ARTS
SPECIAL
SPORTS
Spring Band Concert honors veterans
VPAM launches three new exhibits
Men’s soccer prepares for upcoming season
See page 6
See page 7
Volume 72, Issue 23
See page 5
Single copy free - additional copies 50 cents
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
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“I hope to learn how to truly believe in God. I hope to learn how to be grateful. I hope to learn how to be there for others. I hope to learn how to let go. Whatever time is left, I am in a great deal of pain. But I know pain. I am expert in pain.” - Lydia Rudametkin
DSP&S counselor plans to retire
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parents spoke Spanish to each other, but they spoke Russian to my sisters and I,” Rudametkin said. Some of her favorite travel memories are in Russia and Spain, where Staff Writers she earned certificates in Russian studies and in Spanish language and or 37 years Lydia Rudametkin showed passion culture. and dedication through the counseling services In the summer of 2010, Rudametkin was diagnosed with uterine and she provided at East Los Angeles College. cervical cancer. Rudametkin feels grateful for being granted so “When I heard the diagnosis, I told the doctor. I know. I wasn’t many years of good memories and participation surprised. I had very few symptoms, but I intuitively self-knew that I had in the college community, but now she exits her cancer,” Rudametkin said. ELAC career. The following years were a blur of intense medical treatment and Looking back on her ELAC journey, adjusting to the abrupt new reality that she might die soon. Rudametkin held positions in counseling, “I had major surgery in 2011 and six weeks of daily radiation,” teaching, as well as being a Rudametkin said. matriculation coordinator, director of The Women’s She said the cancer occupies her liver, lungs, right Center and a committee member and chair of The kidney, diaphragm and ribs. It had spread over the Conference Tuition Committee. last five years, giving her two to six months to live. In a letter Rudametkin wrote that recent events in “I hope to learn how to truly believe in God. I hope her life have made it necessary for her to bid farewell to learn how to be grateful. I hope to learn how to to those people whom she has known for many years be there for others. I hope to learn how to let go. and others whom she had met recently. Whatever time is left, I am in a great deal of pain. She served as Dean of Student Services and But I know pain. I am expert in pain,” Rudametkin supervised 15 different programs such as Extended said. Opportunity Program and Services, Counseling, According to Rudametkin, her experience with Child Development Center, Financial Aid and violence and abuse at an early age has been far worse Admission office in the late ‘80s to early ‘90s. than her experience with cancer. “She really was an important voice in the whole Rudametkin’s experience has also helped with processes here on campus and just an inspiration her passion for supporting survivors of domestic in terms of her leadership, her service and just her violence and sexual abuse. openness to listening to all sides,” Chicano Studies Chair of the Nursing Department Lurlean Gaines Professor Mary Ramos said. said she recommended students of domestic violence According to Ramos, Rudametkin knew a lot of and sexual abuse to go to Rudametkin if they needed information because she has so much recollection help. If she couldn’t help, she always found someone from committees she’s served on, policies that have who could. been acted on in the past. “ELAC was her main agenda, and she advocated Rudametkin also serves as the representative for strongly for students. She was a real advocate for the Counseling Department on the Academic Senate the faculty,” Gaines said. Lydia Rudametkin since 2000 and was treasurer. In the process of chemotherapy, Rudametkin In 1986, she started and directed the Honors found support from her doctor, Gynecologic Program with UCLA for ELAC students, which Oncologist Laila Muderstach at the University of Southern California prepares them for transfer. Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. “She is one of the most deeply caring and thoughtful individuals that “My perfect cancer world consists of my indescribable medical I’ve encountered here at ELAC,” history instructor and curriculum chair treatment, my best forever 1960s UCLA Bruin friends and my best Steve Wardinski said. forever ELAC colleagues and friends,” Rudametkin said. Wardinski said Rudametkin was an example of someone who puts the “I have been so touched by my personal friends and my ELAC needs of students first. She has been unparalleled yet has been a strong colleagues for their support and their caring for me.” advocate for the faculty. According to Gaines, she keeps her spirits up by living up to her She is trilingual in Spanish, Russian and English and provided nickname “Chocolate Queen” and made sure everyone has their chocolate. counseling services to many Russian students after the collapse of the Wardinski has started a Friends of Lydia Rudametkin Memorial Fund Soviet Union. with the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center so that others could Rudametkin was born in Mexico. When she was 2, her parents moved receive treatment from the caretakers that she mentioned who took such to the U.S. good care of her. “My parents learned Spanish in Mexico, after leaving Russia. My Rudametkin’s official last day at ELAC is June 30.
BY MARIA ISIDORO, MEGAN G. RAZZETTI AND MARCUS CAMACHO
News Briefs
Symphony Orchestra
The Symphony Orchestra will be performing at the Performing Arts Center at 6 p.m. on May 30. The Wilson High School band will also be performing.
