Issue 7(correct)

RAMPAGE May 13, 2015 Vol. CXXVI I S S U E 7

Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College

EMLS STUDENTS ADAPT TO U.S. CULTURE, LIFE

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

Fresno City College’s Graduation Ceremony at the Selland Arena on May 23, 2014. Photos/Public Information Office.

1,200 TO GRADUATE IN SELLAND ARENA CEREMONY

FCC graduates embrace the next step in life

BY CHUEYEE YANG

Reporter cyang@therampageonline.com

Approximately 500 out of the 1,200 Fresno City College students who are graduating are expected to participate in the commencement ceremony at the Selland Arena on May 22. Pre-graduation ceremonies started as early as May 1 and will continue until the main event.

“It is a ceremony to celebrate the completion of studies by students who are receiving their associate in science or associate in arts degree,” said Kathleen Bo-

nilla, FCC public information officer.

Along with the class of 2015, the commencement ceremony will also be honoring Jim Boren, executive editor and senior vice president of the Fresno Bee, as the 2015 distinguished alumnus.

Boren attended FCC and participated in the Rampage before he graduated in 1969.

He continued his journalism studies at California State University, Fresno, and started a career at the

“It’s so important to show our appreciation of our student body and the respect that they deserve for completing their goal.”

-Frances Lippman Admission and Records manager

l SEE GRADUATION ON PAGE 4

POLLS VIDEOS

Soro Coulibaly, 28, hopes every word she speaks sounds better than the one before it.

She enunciates her words EMLS u n h u r r i e d l y, repeating her- by the numbers self often times, laboriously explaining her • 3 Percent commitment to African mastering Enamericn glish. Her native tongue is French.

• 12 Percent Coulibaly white arrived to the United States in 2013 from Cote • 37 Percent d’ Ivoire (Ivory Asian Coast), a country on the West coast of Africa. • 47 percent She would study Hispanic at the University of Houston before coming to Fresno, where Fresno City College would become her favorite place to learn.

“I found myself here,” Coulibaly said.

Coulibaly is part of the English

l SEE EMLS ON PAGE 5

RAM SLAM OFFERS AID FOR LAST MINUTE STUDYING

BY PATRICK FORREST

News Editor pforrest@therampageonline.com

Finals week is aproaching and it is once again and time for Ram Slam, a finals exam study assistance that offers multiple support services on campus to help students succeed in the final exams.

Ram Slam offers extended hours in several campus locations where students can finish their studying for various final exams. It will also provide a computer lab, quiet rooms, tutors, the tutorial center, scantrons, snacks and coffee.

“One of the things we get a lot is that students are thankful to be able to have a controlled environment where they can study,” said Sean Henderson, director of student activities and adviser of the Associated Student Government. “A lot of our students may not have that, and

l SEE RAM SLAM ON PAGE 5

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PHOTOS STORIES

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5.13.2015 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

DOT ‘THE CAN LADY’ RETIRES BUT NOT FROM HELPING STUDENTS

RAMPAGE STAFF Editor-in-Chief Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado News Editor Production Manager Patrick Forrest Arts & Entertainment Editor Copy Chief Jasmine Yoro Bowles Opinion Editor Charlotte MacKay Sports Editor Keaundrey Clark Photo Editor Daisy Rodriguez Ramuel “Ram” Reyes

Dorothy Sedley unlocks one of the bins from which she collects recyclables on campus in order to donate money to the State Center Community College Foundation. Photo/Ram Reyes

BY KATHYA CASTRO

Reporters Albertina Rodriguez Delgado Alyssa Garza Angela Tuttle Caleb Owens-Garrett Ceasia Green Chad Horne Christopher Del Castillo Chueyee Yang Corey Parsley David Chavez Elias Cardenas Kageanna Garza Kathya Castro Savanna Manzo Tylisha Riley Rampage Advisor/Instructor Dympna Ugwu-Oju dympna.ugwu-oju@fresnocitycollege.edu

Reporter kcastro@therampageonline.com

With a broken heart, 86-year-old Dorothy Sedley, more commonly known as “Dot the Can Lady”, has retired from her volunteer position on the Fresno City College campus.

