THE RAMPAGE The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College
Fall 2019 | ISSUE 6 | November 6, 2019
UNDOCUMENTED
Humanizing the controversial issue of living undocumented in America. Page 4 Dreamer Jackie Garcia holds items that represent her journey from Mexico to the the U.S. in front of the Statue of Liberty mural at the Amvets Building in Downtown Fresno on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Photo Illustration/Mark Ross
entertainment
Opinion
09
Caution: watch out for bikers. Here are a few reasons why biking is the best transportation option.
06
Kanye west takes us to church with his newest album. Editor review.
sports
of two teams: Men's 12 AandTalewomen's soccer review
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We Apologize The Editorial Board
editors@therampageonline.com
THE RAMPAGE
The student-run newspaper of Fresno City College
STAFF Editor-in-Chief Tommy Tribble
News Editor Hannah Lanier
Entertainment Editor John Bruce
Opinion Editor Derek Bullis
Sports Editor
We want to extend our deepest apologies. On Friday, Oct. 25 we learned of a terrible oversight in the print run of our fifth issue, specifically a drop quote in the “Chemical Spill Shuts Down MSE Building, 4 Hospitalized” cover story. Shirley McManus, the dean of math, science, and engineering was referred to by a word that was inappropriate and insulting. We know that this word has caused significant pain and embarrassment to the dean, and many others who read our paper. We know that it has put those who defend student journalism into a difficult and awkward position. The oversight cannot be justified, but it
Ben Hensley
can be explained. For the past several years, we have used templates for our drop quotes that included the insulting word because the Rampage reporter who originally designed those templates thought it was funny. We know now that it is not funny. The template was used, but the second line was not revised. The insult was printed. While the Rampage can be critical of both faculty and administrators, we never seek to demean, insult, or harass anyone. We employ rigorous systems of fact checking and copyediting at our paper. Those systems failed. We have failed. We have taken steps to ensure that this will never happen again. Our templates no longer include insulting language of any kind. We have personally apologized to Dean McManus, and hope that one day the
oversight can be forgiven. This oversight represents a tremendous breach in our protocol and a violation of our core principles. There was some concern that this apology would draw attention to the oversight, resulting in greater embarrassment for ourselves and our paper. As journalists we feel no shame admitting our mistakes. Transparency is the core ethos of our field. We prefer truth, even when it is inconvenient, and we will never regret correcting the record. In the interest of transparency, decency, and truth, we deeply apologize for our mistake. We apologize to the person we hurt, and we apologize to our readers.
Multimedia Editor Leticia Leal
Online Editor Kris Hall
Tommy Tribble, Editor-in-Chief
Hannah Lanier, News Editor
John Bruce, Entertainment Editor
Derek Bullis, Opinion Editor
Reporters
Alfredo Rodriguez Christian Zarcone Jeffery Gilkison Leilani Bustos Mark Ross Moises Buitrago Natalie Gallegos Patrick Henslee Symmone Woods Toni Woodruff
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Ben Hensley, Sports Editor
Leticia Leal, Multimedia Edior
Let It Grow for No-Shave November Avery Johnston | Reporter ajohnston@therampageonline.com
Things are looking scruffy for people this month as the annual No-Shave November, held Nov. 1-30, campaign raises awareness for cancer. The demonstration raises awareness of cancer, as patients undergoing radiation therapy tend to lose their hair. The goal is to raise money by participants donating the money they would have used on razors and shaving cream to cancer research during the month of November. FCC student Jeff Paul participates every November to support his mother during her cancer journey. “I do it to show that changing your appearance doesn't change who you are,” says Paul. No-Shave November has helped raise more than $1.8 million in the fight against cancer within nine years. The money is split evenly to the Fight Colorectal Cancer, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, and Prevent Cancer Foundation. “Our goal is to keep raising money for
cancer prevention, education, and research,” No-Shave November website states. The rules of No-Shave November are simple: don’t shave until the end of November and donate your monthly hair maintenance
expenses to the cause. You can set up your own donation page or donate directly on their website. If you aren’t allowed to grow your hair out because of work or school dress code- grooming and trimming are accepted. It is estimated that 90% of all adult males shave at least once a day. It is also estimated that a man will shave at least 20,000 times in his lifetime. The web based, non-profit organization started in 2009 by members of the
Letters to the Editor editorial@therampageonline.com Corrections media@therampageonline.com Any correction needed for an article should be brought to the attention of the staff of the Rampage. The Rampage is committed to accuracy and should be made aware of any mistake in an article that appears in this paper. Views expressed in the opinion pages are those of the individual writer and not of the newspaper. The Rampage is produced by students of the Journalism 11 A, B, C, D class.
Kris Hall, Online Editor
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Chicagoland Hill family after losing their father to colon cancer two years prior. Student Alexandra Garcia notes that she spends 20-30 dollars a month on shaving products alone. “I don’t shave to save money, so I usually donate that money during November. I feel like it’s a great cause,” Garcia says. Another popular trend for November is Movember.where participants are encouraged to grow a moustache. The Movember Foundation helps to generate awareness for testicular cancer along with mental health and suicide prevention. They also encourage people to move by running or walking 60 miles over the month. According to the website, “That’s 60 miles for the 60 men we lose to suicide each hour, every hour across the world.” According to the organization, prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men in the United States. The organization says one in 20 men diagnosed with testicular cancer will not survive. For more information, visit to no-shave.org.
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Wildfires Attack California and the Valley Can’t Breathe
Patrick Henslee | Reporter phenslee@therampageonline.com
California’s Central Valley currently sits surrounded by a barrage of wildfires ranging north, east and south of the agricultural bowl. The state is managing the spread of eight wildfires, but since the bulk of the fires began in October, Central Valley residents have endured limitations on outdoor activity, deteriorating air quality and the worry of endangered loved ones being far from home. The wildfire’s effects on the Central Valley aren’t on its land, but in its lungs. Similarly, you can’t see one of the fires raging in a backyard in the valley, but you can see it inside the home of one of its families. Luis Rizo is an architectural engineering major in his sophomore year at FCC. His older brother, Jose, is one of the local firefighters who’ve been travelling up and down California helping control the widespread destruction of the wildfires. “I don’t think my family really sees the full scope of how dangerous this is,” said Luis Rizo, in reference to his brother’s dangerous profession. “Our whole family doesn’t think too much about what could happen. We know what can happen, but we don’t think it’ll ever happen to him,” he said. Rizo describes his and his family’s feelings carefully, emphasizing that it’s not any type of neglect that they’re expressing but a feeling of emotional distance, mostly from simple lack of understanding. “It’s something I don’t really know how to deal with. I know no one else going through this; I don’t have any friends with siblings or relatives that are firefighters, so it’s hard for me to understand what’s going on and what’s at risk,” said Rizo. He added that the newness of a situation like theirs draws out a sense of unpreparedness and unease. “It’s all new so we don’t know what to expect,” he said. “Like, what should we prepare for? Should we live knowing that this could be the last time we see or talk to him? Who wants to think that you’re never going to see them again, you know?” The flames are devouring forestry at rates faster than crews can
keep up with, residents living in endangered areas were forced to evacuate their homes and those away from the fires are breathing in air polluted with smoke and ash. While California experiences its fair share of wildfires, this grouping of blazes sets up to be the worst since 2017, which was historically destructive. The Los Angeles Times’ California wildfires map has been documenting the fires and regularly updating its information on their development. The Kincade fire currently raging
fires have sprung up within the past week, with the latter torching almost 10,000 acres in a few days. The Saddle Ridge fire has been successfully contained, but not before it destroyed almost 9,000 acres. The Getty fire is also coming to a close and the Tick fire has already been contained, but over 5,000 acres of incinerated Los Angeles hillside still doesn’t illustrate the weight nearby residents and students felt on their shoulders. Authorities had to order the evacuation of at least 40,000 people
“I didn’t want to go outside because I was so scared that the fire would crossover and I wouldn’t know anything,” she said. “I was scared the whole time and still had to study for my midterms the next day.” The pressure of being a college student is already well known and well documented; living off of a shoestring budget, while balancing work and school with the future in mind. But being a young adult with little support to stand on when a fire threatens your living situation
Blazing wildfires tarnished the Central Valley skyline even more than usual on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. Brown skies congested the air above all of Fresno, causing worry for groups sensitive to poor air quality. Photo/Larry Valenzuela
in Sonoma County is the largest, burning nearly 78,000 acres across 13 days. Higher north, the Ranch fire has already burned nearly 3,000 acres, while the South fire has cleared over 5,000 acres. To the east, the Taboose fire has burned over 10,000 acres in nearly two months, but Southern California has been bearing the brunt of the destruction. The Sobrante, Hillside, and Maria
in Los Angeles residencies for days. But students attending UCLA, away from their valley roots, only had classes cancelled for a day. “I was checking alerts all that morning. The fire was just on the other side of the freeway so all it had to do was crossover and we’d have to be evacuated,” said Denae Vargas, a sophomore at UCLA majoring in economics and native to the Central Valley.
