Fall 2015 Issue 6

Rampage THE

November 18, 2015

l SEE NEWS PAGE 4

The Rampage

Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College

ISSUE 6

Vol. CXXVI

@rampagenews

@FCCRampage

l SEE A&E PAGE 10

Chancellor Finalists Explain Vision and Priorities at Open Forums

From left to right: Dave Paul Parnell, Ronald Taylor and Henry Chiong Vui Yong speak in the Fresno City College Old Administration Building. The three candidates for chancellor of the State Center Community College District laid out their vision and priorities in open forums hosted across the district on Nov. 12, 2015. Photos/Daisy Rodriguez and Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado

BY CRESENCIO RODRIGUEZ DELGADO Editor-in-Chief crodriguezdelgado@therampageonline.com

F

inalists for the position of chancellor for State Center Community College District were introduced to students, faculty

and staff in open forums throughout the district campuses on Nov. 12.

Ronald Taylor, president and superintendent of Merced College, Dale Paul Parnell Jr., president of Norco College and Henry Chiong Vui Yong, president of Evergreen College answered questions posed

by the district constituents and tried to make favorable impressions and distinguish themselves.

Faculty, staff and students challenged each candidate with questions dealing with current district issues such as the district’s $485 million bond proposal as well as

the growing concern over the poor working conditions of the district’s adjunct faculty.

Wendell Stephenson, philosophy instructor and academic senate president, asked Parnell and Yong

l SEE FINALISTS ON PAGE 3

Center Offers Veterans 9-year-old girl donates a Piece of Home 500 children’s books

BY ANDREA BRISENO

Supporters of U.S. veterans wave their flags at the Veterans Day Parade, starting from Fresno City Hall and ending at Chukchansi Park, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015. Photo/ Daisy Rodriguez

POLLS VIDEOS

BY LARRY VALENZUELA

Reporter abriseno@therampageonline.com

Multimedia Editor lvalenzuela@therampageonline.com

Cody Sedano was 19 years old when he enlisted in the Marine Corps.

He actively served in Afghanistan for four years as an amphibious assault crew chief.

After serving his time, Sedano came home and turned to the Veterans Resources Center at Fresno City College for support. He now works there as a student aide and to give back to the place that once gave to him.

“The best part of working in the veterans center,” Sedano said, “is when I get a phone call from someone getting out of the military and they ask, ‘Hey, what do I do?’ Because I was that guy.”

Sedano said the center guides student veterans to benefits they can receive on campus and throughout

Fresno City College received a generous gift of 500 children’s books from an unusual donor, a 9-year-old.

Danay Ferguson, a young book enthusiast, made the sizeable donation at a small ceremony held in front of the Old Administration Building on Nov. 13.

The donation was on behalf of Reading Heart, her nonprofit book donation program.

The books are expected to be gifted to children of approximately 300 FCC students who have been nominated to receive a holiday gift as part of the college’s Hope for the Holidays program.

The Hope for the Holiday gifts will be distributed on Dec. 3 and 4 in the cafeteria and will include one children’s book and a gift card from Savemart to spend on their families.

l SEE VETERANS PAGE 3

l SEE BOOKS ON PAGE 2

On behalf of Reading Heart, her nonprofit book donation, 9-year-old Danay Ferguson gifts 500 books to the “Hope for the Holidays” program at Fresno City College, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Photo/Larry Valenzuela

www.therampageonline.com

PHOTOS STORIES

2

NEWS

Rampage Staff

Editor-in-Chief Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado

11.18.2015 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

ASG Sponsors Vegan Food Truck to Raise Funds

News Editor Chueyee Yang Copy Chief David Chavez Arts & Entertainment Editor Jasmine Yoro Bowles Opinion Editor Albertina Rodriguez Delgado Sports Editor Keaundrey Clark Photo Editor Daisy Rodriguez Multimedia Editor Larry Valenzuela Production Consultant Patrick Forrest Reporters Caleb Owens-Garrett Kageanna Garza Tylisha Riley Marshaie Morgan Viviana Valdez Rudy Perez George Garnica Roman Espinoza Hanna Wechter Spencer Cyrel Mallory Michael Ford Lakenya Foster Ryan Holquin Andrea Briseno Vianey Cobian Alexxa Leyva Martinez

Fresno City College students line up in front of Raw Fresno by the main fountain on Nov. 16, 2015.

Photo/Cyrel Mallory

BY CYREL MALLORY

Reporter cmallory@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College’s Associate Student Government [ASG] brought Raw Fresno to the main fountain on Nov. 16 in order to raise funds for student services.

According to some members of ASG, the initial idea was to use their funds they raised for U-locks and for students who need help with their bus fare. However, the exact use of funds is not clear.

Raw Fresno is known for having gourmet raw/vegan food trucks which provides “prepackaged, organic, locally grown gourmet plant based meals, appetizers, entrees, desserts, fresh juice and smoothies using sustainable practices and honoring our constant connection to the earth,” according to information on Raw Fresno’s website.

ASG’s S.T.E.M [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] senator, Philip Dailey says the food truck that came on campus is known as Minerva.

“Everything we make is purchased local, it’s organic,” said Naomi Hendrix, founder and head chef of Raw Fresno.

“Being accessible is very important, unless we’re on campus students are unable to receive our abundance of delicious healthy choices,” Hendrix said.

Raw Fresno served vegan products, which was priced at $4 per plate, Ruby Ruiz, ASG veterans senator, said.

“Everything will be made organically such as kale caesar salad, caribbean tacos, sprouted microgreen salad, stuffed mushrooms, cashew queso, queso verde, crackers, happy tummy cheesecake, strawberry green smoothies, fresh juice, pad thai, winter kale salad with cranberry and zucchini noodles with basil,” Ruiz said.

“I think word of mouth people see that it’s delicious,” said Mark Nichols a Micro Computer Specialist in Technology Support System at FCC. “I think it’s a good option. A lot of people don’t see fresh, raw, organic natural food made and brought. A lot of things are fried food or highly processed foods, so I think this is a good change of pace.”

Although ASG did provide Raw

dympna.ugwu-oju@fresnocitycollege.edu

Books

Contact Us Tip Line: 559.442.8262

l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Rampage Adviser/Instructor Dympna Ugwu-Oju

Send Questions or Letters to the Editor to: editorial@therampageonline.com “I think this a great opportunity for students to feel embraced by the campus,” said Maile Martin, chair for the Hope for the Holidays committee.

Danay Ferguson, accompanied by her parents, kicked off the ceremony.

The student activities office staff helped set up the display in front of the OAB. Ferguson posed for pictures as she held a plaque awarded to her in recognition of her donation.

“We’re extremely proud,” Dwayne Ferguson, Danay Ferguson’s father, said. “She’s done very well and collected about 60,000

Fresno onto campus, ASG’s goal is to be able to provide U-locks that students can check out to lock up their bikes said Dailey.

“This [the fundraiser] will be promoting safety on campus because the funds that we are raising will go towards buying U-locks and also possibly transportation for students who cannot afford transportation on the bus,” Ruiz said.

It has taken about a month to get everything approved and processed, Ruiz said.

“We [ASG] needed to get a signature from various deans and different important people on campus, such as one of our advisers Sean Henderson, director of student activities office and Cheryl Sullivan, vice president of administrative services,” Ruiz said.

According to Dailey, Raw Fresno raised about $620 was for ASG from the student meals.

“I think it’s all for a good cause it’s mainly to help students,” said Isiah Ledesma, a FCC student.

For video, visit www.therampageonline.com

Danay Ferguson gifted Fresno City College with 500 books for a Hope for the Holidays on Nov. 13, 2015. Photo/Larry Valenzuela and has distributed almost 15,000 [books].”

Reading Heart is a program that provides books to areas where children do not have access to books.

The program’s main goal is to make sure that all children have a book to read, no matter where they are.

NEWS 3 Chancellor candidates answer questions from constituents

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 11.18.2015

Finalists:

l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 how they would achieve the district’s goal of passing a bond if selected.

“You may or may not know that this district is currently considering whether or not to propose a bond,” Stephenson said. “What is your experience in either putting a bond together, organizing to pass a bond or working to pass a bond?”

