The Union Vol.78, No.1

Faculty union and district return to negotiations on Sept. 22

By Delfino Camacho

The El Camino College Federation of Teachers spoke during the Sept. 6 Board of Trustees meeting in an effort to encourage college and district officials to reach an agreement in ongoing contract negotiations which have not been resolved in over a year.

Negotiations began on June 29, 2022, before the Federation’s contract with the district expired on Dec. 31, 2022, leaving the faculty to work without a contract.

Federation President Kelsey Iino and other faculty shared their frustrations to college administrators and the Board of Trustees during the meeting’s public comments.

“We’re very tired of the issue of having investment in faculty being kicked down the road like a can,” Journalism instructor Kate McLaughlin said to the board. “We’ve put up with it for a long time.”

The public comments were an extension of a march and protest organized by the Federation to coincide with the meeting.

As public comments ended,the college administration went into closed session, where they discussed negotiations as marked on the meeting agenda.

Closed session discussions are not open to the public, but if a decision is made the board must report out. Later, as the meeting began, the board said there was nothing to report.

Despite the demonstrations the board meeting still had business to conduct, including adopting the official 2023-2024 fiscal budget.

SEE FED PAGE 4 →

Federation offices vandalized

Adoorwas vandalized with graffiti and had glue in its lock on separate days in a series of vandalisms targeting the El Camino College Federation of Teachers office and its members, prompting police to investigate.

Police were called to the office, located in Room 201 of the Communications Building, on July 1, after Federation members discovered graffiti on their door.

“Somebody had wrote on the Federation office door, ‘toxic whiners’ with a marker,” El Camino Police Chief Michael Trevis said. “It was cleaned off. So far, we’re still trying, but we’ve been unable to identify the person who did that.”

The next incident was discovered morning of Sept. 6, when a faculty member trying to get into the office found that someone had glued the door’s lock shut.

“Somebody went to the same office door and, just recently, put some kind of adhesive or glue into the door lock,” Trevis

By Raphael Richardson

said. “We are still actively investigating that matter.”

The door was found glued hours before the Federation was set to protest at the Board of Trustees meeting. A campus locksmith had to replace the lock at a cost between $600 to $1,000, Trevis said.

Another incident discovered by Federation President Kelsey Iino, which police are not investigating, involved someone gluing anti-Federation posters on the glass displays of the office some time before the locks were glued, Iino said.

“I did notice there was like a film [of residue] on our display case and I thought it was some kind of dirt so I went out to clean it,” Iino said. “But as it turns out that adhesive had posters glued to it.”

Photos provided to The Union by student workers at the Social Justice Center, also in the Communications Building, showed papers glued to the display case with messages like “We are at an impasse b/c our

chief negotiator is an arrogant, whiney troll,” and “Ali is a rude radical idiot.”

Also posted was a printed image of a crying baby. Other groups in the building removed the posters before Iino arrived at the office, she said.

A report was taken on this specific incident but police are not investigating it as a crime.

“There are no threats in those posters,” Trevis said. “We do know there are administrative board policies on posting things and we’re looking at that, but not in any criminal nature.”

The incidents left Iino worried about a lack of surveillance in the area, as no cameras directly captured the crimes when they happened.

“We were under the impression the college is under campus surveillance for safety purposes,” Iino said. “And we were notified that there was no direct video footage of our hallway.”

By Kim McGill

One of three defendants accused in the murder of El Camino engineering student Juan Carlos Hernandez and a witness were in court Sept. 13, for the trial’s jury selection scheduling, slated now for next year.

Juan Hernandez, who would have turned 25 next month, first disappeared on Sept. 22, 2020, never returning home from his job as a budtender at VIP Collective LA, a marijuana dispensary.

His remains were discovered on Nov. 15, 2020 in the Mojave Desert by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Defendant Weijia Peng, 30, was present at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles as Superior Court Judge Mark Hanasono presided over the Wednesday pre-trial hearing.

Peng, who was the owner of VIP Collective when Hernandez was killed, entered court in a jail-issued white t-shirt under blue cotton scrubs. Peng remained quiet throughout the hearing, only answering when Hanasono asked about the scheduling of the trial.

Students walk past a surveillance towerw located behind the Communications Building on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The camera was set up by the El Camino College Police Department.

