Mountaineer Fall Issue 2

Softball coach steps up to the plate, battles cancer

Mountaineer Pg. 15

A First Amendment Newspaper of the Mt. San Antonio College Journalism Program

Tuesday, October 17, 2011

www.mountiewire.com

Volume 76 Issue 2

Budget cuts hit campus hard

Mad as hell Occupy LA movement takes City Hall Islam, America’s most hated Pg. 6

Pg. 2

The dead come to life on dia de los muertos Pg. 8

2

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

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Occupy L.A. protesters fight for democracy Group’s primary goal is to create awareness, solidarity

!"#$%&'( !"#$$%&'(")' Activists across Southern California gathered on Oct. 1 for the first day of the Occupy Los Angeles movement to stand in solidarity with the demonstrators of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Meeting at Pershing Square in the early morning before they marched to City Hall for the occupation, protestors prepared for the first day with sign making and briefings on safety measures and the legal rights they have as protestors. The briefings are done through the “people’s mic” in which the speaker’s words are echoed by the crowd to spread the message and to ensure that participants are listening.

According to Hydrangea Darling, 23, a freelance artist and volunteer with the Los Angeles occupation, planning for the movement in Los Angeles began on Sept. 23, shortly after the Wall Street occupation took place on Sept.

17.

“What we had for the last few days before this actual occupation started was a general assembly that would meet every night at Pershing Square at 7 p.m. We are going to continue having that general assembly to keep things in order,” she said.

Darling said that the general assemblies do not have a set leader.

“The leader of a general assembly changes at every general assembly, but we have a note person taking notes so all the information stays consistent,” she said. “But there’s no one person leading the whole thing.”

On the first day of the occupation, Darling was volunteering for the first aide committee.

“Through general assembly we broke up into separate committees to take care of different things,” Darling said. “I’m also the point person for the arts and entertainment committee,” she said. “We’re all sort of multi-tasking [and] doing as much as we can to help this movement.”

According to the website, Occupy L.A. is a peaceful movement that works closely with the

police department to ensure that there will not be any violence.

“The position of the LAPD is to support the First Amendment rights of everyone who comes out to demonstrate and to protect public safety and the rights of the people who do not choose to participate in the demonstration,” said Donald Graham, 39, a former Mt. SAC student and sargeant of police for the LAPD. “The organizers of this event have been very proactive with us, [and] very proactive with their people,” Graham said. “It showed in the attitudes of the people,” he continued. “There were very, very, very few people who expressed any sort of displeasure towards the police department at all, knowing that this is not a fight against the police department.”

The movement has gained a lot of momentum in the short time that it took to plan it.

“I never thought it was going to be this big, especially on the first day,” said student Julie Hong, a 19-year-old Orange County resident and volunteer with security on Oct. 1.

“I heard that actually today we got a bigger turn out than Wall Street had for their first day,” Hong said. “I’m just overwhelmed by the amount of people that are here.”

In addition to the public general assemblies, the organizers also handed out flyers and spread the word through social media and word of mouth.

“I just found out about it yesterday,” Hong said. “I was just browsing the web and someone was talking to me about Occupy Wall Street,” she said. “I looked more into that and I found out Occupy L.A. was the same day and immediately I was texting all my friends,” she continued. “[I] sent out mass texts, mass Facebook [messages], and here I am.”

A 22-year-old activist who wishes to remain anonymous said, “I was on the internet and I came across the Wall Street occupation. I figured there had to be one in L.A. because I was seeing ones for Portland and Seattle and there happened to be one.”

The movement had also gained some

attention with celebrities who helped to spread the word.

“I read on Matt Tahibe’s blog on Rolling Stone that they were occupying Wall Street and he said ‘check it out if you’re interested so I clicked on the link. Next thing I found out there was a rally mirroring that happening in Los Angeles,” said musician Mike Bucher, 30.

What began as a protest in New York against corporate greed has evolved into a nationwide movement against what demonstrators feel are other injustices that we face as a country.

“This is the perfect platform to get all those things heard because there’s so many disgruntled people in one place,” Darling said.

“We’re all just coming together.”

As demonstrators marched from Pershing Square to City Hall, chants of “banks got bailed out, we got sold out” and “99 percent” can be heard through Broadway, and cars passing by honk in support.

“I’m called to action right now,” said Bucher, who is protesting for the first time in his life.

“I’d like to say that this movement for me is about solidarity. It’s about wholeness, it’s about inventing a sustainable future that we need to evolve into something that is going to help us survive.”

On the north end of City Hall, some protestors gathered for speak outs. Along Spring Street portable toilets have been set up, drum circles, and a few painters set up camp on the lawn to paint their feelings. Other activists and volunteers handed out food, water, or flyers for upcoming events. The organization has stated that they intend to camp out on the lawns of city hall.

“We’ve chosen to have it go on until the majority of our demands are met,” said Darling.

Darling explained that the demands of the occupation are complex because the protestors all have different grievances they wish to express to the powers that be.

See OCCUPY P. 14

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

3

STAFF Albert Serna - Editor-in-Chief Kristina Gonzalez - Managing Editor Beatrice Alcala - Graphics and Visuals Editor Libby Freeman - Photo Editor Sonia Ross - Copy Editor Matthew Medina - News Editor Mathew Foresta - Opinion Editor Sarah Venezio - Features Editor Gil Alcarez, Christy Caputo - Sports Editors Alex Kchouri, Joanne Angulo - A&E Editors Susy Hernandez, Lizette Contreras Multiculture Editors Cynthia Perez - College Life Editor Adam Valenzuela - Cartoonist Senior Staff Writers Rich Yap, Sonia Ross, Josue Velazquez, James Choy, Isai Rocha, Philip Cao, Brittney Murrietta Junior Staff Writers Eugene Paul Arellanes, Laura Avila, Kathryn Banks, Mercedes Barba, Teresa Contreras, Julian Cruz, Maria Davila, Jose DeCastro, Lee Ellis Ii, Christina Espin, Alex Fenn, Gilbert Garcia, Daniel Garza, Aida Ghorbani, Yvanna Hernandez, Jonathan Herrera, Daniel Hiemstra, Rafael Manansala, Paloma Martinez, Alex Medrano, Nicolette Morris, Janet Nguyen, Bianca Ornelas, Antoinette Rodriguez, Ariel Rodriguez, Scott Schetselaar, Sonia Waraich, Mikaela Zhao, Dillon Carroll, Ugo Ofo, Tianna Winters, Linda Rada, Marina Ramos, Perla Ponce Designers Beatrice Alcala, Matthew Gastelum, Girtha Phillips, Manny Romero, Valerie De La Puente, Harmon Huynh Photographers Beatrice Alcala, Eugene Paul Arenalles, Christian Rainwater, Sos Adame, Gia Congnata, James Fonseca, Mario Gomez, Scott Spencer, Crystal Lo, Francis John Serrano, Amanda Vanoudheusden, Samuel Vasquez, John Pineda, Mariajose Corona, Harmon Huynh, Ann Teng, Melinda Arredondo, Abigail Molina, William Hall, Cassandra Coleman, Jose De Castro, Rich Yap, Josue Velazquez, Kelvin Zapata, Garrett Garcia, James De la Rosa Public Relations Team Laura Avila, Perla Ponce, Desiree Davis, Valerie De la Puente, Christopher Elias, Ebony Hardiman Sanders, Kallie Rodgers-Bell, Anika Click, Ebony Hardiman Sanders, Kallie Rodgers-Bell Advertising Manager Ariel Carmona Adviser Toni Albertson

Cover Photo: Libby Freeman Protestors carry signs and march in the Occupy LA movement in Downtown Los Angeles on Oct. 1.

Left Teaser Photo: Courtesy of mangagirl3535 Right Teaser: Josue Velasquez “Mayan Blue” by Mary Lucille Munez-Delira The Mountaineer is a college newspaper published by the students in journalism classes at Mt. San Antonio College. The views expressed in this newspaper do not reflect the views of the adviser, administration or the Board of Trustees of the Mt. SAC district. The Mountaineer is a First Amendment publication.

Phone: 909-594-5611 ext. 6123 FAX: 909-468-4106 Building 26-D, Room 3220

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Students without health insurance seek solutions, alternatives !"##$%&'!%()*" !"#$%&'()*+ Affordable health insurance is, for many Californians, not a reality today. The New York Times in 2010 reported that 8.2 million – almost one in four – in the state were uninsured.

Stagnant employment and financial issues continue to prevent Californians from seeking out health insurance plans. Combined with budget cuts on public universities, uninsured students face more difficulties ahead.

Kevin Le, 24, computer information systems major, has lived without insurance for nearly two years. Previously, he had insurance from working in a unionized position at a grocery store.

However, he said that long hours and scheduling conflicts made it difficult to focus on schoolrelated commitments, which is why he quit that job. After leaving the grocery store, the other jobs that Le could find were less lucrative positions in non-unionized industries, he said. For him, health insurance was no longer a possibility.

“It would be too drastic of a cut back to get health insurance, as I am currently employed at a fast food joint,” he said. “A delivery driver doesn’t exactly make a large amount of money, especially since I only work about 8-12 hours a week average.” He added, “In my honest opinion, living without health insurance has not affected my daily life.”

He still works, goes to school, and does leisure activities such as playing basketball as he did before. In some cases, he said that he does think about the risks that are exacerbated by a lack of health insurance, like drinking too much alcohol during social occasions.

