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volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
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M.K. Monkey business at LAX serves it up
Santa Monica College C.A.R.E. club members protest Air France at Los Angeles International Airport
Trev angone Sports Editor
Whether it’s little league, high school, college, or pros, most sports teams have a go to player. For the conference champion Santa Monica College women’s tennis team, that was Mary Katherine Ashmore. Born and raised in Rome, Georgia, Ashmore is nothing short of a tennis prodigy. Ranked as high as tenth in the nation as a 10-year-old, it didn’t take long for her to figure out there was a future for her on the tennis court. “I started playing when I was two. I started walking, and grabbed a racquet,” said Ashmore. “My cousin, my second Mom pretty much, she was a tennis pro so I grew up playing with her every single day.” Although Ashmore’s playing style has undoubtedly changed through the years, picking up little tricks here and there along the way, the basics she learned at a young age has become ingrained in her for life. “I have this shot called the mojo and I learned it from her,” said Ashmore. “It’s a really weird, spinning shot. My playing style is still very much influenced by her.” Before making the move to the West Coast to attend SMC, Ashmore attended Darlington School in Rome. While growing up in Rome, she competed in the junior tennis circuit all along the South, and even started her collegiate career playing club tennis for the University of Georgia. While at Darlington, Ashmore worked her way to the state championship as a junior, and eventually reached the pinnacle of high school sports by her senior year. “As far as junior competitive tennis goes, I was playing every weekend. I traveled all around the South, from Texas to Florida. I played competitive junior tennis until I was about 16, and then just really focused on high school,” said Ashmore. While pursuing a medical degree at the University of Georgia, Ashmore also joined the club tennis team on campus, which she recalls, rivaled the talent on the varsity squad. But in the midst of earning her medical degree, Ashmore made an about face. After visualizing the long road ahead, she realized a life in medicine was not for her. “I was pre-med, my family is very medically oriented, but I kind of freaked out when I started studying for the MCAT, and didn’t want to do it,” said Ashmore. “I didn’t want to do it for the rest of my life, and go through seven more years postgrad. So I came out here, and researched law, and kind of fell in love with the idea of it.” Once an athlete, always an athlete however, and Ashmore has already figured out what type of law she would most like to delve into. “I’m looking at sports law. Hopefully I can represent athletes down the line. I feel like I can communicate with athletes, understand athletes, I grew up being an athlete,” said Ashmore. “There’s a very specific way to talk to athletes, and understanding their minds, and the way they work. I know I want sports to play a role in the rest of my life, so that’s my plan.” Georgia definitely played an important role in helping Ashmore determine the M.K. Ashmore continued on pg. 12
Jose Lopez Corsair Kim Kardashian is unexpectedly greeted by the SMC C.A.R.E Club, who were protesting at the LAX airport in Los Angeles, California on May 17. The animal rights protesters happened to be targeting the same airline Kardashian was flying, Air France, due to their participation in transportation of primates to labs for experimentation.
Adrien Piteux Staff Writer Los Angeles International Airport had some unexpected company on Saturday as protestors, paparazzi, and even reality TV mogul Kim Kardashian made an appearance. In an effort to stamp out the vestiges of alleged airborne animal cruelty, members of Santa Monica College’s resident animals rights activists joined forces with national animal rights organizations to protest the transportation of monkeys to testing facilities via Air France. The Corsairs for Animal Rights and Ethics (C.A.R.E.) Club and Last Chance for Animals pooled their resources to protest the aerial
Jose Lopez Corsair
transport of primates for experiments in laboratories for various medical uses. “Air France is now the last airline that continues to do this,”said SMC student Jenny Kotlyar. “It is hoped that through peaceful demonstrations at major airports around the world, we will be able to finally put an end to their ‘monkey business.’” With approximately 20 protesters, the animal activists also distributed flyers to incoming passengers in front of the Air France check-in stands, as well as right outside of the terminal. Dressed in all black, protesters displayed shirts with “Boycott Air France” across the front, along with signs that read “Air France Flies monkeys to lab cruelty.” Toward the end of the protest, professional paparazzi rushed the scene, and were waiting in front of the terminal, not to document the protest but instead, snap shots of Kardashian. According to the LCA website, Air France Board of Director’s member, Jean-Francois Dehecq, is also the chairman for the Board of Directors of Sanofi-Aventis, a French pharmaceutical company that ranks the fifthlargest in prescription sales worldwide. The LCA began protests against Air France in March and continue them at LAX every Saturday. After staging years of protests, animal rights activists successfully stopped China Southern Airlines from flying primates into the United States earlier this year. According to PETA, The U.S. Department of Agriculture has fined China Southern $11,600 for illegally shipping 1,380
Online Exclusive: Photo courtesy of Paul A. Hebert/Forum Photos
Marquez shines at Forum
monkeys over a six-month period in 2013. According to protestors, many primates are being transported by Air France in tiny wooden crates to testing facilities. They claim many of the animals die during the flight because of the stress it induces. The group is boycotting the company until they decide to change their policies. Another tactic being utilized is the attempt to get people to sign a petition denouncing the practice. Kardashian, a passenger of Air France, stumbled onto the animal activists on accident as she exited the terminal. The C.A.R.E Club was co-founded this semester by SMC student Lina Lopez, a communication studies major, and Andrea Castellanos, an environmental economics and policy major. “C.A.R.E. club’s main goal is to promote the ethical treatment of animals amongst the student body and community through education, outreach, and activism,” said Castellanos, who also serves as club president. The club, which now counts about 25 members, meets every Tuesday from 11:15 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. in the Liberal Arts building at SMC.
