The Union Vol. 78 No. 8

The Union

EL CAMINO COLLEGE

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1946 Actor, writer, professor

See Page 7

SPORTS

FEATURES

OPINION

Softball extends streak

See Page 6

See Page 3

SCAN ME

Gaza and social media

@ECCUNION

April 25, 2024

ECCUNION.COM

Enrollment dean to retire this month More weapons added to ECC banned list

By Eddy Cermeno A former professional baseball player who became an El Camino College dean is approaching the end of a nearly 30year career working to support students.

Family, El Camino administrators, faculty and staff greeted Dean of Enrollment Services Robin Dreizler with cheers and applause as he entered the East Dining Room above the

Bookstore on Wednesday, April 17.

Dreizler smiled and took in the baseball-themed celebration while adorned with a retirement sash.

After working at El Camino for 29 years, Dreizler’s last work day will be on Tuesday, April 30. He was a student worker in 1975 before joining the staff full-time in 1995.

SEE DEAN PAGE 4 →

By Jaylen Morgan Ghost guns and ghost-gun parts are now prohibited at El Camino College according to a recent report presented by the College Council.

The campus weapons policy did not previously include ghost guns in the list of prohibited weapons.

Ghost guns or ghost gun parts are weapons that have no serial number,

making them untraceable to law enforcement, and can be manufactured by 3D printing.

“This is a new form of technology when before it was just metal firearms,” El Camino Police Chief Michael Trevis said. “Now you have 3D-printed guns that work like original ones.”

SEE GUNS PAGE 4 →

Stalking cases rise on campus

New social media policy raises concerns

Students are back, so are stalkers targeting women

By Nick Geltz

Students will no longer have control and access to their clubs’ social media accounts once the new policy added to the Student Organization Handbook is enforced.

The handbook, which lays down the rules for the creation and maintenance of El Camino College student organizations, gets updated every year.

This year’s update included a lot more club adviser involvement.

“We added new mandatory training for advisers, as well as signing a threeyear contract with Engage, as well as new social media procedures,” Director of the Student Development Office Ricky Gonzalez said.

SEE HANDBOOK PAGE 5 →

On-Campus VAWA Stalking Offenses

Clery Act Compliance Coordinator Nina Wong, left, and El Camino Police Chief Michael Trevis talk about reporting crime data on colleges to improve campus safety during an interview at the Campus Police Station on October 31, 2023. Photo by Ma. Gisela Ordenes

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fter a brief drop during the pandemic when El Camino College was closed, reports of stalking targeting female students on campus are rising again.

The crime log from the El Camino College Police Department recorded three incidents of stalking on campus so far in 2024.

In 2019, there were 13 on-campus stalking Violence Against Women offenses reported, five in 2020 and three in 2021, according to the 2022 El Camino Clery Crime Statistics Act. There were 10 documented oncampus stalking Violence Against

Women offenses in 2022.

The offenses highlight the crucial role of the Violence Against Women’s Act and the Clery Act on student protection.

These are laws that work to prevent violence and ensure safety on college campuses.

“About [10] years ago, the Clery Act was amended because of VAWA requiring colleges to disclose sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking statistics as part of their annual security report,” Clery Act Compliance Coordinator Nina Wong said.

Stalking is the crime of repeatedly following or harassing another person and making a credible threat to that person’s safety, or the safety of his or her immediate family, according to California laws.

“If a person is stalking somebody with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear, that now becomes a crime in the state of California and we, campus police, can arrest that person for that crime and charge them for that,” El Camino Police Chief Michael Trevis said.

SEE VAWA PAGE 4 →

Number of Offenses

By Olivia Sullivent

Year

2

EDITORIAL

April 25, 2024

The Union

The Union SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1946

Vol. 78, No. 8 April 25, 2024

EDITORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NEWS AND MANAGING EDITOR

Give students control of their club’s social media

Rhiannon Ellis | Special to The Union

By Union Editorial Board

T

he Student Organization Handbook, which lays down the rules for clubs and organizations on campus, has a new social media policy.

The policy says club and student organization social media accounts will be run and managed solely by advisers, not students.

This is wrong.

It is against El Camino College’s board policy that says administrative procedures shall not prohibit the right of students to exercise free expression.

