Clarion 4/4/12

Citrus College

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April 4, 2012 Volume LXVI Issue XII Photo Illustration by Sydney Presley

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News Editor

Sydney Presley

QUOTE

of the

DAY “Think outside the bun.” -Taco Bell

ANNOUNCEMENTS All-college sustainability forum The Citrus sustainability Committee will present a forum on April 24 from 2:40 to 4:00 p.m. in the east wing of the Campus Center. An overview of the sustainability action plan that is currently being tested will be provided. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the forum and to provide input relevant to the college’s future as a sustainable, environmentally friendly institution.

Dining to donate The Citrus Cheer Club is asking students to support their club by dining at the Applebee’s at 377 N. Citrus Avenue on April 5 from 5 p.m. until closing. Applebee’s will donate 15 percent of your check when you mention you are there to support the club.

Noche de Cultura The Latinos Unidos Student Association is inviting all students, faculty and staff to a night of culture with art, live music, poetry readings and dancing on April 5 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Campus Center. Coffee and sweet bread will be served. Admission is free.

Me Small, Space Big

Astronomy students will put on an art extravaganza at the Citrus College Hayden Library running from April 4 through April 30. A reception is scheduled for April 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information contact the library at 626-9148640.

Earth Day festival Celebrate Earth Day and get tips on how you can be environmentally conscious on April 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Campus Center Mall. Earth Club will also be demonstrating its purpose to protect the Earth and its natural resources by setting up booths. Various booths will be set up including trivia games, eco-encouraging accessories, photo galleries of nature and a books and clothes drive. Tote bags will be on sale for $3 and sports bottles for $8.

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APRIL 4, 2012

NEWS

News In Minutes LOCAL

Santa Monica names its first female police chief The Santa Monica Police Department named Jacqueline Seabrooks their first female chief of police. Seabrooks, 50, spent 25 years at the Santa Monica Police Department, where she rose from officer to captain before being named chief in Inglewood 4 and-a-half years ago. She will assume her new post in May, succeeding Timothy J. Jackman, who retired. Seabrooks will be in charge of 443 employees and oversee a $73 million dollar budget. She managed 300-plus personnel and a $53 million budget in Inglewood. Source: Los Angeles Times

Oakland college shooting leaves seven dead, two wounded A former student of Oikos College in Oakland, One L. Goh, was taken into custody in connection with the execution of seven students in a classroom April 2. Goh allegedly lined the students up on a wall and shot them one by one. School officials confirmed that Goh had been expelled from the college and appeared to be targeting a female administrator. He was arrested Monday afternoon in a car belonging to one of the students. Source: Los Angeles Times

911 caller in Kendrec McDade shooting charged with involuntary manslaughter Oscar Carillo-Gonzalez, the man accused of making the fake 911 call that led to the shooting of 19-year-old Azusa resident Kendrec McDade, was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Carillo-Gonzales called 911 on March 24, saying he was robbed at gunpoint by McDade and a 17year-old accomplice. The call prompted an immediate response from Pasadena police, but neither McDade nor the 17-year-old were found to be armed. Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune

DirecTV subscribers lose KTLA DirecTV Inc. subscribers in 19 U.S. markets have lost access to certain programming after Tribune Broadcasting said it failed to reach a settlement with the satellite television provider in their contract negotiations. On March 31 Tribune Broadcasting said in a statement that without a deal in place, DirecTV was barred by federal law from carrying the signal of Tribune's local television stations after midnight, when their agreement expired. The affected markets include Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, New Orleans and Philadelphia. Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune

STATE Revised bullet train proposal sheds $30 billion from budget A revised business plan for California’s proposed high-speed railway system would save approximately $30 billion dollars by using existing railway lines for service. If the plan is approved, construction would begin on a 300-mile stretch of rail connecting the Central Valley to the San Fernando Valley within 10 years. The project would still be around $25 billion over the original estimate even with the savings. Source: Los Angeles Times

State schools chief calls for Cal State salary freeze In a letter addressed to the Cal State Chancellor and Board of Trustees Chairman, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson called for the CSU system to freeze salary increases for incoming executives. The system adopted a new policy to cap pay increases for new hires at 10 percent of their predecessors base pay, but Torlakson said that the policy is now being used as a salary floor, rather than a ceiling. Source: Los Angeles Times

NATIONAL New Colorado prison closing after inmate decline Officials announced that $184 million Colorado State Penitentiary II, a 316-bed prison in Canon City, will close next year. The new facility is operating around onethird of its capacity after only being open for 18 months. When construction for the prison was first planned in 2003, the inmate population was increasing, but dropped from a peak of 23,220 in July 2009 to a record low of 21,562 in February of this year. A public hearing was held on the closure plan, and officals do not plan to lay off employees. Source: Los Angeles Times

Transgendered beauty queen back in competition Miss Universe Canada officials reversed an earlier decision to disqualify contestant Jenna Talackova on April 2. Talackova, a Vancouver resident, said she knew she was a girl at the age of 4 and underwent gender reassignment surgery when she was 19. Talackova also participated in the 2010 Miss Universal Queen in Thailand, a beauty pageant for transgendered contestants. The competition takes place April 19. Source: CNN

Supreme Court ruling legalizes strip-searches for any arrest A 5-4 ruling by the Supreme Court April 2 now makes it legal for law enforcement officials to strip-search people for any arrest, however minor, before admitting them to jails. Previously, strip searches were only allowed if officials had a reasonable suspicion that contraband was present. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote that courts cannot second-guess the judgement of correctional officials for the majority, while Justice Stephen G. Breyer argued a Fourth Amendment violation for the minority. Source: The New York Times

GLOBAL

Son of global media magnate steps down from post James Murdoch, stepped down from his position as chairman of the British Sky Broadcasting Group on April 3. Murdoch said the decision was made to shield the company from the fallout of the voicemail hacking scandal that surrounded the News of the World, which his owned by his father Rupert Murdoch. Murdoch shut down production of the tabloid as a result, but plans on staying on at BSkyB as a non-executive director. Source: CNN

Hot March leaves nation sweating More than 7,700 record temperatures were tied or broken nationwide in March. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association research meteorologist Martin Hoerling, the warm weather was caused by warm winds that sent air through the country from the Gulf of Mexico. Low wind patterns in the Northwest and high wind patterns in New England trapped the warm air from the Gulf. Chicago had nine consecutive record-breaking days with temperatures of 80-plus. Source: Los Angeles Times

U.S. places $10 million bounty on Pakistani militant The United States has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Hafiz Saeed, a Pakistani militant leader accused of orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai attacks. A reward of $2 million was also offered for information leading to the capture of Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki, Saeed’s brother-in-law. The bounty was announced by the U.S. undersecretary of political affairs during a trip to India. Source: New York Times

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APRIL 4, 2012

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CSU to freeze

Budget affects student services

spring 2013 enrollment Martin Cabrera Clarion Managing Editor

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nly students with an associate transfer degree will be admitted in Cal State universities for spring 2013. CSU will deny incoming freshman admission to all of its schools and admit only a few hundred transfer students in eight schools: Channel Islands, Chico, Easy Bay, Fullerton, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Bernardino and Sonoma. Citrus currently offers AA-T’s in speech communication, sociology, psychology, administrative justice, math and early childhood communication. The AA-T in English is under review in the chancellor’s office and Citrus is working on adding history, physics, business, studio art and elementary education by the end of the year, according to Dr. David Kary, astronomy professor. An AA-T guarantees you admission in at least one of the eight schools, Kary said. “A transfer degree may not guarantee you the CSU of your choice but it does guarantee you admission in at least one,” Kary said. Cal State campuses usually

admit 16,000 students for spring and 20,000-25,000 students in the fall. Students who choose to wait until fall 2013 to transfer to a CSU face the possibility of being wait-listed if Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax initiative, aimed at preventing further school budget cuts, is rejected by voters on the November ballot. “I think every student should either vote for the initiative or take their own initiative and write to legislators or pay them a visit,” said Justina Rivadeneyra, career and transfer coordinator. Since CSU’s will not be accepting incoming freshman, it is possible more freshman could be enrolling in community colleges, said Dr. Samuel Lee, dean of enrollment and language arts. However, Lee said that he is more worried about the effects it will have on students planning to transfer to a CSU. “Those students are going to be set back in their progress and be stuck waiting,” Lee said. “There will be no reason for them to stay in school during that time, but I would suggest that they take any other classes that go toward their major.”

