Clarion 10/23/13

2.8 THE BIG NUMBER

million breast cancer survivors in the united states AS OF 9/11/13

page 7

page 13

ACTIVIST DOLORES HUERTA COMES TO VISIT.

“GREASE IS THE WORD!” SING-a-LONG-a SERIES ROCKS HPAC.

SOURCE: WWW.CANCER.ORG

CITRUS COLLEGE

CLARION A First Amendment Newspaper

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

vol lxXI issue 5

Gov’t back in, veterans still out

By Jessica Soto

Managing Editor • jsoto@ccclarion.com

I

Meet the Candidates: Evan Solano Clarion

Five vie for Area 1 seat

By Christian Rodriguez

F

Art Editor • crodriguez@ccclarion.com

ive candidates are on the election ballot to represent Area 1 on the Citrus Community College District’s Board of Trustees.

Barbara Dickerson, Cristina Madrid, Shawn Millner, Lorenzo Rios and incumbent Gary Woods are running for the Area 1 seat, which represents Azusa and portions of Duarte.

Candidate Barbara Dickerson, Ph.D. is a longtime educator,

former vice president of the Azusa Unified School District Board of Education, and executive director of Neighborhood Homework House.

Former Azusa Mayor Christina Madrid, J.D. stated at the candidate forum that it is because her experience as mayor that she knows what it takes to change organizations and strengthen community bonds.

Shawn Millner is a 17-year resident of Azusa and chair of the city’s planning commission.

Millner said her primary objective is to make sure the col-

lege remains focused on student achievement and that the board’s actions are transparent and accountable.

A resident of Azusa since 1996 Lorenzo Rios is a retired utility worker from the Rancho Santiago Community College District in Santa Ana. Rios has more than 25 years of experience at community colleges in numerous positions and said he understands how employees should be represented.

Woods, who has served as Area 1 Trustee since 1982, was accused in March of living outside the boundaries of Area 1.

The issue of his residency has been forwarded to the state attorney general for an official determination, which is still proceeding.

The election for the Area 1 trustee seat is being held on Nov. 5, candidate information, ballot measures and election dates are available at LAVote. net.

For more information about the Area 1 candidates, please see our feature stories on pages 8-9 of this issue.

n response to the struggle that student veterans are facing due to the recent federal government shutdown, Mariana Vega, the Citrus College student trustee, along with the Associated Students of Citrus College and the Young Americans for Liberty club have begun a Veteran’s Relief Drive that will continue through Nov. 5.

The purpose of the drive is to provide essentials for student veterans. “The ideal donation[s] would be either gas cards or food cards for grocery stores,” Vega said.

Some student veterans who are attending Citrus College and utilizing their GI Bill benefits are receiving their checks late, if at all.

The delay has left some student veterans with little-to-no money to live on.

The GI Bill only pays student veterans when classes are in session, which means that student veterans who took summer classes received those benefits but since the start of the fall semester the majority of them have not received any money.

An estimated 800,000 civilian government workers were declared “non-essential” and were furloughed on Oct. 1 at the start of the government shutdown.

The furloughs meant fewer workers, with the same amount of work, causing the checks to be delayed.

After 16 days, the government reopened on Oct. 17 allowing federal workers to return to work.

Effects of the government shutdown were widespread. National parks and monuments were closed. The U.S. Department - See Veteran, pg. 3

2

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

QUOTE of the

ISSUE

“Do you know the difference between education and experience?

Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don’t.”

- Pete Seeger

Announcements Haunted Maze: Phobia

Come celebrate Halloween early with a haunted maze presented by the Gamers Guild, Anime Connection and the Film Club. Oct. 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Campus Center East Wing.

Cost to enter is $1.

News briefs State California residents made aware of yellow fever mosquito

A mosquito that can carry dengue and yellow fever has been found in California. Intense eradication efforts have begun and officials are warning from officials about how to keep the pest from spreading. The mosquito was found in Clovis and Fowler then in the Bay Area’s San Mateo County and most recently in Fresno. Officials are warning that these mosquitoes can lay eggs in less than a teaspoon of

standing water. The Greater Los Angeles Vector County Vector Control District has begun monitoring traps for mosquitoes. So far, none of the trapped mosquitoes have carried the disease. As of now it is not clear where the bugs are coming from. The hope is that the winter temperatures will freeze the eggs and eradicate the bugs.

Source: Los Angeles Times

Two giant oarfish found dead, washed up on shore

Learn to identify and cope with anxiety in a safe and supportive environment, hosted by Stephen J. Avalos, M.F.T. Held on Oct. 23 and Nov. 6. Located in the Health Center Education Room inside of the Student Services Building at 2:303:30 p.m. For more information call (626) 914-8671.

Career Planning/Choosing a Major Workshop

UCLA Transfer Day

Citrus College is collaborating with UCLA to provide this event for prospective transfer students. Various workshop sessions, including an admissions presentation, personal statement presentation, student panel for a Q and A session, and a major vs. career workshop.

Fri. Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the Campus Center East Wing.

McClatchy Tribune

Two rare oarfish washed up on Southern California beaches last week and have puzzled scientists, who know little about the creatures that have inspired seaserpent lore.

What is known about these creatures has come from the few carcasses that have washed ashore. Research biologist at the marine Science Institute at UC Santa Barbara, Milton Love, believes that the two deaths are linked.

The most likely cause of their deaths

was a current that carried the weakswimming creatures from still waters into a near-shore more turbulent area, which these creature are not adapted to surviving in. The tissue of the oarfish will be divided and sent to research specialists around the world.

Researchers will then look for clues about the creatures and their habitat.

Source: Los Angeles Times

National

Turning Problems into Opportunities Workshop

Photo of the Issue McClatchy Tribune

Young gunman injures two fellow students and kills teacher

A two car collision occurred at the corner of Barranca Avenue and Foothill Boulevard on Oct 22. There were no injuries reported and according to Lt. Williams of the Glendora Police Department there is no suspicion of alcohol or drug use as the cause of the accident.

Baldwin Park teenager shot in drive-by A 17-year-old Baldwin Park teen was injured in a drive-by shooting on Oct. 19, around 7 p.m. Baldwin Park police department recieved calls of shots fired on Fraizer and Fairgrove streets at approximately 7 p.m. Lt. Doug Parnell said the boy was walking down the street with a 15-year-old girl when a white vehicle pulled up. Lt. Parnell said the passenger opened fired on the 17-year-old boy, hitting him in the arm and leg. The teen went home and was taken to the hospital by a relative. The boy was treated and released late the same night according to Lt. Parnell. The shooter was reported to be Latino with dark hair and a beard.

Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Pasadena police Oct. 20, sought an Eagle Rock man accused of shooting at a car that had his 2-year-old son and the child’s mother in it near Robinson Park. The child’s mother, a 22-yearold Altadena resident, and the toddler were not injured. However their car was struck by one of the bullets, Pasadena police Lt. Jason Clawsom said. The mother and father were involved in an arguement around 2 p.m. at the park and the mother drove away with the boy. Police say the father followed the woman in his vehicle and opened fire on the mothers car on Hammond Street near Raymond Avenue before fleeing.

Officers responded to the reports of shots fired but found no signs of a shooting. The police learned of the incident after the mother arrived home and reported it. The identity of the suspect has yet to be released due to continuing investigation.

Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Global

Second case of child found living with Roma

Develop and empower your creative side with this workshop.

Discuss how some of the most creative people have trained their minds to see opportunity when others see problems.

Oct. 30 from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. in the Lifelong Learning Center.

Jessica Soto Clarion

Local

Eagle Rock man shoots at 2-year-old son and child’s mother in Pasadena

Anxiety Support Group

Gain the tools to help you choose a major and understand how different majors link to various career paths. No RSVP needed.The workshop will be held in the Career and Transfer Center SS 281 on the following dates and times: Wed. Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Thu. Oct. 31 at 3 p.m.

Thu. Nov. 7 at 4 p.m.

Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com

A typical morning at a middle school in Sparks, Nev. erupted into chaos the morning of Oct. 21, when a student drew a semiautomatic handgun and began firing, injuring two students and killing a teacher before turning the gun on himself.

The unidentified student was wearing the required uniform for Sparks Middle School, witnesses said. He shot two 12-year-old boys who are reported to now be in stable condition. Sparks Police Department Deputy Cheif Tom Miller confirmed that the shooter did commit suicide.

The man killed was eighth-grade

math teacher Michael Landsberry, 45, who was trying to intervene before the shooter turned the gun on him and fired. Sparks Mayor Geno Martini said late Monday that there was still no indication of the shooter’s motive. The entire shooting lasted only a few minutes, first calls went into the police at 7:16 a.m. and officers were on the scene in less than three minutes according to Mike Mieras, cheif of police with the Washoe County School District.

Source: Los Angeles Times

A blond-haired, blue-eyed girl was taken into custody after she was found with a Roma family that she did not resemble. This is the second case of its kind in a week. Authorities turned the girl over to the care of Ireland’s health authority. A police spokesman did not offer any other details regarding the case. This case follows a similar one that occurred in Greece. The photos in that case show a tow-headed girl called Maria. In the case of the Greek Roma family, the adults have offered contradictory explanations for how the girl came into their home.

DNA tests in Maria’s case have proven that the girl and the adults she was found with are not biologically related. Roma leaders have shown concern that Roma --more often known as Gypsies and are already discriminated against and shunned-- would suffer more because of these cases. Irish news organizations report that the police in Dublin may seek DNA tests on the girl found and the family with whom she was found. Appeals for information on where the girl may have come from have generated a flood of claims from all over the world. The case has raised fears of organized trafficking of children, but there is no actual evidence.

Source: Los Angeles Times

Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com

news

VETERANS PLACED ON HOLD

- Veteran, from pg. 1

Jessica Soto Clarion From left to right: Tim Petaroa, vice president of Young Americans for Liberty, Sarah Grace, member of Righteous Right, congressional candidate Arturo Alas and Vinny Riddle, president of Young Americans for Liberty make phone calls to reach out to local businesses for donations to help the student veterans.

of Veterans Affairs could have potentially run out of money by the end of the month.

The 1.4 million active duty military personnel maintained their normal duty status and continued to be paid.

However, benefits that come from the VA to veterans and their families were adversely affected.

Death benefits awarded to families of soldiers who have been killed were halted during the shutdown.

“I am offended, outraged, and embarrassed that the government shutdown had prevented the Department of Defense from

fulfilling this most sacred responsibility in a timely manner,” said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in a statement expressing his frustration with Congress.

Reopening the federal government is a relief, but for student veterans the delay of their paychecks has not made things easy.

Julian Espejo, 23, was in the Army for four and a half years and was just recently honorably discharged in May 2013. He supports his wife and brother and has gone without a paycheck for two months.

“It was scary,” Espejo said.

For those two months Espejo and his brother spent days at a

time calling veterans resources looking for any type of help.

They went out and collected cans to recycle just to try make ends meet.

He missed two weeks of classes because he had no money for gas to get to school. “I was thinking I’m not gonna be able to get to class and continue to get my benefits before I even get them,” Espejo said. “Because before I get them I’m gonna get kicked out from not being [in class].”

Each day the government takes to reorganize, chances of veterans being forced to drop out of school and find jobs increase.

This shutdown caused student veterans to question whether they would be able to continue to go to school while also trying to put food on the table.

“You can’t blame them, you don’t wanna fault them,” Monica Christianson program director in the Veterans Center said.

“I can understand why [they] haven’t been to school, I can understand why [they] haven’t been to classes. So you feel very helpless and very frustrated at the system.”

Of the approximately 400 student veterans enrolled at Citrus College, an estimated 330 of them use government benefits.

Some have received their

3 Flu shots available in Health Center

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

checks but others are still on stand-by.

“What people don’t understand is yeah, [they’re] gonna get paid, but when?” Christianson said.

Now that funding has been restored the VA has reported that they will issue benefit payments to approximately 5 million veterans and veteran families on Nov. 1 as scheduled.

“These veterans are trying to return to civilian life and get an education,” Vega said. “They are almost getting an unwelcome feeling from what is going on in Washington . . . it’s just completely unfair.”

The outreach to help the student veterans goes far beyond the students, staff and faculty of Citrus College.

Arturo Alas, a republican 32nd congressional district candidate for the 2014 election, paid a visit to Citrus College and helped members of the Young Americans for Liberty club make phone calls to local businesses for donations.

“Our veterans didn’t hesitate to answer the call when we needed them so now the very least we can do is help them,” Alas said.

“These people are the ones that put their lives on the line . . . and for Congress to play with the benefits these veterans have earned is a shame.”

By Caitlin Mercer

Staff Writer • cmercer@ccclarion.com

W

ith the first cold days of fall we are reminded that flu season is upon us.

The Student Health Center is offering flu shots for $10 to students, according to Shauna Bigby, health center director.

The Mayo Clinic advises that pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infection and ear infection are the most common severe complications of the flu.

Both the Centers for Disease Control and the California Department of Public Health urge individuals to get a flu shot annually.

“Flu vaccine is the best protection we have from flu and its complications,” said the CDC. Getting a flu shot is a choice for students, but there are pros and cons to be considered. The Student Health Center can help students weigh options.

Students interested in learning more about flu vaccinations may contact the CDC at 800-CDCINFO or www.cdc.gov/flu.

FEATURES

Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Free tutoring resources available

By Careesa Campbell

Staff Writer • ccampbell@ccclarion.com

S

tudents are encouraged to participate in the many learning resource programs offered by Citrus College. These academic support programs are free, easily accessible, and have been proven to be beneficial.

Services such as Supplemental Instruction in MA 126, the Writing Café in ED 231, Math Lab in MA 129 and the tutoring center in ED 215 are offered to all students.

In the Writing Café, students can get help with writing essays or research papers in any subject, bring in resumes or personal statements to refine and may also write lab reports and marketing plans.

Julia Espinosa received an A on her first assignment in Children’s Literature, after bringing her rough drafts to the Writing Café. “I love that it is available, “ Espinosa said,

“I learn new things all the time.”

Statistics prove that students who attend the Writing Café improve at a significantly higher rate than those who do not.

In fall 2012, English 103 results show the success rate of students who attended at 91 percent and those who did≠ not, at 78 percent.

