Clarion 05/19/10

clarion Citrus College

May 19, 2010

theclariononline.com

Comedy writers who have worked on shows like The Simpsons give a lecture in the Haugh PG 12

Volume LXIII, Issue 15

ASCC CANDIDATES PG 4 FOUNDATION DIRECTOR RESIGNS PG 6 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH PG 7 PRIMARY ELECTIONS PG 10/11 SIMPSONS/SEINFELD WRITERS PG 12 MISS CALIFORNIA CONTESTANTS PG 14 SPOTLIGHT ON CITRUS SINGERS PG 16 SCHOLAR-BALLER PROFILES PG 17 NOISES OFF REVIEW PG 20

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May 19, 2010

ANNOUNCEMENTS Citrus College 2010 la raza graduation Are you graduating from Citrus college and/or transferring to a university? La Raza Graduation is intended to celebrate the achievement of students and promote diversity. It is a free event for all students. There will be free food and live entertainment. It is a family event and students are allowed to bring guests. To register, please complete the form located in the Career and Transfer Center (ED129). The deadline to register is May 31. For additional information, e-mail Irwin Max Ojeda at Morethanads@gmail.com

Photography department show and sale The photography department would like to invite you to the photo show/competition on May 24. Doors open at 7 p.m. and close at 9 p.m. in the east wing of the Ross L. Handy Campus Center.

This is the department’s national show where students will display their best work. Also, several high schools will display their work. For more information, contact Darrell Carr at dcarr@citruscollege.edu

Commencement information The college website has been updated with information about the upcoming 94th Citrus College Commencement Ceremony to be held Saturday, June 12 at 10 a.m. in the college stadium. In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 14. Be sure to log on to the website at www.citruscollege.edu/stdntsrv/grad for updated information about parking as there are multiple construction projects on campus. Grads can expect to receive a packet of information in the mail.

Testing center on campus

Graduation plans

The testing center provides proctoring services for the following: assessment testing, distance education exams, make-up tests, chemistry diagnostic, adapted testing services for DSP&S students and computerized instruction in basic math, reading and writing skills.

The Testing Center is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m, Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Testing Center is closed on Sundays. For more information, call (626) 857-4035 or visit www.citruscollege.edu

If you plan to graduate in June, you must make an appointment with a counselor or educational adviser to complete a graduation application. To schedule an appointment, stop by or call the Counseling and Advisement Center at (626) 914-8530. If you are applying for graduation after the May 17 printing deadline, your name will not appear in the commencement program, but you can still participate in the ceremony.

NEWS BRIEFS LOCAL Citrus College Superintendent/President honored Citrus College Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D., was honored this month by two community colleges. On May 6, the Dental Hygiene Program of Hostos Community College of the City University of New York honored Perri for her contributions to the college. Perri is a graduate of the Dental Hygiene Program, a former faculty member, and a former administrator of the college. On Saturday, the Cuyamaca College Foundation of Cuyamaca College in San Diego County honored Perri, who served as president of the college from January 2002 to June 2008.

Under the leadership of Perri, the college was recognized as one of the fastest-growing community college in the nation and weathered San Diego County's 2007 firestorm. Humbled by the two honors, Perri attributes her success to the community college system.

STATE Well-known candidates not only option on ballot The state of California will be electing a new governor this year. Jerry Brown, Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner are the few candidates that are well known by the public, but are not the only options for California governor this year. There are 23 candidates on June's primary ballot. Six others besides Brown appear on the Democratic primary ballot, and six others besides Whitman and Poizner are on the Republican ballot. Also, two American Independents, two Green and three Peace and Freedom candidates will appear on the primary ballot. Only Libertarian Dale Ogden is unchallenged in his primary and therefore gets a free pass to November's general election.

Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune

NATIONAL BP makes headway in containing oil leaks Engineers, in hopes of containing oil gushing from the mangled pipe beneath the Gulf of Mexico, successfully inserted a suction tube into a leaking pipe on the gulf floor to attempt to coax oil to a surface ship on Sunday. Officials for the oil company BP said they could not estimate how much oil and gas was flowing through the tube, they originally said the plan might suck up as much as 75 percent of the leaking oil. The leak is spewing 210,000 gallons of oil a day, and perhaps more, into the gulf waters from a canyon 5,000 feet below sea. The leak was triggered April 20 by a blowout of a BP well that caused an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon, a mobile oil rig that had just finished drilling an 18,000-foot hole about 48 miles off Louisiana. The accident killed 11 workers and the $600million rig now lies at the bottom of the sea.

Source: Los Angeles Times

May 19, 2010

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Proposed state budget mostly spares higher education Sandra Lopez CLARION EDITOR IN CHIEF Funding levels for the 2010-11 academic year remain uncertain.

According to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger the revised state budget proposal has several major elements may impact students at Citrus College.

In his May 14 revised budget statement, the governor proposed slashing health and human service programs, but protecting higher education.

California’s budget deficit is estimated to be $19.1 billion.

According to Carol Horton, Citrus College vice president of finance and administrative services, “the May revision is as good as we could have expected. It still looks revenue neutral.”

If adopted by the California Legislature, the governor will provide $126 million to fund 2.2 percent enrollment growth.

This revenue will fund an additional 26,000 full-time equivalent students. Community college perunit fees will remain the same at $26.

The governor’s proposal supports full funding for new Competitive CalGrant Awards in 2010-11.

It also would cut $10 million from both Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) and from part-time faculty compensation.

These funds will be used to provide a $20 million expansion of Career-Technical Education programs.

The 2009-10 State Budget pro-

COURTESY OF MCCLATCHY TRIBUNE SERVICES

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called for a statewide elimination of the CalWORKs program, a 2.2 percent growth increase and a host of other proposed measures in an attempt to balance the state budget in his May revise released on May 14.

vides community college districts with the elasticity to shift funds among various categorical programs.

The governor has proposed that EOPS and Fund for Student Success and Basic Skills to be added to the list of categorical programs.

“Overall, given the size of the cuts, this is a very good budget given the circumstances,” said Jeanne Hamilton, Ph.D., Citrus College vice president of student services.

On the downside, social services will be drastically reduced.

Approximately $6 million in federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families will be reduced as a result of the governor’s proposed

elimination of the statewide CalWORKs program.

The program provides help for single mothers in the form of childcare and job training. It also provides needy families with a maximum of $694 monthly. Eliminating the welfare program would affect 1.4 million Californians, twothirds of them being children.

According to an article in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, in Azusa, there are 1,795 people involved in the CalWORKs program and in Glendora there are 653 people involved.

The remaining $26.7 million in community college CalWORKs will be redirected to support other categorical programs.

According to Scott Lay, President and chief executive officer of the Community College League of California, “We don’t believe the Legislature will adopt the governor’s overall proposal to eliminate CalWORKs funding, and encourage districts to plan to continue serving this student population next year.”

In contrast to the governor’s proposed budget, the Legislative Analyst Office’s recommendations to community colleges are to raise the community college student fee, to $40 per credit unit. This will generate $150 million in additional revenues.

Should the Legislature raise the per-unit fee that decision might

have little effect on most Citrus students since more than half of the student boy qualifies for financial aid.

According to Lilia Medina, Citrus College director of financial aid, “as long as students apply for the BOG program, it will help them with [the LAO-proposed student fee] increase.”

Other criteria identified by Financial Resources Committee are to maintain required reserves and limit deficit spending, as well as maintain FTES at the proposed state funded level and preserve regular employee positions.

According to a memo sent by Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D. of Citrus College, the instructional schedule for the 2010-11 academic year will be developed to accommodate 2 percent enrollment growth above the funded FTES level from the state.

“The schedule won’t be affected yet at this point. Students will experience some effects in the way we have to reduce services,” said Sam Lee, dean of language arts and enrollment management.

In order to decrease reliance on deficit spending, on-call hourlyclassified support will be reduced, and restrictions on travel, contracts, supplies, utilities and equipment will be increased.

Strategies are also being developed to enhance revenue from grants, college rentals and the Citrus College Foundation.

Sandra Lopez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Campus celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month Kristin Lacuesta CLARION NEWS EDITOR The first mental health celebration will be held today, May 19, in the quad outside of the Ross L. Handy Campus Center.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and also marks the 10-year anniversary of the psychology of religion course at Citrus College.

James Skalicky, the psychology of religion instructor at Citrus and chairman for Mental Health America, thought blending the two events would be interesting and help address the significance of the mind, body and spirit.

Skalicky and students enrolled in his psychology of religion class will begin the event with the releasing of 10 white doves.

The doves will represent the number of years the course has been offered and also symbolize peace, harmony and tolerance for the different religions.

After releasing the doves, dean of social and behavioral science Michael Hurtado will give the opening words.

Other speakers for the event

will be Citrus College crisis counselor Steve Avalos, chiropractor Dr. Mark Dederichs, attorney William Sayegh and Skalicky.

“I will be discussing body and mind medicine as well as spirituality,” Dederichs said.

The first-time celebration is happening because being chairman for Mental Health America has made Skalicky more active.

“We’re losing so many classes, and I’m just trying to underscore the importance of this class,” Skalicky said. “It has far-reaching implications in terms of attracting a large amount of international students. Most don’t know about Western culture and learning about religion is a good way to learn about that.”

“This celebration is a way to emphasize the significance of a class that is looking at culture, individual and psychological differences, and how people can share and look for basic principles,” Skalicky said.

The psychology of religion course is believed to be the only class offered of its nature at a community college level.

Many students enrolled in the class have benefited and said the class has made them more toler-

ant to differences.

“The class has made me more curious and more interested in different religions,” student Andrew Campbell said. “It’s given me a broader view of spiritual teachings.”

Skalicky hopes this year’s event will be a success and, if so, plans to make it an annual celebration on campus.

“I was thinking it would be great next year if I could plan a dialogue with a Buddhist or Christian or Jewish Rabbi,” Skalicky said.