Sedley, who has been a fixture on campus for 16 years, will no longer be able to raise money for scholarships for FCC students through her recycling operation.

To date, Sedley has donated $80,000 towards financial aid funds for students on the FCC campus.

The money goes directly to the State Center Community College Foundation and Sedley helps decide the recipients of the scholarship. Her funds have helped numerous organizations, including the arts, math, sciences and many more.

She said her decision is due to her ailing health but also because of college staff that have refused to cooperate with her.

“My problem is that I cannot continue to walk for eight straight hours every single day,” Sedley said.

With two artificial hips, she finds she can no longer maintain the pace necessary to keep the organization running.

She started campaigning to the SCCCD foundation and the FCC administration a year ago to allow her to get a golf cart so she could drive around and continue what she has been doing all these years.

Sedley said she would pay for the golf cart and all

Suspended Student Activities Office Clerk Awaits Fate

Contact Us Tip Line: 559.442.8262 Send Questions or Letters to the Editor to: editorial@therampageonline.com

associated liabilities.

However, because she is not officially an employee of the college, Sedley’s request was denied, despite her having signed a liability agreement.

After all attempts to reach a compromise failed, Sedley decided it was time to hand the responsibility of collecting the cans to the local Conservation Corps who had, in the past, provided the blue recycling bins on campus. Sedley will continue to be on campus one day a week to collect the cans from the inside the buildings.

She will spend some of her time as a volunteer in the tutorial center and in “the Zone”, the athletic department’s own tutorial center, as well as the two career centers.

The Go-Green Scholarship which Sedley founded will continue to be awarded to deserving students.

“If you have enough to lead a decent life,” Sedley said, “you can find a way to spare a little for those who don’t have anything.”

She also shares some wisdom she learned from her mother.

“If you do a favor for someone, don’t expect or ask them to pay you back, whether it’s a material favor like giving them something or doing something that helps them,” Sedley said. “Just hope they will do the same for somebody else, and ultimately, only then will the favor come back to you.”

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

Seven weeks after she was suspended for battery against a student, Linda Sanchez is yet to know the disposition of the case against her.

Sanchez, who on March 20 was involved in a verbal and physical altercation with a student aide at the FCC lounge, and was later arrested, said she is frustrated by the slow pace of the investigation to determine what would become of her.

According to Sanchez, she has met with investigators who have taken on the case on two

separate occasions but has not received any details of what is going on.

Her attorney has written a letter to the district, “demanding” she return to her job.

Due to legal limitations, no one in the State Center Community College District will comment on the case.

Sanchez says she is currently moving out of her home, located near FCC, grounds she is not permitted to enter, and is not sure whether she will return to her job at the Student Activities office or if she will be

moved to a different location.

“I’m just waiting for them to just tell me if I am fired or not,” Sanchez said.

Despite admitting to defying Sanchez’s request that she not use college property, Suzette Freeman, the student aide involved in the altercation, told the Rampage on March 20 that she did not understand why Sanchez was so “adamant” in removing her from the office while she helped a student.

Freeman had not been on duty as a stu-

dent aide during the incident, but said she had just left a meeting with her supervisor, Janice Wong, when a student asked for her help.

“Everybody in this department is here to help students and it’s not a matter of being right, wrong or indifferent,” said Maile Martin, a supervisor at the student lounge who said Freeman did nothing wrong.

“If you can help a student, we are not going to say ‘you can’t help a student’.”

NEWS

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Tony Cantu Memorial Scholarship Fund Meets Target of $20,000

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BY PATRICK FORREST

News Editor pforrest@therampageonline.com

The Tony Cantu memorial scholarship reached its fundraising goal of $20,000 by the end of the semester to be matched by the State Center Community College Foundation allowing for the scholarship to be permanently endowed.

“This is something that is set up by the family,” said Bill Stewart, SCCCD interim chancellor. “But we do agree with that decision; he loved students, and we all hope that this scholarship in his memory lives on.”

The final funds were raised at a poetry reading in the Old Administration Building where faculty, staff, students family and friends gathered to share memories of the colleges former leader.

“Tony was my friend,” Pearl Mangum. “And that friendship means a lot; he never forgot about me, even we he went off and became president, I hope I can do that same thing, I hope that I don’t forget anybody.”