More Inside Arts & Entertainment PG 4 Godzilla
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Photostory Global
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Health & Lifestyle What’s
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2 contents/News
volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
E D I T O R I A L S TA F F Henry Crumblish····· Editor-in-Chief c o rs a i r. e d i t o r i n c h i e f @ g m a i l . c o m Elizabeth Moss·Digital Editor-in-Chief c o rs a i r. w e b e d i t o r @ g m a i l . c o m David Yapkowitz······Managing Editor c o rs a i r. m a n a g i n g @ g m a i l . c o m Ronja Jansz···········Health & Lifestyle c o rs a i r. l i f e s t y l e p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Alci Rengifo····· Arts & Entertainment c o rs a i r. c a l e n d a r p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Jonathan Ramos······· Opinion Editor c o rs a i r. o p i n i o n p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Trev Angone·············· Sports Editor c o rs a i r. s p o r t s p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Jimmy Janszen············· Photo Editor Rachel Porter············· Photo Editor c o rs a i r p h o t o e d i t o r @ g m a i l . c o m David Veta················Design Editor c o rs a i r. d e s i g n t e a m @ g m a i l . c o m Jhosef Hern····················Illustrator c o rs a i r c a r t o o n @ g m a i l . c o m
c o r s a i r s ta f f Brandon Barsugli, Cesar Clarke, Amalia Darin, My’sson Downs, Mia Duncans, Elin Ekdahl, Paulina Eriksson, Carlos Espinosa, Walter Flores, Rachel Gianuario, Qalil Ismail, Sarit Kashanian, Nick Kovalenko, Juan Lopez, Malin Lord, Jazmin Martinez, Christophor McGovern, Delmy Moran, Adrien Piteux, Liz Phillips, James Powel, Patrick Shanley FA C U LT Y A D V I S O R S S a u l Ru b i n & Gerard Burkhart AD INQUIRIES: c o rsai r. admana g er@g m ai l . co m (3 1 0 ) 4 3 4 - 4 0 3 3
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Mia Duncans Corsair Listening for the next set of directions from his supervisor, a worker from the Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbor stands on the edge of a service boat that was being used to clean up the massive amounts of dead fish that are still floating in the water on Monday, May 19 in Marina Del Rey, Calif. 7,000 pounds of dead fish have already been removed after residents started noticing an odor and fish floating to the top of the water on Saturday evening. One theory of how this happened is that with a culmination of the recent heat wave, full moons, and tide variances, an onslaught of anchovies settled into this basin along with the other fish that already call this place home. There was not enough oxygen for the fish to breathe, creating what is called an “Oxygen Dead Zone.”
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news 3
volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
Comm class holds clothes drive for HIV testing Sarit Kashanian Staff Writer Students from Santa Monica College’s Communications Studies 16 class held a clothes drive on Tuesday to raise money for free HIV/AIDS testing. Their professor, Carlos Flores, who teaches the class on the Fundamentals of Small Group Discussion, supervised the event. The purpose of the assignment was for students to come together and pick a cause they wanted to work with. “With all the things we’ve discussed in this course, it’s all about the fundamental need for group work and interdependence since students are constantly placed in positions where they’re required to collaborate with one another,” Flores said. The organizers of the clothes drive decided to team up with Out of the Closet, a thrift store with multiple locations that donate 96 percent of every dollar towards patient healthcare and free AIDS and STD testing. “I believe that nowadays there is not that much talk about AIDS, but there is still a need for awareness,” Elizabeth Danthus, one of the five students organizers said. Another of the students at the table, Joshua Bailey, added that this event was timed well because people are in the midst of spring cleaning this season. “Our minimum goal was just to fill up this bin but it looks like we’ve exceeded this goal, which shows that students are willing to donate and give back to the community,” Danthus said. While the event was part of a semester
Delmy Moran Corsair Santa Monica College students donate clothes for the Clothes Drive put together by the Communication Studies 16 class. The class held the event on Tuesday May 20 in front of the library of Santa Monica College in order to raise money for HIV/AIDS testing.
long project, the students don’t see a letter grade as the end all accomplishment. “An ‘A’ doesn’t even matter, we just want to make a difference,” said Danthus.
For those who missed the chance to donate on Tuesday, clothes can still be dropped off before or after Flores’ Communications Studies 16 class which meets Tuesday and
Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. in Letters and Sciences 106.
German Club “wilkommens” students to Maifest Jonathan Ramos Opinion Editor Santa Monica College students were given the opportunity to test and improve their knowledge in German culture on Tuesday, when the German Club at SMC celebrated Maifest, an event meant to commemorate the arrival of Summer. Students who stopped by the event were welcomed with pizza and were allowed to take part in contests where they competed for prizes such as Red Bull and German chocolate. The contests consisted of German trivia, as well as a contest judging who could do the best pronunciation of certain words in German. “The purpose of this event is to actually introduce students here at SMC to learn about the German culture, the German language, what it can be used for, how useful it is, and at the same time, it’s a lot of fun,” said SMC student Barbara Bassill, a member of the club. Bassill, who arrived in the United States from Germany at the age of 16, says that besides celebrating events like Maifest, the club is there to give students a broader understanding of German culture. Being comprised of students who understand the German language and culture at different levels, the club practices the culture through several activities such as a German version of “hangman” in which students must guess certain words in the specific language. The club also takes students on a variety of field trips such as operas or more notably, the German Film Festival. During the event, students could be seen reading several posters and flyers around the area which described the benefits of knowledge in German culture in many areas such as the top ten ways to learn German, what careers would be suitable for
German fanatics, and what SMC majors require or recommend taking German in college. To attract students, the club set up a bouncy castle; a move meant to refer to the fairy tale land of the Grimm brothers of Germany. German professor and advisor to the club, Anneliese Gerl, wants students to know
that the club is there to teach students, while also having a lot of fun. “We try to inspire people to take the German language,” said Gerl. “We talk about the German culture, the German music, German literature; we always feed them chocolate and they love it.” Gerl added that another reason the club exists is to show students that learning
the language isn’t as hard as it can be made out to be. She noted that English is the sister language of German and that the words are much more alike than people think. “Once our students start, once we get them, then they continue,” said Gerl. “But the thing is, it’s hard for us to reach them and that’s why we are here.”
Cesar Clarke Corsair SMC Student Raoul Rouzaud holds up a giant flash card of a German translation for “good day” at the language booth during Maifest at the SMC quad on Tuesday, May 20.
