Fall 2015,issue 2

FEATURES ELAC student inspired by theater.

See page 3

ARTS

SPORTS

Casa 0101 presents short plays on domestic violence.

Huskies win first victory of the season.

See page 4

Volume 73, Issue 2

See page 6

Single copy free - additional copies 50 cents

Wednesday, september 23, 2015

www.elaccampusnews.com

Student participates in

ACHIEVEMENT

multiple story play

BY STEPHANIE GARIBAY Staff Writer East Los Angeles College student Samuel Solorio starred in many plays, but his next play “Drunk Girl” may be the most controversial yet.

“Drunk Girl,” which will be premiering in Casa 0101, a collection of 16 short plays, monologues and sketch pieces revolving around the struggles of women having power over their bodies, lives and destinies.

Solorio took part in eight of the 16 short plays.

“This play was a bit of a challenge because it wasn’t just one story, it was multiple stories,” Solorio said.

Solorio was introduced to theater when he attended Cathedral High School.

He was involved the plays, “Romeo and Juliet,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and many more.

Solorio instantly fell in love with theater and decide to pursue a career in Theater Arts.

“I attended Cal State Los Angeles for about three quarters right after high school and I was a theater major there. I knew theater was the only thing I wanted to do,” Solorio said.

Solorio had to neglect his theater plans shortly after attending Cal State L.A. following a motorcyle accident his sister was involved in.

“After my sister’s motorcycle accident, I decided to take some time off and I didn’t really do any theater during this time. I mainly stayed home and helped her out as much as I could,” Solorio said.

During this time, Solorio decided to try his hand at different career paths.

He took courses to become a pharmacy technician, but always had theater in the back of his mind.

STEM Director to accept Educator of the Year award

BY IVAN CAZARES Staff Writer Director of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) projects Dr. Armando Rivera will receive the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation (HENAAC) Educator of the Year award, alongside STEM professionals from industry, military, government and academic institutions on Oct. 16.

Great Minds in STEM will host the 27th Annual HENAAC STEM Career Conference in Pasadena.

Great Minds in STEM is a non-profit organization focused on educational awareness programs for students.

The awards are presented to the most accomplished and promising professionals, who could serve as role models for the next generation.

Rivera was nominated by Dean of Academic Affairs Paul De La Cerda, who is a former recipient.

Dr. Armando He also received support from President Marvin Martinez, as well as East Los Angeles College’s partner institutions California State University, Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California.

“I’m hoping that me receiving this award will benefit ELAC,” Rivera said.

The HENAAC award is prestigious, and

proposals made by Rivera will receive more support because of that.

De La Cerada believes that this will help ELAC create partnerships with corporations and other institutions. “We have a conservative budget, compared to four-year universities,” De La Cerada said.

He also said that while ELAC has a relationship with corporations like Edison International, it’s always looking for new opportunities that could benefit students.

“I want students to see the benefits and applications of math. I think most students believe they will never use it in the real world,” said Rivera.

He elaborated by saying that mathematics are essential in fields like chemistry and engineering. “I chose to study Chemistry, because I like to study the relationship between matter and energy.”

“Students need to see that math isn’t scary. They just need the right mentors. Rivera is one of those mentors,” De La Cerda said.

Corporate partnerships could also help students considering Rivera entry level jobs in fields like engineering.

Companies like Boeing hire skilled students and help with their education said De La Cerda.

The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor projects a four percent increase in job opportunities for electrical engineers from 2012 to 2022.

It projects a five percent increase in the

field of mechanical engineering, as well as a 20 percent increase in the field of civil engineering.

Rivera believes that he has been able to achieve as much as he has because he had good mentors.

“I want to do the same for them (students).”

Both Rivera and De La Cerda believe that the HENAAC award Rivera received will attract corporate sponsorships.

These sponsorships would not only benefit students aiming for a bachelor’s in a STEM field, but also students looking into learning a trade skill.

According to the Brookings Institution, 20 percent of jobs in the United States are in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields, as of 2011. That’s 26 million STEM jobs.

Half of those jobs are open to people without a bachelor’s degree, according to the same study.

The Brookings Institution calls this “The Hidden STEM Economy.”

Half of all STEM jobs are in manufacturing, healthcare and construction industries.

Jobs in installation, maintenance and repair make up 12 percent.

“Entry level jobs can encourage students to further their education. We want to encourage entrepreneurship,” De La Cerada said.

De La Cerda received a patent for an electronic pet door he invented.

He later sold his invention and uses it as an example to encourage his students.

“I tell students everyone learns differently.

It might take you five years to learn what someone learns in one, but you could do whatever you set your mind to,” Rivera said.

SOLORIO Continued on page 3

Los Angeles becomes Olympics prospective bidder

BY CUAUHTEMOC HERNANDEZ Staff Writer The city of Los Angeles entered a bid to host the 2024 Olympics, replacing Boston as the proposed candidate for the United States.

Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti and the Los Angeles City Council advanced the city’s bid for the 2024 Olympics earlier this month, entering the race to compete against Paris, Rome, Hamburg and Budapest in the two-year competition.

Boston resident’s scrutiny over public financing of the Olympics,

News Briefs

pressured Mayor Marty Walsh to announce that he would not commit to signing the host city contract.

