Issue 3 Spring 2020

THE RAMPAGE The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College

Spring 2020 | ISSUE 3 | February 26

MEET THE CHALLENGERS Esmeralda Soria and Kim Williams challenge Jim Costa for the 16th Congressional District while Phil Arballo, Bobby Bilatout and Dary Rezvani compete for a chance to replace Devin Nunes in the 22nd Congressional District.

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Esmeralda Soria, upper left, is competing in a democratic primary against Kim Williams, clockwise from Soria, for the 16th Congressional District seat occuped by Jim Costa. Bobby Bilatout, Dary Rezvani and Phil Arballo are challenging Devin Nunes for the 22nd Congressional District seat. Photo Illustration/Tommy Tribble

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Entertainment Faculty weigh in on the importance of black history month.

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J.D. Ortiz has been an important player for fcc but every game is important to him.

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2 NEWS 2.26.20

THE RAMPAGE

The student-run newspaper of Fresno City College

STAFF

Editor-in-Chief Ben Hensley

News Editor Hannah Lanier

Sports Editor Patrick Henslee

Entertainment Editor John Bruce

Opinion Editor Kris Hall

Social Media Editor Moises Buitrago

Multimedia Editor Kiara Alcaraz

Art Director Tommy Tribble

Reporters

Adam Peters Alejandro Iglesias Alexis Garcia Aundriauna Del Toro Brianna Beltran Floritzel Garcia Hernandez Hannah Medrano James Mora Janine Tate Julia Espinoza Julie Chavez Kiran Kaur Luis Barreto Mayra Martinez Monica Flores Garcia Natalie Gallegos Ricardo A. Reyna Ruby Roque Sean Bowen Vicente Vasquez

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Women in Engineering Day Highlights Importance of Women in STEM Field Ben Hensley | Editor-in-Chief bhensley@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College hosted its first annual Women in Engineering Day at the math and science building on Friday, Feb. 21. The event focused on emphasizing the importance of female presence in the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and promoted a future in which women are equally represented in the STEM field.

The event was sponsored by Chevron, who presented the college a $75,000 grant for equipment to be used by the department. Fifty Chevron volunteers traveled from Bakersfield to attend the event and offer assistance to the 55 Fresno High School students in attendance.

“They [Chevron] have been donating to us every year which has allowed us to get some of the equipment that you see around here,” said Shirley McManus, dean of math, science and engineering.

“They’ve allowed us to build our

engineering program.”

McManus said that the department has already purchased all the equipment that they can this year. However, she hopes that with additional donations the college will be able to purchase more equipment for the department.

The goal of the event, which was hosted by the department, was to highlight the importance of a female presence in the STEM field.

McManus and the department hope the event, which was only open to female high school students, will become an annual occurrence on campus.

“Women in STEM are underrepresented,” McManus said.

“Many young girls in school are told that they’re not good in math, they’re not good in science.”

McManus went on to say that she personally had been told she was only in college to get an “Mrs. degree,” further demonstrating the stigma against women in the STEM field.

“When you grow up with that you begin to believe it and you doubt

yourself,” McManus said.

During the presentation ceremony, SCCCD Trustee Magdalena Gomez gave a personal recount of her struggles in the STEM field, recalling a time in high school when her geometry teacher told her to “ask her brother” for help, rather than assisting her directly.

“My self esteem went a little bit down,” Gomez said. “There weren’t many females in my old job, so for me, just know that the barriers are still there but you’ve broken through.”

While the numbers of women graduating with degrees in the STEM field has increased every year, the percentage of female students graduating with STEM degrees has remained slightly less than half of the amount of male students, according to research from a recently posted article in written by statistica.

“There’s a lot of women that make a difference, and yet we are still getting told that we can’t do it,” McManus said.

“There are not many female deans of math, science and engineering in the United States,” McManus continued. “When I go to conferences or things like that, they don’t want to talk to me, so I have to bring my husband with me; and then they’ll talk to him, and then they’ll talk to me.”

McManus says that this event is an attempt to reach the young students and show them that they are capable of succeeding in the STEM field. Through their work with local K-12 schools, they strive to show female students looking to go into the STEM field that their education matters.

“Our instructors Nell Papavasiliou and Dr. Liz Adams go to grade schools with kits and they give them to the teachers and teach them how to teach engineering so we can start at the grade school level, so we can show these kids that they can do this,” McManus said.

Adviser/Instructor Kathleen Schock

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Female students attending the women in engeineering day at Fresno City College look on as FCC engineering instructor Nell Papavasiliou gives a demonstration on robotics.

Photo/Ben Hensley

The Legacy of Norman Mineta: A True Testament of American History Luis Barreto | Reporter lbarreto@therampageonline.com

Tip Line 559-422-8262 Letters to the Editor editorial@therampageonline.com Corrections media@therampageonline.com Any correction needed for an article should be brought to the attention of the staff of the Rampage. The Rampage is committed to accuracy and should be made aware of any mistake in an article that appears in this paper.

Views expressed in the opinion pages are those of the individual writer and not of the newspaper.

The Rampage is produced by students of the Journalism 11 A, B, C, D class.

Chevron committed a $75,000 grant to the math/science department as part of their participation in the first annual women in engineering day at Fresno City College on Feb. 21, 2020. Photo/Ben Hensley

Fresno City College held a screening of “An American Story: Norman Mineta and His Legacy” on the week of “Day of Remembrance” on Feb.18 in the Old Administration Building Auditorium.

Norman Mineta himself was scheduled to make an appearance, but was unable to travel to Fresno for healthrelated reasons.

Dianne Fukami, director of the hour-long documentary, gave some insight into the film, explaining that it has been in production for over seven years and should be ready for its final unveiling on April 1st of this year. “It’s not just a Japanese American story, it's an American story” Fukami said.

FCC President Carole Goldsmith also gave an opening speech in which she elaborated on Fukami’s points, stating “If you don’t remember the past, you may be destined to relive it.”

The documentary played like a chapter book for the life of

Norman Mineta. The beginning of the film was marked by a voiceover of photos that featured Mineta in his infancy, establishing that he was the child of Japanese immigrants who wanted their son to live the “American dream”. They made learning English, attending school, and socializing with other Americans a top priority for Mineta.

The film eventually segwayed into a brief history recap of the first major interaction that unfolded between the United States and Japan during WWII: the Japanese air-raid on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. Mineta was only 10 years old when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the executive order that sentenced around 110,000 Americans of Japanese descent to internment camps on Feb. 19, 1942.

In the film, Mineta recounted his experience in the camps.

He claimed they attempted to maintain normalcy by continuing schooling and socializing with their neighbors. He said the experience made him want to be

“more American” so that this sort of ordeal never occurs again.

After the interned Americans were rightfully free to return to their normal lives in March 1946, Mineta returned to school where he developed an interest in politics. Although it was unheard of for a person of Mineta’s descent and social status to be active in the political arena, he was popular in his high school, and even became student body president before he graduated in 1949.

Bigger political shifts in his life occured when he was elected Mayor of San Jose in 1971. He was the first Asian-American to hold such a status in a major American city. He was also the first Asian-American to become a congress member, a position he held until his resignation in 1995.

Laura Tsutsui from Valley Public Radio moderated a Fireside Chat after the screening where she spoke with Fukami, film producer Debra Nakatomi, and Dr. Mitchell Maki, CEO of “Go For Broke National Education Center” and friend of Mineta. They shared their

thoughts on the film as well as anecdotes about Norman Mineta.

“Norm is my hero. When I think of what we needed in America and what we needed in our community, I think of Norm.” stated Maki.

Fukami paraphrased Mineta, advising “Take a moment to be with someone of a different mindset than yourself. Challenge your point of views… get out of your comfort zone.”

Nakatomi shared some inspiration “use your vote to do something that matters.” that stemmed from her experiences with Mineta.

Geno Nakai, an attendee of the film screening believes “It is very important for people to know this history… people in other countries need to know the history of Norman Mineta.”

When asked about the film, Goldsmith expressed that the film was “a true testament of American history” and that “people need to get involved and and never give up on trying to make this place a better place to live.”