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& Entertainment 4 Arts
volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
Godzilla takes no prisoners Rachel Gianuario Staff Writer Through the billowing wall of smoke rising from the city’s fiery annihilation, emerges the hero and destructor of four major commercial cities. With a snout that looks similar to a smashed up accident on the 405 and a piercing scream akin to the “Jurassic Park” T-rex, Godzilla has come trudging back into the cinema limelight. The remake of the science-fiction monster film “Godzilla” is a global smash. Over the weekend, the movie made over $100 million at the box office. The once amateurish Gareth Edwards stretched his CG competent legs in his third monster movie and re-opened the franchise’s doors. Following the love-to-hate 1998 version that made George Clooney’s “Batman and Robin” (1997) look like Aristotle’s prose comes a “Godzilla” that holds true to the cinematic spectacle. Resoundingly, it’s a film of form over content. In other words, it is awesome in the truest meaning of the word, but the plot is essentially lame. Godzilla is back and bigger than ever before, battling his prehistoric foe, the robotic Mothra, closely related to the landstrider creatures in “The Dark Crystal.” With an obvious nod to environmental woes about nuclear waste, energy, power plants, and war, parasitic monsters emerge from the depths of the planet to consume energy and reproduce. Identified by the US military as MUTO’s (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism), these male and female electricity-altering monsters burrowed out of their century old cocoons. Godzilla is theorized to be “nature’s way of restoring
balance”. The film’s first line is an efficient sum-up of the entire story: “Just warning you, it’s a mess.” The most common thought that went through my mind while watching these three monsters clumsily destroy major cities in a matter of minutes was, did anyone actually survive this? Starting with the collapse of a nuclear power plant in Japan, the monsters string along their destructive slow lumbering through the main strip of Las Vegas, the Oakland Hills, Hawaii, and finally, San Francisco. No structure of any kind is left standing. As the whole of San Francisco’s financial district and dot-com douche bag neighborhood is obliterated in the monster scrimmage, the Silicon Valley media moguls slowly raised their fists in becoming masters of the Internet universe. If these MUTO’s didn’t have such a bad case of ‘bull in a china shop’, they could have collectively eaten all of the world’s nuclear waste and solved a major environmental problem. Instead they had to die by the hands of a massive lizard with epic lightning screams. Though the various monster-reveal scenes, “Jaws” moments, and news lens perspective shots were an incredible part of the experience, character and plot development were not. Aside from the three monsters, every other element in the film was relatively typical. Opening panning shots approaching Japan were accompanied with taiko percussion music, habitually associated with Japanese culture. The human characters, though they held major potential for complexity, were created by screenwriter David Callaham, whose characters in “Doom” (2005),
“Show[ed] less human dimension than the [then] new Wallace and Gromit movie,” according to critic Gene Seymour. The scientists of the story remained the same hair-brained mad scientists who claim to know nothing and at the same time know everything. “Breaking Bad’s” Bryan Cranston was his same out of control Walter White self with an added twinge of government conspiracy. Dr. Ishiro Serizawa, played by Ken Watanabe, held the same bewildered, open-mouth face through all of his one-word responses. It was a slight change of tone from his usual, clenched-jawed self in Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” and “Batman Begins.” The remaining men in the film were either in the military or victims of the mass obliteration of the civilian populations. If you weren’t in the army, you didn’t survive. The film’s leading man Ford Brody, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, exhibited the typical military-man hero, with his fearless Keanu Reeves-like faraway looks and determination to follow through with his mission. Though the scientists explained that the monsters feed off of radioactivity and nuclear energy, the US military decided a nuclear warhead would be the best plan of attack. Of course, feeding the stereotype that the US military is a bomb-happy world police, they recklessly sent timed bombs into major cities. Luckily enough, there isn’t a drone strong enough to carry one of those radiated bad boys. At one point, Godzilla saved thousands of civilians parked on the Golden Gate Bridge from a military misfire. Yes, dear reader, you read that correctly. The human female characters were stereotypical doe-eyed damsels in
that sounded like a hybrid spawn of all that is stylish, edgy and raw of rhythm and blues. Their sound evoked Cream, The Yardbirds, Jimi Hendrix and the kind of decadent blues Aerosmith pulled off in their album “Honkin’ On Bobo.” Their set list this evening even included a scorching rendition of Hendrix’s “Little Wing.” It was a packed bar, with denizens drinking elixirs of Nordic debauchery as Casquejo played burning notes with an intense precision and focus. When he tears into a number, he seems to float into an ether of
hazy notes that can turn into roaring cycles. Fields does an impressive double duty of playing the drums while providing vocals. He only took a break when Paradov switched instruments with Casquejo and performed a slow burning, Punkish number about a school yard fight. It was SMC’s film program that initially brought them together. The renegade band first gestated on the set of “Cora,” the latest short film project produced by SMC’s Film 33 class which immerses students in the full experience of making a movie. Paradov had already known Casquejo from earlier in the
Jhosef Hern Corsair
distress. Serizawa’s assistant Vivien Graham, played by Sally Hawkins, was there to state the obvious, ask her male counterpart all of the questions, and tell her ‘sensei’ that the big military man has a question. Rising star Elizabeth Olsen, who has proven her acting talent in “Martha Marcy May Marlene” (2011), was given stereotypical 1950’s housewife acting directions. Basically, be completely indecisive, freak out the entire time and wait for her big hunky Spartan man to come rescue her in the middle of the city’s imminent doom. Even iconic French actress Juliette Binoche makes what can be termed a cameo since she’s killed off Anne Hathaway style after only about 10 minutes of screentime. What a far cry from her work in the 90s like “Blue” and “Chocolat.” Through the poor character development and pretty shallow plot, there are worthwhile, cinematically impressive moments. Though the massive victorious creature returned back to his oceanic bed, Warner Brothers said he will emerge again in a sequel. The question is, what else would he possibly do for society other than be the irritating Kool-Aid guy who destroys buildings?
SMC students by day, Albino Rinos by night Alci Rengifo Arts & Entertainment Editor On Monday night, amidst the quiet of Lincoln Blvd, a bluesy roar enveloped The TRiP bar, courtesy of Albino Rino, a hardhitting band composed of Santa Monica College film students who met on set, and decided they could make music together. The group features Jihan Casquejo on guitar, David Fields on drums, and Robert Paradov on bass. Together they produced a ferocious combination of ripping licks, monstrous drumming and smooth bass lines
Juan Lopez Corsair Santa Monica College film majors (left to right) Jihan Casquejo, David Fields, and Robert Paradov in their band Albino Rino perform at the TRIP Bar on Monday, May 19 in Santa Monica, Calif.
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film program. “We’re a funky rhino moving forward, we’re different, we’re charging with the funk,” said Fields after the band’s set was done. The band is even being managed by Christopher Rojas, another fellow SMC film student and producer. “We try to practice once a week,” said Casquejo. “We’ve been working on sets.” Scheduled to play only 35 minutes, they were allowed to add two more songs when the follow up band ran very late. When they’re not gripping or directing, the band members enjoy grooving together and carrying out immersive, free form jams, the spirit of which manifested itself clearly onstage at The TRiP. “We all have riffs we like. I freestyle lyrics. If we like them we keep them,” said Fields. “My dad was a blues guitarist from San Francisco. It’s great to find people like Jay who appreciate artists like Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Cream. All these old grooves.” A guitarist since the age of 16, Casquejo improvises his solos on the spot. “When it comes to the solos I say ‘OK, here we go.’ It’s kind of nerve-wracking. I just get into the groove,” he said. “I’m a blues man to the bone.” But when the equipment is packed, the band members find themselves turning into filmmakers again as they work on local indie sets, personal projects and continue to work in SMC’s wide array of film productions. Casquejo and Fields are planning to make a music video soon. As the final drum was loaded, the trio wandered off into the night, a band of rebels and film auteurs seeking to master both image and sound.
