El Camino College The Union, Issue 12, Dec. 8, 2016

EL CAMINO COLLEGE NOVEMBER 3, 2016

THE UNION

1946-2016

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Anniversary

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Student found dead

G

Photo courtesy of Savannah Abalos Jonney Tran, 20, respiratory care major, was reported missing on Thanksgiving, Hawthorne Police found a body in his car on Tuesday morning and presumed it to be him.

Jonney Tran, 20, was reported missing on Thanksgiving Phil Sidavong

A

Editor-in-Chief @ECCUnionPhil

n El Camino student who was missing for almost two weeks was found dead in his car in Hawthorne on Tuesday morning, Hawthorne PD said.

Jonney Tran, 20, had been missing since Thanksgiving, as reported first on eccunion.com.

Detective Jerry Allison, Hawthorne PD, said they tried to give someone a traffic violation, when they found the body of a dead person in the car at 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday morning.

“The body has not been identified yet,” Allison said. “We presume that it’s (Tran).”

He added that the body was so decayed that it was unidentifiable.

The case is still under investigation to see if it is a murder case or not.

The Union also made attempts to contact the family and Facebook page, but did not receive any comment by deadline.

Tran is an alumnus of Da Vinci Science High School.

Tran, who was a respiratory care major, had a job at 85C Bakery, where he met Savannah Abalos, 20, undecided major and girlfriend of over a year.

Abalos had hoped to find Tran as soon as possible and even created the Facebook page Help Find Jonney Tran, which is now “Jonney Tran Memorial Page.”

How others saw Jonney: “He hates butterflies,” Abalos said remembering him. “Whenever he sees one he takes his hat off just in case he needs to protect himself (from the butterfly).”

Adrian Padua, Tran’s former coworker and former EC student, said that he remembers everyone

Guitarist is on his path to the future, P. 7

liking Tran at work.

“He was a really funny guy,” Padua said. “(Always) kept all of us at work laughing on and off the job.”

Many others have been commenting on the page sending their condolences to the family and friends of Tran.

Others were contacted in hopes of finding out more about Tran.

“Well I wasn’t very close to him, but Jonney was a good guy,” Juan Jose Urquiaga Novoa, 21, film major, said. “Very funny, creative and a nice person overall.”

Tran being a nice and funny guy seemed to be a trend of how people saw him.

“He was very friendly and got along with everyone,” Patrick Le, 22, English and philosophy major, said. “He was a great friend and a great person.”

Tran was even nice enough to teach a friend of his how to duel in “Yu-Gi-Oh!”

“He even gave me his old deck (and I still have it),” Cochise Edmondson, 21, business major at Santa Monica College, said. “I knew him (throughout) and hung out together for a while. We’d always make stickers and liked to go to the flea market down the street from El Camino.”

The owners of the Facebook page relayed a message to everyone who aided in finding Tran: “It is with great sadness in our hearts that we have to report (Jonney) has been found deceased.

Please keep his family and friends in your heart and prayers. Thank you all for helping to locate, (Jonney).”

Keith Francis, Satomi Nagashima and Jimmy Nguyen contributed.

Continue to follow along with this story and other news stories on eccunion.com.

Photo courtesy of Savannah Abalos Jonney Tran was an EC student who worked at 85C Bakery and was found dead in Hawthorne on Tuesday.

Cosplayer and her ‘addiction’ to her craft, P. 8 Rounding up all the fall sports, P. 9-10

NEWS

2 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

NOVEMBER 3, 2016

Flying state to state in his plane Astronomy professor commutes from Utah to California to teach

T

Kristin Corse

Special to The Union

he sun was shining in the clear blue sky and not a cloud was in sight as the Los Angeles Basin sat in the far distance and it was a perfect day for flying.

As the light breeze of the Pacific Ocean blows to the east at Torrance Municipal Airport, a man climbs up the side of one of the wings of his white Cessna Skylane Turbo Charged aircraft, wearing blue Levi jeans and white sneakers.

El Camino astronomy and physics professor Perry Hacking checks the fuel of the plane to make sure there is no water in its fuel system as he prepares the airplane for take off.

In his second home at the campus planetarium, Hacking’s students only get to see one side of his passion, his love for astronomy and teaching.

But, there’s another passion of Hacking’s that most don’t know about and that’s his love for flying.

“I took my first flight years ago and I just fell in love with it,” Hacking said.

Teaching four days a week at EC, Hacking lives in Cedar City, Utah but he commutes to California every week in his private plane to teach.

Despite having to travel back and forth, Hacking wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I never get worn out from it,” Hacking said. “It’s way better

Kristin Corse Perry Hacking flies his Cessna Skylane from Utah to California every week to teach astronomy at El Camino. than driving. The worst airplane is better than the best sports car.”

On commercial flights, there is heavy security, baggage claim and hundreds of travelers to maneuver through, but Hacking enjoys the benefits of avoiding all of that, he said.

“You miss almost all the experience on a commercial flight, like the views,” Hacking said. “I don’t like to fly too high because you can’t see anything.”

Hacking leaves Utah around 9 a.m. to make his first class on Tuesdays at 2 p.m., which from

engine start to engine end takes about two hours and 45 minutes,” Hacking said.

Before teaching at El Camino, Hacking was a researcher at California Institute of Technology.

In 2003 he decided to get his pilot’s license and use his knowledge of the sky to help him fly.

“I think my love for astronomy helped me understand flying as a science,” Hacking said. “The best days for flying are when its cold, clear, and dry because the aircraft performs the best.”

Because he lives in a different

state, Hacking said he stays at the cheapest motel available every week, which he said he uses just to sleep and shower.

Hacking is able to combine both of his passions into his life -- his love for flying and teaching, something his students find encouraging and inspiring.

“He truly is enjoying life, my goal is to be at his level of happiness,” Evan Nunez, 20, astrophysics major, said. “He does what he loves every single day and that’s where I want to be.”

Hacking has also helped some

students pave a successful road in their academic career.

“Hacking quickly became one of my favorite (professors),” Alex Polanski, astrophysics major, said. “He has a way of making a science class extremely exciting and graspable. He has also been a tremendous help with planning my academic career, especially when it comes to the different opportunities he has afforded to me.”

Back on the hanger, once the aircraft is ready for flight, Hacking pulls the plane onto the runway for a clear path to begin his journey

home.

Climbing into the pilot’s seat, Hacking starts the aircraft’s engine and the plane starts to move. As it moves faster and faster, the aircraft begins its ascend into the afternoon sky and Hacking is on his way home.

“I love all of it. I’m constantly learning. I love the positive environment,” Hacking said. “My colleagues even want to learn, and you get to see everyone grow.”

For more stories, eccunion.com.

head

to

POLICE BEAT Gender neutral bathrooms on the rise

By Keith Francis

Turf wars Friday, Dec. 2 at 12:35 p.m. A student reported that he saw some graffiti written above three urinals in the men’s restroom located on the third floor of the Art Building.

