Vol. 86 No. 4-March 3, 2017

As unique as her name

‘Get Out’ sparks reaction

Stangs take a loss

Speech professor Marie Arcidiacono shares her experiences outside of Los Medanos — page 4

Jordan Peele’s hit horror film “Get Out” shocks audiences with its social commentary — page 4

Despite losing to DeAnza College, LMC Baseball still maintains the No. 1 ranking in its division — page 5

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F.Y.I. Important Dates March is Women’s History Month April 3-8

Spring break: Campus closed

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LMCAS cooks up deals

Student discount program launched

By BEATRIZ HERNANDEZ and KIMBERLY STELLY bhernandez@lmcexperience.com

The Los Medanos College Academic Senate has just launched their new local discounts project to help struggling college students pay for a meal.

In addition to the other efforts being made to provide for students on campus, LMCAS wanted to use this as an opportunity to give back to their community.

“It was just an idea that I had because I heard so many students struggle with a basic necessity like food,” said Vice President Natasha Garcia, who first began the project last semester.

Student Life Coordinator John Nguyen further

explained their reason for creating the program.

“She took the initiative and noticed that there was a lot of food insecurity here,” said Nguyen. “While we have a food pantry here on campus, which is extremely great and valuable to students here, she wanted to support local businesses as well.”

— Natasha Garcia The type of discount and the amount are entirely up to each separate establishment. For now, they are focusing on restaurants. Senators were placed 10 percent discount and a free drink with every in charge of taking the proposal to each business. single purchase,” said Nguyen.

“All types of restaurants here in Pittsburg [are One other place on board with the idea is Pittsbeing approached], just one that pops up in my burg’s Jamba Juice location. head is Las Panchitas which is literally right Garcia said, “At first the district manager wasn’t See FOOD, page 6 around the corner. LMCAS was able to secure a

New board ‘scores’

A CORE part of learning

Safe Space program a go LMC holds Safe Space trainings twice a semester for faculty, staff and students so they are better educated on how to deal with issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to these workshops, the program will encourage members of the LMC community to mark their classrooms, backpacks, etc. to indicate their support.

Center provides study environment

By CAMERON TOTH

ctoth@lmcexperience.com

Blood Drive on campus Student Life and the Blood Centers of the Pacific will host the Cesar Chavez Blood Drive Challenge on campus Tuesday, March 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Library Room L-109. To schedule your donation appointment visit www. bloodheroes.com and enter sponsor code losMC. For additonal information contact the Office of Student Life at 473-7554.

Open mic night at LMC The Office of Student Life is holding an open mic night in honor of Women’s History Month. The event is called “Femina” and will take place Thursday, March 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Library Room L-109.

To sign up contact Justin Rocha at jrocha051@ insite.4cd.edu.

Experience • Kelly Barr

Independent contractor and electrician Tim Evans shows the campus some love on Valentine’s Day by repairing the faulty components of the Los Medanos College baseball field scoreboard. It now can rack up the runs of the No.1 Mustangs.

Planning for the summer The Los Medanos College Summer 2017 Class Schedule is now available for students who plan to register. It can be viewed online at losmedanos.edu/.

“It was an idea that I had because I heard so many students struggle with a basic necessity like food.”

“All you have to do is walk in,” said Samantha Ogorchock who runs the check in at Los Medanos College’s Center for Academic Support, located on the third floor of the College Complex building. The center is a place for students to go to get the extra assistance they need with all classes from either professors or peer tutors.

Some services provided for students include reading and writing consultants along with free peer tutors. The center proves a comfortable and welcoming environment for students to get the help they need.

“I go in when I need help editing my paper.

It makes a difference and they catch mistakes that I didn’t even notice,” said student Diana Gonzalez. “They’re always very friendly and it’s easy to get appointments that work around my busy schedule.”

Sandra Mills, the director of the center said, “Our goal is to help students improve and learn. We won’t guarantee anything, but you will see improvement.”

Every year, there’s a Study Slam in which reading, writing and math tutors, along with some professors provide help to any students making a last ditch effort to study for finals.

“It’s a giant study session and it definitely feels like a colligate environment in here” said Mills. “The best piece of advice is don’t wait till the last minute, we’re always here to help and support the students.”

To ensure the best help the teachers of all classes refer tutors to the center and most of the reading and writing consultants are English professors on campus. Professors also have their office hours in the center to make themselves more available to help students.

The center isn’t just for students who are there to get help, it’s also a place to relax.

“We just want you to check in because we want to make sure all the students in the center are being helped with whatever they need,” said Mills.

The CORE is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wade talks history and future of black business in United States

By KIMBERLY STELLY

kstelly@lmcexperience.com

“Where is all your money going?” inquired former Los Medanos College and current San Joaquin Delta College History Professor Evan Wade, thus setting the tone for his presentation Black Wall Street and the Power of Ownership, Tuesday evening in L-109.

The presentation, sponsored by both the California Association of Woke Students and Los Medanos College’s Umoja Scholars program, was on the 1921 race riot in Tulsa, OK in which hundreds of black citizens were massacred and a string of black businesses in the Greenwood neighborhood — then known as “Black Wall Street” for its concentration of wealth — were destroyed.

Before Wade started in on his speech,

LMC student and trumpeter Louis Sheppard performed rendition what’s known as “the Black national anthem,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” However, two-thirds of the way into the song, he had to stop because of valve-related issues with his instrument. He hummed the last few bars, which garnered applause from the crowd.

Wade then jumped right into his lecture, accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation.

One of his main points was African-Americans should be investing in Black businesses again because when they were, they were thriving.

“It was not the race riots of 1921 that was Experience • Kimberly Stelly the problem, it was the spreading of black San Joaquin Delta College history professor Evan dollars,” he said.

Wade also argued that since white people Wade gives a presentation on Black Wall Street and See WADE, page 6

the Power of Ownership Tuesday, Feb. 28.

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Perspectives

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“The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.”

— Horace Walpole

Cate Bernamonti

Savannah Drew

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Saving should be top priority

Why do we lack empathy?

The “American Dream” has been a theme for writers through the ages. When we hear the term “American dream,” Gatsby-esque ideals are generally what come to mind.

However in 2017, the American dream has morphed from the need for success to the want for the latest and greatest gadget.

America as a whole has become extremely materialistic. Why have $1,000,000 in the bank, when you can have an $800,000 house and a $200,000 car to show the world around you just how successful you are. We have become more concerned with how we appear rather than how we are.

My parents made sure to put the idea of “save every penny” into my head. I remember when I got my first paycheck I waited to deposit it so that I could go home and show my parents what my hard work had given me. Some of the girls I worked with had the quick deposit on their phones for payroll.

