November 2013

JOHN AND JON PART

NOVEMBER 2013

EMBRACING LEADERSHIP

BY VIVIAN GATICA The world is made up of leaders yearning for change.

Our campus has many leaders, all of whom are looking to make a difference in Long Beach.

In November, we take another look at the work of ASI President John Haberstroh and Vice President Jonathon Bolin, who chose to be leaders at CSULB to strengthen the students’ voice. We examine their promises and accomplishments so far, and see what the future holds for the dynamic duo.

A leader is also emerging from the women’s soccer team at Long Beach State, and she is freshman Mimi Rangel. In less than one semester, she has led her team to victory with game-winning goals and still has a lot more to show in the years to come.

CSULB theater professor, actress and director Alexandra Billings has already left her mark in society as the first transgender woman to play a transgender on television. We learn more about her career and life, as she reflects on her journey to Long Beach.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

To finish off, we learn the story of “The Dreamers” and their progress in the United States after years of struggles as undocumented students. Their determination has led the country to fight for their rights to education.

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VIVIAN GATICA JULIE CHUNG DANIEL GOLDSBARY JENNIFER CAMPBELL RITIA BRUCE SHANE NEWELL DIANA SANGLAB LIA GIORDANO ERIKA JOHNSON IVANNA LASTRA ALISA WONG SAMANTHA LOPEZ ALEX CAMPOS THIEN-LOC MIMI NGUYEN

This issue is meant to honor leaders and motivate others to embrace leadership and strive for their cause, whether it be through politics, sports or simple accessories. We hope that it will motivate you to take the initiative, and fight for your own cause.

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In Los Angeles, The Giving Keys, created by Caitlin Crosby, engraves key accessories that stand for a cause to pay it forward by providing employment opportunities for the homeless. They also allow messages to reach people who may need them.

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CONTENTS

JOHN AND JON PART II | FEATURE 8

ORGANIC V. GENERIC | FOOD

4

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT | SPORTS

11

DIG NOW | ENTERTAINMENT

6

ALEX BILLINGS | CULTURE

12

JASON POON | ENTERTAINMENT

7

THE DREAMERS | CULTURE

14

CALENDAR

15

THE GIVING KEYS | FASHION

ABOUT THE COVER: Photos by A.J. Leone

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ORGANIC v . GENERIC

Which Foods Will You Use For Your Thanksgiving Meal?

BY THIEN-LOC MIMI NGUYEN PHOTO BY JILL THOMAN

It’s finally that time to bring out our jackets and scarves while we all gather around to celebrate the holidays. But most importantly, it’s that time when we can cook and eat feasts fit for royalty.

But what about that feast? Where is that food coming from? How is it made? Should you go for organic products this year or stick with conventional ingredients? It’s never too late to find out.

YAMS AND POTATOES

PUMPKINS

CRANBERRIES

These are a traditional, starchy, root vegetable. Some classic recipes that use these items are mashed potatoes, candied yams, scalloped potatoes, and sweet potato pie. Yams and potatoes start out as a seedling planted in the dirt, where they root below the surface and sprout flowers above.

They are a versatile gourd-like fruit which can be used to cook or as Halloween decoration. Nobody can escape a slice of pumpkin pie during this time of year.

However, there are several other recipes that call for pumpkin such as wine, pancakes, bread, and scones. Pumpkins grow from a vine where male and female flowers grow.

This delicious fruit is a great additive in salads, cookies, and juice. But during this time of year, everyone wants this hot commodity for sauce. Cranberries are grown in a unique way. They grow on vines that are low-laying in beds layered with peat, sand, clay and gravel, which is known as a bog that is flooded in and out periodically.

• Conventionally Grown – Some chemicals used in pumpkin production are ethalfluralin and clomazone. These chemicals pollute groundwater and damage the environment.

• Conventionally Grown – The USDA has found 13 pesticide residues on cranberries.

Of those residues, three are known or highly probable carcinogens, six are suspected hormone disruptors, five are neurotoxins, one is a developmental or reproductive toxin, and six are honeybee toxins.