Lee Herrick. Photo/Daisy Rodtiguez

Stories from the event became more personal leading to English instructor Michael Roberts reading a poem that he wrote about his final encounter with former president Cantu, the Thursday before spring break.

“I met with him that Thursday to say goodbye because I am retiring and moving away,” Roberts said. “I really thought that day that it was going to be me leaving, not him.”

Donations to the scholarship fund may be made by check, credit card or online. Check donations may be made out to SCCCF with a notation in the memo: “Tony Cantú Scholarship.”

They may be mailed to State Center Community Foundation at: 390 W. Fir Avenue, Suite 300 Clovis, CA 93611.

Eligibility details for the scholarship have not been released by the family but will be made.

Pearl Mangum. Photo/Daisy Rodriguez

Michael Roberts. Photo/Daisy Rodriguez

Honors Students Awarded Scholarship Funds

BY COREY PARSLEY

Reporter cparsley@therampageonline.com

Twenty-five honors students each received $1,000 scholarships at the Leon S. Peters Honors Program celebration in the Old Administration Building room 251 on May 6. Photo/Randall Priester

Twenty five students Fresno City College enrolled in the Leon S. Peters Honors Program each received $1,000 during a reception in the Skylight room of the OAB on May 6. The Rampage’s opinion editor, Charlotte MacKay, was one of the recipients.

“Receiving this award is really just affirmation of the decision I made to come to Fresno City College straight out of high school rather than rushing off as I thought I wanted to,” said Joseph Gannon Castle, one of the recipients.

Forouz Radnejad, counselor for students in the honors program said she was thrilled to see so many students honored and credits some of their success to the careful planning when they start their college career.

“When students come to me, they are wondering what classes they should take or if they are taking the right courses. We plan out everything,” she said. “I help them get from point A to point B so, but that is going to help them have a relaxing phase when everything is resolved. They can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it is so rewarding to be able to do that for students.”

Each student had the opportunity to go up to the podium to tell the audience their plans and where they were headed to complete their college education.

Castle said he would most likely attend UC Berkeley to study history in order to become a history teacher.

The room was filled with smiling faces and everyone was dressed formally. The event was coordinated

by Aaron Pankratz “I’ve learned a lot at the junior college level, and I have worked hard these past two years,” Castle said.

“It just affirms that I made the correct choice.”

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5.13.2015 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

CLUB COMMITTED TO PROMOTING HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT

BY ALBERTINA RODRIGUEZ DELGADO Reporter arodriguezdelgado@therampageonline.com

All of the 2015 Fresno City College Dean Medallion Winners, one of which will recieve the first ever President’s Medallion at the Dean Medallion ceremony on Thursday May 14. Photo/ Public Information Office Fresno Bee while he was still attending college.

Bonilla says Boren “is a great example of some of the great achievements that our students have accomplished.”

Kate Blanco, 2007 graduate and dean’s medallion award recipient, will be the keynote speaker at the ceremony.

After her studies at FCC, she transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles for her Fresno City bacheCollege Dean lor’s deMedallion gree in Winners political science • Dereck and later Bavin acquired • Belinda a law Cortez degree • Katreena from UniMarie versity of CaliDuback fornia, • Kevin Eanes Berkeley.

• Carlos T h i s Jimenez y e a r , • Sukhvinder e i g h t Kaur gradu• Tracy L. ates will Weber be honored and • Tina Xiong presented with the dean’s medallion on May 14 at the dean’s medallion reception. The dean’s medallion recipients are Derek Bavin, Belinda Cortez, Katreena Marie Duback, Kevin Eanes, Carlos Jimenez, Sukhvinder Kaur, Tracey L. Weber and Tina Xiong. These recipients were chosen by eight divisions; seven academic and one for counseling.

Derek Bavin feels honor to be chosen as a dean’s medallion recipient and believes that it is an honor that one of the eight receptions will be awarded the president’s medallion.

The president’s medallion was created this semester in honor of FCC’s late president Tony Cantu.

“I think that it’s a wonderful way to honor his memory by having a medallion in his honor, and I think that it’s a great honor for somebody to receive,” said Bavin Acting president, George Railey will decide who will be awarded the president’s medallion. He will base his judgement on the students’ background story as well as how they achieved their college education, Bonilla said.