“A lot more students have been attending and we are booked constantly,” said Patricia Monaster, a Writing Café facilitator. “We can focus on any writing assignment for any class, from something as simple as grammar concepts to a lit review for a psychology class.”

Supplemental Instruction is an academic support program designed for traditionally more difficult classes, like science and math.

According to Dr. Lan Hao, the Director of Institutional Research, in fall 2012, students who participated five or more times in the math 150 SI sessions had a 78 percent success rate. The non-participant success rate was 52 percent.

Biology 200 had the most significant difference. The success rate for students who attended these SI sessions fewer than four times was 36 percent. The students who did attend had an 82 percent pass rate.

There is also a Math Lab in MA 130. Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. students can study in groups and have questions answered by qualified peer tutors.

In the learning center, there are 52 tutors are able to cover any of the 15 subjects offered, such as philosophy, Chinese, psychology, and accounting.

Walk-ins are welcome in ED 215, but appointments can be made to ensure a spot. The sessions are one hour long. “[Students] are able to be more of themselves because they are not going to be judged or looked down upon because they might feel that the professor is too smart, or they are too dumb,” said Yoshio Bush, 25, a student tutor.

Early Alert, wake-up call for under-performing students

By Jordon Lowndes

T

Staff Writer • jlowndes@ccclarion.com

he Early Alert counseling program is underway to help students step up their academic game before getting too far into the semester.

Early Alert is a twofold system headed by Robin McBurney, a counselor at Citrus College.

The first part of Early Alert is a program that gives professors a report if a student is suffering from poor grades. The program gives professors a list of possible reasons for the students’ academic difficulties, such as poor attendance or late homework.

In turn, teachers are able to send their students a warning message via the student’s Citrus College email. Suggestions may include attending a workshop or setting up appointments with the student’s counselor or professor.

“The idea is that you send [the alert] in the first few weeks of the semester to make sure you get to a student who might be straying off track,” McBurney said.

The second part of Early Alert is a series of workshops aimed to help students end inadequate performance. Despite the association with the Early Alert notification program, the workshops are available to all students.

Nicolas Cruz, 27, attended the Student Skills workshop on Oct. 21 and now plans to attend the rest. “I think at some point I’m gonna hit them all,” Cruz said. “I

“I feel like, because it’s offered, I might as well use it.”

-Nicolas Cruz

27, nursing major don’t necessarily feel like I need them but I feel like, because it’s offered, I might as well use it.”

The workshops are planned with the help of Suzanne Martinez, Coordinator for College Success.

“We have nine workshops altogether,” Martinez said. “We do evaluations after the workshops and the students always love them.”

Evan Solano Clarion

Workshop topics include goal setting, memory techniques, note taking, study skills, learning styles, stress management, math anxiety, test taking and time management.

According to McBurney, professors have sent more than 800 emails to students so far this semester. During the spring 2013 semester, 548 students have attended the Early Alert workshops.

Early Alert workshops happen three to four times a week in the Student Services building and can be attended without an appointment.

The Citrus College Completion Corps mentoring program is a way for new and returning students to take initiative and learn from one another about the free programs and many other opportunities available.

C4 peer mentoring was designed as a way to inform students and en-

5

McClatchy Tribune

courage them to take advantage of the free programs and many opportunities available at Citrus.

This semester, students meet for C4 mentoring in ED 223 every day from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Learning Resource programs are free, available to all students and benefit student academic success.

Campus

Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

7

Dolores Huerta, the co-founder of the United Farm Workers labor union, honors Hispanic Heritage Month by speaking in the Handy Campus Center on Oct. 9, 2013. Holding her hand over her heart, she said “Justice is the public place of love, injustice is the public place of hate.”

Sí se puede: Iconic activist reaches out regarding equality

Ryan Salwak Clarion

By Evan Solano

Editor-in-Chief • esolano@ccclarion.com

I

n honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Citrus College hosted famed activist Dolores Huerta, who delivered a heartfelt and passionate speech to a packed audience on Oct. 9 in the Campus Center.

Huerta, 83, touched on many

controversial topics, especially immigration, as she continues to be the main spokeswoman for rights of immigrant workers.

Huerta issued a call to action for college students and especially Latinos, to continue the pursuing of higher education.

She challenged women to be more actively involved in politics.

Huerta called on students to become activists in their com-

munities and to get out and vote.

“It starts with ballots, by electing the right people. That’s how we’ll make a difference,” Huerta said.

At the conclusion of her speech, students were given the chance to ask Huerta questions.

They ranged from her experiences forming the United Farm Workers union alongside Cesar Chavez, to her advice for young Latinos in America.

When asked what advice she had for young, high school Latina women Huerta, a mother of 11, joking replied “Don’t get pregnant!” To which the audience burst into laughter.

She followed up her lighthearted warning with a more serious response. “Women have to

be reasonably strong and need to think, ‘It’s about me.’ They need to think ‘It’s my body. I will not be seduced and I will not be manipulated,’” Huerta said. “We need to change the way we raise our women, we need them to be strong.”

ASCC vice president Alejandra Morales, 21, was one of the women in the audience inspired

by Huerta. “The way that she was speaking and the way that she presented that power and that empowerment were what I needed as a leader here on campus and as a female leader. She gave me that extra push that I needed,” Alejandra said.

Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D, superintendent/president of Citrus College, said that Huerta’s presence on campus made an

impact on those who attended the presentation.

“Just being here and seeing the students and their reactions and how inspired they are. They’re inspired and motivated to basically be their own activists for their own different positions and platforms,” Perri said.

Huerta said that giving speeches to college students is very important to her as most of them would not usually hear her message elsewhere.

“I think it speaks a lot to Ms. Perri and the local school organizations that turned out to make this a success,” Huerta said.

“I really enjoyed it here very much. I’m very impressed with everything here at this college.

You guys have a really great school here.”

“Who’s got the power?”

“We got the power!”

“What power?”

Ryan Salwak Clarion Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D, superintendent/president of Citrus College and Arvid Spor were in attendance for Huerta’s passionate speech to students.

“People power!”

left: Huerta took questions from students as well as attendees in the crowd. San Dimas resident, Sandra Macis, shown left, asked Huerta about her opinion of the stranglehold lobbyists in Washington have on politicians.

Right: after Huerta’s speech, students were able to line up to meet with her.

Members of the Azusa Pacific University chapter of LUSA were in attendance and brought a sign.

Evan Solano Clarion

Evan Solano Clarion

8

MEET Wednesday, October 23, 2013

SPOTLIGHT

Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com

THE

CANDIDATES

Gary Woods

Shawn Millner

By Dillon Cooper

G

Sports Editor • dcooper@ccclarion.com

ary Woods has the background of your typical community college student but has found success and has now served on the Citrus College Board of Trustees for 32 years.

“I came from a background most community college students come through, my parents didn’t have much money, so I understand the process of trying to get through college and get a career,” said Woods.

While attending college, Woods also worked two jobs, something a lot of students can relate to.

Woods has been working as an educator for more than 40 years while also being an attorney for more than 30 years.

Results have definitely been produced as Citrus College has been rated in the top 100 of the 1100 community colleges in America according to the publication, Community College Week.

“When you take a look and see that we’ve been put in the top 100 colleges in America, that’s derived through leadership,” said Woods.

