THE
RAMPAGE
The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College
FALL 2018 | ISSUE 3 | SEPT. 26, 2018
A STUDENT GOVERNMENT DIVIDED Chaos, Lies and Disorder Dominate Student Govt. Proceedings
Page 4
Vice President Angela Van Gilder (left) and President Christopher Washington (right) lead the weekly Associated Student Government meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. Photo/Larry Valenzuela
NEWS
ENTERTAINTMENT
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03
Fresno REEL PRIDE FESTIVAL THRILLS TOWER
OPINION
ASG confronts misconduct in meeting last Tuesday Joanna Murrieta | Reporter jomurrieta@therampageonline.com
The Sept.11 ASG meeting’s agenda was disrupted when the president focused on alleged misconduct by the vice president, disregarding regular order. Christopher Washington, the president, displayed a series of emails written by Angela Van Gilder, the vice president, criticising the Environmental Health and Safety
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Committee Operating Agreement, and speaking for ASG when the issue hadn’t been decided as a committee. Van Gilder, in an email to FCC President Goldsmith, wrote that one tenant of the agreement--that having a proxy would not negate the absence of a member--was pointless. Van Gilder argued that the point of a proxy taking notes on behalf of an absent member was to negate that absence. “Otherwise, what is the point
@FCCRAMPAGE The rampage online
of even having a proxy come to get it and take notes when you could just ask the chair for the COM officer for that committee to email you the minutes,” Van Gilder wrote. Deborah Lewis, a child development instructor, had expressed a concern about Van Gilder in an email to Washington. Ernie Martinez, ASG adviser, tried Continued on Page 2, ASG
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Spotlight SERIES: Xochipatli, healing through flowers
Is Community College AS bad as you think?
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2 NEWS 9.26.18
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Fredi Lajvardi addresses the audience at the FCC Speakers Forum at the Old Administration Building Auditorium on Sept. 13, 2018. Photo/Ben Hensley
Fredi Lajvardi Encourages Building Dreams Ben Hensley | Reporter bhensley@therampageonline.com
“If life doesn’t give you a dream, build one.” That was the closing statement from Fredi Lajvardi, retired science teacher and leader of national robotics competition winner, during his speech in the OAB Auditorium on Sept. 13. The presentation focused on the successes of his robotics coaching career, teaching career and his inspirational and thought-provoking seminars based on his students, and his own experiences. Lajvardi shared his story about his leadership and involvement in the national champion robotics team and their struggles and successes when he was a science teacher at Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix, Arizona, and eventually defeating highly regarded college programs, including MIT. Carl Hayden High at the time was plagued by crime, poverty and a stigma of deadend students. He supervised the installation of an electric vehicle racing club comprised mainly of students who were the first in their families to graduate. Lajvardi created interest in science where there was no interest before.
to bring the focus of the meeting back to the agenda. “Our unfinished business from last week was the FAC/ EHS Operations Agreement. Are we here to further that discussion?” Martinez asked. “I’m just wondering if we’re getting off topic here.” Martinez had to redirect the meeting twice, saying he was concerned about the relevance of the emails in the approval or disapproval of the agreement. Washington explained that the discussion was necessary in order to address the extreme faculty concerns resulting from Van Gilder’s email and to provide clarity on the operations agreement for the committee.
“Some of us are lost here,” said Carlos Rodriguez, student trustee. “I think Dr. Martinez is saying that we need to finish the resolution before we move on to the emails.” However, Washington continued to read the vice president’s emails, ignoring suggestions to strictly follow the agenda of the meeting. Washington said the emails were relevant to provide clarity for the senators to vote and approve the agreement. The senators were unaware of what the operations agreement was and still approved. The council moved on after spending over 50 minutes strictly on the misconduct of Van Gilder.
The success of the club at Carl Hayden High was immediately recognized, as they were the first high school to build and race full sized electric powered cars. This, however, led to the groundwork of his more prominent club – the robotics club. After a while, the electric vehicle club transitioned to robotics. Entering a national competition in robotics building, Lajvardi entered the school into a competition, but not with other high schools. Instead, he chose to compete in the college competition. “We learn the most when we fail,” said Lajvardi, reflecting on his decision to enter the competition with colleges. “We wanted their failures to teach.” Despite his best efforts to teach by failure, the robotics team and their robot “Stinky” shocked the robotics world with their underwater robotics national championship. Carl Hayden High won the “judges award,” and an award for “best technical writing.” Lajvardi has been the inspiration for the films, “Underwater Dreams,” “Space Parts,” (book and film), and he is featured in the recently released IMAX film “Dream Big: Engineering Our World.”
Wellness Center Strives to Reduce Stigma of Mental Health Tamika Rey | Reporter trey@therampageonline.com
The Holistic Cultural & Education Wellness Center, a non-profit organization based in Fresno, is working to destigmatize and connect members from various cultural backgrounds to mental health resources. “Often times the stigma associated with seeking mental health options is difficult to overcome,” said Devoya Mayo, cultural broker and curriculum trainer of the Fresno Center. The HCEWC is funded by the Fresno County’s Department of Behavioral Health through the Mental Health Services Act’s Prop 63, which provides funding for minorities and immigrants. All of the educational and
health services are free and open to the public and take place at 4879 E. Kings Canyon Road in Fresno. The HCEWC assists these vulnerable individuals regardless of race, age, sex, or socioeconomic background in becoming self-reliant, and focuses on teaching life skills through a holistic approach. One of the main focuses of the HCEWC is promoting and encouraging a receptive community that is understanding and sensitive to the diverse and unique traits of other cultures, thus allowing room for a cohesive populace where everyone can thrive, feel a sense of inclusion, and merily coexist. “By creating healthy options that speak to the whole person,” Mayo said, “we’re able to
provide less intrusive options and introduce mental wellness messaging and programming
Participants at a workout class at the Holistic Cultural and Education Wellness Center in Fresno,CA on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. Photo/Paulina Rodriguez-Ruiz
that helps individuals to live a full life, mind, body and spirit,” These services include mindful body movement classes such as Yoga, Zumba, Tae Kwon Do; Support groups such as Sikh Spiritual Healing talks, LGBTQ Support groups, and Coffee chats; activities such as meditation, free meal distribution provided by the Community Food Bank, literacy and etiquette classes; complementary healing practices such as naturopathy, herbal remedies, and art/music therapy; and mental health training such as intro to mental health disorders and mental health first aid. “There is already a stigma in talking openly about mental health,” said Raheel Mohammed, director of Maslaha, an organization that seeks to help
disadvantaged groups. “But in many Asian communities, there is an added stigma. Depression is often seen as a western illness and sometimes people view it as a test of faith rather than a medical condition.” A second center, located next to the the HCEWC, known as the Fresno Center, offers immigration services such as applying for a green card, passport, (Medi-Cal), access to food, shelter, and housing. Mayo said, “We provide culturally and linguistically appropriate education, training, workshops, programming and linkage services to underserved individuals and families who may not typically seek traditional Western (clinically based) mental health services.”
