Vol. 75, No. 3, Oct. 10, 2019

OCT. 10, 2019

THE UNION eccunion.com

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See Arts, page 5

TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA

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Opinion Culture Shock Student journalist details his experience of leaving his home country to move to the United States for better opportunities.

See page 3

News Crime rates increase Drug abuse and weapon violation arrests have increased surrounding El Camino College and at its offcampus sites.

See page 4 Rosemary Montalvo/The Union Students order food from the LA Mobile Catering food truck located next to the El Camino College Bookstore on Tuesday, Oct. 8. The truck was brought on campus to rectify food options available to students on the north side of campus two years after The Manattan deli closed down.

Bookstore Café will replace shuttered deli New campus food option to be operational by 2021; will offer soups, coffee, sandwiches

Devyn Smith

Senior Staff Writer @ECCUnionDevyn

T

he old, closed down deli on the north side of El Camino College will be converted into a coffee shop that will be operational by 2021, a campus official said.

Formally known as “The Manhattan,” the deli first opened in 2001 and is located adjacent to the ECC Bookstore. After fifteen years of service, it closed in 2016 following a botched robbery attempt that set off a fire that was contained inside the deli, according to an article published by The Union in June 2019.

In order to rectify campus food options on the north side of ECC, administration officials installed the LAMobile Catering food truck next to the Bookstore in the fall 2018 semester, according to an article published by The Union in October 2018.

More than three years later, a $1.2 million project will reopen The Manhattan deli space, according to a bond program update presented at a Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Although students can go to the Bookstore or the food truck for something to eat while on the north side of campus, Director of the Bookstore Julie Bourlier said bringing back The Manhattan deli

in the form of the Bookstore Café would be a good change.

“It’ll be good for the whole campus to have The Manhattan back,” Bourlier said. “The drawings, the plans, are beautiful.

It’s exciting to see.”

Furthermore, this new addition will add to the food options available to students on campus.

As it is, the Bookstore has been competitive with its prices and is focused on stocking what students want, Bourlier said.

The goal for food service at ECC is to keep people on campus, Assistant Director of the Bookstore Andrew Nasatir said.

“We’re all a team competing against Crenshaw Bouevard,”

Nasatir said. “We’ll know we’re successful when McDonald’s starts leafleting our students on our campus. That’s when we know we’ll have really had an impact.”

The new Bookstore Café will have various kinds of coffee as well as other drinks. Inside the café will be steam tables containing food prepared in the chef’s kitchen just above. Soups, sandwiches and snacks will also be prepared and sold at the café.

David Bryan Montefalcon, 19, film major, said he uses food options available on campus but prefers to go off campus to eat.

“Personally for me, I don’t drink that much coffee,” Montefalcon said. “But I would consider [going

to the Bookstore Café] if it was cheaper.”

A formal name for the Bookstore Café has not been determined yet but will be decided on by the Food Service Committee, an advisory committee for the College Council that overlooks food service operations at ECC. Bourlier said she wants campus and student input to be part of the naming process.

Once fully operational, the new Bookstore Café will be operated

by Pacific Dining Food Services Management, which also operates Café Camino and the Art Deli.

Omar Rashad contributed to this article

Students may get more financial aid

Arts Student sells his art Instead of going out to recess in middle school, he would skip to sketch his ideas. Now he sells his art.

See page 5

Features Finding her inner voice El Camino College student finds the confidence to start singing and create a YouTube channel.

See page 6

Sports Keeping the winning streak The El Camino College football team heads into its first conference game of the season after comming off of a four-game winning streak.

Proposed law will re-evaluate the true cost of college

Jose Tobar

Senior Staff Writer @ECCUnionTobar

As a child, David Nieto grew up in a neighborhood of East Los Angeles and lived in a household with gang ties going back three generations.

College was not in the works for him, he said. But things changed.

“I realized there was more to living than dying for something,” he said. “So, whichever way God seemed fit to put me in, that’s where I decided I wanted to be.”

The 41-year-old psychology major has a 4.0 GPA as a third-year student at El Camino College and is determined to carve out a better path for his children and others to follow even as he faces food and

housing insecurities while being bound to a wheelchair, he said.

Recently, the California State Legislature has taken measures to review the outdated Cal Grant system that would reflect the true cost of college and expand access to aid for more students like Nieto who are facing economic hardships at the UC, CSU and community [See True cost of college, page 4]

Rosemary Montalvo/The Union A student leaves the Financial Aid Office after talking with a front desk representative Monday, Oct. 7. The office moved from the Communications Building to the Student Services Building during the fall 2019 semester.

See page 8

Resources for undocumented students to be promoted Week-long campaign to offer workshops and other activities Juan Miranda

Staff Writer @ECCUnionJuanM

The second annual Undocumented Student Week of Action (USWA) will be presented at El Camino College from Monday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 18.

The week-long campaign to advocate and provide resources for undocumented students, such as business and undocumented student allyship workshops, is held across all California community colleges, Dean of Counseling and Student Success, Dipte Patel said.

At ECC, the USWA was organized by members of the Undocumented Student Task Force, a committee of students

and staff who are advocates and allies for undocumented students and Dreamers.

During the USWA undocumented students and other members of the student body will have the opportunity to attend a luncheon with UCLA graduate and Dreamer, Manuel Cruz on Tuesday, Oct. 15 and view a screening of the film, “Waking Dream” on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

According to the film’s synopsis, “Waking Dream” is a documentary that sheds light on the struggles that DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients experienced after the program was rescinded in 2017.

All students will have the chance

to attend the Student Allyship Workshop, an informative seminar that is focused on bringing awareness to the academic and social needs of undocumented students.

“It is important to have allies in multiple groups, whether it be peers, counselors, as well as instructors,” Patel said.

Griselda Castro, a Puente Project co-coordinator and counselor, said the USWA will also bring awareness to the legal and support resources that are available to undocumented students at ECC, as well as help that may also be offered to these students at the four-year level.

“There is a campus community willing and able to help,” Castro

said.

Castro added that the UndocuEntrepeneur Workshop on Friday, Oct. 18, may be one of the more informative events a student can attend during the USWA due to the opportunity for students to develop a network of connections for resumes and letters of recommendation.

Patel said that the UndocuEntrepeneur Workshop is open to all students, not just undocumented students.

Diego Flores Perez, an undocumented student who attends ECC, is looking forward to the luncheon with Manuel Cruz after being invited to the event through the academic program MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement Program).

