THE PAW PRINT
! n w o D 3 ‘2 & MORE TO GO! THE TOP 5 CAFÉS TO STUDY AT | HOMECOMING: A JOURNEY OF HIGHS AND LOWS | NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH | AND MORE!
A LETTER FROM
the editor
Hello fellow Cougars, My name is Harrison Kim and I have the honor and pleasure of serving you all as your Associated Student Government’s (ASG) Officer of Marketing and Information for the 20232024 academic year. I am also the Editor in Chief of the Paw Print, the publication that you are currently browsing, as well as the host of the monthly COC Podcast “Couglamity.” 2023 has been a rollercoaster year for many of us. Filled with epic highs and admittedly some unfortunate lows as we adjust to life after the global pandemic. If you had not already noticed, the theme for this semester’s Paw Print is “celebrations.” As hard as this past year may have been for some of us, ultimately, we are ending this year with the knowledge that we made it through, and in the process gained lessons and experiences that will hopefully aid us in our future endeavors. There is also of course the excitement- the flutter of joy and trepidation that comes with the anticipation of the unknown. As we acknowledge our triumphs and falls of this past year, we also eagerly await the year to come. For some of us, the upcoming few months will showcase the fruits of our labor-all of the blood, sweat and tears we have shed in the past few years. For others, the new year may bring forth fresh and unexpected opportunities-whether professionally or personally. Whatever the future may hold, we at the Paw Print and ASG hope that as you take your time to browse through this publication, you also take a moment to celebrate everything that you have experienced, overcome, and achieved this past year. Here’s to all of you and to an even better 2024!
Harrison Kim
(He/Him) Officer of Marketing & Information | Editor-in-Chief
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Meet our team THIS PUBLICATION WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE DEDICATED WORK AND TIME PUT FORTH BY MANY AMAZING INDIVIDUALS. EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE IN THIS GAZETTE WAS WRITTEN, CREATED, AND EDITED BY STUDENTS. AS YOU READ THROUGH THIS EDITION OF THE PAW PRINT, WE HOPE THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME JOY AND PRIDE THAT WE THE PAW PRINT STAFF FELT WHILE PUTTING IT TOGETHER.
Greetings, Cougars! This issue of The Paw Print stands out as something a little different and special from the previous ones, and we are very excited to finally share it with you! Journalism is an everchanging field, and each page you see and story you read are crafted with the utmost passion and attention. We hope you can relax and dive into the content we have put together for you. Sincerely, The Paw Print Staff
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RACHEL KOSHY (SHE/HER) ASSISTANT EDITOR
Rachel Koshy is a full-time student majoring in Biology. She spends her time volunteering at a hospital in Glendale, with an interest in vision science. When she's not studying, she likes going to new cafes and restaurants, and she enjoys watching shows and movies.
ALEXA GABRIELLE EMPLEO (SHE/HER) STAFF WRITER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Alexa Gabrielle is currently a full-time nursing student and a part-time published freelance writer. Her work has been featured in various publications, such as Local Wolves and Antifragile Zine. When she’s not writing stories for her clients or care plans for her patients, she can be found drinking yet another overpriced matcha latte and having a great time with friends.
KAITLIN PHUNG (SHE/HER) STAFF WRITER
Thank you for reading and browsing through the Paw Print! All four of us have worked hard to perfect this for the students, and we hope that you enjoy this year’s edition. As someone who is dedicated to making sure that students feel that they are qualified and accepted to be at College of the Canyons no matter what goals you strive for, I hope that the pages you skimmed through inspired or gave you a spark!
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THE FALL 2023 ISSUE
9
BY HARRISON KIM
14 18
BY ALEXA GABRIELLE EMPLEO
BY KAITLIN PHUNG
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BY KAITLIN PHUNG
BY HARRISON KIM
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AN INTERVIEW WITH
Dianne Van Hook
By Harrison Kim
OUR CHANCELLOR!
Meet Diane Van Hook, our current Chancellor and the extraordinary women behind the rapid development and continued growth of our beloved College of the Canyons! Below is her interview with Harrison Kim, our Editor-In-Chief. Question 1: “Thank you for joining me today, let’s start with the basics. May I ask you to please briefly introduce yourself?” “My name is Dianne Van Hook, and I am the Chancellor here at College of the Canyons. This year was my 35th year as Chancellor. I first went to a community college just like COC and then graduated from Cal State Long Beach, where I first wanted to be a teacher.” She wandered her way into being part of the administrative staff at multiple community colleges around California and finally at College of the Canyons. Dr. Dianne Van Hook is the longest standing California Community College CEO. Question 2: “I know a lot of students are curious about what the job of a chancellor truly entails. Could you please provide an average day looks like for you?” “Every day is different. No two days are the same.” What an exciting job she must have! From meetings, appointments, paperwork, and the constant busy-busy of being a leader, Dr. Hook is always on the go! Although her schedule is always jam-packed, she still has time to make her presence known on campus.
