Volume 72, Issue 11
NEWS
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LA Zoo Lights brings Christmas cheer
For the latest campus news throughout the winter session
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014
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Staff Writer An effort is underway to reinforce the smoke-free environment policy to ban forms of tobacco, such as the use of e-cigarettes on East Los Angeles College’s campus. Joining a growing list of colleges and universities with 100 percent smoke-free, tobacco-free and e-cigarette-free policies around the country, ELAC is developing a plan for a new smoking ban reinforcement policy. The new student-led initiative is called Butts Out Revolution. It is initiated by the Association
News Briefs
Student Government’s Health and Safety Committee to promote a healthy, productive and respectful environment. Joshua Ibarra, Senator of ASU’s Health and Safety Committee, has developed a plan to transition ELAC into a tobacco-free campus and to reinforce the smoke-free environment policy. Smoking is prohibited in all buildings, and the designated smoking areas are limited to smoking outside the buildings, according to the college’s smokefree environment policy. Also, tobacco-free policies are broad in addressing tobacco
products, and smoke-free policies and health aspects of secondhand only address smokers, cigars, cigarettes which there is and tobacco pipes. a risk level of “I came across a non- exposure. According to Ibarra, a tobacco- profit organization that Ibarra said free campus that this new means there is is funded by the federal tobacco-free no smoking for policy will government to help students, faculty, to enforce colleges become 100 help contractors and the smokevisitors anywhere percent tobacco-free.” f r e e p o l i c y on campus. and will also The decision to ban smoking Joshua ibarra ASU Health and Safety Committee eliminate all indoors and Senator smoking from outdoors on the ELAC was based entire campus. on the importance of the safety “I came across a non-profit
BY tadzio garcia Staff Writer The cross country team’s 2014 season had a season of firsts, which ended with accomplishments that had four-year universities interested in Huskies throughout the year. Sophomore Laura Aceves won her second-consecutive All-American status. While Elans Oscar Ogwaro and Sergio Lares accomplished this for the men’s team in both 2006 and 2005, Aceves is the first from the women’s team in East Los Angeles College’s history to do so. The men’s team, a preseason top-10 state team according to Head Coach Louis Ramirez, fell on hard times and did not recover. Two Huskies became homeless prior to the beginning of the semester, which affected their times according to Ramirez. “Something like this wasn’t expected, but all you can do is keep your head high, stay positive and things began to work out,” Ramirez said. “It took a lot of courage for these young men to work and compete with the team.”
cross Continued on page 8
Wrestling team sends four to state BY joseph ovalle Staff Writer
organization that is funded by the federal government to help colleges become 100 percent tobacco-free,” Ibarra said. According to Ibarra, the nonprofit Legacy of Health will grant federal money for a full year, worth about $5,000, to ASU’s Health and Safety Committee to help ELAC go completely tobacco-free. Ibarra said that the Health and Safety Committee will receive information from the non-profit organization in March to continue with the Butts Out Revolution project.
The wrestling team qualified four wrestlers to the California State Wrestling Championships with sophomores Joseph MagdalenoHudson, Adrian Herrera, Maury Lemons, and freshman Juan Soto Southern California Regional tournament. Magdaleno-Hudson of the 157-pound weight class was the Huskies best finish taking second, and Herrera (165) finished third. Lemons (285) and Soto (174) both lost their final match of the day taking fourth and sixth. ELAC finished the day seventh in team, scoring ahead of Bakersfield College and West Hills College Lemoore. Cerritos College ran away with the title scoring 164 points, with Mt. San Antonio College a distant second with 104 points. “I have done everything I can do to prepare them. It was up to them to perform,” ELAC Head Coach Ralph Valle said.
smoke Continued on page 3
team Continued on page 8
ELAC reinforces smoke-free campus policy BY MARIA ISIDORO
Cross country ends season on high note
Correction
Correction
Last issue of fall 2014 semester
Athletic Director Al Cone did not say “there is no love lost for Mojarro and his staff” as reported in “ELAC will not renew football coach’s contract.”
There are mistakes in last issue’s staff box. Ismael Carrillo and Sammantha Lopez were staff photographers. Amber Paramo and Rachel Acosta were Feature editors. Lucero Rodriguez and Albert Lucero were staff writers.
This is the last issue of Campus News for the fall 2014 semester. The next issue will be spring 2015. For more news and details on the movie “Scorpion King 4” contest, visit elaccampusnews.com.
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Opinion
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014
EDITOR IN CHIEF Jesus Figueroa MANAGING EDITOR Danny Vasquez ART DIRECTOR Lindsey Maeda FRONT EDITOR Jade Inglada OPINION EDITOR Marcus Camacho NEWS EDITOR Megan G. Razzetti, Maria Isidoro FEATURE EDITOR
MAJOR
Cortez Cruz Serrato
ARTS EDITOR Liliana Marquez, Julianne Obregon SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Ruiz PHOTO EDITOR Julianne Obregon COPY EDITOR Russell J. Zazueta
Decisions
CARTOONIST Kien Ha ONLINE EDITORS Sergio Berrueta Liliana Marquez Jane Fernandez Tadzio Garcia
New regulation gives little time to decide major BY megan razzetti Staff Writer East Los Angeles College will require incoming students to declare a major upon completion of 15 degree applicable units starting fall 2015. This is completely unfair for not only new students, but students who currently attend ELAC simply because people change their minds. As a part of SB 1456 or the Student Success Act of 2012 implemented by California Community Colleges, incoming students will be allowed to take at least 15 degree applicable units before they must declare a major. According to the ELAC fall 2014 counseling news brief,
approximately 60 percent of new students are undeclared. ELAC has a wide variety of educational options and students can explore interests on academic and creative levels. These options help students choose a major to pursue or even obtain a vocational certificate. When filling in an application, some universities require incoming students to declare a major right away-- why should a community college do the same? A community college is a place where students can explore different majors without university pricing and without the pressure of having to pick a path right away. There are also students with degrees sitting alongside new students in classes because they are not satisfied with the field
they chose to major in. As a 25-year-old college student, I can’t help but reflect on my own experience as an incoming college student, completely indecisive of what to major in. I started out interested in the performing arts, going as far as auditioning for a performing arts school, to finally sticking with journalism at ELAC. I changed my major three times while attending three different schools. The conflict of majoring in what would bring in money versus a major whose future is uncertain weighed on my mind. Some students at ELAC know what it is like to feel unsure of where they want their futures to lead. An incoming high school
graduate should not have to immediately decide what kind of career path they need to follow after taking the 15 degree applicable units. It is a decision that can impact a student for the rest of their life, even if they choose to follow through with landing a job in the field they chose at 18 years old. ELAC has guided me and other students in the right direction, and enforcing a time limit on students will create an unsupportive environment for those trying to find their way. Instead of enforcing this kind of rule upon students, administration should encourage students to explore different fields before deciding, so they are not stuck in a career in the future they don’t enjoy.
