Vol. 47, Issue 4 (October 8, 2014)

Lariat

SADDLEBACK & IRVINE VALLEY COLLEGES’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 47, ISSUE 4

in this ISSUE:

Ceramics Instructor Steve Dilley talks about Saddleback’s Veterans Arts Project

Saddleback gets a win against Santa Ana. Read the full story online.

Check out www.lariatnews.com/news for full story

Scan QR to view full video at Youtube.

WEDNESDAY, October 8, 2014

LARIATNEWS.COM

OPINION Page 2

LIFE Page 3

SPORTS Page 4

Find out what the student body thinks of the the approved “Yes Means Yes” bill?

How do you become a ceritified Yoga Instructor?

Our Q & A reveals how.

Get to know Iraq War veteran Matt Sprouse and how he has made a difference on the Gaucho football field.

YES

Means YES Zachary Epstein/LARIAT

Holding hands: AytonFiden, 19, physics and anthropology (right) and Hana Anderson, 19, nursing (left) pose together holding hands. California’s Bill 967 helps define affirmative sexual consent.

Emilie Christensen news editor

On Sunday, Sept. 28, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into action Senate Bill 967, also known as the “Yes Means Yes” bill, making California the first state in the U.S. to officially define affirmative sexual consent.

This bill, which applies to all institutions of higher learning that accept state funds, shifts focus away from standard “No Means No” guidelines against sexual abuse. Previously, sexual assault was largely defined by whether or not a victim verbally rejected a sexual advance.

“Yes Means Yes,” instead, states that unless individuals ask for consent and receive verbal, written, or even nonverbal

affirmation in return, a sexual act between students could be considered an assault.

According to the language of the bill, lack of resistance and silence are not indicators of consent, and any person drunk, drugged, unconscious, asleep, or incapacitated cannot give consent. Furthermore, affirmation must be ongoing and can be revoked at any time.

The fact that individuals are engaged in a relationship or have had sexual relations before does not automatically imply that consent has been given.

SB 967 has instituted new policies among board, staff and faculty members on college campuses throughout California.

The bill stipulates that stu-

dents must have access to counseling, health care services and other resources; it also stipulates faculty training for interaction with assault victims.

People don’t generally know where to go to find information about assault, or how to report it when it happens, said Linda Fontanilla, vice president of student services at Irvine Valley College. Most students would not recognize first responders or discipline officers who can make an official report, like Saddleback’s Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Juan Avalos, or even Fontanilla herself. Students can also contact campus police.

“Just last week, Dr. Juan Avalos and I went to a meeting at Orange Coast College held

for all vice presidents of student services,” Fontanilla said. “We had a region-wide discussion about how [the bill] is going to affect our campuses, and we recognize that we need to update our board policies and our administrative regulations right away to incorporate the language of the bill.”

Trickle-down training of South Orange County Community College District faculty and staff will begin on Nov. 13 at IVC and will be hosted by Dr. Avalos and Fontanilla, she said.

The SOCCCD board policy committee is set to review Board Policy 5404 and Administrative Regulation 5404 to ensure that it is updated to align with the new state legislation, which will become law on Jan.

1, 2015, said Tere Fluegeman, director of public affairs and government relations for SOCCCD. “The bill is meant to align with similar federal legislation,” Fluegeman said.

Many people find language in the California bill potentially controversial.

On college campuses, panels review sexual assault allegations to determine if consent was given. Because of SB 967, the testimony of an alleged victim doesn’t have to prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the accused is guilty. Proof of guilt just has to outweigh proof of innocence by more than 50 percent. Preponderance of evidence, a facet of SB 967, also gives benefit of the doubt to

alleged victims, but not alleged assailants.

“I believe that this bill holds those engaging in sexual activity to a higher standard,” said Keefe Carillo, IVC student and student trustee on the SOCCCD Board of Trustees. Carillo has a unique perspective given that he is part of both the administrative and student body.

“It is clear that the rules indicate zero tolerance of any sexual assault on any of our campuses here in the South Orange County area, as well as any other educational institutions.”

See “Yes means Yes,” Page 2

IVC’s enrollement is steady during ‘The Perfect Storm’ Irvine Valley College’s enrollment statues has been steady compared to Saddleback College’s low enrollment Hannah Tavares Photo Editor

Irvine Valley College’s growth for the fall 2014 semester has been far lower than its projected growth, due to repeatability limits, prerequisites, and academic probation, according to IVC’s Vice President for Instruction Craig Justice.

