Angela Bassett snags prestigious honor SBIFF Angela Bassett snags prestigious honor at SBIFF

Compton College adult learner ‘It’s never too late to earn a degree’

COMPTON—Samantha Valle is devoted to her family, her studies, and her community, all of which drive her and motivate her to persevere through the challenges life presents.

“There are obstacles and things come up, but there is a way to make it work,” said Valle. “We all face challenges all the time.”

Valle, a non-traditional student, graduated from King Drew Medical Magnet High School in 2006 and enrolled at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona after graduation. Shortly into her studies at Cal Poly Pomona, Valle had to drop out due to a serious illness and hospitalization. Once she recovered, she continued her studies at another community college before pausing her studies again to devote more time to her family.

Even when uncontrollable circumstances

Compton’s Duhart appointment affirmed by attorney general

and shifting priorities caused Valle to change her educational plans, her goal remained unchanged—to help support her family and give back to the community. Earning a degree was something Valle knew would ultimately help her achieve her goals and the COVID-19 pandemic ended up being the catalyst she needed to return to college thanks to the convenience of online learning offered at Compton College.

At the onset of the pandemic, she became unemployed and had no one at home to watch her children, so she decided to finish what she had started years ago and complete her college ed- ucation through distance learning.

In 2020, she enrolled at Compton College upon her brother’s recommendation. He is an alumnus and had great things to say about Compton College. Once Valle began taking online classes, she soon realized she was right where she belonged.

“Enrolling at Compton College was one of the best things I have done, and I wish I had done it sooner,” said Valle. “Once I saw all the resources and assistance the staff and faculty provided to me, I was glad I made the choice to enroll.”

The resources that Valle has taken advantage of at Compton College n Degree, see page 10

By Dennis J. Freeman

COMPTON—Longtime Compton resident Lynn Boone filed papers to have City Councilmember Deidre Duhart removed from her post. Boone’s application, paperwork filed with the office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, was rejected.

As a result of this legal wrangling and posturing by Boone, Duhart who was appointed to the city’s District 1 council seat shortly after Michelle Chambers resigned, gets to stay on board.

According to the written legal opinion by the California attorney general, Boone sought to have Duhart removed because she believed that the councilwoman was appointed to her current position without the sufficient number of votes to put her in office.

As it was, Duhart received just two votes to be appointed by fellow councilmembers. One of the council members voted against Duhart’s appointment, while another abstained from voting altogether.

The attorney general wrote “there is no substantial question of law regarding Duhart’s appointment to the City Council, and that it is therefore not in the public interest to authorize the proposed quo warranto action n Duhart, see page 10