Psychology and religion can be healing forces is the message that Skalicky hopes the event will emphasize.

The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. today near the fountain in the center of the Citrus College campus.

Kristin Lacuesta can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

COURTESY OF CITRUS COLLEGE

Citrus College psychology professor James Skalicky, along with the students of the psychology club are putting on the first mental health celebration on campus on May 19 in the Ross L. Handy Campus Center,

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May 19, 2010

Get to know the ASCC candidates CHRISSY CONCANNON Age: 19 Seeking Office: President Major: Undeclared

ALEJANDRA GUTIERREZ Age: 20 Seeking Office: Senator Major: Sociology

What are your reason(s) for seeking office?

“I want to be a part of this organization so that I can help Citrus in any way I can, and by applying for president I can lead the group into a positive direction.”

What do you feel you can add to the ASCC? “With the leadership skills that I am currently learning in the Latinos Unidos Student Association, Latina Leadership Network and Phi Theta Kappa, I can serve as an effective and responsible senator.”

CHRISTOPHER SUENZ Age: 18 Seeking Office: Legislative Liaison Major: Political Science

YU HOU Age: 22 Seeking Office: Senator Major: Biochemistry

Complete this statement: “In my opinion a leader is someone who: Listens and acts on their promises.”

What do you feel you can add to the ASCC? “As an international student, I can bring a different perspective to this honor group. Additionally, I am very organized and flexible with my schedule, so I can devote a lot of time to ASCC.”

CHERRY VILLANUEVA Age: 33 Seeking Office: Legislative Liaison Major: Psychology

MIGUEL HUERTA Age: 20 Seeking Office: Senator Major: Spanish/ Psychology

What are your career aspirations?

“I hope to one day provide the same guidance that I have received throughout my educational journey to future generations.”

What do you feel you can add to the ASCC? “I feel that I can add some new ideas that can help increase our services to the students and a better connection between students and faculty.”

DUSTIN CALL Age: 24 Seeking Office: Legislative Liaison Major: Communications/ Politics

LEONEL MARROQUIN Age: 18 Seeking Office: Senator Major: Business Administration

What do you feel you can add to the ASCC? “A unique perspective from someone who has spent four semesters reporting on ASCC and Citrus. Experience in associating with lawmakers and other prominent personalities.”

What are your career aspirations?

“I want to be someone great in life. Someone that will help make the world a better place.”

THANIA LUCERO Age: 19 Seeking Office: Senator Major: Political Science

ERICK SANZON Age: 19 Seeking Office: Senator Major: Psychology

Complete this statement: “In my opinion a leader is someone who: Seeks to help others, is willing to sacrifice themself for the good of others and who can accept criticism and strive to be a better person.”

What are your reason(s) for seeking office?

“I am seeking office because I want to represent Citrus College. I feel that this is an opportunity to pay the school for the support that I have received.”

GUSTAVO GARCIA II Age: 18 Seeking Office: Senator Major: Child Development

JAMES SCHAAF Age: 22 Seeking Office: Senator Major: Business

What do you feel you can add to the ASCC? “I can offer my experiences in leadership which I have learned from tae kwon do and from being the first born of ten children.”

What do you feel you can add to the ASCC? “I feel that I can help solve some of the issues facing students by looking at the facts.”

PATRICIA GONZALEZ Age: 18 Seeking Office: Senator Major: Criminology

MATTHEW SERNA Age: 18 Seeking Office: Senator Major: Biology

What are your career aspirations?

“My career aspiration would be to become a police officer and later move up in the chain of command.”

Complete this statement: “In my opinion a leader is someone who: “Can take control when needed and knows their constituents.”

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Student government: more candidates vie for offices Sandra Lopez CLARION EDITOR IN CHIEF Nearly twice the number of candidates are running for student government this year compared to the number who ran in May 2009.

There are 14 candidates running in the Associated Students of Citrus College general election, which is scheduled to take place May 25 and May 26 from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Campus Mall.

Ten students are running for seven open senate seats. Each candidate must garner 50 votes. Three students are running for the position of legislative liaison.

One student is running unopposed for president, which requires a majority of votes to win, any positions that remain open will be appointed by the elected board.

No students are running for vice president.

A candidates’ forum sponsoring the ASCC is scheduled for Thursday, May 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Campus Center.

Adrienne Thompson, student activities supervisor, attributes the high interest to, “heavy recruitment and [ASCC President] Karlyn Bradley’s leadership.”

Also on the ballot will be the $1

COURTESY OF CITRUS COLLEGE

Current members of the Associated Students of Citrus College pose for a photo in the Executive Board Room inside the Ross L. Handy Campus Center, where their meetings are held every Tuesday.

student representation fee, which is being proposed for the third consecutive time.

The student representative fee first appeared on the 2009 December ballot. It was defeated by a vote count of 106 to 97.

This fee was reintroduced during the March 29 and March 30 special election. It failed with a 24 yes to a 7 no.

The fee needs more than just a simple majority to pass.

According to Thompson, “this vote requires a minimum turnout of 159. Of those, two-thirds must be in favor. If only 155 people show up to the polls, the measure will automatically fail, regardless of the number of people voting in favor.”

Approval of the student rep fee

would result in the creation of a separate $1 fee. Students can “opt out,” however, opting out may be difficult as students would be required to have a religious, political, ethical, financial or moral reason for not paying it.

If passed, the student representation fee will be used for student advocacy purposes at local, state or federal levels.

“It is something community college students need because we need money to go and advocate for ourselves,” said Alejandra Delgado, ASCC student trustee.

As stated in the Education Code, section 76060.5, the $1 representation fee may “provide for the support of governmental affairs representatives who may be stating their positions and viewpoints before city, county, and district governments and before offices and agencies of the state government.”

“The fee can be used for paying dues to certain organizations, conference expenses on lobbying, or travel expenses to meet legislators,” Bradley said.

In order to vote, students must present some form of identification, such as a passport, student identification card or driver’s license.

The elected ASCC board will begin their duties on June 14 and will schedule meetings during the summer based on the members’ availability.

Sandra Lopez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

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May 19, 2010

Foundation director forced to resign Sandra Lopez CLARION EDITOR IN CHIEF

T

he director of the Citrus College Foundation has been forced to resign after seven months on the job.

Edward Trickey, the executive director of development and external relations, was given the ultimatum to either resign or be terminated at the end of May. The decision was made by Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D., and is said to be based on her judgment that Trickey was not a “good fit.”

Trickey said that he learned of his removal through Robert Sammis, director of human resources for Citrus College.

Sammis declined to comment, saying that he was not at liberty to discuss personnel matters.

According to Trickey’s letter of resignation, Sammis told him that he had two choices: to either resign from his remunerated leadership positions with the Citrus College Community District (CCCD) and the Citrus College Foundation (CCF) or face the possibility of termination without cause.

Although Trickey was asked to resign by the end of May, Trickey offered to step down effective August 1, 2010. The same day as the offer on Wednesday, May 5, after meeting with Sammis, Trickey said he was notified via email that he was no longer welcome on campus.

“I’m still really shocked by this decision,” Trickey said. “I still can’t quite figure out what happened.”

Perri declined to comment, saying that she was not able to discuss personnel matters.

“I admire all of the elected members of the board,” Trickey said. “I worked with various members of the board in various capacities. All I have to say is good things about them.”

Trickey took over his duties at Citrus College in November 2009 after going through an application process.

His responsibilities included overseeing the college’s external relations department and the operations of the Citrus College Foundation.

“I enjoyed working with him,” said Jane Cole, administrative assistant in the Foundation Office.

“He had some great ideas and was moving us in the right direction. He was an enthusiastic foundation director. I will miss

him.” “[Regarding job duties] I completed them and surpassed them. We were doing fabulous work,” said Trickey.

Reacting to Trickey’s resignation, Citrus College Foundation board president Tom Gerfen said, “I am shocked. I am not aware what the problems were.

The foundation was one-fifth of his college assignment.”

Attempts to reach members of the Citrus Community College Board of Trustees were unsuccessful.

“My understanding is that the college will move forward and look for a new director,” Gerfen said.

The Foundation’s main goal is to advance students in their educational goals. They will continue to do their job of raising funds for student scholarships. A donor-scholar reception is scheduled for Aug. 19 in the Student Center.

Sandra Lopez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

EDWARD TRICKEY COURTESY OF CITRUS COLLEGE

May 19, 2010

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Head coach hired for women’s basketball team Erica Irigoyen CLARION SPORTS EDITOR

ALONSO RAMIREZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Former Cal Poly Pomona assistant coach Tamara McDonald takes the helm as Citrus’ women’s basketball head coach after Citrus officials decided not to renew former head coach Eric Anderson’s contract.

A former Cal Poly Pomona assistant coach has been named head coach of the Citrus College women’s basketball team.

Tamara McDonald, who attended Chaffey High School, has not only played collegiate basketball at Pepperdine University, but also has played professionally in Oberhausen, Germany.

After the end of McDonald’s senior year at Pepperdine, she had the choice to wait for the WNBA league to start and for her to go to training camp, or head to Germany to play basketball where she knew she would make money and not be cut.

“I took the guarantee [and went to Germany],” McDonald said.

Following two professional seasons in Germany, McDonald began coaching at Calabasas High School.

She then became the head coach at Malibu High School, where she guided her team to the 2006-2007 CIF Tournament.

In 2007, McDonald decided to move to the collegiate level.

She became the assistant coach to head coach Scott Davis at Cal Poly Pomona and helped lead the Broncos to their first NCAA tournament in 2010.

McDonald recently applied for the head coach position at Citrus College.

The position was vacated when Citrus officials decided not to renew the contracts of former head coach Eric Anderson and assistant coach Monica Peterson.

“It was an opportunity to get a good job that was close to home,” McDonald said. “There are only two good jobs in the Inland Empire, and those are at Cal Poly Pomona and here at Citrus.”

Just like any other coach, McDonald wants to create a winning basketball team. But her main focus will be making sure that her players stay on top of their academics.