The policy takes away student voices in two ways: First, by not letting clubs have their say in their social media accounts. Second, by cutting the communication line between campus leaders and students and vice versa.

This, to us, crosses a line.

How are clubs supposed to express their interests, goals and passions on social media when its members are being restricted and monitored under what seems like Big Brother?

The college is denying the clubs, the Associated Students Organization and the InterClub Council the ability to directly speak and connect with students through social media.

Now, instead of a fellow student from ASO, ICC or any other organization on campus, students are speaking to someone who might not understand or relate to their concerns.

This leads to a disconnect since the flow of content is not from students to students.

But why did the college implement this new policy in the first place?

Vice President of Student Services Jeff Stephenson said it was implemented to “update the manual.”

He said the policy is there because the college is responsible for making sure people don’t put their personal opinions, hate speech and offensive language on accounts that are under the college’s name.

Director of the Student Development Office Ricky Gonzalez and primary ICC adviser Austin Toney said this was put in place so advisers could make sure the social media accounts in question represent the college.

While we understand the college’s point of view, these accounts were created not for the college but for students. These accounts should serve the students and their interests. They should represent the club, not the college.

The college needs to understand that its obsession with its appearance and reputation is hurting the ability of student clubs to flourish, cutting off the voices of students and student leaders and giving more work to advisers who are already busy and overtaxed.

In comparison, Santa Monica College’s social media policy says student club leaders are responsible for their content and conduct on social media and are responsible for their marketing and communications.

At Cerritos College, its policy encourages the use of social media for clubs and organizations. Clubs share usernames and passwords with advisers so future club members can access their respective social media accounts.

Orange Coast College’s policy makes sure club social media accounts adhere to college policies and rules while also allowing students to control their accounts.

Each of these colleges trusts and holds its student organizations responsible for its own social media accounts.

El Camino needs to understand and trust members of ASO, ICC and the clubs to use their own social media. They are not children.

El Camino can fix this by allowing student organizations control of their accounts.

Second, by creating rules of conduct for organizations to follow for social media. Third, by creating a social media role for a student in the organization; they have control of the account and are guided by the adviser.

Give the students one of their remaining platforms to express themselves. A student body that enjoys its fundamental rights is the best image for the college.

SPORTS EDITOR ARTS & FEATURES EDITOR OPINION EDITOR COPY EDITOR PHOTO EDITOR

Ma. Gisela Ordenes sablayenya@gmail.com Eddy Cermeno eddyrcermeno@gmail.com Johan Van Wier jvanwier22@gmail.com Angela Osorio angoso1638@gmail.com Nasai Rivas opinioneccunion@gmail.com Erica Lee erjalee@gmail.com Raphael Richardson eccunionphoto@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Nick Geltz ngeltz4140@gmail.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Kae Takazawa kaelealani@gmail.com

STAFF Senior Staff Writers

Ethan Cohen Joseph Ramirez Joshua Flores

Staff Writers

Jaylen Morgan Olivia Sullivent Osvin Suazo Tommy Kallman

Photographers

Caleb Smith Clarence Davis Elsa Rosales Monroe Morrow

Intern

Rhiannon Ellis

ADVISERS STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS PHOTO ADVISER ADVERTISING MANAGER

Stefanie Frith sfrith@elcamino.edu Kate McLaughlin kmclaughlin@elcamino.edu Nguyet Thomas nthomas@elcamino.edu Jack Mulkey elcounionads000@yahoo.com

CORRECTION POLICY: The Union takes corrections and clarifications

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

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

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

LETTERS AND GUEST COLUMN POLICY: No more than

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

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

The Union

April 25, 2024

OPINION

Eduardo Salas | Special to The Union

Watching a genocide

A

s students walk through the El Camino College doors, clutching their backpacks, it is symbolic of the future that awaits them.

An 11-year-old Palestinian boy clutches onto his backpack that contains the remains of his little brother Ahmed, as told by Al Jazeera English correspondent Yo u m n a E l - S a y e d t o Swedish media.

Nobody can make this image any metaphorical, not when such brutality surpasses even the frameworks of reality. The future was stolen, the time frozen and the memory only

By Abiya Hasan reminds us that Ahmed and his older brother did not Israel to be in the wrong in themselves part of the the masses do not have deserve this.