• Conventionally Grown – The roots of these yams and potatoes absorb water from the moisture of dirt. When herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides are sprinkled into the growing system, it is also absorbed by the root. The potatoes and yams are also treated with more chemicals after being harvested to prevent more sprouting. Some of the chemicals found on conventionally grown yams and potatoes have proven to be carcinogenic and developmentally toxic.

• Organically Grown – These contain no herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides used in the typical growing process so you don’t have to worry about ingesting toxic chemicals. This is a great way to obtain a cleaner forms of essential nutrients such as iron, calcium and vitamin C.

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• Organically Grown – These do not cause harm to the environment in the growing process. One cup of organic pumpkin can provide three grams of fiber at only 49 calories, which can also aid in weight loss by keeping you full for a long period of time.

• Organically Grown – Allows you to fully enjoy the healthy benefits of cranberries that fight against cancers, heart disease, kidney and bladder problems, while being honeybee friendly.

C

DIGNOW

By Shane Newell

TELEVISION

Raising Hope

Nikita

Atlantis

Starring Lucas Neff and Martha Plimpton, “Raising Hope” returns for its fourth season this fall. The heart-warming comedy has been nominated for several Emmy Awards and is a hit among fans.

With support from Cloris Leachman, season four of “Raising Hope” is sure to please many.

The fourth season of “Nikita” also premieres this fall. The story of Nikita (Maggie Q) and her quest to bring down a powerful secret organization sets the scene for this remarkable drama. Full of action as well, “Nikita” isn’t a show that will disappoint.

Starring Jack Donnelly and Mark Addy, “Atlantis” premieres Nov. 23 on the BBC. The story of Jason (Donnelly) walking into the mythical world of Atlantis sets up this show of grand proportions.

With such an impressive cast, “Atlantis” is sure to be a hit from the start.

Dallas Buyers Club

Nebraska

The Wolf of Wall Street

Starring Matthew McConaughey in what some have called his greatest acting performance ever, “Dallas Buyers Club” is the story of a wild and reckless cowboy who gets HIV. The film follows McConaughey in his attempt to go to Mexico to find affordable HIV medication. Costarring Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner, “Dallas Buyers Club” opens Nov. 1.

Directed by Alexander Payne and starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte, “Nebraska” may be one of the fall’s biggest surprises. Filmed in blackand-white, “Nebraska” is the story of an aging man, Dern, who believes he won $1 million. His son, played by Forte, is skeptical but decides to see if his father is indeed right. Dern won the Best Actor award at Cannes Film Festival for his performance in “Nebraska.” The film will be released on Nov. 15.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey, “The Wolf of Wall Street” is poised to be one of the best films of fall. DiCaprio and his co-stars play wealthy Wall Street fat-cats whose sole focus is to increase their fortunes. Directed by Martin Scorsese, “The Wolf of Wall Street” will be sure to comment on the generation that caused one of the world’s most important crises. The movie premieres on Nov. 15.

The Marshall Mathers LP 2 - Eminem

Tommy - The Who

The Next Day Extra - David Bowie

Eminem’s eighth studio album will hit shelves on Nov. 5. His first release since Recovery in 2010, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is easily one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Led by the single “Survival,” Eminem’s new album is destined to be a classic like much of his previous work.

The Who’s much awaited re-release of the classic 1969 rock opera has finally been announced.

Set to be released on Nov. 11, the re-mastering of Tommy will feature rare demos and outtakes.

In addition, a live bootleg album will accompany the November release.

When David Bowie released The Next Day earlier this year, fans were surprised by the British rocker’s decision to release new music for the first time in nearly a decade. The Next Day Extra will feature exclusive bonus tracks and a DVD of Bowie’s newest music videos. This box set hits shelves on Nov. 5.

MOVIES

MUSIC

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BEHIND THE SCENES WITH JASON POON

Getting to know the man behind the camera

BY ALISA WONG | PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON POON

Jason Poon on set of “The Night Market.”

Hoping to inspire people to be curious about life, Cal State Long Beach alumni Jason Poon aspires to be a film director.

In his passions, Poon has indulged himself in a postgraduate life full of fun, difficulties, skill-building, and growth.

