PCC Courier 09/18/2014

The independent student voice of PCC. Serving Pasadena since 1915

PASADENA CITY COLLEGE

COURIER

VOLUME 110 ISSUE 4

INSIDE: LET’S SALSA AT IX TAPA

PCC Alum creates dance outlet for Candela Salsa Club at IX Tapa

PAGE 6>>

ARTIST YOKOYAMA

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT PCCCOURIER.COM

Lancers make a splash

September 18, 2014

Board to search for new president Philip McCormick Editor-in-Chief

PAGE 8 >> Daniel Nerio/Courier Sophomore forward Caroline Liu scores a goal against LA Trade Tech’s defender, Avila Dianna, at the Aquatic Center on Wednesday.

Rosemead’s numbers soar Samantha Molina Staff Writer

A recent survey shows that PCC’s Rosemead campus is attracting students from outside the district and officials expect the satellite to keep growing.

The Rosemead campus opened it doors to 879 students mid-semester in Fall 2013. As of August 29, enrollment has increased to 4,387 students.

Rosemead’s location allows students from outside of the Pasadena area to attend PCC. According to the survey, 31 percent of the students had not previously taken classes at the main campus.

“I primarily take classes at the Rosemead campus because I live in El Monte and it’s a lot closer to me than Pasadena,” student Andrea Acuna said.

Enrollment at Rosemead is

expected to continue growing as more afternoon, Friday and Saturday course offerings are added.

The Rosemead campus currently offers high demand GE courses from all major disciplines including Sciences, Arts, Humanities, English and Math.

They also offer some Career and Technical Education courses and non-credit courses such as Parent Education and ESL. Of the 329 students surveyed, 97 percent indicated that there overall impression of the quality of education as “excellent or Concepcion Gonzalez/Courier good.”

The main lobby at the RoseAlthough students were satmead site. isfied with the overall quality of Academic Affairs Ofelia Arellatheir education, only 55 percent no said. felt their classes were worthwhile.

Unlike the main campus, “The number is reflective Rosemead does not have a of the limited course offerings ROSEMEAD page 2 during the summer,” Dean of

The school will hire a headhunting firm to begin a national search for a permanent superintendent, according to Board President Anthony Fellow.

“The first phase is [usually] to obtain the services of a firm that specializes in college presidencies,” Fellow wrote in an email.

“The agency then works with the board in shaping the job description and placement of the advertisement.”

The Board of Trustees voted to approve the search process at its Saturday retreat at the Conference Center. Fellow said that the hiring committee, which consists of Fellow, Linda Wah and Berlinda Brown, would obtain a list from human resources and either use that list, discuss other agencies, or go through a bidding process.

In an email sent out to the PCC staff, the district said that it “hopes” to have a person in place by July 30, 2015. However, Fellow said that it’s not a hard deadline.

“If we are able to get a great pool,” Fellow said. “Which I am sure PCC will, and complete the interview and selection process, there is no reason why it can’t be accomplished.”

Interim Superintendent Robert Miller threw his name in the hat, saying that he will be applying for the position.

“As of [now,]” Miller said. “It is my intent to apply.”

Although the Board has not discussed it yet, Fellow said that in his opinion, the next president BOARD page 2

New upgrades make life easier at Science Village The school initially thought that it was going to receive funding this year for either hiring a demolition crew, architects or a It’s been two years since PCC’s hazardous waste company to get Science Village first became the rid of the asbestos, but that will primary area on campus for the not end up happening. natural sciences division.

“We are actually not going to The temporary area that was be receiving $3.5 million from set up as an alternative for the the state this year,” said Robert unsafe U Building has received a Miller, Interim Superintendent. few new upgrades this semester.

“So the U Building will remain First off, the problem of not standing for at least another enough shade has been adyear.” dressed. More shade was added A collection of 36 buildings in the form of hanging a tarp that include classrooms as well in order to shield students from as labs and faculty buildings, the the sun.

Science Village is located in the New tables have also been added with umbrellas that have Christopher Martinez/Courier area where parking lot 5 used to be. Some of the students A welcome sign as you walk solar panels on them. The into the Science Village locatwho take classes in the Science umbrellas collect solar power ed next to Parking Lot 5.

Village complain that the area is and the tables have USB ports disconnected from the rest of where students can charge their 2011, the Natural Sciences Divicampus. electronic devices. sion was moved to the area now “I like the facilities, they feel When the U Building was deemed structurally unsafe in known as Science Village. really new, but I don’t like that Justin Clay Staff Writer Untrained PCC artist opens gallery to display her work.