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Highlighting the People of our Community
SPOTLIGHT SERIES
Adrianna Alejo Sorondo at her art exhibit “Xochipahtli” at the Arte de Americas Museum in Fresno,CA on June 7, 2018. Photo/Paulina Rodriguez-Ruiz
Xochipahtli: Healing through flowers
Blake Evans | Reporter Position bevans@therampageonline.com
As the healing rituals of the natural world become a lost art, one woman works to reclaim her heritage through the practice of flower medicine. Former Fresno City College student and multimedia artist Adrianna Alejo Sorondo wasn’t born with a green thumb. In fact, she never pictured a future in gardening. “I never wanted to garden before,” Sorondo said. “I’d play outside when I was little, but I never was like the plant whisperer.” Sorondo says her horticulture journey began while she was away for college. “I was learning ok; my dad is doing really bad, my mom is needing help,” Sorondo said. “I don’t know why but I would doodle my dream garden.”
After moving back home, Sorondo began experiencing mental health issues, which led her to discover the healing power of plants. “When I moved back. I don’t know if it was just because I was so depressed or lost, or what but I just started, I’ll try it what’s the worst that can happen, they will die?” Sorondo said. “I started growing things, and I realized that with care I can do these things and it just turned into something that I didn’t expect.” It wasn’t long before Sorondo found she had a knack for gardening. Sorondo became especially interested in the healing properties of the plants she grew. She came to call her medicinal plant practice Xochipahtli—a portmanteau of the Nahuatl words meaning “flower” and “medicine.” She says she learned the word from a woman from instagram called the Kitchen Curandera who makes indigenous food based on plants she finds in the desert. “I learned the word from her [Xochipahtli], and then I was like that’s what I’ve been waiting for, that’s what I do too.” Sorondo says. “I don’t have the background of my grandmother teaching me, like this is the way you do things, I’m just learning from my own intuition and following signs and things like that.” Sorondo says Xochipahtli is a way for her to honor plants back, and teach people that they can incorporate that in their lives even if it isn’t in the same manner. “The plants have given me more of a
9.26.18 NEWS 3 comfort. They’ve taught me alot about myself, and when I am having bad days, they remind me you’re a nurturing person there’s good in everybody,” Sorondo said. A few years after her return to Fresno, Sorondo was invited to work at the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Center’s garden. “A JCO (Juvenile Correctional Officer) started a garden at the facility. My friend needed someone to work on this garden, after the JCO left.” For Sorondo, working at the prison wasn’t easy at first. “It took awhile to get it going, there was a lot me showing up and them saying ‘Oh I’m not feeling it. It’s mostly all boys, ages 15-18, and they put up a very macho exterior.’” Eventually, Sorondo’s Xochipahtli was able to break down their walls. “They’re in a cell all day and just disconnected from the color green. We have guys coming from the gardening sessions talking about how they want their kids to be picking corn.” Sorondo was able to witness the growth of the youth she worked with. “One of the youths I worked with was a violent offender and is now talking about how he named the corn after his son, and he reconnected with his Apache roots. He’s now showing others how to take care of the plants.” Sorondo says plants have taught her “that nothing belongs to us, and that this knowledge is always going to be there. It’s a gift to even have a relationship with plants.” She wants people to know that, “they can do anything, and they can heal themselves if they really want to, not that it’s super simple and cut and dry for everyone, but just to not be afraid to try.”
ASG COVER STORY
4 NEWS 9.26.18
Story and Photos by Larry Valenzuela
C
hristopher Washington, president of the Associated Student Government, turned what was supposed to be a regularly scheduled ASG meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 11, into a tumultuous forum, during which he dragged the student government into a closed session and insisted on a vote to impeach the vice president. Six days before the closed session, on Wednesday, Sept. 5, Washington and Angela Van Gilder, the vice president he wanted to oust, got into a verbal altercation during a Rampage video interview. In the video, Washington stated: “Sometimes, you have to break the rules to get stuff done.” At this point Van Gilder interjected, and warned Washington that they could get “shut down” for comments like that. Washington asserted that he was in the middle of an interview. “This is a profile of the president,” he said. “Are you the president?” The Rampage reporter then posed a question: “Do you two work well together?”
Washington Seeks Van Gilder’s Removal The day before the closed session, Washington told The Rampage that he planned to remove Van Gilder as vice president because he has a “conflicted working relationship” with her. “I believe that presidents and vice presidents are supposed to have a synchronized flow,” Washington said. “I feel like I am being undermined, and people from previous administrations have been backing her agenda.” Washington also said he believed that some people in the ASG revealed the content of closed meetings to others and cannot be trusted to put ASG ahead of their own personal agenda. “I want ASG to be ASG matters,” he said. “I don’t want outside people to come in and influence ASG because that’s ASG’s job to influence the students.”
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He’s abusing his power in ASG. He’s wasting our time trying to remove Van Gilder and not focusing on our students and training our new senators. I think it’s a personal matter that they need to discuss on their own time and leave the ASG out of. Carlos Rodriguez Student Trustee
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IN CRISIS
Washington said Van Gilder’s way of handling certain situations is “really off.” “I do not like the disparaging emails she sends to everyone,” Washington said, adding that Van Gilder’s emails are threatening. Despite promising to share the emails with The Rampage, he has not.