Photo by Raphael Richardson

SEE TRIAL PAGE 4 →

Yajaira Hernandez holds a photo of her son, El Camino student Juan Hernandez, on April 26, 2022. Photo by Kim McGill

El Camino website still needs improvement

By

Union Editorial Board

El Camino College’s website falls short when navigating to important student login pages. It requires unnecessary clicks to get there. Despite recent redesigns made to the site, there are still some improvements to be made.

Many students visit the website to log into MyECC and Canvas in order to view information such as financial aid, class details and school emails.

When navigating through other community college websites, many have a quicker way to access these login pages.

Landing on the homepage of the El Camino College website brings up an image slideshow of certain topics and events focused around the campus. As you scroll down, there are blue-text boxes filled with information that not many will read along with more images.

Other college websites are noticeably more inviting with the inclusion of colors, graphics and images.

To get to MyECC and Canvas login pages on El Camino’s website,users must click on the respective menu bar item which takes them to a description page. Then they have to click another button to get to the actual login page. One click should do the job. When it comes to clicks on a website, less is better.

Over and over these two clicks mount up over time for any student who needs to constantly access these pages. For some students, instead of clicking through multiple links on the website, it’s easier to search for the information they need through the site’s search bar, or just bypass the website altogether and use Google.

Santa Monica College and Glendale Community College have their student portal login at the top of their sites, similar to El Camino’s. However, theirs open straight to the login page.

Other colleges such as Orange Coast College and Cypress College also have a oneclick system to get to the login pages.

Many use vibrant graphics with images and videos that make a webpage stand out. Riverside City College plays a slideshow of videos on its main page displaying various activities and people on campus interacting with each other having a good time.

El Camino’s website should have videos to capture the attention of new students coming from a generation with decreased attention spans.

In an article by Keystone Education Group, Thais Roberto writes how research done by Microsoft in 2015 found that the attention span of Gen Z individuals is about eight seconds.

With the evolution of social media and the increase in popularity of the short-form video format, El Camino should continue to update their website design.

Mobile navigation should be prioritized as well since many students use their phones more than any other device.

Optimizing the mobile experience by incorporating videos could keep the attention span of younger people who have become accustomed to viewing this type of content.

To keep students attracted to El Camino’s website, there should be continued redesigns and implementations of ideas from other colleges and social media platforms.

The college should updatew the website so it doesn’t feel stagnant with images and navigation menus that lead to text page after text page filled with information that no one will read. The important login pages should be quickly accessible and provide easy navigation to relevant information.

El Camino should keep in mind what students currently use the site for and how future students may view the site in comparison to other colleges.

A website is the official online presence of any organization. The site represents the college and, for many interested in applying, it is their first El Camino “experience.”

It should make a good first impression.

@eccunion

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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.

Kim McGill | Special to The Union

EDITORS

Campus Viewpoints

Meet the clubs at Club Rush

Three-day event explores different school clubs at El Camino College

By The Union Staff

Booths representing different student clubs took over parts of the El Camino College campus as part of the Club Rush event spanning from Monday, Sept. 11 through Wednesday, Sept 13. Meant as a way for El Camino students to explore different clubs they can join, the three-day event took place on Monday and Tuesday on the Library Lawn. On Wednesday it took place in the Student Services Plaza.

Over 20 clubs were represented with interests varying from physics, women engineers, personal financing and more. The Union went out on the final day of Club Rush to get the campus’ view on the clubs.

President of the Child Development Club Alondra Ortega said the club’s aim is to support the childhood development in their communities.

“We are going to hold a playgroup for parents studying in our college and their

children,” Ortega said. “The first Saturday of every month on the Library Lawn the club provides a play place for students who have children and provides a safe place where students can spend time with their children.”

Weekly meetings are Mondays in Room 110, and on Zoom..

The International Club provides support for international students at El Camino. Members of this Club can expect language exchange activities and game nights throughout the semester.

“We also welcome locals, so that we can learn more about American culture,” International Club director Mary Calingasan said.

They will meet on the first three Thursdays of every month this semester in Room 204 in the Social Science Building.

The Puente Club is a “Latinx center community’’ and “all inclusive,”club President Frank Marroquin said. They meet at the Social Justice Center every Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m.

“We’re trying to help us people of color navigate the academic atmosphere and go and graduate,” he said. The club tries to alleviate the

anxiety coming from higher education, especially to underrepresented communities.

“I needed people who I could actually communicate my worries to,” Marroquin said. “I can talk about what I’m going through and they’re going through the same things.” which interested me,”

The Architecture Club first began in 1989. The club organizes field trips to engineering firms and hosts guest speakers who give advice to budding architects.