“It is a story of a Hispanic

Rosemary Montalvo/The Union Kimberly Garcia, who works at the First Year Experience Office, hands out flyers for Undocumented Students Week of Action at the Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff Festival on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The week will advocate and provide resources for undocumented students.

immigrant that graduated from college,” Flores Perez, an electrical engineering major said.

“It is not [the kind of] story I hear about a lot.”

More information about the USWA and other campus initiatives is available at the FYE Office on the second floor of the Student Services Building.

EDITORIAL

2 THE UNION

OCT. 10, 2019

Luciane Gasperis / Special to the Union

More food options should be available on campus Students limited to a select amount of food vendors, ECC should do more

O

ver the past few semesters, El Camino College students have experienced the demise of popular food vendors leading to a campus-wide shortage of options for a hot meal.

After closing due to a fire caused by a robbery, the absence of The Manhattan deli has left ECC students limited to food options at the well known Café Camino or the lesser known Art Deli located in the art complex.

With the Art Deli scheduled to close within the next few years, Café Camino would become the sole campus food option besides vending machines, the Bookstore’s basic selection of snacks and drinks, and the LAMobile food truck that’s only available Monday through Thursday.

For most ECC students, rushing off of campus to eat between classes is just too difficult for their schedules. The Union believes that, at a minimum, there should be at least three to four hot food options available on campus.

While ECC has limited options, other community colleges have excelled in their ability to meet the nutritional demands of growing populations of students. These basic needs, unfortunately, have not been met by the current ECC administration.

Santa Monica College has three hot food options on campus, not including their vending machines. These cafés offer an array of colorful and nutritious options such as fusion dishes and even French pastries.

Cerritos College has more than five different on-campus food options for students to enjoy, despite having 3,440 fewer students than ECC according to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

A remodel of the Bookstore and Manhattan deli location was discussed by the Board of Trustees (BOT) during its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 19, but no official construction has started. The proposed $1.2 million remodel would be called the Bookstore Café and would include a place for students to study and relax with coffee and hot food options, according to official documents included in the BOT’s presentation.

However, with the Bookstore Café scheduled to open in 2021, and with ECC student enrollment on a steady rise, the options for easily accessible food should match the needs of a growing student population.

The Union believes that an affordable option for ECC is to have more contracted food trucks that offer a diverse menu to students pressed for time.

The food truck options offer the college a comprehensive strategy that would eliminate the need for new buildings to house kitchens, such as the Manhattan, Art Deli and Café Camino. Furthermore it is a way to promote small businesses, which, in turn benefits all parties involved.

With more feasible alternatives, the lack of food options for students could be solved and the college could focus its efforts on other projects.

ECC’s population is only going to continue to grow, and it is the responsibility of the administration to meet these nutritional demands.

Without affordable and reasonably located food vendors, ECC students are going to continue to face stale options that will continue to dwindle in quality.

E d i t o r i a l s a re u n s ig n e d a n d a re w r i t t e n a n d v o t e d u p o n b y t h e e d i t o r i a l b o a rd .

Food options at El Camino College

• Café Camino: located near the Humanities Building.

Hours: Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and

Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Art Deli: located on the south side of the campus near the Arts Building.

Hours: Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• LAMobile food truck: located on the northwest side of the campus near the Bookstore.

Hours: Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Peet’s Coffee: located on the west side of campus near the Student Activities Center.

Hours: Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and

Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Editor’s Thoughts: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Community colleges will provide support and advocacy for undocumented students through the Undocumented Student Action Week beginning the week of Monday, Oct. 14.

THE UNION

Vol. 75, No. 3 Oct. 10, 2019

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

Editor-in-Chief...................................... Fernando Haro News Editor, Managing Editor..............Omar Rashad Features Editor,......................................Roseana Martinez Arts Editor............................................. Justin Traylor Sports Editor..........................................Kealoha Noguchi Opinion Editor.......................................Giselle Morales Social Media Editor...............................Anna Podshivalova Photo Editor ..........................................Rosemary Montalvo Copy Editor............................................Merritt Albin Copy Editor............................................Ryan Farrell Senior Staff Writer.................................David Rondthaler Senior Staff Writer.................................Diamond Brown Senior Staff Writer................................. Jose Tobar Senior Staff Writer..................................Matthew Sandoval Senior Staff Writer..................................Devyn Smith Senior Staff Writer..................................Oscar Macias

The opening of the UC and CSU applications on Tuesday, Oct. 1 has created physical and financial stress for students who are trying to balance academics at El Camino College.

Senior Staff Writer..................................Oscar Macias Staff Writer..............................................Cameron Woods Staff Writer..............................................Khalida Jamilah Staff Writer..............................................Juan Miranda Staff Writer..............................................Mikayla Schwartz Staff Writer..............................................Patrick Ezewiro Senior Photographer................................Mari Inagaki Photographer............................................Viridiana Flores Photographer...........................................David Odasanya Photographer...........................................David Alonso Photographer...........................................Eduardo Jimenez Photographer...........................................Jaime Solis Photographer...........................................Monica Crisostomo Photo Adviser..........................................Luis Sinco Advertising Manager...............................Jack Mulkey Adviser....................................................Stefanie Frith

The Union is published on designated Thursdays by Journalism 11 and 14 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 necessarily 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.

Letters are subject to editing for space, libel, obscenity and disruption of the educational process. Single copies of the Union are free; multiple copies can be requested through the Union.

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EDITORIAL OPINION

OCT. 10, 2019

THE UNION 3

Campus Viewpoints: Hispanic Heritage Month

Maryam Orujova / Special to the Union

Stop whistling at me

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The Union asked students and faculty if they look up to someone who is Hispanic or Latino.

Juan Miranda Staff Writer @ECCUnionJuanM

Catcalling is harassment, parents must do more to teach respect

Anna Podshivalova Senior Staff Writer

@ECCUnionAnna

M

any women come across “catcalling” without even knowing

what it is.

Imagine being a young female student walking down the street when all of a sudden you hear a whistle from a man walking past or a passenger in a car driving by.

This is catcalling, and it happens to women so frequently that most of them now are immune to it.

However, the fact remains that whistling at a stranger is simply wrong and insulting.

Over the years, I have come

across many opinions on this subject. Some people believe that this is just a natural manifestation of attention and there is nothing special about it while others think that it is wrong and unjustifiable behavior.

Personally, I believe that this behavior is an echo of deep-rooted stereotypes of masculinity and is undoubtedly a form of harassment.