Woods sees his seat as not just a representative of Azusa and Duarte, but also all of the students at Citrus College.

“You’re doing it for all the students,” said Woods. “I represent Area 1 but all the students are my concern.”

Along with results, Woods also points at his experience in not only being on the board of trustees but being an attorney and educator.

In a statement to the Clarion, Woods said, “I have the skill and experience to carefully analyze a school district’s budget and to ensure that each tax dollar benefits

By Christian Rodriguez

Art Editor • crodriguez@ccclarion.com

S

Occupation: Governing board member the educational goals of the community.”

With budget cuts always looming on top of the education system. Woods said he has what it takes to get the most out of the schools budget.

“It’s a matter of making wise decisions and priorities on where to cut,” said Woods. “No matter where you cut there’s going to be some pain. You need to have priorities to make sure that a majority of the students don’t suffer.”

With academics being so key in today’s society and the future of our nation, Woods believes he has the background and know-how to keep Citrus College on the rise. “I think with my background at a community college, as an accounting instructor and as an attorney, lends more credibility to be able to make good decisions, to make sure the students and the veterans that come in here are taken care of.” said Woods.

Cristina Madrid

hawn Millner, Chair of the City of Azusa’s planning commission, is one of the five candidates running for the Citrus College District Board of Trustees Area 1 seat. Millner is a parent, a resident of Azusa for 17 years and an alumna of Citrus College (1989) and Cal Poly Pomona (1992).

As chair of Azusa’s planning commission, Millner oversaw the creation and institution of Vulcan Materials Co.’s mining plans for Azusa’s rock quarry, Azusa’s Material Recovery Facility and Transfer Station, Azusa’s Metro Gold Line Parking Structure and Azusa’s master plan community of Rosedale.

On Aug. 13, Millner addressed the Citrus board of trustees regarding its decision to extend the deadline of the ad hoc committee’s investigation into trustee Gary Woods’ residency to Sept 30.

Woods, who is running for re-election to the Area 1 Seat, has represented Azusa and parts of Duarte for 32 years.

Millner stated that the proposed extension would impact the upcoming election in that the voters might elect a candidate who could be declared ineligible.

She has asked the board and Woods to “end his saga” and called upon Woods to vacate the Area 1 seat.

“Lack of communication and activity within the community by [Woods] . . . has diminished Azusa’s role on the board and its true representation, and that’s something myself serving as a trustee would improve upon greatly,” Millner said.

Millner has stated that if she were to be elected she would take a special interest in the board’s code of ethics and policies regarding conflicts of interest so that they are held to the highest standards.

“My goal, and I hope that one would see my candidacy as one that wants

By Jordon Lowndes

F

Staff Writer • jlowndes@ccclarion.com

ormer mayor of Azusa Cristina Madrid has her eyes on the Area 1 seat of the Citrus Community College District of the Board of Trustees.

Madrid and her family have been involved with Citrus College for decades.

“My family members have come here: my son, my niece, my nephew, my father, myself, my mother,” Madrid said. “I’ve gone to the Haugh Performing Arts Center. I’ve taken classes here . . . and I participated in the community education program.”

Madrid said that she had a close relationship with the city of Azusa and Citrus College during her eight years as mayor.

“The city of Azusa had a really high voter turnout and approval rate compared to some of the cities within the district,” Madrid said. “I attribute that to the active campaigning that I did on behalf of Measure G.” Measure G was a 2004 local bond measure responsible for funding the construction of new buildings at Citrus College.

If elected, Madrid stated that she will use her position to help improve student parking, ease the difficulties of class registration and reduce factors responsible for the high cost of education, such as expensive textbooks.

Occupation: Attorney at law Madrid believes that she stands out from the other candidates.

“I understand that the world has shrunk,” Madrid said. “I can help [students] prepare for being a part of that global community.”

Madrid cited her personal understanding of students as a reason for them to vote for her. She elaborated on her childhood, saying that her grandparents didn’t speak English and that she often questioned whether she was a Mexican or American.

“I’m just like them,” Madrid said. “I went to school.

I worked. I struggled. I got through things. I’m a good example of what you can do when you make an effort.”

Madrid has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Riverside and a juris doctor from the Glendale University College of Law. She currently works part-time as an attorney.

THE AREA 1 DISTRICT INCLUDES THE CITY OF AZUSA, AS WE

SPOTLIGHT

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S

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

9

Barbara Dickerson

F Occupation: Human resources manager to be more inclusive, more active, more compassionate about Azusa’s representation an involvement on the board,” Millner said.

Millner has stated that should she be elected her primary focus would be to monitor board’s governance and its management of its annual budget are transparent, to vote against resolutions that grant lifetime benefits to any board member, to ensure the board’s policy regarding nepotism is strictly enforced, policy regarding board members use of school resources is monitored, the board’s policy regarding elections is strictly enforced, ineligible board members will be removed from the board, and that board members will not use their position or status for personal gain.

One thing that Millner believes sets her apart from the other five candidates is that, “I truly have a passion for my community as well my alma mater as well of just making certain that the level of education within my community is raised,” Millner said “It’s very unfortunate that Azusa is only a few blocks away from Citrus and the representation of students on the campus is more prevalent from people who reside from Claremont then they are from Azusa,” Millner said.

ELL AS PARTS OF DUARTE AS OUTLINED IN BLUE.

By Sylvia Aparicio

Staff Writer • saparicio@ccclarion.com

ive candidates are vying for the Area 1 seat on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees.

One of them, Dr. Barbara Dickerson, is a member of the Azusa Unified School District Board of Education and a member of various organizations in the communities of Azusa and Duarte.

The married 61-year-old mother of two, is campaigning to represent Azusa and parts of Duarte in the Area 1 seat, on the Citrus College board.

She has been a resident of Azusa since 2002 and her term as vice president of the Azusa Unified School District Board of Education ends later this year.

She currently holds the title of executive director at Our Neighborhood Homework House. As executive director, she has been able to further the mission of the organization by expanding program services to offer help for more Azusa students and their families.

The organization serves low-income families in Azusa with students in grades K-12 attending the Azusa Unified School District. It helps students with academic advancement and provides them with a supportive environment.

Dickerson was recently accused by opposing candidate Shawn Millner of using photos of Citrus College student body president Tyler Hernandez to promote her campaign.

However, those allegations were disproved by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office and Robert Sammis, J.D., the director of Citrus College human resources.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Grand Canyon University and a Masters of Arts degree in education and reading concentration from Arizona University. She also earned her Ph.D. in education from Arizona State University.

Lorenzo Rios

Occupation: Executive director/Educator “My professional experience coupled with my detailed knowledge of one of the feeder districts provides me the opportunity to bring a more informed voice to the board table,” Dickerson said during the Candidates Forum, sponsored by the Citrus College Faculty Association on Sept. 4.

“I understand the role of a board member in setting policies and ensuring that the board engages in continual self evaluation for the growth and development of the entire board, as well as to promote continual assessment within the college community.”

Dickerson attributes her understanding of college students and their needs to her professional experience in the education field and also as a member of the Azusa’s Woman’s Club and of Soroptimist, of Azusa-Glendora.

As for areas of improvement that need to be made for Area 1 on behalf of the students of Citrus College, she told the Clarion she wants to increase the level of articulation between Citrus and the K-12 system and connect the students at Citrus to the local community.

