print edition issue 3

Basketball tips off with new talent

Mountaineer Pg. 19

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

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

www.mountiewire.com

Volume 76 Issue 3

SHOT DEAD MT. SAC GRADUATE SHOT BY POMONA POLICE--

Family, friends demand justice

Pg. 2

Drowning in debt

Students struggle with rising costs of education; student loan debt now exceeds credit card debt

Taiwanese art exhibit Pg. 11

Pg. 5-6

2

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

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Family members petition federal investigation of Mt. SAC graduate’s death !"##$%&'!%()*" !"#$%&'()*+ Mt. SAC graduate Andres Avila, 26, was shot by officers from the Pomona Police Department on Oct. 16. Friends and family turned out at the Pomona City Council meeting on Nov. 7 and asked the council to request federal investigation of his death.

The L.A. County Sheriff ’s Department, which is currently handling the investigation of Avila’s death, indicated in their report that he spent the night of Oct. 15 sleeping in his car outside a Super Inn motel in Pomona, along with his girlfriend.

Two officers approached the vehicle at 8:40 a.m. and woke Avila. The Sheriff ’s Department said that at that point Avila got out of the car and acted in a violent manner, forcing the officers to shoot him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Those who came to speak to the council concerning Avila’s death pointed out that he had another incident with police on July 4. Officers confronted him during a family party, and subsequently beat and arrested him. Pictures of his wounded face and video of the beatings surfaced online and reached local news media.

Adriana Avila, the victim’s sister, told ABC 7 “Police entered the residence and chased him for no apparent reason. My brother ran, and that’s when he was beat.” Marisela Valera, Avila’s cousin, said that the beating, which also involved use of Tasers by police, left him with a fractured spine, among other injuries.

Luis Carrillo, the family’s attorney, said during a Nov. 1 press conference, “I don’t think it’s a mere coincidence that a young man who filed personnel complaints winds up two months later getting shot dead by the same

police department that he filed the personnel complaints against.”

Carrillo, who is representing the family in a wrongful death claim that also alleges racial profiling and excessive use of force, told the council that people of Latino background have issues with the Pomona Police Department in terms of racial profiling.

All six members of the council and Mayor Elliott Rothman were present, and all expressed their condolences and agreed to discuss the matter of a federal investigation during the closed-door session of their next meeting on Nov. 21. Council member Cristina Carrizosa went further by saying that she would support it. “I’m going to request that this council, at the appropriate time, request an investigation by the Department of Justice,” she said.

She added the importance of transparency in the public system, and said that it was vital that the public is able to trust their officers.

Furthermore, Carrizosa continued, it is unfair for the many officers who are doing a good job.

Speakers and council members also took issue with the lack of information in the case.

Multiple members of Avila’s family said that the police department did not inform them of his death in any capacity, and they learned of it from the local news.

They also said that some of the information that was provided by the Pomona Police and L.A. County Sheriff ’s Departments, and therefore reported by news organizations, was incorrect and distorted the facts of the case.

For example, the police report, and news organizations including L.A. Weekly and the L.A. Times Homicide Report, stated that Avila died in an alley, but it was actually the back of the Super Inn parking lot, concealed from the street by the motel’s walls.

Carrizosa said of the case, “At this point, I don’t know any more than you do.”

Avila’s family and friends called on the council to show that Pomona is unafraid of transparency. “I’m asking you as public servants to demand a federal investigation,” said Adriana Avila. “Why not show everyone that Pomona has nothing to hide?” She continued by noting that L.A. County jails are under investigation by the FBI, and so the investigation from the Sheriff ’s Department comes from an untrustworthy source. “It is in your power to help balance the scales of justice,” she said.

Another issue was the excessive use of force for what Avila’s family and attorney contend was a situation with an unarmed man. According to ABC 7, press releases and other statements from the Pomona Police Department have not specified whether or not Avila or his girlfriend were armed.

Jason Ruiz, Avila’s cousin, asked the council “Did the officers have a better choice? Baton, pepper spray, mace, defensive training – are all of those not an option?”

Several speakers also took issue with the police account stating that Avila became violent and uncooperative after being approached by police. They said that being uncooperative would be more than understandable for someone who has been woken forcefully and unexpectedly, and that it is a poor justification for shooting him.

Family and friends took time to describe Avila as they remembered him. “My best friend was murdered in broad daylight,” said Julio Zaragoza. He described Avila as a benevolent, caring man, and said that if one were to look at him, “you would not see a man who caused fear in anyone’s eyes.”

See Avila P. 16

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

3

STAFF Albert Serna - Editor-in-Chief Kristina Gonzalez - Managing Editor Beatrice Alcala - Graphics and Visuals Editor Libby Freeman - Photo Editor Matthew Medina - News Editor Mathew Foresta - Opinion Editor Sarah Venezio - Features Editor Gil Alcarez - Sports Editor Alex Kchouri, Joanne Angulo - A&E Editors Susy Hernandez, Lizette Contreras Multiculture Editors Cynthia Perez - College Life Editor Sonia Ross - Copy Editor Adam Valenzuela - Cartoonist

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Senior Staff Writers Rich Yap, Sonia Ross, Josue Velazquez, James Choy, Christy Caputo Staff Writers Eugene 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 Heimstra, Rafael Manansala, Paloma Martinez, Alex Madrano, Nicolette Morris, Janet Nguyen, Bianca Ornelas, Antoinette Rodriguez, Scott Schetselaar, Sonia Waraich, Mikela Zhao, Dillon Carroll, Ugo Ofo, Tiana Winters, Linda Rada, Marina Ramos Designers Beatrice Alcala, Matthew Gastelum, Harmon Huynh, Girtha Phillips, Manny Romero, Valerie De la Puente, Josue Velazquez, James Choy Photographers Beatrice Alcala, Eugene Paul Arellanos, Christian Rainwater, Sos Adame, Gia Congnata, James Fonseca, Mario Gomez, Crystal Lo, Francis John Serrano, Amanda Vanoudheusden, Samuel Vasquez, John Pineda, Mariajose Corona, Ann Teng, Melinda Arredondo, Abigail Molina, William Hall,, 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, Eugene Arellanos Advertising Manager Ariel Carmona Adviser Toni Albertson

Cover Photos: Rich Yap, LA Weekly Top Left and Right: protesters gather outside Pomona City Hall.

Center Rght: Avila after an alleged beating on July 4.

Left Teaser Photo: Josue Velasquez “10 Minutes on Stage, 10 Years’ Preparation” by Liu Chen-hsiang Right Teaser Photo: Courtesy of the Associated Press 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: 909-4684106 Building 26-D, Room 3220

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Bike thefts on the rise

Students are battling the high costs of school and a bad economy by biking their way to school.

While they are saving money on gas and the hassle of parking, this has lead to an increase in the amount of bike and bike part thefts. With prices on the rise for bikes and their parts, thieves are targeting schools where bicycles are locked in an area, often for hours.

“Bikes are secure, fixed objects that thieves can easily target,” said Mike Montoya, deputy chief of public safety.

Bicyclists and non-bicyclists alike are noticing the increase in thefts around campus. Alex Medrano, 21, humanities major, had parts from his bike stolen. ““People are always talking about how instead of paying for a bike, they’d rather just steal one.”

This issue is not limited to the school alone, but is expanding to areas close to the campus.

“I wasn’t stolen from on campus, but my bike was stolen at my apartment which is right outside of the school,” said Seth Ilae, 19, kinesiology major.

Daniel Hiemstra, 23, forestry and natural resource management major, said, “I have two bicycles, one very expensive one, and one that’s cheaper,” said Hiemstra. “I would definitely not ride my expensive bike to school.”

For some, bike thievery will not deter them from biking.

“I have heard that thefts are on the rise, but this doesn’t worry me because I always lock my bike up,” said Natalie Ringger, 28, opera major.

Ringger will not give up biking to school because of the many advantages of cycling to school. “Since we go to a school that’s on a hillside, it’s a lot faster and easier to get around on campus on a bike than it is walking. It takes me about 60 seconds to get from one end of the campus to the other, versus 15 minutes of walking,” Ringger said.

Scott Guth, professor of math, said that theft is common.

“I don’t know if thievery is part of the Mt. SAC culture, but it’s definitely a part of the biking culture,” said Guth. “My advice to bikers is

See Theft P. 16

Students face more difficulties with transfer process !"#$"%&"'$(" !"#$$%&'(")' For some students, October and November are the months when fall starts and the colored leaves are seen everywhere. For others, those months represent the time to apply to universities.

When the fall semester comes, the Transfer Center is one of the offices in the Student Services Center that help many students with questions and concerns about the process of taking the big step.

Krystle Bybee, a transfer specialist at Career & Transfer Services, said, “It feels like every semester we are seeing more students than previous semesters.”

Transferring is not as simple as it may seem.

Some students have to deal with anxiety, stress, and the cost of a four-year school, making them feel overwhelmed. Adrian Farias, 20, film major, said, “I feel pressured because of the fact that I don’t know if I’m going to get accepted.”

Farias is applying to Cal States such as Fullerton, Long Beach and Los Angeles with the goal of finding a place in any of those institutions since the amount of impacted majors have increased at Cal States. According to Bybee, impaction means that some of the campuses are giving priority to local community colleges and

admissions have become more competitive to many of the Cal State campuses’ most popular majors.

This is happening due to budget cuts that many institutions are facing. Another concern that many students are struggling with is classes being cut.

“Classes are getting cut, so I’m not able to get the classes that I need, and I have to stay longer,” Farias said.

Bybee said that getting classes has been the challenge that she has seen more in students.

Another reason why some students find it difficult to transfer is because of money. Kathrin Palma, 20, nursing major, said she is stressed because tuitions are going up.

“My parents have low income and I’m scared to get loans because of the high interest and unemployment. There is no way in hell I’m going to pay that,” Palma said.

This is one reason why some students do not consider UCs or private institutions. However, Heidi Lockhart, director of the Transfer Center, said, “Don’t let the sticker price convince you not to apply for those places.”