There is Still 'Hope for the Holidays' Kris Hall | Online Editor khall@therampageonline.com
As is tradition, Fresno City College’s “Hope for the Holidays” is also preparing for the giving season. The “Hope for the Holidays” committee is rewarding students who need help this season using donations from students and other members of the community. In order to be selected, students experiencing economic hardship have to be nominated ahead of time. If you have anyone in mind, nominations
are due this Friday, Nov. 8. Come see student activities in the student lounge if you have a nomination, and then head over to the business office in the Old Administration Building to make a donation. If you've already nominated a student, but you missed the nomination deadline, that's OK. You can still donate to cover as many students as possible until Dec. 4 at the business office or online.
presents a different challenge that no one prepares themselves for when they tell mom and dad goodbye for the semester. “It’s already not easy just worrying about midterms and tests and everything, so the fires are just another worry,” said Preet Bains, a Selma High School graduate who’s now a pre-medical student in his senior year at UCLA. That same polluted air in Los
Angeles eventually gets blown away, but much like the fires in every other direction, the air falls right into the Central Valley. The weekend before the fires cancelled classes across Los Angeles, Fresno County and its neighboring regions were buried under a blanket of fallout from the wildfires surrounding the area. The poor air quality didn’t force schools to close, but it threatened athletic activities at Fresno City College. FCC men’s and women’s soccer teams had home games scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 29, although they were nearly rescheduled due to unhealthy air conditions. “The players’ health is always the most important thing, whether it be physical health or mental health, we have to work around that,” said men’s soccer head coach Eric Solberg. FCC follows an athletic policy recently administered by the NCAA concerning athletic activities in poor air quality conditions. Even though it’s up to the school’s athletic trainers to monitor the air quality and make the call, Solberg says he still notices when his players are affected in such situations. “I don’t think the players think about it much, but it affects a couple kids with asthma issues,” said Solberg. Valley residents are finding this to be a growingly prevalent issue and the evidence proves it. In April 2019, the American Lung Association ranked the Fresno-Hanford-Madera regions fourth in high ozone days in 228 metropolitan areas, second in 24-hour particle pollution out of 217 metropolitan areas and first in annual particle pollution out of 203 metropolitan areas. In 2016, the California Department of Public Health issued the Fresno County Asthma Profile, revealing that “approximately 176,000 children and adults have been diagnosed with asthma”, and that number is sure to have climbed in the last three years. California’s wildfires continue to torch not just forestry, but the hopes of Central Valley natives who are gasping for air and grasping for help.
Veterans Ceremony Presents Citizen Soldier Award Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College will host their annual Veterans Day Ceremony Friday, Nov. 8 at noon in front of the Veterans Peace Memorial. Central Valley Honor Flight program will be honored specifically this year, with Honor Flight Vice President Paul Loeffler as keynote speaker. The Central Valley Honor Flight pays tribute to veterans for their sacrifices by sending them on an all expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. to visit their memorials. Priority for the honor flight is given to WWII veterans, but according to their website the program also honors
veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars depending on available space. This year’s Citizen Soldier Award will be presented to FCC Fire Academy Director Peter Cacossa. After enlisting in the U.S. Army, Cacossa graduated from the West Point Military Academy in 2006 before serving in active duty for nine years, eventually achieving the rank of Captain. This year’s ceremony will feature both the FCC Concert Band as well as City Singers, FCC student Kailyn Few performing the National Anthem, a salute to Armed Forces and more festivities.
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Living Life Undocumented
Dreamer Jackie Garcia stands in front of the Fresno mural by artist Francisco Vargas which celebrates the diversity of the city on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Photo Illustration/Mark Ross Tommy Tribble | Editor-in-Chief ttribble@therampageonline.com
Jaquelin was only 7 years old when she crossed the border. The trip from Tijuana to the border took three days. She remembers every detail. The tall, grassy field where they met their guide, the same grass they walked through for miles. Her mother’s hands and feet grew swollen, and she could no longer walk. “So she [her mother] decided we were just going to give up, and we were just going to go back home,” Jackie said. And then there was a white truck. A white man asked them if they had an ID. Her mother didn’t understand. So she only said, “Yes.” He gave them a ride to the border. “When we came to the last check up, they just checked the truck, didn’t ask us for any information and just let us through,” Jackie said. Jackie thinks it might have been because of her fair skin. Jackie and her mother managed to reach the U.S.-Mexico border before entering San Diego on Sept. 22, 2007. “We started seeing all these beautiful houses everywhere that we had never seen before,” Jackie said. “And that’s when my mom said, ‘This is it. I think we made it.’” The Nation of Immigrants As of this year, the U.S. has more immigrants than any other country, according to a 2015 estimate by the United Nations. More than 40 million U.S. residents were born in another country, according to the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank. The U.S. foreign-born population is 44.4 million as of 2017 according to figures from the Pew Research center. • 20.7 million - Naturalized Citizens • 12.3 Million - Lawful Permanent Residents • 2.2 Million - Temporary Lawful Permanent Residents • 10.5 Million Unauthorized Immigrants Forty-five percent were naturalized citizens; 27% were lawful permanent residents, 5% were temporary lawful residents and about 23% are unauthorized
Hannah Lanier | News Editor hlanier@therampageonline.com
immigrants, according to the Pew Research Center’s findings. The number of immigrants in the nation has increased since 1965 when U.S. immigration laws replaced a national quota system. Between 1990 to 2007, the undocumented immigrant population more than tripled in size, from 3.5 million to 12.2 million. A decade later, the number of immigrants had declined by 1.7 million and the number of undocumented immigrants was down to 10.5 Million. The decline in the undocumented population is due to a decrease in immigration from Mexico, the source of the largest group of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. between 2007 and 2017. Immigrants eligible for naturalization apply to become citizens; however, lawful immigrants from Mexico have the lowest naturalization rate overall. Some of the obstacles to their citizenship include language and personal barriers, lack of interest and low finances. Immigrants settle mostly in urban areas. Cities such as Los Angeles and New York City have about 6 million immigrants; Miami has about 3 million. Seattle, Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, Riverside, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Orlando, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Boston are estimated to have around 500,000 immigrants each. DACA Jackie, like so many others, was brought to the U.S. as a child by her parent. The U.S. is the home she’s known longest. She spent the majority of her childhood in Tulare. She was bullied for the language barrier she struggled with growing up. She has faced slurs, sickness, and poverty—her mother worked the fields her entire life. “I remember my house being halfway built the entire time that I lived there,” she said. “I always remember not having shoes, my clothes being raggedy, it was terrible,” she said. She is 21 now, and a DACA recipient. The DACA program was
Leilani Bustos | Reporter lbustos@therampageonline.com
enacted in 2012 during the Obama administration and mainly impacted students who lived in the U.S. undocumented. It allowed some individuals who were brought to the United States as children to apply and receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and work permit eligibility. On March 5, 2018, the Trump administration announced they would end DACA after Trump repeatedly pledged to rescind it during his campaign. The move came after some states threatened to sue the Trump administration unless it took steps to end the program. DACA recipients cannot vote or leave the country or qualify for federal work-study. Eligibility for DACA is narrow. Recipients must have come to the country before their 16th birthday, have lived in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007, and have to be enrolled in school or have completed a GED. Felony or serious misdemeanor convictions are disqualifying. “Each year we are seeing fewer and fewer students with DACA,” Ben Reynosos, director of the Dream Center at Fresno City
Alfredo Rodriguez | Reporter arodriguez@therampageonline.com
College, said. According to Reynosos, DACA recipients are currently eligible for financial aid from the state of California, but not for federal programs. “Some of our students are able to work through DACA,” he said. “But again, we’re seeing that more and more students are not able to work.” According to the American Psychological Association, undocumented youth struggle day to day with underlying fears of racial profiling, discrimination, immigration raids, family separation, detention camps and deportation. Youths may also feel a sense of obligation to take responsibility for their families due to their personal advantages with DACA. Many DACA recipients take the role of head of household. In total, there are more than 40 million immigrants — over 825,000 are DACA recipients — currently live in the U.S. 188,420 live in California alone, according to a 2017 microanalysis by the Center for American Progress, a public policy research organization. Their average age of arrival in the
Avery Johnston | Reporter ajohnston@therampageonline.com
U.S. is 7 years old. Not Afraid Anymore — Undocumented Students at California Community College An estimated 50,000 to 70,000 undocumented students are enrolled at California Community Colleges. “People think I do [remember], but I was 3. My earliest memory that I could think of is just eating soup at my grandma’s house,” said Gustavo Hernandez, a student at Fresno City College. He is currently undecided about his major but plans to open up his own business one day. Hernandez is one of many DACA students on campus. His dad worked and his mom helped around the house. He remembers moving around a lot when he was a kid. He attended Greenberg Elementary and later, Roosevelt Elementary School. Hernandez remembers that kids in his elementary school teased him, calling him several demeaning terms; he did not even know what those terms meant. “I was expected to not get in trouble,” Hernandez said, “just avoid trouble.”
