Issue 5 Spring 2019

THE

RAMPAGE

The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College

SPRING 2019 | ISSUE 5| March 27, 2019

FCC Solar Project Shines Bright What began as a controversial proposal by the board of trustees has evolved into a resounding success, projected to save FCC millions over the next 20 years.

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The Parking Lot Solar Panel project covers Parking Lots B, C and D. Photo Courtesy of Shannon Robertson

NEWS

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ENTERTAINMENT Group’s Visit to Campus Prompts Abortion Debate

OPINION

07

Foster Youth Provided Hopes for Their Educational Future Through NextUp

SPORTS

08

PRO/Con: Is SOCIAL MEDIA TOXIC?

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Men's Basketball: Season In REview

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2 NEWS 3.27.19

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THE RAMPAGE

The student-run newspaper of Fresno City College

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Tommy Tribble

News Editors Tamika Rey

Art Director Ramuel Reyes

Sports Editor

The panel discusses immigration issues in the Trump era on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Photo/Ramon Castanos

Ben Hensley

Entertainment Editor Peter Lopez

Opinion Editor Gage Carmichael

Assistant Opinion Editor Sarah Chavez

Social Media Editor Omari Bell

Reporters

Alberto Granados Alfredo Rodriguez Angel De Jesus Blake Evans Conner Stevens Derek Bullis Emily Perez Gisella Luna Hannah Lanier Kellie Clark Leticia Leal Ramon Castanos

Business Manager Tamika Rey Joanna Murrieta

Adviser/Instructor Dympna Ugwu-Oju

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Panel Discusses Immigration Issues Ramon Castanos | Reporter rcastanos@therampageonline.com

Immigrant rights advocates discussed the truth about the Trump administration’s mistreatment of immigrant families and issues students face during the Immigration Speakers Panel in OAB 251 on Tuesday, March 26.

Jessica Smith Bobadilla, an immigration attorney and Humberto Gomez, representative of United Farm Workers representative talked about how, in their effort to curb illegal immigration, the Trump administration officials separated children from their parents and created untold hardships.

Bobadilla also spoke about how William Barr, the new attorney general, is getting rid of due process, a phenomenon that

is scary for many students and their families.

Bobadilla said the new rules make it difficult for asylum seekers to find asylum. By law, asylum seekers must prove they are in danger, which is impossible for many Black Latin Americans because of the administration.

Willie Hernandez, a counselor of the Dream Center at Fresno City College, spoke about the uncertainties the DREAM Act is creating difficulties for students. First introduced in 2001, the DREAM Act would have allowed undocumented immigrants to study in the U.S. Despite bipartisan support, the DREAM Act has never passed both houses.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was enacted by executive order in

2012 and helped undocumented students to “qualify for financial aid needs to meet requirements,” like getting a high school diploma, Hernandez said.

Hernandez said the Dream Center has “two types of dreamers.” The Dreamers who finished college in 2003 do not meet the requirements for DACA. The other Dreamers are part of DACA. Hernandez said that the Dream Center helps students in many ways–helping to admit Dreamers into FCC; helping them identify the type of financial aid they may be eligible for and helping students get into classes with the help of counselors.

Later on, Giselle Gasca Esquivel, the regional coordinator for Mi Familia Vota

in Fresno spoke about helping “residents to get citizenship.” The requirements for this is to live in the United States for three years or marriage to a U.S. citizen.

Later on, in response to a student’s question about whether immigrants are afraid to apply for citizenship because of the political climate in the country, Gasca said that after the 2016 election, there was a decline in the number of immigrants applying for citizenship because they were scared of the Trump administration.

“However, those numbers are starting to go up again” because immigrants are motivated to apply for citizenship, Gasca said.

The speakers all encouraged students to become more active in their communities and to and vote to make differences.

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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.

Trustee Luncheon Highlight FCC Student Hunger Hannah Lanier | Reporter hlanier@therampageonline.com

President Carole Goldsmith briefed new members of the State Center Community College board of trustees on recent developments on the Fresno City College campus during a luncheon in the Old Administration Building on March 20.

Trustees Annalisa Perea and Magdalena Gómez as well as several division deans, the Associated Student Government, and editors of the Rampage attended the event. The luncheon was followed by a tour of the campus, guided by Goldsmith herself.

Among the topics discussed at the lunch were the elimination of mandatory placement tests for English and math, as well as the

status of the Ram Pantry.

The trustees explained what being a trustee meant to them and why they felt that their role is important to the college community.

“Being a trustee is bigger than a council member,” Trustee Perea said. “A trustee gets to make decisions to grow the type of people we want in our community.”

Trustee Gómez explained that she grew up in Selma, a rural community where she worked in the fields with her family to pay her way through college.

Gómez praised the diversity and uniqueness of the Central Valley and said that she became a trustee to, “Engage and bring economic opportunities to the valley.”

Among the discussion of the various topics, student hunger

and the Ram Pantry seemed to hold the focus of the luncheon.

In a video interview Rodney Olsen, biology instructor, discussed witnessing student hunger first hand, and articulated the seriousness of the issue as well as the important role that the Ram Pantry plays on the FCC campus.

“She had a conflict with when her classes met and when she could come and get food. She was worried that if she couldn't get the food she would go another weekend or week without it,” said Olsen, “I remember her telling me that she was so hungry. The fear from that was present in her eyes.”

Trustee Perea, a council woman and FCC Alumni, explained that Ram Pantry was not something that was available during her time as a Ram and is

enthused about the efforts that have been made to promote student health through proper nutrition.

“It [Ram Pantry]is an important resource that we need to continue to invest in,” Trustee Perea said. “Affordability extends beyond tuition,” and includes costs such as food and transportation.

The trustees celebrated the college for its achievements and continual growth and pledged to encourage and demonstrate their support for FCC. “I am with you,” Gómez said her heart is in the right place working with FCC. She added she and Perea were “two females who knew we wanted to give to our communities.”

3.27.19 NEWS 3

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Group’s Visit to Campus Prompts Abortion Debate

Amy Ronhaar, a pro-choice activist, confronts anti-abortion rights protestors. "I will not be ashamed. I will not give in to policy." Photo/Tamika Rey Tamika Rey | News Editor trey@therampageonline.com

Pro-abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion rights protesters clashed over the free speech rights of an anti-abortion group that visited the Fresno City College campus on March 19.

The explosive exchange happened near the main fountain where the small group of about four speakers set up to engage passers by and hand out fliers.

The group’s visit was the subject of an email by the college president who warned of the group’s anti-abortion rhetorics, including graphic photos of aborted fetuses. The email also warned faculty, staff and students against attempting “to regulate the speech of visiting groups,” by taking down posters or trying to make the group move to a different campus location.

“Free speech law is complicated and constantly evolving,” the president also stated in the email. “’As matters of constitutional interpretation and judicial method, Roe borders on the indefensible,’” William Wilberforce, a member of the visiting anti abortion rights group, read aloud a quote attributed to Edward Lazarus who clerked for Justice Harry Blakmun whose vote was pivotal in the Supreme Court’s Roe v.

Wade decision.

With Fresno police department officers standing by to prevent physical altercations, the audience argued heatedly with escalated and sweaty brows and flushed cheeks.

“Who are we to decide what half the world wants to do?” a woman in the audience asked, challenging Wilberforce’s assertions.

“Half of the population doesn’t want to. What about a child molester or a rapist or a thief? Or

anything that you and I agree is wrong,” Wilberforce said. “We are silencing those people by saying ‘You don’t have a right to molest children,’ but there are people going, ‘Who are you to tell me what to do with my children and what to do with my life?’”

