Fall 2016 Issue 7

RAMPAGE

Student-run newspaper of Fresno City College

www.therampageonline.com

Former Rampage Reporter Remembered for Talent, Passion

BY ALY HONORE

Reporter ahonore@therampageonline.com

November 30, 2016 Fall 2016, Issue 7

Educational leaders ask Trump to protect DACA

BY ASHLEIGH PANOO

Former Rampage reporter and Fresno State graduate student, Mireyda Barraza Martinez died in a car accident Nov. 20 at the age of 29. The wreck happened on Highway 99 in Fresno around 6:45 p.m. when Barraza Martinez lost control of her vehicle and was broadsided by another car.

Barraza Martinez, a poetry student in the Masters of Fine Arts Creative Writing program, was in pursuit of her master’s degree at Fresno State.

She had expanded her educational and literary career in Fresno, though she is from Porterville, California.

During her years at Fresno City College, Barraza Martinez was a writer and contributor for the Rampage staff. She was also a tutor on FCC campus with the Peer Assisted Student Sessions program.

PASS Coordinator Jennifer Dorian revealed Martinez’s contribution to the program in an email to the Ram-

News/Managing Editor apanoo@therampageonline.com

(RIGHT) Mireyda “Mia” Barraza Martinez. (LEFT) Mireyda “Mia” Barraza Martinez reads poetry. She was a poetry student at Fresno State and taught a poetry workshop there, according to the university’ Master of Fine Arts spokesperson. Photo Courtesy/Facebook page, saying “she is a major pillar of our community and at CSUF.” Barraza Martinez was described by a representative from her masters program as a “smart, strong and good-hearted person and a gifted poet.”

Barraza Martinez received her bachelor’s degree in English in 2014 and established a poetry career

characterized by her passion and intelligence.

She taught an English 41 poetry writing workshop, and assisted in the Laureate Lab Visual Wordlist Studio.

As a daughter of farmworkers, Barraza Martinez’s poetry docu-

SEE REMEMBERED, PAGE 5

The leaders of California’s higher education bodies appealed to President-elect Donald Trump to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Incoming California Community College Chancellor, Eloy Ortiz Oakley, joined with University of California President Janet Napolitano and Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White to formally ask Trump to preserve DACA, which gives help to undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children.

All three chancellors stated in a letter dated Nov. 29 that DACA students should not be punished for the actions of others and should be able to pursue their dream of

SEE DACA, PAGE 2

First ‘Pizza with the President’ focuses on strength of college, students

BY CRESENCIO RODRIGUEZ DELGADO

Editor-in-Chief crodriguezdelgado@therampageonline.com

I

n a discussion Tuesday at Fresno City College, President Carole Goldsmith highlighted the strength of the college and students to explain the importance of each.

The event was called “Pizza with the President,” and students were invited to share stories about who they were and what their goals were as they enjoyed fresh pizza made by the college cafeteria staff.

The lunchtime discussion offered a chance for students to meet the president as well as share why they were attending FCC, something Goldsmith thinks is important to understand each other’s stories.

“It’s really important that we talk about who we are and understand who we are and understand our history,” Goldsmith said. “If we don’t, it’s very difficult for us to see our future or understand what our potential is.”

Goldsmith offered students a glimpse into the different academic

SEE DISCUSSION, PAGE 2 The Rampage

(TOP) Associated Student Government member Mando Manfredonia and Charissa “Cherry” Phene talk to Fresno City College President Carole Goldsmith about issues with motorcycle parking on campus during “Pizza with the President” in the staff dining room on Nov. 29, 2016. (BOTTOM) Jackson Whittle, Goldsmith and Gloria Martinez-Guzman during “Pizza with the President” in the staff dining room on Nov. 29, 2016. Whittle and Martinez-Guzman are current high school seniors at Design Science Early College High School, which allows them to take up to 11 units in FCC and talked to Goldsmith about the opportunities that FCC has presented in advancing their education. Photos/Ram Reyes

To watch Goldsmith’s entire speech: www.therampageonline.com

FCCRampage

RampageNews

INDEX: NEWS 2

A&E 6

OPINION 8

SPORTS 10

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RAMPAGE 11.30.2016

Proposed board relocation to Clovis meets resistance

BY EDWARD SMITH

Opinion/Copy Editor esmith@therampageonline.com

Many on the Fresno City College campus are critical of the proposed move of the board of trustees meeting place from the district office at FCC to the Herndon campus of the Clovis Community College beginning in spring 2017.

“Fresno City hosts the largest number of students,” Associated Student Government President Kou Xiong said. “This is where the voice of the students is. If they [the board of trustees] move it [the district office], I feel they are restricting our students opinion.”

The board of trustees of the State Center Community College District is planning a temporary move from its regular meeting place to the Herndon campus of Clovis Community College.

Previously, the board had used the district office conference room

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tickets for the Fight for Water 6 with Jose Ramirez.

Go to our website to

see video of sumo-bot from Ideaworks.

near the Fresno City College campus, but the board feels the site is inadequate for a growing campus.

“It is almost embarrassing that we have staff and visitors that fill up the seats, and then there’s standing room only,” Trustee John Leal said.

The size limitations of the district office affect the district’s ability to be hospitable toward the students and visitors. “It’s all about our students, and yet we have no room for them to sit,” Leal said.

The move comes at a time the district is considering expanding.

The Herndon campus would provide a classroom large enough to convert into a conference room capable of accommodating all the visitors to the board’s monthly meetings until a new board room has been built.

Members of the board of trustees are still scouting for locations that could be expanded or to purchase property where the new facility could be built.

“One school of thought is that we should just bite the bullet and move all the way to the Herndon campus,” Leal said. “It would be very easy to acquire property across the street and make that the new district office.”

Those opposed to the news state that the board should stay close to FCC, the flagship college of the district.

There are logistical complications for students wishing to attend the board meetings, such as bus routes.

The city buses do not run directly by Clovis Community’s Herndon Campus, but they do run by FCC. “I came here five years ago, and I didn’t start driving until last year,” Xiong said.

Many other students rely on public transportation for getting around, as well.

“A lot of our students don’t have access to (public transportation) so that makes it difficult,” Kaura Lopez, student trustee, said.

Additionally, many students enjoy the proximity of the district office to FCC. “I think I speak for the 23,000 students who haven’t voiced their opinion,” Xiong said. “I feel that if our students have an issue, and they want to take it up to the board, it’s

RAMPAGE Staff Editorial Board Editor in Chief Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado Managing/News Editor Ashleigh Panoo Entertainment Editor Jasmine Yoro Bowles Sports Editor Michael Ford Copy/Opinion Editor Edward Smith

Reporters Jorge Alamo Sage Arthur-Flores Payton Hartung Aly Honore Cedric Hood Destinee Lopez Frank Lopez Savanna Manzo Michael Mendez Jose Orozco Eric Zamora

Photo Editor Ram Reyes Broadcast Editor Larry Valenzuela Layout Editor Lukas Newcomb

Rampage Adviser/Instructor Dympna Ugwu-Oju dympna.ugwu-oju@fresnocitycollege.edu

a walk right over there.”

A larger room may be able to accommodate more students who want to attend the meetings. “I would think if we want to have more ASG representatives, we would need more room, so they could be part of the audience,” Leal said.