By Sarah Cha

A

Staff Writer • scha@ccclarion.com

16-year-resident of Azusa, Lorenzo Rios has a passion for education and helping others to succeed.

Rios is a 77-year-old retired utility maintenance worker of the Rancho Santiago Community College District Santa Ana campus where he took courses in political science, business law, accounting and received a certificate in mediation.

As a community liaison for the college, he created a transportation system with two parts; one to help adult students attend adult education classes and the other to help physically challenged students to attend classes.

Rios also worked for four years as a storekeeper for the chemistry department at UC Irvine.

Rios attended Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, and soon after, enlisted in the United States Air Force, working in their communications department.

Rios’ experience also includes working for the California School Employees Association for more than 20 years as a treasurer and a president.

CSEA is the largest classified school employees union in California with approximately 265,000 members.

Rios stresses the importance of higher education in the community.

“There are some who cannot afford to go to a four-year college,” Rios said. “With Citrus, this is an opportunity for those who have low income to receive scholarships.”

Occupation: Retired utility worker With today’s rapidly changing technology, Rios feels it is crucial for schools to be able to provide for the students’ needs.

“It’s important for students to be ready to work with the equipment to move on from high school to community college and to a university,” Rios said.

Rios said he feels responsible for reaching out to parents, students and families in the community by encouraging college education.

“We have to start educating the parents about the K-12 system and invite them to come and see our college,” Rios said.

If elected to the Citrus College Board Of Trustees, Rios said he would be responsible to the community.

“If they have any issues, they can freely come and talk to me about those concerns,” Rios said. “I’m there to serve them.”

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Athletes of the Issue

SPORTS

Leading her team with a pass

By Careesa Campbell

Staff Writer • ccampbell@ccclarion.com

B

Photos Courtesy of Citrus College Sports Information Driver Candelaria Baca, #6, attended Charter Oak High School and is currently playing her second season for the Owls.

Forward Grayson Iwasaki, #15, attended South Hills High School and is the Owls leading scorer this season with 10 goals.

Grayson Iwasaki has made it obvious he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net.

His best performance came at home against Allan Hancock College on Oct. 15 where he scored a hat trick and had one assist.

Candelaria Baca led the Owls in scoring last season with 31 goals and is well on her way to leading the team yet again.

Baca already has 38 goals this season including a six-goal game against Cuesta College on Oct. 2.

Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com

ump. Set. Spike. These are volleyball terms which almost everyone is familiar with.

However, one term that is not as familiar is the libero.

The libero is a defensive specialist who makes the bumpset-spike possible.

This player is the foundation for a great play.

The Owls libero and captain Kiyhanna Dade, #13, has a record of 130 digs in 11 matches.

Dade, 19, knows what she is doing. A sophomore at Citrus College, she has been playing volleyball for 12 years and has been positioned as the libero since her freshman year in high school.

Dade has played a total of three varsity seasons.

As the main defensive specialist, Dade has to be ready for anything. Her main job is to make a fearless effort to touch every ball that comes into her back-court territory.

But volleyball isn’t just a physical game. Mental preparedness is crucial.

Head coach Shin Jung has seen an improvement in Dade since

Libero Kiyhanna Dade, #13 for the women’s volleyball team, has been playing for 12 years.

Dillon Cooper Clarion

last year’s season.

“Her serve receive has gotten a lot better and her defensive reading skills have gotten a lot better,” Jung said.

As team captain, she has to take the initiative to pull the Owls together.

“I would have to say leadership is my biggest accomplishment,” Dade said. “I think I have done a good job with furthering those skills here with my team.”

Setter Amanda Stone agrees.

“She knows how to bring the team together,” Stone said. “If someone is feeling down she can bring them up because she knows their strengths and weaknesses.”

In volleyball, communication is key and Dade makes it happen.

During a game, her voice can be heard throughout the gym.

“She brings a sophomore quality that a leader has and her vocal leadership brings the team together,” Jung said.

After Citrus, Dade plans to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she plans to major in English.

Dade is not sure whether she will continue to play volleyball, but she has made a great impact on the Owls volleyball team.

To catch Dade in action, the next home game is today at 6 p.m. against Bakersfield.

Getting to know your Fighting Owls

By Dillon Cooper

Sports Editor • dcooper@ccclarion.com

W

e asked this football player to take a break from making bonecrushing tackles on the field to come visit us in TC 123 so we can ask him some hard-hitting stuff off the field.

Maurice Dupleasis is the middle linebacker for your Fighting Owls and leads the team in tackles, but his aggressive demeanor and vision on the field won’t save him from our questions.

Let’s get it started: Dillon Cooper: What is your favorite pregame meal?

Maurice Dupleasis: Any kind of pasta.

DC: What song do you always listen to before a game?

MD: “Sail” by Awolnation.

DC: Who is your favorite athlete?

MD: Ray Lewis.

DC: What are your immediate plans after Citrus College?

MD: Go to a four-year and play ball as long as I can.

DC: If you could play any other sport, what would it be?

MD: Baseball.

DC: How would you describe coach Ponciano?

MD: Motivating, in his own way.

DC: What was your favorite childhood activity?

MD: Playing football.

Evan Solano Clarion

DC: Favorite hobby?

MD: Fishing.

DC: What is your favorite video game?

MD: “Grant Theft Auto V.” DC: Battle of the sandwiches: PB&J or cold cuts?

MD: PB&J. DC: What is your favorite TV show?

MD: “Ridiculousness.”

DC: What do you want to get out of playing football here at Citrus?

MD: I want to get a better look at college football.

DC: If you could have dinner with three people, alive or dead, who would they be?

MD: My linebacker coach at West Covina High School, my uncle, Dale Sanderlin and my grandpa, Calvin Dupleasis.

DC: If you could play any posi-

tion, what would it be?

MD: Safety.

DC: What are your career goals?

MD: Work with my dad doing lighting.

DC: If you had an opportunity to play in the NFL, would you drop everything?

MD: Yes. DC: What is the best moment of your football career?

MD: Winning the CIF championship with my high school team.

DC: Dream college?

MD: University of Colorado.

DC: Who is your all-time favorite artist?

MD: Lil Wayne.

DC: Who is your favorite actor?

MD: Adam Sandler.

DC: What musical artist is your guilty pleasure?

MD: Miley Cyrus.