Lauren Emery Chris Floch Clarion Staff Writers

McClatchy-Tribune Media Services

It may be time to look at alternatives to CSU, such as UC, private, or out-of-state colleges and universities, Rivadeneyra said. An average of 534 Citrus students during each of the past five years have transferred to a CSU while an average of 73 students have transferred to a UC over the same period, according to the Office of Institutional Research. UC campuses require the same inter-segmental general education transfer curriculum as CSU. Seven UC campuses – Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz – participate in the Transfer Admission Guarantee program, which, if the requirements to receive TAG are complete, guarantee your spot at the UC you apply to. From 2007-09, the earliest dated data provided by IR, an average of 120 students transfer to out of state schools, and 367 transferred to an in-state private school, according to OIR data. “With the budget cuts, it’s

making it hard to finish school even when you get to a CSU,” Rivadeneyra said. “That and the rise of tuition and fees make private and out-of-state colleges more attractive.” California is one of 15 states comprising the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, which allows students to transfer to a university in a member state and still pay the price of in-state tuition. “My kids made it under the wire,” Lee said. “But if they were transferring next year I would strongly suggest sending them to an out of state school through this [WICHE].” “It’s more important than ever to meet with a counselor,” Rivadeneyra said. Learn more about requirements and the states and schools part of WICHE by meeting with a counselor or visiting http://www.wiche.edu/ca. Find out more about the UC TAG by visiting their website: http://uctag.universityofcalifornia.edu/ or meeting with a counselor.

Donors give back at annual Blood Drive Yvonne Nguyen Danielle Rodriguez Clarion Staff Writers

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he Cesar Chavez Blood Drive, which ran March 28-29 in the Campus Center, saw a handful of students coming in to do their part by donating blood. The human body contains about six quarts of blood, and with over seven billion people in the world, there is not enough to go around. According to the American Red Cross website, someone needs a blood transfusion every two to three seconds, and 95 percent of all Americans will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lives. The Cesar Chavez Blood Drive, which ran March 28-29 in the Campus Center, saw a handful of students coming in to do their part by donating blood. Student Trustee Nohemi Camacho said that the blood drive helped saved 540 lives. As Craig Torres, 19, who is currently studying forestry, waited for his turn to have a needle in his arm, there was an air of stillness around him. “Blood transfusions saved my

Danielle Rodriguez, Citrus College Clarion Nurse Louise Davis preps Craig Torres, 19, forestry major, during the Cesar Chavez Memorial Blood Drive on March 28 in the Campus Center.

grandparent’s lives; I just want to give back what has been given to me,” he said, grateful for his chance to return the favor. According to American Red Cross, currently only three out of every 100 people in America donate blood. The Cesar Chavez Blood Drive, which commemorates the civil rights activist and co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, was created to engage U.S Latino/Hispanic college stu-

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dents as college campus organizers. The campaign is meant to honor Cesar Chavez’s legacy devoted to improving the quality of life for all people. Crescencio Calderon, 20, who is studying political science, was the main organizer for the blood drive. The ASCC student trustee elect stated, “Everyone is welcome.” Citrus College was ranked thirtieth place in the 2011 National

Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge, issued to all college campuses. “We want to rank first, but if anything, at least better than thirty,” Calderon said when asked about this year’s goal. Calderon created a contest for all Citrus campus clubs to donate and/or bring in donors for the blood drive with the incentive of bringing home a trophy. The idea is to get students excited about donating blood. Jimi Feng, 26, studying international relations and political science, became a second time donor at the blood drive – he gave his first donation in high school. “I’m excited to help,” Feng said. “Putting myself in someone else’s shoe, if someone required blood and me donating blood helped make a difference, then that’s definitely something I’ll do.” As the need for blood increases, the number of donors has not. The Cesar Chavez Blood Drive, or any blood drive for that matter, has but one mission. To provide a stable blood supply to a community of people who need it. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor; there are no substitutions.

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he Student Employment office will be closing and supervisor, Ted Goldstein will be transferred to Human Resources. Student Employment Services and Human Resources will merge together after the spring 2012 semester in order to reduce costs while still providing Citrus students the opportunity to find work both on and off campus. SES is currently located in the Student Services building in SS 171 but will be returning to its former residence in ED 102. The SES program has the most recent job listings and is led by advisors who hold workshops teaching students résumé writing as well as processing paperwork for students who work on campus. “The service for the students won’t change. I’m still going to be there helping students just like I am now.” said Karen Giles, SES technician. Robert Sammis, director of human resources said that the transition into HR is a natural fit. “There is always the question ‘does student employment fall under Financial Assistance or HR?’,” Sammis said. Sammis said that in reviewing the budget, it seemed necessary to streamline in order for the SES program to survive and continue to be a valuable tool for the community. Citrus will save an estimated $100 thousand by merging the two departments. Jeff Elanbaaus, 19, who works at the Owl Bookstore, said that he is grateful to the SES personnel who helped him find work on campus. “I’ve only been there a couple times and they answered all my questions,” Elanbaaus said. No specific date has been announced for the move, however it will most likely happen by July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year. Ted Goldstein, Supervisor of Student Employment Services will leave his position to fill a tremendous need for financial assistance. “I’m sad to leave, but students on this campus can access the job database anytime. So this shouldn’t be a great change for the students.” Goldstein said. To access the job database, students may go to citruscollege.edu and click on student services or student employment and will be directed to a job board.

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APRIL 4, 2012

Gov. Brown revises budget proposal Matthew Hutchings Clarion Correspondent

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n response to the budget deficit in California, Gov. Jerry Brown has put forward his own budget proposal, with the aim of adding $6.9 billion to the amount of money spent on education statewide, and more specifically, $218.3 million to the California Community Colleges system. The amount of money going towards state K-14 budgets, from which California Community Colleges system gets its money, has steadily decreased, from an all time high of $56.6 billion in the 20072008 financial year to $47.6 billion in 2011-2012. Furthermore, funds available under Prop 98 will decline by a further $4.8 billion in the 2012-13 financial year. Several budget initiatives were proposed, creating competition. "When there are too many alternatives, voters will just say no to all of them" said Carol Horton, vice president of finance. "We are budg-

Gov. Jerry Brown

eting as though none of them will pass." If so, the cuts for the California Community Colleges system would be at least $264 million. Brown's original plan called for a temporary increase in sales tax by one half of a penny on every dollar. However, in light of a poll from his own political arm showing that the plan submitted by the California Federation of Teachers, which calls for higher income taxes on those earning over a million dollars a year,

is more popular, the governor has compromised with the union. The new proposal would be funded by a 1 percent income tax surcharge on singles making more than $250,000 a year, and married couples making twice that. Californians making more than that would see bigger increases, up to 3 percent, which would last seven years instead of five. The amount of the sales tax hike has been reduced in this new version of the initiative, down to a quarter

of a cent on the dollar, which will be in effect for four years. At the peak, the fundraising measures will pull in $8 billion more a year than the previous version. It lays out a plan whereby many of the rules and restrictions on how money is spent are removed, allowing for “flexed” funds that are not limited to being spent on a single category. It also reduces the amount of money that is paid out in financial aid under the California Student Aid Commission's Calgrant program. The reduction for private and forprofit institutions totals $59.1 million, and affects 14,900 students, while the total reduction for students attending non-profit and independent institutions is $111.5 million, and affects over 30,800 students. Under Brown's plan, set-asides in the UC budget would be eliminated to provide a $90 million increase in general fund revenue that would be put toward retirement costs. Both systems would consolidate fiscal incentives that were previously budgeted separately, and both

would receive a $200 million decrease in unallocated reductions, possibly to be back-filled by tuition increases, which would in turn increase the cost of financial aid. A recent survey by the Public Policy Institute of California showed that residents supported Brown’s measure, at 52 percent for and 40 percent against. “I do think we have to cut and increase taxes to pay for all these services. I like his original idea, but I don’t like the idea of penalizing success” said Dr. Kenneth Guttman, president of citrus college faculty association. John Fincher, who was previously the president of the CCFA, endorsed a similar view of both the initiatives benefits and its chance of passing. “Spending more money does not fix hardly anything. There would definitely be a benefit short term, but not long term,” he said. By re-writing his legislation, Brown must now begin all over the process of attaining the required one million signatures.

Journalism program wins highest award in state Daniel Hernandez Clarion Spotlight Editor

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he student communications program has been recognized with the top journalism award in the state. Fourteen students enrolled in the Citrus College communications program recently participated in the annual state convention of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. At the conclusion of the threeday event, Citrus was named a “Pacesetter” for program excellence, the highest honor for student publications in California’s community college system. The 57th annual JACC convention took place at the Burbank Marriott Hotel where media professionals presented more than 70 workshops. The student participants competed as individuals as well as in teams in contests in mail-in, bring-in and on-the-spot categories. This year 553 students from 45 colleges, including Pasadena City, Mount San Antonio, and Rio Hondo colleges participated.