The graffiti was written in black permanent marker and reported to the facilities department. They arrived to remove the graffiti from the walls after being notified.

Woman with Alzheimers found after disappearing Thursday, Dec. 1 at 3:59 p.m.

A 72 year old woman, non-student, wandered away from her caretaker near the library lawn. The elderly woman suffer from Alzheimer’s and this isn’t the first time she has wandered off. A surveillance camera caught the woman walking away from campus to a bus stop across the street from campus. A missing person’s report was completed and her name was entered into the nationwide database. According to the police log she was founded by the Los Angeles Police Department at 6:40 p.m. and was drove by an El Camino Police Department Officer to her family home.

Committee is in talks to change signs on single-stall restrooms Christina Lyon

Copy Editor @ECCUnionLyon

Gender-neutral bathrooms will be incorporated on campus starting next year, a Planning and Budgeting Committee council member said in a meeting Thursday, Dec. 3.

To comply with new state and federal legislation, EC will move toward converting singlestall bathrooms on campus to accommodate transgender students

by March 2017, Chairman Rory Natividad said.

Assembly Bill No. 1732 was approved by Governor Jerry Brown this past September.

This will require single-stall bathrooms in public places or state/local government agencies to be labeled as gender-neutral, according to the California Legislative Information website.

EC Counselor Ken Key attended the meeting and said that the new facilities will create equality for transgender individuals.

“We need to provide services for them,” Key said. “This is a way to move in that direction.”

Over 40 restrooms throughout campus, single-stall and

potentially a few double-stall facilities including both student and staff restrooms, will be converted and accompanied by gender-neutral signs, Irene Graff, director of Institutional Research and Planning Staff, said.

Not only is equality a factor of the transition, but safety as well.

In 2010 a transgender student was attacked and slashed on the chest in a Cal State Long Beach restroom, and in 2013 20.8 percent of 5,922 single-bias hate crimes were over sexual orientation, according to the Hate Crime Statistics Report released from the FBI. For women’s studies professor Hong Herrera Thomas, it’s important to take strides in the right direction.

“Gender-neutral bathrooms are an asset, not just for gender nonconforming people, but for people with families,” she said. “It’s helpful for students who bring kids on campus.”

The single-stall bathrooms always existed on campus (so) it doesn’t take much to change a sign, she added.

At least one student isn’t bothered by the change.

“I have no problem with it,” Eric Flores, 24, guitar major, said. “If transgenders feel more comfortable and if it makes things safer.”

Bike stop leads to meth arrest Thursday, Dec. 1 at 9:59 a.m.

A male subject was stopped for riding his bike on the sidewalk in the 3400 block of Manhattan Beach Boulevard. The subject, who was not a student, also had a small amount of methamphetamine in his possession. He was laster arrested and charged for possession of a controlled substance. He was transported to Torrance Police Department for booking.

Phil Sidavong

By March 2017, single-stall restrooms on campus could be made into gender-neutral stalls.

Alba Mejia Officers from varying departments talk campus safety during the forum on Tuesday.

School talks safety to the public Campus invites public to campus safety forums Selvin Rodas

Staff Writer @ECCUnionSelvin

Various officers from multiple law enforcement departments at El Camino came out to speak at the Campus Safety Forum on Tuesday.

The officers from the Hawthorne, Gardena and Torrance Police Departments, California Highway Patrol and the L.A. Sheriff Department were there to discuss one of the main topics of what to do in case of an active shooter.

Capt. Mark Underwood from the Torrance Police Department said, “run, hide, or fight” when there is an active shooter.

“Run as far as you can, then hide and if the shooter finds you then you fight like hell,” Underwood added.

As of now, Trevis said, there has never been a discussion about whether to add metal detectors on campus to prevent students from bringing guns.

But ECPD does have hand-held metal detectors in case they are suspicious of any criminal activity.

Almost 45 people in attendance were concerned about receiving alerts from situations occurring around the campus.

In recent events around campus, the main street

affected is Manhattan Beach Boulevard and it has been prone to be the target of armed robberies, five of which have been reported this semester.

There are undercover officers working to ensure the safety of students and community members around that area, Trevis said.

Chief Michael Trevis wants students to get Nixle.

“Nixle provides an open communication forum that connects public safety, municipalities, schools, businesses and the communities they serve. Nixle enables real-time, two-way communication through text, email, voice messages, social media, and the Nixle mobile app,” according to its website.

There are only 3,000 people enrolled in the Nixle alert system from the EC community on campus.

Trevis said that 3,000 people are not enough compared to how many students, staff, and faculty members attend El Camino.

Besides the Nixle alerts, there were discussions about the poor lighting around campus for those students who attend evening classes.

Trevis said there have been improvements to lighting in those dark, secluded areas on campus.

In case one of the lights goes off in the evening, officers on duty have temporary light portals that should make students feel safer, Trevis added.

EDITORIAL

4 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

DECEMBER 8, 2016

Bring on the equality

El Camino has been in talks of converting single-stall bathrooms to make them gender-neutral and available for students who identify as such.

During last week’s Planning and Budgeting Committee meeting, Chairman Rory Natividad said that the school would do so by March 2017.

Assembly Bill No. 1732 will require all single-stall bathrooms in public places or state and local government agencies to be labeled as gender-neutral, according to the California Legislative Information website.

El Camino is following the law and will be implementing the change to make the school more equal for students.

We believe the school is doing the right thing and this should definitely be changed for the equality of all students.

Being a school that provides this and any sort of positive equality will bring a better outlook for students who are gender-neutral and are looking to come to our campus.

According to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), 20 percent of college students fear for their safety because of how their sexual orientation is perceived or because of how they identify.

With the rise in need of gender-neutral bathrooms across the country, there needs to be a “safe zone” for those who do not simply identify as “male” or “female” to use the bathroom peacefully.

Phil Sidavong

Editor-In-Chief @ECCUnionPhil

Not so jolly about Christmas

Illustration by Eugene Chang/Union

There may not be a need for “safe zones” on El Camino’s campus, where there were zero hate crimes based on gender or sexual orientation from 2013-2015, according to EC’s current Annual Crime Report.

Editor’s Thoughts

But for the safety of all students at El Camino, being able to just use the bathroom without potentially being harassed for what, who or how they identify.

El Camino being so quick to change single-stall bath-

rooms to be gender-neutral is a step on the correct path to becoming not only a more appealing school for all races, genders and people, but also a step towards becoming an equal place for everyone.

It’s December.

You know what that means?

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” or so the song goes.

Whether you’re in the heart of some Caribbean Islands or the top of a snowy mountain, Christmas is supposed to be a jolly old time.

To some, it may be the best time of year which you spend with your loved ones, go on dates to Disneyland or just feel happy.

