Woodland Hills, California Volume 142 - Issue 5
Multicultural Center hosts Nowruz celebration
By Alyssa Lupercio Reporter
The Pierce College Multicultural Center hosted an event to celebrate and learn about Nowruz on Thursday, March 20. Pierce Multicultural Center Coordinator Tatevik Melkumyan collaborated with Student Services Assistant Nazanin Bahrampour and the Persian Student Association to make this event happen.
Nowruz is the Persian New Year that occurs simultaneously with the first day of spring. It represents the blooming of new beginnings and has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years.
“Now, Nowruz has become a part of everyone, and it’s celebrated by everyone here,” Bahrampour said. “And the Persian culture appears to be very, very rich. It has a very rich culture and history.”
The Multicultural Center has hosted many cultural events to celebrate Pierce’s students and their backgrounds since it opened in 2023. Setting up the Nowruz celebration came with a lot of communication with the organizers. Melkumyan said that this year she decided to look for someone to present and talk about the event.
“We just communicated with each other. We figured out what the students were going to bring, what she [Bahrampour] was going to bring, so we can make sure we have everything that we need,” Melkumyan said.
The Persian Student Association provided a slideshow consisting of information about the origins and history of Nowruz. Bahrampour brought Persian pastries for attendees to eat after the presentation. Bahrampour hopes that “next year we can have a much bigger event for Nowruz on campus in a way that’s even better organized, with more activities, with having
food or even a nice party to celebrate.”
Pierce college student Asia Martyenko attended the event with her mom and shared what the Persian community represents.
“I think the Persian community is so friendly,” Martyenko said. Bahrampur also shared some highlights of the Persian community as well, adding, “Persians love to celebrate their traditions. They like to pass it on to their children and other generations.”
The multicultural center displayed a Haft-Sin, which is a table that is decorated with seven symbolic items, uniquely and individually related to the family or person. Haft-Sins are decorated with what is called the Seven S’s.
These included Sabzeh (sprouted greens), which represent rebirth. Sib (apple) represents beauty, rejuvenation and health. Senjed (dried oleaster) symbolizes love. Seer (garlic) symbolizations medicine and protection. Somāq (sumac) represents sunrise and patience. Serkeh (vinegar) is for wisdom and aging. Samanu (sweet pudding) is power and strength.
A popular Nowruz dish is Reshteh Polo, which is a traditional rice mixed with noodles dish in the Persian community.
According to Bahrampour, in Persian culture and through old traditions, noodles symbolize something greater. The dish is made with noodles to represent what the new year has to offer and how to approach it, “which means you have to find your path. You have to find your way.”
“It’s important to not forget those roots but continue the customs, the traditions of the culture,” Bahrampour said.
Multicultural Center Coordinator Tatevik Melkumyan speaks about Nowruz as a traditional event for Irainian and Persian speakers with Automotive Services technician Alexander Rodriguez as support staff in the Multicultural Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 20, 2025.
John Cordova / Roundup News
Myraneli Fabian/ Roundup News
Hannah Huffman / Roundup News
Gelareh Behdad / Roundup News
A Haft-Sin table is an arrangement of items displayed during Nowruz. The Multicultural Center hosted a Nowruz (Persian new year) event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 20, 2025.
Gelareh Behdad / Roundup News
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Editorial: From the desk of the Roundup Students should take advantage of public transportation
Withthe cost of cars, fuel, insurance and maintenance eating a large portion of students’ budgets, many could relieve their financial burden by using the transit services that we fund collectively.
In April 2021, the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees collaborated with LA Metro to create the GoPass program, according to the Roundup.
This service gives K-12 and community college students in Los Angeles free fares to ride buses and trains in the city, as well as in neighboring cities.
The service was extended in 2023 and has recently been made permanent. Students at Pierce College could benefit
from setting aside a couple of car trips a week in favor of public transportation.
Not only is taking buses and trains free through the GoPass program, saving students from paying hundreds or thousands of dollars each year, but it also provides health benefits through extra walking.
Walking to and from the bus station can provide muchneeded exercise to people who might otherwise forget to do the minimal amount that health organizations, such as the CDC, recommend.
The switch from personal vehicles to mass transit can also have a big environmental impact, even on an individual basis. The average passenger vehicle emits more than 4.6 metric tons
of carbon dioxide each year on 11,500 miles driven annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles helps to reduce that number, but riding the bus or train remains one of the cleanest options.
