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Volume 143 Issue 4
On page 8, the name of the head coach of the women’s soccer team is Adolfo Perez
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On the cover:
Pierce College defense Matthew Trejo and Allan Hancock midfielder Adrian Gaona fight for the ball at Shepard Stadium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 7, 2025. Photo by Bryce Edwards.
Editorial: From the desk of the Roundup
No Sugarcoating, Pierce College needs to take charge
Diabetesis one of the fastest-growing chronic diseases in the world, affecting nearly 537 million people worldwide.
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, which helps promote prevention and management strategies.
Diabetes can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender, and there are nine different types of diabetes that affect people.
A diagram by the worldpopulationreview. com shows that there are five countries that rank top in diabetes, with the United States having an estimated 32.2 million people in 2021, compared to 2011, when it was 23.7 million.
According to trustedcare. co.uk, the most common are type 1, type 2 and Gestational Diabetes. The other types are Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY), Neonatal Diabetes, Wolfram Syndrome, Alstrom Syndrome, Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) and type 3c Diabetes.
Although some of these may be rare, they still affect
the body in different ways. Some of these side effects include blindness, hearing loss, optic atrophy and diabetes mellitus.
Not all diabetes cases are directly related to unhealthy habits and being overweight..
Some are due to genetics, autoimmune problems, damage to the pancreas and hormonal changes for women during pregnancy.
It is crucial to go to the doctor and get a check-up to help detect diabetes early and possibly reduce the side effects that are preventable.
Nearly 98 million people are older than 18 in the United States, and 33% of teenagers are prediabetic with high blood sugar levels but not high enough to be classified as type 2, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Many factors can cause diabetes; there is not one single cause that can be pinpointed as the main source of this chronic disease.
The root causes can range from excess body fat, like visceral fat, to poor diets that are high in processed foods, environmental factors and
even sedentary lifestyles.
According to Noobgains, about 60.9% of first-year college students gain weight during their freshman year. But in reality, only about 5% of students actually gain 15 pounds or more.
The infamous Freshman 15 is real, but only to an extent. In reality, the average weight gain is lower than expected, with students gaining between 3 and 7.5 pounds. While a small percentage of students gain fifteen pounds or more, according to an article by Earth.
There are many ways to prevent type 2 diabetes; one of the main ways can be by getting help from a licensed professional.
Another way it can be avoided is by choosing a healthier lifestyle that includes whole foods, regular physical activity, weight management, regular checkups and managing stress.
Sometimes, some people use food as a stress reliever without realizing it, which often turns into weight gain and not being able to control what they eat.
Implementing these lifestyle changes and monthly checkups can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Pierce College should try to invite health professionals to talk about these issues and inform college students about what they can do.
Offering more physical activities apart from the kinesiology courses students can take, they should also allow for activities in between classes to help them de-stress and get their bodies moving.
According to the American Diabetes Association, developing a Diabetes Prevention Program can help educate students about lifestyle changes and educate them about what causes this chronic disease.
No one in this world is born with knowledge; it is normal to feel lost and afraid when it comes to being diagnosed with any type of diabetes. But it shouldn’t be something that needs to be overlooked; instead, it needs to be talked about because that is the only way it can be prevented and monitored healthily.
A shoulder to generate on: AI cannot replace therapists
By Emily Garcia Campus Life Editor
With the rise of artificial intelligence, poor mental health and expensive therapists visits, people are increasingly relying on chatbots for therapy.
Although this can be convenient for your bank account and easily accessible, AI may be doing more harm than good for your mental
health.
Nearly 50% of people would benefit from therapy, but most are unable to reach them.
As a result, people have taken to social media to share that they’ve used ChatGPT as a therapist, according to a study by Stanford University, “AI therapy chatbots may not only lack effectiveness compared to human therapists but could also contribute to harmful stigma and dangerous responses.”
Stanford University’s research study of AI using therapeutic guidelines to make a good human therapist showed that AI stigmatized issues such as alcoholism and schizophrenia in comparison to depression.