“In our club we inspire others to get involved in architecture including some of the models we create,” Architecture Club secretary Michael Lamberd said. “The next competition the team is preparing for is on Oct. 15th in Portland, Oregon.” Club member and second-year student Lala Johnson said her interest in architecture has deep roots.

“My uncles are architects and I always watched them doing their jobs and it interested me,” Johnson said.

College dining options

Students and employees at El Camino College discuss new food available on campus

By The Union Staff

The return of classes this semester brings a return of hungry students who may only have a few minutes to spare for a quick meal in between classes.

Patrons discovered some new options at Café Camino, one of two on-campus dining locations. The café, located next to the Humanities Building, revamped their menu with the inclusion of breakfast items along with some new and returning lunch options.

El Cappuccino, located next to the Bookstore, is the other on-campus dining option. While this location did not add any new items it offers the familiarity of Starbucks beverages.

With new menu options available The Union went out to get the campus consensus on dining offered by El Camino.

17-year-old English major Joseph Barnes said nothing caught his eye when he ordered his grilled cheese sandwich but he still approves of the expansion.

“I saw them put Kraft Singles in [the grilled cheese],” Barnes said.“It’s a good idea having a wider selection.”

Although he said the prices are fair, Barnes wishes that the restaurant used better ingredients.

Sociology major Vincent Edralin, 19, said while there may be some new items he doesn’t believe the added options are a drastic change.

“The menu is not that different, they just added more ingredients to the food,” Edralin said.

Edralin got a bacon cheeseburger with fries adding that “the prices are pretty reasonable.”

At El Cappuccino, 18-yearold studio art major Marc Anthony was drinking a Starbucks beverage during his

first week in college.

Citing his current unemployment, Anthony said he found the menu prices to be affordable and plans to get more food items in the future.

“It’s a nice snack to get in between classes,” Anthony said. Of course it’s not just students who need to eat.

One regular Café Camino customer is William Carter, the information technology services director for El Camino. Carter’s favorite order is a BLT sandwich with avocado.

“The prices are good and the food is good, because it is

convenient and fast,” Carter said.

While he’s a fan of the food Carter had one suggestion for Café Camino.

“I recommend that the café begin taking online orders,”

Carter said.

However, Café Camino employee Mario Guerrero said the location already offers the feature.

“Yes we do take online orders, and we even have the QR code for it posted on the front glass door of the café to do this,” Guerrero said.

The QR codes are found posted throughout campus.

Through the link Café Camino offers its own webpage for online orders while El Cappuccino does not.

Students walk past various club booths in the Library Lawn. Photo by Delfino Camacho

Director of the International Club Mary Calingasan (left) poses with club Vice President Niiko Hara. Photo by Angela Osorio

President of the Puente Club Frank Marroquin flashes the peace sign at booth. Photo by Angel Pasillas

Students sitting and eating outside Café Camino on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The café is one of two on-campus dining options available. Café Camino recently added new menu options

Photo by Monroe Morrow

Joseph Barnes enjoying his meal in front of Café Camino at El Camino College. Photo by Nick Geltz

Marc Anthony siting at a table inside El Cappuccino.

Photo by Eddy Cermeno

Members of the Artichecture Club poses with fellow club members. Photo by Joseph Ramirez

El Camino College trustee running for state Senate Prosecutor and educator Nilo

By Nasai Rivas

El Camino College Board of Trustees member Nilo Michelin (D) is running as a candidate in next year’s elections for California state senator to represent Senate District 35.

Michelin said a major reason for his candidacy is to help students with higher education.

“I believe that every student should have [an] opportunity to go to a four year university or a vocational school,”

Michelin said.

One of Michelin’s goals is to allow better access to higher education for less fortunate students by using El Camino policies in a statewide manner.

“All the work I did at El Camino with vocational training and getting students ready for four

Michelin will be in the primary for Senate District 35

year universities...I want to do that statewide,” Michelin said.

The incumbent State Senator Steven Bradford has been senator of the district since 2016, his term ends in 2024.

“I think he’s been doing a good job,” Michelin said in regards to Bradford’s time in office.

“[But] there’s always room for improvement.”

Michelin said he has the experience necessary for the position to make his education policies into a reality.

“I’m the only candidate with experience in those areas,” Michelin said.

His campaign website also mentions matters of accessible housing and healthcare as important issues.

