The Collegian - Published Dec. 1, 2023

The Collegian Issue 5 • Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 •

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LIGHTS OF HOPE HOSPICE TREE OF LIGHTS MEMORIALIZES LOVED ONES LOST ON THE DELTA COLLEGE CAMPUS

Photos by Azriel Drumheller and Kiema Garrett PAGE 2

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Pride Center a campus bright spot for LGBTQ+ students PAGE 3

Baseball team remembers a teammate gone too soon PAGE 12

NEXT ISSUE: Spring 2024 • CONTACT US: deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 • ONE FREE COPY

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Dec. 1, 2023 deltacollegian.net

HOSPICE TREE LIGHTS UP PACIFIC AVENUE Far Left: San Joaquin Delta College Tree of Lights, moments after it was lit. PHOTO BY AZRIEL DRUMHELLER Right: Memory Boards display the names of people that passed away in the hospice center. PHOTO BY ANEL GARAY

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MORE ONLINE DELTACOLLEGIAN.NET View a gallery of photos from the Hospice of San Joaquin Tree of Lights lighting.

Bottom: Before lighting the tree at the Hospice of San Joaquin’s 35th annual Tree of Lights, Jaime Craig gives a heartfelt speech on hospice care and her appreciation for their help in front of San Joaquin Delta College. PHOTO BY KIEMA GARRETT

The Collegian The Collegian is the student newspaper of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif. The paper is published six times a semester.

As a First Amendment newspaper we pride ourselves on a commitment to the students of Delta College while maintaining independence.

We reinvigorate the credo that the newspaper speaks for the students, checks abuses of power and stands vigilant in the protection of democracy and free speech.

The Collegian is a member of the California Newspaper Publisher’s Association and the Journalism Association of Community Colleges.

STAFF

EDITORS DYLAN JAEKEL

JELISSA KING

VANESSA GOMEZ

ANDREA RIVERA

Editor-in-Chief

Entertainment

News

Sports

JADA PORTILLO

NICHOLAS MICHELSEN

Opinion

Social Media

GRACIELA GABRIEL

KIEMA GARRETT ALEXANDER GASPAR MARIA GONZALEZ ZACKARY KIRK-NEWTON MICHELLE CARRERA JOHN NGUYEN SERGIO PALACIOS MERCELI RIOS

ANGELINA TATLONGHARI MARTIN TECUANHUEY ZANIEL WALDO

MULTIMEDIA TECH

ADVISER

MATTHEW WILSON

TARA CUSLIDGE-STAIANO

Feature

STAFF SARA ALVAREZ LAYLA CARRASCO DAVID CASTANON DOMINICK DELISE

JOE DEMASI AZRIEL DRUMHELLER SAMIRAH GABER ANEL GARAY

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shima 203/204, (209) 954-5156 or deltacollegian@gmail.com

information about advertising, letters to the editor and editorial standards visit CONTACT US: For deltacollegian.net

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Looking at LGBTQ+ student support Delta College Pride Center among bright spots pointed out in survey, but staffing noted as a critical needing to be addressed here. Students need help and resources and somebody to talk to all of the time that the Pride Center is open,” said Arroyo.

Editor’s Note: A source in this story That need has been noted beyond the is presented without name in order to survey. allow for honest conversations about a “So our group has asked to prioritize sensitive subject involving vulnerable that the Pride Center be fully funded. And populations.

I’ve been told that there will be a full-time The Delta College Campus Climate person hired in the next few months and survey published in July covered a varithat there will be better counseling availety of topics regarding the Delta comable. And they’re also talking about doing munity and its demographics. a student learning community, which is Amongst the demographics sursomething I know me and Ricky, we’ve veyed were LGBTQ+ students and always wanted that because the students staff. Findings of the survey addressed are so tight,” said Professor of PhotograLGBTQ+ student and staff feelings of phy and co-president of the Delta College safety and security on campus, espePride Coalition (DCPC) Kirstyn Russell, cially how they correlate with the Delreferencing Dr. Ricky Gutierrez-Malta College Pride Center. donado, former program manager at the “When it came to supporting their Pride Center and current AB620 liaison. basic needs, multiple students in the A way to better address LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+ focus groups specifically safety and visibility on campus would be referenced the benefits of Delta Pride to provide campus-wide trainings, espeCenter, revealing that they felt procially to staff, according to Russell. tected in this safe space. Students also One thing these trainings would do shared that their basic needs resources would ensure that a potential Delta stuwere more comprehensively explained dent’s first contact with the school is a and more available to them via the positive one.

Pride Center,” noted the survey.

These trainings would provide not just The Pride Center provides a wela better understanding of how to supcoming space for students to meet port the LGBTQ+ community but also a friends, hang out and access needed better understanding of the intersectionresources. To new students, it is often ality of individuals and LGBTQ+ idena place that makes their college experitity. “Increase visibility of intersectional ence a more positive one.

LGBTQ+ students (racial/ethnic cultural “Before when I was first coming background, disability, etc.),” was another to Delta, I had first moved here to piece of advice mentioned in the campus the Valley, and I’ve heard Stockton’s climate survey. very conservative. So, every single day “Some feedback I got last year from I came on campus, I was extremely alumni, a trans man alumnus…was that scared because, after COVID, that was Pamphlets answering common questions about the meaning of LGBT identification. he was deadnamed on the first day and like the first time being out as who I PHOTO BY AZRIEL DRUMHELLER then just didn’t want to go back to class. So was. And when I found the Pride Cenif we’re considering enrollment, we’re conimpact on them being successful here and then sucter, it made me a lot more comfortable and safer to cessful elsewhere,” said Pride Center student program cerned about people staying in class, like just undercome to campus,” said a Delta student who wished to specialist Jasmin Arroyo. standing that being misgendered or deadnamed can remain anonymous for privacy and safety.