Graduation
ELAC graduation will be held at Weingart Stadium at 6:30 p.m. on June 6. The last date to petition for graduation will be June 5.
Last issue
Governor increases funding for schools BY IVAN CAZARES Staff Writer Governor Jerry Brown released a revised version of his proposed budget for 2015-2016 after a $6.7 billion increase in General Fund Revenues. Brown urges legislators who are calling on him to spend more on safety-net programs and other priorities to be cautious. Most of the additional revenue must go to public schools by law. In the revised budget, $14,687,996 will be set aside for higher education and $50,451,985 for K-12 education. “For the first time in more than a decade, (we will) have a balanced budget and it’s solid,” Brown said. He gave credit to Proposition 30 for this achievement. Proposition 30 increased sales and income tax. Critics of the proposition argued that schools would never see that money. Members of the Judicial Branch have complained about having to close down court houses. As of now, the Judicial Branch is receiving the same amount of money as last year. Brown acknowledged that the Judicial Branch’s costs are going up and that there will be some give and take before the final budget is decided. “All these institutions, courts, universities, hospitals have huge costs and everyone has to get used to managing. We’ve been used to this over commitment on the federal level, at the state level and were trying to now have honest budgeting and careful budgeting,” Brown said. Brown proposed to increase the state’s rainy day fund to $3.5 million as a precaution. California’s economy is getting stronger, however, there is no guarantee that this trend will continue. The governor said that he did not want to make the same mistake past governors have made. In the past, governors have bet on more money coming in than what actually did, resulting in a recessions. The proposed budget includes $148 million for deferred maintenance and instructional equipment for community colleges. It sets aside $626 million for prior mandate obligations. It includes $60 million in one-time funds the Basic and Student Outcomes Transformation Program. These funds are meant to support the progress and success of basic skills students.
REVISE Continued on page 4
This is the last issue of the spring 2015 semester. For more information on the next issue and updates, visit elaccampusnews.com
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Opinion
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
EDITOR IN CHIEF Jade Inglada MANAGING EDITOR Jesus Figueroa ONLINE EDITORS Darlene Galvan, Andrew Ruiz, Danny Vasquez ART DIRECTOR Lindsey Maeda FRONT EDITOR Marcus Camacho OPINION EDITORS Rogelio Alvarez Alexa Santana NEWS EDITOR Julianne Obregon FEATURE EDITOR Megan G. Razzetti
ARTS EDITOR Stephanie Garibay SPECIAL EDITOR Bryce T. Ronquillo SPORTS EDITOR George Maldonado
Students simply cannot transfer in two years BY MEGAN G. RAZZETI AND JESUS FIGUEROA Staff Writer Students choose to attend a community college in hope of transferring to a university. Students come in as freshmen with the idea that it will only take two years to fulfill the general education requirements and transfer to a university to receive their bachelor's degrees. This is sometimes false and students, along with the community college administration, should not expect to have all general education requirements fulfilled by a deadline, especially when sometimes obstacles get in the way. As students enter college,they experience a variety of challenges. It is a financial struggle for some to afford a college education, even
if they only take one or two classes. Financial aid is not guaranteed for everyone. The overwhelming amount of documentation required for just applying deters students from trying to receive help. The process is daunting, with the financial aid office having so much going on that communicating about further documents required can be the last thing to do. Students end up spending an entire semester worrying about how to pay for classes and supplies. Students use financial aid to put a little away for their transfer school and use it for everyday living expenses, especially when a parttime job doesn't suffice. Students end up spending an entire semester worrying about being compensated for their expenses because of delays. ELAC has plenty of first-
generation students who plan to transfer to a four-year university. According to the Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development, first-generation students are financially independent and also have others that depend on them. Many students also work fulltime jobs and attend night classes. Even that can be stressful and exhausting. Students also have family responsibilities. Parents often find that they need to make choices between their school work or their children. They have to consider reliable child care, transportation, study time and family time. Although there are programs to help with child care, it is also an overwhelming process and it is not guaranteed that the child will be accepted into a child care program.
ELAC has a Child Development Center but it only accepts 24 children between the ages 3-5 for each program it offers, which can limit the odds of receiving reliable childcare. Students have to be caregivers to sick relatives. Taking over as the head of a household can be demanding and stressful especially for young adults who have yet to explore life. The stress of having a loved one incapable of being independent can put students in another frame of mind, completely separating them from the classroom. Problems at home can lead to failing or dropping out. Some first-generation college students have received a lot of support from their families on their journey to get a higher education. Parents expect kids to get a job right after graduating high school.
