Clarion 03/31/10

clarion Citrus College

March 31, 2010

theclariononline.com

PG 20 The Cosmetology Department showcased an array of hairstyles at The Evolution of Hair Show last Thursday.

Volume LXIII, Issue 12

C o lvleer sgues s Capitol Students march on Capitol Hill PGS 10/11

COSMETOLOGY HONORED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PG 3 CSUS DECLARE IMPACTION PG 4 STUDENT DIRECTOR, ACTOR RECEIVES TOP HONOR PG 7 HOP-A-THON PREVIEW PG 8 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PG 18 KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD PG 19 ‘EVOLUTION OF HAIR’ SHOW PG 20

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campus

March 31, 2010

NEWS BRIEFS CALLING IT LIKE IT IS drcall.wordpress.com DEALS GONE WILD klacuesta.wordpress.com LIVING IT UP selopez.wordpress.com

LOCAL UC system leaders apologize for racial incidents on one campus Following the racial incidents on the UC San Diego campus, UC leaders apologized to black students and proposed changes in admissions policies aimed at boosting enrollment of minorities across the system. Approximately 1.6 percent of UC San Diego undergraduates are black, among the lowest such figures for any UC campus. The UC leaders promised to help create campus environments in which minority students feel more comfortable. Source: Los Angeles Times

STATE

CONFESSIONS OF AN AIR GUITARIST

Worst of California’s budget crisis still to come

ajvasquez.wordpress.com

State Controller John Chiang believes California’s budget crisis will hit its peak in the year 2012. He believes that state finances will be hit with a trifecta of pain: the temporary tax hikes approved last year will be over; federal stimulus funds will be gone; and funds that the state raided from local governments will come due. According to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration estimates, the deficit will be $25 billion. Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune

PAGING DR. LOVE ericairigoyen.wordpress.com

NATIONAL U.S. Postal Service plan unveiled Faced with a projected $238 billion deficit over the next decade, the Postal Service Board of Governors approved cuts last week. In addition to cutting one day a week from the delivery schedule, the proposal would eliminate the equivalent of 40,000 full-and part-time jobs, approximately 8 percent of the current workforce. The changes would save the Postal Service a projected $3.3 billion in the first year and about $5.1 billion annually by 2020. Express mail and remittance mail services would still run seven days a week. If approved by Congress and the regulatory commission, the plan would be implemented by the first half of 2011. Source: Los Angeles Times

ANNOUNCEMENTS BANNER/WINGSPAN UPDATE WingSpan and Banner will be undergoing a major upgrade. Students and faculty will not be able to access WingSpan beginning Wednesday, April 14 through Friday, April 16. Access will resume on Saturday, April 17. After the upgrade, Banner and WingSpan log-in and passwords will remain the same. Blackboard will remain available as normal with the following exception: no new student registration data will flow to Blackboard courses during this period. Integration of new students on Blackboard will resume on Saturday, April 17. CITRUS SCHOLARSHIPS The final days of the application period is fast approaching for the 2010-2011 Citrus College scholarships. The deadline is Friday, April 2 by 4:30 p.m. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office, Admissions and Records and the Foundation Office. Applications should be turned into the Financial Aid Office. There are scholarships available for transfer students, as well as for new and continuing students. Scholarships are open to all students. Citizenship is not required. If you have any questions, contact Linda Merlo at (626) 857-4068. TAX CREDIT AVAILABLE FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS A new tax credit, titled “The American Opportunity Tax Credit,” is being offered for college students. The tax credit can be claimed on 2009 and 2010 tax returns and is worth up to $2500 of the cost of fees and college expenses. If an individual’s annual gross income is less than $80,000 and $160,000 for married couples, the full credit will be available. However, if an individual grosses more than the amounts above, the tax credit will start to phase out. Even students who don’t make enough money to file a return should do it anyway because they

might get up to $1,000 back. The deadline to file taxes is April 15. For more information regarding the tax credit, visit, www.icanaffordcollege.com

CAMPUS SAFETY The purpose of this Crime Alert is to raise awareness of two recent incidents. On Tuesday, March 23, a female student reported an unknown male was following her. He was driving an older model, blue Toyota 4Runner with its headlights on. The unknown driver followed her from the surface streets onto the campus and through three of the parking lots. The reporting party was not able to obtain a vehicle license plate number. Suspect information: caucasian male, approx. 40 to 50 years of age, wearing a red hat with “white stubble” facial hair. The second incident occurred on Wednesday, March 24. A female student in the S1 Parking lot (corner of Citrus Avenue and Foothill Boulevard) reported that an unknown male walked past her and stated, “I’m going to follow you home.” Suspect information: Older caucasian male, wearing a white T-shirt, thin curly hair, facial hair. Both incidents occurred between noon and p.m. Anyone who witnessed the incidents or has observed any other suspicious activity is urged to report it immediately to the department of Campus Safety at (626) 914-8611. We strongly urge all members of the Citrus College community to contact Campus Safety immediately upon witnessing any unusual or suspicious activity on campus. We appreciate your assistance, support, and cooperation in this collective effort to make our campus and community safer for everyone.

March 31, 2010

campus

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Controversial healthcare reform bill passes Erica Irigoyen CLARION SPORTS EDITOR After more than 50 years of back and forth debates, a comprehensive healthcare reform bill was signed into law on March 23. This will virtually allow every American to be covered by health insurance. Many presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Bill Clinton, have attempted to reform a system that has left more than 30 million Americans without health coverage, but failed. Since his inauguration in January 2009, President Barack Obama made it his top priority to ensure that every American has healthcare. The House of Representatives finally passed this controversial bill on March 21 with three votes to spare. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will make health care affordable, and it will prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. According to healthcare information on www.whitehouse.gov, this reform will reduce premium costs for millions of working families and small business owners by providing billions of dollars in tax relief. It is expected to be the largest middle class tax cut for healthcare in the nation’s history. According to the White House, incentives will prompt insurance companies to become more competitive. At the same time, a cap on out-of-pocket payments that Americans have to pay will result in making it easier for those who do not currently have health care to choose the private plans that work best for them.

Nothing will change for the Americans who are happy with their current private health plans, according to www.healthreform.gov. They can keep their insurance but can expect to pay 14 to 20 percent less in premiums. For workers who have coverage through their jobs, premiums could decline by up to 3 percent. It has been estimated that 9 percent of Californians have diabetes and 25 percent have high blood pressure—two reasons for insurance companies to deny health coverage. The healthcare law ensures that no American will be denied coverage because of previous health conditions or family history. In addition, insurance companies will not be able to place lifetime limits on a person’s coverage or drop that coverage because of illnesses. The government will not decide on treatments that people receive. Those decisions will be decided by a person’s healthcare provider. In the past, students not enrolled in 12units are typically dropped from their parents’ health plans. Also, students could only be covered under their parent’s insurance until they are 23. Now, adults can continue to be carried on their parents’ insurance until they are 26 whether they are students who have less than 12 units, unemployed, or employed without health insurance. “I think it is great that every American will be able to have that healthcare,” said Jaazar Shalabi, a 28-year-old Citrus College student who has healthcare because he is a veteran. Individuals with incomes more than

MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE SERVICES

President Barack Obama signs the historic healthcare bill into law on Tuesday, March 23

$200,000 and families with incomes of more than $250,000 can expect to pay higher taxes. This healthcare reform law is expected to take full effect by 2014, by which time every American will be required to have some sort of coverage or be fined. “I don’t see why people would not get health insurance if it is given to them,” said 20-year-old Citrus College student Denise Mendoza. “I don’t have health insurance now, so it will definitely benefit me.” “Whether or not you have health insur-

ance right now, the reforms we seek will bring stability and security that you don’t have today. This isn’t about politics. This is about people’s lives. This is about people’s businesses. This is about our future,” Obama said, as reported on www.whitehouse.gov.