Lockhart added that applying for financial aid and scholarships are helpful tools since you are creating a sort of backup. She recommends

See Transfer P. 16

4

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

Physical education budget gets cut back !"#$%&'($%)*+," !"#$$%&'(")' With state funding for Mt. SAC decreasing, the physical education and kinesiology department is taking a huge loss in class offerings and hours of operation, affecting students and staff.

“We cannot serve students the way we used to,” said Virginia Burley, vice president of instruction.

Burley is one of the final voices in what classes make the schedule released each year.

“This is going to be a change for us and the students,” Burley said.

Mt. SAC has had total funding cut by $8 million, with a prospective $1.6 million in additional cuts by January 2012. With funding limited, the focus of the school is on associate degree and transfer-related courses. There are seven departments that are prime targets for cuts as they offer less associate and transfer related courses.

According to Burley, of the seven sections commonly targeted for cuts, P.E and kinesiology tops the list with 81 sections cut this year, a total loss of 10 percent of the P.E classes offered.

“I think it is really unfortunate,” said K.C Kranz, health and fitness supervisor at the Wellness Center on campus.

The Wellness Center serves as both a classroom and community fitness education center. The Wellness Center is supposed to operate seven days a week, but during the summer and winter sessions, the center is closed Friday through Sunday because of funding cuts. The operation hours for the center have been reduced, making the facility less accessible to students who often find the center packed full during peak hours. Entry fitness courses like fitness walking have been cut entirely.

According to Kranz, students with health problems who may not be comfortable taking a more strenuous fitness course are not going to get the direction they need to possibly influence

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fitness for the rest of their lives.

“I think we have a very important role here as instructors for the community and instructors for the students,” Kranz said. “If they could see the outcome of meeting with those students and making changes, I think they would think differently.”

Mike Goff, professor, coach, and department chair for the P.E and kinesiology department, said that cuts hurt students.

“Any extracurricular program is an easy

target,” he said.

In fall 2007, the P.E department offered 209 sections; in fall 2011, it offered 151. According to Goff, the classes that are still available have suffered a 40 percent cut in operation hours, which means less practice time for team sports and less hours to work for faculty. The winter course offerings have been hit even harder by

See P.E. Cuts P. 16

Chlamydia highest reported on campus, gonorrhea second

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The Mt. SAC Health Services department have reported that a number of students have been infected with an STD. Health Services reported that people 25 and under contribute to two-thirds of all reported cases of STDs. Marti Whitford, nurse practitioner, estimates that four cases of chlamydia have been reported each

month; gonorrhea being the second most reported on the campus.

According to a report by the Center for Disease Control, there has been 16,484,683 reported cases of STDs between the years of 1996 to 2009; 11,729,370 cases of chlamydia, and 4,688,339 of gonorrhea. Syphilis, primary and secondary, reached 123,407.

Jesse Perez, 21, special education major, said, “I am a very strong believer about educating yourself about sex, the results

of sex, the consequences of sex because you can go out and have sex and unknowingly think you have nothing.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, chlamydia is considered the “silent” disease because it usually shows no symptoms for both men and women and can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also be transferred to offspring through vaginal childbirth.

Whitney Morris, a nurse assistant and UC Riverside graduate, said, “Especially that I’ve been working in a hospital, you come in contact with people that have different kinds of viruses and diseases.”

Morris added, “You see [STDs] very often, very common, especially chlamydia, gonorrhea, the ones that are very apparent, HIV as well.”

She also said that communication is key between partners.

“I think you both should just be open and communicate well with each other and lay it all on the table, let the person know what’s going on and what they have and

where you want to go from there.”

Whitford said that many students hear about STDs but are not aware that it could happen to them. Perez, however, said he is one of the people who always advocates for sex education.

“I think it’s always important because it can happen to anyone, no one’s immune to it,” Perez said.

Perez said that when he lost his virginity at 16, it was vital for him to start educating himself and others about sex. He said that both high schools and middle schools are ill equipped to properly educate the youth.

“No one really talked to me about it, about contraceptives, about condoms, things like that. In middle school, I had sex education classes but they were so vague that nothing was really clear,” he said.

“Maybe because we were in middle school we didn’t know a whole lot, maybe they didn’t want to educate us a whole lot,” he continued. “I never had ‘the talk’ with my parents.”

See STDs P. 16

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

5

Students struggle as college debt rises Mounting debt looms for students wishing to transfer

!"#$%&'()*%+#" !"#$#%$&'(#)%* Student debt topped $1 trillion this year, adding to the already tough situation many Mt. SAC students are facing.

According to an Oct. 25 USA Today article, “The amount of student loans taken out last year crossed the $100 billion mark for the first time and total loans outstanding will exceed $1 trillion for the first time this year.” Americans now owe more on student loans than credit cards, reports the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the U.S. Department of Education and private sources. Some students said the problem is tied to budget cuts.

“Honestly, it could be the budget cuts at the whole school,” said Javier Avalos, 20, photography major.

Other students wonder something as important as education is so expensive.

“We’re always taught how important education is. If it’s so important, why do we have to pay so much?” said Reonna Stovall, 18, music major.

Audrey Yamagata-Noji, vice president of student services, said that rising student debt is a sign of today’s societal priorities.

“I think this shift of our society is one that

says if you want to go to college, in addition to your academic preparation, you need to have some sort of financial basis,” she said.

Myra Nizami, a 19-year-old communications major, is concerned with her future.

“There is no way I’m getting out of school without debt,” she said.

Even the competitive prices at the Cal States will not necessarily solve students’ financial issues. Heidi Lockhart, director of career and transfer services, said that the tuition has more than doubled in five years.

These rising rates have hit California students especially hard. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times on Nov. 2 “In California, the average debt load last year was $18,113, with 48 percent of graduating seniors owing money.”

Jennifer Wade, an 18-year-old paralegal studies and criminal law major said facing debt will most likely be a part of her future.

“I’m sure I eventually will, but I have not as of yet,” she said of her prospects of going into debt.

However, Lynette Samora, 23, radiology major, said she will not have to go into debt.

“If I start going into debt I probably won’t even continue going,” said. “I don’t want to feel I owe something later on I know I can’t pay off.”

According to Yamagata-Noji, part of the

problem may be that some families do not adequately plan on how they are going to pay for their children’s education.

“I know people who are professionals who never planned on how they were going to get their kids to college,” said Yamagata-Noji.

Samora said that some students are dire financial straits that and have to work full time.

“Some of them are working 40 hours a week and still don’t have enough to pay for school and everything that they need,” said Samora.

Yamagata-Noji agreed.

“I would say that for incoming freshman students, maybe 30 percent of them support their families.”

Despite all this hardship, there are ways that students can keep their educations affordable. Lockart explained: “Apply for scholarships; apply for financial aid in a timely fashion. Meeting that March 2 requirement for the FAFSA is really crucial when students get ready to transfer. They could apply after March 2, and that could mean more loans and less grants.”

Yamagata-Noji said the situation will still be hard in the foreseeable future.

“I don’t think anything is getting better right away,. The need is greater; the resources are fewer.”

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

Hollywood’s yellow peril How the media portrays Asian Americans

!"#$%&'( !"#$$%&'(")' Whether we like it or not the media has an influence on how we perceive others and ourselves which is why it is important to have an honest depiction of Asians and Asian Americans in media. To relegate Asians and Asian Americans to simple stereotypes of perpetual foreigners, dragon ladies, awkward nerds, or martial arts masters has done a lot of damage to the Asian American community, and to be frank it’s racist.

From my experience as an Asian American, I can’t stress enough how much it irritates me when I see these stereotypes projected in film and television. Here is a classic example.

In the 1984 John Hughes classic 'Sixteen Candles,” American audiences were introduced to the most offensive stereotype of Asians in the form of of Long Duk Dong, played by Gedde Watanabe. Although Watanabe is actually Asian American, the character he portrayed was foreign, spoke with an Asian accent, was nerdy, and was sexually awkward and out of control. Basically, he was the embodiment of every bad Asian stereotype. To this day the mere mention of the name Long Duk Dong makes my spine shudder, and whenever someone quotes the character, my skin crawls.

It takes every fiber of my being to refrain from strangling the perpetrator.

More than 25 years later the Long Duk Dong stereotype refuses to die. In 2011, he exists in the form of Han Lee, the Korean immigrant diner owner in CBS’s new hit show, “2 Broke Girls.' Han, portrayed by actor Matthew Moy, perpetuates several bad Asian stereotypes in each episode. He speaks with a heavy Korean accent, is short in stature, and consistently dresses poorly in every episode. Just three episodes shy of reaching half its season, Han sang bad karaoke and demonstrated his inept social skills by attempting to be hip and cool and

always failing miserably. I dread to see what other unfortunate situation Han will be in on upcoming episodes of the show.

Negative portrayals of Asians in our media are nothing new. America has a history of ridiculing Asians and Asian Americans through media. Prior to television, racist caricatures were used as propaganda to demonize and discriminate against Asian immigrants. This eventually led to the justification and passage of several laws to bar Asian immigrants from entering the country. Laws like these also denied Asian immigrants already in America from becoming citizens, and ultimately impaired their ability to fully assimilate.

These laws have since been repealed and the U.S. Senate even passed a resolution in October that issued an apology for these discriminatory laws. So why do our media outlets continue to depict Asian Americans as outsiders to be laughed at? By continuing to do so, Asian Americans will always be viewed by mainstream society as perpetual foreigners.

Not only do American films and television shows ridicule Asian Americans, they also deny Asian American actors the opportunity to star in leading roles. This was evident in the all white casting of the lead characters in the recent live action adaptation of the popular animated series, “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”

In the original series, set in a fictional world based on East Asian cultures, the main characters are of various Asian origins. This is an updated form of an old Hollywood practice where white actors would don “yellowface” by taping their eyes back to portray Asians. These acts tell me that I, as an Asian American, am not welcome in American society and am not even worthy to play my own race in film.

