Write On: Bloodroot mag wants your fiction, poetry

PMCDC project open to businesses

Student's Resolutions

Write On: Bloodroot mag wants your fiction, poetry

By:Melissa Whitelaw
	Bloodroot, a literary magazine, is
encouraging students and people of the community
to submit writings.

	Ms. Pennell states submission guidelines
are as follows: "Poets should submit no more
than four poems.  Fiction writers should submit
no more than two short stories, each no longer
than six to ten pages long.  A writer may submit
both fiction and poetry.  All submissions should
be legibly typed and accompanied by a cover
letter. The deadline is April 7, 1997 and
subject matter is not limited to the Appalachain
experience.
   

Bell Campus News
by Linda McCulley   

	For hundreds of thousands of people,
depression is a way of sitting back, focusing,
and coming up with a solution to a problem--a
way of dealing with difficult life circumstances.
However, for a number of individuals,
depression can become a chronic illness. This
illness clouds an individual's capacity to come
up with appropriate solutions. So, how do you
know if it's depression? Or for that matter,
would you even notice?
 
	Depression affects more than 15 million
individuals every year in the United States
alone. It's an illness that affects the whole mind
causing the individual to be unable to think
clearly or rationally. Depression may go
unnoticed for years.  The chemicals in the brain
that regulate how a person thinks, acts and
feels somehow become unbalanced. Stressful life
situations can trigger depression.  However, it
can also appear out of nowhere.

	Because depression is misunderstood as a
moral weakness, many people are blind to the
symptoms. Our misconceptions about depression
can be tragic. We have been socially conditioned
to think that it is simply a state of mind, a case
of "the blues," that individuals can pull
themselves out. However, this is not always the
case. When behavior changes, lasts for longer
than two weeks and become something that they
cannot pull themselves out of, it is time for a
friend to step in. Depression is treatable, but it
first has to be recognized.

	Depression has no racial or age
preferences. Anyone can become depressed. 
Individuals succumb to a tumultuous roller
coaster of emotions. They feel helpless.
Transient feelings of sadness and unhappiness
are not uncommon, especially when associated
with difficult circumstances. A person with
depression will have most, if not all, of the
following symptoms: low energy levels, loss of
interest in activities that were previously
pleasurable, persistent sad or anxious moods,
sleep disturbances, unexplained changes in
weight, and thoughts of death or suicide. Do
you know someone like this?

	We work, play, and go to school everyday
with individuals who are prone to depression.
This is why it is so very important that you
know and can recognize the warning signals.
Someone says, "Oh, I hate this class, I think I'll
just kill myself and get it over with." Most of
us would probably take this comment lightly.
Don't! Even if comments of death or suicide are
said in jest, take them seriously. Ask questions
and relay your fears to someone else, perhaps
an instructor. Notice if a friend is unusually
pessimistic or sad. Open your eyes to the people
around you. You might just save a life.

by Patty M. York 
               
	In the course of their careers, teachers
experience a great deal of stress. Research studies
consistently show that teachers have identified the following
demands as the major sources of their stress: time
constraints, problems with students, and excessive
paperwork.

"Stress is caused when the responsibility exceeds the
authority to act," added Robert Cox, an English instructor on
the Bell County campus of Southeast Community College.
Since teachers must deal with these stressors on a daily
basis, they are prime candidates for "burnout."

	What is burnout? It has been defined as a
response to chronic difficulty in controlling stress. It is
characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization,
and reduced personal accomplishment.

	Emotional exhaustion refers to feelings of
being emotionally over-extended and drained by others.
When care turns into a constant low-grade stress, it's not
care any more; it's overcare! Care turns into overcare when
there's mental or emotional over-identity with people,
opinions, attitudes, issues, or results.  The mind justifies it
and calls it care, but true care energizes and rejuvenates.
Overcare, however, is a slow energy leak that, left
unchecked, can drain all of our vitality and prevent us from
enjoying the things we care about. Many overcares come
from draining attachments and unmet expectations. Learning
to adapt to a situation and letting go of the outcome will give
you the power to change it.

Depersonalization refers to a callous response toward
people who are the recipient of one's services.
Depersonalization may be viewed by burnout victims as a
way of coping that allows them to continue their work yet
remain untouched by their feelings. The ineffectiveness of
this method is soon expressed in more feelings of depression
and despair. They feel lonely and empty. Life seems
pointless and there is a paralyzing "what's the use"
pessimism about the future. Physical and mental breakdowns
are likely.  Unless they seek help, these burnout victims will
experience major health problems such as strokes or heart
attacks.