The Clarion newspaper and theclariononline.com website each garnered the top award given at JACC: General Excellence. “I could not be more proud of my team, we worked hard and it paid off,” said Natalie Miranda who served as Clarion editor in chief in spring and fall 2011.“We didn’t get General Excellence for my first semester as EIC, so that was my goal during my entire second semester,” Miranda said. The most compelling moment came Saturday evening awards banquet when Citrus was named a “Pacesetter.” The Pacesetter is awarded to the top four colleges in the state based on the total points accumulated in JACC contests. “We didn’t go in with any expectations, but we went in as a united group, and we treated it like professionals who have been doing it for years,” Sydney Presley, current editor-in-chief said. The three other Pacesetter winners are Pierce, Contra Costa and Southwestern colleges. This marks the fourth time Citrus has received the Pacesetter award

since its inception in 1998. The last time Citrus was so honored was 2008. In the mail-in category, seven students won six awards for work published in the Clarion newspaper or online for the spring and fall semesters of 2011. In the bring-in category, two students won for photo and online advertisement. Robert Diaz, who is enrolled in the Reporting and Writing News class, won first place for the online advertisement. “Being given the experience to compete made him feel more confident of Photoshop skills,” Diaz said. “It’s a humbling experience to know that my work was recognized and awarded first place since there is so much competition,” For the on-the-spot category, eight students won awards in news writing, feature writing, opinion writing, copyediting, editorial cartoon, news photo, feature photo, and news judgement/layout. For student Ryan Gomez, this was his first time attending a JACC competition. Gomez participated in two on-

Andrew Bettridge, Citrus College Clarion The staff of the Clarion newspaper took home 18 awards at the annual state Journalism Association of Community Colleges convention on March 24.

the-spot categories –feature writing and copyediting and ended up receiving an honorable mention in feature writing. “JACC taught me that there is always room to improve, and the industry is always changing,” Gomez said. “It definitely inspired me to keep on going with journalism. It was something I never really ex-

pected it to come into my life.” Also, two Citrus adjunct faculty Stacy K. Long, professor of public relations and Waleed Rashidi, professor of multimedia, conducted workshops. “I feel really proud of the group that went with us to JACC because the majority of them were first timers,” Presley said. “I hope that

APRIL 4, 2012

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Two-tier per unit pricing system proposed Sydney Presley Clarion Editor in Chief

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fficials at Citrus College are closely monitoring implementation of a two-tier per-unit fee system believed to be the first in the nation now underway at Santa Monica College. Six of seven SMC trustees approved the controversial plan on March 6. The plan that is being piloted is set to offer higher cost courses in subjects of high demand alongside the state-funded courses. Currently, the community college per unit cost is $36 and is set to go up $46 per unit this summer. Under Santa Monica’s plan, the more expensive courses would cost $180 per unit. Robert Sammis, J.D., director of human resources at Citrus College who also has a background in education law, said that he is very “dubious about the legality of what they are proposing.” Sammis said that SMC’s effort is admirable as they are trying to bring more class sections to the students, but it is not something that they can just lightly do. “They are coming up with a fairly novel legal approach as to how they are going to justify the two-tier system,” Sammis said. “It’s playing with a lot of provisions in law that were set up to handle contract education but was never intended to create a two-tier system of classes.”

Courtesy of Michael Price, The Santa Monica Corsair Students rally against cuts and new fees in education during a student protest on March 22 at Santa Monica College.

Louis Jaffe, one of the six trustees who voted for the plan, said that it will allow SMC to “maintain quality and access and avoid layoffs” on campus which has had to cut more than 1,000 class sections since 2008. “It is our job to maintain access, equity and opportunity,” Jaffe said. “It’s not opportunity if the access doesn’t exist.” In response to the severe budget cuts to the community colleges this year, these sections will be selffunded classes offered for core transfer classes. More than 700 class sections will be available to SMC students in summer 2012. However, when those state funded classes inevitably fill, students will have the option to turn

to the additional classes, at the additional cost. Revenues generated by the privately funded classes are expected to break even with the costs to run them, with any additional funds going to the Santa Monica College Foundation. With registration for these additional classes scheduled to begin May 2012, some SMC students are protesting the two-tier plan. Associated Students President Harrison Wills, 27, has led students in almost daily demonstrations that have included a silent march through the campus library on March 27, campus building occupations and passing out flyers. “This is a classic case of eco-

nomic segregation,” Wills said. Students may pay for these higher priced classes with federal Pell Grant and Cal Grant money, but cannot apply the Board of Governors fee waiver. Furthermore, 300 scholarships in the amount of $300 will be awarded for these summer classes from a fund established by businessman Daniel Greenburg and his wife, Susan Steinhauser. In addition, the “Advance Your Dreams” Program has already received two other donations amounting to $255, 000. The “Advance Your Dreams” program has also been challenged with legal questions about the legality of the decision. SMC campus counselors referred the proposal to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for legal evaluating who has now forwarded the proposal to the attorney general, who could not be contacted at the time. The argument is whether or not a public institution like a community college has the power to open up supplemental class sections and decide their own fees for them. “How can we expect the legislature to give us more funding if we are doing our own thing? We are not a wealthy island,” Wills said. Sammis said he is also suspect of the proposal which closely resembles previous legislation that recommended a similar plan to offer additional classes for additional fees.

He is referring to AB 515, which pushed for California community colleges to offer an extension program which did not have to be approved by the board of governors and granted the board of the community college district to independently manage the courses and fees. The bill was not passed early last year. Furthermore, the bill was presented by Assembly member Julia Brownley, who previously served as Board President for the Santa Monica-Malibu school district. At Citrus, managers have no plans to follow the SMC precedent. Citrus Board of Trustee member Gary L. Woods, J.D., has been practicing law for 23 years and is a former president of the California Teachers Association. He stated that under the current state educational codes, the current two-tier system is in-state v.s. out-ofstate which is rational because in state pays taxes to the state. “This two-tier system does not have a rational basis,” Woods said. “It will have an adverse effect by diminishing students from taking a course rather than a more expensive one.” Meanwhile, SMC’s Associated Students plan to team up with other student organizations to demonstrate opposition to the new policy. “The two-tier pricing is putting Band-Aids on this problem rather than addressing the real cause,” Wills said.

APRIL 4, 2012

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Spotlight Editor

THE SPOTLIGHT

Daniel Hernandez

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Five photographers become finalists in magazine contest

Courtesy of Ricky Lin Cars race along the 110 Freeway toward the Los Angeles skyline in finalist Ricky Lin’s photo. Courtesy of Darrell Carr Finalist Juliana Horejsi used her brother and nephew as subjects for her winning entry.

Patricia Pena Clarion Staff Writer

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ive students in the Citrus College photography department have been recognized as finalists in the 32nd Annual Best of College and High School Photography competition. Anthony Vidales, Juliana Horejsi, Kathryn Pace, Kelly Donnell and Ricky Lin are among this year’s honorees. A thousand finalists were chosen from more than 18,000 entries in the international competition, selected by judges with professional photography skills. The students’ winning images are to be published in “Best of College and High School Photography 2012,” coordinated by Photographer’s Forum, a magazine that encourages emerging high school and college students photographers to hone their artistic skills. The book places high school and college work in separate divisions, designating first, second, third and fourth place winners, finalists and honorable mentions. Photography professor Darrell Carr said his students have been submitting work to this competition since 1996. “It’s elating because it makes me feel very special that these students are Citrus students,” Carr said. Approximately 35 Citrus photographers have been past finalists. Vidales, 27, has been a student in the photography department at Cit-

Courtesy of Katy Pace Finalist Katy Pace found inspiration for his submission in the underside of a Balboa Beach pier. Courtesy of Anthony Vidales Finalist Anthony Vidales illuminates the Santa Barbara pier with her long ex­ posure photograph.

rus for about two years. This was the first international competition in which he has participated. “I’m a little surprised that my hobby has kicked off,” Vidales said. “It helped me understand what people want out of the pictures.” Horejsi, 29, a resident of Monrovia, submitted seven photos, including a photo of Big Bear Lake, the Palace of Art in San Francisco, water dropping into a goblet, a tree in Griffith Park, and a shot of her brother and nephew. Her winning photo was of her brother and nephew in a relaxed and endearing position. “I hadn’t thought about what I wanted to do with my career until the photography bug hit me,” Horejsi said.