The problem for students, however, is getting there. The student trustee is required by law to attend the board meetings, but ASG holds

NEWS its meetings on Tuesdays, every week.

“I would either have to leave [our meeting] earlier or not show up at all,” Lopez said. “I feel like I can’t be an adequate voice for my students if I have to miss those meetings as well.”

The district meets on the first Tuesday of every month.

‘Redskin’ mock trial set for next month on campus

BY SAGE ARTHUR FLORES

Reporter sflores@therampageonline.com

The Pro-Football Inc. v. Blackhorse mock trial will be hosted by Nancy Holland’s business law class on Dec 7.

The trial will be a replication of the Washington Inc. Pro-Football Team challenging the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s decision to remove the standing patent on the “Washington Redskins” name.

The team had a patent on the name for almost 50 years, before a group of Native Americans claimed the team’s name was disparaging and had the patent removed under

DACA

FROM PAGE 1 higher education without fear of being arrested, deported, or rounded up for just trying to learn. “...We urge you to continue this important program and allow these young people to continue to pursue a college education and contribute to their communities and the nation,” the letter continued.

In a related action, a Nov. 23 email from the admissions and records office warned some Fresno City College students about how policy changes under the new presidential administration could impact their lives.

The email stated that DACA could be ending when the President-elect Trump takes office. Trump stated on his website that he has plans to “immediately terminate [President Obama’s] executive amnesties,” which include DACA. The email urged students who have not signed up for DACA and those whose papers are up for renewal to take action immediately, before Trump takes office.

The email reads in part, “If you are planning to apply for DACA, you should do so as quickly as possible.

First time applicants need to be aware that their application may not be approved by January 20. At this time, it is uncertain when and how the processing of these first time applications will be handled.”

The email informs students that they could get free legal services, including applications and renewals

the Lanham act.

The Lanham act, passed in 1946, is used to deny trademarks that are considered offensive. It also governs service marks and unfair competition.

On Oct. 23, the Supreme Court rejected hearing the team’s appeal.

The team compared their case to a similar case, Simon Tam v. United States Patent and Trademark Office, and wanted both cases to be heard together, but the Supreme Court rejected the idea.

Holland’s class will be reading out the oral arguments of the Pro-Football Team from the case.

The mock trial will be held in the Old Administrative Building, from 11 am to 12:15 pm. for DACA, from the Insure America Project in Fresno. Loans are available for the $465-$495 application fee.

The Insure America Project is located at 4969 E. McKinley Ave., Suite 203 and can also be reached at office@insureamericaproject.org or by phone at 559-573-8054.

Goldsmith said she has had a chance to speak with local leaders and immigrants in the community, including a few students who were worried because they were DACA students.

“Fresno City College,” Goldsmith said, “will stand to always be a safe place for all students.”

DISCUSSION FROM PAGE 1

and athletic areas of the college so students were aware of what the institution offered. She made sure students knew the history of FCC, reminding them it is the first community college in the state and the second in the nation.

When students shared why they chose FCC as their college, Goldsmith invited other students to clap for them. Goldsmith also reminded students about this semester’s Unity Walk, and other events that marked major issues throughout the nation like the pipeline protests in North Dakota, which brought students closer together.

“One year ago, a unity walk with students of color all going to the same institution was unheard of,” Goldsmith said. “Today that is part of our very fabric.”

Corrections? Email media@therampageonline.com

Contact Us: Tip Line: 559.442.8262 Letters to the Editor to: editorial@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 individiual writer and not of the newspaper. The Rampage is produced by students of the Journalism 11 A, B, C, D class.

RAMPAGE 11.30.2016

NEWS

Outgoing Music Instructor Dedicates Last Concert to Colleagues, Students

Dale Engstrom stands on stage during a band performance in the Old Administration Building Auditorium on Oct. 19, 2016. Engstrom will retire after his Dec. 7 performance. Photo/Ram Reyes

BY ASHLEIGH PANOO

Managing/News Editor apanoo@therampageonline.com

W

hen Dale Engstrom raises his baton on Dec. 7 for his final performance at Fresno City College, he will be leaving behind a 14-year legacy at FCC. The director of bands will conduct the FCC Wind Ensemble in his final performance before retiring and moving to Switzerland where his daughter lives.

Engstrom describes the cumulation of his last few weeks at FCC as bittersweet. “I’m going to miss the kids and miss doing everything,” he says.

Growing up as the child of two music teachers in Kingsburg, music was always in the cards for Engstrom. He attended Kingsburg High School and played in the school band. “I was one of the few students who knew what they wanted to do,” he says.

He would eventually land his dream gig of ebeing the Kingsburg High School music teacher after graduating from Fresno State in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in music education.

Engstrom stayed at Kingsburg High for 17 years where he taught band and choir. Engstrom earned his master’s degree in music performance in 1993 from Fresno State.

During his time at Kingsburg High, we was asked to come teach at FCC, and he accepted the offer.

Teaching has stayed in the family, with his daughter Katie working as an international music teacher in Switzerland and his son working as a fifth grade teacher and instructing a communications class at FCC. Engstrom has also taught music at Fresno State, Reedley College and high schools in Tulare and Selma, in addition to directing the choir in the Kingsburg Community Church.

Engstrom’s grandfather played in the Kingsburg Community Concert

Band, and his father directed the band until he passed it onto Engstrom when he was 21. Both Engstrom’s children have played in it as well. This summer will be his 40th year conducting the band, which is a big family tradition, he says.

Engstrom plays the trumpet professionally, In addition to playing with the Fresno Philharmonic, the Tulare County Symphony and Orpheus, he has also played with musicians and artists such as Johnny Mathis, Mel Torme, Henry Mancini, the Temptations, Four Tops, Kenny Rogers, Natalie Cole, Wayne Newton, Regis Philbin, Don Rickles, Red Skelton and Frankie Vallie.

Engstrom says working with wellknown artists is always great. Red Skelton, an entertainer who hosted a variety show from the 30s to the 70s, was someone who especially stood out to him because Engstrom’s parents watched his show. “Red Skelton was the nicest man,” Engstrom recalls of the now-deceased entertainer.

Engstrom is also familiar with conducting local honor bands, which is where Jesse Altamirano, a clarinet player in the wind ensemble, met him. Altamirano was part of the Fresno/Madera High School Honor Band in seventh grade when Engstrom directed it.

“He’s actually the reason I wanted to come to Fresno City and do music,” Altamirano, who has been in the FCC band for three years, says of Engstrom. “He’s passionate about what he does, active and animated and knows how to get us motivated.”

Altamirano has followed Engstrom on trips to Stockton, Disneyland and the San Francisco Symphony.

He also describes Engstrom’s departure as bittersweet. “I’m happy for him, but it’s kind of sad to see a good teacher go,” he says.

Anthony Arias, who plays the clarinet and saxophone, has played with Engstrom since 2013 and says he enjoys Engstrom’s calm tempera-

“One of the best parts about teaching here is all the great people I work with. That’s why I’m featuring all of them in my last concert.”

- Dale Engstrom Retiring Fresno City College Band Director ment. He will be sad to see him go.

“It’s the end of an era,” Arias says.

Both Arias and Altamirano are excited for the performance.

“He’s pulled out all the stops for this performance,” says Altamirano.

“It’s going to be a really big show.