Having a staffed Pride Center can be crucial to be the difference between somebody staying in class To some, the Pride Center is what allows them to some LGBTQ+ student’s educational experiences, and leaving class,” said Russell. complete their time at Delta and go on to further their the Pride Center staff. Hiring a full-time, permanent Other advice in the survey pertains to increasing education. person for the Pride Center was included at the end of LGBTQ+ visibility on campus and ensuring students “I’ve had like a student recently say that if it weren’t the campus climate survey in the LGBTQ+ Students’ know how to obtain resources and/or report when because of the Pride Center, and having somebody and Employees’ Advice section. their safety has been threatened. here, you know, it doesn’t have to be myself just having “I think that is also another internal issue when it Previously, the Pride Center was staffed with two a staff member here to connect them with different part-time employees, including Arroyo. Currently, it comes to the [LGBTQ+] community is that a lot of resources on campus, that they wouldn’t have finished is just Arroyo, who is capped at 25 hours a week, and people are afraid to talk about if something has hapDelta, that they wouldn’t have been able to transfer to student staff members. pened to them because they don’t know if they’ll be a four-year college. So, I think having, like, again the “I’ve always said whether it’s me, whether it’s some- understood or if there’s even going to be any type of space but also a staff member just to be here to back body else, students deserve to have somebody here all of repercussion,” said an anonymous person cited in the up students and support them, I think does have an the time. Queerness doesn’t just happen when Jasmin is campus climate survey.

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Editor-in-Chief

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HEALTH SCIENCE PROPOSES NEW PROGRAMS

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Feature Editor

On Nov. 7, a PowerPoint on the needs of the Health Science Department was presented at the Board of Trustees meeting.

The PowerPoint, presented by the Instructional Dean of the Health and Fitness Department, Lisa Lucchesi, proposed new programs, staffing needs and physical needs within Health Science.

Data regarding student enrollment in the department was also presented. According to the presentation, 7,587 students were enrolled in the Associate Degree in Nursing, 2,659 in Health Science AS, 652 as speech language pathology assistants, 314 as psychiatric technicians and 106 as certified nursing assistants.

The proposed physical needs of the Health Science Department included more lab and classroom space, improved technology, dedicated computer labs, more clinical sites, and study and gathering space for students. If these physical needs of the department were met, stu-

dents in the department would be able to work more efficiently and have expanded educational opportunities.

Proposed staffing needs included a clinical coordinator, dedicated IT support staff, a dedicated resource specialist, and more faculty for the nursing, Emergency medical technician (EMT) and other programs within the department.

Currently, Delta has six associate of science degrees in the Health and Fitness TrAc: family and consumer sciences, health science, nursing, physical education, psychiatric technology and speech language pathology assistant. The Kinesiology AA-T is the only associate degree for transfer within the department.

There are four certificates of achievement available within the department: fitness specialist, psychiatric technician, radiologic technology, and speech language pathology assistant advanced placement certificate of achievement.

The PowerPoint presentation proposed four new programs in phlebotomy, paramedic, fire science and pharmacy technician.

Health science data from a power point presented in the Nov. 7 board meeting IMAGE COURTESY BOARD DOCS

New programs would provide students with new opportunities in both their education and their future job prospects. The expansion of programs offered by Health

Sciences would likely also lead to new potential Delta students, as the programs cover a greater range of interests.

APEC questions about homelessness California true that months and months before APEC we have been working on crime The Asia-Pacific Economic Coop- and homelessness,” said Newsom.

Despite the changes, on Monday, Nov. eration (APEC) conference was held in 13 a Czech Republic television crew was San Francisco on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15. It drew around 20,000 people and different robbed at gunpoint with thieves stealing leaders like China’s President Xi Jinping, cameras and the crew’s footage.

Homelessness and crime have plagued California’s Governor Gavin Newsom San Francisco for years, still, people were and President Joe Biden.

Residents of California have criticized happy at Xi’s arrival.

Former Delta student Madison Cullithe leaders at the conference because Calnane graduated from the University of San ifornians have been calling on leaders to Francisco and lives in San Francisco wishat least attempt to fix the homeless crisis and were angry when they did as a result es for more leaders to visit San Francisco.

“This is the cleanest I’ve seen the city in of big leaders coming to San Francisco. a while, keep bringing Xi back so I can go While questions about the city’s cleanshopping and go to restaurants without up have come up, the number of houseless individuals in San Francisco and San Joa- stepping in other people’s stuff,”, Cullinane said. “Tourism is our business here quin County raises deeper concerns.

San Francisco cleaned up the streets so they should look into power washing by power washing them, creating more the streets and reducing the homeless colorful art around neighborhoods, and camps around the area so they can be an at night during and before the event they example for cities like Stockton showing this problem can be fixed.” put a colorful laser on Market St. Homelessness remains an issue stateWhile speaking at an event California Gov. Gavin Newsom said organizers have wide.

According to the San Joaquin Conbeen discussing this for months. tinuum of Care Report on the Count of “I know folks are saying, ‘Oh they’re the Sheltered and Unsheltered Homeless just cleaning up this place because all those fancy leaders are coming to town.’ Stockton out of the 2,319 homeless peoThat’s true because it’s true but it’s also ple in San Joaquin County 1,531 homeless people which is around 66 percent

BY JOE DEMASI Staff Writer

of the homelessness in San Joaquin County.

Tim Crabb used to play baseball at Delta, he recently moved from Stockton and is very angry hearing they cleaned up the city for leaders.

“I wish leaders could come to Stockton.

They shouldn’t clean it up Governor Gavin Newsom shaking hands with Singapore Prime Miniswhen leaders ter Lee Hsien Loong. PHOTO COURTESY OF CA.GOV of other countries come here they should clean them ure to expand the homeless shelter. City up for people like me who actually lived leaders put a combined $21 million into in Stockton and spent money there every renovations to St. Mary. Homeless Shelday,” Crabb said. “I remember when the ter. Construction will begin soon and they NFL decided to have Super Bowl 50 in hope to be finished with renovations by Santa Clara and they did the same thing, October 2024.

St. Mary’s is expected to increase the cleaning the streets for the Super Bowl shelter’s beds by 326 beds, it will allow events, and then when it was over the people to bring in pets, and they can shelsame problems kept occurring.”

Crabb also mentioned the city’s fail- ter with their loved ones.

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FAFSA December date yet to be announced

BY SARA ALVAREZ Staff Writer

As the end of 2023 arrives, the Department of Education (DOE) has not confirmed an official filing date for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the year of 2024-25.