Unfortunately my birthday is on Christmas and I hate it.

Don’t get me wrong, I love celebrating anything and everything.

Hell, I make random excuses just to have a good time and party.

But, my hate for Christmas does not stem from the holiday itself or the actual celebration, it comes from the people who don’t understand what having your birthday on the same day as Christmas really feels like.

No one remembers to celebrate you (except yourself I guess), because no one cares about you.

I actually enjoy hanging out with people on Christmas, and people not remembering me doesn’t matter, but the people who fake that they care are the problem.

People see your ID or find out your birthday is on Christmas and it’s the same

Warriors Pulse: Are you going to winter session?

A

fter nearly four years without one, El Camino is finally bringing back winter session for students to take classes in between their fall and spring semesters and expedite their chances at transferring from EC. The Union went out and talked to students to see if they planned to take advantage of the renewed winter program, or if they would take their break to focus on other matters. Of the 368 students interviewed, 129 said they would enroll in winter courses, 96 said they would enjoy the break between the semesters, 116 said they planned on using their extra time to work during the break to save up some money, and 25 students said they would party like there was no tomorrow until the spring semester.

We like that the fall semester is finally coming to a close.

We dislike all of our finals coming up next week.

We like that winter session has finally returned to El Camino.

THE UNION Vol. 70, No. 12 Dec. 8, 2016

Email: eccunion@gmail.com Newsroom: (310) 660-3328 Advertising: (310) 660-3329

two sentences that have constantly plagued my childhood and part of my young adult life.

“You’re so lucky,” they would say. “You must get double presents, huh?”

Hit that buzzer sound, because that’s wrong.

There may be people who do, indeed, receive double the presents from their family and friends.

I never did.

It’s not about being rich or poor, it’s about what you can give, so give what you can.

A 2010 United States Census Bureau study found that 361,481 babies were born every day across the world that year.

361,481 babies were born on Christmas, which would mean that those babies are turning 6 years old this year.

So, instead of ruining a child’s perception of what “lucky” is, just give them one present, take them to dinner and have a party.

Don’t fake that you care about people when the holidays are supposed to be about having a good time with loved ones.

Have a good time, don’t tell people it’s one gift for two celebrations, just tell them “I couldn’t get you a second present, so I got you one,” if that’s the case.

If you don’t want to bother with the gifts, just throw a $20 bill their way.

Editor-in-Chief �������������������������������������������������������������������������� Phil Sidavong News Editor ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Phil Sidavong Opinion/Editorial Editor ������������������������������������������������������ Grant Hermanns Assistant Opinion/Editorial Editor....................................................Alex Torres Arts Editor................................................................................... Grant Hermanns Sports Editor ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������Eric Ramos Photo Editor ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Shontel Leake Copy Editor.....................................................................................Christina Lyon Features Editor �������������������������������������������������������������������������� Phil Sidavong Advertising Manager ������������������������������������������������������������������� Jack Mulkey Adviser ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������Kate McLaughlin Adviser ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Stefanie Frith Photo Adviser...................................................................................Gary Kohatsu

The Union is published Thursdays by Journalism 11 students at El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506, and is free to the student body and staff.

Unsigned editorials and cartoons are the opinion of the editorial board and do not reflect the views of the student body, staff or administration. Letters to the editor must be signed and must be received one week prior to publication in the Union office, Humanities Building Room 113.

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OPINION

DECEMBER 8, 2016

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 5

UP FOR DEBATE

Carina Cardenas

Christina Lyon Copy Editor

Staff Writer @ECCUnionCarina

@ECCUnionLyon

Homeless people have to eat too

There are safer ways to give

Homelessness has been a problem for many years all around the world and in many Southern California cities, a law was passed making it illegal to feed the homeless.

Growing up I have been very fortunate to have the things that I could ask for and every time I saw a homeless man or women I wanted to do something to help.

By passing this law it restricts those with a good heart from trying to do a good deed and give back to those unfortunate.

“These are the poorest of the poor. They have nothing.

They don’t have a roof over their heads. How do you turn them away,” Dwayne Black a Christian minister from Fort Lauderdale said to NBC News.

Black, another pastor, and a 90-year- old homeless activist by the name of Arnold Abbott were charged for feeding the homeless people of Fort Lauderdale.

The threats and the charges aren’t stopping these men from doing what they think is right and will continue to feed the homeless.

These people are human beings and keeping them from being fed and given clothes to put on their back is appalling.

Wanting to help those without food doesn’t sound like a crime to me.

Someone had recently told me that the more we feed the homeless the more they will become dependent on others to feed them.

It did get me thinking and it did makes sense but if we stop granting food to these people, what’s going to stop them from asking for money?

Robert Marbut said on National Public Radio and stated in the Huffington Post that “ more than 90 percent of money given to the homeless is wasted on things like drugs and alcohol, and feeding the poor results in preventing people from going into the 24/7 programming.”

Proving food isn’t a crime and providing food isn’t giving them access to drugs or alcohol as providing money does.

This law should be overturned, food is a necessity and everyone rich or poor should have it and those providing it shouldn’t be punished.

Christmastime is the season for giving.

While we so easily get caught up in what we want from our loved ones, or what to get for them for Christmas, there is a population of people living in Los Angeles whose only wish is to know that they’re going to get their next meal.

Homeless people.

Giving back to those in need helps people understand struggle and poverty and often the easiest way to give back is to feed the homeless.

But not so fast. That is illegal.

The County of Los Angeles Public Health Department requires a health permit to dispense food to the public and while the intention is good, there are risks involved that could inflict potentially hazardous incidents.

Like food poisoning.

In June 2015, nearly 50 people were hospitalized in Utah after eating at a homeless shelter.

In the United States, foodborne diseases have been estimated to cause 6 million to 81 million illnesses and up to 9,000 deaths each year, according to the Center for DisIllustration by Eugene Chang/Union ease Control.

With 22% of the homeless population in America living in California, according to an article in the L.A. Times, there are a lot of vulnerable lives at stake, many of whom probably do not have access to health care in the event of a catastrophe.

Though the law seems harsh and insensitive, it’s actually meant to protect homeless people from a potentially life-threatening illness.

So how does one spread compassion to our less fortunate while following the law and minimizing health risks?

Many people give cash to homeless people. But if you’re leery about what they are actually going to use the cash for, why not give out gift cards?

Gift cards can be purchased at almost all food establishments and in various amounts.

And while food poisoning can occur from eating at any establishment, the likelihood is reduced when eating somewhere that has to follow set safety standards.

So hit nearby spots like Subway or Del Taco, where one can get a large meal on a dime, and spread your Christmas spirit while abiding by the law.

Or, if you want to get to know someone take them out for a meal, and if you’re worried about your own personal safety, make it all the more merry and bring a friend.

Should the law that makes it illegal to feed homeless people be allowed to continue?