The Gazan genocide is the current aggression but “Ceasefire Now” movement. power. Ambivalence always They believed it is futile creates cowardice. being documented by first- lacked the knowledge to be able to make a stance on the a n d they would be Pessimism lies with the hand sources and spreading via social media. I asked broader picture: the over suppressed by governmental sentiment that resistance is not worth doing. students around campus how 75-year-old conflict between and military power.

Palestine and Israel.

Psychology major Aldred H o w e v e r, t h e m o s t they feel about this.

Additionally, there was an Teodoro, 22, felt he couldn’t dangerous aspect of all of “Every two to three posts are about Palestine and attitude that the world is do anything to help with these principles is that they invalidate the possibility of Israel,” animation major violent and always has been what’s happening in Gaza. and is unable to change.

Fashion merchandising liberation, resulting in the Alexis Acosta, 21, said. major Yin Oo, 23, said she m a i n t e n a n c e o f a l l Psychology major Fatima Machorro, 19, said though The oppressed believe felt “the world has always oppressive systems.

Moreover, helplessness, she wouldn’t consider that liberation is not been like this.”

T h e s e a t t i t u d e s o f ambivalence and pessimism herself to be quite educated worthwhile because they about the topic, she was cannot see themselves as helplessness, ambivalence reflect the dehumanization inclined to call what is human beings who can and pessimism are all very of oppressed bodies. understandable; in itself, Brazilian educator and happening in the region a fight for themselves.” there is no fault. However, philosopher Paulo Freire genocide based on how many people she has seen Even if they participated they are also bloody and a rg u e d i n h i s b o o k killed and bombed as in boycotting, protesting and violent tools of the oppressor “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” other forms of resistance to and the fault lies in what that the oppressed lack reported by the media. humanity because they have Generally, there was a the United States sending these tools produce. weapons and money to Israel, Helplessness will plague been reduced to being trend in the responses that the majority of people found t h e y d i d n ’t c o n s i d e r the mind with the idea that recipients of oppression.

Social media and the horrors of the Gazan massacre

“

The oppressed believe liberation is not worthwhile because they cannot see themselves as real human beings who can fight for themselves. Helplessness, pessimism and ambivalence reassert this sentiment.

Arhum Ali, founder and professor at Kitaab Academy, an online platform that teaches Classical Arabic, recently organized an “Aqsa Conference” aimed to help people be educated about everything about Palestine.

He said that to tackle these feelings of helplessness, ambivalence and pessimism, one must educate oneself in history and politics, as that will empower resistance struggles. He added that education breeds action and has a long-term effect.

From talking to students, it is clear that Israel is losing the confidence of the public.

The public mustn’t lose confidence in themselves.

Amy Tahani Bidmeshki, a Pasadena City College professor emphasizing anticolonialism and resistance literature, said everything happens in increments and any movement is valuable.

As psychology major Zakiah Delery, 21, said, “The Palestinian struggle is vital to collective liberation.”

To read additional opinions, visit the website at eccunion. com. Send letters to the editor and guest columns to eccunion@gmail.com

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4

NEWS

April 25, 2024

The Union

Campus sees increase in crimes harassing women → VAWA FROM PAGE 1 At El Camino, campus police and the Office of Title IX, Diversity and Inclusion handle reports of stalking alongside each other.

“We want to make sure students know their options and rights as they relate to filing a complaint against a person,” El Camino Director of Title IX, Diversity and Inclusion Jaynie Ishikawa said.

The crime must occur on campus, on public property nearby or on non-campus properties to be counted toward the Clery Act. “At least one instance has to be physically in any of our Clery geography locations,” Wong said.

Ishikawa said stalking can take multiple forms.

“There’s stalking that happens from someone that you don’t know and there’s also stalking that can originate from having had a previous social interaction with someone,” Ishikawa said.

The Union requested

information on specific stalking instances on campus but details were not provided.

“We want to maintain as much privacy as possible,” Ishikawa said. “My office doesn’t disclose any personal or identifiable information, anything that comes through.

We want to maintain as much privacy as possible.”

At El Camino, there are reports circulating of men, some potentially posing as El Camino students, following women to their cars and classes.

Bryan Sanchez, 19, a business administration major, noticed multiple stalking incidents occurring around the Humanities Building.