Christina Cortez, 30, tells her story of crossing the border into the United States at the young age of 5, leaving behind two of her seven siblings in her home country of Mexico on Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. Photo/Leticia Leal
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“
Even being a citizen, any little crime I could commit would end my time being here.”
-Marlene Hernandez U.S. Citizen
Hernandez said his parents pleaded with him to avoid trouble at all cost because unwanted trouble could jeopardize his future. He did not want to break any laws and wanted to be a good person. But being undocumented is not, by any means, easy. Hernandez’s day consists of waking up at 6 a.m, getting dressed and eating breakfast, before heading to his nine to 10 hour work day. On the days he goes to school, he wakes up early and goes to FCC to study there. He said that after high school, he was more focused on working and getting by than he was on his education. As the years went on, however, he decided to take his education more seriously and has been balancing his work and classes. “Before DACA I was just here undocumented,” Hernandez said. “My parents are not as worried as they were.” He feared deportation, but now DACA has granted him many privileges– alleviating those fears. Hernandez wants politicians to consider the stories and emotions of undocumented students and what they go through. He said that if politicians understood those obstacles, then they might begin to understand the real issue. He feels grateful that he was granted DACA status before it was canceled by the Trump administration. The Supreme Court is just days away from hearing oral arguments about DACA which has been in limbo since September 2017 when Trump ordered his administration to stop renewing work permits. “I am a little terrified about the [Supreme Court] decision,” Jackie said. The Dangers of Crossing Luis Fernando Hernandez came to the U.S. in the 1970s when he was 17. He lived in Nayarit, Mexico, one of the 31 states that, with Mexico City, comprise Mexico. “I wanted to come here [the U.S.] because I was in poverty in Mexico,” he said. Fernando Hernandez longed to sustain himself. He had family in the U.S. who obtained papers for him to become a permanent resident. He said he had crossed the border legally.
Marlene Hernadez, Fernando Hernandez’s wife, was another matter. He met her back in his hometown and chose to help her join him in the U.S., even though doing so would jeopardize his own residency. Marlene remembers two little girls that traveled with them. “We went through dirt paths and went through a little hole under the fence,” she said. “The little girls fit perfectly, but it was harder for me to get through.” But Marlene did make it to the U.S. and finally became a citizen in January 2018. It seems impossible that something so important could take so long, but Marlene and immigrants like her do not have an instruction manual to succeed in their new country. She didn’t speak much English, and still doesn’t; relying on her son as a primary means of translation. She didn’t know the complexities of the immigration laws. “I waited a long time because I didn’t know who to get in contact with,” she said. Resources proved elusive. It was only thanks to her adult children that she was finally able to acquire citizenship, decades after crossing the border. Many immigrants do not make it through at all. An unclassified report obtained by ABC news concluded that 260 migrants died crossing the southern border of the U.S. in 2018. Fifty of those deaths were marked “waterrelated.” Marlene swam across a river during her journey. But the greatest threat that she faced was heat exposure, which was responsible for the remainder of the deaths. Seven-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin was travelling from Guatemala with her father and a group of 163 others, including 50 unaccompanied children, when her group was apprehended by border patrol near the New Mexico border on March 30, 2019, according to an ABC News
article. She died of dehydration and cardiac arrest while in custody, according to the article. For the apprehended children that survive, living undocumented in border facilities poses its own dangers. The Trump administration’s controversial child separation policy, a punitive measure that separated undocumented
immigrants in custody from their children was first announced in April 2018 by then Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but recent investigations have unearthed that it actually began a year earlier, according to the article “Democrats Grill Trump Administration Officials Over Family Separation Policy on the Border,” published in USA Today. The policy was widely condemned, and eventually rescinded by executive order. But officials said it still continues today in smaller numbers. As reported by USA Today, Commander Jonathan White, who oversaw the care of minors for Health and Human Services, said he raised concerns that separation would mean lifelong psychological trauma for the children involved. Sergio Hernandez, the son of Marlene and Luis Hernandez, said he also worried that he could be separated from his parents. “It was hard to see other kids’ parents being able to go anywhere. I felt anxious and fearful of what might happen if one of them got in trouble with the law.” For citizens, a brush with the law might mean jail time, or a fine. For the undocumented, it could mean deportation. Marlene still worries about it. She sees immigrants on television having their citizenship revoked for any conflict with the law. “Even being a citizen, any little crime I could commit would end my time being here,” she said. Coming to the U.S. meant danger, the possibility of death, and now the possibility of comfort and safety being revoked at any time. Still, when Marlene became a citizen, she felt free. She likes the reassurance of being here, “being safe, and for my kids. They benefit more being here.” Despite everything, Marlene still sees the U.S. as a place of opportunity compared to back home. Cristina Cortez, 30, was born in
Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico, and she came to the U.S. tucked away in a U-Haul. She braved barbed wire fences, hitched a ride with a semi truck, a cab, and finally her cousin, who took her to Culver City in Los Angeles. She has seven siblings, two still in Mexico. Like Marlene, she’s a mother, but unlike Marlene, she doesn’t worry much about getting deported. “If it happens,
it happens and I’ll go back to Mexico,” she said. “I would take my kid with me.” Behind the Scenes There are several steps in the process to become a citizen. This system can be quick and merciful or it can be long and gruesome. Applicants wait years to become citizens. Most never do. The first step to citizenship is applying and being granted a green card. A green card permits the holder certain rights, as well as legal residency in the U.S., but these
“
I’m doing all of this for my family. I’m doing all of this because I want to give back to them.” -Jackie
DACA Recipient can be easily revoked if the holder commits a crime as simple as a parking ticket, attempts to vote in a national election or fails to submit change in residency paperwork in a timely fashion. Some of the pathways to apply for a green card include application through a family member as a sponsor, eligibility for employment and seeking asylum. Even if an applicant meets any one of these criteria they must not be a minor, be able to verbally communicate—as well as write and read—in English and be “a person of good moral character,” according to the Department of Homeland
Security website. After a person receives their green card, their process to citizenship is still long. To apply for citizenship, an applicant must have their green card for at least five years. It could be three years only if they have a spouse that is an American citizen. The green card is step one of the lengthy 10 step process to
citizenship. A naturalization test made up of rigourous American facts from both past and present. A formal interview. An allegiant oath. Immigration lawyers, nonprofit organizations, and programs created by previous administrations exist, but for undocumented immigrants like Marlene Hernadez language barriers and lack of resources can prove insurmountable for decades at a time. The Dream The Dream Center at FCC offers counceling and emotional support for undocumented students, or students who come from families that are in some part undocumented, according to Ben Reynosos, Dream Center director. The center has a liaison in the financial aid office that helps connect undocumented students with aid they might be eligible for. The majority of students who seek help from the Dream Center are from Latin American countries, but they also serve refugees and asylum students, according to Reynosos. DACA students like Jackie rely on the Dream Center a great deal. “I came in and I let them know that I’m very sick,” she said. She’s been dealing with her illness for two years but couldn’t find anyone to direct her to the proper care. “I just came in and [the Dream Center] got me an appointment and I might just be getting the specialist that I need.” The Dream Center refers dreamers and the undocumented to the Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN) and the Educational Leadership Foundation for legal assistance. By contrast, the Dream Center mainly focuses on their academics. “Any question that I have I go into the Dream Center and they answer all my questions. They try their hardest to help me,” Jackie said. Determination Jackie wouldn’t be here without her mother’s sacrifices–without the decision to come to this country, to brave the long walk: without her simple, daring answer of, “Yes.” Her mother worked the fields, kept them alive even when they were living out of their car. She said she’s grateful for those sacrifices. “I’m doing all of this for my family. I’m doing all of this because I want to give back to them,” she said. She wants to give back to that family, to break the stigma that hangs over all of them. Poor. Uneducated. Undocumented. “I know that if I continue working hard, pushing every day, not letting this sickness push me back,” she said, crying, “but make me stronger–I know that I will accomplish everything.” Some of the names in this story have been changed to protect the identities of the undocumented.