The Closed Session That Wasn’t During the Sept. 11 ASG meeting, Washington, disregarding ASG bylaws and the Brown Act, moved the meeting into a closed session and ordered the two Rampage reporters out of the room. The next day, Washington denied moving the meeting to a closed session when asked by a Rampage reporter. Then he asked Symmone Woods, his speech writer, if ASG went into a closed session. Woods said yes. Washington immediately left the room, only to admit shortly after that he had, in fact, moved the meeting to a closed session and had been caught in a lie. Later, Woods and Anna Munoz, ASG communications officer, said the minutes of the meeting would show another account of what happened. Munoz said the meeting had not gone into closed session because that move was never reflected in the minutes. She said, according to the minutes, no reporters were present in the meeting and that Washington was not trying to get anyone removed from their position. In fact, the minutes of the Sept. 11 meeting show that the ASG did go into closed session. The minutes reflect that there was a closed session and that a vote to remove Van Gilder from her position did not pass because it did not get two thirds of all votes. The minutes also show that Van Gilder asked for an ethics committee, which is supposed to be appointed for any removal. The following day, Washington, along with Trae’Monay Kelley, ICC chair, approached The Rampage for a second interview and
admitted that the meeting was in fact a closed session. Washington said that he was no longer attempting to remove Van Gilder from office and that he lied about the closed session meeting to “protect the integrity” of the ASG. He said he was trying to ensure that ASG’s internal conflicts were not covered in the newspaper. He expressed regret about telling The Rampage about his problems with the vice president. “It seems like the story so far is that I am a liar. OK, I lied. I lied to protect the integrity of my association; that doesn’t vindicate me from lying, I just lied,” Washington said. “It doesn’t mean that I’m a liar because I told a lie. Liars habitually lie.” On whether the internal conflict between him and his vice president was affecting how he runs the ASG, Washington refused to comment.
Chaotic, Free-forAll Meetings A week after attempting to impeach his vice president, Washington used an hour out of the two-hour ASG meeting on Sept. 18 ranting about email exchanges between Van Gilder and Lijuan Zhai, the director of Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning, about the Facilities/Environmental Health & Safety Operations Agreement (FAC/EHS). Washington projected the emails on a TV screen for the entire meeting to see. At the heart of Washington’s position was whether the vice president had personally communicated disapproval of the agreement before the body had discussed or made any decisions on the matter. Trying to get the meeting back on track, Ernie Martinez, ASG adviser, questioned the propriety of bringing up the emails before another agenda item. “Some of us are lost here,” trustee Carlos Rodriguez said. “I think Dr. Martinez is saying that we need to finish the resolution before we move on to the emails.” Washington continued to dis-
cuss the contents of the emails rather than discuss the agreement that the body were scheduled to vote on. Washington said Van Gilder did not use appropriate conduct in the way she speaks to people and that she has a history of being disrespectful. “I am not the only person who has spoken out of line or shamed other people in this association,” Van Gilder said during the meeting. “So if we are going to talk about that, we need to talk about everybody that has ever done that, if we’re going to have any integrity at all.” Martinez chimed in to ask that Washington get to the point with the meeting. Despite the adviser’s attempt to pivot the proceedings back to schedule, the discussions of the alleged misconduct of the vice president continued. Senator Raezhanique Brown accused Van Gilder of blocking her text messages, and Van Gilder said she did not block anyone, but that she had problems with her phone for some time and was not receiving messages. “I don’t know why we are even discussing this at our meeting,” trustee Rodriguez said. “This just sounds like a personal matter.” Washington then requested that Rodriguez be removed from the meeting, claiming that he was making intimidating faces and giving off an “attacking vibe.” In an interview with Rodriguez two days after the meeting, he said that Washington was wasting time on his personal feud with his own vice president. “He’s abusing his power in ASG,” Rodriguez said. “He’s wasting our time trying to remove Van Gilder and not focusing on our students and training our new senators. I think it’s a personal matter that they need to discuss on their own time and leave the ASG out of.”
Van Gilder’s Perspective Van Gilder said in an interview
therampageonline.com on Friday, Sept. 14, that Washington had been working to remove her from her position as VP for a couple of weeks. Van Gilder said voting during the closed session meeting did not pass because there was not enough votes. She was concerned that the closed session meeting and his attempts to remove her violated the Brown Act, which guarantees the rights of the public to attend and participate in local government meetings. Van Gilder explained that law 54957.1 section 5 of the Brown Act specifies the legitimate ways that an organization can go into closed meetings. According to the rule, certain steps must be taken “to consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, discipline, or dismissal of a public employee or to hear complaints or charges brought against the employee by another person or employee.” Van Gilder said that the rules apply in her case because she is an elected official, not a public employee. Section D of the Brown Act prescribes the procedure to discuss the appointment, employment and evaluation of performance, discipline or dismissal of a public employee or to hear complaints brought against the employee. It also notes that an elected official is not a public employee. Van Gilder said she brought these concerns about how the meetings were being run to the executive board of the ASG and Martinez, the adviser, but was told that they would allow the proceedings because it was for discipline. Van Gilder said the closed session meeting as well as Washington’s attempts to expel her were clear violations of the Brown Act. She said when she brought it up to Washington, he became clearly upset with her. When she brought it to the attention to Martinez, he said he understood, but still allowed the closed session to continue. Van Gilder said the ASG had also violated bylaws on Sept. 4, when they also went into closed session. According to bylaws, a twothirds vote is required to go into closed session. She said that because the organization did not
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COVER STORY
9.26.18 NEWS 5
I lied to protect the integrity of my association” -Christopher Washington ASG President
Vice President Angela Van Gilder (left) and President Christopher Washington (right) lead the weekly Associated Student Government meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. Photo/Larry Valenzuela
follow the rules, any decisions they made during the session would be null and void. Van Gilder said she has never been given any information on why she was being disciplined.