You could always tell when it was payday because these girls would come in and start buying hundreds of dollars of makeup — things that weren’t needed, but were the latest trend. The more time I spent with these girls, the more I felt that, in order to be seen as successful, I too needed these latest and greatest products.

I changed from a person who had only given herself $20 from every $100 earned to someone who would tell herself, “I’ll just save the next one.”

But that’s the thing about “saving the next one.” There are always new latest products, and if that’s what you measure success by, you’re never going to stop and save.

In the late 1960s, psychologist Walter Mischel conducted the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment. In these experiments, a 4-year-old child was given a marshmallow and told if they waited 15 minutes to eat it they would be given a second one when the experimenter returned. The children who ate the marshmallow immediately experienced instant gratification. These children were interviewed once more when they became college aged, and it was discovered that the children who had waited the full 15 minutes in order to receive the second marshmallow scored on average 250 points higher on their SATs than those who had not. Similarly, they were found to be more likely to excel in the fields they had chosen. In short, the children who had waited were all around happier and more successful than those who had chosen instant gratification.

There are two types of time-focused thinking— future-focused and present-focused.

Future-focused thinking keeps people working hard, saving and planning for a better life. Future-focused thinkers tend to be more successful both professionally and academically. The ability to be self-disciplined and delay gratification are key attributes of the success of future-focused thinkers.

Present-focused thinking is the mindset we tend to see most often in Millennials.

Those who are present-focused thinkers tend to seek relationships and activities which bring them pleasure, and instant gratification. Those who have a present focused mindset are more like to engage in behaviors such as gambling, alcohol, or drug use and they are less likely to take care of themselves via exercise, dental hygiene or physical exams. Present-focused thinkers are overall likely to be less successful than future-focused thinkers.When we immediately buy the newest iPhone instead of saving for it and getting it later on down the road, we are engaging in a present-focused way of thinking. The line between want and need has become increasingly blurred.

The next time you see a commercial for the newest, latest, greatest product, ask yourself “is this something I really need, or have I distorted my want into a need?”

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our life means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life In the beautiful world we live in, there are beautiful people. And sometimes, I believe that we need to be reminded of that. The recent coverage of events has divided humanity. The fear, sadness and even anger of individuals have created an “us vs. them” mentality in many. We live in a world where our peers say to cross to the other side of the street when people who look different than us, approach. We are taught to lock our doors if we hear a crying baby outside, because it might be an audio recording and the moment you open your door you’ll be killed by a nameless, faceless threat. And if you open the door to your country, the same thing will happen. The days of learning “love your neighbor as yourself” have been replaced with lessons of avoidance and sheltering yourself from human interaction by using a digital screen as a barrier.

In the world, empathy is dying. We thank our lucky stars that it isn’t us suffering as we offer a prayer on Facebook and move along scrolling. We say, “That’s a shame” and click share to “raise awareness” and we believe that our share will reach someone who can do something, when we know deep down we can do something ourselves.

We just don’t want the inconvenience. But that’s the magic of the digital age; we don’t have to do anything meaningful to feel like we have done a great service to the world.

We can see a video of starving children in Africa and share it with the caption “my heart breaks for these poor children! We need to do something.” And with that click of a button you immediately forget all about the starving children and move on to the next article. We live in a fast-paced era where attention shifts faster than a politician’s priorities. And this is killing our empathy.

What would happen if you stopped listening just to wait for your turn to respond? What would happen if you read this and didn’t think, “this hippy doesn’t know what she’s talking about! Americans in America come first! We don’t have to worry about anyone but our own!” This sentiment is dangerous and because of this, I will ask a few final questions.

What would happen if you listened so someone’s thoughts and opinions and didn’t immediately discredit them because it contradicts yours? Would it truly be so horrible if you thought about it and your views changed? Is your pride more important than knowledge and choosing empathy over that pride? These are the questions you should ask yourself every day.

Empathy is defined as: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

I fear for my country if this constant division continues. Why did the country that is famously called ‘The Melting Pot’, become as divided as oil and vinegar? My purpose for writing this is to ask you to question your thinking and question your mindset. Today, why can’t we see each other for who we are? We are one nation, we are one people, and we are a nation of immigrants; every last one of us.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” — Dr. Seuss.

Experience • Lissette Urbina

Editorial

Representation key in films

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ollowing the 2017 Oscars Best Picture flub, sympathy for “La La Land” and the embarrassing moment its cast and crew had to face after being wrongly named winner was all that various media platforms talked about once the show ended. But what about “Moonlight” and the importance of an all-black, LGBTQ-centered movie winning the highest honor from The Academy, whse members have not historically known for recognizing similar movies?

It could be easy for some cisgender, heterosexual white men and women —who constantly see themselves positively and realistically represented on TV and film — to rob “Moonlight” of its win and use the mishap to support beliefs that the Oscars, and other award shows, are meaningless. For people of color and those who are a part of the LGBTQ community, that moment was anything but.

“Moonlight” does not tell everyone’s story, but it is an important story that brings up issues that tend to be ignored or deemed mutually exclusive. Although the award for Best Picture is a honor for the movie’s producers, to have a film that realistically represents communities that are never typically acknowledged by The Academy is the most significant thing that should have been taken away from the night.

Berry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney said it best in their acceptance speech for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars, reassuring those “who feel like there’s no mirror” for them that they will always have support and will not be left alone.

“This goes out to all those black and brown boys and girls, and non gender conforming, who don’t see themselves. We are trying to show you, you and us. Thank you, this is for you.”

No one should have to live in fear Racial profiling is something that can never truly be proved. As people know, there are three sides to every story: what was said by one person, what was said by the other person, and the truth.

However, the bottom line is, no one should have to live in fear that there will be a consequence for being who he or she truly is.

It is obvious throughout the decades that black citizens have been oppressed; and racial profiling is an ongoing issue. Though people will try to deny it, it’s a problem that continues to happen in many communities.

Hair Stylist Marissa Rullan from Los Angeles, said, “I can’t tell you how many times I have been followed by a police officer because I have an Afro. I am probably the least threatening person, considering I’m 4’11” tall and I look like I’m 14, even though I’m 24,” It is very common for people to profile in society or make assumptions about someone because of how they look, but it is when the situation gets confrontational and possibly threatening, where it is a true problem.

Mireya Smith, a local member of the community, relayed her encounter with profiling.

“My friend and I were driving home through Shadow Lakes in Brentwood and a police officer pulled me over. He asked me where we were going and I told him that I was dropping my friend off and then going home.”

The cop then asked about the owner of the car, proceeding to asking for the I.D.’s for both her and the driver.