Dr. Parnell said that during his time at Norco College, he was the co-chair of a committee which worked to pass a bond there.

“We passed a $229 million bond when I was there,” Parnell said. “We calculated exactly how much per thousand in taxes that they were going to have to pay and how much we were going to go over, to the best of our ability.”

Yong also said he has had experience working on a couple of bond proposals at several colleges he has worked at and said he has met obstacles along the road while finding it easy for others.

Yong says the key to actually getting a bond proposal passed is to not ask for a lot of money.

Sylvia Savala, adjunct English instructor and founder of a new alliance of adjunct faculty, asked the candidates how they plan to resolve the growing needs of adjunct faculty.

“The adjuncts have not had a face, therefore our issues have not been made personal,” Savala said. “Now, we’ve formed an adjunct alliance, and we want some resolution to our issues.”

Those resolutions adjunct instructors are seeking, Savala says, include higher pay, health benefits, and to be included in the decision making process.

“I saw problems that weren’t being acknowledged, but to be honest, who would they talk to?” Savala said. “The time has come, and it is time for things

to change.”

Savala said she was impressed with two of the candidates -- Parnell and Yong. She said she appreciated that Parnell gave an honest answer about how to fix the disparity in the pay of adjunct faculty by suggesting that the issue be taken to the state legislature among other things.

However Parnell said that when hiring full-time instructors at a college, sometimes adjunct faculty are left looking for a job since a full-time instructor takes up more resources.

“I’ve been fortunate to hire from our adjunct pool,” Parnell said. “But what happens sometimes is everytime I hire a full time [instructors], it takes away from all the part time [instructors]” Savala said she also liked Yong’s response because he was an adjunct at one point in his career.

“He [Yong] would be sensitive to our needs,” Savala said. “You can only understand if you’ve had the same life experience.”

“I will tell you that Fresno City College, Reedley College, Clovis College and Madera Center and Oakhurst Center would not be able to function without the role of adjuncts,” Yong said.

Yong also offered comfort to Savala by saying that adjuncts are “just as important.”

The candidates also got questions about their personal beliefs, like their views on the latest student protests in Missouri and what the candidates would do to further the success of the district.

Citing the growing community college district, Fresno City Councilwoman and FCC instructor, Esmeralda Soria asked Taylor, “What do you believe we should do here at FCC in terms of the growth?”

Taylor answered by describing the

Fresno City College staff and faculty listen to the three finalists for State Center Community College chancellor on Nov. 12, 2015. Photo/Daisy Rodriguez

role of the chancellor which should be, to respond to the needs of the different colleges.

“You have relatively new members on the board; they represent different parts of the district,” Taylor said. “I will be getting input from them in terms of direction.”

Taylor said he will work closely with the board and also include the community in important discussions.

“We also have members of the community that I will be talking to about where should we go with this district,” Taylor said.

Taylor also said that one of the first things he would do as chancellor is to conduct a “very thorough” listening tour across the district.

“That includes talking to people on all sites of the district within the college, faculty and staff, adjunct faculty, student leadership etc, pretty thoroughly,” Taylor said.

Yong says that while it is nice to become the chancellor of a large community college school district, it is not always just about keeping that job. Yong said he expects to lead the district with his own philosophy.

“Administration is not about power or control,” Yong said. “Administration is about service and working with people.”

Parnell referred to the job listing and declared himself the right candidate by saying he was energetic, strong and capable while adding that his greatest strength was his character.

Parnell commended the district and college faculty for their “incredible” work.

In giving his vision for the district, Parnell said, “there are incredible opportunities for all of us as we look into the future. If we are successful we get to change society. We have more capability in this district.”

Veterans l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

A color guard stands still at the Veterans Day celebration at the Fresno City College Veterans Peace Memorial on Nov. 6, 2015.

Photo/Hanna Wechter-Spencer

the state.

The Veterans Resource Center, which opened in January, provides veterans with a vast amount of support and help they may need throughout their college career.

Located in Room 110 in Building A, the center is a place where veterans can come together to relax or to study and get homework done.

The Veterans Resource Center also aims to aid those who are just getting out of the military and are looking for help to transition into civilian life.

Sedano says the Veterans Resource Center continues to support him immensely.

“If I were not working at the veterans center here,” he said, “I don’t think I would’ve ever gotten involved in student government.”

Sedano said he understands the struggles of being a veteran and feeling lost and confused. He can relate to those who suffer from PTSD [posttraumatic stress disorder] and go about school feeling like they cannot relate to others.

“I encourage them to come into the vets center,” Sedano said. “It’s a place where all veterans of different kinds can come and just relax and feel free to be themselves.”

Sedano says that despite some negatives associated with being a

veteran, “Student veterans should act as leaders.”

After FCC, Sedano plans to transfer to California State University, Fresno. He will continue his education at San Joaquin College of Law and Public Service.

Associate Student Government [ASG] Veterans Senator Ruby Ruiz said she recently spoke with the Veterans Resource Center and was able to get insight on some of the resources veterans would like at the college.

According to Ruiz, student veterans would like to see events featuring a special speaker who is a Medal of Honor recipient or a veteran who has earned many medals.

Veterans would also like meal vouchers so they can get food at the cafeteria without having to pay, parking passes and specially designated parking stalls for veterans and a regular stipend to help defray their living expenses. Also high on their list are special computers and printers, designed to help those who may have some sort of disabilities.

The Veterans Resource Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

David Chavez contributed to this story. dchavez@therampageonline.com

4

NEWS

11.18.2015 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

Dream Center Offers Warm Environment and Hope to Students

BY GEORGE GARNICA

Reporter ggarnica@therampageonline.com

Mexico City born Fresno City College freshman Nancy Barragan-Rodriguez, struggled to make a decision about pursuing her college career.

The 19-year-old, who is undocumented, received an acceptance letter from California State University, Fresno, but realized that even with some scholarships, her parents, who earned very low incomes, would not be able to afford for her to go there.

“I thought to myself, ‘should I give up school, or should I try something else?’” Barragan-Rodriguez said. “I did not want to be one of those people that think their legal status kind of limits them.”

She tried to discern what would be best for her. “I knew I was really good at school; I liked academics; I loved learning,” she said. “I got to the point where I decided and said, ‘hey, if I know I am smart enough, if I know what I believe in, then I should give FCC a try’.”

Once at FCC, Barragan-Rodriguez learned about the recently opened dream center on campus which she says has supported her quest for confidence and her growth as a student.

Now, she is excited this center is here for students like her.

“It’s given me a little bit of reassurance and acceptance in a way,” Barragan-Rodriguez said. “In the en-

tire year that I have been here, I didn’t have anyone that I could just walk into his or her office to go talk to directly about my situation, so to have that is amazing.”

Barragan-Rodriguez is just one of 700 to 1,000 undocumented students on the FCC campus who currently could qualify and benefit from services provided by the newly opened dream center at FCC. According to Barragan-Rodriguez’s counselor, Noel Quintero, students should come in, even if they think they might not meet certain requirements or qualify for services, because it could benefit them tremendously.

“All the counselors here consider themselves allies to these students,” Quintero said.

“We personalize their educational planning; we also refer them to many local agencies around Fresno County for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [DACA] status, and for any other immigration questions as well.”

Quintero said the dream center counselors take pride in knowing they can also relate to the students, because they have been in their situation at some point in their own college careers.

One of those counselors is Tranquility native Sandra Velazquez, who

is the daughter of farm workers. She said she knows the struggles students face because she too has lived it while growing up.

“I can really relate to them because I have been their situation, and I have succeeded,” Velazquez said. “I was able to receive my education, so I really want to be that person that can help them realize that they can too, and it is something that I am very passionate about.”

Velazquez, helped Ernesto Romero, newly transferred from West Hills College, who like Barragan-Rodriguez, was born in Mexico and brought into the U.S. at a very young age.

Romero says the center was able to help him with his classes and gave him a better view of the financial aid available to students like him.

