Campus News Fall 2018 Issue 12

Volume 76, Issue 12 | elaccampusnews.com | Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | Single copy free - additional copies 50 cents

E7 building changes name to honor donor

BY STEVEN ADAMO Staff Writer

CN/GUSTAVO BUENROSTRO

NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN— Newly elected Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva addresses the crowd during the swearing in ceremony at East Los Angeles College Monday at noon about challenging the establishment and bringing a new era of justice.

Villanueva sworn in as Sheriff of Los Angeles

BY JOE DARGAN Staff Writer H u n d r e d s o f s h e r i f f ’s deputies and other notable figures attended the Oath of Office Ceremony for Los Angeles County’s 33rd sheriff Alex Villanueva in the East Los Angeles College auditorium on Monday afternoon.

The event, hosted by radio personality Kirk “Big Boy” Alexander of Real 92.3 FM, was held to inaugurate the election of Villanueva, who beat former sheriff Jim McDonnell in a surprise upset in November ’s election.

It was the first time a challenger had defeated a sitting sheriff of LA County in more than a 100 years.

Special guests included L . A . C o u n t y ’s B o a r d o f Supervisors, who endorsed the incumbent, ELAC president Marvin Martinez and former state senator Kevin De Leon.

De Leon is the author of the widely controversial Senate Bill 54, The California Values Act known as the sanctuary state law.

According to the LA County Sheriff ’s Department website, Villanueva is now in charge of the largest sheriff ’s department in the world with almost 10 thousand deputies and more than 8 thousand civilian personnel.

A m o n g t h e d e p a r t m e n t ’s responsibilities are the 42 cities and 153 unincorporated areas that make up LA County, including 22,000 inmates.

“Together we’re gonna work to ensure that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department reflects the values, the courage and the diversity of Los Angeles.”

ALEX VILLANUEVA

Sheriff of Los Angeles County

“ Yo u a l l s t o o d w i t h u s .

That’s why I’m here today as a straight shooter who spoke truth to power and challenged establishment authority,” said Villanueva. “ To g e t h e r w e ’ r e g o n n a work to ensure that the Los

A n g e l e s C o u n t y S h e r i f f ’s Department reflects the values, the courage and the diversity of Los Angeles and that we serve the hardworking families who live here.”

Villanueva, who served in the United States Air Force until 1986, retired a lieutenant of the Sheriff ’s Department after 32 years of service.

During his tenure, he started the alternative deputies union, Los Angeles Sheriff ’s Professional Association, because he wasn’t happy with the way the Association for Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriffs was doing business.

He also stood up to former sheriff Lee Baca in 2005.

In a lawsuit filed against t h e d e p a r t m e n t Vi l l a n u e v a

accused Baca of denying promotions to minorities and other forms of discrimination.

During the event, Villanueva promoted chief Maria Gutierrez to assistant sheriff in charge of countywide operations, and captain Tim Murakami was promoted to a s s i s t a n t s h e r i ff i n c h a rg e of street patrols, reinforcing Vi l l a n u e v a ’s p u s h f o r diversity.

Vi l l a n u e v a , t h e o f f i c e ’s first Democrat, pledged to immediately fire more than a dozen top officials who were holdovers from the previous regime in a statement last week.

“Yes the rumors are true.

There is a new sheriff in t o w n , ” s a i d Vi l l a n u e v a i n closing.

In honor of businesswoman and philanthropist Vicky Chang’s multi-million dollar donations, the E-7 Technology Center has changed its name to The Vicky Chang Career Technical Education building.

The Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees approved the name change in June of 2017, then changed the physical letters in late September 2018.

Chang donated two million dollars to the LACCD in spring 2017 to help nursing students with the $200 National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) fee and the $300 Board of Registered Nurses (BRN) fee.

Chang made another one million dollar donation to LACCD nursing students, giving $500 to each student transferring to a university.

“One of the amazing things that has happened as a result of her gift to the nursing department is that the scores from students who are taking the NCLEX exam are going up,” said Michael Fuller, executive director at Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges.

“Across the district, it’s had a pretty amazing effect.”

In an ELAC Shared Governance Council (ESGC) meeting held June 12, 2017, David Senensieb of the Mathematics Department voiced his concern about the lack of input from the college community regarding the name change.

As a result, a volunteer task force was created to examine the process that The Facilities Planning Subcommittee (FPSC) uses to name buildings.

During the following ESGC meeting held on July 24, 2017 president of the Academic Senate Jeffrey Hernandez recommended that the FPSC add a rule that requires a forum or survey for the campus community to give their input.

The Academic Senate approved the rule in September, 2017 and recommended other colleges in the district adopt the policy and encourage the Board of Trustees to revise the Board Rule.

LACCD releases data, reveals cost of school operations

BY MIGUEL BARRAGAN Staff Writer The East Los Angeles College unrestricted general fund cyclical data from October reveals what the school spends its money on.

For ELAC, 39 percent of the money from the budget is going to certified salaries, 17 percent to non-certified salaries and 21 percent to benefits. This means 77 percent of the overall budget goes to cover staff and their benefits. 10 percent goes to operating expenses such as gas, telephone and electric utilities. The rest, one percent, goes to other smaller expenses such as printing and supplies.

The current certified salaries budget is set at $48.41 million. That’s nearly $13 million less than last year’s year end expenses for certified salaries.

The highest cost for certified salaries is for regular instructors with the current

budget being set at $23.78 million. This is approximately the same as what it was for the year end budget last year, with the total cost of that being more than $23 million.

The highest cost for operating expenses is contracting work, with the final budget being set to $9.32 million for 2018. This is an increase of nearly twice as much from last year, with the final budget for last year being set to $4.82 million. The second highest operating expense is electricity, with the budget being set at $3 million. That’s an increase of about a million from last year.

The total year end budget for last year was $124.56 million. The total year end expenses came out to $121.67 million.

The current budget for this year is set at $122.98 million. As of October, the expenses so far for this year are $34 million.

CN/JULIE SANTIAGO

LET’S DANCE—The Let’s Dance Company delivered interpretive dance performances along with other styles of dance throughout the night of November 30 at the East Los Angeles College Recital Hall.

The Let’s Dance Company performs at ELAC’s recital hall

BY JULIE SANTIAGO Staff Writer East Los Angeles College’s T h e L e t ’s D a n c e C o m p a n y delivered a hip and aesthetically pleasing dance performance Friday Nov.30.

The sixth Member Choreography Project took place at the Recital Hall.

News Briefs

Correction

In last week’s issue, these names were misspelled: Melisa Valenzuela, Christopher Elizalde and Arminda Aparicio.

The Let’s Dance Company made the performance enjoyable without the use of props or overly flashy wardrobe.

The simple stage lighting with its use of color gels simply projected onto the background synchronized with the song selection and helped give striking performances.