He’s pulled all of his favorite pieces that are hard, fast-paced, energetic, and it takes a really good group of people to play at the level he’s

3

requiring for these pieces.”

He says it’s the best group of students they’ve had and they are eager to show Engstrom they can send him out with a bang. “Everyone just really wants to put on a good show for him.”

Upon moving to Switzerland, Engstrom and his wife, Lucretia, will begin their bucket list, which he says includes a lot of traveling. ”I’m a big believer in traveling,” he says, adding that some of his favorite memories at FCC include traveling with the band.

In 2013, students from the band played at Carnegie Hall in New York, and in 2015, they played in the Sydney Opera House in Australia. “One of the coolest things about that was on my 60th birthday, I got to conduct in the Sydney Opera House,” he says. “When I turned 50, I climbed Half-Dome with my kids. I don’t know what I’m gonna do when I turn 70.”

Although Engstrom may not have figured out birthday plans yet, he knows that when he retires he will get to spend more time with his wife, kids and two grandchildren.

He also wants to golf more. “I’m going to lower my handicap,” he says, smiling.

During his last semester, Engstrom is teaching concert band, brass ensemble, music fundamentals and convocation. He is not sure who’s replacing him next semester, but he knows it will be an interim while a permanent instructor is sought.

Reflecting on his career, Engstrom has nothing but great memories and he maintains that his colleagues are a reason his career has been so fulfilling.

“One of the best parts about teaching here is all the great people I work with,” Engstrom says. “That’s why I’m featuring all of them in my last concert.”

Slated to perform in the concert, alongside students, are faculty members, Larry Honda, Mike Dana, Julie Dana, Brandon Bascom, Kevin Cooper, Joe Lizama, Nye Morton, George Ramirez and Aarne Kela.

The Wind Ensemble Concert takes place in the FCC Theatre on Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $6 for students, staff and seniors.

Engstrom is excited about the show and looking forward to featuring each instructor in his or own piece on stage.

He says, “I’ve always wanted to do it, and I’m going to do it at my very last concert.”

Dale Engstrom directs a band performance at the Old Administration Building Auditorium on Oct. 19, 2016. Engstrom’s final performance before retiring is Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Photo/Ram Reyes

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RAMPAGE 11.30.2016

Group stands in support of Standing Rock

BY FRANK LOPEZ

Reporter flopez@therampageonline.com

Students and faculty members at Fresno City College gathered Nov. 17 in the Yokut Memorial Plaza to stand in solidarity with the people protesting the North Dakota Access Pipeline.

A march started in front of the campus library and snaked around the Old Administration Building.

It ended in the Yokut Plaza where approximately 200 people stood to listen to speeches and Native American music and dances.

Maria Aguilar, a biology major, was the first to start planning the event. Aguilar said the images of protesters in North Dakota being mistreated inspired her to stage the protest at the college.

“The more I realized how it was progressing, and how they were treating all of the people [protesters] out there, I just felt like it was really dehumanizing,” Aguilar said.

But Aguilar said the most important issue for her in the protest is the preservation and protection of water.

“Our reserves are going to be completely contaminated and we won’t have any clean water for the generations to come,” she said.

Bernard M. Navarro, a professor of American-Indian studies at FCC helped organize the event. Navarro

says he was impressed by the number of people who showed up and that the event helped build up spirit, even if Fresno is thousands of miles away from the site of the pipeline.

“I’ve been feeling kind of down the last couple days, partly because of the results of the election, the general tone of the country and what’s going on out there in North Dakota,” Navarro said. “We just wanted to come together and send some support out there, and also to help people feel better and let them know that people care about these issues.”

Rojelio Morales of the Yokut

Tribe of Santa Rosa Rancheria was invited to speak at the protest and tell of his personal experiences at the protest site in North Dakota.

“What I see here today is what I’ve seen out there at Standing Rock,” Morales said in his speech.

“It’s not an Indigenous thing. It’s not a Native American thing. It’s an international thing. It’s a humanity thing.”

People who attended the event were invited to touch the Yokuts monument in the Yokuts Plaza near the Music, Speech and Communication Building. In unison, the crowd chanted: “I stand with Standing Rock.”

Protesters gathered at Fresno City College on Nov. 17 to stand in solidarity with those against the North Dakota Access Pipeline. Photo/Larry Valenzuela

NEWS Funding boosted by passage of propositions 51, 55

BY EDWARD SMITH

Opinion/Copy Editor esmith@therampageonline.com

The passage of Propositions 51 and 55 will benefit the State Community College District stands to gain increased state funding.

Proposition 51 grants California the authority to sell $9 billion in general obligation bonds, according to the official California voter guide.

The guide accounts for $17 billion in liabilities, including $9 billion for the principal and $8 billion in interest payments toward bondholders. $2 billion is dedicated for community colleges.

The bill is intended to modernize educational facilities for K-12 and community colleges, but has not yet been signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, who has been very vocally opposed to it.

State Center Community College District Trustee John Leal recently attended a conference intended to outline the specifics of the bill.

“The governor hasn’t signed off on that yet, it’s not a done deal,” Leal said. “I have to think he would be more willing to change his mind now that it’s a mandate from the people.”

Should the bill be approved, there are currently three projects that qualify for matching funds from the bill. Construction projects at Fresno City and Reedley College child development centers could get up to 20 percent matching, and the Clovis Applied Technology Facility could get up to 50 percent matching funds, according to Ed Eng, the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration.

One of the arguments against the bill is that funds are given out on a first come, first serve basis, and although the district does not hire year-round staffing for these applications, the district does hire consultants for projects such as these, according to Eng. Proposition 55 is an extension of Proposition 30 which was passed on Nov. 6, 2012, according to Ballotpedia.org. The bill, set to expire in 2016, uses tax revenues from families making $250,000 a year or more to fund K-12 schools and community colleges.

The income tax would generate between $2 and $4.5 billion dollars, with 11 percent being dedicated to community college districts, according to a press release from Paige Marlatt Dorr, a representative from the California Community College Chancellor’s office.

Losing out on that money would have a “major impact” on the district budget, Leal said.

“We would definitely have to dig deeper into the general reserves,” Leal said. “It’s going to allow us to continue to use our bonds for modernization projects.”

Using general funds reallocates money meant for operating costs toward projects the board views as critical for a growing campus.

“Last year we had 26,000 [students] and this year we’re up to 30,000,” Leal said. “Unlike some of [the] districts where they have declining enrollment, we have been facing increasing enrollment for the past 20 years.”

Leal said that the funds from Measure E, Measure C and other local bonds give the district a total funding of almost half a billion dollars.

NEWS

5

RAMPAGE 11.30.2016

Ram Slam offering help for finals

BY JOSE OROZCO

Reporter jorozco@therampageonline.com

Steve Popenoe shows off one of the sumo-bots that he has built at IdeaWorks in Downtown Fresno on Nov. 21, 2016. Photo/Ram Reyes.

Fresno Ideaworks offers tech tools for community

BY LARRY VALENZUELA

Broadcast Editor lvalenzuela@therampageonline.com

A downtown Fresno group is teaching the community all about being creative. Fresno Ideaworks is a community workshop with the intention of teaching the people of Fresno different sets of skills to help them be creative.

The shop offers many classes taught by volunteers in areas such as wood shop, machining, welding, glass blowing, metal working, electronics and even using a 3D printer.