“Usually when you get pulled over, they just ask for the driver’s ID. The officer had never told me why I was being pulled over and after he left, I knew that I had just been profiled and confronted by a police officer for the first time, which was something I would not have expected,” said Smith.

Though police officers are being seen as

Voices

Stevie Corio GUEST COLUMNIST

the enemy in society as of right now, not all police officers are heinous people. The job of police officers is to protect and serve, while keeping in mind a person’s natural rights and that people have actual problems and needs.

“There were some African American middle school students that I saw when I was driving up American, who, as I drove by, put their hands up. Honestly this made me not so much angry, but sad that with all of the events happening, this is how some people are now beginning to view me,” said Officer Mitch Brouillette, a Brentwood police officer.

People are beginning to treat police officers like they are all terrible people, when in fact this is not the case. It has become the norm to blame reasons for traffic tickets on law enforcement because of how they are portrayed by the media. People have been recently saying, “I was pulled over because I’m not white, and my windows were tinted.” Though this may be true that it is becoming more acceptable to blame problems on law enforcement, citizens should not turn a blind eye to what is going on in society and need to realize that yes, racial profiling may not always be the case, but it is the case more often than it should be.

Racial profiling will continue to exist in society, like many other social problems, but the only thing that society can do is work toward the equality of all people, and stop living in fear of change.

What do you think about President Donald Trump’s proposed wall?

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Experience L M C e x p e r i e n c e . c o m

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California Newspaper Publishers Association

“Were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

— Thomas Jefferson

“It’s going to build more tension toward nations and make a negative impact toward those immigrants that live here.”

— Nick Diaz

“It’s outrageous! I feel it’s unfair about what he’s doing.”

—Sha Rena Moore

“I think that his action is an undiplomatic action toward our neighbors down below in Mexico.”

— Gadal Bulgac

“The troubles that Trump claims we have with these communities just simply do not exist.”

— Randy Utz

“It’s really unfair and absurd how this is one of the top priorities of our president.”

— Arianna Berumen

“It is a shameful idea and I am ashamed to be living in a country that is even thinking of an idea like that.”

— Elliott Runner

Editors-in-Chief ...........BEATRIZ HERNANDEZ and KIMBERLY STELLY Managing Editor.....................ADRIA WATSON Perspectives Editor............VANESSA FLORES Campus Editor ......................TERESA GAINES Features Editor ................SARAH GONZALES Sports Editor ....................... GARRETT BELME Graphics Editor...................LISSETTE URBINA Photo Editor ..........................CHRISTIAN RUIZ Copy Chief ...................... TYLER MORTIMORE The LMC Experience is published Fridays by students in the Journalism Program. The newspaper serves both as a laboratory for journalism classes and as a First Amendment forum for campus communication. Opinions expressed in the Experience are solely those of the students and do not represent the views of the college.

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Staff Writers

Workshops give tips

Find out what employers want to hear at the two Career Services hour long workshops on interviewing. They will be held Wednesday, March 8 from noon to 1 p.m. and Thursday March 9 from 5 to 6 p.m. in Room SS4-12 of the Student Services Center.

Cook-Off gets cooking

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“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

— Nelson Mendela

First time debaters win

By PERRY CONTINENTE and TERESA GAINES

Photo courtesy of losmedanos.edu

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Los Medanos College’s debate team pulled off a series of victories at the Northern California Division Forensics Association tournament this past weekend. Facing stiff competition, the team of 11 students managed to take home several prizes at the event that took place at California State University Sacramento.

The LMC Debate Team placed in both the Novice Impromptu Speaking and the Novice Informative Speaking competitions of the tournament, competing against a large number of students from other community colleges and public and private four-year universities.

“It was my first time ever competing in that particular event.”

— Julio Campos

The Novice Impromptu Speaking competition is characterized by each competitor being given three quotes and having to come up with five minute speeches for each of them. This fast-paced segment of the competition tests improvisation as well as mental acuity.

Two of the eleven representatives, Julio Campos and Richard Stanfield made their way into the final round of the Novice Impromptu Speaking competition.

Richard Stanfield, a first time competitor in Novice Impromptu Speaking and first timer in a competition for individuals, managed not only to make it into the final round, but to place third place in a crowded competition.

“It was interesting,” said Stanfield, “it was my first time ever competing in that particular event.”

Stanfield also managed a win in a crowded field against “around 50 college students,” and made it to the final round to claim his prize.

Another successful student and first timer, Julio Campos, placed fourth in the same category. Campos approached the daunting task initially with trepidation. “I did feel pretty

Staff stuffs salads

See WIN, page 6

Shadow leads to future careers

Join the fun and attend LMC’s 12th Annual Chili Cook-Off Friday, Mar. 2 at 11 a.m. Individuals, groups and departments throughout the school are entering the competition and ask you to come help judge their chili. Chili bowls with cornbread will be $4, chili shots $1, and there will be tickets available for raffle prizes.

The event wil be held in the indoor quad in front of the Veteran’s Center.

Internships to be offered

By PERRY CONTINENTE Staff Writer

HBCU tours available

Students and staff will be traveling by airplane departing from the Oakland Airport on Sunday, April 9 and returning Saturday April 15 to historically black colleges and universities on the east coast.

The tour application is available on the LMC website.

RSVP to Latino Series

The Undergraduate Success Center at John F. Kennedy University is holding a Latino Speaker Series featuring Mara Parez, Ph.D Thursday March 9. Parez’s talk will cover education, economic development, philanthropy, immigration and Latinos in the United States.

Lunch will be served and is open to the public at the JFK Pleasant Hill campus on the second floor in room 209 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Apply for graduation

Feb. 28 is the last day students may submit an early Summer 2017 graduation application to receive an early registration appointment for Summer 2017.

March 1 is the last day to apply for Spring 2017 graduation and the first day to submit an early Fall 2017 graduation application to receive an early registration appointment for Fall 2017. Applications can be found on the losmedanos.edu website.

If you need extra help, LMC offers general counseling; drop-in hours are offered and students must have a student ID number and a photo ID. — compiled from press releases and staff reports

Experience • Beatriz Hernandez

Disabled Students Programs and Services Department Administrative Assistant Sylvia Benzler and Speech Professor and Debate Team coach Kasey Gardner stuff salad ingredients into mason jars at the A Salad-In-A-Jar Workshop hosted by Leetha Robertson Friday, Feb. 24. The LMC Health and Wellness Team invited students, faculty and staff to the event to promote healthy living using creative and easy techniques.

Los Medanos College is partnering with several businesses to provide students with job-shadowing opportunities this spring break with a variety of employers participating.