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are so removed from the rest of the campus,” said Lee Parmerter, nursing. “I wish it was in one central building with hallways, especially in these temperatures.”

Some students, however, don’t mind the location of the makeshift department.

“It’s convenient because the area is right next to the parking lot, so after a long class I can go straight to my car,” said Miguel Cruz, kinesiology. “The tables and chargers are convenient, and it’s nice that the science area is away from the rest of campus in case something blows up.”

Though it’s off the beaten path, the Science Village has everything that you would find in any other department. There are easily accessible restrooms, vending machines and the Java Hut where students can get coffee and other refreshments.

VILLAGE page 2

NEWS

2 COURIER

September 18, 2014

Annual health fair offers mutual benefits

Ashley Park Staff Writer

Pasadena City College hosted its annual health fair for staff members on Wednesday morning in the Creveling Lounge.

Attendants had the opportunity to receive free health screenings provided by the nursing students of PCC, an abundance of information regarding health insurance by the seventeen different vendors present, and free goodies such as pens, highlighters, and tote bags.

Julianna Mosier, the supervisor for PCC’s Human Resources, was in charge of putting together the event. She worked with Keenan & Associates, California’s largest insurance broker, to bring together big-name organizations such as Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross, The United

States Social Security Administration, and Pasadena Service Federal Credit Union.

Whether attendants were looking to upgrade their insurance or get general information before committing to one, with the diverse options, there was something for everyone. The personable experience was also a benefit for the organizations.

“We want to be a partner,” said Jeremy Mo, Huntington Hospital’s employer relations specialist. “We want to show the community that we have other services that they can take advantage of, especially for the staff here at PCC.” Vendors said the fair was an opportunity for staff to learn about their health care options one-on-one.­­­­ “It’s important to have this opportunity for members to

talk to a real person. They’re not calling number services,” said Rebecca Martinez from Anthem Blue Cross. “We care about people. Within five minutes, we can answer almost all the questions [participants] may have.”

PCC made its own contribution by having volunteer nursing students check attendants’ blood pressure, heart rate, glucose levels, and give flu shots.

“It’s an opportunity that was given to us by the school,” said second-year nursing student Megan Arvizu. “It’s part of our lab work, but it’s also good experience.”

For the past 20 years, the health fair was geared towards PCC staff members, but Mosier is hoping to include students for next year’s event.

“We would like to make it a little more robust,” she said.

about the best way to handle the infestation, they found no other way than to ban food altogether.

“We want people to be comfortable here but at the same time we’re trying to create a nice environment where there aren’t bugs and where there isn’t a lot of food trash just lying around,” said Tirapelle.

During both summer breaks when the library was closed, the facilities’ workers sprayed insecticide several times, both

inside and outside the library.

And because of spilled food and drinks, they also cleaned all the carpets. “…If you walk through now the carpets are really nice and we want to maintain that,” Tirapelle said.

With just a few weeks into the new policy, students are already expressing their frustration.

Amanda Valdez has yet to study in the library but when asked whether the new policy

Keely Ernst/Courier Nursing students Kamal Singh and Edlynn Villalon demonstrate how to measure blood pressure at the Health Fair in the Creveling Lounge on Sept. 10.

“We want options that will be beneficial to students as well, such as the Affordable Care Act. Someone would come out and explain to students how it works

and how to navigate the site.”

According to Mosier, more than 150 faculty and staff members attended this year’s health fair.

would prevent her from doing so, she said, “…yeah, because I usually like to have something to snack on when I’m reading. It keeps you relaxed.”

Angela Jackson, TVR student, is also not a fan of the new policy.

“I used to eat here all the time and I was able to clean up my spills and messes,” Jackson said.

“I rarely came to a cubicle that had a mess and I think that most people are responsible enough

to clean up after themselves.”

Tirapelle said the food trash has been significantly reduced and she hopes that even with the new policy in place students will still feel comfortable.

“As an institution, we are always trying to meet our students needs and if we start really noticing that students just feel better if they’re able to have snacks or drinks in the library, we’re willing to adjust our policies,” Tirapelle said.

Ant invasion forces library staff to revise food policy

Kristen Luna Staff Writer

An ant infestation in the Shatford Library over the summer compelled staff to ban students from chowing down in the library.

Leslie Tirapelle, interim library dean, said her main objective is to create an atmosphere where students feel stress-free during their visits at the library. But after discussing with facilities

BOARD continued from page 1

of the school should have tremendous leadership skills and be someone who is “innovative and dynamic.” “[They should also] have a sense of community needs and be a person who believes the students come first,” Fellow said.

“Someone with strong administrative leadership experience in an academic setting also would be great.”