Steve Popenoe, a board member and teacher at Ideaworks says they have the community workshop has grown.

“The shop over the years has been becoming what we’ve been dreaming of for a long time, it has certainly surpassed my dreams in a lot of ways.”

Popenoe says the reason for creating Fresno Ideaworks was to “share tools and build a community around being creative, and taking ideas into the physical world.”

Volunteer Melody Boats says the shop has the availability to cater to their growing audience and grow as a community.

“We want everyone to have access to this place regardless of age,

REMEMBERED FROM PAGE 1

ments her pride, vigor and strife as a Mexican-American woman.

According to one professor close to her in the MFA in creative writing program at Fresno State, Connie The following poem by Mireyda “Mia” Barraza Martinez was featured in Fresno City College’s Ram’s Tale, now known as the Fresno City College Review:

Andrew Runner works on his bottlecap opener at IdeaWorks in Downtown Fresno on Nov. 21, 2016. Photo/ Larry Valenzuela ethnicity, religion or politics,” Boats said. “We believe that everybody has a maker within them and we all are artists, whether you’re a technical artist, a painter, you work with clay or metal or whatever it is.”

Currently, Fresno Ideaworks is working on a project to introduce people to the world of robotics.

They started classes to teach students and adults about coding and building their own personal sumo-bot.

Volunteer Matt Nelson says the project was started to help utilize all the things that can be taught at the shop.

“We wanted a project to incorporate all aspects of the shop,” Nelson said. “The woodshop, the machine shop, the electronics programming and robotics does that for us.”

For a calendar of workshops and information on classes, visit fresnoideaworks.org.

Hales, “Mia was, in many ways, the heart of the writing community at Fresno State. She brought passion, generosity and courage into the classroom, and she showed the rest of us, by example, how to live by our convictions.”

Barraza Martinez is survived by parents, Miguel Barraza and Maria

de Lourdes Martinez as well as her sisters, Marlen and Neli Barraza Martinez.

A rosary was held on Monday at Myers Funeral Service in Porterville.

Also, a mass was held Tuesday at St. Anne’s Parish Church in Porterville.

glossy magazine pages i’ve marched in the streets for peace i’ve said no to love and swallowed my i am a sixth sun xicana words and licked the plate clean i am a sixth sun xicana i found the rabbit in the moon with a hip hop lisp and a farmworker’s but i’m still searching for the eagle and limp the serpent a woman’s hips and my father’s frown i want to jump head first weak arms and a good fist but keep feeling with my toes my mother’s hands and your brown my dna speaks to your dna but we can’t eyes hear the cosmic conversation dirty feet and clean bed sheets sometimes i am convinced of my own my breasts shine neon magic and my teeth are falling out one by one but i can only levitate in dreams i’ve worn smoke as earrings and as thin when no one else can see bracelets i’ve devoured pesticidal grapes i’ve gotten drunk and paper cut off of

and hidden my family behind my heart i’ve used so much ink on men and eaten so much of white america’s toxic dinners and was the last one dancing and was the only one listening and the only one saying good morning to the tree outside my window i burn sage to get clean i don’t forget the disappeared and don’t forgive dictators or war criminals or killer cops i am history’s leftovers and i’m crawling to the new sun to burn off the veil blinding the eyes of my heart which are my eyes...

The fall 2016 semester is almost over and that means finals are here.

But don’t worry, the Ram Slam has you covered.

For many students, finishing off the fall semester can be difficult with Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays close to each other. Ram Slam provides students at Fresno City College the proper tools and supportive environment to help finish off the semester.

The Ram Slam in the Library building is the place to be for students who want to finish the semester strong, need the assistance of a tutor or who just wish to study for finals.

The Ram Slam runs from Dec. 6 through Dec. 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The associated student government says coffee, snacks and scantrons will be available for free to all students who attend.

The library, Reading and Writing Center, Media Center, the Tutorial Center and the P.A.S.S center (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) will stay open during those hours.

ASG President Kou Xiong described the Ram Slam as the final cram before finals. “[It’s] where you get your last minute studying before finals week,” Xiong said.

Xiong said it was important for students to take advantage of the services offered.

“We want to see our students succeed...many of us, as students, procrastinate, so to be able to have the library, the tutorial center, and the media center expand their hours, so that our students can get their last minute studying in for finals is great for our students to succeed.”

“Ram Slam is a very big tutoring cram session, which takes place in the LI building with extended hours,” said Jennifer Dorian who is the P.A.S.S faculty coordinator and instructor.

The Ram Slam provides last minute support and tutoring to students in every subject at every level from math to reading and writing essays.

“If they’re looking for help with English they [students] are going to go to P.A.S.S or WRC,” Heather Walker, the Student Success Math Coordinator at FCC, said. “If they are looking for help with math, they’re going to come to the tutorial center.”

Walker encourages students to take advantage of the Ram Slam.

“It’s a really fun environment where you have other people that are focused on studying and expert tutors to help them along the way,” Dorian explained. “It’s not too late to come check out what we’re doing because you’re worth it as a student.

We do this for our students.”

Nicolas Quintana the EMLS coordinator for P.A.S.S at FCC said, “I’ve had students tell me during Ram Slam that they’re here because if they were home, they would be distracted by video games, TV and family.”

“This is a really good place for them to focus during the final crunch for their finals,” Quintana said. “I encourage them to come to Ram Slam and during our regular hours as well.”

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RAMPAGE 11.30.2016

Instructor’s intimate art on display at Art Space Gallery

BY ERIC ZAMORA

Reporter ezamora@therampageonline.com

Drying shirts. Abandoned buildings. Empty classrooms. Vast farmland. While these images may seem unrelated, they come together in the latest exhibition at the Art Space Gallery, “Driving on the Rims.”

The works shown are by Fresno City College fine arts instructor Kevin Stewart-Magee and display a variety of techniques. The showing works as a teaching tool for his art students by visually demonstrating the differences between the many mediums used to make art, such as an oil painting, a crayon sketch or

using unconventional tools.

“I’m a very physical painter, so I use big steel scrapers, roofing tools, sandpaper, sticks and chunks of wood,” Stewart-Magee said.

Working with oil paint, which has a long drying time, allows him to easily edit his art in order to visually show the movement of the paint by the tools.

While the images illustrate a multitude of technical skills, they each tell different stories, with the works being named after song lyrics and folk music. Stewart-Magee’s artworks serve as a commemoration to both the people in his life and the working class people that make life

Michael Vang, a third-year art major, takes a photo of “Boyd,” an oil painting by Kevin Stewart-Magee featured in Stewart-Magee’s exhibition, “Driving on the Rims,” in the Art Space Gallery at Fresno City College on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2016. Photo/Eric Zamora

easier for the general populus.

“Blue Ghost” is an oil painting presenting a blue work shirt hung up on a clothesline to dry. It is just one of many depictions of work shirts drying in the air.

“They are the actual shirts that people wore when they were helping me with projects: my father, my mentor, a musician who was a really close friend,” Stewart-Magee said.

“In a really short period of time, I lost several of the older men who were closest to me and it was very strange to still have their studio clothes neatly folded in the corner.”

The shirts started out as drawings based on the idea of them being the ghosts of people who were once a part of the world and have contributed to other people’s lives without them even knowing.