While you students may not see, Dr. Van Hook has a heavy presence behind the scenes on all facets of our campus, including student life, financial aid, campus renovations, and many more! Question 3: I heard that you had recently been nominated to serve on the College Promise National Advisory Board! Can you tell us a little bit about what the board does and what it means to you to have been unanimously nominated? 6
“My whole career has been about promise. It's been about hope. I just was speaking to somebody, and I said, ‘community colleges are all about hope.’ They're about helping students realize it doesn't matter what's happened to them in the past and where they are currently. It's about what it is that they want to experience or become and having the confidence, energy, and network to be able to get there. That’s what College Promise is. Community colleges in California did not have any per unit fee until 1984. It was really all about a continuous open door for people to pursue with hope, and to actualize their potential and discover what it even was. College Promise is about free community college. We're going back to what we used to do before 1984. Most people who come to community colleges, no matter what age they are, have no idea why they're really here. They pretend like they know why they're here, but they don't know. And if they do know why, they don't have the skills. They come here to get the skills.” Question 4: Do you believe COC to be the best community college in Southern California? If so, why? “I believe best is a subjective term. I believe that if more people knew how College of the Canyons was different from other community colleges, we would be the first choice of 95 percent of students. Most community colleges don't look like this physically. They don't have the depth of programs that we have. They don't have the support services and bridges that we have for our students. I think we do all of that immensely well and a lot better than most. We've been recognized for our associate degree transfers, the number of degrees we’ve awarded, and closing the achievement gap for underachieving populations.
We encourage innovation. It’s everywhere on this campus. We have an amazing professional development program and our partnerships, internships, and opportunities. If students could take a virtual tour through fifteen community colleges in Southern California and look at the physical space, surrounding community, programs, and support offices, I think they probably would conclude that this is the best.” Question 5: What do you think makes COC unique? “What contributes to making College of the Canyons unique is the nature of our community. We have one high school district, one city, and one county. Where I went to school in Long Beach city, they had at least seven cities and five high school districts at that time. I think the nature of the simplicity of the number of entities is an advantage. Another thing that makes us unique is that 72 percent of all our full-time faculty, staff, administrators, and adjunct faculty, which is around 2,000 people, went to COC; they were our students. It speaks volumes about the experience those students had and the connections that they still have with the people who gave them hope and help. I think that we try to stay relevant and engaged, and I really do appreciate the diversity and the inclusion here. 64 percent of our student population are not white, and when I started here in 1988, it was eight percent of our students.” Question 6: “What are some lesser-known resources that COC provides that you wish more students knew about?” “I really want people to know about the degrees that are offered in the University Center. Traveling or relocating to get a bachelor’s isn't in everybody's possibility realm, but there are options here. I would like to let them know that we
have apprenticeships and internships in a variety of identities. There's no better way to start to sort and choose among the options available than to spend a little time in the job setting. It's one thing to read about it or to see it on YouTube; it's another thing to be with boots on the ground and see what it's really like. I think that the sooner that people can get out and try something, the better off they are, the more insight they have, and they start to understand that if the fit between what you're doing and what you like to do is there, you'll thrive at it. If instead, you go after the job that has the title that you want, but it's not a good fit, you won't be happy. Figuring out what the options are is always a smarter way to go.” Question 7: “We are getting to the end of our interview. I would like to thank you for your time and all the stories/advice that you have shared with us today. Before we go, are there any other fun facts, tips or general recommendations you would like to share with the COC community?” “My advice to anyone would be, first, never give up. My husband was a firm believer in that. Be resourceful, ask questions, and embrace mistakes.
When we let what other people say influence our decisions without checking in with ourselves and seeing how we feel about that advice, we will end up someplace other than where we wanted to go. And it probably will be something you look back on and regret. I think people should figure out what it is they want to work towards, and it needs to be something they really love to do. If you do what you love to do, you'll do it a lot better than something you just have to do.
Number two, I don't think that we should let other people put limits on what we can do. When we let what other people say influence our decisions without checking in with ourselves and seeing how we feel about that advice, we will end up someplace other than where we wanted to go.
Lastly, I think that people should remember that the person they talk to most during the course of the day is themselves. If you try to make yourself feel guilty by things you're telling yourself in your head, you're going to diminish your own capacity. Make the most of every day and be true to who you are.”
Thirdly, I think that attitude makes a big difference. You need to surround yourself with people who are positive, curious, helpful, kind, and believe in possibilities. If you surround yourself with negative, excuse-making people, you will become that kind of person.
Thank you to Dr. Diane Van Hook for sharing her insights and efforts on the journey of College of the Canyons! Your dedication and leadership have been instrumental in the continued growth of COC. We are grateful for your time and wisdom.
the top 5 cafés to study at in santa clarita (THAT AREN’T STARBUCKS!)
As students, we all face one common problem—the need to find adequate space to lounge around and (potentially) study in. Now, one can always head toward the usual dives (e.g. Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Peets, etc.) After all, there is nothing wrong with finding comfort within already seasoned environments. Not to mention that as national/global chains, these stores are expected to meet certain standards of service. However, for those of us who want to tread lesstraveled paths, and maybe avoid battling with fifty other caffeinedesperate students in the process, here are the top seven places that we, at the Paw Print, recommend to our student body.
5) .
By Harrison Kim
BODHI LEAF COFFEE TRADERS Hours: (4.5/5) Open 7 days, 11-12 hours/day Atmosphere: (2/5) Chic but not a great study place Space: (3/5) Only a few big tables Price: (4/5) Pretty fair on everything, $8 breakfast burritos Menu: 4/5 Both vegan and non-vegan options Chargers: (2/5) Look for a table with a charger Parking: (4/5) The lot could get full but not bad Overall: (3.4/5)
4) .
TEACISION Hours: (4/5) Atmosphere: (5/5) Space: (2/5) Price: (4/5) Menu: (4/5) Chargers: (2/5) Parking: (4/5) Overall: (3.6/5)
Open 7 days, 10 hours a day Relaxing, quiet, dark Not much space Only $4 for an iced tea Many drinks and desserts A few outlets Lot could get full
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3) .
