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A&E: For an inside look on the food to try at the L.A. County Fair, turn to Pg. 16
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 Vol. 65 Issue 2
Campus creates memorial for 9/11 Natalie Miranda Editor in Chief
The students, student veterans, faculty and staff of Citrus College came together on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 to set up a memorial display shaped into a heart containing 2,752 flags to represent the lives lost in the World Trade Centers in the grass area behind the flag poles. Setting the flags in the shape of a heart was the idea of Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D., of Citrus College. The hope of those setting up the memorial was that students would realize the impact of the events that took place on 9/11. “I hope students realize the impact. It’s quite powerful,” said Martha McDonald, dean of students. “Each flag represents a life lost in that moment in time. A lot of our veterans went into the service because of this event.” ASCC commissioner of public relations, Michelle Mockler, was glad to see the effort of the community coming together. “It’s important to remember and to teach young ones who weren’t around when it happened just to keep the legacy of those who lived and who died,” Mockler said. There is banner hanging behind the flag poles that reads, “Take a moment. Reflect quietly. Never forget.” On Sept. 12 the campus held a
brief memorial service with two guest speakers, Professor Nicki Shaw and student veteran ambassador Alex Maravilla, a wreathlaying ceremony and honor guard. Maravilla shared his story about 9/11 and his experience of being in the military while the attacks occurred. “My experience from 9/11 was a little bit different than a lot of people’s. I was actually serving in the military and had been in the Army for two years,” he said. Shaw was in New York teaching at Columbia University at the time of the events. She said the hardest part was knowing people who lost loved ones did not have a body to bury. Frank Turek, 33, a student veteran, said the event that took place 10 years ago is important because it brings people together “and it unites the students and we share one common thing, that we’re all Americans.” For some students, reflecting on the events of 9/11 while attending the memorial reminds them of the effort made by those in the Twin Towers. “Some people within the facility made a great difference for all of us,” Said Iram, 23, business major and HOPE club member said. “It’s not just any day, it’s hero day.” For more footage of the event, please go the theclariononline.com.
Natalie Miranda Citrus College Clarion
Christopher Cazares, 3, son of Michael Cazares, 28, (not pictured) stands amidst the flag memorial set up by Citrus College students, faculty and staff in the grass area in the quad on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Twin Towers. A total of 2,752 flags were set up. For more photos of the event, please see pages 10 and 11.
Financial aid application process to be streamlined Bre Payton Features Editor
The process to apply for financial aid may become easier for California’s community college students if a new bill gets signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. The bill, AB 91, sponsored by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, would initiate a pilot program for three years which would change the method of applying for financial aid. Under current procedures, students are currently required to apply separately for the Board of Governors Fee Waiver and Free Application for Federal Student Aid in order to receive benefits from Pell Grant programs. The pilot program would use FAFSA as the primary application for both federal aid benefits and the BOGW. Portantino said it’s important to make these cumbersome processes simpler so eligible students can get all the financial help they can.
If you have never applied for financial aid, do so now at FAFSA.gov to receive your free PIN. Only about one third of eligible students apply for federal aid. The BOGW waives the $36 per unit fee for students who meet one of the following qualifications. First a student must be enrolled in a public assistance program such as TANF/CalWORKS, or SSI/SSP. The latter is based on an evaluation of a student’s income from the previous year. The second qualification is that students are eligible to apply for the FAFSA. An alternative to receiving aid is to seek employment on campus. The Federal Supplement Educational Opportunity Act is a grant that ranges from $100 to $500 per academic school year and
is awarded on a first-come first-served basis. The Pell Grant is a gift aid that is not required to be paid back, and is awarded to undergraduate students in amounts up to $5,500 per academic year based on financial need and the number of units in which the student enrolls. Citrus College student, Rena Miller, 19, who is studying behavioral science, said she received $400 during the summer 2011 session and $1,300 this semester through the Pell Grant. “It helps to pay for books, rent and in between paychecks for everyday expenses,” Miller said. “It’s more of an incentive to do better in school because you don’t have to work as much.” Nick Mullen, 19, works two jobs to pay for school and living expenses. He said that the money he receives from Pell Grant helps to subsidize rent costs when money is tight. Both Mullen and Miller receive the BOGW, which is deducted from the
amount of money they receive from the Pell Grant. The Cal Grant fund is awarded to students who exhibit academic excellence annually. Federal Work Study program provides part-time employment for students who have financial need. Once awarded, students can apply for a job in the Student Employment Services Office in the first floor of the Student Services building SS 172. Loans are also available for students to finance their time at school. Loans must to be paid back after graduation. Students can access information for scholarships and financial aid programs from the Citrus College website, available at www.citruscollege.edu/stdntsrv/finaid or by visiting the Financial Aid Office located in the first floor of the Student Services Building, in SS 144 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday – Thursday, and from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. They can be reached at (626) 914-8592.