Ph.D. candidate Jared Moore said, “This kind of stigmatizing can be harmful to patients and may lead to discontinue important mental health care.”
The research team tested
a second experiment. They asked AI to respond to suicidal idealtion in a conversational setting.
A human therapist would naturally push back and help the patient reframe their thinking safely, but research showed that chatbots enabled the dangerous behavior each time.
There is a high demand for affordable healthcare in the United States. It’s no surprise that people are turning to A.I. for therapeutic sessions.
An article by Vice shared the story of Gillian [last name not provided], a 27-year-old in Washington, who used ChatGPT for therapy after not being able to afford in-person treatment.
Gillian told Vice, “Even though I received great advice from [ChatGPT], I did not feel necessarily comforted. Its words are flowery, yet emptyAt the moment, I don’t think it could pick up on all the
nuances of a therapy session.”
Using AI for therapy can be a tool but should not replace human therapists due to their authenticity.
According to a study by Brown University, it revealed 15 ethical risks for users, including lack of contextual adaption, deceptive empathy, lack of safety and crisis management and poor therapeutic collaboration.
Although AI lacks ethical morals, it would still help reduce barriers such as healthcare costs and availability.
It should just be widely known that the results of AI need more human insight due to its risks.
November 12, 2025
Does having a side hustle help students in the long run?
Side hustles benefit students and teach real-world skills
By Gabriella Carlos Reporter
Side hustles lead to burnout, decrease performance
By Olivia Muñoz Reporter
“I go to people’s houses, collect recyclables and bring the recyclables to my house to sort them, and then I take them to a center where they get processed and I get paid for it.”
Andre Montanaro - Undecided
Havinga side hustle as a college student may seem stressful. Still, it can help students to learn effective time management, alleviate financial stress due to rising living costs, and acquire valuable real-world skills after graduation.
Side hustles, such as content creation, tutoring at a college, or freelance work, can help students earn some income to reduce some of the stress associated with their financial status.
Financial burden during college days is one of the primary concerns students face throughout their educational journey.
According to NeighborBlog, “while many college students and recent graduates work part-time to help cover their bills, we found that gig work
Collegestudents are among the most stressed populations in the United States., According to various medical studies compiled by Transforming Education, students juggle between academic obligations, familial, and professional responsibilities while trying to maintain a social life.
Pursuing a side hustle on top of all of this, can only exacerbate stress, this can lead to burnouts and a decrease in academic performance. This can cause a decrease in mental health and other problems.
Side hustles may seem like a viable and beneficial way for students to make some extra cash to support themselves. According to a survey by Lending Tree, 43% of Americans use side hustles as a way to pay for day-to-day expenses. But they are not as
is the most common way for young people to earn extra money.”
Side hustles don’t require as much time as a part-time job would; this helps students stress less at school. Those who have a part-time job are not always able to live paycheck to paycheck due to the rising costs of living.
According to Aviva, “Students today spend an average of 9.6 hours per week on their side hustle, with 32% working 11 hours or more.”.
Learning to balance a parttime job, a side hustle, and school can help students develop responsibility and practical time management skills. Prioritizing work, meeting deadlines, and adapting to having a real job for money teaches students to work at a professional pace.
beneficial as they may first appear.
According to an article by Forbes, students need to consider the financial viability, flexibility, potential demand and received satisfaction of the hustle. All of these considerations can themselves be added stressors to students and require more effort and sacrifice compared to what they will receive in return.
The same Forbes article listed the many downsides of side hustles, including the need to divide your focus, the extra demands that come with another job and little profitability. These are all important problems that can make students’ lives harder than they already are.
According to a report by Trellis Strategies summarizing a Student Financial Wellness study, 67% of respondents
“I work at Burlington as a seasonal worker, because I needed money for school. I need to buy supplies and my tuition fees, so that’s mainly the reason why I work.”
GiselleGarcia-STEMMajor
Exploring different passions and trying new hobbies is one of the significant benefits students can gain from having a side gig.
According to Aviva, 17% of students with a side hustle want to pursue a personal interest, hobby, or passion related to their side job.