Pierce is connected to the G Line (Orange Line) of the LA Metro. Riders can go east on the path to the Sepulveda Basin for additional exercise and recreational fun, or they can choose to go to the North Hollywood station, which connects the San Fernando Valley to the rest of the city via subway.
Riding public transit can open affordable opportunities to have fun and experience new things without the need to pay
high prices for gas, find and pay for parking or worry about automobile accidents.
Without needing parking, students can save a lot of time and money when going to crowded areas.
It isn’t only riders who benefit either. The American Public Transportation Association found that businesses see an increase in profit when public transportation is expanded in their areas.
With the GoPass program being made permanent, it’s time for students to leave their cars in their garages, grab their TAP cards and wait at the station to catch the next bus.
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On March 25, 1987
The Roundup published an article covering a lecture at Pierce College by South African Reverend Zachariah Mokgoebo and Rabbi Ben Issacson, both outspoken critics of Apartheid.
Mokgoebo, a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church, described apartheid as a system designed to dehumanize Black South Africans and argued that true reform was impossible without full voting rights, and
the complete dismantling of apartheid. Issacson, a founding member of Jews for Justice, criticized U.S. inaction and economic policies, stating that violence was inevitable as Black South Africans resisted oppression. He condemned the Reagan Administration’s stance and urged students to engage in the global fight against racial injustice.
The speakers emphasized the urgent need for international awareness.
Copy by Daisy Aguinada
An LA Metro bus travels along 17th Street in Downtown Los Angeles, Calif., on May. 11, 2024.
Gerardo Escobar / Roundup News
Column: Managing finances as a community college student
By Abraham Elizalde Photo Editor
Being in my second year at Pierce College, it was a struggle transitioning from a high school studentathlete coming home to a homecooked meal rent-free, to a college student working a parttime job to get by.
The biggest worries I have when it comes to spending my money are the cost of living and gas. Living at home significantly reduces the amount I spend on rent, but the money I save in doing so is heavily spent on gas
for my car.
Being a sports photographer in the Los Angeles area requires me to drive a lot. What also comes with living in Los Angeles, is the heavy traffic that makes you feel like you are stuck in one place, especially because most of the games that I shoot take place around 5:00 p.m.
If I am not at school or photographing a game, you can see me working at my part-time job. This is where I spend most of my time, and it is the way I pay for my needs.
Over the past two months, when the Spring 2025 semester started, I have not had a day where I am completely free. I don’t let this get in the way of my social life however, as I also accompany myself with very busy people whose idea of going out is just getting a burger from a fast food place after class, which really helps with saving money from plans.
My entertainment is very limited. I often find myself not wanting to go out with my
friends to bigger places simply because of my financial situation. My entertainment consists of mostly staying at home listening to music or playing video games.
All day I listen to music, whether that be at home working on an assignment or stuck in traffic on the Interstate 405 freeway. What helps me out significantly while enjoying my music is my student email.
Your student email is a tool that can help you save a lot of money on subscriptions. Where I find it most helpful is on services such as Spotify, Amazon and Youtube Premium. Using the student email and confirming can cut down the price down 50% or more.
Being a student on a budget is not often a hassle as most people portray. Although I do have to sacrifice some luxuries or plans, I make it up by being productive or finding other places for entertainment.
Who is a member of the Pierce faculty you appreciate and why?
“Jamie Ray, she was my ESL professor. After having a tough professor before her, she always pushed me to do my best and inspired me to create better essays.”
Fabio Arambulo - Business Administration Major
“All the teachers I have had so far. I deal with health issues and I don’t think I have ever received such good support before.”
Aradia Wiese - Psychology Major
“My history professor Richard McMillan, he is really cool. He tells some really cool stories and he’s a good teacher.”
Daniel Luna - Undeclared Major
“Abigail Watson from International Student Services because she helps me a lot with the courses I need to take for the path I want to take.”
Franz Parungoa - Business Administration Major
“James Tucker, he teaches political science. He gets the class very involved. I’m not usually someone who talks in class, but the way he teaches I am one of the most frequent speakers.”
Ben Thelander- Physics Major
“Dr. Erin Hayes, they’re my anthropology professor and also introduced me to the honors program at Pierce. She thoroughly explained the steps I needed to take to enroll in the honors program.”