“There’s not much I can do about it other than to live freely without too much worries,” he said.

Le said that one incident made him think twice about no longer having health insurance.

One night while walking home at about 7 p.m, two men armed with knives attempted to mug him.

They wanted money, but they also assumed he was in a rival gang. Although he was able to escape harm, it was a chilling moment for him.

“That night scarred me for life,” Le said.

Students who are insured have their own set

of issues to contend with.

“Within the past 10 months I have spent $1,599.85 on health insurance,” said David Murillo, 25, communications major. “It may not seem like a lot of money, but it is 13 percent of my yearly salary. In this economy, every deflated dollar helps.” Murillo added, “Being young and trying to deal with this gigantic bureaucratic monster known as healthcare is intimidating. It is no wonder that many 20-somethings decide to forego insurance entirely. ” Murillo said that his situation has made him more aware.

“Paying for my own insurance has opened my eyes to our country’s health care dilemma,” Murillo said. “ According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 44 percent of those uninsured are between the ages of 18 to 34.

“The picture becomes even more dismal once other factors are included like having children, becoming unemployed, having a pre-existing condition, and emergency operations,” Murillo continued. “Our lives will consist of paperwork and forking over our hard earned money for deductibles and co-payments.”

Students without health insurance have some alternative options to seek care, such as Mt. SAC’s own Student Health Services facility.

“I am aware of the health services center, but have yet to take the time to visit it,” Le said.“I haven’t gotten to the point where I absolutely needed to see a doctor about my health. The reason I looked into it was when I saw a health fee on my school bills and was wondering what it was for.”

That fee, which is currently $17 per semester, grants students free access to a variety of services, though most non-urgent services require scheduling an appointment. The center has not yet been affected by budget cuts, said Sandra Samples, director of student health services.

“We operate solely on funds collected as student health fees at the beginning of each term,” Samples said. “We see an average of about 80 to 100 students per day,” Samples said. She added

See INSURANCE P. 14

4

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

Governor passes FAIR Act

Bill requires public educators to teach contributions of LGBT individuals !"#$%&'%()#*$%+ !"#$$%&'(")' The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education Act, Senate bill 48, will go into effect in January 2012 in California’s K-12 public schools.

Governor Jerry Brown signed The FAIR Education Act into law on July 14. The bill would require that social studies instruction provide a fair and exact depiction of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, LGBT, civil rights movement and the historic contributions made by individuals of the LGBT community.

The bill was introduced by State Senator Mark Leno, a Democrat from San Francisco, and co-sponsored by two organizations, the Gay-Straight Alliance Network and Equality of California, in hopes of providing a safe atmosphere in the public education system of California.

“Today we are making history by ensuring that our textbooks and instructional materials no longer exclude the contributions of LGBT Americans,” said Leno according to a July 14 article from Equality of California.

However, opponents have contested the bill.

Organizations such as Protect Kids Foundation, and Campaign for Children and Families, have led a counter movement against the FAIR Education Act. Concerned about the bill, Protect Kids Foundation released an article on Feb. 28 written by an unidentified staff writer, titled “Help Stop Passage of California SB 48 Requiring Promotion of Homosexuality in Grades K-12.”

The article says that the basic and fundamental academic subjects would eventually become a “celebration of gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual lifestyles.” In addition to this, the organization asked the public to call and write to their state senator, and it is suggested to add the following message at the end of the letter, “it is crucial that we demonstrate that the public is against SB 48 and its attempt to corrupt the minds of our innocent school children.”

Leonardo Vega, 27, advertisement and illustration major, opposes the bill because he said that the issue should be addressed at home and not school.

“I don’t think that we should be teaching kids about this stuff. This is something that should take place at home but obviously is not, there is a lack of parenting. But I just think it’s the wrong way,” said Vega. “And Biblically, the truth is, I mean, it goes against everything that God wants for us,” he said. “The love that he has for us and the fulfilled life that we could reach through him.”

Leading two projects through savecalifornia. com and rescueyourchild.com, Campaign for Children and Families released a flyer that outlines the three main reasons why parents should take notice and be concerned about the FAIR Education Act. The concerns include the sexual indoctrination of children, the unlikely chance that your child will learn how to read proficiently, and the exposure of children to negative habits as a result of peer pressure. The flyer states that these habits include “lying, cussing, cheating, excessive dieting, wearing revealing clothes, pornography, sexual activity, smoking drugs, alcohol, and even violence.”

Vega said that there might be a chance that children will be subjected to these concerns as a result of the teaching of homosexuals in the public schools. “If you’re teaching about it, [it’s] obviously going to be okay … to live this kind of lifestyle,” he said. “And it’s just going to lead you to living a crooked life.”

He added, “I mean, I don’t think it’s good because if you’re teaching about it at school, obviously you’re condoning it to be okay and it’s

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not okay. It’s everything against what the Bible has for a man and a woman and how we should live our life.”

With regards to the concern that children may be unlikely to learn how to read proficiently, Christopher T. Sweeten, Upward Bound project and program coordinator, broke out in laughter.

“I [don’t] think that it is going to make [students] dumb or illiterate,” he said. “The material is going to bring in the interest of the youth,” he continued. “One thing when it comes to history classes is that a lot of youth feel disconnected because the information is outdated.”

Sweeten said that bringing in material that is current and recent will eventually engage students and will make them appreciate the reading.

“And it may actually enable them to become better readers,” said Sweeten.

The Protect Kids Foundation states that the bill is disguised under “anti-bullying” or “diversity,” and that in fact it is a “[promotion] of homosexuality, same-sex ‘marriage,’ bisexuality, transsexuality, sex change operations and cross dressing as positive role models.”

On the Protect the FAIR Education Act website, faireducationaction.com, proponents describe the bill’s purpose in their view. The website states that “The FAIR Education Act [requires] schools in California to integrate age-appropriate, factual information about social movements, current events and the history of people with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into existing social studies lessons.” In addition, the lessons should include the “contributions of both men and women, people of color, diverse ethnic communities and other historically underrepresented groups.”

Sweeten, who works with local high school students in Pomona and La Puente through the Upward Bound Program, said that students have the level of maturity to deal with the history of the LGBT community. “Students within high school have the level of maturity to

deal with the issue, as long as it is presented in a fair and equal manner and as long as the teacher is able to facilitate the discussion and it does not become offensive.”

However, Sweeten said that teachers will always bring in their own biases and opinions into their lectures. “Unless the teacher is really dedicated to having their students think critically, then they will put their own biases and opinions aside, and they will teach the material fairly and equitable, where they will bring in both sides of opinions, the conservative and liberal,” Sweeten said.

The proponents of the FAIR Education Act state that the bill will prevent schools from adopting learning materials that are discriminatory. “Materials with a discriminatory bias or negative stereotypes based solely on race, ethnicity, religion, disability and sexual orientation that can alienate students and foster an environment where bullying thrives,” said faireducationaction.com.

Laura Gonzalez, education adviser of the TRiO ACES Program, which aids students from disadvantaged backgrounds, is enthusiastic about the FAIR Education Act. “I am very excited and I think it is a long overdue legislation, because it is part of our history and our young people need to learn about it,” Gonzalez said.

As a parent, Gonzalez hopes that the issue of bullying is addressed because the current education system is troubled and weak. “The acceptance of everyone is not always promoted because many times our leaders in education are not open minded people, or aren’t focused in equality,” she said. “But I am very excited for my son to come home and bring up those discussions. I’m glad this is something he won’t only be getting at home but also at school.”

Gonzalez said that regardless of what the focus is in the classroom, her son will be learning about the LGBT community and the issues because he might or might not identify with the community one day. “I am not afraid

See FAIR P. 14

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

5

Public safety officials urge students, faculty to be proactive !"#"$%&'(')*+ !"#$%&"'()*+$,& Between Aug. 1 and Oct. 4, there were reportedly 25 thefts, four of which were grand theft auto, 10 acts of vandalism, 10 acts of student misconduct and nine personal injuries on campus.

Of the 25 stolen objects, most were items under $900, such as backpacks, textbooks, cell phones, wallets and laptops. A pair of Nikes disappeared from a locker in building 27C, and an iPod was also reported missing from the same building. There were four attempts to steal vehicles from student parking lots, one of which resulted in an instant arrest on Sept. 27. The suspect tried to steal a Cadillac from Lot H when he was apprehended by security. Theft appears to be the most common crime occurring on campus, a fact that Assistant Director of Public Safety Mike Montoya attributes to “our large student population.”

According to Mt. SAC librarian Christine Walker, it is not uncommon for students to leave their belongings at a library table for a few minutes to make a quick dash to the bathroom.

“We definitely see it in here,” Walker said. “People will leave their things behind on a table or ask someone sitting near them to watch it, and they’re usually just strangers. That person can easily just take it.”

Walker said that a male student reported that his textbook with his name written on the inside cover was stolen off a table.

Within the hour his book was sold at the Day and Night bookstore across the street.

“Even though the student had written his name in it, he still had to buy it back from them,” Walker said.