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New Wrinkles Bring Old Music to OAB Group Still Going Strong after 32 Years of Playing Music for the Valley Moises Buitrago | Reporter mbuitrago@therampageonline.com
The OAB auditorium was filled with harmony and the warm music of the Senior Showcase group, New Wrinkles. On Friday, Oct. 26, New Wrinkles performed “A Little Night Music” featuring the greatest hits of the 20th century. Seventeen senior citizen performers played 32 different each with their own unique take. Viewers were treated to an animated performance of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” and “A Whole New World.” Songs varied from different decades, each performance varied from duets, solos, and choir. New Wrinkles started 32 years ago, said director David Bonetto, and has been performing at Fresno City College since then. Starting at age 55, performers are allowed to audition for New Wrinkles. A 1958 grant allowed the group to get started and they began performing at Fresno City College. Out of the clubs who received the grant New Wrinkles, is the last one remaining said creative writer Darrel Yates. In between each choir performance, Yates read aloud a small writing to the crowd that provided small bits of wisdom and the eventual passing of time.
While performing, cast members put a twist on each performance. Some songs like “Baby It’s Cold Outside” was halted during the performance to allow the performers to poke fun at the song. In recent years, the song has been a target of the MeToo movement and some believe it is now a socially unacceptable song. Other performances throughout the night included a short, but heartwarming duet of “Unchained Melodies,” originally performed by The Righteous Brothers. During the song, two performers stepped down from the stage and each approached their significant other. Each performance was accompanied by bass guitar player Alexis Holladay and drummer Anthony Rodriguez. The night concluded with “Thank You for a Night of Music” performed by the whole cast. The cast of New Wrinkles comes from different singing backgrounds like barbershop quartet and tap dancing. The group isn’t just a hobby for some performers: it is a way of celebrating their past and reliving their memories. “I love those songs because they don’t make music like that anymore. Our audience can relate to the music.
Music filled the air in the OAB during New Wrinkles performance on Friday, Oct. 26, 2019. Each cast memeber performed a song from the 20th century with a twist. Photo/Moises Buitrago
It brings back memories,” said 22 year member Gabe Agao. Others, like 15-year member Mac McIntosh, joined New Wrinkles after being recruited while he was doing barbershop quartet. According to Mcintosh, he has been singing since he was 8 years old and has become a passion of his. The team prides itself on the family orientated nature of the staff, spending most of their time together. New Wrinkles includes members
Jesus is King and Kanye West is His Disciple Hannah Lanier | News Editor hlanier@therampageonline.com
Once again, Kanye West creates an aesthetic rather than following one. After months of speculation, delays and excuses, West delivered both a new album, and a short film. This is Kanye West taking us to church. In a 35 minute short film, you are sucked into a spiritual and physical atmosphere where your heart beat aligns with the harmony of the choir. The film—which is only for YE fans, because I doubt that anyone else could sit through this simulation of a church service—drives the audience into the mind of the considerably insane rapper. Insane genius, that is. The film on its own fed my soul in a way that left me wanting more, starving for the next frame, the next chorus. The film, more so musical, was exhilarating. A choir was placed in a dome like structure that made their voice echo, magnifying the intensity of the worship. The men and women were singing to the point of sobbing; feeling so fulfilled within this atmosphere created for faith, connection, and power. You hold your breath between transitions because the film consumes you with curiosity. You long to understand it. The new album, also called “Jesus Is King,” was supposed to drop at midnight on Thursday, Oct. 24, but was pushed back when the rapper tweeted that it needed finalization, leaving his fans devastated and hopeless yet again, until Friday, Oct. 25, when the album was finally released in the early afternoon. West has illustrated the trials and tribulations of his life through that power of his music.
Kanye West performing "Jesus Walks" during Singfest on Aug. 5, 2010 in Singapore. Photo/Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Taking his long time fans on an emotional
rollercoaster starting at “The College Dropout,” getting lost in “Yeezus,” leading up to this moment in “The Life of Pablo,” and culminating in “Jesus Is King.” West is at the peak of his spiritual awakening, and we have been lucky enough to be along for the ride. While this album is different for the rapper, each song has components that remind us of the simpler times of his culture sculpting albums like “Graduation.”
This album draws inspiration from his past accomplishments referencing his worshipcentered songs like “Jesus Walks” off his 2004 debut album “The College Dropout,” and some of his inspiration comes from the early 2019 leak of his speculated release, “Yahndi,” that has six of the same titles songs. West has never shied away from his faith, but notes in this album that “The Devil had my soul. I can’t lie, but I survived.” In a 2013 interview with LA’s Power 106, West said, “I mean eventually—10 years from now—I just wanna create for the church. Period.” That is exactly what he has done. From starting the widely popular Sunday Service earlier this year following his divisive statements about slavery, and support for a controversial president. While I originally thought that this album was going to be a public repentance of his socially imposed sins, it’s a pure devotion to the gospel. The concept of this album may be new for YE, but the beats, instrumentals and everything else screams West doing it like nobody else can. It's clear that whatever comes out of this album, West did not do this in anticipation of his fans acceptance—he never has. West has always been and still remains pure. His musical journey has shown in raw effect that point of his life that he was in, never conforming to popular demand, never being afraid to speak his mind. That is what has made him infamous. That is what is made him Kanye West. Now, that is what makes him a not at all humble servant of Jesus, proclaiming, “Jesus is King.”
who have stayed with the crew for 10 plus years. “As a yearlong program, everyone is constantly rehearsing and we gladly become a part of group and social life,” said Yates. The cast continues to rehearse for their next performance on May 29 through June 14 for their performance, “A 20/20 Vision Look Back”” at the Fresno City College Theatre.
'Working side by side' educates students on deaf awareness Symmone Woods | Reporter swoods@therampageonline.com
‘Working Side by Side’ was a presentation given on Monday Oct. 28, 2019, by Academic Lecturer, Trisha Houston. This presentation informed students, and faculty on how to assist, accommodate, and include deaf and deafblind students properly and appropriately. Houston spoke about respect, inclusion and the deaf community as a cultural group rather than just being labeled as disabled. “The best ways to communicate with a hearing impaired person are through interpreters, pen and paper, ubi-duo, or laptop” according to Trisha Houston. She spoke on the immense stigma regarding the hearing impared and how to properly address and communicate with them. Houston also spoke about the “U” shape seating, which is known as a deaf friendly room set up.