Willy Cortez - Agricultural Engineering Major
Photo Illustration by Janet Harper
Interviews by Joseph Acuña
Photos by Brian Khoury
Sexuality and Gender Alliance club fosters resilience LGBTQIA+ students come together amid political tensions
By Zamourad Iqbal Reporter
Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club (SAGA) members discussed recent federal hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community during their meeting on Wednesday, March 19, in the Multicultural Center.
Music Major Teal Kim expressed her feelings that the current federal administration disregards the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
“I feel anxious, unsettled, angry, it is terrifying, whatever is going on,” Kim said. “I worry about this administration affecting the community and they do not seem to prioritize, and disregard our community safety, health, well-being and human rights.”
Art Major Howell Martinez added his concerns related to the LGTBQ+ youth community and shared his experience as a trans person.
“I feel like there is a big target towards LGBTQ youth, especially trans [people] that are under 18,” Martinez said. “I have had my own experiences of doctors acting like they do not know what to do because I’m trans and getting inadequate treatment. I’m doing pretty good as a trans individual in this state, but I fear for my trans friends who are underage, and living in southern states. They are not
taken seriously and the healthcare they need is being taken away.”
SAGA Club President Rui Dutallas discussed the purpose of this club, which is to provide a safe space for this community.
“SAGA, at Pierce College, I feel is a very important space,” Dutallas said. “Particularly in our current administration, a lot of queer people are being attacked, so we wish to be a place that offers brief respite in troubling times.”
Dutallas also mentioned a recent incident of torn-down SAGA posters near the Center for Science.
“We have had incidents occurring, our posters torn down,” Dutallas said. “We do not know who exactly tore the posters, but it did instill confusion on why we were particularly targeted. We are just here trying to be a safe space. Nonetheless, we are still resilient.”
Martinez hopes to remain strong in advocating LGBTQ+ rights.
“I feel like it was bound to happen, and it might continue to happen,” Martinez said. “We are clear that we are not going away, and continue to spread this message that we are here for other people who need this sort of space.”
Media arts major Fernando Sarabia hopes to live a normal life in the future, despite the challenges presented.
“I just want to see just being accepted like people without
questioning,” Sarabia said.
Dutallas shared upcoming plans for the SAGA club.
“We are having plans and discussions to work with the LGBTQ centers of
Budget continues to be discussed
other universities and help their causes,” Dutallas said. “Hopefully, we can rally some forces to protect those who need it the most.”
at
Academic Senate Projection
By Myraneli Fabian Reporter
Tfor deficit revealed to be lower than previous estimate
he college’s budget, courses and the role of the Department of Education in funding were topics discussed at the Pierce College Academic Senate meeting on March 24 in Building 600 with the members of the public, faculty and staff.
President Ara Aguiar stated the Pierce finance team has identified enough funding to reduce the deficit this semester to $1.7 million.
“Our team has been working really hard,” Aguiar said. “If we are able to do the things we have planned, it’s all about the consultation process.”
District Curriculum Dean Seth Anderson deliberated on how the district is moving into several legislative mandates.
“The last three weeks, I have been out at the colleges with my team and with the district curriculum chair,” Seth said.
“We are sharing information and talking about the steps we are taking to prepare for those changes.”
During the senate meeting Margarita Pillado received a letter from Chancellor Sonya Christian that had been sent to all California Community College presidents regarding the executive order regarding the Department of Education.
“She remarks in the letter that overall for the system for the California Community Colleges, the federal money is about three percent of the entire budget.” Pillado said. “We just need to go out and do something in order to prevent things from getting worse.”
Academic Senate Treasurer Kalynda McLean advises participants that at each meeting they should be able to access the treasurer report which includes reconciliation, prior to the month
or that half of the month.
“The meeting today was very efficient and we moved through the business,” McLean said.
“There’s a lot of business that we had to sort of make our way through, but the presentation from the district dean was very helpful.”
The next Academic Senate meeting will be held on April 21, in Building 600 at 2:15 p.m.
RIGHT: Pierce President Ara Aguiar addressing the Academic Senate beside Senate Treasurer Kalynda McLean in Building 600 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 10, 2025.
Gelareh Behdad / Roundup News
Delilah Brumer
File Photo/Photo Illustration by Benjamin Hanson
Festival highlights diversity of humanities
Two-day event features interdisciplinary discussions and presentations
By Myraneli Fabian Reporter
Professors Christopher Strickland and Sheryl Nomelli organized a festival for students and faculty on March 19 and 20, sharing the diversity and depth of the History, African American Studies and Humanities departments through presentations and activities.
