Protestors dressed as zombies march against budget cuts. See page 3
Volume 70, Issue 8
Single copy free - additional copies 50 cents
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
www.elaccampusnews.com
ELAC honors Bailey’s contributions By LUIS D. MARQUEZ Contributing Writer Students have had access to the Helen Miller Bailey Library since the semester started, but the college held a rededication ceremony last Thursday. The ceremony brought current and former campus and district leaders, Bailey family members, students and community members to celebrate the contributions of Helen Miller Bailey to the community of East Los Angeles College. Students now have access to a state-of-the-art facility where they can learn. The audience heard ELAC interim-President Farley Herzek, Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor Daniel J. LaVista, LACCD Board of Trustee Scott Svonkin, and an appearance by former president Ernest H. Moreno during the ceremony. Herzek stressed that libraries positively affect a community. “Libraries are like fueling station for the minds, and the greatest aspects of a library is that you can fill your mind for free,” he said. LaVista then spoke of the importance of libraries in education. “Libraries are a place for solitude and reflection. In these times, the opening of a library should be celebrated,” LaVista said. He believes that libraries help young people and teaches them leadership. Svonkin added the importance of libraries as he said that ELAC students deserve to have an “incredible” library as those at UCLA, Harvard and Yale. Now that ELAC has one, he hopes students will use it to its fullest. Svonkin stressed the importance of Proposition 30, so that there could be more funding for schools as ELAC and projects as the renovation of the Helen Miller Library. “This is for you. Tax dollars at work, the right way,” he said. LaVista also spoke about Bailey contribution to this community. “Helen Miller Bailey was a renaissance woman, a person who strongly believed in philanthropy and generosity,” LaVista said. He also said it
State
Measures at a glance
Wondering what’s on the ballot? Here are a few propositions to notice.
Proposition 33:
Proposition 33 would allow insurance companies to set prices based on whether the the driver previously carried automotive insurance. This allows a discount for drivers with prior coverage, and an increased cost for drivers without history of continuous coverage. A yes vote would mean insurance companies could offer new customers a discount based on the number of years in the previous five years that the customer was insured.
Proposition 35:
see RIBBON, page 3
By VIVIAN RAMIREZ Staff Writer
CN/OLIVER BLANCO
SNip, SNIP— Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustee Scott Svonkin, left, former ELAC President Ernest Moreno, interim-President Farley Herzek and LACCD Chancellor Daniel LaVista release the red ribbon used at the reopening ceremony of Helen Miller Bailey Library last Thursday.
Elans vote on student representation in Sacramento By BRIAN VILLALBA Staff Writer The Associated Student Union held an election to determine if East Los Angeles College would add a representation fee to the student registration costs last week. If the student representation fee passes, $1 would be added to registration costs. The money would fund ELAC representation in the Student Senate of the California Community Colleges’s (SSCCC) general assembly. Since 2009, the student representation fee has not passed in five elections. The first two
elections did not meet the two-thirds majority that is required to add the representative fee. In the elections since then the two-thirds majority was met, but there was not enough total voters to meet the minimum voter turnout requirement. The election last week had sufficient votes to meet the voter turnout requirement. The results of the student representative fee election are not available. ASU Faculty adviser, Sonia Lopez said “We have enough total votes.” As of election day, ELAC was the only Los Angeles Community College District college that did not fund student representation. The SSCCC’s purpose is to
Proposition 35 would increase prison sentences and fines for human trafficking convictions, would require convicted human traffickers to register as sex offenders and would require registered sex offenders to disclose internet activities and identities. A yes vote would give longer prison sentences and larger fines for committing human trafficking crimes.
Proposition 37:
Proposition 37 would require labeling food sold to consumers made with genetic material changed in specified ways, and would prohibit marketing such foods as “natural” with some exemptions. Voting yes on this measure would force California to specifically label genetically engineered food as such.
Proposition 40:
Proposition 40 would allow the Citizens Redistricting Committee to draw up new State Senate districts in California. A yes vote approves the redistricting. Rejecting the redistricting would result in a one-time cost of $1 million to the state and counties.
INFOGRAPH BY BRIAN VILLALBA
News Briefs
Missing paperwork could delay financial aid
Avalanche Way closes due to construction
Parking and through traffic on Avalanche way, the road leading east and west into the school from Bleakwood Avenue, will be closed starting today and ending Friday due to construction.
represent students’s interests at the California Board of Governors and the Chancellor of California Community Colleges, both of which officially recognize SSCCC as an official representation of California community college students. The general assembly consists of 113 represented schools who discuss and propose resolutions ranging from seeking adequate funding priority from the state budget to “Gangnam Style” fundraisers. In the SSCCC fall 2012 preamended resolution packet, one of the resolutions is the “Gangnam style” fundraiser. The resolution would consist of executive officers accepting donations on behalf of the SSCCC for executing a “Gangnam Style dance.” The resolution goes so far as to assert that the dance will be done in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. “The student rep fee assures meaningful representation,” ASU President Jennifer Estrada said. The next general assembly is Nov. 2-4. ASU is sending five representatives, which will cost $1,125 for registration. Additional costs for hotel and transportation vary, but would also be paid for by the student representative fee. ASU had planned on not going to SSCCC general assembly in Sacramento, but Mission College donated funds to ASU. This semester ASU was forced to pull from general funds and the charity of Mission College to maintain representation to Sacramento. The student representative fee would allow ASU to replenish the general funds.