Thefts in the parking lots have also occurred. A tailgate was stolen off of a 2003 Ford F-150 in Lot H on Sept. 20, followed by the theft of an antenna from a Jeep and a parking permit from another vehicle on Sept. 22. Hubcaps were stolen two days later from a 2004 Toyota Camry parked in Lot W. While these thefts were all car parts. Sargeant and Field Supervisor of Public Safety Anthony Kelly said it is important to remember that getting inside the car itself isn’t all that difficult.

“When you’re parking out in the parking lots, don’t have your backpacks and your laptops exposed to somebody who could just jimmy the window down and take your property,” Kelly said.

Some students have already implemented this way of thinking in their day-to-day lives.

Hannah Steltzlen, 28, aviation science major, said she takes precautions to avoid theft.

“I always lock my car and hide anything of value, like my iPod or GPS. I take my own precautions to avoid theft in the first place,” Steltzlen said.

The next most prevalent crime on campus is vandalism with 10 incidents occurring so far this semester.

“People try to kick vending

machines in,” said Director of Public Safety Mark DiMaggio. “Or they’ll try to break the metal locks on them.”

DiMaggio said the college has looked at preventative measures.

“We’ve talked about putting up security cameras around the machines or putting sturdier locks on them. But in the end, the vending machines are owned by a private company and not the school itself, so it’s really up to them to decide what to do about their property getting damaged.”

While vending machines have been a popular target, they are not the only ones. On Sept. 29 an unknown suspect kicked in a locker in building 50G and a student was arrested for vandalizing textbooks with graffiti on Oct. 4.

There were 10 reports of student misconduct which can range from disorderly behavior to drug use on campus. A student ingested more than 100 Advil before coming to school on Sept.

21. The student was transported to Health Services for medical attention. Another incident that was downgraded from a sexual battery to student misconduct occurred on Sept. 23 when an unknown female student reportedly groped the genitals of a male student while onlookers snapped pictures.

A large part of keeping a campus safe is the ability to handle an emergency efficiently as it presents itself, such as a shooter, a bomb threat or a natural disaster, a task that falls upon all faculty members, not just public safety officials. However, many faculty members are unprepared.

“I think that we professors are minimally prepared to deal with emergencies on campus,” said art history professor Cristina Hernandez. “Certainly, some specific, practical training would be helpful.”

Emily Woolery, library department chair, agreed.

“We’ve had some drills covering emergencies like earthquakes and fires but we haven’t had an actual shooter drill,” Woolery said.

Michael Montoya, assistant director of parking services, suggested that students and faculty watch a video on the school’s website called ‘Shots Fired!’

Woolery said she watched the video but said she would rather have additional training.

“I like drills. I think they help a lot, even if some of the students get annoyed that it interrupts their studying in here,” Woolery said.

She added that the lack of communication equipment in the library is something that could be added to make the campus safer.

“We don’t have a PA system in here,” said Walker. “But they do this thing now where you can register your phone number on the Mt.SAC website and get textmessage alerts in case anything dangerous is happening on campus.”

Students interested in taking part in the text alert system can obtain information through the Mt. SAC Banner system.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

Islam is not our enemy !"##$%&'()#" !"#$#%$&'(#)%* From the Irish in the 1800s to the communists under McCarthy, America has always had a group that served as a magnet for the public’s hatred and fear, and today is the great age of Islamophobia in America.

This trend was sadly displayed in our own community last February, brought to you by none other than The Tea Party. In a shocking YouTube video titled “Hate Comes to Orange County,” Tea Party protestors can be seen harassing people as they walk into a charity event in Yorba Linda on Feb. 13 organized by the Islamic group ICNA Relief USA. The protestors objected to two of the event’s speakers who they claim are radical and support terrorism.

Let’s assume for a minute this is even partly true, why would this require harassing innocent attendees of the event, including children? Why would you need to shout that Mohammed is a pedophile? This had nothing to do with the speaker, but instead a deep fear and loathing of Islam.

Blogger Pamela Geller posted a call to protest the charity event on her blog, Atlas Shrugs, on Feb. 8. It should be noted that Geller was perhaps chief instigator of the circus that came to be known as the “Ground Zero Mosque” controversy last year. The controversy swirled around a planned Islamic community center two blocks from the site of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Indeed the center, known as Park51, will have a prayer room but it is open to the public and is more similar to a community recreation center than a mosque.

According to an Aug. 16, 2010 salon.com article by Justin Elliott, “To a remarkable extent, a Salon review of the origins of the story found, the controversy was kicked up and driven

by Pamela Geller.”

Muslims have every right to build a community center near Ground Zero, the place where Mohammed Salman Hamdani lost his life.

According to the May. 25 New York Daily News

“Salman Hamdani, 23, was on his way to his job as a lab technician at Rockefeller University in Manhattan on 9/11 when he is believed to have headed instead to the burning towers, officials said. His remains were found at Ground Zero months later, along with his EMT bag.”

Salman Hamdani was a Muslim, and like so many Americans that day he died a hero. By rallying against Park51 Geller is spitting on his grave.

Geller is quite a star on the right; so much so that her popular little hate blog is even read in Norway. Anders Behring Breivik was apparently a fan. You might remember Breivik as the sick, twisted psychopath whose bombing and killing spree in July left scores dead in its wake. According to a July 24 New York Times article, “Mr. Breivik frequently cited another blog, Atlas Shrugs. Pamela Geller, who runs Atlas Shrugs, wrote on her blog Sunday that any assertion that she or other antijihad writers bore any responsibility for Mr. Breivik’s actions was ‘ridiculous.’”

This shows that Geller is no irrelevant, crazy blogger, but a loud and influential bigot who has blood on her hands.

Geller is not the only member of the right wing propaganda network to get on the hate Muslims train. The Controversial Glenn Beck told Keith Ellison, the first ever Muslim congressman, “You are saying, ‘Let`s cut and run.’ And I have to tell you, I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, ‘Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.’ And I know you`re not. I’m not accusing you of being an enemy, but that`s the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way.”

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has said that he would require any Muslim in his administration to take a test to prove their loyalty. Apparently this Tea Party favorite puts no weight on Article VI, paragraph three of the Constitution, which bans religious litmus tests as a qualification for office.

This bigotry needs to stop now. Muslims are

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proudly serving in our military; they are our neighbors, our colleagues, our friends. It will not be long before this atmosphere of Islamophobia results in more bloodshed.

Americans need to realize that radical Islam is just that, a radical, fringe sect of a religion with over a billion followers. Americans must not let ignorance overtake them. They need to talk to Muslims in their community, make Muslim friends, and learn about what Islam truly is.

We must not fear our fellow Americans, and we should not care what name they give to God. Let our generation be the one to bring this hatred down, and end the great age of American Islamophobia.

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This only applies to the 90 percent of the population who happen to not have the movie star look. Thankfully, there are others just like you. UglyBugBall.com is a dating website for “ugly” people with big personalities. For people with low self-esteem, this website is a great, wholesome confidence boost.

I was able to find 218,352 matches when searching “man looking for a woman” in all age groups. According to time.com, about a year ago, the

website had its first engagement between Tom Clifford and Janine Walker. Clifford claimed that he has a face that could make a child cry.

Here are some highlights from the website’s list of “the five ugly truths of dating.”

“Half of daters aren’t pretty so instead of fishing in a small pool of prettiness and getting nowhere dive into an ocean of uglies and have more choice. [I completely agree.

Like the old saying goes, do not date someone out of your league. The person who might be the love of your life may not be your physical type. ] “Ugly people are a better caliber of human – pretty people generally aren’t very nice and tend to be a bit shallow.” [This is also very true.

According to cracked.com, society does not allow attractive people to grow in character and sense of humor, and they are allowed to make mistakes. When I was in high school, there was a girl named Monica who at first glance was physically repulsive with her screechy voice and creepy stare. But the moment she spoke she was one of the funniest girls to have ever walked the earth. I winded up getting heartbroken when she told me she had a boyfriend.]

“Ugly people have had a tougher

+(,-&.,/0$120/,34!567+86''9

life and therefore tend to be more considerate and more loyal. A recent TUBB survey also proved that they try harder in bed.” [I used to have a friend who would often complain that pretty people suck at sex because all they do is pose. People

who do not get noticed for their looks tend to get noticed by being more creative, and this could very much transcend into bed.]

At one time, I found it extremely difficult to meet women. Even though Mt. SAC is a commuter

See UGLY BUGS P. 7

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

7

For women, choice means freedom ."%"/'!$,$0&1' -'#".,'(%/0)"1, I firmly believe that women have the right to choose what happens to their body and that the government has no right to limit her personal freedoms, and this includes whether or not to terminate a pregnancy.

The topic of abortion has been hotly debated for the last several decades and has divided the nation into two basic camps, those who want to uphold freedom, and those who wish to take it away.

The argument comes down to one basic principle, and that principle is freedom. We are supposed to have dominion over our own bodies.

If I want to tattoo whiskers on my cheeks and sharpen my teeth into fangs so that I can look like a tiger, I can do so. It is my right to do what I want with my body, regardless of what others may think.

Choosing whether or not to carry a fetus around in my womb for nine months is also my choice. The moment a democracy tells women what they may or may not do with their bodies is the moment that the government ceases to be a democracy. Whether or not we want to create another human life should be entirely in the hands of the one it really concerns, the woman. It is her cross to bear, her burden to physically carry for nine months and financially and emotionally carry for at least 18 years. No government should have that kind of power over its citizens.