The contract stipulates that the host city is held responsible for potential cost overruns for the events.

Community resistance to Boston’s bid for the Olympics resulted in the formation of many groups, including No Boston 2024 and No Boston Olympics, which focused on the lack of transparency and disregard for public opinion by the United States Olympic Committee.

A Freedom of Information

request filed by Boston Magazine exposed that taxpayer money was intended for Olympic expenses.

The organizing committee mislead the public by saying the games would be privately financed.

The plug was pulled on Boston 2024 due to successful organizing by concerned citizens who demanded the city to focus their public funds on improvements to education and housing.

A $4.1 billion plan was revealed in the LA2024 Bid Book, with a glaring expenditure of a one billion dollar Olympic Village proposed to house athletes in Cypress Park

Transfer Fair The Transfer Center is hosting a University Transfer Fair today between P3 and D5 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

in the area that is referred to as the Piggyback Yard.

Miguel Santana, from the Los Angeles City Administrative Offices and the chief financial advisor to the Mayor, raised concerns about the unknown sources of funding for the project.

Historically, working class and immigrant communities in Olympic host cities are disproportionately affected by the accelerated gentrification and patterns of displacement leading to the games according to a report by the “Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions.”

Elections

The International Olympic Committee promotes and develops urban renewal programs that consolidate land ownership for the state and private corporations.

Numerous examples from Atlanta’s demolition of “Techwood Homes public housing” in 1996, to the current housing rights abuse occurring in Rio de Janeiro in preparation for the 2016 games.

Los Angeles Olympic promoters hope to garner enough support to finance the city’s third bid as an Olympic host.

The Olympics were held in Los Angeles in 1932 and in 1984 which

The East Los Angeles College Student Trustee and ASU by-laws elections will be between P3 and D5 today from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

included East Los Angeles College as an Olympic venue.

“Weingart Stadium played host to the field hockey portion of the Olympics in 84’ as a result of instrumental agitating from ELAC instructor Flora Brussa,” head coach for the Athletics program Louis Ramirez said.

Flora Brussa, who was the first woman Athletic Directors in the nation to direct a woman’s and men’s intercollegiate athletic program, organized for the school’s participation and as a result secured funding for a new track for the campus.

Keep track of Campus News To keep up-to-date with the latest ELAC news, “Like” facebook.com/CampusNews, follow on Twitter and Instagram @Elaccampusnews. For more stories go to Elaccampusnews.com.

2

Opinion

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS

Straight outta’ time

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

EDITOR IN CHIEF Marcus Camacho MANAGING EDITOR Jade Inglada ONLINE EDITORS Diego Olivares Megan G. Razzetti ART DIRECTORS Jade Inglada Danny Vasquez FRONT EDITOR Julianne Obregon OPINION EDITOR Bryce Ronquillo FEATURE EDITOR Stephanie Guevara

ARTS EDITORS Delia Diaz Stephanie Garibay SPORTS EDITORS Rogelio Alvarez Daniel Gudino PHOTO EDITORS Nina Chin Maria Isidoro

Study time taken for granted

Racing against the clock

BY JACQUELYN GONZALEZ

BY MARIA ISIDORO

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Study time is probably one of if not the most precious and scarce privileges that we as college students tend to take for granted.

Time moves by faster than most realize; that is, unless a student is trying to meet a deadline. This tends to be a common worry the second a professor assigns a group project.

An ongoing issue when it comes to the use of the group study rooms in the Bailey Library.

Being a college student means being in the process of earning a degree in a chosen profession (often times while working).

For this reason, the conflicting schedules among group members is understandable.

Due to this reality, most groups tend to schedule their meeting times right around the time their class either begins or ends.

The library has been beautifully renovated. It’s easily accessible and the group study rooms are spacious. These study rooms give students the opportunity to discuss projects without having to worry about being disruptive to someone else’s study time. Often times a group arrives at the library only to find that no rooms are available.

These rooms are being occupied by either groups of people watching movies in between classes, or playing card games such as “Yu-Gi-Oh!” or “Pokemon.” Then there’s the not so occasional party of one student sitting in an eight-seater room. One student alone should not have a room to themselves.

There are plenty of tables and chairs all throughout the library for students who don’t have work to discuss with other group members. There are signs placed on the room windows stating what the rooms should be used for and how many students should be present at all times.

I once found myself in a situation where I arrived at an eight-seater room with my group of six people and had to ask a student who was solely taking up the space, if he could move out to a table. He refused; and the second security came, he texted a few friends to come and sit in with him. Security then said there was nothing they could do, seeing as the room now had the number of bodies required for occupation.

While this group of friends were taking up valuable space to gossip and listen to music, my group was pushed to settle for a table in the general study area, forcing us to communicate via email.

Library administrators should make study rooms available only upon reservation with a written pass from the professors themselves stating the names of every person in the group.

To my fellow Elans, time waits for no one. Be considerate of each other’s futures.

The habit of being late to classes is a constant struggle for college students.

Writing notes on an agenda about daily tasks, such as events and homework assignments are a good idea.

