The Collegian Issue 3 • Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 •
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SPREADING THEIR WINGS UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT ACTION WEEK PROVIDES RESOURCES, RECOGNITION TO DREAMERS
By Vanessa Gomez PAGE 3
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Campesinos celebrated on film
Athletic field renovations still in plans
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NEXT ISSUE: Nov. 8 • CONTACT US: deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 • ONE FREE COPY
2 From the Staff
Oct. 20, 2023 deltacollegian.net
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Etyan Wallace from Nextstar speaks at the JACC NorCal 2023 NorCal Conference on Oct. 14.
ello again reader, and thank you for picking up a copy of Collegian’s third issue! For starters, many of our editors traveled to the th Journalism Association of Community College’s NorCal 2023 conference hosted at San Francisco State University. We are very excited to announce that several of our staff were recognized and awarded for their efforts in college journalism. Christina Goodman for photography, Jada Portillo for writing and presentation, and Dylan Jaekel for page design and layout, to name a few. Additionally, The Collegian was given a General Excellence award on behalf of our Social Media Editor Nicholas Michelsen in front of San Francisco State entire team as a whole. University Humanities Building for JACC NorCal 2023 NorCal ConferThat being said, we are just in time for ence. PHOTOS BY ANDREA RIVERA Halloween! This issue is jam packed with fun stories, such as spooky buckets, the evolution of horror films, superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th, and coverage of the recent solar eclipse. Not to mention the undefeated success of Delta’s women’s Volleyball team. We would also like to mention that this week was Undocumented Student Activities week, observed by the Dreamers Success Center. SJDC is a Hispanic Serving Institution; programs and services offered like this are vital to continuing that service to our student population. This issue marks yet another change, as well as some award winning reporting, and that spooky black & orange fun we all expect from the season. We hope you enjoy and share these stories within our community. For more updates, videos, and behind-the-scenes exclusive content, be sure to follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram: @DeltaCollegian For full access to all of our stories and more, please check out our website: deltacollegian.net
Front cover features a Dreamers Success Center butterfly arts and crafts with affirmation quotes like “Everyone Matters” and “You Are Special.” The crafts were made on Monday, Oct. 16 as part of the events for Undocumented Student Action Week. PHOTO BY MARTIN TECUANHUEY
The Collegian The Collegian is the student newspaper of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif. The paper is published six times a semester. As a First Amendment newspaper we pride ourselves on a commitment to the students of Delta College while maintaining independence. We reinvigorate the credo that the newspaper speaks for the students, checks abuses of power and stands vigilant in the protection of democracy and free speech.
The Collegian is a member of the California Newspaper Publisher’s Association and the Journalism Association of Community Colleges.
STAFF
EDITORS DYLAN JAEKEL
JELISSA KING
VANESSA GOMEZ
ANDREA RIVERA
Editor-in-Chief
Entertainment
News
Sports
JADA PORTILLO
NICHOLAS MICHELSEN
Opinion
Social Media
GRACIELA GABRIEL
KIEMA GARRETT ALEXANDER GASPAR MARIA GONZALEZ ZACKARY KIRK-NEWTON MICHELLE CARRERA JOHN NGUYEN SERGIO PALACIOS MERCELI RIOS
ANGELINA TATLONGHARI MARTIN TECUANHUEY ZANIEL WALDO
MULTIMEDIA TECH
ADVISER
MATTHEW WILSON
TARA CUSLIDGE-STAIANO
Feature
STAFF SARA ALVAREZ LAYLA CARRASCO DAVID CASTANON DOMINICK DELISE
JOE DEMASI AZRIEL DRUMHELLER SAMIRAH GABER ANEL GARAY
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shima 203/204, (209) 954-5156 or deltacollegian@gmail.com
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Undocumented Student Action Week brings recognition to undocumented students BY VANESSA GOMEZ News Editor
California Community Colleges (CCC) celebrated the 7th annual Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) from Oct. 16 to 20, giving recognition to the undocumented students that study in a CCC. Delta celebrated the week in a way unique to the Stockton community. “We will be watching A Million Miles Away, which is about our local astronaut hero Jose Fernandez,” said Dean of Student Services Edward Aguilar. “Not every community teams up with United Farm Workers (UFW) as well, so we are excited to have them come and work with students for free.” Other events includes a butterfly arts and crafts event, a seminar on mental health awareness for undocumented students, and a monarch butterfly canvas painting event. Aguilar said hopes that USAW can bring the Stockton community together. “We work with middle schools in the area to bring them in and show them what Delta is all about,” said Aguilar. “We want the Dreamer Center to be a place to educate and support, as well as a safe space where students can grab a snack and hang out.” CCCs enroll the largest population of undocumented students of any segment of public higher education, according
A large artwork featuring a butterfly is depicted to commemorate the beginning of Undocumented Student Action Week. PHOTO BY FRANK PERALTA
to the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges website. “USAW is a statewide initiative to show support for the student population,” said Aguilar. USAW is also a time for allies of un-
documented students to learn about how to create a safer and more inclusive environment. The Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) Project is a campaign organized by a collaboration between CCC, the
Foundation for California Community Colleges, and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The goal is to give undocumented students accessible legal services regardless of immigration status. Delta partners with HELS, as well as UFW in order to provide legal help to students. “Delta College offers legal services in association with UFW,” said Basic Needs Center Project Manager Ana Villegas. “The attorney Paloma Contreras meets with students to discuss their legal situation.” Legal services will be crucial for undocumented students now more than ever. On Sept. 13, Texas District Judge Andrew Hanen ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program violates federal law. Judge Hanen is the same judge who is the same judge who declined the creation of new DACA applicants last year. CCC hosted daily webinars that on helping undocumented students. The webinars focused on legal and financial help for undocumented students, such as creating student informed policy with undocumented students and how to advocate positive policy for undocumented students. Attorney Contreras is also available the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at the Dreamer Success Center.