“I’m living in a haunted world; I’m surrounded by the ghosts of all these people who labour so that I can make something beautiful and pursue my passion,” said Stewart-Magee.

Born in the suburbs of Ohio, Stewart-Magee got his start at a young age through his father who would help him plan out his art. In high school he expected to get an athletics scholarship, but due to an injury, his life changed course. With support from his art teacher and family, he received an art scholarship the following year.

Afterwards, Stewart-Magee finished his undergraduate degree at Ohio State University, and relocated to California, where he obtained his graduate degree at California State University Fullerton. He worked in Southern California as an artist, creative director, and muralist before relocating to Fresno after being hired at FCC as an art instructor.

ENTERTAINMENT “He’s an amazing teacher,” said Amber O’Neil, an anthropology major. “He uses concepts that unless you’re taking art [classes] you really wouldn’t understand, but by the end of his course, you get it.”

This exhibition on campus is Stewart-Magee’s first art showcase in Fresno. It serves as his introduction to the local art scene after years of listening and engaging in the Fresno art community.

“Since I’m teaching the mural class and the painting class, I really want people to say ‘Oh yeah, I think this guy can teach me a thing, maybe two things’ and that the conversation in the paintings is something that is accessible,” Stewart-Magee said.

The exhibition opened on Nov. 7, giving curious students and campus passers-by to take in the instructor’s work throughout the month.

“I think [the exhibition] is very pretty,” said Shireen Klein, a history major, “and you can just see the passion he has.”

“Driving on the Rims” will run at the Art Space Gallery until Dec. 8. Following this exhibition will be the Student Holiday Show & Sale on Dec. 12.

“Half this show is dedicated to [my students] and is done in conversation with them,” Stewart-Magee said, “and hopefully I’ll meet another 2,000 students while I’m here.”

A reception will be held during ArtHop, a local art event, on Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. Stewart-Magee and other artists will discuss the art at 6 p.m. at the exhibition. The reception will be open until 8 p.m., giving people the chance to view the numerous earth-toned landscapes.

ENTERTAINMENT

RAMPAGE 11.30.2016

Students Perform Variety of Songs in Vocal Recital

BY ERIC ZAMORA

Reporter ezamora@therampageonline.com

The music department’s vocal recital on Nov. 18 featured students performing a variety of selected songs to friends, family and classmates.

The students were all singers from the intermediate/advanced voice class, a required class for vocal majors, led by music instructor Rebecca Sarkisian.

Students prepare to sing five songs throughout the course of the semester, with this recital being their third song performance. The class meets twice a week, however students practice outside of class.

“For this class specifically, this is our culminating project,” said Sarkisian.

Students sang works from Baroque to 20th century composers, with the pieces being chosen by Sarkisian.

Alongside the program came notes prepared by the students, featuring background information about the pieces performed or lyrical translations.

The first piece, “Sound the Trumpet” by Henry Purcell, was one of the three songs performed by the class as a group. It was written by the English composer in honor of Queen Mary II’s birthday, and the piece showcased the students’ vocal skills.

Purcell’s piece was one of three

duets the class learned This was done in order the students with the works, and prepare them for when they pair up to perform duets, Sarkisian said during the concert.

After the introductory piece, students performed other works from W.A. Mozart, Jacques Offenbach, Aaron Copland and others. Many of the songs are taken from operas, with students performing a song by a specific character.

“I like sharing the art with the people in the room and really making them feel the connection that I do to the character that I am portraying,” said Rebecca Packard, a second-year musical theatre major. “It’s fun to share the music with everyone.”

Not only is the concert a way to share the student’s classwork, but it is a way to motivate students near the end of the semester.

“Performing for the

together. to familiarize

audience made me work harder and really perform, instead of in class when I’m performing to get notes,”

7 said Red Wilson, an accounting and music major.

The next student recital will be in the Recital Hall on Dec. 2 at noon.

An opera workshop will be held on Dec. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets for the workshop may be purchased online at the FCC website.

Rebecca Packard, second-year musical theatre major, performs “Stizzoso, mio stizzoso” from “La serva padrona” by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi during the vocal recital in the Old Administration Building Auditorium at Fresno City College on Friday, Nov. 18, 2016.

Photo/Eric Zamora

8

RAMPAGE 11.30.2016

OPINION

Students Weigh in on the Trump Presidency Should We Protest the Election?

BY EDWARD SMITH & FRANK LOPEZ media@therampageonline.com

BY ALY HONORE

Reporter ahonore@therampageonline.com

Since Donald Trump won such a close presidential election, it stands to reason at least half of Americans feel afraid of what types of policies he may implement. Even though Trump has yet to be inaugurated, people are flooding the streets to protest his agenda.

Many of his supporters believe these protests are unwarranted because Trump has yet to apply any policies as president. Anti-Trump protesters believe that his rhetoric was enough to disqualify his presidency.

Many Americans feel so dissatisfied and threatened by Trump’s campaign that they’re rising up in solidarity to protest. Some Americans disagree with these protests, but is it not their right and American privilege to exercise their freedom of speech?

Freedom of speech, the American political right to communicate one’s opinions or ideas, is vital because it’s a way citizens can speak out against oppression without being prosecuted.

A democracy is created on the idea of “majority rule,” and with the many protests around the

Pro

Prince Singh Computer Science “It’s up to the people, if they feel something is wrong in society then they should [protest]”

Janet De Los Santos Psychology “It happened, now you just have to wait for him to mess up, and then you can impeach him.”

Jonathan Carrillo Criminology

“If there were so many people against it, he wouldn’t have won.

I’m sure at least 30 or 40 percent [of protesters]didn’t even vote.”

BY PAYTON HURTANG

Reporter phurtang@therampageonline.com

Donald Trump is the president-elect of the United States. The people’s reaction has been a mixed bag of emotions. Some are elated that an anti-establishment figure will be in the White House, but many people are insanely outraged. While people have the right to their own opinion, protesting the election is not only a wasted effort, but also damaging to an anti-Trump agenda.

In the third presidential debate, Donald Trump suggested that he would not accept the results of the election. This statement resulted in a huge backlash towards Trump. The anti-Trumpers were preaching the importance of the “peaceful transition of power” in America, and now, those in opposition will not accept the result of the election.

Con

Alisha Lamp Drug/Alcohol Counseling “I think people have a right to their opinion, but I think that when it comes to being dangerous, that’s absolutely wrong.”

country as well as the results of the popular vote, it doesn’t seem like Trump has the majority of America’s support. People protesting Trump’s presidency may be weary, worried, anxious or frustrated, feeling targeted by Trump’s words and some of the actions of his supporters who sometimes hold similar beliefs.

Many people in this country fear deportation, as well as the normalization of racial and social prejudices because of Trump’s campaign.

Much of the conflict arises when people tend to discredit the concerns of millions of Americans, insinuating that racism, misogyny and bigotry are not a prevalent part of our nation. Now, who can dismiss the concerns of marginalized demographics, ethnic minorities, women, the LGBT community and democratic citizens in general when the week of Trump’s victory hosted 437 hate crimes across the nation? That is four times the national average.

Many supporters of Trump, whose views align with or are more extreme than his, have already acted upon their prejudices. Though many Trump supporters do not go to these extremes, it is unfair and, frankly, disrespectful to claim that minorities are not targeted by people that are like-minded as Trump.