PANERA BREAD Hours: (5/5) Atmosphere: (3.5/5) Space: (5/5) Price: (3.5/5) Menu: (5/5) Chargers: (1.5/5) Parking: (1.5/5) Overall: (3.6/5)
Open 7 days, 12+ hours a day Study area in the back The most available out of all Drinks are cheap but food isn’t Most diverse with food and drink A couple on the outside walls Very small lot
2) . 1) .
CORNER BAKERY Hours: (5/5) Open 7 days, 12 hours a day Atmosphere: (3/5) Some chatter, not the best for solo study Space: (5/5) Plethora of indoor and outdoor space Price: (4/5) Pretty good prices on everything Menu: (5/5) Extremely diverse with food, drink Chargers: (3/5) Most tables have a charger Parking: (4/5) Lot can get full Overall: (4.1/5)
HONU CAFE Hours: (4/5) Atmosphere: (5/5) Space: (5/5) Price: (4/5) Menu: (2/5) Chargers: (5/5) Parking: (5/5) Overall: (4.3/5)
Open 7 days, 10 hours a day Excellent service, quiet, great air conditioning Big and small tables, bar, benches Tax included in price Only drinks such as coffee, tea, fraps Abundance of outlets everywhere Huge lot, might be busy on Sundays
TO CONCLUDE, Whether you’re seeking solace in familiar coffee shop chains or searching for your ideal study spot in Santa Clarita, we hope our rankings were helpful! The venues each offer a unique blend of features that suit various study needs. No matter whether you opt for a lively atmosphere or quiet one for solo studying, may your study sessions be as productive as they are enjoyable. Grab your books, find your preferred spot, and enjoy a study session in one of our Paw Print-approved establishments!
N I F
I A C LA N A W
ith
ID
Evely n Garcia
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By Harrison Kim and Rachel Koshy
Hello Evelyn, thank you so much for joining us today! We, as the student body, sincerely appreciate that you took time out of your busy schedule to be here for this interview. There is a lot to learn about financial aid, and it’s such an important subject. Q1: Please introduce yourself! What is it that you do here at COC? “I'm Evelyn Garcia, one of the financial aid advisors here at College of the Canyons. I've actually been here for a little bit over four years. I've been in the financial aid industry since I started as a college assistant in 2005. I really enjoy working with students and with parents, and being this resource is really rewarding.” She works in the Financial Aid Office on the Valencia campus in Canyons Hall floor 1. You can visit in person during their office hours or online during their office hours as well.
Q2: What forms of financial aid are available at COC? “At COC, we offer federal aid, which includes the Pell Grant, the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, loans, and federal workstudy. We also have state aid, which includes the Cal Grant and the California College Promise Grant. We have a group of scholarships that we award during the spring semester for the upcoming year. For the 2023-24 academic year, that application window will be opening in spring semester, normally between February and March. Our office will send an email to the whole campus, encouraging them to apply. It's another great resource. There are also outside scholarships. The goal is to help minimize student debt.” Q3: Does COC have deadlines for federal financial aid such as FAFSA?
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“Our priority deadline is March 2nd for both federal and state aid. If a student forgets to submit their application, they have until June 30th of the following year to submit it. However, we encourage students to submit their FAFSA as soon as possible as they run the risk of delays and/or not being considered for funds that are limited. Some funding is unlimited, but other funding is limited. Once the limited funding has been awarded to the students who applied early, it's gone. Prior to working at COC, I worked at UCLA. When I worked there, if the students submitted their application after March 2nd, there was some funding that they were no longer eligible to receive. Q4: When/how will I know how much financial aid I am eligible for? “Students are notified that their financial aid award is ready via email, and they are instructed to log into MyCanyons to view their award. If the student has not received an email indicating their financial aid award is ready, they can log into My Canyons and select Financial Aid. The student will be able to see the Financial Aid Checklist and it will let the student know we've received their FAFSA or if they have any outstanding documents they still need to submit. Once all the documents have been submitted and their file has been processed, we'll let them know their financial aid award is ready to be viewed via email. For a student who's either transferring or just graduated high school and has applied to different schools, they will be able to add up to 20 schools on their FAFSA. As soon as the student's admitted, the financial aid office from that school will process the file so the student can have the information and make an informed decision as to where they're going to accept their admission.” Q5: Could you explain work study, if we have it, and how you would sign up for it? “Yes, we have a federal work-study program. Think of it as a part-time employment program: it's a need-based program, so it is specifically for students that have financial need. Working under
that program, students are limited to 20 hours per week because it's a part-time job, and their focus also has to be in school. To see if a student is eligible to receive work-study, they should firstly submit their FAFSA and secondly reach out to the Student Employment Office. Once they've completed that to show that they're able to work, the Student Employment Office will inquire with our office to see if the student meets the criteria for federal work-study.” Q6: Are there part time on-campus jobs students can apply for? “For students who are seeking jobs on campus, they want to start at the Employment Center. They will be able to let the student know what job openings are available and make sure the student has completed all the required documentation so they can start working on campus.” Q7: Are there scholarships available, and where would I go to find out more? “On our website, we have a list of external scholarships. We also have links on our website that are databases for these scholarships. We have our spring institutional scholarship program, which will be opening up in February or March. We encourage all students to check out our website, see if they meet the criteria, and apply. There are scholarship listings for specifically students who live in Santa Clarita Valley. There may be criteria such as major, so it's important to see if you qualify for any and apply to those. Another thing that’s really helpful is to have a running essay. That way, when you apply to multiple scholarships, you aren’t having to write a new essay every single time.” Q8: If I am awarded a scholarship, does that impact the amount of financial aid COC gives to me? “Yes, it could impact other financial aid, but in most cases, it does not. Please visit or call the Financial Aid Office for further information.”