2.26.20 NEWS 3

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Students for Change Janine Tate | Reporter jtate@therampageonline.com

“Students of color were not always accepted on this campus. Our courses, were not always accepted as part of higher education,” said Karla Kirk, secretary of the African American Faculty and Staff. Photo/Dan Wong

The AAFSA and The Importance of Black History Month Natalie Gallegos | Reporter ngallegos@therampageonline.com

As Black History Month comes to an end, we must recognize why this annual month is important.

“We should take every opportunity to learn about our past and more about experiences of people in the past that have been different from our own,” said history professor Kathleen Crawford.

“Unless you reach out beyond your own experiences, your knowledge of life will be narrower and more truncated and not as full, as rich as it can be and your understanding of life will be narrower,” Crawford said.

Author and English professor Lee Herrick founded a working group comprised of faculty working together to establish a social justice and cultural center on campus.

“I think it’s important to know history, to know this history so we can more fully understand our present in all its positive aspects and its challenges we still face,” said Herrick.

Herrick would encourage people to learn, celebrate, research and discover yearround beyond the icons that are understandably taught in schools.

This could be music, education, medicine, technology, politics or any areas where Black culture and Black history is important.

“There is not a large representation of African American faculty and staff on this campus. Sometimes there is just one person in the whole division,” said Karla Kirk, secretary of the African American Faculty and Staff.

The African American Faculty and Staff is an organization

that strives to support students, looking out for their needs and interests.

The AAFSA also provides scholarships, mentors students through the IDLE program and put on the end of semester African American graduation, a celebration for African American graduates.

Their motto is, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Although the AAFSA are a small group of a dozen active members, they are a united group that strives to go far.

“As a group, we have tried to stay connected to each other to make sure that we have that sense of family and that sense of not feeling alone here,” Kirk said.

According to Kirk, it’s important that African American students see African American educators and leadership so they feel as though they have a place and voice on the FCC campus.

“Students of color were not always accepted on this campus.

Our courses, were not always accepted as part of higher education,” Kirk said This organization started back in the 80’s when students of color had to do a lot of fighting and insisting to have a place on the FCC campus.

“Those fights were done for us and it’s important that we maintain that space we occupy, because the minute we stop fighting for it, they’ll take it away,” Kirk said.

The AAFSA have received support from retired members who make monthly contributions, so the organization can offer scholarships and book vouchers.

Kirk also added that the reason Black History Month is

important for our nation and our country to recognize is because this information is not really taught as a part of shared American History or American identity.

“This is something that for students in kindergarten through twelvth grade, when you’re in primary school, what they get about African American history is slavery and then they get Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, and then they get Barack Obama,” Kirk said.

“And so, that minimizes the impact that people of African descent have had in building the nation that we live in today,” Kirk explained that much like the other months that we’ve had as to classify, there are other stories to tell other than the European version of how America got started, like Mexican American heritage month, Asian American heritage month and Native American history month.

“All of these months are to remind our country, that more than Europeans built this country, more than Europeans are a part of this country and more than Europeans make up the history of who we are as American people,” Kirk said.

As cultural heritage months continue throughout the year, it’s important to recognize these specific months more than just once a year.

“What concerns me is that we define ‘month’ and we forget about the rest of the year,” said Ronda Kelley, Art instructor and African American studies professor.

“Just like people of African descent are black year-round, the history is all year round,” Kelley said.

Students for Sustainable Action is the only environmental club on campus with the goal of making Fresno City College a zero-waste campus.

The club noticed recycling bins have been an issue at FCC and is working to obtain more for the campus.

Trash cans on campus were overflowing with recyclables, so the club took an inventory, said Kiernan Morris, the club’s president.

“We found a ratio of 7 to 1, trash cans to recycling bins,” added Morris. “There were like 147 trash cans on campus and only 20 recycling bins.”

Recycling keeps reusable plastics and other resources out of the landfills, said Morris.

“A lot of the stuff that doesn’t get recycled either ends up in a landfill where its polluting the environment around it,” added Morris. “Or it ends up in our environment leaking BPA and other really harmful biochemicals into the ground, into our water supply and its around our kids which isn’t healthy.”

Morris explained that the goal is to get all recycling bins out on campus by Earth Day. Aside from working to make FCC zero-waste, the organization has another purpose.

“We want to lower the waste streams coming through here, focus on resources that different departments are using, work with the school to minimize the impact it’s having and reevaluate the culture the campus has in regards to environmental consciousness,” said Morris.

Michelle Gerome, the vice president, explained what the club will promote in the spring 2020 semester.

“Education, awareness, issues facing climate change,” Gerome said. “We also just want to create a community of people who are like minded that care about these issues and can work toward these issues.”

Club officers encourage students interested or concerned for the environment to join their organization.

“I feel like a lot of people are aware of the environmental crisis going on, but aren’t exactly sure how to do something to change their part,” said Isaac Chacon, the club’s Inter Club Council (ICC) representative.

Chacon said joining the club is a good way for students to get their foot in the door.

“It’s a really multifaceted club, so there really is a lot of different things for everyone to enjoy,” said Brooke Lutz, the club treasurer. There are so many activities to get involved with and there’s a lot of fun, cool people in the club, Lutz continued.

The club also participates in and hosts different events.

Club members interact with different local organizations, volunteer at gardens, go on hikes and bring speakers to campus, Gerome said.

The club will be hosting an event with the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), said Chacon.

The event is called “Exposing the Pentagon: Hidden Polluter of Water” and will expose the military’s contamination of drinking water.

It will be held in the Old Administration Building, Room 251 on Mar. 19 at 7 p.m. For more information visit www. militarypoisons.org.

The club will be going on a project hike called the “Blue Oak Monitoring Project”, said Morris.

“We’ll be taking measurements of blue oak trees to contribute to a larger project that monitors the health of different tree species in the area,” Morris added.

The hike will be on March 28 in the Sequoia National Forest.

Earth Day is on April 22 and the club will be planning an event for the day on their own or with other organizations, said Morris.

Club meetings are held every Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. in SO-110.

To sign up and get more information students can attend Club Rush, visit the meetings or contact Paul Gilmore from the club list on the FCC website.

Kiernan Morris discussed the agenda at the club meeting with Isaac Chacon, Michelle Gerome, other club officers and members on Feb. 19, 2020. The club addressed upcoming club activities and events, the issue of recycling bins, finances and other affairs in progress.

Photo/Janine Tate

4 NEWS 2.26.20

The Primaries Hannah Lanier | News Editor hlanier@therampageonline.com

On March 3, California, along with 14 other states, will participate in Super Tuesday.

Super Tuesday is the day where the most states and territories vote in the primary election.

Voters in the Fresno area will cast their ballots to decide on presidential nominations and select the top two candidates to move forward to the November general election in the 16th and 22nd Congressional Districts. Also on the ballot is

therampageonline.com

Everything You Need to Know for The Local Primary Races

mayor of Fresno, city council races in districts 2, 4 and 6, as well as the statewide proposition 13.

For the presidential nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders is leading the national poll with 28.8%, according to RealClearPolitics poll conducted on Feb. 25. Former Vice President Joe Biden is trailing Sanders at 17.4%, followed by Mike Bloomberg in third place with 14.8%, and Elizabeth Warren in fourth place with 13%.

The polling numbers continue to fluctuate as caucus states like Nevada cast their votes.

South Carolina is the next state to vote in their

primary election on Saturday, Feb. 29.

As of early Tuesday, Feb. 25, Biden is leading Sanders by 8% in the South Carolina polls, according to RealClearPolitics.

In local elections, congressional candidates are running to beat incumbents Devin Nunes of D-22 and Jim Costa of D-16.

However, Fresno County has changed its way of voting for this primary election.

Every registered voter in Fresno County received a vote by mail ballot, whereas voters used to have the choice to select a ballot by mail

instead of having to vote in person.

This new system eliminated a majority of voting precincts in the county, according to The Fresno Bee. Voters can still participate in in-person voting by taking their vote by mail ballot and turning it in at specific locations in Fresno between Saturday, Feb. 22 and March 3.

Vote Center locations can be found at: www. votefresnocounty.com.