I often don’t want to leave my home because of catcalling. It doesn’t even matter what we wear; men think they are somehow entitled to our attention so they go on to pester us with their unsolicited advances.

The Target store where I grocery shop is just across the street from my apartment. It’s a short walk I used to often take.

I usually prefer walking as opposed to driving but these walks often turns into a nightmare for me.

I noticed that it’s become increasingly easier to drive rather than walk because I don’t want to hear whistles in my direction.

It seems to me there has not even been a day when a man has not whistled at me for no reason.

Sometimes, it goes even beyond

whistling. I’ve heard men say things to me like, “Hey baby, what’s your phone number?”

I do not dress provocatively, but my looks somehow attract men’s attention anyway and I am sure that many women face the same issue.

So, what can we do to feel more comfortable in situations like that?

We should speak up and defend our boundaries and personal space if a man gets too close. We need to say that we do not like it or just move away.

As women, we become threatened and gripped by fear in moments like that, which is understandable; but if we can’t stand up for ourselves it projects that such behavior is encouraged.

Now, these are all possible solutions to the problem, but it will not fix the issue completely.

Solving the problem at a global level will require a concerted effort within families.

More often than not, children learn from their parents and follow their example.

Mothers should instill in their sons the utmost respect for women.

Additionally, it is important that fathers also participate in their

children’s upbringing to set a positive example.

One example of cultural impact was portrayed in a video on a YouTube channel, filmed by a viral video agency, Robb Bliss Creative as a social experiment.

The girl in the video took a short walk across the streets of New York while wearing a body camera and ended up receiving about 100 comments from different men during that time.

Such inappropriate behavior is normal for men in many cultures and is deeply rooted in the notions of toxic, aggressive masculinity.

In South America, men are often allowed to disrespect women but are typically able to get away with what would be considered openly sexist acts in the Western world.

For example, the top three most dangerous public transportation systems in cases of sexual harassment towards women were in Latin American cities: Bogota, Mexico City and Lima, according to a recent survey by YouGov. Nothing can truly protect women from catcalling. Even when a woman is raped, she must go out of her way to prove her case

by undergoing examinations and fighting to defend her rights.

Even then she can be still be blamed for what happened to her because it turns out that the clothes she was wearing were too revealing, an act known as victimshaming.

I hope that over time this tendency to whistle at women on the streets will pass. It seems to me that the younger generation is moving further away from old cultural habits, so perhaps this habit will be forgotten over time.

All that remains for me is just to not pay attention to such behavior; I hope that men will continue to learn to respect women and understand that we do not deserve to be disrespected.

I hope that one day I can feel safe again while walking to the Target store just across from my home.

If you have been a victim of sexual harassment or assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-(800)-6564673

Though moving away was hard, I made it

Francisco Valdez, 20, art major “Both of my parents,” Valdez said. “My dad was a farm worker and dropped out of school in the third grade and raised me to have the childhood he never had.”

Guillermo Ramos, 20, biology major “Julio Cesar Chavez is one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time,” Ramos said. “It takes sacrifice to be a champion, that’s what he means to me.”

Leaving Nigeria created more opportunities to maximize potential in the U.S.

Patrick Ezewiro Staff Writer @ECCUnionPatrick Imagine being just four years old, without your parents and moving to the other side of the world, where glares are more familiar than greetings.

Born in 1996 at Father Cloonan Memorial Hospital in Imo State, Nigeria, my father always spoiled

me with the latest toys. I played basketball, and ran track until my legs gave out.

My mother was an important piece of my life. She always remembered to remind me that she carried me for nine months in her stomach when she was in college.

She uses that to remind me of how special I am toward her.

She couldn’t imagine a day with out her son by her side. But when my father passed away in 2001, my mother cried for weeks, not just because she had lost the love of her life but she was about to lose her son as well.

After his death, my family thought it would be best if I moved to the United States where I could be provided with a greater education, living environment and eventually get a job.

My mother didn’t want to let me go but eventually when she saw all of the opportunities in allowing

me to move to the U.S., she made the decision in a heartbeat.

Soon, I was put on a plane with my father’s brother and sisters, leaving my mother who was not able to leave the country behind.

Flying through the air all I saw through the window were white, puffy clouds surrounding the big, white airplane on its way to my new home.

When I landed in Los Angeles I immediately felt out of place.

Everything about the city was different; the way people dressed, the food and even the accent.

When I started elementary school, my classmates mocked my deep accent since I was a foreign student.

But I was born in a country that speaks English as a fourth language.

As I assimilated to the culture and my accent began to disappear, life became easier and I started

to get comfortable with my surroundings.

I blended in so well people would question if I was actually Nigerian because they expected an accent out of me.

I became comfortable in group settings, talking to people, and the English classes I took became much easier for me. I started making friends that enjoyed my company and accepted me for who I am.

The friends I made in middle school and high school found me interesting. They thought it was “cool” to know a foreign student and what my culture was like.

I’ve gone through so many tough moments growing up that have made me who I am today.

But I’ve made Nigerian friends, who were one of the best things to happen to me because we have similar stories, which makes it easier to relate to them whenever

we have conversations.

I embraced where I came from and made lasting friends that understood my situation.

Looking back at the young boy who did not fully understand who he was and where to fit in, I appreciate the challenges and the experiences I went through.

I traveled to America not knowing I had a purpose but discovered it was to become the best version of myself and maximize my potential.

English was a language that I didn’t know in the beginning but it’s become one that I’ve grown to admire.

Who would have thought a young boy from Nigeria would now be majoring in journalism and writing for Warrior Life Magazine and The Union Newspaper.

Camila Jenkin, 30, outreach services librarian “My mom’s experience of coming to this country [from Chile] and being independent inspired me to be as independent as possible,” Jenkin said. “She’s always saying ‘build la fortaleza [strength].’”

Have any ideas for a Campus Viewpoints or want to submit a guest column? Email us at eccunion@gmail.com

NEWS

4 THE UNION

Police Beat

Omar Rashad

News Editor @omarsrashad This Police Beat includes incidents on campus between Monday, Sept.

23 to Sunday, Oct. 6.

Monday, Sept. 23, at 2:15 p.m.

A student had a verbal argument with her boyfriend outside the Marsee Auditorium. She reported to the police that he had took her phone and spit on her. Campus police were unable to locate the boyfriend.

Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 2:30 p.m.

The El Camino College Police Department (ECCPD) responded to a traffic collision on Redondo Beach Boulevard and Stadium Way. There were no injuries.

Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 11:45 p.m.