Reduced personal accomplishment refers to a decline
in one's feelings of competence and successful achievement
in one's work with people. The road to burnout is paved
with good intentions. There's certainly nothing wrong with
being an idealistic, hard-working, self-motivating achiever,
and there's nothing wrong with having high aspirations and
expectations. Unreality is the villain.  Unrealistic aspirations
and expectations are doomed to frustration and failure. 
This, in turn, causes the burnout victims to question their
competence and ability. As they lose their self-confidence,
they become indecisive, their productivity drops, and their
work deteriorates.    

Teachers are not the only group of people who are in
danger of experiencing burnout.  Sometimes, students will
fall victim to this tragic syndrome called burnout.  What
causes students to become burnout victims?  One SECC
student, Heather Roark replies, "Taking too many hours on
top of working (can cause burnout) -- some (students) work,
have kids, and go to school -- this would put tremendous
stress on any individual."   

It is true that anyone can suffer from burnout.
However, it is most likely experienced by those who feel
overworked and unappreciated.  Besides, when people
ignore their physical and emotional needs during a period of
constant or severe distress, burnout is likely to be the result. 
The potential for burnout increases dramatically when you
must live and/or work in stressful situations and
circumstances.       

The symptoms of burnout include exhaustion, both
mental and physical; hopelessness and helplessness; low
spirit and self-esteem; and frequently occurring illnesses.
The symptoms suffered from burnout may vary from one
individual to another.

However, a depressive mood seems to occur in
nearly every case.  

Perhaps, then, the most important key for the
prevention of burnout should be--never allow yourself to
have feelings of depression. However, this is easier said than
done. There will always be something (or someone) that will
bring you down. Therefore, the appropriate solutions for
preventing burnout should be:

1)  Don't stay in depression for an extended period
of time. 

2)  Be realistic in your expectations, aspirations, and
goals.

3)  Create a balance in your life--at home and at
work.

4)  Be concerned and caring, but not over-caring.

5)  Develop a good relationship with all of those
around you.

6)  Share your opinions and feelings with others.

7)  Let others share their feelings with you--be a
good listener. 

8)  If you think you need help managing stress in
your life,
     talk to someone who can help. 

If you are experiencing a minor stress problem, you
can find help by talking to a close friend, a co-worker, a
teacher, or a family member. On the other hand, if you are
experiencing a more difficult stress problem, you can find
help by talking to your pastor (or another minister), a
psychology teacher or a professional counselor (psychologist
or psychiatrist). These people have studied the various
methods of coping with stress.

Above all, you can turn to the best source of help
available for anyone-- that is, you can turn to God who is
"our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of
trouble" (Psalms 46:1 KJV). 

by Patty M. York
	One of the best ways you can make a
difference in your community and in the lives of those
around you is to become a part of the Student Government
Association of your school.

The purpose of the SGA is to assist in open
communication among the students, the faculty, and the
administration; to further the growth opportunities available
to the students by conducting extracurricular activities for
their enjoyment; to promote the ideals and goals of the
college; to serve the student body by addressing their
concerns and fulfilling their needs; and to enhance the
community by endeavoring to eliminate the problems that
exist.

The students on the Bell County campus of the
Southeast Community College recently elected new members
to fill the four vacant seats on the council of the SGA.  Those
elected were Chastity Brooks, Nicole Pemberton, Sherri
Daniels, and Earl Hardaker.

The current freshman class representatives are Misty
Gibson, President; Chastity Brooks, Vice-President; Nicole
Pemberton, Secretary; and Donald McNeely, Treasurer.

The sophomore representatives, meanwhile, are as
follows: Clifton D. West, President; Earl Hardaker, Vice-
President; Angela Hoskins, Secretary; and Sherri Daniels,
Treasurer.   

Over the years, the student government on the Bell
County campus of SECC has demonstrated their dedication
to their student body. The students have benefited from
various activities provided by the student government such
as parties, dinners, and the "Spring Flings." In addition, the
SGA initiated a food drive last semester to make Christmas
baskets for several families.

The present student government shows signs of doing
bigger and better things this semester.  This Student Council
has the ingredients necessary to be a huge success.  

1. They have good leadership.  Clifton D. West is not
only the President of the sophomore class, but he is also the
President of the whole student council on the Middlesboro
campus.  He has been on the Council since his freshman
year. He has served as the freshman class President and the
Vice-President of the sophomore class. When he was in high
school, he served as student representative and as co
chairperson for the Youth Service Center meetings. "This
semester, I would like to see all the students come together
and participate more as one body," says West.  

2. They share common goals.  What are the goals that
the student government hopes to reach this semester?  The
freshman class President, Misty Gibson says, "Our goals are
to get the students more involved in the various activities
that we provide, as well as in the issues of concern within
our college and community."

The other members of the SGA agree that the most
important thing that they could do this semester is to get the
student body more involved.  Earl Hardaker (the Vice-Pres.
of the sophomore class) adds, "We want to do the best we
can to serve the students, the college, and the community." 
This goal is also echoed by the other members of the student
government. 