Poon, who is originally from Sacramento, enrolled for CSULB in fall 2005 as a transfer. He graduated in film and electronic arts in winter 2008 and has lived in southern California since. Poon has worked on more than 50 music videos, productions, and YouTube projects for artists such as Far East Movement, Cali Swag District, KevJumba, and the Fung Brothers. For the past three years, Poon has been working as a freelance filmmaker, learning and honing traditional filmmaking skills.

Poon started making home movies with a friend who had a videocassette recorder.

By the end of his high school years, his family got a digital camcorder and Poon started shooting and editing his own videos.

After graduation, Poon traveled and worked a bundle of odd jobs. He taught kids the guitar and piano; and shot photos and video for friends, different companies and weddings.

Poon has filmed many including Snoop Dogg, Kid DJ Quirk, Marques Houston, He also filmed for big-name NBA, Red Bull, and Adidas.

celebrities Cudi, E40, and Twista. brands like

“The set was filled with people who had tons of different experiences,” Poon said. “Even though they were so experienced they were also very humble and gracious.”

Poon’s long-term goal is to direct movies.

His current short-term plan and goal is to continue making short films and submit them to film festivals.

In spite of his many experiences, the pursuit of Poon’s career taught him to surround himself with “like-minded artists and filmmakers to provide a positive support system.”

Andrew and David Fung, also known as the Fung Brothers—an Asian American comedic duo based in Monterey Park— have worked with Poon in directing their hit YouTube music videos and productions such as “626”, “Bobalife”, and “Asians Eat Weird Things” within the past two years.

“Most of our big hit videos have been with Jason,” the Fungs said. “ It’s been two-fold—I feel like he’s played such a big role in defining our careers and I know it’s been good for him as well so it’s been a mutually beneficial relationship business-wise and beyond that, we’ve become really good friends with Jason.”

“Learn to listen and learn to ignore,” Poon explained. “There are many opinions on ‘what you should do’ in this industry…. Sometimes you need to be humble enough to hear something you don’t want to hear so that you can learn; sometimes you need to ignore so you can move forward.”

Poon is currently working as a second camera assistant on a low-budget indie film, “Memoria”—one of three feature films based on actor James Franco’s collection of stories from his book “Palo Alto.”

One of his eye-opening experiences was being a camera operator for the first feature film he ever worked on, “ManUp!” with KevJumba and Justin Chon.

7

JOHN &

JON

PART 2

BY ERIKA JOHNSON PHOTOS BY A.J. LEONE

W

hen we last caught up with John and Jon, the Associated Students Inc. duo were halfway into their first term as president and vice president.

A year later, a new platform and the same dudes. John Haberstroh and Jonathon Bolin are at it again.

DIG Magazine sat down with them to discuss what they are working on, what they have accomplished and what they have planned for the future.

Platform Breakdown When running for reelection, John and Jon based their platforms on the continuation of the farmers market, Nugget town hall meetings and scholarship funding, while making new promises for the campus shuttle system and ASI reforms.

Many of their campaign signs centered on their on-campus farmers market, which is now a biweekly event. It may even find itself moving to Friendship Walk after its success there during Health and Safety Week.

John and Jon have continued their 30 percent pay cut and give away $2,000

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a year in scholarships. There are a total of seven scholarships given out each semester: Five $200 textbook scholarships and two $500 beach pride scholarships, given out to those who have extreme beach pride.

As for the ASI reforms, John and Jon launched the ASI Awareness Campaign and the “John and Jon Philosophy,” a vision statement. The vision statement, drafted

by John and Jon, states that all officers of ASI will be upheld to the values of reaching out to students on a face-to-face basis, be obligated to active ASI campaigning year round, listen to student concerns and most importantly, be the voice of the students.

100 clubs or student organizations in 100 days by February 2014.

“More and more students are learning about ASI and what it is and what it does and thats a huge win for us,” Haberstroh said. “If that’s what my legacy is when I’m done, then I’m perfectly cool with that.”

Future at The Beach The CSU as a whole has been looking into the sustainability policy, which is focused on California’s higher education institutions going greener. San Francisco State has been the leader in this policy and Long Beach State plans to follow suit.

“This at least is a vision statement that every person elected,” Bolin said. “No matter what your platform is, you’re held to this vision statement, and that is simply that you do what the students want you to do.”

