The Union Vol. 79 No. 4

The Union

EL CAMINO COLLEGE

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1946

@ECCUNION

Nov. 7, 2024

ECCUNION.COM

Mirrorless restrooms cause frustration Runners

take home conference honors

By Nick Miller

Nearing the end of his coaching career, Dean Lofgren is continuing success with two of his runners achieving allconference honors.

Competing at the crosscountry South Coast Conference Championships at Heartwell Park in Long Beach on Oct. 25, sophomores Aaron Cohen and Alan Canales were named “All-South Coast Conference First Team” and “All-South Coast Conference Second Team,” respectively.

Lofgren said it is rewarding to see Cohen and Canales excel Located on the first floor of the Humanities Building at El Camino College, the men’s restrooms have been lacking mirrors for many years. A survey by The Union discovered that only eight out of El Camino’s 42 student restrooms have mirrors. Photo by Greg Fontanilla in competition.

“It’s always nice to have dedicated people, and when they are able to accomplish their goals, it’s always nice to r a c y n e c e s s a r y f o r h y g i e n e , s h o u l d b e , ” t h e r a d i o a way to save money.

By Nick Miller see,” Lofgren said. “As I get cleanliness and self-confidence. technology major said. “I think Osorio said he is attempting ready to step aside for my Ikegwu once walked into an El A recent survey by The Union it could help out a lot of people to get a proposal to install more career, to see this continued Camino College restroom and found only eight out of the and benefit a lot of people in restroom mirrors approved by success with the programs, both couldn’t see her reflection. college’s 42 student restrooms different ways, especially just the ASO’s finance and senate men and women, it’s just nice to “I remember going to the were equipped with mirrors. making sure your identity is committee. see things through.” restroom one time to fix my Like Ikegwu, other students good, you look fine, presentable “ We a r e h o p i n g a n d Cohen reflected on his hair, I saw that there were no also shared concerns about the for anybody.” advocating that it passes,” the progress throughout this mirrors and I was so shocked,” college’s lack of mirrors.

Andres Osorio, the director of student services director said. season. the 18-year-old biology major Roland Hammork, 20, said he student services for the “We can then start advocating “It’s been a long progression, said. “I don’t even see the point has yet to find a restroom mirror A s s o c i a t e d S t u d e n t s for it on the college level.” starting all the way from the of going to the restrooms here at ECC, but believes they could Organization, has been looking summer,” Cohen said. “I kinda anymore.” be helpful for many students. to get restroom mirrors started off just building the Across campus, most “To be honest, I haven’t seen installed. He said there was no base, starting from 30 miles, men’sand women’s restrooms any mirrors in any of the clear answer for the college’s just building all the way until lack mirrors — a basic feature bathrooms so I think there lack of mirrors, but believes it’s now, where I’m at 70 miles a SEE BATHROOMS PAGE 5 → week looking to carry that all the way until the state meet,” Cohen said.

He said the driving force behind his success has been the work ethic he applies to conditioning and training compared to just one in 2022. fondling in 2023 according the high when compared to Santa throughout the year.

By Camila Jimenez Fondling is described as, the both colleges annually released Monica and Pierce Colleges “I think that’s been something l Camino College saw an touching of private body parts security report.

Both colleges had zero I take pride in throughout my increase in sexual of another for the purpose of Stalkings at the college saw a reported stalking cases in 2023. whole entire career no matter fondling in 2023 compared to sexual gratification without the decrease with 10 reported cases El Camino most recent what, I know that I will work the previous year, according the victims consent. in 2022, while there were seven stalking case was reported on hard,” Cohen said. college’s annual security report.

In comparison, Santa Monica cases in 2023.

Oct. 16, and occured in the In 2023, there were eight and Pierce College each only While stalkings at El Camino Library on Sept 24. reported cases of sexual had one reported case of sexual did decline in 2023, they remain SEE CLERY PAGE 4→ fondling at El Camino,

Students would like to see the basic feature installed across campus

T

Fondling cases see an increase at El Camino College Eight cases were reported in 2023, compared to one reported in 2022

E

Award winners

Q&A with Garayua See Page 7

FEATURES

See Page 4

NEWS

OPINION

See Page 3

SCAN ME

Political violence

2

EDITORIAL

Nov. 7, 2024

The Union

The Union SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1946

Vol. 79, No. 4 Nov. 7, 2024

EDITORS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND SPORTS EDITOR NEWS EDITOR ARTS & FEATURES EDITOR

Illustration by Ivan E. Mendez De Leon

Rubber-stamping or responsible governance?