In the fall 2023 semester, Sanchez, who usually hangs out at the blue tables outside the Humanities Building with his friends, began observing a man approaching women sitting by themselves or in duos.

“Sometimes there would be this particular [man] who would get up and walk to other benches that [women] were at,” Sanchez said. “You could

CA Penal Code 646.9 Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or willfully and maliciously harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety, or the safety of his or her immediate family is guilty of the crime of stalking.

Police Beat

By Rhiannon Ellis

The Union publishes police beats online with each newspaper release.

Visit eccunion.com to read more.

Wednesday, April 10, 2:18 p.m.

An individual was accused of reckless driving at parking Lot C. The case is closed.

Friday, April 12, 5:33 p.m.

A call was issued regarding weapons at the Music Building.

The case is closed.

Monday, April 15, 8:30 p.m.

An individual vandalized a cardboard box, resisted arrest and was given a trespass warning at the Industrial Technology Building. The individual has been arrested.

Tuesday, April 16, 7:15 p.m.

An individual made criminal threats, resisted arrest twice, committed battery and battery of a peace officer twice and solicited lewd conduct. The individual has been arrested.

Tuesday, April 16, 8:07 p.m.

A vehicular hit-and-run occurred in parking Lot C. The case is open.

Wednesday, April 17, 2:58 p.m.

An individual was accused of reckless driving in the Construction Technology Building area. The case is closed.

Wednesday, April 17, 6:47 p.m.

A vending machine was found vandalized at Cafe Camino. The case is closed.

A student walks past a police car next to the Math Business Alliance Building on Wednesday, April 17. In 2019, there were 13 on-campus stalking Violence Against Women offenses reported, five in 2020 and three in 2021, according to the 2022 El Camino Clery Crime Statistics. Photo by Raphael Richardson

visibly tell [the student] wasn’t showing any signs of trying to have a conversation, but the guy kept being persistent; and when she got up to leave, he followed her.”

After seeing three similar occurrences happen, Sanchez called campus security.

Animal science student Krystal Suarez, 20, has been approached in two separate scenarios by two different men.

In spring 2022, Suarez was sitting at the benches by the Math Business and Allied Health Building when a short man with blonde hair and baggy clothing approached her and complimented her appearance.

“There was always this

guy that would [walk] past me and say, ‘I like your hair.’ It just made me really uncomfortable.”

On Valentine’s Day of this year, Suarez claimed a white male with dyed blue tips of his hair was lingering behind the Bookstore, staring at her while she waited for her boyfriend to pick her up.

“This [man] was just

lingering in the corner right here [by the Bookstore] staring at me,” Suarez said. “He sat next to me, trying to talk to me, but I was doing my work.”

Suarez said the man asked if she wanted to be his valentine before he walked away, leaving her “very uncomfortable.”

To read more of the story, visit the website at eccunion.com

Contact details for help at ECC Police Department: 310-660-3100 Title IX, Diversity and Inclusion Office: 310-660-3813 Student Health Services: 310-660-3643 After-Hours Emotional Crisis Line: 310-660-3377

Dean retiring after supporting students for 29 years → DEAN FROM PAGE 1

D

reizler said he enjoyed working for the college and telling people about El Camino when he started as a recruiter before working his way up to be the director of outreach and school relations, and then the dean of enrollment services.

“Looking back I think of the tens of thousands of students that I’ve either spoken to or advised,” Dreizler said. “I feel if I could make a difference on a daily basis with one student then that’s a successful career.”

While a student at El Camino, Dreizler played baseball and would later play

professionally for a few seasons in the Major League Baseball minor leagues for the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies.

Current and former El Camino faculty and staff spoke some words of appreciation and gave gifts for Dreizler after he gave a speech.

Recently retired Vice President of Student Services Ross Miyashiro gifted Dreizler a retirement shirt and mug.

Miyashiro said his time working with Dreizler was fantastic and hopes he gets peace and relaxation.

“Working with someone who cares about students as [Dreizler] did is rewarding

Robin Dreizler gives a speech to family, friends and colleagues in celebration of his retirement at the end of the month in the East Dining Room at El Camino College on Wednesday, April 17. Photo by Nick Miller

because he changed students’ lives, that’s what teaching is about,” Miyashiro said.

In his retirement, Dreizler looks forward to spending time

with family and getting back into nature photography.