Support and understanding is hard to be found. Having a support system is important to succeed in college. If students don't have a supportive family to help, they should surround themselves with like-minded people who are on the same journey. It is important for students to not only keep their families close but to also have friends who are encouraging. That is the kind of support students should have regardless of whether they qualify for financial aid and have to pay everything with loans or their paychecks. Simple words of encouragement help. Students should remind themselves is that it is not a race. Everyone is on their own journey in life. They should go at their own pace and set attainable goals for themselves, not anyone else.
Reckless parking damages students’ cars BY AMBER PARAMO Staff Writer Students who are in a hurry to get to class or any desired area on campus, usually disregard the courtesy and respect for other vehicles. It seems that the parking structure is becoming more crowded, busy and compact. This means that more students are in and out of the parking structures. Students like myself, work hard for the money that we put into our cars. It is a shame when we have to pay more money to replace or touch up unnecessary damages. Being in a rush comes with consequences. Parking circumstances would be less hectic if students were to arrive a lot earlier to their classes. If student are in a rush to class, they will park in any space, in any manner. This causes other drivers to park close to another car. When opening car doors, students should be aware of vehicles on either side. This will reduce the amount of hitting the doors and producing dings, scratches or dents, as these can be expensive repairs. A backpack or purse can cause noticeable scratches that can devalue a vehicle. The best way to park is by centering your vehicle in its parking space. Overhanging the stripes will tend to crowd the driver who parks in the adjacent space. This frequently leads to door dings in the paint of other cars.
CN/JESUS FIGUEROA
If a student owns a truck or large vehicle, they should park it neatly. When driving a large vehicle, the driver should park the vehicle all the way into the space. This makes it easier for other drivers to see past the large car, when they are backing out of adjacent spaces and also gives the widest possible driving lane
between spaces. The exception would be a very small compact or subcompact vehicle. Small cars such as a Mini Cooper or Smart car should park so that the back end is equal with the cars beside them. This lets drivers know that the space is occupied and does not give
the false impression that the parking spot is vacant. Students who drive a small car like Honda Fit, Smart Car, KIA Rio, shouldn’t pull too far forward. If a small car is pulled far forward, than the small car cannot be seen as a person drives down the lane, looking for a spot. Pull into the spot, out of the lane
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of traffic, but not so far that the car is unable to be seen from the lane. This might save damages from someone who sees the open space and pulls in a tad too quick. A large SUV or pickup will not fit easily in a compact car space. They are not supposed to. For students commuting to and from classes in the late morning and early afternoon, the busiest time period for on-campus classes, this can create a parking nightmare of sorts. In the beginning of the semester, even the largest parking lots on campus can fill quickly. This forces students to try their luck in another lot further away from where they need to be or by parking in a private lot off campus with the hope that their cars don’t get towed. Two-lane streets and limited parking lot entries can make driving to class a hassle and can turn a fiveminute drive into one that can last 15-20 minutes. Students who commute to class from work or vice versa have limited time looking for parking space. Going to college is obviously a huge investment in and of itself Students shouldn’t have to worry about parking. Students definitely should not have to spend their hard-earned paychecks or scholarships on unnecessary damages like door dings or scratches. If students are having a problem with a parked vehicule or recieved damages from another vehicule, they should report the incident to the campus police.
PHOTO EDITOR Alexa Santana COPY EDITORS Ivan Cazares, Jesus Figueroa, Kristen Garcia, Joshua Inglada CARTOONIST Anthony Bosque STAFF WRITERS Carlos Alvarez, Cardling Del Real, Maria Isidoro, Joseph Ovalle, Amber Paramo, Juan Ramirez, Jose Rojas, Cortez Cruz Serrato STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Jesus Figueroa, Julianne Obregon, Danny Vasquez VIDEOGRAPHERS Bianca Garcia, Stephanie Guevara ADVERTISING Stefanie Arocha DISTRIBUTION Jesus Figueroa Agustine Ugalde 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
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
CAMPUS
VOICE
Opinion
How do you prepare for finals?
“I mostly study at the library since it’s quiet and at the S-2 building because I’m an arts major.” RAQUEL BORJA
“I study at night, because it’s more quiet, usually until 2 a.m.” CARLOS GUARDADO
“I go over my notes, try to get some sleep and eat good meals.” ALEX GARCIA
“I get it done. I don’t put off studying until the last minute. I reread my notes, so that during the test, it’s fresh in my mind.”
“I’ve been going over my notes from the beginning of the semester, especially for my foreign language class.” PAULINE HOLGUIN
“I drink as much coffee as I can.” SYDELL ROBLES
OLIVER CAMPOS
What are your plans after ELAC?