Consent Calendar items must be reviewed before approval

Go to eccunion.com to read more opinion stories and editorials.

Katie Volk Isabelle Ibarra

COPY EDITOR

Rhiannon Ellis

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR AND ASSISSTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Kinzie Malony

STAFF

Staff Writers

Photographers

he El Camino College Board of Trustees have approved $83,812,838.32 in the month of October alone.

In the past five months, $149,834,200.99 was approved and spent on a variety of miscellaneous Consent Calendar items within the BOT meeting agendas.

The Board has expressed on multiple occasions that they lack important details for all Consent Calendar items both involving and not involving money.

In a previous meeting on Oct. 21, BOT President Trisha Murakawa said the Board members lean on recommendations from staff when deciding whether or not to approve a consent item due to staff doing all the research.

The Union editorial board has concerns on how informed Board members are to make important decisions that affect the ECC community as a whole.

“We don’t get involved, our role is to do the governing part so in most instances we only know the same stuff that you do,” Murakawa said. “We don’t know all the details really deep down.”

During an interview on Oct. 30, BOT Secretary Brett Roberts corroborated information Murakawa had stated beforehand regarding their lack of information.

“We can strive to get more but we get what’s in the agenda,” Roberts said. “We generally get just enough to make an informed decision.”

The Union editorial board is apprehensive about Board members stating they received the same amount of details listed in the agenda when each item’s description is very brief.

BOT members do not need any prior training nor do they receive any mandatory training processes to make sure they understand their position.

“There are training programs that are offered by third-party institutions that we’re affiliated with, but there’s not a ‘okay you’re enrolled here’s the trustee 101 and you got to do that for a semester’ type of training,” Roberts said.

On their own time, Board members can attend training workshops that include governing and institution, budgeting, protocols and how to work with other members.

Some Board members have attended Association of Community College Trustees workshops and retreats to receive training and knowledge for their role as Board members, but are not mandatory.

It is listed in Board Policy 2725 that regular members are paid $400 per month for attending all Board meetings while student members get paid $200 a month. If they do not attend all meetings, they only get paid for the meetings they do attend.

According to the ECC website and Board Policy 2730, the college provides a diverse insured benefit program for staff members’ medical, dental, vision and life insurance, which would include BOT members.

The Union believes it is important for the community to know exactly how qualified the people holding such high power positions are, especially when they govern large amounts of funding.

The Board seems to be informing the students and college community they don’t know much, let alone important details before they approve financial decisions.

However, they are provided no mandatory training or required to have education on how to be a Board member before starting in their position, which should be required.

Ultimately, there should be proper training processes that are required for the Board to take, not just to give them more work but to ensure they understand what they are doing, in addition to making financial decisions.

The Board should also be provided far more information when approving items rather than taking the advice of the unnamed staff they keep referring to and relying so much on.

Angel Pasillas

OPINION EDITOR

By Union Editorial Board

T

Greg Fontanilla

Illustrators

Interns

Renzo Arnazzi Elliott Bullock II Camila Jimenez Nick Miller Elsa Rosales Anisa Arnazzi Eric Delgado Joseph Figueroa Mia Gutierrez Lynn Kim Ivan E. Mendez De Leon Julissa Celis Eddy Cermeno Miliana Cienfuegos Justin Coleman Hong Dang Teresa Galvez Katie Gronenthal Erica Lee Taheem Lewis Philip Mawamba Bailey Meacham Kayla Mitchell Angela Osorio Seph Peters Susana Reyes Cameron Sample Argentina Talley Mario Trejos Rosemarie Turay Jamila Zaki

ADVISERS STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS PHOTO ADVISER ADVERTISING MANAGER INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS

Stefanie Frith sfrith@elcamino.edu Kate McLaughlin kmclaughlin@elcamino.edu Nguyet Thomas nthomas@elcamino.edu Jack Mulkey elcounionads000@yahoo.com Gerard Burkhart gburkhart@elcamino.edu Joseph Difazio jdifazio@elcamino.edu Jessica Martinez jemartinez@elcamino.edu Doug Morino dmorino@elcamino.edu

CORRECTION POLICY: The Union takes corrections and clarifications

very seriously. If a correction is needed, email The Union at eccunion@gmail.com for all corrections and inquiries pertaining to a story.

EDITORIALS: Editorials represent the views of the The Union’s editorial

board. Columns represent the views of the writer. Neither are representations of what the newspaper staff, other students, our advisers, faculty or the administration think.