Academic Senate President

ROSEMEAD continued from page 1

student store or food services.

Although there is a demand for both, Arellano said that it would have to be evaluated due to limited space.

While the campus lacks amenities, they do have counseling and student services on site. Although the counseling

VILLAGE continued from page 1

Glenna Watterson is an instructor and administrative assistant who has an office in the Science Village. Watterson, like the rest of the natural sciences department, had to adjust to the new setting when it was built a couple of years ago. But she seems to be enjoying her time in the new area.

“I love it. I like being away

Eduardo Cairo said that the senate would like to see a president who truly understood the needs of the faculty, staff and students and would put the needs of those three groups together.

“The next president should believe in shared governance,” Cairo said.

“Not simply in terms of just reviewing our recommendations, but that the participatory governance that exists will be taken seriously.” services are readily available, it was reported that 84 percent of the students surveyed had not used the services provided and 38 percent had no knowledge of the available services.

Students have also requested a shuttle service from the main campus to Rosemead.

“It would make taking classes at both campuses a lot more convenient.” student Gabriel Cruz said. from the crowd of the C Building,” she said.

Watterson praised the newer and more updated labs and she says that the administration has been very supportive of the needs of the department, even if it sometimes takes a little while to get what they need.

Watterson said that though it took getting used to being in a smaller area, it has worked out better for the department as far as faculty working together.

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September 18, 2014

Courier

2012 JACC General Excellence Award-Winner

Editor-in-Chief

Philip McCormick Online Editor Mick Donovan News Editor Paul Ochoa Opinion Editor Justin Clay Features Editor Kristen Luna A&E Editor Samantha Molina Lifestyle Editor Monique LeBleu Sports Editor Daron Grandberry Photo Editor Nagisa Mihara Chief Photographer Concepcion Gonzalez Online Photo Editor Daniel Valencia Scene Editor Charles Winners Staff Writers: Ahmad Akkaoui, Reina Aldape, Daniel Axume, Raymond Bernal, Dezarae Balbas, Hannah Gonzales, David Grubaugh, Tiffany Herrera, Daniel Johnson, Matthew Kiewiet, Jamie Lawlor, Anthony Martinez, David O’Connor, Ashley Park, Sho Tanaka

Staff Photographers: Keely Ernst, Ansis Hoheisel, Erica Hong, Ryan Kevin, Chris Martinez, Daniel Nerio, Kevin Peraza, Scott Spencer, Paul Tedrow, Ian Tomlin, Daniel Vega-Warholy, Saul Villegas, Rayna White Faculty Adviser Nathan McIntire Photo Adviser Tim Berger Advertising Coordinator Daniel Nerio

The Courier is published weekly by the Pasadena City College Journalism Department and is a free-speech forum. Editorials and comments

OPINION

COURIER 3

Students: Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em Matthew Kiewiet Staff Writer

You may have noticed that there is an absurd amount of cigarette butts littered around the perimeter of the PCC campus. This is because on January 1, 2014, PCC became an entirely smoke free campus, and smokers are forced to retreat beyond the school’s boundaries to enjoy a cigarette. But how much harm is this ban reducing?

Once the cigarettes are finished, stomped out, and the second hand smoke disappears, the dangers and concerns are certainly not eliminated. Without a proper place to dispose of butts, cigarettes are discarded to the ground, and can be mistaken as food by some young children, birds, or other small, living organisms.

The cost of clean-up is daunting. According to the New York Times, the city of San Francisco spends an estimated $10.7 million per year cleaning up littered butts.

When there were designated smoking areas on campus, these areas were accompanied with ashtrays where smokers could dispose of their butts. Now, the sidewalks, grass, trees, and other plants assume the role of ashtrays. Sgt. Steven Matchan of PCC’s police department

adds that it is against a Pasadena city ordinance to be smoking while stationary on city property.

As a result, PCC is unable to install ashtrays close to popular off campus smoking areas.

Cigarette butts are already far and away the most littered item, so why add to the problem?

“Cigarette butts contain carcinogens that can leach into soil, and chemicals that are poisonous to wildlife, threatening to contaminate water sources,” Legacy for Health explains.

The ban has done nothing more than merely move the “designated smoking areas” from being on campus to just a few feet off of campus (and far away from any area meant for proper disposal of butts). A popular new smoker’s “hangout” is on the sidewalk next to the crosswalk on Hill Street, between Colorado and Del Mar. People arriving to and leaving that part of campus (as well as other areas) are still walking through clouds of second hand smoke.