Wilberforce spoke about Anthony Levatino, a medical doctor who “was an abortionist for several years,” and had even spoken before congress on abortion rights but who now feels differently. “‘I want the general public to know that the doctors know this is a person; this is a baby, this is not some type of blob of tissue,’” Wilberforce said, quoting Levatino.

“No woman wants to go through this,” said Amy Ronhaar, an FCC student who explained why she had an abortion. She

“

said she was unable to care for herself properly let alone a child.

Ronhaar was adopted and did not want her child to be. “So as a woman, I will tell you right now that [what Wilberforce was saying] is false and that is a lie.”

Ronhaar said she was an agnostic and believes life begins at birth. While she wouldn’t support abortion at nine months, only up until the point where it’s no longer, “a cultivating pile of cells, after 12 weeks.”

“This right here is false,” Ronhaar said, pointing to the pictures of the aborted fetuses. “It actually isn’t a baby. I’ve had an abortion at eight weeks, and that is not what it looks like. That is not what came out of me. Those pictures are inaccurate.”

Wilberforce said abortion is neither a man or woman issue.

“It is a human life issue

Free speech law is complicated and constantly evolving.”

-Carole Goldsmith FCC President

because half of the babies aborted are men, are little boys, “Wilberforce said. “And half of them are little girls, and I’m speaking out for both the boys and the girls.”

In response to a statement that men did not have a right to vote on what women do with their bodies, Wilberforce said, “A woman can’t get pregnant without a man. Yet, he doesn’t have any rights until after the baby is born, and then he has to pay for it if he’s not married to her.”

Another Pro-abortion rights advocate said that even if abortion is outlawed, it will continue to happen in most likely ‘shady’ facilities.

“That goes for every issue -- rape, child molestation, and stealing, robbing banks. That goes for everything! People are still going to do wrong things,” Wilberforce said. “You don’t base a law based upon rather or not people will obey the law.”

Wilberforce said he valued any life, no matter the quality of life, even if the pregnancy resulted from rape.

“Two wrongs do not make a right,” he said. “There are millions of people in the world born in regular situations who are now drug addicts on the street and prostitutes.”

He said that if the mother’s life is at risk due to a pregnancy, the goal should be to save them both. “You remove the baby from the womb, put it in an incubator and do whatever you have to do because doctors are wrong a lot,” he said.

Ronhaar explained that pregnant women have many opportunities to change their minds about aborting their fetus.

“When you make an appointment, the doctors ask you if that’s what you really want to do, and if so, you go back a week later,” she said. “You take some

pain pills and antibiotics which make you feel ill, but no bloody fetus with hands and fingernails falls out of you.” She likened an abortion to a very “extreme period” that lasts about four weeks.

Kayla Engel, an art major who was in the audience, said she agreed with Ronhaar.

“I was a 15 year old who had an abortion because of rape, and I was grateful to have a mother who looked at me and said, ‘The choice is not in your hands’, and it’s not that she was forcing me, it’s literally she was saying, ‘there’s not going to be any repercussions,’ and because of that, I was emotionally able to hold.”

Engel said she got married, got pregnant and had a baby at 29, and the first thing she told the nurse was, “No one should have to do that who does not want to, because it hurts like f@%k.” She said she was offended that “it is men who are telling us what to do with our uterus.”

She said it is time to stop the abortion conversation and instead have a different one such as how to “make it safe and legal so that we don’t have late term abortions.”

One of Ronhaar’s friends said that society should stop blaming and shaming women and try to make condoms and birth control more accessible because responsibility for preventing pregnancy should not remain solely with the women.

“Men should be abstinent,” said a male anti-abortion rights advocate who wished to remain anonymous. “I think we can both agree that some men should be abstinent.”

Ronhaar agrees, “At the end of the day I support abortion I have no regrets. I will not be ashamed.

I will not give in to policy.”

4 NEWS 3.27.19

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The True Cost of College: How Proposed Senate Bill Affects You Hannah Lanier | Reporter hlanier@therampageonline.com

As a college student, your list of monthly expenses begin to add up and your budget includes pricey necessities such as rent, groceries, gas, and more.

While your list of expenses can be lengthy, your monthly income tends to not meet the required payment.

There is no question that college is expensive.

Rather, the question to be answered is what help can be received: What constitutes as an expense specifically related to college and is it an expense that should be paid for with the assistance of Federal Student Aid (FSA).

Suddenly, financial aid becomes a necessity.

California Democratic Senator of District 20, Connie M. Leyva, proposed Senate Bill 291 that will increase the amount of financial aid that is granted to California community college students.

The bill was introduced on Feb. 14, 2019 in the senate chambers and majority approved via California senate.

SB291 examines the true cost of attending a California community college, explaining that while the tuition cost for a CCC is considerably affordable, there are crucial expenses that are continuously overlooked.

“

In my first year of having financial aid [and college], I was lucky enough to have classes that don’t necessarily require expensive materials.”

-Mariah Escarcega Psychology major

“The true cost of attending college is clearly more than just tuition,” said Senator Leyva in a statement on her website, “It is critically important that our community colleges remain an affordable option for all our students.”

According to Senator Leyva’s website, the bill intends to cover the true cost of college, where the bill defines the true cost of college includes expenses such as living, transportation, food, etc.

One of the considered true costs of college, the cost of living, appears to be the largest student expense of all--the cost of living in California specifically.

To clarify the immense cost of living in california, compare the cost of living in the neighboring state of Arizona.

The difference in the prices of the cost of living--purely referencing housing--in these two states demonstrate a compelling divergence. With housing in Los Angeles,

California being approximately 190 percent more expensive than housing in Phoenix, Arizona, according to the 2019 Cost of Living Calculator from Sterling’s Best Places.

An example of the significant impact the expense of housing has, Fresno City College Psychology major, Mariah Escarcega explained that if she were not still living at home she would not be as fortunate as she is now.

“It has been enough for me, but I know that it is not necessarily enough for everybody. I know that not everyone is fortunate enough to live with their parents,” she said, while explaining, “I am responsible for paying for my necessities [food, gas, etc.]. The only thing my parents pay for is the roof over my head.”

Along with the personal necessities that keep college students healthy and safe, are the required supplies for the subject that the student is studying: i.e. textbooks, lab coats, and many more.

“In my first year of having financial aid [and college], I was lucky enough to have classes that don’t necessarily require expensive materials,” Escarcega said, allowing the amount of financial aid she receives is enough.

While the current FSA is providing the necessary means for this particular student, it is not the case for others— or even the case for the majority of remaining students attending a CCC. The reality of students that attend a CCC is that some take a longer amount of time to earn a degree and transfer, thus increasing the total amount of tuition paid, according to the bill presented by Senator Leyva.

As the bill is supported by the California Community Colleges and Community College League of California, the increased financial aid would be accessible to California community college students seeking any level of degree ranging from Associates Degrees to training certificates.

Additionally, SB291 continues to express the need for an increase in student received grants, stating that after all the expenses are calculated and measured against how much a recipient receives, the price to attend a CCC is found to be more expensive than attending a California State University or an Univeristy of California.

Understanding that nearly half of the CCC students that are enrolled either part-time or full-time have a majority or all of their tuition covered by financial aid, the bill states, “Approximately 46 percent of CCC students receive needbased financial aid, compared to about two-thirds of resident undergraduate students at UC or CSU.” Based on the information provided in the bill clarifying the dependency on Federal Student Aid such as the Cal Grant and Pell Grant for California Community College students specifically, the FCC Financial Aid Office had no comment on SB 291. The office could not comment on whether they believed the bill will benefit the majority of FCC students.