Emergency Meeting On Sept. 17, the ASG came very close to another violation of the Brown Act when Washington sent out a mass email announcing an emergency meeting. Washington wrote in the email that there were some pressing matters he wished to discuss with the entire ASG and asked them to not invite their adviser or reporters to the meeting. According to the Brown Act, “an emergency meeting may be called under specific, drastic circumstances -- “work stoppage, crippling activity, or other activity that severely impairs public
health, safety, or both, as determined by a majority of the members of the legislative body.” A 24 hour notice is not necessary, but a one-hour notification of any news media requesting notice is necessary, if possible. When Van Gilder pressed Washington about holding an illegal meeting and violating the Brown Act, she said Washington changed it to an informal meeting, but Article IX of the ASG states, “All meetings of the student senate shall be open to the associated student body members and held during regular school hours with the appointed adviser or representative in attendance. Also, section two of the bylaws states that a special meeting may be called only by a majority vote of the student senate or executive board. No votes on the matter had taken place. Just 20 minutes before the “in-
formal” meeting, Washington canceled the meeting, stating that his adviser scolded him about for violating ASG’s own rules by trying to exclude him. At no point did Washington explain the meeting’s purpose, according to both Washington and Van Gilder.
Insufficient Training? Martinez said the executive board has three returning students who have about a year of experience at FCC, and several years experience at other institutions. He said most of the current members are new to FCC, but that it doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t familiar with the rules or the Brown Act. “One particular way we increased the association’s knowledge in the past was to include trainings in each meeting, which
I will suggest to do if the agenda will allow for the time,” Martinez said. “We also have a very comprehensive Canvas site, which has multiple areas of study. Trustee Rodriguez said in an interview that Washington was doing nothing to teach the new senators the Brown Act rules and the bylaws of ASG. “He’s not pushing us to be trained,” Rodriguez said. “He is just leaving all the newest students in the dark.” Rodriguez also said he believes that it is not in Washington’s interest for the students to learn the proper rules, “because it will just hinder him [Washington] making the rules that he makes.” “Last year we [ASG] were really organized,” Rodriguez said. “This year, it is just completely disorganized. We need to be stable and structured, but right now, we are just loose, and whatever Chris says, goes.”
Vice President Angela Van Gilder (left) and President Christopher Washington (right) lead the weekly Associated Student Government meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. Photo/Larry Valenzuela
6 ENTERTAINMENT
9.26.18
therampageonline.com
Fresno Reel Pride LGBTQ Film Festival taking place at Tower Theatre in Fresno’s Tower District on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. Photo/John Orijel
Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival Thrills Toni Woodruff| Reporter twoodruff@therampageonline.com
The five day Reel Pride Film Festival returned to Tower District on Sept. 19 - 23 with more than 40 films celebrating the LGBTQ community. “It’s the only place where the gay is the star,” Tiana Perez, former member of the board of directors of Fresno Reel Pride, said. This year, Fresno Reel Pride celebrated 29 years. “Tonight is the biggest crowd that I’ve seen in a really long time,” Perez said. “I think a lot of it has to do with Leilani.” Paul Hernandez, a local drag queen better known by his stage name, Leilani Price, premiers in his own film, “The LIfe of Lei: The Man Behind The Makeup,” a documentary. Leilani Price brought a host of newcomers to Fresno Reel Pride. Karina Rodriguez and Rose Margaryan said they attended the Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival for the first time this year in
support of Leilani. “She’s bridging the gap so there is more love and less hate not only in Tower and Fresno but in the Central Valley,” Rodriguez said. Both Rodriguez and Margaryan described Leilani as a “trailblazer” for her efforts in the LGBTQ community such as Drag Queen Story Hour, an event where drag queens get the opportunity to read to children. Fresno Reel Pride played in both Tower Theatre and Vista Theatre. “There's all types of films, but there are also family friendly films too,” Perez said. Perez said the Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival is about spreading awareness and celebrating the LGBTQ community through film and giving gay men and women a place to belong. “It’s really cool,” he said, “to see yourself portrayed on the big screen and not a background character.”
Audience of The Life of Lei screening cheer for the viewing of the film in Tower District, Fresno CA. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. Photo/John Orijel
The Man Behind the Makeup John Orijel| Reporter jorijel@therampageonline.com
“The Life of Lei: The Man Behind the Makeup” showcases the many obstacles Paul Hernandez, the man behind the makeup himself, faces in his personal life. Hernandez’s drag persona goes by the name of Leilani Price, who, in particular, has stood out with her creativity, entertainment and fun personality. Fresno is known for the local popular drag scene with many talented drag queens in town, but not a lot of people know about the true person under the makeup. Price supporters started waiting in line at 6 p.m. to watch the film. Fans were very pleased to spot Price outside the Tower Theatre Thursday, Sept. 19, to greet each and every individual waiting to watch the film. The audience was full of energy and excitement before the viewing began. Going through the process of starting the film, at first it was all fun to have director, Matt Broughton, follow Price and document fun moments of Price’s journey. “There was a scene in the film that kind of changed the entire course of what we’re shooting. I was interested in Leilani, but I wanted to know the person behind it all,” says Matt Broughton, director of “The Life of Lei.” Moments in the film drawed topics on how Hernadez struggled with not spending time with family when he was always at a drag event. At one point in the film, one of the sisters stated that she wanted her brother back in their life, making the emotional moment for the audience. Moments in the film, he also talks about the struggle with depression on how family relatives would be accepting with the career path on the drag entertainment, making the thought if he should stop doing drag for good. As he continued his career as Price, he has taught others that it
Leliani Price (Left) and Matt Broughton (Right) at Life of Lei premiere, Sept. 19. Photo/John Orijel
is okay to feel sad, to feel happy, and to love yourself in every way and form. On doing those actions of leadership and acceptance, it came to the realization that after Fresno Pride 2018, it was now
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It’s OK to not be ok, It’s ok not to fit in. It’s Our time to shine ” -LEILANI Price
known that Hernandez had to continue his career as Leilani Price. “It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to not fit in, because it’s our time to shine more than ever. It’s okay to be fat, fem or to be a drag queen and embrace all of these things. And that’s what I hope people take from this film,” says Price. During the Q&A, Price and Broughton did mention that there will be possibly a part two of The Life of Lei. The screening of “The Life of Lei: The Man Behind the Makeup” made a positive impact to the Fresno community that it has now been selected to be screened at other locations including Fresno State University, Sonoma State, and other locations here in the U.S.