According to Bolin, the whole CSU system will have zero waste by 2025 and 20 percent of all food on campus will be local, organic, unprocessed or non-GMO by 2020.

The ASI Awareness Campaign originally consisted of John and Jon visiting 50 classes in 50 days to spread awareness to students about ASI, but instead ASI successfully visited 62 classes in 35 days.

The new ASI Awareness initiative is to visit

In addition to sustainability projects, a new Student Excellence Fee will be implemented this upcoming spring semester. Students will be required to pay an additional $79 per semester making the fee total $173.

With the fee increase students will also

FIVE RANDOM THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT JOHN AND JON

Jonathon Bolin 1. I have a hit-list/wish-list under my bed that I update every so often.

2. I knocked out my four front teeth and had complete reconstructive surgery.

3. I was in a band that toured nationally for three years.

4. When I was younger, I dreamed of being a farmer.

5. When I get older, I want to buy 10,000 acres of land and start my own socialist commune.

receive faster WiFi and the ability to access Adobe Cloud.

With regards to the selection of the new CSULB president, Haberstroh made it clear that the students would have a voice in the decision, as he is on the advisory committee to the trustee committee for this election.

Although this makes him three committees removed from the actual deciding vote, he still has a voice in the decision.

“I get to see all the applications that make it through the screening process, [and] we weed out the terrible ones,” Haberstroh said. “I am optimistic we will pick someone good.”

Not only are there big future plans for CSULB, but also for Haberstroh who is a new father.

“I wouldn’t say my life is completely changed,” he said. “ I like to think of it as just another layer; it’s another room that I’ve opened the door to. I embrace it completely, and I don’t think it’s changed the way I lead people because I think leading people is not just about giving orders, but about setting an example.”

John and Jon 2014?

John and Jon seem optimistic about the future and haven’t completely ruled out running again in 2014. Last year the senate passed a two term bylaw so that executives could only hold office two years in a row.

Since John and Jon were already active in office when the law was passed, this is technically their first term under the bylaw.

“So we’d be the first in history [to run], and the last in history all in one shot. We haven’t ruled it out, but probably not...it’s too soon to tell,” Bolin said.

The two said they were not planning on running for this year but decided to when they thought about what it would be like if someone else were elected the position.

They wanted to finish what they started.

John Haberstroh 1. I’ve never had a haircut.

My hair just stopped growing at age 12.

2. I have a child for the purpose of being eligible for space on a lifeboat in case of a Titanic-like event.

3. For two years, I was the foreman in a Colorado goldmining operation.

4. I make my own pants by hand.

5. I wasn’t a serious student until the 5th grade.

“We’re changing the culture, we can’t do that in one year,” Haberstroh said.

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THE GIVING KEYS PAY IT FORWARD

BY JULIE CHUNG PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GIVING KEYS Caitlin Crosby

H

ope. Strength. Believe. Courage.

Sometimes it only takes one word to spark an inspiration, and The Giving Keys strives to do just that.

Musician and actress Caitlin Crosby created The Giving Keys, an accessory company that incorporates recycled keys, to provide the homeless with employment opportunities and bring people together in the process.

While on tour last year, Crosby had the idea to make her hotel key into a necklace and then started selling similar key accessories at the merchandise tables during her tour.

Once the key sales flourished, she knew there was something special to them.

All the keys sold on The Giving Keys’ website are old and used, but are different and unique just like people. There is a list of words to choose from that can be engraved on the keys, as well as a “custom” option that allows people to type in a word of their choice for a personalized key.

“Each [key] is one of a kind and they all have different words on them,” Crosby said.

Once the online store gained momentum,

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people started sharing stories on the website about their journey with the keys.

“I always had the idea of passing it along and paying it forward, and that’s the concept of The Giving Keys too,” Crosby said.

The online stories share why people chose the inscribed word on their key and how it helped them.

Crosby hopes that people will buy these keys with the intent of giving them away at some point in their lives.

“I passed my ‘love’ key on to a best friend who was having a hard time in her life with men and friends,” CSULB senior journalism major Taylor Taguchi said. “I gave ‘truth’ away to my 16-year-old sister to always be true to herself as she grows.”