The Let’s Dance Company’s

dancers and choreographers covered songs of a few genres such as “Malibu” by Miley Cyrus, “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt and “Where’s My Ring?”

by Jennifer Lopez.

Eduardo Hernandez, Christian Acevez, Leslye Munoz and Let’s Dance Company gave emotional performances throughout the night.

Undocu Huskies Scholarship Deadline

Last issue

A $600 scholarship is still available for undocumented, AB540 and/or DACA students. Last day to apply is Friday until 11:59 p.m. For more information contact Judith Arguello at (323) 816-1251 or email undocuhuskies@gmail.com.

This is the last issue of Fall 2018. Campus News will return in Spring 2018. To stay up to date, visit elaccampusnews.com.

2

Opinion

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018

Student loan forgiveness deserves more attention

BY MIGUEL BARRAGAN Staff Writer Only 26 people have been approved out of nearly 34,000 borrowers who have applied to a popular student loan forgiveness plan.

These figures were released at a conference held by the Education Department last week.

CNBC reports that so far more than 20,000 applications for a popular student loan forgiveness plan are pending.

This pending status leaves borrowers in loan-forgiveness limbo with no other options but to wait until they’re most likely denied.

Earlier this year, Congress authorized this program with $350 million to make fixes to an older popular student loan forgiveness plan that failed to properly communicate to borrowers the requirements of eligibility.

The current leadership of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, however, has clearly not taken advantage of the fix Congress authorized.

The fix would allow for borrowers with formerly ineligible plans but eligible payments to receive student loan forgiveness.

A report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from five years ago says that the original forgiveness plan was supposed to be eligible to one fourth of borrowers.

The eligibility requirements were

that the borrower must work for the government, must make 120 payments of student loans on time and must have qualifying loans, specifically Federal Direct Loans, under an income-driven repayment plan.

Many people found that they made all 120 payments or close to it but didn’t have the correct loans to be eligible and so their years of working to receive student loan forgiveness were a waste.

Some borrowers did a Direct Consolidation Plan in the middle of their repayment process which brings together all of a borrower’s loans into one loan and that reset their progress on making 120 payments on time, because it changed the type of loan they had.

Small things like this disqualified many borrowers from forgiveness and it isn’t fair because most were not aware of the eligibility requirements.

The current student loan system is unfair.

Leadership at the CFPB and the Education Department are trying to get rid of protections for students and borrowers alike.

The government needs to figure out a bold way to minimize the student loan debt crisis.

One way to start should be proposing a plan to forgive as much student loans as possible.

Borrowers are not able to afford homes, cars or medical care when they’re this deep in debt.

The longer the government waits to solve the problem the more

TV reboots ruin good memories, create bad ones

BY MELODY ORTIZ Staff Writer What makes a good show?

It mainly depends on the target audience, the genre it is considered and the years it ran through.

In an era full of remakes and adaptations, it’s understandable why some networks want reboots of past successful shows.

A TV reboot is usually a retelling of an original show with a change of plot, background or genre.

In the end, it all comes down to just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Though some successful shows can thrive from a reboot, it doesn’t mean they all could.

A prime example in the “shouldn’t” category is this year’s reboot of the 1998 show “Charmed.”

The reboot a 26 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the original has 98 percent.

The new show doesn’t share much connection with the original.

Its characters don’t have the same names, personalities or powers.

It seems like more of a rip off that they called a reboot to avoid legal action.

There is no twist or interesting changes in the plot: three sisters who find out they are a special trio of witches called the Charmed Ones.

Any other connections to the 1998 show are out the window.

A reoccurring comment in audience reviews suggest that the show could have done better if it had detached itself from the original and was introduced as a

brand new show.

In a review by Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya, she said the show goes overboard with the pop culture references.

The show may have done better if it told the story of how the original characters (even with different actresses) would have handled their issues in 2018 and what could have gone differently based on current events.

The fans would have been more interested in seeing what kind of people their favorite characters would be if they were dealing with smartphones, Snapchat, and Slenderman.

Fans won’t have the same satisfaction watching brand new characters with brand new personalities deal with these things.

A show that’s doing the reboot thing right is “The Chilling adventures of Sabrina.” This Netflix original is based on a comic’s retelling of the 1996 series “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.”

In the 1996 show, viewers will find humor, romance, teenage angst, a loving family and a sassy, talking cat.

“The Chilling adventures of Sabrina” is a far more thrilling tale of Sabrina Spellman, a half-witch trying to balance her normal and magical lives.

Set in the same universe as the CW’s “Riverdale,” viewers will see death, blood, drama and (fortunately/unfortunately) a sassless cat.

The show has many of the original characters, a few new ones, exceptional effects and an interesting plot to tie it all together.

interests accumulate raising costs and the debt.

The more people are in debt, the less money they have to spend contributing to the economy.

America needs a real fix to this problem.

According to the website Make Lemonade, there are more than 44 million borrowers with a total of $1.5 trillion in student loan debt in the U.S. One of the causes of the rise in debt is the Great Recession, because many people were no longer able to afford to pay off their debt and asked for forbearance.

Forbearance means lenders allow borrowers time to get money by delaying payments.

This has had a devastating effect because the more time passed under forbearance, the more interest on payments accumulated, making costs significantly higher.

The average student in the class of 2016 has $37,172 in student loan debt.

The average student in the class of 2017 has close to $40,000 in student loan debt.

An estimated 11 percent of student loan debt is in default or over 90 days delinquent.

This means about one tenth of borrowers are actively struggling to make payments.

According to a report by Brookings.edu, an estimated 40 percent of borrowers may default on their student loans by 2023.

If this happens, it’ll only worsen

EDITOR IN CHIEF Steven Adamo MANAGING EDITOR Gustavo Buenrostro

the debt by accumulating interest on delayed payments.

Education Department secretary Betsy DeVos has said that the student debt crisis is looming over America and it’s true.

The solution, however, is not to give more power to predatory lenders like Navient, but to give economic power to the borrowers through student loan forgiveness.

DeVos said at the annual Federal Student Aid Training Conference in Atlanta, “Our higher ed system is the envy of the world, but if we, as a country, do not make important policy changes in the way we distribute, administer and manage federal student loans, the program on which so many students rely will be in serious jeopardy.”

The Education Department has

not made any significant changes to help borrowers, however.

One of the only changes made recently was launching a Federal Student Aid app.

The app allows you to apply for FAFSA and directs you to StudentAid.gov which finds repayment options for borrowers.

The app, however, adds nothing new because everything you could do on the app, you could do on an internet browser.

It doesn’t cover the biggest issue which is that people are borrowing massive amounts of money for education, accumulating debt and not being able to pay it off.

What students and borrowers need is not an app.

What they need is student loan forgiveness.

Expensive gifts not required for Christmas enjoyment

BY MELODY ORTIZ Staff Writer As years go by, more and more people are rising up against Christmas.

When someone says this holiday is their favorite, they’re met by faces of disgust and a long lecture on why this is no longer the most wonderful time of the year.