Leaving assignments to drift through the air will kick into automatic when I am reminded of upcoming tasks, both at school and at work.This unconscious process helps me remember my next staff meeting, or other deadlines and responsibilities, but it sometimes fails. Sometimes, the entire day goes by without thinking that I need to be better organized to meet a deadline, and hoping that it will not happen again at the next opportunity.

Because of the lack of personal organization skills, things sometimes go wrong. This can include anything, from being late because of traffic, or missing the bus to school. I became aware that it is difficult to overcome the habit of running late.

Lateness results in embarrassing moments that require coming up with excuses followed by apologies. Being late stresses students out. I found myself tripping over objects and pushing people on my way to get to class on time.

Some of the consequences of being late can be getting marked absent, denied entrance to the classroom or having my assignments go uncollected.

Being late to class because of being unorganized is disrespectful to the professors, and to my classmates and colleagues.

To break with the habit of constantly running late is a constant struggle, I realized that small, insignificant things like waiting in line to buy a cup of coffee wasted a lot of time.

I had to stop arriving to class with a Starbucks in hand. By giving myself an extra 15 minutes each morning by getting up earlier, and getting out of the house on time, I have been able to arrive on time more often.

It also helps to prepare for the next day’s classes the night before. This way, I don’t have to stress out in a rush in the morning.

According to research studies from San Francisco State University, 20 percent of the U.S. population is chronically late.

Allowing enough time for an unexpected delay such as checking traffic reports and accidents can help students be more punctual.

To master the habit of punctuality, I had to identify the old habits by setting reminders and alarms on my phone as way to teach myself to be punctual.

Being more responsible and accountable without using Siri has gotten me in touch with my internal clock.

College for All Act creates posibilities for low income

BY JAVIER LOPEZ Staff Writer The benefits of making four-year public universities and colleges tuition free could increase the amount of students who attend/ graduate college through the College for All Act. The act could make college free. The act is meant to eliminate undergraduate tuition.

Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running for President, founded the College for All Act. Educating the youth would help increase the success rate of low income students and encourage them to pursue a higher education.

The act would create resources needed by students to get good paying jobs. This would benefit the economy by increasing the circulation of wealth.

Students at East Los Angeles Community College would benefit from the College for all Act. ELAC has students from low income communities and the Act would remove barriers ELAC students face.

These barriers include the cost

of attending a four-year university and being uncertain of the aid that is available to them. Another barrier is having to continuously re-apply for financial aid and being constantly questioned in order to ensure how deserving they are of the Federal government's help.

The act would start a pilot program to eliminate having to re-apply for financial aid each year.

Low income students also face the barrier of having to take out student loans to pay for college.

Most students end up with an average debt of $28,00-30,000 by the time they graduate from college, according to usnews.com.

The number varies depending on universities.

The act would help students with loans. It would lower student interest rates from 4.32 percent to 2.32 percent and also assure that the rates never surpass 8.25 percent on any loan.

Students wouldn’t be forced to pay more than they should.

Another benefit to the act is the the Federal study program which provides jobs for students. It would help low income students in need of a job.

The Federal government would be in charge of paying for 60 percent of the cost of running a college or university, while the state pays for 33 percent.

This would cover the $70,000,000,000 that public colleges need in order to operate.

The money to pay for this would be collected by imposing a Robin Hood tax on Wall Street. The act would charge a 0.5 percent tax on stock trades (50 cents for every $100 worth of stock). It would charge a 0.1 percent tax on bonds as well.

These taxes could build up a revenue of hundreds of billions of dollars a year.

This act is essential to the growth of the United States. The benefits of the act speak for themselves.

It would increase the amount of college graduates that come from low income communities. It would benefit the economy. The College for all Act would also increase the number of opportunities available for students and professors.

It is time to stop treating students like sources of income for banks and treat them as the future of this country by providing them with a free education. www.ELACCampusNews.com

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Feature

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

3

Uphill battle: Elan fights to pursue dream career who have had some difficulties with men. Since that’s what this page 1 play is about, it really brought a feeling of awareness to me and "I tried being a pharmacy was very emotional,” Solorio said. technician and I did construction “Drunk Girl” was written work on the side, but I knew it by Josefina Lopez, a chicana wasn’t what I wanted to do” playwright, who is best known Solorio said. as the author of the play “Real Solorio decided to enroll in Women Have Curves”.

ELAC and get "I want to back into theater. give a voice Despite the to those who fact that Solorio’s are afraid to family wasn’t speak out and too familiar with express their Theater Arts, inner truths. In they were always “Drunk Girl,” there to show I candidly their support. explore the “My family very serious always kind of topic of knew this is physical where I belonged. abuse. The My parents came current scandal to each play, they surrounding never missed actor Bill one. I never Cosby has Samuel Solorio really thought brought the about it, but I’ve topic of rape to the forefront and have come to really appreciate was the inspiration for one of that”, Solorio said. the pieces I wrote in this collection," Solorio has run into some said Lopez. obstacles trying to pursue Although this was the first his theater career. One of the time Solorio took part in a play biggest obstacles he has faced at Casa 0101, he has left a big is being a student and trying to impact on the production team. support himself financially.