A

Selvin Rodas

Staff Writer @ECCUnionSelvin

Coming to America as an immigrant

t the age of 13, I came to America without knowing a single word of English.

In Honduras, my life was different compared to living here because I only knew about my culture and my language and moving to the U.S was an extreme change.

The main reason I moved here was because my family fell victim of crime.

My grandmother, who took care of me since I was a toddler, was murdered in July 2007 by some gangsters who stole a microwave, some jewelry and a stereo system that we had in the living room.

My mother decided that it was best for me to move to America, so my life wouldn’t be at risk living in my home country.

When she told me that I was moving with her to a new country, my first thought was “that means a new life that I have to start from zero.”

And it was exactly how I thought it would be, I had to start all over again.

The biggest challenge that I had to overcome was the language barrier.

There were many people in school that wanted to be my friend but I couldn’t make any friends because I

was afraid that they would speak to me in English and I wouldn’t be able to respond back.

Two weeks after I moved, I met people that also spoke Spanish.

It was then that I thought that school wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Throughout the years this didn’t stop other students from bullying me because of my accent. Even during my first year at El Camino there was a student from my English class that made fun of the way I spoke English.

Back in high school I was afraid of the thought of even

going to college.

I always thought that I was wasting my time even thinking about it because I wouldn’t be able to go to college because I was from another country.

But now I’m very proud of what I have done. I graduated from high school and I’m about to transfer to a fouryear university.

My family has supported me since day one because they want me to have a professional career and have a better life than what I have right now.

Although they helped me overcome my obstacles, the

Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) at EC, which is a program that helps students with tutoring, counseling, and book vouchers, has helped me as well.

I have had to learn to strive to go above and beyond, to always look to the future and push myself forward.

And although English was hard for me at first, I have come a long way and hope to be a professional broadcaster in the future.

ARTS

6 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

On her way to rockstar status

DECEMBER 8, 2016

Former El Camino student Amber VanB dropped out of school to become the backup vocalist for hard rock band, Sixx:A.M.

believed in herself and the theater company helped give @ECCUnionLyon her that confidence.

VanB’s roots also trace back rom a young age to EC with guitar instructor she knew she John Minei, who said that she wanted to be a was a supportive and eager singer. student with a natural talent.

Initially a shy child, her “Her melodic and lyrical mother put her in drama senses were just really camps and musical theater gifted,” Minei said. “When to break her out of her shell, you have a really supportive which is where Amber Van student it makes you a better Buskirk, now known as teacher.”

Amber VanB, realized she In 2015 while attending had a voice worth pursuing.

EC, VanB fell into the gig Now the 22-year-old with Sixx:A.M. when her former El Camino student is former vocal director set up a charismatic backup vocalist a recorded audition of her for hard rock band Sixx:A.M., singing three Sixx:A.M. formed by original Mötley songs, she said.

Crüe member Nikki Sixx.

Four weeks later she was “She’s not shy anymore,” on tour performing with Toni Buskirk, VanB’s mother, heavyweight musicians said. “The writing was on the who’ve been in the industry wall for what she’s doing for over thirty years. now.”

“It was a At the age whirlwind,” of 10, VanB “As I’ve gotten older, VanB said. joined Belasco writing has become “It was so Theater Co. a huge part of what I fast.” in Hermosa want to do. Singing She recalled Beach, where was the avenue that the moment T h e a t e r of celebrating D i r e c t o r got me here.” her birthday —Amber VanB, former Shanti Belasco student and vocalist. on stage at watched her Club Nokia creative talents in Los blossom.

Angeles, just “I saw her develop and three days into her first tour. grow,” Belasco said. “She “I turned 21 on the stage,” was always there and she said. “It was insane.” committed (so) to watch Since joining the band, her succeed like this... she Christina Lyon Copy Editor

F

VanB has traveled all around the world, including a monthlong European tour where the band played at unique venues.

“We played a theme park in Sweden called Gröna Lund, and I looked at our drummer Dustin (Steinke) and said ‘our job today is to ride roller coasters and play music,’” she said.

Aside from rocking the stage with Sixx:A.M., VanB is also a singer-songwriter of her own original music which she describes as popacoustic, a talent she has become increasingly more passionate about.

“As I’ve gotten older, writing has become a huge

part of what I want to do,” VanB said. “Singing was the avenue that got me here.”

Wearing her signature “warpaint” for every show, a red stripe across her smokey dark eyes, fivefoot-nine VanB said being on stage provides a feeling unlike anything she’s ever experienced.

“The adrenaline and connection we get to make with people is unforgettable,” she said. “It’s humbling and inspiring all at once.”

To keep up with VanB on her current tour with Sixx:A.M., follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ambervanbee and her Facebook account, Amber VanB.

(Top): Amber VanB, back-up vocalist for rock band Sixx:A.M. performing at Northern Invasion in Somerset, WI. Photo by Steve Porter.

(Right): VanB performing as a backup vocalist for Sixx:A.M. Photo by Dustin Jack.

Professor applies his music passion to his faith and his classroom Sierra Robles

Special to the Union

Sierra Robles/Union

Minei, who’s played the guitar since he was nine, performs at his church, Irvine Community Church, every Sunday morning.

Jon Minei arrives to his protestant service early Sunday morning at Irvine Community Church. He reaches for his guitar and steps in front of the altar to greet his fellow church members. He closes his eyes and places the guitar strap over his shoulder.

The church members wait patiently, and observe him in awe as he begins to play the first note.

His voice gently escapes the quietness of his presence, and begins to release all of his emotions. The crowd sings along and cherishes the beautiful moment.

Jonathan Minei is a professor at El Camino College, who commutes every morning from Irvine and teaches guitar, songwriting and rock history classes.

He grew up in a Japanese American household in Torrance with his mom, dad, and older brother.

His older brother went to UCLA and majored in economics. However, Jon graduated from USC in 2003 with a master’s degree and a passion for music.

“It was difficult for me growing up, I was not your typical Japanese American going to school studying to be a doctor,” Minei said.

Jon knew he wanted to pursue music ever since he was 17 years old. He was self-taught at just nine

years old to play guitar. Jon also took piano lessons as a child but hated going to the sessions.

For about four months, Jon starred in a play in Hollywood.

Although his passion was to continue playing guitar, in order to gain musical experience he was obligated to act while wearing costume to perform guitar in classical flamenco.

Jon was 27 years old at the time and was not looking forward to having this be his professional career.

“I remember thinking, I am not going to continue to do this and turn 30,” Minei said.

Now at 40 years old Jon Minei is married with two kids. He continues to have a passion for music and believes his children are carrying a bit of his talent with them.

“I see a lot of musical talent in my children, my daughter likes to sing along and dance,” Minei said.

His wife, Karin Minei, is very encouraging of Jon’s passion and always supports his decisions.

“Watching him work so hard for what he loves is just so inspiring, he is so blessed to have found that passion,” Karin Minei said.