“To me, that is very important because I can’t afford all that money for school,” Romero said. “So if it wasn’t for this program, I would be in trouble. I am so happy I am here.”

According to Graciela Ramirez, who oversees the dream center, every student’s case may be different because of the circumstances, and what applies to one may not necessarily apply to others.

For example, she said the majority of the students served in the dream center office will be identified as

Dreamers, DACA students or might just be seeking AB 540 status. To know which program best fits their circumstance or what they do or don’t qualify for, students should see a dream center counselor.

Ramirez said that the center, which opened in August, has been able to help approximately 125 students, which means word is getting out.

She also said that the center is a warm and accepting environment with a primary goal of helping students attain academic success.

That accepting environment at the center is what Barragan-Rodriguez said helped her open up and begin to gain the confidence she was lacking.

She said other students should take that leap of faith and come into the center.

“Students need to know that if they come in, they can open up to a counselor about themselves, no matter what their legal status is,” Barragan-Rodriguez said. “The main thing that I would recommend is to have trust and come in, knowing that they have a future in college, and that it is going to be OK, no matter where they came from.”

For video, visit www.therampageonline.com

Who qualifies for AB 540?

According to information on the college website describing the Dream Act and AB 540, a student must meet the following criteria to be eligible for some of the services offered: • Attended a California high school for at least three years; • Graduated from a California high school, got a GED or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam; • Are registered or enrolled at a California community college; AND • If required, complete an affidavit saying you have filed (or will file when you are eligible to do so) for legal immigration status.

AB 540 Can Qualify for: In addition to being exempt from paying non-resident enrollment fees, AB 540 students can be eligible for the following: • • • •

Board of Governors Fee Waivers State financial aid like Cal Grants and Chafee Grants Assistance from EOPS, CARE or CalWORKs Privately-funded scholarships

Check with the college financial aid, scholarship, EOPS/CARE and CalWORKs offices to see what is available.

Mexico born Fresno City College student Nancy Barragan-Rodriguez walks out of the Dream Center located below the Student Services building at FCC. She says she hopes other students like her, discover the center to help give them the knowledge and courage to pursue their school and career goals. Photo/George Garnica

NEWS

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 11.18.2015

5

Health Services Coordinator Offers Healing and Advice

BY ANDREA BRISENO

Reporter abriseno@therampageonline.com

“When I was in high school I had an advisor that told me that I was not smart enough to be a nurse. That I should try for something less and I said, in my heart I said, I am not going to let you hold me down,” said Lisa Ishmael Chaney, Health Services Coordinator at Fresno City College.

Chaney has been working at FCC for a little over a year. In addition, she teaches online classes at both the bachelor and master level for the University of Phoenix.

Chaney started her college education at Solano Community College in 1974. There she earned her associate of science certificate as a registered nurse.

“I persevere until I get something done,” Chaney said. She believes she gained this quality from her deceased father, Ish. Ten years later, Chaney proceeded to obtain her bachelor of science degree at the University of San Francisco. But she didn’t stop there. Chaney stretched to received her MSN in nursing administration through the University of Phoenix. Finally, she acquired her school nurse credential from Fresno State.

“I was probably 4 or 5 years old and I tried to save a mouse,” Chaney said. That was the moment she discovered she wanted to be a nurse. “A cat had gotten it and I took it from the mouth and then I got bit. I used to have a scar on one of my fingers.”

Her young nurse instincts were not enough. “It [the mouse] died,” she said. “I’m better now.”

In her mid 20s, Chaney hit a bump in the road when she divorced from her first husband. She recalls him being at her pinning ceremony when she was graduating from SCC. “We invited the most

important person in our life and they pinned you with a nursing pin,” she said.

Despite the challenges of divorce and working late night 12-hour shifts in the emergency room at Kaiser Permanente, Chaney continued onto achieving her bachelor of science degree.

“Know that the hardest decision to do something is that one, saying you’re going to do something,” she said. “And after that it’s just hard work and you can do it.”

Chaney says her highest moment in life was when she was 36 years old and gave birth to her only child Ryan. “Yeah, he’s the best,” Chaney said with2-18_Distribution_final.pdf a bright smile. After Ryan was born, she1 2/3/15 9:36 AM waited until she was in her early 40s to obtain her masters.

“Do not ever let anyone ever tell you you can’t do something,” she said. “That has made me.”

Chaney says the only regret in her life was waiting to get her education. “I wish that I would’ve gotten my education sooner,” she said. “I wish that I would have finished my bachelors and my masters sooner. I might have gone out for a doctorate in something, but it just didn’t play out that way.”

Efrah Ali, a former FCC student, came into the health center with her husband, Zaid Ali, a freshman who had just arrived from Saudi Arabia.

Chaney guided and supported the couple as they made various calls in attempt to get husband Ali’s immunization record from Saudi Arabia. “She was very patient,” says wife Ali. “Kind. She was very Lisa Chaney has been the Fresno City College nurse sweet.”

Chaney says she would like students to remem- for one year. She started her college education at ber her as “thoughtful and met their needs. That Solano Community College. Photo/Andrea Briseno they can come to me and they knew that I would help them.”

Intramural Competition Offers Prizes and Scholarships

THRIFT STORES

STUDENTS & TEACHERS SAVE AN ADDITIONAL 20% EVERY THURSDAY*

www.teamamvets.com

BY RUDY PEREZ

Reporter rperez@therampageonline.com

C

Do you get into an argument at least once a day?

Do you like to be right all the time?

If you enjoy arguing and winning, you are in luck.

The free speech intramural competition in MS-222 at noon on Nov. 18 provides opportunities to win scholarships and prizes doing what you love.

Dan Scott, co-chair of the communication arts department and the coach of the debate team, said that the free speech competition is an “event for students with very little experience to actually function in a competitive environment and have the opportunity to compete against other students of similar preparation level.”

Scott said that about 100 to 150 people attend the competition, including students, competitors and judges.

During the intramural competition, each student receives four to six minutes of speech time and is guaranteed to present a speech in the first two rounds and potentially a third time in the finals. There will be a break between each round where pizza and drinks will be provided in MS-220.

Scott started the intramural competition 11 years ago.

“When I was hired, Tony Cantu [former president] had mentioned that he would like to have an intramu-

ral M program,” Scott said. “We hadn’t had one for quite a while.”

When Scott was a student at Fresno City College in 1994 to 1995, the Y college had intramural competition.

“When I came back as an instructor in 2005, during that 10-year, gap CM it went away somewhere,” Scott said.

Scott said that when he was hired, he was greatly encouraged to bring MY the intramurals. back “I remember what it did for me as a student,” he said. “It gave me this opCY portunity to compete in an academic event which I had never been exposed to before.”

CMYScott also credits Cyndie Luna, co-chair of communication arts and co-coordinator of the event with a lot ofK the program’s success.

The top three participants in each category will receive a plaque while all competitors will receive a certificate of participation.

The top three competitors will each earn scholarship prizes, with the winner getting $75, the runner up getting $50, and third place getting $25. The top three will also be invited to the end-of-the-year competition in May during which both semesters’ winners will square off.

Scott ended with “It’s good for students to be exposed to the idea that they can be competitive in academics and have that opportunity to see what it’s like, it’s a cool and fun event.”

2 LOCATIONS: 4125 E. Shields Avenue Fresno, CA 93726 (559) 222-2622 Daily: 9AM-7PM

758 Broadway Street Fresno, CA 93721 (559) 457-0240 Monday - Saturday: 9AM - 5PM or Shop Online www.teamamvetsthriftstores.com

• WOMEN’S CLOTHING • MEN’S CLOTHING • ACCESSORIES • SHOES • HOUSEHOLD GOODS • VINTAGE FINDS • COLLECTIBLES • JEWELRY • ELECTRONICS • FURNITURE • BEDDING & MORE Valid at Fresno Stores Only

THRIFT STORES

$

10 OFF $ 30 OR MORE EXPIRES November 25, 2015

Valid on In-Store Purchases Only. Pre-tax total must be $30 or more. Excludes Fine Jewelry and Direct Purchases. One coupon per customer. Must surrender coupon for savings. Other restrictions may apply.

