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Don’t give lottery tickets to children, experts say

by Mary Rupert

Lottery tickets are not a good holiday gift for children, according to the “Gift Responsibly” campaign.

Andrica Wilcoxen, outreach and prevention coordinator at Kansas City Kansas Community College, said the National Council of Problem Gambling is sponsoring the holiday campaign this year called “Gift Responsibly.”

“Lottery tickets are not suitable gifts for children under 18 years of age,” Wilcoxen said.

The holiday campaign encourages parents and loved ones not to give lottery products as gifts to minors.

Wilcoxen said research shows the majority of adolescents gamble occasionally, and holiday products may be a gateway to problem gambling.

“Youth gambling has been shown to be linked to other risk-taking and addictive behaviors such as smoking, drinking and drug use,” Wilcoxen said.

There is problem gambling among some youth in Wyandotte County, according to Wilcoxen.

She held a problem gambling booth at a middle school in Wyandotte County last week to bring awareness and education to that age group.

While there, she met a middle school student who gambles and loves to play the lottery, she said.

He pulled out his wallet and had two lottery tickets that he was excited about. He told her his dad buys the tickets for him. He told her he was excited about getting out of school and cashing them in for a win that day, she added.

“I was shocked to see the young man with lottery tickets,” Wilcoxen said. “It is a form of entertainment, but they don’t understand how that can turn into an addiction.”

She said she is finding that young women in middle school are often more responsible than the young men.

“We’re finding that our young men, middle school boys, are not as concerned about becoming addicted to gambling as the young ladies are,” she said. “The young ladies are more responsible. Young men want the chase.”

She asks students if they think gambling is right or wrong, and many young men say it’s right because one can win money and pay the bills. Many young women say it’s wrong because one can lose money and that money could have bought other things, she said.

She advises parents and relatives not to buy lottery tickets for the youth so they don’t become problem gamblers.

KCKCC human resources director making plans for retirement

by Kelly Rogge

Cheryl Coleman might not have been at Kansas City Kansas Community College for a long time, but as she prepares for retirement, there is quite a bit she will miss about the community college.

“I will miss the staff and faculty here at the college,” said the human resources director at KCKCC. “I have learned a lot and enjoyed working with everyone.”

Coleman has been director of human resources at KCKCC, for the last five years. Prior to coming to college, she was the director of human resources for 18 years at Swope Parkway Health Center and spent three years at MAST Ambulance. She also worked for three years at KCATA and for five years as a civil rights investigator for the city of Kansas City, Mo.

“I am a baby boomer and just thought it was time to retire,” she said about her decision to retire. “I want to spend more time with my mother and do whatever I desire.”

Looking back on her time at KCKCC, Coleman said she is proud of the annual open enrollment sessions, starting formal new employee orientations and always being available for KCKCC employees whenever questions needed answered. She said she believes in learning, so she enjoyed learning something new every day no matter how big or small.

“What I hoped for was to do a good job every, single day,” she said. “I think I have learned something from every division and employee I have come in contact with.”

In retirement, Coleman said she plans to volunteer at her church, volunteer at a social agency and perhaps take an exercise or dance class – after she takes the first few weeks to sit and enjoy the free time. She said she is also thinking about possibly working full-time and of course, spending more time with her grandchildren.

“My hope for KCKCC is to see an increase in enrollment and for divisions, employees and management to work together more often,” she said. “I just want to see continued growth in the great programs at the college.”

Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor for Kansas City Kansas Community College.

KCKCC celebrates ESOL graduation

KCKCC students celebrated their graduation from the ESOL program on Tuesday. (KCKCC photo)

by Kelly Rogge

It was a special day Tuesday when 20 students from Kansas City Kansas Community College’s ESOL program were recognized for completing all ESOL classes needed for their academic or professional goals.

“I am very proud and happy for them,” said Liz Holloway, instructor and coordinator of KCKCC’s ESOL program. “Some of these students have been with us together as a class for four semesters. Most of them are continuing studies in academic classes or TEC programs here at KCKCC, and many of them have overcome many obstacles to continue their education.”

The goal of the ESOL program is to help those who need to improve their English skills. Students can choose academic ESOL or adult basic education ESL classes, depending on their current fluency and personal goals.

After being admitted to KCKCC, students are tested using the COMPASS ESL placement test. Test scores are then used to help students with selecting classes. Any student whose first language is not English or has not developed adequate academic English skills should meet with the ESOL department for assistance.

In addition to the 20 students who received full certificates, another 14 students were recognized as finishing one or more of the Level 4 ESOL classes.

This also marks the first group of students to graduate from the newly restructured ESOL program.

The new program has four levels, allowing students to complete ESOL in two years. The program is broken into several parts – reading, listening and speaking, writing and grammar and vocabulary.

During the first two semesters, students are solely in ESOL classes. Then, beginning in the third semester, schedules can become more individualized, depending on the student’s fluency.

Grammar is separated from writing during the last two semesters, and students have the option of taking classes outside the ESOL program.

“In the U.S., English skills are important to success in life. Our classes provide the bridge that is needed to get a student from the English he or she already knows to the English they will need for academic study or professional employment,” Holloway said. “Beyond that, our classes give the students confidence that they can succeed in this country. Many of our students came to the U.S. as refugees, so everything is new and daunting to them. Many never dreamed of going to college. It may not have been a realistic option for them before coming here. Our ESOL teachers support the students in achieving their goals.”

For more information on the ESOL program, to enroll or to make an appointment, call 913-288-7625 or 913-288-7380. Students can also stop by the ESOL Office, Room 3415, during normal office hours. Information is also available by emailing Liz Holloway at eholloway@kckcc.edu.

Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.