Jon is a strong believer in music and how it enhances knowledge of an individual in an aesthetic level.

He loves to engage his students and share his passion for music through different ways. The messages he loves

to send across are ways to enrich the lives of students and raise status and security.

Colin Castillo, 19, and a former student of Jon Minei enjoyed taking his rock history class and felt a sense of empowerment and improved interest in studies.

“His passion often gets ahold of him resulting in him trying to play and sing songs, he isn’t afraid to slow his class down so that students could get a better understanding of the material,” Castillo said.

Through playing at his church service, he has touched the hearts of many members and feels a spiritual connection with not only them but himself, Minei said.

Pastor Yurie Hwang has gotten to know Jon very well over the course of eight years. He considers him to be a great friend, and admires his passion and knowledge for music. “(He’s) “Dr. Guitar,” we call him that because he has a doctorate in guitar,” Hwang said.

Each chord played on the guitar has a special meaning. There is a sense of vulnerability and happiness released after he completes a verse of a song.

Jon feels he has a spiritual connection with music and believes it was his calling.

“I try to avoid describing these moments as euphoric moments, I feel a connection spiritually more than anything else,” Minei said.

ARTS

DECEMBER 8, 2016

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 7

Guitarist connects to audiences with his solo EP

Nohemy Barrera

Staff Writer @ECCUnionNohemy

After being forced to take piano lessons at an early age, it wasn’t until a friend came along and showed him how to play guitar that his interest in music began.

Since then Jordan Moehau, 21, liberal studies major, has continued to pursue his musical interests.

“I was blown away, I wanted to learn how to play it too,” Moehau said. “(My friend and I) just started learning together.”

Moehau, who prefers to go by “Jordan Moe,” started becoming interested in music around the age of 12 and some of his favorite bands are Young the Giant and Queen.

Moe recently came out with a new-solo EP called “The Man I Was,” which has a mixed selection of folk, acoustic guitars, violins and singing. There’s also a focus on self reflection and ways that people can change.

Artists who have influenced his EP are Passenger and Ed Sheeran (both English singer/song writers).

“I also play in a band called The Giver which is more of a hardcore band,” Moe said.

“The words are more spoken with rock music in the background. The songs for the band are all over the place in terms of subjects, from selfishness to exploring things

we don’t know.”

Moe added that his first priority is emotionally connecting with the audience, as he likes having similarities with the people watching him, whether it is with the band or by himself.

Andrew Reimer, 22, undecided major, is the vocalist in the band The Giver along with Moe and said that there is nobody like him.

“The first time I met him was at a practice, he’s the best musician I’ve ever personally met,” Reimer said.

“I think he should be on the radio and (everyone should listen to his music).”

Berkley Kielhack, who has known Moe since they were about eight or nine years old, has been playing with him in The Giver for over 2 years.

Kielhack believes that Moe’s musical talents are showcased well in his EP. “It’s (beautiful). It’s really well written (and) I think it’s something he’s wanted to do for a while and I’m really glad he’s venturing into that,” Kielhack, 21, vocal performance major, said.

“He’s not holding back.”

Despite the semi-solo venture with his EP, Moe is continuing to work with The Giver and it’s been a great ride with his bandmates.

“I feel blessed working with him. He’s inspirational, even though he’s younger than me, I definitely look up to him,” Reimer said.

(Top): Jordan Moe, 21, liberal studies major, stares off onto the campus, illuminating his shy, but stoic demeanor. Moe is a rising artist who plays in two bands, on top of being a solo artist.

Photo by Jo Rankin/Union (Right): “The Man I Was,” Moe’s solo EP, dropped on Nov. 11, featuring four songs performed by Moe and featuring lyrics co-written by musicians Cody Heath and Drew Foster, with the cover art being designed by Rachel Huang.

Photo courtesy of Jordan Moe

Movies out in December

- Nocturnal Animals (Dec. 9)

- Passengers (Dec. 21)

- Office Christmas Party (Dec. 9) - Sing (Dec. 21) - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - Assassin’s (Dec. 16) Creed (Dec. 21) - La La Land (Dec. 16) - Why Him? (Dec. 23) - Collateral Beauty (Dec. 16) - Fences (Dec. 25)

LIFE DOESN’T STOP BETWEEN ISSUES Keep up 24/7 with the latest El Camino news, sports and features from the Union

eccunion.com

Photos courtesy of 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate

DECEMBER 8, 2016

PHOTO ESSAY

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 3

EC reaching out to those in need

Student Development class aims to aid those who are less fortunate Alba Mejia

Staff Writer/Photographer @ECCUnionAlba

As we are in the season of giving thanks, El Camino students from a particular class are stepping out and helping in churches around the community.

For some people specifically, this is a very hard time of the year because they go through financial hardships. “Great experience, happy to be of service,� Monica Aguilar said.

EC offers a human development class (HD10) that allows for students to give back to the community and some of them have chosen to make their mark.

On the weekend of Dec. 3, five students went to volunteer at Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, located in the city of Los Angeles.

At the church there was free food and clothing for those in need.

El Camino students chose to volunteer at this church as a requirement for the class they are currently taking.

Shontel Leake EC students Jonathan Higgins, 19, film major, and Krystal Medina, 18, marine biology major, prepare a lunch for a resident.

(Left) Lourdes Botello looks around the area for free clothes.

(Above) EC students stop to take a picture with the people in the community. Elisabeth (green jacket) Roxana (plaid shirt) and LaBarron in the back.

(Right) A sign was set up for people to come by and get free food from the class.

Photos by: Shontel Leake/ Union

FEATURES

8 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

DECEMBER 8, 2016

It’s a lifestyle and an art Cory Schwarz El Camino student Shannon Park loves to cosplay outside of school and has really enjoyed dressing up as female and male characters from anime and games.

Cosplayer Shannon Park enjoys her newfound passion for dressing up and going to conventions Cory Schwarz

Special to The Union

Several minutes is all it takes to change a person’s appearance and thousands of people do it everyday, whether for work or for fun.

Cosplayers come in a wide variety of people around the globe and Sharon Park is one of them.

“I got addicted after seeing everyone getting pretty with their cosplays,” Park, 23, fashion major, said. “I hand sewed (my first outfit) so I was pricking myself because I didn’t know anything about sewing.”

Cosplay, short for “costume play” is when a person dresses up to appear as a character from a game, anime, a movie or television show.

Park cosplays as different anime characters and said that while

at first she loved dressing up as female characters she now likes to cosplay as male characters.

“Cosplaying as female characters didn’t click (for me) very often.

I had to wear skirts (and) girly things,” Park said. “(That was) not really how my character was at that time.”

As early as 4:30 a.m., Park gets up to get ready and then goes to scheduled photoshoots with other cosplayers.

She plans far in advance to make her costumes and it can be tough when other friends want to join as it takes commitment, planning and attention to detail.