“Of the 500 students who declined to enroll in Irvine Valley College this year, approximately 150 were in credit courses, which include students for transfer, basic skills, and Career Technical Education,” Justice said. “Close to 350 were in Emeritus lifelong/adult learning classes directed toward the older generation.”

Justice said about 500 students could not register until

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they saw a counselor.

“The projected growth this fall, which had included rooms, budget, etc, estimated to be about four percent in Weekly Student Contact Hours or WSCH. The actual growth this fall turned out to be 1.5 percent in WSCH,” Justice said. “WSCH grew a bit even though headcount dipped because students on average are taking more units.”

IVC is growing primarily due to Irvine and Tustin High Schools’ growth, as well as IVC’s reputation as having the No. 1 transfer rate in the state.

This is mostly due to the Honors Program, faculty, and its proximity to University California Irvine. IVC is also growing because of the amount of their international students

as well as the student outreach efforts such as “IVC Connect,” which helps students in a variety of ways.

“Every college in California has a very unique and diverse population,” Justice said. “Being able to reach out to that population and the people who are interested in going back to college requires continuous outreach.”

Justice said this is called ‘enrollment management’ and includes knowing what the needs are for market segments such as adult learners, veterans, recent high school graduates, etc.

Dominic Ebel/ LARIAT Fierce competitor: Devin Scelsi, No.03 freshman midfielder, tries to get past Cypress’ No.03.

Saddleback College womens soccer takes on nationally-ranked team Saddleback’s Gauchos soccer team tests its skill against Cypress in critical game last week’s match-off Dominic Ebel

Staff writer

htavares.lariat@gmail.com

Saddleback College Women’s Soccer team played in an Orange Empire Conference

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match against Cypress College this past Tuesday. Both teams are nationally ranked, with Saddleback ranked No. 19 and Cypress ranked No. 7. The teams were evenly matched, and the

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See Saddlebackwomens soccer, Page 2

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Lariat WEDNESDAY, Oct 8 , 2014

News/Opinion 2 LARIATNEWS.COM

California says goodbye to plastic bags The benefits of this ban are large as it will help decrease the littering of beaches, rivers, and mountains. People are now encouraged to partake in buying reusable bags to take grocery shopping.

Alternative bags made out of recycled materials that have become popular.

Los Angeles has been the largest city in the state to pioneer this plastic bag free movement since June of last year. Places like Whole Foods Market and other grocery stores in California have begun to implement this efficient and eco friendly way.

There are now local places that embrace educating individuals about ways of recycling, composting, and how to lead a green and eco friendly life. The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) located in Newport Beach, California, has been educating the public through hands-on experience with nature for many years now. You will not find one plastic bag there, as most of the employees bring their own Klean Kanteen reusable water

Plastic bags have now been officially banned in grocery stores across California.

There has officially been a ban against plastic bags being used in grocery stores. Gov. Jerry Brown signed this new step into law for the betterment of the environment. The law will go into effect on July 1 2015, and will apply to grocery stores and pharmacies.

The use of plastic bags has been the center of controversy for some time now and this approach to end the extensive use of plastic bags has come at an appropriate time. The legislation states that stores will need to provide reusable plastic bags and paper bags that will cost 10 cents each.

“Gov. Brown’s signature reflects our commitment to protect the environment and reduce government costs,” said one of the bill’s main sponsors, Sen. Alex Padilla, according to the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.

containers to work.

“I was thrilled when I learned about the plastic bag ban,” said Lori Whalen, Education and Community relations director at the ENC. “It’s a huge victory for the environment in California. Plastic bags waste natural resources and negatively impact wildlife,” she said.

Animals have been known to choke on littered plastic bags, which either lay on the side of a freeway or on a sidewalk.

Reusable bags and containers are available to buy online or even at the ENC store. So say goodbye to plastic and hello to a better way to preserve this earth. People like Whalen and many others at the ENC have become leaders in the green community and role models for an eco friendly life.

“I’ve been using reusable bags for well over a decade,” said Whalen. “It’s truly not that difficult to get into the habit.”

123RF/Stock photo

ALTERNATIVE BAGS: Reusable cloth bags are an alternative way to carry groceries to help eliminate the negative impact on the environment. Eco-friendly grocery stores such as Whole Foods have already implemented the ‘no plastic’ ban.

ekensington.lariat@gmail.com

Campus Comments: Do you think California’s “Yes Means Yes” bill will help prevent future cases of rape on college campuses?