“I hope to transfer to a fouryear, to continue working on my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.” ANTHONY CENICEROZ
“I am transferring this fall to San Jose State University and obtain my B.S. in sociology.” RENE AYALA
“I plan to transfer to Cal State Long Beach and obtain a B.S. in mechanical engineering.” BRENDA PERAZA
“My options are limitless, but I hope to work with projects related to video games or the computer industry.” GIOVANNI PERNUDI
“I’m planning to transfer to CSUN or CSULB and obtain my teaching credential.” SANTA TRUJILLO www.ELACCampusNews.com
“I’m transferring to Cal State Long Beach as a human development major while finishing up the EMT program.” YULMA SANCHEZ
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News
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
Revise: Brown supports education for undocumented people Continued from page 1 Brown said he has made it a priority to concentrate funds on programs and districts with a large of number of students living in poverty. He also said that it is important to support students who are learning English as a second language. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, there are more than 10 million immigrants
living in California. The Governor believes that education is an important part of immigration reform, and key to our continued well-being, and we’re benefited by the fact that people chose to come here to California. He also said it is important to legalize undocumented people and that the school system needs to be able to handle the challenge. The proposed budget includes $52,472,815 for Health and
Human services, as well as $1.9 billion to assist drought-impacted communities and provide additional resources for critical w ater infrastructure projects. Brown called for an additional $75 million to spend on hiring full-time faculty members at each community college. The funding proposal is expected to create 600 full-time faculty positions in the community college districts.
Final exam schedule for spring 2015
Assessment Center introduced new AOC program success and support program coordinator Suzette Morales-Guerra Staff Writer said. “We would pay for the bussing, The Assessment Center has we would pay for their lunch, we’d introduced its new orientation and pay for everything. All you have to counseling program created for do is get the students to sign up.” incoming students with its first AOC The high schools had the choice Days events. of picking any day between January Assessment, orientation and and March to bring in their students. counseling are steps all new students Some schools asked to come in starting this year must take before at a later day. being able to register for classes. “Events like this They must take are very helpful the assessment test, because it gets the which places them in kids to register, “Events like the level of math and enroll and hear the this are very English that pertains orientation,” Bell to them. helpful because High School College They must also go Counselor Frank it gets the kids through orientation, Marquez said. where counselors to register, enroll The very first present and review AOC Days was done and hear the general college on January 30 where orientation.” information. students from high L a s t l y, t h e y school were brought must meet with a in to complete AOC FRANK MARQUEZ counselor to create “This is our pilot Bell High School College an abbreviated semester,” student Counselor student educational service assistant plan (ASEP) to Rowena Smithhelp them figure out Kersaint said. which classes they need to take. “We started off with the idea of In accordance with a new mandate doing four schools and it kind of by the state of California, that forces grew quickly and as of tomorrow, all new students to go through we’ll have done 13 schools as our these steps before registration, the pilot.” assessment center has created AOC Students from Bell High School Days to help guide new students and arrived at ELAC on March 26 at make their first college experience 8:30 a.m. and took their assessment more enjoyable. test. The idea was first introduced “I signed up for three programs,” to nearby high schools during a Alex Lopez, Bell High School meeting in November where the student, said. dean of ELAC met with local high “I feel that the more programs school counselors. I sign up for, the better prepared I Although the idea started out with will be.” only bringing in three high schools, After they completed the test, 15 high school counselors were they were given a lunch break and present during this meeting. provided with free food. “There was a lot of schools there While the students were on and we said ‘Hey, would you be their lunch break, they had the willing to pick a date where we opportunity to talk to members of would bus your students?” student different clubs at ELAC and learn
BY STEPHANIE GARIBAY
CN/JESUS FIGUEROA
OPPORTUNITIES—Bell High School students attend the first college orientation at the Assessment Center’s AOC program event March 26.
about how each club could benefit them. “I decided to tell some clubs to come and talk to the students during their lunch breaks. FYC, Mesa or whoever wanted to come to capitalize on the students who are already there,” Guerra said. After their lunch break, students were taken into orientation where one counselor gave a speech about general college information. They met and spoke with a counselor to create their ASEP. Although only high school students were brought in for the AOC Days, this new program is for any new student coming in to ELAC. “AOC is not just for high school
students its for any student coming in that doesn’t have a degree or has not been exempted from the assessment test,” Kersaint said. Kersaint was the person behind the idea of AOC Days. “Originally when I came up with this idea, I was thinking of going to the enrollment center and identifying the group of people that have enrolled in the college but haven’t completed these three components and sending them a letter and reaching out to them and saying ‘Hey, let’s get your assessment and orientation completed’,” Kersaint said. Students who did not participate in AOC Days or did not complete registration and AOC before March
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27 lost priority registration. Those students are still able to enroll and sign up for classes, but their registration date gets delayed and they must now wait until a later date for registration. Students who did participate in AOC Days have first priority and get an earlier registration date to sign up for classes. The second part to this event was Senior Day where all high school students who participated in AOC Days are invited back and they were able to register for their classes. “Of all the students who participated, I think it was around 400 students are invited back and there will be tours and workshops,” Guerra said.