DISTRICT 22 Meet the Democratic Challengers

Bobby BILATOUT (D)

Phil arballo (D) Phil Arballo is a candidate working to make the Valley a better place to raise a family.

As a husband and father who was born and raised in the Central Valley, he cares deeply about issues that affect families.

He wants his voters to decide what’s important to them and he says that, “It’s being able to provide for our family.”

He is drawn to issues like affordable healthcare to cover the expenses of his son’s asthma and safety in schools given recent tragedies from gun violence.

Apart from being a family man, Arballo speaks about his experience as a student and his empathy for student debt. “My wife and I know first hand what it is like to have student loan debt. That is something her and I decided to do,” said Arballo. “We need to make higher education more affordable. We want them [his children] to be able to go to school someday and not have to go into debt.”

Arballo is running because he believes that he is the best candidate to represent his home.

He believes that an essential way to do that

is through accurate representation in Congress of the majority Hispanic community in the Valley.

Arballo wants to be the first Latino elected to congress from the Central Valley.

“We are 49% Hispanic in this district, we need to start voting like it,” said the candidate. “We need to send people to congress that look like us,” he said.

While he would become the first Latino to represent the district, both 22nd Congressional District representative Devin Nunes and 16th Congressional District representative Jim Costa are Hispanic.

“This [representing the 22nd Congressional District] is important to us,” said Arballo.

“My wife and I are not wealthy, we are just people in the community that want to do well.”

Why should we vote?

“There are no excuses anymore not to vote.

There are plenty of people to look up to, to get involved and to have your voice here,” said Arballo. “I think the phrase ‘All politics are local’ is tried and true.

Your vote counts locally.”

Bobby Bilatout is a healthcare executive determined to provide healthcare for all.

“I am fighting to make sure that every person in America will be able to get healthcare and in no way shape or form should anyone have to think about putting a roof over their head or getting their medications to live,” said Bilatout, “Everybody deserves healthcare.”

Bilatout believes that he can make a real impact on behalf of the Central Valley at a federal level. “Less than 5% [of the House of Representatives] have an experience in healthcare. They need more people with experience.”

Bilatout is also passionate about affordable education and believes that it is significant to economic stability. He hopes “that public [college] institutions are able to provide education at no cost of admission--not to put folks into debt.

To make sure economic opportunity is here, in

Meet the Republican Incumbent

Devin Nunes (R)

Photos courtesy of the campaigns.

the Central Valley. So that people do not have to leave to get a better job.”

“I have a better understanding of infrastructure of higher education because I worked in it before,” he said.

Bilatout is running on experience and encourages voters to reach out to their representatives and candidates to best determine who would best represent the 22nd Congressional District.

Why should we vote?

“We are in a time of transition in this country. All the policies that we are putting in place really affect the younger generations, especially those who are in college now. So getting engaged now, and making politicians and representatives hear them is very important,” said Bilatout, “It is very important not just for younger minds to get up and advocate, but also to show up to the polls and vote.”

“

Congressman nunes' campaign did not respond to the Rampage's request for an interview.

Photos courtesy of the campaigns.

DarY Rezvani (D) Dary Rezvani is a progressive candidate who said he got into politics for necessity rather than desire.

“First and foremost, I got into this race because of climate change. I don’t think people are seeing this as the existential threat that it truly is,” said the Fresno City College alumnus turned small business owner.

The pressing issue of climate change was one of the reasons that put Rezvani in the position of running for congress and has become a focal point of his campaign.

“We talk about climate change on a global scale, but [if you want to talk about] environmental justice, we [the Central Valley] have the worst air quality in the entire nation,” said Rezvani.

The candidate has a local plan of action that includes working closely with farmers.

“After doing more research [on climate change] and seeing just how impactful farming has been to climate change and ultimately how it can be a positive

impact,” Rezvani said. “I think that it’s vital to have someone who understands the intersectionality of those two so that we can start working with the farmers.”

Rezvani has an opendoor policy with his voters, encouraging the upcoming generation to get involved in things they are passionate about—fundamentally wanting to just be a voice for the Valley.

“I am not getting in this [race] to talk at people, I am getting in this to start working together,” he said.

Why should we vote?

“We need to start understanding that your vote does matter, and ultimately getting involved in campaigns early enough to make an impact,” said Rezvani.

“We have seen a number of Democrats who are barely Democrats get elected. It’s this entire idea that you have to be a moderate and you can’t have transformative ideas because you have to continue on with what has already been done.”

Hannah Lanier | News Editor hlanier@therampageonline.com

Devin Nunes (Republican) is the incumbent to beat.

Since 2003, Devin Nunes has been in the House of Representatives representing the 22nd Congressional District He has served on several committees for the House including the House Permanent Select Committee of Intelligence.

Congressman Nunes’s campaign did not respond to the Rampage’s request for an interview.

For more information go to: https:// nunes.house.gov/

2.26.20 NEWS 5

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District 16 The challengers

Esmeralda Soria (D)

Hannah Lanier | News Editor hlanier@therampageonline.com

Kim Williams (Democratic) is the former human relations worker who plans to transition her people skills to her time in politics.

Williams compares herself to presidential Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, “He is campaigning on the exact same platform that I am,” said Williams. “I am the only candidate that supports the same policies.”

If she wins, the candidate is excited to take on issues like Medicare for All and debt free college.

“A president cannot do that. We have to have congress,” said Williams. “I am the only one committed to voting for those things.”

The policies that she is passionately working towards in her campaign align best with Senator Sanders. One of the main policies to fight for being affordable healthcare.

“We have reregistered a ton of republicans as democrats--all on healthcare,” said Williams about her experience canvassing the district. “The thing we hear more from anybody else is their concerns around healthcare,” she said.

“The big thing is, once it happens to you, you have a very different look on it.”

Why should we vote?

“I think the reason students don’t vote in general is because no one speaks to them. No one talks to policies that matter to them. They are ignored and they in turn ignore politicians,” she said. “Things have gone so far off track. You don’t see high voter turnout when people are happy, you see it when people are really upset and frustrated.”

Esmerelda Soria is a political science professor at Fresno City College with plans for change in Fresno and around FCC. Being a professor at FCC provides Soria perspective on the difficulties that students face

Kim Williams (D)

The Incumbent

Jim Costa (D) Photos courtesy of the campaigns.

Hannah Lanier | News Editor hlanier@therampageonline.com

Jim Costa currently represents the 16th Congressional District and is fighting to stay.

Congressman Costa is running for reelection on the basis that he has been able to keep his promises throughout his time in office.

“Throughout my tenure in Congress I have had the reputation to reach across the aisle to get things done and deliver for the Valley,” said Costa. “No one else will be able to keep their promises and provide for the Valley the way I have and will continue to do.”

The congressman plans to continue the initiatives that he has been working on such as homelessness, affordable higher education, and healthcare.

On the issue of homelessness, Costa described it as a persistent crisis. “I will continue to champion Governor Newsom’s efforts to combat this issue in California. His commitment of $11.5 million in emergency grants to tackle homelessness in Fresno and other areas of California is a huge step forward in being able to provide workable solutions to this problem,” said Costa.

“Throughout my career, I’ve worked to combat homelessness both in the California State Legislature and here in Congress.”

Costa also spoke on what he has accomplished

Mayoral candidates

Andrew Janz wants to be the change that Fresno needs.

If elected, Janz would be the youngest and first person of color to become mayor of Fresno.

Janz ran for the 22nd Congressional District two years ago and was defeated by incumbent Devin Nunes by a slim margin. He is now taking that momentum and focusing

on the city of Fresno.

“The top issue on everyone’s mind [for Fresno], whether you’re a Democrat or Republican is homelessness,” said Janz.

“That’s where I want to focus my responsibility as mayor.”

Janz has a different approach to the homelessness crisis in Fresno, “You can’t tackle homelessness without talking about poverty, that’s what makes me different from my opponent.”

The other issues that Janz hopes to address are criminal justice reform and ensuring safe neighborhoods.

“We need to focus on creating safe and healthy neighborhoods. We need to really invest in neighborhoods

Photos courtesy of the campaigns.

that have been ignored—most of which are south of Shaw,” said Janz.