ECCPD responded to a traffic collision on Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Lemoli Avenue in which a car had collided with a light pole and caught on fire. There were no occupants in the vehicle when police arrived on scene.

Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6 a.m.

Campus police responded to a report of a bike theft at the Chemistry Building. The suspect was reportedly riding a bicycle while carrying a bicycle and made a getaway riding north along Crenshaw Boulevard.

Saturday, Sept. 28, at 9 a.m.

ECCPD responded to a report of a disturbance at Parking Lot K when two parties got into a verbal argument after almost getting into an accident.

Monday, Sept. 30, at 1:15 p.m.

A male student was reported for taking pictures of women. He gave campus police permission to look at pictures on his phone and explicit photos were not found.

Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 10:45 a.m.

A female student was having a hard time breathing at the Industry Technology Education Center (ITEC). The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) took her to a local hospital.

Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 10:50 a.m. to 11:10 a.m.

A non-student was taken to a local hospital by the LACFD after having a seizure. A few minutes later, a person was having a psychological crisis at the Health Center and was taken to a local psychiatric facility by the LACFD. The LACFD also took a student who fainted at the Art and Behavioral Science Building to a local hospital.

Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 1:20 p.m.

An El Camino College staff member reported five people playing loud music and smoking marijuana outside the Humanities Building. Campus police checked the area and did not find anyone listening to loud music or smoking marijuana.

Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m.

A group of female students were being disruptive in the Schauerman Library and refused to leave after being warned multiple times by library staff for being loud. They left after campus police told them to leave.

Friday, Oct. 4, at 11:40 a.m.

A male stuent was arrested after he was found to have marijuana and paraphernalia on his person.

He was intially stopped for riding his bicycle on campus and gave campus police permission to search his backpack.

Corrections

Adrian Delgado’s name was incorrectly published as Edgar Delgado.

The Union regrets this error.

OCT. 10, 2019

Drug abuse, weapon violation arrests increase

Reported crimes rise surrounding campus and at ECC’s off-site locations Omar Rashad

News Editor @omarsrashad

R

eported drug abuse and weapons violation arrests have gone up over the last year at El Camino College’s off-campus sites and public property surrounding the campus, according to a report released by the El Camino College Police Department on Monday, Sept. 30.

At public property surrounding ECC, which includes streets and sidewalks along the perimeter of campus, drug abuse arrests went up from 11 in 2017 to 17 in 2018; weapon violations also increased from one in 2017 to three in 2018, according to the Annual Security Report (ASR), a yearly-released document that contains information on campus security policy and crime statistics in compliance with the federally mandated Jeanne Clery Act. The report also shows that at off-campus sites where some ECC classes and other college-related activities are held, drug abuse violation arrests have increased from three in 2017 to 34 in 2018; weapon violation arrests also went up from zero in 2017 to three in 2018.

While the total number of drug abuse and weapon violations have increased by 38%, El Camino College Police Department (ECCPD) Chief Michael Trevis said the main perpetrators are nonstudents who come on campus late at night.

“In reviewing the numbers, a lot of this stuff is not our students and not happening during normal school hours,” Trevis said. “Some of this stuff is during the wee hours of the night when we’re all asleep in our beds.”

While there has been an increase in arrests, they may be caused by an increase in reporting and not necessarily by the occurrence of actual crimes, Trevis said.

“Anytime there’s a rise in numbers, I can see that as being

Rosemary Montalvo/The Union El Camino College Police Department Detective Thompson talks to a man in the back of his patrol vehicle Monday, April 1. Drug abuse and weapon violation arrests have gone up surrounding El Camino College and at its off-campus sites, which include Torrance high schools and hospitals where El Camino College classes are held. a negative,” Trevis said. “I would just say each of these numbers tell a story. I don’t want people to just look at a number and go, ‘Oh my God.’” All 68 drug abuse violation arrests that have occurred on campus, surrounding campus and at offsite locations in 2018 involved only non-student suspects, Trevis said.

“These are people that were on campus at all hours of the night and our officers stop them and come to find out they had drugs on them or in some cases maybe had a knife,” Trevis said.

Methamphetamine is the most common drug found when nonstudents are searched; other drugs include marijuana, which is illegal to have on a college campus, heroine and xanax, Trevis added.

In regard to weapon violation arrests, all were made over the

possession of a knife except one arrest in which a suspect had a baton on his person.

Students may get more financial aid

Cal Grant entitlement awards that traditional college students receive, Feist said. So when it comes to addressing the basic needs security of students, more aid could help those struggling so they can “buckle down and succeed in college,” he said.

At ECC, 2,812 students out of total student population of nearly 25,000 received a Cal Grant award during the 2017 to 2018 award year and 8,293 received the Federal Pell Grant award, Mellisa Guess, director of Financial Aid, said in an email.

“I would love to see more money for our students so that they can truly focus on going to school and not have to borrow or work as many hours,” Guess said. “If we [provided] more financial aid for our students, would more of [them] choose to attend full time and finish faster? I think they would.”

ECC President and Superintendent Dena Maloney, who supports SB 291, said the amount of financial aid assistance needs to reflect the costs beyond tuition and fees; eligibility requirements have to change so that more nontraditional community college students can qualify for Cal Grant assistance.

“Cal Grants are really designed for traditional students entering right out of high school,” Maloney said. “There’s an age limit, it also does not cover the total cost of education. Most community college students are older [and] do not qualify under it.”

Another bill in alignment with SB 291, but more inclusive, is AB 1314 or The Cal Grant Reform Act, would also affect college students at UCs, CSUs and community colleges.

Together the bills are in the process of being integrated and harmonized by authors and

[True cost of college, from page 1] college level.

As of Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Board of Governors (BOG) of the California Community Colleges (CCC) approved a Budget and Legislative Request for the 2020 to 2021 fiscal year. It asked the state for an additional $780 million on top of its multi-billion dollar budget, $250 million of which would help implement Senate Bill 291 (SB 291) along with AB 1314.

SB 291, introduced by Senator Connie Leyva (D-Chino), would create the California Community College Student Aid Program that would provide additional grant money to community college students to help offset the cost of attendance by helping to pay for living expenses such as food, housing and transportation.

Under the proposed law, students would have to maintain satisfactory academic progress, file a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, be enrolled in an eligible program at the college and show proof of California residency or be exempted from paying nonresident tuition fees.

For students like Nieto, any measures being taken to address the chronic persistence of food and housing insecurity, including homelessness, would be outstanding if it could help struggling college students succeed in school, he said.