Learning about different niches and interests in a job setting allows students to master their passions and view them from a career perspective. With this, students can make extra income to help with the financial burden of college.
Gaining experience in what they are passionate about can help steer them in the right direction, facilitate networking, and enhance their resumes.
“Engaging in side hustles
“reported working for pay, contributing to time poverty, lower academic engagement, and elevated rates of food and housing insecurity.”
Maintaining a side hustle on top of a job and school would only contribute to these issues and make it harder for students to keep up with the increasing workload.
A New York Times article mentioned other issues such as taxes and forcing those seeking a new stream of revenue to be “their own accountant”.
Not only that, but the article points out how side hustle culture has glamorized and romanticized what is essentially exhausting yourself to survive in this economy.
Juggling three jobs, school and life is not empowering, it’s killing people. The National Library of Medicine published a study demonstrating how
Do you have a side job?
“I do jewelry making and crafting on the side. I sell at flea markets and swap meets because I need the extra money.”
BreannaFletcher-GardeningCertificate Program
opens doors to networking opportunities, allowing students to connect with professionals, potential mentors, and like-minded individuals within their chosen field,” according to Home From College. “These connections often prove instrumental in securing internships, job opportunities, or partnerships in the future.”
Creating connections and using the available resources makes it easier to secure a fulltime job after graduation, as the skills and experience have already been acquired.
With the gained experience and knowledge from a side hustle, landing a job and getting used to working in a real-world environment can be beneficial outside of a college setting in the long term.
burnout from work increases worker’s mortality rate. A BBC article chronicled how overwork is causing health issues that eventually lead to death, citing published studies by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Monetizing your passions through a side hustle often drains all of the joy and fulfillment you receive out of those passions.
Another BBC article dives into the complexities that arise from making your passion your job, something that requires work and life balance as well as the pressure to continue loving what may become stressful and taxing in the long run.
“I work at a Mediterranean market. I have it because I need money, if I’m completely honest, but I also really love the people there. It’s a good job.”
Kai Lani Adams - Business Major
“I am a facilitator for a drum company. They do music therapy with people with dementia, autism, of all different ages. I do it because it supports my family.”
Wallace - Wildlife Major
Dahlia
Interviews by Brianna Fuerta
Photos by Josue Aquilar
Five delicious reasons to eat at Pierce College
By Leah Sklarski Reporter
The breakfast burrito consists of a soft flour tortilla, two eggs, choice of bacon or sausage, hash brown, red and green bell peppers, a mild cheddar and monterey jack cheese blend and molcajete style salsa. This burrito has a variation of different enriching flavors that make this combination so tasteful. Enjoying this meal hot with melted cheese and warm veggies creates an absolute amazing taste. The Breakfast Burrito is one of the fan-favorites. This meal is a good size proportion and will leave one feeling full and satisfied.
I would say this is definitely a go-to meal that I would want multiple days a week. When it comes to starting the day off right, few meals can
compete with the breakfast burrito. Packed with protein, flavor and comfort, this meal offers everything a student could want in a quick, satisfying breakfast. Enjoying it hot, with melted cheese and tender vegetables, creates a mouthwatering combination that feels homemade and comforting which I enjoy.
TheChicken Ciabatta Caprese is a great sandwich for those meat lovers. Sometimes, the best meals are the simplest ones. The caprese sandwich is the perfect example of that. This sandwich is one of my top favorites off the menu.
It consists of grilled chicken, pesto sauce, tomato, fresh mozzarella cheese and balsamic glaze served on a semi firm ciabatta bread. The pesto and balsamic glaze flavor is what really brings this sandwich to life. The
fresh mozzarella cheese adds a soft, moist and creamy taste. The combination of these rich ingredients together make for a delicious satisfying sandwich. I could see how this item can be a staple item for students who come to the Brahma cafeteria. It is a classic sandwich with a crunch on the side, that being the sweet potato fries, the best side order ever. I find this combination to be the best and with these flavors that are just so satisfying and delicious.