The candidate believes that he has the most to offer the evolving city of Fresno and considers the youth to be the ones leading that change, “That is why I am using so much time and energy in making sure we energize the youths’ vote.”

Throughout the campaign, Janz has positioned himself as an alternative to the status quo.

“What we are doing right now is not enough,” said Janz. “If you have a hunger for change, support me in my campaign. I represent what is the future of our town.”

Jerry Dyer wants to “seize the opportunity and make a lasting difference in our city.”

The former Fresno chief of police decided to run for the office of mayor when current Mayor Lee Brand announced that he would not run for a second term, “I was not going to run if Mayor Brand did [run for reelection].”

Dyer expressed that his campaign was initiated

with affordability.

“I am a first generation college student,” said Soria. “I believe that education is the equalizer in our community and we need to make sure it's affordable.”

The candidate said she is working on behalf of all students in Fresno, but has a special affection for FCC students. Soria wants the best educational opportunities to arise from the Valley, both for today’s students and for her future children.

“The middle class families are the ones that get stuck, they don’t get the financial aid that their kids need,” said Soria. “We have to address the affordability.”

Simply, “we need to bring resources to our educational institutions to be able to better support our students.”

Soria is also working towards a healthcare plan that benefits the majority by “making sure that every single person regardless of immigration status, regardless of economic status, regardless of zip code—wherever you live, has the ability to get healthcare.”

The professor explained that the issue of healthcare is personal. “My parents were farmers my entire life. They didn’t have reliable healthcare.”

“I believe healthcare is a human right,” said Soria.

Why should we vote?

“Young people need to take ownership of what they want the future to be for them. Young people feel very disconnected from their elected officials,” said Soria. “A lot of people don't understand how the government actually impacts their daily life. We are all worried with our own lives and forget that everything we do is impacted by the government.”

in his tenure for making college affordable and concluded that education is a vital resource for the region. “Investing in our children's education is central to supporting economic development in our Valley and ensuring that we have an educated workforce that will meet the demands and challenges of the 21st century,” said Costa.

Above all, Costa seeks to continue his position as the representative for the 16th Congressional District.

“One of the best parts about my job is that I get to work on many issues that are impacting Valley residents every day,” said the congressman. “I am working to ensure our Valley has an adequate water supply, protecting our agriculture community, addressing California’s housing needs, strengthening healthcare, ensuring women’s rights, and protecting immigrants.”

Why should we vote?

“Participation in Democracy is absolutely vital to its survival. Young people, who are often voting for the first time, are just beginning to understand the importance of the democratic process. It is important for young people to vote so they can have a voice in their political system, a system that impacts their everyday life,” said Costa.

based off of his “deep love” for Fresno “I spent two-thirds of my life working in the Fresno Police Department, and I still have a burden and a passion for the people in this city,” said Dyer.

The number one issue that Dyer hopes to address if elected is the homelessness crisis in Fresno.

“We need to have a plan of action and work together to implement that plan,” said Dyer. “The plan that I have is consistent with some with the things that have been done in San Diego.”

Dyer plans to follow San Diego’s model by establishing navigation centers with Bridge Housing.

Bridge Housing is a San Francisco based non-profit initiative that provides

temporary shelters to help people transition from the streets into permanent housing .“It is very, very important that we take advantage of non-profit organizations who are in the business of ministering to the need of the homeless,” said Dyer.

“One of the things that I have learned over the years as a police chief, is you have to have a balanced approach to whatever you do,” said Dyer.

“Young adults have a vested interest in not only Fresno of today, but Fresno of tomorrow. Decisions that elected officials make today will have an impact on them in the future,” he said, “It is important for everyone to exercise their right to vote.”

6 ENTERTAINMENT

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The Obscurity Zeitgeist: Surf Rock and Riot Grrrl 2.0 John Bruce | Entertainment Editor jbruce@therampageonline.com

Everyone wants to be in on the next big thing. Bands and musicians are born from underground movements and the biggest artists constantly praise their day one followers, but how do people find out about musicians before they hit it big? John Bruce discusses exactly these kinds of bands and solo artists in The Obscurity Zeitgeist, a bi-weekly column shedding light on the people responsible for the next big thing you don’t know about.

It’s a shame the riot grrrl movement went belly up in the mid-’90s because it gave so many women a voice in punk and alt rock. Some of my spare time is spent scouring Spotify or Bandcamp for rockers with an all-woman roster or with a fiery frontwoman to not much luck.

So last summer, The Regrettes played on Spotify radio and for the next few weeks, they never left my ear.

“I'm not doin' too bad/Even though sometimes I might get real mad” The young band has put out two records, one in 2017—the focus of this piece titled “Feel Your Feelings Fool”—and one in 2019 along with two EPs, one officially unreleased in 2015 and another available on Spotify in 2018.

While their second album takes a slightly more poppy pivot, the ‘90s pop influence is not absent from their first release. In fact, their sound can best be defined as if surf rockers

travelled through time, picked up a riot grrrl influence along the way and found their way into a contemporary garage band.

To be clear, surf rock isn’t that stuff Mac DeMarco puts out. It’s the style of music used in beach party movies from the 1960s and popularized by Dick Dale and the Del-Tones noted for famed song “Misirlou” which modern audiences might know from the beginning of “Pulp Fiction” or from the Black-Eyed Peas’ hit “Pump It.” The Regrettes uses the same style of guitar play—stylized by a vibrato arm and a spring reverb—but they then add frontwoman Lydia Night’s staccato slightly grating voice and distortion atop that to create a unique brand of homemade vocal surf made only by Night and her comrades.

Some of Night’s wailing is reminiscent of Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna who originally spurred the original riot grrrl movement and Night has found a way to pay homage and continue the legacy of punk warriors like Hanna, Allison Wolfe, Carrie Brownstein and Kathi Wilcox.

Even the cover of “Feel Your Feelings Fool” looks like a homemade zine which was critically central to the underground spread of punk in the early-’90s Pacific Northwest.

Their lyrics only make it more apparent where The Regrettes get their core influence.

“I'm so sorry that I wasn't your perfect girl”

Many of their songs, if not the majority from this album, center around relationships.

They take a feminist perspective by looking at them through the lens of a dissatisfied woman or a woman who crushes hard on someone.

It’s a widely ignored viewpoint in most popular romance stories that sometimes women are unhappy or that they have intense romantic or sexual feelings as well and Night brings those to light.

Songs in this vein include “I Don’t Like You,” where a man keeps coming on to the narrator much to her dismay, “Juicebox Baby,” where the narrator feels frustrated or angry at herself for falling in love because it makes her feel infantilized, and “Head in the Clouds,” where the narrator pleads with an arrogant love interest to tear down the bravado and be real.

That song is where we get the titular lyric “‘Just feel your feelings fool!’”

The other side of the album features seemingly autobiographical vignettes of life as a woman in the United States.

Again, like the riot grrrls before them, The Regrettes show a plain, baroque and sometimes vulgar image of femininity.

Songs in this vein include “Ladylike/WHATTA BITCH,” which discusses the gender roles women are expected to play and the backlash if they don’t play along, “A Living Human Girl,” which portrays a realistic depiction of puberty

The Regrettes' album cover for "Feel Your Feelings Fool" is evocative of the zine aesthetic surrounding the Riot Grrrl movement. Photo/Courtesy of TheRegrettes.com

and body hygiene for a girl, and “Picture Perfect,” which tells the story of a popular girl in school who catches the eye of all the students and the rumors that surround her.

Through the lyrics, content and delivery, The Regrettes have solidified themselves as a continuation of the riot grrrl aesthetic into the second decade of the 21st century.

“I know he might seem really cool/But I told her, "Just feel your feelings fool!"

Punk—and rock in general— is not as popular as it used to be, yet bands keep making comebacks expecting raucous applause.

Two pop-punk bands (Green Day and Fall Out Boy) are touring with a former garage rock band (Weezer) this year.

Pop-punk icon My Chemical Romance also announced a reunion this year. Bikini Kill released an album in 2015 after disbanding 19 years previous.

The Distillers, another riot grrrl band, released new music in 2018 after disbanding in the mid-2000s.