At conventions like Anime Expo, Anime Los Angeles, FanimeCon, Pacific Media Expo and YaoiCon, Park shows off her work and she has even gone as far as Japan and

Korea to attend conventions.

Japanese cosplayers are remarkably similar to American cosplayers, Park said.

“When we all look at each other (we look) for the details first, because when we don’t see it, we go ‘(He or she) half-assed it,’” Park said. “And that’s how people would judge (you) for cosplay.”

Kayci Richards, a friend of Park’s, said that seeing her cosplay led her to be more confident and open with herself and to others.

“Seeing her being so confident while wearing these amazing costumes is truly awe-inspiring,” Richards said.

Regarding Park’s preference to cosplay as male characters, she said that other cosplayers don’t see gender, they see the “Big Three,” which are the clothes, the shoes

and the hair.

Despite countries like Tokyo banning males from dressing as female characters to limit harassment from male cosplayers, Park said she wants freedom in cosplay; letting people dress up as anyone they choose, regardless of gender.

“It’s still not fair for (them) to not cosplay whatever they want because, it’s freedom,” She said.

“They should just tell people to keep their hands to themselves.”

Park added that attending conventions with a group is more fun and builds relationships within the cosplay community.

Her friend Stephanie Henzon agreed.

“Through cosplay we get to bond together over what we love about (it),” Henzon said.

Cory Schwarz Sharon Park, 23, is a fashion major who loves to cosplay, but also enjoys being herself.

Glammed up from top to bottom with a cosmetology student Carla Skalman loves to do to makeup and wants to go to FIDM Rachel Esochea

Special to The Union

As a top 10 trending song plays on the radio, she cautiously moves closer to her client while keeping her hand as steady as possible in order to create the perfect, sharpas-a-knife, winged eyeliner.

Standing immobile as a statue, Carla Skalman, 19, cosmetology major, makes one slight movement and her hand slips and the eyeliner goes just a little farther across the eyelid than she had hoped.

“Oops,” Skalman said. “Fumble.”

She moves onto the next step in her beautifying process of making her client look party ready for the night and laughs as her friend/ client cracks a joke and they sing along to the same songs.

Wearing casual jean shorts, an oversized hoodie and sandals, Skalman may seem ready to lounge around in her living room in front of the TV but she is also ready for a night out on the town as she is decked out in full makeup.

When she’s not getting others glammed up, she is in the process of completing her hours in the cosmetology program at El Camino.

Skalman decided to enroll at EC because she didn’t want to go to beauty school immediately out of high school and it was the closest thing to studying makeup until she was able to transfer.

“I chose to go to El Camino because it wasn’t as expensive as going to a makeup school,” Skalman said. “Plus, El Camino has one of the best cosmetology programs out of any other community college so I figured I would get my hours done there and then transfer later on.”

Once she completes the required 1600 hours of the program, Skalman plans on transferring to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in downtown Los Angeles where she will study beauty marketing and merchandising.

“I want to study beauty marketing and merchandising because they put you in the product industry where they teach you how products are made and marketed,” Skalman said. “They also help you put yourself in the industry and make your own industry.”

Makeup wasn’t always Skalman’s calling. When she was younger she wanted to be a doctor until she watched her first makeup tutorial

by Michelle Phan on YouTube when she was 10 years old. From then on, she was fascinated with becoming a makeup artist and started by doing makeup for the

school dances.

“I would sometimes get a bunch of clients in one day when it came closer to the prom and homecoming seasons,” Skalman recalled.

Once deciding makeup was her true passion, Skalman created an Instagram for her work and in her captions she would include full details of the products used and her process of application.

While Skalman works independently as an aspiring makeup artist, she is also currently a seasonal worker at the Clinique counter at Macy’s.

“I enjoy working there because not only am I selling makeup (but I) am able to do people’s makeup,” Skalman said.

Meanwhile, back in the living room, Skalman applies the finishing touches of highlighter to her client’s cheekbones for that natural glowing look. She sprays her client’s face with setting spray so the look lasts the entire nigh.

And as if effortlessly, the client is camera ready.

Skalman’s “smokey fall glam” look transcends to the camera and she snaps every angle in order to post her look on social media for all to see the final product.

As she admires her new look in the mirror, Skalman’s friend and client Patty Calderon recalls what first caught her attention about Skalman’s technique.

“It’s glamorously intense, bold

Rachel Esochea Cosmetology major Rachel Esochea wants to take her passion for doing makeup to making it a career after, hopefully, attending FIDM. and creative,” Calderon said. “She knows how to make it look natural too.”

Skalman’s artistry caught the eye of her classmate Cindy Moran who praised her skills and her personality.

“She is genuine and at the end of

the day she is a super nice person and is passionate about her work,” Moran said. “And her blending skills are always on point.”

Skalman continuously has the support of her clients, friends and family members when it comes to pursuing her passion. Her nephew

Kennedy Nack knows how much becoming a makeup artist means to her.

“She’s getting better and better everyday,” Nack said. “She needs to keep pursuing her dream.

What’s the point in life if you’re not pursuing what you love?”

SPORTS

9 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

DECEMBER 8, 2016

Fall Sports

Jackie Romano/ Union

Freshman running back Johnnell Jackson crosses the goal line for a touchdown against L.A. Southwest College on Sept. 3, at EC. The El Camino College football team entered the 2016 season with first-year coach Gifford Lindeim at the helm. Lindheim replaced longtime coach John Featherstone who retired after 31 years with the football program.

With new players and coaches on the staff, the Warriors started the season with back-to-back wins.

Three straight losses dropped EC to 2-3 at the midway point. A victory over L.A. Harbor got the Warriors back under the win column, however, two straight losses sent EC under .500.

The Warriors beat Chaffey College before losing to Long Beach City College in the season finale.

EC finished the season 4-6 overall and 2-3 in conference play. EC had four players named to the Southern California Football Association All-Conference first team.

Freshman defender Stephen Vincent heads the ball while being surrounded b tos College Falcons during a home game Friday, Nov. 11.

The El Camino College men’s soccer team finished the 2016 season 1-17-2 and 1-6-1 in the Harbor College on Nov. 4. EC ended the with 17 goals on the season while averaging 5.3 s season in hopes of building a solid team with experienced returners.

Photo courtesy of EC cross-country coach Dean Lofgren

Jo Rankin/ Union

Sophomore Israel Cordova runs during the state championships on Nov. 19, at Woodward Park.

El Camino sophomore middle blocker Micah Hammond attacks the ball against the Bakersfield College Renegades on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

This fall marked the 27th consecutive year the El Camino College men’s cross country team has advanced to the state championships under coach Dean Lofgren. The Warriors came into the championship meet ranked 13th in the state and 10th in Southern California. The Warriors placed 12th the in the California Community College Athletic Association state championships and finished as the ninth ranked So Cal team.