Not only do the keys serve a purpose to the wearer, but the keys also provide employment for the homeless in Los Angeles.

Crosby met a homeless couple she spotted on the streets and was inspired by them to collaborate with transitional homes to directly help the homeless community, which led to its partnership with PATH and United Way.

The woman from the homeless couple knew how to make necklaces, so Crosby hired her to make jewelry as part of the company’s new focus of giving back to the poor.

“I just wanted to give them some hope and encouragement and help them make some money,” Crosby said.

By making these keys, the couple gradually saved up enough money to buy their own apartment.

The Giving Keys products are now sold in over 40 stores in 32 states, with one store in Kuwait and London. Most Kitson stores in California carry a selection of the keys; they can also be found in the Miyamo gift store in Long Beach.

Go to www.thegivingkeys.com to purchase a key and help employ the homeless, then come back to the site to share your key’s story with The Giving Keys community.

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT MIMI RANGEL SCORES BIG FOR CSULB WOMEN’S SOCCER

BY ALEX CAMPOS

PHOTO BY JOHN FAJARDO Mimi Rangel (center) celebrates one of her many goals for the CSULB women’s soccer team.

S

ometimes, a hero can even be a 5-foot 2-inch, 18-year-old women’s soccer player.

Freshman soccer star Mimi Rangel has been nothing short of heroic for the Long Beach State women’s soccer team. Through the first part of the season, Rangel has shown a knack for delivering clutch moments in the biggest games on the 49ers schedule.

She scored game-winning goals in the 49ers’ wins against Texas Tech and Brigham Young University, who at the time were ranked 23rd and 11th in the country respectively.

“We beat Texas Tech, we beat BYU,” Rangel said, with no shortage of confidence. “We fight from the beginning to end and that’s one thing I love about this team.”

The 18-year-old midfielder started playing soccer when she was four. As a freshman at Chino Hills High, Rangel cracked the varsity roster.

“That was probably one of the proudest moments I had,” she said. “Just making varsity as a freshman, I was already proud and privileged and I felt so blessed to get that opportunity.”

Scholarship offers from schools like Tennessee and Loyola Marymount University came her way.

“I narrowed out Tennessee, then it was between Long Beach and LMU,” Rangel said. “I went to go visit both schools, and thought both schools are phenomenal.

I remember walking around and seeing myself here, being able to fit in this program.”

Head coach Mauricio Ingrassia got in touch with Mimi through her club coach.

“He sent me this email because Mimi was very slight, very technical,” Ingrassia said.

“I looked at it and was really intrigued.

We made her an offer and she came out and watched a game, where [former AllAmerican] Nadia Link was playing. They’re both lefty, same type of style. When Mimi saw Nadia play, she said ‘Hey, that’s how I play. I like it here, I can see myself here.’”

Just last year, Rangel made a name for herself at Chino Hills. She purchased a Batman shirt after watching The Dark Knight Rises.

“The second time we played them, I did it again,” she said. “This time I had spread the word around. I was telling everyone this was going to be our superhero game. I didn’t think a lot of people would, but so many people came dressed up as superheroes.

I had to score again. With like 10 minutes left, I scored, took off the shirt again and everyone was going crazy.”

Rangel feels more than welcome at Long Beach; it’s her home. As for the next few years, the future seems bright for Rangel.

“With everything she’s done now, and she’s only a freshman, I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like when she hits her senior year. It’s going to be incredible,” said sophomore teammate Elizabeth Lyons.

While the Batman trilogy is complete, Rangel’s soccer legacy at The Beach is just beginning.

“All the girls were like ‘Wear [the shirt] under your jersey,’ Rangel said. “We were playing our rivals, Clairemont, at their field. The girls told me if I scored, I had to take [my jersey] off. I ended up scoring in the second half, so I took it off and I was running around and it was great.”

Luckily for Rangel, they got to play rival teams twice.

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ALEXANDRA

BILLINGS

BREAKING THE BOUNDARIES OF THEATER

BY DANIEL GOLDSBARY PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXANDRA BILLINGS

F

rom the stage to a classroom and everywhere in between, Alexandra Billings has experienced life in a way that has helped her reach her dreams, and now she’s staked her claim at our very own theater department.

