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On the cover:
Singer Cedrice Webber performs for Pierce students and faculty during the Black History music event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Feb. 24, 2026.
Frequently
you can find college students napping on a desk using their backpack as a pillow in the library. Students can be found napping on a bench, on the lawn or even their car. Many students stay in the area of their college for hours a day due to multiple classes and waiting times in between.
Instead of these places, Pierce College should develop a designated napping room for students to recharge comfortably and without any distractions. The room should consist of couches, reclinable chairs, soothing music and yoga mats. It should be known as the quiet zone in consideration for anyone who uses it.
In 2015, California State University of Northridge (CSUN) developed their Oasis Wellness Center for students to destress. According to Nirsa, CSUN
administrators became aware of students’ poor sleep hygiene after a survey was conducted. Soon after, the Oasis became the new focus to bettering the mental health of their students.
Director of the Student Recreation Center Jimmy Francis told Nirsa, “Providing a space like the Oasis allows students to disconnect from both the physical stress of campus and also the technologybased distraction in their lives and is beneficial to their overall health.”
The Oasis provides resources such as nap pods, massage chairs, guided-meditation yoga and compression boots.
In 2018, Yale University created The Good Life Center due to psychology professor Laurie Santos. Santos’ new class Psychology and the Good Life had more than 1,000 students,, it’s the most popular class in Yale history. The course aimed to answer
the question, ‘What is the good life?’ to which Santos educated the students on wellness building blocks..
The Nap Room at Yale is a safe space for students to take a break and rest with a short nap. The walls are painted lavender to promote sleep and the room is filled with cozy bean bag chairs, ear plugs and sleep masks. The space is tech-free, which means students must leave their phones and laptops in their backpack while in the room.
Yale holds a variety of other wellness rooms, such as the game room, the green room, the music room and the offline oasis. Each room aims to support the mental and emotional health of students to better their education and wellness.
Naps are essential for a positive mental health in students. According to the study, Causes and consequences of sleepiness
among college students by the National Library of Medicine, 50% of students reported daytime sleepiness and 70% reported insufficient sleep. Sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness is an issue for college students because it can result in lower grades, academic failure, impaired mood and increase the risk of car accidents.
An article by BBC, mentioned that even a 15-minute nap can immediately improve mental performance. Resources such as the napping room or oasis center provide a safe and comfortable space for Pierce students to recharge. The rooms would encourage a positive atmosphere for the mental and physical health of students, and it would help maintain their grades in school.
Clearing the air surrounding vaping on campus
PierceCollege needs to do more to stop smoking and vaping on campus, because even though Pierce is supposed to be smoke and tobacco-free, not much has been done to stop it when it occurs.
The danger of smoking has been known for years, but it’s e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, that have grown significantly.
According to the National Library of Medicine, vaping increased 5.2% in 2017, and in 2019, it increased to 13.5%. In 2019, it was also recorded by Truth Initiative that 27.5% of high school students were using e-cigarettes, and in 2024, 38.4% of students reported frequent usage, and 26.3% reported that they use it daily.
At the college level, another article by the National Library of Medicine showed that 40% of college students have tried or are currently using some form of e-cigarettes, and 60% of college students have been offered them.
It’s known that regular cigarettes contain nicotine,
There are designated smoking spots in Parking Lots 1 and 7, and Pierce offers free and confidential resources to quit smoking through the Smoking and Tobacco Off Pierce program, also known as S.T.O.P, in the Student Health Center.
There needs to be more exposure to this program, either through events or promotional booths every few months, so that students who want to quit know that there is a place on campus that allows them the
According to the Sheriff’s Office, if a student does get caught, they get sent to the dean for student disciplinary action, but it doesn’t look like many students are being sent in the first place.
Instead, Pierce should increase the sheriff’s patrols in the areas where smoking and vaping are most seen, like the Botanical Garden or the hillside of the Arts Department. Having more patrols to enforce the rules if a student were to get caught will decrease the likelihood of continued smoking and vaping on campus.
Should seating charts still be used in college?
PRO: Assigned seating provides new opportunities for students
By Spencer O’ Bosky Reporter
Assigned seating is not terrible as some students assume. It is a way for students who are more shy or reserved to meet each other, and it can help students in their academics.