“This is my first time working “There was times where with Samuel, but even in the I’ve had to work weird hours audition he was very lovely, very like the graveyard shift. It’s beautiful and vulnerable, a very hard because you need time captivating actor. The efforts to rest to come to school or go that he has put in, you know to work and I never had time for he’s a student and has to work anything”, Solorio said. full time. He has managed his time Despite having been involved really well,” said Claudia Duran, in a handful of plays, one Producer and Director of “Drunk of Solorio’s most profound Girl.” memories on stage has been on Solorio plans on continuing his the set of “Drunk Girl.” theater career at ELAC and hopes “I have some older sisters to transfer out soon.

SOLORIO Continued from

COURTESY OF STEVE MOYER

DRESS REHEARSAL— Henry Madrid (Dream Handsome) left, Maia Villa (Dream Young Gloria), Juanita Medina (Ama Gloria) and Jasia Topete (Young Daughter) in rehearsal of “Dunk Girls” which premiers September 25.

Theater actress discovers new pathways

BY ROGELIO ALVAREZ Staff Writer East Los Angeles College s t u d e n t J a s i a To p e t e ’s p a s t involvements in theater has been a major contribution to her growth as a student and as a person.

Theater and Chicano Studies major Jasia Topete has been involved in ELAC Theater Arts Productions and in Casa 0101 plays.

Last spring semester, Topete portrayed Sargent Verges in William Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing” directed by theatre arts instructor Kelly Hogan.

Topete will compete on Feburary 2016 in The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival hosted by the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Chaminade University of Honolulu for their roles in “Much Ado About Nothing.”

“As an actor, every piece of work that you do, you take with you when you work on a new

piece,” said Topete.

Topete was cast in “Un Acto con Impacto,” a sub production of “Chicanas, Cholas Y Chismes” presented by CASA 0101 and directed by Sylvia L. Chavez, Claudia Duran, Lindsey Haley, Maria G. Martinez, Elvia Rubalcava and Vilma Villela.

“When I did “UnActo con Impacto” a lot of the actors had so much more experience. I was the baby there, so I learned from people who had been acting for a lot of years and worked with different d i r e c t o r s , t o o . Yo u p i c k u p techniques and little things that they do,” Topete said.

Topete first took acting classes last semester and began to audition for roles immediately after.

Her roles in “Chicanas, Cholas y Chismes” lead her to be casted in “Drunk Girl,” a series of plays directed by a series of directors that included ELAC alumni Claudia Duran, Maria G. Martinez. and Elvia Rubalcava premiering this Friday at CASA 0101 Theater.

Claudia Duran was one of the directors that worked with Jasia Topete on “Un Acto con Impacto” and is currently working with Topete on “Drunk Girl” as a producer and director.

“Having worked with her before and seeing her growth has been so awesome. She’s definitely much more confident and vulnerable in the different roles that she has.”

“I remember when we first saw her a few months ago in a different play she was a part of.

Now she’s making all these great choices as an actor and a performer.

It’s fun to watch her growth,” said Duran.

ELAC alum Maria G. Martinez is one of the directors for “Drunk Girl” and was a writer, producer and director on “Un Actc con Impacto” who worked with Topete on both productions.

“She’s a great singer,” said Martinez.

She was raised by a single mother and her father was incarcerated while she was growing up.

Although he’s been released from

prison, he remains absent in her life.

Throughout her journey as an actor, Topete received little support from her mom.

“She thinks I’m over here playing games. She doesn’t understand how much discipline and work goes into it and how tiring it is. It’s phyiscally, emotionally and mentally tiring. It motivates me to show them I can do it without their support,” said Topete.

“Theater is very healing; just being able to express a story to an audience and make them emotionally connect with the stories and make them forget about their problems,” Topete said.

Topete was casted as a nanny in the upcoming contemporary play “A Doll’s House,” written

by Henry Epson and directed by David Larry Scott.

“Once you commit to something, you have to go all for it,” said Topete.

Jasia Topete’s performances can be seen on Fridays and Saturdays from Sept. 25-Oct. 18 at the CASA 0101 production “Drunk Girl.”

ELAC FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! Don’t miss out on your chance to get free money for your education.

Application deadline is Saturday, October 3, 2015, 11:59 p.m.

Online application only.

Apply online at: http://elac-foundation.org www.ELACCampusNews.com

4 arts

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Comedy show keeps audience laughing

BY DIEGO LINARES Staff Writer

COURTESY OF CROSS CREEK PICTURES

TRUE CORRUPTION—John Connolly, played by Joel Edgerton, provides some serious and illegal information to James “Whitey� Bulger, played by Johnny Depp in the true crime drama, “Black Mass.�

‘Black Mass’ proves captivating

BY DIEGO OLIVARES Staff Writer

“Black Mass� is a raw and engaging true crime film lead by powerful performances from all around.

Based on a true story, the film follows the grim world of James “Whitey� Bulger, played with chilling perfection by Johnny Depp.

Bulger was the crime lord of an Irish-American mob based in South Boston during the 1970s and 80s.

Bulger would later be one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted.

The film also centers on FBI Agent John Connolly, played by Joel Edgerton. Connolly also happens to be a childhood friend of Bulger’s.

It is through Connolly that Bulger becomes an FBI informant in order to take down a rival mob family.

This allows Bulger to expand his

own criminal empire with disastrous results. Â Director Scott Cooper presents a stylistic vibe different from most gangster films. Cooper chooses to give his film a raw and stripped down feel that fits perfectly with the setting and tone.