The smoking ban has done nothing to decrease the amount of second hand smoke. The only thing the ban has accomplished is creating a giant pile of cigarette butts on the streets and sidewalks of Pasadena. If this trend continues, it will not be long until our college is known as the city resident that dumps their waste onto the streets.

Cartoon By Mick Donovan

Ray Rice punishment way too little too late Anthony Martinez Staff Writer

Following a National Football League (NFL) suspension and last week’s public release of disturbing footage, the Baltimore Ravens terminated their contract with running back Ray Rice. Despite the NFL’s “indefinite suspension” of Rice, the league waited too long to deliver its full punishment.

Rice originally received a two game suspension for the recorded beating of his then fiancée, Janay Palmer.

Often times, professional athletes are given punishments that do not reflect the severity of the crime they committed. Violating the NFL’s substance policies on performance enhancing and recreational drugs results in longer suspensions. Former New York Giants player Will Hill has repeatedly violated the policies since 2012 resulting in two fourgame suspensions and most recently, one six-game suspension.

Rice’s initial two-game suspension received public backlash through social media, specifically Twitter. Users ranted on the original duration of Rice’s punishment and noted the longer suspension durations for other violations. The NFL rightfully deserved the

VOICES:

negative response for issuing a small penalty in this case because it downplays the severity of domestic violence compared to substance abuse.

There is no logical justification for domestic abuse suspensions to be half the length of a drug abuse situation. Unlike drug related disputes, perpetrators of domestic violence have the intent to harm another individual which should be as alarming, if not more, to the NFL since either case reflects poorly on the organization as a whole.

Since professional football players are employees of the NFL, the league holds responsibility for its athletes’ actions and delivering appropriate consequences. As the NFL learned from public disapproval of Rice’s original suspension, its athletes are viewed under a magnifying glass.

In order to prevent future defamatory incidents and spreading negative messages to the youth, the NFL and other professional leagues need to heavily revise their policies to discourage reckless behavior from their athletes.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell implemented a new domestic violence policy in response to the outrage in late August. Under this policy, first time offenders will receive a

six-game suspension with repeat offenders banned for life.

However, the public is wondering why the NFL waited until recently to reconsider its punishments for domestic violence cases.

The NFL received footage of the beating back in April, yet the league was not aware it possessed the full footage until early September when it was released to the public, according to NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. How could the NFL be oblivious of the footage for five months when this issue is such a hot topic? Wouldn’t the League want the full story as soon as possible to take appropriate action?

Regardless of the sluggish execution, the NFL took appropriate measures by banning Rice and finally adopting an adequate domestic violence policy. Though the new domestic violence policy gives violators one chance to clean up their act before they’re banned for life, the other policies cannot be neglected. Every NFL policy should follow the standard set by the revised domestic violence policy and stop handing out extra chances to players. If athletes cannot control their actions off the field, it may be best for the NFL to drop them completely to spare the league’s reputation.

Do you think it’s worth it to join clubs and other campus activities?

are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the institution and its administration, student government or that of the Pasadena Area Community College District.

Corrections The Courier staff endeavors to ensure accuracy in all aspects of its reporting. If you believe we have made an error, please contact us at (626) 585-7130 or via email to mccormick.courier@gmail.com

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“I think so because it helps you stay motivated through out your attendance in school.”

Mario Rivera

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“It helps you explore your world more and helps you open up to new people.

Kensley Li

ww

the Journalism Department.

“Yes, its good to be involved instead of being that person that just focuses in academics.”

Vivian Rodriguez

NEWS.

writers, photographers and editors in

“Honestly no, I don’t have any extra time anyway, I have a job and everything.”

Cecily Morrell

m

as a learning experience for student

“It’s a good thing to join a club since you make new friends and get invited to do other things.”

Luis Rios

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SCE

4 COURIER

E. Hong/Courier Julia Hoang, president of Circle K International Club, represents the club. CKI is the largest collegiate community service, leadership development and friendship organization with over 13,000 members.

Dylan Lizarraga, Luis A swered questions for munity and its allies a

Mick Donovan/Courier An engineering student finishes his cardboard demonstration robot before letting it loose on the crowds.

Mick Donovan/Courier Michael Chong shows off welding skills to recruit new potential members to the welding club.

Alpha Gamma Sigma Preside lastic Honor Society at PCC’s a mask for the event, represe honors scholarships.

Mick Donovan/Courier Fencing students demonstrate their skills during Club Week.

Students clustered in the Quad check out the different club ta

ENE

September 18, 2014

E. Hong/Courier Alfaro, and Melanie Norem of Queer Alliance anClub Week. Queer Alliance supports the LGBT comand meets Thursdays from 12 to1 p.m. in room C333.