The job-shadowing program is being spearheaded by Community and Educational Partnership Liaison Tara Sanders and Director of Transfer and Career Services Kristen Conner.

The program is a 35-40-hour program that aims to immerse students in a job that they haven’t considered, or deepen their understanding of their current career path.

By making the internship last only one week the program is only a temporar y commitment. “It’s low risk on both sides,” said Conner, “a lot of these employers want to hire an intern and this is a great way for them to see if it’s right for them.”

The opportunity to shadow an employer could be more than just a weeklong endeavor as many of them are using the weeklong job-shadow as an internship opportunity.

Conner said, “The week could lead to an internship, something bigger.”

Conner was excited about the opportunity this presented for students, saying that it could provide a leg up on the competition, “It’s an opportunity to put something on your resume that is very beneficial,” said Conner, “students get exposure to a new career area.”

Sanders was similarly enthused, “It’s exciting for stuSee JOB, page 6

Club organizes for a good CAWS

By JOSE PANTOJA Staff Writer

A global paradigm shift has seemingly occurred in the past few months. In 2017, how does it feel to be a student, or a Californian or another member of society? Has the current political and social atmosphere left you in need of a cause?

The California Association of Woke Students is a new student club at Los Medanos College that seeks to “wake” students to the importance of the social, economic and political factors that greatly affect students’ lives.

Marcelo Clark, third year student, is CAWS President.

He was inspired to charter a club on campus after attending the LMC IMPACT Student Leadership Conference last fall.

The IMPACT Conference employs a variety of speakers and activities in order to educate students on how to be effective activists at LMC and in their communities.

“The conference posed a simple question to students: what issue concerns you the most?” said Clark, “it was then that I wanted to begin an activist-framed club which promoted social and political issues.”

Leigh Ann Davis, club Social Media Coordinator, was equally inspired by the IMPACT conference to pursue social change from the student level.

“One of the most important aspects of the club is to focus on using critical thinking to disambiguate public affairs and to find tangible solutions that students can engage in,” said Davis.

CAWS, along with the Honors Club, recently co-sponsored the Black Lives Matter Panel on Feb. 14 in association with Black History Month at LMC. Clark says that his motivation to help organize the panel came in part from working his job as a records intern for a government institution where the Black Live Matter movement could at times be given little respect.

“It was tough hearing insensitive comments from some people who are suppose to serve the community,” said Clark, “there See CAWS, page 6

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“Speak out in acts; the time for words has passed, and only deeds will suffice.”

— Alfred North Whitehead

Arcidiacono bucks the status quo

Speech professor unveiled

By BROOKE SAMSON Staff Writer

After a long day of grading papers and preparing for meetings with Los Medanos College’s Health and Wellness Committee, Speech Professor Marie Arcidiacono leaves for a run and ends her day enjoying a chocolate donut and sitting down to watch the Hallmark Channel. When she isn’t reading Harry Potter or considering ideas for her own books, Arcidiacono dedicates herself to making LMC a better place.

Graduating as Valedictorian of Pittsburg High School, she had a lot of people all trying to tell how what direction her life should go in. Her decision to attend Cal State East Bay after high school confused many in her life, but for her it was the best educational and financial decision.

People often asked her why she didn’t want to attend a more prestigious school, but it came down to the fact that East Bay would allow her to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in only three years. Coming from a close-knit family, East Bay also put her near enough to her loved ones to be comfortable but just far enough to remain independent. Nevertheless, many tried to pressure her into attending a more prestigious college.

“I think there will always be people who are disappointed with your decisions but you should feel confident in your choices. Know who’s input to take into consideration. I don’t regret attending East Bay,” She said.

Most importantly to Arcidiacono was being close to Los Medanos College. Her end goal has always been to come and give back to a community that helped her parents, both LMC alumni. She is a full time Speech professor, co-director of Forensics, chair of the Health &

Experience archive • Cathie Lawrence

LMC speech professor Marie Arcidiacono speaks at the lecturn during a debate in the Pittsburg City Hall Oct 30, 2015.

Wellness Committee and member of the Honors Advisory Board as well as the Debate Team coach.

Debate became a passion for Arcidiacono while attending East Bay. Her professor Terr y West relentlessly pushed her to join the debate team and she reluctantly agreed. After that, she was hooked.

She and her partner Eric Brinkley made a great pair. Arcidiacono had the presentation skills and Brinkley had the political knowledge to take them though tournaments.

While traveling to all of their debate tournaments, she and Brinkley would spend all of their time reading through books, articles and newspapers for any information on relevant topics.

Having a wide array of knowledge is necessary for all debaters because they do not know the topic of the debate beforehand.

Arcidiacono and Brinkley would stay up for hours looking for any information they could find on possible debate topics. Once off the plane, the two of them would pass out in

the car on the way to tournaments.

For them, research was a workout.

Her love of debate came with her to LMC and she began coaching students on the debate team in Fall 2013.

Arcidiacono provides her students with all of the tools they need to succeed.

“What I try to do is make sure I have a variety of resources I can pull from. The best way to offer assistance to a student is to find out what they need. I don’t mind going out of my way researching what they need,” She

said, adding, “I keep close ties with other faculty members from other schools to help make connections between them and students.”

Fellow Speech Professor Star Steers was a recipient of Arcidiacono’s help.

Steers was interested in becoming a debate team coach but feared that she lacked the background in the sport to help any students. Arcidiacono swooped in and went from being simply a colleague to Steers to being a close friend. Arcidiacono offered

See MARIE, page 6

Drama brings ‘Jesus’ LMC hosts play with serious theme

By VANESSA FLORES and JORDAN NEEL Staff Writer

Experience • Cathie Lawrence

Michael Alexander and Steve Millard audition for “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train.”

Marquee Movies released

n “Before I Fall” Rated PG-13 Genre: Drama n “Logan” Rated R Genre: Action, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Drama n “Apprentice” Rated N/A Genre: Drama n “Donald Cried” Rated N/A Genre: Drama, Comedy n “Catfight” Rated N/A Genre: Drama, Comedy n “The Shack” Rated PG-13 Genre: Drama, Fantasy n “Junction 48” Rated N/A Genre: Action, Biography, Drama, Thriller, Crime, Music

El Campanil Theatre events

nThe Delta Blues Festival will take place March 4 at 7 to 10 p.m. The night’s line up will include international blues performers such as Lurrie Bell ‘Chigcago Blues Legend’, John Blues with Chris “Kid” Anderson, the Kyler Jester Blues Show, D’Mar and suprise guests.