“I want to make sure that all these kids can move on to a fouryear school whether they play basketball or not,” McDonald said.

McDonald’s second focus will be how well her team can play.

“I want a team that is disciplined,” McDonald said. “But most important, I want to let the kids do what they do best.”

As for a coaching style, McDonald is still unsure how to approach coaching.

“I first have to see what I am working with, player wise, and then I will go from there,” McDonald said.

Jody Wise, Citrus College dean of physical education and athlet-

ics, said that she is optimistic about McDonald’s plans for success.

“From our conversations with Tamara, it is clear that she shares our commitment to excellence both on the court and in the classroom,” Wise said.

Wise also believes that McDonald will show off the talent that the team has and she is excited for the players that will have the chance to be coached by her.

During the team’s first practice with their new coach, sophomore Kristyn Jacobs said that she was definitely looking forward to the 2010-2011 season. “[Coach McDonald] seems like she is all about us,” Jacobs said. “She is professional, organized and easy going.”

The team is already prepping for what they hope to be an exciting season starting in November.

“Citrus has an environment that generates successful studentathletes and contributing members of society,” McDonald said.

“I want to do my part to continue to pursue excellence in women’s basketball, just like everyone else pursues excellence in every other department on campus.”

Erica Irigoyen can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

features

May 19, 2010

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CALLING IT LIKE IT IS

“

to become prostitutes.

Most of these girls never get to go back to school Courtney Mitchell and die young, usually from CLARION MANAGING EDITOR sexually transmitted diseases.

One film told the story of Cat, an 11-year-old who was about to be sent to Bangkok to Every time I am with my bestie, find work.

Ashley, we end up going on some The Sold Project raised money random adventure or having a deep, for Cat to go to school until she meaningful conversation that brings graduated so she wouldn’t have to me to some crazy realization, which become a child prostitute.

I must share with all of you.

After presenting Cat’s story and Last week she asked me if I others like it, the volunteers asked would accompany her to a for our reaction. fundraiser at Cal Poly Pomona.

Are you kidding? I wanted to give She suckered me into going when them all of my life’s savings. she said dinner would be provided.

The volunteers suggested several I didn’t ask what the fundraiser options: donate $4 a week, sponsor was for because I figured if she was a child, or go to Thailand for an insupporting it and there was food internship to help the girls directly. volved, it couldn’t be anything too As much as I wanted to help, I terrible. couldn’t just drop everything to go Little did I know the fundraiser to Thailand. was a benefit for the Sold Project: an However, this experience helped organization that started a few years me realize something: we get so ago by college students who wanted caught up with ourselves and our to expose and put an end to child own lives that unless a terrible situsex trafficking in Thailand. ation is happening in our own backThe married couple who spoke yard, we don’t recognize it. on behalf of the Sold Project are It’s time to turn off the reality TV college graduates who volunteer and start looking at the reality of the full-time with the organization. world around us.

They travel to different colleges, So many people around the globe getting the word out about human are less fortunate than we are. As trafficking in Thailand and what privileged college students, we they are doing to help stop it. should be helping all that we can.

The three movies were shown at I was so inspired by the Sold the fundraiser.

Project that I started to explore ways Each focused girls from poverty to get involved. who cannot pay for school and are Turns out, there are so many sent to Bangkok for years at a time

It’s time to turn off the the reality TV and start looking at the reality around us.

Courtney Mitchell Clarion Managing Editor

things we can do right here in our own community, like volunteering at an elderly home, donating time to an animal shelter, or joining a well known organization such as Habitat for Humanity.

Vote in the next student government election and let your voice be heard Dustin Call CLARION STAFF WRITER

There are many people in this world—and even in this country—that attempt to suppress political expression and involvement.

In our republican democracy we enjoy the freedom of being able to elect our representatives, say whatever we want politically, and even run for office ourselves.

Even in the 21st century, some dictators still strip their citizens of these rights in other parts of the world.

And in a country that should be defending First Amendment rights in every situation, some entities still wish to limit involvement in politics.

However, in America we can enjoy democracy in our colleges and universities.

Here at Citrus College we can elect from amongst ourselves, students who make decisions for us and represent us in realms statewide and nationally.

Unfortunately, voter turnout in ASCC elections is pathetically low. In a school that has close to 13,000 students, more than just a few hundred should be voting.

This semester, we have an unusually large cast of candidates running for a handful of positions and a measure to slightly increase our ASCC fee in order to better represent us.

Whether you feel connected to your school or not, these things affect you in many ways and it is your responsibility and privilege to vote in our school’s elections.

Students in Iran are being arrested for wanting something that we take advantage of.

Don’t let yourself be suppressed.

Don’t stand by and watch.

Educate yourself on the candidates and the rep fee and attend the candidates’ forum on Thursday, May 20.

Then let your voice be heard and vote in next week’s ASCC election.

Dustin Call can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

This summer, get involved, even if it is for a day.

Alonso Ramirez, our opinions/editorials editor, and I plan to volunteer at Big Brothers, Big Sisters: an organization that provides children with positive role models.

Getting involved can help keep children off the street, out of jail, and in school.

The Sold Project may be too big of a project for me right now but getting involved close to home is a good place to start.

“

Ask a Blonde

Listen to the stories, get involved

Courtney Mitchell can be reached at ask_a_blonde@live.com

features

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May 19, 2010

PROS AND CONS OF PROPOSITIONS PROPOSITION 13 PRO:

Proposition 13 allows homeowners to do necessary earthquake safety improvements to their houses without having their property taxes go increase. This will give middle-class homeowners the relief they need because now they can make improvements to their homes without having to worry about paying higher taxes. The safety of American families should not be at risk, especially not with so many earthquakes all around the world. Improvements need to be made, but not at the risk of bankruptcy because of higher property taxes.

Now on the ballot is another extension of Proposition 13, adding an additional clause that would exempt homeowners from getting their homes re-evaluated by tax assessors after doing construction on their homes to follow earthquake safety guidelines. If Californians want to alleviate some of California’s financial burden without sacrificing the quality of education further, then voters need to avoid another loophole for homeowners in an already financially broken state.

CON:

PROPOSITION 14 PRO:

Voting yes on Proposition 14 will eliminate any sort of bias or partisanship for state and federal offices by changing the primary election process. Unlike the current primary system where the top candidates from each political party face off in the general election, a top-two primary election will place every candidate on the ballot and the two candidates with the highest amount of votes move on to the general election. According to Californians for an Open Primary, this will put an end to partisanship because voters will be choosing candidates for the general election and not a political party.

CON:

Instead of creating a more open general election, Proposition 14 would actually give major parties a monopoly on elections. Currently, six parties have candidates for governor, which means that there will be six candidates for governor in the general election. Proposition 14 will only give us two candidates to choose from who could likely be from the same party. Under this proposition, you might not even be able to vote for someone from your own party.

The Libertarian, Green, Peace and Freedom, Republican and Democratic parties of California all oppose this measure.

PROPOSITION 15 Proposition 15 will allow public funding to be used for political campaigns for candidates who are running for Secretary of State. Various limits and guidelines will be enforced for those candidates who decide to use public funding. Politicians will be able to spend less time raising money to run their campaigns, and can focus on problem solving. This will reduce the influence of private sponsors during a political campaign, since candidates are not limited to their donations but can now use public money. Campaign money is necessary to afford certain necessities, including staff workers, traveling expenses, and advertisement.

PRO:

Proposition 15 will repeal Section 85300 of the Government Code which clearly says, “…No candidate shall accept any public money for the purpose of seeking elective office.” According to the official voter information guide, there are very few restrictions on how candidates can spend taxpayer money.

Proposition 15 claims to be a “fair election act.” But there is no sense of fairness is shown—just the amount of money that will be spent on negative ads. Voting no on this proposition will prevent politicians from using this money in any negative way.

CON:

PROPOSITION 16 PRO:

Currently, local government can spend money to take over private electrical service without letting the taxpayers decide whether that money should be used in that manner. Taxpayers should have the right to decide how their money is spent. Recently, the state and federal governments have gone on a rash spending spree, creating debts for taxpayers to deal with for years to come. Proposition 16 will give taxpayers a voice in government spending, something that we need more of to stop increased government debt and solve our current budget crisis.

Proposition 16 requires a two-thirds majority vote to use public funding to contract an electricity provider. The rates charged by these companies could sky rocket due to the loss of competition between electricity providers.

A two-thirds majority does not always represent the majority of the community, which should be able to chose how its money is spent. Although no statewide impact would take place the voters should consider the middle-class communities that could be significantly affected. The decision of public utilities can be left up to local governments to decide as long as it represents the interests of the residents.

CON:

PROPOSITION 17 PRO:

Proposition 17 will allow auto insurance companies to give “persistency discounts” to new customers who have had previous continuous or nearly continuous auto insurance coverage. Currently, auto insurance companies can offer persistency discounts only to their own customers and nearly 23.7 million licensed drivers pay billions of dollars in auto insurance premiums.

Nearly 80 percent of California drivers would qualify for persistency discounts, its time to give those drivers one less thing to worry about financially.

CON:

According to Proposition 17, auto insurance companies could charge penalties or increase rates for those who let their coverage lapse for more than 90 days. If you are using any other sort of transportation for mobility and later on you want to get back on the road, this penalty could very well apply to you.

Even though it is meant as a discount for those drivers with continuous coverage, it also gives the power to insurers to turn it into an increase of rates.

features

May 19, 2010

Page 11

POLITICAL VOTER FAQ How do I register?

PARTY PRIORITIES You can pick up a form at your local library or post office. You can also have the information mailed to you by calling (800) 345-8683

AMERICAN INDEPENDENT w protection for families and right to life w support to secure the border w opposed to illegal immigration

Where is my polling place?