Some students find it difficult to socialize with new people and prefer to only sit with people they already know. It’s natural to want to sit with your friends, but you miss out on the chance to connect with students who you don’t know.
Active Minds, in collaboration with Timely Care,
six times more likely to get an F grade than those seated in the front. Assigned seating lets instructors keep students close to the front, instead of them staying tucked away in the back.
Assigned seating is also not set in stone. Students are allowed to ask their instructor to change their seating arrangements if needed, and if their teacher notices the seating chart isn’t working, they can change it. Some teachers may even survey their class for students’ preferences on seating, so student input isn’t ignored.
The majority of instructors prefer to know their students’ names, and seating arrangements give teachers an easier time remembering students’ names because they know where everyone sits.
performed a study on college students’ mental health that found about 28% of students felt isolated from others, and 23% felt left out. Assigned seating can encourage more sociable students to reach out and even form friendships with more socially awkward peers.
Assigned seating is also helpful for students who need accommodations. If students have vision or hearing difficulties, their teacher can reserve the front seats where they would have an easier time.
According to an article published by Per Central, students tend to learn material better when they sit in the front few rows because they can focus on the material. They found that physics students sitting in the back row for the first half of the term were almost
CON: Seating charts take the fun out
of class
By Gisele Donan Reporter
Fromelementary to college, there is a point in a student’s academic career where assigned seating is used and it either makes or breaks the way the classroom is approached.
Assigned seating has a space in lower grade levels, but in college, it compromises a student’s ability to show discipline, takes away time from curriculum and shows minimal improvement for exams and academics.
Teachers can also adjust the classroom layout depending on the type of
instruction. Edutopia’s article Research-Based Tips for Optimal Seating Arrangements notes that instructors can rearrange the class seating for the different class agendas.
For example, during lecture-focused days, students could be arranged in a semicircle, and on days where students are working in groups, they can be put into pods.
So while assigned seating may not feel ideal for some students, there are a lot of benefits and opportunities for students struggling either academically or socially.
College professors expect students to be responsible and have more accountability than the average elementary student. College students can show self-regulation within the classroom without a seating plan, as well as aid in the considerations professors must make when planning concise seating arrangements. According to ScienceDirect, “Teachers experienced creating a seating arrangement as very challenging and mentioned between 2 and 19 considerations, indicating a lot of variation between teachers.”
learning and success. According to the National Library of Medicine, “In large classrooms with assigned seating, the researchers observed no effect or a negative correlation between the seat location and exam scores. Meanwhile, when the students were free to choose their seats, those in the front received higher grades than those in the back, suggesting that more motivated and engaged students chose seats nearer to the lecturer.” Seating charts don’t consider preference and personality. Ignoring students’ preferences can lead to misplacement and academic regression, especially if seating charts are nonnegotiable.
While middle to high school classes are carried through an eight month semester, college classes are taught in about half of that. This means prioritization of education is essential. Students can make the decision for professors, which helps keep the flow of the classroom. Teachers focus on curriculum rather than the personal needs of each student.
Students’ preferences for their space and seating are built on years of being in classrooms adhering to seating charts. Students know what is optimal for their learning and focus.
Assigned seating isn’t linked to success or failure, especially during important academic events such as exams. During lectures, assigned seating can be detrimental to students’
According to The Campanile, “Having more teachers display trust towards their students by letting them choose their seats may lead to a more positive social-emotional state. Not only will students feel surrounded by trusted and emotionally closer peers, but they will believe their teachers trust and respect them and their opinions.”
Some professors believe that friends can be a distraction or promote exclusivity, when it can utilize companionship to foster a judgment-free and helpful environment.
Assigned seating is acceptable as a tool in elementary school to prepare students for new spaces. At the stage of college, students should be trusted to act with responsibility within the classroom to choose their own seats.
Do you enjoy or hate group projects? Why or why not?
“Personally, I believe they are productive. It helps not only younger generations demonstrate what they believe in but also introduces them to expressing their beliefs to mass crowds.”