SPORTS

Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

11

Owls Central Conference fate rides on pivotal visit to Riverside Defensive Keys to the Game LB #11 Bryce Smith DB #26 Isaac Colunga DB #36 Abraham Reinhart DL #92 John Taylor

Offensive Keys to the Game QB #6 Skyler Howard RB #28 Anthony Knight RB #29 Sirdarius Yarbrough WR #10 Kenny Torrence

Previous Meetings

Oct. 20, 2012 Riverside @ Citrus 21-18 OT

Offensive Keys to the Game QB #2 Larry Cutbirth RB #4 Donovan Holmes WR #18 Scott Calles WR #14 Brayton Newton

Defensive Keys to the Game LB #50 Maurice Dupleasis LB #8 Jose Nunez DL #45 Jesus Vargas DB #20 Braxton Brown

Oct. 8, 2011 Riverside @ Citrus 38-24 Oct. 9, 2010 Citrus @ Riverside 14-28 Nov. 14, 2009 Riverside @ Citrus 16-26

Defensive Stats

Points against per game 23.3 Pass yards allowed per game 258.7 Rush yards allowed per game 105

Offensive Stats

Offensive Stats

Points per game 47.9 Pass yards per game 292.1 Rush yards per game 291.7

Points per game 31 Pass yards per game 201 Rush yards per game 139.2

Central Conference Standings

Denzel Foster RB #8 585 total rushing yards 97.5 yards per game 7.9 yards per carry 4 touchdowns

By Dillon Cooper

Sports Editor • dcooper@ccclarion.com

T

he Citrus Fighting Owls (4-2, 1-1) will travel to Riverside to take on the Riverside City College Tigers (6-1, 3-0) this Saturday, Oct. 26 at 6 P.M. The Owls are coming off a win

against College of the Desert where although the Owls put up 38 points, their offense looked predictable at times and stalled on several drives in the first half.

After starting the season off strong, Larry Cutbirth has slowed down the last two games, throwing four interceptions during that span, while throwing no pics the first four games.

Owls finish strong and continue to look forward

By Jessica Soto

Managing Editor • jsoto@ccclarion.com

C

itrus’ Fighting Owls (42, 1-1) played against The College of the Desert Roadrunners (0-6, 0-2) Oct. 19 and came out on top for their first conference win.

But this victory was not without struggle.

It took 14 minutes and 41 seconds to for either team to score.

The Owls were first to get points on the board with a 65-yard pass to sophomore Brayton Newton, wide-receiver, for a touchdown.

The Owls lacked a strong passing game from freshman quarterback Larry Cutbirth in the first quarter.

There was no element of surprise against the Roadrunners defense. Owls offense continued to call the same plays making the game too predictable.

By the time the Owls got it together the Roadrunners defense had to step up their game and by the end of the game, tallied five

Emmanuel Pooler RB #21 347 total rushing yards 69.4 yards per game 7.1 yards per carry 4 touchdowns

1. Mt. SAC 6-1, 3-0 2. Riverside 6-1, 3-0 3. El Camino 4-3, 2-1 4. Citrus 4-2, 1-1 5. Long Beach 2-4, 0-2 6. Desert 0-6, 0-2 7. LA Harbor 0-7, 0-3 Luis Solis Viewpoints

sacks on Cutbirth.

The Roadrunners offense couldn’t cover much ground, with only 95 rushing yards by the end of the game compared to the Owls 183 rushing yards.

The Roadrunners were able to compensate by containing the Owls for the majority of the first half minus the few big plays they let slip by.

“It was just mental mistakes,” Nemanja Lazarevic, Roadrunners sophomore line backer said.

“We played physical as much as we could.”

The Owls defense fell off in the second half partially due to the serious injury of a key defensive player.

Sophomore Maurice Dupleasis, Owls linebacker, was injured during the game and taken off the field in an ambulance. He was later released with what was reported to be a sprained neck.

“I saw a team let down,” head coach Ron Ponciano said, “the nice thing is he’s been let go [from the hospital] so we’re really happy for him.”

Defensive Stats

Points against per game 20.5 Pass yards allowed per game 214.7 Rush yards allowed per game 94.2

Dillon Cooper Clarion

Going against an offense that is averaging 47.9 points a game, the offense will need to stay on the field to keep the high-scoring Tigers on the sideline.

The Tigers just came off a win at El Camino in which they put up 498 yards in a 48-25 thumping.

The Tigers are led by quarterback Skyler Howard who has

thrown for almost 2,000 yards this season.

Howard has taken care of the ball so far this season by throwing only three interceptions.

Running back Denzel Foster is another threat that faces the Owls defense. Foster is averaging 97.5 rushing yards a game.

When the Owls travel to Wheelok Stadium, they won’t be able

to count on the big plays given up by a Roadrunner defense that had holes like Swiss cheese, it will be a battle for 60 minutes.

If the Owls want to be considered a serious threat in the National Central Conference, they need to make a statement this Sat, Oct. 26.

Dillon Cooper Clarion

Jose Nunez, #8, looks on as cornerback Charles Flowers, #24, breaks up a pass deep in Owls’ territory.

Flowers had three tackles in the 38-21 win against College of the Desert on Oct. 19.

With Dupleasis out of the game the Owls defense struggled to maintain focus but played strong for the remainder of the game.

“We had players go down,” Daniel Clay, freshman defensive back said. “[Causing] some back ups . . .to step up and do what

they could do best.”

The Roadrunners scored three times in the second half and each time the Owls answered back to finish the game with a 38-21 victory.

“It’s a big statement leading into next week,” Raphael Barr,

Owls freshman wide receiver said. “But of course we never take opponents lightly.”

The Owls will play against the Riverside City College Tigers on Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. “[The plan is] to execute and win,” Barr said.

12

A&E

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com

Top 5 horror movies to watch

By Sylvia Aparicio

5.

Staff Writer • saparicio@ccclarion.com

3.

Halloween is all about a good scare. So get your popcorn, candy and a pillow to cover your eyes and muffle your screams. Our top five horror flicks will keep you up all night.

“Black Sunday” (1960)

All about vampires, witches, curses, and Satan-Italian gothic horror at its best. Director Mario Bava’s directorial debut focuses on a vampirewitch with a thirst for revenge. This 1960s film is perfect for fans of classic black and white horror.

Whether you watch it alone or with a group of friends, “Black Sunday” will surely bewitch you.

4.

“Carrie” (1976)

As if being a teenage girl wasn’t horrifying enough, Carrie White must deal with an overly religious mother, abuse from her classmates and newfound telekinetic powers. Based on the Stephen King novel, director Brian De Palma captures the fear of being an outcast. Before you watch the 2013 remake, be sure to check out the original first.

HONORABLE MENTIONS - “May” - “The Blair Witch Project” - “Zombi” - “American Psycho” - “The Shining” - “Dawn Of The Dead” - “Eraserhead” - “The Devil’s Rejects”

- “Hostel” - “Suicide Club” - “Ringu (The Ring)” - “Susperia” - “A Nightmare on Elm St.” - “Shaun Of The Dead” - “Psycho” - “The Thing”

“Ginger Snaps” (2000)

Sisters Brigitte and Ginger have an unbreakable bond and an obsession with the macabre.

That is, until one of them gets bitten by a werewolf.

Puberty is bad enough, but throw in growing a tail and fur, and you’re caught up in a real lycantropian nightmare.

Directed by John Fawcett, “Ginger Snaps” is a great cult film.

2.

1.

“Halloween” (1978)

Fifteen years after murdering his sister, Michael Myers escapes from a psychiatric facility and returns to carry out more terror.

While we could include the entire franchise, we won’t cheat. We’re sticking to John Carpenter’s 1978 “Halloween” for our pick.

As far as slasher-horror films go, no Halloween is complete without a little Michael Myers.

“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974)

A true Halloween staple.

Director Tobe Hooper’s cult classic follows a group of friends who meet a horrifying fate at the hands of a cannibalistic family.

We dare you to turn out the lights and watch this alone. Warning: you may have Leatherface running through your nightmares as a result.