documents, and we will assist them with any questions they may have as they fill out their application. That schedule will most likely be published in the spring semester, but there will be more information out in November or December.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Financial Aid Office: https://www.canyons.edu/mone y4college Hours: M-T 9am-6pm, F 9am-1pm (VC) & M-T 9am-5pm (CCC) Student Business Office: https://www.canyons.edu/stude ntservices/sbo/index.php FAFSA: https://www.Studentaid.gov
For scholarships, it’s important to have a running essay and an updated resume. During the semester, students are busy, studying for tests and working on assignments, so having a working essay they can easily edit can help them apply for a lot of these great scholarships. Also, be sure to login to the student portal, in our case MyCanyons, to check if there are any missing documents. Students can also go to our physical offices – we are open year-round with the exception of holidays and winter break. Students do not need an appointment to visit our office; they can just walk in or call in during our business hours and we’ll be more than happy to assist.” Thank you so much to Evelyn from Financial Aid for providing these wonderful resources to our students. We appreciate you coming in today to teach us some great information about financial aid!
Q9: Are there multiple payment plans regarding tuition that gives students more time in between payments? “That’s a great question for the Student Business Office. The Financial Aid Office only awards the financial aid funds. SBO will be able to better explain what payment methods are available to students.” Q10: Are there any other tips you would like to share with the student body? “Definitely apply early. Apply early for the 20242025 FAFSA. It will be available this December. Set an alarm during winter break, and it may take 30 minutes to an hour to complete. COC’s Financial Aid office will also send an email out to all the students as a reminder to fill out their FAFSA forms. We also hold FAFSA workshops where students can come with their tax
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IELLE EMPLEO R B A G A X LE A BY
: g n i m o c e m ho f o y e n r u o a j s w o l & s h g i h
A DIVE INTO THE MINDS OF ADULT REENTRY STUDENTS
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Homecoming, as the word implies, is a tradition of welcoming back a particular group of people after a prolonged absence. In the context of education, it mainly pertains to the return of students to their institutions. Back in high school, it’s known as that beginning-of-the-year celebration that culminates into a massive dance often held at The Hyatt for many Santa Clarita natives. In college, it’s the first football game of the season, where numerous alumni return to campus to watch and join current students in supporting the team. In popular culture, Homecoming is also known as Beyoncé’s critically acclaimed 2018 Coachella performance, where she paid tribute to historically black colleges and universities, returning to her Houston upbringing after her illuminating career thus far.
Reentry Alliance here on campus — which is an affinity group focused on supporting the success of adult learners — the non-traditional student population, or adult reentry students, can be described as: “adult learners, 25 years or older, who are new to college or returning to college after a prolonged absence. Typical characteristics of an adult reentry student can be one or all: they are a parent, a veteran, have delayed going to college or taking a break after their first attempt, and are working full or parttime.” Historically, one of the oldest graduates from COC was an 81-year-old student from the Class of 2020, followed by 77, 78, and 72-yearold graduates in the subsequent years. And in the Fall 2023 semester, thousands of adult reentry students are already enrolled as paralegal and business majors alone.
Regardless, accompanying this tradition is the inevitable change that has occurred within the institution, the person returning, or both. For many traditional students returning this fall semester at COC, this change constitutes having a new wardrobe and tan line after the summer break, dealing with the seemingly endless construction, and the slight grievance of having to park somewhere inconvenient. On the other hand, non-traditional students are also subjected to similar circumstances but have varying experiences in terms of returning to educational institutions.
One can imagine the many challenges nontraditional students face, especially in an everchanging society plagued by growing technological advances and cultural and generational differences. “Some examples could be feeling lost and unsure where to begin, scheduling issues with work and home life, childcare issues, more financial responsibility, and possibly even self-doubting one’s own abilities,” says Patricia Garcia, one of the counselors and faculty members that help run the Adult Reentry Alliance. “Non-traditional students bring different perspectives and have more life experience. But sometimes, they feel insecure about being able to succeed. One of the biggest topics we cover is having a growth mindset, and we make sure they remember that they’re as smart as traditional students, that they have support, that they remember that they don’t have to do this alone, and that being an adult reentry student doesn’t limit them.”