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Health & Lifestyle 5
volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
Student designers prepare for fashion show Alci Rengifo Arts & Entertainment Editor A line of girls in fashionable wear and summer clothing stood around as cloth was strewn and examined in preparation for the May 29, LA Mode fashion show. The event will be held by the Santa Monica College Fashion Department to showcase the latest, stylistic visions of the department’s students and emerging artisans. On Thursday designers and instructors gathered to select what faces and bodies will grace the runway at the California Market Center’s Fashion Theater. “I found about this when someone randomly gave me a flyer,” said Moona Abdullah, a student model hoping to be selected. “I think it’s good to have nerves. It’s humbling. I love the clothes.” Among the other potential models in waiting was Courtney King. Decked in a red skirt and high heels, King closely observed the proceedings. “I’m really excited that the designers are getting a wide variety of people to choose from. I’m sure they will be well represented,” she said. “I’ve done modeling for a few years,” said King adding that she’s even gone down the catwalk in London. Farnash, a student designer, looked carefully at the options on display and described the work ahead with the spirit of a director. “We need to get everything in order and organized.” “I have about seven pieces of the fallwinter collection,” she said. “It’s exciting stuff.” She added that some of her designs
were inspired by the textures of ancient Greece. “There’s a little bit of an Egyptian feel to one of the pieces,” she added. She explained how selecting a model varies in objectives. The design and size of a dress must be considered. “We all have certain things. A form with a bigger bust, or a backless, you might need a girl with smaller breasts,” she explained. “I need a girl with short hair and small breasts because she’ll be walking down with a hood. And of course aesthetics, beauty, make sure their look matches the style.” For her there should be an “edge to beauty” when selecting a model. Instructor Marine Boyadzhyan, who teaches fashion at SMC was the grand overseer of the day’s preparations. With the grace and style of a classic fashionista, Boyacchyan paid minute, precise attention to the entire process of organizing the clothes and selecting models. “The main idea of this show is to make a portfolio for the designers,” she emphasized. “They do the sketches, they make the patterns. They do everything from A to Z.” Boyadzhyan explained that the show will have no definitive theme because the designers are encouraged to indulge in the corridors of their imaginations. There can be no specific theme because the designs themselves will vary in style, tone and expression. “One main purpose is to learn how to align garments. How to open up a business or if they [the students] go work for
Ronja Jansz Corsair Marine Boyadzhyan, fashion professor at SMC, poses as potential models line the walls of Bussiness 104 while waiting for student designers to choose their top picks.
someone else they’ll know what to do and what not to do,” she added. She did not detect any nervousness among the modeling candidates. One great source of anticipation in the show will be the avant-garde designs which Boyadzhyan described as “out of this world and amazing. The designers really used their imagination.” The fashion world can strike a universal chord because as Boyadzhyan underlined, it has to do with how we dress and appear. “Our garments are our second skin. Before we talk, we are dressed. That’s the first
impression we make,” she said. “After we start communicating it can be different, but the first impression is the garment, the look,” she emphasized. The color red can emphasize power, said Boyadzhyan and a good suit and tie can make an immediate, penetrating impression. From the show Boyadzhyan hopes an atmosphere of encouragement will manifest itself from the viewers towards the students. “I hope they applaud and inspire our desires. That’s number one for me.”
Delmy Moran Staff Writer
“There are some people you don’t want to see and sometimes you tell them, hey I can’t go today because I have to work, and it’s really just because you didn’t want to go,” says Santa Monica College student Jaime Garcia. “That is helpful because you can really avoid them if you don’t want to see them.” Compared to Facebook and Twitter, which lets us chat and share our every move, the Cloak app has been seen as the new anti social network. For SMC student Desiree Letendre, the app would have come in handy for a situation she encountered on campus. “There was this guy in my class two years ago, he got my number for the class, and still till this day he won’t leave me alone,” said Letendre. “I always bump into him and he’s always texting me, so if I could know where he was so I can get away from him, that would be great.” Ironically, not only can you keep someone away from you but with all the information the app provides, there’s a chance someone can purposely use all that information to stalk you or keep in close contact with you. The app helps them locate anywhere you are, so as long as you keep checking in, you do run the risk of being stalked. “It’s interesting but it is scary that someone could just start following you around, that can get really bad,” says Garcia. Others believe that the app would be more successful if it was marketed in a different approach. “I don’t think Cloak will become as big as Instagram or Vine,” says Brewer. “I think if they use the same GPS technology and market it with a positive spin, like using it to meet up with your friends, instead of a negative, calling it the antisocial app, it will be more successful.” The Cloak app – incognito mode in real life, has gained lots of popularity since it was launched. Whether you use it to avoid someone, stalk, or keep in contact, the app gives enough information to stay connected and informed with where your friends are.
Cloak App: tracking for privacy or for stalking?
Jimmy Janszen Corsair The Cloak app is displayed here on an iPhone 4s utilizing iOS7 software. The app is currently only available for purchase through the Apple App Store.
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We all have that one person who follows us around campus, a nagging ex, or even that guy who always stops you on the quad when you’re late to class. Technology has now advanced to where you can avoid these awkward people and situations with your smartphone. The Cloak app — incognito mode in real life, is an app created by Brian Moore and Chris Baker. By keeping track of check-ins made on their social networks, Cloak alerts the user whenever a person they are trying to avoid is close by, and even tracks their position. Moore was inspired to create the app after running into his ex-girlfriend multiple times. He and Baker realized that while most social networks are about connecting with people, there weren’t any about avoiding people you don’t want to talk to. The point of the Cloak app is to be able to know where your “friends” are at, and know if they are near you. Cloak uses a map display to inform users of the locations of their friends as long as they check-in through social media. Whether you want to avoid them or not is up to the user. “I would personally use this app as a more positive tool by seeing how close my friends and family are so we could meet up for coffee or lunch,” says Santa Monica College media instructor Sara Brewer. The app works by first selecting which social networks you want to use to locate your “friends” such as Facebook, Foursquare, Instagram, or Twitter. Once a “friend” has checked themselves in on one of those networks, a bubble pops up on a worldwide map, which indicates the person’s name, location, how many miles away they are, and how long ago they checked in. For individuals you’re desperately trying to avoid, all you have to do is click on their bubble and flag them. This will give you alerts anytime that person is within two miles away from you. @t h e _ c o r s a i r •
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6 photostory
volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
Denise Leitner Corsair Contributor SMC student Nazanin Badiei dances in the Persian piece she choreographed during the dress rehearsal at the Santa Monica College Broad Stage on Wednesday, May 16.