Michelin first became an El Camino trustee in Nov. 2018.

He served as president of the

Board of Trustees from 2020 to 2022.

As a trustee, Michelin represents Area 2 which includes the surrounding cities of Lennox, Alondra Park, Del Aire and Hawthorne. Prior to that Michelin worked as a prosecutor and an educator in Hawthorne. He also taught both high school and middle school within the Los Angeles

Negotiations between Federation and district to continue Sept. 22

“Often times with fact finding there can be an agreement on a successor contract, but there’s also the option that the district imposes the contract,” Miyashiro said.

The district has the power to impose their contract on the Federation regardless of any recommendations.

“The bargaining unit has the option to go on strike if that happens,” Miyashiro said.

Unified School District. El Camino Student Trustee Connor Lai said he agrees with Michelin’s educational positions and his concerns.

“I believe that Trustee Michelin is an outstanding, amazing colleague,” Lai said. Fellow trustee Cliff Numark said he believes Michelin is already a great advocate for students.

“[He’d be] a great advocate for his constituents as a senator.”

Numark said.

Other candidates running for state senate include former Compton city council member Michelle Chambers (D), Hawthorne city council member Alex Monteiro (D), former U.S rep. for California’s 37th congressional district Lauren Richardson (D) and member of the Los Angeles

County Citizens Economy and Efficiency Commission Jennifer Williams (D). California’s statewide primary the state senator position will go to the ballots on March 5, 2024 while the general election will take place on Nov. 5, 2024.

The Negotiation Process

1. Negotiations

Bargaining negotiations between the district and the El Camino College Federation have been going on behind closed doors, with each side agreeing and disagreeing to key contract issues.

Negotiations failed and both sides went into a negotiation impasse on April 2, 2023 leading to mediation.

2. Mediation

During the meeting, the board approved a maximum-payablecontract of $75,000 with School Services of California Inc. for services related to fact finding in the negotiations process with the Federation.

Vice President of Human Resources and district negotiator Jane Miyashiro said after the meeting that at this stage in the negotiation process, both sides are still in mediation.

If both sides agree they are at an impasse the next step would be fact finding, which is mediation by an impartial committee who gives a recommendation on the final contract.

Miyashiro explained the

Police Beat

approval of the money for fact finding did not necessarily mean the process was heading there.

“It’s just to have the contract ready, if in the event we need to use it, if we don’t use it, we don’t use it,” Miyashiro said.

“We have to think about the logistics, we only meet once a month for the board.”

Miyashiro said under mediation there is very little district representatives can publicly say. Both sides are basically under a blanket of confidentiality, as confirmed by Vice President of Administrative Services Robert Suppelsa and Iino.

The two sides will meet inperson for their fourth mediation meeting on Sept. 22.

Days before the meeting, Iino said the Federation does have the authority to strike if they don’t like the district’s offer. She said conversations are ongoing and they are taking members’ opinions seriously.

“ We’re definitely talking about it, right. Because we also need to know if [negotiations] get to this point, where are [individuals] at?” Iino said. “There’s a lot of stuff to think through, it’s not just a rash decision.”

Iino said if the majority of members were to vote to take a proposed contract that’s what they would do. But if members agree to exhaust all options, the Federation will do so.

“You never want it to get to those points, right? Hopefully, we can come to some sort of agreement,” Iino said.

@delfino_cam

Building. The case is under investigation.

Wednesday, Sept. 6, 5:16 p.m. A reckless driver was reported at the Lot F parking lot. The case has been closed.

This is the stage the Federation and district are currently at. If negotiations reach an impasse, an impartial Stateappointed mediator works with both sides to reach an agreement. The next meeting is Sept. 22.

If there is no agreement and mediation enters impasse, the parties head into fact-finding.

3. Fact finding

Each party selects one member of the fact-finding panel and Public Employment Relations Board appoints a neutral chair. Both sides submit documents and the panel can request other records and information.

At the end of fact finding, the three-member committee gives a non-binding recommendation the District must make public. If both sides take the recommendation the process ends.

4. District can impose contract, Federation can strike

If the district does not agree with the fact finders’ recommendation, they have the power to impose their contract on the faculty union.

At that point when the Federation does not accept the district’s offer, they have the legal right to strike.

Wednesday, Sept. 6, 5:44 p.m. A car’s tires were vandalized in the Lot B parking lot. The case is still open.

Monday, Sept. 11, 11:22 a.m. Lawn equipment was stolen from the Lot L parking lot. The case is still open.