TheVery Veggie sandwich, a vegetarian option, served on white bread and consists of avocado, tomatoes, mushrooms, red onions, sprouts, lettuce, mayo and mustard. The avocado gives the sandwich a smooth richness that replaces the need for cheese or meat entirely. The tomato adds some juiciness
to the creaminess which is a nice balance. The mushrooms add an earthy taste making the sandwich feel substantial. Adding red onion and sprouts gives texture with a satisfying crunchiness. Mustard and mayo adds a nice cream blend to the sandwich which gives it flavor. In my opinion this item was the least flavorful and most bland of the items I tried thus being my least favorite item.
TheShort Stack pancakes is general manager and Chef Nestor Galvan’s favorite items. This dish consists of two fluffy pancakes, syrup, powdered sugar, butter and whip cream upon request, with an upgrade including strawberry compote and hershey chocolate syrup. The strawberry compote adds a sweet, fruity taste with each bite. This is a great option if
wanting more of a sweeter taste and soft texture.
TheWestern Burger is another meal they have on the menu. This burger just screams with western flavors so if you are looking for that type of taste, this burger is for you. This burger is made with a spongy bun, burger patty, cheddar cheese, bacon, onion rings and barbeque sauce. The barbeque sauce in combination with the onion rings creates a tasty unique flavor that I have not tried on a burger anywhere else. As much as I really enjoyed the flavors, personally, I would put this burger on the bottom of my list, that is because I gravitate towards more of a traditional cheeseburger myself.
Breakfast Burrito
Short Stack Pancakes
Very Veggie Sandwich
Chicken Ciabatta Caprese
Western Burger
Photos by Damian Celedon
LACCD board protects journalism and academic freedom
By Ivy Jade Garry Reporter
TheBoard of Trustees took the time to advocate for journalism and the rights of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) faculty, staff and students during an increasingly polarizing political climate at their meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
LACCD board members hear the grievances of concerned students and staff from colleges within the district.
Early in the meeting, Deborah L. Harrington announced her retirement from her position as the Dean for Student Success for the Los Angeles Community College District.
“It has really been a privilege being all these years in the district -almost 30 years- and serving the students that we do,” Harrington said.“ We serve the most student population in the country, and they are the future of our country.”
Social Sciences Division Chair at West Los Angeles College, Tiffany Lanoix, brought up how faculty were becoming increasingly concerned about the political
climate in which they are teaching and questioned how the LACCD and Board of Trustees can ensure the safety of staff and students alike.
“We want to have institutional resources at the ready, for when faculty, staff, or students have their safety or rights attacked,” Lanoix said. “Our goal is to demand action and know in advance what our institutions are legally bound to do and what they are morally willing to do in the midst of immorality and a societal decline into authoritarianism. We want to see a comprehensive plan for responding to ICE that threaten faculty, staff, and students.”
Kristine Wright, a sociology professor at Los Angeles Southwest College, continued the conversation about the LACCD backing its students and faculty.
“It will take organizing of everyday people and solidarity to move this country, this state, and yes, this district to a more progressive place where our actions match our rhetoric,” Wright said.
The Journalism Adviser at Los Angeles City College, Rhonda Guess and student Jeremy Cuenca, spoke about how the cuts to their journalism program have negatively
impacted students and the number of opportunities they are granted.
“This is the promise public education made real: don’t allow other people to interrupt it. Where can our students go to get this type of education for $46 a unit?” Guess said.“You have to protect journalism, the country isn’t, but you can, the
LACCD and its wisdom for a program that’s been around since 1929.”
“I have had a lot of hardships in life, and I feel like journalism has given me a lot of opportunity; it’s made me feel like I can change my life,” Cuenca said. “It gives students a voice, and with everything that’s going on in
the nation, it’s scary to know that this voice can be taken away from us so easily. I feel like with all the opportunities offered through the program, these stories are from students, for students.”
The next LACCD Board of Trustees meeting will be on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Pierce Democrats and Film Club hosts ‘V for Vendetta’
By Chris Rubinstein Reporter
As conflict and tension rise in the American government, the Pierce College Democrat club and Film club wants to remind Pierce students what resistance looks like. They did this by holding its Political Film Festival on Fascism, Nov. 3 , screeningthe film “V for Vendetta” in the Great Hall.