No matter how safe someone thinks they are being, accidents happen. The condom can break, the pill can be forgotten for a single day, and miscalculations can be made when using the calendar method. Pregnancy can happen.

And while some may think adoption is an obvious choice when faced with an unwanted pregnancy, the woman is still being forced to carry a child and give birth to it. This alone is traumatic. Besides, there are already enough children in foster care and orphanages.

As citizens, women have the right to the pursuit of happiness. If a woman is having sex and something goes wrong, how is forcing her to have a child going to make her happy? If she is young, how is she going to go to college and hold down stable job while raising a child, while she herself is barely an adult?

Most teenagers and young adults do not know how to be parents. People who have no interest in having children have no idea how to them. I am not just talking about irresponsible young people experiencing unwanted pregnancies. Plenty of older women, many of whom may already be mothers, simply just do not want to (or cannot) add another member to their family.

Why should a child be brought into the world to be raised by unwilling and oftentimes incapable parents? We already have enough of those and as sad as it is, they are often called criminals.

Psychologically speaking, who is going to be the better-adjusted adult, the child that was wanted and showered with love and affection

by their parents, or the child that is seen as a money sucking, all consuming mistake that cannot be taken back?

According to a 2001 report by Steven Levitt of the University of Chicago and John Donohue of Yale, the legalization of abortion greatly contributed to the sharp decline in U.S. crime from the early 1970s to the year 2000. After Roe v. Wade in 1973, the murder rate for the following two decades dropped by a whopping 40 percent, while the amount of other violent crimes dropped by 30 percent.

Abortion was a legal medical procedure in America before the 1880s. It was not until the quickening, or first fetal movement, that medical practitioners would consider a fetus a living human being. Any time before that, they would perform safe, sanitary abortions to any woman who wanted one. By the end of the 1880s every state had made abortion illegal. It is estimated that thousands of women died between then and 1973 from self-abortions.

It was like Prohibition; just because it was illegal does not mean it did not occur. It just had to be done in secret and under more dangerous circumstances. Were we to ban abortion as we did before, women would still do whatever it takes to avoid giving birth. It may even make them turn to infanticide, an experience that would undoubtedly be more traumatic to the mother than an abortion. When it comes down to it, women will find a way. They always have, they always will. It is their right to have the choice to deal with the situation safely and legally.

Life is a blessing not a burden !"#$%&$'($')"'*+$,-$ !"#$$%&'()*+', I do not believe that we have a right to say who lives and who dies in this world. I am completely pro-life and I do no see a reason for abortion.

The reason why I am pro-life is because we have made advances throughout the years in medicine. Now we have many birth control options such as birth control pills, diaphragms, the T, Nuva Ring, condoms, spermicides, and the patch to prevent pregnancy. Some of which are given away for free. Most women are not ignorant to the many contraceptives that prevent pregnancy.

If a woman does not want to take birth control, there is always abstinence.

Yes sex is awesome, but there are consequences, and failing to prepare is preparing to fail. The point is we all know where babies come from, and we also know how to prevent pregnancy.

I believe that life starts at the moment of conception.

According to parents.com, the sperm meets the egg, the cells begin to multiply and we are in early stages of creating a life. At three weeks, the baby already has a spine, liver, and kidneys.

At six weeks, brainwaves are detectable and at eight weeks every organ is in place.

When a woman has an abortion, she elects to have her baby killed. According to

americanpregnancy.org, a standard abortion is performed by the doctor administering a local anesthetic, then a cannula, which is a long plastic tube connected to a suction device, is inserted into the uterus to suction out the fetus and placenta.

If a woman waits until she is 15-21 weeks pregnant, the doctor must insert a synthetic dilator inside the cervix 24 hours in advance.

The suction tube is inserted to begin removing tissue away from the lining. Then they perform a curette, which is where the lining is scraped to remove any residuals. If needed, forceps may be used to remove larger parts. The last step is a final suctioning to make sure that the baby is completely removed. So basically, forceps are clamped down on her baby which is then pulled out of the womb, and the baby, in pieces, is discarded.

How is this okay? Why is this the only solution to this problem? How is it fair to end an innocent life just because a woman does not want to be a mom?

For example, a girl I know has a reputation for partying, sleeping around, and has had numerous abortions because she does not want a child. She knows abortion is an option to escape the reality of motherhood, and she chooses this option over and over again. I understand how in some circumstances the concern for the child’s well being is thrown out there, but how many of us have lived perfect lives?

Just because someone is sexually active and does not use birth control does not give that person the right to deny a child’s right to live.

Abortion should never be used as birth control.

One argument used to defend abortion is the health of the mother, but the only real cases that warrant an abortion would be if the mother has a life threatening illness such as leukemia or cancer. Even then abortion is unlikely to help prolong or save her life. All the abortion does is eliminate the process of birth as the cause of death, it doesn’t, “cure” the mother of her illness. Another argument in favor of abortion is the case of rape. Even in this case it is still not justified because that life is innocent regardless of who the parents are.

My first recommendation to sexually active women is to be responsible, and use contraceptives to their full advantage.

If a woman does find herself pregnant she must ask herself if she is ready to be a mom. If not she should contact an adoption agency that will find a family who is able to provide a secure and loving home. She may not be able to provide this for her child, but someone out there can.

I do not believe that abortion is an option, period. There are so many other ways to prevent pregnancy. There are so many organizations that are there to assist women who find themselves pregnant, but are unwilling or unable to accept the responsibility of motherhood. Remember, it is a child, not a choice.

Cont. from UGLY BUGS P. 6 school, it would still bug me to see how effortlessly other people got into relationships.

Sure I may have the long hair and some swagger, but when you really get to know me, I am what most would consider a total geek.

When women talk with me they wind up hearing tons of video game, zombie film, and occasionally some anime references followed by “excelsior!” The type of women I date are geeky, awkward girls. I wound up finding one, and she really understands me. She is the most

beautiful person I ever met. I met my love when her and I were walking in opposite directions across the street from campus. She started talking to me about some conversations I had with another girl about attending “Oktoberfest.”

To me her comment came out of the blue and it was completely random, awkward, and adorable. After losing her number by accident (anger rising), and then meeting her again, she eventually started giggling like a schoolgirl and I fell madly in love. She and I have been in love

for a year and we’re looking forward to another.

Even though I did not need a dating website, they can still benefit other like-minded singles. However, I would consider the way The Ugly Bug Ball is marketed as absolutely wrong. They made “ugly” people look worse by marketing them like freak show contestants.

That being said, since the website gives an interesting theme and premise, like minded people with low self esteem could finally have a chance at finding love.

8

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

Celebrating life after death

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Skulls, flowers, bread, toys and candles are all a part of the Mexican holiday known as El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

According to holidays.com the holiday is an opportunity for Mexicans to remember and pay tribute to their deceased loved ones.

Celebrated between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, this holiday is similar to the American celebration of Halloween with its themes of death and the spirit world.

However, the site explains that it is unlike the modern-day interpretation of Halloween El Día de los Muertos is neither morbid nor gloomy. It is a festive remembrance of those who have departed.

Family and friends gather to pray and pay their respects to their loved ones who have passed. Participants make their own private altars where they put that loved one’s favorite things.

For children who have passed, family members often put toys, and for both adults and children, flowers, candles, a photograph of the deceased, decorated sugar skulls, and the deceased’s favorite food dish are put on the altar.

The sugar skulls are skull figurines that are decorated with icing, pieces of bright foil, colored sugars, and usually are adorned with the name of the deceased loved one.

Bianca Ornelas, 21, communications and journalism major, is an artist who recently painted a Day of the Dead piece in memory of a beloved friend who attempted suicide, fell into a coma and died months later.

Ornelas explained “I dedicated this painting to a dear friend, the blonde boy standing next to the morbid figure. This painting is in honor of my friend’s memory. He passed away a month before his 19th birthday.”

The Mt. SAC Spanish Club will be presenting several events to commemorate the holiday. A contest will take place where all campus clubs can compete in an altar decorating contest where they can win cash prizes of $100 for 1st place, $50 for 2nd place and $25 for 3rd place.

Jessica Chavez, a 19-year-old interior design major and president of the Spanish Club, said that the Spanish Club will also provide sugar skulls and supplies for students to decorate.

The club members will dance to traditional Dia de los Muertos songs and will hand out free burritos and champurrado, a Mexican warm, thick chocolate drink with a base of hominy flour, that contains cinnamon and or vanilla bean.

The club will also be selling “Pan de Muerto,” bread of the dead, a sweet Mexican holiday bread that is shaped like a bun with bone-like pieces on top.

The dA Center for the Arts in Pomona is featuring local artists for their “Dia de los Muertos BLUE,” exhibit.

The exhibit showcases art by local artists with all pieces incorporating the color blue and a Day of the Dead theme.

The event is sponsored by the California Community Foundation, Los Angeles County Arts Comission, Target Corporation, and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts.

The exhibit will have its closing reception on Nov. 26 during Pomona’s last Saturday Metro Night Out. The gallery is located at 252 S. Main St. in Pomona. For more information, call 909-397-9716.

Mt. SAC’s Spanish Club Day of the Dead activities will take place on Nov. 2 at the 9C patio from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

9

Overcoming obstacles

“Living every day in the body of a male is devastating to me, I would rather go to sleep and never wake up in the morning than live another day looking like a male.”