Still, young bands in the genre (like The Regrettes) are still fighting for a spot at the table after consistently producing high-quality unique music in the genre. It would not be surprising if they helped some other alternative women in the same class of performance and lyrics come to prominence as well.

So, I look forward to the resurgence of riot grrrl as a sort of Riot Grrrl Version 2.0 and quite simply, “Feel Your Feelings Fool” is the best album you’re not listening to.

As is the nature of the column, John is always looking for new bands and musicians to write about. Please send in recommendations for artists to be included in this column to jbruce@therampageonline.com.

Tattoo convention returns for 16th year James Mora | Reporter jmora@therampageonline.com

The 16th annual Fresno Tattoo Convention was held on Feb. 22 and 23 at the Fresno Fairgrounds.

Attendees were able to browse the 85 different booths and pick one of the 180 tattoo artists to see what designs they liked and who they wanted tattoos from.

The Fresno Tattoo Convention is held every February and attracts professional tattoo artists from throughout the United States.

The event was two days, but convention promoter Chris Earl estimated that there were around 20 thousand attendees.

Earl said most of the artists are self-taught. “Very few of them have art degrees, but it does help because you see things in a different light. You do see different colors you may use and different palettes. It does help.”

The stigma of tattoos has changed over the years thanks to TV, movies and social media.

At Fresno City College, students

with tattoos are a common sight on the campus.

Ricki Hinojsa, an FCC student attending the event stated “I have seen a lot of people with tattoos.

It's something you wouldn't have seen in high school but in college it's definitely a lot different because people are open with their tattoos and don’t feel the need to hide it.”

Tattoos have become a source of self expression in the public eye so far that becoming a professional tattoo artist has become a more viable and widely accepted career choice.

James Peterson, a tattoo artist from Grape Ape Tattoo in Tucson, Arizona, says the best way to learn how to tattoo is to learn from another tattoo artist.

An apprenticeship is commonplace for most to get into the tattooing field which entails many new artists learning from older more experienced artists. FCC offers lots of art classes that show the basics

A 2019 traditional tattoo design by Byron Bush at the 16th annual Fresno Tattoo Convention on Saturday Feb. 22, 2020. The convention had an estimated 20,000 attendees at the Fresno Fairgrounds. Photo/James Mora

of concept art and improving oneself in their given profession.

Families were able to look at tattoos together. Kids 12 years old and under were even let in free.

The convention had one booth in particular where kids were able to get their own temporary water

tattoos.

Some of the booths strayed from tattoos and some included a barber shop, clothes, photo or decaling. Attendees also had the opportunity to enjoy a live concert, food truck and bar outside of the expo hall.

“I think everyone should definitely get one at least at one point in their life. It’s definitely an experience. Just even the tiniest tattoo. Everyone should have one,” said Hinojsa.

2.26.20 ENTERTAINMENT 7

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Wind Ensemble to Headline International Music Festival in New York Julie Chavez | Reporter jchavez@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College’s wind ensemble was chosen to be one of the showcase spotlight performers at this year's New York International Music Festival in New York City. Approximately 50 FCC students are attending the trip, April 18-23.

The event will be held at Carnegie Hall, one of the most prestigious music venues in the world. About 20 high schools and colleges will be participating and performing at the festival.

Larry Sutherland, one of the artistic directors of the festival, personally invited the ensemble after seeing how much they have progressed.

Last year, FCC’s choir was invited, which makes this invitation the music department’s second opportunity in two years to take students on this kind of trip.

Aside from the actual festival, the wind ensemble will tour some of New York and perform at an outdoor concert in Central Park. They will also headline an evening concert

after the festival.

According to Elisha Wells, head of the wind ensemble, the trip is expected to cost $110,000. While they have already paid $70,000, they are asking for help to raise the remaining $40,000 before April 1.

“One of the most challenging aspects was actually convincing my students that they earned this honor and they deserve to go on the trip,” said Wells.

“However, despite the bills coming in demanding the next payments, I am constantly encouraged by the incredible students in the wind ensemble who have kept their spirits high, created opportunities to raise money and really stepped into their leadership roles.”

Over the past few months, members of the wind ensemble have put on many different events and activities around campus and the Fresno area.

Last semester the wind ensemble held fundraisers at restaurants like Chipotle and Red Robin where a percentage of proceeds were donated to the group in support of their trip. A bigger event they held was their benefit concert last

year on Nov. 20. The event was free, but a donation of $20 was suggested.

In addition to those events, the wind ensemble is holding their second annual mattress fundraiser on March 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in FCC’s practice gym. The first mattress fundraiser was held last year in May. The money they raise will help pay for flight tickets, hotel rooms and festival costs. The cost per student is approximately $2,000, according to ABC30.

Their donation website gives information on what specific amounts of money will cover for a student. A donation of $50 pays for the one-way cartage fee of a large instrument on the plane while $1,750 pays for one student's entire trip.

Wells said raising money is a stressful endeavor, but worth the effort. “I truly believe that this trip could change the course of our students’ lives by showing them that their dreams and goals matter, and that they can be successful as living, breathing, performing and teaching artists,” she said.

This trip will mark the second travel opportunity for musicians from the college. The wind ensemble will play Carnegie Hall during their trip from April 18 to 23.

Photo/Courtesy of Keo Oran on Unsplash

8 OPINION 2.26.20

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Is Jerry Dyer the Boy Who Cried Wolf?

Ben Hensley | Editor-In-Chief bhensley@therampageonline.com

“You look like you should be holding up round cards at a dog fight in Fresno.”

Those are the words of Hollywood personality and comedian Seth MacFarlane via the popular TV show “American Dad,” - and they’re not far off when it comes to the national recognition that the city seems to receive.

Beyond the successes and/ or failures of the Bulldogs (the football team; not the gang) the Fresno area has been the center of political and social jokes for some time. Our residents are

“

Dyer was twice investigated by the police, stemming from an alleged sexual encounter with a minor in 1985.” proud of the Valley. We are the agricultural hub of the country, but the stigma remains.

Are we prepared to allow that stigma to continue its reign?

Former Chief of Police Jerry Dyer announced his plans to run for mayor of Fresno on May 29, 2019 nearly ten months ago. This announcement was received with praise from many and concern from others.

The two leading candidates in the upcoming 2020 election seem to be Andrew Janz - who in 2018 ran an unsuccessful campaign in an attempt to unseat incumbent Devin Nunes from his long standing position as the representative for California’s 22nd Congressional District, and Dyer - a Fresno native and law enforcement constant for the past 40 years, 18 of which were spent as chief.

With the election looming, citizens have a decision to make on who to support.

And much like the case of many elections, there are no perfect options.

But is established Fresno local and household name Jerry Dyer the name that Fresno residents deserve in the seat of the mayor’s office?

Dyer, who was sworn in as chief in 2001, was almost immediately met with public

criticism.

Four days after his appointment as chief, The Fresno Bee ran a front page story stating that Dyer was twice investigated by the police, stemming from an alleged sexual encounter with a minor in 1985. Dyer, who has never publicly denied the allegations, rather refounded his faith, being quoted as stating, “God’s forgiven me.

My wife’s forgiven me. The department’s forgiven me.”

The moral question stands to voters: is that sufficient to close a legal case?

The potential corruption and misinformation doesn’t end there.

In 2004, Dyer was accused by many of his involvement in the mysterious death of fellow officer Jose Morales just a stone’s throw away from Dyer’s residence.

Morales, who it had been rumored was approaching termination from the force

by Dyer himself, was found with a gunshot wound to the chest. His death was ultimately ruled a suicide despite conflicting evidence reports and the proximity to the Chief ’s residence, prompting an outcry from the public and casting more doubt upon an already shadowed reputation.

In 2011, Deputy Chiefs Robert Nevarez and Shannon Schaffer sued Dyer, stating that he created a hostile work environment within the department, alleging that he made racist and sexist remarks while at the workplace. According to a report by The Fresno Bee, the City of Fresno settled for the sum of $100,000 to each Nevarez and Schaffer, $100,000 to each of their

“

Dyer was accused by many of his involvement in the mysterious death of fellow officer Jose Morales.” lawyers, as well as $820,000 in legal fees during the proceedings.