3). They are ambitious.  The Vice-President of the
freshman class, Chastity Brooks, is also the Secretary of the
SGA on the Bell County campus.  She was a class
representative in both her sophomore and junior years of
high school.  Brooks said, "I wanted to be a part of SGA
because I enjoy being in a position of leadership. I enjoy
working with the public."

The Secretary of the freshman class, Nicole
Pemberton stated her desire to become more involved with
the community.

Donald McNeely, the freshman class Treasurer,
states, "I wanted to be a part of SGA because I feel that I can
make a difference in the lives of the students and in the
community."

4). They have guidance.  Joe Marcum is a long-time
faculty advisor for the SGA on the Middlesboro campus. 
Marcum has been teaching history courses at SECC for six
years now.  (He has also taught leadership and humanities
classes.)  "Since we are on the cutting-edge of technology
here -- new development is very possible," says Marcum.
"We have plenty of room here on the Middlesboro campus
to expand -- to meet the needs of the future."

This semester, the student government has been
blessed with the addition of a second faculty advisor, Mrs.
Sheila Gibbs Brooks.  Brooks is an assistant professor of
biology on the Middlesboro campus.  She said, "I became a
part of the SGA because Mr. Marcum asked for my help --
he thought he could use my organizational skills." Brooks
went on to say that "the biggest asset of the Southeast
Community College is the students; they want an opportunity
to make a difference in their own lives as well as in the
lives of others."

All in all, the students on the Bell County campus can
look forward to some wonderful things coming from their
student government this semester.         
    
              

by Melissa McCreary
Sociology 220, The Community, offers students the
opportunity to learn various definitions of what a community
is. Students collectively decide what part of their community
they want to learn about and then take the necessary steps to
do so.

According to Dr. Roy Silver, instructor of SOC 220,
students begin the course by brainstorming topics that
interest them.  After this list is compiled, it is broken down
to one general idea and then divided among the class to
research.

Silver says his students use a variety of resources to
learn about their topics including interviews, fact-finding
trips, public meetings, class discussion, library research, the
Internet, etc. Students use their findings to write a research
paper.

SOC 220 students are also required to write several
summaries of their text chapters and library reserve articles.
Class projects are also a possibility depending on topics
chosen.

In the past, Silver's classes have covered a variety of
topics: economic development, spouse abuse, child abuse,
and the image of Eastern Kentucky. According to Silver, the
text Communities In Economic Crisis:Appalachia and the
South deals with different communities throughout the south-
central Appalachian region who have confronted various
issues (the environment, economic development, and other
issues) and how they have tried to come up with possible
solutions to their problems and the impact of those solutions
on the area.

"For me as a teacher, it's a lot different than some of
the other classes I teach because I don't go into the class
with any fixed knowledge of what we're going to do and
have that planned in advance," Silver explained.

Silver said his roles in SOC 220 are resource person
and facilitator.  He also tries to offer his students a comfort
zone when discussing their topic. "Students could
conceivably choose a topic that I know little or nothing
about, and I have to learn a lot myself about it and have
learned a lot in the past, together with the students," Silver
said.

Silver assures every student will have an equal
voice in choosing a topic.

Silver believes that SOC 220 students benefit from
the course because the topic that they choose to study will be
important to them as defined by them.  That degree of
importance allows them to learn about "their community" in
a variety of ways, which Silver says is very important.

Sociology 101 is a prerequisite to SOC 220.

 "It's where we live and it gives us a better
understanding of our community, our area, and ourselves. 
Additionally, it gets them to think of ways that may be
employed to improve the quality of life and to create a
community in a sense of togetherness," Silver said.

by Melissa McCreary
	The Pine Mountain Community Development
Corporation (PMCDC), the first multi-bank funded
community development corporation established in Eastern
Kentucky, officially opened its doors December 12.

	Located at 113 Chrisman Hall on the
Southeast Community College campus at Cumberland,
PMCDC is an outgrowth of a capital needs assessment
conducted in early 1996 at a community development
workshop of community leaders, business representatives,
and concerned citizens from Harlan, Bell, and Letcher
counties.

	According to an article in the Harlan Daily
Enterprise, plans to establish a community development
corporation were formalized in March 1996.

	The workshop was sponsored by the
Southeast Community College Rural Community College
Initiative (RCCI), a part of the overall Ford Foundation Pilot
Project.

	According to Dr. Roy Silver, Associate
Professor of Sociology and RCCI team leader, PMCDC's
loan fund will provide a standing source of capital with
which to stimulate economic development in depressed rural
areas.  It will make loans to, and equity-like investments in,
small businesses with growth opportunities but which do not
qualify for conventional financing.  Loans of $500 to
$25,000 will be made for terms ranging from one to five
years.