Erica Irigoyen can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Cosmetology program honored by federal government Eirin Hernandez CLARION STAFF WRITER The cosmetology program has been recognized by the federal government for its dedication to volunteering, servicelearning and civic engagement. The Citrus College program has been named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service “This is a real honor,” said Ervalyn “Gus” Brooks, director of the cosmetology program. “My faculty is very much into giving back to the community. This is what we tell our students, that it all comes back to you when you do service.” The students in the cosmetology program are involved in several community events each year. “We go to Foothill Unity Center’s backto-school event in Monrovia where we cut hair and do manicures for the children of low-income families before they go to school,” Brooks said. “We take care of as many as 1,500 to 1,700 students. We have been doing that for eight years now.” The cosmetology program also goes to the Fred Jordan Mission in Los Angeles, where most of the clients are homeless. “We are going on May 3, and we are doing haircuts, pressing curls and manicures for Mother’s Day,” Brooks said. Half of the proceeds from the Cosmetology Hair Show in October went to cancer research. Brooks said that is excited about the award and is proud of her students and faculty. “We are giving back to the commu-

nity, and the students are doing a pretty good job. They are going to take this [attitude] with them [when they leave].” “I was a single mom with four kids for a very long time, and I had a lot of help.” Brooks said. “I have been blessed. If I can give a little bit, then I am happy, and our students here feel it, too.” “Some of them have gone from living in their cars and came to the program, and we help them, too. Some of them have received help, so they know what it means to offer it,” she said Jocelyn Montgomery, now in her final year in the cosmetology program, said cosmetology students plan to participate with local high schools in a Locks for Love campaign and a canned food drive. “You feel really good about yourself,” Montgomery said. “That is what this is all about.” Albert Graciano, a professor in the cosmetology department, explained the program’s philosophy. “We do not do the community services that we do to achieve an award. We provide service to the community to teach the students how to relate with people. That gives them the sensitivity to understand people’s lives outside the salon.” “We distinguish ourselves in that we provide the best education to our students, and we feel that we are the best in the states,” Graciano said.

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Eirin Hernandez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Nila Sharkey, a student in the day cosmetology program, carefully cleans the eye makeup of her model, Ariana Gonzalez, for the Evolution of Hair Show that took place in the Handy Campus Center on March 25.

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campus

March 31, 2010

CSUs impacted, transfering now more competitive CLARION CORRESPONDENT Community college students seeking to transfer might find the process more challenging this year than in the past. With the California State University system battling a $584 million reduction in the 2009-10 budget, the schools are required to decrease new student enrollment. Meanwhile, applications have dramatically increased. Having to admit fewer students, partnered with an increase in applications, has caused several of the 23 CSU campuses have had to declare themselves impacted, which has changed the way they admit students. Representatives from CSU Fullerton, Cal State L.A., CSU San Bernardino, Cal Poly Pomona and several other local campuses were on the Citrus College campus on March 25 to address the Transfer Task Force regarding changes caused by impaction. Currently, Cal Poly Pomona, Fullerton, Long Beach, San Diego and Sonoma are designated as impacted. “Campus impaction says that you have to define what your service areas are,” said Ed Trotter, CSU Fullerton’s acting associate vice president of undergraduate programs. “We’ve always had service areas. But what’s happened is that this is the first year we’ve had to strongly enforce them.” A greater emphasis will now be placed on a student’s GPA. “A vast majority of our transfers come from Citrus and Mt. SAC who are in our service area,” said Cal Poly Pomona senior media coordinator Tim Lynch. “We have substantially fewer seats available so the bar has been raised.” According to Cal Poly Pomona’s admissions Web site, notifications to waiting list applicants

will be sent in April and tell if accommodations Fullerton’s waitlist if they have a cumulative can be made to admit additional students. transfer GPA of 3.30 to 3.69 and were in good "There are more people wanting to come to standing at the last college or university they atthe CSUs than our budget can accommodate," tended, earned 60 or more transferable units, Trotter said. "It's not only transfers; We had to completed 30 semester units of college coursecut our freshmen class as well." work with a grade of C or better, and completed According to Trotter, CSU Fullerton is ad- of the General Education requirements or mitting students with 3.8 GPAs and above. Stu- Inter-segmental General Education Transfer dents with lower GPAs will be admitted as space Curriculum (IGETC). permits. If CSU Fullerton utilizes the waitlist, appliTammy Leung, Ascants will be admitted sistant Director, Office based on GPA from highof Outreach, Recruitest to lowest, according to ment & Orientation at CSU Fullerton’s admisCal State LA also atI am fine with open- sions Web site. If the waittended the meeting. list is used, the CSUF "We made a com- ing admissions to the admissions committee will mitment that we are most-prepared stu- start selecting students in going to take whatever late June or early July. resources we have and dents if those are the This is the first year that commit them to our rules from the begin- a waitlist has been insticurrent students, who tuted at Cal State L.A. were former transfer ning, but to change in Leung did not say what the students," she said. the middle is not ap- GPA cutoff would be for Because of this, admission, but she did say CSULA had to declare propriate, nor fair. students have already been impaction informed if they have "CSULA thinks they been waitlisted. Those stuJustina Rivadeneyra dents will be notified again will not fall below 2.7 GPA for out-of- Career/Transfer Center coordinator if there are seats for them service-area students. in late May or early June. Cal Poly Pomona “I’m hoping that the doesn’t think they will admit anyone with lower CSUs can find a better way to solve this probthan a 3.0 GPA, and CSU San Bernardino plans lem,” said Karlyn Bradley, president of the Asto give first priority to residents of San sociated Students of Citrus College. “There Bernardino and Riverside counties,” Justina Ri- needs to be a more fair way than just relying on vadeneyra, Citrus College Career/Transfer Cen- local service areas because relying only on that ter coordinator said. may hurt someone who has a higher GPA if So many transfer students were not admitted they live outside of the service area.” during early rounds of the admissions process Citrus College is working to ensure that stuthat many CSU campuses have instituted wait- dents are as prepared as possible for the transfer lists. process. Transfer applicants are eligible for CSU “Citrus College will continue to advocate for

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Emily Rios

priority admission to our local CSU: Cal Poly Pomona. We will continue to prepare our students for transfer to the CSUs and we will work to ensure that our students are aware of the competitive environment in terms of transfer,” said Citrus College superintendent/president Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D. “Now more than ever, we will encourage our students to take full advantage of the various support services that are afforded to them to assist them in successfully completing their classes at Citrus. As the competition to the CSU grows, it will be critical for our students to be as best prepared as they can be and to have competitive GPAs.” Perri added Citrus College will continue to build relationships and explore articulation/transfer agreements with private institutions. Impaction has not changed the way the Transfer Center is advising students. “We always advise all students to complete major prep, general education courses and maintain a competitive GPA,” Rivadeneyra said. Students seeking to transfer should complete all major prep listed on www.assist.org for CSU and UC campuses. Rivadeneyra also encouraged students to keep track of application deadlines, apply as early as possible, and try to complete all transfer requirements one term before their scheduled start date. “Our issue lies with CSUs changing the rules mid-stream,” Rivadeneyra said. “I am fine with opening admissions to the most-prepared students if those are the rules from the beginning, but to change in the middle is not appropriate, nor fair.”

Emily Rios can be reached at Rios_EmilyC@yahoo.com

Census important for planning future projects Laura Smith CLARION STAFF WRITER The motto for the 2010 Census is “We Can't Move Forward Until You Mail It Back,” and this statement could not be more true. The 2010 Census will be the new count of our growing and ever-changing population. But the questions remain: Are we, as Citrus College students, aware of the importance of the census? And if so, do we consider it a top priority now that the census has been delivered to homes around the country? Not only does the census determine the number of representatives for our state, but it also directly affects something that is important to all of us, especially now: money. The 2010 Census helps to make decisions on how a $400 billion budget should be spent. The way the census works is very simple, which is all the more reason that no one has an excuse to not participate at this very important time. The census was mailed to every residence in mid-March and provides 10 questions that can easily be answered. The census is then asked to be mailed back in a pre-paid envelope so the count of the country’s citizens and their needs can take place. If the census is not completed and returned, census employees will go door-todoor and encourage everyone to complete the questionnaire.