New sign hits ELAC
The eastbound lanes on Floral Drive and southbound lanes on Collegian Avenue will be closed on Friday from 6-10 a.m. because a new ELAC sign will be delivered to be installed adjacent to the new parking structure.
Online Scoop
The Financial Aid Office urges students to check their district emails for notifications of missing financial aid paperwork that may delay disbursements. Emails may also include new information affecting AB-540 student financial aid. Some students may still be waiting for financial aid disbursement due to missing paperwork or additional information not yet submitted to the FAO. “In terms of disbursement, we didn’t see any delays,” Financial Aid Director Lindy Fong said. “The only difference is that normally we disburse on the second day of school; this year we just disbursed at the end of the (first) week (of school),” Fong said. The FAO has already processed see DELAY, page 3
For these complete stories visit elaccampusnews.com.
CN/AMANDA MAYBERRY
Students and faculty unite to rally for awareness of Proposition 30 at East Los Angeles College yesterday.
CN/TADZIO GARCIA
Garfield Bulldogs and Roosevelt Rough Riders take on the 78th annual East LA Classic football game last Friday.
Winter 2013 priority registration dates
ELAC campus-based priority registration will be Nov. 13-16 in-person only. Registration appointments will be mailed out on Monday. Web-based districtwide registration starts Nov. 19.
Corrections:
In Vivian Ramirez’s article entitled “Cal States await Prop 30’s outcome,” election day was printed as being Nov. 5 when really it is Nov. 6, next Tuesday.
24
OPINION
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2012
Education in need of Prop 30 By AUGUSTINE UGALDE Staff Writer Much has been written and said about the virtues and shortfalls of Governor Jerry Brown’s so-called Millionaire’s Tax Initiative. Proposition 30 promises to restore the health of California’s education system by raising taxes on residents whose income exceeds $250,000 per year, and by levying an additional, quarter percent sales tax to all residents. The objective of the proposition is not complicated. It is a last-ditch effort by the governor to bring education back from the dismal state that it is in today. The hope here is that this message will reach beyond the boundaries of East Los Angeles College to those people who will also be affected by the initiative’s defeat. ELAC is in a bad way at this time. Sections have been cut, while faculty, services and staff have been reduced or eliminated altogether. Proposition 30’s defeat will have a devastating effect on the school and all those directly and indirectly associated with it. This message must reach the parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, friends and neighbors of all Elans who walk the hallways of this great institution. The school cannot be allowed to flounder through a new reality of broken promises and unfulfilled dreams. A personal case in point is my own sister Arcie. Arcie is a former educator who worked much of her life at the
C A M P U S
VOICE:
How do you feel about the death penalty?
Burbank Unified School District and is now enjoying her retirement years in the same city. She has always done the right things in life by working hard;saving her money, raising a family, treating others with respect, paying her taxes and being a totally decent person.
I have loved, respected and admired her all my life, but when I discovered during a discussion about Proposition 30 that she will vote against it, it came as quite a surprise. Arcie is tired of the constant flood of tax increases she has had
to endure throughout her lifetime and is at the point where she just wants to shout “enough” at the top of her lungs. She has a valid point. After all, who wants to pay more taxes? However this is a different kind of proposition. The governor is asking California’s wealthiest residents to take the brunt of this tax, while those residents who are struggling the most will contribute to a lesser degree, but contribute nonetheless. This is something most Californians must take into consideration when voting this November. Arcie is exactly the type of person who needs to be informed of the current conditions being suffered at every education level in the state, and how Proposition 30 can help. She needs to know about the effects of the recent budget cuts and about the additional cuts that will follow of Proposition 30 fails to pass. She needs to know about the section cuts. She needs to know about the great number of students, sometimes more than 100, who cram into classrooms with 35 seats trying to be one of the fortunate few that will be added. She needs to know about the former South Gate shuttle bus. She needs to know that department and state-funded tutoring labs have severely cut their hours, making it more difficult for students to acquire the help they need to get through college. She needs to know about the feeling of hopelessness some
students are experiencing because they cannot get the classes they need to get their educations started, or to transfer to a university. Her time at BUSD came during the salad days of education when schools were well-funded, giving students their best chances to succeed in life and to therefore make positive contributions to society. Those days are now a distant memory. Today’s reality is bleak, and if Proposition 30 fails more budget cuts will follow, threatening the future of the school and most importantly, its students. Elans need to seek-out and discuss this reality to people outside the school. They need to explain that an educated populace can only benefit the state today and in the future. Education must, once again, become a priority to the state of California. Opponents of Propositon 30 have spent millions of dollars to defeat the initiative, concentrating mostly on the language of the proposition. Proposition 30 proponents argue that the money is dedicated to the funding of education, and that a series of checks and balances is in place that ensures the money will be spent as intended. All arguments have been made. It is time to make the right decision by voting for Proposition 30, and to reach out to the people of California to do the same. The students who are here today will be the leaders of the future in government, business, trade and education. The system must be allowed to survive and thrive, so that its students can survive and thrive.