AnaMac Aller— CommunicationsMajor
“I hate group projects because if you’re actually serious about doing the project, there’s always going to be somebody that’s not doing work. Most of the time, I end up doing half of it myself or I have to just bother people.
LoganAnderson— Business
“I enjoy group projects. The people that you meet, you never know if they could be your number one friend or your significant other. It’s always good to be open and have people around to help you AlessandroAviles— KinesiologyMajor
Interviews by Gisele Donan
Photos by Nick Crabtree
Pierce partners with four-year universities on student housing
Administrators discuss potential to refurbish campus facilities into dorms
By Zamourad Iqbal Reporter
PierceCollege Council members discussed on Zoom, Thursday, Feb. 26, the on-campus student housing plan and ways to collaborate with California State University, Los Angeles, to provide housing facilities.
Pierce President Ara Aguiar provided an update on the student housing project.
Aguiar said that previously, the Board of Trustees announced that the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) had selected Pierce as one of the sites for student housing.
“In the city, they are purchasing and refurbishing a building. The plan is for student housing to be open by the fall of 2026,” Aguiar said.
Aguiar also added that LACCD Colleges, such as Pierce, Valley and Mission, are seeking an opportunity to collaborate with Cal State on the student housing project.
“East has been working with Cal State LA, some
type of partnership where the students would utilize the dorms at Cal State LA, go to East, and in essence, be dual enrolled, but also be enrolled at Cal State LA,” Aguiar said.
“ The presidents of Pierce, Valley, and Mission, did meet with Northridge were trying to establish a similar partnership where our students would utilize. We could try by investing the dollar amount to build a dorm on their property, they being CSUN, would then manage it, and the students would have this similar process of this coenrollment. But what made that one little different is that we would be investing.”
versus those from the newly hired housing consultant.
“They had similar areas identified, and the one that they felt was the most likely, I should say, was not to move Sunrise Little League, displace them, then we would have to get fields and what
Coordinator Wendy Bass emphasized concerns about campus traffic and recommended investigating urban planning.
“The plan is for student housing to be open by the fall of 2026”
Ara Aguiar Pierce College President
“My biggest concern is that it is the busiest corner area. It’s not like it’s a quiet part of campus, and if you try leaving, like, lunchtime, it’s takes 5 signals to be able to get past that signal, let alone having a huge complex of housing there,”
Wendy said.
have you. I don’t know that was one rationale, not displace the Little League, but place the student housing next to the Child Development Center.”
Aguiar said the LACCD’s main focus is building housing on campus, and that the recommendations from the previously hired housing consultant are being discussed
Aguiar added that they should provide the report on housing areas for student dorms, and the conversation continued on the student housing plan.
Pierce Distance Education
“ So I just wish they actually investigate a little more about what the campus traffic, I mean, isn’t it, like, urban planning type of thing? It just seems like that’s not urban planning in terms of Like, roadway and, you know, what it’s gonna be like to access that area.”
On behalf of the Diversity Committee, Alma Cortes updated the report on the
multicultural day planning group, which selected a winner from this year’s student logo design contest for the theme “The Power of Presentation.”
According to the Diversity Committee report, about 20 workshops are scheduled across four morning sessions on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and Thursday, April 23, 2026. These will feature presentations about migration stories in the United States in the Great Hall. Workshops will cover Spanish-language names and surnames in the U.S., Mesoamerican music, how art and media influence beauty standards, a performing arts showcase highlighting diversity, and Tai Chi and Zumba workshop.
Associated Student Organization (ASO) President Emma Ortega updated the members on the Club Rush event.
“We had 70 clubs signed up, and so far we have 24 chartered, so that’s really good.”
The upcoming PCC meeting will be on Zoom on March 26.
MESA hosts leadership lab for women in organic chemistry
Olivia Muñoz Campus Life Editor
OnWednesday, Feb. 25, the Empowering Women in Organic Chemistry (EWOC) committee hosted a career panel for students interested in pursuing STEM-related careers in the Great Hall at Pierce College. Attendees were able to ask questions and seek advice from six industry chemists about becoming professionals in their area of interest.
MESA program director Elizabeth Sean said that events like this are key to helping students seek career guidance.