The as-yet-to-be-published new FAFSA is set to include several changes announced by the DOE. The change in terminology from parent or spouse to a “contributor” will take place in this upcoming application. The new definition includes a student, spouse, biological or adoptive parent or step parent who will be required to provide consent and approval to have FTI from IRS to FAFSA form.

“I think it’s a necessary change because of inclusion, really, because you want everybody, to feel — or people that are contributing somehow to their household- to feel like, they are accepted in that too,” says second-year Delta College student Sarah Maimone.

The basic changes listed in the FAFSA website are the transferring of the federal tax information (FTI) to the FAFSA form via FA-DDX; the need for consent of both applicants and contributors to transfer FTI; the need for a studentaid.gov account; the viewing of completion status; and the ability to send the completed FAFSA form to 20 institutions including different colleges, career schools or trade schools.

The new application will replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with the Student Aid Index (SAI) to measure how much financial aid a student will receive.

The SAI will be calculated in accordance with calculations that will be implemented. Any alternate EFC for enrollment for a period other than 9 months will

also be eliminated.

Additionally, the ‘Estimated Financial Assistance’ will be changed to ‘Other Financial Assistance,’ such as scholarships, grants or other assistance.

Many of these changes give options to students whose circumstances are vastly different than those of their peers. For students who cannot obtain parental information due to safety concerns, an immediate objection will not be delivered to the student but rather be processed with an “provisional independent status.”

Yet, there are concerns over the new application, specifically for those who have relatives or those who make 60,000 or more, as written in a USA Today article published May of 2023.

A change that may cause concern is the elimination of the use of adding family members in college to the family size section of the application. This will allow for schools to use other data tools to determine how much students can receive, including information on how many students are being supported under the same household. For example, siblings whose parents pay tuition out of pocket may receive less aid.

The late deadline is also a cause for concern in higher or continuing education institutions as it may cause

setbacks for schools. “…this might affect processing and disbursements as we received them later than normal.” Stated Nidia Ambrizzarco, an Outreach Support Specialist at Delta.

“However, we will work on disbursement schedules to be completed prior to the beginning of the term.”

This year, FAFSA estimates to include 5.2 million eligible applicants for the Pell Grant and other federal aid.

Although there is no date confirmed by the Department of Education as to when the application will open, it is the most “ambitious and significant redesign” project since it was introduced by the Reagan administration, according to a mid November news release from the department, which is the last communication mentioning FAFSA as of press time “It is the vision and commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration to deliver a better FAFSA form and experience for students and families,” according to the Nov. 15 release from the department, which notes that Pell Eligibility will increase with changes. “The better FAFSA form will be available for students and parents

by Dec. 31, 2023. Because the better FAFSA form is a major transition for students, families, schools, and other partners, the Department looks forward to working with schools, states, and college access organizations to support students and their families.”

to 1976. Delta’s Blanchard Gymnasium is named after Joseph Blanchard.

Apart from the time she spent at Delta College, Blanchard has also been involved in Stockton and San Joaquin County.

“Named Stocktonian of the Year in 2017, Trustee Blanchard has also served as a San Joaquin County planning commissioner, a city of Stockton planning commissioner for eight years, and a Port of Stockton commissioner,” noted a Nov. 22 news release from Director of Marketing and Communications Alex Breitler, following Blanchard’s stepping down Blanchard also has a deep interest in supporting the Stockton community through her involvement in a variety of causes and organizations.

“She is past president of the Chinese Benevolent Association, past president of the Disabled American Veterans Association and is co-president of the Chinese Cultural Society of Stockton. She served for five years on the fundraising committee of the Women’s Center Youth and Family Services, on the board for the Filipino Lions Club, Crime Stoppers, the Filipino American Educators Association, the Mexican Heritage Gallery, a member of the Rotary Club of Stockton and American

Legion - Post 16 as an Education Director,” said the news release.

With it now standing vacant, Blanchard’s seat will need to be filled. How this will be done will be discussed and decided upon at a later date.

Board Policy 2110 notes that “within 60 days of the vacancy or filing of a deferred resignation, the Board shall either order an election or make BLANCHARD a provisional appointment to fill the vacancy.”

The last time a board seat was vacated was upon the death of long-time trustee Teresa Brown, who represented Area 6 (Mountain House and Tracy areas). Brown’s successor, Valerie Stewart-Green, was appointed through a process that included public interviews.

A board meeting was scheduled for Nov. 30 to decide what happens with Blanchard’s seat. The next board meeting is Dec. 12.

Delta Area 2 trustee Elizabeth Blanchard steps down

BY DYLAN JAEKEL Feature Editor

On Nov. 21, during Delta’s Board of Trustees meeting, Delta College Trustee Dr. Elizabeth Blanchard announced she would be stepping down from the board, and that meeting would be her last.

Blanchard will be leaving the board as of Dec. 1, as she will be moving out of the area. She served on the board of trustees for three years, representing Area 2, which encompasses Central Stockton, after being sworn in on Dec. 15, 2020.

“I’m very proud of our college, and I’m very glad I taught here for thirty-five years; I’m glad I’m serving as a trustee. Today’s my last meeting, and I want to congratulate the new president, congratulate all the people that are involved with programs here,” said Blanchard towards the end of the Nov. 21 Board of Trustees meeting.

Blanchard is strongly tied to Delta College. She has served as a faculty member, was once president of the San Joaquin Delta College California Teachers Association and is a former member of the College foundation of Board of Directors.

Blanchard’s late husband, Joseph Blanchard, served as Superintendent/President of Delta College from 1954

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Male suspect sought in Budd parking lot robbery CAMPUS POLICE SAFETY STRATEGIES

BY JADA PORTILLO Opinion Editor

A phone robbery occurred on Nov. 10 at 5:10 p.m. while the male victim was passing through Budd 1 parking lot. The robbery was reported three minutes after the incident which notified students and faculty through a Mustang Alert. On Nov. 10 the campus was closed due to Veterans Day. The male victim, identified as a Delta College student, was walking through Budd 1 parking lot when the unidentified male suspect approached the victim from behind and demanded the victim’s cell phone.

The suspect then allegedly punched the male victim, threw the victim to the ground and fled with the victim’s phone.