Delta event celebrates local history in renamed Campesino Forum BY ZANIEL WALDO Staff Writer
The Chicano Latino Faculty Task Force held an event on Oct. 5 to celebrate the renaming of the South Forum to Campesino Forum. The renaming is done to honor immigrant farm workers in our region. There was a sentiment about the lack of respect for immigrant laborers presented. Due to the change, Campesino Forum hopes to mark a newfound pride in labor work. With the official dedication slated for Nov. 2, the CLF felt it necessary to use the celebra-
tion to educate students on the purpose of the renaming. The celebration began with a blessing of the building. The blessing was conducted in an indigenous fashion to acknowledge indigenous ancestry. Ricardo Aguilar Rodriguez, Associate Professor at Delta College, noted the blessing as a form of honor for the land of the Yokuts, Plains Miwok, Patwin, and Nisenan. In an activity where attendees were asked to stand if they had personal experience or familial and acquaintance affiliation with farmworking, most in the South Forum rose.
It led to a standing ovation, appreciative of everyone’s background. Delta Arts Professor Mario Moreno expressed the significance of the celebration, offering a platform of exposure. “It is our hope this will mark the beginning that for the first time Campesinos will not be invisible,” Moreno said. The event relayed messages of the significance of farm workers to the region, most notably highlighting the pandemic years when farmworkers were categorized as emergency responders. Sarah Seekatz, Professor and Cultural Awareness Program
Chairperson at Delta College gave a presentation that gave insight into the economic contribution farmworkers produce. “Working the rich soil within our District, we find almost 49,000 farm labor-related jobs. The agricultural products grown and harvested by Campesinos in our region are exported to 99 countries worldwide. In this Campesino Forum, named by us, named for us, named with us. It says that we belong here. It shouts it,” Seekatz said. The event also gave insight into the struggle behind the process: receiving supportive
letters from students, over a thousand signatures from farm workers within two weeks, and still passing with just one vote. A short documentary was screened showing the board meeting that approved the renaming. Adriana Brogger, Digital Media Professor at Delta College, also presented filmmaker Joe Poni and his team to a screening and Q&A of their short film “Campesinos America’s Unsung Heroes.” A poetry reading relaying the appreciation for farm-working relatives was performed to conclude the event.
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Raising awareness for domestic violence BY MICHELLE MENDEZ CARRERA Staff Writer
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and it’s important to spread awareness and resources so that it reaches the majority of the population. Domestic violence is a worldwide issue, and many college students regardless of gender, age or race could end up facing. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, “57 percent of college students who report experiencing dating violence and abuse said it occurred in college.” A resource for victims in San Joaquin County is PREVAIL (Pioneering, Restoration, and Elevating Voices of Advocacy, Idealism and Leadership). The organization is dedicated to providing help and resources to individuals and families suffering from domestic violence. PREVAIL provides emergency shelter, food, clinical and peer counseling to anyone who is “fleeing from domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficiking” said Esmeralda Paz, who works at the Stockton office. PREVAIL even offers multiple support groups to cater to the area’s diverse populations.
“There are children, adults, and even Spanish support groups,” said Paz. It’s important to also show support for victims this month and year round, even if you don’t personally know, or think you personally know, someone who is going through or has been a victim to domestic violence. “24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner,” according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. There are many ways to contribute and through PREVAIL to help locally. The organization accepts donations like hygiene items or essential clothing. PREVAIL also has an Amazon wishlist that people can access through weshallprevail.org/donate. This year for Domestic Violence Awareness Month PREVAIL is holding a Day of Remembrance Vigil, “to honor and remember individuals and families whose lives were lost due to domestic violence,” wrote community engagement director Elizabeth Sanchez in a media release for the event. The vigil will be held on Oct. 26th at 620 N. San Joaquin Street in Stockton from 12 to 1 p.m. The program will include speakers from PREVAIL partners and civic lead-
ers. There will also be the silent witness silhouettes on display until 3 p.m. “Vigil attendees are encouraged to walk around the courtyard display of the life-sized silent witness silhouettes - each one representing a man,woman, or child who was murdered in an act of domestic violence since 1994,” the media release notes. While there are many resources to help anyone who has been affected by domestic violence, it’s still important to be aware of signs and take precautions in any relationship that could escalate into domestic violence. loveisrespect.org is a resource to help people in tricky situations where they might not know what step
they should take next. Love is Respect also has a live chat and phone number (866) 331-9474, as well as multiple articles on how to set boundaries, power and control and understanding consent in relationships. There are multiple resources that victims can reach out to, and the 24 hour crisis hotline number through PREVAIL is (209) 465-4878.
Delta Board approves purchase of new boilers BY DYLAN JAEKEL Editor-in-Chief
Delta’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $2.5 million replacement for boilers at the Stockton campus during its Oct. 3 meeting. The campus currently has three boilers that provide heat, all of which were constructed in 1996. In 2000, boiler #3 failed, while boiler #2 failed earlier this year. These failures rendered 55 percent of the boilers’ heat capacity non-operational. “All of Delta’s heating comes from the boilers at the Stockton campus,” said Director of Facilities Management and Operations Stacy Pinola via email. “I will just add that this is definitely an important project. We obviously need to
make sure that we are able to adequately heat the buildings on our campus, and this will help us do so more efficiently which will have a positive impact on the environment,” said Director of Marketing and Communications Alex Breitler via email. On Oct. 3, Delta’s Board of Trustees held a meeting where an item on their agenda was to address the importance of installing new boilers in a timely manner. During the non-consent agenda, the board also discussed entering into a contract with Compass Energy Solutions to complete the entailed work. “Whereas, the District desires to enter into an energy service contract with Compass Energy Solutions for the replacement of boiler #2 and #3 at the Delta College Cen-
tral Plant for $2,500,000,” states a document presented to the board on Oct. 3. The ability to replace the boilers is made possible due to Government Code 4217. The code gives public agencies the ability to enter into contracts regarding energy conservation services. “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a public agency may enter into an energy service contract and any necessarily related facility ground lease on terms that its governing body determines are in the best interests of the public agency if the determination is made at a regularly scheduled public hearing, public notice of which is given at least two weeks in advance…,” states Government Code 4217 on the Energy Services Coalition website.