“It’s mainly for people who have overcome great obstacles or have worked really

hard to get to where they are,” she said.

In addition to being awarded the president’s medallion, the recipient will be winning a $500 scholarship from the Tony Cantu memorial scholarship.

Although many will be receiving their associate degree, others will be recognized for their academic achievements through the certificate recognition ceremony on May 15.

Frances Lippman, admission and records manager, said the students receiving a certificate “need to have that celebration and acknowledgement’ of that achievement.

“We want to celebrate those people as well, even though they are not getting a two-year degree or associate degree,” Bonilla said. “They are completing their studies and have earned a certificate so we want to celebrate that.”

Some students who are not graduating will be transferring to four-year universities.

Lippmann says that more students are transferring instead of graduating with an associate degree.

“To transfer, a student really needs to work closely with the transfer center and make sure that they’re following the appropriate GE [general education] pattern for the school that they are intending to go to,” said Lippmann.

Students have the option of applying for a transfer degree which guarantees an admission into a California State University, Lippmann said.

Adulfo Lemus, Chicano studies major, will be transferring to San Francisco State University with an associate in arts degree this semester.

“I don’t think that I would have been ready to actually transfer to a university after high school,” he said. “I think that Fresno City College really helps you prepare for that.”

Leticia Canales, transfer center coordinator, said that in the last year,approximately 3,500 to 4,600 students transferred to colleges in the CSU system, the UCs, as well as the private and independent colleges.

Whether graduating or transferring, “it’s so important to show our appreciation of our student body and the respect that they deserve for completing their goal,” said Lippmann. “It’s like closing a chapter in a book, so that students can go on to the next chapter.”

Nicholas Kennedy, a business/economics double major, is slowly gathering supporters for the high speed rail -- a project once deemed unnecessary and too costly for the State of California.

“As far as the high speed rail community goes, I don’t think that there is a very solid community that is already formed and standing together as a single voice,” Kennedy said. “We are trying to help establish that.”

In order to do that, Kennedy has taken leadership as president of a campus club -- I Will Ride Fresno -- to raise the support for this million dollar project to a new level.

It is a fairly new club that

has been operating for about six weeks, and just recently gained full recognition at the college, Kennedy said.

Although the club is gaining momentum on campus, Kennedy says new members are always welcome. He says students wishing to join must show they are truly passionate about the matter and should possess a genuine interest as well as agree with their stance.

The California High Speed Rail Project is the first of its kind in the country and will connect the mega-regions of the state, according to the California High Speed Rail Authority.

According to the CHSRA, high speed rail construction will generate 20,000 construction jobs annually for the next five years and create 67,000 jobs annually for 15 years as the project expands from the Bay Area to the Los Angeles area.

Construction on the high speed rail began in 2014.

Nearly three decades after the idea of high speed rail was introduced in California, a groundbreaking took place in Fresno in January. Fresno, according to Mayor Ashley Swearengin, will become the “capital of the high speed rail.”

The groundbreaking took place in downtown Fresno, but back at FCC, Kennedy says the excitement was off the roof.

“It shows that we’re being a part of history, and we’re setting a precedent for other places to follow in the future,” Kennedy said.

The I Will Ride club meets every Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in SO Room 110. The club hosted a forum to inform students about the high speed rail on May 6 during which Elizabeth Jonasson, who is also part of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, spoke.

“It’s more than a transportation program”, Jonasson said. “It’s really about connecting California; it’s about connecting the people. It’s not just about getting people from point A to point B, but all that comes with it.”

Map of the future California High Speed Rail.

Graphic/I will Ride FCC

FCC Partners with FUSD to Boost Enrollment

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

Fresno City College is hoping to fill empty seats by boosting the number of Fresno Unified School District graduates that continue their education here.

According to Chis Villa, vice president of Student Services, 1,397 graduates of FUSD schools applied to the State Center Community College District colleges for the fall of 2014, but only 771 students actually enrolled.

He says that the same seems to be happening this year.

“We know that only about half of those who only apply to our district actually show up [and] actually enroll in August,” Villa said.

Villa says the efforts by his office and FUSD, the

fourth largest school district in the state, are aimed at reaching out to the percentage of students who never show up after applying.