According to the Mustang Alert, the suspect is described as a dark-skinned adult male, about 25-30

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years old. The suspect was last seen riding a bicycle northbound on Pershing Avenue wearing a black sweater and black sweatpants.

Neither the suspect nor the victim’s phone has been found yet, according to Chief Robert Di Piero of the San Joaquin Delta Community College District Po-

lice Department.

At 5:13 p.m., campus police were notified and were able to search off-campus, where the phone was pinged. According to the Mustang Alert, the signal was terminated before the officers arrived and the search was met with negative results.

The victim told police he was uninjured and didn’t need medical assistance.

District Police Officer Peter Longero is currently investigating this case 23-0393. It is encouraged if anyone witnessed or has any information about the robbery to contact Officer Longero at (209)954-5000 and refer to the case number.

“The District Police Department takes great pride in providing a safe educational experience for students, staff, faculty, and visitors,” Di Piero said. “While every effort has been made in this regard, it is important to know that crime will occur, regardless of our safe location.”

Scholarship application opens Jan. 1 Students encouraged to get early start, ask for letters of recommendation before winter break

BY NICHOLAS MICHELSEN Social Media Editor

Scholarship applications for 20242025 academic year open Jan. 1 to April 2, 2024.

Delta is offering more than 150 scholarships. Applications will be filtered based on requirements for eligibility.

“On Jan. 1, 2024, any student who plans to be enrolled in at least six units at Delta in the fall of 2024 may submit the general scholarship application online in the AwardSpring platform,” said Christy Lenzi, a scholarship specialist in the col-

lege’s Financial Aid & Scholarship Services department.

Applicants must include an academic reference to share performance history and a personal reference. Once provided, the AwardSpring platform will generate an email where references will be sent a link to complete their recommendations on behalf of the applicant.

On April 2, 2024, the application submissions will close, and the process for review will begin.

By June, applicants will be notified of their status and asked to sign

agreements.

“Their award money will be posted to their student account the first week of fall 2024 semester. Awards over $500 will be split between Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters. Scholarship money is applied first toward tuition/fees, and any remaining funds will disburse to the student’s BankMobile.”

Lenzi’s advice to students for the chance of a successful application is: “[...] to reach out before winter break to the Delta professor whom you wish to use as your academic reference.”

“Another thing you can do is think ahead about the required essay,” she stated. “Dream big—this is the place to talk about your WHY, your motivation, and your vision of your future for yourself— there is no wrong answer. And just continue the essay, thinking how you can best show the application review committee that the scholarship will be an investment in your future.”

Interested students with questions are encouraged to contact Delta’s Financial Aid & Scholarship Services department.

(209) 954-5151 Ext. 6131

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‘CAMPUS WELL’ GIVES MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

BY ANDREA RIVERA Sports Editor

In response to COVID-19 at Delta College, the administration on campus was looking for ways to help students connect and find easier ways to access help with mental and physical wellness but from a safe distance. Unfortunately, the magazine was not put to use as much when coming back to campus and lightly used as a support tool for students.

“The Campus Well” was proposed by Professor Heather Bradford, who also serves as a counselor, and advisor to Active Minds, after the school received the mental health grant from the chancellor’s office, to introduce the online magazine dedicated to Delta students.

“We looked (sic) into getting a subscription to Campus Well. We didn’t have the student health center and a lot of the work we were doing with students and their personal issues they were having, we wanted to connect them to resources that were on and off campus,” said Bradford.

The magazine is available nationally for any universities or community colleges to subscribe to. It is customized by a board of students who pick and choose

topics that relate to the student population’s lives.

“The Campus Well” contains tips on nutrition, mental health, personal finance and more. The website has the standard topics for students with links to different articles that have been backed up by professionals on the Campus Well staff.

“Mind, body, mental wellness, money, relationships, food all these things are built into the website…They have professional doctors, nutritionists, therapists, psychiatrists, and other professionals that are a part of the professional board of advisors, so all the articles on Campus are validated,” said Bradford.

“During the pandemic and when it first rolled out we were a little more hands-on with it, but as we came back to campus and adjusting back to campus life on campus and counselors trying to realign themselves, we are going to be thinking about how to utilize this platform more… More content on there that is customized and also to get more announcements put out through our social media, where it’s in front of them,” said Bradford.

Also moving forward Bradford and Director of Marketing and Communications Alex Breitler want to “encourage students to utilize these types of resources

because we know how important health and wellness is when times are stressful, and we want to make sure students have support outside the classroom so that they can succeed inside the classroom,” said Breitler in an email interview.

The magazine also offers an incentive if you read one article a week, subscribe and fill out a survey offers you a chance to win a $50 gift card to Amazon. Students can also submit story ideas, give feedback and submit videos.

Student clubs sell food, drinks to raise funds

On Nov. 14 the Empowering Positive Initiatives for Change (EPIC) club sold donuts in the Quad to raise money for their club. They sold Krispy Kreme glazed donuts and food, including taro bread, and drinks from 85 Degree Bakery.

The next day the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) held their pizza fundraiser in Danner Hall on Nov. 15. The Delta community was able to purchase a combo for five dollars, which included pizza, chips and a drink.

Top Left: San Joaquin Delta College student, Jenelle Rodriguez extends a welcoming smile at the SWE Pizza Fundraiser, raising money for the “Society of Woman Engineers” club held on November 15, 2023. Bottom Left: SWE volunteer handing out pizza to Ariba Liaquat who is a student supporting them. Top Middle: Starr Van ensuring every customer gets a refreshment as she hands a water to a customer at the SWE Pizza Fundraiser at San Joaquin Delta College held on November 15, 2023. PHOTOS BY MARTIN TECUANHUEY Bottom Middle: EPIC Club member finishes the sale of a glazed donut to a student. Bottom Right: EPIC Club member finishes the sale of a glazed donut to a student. PHOTOS BY AZRIEL DRUMHELLER

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Delta’s Artisan Bakery brings spirit with returning holiday sales

BY JOHN NGUYEN Staff Writer

Fall has come, marking the near-end of the calendar year at Delta. As the days get shorter and shorter, several major holidays are on the horizon.

In the short time students have left at Delta before winter break, the transition out of fall brought festivity to campus. For the holidays, the Artisan Bakery at Delta hosted Thanksgiving sales where customers were able to pre-order a variety of baked goods. On Nov. 22, the Artisan Bakery students gathered in the Danner Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to deliver customer purchases.