The project is estimated to cost $2.5 million, which will be “less than the cost of gas/ electric used during the life expectancy of the equipment,” stated the Central Plant Boiler Replacement Project presentation given to the board at the Oct. 3 meeting. There will be five boilers, each with 5MM btu (one million British thermal units) and a 20-plus year life expectancy installed. These new boilers will have gas pressure regulators, primary pumps and will only provide the campus with heating when it is needed. The third boiler (boiler #1) is still operational and has a 19MM btu, making the total of all six boilers 44MM btu, an improvement of 2MM btu. The work is expected to begin Nov. 1 and is estimated to
last six to seven weeks. The installation of these new boilers is expected to both improve the experiences of those on campus and have positive environmental effects. The total CO2 emissions produced by the San Joaquin Delta Community College District are predicted to be reduced by the equivalent of the yearly electrical use of 1,655 homes and the consumption of 957,317 gallons of gas. “The recommendation comes from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District that we reduce our carbon footprint by replacement of older equipment newer equipment that doesn’t produce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) which cause air pollution,” said Pinola.
5 News
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The ‘ring of fire’ effect visible during the annular solar eclipse in Albuquerque, N.M. PHOTO COURTESY OF NASA.GOV
Solar eclipse sets over Americas A rare phenomenon has the Stockton community gazing at the sky BY JOHN NGUYEN Staff Writer
An annular solar eclipse took place on Oct. 14, spanning from North America to South America. The eclipse was partially visible in California, where members of the Stockton Astronomical Society observed the event from Stockton, Escalon and Manteca. Previously, the last annular eclipse visible from the continental U.S. took place on May 20, 2012. The Stockton Astronomical Society partnered with Delta College’s Physics-Math-Computer Sciences (PMCS) Club to host a watch party for the eclipse at Delta’s Community Garden. “It’s super cool that Stockton has an actual astronomical society that can host events like this and help bring the community out, be-
cause … I live in Lathrop and we don’t have anything like that. So I think that Stockton is the destination point almost, because they host so many events like this and it’s so open to the public that it gives everyone the chance to learn more about astronomy and to get excited about it,” said Francine Canal, secretary of Delta’s PMCS Club. Delta and Stockton Astronomical Society provided telescopes and eclipse glasses at the event for viewers to safely observe the annular eclipse, as well as donuts for refreshments. The Stockton Astronomical Society also lends out equipment to well-established members for personal use, allowing them to watch the eclipse at home or other facilities. “You have a club at Delta College that you can get telescopes and take a look at
objects in the night sky; or, like we’re doing today, in the day sky. We have the Delta College group with their telescopes, and we have the Stockton Astronomical Society with our scopes, and I think that’s encouraging for people to get into the hobby,” said Bill Litel, a member of the Stockton Astronomical Society. “Anytime we take these telescopes out, we want to see what detail we can pick off in the, say, galaxies or just the detail that you can see in some of the brighter objects. So that’s what we’re looking at down here in Stockton as well.” An annular eclipse is a type of solar eclipse where the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth along the farthest point from the Earth. Due to the distance, the Moon appears small and does not fully cover the sun,
resulting in the edges of the sun remaining visible from certain angles as a “ring of fire,” as it is often nicknamed. The ring of fire was visible in America where the eclipse’s path spanned a line from Oregon to Texas. Stockton residents were able to see the partial eclipse as an orange crescent in the sky. The eclipse was visible in Stockton from 8 to 10:40 a.m. When the eclipse was expected to reach its peak around 9:20 a.m, the Sun was blocked by clouds. “Unfortunately, what happened…was that the solar eclipse was at peak observation point, as in it would’ve covered the maximum amount of coverage; but, then the clouds came and covered it up for us. So that was not great,” Canal said. The next annular eclipse will occur on Oct. 2, 2024,
with Hawaii being the only U.S. state in its path. The next annular eclipse that will be visible in the continental U.S. will occur on June 21, 2039, with only Alaska in its path. The next total solar eclipse will occur on Apr. 8, 2024 from Texas to Maine, the last one visible in the U.S. until the eclipse Aug. 23, 2044 from Montana to South Dakota. “It’s a humbling thing to actually observe something like this because you realize how small you are. I think that’s also another thing about astronomy and the solar eclipse and everything that has to do with astronomy that really draws me to the subject because … remember that all of this is temporary, all of this is a coincidence, and you really get to be grateful for what you do end up seeing,” Canal said.