Radio Clarion: Top 10 Halloween tracks

By Evan Solano

Editor-in-Chief • esolano@ccclarion.com

This edition of Radio Clarion is all about soundtrack essentials for your Halloween party.

Let’s be real, if you were going to resort to “Monster Mash” and “Werewolf Of London” for your party playlist, you should read on:

1. Michael Jackson “Thriller”

It would be impossible to make a Halloween playlist without this classic. Turn it up and watch the zombie dance ensue.

2. Oingo Boingo “Dead Man’s Party”

Danny Elfman and Halloween are a perfect match. This track is a great danceable hit.

3. Type O Negative “Black No. 1”

Type O Negative’s biggest single, about a girl’s love of all things goth, chock full of tongue-in-cheek lyrics about all things evil.

4. Evil Nine “They Live”

If you take Daft Punk and add haunting tones, Evil Nine’s 2008 album “They Live” would be the end result.

5. Ramones “Pet Sematary”

Written for the Stephen King movie adaptation of the same name, this single is one of the Ramones’ radio hits.

6. Cradle Of Filth “Halloween II”

Instead of putting the Misfits’ version of the song, or the Samhain cover, this version by British black-metallers Cradle Of Filth is a heavy cover of the classic song sang entirely in Latin.

7. Misfits “Scream!”

9. Chromeo “Don’t Turn The Lights On”

8. Gravediggaz “Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide”

10. Rob Zombie “Scum Of The Earth”

So The Misfits did make it onto the playlist. This later era Misfits song is an ode to ‘50s horror movies, the video directed by horror legend George Romero.

To the Wu he’s The RZA, but as the main-man for Gravediggaz he is known as The RZArector. This track has the slick production Wu Tang is known for, with a touch of horror.

Retro funk duo Chromeo are no strangers to dancy songs. The song is about a man visited by the ghost of a woman he falls in love with.

There’s no denying that Rob Zombie has made a career praising all things Halloween. This song is a great hardhitting track that is a breath of fresh air from having to hear “Dragula” for the billionth time.

Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com

A&E

‘Grease’ Sing-a-Long-a rocks HPAC

Ryan Salwak Clarion

Ryan Salwak Clarion John Vaughan, right, presents Bella Onori, 8, along with her sister, Lila, 6, with a Coca-Cola lunch box, winning first place for the costume contest.

By Evan Solano

Editor-in-Chief • esolano@ccclarion.com

A

touch of Rydell High came to town on Oct. 20 for the ‘Grease’ Sing-aLong-a at the Haugh Performing Art Center.

The auditorium was filled with T-Birds and Pink Ladies galore, who were given a quick vocal warm up as well as hand-jive lessons to keep up with Danny, Sandy and the whole gang on screen.

John Vaughan, interim Haugh Performing Arts Center director hosted the costume contest.

Audience members gathered on stage alongside a ‘50s style vintage car on display.

Two sisters, Bella Onori, 8, and Lila Onori, 6, took first prize (a vintage Coca-Cola lunchbox) for their “Before and After Sandy” costumes.

The sing-a-long-a series presents classic musicals projected on the big screen as audience members participate and sing along to the music.

For more information on upcoming performances at the HPAC as well as upcoming Singa-Long-a series shows please visit www.haughpac.com.

Nicole Taylor Clarion Second Place finalist, “Fast Sweater Girl,” celebrates as she was awarded a Barrel of Monkeys and tickets to the “Sound of Music” Sing-A-Long.

Ryan Salwak Clarion Audience members voted for the costume contest winners by applause as John Vaughn, not pictured, pointed to the contestants.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

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FORUM

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com

Do your grades a favor: get help T

he semester is half over and midterm exams are upon us. If you are attending class regularly, doing your homework and are still struggling to make good grades, it is time to take action. Sign up for tutoring.

Citrus College offers students many academic resources to help us achieve academic success.

The problem is too few students take advantage of them.

The Learning Resources include: Supplemental Instruction in MA 126, the Writing Café in ED 231, Math Lab in MA 129 and tutoring services in ED 215.

The Early Alert program also offers study skills workshops for students who receive an academic probation email.

Each semester the one hour workshops include: time-management, note-taking outlining, reading and study skills, preparing for exams, memory techniques, math anxiety and study skills, goal setting, motivation, learning styles and stress management.

A typical argument students make is they cannot afford the cost of tutoring. Fortunately for us at Citrus, all services are free.

Some students feel too ashamed to admit they need help. Fear of embarrassment keeps them from signing up. No one wants to feel

stupid.

Walking through the doors of ED 215, MA 126 and ED 231 takes courage. Some students may fear that their peers will label them as incompetent if they ask for help.

A struggling student cannot sacrifice their academic achievement based on these thoughts. In the end, your grade is a reflection of what you learned and what you did with that knowledge.

That is what counts.

Some students are afraid of oneon-one meetings and others are intimidated by group settings.

Luckily, Citrus tutors are trained to offer students both approaches on a wide variety of subjects.

Tutoring services include virtually all subjects, including the typical math, English and science, not to mention oceanography, philosophy, speech and German.

A lot of students do not realize that tutoring is a solution. Understanding and retaining the material presented in a fast-paced class can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to mean defeat.

Some students may be too shy to ask for clarification in front of an entire class. Others may not want to interrupt the professor’s lecture. In a tutoring center, that is never the case.

Time management is a problem for college students. Many will rightfully argue that they do not have extra time to spend on campus.

In these cases, online tutoring will be available at the start of the spring semester for English, math and biology.

No sign-ups or appointments need to be made. Online tutoring is a simple way to get help when you are not at school or do not want to be tutored in person.

Students can communicate with a tutor through messaging, video, audio or phone.

Tutoring has proven to be successful for students. With all the great options the college offers, it seems foolish not to attend. Give it a try.

The Clarion staff recognizes its role as a conduit for the expression of opinion. We will accept all letters addressed to the editor, but reserve the right to determine and edit the content of the publication for space and grammar.

H

ello Editor, For more than a healthy chunk of the student population of Citrus College, the Campus Center provides a welcomed relief from the trials of learning and proving that knowledge has been gained.

With couches, TV’s, foosball and tables galore, it’s the heart of the campus for more than just its central location.

It provides a space to relax, either alone or with friends, and enjoy those sparse-or in other cases, far too longperiods between classes.

Whether it’s to catch up on sports, settle foosball vendettas or just to polish up before an exam, the Center provides the place to do so.

Until just recently these services extended to the use of meeting rooms for clubs and study groups.

However, unless you’re ASCC or a club you will be denied a request for a conference room.

The decision to publish a letter shall not be based on the letter’s agreement with the editorial positions of the Clarion staff. Letters should be limited to 350 words or less. Letters that are obscene, libelous, incomprehensible, or racially/sexually/religiously offensive will not be published under any circumstance.

The reason for this: certain students managed to do approximately $900 of damage to the resources specific to the rooms.

While the blanket ban of student access is understandable, it is hardly evenhanded or reasonable as it’s actively committing the fallacy of hasty generalization, which is to say in this case, punishing the whole for the acts of the few.

An alternative to this can easily be found.