Tickets are $30 for Adults, $28 for seniors $15 for youth between ages 10-17. n Vagabond Players present “Born Yesterday” March 5 at 2 p.m. The play follows the story of junk tycoon Harry Brock, who comes to Washington with his under educated, brassy ex-showgirl, Billie Dawn. Brock hires journalist Paul Verrall to make Billie ‘socially acceptable’. Sparks fly between Billie and Paul, and the ex-showgirl finds herself learning more than just history and etiquette. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $10 for youth 17 and under.

The El Campanil Theatre is located at 602 W Second St. in Antioch. For ticket sales and additional information visit elcampaniltheatre.com or call 757-9500.

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

The Los Medanos College Drama department is preparing to bring a serious drama “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train,” to the Little Theatre March 23.

A play by screenwriter, playwright, director and actor Stephen Adly Guirgis, “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train” was awarded Virgin Atlantic Best New Play back in 2003.

The play focuses on prisoners Angel Cruz and Lucius, at Rikers prison in New York, with both facing murder charges.

Cr uz, who is arrested for shooting a cult leader in the butt while trying to save his friend, meets Lucius when he is roomed next to him.

A play known for its message about faith, justice and the system within prisons, Assistant Stage Manager Nick Murphy says he really enjoys the message.

“A play more about the judicial system and how they treat minorities, I wanted to be part of the project because I really enjoyed the message that it was portraying,” said Murphy.

In an article published early February by the Experience, Drama Department Chair Nick Garcia said it’s an incredible show. “It’s got power, it’s funny, the characters are incredible and so you feel like you’ve experienced something special when you watch it,” said Garcia.

DVC staff Nicole Dorr is

directing the play and some cast members are also students from DVC. Christian Williams who plays Angel Cruz says “Angel begins to formulate an understanding of life during the play.”

“He goes from being immature to being more mature and spiritual,” adds Williams. “ [The play] helps with perspective.

It helps people get out of their bubble.”

“Being from Pittsburg, it kind of speaks to so many of us here; like with the treatment minorities receive with like of course police brutality and the law system,” said Murphy. “Many of us I feel have experienced that along the lines and to see it in a play See JESUS, page 6

Trevor Noah plays Stanford Comic grips campus

By BEATRIZ HERNANDEZ

bhernandez@lmcexperience.com

Now best known as the host of “The Daily Show,” comedian Trevor Noah performed a standup routine for Stanford students’ friends and family as a part of Family Weekend Saturday, Feb. 25 where he, despite some problematic stances on American social issues, managed to remain charismatic.

As a family weekend exclusive event it meant that admission for the general public would not be guaranteed, but with the line beginning with a family who had been waiting at the door since 1:30 p.m. and ending with about a 10 minute walk away from the venue, the long wait was evident for all. By the time the event began there were more people outside rather than inside the building.

Noah expressed his surprise and sadness for the amount of people who were still waiting outside.

One of the best things about Noah is that he isn’t afraid to call people out and shine a light on reality in a way that may make others uncomfortable.

He used cultural and racial issues as a base for a majority of his show.

In a retelling of the booking of his first show in Compton, which he had never previously heard of, he recalls his friend’s referral to the city as an “urban” area. He also used this to comment on non-black people’s tendency to whisper black instead of just saying it.

REVIEW

Photo courtesy of imdb.com

Daniel Kaluuya as ‘Chris’ in a scene in the movie “Get Out.”

Peele’s ‘Get Out’ shocks

By JORDAN NEEL Staff Writer

First time director Jordan Peele, best known as a writer and star of the Emmy-winning sketch series “Key & Peele,” is back with the amazing satirical thriller “Get Out.” It follows a Black man from Brooklyn named Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) whose white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) takes him upstate to meet her parents for the first time. Once they arrive, Chris begins to notice bizarre behavior from Rose’s family and their Black employees, housekeeper Georgina and handyman Walter.

Chris tells his friend Rod (LilRey See NOAH, page 6 Howry) of the increasingly weird

REVIEW

events, and he soon learns the horrible truth when an odd black man (Lakeith Stanfield) warns him to get out. Chris soon learns getting out is easier said than done.

“Get Out” does a wonderful job not just giving out its scares while also giving some laughs, but touching on the subject of racism -- a subject that is on everyone’s mind at this point in time.

From scares and humor to drama, Jordan Peele blends all three so well in an outstanding directorial debut.

Peele’s direction is done so well it is as if he has been making films for years. The twists in this movie will have you fascinate the entire time.

Kaluuya gives a per formance See PEELE, page 6

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Sports

Quotable

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FRIDAY,

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5

““If you can’t outplay them, outwork them.”

— Ben Hogan

Experience • Carlos Ruiz

Los Medanos College’s Jason Hare hits a line drive double to left field, just out of reach of De Anza’s third basemen, during Thursday’s 10-1 loss.

Weekend produces mixed bag Stangs still sit a top of their division at 9-4

By CARLOS RUIZ

cruiz@lmcexperience.com

LMC baseball ended its five game winning streak — including an 8-3 victory over rivals Diablo Valley College — with a 10-1 home loss to De Anza College Feb. 22.

Despite the loss, the Mustangs returned to the field Saturday Feb. 25 and successfully bested the Monterey Lobos in an away doubleheader.

At the top of the second inning, LMC started strong with a hitting parade that lasted throughout the rest of the game.

Second baseman Jonathan Pluth began the scoring by bringing in right fielder Gabe Taylor to get the first run on the board via sacrifice fly.

Left fielder Deon White brought another one home with a sacrifice bunt and first baseman Jason Kreske hit an RBI single, quickly making it 3-0. That wasn’t the end of the offensive assault.

Catcher Jason Hare cleared the bases with his first homerun of the year, bringing three more runs home and extending their lead 6-0.

Sophomore pitcher Jack Higgins started the game, but after throwing one pitch in the bottom of the second inning and feeling shoulder discomfort his day was cut short. In to take his place was Garrett Nichols, who gave meaning to relief

“It was an example of clean, crisp pitching with strike outs and a lot of plays and balls getting caught.”

— Coach Anthony D’Albora

pitching by striking out his first batter and ending the inning with a ground out.

Success continued for LMC at the top of the fourth inning. Jonathan Allen collected his first home run the best way possible— a grand slam.

More runs followed and the Stangs pumped up the score to 14-1. Solid pitching by Nichols kept the Stangs balanced defensively and continued through 6 2/3 innings and throwing six strikeouts.

Meanwhile the Mustang’s bats couldn’t stay quiet. Center fielder Brandon Hutslar hit a two run shot at the top of the eighth, his first homerun of the season.

Sophmore closer Austin Herrington took over for Nichols and sealed the result and put another tally in the win column with a whopping final score of 25-2.

D’Albora said the win was “a good turnaround from the loss we had from De Anza.”