therampageonline.com
9.26.18 ENTERTAINMENT 7
THE FUTURE IS LUCHA Toni Woodruff | Reporter twoodruff@therampageonline.com
First wrestling match of the night at Lucha Fest in downtown Fresno Saturday Sept. 22.. Photo/Toni Woodruff
The Latino based music festival Lucha Fest celebrated its second year in downtown Fresno at the Rainbow Ballroom Saturday Sept. 22 with taco trucks, skate competition, live wrestling and more. “Lucha Fest is a place where everybody should feel safe being who they are, everyone can feel and dress how they want and come express themselves through whatever their art is,” said Anthony Taylor, a local producer who participated in this year and last years Lucha Fest. The local event showcases all kinds of talent from Fresno with booths for artists and local clothing brands, a fashion show and also live music from a variety of genres. “As a young adult, it’s nice to see people my age doing positive things. Lucha Fest is very inspiring and brings the creatives together,” said Isaiah Wiggins, a mutual friend of
artists that performed at Lucha Fest. Though the festival is young and new the community has high hopes for Lucha Fest. “With Lucha Fest already being well known, it could become very popular in Fresno and give artists an even bigger platform locally,” said Wiggins. Fashion designer Kayla Castro showcased a fashion show this Lucha Fest with her brand Brownsugar. “Lucha Fest is an amazing platform for me to share my work,” said Castro. “Nobody has fights going down during festivals, I think it’s dope.” Community member Juan Escobedo attended Lucha Fest for the first time this year because of the festivals popularity, food and diversity, “It’s just cool to see what’s possible at local events, theres live wrestling and taco trucks right next to each other,” said Escobedo.
The Associated Student Government would like to thank the following sponsors for their continuous support of Fresno City College and its students and staff.
8 OPINION 9.26.18
therampageonline.com
CAMPUS VOICES
“Starbucks or Dutch Bros.?”
Community College isn’t as bad as you think Anjanae Freitas | A& E Editor afreitas@therampageonline.com
By Kellie Clark Photos by Kellie Clark
Jan Dority Counseling
“Starbucks, I love their iced mocha coffee with the chocolate and the extra half and half. And for $4.75 it’s not that bad.”
Angela Barajas Criminology
“Starbucks because I am a fan of their holiday drinks.”
Anthony TeNyenhuis Theatre Performance
“Starbucks because I work there and it’s cheaper.”
Courtney Moody Criminology
“Dutch Bros because I love the variety of choices.”
I flew through semesters of college thinking that going to Fresno City College meant that I somehow lowered my standards in education or took a step back, but the truth is, I was wrong. I stopped participating in college at one point because I let society predict the value of my education based of materialistic standards and rankings. The truth is, I was pessimistic about attending a community college. Going to a community college felt like I was a complete idiot. I felt like I was attending a slightly bigger high school with yet still familiar faces. My campus was not as prestigious as Harvard, so somehow that meant I was below everyone else. My senior year of high school, all of my friends were picking their dream schools, getting acceptance letters to big universities, and I was getting an acceptance letter from good old FCC. Sure, I had dream schools in mind, but my colleges of choice came with money, and by money, I mean lots. Whether I had the grades or not, I did not have scholarships or financial aid to pay my way through school. I did not have parents who had a college fund or an extra couple thousand laying around for me. So it was FCC or nothing. I treated college like high school because that is what society had made me believe was the equivalent. Therefore my negative attitude, resulted in my not so positive grades. I realized a year and half had gone by and I felt like I was still in the same place as the first day of college. A student education plan? What the heck is that? A tutor? That was for losers. Yet somehow, they were on the right path to graduate and I was failing and taking classes that were not even transferable.I wasted a year and half of not just my money, but most importantly my time. So before I knew it, I went to my FCC counselor full of remorse ready for an SEP plan. I went to administration and records and filled out elevation slips to boost my GPA. I went to tutors and I begged for help. I spoke up in class. I got to class on time. I took notes, and not just doodles, I took real college student notes. I attended study groups and made flash cards. I got organized, but most of all, I became mindful of how lucky I was to have an education. Not because I necessarily got comfortable, but because I found the beauty in this school. I took the time to admire the character in these buildings, the people who paved the way and created conversations to build this schools foundation and strive for better resources. I built relationships with my professors, and found long-time mentors in them. I stepped out of my comfort zone and I joined clubs, I took action to be a leader in a community college, rather than a follower. As I continue my education at Fresno State Spring 2018, I just wish someone would have told me to be more patient, observant, and appreciative of my education here at FCC. FCC is not just a community college, it is a safe space that allows you the same general education as a few more thousand dollars in debt would. Community college is what you make it, and I made it my safe place. Photo/Pixabay
9.26.18 OPINION 9
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ASG President Is Anti-Transparency and Anti-Press Editorial Board
editorial@therampageonline.com
Christopher Washington, the president of the Associated Student Government, was fine with media access when his experience with the Rampage was one glowing profile after another. That changed when the Rampage began to investigate the relationship between Washington and ASG vice president Angela Van Gilder, following a video interview that went sour. After the two got in an argument on camera, our reporter asked, “Do you work well together?” We worked to answer that question. At first, Washington was very forthright in his interviews about his intention to remove Van Gilder from her position. At first. But when he failed to remove her, and when he lied about a closed session meeting, the Rampage access was slowly curbed. Reporters now have to make appointments through his information officer to speak to anyone. Additionally, in retaliation for a sign on the Rampage door requesting that ASG members knock before entering the office, Washington restricted all access. The ASG office, much like ASG itself, exists to serve the student body. Their door should be open to anyone attending Fresno City College, except the Rampage, it seems. The ASG members later removed the sign, undoubtedly recognizing the contradiction between their supposed mission and a sign excluding the student-run newspaper of the very campus they serve. In an email to his senators, Washington described The Rampage as “a steady flow of reporters hazing our association.” Senators are instructed to offer no comment to reporters until they consult Anna Munoz, communication officer and Raezhanique Brown, public relations chair and Washington himself. The sign that he “may or may not post” is meant to guard the ASG “against having reporters come into our
office without an appointment,” he wrote. Washington promises to seek preventative measures against “bad propaganda” and “yellow journalism,” a term referring to sensationalist coverage. During the ASG meeting on Sept. 25, Washington again instructed his senators to respond with “no comment” to reporters. Declining to comment on a story is well within the rights of any person. The information the Rampage seeks is offered voluntarily, just as it was when Washington first spoke to the newspaper, just as it was when he corrected the record in the face of his own lie. But Washington is a politician and a public servant, even if on the community college level. The Rampage is one of many bridges between ASG and the public. We are a voice, a megaphone, a platform. That platform suited Washington when the coverage was favorable. When the truth was less glamorous, he pulled back and cloistered ASG away from the prying eyes of the public. We live in a world where the president of the U.S. has referred to journalists as the enemy of the people. We’re fake news. We’re yellow journalists. We’re propagandists. Our community is a microcosm of this nation. The truth is that we are not propagandists, and we are not fake news. We’re not a public relations team for the ASG. We’re just journalists seeking truth, students seeking truth. Our cover story this issue documents the ongoing dysfunction in ASG, and President Washington’s repeated failure to remove his vice president. We stand by our reporting and our reporters. We will continue to seek access to ASG. It is our right to probe what happens in our elected student government. It is the right of every FCC student to know. We hope the ASG lives up to its mission and keeps its door open to all students.