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CARVING OUT NEW WAYS TO DECORATE BY ANDREA RIVERA Sports Editor
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all is here, Halloween is just around the corner and pumpkins are everywhere! But what to do with your pumpkin? Well, there are multiple ways to decorate either to be festive for Halloween or just decorate for Fall. The fan favorite is carving the perfect pumpkin with fun designs or classic cutouts, but here are some tips and tricks to make it an easier experience. But beware — a huge mess will occur! • Always use a sharp carving knife and cut away from your body to risk any bloody pumpkins. Then you will want to cut the top of the pumpkin out and scoop out all the guts, either with a large spoon or your hand. (Side tip: if you love to eat pumpkin seeds, save them for later to bake, salt and eat for your pleasure!) • Now you’re ready to pick a design! You can either buy a booklet from the store with stencils ready to go, print out cool pictures or ideas online or get even more creative and sketch out your idea. Once you have your design, use a dry-erase marker, grease pencil or a washable marker, so when you are done carving it’s much easier to wipe away any lines left afterwards. • Finally don’t forget to treat your pumpkins to make them last. According to https://goaptive.com/keep-pumpkins-from-rotting, there are several options: petroleum jelly or vegetable oil rubbed all over the pumpkin to keep it hydrated and prolong bacteria and molds growing on it. Give your carved pumpkin a bleach bath with one tablespoon of bleach and a quart of water (don’t forget to use gloves), dunk the pumpkin for about 20 minutes then rinse it off with cold water. This will help your pumpkin avoid bacteria and mold. • Now at last, you have your spooky, artsy or cute jack o’ lantern and all you need is a candle. • If taking out the guts of the pumpkin and making a huge mess isn't your cup of potion, another fun way is to shave your pumpkin. Shaving your pumpkin will require more fancy tools such as a wood carving set, a chisel or a pumpkin shaver. It’s similar to carving, but you will not cut the top, but go straight to picking a design and outlining it onto a pumpkin. Next, chisel away the lines carefully, and when the design is done go back and fix or smooth the lines down. Treating your shaved pumpkin afterwards is still important to keep it as fresh as possible.
Collegian skeleton “Frank” poses with “Sully” the jack-o-lantern, carved by Andrea Rivera PHOTO BY ANDREA RIVERA
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Painted pumpkins create endless possibilities
Twilight themed pumpkins painted by Kaleena, Ziana and Janice Quintero. PHOTOS BY ANDREA RIVERA
BY ANDREA RIVERA Sports Editor
Another fun way to decorate a pumpkin this season is to paint it! With endless ideas and plentiful colors, your imagination can run wild with painting a pumpkin. First things first pick the pumpkin with the smoothest surface possible. Then take it home, give it a good bath and make sure it is completely dry. Next, seal the pumpkin with a paint sealer to help keep the paint sticking to the pumpkin. If that’s too much for
you, you can skip this step. Then pick your paint. Acrylic paint is known to be the best paint because it is water-based and it dries quicker, so if you mess up you can wipe it away. But here are many more options for braver souls. You can use spray paint for a faster painting time. Just by choosing a stencil and cutting it out, simply spray it with the colors you choose and it's done! Make sure to give each color a good coat of paint and ample drying time in between or you may cause drips that don't look smashing.
Another option is chalk paint, which you can buy at the store. This kind of paint will give your pumpkin a more matte-look, if you want that kind of aesthetic. It will require more time to paint because it needs more drying time and layers to cover the pumpkin. If all those options are still simply too messy for the goblins or ghosts at home, just go to the market or pumpkin patch, pick out cool pumpkins or gourds in different shapes, sizes and colors and create decorative centerpieces that you can put inside or outside your home.
Terrifying Tricks & Tasty Treats We’ve all received your standard lollipops, candy corn and fun-sized chocolates in our Halloween pales year after year, but every once in a while we receive something that stands out. Both the positive and the negative can make a lasting impression, so here are some of the Collegian Staff’s best and worst Halloween tricks and treats.
Best • • • • • • •
Full size candy bar Entire bag of candy $10 bill Frankenstein t-shirt Smarties Mexican candy Caramel popcorn balls
Worst • Empty candy wrappers • Raisins • Half-eaten candy • Ketchup packets • Coupons • Tylenol • Toothbrush
8 Entertainment THE EVOLUTION OF HORROR FILMS
Oct. 20, 2023 deltacollegian.net/entertainment
BY DYLAN JAEKEL
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Editor-in-Chief
t's spooky season, which for a lot of people means cozying up on the couch and willingly triggering their fight or flight response. I’m talking about horror movies and how they have woven themselves into our lives. People’s desire for short scares and terrifying thrills has existed for as long as we have had storytelling. The first horror movie is considered to be the silent film “Le Manoir du Diable” by French director Georges Méliès, released in 1896. Horror movies have come very far since 1896. Directors like Méliès opened the door for new directors in the early 20th century, ushering in the “golden age of horror” in the 1920s and 30s. Films like “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920), “Nosferatu” (1922), “The Mummy” (1932), and “Vampyr”
(1932) established the genre. The 1940s through the 60s saw the continuation of the movie monster, as seen in films like “The Wolf Man” (1941) or “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954). The decades also saw the establishment of psychological thrillers in the horror genre as Alfred Hitchcock, arguably the most well-known horror director of all time, entered the scene. Hitchcock’s films focused on suspense and pushed the boundaries of what was allowed on screen at the time while defying tropes that had established themselves within the genre. His works paved the way for many of the horror movies we know and love today. Improvements in special effects and editing techniques opened the horror genre up to more possibilities in the 70s and 80s. Violence and gore became synonymous with
the horror genre. The slasher sub-genre was solidified with classics like “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974), “Halloween” (1978), “Friday the 13th” (1980), and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), which all came out of this new age of horror. The body horror subgenre also grew in popularity. “An American Werewolf in London” (1981), “The Thing” (1982) and “The Fly” (1986) all pushed the boundaries of what an audience was willing to watch. Movies like “The Exorcist” (1973) had initial negative reactions as audiences had never seen anything like it on the big screen before. “It's been reported that once inside the theater, a number of moviegoers vomited at the very graphic goings‐on on the screen. Others fainted, or left the theater, nauseous and trembling, before the film was half over,” said a New York Times article written by Judy
Klemesrud in Jan. 1974. From the 90s to now, we have seen more horror movies being self-aware of their tropes, such as in “Scream” (1996). Some audiences have grown bored of the violence of horror movies that seemingly replaced the actual plot in some cases. This has also given humorous horror movies the ability to make a way for themselves, examples being “Shaun of the Dead” (2004), “Zombieland” (2009), “The Cabin in the Woods” (2012), and the “Scary Movie” franchise. “It never dies. It just keeps getting reinvented and it always will,” said director John Carpenter in a 2015 interview with Dave Portner for Interview magazine. Today, horror has branched into many subgenres, and to describe the characteristics of horror today would not be able to do them all justice. One thing that can be observed is that in many
horror movies today they are separating themselves more from discriminatory tropes of the past. Racism, misogyny, abelism, homophobia, transphobia and more have long been interwoven in the horror genre. Directors have tried to combat this in the past, but we are finally seeing it more now as those in front and behind the camera are beginning to diversify, opening doors to even more cinematic opportunities. Movies like “A Quiet Place” (2018), “Us” (2019), “Ready or Not” (2019), “Candyman” (2021), and “The Fear Street” franchise are reshaping the horror genre so that more people feel welcomed. Horror is, for many, a form of catharsis, and as the genre grows and expands, more and more people will find solace in the terror. For others, horror can be a thrill, a way to get your blood pumping while still holding some feeling of safety. No matter the reason for watching horror, these movies will remain a reflection of our fears, our lives and ourselves.