In spite of these transgressions I do not think the entertainment industry commits them with the ill intent to offend the Asian American community. At the same time, inaction from the Asian American community is also partly to blame for the gap between the reality of the Asian American experience

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and what the media shows. If mainstream media is unwilling to change right away, it is up to us Asian Americans to enact the change that we want to see. I know not everyone can be an actor, director or producer, but simple things like joining in solidarity against poor choices made by major studios or supporting independent Asian American entertainment can help increase our visibility. Strength lies in numbers, and there will come a time when our voices will be loud enough that American mainstream media can’t ignore it any longer.

Until then, however, the entertainment industry should be more conscious about the content they create and the casting choices they make, because ultimately, ignorance is not an excuse for racism, no matter how subtle.

Student debt robs America’s youth )"*%+*#','!*+'",%-.("+' Student debt is like a snake strangling the life out of you and your bank account.

Just when you get out of school and think you are on your way to making the big bucks with that fancy college degree, you run into that brick wall called reality.

Instead of raking in the big bucks while building towards your first house or starting a family, that extra money will now be going toward the massive student loans that are continuously growing.

My story might be a bit different than most, but the end result is definitely relatable.

Coming out of high school, I was accepted into Occidental College, a private school with a yearly tuition upwards of $50,000.

Despite getting over $30,000 of that covered with scholarships, the rest of it was covered in student loans either from the state or school.

At that time I was carefree. I was excited to be heading to a prestigious school like Occidental and figured that a private school would land me a job right away that would make those loans look like chump change.

Boy, how that went in the exact opposite direction from what I was expecting. That carefree mindset put me in a hole deeper than I was ever anticipating to have to dig myself out of.

After two and a half years at the school I decided to withdraw after I began to realize that the education I was getting was not worth the price I was paying.

So in essence I saved myself from an extra $15,000 or so of debt.

However, there is still about $25,000 of debt now laughing in my face, which can be rather depressing when you take the time to

think about it.

My advice to any of you who are considering heading to a new more expensive school once your days as a Mt. SAC Mountie are over is this: be careful!

Life is a constant struggle as I am sure most of you have come to understand. There will always be complications that smack you in the mouth when you least expect it, and your wallet is almost always a victim. If your lives have been anything like mine, the expenses find a way to pile on and stack up all at the same time.

The situation is made more stressful when you have something like massive amounts of student loans lingering in the back of your mind. To go along with your credit card, cell phone and car insurance bills that already tend to be overwhelming, a student loan payment latches on like a leach and drains any income that remains.

The biggest problem that comes with these student loans is the interest accrued as the years go by. This is arguably the most easily overlooked aspect. When you get the official papers stating the amount of your loans it’s easy to see that figure and think, “Well that’s not too bad.” What you may be forgetting is the insane amount of interest that can build up in a short amount of time.

I recently received my notice that I need to start paying my loans in the near future. It gave me the numbers for some of my loans, totaling about $10,000. Then it showed me the amount I would have paid by the time I finished paying the damned thing off; almost twice the total amount of the initial loans!

It is a bit mindboggling. I understand the economics of the situation, but that doesn’t mean it is any less unsettling.

Again, my message to everyone is be careful and be aware of the repercussions that come with these seemingly harmless student loans. Read up on what you are getting yourself into so that you do not have to pick your jaw up off of the ground when you discover how much you have to pay in the long run.

TUESDAY NOVEMEBER 15, 2011

7

Students dance to stardom !

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! What do shows like “So You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s got Talent,” and “The Big Bang Theory” have in common? All have featured students from Mt. SAC’s dance department.

The dance program is an acclaimed award winning dance program. The Repertory Dance Company won the grand prize at the Palms Desert Choreography Festival in November 2010 and were featured in the Gala performance at the American College Dance Festival Association in Palm Desert in March.

Most recently, former student Jordon Casanova made the top 10 on “So You Think You Can Dance,” and Amy Nakamura, chair of the dance department, choreographed a segment on the Disney Channel show, A.N.T. Farm.

Nakamura said she gives her students opportunities to “teach them the tools they need,” such as working with Professor Lee Martino who won an Ovation Award for choreography in musical theatre and also with other well-known guest choreographers who have choreographed for Broadway.

Ever since she began as a part-timer in 1997, Nakamura said she fell in love with the students.

“There was something about the students where you could really tell that they just love to learn and you know that they want to be here,” Nakamura said.

Nakamura added she understands that a student dealing with the stress of family, work, and school can use dance as a creative outlet to escape.

“Student’s need dance in their lives,” she said.

Mikaela Zhao, 20, communications major and intermediate dancer in the Repertory Dance Company, said that it is stressful working in a production.

“It is encouraging, inspiring and intimidating, but it’s nice at the same time,” Zhao said.

Zhao said she felt intimidated by the advanced dancers and did not expect to see such amazing dancers. Zhao entered the dance program to improve her technique and said that the dancers and instructors helped her.

Hayley Dorling, 22, dance major, said some people underestimate the program.

Dorling auditioned for “So You Think You Can Dance” and made it to the call back portion. She said she would do it again.

“I would definitely audition again and see what happens,” Dorling said.

Dorling has been dancing for 15 years and up until her college career began, she had only been doing ballet. Dorling said, “I don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t a dancer.”

Dorling remembered crying in her first week of Nakamura’s class because the movement was so different. Now she said she has grown as a dancer and her technique is better. She recently auditioned for a critically acclaimed contemporary dance company called Entity and made it. She said without the support of her teachers she would not have made it.

“We need the teachers and the teachers need us. We need to work together,” Dorling said.

Both Zhao and Dorling said that working with the crew has its ups and downs, but in the end they are one big happy family.

“It’s like a family feud, but I like how we can have all of those differences and then go on stage and create something beautiful,” Dorling said.

The dance program also offers a comprehensive Pilates teacher training program. Students can earn their Pilates teacher training certificate which allows a person to teach at their own studio, recreational center, etc. They also have a Dance Teaching Certificate which is all located under the Physical Education division.

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Campus payphones leave students hanging ,-%-+"(./'#%-%"+ !"#$$%&'(")' A dead dial tone is what students hear when they try to use a payphone on campus. There are only 16 payphones, nine of which do not work and one that was recently removed.

Most of the nonworking payphones are located in the most secluded areas, such as near the soccer fields. Rebekah LaVann, 20, kinesiology major, said, “Payphones are here only for show.”

La Vann opted to cancel her cell phone plan due to the high monthly payments and said she feels the only way to contact others is via e-mail or by asking someone to let her borrow their cell phone.

La Vann said that she feels liberated from the dependency of a cell phone, but that finding a payphone that works on campus is nearly impossible adding that she wonders what would happen if an emergency were to come up.

Ricardo Sifuentes, 19, undecided major, said he chooses not to have a cell phone because it is very expensive and he connects with his friends through other methods, such as the iPad. Sifuentes said the payphones should be fixed for students to feel safer in case their cell phones die or they do not have one.

However, most students rely on their cell phones. Mario Aguirre, 21, music conducting major, said, “A day without my cell phone is something I just could not imagine.” After recently losing his cell phone, Aguirre tried using

a payphone by the library to contact his sister and found out that the payphone had a dead dial tone.

“My phone is my second brain, not that I need one,” said Aguirre. He added that he feels students who are dependent on their cell phones would find the availability of working payphones important because if something were to happen, they would feel more secure knowing they could use the nearest payphone. This is especially true for those who take night classes.

Mike Montoya, assistant director of public safety, said that there are still payphones here on campus despite most students having a cell phone because it is a necessity. He added that the campus public safety conducts a test once a week on the blue emergency phones located throughout campus. Montoya said payphones are not in their jurisdiction and that a private company called Adelphia is in charge of making sure the payphones are working.

Montoya added that the emergency alert is available for students who register through their online portals. The students receive a text message or voicemail informing them of any immediate threat, such as an earthquake or any other situation that can present danger. There are also other emergency procedures posted in the Mt. SAC portal for students whether they use a cell phone or not.

Montoya also said that it is very important for students to register for this program and update all of their contact information in case an emergency occurs.

According to Montoya, Adelphia was notified of the poor conditions of the payphones and said they would conduct a test to fix them.

“I hope it’s not just talk and they actually do something about the payphones,” said Aguirre.

8

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

Mayor of Montclair returns to school

Carolyn Raft enrolls in Spanish courses to better serve her community !"#$%&'(!)*+&, !"#$$%&'(")' She is a mother, a former business owner, a wife, mayor pro-tem of the City of Montclair, and a Mt. SAC student.

After serving on the Montclair council for 15 years, she returned to Mt. SAC to further her education.

Carolyn Raft, 65, first attended Mt. SAC in 1969 to take her core classes before going to Citrus College to complete her classes. For Raft, some things have changed since she was in school the first time.

“The school is a lot bigger, and there are a lot more students on campus. But the teaching methods are the same as before,” said Raft.

After she completed her education, Raft and her husband of 42 years, Ray, ran their own automotive service business called Raft Automotive from 1983- 2000. Before the family business, Ray taught economics at Mt. SAC. “He was always helpful with his students and he would give extra work to those who needed it to bring their grades up,” Raft said.

Raft said that Ray is now retired and enjoying life with their children, Jonathon, 28, and Christina, 25.

While working with her husband in his automotive business, Raft found herself dissatisfied with things going on in her community and decided to get into politics to make a difference.

She became a member of the Montclair City Council in 1992, and has been a part of it for the past 19 years.

During this time, she found that she needed to learn to speak Spanish so she could better communicate with members of her community. She enrolled in classes at Mt. SAC and is taking Spanish, but plans to continue with public speaking

courses.

“I wanted to learn the language to better communicate with everyone in my community,” said Raft.

Raft’s instructors are impressed with her attitude.

“She is a positive example for the students. They become more serious and focused when she’s in class, and they hold a lot of respect for her,” said Natalie Lyon, 46, a part time professor of Spanish.

To fellow students, her age is insignificant.