Proposition 34 eliminates death
Death penalty reduces Tax money pays for inmate’s comfort violence in prisons
to the general population.. Injuries from death row inmates harming Staff Writer general population inmates and vise-versa. Life without the possibility of Passing proposition 34 is designed to put the well-being of convicted, parole may be a harsh capital violent criminals above the family punishment sentence but, it also of the victims they have forever carries costs that may not be accounted for. affected. “Although it isn’t helpful, it has I n a N e w Yo r k The vote to repeal been around for a while and it the death penalty in University political article, should not be eliminated.” prison guard explained California may push “Voting on athat -Joana Delgadillo some prisoners who aside the closure for Proposition know they are in prison for many who lost loved life and have nothing left ones to terrible crimes. 34 would to lose may become more Finance is being speak violent. argued by those who Prisoners incarcerated wish to change the volumes with a life sentence death penalty by putting on giving without the possibility of death row inmates into the victims’ parole get put through a the general population. much quicker trial process Voting yes would famiy the than those that are being say to families of justice they considered for the death victims that there are penalty. cost limitations to the deserve.” “The death penalty is not as A trial for life without peace of mind they efficient as it should be. It costs the possibility of parole hope to get, many of more than it should and is not even can take only a few weeks. whom never get to see used so often. I say get rid of it.” Death penalty cases last the justice that capital -Nick Montero on average 25 years. punishment promises. The trials differ in the sense Charles Manson is famous for avoiding the death penalty due to that death penalty trials are more The US Supreme Court having done extensive. The death penalty holds to stricter away with it during his trial. California cannot take a step back guidelines to determine if an inmate to a time when capital punishment is ready to be put to death. The sentence of life in prison was abolished. If Proposition 34 is passed it without the possibility of parole would return death row inmates, is not taken as strictly due to the who have been convicted of the harshness of the the sentence not most violent crimes, into the general being as extreme as the death penalty. population. “I am against the death penalty There are many chances for error Those who have been convicted because it is a waste of money and of brutal crimes and murders in a speedy trial. Lack of a discovery sometimes criminals are wrongly would be taken from death row and period and rushing through facts convicted.” housed with inmates who have been lead to mistakes. -Stephanie Santiago It may be of value to reform the incarcerated for lesser crimes. Reform of prison health care can system as apposed to abolishing it. If passed, Proposition 34 would save money. There are instances where health make it necessary to get more care for inmates surpasses the health prison guards to be able to handle care that is given to an uninsured the release of death row inmates into the general population, which Californian. The health care an inmate receives is funded by the savings expected by the passing of the propositions. is payed with taxpayer money. Voting on Proposition 34 would In Massachusetts an inmate had a sex change operation paid for with speak volumes on giving the victims family the justice they deserve. tax payer money. “I think California needs it Keeping California moving The cost of medical care for because there are too many inmates is a variable which cannot forward and not taking it back to people in jail. There are too be accounted for. a time where the death penalty many liberals in California that The state cannot begin to was abolished allows dangerous are against it. That’s why people speculate on the possible medical criminals to live in the general think it doesn’t work.” expenses that would occur due to population with inmates in a prison -Ricardo Arias the integration of death row inmates system that is already over crowded. By JESUS FIGUEROA
cellphones as they await their execution date. Staff Writer California needs to quit wasting money making these criminals With elections just around the comfortable during their last days corner, students need to take a look and should throw them in a prison at some important propositions that cell to rot in for the rest of their days. The inmates on death row are could change California’s future. On the ballot this year is a state the murderers who plotted to kill measure that would eliminate capital their victim in the most vicious way possible, or the rapists who chose to punishment in California. Proposition 34 says it will repeal do inappropriate things to those who the death penalty and replace it didn’t want anything to do with it. Killing these people is only giving with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, applying them the easy way out. Injecting them with the lethal retroactively to existing death injections or allowing them inhale sentences. lethal gases keeps them from feeling I say go right ahead. It’s about time California came to the pain the victim had to go through, its senses and decided to abolish the or worse, the victim’s family. These criminals are getting off stone-age law of capital punishment. Why does California waste its too easy. They need to sit in a dank cell and time trying to scare criminals from think about their actions. committing atrocious They need to feel the crimes that would guilt resonate within receive the death “Let’s rid their souls. sentence when it really ourselves of The death penalty doesn’t work? provides these crazed Criminals are this archaic criminals with an escape not deterred from law and look from the pain life brings. committing capital This is why crimes because of the forward to constituents need to get death sentence, yet the a different to the polls on Nov. 6 and death row population tomorrow vote yes on Proposition seems to grow each 34. year.The death penalty with a yes A yes vote would is California’s way of vote on cast m e a n t h e s e t o o seeking revenge on some of its most heinous Proposition comfortable criminals would now be moved killers and criminals. 30” from a cozy private life California convicts imprisonment into the the killers and sentences general population. them to death. Proposition 34 says it will have an California is killing killers. Does that make sense? I thought ongoing state and county criminal the eye-for-an-eye law went out justice savings of about $130 million with horses, carriages and the annually within a few years, along with a one-time state cost of $100 wooden wheel. A c c o r d i n g t o C a l i f o r n i a million for local law enforcement Department of Corrections and grants. If Proposition 34 passes, Rehabilitation, California houses 726 inmates on condemned status it would direct $100 million to with 298 affirmed death sentences, law enforcement agencies for but only 13 criminals have been investigations of homicide and rape cases. executed in the last 34 years. California has thousands of More people have died of old age on death row than have actually homicide and rape cases, and the been executed for their punishment. passing of Proposition 34 would Since 1978, California has take the focus off of the criminals’ spent more than $4 billion on execution and place it on the administering the costs of death victims. Let’s rid ourselves from this row inmates. California tax dollars pay for archaic law and look forward to a hardened criminals to sit in private different tomorrow with a yes vote rooms with TV sets, radios and cast on Proposition 34. By MEGAN PERRY