Donnell, 20, from La Verne, has only been involved with the photography department for a year. She said she felt accomplished that her hard work paid off. Pace, 21, who resides in San Dimas, submitted a photo of a long exposure shot of a pier in Balboa Beach, California. “I was just surprised because I looked at the other entries and some of them were outstanding photos, so I didn't understand how mine got in the bunch,” Pace said. Lin, 33, from La Puente, hopes to pursue a photography career. He has won several photography competitions during the three years he has been studying at Citrus College. “I feel like we’re doing something right [in photography,]” Carr said.

Courtesy of Kelly Donnell Finalist Kelly Donnell submitted this photo of her friend’s face reflected on the side mirror of a Ford Mustang.

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CLARIONspotlight

Activities board encourages students to help plan events Danielle Rodriguez Clarion Staff Writer

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s weeks fly by and school work piles up, many students begin to feel anxious and start to burn out. The Campus Activity Board strives to prevent students’ loss of momentum by designing fun activities to keep up the energy level. CAB consists of student representatives from the Inter-Club Council and the Associated Students of Citrus College, but all students enrolled at Citrus and interested in coming up with ideas to help relieve the strains of college life are invited to attend their meetings every Monday at 2:30 p.m. in the Campus Center conference room. ASCC commissioner of public relations and member of CAB, Brandi Garcia said how it is difficult for some students to attend meetings due to the time overlapping with other club meetings. ASCC Vice President Walter Galvez shares the same concern, but hopes that more advertisements will inform students about the board and encourage them to join in on the decision-making. “I believe we just have to put it

Danielle Rodriguez, Citrus College Clarion During a Campus Activity Board meeting on March 19, commissioner of public re­ lations Brandi Garcia and adviser Adrienne Thompson plan SpringFest.

out there more,” said Galvez. “It’s a big conflict with the scheduling but whoever can attend, I hope does attend.” Besides planning activities to help students, CAB also supports clubs. ICC adviser, Kyle Greenberg, strives to ensure that all clubs are represented at CAB meetings. He relays messages back and forth from CAB and ICC meetings to ensure that participants from both clubs are on the same

page. To give students an outlet, CAB is planning the annual SpringFest—a set of campus activities over the course of a week that give students a break from classes and work. Clubs will be able to promote themselves by selling food and participating in a booth-decorating contest at this year’s events. “SpringFest’s purpose is to give students an opportunity to have fun as things get busy on cam-

pus,” said CAB adviser Adrienne Thompson. Every spring, CAB plans activities that form around a theme such as Elvis, pirates and the Olympics. This year’s SpringFest, titled: “Hot in the City,” will have a different focus involving Miami each day such as “South Beach” and “Miami Vice.” Each day will include activities from karaoke to jousting. Food trucks will also be available. CAB was responsible for planning Irish music and step dancers to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day on March 15, promoting the Cesar Chavez Memorial Blood Drive challenge and sponsoring the Stress Buster Week and Night Owls before finals. “The money to support these activities comes from the student services fee paid by students every semester,” Thompson said. SpringFest will take place inside the Campus Center on April 30 and May 1 and outside in the Campus Center Mall on May 2 and 3. For more information about SpringFest or about CAB, students may contact adviser Adrienne Thompson at athompson@citruscollege.edu.

APRIL 4, 2012

SpringFest Week Schedule Monday, April 30: “Hot Havana Casino Night” ‘80s Karaoke Casino Night (Campus Center)

Tuesday, May 1: “Miami Vice” ‘80s Costume Contest Laser Tag (Campus Center)

Wednesday, May 2: “Spring Bash in South Beach” Various club contests including: Lip Syncing Booth Decorating (Campus Center Mall)

Thursday, May 3: “Hispanic Heritage Carnivale” Comedy Show (Campus Center Mall)

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Fifth-year pageant contestant crowned Miss Covina 2012 Ryan Gomez Clarion Staff Writer

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ut of 10 young women from areas within the city of Covina, as well as surrounding cities, Citrus student Sarah Gleason, 23, was crowned Miss Covina 2012. Contestants from Covina, Glendora, Walnut and West Covina gathered at Covina United Methodist Church on Feb. 25 to compete in the Miss Covina Pageant, an official preliminary to Miss California and Miss America. As a fifth-consecutive-year participant and former twotime runner-up in both 2009 and 2011, Gleason was a regular to the pageant’s proceedings, giving her a competitive edge in the pageant. Gleason is a full-time student at both Citrus and Mount San Antonio Colleges and will be graduating from each school following the conclusion of this spring semester. From a young age, Gleason has striven towards obtaining “the crown” in hopes of one day representing the town in which she was born and raised. “My sister did it when I was younger and I always thought it was fun, you know the glitz and the glam, the dresses and performing,” Gleason said. “As I got older and participated in it, I knew it wasn’t that. It was strong women with ideas that they wanted to show the community, and personal issues [and/or] platforms that they wanted to promote and that’s what called to me.” Each contestant in the Miss Covina Pageant is expected to promote a specific platform, and as a four-year volunteer

at Joslyn Senior Center in Covina, it only made sense that Gleason would promote the platform “Senior Connect” with the intent of connecting senior citizens in her surrounding communities through organizing various events, programs and fundraisers. “It’s one of the hardest competitions a woman will ever actually participate in, but I encourage it,” Gleason said. The Miss Covina Pageant is divided into four sections: a private interview with the pageant judges, a swimsuit competition, a talent portion and an evening gown display. As a performing arts major, Gleason’s experience with the women’s ensemble as both a student director and dance captain led her to develop tap dancing as her on-stage talent for the pageant. “My two best phases of competition are talent—because that’s truly me shining, showing people what I love—and then evening gown,” she said. “There’s something about letting a dress speak: the structure of it, the color of it.” “I actually didn’t move for, like, the first 10 seconds ‘cause I was crying so hard . . . and it was because of five years of hard, hard work,” Gleason said. “Joy just overcame all of us,” brother Abe Gleason said. “We know how much it means to her and how much she has put into it. It’s something that we’ve always been proud of.” Gleason said she will postpone transferring to the University of Nevada Las Vegas this fall quarter in order to fulfill her duties as Miss Covina. According to the pageant site, their goal is to “create well-rounded individuals who are well-educated leaders of

Courtesy of Sara Gleason

tomorrow and who are involved in their community.” “She has been very active,” Miss Covina program executive director Katrina Moramarco said. “Since she had been in the public eye previously as a runner-up, she stepped right into the role very quickly and very easily.” Gleason is currently preparing to compete in Miss California 2012 this June. Gleason’s dedication to herself and the members of her community suggests a bright and promising future for the young Miss Covina. For more information on the Miss Covina Scholarship Pageant, visit www.misscovina.org

Club pledges to promote eco-friendly practices Taylor Zepeda Clarion Staff Writer

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n eco-minded club will be spreading environmental awareness among Citrus College and surrounding communities with booths full of game trivia, merchandise and environmental information at an upcoming Earth Day celebration. The Earth Club works to educate people on how to be more environmentally friendly, while also setting examples with club projects. The club will be demonstrating its purpose to protect the earth and its natural resources, by setting up booths outside the Campus Center for the Earth Day celebration. This year, the observance is set for April 22. The club’s celebration will be on April, 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The various booths will be set up to bring attention to the idea of “going green,” including trivia games, eco-encouraging accessories, photo galleries of nature, a books and clothes drive and information to educate students on being more conscious of their environment. “[Earth Club’s] main purpose is to improve community awareness of our consequences if we don’t change our ways,” said club advisor

Courtesy of Earth Club Earth Club members work to raise awareness on environmental issues on campus. The club will be celebrating Earth Day on April 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Campus Center Mall.