Monday, Sept. 11, 2:56 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 3:14 p.m. Art supplies were reported to be stolen from the Arts Complex. The case is still open.

The El Camino College Federation of Teachers voice their frustrations with the college district during the public comment section of the Sept. 6 Board of Trustees meeting. Negotiations between the Federation and the district have gone on for over a year. Photo By Khoury Williams

Items were stolen from a locker in the Athletics Complex. The case is ongoing.

door lock and window were vandalized at the Communications

“I believe that every student should have [an] opportunity to go to a four year university...”

— Nilo Michelin, trustee

El Camino Board of Trustee Nilo Michelin reviews paperwork in the Board Room of the Administration Building at El Camino College on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. Photo By Nathaniel Thompson

Date set for jury selection in murder trial

On Wednesday, Peng was represented by private attorney Wendy Marco who stood in for Ronald D. Hedding, the attorney that Peng’s family retained for his defense.

A second defendant Ethan Astaphan, 30, who managed the dispensary was represented by Los Angeles County Public Defender Larson Hahm.

In the courtroom was Jailen Commissiong, who worked as the security guard at VIP Collective, subpoenaed by Assistant District Attorney Habib Balian to serve as a witness for the prosecution.

The requirement that he testify in the case was “bull----,” Commissiong told The Union. “I don’t know anything,” he said.

Juan Hernandez’s mother, Yajaira Hernandez, told The Union she has believed since the day of her son’s disappearance that Commissiong was hiding information.

According to Yajaira Hernandez, when she and other family members went to the dispensary on the day after Juan Hernandez disappeared, Commissiong was evasive and showed little concern.

Commissiong has not been charged with any crime relating to the disappearance and murder of Juan Hernandez. But, concerned that Commissiong

would ignore the subpoena to testify, Balian petitioned the court earlier in the year to order that Commissiong wear an ankle monitor.

On Wednesday, Commissiong asked the court if the ankle monitor could be removed. Balian objected, adding that Commissiong had not attended a required witness orientation.

Hanasono scheduled a hearing for Oct. 10, 2023 to consider updates on Commissiong’s compliance with court orders. Until then, the ankle monitor will remain in place.

Hahm informed Hanasono

that witnesses he planned to call for trial are out of the country and cannot travel until February of 2024.

Looking at the court calendar, Hanasono asked the attorneys present to estimate the trial’s length. Balian said he expects to call eight witnesses over five days, and estimated two weeks for the trial including jury selection and presentation of defense witnesses.

The trial was continued to Feb. 6, 2024 for the start of jury selection.

A hearing was scheduled for Jan. 17, 2024 for all parties to update the court on trial readiness.

COVID testing site still open on campus

By Kae Takazawa

Peng, along with Hahm representing Astaphan, waived their rights to a speedy trial. Astaphan might not appear in court again until the start of trial.

“This time of year, I’m filled with the saddest and most heartbreaking memories of my life,” Yajaira Hernandez recently posted on Instagram. “I’m making every attempt to not give into my grief… but, there’s no way I am able to ignore the tremendous pain inside me from losing my kiddo.”

Vandalism raises concerns about campus security

There was some back-andforth between the Federation and campus police on getting more surveillance in the area, Iino said. Since then, a mobile security camera tower has been parked in front of the office.

Iino has been taking police escorts on and off campus, saying she fears for her safety as negotiations between the college and the Federation continue.

“You know, people today are somewhat unhinged. I definitely believe this person is not being rational,” Iino said. “We’ve been in negotiations for 16 months, without a contract for nine months. People are very frustrated with that process, and they want to blame people.”

The college has responded by condemning the vandalism incidents, Director of Public Information and Government Relations Kerri Webb said.

“The district takes any acts of vandalism seriously,” Webb said. “It is currently in the hands of the El Camino [College] Police Department.”

The COVID-19 testing site in Room 205 of the Communications Building is still open this fall semester and free to all El Camino College students and employees.

Lina Berrio, a registered nurse working at El Camino, said colleges and universities in Los Angeles are still required to monitor and provide COVID-19 testing resources as announced by the LA County Department of Public Health.

“We do provide free COVIDtesting for staff and students, we also have testing kits available throughout the campus.” Berrio said. “In the winter session, the department is going to reevaluate and see if they want to continue the provision.”