A whirlwind of events brought Billings from Inglewood to cities around the country, and right back here to Long Beach.

Billings began her life on stage as a female impersonator by the name of Shanté. This was before she made the transition from male to female. Since then she went on to perform in productions like “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom,” as well as television shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “ER.” Her roles on these shows marked the first time a transgendered woman played a transgendered person on television. These roles portrayed some of the struggles that transgenders face in our world today,

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although her characters in the shows often ended up dying.

him why he divorced my mom, and he said ‘I don’t know.’”

While the roles did portray an important aspect of what transgendered people have to endure, there is still much progress to be made with the representation of trans people in the media.

Two weeks later, Robert Billings passed away. “Gypsy” dealt with the relationship between a mother and a daughter, so Billings felt a strong connection between her personal and professional lives.

“Let’s have a trans person just be trans, but the focus is that they’re a doctor or a housewife,” she said.

“That’s when I realized that my art and my life are the same thing,” she said. “That there is no difference.”

One of Billings’ most memorable stints performing was when she played Rose in the musical “Gypsy.” The week before the show opened in Chicago, her father Robert Billings came to visit. They were able to spend that week together and say everything that they had wanted to say to each other.

Around seven years ago, Billings was working with the Steppenwolf Theater Company. Steppenwolf is based in Chicago, but reaches out to educate students in California as well. Every couple of years, the company is involved with a summer arts program at CSU Stanislaus where students are taught the art of improvisation.

“He asked me why [I’m transgendered], and I said I don’t know,” she said. “I asked

Billings was teaching her students about viewpoints late one night when someone

"... i realized that my art and my life are the same thing... That there is no difference." caught her eye. Hugh O’Gorman, Cal State Long Beach’s head of acting at the time, saw her teaching and called her over.

in all of them. She knows what it’s like to feel inauthentic, to feel silenced and to want to assimilate.

“What the fuck are you doing?” O’Gorman had said. “Teaching,” Billings responded.

Billings’ most recent project at CSULB had her directing “Fever/Dream,” which is an adaptation of “Calderon’s Life is a Dream” by Sheila Callaghan. The play ran from October 4 to October 12, and was her second directorial ambition.

The rest is history, and Billings has been with CSULB for about six years, but became a full-time faculty member just a year ago.

She said the students at Long Beach are some of the best she has worked with.

“They want to find their artistic voice in a way that is so powerful and so authentic that it takes my breath away,” she said. “It makes coming here a joy, every day.”

Billings said that she feels a connection with her students and that she sees herself

“It was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever been through in my life,” Billings said. “You have to have a very specific sensibility to be a director. You have to piece together a puzzle and see the story within.”

Billings commends our generation, as she believes it is the smartest generation to come along in a long time. She said that

DIG ON THE GO!

we are making things smaller and faster, which is an undeniable blessing. The opportunities for exposure through the Internet and smart phones are drastically different than just the television set that Billings had when she was a child.

“In term, conversely, [this generation] thinks very quickly,” she said. “So using your imagination on your feet instead of through a machine takes work.”

The connection she feels with her students, whom she claims help and teach her just as much as she teaches them, is clearly genuine. When she leaves her office door open, students and faculty will continuously poke their heads in to visit Billings, and she greets them with a smile.

Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. Announces Annual Theme & Art Contest Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. has selected the 2014 Annual Pride Celebration theme of Reflections of Pride and is currently seeking entries of artwork conceptualizing the theme.

The chosen art work will be utilized in both advertising and merchandising of Pride events and products.

The artist who creates the chosen piece will be awarded $250. The submission deadline is December 13, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.

www.digmagonline.com

Please email info@longbeachpride.com for specifications.

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THE DREAMERS REACHING THE DREAM AFTER YEARS OF HARDSHIPS

BY IVANNA LASTRA AND SAMANTHA LOPEZ CARTOON BY DANIELA GONZALEZ.

F

or the foreign-born population in the U.S., Deferred Action was a highly anticipated piece of legislation.

After an outpouring of support from the undocumented community, and some intense debate in Congress, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) passed in June 2012.