If the census is not filled out, schools such as Citrus College can be overlooked and might miss out on money that would have been very beneficial for everyone’s learning experience. Other projects, such as hospitals, bridges, transportation, assisted senior living centers, libraries, and more, will be developed according to the census results. Some students might think if they still live in a household with their parents then the census is not their responsibility. However, something that will affect students so directly should be a priority, no matter what the living situation. So, encouraging your family members to complete the census promptly is your responsibility. Taking advantage of the power to determine how to spend our country’s funds should not be taken lightly. There is a common misconception that the census may be used to exploit illegal immigrants or other private issues of a household. The truth behind that rumor is that none of the Census information collected will be passed along to a third party. There is no excuse why we as young adults should not be productive citizens of this beautiful country and take pride in being accounted for. Let’s take advantage of this resource and let the 2010 Census be the most successful yet.

Laura Smith can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

features Student director, actor honored at festival March 31, 2010

Courtney Mitchell CLARION MANAGING EDITOR

CALLING IT LIKE IT IS

Ask a Blonde

More than 1,300 students participated in February in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival at Dixie State College in Utah. Students and faculty from the Citrus College theatre arts program joined participants from other colleges in California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Hawaii in this invitation-only event. “We are there for a week participating in workshops and competitions,” said Cherie Brown, director of the Citrus College theatre arts program. “And in the end, there is a big awards ceremony.” Citrus students Jeremy Lewis, a resident of Covina, won the regional Student Directing Fellowship and Valerie Bentson, a resident of Claremont, was a finalist in the Irene Ryan act-

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ing competition. Lewis, a 30-year-old theatre arts and behavioral and social sciences major, participated in the Student Directing Fellowship competition. “The directing competition included students from such schools as Cal State Fullerton, Pepperdine, and BYU. I am now the National Finalist for our region and will compete in Washington D.C. in April,” Lewis said. Lewis aspires to teaching theatre arts at the collegiate level and directing theater professionally. Bentson, a 22-year-old theatre arts and Spanish major, expressed her appreciation for the support her from fellow student actors at the festival. “[The experience] gave me a new sense of confidence that I did not have prior to this event,” Bentson said. Although she enjoys acting, Bentson plans to pursue a master’s degree in her other passion:

school counseling. “The most exciting and rewarding part of the week was being the partner to Valerie Bentsen, as we made it all the way to the finals in the acting competition,” Lewis said. The festival provided a tremendous opportunity for Citrus students to share ideas, see shows from other colleges, and attend workshops. “They were literally inundated with theatre all week long and learned valuable information about careers in theater as well as acting for film and television,” Brown said. The Citrus College theatre arts program’s next major production, “Noise’s Off,” is scheduled to run May 14 through May 22. For tickets and information, contact the Citrus College Box Office at (626) 963-9411.

Courtney Mitchell can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

COURTESY OF CHERIE BROWN

Valerie Bentson and Jeremy Lewis, both Citrus theater arts students, traveled to Dixie State College in Utah to compete in competitions at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in February.

Getting ready for recess of going a little crazy: you know the saying “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Courtney Mitchell Before you down that CLARION MANAGING EDITOR drink handed to you by a stranger, think about your best friend or your mom who would tell you to make the safe choice. “What are your plans for Spring The person in your head isn’t there Break?” to be a “Debbie-Downer” but a voice That is the question buzzing of reason. around this time of year. You can have fun and let loose So, I too, must ask: do you plan to while still being safe. veg on the couch? Go to Cancun? Put 4. For the student who is behind in extra hours at work? Or catch up on school assignments: Take the opon some homework? portunity to get organized. With limited time and money, I Make an hour-by-hour chart of suppose it is hard to plan anything your spring break week and plan out other than a day trip to the beach. everything you want to accomplish So to get you going, the Clarion each day. For example, on Monday, staff has pulled together some ideas plan to do a few hours of studying for success. before hitting the beach. 5. For the student who is thinking 3. For the student who dreams of

being a couch potato: I suggest a marathon of Crime Scene Investigation, Las Vegas. Sometimes all we want to do is pig out, sit on the couch and watch TV all day; I once rented all the seasons of LOST, and watching every episode over a week was fantastic. Whatever you do, don't lie in bed all day. Take the dog for a walk or go for a drive in between episodes to get some fresh air. 2. For the student with no plans: the obvious answer, make some. Take this opportunity to go do something crazy like rock climbing, see something interesting like an art museum, or meet someone that you haven’t seen in a long time such as an old friend. It’s no fun to go back to school without creating any memories. 1. For the student with limited funds: isn’t that all of us? First, check your bank account and

decide how much you can spend. Budget your recreation just as you would for things you already spend money on, such as groceries. After you set an amount, decide how you want to spend it. Go see a movie at midnight, visit an art museum, or ride the scariest roller coaster at an amusement park: it’s your spring break so do what you want to do. And if you don't have any money at all, go volunteer your time at an animal shelter or food bank. You will feel like you accomplished something worth while instead of killing time shopping at the mall. Whatever you choose to do this spring break, have fun, be safe, and most of all, make it memorable.

Courtney Mitchell can be reached at ask_a_blonde@live.com

March in March brought out all types a senator-at-large with the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, which Dustin Call organized the protest, about CLARION ONLINE EDITOR 5,000 student protestors attended last year, and almost 15,000 were estimated to have been there this year. I find it easy to believe I have always found protests to be an interesting thing, regardless of what the that estimate, seeing as at one point, the message behind them is. I have wit- line of marchers stretched from Tower nessed a good number of them, ranging Bridge to the Capitol, which is about ¾ from the May Day march to the Tea of a mile. On top of the greater numbers, the Party protests, and from both sides of the Prop 8 battle to the March in March. messages being sent by the protestors Even if I don’t agree with the purpose this year were much more radical and exof the protest, I defend and advocate the treme in my opinion. Instead of giving the appearance of a right of the American people to assempeaceful protest, patriotic of our home ble as stated in the 1st Amendment. This year was my second attending state, I felt at times that the tension in the and reporting on the March in March in crowd could burst at any moment, resultSacramento for the Clarion. Both times ing in vandalism or violence. Prior to marching across the bridge to were an exhilarating experience and educational. However, I observed the feel- the Capitol, leaders of the march riled up ing of the march to be quite different students by rallying in a parking lot, screaming strenuously into a megathis year than it was last year. Last year, there were significantly phone. A few of these people sounded fewer students who attended. According as if they wanted to hurt someone. As seen in the photograph taken by to Citrus student Stefano Saltalamacchia,

fellow staffer Jose Alonso Ramirez a page 10 of this issue, one protestor even decided to dress himself up to look more like a terrorist that a patriotic American, all the while wearing a Che Guevara tshirt. I have seen this style of appearance before in the May Day march in downtown Los Angeles last year. At that same march, I saw a man walking down the street with an American flag tied to his ankle so he could trample on it. While this form of expression is completely Constitutional and the right of those who participate it, I find it disturbing and hypocritical. Reason being if we didn’t live in this wonderful nation that some protestors rag on so badly, they wouldn’t be able to say or do what they are in the first place. No other nation allows its people so much freedom to hate it that this nation. But why would you hate what gives you freedom to hate? In sharp contrast to displays such as this, our representatives from the Associated Students of Citrus College conducted themselves in an extremely professional manner.

Both years I have attended, our ASCC reps have worn their official polo shirts and have been more reserved and peaceful in how they have participated in the protesting. Saltalamacchia even wore a button up shirt and slacks to address the crowd this year. They even went the more effective route this year and scheduled meetings with state elected officials who represent the areas surrounding Citrus College to advocate for better funding of our schools. I see this as a better use of time and money than standing on the Capitol steps shouting structured chants and demanding irrational things like a free education system. I commend our ASCC board for their approach to the march and hope that they will continue to act in effective ways of getting our college the funding it needs by continuing to interact with our elected officials directly.

Dustin Call can be reached at clarion.web@gmail.com

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features

March 31, 2010

Hop-A-Thon brings smiles, information to children Mitchie Rose Pardilla CLARION FEATURES EDITOR

JULIA KUPISIEWICZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

In 2008 a group of 4-and 5-year-old children participated in a week of activities to learn about people with disabilities at the Child Development Center during its annual Hop-A-Thon.