“Behind the stage everyone’s like, ‘I’m so nervous’ and you hear stuff and you hear the crowd and you see the faces. I just jump up and down. I just warm my body up.”
Ronja Jansz Corsair SMC student Wendy Mendoza applies makeup backstage for the Sinaloa dance at the Santa Monica College Broad Stage on Friday, May 16.
Denise Letiner Corsair Contributor SMC Student Xiang Xu leaps into the air during Angela Jordan’s African dance piece during the dress rehearsal at the Santa Monica College Broad Stage on Wednesday, May 14.
Ronja Jansz Corsair Sri Suslowati(right), Global Motion Director, helps SMC student Yu-ting Seling Cheng get ready for Suslowati’s Indonesian Dance Piece at the Santa Monica College Broad Stage on Friday, May 16.
Ronja Jansz Corsair SMC student Yu-ting Seling Cheng gets ready backstage for Sri Suslowati’s Indonesian dance piece at the Santa Monica College Broad Stage on Friday, May 16.
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photostory 7
volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
Ronja Jansz Corsair Alexandra Miks prepares for Sri Susilowati’s Indonesian dance piece at the Santa Monica College Broad Stage on Friday, May 16.
In the wings of Global Motion Elizabeth Moss Digital Editor-In-Chief Nazanin Badiei has never danced for her husband before. Badiei, who has a Bachelor’s degree in French Literature, hails from Iran when public dancing is forbidden. She emigrated from Iran four years ago and as a participant in the Santa Monica College dance department’s “Global Motion” showcase, she will finally have the opportunity to perform her craft in front of her husband. “In Iran, dance is forbidden, so you don’t have the opportunity to study dance. So I thought it was a good opportunity to start now,” she said. “My husband’s going to be in the audience. In Iran I’ve never had this opportunity to show my art to my husband.” Floating around backstage, dancers from all over the world have different ways of describing what the subject means to them. For some it’s a journey. For others, a place to call home. But for most, it’s an opportunity – to be a part of something, to meet new people, to perform on a world-renowned stage. “Global Motion” gives them the opportunity to express those meanings. From Argentina to China to Iran, dancers from all over the world performed choreography inspired from all corners of the globe. Badiei choreographed a Persian piece for “Global Motion” to a song by a band outlawed in Iran. The song proclaims that religion isn’t needed to achieve peace, that kindness is enough. A fiery message from within the world’s only Islamic Republic. “I was inspired by this lyric,” Badiei said. “I am living here now, I can dance, I can do
whatever I want.” Clothes scattered across the floor look like the messy trails of frantic dancers, but are actually carefully placed piles to prepare for quick transitions, some in a matter of seconds. Dresses worn in the ballet piece were the original costumes from George Balanchine’s “Saranade,” originally performed by New York City Ballet. The dresses were loaned to the SMC dance department from Westside Ballet. The energy is more easily felt in the wings — the areas to the side of the stage where dancers wait for their onstage cues - where the height of backstage passion is taking place. It is where the dancers feel jittery, the most unsure of themselves — the moment of truth. “That’s when I really start to second guess myself,” says Haley Weishaup about her moment before stage. “I was asking people questions in the corner, and they were like, ‘stop over-thinking it! You know it, just go.’” Weishaup isn’t alone. Most of her colleagues feel the same way, including Ariel Whittaker who dancing with SMC for the first time. “Behind the stage everyone’s like, ‘I’m so nervous’ and you hear stuff and you hear the crowd and you see the faces. I just jump up and down. I just warm my body up,” Whittaker said. As the dancers perform the final piece on stage, the entire cast waits in the wings. Dancers garbed in Persian outfits, traditional Chinese costumes, and Turkish drab gaze at the finale, an African piece with live drums to support the tribal movements. As the piece closes, the dancers line up to prepare for their bow as hundreds of cultures move on as one.
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Ronja Jansz Corsair SMC student Nazanin Badiei poses backstage in her costume for a Flamenco piece at the Santa Monica College Broad Stage on Friday, May 16.
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& Lifestyle 8 Health
volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?
The average student life is ruled by the demands of classes, homework, and occasionally recovery, through a few hours of fleeting slumber. Despite this, students cannot cast aside the real passions in their lives of the hobbies and interests they truly hold dear to their hearts. A group of Santa Monica College students dive deep into their bucket lists and describe what they hold dear and what gives them escape from the pressures of academia and the always present shadow of a GPA. Ronja Jansz Health & Lifestyle Editor
Elinor Nahmani “The only thing I really want to do is transferring!” exclaims Amanda Ricciardi. She is a Santa Monica College student majoring in business whose only dream is to transfer to the University of Southern California. She is very focused on her studies and hopes to one day manage her own make-up business. “I want to be my own boss,” she shares. Ricciardi considers the tuition fees for the private school very high but believes that the program is worth it. She hopes to get financial aid and scholarships to financially support herself and eventually obtain her masters.
Elinor Nahmani has a big dream of changing the world. Through filmmaking and activism, she wishes to create a world without hatred in which everyone is equal. Through the creation of movies promoting equality and by working with feminist and Middle Eastern organizations, Nahmani has faith that she will have a positive influence on the world. She underlines the importance of collaboration and shares that “It’s a lifetime mission. You wake up every morning and do one small thing towards that, even if it’s writing an essay, reading an article about it, talking to people, or posting something on your Facebook or Twitter about it.”
Amanda Ricciardi
Chelsea Trask Andrea Gonzalez’s number one bucket list dream is to ocean skydive. She shares that she feels very connected to the planet and that the ocean is her favorite place. Heights do not scare her and a hint of excitement cannot be missed when she explains that ocean skydiving entails jumping from a plane and landing on an inflatable bed from which one bounces into the water. If she had the money she would give it a shot right away. She acknowledges that ocean skydiving is very dangerous but believes it will connect her to the earth and her fears, “I think it will free my soul from the fear of dying.”
Chelsea Trask wants to travel as much as possible. The countries highest on her bucket list are India, China, Australia, Russia, and Ireland. She has friends that live in those countries and would like to visit them while exploring new areas and studying people their cultural behaviors from an outside perspective. “I am fascinated with different cultures and the interaction between people worldwide versus American society.” She explains that it is very important to plan ahead of time to be able to take time off of work and save enough money to cover the traveling expenses. Trask is currently working two jobs as a lifeguard and nanny and has a career goal of becoming a stuntwoman one day.