LETTERS AND GUEST COLUMN POLICY: No more than

two guest columns from the same person will be considered for publication or online use in the same semester, and 60 days must elapse before a second column is published. Guest columns should generally run 300-450 words. Letters to the editor should generally run no longer than 200 words. All columns and letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and style. They must be free of libel and in good taste. Publication or rejection of any column is at the sole discretion of the editorial board.

The Union is an award-winning, nationally recognized publication that prints on designated Thursdays by Journalism 11 and 14 students at El Camino College, Humanities 113, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506, and is free to the student body and staff. The Union publishes daily online at eccunion.com.

The Union

Nov. 7, 2024

OPINION

3

Illustration by Lynn Kim

World violence should have no place in politics Political unrest has been ever-present for years: now it must come to an end

By Teresa Galvez

S

omehow, in 2024 we are still dealing with war, along with political and societal violence.

When I was a little girl living in Peru in 1963, we attended private school and would get picked up by the bus to get there. As we arrived to campus, the bus driver got off the bus and approached me, screaming that the U.S. president at the time was shot and killed.

I was in a state of shock after hearing what he said, and even though I did not know who the president was at the time, I still began to cry.

Later, I learned it was John F. Kennedy. When I came down to visit the U.S., I attended church with my granny, where she requested a mass for him.

While I was at mass, I began

to think, “How sad is it that when someone gets angry or confused, they decide to kill innocent people?”

When I also found out Martin L u t h e r K i n g J r. w a s assassinated, my granny had requested a mass for his soul.

I admired how my granny offered help to others through prayer, even if she didn’t know them personally.

For me, it was a great remedy when I reflected on how my granny applied her spirituality as comfort for past experiences.

During that time, I learned a total of four U.S. presidents were assassinated throughout history: Abraham Lincoln in 1865, James Garfield in 1881, William McKinley in 1901 and Kennedy in 1963.

Some time after, presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated in June of 1968.

Recently, my friend and I watched the Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania on TV, where we witnessed another assassination attempt.

Trump was speaking to a crowd when he suddenly grabbed his ear after being shot and ducked down with the Secret Service surrounding him at the podium.

As I watched, I went down myself and started to cry. After a few moments, we saw him stand up, lifting his fist toward the sky.

Upon seeing his fist pumped toward the sky, I interpreted it as an inspiratinal symbol expressing “Life is power.”

I thought, “Enough is enough, there should be no more violence in America or anywhere else around the world.”

As Mother Teresa said, “I do not mix work with politics. The

fruit of politics is war. If I support one political party, I would not love the other.” She wanted to show love to all people.

While I am not Mother Teresa, I still agree with her.

In Peru, one president was assassinated on April 30, 1933: Luis Miguel Sanchez Cerro.

The murderer was Abelardo Mendoza Leyva.

There were other instances of political violence in the Peruvian government. Alan Garcia, a former president of Peru, committed suicide prior to his arrest on April 17, 2019.

Recently, the government impeached President Pedro Castillo three times before removing him from his position for “permanent moral incapacity” on Dec. 7, 2022.

As of now, Peru does not have an official president.

However, the Vice President

of Peru, Dina Boluarte, is currently filling that position.

The next election won’t be for another two years.

In the Dominican Republic, there was yet another assassination, that of Rafael Trujillo. Losing support from the army, he was murdered by Gen. J.T. Diaz.

In Israel, there was the assassination of the fifth prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin, in Nov. 4, 1995. He was killed after an anti-violence rally supporting the Oslo Peace Process. The perpetrator was Yigal Amir, who opposed the signing of the Oslo Accords.

We need governments that support a pro-peace, propeople, pro-women and prolove society, loving people who want to preserve people’s lives without getting into any kind of war, because everything has a peaceful solution.

Discovering the wonders of writing

The Reading and Writing Center is beneficial to students

By Bailey Meacham Through an assignment for a n English class I was taking, I stumbled across the Reading and Writing Center, an incredible resource offered to students which has helped to improve my skills as a writer.

Even though writing has always been a challenge for me, it is something I wanted to improve on because it can give me the confidence to pursue a career that involves writing.

I struggled with some basic writing fundamentals including grammar, punctuations and vagueness in

my writing. Knowing my struggles, my main goal was to improve.

While taking an English class, the first essay assigned left me feeling stuck and overwhelmed since I was already questioning my ability to follow the prompt.

The writing center helped me understand the criteria and add more character to enhance my pieces. Expanding on my creativity helped improve the outcome of my essay.

I used the Reading and Writing Center frequently to get a second opinion and to improve my work.

After speaking with Trisha

Majaba, a receptionist at the center, I learned the center also helped with her grades.