And as if the three major noted allegations weren’t enough, in 2017, then second-in-command Keith Foster was convicted as the leader of a drug trafficking ring directly under Dyer’s nose. The two had nearly

mirrored one another at every turn, with Foster receiving promotions under Dyer all the way up to the level of assistant chief of police. Dyer, who was present in court at Foster’s defense, maintained that he trusted his second-incommand until the charges were handed down, stating in a seemingly unshaken tone that he was “shocked,” “hurt” and “betrayed” by Foster’s actions.

Reserving opinions regarding guilt of the listed accusations, are these major implications going to be swept under the rug yet again for the former Chief Dyer?

“Aesop’s Fables” tells the tale of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” in which a young boy continually cries out to his caretakers that there is a wolf that is hunting him, only to be discovered on numerous occasions to be falsely making the claim. One day there truly is a wolf, and when the frightened child calls out to his caretakers, they do not come, assuming it to be yet another shadow of misdirection.

How can we as a community not see the writing on the wall?

Even respecting Dyer’s innocence - which has seemingly come to be commonplace among his supporters - are these four major allegations not enough to call into question whether or not Dyer should continue to be at the center of the political spectrum in the Valley?

The election is just around the corner.

Should we as Fresnans be willing to accept the potential backlash and ridicule of electing a mayor with a track record of accusations such as Dyer?

Or are his promises of “unifying Fresno” enough to breeze past the allegations of misconduct throughout his career and push him into the office of the most populated city in the Central Valley.

The position of mayor is a position that former representatives, senators and even presidents have held. Fresno will need to decide whether they want their future mayor to enter office under pretenses that continue to keep the city under the spotlight for positive reasons or reasons casting doubt on their public officials, voters and residents.

Illustration by Kiran Kaur Illustration/Kiran Kaur

2.26.20 OPINION 9

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CAMPUS Vote for the VOICES Right to Complain

Bri Beltran | Reporter

bbeltran@therampageonline.com

Which figure inspires you the most during Black History Month?

Cris Bremer

Marketing and Communications Director “Harriet Tubman led so many people out of slavery. People tend to look at recent history and I think we need to embrace the history that’s been established by women like her.”

Jennifer Flores Biology Major

“It would have to be Rosa Parks, not only does she speak for African-Americans but for women as well."

khall@therampageonline.com

The press in its coverage of news show that the hands of the left and the right remain planted to apply pressure on the pulse of the necks of their opponents.

The parties are ready to strike, they only wait for an excuse.

They want their enemies to slip up so they can capitalize on their misdeeds and further the feud to prove their way is the right way.

The key to dissolving this thick partisan atmosphere is to vote.

I have been waiting since I was first registered to vote during the end of the Obama era for this tension to die down.

I have seen it lull in the past four years, but with the return of caucuses and polling places, the conversation has returned to where it was four years ago: ‘this orange dude is trash’ and ‘you don’t get it but Trump will get it done’ The poor folks in the middle are scared to even enter the conversation in fear that the toxicity will boil them, and so steer clear of heated debate.

According to the US Census Bureau, the November 2018 state midterms saw voter turnout increases across the nation in all demographics.

The reason for this increase?

We are learning an important lesson: There is more to vote on than the presidential candidate.

The president may be the face of our nation, but unless they have had dinner at your place or you’ve put a few grand in their pocket they don’t know who you are. So how are they going to know what you care about?

Today you might be holding a piece of paper that you didn’t vote for, or driving a car you didn’t vote to pay taxes on, or under the governance of a man

Ernie Garcia

Senior Program Specialist in the EOPS office "I would say, President Barack Obama. He was the first African American to hold office. It just sets a standard and a goal for everybody to obtain to."

Cruz Rodriguez Philosophy Major

"I look up to Huey Newton a lot of the time. The co-founder of the Black Panther Party, he believed in the total liberation of all people, a really revolutionary individual. I aspire to be as helpful as he was to the oppressed.

Does Fresno City College Do Justice to Black History Month?

Kris Hall | Opinion Editor

Illustration/Kiran Kaur

Whether voting is your 'thing' or not, the bigger picture relies on what you have to say as a citizen.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

you didn’t vote for.

You didn’t, but someone did.

Sometime somewhere, someone cared enough to get their concerns out on paper.

They shared it with their community. They got enough support to get it on the ballot and then after all that work they still had to get it voted on by the democratic majority.

Your vote is your voice and everything about the euphemism tracks. Your vote is your conversation with the people and laws that govern you. Your vote is your presence in the discussion of your well being.

If you are unsatisfied with your way of life, and you want help, your vote is your something to do about it. You say ‘I want a better life and this is the path I would like to take to get there’ when you bubble in that ballot.

The roadblocks in your path to success can be traced back to your vote.

Do you feel that your concerns when you voted were not met?

Then you continue to vote. You keep the conversation going until something is finally done.

The people in the chairs with the power to help you will only know what you want if you vote for what you want.

The only vote that is thrown away is when the ballot is empty. Continue to vote, and share your experiences with others. It’s a group effort chief.

Vicente Vasquez | Reporter vvasquez@therampageonline.com

Black History Month is the recognition of outstanding members of the African American community by remembering historical black figures and current leaders.

It is imperative that we maintain the memory of important the impact these social figures played in shaping the landscape of modern America.

Doing so calls for us to honor these figures and give them the recognition that was deprived from so many in American history.

Fresno City College organizes celebrations every year through February in respect. But do students and faculty believe it represents Black History Month well enough?

Radiology major Annissa Hernandez is among many who are inspired by the deeds of Martin Luther King. She believes that thanks to people like him, the campus is diverse and welcoming to students.

Hernandez thinks that FCC is on its way to adequately celebrating Black History Month.“The campus itself is going in that way,” says Hernandez, “I think it could end up going a better way.”

FCC has represented African American students since the ‘80s through programs like IDILE. IDILE, pronounced “ideal,” means “family” or “clan” in Yoruban, the native language of Nigeria.

“First generation African American students struggle because they don't have a sense of belonging,” said Rodney Murphy, IDILE counselor and

Black History Month is an opportunity to honor amazing African Americans.

Illustration/Mayra Martinez

coordinator.

The organization's main objective is to guide students to transfer to university. However, while IDILE focuses on the enrichment of African American education, the program is available to all students.

IDILE accommodates many schedules by having workshop hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Students can also drop by anytime to discuss topics pertaining to their academic pathway on a one-on-one basis.

They also provide advisory help and faculty resources such as PASS and counseling for students.

Moreover, IDILE teaches an African cultural experience for students not familiar with the history to give those interested a better understanding of the struggles and hardships that Americans had to face.

The program itself is among many programs that are available for students to help them find success by providing individual mentoring in allowing students to reach their full potential.

The IDILE program is available to students all-year round.

IDILE center welcomes all students to come and is open to everyone who wishes to discuss counseling, African American Culture, and various services that are open to students for free.

The IDILE program is located in OAB 272 and is open within its office hours for students looking for information about the organization.

10 SPORTS 2.26.20

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Ortiz’s Electrifying Attitude: An Homage to His Heritage Patrick Henslee | Sports Editor phenslee@therampageonline.com

The crack of a baseball off the bat echoes across the field, all the way to the ears of a boy and his brothers as they work.

On their hands and knees, they pick weeds out of the grass spotted with patches of dirt.

There’s no hose to wet the field, so they carry buckets of water from a nearby water pump and empty them onto the dirt.

They cup their hands together and drop white, powdered chalk down the soon-tobe foul lines. They stop at the end of the infield, making sure not to waste any chalk.

Once the field is done, the boys stand behind nearly 40 other aspiring baseball players all waiting their turn to use the only batting cage.

This was life playing baseball in the Dominican Republic for J.D. Ortiz, the now freshman outfielder for the Fresno City College baseball team. He is the son of Jose Ortiz, a former professional baseball player whose career took his family around the world and exposed his children to different ways of life. J.D. said the experience helped shape him into the person he is now.

Ortiz lived in Florida, Japan and the Dominican Republic before coming back to California’s Central Valley, where he was born.