SOCIAL MEDIA Cynthia Laguna Julianne Obregon STAFF WRITERS Carlos Alvarez Ayana Arroyo Dulce Carrillo Ivan Cazares Arthur Cervantes Damien Guzman Maria C. Isidoro Joseph Ovalle PHOTOGRAPHER Tadzio Garcia ADVERTISING Stefanie Arocha DISTRIBUTION Jesus Figueroa ADVISERS Jean Stapleton Sylvia Rico-Sanchez Campus News encourages letters to the editor relating to campus issues. Letters must be typed and double spaced. Submitted material becomes the proper ty of Campus News and cannot be returned. Letters should be limited to 250 words or less. Campus News reserves the right to edit letters for grammatical errors or libelous content. A n o ny m o u s l e t te r s w i l l n o t be printed. Writer s must sign submissions and print their names and a phone number where they can be reached. Letters should be addressed to the editor of Campus News. Submissions can be made at the mailroom in building E1 or the Journalism department office in the Technology Center in E7-303. East Los Angeles College Campus News 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez E7-303 Monterey Park, CA 91754 (323) 265-8819, Ads (323) 265-8821 Fax (323) 415-4910 The East Los Angeles College Campus News is published as a learning experience, of fered under the East Los Angeles College Journalism program. The editorial and advertising materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The opinions expressed are exclusively those of the writer. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the Los Angeles Community College District, East Los Angeles College, or any officer or employee thereof. PRINTING BY NEWS PUBLISHERS PRESS
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News
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014
3
Smoke: committee campaigns for policy
LA Zoo lights up the night BY Russell Zazueta Staff Writer
While most of the park’s animals are tucked into bed, residents of Los Angeles can enjoy the L.A. Zoo’s first-ever electric extravaganza “L.A. Zoo Lights,” from now until Jan. 4 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Griffith Park. From electrical likenesses of mischievous monkeys to 3-D abstract projections sprawled on elephant statues, the Los Angeles Zoo transforms into nighttime of dazzling delight. There are a slew of colors shimmering in collection throughout the park in different eye-popping designs, giving the appeal of a winter wonderland set out on a safari. Swinging, they guide guests from the entry plaza with an illuminated powerline to a giant electrical outlet the monkeys are trying to get to. It’s a playful scene of classic monkey mischief set around the Christmas spirit. Not all animals are sleeping during the event and, in homage to the Christmas spirit, as an “L.A. Zoo Lights” exclusive, reindeer were brought to the zoo for all to look at. They can be seen lounging around under lit chandeliers in a stall dubbed the “Reindeer Romp.” In an information booth nearby a set of reindeer antlers hang for people to feel and right below is a small section of reindeer fur to pet. “L.A. Zoo Lights” is produced in collaboration with theatrical set designer Gregg Lacy and lighting expert John McGuire of Bionic League
– a live event lighting design company known for magnificent light shows for festivals, stadiums and artists like Daft Punk, Kanye West and many others. Many of the set designs are based around the enchanting botanical gardens. Trees are wrapped up from top to bottom in green and blue lights, while others are adorned with hanging snowflakes, icicle lights and giant blue orbs. Along with props like “Reggie the alligator” and origami rhino “L.A Zoo Light includes a luminous exhibit made up of 3,750 water bottles, arranged in chandelier-like stacks on what looked like cement lily pads, spread across a noise-filled pond of croaking bull frogs, adding to the list of popular sites to take photos with friends and family at the park. Los Angeles District Council member Tom Labonge was a driving force behind “L.A. Zoo Lights” and wanted to provide Angelenos with a holiday activity to replace the beloved Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s “Light Festival,” which ended its run in Griffith Park in 2009. The park keeps the carousel in operation for all to enjoy a merry-goround at $3 a ride, and across from it sits a throne seemingly carved of ice where Santa Claus sits atop to take photos with everyone. Tickets to “LA Zoo Lights” is thirteen dollars for adults, but the zoo offers an early bird special online for eight dollars.
finals schedule Fall 2014
Ibarra also said it will be a big campaign and effort to make sure this policy is imposed and ELAC remains a healthy place to study, work and learn. ELAC’s new smoke-free policy is still in transition and will include the prohibition of chewing tobacco, other tobacco products and smoked products like e-cigarettes. “Before campus officials can start enforcing a policy... The first step is to educate this smoking and nonsmoking student population about the benefits to quit smoking and the effects of smoking,” Ibarra said. According to Ibarra, the smokefree policy is not a law until the smoking ban ordinance of Monterey Park is posted in the designated areas. The ordinance was adopted at the beginning of October making the city of Monterey Park is a nonsmoking community. “They are very few smoking signs around campus,” Ibarra said. The Sheriff’s department cannot enforce this policy and ask to stop smoking or leave if there is not an official code of the school, according to Ibarra. “My main goal is not to force something,” Ibarra said. Also according to Ibarra, there are going to be severe consequences once this new policy is enforced. Smoke-free and tobacco-free policies have been adopted locally at other colleges and universities in California, such as Pasadena City College, Fullerton College and University of California, according to the Americans Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation.
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Feature
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014
Artist returns to ELAC to display retrospective at VPAM BY LILIANA MARQUEZ Staff Writer During the summer of 1979 Arthur D. Avila, who was the East Los Angeles College president at the time, ordered the removal of a mural titled, “The Path to Knowledge and the False University” located at the west wall of Ingalls Auditorium. The mural, which upon its completion in 1975 became the largest mural ever painted in East Los Angeles, was created by artist Roberto Chavez. The mural was whitewashed within a week of Avila’s request without Chavez’ knowledge. The artwork consisted of two parts in which Chavez promoted Chicano studies classes at ELAC to encourage people to enroll. He also used it to support the Lettuce Boycott. The United Farm Workers, led by Chavez, called for a nationwide boycott in 1970 where they demanded the lettuce pickers to form their own union. Chavez was born in 1932 in East Los Angeles and grew up in Maravilla, a barrio located in the eastside of the city. He is considered a big contributor to the Chicano art movement in East L.A. The son of an immigrant from Mexico, who left his country in 1920 after the Mexican Revolution, Chavez said he started drawing when he was about 4 years old influenced by the cartoons he saw in newspapers and magazines. “What I attempted of course was out of my own mind and I realized
that if I tried, I could do it,” Chavez said. Chavez was also influenced by his father’s cartoons. He said that the first time he noticed them was when his father wrote a letter to his brother and drew a cartoon on the edge of the paper. That made Chavez aware of the ability of making his own cartoons, rather than just looking at them. “That gave me a different way of looking at the cartoons that had attracted me in the Sunday papers and the magazines. I didn’t just see them as for what they were, but I saw how the artist had manipulated them,” Chavez said. “I was visually aware of how the characters, the panels that I was looking at, and enjoying had been put together by a human hand.” When Chavez was 14 years old, he felt drawn to the work of French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, who is considered one of the leaders of the Impressionist art movement. “I was already quite taken with seeing all that work. His work was a series of flower paintings. The paint on surface of the canvas came to life. It wasn’t static, it was almost like it was wiggling in front of you. It was very dynamic,” Chavez said. “I had already been drawing since I was much, much, younger but the idea of trying to achieve that kind of excitement and completeness in thinking is what really grabbed me.” The young Chavez attended Belvedere Junior High School and then went to James A. Garfield High School before enrolling at Los Angeles City College from 1949 to 1952.