6

A&E

11.18.2015 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

Students perform at FCC recital

A student recital was held in the Old Administration Building Auditorium on Nov. 17, 2015. The recital featured music students from Fresno City College demonstrating their musical talents. Photos/Larry Valenzuela

Dreamt is the only word that ends in a-m-t.

With 1,025,108 other words in the English language, what are the odds? One in 1,025,109, actually. Learn even more earning a bachelor’s degree at National University. Online.

On campus. Non-profit.

Don’t think you have time to learn something new?

You just did.

Fresno Campus 20 E. River Park West (559) 256-4900

Keep learning at nu.edu/transfer © 2015 National University NU15_2343

A&E

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 11.18.2015

City Dance Fall 2015

7

Fall Dance Workshop to start November 20

(Left) Choreographer Justine Johnson practices the finale along with other dance students for City Dance. Nov. 11, 2015. (Middle) Artistic Director of City Dance, Jimmy Hao. (Right) Jimmy Hao speaks to dance students on Nov. 11, 2015. Photos/Cyrel Mallory

BY CYREL MALLORY

Reporter cmallory@therampageonline.com

So you think you can dance?

The Fresno City College Dance Department hosts the biannual City Dance Fall Workshop on Nov. 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. which will be held in the FCC Main Stage Theater. The price will be $14 general admission, $12 for students with current student ID; seniors 55 and older will be $8 and $8 for groups of 10 or more.

The event doesn’t restrict to one style of dance.

“We have multiple styles

because their different choreographers’ and they have different ideas and every choreographer have a specialty, we allow them really to explode and to express their own idea and styles,” Hao said.

“All the dance works are contemporary dance pieces,” said Jimmy Hao, dance instructor and artistic director of the event.

The production will include different styles of dance such as modern, jazz, hip-hop, modern ballet and post-modern.

“Every semester we produce the performing arts workshop class in the fall and performing arts spring concert, this gives the opportunity to the students to create a dance work and the faculty as well to perform together,” Hao said.

“I’ve been the Artistic Director for the City Dance Workshop 18 times,” Hao said.

“Every semester the faculty create one piece for this concert,” Hao said. “About five faculties are involved in the show, we normally select

FCC Choir Sing Their Way to San Francisco

four students and they have to audition.”

“Every night for about 12 weeks their practice from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. but sometimes we go a little longer than 9 o’clock.”

The City Dance provide students to create their own pieces and show off their talent.

As for dance majors city dance gives us a lot of time to practice and experience being on stage said Sisombath Mony Souvannasack a FCC dance majors and dancer in the city

dance.

“What i look forward to is not freaking out and showing what i have practice so hard for and enjoying the show and being able to express that to the audience,” Souvannasack said.

What do you look forward to when you hit the stage?

“Dancing!,” Replied Justine Johnson. “That’s what I been doing all my life, that’s what I love to do.”

The Art of Yoga

Yoga Offers Numerous Benefits to Mind and Body

BY VIANEY COBIAN

Reporter vcobian@therampageonline.com

Belle Robison rehearsing for the Music Association of California Community College choir conference held in San Francisco. Nov. 19, 2015.

Photo/Ryan Holquin

BY RYAN HOLQUIN

Reporter rholquin@therampageonline.com

Talent is a natural aptitude or skill.

Singing is up there as one of the most gifted talents.

Fresno City College has five students, Belle Robison, Brittany Johnson, Siena Garcia, James Schott and Genevieve Ortiz competing in a choir conference this weekend, Nov. 19 through the 21, in San Francisco at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway. The event is put on by the Music Association of California Community Colleges.

Performing are students from community colleges all over the state of California. Performances include a conference band, a conference choir, a student piano master class, a student

strings master class, a student composition master class and a student composition contest.

Mike Dana, music instructor, director of jazz studies and semifinalist for the 2016 Music Educator Award, will also be attending and teaching a class.

Another competition that has been taking place within the EMACC conference committee, is a music theory contest that has been taking place online via email between the competing students within the competing schools. “The last time we checked, our students were in first place,” Julie Dana said.

Do you really know the benefits of yoga? It is believed to be a good form of meditation, but what is not very known is that it helps you in many more ways than just mentally.

Fresno City College offers a yoga class on campus which is available for students to take every semester.

Matthew De Los Santos, an FCC student, majoring in business, says that taking yoga classes has helped take his mind off negative things and that it has helped him to do better at school.

“It calms you down and releases your stress,” De Los Santos said. “It is also a lot of exercise.”

Losing weight by doing yoga is another good benefit of practicing yoga.

Nicole Flores, a yoga instructor, explains that yoga increases the circulation of the blood into stored fat.

You are burning fat as you release the stress levels of your body.

“It helps the [students] physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally it builds strength helps with flexibility endurance and it tones the body,”

Flores said.

Flores said that doing yoga has changed her life in so many ways since she started doing yoga in 1976 when she took a class in Reedley College when yoga wasn’t popular yet and fell in love with it; this is the same class she now teaches.

Suffering from weight problems in the past, Flores took the class when she used to weigh 213 pounds.

“I battle with compulsive overeating, anorexia and bulimia. I went to treatment and none of that changed,” Flores said.

Flores said that it wasn’t until she took that yoga class that everything changed for her. Now she no longer battles with her weight.

She encourages students to take a yoga class because of all the benefits that practicing yoga provides to the students because they get to relax but also get something physical.

“They should just come and try it,” Flores said. “I let students come in and sit in the class to see if they like it.”

Associated Student Government would like to thank our supporters 10% discount. Valid only at 1611 N. Blackstone (at McKinley). Not valid with other coupons, combos or discounts.

Maria’s Hair Fashion

10% off regular price on any cut except Wed., Thurs. and Sun. Corner of Clinton & First.

Chris Meat Market Taqueria

$1 off or 12 oz. drink with $5 purchase of more.

2108 N. Blackstone/Cambridge.

10% discount with student I.D. at Clovis & Herndon Avenue location.

Associated Student Body

10% discount on any meal with I.D. Not valid for beverage only order. Shields/ Blackstone, Jensen/99, and Shaw/West.

GOLDEN HORSE CHINESE RESTAURANT $1 off with every $10 purchase 4313 N. Blackstone Avenue.

Inner Beauty Hair Salon

$10 off Haircuts & $20 off Color & Cuts.

5064 N. Angus 559-906-0170.

Students with current ASB ID receive 50% off monthly membership at Fresno Ideaworks.

10% off the Daily Special! Open 10am —2pm 2134 Kern St. Downtown 559-681-2463.

20% discount on attractions with ID. Not valid with any other offers. D-4042 Expires 6-30-16

75¢ off sandwiches.

Tower District.

50% off for 3 months on select sizes. Valid at Blackstone or W. Shaw locations.

Must show ID. 10% discount on any subs, wraps, or salads with purchase of chips and drink.

Not valid with any other coupons, combos, or discounts. Must show student I.D. Tower District.

15% discount on purchase with valid Student ID 608 E. Weldon/Echo Ave.

Student ID Card Discounts $1.00 Admission to all FCC Athletics home sporting events.

Excludes playoffs & Championships.

FCC Bookstore

10% off supplies.

Does NOT include textbooks.

10% off purchase.

Must show valid ID. 1306 N. Wishon Ave.

10% off large drinks.

Valid at all four locations and in the Tower District.

Loving Hut

$1 off anything on the menu.

1495 N. Van Ness Ave.

MINGS RESTAURANT $1 off with every $10 purchase 1414 N. Van Ness Avenue.

10% discount at Tower & Blackstone/Princeton Locations.

Valid only with current FCC Student ID Card

Expires 6/30/16 (Unless noted)

OH WOW

$1.00 off Admission Not valid with any other offer.

Fresno, Merced, Visalia.

$1.00 off hair cut every Wednesday.

1018 E. McKinley Ave.

$1 off regular Zoo Admission!

Something Extra 20% off any original price 504 E. Olive in Tower District.

$1 off any drink at all Dutch Bros.

Fresno locations. 1 per card per visit. Not valid with any other deal or coupon.