To read more of the story, visit the website at eccunion.com

List of weapons allowed on campus modified after review → GUNS FROM PAGE 1

Knives, ice picks, dirks, daggers or fixed blades longer than two and a half inches can now be allowed on campus, only if it’s been authorized by the police department for a class such as sculpting or an institute technology class.

Students or employees with blades longer than two and a

half inches must check in with the El Camino police to notify them of the weapon.

Some other weapons not allowed on El Camino premises are tasers, stun guns and pepper spray, which Trevis said is a liability to permit to use on campus.

The changes came after a regular review of El Camino

policies during the Monday, April 15 College Council meeting.

“Colleges are required to update their policy on weapons on campus, and it was about time at El Camino College we updated ours,” El Camino President Brenda Thames said.

Every three to five years, updates on policies need to

be reviewed and discussed, Thames said.

“Incidents happen unfortunately but I think this policy will help our campus,” Vice President of Academic Affairs Carlos Lopez said. “We just want students and staff to feel as safe as possible while here.”

The Union

April 25, 2024

NEWS

5

New rules set for all clubs’ social media → HANDBOOK FROM PAGE 1

Page 13 of the handbook says access to registered social media accounts will be “granted solely” to designated club advisers.

The advisers will be responsible for “overseeing and managing the content” of these social media accounts.

“We understand the policy is a bit of a culture shock and it is not meant to hinder clubs,” Gonzalez said.

“We needed to put in procedures that would allow information to be communicated to best represent their goals as a club and to represent El Camino,” Toney said.

Both Gonzalez and Toney said they wanted to give the clubs a “grace period” and to

not enforce the policy until after spring break.

“It’s a team effort and it is important for us to work with the clubs and meet them halfway,” Toney said.

The new policies are raising concerns with club advisers and students.

“I feel like the purpose of clubs is to promote student engagement. I worry that if there is too much policing of clubs, that the y mig ht disengage and it would not be good for the college,” English professor Shane Ochoa said.

Ochoa is the adviser for the Puente Club and said he heard from other students that these new policies are “a bit much.”

To read more of the story, visit the website at eccunion. com.

From the Official Student Organization Handbook:

Access to registered social media accounts will be granted solely to designated club advisors of the respective student organizations. Advisors will be responsible for overseeing and managing the content posted on these accounts. Student organizations must provide their advisor(s) with necessary login credentials, and advisors will be the only individuals authorized to access and modify account settings, including passwords.

Passion for Pottery An El Camino College ceramics student looks down as she prepares her

in-process mug for glazing during her class Wednesday, April 17. The ceramics class takes place at the Arts Complex. Photo by Delfino Camacho

Pride Week returns to El Camino in May

By Nick Geltz “Drag Bingo,” “LGBTQIA+ Prom” and “Lavender Graduation” are just some of the events happening to celebrate El Camino College’s Pride Week starting May 20.

LGBTQIA+ Student Success Coordinator Kenny Simkins presented the events at the Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, April 15.

Simkims said the “LQBTQIA+ Prom” will happen on May 24 at 7 p.m. in Room 204 of the Communications Building.

“Some of the people at the LGBTQIA+ Prom last year were just students who did not have the experience of a real prom because of COVID-19,” Simkins said.

“This prom is not your ‘classic’ prom in which the men

dress up in tuxedos while the girls wear dresses,” Simkins said, “but instead an event where anyone can wear anything of their choosing.”

“This prom is for both the LQBTQIA+ community and allies,” Simkins said.

“Drag Bingo” will kick off the celebrations on May 20.”

To read more of the story, visit the website at eccunion.com.

Faculty to attend summer class about inclusive teaching skills

By Erica Lee

W

El Camino College student Jahquist Williams looks at the new version of MyECC portal on his laptop in the Schauerman Library on Thursday, April 4. Photo by Joseph Ramirez

M y E C C g e t s re d e s i g n a f t e r 2 0 y e a r s

By Joseph Ramirez

Before making the new portal, Audusseau and Sajo wanted feedback and interaction Over a month after it launched a new version from faculty and students. of MyECC on March 11, the El Camino Audusseau worked with the faculty and Sajo College Information and Technology Services collected data from students. When making is still working on a few hiccups for the portal. the current version, everything wrong with the The old version, which launched in 2003, old one had to be considered. was challenging to navigate and had broken “I spoke with student ambassadors, links, according to the data and feedback admissions, and counselors to hear what the collected by the El Camino College biggest concerns and issues students were Information and Technology Services from having with the old version of MyECC and faculty and students. those issues included broken links, difficulty The ITS began work on the new portal in navigating, it was not mobile device friendly, 2023. The two people who contributed most and the layout was outdated,” Sajo said. are Loic Audusseau, the chief technology Student reactions to the new portal have officer and Linabel Sajo, the applications been mixed. development supervisor.