The main reason people give as to why Christmas now sucks is that it’s a stressful, money-driven holiday.

They forget, however, that it doesn’t have to be. No matter what the holiday is, it all comes down to how it is celebrated.

If someone gets stressed over the holiday, then they aren’t celebrating it right.

Gifts do not have to be a part of it.

Believe it or not, you don’t even have to spend it with your family, especially, if you don’t come from a very loving one.

For most of us who are crazy about Christmas, it’s because we celebrate it right.

We celebrate it with the people we love and who love us.

The people who understand that we won’t always have money on us to spend.

The people who just enjoy being with us.

A lot of us aren’t even religious.

Our version of the holiday includes love, magic and miracles.

It’s a season where people find themselves being more kind, sometimes without realizing it.

It’s a time for cheesy, heartfelt movies and decorating trees, gingerbread houses and stockings.

I think most of us can agree that

Black Friday is a horrible event.

It’s a bit hypocritical, however, to hate it while still taking part of the frenzy.

This event may be the first thing that comes to some minds when they think of Christmas, and it shouldn’t be.

Hopefully one day, enough people will realize that gifts aren’t as important as big stores make them out to be and get rid of it.

No, Michael Kors, I don’t need to get that bag to show my mom I love her. She’s already excited for the two weeks I’ll be visiting her.

Sorry, Target, but I’m not going to buy that $40 Hatchable.

I could literally draw Peppa Pig and my niece would go insane for it.

Oh, Apple, the watch my dad has is fine, and I know his favorite beer, so I got him covered.

Christmas is only as good as you make it.

If it’s crappy, that’s because you chose for it to be.

Even in the worst situations, like if you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, are you going to wish for one more gift from them on Christmas or one more day with them?

You can choose to mope or you can choose to honor them and keep them with you in spirit.

A s f o r t h e m u s i c , i t ’s understandable that it does get tiring if played too early.

The thing is, if it doesn’t kill me to change the station playing Cardi B or Taylor Swift, which is played all year long as opposed to a month or two, it probably won’t kill you to turn a switch for Bing Crosby.

I know what you’re thinking, “Well, I don’t have control of the

station all the time.”

Yeah. Me neither.

Your argument is invalid.

So in the spirit of Christmas, here’s some advice for those who absolutely can’t go the holiday without getting gifts.

For those who are taking an artistic classes such as photography, art or ceramics, use one or some of your class projects as gifts.

If you can knit, sew or crochet then go for the simple gloves, beanie or scarf gift.

Gifts were meant for the kids in the first place.

No one realizes it, but toddlers really just want to tear up the gift wrap.

They’re fine with most things from a dollar store. or even handme-down toys that just need a little spruce.

As an adult, gifts are appreciated but not necessary.

As long as there is some good food, loved ones and maybe a little alcohol, Christmas is set.

Everyone is good at something and shouldn’t limit themselves to how much money they have.

If a grown adult is upset at the gift they got or didn’t get, that is their problem.

It’s not anyone’s responsibility to get them something, especially if they are going to have to choose between school supplies, paying rent, paying for gas, a plane ticket or buying ten $30 gifts.

Someone like this, is not doing Christmas right.

You’d think that all those Christmas movies about finding the “true meaning of Christmas” would have sunk into everyone’s head by now.

Fireproofing equipment costs consumers money

BY ANTHONY AGUILAR Staff Writer In Malibu, California a recent fire called the Woolsey Fire spread out and burned down thousands of the homes and lands.

The cause is still under investigation, but electric companies, such as Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric Company are possibly to blame for the fire because of not having fireproof equipment.

These companies have been given a certain time frame to show how they will start fire proofing their lines.

Although they will start planning

to make these lines fireproof, they should not charge their customers more because of not choosing to fireproof those lines earlier.

“Customers should not pay for Edison’s poor choice to decide on fireproofing when it is too late.”

According to an article by CALmatters, “In September, Southern California Edison

www.ELACCampusNews.com

estimated that making its equipment more fire-resistant will cost $670 million in the next three years, and the company is seeking the Public Utilities Commission’s permission to fully recover that outlay through rate increases.” This will be charged within three years to customers who have Edison, if approved by the Public Utilities Commision.

Customers should not pay for Edison’s poor choice to decide on fireproofing when it is too late.

They should have done this before they had those lines or have it done over time when they were first set up.

In addition to Southern California Edison waiting on the chance to

charge their customers more in the next three years, the proposal to charge $670 million is not a guaranteed amount.

Nothing is perfect because there can be issues to come, such as the weather damaging all the materials they have already set up.

It’s not a guaranteed amount, it’s more of an estimated amount This should have been done upon installation.

The costs would have been smaller and possibly spread out over more years instead of shoving down three years to customers’ electric bill statements.

The mayor of Malibu was also for the change into underground lines,

which costs a lot to do.

According to the article, “Malibu Mayor Rick Mullen was critical last week of what he described as outdated power equipment and called for more underground lines.

But one 2012 study estimated that installing underground lines in urban settings can cost up to $5 million a mile.”

The mayor doesn’t consider the fact that it would cost millions.

Instead of immediately doing the newer method that would cost millions, he should have worked with these companies to find better methods, as cost efficient as possible and fireproof equipment as soon as the electric companies can.

ONLINE EDITORS Kevin Camargo Joe Dargan Noe Ortega FRONT EDITOR Andrew Ayala OPINION EDITORS Miguel Barragan Maria Marroquin NEWS EDITORS Alex Avila Kaleen Luu FEATURE EDITORS Melody Ortiz Julie Santiago ARTS EDITORS Juan Calvillo Luis Castilla SPORTS EDITOR Stephanie Guevara COPY EDITORS Gustavo Buenrostro Anastasia Landeros Diego Linares STAFF WRITERS Anthony Aguilar Miguel Dominguez Jerry Flores Giselle Palomera ADVERTISING Stefanie Arocha DISTRIBUTION Steven Adamo Gustavo Buenrostro Anastasia Landeros ADVISERS Jean Stapleton Sylvia Rico-Sanchez

Campus News encourages letters to the editor relating to campus issues.

Letters must be typed and double spaced. Submitted material becomes the property of Campus News and cannot be returned. Letters should be limited to 300 words or less. Campus News reserves the right to edit letters for grammatical errors or libelous content.

Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers must sign submissions and print their names and a phone number where they can be reached.

Letters should be addressed to the editor of Campus News. Submissions can be made at the mailroom in building E1 or the Journalism department office in the Technology Center in E7-303.

East Los Angeles College Campus News 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez E7-303 Monterey Park, CA 91754 (323) 265-8819, Ads (323) 265-8821 Fax (323) 415-4910 The East Los Angeles College Campus News is published as a learning experience, offered under the East Los Angeles College Journalism program. The editorial and advertising materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The opinions expressed are exclusively those of the writer.

Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the Los Angeles Community College District, East Los Angeles College, or any officer or employee thereof.

PRINTING BY NEWS PUBLISHERS PRESS

Feature

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018

3

Club hopes to gain, help undocumented student members

BY JUAN CALVILLO Staff Writer The new East Los Angeles College club, the Undocu-Huskies has a scholarship of $600 with a deadline of this Friday at 11:59 p.m.

The idea of a club centered on undocumented students is not something new. Club president Jose Peláez tried to start the club a few months ago, but it never took off.

With the help of the club’s vice president Emiliano Zepeda Escobar and club advisor Reyna Hernandez, from ELAC’s Dream Resource Center, the club has been reinvigorated.

With the goal of helping students being a priority the club has created a scholarship of $600 in attempt to fulfill that goal.

“Our mission statement is clearly to help undocumented students in any way possible. Currently, through the Dream Resource Center, we see that they provide many opportunities, but of course, there are some that they can’t further expand,” said Zepeda.

He said that the goal of the club is to bridge the gap between what students need and how much the campus Dream Resource Center can provide.

Judith Arguello, a club member and DACA recipient, talked about one of the ways in which the club will begin to help the undocumented and DACA student population at ELAC.

“I am most excited about the $600 scholarship that we are offering.

This scholarship is open to any student at ELAC that identifies as Undocumented, AB540 and/or DACA,” said Arguello.

She said that the stress of not being able to make ends meet could cause a distraction to some students.

By providing the scholarship, which Zepeda said was given by ELAC’s Associated Student Union, they hope to make college life easier.

Arguello said that the club was not only meant to help students with their scholastic goals, but to also help them with daily life.

Arguello said, “I know what it is (like) to not be provided with certain resources. The struggles I have faced are what motivate me to help my community, to make sure that they get the support I never had.”

Zepeda said that by becoming a permanent fixture on campus, the club hopes they can, “Make sure that our undocumented students know they have a place here.

This home that we are trying to create for them, hopefully it’s implemented in them that we won’t let them fail.”

The Undocu-Huskies currently have eight members in the club.

Despite this, the club is reaching out to students to join. Zepeda said that the current members have thought about how hard and how big of an impact joining a club that caters to undocumented students can have.

He said that he understands

that some students are shy about revealing or talking about their current status.

Zepeda said that even he was timid to share his status at first, but that the beauty comes from the passion the current members have for helping their fellow students.

“We want to be able to show all these students that, ‘hey yeah, you may be undocumented, but that doesn’t make you any different, any less.’

Through that message we hope to empower them, to show them to just speak up, be who you have to be and along the way, help your community out,” said Zepeda.

The Undocu-Huskies hope to get chartered and join the list of clubs on campus soon.

“I am working with the president of the club, Pelaez, on contacting outside organizations and building alliances with other student associations that offer assistance on career development, internships and free or low cost services,” Arguello said.

Zepeda talked about reaching out to other campuses and connecting with clubs that mirror the UndocuHuskies’ ideals. He said that one such club was Los Angeles Trade Tech’s Respect Immigrant Students Education.

Zepeda said that the main idea is still to help those students that need it. “This was mainly built just to help undocumented students out.

“We just want to truly see our undocumented population have an easier life.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ELAC UNDOCU-HUSKIES CLUB

VIVA HUSKIES—The Undocu-Huskies hope to help undocumented students get through school in any way they can.

“Most of our board members, we have been through hell and we know what it’s like to have few resources.

So we just want to make that hell

easier for them.”

Zepeda said that if any student had pressing questions that they could connect at the Dream

Resource Center or go straight to the club’s social media on Instagram, @undocuhuskies.

Club president expresses passion to help LGBTQ+ community

BY DESTINY GALINDO J-101 Staff Writer Jacob Rubio is the President of the Gender Sexuality Alliance at East Los Angeles College. Since he was part of the old cabinet he became president.

He was pushed into the role of president by the advisor of the club, Professor Mejia. Mejia heavily suggested that Rubio take upon the role as president because the club needed to be maintained.

Rubio hates hate crimes and what they do to the community.

“Any discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ community is disgusting,” he says.

He believes that there is not only discrimination in society, but there is also a systematic discrimination.

“In society there will always be people that are disadvantaged and will be up against the ones that are in power, which are the straightcisgender-white-male,” he said.

Now that Rubio is president, he wants to make it his goal to create a safe environment for the LGBTQ+ on the campus.

He wants to make sure that students know that they can be themselves and that there are others like them on campus.

Rubio is passionate about this club due to the fact that the political climate of the LGBTQ+ community is under attack. It is his way of protesting and retaining history, as

PHOTO COURTSY OF THE ELAC GENDER SEXUALITY ALLIANCE

PRESIDENT RUBIO—Gender Sexuality Alliance president, Jacob Rubio wants LGBTQ+ at ELAC to feel safe on campus.

well as upholding the differences of the world.

He chose to be a part of this club on campus to have representation.

Other clubs help with careers and lay stepping stones for transferring but Rubio wants the club to be a family, not something to add on a resume.

There have been events hosted by the Gender Sexuality Alliance on campus. These events are mainly focused on group discussions on sex positivity, safe sex, consent and a lecture given by professor David Bell on the United States LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Movement.

The club has watched videos on the Muxe movement in Mexico and companies that don’t support the LGBTQ+ community. They

have done outside events, like helping Mendez High School GSA build an altar for the fallen LGBTQ+ community and they’ve created connections with GSA clubs.

There will be more events within these last two weeks of December,which is the strawberry social (end of year banquet) and a bad LGBTQ+ movie night.

There will also be more discussions and lectures for the club and also the entire campus.

Rubio is aware that not all people are aware that the LGBTQ+ community is on campus. He wants to change that and also wants to bring awareness of the entire spectrum to the LGBTQ+ community.

ELAC’s first female football player sets the bar Antoinette “Toni” Harris hopes to be the first female NFL player

New multimedia course to build skills

BY VINCENT AUSTIN J-101 Staff Writer Football player Antoinette “Toni” Harris is the first female to play for East Los Angeles College’s football team.

Harris began playing the sport at four years old, in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. She kept at it for the past 17 years and now plays defense for the Huskies.

“I like being on defense more. Offense sells tickets, but defense wins games.

I want to be a part of winning games,” Harris said.

She looks up to Kameron Chancellor, who plays safety for the Seattle Seahawks and is the reason she wears number 31.

Harris’s goal is to continue at a fouryear university and go on to be the first female NFL player. “Which will happen,” said Harris.

As a female football player, she has dealt with both physical and mental challenges on and off the field.

Harris has had ovarian cancer, which weakened her body, causing her to lose weight. She pushed through, however, to continue to play the sport she loves.

Coach Andrew Tree believes that Harris will be fine in the football field.

BY GUSTAVO BUENROSTROS Staff Writer The Journalism Department will offer a Media Design and Copywriting class in the spring semester of 2019.