Your specific polling place is listed on the back of your county sample ballot booklet, which is mailed to you

DEMOCRATIC w promote healthcare for all w create more jobs w establish a secure retirement system

GREEN w establish a clean environment w universal healthcare, universal education w develop economic opportunties for all

I can’t make it to my polling place. What do I do?

You can designate someone from your household to turn in your ballot for you or mail back your ballot to arrive

by Election Day.

LIBERTARIAN w privatize education w the power of freedom of choice w cut spending, lower taxes

PEACE AND FREEDOM w full employment, double minimum wage w improve healthcare and education w end the war and bring troops home immediately

REPUBLICAN w improve schools and create more jobs w promote safer neighborhoods w protect the taxpayer, hold government accountable Information courtesy of www.easyvoter.org

KEY DATES MAY 24

JUNE 1

Deadline to register to vote in the June Primary election

If you choose to vote by mail, you must send in your ballot by this day.

Is there another way I can vote?

Any register voter can vote by an abesente, or “vote-by-mail” ballot. You can obtain one by downloading it and taking it to your polling place.

JUNE 8 ELECTION DAY

Poll hours: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Who do I vote for?

You should read the information about the politcal parties and candiates to see which you mostly identify with. If you are struggling to identify with some of the issues, take a quiz online to figure out where you stand. Take the World’s Smallest Political Quiz at theadvocates.org for extra help.

I don’t understand the propositions. How do I know what I am voting for?

We took the liberty of reading the propositions for you and made a summary that should be most helpful. If you have more questions, visit the following websites: www.easyvoter.org www.smartvoter.org www.sos.ca.gov/elections

Page 12

features

May 19, 2010

Television writers deliver laughs and advice Brandon Lozano CLARION STAFF WRITER Aspiring writers who are stuck should just keep generating ideas whether they are good or bad.

That was the message from television writers Tom Gammill, Max Pross and Marc Wilmore on May 18 the Haugh Performing Arts Center.

Gammill and Pross have worked together on numerous shows including “The Simpsons,” “Futurama,” “Saturday Night Live” and “Seinfeld.” Wilmore has worked on In “Living Color,” “The Tonight Show: Jay Leno,” “The PJ’s” and “The Simpsons.”

Language arts division professor Colville Smythe, invited the writers to speak for his English class and then extended the opportunity to other teachers and their students. “ I have known Tom (Gammill) for 15 years, both as a neighbor and a friend,” Smythe said.

The event started with thunderous applause as Smythe introduced the writers individually. Finally after waiting for the clapping to abate the writers began talking about their backgrounds and what it is like working in the industry.

“We met in Boston at Harvard working on the comedy magazine called the Harvard Lampoon, and we became friends not having the idea that comedy was where we

KRISTIN LACUESTA, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Current “Simpson’s” writer Tom Gammill, along with the show’s other writers Max Pross and Marc Wilmore (not pictured), spoke in the Citrus College Haugh Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, May 18 to give students a lesson on television writing and how they can get into the business.

wanted to go,” Gammill said Gammill and Pross’s friend, James Downey, had worked on the weekly live television show, “Saturday Night Live” and read the work that they had done in the Lampoon. Downey set up an interview for Gammill and Pross to meet Lorne Michaels, and “We miraculously got the job,” Pross said.

“We were 22 with an office at the Rockefeller Center and a telephone,” said Gammill.

“I was a pre-med student at Harvard,” Pross said “Comedy is what I enjoyed doing in college. I never thought of it as a career.”

Gammill and Pross began writing in 1979 for “Saturday Night Live.” They moved to “David Letterman” in 1982 and began a process of coming up with jokes on a daily basis.

After Lettermen, it was “Seinfeld” and then “The Simpsons.”

On Lettermen they worked daily, like on a newspaper, and if

David [Lettermen] liked what they wrote, it was aired.

Wilmore said that he was a marketing major at Cal Poly Pomona before going into stand-up and then writing comedy.

Wilmore got into the writing business when a pre-existing condition forced him to stop performing live. Then he started to work for “In Living Color.”

The trio of Gammill, Pross and Wilmore were all collaborating, finishing off sentences and deliv-

ering laughs to the Citrus College students. Then they started to take questions from the audience.

One student asked the differences between writing for an animated show and a live action show like “Seinfeld.”

“It’s not like on “Two and a Half Men” where you can say lets’ have them go bull riding this episode because the set would have to be built, whereas with “The Simpsons” it works because you can draw the scene,” Pross said.

Another student asked where do their ideas come from.

“A lot of our ideas come from personal experiences,” Gammill said “Like when I bought a car, and I read the car was owned by John Voight, and when I showed Max [Pross], he told me that John was Jon, and we used that in an episode of Seinfeld.”

The audience laughed at the small mistake that became a memorable “Seinfeld” episode.

Gammill draws and writes a daily comic strip on gocomics.com called “The Doozies.”

He also has YouTube videos titled Learn To Draw with Tom Gammill. Gammill will also be hosting the Reuben Awards Memorial Day Weekend in New York City.

Brandon Lozano can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

May 19, 2010

features

Page 13

Discovery and exploration fuel professor’s life Aaron Gaikar CLARION STAFF WRITER After 19 years of service to students a Citrus College, art professor Elanie A. Moore is retiring.

Moore was born in July 1940 in the rural mesa of Wyoming.

"In the 1940s it was all dirt roads, so there were no paved highways connecting the Rocky Mountain States," said Moore.

Those states linked by the range being Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado.

Moore was raised around horses. Growing up in Wyoming she learned to respect the earth as our mother. She also learned outdoor skills such as tracking and hunting.

"It was a cowboy town, a rancher and farmer town, a very small area only three blocks across town," Moore said. It was only one block from Moore's childhood house to the downtown area.

Moore has always been connected to the natural world, it is her element and most comfortable environment. She graduated high school in Wyoming, and afterward she took up theater and the arts at the University of New Mexico when she was 20.

She attended UNM in the middle of the 1960s during the era of protests against the Vietnam War. It was also the civil rights movement on a national scale and Moore was influenced by feminist artists who connected women with the earth, while also liberating women and revolutionizing.

After graduating from UNM she decided to return to school to fully develop and advance her skills in the visual arts.

"The 1960s revolution in conceptual art was pure freedom, though as discovered later, very one-sided," said Moore.

In the 1970s Moore enrolled at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. It was there Moore found her calling in the form of an assignment she needed to complete in order to

graduate.

Her styles of conceptual and technical art were coming together through her paintings, but she needed something she could research and present. Then she found out about the discovery of ancient cave paintings in Baja California.

Moore had found not only her master's thesis but a life-long fascination of researching and documenting this ancient rock art for the generations to come. Long after, these paintings will have all disappeared, slowly withering away with the culture of the peoples who created them.

"I got hooked, and I've been doing it ever since," Moore said.

Moore's work is preserved and presented in the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

“What a good and complete synopsis of her artistic life it is,” said Citrus College Librarian Karen Praeger.

She researches rock paintings found all over the globe, documents them, then does her own interpretation of the art, based on her experiences and what she has learned from each magnificent piece.

Moore is a teacher, mother, artist and one of the first to start documenting these mystical pieces of art, so vibrant in their surroundings and full of messages about culture not only in the Mexican border societies, but worldwide and the connection they had with each other.

“She is a very good teacher, the way she handles the class, I really enjoy her stories about her past experiences,” said Citrus College student Luis Preciado, 17.

Without people documenting these gorgeous pieces of history, art, and culture they would be lost in the ages unnoticed and forgotten by the modern world of tomorrow.

Moore has a retrospective art exhibit in the Hayden Memorial Library until May 28.

AARON GAIKAR, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Aaron Gaikar can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Professor Elanie Moore showcases her extensive portfolio of rock art pieces, which are her interpretations of rock paintings she has found all over the world, in the gallery at the Hayden Memorial Library. Her exhibit runs until May 28.

Anime club open to students, interpretation Aubrey Miranda CLARION STAFF WRITER

ART BY AUBREY MIRANDA, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Anime is Japanese animation that has it’s own unique style that distinguishes it from traditional American animation.

Defining characteristics of anime are all in the details: correct proportions, high shines, attention to characters are common attributes of anime.

Most anime is born from Japanese comics called “manga.”

Mangas and anime come to life through many genres.

The themes, stories, plots differ greatly from American animation in the fact that anime deals with adult situations, complex plots, and incorporates traditional Japanese culture.

The advisor of the anime club is Professor Denise Kaisler. In 1998 while attending grad school at UCLA, a colleague introduced her to anime.

Aaron Delangel is the president of the club.

Delangel was first introduced to anime through HBO while other friends were watching anime.

Some of his first experiences were at the age of 12 when he watched “Akira” and “Fatal Fury 2.”

Sometimes anime can seem too wacky or off-color for some people. The club tries to integrate open-mindedness and acceptance of another culture.

“It’s mainly people who have the same in-

terest as me. It’s just nice to meet new people,” Delangel said.

ICC Representative Brian Olivares understands that anime can get harsh reviews from people who don’t understand it.

Anime can get a bad reputation as being violent, too adult, and derogatory towards women.

“It can be mature, open to one’s self interpretation,” Olivares said. He also counters while anime deals with a wide range of adult themes, “American cartoons tend to stick to comedy, slapstick, and a satirical themes.”

Anime is brought to the club by members and approved for viewing. Any member can bring anime to the club meetings.

The club is open to all different genres of anime. The club is also open to anybody to participate and join. Some of the anime club members hail from other clubs.

The president of the gaming club is an active member of the anime club as well.

New anime is sent free to the club through media companies like “Funimation” and “Rightstuff ” in exchange for reviews and surveys on how to improve the quality of their products.

The anime club meets every Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Handy Campus Center board room.

Aubrey Miranda can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

features Citrus queens compete for one state crown

May 19, 2010

Andrew Vasquez CLARION PHOTO EDITOR Three Citrus students– Crystal Munoz, Christina Alcaraz and Lauren Smolka– have all won titles in the local scholarship pageants and will be among the approximately 57 other contestants for the state pageant scheduled July 2 through July 11 in Fresno.