“She is an inspiration for the younger students, and they treat her as a normal student,” said Lyon.

Veronica Jimenez, 18, nursing major, said that Raft is always willing to offer and accept help.

“She is a funny person,” Jimenez said.

“She likes to interact with everyone, and she asks for help when she needs it.”

Jimenez said she is not afraid to ask her instructor when she has either a question with the homework or is unsure about how to do an assignment.

“Whenever she needs help she asks for it to make sure that she won’t make any mistakes,” said Lyon.

Spanish 1 is a class for students who have had no previous Spanish language experience, and Raft has come a long way since her first day of class with professor Lyon.

“She has dedication,” said Lyon, “She has been making progress since the first day, and she is learning a lot because of her desire to learn and to focus.”

Away from her schooling and her job, Raft enjoys spending time with her family as much as she can.

“I love to spend time with my family.

We like to go shopping together or to sit around together discussing politics,” said Raft.

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Honors Program increases transfer rate -)#$.)(/)0,% !"#$$%&'(")' Mt. SAC transfer students may have come to a halt due to the ongoing budget cuts, but there is still hope for students in the Honors Program. The Honors Program is an academic program that helps motivated students with a strong academic record better their chances of transferring to a four year university.

“The Honors Program helped me a lot to transfer and keep a high GPA while attending Mt. SAC,” said Diana Higuera, a transfer student.

Nichole Escamilla, former president of the Honors Ambassadors Club, learned about the Honors Program while petitioning for a science class. Escamilla is glad to be part of the program.

“We have support from the directors, not only academically, but as well as personal support,” said Escamilla.

“The honors program also helps us give back to society and network,” said Mikaela Zhao, a current honor student. Zhao became

a member of the Honors Program by receiving a letter from the dean, due to her GPA. To apply for the Honors Program students must have a 3.5 GPA and be eligible for English 1A and students with a 3.2 must write an essay and have a professor recommendation.

The Honors Program provides honor students with many benefits. These include small class sizes, and students who have completed 30 units, including six honor classes with a 3.2 cumulative bachelor-level GPA, can be certified as a Mt. SAC Honor Scholar. Honor students who have taken six honor classes automatically get priority registration.

Carolyn Kuykendall, director of the Honors Program, explained, “Honor students get priority registration when six honor classes have been taken. Not saying that they will get in, but it allows for their application to get looked at first.”

Honor students with a 3.7 GPA automatically have guaranteed acceptance to the University of California Irvine, with the expectation of impacted majors, such as

business administration and arts. UCI is one the many universities that the honor program partners with. UCLA, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, Cal State Fullerton, San Diego State, Azusa Pacific, are some the other schools that honor students have a greater chance in getting into. UCLA is involved in a transfer alliance program; students who become TAP certified receive priority consideration for transfer from UCLA’s Colleges of Letter and Sciences. Acceptance rates for TAP students are higher. On the Mt. SAC Honors Program website it explained, that of the 33 percent of students who were accepted to UCLA, over 77 percent were TAP certified.

Still, budgets cuts are affecting some students’ opportunities to transfer to a four-year university, but there are academic programs such as the Honors Program that help students transfer. It gives students the benefit to build the transcript needed to transfer with a good chance of getting in.

“There are approximately 930 students in the program and students who have graduated and transferred have already been replaced,” said Kuykendall.

TUESDAY NOVEMEBER 15, 2011

9

Runway to fashion degree !"#$$#%&'($#$)'*% !"#$$%&'(")'

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Students interested in becoming involved in the fashion industry should look no further than the Mt.SAC fashion department, which offers students the ability to graduate and/or transfer with an associate degree in fashion design or merchandising.

While other colleges offer the same courses and degrees, Mt. SAC provides students with the same education for a fraction of the price. Recently transferred, Xochitl Corvarrubias, 20, fashion merchandising major said, “Why spend all that money at [the] Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, when you can get the same education here?”

Mt. SAC students are presented with options of taking 18 plus fashion courses, of which can be counted towards an associate degree. There are also programs available to earn certificates for a career in fashion. According to the Mt. SAC website, “The fashion field focuses on the social, economic, and technological aspects of clothing and textiles and prepares students for careers in fashion design, manufacturing, retailing, and promotion.”

For students more interested in the creative side of fashion, a degree in fashion design is optimal.

To get a sense of what fashion design entails, Program Coordinator Maria Davis said, “Students with a creative side should watch Project Runway to see what a fashion design major would be doing.” Classes such as FASH 12 Clothing Construction or FASH 21- Patternmaking are typical courses students take if they want to major in fashion design. Fashion

design is more hands-on than fashion merchandising and the courses offered differ as well.

Davis added that there is also a business side to fashion. For students looking into the business aspect of fashion, a degree in fashion merchandising is most advantageous. This degree consists of classes like visual merchandising or retail store management.

Among the five certifiable programs, there are three available in fashion design and two available in fashion merchandising, all five of which are specialized. Of the three certificates available in fashion design, the options include: fashion designcomputer aided certificate, fashion designlevel one certificate, and fashion designlevel two certificate. The two options in fashion merchandising are level one and level two. These certificates all have different requirements.

Whether a student decides to major in fashion design or fashion merchandising, these degrees have one thing in common: a need for strong technology skills. Like many other industries, to pursue a career in fashion requires advanced computer skills. Due to this, Mt. SAC offers courses that allow students to further improve their technological skills. There are classes available in which fashion and computer skills are taught together, showing students how to work with both simultaneously.

It is possible that students may be able to finish the fashion program within two years. For Corvarrubias, this became a reality due to the help of professors.

“I think they’re the best, especially Ms. Davis. She’s like really, really wow. She’s helped me so much. It’s incredible,” said Corvarrubias.

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10

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

Students compete in Mt SAC’s got talent Dance, songs and poetry featured in first-ever campus talent show !"#$%&'()*)+', !"#$%&"#%"'()*+$%,' Lights shining bright, the mic on full blast, the hot spotlight on the artist. From singing a ballad and rocking out with the band to breaking out into dance, students showed off their skills at the first ever Mt. SAC’s Got Talent.

Students gathered around the 9C patio area to see the show and eat free food. The audience and the surrounding area was filled with enthusiastic students screaming and cheering for the performers.

Planned by Associated Students Vice President of Activities Kenneth Baca-Lacure and the Activities Committee, Baca-Lacure was very happy with the outcome of Mt. SAC’s Got Talent.

“I have to admit that I got super nervous the day of the event thinking that nobody was going to come but when I saw those big lines of people getting food, the seats filled, and people pushing others trying to see the show, it felt amazing,” said Baca-Lacure.

He is grateful to the committee for the show’s success.

“I thanked every single one of the students that [are] seated on this committee a million times, we worked hard for this event because we want the best for the school,” said Baca-Lacure.

The performers were judged by professors like Manuel Castillejos, professor of Spanish, and Arnita Champion, professor of counseling, who have an extensive background in the arts such as theatre and folkloric dance. Also judging was the school’s mascot, Mountie Joe. Out of the close to 70 people that auditioned, only nine talents were chosen to fill up the two hour show. While some students were motivated to be part of the show for monetary reasons, some were in it to honor loved ones.

Such is the case for Angel Delgado, 19, music education major, and Ivan Perez, 20, music education major who sang the song, “If I Die Young” by Band Perry, in memory of their friend.

“We dedicated our performance to our friend Arnold who passed away a few weeks ago. [Delgado] picked the song because it fit well with what we feel,” said Perez. The two said they were nervous, but were able to get over it. “We were nervous but we just looked at each other and said a little prayer,” said Delgado.

Spectators were surprised at the performance quality of the artists. “When you look at them, they look normal, but it’s shocking to see so much talent,” said 18 year-old Briana Lopez, kinesiology major.

Champion, on the other hand, was not surprised. “Mt. SAC has tons of talent. There is a lot of variety, students are not afraid to take risks; I love it,” said Champion.

The entertainment did not stop for a second. While the judges’ scores were being tallied, students went on stage and showed off their dance moves to the music blasting in the background. Even Mountie Joe jumped in and danced.

Third place was awarded to 19 year-old Eric Rojas-Gonzalez, a psychology major, who recited an original poem he wrote called “Gravity of the Streets.” Rojas-Gonzalez said he was the quiet kid in the back of the classroom, but thanks to poetry and music, he is now able to express himself.

“I wrote it because I wanted to inspire people and show them that there’s more to life than a little city. Poetry showed me that change in a person starts with themselves,” said Rojas-Gonzalez.

Placing second was break dancers Rocky Reyes and Robert Torres, whose crazy dance moves left the audience cheering wildly.

Dancing duo Raquel Ortiz, 19, psychology major, and Quinton Peron, 19, communications major, took home first place.

Although they trained hard for the show, they were surprised to have won.

“Its amazing to be Mt. SAC’s first talent winner, in fact we didn’t even know we were the first,” said Ortiz.

The duo, who has been dancing for 15 years and four years respectively, already had in mind to what the hard earned cash price will benefit.

“We’ve been dancing together for two years and most likely the money we won will go to saving up for nationals, which will be in Florida,” said Peron.

Castillejos encourages students to take the bull by the horns when it comes to their talents.

“The students that performed have all kinds of talents, it is important that they take advantage of the arts classes they can take here to cultivate their talent,” Castillejos said.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

11

Art department celebrates China’s centennial

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Review: Fall Faculty Showcase !"#"$%&'(')*+ !"#$%&"'()*+$,& Mt.SAC’s most brilliant musical minds took the stage on Sun., Nov. 6 to demonstrate just how lucky their students are to have them as mentors. The 2011 Fall Music Faculty Showcase, which took place in Feddersen Recital Hall exhibited how talented our music department is by playing pieces that ranged from the compositions of Igor Stravinsky to our own Steven Mahpar.