The event was held to boost enrollment and increase awareness about pressing concerns in the current political and social landscapes. Some topics of discussion were major social and cultural events and themes in the African American experience, including Black progress movements, race, gender, sexuality, social justice, music and folklore.
“We’re always trying to find creative things to do to bring awareness,” Strickland said. “We love our community and we want to bring about positive change.”
Communication major Terra Welch participated in the festival to build community and gain a deeper understanding of the origins of hate.
“Coming here helps me gain more understanding for myself and also for my two sons,” Welch said. “I want them to be educated and knowledgeable so they can
be able to share and help other kids.”
Sociology major Jan Peppe White participated in the festival and wanted her voice to be heard.
“Anytime I see anything about my community, I’m going to be interested,” White said. “Your greatest power is the power of the tongue and a spoken word, when you have that, you have power.”
The festival was divided into two sessions: one from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the other from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Professor of History and Gender Studies Sheryl Nomelli screened the film “Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria” during the festival’s second session in celebration of Women’s History Month.
The film is based on transgender women and drag queens who fought police harassment in San Francisco in 1966, three years before the famous Stonewall riot in New York.
“I’ve made it my life’s work to teach about this,” Normelli said. “It’s important to bring awareness that focuses on women’s history and women’s rights.”
Anthropology major Luna Jones, joined the second session of the festival to watch the film.
“It’s really good that the college is talking about these
Professor and Chair of the History and Humanities department Christopher Stickland explains to students and faculty about African American Studies during the HASH Festival and Women’s Month event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 19, 2025.
issues,” Jones said. “People need to organize because we’re being oppressed, being pushed down and we have to stand up and fight back.”
The festival ended with a panel discussion about the film with Professor Strickland, Anthropology Professor Erin Hayes and students Luna Jones and Valerie Levitas.
“This event was important to me because it gave a voice to people that might not necessarily have a voice,” Levitas said.
A jazz concert for the community
LEFT: Yakiv Tsvietinsky performs as part of the UCLA Herbie Hancock Jazz Institute concert in the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 19, 2025. The concert was made possible through a partnership between the Pierce music department and the Associated Student Organization.
Victor Montiel / Roundup News
Myraneli Fabian / Roundup News
A pie-nominal fundraiser
Whipped cream could be seen being thrown and smeared onto the faces of participating professors, staff and ASO representatives.
On Thursday, March 20, ASO hosted a fundraiser to raise money for students who were affected by the recent California fires.
People were encouraged to take part in the event and buy a pie for $3, to throw at a person of their choosing. Despite the messy faces, the volunteers were seen laughing and having a good time.
Copy by Karla Delgado.
to Right) Student services specialist
and communications
react after ASO member Ronah Grace hits ASO treasurer
the face with a pie at the Pie a professor Pi Day event on the Mall at Pierce College in Woodland
Calif., on March 20, 2025.
RIGHT: (Left to Right) Business major Levon Kazaryan throws a pie at Professor Travis Orloff, during the pie a professor Pi Day event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 20, 2025. Photo by Hannah Huffman.
BOTTOM: Pierce College faculty sitting in a row waiting for students to come pie them at the pie a professor Pi Day event on the Mall at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 20, 2025. Photo by Hannah Huffman.
(Left
Geremy Mason
professor Michelle Brownlee
Malcom Lovelace in
Hills,
Hannah Huffman / Roundup News
ASO Tresurer Malcom Lovelace celebrating after being pied during the pie a professor Pi Day event on the Mall at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 20, 2025.
Hannah Huffman / Roundup News
Suiting for the future
BOTTOM:
Pierce
and journalism
from
Student
and
Alexis
Business Administration major Jose Valle grabbing a t-shirt from the Brahma Career Closet event held near the Library at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 19, 2025.
Jeremiah Bigalbal Lopez / Roundup News
Worker
Automotive major Francisco Tayag collects names of attendees of the Brahma Career Closet pop-up at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 19, 2025.
Jeremiah Bigalbal Lopez / Roundup News
TOP: Brahma Closet held a pop-up event with free clothing near the Library at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 19, 2025. Photo by Jeremiah Bigalbal Loopez.
(Left to Right)
Student Aylin Alfaro
major
Mendoza picking out clothes
the Brahma Career Closet event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 19, 2025. Photo by Jeremiah Bigalbal Lopez.