	The organization's geographic service area
includes Bell, Harlan, and Letcher counties, which is the
service area of Southeast Community College.

	PMCDC will operate as a Community
Development Corporation (CDC), which generally, is
structured to offer a greater degree of flexibility in the areas
of credit criteria and repayment.

	According to RCCI project director Paul
Pratt, who serves as PMCDC president, "However, it also
is required to be more closely tied to the performance of its
borrowers than would a traditional lender."

	According to Silver, PMCDC is initially
financed by a consortium of five banks from the three-county
region; the financial institutions include HNB Bank (Harlan
and Cumberland), Middlesboro Federal Bank (Middlesboro
and Cumberland), National City Bank (Harlan and
Middlesboro), First Security Bank (Whitesburg), and
Commercial Bank (Middlesboro).

	"Established as leaders in the banking field,
these institutions recognized the need to take a bold and
innovative step at this time," Pratt said.

	"We view ourselves as a grass roots effort of
lenders who will combine their resources to economically
stimulate our rural area. By matching our resources and
sharing our risks with other public and private lenders, we
can leverage our funding capability more effectively," Pratt
said

	"Beyond that," Pratt added, "we will provide
the in-depth and tailored technical assistance our smaller
business sector requires. Taken together, this means that we
can provide small businesses with the loans they need to
expand their operations and the guidance necessary to help
ensure their financial viability."

	SECC President Dr. W. Bruce Ayers says
"The PMCDC is a local and logical extension of the area's
banking industry into these portions of the community in need
of economic development.

	Over the long-term, the PMCDC will help
develop a growing business sector and provide the type of
stable economic base that is critical to the future of
Southeastern Kentucky."

	The RCCI team include Ayers, Pratt
(coordinator), Silver, (team leader), Ronnie Hampton, F.N.
Hazen, Bennie Massey, Morgan Miller, Kathy Moats,
Connie Owens, Jeff Phillips, Karen Phillips, Roberta Pratt,
Charles Simpson, and Kenneth Thomas.

	According to Silver, the organization will be
governed by a nine-member board of directors that includes
representatives from each county.

	In addition, a community advisory board will
be established to provide guidance.

	Information about PMCDC's loan programs
can be obtained by contacting Pratt at (606) 589-2145 or
573-9654, extension 2034.

Student's Resolutions

By Eddie Day and Melissa McCreary
	Most people break them.  Few
people keep them.  Most people forget
about them.  Some don't even care.  No,
we're not talking about eyeglasses;
we're talking about New Year's
Resolutions.

	After surveying many students,
faculty and staff, a pretty good idea
forms of what bad habits people wanted
to break and what good habits they want
to start.

	By far, the habit most people
wanted to break was smoking cigarettes. 
Of the surveys received, no one has yet
to kick the habit.

	Among the participants
surveyed who stated that they wanted to
quit smoking:  Donna Saylor, Teddy Day,
Justin Wren, Brad Florek, Faye Collins,
Chrissy Bracket, and Dianne O'Dell.

	Running a close second were
those surveyed who wanted to become
better students or who wanted to work
harder on the job.  

	Those who kept their
resolutions were Manda Bishop, Carlton
W. Hughes (Associate Professor of
Communication), and Janice Disney.

	Those who didn't quite make it
were:  Wendy Stanton, Bettye Owens, and
James Creech, SECC Bookstore.

	Next on the list was trying to
better personal relationships.  Some
wanted to make their present
relationships more loving, and some
wanted to find new loves all together. 
Chaka Khan Woodberry even wants to get
married.  Other participants included on
this list are  Brian Lewis, Eva Cook,
and Tony Lee.

	Others had resolutions that no
one could categorize, resolutions like
Jonathan Johnson's: "I want to stop
lying so much."

	Or like Misty Deal's: "To
finally get my 10 million from
Publishers Clearing House."

	Some interesting faculty
resolutions, like the one from Michael
Corriston, Instructor, Theater: "To keep
acquiring those fancy ties that I am
known for."  When asked if he had kept
his resolution Corriston replied, "Yes,
I got a new tie at Wal-Mart shortly
after the New Year started."

	Gary Gibson, Associate
Professor of Business Technology, has
resolved to arrive at his classes 5-10
minutes before class.  When asked if he
has kept it he said, "I've been able to,
so far."

	Since some of the students,
faculty and staff were surveyed, there
was only one person left, Dr. W. Bruce
Ayers, President of SECC, who said, "my
resolution was to be the best person I
can be.  I work on this constantly;
obviously, it is more of a journey than
a destination."

	The strangest resolution yet would have to belong to Rebecca
Sumpter, as it is exactly the opposite of what you might think-- 
she wants to GAIN weight!!