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EDITOR IN CHIEF Lindsey Maeda MANAGING EDITOR Erik Luna ONLINE EDITOR Tadzio Garcia FRONT EDITOR Megan Perry OPINION EDITOR Alejandra Carrillo NEWS EDITOR Brian Villalba FEATURE EDITOR Amanda Mayberry
ARTS EDITOR Danny Vasquez SPORTS EDITOR Liliana Marquez PHOTO EDITOR Oliver Blanco Hugo Dominguez, Jr. COPY EDITOR Augustine Ugalde Rodolfo Trujillo Veronica Hurtado CARTOONIST Kien Ha Bryan Pedroza STAFF WRITERS Carlos Alvarez, Sergio Berrueta, David Bilbao, Dulce Carrillo, Jerry Casarez, Jane Fernandez, Jesus Figueroa, Jair Fuentes, Cristina Galvan, William Hernandez, Edgar Lopez, Yesenia Martinez, Anthony Merjanoff, Tierra Oliver, Max Perez, Vivian Ramirez, Gregory Reyes, Alfonso Rivera, Edward Singleton STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Hugo Dominguez, Jr., Tadzio Garcia, Freddy Monares PODCAST TEAM Lourdes Espinoza Michael Price ADVERTISING TEAM Stefanie Arocha Jonathan R. Diaz DISTRIBUTION TEAM Augustine Ugalde ADVISER Jean Stapleton
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NEWS
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2012
Delay: financial aid
3
office stalls disbursements state that will be subjected to a $6.5 billion cut if it doesn’t pass. “(Proposition 30) will impact the approximately 7,000 ELAC students this semester. Other students not financial aid process,” said Fong. “If the campus doesn’t have keeping up with their financial aid status may believe they are simply enough funding, then staffing will be cut. If staffing is cut, processing experiencing delays. A r e a s o n f o r t h e m i s s i n g time will take longer, so there is a paperwork is that some students domino effect. “We only have 22 people doing submit their FAFSA after the deadline or sometimes several the processing of 15,000 students, so that is a concern,” she said. months after. Checking in with the FAO is “I tell people, ‘After the new year’s party, start applying,’” Fong especially important to AB-540 students. said. Assembly Bill 131, the second “The FAFSA application is available as of Jan. 1 and is due on part of the California Dream Act, March 2. We have a large group of allows students who qualify for AB-540 to apply for the students who apply in Board of Governor’s June, which is already Fee Waiver. late.” They may also apply However, the process “We only have for Cal Grants in fall doesn’t end there. 22 people 2013. Once students fill out doing the Students may begin the FAFSA, they need to processing applying on Jan. 1 for go to the FAO to check the 2013-14 school up on their status. of 15,000 year. “ We s t i l l h a v e a students, Approximately 7,000 large group of students so that is a students in the Los that haven’t gone on Angeles Community the online system to concern.” District are complete some of the –Lindy Fong College AB-540 students and form requirements,” said approximately 800 are Fong. at ELAC, but figures According to Fong, the may vary. FAO sends notifications To benefit from AB-131, students to students have missing items. “So if a student thinks he hasn’t need to fill out the Dream Act heard anything yet, stop by. Have application from the ELAC financial them come inside and we will aid website or fill out the fee waiver check their status and tell them what in person at the FAO. These students also need to meet they’re missing.” Some students may have shied the March 2 deadline. “When (students) log on to the away from the FAO due to long wait times at the beginning of the Student Information System there semester. As of now, wait time is should be a line with their district email address,” Fong said. approximately 20 to 30 minutes. “That will help the process, Still, the FAO may be subject to delays for future semesters pending reduce mailing costs and speed up the communication process. They the outcome of Proposition 30. Proposition 30 is Governor Jerry can also go online to check their Brown’s tax initiative that affects financial aid status and that will be most educational institutions in the faster.” Continued from page 1
CN/GREGORY REYES
fight for your rights— Community college students from the Los Angeles Comunnity College District’s Southern California campuses protested and raised awareness for Proposition 30. The students marched from City Hall in downtown Los Angeles to the Governor’s office last Friday.
‘Walking Debt’ digests Proposition 30 By DORIAN RANGEL Contributing Writer Students from the Los Angeles Community College District’s Southern California campuses dressed up like zombies and marched in support of Proposition 30. The march, which was held last Friday in downtown Los Angeles, took place from City Hall to the Governors Jerry Brown’s office. The event’s page on Facebook said “Beware: zombies will attempt
Groups protest police brutality By TIERRA OLIVER Staff Writer The 17th annual protest against police brutality was held in Downtown LA this Monday. This year’s theme is “Across the globe, police brutality has got to go.” A crowd of protesters gathered at Pershing Square holding signs and over-sized banners with slogans bashing the police. Many protesters wore masks or other face coverings that concealed their identities in an attempt to make a statement. The event, which occurred nationwide, was put together by the Oct. 22 Coalition. Many groups that are a part of this coalition were there to show support and bring awareness to this issue. Some of those groups included Gender Justice LA, New Black Panther Party, Revolutionary Communist Group, Youth Justice Group, Occupy the Hood, LA
Community Outreach Network and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). A majority of the protesters were activists from Occupy LA. As the crowd grew larger, the protesters gravitated toward one another, recognizing the familiar faces that had once camped out on the streets of LA in demonstration against corporate influence over the government. A lot of people at this Oct. 22 protest were the family and friends of those who have been murdered as a result of police brutality. Speakers from various activist groups stood on the back of a truck covered with pictures of victims of police brutality and spoke to the crowd. Two large speakers boomed as representatives from groups like the Black Panther Party and UNIA rallied the crowd to take action against the murders and violence of the police in their communities, echoing through the square their
messages of revolution. One Muslim protester from UNIA even went so far as calling the LAPD political “carpet baggers,” “slave catchers” and “gate keepers.” The evening proceeded with a march through the streets, headed by drummers and dancers wearing traditional Native American costumes. Chants of “No justice, No peace! No Murdering Police!” rang out as the sea of protesters moved through the streets, stopping traffic and causing countless onlookers to stop and stare. Drivers honked at intersections either in support of in frustration or the momentary pause in traffic. One woman on Skid Row joined in carrying her toddler on her hip, punching her fist into the air and chanting “fight the power” along with everyone else.