Marvel movies hold four out of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time: “Avengers: Endgame” holds second place behind James Cameron’s “Avatar” made in 2009. Over the summer audiences switched. Barbie earned $1.43 billion at the worldwide box office and stands as the highest grossing movie of the year. “Oppenheimer,” written and directed by Christopher Nolan, was released the same weekend. “Oppenheimer” earned $942 million at the Box Office. Collectively these two films earned $2.3 billion worldwide. Compare those with the two Marvel movies that were released this year: “Antman and the Wasp: Quantomania” in February and “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3,”
in May. Combined, these Marvel films earned $1.31 billion worldwide. Star-Lord couldn’t compete with the big marketing machine that combined summer hits “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” into “Barbenheimer” on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram. “I do think that the combination of ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Barbie’ was something special ... It does offer some hope for a different cinema to emerge, different from what’s been happening in the last 20 years,” said Oscar-Winning Director Martin Scorsese told Variety Magazine. Lately, there has been a fallacy amongst the superhero film genre, known as, “superhero fatigue.” “There is such a thing as Superhero fatigue, it has to do
with the kind of stories being told ... but I get fatigued by most spectacle films, by the grind of not having an emotionally grounded story,” said James Gunn, director and writer of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” Trilogy, in an interview with Rolling Stones Magazine . Still, movies such as DC’s “Blue Beetle,” positively received by critics and audiences only made $128.6 million at the box office. Barely breaking even on its $106 million budget. DC’s “The Flash” was released a month earlier than “Blue Beetle,” and was heavily criticized by audiences, earning $207.6 million worldwide before being pulled from 1,500 theaters early. Given the controversy behind the film lead, Ezra Miller, over a
year of reshoots, director changes and script editing during filming, “The Flash” was almost destined to fail. Even after all this, somehow it managed to garner more success than “Blue Beetle.” Marvel’s newest film “The Marvels,” starring Brie Larson, will be released Nov. 10, and is projected to earn between $121 and $189 million domestically. Direct Magazine called the projections “Abysmal.” “Captain Marvel,” Larson’s previous lead Marvel film, pulled $1.13 billion worldwide in 2019. According to boxofficepro. com, Scorsese’s latest film (likely his last) “Killers of the Flower Moon,” releasing Oct. 20th is projected to earn between $90-$134 million domestically.
Original films see resurgence at the box office BY DOMINICK DELISE
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Staff Writer
arbie,” an original film written and directed by Greta Gerwig, had viewers decked out in pink clothing and showing up to opening night in a similar fashion to the film’s characters. The marketing machine around the Summer 2023 movie made viewing it more like an event than just a casual Friday night date flick. The movie itself was more than what it led on to be. Not just a comedy, but a commentary on modern society and the roles men and women are born into. It also represented a departure from Box Office strongholds of the past decade that saw Superheros dominating every big movie season.
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Scream-worthy songs for the spooky season BY JADA PORTILLO Opinion Editor
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alloween came a month early with retail stores showcasing their display of spooky decorations of the year, so why not some music? With the start of October, add these memorable spooky seasonal songs to your playlist to get into the Halloween groove while decorating your house or just to get spooky. Have some skele-fun re-adding these songs to your playlist and have a happy and safe Halloween. “MONSTER MASH” BY BOBBY PICKETT AND THE CRYPT KICKERS The “Monster Mash” is featured in almost every Halloween movie there is, you really can’t go wrong with this classic. “THIS IS HALLOWEEN” BY DANNY ELFMAN FROM ‘THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS’ Made in 1993, though not played a lot, this song holds significance since characters from the movie such as Jack Skellington and Sally are in all Halloween decorations. “THRILLER” BY MICHAEL JACKSON Played in all the Party City advertisements on TV “GHOSTBUSTERS” BY RAY PARKER JR. After the multiple movies made from 1984-2021 with a new ghostbusters coming out in 2024, I’m pretty sure everyone knows this song. “SPOOKY SCARY SKELETONS” BY ANDREW GOLD You may remember 2021 Halloween when this song was trending, but then again it trends every October.