Hopefully we pick the right day and they will also be able to register for their classes.” AOC Days will continue to help new students each year with their first steps in college. All new students will be welcome to participate, whether they are high school students or not. “We just wanted to find a way to go above and beyond. People come in and enroll and then just disappear so we wanted to find a way to reach out to them,” Kersaint said. The Assessment Center continued to allow high schools to become part of AOC throughout the semester. This program will continue on to help high school students transition into ELAC.
Sports
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
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Husky softball ready for new season BY CORTEZ CRUZ SERRATO Staff Writer
Soccer’s ff-season rebuild BY ROGELIO ALVAREZ Staff Writer Tryouts for the East Los Angeles College’s men’s soccer team begin July 7 at Weingart Stadium, as ELAC Head Coach Eddie Flores and his coaching staff prepares to build a competitive team for the South Coast Conference. Flores and his coaching staff hopes to scout and recruit players from the surrounding regions. During the 2014 SCC season, men’s soccer team qualified for the playoffs for the first six time, since 2011. With an overall record of 8-9-5 and a conference record of 5-6-3. Some of the key players involved in securing entry into the playoff rounds have moved on from the team. “Six of our players were offered to play in universities in Iowa, Southern Vermont, Canton and Kansas,” Flores said. According to Flores, ELAC sophomores Jose Galvan, Julian Perez, Hector Reyes, Cesar Alverez, Otoniel (Otto) Rubio, Jose Gudino, Daniel Martin Del Campo and Benjamin Cuevas are returning players. Including Flores, they are a total of five coaches on staff that are geographically split up recruitment of players. Each coach is responsible for bringing in at least 10 players. Ninety soccer players are expected to tryout, with the number coming down to 40 after the first tryout. Those who made it past the first tryout then have a second tryout where the final team is decided and cut down to 30 players. There are six returning players and Flores believes they are
OPEN HOUSE Saturday June 6 10 a.m.
going to be important for the upcoming season. “The returning players are the leaders for the incoming guys,” Flores said. With many players coming and going every year, Flores believes it is important to have the players move on to the next level and teach them responsibility. Once prospective players make the team, they are responsible for turning in grade checks every three weeks. Last year’s state champions Cerritos College and finalists Mt. San Antonio College have won a combined total of seven state championships in the last nine years. Both schools are in the same conference as ELAC, yet the Huskies have proven to be a challenge to any schools in the SCC. “Our goal is to get to the playoffs and from there see where playoffs take us,” Flores said. Last season on Nov. 22, the Huskies got eliminated in the first round of playoffs in an away game at Santiago Canyon College with the score of 2-1. Flores said, the game was emotional for the players, their families and the coaching staff, but believes the team will be back next season ready to overcome any obstacles along their way. “I’m optimistic of having a good set of players,” said Flores. After a summer of preparation and training, the Huskies’ first match of the season is against San Diego Southwestern at Weingart Stadium on August 28. ELAC’s first conference game is at home against Los Angeles Harbor College on September 29.
The women’s softball team have their eyes set on next season after a disappointing 2015 campaign. The Huskies finished their season 15-21 overall, 9-12 in the South Coast Conference and failed to reach the 2015 California Community College Athletics Association SoCal Regional playoffs. ELAC finished its 2015 season losing four out of the last six games being out scored 37-8 during that span. The team was led by only four sophomores and had two returning starters from last year’s team who lost in the first round of the CCCAA SoCal regional playoffs. "The season wasn’t to our expectations, but we had a really young team built on mostly freshmen. Having a young team made this season a challenging year and a huge learning process for our girls,who were adjusting to college athletics,” Head Coach Erika Blanco said. Sophomore outfielder Larissa Munoz and freshman pitcher Byanka Diosdado were selected to the 2015 All-SCC Second team while freshman Utility player Alizah Magagoita received and honorable mention. This is Munoz’ second consecutive selection to the All-SCC Second team. Munoz was one of the bright spots for the Huskies this season, who led the team in mostly all offensive categories including home-runs, runs batted in and batting average. “(Munoz) was the one player that we definitely leaned on. She was the one sophomore that really did have the most experience. She batted well over .400 and was one of the most clutch hitters for us,” Blanco said. Munoz is currently in negotiations with Menlo College in Oakland and California State University,
San Bernardino for an athletic scholarship. Mayagoitia is one returner who is expected to make a significant impact for the Huskies offensively, as well as carry a large leadership role next season. Mayagoitia, who finished second to Munoz in batting average and was one of the main run producers for the Huskies this year, said the inexperienced team went through a lot of growing pains last season. “Next year we will be more experienced and know what to expect. We will also be better equipped to lead a new freshmen class who will sustain the program in the future," Mayagoitia said. Along with Mayagoitia, Diosdado had a major contribution to the Huskies as a pitcher this season. Diosdado quickly became the ace of the pitching staff and led the team with an impressive 3.98 earned run average. “I really pitched for my team this year and really gave it my all, not really caring about awards. I’m looking to improve my pitching, as well as my hitting in order to make the team better,” Diosdado said. Blanco believes that her returning players and a large recruiting class can help the Huskies improve on their losing season. "Having 10 returners come back for next season will bring stronger leadership to our team and help bring a smoother transition into next season,” Blanco said. “We also put a lot of emphasis on improving our talent through recruiting and targeting good athletes who will help us.” In addition to their recruiting, Coach Blanco will be adding two new alumni to her coaching staff next season. Assistant coaches Leanna St. Angelo and Natalie Gutierrez, who played for Blanco at ELAC in the 2000s, will join her along with assistant coaches Cindy Lucero and Jon Zavala.