For pictures and more information on this story, visit www.elaccampusnews.com
Ribbon: remodeled library officially reopens Continued from page 1 it pleased him to honor the memory of Bailey and see her legacy extend though the opening of the expanded and modernized library. One of Bailey’s former students who spoke, Rita Soza, has been working on Bailey’s biography for seven years and is close to finishing. The book’s profits will be donated to the Helen Miller Bailey scholarship. Herzek then invited Moreno up on the steps of the library. Svonkin and LaVista thanked him for being one of the people in charge of renovating the library. Moreno was shocked at the fact that he was called up. Moreno said he attended the ceremony “to see the project finished.”
Frank Cruz, a former student who is the founder of Telemundo, spoke in admiration of Bailey and said that he viewed her as a mentor. Herzek along with LaVista did the honors and officially opened the library. At the time to cut the ribbon, the large wooden scissors were unable to tear the ribbon, so they used regular-sized scissors to cut it. There was another ribbon for the library staff to cut. The new library now occupies a total of 56,241 square feet. It features 240 computers, 10 express workstations for fast and easy printing. They have 23 study rooms and numerous tables in each floor to meet students’ study needs.
They also have two classrooms for orientation or workshops. The library has electronic book checkout, and it houses 100,000 books and DVD’s. Instruction Librarian Erika Montenegro said, “If you hear a beeping sound when you are leaving the library, you have to come back and check-out the book.” The 100,000 books and DVDs need to be checked out. The library also includes a Sheriff’s substation. The library first completed in 1980 and served the students of ELAC for 29 years before closing August 2009 for renovations.
Veronica Hurtado, Lloyd Cano, Juan Chris Lepe and Bryant Mejia also contributed to this story.
to prevent us from achieving our goals with their insidious debt and lack of funds. Will you make it through the end?” Community College students are receiving letters that their applications to four-year universities are on hold pending the outcome of Proposition 30. Students being affected by the proposition, marched. Students chanted to “spread the word on ‘Yes on 30’ while dressed as zombies to get people’s attention,” Elia Ramirez, a Pasadena City College student said.
The march included two groups – human and zombies. Just as the humans reached Governor’s office, a zombie attack on them ensued. The attack symbolized how budget cuts will slow down and harm education in California. Together both groups continued to chant at the Governor’s office, “You say cutbacks, we say fightback,” and “Hey hey, ho ho, budget cuts have got to go.” John Frasier and Nicole Hutchinson of Los Angeles Valley College emphasized why Proposition 30 should pass and
what it would mean to students if it did not. California’s public schools and community colleges face $6 billion in devastating cuts this year alone. Grades K-12 will be cut off from education three weeks early, ending school in early May. T h i s s e m e s t e r, 4 8 5 , 0 0 0 community college students were not able to add classes.
Tadzio Garcia, Jenny Hernandez and Mariah Maravilla also contributed to this story.
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4
FEATURE
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2012
Former Husky speeds to Syracuse By ALFONSO RIVERA Staff Writer
Former East Los Angeles Husky football standout Christopher Clark is making a big impact for the Syracuse Orangemen. In his first game wearing orange and black, he caught a 20 yard touchdown pass for the NCAA Division I school. Clark graduated from Dorsey High School in Los Angeles after beginning his playing career at Venice High School. He has come a long way from his freshman season at East Los Angeles College. “He knows how to control his speed, runs crisp routes and accelerate out of the break,” Head Coach Steve Mojarro said. Clark ran track at Dorsey and was given a chance to play on the scout team out of necessity, according to Mojarro. In his first year at ELAC, Clark seldom played, while playing behind two top receivers. “I’m glad I got to play behind them. I was able to learn a lot
MARK KONEZNY - US PRESSWIRE
FAST GRAB—Chris Clark gains a few extra yards after a grab against a Stony Brook College defender on Sept. 15. from them and it made me a better player,” Clark said. In Clark’s second season at ELAC he caught 33 passes for 631
yards and led with 11 touchdowns. “I owe a lot of my success to head coach Steve Mojarro, our offfensive coordinator Nick Garrett
and our athletic director Al Cone for pushing me and guiding me in the right path,” Clark said. “All three of those men have had
a major impact on me being where challenge to Clark. “I got recruited rather late, I am at now, “ Clark said. After the season, Mojarro missed camp and I pretty much received an email from the coaching had to show the coaching staff at staff at Syracuse indicating that Syracuse that I belonged,” Clark they were looking for depth at wide said. “I am getting more receiver. acclimated to my “I sent them Clark’s surroundings on and tape with his highlights In Clark’s off the field here and and the rest is history,” second I am very glad to be Mojarro said. contributing as well.” It was a successful season at Clark has eight catches season not only for ELAC he for 97 yards, including Clark but for the ELAC two touchdowns football team as well. caught 33 against Rutgers and The Huskies went passes for Northwestern. 8-3, including 5-0 in “I love it here, I feel American Division 631 yards and that I should have been Mountain Conference led with 11 playing Division 1 since play. They also won touchdowns. day one, but I am grateful that I went the junior The American college route. It made Championship Bowl, me grow and appreciate defeating Santa Monica College 42-28, avenging an earlier my talent and in addition, helped defeat at the hands of the Corsairs me build character,” said Clark. “I also got recruited by during the regular season. “Having a lot of great offensive Sacramento St. but when I heard players took the pressure off Division 1, and Syracuse, it was a me and I was able to put up big no-brainer,” said Clark. Clark hopes to follow in the numbers,” Clark said. Having to adjust to a big-time footsteps of former Syracuse and college football program and a NFL standouts, Art Monk, Marvin major university presented a new Harrison, and Dwight Freeney.