The first performance by violinist Irene Shiao and pianist Masako Okamura Klassen set the stage immediately by flawlessly playing “Romance,” a piece by American composer Amy Beach. Shiao’s notes would dive to melodramatic lows before soaring to exalted highs, expressing the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with love and passion. Klassen’s piano part was soft and calming, really there to offset the violin like a lovely picture frame around a canvas. I wanted to hear more from Shiao and her violin, but unfortunately this was the only piece she performed.

The second performance was from the professor of music appreciation, Scott Zeidel and his guitar piece, “Three Spanish Dances” by Santiago de Murcia. His guitar was no ordinary guitar. His guitar in particular was a replica of a model made in 1690 France and is most associated with the Baroque period. It amazed me how fast Zeidel’s hands could move up and down the neck. Those strings don’t just lie flat by simply laying your fingers across it as you would with an electric guitar; he has to apply a certain amount of pressure to actually make a sound. The sheer amount of note changes would be enough to make most people’s fingertips bleed, and he didn’t even flinch. It was obvious

that he loved every second of it, and it is safe to say that his audience did, as well.

While the next performer had a powerful voice, there’s only so much German opera a girl can take. Don’t get me wrong; Masako Okamura Klassen accompanying him on the piano sounded as wonderful as she did earlier. It would have been fine if music librarian Kevin Wiley had sung a few pieces but he ended up having the lengthiest performance with not one, but nine pieces from Robert Schumann’s Liederkreis.

It went from being impressive to just being repetitive and boring. Much of his stage time would have been better suited if each of the other musicians played a single piece.

Flutist and ensemble instructor Karin Kantenwein took the stage next and woke the audience up with her rendition of Sigfrid Karg-Elert’s “Sonata Appasionata,” where she masterfully dominated the chromatic scale with flawless ease. The notes carried the song through a mix of chaos, passion, excitement and fear. I found myself on more than one occasion asking “How does she move her hands that fast?” She was the other musician that I wish I could have heard more of; they should have given her some of Wiley’s performance time. But, who knows how they decided to divvy that up? Maybe she only wanted to play one piece.

Next were guitar instructors Matthew Cahow and David Cahueque playing “Les Cinq Doigts” by Igor Stravinsky. While the piece was originally intended for piano, these two managed to turn it into a guitar duet, one complimenting the other in perfect harmonization. They complimented each other wonderfully and managed to play notes so quickly it was hard to keep track of their fingers. Neither guitarist used a pick, either, a feat that makes it all the more impressive to me because I can’t imagine playing that song with just my fingers. While

their songs did not resonate with me the way Scott Zeidel’s performance did, they still proved that they are overwhelmingly talented musicians. Cahueque then performed “Sonata”

by Joaquin Turina on his own, showing that he is more than capable of carrying a solo tune.

Saxophonist and professor of music fundamentals Cameron Domingues took the stage next with Wiley accompanying her on the piano. Unlike the normal brassy, loud tone that most saxophonists adopt by tradition, Domingues’ sounded almost like a clarinet player with silk-like clarity. I’m used to hearing the saxophone in a jazz context. She performed Pierre Max Dubois’ Pieces Caracteristiques en form de Suite with Wiley’s piano complimenting her at every turn.

The faculty saved the best for last.

Instructor and composer Steven Mahpar conducted a nine person ensemble of his original piece, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Suite.”

He stressed before they began that the music was based on the original novel and not the Disney version of the book. The composition consisted of five parts: Down the Rabbit Hole, Caterpillar, A Mad Tea Party, The Mock Turtle and Court of the Queen of Hearts. It was a musical narration of the story with each part describing the way Alice felt during her stay in Wonderland, starting from the moment she sees the White Rabbit and ending with her awakening back on the river bank. The instruments, which included a trombone, bassoon, bass drum and flute all worked seamlessly together to tell the story. I loved every piece of this suite and think it’s entirely appropriate as a closer.

Overall, the showcase was a feast for the ears and exemplified the raw musical talent that can be found in the halls of Mt. SAC and was a worthwhile way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

12

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

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13

NAISA brings awareness, unity !"#$%#&'()*&+',-+ !"#"$%#$&'(%)*+ Warm, family-oriented, community are words used by members to describe The Native American Intertribal Student Alliance, also known as NAISA, a club on campus. The club’s purpose is to create awareness and educate students and people that the Native American culture is not only alive in history books, but still present today.

Anthropology professor, Dr. Francis Borella, 55, has been a part of the community since 1999.

Borella said she enjoys being part of the club. “I love it! It’s my favorite part of my job,” Borella said.

Borella is half Italian and has some native inheritance, Paotin and Mi’kmaq from the East Coast, and Hadean from the Pacific West Coast.

“I wasn’t raised traditionally, I was raised the American way but I got into it after college,” she said.

NAISA offers a lot more than creating awareness.

“I really enjoy that we all are given the opportunity to introduce ourselves. I like that everybody there is unique, friendly and accepting, and respects what you have to say, ” said Stephanie Mercado, 22, speech therapy major.

Members are given the opportunity to get to know one another and exchange personal experiences with one another.

“We try to not only do educational things, but also have fun things,” Borella said.

Members of the community are given the opportunity to attend Pow Wows, social native gatherings that sometimes offer dance competitions. The rituals can also offer a spiritual and educational experience, but are mostly held for fun. Students are able to interact and connect with the native community as well as getting the

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chance to learn about the different tribes besides their own.

Sweat lodge ceremonies are another activitywhere members connect in the NAISA community.

A sweat lodge is a traditional ceremonial place, like a Native American church. The ceremonies are held in Borella’s Riverside home. The sweat lodge offers a spiritual as well as emotional experience. Borella explained: “We have a ceremony that is a cleansing, you go in and we have hot rocks in which steaming hot water is poured on and you say prayers and sing songs and sweat.

It is a place of spiritual renewal and it also functions as Native American group therapy because people talk about their problems and issues and get advice from the elders.”

The club members and anyone from the community are welcome to join. Monica Angel Roque, a 22-year-old deaf studies major and NAISA president, said, “The club allows members for emotional and spiritual growth. “We get to know the group and everybody is able to let down their walls, you start to feel like family and we help each other not only within our group, but as well as outside the group such as helping each other with homework.”

Roque added that the goal is to help everyone feel welcome. She said that Borella is like a family member to her. “She is another mother, aunt to me,” Roque said.

“She always gives the best advice and I love her; she is the best adviser for the club.”

A number of events such as

bake sales and bead workshops take place on campus to help raise money for their community. On Nov. 15, Jason Brave Heart, former Mt. SAC student, NAISA president and member of the Lakota Nation, will be a guest speaker.

He will show a film he was part of called “The Children of the Plains,” which recently aired on 20/20 and was covered by Diane Sawyer. On Nov. 18, NAISA will show two films focusing on Native American women. Borella encourages everyone to attend.

“We hope to have a lot of publicity up to educate people about Native Americans and the issues they deal with on a daily basis,” Borella said.

NAISA meets every Friday in Bldg. 60, Room 2312. Anyone is welcome to join.

Undocumented students find support through campus club .#'&/'(0"&-,'$ ,)"--&.+%)/+ “I was ashamed and very scared. It was a very weird feeling. I was embarrassed to tell people,” said Karla Estrada, 20, biological psychology and political science major. Estrada who described what it feels like to be an undocumented student.

Improving, Dreams, Equality, Access, and Success, commonly known as I.D.E.A.S, is a political organization that was created in 2008 by three former Mt. SAC students.

Andi Valenzuela, Imelda Plascencia and Sandy Arenas started IDEAS to help support undocumented students financially and emotionally.

Since joining I.D.E.A.S., Estrada now has the support she needs.

“I started to learn that there is nothing wrong with it. That’s who I am,” Estrada said.

I.D.E.A.S is a melting pot made up of undocumented and documented students who believe in educational opportunity for everyone.

In the past, the organization was originally fighting for immigration reform and

educational budgets but as time passed, new issues arose in the political arena that inspired I.D.E.A.S members to act. One of the greatest battles I.D.E.A.S members fought for was the federal DREAM ACT, first introduced 2008.

The purpose of the act was to make education more affordable for undocumented students.

Although the federal DREAM Act has been rejected four times in the past, I.D.E.A.S members finally won their greatest victory when Gov. Jerry Brown passed the California DREAM Act on Oct. 8.

“After years of nothing, we actually have a victory and it feels really great,” said Estrada. Through the changes that I.D.E.A.S has made since their start in 2008, the California DREAM Act has been the sweetest accomplishment for all undocumented students so far.

I.D.E.A.S supports all undocumented students and even though the organization is mostly comprised of Latino members, being undocumented applies to all ethnicities.

“I have to admit that there is a lacking of diversity in I.D.E.A.S and it should be worked on. The organization is definitely not only composed of Latinos,” Estrada said.

According to newamericamedia.org, 40

percent of undocumented students attending college are Asian. The website explains some reasons why undocumented Asians have not been as active and outspoken as the Latino community. Interviews with some undocumented Asian students on the site demonstrate that they feel ashamed to be undocumented, and must hide their identity.

With I.D.E.A.S, all undocumented students are given the emotional support to express their daily struggles and are accepted within the group. Some I.D.E.A.S members described their meeting with the organization to be an intimate experience. Seleney Rodriguez, 19, sociology and ethnic studies major, has been a member since 2010.

“You feel very comfortable in your own environment. You feel free to talk and share about how you feel. As well as giving support to other members,” Rodriguez said.

I.D.E.A.S meetings take place on Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. in Bldg. 26 room 2490. For further information about the organization, contact advisors: Elmer Rodriguez (Ext. 5989/erodriguez@mtsac.edu), Kurt Kemp (Ext. 4583/kkemp@mtsac.edu) and Laura Y. Gonzalez (Ext. 6375/lgonzalez@ mtsac.edu).

14

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

Student overcomes language barrier !"#$%&'%()#*$%+ !"#$$%&'(")' “I came in buses all the way here. It took three weeks to get here because we stayed in Mexico for a week but it was hard because we were in the bus sometimes for 8 hours, a whole night, all day, and we just sat there. Sometimes we wouldn’t eat for the whole day and sometimes we would only eat once a day.”