While at ECC, Nieto experienced the type of homelessness that forced him to sleep in his car at night; the money he receives from the federal government as a result of a spinal cord tumor that left him disabled and the financial aid money he receives is not enough to cover the costs of food, housing, gas and other living expenses, he

said.

“Unfortunately, you find people like myself who fall through the cracks who really can’t make ends meet,” Nieto said. “Because in the day in age with the cost of living you have to choose: Do you want lights or do you want to go to school? You want food on the table or do you want to get that A? It’s a big choice.”

Other provisions would allow for full and part time students, regardless of age, to qualify even for recent high school graduates or for those enrolling in college for the first time.

“Many community college students are out of the system for several years after high school before they come to college,” Vice Chancellor of Communications for the Chancellor’s office, Paul Feist said. “[Cal Grant] is kind of an outdated design and as a result, community college students don’t have the same access to grants that CSU and UC students have.”

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), the agency that administers the Cal Grant program, estimates that college students pay more than $19,000 per year in non-tuition expenses, yet Cal Grant recipients receive, on average, less than $1,700 annually.

The first results of CSAC’s 2018-19 Student Expenses and Resources Survey (SEARS), released Thursday, Sept. 12, revealed that out of 15,000 student respondents, a combined 64% of them reported that it was the cost of college or managing school and employment expectations that created the highest barriers to their success.

More than 40% of community college students are over the age of 25, making them ineligible for the

Students react to rising crime

Biology major Devin Olsen said that he was not surprised that crime has risen in areas surrounding the ECC campus and he believes that it’s important to be aware of your surroundings.

“Last week, I was walking to Gigi’s and a guy in his 50s started yelling at the bus stop area about some bank robbery,” Olsen said.

“I just kept walking, like I didn’t really want to stay near [him].”

Olsen said he saw others around him appear startled from the man’s yelling. He added that he can see how some people would be intimidated to cross the street on Crenshaw Boulevard along the east side of campus.

Communications Studies major

Emmanuel Thomas has lived in El Camino Village his whole life and said he has not personally noticed ECC or the area surrounding it worsen over time.

However, getting to witness a police presence at ECC makes him feel safe as he commonly sees the same patrol officers on campus when going to his classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, Thomas said.

“It’s good to have students feel safe just because in the society that we’re living in right now there’s a lot of mass shootings going on,” Thomas said. “You never know when it’s going to happen, so I’d rather feel safe than sorry.”

He added that it’s also important for students to pay attention to their surroundings.

“Every time I walk through campus, I see a bunch of people on their phones just like not even

observing each other or like which way they’re walking,” he said.

Overall, ECC has a safe campus and its crime and safety is not much different in comparison with other colleges and institutions, Trevis said.

“I think we should be judged by the absence of crime and the way to try our best to deal with that is through crime prevention efforts,” Trevis said. “We are continuing to try to increase our presence at various functions. We are talking to people, giving people material and resources on how to prevent crime.

Trevis said that it takes the entire ECC community to make the college safe and people should contact ECCPD if they see anything suspicious.

More information about the 2019 to 2020 ASR is available on the El Camino College website.

Jose Tobar/The Union David Nieto is a third-year El Camino College student who has maintained a 4.0 GPA while experiencing food and housing insecurities. His situation forced him to live in his car for a few months in 2018. co-sponsors to form a more comprehensive financial aid reform bill, Feist said.

“We’re going to make a strong case in the upcoming [legislative] session that this is good for California, good for community college students and the state’s financial aid program, Cal Grant,” Feist said.

“And so, [the survey] really reflects and is telling us what the student story is whether it’s housing, utilities, WiFi, or books,” Media Relations Manager for CSAC, Bryan Sapp said. “AB 1314 [incorporates] a model called the Total Cost of Attendance that factors in various resources students face when they go to college.”

The latest triennial Campus Climate Survey released during the

spring 2018 semester revealed that 39% of the 2,231 student survey respondents had been experiencing housing insecurity while 33% faced food insecurities during the previous year.

The survey also revealed at least 13% of student survey respondents reported being homeless at some point in the previous 12 months.

For Nieto, the true cost of college involved more than tuition and fees, it involved obstacles and choices that often times seemed for him like he is facing his own Goliath, he said.

“I’m doing this as an example not only for my kids, but for other people who came from a similar background as me or even people in a wheelchair who use it as an excuse,” Nieto said. “Giving up isn’t an option.”

FEATURES

ARTS

OCT. 10, 2019

THE UNION 5

Rosemary Montalvo and Justin Traylor/The Union Ren and Stimpy, top left, Powerpuff Girls, bottom left, GIR, middle, Parappa the Rapper, top right, Scrooge Mcduck, bottom right, painted by 18-year-old El Camino College art major Daniel Galinelo Thursday, Oct. 9 . These are just a few of Galinelo’s art pieces that are forsale.

HE’S QUITE THE

CHARACTER

UP AND COMING ARTIST TURNS LIFE-LONG PASSION INTO PROFIT Cameron Woods Staff Writer @ECCUnionC

B

ackpack strapped tight, he slowly approaches his favorite spot on campus accompanied by a large bag filled with canvases featuring his artwork and ideas for future projects.

Daniel Galinelo, an 18-year-old art major born in Inglewood and now residing in Hawthorne, is a middle child with two sisters.

Galinelo first began drawing in middle school using markers and pencils to sketch out his ideas. During recess, instead of playing, he chose to draw. He eventually developed a knack for creating personal stickers for himself and others, selling them for $3 each.

Galinelo’s entrepreneurship began at a young age.

He derives inspiration from the animation of old cartoons like The Simpsons, Rocko’s Modern Life, The Rugrats, and other vintage shows.

“He really listens and makes an effort to apply the concepts and techniques that I’m explaining, showing and demonstrating,” art professor Nicola Vruwink said. “He is open to feedback and is willing to pretty much start over if he thinks he didn’t do it completely right.”

After years of drawing, his eye for art heightened as he began to fall in love with painting in the 12th grade. His experience allowed for growth from novice painter into somewhat of an expert. He noticed his work getting better, so he began to promote his paintings on Instagram under the name DanielGalindoDeras.

Most of his artwork is created on campus. He can be spotted working in the ASB building or sitting on a bench in front of the library perfecting his craft.

He proudly displays his artwork, propping them up on both sides of

the bench allowing passing students to catch a glimpse, possibly taking them back to their childhood.

Being more of an introvert, Galinelo uses his paintings as conversation pieces, forcing him to indulge in dialogue with random strangers.