Athletic director stays loyal to ELAC By CARLOS ALVAREZ Staff Writer Athletic Director Allen Cone continues to lead ELAC’s athletic department and hopes to do so for a while. “I love the students and studentathletes here. I get to travel around the state attending all the athletic events, sports meetings and conferences,” Cone said. As athletic director at ELAC he plays a major role on the 15 athletic teams and their respective staff. “Our department does a better job start to finish than any other college in the LACCD,” Cone said. His involvement with sports began at a young in the San Fernando Valley where he was raised. “I was like any kid going to the park. I played baseball, football, and basketball. Baseball was my
favorite,” Cone said. After graduating from Grant High School, he attended Los Angeles Valley College where he began to focus more on his educational goals. Cone says he wasn’t a good student at Grant, but once at LAVC he took more of an interest in his studies. Cone not only excelled in the classroom, but also on the baseball field. During his freshman year at LAVC he received All-Metro Conference Honors. After receiving his associate degree from LAVC he attended California State University, Northridge to pursue a BA in Kinesiology. After graduating from CSUN, his life took a sudden turn. He applied for a teaching position at two schools in Northern California. He was hired at Archbishop Riordan High School to teach drafting and coach baseball.
“I packed up and moved to the Bay Area. I had to get a life and moving forced me to develop as a person. I was hoping to grow up,” Cone said. A f t e r attending San Francisco S t a t e University for a quarter to pursue his master’s degree in kinesiology, he returned to Los Angeles. ALLEN “I was offered the head coaching position at San Francisco State University, but I had made up my mind to return to Los Angeles,” Cone said. After graduating from Cal State Los Angeles with a MA in
Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Administration, he turned back to baseball. Cone coached baseball at Don Bosco Tech for four years before accepting the job as Head Coach of the Husky baseball team. During his nine years as ELAC’s baseball coach he compiled a record of 210(W)-159(L). His teams never had a record CONE under .500 and they advanced to the playoffs five straight seasons from 1991-1995. He was named Southern California Conference Coach of the Year in 1993. “My years as coach were great, but that was more of a reflection of
my players,” Cone said. Throughout his tenure as coach his impact was felt on and off the field. “He helped me out a lot. It was never about himself. He will bring out the best in you,” former ELAC baseball standout Ramon Ruiz said. Cone’s dedication and love for ELAC continued after he stepped down as baseball coach after the 1998 season. “I couldn’t coach the players of today. When I coached it was ‘yes sir’ or ‘no sir’ nowadays you don’t hear that,” Cone said. His involvement with ELAC and athletics became stronger when he was hired as athletic director in 2001. According to Cone the move from baseball coach to athletic director was a perfect situation. “Becoming athletic director was an easy transition because I surrounded myself with a great
staff. My right hand man Hector Guzman has been a great asset to the athletic department,” Cone said. With the ability to play a major role in all athletic teams decisions at ELAC, Cone has been fortunate to hand select coaches and staff. “It was a great honor to hand select James Hines to replace me. He portrays a perfect coach. All the current coaches make ELAC sports a model institution,” Cone said. “ELAC has been good to me, so I must do what I feel is best for ELAC,” said Cone. With the responsibility and pressure of being athletic director, Cone still teaches physical education at ELAC. “I love teaching and the money is not bad,” Cone said. Cone has two daughters. Ashley, 18, and Audrey, 15. “I’m very proud of my family,” says Cone. They’re both really good kids, I couldn’t be more proud.”