Since then, the fear of deportation has been lifted for many undocumented university students. With the passage of DACA, the Department of Homeland Security granted discretionary relief to those meeting the qualifications. U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services report that almost 500,000 applications were approved last year.

In 2006, a group of faculty members at Cal State Long Beach led the movement for undocumented student’s rights. As a result of their effort, significant immigration bills have been signed into law. Dr. Elena Macias, Special Assistant to the President, has been a pivotal figure when it comes to creating opportunities for undocumented students in California.

“I’m honored to be part of a group of people who are involved in promoting immigration reform,” Macias said.

DAC A w a s d e s i g n e d t o p r o t e c t undocumented students who were brought to the United States as children. The majority of them were raised in the United

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States, but were denied any rights by being undocumented.

Transfer student Moy Morales personally experienced the hardship that comes with being undocumented.

“Being that I do not have citizenship status, I do not have the same opportunities that other students have like federal financial aid,” Morales said. “These two things have made it difficult for me for quite some time now, but with patience, being optimistic and the support of my parents, I was able to get through those moments which I felt were very difficult.”

Despite their immigration status, many students have overcome the adversity of being undocumented and continue to pursue a higher education.

They, like many other citizens, aspire to a c h ieve the coveted American dream.

For that reason, this group of determined individuals are known as “dreamers.”

The term “dreamers” was originally coined during the implementation of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), which made many undocumented students eligible to receive financial aid.

Through the DREAM Act and DACA, individuals who qualify for deferred action

can now legally obtain employment authorization cards, social security numbers, state-issued identification cards, and drivers licenses.

“When deferred action went into effect, it made a major impact for me,” Morales said.

“Not only because it gave me peace of mind and it allowed me to get my driver license which is a big help, but mainly because it gave me the chance to look for work and get a job, and to have more opportunities to get financial aid.”

Macias said that society does these capable young people a disservice by treating them as second-class citizens.

“I don’t think people who were brought to the United States as innocent children should be punished; they were raised here and are American in every sense of the word.”

NOVEMBER 4

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1 First Fridays Long Beach | Bixby Knolls | 6:30pm-10:30pm 2-3 Downtown Dia De Los Muertos | Grand Park | 3pm and 12pm 4 “Thor: The Dark World” Premiere | Hollywood | 6am-11:45pm 5-15 AFI Film Festival | Hollywood 7 San Pedro 1st Thursday Artwalk | Downtown San Pedro | 5pm 8 Nine Inch Nails | Staples Center | 8pm 9 The OFWGKTA Carnival | LA Coliseum | 2pm 10 LA Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves | Staples Center | 6:30pm 11 LA Clippers vs Minnesota Timberwolves | Staples Center | 7:30pm 12 The Fratellis | Fonda Theatre | 8pm 13 LA Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder | Staples Center | 7:30pm 14 Downtown Los Angeles Artwalk | Downtown Los Angeles Historic Core | 12pm-9pm 15 LA Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies | Staples Center | 7:30pm 16 Be The Match Walk+Run l Shoreline Aquatic Park l 7am 17 Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons l Staples Center l 6:30pm 18 Los Angeles Job Fair l Radisson Los Angeles Airport Hotel l 11am-2pm

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19 Los Angeles Kings vs Tampa Bay Lightning l Staples Center l 7:30pm 20 Anaheim Ducks vs New Jersey Devils l Honda Center l 7pm 21 Disney Presents The Lion King l Pantages Theatre l 7:30pm 22 LA Auto Show l Los Angeles Convention Center l 11am 23 Women’s Basketball vs Loyola Marymount l Walter Pyramid l 4pm 24 Long Beach Comic & Horror Con l Long Beach Convention Center l All weekend 25 Drake: Would You Like A Tour l Staples Center l 7pm 26 TOTEM by Cirque du Soleil l Orange County Great Park l 8pm 27 L.A. Clippers vs New York Knicks l Staples Center l 7:30pm 28 Thanksgiving 29 Women’s Volleyball vs UC Santa Barbara l Walter Pyramid l 7pm 30 Women’s Volleyball vs Cal Poly l Walter Pyramid l 7pm

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