Once he begins to talk about it, his passion exudes through his facial expressions. He has a true love for art.

Galinelo takes his craft serious and is always looking for ways to improve.

Galinelo takes request as well, one of his most recent requests was a Kobe Bryant mural. Customers tell Galinelo what they want, and he adds his own creativity to the backdrop.

“I could do about anything, but for now, I do cartoons, video games, anime, movies, superheroes and what people like to see. Well-known characters,” Galinelo said.

Currently, Galinelo is working on a portrait for Derreck Hawthorne a computer science major at ECC,who he went to Leuzinger High School with.

“At first, I saw him drawing all the time in high school,” freshman Hawthorne said. Hawthorne noticed that Galinelo was taking pictures of people for possible sketches and asked that he take his.

Hawthorne enjoyed the sketch so much that he asked Galinelo if he could turn it into a painting.

Galinelo took on the challenge and is looking forward to having another satisfied customer.

Galinelo is a full time student. As a student, Galinelo makes sure that his business does not affect his education. He arrives on campus at 7 a.m. and leaves at 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and leaves at 5 p.m. on Fridays.

Galinelo uses the time between classes to do his homework so he does not have to do it when he gets home.

His schedule includes human development and drawing fundamentals,

Justin Traylor/The Union Galinelo displays his artwork on a bench outside of El Camino College’s Sherman library on Thursday, Sept.19.

which are both three hours long. He is filling out his general requirements with English and math.

Galinelo plans to graduate from ECC in two years with hopes of transferring to a university, where he will pursue a degree in art. He has dreams of working for Pixar or Dreamworks.

“He’s a good kid. He’s been in class, shows up on time and works hard,” said Vruwink. “I can tell that he genuinely wants to get better.”

UPCOMING EVENTS ON CAMPUS

ALMOST, MAINE At Marsee Auditorium

A romantic comedy set in the fictional town of Almost, Maine.

Thursday, Oct. 10 @ 1 p.m. @ 8 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 11 Prices:

Student $ 10 General Public $ 15

KENNY BROBERG, PIANO At Marsee Auditorium

Pianist and silver medalist at the 2017 Cliburn Competition will perform works by Bach, Beethoven and more.

Friday, Oct. 11 @ 8 p.m.

Quarteto Nuevo, ‘World Fusion’ At Marsee Auditorium

Instrumental quartet will perform eastern European folk, Latin and jazz music with an organic feel.

Friday, Oct. 25 @ 8 p.m.

Prices:

Student $ 10 General Public

$ 26

Prices: Student

$ 10

General Public

$26

FEATURES

6 THE UNION

OCT. 10, 2019

Patrick Ezewiro/The Union

Ruth Maldonado, 19, psychology major, sings a cover of Lana Del Rey’s song “Lust for Life” outside of El Camino College’s Schauerman Library on Monday, Sept. 23 for her YouTube channel. “I want my voice to be heard,” Maldonado said.

CHANNELING HER INNER VOICE

SINGER USES YOUTUBE AS A PLATFORM TO EXPRESS HERSELF

Patrick Ezewiro

Staff Reporter @ECCUnionPatrick

I

n her peach-colored room, the sun shines through the window, filling it up with bright lights as she begins to set the camera up. With her blonde hair bouncing over her shoulder, winged eyeliner and white smile she looks into the camera.

It’s time to start recording.

She gives the camera a confident look and begins to show off her range.

This time her silvery voice covers “Let Me Down Slowly,” by Alec Benjamin.

Ruth Maldonado is a 19-year-old psychology major at El Camino College with dreams of pursuing a singing career.

After graduating from the City of Angels Independent Study High School, Maldonado decided to take time off from school to discover herself and avoid the societal pressure of going to college.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted in the future or if college was my dream,” Maldonado said.

While working at Burlington, she realized that Youtube could be a way to achieve her dream.

“Music inspired me to start doing YouTube,” she said. “I wanted my voice to be heard.”

Now, Maldonado balances academics and YouTube, waking up every Monday and Wednesday to film for her channel and going through a heavy editing process after she finishes recording.

She used to post videos weekly, but since school started she is juggling her classes and the time she has outside of school is used to create more content for her subscribers.

“That’s not going to stop me from giving my supporters what they want,” she said.

Maldonado wants to be the next YouTube sensation, following in the footsteps of former cover artists Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara and Shawn Mendes.

But Issin Alibris, founder of Citaldel Media, says that Youtube is competitive and artists must be consistent in uploading content to stay relevant.

“People really like originality,” Alibris said.”Originality is key for content. People like things that happen naturally.”

Maldonado said she wants to break the mold of people on YouTube who she believes are not real in what they portray on their channel as she watches videos and calls most of them inauthentic.

But Maldonado is real. In every song she covers, emotion pours out of her vocals. She has always wanted to find a way to express what she felt inside and she discovered singing gave her that opportunity.

Her favorite artists include Lana Del Rey, who she has been listening to since high school and who motivated her to start her YouTube channel.

Maldonado said she heard Lana Del Rey’s voice and was taken aback because it was so beautiful.

It wasn’t until the song “Ride” by Lana Del Rey that she said, “I can do this but I need a platform that people can watch me and hear for themselves.”

Maldonado doesn’t have a camera or the usual equipment most of the celebrities on YouTube have.

She uses an iPhone 10 to shoot all of her videos and edits. She added that if she had a camera her videos would be better.

Arlyne Velazco, 19, Maldonado’s friend and supporter, said she watches her channel anytime she posts a new video.

“She is very talented and very motivated to get

where she wants,” Velazco said.

Maldonado said she wants to keep making videos even though she is taking full-time classes at ECC. School is important, but she does not want to limit herself and forget about the main reason she started her channel in the first place.

It was on a Wednesday afternoon, the sun was blazing and the campus was filled with students who were going home or getting ready for their next class.

Maldonado comes out of class, makes her way to her car in the parking lot and starts filming.

She starts to sing “I love you” by Billie Eilish. She is playing the beat that goes along with the song and then begins to get in the flow of her lyrics. The video goes on for half an hour. She finishes and rewatches the video and immediately edits it.

The following day, the video was posted to her channel. That video received the most views since starting her channel.

Gabriel Escobar, 20, watched the video and is a big believer that she can accomplish what she is trying to do sooner than later.

“When you listen to her sing, personally, you can hear greatness in her voice,” Escobar said.

Many people use YouTube for all aspects of entertainment, news, sports and social media.

Maldonado wants to bring in authenticity to her channel. She takes this new experience one day at a time.