Adapted from the Alan Moore graphic novel of the same name, “V for Vendetta” follows Evey (played by Natalie Portman), a young woman who crosses paths with V (played by Hugo Weaving), an anarchist who is trying to topple the fascist totalitarian government that has taken over London.
Controversial topics like the Immigration Custom Enforcement (I.C.E.) raids, the definition of totalitarianism and fascism, how the current government administration had fascist and totalitarian tendencies, and if violence or non-violence was the answer when dealing
with fascism were some of the topics that were discussed by the panelists.
Throughout the panel history professor Christopher Strickland talked about the different parallels he saw between the movie’s fascist empire and the different empires that have existed throughout history. He also contended with the film’s politically violent message, pointing to a final scene where a historically relevant mounument is destroyed.
“They’re basically blowing up symbols, right? And so there wasn’t really any kind of physical violence towards an individual in that last scene at least,” Strickland said. “ but basically I think that it’s complicated because the milieu of society kind of presents different circumstances that one will have to face. Even some people believe that self-defense is a form of nonviolence, for instance, right?”
Strickland also said that films like this are important because they inform the public of the dangers of fascism and can lay the foundation for a resistance should America’s history be revised.
“It definitely represents
the best that we can have if everything else were to be taken away,” Strickland said. “But my hope is that young people and the people in my generation and the upcoming generations will continue to fight for our history so that people can learn from it and not forget.”
Political science professor and one of the people responsible for the festival Denise Robb spent most of the panel talking about the ways the government in the film discriminates and ostracizes different groups and how our government does the same thing.
Robb said that this was an important movie to show students given the current atmosphere, . although she wishes she had given a warning to students beforehand.
“It’s got such a modern sensibility now because of what’s happening with the anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric as well as the religious theme,” Robb said. “There’s so many themes that are in the current government now that you see in the crazy fascistic government [from the film].
I forgot about how violent it was though. I hope nobody got any trauma because of this.”
When discussing whether the film’s violent take on resistance would work in real life or not, Robb said that violent uprisings would prove difficult, explaining that soldiers disobeying their government and standing down would prove more useful.
“Our only hope is if people refuse to follow orders,” Robb said. “That’s how Hitler came to power. Everyone just followed orders blindly. And maybe there are some revolutionaries that would succeed with what they’re doing, but I don’t know anybody who owns a gun or knows how to use a gun, and I don’t know anyone who could outmaneuver the military.”
Film Club President Paige Nelson moderated the panel. Nelson said that after learning there wouldn’t be a fascist panel last semester, she became club president specifically so she could make sure there would be one this semester.
“I knew we could make it
happen,” Nelson said. “So we did. We went to ASO, we pleaded our case, and we fundraised as much money as possible for our account. And ASO made a large donation for us to be able to screen ‘V for Vendetta’, because it is $500 per exhibition, so they were very generous.”
When pondering the violence or anti-violence dilemma, Nelson took a different approach to the issue and said that she believes there’s no one way to go about it, but rather a mix of things.
“I don’t think it’s going to be one way or the other,” Nelson said. “I think it’s going to be a bunch of different things from different groups that are going to bring something to the table, and come forth in the name of the greater good.”
The next events on Film Club’s calendar include a Raising Canes fundraiser and director of photography workshop on Nov. 17, as well as a student film festival in the Great Hall on Dec. 3.
Ivy Jade Garry / Roundup News
Jeremy Cuena speaks to the Board of Trustees and on Zoom during the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees meeting on Nov. 5, 2025.
Music showcase composed in community
TOP: (Middle) Dr. Dr. Garineh Avakian sings along with her Pierce College voice Class students at the ASO Concert for the LAPC Music Department Showcase at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov 4, 2025. Photo by Melanie Jurado.
RIGHT: Guitarist Izaiah performs with Pierce College’s Studio Jazz Band, led by Prof. Stewart Rosen, at LAPC’s ASO Concert at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 4, 2025.
Photo by Melanie Jurado.