Born in the countryside of San Miguel, Siguila La Emboscada, Guatemala, Maribel Perez, 21, nursing major, left her family and country at the age of 15 and came to the United States. Perez came to this country with the purpose of finding work.

In Guatemala, Perez lived with her mother and father, and the rest of her family. “We lived a normal life in Guatemala. I didn’t live in the city, I lived in a farm,” Perez said.

Perez was also going to school and was almost done, with one year left for graduation. “I stopped going because when I was in Guatemala I thought I didn’t like school. And in Guatemala, I don’t know if it is our culture or our tradition, but we usually get married at the age of 15 or 16 and you don’t go to school anymore,” she said.

Perez said that the cultural tradition may have been a reason why she stopped going to school, but she also knew that she wanted to come to the United States.

Arriving in California, she was able to reunite with her older brother and sister who were already living here, and took her into their home.

At the time of her arrival, Perez had no other option than to work.

“I didn’t go to school, but instead worked because I feared to go back home in Guatemala,” Perez said.

Working at a cosmetics factory in the City of Industry, her employers found out about her age and called a social worker. “I went to work at a cosmetics factory… from eight in the morning to five [in the afternoon], but they found out I was 15 and they called the social worker and I ended in foster care,” Perez said.

After being placed into the foster care system, Maribel was forbidden to see her older brother and sister.

Perez said that “For four years [she] didn’t see [her] brother and sister completely. I didn’t talk to them either, because [she] was in foster care and the process and rules didn’t let [her] see them.”

Perez said that in order to see her siblings, the county would require their fingerprints and other information. “We did not see each other [because] they feared for their and their family’s deportation,” Perez said.

In 2007, Maribel entered the foster home of Martha Santollo in the city of San Dimas. “When I took Maribel into my home, she was very quiet… She was a very reserved girl, but I always saw that she was a good person with determination,” said Santollo, Maribel’s adoptive mother

Being placed into to a foster home, Perez was told by her social worker that she would be enrolled at the local high school. “[This] secretly made my whole world light up,” Perez said.

Perez began attending high school at the age of 16 and was placed into ninth grade because she did not have any records from her home country that showed proof of previous enrollment in school.

However, as a young girl from the countryside, and having a close relationship to her indigenous roots, Perez did not speak English or Spanish. “When I came here I couldn’t speak Spanish really good, because in Guatemala I speak a dialect. So I had to learn Spanish and then English. It was really hard,” Perez said.

Learning these languages for Perez was difficult because she had to focus in learning both Spanish and English. “While learning these languages, sometimes I felt extremely frustrated because it was too much for me to handle,” she said.

Her adoptive mother, Santollo said that she struggled a lot when she first arrived and started school because of the language difference, but she set goals. “She placed her goals and she has never strayed from them. We have always given her our support and help,” Santollo said.

Perez said that her first year in high school was almost completed in vain because she did not receive any credits. However, she said she did learn a lot and wished she had gotten some credit for going to school.

Even though she was still learning both languages, Perez was succeeding in school. “Even though I was learning new languages I was an A and B student, and I got on the school honor roll for… [having]… a high GPA,” said Perez.

As her high school years came to an end, Perez faced a problem when trying to graduate. Perez was having a hard time passing the English California High School Exit Examination. “I passed the math one because I understood it, but English, I tried all the time and I couldn’t pass it,” Perez said.

After many failed attempts, Perez reached her last and final chance to pass the exam during her senior year. “My counselor said that if I didn’t pass it I was not going to graduate. And because I was 19, they said I was too old and they were not going to be able to keep me in high school,” said Perez.

Perez sought help by attending the adult high school at Mt. SAC and also, got tutoring and help at home. “The last time I tried, I passed the exam but it was so hard to do it because it was too much stress. I was also worried of not graduating because I worked really hard during those threes and a half years to finish high school,” Perez said.

Perez did everything she could to graduate from high school and get her diploma. “I finally did it and even graduated with a 3.5 GPA,”

,-"."/0)1-&"2&3)045%(&,%0%+&.)647/&)&50%)6&"7&8)91$#:&

Perez said.

Today, as a Mt. SAC nursing student, Perez continues to struggle with both English and Spanish. She says she is trying her best to speak and understand the languages.

“Now that I am in college I want to succeed in everything,” Perez said.

On May 23, Perez was accepted into the Mt. SAC TRiO Achieving in College, Ensuring Success (ACES) program. The TRiO ACES program was created to help students who are low-income, or are the first in their family to attend college, or are disabled, and are working to receive an associated degree and transfer from Mt. SAC. Elizabeth Estevez, project expert for the TRiO ACES program has worked closely with Perez and has also tutored her in various subjects.

“I started tutoring her at the start of the Fall semester. I feel that she needs guidance in terms of her academics and her English, but she’s also been very forthcoming and seeking help and assistance as part of this program,” Estevez said.

Estevez said that Perez has been improving greatly. “She needs to continue to seek positive advice and help, and take advantage of all the resources that are out there… in order to succeed in the future,”

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Estevez said.

As of June of this year, Perez was released from foster care and her case was closed. Perez continues to live with her foster family and is very thankful for all the help they have given her. “We get a long and we have a good relationship.

They see me like family, I see them like my mom and dad, I’m their daughter and I respect them,” Perez said.

After being separated for four years, she was finally able to reunite with her siblings. “They closed my case in June, when I turned 21 and I went back to visit my brother and sister. When I saw them again it was really nice because [I had] not seen them for a long time. They now have their own lives, I have my own life and we were really happy to see each other,” Perez said.

Perez calls her family in Guatemala every Sunday and spends some weekends with her older sister. She said she would like to finish her education and make a life for herself.

“My goal right now is to finish here and transfer, and become a nurse. I hope to find a job this year also, and go back to Guatemala and visit my mom and dad. I still miss Guatemala,” Perez said.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

15

Social media may ruin social life !"##$%&'())$## !"#$$%&'(")' When a group of 70 students were asked whether they were friendly or not, 53 students answered “yes,” but when they were asked if they were interested in making new friends, only 40 said “yes.” So how can someone be friendly but not want to meet new people? Ariel Rodriguez, a 19-year-old journalism major, said, “Yes, I like to meet new people, but I like to choose who I make friends with.”

Rebecca Vande Hey, a 52-year-old psychologist from Walnut, said that social media such as Facebook , iPods, and cell phones have steered students away from personal communication.

“I don’t think the way they socialize means that they want to be anti-social or that they’re really avoidant, it’s just that this way [of communicating] develops some poor social skills,” Vande Hey said. “They’re using shortcuts and texting that leaves out a lot of

context and a lot of body language and the other messages that verbal socialization gives you is lost in texting and Facebook.”

Of 70 students who were asked, “How many of you use your iPod to avoid conversation,” 38 responded that they do.

This has become not only a tool for playing favorite songs, but ignoring other students.

Just ask Bianca Ornelas, a 21-year-old communications/journalism major who said, “Most students come to school and want to get in and get out and on with their day. I will have my headphones in, even if there is no music playing.”

Harmon Huynh, 22, cognitive science major, said he often uses his earphones to avoid contact with people.

“I listen to my music to avoid talking to people,” he said. iPods are not the only form of social media deterring students from socializing.

According to an article on naturalnews.com, young people are spending approximately 21 hours per week on some sort of social media.

The article compares it to a drug addiction.

The Crazy World of Adam Valenzuela

Toyota recognized the craze of social media and pokes fun at young people in their current commercials. Teenagers are shown as “living” their lives based on having over 600 friends on Facebook while their parents are seen struggling with the changing times because they have only 19 friends but are out mountain biking and socializing with these friends.

Smart phones make it even easier to have constant access to the Internet and social media. There are individuals who update their every move through applications like Foursquare, an application where people can check into places online and receive badges and “mayorships” for checking in the highest number of times.

Huynh said he uses Foursquare every day.

“I get a certain adreneline rush when I receive my badges and mayorships,” Huynh said. “I guess I get excited easily.”

But Vande Hey said this may not just be a case of being anti-social.

“I don’t know if anti-social is the word I would use, but more a lacking in social skills.”

!"#$%!$#&&' *+&,$%"(&-$..

Dear Drabby, What is the purpose of life?

Signed, Looking for purpose The purpose of life refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time; it is their purpose to protect the individual rights of its citizens. Since rights can be assaulted both within a country and outside of it…uh…um, wait… that’s the purpose of government…hmm…that doesn’t sound right either. Actually, you’re more likely to find purpose in…oh who am I kidding it doesn’t matter; we’re all going to die when Zorp comes, just like the dinosaurs Dear Drabby, Is 20 too young to be engaged?

Signed, Eager to get hitched Dear Eager, Divorce is REALLY expensive, messy, life-sucking, and emotionally debilitating. Divorce leaves you a soulless, shallow, shell of a person, eventually you alienate all of your friends, even the dog won’t come when you call, and finally you ignore personal hygiene like it’s a creditor. It’s 2011, don’t buy into everything religion tries to sell you. Be young, be spontaneous, be safe, but give in to the temptation of your loins. It’s likely that you just want to combine your privates, not combine your tax returns.

Dear Drabby, I get made fun of by my friends and family for being a fan of Harry Potter and Twilight. It’s mostly in jest but I truly feel hurt about it, should I give up the series?

Signed, Not so fantastic fantasy fan Dear Not so fantastic.

Stay true to yourself don’t let anyone define who and what you are, and by that I mean, THROW ALL THAT CRAP AWAY!!!

Also, if you are male I would like to introduce you to something called females, if you are a female I would like to introduce you to something called males. Go on a date kid.

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

16

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011 Cont. from Avila P. 2

“He is more than a name on a website,” said Edward Garcia. “He was a beloved son, a brother and a friend. Don’t let his death be in vain.”

A representative from the City Attorney’s office was present at the meeting and said that their recommendation is not to call for a federal investigation immediately, as this would interfere with the ongoing examination by the Sheriff ’s Department. The representative agreed that the City Attorney’s office would discuss the matter with the council during the

Cont. from STDs P. 4

closed-door section of their next meeting on Nov. 21.