E. Hong/Courier PCC student Rigoberto Siqueiros Jr. gets information from Albert Perez of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. The club’s main focus is the advancement in engineering careers and professional development in the Hispanic community. They meet Tuesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. in room IT116.

Keely Ernst/Courier ent Marissa Davis recruits students to the Community College SchoClub Week event outside of the Campus Center. Marissa donned enting the owl mascot of the state organization that encourages and

ables during Club Week.

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Paul Ochoa/Courier

Keely Ernst/Courier Natalie Melgoza and Anthony Guerra dance with other members of the Salsa Club in front of the Campus Center during the last day of Club Week. Guerra is the current Vice President of Salsa Club.

LIFESTYLE

6 COURIER

September 18, 2014

Alum and salsa club travel weekly to IX Tapa Monique LeBleu Lifestyle Editor

Salsa, Merengue, Flamenco, Samba, Cumbia or Cha Cha – Latin dance moves the club IX Tapa through PCC alum and instructor, club promoter and business owner Sergio Leal.

Leal began as a math major at PCC and became a teacher’s aid for 10 years after transferring to Cal Poly Pomona to earn his math degree.

However, after attending a dance course at PCC with Francisco Martinez, now of Dance Family in Pasadena, he

Natalie Melgoza and Anthony Guerra dance with other members of the Salsa Club on Thursday in front of the Campus Center on the last day of Club Week. Anthony is the current vice president of Candela Salsa Club.

developed a fascination for dance that quickly became a way to decompress and meet new people.

From there, this led to assisting an instructor and later teaching at PCC and on his own in studios and at nightclubs through his company, Latin Dance Pro. During this time, Leal started a unique online international dancewear store, Latin Dance Fashions, which helped with the rental of studio space.

He then pursued other ventures and competed worldwide in dance competitions. After seven months of his online store being open, he was able to buy a house.

“I taught in Glendale, and at the Congo Room in Los Angeles,” he said, prior to his teaching at IX Tapa Cantina on Tuesday nights in Old Pasadena. “IX Tapa is one of the places that I promote.

I have been promoter there for five years.

It started off just inviting students to take classes, and then they’d stay and social dance. I’ve been teaching for 14 years, so I have a lot of students who have been loyal to me and have been following me.

So any time I open up a club, I send an email to them and they come and support.”

A big draw to IX Tapa for students is also Leal’s theme nights, such as Zoot Suit, Burlesque, Alice in Wonderland, or 70’s Soul Train, where a single mass email

by Leal announcing the night’s theme will bring all ages ready to dance in costume.

Dancing students from PCC’s Candela Salsa Club frequently come to IX Tapa on Tuesday nights to brush up on their dance skills and socialize with club members.

“With the Candela group, I met quite a few, and one of my teachers is a former originating member, Francisco Bugarin,” said Leal “And he still keeps in touch [with Candela members.]”

PCC student, dancer, and Candela

Photos by Keely Ernst/Courier Latin Dance Pro’s Maria Russell of Los Angeles and Sergio Leal of Alhambra instruct a Salsa class for Tropical Tuesday at IX Tapa Cantina. Dancers dressed up to the theme of Mexican IndepenDANCE Day.

member Chris Abril spoke after performing and practicing on a hot afternoon in the PCC Quad.

“There’s always several members who go,” he said. “Like 13, 14 of us. We like to frequent the [IX Tapa] because it’s so close.”

The students often practice and perform in the quad to exhibit what they’ve learned, gain confidence, and encourage curious students to inquire.

“We’re all about building confidence in students by teaching them how to dance, teaching them how to lead, and being respectful towards their partner in a club environment,” said Abril.

“The beginning weeks are always really relaxed. We teach basic steps, so there’s nothing to be intimidated about. I was scared at first, but once I started dancing, I really loved it and had a great time.

Once I learned how to lead, I gained confidence. It was great for me and my social life.”

Leal said that a recent challenge was being asked by a PCC Spanish instructor, Jennifer Garson to teach dance for her Spanish language students. The challenge was that he was asked to teach the class in Spanish.”

“I’m Mexican. But I can’t speak that well in Spanish,” he said.

“But I said ‘I’ll give it a shot’ and she brought her students from PCC. And I taught the class in Spanish—taught them how to dance Salsa—and it was fun. They took the class, they hung out, and danced all night!”

Overall, Leal has no regrets on his choice to dance, teach dance, and make dance his business and his life.

“I took a risk, and said, ‘You know what, I worked so hard at this—like I think I have a Ph.D. in Salsa, because I practiced so much!,” Leal said. “So I said, ‘You know what, what have I got to lose?’”