One student who has had some issues is art When Audusseau came to work for El major Jessica Villanueva, 25.

Camino in 2020, he quickly noticed the old “I think the new MyECC could be better MyECC portal. because I get error messages when trying to “When I arrived here to El Camino College, I drop classes, yet it is easier to navigate now,” was really surprised to see the web portal was Villanueva said. still a system from 2003 and began voicing To read more of the story, visit the website at that it needed to be updated and changed,” eccunion.com.

Audusseau said.

hile students are enjoying their summer break, El Camino College faculty members will be heading back to the classroom.

Polly Parks, an associate p r o f e s s o r o f b i o l o g y, announced during the April 16 Academic Senate meeting that sign-ups are now open for a professional development program that will begin in June.

The Teaching Academy for Continuous Learning (TACL) is a two-part, paid professional development program designed to help faculty learn skills they can use to build a more inclusive classroom.

“We get to learn all the cool pedagogy stuff,” Parks said.

“Active learning, grading, all that super fun, nerdy teaching stuff.”

Unlike other training courses, which focus on reading about theory-based work and discussion groups about how it can be applied to the classroom, TACL takes a real-world approach where teachers become the students.

“I think it’s, in general, the opportunity to discuss and work through lesson plans with other professors. It’s something we don’t get to do as much. That’s the big thing I got out of it, being able to work things out

with other professors and seeing what other people do,” Stephanie Burnham, associate professor of English, said.

The first part, called the “Learning Institute,” is scheduled to take place June 24 to 28 at the Distance Education Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The second part consists of observation sessions that will be conducted this fall.

Attendees, or cohorts will work together in smaller groups to observe and share insights into their teaching methods.

Burnham, who has been teaching at the college since 2018, participated in a TACL training course back when it was called the Equity-Minded Teaching Institute.

“It’s one of the better training programs I’ve done,” Burnham said. “In more traditional or classic training, it’s heavy on the theory. Whereas this program is heavier on the practical. It’s a good thing that it takes out the guesswork of how the theory could work in the classroom by applying practical application.”

“We’re not asking anybody to completely revolutionize the way they teach,” Vice President of Educational Policies Darcie McClelland said.

To read more of the story, visit the website at eccunion.com.

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FEATURES

April 25, 2024

The Union

BEHIND THE SILVER SCREEN

Wr i t i n g h e r s t o r y , o n e l i n e a t a t i m e

By Delfino Camacho

T

he 62-year-old professor likes stories.

She should. Academy Aw a r d - n o m i n a t e d screenwriter Kim Krizan is also a published author and an actor. On Wednesdays, she lends her talents to El Camino, teaching screenwriting from 6 to 9 p.m.

Krizan grew up in the rolling hills of Tustin, Orange County, where her family lived on the edge of orange groves and strawberry fields.

Her childhood “smelled like eucalyptus trees.”

As an only child with lots of alone time, she would lose herself in books, writing, drawing and her imagination, which she believes sparked her creativity.

“I also knew quite early on that I liked the idea of teaching,” she said. “It came naturally to me.”

Krizan’s Acting Roles 1990 - Slacker (film) Actress 1993 - Dazed and Confused (film) - Actress 1996 - The Devil (short film) - Actress 2001 - Waking Life (film) - Actress (as herself) Krizan wrote her own monologue 2017 - Language is Dead (short film) - Actress

She graduated from Tustin High School in 1979 but was never meant to go to college.

Her m other, a strict Jehovah’s Witness, didn’t believe in it, as her church saw higher education as a waste.

K r i z a n ’s h a v e n w a s

community college.

She remembers sneaking into Saddleback College to take advantage of the professors, many of whom impacted her.