Illustration/ Rampage Archive
KETO IS NEW KEY TO WEIGHT LOSS
Illustration/ Pixabay
Peter Lopez | Reporter Plopez@therampageonline.com
On July 16, 2018, I weighed 220 pounds and consistently felt like crap. My energy levels were low, and my body fat was well above 35 percent. And whenever I decided to stuff my face, meals would often consist of incredibly greasy burgers and fries with a side order of creamy ranch dressing. I would wash it all down with my choice of tasty beer. After consuming fast food meals, my left shoulder would typically go numb and pain within my chest would be incredibly sharp. So much so that I would have to sit and rest in order to catch my breath as if I just ran a long-distance marathon. It was time for a change. That’s when I
decided to journey through the world of Keto, lose 25 pounds (and counting!), and start to live rather than survive. For those who might not know, according to Woman’s Health, the Ketogenic Diet is a high fat, low carb diet which includes “60-75 percent fat, 15-30 percent protein, and 5-10 percent carbs.” Consuming said macros would, typically within 3-4 days, based on personal experience, place your body into a state of ketosis which allows your body to burn fat as a source of energy rather than carbohydrates. And if you thought the Ketogenic Diet was some new fad created by celebrities
and top-notch health-geeks you’d be wrong, as, according to the National Center of Biotechnology Information, the diet started in the 1920s in order to treat epilepsy. As crazy as this may sound, things like burgers (grass fed of course), bacon, steak, pork, and chicken are all deemed acceptable on the Ketogenic Diet. Remember, this diet requires a large amount of fat to burn fat, so you can still enjoy greasy food - just as long as it’s not processed and cooked in coconut oil. I absolutely, 100 percent, love the ketogenic diet. It’s changed my life. It’s who I am. I feel like a complete and total badass now. And it has transformed me into a
more healthy individual. It’s definitely a lifestyle change but the transition was easy. I can still have burgers; just no bread. Pizza is definitely in my life, but now it’s made from almond flour and cream cheese. If you’re interested in finding your personal set of macros for the ketogenic diet sites like tasteaholics, which I use, will set you up. And apps like MyFitnessPal is an incredible tool that allows you to scan food, create meal plans, and tracks your nutritional intake. Losing weight can be daunting, that’s for sure, but it’s a piece of cake (yum!) on the Ketogenic Diet.
10 SPORTS 9.26.18
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New Athletic Director Looks to Expand Upon FCC’s Storied Athletics Anthony De Leon | Sports Editor adeleon@therampageonline.com
Ben Hensley | Reporter bhensley@therampageonline.com
Over the summer of 2018 Fresno City College the search for a permanent athletic director came to an end as FCC hired Pammella Zierfuss-Hubbard to fill the role as head of the athletic department. FCC has been without a sitting athletic director since the departure of former athletic director Eric Swain resigned from his position in order to become director of athletics for the Clovis Unified School District in June of 2017. Cam Olsen also held the position in an interim role until a more qualified candidate could be hired. That is where the hire of ZierfussHubbard met all of the qualifications of what FCC was looking for. A graduate from the University of San Francisco with a master’s degree in sports management, Zierfuss-Hubbard took up an internship with Sacramento State after growing up in Sacramento her whole life. Spending 11 years at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, with her having experience serving as associate athletic director for compliance and her last four years overseeing all of the auxiliaries in the business department. But athletics is where Zierfuss-Hubbard knew she wanted to be involved with. “At that time overseeing auxiliaries, I was ready to come back to athletics,” said Zierfuss-Hubbard. “I really missed it, so I pressed my husband to get out of Alaska.” Zierfuss-Hubbard’s journey to FCC came about after wanting to get back into athletics after time away due to numerous budget cuts that took place in while in Fairbanks, a referral from a friend at the Central Valley Conference office led her to applying for the open position at FCC. “My first reaction to the job was FCC was a big program and they are doing a lot of great things,” said Hubbard. Most Zierfuss-Hubbard’s experience has come at the four-year university level, but she was up to the challenge of becoming athletic director. Feeling as though this was her way of getting back into athletics with programs that already have an established track record of winning. “This was a great way to get back into athletics and do some great things,” said Zierfuss-Hubbard. “Work with some programs that are already winning and successful, while helping the coaches do what they want to do, which is coach.” The transition is a much different one as Zierfuss-Hubbard will now have control of a program at FCC that has twice as many sports than what she has dealt with in Fairbanks moving from 10 sports to 21. The enrollment of FCC is also nearly double the amount that of Fairbanks and Zierfuss-Hubbard is adapting to a large scale campus. “You are just dealing with scale and there is just a sheer number of students,” said Zierfuss-Hubbard. “We have about 450 student-athletes compared to 200 in Fairbanks.” Zierfuss-Hubbard is the first athletic director at FCC in nearly five years who is not an interim athletic director or
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It is pretty damn awesome, women’s soccer, men’s soccer and then you throw in wrestling. It is just that the slogan of tradition of excellence is legit.” -Pammella Zierfass-Hubbard Athletic Director
double-duty director and has even stated that FCC President Carol Goldsmith feels that not having a true athletic director for five years FCC has made them five years behind. With this opportunity ZierfussHubbard plans for right now are to get all of the coaches on the same ship. As of right now she is out advocating for the coaches and starting to take the responsibilities of many of the coaches and having them do what they do best, which is coaching. “I am wrangling back from them the stuff that they have been doing on their own for years,” said Zierfuss-Hubbard. “I am constantly telling the coaches just let me handle it, earning their trust is what I have been working on the most.” In near future the goal of ZierfussHubbard is to bring the individual sports together under one department instead of each sport doing their own fundraising, social media and appearances. By team is doing their own fund raising it is hard for Zierfuss-Hubbard to fund raise for the sports without double-dipping out of the same well. “Right now I am continuing to let them do it and they do it well,” said ZierfussHubbard. “But at some point and time we as an institution have to realize how much it actually takes to run these programs at a high level. By consolidating the fundraising it prevents coaches from being tapped out due to having so many responsibilities and her goal is to hopefully have the community outreach of FCC become a bit broader.