Instructor brings hands-on approach to history Paul Ochoa Staff Writer

Ian Tomlin/Courier History professor Edgar Pacas exhibits his sword and armor collection—some of which he made—during his class on Saturday Sept. 6.

A history professor’s job is to make sure their students learn important events, the dates of those events and the people involved.

With the instructors usually giving vivid and passionate descriptions to help students better understand the curriculum, history professor Edgar Pacas does one better and shows his students.

“With the early medieval history class I bring in swords and armor replicas,” said Pacas. “I always let campus police know ahead of time of course.”

Even more impressive than his sword collection is the fact that a majority of the swords were made by Pacas himself in a forge that he built in his backyard.

And if that’s not enough to scare off potential burglars, Pacas has been practicing martial arts since the age of 10 and is currently teaching it.

“I can’t recollect what drew me to the arts,” said Pacas. “I was born in the wrong century I guess.”

Starting off with Shotokan Karate, Pacas also practices and teaches Kung Fu Sanoo, Wing Tsun, Aikido and combat and weapons training.

“I always joke with my class that I’m a Buddhist in progress,” he said.

Pacas, who currently teaches courses in medieval history and the history of European, Asian and World Civilizations, says although he always loved history he didn’t plan on becoming a teacher.

“I always knew I wanted to do something with it and I had an affinity with medieval history, but I was not sure what I’d do with it,” he said.

Thinking of possibly becoming a museum curator, it wasn’t until he attended Cal State LA that he knew he wanted to become a teacher.

It was the influence of his passionate history professor Dr. Stanley Burstein that helped him make the decision.

“I remember visiting him in his office one day and I was mesmerized not only by the large book collection he had but also how knew what information each one contained and where

they were located,” Pacas said.

Pacas said that what separates his classes from others is that he not only talks about the major civilizations but he puts a focus on those in the surrounding areas as well. “[In my class we] deal with people on the fringes, what we call barbarians,” he said.

Fernando Lodevico, psychology, took Pacas’s History of European Civilization class and said Pacas is the most invigorating professor he has encountered at PCC. “He’d bring in replica items of the era’s he was teaching and would lecture on them as he’d tie in their significance to the daily lesson plan,” Lodevico said.

While Pacas does bring the martial arts philosophies into the classroom, he said that it is something he always carries with him.

“The martial arts philosophy is one you take into everyday life,” he said. “If you have a discipline orientated outlook on life, it improves your standard of living.”

September 18, 2014

A&E

COURIER

7

Untrained artist opens first art show to great fanfare Mick Donovan Online Editor

Standing in the middle of a forest of black and white animals and stars that seemed to flow endlessly into each other stood a woman on a stepladder with nothing but a Sharpie in hand.

Miki Yokoyama was putting the finishing touches on a final piece an hour before the gallery opened to reveal her work to the world for the first time. The gallery opened to a slow reception. Yokoyama’s husband and their two children were among the first to arrive but in almost no time the gallery filled up to capacity.

Yokoyama has had no formal training in art whatsoever but that has not held her back.

Her very first art gallery show opened this past Saturday at Curve Line Space in Eagle Rock and it will host Yokoyama’s work until Oct. 4.

“For her work to be that mature, conceptually, is what caught me,” said Tim Yalda, the gallery owner.

Yokoyama developed her own

style over the years. To depict how she views the cycle of life she draws hundreds of tiny and intricate lines woven into animals and the world around them with no apparent separation between the two. Each piece takes Yokoyama roughly 30 hours to complete. She doesn’t title any of them because they are all a part of her universe.

“It’s all from within her,” said Steve Nguyen. “That’s part of the reason it connects with me.

It’s not part of any movement.

It’s very direct.”

Yokoyama had a revelation about the miniscule scale on which life is based in comparison to time and the universe and she felt a dire need to create something that would last longer than she will.

“Four years ago, I had a really strong feeling that everything in this world will die. Everything is not forever,” Yokoyama said, “I felt that I had to do something. I had to create something.”

In one of Yokoyama’s pieces, she depicts a woman seemingly face down on the ground with hundreds of tendrils flowing out of her hair that grow into trees

Ryan Kevin/Courier Miki Yokoyama in front of her largest art piece at the Curve Line Space Gallery in Eagle Rock on Sept. 13. Yokoyama does not title her work because they are all a part of her universe.

in some places and animals in others. There are even a couple of buildings amid the myriad of life illustrated.

She feels that death is not

something to be feared but embraced and that no one truly dies but rather re-enters the cycle of life.

“If I die, maybe a tree may

begin to grow from my arm,” she said, “People see death as a horrible thing. It’s not. It is the cycle of life. It’s beautiful.”