Playing home away from home
By Elizabeth Tirheimer Reporter
Pierce College’s Joe Kelly baseball field has been undergoing maintenance in the 2025 baseball season, causing the team to play their home games at nearby Los Angeles Valley College.
Prior to Tuesday, the Brahmas had yet to play a home game on their field this season, leaving the team and their fans to travel locally for home games. Athletic Director Deborah Hefter said there were several factors contributing to the field being unavailable.
“We’ve had a lot of maintenance issues that we needed to take care of and we wanted to make sure that the field was in good playing conditions for the student athletes or for our students in general,” Hefter said. “It took us a bit of time for all of us to get our paperwork underway, we had some delays with the weather and the rain and it kind of skewed the schedule a little bit.”
With the field being unavailable, the team has had to use other campus sports facilities such as the football field for their practices. Head Coach Bill Picketts shared what he felt when finding out the field would be unavailable for home games and how he continued to push the coaching team and players to succeed.
“I stress this to not only my coaches but my team to deal with adversity, it’s a terrible cliche but it is what it is and there’s not much we can do about it,” Picketts said. “I just try to tell them, this is what you have to deal with in baseball. There’s always something that’s never going to be consistent.”
Pitcher Brayden Briscoe said it has been difficult not having a proper home field, despite the team’s recent uptick in
March 20, 2025, at Pierce
performance.
“It’s definitely tough having to go and play only away games. It also sucks not having a place to really call home,” Briscoe said.
“It’s definitely something I wish we did have, especially with the success we’re having so far.”
The team’s first home game of the season back at Joe Kelly Field was set for Tuesday, March 25, at 2 p.m. against Cuesta
College. Second/Third Baseman Dylan Simon emphasized that the team is excited about being able to play on their field again.
“We’re excited, our first home game is against Cuesta, “Simon said. “It’s a big game, I think everybody is ready to play at home finally so all the parents can come. I think the energy is going to be really good.”
Men’s volleyball resilient despite loss
By Emily Garcia Reporter
As the volleyball ball spun clockwise through the cold air, squeaking sneakers echoed across the floors of the gym, and running players set their eyes on one object only: the ball. After the vigorous game between the Brahmas and the Santa Barbara Vaqueros, Pierce College men’s volleyball team faced a challenging match, going 0-3 on Wednesday, March 19, making their current season record 4-11.
Within the first 10 minutes of the game, Santa Barbara managed to score 4-1, but Pierce quickly caught up to them by blocking their spikes. While the Vaqueros carried five points ahead for most of the first half, Brahmas continued to keep their heads high, ending the first set as 2519, a win for Santa Barbara.
Setter and outside hitter for the Brahmas, Brandon Ta, hopes they rack up momentum in the second half of the conference schedule.
“We had a lot of ups and downs but trying to focus more on the ups and trying to work on the downs.” Brandon Ta said, “I think it’ll be very good leading into the second half of the conference, and building the momentum, hopefully we can get some good wins. Just trying to work on the high positive energy.”
For the majority of the third set, both teams, were neck and neck. Brandon Ta had great turnouts with spiking the ball,
gaining points, while both middle hitters, Lars Hart and Bryan Ta successfully blocked strikes from the opposing team keeping their game even and tense.
Karl Manolong, setter for the Brahmas said there was a shift in the team after they got off their heads.
“The game fell really close.” Manolong said, “Once we stopped digging ourselves and put our heads up, we started playing a lot better, which you can see in the third set.”
Brandon Ta believes the team will be able to quickly adapt to the circumstances of the next game.
“I think we made some good adjustments towards the end and I think next time we play them, we’ll kind of make those adjustments faster.”
Head Coach Joseph Arechiga summed up the season, saying despite an up-and-down season the team ended strong.
“Today, against Santa Barbara, was the end of our first half of the conference and I feel like we ended on a very strong note,” Arechiga said, “The game itself was kind of like a summary of our season so far, it was very up and down.”
The Brahams will go up against the Santa Monica Corsairs for their next home game on Friday, March 28, at 6 p.m. in the South Gym and will be playing against the Vaqueros again on April 11, for their last game of the season.
John Cordova / Roundup News
Pierce maintenance worker Dima Cortez installs baseball bases on
College in Woodland Hills, Calif,.
John Cordova / Roundup News
Pierce Joe Kelly Baseball Field is closed for maintenance at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif, on March 20, 2025.