“There are no shortcuts in life,” she said. “Hard work requires time, but with time there is a limitless success.”

To watch Ruth Maldonado’s YouTube channel go to Ruth Maldonado.

Campus Viewpoints: How does YouTube impact your life?

Juan Miranda

Staff Reporter @ECCUnionJuanM

The Union recently asked students about their time spent watching videos on YouTube, as well as the type of videos and content creators they enjoy watching on the video sharing platform.

A WEEK IN YOUTUBE

•

43,779 CHANNELS WITH AT LEAST 250,000 SUBSCRIBERS.

•

243,254 VIDEOS ARE WEEK.

•

POSTED

EACH

OVER 48,000 TOTAL HOURS ARE SPENT ON YOUTUBE.

SOCIAL MEDIA FUN FACTS

73%

OF U.S. ADULTS SAY THEY USE YOUTUBE ONLINE OR ON THEIR CELLPHONE.

94%

OF 18 TO 24-YEAR-OLDS USES YOUTUBE AS WELL AS NEARLY THREE-QUARTERS OF U.S. ADULTS.

78%

OF 18 TO 24 YEAR-OLDS USE SNAPCHAT AND USE IT MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.

71%

OF 18 TO 24 YEAR-OLDS USE INSTAGRAM AND ABOUT HALF OF THAT (45%) USE TWITTER.

35%

Adrian Pool, 18, nursing major “[I spend] a little too much time [on YouTube], like eight hours a day,” Pool said. “I like watching lifestyle videos and vlogs.”

Jayla Smith, 19, nursing major “I watch YouTube every other day,” Smith said. “I watch a lot of music videos and Queen and Clarence.”

Mya Mitchell, 19,

nursing major “I mainly use YouTube for personal use and [sometimes] class use,” Mitchell said.

Mariah Mitchell, 19, nursing major “I only watch who I’m subscribed to and whoever has been uploading [videos].”

OF U.S. ADULTS NOW USE INSTAGRAM WHICH HAS INCREASED SINCE 2016 FROM 28%.

56%

POSTED A VIDEO DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF 2019 SOURCE: Pew Research Center

SPORTS

OCT. 10, 2019

THE UNION 7

Jaime Solis/The Union El Camino College women’s basketball player Alexia Mason dribbles the ball as she attempts to get past defender Sarah Downs during a practice drill Tuesday, Oct. 8. The Warriors won their third consecutive league title last season with a 9-1 record. With only three players returning from last year’s team, coach Steve Shaw said he has his eyes set on a fourth title.

Quest for the 4-peat

El Camino College womenʼs basketball team prepares to defend third consecutive title

Patrick Ezewiro

Staff Writer @ECCUnionPatrick

A

fter winning a third consecutive conference championship last season, the El Camino College women’s basketball team is preparing to defend its throne while making a deep playoff run.

“Our goal every year is to be conference champs, so we want to work towards that and become the best team we can be,” Steve Shaw, ECC women’s basketball head coach, said.

The ECC Warriors’ season was cut short last year in the second round of the SoCal Regional playoffs after a 77-51 loss to Glendale Community College.

Their record overall for the season was 23-7 and 9-1 in the South Coast Conference (SSC).

But this year Shaw said he sees more differences than similarities between this team and the last.

“Last years team had great potential and had the ability to win the conference championship, this team we will see,” Shaw said.

As they are about to begin their season with most of their veteran players gone, the Warriors look to improve from last year and start building good habits throughout the season, Shaw said.

“We have four returners back from last season, but three of them suffered injuries during the course of last season,” Shaw said. “As far as the similarities in personnel it’s going to be a lot different. We have our point guard back, Ashley Nguyen. We still kept our great chemistry from last year.”

With a lot of new players added this season, Shaw said he is ready

to see what they can bring this year’s team.

“It’s one of the intriguing things and challenging things in coaching community college basketball,” Shaw said. “The new players cause the team to create a whole new blend of a team than the year before. The new players just have to be prepared to come in and contribute right away.

But to win the conference for a fourth consecutive year and make it to the playoffs, Shaw said the team will have to be good defensively.

“We’ve always tried to be a good defensive team, but this team will have to be really good defensively,” Shaw said. “Last year we had so many weapons offensively and it kind of spoiled us. This year we don’t have as many offensive weapons so we are going to have to focus on the other side of the ball.”

El Camino College Warriorsʼ team statistics 2018-2019 Points per game Free throw %

65.9

3PT%

61.6% 26.6%

*All stats are based off the 2018-2019 women’s basketball season.

SCC freshman of the year and point guard, Ashley Nguyen said she is ready to lead this team as one of its captains.

“Coming back and getting to know my new teammates has been really fun,” Nguyen said. “I’m excited for the challenge to get to lead this team and see how far we can go.”

Nguyen said she wants to build off of last season and translate her success into the team’s upcoming season.

Sophomore guard Alexia Mason, who broke her wrist in the offseason and is just now returning to action, said she understands that to get to where they want it’s going to take unity.

“Communication and team bonding is the most important thing for us as a team,” Mason said.

Upcoming games Game 1: El Camino College at Cypress College Saturday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m.

Game 2: El Camino College vs Fullerton College Friday, Nov. 8, at 5 p.m.

Game 3: El Camino College vs Citrus College Friday, Nov. 15, at 5 p.m.

Game 4: El Camino College vs Rio Hondo College Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 5 p.m.

Game 5: El Camino College vs Irvine Valley College Friday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m.

Freshman Player of the Year Ashley Nguyen Warrior Career Stats PPG: 12.4 APG: 4.8 RPG: 3.3 SPG: 2.4 BPG: 0.1 FG%: 42.5% 3PT%: 26.1% FT%: 68.7%

Jaime Solis/The Union El Camino College point guard and South Coast Conference Player of the Year (20182019) Ashley Nguyen dribbles the ball during practice on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Nguyen started in 29 games last year for the Warriors while averaging 12.4 points per game.

SPORTS

8 THE UNION

OCT. 10, 2019

Kealoha Noguchi/The Union El Camino College football team defensive lineman Lancelott Manuleleua steps over Orange Coast College quarterback Adam Carr after a sack in the first quarter of the game on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Murdock Stadium. Manaleleua finished the game recording 2.5 tackles for loss as ECC totaled eight sacks as a team.