One of them was her humanities professor, who introduced Krizan to a broad understanding of art.

Krizan’s Books 2008 - Zombie Tales: 2061 (comic book) Writer 2010 - CBGB’s OMFUB #3 (comic book) - Writer 2019 - Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin (book) Writer 2013 - Original Sin: Trade Secrets of the Femme Fatal (book) - Writer

After two years she transferred to Cal State Fullerton in the ‘80s.

Krizan left L.A. to attend graduate school at Southwest Texas State University as an English and psychology major.

While working on her master’s degree, Krizan was talked into auditioning for a student film despite having no acting experience.

“But it turned out it wasn’t a student movie, it was like a little art film and I got a part in it,” she said. “It was ‘Slacker.’”

The audition process for the soon-to-be cult film consisted of the director, Richard Linklater, asking Krizan about herself and her thesis.

The two would talk about writing and stay friendly.

After Krizan received her master’s, Linklater reached out and asked to read her thesis. He read it in a day, then asked her to write a movie with him.

It took them 16 days to write “Before Sunrise,” Krizan’s first script. The movie was released in 1995 and received positive

Screenwriting professor Kim Krizan, seen here on the second floor of the Humanities Building at El Camino College on March 20, is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, comic book author and actor who has written for several films, including the “Before” series with Richard Linklater. Photo by Delfino Camacho

reviews, seen today as a romantic classic.

In 2000 Krizan moved back to L.A. and continued to work with Linklater through phone calls and faxes. They worked on the sequel to “Before Sunset,” which earned her and other writers an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Krizan began teaching at universities and colleges while pursuing writing jobs, wanting to give back to the community.

El Camino College professor Kim Krizan praises and points out a student’s response while teaching her screenwriting class the difference between story and plot on Wednesday, April 4. Photo by Delfino Camacho

Krizan’s Films 1995 - Before Sunrise (film) - Writer (with Richard Linklater) 2001 - Waking Life (film) - wrote her own monologue 2004 - Before Sunset (film) - Writer (story, with Richard Linklater) 2023 - A Cinematic Story (Chanel Ad) - Dialogue (adapted from A Man and a Woman by French director Claude Lelouch

In 2006, former El Camino Humanities Dean Thomas Lew hired Krizan as an English teacher and asked Krizan to develop her screenwriting class Current Humanities Dean Scott Kushigemachi says Krizan is courteous, kind and easy to work with.

“I think people want authentic learning experiences, regardless of the class, students don’t want to feel like

something is theoretical,” Kushigemachi said. “She’s had that first-hand experience which means she can speak on concrete questions.”

Film major and fan of the “Before” movies Finn Disharoon is taking Krizan’s screenwriting class.

“You don’t always expect an Oscar-nominated professor, it’s a very happy surprise because maybe [it’s common at] a top film school like UCLA or USC, but to get it at community college, that’s nice,” he said.

In 2014, Krizan decided to only teach at El Camino after teaching at UCLA. There were two things about El Camino–students and employees were always kind and here she contributed more to her community.

“I just needed a couple of decent teachers to show me another way,” Krizan said. “I do what was done for me.”

Rhiannon Ellis contributed to this story’s illustrations.

To read more of the story, visit the website at eccunion.com.

The Union

April 25, 2024

SPORTS

7

Spring Sports Calendar Baseball April 25, 2 p.m., @ Mt. SAC April 26, 2 p.m., vs. Mt. SAC May 3, 3C2A Southern California Regionals, TBA May 4, 3C2A Southern California Regionals, TBA May 9, 3C2A Southern California Regionals, TBA

Softball

Leaps and Bounds: Anthony Taylor, center, jumps over a hurdle during the men’s 110-meter hurdles at the South Coast Conference

Prelims at Murdock Stadium on Tuesday, April 23. Taylor won his heat out of lane five in 14.35 seconds, the top qualifying time heading into the SCC Finals, which will take place on Saturday, April 27 at Murdock Stadium. Photo by Greg Fontanilla

Warriors softball catches fire

El Camino beats Compton to earn 12th win in the last 13 games

By Johan Van Wier

Navarro from first inning to tie the game. Catcher Julianna he Warriors defeated the Vasquez singled to score Martin, Tartars 6-4 at the ECC taking the lead after one.