There are usually two to three tutors available, as well as tutors in the conversation corner of the center to help students who are still learning English.

The Reading and Writing Center was beneficial for improving my skills and my grade.

After getting assistance at the center, I was able to elevate my grade in my English class from a “C” on my initial essay outline to an “A” on my paper.

Using my “A” paper as reference when I needed some

Illustration by Mia Gutierrez

guidance, the papers I wrote improved throughout the semester.

The Reading and Writing Center helps improve the academic engagement of students who come in.

Even if you don’t need assistance with your

assignment, it’s a great environment to do homework, study and get a second opinion on your writing.

To read more opinion stories, visit eccunion.com.

Nov. 7, 2024 The Union 4 NEWS Journalism program takes home national awards

Accolades include first and second place finishes in newspaper, magazine reporting

By Isabelle Ibarra

E

l Camino College’s journalism program received multiple awards from the Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Association at the Fall National Media Convention in New Orleans.

The Union and Warrior Life Magazine received eight firstplace awards from the CMA, including Best General News Email Newsletter and Best College Media Group for twoyear colleges.

El Camino’s journalism program in total took home 40 awards at the convention.

Delfino Camacho, who served as editor-in-chief of The Union in fall 2023, won first place alongside Monroe Morrow, Kim McGill and The Union’s former editor-in-chief and Warrior Life’s current social media editor, Ma. Gisela Ordenes for Best Special Section after writing “Unlicensed and unbothered”, a semester-long project in spring of 2024.

The story revolved around the marijuana dispensaries that were licensed and unlicensed in the South Bay. Camacho also earned two separate second-place awards for Best Photo Illustration for “Unlicensed and Unbothered” and Best Feature Story for Warrior Life magazine after writing about Sharonda

Barksdale, ECC’s Basic Needs coordinator.

“Getting some kind of recognition and getting people to read the story feels really really good,” Camacho said.

Former Union staffers who took home awards and moved on from the journalism program included Khoury Williams, Ethan Cohen, Johan Van Wier, Maddie Selack and Olivia Sullivent.

In addition, Dylan Elliot and Greg Fontanilla, The Union’s current editor-in-chief were awarded First Place in Magazine Cover Design for their work with Warrior Life.

Honorable Mentions were given in the category of Best Feature Photo and Best Sports Feature photo to Morrow, and Fontanilla, respectively.

For Erica Lee, a former copy editor for The Union and writer for Warrior Life, being able to discover her passion and getting recognition for her work can make it all worthwhile. Lee said being recognized for her writing and earning awards is proof she is heading in the right direction in life.

“Blood, sweat and tears, emphasis on many tears,” Lee said. “It tells me that ‘Erica, you made the right choice - you are on the right track.’”

She took first place for Best Profile for her feature on Carl Turano, an ECC warehouse stock clerk, as well as two

Ma. Gisela Ordenes, left, boasts a second-place award issued by the College Media Assocation, while Erica Lee holds magazines she won awards for. Lee was awarded first-place in Best Profile for the reporting category and second-place in Best Multimedia Feature Story. Ordenes took home several awards that included second-place in Best Editorial and third place in Best Investigative Story. Photo by Angel Pasillas

second-place awards for Best Arts and Entertainment Story for ‘All that Glitters’ and Best Multimedia Feature Story about the South Bay’s top breweries.

Stories that are timely, impactful and informative go through a detailed evaluation process by The Union’s business manager, Jack Mulkey.

Mulkey confers with journalism professor Stefanie Frith before submitting stories, photos and illustrations on

behalf of The Union and Warrior Life to any journalism conventions they enter.

“We [advisors] are very happy that El Camino students won so many awards,” Mulkey said. “ That they [students] have the background and training to do that [win awards].”

the Title IX office, the Clery coordinator will receive the crime statistic, but no personal information will be given.

Jaynie Ishikawa, who serves as the director of the Title IX office emphasizes in certain situations, specific information must be provided to campus entities in order to ensure campus safety.

“My office can’t guarantee confidentiality, depending on the circumstances,” Ishikawa said.

Confidential options are available to students, such as Student Health Services, which includes counselors or nurses who, depending on the circumstances, are not required to immediately report incidents

to the Title IX office or the police department, allowing students to seek assistance if they do not want to officially file a complaint.

The most recent training on sexual violence, which is required by AB 2683 to be provided to students and employees at California Community Colleges, is one of several ongoing training programs that have been put in place for staff, faculty and students. “ We t r y t o b e a s straightforward as possible, so that students have as much information and can understand what the process looks like and what they can expect,” Ishikawa said.