Utility player Riley Cleary was the standout player of a dominating team performance in the second game of the doubleheader, putting on a pitching master piece with a full game, four-hit shutout and hitting an RBI single to left center.

“It was an example of clean, crisp pitching with strike outs and a lot of plays and balls getting caught,” said D’Albora, praising his team’s fundamentals.

Sophomore Spencer Vincent was on the mound for Stang’s previous game against De Anza and saw five innings, allowing three hits and three earned runs while striking out five batters.

The Mustangs put up six hits to the Dons’ eight, but the final score of 10-1 tells another tale. LMC’s lone run of the game came thanks to an RBI by center fielder Jonathan Allen, making it possible for Riley Cleary to round third and score.

“It was one of those days where we left it all on the field, but there was some things we could’ve executed better,” said Head Coach Anthony D’Albora.

By the look of things, the Mustangs might be on track for another winning streak and still holding the first place spot in Bay Valley Conference — tied with Solano College.

Experience • Carlos Ruiz The Mustangs return home March 11 LMC’s Spencer Vincent pitches against De Anza. for a 1 p.m. game against Solano.

Professional ball player catches on as new coach

CHOOSE YOUR DOCTOR

By AUSTIN C. HERRINGTON aherrington@lmcexperience.com

Approaching his first season as the catching coach for the Los Medanos College baseball team in 2017, Chad Highberger is an alumnus who played here from 2011 to 2012. He is now a coach at LMC and playing professional baseball for the Pittsburg Diamonds.

His baseball stor y is different from how most other players start. It wasn’t the usual “my parents put me in it to get involved in sports” story but instead involved his dog and a fence.

Highberger’s earliest memory of baseball is at his first house in Pittsburg that backed up to a canal. “I had a golden retriever and I used to hit this little plastic ball off the tee that would hit off the fence,” he said, “and he would go get it and that was life, that’s all I did everyday.”

He has been playing baseball ever since he was 4 years old and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. His parents were supportive of his goals and what he wanted to accomplish.

Highberger explained that whenever he cried when he was young, all it took to make him happy was to have a ball in his hands. “I don’t know whether it was my parents implementing that into me as

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options

Experience • Chris Ruiz

Chad Highberger directs catchers during practice. a child or it was something I picked up and liked,” he said.

Baseball genes do run in his family. He was inspired to become a catcher from his grandpa and his dad who both played that position.

Being a catcher wasn’t the only position he wanted to play− he had aspirations of being a pitcher and playing infield. But when high school rolled around he got pulled from pitching to focus on catching.

Highberger explained he was jealous of the infielders after practice because they would walk out with just their glove, cleats, and bat while he had a whole bag full of catcher’s gear.

But that never stopped him from playing the position he loved. Aside from his family

being catchers, he enjoyed the position. “I loved being in the game every play,” he said adding that the excitement of being able to touch the ball in every play made him love it even more.

He was athletic growing up and played multiple sports competitively including basketball and football. But when he got to high school he played football for just one year so he could focus solely on baseball and dedicate himself year round to the sport.

Basketball and football were more like hobbies to him, games he would play with friends in the schoolyard.

“Baseball was something that really fed my soul,” he said.

See COACH, page 6

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So it only makes sense that you have one that you connect with and can trust.

Our doctors are caring, supportive, and highly respected in their fields. And with more than 800 Kaiser Permanente physicians in Central and East Contra Costa County and the Tri-Valley area, it’s easy to find one that’s right for you.

To learn more, visit kp.org/diablo.

L O S

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Back Talk MARIE

WADE

Steers any and all information she needed along with a lot of strong support to get her to join the debate team as a coach.

“She provided me with tons of resources and reading material. She even went so far as to let me use the office with her.

It was important to her that I feel like part of the team and a professional,” said Steers.

Steers became a debate team coach during the Fall of 2016 and was able to aid students alongside Arcidiacono at the Dominican Debate Tournament.

When she is not coaching the debate team every Wednesday night she can be found in her offices on the Brentwood and Pittsburg campuses. Her office in Brentwood has become her highly organized space.

Framed pictures are evenly spaced on the walls and colored post-it notes keep track of all of her ideas and plans for the next few days.

“Being organized is my creative process. Post-its and lists are a tangible way to keep things in order. I like to feel like I can get stuff done.”

Arcidiacono’s Brentwood Office really showcases her creativity. On her desk sits decorative pink lilies with a framed poster from the movie Mean Girls resting on top of her bookshelf. The shelf is crammed full of books about communications.

She sat upright in her chair next to her computer and thought carefully about her many hobbies, aside from teaching and being organized.

“My mom was a huge marathon runner. I come from good athletic stock. My dad was a body builder and both of my parents were arm wrestlers,” She said.

“I was not into running while I was in high school. I was super active in basketball and volleyball, all of the field events.”

Her mother always hoped that the running bug would bite one of her children, but Arcidiacono had no motivation to begin running until 2011.

She went out on a walk with a friend and discussed the Nike Women’s Marathon.

All runners who joined were entered into a lottery to win Tiffany’s jewelry and that was all the motivation she needed to start running. Her mother created a training regimen and

by October of the same year she had ran a half marathon for the first time. She didn’t win any jewelry, but acquired a love for a new hobby that wasn’t watching romantic comedies on the Hallmark channel.

From there, she was hooked.

Arcidiacono runs marathons not only to earn medals but to make vacations out of her travels. She ran in Disney World Wine and Dine half marathon in Florida, the Dumbo Double Dare, running 19.3 miles in 2 days. Most notably she and a friend flew to Washington D.C. to run in the Nike Women’s half marathon in 2014. They ran to monuments and all the way to Arlington National Cemetery. While on the trip, Arcidiacono wanted to be able to run through the White

don’t spend their dollars at black businesses, why should black people spend their money in white businesses?

After ward, he asked the audience to name the most important thing they got from the presentation.

Audience members chimed in at this point, suggesting things like unity and mutual respect.

At one point, one of the men attending the event suggested that “females should let women be women and let men be men,” which caused many to look around at each other incredulously and drawing laughter.

Wade’s main takeaway was “Resilience — that’s something to keep in mind. If you can pull together collectively, you can overcome.”

After the question portion, both Wade and Umoja Scholars Coordinator Jamila

From page 1

From page 4

FOOD

House and it just so happened that her and her friend ran by as white house staff were passing out tickets to tour the White House Garden, an event that only takes place twice a year. She and her friend took the tickets and were able to, not run, but peruse the lush garden First Lady Michelle Obama planted. She makes the best out of all of her travels and not only uses them to accumulate great experiences in fitness and tourism, but to find the best donuts the United States has to offer.