Sophomore Israel Cardona led the team (30th in 21:08) over the rolling 4-mile course with Solomon Kanehailua 14 seconds.

For the women, freshman Brianna Harmon was the only individual qualifier. Harmon placed 65th in the field of 199 competitors with a time of 19:58 over the rolling 3.1 mile (5,000m) course.

Le Valley Pattison coached her final season with the El Camino College women’s volleyball team. Pattison has been the coach for the El Camino women’s volleyball team for the last 26 seasons. She’s added 16 conference championships, 14 coach of the year awards and has coached back-to-back state championship teams in 2007-08.

The Warriors went undefeated in conference play (8-0) while finishing the season 24-4 overall. EC adavanced to the state championships by defeating Bakersfield College in the first round and Irvine Valley College in the second round of the SoCal Regional playoffs. The run to the title saw the Warriors defeat Cabrillo College in the quarterfinals, however, EC fell to L.A. Pierce College in the semifinals.

SPORTS

DECEMBER 8, 2016

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 10

Round Up

Jackie Romano/ Union

Sophomore Bronson Mcfarlin, No. 2, looks to make a pass during a Sept. 7, game against Mt. San Antonio College at El Camino.

The El Camino College men’s water polo team had a down year as they finished 4-21 overall and 1-7 in the South Coast Conference. Coach Corey Stanbury and his team started the season with a five-game losing streak before winning back-to-back games.

EC when on to lose six straight games and could not gain any ground in the standings. Freshman Jonas Fahrney led the Warriors with 55 goals and 19 assists while adding 70 steals. Sophomore Richard Beck added 37 goals with 20 assists and 34 steals.

While EC scored 170 goals on the season, they allowed a whopping 375 goals to opponents.

Jo Rankin/ Union

by the Falcons’ defenders. The Warriors lost the game 3-2 to the Cerri-

e South Coast Conference. The Warriors’ only win of the season came against L.A. shots per game. With 18 freshman on the roster, the Warriors can look towards next

Alba Mejia/ Union

Jo Rankin/ Union

El Camino freshman Andrea Canchola looks to make a pass during the game versus Santa Monica College.

Freshman defender Kathryn Wilson attempts to score a goal during the start of the second period against Cerritos College on Nov. 11, at EC.

After a 2015 season where the women’s water polo team did not win a game, the Warriors finished this season with an overall record of 6-16. It’s not a winning record but a definite improvement from the previous season.

EC finished the season with 149 goals and 112 assists while averaging 15.1 shots per game. The Warriros were led by freshman Ilene Guerrero who finished the season with 61 goals and 23 assists while adding 52 steals.

Freshman Andrea Canchola added 25 goals with 30 assists and 72 steals. On defense, the Warriors finished with 261 steals and 184 saves but allowed 276 goals.

EC finished 2-6 in the South Coast Conference and ended the season with four straight losses.

The El Camino College women’s soccer team got off to a fast start, earning two draws and winning six straight games but the Warriors hit a wall at the modway point and lost key players to injuries.

The Warriors finished 11-6-4 overall on the season and 4-2-2 in the South Coast-South Conference. EC finished second in the conference but was unable to secure a playoff berth after endng the season with back-to-bacl losses. Sophomore midfielder Kalyn Kaemerle had eight goals before her season-ending knee injury. Sophomore forward Kayla Sanchez finished the season with six goals and two assists.

SPORTS

DECEMBER 8, 2016

EL CAMINO COLLEGE 11

Basketball is life

Sophomore guard finds time for basketball, fatherhood and an education Christina Lyon

Copy Editor @ECCUnionLyon

T

he clock rapidly ticks down to the last few seconds of the game and the teams are tied 106-106, which has the crowd in anticipation and cheering on their feet.

It’s the second game of the El Camino College Men’s Basketball Tournament of Champions.

The Warriors are battling for the win against the Santa Ana College Dons after losing the night before to the Moorpark College Raiders for the first time this season.

Freshman guard Brandon Harris has been draining three-pointers all night and keeps spirits high with his roaring energy, despite the game going into double overtime.

His small-dark eyes scan the court and two deep lines above his eyebrows crinkle as a glow of sweat glistens from the beaming iridescent lights above.

“We’re ok,” Harris yells to his teammates. “We (have) a lot of time left.”

Harris is a 28-year-old kinesiology major and father of three children. He’s been playing basketball for most of his life. Through seven games, Harris is averaging 12.6 points per game.

As he plays on the court or cheers his teammates on from the bench, Harris’ girlfriend, Precious Douglas, watches the game from the bleachers.

Douglas, 24, business management major at Long Beach City College, has her hands folded while her polished white nails stressfully tap her knuckles under her chin.

“This game is tight,” Douglas says.

Despite being six-feet-tall, Harris’ agile frame looks compact among the sea of giants and his quick footwork and swinging arms cover the court like a stealthy spider.

But just a few months ago, Harris was stuck at the tail end of a 10-year-hiatus from team basketball.

As a father, Harris put his dreams aside to work warehouse jobs to pay the bills until last year when he started school at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga only to get injured before the season started.

Instead of looking for another

Alba Mejia/Union

Sophomore guard Brandon Harris said his motivation for being better at the sport is his three children. Going back to school was a choice he made to become a role model for his kids. Growing up, his uncle was the one who taught him how to play basketball. dead-end job, Harris persisted by getting in touch with EC coach Robert Uphoff, who recruited him to play for the Warriors.

Uphoff said since Harris joined the team, he has been a confident and energetic leader, one of the teams most prolific shooter’s and the most vocal force on the team.

Meanwhile, Harris makes another shot. One of the Dons players threw a bad pass, opening the window for Harris to steal the ball and run down the court to sink another shot.

Again the crowd is on their feet.

Tennis shoes screech and the ball bounces with a thud when the buzzer suddenly cranks. Kris Kross’ “Jump” blares over the speakers and Harris starts dancing, making his presence known with his palpable energy.

The Warriors defeated Santa Ana College, 124-115, in double overtime. Harris finished with 21 points and three steals.

“Brandon is an incredible competitor and he wants to win,” Up-

hoff said. “He’s always communicating (and) his maturity has been valuable, as a result he’s a good leader both on and off the court.”

Douglas said Harris has experienced his fair share of adversity, but he never loses hope or his drive to achieve.

“I told him to go for it, I wanted him to achieve that,” she said. “To follow his dreams and set a standard for the kids.”

Now Harris devotes eight hours a day to basketball in hopes of obtaining a scholarship, getting a degree and someday teaching physical education.

Harris’ parenting extends beyond fathering his children. Team captain Brandon Guerrero, 20, said Harris’ words of wisdom have labeled him the father-figure of the team.

“He preaches to us about everything,” Guerrero said. “(He’s always saying) ‘don’t make the same mistakes I did.’”