Elan advocates against drunk driving
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with family and friends. Nevarez was in a coma for a week and did not remember what had happened to him when he woke up. He explains that his first memory is seeing a nurse coming into the room and running tests on him. In fact, one of the nurses at the hospital made a big impact in Nevarez’s life and according to him helped him get through his recovery a lot faster. That nurse is London May, who other than being a nurse is also the band Danzig’s
but realized half of his body was paralyzed and that he was blind in one eye. Staff Writer To this day he is unable to properly Nick Nevarez, a 21 year old move his right foot. from Rosemead, speaks to young After the car crash, Nevarez had adults in high schools, churches and several surgeries done including communities about the dangers of brain surgery driving under the influence of drugs just 25 minutes and alcohol. after the accident At age 17, Nevarez and some occurred. friends were involved in a tragic “I had to learn car accident after leaving a rave how to read, do and driving home high on pills and math and walk. alcohol. I started from The accident took place on San scratch like if Fernando Boulevard and Pacific I was a baby,” Avenue in Glendale just around the Nevarez said. corner from a fire station. He remained in The accident left Nevarez with the hospital for a one percent chance of living. eight months and Doctors replaced half of Nevarez’s did therapy to help skull with a piece of metal used to him recover. build space shuttle wings. Nevarez now Nevarez says he hesitated to share shares his story his story with others and his journey NICK NEVAREZ because he initially through recovery planned to go back to drummer. He said that with other people who are living the Doctors the way he was living replaced half although he was not life he once lived. after he recovered. Nevarez’s nurse he would He was the first person in the city of Nevarez’s visit him often and read to of Rosemead to address this issue Nevarez says during his recovery he realized skull with a him because he knew that to the community. He was also a how much people cared piece of metal Nevarez was a Danzig big influence in the removal of for him and how loved fan. Electric Dance Carnival from the he is by many that he used to build “I told Glenn Danzig, USC Coliseum. decided he would speak space shuttle singer of Danzig, about He wants to spread the word to to other young adults Nick and he helped me all people on how important it is to wings. about the consequences put together a little care safeguard their lives. that come with drinking package for him with Nevarez says he has had about 17 and driving and how posters and drum sticks people come to him and thank him good life is. and shirts. I dropped by to meet him for changing their lives and leading “I realized what was important one day on my lunch break, Nick them on the right path. in life,” Nevarez said, explaining and I have been pals ever since,” Nevarez now lives a normal life that he learned the importance of said May. and says that the accident saved having and keeping relationships That day Nevarez tried to walk his life. By ALEJANDRA CARILLO
www.ELACCampusNews.com
SPORTS
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEG ECAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2012
Runners advance to postseason By TADZIO GARCIA Staff Writer The men’s cross country team did the impossible. They sported a full team for the first time this season at the South Coast Conference Championships at Griffith Park last Saturday. As a result, they walked away with a postseason bid. The women’s team did not qualify. They lost the final bid to Golden West College, a team they beat twice this year. Golden West got the bid based on their nine-point upset over the Huskies at the Mt. San Antonio College Invite, Oct. 12. Megan Magdaleno is the lone Husky from the women’s team that advances to the postseason based on her eighth place finish at the SCC finals. The men’s team will send seven runners to the Southern California Championships Saturday at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa. The four-mile race begins at noon. The Huskies, who were led by Andres De La Cruz who was the outstanding freshman of the meet, upset three teams to automatically qualify for the postseason. Cerritos College became the first SCC team in 10 years to win both races with their men’s team winning their first SCC title in 43 years of running cross country. De La Cruz was named to the All-SCC Men’s First Team with his fifth place finish. He said he hasn’t raced competitively for three years since high school. He trained on his own
CN/TADZIO GARCIA
UPSET RUN—Husky Andres Rosas ran the No. 4 spot for ELAC, scoring needed points to help the team upset No. 9 El Camino College in the SCC finals. Rosas beat teammate Gonzalo Ceja for the fist time this season helping the upset. at the Griffith Park course last year and it paid off. “I finally got back into the groove of running because I was relaxed on this familiar course. I strategized,” De La Cruz said. “From mile one to mile two, there is wind in your face, so I comfortably ran behind two runners.
After the two-mile mark you run with the wind so I pushed to the end,” De La Cruz said. De La Cruz ran from ninth place at the two-mile mark to his top-five finish. He sprinted ahead of Jesus Ortiz of LA Trade Tech College the last 100 meters to win by just over 2.68 seconds.
Coming off a 30-point win over Pasadena City College two weeks ago at the Mt. SAC Invite, the No. 14-ranked Huskies (SoCal poll) would have to beat the Lancers again to advance to the postseason. The men’s team would also have to upset No. 13-ranked Long Beach City College or a top-ten team, No. 9 El Camino College. The Huskies beat all three teams. “We knew all season we would race this well at this time. It’s how we train – to run our best times at the season’s end,” said Daniel RinconZaragoza. Rincon-Zaragoza finished in 15th place, 1.82 seconds out of making the All-SCC Second Team. “I tried. What is more important is that we run well at SoCal so we advance to state (finals).” While the women’s team beat LBCC, they lost out to an automatic bid because of a five-point loss to the No. 9-ranked El Camino women’s team. Magdaleno was named to the AllSCC Women’s Second Team. “It feels good but it was more important for us to have made it to SoCal,” said Magdaleno. Advancing to the SoCal finals for the men’s team are De La Cruz, Rincon-Zaragoza, Kris Chacon, Andres Rosas and Gonzalo Ceja. Twins Aaron and Oscar Jasso also advanced. “Their times were key for us. They have an opportunity help the team score at SoCal,” Assistant Coach David Loera said. Michael Vallejos missed out by 5.6 seconds. Vallejos ends his two-year career with his No. 8-team finish. “I did my best and was proud to run as a Husky,” Vallejos said.
CN/ERIK LUNA
Husky counterattack Husky Leslie Rivera retrieves the ball from Mt. San Antonio College’s Carlee Chien during the game between ELAC and sixthranked Mt. SAC last Friday. The Huskies won 4-1 with goals by Jane Song, Sonia Gramajo, Vanessa Lizarraga and Natasha Witzl giving Mt. SAC their first conference loss. ELAC will take on El Camino College Compton Center Friday at 4 p.m. at Weingart Stadium. As a result of the win, the Huskies are ranked 18th statewide. For the complete story, visit elaccampusnews.com.