Before proceeding, what’s the difference between a traditional and non-traditional student in the first place? According to the National Center for Education Statistics, traditional students are first-time, full-time undergraduate students under 24 who commonly have a linear, post-secondary educational journey straight from high school. Statistics from the COC Class of 2023 commencement ceremony have also shown that the average age for all graduates from 2020–2023 has been 24 years old. On the other hand, according to the Adult campus Reentry
Garcia herself is an adult reentry student who first started at a community college but had to quit due to a lack of transportation. She then worked full-time, saved money, and returned to school after securing a car. However, she faced a couple challenges since she decided to keep working
The days are long, but the years are short, and you will be who you dreamed of being in no time. working full time and could only take a few classes, even changing her major three times. She wanted to attend UCLA afterward but was met with opposition from her counselor, who told her she wasn’t “UCLA material.” Nevertheless, she decided to send her application in at the last minute and was accepted. And, at twentynine years old, she officially transferred to UCLA. “At that point, I was like: ‘Oh my goodness, what am I gonna do at a university like UCLA? I’m so old, and am I gonna be able to compete with eighteen-year-olds who are super smart?’” Garcia narrates, “So, you have that insecurity as an adult reentry when you return to school, but once again, I think the community college has given me the skills to succeed at a university like UCLA. Not only did I succeed, but I also went to study abroad and did internships, and that’s when I discovered my passion for counseling. So, I graduated with different honors distinctions, and this whole experience taught me that it doesn’t matter when you start and how long it takes you. The important thing is that you continue and work hard because adult reentry students are just as smart as traditional students.” Skyler Lyons and Taylor Roberge, two firstsemester nursing students here at COC and nontraditional students themselves, also share their stories and discuss specific nuances uniquely reflective of their journey and the population they represent.
“I never saw myself pursuing a medical career until becoming a mother — the thought, idea, or smell of any bodily fluid made me squeamish from head to toe. Fast forward to the birth of my daughter: it was traumatic! However, I had the most incredible medical team to care for me. It was within that experience that sparked the idea of becoming a nurse myself. The more I pursue this career, the more I fall in love with it, which gives me comfort in knowing that I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do,” says Lyons when asked to describe her story. “I grew up right here in Santa Clarita and have spent most of my adult life between here and San Fernando Valley,” narrates Roberge — a wife and mama to a sweet two-year-old girl. “Growing up, I watched my mom consistently volunteer and dedicate her time to helping others. I saw the rewards she gained by making an impact on people's lives and it almost felt instilled in me to follow the same path. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in caring for others and nursing is the best way to do that. My parents went their separate ways at a young age, leading to my mom working tirelessly day and night to provide for our family. I quickly became a parent to my siblings and took on more than my little shoulders could carry at the time. I slowly went down a dark path, making poor choices, and was able to turn my life around. I decided to pursue my dream as a nurse and returned to school at twenty.” As established, being a non-traditional student already has its challenges and joys, but nursing school is another ballpark with which not everyone is familiar. “Nursing school within itself is incredibly challenging, let alone doing it as a single parent. Balancing these two roles has tested me and is continuing to test me in a way that I haven’t been prepared for,” Lyons confesses, “However, it is being a mother that gives me my strength and resilience. It is because of my daughter that I’m able to do these early mornings and late nights. I want to set an example to my daughter that we, as women, can accomplish anything
that we, as women, can accomplish anything we set our mind to. Although having a young daughter while in nursing school makes it a million times more difficult, I don’t know if I would have the same drive if it wasn’t for my daughter. Also, the bonds I’ve created with my classmates are unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I’ve quickly made so many friendships that have quickly altered my life. I’ve never been surrounded by so many like-minded people who share similar dreams and ambitions as myself. It’s such a loving and supportive community. At the same time, I feel like it’s becoming more and more common for people to go back to school life, which is so inspiring to me. It’s never too late to explore and experience new things that bring you joy.” “‘Older adults don’t have what it takes to pursue educational goals due to being so far out of education.’ This is so not true,” Roberge emphasizes, “With age comes experience and wisdom that serves them so well in education. Some of the smartest people in my classes along my journey were in their 50s. It really humbled me and made me realize that no matter the age, you can accomplish anything you dream of. So go for it. Don’t allow anything to hold you back. Resources are available to help, and you CAN do anything you set your mind to. Pick up that phone and pen and start. If you don’t ever start, you can’t finish. You will surprise yourself in so many ways — building your confidence along the way. The days are long, but the years are short, and you will be who you dreamed of being in no time. It can be challenging, to say the least, but never let a single obstacle stand in the way of your goals. Everything and anything is possible. It just depends on how bad you want it. Luckily, my fellow nursing students have become my family and have made this journey worth continuing every day. We are all in this together and making friendships that will last a lifetime.” Multiple resources are accessible for nontraditional students here on campus. Other services offered by the Adult Reentry Alliance include, but are not limited to, individual counseling appointments, information sessions,
(LEFT: TAYLOR ROBERGE, RIGHT: SKYLER LYONS)
counseling appointments, information sessions, monthly support groups, and a Canvas shell to help students connect and obtain information. They also hold end-of-semester parties to celebrate and receive feedback. Interested students can visit their website and fill out the interest survey. Coming home can be an exciting yet mortifying ordeal, especially as we are (sometimes unwillingly) subjected to the many discomforts and adjustments of change. The language is the same, yet no longer familiar. The content is old, yet now taught differently. The structures of each room are constant, but the paint is new and fresh. What used to be wrong is now right, and what used to be right is now wrong. We are ever-changing, multi-faceted beings that will never be the same as we were five minutes ago. Our once-wide eyes turn downcast, and each child-like imagination and dream eventually diminishes as a new burden is placed on our shoulders. We shed the clothes and the people we loved in favor of new ones and do things we never believed we were capable of. We must freely and wholeheartedly accept this as a part of nature — this inevitability of uncertainty. But if there’s anything to learn here, it’s that despite that, two things still remain certain: we are never alone, and there will always be a place to call home. 17
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH BY KAITLIN PHUNG
Every November of each year, Native American Heritage month is celebrated to focus on the immense impacts and contributions Native people have made on the growth of the United States. But not only does this holiday recognize the history of the number of tribes and culture, but the struggles they had dealt with in the past. The reason why November was specifically chosen for Native Americans was because of their tradition of fall harvesting and ceremony. Before it was made into the month of November, it was only a week of celebration in October. However, this holiday came to be when President Bush at the time approved the change in 1990. 18
Pocahontas is known as one of the well-known Disney princesses, but did you know she was also a true historical figure? She was one of the daughters of the most powerful tribe leaders, Powhatan. However, she was credited for helping the settlers in Virginia survive by bringing them food and showing complete care for them. Tecumseh also has his own spot in contributing for Native Americans back then. He was a Shawnee chief and warrior whose ultimate goal was to recruit in his confederacy while also stopping any further colonization of land. Although he died at the end of the War of 1812, his great efforts in creating tribal unity and his strong character are still remembered. Sitting Bull can be considered one of the most known Native Americans in history, as he was the leader of the Sioux tribe and later proved he was worthy of the title. When he went into war at the Little Big Horn, face-to-face with General George Armstrong Custer, his tribe successfully defeated him under his command. This made a significant impact on Native American history, as it recognized Sitting Bull as an accomplished warrior back then.