Sequences of violence in the film are presented in a realistic manner.

This allows those scenes to be both terrifying and unflinching. Â Thematically, the film explores concepts of corruption and the darker side of loyalty.

Bulger and Connolly allow their alliance to further their positions in their respective fields. Both men fall into the darker parts of their souls as a result.

Connolly lets the power that he gains from Bulger’s intell change him from a federal agent to a common criminal.   Bulger’s ascension from smalltime hood to criminal kingpin also

affects him negatively. Bulger is presented as a vicious character at the beginning of the film.

His power-climb causes him to develop paranoia and insanity. This results in him committing horrific actions affecting those around him, including members of his gang.

Connolly allows his friendship with Bulger dictate his own actions.

He does this due to the loyalty he has for Bulger.

It is this sense of loyalty that Bulger takes advantage of. This is also hinted at with Bulger and his U.S. Senator brother, played by Benedict Cumberbatch.

Johnny Depp gives one of his best performances ever. Depp portrays Bulgar as an unnerving menace.

Like in many of his past performances, he’s completely unrecognizable. His appearance helps add to the eeriness of his character.

With this role, Depp is able to

show audiences his amazing range as an actor.

Joel Edgerton also delivers an interesting performance as John Connelly. Edgerton manages to begin the film with such a blind nativeness that it slowly morphs him to a villian.

The film also features a strong supporting cast, which includes Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, and Corey Stoll. however supporting characters though are underdeveloped during the picture.

With such strong actors, their characters should have been given more screen time. The film instead chooses to focus on Depp and Edgerton’s characters. “Black Mass� is an interesting and engaging film that explores a dangerous alliance between criminals and federal agents.

Rated R for brutal violence, language sexual references and drug use.

Holy Grounds Coffee & Tea served as a makeshift comedy club that hosted the show “Sleeping With Chloe and Mark� last Thursday in El Sereno.

The audience couldn’t help but laugh when comedian Jesus Trejo compared probable cause to a secret menu at a fast food restaurant. “How do you want to be treated?� asks Trejo, imitating a police officer. “Animal style.�

Hosts Chloe McGovern and Mark Alexzandr have turned a coffee shop into a place where people who have been on shows like “Last Comic Standing� on NBC, online outlets like Funny or Die and in clubs like the Comedy Store could showcase their work. “It’s really hard to find stage time in L.A,� said McGovern. “It’s nice to give (comedians) a good spot.�

Comedians Trejo, Logan Duntzelman, Dave Ross, Eric Dadourian, Marcella Arguello and Debra DiGiovanni all brought their personal styles and views, touching on topics like homophobia, gentrification, immigrant parents, the drought in California, Harry Potter fans and ducks on the Gold Line Metro Rail.

Each set was packed with material that ranged from silly puns to explicit sexual content.

McGovern and Alexzandr are not only hosts, they’re a duo working on bringing known entertainers to the east side of downtown Los Angeles. “Chloe and I have a motto, and that’s to be as uncomfortable as possible when booking people,� said Alexzandr. “We want to book way above us and bring big people, but with that is the possibility that they’re not going to come.�

There were strong sets from comedians who’ve stepped on stage in front of a national audience as well as those who’ve performed for standing-in-only crowds.

DiGiovanni has seen some accomplishments in Canada and the United States, having won Best Stand-Up Newcomer at the Canadian Comedy Awards, and placed eighth when competing on the fifth season of “Last Comic Standing�.

Arguello brought experience as she’s opened for the likes of Norm McDonald and Hannibal Buress, while also having  performed at venues like the Improv Comedy Clubs across California.

Both Arguello and Dadourian have been featured on Funny or Die, while Trejo has had some exposure on Comedy Central. “(Mark and Chloe) started off small, but they’re dedicated.They’ve assumed the responsibility and have just run with it,� Steve Boland said, owner of Holy Grounds Coffee & Tea.

Where earning a bachelor’s degree meets

“I want to transfer today!�

CN/MEGAN G. RAZZETTI

MISFORTUNE SOLDIERS—Members of the mercenary group B-Squad try to survive a variety of assignments

‘B-Squad’ struggles to stay alive

BY IVAN CAZARES Staff Writer Volume one of “B-Squad: Soldiers of Misfortune� is a fun to read independent comic book.

The series is written by Eben Burgoon. It follows the odd adventures of a group of mercenaries.

The group consists of misfits that are based on pop culture stereotypes.

The main cast of characters ranges from a chain smoking frenchman called Jean Paul Bombardiere, to a tech savvy social media addict called MacGoogle.

Fans of Adult Swim shows like the Venture Brothers will probably enjoy the humor. Some might find the humor offensive, but it’s not meant to be taken seriously.

The series has an overarching plot, even though it isn’t clear what that plot is. Each issue, however, can be enjoyed individually.

The only plot element volume one reveals is that someone is targeting the squad.

Volume one contains issues one through five and they all start off with the squad mourning, or bad -mouthing a member that died in

a previous mission. Even the first issue starts off this way.

There isn’t much character development, but it works for these kinds of stories.

The writer makes it clear that the characters are expendable. The creators spin a mariner’s gambling token made of whalebone they dubbed “The Pequod� for every issue.