Avila’s friends and family want the federal investigation to go forward immediately. After the open session of the meeting, they convened outside the council doors and raised signs. With news cameramen watching, they declared, “What do we want?

Justice! When do we want it?

Now!” The crowd chanted other slogans including “Justice for Andy” and “No justice, no peace” for a few minutes before peacefully dispersing and leaving the meeting.

Karen Hsu, a medical assistant, said that she had a close friend who was affected by an STD but was treated right away. She said she wishes for as many people as possible to get proper information.

Health Services recognizes the need to get information out to students and held a seminar on Nov. 2 to inform students that the best way to go about having sex without catching an STD is to take preventative measures.

Students were told to educate themselves on safer methods like using protection as well as establishing full and honest communication with family and loved ones.

Whitford said that students should be aware of their relationships and who they are having sex with. If they are with someone new, she said to make sure that they know the person’s sexual background and to always use protection.

“Don’t trust anyone,” Whitford said. “Go in with your eyes open knowing you could be exposed to something and be careful.”

Cont. from Theft P. 3

Cont. from P.E. Cuts P. 4

everything common sense. Make sure to lock up your bike.”

Guth, who has had the light off of his bike stolen, uses a 10-foot lock that he traces through the front wheel, frame and back wheel to keep it safe.

Geoff Mapes, 23, environmental studies major, advised cyclists to take action. “Always make sure to lock up your bike with a good lock and always make sure to take off the bike lights,” Mapes said.

Montoya advised that if thieves have an opportunity, they will take it.

“Don’t put yourself in a position where you’ll be a victim,” Montoya said.

But Montoya also wants students to feel safe on campus. “We are out there patrolling,” he said. “Just think of Mt. SAC as a large community neighborhood watch, where students can do their part by reporting crimes and taking care of each other.”

the cuts. In winter 2008, the P.E classes totaled 71 sections; in winter 2012, Mt. SAC will offer 13. In addition to the budget for P.E being cut, the state academic senate is proposing that repeatability be eliminated for P.E courses. Goff said that many students who enroll in P.E courses are interested in skill development, and may not have the opportunity to fully develop their skills in one semester. The limit on repeatability would prevent students from re-taking the classes to better their physical ability. For some fire and police students, it may limit their ability to make it into a physically demanding academy program. “It hurts students more than anything because its not well thought out, they’re not mentioning skill development,” Goff said.

According to Burley, there are no more cuts projected for the next school year, but she cautioned that the state has had a difficult time agreeing on a set budget for education.

“We want to offer the most we can,” Burley said.

Guff added that the school was anticipating an increased budget from the state, but it has yet to happen.

“There is a much bigger picture,” Goff said. “We’ve taken our cuts, but it’s a tragedy what has happened to education.”

Goff added, “I don’t think anything’s going to happen; the Democrats and Republicans need to do what’s best for the country and not what’s best for their party.”

Cont. from Transfer P. 3 meeting with counselors on a regular basis, at least once a year.

She also encourages students to be active in the transfer process.

“Once you’re in college you’ve either got to take an active role, or life happens to you. So you can take an active role by coming to workshops, meet with the representatives, and so on. That’s really important,” Lockhart said.

She added that by attending workshops, students learn about applications and avoid mistakes.

Mahisha Ketagoda, 20, psychology major, said, “I have attended their workshops, and I have found them really helpful.”

Ketagoda is also considering attending the campus tours that the Transfer Center offers every semester.

Lockhart added that tours are very popular.

“I really recommend them.

Every campus has a different flavor and you have to make sure if that flavor is agreeable to you.”

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TUESDAY NOVEMEBER 15, 2011

17

Caduceus club unites pre-med students, aims for healthy campus !"#$"%"&'()#*) !"#$$%&'(")' The Caduceus Club of Mt. San Antonio College is one of the biggest student associations of medicine in the community college system today. A chapter of the American Medical Student Association, the Caduceus Club is home to the pre-health professions on campus. Lead by club organizer Dr. Carmen Rexach, Doctor of Infectious Disease and current professor of Anatomy and Physiology, this club does everything from conventions, to trips around the world, and even participates in Walk for Hope, Aids Walk, and The Walk for MS. Professionally trained at UC Davis and UC Berkeley, Rexach wants this club to reach all students in all aspects of the medical field. “There are many students who change their major because their original goal wasn’t achieved. The truth is, their original goal was never for them, anyway, and we are here to show them that it’s a journey, and we are here to help them every step of the way.”

According to Rexach this club is used to show students that in the real world there is no hierarchy. “In the real world everyone on the team is equally important; we are all a team and what this club tries to do is foster respect for all students.”

On April 27, 2012, the Caduceus Club plans to hold an annual conference that brings in doctors from all fields and from all parts of the nation to be keynote speakers and give lectures.

During the 5th Annual Health Professions Conference, students will be taught firsthand to suture on pig feet, how to intubate, and all the necessary information to keep going in this field. Tickets are $25 and come with a free scrub. The conference is open to all students and expects more than 1,200 participants nationwide.

There are individual section meetings every month for all Pre Health Professions: PreHistotec, Pre-Med, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Veterinary, Pre-Dental Therapy.

What can a student expect when joining the Caduceus club? “Emails! And lots of them,” Rexach says. Currently the Caduceus club is trying to start Operation Clean Sweep on campus. “We started Operation Clean Sweep where we went around the campus posting flyers up on the walls that said ‘Please throw away your trash; your mother doesn’t live here.’

We need to keep this campus clean. We want this to get out to students. This is one of the most important things that students need to know.”

Another goal of the Caduceus Club is to turn the campus into a non-smoking campus.

“I am trying to make this school a nonsmoking school. As health care professionals, smoking is against our beliefs; it sets a bad example and is horribly bad for your health,” said Raxach. “Students can’t gauge 20 feet from a stairwell and break all the rules when smoking, and they can’t even put their cigarettes in the ash tray.”

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According to Catalina Dominguez, 25, Vice President of the Caduceus Club and Histology major, “The most important thing in this club is networking. Networking with all the different majors since we have Pre-Med, PreVeterinary, Pre Histology. When you go through something really dramatic, you need someone to push you to keep going telling you it’s okay, and the Caduceus Club does this for me,” said Dominguez.

As Dr. Rexach puts it, “You can call Caduceus Club whatever you want. What we’re doing here is creating a family.”

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18

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

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Student author writes about love, relationships Samuel Mibiske uses life experiences to publish first book

!"#$%&'()*+*, !"##$%$&'()$&*+(,"Straightforward, honest, and humble are words used to describe Samuel Mbisike, a 23-year-old political science major. On top of that, he is now a book author.

Mbisike recently published a book about his life and his views on relationships. “The Other Side of Desire” addresses the implications of risky behaviors, unbridled sexual appetite and the excruciating consequences of failed relationships.

“When one does not receive the proper love, they look for it in different places, which usually is negative,” Mbisike said.

Mbisike was born and raised in Nigeria, his mother and sister, Chinwe, moved to the United States in 2002. Mbisike stayed behind with his father, stepmother and stepbrother but in 2009, moved to the United States for what he said would be a “better life, better living, and better environment.”

In Nigeria, he attended Madonna University, a private Catholic school, where he studied civil law. He began classes at Mt. SAC in the spring of 2010 because members of his church, Sovereign Word, told him that it was a good school with high standards.

He said that although he was leaving a lot behind, it was for the better. He said he chose a

political science major because he wants to be a corporate attorney.

“That’s my desire, my passion of what I want to be in life,” he said.

He was accepted to the University of California Riverside and plans to attend in the fall of 2012. UC Riverside was his first choice because he likes the way they combine political science and law and society together.

“The Other Side of Desire” took three years to publish and is based on research, experience, and family background. The book deals with the negative outcomes of jumping into a relationship for the wrong reasons, as well as outlining the right reasons to go into a relationship. He looks at how influences from peers, television, and the media can have a negative effect which often results in heartbreak, teen pregnancy, AIDS, loneliness, multiple partners, physical/domestic abuse, divorce, and other issues.

Sade Myles, 21, child development major, said she appreciated the book and quoted her favorite part from the first chapter: “Microwave love is a very intense and fiery love that has potentials to burn off quickly due to the fact that it hits the highest height of eroticism too soon. It stems from a desperate craving for sexual excitement for someone. The love as it were, is founded on very fragile grounds and most of the time, cannot stand the test of time.”

Mbisike’s parents separated when he was 3.

He said coming from a broken home affected his

social skills, made him afraid, lowered his selfesteem, and messed him up mentally and emotionally.

“My life would have been so much better if my parents would have stayed together; this affects the child more than the parents,” he said.

Mbisike said he has been an inspiration to people and recalled how he gave a copy of the book to a co-worker who told him the book changed her life. He said that the book helped her take control of her own life again. Mbisike hopes to get the book published around the world.

With his hectic schedule, he still manages to participate in activities on and off campus. He is a youth minister and youth pastor at United Prayer Power Fellowship in Chino, and president of the United for the Cause Fellowship club, a Christian club on campus that offers Bible study, worship, discussions, videos, refreshments, and an opportunity to make friends.

Mbisike’s sister said he is valued by his peers.

“I am so happy that he’s reaching out to his dreams,” said Chinwe Mbisike, 22, biology major and Academic Senator of Associated Students.

Mbisike said he has learned a lot in the last few years.

“My way of thinking has changed, time management and business skills, leadership qualities have improved, personality, my values, I’m more focused and determined, and I’m aiming for big things,” he said.

19

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

Gil’s Sports Musings: The NFL Mid-Season

The 2011 NFL regular season is now at the midway mark and what a season it has been.

While some teams have risen to the occasion and turned in big performances, others have floundered and flailed their way through the first half of the ,#%&!%-("(. season.

The biggest surprise so far this season has been the San Francisco 49ers, who have been rolling over their opposition with ease.