The Child Development Center will be holding its fourth annual Hop-A-Thon to raise money to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Through April 2, a group of 4-and 5year-old children will participate in a week full of activities to learn about people with disabilities. On April 1 at 9:45 a.m., children will be hopping for three minutes in the Child Development Center yard. Teachers will conduct day-long activities. The pre-kindergarten students will also use a special children’s book for the event, called “Flip Flop Hop Book.” According to Sue Kennedy, a teacher at the Orfalea Family Children’s Center at Citrus College, the center conducts this yearly activity to foster awareness, acceptance, and helping others.

“Because of the event, the children won’t get scared when they see somebody in a wheelchair, but they will feel some sympathy with them,” Kennedy said. The fundraising goal is $2,200. Fifty percent will go to a muscular dystrophy camp and the other half will go to research. Approximately 67 children will participate for the Hop-A-Thon while wearing bunny ears. Also the Child Development Center’s director, Mickie Allen, will also participate with the children while wearing a bunny suit. If you are interested in participating, please call the Child Development Center at (626) 914-8501 by today, March 31.

Mitchie Rose Pardilla can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Club offers inspiration, guidance Brandon Lozano CLARION STAFF WRITER Once a foster youth reaches the age of 18, they no longer have a support system provided by the state. When on their own, it is ideal that they go on to lead successful lives. But this is not always the case. Too often, emancipated foster youth end up dealing with unemployment, lack of stability and homelessness. More than 19,000 foster youth will age out of the foster care system each year and approximately 1,200 of them will be homeless, according to Children’s Law Center of Los Angeles. That’s thousands of young adults who are at risk and many without a complete education. Foster to Famous, a new campus club, has just been launched this spring. The club was the brainchild of Katrina Hewitt, the campus foster youth liason, and Citrus College student Mikishia Deason, who is a former foster care child herself. Hewitt expressed gratitude to Lilia Medina, director of financial aid, for being “supportive and encouraging in allowing me to be the adviser of Foster to Famous club, and make this dream a possibility.” This is where Deason and Hewitt began their vision together. They want to offer students aging out of the foster care system a place of non-judgmental support and an increased chance at success. According to Children’s Law Center of Los Angeles less than 10 percent of foster youth enroll in college. “From the age of two to the age of 17, I was bounced around from school to school and from home to home, growing up in the foster care system, raised by someone other than my parents,” Deason said. “Being raised in a foster home presents many life- changing obstacles, from low self-esteem and lack of education, to lack of relationships and depression.” “A lot of these students don’t have any resources, a place to turn, money for books, or anyone to ask for help,” Hewitt said. “Consequently, if they enroll and are not getting funds fast enough, they lose interest and drop out.” Hewitt said she has seen about 180 foster youth at Citrus, but knows of only three who have transferred. Club President Deason wants to increase that transfer rate. “That’s ridiculous,” she said. “It needs to

BRANDON LOZANO, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

New campus club, Foster to Famous, brings together students who are aging out of foster care and gives them a place of non-judgmental support and an increased chance at success.

be a lot higher.” Many foster students don’t know about resources available to them, including grants and other programs. One resource offered to foster youth is the Chafee Grant, which pays up to $5,000 per academic year. Students may also look into the Independent Living Program for housing, the Change a Life Foundation Scholarship, and the YESS program. YESS, which stands for Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success, offers classes in 10-week increments at Citrus. These classes are designed to help students aging out of the system to prepare for life on their own. Students learn how to write a resume, complete a job application, write a check, open a bank account and eat properly. “I thought I might even drop out because I didn’t know these resources were out there for me, and I didn’t feel like I

could get through this alone,” club member Darneisha Nesby said. “I was shy and scared to reach out because I thought people might look at me and think there’s something wrong with me because I was in foster care.” “Darneisha really surprised me,” Hewitt said, “because of how active she was from the get go.” Deason knows what it is like to be homeless and on the streets. Now, she has her husband, Matt, the club’s vice president, to support her. Matt is not a former foster youth, but he offers energetic support to his wife. Deason said she doesn’t want other foster youth to feel like they are alone because they aren’t. The club’s first meeting was on March 12. Members have already designed club Tshirts, which are on sale for $10, to promote the club and raise funds for projects

and scholarships. Foster to Famous has begun planning activities such as volunteering at foster homes and hosting a clothing drive. Club members were also involved in a fundraiser called Peace 4 Kids, which was a 2.5-mile walk in Long Beach that happened on March 27. Foster to Famous aims to be a supportive, stable club for foster youth to meet each other, get resources, receive advice and build relationships. “Open up, join our family and we will be your support,” Deason said about anyone who wants to join and volunteer.

Brandon Lozano can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 6, 2010 For a brochure and application call Citrus College Study Abroad (626) 914-8560 or Ljamison@citruscollege.edu Visit our website at www.citruscollege.edu/studyabroad

features

MARCH IN MARCH

Page 10

March 31, 2010

JOSE ALONSO RAMIREZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

ABOVE: A participant of the march expresses his views about California’s educational system through his physical appearance. RIGHT: The mass of

students start swarming the front of the state’s Capitol to let their voices be heard. AARON GAIKAR, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

CAPITOL BOMBARDED BY MARCH IN MARCH Dustin Call CLARION ONLINE EDITOR Officers of the Associated Students of Citrus College were among the thousands of students, teachers, and concerned residents who participated in an annual marching protest in the state’s capital on Monday, March 22. The annual protest, called the March in March, was organized by the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) and was attended by students from across the state who are enrolled at community colleges and California State University campuses. The reason behind the protest was “skyrocketing fees, fewer class offerings, and devastating cuts to crucial student services are creating insurmountable barriers to student success,” according to SSCCC’s Web site. “We came because we wanted Citrus to be represented at the march because education is important to us,” said ASCC president Karlyn Bradley. He also said the march will put faces and numbers to the students of California who are being affected by budget cuts and fee hikes. “It will make it tangible for them,” he said.

According to event organizers, close to 15,000 protesters began their march at Raley Field on the west side of the Sacramento River, marched across Tower Bridge and down Capitol Mall to the north steps of the Capitol building. Upon reaching the Capitol, several speakers addressed the rowdy crowd about the issues were being protested. Among the speakers was former ASCC president, and current Senator-at-large for the SSCCC, Stefano Saltalamacchia, whose specific topic was the hardships that are faced by student athletes amidst the cuts and fee hikes. Saltalamacchia plays water polo and swims for Citrus. “Some students like myself hope that athletics will be our ticket into a four-year institution,” Saltalamacchia said in his speech. “Will we achieve this in two years when it’s difficult to get your core classes needed for transfer because they are being filled faster than ‘Twilight’ books are flying off shelves?” California Community College Chancellor Jack Scott was also among the speakers. “Education is not a cost, it’s an investment,” Scott said. “It is California’s best investment.” Scott also quoted a recent study from

UC Berkeley, which he said showed that for every dollar California spends on higher education, it gets back $3 in taxes. A handful of state elected officials also spoke. They included Assemblymen Marty Block (D-78th), Warren Furutani (D-55th) and Paul Fong (D-22nd) who each presented a different piece of legislation that they believe will fix the funding problem for higher education. Block spoke about AB 656 that he said would tax oil companies $2 billion, which would be put toward higher education. Furutani presented the Golden State Higher Education Act, which is an effort to get an initiative on a state ballot that Californian’s can vote on to fix education. Fong talked about AB 1761, which will allow Cal Grant B students to use their funds to pay for tuition instead of just books and supplies. After the speakers concluded, ASCC officers met with legislators and their representatives to further discuss their reasons for protesting. The officials included Assemblymen Anthony Portantino (D-44th), Anthony Adams (R-59th) and Edward Hernadez (D-57th), and Senators Bob Huff (R29th) and Gloria Romero (D-24th). About a dozen ASCC representatives,

along with a Citrus student involved in the Latino Leadership Network, were in attendance at the protest. According to ASCC adviser Adrienne Thompson, they were able to use some ASCC travel funds to fly to Sacramento for the protest that totaled around $2,500. Thompson said the ASCC travel budget is being spent into the red, but that the march was too big to miss, especially with a good number of new representatives who had not experienced it. “I think it’s highly effective because it creates a face, it creates a presence, especially as the legislators are going into budget season,” Thompson said. “It’s a very strong visual reminder of the number of students [affected].” Travel for ASCC representatives and other Citrus students to attend future events, such as next year’s March in March, would be funded by revenue received from passage of the student rep fee, which was voted on by the Citrus student body on March 29 and 30.