That’s how 20-year-old trans woman Mercury Castle, an aerospace engineering student, said she feels every day.

Castle said she is proud to be part of the transgender community, but has not identified with her biological gender since age 9.

“When most boys were playing soccer, football, or other sports at school, I would spend time with girls learning about how they put on their makeup, gossip, or how they dressed because I wanted to be just like them,” Castle said.

Castle said she struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts on a daily basis. She is currently in the process of trying to transition from male to female, but has not made much progress.

Her family does not support her and ignores the situation.

“This halt in my transition process due to a lack of finances has caused me to want to cut off my own skin, mostly because I feel as if I am going to be stuck in the body of a male for a lot longer than I need to be,” Castle said.

Dani Cullen, 20, a business major and close friend of Mercury, said his friend is a good person.

“She’s one of the best people I know ,” Cullen said. “Mercury is also stronger than she thinks she is.”

Castle said she counts on the support of her friends like Aimee Karr, a 21-year-old histotechnology major.

“It’s a heavy burden for her to be openly transgendered,” Karr said. “But she doesn’t let that affect her relationships with friends or work; she can put aside [her] frustrations and help her friends with the most minuscule, unimportant things.”

Still, every day is a challenge in survival.

“Waking up and realizing that I am still alive and a biological male is a nightmare for me that never ends. Every day that I am still alive and look like like a male is another day that I consider suicide an option for me,” Castle said.

Fueled by a passion for learning, 22-year-old linguistics major Guadalupe De La Cruz has overcome the obstacles of living in a foreign country through education. De La Cruz arrived from Mexico at the age of 15.

“I missed Mexico a lot; the cultures were very different, but most of all I missed my dad,” said De La Cruz De La Cruz was able to finish high school not only on time, but in the top 10 in her class.

In sophomore year, she finished in the top of her class without knowing English.

“For a while I thought English was the only language spoken here. It wasn’t until I was part of ELD classes that I discovered how multicultural the country really was,” De La Cruz said.

While in high school, De La Cruz did not have the things that most students have, such as a computer.

“In order to do homework, three essential things were part of my daily routine: an English dictionary, a thesaurus and a translator,” said De La Cruz.

Her hard work paid off and she was awarded the President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Performance, and in 2011, the “Student of Distinction in Service Achievement” award.

De La Cruz also had to work various jobs to help her family financially.

“I started working part-time when I was 16 to help my mom pay the bills because I was her only support at that time,” De La Cruz said.

After graduating high school, things became more difficult.

At one point she had three jobs at the same time. De La Cruz credits her success to the unconditional support from her professors. This has inspired her to become a teacher.

“That would be a way of giving back something that was given [to me] from my teachers when I most needed it,” said De La Cruz.

Rosa Preciado, professor of psychology and education, is one of those professors.

“Lupita has impacted me by serving as a reminder of how wonderful it is to work with students who want to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Preciado.

De La Cruz continues to focus on her future.

“You have to believe in yourself. If you don’t try to do what you love you’ll never know what you can accomplish,” she said.

Seleny Rodriguez fights for the rights of the undocumented and hopes to end the taboo that surrounds them.

Born in Mexicali, Mexico, the 19-year-old sociology major immigrated to the United States when she was three.

“I had a good life because my dad always worked very hard to provide us the essential things in order to survive,” Rodriguez said.

College life was difficult at first for Rodriguez.

“At first it was difficult because I couldn’t find a job, so my parents had to pay out of pocket. Later, luckily I was able to get scholarships,” said Rodriguez.

Now in her second year of college, Rodriguez is actively involved in the I.D.E.A.S Club which is designed to support undocumented students.

Rodriguez said that most undocumented students get discouraged when reality sinks in.

“We want to inform undocumented students in high school as much as they can so they can be knowledgeable of the academic resources and academic mentoring that is out there for them to continue to pursue higher education,” said Rodriguez.

For Rodriguez, giving back to the community is crucial.

“It is important to go back to my community, my high school and inform them and guide them through the process of school,” she said.

Imelda Plascencia, Mt. SAC alumni, UCLA graduate and founder of the I.D.E.A.S Club, is impressed with Rodriguez.

“She has become an exceptional organizer for our immigrant communities. Not only is she passionate about creating change, but she humbly takes on this task with a kind heart and a loving spirit,” said Plascencia..

Rodriguez does not plan on stopping her activism. In the future she plans to open a non-profit organization to help students who have been pushed out of the educational system due to factors such as not being able to pay for their education being undocumented.

“I understand how difficult it is to not be able to pay for school or help your family out. [My organization] will help students avoid all that,” said Rodriguez.

A family vacation to Acapulco became an unpleasant memory that changed the life of Melissa Silva, a 21-year-old Mt. SAC student.

Silva was only 14 months old when she was hit by a strange virus while returning from Acapulco. Her little body became paralyzed with each day.

“Within the week that we came back, I started to paralyze each day, until the last day of the week I was a complete rock,” Silva said.

Silva said her parents took her to many doctors who could not diagnose her. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a disorder that involves the brain and the nervous system.

Silva was given various therapies, with no success. Today, she is confined to a wheelchair.

It is hard for her to walk or to stand up for long periods of time but that doesn’t stop her from achieving her dreams.

English professor Michelle Dogherty said Silva is an inspiration.

“Melissa is an inspiration to all students, not just those with a disability. She never lets her disability stop her from pursuing her dreams, and she has the dedication to do anything she sets her mind to,” Dougherty said.

Fellow student Megan Duran, a 24-year-old corrections and sociology major, agreed.

“Melissa is outgoing, funny, smart, beautiful and just an all around doll. She’s fun to be around, she is full of life and headstrong,” Duran said.

But not everyone is supportive. Silva said she has suffered discrimination.

“I have been discriminated by professors because of my hand on the right side, I can’t move it that much,” Silva said. “Two professors last semester told me that I should drop their class.”

She talked to the Disabled Student Programs and Services and was told to file a complaint, but Silva decided to drop both classes.

“I dropped and got other professors that really appreciated me in their class,” Silva said.

Silva has one dream she wishes to accomplish and said she will achieve it some day.

“My dream is to one day get up and dance and become a professional dance choreographer.”

10

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

Speech professor talks her way into students hearts Julie Mallard has students coming back for more +,-./-$#&0"$1#*%1 *+,+-&,-$#%&'() Confident, energized, funny and committed are only some of the words used by students to describe Julie Mallard, professor of speech.

“Professor Mallard is such a confident, encouraging teacher; she fills the definition of professor, she actually puts her teaching into momentum,” said Isaiah Berry, 23 neuroscience major.

“Seriously she has to be one of the best teachers I’ve taken by far.”

Mallard, 35, has been teaching at Mt. SAC for the past 10 years as well as teaching part time Pasadena City College and Chaffey Community College. She attended school to become a corporate trainer, but realized that her passion in life was teaching.

“I love what I do, it’s [a] bit of an addiction for me,” Mallard said.

Mallard is not only a speech teacher, but was also on the forensic team and the first head director and interior designer for the speech and sign success center when it first opened.

“We teamed up with the sign language course, then we took a room and made it into a tutorial center,” Mallard said.

The speech and sign success center was successful and is still on campus to assist students with their speech and sign language courses.

Mallard has also worked as the assistant director and choreographer for “Puttin’ on the Hits,” one of the biggest fundraisers held at the Sophie B. Clarke theatre. Teachers, administrators and board members get together and perform a lip-sync show for the students. Mallard said that every year the fundraiser, held in March, raises about $20,000. Although she is no longer a part of it as of last year, she said she is proud of the achievement.

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“I am very proud of this fundraiser, the faculty association scholarships, and it is held to help students,” Mallard said.

Gisela Alvarez, a 22-year-old communications major, has taken Mallard’s class three times. She said she loves the way she teaches.

“This is my third class taking professor Julie and she is great. I always recommend her to any of my friends that are going to take speech,” Alvarez said.

She added, “She is fun, funny and never boring. I always learn so much in her classes.”

Mallard said she bonds with her students and likes it when they keep coming back to take more of her classes.

“When you see students come

back to your class three or four times you know you have made an impact in their life,” she said.

Mallard said that being a speech teacher has helped her gain perspective and knowledge. This involvement has allowed her the opportunity to experience many things with her students.

“I meet students that have situations that just floor me. All I could tell myself is wow, I wasn’t the most privileged person, but I didn’t have obstacles like they had or have,” Mallard said.

She remembered a story about a student she once had and how she had an impact on her life.

“About seven years ago I wrote on a student’s paper: ‘Wow! You did so well - I’m really proud of you!’

She started tearing up and when I asked why she was crying she told me, I was the first person to ever say they were proud of her,” Mallard said.

Mallard is fiercely loyal to Mt.SAC and said she hopes that students have the same experience and success as any other university student.

“I do this because I love it, but I love it because I am a 100 percent student advocate,” she said.

Mallard added that she wants all her students to achieve success.

“I want them to have the same opportunity as any university student and to have somebody that gives them that chance, someone that does not judge them or doesn’t think they cannot do it.”

New program provides shortcut through math !"#$$%&'$()*" !"#$#%&'() A new math class began this semester and students could not be happier.

Thanks to Statway, a two semester course that incorporates basic algebra concepts and statistical math, students can complete their math requirement in less time.

To enroll, students must be eligible for Math 51. The class introduces algebra and logical analysis of basic math problems while combining three math classes into one full year.