There are 18 sites on campus that also provide testing kits including the Administration Building, Nursing Department, ASO basement, Athletics Office, El Camino Bookstore, COVID Center, Student Services Building and the police department among others.

With the COVID-testing process, individuals who get tested will receive their results via an app, usually received within 15 to 20 minutes.

A positive COVID-19 test requires a 5-day quarantine. Individuals who experience no fever for 24 hours and have improved symptoms are welcomed back; for those with persisting fever and other symptoms a 10-day quarantine is required.

@Kae825B

Photo by Delfino Camacho

Jailen Commissiong, center, speaks with his attorney outside of a courtroom on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown L.A. Photo by Kim McGill

Security cameras record the area next to the Federation offices after it was vandalized on Sept. 6.

Photo by Raphael Richardson

A door to the Federation office was vandalized with the words “toxic whiners” written in black marker. Photo courtesy Kelsey Iino

@KimMcGillLA

@ECCRaphael

ARTS

Arts Calendar

Art Gallery Campus

Reception

Art Gallery campus reception for the new exhibition and workshops

Art Gallery in the new Arts Complex

Sept. 21 @ 1-4 p.m.

Free, open to the public

Diana Newman, Soprano with Peter Walsh, Piano American art song retrospective

Campus Theatre

Sept. 22 @ 8 p.m.

$24 general, $10 student with valid ID

Art Gallery Public Reception

Art Gallery public reception for the new exhibition and workshops

Art Gallery in the new Arts Complex

Sept. 23 @ 2 p.m.

Free, open to the public

Caro Pierotto: "Sambalismo"

Contemporary Brazilian vocalist

Campus Theatre

Sept. 29 @ 8 p.m.

$24 general, $10 student with valid ID

Mo'Kelly

Radio personality and guest speaker

Marsee Auditorium

Oct. 3 @ 7 p.m.

$24 general, $10 student with valid ID

Discovery Film Series: Stories from Ukraine Filmmaker Rick Ray's documentary on the war in Ukraine

Marsee Auditorium

Oct. 9 @ 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

$16 for senior, $14 for student with ID

First Annual World of Music Festival

Music of China, Africa and the indigenous Mesoamerica and Mexico

The Haag Recital Hall

Oct. 12 @ 7 p.m.

Free admission

Dmytro Choni, piano

Cliburn International Piano

Competition bronze medalist

Marsee Auditorium

Oct. 13 @ 8 p.m.

$26 general, $10 with valid ID

For more information on ticket and event details, visit the Center for the Arts page at elcamino.edu

Scott Kushigemachi: Dean on weekdays, musician by weekend

By Maddie Selack

ntil now, only bandmates of new Dean of Humanities Scott

Kushigemachi knew he was a rockstar. .

His bandmates happen to be his 9-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son. The three of them spend weekends making impromptu melodies.

Kushigemachi said laughter fills their living room as they pretend to play the drums and strum their air guitars.

But when Monday rolls around, Kushigemachi reverts to his button-down shirts and khakis and goes back to his office where his son’s latest “Transformers” drawing hangs on the wall and his daughter’s doll sit on his desk.

As the new dean of one of the largest divisions at El Camino College, the responsibility he bears is significant.

The humanities division

includes four departments: journalism, world languages and cultures (formerly foreign languages), English as a Second Language (ESL) and English.

Kushigemachi is responsible for overseeing multiple concerns of the Humanities Building such as a broken door, an instructor being locked out of their classroom and the number of classes offered by the division.

“That’s a part of everyday life and the daily routine, but there’s broader, bigger scale things that a dean is responsible for,” Kushigemachi said.

Born and raised in Torrance, Kushigemachi has roots in his community, both inside and outside of El Camino.

“It was very clear, very early that he’s a community member and he’s very dedicated to serving students in this community," Vice President of Academic Affairs Carlos Lopez

said of Kushigemachi.

Before his administrative roles, Kushigemachi began as a tutor at a writing center in Cypress College after studying English at Biola University.

“The fact is he’s very creative as well, in terms of trying to find solutions or issues staff members or classified professionals are facing,” Lopez said.

He went to California State University Long Beach for his master’s, studying English with an emphasis on 20th Century American Literature.

Kushigemachi fell in love with teaching when he was hired as a part-time English professor in 2007 and became a full-time professor three years later.

Filling the shoes of former Dean of Humanities Debra Breckheimer is no easy task, but she believes Kushigemachi will do well as her successor.