Robert Goodman. He oversees the student-initiated projects, such as hikes in Eaton Canyon, Bridge to Nowhere and beach clean-ups. The club acknowledges that while ecofriendly efforts have been made at Citrus, such

as recycling bins, they would like to see even more done. There should be even more recycling bins around the campus center and in classrooms, said club treasurer Monica Rodriguez, 24. Ruben Avila, 18, vice-president, said he

would like to see the campus running on more renewable resources. The club works to bring attention to environmental issues, but believes there are students that are not aware of the actions they do that can make a significant impact. “Students have the train of thought – ‘I don’t have to pick up my trash, another person will,’” Rodriguez said. “Every little thing makes a difference, recycling one bottle, turning off a light,” Avila said. The Earth Club members do not see Citrus to be environmentally friendly as it could be, but said raising awareness is key to getting the word out there about how to be more “green.” With the idea of pollution around campus, the issue of smoking also arises. “If we ban [smoking], it won’t stop students,” said Rodriguez. A smoking ban on campus would not eliminate the pollution of cigarette butts on campus, however, “the school could put more ashtrays on campus,” she added. The club is also extending the celebration to the nearby communities and reaching out to them as well, Avila said

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Martin Cabrera Clarion Managing Editor

Chipotle – Chipotle will make anything you want with the ingredients available to them. Some of the more common foods customers ask them to make are nachos, quesadillas, quesoritos and taco salads. However, don’t be confined to just this list. Get creative with your order. Burger King – If you are daring, order the Suicide Burger which has four meat patties, four slices of cheese, bacon and BK’s special sauce. Get the Mustard Whopper if you want to replace the mayonnaise with mustard. If you want onion rings and fries, order frings and you’ll get half of each in one order. McDonalds – There’s a small time slot—from 10:25 a.m. to 10:35 p.m., give or take—where breakfast and

CLARIONspotlight

lunch meet and you can order both. The Mc10:35 is a McDouble topped with the egg and Canadian bacon from the Egg McMuffin. Also, try the Land, Sea and Air burger which has a beef patty, chicken patty, and FiletO-Fish patty all piled high in a bun. Jamba Juice – The ingredients used in their secret menu items are not shared but here are title of some of them: Pink Starburst, Raspberry Dreamin’, Pineapple Dreamin’, Bluetopia, Sourpatch Kid, Now and Later, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Apple Pie, Fruity Pebbles, Strawberry Shortcake, R e d Gummy B e a r, White

Gummy Bear, Chocolate Gummy Bear, Push Pops, and Skittles. Subway – The Pizza Sub was removed from Subway menus when it started marketing itself as a healthy alternative to fast food, but you can still order it. The Pizza Sub combines cheese, pepperoni and tomato sauce. Taco Bell – You can order enchiladas at Taco Bell. The Enchirito is an enchilada of beef, beans, cheese, diced onions and red sauce. KFC – Canadian favorite poutine is available, which includes french fries, friend cheese curds, and gravy layered together. Little Caesars – You can order a Stuffed Crust Pizza and they’ll make you a pizza with cheese stuff crust made famous by Pizza Hut.

APRIL 4, 2012

APRIL 4, 2012

CLARIONspotlight

Daniel Hernandez Clarion Spotlight Editor

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Shannon Vigil, Citrus College Clarion

ollege students spend countless hours on campus on a weekly basis, and with personal commitments on the side often spend little to no time at home, let alone being able to spare time to pack a lunch. It often leads to the consumption of food outside of home, leaving local food joints to cater to the students needs. They seek alternative meals based on availability, price and quick service. For the college lifestyle, looking for a grab-and-go or fast food seems to be more convenient—often leaving the health factor behind. “For me, anything I can find to put in my mouth, is my meal,” said psychology major student Jennifer Gallo, 21. “I care about my health, but if I can find a cheap meal, I’d go for what is convenient.” Many students are unaware that Citrus has a cafeteria on campus, the Stuffed Owl Café, located on the lower level of the Ross L. Handy Campus Center. The Café is open only Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. and lunch is served from 11 a.m. until closing. The cafeteria offers an extensive breakfast menu ranging from egg burritos, bacon and sausage, pancakes, French toast, hash brown and other items with prices ranging from $1 to $2.70. The lunch menu includes single items like hamburgers for $2.40, cheeseburgers for $2.55, double burger for $3.30, veggie burger for $3.55, patty melt for $3.75, tuna melt for $3.75 and other grilled items. Also, there is a section that offers salads, soups, and sandwiches, all made on-the-spot. “Everything we make here is fresh,” said food services supervisor Philomena O’Shea. “We are here to cater to the students and provide them with high quality food service.”

The cafeteria also offers a value meal, which is what students seem to order from the most as well as the fresh made burritos, O’Shea said. O’Shea said that she’s had to cut back on her budget and extending the open hours would mean higher labor costs, which she cannot afford. Biology major Tenisha Lester said she only has an hour break between her classes, so she would rather eat at the cafeteria. “I don’t have a parking pass, so I have to park down the street. I would hate to have to spend my hour walking to my car to go get food somewhere else,” Lester said. However, Lester said she does consider her health and often orders a salad or buys fruit as opposed to getting a bag of chips. Gallo said that she is aware of the cafeteria offering a healthier menu, but she’d rather walk to Tommy’s Burger, located at 860 West Foothill Blvd. in Glendora. Gallo said she could get a hamburger combo that includes a drink and an order of fries for just $4.99. Tommy’s Burger is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. The flexible operating hours frequently leads students to eat there. Other prominent food franchises available around Citrus include Subway and Little Caesars, which are located on the corner Alosta and Barranca. Burger King, Taco Bell, Chipotle and Panda Express are located on the Citrus Crossing plaza on Alosta and N. Citrus Avenue. Jack in the Box is located across the street from the Citrus Crossing plaza on the corner of N. Citrus Avenue and Alosta. McDonalds is located at 980 East Alosta Avenue. For Citrus students, having to deal with parking issues, short breaks, and not driving, they often stick with what is available on campus. The Owl Bookstore located next to the Campus Center is another place students go for a quick meal.

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“It’s what the public wants,” said Bookstore supervisor Eric Magallon. “Here it seems the students just want to get a quick snack and they are able to get it here [at the Owl Bookshop] or down at the Coffee Bar.” Magallon said that the bookstore offers healthy alternatives such as fresh sandwiches, fresh fruits, Naked juice and water. He said that health is based on perspective. Some students may consume a snack and call it a meal, but it seems to be more convenient for the students who are in a hurry. The healthy grab-and-go meals such as the sandwiches and salads are on the shelf for a week or two, but they are often taken right away. “I only have so much time in between my classes, that my first thought is to grab something that is quick to grab,” said Jessica Haro, 23, majoring in dental assistance. Magallon said that the bookstore is always working on providing the students with the healthy alternatives, but it supplies what the students demand. Also, students also make use of the vending machines available throughout campus near the Haugh Performing Arts Center, Cosmetology Department, Student Center, Lifelong Learning Center, Cashier's Office, Gym and the cafeteria dining area. Magallon said that several vending machines throughout campus are going to be upgraded, with new options available for students. The Art and Coffee Bar located on the west end of campus offers students a different selection of items that the bookstore has. The Art and Coffee Bar’s open hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bar offers a selection of meals that are microwavable and quick to make. When hunger strikes amongst college students, fast food is the preferred choice, even if they are aware that it isn’t the healthiest since the convenient foods are often processed, frozen, and easy to pre-

APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 6, 2012

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APRIL 4, 2012

SPORTS

Pitcher’s goofiness no laughing matter for her opponents Martin Cabrera Clarion Managing Editor

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he softball team’s freshman pitcher is a self-described clown. But when she steps up on the mound, it is no laughing matter for visiting batters. “I’m the team clown, basically,” Devin Dean said, “but when I step on the field, I get really focused to the point where I just see red and I just go after it.” Dean, 18, has been “going after it” since she was 5 years old, throwing the ball in the backyard with her dad and brother. “I was at the park one day with my dad and there were a couple games going on and I told him, ‘I wanna be the girl throwing in the middle of the field,’” Dean said. In 19 appearances, Dean has a 10-8 record while flaunting a 2.15

Sports Editor

earned run average and holding opponents to a .196 batting average. Her most notable win was against Santiago Canyon on Feb. 23 when she threw a no-hitter, the first for softball since 2010 and only the second since 2006. “She can be a goofball and everything, and then turn around and kick somebody’s butt on the field,” said head coach Jackie Boxley. Not only is Dean the team’s best pitcher, but she is also a team leader in most hitting categories. Dean leads the team in runs-batted-in with 16 and her .373 batting average and .525 slugging percentage rank fourth amongst her teammates. A quick glance at the stat sheet shows the positive impact Dean has had on her team, but her positive influence is not limited to her windup and swing.

“She’s so laid back and keeps herself and the team very composed,” said sophomore outfielder Carmen Carrillo. “When we’re down in a game, she’ll just be like, ‘Ahh whatever, we’ll come back.’” “She loosens the team up some,” Boxley said. “We have a team philosophy that if the game is not fun, then it’s miserable and she brings both a sense of calm and fun.” Dean, a late addition to the program, joined the team during the winter intersession. “When she got here, she gave the team a little kick to the rear,” Boxley said. “She’s been an awesome spark to the team and gotten them to be more competitive.” Dean, a psychology major, hopes to transfer and play at a Division I school after her time at Citrus. Going further in her softball career isn’t all she aspires to do. Her biggest dream is to follow in her brother’s footsteps and join a police force or the FBI. “I try to take my demeanor on the field and use it with school, work and family and just try to stay focused on that so I can lead up to bigger better things,” she explained. As for the next month-and-ahalf, she will be seeing red and, she hopes, championship gold.