Slasher films vs. supernatural horror films BY GRACIELA GABRIEL Feature Editor
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s a child I easily got terrified of any scary/horror content. For example, hearing ghost stories, or watching demonic movies would give me sleepless nights. This made Halloween become one of my least favorite holiday. However, I would prefer having a ghost sitting in the corner of my bed at 3 a.m. than going to bed knowing there can be a murderer roaming my neighborhood with a horror costume, murdering or torturing people. Having ghosts stroll into your home can cause mental distress that can lead to mental health, and interfere with your peace of mind. However, this can less likely cause
any physical damage. As long as you are not being possessed/influenced by any demonic spirits. In which case, a good priest and an exorcism may be the solution. I probably cannot remember everything I ate last week, but I can remember when was the last time I stopped watching scary movies. It has been more than 10 years since I last watched a horror movie, in my eighth grade year it was my first time watching 2007’s “Halloween.” The movie follows the story Michael Myers, a psychopath who suffers from mental health issues. Myers kills his sister’s boyfriend and then her. He also keeps his sister’s boyfriend’s mask and keeps it on during the movie.
I think when first watching this movie my mind was first time processing that there are more terrifying things than just horror and ghost stories. For example, other movies like “IT” are about a clown, known as “Pennywise.” In the movies, kids become missing and are being held by the clown in the home/basement. It’s something that can easily be mimicked by someone easily influenced by media. Combined with terrifying costumes, real-world boundaries can be crossed. In 2016, there was a viral trend where people would dress like scary clowns and be in random locations. However, during this trend, they were no real physical harm — but it could have.
I am terrified of creepy clowns, I am sure other many people are too. It’s easy to imagine someone resorting to physical self-defense behavior. Despite not having any recent clown cases there is a list of history of serial killers dressed as clowns that brought conflicts or have murder cases. According to a 2016 article from the New York Post, “5 Terrifying stories to clown to make sure you never sleep again” these are the two murder clown cases. In “Cold Case Clown” in May 1990, a woman Marlene Warren opened her home door to a person dressed as a clown who shot her. “Pogo the Clown” John Wayne Gacy, an infamous serial killers was convicted of 33 murders according to a Rolling Stone article
“Serial-Killer Clown John Wayne Gacy in Docuseries. Gacy gained popularity as a clown who would dress up for children’s birthday parties. One can argue in horror movies like “Chucky” and “Annabelle” where both toys are alive because they are possessed by demonic spirits. Those are not events that can happen in reality because we know toys do not have life and there is a solution like practicing exorcism. Now that I am older my mental health would not be at peace knowing a serial killer can be around but a prayer or any home entertainment can keep me distracted from any ghost and simply staying away from any horror content keeps my spirit in peace.
10 Opinion
Oct. 20, 2023 deltacollegian.net/opinion
WHICH BUCKET PACKS THE BEST BOO? BY JADA PORTILLO
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Opinion Editor
urger King is stepping into the ring to challenge the reigning champ of Halloween-themed fast food kitsch, McDonald’s, introducing a “Trick or Heat” boo bucket to compete with McDonald’s long-running holiday special. We all are likely familiar with the 33-year tradition from McDonald’s, although the chain did take a brief hiatus between 2016 and 2021. Known for their famous orange boo buckets, McDonald’s has been in the game for spooky season being a common candy bag for children. I know that last year I used my boo basket for trick or treating. Throughout McDonald's reign of Halloween-themed fast food buckets, the colors have changed along with the handles Burger King’s take, featuring ghost pepper chickens around the bucket that glow in the dark, only costs $1, compared to McDonalds buckets costing around $6. Then again — McDonald’s buckets come with food. “Trick or Heat” buckets came out on Friday the 13th of this month in only four cities which include Nashville Tennessee, Las Vegas Nevada, Charlotte North Carolina and Atlanta Georgia. Though those of us who can’t experience Burger King’s buckets, we can still get a limited-edition ghost pepper crown for free at any Burger King location. All you do is ask for a hat and a hat you are given, so grab a crown before they run out. Or you can head to McDonald’s and grab one of the four different designs before the 31st and randomly get a bucket that’s a monster (green), skeleton (orange), mummy (white) or vampire (purple).
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JADA PORTILLO
Another new bucket this year is the purple bucket for McDonald’s which once was a witch. Besides a fancy hat, Burger King offers a “Trick or Heat” meal with ghost pepper fries and ghost pepper burgers but it honestly doesn’t compare to “Trick or Heat” buckets. Though McDonald’s doesn’t have any food for Halloween yet, Boo buckets include Halloween stickers. Speaking of food, McDonald’s boo buckets are
happy meals but without the usual happy meal box. Your choices are a hamburger, cheeseburger, four piece nugget or six piece nugget meal. With not so much of a battle between the buckets considering “Trick or Heat” baskets are only in four cities, McDonalds wins by default. Get your McDonalds buckets and your Burger King crown and get trick or treating!
If you are a more introverted person or someone that enjoys media, you can just get comfortable at home with a nice scary movie like "Child’s Play" or "Friday the 13th." If you're a person that enjoys the company of others, Halloween parties are a fun way to enjoy the holiday. If you’re a person who enjoys spending time with your children or siblings or just like candy, trick-or-treating is the way to go. But if you like getting scared, it's always a treat to go to a good haunted house. Or you can enjoy a college tradition that doesn't die — cracking a cold one with friends. Halloween is also a-political and not a religion-specific holiday. Yes, Halloween was originally a Pagan holiday and then adopted by the Catholic church, Halloween now holds a much less religion-specific purpose than before. An article titled “A third of Americans avoid Halloween or its pagan elements” from lifeway.com, a Christian media website, states that 21 percent of Christian Americans interviewed avoid Halloween for
its pagan past. Still Halloween is popular amongst Christians with 59 percent interviewed saying it's all in good fun. Halloween comes with a share of problems such as crime going up with CPI security's website reporting in a 2023 article “Pulling Back the mask on Halloween Crime Spikes” that vandalism reports for its security system goes up 68 percent compared to the rest of the year. Another issue is an increase in alcohol consumption (so don't have too many). Like many holidays, alcohol purchase and consumption goes up at Halloween, A Yahoo! Finance article titled “Holidays Where People Spend the Most on Alcohol and How Much We’re Spending” notes from a California survey of 15,000 people, 44 percent said they would spend over $100 on beer and alcohol during Halloween. Even though the holiday has its problems that shouldn’t deter you from having a great Halloween, just remember to stay safe and have fun and if you're going to drink, drink responsibly.