“It’s really important for students to be able to hear from professionals who are in fields that the students may not be aware of, and they can learn about different careers and also how to prepare for those careers,” Sean said.
Pierce student Kailani Galindo said she was provided a better understanding of which path she wants to pursue.
“It was very informative
Kara Gills presents the panelists Elizabeth Sean ask some questions to the panelists at EWOC STEM Career Panel at the Great Hall at Pierce College in Woodland Hills.,Calif on Feb.25,2026
for me, as I’m not sure where I want to go. It was like a guide for other students, too,” Galindo said.
Chemistry professor Alia Latif said the career panel provided an opportunity for
students to not only learn about different careers but also gain insight into the application of skills learned in their courses.
“This event is valuable to our students, getting exposed
in the classroom and through other types of talks to the science behind chemistry, and here they’re getting more practical, real-world exposure to how to get a job,” Latif said.
Sandra Mazas / Roundup News
Telescope Night brings community together to learn about space
By Elizabeth SantanaZavala Reporter
Undera slightly clouded sky, students, faculty and community members gathered around telescopes to catch glimpses of Jupiter, the Constellation of Orion and the moon.
Pierce College’s Physics and Planetary Science Department and the Los Angeles Astronomical Society (LAAS) hosted Telescope Night on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Center for Sciences. The free event drew dozens of attendees who lined up to look through high-powered telescopes and learn from astronomy experts.
Three telescopes were provided by the LAAS to the event, including the Unistellar Enhanced Vision telescope.
The telescope is one of the first digital telescopes made, and its technology allows the user to capture colorful images even in light-polluted areas.
Astronomy professor Dale Fields, who coordinated the event, said the goal was to help people experience elements of space
they have never seen before.
“We just want people to actually realize that what’s out there is accessible and available to touch,” Fields said. “It’s out there, you could touch it if you went up there.”
Many attendees brought folding chairs and blankets to wait for their turn and ask
questions.
Sharen Jacobs, secretary for the Pierce Department of Math and Sciences, said that she has been coming to Telescope Nights for some time and has enjoyed learning from experts like Professor Fields and LAAS volunteers.
She said she loves stargazing
events like this because it builds a sense of community.
“I think it contributes to our feeling of togetherness and oneness,” Jacobs said. “That whatever we’re going through down here, the vastness of the universe sort of puts it all in perspective.”
The event also attracted
students from nearby California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Eli Fleck, a CSUN sophomore, discovered the event while looking through Pierce’s online calendar and decided to stop by.
Fleck said the event piqued his interest because he feels a religious connection to space.
“I’m Christian, so I believe that God’s creation is perfect and beautiful,” Fleck said, “I would love to be an astronaut sometime, but that’s not realistic for me. So, I would rather just sit back and appreciate the creation.”
David Yakerson, a longtime astronomy enthusiast and LAAS board member, said he enjoys introducing newcomers to telescopes and watching their reactions.
Yakerson said he hopes that by introducing people to space, more of them will take time to look upward.
“If everybody would look at outer space and everybody’s attention would be focused on what’s going on out there and how small we are, every little detail here on earth is like nothing, wars are nothing,” Yakerson said. “The details, everything going on with the politics, is nothing compared to what’s happening out there in outer space.”
By Jake Gregory Photographer
Valeria Estevez / Roundup News
A community member looks through a telescope as others gaze at the sky during Telescope Night at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Feb. 24, 2026.
TOP: (L to R) Kevin Flow (accompanist), Cedrice Webber (singer) and Kevin Thrupper (bassist) perform for Pierce students and faculty during the Black History Month Music Event at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb. 24, 2026.
BOTTOM: The crowd clapping for Singer Cedrice Webber after one of her songs during the Black History Month Music Event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Feb. 24, 2026.
Accompanist Kevin Flow perform for Pierce students and faculty during the Black History Month Music Event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Feb. 24, 2026.
Umoja preps for busy semester and tours of HBCUs
By James Mondares Reporter
TheUmoja program held a kickoff in Building 600 for the Spring semester, reminding students of program requirements and upcoming events.
What 1965 law removed barriers to Black voter registration in the South?
If you said, “The Voting Rights Act of 1965,” you would’ve gotten a point at the Umoja Spring Semester trivia quiz, which was hosted by the Umoja program on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in Building 600.