CN/Julianne Obregon
ARTISTIC EXPRESSION—Artist Roberto Carlos speaks to Vincent Price Art Museum guests
about his inspiration to create artwork at a restrospective exhibit dedicated to his art on display in the Large Gallery at his opening reception. His love for art took him to the University of California, Los Angeles in 1955 where he received a master’s degree in pictorial arts, graduating in 1961. Then he received his teaching credential from California State University, Los Angeles in 1963. Chavez came to teach at ELAC as a part-time instructor and became co-founder of the arising Mexican American Studies Department in 1968, which later on became the Chicano/a Studies Department in 1979. He went on to become a fulltime instructor in 1969 and became
department chair in 1971. During his time as chair, Chavez hired new faculty, created a new curriculum and started Chicano/a classes about Chicano art as well as Mexican art. Chavez also taught at UCLA, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, College of the Redwoods, the California Department of Corrections, Pasadena City, Rio Hondo, Southwest and Santa Monica community colleges. After the whitewash of his mural, Chavez and the ELAC community fought to repaint it or create a new one on a different location,
Elan lives dream at NASA internship
duration of the program. and Mathematics cohort, a program Cardiel was one of several interns that allows a group of students to Staff Writer that passed the final and was chosen stay together while they take some to go on an all-expense paid three- of the same classes. “Ruben is really encouraging. We Engineering major Ruben Cardiel, day trip to the Jet Propulsion help each other out a lot with our 19, had the chance to realize a part Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena. During those three days, Cardiel work and he’s just really supportive of his dream through a NASA and other students went on tours, to all of our friends. He always tries internship. Cardiel was one of 40 college heard from different guest speakers to pick me up when I’m feeling and participated down,” said Castillo. students from in group Cardiel entered the cohort by across the nation challenges. chance as a freshman. selected for The students Cardiel had originally signed-up NASA’s National were split into for a math class that had opened but Community four teams and due to an error, it became available C o l l e g e had two days to to all students instead of those part Aerospace create a sales of the cohort. Scholars (NCAS) pitch to NASA He asked the STEM director if program. t o f u n d t h e i r he could enroll in the program, “It’s not often project. and after checking his high school that you get an T h e f i n a l grades and major, Cardiel was internship at presentation was allowed to join. your dream job,” to the director Castillo said he feels encouraged Cardiel said. o f N C A S , to apply to more internships after The sophomore e d u c a t i o n a l seeing his friend’s experience. found out about administrators Cardiel set high goals for himself. the program and two team He’s considering transferring to through an email Ruben Cardiel mentors. California State University, Long he received from Cardiel’s group, Beach to continue on with his major his counselor. Cardiel sought more information the Navy team, won with the best in engineering. proposal. Once he earns his bachelor’s and applied for the internship. Cardiel was unsure of what type degree, he plans to attend graduate He found out he had been accepted during his work break of engineering he wanted to go into school at either the California until he started at East Los Angeles Institute of Technology or University while checking his emails. of California, Berkeley for his “The entire family was happy and College. “He is very smart, but when he master’s and doctorate. excited for my brother. We know He said he wants to stay local to of his capabilities and always try was younger he wouldn’t use his the area because to encourage him to try out new smartness to his advantage. He his dream is to things,” Daisy Cardiel said. work at JPL. Cardiel is the youngest of his didn’t like doing “We know of his work,” Daisy “The actual three siblings. capabilities and always definition of an The internship consisted of a five said. “But once he try to encourage him to engineer is to week online course that allowed solve problems, students to take quizzes, learn started college try out new things.” and the idea of through interactive modules and he completely being able to hold live webcam interviews with b e c a m e solve a problem NASA scientists working on real d e d i c a t e d t o school, and now thrown at you, projects. Daisy Cardiel whatever it is, is “They do a really good job at he realizes he Ruben Cardiel’s sister really appealing keeping you informed,” Cardiel could have done (to me),” Cardiel said. “They take you step-by-step, m o r e i n h i g h said. and don’t just tell you, ‘Here, do this school. I tell him, He encourages students not to be ‘Well, you can’t go back and change and we’ll see you in five weeks.’” Once the five week course was it, but you can change today and the afraid to apply internships, whether NCAS or at another company for a completed, all the interns had to future.’’ He wants to go into mechanical different major. Although he was complete a final which gave them the chance to design a 3-D Mars engineering with focus on aerospace. involved in this internship, Cardiel rover and create a mission proposal. Caridel mentioned that before he still managed to find time to balance The proposal had to include dies, he hopes humans are able to it with school and his job. NCAS is still accepting details such as who they would want set foot on Mars and wants to be applications for spring 2015 until on their staff, what they would do part of that goal. Jared Castillo has known Cardiel Dec. 15. with the NASA funding and plans Students interested in the since their senior year at Schurr for public participation. NASA employees were available High School and are in the same program can learn more at ncas. to provide assistance throughout the Science, Technology, Engineering aerospacescholars.org.
BY jade inglada
CN/LILIANA MARQUEZ
SKILLS—East Los Angeles College men’s soccer team Assistant Coach Ricardo Raygoza executes a rainbow flick trick at Weingart Stadium.
Coach sets example for men’s soccer team BY liliana marquez Staff Writer As the van started to move along the street, passengers’ silence reflected the outcome of the match. Ricardo Raygoza drove his players back to campus while he and one of them cried as the others sat quiet, reflecting on what happened that night. The East Los Angeles College men’s soccer team qualified to the 2014 CCCAA Men’s Soccer SoCal Regional playoffs where they played the first round on the road against Santiago Canyon College, losing 2-1. Raygoza, 28, is an assistant coach of the men’s soccer team and just like the other men’s soccer assistant coaches is an alumnus of the school and the soccer program. For Raygoza the defeat was difficult, but right after the game he tried to keep positive and calm to talk to the players and make sure they were fine. It was during that ride back to ELAC when reality started to sink in. Born in East Los Angeles and raised in South Central, Raygoza had a tough childhood, but soccer
helped him stay away from negative things, changing his life and making him a better person. “I was raised really well, but it was just tough. Tough neighborhood, tough things to see growing up that at this point still have some effect on me,” Raygoza said. “I could have been easily influenced and guided to do something that is very normal where I live, like gangs, but soccer kept me away from everything.” His early interest for the sport came thanks to his father, who played soccer during his younger years. Raygoza attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he played soccer for two years. Despite not being eligible to play the other two years, he decided to stay at Jefferson an extra year in order to graduate. Once at ELAC, he became part of the men’s soccer team for the 2005 and 2006 seasons playing forward and midfielder. “I came (to ELAC) so hardheaded and I think I was just blowing through players and beating them and it wasn’t getting me anywhere,” Raygoza said.
“I learned the values of being a team player because I was very selfish and I felt like I knew it all.” It was in 2005 that ELAC had the best season so far under Head Coach Eddie Flores. “He (Raygoza) carried us all the way to a game before the final four. We played all our (playoff) games on the road and we went overtime twice,” Flores said. “We went to Santa Ana (College) and we lost there, but we had them at the end, 2-1. We needed three games to get out of the south (region) and he was part of that team.” Raygoza scored 23 goals during his college career. He said that he became a better person thanks to the experience gained while playing at ELAC. “Now I believe in having a lot of discipline, following the correct path and listening to advice. Everything just switched around,” Raygoza said. After he finished playing for ELAC, Raygoza asked Flores if he could help the coaching staff and after insisting for a long time, he became a volunteer coach.
soccer Continues on page 7
but another artist also wanted to paint their own, which led to a competition. The arts committee reviewed the proposals from each artist and after Chavez received the most of votes during the first and second rounds, artists David Botello and Wayne Healy, better known as the East Los Streetscapers won the competition. “The Path to Knowledge and the False University,” which is Chavez’s largest public work, is well-documented thanks to photographer Oscar Castillo, who took a large number of photos of the mural.
In 1980, Chavez left the Chicano/a Studies Department to teach at the Art Department. A year later he resigned from ELAC. From 1950 to 1954, Chavez was part of the United States Navy where he was a photographer. “I’d have to say that in the past I enjoyed photographs as another way of looking at the world but in modern times I haven’t really taken much. They have never done what a real painting does,” Chavez said. Chavez’s work was recently exhibited at the ELAC Vincent Price Art Museum. The exhibition called, “Roberto Chavez and the False University: A Retrospective” ran at the VPAM from Sep. 13 to Dec. 6. This was Chavez’s first retrospective in Los Angeles. Some of his works exhibited at the VPAM included the selfportraits “The Artists As Tokyo Joe” (1959), “Self-Portrait in the Blue” (1963) and “Self-Portrait with Beard” (1979). His work has been shown at various institutions like the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. where his “El Tamalito del Hoyo” oil on masonite painting from 1959 is currently exhibited along with the “SelfPortrait with Speedy Gonzales” (1963) oil on canvas painting. Chavez, who now lives in Arizona, said he currently has some artworks in progress. “I’ve always been working and have things that are unfinished or waiting for one thing or another or are temporarily abandoned,” Chavez said.