Dustin Call can be reached at clarion.web@gmail.com

March 31, 2010

Page 11

AARON GAIKAR, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

ABOVE: The picket sign held by a student expresses the voices and feelings of those gathered in protest on March 22. LEFT: Sudents rally together, exercising their right to protest, in the streets of downtown Sacramento. AARON GAIKAR, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

JOSE ALONSO RAMIREZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

JOSE ALONSO RAMIREZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

TOP: Citrus student Stefano Saltalamacchia speaks to the masses about the hardships of student athletes on March 22 at the state’s Capitol. ABOVE: Student Senate for California Community Colleges members lead protestors in the march toward the Capitol building in Sacramento. LEFT: Students listen to motivating speeches by guest speakers from assorted student bodies from around the state. AARON GAIKAR, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Page 12

A&E

March 31, 2010

Jazz band goes big in battle

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Members of the Citrus College Blue Note Swing Orchestra fine tune their performance in preparation for the “Battle of the Big Bands” event in the Haugh Performing Arts Center.

Lourdes Velazquez CLARION STAFF WRITER The seventh annual “Battle of the Big Bands” on March 19, a friendly competition between Citrus College and Azusa Pacific University, proved to be a powerful show. Performers from both Citrus and APU got right to it, starting off the performance playing together. “The band did great,” Derrick Wong, 21, upright bass for the Blue Note Swing Orchestra at Citrus said. “I’ve seen the show the past two years and this was my first year playing in it, so it was exciting.” Professor Bruce Lengford from the Cit-

rus Music Department, and who was the master of ceremonies for the event, said Blue Note Swing Orchestra’s performance was spectacular. “I love the jazz arrangement. I also loved the song by the Blue Note Swing Orchestra “What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life,” great trumpet solo,” Lengford said. The Blue Note Orchestra performed great songs, including “Moonlight Serenade” and “Beyond the Sea.” One of my personal favorites was “Under My Skin,” composed by Cole Porter, arranged by Nelson Riddle, featuring vocalist Dave Damiani, with soloist

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Sarah Turner puts all of her focus into practice during the final dress rehearsal of the “Battle of the Big Bands” event featuring the Citrus College Blue Note Swing Orchestra and Azusa Pacific University Jazz Ensemble on March 18.

Julius Lopez on trombone. The APU Jazz Ensemble performed brilliant songs as well, including “I Got Rid of ‘Em” and “Love of my life.” My personal favorite was “Time Bomb,” composed and arranged by Mark Taylor, with soloists Brad Pollock on drums, Josh Welchez on trumpet, and J. Michael O’Neal on piano. “I didn’t really have a favorite part of the

night. The fact that I got to share the stage with some amazing musicians made the night worthwhile,” Derrick said.

Lourdes Velazquez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

A&E

March 31, 2010

Page 13

Theater students to produce ‘Cartoon’ Caitlin Griffin CLARION A&E EDITOR Theater arts students have been busy rehearsing for the opening performance of the all-student production of “Cartoon.” An abstract comedy written by Steve Yockey and directed by Citrus College student Richard Lozoya, “Cartoon” is about cartoon characters trapped in a world that has gone insane. When Esther, the bratty ruler of the cartoon land, has a hammer is stolen by the quick-witted Trouble, the cartoon world is flipped upside down and mayhem is unleashed. The satire veers back and forth from comedy to drama, with subtle resemblance to a communistera political comedy. With few opportunities for community college students to be in charge of every aspect of the production process, “Cartoon” is an exception to that rule. The entire production is student directed, designed, and acted. “The production team has been extremely dedicated since the start,” student producer LaCreatia

Wilson said. “With our director’s vision in mind, our designers have been able to make this cartoon world a reality. All of our hard work is completely worth it and so rewarding.” Student actors strive to embody their characters’ spirits, from the intelligent Puppet (played by Max Herzfeld) who wants to break free of his strings and see what else is out there, to the comical duo of air-headed girly girls (played by Brittany Sanchez and Taylor Larson). Despite the unavoidable setbacks, such as one of the lead actors, Chris Aranda, breaking his leg, Lozoya, is working to pull together a play that strikes emotions and captivates the audience. Tickets for “Cartoon” can be purchased ahead of time or at the door for $10. Show times are April 9-11 at 8 p.m. in the Little Theatre.

Caitlin Griffin can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

AARON GAIKAR, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Citrus students Summer Stratton, Desire Perez and Kevin Figueroa get into character while rehearsing a scene for “Cartoon.” The all-student production runs April 9-11 in the Little Theatre.

Applications now being accepted

March 31, 2010

sports

Page 15

Owls dominate double-header against Eagles

RAUL LANDEROS, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

JOSE ALONSO RAMIREZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

LEFT: Freshmen Rebecca Lopez makes her way to the plate and gets ready for her turn up to bat during the first of two games on March 30. RIGHT: Tania Martinez dominates the mound as the Owls defeat the Eagles from Mission College.

JOSE ALONSO RAMIREZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

ABOVE: Freshmen catcher Grabrielle Munoz swings passionately trying to help Citrus take the lead during the second game of a double header against Los Angeles Mission College. RIGHT: Freshmen Kimberly Lopez gets a hit and paves the way for fellow teammates.

RAUL LANDEROS, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Support Citrus College Veterans Center with the LA Galaxy Supporters of Citrus College Veterans Center can enjoy discounted tickets to Galaxy home matches all season long! Tickets are available for all 15 Galaxy games in 2010! For your tickets, contact Charles Olsen at (909) 267-0187 or Chaz614@gmail.com

Page 16

sports

March 31, 2010

Softball’s unstoppable ace April Gamboa CLARION STAFF WRITER From an on-looker’s standpoint, pitching a softball probably doesn't look like the easiest thing to do. Endurance, speed, accuracy, and pressure are all part of the job. But for Citrus College freshman starter Kimberly Lopez, who has put in years of hard work and practice, it looks like second nature. Lopez is an 18-year-old La Mirada resident who stands at 5-feet 5-inches. She comes from a family of no athletes, but always took an interest in baseball. Along with her parents, she made the decision to sign up for a recreational league, where she played on Team Venom. Lopez was just 8 years old and has been playing ever since. She started at second base, but transitioned to pitching one year later. When you are on a team that works hard and strives for glory, it definitely pays off. She participated in a seven-game tournament with her all-star team in 2005, with a victory in every game, taking them to the national championships in Hawaii. Although they did not win the championships, she took home second place and it has been her fondest softball memory to date. Lopez attended La Mirada High School, where she was named MVP in 2008. She was first-team all-league in 2009 and all-tournament for the Arroyo Grande Invitational Tournament in 2009. “She was just unshakeable at the mound,” said Coach Trujillo of La Mirada's softball team, “She gets a determined look in her eye. We could always count on her to throw strikes.”

RAUL LANDEROS, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Owls pitcher/outfielder Kimberly Lopez is a force to be reckoned with, just one error made throughout the season and 38 at bats, 14 hits, nine runs and 12 RBIs.

The transition from high school to college is often intimidating at first, so it is no surprise Lopez had built up nerves. “It was nerve racking just because it's more competition, but I got comfortable,” Lopez said. “We're all very tight now and get along well. I spend more time with them than my real family.” Fresh out of high school, the pitcher has

done some significant things for the Owls. “She was a kind of quiet girl at first, but now we have a pretty open relationship. We're incredibly happy she's here,” head coach Jackie Boxley said. “She’s just been unstoppable, our ace. She's made us a force to be reckoned with.” In their game against Glendale College, Lopez pitched Citrus' first no-hitter in recent memory.