National media awards: • • • •

First place, Best College Media Group of the Year First Place, General News Email Newsletter Third Place, Feature Magazine of the Year (Warrior Life) Honorable Mention, Newspaper Website of the Year (The Union)

Stalkings see a decrease but remain high in 2023 Students have a variety of alternatives when they encounter such misconduct.

Police may be notified, ask the Title IX office for information and references, and possibly file a complaint against the accused individual.

Concerns over campus safety have been raised by several students on campus, due to an increase in these incidents, particularly in isolated areas where police presence is less visible.

“You never really see them near the parking garages and outer edges of the campus, where there’s not a lot of people around,” Christiana Frazier, 19

sociology and elementary teacher education double major said.

Luna Martinez, 18, film major, feels more can be done to ensure stronger security on campus.

“I feel like they [law enforcement] need to increase the police presence because I did notice when I waited for my ride by the music building, they arrive late to patrol the area.”

The Union made multiple attempts to reach Ruben Lopez, ECCPD’s interim police chief for comment, but could not be reached.

If students wish to file a crime, such as sexual assault or stalking, which are both Cleryreported crimes, falling under

Sex Offenses: Fondling 8 7 6 Number of Cases

→SEE CLERY PAGE 4

5 4 3 2 1 0

2022

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 9:54 a.m.

Monday, Oct. 28, 2:27 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 9:39 a.m.

By Seph Peters

A wallet was stolen at an unknown time at Cafe Camino during the week of Oct. 14. The case is open.

A hit-and-run involving a vehicle was reported to have occurred in the morning inside parking Lot H. The case is open.

A vehicular hit-and-run occured between 8 a.m. and 9: 33 a.m. in parking Lot C. The case is open

The Union publishes police beats online with each newspaper release.

Saturday, Oct. 26, 2:15 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 12:35 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 31, 9:42 a.m.

Visit eccunion.com to read more.

Tools and car parts were stolen from the Center for Applied Technology Building at an unknown time. The case is open.

Criminal threats were reported to have occured near the Math Business Allied Heatlh Buidling at 10 a.m. The case is open.

Classroom items were stolen in the ITEC Building . The case is open.

Police Beat

2023

Nov. 7, 2024

The Union

NEWS

5

School facilities bond approved Lack of bathroom → MIRRORS FROM PAGE 1

Proposition 2 approval results have been released

By Camila Jimenez

C

alifornia Measure 2 was passed, allowing public schools and community colleges to borrow $10 billion in bonds to fund the construction and modernization of public education facilities.

Proposition 2 will provide $8.5 billion to K-12 schools and $1.5 billion to community colleges throughout California.

El Camino College could use the funds to repair and potentially replace the campus’s hydronic system, which uses pipes to pump water throughout the campus to heat and cool buildings.

The hydronic system would cost about $8 million to repair, the district would provide about $2 million while the state would contribute $6 million if Proposition 2 is approved.

Due to a hydronic malfunction last year, the Administration Building and Schauerman Library were closed from Nov. 16 to 18. The buildings’ temperature dropped, resulting in cold indoor temperatures.

“It affected our operations

for that day or two,” Director of Public Information and Government Relations Kerri Webb said. “If we get the money from Proposition 2, if it passes, we’re going to completely overhaul that whole hydronic system.”

Webb said infrastructure issues at ECC are due to aging facilities.

“The college is like 78 years old,” Webb said.

Voters rejected Proposition 13, a $15 billion bond measure proposed in March 2020 to finance and improve construction projects for K–12 schools and higher education institutions, including California community colleges, California State University, and University of California systems.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is in opposition to Proposition 2, arguing that the bond would only increase California’s debt.

“We are already in a budget emergency, and it’s not a good time to add these extra expenses to the annual when we are in a budget emergency,” Susan Shelley, the vice president of communications of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association said.

A hand-drawn sign on a white board declares the early closure of the Schauerman Library in the Tutoring Center on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. Photo by Raphael Richardson

In alternative to the bonds, Shelley said California can use state budget dollars to help fix low-income schools that require significant maintenance upgrades.

mirrors could put students in embarassing situations He acknowledges students are asking for mirrors and feels this is a necessity for the campus, adding that older buildings have mirrors, but newer buildings are left without them.

He believes ASO can work with the college to make this possible, adding that mirrors would not incur additional installation charges. Citing internal estimates, Osorio said installing mirrors across campus would likely be less than $10,000.

“They would follow a timeline under facilities through the college, so they would be at no additional cost or labor to the home mirror and cause an injury to someone,” Strohl said.