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Arts
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014
5
First Friday Jazz concert series ends year on festive note BY SERGIO BERRUETA Staff Writer The East Los Angeles College Jazz Band rocked the final First Friday Jazz Concert of the season with an eclectic mix of big band jazz numbers and classic Christmas standards Friday at the S2 Recital Hall. Led by Music Department chair Robert Dawson, the band delighted the crowd in the midst of the chilly weather. The concert kicked off with the Christmas classic “Sleigh Ride.” It was a high-sounding arrangement of modern jazz stylings with playful moments between the brass section and saxes. During this number, the song dipped into big band swing stylings with the trombone section making them shine. Other Christmas classics came later in the show to remind those that Christmas was in full bloom. Alfredo Valdez thrilled with a beautiful rendition of “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” on his tenor sax. Valdez swooned the crowd with the sleepy and calm sound with the band accompanying him every step of the way to a small high-flown bridge midway. It displayed the best of the band by sticking with the dreamy sounds of the Nat King Cole original. In “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” the normally somber song became faster with rock undertones while keeping with the big band theme. Guitarist Giovanni Espico came into the spotlight with a solo that fit in with Van Halen rather than Christmas carols filled with trills and a wide array of chords. The reworked arrangement gave the song a new vibrant feel rather than stick to the original. The band also worked alongside
CN/JULIANNE OBREGON
CHRISTMAS TIME—Vanessa Castaneda sings “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” in the company of the ELAC Jazz Band during the First Friday Jazz Concert Series Dec. 5 at the S2 Recital Hall.
ELAC alumna Vanessa Castaneda for two Christmas classics. Castaneda was originally part of the Applied Music Program that pays for music majors to take oneon-one lessons and sessions with experienced musicians. The program also helps them to be well-rounded in the music field to begin their career within it. Castaneda’s stunning voice was brought out in “Christmas Waltz” with the band providing a light and breezy accompaniment to compliment her mezzo-soprano. Castaneda proceeded to sing the classic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” that brought the
S2 Recital Hall to a standstill. The song delivered a heartbreakingly beautiful performance with Castaneda dazzling. Her vocals gave the song a lovelorn sadness to the piece with powerful prowess throughout. Trombonist Tom Rocci came into the spotlight during the bridge to continue the lovelorn tone with a delightful solo. Despite the myriad of Christmas tunes, jazz still dominated the night to give a send-off till next semester. ELAC Professor and trumpeter Robert “Bobby” Chavez came out of the brass to lead the band in a cover
of the Frank Sinatra version of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Chavez’s vocals fit perfectly well with the band’s big band accompaniment with a voice reminiscent of a laidback lounge singer. The band got into a funk mood on “Psycho Funk” with trombonist Mike Julian bringing the funk on a satisfying trombone solo. Espico’s guitar solo gave the tune the sound of the ‘70s with hints of Parliament in each chord. The tenor sax shined nicely on the thrilling “Ecaroh” and “No Lava.” Tenor sax players Valdez and Roy Aguila played to each other’s
strength on each of the tunes. On “Ecaroh,” Valdez led on with an exciting solo of high and lows that allowed Aguila to follow suit on his own solo that was on par with Valdez. Wi t h “ N o L a v a , ” t h e t w o engaged in a duel of the tenors in this arrangement of Al Jolson’s “Avalon” played entirely backwards by the band. The tenors dominated the bombastic tune with Valdez beginning his solo with a fasttempo and making quick work with his hands running rampant on the sax’s body. Aguila proceeded to one-up
Va l d e z ’s s o l o w i t h p l a y f u l improvisation to stand out among the band. Valdez appeared halfway during Aguila’s solo to engage in a musical clash of notes before uniting together by the song’s end. The band got sentimental on arrangements “Time After Time” and “Fool on the Hill.” “Time After Time” delivered an upbeat and simple sound with Chavez providing a short and sweet solo with the band adding to the sweetness. On “Fool on the Hill,” the band amazed the crowd with a rare arrangement by Count Basie of The Beatles’ tune. It stuck to the tone of the original at the beginning, complete with Roy Aguila switching to the flute to give a taste of the former version. As it proceeded, the brass sections led it to become a louder and more playful version with trumpeter Juan Gamez standing out on a trumpet solo. The arrangement delighted, bringing the loud style of the other songs of the evening while also giving the sober hints of other performances. As the concert came to a close, Chavez returned to the forefront to leave the audience in a sing-along of Jose Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad.” With a Latin jazz style with remnants of funk, Chavez gave an amazing trumpet solo while the band celebrated with nothing but pure delight. The audience helped sing-along under Chavez’s direction and at the end of the concert gave a standing ovation impressed by the entire concert. The First Friday Jazz Concert series is held every first Friday of the month in the S2 Recital Hall. The concert series will return on March 6 with the LA Mambo Orchestra.
Cha Cha Chili offers great Korean-Mexican food fusion BY jane fernandez Staff Writer
CN/CORTEZ CRUZ SERRATO
Mighty duck—Smoked duck marinated in garlic and chili peppers is served at Szechuan Impression for $18.99.
Szechuan Impression stands out from the rest BY cortez cruz serrato Staff Writer
Located in the city of Alhambra, Szechuan Impression serves up Chinese cuisine that firmly separates itself from other restaurants in the area. Szechuan food is a style of Chinese cuisine that comes from the province of Sichuan in China. Szechuan cuisine is known for using an abundant amount of garlic, spices and chili peppers. The restaurant opened in September and has generated a lot of buzz from many in the community. The affordable prices and wide variety are what separates Szechuan Impression from other Chinese restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley. Szechuan Impression serves up delicious chicken and beef plates, rabbit, lamb, duck, and eve frog for those who are interested in trying something a little different than what they are used to. Customers are instantly welcomed when entering Schezuan Impression. The wait staff takes no time in greeting customers and is willing
to answer any questions that they may have. The menu is very helpful in letting customers know how spicy each dish is by putting images of chili peppers next to each specified dish. Appetizers range from dishes that most customers are familiar with, like dumplings and fried rice, to bean jelly and starch noodles with pork intestines. The staff was persistent in saying that their teas and plum juice were not only refreshing but authentic to the beverages served in southwestern China. The plum drink is refreshing and freshly juiced throughout the day with very little sugar added. The large selection of entrees and appetizers makes it difficult to choose what to order, but the servers’ suggestion is usually to go with the duck and fish fillets in chili sauce. The duck is smoked multiple hours, which makes the meat tender and moist. The smoking technique and the fattiness of the duck makes the entree succulent and delicious. The fish fillets in chili sauce is for those who enjoy the extra kick of spice.
The fish fillets are boiled until tender but the chili sauce is what makes the dish worth ordering. The sauce is packed with intense flavors of garlic and chilies, which will leave some customers wiping their noses throughout the entirety of the meal. Though the dish has a fair amount of spiciness, it is not so overwhelming that the customer is unable to taste the other flavors in the dish. Customers can also order a side of white rice or one of their several fried rices. Szechuan Impression serves healthy portions that will leave all appetites satisfied. The restaurant offers both lunch and dinner service. Lunch service is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner service is from 5 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. Due to Szechuan Impression being a fairly new and quickly popular restaurant, the wait can become long. The wait for a table can be an hour during the dinner service on weekdays and well over an hour on weekends. Szechan Impression is located at 1900 West Valley Blvd. in Alhambra.