Assembly Bill 705 Promises Greater Transfer Success Angel De Jesus Jr.| Reporter adejesus@therampageonline.com

Are you aware that you no longer have to take placement tests before registering for college classes?

Thanks to Assembly Bill 705, which is scheduled to take full effect in Fall 2019, community college students’ transfer to four-year institutions is on a fast track.

Signed in October 2017, the bill mandates that junior colleges throughout California will no longer require students to take a placement test prior to selecting their classes, meaning students can take transfer level courses in their first semester and increase the likelihood of spending less time in a community college.

"What the state is telling us is that students are more likely to pass if they just attempt the transfer level class,” said Jackie Williams who coordinates the new system in the English department. “Just because a student can't perform on that multiple choice and rules of grammar test, doesn't mean they can't perform the expectations of the transfer level class.”

For years, this placement test has determined the path and future of students attending community college, by either placing them directly in transfer level courses or relegating them to years of challenging classes of remedial math and English before qualifying for transfer level courses.

Students had the additional challenges of extra years of schooling and financial struggle from loss of work, and time away from family.

"There's two metrics we can look at, there's the success rate of the class itself,” Woods said. “But also another big metric would be what we call through put."

The placement test was shown to have unfairly placed students in classes below a level they were capable of, setting them back years of education, and has even been criticized for hindering ethnic minorities chances at transferring.

Many students find this a heavy burden, and became deterred by extra courses needed to complete the degree of their choice. The average time a person can spend in a community college is 5 and a half years.

Students now have an opportunity to bypass the remedial coursework some may find necessary to enter transfer level classes.

In doing so, a student is more likely to complete the coursework needed to transfer and be more motivated to complete a four year degree.

"There's been a higher success rate of

“

students transferring," says Matt Woods, a math teacher here on campus, who has been given the task of understanding AB705.

According to available evidence, students who entered math at a lower level had greatly diminished chances of completing transfer level math. Starting at the lowest level of math meant a student had only an 8 percent chance of getting to and completing a transfer level course.

Although the placement test was intended to evaluate an incoming student’s accrued knowledge in basic math or English in order to determine how much the student would need to learn before entering transfer level courses, the result was that students carried a larger than anticipated burden in their education.

Fresno City College is instituting steps to better prepare students for the challenge of taking courses without any prerequisites. Depending on previous courses in high school and their grade point average, students may be required to attend an additional course during the time they are taking transfer level classes.

This additional class will be with the same instructor, in a classroom setting, and only goes over the basic skills needed without extra testing or homework to get those students through the transfer level courses.

"Even if we see the [co-requisite] course utilized in tutoring time, we will see a big difference in students passing the class,” Woods said. “And that is where the co-requisite is going to shine."

Jackie Williams, former FCC student, is in charge of understanding AB705 and the expectations for the English department.

"We reached out to students that were placed in remedial classes and let them know they can go right into transfer level, but they won't have all the support systems in place until Fall,” Williams said.

“And the vast majority decided to stay in their remedial course list."

Similar changes are to be implemented to the English department in the upcoming semester.

"What we see with other junior colleges throughout the state is that with the co-requisite courses, they have an even higher success rate,” Williams said.

"The spirit behind AB705 is really based on a belief in our students, and we know our students will rise to the challenge."

What the state is telling us is that students are more likely to pass if they just attempt the transfer level class. Just because a student can't perform on that multiple choice and rules of grammar test, doesn't mean they can't perform the expectations of the transfer level class.”

-JACKIE WILLIAMS English Instructor

3.27.19 NEWS 5

COVER STORY

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The solar panels loom over the parking lot.

Some objected to the panels because of the tree removal it would require.

Photo/ Gage Carmichael

FCC Solar Project Deemed a Great Success Blake J. Evans | Reporter bevans@therampageonline.com

What began as a controversial proposal by the State Center Community College board of trustees has now evolved into a successful endeavor.

The district’s parking lot solar panel project is proving to be a resounding success, which over the next 20 years, is projected to save Fresno City College $6.2 million and $17.8 million district wide. This project is just one of many the district is pursuing in the name of eco-consciousness.

“It [solar panels] is something we’ve talked about for years, but the upfront costs never quite penciled out until now,” said Shannon Robertson, director of construction services for the district.

The current solar panel project was first presented as a 20-yearlease to the district by School Project for Utility Rate Reduction (SPURR), a program aimed to procure alternative energy systems to California public school districts.

“What attracted us to SPURR’s proposal was that there was no upfront cost, guaranteed production, and maintenance included for the life of the lease,'' Robertson said.

Also included in the proposal was shading for the parking lot, additional lighting, and four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

The implementation of the solar panels represents a major step forward for the reduction of FCC’s, and the district’s

carbon footprint. For FCC alone, the solar panels produce 3,904,101 kWh worth of energy, a reduction of a whopping 2,744 metric tons of CO2 output, equivalent to the amount of CO2 produced by 580 passenger vehicles per year. The project’s shaded parking also adds the benefit of reducing idle time for vehicles in summer due to A/C cooling.

As for future campuses, such as the West Fresno branch, Robertson said, “While solar panels won’t be in the initial build out, infrastructure in parking lots and buildings will be solar-ready.”

She said the solar panels haven’t been included on the campus’ plans because of budget constraints which are causing

the district to focus on the new campus’ educational programs.

Despite proving to be a major force in cost and energy saving for both the college and the district, the project initially encountered some resistance.

“There was some pushback from people who were concerned about the tree removal in FCC’s parking lot,” Robertson said.

for a good amount of time. It was brought to the attention of ASG again on March 12.

Darren Cousenou, Health and Environment director, provided the student government with a packet of policies related to the topic stating the consequences of having any smoking areas on campus at all. While the topic was being discussed, Senator Armando Gomez, argued that students who smoke may feel excluded and unwelcome in their school. This ultimately resulting in students stating that they “can’t come to school,” said Gomez. The counter-proposal was to increase funding for services that will help students addicted to smoking.

Psychological Services to Enrolled Student Ratio

3,904,101 The kWh worth of energy the Solar Panels Produced

To mitigate this concern, the district is working with Tree Fresno to implement the adoption of a tree planting project. Also in keeping with “going green,” the district has accepted a grant from Tree Fresno, a non profit focused on increasing Fresno’s greenery, to replace dead and dying trees or inappropriate trees on the district’s campuses and replace them with more sustainable species.

The district’s project with Tree Fresno will grow more tree groves across its four campuses.

Robertson said, “We have a lot of beautiful trees in this area, and we hope to incorporate that on our campuses through Tree Fresno.”

What is Going on in ASG Hannah Lanier | Reporter hlanier@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College Associated Student Government review weekly agendas compiled of issues to resolve at the benefit of the FCC student body.

Throughout this Spring semester, the ASG has a total of 14 meetings to achieve their desired goals set for the semester.

Within that amount of time, the student lead government discuss and vote on agenda listed items, including but not limited to: bills, budget use, and any issues pertaining to the FCC student body.

Here is a list of current agenda items that the ASG has

been working on—items that have been approved, denied, or postponed.

ASG Mandatory Training

As the new Associated Student Government gets comfortable in their positions, a mandatory training to completely ready the team took place in the FCC Senate Chambers on March 19.

This training included the review of the constitution and laws in which ASG is expected to follow.

A Smoke-Free Campus

While the topic of converting not only Fresno City College, but all State Center Community Colleges, to smoke-free campuses has been a discussion in the works

On March 26, Senator Gomez discussed the imbalanced ratio between the psychological services provided by FCC to the amount of total students enrolled (part-time and full-time). While attending a Student Welfare Committee on Feb. 20, Gomez was involved in the conversation expressing the college’s need for more psychologists. Their claim was Senator Gomez was supported by statistics explaining the need for psychologists and the inability to provide such services in a timely manner to FCC student.