“I’m originally from Canada, so I’m used to like a White Christmas. So when I moved here … I missed the snow, but coming to Delta, what I noticed was the sense of community and working together,” said Mariah Parke, the manager of the Artisan Bakery. “I made a lot of friends here, and I think over the holidays, it’s when we work together towards making these pastries and stuff, it just gives you a sense of community.”

Patrons picked up their pre-ordered goods in bags at one of the three stations set up at Danner Hall, alphabetically sorting customer service by the buyer’s first name. The Artisan Bakery predicted about 200 orders for the sales, but the turnout exceeded expectations at around 400 orders. “[The] administrators always talk about how can we keep people on campus, how we can make the student experience better, well, I just think that having good-quality food that everyone can afford so that they don’t have to leave campus or they don’t have to pack a lunch,” said Robert Halabicky, culinary arts professor at Delta and director of the Artisan Bakery. “Things like that, so I think it helps keep people on the campus … go out and get a nice cookie or something like that or

a coffee … something that everyone enjoys so I think it’s great for campus community really. That’s one of the best things I think … about the Artisan Bakery is that it’s such a good aspect for everyone here on campus.”

An assortment of baked goods were available for sale at the Artisan Bakery, including but not limited to: ham and cheese croissants, specialty bread loaves, focaccia and notably pies; ranging from seasonal flavors such as pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan and Dutch apple.

The ham and cheese croissant is the Artisan Bakery’s bestselling product, earning the praise of many customers.

“I didn’t know about the Artisan Bakery at all and that was a really cool surprise, so I’m excited to find out what other things they have planned,” said Jennie Liske, a student at Delta.

While baked goods have been sold at Delta for more than a decade now, holiday sales had originally been canceled since the COVID-19 pandemic. The November pre-orders mark the return of holiday-themed bakery sales on Delta’s campus.

“We are so grateful for it. We love it, we appreciate it and we appreciate the students for all the hard work and my belly loves them for it. Ham and cheese croissants should be a forever thing. Don’t ever take those off the menu.

Or the carrot cake,” said Tina Leal, a resource specialist at Delta’s Dreamers’ Success Center.

For this year’s sale, the Artisan Bakery swapped to pre-order-only for better efficiency of production. In previous years, sales could be bought directly and some buyers left their orders abandoned as a result.

Since the Artisan Bakery’s years of operation, the

workflow process has adapted to better improve the program overall. The Artisan Bakery has planned to expand business into next year.

“When I did Artisan Bakery as a student last year, we just kinda had a counter and we were selling all our foods there. Now we actually have a full operation and we’ve been expanding ever since, and we’re slowly working towards getting a social platform but that’s probably not gonna be in effect until maybe next year,” Parke said.

If the Artisan Bakery’s plans go as scheduled, Delta can expect cookies, chocolates and candies for Christmas. Next year, chocolate chip strawberries for Valentine’s Day and special goods for Halloween. 2024 will be a busy year for the Artisan Bakery.

Basic Needs, ASDC provide holiday meals to students

BY VANESSA GOMEZ News Editor

On Nov. 17, Delta gave out 200 holiday meals in the food pantry located in Shima 101. Organized by both the Basic Needs Department and Associated Students of Delta College (ASDC), the ‘meals’ were not typical meals but rather one pumpkin pie from Costco and a 45 dollar gift card to Food 4 Less.

“Working with Basic Needs, we were able to offer more than what we have been able to in the past few years,” said Gilberto Ramahlo, Senator of College and Community Relations. “Basic Needs matched whatever ASDC would donate, so we’ve been able to give out 200 meals, twice as many as we’ve been able to in the past years.”

To receive a meal, students who

are not a part of a financial support program offered by Delta had to sign up from an email sent by Student Activities on Nov. 6 and would get a meal on a first come, first serve basis. Students who were a part of CalWorks, Guardian Scholars, NextUp and the Phoenix Project received priority registration and were able to sign up earlier. This is different from years prior, where students had to have a Mustang Pass in order to receive the meals.

“Having the meals be open to everyone was very important to me,” said Basic Needs project manager Ana Villegas. “That was actually what I wanted to compromise on when ASDC reached out to me, asking to collaborate.”

Since the holiday giveaway, people have reached out to Basic Needs, thanking them for the meals.

“We’ve received emails about people being especially grateful for the gift cards,” said Villegas. “In the past, we’ve given out mostly ingredients, but the give card gives people the option to choose what they want to buy. This is helpful to people who may have dietary restrictions, or if they only need to buy certain items to prepare their holiday dinners.”

Both the ASDC and Basic Needs Center hope to continue collaborating for future holiday meals.

“This year, we had 90 people from CalWorks and other groups sign up. When it was open to the general population, we hit 200 students in around seven minutes,” said Ramalho. “We would like to continue working with Basic Needs so that we can give out more meals than we would if we were working alone.”

9 Entertainment

Dec. 1, 2023 deltacollegian.net/entertainment

PERFORMANCES HIGHLIGHT END OF SEMESTER A calendar of Delta-connected events run through beginning of winter break A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

LET THE BELLS RING

SNOW DAY CELEBRATION!

DELTA CHOIRS

Performance by Delta Drama

Performance by Lodi Community Band, with Millswood Middle School Concert Band

Performance by Stockton Concert Band with guest bands from Lincoln High School

Performance by Weston Ranch High School Choir

2 p.m. Dec. 3 Hutchins Street Square Free admission

7 p.m. Dec. 5 Atherton Auditorium Free admission

bit.ly/dcaboxoffice

lodicommunityband.com

stocktonconcertband.com

A WINTER CONCERT

LIGHT, PEACE & JOY

Performance by Delta Symphonic Band with Edison HS Concert Band

THE WINTER CONCERT OF MARIACHI ATLED

Performance by Stockton Chorale

7 p.m. Dec. 1, Dec. 2, Dec. 8, Dec. 9 2 p.m. Dec. 2, Dec. 3, Dec. 10 Tillie Lewis Theatre, Locke Center Tickets: $5 (Student/Child), $7 (Adult/Seniors)

7 p.m. Dec. 7 2 p.m. Dec. 2, Dec. 3, Dec. 10 Atherton Auditorium Free Admission

3:30 p.m. Dec. 10 Atherton Auditorium Tickets: $25 bit.ly/dcaboxoffice

Performance by Mariachi Chavez (Chavez HS) Mariachi Sanger De Oro (Edison HS) 7 p.m. Dec. 11 Atherton Auditorium Free Admission

7 p.m. Dec. 6 Atherton Auditorium Free Admission

STRINGS AND MORE Performance by Delta Drama 7 p.m. Dec. 12 Tillie Lewis Theatre Free Admission

Eli Roth releases ‘Thanksgiving’ 16 years later

BY JELISSA KING

Entertainment Editor

F

ilm director Eli Roth released holiday-slasher “Thanksgiving” on Nov. 17. However, it’s not the film’s debut — it first hit the screen as a teaser 16 years ago on a double feature.