Munoz was the first among the three Citrus women involved in the Miss America Organization. At age 17, she competed for the first time in the Miss Azusa Outstanding Teen competition in 2007 and finished as second runner up. She was also named Miss Congeniality.

In 2009, she was crowned Miss Azusa. Most recently in her pageant career she was crowned Miss National Orange Show 2010 at the age of 20.

“Pageants have given me self confidence, poise, ability to communicate well with others and many wonderful friendships,” she said. “I have to admit this organization has helped me grow into the young lady I am today.”

The next of the three to be introduced to the world of pageantry was Miss Azusa 2010: Alcaraz. She received first runner up in 2009 and then went back to compete in the pageant this year and was crowned Miss Azusa on Feb. 6.

“I just know I was shaking and it felt like the longest moment of my life but after the judge called my name I was in tears because I knew all of my hardwork paid off,” she said.

Smolka was the last to become involved in pageantry at the suggestion of both her friend Alcaraz and her mother Susan Smolka,

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

(Left to right) Citrus College students Crystal Munoz, 20, Christina Alcaraz, 20, and Lauren Smolka, 20, will be representing Azusa, Covina and the National Orange Show at the Miss California Scholarship Pageant in Fresno July 2-11.

who is also a past Miss Azusa crown holder. She competed in the Miss Covina pageant this year and was crowned Miss Covina 2010.

“The whole experience is continuing to build my self-confidence and pushes me to become more aware of who I am and what I want in my life,” Smolka said.

Munoz and Alcaraz are both broadcast journalism majors and will both be transferring in the fall, Alcaraz to Pepperdine University and Munoz to Azusa Pacific University. All three women value their time as Citrus students and said their experiences at Citrus have greatly impacted their lives.

“The faculty and staff at Citrus College have all been very supportive of me and all of my accomplishments,” Munoz said. “I am very thankful that Citrus College was one of my sponsors and sup-

ported me on my journey to the Miss California Pageant last year.”

Alcaraz also said that her time at Citrus has been a major reason for her success.

“Citrus College is a stepping stone that has allowed me to pursue my dream of graduation from a private university and I would not have the title of Miss Azusa if I had not attended Citrus College,” Alcaraz said. “I could write pages about what the school has done for me.”

Each of the contestants have a platform or cause that they will promote during their time as the queen of their respective city and/or during their time as Miss California if they should win.

“My platform is promoting higher education for economically disadvantaged youth and I plan on spreading awareness of the many

wonderful resources offered by the California Community College System,” Alcaraz said.

Munoz chose child obesity awareness and prevention as her platform and Smolka wants to promote awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse.

Despite the looming competition, all three women said the competition will not affect their relationship with the other at all because it is really a competition between each contestant and herself.

“I have had to compete with many friends in previous pageants and I have always told myself ‘the only person you’re really competing with on that stage is yourself.’

That is why it’s very important to stay true to yourself and your beliefs,” Munoz said.

“Plus, there are 56 other won-

Page 14

derful girls that would make a great Miss California and it just depends on what the judges are looking for that day,” she said.

The three Miss California hopefuls say they are most looking forward to is spending time with each other and becoming closer “I am extremely close with Chrisy Alcaraz,” Smolka said. “She is one of my best friends and in the process of prepping for Miss California we have become even closer and Crystal Munoz I met through the Miss Azusa Pageant.

She is a very sweet and talented girl.”

“I look forward to spending 10 wonderful days with these girls up at Miss California in July,” she said.

During the Miss California competition, contestants will be divided into four separate groups and each group will compete each of the stages of the competition, physical fitness, evening gown, talent, interview and on stage question.

This takes place from the Saturday that the contestants arrive until Miss California is crowned a week later. The top 12 finalists will be chosen and compete in each of the all of the stages of competition again except for on-stage question and the interview portions.

From the 12, the top five will be chosen and be asked the on-stage question. After that, they will crown the winner.

The Miss California Pageant will take place from July 2 to July 11 at the William Saroyan Theatre in Fresno.

Andrew Vasquez can be reached at clarion@yahoo.com

Student receives scholarship from labor secretary’s alma mater Andrew Vasquez CLARION PHOTO EDITOR An honors student from Citrus College is one of only two community college students that have been awarded the Hilda L. Solis Scholarship.

The scholarship wes set up by the current U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, who graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1979.

Approximately 300 applied for the $1,000 scholarship; only 10 were chosen. One of the more select few is Citrus College student Angel Cruz.

To qualify, applicants must either be a current Cal Poly Pomona students or planning to attend the university as a transfer student or incoming freshman in fall 2010.

Applicants must also have a minimum GPA of at least 2.5 and submit a two-page personal statement elaborating on their academic and career goals, as well as how they will continue to contribute to the Latino community and Raices Alumni Chapter once they graduate.

“Once I saw the amount of competition, I was baffled and nervous,” Cruz said. “But Citrus

College has given me the tools to accomplish this.

“It’s amazing what this place has taught me,” he said. “It has made me realize that hard work definitely pays off and to not be afraid to take a chance.”

Cruz, 22, attended Huntington Park High School near South Central Los Angeles. Although he always valued education, the environment he grew up in. He was not conducive to the pursuit of academic excellence.

“It was difficult to focus on my education in high school because of the gang and crime environment that I was exposed to,” he said.

“Because of where I went to high school, I always say that Citrus College is the foundation of my education.”

After graduating in 2005, Cruz was accepted to Cal State Los Angeles and dropped out after less than a semester.

“I just got sick of it. But then I decided to attend Citrus College and I loved it here,” he said.

Because of his involvement in the three campus honors programs Phi Theta Kappa, Psi Beta and Alpha Gamma Sigma, as well as the Associated Students of Citrus College and the Honors program– he has surrounded himself with peo-

ple that push him to do his best in all aspects of his life,” he said.

The people at Citrus College have truly made a difference in what he has achieved.

“The social networks I have built here have allowed me to educate my peers about what I have to offer, and in turn they have taught me life lessons as well,” Cruz said.

“We all push each other to do well.”

His professors, have come to respect him and say he has a very bright future.

“He is focused, goal-oriented, enthusiastic and a very strong leader,” said English professor and PTK honors society adviser Lisa Telesca. “I think he views education as a privilege and wants to embrace it wholeheartedly.”

Christian Ramirez, a close friend Cruz became acquainted with through their involvement in student government, said Cruz has had a profound effect on his life.

“Angel is a hard worker and an amazing leader,” Ramirez said. “We both grew here at Citrus and I learned a lot about him.

“I know that he will help and motivate others just as he has me.”

Cruz plans to major in ethnic studies at Cal Poly Pomona and wants to become a high school academic counselor.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGEL CRUZ

Angel Cruz, 22, proudly stands next to a Citrus College banner in spring 2009 with his associates degree and regalia he was awarded for his involvement on campus.

“I have always been told by my parents that we need to break the stereotypes of Latinos by going out and showing others that we can earn master’s degrees and even doctorates,” he said. “School is a commitment, and for me it’s paying off.

And I want others to see that it will pay off for them.”

Andrew Vasquez can be reached at clarion@yahoo.com

May 19, 2010

features

Page 15

Pushing your buttons, relieving stress Robert Lucero CLARION STAFF WRITER

STEVEN REGAN, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Members of G.U.T.S. (Gamers United Tomorrow Society who use video games as a way to help them relieve stress, meet every Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the Campus Center Executive Board Room.

In a world where it seems that WWW stands for work work work, a student club is endeavoring to combat the stress that schoolwork entails.

These students call themselves G.U.T.S., the Gamers United Tomorrow Society.

G.U.T.S. members share a common interest in video gaming, but they also get together “just to have fun,” said G.U.T.S. club president and 22-year-old history major Joseph Hefferon. “College just breezes by. You never have enough time. [Students] need a break.”

In contrast to this rather casual approach, G.U.T.S. participants engage in serious discussions about fundraisers, as well as other club awareness events.

“However, the days we aren’t doing official stuff, we’re just playing games,” club member Elizabeth Desmuke said.

Those games include “Rock Band” and “Super Smash Brothers Brawl.”

G.U.T.S. hosted a “Super Smash

Brothers Brawl” tournament on May 14. In the summer, they plan to have another Smash Brothers tournament, as well as a “Super Street Fighter Four” tournament.

Other plans include a fundraiser with Cold Stone Creamery and a new name.

“We wish to change the name of the club,” Hefferon said, “The Tomorrow makes me feel it’s just a procrastination.”

Some new possible names include G.E.A.R., (Gamers Enter Any Realm), or T.G.R. (The Gamers’ Realm).

Whether these gamers unite tomorrow or today, you can find them on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. in the Executive Board Room in the Campus Center, getting down to business and saving students from stress, one game at a time.

Robert Lucero can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

STEVEN REGAN, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

The Gamers United Tomorrow Society hosted its first “Super Smash Brothers Brawl” tournament on May 14. Participants could also play “Rock Band 2” or various Nintendo 64 games.

The brawl has come to campus Steven Regan CLARION STAFF WRITTER The Gamers United Tomorrow Society (G.U.T.S.) held its first “Super Smash Brothers Brawl” tournament on Friday, May 14, in the Campus Center from 11 a.m to 8 p.m.

“Our past leadership was full of broken promises. There was always talk of having this huge tournament, but it never happened,”said Joe Hefferon, president of G.U.T.S. “So that’s why I made it my number one goal to have a tournament, even one as basic as “Brawl.” I made a promise to my members that there would be change for the better.”

The tournament was also sponsored by other clubs such as Anime Connection, Chess Club and the Green Committee.

“We’ve told all our fellow clubs that are participating that they can sell whatever they want as long as it’s not in direct com-

petition of what the other clubs are selling,” Hefferson said.

At the event, G.U.T.S. sold two slices of pizza, nachos and a drink for $5.

Each item could be bought separately from the package.