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Arts
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
Spring Band Concert brings patriotism to ELAC BY JULIANNE OBREGON Staff Writer This year ’s Spring Band Concert featured American patriotic music under the direction of professor Jesus Martinez. The Music Department and Associated Students Union Rhythm Club presented the 15th Annual Spring Band Concert last Friday in the S2 Recital Hall to honor all veterans, current troops and fallen soldiers. The audience showed their enjoyment for the music and the dedication made to
those who have served or are currently serving in the military. The East Los Angeles College’s Symphonic Band, with the assistance of military musicians and other volunteers, played eight songs during the event including “Mess Call ‘Battle Cry,’” “March On, America,” “America, the Beautiful” and “Armed Forces – The Pride of America.” A few of the songs played were dedicated specifically to those who have lost their lives and who served during World War II. The last song played, “Armed Forces – The Pride of America,” was dedicated to Corporal William Salazar, a former ELAC student who passed away while serving as a U.S.
Marine. Martinez knew Salazar and remembered that when Salazar came to visit, he almost didn’t recognize him. Salazar mentioned to Martinez that when he was finished with his service that he would come back to school to finish his education, which he never got the chance to do. “America, the Beautiful” was played to honor the soldiers that served during World War II. Due to a previous rib injury, Martinez asked Sergeant Justin Garcia to direct “March On, America.” Garcia directed the song with passion that he displayed in his movements and expression. It was a night to say goodbye to those who have lost their lives while serving and to honor them for their dedication to this country.
STEPPING IN—Sergeant Justin Garcia stepped in to direct “March On, America” May 28 at the S2 Recital Hall. CN/JULIANNE OBREGON
Fish Taco Express offers savory Mexican-style seafood BY CORTEZ CRUZ SERRATO Staff Writer
COURTESY OF WARNER BROS. PICTURES
WIDE-EYED—Blake, played by Alexandra Daddario, and Ben, Hugo Johnstone-Burt, look out into a destroyed San Francisco in the action thriller “San Andreas.”
‘San Andreas’ shakes up big screen BY JESUS FIGUEROA Staff Writer A less-than-steady plot is made whole with the acting brought to the big screen in “San Andreas.” The story line has several subplots that don’t clear up until late in the film, but because of the actors and real-world emergency techniques, the film is able to capture the audience’s attention and have audience members on the edge of their seats. Rescue-chopper pilot Ray, played by Dwayne Johnson, shows his skills when rescuing a woman from her car hanging off the side of a cliff. Johnson is heart-warming and intense. His acting is put to the test with a complex role and he manages to pull through it. Ray’s daughter Blake, played
by Alexandra Daddario, waits to spend time with her father as he is supposed to take her to college, but he is unable to when he is called in to an emergency in Nevada. Daddario is beautiful in the film with much needed fierceness her character needs. She’s able to play the role of a sexy, strong and brilliant survivalist well. Blake’s mother Emma, Ray’s ex-wife, played by Carla Gugino, makes plans to move in with her boyfriend Daniel, played by Iona Gruffud. Gugino has moments of great leadership and strong will power. She is able to play the mother character fantastically. Gugino and Johnson together make a incredible combination. Gruffud is a minor character, but plays the role of the rich snob well.
Seismologist Lawrence, played by Paul Giamatti, figures out a way to predict earthquakes and finds that the San Andreas fault is set to have a large amount of activity. Giamatti is another character that is played fantastically well, but his talents are wasted as he is on screen so few times and has a small number of opportunities to show his acting skills. Daniel ends up taking Blake up to San Fransisco to college from Los Angeles. The San Andreas fault begins to move and cause major destruction. Ray and Emma team up to go save their daughter. The audience will expect that the entire film is a large action film with Johnson going head-to-head with the San Andreas fault, but the many subplots which are entwined within
the story make it much more. The film becomes a message of unity and communication. It takes on the power of family and trust. The writers capture the uneasy and adrenaline-pumping feelings which come from being a part of a natural disaster. They are able to use real-life fears to create a film that shows an extreme possibility for what may happen in real life. Through it all, the film shows the power of being prepared. “San Andreas” is out in theaters May 29 and is rated PG-13. Each moment of the film is used to show what the characters are going through and very few scenes seem to drag on. The film as a whole is a good family film with an action element that will keep every family member entertained.