Students will be able to learn digital media skills that will be helpful in a variety of communication fields. Some of these skills include recording and editing audio and video, shooting and editing photographs and social media storytelling. These multimedia skills will look good on resumes and help in the job search. The class will be on Wednesdays from 5:50 p.m. to 10 p.m. at E7-301.

“She works her tail off,” Tree said.

Tree is in Harris’s corner and believes that she will be given the opportunity to get in the NFL due to the changes that are happening and her own mental capacity.

“All the opportunities that came her way, she definitely deserved,” Tree said.

Harris understands the challenges she’ll face and most of them are mental.

Knowing that her male competition is a lot faster and stronger, she continues to have the confidence and ability to help her become a better player and face the challenges.

Harris caught an interception this past football season, and is the first female to receive a scholarship at a non-special team position.

She has been granted not one, but three scholarships. Bethany College, Graceland University, and Adams State University made her offers.

Wherever she goes, she hopes to pursue a career as an FBI agent and minor in forensics.

Harris is reaching her goals slowly, continuing to go hard on and off the field.

With her confidence and a great challenge ahead, Harris said she continues to thank the Lord for all that he is doing and has done for her.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEEDEE JACKSON

www.ELACCampusNews.com

4

Arts

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018

Theater students perform difficult play ‘Saint Joan’

BY LUIS CASTILLA Staff Writer The East Los Angeles Department of Theater Arts is masterfully performing the difficult and lengthy play “Saint Joan” by renowned playwright George Bernard Shaw.

The three-hour play chronicles the story of how Joan of Arc helped the French fight off the English during the Hundred Years’ War in the 15th century. Joan was able to accomplish this with the help of the voices of St. Catherine, St. Margaret and the Archangel Michael, which she heard in her head through the ringing of church bells. The voices told her to raise the siege of Orleans and to crown the king of France. Because of her faith and unquestionable trust in God, Joan was excommunicated by Catholic church and then burned at the stake by the English for heresy.

From the first scene of the play, Joan, played by Samantha Megan Atilano, has an extremely optimistic demeanor, as she believes God is guiding her judgment. It is through her optimism and courage that she is able to seemingly perform miracles and convince others to put their faith in God, just as she has. “Joan is a very complex person and if you look at her straight on, she may seem like a very angry person, but if you scratch the surface, you would be able to see just how lonely she really was and how much more there is to her,” says Atilano Even though the play is more than three hours long, Atilano is able to convey the strength and faith of the real Joan of Arc in every scene

CN/STEPHANIE GUEVARA

MIRACLE ALIGNER—Joan, right, played by Samantha Megan Atilano, speaks to Dunois, the Bastard, played by Robert Anaya, about praying for a Western wind so that their boats could cross the river to get them to the battlefield, which Joan is able to bring. she is in. “Honestly, when reading the play, it did not seem very long, and in rehearsals, when you work it scene by scene, it seemed manageable, but I remember when we ran the play for the first time, it hit me just how much energy the

role required,” says Atilano.

Director David Laird Scott said this is the longest play he has directed. “This is a difficult play to perform because to be able to play Joan is a very special ability and you need very good actors.”

Atilano said that she had to do a lot of preparation for the role of Joan. “I read a lot of history of Joan.

I also received a book from David on different actresses who played Joan and what they’re experiences and thoughts were. Reading the

history was most helpful, and that is what helped me develop her into a character,” says Atilano.

“Our theater department has not produced a Shaw play as long as anyone can remember,” said Scott in his director’s note. Performing

a Shaw play was a challenge to the actors. “Shaw is something new to me and he wasn’t someone I had heard about until I auditioned. It was a new experience adapting to his writing, and learning from David how to approach Shaw’s material,” says Atilano.

Joseph Darby, who plays Peter Cauchon, said that “Saint Joan” is definitely a difficult play to perform.

“Shaw is intelligent. His writings aren’t poetry, but he is a wordsmith.

Each word is perfectly crafted.

It’s elevated speech. You have to not only understand each word, but know which ones to hit,” said Darby. He had to do a lot of research to truly understand the context of the play, he said, as it is set in the 15th century and the play references many historical events of that time.

“Saint Joan” was written by Shaw in 1923, three years after the canonization of Joan of Arc as a saint. The play references her canonization in its epilogue and asks when the world will be ready to receive saints. Scott likened Joan to other martyrs like Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi and even John Lennon. Scott said that when “Saint Joan” was written, it reflected the social issues of the 1920s, but it also reflects the modern world as well.

“Saint Joan” will be performed at 8 p.m. on Dec. 6, 7 and 8 with matinees at 2 p.m. on Dec. 7, 8 and 9 in the P2 black box theater.

Tickets are $12 at the door, $10 for general admission, and $8 with ASU membership at P2-101A. For more information, visit www.elactheater. org or call (323) 415-5333.

Earl Sweatshirt delivers personal album

BY ALEJANDRO HANDY J-101 Staff Writer The one-time teen prodigy Earl Sweatshirt comes back from his three- year break to deliver an album masterpiece with, “Some Rap Songs.”

Despite his father’s death earlier this year, Sweatshirt did not put his album on hold.

After listening to it, some might say he’s underselling the album by giving it a basic name. That’s because these aren’t “some rap songs,” they’re songs with lyrics that tell stories that cover some touchy parts of the rapper’s life.

The album begins with “Shattered Dreams,” which hits album’s main theme of isolation and being an outsider.

“Red Water” has the rapper looping the same verse over and over with an eerie instrumental in the background.

In this track, Sweatshirt wants to illustrate to the listener that his family weighed him down.

“Noway2go” touches on the rapper’s depression and thoughts of suicide. It also shows that the

rapper has learned to cope with his demons and that money is nice, but he wants someone in his life to celebrate alongside.

“December 24” is a look back on Sweatshirt’s life and reminisces about his childhood.

“Ontheway!” shows where the rapper shines in his lyricism and his rhymes.

“The Mint,” which features rapper Navy Blue, a Bronx rapper that has collaborated with Sweatshirt, shares the same flow as him.

“The Bends” is a message to his crew, that he is with them no matter what. The lyrics, “Tell my Queens, Keep Mace” have Sweatshirt tell his female friends to be prepared with pepper spray.

“Loosie” is the shortest song of the album. Sweatshirt targets a certain individual and recounts their quick, and dour separation.

In the song, Sweatshirt expresses hatred, disappointment and abandonment for the person.

In “Azucar,” Sweatshirt raps about his depression over the past year and the ways he copes with it. He uses drinking and being with friends like underground rappers

MIKE and Navy Blue.

“Eclipse” shows that he isn’t the same person from his Odd Future days, that he isn’t the “happy sunshine dude” he was back in the day.

“Veins” isn’t like his other songs. Sweatshirt sees the beauty in his imperfection and realizes that you must take the good with the bad to grow as a person.