Located just three miles south of campus, Cha Cha Chili, a Korean Mexican fusion restaurant is sure to satisfy anyone’s hunger. The medium size restaurant has a welcoming feeling with old signs mimicking old beer ads. With booths and side tables, the staff ensures that their customers are comfortable during their time there. The owners are also conscious about recycling. There are recycling bins throughout the restaurant. The staff welcomes the customers with a friendly smile and are willing to answer any questions about the food. Unlike most fast food restaurants, the staff at Cha Cha Chili takes the CN/jane fernandez time to make sure that the customers are having the best eating experience fusion—Complementary chips with pico de gallo and a Bulgogi as they go around refilling the water. burrito served at Cha Cha Chili restaurant. The eatery serves a wide selection of Mexican inspired dishes with Korean style meats and condiments. sugar, sesame oil, garlic, pepper is usually the main ingredient but Although complementary tortillas and ginger. scallion, cucumber and radish are and chips are served with the order, The first bite of the burrito is also used. the crab-flavored stuffed mushroom flavorful, leaving taste buds wanting Prices for this dish range from poppers and crab-flavored stuffed more of it. $6.25 to $7.25 for the short rib. jalapeño bombs are a great way to The Korean angus burger and the The restaurant also offers open appetite for the main entry. vegetarian dishes and has a tofu chorizo angus burger at a price of The wide selection of menu option for most of them. $5.55 follow a traditional American items ranges from burgers to The Kimchee quesadilla is a concept. chimichangas. Both burgers also follow a new twist to At a price the traditional Mexican and Korean style, bringing of $7.45, large Unlike most fast food burger lovers a chance to try both quesadilla. enough for two to The quesadilla Mexican-American and Korean restaurants, the staff comes with spicy American hamburgers. share, the Korean B B Q B u r r i t o at Cha Cha Chili takes kimchee, jack Classic French fries do not brings the best the time to make sure a n d c h e d d a r accompany any item but they can of both worlds c h e e s e a n d a be added to the order for $2.20. into a delicious that the customers are choice of meat, Customers can also try the combination. having the best eating which include house inspired Cha Cha Fries with The beef or beef, chorizo, cheese, beans, pico de experience as they go chicken, Bulgogi burrito spicy pork, short gallo, jalapeños and sour cream. around refilling the rib, fish or tofu. is loaded with The restaurant also offers a beer marinated rice, menu and happy hour is from 2:30 K i m c h e e i s water. a lettuce mix, a t r a d i t i o n a l to 6 p.m. on a daily basis and items cilantro and Korean side dish. are reasonably priced. salsa. Restaurant parking is limited but The vegetable is Bulgogi is a Korean style of usually fermented for a few days to there is street parking available. marinating meat, which includes a month as the taste grows stronger Cha Cha Chili is located at 640 W. ingredients such as soy sauce, and it becomes tastier. Cabbage Valley Blvd. in Alhambra.
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6
Arts
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014
Choral concert calms the night BY Sergio Berrueta Staff Writer
CN/megan G. razzetti
ALL THE GLAZE—Artwork displayed at the East Los Angeles College Art Department ceramics sale where customers can purchase student work from Dec. 9 through Dec. 11 at the P4 parking lot.
Kil’n it Elans show off artistic talents BY MEGAN G. RAZZETTI Staff Writer East Los Angeles College students started showcasing their ceramic creations yesterday in an event by the art department to help raise funds for the ceramics studio classes supplies. The art department will take 20 percent of sales, while students keep the rest of what their artwork sells for. Students are allowed to submit work to sell whether they are in the beginning classes or the most advanced. Teachers and advisers do not pick the artwork that is in the sales. “Everyone and anyone in the studio is welcome to sell,” art major Fabiola Martin said. Martin is currently enrolled in ceramics three,
the most advanced class offered. Ceramic artwork prices range from one dollar and more depending on how much the student has priced their items. According to Martin, even if students don’t sell their work, it gives them the opportunity to show their work like an exhibition. While preparing for the sale, students went through a lengthy process of creating artwork. Students were expected to meet deadlines in order to get their items for the sale finished because each piece takes time to create, some pieces longer than others. Pieces are first sculpted in the ceramics studio in room S2-203. Following the construction of the piece, the soft clay is wrapped in plastic and placed in a damp room where pieces dry slowly. According to Hernandez, drying
alone can take up to a few days, so it was essential that participants of the sale meet specific deadlines. “Each piece is fired at different temperatures and settings,” art major Amanda Hernandez said. Many of the pieces are then prepared for the kilns or large ovens by applying a wax glaze on the bottom of the piece. This prevents them from sticking to the bottom of the shelves that are placed in the kilns. Artists also use different colored glazes to get different finishes and designs to each piece. Glaze can take up to a full 24 hours to dry before it can be fired in a kiln. The ceramics sale starts at 10 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. today and tomorrow in the P4 parking lot with many more pieces on display straight from the kiln.
A chorus of sopranos, tenors and baritones enchanted the night at the Annual Christmas Choral Concert on Dec. 8 at the S2 Recital Hall. Conducted by professor Dr. Anthony Lupica and accompanied on piano by Dr. Lucy Nargizyan, the East Los Angeles College Choir and Chamber Chorale delighted the audience in a sentimental night of classical arrangements. The ELAC College Choir began the night with two songs by Johannes Brahms, “In Stiller Nacht (In the Still of Night)” and “Wie Lieblich Sind Deine Wohnungen (How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings).” These two set the quiet and somber mood for the beginning of the choir’s set. ELAC’s Chamber Chorale helped to make the sober mood ever present later on. In their performance of “Prayer,” the Chamber Chorale delivered a sadness upon the concert. Composer Morten Lauridsen wrote the song after his infant son died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The piece asked for the Lord to watch over the child as he laid to rest with the chorale reflecting it by
seeming to fade away altogether by the song’s end. Soprano Bianca Galicia performed a solo of “Laudamus Te” without a flaw. She wowed the crowd, hitting high octaves that thrilled those in attendance with precision. The concert also took dives into the songs focus on being lighter and carefree with the Choir’s performances of “What Is This Lovely Fragrance?” and “Jubilate Deo Omnis Terra, Op. 40b” The Chamber Chorale followed suit on the first song of their set “Ubi Caritas.” The Chorale sang about the graces of God above with the sopranos excelling during the number. With “Three Madrigals,” the chorale tackled the pains of falling in love, falling out of it and getting back into it with baritones getting time in the spotlight to showcase their voices. The college choir and Chamber Chorale came together in the end to perform two Christmas carols arranged by conductor Sir David Wilcocks “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” These two brought the concert to a cheerful and joyful end compared to the soft and still performances featured.