Fresno City College Athletic Director Pammella Zierfuss-Hubbard. Photo Courtesy Fresno City College
“I envision fundraising for the department overall and the money can be allocated to the different programs so they can do what they need to do.” Said Zierfuss-Hubbard. Two long term goal that ZierfussHubbard felt are very critical to the success of FCC is working on the facilities and the need for upgrades which she has spoken to President Goldsmith about. Another goal is adding more of an administrative team, because as of right now it is Zierfuss-Hubbard and an athletic secretary working on numerous projects. She would love to expand the department because the biggest obstacles standing in her way are time and the need for volunteer and staff. Zierfuss-Hubbard has already made quick work of her time at FCC as the school just signed a deal with PrestoSports to live stream many of FCC sports on their website. As of right now the department is looking for broadcasters in place to cover those games and may look to the journalism department for those who want to give broadcast a try. “We signed this contract with Presto to do the live streaming for all of our sports,” said Zierfuss-Hubbard. “And I know wrestling wants the live streams now and football as well.” Aside from sports Zierfuss-Hubbard is a sports fan and as a sports fan the opportunity to work at a college with such a winning tradition as FCC excites
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her, especially coming off a year with three defending state championships in men’s and women’s soccer and wrestling. “It is pretty damn awesome,” said Zierfuss-Hubbard. “Women’s soccer, men’s soccer and then you throw in wrestling it is just that the slogan of tradition of excellence is legit.” Zierfuss-Hubbard loves the idea that tradition of excellence is the expectation of not only the coaches, but with the whole campus with leadership on down. Although Zierfuss-Hubbard still feels there is room for more of the student body to support each sports program. “I would love to see them at games and I have been working with students activities on what other ways we could get them out,” said Zierfuss-Hubbard. Zierfuss-Hubbard also has her sights set on starting at student booster club, taking the idea from her time at Sacramento State which will have students go out and try to get other students out to the games and involved. The one setback in the way is the high turnover rate due to FCC being a twoyear college. “When students are involved they get other students involved,” said ZierfussHubbard. “They can get other students involved and caring about what is happening.” Zierfuss-Hubbard has big plans in place for FCC sports and wants to make the most of her opportunity to expand and sustain a very successful program.
This was a great way to get back into athletics and do some great things.” -Pammella Zierfass-Hubbard Athletic Director
9.26.18 SPORTS 11
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Fresno City’s Women’s Soccer Rolls past Reedley College
Runa Wristen breaks through two Reedley soccer players during a games at the Fresno City College Soccer Field on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. Photo/Larry Valenzuela Karl Cooke | Reporter kcooke@therampageonline.com
The Fresno City College women’s soccer team (7-1-2, 1-0 conference) was victorious in their match against Reedley (1-4, 0-1 conference) on Tuesday to open conference play, defeating Reedley College 5-0. Coming off a tie against Lake Tahoe on Saturday, FCC scored four times against Reedley. Sophomore Taylor Alkire opened
the scoring in the 10th minute, continued the Rams’ scoring onslaught with a second goal in the 44th minute. Freshman Ariana Rodriguez Perez and sophomore Justine Sanchez piled on goals in the 17th and 44th minutes, ending the first half with a commanding 4-0 lead. Following a productive first half, the Rams were kept off the scoreboard for much of the
second half, seeing only Nia Valero adding a fifth goal in the 85th minute, also coming off an assist. During the first half, Rodriguez Perez scored her second goal in as many games coming off of an assist from Raina Wristen. “We talked at halftime about just executing better. Our speed of play I thought was weak and our finishing was terrible,” head
coach Oliver Germond told reporters at Sideline Chronicles. “You can get away with it in games like this, but you play in close games like we did in Tahoe, it catches up with you. We just got to get bette and I don’t feel like we got better today.” Opening conference play with a victory, the Rams look to capture their 13th conference title in Germond’s 18th year as head coach.
“It takes a lot of work to be successful,” Germond said. “Winning is [difficult], especially after you win a state championship because everybody uses you as their measuring stick.” The women’s team will face College of the Canyons (2-6, 0-0 conference) on Friday in Santa Clarita. FCC goes into the matchup with 41 goals, compared to just seven Canyons’ goals.