This election may be the most historic in American history. The reactions of Americans were incredibly divisive and the outcome very unexpected. Therefore, people’s responses must be genuine, documented and shared. In the midst of such contentious politics, now more than ever, Americans must exercise their voices in order for everyone to consider the situation at hand with a broad and informed perspective.

It is seriously important that this resistance is demonstrated for the

sake of our nation’s history. History books will need to cover American feelings towards their president honestly and entirely in order for future leaders to develop unifying tactics, hopefully preventing such civil dissension.

Therefore, why wait? Trump has already said what he will do in office and Americans are not willing to sit around and wait for what they believe to be prejudice and harmful legislation to be implemented. If his language alone did not disqualify him from presidency, who is to say that anything at all would stop him at this point? Americans have lives and families they are worried for, and one should not ask them to stifle their passion towards such high stakes.

Major media outlets show rioting and fires in American streets, and many people make assumptions about protesters in correlation with violence and chaos.

However, it is pertinent to understand that major media are prone to covering the most enthralling news in order to maintain stimulated viewers. Therefore, it is understandable for someone to paint protesting as a negative way to speak up, because peaceful protests have proven themselves somewhat less newsworthy in major media outlets.

Violence isn’t the true American way to protest. Even though the media covers the riots, there are still a majority of protestors correctly exercising their right peacefully.

Instead of condemning people for protesting, Americans should try to figure out what protesters are petitioning against. The seriousness of Trump’s offensive and unwelcoming statements over the past year have incited an understandable resistance from many Americans.

Needless to say, that unwillingness to accept the results of the election was hypocrisy of the highest order.

In Portland, Oregon, the Trump protest escalated to a riot and lead to over a million dollars in damages.

Images of broken windows, slashed tires and raging fires flooded the internet and TV. Those Trump protesters indeed made their point. Their riot proved that rejecting the result of the election would not be peaceful. It is also important to point out that about half of the people arrested in the riot did not vote.

If people really fear a Trump presidency and what he may do in office, then they need to wait until he starts making decisions as President. Trump isn’t even sworn in as president and yet people are protesting and rioting. What are they going to do when President Trump actually does something seriously reprehensible? Where would they go from here?

After their display, the American people would not take those individuals seriously because they already cried wolf. If they waited and protested a policy that Trump acted on they would have the credibility and integrity to usher in change. Unfortunately, they have thrown their political capital out the window.

Most protesters who opposed Trump are saying that Trump was elected by racists. Though it is a fascinating theory, it does not

explain why so many swing states went toward Trump. Iowa, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin all voted for Obama twice in the elections prior. It does not make any sense that racist white people would vote for a black president twice. Those voters were labeled racist because the anti-Trump people didn’t get what they wanted Most voters just don’t like the direction the country is heading toward. They are also sick and tired of being called racist just because they’re white. The lack of evidence and abundance of accusations is really quite frightening. These protesters hold a lot of bigotry in their heart for Trump voters. A ton of people in America hate bigotry and because of it, a lot of them voted for Trump. If anti-Trump people keep calling them racist without evidence, they will vote Trump in 2020.

Everybody needs to get over the fact that Trump will be the president of the United States. Protesting right now will get you nowhere. It may feel good to protest and riot because the election didn’t go your way, but to most of America, it looks like a childish tantrum.

There’s no endgame to these protests. Trump is not going to resign because of these protests.

President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear, he does not care at all about your protests.

OPINION

9

RAMPAGE 11.30.2016

A Progressive Call to Action

BY FRANK LOPEZ

Writer flopez@therampageonline.com

I sat in numb shock as I watched the election results announcing that Donald Trump had been elected the next president of the United States.

A growing sense of discomfort grew in me during the election night coverage. The electoral map kept turning red and I was in denial that a billionaire demagogue would be at the helm of the nation for the next four years.

Donald Trump, a man with a history of misogynistic and sexist behavior, who built his presidential platform on racist, xenophobic, populace rhetoric, will be the leader of the most powerful country in the world.

Whether you like it or not, Trump won the election fairly, and with the Republican sweep of the senate and the House of Representatives, conservatives will have control of all the legislative branches of government.

So what do we do now?

First off, we must recognize why so many people were eager to support Trump. White working-class people have felt frustration and disillusionment with a system that has not addressed their needs in any substantial way. Their anger is justified, and with the Democrats neglect towards Southern and Midwest states for the past decades, and Republicans not delivering any promises, this marginalized sector of society was mobilized to elect an outsider that has appealed to them.

The Democratic Party must remember not to ignore rural populations in future elections, and not to take the blue states for granted.

Though Clinton did win the Popular Vote, Trump won the Electoral Vote, highlighting once again, the fact that citizens to do not have as much as a direct say in who we elect for president. This is the perfect time to

analyze our current voting system, and bring to the forefront of the national consciousness, ways in which we can reform our voting system.

Democrats in office must work together with Republicans to try and insure more bipartisan cooperation in policy decisions, and the public must not divide itself between labels such as “liberals” and “conservatives”. With more divisive rhetoric and attitudes permeating the public, it will be harder for people to work together in diplomacy.

The fact that Clinton won the Popular Vote shows that the majority of our society is ready to embrace more progressive ideals.

Gay marriage still has overwhelming support nationwide. A vast majority of the population support some sort of universal health care, legal abortion, is concerned about global warming. Surprisingly, a majority of the population believes that immigration is a good thing for our country.

It seems that this country might be in for a rocky four years, but progressives cannot give up on desperately needed change. Joining a local political party or getting involved with Labor Unions or charities is one way that people can join up with people and work together to try and implement real change.

Imagine how people who fought for Civil Rights in the 1960s must have felt when the Reagan years hit. Reagan’s policies targeted African-American communities and increased the prison populate rate.

However, they kept trudging on, and so must we.

Whether we like it or not, we are going to be under a Trump presidency, and progressives must try in all ways to work against the Red tide of right-wing extremism.

Taking it easy the next two weeks

BY EDITORIAL STAFF

editorial@therampageonline.com

It’s Tuesday evening, only a couple of hours before student journalists at the Rampage submit the final edition for printing and some on the editorial staff are still writing.

The email notifications come as steady as the pulse of a heart attack victim. Stories need editing.

Page design rests quietly in another window awaiting formatting and finalized changes, but the writer still types.

Much like the smoker regretting decisions of the past, student reporters look back at the their poor life choices with disdain.

Students everywhere know what the end of the semester means for them, but more importantly, they know what it means for their future.

Putting off projects and assignments seems as built into the student condition as the the desire to do anything but what they should be doing, and for journalists and writers, the situation they put themselves in is no different.

Finishing that last episode of South Park or The Walking Dead is way more important than even beginning to hash out ideas for final papers or studying for tests. After all, we need time to decompress after the demands of hgdctraveling

and vacation.

Does that final essay on the shifting migratory patterns of seagulls and its environmental impact deserve the kind of attention we give Netflix and social media?

Student writers know all too well the consequences of their actions, and professors have done their job of harping on their charges to not fall into the same trap of procrastination; to not do so would be to betray everything that defines and makes the student special.

Everyone at Fresno City College has taken on last minute writing assignments and they know their limitations and the stresses of putting off work, but so many of us thrive off of living on the edge.