Chase LeBlanc, 18, undeclared “Yes. I had a friend that was raped. I remember her experience being long and drawn out with regards to handling the incident in court. She won the case but it took a very long time. This is perfect in preventing rape while intoxicated.”

George Damos, 24, mathematics “No. At this point we are all adults and we don’t need a school to tell us what to do.”

Kortini West, 22, child development “No. We should have rights to our own privacy. This bill impedes on that.”

Amir Abdul, 26, political science “No. It would be more appropriate for minors and high school students than for college students.”

Robert Jones, 32, computer science “No. There are too many stipulations and clauses. This bill takes all the emotion out of sex. It is inorganic.”handling the incident in court. She won the case but it took a very long time. This is perfect in preventing rape while intoxicated.”

College students say yes or don’t have sex continued from page 1 Some feel that this policy unfairly assumes the accused are “guilty until proven innocent”, and makes it too hard for those falsely accused to defend themselves.

Others, like OUR TIME Media Company writer Lindsay Haskell, have said that “by giving zero leeway to potential sex offenders, this law lends a voice to sexual assault victims who have kept silent due to fear that their experiences would not ‘qualify’ as rape.”

According to the Center for Dis-

ease Control and Prevention, about one in five undergraduate women have experienced sexual violence or attempted sexual violence while in college. Because of underreporting, this number is likely even higher. Yet, less than five percent of female college students report rape to law enforcement, according to the Department of Justice.

Whether people believe this bill to be intrusive, unfair, unrealistic, or, conversely, a long-awaited for solution, it does make people more aware of the reality of sexual assault and forces students to seriously consider

Lariat Anibal Santos Co-Editor-in-Chief Zachary Epstein Co-Editor-in-Chief Emilie Christensen News Editor

consequences.

“It’s important for our college and for our district to make sure we educate everyone about sexual abuse and what the law says to our students,” Fontanilla said. “We are going to be doing that through the associated student bodies and leadership students; we are going to go out into the classrooms and get permission from faculty to make presentations; we are going to have training so that our faculty will understand more about the law and they also will understand what is required of them should a student report stalking, dating vio-

lence, domestic violence or some sort of sexual assault.”

“It will make people more aware, vigilant, and cautious of their actions and the actions of others,” Carillo said.

Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, campuses must form an annual security report and distribute it to all students and staff. Saddleback released the most recent report this September. Saddleback College had no officially reported sexual assaults in the past two years.

“Everyone needs to care about

“Saddleback’s student-run newspaper since 1968” Amarah Hernandez Opinion Editor Elizabeth Ortiz Life Editor Brenda Ostio Arts & Entertainment

VIctoria Partyka Multimedia Editor Nick Nenad Sports Editor Hannah Tavares Photo Editor

Web: www . lariatnews . com Address: 28000 M arguerite P arkway , M ission V iejo CA, 92692

Sharon Tayler Copy Editor Staff Writers: Dominic Ebel, Emma Kensington Faculty Adviser: M ary A nne S chults Instructional Assistant: A li D orri Advertising Manager: V ita Phone: (949) 582-4688 Email: lariateditor @ gmail . com

sexual assault because it’s something that can happen to anyone at any time,” Fontanilla said. “A year ago at IVC we did have a student who reported a sexual assault crime. Although we in SOCCCD have a very low crime rate, we are not immune,” she said.

“I would hate for us to think it happens out there and it doesn’t happen here. We all need to be aware.

We all need to be ready to protect ourselves. We all need to know the law, and we need to be prepared.” echristensen.lariat@gmail.com

About the Lariat

The Lariat is the student newspaper of Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College. The Lariat is an independent, First Amendment, student-run public forum.

One copy of the Lariat is free.

Additional copies may be purchased for $1 at the Lariat newsroom, which is located in LRC 116.

Letters to the editor are welcomed. Please limit letters to 200 words or less and include a name, valid email address and signature.

All letters are subject to editing by the editorial board.

Unsigned editorials represent the views of the Lariat’s ediorial board and do not represent the views of Irvine Valley College or Saddleback College or the South Orange County Community College District.

Lariatnews.com was launched in fall, 2007. Visit us on Facebook at “Lariat Saddleback” or follow us on Twitter, @lariatnews.

LARIATNEWS.COM/NEWS

Lariat WEDNESDAY, OCT. 08, 2014

Life /A&E 3 LARIATNEWS.COM

Will pedal for jazz Taylor Bynum makes a stop on his Acoustic Bicycle Tour at the McKinney Theatre Amarah Hernandez Opinion Editor

Emma Kensington / lariat gallery goers: Appreciators of art mingle outside Dax Gallery for the “Body of the Palace” exhibit.