11.6.19 ENTERTAINMENT 7
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City Singers Host 37 California Choirs at Statewide Festival Toni Woodruff | Reporter twoodruff@therampageonline.com
Choirs from all over California filled Fresno City College’s Old Administration Building for the annual Fall Choral Festival showcasing their vocals on Oct. 30 and 31. Organized by FCC Choral Director Julie Dana and her choir members, the two day event included 17 high schools, five colleges including FCC and for the first time, nine middle schools and two elementary schools. “It’s so important to see what you guys are all doing because sometimes we kind of feel like we are confined to our schools, but then you come here and see schools from all over the place,” said Dana. “That's what’s awesome about this festival is that we come from everywhere and we’re all working together
for the good of humanity with our music, so thank you.” With the festival hosting over 37 choirs, festival judiciator Ryan Holder, had his work cut out for him. As the associate director of choral studies at Northern Arizona University, Holder critiqued each choir performance with helpful intentions. “I focus on the basic concepts like phrase-shaping and fixing of tone,” he said about critiquing their performances. Holder also said that he understands this experience may be a first for some of the students. “I want to try and give them the directory tools to get them to the next level in this safe environment FCC has provided,” Holder said. For Roosevelt High School choir student Autumn Harguess,
the festival gave her and her choir a chance to show off their voices and a new appreciation for music. “It’s amazing to see how plenty of different kids from different cultures all from around Fresno get together to share their music,” Harguess said. “It really is amazing to me how music can grow to us now having these festivals which are just big celebrations of how much people love music.” She applauded Dr. Holder on the advice and suggestions on their performance. “The critiques help us better ourselves for the future so we can see our musical performance in a bigger picture and through a professional point of view,” she said. FCC choir member Laura Loredo finds personal enjoyment in choral festivals because of
Richard Montañez shares his story with FCC students at his Speakers Forum appearance on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019. He is known for inventing the wildly popular Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Photo/Moises Buitrago
the diversity of thought and opinion amongst different choir directors. As she attends her first semester at FCC, Loredo said the transition as a vocalist from high school to college has been constructive. As she looks back on her own experiences at choral festivals in high school, she comments on the knowledge and wisdom each judicator pours into the choirs. “When you have the same choral director for a while, their critiques become very repetitive and then you don't value it too much, but when you come to a festival like this it’s very helpful to see how you're doing from another persons perspective and how you can improve,” Loredo said. Firebaugh choir director and former FCC student, Micheal Gutierrez, attended the festival with multiple choirs from both
Firebaugh High School and Firebaugh Middle School. “I love this festival in particular because it's so relaxed, there's not much pressure on us to be the absolute best or top notch, it's more about having fun,” said Gutierrez. He thanked Holder for his supportive and positive advice, especially because the students walked away feeling motivated and successful. Samantha Arrellano, FCC choir member and student aide for Julie Dana, said the Fall Choral Festival is for enrichment. “It isn’t for a prize,” she said. “We come here to share our music and love for one another and give each choir praise for what they are doing because music is hard. As a vocalist myself, it's hard so we just want to encourage them.”
Montañez poses with a student outside the OAB after his Monday, Oct. 28 speech. He signed bags of Flamin' Hot Cheetos for attendees. Photo/Moises Buitrago
Inventor of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Richard Montañez Visits OAB for Speakers Forum
Kris Hall | Online Editor khall@therampageonline.com
Speaker Richard Montañez emphasizes a point about leadership in his speech at the OAB on Monday, Oct. 28. He speaks to the power of delivering others to success. Photo/Moises Buitrago
Richard Montañez, the genius behind Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, gave a presentation at Fresno City College on Monday Oct. 28, 2019, in the Old Administration Building. Growing up, Montañez could see that he was different from other kids at school. He was the only kid who had a burrito for lunch and felt embarrassed about it. He turned that embarrassment into cash when he started selling his burritos to other kids for 25 cents each. Montañez says all you need is a revelation to create a revolution. His definition of revelation may stray from the mainstream, though. “A revelation is something that is always there, but has been
revealed to you,” he says. To him, this view on revelation is the key to his success. Because of his work ethic, he was in the right place at the right time. According to Montañez, he was employed at Frito-Lay as a janitor but asked another employee if he could help assist him to learn more about the company. While helping this employee stock up a store with the chips and Cheetos, he had a revelation of his own. “I saw it, and I looked at him [the other employee], and he couldn’t see it…because he was an expert.” The Flamin’ Hot Cheeto was born. Because of his invention, he was able to climb from janitor to Vice President of Multicultural Sales & Community Promotions.
Montañez says there are two types of leaders, the pharaoh and the deliverer. “The leadership of a pharaoh is someone who takes people captive to build everything in their image,” Montañez told the audience, “everything looks like them, everything sounds like them, and everything is about them.” But Montañez says there is another way: The leadership of the deliverer. “They come into your life to help deliver you to be everything that you were intended to be,” says Montañez. He told his audience that there is a way to deal with fear, for being nervous. “Hunger is the antidote to fear,” Montañez revealed, “when you’re hungry, fear will leave.”
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A College Education is not as Important as You May Think Leilani Bustos | Reporter lbustos@therampageonline.com
Attending college has been the ideal route for young individuals in the U.S. for decades. Many parents’ dream is for their children to succeed in their education to earn a degree and a career from that degree. College, however, is just not for everyone, as others might seek employment entirely on their own, without the educational knowledge. As for the people who aspire to have a career that requires a college degree, of course it’s important to earn that higher education. According to the Pew Research Center, 94% of parents of children that are 17 or younger expect their children to attend college. Parents are responsible for the overwhelming pressure felt by students to get their academically talented children to succeed in their college education. According to the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, there has been great concern around the pressure that parents create which may cause performance anxiety. This is the problem that has been created in the country—earning a college degree has practically become a requirement in American households, despite the fact that only 32 percent of people in the U.S. between the ages of 45 to 64 have college degrees themselves according to
Wikipedia. Not everyone aspires to be in a career that demands a degree. In fact according to the Hechinger Report, there is a one in five chance that college students will drop out. There are vocational schools or classes that are unrelated to actually earning a college degree, but rather earning the experience of a career like being an EMT, plumber or construction work. Here are the pros and cons of earning your college degree. Pros According to Pros & Cons of Current Issues: 1. College graduates are more likely to earn a larger income. The earnings of a college graduate ranges from 76 percent to 136 percent higher than those that only graduate high school. 2. There are becoming an increasing amount of jobs requiring college degrees. Back in the 1970s, there were around 72 percent of noncollege-required jobs available compared to 2017 having only 34 percent of non-college-required jobs. 3. College graduates have a higher chance of maintaining health insurance. There are higher amounts of college graduates eligible to get insurance provided by the employer rather than those who are only high school graduates. 4. College allows students to explore
career options. Students are frequently introduced to job fairs, internships, volunteer opportunities and counseling to guide their way toward a better career. 5. College graduates often find more satisfaction in their jobs. According to EDSmart, college degree holders feel passionate about their careers rather than just a job to pay the bills. 6. Non-college graduates are increasingly struggling financially. The economic rise has taken a toll on those who have a non-college-degree job. Cons According to Pro & Cons Current Issues: 1. Student loan debt has caused a severe struggle for college graduates. In May 2018, around 14 million college graduates owed $1.5 trillion in student debt. This debt could affect aspects of their lives such as negatively affecting credit score and jeopardizing future employment. 2. There are lots of college graduates that aren’t in a career related to their college degree. There are about 1 in 3 college graduates in careers that require only a high school diploma or less in 2012. 3. There are many Americans that have been able to succeed without college degrees. Countless amounts of successful people have not
completed college or never attended with jobs such as widely successful computer software companies, CEOs of popular companies, chefs and entrepreneurs. 4. College doesn’t necessarily help to improve your intelligence, at least not for everyone. Like mentioned before, college is just not for everyone. About 36 percent of people have proven to not show any gained critical thinking skills, according to Vitanna. 5. College classes can become very time consuming. Those who are financially struggling or are their head of household may not have the time to make college classes a priority due to working to support themselves and their families. 6. College degrees do not guarantee a job. With majors that are more competitive than others, their career choice is a big “if.” Demanding careers such as nursing or STEM majors are often more difficult to succeed at. Moral of the story is that college is not the utmost importance to having a successful career in your future. The pressure of attending college is alive and well in the U.S., but there are always options outside of an education that could also be beneficial for you.