‘Inherent Vice’ tells bizarre P.I. story BY JESUS FIGUEROA Staff Writer The strange staggered pace film “Inherent Vice” gives the feeling of desperation and confusion that the main character Doc Sportello, played by Joaquin Phoenix, makes the film enjoyable. Director Paul Thomas Anderson brings life to the first film adaptation of a novel by Thomas Pynchon, and combined with the spectacular acting skill of Phoenix, the film is funny and entertaining. Doc’s ex Shata, played by Katherine Waterston, comes back into his life telling a story of her billionaire boyfriend Mickey Wolfmann, played by Eric Roberts, being in danger as his wife Sloane Wolfmann, played by Serena Scott Thomas, is planning to have committed. Phoenix continues his fantastic portrayal of characters as the seriousness of the film is well played out and the comedic sequences are still serious but with a goofy tone. The manner in which he talks can come off as inaudible at points. All together his performance fits the feel of the film. Waterston plays the seductive and mischievous character well and entices audiences. Roberts is hardly on screen, but is impactful with the presence he brings to the film. Serena Scott Thomas is just a small character, but like Roberts she brings more to the film by her presence in the scene she’s in then
she does by the performance. Doc encounters strange characters through his search for Shasta. Lt. Detective Bigfoot Bjornsen, played by Josh Brolin, impedes the search and yet still manages to put Doc in the right path to find what he is looking for. Brolin is intense and slightly crazy in this role as he not only matches Phoenix’s performance, but at points goes beyond. Doc’s girlfriend Penny, played by Reese Witherspoon, pops in and out of the story and brings a contrast to Doc’s lifestyle. Penny is an assistant district attorney and well established while Doc is an unfocused private investigator. Witherspoon contrasted Phoenix well and still created a bond to give the feeling of a balanced relationship. The film feels like it progresses slowly and at times can come off as stretched out past the limit of comfort, but it helps put the viewer in the mindset of Doc. Shasta disappears after she is first seen and still the entire film revolves around her and the way she has affected Doc. Much of the plot is hardly explained and feels jumbled, but it works to put the viewer in the mindset of Doc. The ending is unorthodox and bizarre, but compared to the rest of the film, it fits well. “Inherent Vice” will be out in theaters Dec. 12. It is rated R for drug use throughout, sexual content, graphic nudity, language and some violence.
‘Cosplay Dreams 3D’ shows new view on growing trend BY naomi delgado Contributing Writer “Cosplay Dreams 3D” aims to shed light on the diversity and amazing creative possibilities that come with cosplaying. Cosplay is the shortened form of the words costume and play and, as the film explains right at the start, it is a great way for people to express themselves through their favorite TV, anime, manga or comic book characters. The independently made documentary film had its world premiere on Saturday at the Los Angeles 3D Film Festival, which is the first film festival to have a full line up of films in 3D, 4D and
virtual reality. This is the first 3D documentary made on the topic of cosplay. The film takes the viewer into the everyday lives of cosplayers. The viewer gets to see not only the excitement of people in costume at conventions, but the struggle these people go through for what they are passionate about. The 3D effect makes the film eye-catching as the cosplayers characters’ special abilities pop, but it's not used in a way that interrupts the flow of the film or its storyline. The fantasy worlds these cosplayers live in, some for theme parties and others as a career, allow the participants of cosplay in this movie to be comfortable
with themselves and meet other like-minded people without being judged. Cosplay is more of a performance art for the people in the film, it’s the chance to come outside of their regular self and step into the fantasy world of their favorite character. Not only does the film let the viewers take a peek into cosplay, but it also takes them into the lives of some cosplayers. YouTube sensation Traci Hines was able to take the Disney characters she admired and incorporate them in her YouTube videos. Hines shows how cosplay has begun to seep into the mainstream. The film explains that one of the reasons why cosplayers dress up is
to step out of reality, act and become that particular character for a short while. Some of the cosplayers are able to be comfortable in their own skin while paying a tribute to their favorite shows and comics. Some of the stories are funny and heartwarming while each cosplayer talks about their lifestyles and how their hobbies are incorporated into their everyday lives. Whether they’re dressing up for attention, or just to show their devotion to a beloved TV character, the main reason they do this is because it’s fun. Cosplaying gives these people the opportunity to turn that dream of being their favorite characters into
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a reality and become any character in their own unique way. Costume making is yet another reason why some of the cosplayers in the film continue to dress up. All that time, money and effort pay off when they are surrounded by other people with similar interests in places like comic-con or anime conventions. They get some recognition and praise for the work put into building their costume and, for a moment, they feel like celebrities. Some people enjoy cosplaying so much that they have found ways to turn their passion into a career by either doing promotional work or dressing up at birthday parties and other special events.
The film will completely change a person's mindset about cosplaying, and the people who are involved in it. As the cosplay trend expands, this film will help bring new respect to those people who work tirelessly to bring a character to life. Executive film producers Patrick Scott, Christine Kasal Parascondolo and her husband and film director Gulliver Parascondolo bring a new insight to the world of cosplay, not just through the fan base view but the business side as well. "Cosplay Dreams 3D" will be playing this Saturday at the Los Angeles Independent theater as part of the Los Angeles 3D Movie Festival.
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014
Women’s basketball wins consolation championship BY andrew ruiz Staff Writer
After suffering their first loss of the season on Friday, the women’s basketball team defeated Santa Monica College, 61-51, in the consolation championship at the Lady Charger Classic at Cypress College on Sunday. Sophomore forward Jocelyn Diaz dominated the paint and led all scorers with a double-double, scoring 23 points, shooting 7-for16 from the field and grabbing 10 rebounds for the Huskies. The Corsair’s had no answer to contain Diaz’s inside presence. “Jocelyn (Diaz) is one of the strongest ladies (on the team),” ELAC Head Coach Bruce Turner said. “She’s tough-minded, determined and a lot of times she’s undersized, but she works so hard that she gets the job done.” Diaz, 5’7”, didn’t let her size affect her and accepted the challenge at hand when matching up with
SMC’s centers who had two to three they had to pass the ball,” Turner said. inches on her. “We went up nine then all of a “There’s going to be bigger players than me, but I’m not afraid sudden we want to do all of these to guard anybody who’s bigger than great shots and one-on-one plays. me,” Diaz said. “I’m pretty small, We passed the ball and then we got but it doesn’t matter about the size. easy shots.” Freshman guards It matters what’s on Olivia Ochoa the inside.” and Kyla MartinDespite the height Burnley were disvantage, the “Anytime you also key players Huskies won the can dominate the in the Huskies’ battle in the paint, v i c t o r y. O c h o a 28-22, and scored 16 rebounding, you points off turnovers. want the ball and finished the game w i t h 11 p o i n t s “We needed this that’s the key to and four assists, win after Friday’s while Martinloss,” Diaz said. “I the game.” Burnley capped had to bring the team in 16 points, six together and this rebounds and four win was definitely Bruce Turner steals. important.” Women’s basketball Martin-Burley SMC showed head coach also received glimpses of a comeback cutting All-Tournament the lead to two at honors. The halftime, 28-26, but the Huskies Huskies were striving to remain came out in the second half and undefeated entering the tournament, extended the lead to 13 with 1:46 but fell short, 102-94, in an overtime left in the game. upset by West Los Angeles College “I told them (during halftime) giving the team its first lost of the
season. ELAC came back with vengeance the next day defeating Grossmont College, 76-60, prior to facing SMC. “It was a great response. We knew we shouldn’t have lost (on Friday). We did a great job of holding a highscoring team down to 51 points,” Turner said. “(We had an) outstanding defensive effort as a group and we played great defense on their threepoint shooters. It was a good quality win against a good team.” The Huskies are now 8-1 and look to extend their two-game winning streak this week as they prepare to face Rio Hondo tomorrow at 5 p.m. Turner’s main focus and key to another victory are making sure the team continues to focus on the defensive end and dominate the glass. “Anytime you can dominate the rebounding, you want the ball and that’s the key to the game,” Turner said. “In the past years, we’ve struggled rebounding the ball, but this is the best rebounding team we’ve had in years.”