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Fish Taco Express serves up some of the best Ensenada-style seafood on the East side. Fish Taco Express is the wellknown hole-in-the-wall tucked away on Beverly Boulevard which has been serving locals for years. It offers a wide variety of Mexican-style seafood dishes like ceviche on a tostada or shrimp cocktails, but what most customers go for is the fish tacos. The fish tacos are massive in size and full of flavor. Each piece of the fish is battered and fried so every piece is hot and fresh when put on the tortilla. Each taco is is drizzled with traditional homemade white hollandaise sauce and filled with flavors of cilantro, lime and a hint of jalapeno. On top of the hollandaise is a tomatillo sauce which is absolutely perfect. The tomatillo sauce has the perfect blend of citrus flavor and just enough spice to feel a kick without being too overpowering. The taco is then topped off with freshly diced onions, cabbage and tomato. The onions, lettuce and cabbage are crisp and fresh which balances out the flavors, giving the fish tacos a good, fresh flavor. The most common ordered item
off the menu is Special #1. Special #1 comes with two fish tacos, drink and a very generous portion of rice and beans that are house-made and made daily. The only thing better than the food at Fish Taco Express are the prices. Special #1 is sold at $5.25 which is very low when compared to other fish taco restaurants in the area. The best days to come to Fish Taco Express is Sundays and Fridays. On these days fish tacos are sold for the low price of $1.25, $0.75 cents cheaper than other days. Fish Taco Express serves up one of the freshest and tastiest ceviches around East LA. Ceviche is the mixture of fish or shrimp, cucumbers, lime, tomatoes, and optional hot sauce that is then chilled and served cold with a tostada. The ceviche is made multiple times throughout the day, which is important because customers are given fresh servings when ordered. Their ceviche stands apart from most because of the large amount of fish that they put in the ceviche that gives it a hearty taste. The restaurant only offers outside seating that is very limited. They are also busy during lunch hours on weekdays so there is usually a 20-25 minute wait during the midday rush. Fish Taco Express is located at 5144 East Beverly Boulevard in East Los Angeles and is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
CN/CORTEZ CRUZ SERRATO
UNDER THE SEA—Four fish tacos laid on corn tortillas
topped off with onion, tomatoes and cabbage then drizzled with hollandaise sauce sell for $1.25 at Fish Taco Express on Tuesdays.
Special
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
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Exhibits display for summer Hoy Space “Tatewari” in the Hoy Space Gallery showcases emerging Los Angeles based artist Joel Garcia. The exhibit title translates to “transformed by fire.” It intends to show the lives of indigenous youth in the barrios through prints. Related events Saturday, June 13, 4-6 p.m. Opening reception for the artist Saturday, June 20, 12:30 p.m. Walkthrough with the artist
Large Gallery “Chicanitas” in the large gallery are all small paintings from the Cheech Marin collection. The exhibit will have 70 pieces of art by 29 artists on display. The VPAM will be the only LA venue to exhibit “Chicanitas.” Related events Saturday, June 13, 4-6 p.m. Opening Reception Thursday, July 9, 4-7 p.m. An Afternoon with Cheech Marin
Small Gallery “Soldadera” in the Small Gallery is a multi-media exhibit which shows the historical value of women in the Mexican Revolution. Photos and documents from the Mexican Revolution as well as a video and Kevlar dresses are on display now.