During the preseason, they added former Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh to be their head honcho and he hasn’t disappointed. As “In Harbaugh we believe” resonates through the Bay Area, the 49ers continue to topple team after team and have the NFC West division firmly in their grasp.

I can’t believe Harbaugh turned Alex Smith into a legitimate NFL quarterback.

Can you say miracle worker?

Another huge shocker this year is the success of the Cincinnati Bengals, who were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL during the preseason. The Bengals have rallied behind the impressive play of rookie quarterback Andy Dalton.

Unfortunately, they’re stuck in a tough AFC North division that could keep them from sneaking into the playoffs.

The Buffalo Bills have also played notably up to this point, but a big part of their success can be credited to the weak opponents that they’ve matched up against.

Considering that their schedule gets harder from here on out, I expect their 5-3

record to soon look much less impressive.

I would talk about the Green Bay Packers, the only undefeated team left, but there’s no need to give their fans more reason to be full of themselves.

One of teams that I’ve been rather disappointed in t his season is the New England Patriots. Although most people would be ecstatic if their team was doing as well as they are, I would call it underachieving for a Patriots team led by All-Pro quarterback Tom Brady.

They’ve struggled to take down some of the top teams in the NFL, with their defensive struggles a key component in that equation.

If they continue to lose, the 2011 season could mark the end of the Patriots’ rein as one of the NFL’s elite teams.

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (had to throw in something from my favorite team) is on pace to break the NFL’s single-season sack record, set at 22.5 by former New York Giants’ defensive end Michael Strahan.

Prior to the season, many people were starting to write off Allen as a has-been who couldn’t put pressure on passers the way he used to when he was younger. I wonder how those words taste right now.

I could go on for days about what’s been going on in the NFL, but who really wants to read all of that?

For now, the aforementioned happenings will do. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to annoy your professors by reading this during class.

P.S. I’m disappointed in Joe Paterno.

I have great respect for him as a coach and football legend, but what happened is inexcusable. It’s an unfortunate ending to what should have been the most esteemed coaching career in college football history.

“I think it depends on the student athlete and their own personal life. I for one feel that it leaves less air to breathe. A lot of athletes I know have a hard time or can barely balance sports, school, and their outside life -most of the time being work. With good reason I mean, it’s tough balancing all of that and still expected to perform in all areas. I get why they did though, many people think that athletes have it easy, and while that may seem true, those people don’t walk, run, sprint, tackle, or jump in our shoes.”

- Sandra Gutierrez, Volleyball

New NCAA rules good or bad for Mt. SAC athletics? /()$0&'1*2 !"#$$%&'(")' The dynamics of junior college sports will forever change come Fall of 2012.

In a move to raise standards in academic performance in student-athletes, the Division I Board of Directors have implemented new rules for two-year transfers.

According to the NCAA website dated October 27, the board approved a raise in grade-point average for junior college students from 2.0 to 2.5 as the minimum to enroll at a four-year university.

In addition, only two physical education courses will be credited transferrable to the four-year schools.

Those junior college students who failed academically from high school must complete math, English and science courses.

As I read through the information, three things come into mind regarding Mt. SAC athletics: (1) How will the recruiting process differ for the personnel responsible scouting for off-campus players?

(2) When a student-athlete starts their clock, will two-years be ample time for them to finish their general education courses maintaining a 2.5 average and transfer in time to a four-year school?

(3) Will they start providing more services for student-athletes like the WIN program to offer more personal assistance - maybe a seven-day a week schedule for more aids and services?

(4) What about student-athletes that come from lower economic families? Many that I have come to talk to struggle an barely get by with “C” average performances. Will they be able to sustain the new rules despite the fact that it helps to build the athletes to be better?

I decided to ask a number of Mt. SAC athletes about what they thought about the new rules:

“Honestly I think this is fair.

I never knew what the rule was previous to the new one but the new rule seems reasonable. 2.5 GPA is very easy to get. That’s not hard at all. The PE rule is fair also. It doesn’t make sense for someone to transfer with a lot of PE classes.

The previous rules were a joke. I’m a student athlete and I hate school but these requirements are not hard to achieve.”

- Hector Salazar, Soccer

Youth is the word for men’s and women’s hoops !"#$%&'(")*+( !"#$$%&'(")' Coming off successful seasons, both the Mt. SAC men’s basketball and women’s basketball programs geared up for the new season as they tipped off tournament play over the weekend in San Francisco and at home, respectively.

The Men’s team, ranked No. 11 in the state and No. 6 in the pre-season polls, kicked off with a trip to San Francisco state with an opening game against Napa and a second game against the host San Francisco City College Rams and No. 3 ranked Fresno.

Interim Head Coach Criss Freeman said despite the infusion of young talent, the team is prepared to continue the success Mt. SAC has enjoyed in recent years.

“I think we’re prepared, we have

a lot of newcomers this year, not a lot of returners from last year, but we do have three sophomores that are coming back.

We have a lot of new faces, but they are in here working hard, I think we’re in shape, I think we’re a pretty good team.”

Freeman pointed to three sophomores in particular: Steve Mallory, Ervin Ware, Cliff Simms and Steven Mallory who are expected to teach the system to incoming freshmen and transfers.

“We’re fortunate we had a great year last year, we were ranked No. 1 all year pretty much, we also had nine sophomores, so we lost a lot of sophomores, but the 3 we have coming back are good quality kids, and they should help us get over the hump, I’m hoping,” said Freeman.

See Hoops P. 20

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20

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

One game away from conference supremacy? !"#$%&'()* !"#$$%&'(")' With one game left before the end of the regular season, the No. 7 Mounties’ volleyball team (19-3, 11-2) find themselves a win away from a possible South Coast conference title and a high seed going into the playoffs.

The one obstacle that stands in their way is a match against the number one team in Southern California, the (19-2, 12-0) El Camino Warriors happening this Wednesday evening.

The last time both teams faced each other, El Camino came away with a five-set victory, 25-19, 25-15, 20-25, 18-25, 15-11.

The Mounties came into the 2011 season young and inexperienced. Of the 15 players in the lineup, five of those were returning as sophomores.

But with an impressive 8-2 beginning, the team developed faster than expected.

Mounties head coach Maria Dennis knew that with most of the players raw and inexperienced, she had one focus in mind.

“The primary goal was to build a strong team and get the chemistry going,“ Dennis said.

Mounties sophomore Liz Shehee didn’t the find the task difficult getting the freshmen acclimated to Dennis’ system.

“All the girls had the right attitudes and came in ready to play every game,” Sheehee said. “The sophomores had a really strong bond to begin with so it helped make the chemistry better.”

The Mounties gained momentum during the pre-season going into the conference matches but found the most trouble against two schools in particular, eighth-ranked (18-4, 10-2) Pasadena and El Camino.

After a tough 5-set loss to Pasadena in their first meeting, Dennis emphasized on finishing matches and having the ladies push harder in their game.

Sophomore Jennifer Silva saw the same problem with the team’s first loss to El Camino as well.

“We just weren’t able to finish not because El Camino is unbeatable—they are, but we weren’t relaxed and mentally strong through the end,” Silva said.

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Dennis said the team’s mistake of not playing 100 percent all the time was a problem.

“The team has a tendency of playing easy on the easy teams and will have to work on being consistent all the time,” she said.

Freshman Caitlyn Fortugno agreed with Dennis.

“We really need to get in an aggressive mind set and not let up,” Fortugno said. “We need to go out hard and make them realize that this isn’t going to be easy and that we will never give up – whether it’s Pasadena or El Camino.”

The Mounties responded with aggression the second time meeting with Pasadena and

surprised them in three sets winning 26-24, 2521, 25-12.

Sandra Gutierrez is the Mounties’ tallest player standing at 6 feet and will see trouble at the net when she faces five of El Camino’s players, each who are 6 feet tall as well (four players at 5’10” and up).

“The most important thing for us to do in practice or in the game is to talk,” Shehee said. “Talking and communicating is our way of staying positive and understanding each other on the court. With that, we’ll be able to win.”

Game time is scheduled at home with a 5:00 start.

Cont. from Hoops P. 19 transition the team faces year in and year out is training new players in the Mt. SAC system.

Some of the talent to keep an eye out for according to Freeman include Darnell Martin from Nogales High, Corey Allen, a highly recruited shooting guard from St. Louis, and Garrett Nevels, who red shirted at St. Johns last year, from Palisades High School.

Freeman said of the returning players, Ware is one of the most solid.

“Irving Ware our starting point guard started every game last year, he played alongside Antonio Biglow they made up a very formidable backcourt and I think he’ll be able to do the same with Corey Allen, he’s really our glue right now, he’s our floor leader.

“These new freshmen and transfers that are coming in are not used to competing the way we compete, we just teach them the way we do things and the intensity we play and practice with,” he said.

The women’s basketball team is coached by Brian Crichlow, who was named Southern California Coach of the Year this past

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February.

Crichlow is optimistic about the team’s performance on the court, despite their youth.

“This is probably the most amount of freshmen we’ve had on the roster in my 13 years here at

Mt. SAC. It will be an interesting group, a very talented group, we’ll be better later, but I just think if they can play within the confines of the system and play hard, they can get a lot of things accomplished faster.”

Crichlow said the coaching philosophy does not change, even if the composition of the team has.

“We’re just a little bit more patient, we’re still as demanding, we want still done in the same manner time-wise, but we’re a little bit more patient, we know we’re going to make mistakes early, we know we’re going to take losses early, we have to coach every possession as opposed to every other possession now and roughly by late December we’re ready to roll.”

He said some of the players to watch for include returning point guard Ashawnte Hawkins who is recovering from a torn ACL, All Conference player Arielle George, and Leticia Galarza from Bishop Amat among others.

“We also look for them to make an impact early, we need that push from them because those are players we are expecting a lot from for the entire year from start to finish,” said Crichlow.

The people standing on the sidelines may change, but one thing never knows. “Because we’re at Mt. SAC, whether we have a great year or a down year people are always going to bring their A game to us.”