ASG Fall 2019 Elections

Vote! Vote! Vote! The Associated Student Government is taking to the [campus] streets to collect signatures to ensure their spot next Fall.

For a member to qualify for a position in ASG, they must collect a minimum of 150 student signatures to get on the ballot. Come time to vote, the ASG recently passed a bill to go electronic. The E-Ballot Contract Bill was proposed on March 12 and approved on March 25, which commits the ASG to provide the FCC student body a way to vote via phone, tablet, or laptop over the next three years of elections.

6 ENTERTAINMENT

3.27.19

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From Software's Latest is Remarkable

Photo Courtesy of From Software Peter R. Lopez | Entertainment Editor plopez@therampageonline.com

The latest creation from veteran developer FromSoftware, “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” is a remarkable piece of work that’s incredibly impressive, innovative, and absolutely worth your time.

In “Sekiro” you play as a once orphaned child, now grown adult and killing machine known as the “one-armed wolf.” Taking place in Japan during the 1500s, this multiplatform game matches the player against a variety of deadly samurai and grotesque enemies all while trying to rescue his young, captured Lord.

Gameplay in Sekiro is pretty

tough, as one would come to expect from a FromSoftware title.

Enemy soldiers are given the ability to kill you almost instantly with incredibly powerful attacks and projectiles, while boss fights are equally tough and daunting which may cause to slam your controller into the ground in frustration.

While death in Sekiro is absolutely certain, the game provides the player with the ability to come back to life hence the “die twice” portion of the title. Should you manage to greet death upon your adventure, which you absolutely will, you are able to resurrect your life at the cost of losing the gold you’ve

acquired by half. Perishing and not resurrecting at the time of death will leave you with obtained gold, but that too is divided by half, which in that instance you might as well go for broke because you’re losing gold no matter what.

Slashing your way through foes with your only equippable main weapon, the samurai sword, is certainly pleasing. And kill animations, like running your enemy through with your weapon or leaping onto his back while ending his life, are nicely executed. But it’s worth mentioning, however, that even though such actions are fun to partake in, they do become

repetitive and bland over time.

In terms of Sekiro’s graphical fidelity, it’s very impressive and the cinematic sequences, in terms of action choreography, are extremely well done. The Xbox One X provides very realistic, jaw-dropping cutscenes, while simple gameplay features bear a similar aesthetic to Dark Souls III. Although one of his arms is severed, the protagonist is well equipped with a grappling hook which makes traversal and escaping from enemies a breeze. Soaring through the air and zipping from platform to platform is incredibly pleasing, and it's definitely the key to

survival.

For what it’s worth, individuals with Dark Souls experience will certainly have an advantage in terms of survival in “Shadows Die Twice.” Although it can have its difficult moments, it can also be very rewarding when the time is right. Finally defeating an enemy after suffering a grueling fate time and time again feels incredible, even when that enemy is a basic samurai soldier. If you’re looking for a challenge with great-feeling rewards, then Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is definitely a game for you.

‘Sisterhood’ Brags Victory Over Women’s Issues Tamika Rey | News Editor trey@therampageonline.com

Emily Perez | Reporter eperez@therampageonline.com

“The Language of the Brag: Celebration of Women Writers” is a platform used every Women’s History Month, for women to recite their work or the work of women who have impacted their lives. March 21 proved no different as women and men alike--both students and staff-lined the walls of OAB 251.

Some women used visuals such as PowerPoint to tell stories that awakened the feminist inside them. Kerry Ybarra, Marisol Baca, Laurel Doud, Alana Reed, and Michelle Patton were among those that read.

The event was hosted by Patton, English professor at Fresno City College, in partnership with Linda DeKruif, the program director of Women’s studies on campus. The event gave them a voice during a month where triumphant and influential women throughout history are highlighted, whom are most often overlooked in a patriarchal society.

Many of the readings reminded the audience that

women do not fit into one specific mold. They are not all prude, quiet, reserved, pushovers, only to be utilized as a means for procreation and expected to take a back seat to men in society.

Ybarra, a Philosophy professor at FCC, read a poem called “A Mother’s Son,” a beautiful yet heartbreaking piece about a former student of hers who died.

The poem describes the student, how she interacted with him and the time his mother went to visit her after his death looking for anything her son left behind.

Baca, an English professor at FCC, read two poems. “The Horno” about an horno, the Spanish term for oven, that her father made for her family in New Mexico out of adobe. She reminisced about the time she fell asleep in the horno as a child and memories surrounding it.

“Sarcophagi in Glass Houses,” Baca’s other poem, describes how chili is made and mentioned an art installation she once came across in New York that reminded her of the chile her mom and grandma would make.

A librarian at FCC, Daud read experts from a novel she wrote about Yosemite. After writing

Laurel Doud reading excerpts from her unpublished novel “Inch Worm” at “The Language of the Brag: Celebrating Women Writers” event, honoring women during Women’s History Month March 21, 2019 in OAB 251. Photo/Emily Perez

stories based in New York, Washington, and Berlin, Daud decided to write a story closer to home.

One excerpt by Reed detailed this perfectly, “…hope to try my hand at safer men. I know what I’m about, I say. I know when to fuck and when to fight…”

Reed went on to read a piece from her work “The Phoenix.”

She recited, “…I am a monster. I am a lonely flaming angel. More than before, I am disdained. Best of all, I am original…”

Patton gave the audience an intimate look into the dynamics between herself and her own

mother, who suffers from dementia, in a poem which embodied what the unwavering strength women have as the backbone of the family, and gave the notion of what homage looks like coming selflessly from one generation of woman to her predecessor.

3.27.19 ENTERTAINMENT 7

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Former foster youth Smoky Rith, Soukii Rith, and Paul Areyen at the debut of “NextUp Photo Voice Project: Through Our Eyes,” an EOPS project geared at highlighting their student perspective through photography, Thursday, March 21, 2019 in ST 103.

Photo/Tamika Rey

Foster Youth Provided Hopes for Their Educational Future Through NextUp Tamika Rey | News Editor trey@therampageonline.com

Extended Opportunity Programs and Services debuted, “NextUp Photo Voice Project: Through Our Eyes,” on Thursday, March 21 from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. in ST 103.

NextUp is a support service that provides current or former foster youth in the EOPS program with resources to succeed academically.

Veronica Salmeron-Sosa, MSW and NextUP coordinator and counselor of the EOPS program, said the program is for current or former foster youth. Salmeron-Sosa said that students Paul Areyen and siblings Smoky and Soukii Rith have worked on the project for a year.

Salmeron-Sosa said that all three were in foster care on or after the age of 16. “So they emancipated or transitioned out of foster care as young adults so many of them don’t have connections to people that can help them navigate the college system,” she said.

As a result, they often lack the resources and support to attend college, Salmeron-Sosa said.

The program began as a grant from the state, which then became a line item on the budget, “Which means that it won’t go away,” she said.

“It’s possible it could go away, but there is a funding stream specifically for this program.”

A variety of campuses throughout California have the NextUp program, including Reedley, Clovis, Oakhurst and Madera, according to SalmeronSosa.

Nine photos were showcased, each taken by the three students. The event intended to highlight NextUp, according to Salmeron-Sosa.

“It is three students who put together a lot of time and energy to take pictures of their college experience here on campus and off campus,” she said. “They are like any other student, they just have particular challenges that they need to get through. So it was their way of communicating this through the field of art and also the written word.”