Her favorite donut shop is the Donut Bar in San Diego.

Every debate tournament trip to San Diego sends Arcidiacono and her team to the shop so she can sit down with her favorite treat, a caramel latte donut. While going to East Bay she went to Indiana with some of her sorority sisters and walked from where she was staying to a shop called Dancing Donuts, proudly wearing a tank top that read, “I run because I love donuts.”

She and her sisters wound up walking a seven mile round trip for those donuts.

Running and fitness is a big part of Arcidiacono’s life, leading her to take on the role as the Chair of LMC’s Health and Wellness Committee.

While she is organizing events to aid faculty with creating healthy sleeping schedules, she remembers that it is OK to enjoy the sweeter parts of life even when on average a donut has 195 calories each and 11 grams of sugar.

Aside from finding the best donuts in the greater Bay Area, Arcidiacono’s life goals are to dedicate herself to making LMC a better place. Her end goal during her educational career was to teach at LMC. After teaching at East Bay and Contra Costa College, she was brought on as a part time speech professor at LMC. She now pursues tenure and has big plans for the future of the communications program.

“I would like to have a communications class for the CTE program. The electrical training industry needs employees with communications skills and LMC offers the only ETEC and PTEC program in Northern California. I want to provide students with the speaking skills they need to succeed in any kind of job, even ones that are more blue collar. “She said.

As for what is in the more immediate future, she is currently waiting and hoping for the approval of a TED-X license as a way to present LMC students with opportunities that other community colleges wouldn’t offer.

She also hopes to help students make the best decisions for themselves.

“I want to make sure that I make an impact in people’s lives. My main motivation towards success is knowing that I’m in an occupation where I have the opportunity to do good. I like to help people.”

As for in the far future, she has been considering writing a book. Be on the lookout for her future bestseller.

From page 1

really on board with the idea, however, I know they shifted the district manager and she’s actually very excited about it.”

She also mentioned wanting to enlist Chipotle and Blue Saigon for the project as well. LMCAS President Israel Castro Cortez acknowledged that with corporations and big companies, there are more complications in term so getting them to participate.

Garcia said it’s imperative that they focus on businesses where the main LMC campus is. “We want to focus on the local businesses. We know that once we steer more toward Brentwood, it’s more like big corporations,” she said.

“I feel like there’s a lot here in downtown Pittsburg where there are more local than there is big chain restaurants.”

Senators made it clear that the person the discount would only provide for those with a current LMC ID. For most businesses, they’re looking to provide for the only for the students and not their

entire family.

“It depends on every single restaurant, but typically all you have to do is go to the restaurant, show them your student ID to verify that you’re a student and you get the discount,” said Nguyen.

For the most part, they are looking to provide discounts to local businesses in Pittsburg, but there have been talks of expanding the project to Brentwood as well.

“The vision is to expand this for LMC in general meaning the Brentwood campus — the new campus and to include all the cities that surround LMC but both campuses specifically,” said Castro Cortez.

He also mentioned wanting other schools in the East Bay to implement this sor t of program as a “sort of implied incentive” for students. So for now, it’s starting off on a smaller scale.

For more information, students can attend LMCAS meetings Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. in L-105.

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NOAH

JOB

Having grown up in a South Africa, Noah has a unique perspective on American culture — a point he made consistently throughout his performance.

Although a majority of his comedy is based in truth, he at times comes off as self-righteous due to his smug delivery of jokes. This is most evident in his bit about the n-word.

He said because the n-word means only means “to give” in Xhosa, the language he grew up speaking, he was never exposed to the derogator y meaning of the word and so it doesn’t have the same effect on him.

He gave an example in the context of South Africa where there is another word equivalent to the n-word, which most Americans would only see as the name of a probiotic.

Whenever he has heard the n-word used against him, he just uses it as an opportunity to give the slur back to them and show them it has no meaning to him, because to him it’s not about the words we use, but the actions we take.

Although his jokes are completely relevant to his life and his perspective, his delivery almost makes it feel as though he believes what he says to be a fact.

Within comedy it’s funny to joke about the truth, but only with the right audience.

Although he tried to make the point that he recognized it as a negative word in America, an audience consisting of mostly white upper middle class privileged people hearing the n-word repeatedly thrown out there as something that “shouldn’t have meaning” is not a productive comment to make within American society.

As much as one person chooses to change how they are affected by a word, such as the n-word, it doesn’t change the societal meaning of the word — it’s still a slur.

Still, it wasn’t all bad. His piece was also helpful in pointing out the necessity in questioning everything and recognizing that not knowing everything is okay. Despite some erroneous remarks he made, his stand-up sparks conversations and there’s something likeable about Noah and his thoughtful way of speaking.

Following his performance, he stayed for a Q&A session, where it was clear that his position as a comedian has shifted. Since taking over “The Daily Show” after Jon Stewart left, Noah has assumed this social responsibility to be politically aware. Most of his questions had to do with social commentar y and his show rather than as his journey as a comic.

Where Noah is to go from here is up in the air. As someone who is being seen as more than just a funny man now, there’s still some thought that needs to go into what his role as a public figure will be.

dents to try different jobs,” said Sanders. Sanders emphasized how this could be an explorator y opportunity for students; students are provided an opportunity to try out new jobs and experiment with different vocations. “You can be an entrepreneur,” said Sanders.

Sanders is in charge of employer outreach and her hard work has landed six possible internships for LMC students including State Farm Insurance, the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Antioch.

Both Sanders and Conner were adamant about the wealth of opportunities afforded by the job-shadowing opportunity, and LMC student Dennis Trammel has certainly benefitted from his job-shadowing experience.

When asked about his experience with internships he said, “Technically I’m in one.”

Trammell is currently employed by Brentwood Reprographics and his job spun out of an internship. “It started as an internship and they liked me so they hired me on,” said Trammell.

Trammell was enthusiastic about internships in general saying, “I would highly recommend it to anyone interested.”

From page 4 Stewart thanked everyone for attending the event.

Stewar t explained why it’s important to have these discussions with members of the LMC community. “A lot of students who are black — or not black — they haven’t learned about this aspect of history,” she said.

She noted how important it was for students of color, particularly black students, “to see themselves in their education so that they know they have a place in the future.”

Wade made the point that as long as African-Americans takes advantage of their education, they’ll continue to persevere and thrive.

“You have more opportunities than any of your ancestors,” he said.

“Knowing financial literacy and getting an education sets you up to do incredibly well in the future.”

COACH From page 5

“When I was between the lines, it was more of a passion than a game.”

When there is passion in the game the athletes love, most of the time there is also a pregame ritual or superstition. He had a lot that tended to lead to good results.