Anime Connection helped sell the food.

“Overall it was a really enjoyable experience,” said Aaron Delangel, president of Anime Connection. “I had fun helping out at their tournament and helping another club that was in need of assistance.”

Hefferon noted that most gamming joints would charge $3 to $5 per hour to play with no food.

Thirty people competed in the tournament.

First place went Johnathan Driscoll, who won $50.

Those who placed second and third in the tournament earned $30 and $20 in prize money, respectively.

Hefferon stressed that the tournament was meant for everyone, not just gamers.

“With the tournament, even if you lose you can still hang out and play games,” he said.

“I didn’t place very high in the tournament, but I still had fun,” Grant Wong said.

“Super Smash Brothers Brawl” wasn’t the only game that was set up at the tournament.

Players could also play Rock Band 2 or a random assortment of Nintendo 64 games.

Hefferon confidently said that there will be more tournaments to come.

Steven Regan can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Page 16

A&E

May 19, 2010

Three times a charm with the Spotlight on Citrus Singers Anazarry Danganan CLARION STAFF WRITER Three promising performers on their third and final year completing the Citrus Singers program are ready to go their separate ways, thankful for the opportunity gained from the Citrus College music department.

Josh Pecjak, 21, was chosen from hundreds who auditioned from L.A., N.Y., London and Australia for a lead role and contract with Disney at Tokyo, Japan.

Pecjak is proud to be part of the Citrus Singer family who helped him get to where he is today and where he’s going in a few months.

Katie Ransom, 21, participated as a leading lady in numerous Citrus productions, including such roles as Glinda in the “Wizard of Oz,” Roxie Hart in “Chicago,” a dancer in “Hello, Dolly,” Helga in “Cabaret,” and in “Christmas Is…” several times.

Reyna Cerca, 20, has been performing as a vocalist and violinist in a mariachi band. Citrus Singers has helped her confidence as a performer and as a Spanish speaker. She said her English has improved as a singer because of word pronunciation. She is now able to go beyond her voice range and have unlimited control musically.

Q: How did you come to be at Citrus College?

Josh: I came in the fall of 2007, and started with “Rocky Horror Picture Show” as Brad Majors. My uncle was a Citrus Singer 20 years ago, then my mom came to school here as well.

I’m like a “Citrus baby.” I originally went to Chapman University as a theater major, but left to come here because of the music department at Citrus.

Katie: (laughing) I was too lazy to fill out other applications when I graduated from high school. My choir di-

rector had worked with Doug Austin and encouraged me to talk to him.

Doug then suggested that Citrus Singers was the best thing for me and I started here in the fall of 2007.

Reyna: I came here in September 2007 looking for a program and so I auditioned. I wanted to try something new, something more challenging. I’ve always done mariachi and so I always wanted to be a bigger and better singer beyond my comfortable range. Citrus Singers gives that to you.

Q: How has Citrus Singers helped you?

Josh: Specifically, the connections with Disney. But I’ve gotten out of a speeding ticket because I was a Citrus Singer, offered odd jobs, met lots of fun people and connected to a large network.

Katie: The real life experiences with working with professionals like John and Doug. Personally, I have gained leadership qualities as a section leader and interpersonal skills working in a group dynamic. I am being promoted to a manager at my work because of my experiences here. We also get many job opportunities. I did pit singing for a brand new show.

Reyna: It’s not just about singing.

They also encourage you to do better in your instrument if you play one.

Not only do I sing but I play my violin pieces here. I’ve become a better sightreader. I used to be an alto and now I’m a mezzo soprano to tenor. My dance moves are better. When I walked in here I didn’t know how to move.

Q: What are your goals after Citrus Singers?

Josh: I’ll go to Tokyo this July and be there for seven months, but when I come back the goal is to do a national tour, or a second contract with Tokyo Disney. For awhile I wanted to finish school and get a degree, but if I could perform, why the heck not?

Katie: The plan is to go to USC as a music business major. If I don’t be-

ANAZARRY DANGANAN, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Citrus Singers Katie Ransom, Josh Pecjak and Reyna Cerca pose backstage on May 18 before the Pop Show rehearsal at the HPAC in Glendora, Calif.

come a performer, it gives me something to work on within the music field, where I can be a manager or producer. It has always been a goal of mine to get a degree. I want to be able to do the performing thing and come back and have a family. There is no experience that can top being on stage and having 10,000 eyes on you.

Reyna: I’m a music major for sure.

I’m a performer. I want to become a backup singer for an artist and keep auditioning for musicals.

Q: What is your favorite musical?

Josh: I don’t really know many shows except new shows. I never really grew up with musicals. But probably “Spring Awakening,” it really rings through 18 to 25 year olds with its contemporary coming of age story and I want to be in it.

Katie: “Cabaret” because of the message of discrimination and people

being equal.

Reyna: “West Side Story,” it’s just the way they dance, the colors and the mix of ethnicities.

Q: Which Glee character would best describe yourself and why?

Josh: I’ve never seen Glee. (Jokingly)Who’s the male lead? Finn, I’d be Finn because we are strikingly sexy male leads.

Katie: Probably, this will sound weird, but the gay guy [Kurt]. He’s so eccentric and does whatever he feels like. He’s emotional and he best describes me.

Reyna: The black girl [Mercedes] because she can belt it out and she has soul. Her voice is strong and powerful.

Anazarry Danganan can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Singers make ‘Glee’ magic at the Haugh Anazarry Danganan CLARION STAFF WRITER If you enjoy watching Fox’s “Glee,” musicals, or great live music performances, come watch the Citrus Singers and the Blue Note Swing Orchestra in their final production of the year.

Performances are scheduled for Friday, May 21 at 8 p.m., Saturday, May 22 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 23 at 2 p.m.

“The Pop Show always has something for everybody,” said Citrus Singers’ director Douglas Austin (Shrope). “It’s everything from contemporary music to country, from standards to Broadway and film. The whole concept is the pop show, which has always been a wonderful variety of the different styles of music, and a chance to showcase all the different skills and styles of the Citrus Singers.”

The Pop Show is a departmental collaboration featuring 44 Citrus Singers, student instrumentalists from Gino Munoz’s Pop Rock

Band I, and cosmetology students helping with hair and makeup.

With the professional team of choreographer John Vaughan, music conductor Alan Waddington, Blue Note Swing Orchestra director Robert Slack, there is no doubt that the Pop Show promises to deliver a show-stopping professional performance.

“The show is almost always sold out, especially the two matinees, which are usually a full house.

Groups come from all over Los Angeles County just to watch the Citrus Singers,” said Linda Gravas, marketing and ticketing director of the Haugh box office.

Tickets may be purchased at the Haugh box office or online at www.haughpac.com. Regular tickets cost $17.50, and students and seniors pay $16.50.

Citrus College students with an ASCC sticker on their student I.D. cards can get tickets at half price the night of the show.

Dani Bustamante, 21, a thirdyear Citrus Singer, said this Pop Show utilizes all the hard work, tal-

ents and skills students have been striving toward as professional performers.

“It’s a fun show to watch,” Bustamante said. “It’s an opportunity for everyone to see how well rounded we are. It’s great entertainment… instead of watching a movie, they could come watch a live performance of young, talented American people.”

The Citrus Singers present three major performances a year. This summer, the group will go on a performance tour in New York. In the spring they put on their annual Pop Show and in the fall the ever popular, “Christmas Is …”.

The Citrus Singers are scheduled to perform in a departmental concert with all the voice classes, including the Concert Choir and the beginning voice classes at Glenkirk Church in Glendora at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2. The event is free and open to the public.

Anazarry Danganan can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

May 19, 2010

sports

Page 17

Successful on and off the field Erica Irigoyen CLARION SPORTS EDITOR For a lot of student athletes, doing the bare minimum to keep their G.P.A. high enough to play a sport is good enough for them.

But, that doesn't cut it for the Citrus College baseball pitcher who is both successful in his academics and on the baseball field.

Playing baseball since he was eight years old, Scholar-Baller Nathan Rollon finds that his success on and off the field comes from a lot of planning ahead. “[Balancing school, work and my G.P.A.] is all about timing and planning,” Rollon said. “You have to make sure that you have a good schedule.”

Rollon shows that good sched-

NATHAN ROLLON, OWLS PITCHER AARON GAIKAR, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

uling pays off because he has been maintaining a 3.3 G.P.A., playing the sport he loves, and managing the Glendora Learning Center.

“Nathan is extremely determined and has come a long way from when he started last year as a freshman,” head coach Steve Gomez said. “He is an excellent student and what we like to call low maintenance.”

After his two years at Citrus College, Rollon plans to transfer to University of La Verne after the summer and just in time for the new baseball season.

“It will be a lot harder [to maintain my good G.P.A. and sports] because the classes will be a lot harder,” Rollon said. But he is definitely up for the challenge.

New challenges can be extremely difficult, but Rollon has the love and support of his parents, John and Lourdes Rollon, and his girlfriend, Tabitha Harrison.

“My family and friends will support me with whatever I choose to do,” Rollon said. “Unless what I am doing is totally wrong.”

Rollon isn’t the only one in his family to play the sport that his dad was all about. His older brother Andrew, 24, and younger brother Braiden, 17, also played baseball throughout high school.

“Baseball is what my dad was all about when we were little,” Rollon said. “He taught [me and my brothers] how to play when we were little. He taught us other sports too but baseball was the one that I was best at.”

Every athlete has someone who they are inspired by and for Rollon, his cousin Raul Perez is that inspiration.

“He played college ball and he

did everything that I have done and I am really just trying to follow in his footsteps,” Rollon said.

“He passed away a few years ago.”

No matter where life takes Rollon, coach Gomez is sure that with his determination and dedication, he will continue to succeed. “[Rollon] is a hard worker and is always working with what he has,” Gomez said. “If he continues with his hard work, he will definitely have the opportunity to play ball at a four-year school.”