Andrea Gonzalez Kenny Essandoh Kenny Essandoh introduces himself as Chocolate Bear and shares that his life goals are getting an A in microbiology and retire happily by the age of 65. He hopes to then be surrounded by the people he loves, enjoy his accomplishments, and feel content with life. With a “nice beautiful wife who is educated and has her own job,” he hopes to have a family of two boys and travel to Africa, Japan, Sweden and New York. He describes happiness as waking up every morning and knowing that it’s a beautiful day and once he retires plans on “longs walks on the beach, reminiscing on my younger days, and if I still can have sex…” Until then Essandoh will focus on becoming a nurse practitioner.
Paige Gruenwald’s dream is to travel to India and temporarily live amongst Buddhist Monks. She would like to find a guru that would train her into finding peace through meditation and yoga. Gruenwald shares that she does not feel entirely at peace right now but says that that is okay because she is not done with her journey yet. “My goal would be to be at peace with only myself, not the new iPhone, a person to love you, that thing, this thing, and keep chasing happiness.” She aims to find happiness within and aims to do so by the age of 30.
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Health & Lifestyle 9
volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
Jesus Vasquez Cipiano
Jesús Vásquez Cipiano’s number one bucket list dream is to do a dance performance in front of a crowd. He is not sure what kind of dance style he would pick but thinks it’ll either be modern, ballet, or a Latin dance. He shares that people have told him that the experience is very unique and cannot be fulfilled through any other venture. Cipiano loves dancing because it allows him to tap into his “different fountains of joy in life.” He enjoys engaging his body and mind rhythmically with music and would like to do the performance with a group of people. “I am very community oriented and I think there’s times that people are too individualistic. Therefore I would love to perform together with group of people with similar mentalities and purposes in life and harness all energy in that one space and time.” He adds that he aims make people aware of social injustices through his performances. Cipiano intends to fulfill his dream by next summer and continue dancing for the rest of his life.
The number one dream on Daniel Paz’s bucket list is to go skydiving. He likes to live life adventurously and considers skydiving the ultimate thrill “Growing up I was told that we live only once and so I want to enjoy [life].” Despite what one might think, Paz is very afraid of heights. He shares that he once went rock climbing but didn’t dare to go down after reaching the top. His fellow climbers had to call fire trucks to get him down. However, he believes that skydiving will help him to overcome his fears and has already planned on diving this coming August. Disguised as an innocent vacation trip, he will trick his girlfriend into jumping with him on her birthday. “She is even more scared of heights than me so she’ll probably break up with me… it’s okay,” he confesses with a smile.
Daniel Paz Photos by Nancy Tellez
Handicapped surfers find balance on the board Paulina Eriksson Staff Writer Everyone is cheering and clapping as a surfer girl, dressed in pink, catches a wave and rides it out back with the biggest smile on her face. She high-fives all the members of the pink team as they gather around her wheelchair to take a group photo. On Saturday morning, staff members of the organization “Life Rolls On,” gathered along with numerous volunteers and a group of excited surfers at Santa Monica Beach for the annual event “They Will Surf Again.” The event makes it possible for individuals affected by spinal cord injuries to experience the freedom of riding a wave. With the assistance of volunteers and adaptive equipment, participants of all ages are secured to surfboards and catch waves often brightly smiling.
The boards are designed with handles or rails that make it possible for the surfers and crew to tightly hold on to them. Some boards even have a motor installed which makes it easier for the surfers to travel through the waves. “After I got hurt surfing, I wanted to get more people out in the water so I started this organization called ‘Life Rolls On,” said Jesse Billauer, founder of the organization. “Then we started this program called ‘They Will Surf Again’, where we take people with disabilities surfing and it has grown to this.” Billauer is a well-known surfer from California who in 1996, sustained a spinal cord injury while surfing. Despite the struggle, he didn’t let his injury stop him from getting back into the water and wanted to inspire and help others to do the same. He founded “Life Rolls On” with the goal
to improve the lives of those affected by paralysis. Participant Beth Smith came all the way from Berkeley to try surfing for the first time. Some of her friends had told her about the event and Smith decided that this was something she simply had to try, and succesfully so. “It was just great. I will definitely do it again,” she said. Seven teams each made up of approximately 20 volunteers worked hard to give the participants the best experience possible. Their love for surfing, combined with the sunny weather, caught on well, creating great energy among everyone involved. Even pop singer Jason Mraz came out to help. According to Jordan Voloshin, the Sales and Marketing director at “Wave Jet”,
custom made boards provide a great way to make it possible for individuals with disabilities to surf. His company provided the boards for the event. “Jesse is actually one of our team riders. He uses our custom boards and all you have to do is help him into the water and then he is good to go,” Voloshin said. “He paddles out, turns around and catch waves. It’s pretty incredible.” “They Will Surf Again” is currently held in nine cities across the country. Additional activities such as “They Will Skate Again” and “They Will Ski Again” have also sprouted up around the country. “We organize these free events in many places around the country. Anybody can sign up and be a part of it,” Billauer added.
Paulina Eriksson Corsair The pink team of “Life Rolls On” is ready to catch a little girl as she comes thowards the beach at the event “They Will Surf Again” in Santa Monica, Calif. on Monday, May 12
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10 Opinion
volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
Is monogamy a reality? Elin ekdahl Staff Writer As children, many of us grew up watching the storybook worlds of Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty, being told that one day we would find our prince charming and live happily ever after. That theme seems to continue into the romantic comedies and dramas that we watch as adults. The message is clear — we are to find that one special person, and then all of our problems will go away. But what if we find love and things don’t work out as easily as we thought they would? What if that one special person we find has five other special people in his or her life? According to an article by biological anthropologist Helen Fisher from January this year, 20 to 40 percent of heterosexual married men, and 20 to 25 percent of heterosexual married women in the United States will cheat on their spouse during their lifetime. Dr. Jose Abara psychology professor at Santa Monica College, says that cheating may be caused by a lack of some dimensions in the relationship. “One of the three important components of a relationship, which are passion, connection and commitment, might be lacking,” says Abara. “So a person might then go outside to fulfill that component.” When 19-year-old SMC student Isabella Pruna moved to Santa Monica, she started to suspect that her boyfriend back home was seeing other people behind her back. Pruna’s intuition and suspicions soon turned out to be accurate. Pruna thinks that her boyfriend at the time wasn’t capable of being alone and needed love and attention from others besides her. She says that if she were to move back
home and reconcile with him, trusting him to be faithful would prove difficult. Perhaps some people aren’t suited for monogamy. Certain people may not be able to find everything they need in just one person. 20-year-old SMC student Yunuen Tapia and her most recent partner decided, when they started dating, that they would not be monogamous. Their relationship ended up lasting longer and being more successful than any of Tapia’s former ones. “I honestly think that it strengthened our relationship,” Tapia says. “Jealousy arrived of course, but we worked through it because we love each other.” Fearing judgment and ridicule Tapia didn’t dare to tell others about her open relationship. While Pruna’s story is more consistent with the everyday morals of what a healthy relationship really is, Tapia’s story shows that real, long-lastin, love can exist under conditions different from what tradition and the media tells us. Although many might feel that monogamy is the right choice for them, others might be happier under different circumstances. Whether it’s temptation, pressure, jealousy or something else that makes monogamy unappealing, people should be allowed to make the rules in their own relationships. Perhaps if we are allowed to be honest about who we are, what we want, and what we can handle, less people will get hurt and relationships will be healthier. As our society becomes more modern, we should open our minds to new lifestyle choices, embrace new values that go beyond tradition and religion, and focus more on the well-being and freedom of choice for each unique individual.