Even though each story follows the formula of a new squad member being introduced and one dying in every issue, it introduces new elements that keep the reader engaged and doesn’t feel repetitive.

The stories and supporting cast are just as over the top as the squad itself.

They must face poching hipsters, deranged James Cameron fans, a horde of genetically modified wiener dogs and tapigami culture monsters. Tapigami is an art form created by Danny Scheible, which uses masking tape as a medium.

Scheible makes an appearance as a tapigami wizard in issue two.  Scheible also backed all three of the book’s kickstarters.

The dialogue between characters is entertaining and doesn’t rely on

cursing for humor. It doesn’t rely on sex appeal either. It never comes off as serious and never boring.

There is a lot of references to pop culture and social media.

MacGoogle doesn’t go anywhere without his phone and live-tweets the squad’s missions. There is no absence of references to pop icons, from the artist Banksy, Angry Birds, the Mario Brothers and lines referencing Star Wars.

The book isn’t for children, but can be enjoyed by a wide range of readers.

The book itself is a paperback with a gloss finish. It’s well bound and comes with a cardboard sleeve.

The pages are colorful and the panels are easy to follow. The art style is consistent, even though different artists worked on each issue. It’s cartoon-like, but detailed and interesting.

There is some artwork between issues and early sketches in the final pages of the book as an included bonus.

Volume one is available at bsquadcomic.com for $24.99 and a digital dowload is available for $4.99. Details on volume two are yet to be released.

“With year-round enrollment and access to faculty Ζ NQHZ 1DWLRQDO ZDV IRU PH 0\ DGYLVRU WUDQVIHUUHG P\ FUHGLWV DQG QRZ I’m on my way.â€? ~ Michael, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology One Course Per Month • Financial Aid • Year-Round Enrollment

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Arts

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

In the

5

SPOTLIGHT Drunk Girl addresses domestic violence

BY GUADALUPE BARRIGA Staff Writer “Drunk Girl” talks about rape, social conflict between men and women and violence towards women and kids.

The grand opening of “Drunk Girl” will happen Sept. 24. The play was written

by Josefina Lopez and directed by Claudia Duran along with Maria Martinez.

Drunk Girl is composed of 16 short plays, monologues and sketch pieces, including “Life Is Not A Fairy Tale,” “Stand Up for Women,” “Drunk Girl,” and “Yes, Let’s Have Sex.” It will be very graphic and possibly difficult to watch. The writers along with the actors believe this play will be a great way to educate people about rape and violence.

Rocio Diaz, one of the writers, describes the play as deep and emotional. She is the writer of “Pink Scars” and was inspired to write this play by her experiences.

A poem in which she was working on turned into a story that will be told in “Drunk Girl.”

“I needed to speak for women and women shouldn’t be silence when they are mistreated,” Diaz said.

The play will have talented actors and two of them are current students at East Los Angeles College. Jasia Topete and Samuel Solorio feel proud to be part of this project. With their acting, they hope to send a powerful message to the audience and teach them violence is wrong.

Topete and Solorio have to act out strong scenes that deal with rape and violence.

They feel connected with their characters and hope to make the audience feel the same way.

So far they’ve received positive feedback from the audience and expect to keep it like that.

The “Drunk Girl” short story written by Libette Garcia will bring tears to people.

Through this play she expresses herself and her experience in child abuse.

“It was a hard piece to write in tears. It’s a personal story,” Garcia said. The message in the story is to tell both women and men to get help when they are experiencing violence, abuse and even rape.

It will be a way to help others heal their pain and know they are not alone in this world.

Both directors and producers Claudia Duran and Maria Martinez believe the biggest challenge in the play is presenting it to the audience.

“They have the right cast and it’s beautiful to see everyone grow,” Duran and Martinez said.

There is so much to say in this play and so much to teach both genders. Although it will be a graphic play, they are not afraid of negative reactions and they are prepared to face them.

On the contrary, they are convinced it will bring positive comments and make the audience connect with the characters.

Some stories will make you cry while others will make you laugh. It’s a play of mixed emotions. It’s a way to be heard and to heal the pain. The play is to educate families, men and women about sex, violence and rape.

It is recommended for mature audiences and promises to bring families together.

CN/JOSHUA INGLADA

TRUE CORRUPTION—A large pepperoni and mushroom pizza ready for slicing in a booth at Ricci’s Italian Deli Restaurant.

Fine Italian food at reasonable prices

BY JOSHUA INGLADA Staff Writer Bellflower offers fine Italian food at reasonable prices in the form of Ricci’s Italian Deli Restaurant.

Known mostly as Ricci’s, the restaurant is a family-owned business that has been in Bellower for the past 14 years. Ricci’s is managed by a family of four, a husband, his wife and two sons.

The front of the restaurant acts as a deli, with racks displaying food and ingredients for sale while you wait to place your order. It is brightly lit and spacious.

The foods for sale include cold drinks, pasta, canned vegetables and assorted Italian breads and cookies.

The main dining area has several standard tables and booths that can seat as many as four people. The table in the center of the room is long enough to seat up to 12 people at a time.

Ricci’s sells a wide array of Italian food, from calzones to ravioli dishes and seafood. Its homemade pizzas, however, are where it shines.