According to math professor and author of the Mt. SAC Statway

textbook, Scott Guth, the aim of the program is to double the number of students and have them move onto other areas, regardless of limitations in literacy, language, or math.

Guth said the class is an introduction for students who struggle with math concepts, and is also transferable and accepted at Cal State universities while approval at the UC’s is in progress.

“Eventually all colleges will adapt to this new method,” said Art Nitta, math professor and teacher of Statway.

Nitta, along with Guth and Paula Young are the three professors teaching the course.

The first part of the class, Math

55 and the second is Math 115. This full-year class will be available every fall semester. If a student is enrolled for fall semester, the student is guaranteed to continue in the next class with the same professor and at the same time, said Guth.

Guth, who has been a math teacher for more than 22 years at Mt.SAC, also writes textbooks for the Carnegie Foundation.

According to the Carnegie Foundation of the Advancement of Teaching, a major sponsor of the program, Statway is being adapted at a few colleges to help improve the concepts of math overall.

In California, there are only five colleges adapting this new program.

Also included in the $13 million

initiative are funding partners The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Lumina Foundation for Education, and The Kresge Foundation.

According to Associate Vice President of Public Affairs at the Carnegie Foundation, Gay Clyburn, “Currently, up to 60 percent of students enrolling in U.S. community colleges must take at least one remedial course to build their basic academic skills so Statway can help improve those skills.”

Nitta said that students learn

See STATWAY P. 11

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

11

Sholars proves to be a prime factor in math department Professor helps students achieve success !"#$%&'(!)*+&, !"#$$%&'(")' Helpful. Strict. Easygoing. Involved. These are just a few words to describe Joan Sholars, professor of mathematics and computer sciences.

“I like her because she is a really helpful person. She knows her material very well,” said Ribka Kartadinata, engineering major.

Kartadinata said that Sholars does not rush her students.

“She teaches us not at a fast pace, but at a good pace,” Kartadinata added.

Sholars has been teaching at Mt. SAC for the past 22 years. She attended Baylor University in Texas for two years before leaving school to start a family. Eighteen years later, she returned to Cal State Fullerton to complete her bachelor’s degree, and later a master’s degree.

She said she has developed a good relationship with her students both in and out of the classroom.

“I think I have a good relationship with them,” Sholars said.

Sholars added that her classes are not easy, but managable.

“I think they’ll tell you that I’m hard, but fair. I expect a lot from them,” said Sholars.

Sheila Green, mechanical engineering major, said that Sholars is very knowledgeable.

“She’s a professor that really knows her material. She’s able to assist us with the problems that we have,” said Green.

Green added that Sholars is approachable.

“She’s easygoing as in you could always talk to her. She doesn’t make you feel like you can’t ask a question. You can always ask a question and no question is dumb,” Green said.

Miguel Guerra, 24, mechanical engineering major, agreed.

“To me, Professor Sholars is really helpful.

She helps everybody, never says no to anybody.

There’s not that many teachers that do that around here,” he said.

But Guerra also said that Sholars is structured in class.

“She’s on the stricter side in class but in her office when you talk to her she’s more easygoing.

She even sometimes recommends classes for you

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to take to do better on tests,” said Guerra.

Sholars is not just about math and computer science. She has been a part of the popular show “Puttin’ on the Hits” for 14 years, serving as director for the past seven. Before directing, she was a performer as well.

“I’ve always been a performer, but for the last seven years I am the one in charge of the show. I direct it, I pick the music, I make the costumes, I choreograph,” Sholars said.

“Puttin’ on the Hits” is a show where teachers lip sync to popular songs. The event raises money for scholarships, and last year alone raised nearly $20,000. In the last 14 years, Puttin’ on the Hits raised over $125,000 in

scholarships.

Sholars has served as adviser to multiple clubs on campus and acts as Mt. SAC representative statewide for the California Teachers Association. She urged students and faculty to get involved in activities on campus.

“I try to get the students involved on campus, and I try to be involved on campus.”

Sholars said.

When not teaching, Sholars enjoys her time off.

“I love to gamble, which is unusual for a mathematician. I like to dance, I enjoy going out to dinner and having a good glass of wine like anybody else,” Sholars said.

Cont. from STATWAY P. 10 to work on their own. He explained, “It’s not an easy class but a combination of skills that help students become their own researchers.” We want to teach Stats in a different way. In a regular class, you learn the formulas and figure it out. In Statway, I let my students use other concepts and let them figure it out.”

Guth agreed. “We want to let students figure out the problem so they can retain the information,” he said.

Guth added that the key to this course is the logical thinking.

Students learn to figure out the strategy to solve.

Jason O’Brien, 25, English major, had positive things to say about Statway.

“I love it because I hate math,” O’Brien said. “It’s my favorite class this semester.”

Nury Valerin, 24, psychology major, added, “This class is so

follow us on

slow paced.”

According to Nitta, Statway can save students money because it is a more economical course. It requires a textbook, which retails at $55, handouts, and online software that is free to all students.

Clyburn said that adjusting to a new math class can be tough for many students; learning new concepts, finding new ways.

“Adjusting algebra and logic are all things this class will introduce,” said Clyburn.

Isai Rocha, 23, communications major, saw a flyer informing him that Statway was a great alternative for people who struggle with math and signed up.

“I like the class. It’s a full year so lectures are more in depth and at a slower pace,” Rocha said.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011 .$/,-(0$&1#0/#/234567186**9&&

12

Halloween Local Haunts !"#$%&'()*+*, !"##$%$&'()$&*+(,"With Halloween just round the corner, there are many activities and fun events taking place on campus and locally, some are even free!

Associated Students have planned a costume contest for Mon., Oct. 31 in building 9C from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. There are three different categories that are being judged, so there are nine ways to win. The award for Funniest Costume and Best Costume is $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place. A Best Group award, for two or more people, is $150 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third. The event will also feature free food with a student activity sticker.

On Oct. 29, Gary Toops, former chairman of Mt. SAC’s music department, will perform at the “Music for Ghoulies, Ghosties and Goblins” concert at 8 p.m. in the Mt. San Antonio College Performing Arts Center

Recital Hall. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $9 for seniors, students and children under 12. For information and tickets, call (909) 468-4050.

Students can also head over to Knott’s Scary Farm where employees wearing scary costumes and masks will chase them around the park. Depending on the day of the week during October, tickets range from $34 to $51, however if bought on campus with a current A.S activity sticker, students receive a discount.

The City of Walnut will host a haunted hotel from Oct. 29-Oct. 31 at the Walnut Gym and Teen Center, located at 21003 La Puente Road in Walnut. Ghosts and ghouls will occupy the gym from 6-8:30 p.m. for people who, according to the website, have a spooky desire to having you screaming before you exit.

Admission to the Haunted Hotel is $3 on Oct. 29, 30 and 31.

The City of Walnut will also host a Mostly Ghostly Halloween activity on Mon., Oct. 31, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Walnut

The Crazy World of Adam Valenzuela

Gymnasium and Teen Center Parking Lot. The event is free of charge and will offer live entertainment, a costume contest, and games.

The Halloween Costume Contest is open to people of all ages. For more information, call (909) 598-5605.

The Glendora Community Services Department ‘s annual Halloween Carnival takes place on Halloween from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Finkbiner Park located at 435 E. Delton Ave in Glendora. The event offers a safe alternative to traditional door-to-door trick or treating.

Children 12 and under, and their families, are invited to play carnival games, compete in a costume contest, take photos in a photo booth, eat tasty food, and have a special appearance by a witch. For more information call (626) 914-2357.

For students who enjoy the club scene, Luna nightclub is a having a Pre-Halloween Bash on Oct. 28 at 9 p.m. It is a 21 and over event. Tickets are $20. Luna is located at 3220 W. Temple Ave. in Pomona, For more information visit releasefridays.com

Dear Drabby -"(./#&'(0/11 Dear Drabby, I think my girlfriend likes my boyfriend, what should I do?

Signed, Three’s a crowd Dear Three’s a crowd, Open up another lane. No one wants to wait in line especially when they’re buying ice cream.

Dear Drabby, How many periods do I have to miss before I know I’m pregnant? P.S. it’s been 8 months.

Signed, 8 months and counting Dear 8 months, There are two things that are likely wrong with you. Your calendar, your math, and your unwavering optimism…okay three things.

Dear Drabby, What is your ideal partner like?

Signed, Curious Dear Curious, My ideal partner is silent. Preferably a blind, deaf, mute.

If you would like to write to Drabby send your whine mail to: askdrabby@ymail.com

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

13

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Wind Ensemble falls into tune ,)-."'/)++ +%",&'(#)%* Appealing to many different musical appetites, the fall concert season at Mt. SAC offers a wide variety of musical snacks, from Mozart and contemporary classical, to big brass and the theme from E.T. The music department’s fall season kicks off with a student showcase Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. in the Feddersen Recital Hall. Admission is free and is open to the public. Kevin Wiley, staff accompanist, said, “The point is to have a venue for our most talented students to perform solo for an audience.”

Classical and jazz genres will be featured.

“We generally do a showcase once a year, we’re doing two this year but we like being able to showcase talented hardworking students that are going to become music majors at a four year school,” Wiley said.

Student performances to look forward to include an aria from a Mozart opera and a Chopin etude. The intimate recital setting will also feature a jazz combination and vocal jazz.