&E 9 Dancer Overcomes Performing Arts Barriers

11.18.2015

Deaf student dancer inspires at Fresno City College

BY JASMINE YORO BOWLES

Arts & Entertainment Editor jyorobowles@therampageonline.com

Dance is an art form that requires physical ability, practice, commitment and ability to connect to the music.

One Fresno City College student does all of that, despite having a large and unique challenge that most people think is insurmountable.

He Guiping, who is deaf, is a dance major and an international ballet dancer. The China native is an FCC freshman who “would really like to be a dance instructor.” Guiping said, “I decided [FCC] would be a good fit for me.”

He was 10 years old when he first became interested in dance. “I started competing at 15...then I started dancing internationally at 17,” he said. “I’ve performed in over 40 countries all over the world,” but America is his favorite.

“Dancing offers a very intriguing life, I believe,” Guiping said. Although dancers face many challenges, Guiping’s biggest challenge is, of course, not being able to hear the music. “But I’m able to work with the instructor and choreographer to feel the music.”

Fine Performing and Communication Arts Instructor Jimmy Hao, also choreographer of City Dance, says, “This is our first time working with a deaf student who has the incredible ability to perform on stage.”

He Guiping rehearsing for the City Dance Fall Workshop.

Photo/Daisy Rodriguez

Guiping will be performing in the upcoming City Dance Fall Workshop on Nov. 20.

Although Hao and Guiping are both from China, and the same town and can communicate via written word in their native language, the instructor said he faces challenges teaching Guiping.

How could he [Hao] “create a solo for him [Guiping] without words to tell him how to go through it?” Outside of dance, Guiping mainly works through the FCC Sign Language Interpreter Coordinator, Christine Gough.

Hao said that working with Guiping is like “conducting an orchestra.” Guiping keeps track of his dancing via the gestures made by Hao who “conducts” on the stage during his performances.

Hao said he believes that Guiping’s story will “inspire many students, particularly deaf students on campus, in whatever they dream, and whatever they want to pursue.”

Guiping says that if deaf students want to dance or act, “They should persevere, and if they’re interested, then they should join.”

“Deaf people can perform,” Guiping said. “People [often] see deaf people and think that they can’t, but we really can.”

Have you chosen your health plan?

Choose CalViva Health.

Call today!

877-618-0903

Your Local Health Plan.

calvivahealth.org

10

A&E

11.18.2015 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

'bad jews'

a Comedic Exploration of Culture and Religion

BY JASMINE YORO BOWLES

Arts & Entertainment Editor jyorobowles@therampageonline.com

A Q&A with cast member Megan DeWitt: Q A

Cast members (left to right) Jacob Franz, Marikah Leal, Megan Dewitt, and Quincy Maxwell in “Bad Jews” at the Fresno City College Theater. Nov. 11, 2015. Photo/ Larry Valenzuela

What is “Bad Jews” about?

“‘Bad Jews,’ [written by Joshua Harmon, directed by Janine Christl], tells the story of Daphna Feygenbaum, a “real jew” with an Israeli boyfriend. When Daphna’s cousin Liam brings home his shiksa girlfriend Melody on the night of their Holocaust surviving grandfather’s funeral and declares ownership of their grandfather’s Chai necklace, a vicious and hilarious brawl over family, faith and legacy ensues.”

Q

what

Who is in the main cast/ are the characters like?

A

“Marikah Leal plays Daphna Feygenbaum, the “super jew” of the family dead set on preserving her family legacy. Jacob Franz plays Liam Haber, the “bad jew” of the family who goes head to head with Daphna and her religious beliefs.

Quincy Maxwell plays Jonah Haber, the younger brother of Liam, who is just trying to get out of this family gathering alive. [I play] Melody, the non-Jewish or “shiksa” girlfriend of Liam Haber.”

Quincy Maxwell as Jonah Haber in “Bad Jews.” Photo/Larry Valenzuela

Q

What sort of play is it and what topics does it pose?

A

“It is a comedy that brings out some very real and serious points about religion and the preservation of culture.”

Q A

Why was this play chosen?

“This play was chosen for its exciting and dynamic script as well as its ever-relevant subject matter.”

Q A

Tell us about your character...

“Melody is a sweet yet somewhat naive girl whose main mission throughout the play is to win over her boyfriend’s Jewish family.

She does her very best to keep the peace, but things don’t exactly go the way she wants them to.”

Q

How many FCC performances have you been in?

A

“This will be my third production with Fresno City College.

I was previously in ‘Boeing Boeing’ and ‘Still Life With Iris.’”

“Bad Jews” will be playing on Nov. 19, 20, and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and on the 20, and 21 at 2 p.m. General admission is $14; $12 for students with an ID, seniors 55 and older and FCC Staff, and $8 for groups of 10 or more. Visit the Fresno City College Theater Box Office for more information or call (559) 442-8221

‘80s punk rock gets Tower Swingin’ San Fran band puts on utterly awesome show

BY DAISY RODRIGUEZ

Photo Editor drodriguez@therampageonline.com

Frontman Johnny “Peebucks” Bonnel blows the crowd away at Strummer’s. Nov. 10, 2015 Photo/Daisy Rodriguez

From here in Fresno and with the punch that punk rock gives you, 24 Hour Bigfoot Attack starts the night of pleasantly. However a little lacking in the vocals, the threesome can still rock the night.

The punk rock foursome of Success empower the crowd to dance and head bang till you leave the venue with a sore neck. Hailing from Seattle, Washington frontman Aaron Rev electrified the audience with flexible power stances and and enthusiastic persona.

Never have I seen two women lead a punk rock band and make it rock harder than the guys. The leading women of The Bombpops, Jen Razavi and Poli Van Dam, with some cheesey high note vocals, hair whips, and aggressive guitar, its as is the era of punk rock never left and made a home in your heart as your ears ring after the concert has finished and you’ve left the venue.

Headlining the night was Swingin’ Utters from San Francisco, California. The four had formed in the 80s and has been playing for 25 years. Swingin’ Utters had brought the punk rock of the past into the present.

Causing people to almost rampage the venue from the sound of their music. A fan of the band was so excited he started his own moshpit knocking over three people and spilling his beer. This band’s punk will most likely make you come out of your comfort zone and become the vibrant person you may have wanted to be at concerts.

Poli Van Dam of the Bombpops rocks hard and entices the audience. Nov. 10, 2015.

Photo/Daisy Rodriguez

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

OPINION

11.18.2015

11

Campus Voices

Jorja Rea, Kinesiology

“There is so much work that we need to do in our own country to help each other out. It wouldn’t be responsible for us to take them in and try to help them when there is so much wrong with us already.”

Chris Gomez, Engineering

“I’d support it...Just seeing the struggle and just them giving up everything and trying to come to new countries with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

It’s something everyone should support.”

Bee Yang, Theater “I read some angry stuff about how there are so many homeless veterans who went to Iraq, why aren’t we helping them before taking care of the Syrian refugees?”

Should the U.S. Take in Syrian Refugees?

Shirley Munguia, Biology

Sean Stoll, Life Science

“Yes. They’re coming with nothing to have an opportunity to escape what they’re going through.”

“They aren’t really well documented in most of those countries so we don’t know much about their background.”

Jessica Hernandez, Social Work “They should let them in.”

Let’s live up to America’s promise and not turn our back on refugees

BY RAMPAGE EDITORIAL BOARD editorial@therampageonline.com

The recent terrorist attacks in Paris are are worsening the rather complicated plight of the Syrian refugees who are fleeing the civil war raging in their home countries and seeking refuge in foreign countries.

As of October 2015, 4,183,535 that have fled Syria due to the war and atrocities.

Over the course of five years -- that’s how long this crisis has been going on -- these refugees have endured torture and suffering that defies description.

More than 12,000 children have been killed because of the violence.

Fleeing the country is their only way out of the violence; even the Syrian government is accused of killing its own people. The ISIS situation makes these refugees suspect; how could anyone be sure they too are not so-called “terrorists”.

These refugees have fled from all that is familiar, leaving behind more than property. What they seek is safety and normalcy to live and raise their families. Yet, as they arrive in new countries, traveling through treacherous bodies of water and many of them often dying, the refugees are met, in some cases, with nothing but hatred and fear.