While he was in college at Eastern New Mexico University, Highberger used to take a shower right after batting practice but one week he missed his shower and had a really good game the next time he played.

Ever since he had that good game he stopped taking showers after batting practice because of the good mojo he had going on. Then a week later, he went back to taking showers after batting practice after the streak ended.

Being a student athlete can certainly be one of the hardest parts of college life. Athletes spend at least 40 hours a week on their sport and then they have to find time to squeeze in academics. But it came easy to Highberger.

In high school, Highberger was an average student who got above a 3.0. But as college rolled around he was a much better student, earning just one C throughout college. “I attribute that to just talking to my teachers and being involved and liking my classes,” he said.

Highberger found that being an athlete and a student are similar. “With anything communication is key,” he said.

“If you aren’t communicating on the field you’re going to get eaten alive and I think the same thing applies to in the classroom. If you are lost and not asking questions it’s going to swallow you whole, too,” Highberger said.

Highberger was highly respected as a player at LMC with a career average of .201 at LMC. And in his sophomore year, he had a fielding percentage of .994.

“He was a leader we could lean on when we needed motivation or a conversation to correct a mistake,” said former teammate Matt Davis. “What separated him from everyone else was his will to get better ever y day and that he was never satisfied,” Davis said.

His freshman year at LMC was different from his sophomore year. He batted .333 in his freshman year compared with a devastating .165 his sophomore year.

“The pressure I put on myself changed,” he said.

“College coaches would ask me what changed between the two years and what made me hit not as well and then I would respond I didn’t know.”

After looking back on it he realized it was the pressure he put on himself to get out of LMC instead of just having fun.

During his two years at LMC he had two different catching coaches who helped him become the player he is today. He benefitted from being coached in two distinct styles of catching and then picking and choose the techniques that worked for him.

After his sophomore year he was recruited by Eastern New Mexico University, a Division II school, to play baseball for another two years.

MARCH

The transition from a community college to a four-year was challenging. “What worried me the most was the unknown,” Highberger said. “You always wanted that backbone of family when you had a bad game as a support system to fall on,” Highberger said.

But of course the big positive was being able to keep playing baseball and competing. “Going somewhere that’s new and the elevation of competition is exciting,” Highberger said.

“I was excited to play NCAA baseball.”

Highberger knew that one day he would come back to be a coach at LMC. “I could remember a game I had at home and Coach D was coaching third base. Then I got to third base and I could remember I got a moment to breathe,” Highberger said. After he and his coach took a moment while the opposing coach was talking to his pitcher, he realized that coaching is what he wanted to do.

When Highberger got to chance to become a coach at LMC he answered with a yes right away. He’s excited to see the player’s progress to get better and then eventually move on to another school to continue to play baseball. “It’s exciting to see guys go through the things I went through,” Highberger said.

Highberger explained that junior college is good for guys to move on because it is like a stepping-stone to the next level.

“It’s great to see peoples futures and careers’ extend beyond LMC and watch the guys not only become great baseball players but great human beings too,” Highberger said.

Possibly in the future, Highberger can see himself as a head coach for his own team.

But for right now, he likes being the catching coach. “I like being behind the scenes and working with a player on a more personal level,” Highberger said.

Professional baseball became part of his life last year when he got the chance to play for the Pittsburg Diamonds.

“You’re in charge of yourself now,” Highberger said, adding that if you miss practice you aren’t going to get yelled at but instead lose your job.

It was harder for him to adjust to from collegiate baseball to professional baseball.

“I wanted to have that team atmosphere and that it wasn’t really there,” said Highberger, still stuck in the collegeiate atmosphere.

And of course the biggest physical difference in the two levels of baseball is that you play a game everyday in pro ball and all your practice and work is done hours before the game, not in practices during the week.

Highberger has a come a long way from his backyard in Pittsburg with his golden retriever. He has played in NCAA baseball, became a college coach at the junior college level and is now playing professional baseball. But not far enough to satisfy him. He plans to keep playing the game and hopes to one day be able to play in the major leagues because that has been his dream ever since he was 4.

Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

CAWS From page 3

are obvious misconceptions about the movement. The message is that black lives matter, too.”

CAWS Vice President and third year student Al-ameen Ishola described the attendance of the panel as modest for a fledgling club but promising in spirit.

“As a small and developing club, everything we do now is based on the feelings of our members,” said Ishola, “it is an opportunity for members to take their feelings and to do something with them rather than let those feelings simmer.”

Ishola says that it was Clark’s message of “becoming woke” which sold him on joining the club. For Ishola, the cause was to empower students by promoting awareness of how the forces of politics, society and even the economy permeate the commonplace.

Clark and Isohola both describe the future of the club as incorporating more social and community involvement such as protest and community service events. For more information on future club activities can email Clark at mclark754@ insite.4cd.edu with the subject of what “woke” means to you.

From page 3

PEELE From page 4

that is engaging throughout.

You begin to worry for him as he tries to figure out why his girlfriend’s family members, and the other people of the community, are the way they are.

Another performance that stands out is from LilRey Howry. As Rod, Howry provides the comic relief, delivering lines that will have you cracking up every time he’s on screen.

The score, composed by Michael Abels, is another strong pillar. The chilling music played during the opening credits – reminiscent of the opening score to “The Shining” — sets the tone for the rest of the film.

Naming any flaws in this well-crafted film is difficult, however, it does run into some of the faulty logic you’re bound to find in horror movies.

Nevertheless, Jordan Peele has made an amazing social thriller that will be talked about for years on end. It gives Peele a fantastic directorial debut that makes you wonder what he’ll think of next in his future films. Peele shows that, though our society is different and more progressive than it was decades, racism still exists, and it’s a scary thing.

JESUS From page 4

which showcases just how brutal and ugly it can be, I feel like it can help bring attention to people that don’t think that stuff goes on.” Added Murphy.

“With us being in Pittsburg where it’s so diverse with culture and everything, it’s up to us help bring light to situations like that so we can help fix these corrupt systems,” added Murphy.

“Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train” opens March 23rd in the Little Theatre and runs through March 24, 25, 26 at 7 p.m. with a morning showing at 10 a.m.

March 29.

Tickets will be $7 with student or military ID and $10 general admission.

WIN From page 3

discouraged,” he said. However, as the contest went on, Campos began to come into his own. “I gained confidence,” said Campos, who eventually broke into the finals alongside Stanfield to claim fourth prize.

Brooke Samson also placed fifth in Novice Informative Speaking for her speech on endangered bees.

The other eight team members were deemed successful in their prospective tournaments and some also competing as individuals for the first time.

The team will be back debating when they travel to the University of La Verne for the Pan-American Championships next weekend.