“I thought it was really cool, because I got to go to all these places when I was younger,” said Ortiz. “We had moved a couple of times, and every time we moved I had to be the new kid. I didn’t like it, but eventually it led me to be more social and more outgoing. I learned how to talk to people and be more talkative and social.”

Ortiz did most of his growing up in the three years his family lived in the Dominican Republic and eventually adopted the way of life for many of the islanders. He says the people are loud and talkative, and their conversations have

no boundaries, walking the line between playful and personal but all in good spirits.

Maintaining a good spirit is vital when your livelihood depends on it. The island is plagued with poverty, leaving many people without food, plumbing, homes or even families.

Through it all, he said the people shine whenever the sun does-every day.

According to Ortiz, all that matters to the people there are their family, friends and the good times you spend with them.

“Everyone is just happy. I can’t think of a time when I was with my friends over there that I wasn’t smiling or wasn’t laughing,” said Ortiz.

He fell in love with theww way of life in the Dominican Republic, quickly realizing that this was what has been running through his blood. It took him no time to Freshman outfielder J.D. Ortiz creates a thrilling energy when he's on the field. His style is driven by his persevering realize that he was home. attitude, a reflection of his Afro-Dominican heritage. Photo/Patrick Henslee “I knew I was Dominican, but I didn’t really know what that meant until I went get all A's, I wouldn't want to short myself upstream and will defy the norm that’s been over there. That’s when I was like ‘Yeah, I’m by not trying,” said Ortiz. set for him. He will get there not through proud to be a part of this. This is amazing,’” After getting past the pressuring struggles depending on his talent, but by depending he said. of trying to prove himself on the field, Ortiz on his marvelously admirable attitude.

With Afro-Dominican heritage and a saw his stock rise as he developed, catching Ortiz plays with an energy that reflects love and talent for playing baseball flowing the eye of the University of California, his Afro-Dominican heritage, making the through his veins, Ortiz had to decide Santa Barabara.

He committed to playing ballpark come alive. He launches baseballs what was best for him, and that meant first there but found that he wouldn’t see much with a thunderous swing and unfurls getting an education. playing time on a full roster. spectacular throws from the outfield, When he was a sophomore in high Having already known the program and leaving his teammates, his coaches and the school, he and his family moved back to its coaches, Ortiz transferred to FCC, where fans in joyful awe as they watch.

California. He played alongside his brothers he now plays every day like it’s his last.

Everyone becomes a spectator when in Buchanan High School’s prestigious “Every single at-bat, every swing, every Ortiz plays, but it’s his attitude that leaves baseball program for all three years, helping pop up I hit, every throw I make every one everyone wanting more, even Ortiz himself. lead the Bears to consecutive playoff counts. I’ll have a 3-4 day and come back to “It’s about knowing you can do something appearances. the dugout mad,” said Ortiz. “They say it’s and knowing you’ve got this. Sometimes Ortiz was talented on the field but worked okay because I got three hits, but it’s not.

If I I don’t think I do, but I tell myself I do hard in the classroom, too. He made High can get more from the game, then I’m going because you've got to have the confidence,” Honor Roll, Principal's Honor Roll twice to do it.

It’s not okay if I’m not doing my he said. “You’ve got to be able to smile. and attained the California State Seal of best or not giving everything I have. ” You’ve got to be able to laugh. You’ve got to Biliteracy and Merit Diploma.

Minorities from the U.S. have little be able to know that you’re going to make “It was tough, but I just had to do it. And representation in professional baseball, but it.” with the fact that I could do it and I could Ortiz thinks he's the salmon swimming

Men's Basketball Coach Ed Madec and a 14 Year Journey Paving Success Moises Buitrago | Social Media Editor mbuitrago@therampageonline.com

Behind the serious steel-colored eyes and the slick backed hair of Ed Madec lies a man with 14 consecutive conference championships and years of wisdom.

Madec became the head coach for Fresno City College’s men’s basketball team in the summer of 2006 leading the Rams on a road to success ever since.

On the court, Madec is known to keep his composure and prides himself for treating the game of basketball and other people with integrity and honesty.

Madec looks intimidating from the outside, however, his coworkers describe him as the exact opposite. To demonstrate, interim co-athletic director Paul Keysaw, who started at FCC the same year as Madec, began to chuckle when he brought out a black and gold Lucha Libre mask decorated with rams horns on the side from his desk - a gift he received from Madec.

“Madec won 14 straight conference titles;, he's won two state championships. He's done nothing but produce outstanding young men out of his basketball program,” said Keysaw He's dealt with underprivileged, underrepresented student-athletes his whole career.”

Madec was preceded in Fresno by head coach Vance Walberg, who would go on to coach Pepperdine University. Walberg won five consecutive conference titles of

his own, and combined, the two earned a whopping 19 consecutive conference titles.

Even though winning dominated the headlines, Madec prefers to look at the success in a different angle looking back.

“Over the past 14 years it has never been about winning, it’s always been about helping these men get an education,” he said.

Madec sculpted a culture where hard work is the motto and giving 100% is everything players do, including off the court.

Running a program that prides itself on bringing in underprivileged and underrepresented athletes, Madec most loves using his program to help kids grow into men.

“I think everybody [the team], realizes that we have a standard that we want to hold each other to and it's that we just don't want to let each other down as long as we're going as hard as we can,” Madec said after a 115-67 win against the West Coalinga Falcons.

“That's really the culture. The culture is just giving your all,” he said.

According to Madec, some of his players have gone on to get a master’s degree after playing under him.

His peers and student-athletes all used the same words to describe him, placing words out like heart, dedication and commitment. Madec became known for his work ethic and his ability to change

Men's basketball head coach Ed Madec celebrates the Rams' win over Reedley College on Wednesday, Feb. 19. The win left the Rams one away from an undefeated mark in conference play for a second consecutive year.

Their final win against Merced College on Saturday, Feb. 22 was credited to Madec, rounding out the another undefeated conference season. Photo/Moises Buitrago

young men's lives.

Following his dedication to the team Madec was awarded the Central Valley Conference Coach of the year.

Keysaw spoke highly of Madec, saying, “He makes me a better coach and has made me a better coach in the last 14 years through our friendship and working in the same hallway. And watching his work ethic and his desire to be successful has done nothing but motivate me and push me to try to do the things that I've been doing.”

A regular day for the men's basketball team begins with an early morning

practice. If there is a home game later that day, the team can be found in the weight room for a postgame workout.

Before the game on Wednesday, Feb. 19 against the Reedley Tigers, the usually reserved Madec took the floor to share some words.

“I want to thank all the people who have been loyal to me, and the program over the years. It’s been one hell of a run,” said Madec.

The Rams closed out their season with a 138-58 victory on Saturday, Feb. 22 against the Merced Blue Devils.

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Rams head into PostSeason play after falling to Merced Sean Bowen | Reporter sbowen@therampageonline.com

Freshman guard Marcus McCutchen fights through traffic on the way to the basket during the Rams' regular season finale against the Merced College Cougars on Saturday, Feb. 22. Photo/Ben Hensley

Nicholas Podesta Answers the Call, Men’s Basketball Head To Playoffs Moises Buitrago | Social Media Editor mbuitrago@therampageonline.com

The Rams closed out their season on Saturday, Feb. 22 with a victory over the Merced College Blue Devils. The Rams finished the regular season on a 15 game winning streak with a record of 25-3 and 14-0 in conference matchups.

Before the matchup between the teams, coaches took the stage to honor sophomores Keshawn Bruner, Eljay Gallegos, and Ronald Agebsar, presenting each with a photo of their time on the court.

The game included a small tribute to Coach Ed Madec, who is now on paid administrative leave until the completion of an investigation into violations of California Community College Athletic Association [CCCAA] regulations. Dozens of fans wore white t-shirts that read “We support Ed Madec, Jealousy is the tribute to Mediocrity.”

Interim athletic director Paul Keysaw was named the acting head coach, however, Keysaw left the play calling to assistant coach Nicholas Podesta.

“I was excited about the assistant coaches. It's an opportunity of a lifetime for him [Podesta],” said Keysaw.

“That's how you get your start in the business right there, things

happening and you're thrust into the big time.”