Three new exhibits which show prominence in the art community will be on display at the Vincent Price Art Museum this summer. Nao Bustamante’s “Soldadera,” one of the three exhibits, is already on display, “Chicanitas” from the Cheech Marin collection and Joel Garcia’s “Tatewari” open on June 13. All exhibits close on August 1. - Jesus Figueroa
Related events Saturday, July 18, 1-3:30 p.m. Conversations with the Soldadera
COURTESY OF MARIAELENA HERNANDEZ
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Feature
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
Student Services VP to retire from ELAC BY STEPHANIE GUEVARA Staff Writer
WINNING ARTWORK BY MARIO HERNANDEZ
Elan wins state capitol art contest BY JOSHUA INGLADA Staff Writer East Los Angeles College student Mario Hernandez's winning painting will represent Los Angeles in the State Capitol's hallways in Sacramento. Hernandez entered a contest held by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission last year. Aside from his entry being placed in the County's Window Display, he also recieved a $400 stipend. Hernandez found out about the contest from a flyer he saw online and was intrigued by the idea of his art being displayed in the State Capitol. The deadline was January 29. "The bad part about it was that it was due the next day. So I needed to assemble all of my portfolio, write up a print description and everything. And it was mostly a theme for the LA County,” Hernandez said. “My art contains a lot of traditional LA artwork and themes, so they went hand-in-hand." Hernandez was one of five selected by the LACAC as a finalist on March 11, 2014 to create a piece to represent LA County. After winning, Hernandez attended meetings with graphic designer Louise Griffin and arts coordinator Jian Huang to create a display design based on his art piece. The final composition is entitled "Native Scream" and was created using Adobe Illustrator. "I decided to include places where artists can practice the arts, learn the arts and give back to the community with the arts. That's basically what my goal was to portray in this piece," Hernandez said. Among the locations placed in the work are the Vincent Price Art Museum, the Museum of Latin American Arts and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. Each place holds sentimental value to Hernandez and has helped him to progress in his pursuit of the arts. "I decided to throw it (the VPAM) in there because I loved the arts and the museum. It was just like a hidden gem which needed to be
exposed,” Hernandez said. The VPAM displayed some of Hernandez’s work in 2012 and later offered him a working position at the front desk. “He (Hernandez) has been with us for four months now. He shows a lot of initiative, gives plenty of tours and is always asking what he can do next,” museum preparator and assistant Victor Parra said. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes has Hernandez doing projects and running workshops for children. His projects range from Children’s Day graphics to a pop-up book of Cesar Chavez. “Native Scream” also includes a shot of the Space Shuttle Endeavor atop an airplane as one of the good qualities that LA County has. The center of the piece features a photo of Hernandez himself with his bicycle. “I am in the center because my bicycle is what I use to commute. It’s what I use to get to school and places for volunteering. I decided to throw a bike-lane in there, too, just to show that the LA County embraces the bicycle lifestyle,” Hernandez said. Hernandez described his art style as dynamic, vibrant, with an emphasis on the community around him and packed with a range of colors. He uses a wide range of styles, from graffiti street art to stylized photographs. Ever since he was young, Hernandez had an interest in the arts. Most of his early inspiration came from his third grade teacher and trips to museums. After enrolling in ELAC, his biggest source of encouragement came from ELAC art instructor Michael M. Owens, who teaches Graphic Design and Art Appreciation. Owens was a major influence to Hernandez when he was his instructor. It was because of Owens that Hernandez decided earn a degree in Graphic Arts Communication. “Native Scream” is set to be placed in the State Capitol’s display at an unspecified time in July.
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Despite growing up in an environment like the Maravilla Projects, retiring Vice President of Student Service Oscar Valeriano took a different route toward destiny. The Maravilla Projects are a low income housing sector located in East Los Angeles. Valeriano obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Ecology of Human Development and Social Behavior. The first barrier that could have stopped Valeriano was being a high school dropped out. In 1966, Valeriano was drafted to serve in Vietnam, but instead was sent to Korea because he was under age. Valeriano was stationed in Fort Irwin, Texas, where he met his future wife. After three years of serving in the military, Valeriano discovered his real passion, social justice. Oscar Valeriano enrolled in East Los Angeles College and became a union organized for the Chicano movement alongside well-known activist Cesar Chavez. As an activist, Valeriano focused of the fair treatment of immigrant workers. Valeriano transferred to the University of California, Irvine with an associates degree from ELAC in 1973. It wasn’t until 28 years later that ELAC would enjoy Valeriano’s knowledge and sense of justice. Valeriano returned to ELAC in 2001. He said East Los Angeles had always been home to him. During his time at ELAC, Valeriano became Dean of Student Activities and Financial Aid. Throughout the 15 years, Valeriano has served at ELAC, new facilities have opened, such as the Veterans Center.
“I wanted to open a center for our vets so that we can give something back to them after serving our country,” Valeriano said. Valeriano also worked with the Athletics Department. Oscar Valeriano and Marta Valeriano have three children, seven grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. “To me the most inspiring thing I’ve heard was my great grandchild tell that she wants to spend summer with me,” Valeriano said. Valeriano finds it inspiring that he has impacted the life of his third generation. After retiring,Valeriano he plans on becoming a marriage counselor. He wants to counsel in a church, since he has a degree in pastoral counseling. To many, Va l e r i a n o i s a n inspiration and believe his legacy will always be remembered in ELAC. Rahnani Valeriano Byley, Valeriano’s secretary, believes his legacy speaks to the person Valeriano is. Byle says that Valeriano is a giver who gives to others under the capacity that he holds. “As a boss Valeriano will never bring me down with my mistakes. Instead he encourages me to try again and not commit the same mistake,” Byley said. “I want to give back to my community,” Valeriano said. Valeriano said these words were words an old curandera told him in his youth, but he didn’t understand them until years later. “Your job is to help your neighbor and never forget them, but first we must start with ourselves,” Valeriano said. Valeriano’s advice to all students is, “Si se puede, everything is possible.”