Lopez gave up no hits or walks, ending with a final score of 5-0. “I tried not to think about it when I was playing,” Lopez said. “It wasn't until after the game that I felt all the excitement. It just felt really good.” Lopez also does well with hitting and fielding. With 38 at bats, she’s had 14 hits, nine runs, and 12 RBIs. She has made four home runs and has only made one error throughout the season so far. “She brings a lot of value to the team,” Boxley said. “She's reliable, a good student and a great athlete. She shows great composure and bounces back quickly. She's just been a great fit for us.” Being on the mound, the pitcher has to be able to see eye to eye with fellow teammates, especially the catcher and the first-baseman. “We have this kind of bond. We work really well together, along with the catcher,” firstbaseman Rae Anne Redmon said. After she finishes at Citrus College, Lopez plans to transfer to a university and major in criminal justice. She is still undecided as to whether she will continue to play softball. Outside of softball, she enjoys hanging out with her friends as much as possible, because, as college students know, there's little time for a social life, especially as an athlete. “I'm trying to have a life as much as possible,” she laughed. Lopez is scheduled to take the mound at home on April 8 at 5 p.m. as the Owls face-off against Bakersfield College.

April Gamboa can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Men’s relay team: A band of brothers Jonathan Petitt CLARION STAFF WRITER Meet the Citrus College men’s relay team: Adrian Rodriguez, James Stewart, Kriesus Williams, and Josh Tenerowicz. Stewart, 21, has been running for four years, two of those at Citrus. After a year off from the track, he said he feels stronger and more confident than ever. In the 2008 season with the Owls, he finished 13th in the 200-meter dash at the Western State Conference Finals and finished second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.69 at the WSC Finals, and 25th at the SoCal Prelims. Since then, Stewart has also run the 4x4 and the 200-meter races. “Running is inspiring and it’s something that I love,” Stewart said. Rodriguez, 18, played baseball his whole life until he broke his arm one season during high school and then joined the track team. As a senior at Northview High School, he won the Valle Vista Championship in the 400-meter. He said he instantly fell in love with running. Since then, he has run the 4x4, 100- and the 200-meter races. Williams, 21, who has been running since the sixth grade, said he has always loved it. At Covina High School, he prepped four varsity seasons and earned All-San Gabriel Valley, AllCIF and first team All-Valley League honors. As a junior and senior, Williams won the 400meter, and the 200-meter Relay Valle Vista League Championships. “Jesse Owens is my hero,” he said. Owens is the American track and field athlete who won four gold medals in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Tenerowicz, 18, has run only one race so far, but he has already played a big role on the Citrus relay team.

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Considering themselves a band of brothers, the Citrus College track team’s men’s relay team has had a sucessful reason. They placed fourth in the 800-meter during the Spring Medley Relay.

At Charter Oak High School, he participated in three varsity seasons and was also on the varsity football and soccer teams. Tenerowicz also throws on the javelin. Williams finished second and Rodriguez finished fourth in the 400 dash on March 21. Members of the relay team said they have what some teams lack: brotherhood. The four members of the men’s relay are close on and off campus. They respect each other. “Most teams call each other a family. A team is stronger than a family. When one cries, everyone cries. When one wins, we all do,” Williams said.

“These guys help me and make sure I don’t slack off,” Tenerowicz said. “When we first came we would put each other down. Now we help each other out on and off the track,” Stewart said. “Winning state would mean the world to me,” Rodriguez. Stewart added, “I will cry.” The men’s track and field season started off strong at the Pomona-Pitzer College All-Comers as they posted nine top-10 finishes. During their second meet the men’s relay team finished fourth in the 800-meter Spring Medley Relay.

Most recently during the Easter relays, hosted by Santa Barbara, three men and four women finished in the top two-thirds of their events. The men’s relay team is set to compete Saturday, April 3, at the Antelope Valley College Invitational during an all-day event.

Jonathan Petitt can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

March 31, 2010

opinions

Page 17

Journey to becoming a citizen Eirin Hernandez CLARION STAFF WRITER

Here I am, a Citrus College student, a 45 year-old mother of four, and now, at last, in the final stages of becoming a citizen of the United States of America. Back in 1993, on our first visit in Los Angeles, my husband and I thought we were at the “end of the world.” Few South Americans venture this far. Everything they may need or want is in Florida or New York or any other eastern state, but my husband had been accepted at the University of Southern California, so with two toddler kids, we moved from Venezuela. After he completed his master’s degree in computer sciences, we returned to our home country where we both worked for the same oil company. By this time we had three children. Our time was stretched too thin. The kids, we felt, were being neglected. My husband was authorized to work legally in the United States, and we started to reflect. “Could we be good, productive, responsible and reliable citizens in that ‘distant land’, the same as we were in

EIRIN HERNANDEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

our own?” After eight brief months back home, we returned to California, “the end of the world.” Eventually my husband landed a new job that allowed him to change his immigration status from a temporary work visa to a legal resident, and so we began a new life. No longer were we transitory visitors. We wanted to be integrated, to stay and to build a future in this land. It has taken us nine long years to become

residents, but we are not complaining. Thanks be to God, we never had any problems during the naturalization process. When we really needed the residency status, because our oldest son was about to start college, and tuition for non-residents is really high, we got it. Being a resident gives you advantages over those with legal work visas. The one that means the most to me is the ability to leave and reenter the country without any complications or special permits.

When you arrive from another country and take your place in the line for citizens and residents, a special sensation washes over you. It is very emotional when immigration personnel tell you, “Welcome home.” After becoming a permanent resident, one needs to live in the United States for at least five years and be at least 18 years of age to be eligible to apply for citizenship. In my case, the application also had to include original marriage documents and a notarized translation. Each one of us also had to pay $675. After we were fingerprinted we left the government offices happy and joking with each other. The sun was shining. We were one step closer to becoming citizens. Now we have to prepare to take the citizenship test and after that, the oath. We still had more than half of a productive day ahead, so I said to myself: let’s go work and study so that we can live in these United States of America.

Eirin Hernandez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Eating healthy: worth the price Susana Guitron CLARION CORRESPONDENT

Think about someone you know who is overweight. No, not about that person who is obsessed with shedding pounds because he or she “feels fat”. Rather someone whose health is actually at risk because of weight. Recent studies have shown that obesity in both children and adults, is fast becoming an epidemic in America. Lets think about this for a minute. Don’t you remember your parents saying that if you don’t have good health, you don’t have anything? Well, as much as I hate to admit it our parents were right. In fact now that I am a parent myself health is my number one priority for my family. If I were to choose two words to describe my grocery shopping strategies, they would be “cheap” and “convenient”. I shop at out local markets at least twice a week, and I have come to realize that “junk food” is a lot cheaper than organic produce. The typical student parent does not have a high paying job which means that most of us have to budget our time and our money. We cannot afford to go to Trader Joes and buy a $5 bag of organic chips, when at Stater Bros. we can purchase two bags of chips for the same price. It is not easy, and definitely not cheap, to eat healthy. A fast food juicy burger with fries and a soda not only looks and taste better to me, but it also looks more substantial than a green salad, and it is usually cheaper. Of course I’m going to spend my last couple of dollars on something that gives me more for my money! Many Americans are becoming obese be-

cause our stressful lifestyles promote choosing the cheap, easy and convenient product. Another important factor in national weight gain, is that in today’s world, the need for physical activity is almost gone. We have internet, we have big screen TVs, iPod’s, Wii’s and so many more gadgets that do not require us to do anything but press a couple of buttons. If obesity is a problem for today’s young adults, can you imagine what the younger generations will look like if this trend continues? It is a scary thought. Now consider how long that generation will live. I admit that I take my children to McDonalds and give them chips and Capri Sun’s for snack. However, I do want to be a good parent and I do want my children to live a long and healthy life. Most of us want to change what we eat. Not because we are trying to fit into those skinny jeans, but because we want to be healthy. We want to be energized and alert as opposed to feeling sluggish and sleepy. A small change can make a big difference. Luckily our very own first lady, Michelle Obama, has just launched her new campaign “Let’s Move” which raises awareness on how to raise healthier kids. The website www.letsmove.gov offers guidelines on how to eat healthy and be physically active. It’s a great website full of information, and strategies on how all communities, especially those in low income neighborhoods can access better food choices. If all public schools and local grocery stores offer affordable and healthy food products, then maybe that will be the beginning. For example, my daughter attends a local Glendora public elementary school which offers a nutritious menu with a daily veggie and fruit bar, trans fat free milk and the lunch offered for that specific day. As a parent I already know that my daugh-

AUBREY MIRANDA, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

ter is consuming one nutritious meal a day. If I can just add the other two she will develop a healthy lifestyle. Someone has to set the tone. Whether it’s your parents, yourself or your roommates then the rest of us may adapt a healthier lifestyle than what we have right now. So the next time you are at the market or

your favorite fast food spot, try to eat healthy. Maybe if enough of us make a small change, healthy products will get cheaper.