“This is a community issue,” Villa said. “It is trying to make sure that we capture as many students who are ready to be enrolled.”

Villa is also currently working on the Summer

Fresno Unified Enrollment Fall 2014

1397 applied 771 attended ALL SCCCD CAMPUSES

Bridge Program for incoming high school students who wish to take part in special academic programs, such as PUENTE and SYMBAA, at the college. He says some students who the college is able to enroll under the FUSD partnership may also be eligible.

The Summer Bridge Program is aimed at increasing college success by jumpstarting students’ college career.

An orientation is scheduled on May 28 for all students and their families to familiarize them with the program. The program will begin on June 22 in line with the six-week summer sessions.

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

NEWS 5 Forums to Start Search for Permanent President, Chancellor

5.13.2015

BY PATRICK FORREST

News Editor pforrest@therampageonline.com

Dr. Cynthia Azari. Photo/SCCCD Public Information Office

With Cynthia Azari returning as interim president of Fresno City College on May 28, the State Center Community College District has begun the process of searching for a new chancellor and a permanent president of Fresno City College by seeking feedback from faculty, staff, administrators and students at all the campuses.

The State Center Community College District Board of Trustees confirmed Dr. Cynthia Azari’s appointment at its May 5 meeting.

Trustees Miguel Arias, Patrick Patterson and Eric Payne voted against the appointment while and Richard Caglia, Bobby Kahn, John Lean and Ron Nishinaka supported the appointment.

Azari, who was the first female president, led the college from January 2009 to April 2011 when she became president of Riverside Community College. She was later appointed interim chancellor for the Riverside Community College District. Before she became FCC, Azari was the vice chancellor for Workforce Development and Educational Services for the district.

“Dr. Azari has a wealth of of experience and I am looking forward to working with her,” said Bill Stewart, SCCCD Interim chancellor. “She was highly successful as president of Fresno City College, and she enjoys tremendous support on the campus and in the district.”

Forums are scheduled on each campus so stakeFresno City holders can identify the College qualities they would like ELS Forums to see in the chancellor.

The chancellor foMay 14 rums will be held on May • 9:00 AM 13 at the Clovis Community College campus and Classified on May 14 at Fresno City • 10:40 College, Reedley ColStudents lege, and the Madera and • 1:30 Oakhurst Centers.

Manager Another forum to disAdministrators cuss the qualities of the • 3:10 future president will be held at FCC on May 14.

Faculty The board of trust• 5:30 ees voted at its April 7 Community meeting to receive assistance from Educational Leadership Search group in its search for a new chancellor. All forums are scheduled for an hour and a half and will be moderated by an ELS representative.

Stewart, who was hired as interim chancellor on April 2, 2014 after former chancellor Deborah Blue retired, only planned to hold the position temporarily.

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EMLS

Ram Slam l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 we get to provide it to them.”

Beginning the week before final exams, which are scheduled for May 18-22, Ram Slam allows students to use campus resources and get the last bits of help that would be necessary in order to pass their final exams.

“This is a good event,” Henderson said. “It’s really timed and put in the perfect place, right when students start to worry about finals.”

Library hours will be extended from the usual 7:30 PM until 10 PM both Wednesday and Thursday.

“This campus has a lot of resources available to students,” Henderson said. “When you look at some of the other places with a comparable student body, it’s like night and day.”

ASG strongly encourages

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students to attend Ram Slam in order to be more prepared and less stressed for finals.

The Tutorial Center and the reading and writing center have open hours as well as evenings and computers.

“It really is important,” said ASG Student Trustee Garret Hale. “Everybody can gather and study for finals; there is snacks and coffee; we’re just trying to help out.”

Many clubs are participating in what has become a Fresno City College tradition.

“The really neat thing here is how much help we get,” Henderson said. “Whether it is a club or a faculty member or just another student, there is never a shortage of people on this campus who are willing to help someone else out, and that’s cool.”

Students Get Tips on How To Prevent Bike Theft

BY ALBERTINA RODRIGUEZ DELGADO Reporter arodriguezdelgado@therampageonline.com

The State Center Community College District Police Department in partnership with the Associated Student Government hosted a biketheft prevention clinic in the free speech area on May 6.