People have voiced that they feel unsafe because they don’t know who, among the refugees, could be a socalled terrorist or be a threat to their own way of life.

The U.S. is no better in this situation.

Only 1,500 Syrian refugees have been accepted into the U.S. since 2011, but the Obama administration announced in September that 10,000 Syrians will be allowed entry next year.

Twenty seven American states have expressed their reluctance and have asked the president to refrain from taking in any

refugees.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Monday that it’s the responsibility of government to keep its people safe.

In other words, bringing in Syrian refugees is jeopardizing the lives of Americans, Abbot said, “Texans will be kept safe from those refugees.”

But Abbot is fear

mongering and playing to people’s insecurities, at the same time, justifying discrimination against these refugees who need the world’s help.

This present situation calls to mind America’s treatment of people with Japanese ancestry during World War II. Our politicians are scaring our people into believing everyone who comes here from Syria is a threat.

The mass hysteria is bordering on racism and ignorance.

As a country, we have a tendency to be blind to others’ problems in the world and only think of ourselves. If it doesn’t affect us or doesn’t have anything to do with our daily lives, we simply don’t care.

We only care when the situation gets too big to ignore -- the situation in Syria is catastrophic.

We shouldn’t turn our backs on innocent people whether they are far or near.

We have to open our eyes to recognize others’ agony and open our hearts to help. America has long promised that this land would be welcoming to those who flee persecution in foreign lands.

There is no greater opportunity to live up to that ideal.

Illustration by Bobby Brown

12

OPINION

11.18.2015 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

When Best Friends Come with Benefits Illustration

by Bobby Brown

BY TYLISHA RILEY

Reporter triley@therampageonline.com

Benefiting from your best friend.

I’m not sure if it’s really a good idea but as of now that’s what I’m doing with my best friend. We are friends with benefits.

We’ve been really good friends for the past three years and started benefiting from each other within the two in half year mark of our friendship. We were both at a time in our lives when we were both single. So we texted for a while and the exchange went like this: Him: Hey come get it tonight?

Me: hmmm sure.

That’s how simple it was One of the perks is that I know we’re both only having sex with each other (as far as I know).

We made an agreement that no matter what we would do, it never become anything serious. We would not lose our close friendship for a relationship that could potentially ruin everything.

I thought that by having sex with him, it would complicate things and feelings would get involved.

But to my surprise, no “in love” feelings have happened. We both understand each other--I know it doesn’t really make sense--but we

both understand what’s going on in the situation of how our friendship is more important than to have an actual relationship.

I thought about how people say “make sure the person you are with is your best friend” and honestly speaking he’s my best friend...and partially my lover.

There was a point in our friendship where I did care for him; more than just a friend. I then quickly decided to let those feelings go. I’m now starting to second myself, I often think what if my other relationships didn’t work out because he was actually the one for me and vice versa for him.

Do I recommend having benefits with your friend or best friend? No,

especially if you know you have feelings for them or you’re thinking if I do this we’ll be together.

At this point in time I don’t think we should try to be to g e t h e r, but maybe in the future it could work out to be something great.

I’m scared of what is going to happen if one of us gets into another relationship. What is going to happen to our friendship? To us? Because at this point, can I really just call him my “best friend”? Once you’ve crossed that sexual line, I don’t think it’s no longer “just friends”. It’s something deeper.

It’s hard not to think about the “what if ’s” of the situation but I don’t dwell on it. Most importantly, we know where each of us stands when it comes down to what we’re doing.

My girl friends are confused that him and I don’t think it’s weird or

awkward. But I think we’re just really comfortable with each other and trust each other.

Obviously there’s some feelings there. Of course I do care for him and I do have love for him and he feels the same about me but he’s afraid of losing my friendship which is more important than risking a failed relationship with each other and I completely agree with him.

I think one thing that has really kept me from getting my feelings deeply involved is I don’t wishfully think this will turn into something more.

It’s crazy how you can have a deep connection with someone and it still not be enough to commit.

Our friendship hasn’t really changed but we’re much closer than what we used to be; we talk almost every single day for hours at a time so I would say it actually brought us closer than what we originally were.

Real talk, I would not recommend this, because this could have easily turned into a complicated mess and our friendship could have possibly ended. I can confidently say that I do not have emotional feelings for him but I do care.

The Military is My Only Path to A Better Life (A Rampage reporter’s journey to his dream)

BY ROMAN ESPINOZA

Reporter respinoza@therampageonline.com

station but when I looked up, it was the coast guard.

She said she didn’t want me to leave the country.

Even though I was reluctant, I went in to check it out, I was already there after all.

The man inside was very cool.

I let him know my situation and he said he would give me an asvab

The intensity of knowing that I’m going to join an institution that has protected our land and our rights by potentially sacrificing lives, brings a huge weight to my shoulders because I am following the path of a lot of great men and women.

Having to be away from friends and family in a foreign land with the knowledge that there is a possibility of no return is scary.

To be honest, the reason I am going is to get my record clean and not have to spend any time in prison, but it has always been something I wanted to do.

My mom wouldn’t let me because I am her only son.

But when I got into some trouble with the authorities, it changed her tune and I was able to kill two birds with one stone.

I will be able to accomplish something that I have wanted to do for a long time and I’ve got to get myself out of a hole I dug myself into.

The recruiter I went to was from the coast guard -- my mom said we were going to the army recruiter Illustration by Bobby Brown

pretest and if I got a 51 or higher, he would give me a letter that stated it was in the “interest of justice” that i not have a felony so I could join the army.

I took the test, scored a 47, my color was green.

I thought I had failed at first. But when I went and was expecting the bad news I was told, “your color is

green you’re good to go.”

After that, he gave me a letter; this made my lawyer very happy because what I didn’t know was that they stop giving people the ultimatum.

As long as I do my service in the army, they are going to give me a clean slate. My record is going to be totally clean. When I was going through court, my lawyer told me to get a G.E.D so that I had better chances of going to the army, so I did.

I also had to reprimand myself, which means on my last court date, I went to jail.

I spent 15 days in jail and when I got out, I enrolled at Fresno City College. The reason for this was because the army does not only take G.E.D anymore, if you only have a G.E.D, you’ll need to also have 15 college credits.

It was a long journey but I got it done and it was a huge relief, but then I realized that this was the easy part and that the hard part was now here.

I’ve signed up for a new life.

How do I feel about it? I feel generally optimistic. There are certain decisions that I know I’m going to have to face that I am unsure of how I’m going to deal with.

The feeling that comes from these thoughts is not joy or honor but uncertainty.

The uncertainty of a future that is out of my hands is one that only God knows about.

He will only reveal my true strengths when the time comes.

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

11.18.2015

OPINION

13

Illustration by Bobby Brown

BY ALBERTINA RODRIGUEZ DELGADO Opinion Editor arodriguezdelgado@therampageonline.com

My First Semester at FCC Seems so Long Ago As every Fall semester comes around at Fresno City College --I can’t help but think of my first fall semester at FCC. Being completely new to a school in Fresno, I didn’t know what to expect. I was happy and overwhelmed with joy to say the least.

And yet, as every fall semester comes around, I always reminisce about my first time at FCC while I walk around campus. I was always finding things that were interesting: I once saw a homeless person taking a bath in the main fountain; boy was I in shock, so much that I couldn’t help but keep my eyes on him. Don’t

ask why I couldn’t look away, because I wouldn’t know the answer.

Another time, I was sitting on a bench with my roommate, when I looked to my side and saw an open unused condom on top of a fountain drink. After seeing that, I began to look at the college in a different light.

I loved meeting new people while hanging around inside the library to avoid freezing to death.

I also learned a very important lesson my first semester here-- to avoid taking night classes if I can.

When I was registering for my classes, the idea of having a night class seemed so cool, that I had to try it out. I ended

up having three night classes that semester, and they were hell.

I didn’t take into account that I would be riding the bus from FCC to Fresno State every other day, when I didn’t have a ride back home.