DURING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S MONTH, THE NAIA HELD MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS.
11/14
Hosted the Wildhorse Native American Association for sacred dancing and singing demonstrations at the Honor Grove; fry bread played a huge role!
11/15 11/16
Dr. John Johnson of the Natural History Museum of Santa Barbara presented a guest lecture on “The Chumash Community at Saticoy: The Native American Experience along the Santa Clara River after the Mission Period.”
The NAIA film series continued with a screening of a comedy/drama called "Smoke Signals.”
11/17
The VP of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians visited the campus.
You may have also seen them outside of the ICC doing arts and crafts to celebrate the culture by creating small artifacts! They had also planned to release annual Thanksgiving message that shares the Indigenous perspectives on Thanksgiving. 19
A Conversation with NAIA How are you guys planning to celebrate Indigenous People’s Month? “Native American Indian Heritage Month, or more commonly Native American Heritage Month, has been celebrated since the bill was passed in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. The bill, in part, reads, ‘The President has authorized and requested to call upon Federal, State and local governments, groups and organizations and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities’. In so doing, our Native American Indigenous Alliance will be celebrating our American Indian student community through educational and interactive activities, demonstrations, Dine (Navajo) dancers, fry bread giveaway, as well as academic lectures and discussions by our local Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. We will also have services available through a partnership with the United American Indian Involvement and Workforce. We will be hosting activities every week of November. We encourage students to self-enroll in our NAIA shell so they can participate in activities and see our calendar of events. And you can follow us on Instagram: Instagram.com/cocnaia. To enroll in the NAIA course: https://coc.instructure.com/enroll/JPNWFE.” What are your guys’ own definition of the month of November? “This is a complicated month, as an educator of Native American and Indigenous history and culture and as a co-lead of an advocacy group like NAIA. We have a duty to make all Americans aware of the myths of Thanksgiving and this dist-
-orting narrative about the Pilgrims befriending Indigenous cultures. This myth is used as a tool to mask the hostile, genocidal invasion and disruption of Indigenous life and culture in the generations after 1620. Americans must learn to acknowledge the past pain and suffering endured by Indigenous cultures all over the nation. These conversations are never easy and often provoke hostile backlashes from those who seek to deny the overwhelming evidence of Indigenous genocide and ethnic cleansing. The month of November is a time of remembrance, gratitude, appreciation, and celebration of our American Indian community. I look to honor the ancestors and the strength, resiliency, and cultural empowerment of their descendants.” How do you suggest the public celebrate Native American People’s month? “First, acknowledge the past. Only then can we talk of "celebration." The month of November makes room for celebrating the rich array of cultural traditions so that such traditions endure and can be taught to the next generations. It's also a month to honor and celebrate Indigenous artists, writers, leaders, and activists who left a lasting historical legacy like Sitting Bull of the Lakota or Wilma Mankiller of the Cherokee. Native American Heritage Month can be a time when non-American Indians can learn more about their local Native American community and involve themselves in activities that support that community, through attendance at Native lead events, or supporting Native American owned businesses. There are also a number of volunteer opportunities in your local American Indian community! It can be such a positive experience to get involved and make those connections.” Can you give me reasons why you think diversity is very much prioritized on this campus? And why it is important for Native Americans especially to get that recognition?
recognition? “Similar to what I stated above, but to add: as a college, such attention to diversity and enrichment becomes our mission as educators. We at NAIA value our shared commitment to develop informed citizens with a strong foundation for global awareness and diversity appreciation. It's especially important to inform students about Indigenous history and culture because these marginalized peoples have been made invisible by the forces of prejudice that deliberately edit out or silence their history from inclusion in textbooks or mainstream media. These very same forces subject tribal members to woefully inadequate and impoverished conditions on reservations, which function more like prisons of poverty than as traditional tribal encampments. Anthropologically speaking, the land mass that became the US has always been diverse. American Indians themselves come from diverse cultures and belong to many nations with many traditions and languages. Just as there is not one culture within the US, there is not one culture among Native Americans. Recognition and respect for cultural differences can make for a more harmonious society.” What are some traditions Indigenous people have? Or do you have? “The first that comes to mind that might be of immediate interest to you and your readers is a tribal Pow Wow. These are displays of sacred dancing, drumming, singing to honor their cultures, traditional gods, history, heritage, and ancestors. Some are organized as cultural contests but still retain a sacred quality to their displays. Hart Park recently hosted an annual Pow Wow and Cal State Northridge will host another coming up on Saturday November 25 from 11am to 9pm in the Sierra Quad.” Burning sage and using local plants and herbs for medicinal benefits might be others to explore. Dr. Solis can expand on these traditions.