Minority: The M word Henry Crumblish Editor-in-Chief
My name is Henry Franklin Crumblish and I am a minority. You may not know it from my name alone, but in addition to being 50 percent Irish I am also 50 percent Black. The word minority should be anything but commonplace in our society. In our hyper-sensitive age where a tweet can get you fired, it puzzles me as to how minority manages to remain politically correct. In theory, the word is applicable when used to label or identify small groups but in reality it makes large groups of Americans feel small. As the eloquent Himanshu Suri of Das Racist said, “Minorities mad, who you fooling b? White people skin is their jewelry.” A term I once threw around callously now pesters me similarly to festering boils. The word minority shouldn’t be used to refer to, or describe a human-being in the year 2014. I have the utmost reverence for the right to free speech and believe in speech with impunity. After all, I am a journalist with a raunchy mouth, a follower of luminaries such as Hunter S. Thompson, and ultimately everyone can say and do as they please. However, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t certain rules to semantics and there certainly is a time and place for certain words. The word minority has no place in American society because it has inherent negative connotations with it. Every reported criminal that appears on
television news that isn’t a white guy, is automatically labeled a minority suspect. As viewers and consumers of media we’ve been conditioned to think of Latinos and African-Americans as minorities. Although in the year 2014, a minority suspect could be Samoan, Chinese, Indian, Columbian, Moroccan, or Mongolian. Not only is the word minority damaging to the psyche of anyone who isn’t Caucasian, it’s no longer effective for communication. Ubiquitous diversity of the United States has rendered the meaning of the word useless. Since minority has become a blanket term for every ethnic and racial group in America, you’d have to be a medium to know which group someone is talking about without clarification. But what exactly is a minority? Statistically, Latinos are far from being the minority in California, where they constitute 38.2 percent of the state’s population according to the United States Census Bureau. History is not a muse to be forgotten lightly. The point of words and language is communication, and when the words we use no longer serve their purpose or accurately communicate then they become obsolete. If we are truly striving for equality in post racial America our vernacular must evolve past divisive vocabulary and archaic forms of speech. Minorities are a major force in the United States who should never be made to feel belittled. Let’s instead erase the lines on the map, both socially and personally.
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Rachel Gianuario Corsair
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opinion 11
volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
India puts on the jackboots Alci Rengifo Arts & Entertainment Editor India, the world’s largest democracy with an estimated 1.2 billion inhabitants, has entered a terrifying new era with the election last week of Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist party. Essentially China’s great economic rival in the east has voted in a fascist party. It is not hyperbole to suggest that India will now be the first, major fascist power in Asia. This is not an exaggeration. Modi is a lifelong member of the paramilitary Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak (RSS), a group inspired by classic fascist movements from Europe such as the Nazis and Benito Mussolini’s Black Shirts. As the chief minister of the Gujarat area, Mondi is notorious for having looked the other way during a vicious 2002 pogrom against local Muslims that resulted in over 200 deaths. In fact, Modi’s campaign rhetoric was replete with anti-Muslim slogans. However, this nightmarish development in India is not an isolated case. The rise of Modi confirms the emergence of a new axis of radical, right-wing political powers in parts of Europe and now the east. In Ukraine the Right Sector, a half-paramilitary party has ascended to positions of authority within the new government in Kiev. In Greece the Golden Dawn party, whose flag boasts a Swastiska-like symbol, is according to the polls the third most popular party in the economically-thrashed country. In Israel the conservative Likud Party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being overtaken in the parliament by new, ultra-nationalist parties of militants such as Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, who oppose any rational peace deal with the Palestinians. In France recent parliamentary elections saw a major boos for the xenophobic
National Front led by demagogue harpee Marine Le Pen. Why are these movements starting to breed and spread like a contagion in various corners of the globe? The answer lies in the global economic situation since the 2008 banking crisis. Modi and those like him are rising to the top because they promise quick, thuggish solutions to the issues of immigration and corruption. In a country like India, where the caste system remains firmly in place, or in a country like Greece where unemployment and financial distress has shattered society, the appeal of macho nationalism and easy targets
(immig rants, Muslims, gypsies) quickly infects the masses. Blood and land cults become prominent and the appeal of jack boots attracts young, angry unemployed citizens. These developments, in coordination with continuing tensions with Russia over Ukraine, and ongoing U.S. wars in the Middle East, present us with the prospect of dark times to come. We as students should pay close attention and be concerned, because this is the world we will inherit and quite seriously be expected to run after obtaining AA degrees or transferring to complete even higher degrees in universities. One major reason these fascist movements are gaining power across the sea is because the times trapped in an ideological, political void. There are no revolutionary
passions among the young, even after the brief flicker of the 2011 Occupy movement. In the Arab world the great hope of the 2011 revolutions is being slowly crushed under the heels of local monarchs and their intrigues as seen last year during the military coup in Egypt that has returned that ancient land into the hands of brutal men in military uniforms. Shadows of Chile’s Augusto Pinochet are cast over the Nile. In the United States countries such as India and France may feel distant, but such s h o c k w av e s as what h a s
happened in India will be felt everywhere. What will h a p p e n when continuing unemployment and lack of jobs in this nation inspires the young and angry to follow some unknown, yet to be revealed demagogue who will step before a podium? In Greece there has been a great flame of hope in the form of the radical leftist party Syriza, whose leader Alexis Tsipras is promising that if elected he will focus on socially conscious policies and even, potentially revolutionary ideals such as those seen in Latin American countries like Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador. A Greek Revolution would shake modern Europe, if not the world. But it will be up to the Greek youth, who form a large bloc of Syriza voters, to carry out the massive change. We must not allow our societies to regress into the darkness of radical nationalism and Medievalism. As the Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky wrote when Hitler rose to power in Germany, “capitalist society is puking up the undigested barbarism.” Such barbarism will swallow us whole unless we begin to think, write and form new alternatives in order to imagine new dawns and not return to past nightmares. Illustration by Jhosef Hern