And taking the Fresno bus at night is probably scarier than being in a haunted house.

I wouldn’t have believed myself if someone had told me that I would be writing for the Rampage. For one, I hated it when people read what I wrote for my English classes. I didn’t feel confident in my writing. And also, I didn’t think I would be this involved while going to school.

say it was because my mom told me to. To this day, I couldn’t possibly provide a reason other than that my mother forced me to attend church in order to graduate from my communion studies.

Don’t let my mother read this, but I honestly do not believe that there is a “God”. I am not convinced that such a thing exists.

I was always puzzled by the amount of churches around me and even more confused as to what they actually taught its followers. Why weren’t we all attending the same church?

As I’ve grown, I’ve come to realize that I am largely uninterested in following my religion any further, simply for the fact that I am not fully convinced that it will fix anything in my life.

Having grown up with such a large part of my life being touched by a belief system that goes back centuries, when I try to remove its teachings and its ways of thinking, it is difficult.

When I am in some sort of serious trouble, I tend to “want” to pray, but I stop myself. I know that it is only the remnants of teachings from faithful church goers who I’ve deemed as delusional.

I refuse to utter words that I was taught to believe would heal me. Life is what it is and we will get through it, not by gathering in a building and praying, but by looking at things realistically.

I don’t need some set of words to give me a false illusion of life.

When I used to go to church and would pray what little prayer I knew, I did actually feel better. I legitimately felt like by praying, all my troubles were past me and there was a lighter

road ahead.

But as I got to thinking, I wondered what the heck those words really did.

A few hours later, I was back to my same ways and the invisible halo had disappeared.

To me, praying is like engaging in some sort of magic act. We expect to be relieved of our troubles by simply closing our eyes and searching deep in our souls for some heartfelt words to say a made-up entity referred to as “God”.

For that reason, I never grasped or cared to understand the whole purpose of religion.

When we had to move into the bigger city nearby, I learned about yet more religions and the number of churches in the city almost quadrupled.

I learned about the Muslim church and the Christian church and the “snake” church -- there was a rumor that a church near our home actually swung snakes around as they spoke in tongues.

I never confirmed those reports since I was too scared to walk past it after that.

There was always a sort of stigma put onto other religions and religious beliefs mostly in part by my own family. I was told this religion did that and that religion did this.

I always wondered what was so great about “our religion”.

Shortly after entering high school, I knew that I wanted to discontinue my church attendance. I was just not convinced that I needed church to be a better person.

I had forgotten nearly all my prayers that I learned in communion studies except for the first part of the

My plan was to get through school, and there was no time to be involved.

With every scent that the fall brings--I always have a memory attached to it. Both good and bad. And with every fall semester, I was always in a new apartment.

And of course, those throwback songs that either play on the radio, or on your phone--have so many memories attached to them that play with every chorus--you can’t help but tear up or smile of joy.

For me, a couple of songs can play and I can remember my entire first semester here, filled with both good and bad memories.

Forgive Me Mother, for I Have Sinned, but I Don’t Believe in God

BY CRESENCIO RODRIGUEZ DELGADO Editor-in-Chief crodriguezdelgado@therampageonline.com

I grew up in a large family -- 10 siblings and both my parents -- who, for the most part, attended church every Saturday night. I loved church, usually because I enjoyed seeing my neighbors dressed up quite fancy and all gathered in one place.

When my family migrated to the United States, we settled in a small, closely-knit town in Tulare county.

There were several churches, probably more churches than the town needed.

I attended the catholic church on the west end of town.

As a young boy, I thought everyone went to the same church. Of course, I was wrong.

Across from our home sat a church which was only attended to on Wednesdays. Farther east down the road was another church which was attended to on Sundays. South of town were four more churches whose attendance dates I was unaware of.

If someone asked me at a young age why I attended church, I would

“Holy Father” prayer, which by now is completely erased from my memory.

I forgot the meaning of learning my prayers because we were intimidated by the local nun who said that if we did not learn our prayers, we would not move on to receive communion.

That would anger my parents. But why were we being forced to learn how to pray? I sure did not like it.

I don’t blame anyone for this.

Though, I think my mother would actually pray to God for forgiveness for raising a son who turned out to reject His existence --it is largely believed that God is a male.

I’m not refuting hundreds of belief systems which have come from hundreds or perhaps thousands of years back, but rather I am saying that sometimes, we can’t be forced to do things we don’t believe in.

Illustration by Bobby Brown

14

SPORTS

11.18.2015 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

MEN’S SOCCER TEAM CLINCH SHARE OF CVC

BY KEAUNDREY CLARK

Sports Editor kclark@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College men’s soccer team is rolling into the playoffs with a 3-game winning streak and an attitude that they can’t be beaten.

Besting their opponents 11 - 2 in the last three games, the eighth ranked team in the state is playing at a very high level.

their goalkeeper Jon Pulido, who recorded his eighth clean sheet of the season.

In their last 9 games, the Rams have gone 8-1, with two separate winning streaks; they have outscored their opponents by 18 goals, only allowing five

“Our guys have fun, and I think that’s important, It breeds success throughout the program.”

-Coach Solberg The Rams have been hot lately, hitting their stride and with the 3-game winning streak, capped with a 7-0 win at College of Sequoias on Nov. 13 at COS. The team is finishing its season with an overall 12-5-4 record, 4-2 in the Central Valley Conference.

“It was a good win,” head coach Eric Solberg said. “I thought we played well earlier, and everything went our way.”

With the win, the Rams clinched a share of the Central Valley Conference with Taft.

Sophomore midfielder Sergio Segura who has six goals this season is one of the few returning players who helped the Rams advance in the playoffs last season.

“It feels good to go into the playoffs with momentum,” Segura said. “We’re coming together at a good time; playoffs are coming up and we’re ready to go.”

The Rams also got great play from

l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 The two teams traded scores on the next two possessions making the line 28-14 and it would be 28-17 at halftime.

After halftime, Fresno clamped down on the Giants, not allowing them to score a single point the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, the Rams offense put the pedal to the met-

goals, a change that wasn’t noticeable a few weeks ago especially with 22 freshmen on the team.

“It’s easy. Hard work; that’s all it takes -- hard work,” Segura said. “Once we stop messing around at practice, we get serious.”

Freshman Jose Ramirez scored his ninth goal of the season versus COS. He leads the Rams in scoring this year.

“We’re in a good rhythm right now,” Ramirez said. “I think if we keep practicing hard we can accomplish some things in the playoffs.”

Ramirez said he felt pressure to perform at an early stage in his career.

“We’ve been handling the pressure pretty good,” Ramirez said. “I just want to keep scoring and keep winning.”

Having played 11 of their 17 games on the road, the Rams seized the chance to play well together and capitalized.

Fresno City College Foward Jose Ramirez practicing at Ratcliffe Stadium, Thursday Nov. 12, 2015. Photo/ Keaundrey Clark

Rams Football al in the third quarter and took their next two possessions to the house, making the score 42-17 going into the fourth.

From there, Fresno’s offense slowed down a bit, and the team scored only 7 on a 3-yard touchdown rush by NCFC offensive player of the week, Nate Jones.

FCC was able to finish the game in the same sort of fash-

ion that they began -- with their defense. With 12 seconds left in the game, linebacker Jaquan Alvies and defensive lineman McCarthy Tonuao sacked Chester to put the Giants out of their misery.

To officially end their season, the Rams will face Sierra College in the State Center Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Ratcliffe stadium.

Caviglia said he was extremely proud of how his team played under the pressure of needing to win to secure a bowl berth along with showing out in front of the military present.

“I had a lot of things riding on this game,” he said. “And we had the Bill Music halftime memorial presentation. We were honoring veterans, and

especially with the things that are happening in Paris.

Caviglia said he and his team had a lot of emotions going into this game. “We were playing to secure our bowl berth,” he said. “I’m just happy about how the team came out and played.”

Rams Running Back Named Player of the Week

BY KEAUNDREY CLARK

Sports Editor kclark@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College Running Back Nate Jones was named the NCFC National Division Offensive Player of the Week after his performance helped the Rams defeat Modesto College 55-42.