Audience fills in blanks Emma Kensington staff writer

On Saturday, Sept. 27, Dax Gallery opened an exhibit entitled “Body of the Palace.” Located in Costa Mesa, California, the exhibit was for the alumni of the California Institute of the Arts and featured 12 different artists.

The aesthetics of the gallery were a culmination of each artist “picking their own spots” remarked, Andrew Martinez, who curated the exhibit. The soft spot lighting was nothing short of perfect. Each artist showcased his or her piece with the ease that was proof of Martinez’ hard work alumnus.

“This is special to me, because we all know each other well,” he said. “I knew it was important, for example, for Jin Kyu Ahn to have his own section, because he would like to get his artist’s visa.”

Jin Kyu Ahn, from South Korea, stood proudly by his

art. Each piece was black and white and the creative process for Ahn was very technical and personal. He used black ink to stamp each piece and his biography explained he would routinely come home after work each day to work on his art.

“Each piece is different because no one knows what I was feeling or going through at that moment,” Ahn said.

His collection, entitled “Contained,” documented latitude, longitude and temperature, both indoors and out, at the time each piece was created.

Carrying over a traditional Korean method of “stamping,” the artist stamped paper with ink.

He approached this method with his own creative perspective.

“My English is not the best,” Ahn said. He had printed out a page of his own writing to more clearly explain his art.

Jesse Rickerson, of Newport Beach, California, stared

at a piece by Linda Dorn called “Dance.”

“This piece I like because it has a lot of emotion in it,” Rickerson said. “I like everything here.”

Samir Arghandiwall displayed his collection entitled “Portraits,” faces of different women were hung throughout the gallery. He chose women for these portraits to enforce the meaning behind his motive, “Each woman you see, I know and have asked [them] if I could paint them,” Agrhandiwall said. “There is that appeal about the expressions that I enjoy, and there is something about women you know being relatable.”

Having a background in graffiti art, he mixed the medium of spray paint in his larger pieces. He has a very unique approach to his portraits.

For more information, visit: www.daxgallery.com. ekensington.lariat@gmail.com

Taylor Ho Bynum and Mark Dresser played a duet in the McKinney Theatre to an intimate crowd of students and locals last Monday.

Nearing the end of his 1,800 mile bicycle tour, Bynum pedaled himself to this performance. He explained his motives behind his extended bike ride by referring to it as a “composition journey.”

“To sum it up, this bike ride has become a reminder to live in the moment, to be present, and to experience something real. Biking up a big hill is a real experience,” Bynum said after the opening song.

“Hector,” Bynum’s bike, has remained his only method of transportation throughout the entire trip. Bynum has a website where he has been writing personal entries for his voyage.

In an entry from Day 26, at 6:30 p.m. in San Simeon State Park, Bynum wrote, “The magical rides tend to happen in the early morning. I left the campground at 6:30 a.m. and had several hours almost to myself on the road through Big Sur’s southern coast. Tendrils of light from the rising sun making streaks through the light fog, cliffs dropping into the ocean,

Courtesy of Niko Labarbera Jazz Player: Taylor Ho Bynum jamming out on his cornet last

Monday night at the McKinney, one of the last stops on his tour. hard climbs on the yo-yoing road made [the trip] worth it by the beauty at each turn.”

The second song, “Zod,” was dramatic and theatrical.

Bynum dressed his cornet in a fedora hat to create a muffled sound. The personified instrument made sounds that reminded music student Carrie Carbonneau of a “scary Disney cartoon.”

Bynum explained he is frequently asked what his “ideal audience” would be. His response was not mainstream or ordinary.

“Expecting gets in the way.

It is better to be free of preconception,” Bynum said with sensibility.

The third piece was a cover of “Coming On” by Bobby Bradford, a musician and composer acclaimed musician known for his work with the Ornette Coleman Quartet, and was a mentor to Dresser when he was only 19. Life spilled into

Dresser’s toes as he snapped and hopped in place on stage.

The next song was an original from Bynum titled, “To Wait.” Urban soundscapes filled the theatre while the audience stared, barely blinking.

“Coyote” was a song also written by Dresser, inspired by his unusual conversation with his coyote friends off in the distance.

The final piece sounded poetic and royal. Visions of crystal decanters, silk tablecloths, and rose centerpieces poured out from the bass and cornet during this finale.