A large pizza with two toppings costs $15.45 and contains 12 slices.

Up to five toppings can be ordered for a pizza of any size.

The pizza was sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and covered with an even amount of mushrooms and pepperoni. The pepperonis were crispy after coming out of the oven and the mushrooms were juicy. The cheese was oozing hot and the crust was both fluffy and toasty.

A side of garlic bread can be bought for $3.95. The loaves were hot and the flavor wasn’t too strong.

Ricci’s also sells seafood, such as fried calamari with marinara dipping sauce as an appetizer for $7.95.

The calamari was served in chunks and in a sizeable portion.

The mozzarella marinara appetizer was a surprise, since it sounded like the usual mozzarella

sticks at first. Instead it was several slices of fried mozzarella baked together in sauce and Parmesan cheese like lasagna. Hot and saucy, it was an unexpected treat.

Soft drinks and iced tea cost $2.75. Refills are free.

Ricci’s offers different specials Monday through Saturdays. On Sundays, every pizza dish is offered at a discount.

Up to $2.50 can be subtracted from the original price of a pizza of any size.

The staff is kind and always nearby to refill your drink whenever you run low.

The restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, it’s open from 12 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

It tends to fill up as the evening approaches, so it’s best to eat there for lunch if you want a quieter time.

Ricci’s can be found on 17317 Bellflower Boulevard after getting off the 91 Freeway.

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CHOOSE A SIDE—Thomas, played by Dylan O’Brien, is asked “Whose side are you on?” by Janson during an interrogation after Thomas and the other Gladers are brought to sanctuary.

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night after the Gladers escaped the Maze Teresa called out to Thomas Staff Writer telepathically in fear and the next “Maze Runner: The Scorch morning, the dead bodies of their Trials” fails to reach its full potential rescuers were discovered.

This event did not take place with an unsatisfactory storyline.

Though the cast played their roles in the film and if the director had exceptionally, the storyline left the chosen to follow the book more audience feeling slightly confused. closely, the story could have been Even if the audience has never more interesting and less confusing.

In the books, Thomas and read the books and has seen the first film, this movie will leave them Teresa, played by Kaya Scodelario, feeling as if something is missing. have the ability to communicate In the film, Thomas, played by telepathically and Thomas discovers Dylan O’Brien, and his fellow that the reason that the walls are Gladers believe that they have moving is because it is spelling escaped the Maze and are now free out a code.

The ability Thomas and Teresa of WCKD, the World In Catastrophe have wasn’t introduced in the first Killzone Experiment Department.

But soon they realize that the film, nor was it in the second.

Despite the changes to the haven they thought they found may not be everything they hoped storyline, the cast did an excellent job fulfilling their roles. it to be.

O’Brien, known for TV series “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials,” along with the first film, “Teen Wolf,” once again displayed deviates from the book considerably the strength and the courage w h i c h l i k e l y l e f t f a n s a n d that Thomas instills in the other characters. potential fans disappointed.

His character always searches for According to the book, one

BY JULIANNE OBREGON

and financial aid advising

www.ELACCampusNews.com

9/12/14 10:21 AM

the truth to protect his friends, even if it means he must do it alone.

Aris Jones, played by Jacob Lofland, is a quiet character that Thomas and the other Gladers meet after they escaped the Maze.

He helps Thomas discover the secrets in the haven they have been brought to.

Lofland, known for “Mud” and TV series “Justified,” may not have had a major role in this film, but his presence didn’t go unnoticed, especially when he displayed a similar need to discover the truth as Thomas.

Unfortunately for the other actors, the storyline made it somewhat difficult for them to reach their full potential.

Their presence wasn’t as evident in this film as it was in the first. The storyline focuses more on Thomas and his need to discover the truth about WCKD. This film is rated PG-13 for extended series of violence and action, some thematic elements, substance use and language.

6

SPORTS

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS

Victory ELAC

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

SBCC

21

14

Football catches first win

BY DAN GUDINO Staff Writer

The Husky football team won its first victory of the season on the road against the Santa Barbara City College, Sept. 19, 21-14.

Late in the final quarter, ELAC scored with a 12 play, 91-yard drive, off freshman quarterback Brian Marty, for a four yard touchdown pass to freshman tight end Tanner Rose.

The score put ELAC up with 14 seconds remaining in the game, giving Head Coach Eric Marty the first win of his tenure at ELAC. After coming off a bye week and a week one loss to Glendale City College, Huskies improved on defense, allowing 271 yards of passing compared to the 488-yards allowed in the first game.

Sophomore defensive back Ryan Cisneros and Freshman defensive back De’Angelo Buchanan recorded two interceptions against SBCC. “Our defense played their behinds off. This is what we’ve been working for as a group, we want to win football games 50 to zero and make games look pretty but football is about competing and always a test. We hung in there, we found a way to get it done.

Santa Barbara is a good team that does things well on offense,” said Coach Marty.

ELAC started the game on a good note when quarterback Marty hit sophomore receiver Iheanyi Obinna with a 19-yard touchdown, on the Huskies opening possession.

The 6-foot 5-inch Obinna has a team high 15 catches, 274 yards receiving with two touchdowns and is averaging 137 yards receiving per game.