Softball Field on Tuesday, April With two outs in the top of 23, making it their fifth the second inning, the Tartars consecutive win and third win reached on balls two times to against Compton this season. bring up Uribe. Although Uribe “We needed to keep our ripped a single down the middle energy high coming off a big to score infielder Evelyn Martin win against Fullerton... We del Campo, the Tartars ended didn’t want to get lax because the inning with two runners left we just beat the No. 1 team, so on base after a flyout from we needed to make sure we outfielder Danielle Varela. came out with the same “They’re a great team, hard intensity,” outfielder Malia team to beat, it comes down to Martin said. executing and one inning, every As it was the last scheduled time we have faced them [El home game of the season, Camino] it’s always been that Warrior sophomores received one inning that goes their way. introductions and flowers If we can overcome that, then honoring their last game. we can beat them,” Tartars The game started hot with coach Victoria Castillo said. both teams scoring in the first The Warriors rallied with two inning. The Tartars opened it up outs when outfielder Madilyn in the top of the fifth inning Radeke stole second and third when infielder Serena Velez base, which led to her scoring singled to score infielder off a double from infielder Venezia Uribe.

Emma Garcia. El Camino also The Warriors responded in ended the inning with two the bottom of the first inning runners left of base. with a Martin double, which With the Warriors’ fourth scored infielder Cheyenne inning explosion, the team

T

El Camino College’s beach volleyball and former women’s volleyball coach was inducted into the California Community College Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame during the o r g a n i z a t i o n ’s a n n u a l convention held in Sacramento in late March.

South Bay native LeValley Pattison, who coached the El

Camino women’s volleyball program for 26 years and founded the beach volleyball program in 2016, was also a former student who helped take the Warriors go on a undefeated state championship run in 1983.

Pattison led the women’s volleyball program to 16 conference championships. The 2014 Warriors season put her over the top in the 400-win club.

Overall, she has a career record

Track and Field April 27, South Coast Conference Finals @ El Camino College May 3, 3C2A Southern California Prelims @ Cerritos College

Beach Volleyball April 30, 3C2A Southern California Team Regionals May 3, 3C2A Southern California Pairs - Regionals, TBA, 9 a.m. @ El Camino May 3, 3C2A Southern California Pairs - Regionals, TBA, 9 a.m. @ El Camino

Swimming, Diving El Camino infielder Cheyenne Navarro readies herself for a pitch during the final innings of a softball game against Compton College on Tuesday, April 23. Photo by Monroe Morrow

added all the insurance runs it needed with help from Martin. to close the game out against the Tartars “The key is we need everyone to be locked in all the time and there’s a new person every day that gets to [kind of] help us win, everyone’s stepped up and really helped us,” Warriors coach Jessica Rapoza said.

Warrior Kat Gutierrez

finished off the Tartars’ offense when she came in to end the fifth inning. Gutierrez earned the save and allowed no runs and hits in 2.1 innings of work.

The Warriors have won the past 12 out of 13 games, just in time for playoffs, improving to a 27-11 record.

To read more of the story, visit the website at eccunion.com

Volleyball coach makes Hall of Fame

By Ethan Cohen

April 25, 2 p.m., vs Long Beach April 30, 3C2A Southern California Playoffs - Play-In Round, TBA May 3, 3C2A Southern California Playoffs - Play-In Round, TBA May 4, 3C2A Southern California Playoffs - Play-In Round, TBA

Standings Baseball 20-18 Overall 11-11 Conference

Softball 27-11 Overall 15-5 Conference

of 404-125, and has been named South Coast Conference Coach of the Year 14 times.

“When I saw the names and bios of other inductees, I’m not sure if I belonged in that group...

They’re fairly fantastic people and have accomplished some great things. But I was happy to be there,” Pattison said.

To read more of the story, visit the website at eccunion.com

May 2, all day, 3C2A State Championships, @ Orange Coast College May 3, all day, 3C2A State Championships, @ Orange Coast College May 4, all day, 3C2A State Championships, @ Orange Coast College

Men’s Volleyball

4-14 Overall 3-9 Conference

Beach Volleyball 14-6 Overall 8-2 Conference LeValley Pattison, current Beach Volleyball coach, makes the 3C2A Hall of Fame. Photo by Ethan Cohen

Badminton

5-5 Overall 5-5 Conference