Participants received free _Distribution_final.pdf 1 2/3/15 U-locks and registered their bikes with the campus police department database for faster processing and recovery of stolen bikes.

“Now that I have U-lock, I’m not really worried about it [bike registration],” said Jarred Ritter, a health science major. “This is my last semester, and I’ve never had a problem with my bike being stolen here.”

Benjamin Gutierres, theatre major, said he is glad that he registered his bike

for safety reasons.

Tony Molina, who is part of the Fresno County Bicycle Coalition, was at the event. He informed students about his organization and the safety rules many riders don’t usually know or follow.

9:46 AM He encouraged FCC students to get involved in community activities going on in their various communities.

“The thing I would like to share with the students is to sign up for the Million Miles in May through ibikefresno. org,” he said. “They can sign up and win prizes.”

Vinny Forcecca, Criminology major, said he was not too concerned about getting his bike registered. “I have a lock,” Forcecca said. “It’s not a U-lock, but it’s a lock.”

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for Multi-Language Students (EMLS) program, formerly known as English as Second Language (ESL) at Fresno City College. The program teaches its students how to properly write and communicate, all in English.

The program offers low intermediate, intermediate and advanced courses that give students ways to further their reading, writing and grammar skills. The program highly focuses on helping English language learners navigate college.

According to the Fall 2014 records on the State Center Community College District’s Institutional Research website, 402 students took classes in the EMLS program, about half the number of students in the fall of 2007 when a record 800 students were enrolled. “[Enrollment] is really connected to [Fresno Unified School District] which is our largest feeder district,” Debbie Ockey, EMLS department chair and instructor said. “They have made some changes in how they identify their students and how they steer their students to the placement tests.”

While the percentage of students enrolled in the program has dropped over the years, the racial and ethnic diversity have grown by roughly five percent each.

By 2014, 3 percent of all students enrolled in the EMLS program were African-American; 12 percent were white; 37 percent were Asian; 47 percent were Hispanic and 1 percent did not report their racial background.

“It’s more than English as a second language, it is English as a third or fourth or sixth [language],” said Patty VanVleet, EMLS instructor. “We really have English students that are multi-lingual.”

Nhoua Yang, 32, studies social work and moved to the U.S. in 2006 from Laos. While she currently learns English, Yang already speaks two other languages, Hmong and Laotian.

“It’s hard,” Yang says. “But when I come to [EMLS], the teachers, they understand how I feel.”

Sally Potter, EMLS instructor and incoming department chair says help and support for students like Yang comes in many different ways. “[EMLS] instructors are very connected to the different resources that [we] have here on campus,” Potter says.

“We have embedded tutors and those are an extra helper for the students that they can go to and get extra help that they need.”

Generation 1.5 Shao Xiong, 24, is studying civil engineering. Like Yang, he believes that learning English is the gateway to a successful career.

Xiong belongs to a group known as “generation 1.5”, a term for students born and raised in the U.S. but have parents who do not speak English and therefore did not

Omar Shabana, an EMLS student from Egypt.

Photo/Cris Monahan Bremer speak English as their primary language at home.

Ockey says students like Xiong have “a foot in both worlds” -- their native culture and language sometimes in conflict with the dominant culture and language in the U.S.

Difficult Transitions Coulibaly said she had already completed a master’s degree back home before convincing her father to allow her to travel to an English-speaking country. She first went to Ghana, an English speaking West African country, and spent six months learning English before returning home.

“I was just learning English and preparing myself to come [to the U.S.],” Coulibaly said.

Upon arriving in the U.S., Coulibaly said she was overcome by a feeling of confusion and desperation; this followed her wherever she went and she felt lost. Despite having some knowledge of English, she could not make sense of what people said to her.

“I wasn’t able to [understand] a word, and I was confused,” she said.

She battled her conflicting feelings, and kept asking herself if she could cope with the culture shock.

Coulibaly’s experiences and stories were echoed by the other international students. They all described feeling a deep sense of loss and isolation after getting to the U.S. Those that had acquired some English said that they found American English to be different and harder to grasp.

For Xiong, being part of the Generation 1.5 was also very difficult. “You learn a lot of English, but when you go home, you speak your language,” he said, “so whatever you are learning, you are not really putting it to use.”