During this event, Umoja program coordinator and counselor Kalynda McLean gave a presentation that informed students about the program requirements moving forward.
Students under the Umoja program must meet with an Umoja counselor at least once per semester, attend at least two Umoja-sponsored events - such as this one - per semester and also complete progress checkers by their assigned date.
After the presentation, Umoja counselor Lateaira Hockaday hosted a trivia quiz about Black History and Black History Month. Through teams made by their tables, students answered trivia
questions about both pop culture and Black history.
Questions talked about topics that ranged from the father of Black history, Beyonce’s Homecoming documentary and to the theme of this year’s Black History Month: A Century of Black History Commemorations.
McLean also shared with students some events that
“We got to experience our culture and got to see things for us by us.
Ramiyah
Murphy History and Anthropology Major
are coming up soon. Umoja will be having a trip to the University of California, Irvine (UCI) on March 13. Additionally, there will also be trips to multiple Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) from April 5-10, which include Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, Wiley University, Grambling
State University, Dillard University and Xavier University of Louisiana.
Ramiyah Murphy, a history and anthropology major, shared her enthusiasm for these events.
“I am excited for the Irvine visit that we’re having,” Murphy said. “I wasn’t able to make the HBCU tour, but I made it last year, and it was very fun. We got to experience our culture and got to see things for us by us.”
Chizi Emeremnu, a political science major, shared she joined Umoja because of the welcoming sense of community it brings to campus.
After today, McLean shared what made this event fun for her.
“My favorite part about today was just interacting with the students,” McLean said. “I love being around students. I just love being able to have an opportunity, also to have fun with them while they learn.”
Murphy stated that the community was her favorite part of the event.
“My favorite part today is being able to sit in a room full of my friends and family and get to experience our community together while also competing in a friendly way,” Murphy said.
Black Faculty and Staff Association recognizes psych professor
By Anthony Adams Reporter
BlackFaculty and Staff Association honor Psychology Professor in Recognition Ceremony closing out Black History Month
Faculty and students came together on Thursday, Feb. 26, in Building 600, for Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) Recognition Ceremony to honor Psychology and Statistics Professor and BFSA founder Carman Wimsatt and her contribution to BFSA organization on campus and her impact as a professor at Pierce College.
During the ceremony attendees, were educated on the importance of BFSA and its core themes, which is resilience and inclusion. The organization’s mission is built on four pillars: candor,
resourcefulness, compassion, empathy and humility.
This year’s celebration marks 100 years of Black History Month and 60 years of the Black Panther Party.
The event was hosted and organized by Professor and History, African American Studies and Humanities (HASH) department Chairman Christopher Strickland, who predominantly teaches history and African American Studies. Strickland expressed the importance of facilitating this event.
“It’s to honor our faculty and staff for Black faculty and staff such as Carman Wimsatt, today. She is amazing. We are just honoring her 20-plus years of service as an educator,” Strickland said. “She’s absolutely indispensable and we’re happy to support her.
And so we do this every year. We celebrate black history and also one of our faculty members,” Pierce College President Ara
Aguilar spoke briefly during the ceremony about how it was a goal to have diversity of faculty at Pierce. Aguilar also mentioned while she was speaking the pleasure of knowing Wimsatt and her impact on campus.
“I was very impressed with her experience ;her attitude; her persona in terms of the warmth she exuded towards teaching and her commitment. All the committees she had been on with the college and district, also.” Aguilar said President Aguilar also expressed the importance of supporting Black Faculty and Staff Association..
“I always support programs like Umoja and certainly faculty and staff. I think it’s important that as a leader of college community is aware that the administration is in full support of activities and in support of our black students, black staff and faculty and administrators. Being a Latina, myself, I
know how important it is to have the administration there supporting the community,” Aguilar said.
Gas and Electric Welding program student Nicholas Kilduff shared why it’s important for him to show up and support the BFSA Recognition Ceremony.
“As I’ve grown old, I realized just how much black people contribute to America and how much they informed the culture that I live in and enjoy today. I feel it’s really empowering even to myself, just to learn so much about how people can change this country,” Kilduff said.