Anxiety is Not a Trend, It's a Diagnosis Natalie Gallegos | Reporter ngallegos@therampageonline.com
It’s getting harder for those who actually have a diagnosis of anxiety to be taken seriously. “Being in front of so many people is giving me social anxiety,” is a sentence I've heard once too many times in a classroom. I’ve also seen the word “anxiety” printed on T-shirts or even on jewelry, which were not for awareness, but trend. According to the Neurocore Center website, anxiety affects 18% of the population and is the most common mental disorder in the U.S. In May 2018, my parents convinced me to go to therapy after I was involved in an incident, triggering the worst anxiety of my life. They were extremely concerned about the way I would visibly shake in front of them and the fear in my eyes. In therapy, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and shortly after diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder. For the longest time, I thought the words “social anxiety” were just used
and thrown around to describe avoiding social situations. I did not know that it was something that could be a real diagnosis until I was diagnosed. Everyone experiences anxiety differently. In my own experience, anxiety has been the biggest struggle in my life. Simple tasks such as going to class, shopping, attending family events or even picking up the phone to order take-out are all difficult for me. Overthinking everything, including the smallest things is the worst part. My mind never rests, my body shakes and my regular pulse rate is over 100 bpm. Living with anxiety feels like a constant weight on my chest. Coffee is my favorite drink, but I can’t have it without the caffeine triggering my anxiety. I also experience episodes of depersonalization, one of the scariest symptoms. Everything can feel almost dreamlike and my body goes numb for hours. I’m anxious with every step I take
when I walk into my classes everyday, in hopes I won’t be the center of attention or be directly spoken to. I even pre-plan everything I say in my head, before I say it out loud. At home, I will not leave my bedroom at any point if anyone visits which can come off as rude to some, but it is genuinely difficult for me to maintain a conversation. These things might come off as irregular, but as a person living with an anxiety disorder, it’s my normal. Although it takes all my emotional effort, I still push myself to do these things in order to help me overcome my anxieties. The truth is, it’s easy for people who don’t have first hand experience with anxiety to use these words without thinking twice, especially those on social media. Sometimes people over exaggerate their stress and nervousness by claiming they have anxiety when they don’t really have a diagnosis. Of course, there is no way to tell if a person actually has it, but it’s the context they use the word that gives me an idea.
It’s not the same as being nervous about a test or a presentation. It’s beyond feeling nervous. According to the ScienceDaily website, a recent study by the University of British Columbia found that people living with an anxiety or mood disorder shared the same abnormalities in the section of the brain involving emotional and cognitive control. Just like we can’t control our emotions and thought process, we can’t control the way our anxiety affects us. Anxiety is not a mood or a trend. It’s not a choice. For those who don’t have anxiety, try being more understanding and realize this is a real thing people have to go through everyday. If you know someone who has anxiety, be patient with them as they process what they want to say. Chances are there’s a million things racing through their mind at once. Anxiety is real and it should be taken more seriously than just another word.
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OPINION 9
Bike Riding: Lethal or Liberating? Toni Woodruff | Reporter twoodruff@therampageonline.com
The morning is chilly and quiet, the sun light glows at this time of day. You can feel the vibrations from gears shifting under your feet with each pedal. Every stride, a brisk cool air washes over your face and suddenly you're almost transcending. And if you're anything like me, blaring music in your eardrums at 9 a.m. is a perfect start to the day. Welcome to the unique experience of bike riding. Before I bought my beloved Bullet (that's my bike’s name), I was just like the rest of you out there on the raging road. Texting, screaming while singing, displacing anger on old people who drive slow and most of all being extremely negligent to bike riders. Life forced me to slow down and choose another route for my commutes after a few too many car accidents. What started out as a disciplinary action resulted in lifelong rewards. I ride roughly five to six miles a day, that includes going to and from school and work. Luckily, both destinations are close to home, and the short rides are an opportunity to mentally prepare for the day ahead. There is a special sense of unity and gratitude that comes with riding a bike.
It could be the act of physical exercise, or just being exposed to the sun and nature at the same time most people are rushing. Maybe it is the slower pace of starting the day that causes the overwhelming peace you can find while riding, or the freedom you feel while pedaling hard in the wind and for a second you and the trees are one in the same. Whatever the magic that takes place while riding a bike is rewarding mentally, physically and emotionally. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cried on my way home and by the end of the journey the tears are dry and my head is clear. Just when you think the experience can't get any better you remember you’re helping the current climate problem and doing your part of helping our planet while keeping yourself in shape. There's almost no downside to bike riding, well except one. You can get killed at any second and all it will take is one distracted driver. While the streets may feel like it's just you and the wind, there's a whole other world zooming right next to you. And while your only distraction is what song is next on the “bike to work playlist,” the people in the moving death traps are focused on multiple things and none include the girl on the bike. According to Valley Public Radio,
Fresno averages 130 bike collisons a year. When you think about how small the biking community is here compared to other cities in California, the numbers can be alarming. Alliance for Biking and Walking says Fresno’s cyclists death rate is one of the highest in the country's top 50 most populous cities. Granted, I am not a professional cyclist that wears a helmet and spandex with windshield glasses and special shoes for grip, I don't even have a flashlight on my bike but the threat is still real. Even in my platform boots, long skirt, fresh makeup and braids whipping behind me I am unnoticed by busy drivers and get scared for my life. Countless times I’ve had to yell or, in a few cases, kick a car to grab the drivers attention so they don't run me over like all of our fallen squirrels. I’ve been riding around town for a year now, and every day I have a new horror story of some person not paying attention to the road, stop
lights or pedestrians and almost hits me or has to dramatically break. Many arguments have broken out over who is able to cross the road, the person using their limbs to take them to wherever or the person pushing a lever down in fully protected vehicle? I think I win. So, yes, riding a bike can get scary but overall learning patience and growing appreciation for nature and our communities keeps us riders going. I’ve become a better person, student and worker because of this switch. I won't let a negligent driver stop me from hopping on Bullet and enjoying the day. Although I may have to take more precautions when riding near busy streets by keeping my head on a swivel and knowing my surroundings. But, it’s worth it.
400 mg a day, every day: Is It Me or the Caffeine? Kris Hall | Online Editor khall@therampageonline.com
It’s a Friday night, I’ve had a long month of long weeks. I’ve been going at it for so long. Classes are going well, I’ve been promoted at work and am on track for another in the coming two weeks, I have a position on the editorial board to debut my pursuit of my career as a journalist. So here I am and it is par-tay-time. To my left, recreational marijuana. To my right, a variety of interesting hard liquor I’ve never tried before. I decide I will indulge in a shot, but in a shot of espresso. My endeavors in caffeine started in an 8 a.m. summer class. The class started much too early for an irresponsible sleeper such as myself to restrain myself from a mid-class nap. So in week two of the class I decided that during the break I would get a healthy breakfast of a cookie and wash it down with a Monster energy drink. I was uneducated on the concept
of caffeine, so I dug in a little. Initial research brought me to the FDA’s take on caffeine. All I took in was that on average, a human can take in about 400 mg of caffeine a day. The FDA alluded to the fact that some are more sensitive or less sensitive, and that the amount would vary accordingly. So I kept myself strictly under 400 mg a day. One monster has two servings in their larger-than-usual can of 80 mg each, or 160 mg a can. To me, that meant I could have two max a day if necessary. My necessary daily breakfast of a cookie and a Monster trickled into work. It became necessary for school, as well as necessary for starting a shift at work. Then I joined an internship and it broadened my caffeine necessity to work, school, and my new volunteer position. That’s three a day now. So Monsters weren’t cutting it any more. Hello Bang energy! When
Bang came out to the market at 300 mg a can, it got me going for the whole day from the start. My new routine was caffeinate, school, internship, work, sleep. And whenever I needed to cut into one category, my irresponsible brain decided that sleep was the first to go. After almost two months of this, now in fall semester 2018, I was plagued by a new phenomenon; in the middle of the school day I would again drift off to a mid-class nap. I was experiencing for the first time in my life the mid day crash was a daily struggle. I did some more research: starting with my Bio 3 teacher, Hawkins Dowis. He recommended eating starchy foods when taking caffeine. He told me that in one of the lectures I slept through, the class learned that the human body breaks down starches and heavy foods like rice, oatmeal and potatoes for instance, slowly.