David Tate

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Rudy Reynoso, Citrus College Clarion Devin Dean, freshman pitcher, winds up for the pitch. Dean threw a no­hit­ ter against Santiago Canyon College on Feb. 23.

Head coach teaches softball, life lessons Daniel Hernandez Clarion Spotlight Editor

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ead coach Jackie Boxley, 39, now in her eighth season leading the Citrus College Softball team has her mind set on making it to the Western State Conference playoffs. Boxley was born and raised in Anaheim, Calif. She is the youngest of seven children, with four older brothers and two older sisters. Family played a big role in the way she views life, she said. Boxley played both basketball and softball at Cypress College where she became the MVP of the 1991 State Championship winning softball team. Boxley was also a two-time All Orange Empire Conference Second-Team selection. She earned a bachelor’s degree in child development from CSU

Jackie Boxley

Fullerton in 1998. “Initially I wanted to teach elementary school,” Boxley said, but then she was offered a job by head softball coach Brad Pickler to be an assistant coach at Cypress. “I fell in love with coaching,” Boxley said. “He [Pickler] was a

mentor of mine in high school and college, I learned a lot.” Boxley began working as an assistant coach in 1997, the same year that Cypress won its first of three consecutive state championships. Boxley earned her master’s degree in education at Azusa Pacific University in 2001. Boxley was an adjunct faculty member at Cypress from 2001 to 2003 and continued as an assistant coach until June 2003. She was hired at Citrus as fulltime faculty member and head softball coach in August 2005. In 2005, Boxley lead the team to a successful season with the second most wins in program history. In 2007 the team broke that record once more with 36 wins and won its first conference title in two decades and Boxley was named the WSC and Southern California Coach of the Year. She has taken the team to the

Southern California playoffs in four of the last five seasons. Boxley said she wanted to teach specifically at the community college level because that was where she had learned to work hard and study hard. “I now want to make my girls better athletes and help them make better choices,” Boxley said. “If we don’t make them stronger when they are here, they are going to be weak when they leave." At the end of every season, she said that she evaluates her performance and asks herself on what she is going to do different by the next year to improve herself and her team. “I don’t want to leave Citrus until we have reached the pinnacle, until we win our conference,” Boxley said. “I want us to win a state championship and be one of those teams that people don’t want to play.” Boxley’s philosophy has always been to “go for it.”

Assistant coach Terry Paredez who has been working with Boxley for seven years, said that he admires how passionate she is about improving the program. “Jackie takes a big interest in making sure these girls not only prepare themselves to play on the field and softball but also to prepare themselves for the rest of their lives,” he said. “She loves what she does and it’s contagious.” Brittany Patterson who played on the Citrus softball in 2008, built a great relationship with Boxley, and often visits and attends practices. “She taught me to be a better person and have a good attitude whether it was in softball or outside of life,” Patterson said. “Now being here for eight years, I think this is the right place for me,” Boxley said. “Coaches all the time are thinking that there’s another great job, but for now this is my great job.”

APRIL 4, 2012

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ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment Editor

Martin Cabrera

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‘Bully’ raises awareness, tugs at heartstrings Nicholas Baffa Clarion Staff Writer

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he documentary “Bully” shows the negative impact of bullying on the kids and families suffering the consequences. Some theaters are now allowing parents to bring their kids to see the film because of the awareness it brings. It is a great thing because anyone would be well served to see it. “Bully” was released March 30 to a limited number of theaters nationwide after much controversy over its R-rating and raising questions if parents would or should take their kids to see a documentary about such a hot button topic. The MPAA ratings board gave the movie an Rrating because of the language, which any high school student would laugh at. “Bully” takes place in small towns in

What’s Next “Sweeney Todd” Haugh Performing Arts Center Fri, Apr. 13, 8 p.m. Sat, Apr. 14, 8 p.m. Sun, Apr. 15, 2 p.m.

“Pippin” Citrus Little Theatre Fri, Apr. 27, 8 p.m. Sat, Apr. 28, 2 p.m. Sat, Apr. 28, 8 p.m. Sun, Apr. 29, 2 p.m.

“Late Night Catechism III” Haugh Performing Arts Center Sat, Apr. 28, 8 p.m.

Oklahoma, Mississippi, Georgia and Iowa. It tells the story through interviews and exclusive access in and on school buses, classrooms, and principals’ offices. At the center of the film are two kids, the parents of a child who committed suicide, and a girl who brought a gun to school in an attempt to stop her tormentors. One of the more memorable kids is Alex, a 12-year-old who recently started middle school in Iowa. His day is filled with other kids picking on him, which he explains as kids just “messing with him.” His parents never really know how bad it is until he emotionally shuts down. Alex tells the filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, “They punch me, strangle me, and sit on me.” Hirsch, by filming near the back of the bus, shows another kid slamming Alex’s head into the seat in front of him. Alex’s

mom goes to the principal’s office of his school to complain about the bullying, but is told by the principal, “I’ve been on that bus. They are as good as gold.” Where Hirsch fails is isolating bullying to simply rural towns when it actually is everywhere. “Bully” further displays the effects of bullying that are undeniable and emotionally grabs the viewer without a narrator, stats, or experts to show the trauma to the mind of a bullied child. Though “Bully” is a film worth seeing multiple times there are some flaws with the music, and a lack of a continuous narrative. It did make the group I was watching “Bully” with cry, mainly when the parents of Tyler Long told the story of how their son hung himself. Even I have to admit that I felt a single, manly tear roll down my cheek. “Bully” is out now out in limited release.

Courtesy of Weinstein Company

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CLARIONentertainment

APRIL 4, 2012

Students modernize Tony Award-winning production Martin Cabrera Clarion Managing Editor

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Courtesy of Haugh Performing Arts Center

roduction of the smash-hit Broadway musical “Pippin” is coming to the Citrus College Little Theatre by way of student production. The plotline follows two non-fictional characters from the 8th century, Emperor Charlemagne and his son, Pippin, who is searching for real purpose and meaning to his life. The Leading Player narrates the journey of Pippin’s life while serving as his conscience. Pippin’s experiences of love, tragedy and war are artistically expressed through song and dance. The Little Theatre’s version of “Pippin” has been modernized. The action takes place in Los Angeles, where Pippin faces contemporary problems and situations, said student director Faith Carrion. Carrion, who enrolled in Theatre 210 to qualify as director, says she took on this production because she grew up loving “Pippin.” “Audiences can expect to feel a range of emotions,” Carrion said. “There’s the comedy, glitz and glamour, and then there’s heart-

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Audiences can expect to feel a range of emotions...it’s a little bit of a rollercoaster. Faith Carrion “PIPPIN” DIRECTOR

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break…it’s a little bit of a roller coaster.” A 33-member cast and production crew were chosen from open auditions and includes members from the Citrus Singers, music department, and theatre classes. “Pippin” will have a live band composed of students from the music department and Carrion’s father, Carlos, who will play the drums. The cast has been practicing five days a week for three hours to make sure they do the production justice, said Citrus Singer Tyrell Norwood,

23, who is playing the Leading Player. “The audience can expect really great dancing and the songs are just ridiculously good,” Norwood said. Nate Tam, 22, who enrolled in Theatre 210 to play Pippin, says he relates to Pippin in the way that he is “young, inexperienced, and wants to make something of himself.” “All the cast members know they’re cast members and sort of play that role,” Tam said. “Pippin is the only one who doesn't know it’s a show for an audience, so for him I feel like my acting has to be as real as it possibly can be.” The goal of the production team is to leave a lasting impression on the audiences and for them to have an honest experience, Carrion said. “I want audiences to feel the discomfort of the choice that Pippin has made ask themselves, ‘What defines you? What is your main purpose in life?’” Carrion said. “Pippin” is scheduled on Apr. 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. and Apr. 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. Order your tickets now at www.haughpac.com.

Expect a bloody good time at the Haugh Ryan Gomez Clarion Staff Writer

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eware! “Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is coming to Citrus College this month and he is bringing his friends—the straight razors. By the look of it, all the hard work from the actors, the studio design team, and the directors will pay off. The dark musical chronicles Sweeney Todd’s vengeful and murderous rampage through London. A man transformed by vengeance, Todd plots against the lecherous Judge Turpin, who framed Todd only to claim the poor barber’s wife and child for his own. Among the many eccentric townspeople, Todd befriends Mrs. Nellie Lovett, the owner of a meat pie shop that is about to experience a change on the menu. The director of the musical, Douglas Austin, said he chose this production not only because it is exciting for the audience, but because it is also educationally challenging for the student actors, and simply “extremely good theater.” Austin also said that the amazing vocal department would do the production great justice. Fans of the Tim Burton film will have no reason to be disappointed. With a reassuring smile on his face, Austin says that the musical will be “a good mix of the 1979 Broadway ‘Sweeney Todd’, and Tim Burton’s film version stylistically.”

