Fall 2014, Issue 9

Page 1

Volume 72, Issue 9

Single copy free - additional copies 50 cents

www.elaccampusnews.com

ELAC

honors

veterans

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

East Los Angeles College honored veterans from last Wednesday through Friday with a Veterans Day celebration that highlighted

veterans’ military stories. The event was hosted by the ELAC Veterans Resource Center and Veterans of ELAC (VELAC) and included a flag raising ceremony. Huskies run to state finals

V

BY Damien guzman Staff Writer

eterans and staff members met at the S2 Recital Hall with guest speakers, including ELAC President Marvin Martinez, California State Senator Ed Hernandez and a few others. They each gave thanks to all veterans in attendance and around the world. Staff member and veteran Bill Cushing told the audience the story of an old soldier and the fight for his country. Alonzo Cushing fought 151 years ago during the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor this year from President Barack Obama for holding off swarms of enemies with a single canon before being overwhelmed and shot down. Professor Bunnarith Chhun showed his appreciation for veterans after describing his tragic childhood in which some of his family members were tortured and executed in Vietnam. After forces invaded Vietnam, Chhun and his aunt used that distraction to escape and come to the United States. He was appreciative and understood that without the veterans getting involved in his country, his freedom would be taken away. Vietnam was facing genocide as he escaped. Veteran Tony Zapata, who served time in Iraq in 2003, became emotional while talking about his experiences. While serving in Iraq, he was involved in raids, security patrols and reconnaissance missions. Zapata also discussed some of the issues veterans face post-war. He had a hard time talking about problems that many Americans don’t realize come after war, like restlessness, depression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and alienation. He praised the veterans center for helping him get through tough times after he was done serving in Iraq. He is now a faculty member.

BY tadzio garcia Staff Writer For the second time since 2001, the women’s cross country team will compete in the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships, led by defending state champion Laura Aceves. Aceves is third-seeded behind heavy favorite and recent SoCal champion Aminat Olowora of Southwestern College and Yesenia Silva of College of the Sequoias, who both beat Aceves this year. Olowora from Lagos, Nigeria, says she is a Nigerian 2016 Olympic hopeful. Protests of her professional status were submitted in the beginning of the season and Olowora was suspended after the Rio Hondo Classic held Sept. 5. Olowora received money while competing for her country. It was not enough to break an NCAA sanction, which the CCCAA follows, according to LA Trade Tech College athletic director Dimitri Lagos. Olowora was reinstated in time to compete in the Pacific Coast Conference Championships on Oct. 30, which she needed to compete in order to qualify for the post season. Recent information of new protests are up in the air, according to aCalifornia community college source who did not want to be identified. The information again brings into account Olowora’s professional status as a runner, which could disqualify her from CCCAA competition or such results. Aceves, who has only been in team competition for two years, has put all of this behind her.

veterans Continued on page 3

runners Continued on page 4

News Briefs

Financial aid transfer workshop

Milestone reading

ELAC Campus News Contest

Transfer students can learn how to take their financial aid with them to a university at the Financial Aid Transfer Workshop tomorrow from noon to 2 p.m. in Library Room 103. CSULA and UCLA representatives will also be present.

Milestone will hold a free open reading next Tuesday from noon to 2 p.m. at the S2 Fine Arts Complex. Students, faculty and the community are welcome to attend.

Campus News will be giving away one DVD copy of the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” film. Find out how to enter for your chance to win at elaccampusnews.com.


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Fall 2014, Issue 9 by Editor in Chief Campus News - Issuu