Salmeron-Sosa chose the students because of their ability to relate directly to other foster youth in an interpersonal, peer-to-peer way.

“When I had these three individuals do that for free, over and over, it was so easy when that funding came to say that, ‘You are the three and you’re going to have to do something that you’re already doing.’”

“I would say that I didn’t twist their arm but I think that maybe I

did,” Salmeron-Sosa said, “But they were very willing to engage in this project,” she said. It was initially difficult to find individuals as dedicated.

Paul Areyen

Areyen stopped being a ward of the state at 18. For several years his grandmother was taking care of him.

He is majoring in nursing and has applied to the nursing program this February at State.

“I’m very excited to get in. I also picked up an account minor so that way if I wanted to become an MD I would already have those pre-reqs.”

He participated in NextUp fall of 2016 through last semester, then he got hired on as a peer mentor.

“When I transferred to state I became a tutor at the tutoring center for math and biology also tutoring EOPS,” he said. Areyen’s primary contribution to NextUp is the photo project.

The photo project centered on the concept of identity, and the multiple roles that an individual can play in life, according to Areyen. “For instance me-- I’m a husband, I’m a grandson, I’m a peer mentor; I was a soldier, I was a student.”

Some challenges he shared with the project was having to rewrite the text with the images because what it’s supposed to be is not context it’s supposed to tell more of what’s unseen in the story.

Salmeron-Sosa asked how he chose the pictures. “Eenie, meenie, minie mo,” he replied. The audience laughed. “I chose the pictures that let me live in the moment a little more.

I chose images that were more of my identity than anyone else’s,” Areyen said, more seriously.

“The reason I would suggest Photo Voice is because a big problem with youth in foster care is they don’t have that sense of belonging and you need that sense of belonging to develop a sense of identity and if you don’t have that sense of identity then statistics happen,” he said.

Soukii Rith

Soukii Rith, 20, went into the system when she was 16. She was only in it for about six months along with her brother. She’s majoring in social work and her next step in education is to either transfer to Fresno Pacific University or Stanislaus State University.

Soukii Rith has been involved with NextUp since she began her education at FCC. “My brother

"It is three students [Smoky Rith, Soukii Rith, and Paul Areyen] who put together a lot of time and energy to take pictures of their college experience here on campus and off campus. They are like any other student, they just have particular challenges that they need to get through.

So it was their way of communicating this through the field of art and also the written word,” Veronica Salmeron-Sosa said, Thursday, March 21, 2019. Photo/Tamika Rey actually started his first semester a year before me so when he was in college I wasn’t in college. I was lost.

I was only working. I figured college just wasn’t for me and he helped me to realize it was for me,” Soukii Rith said.

She said her brother helped her to get into EOPS, then she started working with Veronica. “She helped me to get into this position almost immediately.” Soukii Rith has a passion for working with foster youth and she’s been a part of it for three semesters.

One of the best takeaways for Soukii Rith was, “Just being able to channel my creative energy. I don’t have socials and I know a lot of people use that to express their creativity. So for me it’s just work, school and time with friends and it was a way for me to express myself without being online.”

One challenge for her was to, “Find a subject that was loud enough for me to portray my message in the photo and picking the picture that was most aesthetically pleasing.”

“There’s a big misconception about foster youth. Many people think they go back to what got them in the system in the first place. This project highlights the success of foster youth.

And it can do other things as well,” Soukii Rith said.

Smoky Rith

“When I was born I came out a fat baby and it reminded my sister of

Smokey the Bear,” Smoky Rith said of the origins of his middle name. He is 22 years old and left the system at 18 because he aged out.

“I am currently majoring in biology but I’m probably going to change it to psychology. Bio’s a tough major but as of right now it’s up in the air. I plan on attending Fresno State,” Smoky Rith said. While he’s open to other colleges, Fresno State is priority one, and he wants to get into med school.

Smoky Rith’s involvement with NextUp has been as a peer mentor.

He and Areyen were actually the first two peer mentors. Then his sister came along. Now he’s a student ambassador.

“I like making a mark, and the fact that I can make a mark within this program–it was a project opportunity and I had to take it,” Smoky Rith said.

“When we [Soukii and I] were in the system, we were separated and we kind of lost connection there, so this photo project made us come together and have a closer relationship as brother and sister, and this is our dad,” Smoky Rith said as he pointed to Paul, which everyone found comical.

Salmeron-Sosa asked the three student what they would want the audience to take from this project.

“It’s just a perspective. We’re three individuals. We’re the exception, we’re not the norm. And so take what you can from why we’re the

exceptions. That would be good,” said Areyen.

“Think about what your own story is,” Soukii Rith said. “Not all foster care experiences are the same and not all of them are bad.” She said her experience wasn’t terrible; it had a smooth transition both into and out of it.

“Even though I was removed from my parents, I took away life skills that I didn’t have prior to being in the system and Photo Voice and Veronica really did make me realize that,” she said.

One audience member, also a foster youth had nothing but good things to say about her peer mentors.

“I’ve been having a very tough time coming to college and ever since Soukii came in having that reminder like going to the cafeteria and seeing her around school, you know she’s been there for me.”

Another audience member even asked if the photos were for sale and suggested Smoky Rith change his major to a Neuro-Psychiatrist and said all three would have a practice together.

“And she’s going to be your first patient!” Salmeron-Sosa joked. An eruption of laughter from the crowd followed.

“I think that developing the project was awesome, but I think that the camaraderie that these three have developed together: that for me is the best part,” Salmeron-Sosa said.

8 OPINION 3.27.19

therampageonline.com

PRO/CON: Is social media toxic?

CON: FUCK SOCIAL MEDIA F##k social media. F##k our phones. And f##k the opinions and justification of others. It’s time to take our lives back and appreciate our own personal worth.

According to the Pew Research Center, with regard to personal identity issues, “self-promotion . . . propaganda and pressures to conform have become dominant in social networks, causing individuals to experience the loss of selfconfidence and self-esteem.”

While we tend to oblige the internet with lovely pictures of our getaways and personal achievements, receiving nothing in return, be it likes, re-posts, or otherwise, “encourages [individuals] to lose faith in others and adopt a negative world view.”

Whether you like it or not, this is crippling to our inner selves.

It’s time to wake up and snap

out of it. Smell the roses for crying out loud. Remember, your life is way more important than someone’s approval on social media platforms. Rather than posting an incredible image of you and your loved one at the beach, soak up the sun, get naked, and live in the moment.

How many times have we flipped to Instagram to view muscular bodies in an effort to emulate what we see, only to confront disappointment when results are non-existent. Or how about expressing our deep thoughts and personal sorrows on Twitter, only to literally check back within seconds to see if we received a response.

As sad as it sounds, more often than not, we anxiously check back and notice that there is nothing waiting for us in the notification section. We spend time exposing our vulnerable selves to the void and emptiness

of the internet for nothing.

Even though we were being true to ourselves, speaking our minds, preaching to what we think is right, or perhaps asking for someone to lend an ear, we get nothing but more emptiness and rejection in return. Life is already stressful, especially for college students, so why load our plates with more bulls##t?

And, not surprisingly, our youth is being damaged by social media as well. According to the Pew Research Center, a 2018 study found that “59 percent of U.S. teens have personally experienced at least one of six types of abusive online behaviors.”

Instead, let us enjoy our lives without exploiting them online.

Let’s go for a walk without snapping incredible photos of the sunset, and let’s enjoy it as if it’s the last one we will ever see.

Peter R. Lopez | Entertainment Editor plopez@therampageonline.com

PRO: Why Social Media is EssentiaL As I scroll down my Facebook page, I often see people’s posts complaining about how much personal information others share on their social media pages. These posts belittle others in a very condescending and subjective manner.