Though Harris is a boisterous extravert, being on the court provides

for him what nothing else in the world can, peace.

“When I’m out there I feel free,” Harris said. “I don’t forget about my children, but I forget about the responsibilities I have outside of school and for that 40 minutes, I just feel free.”

Brandon Harris stats through seven games: - 12.6 points per game - 2.3 rebounds - 50 percent shooting from the field - 57.1 percent free throw shooting Alba Mejia/Union

Brandon Harris, 28, kinesiology major, is a sophomore guard for El Camino’s basketball team.

SPORTS

12 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

DECEMBER 8, 2016

Jevone Moore

El Camino offense coordinator Tim Kaub is in the pressbox at Murdock Stadium during Narbonne’s 66-7 victory over Banning on Friday, Nov. 4. at El Camino College.

Football coach brings championship pedigree to El Camino Warriors’ new offensive coordinator has helped Narbonne High School win five titles in six years Jevone Moore

O

Special to The Union

n a chilly day in Sacramento, the Narbonne Gauchos from Harbor City were fired up to play their 16th game of a long high school football season.

“Let’s play smart today.”

These were the last words Tim Kaub yelled from the field before taking the stadium steps up to the press box to call the game. Each step he takes, he gets more and more focused on the game plan.

Now firmly in his seat, and a mind racing like the 405 freeway just before traffic begins to back up, he calls down to the field through the head set for an offensive play.

The fans always see the coaches on the field, but if you look up on the home side bleachers you can see the press box. That’s where you will find Narbonne High School football assistant coach Tim Kaub who is currently the offensive coordinator of the El Camino College

football team.

The Gauchos had made it to the 2015 California Interscholastic Federation State Football Championship Div 1-A game at Hornets Stadium in Sacramento with a seating capacity of 21,195.

A true coaches high was the wave Kaub was riding last December with two championships in a one-week span. Winning four CIF titles, two Southern California Football Association titles all in the same year.

Narbonne finished as Marine League champions, L.A. City Section championships while adding a So Cal Regional title and State Div 1-A title. The Gauchos were the first L.A. City Section team in over 99 years to win a state championship.

In the end, Narbonne defeated Clayton Valley Charter, 28-14. A far cry from 15 years ago when Kaub was just a volunteer receivers coach at Venice High School.

“I loved how Narbonne showcased my son’s talent,” Sean Riley Sr said.

Kaub said after college he was selling respirators for his grandfa-

ther’s company and stopped by the Venice field after work one day.

Coach Angelo Gasca told Kaub he could use his help with the receivers.

“After a few weeks, I realized I needed to make this my full time job,” Kaub said. “I was hooked.”

Meanwhile, with 15 years of

coaching under his belt, each game still gives him the opportunity to compete. Being able to compete is what drives him while calling a game and offensives plays is a form of mental combat.

El Camino coach Gifford Lindheim first coached with Kaub at Venice during their early years

But the magic of having a Top 25 attacker in the state is incredible.

“There was a point where my team was really down,” Brydon said. “I said to them, ‘I’m going to pick you guys up and I’m going to put you on my back and we’re going to fight through this,’ and that’s what I did and I did my best.”

Ultimately, Brydon’s 22 kills were not enough as errors down the stretch amassed and led to the demise of the Warriors as they fell in a five-set heartbreaker.

“I’m upset that we lost,” Brydon said. “But, I’m really proud of my team because we fought back. They had to earn that (win), we didn’t

just give it to them. We could have easily let them have it in three, but we fought.”

El Camino ends its 2016 season with a 24-4 overall record and tied as the No. 3 team in the entire state following the loss to Pierce.

“I’m really proud of the (No. 3 ending in the state),” sophomore middle blocker Victoria Curtice said. “We gave it all we (had) and if that’s the best thing we can do, then that’s the best.

The Warriors fight was evident as after the quick 0-2 start, and during a tumultuous third set that had both crowds screaming at the officiating crew for “bad calls,” El Camino

found some life.

The tournament-host L.A. Pierce College Brahmas were hoping to avoid a fifth set, but couldn’t do so after the fourth set loss.

Although the loss was tough for the Warriors, and the players were clearly distraught following the game, there were also positives.

“I feel like there was a lot of growth tonight,” EC coach Le Valley Pattison said. “Strong athletes play well when the game is on the line and we had some people do that. It was really impressive.”

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Today at Irvine Valley College Tournament TBD

WARRIORS SCOREBOARD

Jevone Moore Narbonne coach Tim Kaub talks to quarterback Jalen Chatman before the L.A. City Section Division I title game on Dec. 3.

in coaching. Lindheim and Kaub enjoyed success while coaching together at Santa Monica College last season.

Kaub called an undefeated 11-0 season with former Narbonne quarterback Troy Williams under center for SMC. With Kaub’s play calling and Williams’ arm, they finished as the No. 1 offense in the state.

“The pressure of each week having to keep it up,” Kaub said. “It felt like we were doubling down (a bet) each week.”

Lindheim hired Kaub to replace his mentor Gaska at SMC as the offensive coordinator.

“We are like minded in how we approach the game,” Lindheim said. “Very smart and loyal.”

Kaub has helped Narbonne quarterback Jalen Chatman this season as the junior has taking the reigns as a starter.

“Kaub has helped me with the playbook and footwork,” Chatman said.

Kaub said after winning state, it felt good but you don’t really appreciate it yet because you’re in the moment. It takes a lot out of you.

Meanwhile, Narbonne was

scheduled to drive back that night with the noon start time but after a win like that, they extended the trip one more night in Sacramento to celebrate and rest.

“Driving home the next day was the best eight hours,” Kaub said.

“Jokes and enjoying the journey.”

Narbonne coach Manuel Douglas hired Kaub, while at low point in his coaching career, for his smart offensive play calling. The two have built Narbonne’s offense over the years by taking pieces from great college programs every spring.

Six CIFCS titles and one state title later, it shows that he was a great hire.

“He understands the game and how it should be played,” Douglas said.

Now it’s time to bring a new title to EC to match the new Murdock Stadium.

“With a full offseason, we will be better at getting kids,” Kaub said about El Camino’s football program. “The players make you.”

Warriors state championship run falls short in semifinals Phil Sidavong

Editor-In-Chief @ECCUnionPhil

Your best player is your best player, and sometimes she just has to put the team on her back and carry everyone.

Taylor Brydon and the El Camino women’s volleyball team were stuck in a rut in last Saturday’s state semifinal match against L.A. Pierce College.

A two-set deficit kind of rut, with a spot at the State Championship matchup on the line.

WARRIORS SCHEDULE

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Friday vs.

Mira Costa College 5 p.m.

Jo Rankin/Union The No. 3 Southern California ranked El Camino Warriors come together during a timeout against Cerritos College on Friday, Sept, 23.

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Warriors 84, Irvine Valley College 87

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Warriors 53, Irvine Valley College 73