Finding Ways to Adapt to America For Coulibaly, her turning point came during a phone conversation with her father. She said he was very supportive, which gave her strength to move forward.

That strength led her to FCC -- an institution highly recommended by her father.

Xiong said that the warm classroom atmosphere makes learning easier and that being part of the EMLS program has advanced his knowledge and confidence.

“You see a lot of different people that are your level and they have the same struggles like you,” Xiong said. “[We] help each other learn.”

Instructor Potter said the courses in the EMLS program cover the same material, except with a greater helping hand, and, once completed, students move onto higher courses in the same manner as other students on campus.

“Students can get through classes in a more accelerated fashion if they choose to and if that works for them,” Ockey said. “We offer all those formats just as [higher courses] do.”

EMLS courses even extend as far as to the Fresno Adult School, where two courses are offered to students who may not yet feel comfortable in the college environment.

Potter said this practice has been going on for about three semesters and is an effort by the department to help students at the adult school make a “seamless” transition.

She said, “Our goal is that they will make a transition to [FCC], into our program and into our campus and then successfully go on and complete their education.”

Coulibaly said, “I want to go back in my country and bring to my people what I learned here.”

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A&E

5.13.2015

7

FASHION MERCHANDISING CLASS TURNS TRASH INTO COUTURE

BY ALBERTINA RODRIGUEZ DELGADO Reporter arodriguezdelgado@therampageonline.com

Making trash into clothes? Is this becoming a new thing?

Well, students from Fresno City College’s Fashion Merchandising class did just that.

FCC instructor Pam Hutton had approximately 15 students who worked on the “Recycled Fashion” exhibit on display since

“More than 20 billion tons of textiles go to landfills each year.”

-Pam Hutton

David Robley, Fashion Merchandising major, next to the piece he helped create.

Photo/Albertina Rodriguez Delgado

April 24 in the FCC library.

“Our theme is always to promote recycling including recycled or repurposed clothing and the message that students are trying to get across is that more than 20 billion tons of textiles goes to landfills each year,” Hutton said. “So they want to encourage students to send their clothing to thrift stores, buy from thrift stores to reuse clothing so that

not so much of it goes to waste.”

Hutton’s class provides insight for those students planning to pursue a career in fashion.

People come to her class either through Skype or in person throughout the year to talk to students about a career in fashion.

Students are also encouraged to ask the guest speakers questions.

Prominent people in the industry visited the class to look at their installation including denim wholesaler, James Riley, owner of American Blues Trading company who is from Fresno and Kenny Lange, former merchandiser for Ralph Lauren in New York.”

Hutton said, “They [students] were very impressed.”

DeAndre Clark, fashion design major, worked on a “white dress that is made out of white plastic trash bags” and held together with staples.

“It seemed to be greatest form of recycled material that I could use in abundance,” Clark said. “So I wouldn’t run out; I would just have a lot to use.”

Clark described his dress as a mixture of the 1860s silhouette and a Cinderella effect.

The students had to sketch out

their ideas and get it approved by Hutton, but once they got their approval, they could start constructing their garments.

Yazmine Enriquez, fashion merchandising major, said she “took inspiration from a lot of fashion artists that are out right now mainly Donald Robertson” Her piece was made out of newspaper, paper mache, and duct tape. “We had a lot of newspaper, so we just decided to go with that,“ she said. “The hardest part of it actually was the pleated part on the back of the outfit.”

David Robley, fashion merchandising major, worked on the Glittering Blossom. “The top is made out of Starbucks bags,which are laminated foil,” he said. “The bottom is made out of denim scraps that we bleached and then dyed purple, and then over the denim, we did a dripping pattern made out of CDs that we blended in a blender.”

He ended up breaking the blender, but said “it was worth it.” Robley said it was tedious and “took about between 10-20 hours.”

The exhibit runs until May 21 and is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration Features Music and Food Galore

Folklorico dancers and band steal the crowd’s attention while FCC’s clubs sell food during the Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Photo/Savanna Manzo

BY ALBERTINA RODRIGUEZ DELGADO Reporter arodriguezdelgado@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College community enjoyed delicious food provided by various campus clubs during the celebration of Cinco de Mayo on May 5.