The student activities director said college officials are looking to be strategic with placement of the mirrors to be cost-effective.

“We have to go through an industrial provider, so one of the ones the district partners with is Grainger,” Strohl said..

To read the full story, visit the website at eccunion.com.

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PHOTO

Nov. 7, 2024

The Union

Left to right: Music major Francisco De Leon, 17, plays Mexican music for the first time on his guitar next to his friend, architecture major Jesse Olmedo, 18, on Monday. Photo by Argentina Talley

Elco Alive

By Katie Volk

With fall semester in full swing at El Camino College, the campus is bustling with activity.

The Union sent out 12 photographers on Nov. 4 at 1:40 p.m. to capture what one would typically see happening at ECC. Music can be heard from all corners of the campus, whether it be melodies from a guitar or sounds from a trombone. Additionally, the Warrior Esports Center is crowded with students enjoying video games. The Social Justice Center is open to all members of the campus to indulge in down time while also serving as an environment committed to campus inclusivity and social justice. The college serves as an place for all members of the community to express their interests and creative sides while fostering student success.

Top: Psychology major Damien Staley, 23, reacts to placing third in “Rocket Racing Ranked” at the Warrior Esports Center on Monday. “I’d say I did pretty good because third place is really hard to get, especially in the last minute because everyone is trying to vie for first place,“ Staley said. Photo by Erica Lee

Music major, Julen Esquivelzeta Sohn, 19, practices playing the trombone in a private practice room in the Music Building on Monday. Photo by Katie Gronenthal

Right: Arts History major, Athens Parducho, 19, relaxes in the Social Justice Center with comic book “Jeffery Lewis Trip to Key West and Back” on Monday. Parducho bought the comic book in an attic of a church during a concert. Photo by Cameron Sample

Q&A

Nov. 7, 2024

The Union

Imani McGeeStafford, Athlete & Guest Speaker: “Erasing the Stigma”

⏰ Nov. 7 @ 1:15 p.m. 📍 Marsee Auditorium 🎟 Free for ECC, $10

By Katie Volk

G

loria Garayua got her start in acting when she was just four years old. From spending time on the stage in New York City to performing for the camera in Los Angeles, Garayua has found her way to El Camino College as a part time instructor in the Fine Arts Division where she teaches a Fundamentals of Acting course. Being featured in projects such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Maid” and “Fun with Dick and Jane,” Garayua has firmly established herself as a well experienced actress who has been well acquainted with the sets of television, film and theatre. This is Garayua’s first semester as a part-time instructor where she teaches both beginner and more experienced student actors.

Gloria Garayua stands outside of the Campus Theatre on Nov. 5. After being in the Los Angeles area for 20 years, Garayua has started her third college teaching job at El Camino. Photo by Cameron Sample

Why did you get into the acting industry?

What brought you to El Camino College?

A:

What has your acting journey looked like?

A:

“I’m originally from New York and now I live here.

I’ve been here 20 years. When I was doing it in school it was just to please that side of me, I had no idea I would pursue this as a profession. I always thought I was going to be a doctor.

I thought I was surely going to try to go to med school. What ended up happening is that I was good at [acting] and I was aware that I was good at it. People commented that I was good at it, so I just thought that I am going to study it and then get really good at it. I moved here in 2004, and I booked the very first thing I auditioned for, which is unheard of. It was a Jim Carrey movie.

It was called, “Fun with Dick and Jane.”

How do you prepare for a role?

A:

“What I do immediately, is read the material given to me. By material, I mean the sides, that just means the excerpt of the script that I am going to use for the audition. But if my agent or manager sends me the script, I am going to read the whole script. Now I am diving into the character and developing the character through my body, voice, figure out the characters intentions, how they relate to other people in the scene, what they might wear. Then I do what I call my scene study process. My scene study process doesn’t involve memorization, I eventually get memorized by doing this process. And then when I book a role, my whole heart and soul gets poured into that. When I book a role, I’m researching the world that they live in.”

What are some challenges you have faced during your career?

A:

“Some challenges are not working, that’s really hard and finding inspiration to stay in touch with the industry.

Usually staying in a workshop or a class will help with that, just not getting rusty. But that’s definitely a struggle, which leads to a struggle with money. So many actors do have side jobs and there is nothing wrong with that, as long as your side job doesn’t impede on what you really want as a career. You find new struggles as you continue to live your life. It’s a part of understanding that you almost have to reinvent yourself and stay active. I belong to all sorts of organizations so I can keep on networking. So the struggle is staying creative and staying involved as you get older.”