Susana Guitron can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Page 18

a a Letters to the Editor

opinions

March 31, 2010

Just accept how people are I am a Citrus College student, currently attending. I wanted to comment on the article, "Be Healthy, not Skinny." At the very end it read, "American people have respect for others regardless of their weight." Do you really believe that's true? Every moment of my life is spent thinking about my weight, how I look and how other people perceive me. I am constantly worried that I am being judged and any weight loss makes it all the better and when I gain weight all is worse. Most of my female friends also share these views and I think that relationships falter because of their personal insecurities. For example, I had a period of my life when I was in high school where I shunned my friends. I would bail on plans and never want to go out because I felt extremely insecure and felt that people were always making comments about the size comparison between me and my friends. As was said in the article, men in Japan

want thin women but men in America also want thin women. Here women are being judged all the time, even in class I'll hear guys make comments like, "oh damn that girl..." (Insert some sexist comment there.) I understand that is the norm but the feeling of constant judgment is pressuring. I think that women everywhere are going through similar issues and sometimes I think, since we're all feeling like this, we need to get together and change the way we see each other. As cliche as it sounds, we are all beautiful. But just saying it doesn't help females. The general population and media has to get together and stop sending out the shallow message that women need to be a certain weight to be beautiful. We all need to accept that this is how we are and it’s perfectly fine. Will that ever happen? No but at least people can take on that mentality.

-Lorraine Hernandez MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

Immigration struggle recognized This message is directed at Raul Landeros, in response to his article, "We're Immigrants, we're Americans." I am a student here at Citrus, and I wanted to commend you on a compelling piece. I'm not a child of immigrants, though my grandfather was a German Jew refugee escaping the Holocaust. And let's face it, everyone barring Native Americans can trace their ancestry through immigration. You make an excellent point about the fact that this country was built by hardworking immigrants. The line that really hit it home was, "Immigrants don't come here dreaming of being on welfare or taking advantage of the system, like some legal citizens already do." The reality is that no one who will read this article (college students, staff, and faculty) should try to argue with your point that immigrants are doing the jobs most people won't. In addition, your story about being stuck in the middle of a border war is touching. It resonates with a poem by Pat Mora, titled "Legal Alien." If you haven't read it, I encourage you to check it out. The subject is very similar to your opening self-disclosure. As a child of Northern New England, where immigration seems so distant and therefore unfairly simplified, I was raised with disrespect for immigrants, especially those of Latino descent. I thought you might find it encouraging that in

MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

spite of that, I stand next to you in your hope that the United States recognizes immigration for its contributions to our nation, that the problems surrounding immigration are not inherent in immigrants, and that we can fix those problems while embracing immigrants and what they have

Keep up the good work I always enjoy reading the Clarion, but I found the March 17 issue to be especially impressive for the following reasons: I was thrilled to see a good article about the Gold Line (because I’m looking forward to being able to ride it). I identified with Ray Navarro’s twentysomething trials and tribulations (as a fiftysomething student). I enjoyed the editorial “Keep on keeping on”(as a student who takes only one class each semester). I believe the “Help for Haiti, but not for the homefront?” article presents an important message that people need to hear (and I hope this theme is embellished upon in future issues). Keep up the good work!

-Phyllis Hassman

to offer our great country. Thanks for a thoughtful, well-written article.

-Brandon Lucas

We want to hear your thoughts! E-mail the Clarion Staff at ccclarion@hotmail.com The Clarion reserves the right to edit all letters for clarity, length and style.

MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

March 31, 2010

editorials

Page 19

Our futures for a price clarion Citrus College

The average college student suffers from a common problem. Tired and empty wallets run rampant across campus. Quality education costs money and time. We all study and do our best to keep academically afloat. Some students work full time jobs, even two positions just to pay for the gas that gets them to school. With current fees costing $26 a unit, a full-time student is looking to pay $300 and then some for textbooks and fees. It doesn’t seem like much, but in these tough times, we’re all lucky to have a roof over our heads. Currently, California’s Legislative Analyst Offices have been deciding on whether to hike up our tuition to $40 a unit, an increase of $14. That is too much too fast. With California facing a sinking-hole of a deficit, it seems illogical that the burden of filling it would fall on the starving college students just trying to get by. We all understand it’s time for California to shape up and keep our spending in check. Nationally, California’s community colleges pay the lowest tuition of $26 a unit. Other states pay $40, or even $85, per unit. I’m sure hard-working Californians will pull themselves together in due time, and at a gradual pace. While other states are accustomed to paying their usual rates, we are not ready for such a price. Give us time; give us a helping hand to help the state.

If we want to pitch in our fair share, give us a $4, $5, $6 notice, but do not sink our boat. Asking for such a dramatic increase all at once will overload students, dismay possible applicants, and completely hold back graduates from completing their dreams in a realistic and possible manner. But not all will be affected by this change. So many Citrus College students already use FAFSA, Pell grants, and the Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver program. You might stop you don’t qualify for anything, but apply, apply, apply. As a student, you hold yourself back by missing opportunities that you second-guess yourself on. Even if you don’t qualify for one program, you might still qualify for another. Just by having your FAFSA on record will save you time and allow your file to be reviewed for numerous scholarships that accept your FAFSA file. In the end, not everybody will get government assistance, and that’s where it will hit the hardest. People who have worked hard for every penny they earn will have the number one cause for concern. Students who don’t qualify for any assistance will have to pay the burden of a sudden $14 increase against all odds. At this rate, a full-time student will pay about $500 for classes, and including books and fees, the cost will soar. Single mothers continuing ed-

AUBREY MIRANDA, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

ucation will struggle for daycare. Gas, cell phone bill, and insurance payments will be postponed. Worst of all, bright aspiring students will have their dreams crushed. The recent budget cuts that plague the campus are apparent through fewer classes and cut hours. That was a response to a huge cut. Think of how students would react to a sudden spike in price upon dwindling class options. The problem is that nobody has money. That state has no money for the colleges. The colleges have no money to pay faculty or staff. The students, however, have a choice. The state’s revenue problem is not a problem at all. The problem has always been spending. Over

spending, not spending on the right programs, acts, bills or anything that is necessary and vital. While all seems dismal, there is hope for the true students who want a future. There are the socalled students who waste their time and don’t get their acts together. For the rest of us who are trying to make it in the real world, this will be our time to shine. While staggering prices put off the “whatever” student, the strong and willed will make it through. If we want the same great quality education we have to be ready to fight for it, and pay for it. Once again, though, not so much so quickly. Students have their voices to use in desperate times. Make sure you use yours.