“Playing Possum” features sample recordings of his mother speaking about him and audio of his father reading his poem “Anguish Longer Than Sorrow.”

In the song “Peanut,” Sweatshirt touches on his depression and his recently deceased father. This track is one of two tracks that he recorded after his father died.

“Riot!” is the closing track of “Some Rap Songs” and is entirely instrumental, notably sampling a song of the same name by South African jazz legend and close friend of his father, Hugh Masekela. This last track was recorded after the death of his father.

“Some Rap Songs” can be streamed on Spotify and Apple Music.

COURTESY OF NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS

SWEAT ON THE MIC—Earl Sweatshirt performing at “Mac Miller: A Celebration Of Life,” a tribute concert for Mac Miller, who died earlier this year of overdosing on drugs. www.ELACCampusNews.com

COURTESY OF DOMINO RECORDS

THE AFTER-AFTER-PARTY—The cover of “Anyways“ portays Arctic Monkeys frontman, Alex Turner, vacuuming the floors of the fictional hotel the band created in their last album, “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.“

Arctic Monkeys still lounging on moon in new single

BY LUIS CASTILLA Staff Writer Arctic Monkeys are still looking down on us from their hotel on the moon in their new single, “Anyways.”

This two-track single includes the title track from their sixth album, released earlier this year, “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino,” and the B-side, “Anyways.”

“Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino” is one of Arctic Monkeys’ most divisive records. This was a concept album about colonizing, gentrifying and opening a hotel on the moon.

It was an extreme deviation from the Arctic Monkeys’ previous albums. Long-time fans will know that the band changes their sound and style with every album.

This was a huge leap from the rock ‘n’ roll sound they had kept consistent. Instead, this album is filled with social commentary disguised as piano ballads about space.

The first track, “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino,” is a tour of the titular hotel. It’s described with

For long-time Arctic Monkeys fans, “Anyways” may feel like the final nail in the coffin for the band’s older style. metaphors about consumerism and politics.

Fans have already had a chance to listen to track, but the instrumentation covers every spacey corner of the band’s sixth album.

“Anyways” is the B-side of the single and is every bit as loungey and smooth as the album. However, it is stripped back and trades grandeur for softer, more intimate instrumentation.

A hotel on the moon positions the Arctic Monkeys in the perfect vantage point to critique society from above.

In this track, Alex Turner croons about how people make small-talk to get to the end of conversations.

He references everything from social media, to Brexit, to climate change.

The track feels like the afterafter-party of “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.” The cover of the single has Turner vacuuming the carpet of the hotel. This is a fitting image, considering the single was released after the album; usually, singles are released before albums.

The track ends with footsteps walking away from the listener, as both the music and the space party are over.

For long-time Arctic Monkeys fans, “Anyways” may feel like the final nail in the coffin for the band’s older style.

Their music is not what it used to be, but that’s not a bad thing.

The lyrics, “You can call me Alexander, it’s nice to meet you,” in “Anyways,” also allude to the maturity of Turner, the band and their music.

Rather than continuing to make the same music that earned them their fame, the Arctic Monkeys have set themselves apart from everyone else in their genre.

Health

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018

5

SASA Club warns of third-hand smoke danger

BY STEVEN ADAMO Staff Writer Educating and protecting the community and students against the dangers of marijuana was the goal of the Students Against Substance Abuse Club’s Marijuana: Secondand Third-hand Smoke talk last month.

“It was like a mini town hall. It turned out pretty well,” Gilbert Vasquez, an Addiction Studies graduate and SASA Club member, said. “We filled the room to capacity and there was great dialogue between students, clubs and the California Hispanic Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Inc. in educating what is second-hand smoke, third-hand smoke and the different strains.”

The event was hosted by the SASA club along with the Latino Family Center, a program from CHCADA, and the Environmental Prevention Services for Los Angeles County.

The ultimate goal of these events is to impact on-campus awarenesses of health risks associated with daily, frequent cannabis use. “This year, as a South East Community Alliance coalition that is lead by CHCADA and five other agencies, we partnered with SASA to work on a workplace this year at East Los Angeles College,” said Maritza Alvarez, Environmental Prevention Services coordinator for the Latino Family Center.

During a SASA meeting held Nov. 19, two members from CHCADA’s Environmental Prevention Services were on-hand to share information.

“There’s no need for you to be high all day” said Leo Escobar, Outreach Specialist for the Addiction Studies program and President of the SASA Club. Escobar is concerned about the chemical process involved with

making vape cartridges and the harm it can cause to others. Alvarez said that vape cartridges typically have “extraordinary levels of THC.” “The THC is more concentrated in the vape, as well, so you have higher levels of THC,” said Marlene Marroquin, EPS Specialist for the Latino Family Center. “Some people finish a whole cartridge a day, but since it’s more concentrated, it’s a lot worse.”

Marroquin referenced a study published by Matthew Springer, Ph.D. of California State University San Francisco that compared the effects of second-hand tobacco and cannabis smoke on rats.

“The marijuana second-hand smoke constricted their blood vessels for 90 minutes. For tobacco it was 25 minutes-- that’s the shortterm,” Marroquin said. “In the longterm, it can affect the blood flow to the rest of your body and your brain and it can eventually lead to a heartattack or stroke.”

On the topic of third-hand smoke, Marroquin said that there are three types of exposure to third hand smoke: ingestion, through skin contact and inhalation.

“It sticks on the carpet, it can even stick on the walls. It’s all of that exposure to that third-hand smoke that can cause health issues, especially to vulnerable populations such as infants and elderly, or those with a weaker immune system,” Alvarez said.

Now that cannabis is legal in the state of California, the state, the municipalities, the counties and the cities are all coming up with their own regulations. “It’s just a huge mix of stuff,” Alvarez said. “All these bureau offices are trying to figure out what kind of effective laws and regulations should be made.”

“You have the right to decide whether or not you want to purchase

and smoke marijuana. That’s up to you. But what happens to the populations that are under 21?

To those that are exposed to the second-hand smoke, what happens to them?” Alvarez said. “Children’s heart rate is a lot faster so they’re breathing in a lot more at a quicker rate, so it might impact them as well depending on the type of weed and the level of THC.” For youth especially, these effects can be serious. “They’re normalizing it as if there are no negative effects, especially toward a youth between the ages of 12 and 25, whose brain is still developing,” Alvarez said.

“For example, if you’re male and have a history of schizophrenia in your family-- if you start smoking at 12 and continue using up until young adulthood, you’re increasing the chance of acquiring schizophrenia by 30 percent.”

Under current California law, cannabis is “recommended” or “referred,” not “prescribed.” Unlike drugs obtained at pharmacies, a d o c t o r d o e s n ’t p r o v i d e a prescription with specific dosages — it’s up to the patient to do their own research. “Because there’s no strict regulations, you can’t rely on the information that’s out there,” Alvarez said.