After knowing Madec for more than a decade, Podesta was ready for the opportunity to lead the Rams. After five years as his assistant Podesta understood the expectations Madec had set.

“I’m not Ed Madec and I'm not going to try to be Ed Madec.

There's only one Ed Madec,” said Podesta. “He's a truly, truly special individual. He has so many strengths from a coaching standpoint; I can't try to be him and fill that void.

With big shoes to fill, Podesta added “The only thing I can do is just show up every single day and try to give our guys my best effort.”

Much like other matchups prior, the Rams ran away with the game defeating Merced by a score of 138-58.

During the first half, multiple players found themselves getting open looks with the ball and were able to cash in on some early three-pointers, like the freshman guard Mckay Bundy who knocked down two wide-open threes in the first half.

FCC would go on to shoot 61% from beyond the three-point line. From the first half on it was downhill for Merced.

Unlike the matchup against the

Reedley Tigers, FCC was able to manage the Merced offense and limit their own turnovers on offense.

“What you typically struggle with a young team is getting consistent effort. The reason for that is because you're young, you have a tendency to give in to fatigue,” said Podesta. “Pretty much the second half of league was to get more consistent effort and intensity from a defensive standpoint, and I think our guys did that tonight.”

With the score more than doubled at the half, Merced made multiple turnovers that perfectly illustrated the game, including a ball bouncing off the head of the center and a tip-in into their own basket.

Freshman guard Marcus McCutchen shined in the second half, scoring 30-points on the night. McCutchen found himself getting wide-open shots in the paint, and some no-look passes from fellow freshman guard Richard Kawakami.

While the Rams wait to find out who their first playoff opponent is, Podesta believes they have some good momentum heading into the postseason after going undefeated in a competitive conference.

The Rams finished the regular season 16-11 on Friday Feb. 21 after a home loss to Merced. The final score was 83-75. Though FCC heads into postseason play with a defeat, they look to cut back on some costly mistakes going into the playoffs.

“We did a good job offensively.

Rebounding just hurt us in the end,” said head coach Alex Fletcher about the loss.

Early on it seemed as if turnovers were going to be the deciding factor of the game, as each team struggled to capitalize on the mistakes made early on.

Halfway through the first quarter, with the score 7-3 and Merced with the lead, full court pressure forced FCC to burn an early timeout. Coming back onto the floor the lady Rams were able to limit their turnovers and go into the 2nd quarter down two, 15-13.

When it came down to maintaining possession of the ball, both teams struggled, and neither seemed to capitalize off turnovers, keeping the game close.

“We know Merced is a very good second half team,” said Fletcher, “so we knew they were going to come out willing to run.”

As nNeither team could distance the scoring gap, and FCC went into the half down four, 35-31.

Sticking to the script, Merced immediately forced the Rams to turn it the ball over on the first play in the second half. Taking advantage of costly mistakes, Merced quickly propelled to a ten-point lead.

“When our defense is set up and organized, our defense is pretty solid,” Fletcher said. As it seemed Merced’s game plan was to limit their offensive mistakes, they aimed to make the most of FCC. Moving in transition made

it difficult for them to set up their defense and kept them off balance.

Going into the fourth quarter with the lead 60-52, Merced was able to spread the defense and dominate the glass on offense.

Ball rotation got the Rams shifting and leaving gaps open for their opponents to find the open player and knock down easy shots. If the open shots wouldn’t fall, they were there for the offensive rebound and an easy play at the bucket. At one point Merced had a commanding 13-point lead near the halfway point of the final quarter.

FCC looked to have tightened up their defense and limit turnovers, making a late run cutting the lead down to six. But that’s as close as Merced would allow them to get, finishing the game with a final score of 83-75.

With this loss, FCC finished conference play with a record of 8-4, placing third in the standings, behind College of the Sequoias and front runner Merced.

“Once we figure out who we play and where we’re at, we’ll go from there,” Fletcher said when asked about any adjustments being made going into the postseason. Though Fresno City goes on the road for playoffs, they are taking their confidence with them.

Update: The 16-11 Rams (12) will go on the road on Saturday, Feb. 29 to take on 22-6 Chabot (4) in the opening round of the CCCAA Northern Regional playoffs. Chabot finished the season on an 8-game win streak, winning the Coast-North conference after splitting their two games against City College of San Francisco. Chabot averages just over 74 points per game and boasted a 7-2 record at home this season.

Men’s Basketball Head Coach Ed Madec Under Investigation Moises Buitrago | Social Media Editor mbuitrago@therampageonline.com

On Thursday, Feb. 20, Fresno City College notified staff that men’s basketball head coach Ed Madec will be placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately while the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) conducts an investigation for possible violations of CCCAA regulations.

Interim co-athletic director, Paul Keysaw will take over coaching responsibilities for the

remainder of the season according to a statement released by FCC President Carole Goldsmith.

“The investigation has been going on for a while, I've heard about it for a long time, everything really happened on Wednesday,” said Interim Athletic Director Paul Keysaw.

Madec’s leave came days after the Rams clinched their 14th consecutive conference title. The day before the announcement Madec took the stage at Wednesday night’s game

addressing the pride he has carried throughout his tenure as head coach.

“I'm devastated for Coach Madec.

I'm absolutely devastated,” said Keysaw. “I have been an emotional wreck since I've heard about it, not only for coach Madec and his situation in this family and what he must be going through, fighting for his job, his career.”

With a win over Merced College on Saturday, Feb. 22 being credited to Madec, he has compiled 398 wins in his time at FCC.

Freshman guard Taylor Correa directs traffic on the floor during the Rams' loss against the Merced College Cougars on Friday, Feb. 21. The loss dropped the Rams to 8-4 in conference heading into playoffs. Photo/Sean Bowen

12 SPORTS 2.26.20

therampageonline.com

Freshman outfielder J.D. Ortiz had a big night in the Rams' 10-4 win against West Hills College Coalinga on Tuesday, Feb. 25, going 1 for 2 with three walks and three runs scored. Photo/Patrick Henslee

Rams Complete the Comeback Against Coalinga Patrick Henslee| Sports Editor phenslee@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College baseball team beat West Hills College Coalinga in their first game in the series on Tuesday, Feb. 25 by a score of 4-10. The Rams’ first game of conference play started with them looking up from a four-run deficit, eventually climbing their way back for the victory.

In Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Monterey Peninsula College, freshman starter Marcelo Saldana was plagued with command issues, unable to record an out while walking four batters in the first.

On Tuesday, the Rams’ starting pitching woes continued.

Fresno turned to sophomore starter

Eddie Rios to take the mound against Coalinga in game one, but the Falcons got to the Rios early. In one complete inning of work, Rios faced 10 batters, allowing four runs on five hits and a walk.

Assistant coach Eric Solberg, who took over for head coach Ron Scott after he got ejected arguing balls and strikes in the first inning, pulled Rios from the game in the second inning, handing the ball to sophomore Darren Jansen.

Jansen came into the game and overpowered the Falcons’ lineup, pairing his firm fastball with a slider he was spotting on both sides of the plate. His 6-foot, 5-inch, 250 lbs. frame intimidated

the Coalinga lineup for 23 batters.

“He was just throwing the ball by them. They were just overmatched,” said Solberg. Jansen would go on to pitch seven scoreless innings, holding the Falcons to three hits and striking out six.

Offensively, the Rams started the game stifled by Coalinga’s freshman starter Karter Pate. “They shut us down for a couple of innings, you know… We just had to try to tire him out,” said Solberg.

The tide seemed to turn for the Rams after an at-bat from freshman outfielder J.D. Ortiz changed the momentum. Ortiz battled for 14 pitches, resulting in a single that advanced freshman shortstop Bret

Carrell, who would later score the Ram’s second run of the ballgame.

“The thing that changed the whole game was J.D.’s at-bat,” said Solberg. Ortiz was the Rams’ energizer, going 1 for 2 with three walks and three runs scored.

The Falcons were unable to turn to a reliable solution on the mound, and the Rams would spend the rest of the night tacking on runs, crossing the plate nine times in the fifth through eighth innings.

The Rams will play game two of the series at West Hills College Coalinga on Thursday, Feb. 27 before coming back home to play game three on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 1 p.m.