So as our caffeine high starts crashing, our body is already breaking down energy slowly from those starches, which helps catch you from the fall. So I reassess, starting with a new diet. Now instead of a measly cookie, I focused on cooking potatoes. And by cooking potatoes, I mean Denny’s breakfast hash browns every morning alongside my morning latte. It was going okay for awhile until I got a new job at this place called Starbucks. Working at a coffee shop made it almost impossible for me to measure my caffeine intake. Today, caffeination depends on my duties for the day. I need to write a paper, then I’m going to start the process by a quick stop at a coffee shop. With the aid of a stimulant, I’ve accomplished so much. I can confirm that I will be having a fabulous time at my next party if there is a latte in my hand.
10 SPORTS 11.6.19
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Rams' Volleyball Looks to Continue Dominance in Conference and Playoffs Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com
Not a match. A set. The dominance of the Fresno City College volleyball program cannot be understated. With a record of 24-2, an undefeated 12-0 mark in conference, the Rams aspire to once again reach the state championship where they fell to the American River College Beavers in five sets to finish runners-up in the 2018 state finals. “We continue to make gains each week,” head coach Kieran Roblee said. “The kids are embracing the things that we’re building layers on.” It’s hard to argue that fact acknowledging the undefeated month of October that the Rams experienced, stretching their consecutive conference match win streak to a remarkable 124 straight victories. A consecutive win streak such as the streak the program has put together can be viewed by some as seemingly expected, but Roblee made it clear that their consecutive conference win streak is not at the forefront of the teams’ mind. “That’s really not our focus,” Roblee said. “Our focus is on certain attainable objectives and goals that we might set for them, and I think that’s key for us to stay focused.” As a team, the preparation that goes into matches reflects Roblee’s outlook and objective based practice. “If we’re working on getting X number of kills per set,
that’s something that they [the players] can grab on to and focus on,” Roblee said. She also made it clear that the team focuses opponent to opponent in their preparation, not looking too far ahead, and taking their preparation one match at a time - a system that seems to have worked very well in the past seasons and into this season. Another thing that has led to the consistency of the program is recruiting. With 21 players on the roster (including four redshirts - three freshmen and one sophomore), the Rams have dwarfed the opposing bench on numerous occasions, speaking greatly to the team’s ability to recruit well and maintain prevalence in the valley as one of the top destinations for future collegiate volleyball players. Roblee spoke very highly of the freshman class that the Rams possess. “When we had the players that were coming in [high school and college coaches] said ‘Wow Kieran. You’ve got some good ones,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, we got pretty fortunate to get them,’” Roblee said. In particular, Roblee spotlighted the twin-duo of pin hitter Lexi Pagani and setter Julia Pagani from Buchanan, pin hitters Rylee Kenitzer and Keilli Voss and setter Jasmine Heu out of Clovis as well as freshman pin hitter Taylor Dilley who has become a staple in the teams rotation, as well as libero Ali Santoyo. The latter of the two
have made an immediate impact on the team with Dilley leading the Rams with 231 kills on the season, and Santoyo leading the team with 427 digs defensively. Dilley also ranks second in digs with 222. “It’s hard for me to pinpoint any one freshman because they all contributed in doing a great job,” Roblee said of her freshman recruiting class’ performance on the season. Returning this season, household names for the Rams of sophomore pin hitters Julie Castleman and Marina Gonzalez continue to perform at a high level, with the duo combining for 414 kills on the season. Roblee says that the Sophohore pin hitter Julie Castleman rises up for a kill shot against Taft College on sophomore’s history of making Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019. Photo/Ben Hensley the state finals last season will help them this upcoming year in securing a hopeful championship. “They were in that experience of falling one set short of accomplishing that state championship,” Roblee said. “They’ve been there. They’ve experienced it. They’re gonna be able to guide our team in what the expectation is and how they want to be back there.” The Rams come off yet another dominating 3-0 set win on the road in Reedley, going 25-15, 25-10, 25-13 en route to their 12th conference win and will go for their 125th consecutive match victory on -Kieran Roblee at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. Volleyball Head Coach 6 when they take on West Hills Coalinga at home.
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‘Wow Kieran. You’ve got some good ones,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, we got pretty fortunate to get them.’”
Sophomore pin hitter Marina Gonzalez goes up for the kill against the West Hills Lemoore Golden Eagles during their 3-0 set win on Friday Oct. 25, 2019. The win marked the 123rd consecutive conference victory for the Rams. Photo/Ben Hensley
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SPORTS 11
Rams Defeat Pirates in Thrilling Conference Rivalry Game Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com
“These are the two best teams in our conference.” Those were the words of Rams’ football head coach Tony Caviglia following their 2710 win at homecoming. Saturday, Nov. 2 those words were made reality on the field in a thrilling 26-24 Rams’ victory over the Modesto Junior College Pirates. “We played a good football team tonight,” Caviglia said following the win on Saturday. The win solidified the 6-2 Rams overall in the conference lead over the Pirates, guaranteeing the Rams first place in the conference if they are able to win one of their final two games. The first quarter gave the rowdy Modesto crowd the impression that they would be treated to a highly defensive battle, with both teams unable to sustain a drive longer than four plays with the exception of a 14 play opening drive by the Pirates, leading to a field goal. The Rams were able to answer with a field goal after their own 14 play drive, drawing the score even at 3-3. With Modesto knocking at the Rams’ door early in the second quarter, the defense came up with a huge stop on fourth and one after the Pirates drove all the way to the 4-yard line of FCC. Following the stop, an unsportsmanlike penalty for celebration against FCC, and another penalty for delay of game, the Rams battled through adversity to put together a 16 play, 79 yard drive, ending in another field goal, putting the Rams ahead with 43 seconds on the clock. As the first half expired, the Rams led 6-3, with all six Rams’ points coming off the foot of freshman kicker Jack Cooper, in what appeared to be a classic ‘80s-esque defensive battle. “Both defenses were playing good,” Caviglia said, complimenting both defensive units. “We got a couple good field goals out of our kicker which is good to see, and I think it was a tough defensive battle in the first half.” The second half started with the Pirates’ moving the ball with efficiency until their 8-play drive sputtered out, leading to a punt, giving the Rams the ball at their own five yard line. After one first down followed by a penalty against the offense, Jonah Johnson dropped back and fired over the middle, connecting with freshman wide receiver Milton Clements who flew down the field en route to a 92 yard touchdown. “We didn’t want to be in too many third and longs because those are tough calls and I really feel like our offense was able to do that,” Caviglia said.