Men’s soccer season ends in playoffs BY LILIANA MARQUEZ Staff Writer A thrilling season led the men’s soccer team to reach the 2014 CCCAA men’s soccer SoCal Regional playoffs for the first time since 2011. East Los Angeles College ended its season with a 2-1 defeat in the first round of playoffs on the road against Santiago Canyon College, Nov. 22. “I thought the game against Santiago Canyon was a thriller. We controlled the game and we made two defensive mistakes that cost us,” ELAC Head Coach Eddie Flores said. “I know that everybody left everything on the field and that’s all you can ask from the players.” The Huskies ended their regular season with a South Coast Conference record of 5-6-3, overall 8-9-5 and advanced to playoffs along with five other SCC teams. Andy Gutierrez, starting goalkeeper and captain, along with teammate Juan Gallegos were named to the 2014 All-South Coast Conference First team. Alfredo Leon, who was also part of the 2011 ELAC squad that also qualified to playoffs, was named to the All-SCC Second Team with teammate Benjamin Cuevas. Jose Gudino received an Honorable Mention. ELAC ended ranked No.11 in the South Region Standings and qualified despite ending SCC play with a 2-0 home defeat against Los Angeles Harbor College. The Huskies were knocked out in the first round along with SCC rivals LA Harbor, El Camino (SCC Champion) and Long Beach City colleges. Although the match against Santiago Canyon ended in a loss, for ELAC Assistant Coach David Garcia, the team delivered its best performance of the season. “It was just heart and emotions. Just because of two little incidents we lost the game. The opponents played a hell of a game too,” Garcia said. “It was just character and attitude what got us there and at the end of the day that’s what you need at this level. You need to have that because if you don’t have it, you are not going to get far.” For Garcia the effort, attitude, character and commitment that the Huskies showed during that match made them winners. One of the players who was affected the most by the defeat against Santiago Canyon was ELAC’s captain Gutierrez. “It was tough because I know we had the opportunities to win the game, but we were unlucky. It was just difficult to lose against a team that we could have beaten,” Gutierrez said. ELAC Assistant Coach Victor Clara said the playoff match was very intense and in his opinion, the
CN/LILIANA MARQUEZ
EYES ON THE BALL —Isaac Valencia, left, from Mt. San Antonio College and Jose Gudino, from East Los Angeles College, fight for ball possession during a South Coast Conference match at Weingart Stadium Oct. 14.
Huskies were well prepared for it. “Basically the message for that “Unfortunately, we had two little game and the reason why I believe mental breakdowns defensively we ended up rising to the occasion where the other team was able to was that we told the players right capitalize. Even then, I still thought off the bat not to play for ELAC, that the team worked really hard their families or for us,” Garcia said. and they fought until the end,” “We told them to play for each Clara said. other and the fire just lit up in their One of the highlights of the eyes and they executed.” season was the conference road Other crucial victories for the match against Mt. San Antonio Huskies were against Pasadena City College where the Huskies took a College, both home and away, and 2-1 victory over against Long the Mounties, Beach on the Nov. 7. road. “We told them to play This was the After the first time in years victory against for each other and that the Huskies the Vikings on the fire just lit up in defeated the Oct. 31, the Mounties. Huskies were on their eyes and they The victory the right track executed.” was important to playoffs, but for ELAC not they faced El only because the Camino College Mounties were C o m p t o n DAVID GARCIA Men’s soccer assistant coach one of the topCenter losing ranked teams in to them for the the state, but also first time in the because they played on Mt. SAC’s last five seasons. own turf. ELAC lost a total of six conference The Mounties, who have been games and for five of them the goal state champions for four consecutive difference was one, which cost years (2009-2012), were ranked No. them 15 points in the process. The 3 statewide and No. 2 in the South Huskies tied three times, losing Region Standings coming into the another six points. match. “We should have been easily in Garcia, who along with the other the (SCC) top three. If I go back assistant coaches is an ELAC to the games that were critical for alumnus, said he never got to defeat us, we probably should have ended the Mounties when he played for as conference champions. The tie ELAC, so the victory was special against Long Beach here at home, for him. they had ten guys, we had 11 and
we didn’t capitalize,” Garcia said. “The Cerritos game at home we ended up tying. They tied us at the last minute on a set piece. El Camino also tied us at home. Right off the bat those are almost ten points lost at the last minute.” Garcia also said that this season’s squad helped to show other schools that ELAC has a lot of potential players. “We were still big contenders in the conference. I think this year this crew pumped up ELAC’s image and made sure that every team here respects us,” Garcia said. He said that for him the season was full of sacrifice, especially when it came to those players who have kids. “When we ask them to commit to a season that is this stressful and requires sacrifice not only at school, but that is also physically and emotionally demanding, for the players to make the commitment and be here and give it all, that’s the definition of sacrifice,” Garcia said. Now that the season ended, Garcia said the ELAC coaching staff is set to meet in the upcoming weeks to talk about the changes they will make to improve the program, hoping to get better results next season.
Sports
7
Soccer: Men’s soccer coach aims to improve soccer program
friend who is always willing to help the players and give them advice. “Even though he is young, “I slowly started to become compared to other coaches, part of them. By 2010 I was he can actually teach you a lot already teaching, running drills, of things. He is experienced,” and doing stuff on the board, so Gudino said. I was already fully in there,” “Sometimes people just don’t Raygoza said. recognize how much he has to In 2011 he went to study and offer just because of where he play soccer at Kansas Wesleyan grew up.” University. Husky Christian Vasquez, “Prior to leaving I saw myself who also attended Jefferson, had as a coach. I kind of wanted to Raygoza as an assistant coach follow Eddie Flores’ footsteps, during a short period of his high so I wanted to be a head coach,” school career. Raygoza said. “His way of coaching us (at “I guess I wanted to be the next ELAC) was really tough, but in guy in line when he leaves and a way it seemed fair. We would kind of still have my touch to it, mess up and he would discipline but also have his legacy attached us by running and that helped to me because we created such a us a lot. After that we were great bond together.” more focused. Those were tough Raygoza knew that in order to practices with him, but they were have a chance of becoming the fair,” Vasquez said. future head coach, he needed Once Raygoza returned to LA, to get his bachelor of arts and Flores said that for him it felt going to KWU would help him natural to ask him to come back get closer to his goal. and coach at ELAC. “I felt that if I was going to Flores said that having school, playing soccer was going assistant coaches who are alumni to help me get that BA faster,” of the school and the soccer Raygoza said. program is crucial because they While at KWU, Raygoza won have the college’s best interest two conference rings. His major in mind. was exercise “He is an science and alumnus of the his minor school, so he coaching. “It makes me happy can represent After he college and to recruit, help kids the graduated, the program, and get them off the b u t I t h i n k R a y g o z a r e t u r n e d t o streets to make sure that because ELAC with he was older I put them in school he had a better the mentality of getting the grasp of what and in the right men’s soccer we want to do direction because team to the and I think he I didn’t have that next level. understand the “I wanted to players very guidance.” help people. well,” Flores Especially said. RICARDO RAYGOZA since I didn’t Assistant Men’s soccer assistant coach have much Coach David while growing Garcia said up in South Raygoza is who Central. I brings clarity to was part of the 2005 riots at the team and also someone who Jefferson, so I saw a lot and I helps the players during stressful just wanted to help as much as times. possible,” Raygoza said. “Checking those emotions “It makes me happy to go here and there is something that recruit, help kids and get them I feel coach Raygoza has more off the streets to make sure I put on control. That gives you a little them in school and in the right more patience to see things clear direction because I didn’t have and he provides that clarity,” that guidance.” Garcia said. Raygoza said the that hardest “A coach has to be an anchor part of his quest of becoming to players since they are going to a coach has been finishing his get emotional because they are education and obtaining his the ones playing the game and degree. they are the ones getting stressed “I just got my degree and I am out. I think that’s the reason why 28. I never thought I was going coach Raygoza helped the team to go back to school and finish a lot this season.” because I went to high school for Although his journey as a five years. I was a knucklehead,” coach is just starting, Raygoza Raygoza said. keeps working hard to make “School wasn’t for me and it ELAC a powerhouse not only was never part of my plan nor in soccer, but also in learning. my life. It was just soccer, so “My main goal at ELAC is to getting that degree was a relief.” change the community and the For Jose Gudino, member of mentality. I want people to come the 2014 soccer team, Raygoza here and know they can get the is more than a coach. best education at this college,” Gudino considers him a good Raygoza said. Continued from page 4