Erica Irigoyen can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Scholar softball swagger Laura Smith CLARION STAFF WRITER A diverse utility player from the softball team is one of the 55 Citrus College student athletes to be named to the 2009-10 ScholarBaller program.

With many hours devoted to intense practices, and pressure to be the best throughout the season, players could easily let their grades slip.

But that is not the case for 19year-old Jacqueline Ramirez, a criminal justice major.

Teammate Hannah Carter describes Ramirez, saying, “She has this swagger about her that makes you want to be a better softball player. She’s a natural leader.”

With a lot riding on her shoulders, she currently has a 3.2 G.P.A. and is prepared to keep up the hard work to get what she wants.

“I hope to be picked up by a school and continue to become a sheriff, and no matter what happens with softball I know I’ll have my grades to back me up,” Ramirez said.

This motivated mind-set and discipline is nothing new for Ramirez.

In high school, she maintained solid grades while making a name

JACQUELINE RAMIREZ, OWLS UTILITY PLAYER COURTESY OF CITRUS COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE

for herself on the field.

She attended Diamond Ranch High School and earned All-Miramonte League honors in her junior and senior year.

“My parents have always pushed me when it came to my grades, even in high school,” Ramirez said.

“They have always made it clear that grades are what is most important.”

Finding the balance between the sport you love and the time need to be put into studies is no easy task.

However, Ramirez is proof that it is possible to set goals and achieve them.

She is also a dependable player on the field.

“Jackie is the girl on our team that brings the hype. She gets fired

up and her intensity keeps the rest of her team in it,” softball head coach Jackie Boxley said. “She wants to be in the clutch situations and wants to be the person her teammates turn to when they need the clutch hit or big play.”

Ramirez not only raises the bar on the field but also in the classroom.

“As a student athlete, Jackie is the girl we use as the perfect example. Obviously she has shown what a great student she is by her spot on the Scholar-Baller team,” Boxley said. “She is always organized and ahead of her academics. I know she spends sleepless nights working on papers and preparing for exams and assignments. She takes great pride in her academics and her well above average grades, and I am happy she is a part of our softball family.”

In terms of her bright future, continuation of coming through in the clutch for her team and keeping up an exceptional work ethic in the classrooms means the sky is the limit for Scholar-Baller Jacqueline Ramirez.

Laura Smith can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

What’s a Scholar-Baller?

Athletes at Citrus College are already special students for what it is they’re contributing to our school.

Aside from school, these students are putting their time into extra curricular activities.

This year is the third year of the Scholar-Baller national program at Citrus College, which first began in the fall of 2007.

Scholar-Baller’s, are educated individuals that also participate in a sport, or any other extra-curricular activity. The program places an emphasis on the athlete’s performance

inside the classroom.

The Scholar-Baller program was founded by, C. Keith Harrison, Jean Boyd, and Cliff Parks, in 1995.

These individuals were from Southern California who were and still are Scholar-Ballers.

“The goal of this program is to promote academics, and to focus only on education,” said Jody Wise, dean of physical education.

Not every athlete can be recognized as a Scholar-Baller. Student athletes must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher

in order to earn the Honor.

Once being recognized as a Scholar-Baller, student athletes receive a Scholar-Baller patch, which they can then wear on their uniform.

As each year has passed, the numbers of Scholar-Ballers have increased.

The Citrus College Athletic Department now has 55 ScholarBallers, which makes it the highest number of members since Citrus first started participating in the program.

opinions

Page 18

May 19, 2010

Unlocking the underground music scene Aaron Gaikar CLARION STAFFER

I find the role models in today’s popular music to be loathsome.

It’s easy to turn on the radio and allow your mind to accept, even indulge, the tunes broadcasted nationwide.

The challenge is shifting through the endless archives of music to eventually find what moves you.

Our generation, in a nutshell, is a “zombie” generation that’s constantly glued to a television, cell phone, iPod, desktop or laptop computers.

Popular songs are endlessly repeated on commercial radio stations, drilling into our minds that our music—our escape—is starting to sound more like a prison.

There seems to be no escape from the mainstream music propaganda machine which sometimes promotes drug abuse, trafficking narcotics, disrespect towards women and society all together.

But some of us have found an escape which we call the "underground."

Underground music is about real-life situations and feelings, regardless of your background.

Underground is generally all music that is free of consumer demands, mainstream producer bureaucracy and the pressures, most popular artists face with every album they produce.

Let’s start with underground hip-hop, which include artists like Murs and Atmosphere.

This music, which seems like pure poetry, talks about everyday struggles, coping and dealing with life.

Generally, the lyrics portrayed in most underground hip-hop songs are soul-stirring, self-enlightening pieces of art which can reach out to anyone, from the beastly depths of criminal life to the CEO of a major corporation, and those in between.

I am not saying that all these lyrics are happy-go-lucky, since much of this music deals with real

life’s pain and suffering.

We connect with these underground artists through our relationship with their lyrics about pulling one’s self out of the dark times and into the light, to make the best of what we have and what we are given, and to treat your fellow man with courtesy, respect, and above all, love.

These emotions and ideals transfer into any underground genre, such as electronic, hip-hop, folk, reggae or alternative.

But I also see this drive towards unity, peace, love, community and respect emerging primarily out of the reggae and electronic scenes.

These artists come together for festivals, which are concerts full of all sorts of different music artists and art.

Hundreds, if not thousands of people, come together to let loose, dance, socialize and most important enjoy unity through music.

The love, respect and well-mannered scene is similar to the ‘60s hippie rock ‘n’ roll movement, which was a time when the youth express their feelings, views, opinions and art, as their statement of

RACHEL FULLER, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

what they felt was right for the world.

The correlation I see between these generations—from the babyboomers to Generation X and Millenials—is the effort put forth by the underground youth to break free from the blinders in the mainstream fictitious world of commercial video play and the major radio stations.

The underground should be the

mainstream, as it is what is real.

Why must we indulge in the illusion of the current mainstream?

Why haven’t we broken free?

Aaron Gaikar can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

The student rep fee; what it is, why we need it part of a wider initiative, on the part of the Student Senate for Cheyenne Scharff California Community Colleges, to implement CLARION STAFFER Student Representation Fees at all community colleges in the state.

Not only has the understanding This initiative has been ongoing of this term been the cause of con- on behalf of the SSCCC and its fusion here at the Clarion newspa- predecessor, the California Student per, and has undoubtedly caused Association of Community Colconfusion among Citrus students, leges, since the California Educabut the Associated Students of Cit- tion Code was amended in 1988 by rus College executive board has two crucial pieces of legislation. also done a poor job informing stuThe first, Assembly Bill 1725, dents about the Student Represen- emphasized the students’ role in the tation Fee on campus. shared government process and Student government officers in- their right to express opinions, tended to advertise the $1 fee pro- which is also supported by Title 5 posal to students before they held of the California Code of Regulaa special election on March 29 and tions.

30, but the impending date snuck Although this opened the doors up on them and they were unable for student advocacy at various to do so, ASCC president Karlyn government levels, a SSCCC StuBradley said. dent Representation Fee informaNeedless to say voter turnout for tion packet states that "a lack of the special election was atrocious. funding became an obstacle [for Thirty-one ballots were cast, and, students] to do so." not meeting the minimum amount This is where the second Assemof votes required, the measure bly Bill, 2756, comes in, which alfailed miserably. lows for the implementation of a At a regular meeting of the Student Representation Fee at CalASCC board on May 11 the Stu- ifornia community colleges, which dent Representation Fee was on the supports student representatives agenda for disscussion. who advocate on students' behalf Two Clarion staff members at- at various governmental levels. tempted to videotape the meeting There are 2.9 million students but were restricted from doing so. enrolled in 112 colleges in the CalUnfortunately for students some ifornia Community College system. valuable information was discussed. Only 60 have implemented the StuI will do my best to relay those dent Representation Fee, student facts and also clear up any confu- activities supervisor Adrienne sion that may stil be lurking about Thompson said. the proposed fee.

Colleges that haven’t impleThe $1 fee that is being pro- mented the fee may find it hard to posed for the third consecutive fund lobbying efforts, this "potentime on the ballot for the student tially leading to an inadequacy of government election next week is the students' voice," Danny Gutier-

rez, former student trustee at Mt. San Jacinto College, said.

“Currently, ASCC uses funds for legislative advocacy from their public relations and travel accounts, which means that money is not available to other student-centered programs and services such as providing travel expenses for students receiving honors at state and national levels, [and] sponsoring events like the art portfolio workshop and careers in health workshops,” Thompson said.

Funds generated from the Student Representation Fee may be used only for specified purposes.

One example of this is how during “Fax Day,” a letter-writing campaign protesting budget cuts, students were unable to use district fax machines to send faxes to their representatives and had to supply their own.

In its May 5 issue the Clarion wrongfully reported that the student rep fee is a proposed hike of the ASCC sticker price that students pay at the start of each semester.

Let me be clear, student government officers are not requesting funds to fatten up the ASCC budget.

The funds raised by the Student Representation Fee would be completely separate from the $14 ASCC sticker price. Student rep funds would be used solely for student advocacy purposes at state, local and federal levels.

It should also be clarified that this fee is voluntary and any student may refuse to pay it on political, religious, financial or moral grounds by opting out, in writing, before they register.

During this difficult time of budget deficits, program cuts and

RACHEL FULLER, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

overall financial woe, it is more pressing than ever that college students and their representatives play an effective role in the legislative affairs affecting their education.

This fee is a step in the right direction, but money will not solve everything.

Students must actively and effectievly involve themselves in the decision-making processes.

I would like to applaud student government officers in their persistence in presenting the student representation fee for a third consecutive election.

Elections will be held May 25 and 26 in the campus center mall from 9:45 am to 8:30 pm.

The proposed Student Representation Fee will require a minimum of 159 votes, 106 in favor, in order for the ballot measure, to pass.