“I think we definitely have different strengths and he’s very easygoing, a quick study,” Breckheimer said. “He learns very quickly and I couldn’t have asked for a better associate dean, I really couldn’t have.”

There is no doubt in her mind that Kushigemachi is ready for the position.

“He’s going to grow with the division and its various

iterations in the future,” Breckheimer said.

Kushigemachi said he “was fortunate” to work alongside Breckheimer during her time as dean.

“[She] worked closely with me, so I might not know all the details, but I was aware of much of what she did,” Kushigemachi said. “Since I started taking over as dean, I kind of knew what to expect at least on a day-to-day level.”

In the two months of being dean, Kushigemachi said “there is still room for growth” while learning and adapting to his new position.

For his plans with the humanities division, Kushigemachi talked about getting a closer look into the needs of each department.

“I want to take a year to really examine where things are, get a lot of feedback and have conversations with people and understand where we can improve things as a division before articulating any huge changes,” Kushigemachi said. “I want to make sure I understand what the needs are and to be responsive to that.”

Scott Kushigemachi points at a “Transformers” drawing made by his 5-year-old son, Wednesday, Sept. 6. Photo by Khoury Williams

The new humanities dean talks about his work, family and his secret rock star life

Dean of Humanities Scott Kushigemachi shares his favorite memories from working with former Dean Debra Breckheimer on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Photo by Khoury Williams

Female Warrior kicks down football barriers

Meet Gabriella De La Cruz, first female football player to score for El Camino

By Angela Osorio

The kicker lines up for the kick and zeroes in on the ball with focused aim.

The player’s right foot hits the ball with all the force her 5-foot-4 frame can muster.

The football twirls in the air and hits the top of the net. It’s a good kick, even if it’s just practice.

A similar kick broke a barrier on Sept. 2 when Gabriella De La Cruz’s 10-yard extra point kick scored a point during the El Camino College football season opener, making her the first female football player to score any point in Warriors history.

“I was terrified out of my mind going into the game,” the 20-year-old nursing student said. “As a kicker, all eyes are on you when you’re going to kick a field goal. And then added on to being a female, I felt like I was under a microscope.”

Hard to believe four months ago De La Cruz never touched a football and was playing a different sport: soccer. Before this semester, De La Cruz never played a competitive match of football.

“If I had never played soccer in my life, I probably wouldn’t be able to do it,” she said.

De La Cruz’s path to the gridiron was something out of a modern fairy tale, except in this

story, she wasn’t a damsel in distress, but a knight in shining armor.

Football armor.

It all started when her friends were playing around with football gear at El Camino. De La Cruz was kicking a field goal for fun, not realizing her friends were filming her and the video would be seen by special teams coach John Rodriguez.

Rodriguez saw her potential, reached out to her for tryouts and the rest was history.

Warriors football coach Gifford Lindheim said De La Cruz has been working hard all throughout summer and fall camp on her place kicking.

To Lindheim, performance is all that matters.

“If you’re able to do the job, we don’t care what gender you are or any other factors,” Lindheim said. “And she’s able to do the job, so she has a role on the football team.”

Other El Camino sports teams have a separate men and women’s team. There is only one Warriors football team.

Before De La Cruz, Lindheim coached an all-male team.

Lindheim said De La Cruz is treated like every other member of the team. “Everybody respects the work she’s put into helping the team be successful,” Lindheim said.

De La Cruz said there has

been no problems being in an all-male team.

“I think it was probably an adjustment for everybody,” she said. “But all the guys have been super welcoming, super nice, and shown me nothing but love.”

She said her coaches and teammates have motivated her to keep working hard and improving her football skills.

“I respect their hustle and drive, these players and these coaches. You can feel the love they have for this sport and the love they have for each other. They truly are family,” she said.

Although De La Cruz entered football without much knowledge of the sport, she

said her soccer skills have helped her learn how to kick footballs.

She started soccer at a young age, practicing with her father in the backyard before joining the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO).

Her father, Jaime De La Cruz, recalled putting her into various sports like gymnastics, basketball and softball, but soccer was “the only one that stuck.”

Gabriella De La Cruz played club football all throughout high school, before joining the El Camino women’s soccer team in 2021 as a defender.

Gabriella De La Cruz said leaving soccer was like a

“horrible breakup.”

“It feels like you’ve almost lost a part of you,” she said. “But I think that football has been a good replacement.”

Her father emphasized her strong commitment throughout her soccer journey and is confident this determination will translate into football as well.