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12 sports
volume 107 issue 12 • May 21, 2014 • santa monica college
M. K. Ashmore continued from cover path she wants to take in the pursuit of her career. But after her mind was set on law, it was only a matter of time before Georgia was in hear rear-view. “After UGA, I transferred out here and got an internship with the Tennis Channel. I fell in love with Santa Monica, Los Angeles,” said Ashmore. “Life is a lot slower in Georgia, the South in general is a lot slower, a little calmer. LA is obviously a lot faster, but it’s just so beautiful on the West Coast. I fell in love with the area, the beach, and the lifestyle out here.” It’s easy to fall in love with the beauty of California. But it’s usually a little harder to fall in love with SMC. Especially when you show up for classes on the first day and find yourself circling the parking structure for an hour. But for Ashmore, SMC offered an experience she was not familiar with; interaction and relationships with teachers that went far beyond class lectures. After braving classes at Georgia, that would sometimes stuff as many as 400 students in a single class, Ashmore was surprised by how much access she had to her professors at SMC. While at SMC, Ashmore has earned a reputation as a top contender for the women’s tennis team. With the experience she brings to the table, she was one of the biggest reasons for the Corsairs’ undefeated regular season. Despite their perfect regular season, the Corsairs were upset in the first round of the playoffs by the Riverside City College Tigers. “We had a long tournament the weekend before, and we were all exhausted. I think if we could have played that first round over, it would have been different,” said Ashmore. “But the season was amazing. We got really lucky with our group of girls. We all just bonded, and became a family. I think that’s why we did so well actually, we love playing with each other.” Ashmore will now take her talents across town to California State University, Los Angeles, as she continues her pursuit of a law degree, as well as honing her craft on the court.
“They have a very strong program, I think they’re ranked 19th in the nation, D2,” said Ashmore. “Billy Jean King played there and she’s still very much involved with their program, which is great. The coach is amazing and they’re very established, which is why I chose to go there.” With such an impressive resume on the court, it begs the question whether Ashmore will ever try her hand in the professional ranks. Although law may be the most likely path for Ashmore moving forward, she still has not ruled out a possible run on the professional level. “I thought about it and still think about it. It would be very much of a lifestyle change,” said Ashmore. “Right now I’m thinking law school is what I want to do, but it’s still on my mind. It’s a huge commitment; it’s your job at that point. It would be tennis all day, every day, and playing every weekend.” If a pro-career is truly a possibility one day for Ashmore, the tutelage and expertise she has received along the way, will no doubt be the key to the next level. Aside from being raised by a tennis pro, she attributes part of the growth in her game to SMC Head Coach Richard Goldenson. “Coach Goldenson is great. He’s a very cerebral coach. He’s all about strategy, and being a smart player,” said Ashmore. “In the conference championship, I had to completely change my game and it was his idea. He watched my opponent, saw her weaknesses, told me what to do, and it worked. It’s like a game of chess, and he’s very smart coach, and a very smart player. I don’t think I could have won a couple of my matches without him. He’s a great person to look up to.” It’s going to be quite a blow to the SMC women’s tennis program to lose a player as important as Ashmore. But if the returning players can replicate the magical run this season, and if they can learn from their mistakes, then they have a real shot at that elusive state title.
Mia Duncans Corsair Corsair Women’s Tennis player, Mary Katherine Ashmore takes a break from the net and poses for a photo on Tuesday, May 20 at the SMC quad.
Crossing the finish line jay singer Staff Writer
Jay Singer Corsair Kendall Holiday relaxes after running in the the last event of the day, the 4x400 meter relay in an extremely competive field of runners at the California Community College State Track at Mt San Antonio College in Walnut, California on May 17.
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The competition at the California Community College State Track and Field Finals last Saturday was more fierce than expected. Four events produced the fastest times in the nation this year. Santa Monica College’s Toya Johnson was up against the best of the best in the 400-meters. He managed to place fifth, with his personal record of 47.84 seconds. The winner, Akeem Alexander of College of the Sequoias, clocked in at 45.71, the fastest time in the nation this year. He and his teammate Miguel Barton repeated their 1-2 victory from last year’s State Finals, along with another teammate Michael Taylor finishing third, for a top three sweep in the 400-meters. Despite finishing fifth, Johnson was still satisfied and proud of his accomplishment. “I was extremely nervous about the 400,” Johnson said. “I have always been the top guy coming into a race so I was not used to this feeling of being the underdog. It turned out to be the best race I ever competed in during my track career. No one at the division level of my previous university ran that fast.” SMC Head Coach Larry Silva was equally impressed with Johnson’s finish. “You can’t complain when a runner sets a personal best in his event,” Silva said. During the last event of the meet, the Corsairs 4x400-meter relay team ran into some unexpected trouble with the handoff from Kendall Holiday to Shacor @t h e _ c o r s a i r •
Hamiltion, before the third leg of the race. “The handoff was blocked because of Riverside walking into our lane during the switch from Kendall to Shacor” Johnson said. SMC managed to place eighth, but ended up being disqualified for the lane change violation. “I thought we could compete with any of those guys out there. We just didn’t get a fair chance with the DQ and with our third leg being blocked at the handoff ” Johnson said. When asked why he did not look like he was going full throttle in either event, Johnson replied, “I always watch tapes of Olympians in the 400-meters and they look relaxed. None of them look like they are going all out. I believe that is what I tried to do, run smooth and fast without wasting any movements. ..I looked calm but at the same time I ran faster than I had all year. “ The winning 400-meter relay time was the fifth fastest in the nation this year. But that wasn’t the highlight of the meet. Kemarley Brown of Merritt College in Oakland, won the 100-meters in 9.93 seconds, the fastest 100-meters since the Community College State Meet was first held in 1951. It was also the U.S. Community College All Time Record. And the fastest time in the world this year. Kemarley came back an hour later to win the 200-meter race, posting the second fastest time among Community College Runners in the U.S. this year.
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