“I used to think that composing was like jumping off a cliff. But I realized it is more like a big climb. When you’re done, you bring your music to musicians, then its all downhill.

Jumping off a cliff is too easy,” he said. ahernandez.lariat@gmail.com

Saddleback College now offers yoga certification Amarah Hernandez Opinion Editor

Yoga is a discipline that fuels the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of one’s life.

It is a practice that is transformative for both the body and mind.

Saddleback College is now offering a yoga certification program that will teach its students how to become an instructor for a Vinyasa Flow style yoga class.

Deidre Cavazzi, assistant dance professor, and Lindsay Steinriede, head coach for the Saddleback surf team and fitness instructor, answered some questions regarding the new certification and yoga in general.

Steinriede teaches beginning yoga, a class that students can come into and set all of their thoughts aside for an hour and 15 minutes.

“I wanted to try yoga and now that I am in the class, I would recommend it,” said Claire Predmore, 21, undeclared.

• What are the benefits of yoga?

Yoga is a mind and body practice that originated in India over two thousand years ago, and has spread through the entire world. Yoga strengthens and stretches the body while also calming and focusing the mind--it is a great way to reduce stress and improve health!

• For kids who are interested, is there any physical limitations?

Yoga is infinitely adaptable-it is a practice that is shaped for each individual; there are many different types of physical yoga practices, and each pose can be modified to best suit the student--in fact, this is one

PRE-MED?

PRE-PHARM? PRE-DENT? Elizabeth Ortiz / lariat Studio: Students stretch before beginning a morning yoga class.

of the important elements that we communicate to students in our classes and in the certification program--yoga is not a “one size fits all” practice, and each class should allow options so that every individual can get what they need, physically and mentally, from a class.

• What does the certification allow you to do?

Upon completion of the required courses, students will earn both an Occupational Skill Award from Saddleback College, and a Yoga Alliance-recognized 200-hour instructor certification. Yoga Alliance (YA) is a nationally-recognized organization, and a YA-approved certification will allow students to teach classes at many studios, gyms, and other locations. In order to attain the certificate, students must complete 5 classes at the college, including three core courses: Anatomy of Yoga (KNES 160), Teaching of Yoga (KNES 161), and Philosophy of Yoga (KNES 162). These classes are taught by Deidre Cavazzi and Lindsay Steinriede, and will be offered each semester, so that students could even complete the entire certification in a single semester if they chose.

In addition to the three core courses, students also must

take two physical yoga classes (choosing from KNES 28, 39, 40, and DANC 128)

• In terms of knowledge, what do you think a student will take away from the courses?

Students in the certification program will learn how to competently and confidently teach a Vinyasa Flow-style yoga class, provide appropriate modifications and prop support for all levels of students, diagnose common misalignments within poses and explain the anatomical support for each yoga pose, and learn how to properly use breath and relaxation techniques.

Students will also explore the history and philosophy of yoga, work on communication skills, classroom management and instruction techniques, and learn how to design class sequences and best practices for their students. Our students will have the skills, confidence, and compassion to enter the community and provide high-quality yoga instruction! We have such a wonderful and inspiring group of students in our first cohort, and we are looking forward to seeing them share their teaching skills and love of yoga with others. ahernandez.lariat@gmail.com

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OCTOBER 11-12, 2014 LARIATNEWS.COM/Life/A&E

Lariat WEDNESDAY, Oct 8 , 2014

Sports 4 LARIATNEWS.COM

Gauchos tie Cypress continued from page 1 result of the game was a 0-0 tie.

Cypress came out of the gate hard, starting with a fast tempo and attacking the goal.

As expected, the game quickly turned into a battle, with Cypress getting aggressive. That aggressiveness led to injuries of two key Gauchos players.

Freshman right halfback Julianna Caldwell and sophomore midfielder and captain Krista Flores were the players injured. Caldwell’s injury was pretty severe, causing her to miss the rest of the game.

“A tie on the road and a win at home is OK for us, considering what kind of game it was...a real weird one with a couple of

injuries,” said head coach BJ McNicol.

Cypress’ midfield play was outstanding in the first couple minutes of the game. This caused the Gauchos to move the game out of Saddleback’s defensive box and out of the danger zone.

“Yea, we started getting ahead in the midfield,” Flores said, “We didn’t take enough shots, but that’s OK. The tie is a good result.”

Sophomore goalkeeper Alexandria Scott was great and shut down many of Cypress’ best shots on goal. This was Scott’s fourth shutout of the season and her seventh game allowing one goal or less.