“I feel like I didn’t have that good of a game. I had a few drop passes, but I’m coming strong the next games,” said Obinna Obinna finished with nine catches for 159 yards and a touchdown vs SBCC. With a 14-0 lead, the Huskies allowed 14 unanswered to SBCC sophomore wide receiver Osha Washington, in the second half. Washington was handed the ball and fooled the ELAC defense by throwing the ball into the hands of freshman receiver Matthew Sharsh for a game tying 19-yard touchdown in the third quarter going into the fourth tied 14-14.

The Huskies prevailed by shutting out the SBCC offense, aided by an interception from freshman defensive back Deangelo Buchanon in the ELAC red zone. .

“It’s about improvement. We’re never going to be the same team that we’re in week one, that we are in week 10. As long as I’m here and ultimately our goal is how quickly can we improve.” said Coach Marty.

Quarterback Marty finished 20 of 37 passing, 248 yards, 3 TDs and an interception.

Tight end Rose helped with two catches, 28 yards, and a TD. Also contributing was Crenshaw High product, sophomore receiver Leonard Taylor who caught four passes for 17 yards and a TD. The Huskies will be back home Sept. 26 at Weingart Stadium, hosting El Camino Center - Compton for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Volleyball snaps out of losing streak

BY BRYCE RONQUILLO

H U S K I E S

Sports Briefs

Staff Writer Husky volleyball broke its four-game losing streak with a five-set, down to the wire, win (25-22, 25-22, 24-26,18-25, 16-14) over College of the Desert on Wednesday.

Sophomore outside hitter Breanna Trujillo scored the game winning point, with a roll shot out of the back row, that landed just behind the Desert blockers.

This was the first home victory this season for ELAC(3-4).

"Winning at home was amazing. I was screaming, I was so happy. I still think we can play better, but we won," said sophomore middle blocker Yekaterina Makarova.

The Huskies rallied behind head coach Elliott Walker, who brought his team together after Desert tied up the game at 2-2.

“I told them ‘we don’t change anything, but we change how we approach the game.’ That simply means we had to come out with a positive attitude, understand that we had to attack the ball and keep it in play,” Walker said.

Mistakes plagued the Huskies throughout the game. This played a factor in the two close sets won by Desert. There were a total of 25 attack errors and 18 serving errors for ELAC. Trujillo picked up the slack on offense with 24 kills on 57 attempts with four errors. Makarova had nine kills on the night along with sophomore outside hitter Alexis Salazar who added eight of her own.

One of the key components for the Huskies was the serving strategy. This gave Desert a difficult time with running its offense.

“We had to make sure we practiced aggressive serving to move the ball around,” Walker said. “Breanna (Trujillo) was a plus tonight. She made sure we had serves in. We also went with Clarissa (Ruiz), who’s been showing improvement during the game.”

“I was nervous… The team did a good

Cross-Country Husky long distance runners were led by sophomore Andrew Perez, in the season opener at the SoCal Preview meet Sept. 18.

Perez in the 4-mile race finished 93rd with a time of 23:09.6.

Sophomore Justin Torres was the second Husky to finish in 133rd place with a time of 23:53.3. Overall ELAC as a teamplaced 23rd.

Wrestling A disappointing result at the 2015 Mt. San Antonio College Tournament, Sept. 19, for the ELAC wrestling team. Placed in Pool A the Husky team lost all four rounds. ( Round 1, Mt. SAC def. ELAC, 43 - 6; Round 2, Sierra def. ELAC, 36 - 9; Round 3, Mt. SAC def. ELAC, 51 - 3 ; Round 4 Bakersfield def. ELAC 38 - 9)

Women’s Soccer

CN/JULIANNE OBREGON

Ladies soccer snapped a 5-game losing streak in their first victory of the season, Sept. 22, at home against Ventura, 3 - 2.

Freshmen Julie Ortiz, Lizeth Delgado and sophomore Tara Cofer all scored for the Huskies.

SERVICE WINNER— Outside Hitter Alexis Salzar serves the

ball during the second set against College of the Desert and earns a point for the Huskies Sept. 16 in the South Gym.

Men’s Soccer job of making me feel better about my serves,” sophomore right-side hitter Clarissa Ruiz said.

Something that won’t show up in the stat books are the words shared by Sophomore setter Ashley Winet to inspire her team when the Huskies were down 16-24 in the third set.

“I told them ‘We need composure. We aren’t going to give up on this set. We are going to fight. We are not a weak team.

Get it together.’ That’s basically what I

said,” Winet said.

The team was clearly inspired by those words. They scored eight unanswered points to tie up the score but lost the set.

The Huskies will take on Saddleback College at Saddleback today at 5 p.m.

The next home game will be Friday when Cerro Coso Community College, San Bernardino Valley College and Los Angeles Mission College come to ELAC for a quad tournament. www.ELACCampusNews.com

In off-season play, the men’s basketball team competed in the 2015 SoCal JUCO Jamboree, Sept. 18 - 20. Held at Cerritos College and Long Beach City College, it was reported as the largest tournament of assembled teams ever, with 47 JUCO schools competing. ELAC defeated last year’s CA No. 20 team in Citrus College, 63 - 49. Later losing to Fresno City College 69 - 50.