PCC One: the search for a new host Dezarae Balbas and Kristen Luna Staff Writers

Three weeks ago, 27 brave Lancer students stepped in front of a camera and teleprompter on campus to audition for the chance to be the next PCC One host. And weeks of stressful campaigning and voting, the race came to an end Wednesday with the TV news show gaining three new animated hosts.

Josh Zielinski, Kayli Dimacali

Reading Rockets Youth Literacy Program at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library and its partner organization, Asian American Economic Development Enterprises (AAEDE), are seeking paid tutors for the 2014- 2015 Session of the Reading Rockets literacy program.

Reading Rockets is an afterschool literacy program designed for at-risk children in 2nd through 6th grades. Students receive personalized tutoring to develop vital literacy skills and build confident readers. Reading Rockets was recently awarded the Public Library Association’s 2013 “Innovations in Literacy” award which recognizes unique and inventive literacy programs that result in a measurable impact on the library’s community.

Tutors must be current college students or recent graduates at least 18 years of age and must be available every Monday through Thursday from 3:00‐5:30 p.m. between October 13, 2014 and May 28, 2015. Tutors will receive an hourly rate of $10.00.

Qualified applicants will be contacted for an in person interview. Applicants should possess a combination of skills and experience suited to successful work with children and families. Flexibility, energy, sense of humor, patience, positive attitude, and the ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment are necessary. Bilingual ability in Mandarin or Cantonese is desirable, though not required.

Applicants must submit an application (available on AAEDE’s website, www.aaede.org) and one copy of each of the following documents:  Resume  College Transcripts (an unofficial copy is acceptable)  Letter of Recommendation from a professor and/or a current or former supervisor (optional) If selected, interns will also be required to attend a mandatory orientation and training on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and to complete the following:  Fingerprinting and background check  Drug test  Employment contract All applications and supporting documents may be emailed to Diana Garcia, Reading Rockets Coordinator, at dgarcia@montereypark.ca.gov with the subject line “Reading Rockets Tutor Application,” or hand-delivered to the Children’s Desk of the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library.

Emailed application packages are due by 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2014. Hand-delivered application packages are due the same day before 1:00 p.m. Late applications will not be considered. For more information about Reading Rockets, contact Diana Garcia at 626‐307‐1358 or dgarcia@montereypark.ca.gov.

Monterey Park Bruggmeyer Library ǀǀ 318 S. Ramona Avenue ǀǀ Monterey Park, CA 91754 626-307-1358 ǀǀ www.montereypark.ca.gov/Library

Asian American Economic Development Enterprises, Inc.

and Samantha Maurice-Africa were the top three contestants and are the new hosts of PCC One. Zielinski was the definitive winner with a 69 percent lead but that did not stop David Steiman, a media production specialist with Lancer Lens and producer for PCC One, and his team from taking on the runner-ups.

PCC One, the campus TV news show, started last spring with the purpose of serving the students. With a small audience, the production held auditions for 12 contestants who wanted to be the first host. Steiman shared his broadcast vision and the goals he hopes to attain through them.

“The goal really is for the students to get information because right now, it’s a little scattered,” Steiman says. “…We put a lot of time and energy into it for the students and we want to make sure that we have an audience that is able to benefit from it.”

PCC One produces a daily broadcast of the current happenings on campus. Their three-minute segment includes information, like which college representatives will be visiting that day, scholarship opportunities, and Sports Beat, an update on our Lancer sports.

It is no surprise that the online news segment has gained popularity since last semester.

Steiman and his crew held another hosting audition during the first week of fall. They had more than double the auditions and Steiman says that there are still students trying to come in and be a part of the new contest.

“I’m excited that there is enthusiasm for it,” said Steiman.

He said the ideal host should be magnetic and personable.

“Personality, outgoing, sense of humor and to be literate,” Steiman says.

A week and a half ago, in the final stage of voting, Steiman noticed a peculiar spike in the voting polls. It seemed there was a rapid competition between two contestants.

“They were starting to explode with their numbers and it was funny because one would surge ahead, then the other would go 500 (votes) ahead, then 1,000 ahead and someone took it to the nuclear option and went 2,000 ahead,” Steiman said.

Supposedly, half of the student population participated in this poll. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The votes were hacked, thereby delaying the contest another week and forcing a change in the way students are allowed to vote.

With students having to log in to their LancerPoint to vote, it created a clean slate for the six remaining contestants.

From the beginning, Zielinski was confident in his performance. And even with the hacking, Zielinski believed the change would not jeopardize his chances.