Rams falter on national stage, fall 31-3 Anthony De Leon | Sports Editor adeleon@therampageonline.com
This past Saturday the Fresno City College Rams received national exposure as their game against the College of San Mateo Bulldogs, but unfortunately the Rams could not take advantage of the national audience as the fell 31-3. In the battle of Top 20 programs FCC came into the game ranked #16 in the latest CCCSIA poll with a (1-1) record after a week three defeat against Butte. And the College of San Mateo (2-1) enter the week ranked #8 in the same CCCSIA poll, after losing last week to American River. Unfortunately the Rams did not show much resolve after last
week’s debacle as their offensive woes continued into this past Saturday as their offense was even more anemic than the week prior. In 13 of the 14 drives failed to reach more than 40 yards and were only able to sustain only one drive ending in three points. A field in the red zone after a 90 yard drive was all that the Rams could muster against a well-rounded San Mateo team. The turnover battle was a pivotal point in the loss for the Rams as San Mateo were able to forced five turnovers, including three fumbles and two interceptions. Three of those turnovers led to San Mateo points on the next possessions in the form of two field goals and
one touchdown for the Bulldogs. Freshman quarterback Sam Metcalf continued to struggle as he went 14-21 for 138 yards while throwing for one interception. Although his offensive line stepped up their performance giving Metcalf more protection a week after running for his life. Metcalf was not the only quarterback the Rams trotted out onto the field as sophomore quarterback Chris Dye was plugged into the offense to see if they could get something going. Coach Caviglia sent in Chris Dye for a few series in the second quarter and also to finish out the game going 5 of 7 for only 22 yards, but Dye’s
day was not anymore successful throwing two interceptions of his own, including a pick-six going back to the house for the Bulldogs. One bright spot for the offense that came out of Saturday’s game was that the run game still looked formidable racking up 155 net rushing yards while averaging 4.2 yards per rush. Freshman running back Rico Rosario led the team with 80 rushing yards, bringing his season total to 191 yards. On the other side of the ball San Mateo had the run game working in overdrive as they were able to rush for 205 net rushing yards while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. The defense
was wearing down as San Mateo kept the running moving racking up 43 rushing attempts slowly chipping away at the Ram’s defense. San Mateo quarterbacks Terrell Carter and Matt Adamkiewicz combined for 12 of 20 with 149 yards through the air with both adding touchdowns passes. After two straight weeks of losses where the Rams looked out of wack compared to their season opener, they hope to turn the tide on Saturday, Oct. 6 against the College of Siskiyous. That game will be a make-up game of their week two matchup that was canceled due to wildfires.
12 SPORTS
9.26.18
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Keri Leake spikes the ball during a match with Taft College at the Fresno City College Gymnasium on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Photo/Larry Valenzuela
FCC takes down taft, remain undefeated in conference Ben Hensley | Reporter bhensley@therampageonline.com
The Fresno City College women’s volleyball team (8-3) took on the Taft College Cougars (3-8) on Sept. 19 in their final home appearance before a fivegame road trip starting against College of the Sequoias on Sept. 21. Sophomore Keri Leake led
the scoring with 18.5 points and 12 kills. Freshman Marina Gonzalez also had a strong showing with 16.5 points and 17 kills. FCC came out strong, jumping out to an 11-4 lead before the first time-out was called. Taft looked overwhelmed by the Rams in the opening set, giving up multiple kills and aces
before rallying near the end of the first set, ending in a 25-14 Rams victory. Taft rallied in the second set, drawing within one point midway through the set. The Rams, who seemed to lack energy in the set, traded serves with the Cougars, but ultimately pulled away to a still impressive 25-15 victory.
The third set began much like the second, with both teams trading possessions multiple times before the Rams were able to pull away. Starting with several sloppy serves by both sides, the Cougars seemed to run out of gas by the end, only managing to score 12 points in the final set, ending 25-12. The victory marked the eighth
win for the Rams who improve to an 8-3 record overall, while the Cougars fell to 3-8. The Rams next home game will be against Merced College (6-0) on Oct. 3. Merced – currently undefeated – will likely prove to be a challenging opponent for the Rams. Both teams are undefeated in conference play.
COACH GERMOND WINS 300, SETS SIGHT ON BIG SEASON Ben Rodriguez | Reporter brodriguez@therampageonline.com
Coach Oliver Germond speaks to his team in the post game after their victory against Reedley College on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. Photo/Larry Valenzuela
Coach Oliver Germond Looks Forward to Another Winning Season After 300th Win Coach Oliver Germond after his 300th victory, said it just feels like another game. The win wasn’t about him, it was about the players and the season ahead. Coach Germond is all about creating opportunities for his players at the next level, it isn’t about wins or championships. His goal every year is to get to the Final Four because he feels like that gives his players the best opportunity to be seen by four year schools. “My favorite part is that we get kids from different backgrounds and to be able to see them transfer is what motivates me,” Germond said. Originally from Switzerland, Germond moved to the U.S. when he was 9-years-old. He is in his 18th year at Fresno City and has produced one winning season after another for the Rams.
Germond won his 300th game against Canada College on Sept. 7. After the win, Coach Germond said: “You know I never thought about that number. To be honest with you I never thought I would be here 18 years. It has gone by so quick.” It wasn’t always easy for Germond who got hired just two weeks before the first match in 2000. That team only won 7 games and had 12 players in total. The next year Germond changed the dynamic of Fresno City College soccer, leading them to a 17-2 season. That year they were one win away from the final four, falling to Santa Rosa. “It’s important to surround yourself with good people, I’ve been blessed with amazing assistant coaches,” Germond said. Germond and the Rams are already off to a great start this season with a 6-1 record. There’s still 14 games left, but the goal of reaching the Final Four is as important as ever.
Germond talked about how getting to the final four is always the goal, once in it, truly anything can happen. Germond puts a high level of importance on getting his players to transfer to great schools. The schools include Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, San Diego State and Long Beach State just to name a few. The Central Valley is the prime recruiting spot for Germond and his team of coaches. “My philosophy with recruiting is to leave no stone unturned, I go to small schools, big schools, doesn’t matter,” Germond said. Germond says he looks for quality kids that take care of their academics and can help contribute to a state championship team. The I.D. camp held on Oct. 7th is a great way for coach to connect with the local community and give back. It’s also a great opportunity to be seen and show off a bit in front of college coaches.