After all, it’s not like putting off assignments has ever put anyone in the grave.

At this point, it may be too late to remind students to get their work done early, and to be honest, the editorial staff at the Rampage is not one to be offering advice to students on not procrastinating; we know it too well.

We won’t pretend to know how to remedy the situation, but we will offer a reminder to the students stressing out about finals: take a breath and remember there is always tomorrow.

Illustration/Bobby Brown

The Sports-Driven Life

BY MICHAEL FORD

Sports Editor mford@therampageonline.com

I remember it like it was yesterday. I had been feverishly working to finish my classes and get my high school diploma. One day, I grabbed my books and sat down at the dining room table where I usually did my homework.

As I just about to start, I noticed that I couldn’t keep the pencil in my hand. I couldn’t coordinate my hand to hold onto it and write.

The sensation came from nowhere.

Suddenly, I couldn’t do something as ordinary and simple as balancing a pencil.

I was terrified.

As you might have imagined, my parents were as scared as me and we immediately set up an appointment with my primary care physician.

I had already been having neck pain for a while, but we had no clue that this was coming.

I saw numerous neurologists and even neurosurgeons. Of all the appointments, there is one moment that will stay with me forever.

I sat patiently next to my doctor in an exam room as he reviewed my x-rays. He started to explain to me what he saw and this is when he told me that I had the neck and spine of a 70-year-old man.

Hearing that was so jarring. I was still a young man, not even in my 20s, and my neck was degenerated.

I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease.

Neurosurgeons strongly recommended that I have surgery to stabilize my neck in order to reduce the risk of a further injury to my spinal cord.

I really had no choice and I didn’t want to end up paralyzed, so I had surgery to have two of my vertebrae in my neck fused together.

As scary as this all was, I was fortunate to have something to keep my mind off the pain as much as possible and that was my love for sports.

Since I was born, I have had health issues. I was born jaundiced and with high blood pressure, and my parents feared for my life.

I developed stomach issues and eventually started to get daily headaches that would incapacitate me.

I would miss so much school that I

had to repeat the seventh grade.

The headaches took over my life at that point.

Along with family and friends, sports was there to help me get through the pain. No matter what happened, I still had the Giants, Lakers and Raiders to take my attention.

In fact, most of the times of my life involve sports in one way or another.

2002 was one of the best sports years that I have ever had the privilege to witness. As I lay in the hospital bed, the Lakers were winning the NBA Finals, the Raiders were on their way to the Super Bowl and the Giants had made it to the World Series.

There was still the problem of where I would I go from there.

As all of these health problems were manifesting themselves, I was also trying to make my way through high school. I was scared that I wasn’t going to be successful in life and that my life was being ruined by these issues. I needed some hope and direction.

I didn’t know what I wanted to do for a living, and I really was uncomfortable with that.

Then, one day it just occurred to me that I should try to become a sports journalist. It was such a natural decision that I don’t know why I didn’t make it earlier.

I was always reading magazines like Sports Illustrated and Sporting News and I already had an extensive knowledge about sports that I wouldn’t have any trouble adjusting to the sports language--I was fluent in the jargon already.

So, I enrolled at Reedley College in 2012 as a journalism major. My quest to fulfill my dream had begun and I was on my way.

Now, as I sit here at age 26, in my third semester writing for The Rampage, I realize that sports writing has given me a reason to continue.

Sports have had that profound an impact on my life.

I still deal with daily neck pain that I have to take pain medication for and I still have some very bad days, sports are still what helps me get through the times I am in intense pain.

I would much rather not have to deal with these health issues, but dealing with them has helped me find a purpose for my life, and for that I am grateful.

10

RAMPAGE 11.30.2016

SPORTS

I think for a lot of guys, it is really disappointing, especially for the guys that are moving on.

They don’t get that last game and it just hurts.”

- Andrew Zimmerman Rams Quarterback

Fresno City College President Carole Goldsmith fields questions alongside football head coach Tony Caviglia during a press conference regarding the schools decision to withdraw itself from competing in the 2016 State Center Bowl that took place on Nov. 19. Photo/Ram Reyes

College Withdraws From State Center Bowl After Brawl

BY MICHAEL FORD

Sports Editor mford@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College officials are waiting to here from the Central Valley Confeence commissioner regarding its final punishments.

The college withdrew itself from eligibility to participate in the game that took place on Nov. 19 as part of a self-disciplinary action as recommended by The punishment was handed down as a result of the actions of the FCC football team following

their season finale victory over College of the Sequoias on Nov. 12.

After the game, players from both teams engaged in shoving matches that escalated into fights.

"I wholeheartedly accept the request that we pass on this bowl game," said Goldsmith.

"As educators, it is our goal to use sports to give students teachable moments that will help them in becoming citizens as well as proud Fresno City College alumni," she added.

Goldsmith also hinted that additional punishments will be meted out to individual players after she has had a chance to meet with them.

"Sometimes these are tough things to do, but they are the right things to do," Paul Parnell, chancellor of the State Center Community College District, said.

"As regrettable as this situation is, we are going to take advantage of it."

Freshman quarterback for the Rams Andrew Zimmerman said

that losing the bowl bid after winning the final two games of the season was a tough pill to swallow for the entire team.

"It's frustrating because we all wanted to play," Zimmerman said. "I think for a lot of guys, it is really disappointing. Especially for the guys that are moving on, they don't get that last game and it just hurts. I describe it as like getting dumped, it just hurts ten times more."

College of the Sequoias administration released a statement regarding the incident.

"The COS administration takes these matters very seriously and will work closely with the NCFA(Northern California Football Alliance) to fully execute disciplinary actions required."

Fresno City has submitted the findings of their investigation to the league commissioner and are currently awaiting a decision regarding any pending further action to be taken.

Lakers On the Rebound After Tough Couple of Years

BY MICHAEL FORD

Sports Editor mford@therampageonline.com

It has undoubtedly been a tough several years for arguably the most storied franchise in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers.

The only reason to pay attention to the team was Kobe, even with all of the young talent waiting in the wings.

With Bryant no longer in the picture after his retirement, a new era in Lakers lore has officially begun, and with that, a team loaded with young talent has been unleashed to wreak havoc on opponents.

While the Lakers were celebrating Kobe’s career, they were also racking up a ton of losses.

So many in fact that the team set records for most losses in a season in two consecutive seasons, with 27 and 17 in 2014-’15 and ’15-’16, respectively.

The losses were hard to stomach, but they have set the team up with high draft picks, like highly esteemed power forward, Julius

Randle from Kentucky University, point guard, D’Angelo Russell from Ohio State, and forward Brandon Ingram from Duke.

That chemistry has improved this season and Ingram has blended in seamlessly. The result has been an offense that is miles ahead of where it was just one season ago, where Los Angeles had one of the worst offenses in the NBA. Last season, the Lakers were ranked 29 out of 30 teams in offensive efficiency, a statistic from TeamRankings, a website that specializes in sports data analysis and prediction.

In 2016-’17, the team ranks ninth in the same category, a massive improvement over the span of a single season, especially without a major overhaul to the roster.

Usually when a team makes a significant jump forward in their progression towards being a viable contender for the playoffs and even a championship, it happens because that team made a significant trade or signed a big name free agent. Not so with LA. The

Lakers have made a conscious decision to build a roster from within, which helps save cap space for when you do need to sign a free agent to move the team into cotention for perhaps a championship.