The cannabinoids, or CBD, are the medicinal extractions from the cannabis plant and are often sold at dispensaries and the internet, though are not always free from THC. “There have been various tests that show that it’s not necessarily isolated — especially over the internet, they may claim they are selling CBD but when they test it, they see that it hasn’t been isolated.” “ I n t h e e n d , t h e r e ’s a disproportionate number of dispensaries that are illegal and are operating in working-class communities of color,” Alvarez said.

CN/STEVEN ADAMO

Bienestar offers free opioid, HIV services

BY STEVEN ADAMO Staff Writer Providing many numerous services to East Los Angeles, Bienestar is a social service organization that offers treatment, support and education on a widevariety of health-related issues.

Services include testings and screenings, one-on-one case management and treatment for mental health and substance abuse.

In an effort to lessen the numbers of opioid-related deaths, Bienestar also offers courses on and helps distribute NARCAN— an FDAapproved nasal spray used to treat an emergency opioid overdose. “The opioid epidemic is continuing to ramp up,” said Brendan O’Connel, director of Programs and Services for Bienestar. “It could save lives.”

A 2016 study from the University of Kansas and Soongsil University in South Korea found that only half of Black and Latino/a community members with mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders received treatment for either one. The study also said that the number is even lower for people receiving treatment for both.

People with both mental illness and substance abuse disorders experience more adverse outcomes, “including more frequent relapse and hospitalization, premature death, higher rate of infectious diseases, unemployment, homelessness, and incarcerations,” the study said.

Through federal and local grants, Bienestar is able to offer these services to all people in the community for free. “A lot of the services that we provide are subsidized by the federal and local government, or the agency themselves. That’s for anybody in the community and there’s no charge

LIFE SAVER—Narcan is a nasal spray form of naloxone, which is used to treat emergency narcotic overdoses. attached to that,” O’Connel said.

Though Bienestar has a syringe exchange program, they are not currently a safe-injection site like the one proposed in San Francisco earlier this year. “San Francisco had approved a place and they were going to launch, but governor Brown stopped them. So we’re waiting to see how that plays out.”

The Trump administration has also said that they will block San Francisco’s attempts to open a safeinjection site.

Bienestar also provides confidential testing for HIV, Hepatitis C and STIs as well as offer the anti-HIV medication PREP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

“It’s kind of like the birth control pill for HIV,” O’Connel said. “If you’re HIV negative, it’s a pill you take every day and you won’t contract HIV. It’s proven to be 100% effective.”

Support groups at the East LA location range from a parent

support group for families with LGBTQ members (in English and Spanish), HIV positive men, open rehab programs and general wellness groups. Support groups for transgender women are also available at most Bienestar locations.

Depending on eligibility requirements, the East Los Angeles location also has a food bank offering assistance on a monthly basis for those who are eligible. Those who do not meet the requirements can receive a one-time food package and help with connecting to other food banks.

The East Los Angeles location is one of seven locations in LA county, including South Los Angeles, El Monte, Hollywood, Pomona, Panorama City and Long Beach. For more information about Bienestar and their services, www.bienestar. org or call (866) 590-6411. The East Los Angeles location is 5326 East Beverly Blvd. www.ELACCampusNews.com

6

SPORTS

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018

Brazilians refine athletic skills at ELAC Paulo Macedo Nahashique

BY STEPHANIE GUEVARA Staff Writer

CN/DIEGO LINARES

SHOOT—Brazilian-Japanese men’s soccer midfielder

Paulo Macedo Nahashique shoots toward goal against Pasadena on Sept. 28.

Tulio Pinheiro

BY STEPHANIE GUEVARA Staff Writer Tulio Pinheiro decided to use soccer as a tool to pursue his career after learning the American soccer style for a year at Kentucky.

Men’s soccer team member Pinheiro, 21, was born in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais in Brazil.

He was given the opportunity to study and play soccer at Campbellsville University in Kentucky in 2017, just two years after graduating from high school.

Pinheiro was accepted to a university in Brazil, but opted to play in the states .Pinheiro said his parents didn’t hesitate to help him achieve his goal of coming to the U.S. Pinheiro came through BRUSA Sports, a company that helps foreign exchange student athletes in Brazil. Machado had to adapt to

a style that was alien to him.

“In Brazil, soccer is different. We move the ball faster so we run less.

We occupy spaces more and we always want the ball at our feet,” said Pinheiro.

Pinheiro decided to change gears and moved to Los Angeles after his childhood friend and former men’s soccer forward Pedro Moraes told him about East Los Angeles College.

Pinheiro said he came to Los Angeles because of its diversity and great weather.

At ELAC, Pinheiro had to overcome some struggles, which head coach Eddie Flores said helped him mature as a player and person.

“We (coaches) had to have a one-on-one with him. At one point, I recall telling him this may not be the fit for you… after that, he was a different player. He came back and Tulio was a better player. He’s

Traveling to different countries to showcase his talent in soccer has been Paulo Macedo Nahashique’s intention since he was a teenager.

Men’s soccer Brazilian-Japanese player Nahashique, 21, traveled to Europe for the first time when he was 12 to play soccer.

Nahashique was selected by the team he played in Sao Paulo Brazil, his native city, to play a tournament where professional soccer teams oversaw them.

He traveled four times to Europe throughout his teen years.

He played in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

Nahasique said he had the opportunity to share the experience with his childhood friend, and former men’s soccer midfielder, Gustavo Silva.

Silva encouraged Nahasique to

brilliant in soccer,” said Flores.

Pinheiro said it took him a while to adjust to the American style of soccer because he had stopped playing traditional soccer and only played indoor soccer.

He said he had gotten used to playing on smaller fields. He had to work on conditioning when he came to the U.S. “I just played indoor soccer when I was 15 until I came to the U.S. It took me a bit to adjust, but I had played soccer on the field for 10 years,” said Pinheiro.

Pinheiro said he learned to loved soccer through his grandfather, Daniel Machado.

He learned to play at the age of five as Machado took him to all of his practices.

Pinheiro said Machado was an important person in his life who helped him overcome struggles and gave him a motto which he lives by.

“He would tell me the same thing

his father told him. It didn’t matter what I was going through, I just had to move forward. That was the last thing he told he before he passed away,’” said Pinheiro.

Pinheiro said he was raised to love soccer and he uses it as a way to relieve stress.

Pinheiro said he doesn’t see soccer as a career path anymore, unlike when we has a boy.

“My time has passed. I don’t want to be professional anymore like I used to when I was a boy...I like to play because it’s a way to relieve my stress. When I’m on the field, I forget about everything,” said Pinheiro.

Pinheiro’s new ambition is to become an engineer.

He said he’s indecisive on whether to study mining or civil engineering.

One of the schools he wants to transfer to is California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

BY STEPHANIE GUEVARA

Portuguese like me. My father went with me in my first year. It was a good experience and I like Portugal,” said Zanini.