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rts ACalendar

Gloria Garayua

“I wanted to get into acting because I strongly feel like this is calling. There are some folks that chose to do it, and I know because I am one of those folks who was born with this innate desire to preform. I feel like there is some undeniable thing, that’s why I’m doing it. Obviously, I have found success in it, that’s why I stay in it. I think when someone wants to be an actor, they have to be okay with possibly not making a lot of money. In the beginning of my career, I was okay with that. I just wanted to act.”

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for non-students, $24 for general public

A:

“I’ve always had a love for teaching. I feel like in a way, it’s performative as well because you are standing up in front of people and they are listening to you. In my lifespan, I’ve seen bad acting and I want to rid the world of that. So, I thought ‘How could I contribute?’ But, it’s a form of giving back to the community. This is my third college I’m working at.

The first two were short, little contracts. When the first one was over, I couldn’t wait to seek the second one. I liked my interview process, too.”

What are some of your favorite projects that you have worked on and why?

A:

“Grey’s Anatomy. I was on that show for three years and that put me on the map in many ways. The name still rings a bell for many people, even the younger folks because of all the reruns and it’s still on the air. There have been other jobs that I’ve had that have been smaller and probably less known that have been more creatively fulfilling.”

What would be some words of advice you would give to any person who is thinking about pursuing acting or someone who is getting their start in acting?

A:

Fall Advanced Dance Concert

⏰ Nov. 16 @ 8 p.m.

Nov. 17 @ 3 p.m. 📍 Marsee Auditorium 🎟 $15/$10 for

students with ID, general admission

Studio Jazz Band

⏰ Nov. 18 @ 8 p.m 📍 Marsee Auditorium 🎟 $10, general admission

ECC Vocal Jazz Ensemble

“Definitely study. Please take an acting class and please be humble. Allow yourself to grow by listening and learning to your teachers and others. I think, unfourtunatly, that ego is a huge obstacle in people’s growths. Even working actors like me, have to constantly remind ourselves that there is always room to grow. You may think you know it all, but you don’t. When it comes to giving advice, I say be in a class and that’s why I say be humble, because you can still be in a class and be egotistical.

Instead, be in a class humbly. Realize you can be good, but you can always learn from everyone.”

⏰ Nov. 19 @ 8 p.m 📍 Haag Recital Hall 🎟 $10, general

How have your acting skills and habits progressed over time?

⏰ Nov. 20 @ 8 p.m 📍 Marsee Auditorium 🎟 $10, general

A:

“I think my preparation has stayed the same partly because it’s so ingrained in me. In my own training and it’s the system I use when I teach, so it’s just my go to. But my level of skills has changed, which is a good thing. The more you do this, the better you should get at it. So I think I am getting better at it. It takes me less time to drop into a character now. Also, I’m better able to have fun on set, whereas before, I was serious on set.

But I know I can manage to do my work, and still have a little bit of fun on set at the same time.”

How has acting and the industry changed your prespective on the world and how you conduct your life?

A:

“I think that I have to be more aware that there could be a camera at any turn and there could be recongition at any turn. And I don't live my life like that, I just live my life. It's just about being a good person, I think.”

admission

ECC Concert Jazz Band

admission

Pride & Prejudice

⏰ Nov. 22 @ 8 p.m 📍 Campus Theatre 🎟 $15/$10 for

students with ID general admission

8

SPORTS

Nov. 7, 2024

The Union

Crossing the finish line

Track and cross-country coach gets the ball rolling towards retirement

By Kinzie Malony

S

weat dripped down his forehead, following the curvature of his eyes, dodging the brim of his nose and seeping directly through his lips.

The cold air dried out the back of his throat more and more with each taken breath.

For some people, that might sound like torture.

For Dean Lofgren, cross country and track coach at El Camino College, it’s part of the everyday experience and a taste of victory.

As a former student-athlete in the 1970s at ECC, Lofgren has had a passion for running long before he started coaching, but that was not his first choice for a dream career.

He transferred to California State University Stanislaus to pursue a career marine biology.

The opportunity to study for his ideal career was actually the moment he realized that he had another passion, one far from life under the sea.

“I initially transferred with a marine biology major in mind, that was an area I thought wanted to go into but when I realized I had to go to Moss Landing over on the Monterey Coast for a year and couldn’t compete in track or cross country, it kinda took the wind out of my sails for marine biology,” Lofgren said.

Later, Lofgren started working part-time at ECC as a coach in 1985. In 1989, he became a full-time cross country coach and in 1991 was hired to be a full-time track coach.