There will also be several instrumental solos ranging from piano, guitar and trombone as well as some original student compositions.

“It’s always important to support local music performances, and especially in this

case, these are students that are mostly going to be music majors, these are students that are studying privately and they are some of our best students,” Wiley said.

Also on the fall concert calendar, the Mt. SAC Bands and Pacific Brass Ensemble will perform Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. in the Sophie B. Clarke Theater. Admission is $6 for students and is open to the public.

The Wind Ensemble, an elite instrumental group of 45 students highlights the top instrumentalists in the overall program.

Together with the Symphonic Winds, a 70-student ensemble, student musicians will perform stylishly scored classical and contemporary masterpieces.

Dustin Barr, director of bands, said, “As concert goers, students will experience styles of music that are vastly different from anything that they may typically recognize as classical music.” Barr encouraged music lovers of all ages and musical tastes to come see the show.

“When someone mentions classical music it brings about certain ideas and concepts about what they’re really going to hear,” Barr added. Barr has worked to arrange classical music in a way that he said he believes will translate to broader audiences.

“Most of the music that we perform is very contemporary and cutting edge and is actually

composed by composers that are living and writing today and it sounds very different from Mozart and Beethoven and any preconceived illusions that people may have about classical music,” Barr said.

For the second half of the Mt. SAC bands concert, the Pacific Brass Ensemble, a large brass and percussion group will perform. The Pacific Brass is an ensemble that specializes in performing music from film scores.

Steven Mahpar, conductor of the Pacific Brass, said, “Our performance will be a celebration of film music. I think a lot of times when audiences watch a movie they aren’t really aware of a lot of music they’re hearing because they’re distracted by visuals, dialogue, and what’s happening with the story. This is chance for the audience to just be able to listen to the music by itself.”

Music from the new Captain America movie and themes from E.T., Lord of the Rings and Superman will be featured.

“I think that the audience will not only appreciate the film music just by itself but also the level of musicianship of the players and the difficulty in the parts that they’re playing,” Mahpar said.

For a listing of the music departments full concert schedule go to the online ticket box at https://tickets.mtsac.edu.

Bacchae, a classic revenge story relived !"#$%&'()*%+#" !"#$#%$&'(#)%* “He’s the God of wine and grapes and ecstasy and partying,” said Chris Daniels, 21, a drama major who plays the main character Dionysus in the Mt. SAC theatre department’s upcoming play, “The Bacchae.”

“The Bacchae,” is a classic written by the Ancient Greek Euripides and directed by Mt. SAC part-time professor Kenshaka Ali. According to the Mt. SAC website the story’s plot is, “When the citizens of Thebes deny the divinity of Dionysus, he punishes them by inciting the women into a frenzy – driving them from their homes into the mountains where they enact wild and deadly rituals.

King Pentheus wrestles

the god for control of his city, but will his denial and lack of understanding lead to his ruination? An undeniable masterpiece, “Euripides the Bacchae,” is a primal and powerful play that has remained relevant for 2500 years.”

The play’s leading man offered a simpler version of the story, “It’s about a half-god, half-human Dionysus who’s coming to pretty much claim respect,” said Daniels.

A central theme of the play’s story is revenge.

“The play is basically about the Greek God of wine taking vengeance on a king,” said James Ron Martinez, 19, English and theatre arts major who portrays the character of Cadmus.

Despite this central theme the play might mean different things to different people. “Volumes of

scholarship have been written about what the major themes are about this story,” said adjunct professor Kenshaka Ali, the play’s director. Ali said the play teaches a social lesson. “The message is dance or die,” said Ali. Professor Ali got his start in theatre in a rather strange way.

Growing up in New York City, Ali got caught on the roof of a theater peeping into the women’s bathroom at a young age. In order to pay off a skylight he broke he was made to work in the theatre.

“I was mad, sweeping around the theater, and I peeked into a room where they were rehearsing and I just stopped and I was transfixed,” said Ali. Many of the play’s actors had high praise for Ali’s skills as a director.

“We can’t get a better director,

that’s one thing I know for sure,” said G.G. Crawley, a continuing education student who plays the role of Agave. A unique feature of the play is that some of the actors are relatively new to the stage.

“I’ve done another play but only one,” said Daniels. Despite the excitement of the approaching debut, many of the play’s cast and crew are sad the project is coming to an end. “I just wish it could go on a little longer,” said Ali. The director and actors have promised a great opening night, and a spectacle for the audience.

“I’d tell them to expect some really crazy dancing and really awesome acting,” said Martinez.

Other actors stressed the play’s excitement. “Don’t blink,” said Daniels. The play opens Fri., Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. in the Sophie B. Clarke Theatre.

14

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

Cont. from OCCUPY P. 2 “The most important one right now is the media coverage,” she said. Darling was keeping up with the events on Wall Street online and said she was outraged that the media was ignoring what was happening.

“The audacity that it was not on the news at all—it was really insane!” she said. “And then especially when the brutality started and it still wasn’t in the media!”

Darling said she feels that it is important that there be media coverage because not everyone uses social media or blogs. “We are starting with the media end of the United States because we’re Los Angeles—we’re the output for media all over the US and all over the world. I feel like our biggest goal is getting proper media coverage and at least having our voices heard by more than just us because we all know.”

According to a Sept. 26 blog post on the Occupy Los Angeles website, an explanation is offered to explain the demands of the movement.

“It is oversimplifying for the media to ask ‘What is our one demand?’ when there are currently so many things wrong with this country. There are a myriad of

Cont. from INSURANCE P. 3

issues that must be addressed and there will be a myriad of ‘demands’.”

“I think that nobody really knows exactly what needs to happen,” said graphic designer Jesse Henderson, 31. “There’s obviously something wrong—no one knows really how to fix it but people have the desire to.”

Pablo Dominguez, 23, said, “I think that if we don’t speak up now nothing will ever get done. This is a very small crucial step towards accomplishing anything that we want in terms of improving the economy and improving the way that these people get paid for regulating everything when it comes to Wall Street.”

Javier Rodriguez, a 24 year-old union worker, agreed.

“I’m against capitalism and what it’s doing to not just us here in America—because we’re privileged and I think we haven’t seen what half of the world has seen now in a third world country,” Rodriguez said.

“But we shouldn’t wait until it gets to that. There’s stuff all over the world and we need to stand up because corporations shouldn’t have that privilege to be considered individuals. Corporations should be demolished.”

that the center still has much to offer to those who do have insurance. “Historically, about 49 percent of our patient visits are those who have insurance,” she said. “They still come to us for health care because we are easy to access, and can see you the same day if needed.”

According to the Mt. SAC website, some of the services offered at the student health center include treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, personal counseling, and immunizations for commonly contracted diseases such as the flu.

“All patients are triaged by registered nurses to determine the urgency of their symptoms and assure that care is provided in a timely manner,” Samples said.

“Our goal is to send patients home with an understanding of their condition, how to prevent it in the future, how to treat it, and the tools to treat it with.”

The center cannot handle all medical issues, but can still offer help should a student have more serious problems, Samples said.

“Life-changing diagnoses have been made as a result of using our services. These have included brain tumors, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, cancers, and cases of HIV.” Samples added: “While no one wants to be at the receiving end of health problems such as these, it certainly is helpful long-term to be diagnosed as early as possible. We cannot treat long-term ailments, therefore when patients need long term-care for chronic problems, we work diligently to connect patients to appropriate services within their

community.”

Although the on-campus services are useful, Samples said, they are not a replacement for full health coverage. “I realize that health insurance is costly, but in my opinion it is a must,” she said.

“One case of appendicitis or a broken bone can result in tens of thousands of dollars in expenses.”

For those who choose to remain uninsured, Samples said “make absolutely certain that you make sound lifestyle choices including your sexual, smoking, drinking, driving, social, and eating habits.” Sample added.

“There are a number of relatively reasonable plans available for college students. Some of these plans are listed on our Mt. SAC Student Health Services website.”

The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act will begin charging individuals who do not have health insurance in January 2014, according to HealthCare.gov. “Under the law, most individuals who can afford it will be required to obtain basic health insurance coverage or pay a fee to help offset the costs of caring for uninsured Americans.”

This provision helps motivate students like Le to seek insurance as soon as possible. “I do plan on getting health insurance as soon as I find a higher paying job. I have family who died due to cancer.”

Le added that it makes him more serious about getting insurance as soon as he can. “Getting checked up yearly on my health would definitely pay off at the end. This makes me want to work harder to finish school and find a job in computer information systems.”

Cont. from FAIR P. 4

PAY OFF

YOUR EDUCATION Tuition costs shouldn’t stop you from reaching your goals in life. By joining the Army National Guard, you’ll receive the money you need to help pay for college as well as the skills and training you need to get the career you want.

If you’re looking to get through college, with the Army National Guard, you can!

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about my son learning about the history of the LGBT community,” she said.

In the event he were to identify with the LGBT community, Gonzalez would “want him to feel empowered about what that history is like and see himself reflected on it.” According to the website faireducationaction.com, in the course of studies, students will be taught about the modern day LGBT civil rights movement, events such as the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, and important legislations involving people with disabilities, such as the American Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ana Karen, 18, philosophy and psychology major, expressed her opposition to the religious opponents.