Zanini’s international play continued in Paraguay when he was 20.

However, he played in Paraguay for six months and said he didn’t like his experience.

Zanini said his family has also been supportive of him playing soccer internationally.

Zanini adapted quickly to the American culture because he said his past experiences have helped him.

“For me, it’s normal living in a different country. It’s a good experience to learn about a new culture,” said Zanini.

During his teen year, Zanini also traveled to Europe to play soccer.

He traveled to France, Sweden and Germany.

Zanini first played soccer in the

move to Los Angeles and eventually come to East Los Angeles College.

“Gustavo helped me come to the U.S. He told me that I could learn English and a new culture. He told me ELAC was a good school,” said Nahashique.

He said his experience in Europe also encouraged him to come to the U.S. Nahashique adapted quickly to the style of play at ELAC and was a key player in many of ELAC’s games.

Nahashique said he had in mind what he wanted to play, but he was also willing to play wherever the coach wanted to place him.

“I told the coach he can put me as a midfielder, forward or winger.

I just wanted to help my team out,” said Nahashique.

Men’s soccer head coach Eddie Flores said Nahashique struggled in the beginning, but adapted quickly because he let himself be guided.

“We were blessed to have him.

He’s a hard worker and he’s a very talented young man...He was very coachable. He never gave me problems,” said Flores.

Flores also said Nahashique was an ambitious player.

“He once told me, ‘Hey coach, I’m going to score 12 goals for the team.’ I just want him to score, but he had the potential,” said Flores.

Nahashique finished the season among the top 10 players with the most assists and was included in the first conference all-star team.

Flores described Nahashique as a quiet and humble person who lets his talent speak for itself.

Nahashique said he wants to become a professional soccer player.

He said it’s hard in Brazil to become a professional, but in the U.S., there are many opportunities to pursue his goal.

However, he’s also interested in pursuing a career in business or physical education.

CN/NOE ORTEGA

STOPPER—Husky Brazilian defensive midfielder Tulio

Pinheiro regains possession of the ball during the last game of the season against Mount San Antonio College on Nov.9.

Matheus Zanini Staff Writer Matheus Zanini came to the U.S. to continue his journey after traveling the world extensively to play soccer.

Men’s soccer full back Zanini, 22, started playing soccer in his native town of Artur Nogueira, a city in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

He first played soccer in Santos Football Club. Notable soccer players, such as Neymar, began their career in Santos.

During his time at Santos, Zanini had a sponsor who took him to Portugal to play at Academic Association and Lisboa e Marinha at the age of 13.

Zanini played four years in Portugal and was able to develop his soccer skills.

“It was good for me because of the language… they speak

U.S. at Cloud County Community College in Kansas.

He said he liked the school because it had a great soccer team, but disliked the weather.

He searched for a new school that satisfied all of his interest.

His former teammate at Kansas and former East Los Angeles College men’s soccer forward Pedro Moraes encouraged him to come to Los Angeles.

Moraes told him to contact ELAC men’s soccer head coach Eddie Flores so he could have an opportunity to tryout for the team.

Zanini said he decided to stay in L.A., becasue it reminds him of Sao Paulo.

Zanini didn’t hesitate and sent Flores a video of him playing. Flores said Zanini was able to adapt to the style of play at ELAC because his experience at Kansas helped him.

However, throughout the season, Flores said Zanini overcame some

struggles in soccer, which shaped him as a player and as a person.

“I remember telling Matheus at one point in the season that he might not be the fit for you… I told him you need to think about it. If you decide to stay, you need to be coachable,” said Flores.

Flores said Zanini’s growth was notable during ELAC’s game against El Camino College because he saw that the team and him played with heart.

Although Zanini said he loves soccer, he doesn’t want to be a professional anymore.

“I love soccer, but I’m not a pro.

I want to be a coach,” Zanini said.

His goal is to major in Kinesiology to become a coach because he want to be involved with soccer.

Zanini said he wants to continue travel to learn about different cultures.

Among the places he wants to travel to is China, India and Africa.

COURTESY OF DEEDEE JACKSON

Women’s basketball starts

BY DIEGO LINARES Staff Writer Women’s basketball is now ranked fifth in the state and third in the southern region after finishing the 35th annual Lady Charger Classic in fourth place over the weekend.

A poll by the California Community College Athletic Association was released on Monday revealing the new rankings.

East Los Angeles College head coach Bruce Turner said that the team has it’s mind set on the Elite Eight, which will be held in Ventura.

So much so that they’ve already booked their accommodations.

“Oh yeah, we plan to be there,”

said Turner. “We made reservations already. You don’t start a season saying, ‘I hope I get there.’ You plan it out... Now, you make reservations, all you have to do is show up.”

The team started the Lady Charger Classic at Cypress College by scoring 102 against Santa Monica College on Friday.

ELAC won that game by a margin of 46 points.

The team lost two straight games thereafter.

Sunday’s game was the second time that ELAC has played Palomar College this preseason.

ELAC won and snapped a 33-game streak at home during the Palomar Comet Classic for their first matchup on Nov. 18.

Now both teams sit at No. 3 in the

season on right note

southern region in the CCCWBCA poll.

Jaelynn Curley is one of four sophomores on the team who said that the quartet of players don’t feel like they tell the freshmen much because the incoming students know what’s expected of them.

“On this team, there really isn't a freshman or sophomore. We’re all basically trying to get on the same level. It’s been great so far with the incoming freshmen,” said Curley.

Dominique Godbolt has come in and averaged 13.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals as a freshman this season. Godbolt is currently ranked fourth in offensive rebounds and fifth in total rebounds in the state this season.

Turner said that it’s good for the freshman on the team to get the CN/DIEGO LINARES

www.ELACCampusNews.com

playing time in these tournaments.

“Experience is the best teacher,” said Turner. “(The tournaments are) a good environment to let them know, ‘A lot of people out there are against you. What are you going to do?’”

Jennifer Pool is a sophomore who has contributed to the offense by helping facilitate.

She is second overall in steals and third in assists in the state.

“I really love playing with both of them (Curley and Godbolt),” said Pool. “But (Godbolt) is a big who you don’t usually see on on other teams. (Godbolt) is a big who can dribble – do a bit of everything – who can shoot threes. I admire that.”

So far, the team is ranked Top-10 in total points scored (2), field

goals made per game (4), offensive rebounds (4), points per game (7), assists per game (8) and three-point percentage (9).

Turner said that ELAC is in one of the toughest conferences in the state.

ELAC is in the South CoastNorth Conference, which is made up of six teams.

So far, only Chaffey College has a losing record.

Chaffey is also the only school in the conference not ranked in the Top-20 state poll.

Los Angeles Trade Technical College sits at No. 4 in the state, right above ELAC. Pasadena City College is currently at No. 8, while Mt. San Antonio and Rio Hondo Colleges are at 15 and 18 respectively.