In April 2007, “Grindhouse,” a 3-hour action/horror double feature film by directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino released to theaters. The entire feature was shot in a low-budget ’70s grindhouse-horror style.

Rodriguez directed “Planet Terror,” about a small town in Texas that is infested with bio-active zombies.

The second feature was Tarantino’s “Death Proof ” about a crazed stuntman stalking and killing women in his 1970s Chevy Nova. The break between both films previewed three films by well-known horror directors (Edgar Wright, Rob Zombie and Eli Roth).

The ‘Thanksgiving’ trailer shows a Pu-

ritan going on a holiday killing-spree using cooking utensils, making the slayings festive. However, the previewed films did not give release dates, confusing viewers.

Delta student Johnny Angeles expressed excitement about Roth’s “Thanksgiving” release date.

“I’ve been waiting forever! I was hella excited when I saw the promo,” Angeles said. “I remember in middle school I kept checking online when ‘Thanksgiving’ and ‘Don’t’ was gonna come out. But I read somewhere it was just a project collab.”

On Nov. 17, Eli Roth was interviewed on the ‘ReelBlend’ podcast. Roth was asked about keeping the oldschool grindhouse style to the new “Thanksgiving” film.

“No,” Roth said. “Because

honestly, I think it works as a three-minute trailer… My feeling with ‘Thanksgiving’ is that it works for that trailer as a joke with no plot and that’s why it’s fun. It was never the intention to make it into a movie.”

Even though millennials were excited about the announcement, some people didn’t care about the movie’s release.

Delta student Jaime De La Cruz didn’t even know the origins of the film.

“I’ve seen ‘Planet Terror’ but I never seen ‘Death Proof.’ I John Carver, voice-over by Adam MacDonald, didn’t see the actual stalks his victim, actress, Nell Verlaque. TRAILER double feature and the SCREENSHOT COURTESY SONY PICTURES previews in between.

So I didn’t know kinda stupid, to be honest,” said De La about ‘Thanksgiving.’ It looks Cruz.

10 Entertainment

Dec. 1, 2023 deltacollegian.net/entertainment

‘Marvels’ a marvelous box office flop

BY SERGIO PALACIOS

W

Staff Writer

hen Marvel Studios released its newest addition into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) “The Marvels” on Nov. 10 it, and partner Disney, weren’t expecting the negative reactions.

“The Marvels” directed by Nia DaCosta and starring Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan/ Ms. Marvel and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau.

The movie did not meet box office or fan expectations.

According to The Guardian in its article “‘The Marvels’ records the worst ever North American openActress Brie Larson in “The Marvels.” SCREENSHOT FROM MARVEL STUDIOS ing weekend for MCU.” “The Marvels” only earned an a budget of $150 million according but a few made me smirk. Such as when estimated $47 million in its opening the many times Ms. Marvel has her weekend in the United States and Can- to Business Insider and would end up earning $134 million in domestic box fan freakouts meeting Nick Fury and ada with a budget of $220 million from offices and $264 million worldwide.

Captain Marvel.

Business Insider.

From the perspective of a regular The leading actresses were all solid For comparison, “The Incredible MCU watcher the movie was underand had decent chemistry, the CGI was Hulk,” which earned $55 million on its whelming, but not terrible. fine for Marvel standards and the story opening weekend in June 2008 with Most of the jokes weren’t amazing, was somewhat interesting but wasn’t de-

veloped enough, although a certain musical number near the end of the movie really got on my nerves with mediocre singing and choreography.

Overall this fan would rank it a 5/10, which isn’t the worst.

But the movie is sitting at 61 percent from critics and 83 percent from fans on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6/10 on Internet Movie Database.

Most critics and a sizable number of fans claimed (myself included) that the movie was simply fine.

The most common criticisms describe the movie as being too formulaic, rushed and bland, with the New York Times writer Manohla Dargis saying in her review for the movie: “It’s almost as if the suits at Marvel Studios know it doesn’t matter if their movies are any good.”

The box office numbers indicated otherwise, with fans simply tuning out.

Hopefully, Marvel Studios can figure things out on its next release because it is certainly going to need to fix something if they do not want to beat this new record set by “The Marvels.”

SAG-AFTRA strike officially ends in early November

BY DOMINICK DELISE

O

Staff Writer

n Nov. 9, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike officially ended.

A deal was struck between SAG-AFTRA and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMTPT) , reaching over a billion dollars in revenue for actors and screenwriters.

“We have forged the biggest deal in industry history which broke pattern, established new revenue streams and passed a historic $1 billion plus dollar deal with the most progressive artificial intelligence (AI) protections ever written,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher in an official statement on the SAG-AFTRA Website.

The agreement includes wage increases for background and primary actors alike, protection around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and new compensation for all workers performing on streaming services such as Netflix or Max. “Once ratified, this deal will funda-

mentally reset how our membership is compensated to account for the growth of streaming and, for the first time, institute deep protections against the encroachment of AI technology,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland in the SAG-AFTRA statement.

While those deep protections aren’t specified, Crabtree-Ireland did expand on AI prevention.

“AI technology just like every other technological advancement is going to occur,” he said in a video on X, formerly known as Twitter. “So, we didn’t want to waste our leverage and bargaining power trying to do something that was impossible. Instead, we put really meaningful limitations on AI that no one has ever done before.”