Perhaps the biggest addition to the team over the offseason besides Ingram is not even a player, but a coach.

Lakers brass stole Luke Walton away from the Golden State Warriors, which was an ingenious move by a management team that has made some questionable decisions in the past, like the disastrous hiring and subsequent firing of Mike D’Antoni and Byron Scott as head coach.

Walton, a former Laker player himself and son of hall of famer Bill Walton, served as an assistant to Steve Kerr’s Warriors as the team set the record for most wins by an NBA team in a single season with 73. That team was first in offensive efficiency.

TeamRankings projects the Lakers to finish with a 34-48 record.

If they were to achieve that, Wal-

ton should at least receive some consideration for the coach of the year award.

What can we look forward to with a roster full of young and gifted players over the next several years? To get an idea, let’s compare Los Angeles to a team that has been in a very similar situation as the Lakers.

The most obvious comparison that is available to be made is with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Like Los Angeles, the T’wolves were a basketball abomination just a few short seasons ago.

Fast forward a couple years and a couple of high draft picks of their own and voila, a team with talent to compete for the playoffs every year, lead by budding superstar center Karl Anthony-Towns and small forward Andrew Wiggins.

A championship over the next five years might be a little too steep of an expectation for the new Lakers to live up to, but rest assured, fans of the purple and gold will have plenty of reasons to celebrate.

RAMPAGE 11.30.2016 came together to have great team Rams Waterpolo team has its best chemistry with each other with each member bringing something different to the table,”said Rossi. “Being season in program history SPORTS

BY MICHAEL MENDEZ

Reporter mmendez@therampageonline.com

With the fall semester sports coming to a close, each Fresno City College team has had success in their own way. The Fresno City College women’s waterpolo defied the odds by having a breakthrough season.

The women’s waterpolo team finished the season with a 17-6 record, puting them in the top four of the Northern California tournament, just shy of advancing to the state

finals. This is a great achievement for the program finishing with their best season to date; a program that has only been established for three years.

In charge is head coach Gianna Rossi, who has been there since the start of the program. Rossi treats each team like a wall with a fresh can of paint. Rossi knows each team are different not quite knowing what to expect, but Rossi was shocked and proud of how well her team performed this season.

“This team did very well, they

able to have the kind of season that we did was great to be a part of.”

Fresno knew that they had something special on their hands this season. Freshman defensive rear, Aneesha Nagra, can attest to the success of their season. Based off of how well they worked together as a team, knowing what each other brings to the table and fuses it together to produce astonishing results.

“I feel like we are all different people and we bring something different to the team and us coming together not only better as friends but as teammates,”said Nagra. “That

Volleyball and Soccer Team en Route to State Championship

BY MICHAEL FORD

Sports Editor mford@therampageonline.com

The new era of women’s volleyball at Fresno City College continued in grand fashion in their first season under new coach Kieran Roblee., who was recently named NorCal coach of the year.

Fresno City College defeated Feather River College on Nov. 26 to send the team to the California Community College Atheltics Association playoffs. The final score was

25-14, 21-25, 25-20 and 2 7-25 The victory ensures that the Rams, who are having their best season since 2008, will continue their quest for a state championship.

“We are excited for the next step in our season and our team has stayed the course with its focus on executing our objectives for the match at hand,” said Roblee.

“We played a very pesky, scrappy Feather River team and we knew that of them, from our prior match with them,” she added.

She said that there were some long hard-fought rallies that didn’t

go FCC’s way, and “our team did not let that affect the overall to find ways to finish plays and be aggressive.” The team “had an amazing balanced performance.”

Leading the team statistically was sophomore Jenna Goldsberry with 19 kills and 12 digs; Makayla Cervantes had six kills, three aces and 15 digs, and Sydney Molander had 12 kills.

The team advances to the CCCAA state playoffs Dec. 3- 4 in Woodland Hills at Los Angeles Pierce College, where eight teams will compete for the crown of state champion.

11

team chemistry we had worked really well for us, allowing us to go on a nine game winning streak midway through the season.”

The success that this team has had this season allows them to know what worked for them so they can apply it next season. Freshman defensive rear Olivia Teliha knows that they have achieved a lot this season and is looking forward to next year’s season with great expectations.

“I am happy with the season we have had, and I know that I and several of my teammates will be returning next season,”said Teliha. ”I am looking forward to not only to repeat this we had this season, but going past it to reach our goal of making it to, and winning, a state championship”.

Meanwhile, the FCC men’s soccer team took care of their own business the same day as they defeated Feather River College 5-2 in double overtime to punch their ticket to the state championships.

Fresno’s victory capped off a fantastic season for the Rams, as the team finished the year 18-1-4, including ending on a four match winning streak.

The Rams now get ready to head to Ventura College to play in the CCCAA state semifinals round against Oxnard on Dec. 2.

Oxnard will be a tough test for Fresno as they finished their season with a 17-2-8 record, also on a three game win streak of their own.

Rams basketball sweep annual Fresno Classic

BY MICHAEL MENDEZ

Reporter mmendez@therampageonline.com

Tommy Nuno drives the ball to the basket against a Sierra College defender during the annual Fresno Classic in Fresno on Nov. 29, 2016. The Rams won 69-62. Photo/Ram Reyes

Fresno City College hosted their twelfth annual Fresno City College Classic men’s basketball Tournament on Nov 18-20. The Fresno City College men’s basketball team came out of this tournament sweeping all of their matchups giving them the a 4-2 record to start their 2016-’17 season.

The Rams won all their matches with a 70-62 win over Mount San Antonio, 69-62 win over Sierra and and a close 71-70 win over previously unbeaten Community College of San Francisco.

Over the course of the tournament the, Rams showed a strong defensive front that limited their opponents chances of scoring and built momentum for themselves.

The team also constantly was changing their lineup with two five men subs. This kept each player fresh, while confusing their opponents to open them up for easy layups.

The Rams assistant head coach Sultan Toles-Bey analyzed his team’s performance throughout the tournament, stating that they are starting to find their stride of where they need to be and what they need to do in order to stay control of each game throughout the season.

“We are starting to turn the corner. We are playing better, especially with our match against San Francisco,” Toles-Bey said. “We just got to show more intensity

out there on the court early to take control of the game throughout, while being more accurate with our shots at the rim.”

The Rams look at this tournament in two different ways. It gives a way to scout teams that they will play again as the season goes on, while also assessing their game on what works for them and what they need to fix.

Rams freshman forward Jess Spivey saw the tournament as a good demonstration of what it is going to be like to play some of the top teams in their conference.

“We played against some good teams who showed us some different things that we have to constantly adjust to. That changes from game to game,”said Spivey.

“We have been playing some good defense on the court, not really allowing them to get inside the paint for easy layups.”

Both players and coaching staff are happy that they ended their tournament run undefeated and are excited to continue their run toward the rest of the season.

Freshman guard Tyus Millhollin saw this as a great start to their season and that this is a good step in the right direction heading into the rest of the season.

“We are on a good roll right now we got a few practices before break. I feel like this will allow us to get better and get us really into the season ahead,” said Millhollin. “I like where we are but I know that we need to do better. I believe that we will pick it up as the season goes on.”

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RAMPAGE

11.9.2016

SPORTS