In 2016, Lofgren received the first Running Mentor/ Coaching award at the 23rd Annual Village Runner 4th of July 5K event, as well as coaching both ECC’s crosscountry teams - the women in 1990 and men’s team in 1992 to state championships.

He also teaches contemporary health, science, sports nutrition and resistance training.

Lofgren is married to Donna Lofgren and has a son named Nick Lofgren.

His son attempted walking in his fathers shoes, only to find he was meant for a different path, in which Lofgren is fully

Ye t w h e n d i s c u s s i n g retirement, Lofgren doesn’t deny how long he has been working and that it would be restful to step back.

“I’m past the average retirement age, so it’s no mystery I’ve been doing this a long time,” Lofgren said. “I still have great ideas for things to do at El Camino but then start thinking about it and I go ‘wow that’s really tiring’ because I know how much work is involved. That’s when I think it’s time to take a step back and let those who have that drive and energy, that I still feel I have but I don’t know if I do, take over so to speak.”

Another former student and teammate of Jacobson, Sequoia Gonzales, said she Longtime track and field and cross-country coach Dean Lofgren prepares to send long-distance team out feels lucky to have had Lofgren for intervals on the track at Murdock Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Lofgren will be calling it a career at El as a coach and supporter.

Camino College after almost 40 years of coaching. Photo by Greg Fontanilla “He encouraged me to give running a try and I think the supportive despite how people best thing I did was give it might want him to react. a chance and here I am still “People look at me and say, running today,” Gonzales said. how did you let your son not After the constant glow compete, and you know it’s his of the computer screen and choice, it’s not something he grainy zoom calls during the wanted to do but he found other pandemic, he realized that he good things,” Lofgren said. enjoyed the restful feeling of a Logren is no stranger to break.

He finally gave in four winning – it is what he is years later, taking a step back known for. for the younger staff to take Stacks on stacks of gold, over. silver and bronze, Lofgren has “I have to be honest, when seen it all.

COVID hit it was the first time Plaques, trophies and medals that fall of 2020 in decades have become mere decorations we weren’t in season. We had on his walls, yet Lofgren only an online cross country class cares about one thing. but they were training on their “The awards aren’t the own, so I wasn’t going back important part, the team is,” and forth going to work out, Lofgren said. “I remember structuring workouts, going every single person I have to class. [It was the] first time coached throughout the years,” in my professional life that I With sounds of a bunch of El Camino College track and cross-country coach Dean Lofgren is wasn’t obligated to be in season pounding feet and a group of retiring after coaching and mentoring many students over the years. and it was restful,” Lofgren students running, the sight of Photo by Argentina Talley said.

Lofgren is never far behind. each student on the team.

Jacobson said. “His energy is In the end, the feeling of One of his former student- “Honestly Dean is one of the always very impactful.” soft pillows on the couch athletes recalled a time when reasons why I kept running at Lofgren seeks the potential surrounding him, the breeze the longtime coach worked out the next level after transferring out of anyone and would not of the ocean when walking with the team. and he’s just been kinda like a stop until they saw it too, even on the sand, or just some “I stopped running in high father to me on the track,” Ami if that meant pushing them school for mental health Jacobson, who was on the team farther than any other coach peaceful quality time with his wife and son call Lofgren to a reasons and because cross from 2021 to 2024 said. “He’s would think to do. well deserved retirement. country can be toxic, but always been there on good and Noah recalled a time when Nevertheless, even though he would actually run with bad days.”

Lofgren gave her that extra Lofgren has chosen to retire, the team,” Torah Noah, 20, Lofgren’s positive attitude push. among the bleachers of people said. “He was involved unlike has affected the people around “He actually came to my jumping and swinging their other coaches I’ve seen and him. house to wake me up and take hands as they cheer, there will experienced.”

“He taught us a lot of things me to a race when I didn’t have always be a Lofgren-sized spot He was also known for his like staying positive and a ride to make sure I would get waiting for him at each race. supportive connections with to keep pushing forward,” to run,” Noah said.

Sports Calendar: Men’s Waterpolo Nov. 8, TBA South Coast Conference Championships @ Mt. San Antonio Nov. 9, TBA South Coast Conference Championships @ Mt. San Antonio Cross Country Nov. 8, 8 p.m., 3C2A Southern California Championships @ Chaffey College

Women’s Basketball Nov. 8, 6 p.m. Fullerton @ El Camino College Nov. 13, 7 p.m. @ LA Trade -Tech Nov. 20, TBA Citrus @ El Camino College Men’s Soccer Nov. 8, TBA South Coast Conference Tournament Women’s Volleyball Nov. 8, 6 p.m. @ LA Harbor