Freshman midfielder Devin

Scelsi created many opportunities and made very solid transition passes to the strikers for them to finish. Even with Scelsi’s efforts, Cypress did a great job defending Saddleback’s opportunities, as the Gauchos were pretty much shut down.

“Our players came in in some critical spots that were needed today. Sophomore midfielder Alyssa Conrad came in, made some big tackles and had some runs on the sidelines,” McNicol said. “The whole squad was absolutely awesome scrambling to make plays.”

The Gauchos now have a record of 2-1-1 in OEC play, and 6-1-1 overall. debel.lariat@gmail.com

Dominic Ebel / Lariat even tie: Sadleback College’s Devin Scelsi (No. 3, left) battles for possession of the ball with a defender

in its 0-0 tie to Cypress. The Gauchos came in to the game ranked No. 19 in the nation. Cypress was ranked No. 7 in the nation.

SPORTS SCHEDULE Saddleback Football

IVC Volleyball

Venue: College of the Canyons

Venue: Fullerton College

October 18 - @ Grossmont - 1 p.m.

October 10 - vs. Orange Coast - 6 p.m.

Venue: Grossmont College

Venue: Orange Coast College

SC Womens Soccer

IVC Womens Soccer

October 7 - vs. Golden West - 3 p.m.

October 7 - @ Cypress - 3 p.m.

Venue: Saddleback College

Venue: Cypress College

October 10 - @ Irvine Valley - 3 p.m.

October 10 - vs. Saddleback - 3 p.m.

Venue: Irvine Valley College

Venue: Irvine Valley College

October 14 - vs. Santiago Canyon - 3 p.m.

October 14 - vs. Norco - 3 p.m.

Venue: Saddleback College

Venue: Irvine Valley College

October 11 - Canyons - 6 p.m.

October 7 - vs. Fullerton - 3 p.m.

AVAILABLE NOW

Courtesy of Saddleback College athletic office

Iraq War veteran turned Gaucho Football warrior The former U.S. Army Ranger currently plays safety for Saddleback Nick Nenad

Sports Editor

Whether it is making the game-saving tackle in the championship game or dealing with the defeat from an arch-rival team, nothing compares to what Saddleback Gauchos’ safety and former U.S. Army Ranger Matt Sprouse has been through in his life.

He never thought that he would end up saving a life the life of his lieutenant, Adam Dortona, in East Baghdad, Iraq several years ago.

“We were just in a fire fight.

[Dortona] decided to run out in the middle of it, and I just pulled him back before [he was hit], which was pretty good timing ‘cause he was being targeted,” said Sprouse, 29, business major, with regard to that night in 2007.

In an article written in the Saddleback Valley News by Joey Ramirez, Dortona praised Sprouse’s efforts in Iraq.

“He was smarter than everybody else. He was more

physically fit than anybody else. I owe him a lot of credit for cleaning up the streets of East Baghdad,” Dortona said in the article.

Sprouse grew up in South Carolina and graduated from Stratford High School in 2003.

He served two different tours with the Army before settling in San Clemente, California.

He says he is now acclimated to “nine-to-five” life. He explained that the staff at Saddleback, friends he has made since returning and his football and track coaches have helped him a lot.

“It wasn’t the easiest transition. I’ve had a lot of support from friends and family,” Sprouse said. “Saddleback is just a happy place to be. This is a really big chapter in my life being here.”

As a safety for the Gauchos, Sprouse will attempt to intercept more “high-valued targets” like he did in Iraq.

“I love football,” he said, explaining why he chose to play the sport while attending Saddleback. “I’ve been watching it all my life. I played when I was a kid. Just figured I would give it a shot.”

Before joining the military, Sprouse had aspirations of playing baseball as a pitcher.

Those hopes faded when he suffered an arm injury right before his senior year of high school. His first year at Saddleback, he ran track and red shirted for the football team.

“The way that this team’s come together has definitely kept me around to play football here,” he said. “It’s definitely something I want to be a part of here, especially this season.”

The Gauchos season is off to a rough start. After three straight losses, Saddleback finally won a game against Palomar College 42-31, making them 1-3 for the season.

“The team this year is really close... I got a good feeling we’re gonna run the table from here on out,” Sprouse said.

Saddleback will be searching for its second win this Saturday against the Santa Ana Dons. Sprouse will try to help his team get the victory much like he did for a much larger team. nnenad.lariat@gmail.com

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