Eligible members of the union will vote on the new contract. The deadline to vote is Dec. 5.

“Eligible SAG-AFTRA members will vote on the proposed successor agreements covering television, theatrical and streaming production,” SAG-AFTRA said in their online statement.

One of the hardships for modern

actors, writers and directors working with streaming services was they weren’t receiving residuals on shows or movies like on cable television.

Similarly, screen writers weren’t hired to be on set and most of the rewriting went to the showrunners who were already being paid to be there in the first place. Many of these artists were forced into secondary incomes because of this.

“The union achieved the creation of a new compensation stream for performers working in streaming. It provides a substantial bonus on top of existing residuals structures making work in streaming more sustainable for middle class actors,” noted SAG-AFTRA in their statement.

New wage increases for background actors started Nov. 12, approximately 11 percent increase was reached. There will be an additional four-percent increase in July 2024.

In addition to wage increases the contract will also provide gains for hair and make-up, limiting the use of unnecessary wigging, and along with an intimacy coordinator for actors during

sex scenes or any scene with nudity.

“It also provides more sexual harassment prevention protections for performers including the use of intimacy coordinators in scenes involving nudity and simulated sex or upon request and additional safeguards for background,” said SAG-AFTRA. Accommodation for seniors, minors, or people with a disability is included in the contract as well.

Although the new contract isn’t in effect, wage increases started during the beginning of the rectification.

“The current contracts remain in effect during the member ratification process, except for wage increases, which go into effect during the ratification period. The term of the new agreement is for three years effective during the ratification period through June 30, 2026, and is retroactive upon ratification,” said the online statement on SAG-AFTRA website.

The strike lasted 118 days, negotiations began in June and talks of wages began as early as December 2022.

11 Opinion

Dec. 1, 2023 deltacollegian.net/opinion

Finishing touch for holiday trees When does the tree go up?

BY ZANIEL WALDO

A

BY KIEMA GARRETT

Staff Writer

mong our various respective holidays for the end of the year holiday season is Christmas with ornaments and light decorations.

A big favorite of the decorations is the Christmas tree topper. Yet, which specific top piece to use has been the subject of some debate.

Leo Hernandez, a first-year Delta College student, says his preference for a Christmas star comes from his upbringing.

“I put a star because my whole life that’s what I’ve always seen, and it really has a lot of definitions for what it means to people,” Hernandez said.

The different symbols, Hernandez said, often depend on the emphasis religion will have in the celebration.

For some students who take a stronger religious perspective, both the star and the angel ultimately represent a symbol of a religiously layered background.

Often, the star can represent a guiding star for travel and the angel as a saint who protects humanity.

Andrea Avendano, a second-year Delta student, expressed her family’s tradition of more religious decorations.

“My family puts Baby Jesus, and there’s probably an angel too. But I don’t think we’ve ever put a star.

Although, I feel like the star is probably more traditional,” Avendano said.

Avendano said that although she is not opposed to a Christmas star, she is also indifferent to the ornament.

For some students who seem not to place such a religious emphasis on the celebration, there is a mutual respect for any decorative piece.

Eduardo Matías-Martínez, a second-year Delta student, explained his preference for the tree-topper.

“I admire all the different tree toppers. In prior years, we have used an angel, but now it’s usually a star;

T what I noticed is the most commonly used,” MatíasMartínez said.

The general consensus seems to agree that despite religious beginnings, the star has become the most neutral and traditional decoration, where alternatives indicate stronger religious backgrounds.

“I’d be willing to place any decoration on top of my tree. To me, there’s no significance whatsoever, but I know angels are seen as more religious-like,” MatíasMartínez said.

Another point made by Avendano was regarding how families’ traditions come through in decorating.

She noted that family decorations can often begin with the ornaments they first attain, regardless of spiritual meanings, and continue afterward.

“I don’t know how many families get new ornaments every year. But a lot of the families I know use the same ones from when they were little,” Avendano said.

Overall, it seems many are not opposed to seeing different decorations. Although many have their preferences, and most are not likely to change their customs.

However, there is a sentiment that creative choices when decorating a tree is not very important.

“It doesn’t really matter what’s on top, as long as there is something, because what stands out most is family and how people come together,” Hernandez said.

Staff Writer

is the season for festive debates as households throughout Stockton grapple with the unending question: When is the right time to put up the Christmas tree?

As calendars flip to December, the annual tradition of adorning homes with twinkling lights and ornaments comes into focus, but opinions on the ideal timing vary.

For the early birds, the first day after Thanksgiving marks the green light to unleash the holiday spirit.

“The sooner the tree goes up, the more time there is to revel in the magic of the season with my family,” said festive enthusiasts officer Perry Prach of Delta College.

On the flip side, traditionalists such as Tiffany Roberts, a criminal justice major at Delta, advocate for a more measured approach.

Waiting until mid-December to deck the halls of her family home, “preserves the joy of the Christmas season and prevents holiday burnout.”

“Our family sometimes does two Thanksgiving gatherings, so mid-December also gives us time to clean and prepare for Christmas,” said Roberts.

Then there are those who aren’t too keen on the Christmas holiday and its great tree debate.

“I’m not huge on Christmas decorations, so we don’t put much up. But, the Christmas tree usually goes up the 2nd weekend of December and down by the second weekend of New Year,” said Jan Marlese, Delta’s art gallery coordinator.

In the end, the question of when to put up the Christmas tree is as diverse as the ornaments that hang from its branches.

Snow in San Joaquin County: a rare sight

BY JADA PORTILLO

I

Opinion Editor

f you’re like me, the only place you know where it snows is Lake Tahoe, otherwise that snow seems to be a myth in some parts of California.

For those in San Joaquin County, we are faced with driving about three or more hours to just see some snow. Is the drive worth it? Prepare to slip and make multiple gas stops, but the pictures are worth it.

“I wish my city went through all four seasons normally or how I’d like to go at least,” Delta student Jos Morales said, noting how she’d like a snowy winter.

In the 1900s snow existed in parts of California including Stockton in 1976, Lodi in 1968, Manteca in 1962 and much more according to the National Weather Service. These were rare events that happened in San Joaquin County since snow doesn’t occur often in these parts of California.