Although I can understand why most people don’t want to know that you just took out the trash or are getting ready to brush your teeth, there are other times when sharing information on social media have proven to be absolutely essential for the well being of others.

You don’t have to take my word for it, just ask A&E Real Crime reporter, Laura Dorwart.

For example, in the case of Cheyenne Rose Antoine and Brittney Gargol, the two teens were friends and took a picture together and posted it on Facebook. I’m sure their mutual friends on Facebook had no idea it would likely be the last time they would see Brittney alive.

Brittney’s body was found on the side of the road in March of 2015 with a fashionable black belt lying next to her body; police assumed the belt to be the murder weapon.

Guess what? Turns out it was, and the picture uploaded to Facebook was key evidence in convicting Cheyenne who pled guilty to manslaughter and received seven years in prison. Sad and crazy, right?

And what about the emotional Facebook Live videos Kalvon Hawkins uploaded, pleading with the public to help him solve the murder of his 17 year old daughter NeKeisha HodgesHawkins, who was shot in the back of the head after leaving a party?

These videos evoked enough emotion

within the community that, ultimately, a man by the name of Charles Gerron was arrested and convicted about a month later.

“In the event a victim and/or their family desires multiple people to hear what happened to them, or seeks help from the public, social media reaches a broader segment of people faster,” Kevin Urbanczyk, chief of operations at Michigan City Police Department in Indiana, said to Dorwart.

Let’s not forget the overwhelming amount of new research that shows social media can actually impact one’s mental health in a positive way.

Kevin Naruse, of Paintedbrain.org explained, “Exposure to Facebook has been called ‘emotionally contagious,’” and that social media addiction has become a pandemic among teens. Yet there are still reasons to search for the rainbow in the eye of the storm.

“Concerns about negative impacts of social media have dominated public debate. However, recent studies show there are clear health benefits to being online and connected,” Joanna Egan of Women’s Health, stated.

1. “Relieving social isolation and loneliness by opening up new communication pathways” – people with mental illness open up and remain incognito at the same time 2. “Inspire healthy lifestyle changes” – sharing health goals publicly makes you feel accountable to uphold those goals and “positive emotional contagion” betters chances of eating healthier or quitting drinking 3. “Aid medical research for mental health professionals” – researchers use social media platforms to collect and

analyze data in a way they were unable to before 4. “Make social support and interventions possible” – people with thoughts of suicide reach out through social media at times. New sites allow for suicidal individuals to connect with help, even receive inspirational text messages and info supporting recovery 5. “Build community by joining local meetups” – Meetup.com and Tweetups are platforms that allow users to connect with like-minded individuals in face-toface interactions, pulling them away from the screen into the real world 6. “Strengthen existing relationships” – for reasons including distance, or even physical disabilities that hinder travel, some use social media to maintain already established relationships 7. “Provide teens with opportunities to develop technical skills needed to function in society” – some people simply can’t share their inner feelings with the people closest to them. Social media allows them opportunity to do so “which in itself is therapeutic.”

So before you cut the cord, ditch those happy-go-lucky URLs, or uninstall those overused apps, just try to think about the brighter side of social media.

Like more inspirational pages on Facebook.

Follow more intellectual people on Twitter.

And, honestly, just hit the unfollow or block button on ANY social media site if you don’t like what you see.

It’s that simple, people.

You have full control of your eye and ear gate and the media you consume and share.

Tamika Rey | News Editor

trey@therampageonline.com

3.27.19 OPINION 9

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CAMPUS VOICES Leticia Leal | Reporter lleal@therampageonline.com

How do you feel about wealthy parents bribing admissions to get their children into the top colleges?

Samantha Perez

Global Studies Major

“I feel angry, considering how many students can’t get into the schools they want to go to for financial reasons.”

Sarina Fehr Art Major

“I wasn’t that surprised; rich people can get away with anything.”

The Tea

"In an era of clickbait, and the press being called the 'enemy of the people,' it's imperative to understand the how's and why's of journalism. In this weekly column Tommy Tribble, editor-in-chief of The Rampage, hopes to clear up the misconceptions about journalism, and shed some light on the process."

How We Lead with the Lede Tommy Tribble | Editior-in-Chief ttribble@therampageonline.com

Readers should know the whole story from the very first line.

That’s the first thing we learn in a journalism class. It’s so contrary to every other type of writing. Most beginnings are a hook, a hint, a tease. It’s always important, but not always for the same reason.

But an article isn’t a book isn’t a memoir isn’t a poem isn’t a play. All of those things have a use–to entertain, to create, to shed light on the darkest contours of the human experience.

Articles have a use too. But it’s not to create. While we hook, we don’t hint. We tell, but we don’t tease. Journalism is all about utility; the first line of an article is all about being useful.

It’s really the only thing that matters.

The first sentence is useful because it gives up the ghost. It tells the reader everything they need to know, boiling the story down to its most basic element.

Every other paragraph is about filling in the blanks of the lede.

So imagine you’ve just finished Jordan Peele’s “Us,” a new horror film starring Lupita Nyongo about sinister doppelgangers. You’re sitting there with your friend from work, you’re feeling good, feeling gorgeous because you just watched a fire piece of cinema.

“Does this movie have an after credits scene?” your friend from work asks. She went to film school so she wants to deconstruct all over the damn place and needs every last piece of the puzzle. But you don’t really know.

So you get that phone out and you do a good old google search.

“Does ‘Us’ have an after credits scene?”

An article pops up. You click on it because you’re a fool and you’ve forgotten that it’s 2019.

The lede talks about what the movie that you’ve already seen is. It goes on to describe “Get Out,” Jordan Peele’s last film, and tries to awkwardly tie it into a movie that is fundamentally

different.

You keep reading. You and your friend are still sitting in the dark. Some people are leaving but many have chosen to stay behind to see, you know, if the damn movie has an after credits scene.

You learn in the final paragraph that no, it does not.

So anyways, throw journalism in the trash and throw the trash into the sun.

But the thing to understand is that a lot of these sites aren’t concerned that much with informing people. That’s probably what those journalists set out to do when they got their degrees, but it’s not the role they ended up playing.

“

So anyways, throw journalism in the trash and throw the trash into the sun.

Their articles are the set dressing for advertisers, because that’s what makes money on a website. It’s all about that adsense. So in this way the utility of the lede isn’t to inform, it’s to drag out. It’s to keep the reader on the page as long as possible, often past a midroll advert that they must scroll most.

We don’t do that at the Rampage. They don’t do it at the New York Times or the Washington Post either. Their utility, our utility, the utility of this column is to inform.

So when we write for you, readers, we write knowing that our first sentence is more likely than not all you’ve got time to read, or at least all you care to read. So the headline turns the heat on the teapot, and the lede pours the chai right into your cup.

The rest of the article is, um, well, the tea metaphor doesn’t really extend that far, but let’s just say it’s about the details.

In the simplest sense, an article is written so that the most important, foundational information is at the top. The least important information is at the bottom.

The utility is simple: I want to know if “Us” has an after credits scene. The lede tells me it doesn’t. Great! I can leave the theater.

And that’s the tea.

Twitch > YouTube Kellie Clark | Reporter kclark@therampageonline.com

Darius Morris

Criminology Major

“If I were a wealthy parent, I’d do the same thing. Why not want the best for your children?”

Clarissa Zurita Nursing Major

“Students should be accepted into college due to their academics.”