Halloween truly a college student holiday BY SERGIO PALACIOS
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Staff Writer
ith Halloween around the corner, it’s time we discuss why Oct. 31 is a college student's dream holiday. Halloween is the greatest holiday because you can celebrate it in so many different ways: watching scary movies, giving out candy, partying and trick-or-treating. “I enjoy the environment and everyone hanging out,” said Ivan Guerra, a student at Delta College. Halloween's celebration rate has gone up 4 percent since 2022, up from 69 percent to 73 percent according to “Halloween popularity in the United States 2023” by statistica.com. That's not all trick-or-treating as according to the National Retail Federation, last year 87 percent of people between 18-24 celebrated Halloween, which is back to pre-pandemic numbers. While other big holidays are coming soon, Halloween is truly the one college students love the most.
11 Opinion
Oct. 20, 2023 deltacollegian.net/opinion
Dear Pumpkin Spice Lattes, I
t’s not you, it’s us. Although it’s been 20 years since your commercialization — basically you’re as old as many of us reading this — and although this seasonally co-dependent relationship has lasted 13 years, I think it’s time to do like Brad-Jolie and end it. Don’t get me wrong, seeing PSLs every Fall is still a delight, but I don’t think that we have the same enthusiasm we used to feel with global warming and new combinations. At your peak in 2016, we were bewildered by your popularity and how your experience became many yoga pants and faux glass wearing girl’s identities. Some thought your mainstream appearance was basic and annoying, but most enjoyed it. At first, we didn't know better, and we succumbed to the cult of PSL. But as we grew more knowledgeable, we realized we could not live under the control of your vanity. As for me, the more I got into coffee, the more I grew to learn who you really are. Our days are over PSL or should we call you by your identity, ALLSPICE, NUTMEG, CINNAMON AND CLOVE?! As it turns out, you are the product of an almighty creator whose popularity helped your reputation: Starbucks. Although, according to Food and Wine Magazine, pumpkin recipes have been around since the 1780s and pumpkin spice has been used in American cuisine since the 1930s, the PSL was only created 20 years ago. After serious experimentation Starbucks premiered your arrival. I am very glad that you and I met at the time we did because up until 2015, actual pumpkin wasn’t used in PSLs! We loved the pumpkin Frappuccino; but we can’t say that it was love at first sip upon meeting you. It took years to wear me down to FINALLY try. I don’t consider myself a coffee connoisseur, but I think we could do better than you. Although not everyone seems to think we can move on and that you are still pertinent to the season. “Pumpkin spice will live forever!” exclaimed third-year Delta student, Priscilla Martinez. Regardless of how many years pass by you are still brought out every Fall. The concepts of pumpkin spice and PSLs are never-ending thanks to the genius PR and marketing skills at Starbucks. They are now tradition and culture to us in the United States and all over the world. But, really the jacket? Starbucks' vain attempt to grasp relevancy for PSLs is futile and weak considering how warm Fall has been this year for such a heavy jacket. You were once grand; your break from hibernation used to mark the beginning of what in my opinion is the best season of all. Now, we have new combinations that represent what you used to. “They’ve been gravitating more towards the pumpkin chai,” commenced seasoned Java Jitters/ Starbucks Barista, Giselle Ortiz. Our tastes have matured, it’s time for a break up. As Fall marks the death of summer and so it does for this relationship. It is the expected end of an era. But who knows? Maybe there will be a revival, or I am too melodramatic at this time? Regardless, we have more to explore and need to open our doors to different flavors or new ways to incorporate it, which I do not blame you for. Alas, we thank you for the sweet moments and superiority we all felt in relishing your unique, aromatic nectar and we bid you goodbye.