The two are both dark in their nature and are altogether classically dark pieces of theater. Although mixed stylistically, this production of “Sweeney Todd” musically leans more towards Stephen Sondheim’s original Broadway version. Musical director Wendy Turk is working each day to achieve pure musical perfection among her soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass vocalists. All 50 vocalists will harmonize to evoke the angry, strong and powerful tone of this composition. Of the 75 actors who auditioned, Austin, Turk and stage director John Vaughan, picked all those performers who could pass visually as the character, in both vocal and acting experience. “We first need to know if they can sing,” Austin said. “Songs in this production are quite challenging.” Students Garret Smith, who performed in previous plays such as “The Sound of Music” and “The Laramie Project,” and Chris Nevarez, who was involved with a production of “Les Miserables” as the infamous Jean Val Jean, were chosen to play the roles of Tobias and Judge Turpin. Smith, cast as Tobias, explained his character is important to the story because “he greatly assists in putting an end to Sweeney’s reign of terror” and is also the only “[person] suspicious of the sudden disappearances of Sweeney’s customers.” Smith says he will utilize his “ability to do cartoon voices by raising it up a few octaves” in order to produce a child-like voice

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I will delve into the Judge’s psychological being to not only be able to play the character onstage, but become him. Chris Nevarez STUDENT, JUDGE TURPIN

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Ryan Gomez, Citrus College Clarion The “Sweeny Todd” cast rehearses the opening act. “Sweeny Todd” will be showing at the Haugh Performing Arts Center from Apr. 13 at 8 p.m. and Apr. 14­15 at 2 p.m.

for Tobias, who is only a young boy. Nevarez, cast as Judge Turpin, called his character the main antagonist of the musical who abuses his judicial power in order to shatter the life of Todd. “I will delve into the Judge’s

psychological being to not only be able to play the character onstage, but become him.” Shop coordinator John Patrick is also working very hard with his design team to visually make the “Sweeney Todd” production beautiful. They have been working

on the “more industrial looking” aspect of the set since late January, Patrick said. The painting of the set—28 feet high and 60 feet wide—took a total of 66 hours to complete and depicts the dark streets of London. Each member of the Citrus production of “Sweeney Todd” has not only worked countless hours in preparation for the play’s opening night, but has found joy in each moment of work expended towards the perfection of this production. Come enjoy the dark musical thriller opening night, April 13 at 8 p.m., followed by performances on the 14 and 15 at 2 p.m. in the Haugh Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available now at the box office. Warning: “Sweeney Todd” contains intense action sequences and graphic images that may not be suitable for young viewers.

APRIL 4, 2012

CLARIONentertainment

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Checking out nearby Ramsay-critiqued restaurant Jacqueline Melendez Clarion Staff Writer

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local restaurant was recently put to the culinary test by chef Gordon Ramsay on the Fox show “Kitchen Nightmares.” Ramsay was contacted to help drive business into the financially suffering restaurant. Charlie’s Italian Café, located at 2445 Foothill Boulevard in La Verne, is small, intimate and family-owned. Former Citrus student, Tatiana Leiva, owns and operates Charlie’s with her sister, Valeria Leiva, and their mother, Patty Leiva. Tatiana was a waitress at Charlie’s 10 years ago and was given the opportunity to take over the business in 2010. Tatiana changed nothing about the restaurant when she, and her family, took over the business, which in part caused a decline in customers and a realization that changes needed to be made.

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With the help of Ramsay, a whole new menu was created for the restaurant. Tatiana was inspired to get a new head chef and the décor was updated to have a more modern look. The new menu offers about 30 items at moderate prices ranging from the caprese panini, $10, to the New York strip, $25. I started with the fried calamari, $11—salty, yet tasty—which was cooked to perfection. The Caesar salad, overpriced at $9, proved to be a disappointment. I had to cut through huge chunks of romaine before I could sample the average-tasting salad. For a dollar more, I highly recommend the delicious antipasta salad, a creative combination of garbanzo, provolone, salami, tomatoes and freshly chopped radicchio, romaine and iceberg lettuce. This salad comes with a choice of red wine vinaigrette or creamy house dressing. The most popular dish on the menu, according to the server, is

Jacqueline Melendez, Citrus College Clarion Charlie’s Italian Cafe, located at 2445 Foothill Blvd in La Verne, CA, was fea­ tured on the Fox show “Kitchen Nightmares.”

the red wine braised short rib. This dish, which costs $21, consists of horseradish mashed potatoes, a hearty piece of tender short rib in a red wine sauce, served with fresh carrots, celery and onion. Every element of this dish was a satisfying combination of flavors. The horseradish mashed potatoes added a perfect kick to the meal. However, the serving size of these

potatoes was much too small. The server recommended the meat lover’s pizza, $14, with fresh tomato sauce, meatballs, salami, pepperoni and mozzarella all on a thin crust. It was not greasy or overbearing, but it was missing that “wow” factor. Non-meat options include the zucchini pizza, $13, with ricotta cheese, rock shrimp, garlic cream sauce and parmesan along with

the margherita pizza, $11, with marinara, mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, basil and chili oil. Sitting in this very intimate café, I thought to myself: what a perfect first-date spot. A candle lights each table and the atmosphere is quite peaceful and romantic. The café was extremely clean, including the restrooms, and the staff was friendly and always smiling. On a clear night, I recommend sitting outside in the patio versus inside the dining area, which can warm up thanks to the pizza oven. Parking was also very convenient, as the lot for the cafe is located right in front of the restaurant. My total bill was more expensive than I anticipated and I am not planning to go back (unless on the aforementioned date). Charlie’s Italian Café is open Tuesday-Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations can be made at (909)392-3734.

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Forum Editor

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Shannon Vigil

APRIL 4, 2012

THE FORUM

College: worth the hassle?

McClatchy-Tribune Media Services

Yvonne Nguyen Clarion Staff Writer

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ne thing we’re not short on is the number of teachers, parents, politicians, and even Hollywood stars, stressing the importance of attending college. There are plenty of lists on why college is a good option. However, there are very few in-

sights as to why a decision regarding a secondary education may not be a big deal for everyone. Forty-two percent of parents with children under 18 expect their youngest to graduate from college with a four-year degree, according to healthycal.org. Parents probably feel this way because they believe that going to college leads to a successful career path.

Students in elementary school are taught that going to college is the only way to make it in the real world. However, 40 percent of students who enroll do not get a degree within six years. Directing more and more children into higher education can lead to a significant amount of debt for graduating students or the lack of experience in the job fields to get hired straight off the bat. Don’t get me wrong, education is highly valued in today’s society. Employers see college education as a standard by which they can size up how deserving an applicant may be. The motivation behind attending rigorous amounts of classes and maintaining a high GPA is to show employers an applicant’s drive to be the best. But let’s face it: college isn’t for everyone, especially if it takes four years or more to get the education needed to get hired. Talking about college education in this way may seem Philistine, since a liberal arts education is meant to produce well-rounded citizens rather than just productive ones. We have society telling millions of children that their future depends on them performing tasks required by jobs, that only a handful of them can perform. Then we have celebrities showing young people that not attending college is what made them successful.

Will Smith, Grammy-winning rapper and actor, did not attend college. As the Fresh Prince, he released his first album before finishing high school. Katy Perry, professional singer-songwriter, left home at age 17 to pursue her music career. Ryan Seacrest, multimillionaire radio and TV host, dropped out of the University of Georgia to build his career in radio. The good news from all of this? There have never been more alternatives, such as online learning, to the traditional college than there are today. Employers now have certification tests to guage the qualifications about applicants and their work habits. The connection between college degrees and economic success has become a thin line. But does that mean that we should help more students go to college or that we should make it easier for people who decide to not go to college make a living? The standards that we live by are changing with more people opting out of a college education to pursue careers in the entertainment business, or starting their own clothing companies. It is the effort that gets put into what must be done to get where a person wants to get that matters, whichever path they may choose, the choice is their own.