Wampum making and collecting is another rich cultural practice that I am personally fascinated by and hunt for modern examples to share with students. Native Americans, as mentioned above, have diverse cultures and traditions. Typically, every fall and spring, many American Indian nations host a Pow Wow – a traditional cultural ceremonial activity that brings together many tribal groups for the opportunity of fellowship and prayer. In historic times, these gatherings were outlawed by the Federal government. Today, they are open to the public and have a ‘festival’ like atmosphere that allows the public to experience American Indian foods, purchase American Indian products, and experience American Indian prayer, dance, and song. However, many traditions are considered sacred traditions that are not typically shared with outsiders. As I am not considered a Knowledge Keeper, I feel that it would not be appropriate for me to share certain cultural traditions from local tribes in this venue. However, I encourage you to contact Pukuu or the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians to speak to a Knowledge Keeper: 818-837-0794 or visit Community – Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (tataviam-nsn.us). You may also send them an email on their home page. I am sure they would be happy to speak with you if you wish to learn more.” 21
The Speech Team! COLLEGE OF THE CANYON’S SPEECH TEAM PROVIDES VARIOUS, DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR EACH STUDENT ON CAMPUS. NOT ONLY CAN THIS HELP YOU WITH YOUR PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS, BUT YOU GET TO MEET NEW PEOPLE, EXPERIENCE TEAM ACTIVITIES, AND HAVE TONS OF FUN! ALTHOUGH ALL OF YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OWN REASONS AND INTENTIONS WHEN THINKING OF JOINING THE SPEECH TEAM, THERE IS ALWAYS ONE TRAIT EVERY PERSON WILL LEARN: CONFIDENCE.
https://www.canyons.e du/academics/commu nications/speechteam/ index.php
Coach: Adam.Kaminsky@canyons.edu
THINKING ABOUT JOINING THE SPEECH TEAM? IF YOU ARE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED, KEEP IN MIND THAT THEY ACCEPT NEW MEMBERS AT THE START OF EACH NEW SEMESTER. TOURNAMENTS AND SHOWCASES ARE ALSO A BIG PART OF THE SPEECH TEAM! ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE INTIMIDATING TO JOIN THE SPEECH TEAM, IT IS A GREAT CHANCE TO GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND TRY A NEW EXPERIENCE!
A Conversation with the Football Team STORY BY HARRISON KIM PHOTOGRAPHY BY DYLAN STEWART PICTURED ABOVE: OSCAR ADOLFSON 23
Q1: Hello! Thank you for joining us today! We appreciate you taking the time to help us out. Now without further ado, please introduce yourself to your readers! “Hi, my name is Anthony Johnson, but I go by Tony and I’m a punter for COC. For my associate degree, I’m a liberal arts major, but I want to pursue graphic design at a 4-year university. I want to say this is my 6th year playing football, but I’m in a unique situation because I played soccer my whole life and started football in high school.” “Hi everyone, my name is Victory Vaka and I play defensive tackle for the football team. I got my A.A. in Liberal Arts, but now my major is Business so I’m getting two associate degrees. I came here for football obviously, but I also want to get my education right.”
all the way across to the 40 or 30 and rolled a little more.” Victory: “This year, I made my mid-season highlights, so games 1-6. You can look at them on Twitter at victoryvaka/. You can also check them out Instagram, same handle.” Q4: Who would you say was your biggest competitor this season? Victory: I personally don’t have a rival on the team necessarily. We all want to see each other succeed and do well. I also don’t think we necessarily have a rival team in terms of school, but I think Ventura always has a good team, so that should be a good game.” Q5: What do you think makes the COC team stand out?
“Hello, my name is Oscar Adolfson, I’m from Sweden, I’m majoring in Psychology, and I have been here for two years, so this is my last semester. My position is O-line, specifically center, so I’m the guy who snaps the ball every play. I’m talking to some coaches and hopefully I have an offer to go somewhere after I graduate.”
Victory: “Honestly, the camaraderie, like it’s a brotherhood. We all have high aspirations, we work hard together, and we all want each other to succeed. I would say it’s the juco bond, like I really see myself being friends with these guys for life.”
Q2: Now that we’re all friends, let’s move on to the next question; can you give us a brief introduction of your team?
Oscar: “So we do weights, conditioning, on field practice, and meetings. Meetings are usually adding plays, watching our tape, or watching our opponent's tape to see what they are good at and what they are bad at. Then we do conditioning, like 100-yard sprints for 30 minutes. After that, we have football practice, so we put on our pads, helmets, and that practice is around 2-3 hours.”
Tony: “We have a pretty decent sized team; we have gray shirts too. I think there are around 90100 people on the team total, including defense and offense. We have a first team, second team, and third team, as well as gray shirts. That’s what I like about College of the Canyons.”
Q6: What does training look like for you all?