“Her teammates don’t have to worry about her not being fully committed, she will definitely do whatever it takes to be part of a team,” he said. “Doesn’t matter if she’s the only female, she will give everything, she will give her best.”

El Camino kicker Gabriella De La Cruz poses for a photo at Featherstone Field inside Murdock Stadium, Thursday, Sept. 14. Photo by Isabelle Ibarra

El Camino kicker Gabriella De La Cruz prepares to kick a ball during a practice session at Murdock Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 14. Photo by Bryan Sanchez

Women’s Volleyball team sweeps LA Harbor

Warriors bounce back in a dominant win after starting season with eight losses

By Maddie Selack

Aftersix losses, the El Camino Women’s Volleyball team finally earned their first win of the season on Friday, Sept. 15 against the LA Harbor Seahawks.

The match against LA Harbor College was a clean sweep with the Warriors winning all three sets against LA Harbor inside El Camino’s Gymnasium, 3-0 (25-10, 25-10, 25-8).

Team captain and setter Bridget Dorr returned this game after being sidelined for three weeks due to a minor fracture in her left foot.

After missing a tournament as well as three season games, Dorr said she was happy to be back on the court with her teammates, while saying the time off gave her some much needed insight.

“It helped me to bond more with my team and it helped me realize what kind of support they need and what kind of captain they need,” Dorr said.

Helping Dorr lead the team is Co-Captain Ryan D’Angelo.

“There was super high energy throughout the game and the team was just very connected, which is what helped us win tonight,” D’Angelo said.

After D’Angelo scored the first point of the game, the

Warriors began scoring one point after another until the first set was won by El Camino at 25-10.

The second set shaped the way the rest of the game played out.

The sounds of a roaring crowd and a loud buzzer filled the air as the third and final set went to El Camino 25-8 as the Warriors celebrated.

Although the game was the Warriors’ first win of the season, coach Liz Hazell said she hopes it won’t be their last.

“We’re hoping that today’s

win can give us the momentum we need to move ahead this season,” Hazell said. “We went up against some very tough teams earlier this season and we just weren’t ready for them, we’re starting to catch up.”

The next women’s volleyball matches are scheduled against Mt. San Antonio College at home on Sept. 20 and Cerritos College at home on Sept. 27.

Football player’s leg injury ends season opener early

Update on Travis Roberts’ injury from the Athletic Department and football season status

By Ivan Gonzalez and Johan Van Wier

Cornerback Travis Roberts suffered an unspecified leg injury during the season opener on Saturday, Sept. 2 against Southwestern Community College at Murdock Stadium.

Toward the end of the fourth quarter, a pivotal moment unfolded on the field.

With just seconds left on the clock, Roberts suffered a serious injury prompting an emergancy response.

Emergency medical personnel transported Roberts by ambulance to receive medical attention.

As Roberts was tended to, the rest of the fourth quarter was canceled.

The Warriors emerged victorious with a final score of 49-13 aganist the Jaguars.

The Union contacted coach Gifford Lindheim and defensive coordinator Andrew

Alvillar, but neither were immediately available for comment.

Sports Information Director Rafael Guerrero gave an official statement to The Union.

“Travis suffered a leg injury on Saturday night with 19 seconds remaining in the football game against Southwestern. Due to guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we cannot disclose any further information regarding the health and well-being of any student without their consent.”

The Union will update with further information as it becomes available.

Football Update

Following the incident, the football team faced a series of challenging games. On Sept. 9, the team went out to face Palomar College and clinched a victory with a final score of 3524.

The team showcased a strong offensive performance and a solid defensive effort, securing a well-deserved win.

However, on Sept. 16, the team had a tough match against Riverside City College.

Despite putting in their best effort, El Camino College struggled against Riverside’s defense, resulting in a score of 45-6 in favor of Riverside.

The El Camino Warriors will take on Moorpark College on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Murdock Stadium.

@MadisonSel369

Outside hitter Sophia Ortiz attacks a ball for a side out to win the first set of the match versus LA Harbor College during a Sept. 15 game. In El Camino’s three-set victory Sophia scored the the final points in the first two sets. Photo by Ethan Balderas

El Camino running back Marceese Yetts sheds off tacklers during Yetts’s 52-yard sprint to the end zone at Featherstone Field on Saturday, Sept. 2. Photo by Saqib Rawda

Bridget Dorr leads team to success as the main setter against LA Harbor on Sept. 15. Photo by Ethan Balderas