Be prepared, save lives Being prepared for an emergency is the best way to ensure your safety. The 4.4 magnitude earthquake on March 16, which hit in the greater Los Angeles area, woke many out of bed in the early morning hours. If a more substantial earthquake strikes California, will you be standing underneath a loose ceiling fixture or will you be able to assist your fellow students and possibly even save lives? Earth’s tectonic plates are on the move. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that, in March alone, five significant earthquakes hit around the world: two in Chile, and the remaining in Indonesia, Turkey and Japan. Aftershocks in Chile have continued regularly since the 8.8 magnitudes on February 27. And earlier this year, Haiti suffered a major 7.0 earthquake. The California Emergency Management Agency states that 70 percent of California’s population resides within 30 miles of a fault line where serious ground shaking could occur within the next 50 years. The Southern California Earthquake Data Center reports that movement in the San Andreas Fault could induce movement in lesser fault lines, such as the Sierra Madre Fault, which runs through Glendora and eastward. Only one month after the Great California Shake-Out drill, held on October 15, 2009, a study, conducted by the Norman Lear Center at the University of Southern

RACHEL FULLER, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

California, found that 32 percent of participants in the drill described themselves as fairly or totally unprepared for an earthquake. The study also discovered that 13 percent of participants believed the common myth that a doorway is a safe place to be during an earthquake, which is true only if you live in an adobe home. Citrus College’s administration has done a fine job of preparing students and staff for a possible emergency situation. The Citrus Alert emergency notification system will enable the school to communicate with students through text and e-mail should a natural disaster or other significant event occur. The alert system allows notifications to be sent to six different phone numbers per student. It is vital that students update their contact information on

WingSpan for this system to be effective. The link to update information can be found under the “personal” tab on WingSpan. The Red Cross states that fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake. Do you know where the nearest fire extinguisher is? Know where potential safe areas are in your surroundings. The campus Emergency Response Procedures state that underneath desks and inside halls are the best places to be during a shake. Staying away from unsecured shelves, file cabinets, and windows is also a good idea. If you are outside during an earthquake, be wary of buildings, utility poles, and trees. After a quake, make sure of your fellow students are safe and be prepared for aftershocks. If anyone is hurt, pick up a campus phone and dial 8611 for campus

security or 9-911 for outside responders. If the campus phone is unavailable then use a cell phone to dial (626) 914-8611 for campus security or 911 for outside responders. When speaking with the operator during an emergency situation do not hang up the phone unless the operator does so first. Afterward assign someone to meet emergency responders and lead them to where you are. Lastly, keep an emergency duffle bag in your car or closet at home. This bag should contain a change of clothes, flashlight, battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food. If we all take the proper precautions—updating contact information on WingSpan, being well-versed on the do’s and don’ts of post-earthquake action, and preparing an emergency pack—it will make going through an emergency situation with fellow students at Citrus much smoother. During a campus fire drill on March 16, the Life Science and Professional Center buildings were evacuated in approximately three minutes. Ben Macias, Interim Supervisor of Campus Security, said such timing was good. When, not if, an earthquake happens in California, where will you be? Will you be leading your classmates out of a building through a safe exit route or will you be running around like a chicken with your head cut off?

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sandra Lopez MANAGING EDITOR Courtney Mitchell NEWS EDITOR Kristin Lacuesta FEATURES EDITOR Mitchie Pardilla SPORTS EDITOR Erica Irigoyen A&E EDITOR Caitlin Griffin OP/ED EDITOR Jose Alonso Ramirez PHOTO EDITOR Andrew Vasquez ONLINE EDITOR Dustin Call STAFF WRITERS Eirin Hernandez Ferreiro, April Gamboa, Raul Landeros, Brandon Lozano, Rob Lucero, Aubrey Miranda, Jonathan Petitt, Steven Regan, Cheyenne Scharff, Laura Smith Troye Waldron, Lourdes Velazquez, Amanda Villegas CORRESPONDENTS Anazarry Danganan, Susana Guitron PAGE DESIGNERS Nicole Ballew, Brittanie Conaway, Caitlin Molinari, Jonathan Petitt PHOTOGRAPHERS/ ARTISTS Aaron Gaikar, Rachel Fuller, Raul Landeros, Brain Marsh, Aubrey Miranda, Jose Alonso Ramirez, Cheyenne Scharff, Andrew Vasquez COVER PHOTO Aaron Gaikar PHOTO TECHNICIAN Frank Ram INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT Emily Rios ADVISER Margaret O’Neil The Clarion is produced by journalism students and is distributed every other Wednesday during the semester. Ads are not endorsed by the Clarion. Editorials are the opinion of at least 75 percent of the Editorial Board. All other opinion is that of the writer. Views expressed do not represent those of the adviser, faculty, administration, Associated Students of Citrus College and/or CCCBOT. Libel will not be published.The Clarion welcomes feedback from our readers. If you have any gripes, questions, or comments ... we want to hear from you! All correspondence must include your student ID#, major and signature. Letters may be edited for clarity and length. CLARION MAILBOX 1000 W. Foothill Blvd. Glendora, CA 91741-1899 Phone: (626) 914-8586 Fax: (626) 914-8797 Email: ccclarion@hotmail.com

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evolution of hair

March 31, 2010

BRIAN MARSH, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

BRIAN MARSH, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

TOP: The ‘Evolution of Hair’ show on March 25 showcased hairstyles from

BRIAN MARSH, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

the past, present and future, created by the Citrus College cosmetology students. LEFT: Before the show, Danielle Seguna works tirelessly to finalize the 1920’s hairstyle created by her and partner Brianna Bowling modeled by her sister Shannon, on March 25 at the Cosmetology Department. ABOVE: Night Shift, the Citrus College Performing Arts Department student cover group, performed Top 40s’ hits such as ‘Hot Stuff’ by Donna Summer for the audience attending the ‘Evolution of Hair’ event in the Handy Campus Center.

Evolution of hair show, sold out evening Anazarry Danganan CLARION CORRESPONDENT Last Thursday, March 25, two hours before the event, all 400 tickets to the Evolution of Hair Show in the Handy Campus Center were sold out and anticipation buzzed as people crowded in the courtyard waiting to get in. The Cosmetology and Photography Department came together to showcase an array of hairstyles from different eras and decades of the past, including the Renaissance Period and the ‘20s, ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Even a futuristic era was included for the hairstyles of tomorrow. Despite a power outage that resulted in the cancellation of all evening classes, the show went on as scheduled thanks to the Campus Center’s backup generators, Citrus College Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D., said. Every semester, several departments collaborate with cosmetology to promote an event for community supporters to enjoy. As models strutted down the runway, photos taken by Darrell Carr’s Photography Club students were dis-

played on a large projection screen highlighting the hair creations in close-up images of the models. Dan Volonte’s Emerging Theatre Technology students brought color and set the stage with dramatic lighting effects, and Gino Munoz’s student cover group, called Nightshift, provided Top 40 music for the night. In the past, cosmetology held a hair show event each semester, but after this spring, the hair show will only be held once a year during the spring semester. There are plans for the hair show to be held in the Haugh Performing Arts building next year, possibly showcasing in a more theatrical event. Having the production of the hair show occur once a year reduces the time and cost for many of the volunteers and students involved. An annual event also builds anticipation for a bigger audience, and allows students additional preparation. “There are a lot of people involved. It’s a really big production, including the cost for the students. Some students put in a lot of money for the show,” Director of Cosmetology Gus Brooks said. There have been students who have been willing to spend $10 to

$200 and beyond, but others have utilized old clothing and costumes, as well as basic items around the house, such as foil and Styrofoam cups, for their models. Behind the scenes, the aroma of hairspray filled the air. On the ground were traces of glitter, fabric and feathers used for the costumes and props on the hair and face. Girls, girls, girls, in at every direction, running around trying to complete their hair designs as the intercom voice announced, “30 minutes ‘til judging!” Last fall, the price per ticket was $4, but this spring the price has doubled. “At first we were worried about the raise because we had raised the price to $8, but half of the money will be charitable proceeds going back to the Citrus College Foundation, and this time all 400 tickets were sold out before the show, so we are very excited,” said Albert Graciano Director of the Hair Show. “Just wait till next year.” ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Anazarry Danganan can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Jayme Strohman struts down the runway, showing her flowery fashion as she showcases her sister Joeleen’s design for the ‘Evolution of Hair’ cosmetology show on March 25 in the Handy Campus Center.