In today's age, jobs are offered both in person and online. Most students tend to go the online route because it is more relaxed and works really well with their schedule unlike most jobs. Some of the top online opportunities that the internet has to offer are YouTube, a video uploading site that allows YouTube Creators to monetize with ads, and Twitch, a streaming service that allows the streamers to interact with their audience directly, which is the usual preference in terms of monetization.

These websites both offer payment after certain requirements are met such as advertisement revenue.

Most tend to go the YouTube route, hoping to follow famous YouTube star's footsteps such as Markiplier, Jacksepticeye (YouTube gaming stars) and so many others who have made it to fame.

Why are people choosing this

online work over traditional methods? Simple: It's enjoyable.

YouTube has a large variety of what type of videos can be produced from video blogging to gaming to even just makeup tutorials.

However, what YouTubers call “ad-pocalypse” is making things difficult for small YouTubers such as myself to get much fun out of this entrepreneur way.

With advertisements taking up most videos, YouTube is cracking down on the miniscule things such as cursing and copyright issues.

“If your channel as a whole isn’t suitable for advertising, because of the nature of your content,” says the Creator Academy of YouTube, “You can disable ads and still pursue other monetization options for which you’re eligible.”

Twitch, however, is quite different and much more beneficial. Most of the complaints about YouTube is demonetisation, an act where you lose out on money for

copyright or mature content.

Twitch does not have this aspect. Instead, Twitch is a live streaming service that is more relaxed but also very time consuming because Twitch streamers have to schedule their streams at a certain time to make sure they get the right audience.

YouTube's rules are rather strict to the point of needing at least 4000 total views within 12 months and at least a 1000 subscriber count in order to get advertisements on videos. These advertisements are “YouTube Ad Revenue,” and without ads the channel won't get paid. This is the main reason why more and more YouTube channels are turning to Twitch.

Twitch streamers need to meet a specific set of milestones in order to become a Twitch Affiliate. This program is invitation-only after the streamer has had a minimum of eight hours broadcasted, a minimum of seven unique broadcast days, an average

of three concurrent viewers or more, and have at least 50 followers. Viewers can also subscribe to unlock perks, the affiliates receive a cut of each subscription.

Another way viewers give money to the streamer is via virtual cheers, called “bits.”

Twitch viewers can buy bits, which come in all sorts of different colors and sizes, from the chat window. This price starts at $1.40 for 100 bits.

Viewers then can send these bits to their favorite streamer who will receive one cent per bit given.

Some might view getting paid to game or talk or even do makeup as lazy or not a “real job” but this type of money goes towards taxes. It may not start off as the best money grabber but as long as the streamer or YouTuber keeps at it then they are bound to get a job they finally enjoy and can keep up with.

10 SPORTS 3.27.19

therampageonline.com

Rams Come Up Short in Playoffs Despite Successful Season Alberto Granados| Reporter agranados@therampageonline.com

Rams' head coach Ed Madec talks to the team before their opening playoff game against Sacramento City College on Saturday, March 2. Photo/Ben Hensley

Fresno City College men’s basketball season came to an end on Saturday, March 16, losing to Fullerton in the state semifinals 59-48 in Ventura. The Rams could never get their offense in rhythm in the playoff loss, falling behind early and never recovering.

The season as a whole however was much better than the end implied.

The Rams finished the season with an 18th consecutive conference title. They went overall 28-4 with an .870 win percentage, while going 16-0 in their conference.

The team was able to go deep into the playoffs.

FCC fought every game with coach Ed Madec leading them.

This season was a test of their skills mentally and physically in every game.

In post game interviews coach Madec would never be satisfied with the team because he believed they can always do better. Madec maintained a humble attitude of a competitor, always acknowledging the other teams and always trying to get his players right.

Following every home game, Madec’s Rams would work out immediately following each game, showing how much he and the team was committed to excellence

and striving to be the best not only in the conference, but in the state as well.

Among other stand out performers Georgie Dancer was named a CCCAA First Team All-State selection and named the Central Valley Conference’s most valuable player of March.

Sophomore forward Ethan Richardson also accomplished a lot this season, being named CCCAA Men’s basketball state Championship All-Tournament team, while also leading the Fresno City Rams in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage.

Richardson was a key component in each of the Rams’ games in the 2018-2019 season.

The Rams also benefited from the contributions of sophomore guard David Rico, the leading three point threat for the Rams shooting an impressive 49.7 percent from the three point line.

Eljay Gallegos was also among the players who shot well, shooting 45.3 percent from the three point line.

Having gone through this season David Rico experienced all the ups and downs that FCC had.

“This season I feel like we accomplished the joy of being around true brothers...it was a

really fun season,” Rico said of the Rams’ performance. The team looked to not only accomplish a lot on the court but off the court as well.

Rico was able to contribute to many wins this season for FCC, even going a perfect 5 for 5 from the three point line against Sacramento City College. “It felt good to contribute into helping my team win and seeing the hard work paying off,” Rico said of his performance against Sacramento City.

Rico was clearly thankful for his time with the Rams, thanking the program for giving him the opportunity to play. “I would like to thank the coaches and my teammates for a great 2 years here at city,” Rico said. “I’d like to thank the coaches for taking a chance on a 6’2 kid from Kerman, CA and thanks to my teammates for having my back and making me better everyday. This is truly a brotherhood.”

Even though their season is over the grind will never stop with these athletes. The Rams will be back in action this fall, seeking their 19th consecutive conference title, and Madec’s record tying 14th consecutive conference title as head coach.

Ethan Richardson rises to the rim in the Rams' 91-77 playoff win over Sacramento City College on Saturday, March 2 in Fresno. Photo/Ben Hensley

Star Forward Ethan Richardson finds home with RAms

Conner Stevens | Reporter cstevens@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City Men’s Basketball team had many accomplishments in the 2018-2019 campaign that included: a perfect 16-0 conference record, a win-streak of 26 games during the season, an 18th conference championship and a final four appearance in the state finals, where their season would come to a close with a 58-49 lose to Fullerton College.

Looking back on the Rams’ 28-4 season, one can’t help but notice the big man inside that contributed to their success in a considerable way.

That big man inside is 6-foot-10-inch sophomore Ethan Richardson.

Graduating from Madera High school in 2016, Richardson decided to continue his basketball career at San Francisco City College where he played in eight games. In those eight games, he started seven and averaged 11.9 points per game to go along with 5.4 rebounds a game and shot 51 percent from the field.

Following his first year at SFCC, Richardson made the move to go to another community college in the valley. “When I left San Francisco I went to Reedley [College] where I didn’t go to school,” Richardson said in

an over the phone interview.

“I slacked off and didn’t do too well so I was back home for a whole year and then made the decision to come to Fresno City.”

It was then that Richardson met up with Rams Basketball Coach Ed Madec. When describing the differences in programs that made him want to come to Fresno City, Richardson emEthan Richardson battles his way through the defense in the Rams' 99-71 win over Sacramento phasized, “willCity College on March 2, 2019. Photo/Ben Hensley ing to come here and compete.”

2 playoff win against Sacranext place I go I want it to Looking at the numbers, mento City College. be a brotherhood and be as that’s exactly what RichRichardson credits coming crazy as me about winning.” ardson did, he came in and to FCC and working with Though there isn’t a set competed.

Madec as the reason for his path for the near future for Working with Madec improvements in the paint, Richardson, he did receive would bode well for Richard- “He taught me to attack evhis first Division I offer to the son as he put up impressive erything,” he added. “Coach University of North Dakota numbers in the 18-19 season. Madec is why my success in this past week.