“I felt like I did pretty well but it was hard because people did it at different times in the day so based on the lighting hitting the teleprompter,” Zielinski said. “I heard good feedback but it was hard because you have to do it almost as a cold read.”

Now, the new hosts will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, a great addition to any resume.

8

SPORTS

COURIER

September 18, 2014

Water polo dominates in home opener Matt Kiewiet Staff Writer

The Women’s Water Polo team never trailed on Wednesday afternoon as they dominated the LA Trade Tech Beavers, 26-5, in their home opener at the PCC Aquatic Center.

The Lancers improve to 1-1 on the season, as well in South Coast Conference play.

Pasadena came out firing, as sophomore center-forward Stephanie Velasco scored the game’s first goal at the 7:31 mark of the first quarter. Velasco led the Lancers in goals during their 2013 campaign.

LA Trade Tech answered back 26 seconds later, and that would be the closest they would get for the remainder of the afternoon.

Velasco responded with another laser beam past the Beavers’ goalie just 14 seconds later.

PCC was firing on all cylinders.

They were head and shoulders above the Beavers in literally all aspects.

“We started working well together,” observed head coach Terry Stoddard.

“There was a lot more team work than last game.”

As the Lancers were able to continuously get nice looks close to the goal, the Beavers could not break through Pasadena’s defense and they settled for lower percentage shots around the perimeter. Sharon Perez deflected just about anything that came her way. If a ball managed to get through, sophomore goalie Alenoush Aslanin was routinely in position to make the save.

At one point, the Beavers’ goalie could be heard coaxing her team, “Move! Move!” The Lancers defense was too much to handle.

“We walled them out really well,” added Stoddard.

PCC will travel to Rio Hondo College next Wednesday.

“We scored mostly on counters Daniel Nerio/Courier today,” Velasco said. “We need to Sophomore utility Lisa Munoz throws the ball to her teammates in the Lancer home work on setting up, spreading out, opener against the LA Trade Tech Beavers at the Aquatic Center on Wednesday. and getting into set.”

Catching up with cross country coach Armand Crespo Hannah Gonzales Staff Writer

Cross country head coach Armand Crespo’s desire to see his athletes succeed motivates his team both on and off the track.

“He’s a great coach. As an intellectual he can relate to us,” said first year Lancer runner Nathan Guzman. “He understands

our feelings towards running.”

Before he became head coach, Crespo was a runner for both cross country and track and field from 1986 to 1988. Later, Crespo was hired as an assistant coach under then head coach Jesse Gomez.

According to Crespo, his duties as head coach don’t differ much from when he was an assistant coach.

“I was always involved in the administrative stuff,” Crespo said. “This is my passion, my career, my job. I’ve tried to learn every aspect of it. When I was an assistant I was very involved in the planning.”

This summer, Crespo was also named as the head coach for the track and field team. As both head coach for cross country and track and field, Crespo has

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“It’s been a challenge. Back in ‘96 we were third in state,” Crespo said. “Looking at the results from then to now, the results are a little more difficult to achieve, but looking at the results of the women’s team I think we’re close. I think that we can accomplish that now.”

However, Crespo is determined not to get his hopes too high.

“The thing about this sport and I’d imagine sports in general is that there’s a lot of probability,” he said. “I’ve learned in the years that I’ve been doing this not to get too overly excited because then you may have a bigger disappointment.”

Crespo doesn’t seem to be seeing a lot of disappointment though. The women’s team recently placed 10th in the cross country race at Whittier Narrows Regional Park.

“We try to individually uplift them and help them be successful,” Crespo said. “That’s the commitment we made to them when they decided to come here and be a Lancer.”

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a lot on his plate. However, he still holds to the core beliefs he had when he was an assistant coach: to strive to encourage his runners to push for academic and athletic excellence.

“I want to encourage them to not only compete at a high level here but to transfer and get them ready for university athletics,” Crespo said. “I feel that it’s my job. Here, the mission statement of this college is to prepare them and get them ready for the university level. So, I feel that it’s the mission of this team and this department to get them ready.”

According to his runners, many of whom are new to the athletic program, Crespo’s determination to see them succeed is inspiring.

“He’s a good coach,” said first year Lancers runner Brenda Burica. “If you have any complaints he’ll assist you and help you out and encourage you to try your best.”

Crespo has recently seen his team gain attention when the Lancers women placed in the top 15 for state for the fourth time in the past five years. However, Crespo is determined to see his team go further.

9/12/14 10:46 AM

Ansis Hoheisel / Courier In his eighth season as men’s and women’s cross country head coach, former PCC cross country runner Armand Crespo will take over as track and field head coach this spring.