LEFT: Pierce College Studio Jazz Band, led by Prof. Stewart Rosen, performed at the ASO Concert for LAPC’s Music Showcase at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 4, 2025. Photo by Melanie Jurado.
Sophomores exit stadium with victory over Bulldogs
College forward Ruben Diaz defends the ball from Allan Hancock midfielder Andres Herrera at Shepard Stadium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Nov. 7, 2025.
By Emileo Carreon Reporter Pierce
College men’s soccer team ended Sophomore Night on a sweet note with a win over
Allan Hancock College, snapping the Brahmas’ eightgame losing streak.
The first half started with the
Brahmas showing relentless defense, not allowing any shot on goal.
Pierce was able to maintain their composure this game, resulting in the win over the Bulldogs. Head coach Julio Castillo explained how his team was able to overcome their own emotions while playing hard against Allan Hancock.
“It was more emotional than anything else,” Castillo said. “If we see a team that’s aggressive, we must match the energy. Otherwise, they are going to run right through us.”
The Brahmas were able to walk away the first half with a 1-0 lead, with the help of a penalty shot from Pierce forward Jimmy Bermudez.
Bermudez talked about his leadership on his teammates and his risk when taking the penalty shotagainst the Bulldogs.
“I usually don’t shoot penalties, but I wanted to take it from the team,” Bermudez said. “I know that I’m the
captain and I just want to help out the guys.”
In the second half, the Bulldogs tied the game 1-1. The Brahmas quickly broke the tie when midfielder Ousseynou Diop got an assist by another midfielder, Jesse Castillo to increase the lead to 1-2.
The Bulldogs tied the score again 2-2, but forward Angel Pozo had other plans, scoring off of an assist by Bermudez, breaking the tie and winning the game.
Pozo explained that all the Brahmas needed to do was get support from the team and play hard.
“Just play my game, get all the support for my teammates and the coaching staff,” Pozo said. “We got this,no matter who it is, we’ve played our hearts out.”
The overall standing for the Brahmas is 5-12-1 and finished 3-6-0 in the conference with their last game being held at Oxnard College on Nov. 11.
Brahmas drop final home game against Mission College
By Elizabeth Holodnak Reporter
Women’svolleyball fell to Los Angeles Mission College on Tuesday, Nov. 5, during their Sophomore Night match in the South Gym. The Brahmas fought hard through three competitive sets, but ultimately lost 3-0.
The first set started off with strong help from Brahma outside hitters Caylin Norwood and Valerie Lopez, contributing key kills early on but the Eagles quickly built momentum with fast transitions and strong serves. This resulted in a lead of 10-2 making the Brahmas take a timeout.
The Eagles took this momentum derail the Brahmas
and win the set 25-16.
The Eagles start off with the serve in the second set, lighting up the scoreboard first again.
Although the Brahmas showed strokes of talent, they were short-lived, as the Eagles pummeled their way through the set 25-8.
The third set was the closest of the match,but it ended again with the Eagles closing the set and the match 25-22.
Norwood stated that maintaining positivity helps the team move past mistakes and stay connected.
“This team is all about positive words and support,” Norwood said. “We always remind each other that it’s okay, and to focus on the next point.”
Loza also stated that her focus during pressure
moments comes from mental preparation.
“When I’m at the serving line, I take a deep breath and tell myself I’ve got it,” Loza said, “If I make a mistake, I just shake it off and move on.”
Head coach Joseph Arechiga said he was proud of his team’s growth throughout the season, especially given how far they’ve come from summer.
“At one point, we didn’t even have enough players to form a full team,” Arechiga said. “Now we’re competing with the best programs in the conference, and I’m proud of their progress.”
Following the match, the te Pierce will face Santa Barbara on Friday, Nov. 7 and host Ventura Wednesday, Nov. 12 to close out their season.
Bryce Edwards / Roundup News
Pierce
Myraneli Fabian / Roundup News Outside hitter Valerie Lopez (#13) jumps for a spike against L.A. Mission College at Pierce College South Gym in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 5, 2025. The Brahmas lost 3-0.