Scoring 16.3 points per game, the post has gone from good No matter where Richshooting 63 percent from to elite.” ardson goes to continue his the field and averaging 7.4 Richardson plans on basketball career though, he rebounds per game in his 32 keeping that mindset as the looks to have as close a group games played. opportunity to go on to a of teammates that he had That along with a season four year gets closer, “I will this season, “The decision to high 33 points shooting continue to play somewhere come to Fresno City changed 13-23 and doing so in just 23 for sure,” he added. “I want my life with the brothers that minutes in the Rams’ March to play pro someday and the I have made here.”

Ethan Richardson slams down a dunk during the Rams' 15156 win over West Hills Lemoore. Photo/Ben Hensley

3.27.19 SPORTS 11

therampageonline.com

Rams sweep Taft in doubleheader

“

I think we are in a good place right now and going into finishing up the first round of CVC Play” - Rhonda Williams Rams' Softball Head Coach

Derek Bullis | Reporter dbullis@therampageonline.com

Savannah Pena belts her second home run of the game against Taft College on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Photo/Ben Hensley

Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com

Fresno City Rams softball swept their doubleheader at home against Taft Cougars on Tuesday, March 19, giving the Rams a six game win streak and a 12-8 overall record for the season.

“We feel like we got some good momentum going right now,” Rams’ head coach Rhonda Williams said.

Katie Delgadillo was the starting pitcher for both games throwing for a total of seven innings facing 28 batters and only giving up four runs off six hits.

“Pitchers are throwing well, we are playing good defense, we are hitting the ball. You know that’s what it takes for all those aspects of the game to come together,” Williams said.

In game one Savannah Pena went two for three with two solo home runs. Offensive production was spread evenly throughout the team, seeing Pena, along with freshmen Teya Vincent, Tori Hernandez and Emily Puente all driving in two runs a piece.

The only scoring opportunity

for Taft came in the fourth inning, when a leadoff single followed by a double led to the only two runs of the game for the visiting Cougies.

The game would be called after five innings, with a final score of 11-2.

Game two had a strong start for the Rams, seeing the team bat through the entire line up, scoring six runs off six hits against Taft in the first inning.

With the Rams at 6-0 going into the top of the second inning, Taft shortstop Morgan Thomas singled. With a runner on first base, Tori Gonzalez hit a home run to score two runs, and close in on the Rams’ lead.

The Rams ran through the line up again in the third inning scoring five runs off three walks and four hits from Savannah Pena, Emily Fuente, Courtney Beckwith and Aliyah Alatorre.

In the bottom of the fourth inning both Teya Vincent and Emily Fuente both earned homeruns for the Rams. Fuente sending the ball over the left field wall scoring

a two-run homerun.

Later in the inning with the bases fully loaded Vincent hit the ball deep to center field for a grand slam earning four runs for the Rams.

As was the case in the opener, the second game was also called short at the bottom of the fifth inning with the final score of the game 19-2.

“I think we are in a good place right now and going into finishing up the first round of CVC Play,” Williams said.

Coach Williams is in her 23rd season as the head coach for Fresno City College and is planning to retire from coaching after this season but not retire completely.

She is looking to continue her career teaching for the school for a few more years.

The Rams will be on the road next week playing in a double header against conference leaders Reedley College on Tuesday March 26. First game will start at 1 p.m. and the second shortly after at 3 p.m.

Rams Catcher Courtney Beckwith takes her cuts against Taft College during their doubleheader on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Photo/Ben Hensley

Central Valley Conference Standings Team GP W-L Pct Reedley 9 8-1 0.889 Sequoias 9 8-1 0.889 Fresno City 9 7-2 0.778 Merced 8 5-3 0.625 Porterville 7 3-4 0.429 West hills Coalinga 8 1-7 0.125 TAft 6 0-6 0.000 Cerro Coso 8 0-8 0.000

12 SPORTS 3.27.19

therampageonline.com

Rams Drop Game One Against Rival Giants Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College baseball team came into their series opener against College of the Sequoias on an eight game win streak following series sweeps over Porterville College and Reedley College.

The streak ended at eight, after the Rams dropped the opener of their three game set against the Giants by a score of 9-3.

The night opened up on a high note for the Rams, scoring one run in each of the first three innings. Chet Allison continued on his torrid streak, blasting the first pitch of the game deep over the left field fence for a home run.

It was his third home run of the season and his 27th RBI. “He’s just really good,” Rams’ head coach Ron Scott said of his star outfielder. “Right now he’s seeing the ball like a volleyball.”

Adrian Gutierrez also went deep to lead off the second inning, belting his first home run of the year.

Chet Allison led off the third inning with a double, and was sent home on a Chase Prieto single, extending the lead to 3-0.

After the third inning, however, the well ran dry. The Rams went scoreless for the final six frames of the game despite numerous opportunities to score more runs.

“They’re a good team, and we had a chance” a disappointed coach Scott said of the COS team following the loss.

Starting pitcher Giovanni Saavedra threw 98 pitches in seven innings of very good work until the eighth inning, when the Rams unravelled.

“Gio pitched a fabulous game,” Scott said of his starting pitcher who struck out four while walking only one and allowing seven hits.

Both teams had plenty of traffic on the basepaths throughout the first five innings, which saw the Giants record six hits in the first

seven innings.

The Rams on the other hand had runners on base in each of the first seven innings, recording eight hits but failing to score in every inning following the third.

The top of the eighth inning is when the Rams unravelled.

Starting with an error by third baseman Ian Ross, the Rams allowed two straight runners on singles, one of which scoring two runs.

What followed was a rare Rams pitching error, seeing Saavedra attempt a pickoff throw to first with the bases loaded. The throw sailed past first baseman Adam Munoz’s and down the right field line, scoring two runs in the process. Saavedra went on to walk the batter Jordan Rojas, leading to a pitching change, seeing Darren Jansen come in.

Jansen hit the first batter he faced, loading the bases for the second time in the inning.

Following the hit-by-pitch, Giants’ Donte Valdez singled Rams pitching coach Eric Solberg meets with Giovanni Saavedra and the rest of the infield on the mound during the Rams' 9-3 loss to COS on to right field, advancing each of Tuesday, March 26 at John Euless Park.. Photo/Ben Hensley the runners 90 feet and scoring two hits and one walk. the tying run, bringing the score “All we can do is just play to 3-3. like we did today,” Scott said, With still no outs, Zane explaining that the Rams just had Thompson singled to right and a bad inning. after a rare Allison error in right The loss propelled COS to 9-1 field scored three extra runs, in the Central Valley Conference. pushing the Giants ahead for good They now lead by one full game 6-3. over the Rams, who are tied with COS was able to scratch across Taft in the conference standings one more run in the eighth, at 8-2. ending the frame with a 7-3 lead.

The Rams look to start “I thought the error to open up freshman pitcher Alec Gamboa the eighth cost us the game,” coach in their next matchup against the Scott said. “He [Saavedra] tried a Giants. They will try and bounce pickoff play with the bases loaded back from their loss when they we’d never even done before and play in Visalia on Friday. then it just unravelled.”

The Rams will be back in The Giants scored two more action to wrap up the three game runs in the top of the ninth off series in Fresno on Saturday at 1 relief pitcher Joel Bustos, who Rams' sophomore outfielder Chet Allison belts a home run in the bottom of the first inning p.m. at John Euless Park. allowed two unearned runs on of the Rams' loss to COS on Tuesday, March 26 2019. Photo/Ben Hensley

Central Valley Conference Standings

Team GP W-L

Pct

Sequoias 10 9-1 Fresno City 10 8-2 Taft 10 8-2 Merced 10 7-3 Reedley 10 3-7 West Hills Coalinga 10 3-7 Cerro Coso 10 2-8 Porterville 10 0-10

0.900 0.800 0.800 0.700 0.300 0.300 0.200 0.000