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SPORTS
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014
Cross: Runners end on good foot Continued from page 7 Three other runners from the men’s team returning from ELAC state finals experience, officially dropped from the team at the beginning of the semester. Jesse Bonilla, Andres Rosas and Louis Requilme-Colin all plan to return to the team in the fall. They took a break from the team to focus on studies. During the summer, the two-time state finalist and sophomore Andres De La Cruz, ELAC’s No. 1 men’s runner, had some tough competition. Freshman Salvador Ascencio burst on the scene with times on the heels of De La Cruz. When he had no place to live and his times began to drop each week until the final two meets of the season. “I’ve recovered and now live in an apartment thanks to determination, hard work and help from my teammates, especially Juan Rodriguez,” Ascencio said. De La Cruz was named to AllMeet First or Second Teams in every race this year, when such except for the state finals. Ogwaro, who advanced to the USA Olympic Trials last year in the marathon and the 10,000-meter run, did the same feat as De La Cruz in 2006. Aceves, who began running competitively in team competition at ELAC last year, will compete in a marathon next month on the road to qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Trials. Aceves also enters the ELAC record books with having won AllMeet First or Second Team status in every race of her cross country career as a Husky. “I always keep in mind to win, but more important, I focus in each race on what I’ve just learned and what I can learn from my results,” Aceves said. She placed third with a time of 17:57.8 minutes at the state finals behind winner and freshman Aminat Olowora of Southwestern College
(16:59.7) and Yesenia Silva of College of the Sequoias (17:33.8). Olowora’s time broke the state meet record previously ran in 1985 by ELAC’s Sylvia Mosqueda (17:06.0). “Laura got cut off from the leaders (Olowora, Silva) who sprinted from the get go in the beginning of the race. It was too much of distance for her to recover,” ELAC Assistant Head Coach David Loera said. The women’s team finished near the bottom of each meet from midseason on due to injuries, but they pulled it together at the South Coast Conference Championships. Six Huskies ran lifetime best times then, Stephanie Trelles, Ruby Padilla, Viridiana Hernandez, Luz Badillo, Amy Herrera and Vanessa Buelna. ELAC received an at-large bid to the postseason. Proving this was no fluke, ELAC won 19th place at the state finals with upsets against No. 4-ranked Butte College, Santa Rosa Junior College (7), De Anza (8), Fresno City (9), Cuyamca (12-tie) and Ventura (14) colleges. ELAC bested No. 12 and defending state team champion Orange Coast College out of the playoffs at SoCal. Padilla, Hernandez and Herrera each ran personal records. The men’s team, hampered by season-long injuries, ended their season at SoCal. De La Cruz and Cristian Flores, ELAC’s No. 2 runner, finished 60th and 57th places, respectively. De La Cruz’s personal record was at the 2012 SCC finals, which was good enough for him to be named Freshman of the Meet. Aceves’s fast time this season was in the Mt. San Antonio College Invite, the nation’s largest cross country meet that drew over 25,000 athletes. Aceves won the women’s community college race. Her personal record at ELAC was when she won the 2013 state finals women’s race to sprint ahead of Silva in the last 100 yards, handing Silva her only defeat that year.
H u s k i e s
Sports Briefs Wrestling Former Elan James Clay is the 2014 FILA/United Word Wrestling No-Gi (84 kg) World Champion after winning the 2014 USA Wrestling World Team Trials championship in the same category. An ELAC All-American, he was the 2007 CCCAA state runner-up in the wrestling 174-pound weight class, leading the Huskies to a 7th place team finish that year. He won the South Regional title that year in the same weight division.
Men’s Basketball The Huskies will face Los Angeles Trade-Technical College today in the consolation bracket of the Riverside Holiday Classic at Riverside College. ELAC lost 79-75 to Chaffey College yesterday in the first round.
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ELAC’s defending South Coast Conference champions will open up the 2015 season at home against Los Angeles Pierce College on Jan. 30 at 6 P.M. The Huskies finished the 2014 season 25-15 and 15-16 in conference play before losing to Oxnard College 2-0 in the CCCAA Baseball Southern Regional.
Shifting to turbo—Laura Aceves of East Los Angeles College moves to take the lead in the women’s 5-kilometer SCC finals race Friday at Hahamogna WaterShed Park in La Cañada Flintridge.
Team: Four wrestlers make their way to state finals ONLINE Continued from page 7
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Magdaleno-Hudson lost the 157-pound championship match to Keanu Tom of Cerritos, currently the state’s top wrestler of the weight class, 6-1 with Hudson scoring his only point on an escape in the second period. Hudson finished the day 2-1, beating Rich Miranda of Santa Ana College 7-6. Miranda is currently ranked fifth in the state. Hudson is ranked second in the state. Herrera won the 165-pound consolation championship by beating three state ranked wrestlers, including third-ranked Peter Donchev of Palomar College, 6-4 in the consolation third place finals match. “I’m happy all the hard work I have put in all year has paid off. These guys were tough, no match was easy. Now I just got to stay focused and eat right and I’ll be ready for state,” Herrera said. Herrera won a very controversial match against fourth ranked Zachary Mitchell of Mt. SAC, currently ranked fourth, 5-4. Mitchell got a late takedown to take the lead, but the referee gave him his second stalling call of the match which tied the match. Herrera received a point for riding time after the match ended, which gave him the win. “I didn’t notice the riding time. I hit him (Mitchell) with stalling because he wasn’t improving position,” referee Anthony Ovalle said. Lemons ended the day taking fourth, losing to Robert Chism, ranked first in state, and Jesse Gomez, ranked third. Both wrestle for Cerritos. Soto was the final Husky to qualify to the state tournament, finishing the day 2-2 and placing sixth. Because Soto did not wrestle against the seventh place wrestler, that wrestler had the choice to
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airlift—Adrian Herrera, right, of East Los Angeles College
pulls Erik Collin of Palomar College to pick up his leg in an offensive in a 3-2 165-pound semifinal win for the Juskies at the 2014 Wrestling Southern California Regional CHampionships last Saturday at Cerritos College. challenge Soto for a chance to get the last qualifying spot. Soto beat Louis Delatorre of Palomar to keep his qualifying spot. All wrestling stopped in between the medal rounds to allow freshman Mariaelena Hernandez (133) wrestle against Kate Nestingen (157) of Cuesta. This was the fourth time these two have wrestled. These were the only two women at the tournament. A crowd gathered around the mat to see the intense match. Hernandez pinned Nestingen in the third period, staying unbeaten against Nestingen. Freshman Jonathan Mandujano (149) took seventh and qualified
to challenge Johnny Callas of Cuesta if Callas beat teammate Justin Janrugl in the fifth place match. Instead Janrugl decided to forfeit the match,which qualified both teammates for state, and left Mandujano out of the state tournament. “You know it wasn’t something I saw coming until it happened and it is what it is,” Mandujano said. Other Huskies that placed were freshman Johnny Robles (125) and sophomore William Amelong (285) taking seventh, Freshman Kevin Valdez (133) and sophomore Joseph Aguila (157) both lost their seventh place match and finished eighth.