The closest we get to snow seems to be freeze warnings in Northern Central Valley, California.

Super cold outside but still no snow. According to the National Weather Service snow happens at around 32 degrees — maybe the freeze warnings are worth it.

Delta student David Sanni would prefer no snow since he does not function well in the cold.

Earlier this year, snow covered the Altamont near Tracy and Livermore, but quickly melted away after a few days. I’m sure we all saw videos of people in the Bay Area recording snowflakes, playing in the snow and posting about a couple of inches of snow on the ground.

Driving home from school I was somewhat in awe to see the snow on the mountains. Ever since I lived in the Bay Area I’ve been sure it would snow one day all over California.

I’m not sure why I was big about snow — maybe I just watched “Frozen” at the time.

Delta students Marco Egas, Ella Towell and Alissa Buiser, all wish it snowed where they lived.

Although my only snow experience is that getting snowballs thrown at you hurts and that snow is actually water, I wish I lived in a snow zone but I also don’t want my car engine to freeze up.

“I don’t like driving in the snow,” Delta student Jamie Summerfield said, mentioning how she would love snow in her city but driving in the snow makes her nervous.

I’ve personally never driven in the snow before but if I suck at driving in the rain then driving in the snow might be a little more difficult.

With the holidays just around the corner, this year seems to be another snowless winter.

Maybe in a few more years, San Joaquin County would be covered in snow or at least one inch of snow just to throw snowballs at people.

12 Sports

Dec. 1, 2023 deltacollegian.net/sports

Delta volleyball moves on, despite last game loss

BY ANDREA RIVERA Sports Editor

Delta women’s volleyball lost its last conference game ending its undefeated streak to American River City College (also known as ARC) 3-1, on Nov. 14.

The Mustangs felt the pressure of the undefeated streak as they went toe-to-toe with ARC. “Being undefeated is a really hard thing. We know the girls are capable of putting that fight forward to finish and finish with a win. But we know it’s hard to do that consistently,” said Assistant Head Coach Kristie Plateau.

With many used timeouts for Delta, each time out of the huddle the girls came out more energetic.

“We all just look at each other and just lock in.

We come out of the timeouts locked in ready to perform better,” said freshman Kyra Saiers.

The Mustangs battled it out for four sets and in the end, came up short but that has not stopped them from learning from this game and taking the lessons into playoffs.

“The biggest lesson is the need to constantly fight for every single point during every single

set. I think that sometimes we have a tendency to become complacent and just have the expectation that we're going to win. Taking this game (sic) and moving forward and impressing upon the team that every single set and point matters, there’s no backing off,“ said Plateau.

Another lesson from the loss was for the Mustangs to take accountability of their errors and fix them to help the team overall to win the game.

“Also doing it for the team,” said sophomore Bella Cormack, “Like making sure it's not just ‘oh I'm doing bad,’ but (sic) it’s ‘I’m doing bad and it’s hurting my teammates and what we're doing.’”

The Mustangs also are continuing to work on communication and staying together as a team to defeat their opponents in the regionals.

“We are excited about continuing to face some tough competition, and growing and getting better. And having fun doing it at the same time,” said Plateau about the Mustangs' motivation going into the regional games.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, the Mustangs used their lessons learned to win against Modesto 3-1 on Nov. 21 and a complete shutout against Solano 3-0 on Nov. 25.

Delta baseball mourns death of student athlete

BY ANDREA RIVERA Sports Editor

Delta College student athlete Will Wentworth died mid Nov e m b e r.

We n t worth, a pitcher on the baseball team, is survived by his family, friends and teammates.

WENTWORTH “ H e was a really happy guy. I never saw him mad or down. Everytime I faced him, whether I would get a hit or he struck me out, we would find each other in the dugout and laugh about it.

He was really just a light-hearted good guy,” said teammate Park Romney.

Wenworth was also a left-handed pitcher on the Mus-

tangs and loved every minute of playing.

“He was really good. When he was pitching he was on, he was one of the best pitchers on our rooster. A complete shutdown all the time,” said teammate Michael Monreal.

“Anytime I was around him he was always smiling. I can only remember him in good positive moods, always uplifting people.

And just a really bright person all around,” said Monreal.

Wentworth was a strong, intelligent and committed student who was never seen not studying, reading or smiling.

“His smile. Just his smile. Always smiling. He’d come to the field with just his smile on his face,” said Head Coach Reed Peters. “He was a great student. A 4.0 student I believe. He had the world in front of him.”

Grief counseling was made available to the baseball team shortly after Wentworth’s passing and encouraged to anyone in need of support.

Sophomore Kiyah Irby recovering the ball after American River City blocked the Mustangs hit. PHOTO BY ANDREA RIVERA

Nothing but net for women’s basketball

BY JELISSA KING

Entertainment Editor

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Delta’s women’s basketball team traveled to the Bay Area to partake in the Sky Jag tournament and continue their victorious season.

On Nov. 16, the Sky Jag tournament was held at San Jose City College (SJCC), where the Mustangs played against the College of the Siskiyous. The away team brought their all to the court. However, Delta came out victorious scoring 76 to 66.

Even though the Mustangs have been undefeated so far, the head coach mentions that there’s always room to improve.

“We are playing our best so far. We have so much improvement to be made. We’re learning a lot, we’re very young. There’s a lot of culture and team building that we’re working on,” said Head Coach Gina Johnson.

Delta wasn’t done becoming triumphant at the next game. On Nov. 17, the Sky Jag tournament continued at SJCC. The next match was against Fullerton College, where they played poorly in the four quarters. The score between both teams was 69 to 51.

The Mustangs then traveled to Skyline College in San Bruno for the last game of the tournament. On Nov. 18, Delta played against the home-team the Trojans. During the four quarters, it was rough for Skyline, leaving the Mustangs undefeated at the Sky Jag tourna-

Freshman Anyce Jefferson dribbles the ball to the basket while avoiding the opposing sides players.

PHOTO BY JELISSA KING

ment, scoring 68 to 54. However, this tournament is just the beginning of the season and with many more competitive games to come.

“Every game is important. The (sic)toughest tournament is going to be at Moorpark College. Moorpark has the top teams in the state playing against each other. Definitely more competitive,” said Johnson.