Gen Z looks at relationship with long-time Starbucks holiday flavor wondering whether its time to move on
— SARA ALVAREZ, Staff Writer
Superstitions abound on Friday the 13th BY JELISSA KING
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Entertainment Editor
e all know about Friday the 13th. I’m not talking about the classic '80s slasher film or where you can get $13 tattoos and piercings from body art shops. I’m talking about the most unlucky day of the year. So what is the history of Friday the 13th? The History channel website had an article written in Oct. 2017 about the origins of Friday the 13th. The unlucky day is rooted from Christian superstition, where Jesus hosted the Last Supper for 13 guests on a Thursday. However, Christians say that the number 13 was a bad omen because it led to Jesus being crucified the next day, according to National Geographic. Former Delta student Jeaninne Green explains a phobia that involves the number 13. “My mom is very superstitious when it comes to the number thirteen. If anything involves the number 13, she’ll change the number to 12 or 14. I think my mom has triskaidekaphobia, which is a fear of the number 13. I listened to a podcast about it, it’s very interesting,” Green said. Friday the 13th isn’t the only superstition out there. Maybe you’ve seen kids on a sidewalk, pushing each other out of the way to prevent stepping on a crack that could break your mother’s back. Maybe you’ve seen someone throw salt over their shoulder because they dropped the salt shaker. Maybe you heard of the old sayings like “don’t open an umbrella indoors” or “don’t walk under the ladder.” “One superstition I always avoid is to split the pole,” said Delta student Maleek Moore. “You know, when you’re walking with another person or in a group and there’s a pole in the middle of the sidewalk? If anyone splits it [the group], I’ll literally go back and reverse it to avoid bad luck,” said Moore. Not all superstitions are surrounded by bad luck. A very common superstition is “knock on wood” or “fingers crossed.” “Knock on wood” is a term you say after suggesting an unwanted fate or tragedy. Whereas “fingers crossed” is used to seal a promising prediction or outcome. It’s like wishing good luck. How can we avoid these superstitions? There’s no antidote or magical protection amulet to avoid such superstitions. But here are some tips from the Collegian: • Avoid black cats this Halloween season • Don’t accept a gift that contains a human soul in a jar • Don’t walk under a ladder • Don’t break a mirror, that will cost seven years of bad luck
12 Sports
Oct. 20, 2023 deltacollegian.net/sports
Volleyball smashes opponents in undefeated season BY DAVID CASTANON Staff Writer
Delta College won against Sierra College 3-0 on Wednesday, Oct 11, to become the only unbeaten team in the Big 8 conference. Delta took the first set with a comfortable score of 25-20. Delta “came out on the road and played the number 3 team in the state of California tough!” said Delta College’s Head Coach Molly Hummel. Hummel pointed out that the team started out “really efficiently” as the Mustangs had “some slower starts especially on the road.” Delta dropped its previous first set to the conference's seventh place team Sac City, before winning 3-1 two days before. Caprisa Brock, who plays center, credited the win to “staying disciplined and playing defense.” Brock had a season-defining game with 32 assists, which is three more than Sierra’s teams combined total of 29 as-
Sophomore middle Bella Cormack spiking the ball on Sierra College player to attempt to score a point. PHOTO BY DAVID CASTANON
sists. Hummel said it was her “best defensive game as center this season.” In the second set Delta showed its grit, and took the set into extra points to secure a victory of 28-26.
The set was filled with action as the Mustang’s star outside hitter Kiyah Irby led the team with her strong offense. Irby had 23 total kills in the night, seven short of the opposing team's total of 30
kills. In the third set, Delta showed the true gap between first and third place in the Big 8 conference with a 25-10 win. The Mustang’s displayed why it is ranked first in the California Community College Women’s Volleyball Association (CCCWVCA), keeping Sierra to 10 points, which is almost half of its lowest point total in a set for conference game. Delta’s hard work in practice is paying off. Irby credits the “high intensity practices” as the reason for Delta’s dominant performance on the court. “We are not letting any team sneak up on us,” said Irby,“We’re the number 1 team in the state so we walk in everywhere knowing we have a target on our backs. So we don’t let our guard down and start off strong from the jump. "We can't underestimate any team because we are everyone's Super Bowl,” said Irby. Five of the Mustangs remaining eight games before the NorCal Regionals and state, are home games and free to students at Marcopulos Gym on campus.
ATHLETICS FIELDS’ $13 MILLION PROJECT STILL ON TRACK High School or rescheduling to play at the visiting teams' fields A $13 million renovation of instead. Delta’s athletics fields has been in “This constant water found the works since 2022. The athlet- areas in the track that were not ic fields have been worn out and chemically lime treated raised the have many hazards that could track making it a tripping hazpotentially cause many of the ath- ard…The lettering in the Footletes injuries. Though repair work ball end zone is 2” below the grass has not yet begun, the college is level causing a tripping hazard… hoping to have the project ap- The Baseball and Softball fields Merv Smith Football and Track Complex damage from wear and tear over the years. COLLEGIAN ARhave been plagued by irrigation CHIVE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION proved by Nov. 21. “Later this month, we will have problems due to the rock causing sign-build” approach because After the initial approval in views will be held to pick the dea final presentation from potential the fields to sink in areas. “the designer and builder work September 2022, the RFQ (re- sign-build team and the winning contractors,” Director of Commu- The fields have become unsafe together under a single contract. quest for quote) / RFP (request design-build team will go to the nications Alex Breitler said in an due to the uneven playing field,” This approach helps save money for proposal) process was set to board for approval,” according to email interview. “Then the Col- according to the board presenta- and time,” according to Breitler. last from October 2022 to Janu- a presentation by Pinola. lege will deliberate and pick the tion on Nov. 22, 2022, about each The normal process for a new ary 2023. The board would have According to Breitler, there has best design build team to move hazard on the fields. state-funded project is,“design- approved the design and build been no delay in the project so far. forward. We expect our final se- “On July 19, 2022, & Sept. 6, bid-build, with construction choice in February 2023.In the “My understanding is that we lection to go before the Board of 2022, we went to the Board of contracts awarded to the lowest, March 2 board meeting it was haven't experienced any particuTrustees for consideration at the Trustees meeting to receive ap- most responsive and [sic]respon- confirmed that “Siegfried has lar delay. The overall design/conNov. 21 Board meeting. The work proval for a Design-Build project sible bidder. While this delivery been selected as our Bridging struction timeline is still March will begin as soon as we have for the Renovation of our Athletic method is intended to provide the Architect firm which is currently 2023 to December 2024,” said Fields,” according to a PowerPoint lowest price to the public agency, working with the district on the Breitler.“This is a major project signed contracts in place.” Programs such as football, soft- presentation presented by Direc- it often fails to consider the best request for a qualification propos- and it just takes some time to get ball, baseball and track and field tor of Facilities Planning & Man- value,” according to a document al…Once we have the request for something of this magnitude off athletes have been affected by the agement Stacy Pinola during the presented by Vice President of qualification the next phase will the ground. We also want to make long wait for reconstruction, play- March 3 board meeting. Administrative Services Augus- be issuing the request for proposal sure that we don’t miss any iming their games at places like the Delta is going to streamline tine Chavez. for the design-build teams. Inter- portant details.” University of Pacific, and McNair the project by going with a “deBY ANDREA RIVERA Sports Editor