Chairman Strickland shared that this is the last week of Black History Month. He had some events this week with Umoja and earlier this month.
A discussion panel about historical black figures from Fredric Douglass to Langston Hughes, W,E.B DuBois to Marcus Garvey took place followed by a presentation of
Legacy of Black Panther Party and What it Means Today.
The BFSA Recognition Ceremony ends with Q&A from the audience in attendance.
Pierce College Librarian and Chaplain of Black Faculty and Staff Association, Lisa Valdez, shared the importance of supporting the Black Faculty and Staff Association.
“It’s about community. It’s about building a family outside of your home. It’s the comradery. It’s the support and the love and everything. We come together as a special group to support each other and support our students because we are definitely a minority on campus.,” Valdez said “It’s important I think,also to have representation. So students can see themselves reflected in us and we’re very intentional about what we do. What we discuss as faculty and how we work together to build a village to support our students.”
Sandra Mazas / Roundup News
Kalynda Mclean speaks at the Umoja Spring Kickoff in Building 600 at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif. on Feb. 25, 2026.
Club Rush descends on Mall to recruit new members
By Mia Greer Reporter
Studentswalk down the mall and see the vast amount of clubs offered to them on campus, giving them the opportunity to get out of their comfort zone and express themselves. Pierce College’s Associated Student Organization (ASO) hosts Club Rush on Feb. 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Booths lined the area near the library and were organized by category. You could find all the STEM booths in one area, sports in another, English beside them, and so on. Students crowded to booths that interested them either for their major or for something new.
ASO Club Council President Estephanie Paz oversaw the entire planning and set up of this semester’s Club Rush. Paz said that all the clubs are like her family, so it’s hard to pick a favorite.
“My first club was Physics Club. I felt like I found a sense of community, I started to get to know more people,” Paz said. “So I feel that now as Club Council President, my goal is to create an environment where students are able to come to campus and feel like it’s their second home.”
Some of the clubs you could find on the mall were ones such as Honors Club, Tabletop Roleplaying Club, and Students for Mutual Aid and Liberation Club.
President and founder of Adventure Club Sophia Zambrano started her club exactly one year ago at last year’s club rush. Zambrano
said the club can help students create a community to explore with.
“I started this club because I felt like there wasn’t any group on campus to get students outdoors,” Zambrano said.
“Los Angeles is so beautiful, and I just wanted to have a space where people who love the outdoors can get together and know each other and go outside safely.”
Last semester, Adventure Club hosted events like a beach clean up at Point Dume, a hike in Malibu Creek State Park, and workshops on hiking safety. In one month last year the club had seen over 50
new members attending their hikes.
Chemical Engineering major Santiago Sandejas mentions he came to Club Rush looking for clubs that could help him with his major.
“I’ve been to Club Rush before but didn’t join any clubs, so this time I’m really looking. I’m thinking about joining Science Journal Club and Chemistry Club,” Sandejas said. “I’m more interested in the Science Journal Club, they were talking about having internships and research opportunities.”
Cesar Banuelos Soto / Roundup News
TTRG Club playing connect four with people intersted in the club during Club Rush at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Feb. 25, 2026.
Nick Crabtree / Roundup News
Kevin Mato Assistant Pierce College Dance Club ProfessorJenny Ghilgia conversing with a faculty member that passed by the booth during the Spring semester’s first Club Rush on the Pierce College campus in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, Calif on Wednesday Feb 25, 2026 Club Rush at
Cesar Banuelos Soto / Roundup News
Vice President Faith Cypres and Secretary Ventura Sandoval from Film club explaining what they do at their club during Club Rush at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Feb. 25,2026.
Baseball losing streak rise after loss against Bulldogs
By Bryce Edwards Sports Editor
The Pierce College Brahmas battled the Allan Hancock Bulldogs on Thursday, Feb. 26 with the Brahmas losing 7-1.
Pitcher Tyler Sileo went in the 2nd inning and played four innings before being taken out at the top of the 6th inning by pitcher Dylan Adams.
Sileo expressed the substitution during the game and the trust he has in his teammates, especially Adams.