Freshman linebacker Keenan Wolf scans the offense prior to the snap during the Rams' win over conference rival Modesto Junior College on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Photo/Ben Hensley Johnson finished the day with 255 yards endzone, pushing the Rams in front 20-3, in on 15-30 passing, paired with 12 yards on a game that seemed well in hand. the ground on seven rush attempts. Following the drive, the Rams lost a key Facing yet another dual threat passer, player to injury, when freshman defensive Pirates’ quarterback Danny Velasquez back Kiundre McDowel collided with seemingly tried to will the Pirates back into Pirates’ receiver Lucas Curtis. McDowel was the game on the next drive, completing two carted off the field and would not return to of four passing attempts and losing one yard the game. after being forced out of bounds. Modesto Initially the injury seemed to rattle the was able to swap field position punting the Rams. An energy that seemed palpable on ball inside the Rams’ 20-yard line, downed at the sidelines lacked following McDowel’s the 14 to start FCC’s ensuing drive. abrupt departure from the contest. The theme for the Rams in the third Even a fumble recovery on the ensuing quarter seemed to be big plays, after moving play in Modesto territory couldn’t help the ball near midfield, sophomore running the Rams shake their seemingly rattled back Rico Rosario broke off for a 53 yard nerves, as FCC went three-and-out on two rush to the Pirate’s 4-yard line. Freshman consecutive drives, separated by a 72-yard running back Marcus Washington capped touchdown pass from Velasquez to Modesto the drive off with a 4-yard rush into the receiver Jordan Porter, bringing the Pirates
to within two scores, 20-10. Following the Rams’ second consecutive three-and-out, Modesto drove right back down the field in front of a re-energized crowd who cheered loudly as Pirates’ running back rushed for three yards into the endzone, shrinking the Rams’ lead to just a field goal at 20-17. “We grew some strength out of [McDowel’s injury] and were able to play good enough to win,” Caviglia said. “He was talking and he was moving,” Caviglia added regarding the injury to McDowel. “We just kinda calmed him a little bit. We think we’ll get Kiundre [McDowel] back.” The next drive seemed to revitalize the offense. Despite missing a field goal, the Rams were able to bleed nearly five minutes off the clock, leaving the Pirates’ 5:48 in the fourth quarter to close the deficit. Their next drive however ended in yet another threeand-out. The Pirates seemingly ran out of gas towards the end of the game, playing mistake prone football with a fumble by Velasquez, and a drive that ended in a Toa Scanlan interception, returning the ball back to the Pirates’ 11-yard line following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Modesto. The very next play seemingly sealed the deal, as Rosario ran for 11-yards and a touchdown, extending the Rams’ lead to 2617 after Cooper missed the extra point - his only miss of the night. “We just had the mindset of ‘this is a door-die.’ If we lose our season is basically done November 16th,” Rosario said following the game. Rosario ended the day with 139 yards on 23 attempts and a score. With 1:18 left in the fourth quarter, the Rams defense took the field, intent on stopping the Pirates’ comeback attempt. After allowing Modesto to drive down the field quickly and score, FCC recovered the attempted onside kick from Modesto, effectively sealing the deal with a Rams 2624 victory over their conference rival. “We left a little bit too much time on the clock, but that happens,” Caviglia said following the win. “To be able to run the ball against that defense it just shows what kind of offense we are.” The Rams, now 6-2 overall, currently ride a three game winning streak. With their conference record at 3-0, the Rams look poised to repeat as conference champions, barring back-to-back losses in their final two games. FCC’s final regular season home game will be a 1 p.m. start on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Ratcliffe Stadium against the 5-3 College of the Sequoia’s Giants.
Freshman outside linebacker Rodney Woods forces a fumble on Modesto Pirates' quarterback Danny Velasquez during the Rams' 26-24 win over their conference rival on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. The win solidifies the Rams in first in the conference heading into the final two games. Photo/Ben Hensley
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Rams' Soccer: A Tale of Two Teams Men's team Disappointed After Seasons’ First Loss
Galvan Shines in Victory Against Reedley Patrick Henslee | Reporter phenslee@therampageonline.com
The Fresno City College women’s soccer team left their home pitch Tuesday evening with a 4-2 win over the Reedley College Tigers. The win advanced the Rams’ record to 17-0-2 this season and 6-0-1 in conference games. The match presented an excellent performance from freshman forward Megan Galvan and a standout effort from Reedley, who had been collecting gritty wins across their 8-5-2 season heading into Tuesday. “We try to focus more on what we need to do than worry about other teams,” said head coach Oliver Germond. “I feel like when we start worrying about what other teams are doing you lose focus on what your job is.” The Rams’ job Tuesday was to work through the Tigers’ scrappy defense, a large contributor to their surprise performances against opponents. FCC did exactly that just before the half, when Galvan assisted a goal from sophomore forward Mia Ontiveros. During halftime, Germond -Oliver Germond acknowledged the bad in the Rams’ performance so far, like their Women's Soccer Head Coach their difficulty guarding some of the Tigers’ key players, especially freshman forward Sabrina Cabrera. “Obviously, she’s really good, so I was a little disappointed at halftime when we reminded the girls to do a better job double teaming her,” said Germond. Their efforts failed when Cabrera leaked out ahead of the FCC defense to rifle in Reedley’s first goal at 55:00. At 61:00, the Rams responded with their second goal, this time scored by sophomore midfielder Brianna Figueroa and assisted by sophomore midfielder Anai Rosas. Reedley knotted the score again when Cabrera assisted a goal by
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Everyone in our conference wants to beat us 'cause we win conference every year."
Sophomore midfielder Alex Echevierra racing for an attack on goal against West Hills Lemoore defender Pete Hawken on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. Photo/Derek Bullis Derek Bullis | Opinion Editor dbullis@therampageonline.com
The Rams were handed their first loss of the season Tuesday afternoon in a matchup that ended 0-1 against the West Hills Lemoore Golden Eagles. “That game has been brewing for a while,” said head coach Eric Solberg following the match. It was a sluggish start, but the Rams maintained primary possession of the ball for the entire game said Solberg. “But it is what it is,” he said disappointed in the wake of his teams first loss of the season. “We played a bunch of games where we just can't score and somehow score a goal and pull it off,” said Solberg. “That game has been coming, it's just kinda hard to fathom.” The Rams dominated the pitch and battled the Eagles’ defense only to get shut down at every attempt. It was the Eagles’ freshman goalkeeper Sergio Sierra who put a stop to a total of 12 shots on goal and didn’t let a single ball slip by him. The Eagles narrowly brought home the victory with
only five shots on goal. Rams’ goalkeeper Rodrigo Selingardi stopped two of those shots, but the second half keeper Evan Ghimenti let one shot slip by him at the the 62:00 minute mark. “That goal was a mistake on our part,” said Solberg. He says that scoring has been the team’s Achilles’ heel all season long. “An undefeated team losing to a 3-10 team,” he said after the anemic offensive performance. The Rams have scraped together their last several wins by slim margins, failing to score more than two goals in all but one of their past six matches. Going into their bye week, Solberg says he is already focusing on continuing to lead his team to win the conference. “All we can do is try to move forward,” said Solberg. This loss was the Rams’ final home match of the season. Finishing off the final two matches, they will be on the road playing against Taft College on Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. and College of the Sequoias on Nov. 15 at 3 p.m.
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We played a bunch of games where we just can't score and somehow score a goal and pull it off."
Destiny Gonzalez just two minutes later. This would make it the first time FCC’s women’s soccer team had given up two goals since a match against Cerritos College on Sept. 20, 2017. “This is an eye-opener, because I feel like you can see how we play when we give up a goal,” said Germond. “It’s like all of a sudden the speed of play picks up and we play with so much more passion and competitive drive.” Galvan headlined the Rams' quick response to the Tigers’ push. She elevated FCC over Reedley with a goal at 70:00, while freshman midfielder Brooke Wristen was awarded the assist on the play. With seven minutes left in the match, Galvan put the nail in Reedley’s coffin with a cross-field goal from the right side. Freshman midfielder Sierra Alvarez got an assist on the goal, putting the Rams up 4-2 for good. Germond had an emotional investment in one of his strongest player’s strongest performances. “I’m really proud of her because I feel like her confidence was a little bit down the last couple games and she snapped out of it today,” he said. “I can’t get frustrated; I just have to keep playing my game. It doesn’t matter who scores. If we win and get out on top, that’s all that matters,” said Galvan. When asked about the team’s performance against Reedley, Galvan praised her teammates’ love for the competitive nature of the game they play. “It shows that we do have a passion for the game, and we can go far if we play like this every game,” she said. The Rams will be motivated by their competitive drive and passion for the game when they return home on Tuesday, Nov. 12 to take on Clovis Community College at 3 p.m.
-Eric Solberg
Men's Soccer Head Coach
The Rams celebrate a goal during their 4-2 win over conference rival Reedley College during their match on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. Photo/Patrick Henslee