Jones, who had 29 carries for 207 yards and four touchdowns carried the Rams to victory vs the Pirates.

Jones has been on a tear since week 5 when he scored two touchdowns to help defeat rival Reedley College in the Battle of the Pump.

Over the last 5 games Jones has averaged 131 yards and has scored eight touchdowns.

“As far as being named Offensive Player of the Week, that goes along with the rest of the people on our offense,” Jones said. “They are all doing their thing to make sure that I get where I need to go.”

“To be honest, I’d rather just win,” said Jones. “I just try to do all I could do.”

Freshman Nate Jones running the ball versus rival Reedley (middle), Saturday Oct 3 at Reedley Stadium and San Joaquin Delta College (Left) and Right) Saturday Oct. 31 at Ratcliffe Stadium.

Photos/ Daisy Rodriguez

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

SPORTS

11.18.2015

15

No.1 Ranked Rams on Track for State Championship

Sophomores Adrian Camposano and Albert Rosas in a clinch at practice in the FCC Wrestling Room, Thursday Nov. 12, 2015. Photo/ Keaundrey Clark

BY MICHAEL FORD

Reporter mford@therampageonline.com

When it comes to Fresno City College wrestling, the postseason is the only thing that matters. The Rams will begin their quest to capture yet another state championship when the postseason begins on Nov. 22 at the State Meet Championships in South Host.

The Rams will head into the playoffs ranked number one in the state and on a roll, winning every meet they have participated in with nearly every match being a blowout, and if they win the next two meets at Simpson College and Chabot College at the Quad Duals and Coast Conference tournament respectively.

FCC as of Nov. 13 are 9-0 overall and 4-0 in the Coast Conference, leaving everyone else in their dust. In fact, the

next closest squad in the Coast Conference is Modesto with a total record of 6-8.

Despite the overwhelming success of the season, Keysaw, who is pursuing his eighth state championship title, believes his team has been through the battles and have been challenged.

“We got tested just this past weekend at our tournament here, the Bill Music Memorial, and we’re going to get tested this weekend,” he said.

“We’re going to wrestle some national junior colleges and some NAIA schools, so we’re going to get tested.”

“We have dominated some of the duals but it’s not what you do during the season, it’s about what you do at the end of the season. Everything that we do during the season is just trying to prep our guys to wrestle at the end of the season,” he added.

Sophomore Isiah Alva agrees with his coach’s sentiments, citing why his team has the confidence they have.

“We’ve gone to a lot of big tournaments with a lot of different competition. Just this past weekend we had redshirts, freshman, sophomores from other universities in higher up divisions in wrestling and we went against them very well.”

The Rams finished second in the last two state championships and Alva feels that his team is even more motivated than normal to right the wrong of last season’s loss in the state championship finals.

“We’re extremely, extremely motivated to be state champs and get our name and picture on the wall. We fell eight points short last year because two, three, four matches could have gone either way.”

One of the key factors to why Fresno has been so great this year is their competitive spirit and their camaraderie.

“Whenever I am in a close match with somebody or if it’s someone who I know is going to be tough, I know that I am going to have my brothers behind me, supporting me. The work we put in is able to get us to beat anyone,” said redshirt

“We’re extremely, extremely motivated to be state champs and get our name and picture on the wall..”

-Wrestler Isiah Alva

sophomore Seth Hood.

“With my high school team we had a really close group of people too but it’s nothing like what we have here at City and I feel that regardless of wherever I end up, I’ll never forget the brotherhood that we had here,” he added.

Keysaw reflected on how it would feel to win the state championship with his group of wrestlers, while also deflecting the credit for success to his team.

“I would be honored to be their coach for this group of young men to experience and share that feeling and enjoy the moment and be able to taste that taste with them and share in that delight,” he said.

“It’s not about me winning state titles; it’s about these kids and letting them enjoy the experience. I just happen to be driving the car that everyone is in.”

Freshman Soccer Standout Excited About Playoff Chances

BY KAGEANNA GARZA

Reporter kgarza@therampageonline.com

Starting freshman forward, Jose Ramirez, said that playing soccer for Fresno City College has been an incredible experience.

Ramirez who was the top scorer on his high school team in Merced said his transition to the FCC Men’s Soccer team has been more than satisfying, and he is thrilled that the team is moving on to playoffs this Saturday.

“I adjusted really well,” says Ramirez.

He has never been to a playoff game, and for a starting freshman, a playoff game can come with nerves for a rookie, but Ramirez said his nerves are fine, and he is very confident about this weekend.

“I’m not nervous,” Ramirez said.

“I’m like excited.”

Starting from the bench and working his way to starting forward Freshman Foward Jose Ramirez. Friday Nov. has been tough but rewarding.

13, 2015. Photo/ Daisy Rodriguez

After finishing his senior year at Buhach Colony High School as a star athlete, Ramirez quickly learned how different high school soccer is compared to college.

He remembers that while playing in high school, it was easy to score goals.

“I used to score every game in high school,” he said. “Now I score one every two games.”

So Ramirez worked hard, did extra deals and practiced long hours.

Soon, he began to gain confidence in himself and his game. His hard work showed, and now, and he is the go-to player for scoring goals during games.

The Rams won an important game this past weekend, and are now headed for playoffs this Saturday.

He said his team has a week to prepare and that they’re capable of winning games and going all the way

to win the state championship.

Ramirez said he is confident that the coach is aware of their talent, and is looking for nothing but wins, because he knows that the FCC men’s soccer team is better than any team they will face in the future.

“They say it’s pretty hard games,” Ramirez said. “But I think that we can win.”

Even with the playoffs to look forward to, Ramirez has one goal in mind -- to win the state championship with his team.

The accomplishment would make history because the men’s soccer team has never won a state game.

Regardless, Ramirez and the team are hoping to end the season with a win to remember.

“One goal,” Ramirez said, “would be to win state and be ready for next year.”

16 PORTS 11.18.2015 FCC Football Team Ends Season on High Note, Secures Playoff Berth

Fresno City College running back, Biquez Alvies weaves his way through defenders, at Ratcliffe Stadium, Nov. 14, 2015. Photo/Daisy Rodriguez

BY MICHAEL FORD

Reporter mford@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College football team finished its regular season on an extremely high note as the players took care of business against the fledgling College of the Sequoias Giants with a final score of 49-17 on military appreciation day at Ratcliffe stadium on Nov. 14.

With a final record of 6-4, the win allowed the Rams to clinch a postseason berth for the 17th consecutive season under head coach Tony Caviglia.

The Rams dominated from almost

the very beginning of the game. Defense and special teams were key to the flurry as they forced a three-andout on the Giants which allowed freshman wide receiver, Mitch Brumfield, to put them on top with a punt return for 72-yards and a touchdown.

“Having scored 14 points early in the first quarter before the offensive even taking the field some of that takes a lot of pressure off the offense,” freshman defensive back Chandler Cocklin said.

“It helps build our confidence throughout the game.”

They weren’t done though as on the

next possession, Cocklin intercepted a Brian Chester pass and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown. Before you could even blink, the Rams were up 14-0 and the offense hadn’t even set foot onto the turf.

Caviglia and his coaching staff put an emphasis during practice on scoring points in other ways than offense, and it showed up on the field on Saturday.

“It’s great anytime that you can score without having to drive the ball down the field,” Caviglia said. “Our defense’s goal is to score.”

The head coach added, “Mitch

MORE GAME TIME WITH

MOBILE

BANKING!

Brumfield hadn’t had a whole lot of opportunities to return punts, but he made a tremendous run to get that score. Scoring in the kicking game and scoring on defense, that’s usually a recipe for winning.”

COS took over and were able to score on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Brian Chester to wide receiver Malik Harrison to make the score 147. By then though, it was too late as Fresno had already established the overwhelming momentum that would carry them through the remainder of the game.

l SEE Football ON PAGE 14

With EECU’s 24/7 mobile banking, you can view balances, pay bills, transfer money, or even deposit checks wherever and whenever you want. And that’s great news, because we know that even though you may love EECU, you’d much rather spend your time playing than banking!