Men’s soccer loses close match to Cerritos By LILIANA MARQUEZ Staff Writer The men’s soccer team has struggled throughout the season. With only three games left, the playoffs are no longer an option after their eighth conference defeat 2-1 yesterday against Cerritos College. ELAC lost 1-0 to defending state champions Mt. San Antonio College last Friday. The loss against Mt. SAC left the Huskies having to win their remaining four games as well as rely on the results of their conference rivals. However, yesterday’s loss against Cerritos prevented them from advancing to the playoffs. “Realistically I think this is it because of the way the numbers look and the power rank points,” ELAC Assistant Coach Felipe Bernal said. Despite that, the Huskies had a good performance. Their defense stopped the Cerritos offense (ranked sixth statewide) from scoring during the first 35 minutes of the first half, and ELAC almost pulled it out. The Huskies scored two goals in the second half, but one was disallowed due to an offside call. Bernal said that the game was
as crucial as the other conference games they have played to date. “All the games have been crucial, not only this one. We can’t say that because we didn’t win this game we are out. There were a lot of games in the season where we could have played and executed, but we didn’t. We fell short just like in the other ones,” Bernal said. Adolfo Larios scored the only Husky goal against Cerritos, his eleventh goal of the season. “I feel really good. I scored for the team. It counts as a team effort,” Larios said. Bernal said, “It was great for him (Larios). He has been focused and he hasn’t put his head down regardless of the results that we have gotten. It is well-deserved.” The Huskies have had a bad season with nine defeats, earning nine points out of the 42 possible in the South Coast Conference. Some of these defeats have been against top-ranked teams such as Mt. SAC, Los Angeles Harbor College and Cerritos. ELAC has won five out of the 18 games played so far. Two of those were SCC victories against strong teams Pasadena City and Long Beach City colleges. “We will play the last games the same way. We are going to try to finish strong. We aren’t down
just because we can’t make it to playoffs. We can still finish the season strong,” Larios said. Despite the numbers and results so far, the Huskies will fight to win their last three games to finish the season strong. “I think the team is going to play the same way. We are going to try to push it to a position where we can get momentum. We have to close the
season with class. It doesn’t matter if we are losing. We have to show professionalism in everything we do,” Bernal said. The Huskies stand 5-9-4 overall, 3-8 in the SCC. They play at El Camino College Compton Center Friday at 4 p.m. The last home game for the Huskies will be next Tuesday at 3 p.m.
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CN/danny vaSquez
flying receiver—ELAC’s wide receiver Brian MunozAlvarez, center, escapes from an attempted tackle by a Chaffey College player during the Mountain Conference game between ELAC and Chaffey last Saturday at home.
Defense triggers football’s 40-27 win By CARLOS ALVAREZ Staff Writer The football team’s defense led the way against Chaffey College with a dominating 40-27 victory last Saturday at Weingart Stadium. Quarterback Aaron Cantu returned to the starting lineup after entering as a backup last week. “Cantu embraced the situation last week. He was injured and we can’t risk the health of a future PAC-12 player,” Offensive Coordinator Nick Garret said. The risk occurred. Cantu was called in last week and threw for 475 yards in three quarters. Chaffey held ELAC’s high scoring offense scoreless in the first quarter. “ We h a d s o m e m i s s e d opportunities in the first quarter, some drop balls here and there. We just didn’t execute,” Garret said. ELAC’s defense held Chaffey to a total of 25 yards in the quarter. Led by linebacker Donyae Olton’s pressure on Chaffey quarterback Harrison Stewart, the Huskies held them to 156 total yards. The defense play was not reminiscent of the team who allows 444 total yards a game for the season. “Our game plan was well executed. These guys played great tonight,” Linebacker Defensive Assistant Coach Richard Zepeda said. At 5:23 in the first quarter, the offense began a drive at its own five-yard line. After making a first down, wide receiver Robert McCovery dropped a sure touchdown pass from Cantu, who began yelling, “catch the ball, catch the ball.” With 2:20 left in the quarter, Zepeda lost his composure and was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. In the second quarter Cantu stepped up his game. On a crucial third down he completed a 16-yard pass to McCovery to give the
Huskies a first down. Cantu then connected with McCovery for a 44-yard touchdown giving the Huskies their first lead, 7-0, at 12:35. The Huskies scored 33 unanswered points in the second quarter, an ELAC football record. “The first quarter was tough, but obviously 33 unanswered points in the second quarter shows the strength of our offense,” Cantu said. Cantu completed 22 out 42 passing attempts for 257 yards with four touchdowns in the first half. Preston Oliver rushed for 66 yards on 14 rushing attempts while adding 10 receptions for 87 yards with a touchdown in the first half. The start of the second half had the defense continuing to put pressure on Harrison. “Our defense was great today,” Head Coach Steve Mojarro said. Oliver set a new record with 14 receptions in a game. He broke Anthony Denham’s 12 catches against Santa Barbara in 2009. “It feels good. Stats are one thing, but getting the win is another thing,” Oliver said. With ELAC in control of the game in the final quarter, most of the reserves got some game action. The Huskies scored their last touchdown with 11:31 remaining in the game when running back Jonathan Lopez scored a touchdown on a six yard run, making the score 40-7. Chaffey took advantage of the Huskies reserves scoring 20 unanswered points, making the final score 40-27. “It was good to get the guys out there. We had a good lead and we came up on top,” Zepeda said regarding on his defense letting up. With the win, ELAC stands 5-3 overall, 2-3 in the Mountain Conference. According to Mojarro, the Huskies are eligible for an at-large bid. The Huskies play at El Camino College Compton Center Saturday at 1 p.m.
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