“I definitely think it is ethical to not persecute gay individuals,” Karen said. “I honestly hate it when religious people start to claim that the Bible is a moral thing and at the same time they are persecuting.

She added, “I would really encourage my little sister to learn about this and would rather her learn that gays are absolutely normal and there is nothing to be feared or neglected, rather than reading the Bible.”

As for students from the gay

community on campus, some said that such a bill empowers the identity of the LGBT community.

Esteban Jarero, 20, mathamatics major said, “It empowers me because our history will finally be out there and we will no longer be closed off from everyone else.”

The faireducationaction. com website stated that the bill would only require the teaching of factual, age-appropriate teaching of history. The bill would also “empower parents to provide input about social studies lessons at the local level.”

In addition, FAIR will add no additional costs to the state because “periodically, the State Board of Education updates its education standards and textbooks,” the site said. “The next update is set for 2015.”

The opponents of the bill had until Oct. 12 to collect 500,000 signatures in order to qualify for the June 2012 state ballot. That same day, the website stopsb48. com announced that they did not meet the requirements to overturn the bill.

“We fought the law, and the law won,” the site announced.

“Unfortunately we did not collect enough signatures to qualify the referendum to overturn SB48.

That law will be in place in our schools at the first of next year.”

15

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

Mandy Pongs will not let cancer keep her from rounding the bases !"#$%#&'(') !"#$%&'()*%#$ No matter the sport, cancer has proven itself to be the toughest opponent that any athlete can face.

However, the true competitor who never backs down on the field carries that same mentality when life throws a curveball off the field.

Fortunately for Mandy Pongs, a 24-year-old former Mt. SAC softball star, her never-say-never attitude wasn’t going to let cancer stand in her way of achieving her dreams.

Pongs’ story started to take shape during her days as a softball player for the Mounties. Whether she was at bat or on the mound, Pongs made her opponents pay whenever she graced the diamond.

She helped lead Mt. SAC to a state title in 2007 and a secondplace finish in 2008. When the Mounties went 24-2 in 2007, Pongs was arguably the team’s best pitcher, carving her way through opposing lineups with ease.

“Mandy is as complete a player as I’ve had in my 10 years at Mt. SAC,” Mounties head softball coach Kelly Ford said. “She’s a very special person that I knew I would keep in touch with when her playing days were done.”

The next chapter in the Pongs saga led her to Italy, where she continued to pursue her passion by playing professional softball.

The tide took a nasty turn, however, five months ago when she was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the cervix.

A rare and aggressive form of cancer, the SCCC forced Pongs to fly back to California where she underwent surgery to have the

cancer removed.

“I’m scared about the situation I’m in, but no doctor is going to tell me how long I’m going to live,” Pongs said.

“I am going to kick this thing in the butt and give myself a 100 percent chance of beating this,” Pongs said.

“I was devastated, however, when they did the procedure (hysterectomy) to remove the cancer because I’ve always wanted to be a mother.”

Since the surgery, she has had to deal with ongoing chemotherapy and is scheduled for treatments in Mexico that will boost her immune system.

Although the situation seems to be stabilizing for the time being, the biggest problem that the Pongs family is now facing is the massive medical bill that has piled up.

On Oct. 1, Mt. SAC head football coach Robert Jastrab celebrated Pongs’ will to survive when he dubbed the night “Mandy Pongs Night.”

That same day, the Mounties had a football game against Bakersfield College during which a generous amount of money was donated to Pongs’ cause to help pay for medical and travel expenses.

Along with Jastrab’s help and the help of Mt. SAC fans, Pongs also received support from Bakersfield fans that displayed the true human compassion in the face of competition.

In an effort to keep her mind off of the many difficulties that currently consume her life, Pongs has joined forces with Ford as a volunteer assistant coach for the Mounties’ softball team.

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So instead of worrying about her constant battle with cancer, she can focus her efforts on helping her successors prepare for their own onfield battles. More than anything, though, it gives her an opportunity to connect with fellow athletes and friends.

“It would mean the world to me for my friends and former teammates to call me and come see

me,” Pongs said.

“I’m still the same girl you knew and I need you with me to fight this battle.”

For Pongs, however, the battle rages on. With the tenacity of a lion and the support of an entire community lifting her, there’s no reason to believe that cancer can keep this Mountie from following her dreams.

Gil’s Sports Musings: NBA Lockout When this whole NBA Lockout situation began, everyone pointed their fingers towards the NFL and said, “See what they did!? Do that!”

They figured that if the NFL !"#$%#&'(') could get their situation under control in a timely fashion then there was nothing to worry about with the NBA. Unfortunately, they were wrong in the worst kind of way.

The biggest roadblock for the NBA was the fact that they waited so long to schedule negotiation meetings. Even when they did schedule a meeting that yielded little results, they waited weeks if not months to meet again.

Progress can’t be made if you can’t even take the time to meet and work out your differences.

Instead of planning plentiful meetings like the NFL did, they waited until it was do-or-die time to throw a hail mary in hopes of working out a month’s worth of

issues in a matter of hours.

The end result; the loss of at least the first two weeks of the NBA regular season.

So instead of starting on Nov. 1, the earliest we’ll see any sort of organized NBA basketball is Nov. 14.

My birthday falls on Nov. 13 (pause for congratulations on it almost being my 21st birthday), but with the way it’s going, I’m not getting my hopes up that I’ll be getting a day-late birthday present from the NBA. Not to mention the fact that the lockout had already swallowed the NBA preseason whole as an appetizer.

Now it has set its sights on making the NBA regular season its main course and I don’t think it’ll need a doggy bag when it’s done.

Now if you don’t already know the details, I’ll break down the situation for you.

The main area of disagreement in this whole situation is the split of the basketball related income, or BRI, between the owners and the players.

The players are currently looking for anywhere from a 52/48 to 53/47 split in their favor, whereas

the owners seem set on getting the players to at least agree on a 50/50 split.

There are other issues involved, including whether to have a hard or soft salary cap, but the BRI split is what’s causing the most tension between the two sides.

Here’s the part about this whole fiasco that really makes me scratch my head: the NBA and its owners are willing to cancel the first two weeks of the regular season, seemingly without an ounce of hesitation.

In the process, they’ll be losing hundreds of millions of dollars, but they weren’t willing to give in to the players’ demands by surrendering an extra two percent of the BRI. Now, understandably, one percent of the BRI is worth about $400,000, I’d hate to give that amount of dough away too.

However, seeing the way that the two sides have been clashing, it’s a definite possibility that more than just the first two weeks could be cancelled.

More games cancelled means more money lost.

In the game of life, it sometimes seems like everything revolves

around money. But at this point, I’m just baffled.

How can greed overcome you so much that you’re willing to give up an entire season’s worth of revenue (approximately $4 billion) just to prove a point to the athletes who bring in all of that money?

It seems a bit immature and childish to think that it’s okay to deprive fans nationwide of the sport they love because you’d rather make $2 billion instead of $1.95 billion.

Heck, I’d be ecstatic with $1 million.

When all is said and done, the biggest victims in this entire situation are the fans and the everyday Joes who are out of jobs because these teams and the arenas that they play in have been shut down. The people who work to make NBA games run smoothly and the people who work for the weekend so they can watch these games must now go about their lives with one less thing to look forward.

Thank you NBA for being greedy, heartless people who have decided to sacrifice the enjoyment of fans everywhere so that you all can put a few extra bucks in your pockets.

16

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

Where are the Mounties now?

Over 25 former Mt. SAC football players are currently at their respective four-year universities continuing on their football careers. A number of those players come from the 2007-2010 class. The following are a few of the many ex-Mounties that are currently making headlines from around the country.

Nick Lamaison

Bojay Filimoeatu

Matt Austin

Mike Edwards

Bruce Irvin

After winning MVP and achieving a state championship at Mt. SAC in 2010, former Mountie quarterback Nick Lamaison now continues his career calling the shots at UTEP. Up till last Saturday, Lamaison has collected 64 completions in 108 attempts for 891 yards with seven touchdown passes for the Miners.

Lamaison is recovering from a shoulder injury that he suffered earlier in the season.

Filimoeatu has taken his defensive talents at Utah State where he has collected 17 total tackles despite the limited amount of playing time.

With 7 solo tackles (10 assisted), Filimoeatu knows where to go during plays. Along with his field awareness, the sixfoot-two junior brings power and quickness to the Aggies defensive line making him more than a dangerous presence in the backfield.

Austin also plays at Utah State and is currently the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading wide receiver with 13 total receptions with 170 total yards and a touchdown. Austin was part of the 2007 and 2008 Mt. SAC team that took runner-up during the state championships both years. His ability to leap and move with the ball has made him the go-to guy, especially during oneon-one situations.

Edwards leads UTEP in receiving with 25 total receptions and 346 total yards and a touchdown up till today.

As a teammate of quarterback Nick Lamaison at Mt. SAC and now at Texas El-Paso, the Batman-and-Robin duo have once again teamed up to contribute in giving Texas a taste of that Mt. SAC one-two punch.

After collecting 14 sacks as a second-string defensive end last season at West Virginia, Bruce Irvin has continued his defensive onslaught already achieving 21 total tackles (11 solo and 10 assisted) with 2.5 sacks so far this season.

With the season halfway completed, Irvin has six more opportunities in equaling his sack totalsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or going for 20 as he said he hoped to achieve for this year.