“I definitely think I can attack hitters better, you know, I want to be there for my team as long as I can, but I have full faith in the guy after me to get the job done, and that’s exactly what Dylan did today,” Sileo said. “Anyone who goes out there, I have full trust and full faith. That’s my brother and I know they’ll pick me up. Obviously, I couldn’t go longer today, but I have full trust in my team.”
Sileo finished his appearance with four innings pitched, two hits, one earned run, and four strikeouts.
Head coach Bill Picketts speaks on his pitchers in the game against the Bulldogs
and the impact Sileo brought.
“I was really proud of my starting pitcher and my pitcher that came in [Sileo]. He’s been struggling a bit with throwing strikes, and he gave us four strong innings,” Picketts said. “So, if we can build off on that with him, it’s gonna help us out, cause he’s one of the guys that we’ve been relying on, and hopefully we can rely on him in the future.”
Third baseman Christian Santiago also had a game, going for three hits in five plate appearances.
“I thought I had a decent day, but it’s not really about me; it’s more about the team,” Santiago said. “A little losing streak of four games. You know, gotta get back on track, so I’m gonna do my best to do that.”
The Brahma’s only run of the game was by designated hitter Braden Sellz, who had an RBI (Runs Batted In) single to make the game 2-1 at the bottom of the 6th inning.
The Brahmas had life in the bottom of the 7th with bases loaded and the score at 3-1, but could not capitalize. The Bulldogs then went on to score 4 more runs in the top of the 8th inning.
Even with this loss, Picketts
continues to be hopeful that the team will improve and give a better performance for the remainder of the season.
“We were just talking offensively, we lack a little confidence, right now, obviously, scoring one run isn’t gonna win us many games,” Picketts said. “But we’re just on a little bit of a losing streak and so I told them, they got to keep their confidence up and start believing in themselves and hopefully we’ll be fine moving forward.”
The Brahmas look to end their losing streak during their next series against Pasadena City College, with the first game of that series being played at home on Wednesday, March 4, at 1 p.m.
Brahmas falls to Hornets in nail-biting five-set match
By Valeria Estevez Reporter
Rivalry continues as the Pierce College Brahmas lost to the Fullerton College Hornets in a competitive five-set match with a score of 3-2. Since the 2024 season, both teams have gone to five sets with the record against the Hornets being 4-4.
Starting freshman outside
“We have a young team, so we showed some nerves towards the end, but we played hard.”
Joseph Arechiga Head Coach
went wrong during the game.
hitter Ryder Tafoya played every set, finishing with 19 kills, assisting the team with taking the game to a five-set match.
Tafoya went on to explain what he felt went right and
“The game has its ups and downs; we traded sets back and forth; it’s hard to stay on the ‘up’ side of it. It’s volleyball, it’s a game of randomness,” Tafoya said.
“We found that connection
with the middle blockers, as the game went on, we established that connection, which allowed the pins to get a good block.”
Defensive strategist Kenned Veya felt the team’s performance was strong until
the fifth set, when the energy shifted, which then allowed the Hornets to capitalize and take the win.
“Towards the beginning, we were really strong, we had a lot of positive energy. It was going good until the
fifth set, the energy shifted,” Veya said. “Being more focused during the game. There are times we’re really focused and unstoppable. Then there are times where either somebody gets pulled, somebody gets in as a new setter, and we lose focus.”
When asked about how he felt about the team’s performance, head coach Joseph Arechiga expresses hid confidence and optimism about his young team.
“We played all five sets, it was a thriller, it was a good game. We have a young team, so we showed some nerves towards the end, but we played hard,” Arechiga said. “It’s never easy to go to five sets and lose, but hats off to them. They performed well towards the end.”
They look forward to resetting and adding another win with their next home game against Santa Monica College on Wednesday, March 4 at 6 p.m.
Bryce Edwards contributed to this story.
Jake Gregory / Roundup News
Pierce College pitcher Daniel Campos (#8) warming up before their game against Allan Hancock College at the Joe Kelly Field at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Feb. 26, 2026.
Lesa Greenfield / Roundup News Pierce College outside hitter Ryder Tafoya (#25) digging a ball during a game against Fullerton College at the South Gym in Pierce College at Woodland Hills, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.