Football team prepares for first league game Warriors’ fourth quarter comeback against Moorpark College caps of near-perfect preseason Kealoha Noguchi

Sports Editor @ECCUnionKealoha

T

his preseason, the El Camino College football team defeated Bakersfield College with a game-winning field goal, cruised to a 67-point victory against Los Angeles Harbor College and completed a fourth quarter comeback against Moorpark College that resulted in a rout.

The Warriors (4-1) enters a byeweek as they prepare for their first conference game of the season on Saturday, Oct. 19 against San Diego Mesa College.

ECC has a four-game win streak, capped off by a comeback win against Moorpark College (1-4) on Saturday, Oct. 6 where they outscored the Raiders 27-0 in the final quarter.

Heading into the fourth quarter down 28-21, the ECC Warriors scored touchdowns on every offensive drive in the quarter to complete the comeback. Warriors’ quarterback Jerman Gatoy had over 300 total yards (288 passing yards),

completing 14 of 21 passes, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

“Jerm[an] is definitely a playmaker,” ECC Warriors’ offensive lineman Christian Islas said. “He’s dynamic, he can run the ball and he was also making throws. He was just playing ball.”

Warriors’ wide receiver Demoni Sanchez had three catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns in their win over Moorpark College.

Robert Ferrel added four catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.

“Our wide receiver core hustles to the ball,” Islas said. “Robert [has impressed all season], he’s a playmaker and is eye-opening.”

The Warriors’ defense didn’t give up a touchdown and held the Raiders offense to only 52 total yards in the fourth quarter. The defensive unit had two sacks and forced three turnovers.

“The defense held it down dominating Moorpark’s offense,” Warriors’ wide receiver Brayden Deocampo said. “The defense really stepped up and created sparks for the team to dominate in all phases of the game.”

However, as the team prepares to

play San Diego Mesa College (41) at Murdock Stadium, Warriors’ head coach Gifford Lindheim said the Olympians will be a huge test for them.

“We need to get healthy, be good at all three phases of the game and pay attention to detail,” Lindheim said.

The Warriors began its season with a lopsided 55-17 loss to the Riverside City College Tigers but have won four straight g since. San Diego Mesa started its season with a four game winning streak but lost to the Tigers during the team’s last game on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Over The Olympians’ last four games, their offense is averaging 44 points per game. Wide receiver Antwoine Ware leads his team with 473 receiving yards in five games this season.

“The team needs to be able to carry the same level of intensity on both sides of the ball,” Deocampo said. “[We need] to take everything one week at a time.”

Both ECC and San Diego Mesa are coming into the game with identical records and with only five conference games. This first game

Kealoha Noguchi/The Union El Camino College football team running back Taz Tauaese breaks a tackle from an Orange Coast College defender during a 16-yard run in the third quarter of the game Saturday, Sept. 28 at Murdock Stadium. Tauaese finished the preseason with 28 yards in two games.

is ‘very important’ and could go a long way in determining who wins the conference, Lindheim added.

“It’s going to be one practice, one play, one game at a time,” Lindheim said. “We can’t win the

Soccer team moves up in national ranks

Cerritos College visits ECC in showchase of undefeated teams Devyn Smith

Senior Staff Writer @eccuniondevyn

The El Camino College Warriors men’s soccer team will host the defending state champions, the Cerritos College Falcons, for the first time in a showcase of undefeated teams on Friday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m.

“This is the kind of game that you’re gonna have a ton of views, a ton of college coaches, a ton of eyes, a ton of national ranking implication,” Falcons men’s soccer coach Benny Artiaga said. “You name it; it could all be at stake.”

The No. 4 ranked Cerritos College Falcons finished the

2018 regular season with a 22-1-2 record and outscored their playoff opponents 12-3. The Falcons have 10 returning players this season.

“You already have half a group that gets it and understands what it takes,” Artiaga said. “It’s so much easier to get the other half to buy in.”

The scope of the Falcons’ success reached the entire nation when they were ranked the No. 1 team in the country in the first poll of the season. Warriors’ midfielder Armando Alonzo is well aware of their success and the fact that ECC are currently ranked three spots below them.

“We’re ready for that and we’re excited to play,” Alonzo said.

The No. 7 ranked ECC Warriors finished last season 7-7-6, missing the cutoff for the state playoffs.

With eight wins on the season so far, the Warriors are guaranteed to finish this season with a better record.

“We’re just trying to stay focused and trying to win,” Alonzo said.

“We don’t want to mess that up because we want to keep winning.”

Artiaga gave credit to Warriors’ coach Mike Jacobson for the way the team has improved this season.

“It’s been a while since El Camino’s had a game this big,” Artiaga said.

Coming into this match, Alonzo said he is focusing on the task at hand.

“I just try to remain focused,” Alonzo said. “Trying to get the win. Trying to keep making history as El Camino’s men’s soccer team.”

Artiaga is excited for the opportunity to showcase what the Falcons have been working hard to achieve.

“You wish both teams could win and continue their success but that’s not how sports work,” Artiaga said. “One team will, more likely or not, come out victorious, and each coach is hoping that it’s his team on that day that either got the bounces, or played a little bit better than the other team.”

Alonzo said that the Warriors are focused on this match and are trying to keep the winning mentality going.

“We’re excited for what [the Falcons are] going to bring to us, because we’re going to have a home game. It’s going to be home field [advantage],” Alonzo said.

Division III Top 10 rankings

Rosemary Montalvo/The Union Players from the El Camino College men’s soccer team celebrate the game winning goal during their game against Glendale College on Friday, Sept. 6. ECC will host the defending state champions, Cerritos College, on Friday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m.

1. Mt. SAC 2. Richland College 3. Herkimer College 4. Cerritos College 5. Fresno City College 6. Camden County College 7. El Camino College 8. Nassau Community College 9. Butte College 10. Santa Rosa Junior College

conference championship without winning the first game.”

Lindheim said he is pleased with the way the team ended the preseason, winning four straight games while outscoring opponents

165-61 over that span. “[We] want to win the conference championship,” Lindheim said.

“We are committed to fighting for what we want.”

SCORES AROUND CAMPUS

MEN’S SOCCER

El Camino

4

L.A. Harbor

1

(8-0-1)

(0-5-6)

Oct. 8

MEN’S SOCCER

El Camino

1

L.A. Harbor

2

(2-6-3) (4-4-1)

Oct. 8

MEN’S WATER POLO

El Camino

21

Crafton Hills

10

(11-8)

(1-8) Saddleback Tournament

Oct. 5

FOOTBALL

El Camino

48

Moorpark

28

(4-1) (1-4)

Oct. 5

For more sports coverage visit eccunion.com