President.

Patterson and the rest of the council are confident in Hudetz’s leadership and inspired by her passion for women’s rights and her “no nonsense” approach to situations, he said.

Hudetz recognizes the challenges that ECOS may face, “The truth is that nothing is ever easy but the reward in finding the solution is worth more than the cost of not trying,” she said.

Photo Credit: Hilary Broman/CNM Chronicle
Tisha and Cyrus

Photo Credit: Hilary Broman/ CNM Chronicle

 

 

ECOS President Returns

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By Hilary Broman, Staff Reporter

Tisha Hudetz, president of the Executive Council of Students returns to the council after being on maternity leave for 8 weeks.

In her absence, vice president, Shaun Patterson served as interim president.

“Being back has been an honor. I am so proud of the incredible work that was done in my absence by a truly dedicated team,” she said.

Hudetz is thankful to the Executive Council of Students for their support during her leave, she said.

“If not for the consistency of the council deliberations and efforts as well as the continued support of the Office of the Dean of students, I would not have had the opportunity to truly share time with my new son and family,” she said.

Shaun Patterson has resumed his duty as the Council Vice President.

“As a full time working woman, a mother of 2 now, a wife, a student here, and a passionate advocate for women’s rights, I honestly don’t know where she finds the time and energy!” he said.

Shaun feels blessed and honored to be able to serve as Tisha Hudetz’s vice president, he said.

Hudetz is glad to be back and looking forward to the future of ECOS, she said.