Q7: How good is COC at football? Q3: What do you think the highlights of this season have been? Tony: “I’ve been punting every game we punt, but I would say my recent highlight was against El Camino. It was my first punt of the game, and the ball was on the 30-yard line, and I kicked it all
Oscar: “Since we are a junior college, we don’t have a division necessarily, but we have a lot of bounce backs from the higher-level universities, so we have lots of good players. The competition within our league is pretty high, as lots of players are really good. We have a conference within California
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California and then we have a finals game. We have not qualified for the conference yet because there are 4 more games left in the season, so we need to win the next 4 games to lock our spot in. Right now, we have won all our conference games, so we are the number 1 team in the league. We just beat the previous #1 team, so they are the now number 2 team.” Q8: Is there anything else you would like the student body to know about the football team? Tony: “We would love to see you all at home games. The energy that having a home crowd brings is so impactful. It can turn the tide of games, really.” You heard it straight from the team, folks! Your presence and participation really matter, so much so that the cheers, chants, and support of a home crowd can define games. Thank you so much Tony, Victory, and Oscar for coming to this Pawprint interview! And a big thank you to Jesse Munoz for making this all happen.
MEET YOUR NEWLYELECTED ASG OFFICERS!
2023–2024 27
President: Christopher Bordbar The president serves as the Chief Executive Officer and official representative of the Associated Student Government (ASG). Also responsible for advocacy and legislative issues at the statewide level. Hey Cougars! I'm Chris Bordbar, and I'm thrilled to be your ASG President! I'm excited to work together to create positive change and unforgettable memories. Let's make this year one to remember!
Executive Vice Preisdent: Caitlin Herron Assumes all responsibilities for the President in cases of absence or necessity. They also are responsible for the financial matters of the ASG. Hi Cougars! My name is Caitlin Herron and I'm your Executive Vice President for the 2023-2024 school year! I hope that I will be able to continue to contribute to COC's mission to create a welcoming and loving environment for everyone on this campus.
Student Trustee: Hestia Sartika Represents the ASG at all Santa Clarita community college board meetings as well as serving on the Academic Senate. Also responsible for advocacy and legislative issues at the statewide level. I'm Hestia Sartika, your Student Trustee at College of the Canyons. In the next year, I aim to improve student resources by establishing a Legal Clinic, ensuring Basic Needs (BANC) accessibility, extending library hours, reviving the suggestion box, and introducing an AI literacy course.
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Executive Liason, CCC: Sanjana Sudhir Serves as the representative of the Canyon Country Campus in both representation and activities. Hi! I am Sanjana Sudhir and I am the Executive Liaison Officer at the Canyon Country campus! I plan to host events that connect both campuses in an exciting manner and promote student engagement.
Executive Vice President of Activities: Kristian Mengitsu Oversees all activities that occur at both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses. Hi, my name is Kristian! I am the Executive Vice President of Activities in ASG. I love to listen to music; my favorite artist is Frank Ocean!
Vice President of Inter Club Council: Ellie Wingo Chairs the Inter Club Council meetings and updates the Executive Board regarding the activities of such. Hey Cougars! I'm Ellie Wingo, the Vice President of the Inter-Club Council at COC. In this position, I am presented with a unique opportunity to serve as a bridge between clubs and organizations, and I strive to help everyone flourish!
Officer of Marketing and Information: Harrison Kim Responsible for publicizing the activities and actions of the Executive Board. Serves as the Editor in Chief of the Pawprint and podcast host of Couglamity.
Vice President of Activities, Valencia: Lijuan Zhu Serves on the activities board and directs the activities of the ASG on the Valencia campus. Hello everyone! My name is Lijuan Zhu, and I'm your Vice President of Activity at the Valencia campus. I know life is not easy and it is changing so fast, so I want to hold more fun and relaxing events to enrich your campus life!
Public Affairs Officer: Stephanie Ofilada Responsible for publicizing the activities and actions of the Activities Board. Serves as the head of the social media accounts. My name is Stephanie Ofilada and I will be serving as the Public Affairs Officer for the 2023-2024 school year. I look forward to promoting different events, campaigns, and activities that will occur throughout campus through our social media platforms! 30
Cultural Student Involvement Coordinator I: Yu Wu Responsible for planning and executing cultural events for the general student populations at Valencia campus (VC). Hi everyone. My name is Yu Wu. I am the Cultural Student Involvement Coordinator I at Valencia. My major is Sociology, and my career goal is to become a market research analyst.
Cultural Student Involvement Coordinator II: Erik Polanco Responsible for planning and executing cultural events for the general student populations at Valencia campus (VC). My name is Erik Polanco and I'm the ASG Cultural Student Involvement Coordinator II. I know how hard classes are and how they strain our mental health, which is why I want to bring fun events to help you all destress and take a break from your studies!
Social Student Involvement Coordinator I (VC): Jiahong Sun Responsible for planning and executing social events for the general student populations at either Valencia (VC) or Canyon Country (CCC). Hi everyone, my name is Jiahong Sun. I’m the Social Student Involvement Coordinator at ASG. I study business administration at COC, and UC Berkeley is my dream school.
Social Student Involvement Coordinator II (VC): Cody Imperial-Pham Responsible for planning and executing social events for the general student populations at either Valencia (VC) or Canyon Country (CCC). Hey cougars! My name is Cody Imperial-Pham and I’m the Social Student Involvement Coordinator II. We want to incorporate the students and faculty as much as possible so come out and check out all the events happening this year.
Social Student Involvement Coordinator I (CCC): Jesus Martinez Desantiago Responsible for planning and executing social events for the general student populations at either Valencia (VC) or Canyon Country (CCC). Hello everyone, my name's is Jesus Martinez Desantiago and I'm the Social Student Involvement Coordinator for the Canyon Country Campus. The primary reason I joined ASG was to be able to voice the concerns of the students, along with being able to bring any form of longlasting change to COC.
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