All dreamers are created equal Sydney Presley Clarion Editor in Chief

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n his Jan. 24 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama again brought up the controversial issue of a federal Dream Act. If Congress were to pass such a law, it would expand possibilities for financial aid to innocent but illegal immigrant children across the country, as well as create a pathway to citizenship for them. To deny young people an opportunity to pursue higher education in the only country they have ever really known is unjust and shortsighted. They are caught in a bind that was not of their making. It was not their choice to cross the border illegally. They have grown up in this country and the United States is their home and they do not want to return to their birth countries, which most hardly remember. Deporting them would be like sending them into exile in foreign lands. Without the Dream Act, they

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are stuck in limbo denied higher education and with limited job opportunities since employees are prohibited from hiring illegals. The financial aid system is funded by taxes paid to the government by citizens, legal residents and illegal immigrants, meaning that these illegal immigrant families contribute to these funds as well.

Furthermore, these young people should not be deported after they have just graduated. It would be counterproductive to educate these individuals, then forbid them from joining the American workforce. So the proposed federal Dream Act would provide a gateway to citizenship. Illegal immigrant children would be required to serve two

years in the military or maintain good grades for two years in a college or university while pursuing a degree. The California Dream Act was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Oct. 8, 2011. The two-part law grants access to financial aid for public colleges and universities to children who were under the age of 16 when they were illegally brought into the United States. Passage of the federal Dream Act could be a much needed start in overall reform of national immigration policy. These students should be required to pay out-of-state resident fees as well as being sent to the back of the line for already impacted financial aid funding. Passing a federal Dream Act could help improve the American economy, without condoning illegal immigration. Innocent children should not be punished for crimes they did not commit. Congress should follow California’s lead and by allow these children to step out of the shadows and pursue the American Dream.

McClatchy-Tribune Media Services

Public transit, an alternate route Cristian Manrique Clarion Staff Writer

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ith the economy in a rut and the rising cost of oil, public transportation sounds like a good idea, while having a car seems more like a luxury. At Citrus, there are various means of public transportation, such as the Foothill Transit and Metro which are conveniently located throughout the surrounding areas. The 281 Foothill Transit bus, is located behind the Hayden Memorial Library and takes riders from Citrus College to the Puente Hills Mall. The 187 along Citrus Ave has its last stop in Pasadena The Foothill Transit offers the low price of $1.25 per ride while Metro costs $1.50 per ride. With gas soaring to $4.35 per gallon and flirting with $5.00, taking the bus appears to be a much better financial choice, considering the cost for filling up your car every 4-5 days estimates around $50-60. Aside from public transportation, walking is a healthy way to exercise while still reaching your destination. Although it may appear more convenient and time saving to have your own vehicle, the average driver can save $9,242 by switching to public transportation, according to a study performed by the American Public Transportation Association. Public transportation is an efficient way to travel and should be considered by college students who are trying not to spend too much money on a tight budget. Adjusting your daily routine to wake up earlier to catch the bus may be difficult, but the rewards are worth the change.

APRIL 4, 2012

CLARIONforum

EDITORIALS Two-tiered class system worth a try

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hen leaders don’t lead, others step up to take their place. Santa Monica College is stepping up with its prototype twotiered system, and as such, has earned the right to conduct this experiment to its natural conclusion—others would do well to take notice. The proposal will provide additional, “upper-tiered” classes to students at costs of around $200 per unit, via funding from a private institution. However, the new courses do not come at the expense of “lower-tiered” course offerings, possible bettering students’ chances of adding classes than before. As the state budget crisis worsened, SMC cut 15 percent of its courses over the past four years, to the tune of more than 1,100 classes. Enrollment has also plummeted by 300,000 students at community colleges statewide since 2009. Colleges across California have been deserted like the scenery in an Eastwood movie—the state appears only as often as the tumbleweeds, their brief cameos highlighted only by more cuts to the education budget. None, however, were more glaring than the decision of the California State University system to block an estimated 30,000 students from enrolling over the next 12

Sydney Presley, Citrus College Clarion

months. Santa Monica saw the cuts for what they were—an abandonment of a state commitment to education. SMC acted accordingly, even leaving a blueprint for other districts to follow with the proposed Assembly Bill 515. The bill provided the framework for the twotiered system, but was tabled in July 2011. So why then, is Santa Monica the only college opening doors to students? Citrus is faced with cutting $3.2

million from its budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year starting July 1—and that’s already factoring in the savings from the closure of the Child Development Center, along with 125 projected course cancellations. That’s right. One hundred and twenty-five. And that number could very well go up. The bottom line is that fewer students and fewer classes will be offered at 1000 West Foothill Boulevard come fall 2012. Santa Monica has shown that

cancelling classes and closing doors on students doesn’t have to be the answer. Citrus has taken a step in the right direction by reforming its priority registration, while the state has created the Student Success Task Force—both designed to give students a better chance at accomplishing their goals. But politicians in Sacramento and school officials in Glendora should use the two-tiered system as a beta test for their own models. To let 72 different districts adopt 72 different models of a single system is equivalent to chaos. Better to let one school work out the kinks, then tweak it as necessary at the state level to provide a uniform, user-friendly template for all. Citrus’ Academic Senate and Board of Trustees should do the same. Here at the Clarion, we understand Santa Monica is not Glendora. The neighborhood is more affluent, and their student body outnumbers Citrus’ by more than 3:1. And $200 a unit is a little steep. But what price would you pay for that extra class you need to graduate? $50? $75? $100? The SMC model may be equivalent to frontier justice. But every once in a while, a Dirty Harry has to lead the way.

Weighing the scales of a balanced diet

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he Giving-Up-One-Day plan is to remind people about what we eat, instead of encouraging people to eat more unhealthy food on the other six days. Each young adult should take action to protect one’s health, wealth and the planet. The first step can be accomplished by eating healthy one day a week. With the rise of diabetes, obesity, and cancer, life can become inconvenient and costly. According to a report from Huffington Post, the life expectancy continues to grow, whereas cardiovascular diseases and obesity problems continue to affect the younger age groups. Eating healthy definitely relates to a lower risk of chronic diseases. If we are living longer, we don’t want to spend our lives in bed or visiting hospitals. Another reason to keep watch of our health is to prevent illness from eating up our savings. According to a survey conducted by Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2009 the medical spending per capita in California was $6,238. Compare that number with 1999 levels of $3,486 and $2,667 in 1991, and a sharp increase of health costs for Californians is evident. We might not have much control over environmental pollution, but at least we can control over our own diets and exercise the right to pursue a physical wholeness.

Some choose to incorporate ameatless-day-per-week, some eliminate fast food from their dining, and some become vegetarians. Among all approaches, we do encourage everyone to start watching their health by giving up one day of “unhealthy diet” every week. For one day of the week, be aware of what you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; eliminate the not-so-healthy items on the menu. Reduce soft drink intake—a regular 12-ounce canned soda contains 136 empty calories. Less sugar can decrease the risk of hormones, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis, Dr. Nancy Appleton points out in her book “Lick The Sugar Habit.” Furthermore, a recent study by Dr. Frank B. Hu, a Harvard professor, showed that red meat can increase the risk of death by 12 percent. Refuse fast food and other processed food, because too many additives are added to cheat our tongues and eyes. To watch what we take in, we can also seek help from technology. The United States Department of Agriculture established a website called ChooseMyPlate which provides abundant information of dietary guidelines and tools for people, according to studies and statistics on Americans. The content is friendly to most people. To help facilitate calculations, a MixedDishes chart lists var-

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citrus college

clarion Editor in Chief Sydney Presley

Managing Editor Martin Cabrera

Online Editor Emily Rios

News Editor Sydney Presley

Spotlight Editor Daniel Hernandez

Sports Editor David Tate

Entertainment Editor Martin Cabrera

Forum Editor Shannon Vigil

Staff Writers Lauren Emery, Ryan Gomez, Chia­Chen Hsu, Cristian Manrique, Jacqueline Melendez, Patricia Pena, Taylor Zepeda

Photographers/ Artists Shannon Vigil, Sydney Presley, Daniel Hernandez, Frank Ram

Page Designers Martin Cabrera, Daniel Hernandez, Sydney Presley, Shannon Vigil

Photo Technician Frank Ram

Instructional Assistant Emily Rios

Adviser Margaret O’Neil

Shannon Vigil, Citrus College Clarion

ious foods we frequently eat, such as pizza, tacos, burritos, burgers, and sushi. Thousands of applications are available on smartphones to track your diet. Lose it!, Fooducate, Diet and Calorie Tracker, Live Strong, Daily Burn, My Net Dairy, A LowGIDiet, Meal Snap, Fast Food Calorie Counter, are the commonly mentioned ones. Users can key in the food items

into a cell phone or simply scan the barcode while shopping, and the applications immediately calculate the nutrients. These are all tools that help us to monitor the foods we take in to our bodies. Before we learn how to control our health in the long term, executing Give-Up-One-Day plan may be the first step for everyone to live a healthier, wealthier, and happier life.

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.

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