While the reasoning used to impose the blanket ban policy was faulty, it arose out of genuine concern, namely that as no one stepped forward to accept responsibility for the damages, it leaves the Campus Center, which is funded near entirely from those little stickers on the backs of hopefully most of your ID cards, liable for costs it simply can’t spare.

This is a shame as the brunt of the damages was done to

resources recently acquired for all of our use.

The answer is simple: provide a way for the student asking for the room to accept responsibility for keeping it intact.

It is rather sad this must be implemented rather than just be understood among all of us students, but such are the circumstances.

The how is simple, a basic binding form to be signed accepting the responsibility of the room’s safety by the student who wishes to reserve the room, to be signed once and filed in the Campus Center’s records in the event of an incident.

This will mean that whoever asks to use the room will be accepting legal responsibility for it should they, or someone in their group, do damage.

This will likewise mean that the campus host will need to keep a list of those who’ve already signed the form, as well as a checklist

confirming the room to be in order at check-in and checkout.

Now some may be asking what if some stranger just wanders in and refuses to leave, possibly committing damages themselves?

Fetch the host after making it clear that the ‘stranger’ needs to leave and have Campus Safety called.

Naturally none of this can replace or make amends for the damages already suffered, but this will help the Campus Center’s rooms be more secure in the future.

As sad as it is that its come to this, I believe this provides a diplomatic solution of how to safeguard future student use of resources as well as a refutation of the current irrational though well intended policy, which is impeding helpful facets of campus life rather than enabling them.

Best Regards, Austin Gaydosh

Letters to the editor can be addressed to: ccclarion@hotmail.com or esolano@ccclarion.com

T f 5

@CCCLARION

.COM/ccclarion

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Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com

OPINION

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

15

Pinkwashing America: one ribbon at a time CLARION CITRUS COLLEGE

A First Amendment Newspaper

By Jessica Soto

Managing Editor • jsoto@ccclarion.com

P

ink, pink everywhere!

Since 1985, October has been designated Breast Cancer Awareness month.

It’s that time of year again.

This is the month when organizations flood the stores with pink merchandise plastered with overlapping ribbons.

The pink ribbons used to adorn family and friends who were directly affected by the disease, but now they have become a marketing tactic.

Merchandise you may not necessarily need begins to tug at your heartstrings when you read that a percentage of that purchase is “for the cure.”

The problem with this is that the percentage that goes to funding research is miniscule.

Susan G. Komen: For the Cure is a multi-million dollar company, but in 2011 only 15 percent of their donations went to research.

The awareness campaigns by these organizations are little more than a highly effective form of advertising, used to raise money for themselves, while getting praise for their efforts to “save lives.”

One of the most profound contradictions came when Su-

san G. Komen partnered with Kentucky Fried Chicken in 2010 with a pink bucket. Seriously?

The American Institute for Cancer Research reported that 60 to 70 percent of all cancers can be prevented with lifestyle changes. Their dietary recommendations are to “choose predominantly plant-based diets . . . and minimally processed starchy staple foods.” Pink buckets of fried chicken totally fall into that category, right?

Organizations like Susan G. Komen spend millions every October to make us aware of breast cancer.

But here’s the thing: we already know.

What I would like to know is, where is the pink the rest of the year? Apparently the world is only supposed to be aware of breast cancer in October, but every other month don’t worry about it.

There are more than 200 types of cancer, but only one is singled out. Granted, more than 2.7 million people are affected by breast cancer, but that doesn’t make the others any less important.

October is also Liver Cancer Awareness month. Yet the stores are not being flooded with green ribbons to make people aware of the fight against that cancer.

Editor-in-Chief Evan Solano

Managing Editor Jessica Soto Art Director Christian Rodriguez Photo Editor Jessica Soto Photo Technician Evan Solano Sports Editor Dillon Cooper A&E Editor Evan Solano

Or how about the month of September when there are seven different cancers sharing one month, prostate cancer being one of them.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer and it affects more than 2.5 million men. However, there has been no sign of those light blue ribbons anywhere.

So what exactly makes breast cancer stand out? Because there is no way people just love pink this much --and only in October.

I wish I had the answers. Just like I wish I had the cure, just like I’m sure anyone affected by the disease wishes they could cure their loved one.

But we don’t have the cure, and unfortunately raising awareness with pink merchandise doesn’t give us a cure either.

My grandmother lived with breast cancer for 18 years before she died and it is quite appalling that the disease that took her life, and the lives of many others, is being used to turn a profit.

Mental health cuts cost families

By Anthony Ahumada

Staff Writer• aahumada@ccclarion.com

S

even years ago, my older brother was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and psychosis. I was 17 years old when my family was informed of this news. We knew months before that something was wrong. My brother would yell at something that was not there and accuse us of staring at him when we were not even in the same room.

They evaluated him for a week and gave him medication to take on a daily basis. A few years later, he became inconsistent with taking his pills and started to just lie and say that he took them. He ended up having really bad episodes to the point that we had to take him back to the institution more than once. We wanted him to stay there long enough, until he was back on a stable path with his medication, but there was a problem with keeping him there.

The issue we had with that was the institution will only keep a patient for a limited amount of time because if patients say that they do not wish to stay any longer, they have the option of leaving.

The only way an institution can hold onto a patient is if he or she has become harmful to others or themselves.

This is the key issue that many people have with mental health-

care. There are laws that are keeping certain individuals from getting the real help they need because they are given the choice of continuing their rehabilitation or voluntarily leaving. This has been a common situation for many people that have taken one of their family members or friends into an institution expecting a better outcome.

They basically wasted money by listening to a psychiatrist explain to them that their loved one has a problem, but the problem is not big enough for them to hold onto the patient.

Many people have been diagnosed with mental disorders such as depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety, compulsive and impulsive disorders. These are a

few of the disorders that are not being treated with much care.

Some doctors believe prescribing a new medication every now and then is the key to fixing a problem.

However, some of the “new” medications have side effects that counteract the illness and make things worse by creating suicidal thoughts, hallucinogen increase, elevate depression, etc.

If one were to look back at the Columbine shootings, up to the most recent shootings, you would notice that every shooter had a mental disorder.

Some may argue and say that they were isolated from everyone, but there is always a chance that they were in fact getting the help they needed, except their progress was limited to taking pills and

having a small conversation with their psychiatrist every now and then.

Another issue is that there are millions of homeless people that came from an institution. Sometimes certain patients are released because of a high increase of newcomers or funding issues. They are not thrown on the street. However, they are sometimes rejected by family members because they consider them a dangerous.

I am sure that I speak for many others when I say that they should get rid of the limitation law and invest in bigger institutions.

It is not fair to the families and friends that have to shield their lives from an issue that should be taken care of professionally without any barriers.

Staff Writers Sylvia Aparicio Jordon Lowndes Caitlin Mercer Sarah Cha Scott Lewis Anthony Ahumada Photographers Evan Solano Dillon Cooper Jessica Soto Ryan Salwak Nicole Taylor Advisers Margaret O’Neil Stacy K. Long Page Designers Delacey Foster Anne Marie Miranda Melanie Gudino Ryan Salwak Monique Harris Anthony Ahumada Scott Lewis Sarah Cha Mercedes DeGuchy 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! Send your letters in at ccclarion.com/letters All correspondence must include your student ID#, major and signature. Letters may be edited for content.