Cheyenne Scharff can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

The Student Representation Fee would fund: •Workshops directed at educating student government officers on how to lobby effectively, communicate with legislators and effectively represent the student body.

•Fees to student organizations that legislate on behalf of students.

•Letter-writing campaigns where district money cannot be used to support lobbying efforts.

•Subscription to news sources that address political issues relevant to students.

•Travel and lodging expenses incurred while addressing legislative issues at various government levels.

May 19, 2010

editorials

Page 19

Go out and vote clarion Citrus College

People seem to always complain about problems, but never actually have the courage to go out and do anything about them. In reality, some problems are easy to solve by voting.

Everywhere you go, you might see voting ballots for different kinds of situations. Yes, in some cases, some elections might be more important than others, but it all makes a difference.

I know you may be wondering, “What can my vote actually do?” In reality, every single voter makes a difference.

In most cases, young generations seem to be the ones slacking off, and not putting in such a huge effort toward any election. But it’s never too late. Let’s start now.

If we never spare a few minutes of our time, then we might never get the chance to express our opinions later on.

We might be the ones feeling regret in the long run.

We don’t have to start off by voting for our next president; let’s start off here at Citrus College.

Since the Associated Students of Citrus College (ASCC) runs an important part of our school, we should pay close attention to every choice they make. However, there are many Citrus College students who really just don’t care.

Let’s start changing this by being more involved in our school. We need to know what’s going on in our surroundings. Let’s do our research.

Most students walk around campus not knowing who’s running ASCC, what’s going on in ASCC, or who’s running against who.

Maybe this is because we are not aware, or we aren’t notified.

Students would probably take nomina-

tions more seriously if they were to actually see what is happening in their school.

It would be nice to be able to walk around campus and see posters of nominees and their sides of the issue. Even if it is a week before elections, it would still make a difference.

We all have the right to know what programs are going on around our school, and maybe students would take them a bit more seriously if they could see a poster board they could walk to at any time throughout the day and be able to read through it.

Also, all information should be online on the Citrus website so that students, future students, alumni and anyone interested in Citrus could read through it as well.

Even though there is going to be an ASCC candidates forum on Thursday, May 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Handy Campus Center, there are many students who are in class, working, or practicing during those hours and won’t be able to attend.

We all deserve the right to know who the candidates are and it is ASCC’s job to make sure they make it easier for students to see at all times.

One way this can be accomplished is if candidates’ mug shots and platforms were posted online, along with their backgrounds.

Students at Citrus should be able to know the candidates’ backgrounds and what it is they can offer and contribute to our school.

After all, this is our school, so we only want what is best. Let’s make our votes count.

ASCC elections are May 25-26, from 9:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. outside of the Handy Campus Center, and then continue from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. inside the Handy Campus Center.

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 Emily Rios STAFF WRITERS AUBREY MIRANDA, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

All you need is your student I.D. Card to be able to vote.

ASCC can’t define any goals yet on what it plans on doing differently until the election committee is put together, but we all hope major changes are made for next semester.

But for now, at least we can do our part.

Go out and vote. Express your opinions and let your voice be heard.

Dustin Call, Aaron Gaikar, Brandon Lozano, Robert Lucero, Aubrey Miranda, Steve Regan, Laura Smith, Lourdes Velazquez, Amanda Villegas, CORRESPONDENTS Anazarry Danganan, Cheyenne Scharff SPECIAL TO THE CLARION Mila Salahuddin PAGE DESIGNERS Nicole Ballew, Jessica Bravo, Brittanie Conaway, Brittany Gonzalez, Christine Gray,

Protect journalists, protect the people As Thomas Jefferson once said, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate to prefer the latter.”

Government involvement in the reporting of news should be limited, and that’s why enacting a federal shield law for journalists is so critical.

A federal shield law would not only protect journalists, but their sources who may need to remain anonymous for their safety and the safety of their families.

On the state level, journalists are already protected in 49 states, including the District of Columbia.

Wyoming is the only state that lacks legislative protection for reporters.

State shield laws give journalists and their sources protections similar to those in “doctor/patient” or “lawyer/client” relationships.

The problem is that state shield laws apply only to local and state cases, not on the federal level, where abuses of power may be far greater.

With no federal protection, the government may sometimes interfere with journalists and their work on federal cases.

According to Professor Ronnell Anderson Jones of the University of Arizona, in 2009, more than 30 journalists were subpoenaed, and of those 30, four were imprisoned for 19 months or more by U.S. attorneys and special prosecutors.

In 2006, 761 news organizations reported receiving over 3,000 subpoenas.

But steps towards enacting a federal shield law are underway.

On March 31, 2009, the House of Representatives passed HR Bill 985, “Free Flow of Information Act of 2009.”

The Senate is considering a version of that proposal, S 448 also titled the “Free Flow of Information Act of 2009.”

This bill “prohibits a federal entity from compelling a covered person to testify or produce any document relating to protected

AUBREY MIRANDA, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

information unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence.”

In past legislative debates, the question of who is defined as a journalist was not clearly addressed.

In this case, a “covered person” is anyone that “regularly gathers, prepares, collects, photographs, records, writes, edits, reports or publishes news and information that concerns local, national and international events or matters of public interest.”

The bill does list some exceptions where journalists would be required to turn over their information and sources to the Court.

These exceptions apply when the information relates to alleged criminal or tortuous activity, can prevent death, kidnapping, or

substantial bodily injury can prevent terrorist activity or any harm to our national security.

Those opposed to a federal shield law argue that it would give journalists too much freedom.

However, the First Amendment of The Constitution guarantees Freedom of the Press.

The possibility that the government can compel journalists to reveal their sources and act as “arms of law enforcement” undermines free press and free speech.

Some of the top media organizations use anonymous sources regularly.

Without them, major news stories that affect the American public would likely go unreported.

The use of anonymous sources has helped journalists uncover the Watergate Scandal and the Pentagon Papers.

Jailing of journalists has an effect not only on the media and its news organizations, but also on the public.

Journalists have a much harder time relying on confidential sources, and the sources have a harder time talking to the reporter, in fear of being questioned by the government.

When the news media cannot report freely on matters of interest to the public, we have uniformed citizens, which makes it that much easier for the government to control what can be said and what cannot.

We need to keep the Freedom of the Press alive and support the protection of journalists to limit government involvement in the media.

Enacting a federal shield law will help keep the public informed about important issues affecting our nation, and that’s ultimately what journalism is all about.

Caitlin Molinari, Jonathan Petitt, Dayana Torres PHOTOGRAPHERS/ ARTISTS Anazarry Danganan, Rachel Fuller, Aaron Gaikar, Aubrey Miranda, Steve Regan, Andrew Vasquez COVER ART Aubrey Miranda 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

Page 20

noises off

May 19, 2010

Final performance unforgettable Caitlin Griffin & Amanda Villegas STAFF WRITERS The Little Theatre was rolling with laughter over the weekend with their production of “Noises Off.” “Noises Off ” was a farcical play within a play, hanging on the fringes of no return despite the cast’s best efforts to bring it back from utter ruin.

Though the play within the play called “Nothing On” was a disaster, “Noises Off ” was a complete success.

Despite the play being in the Little Theatre, the set was no small display.

To meet the demands of the play, the crew built a large revolving set, which displayed on one side the set of “Nothing On,” and on the other side the backstage.

Even with the large set, the actors used the stage wisely and incorporated every aspect of its design.

They ran, jumped, and even fell down the stairs, which garnered many gasps but was quickly followed by many laughs from the audience.

Chris Aranda played Garry Lejeune, who resembled a ‘debonair’ inspector Clouseasu from the Pink Panther.

Aranda did an excellent job going from character to character, and earned every laugh he got, from his

risky physical comedy.

His falls looked so real, that he probably woke up with a few bruises.

Even when he wasn’t moving, the intensity of his character remained in his face, with his priceless facial expressions, which were even funnier with his pompous English looking mustache and bright zoot suit.

Valerie Bentson, who played the wacky housemaid Mrs. Clackett portrayed by her “Noises Off ” character Dotty Otley, owned the stage with her parody of a frazzled and overly dramatic characters. Her mannerism and facial expressions are what made her characters so hilarious.

Especially when tied together Aranda’s shoes and turning in triumph to the audience and Aranda fell down the stairs.

She kicked off the play by trying to figure out for the thousandth time whether or not to take the sardines off the table, or leave the sardines.

Finally getting it, after the director for “Nothing On” played by Kahlil Nelson yells at her to “take the sardines, and leave the phone receiver!”

Brooke Ashton, played by Tayler Larson was a favorite of the male audience, due to the fact that she was in her leopard print underwear and bra for the majority of the play.

Most could not do what she did, and her confidence showed through

making her performance not only visually captivating, but also was a great showcase of her assets as an actress.

Audiences said “yes my sweet,” to Tess Jones, who played the overly sweet Belinda Blair, a gossiper who always addressed everyone with their name, followed by “my sweet.”

Even when “Nothing On” was in complete chaos she still tried to be overly joyous, and helped pull the cast together to end the play, with a little more edge in her tone, but still the comically chipper Belinda Blair.

The highly sensitive and spastic Poppy Norton-Taylor played by Chelsea Brynd gave a believable performance of a stage manager dealing with absurdly demanding director and an overshadowing cast.

Meanwhile, she is caught in a comical love triangle between the director and the salacious Brooke.

The time and effort put into the acting, set, direction, lights, and humor was apparent from the amazing performance and work of the cast and crew.

Hats off to director Laurie Woolery for a great production to the end of an unforgettable year of Little Theatre performances.

Caitlin Griffin and Amanda Villegas can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Valerie Bentson works tirelessly to portray a character within a character as she plays Dotty Otley, an actress who plays the wacky housemade Mrs. Clackert in the fictional play ‘Nothing On.’

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

The cast of ‘Noises Off’ take the roles of a group of actors who encounter hilarious mishaps as they try to put together a performance called ‘Nothing On’ less than an hour before the show is set to open.