Participating clubs included H.A.S.A, EST, Students Without Borders, I Will Ride, N.A.I.S.A, EOPS, PASU and Puente.

The crowd enjoyed live events such as live mariachi music, folklorico performances, and a chance to win some prizes in a screaming and dancing competition hosted by the La Buena radio station.

“We are selling BBQ sandwiches, chips, leaf salad, potato salad and soda,” said Criminal Law major James Nutt, member of the, Pan-African Student Union.

“I think club rush is a great way to promote the EST club and electrical program...we’re selling hot dogs, lemonade, energy drinks, and sodas,” said Miguel Perez, EST club president. “Cinco de Mayo, to me, is of great significance because of my Mexican heritage; it means Mexican independence.”

8

&E

5.13.2015

FCC FASHION INSPIRED BY COST, COMFORT AND WILLINGNESS TO EXPERIMENT

Left to right- Angelica Torres, Christopher Mayorja, Sydney Robinson, Rochelle McDowell, and Jessica Aania. Photos/Albertina Rodriguez Delgado

BY ALBERTINA RODRIGUEZ DELGADO Reporter arodriguezdelgado@therampageonline.com

What are Fresno City students wearing? What’s their style? Where do they find their fashion inspiration?

Fashion at Fresno City College comes in many different styles. With unique fashion tastes -- some more daring and bold outfits -- the college displays variety fashion.

Jessica Aania, a Kinesiology major, says she doesn’t have a certain style, and often likes to wear “Js, shorts, and a shirt.”

“I like wearing fitted clothes,” said Zakk Newman, theater major, who also likes classic hairdos. “I feel this looks more adult and professional.”

Many students said they didn’t have a certain style and didn’t follow trends; they do, however, like

to try different styles or add different pieces to their outfits.

“I literally mix everything I get; like if I see something in a Cosmo magazine and I like it, I would think, ‘How would a guy wear this?’ Kind of go off on that,” Christopher Mayorja, theater major, said.

Trying on different styles can always be a fresh and exciting way to change up one’s look. Sydney Robinson, a 20-year-old psychology major and Rochelle McDowell, a 19-year-old double major in Sociology and Kinesiology, are frequent shoppers at the Fashion Fair Mall, particularly, Forever21.

“I have different styles. I can be wearing this one day, and you can see me the next day trying to be hipster, or chic and the next day I can be tomboyish,”

Robinson said. “It’s whatever is comfortable for me.”

McDowell said, “[‘Forever 21 is] the only place I love.”

Robison has been going to Forever 21 since she moved to Fresno; she finds that the prices are reasonable for the different styles. McDowell and Robinson both agree that Fashion Fair Mall is the place to go when looking for different styles. Besides Forever 21, they like to shop at Joppa, Wet Seal, Styles and Charlotte Russe.

For school, McDowell said she goes “with the weather and my emotions.”

With all the different styles FCC has to offer, people can draw inspiration from most of the students walking around campus or from classmates.

FRESNO CITY COLLEGE

Summer Session 4-week summer session begins May 26 10-week summer session begins May 26 8-week summer session begins June 15 6-week summer session begins June 22

www.fresnocitycollege.edu State Center Community College District

&E

9 Students Showcase in Art Space Gallery

5.13.2015

FCC students showcase their work at the Art Space Gallery, May 11-12. (Top) from left to right, Dean’s Award winner, Nick Chaku’s “Spider”; Laura Conway’s “Survivor”; Kimberly Haines’ “Morpheus”; Agustin Sebastian’s “Toro, Bull” (bottom left); Erich Simrock’s “Adolf White and the Seven Skinheads” (center); and Douglas Wieland’s “Worth Fighting For” (right). Photo/Ram Reyes

10

OPINION

RAM’S TALE

5.13.2015

Attending Fresno City College Is the Best Decision I Ever Made

Illustrator/ Bobby Brown

Social Media is Dumb, Bruh

BY RAM REYES

Photo Editor rreyes@therampageonline.com

Look, look, I know what you’re going to say.

“Oh look, another person condemning social media; ohhh this is really something new and profound.” But just hear me out on this. From a guy that literally thrived on Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and, that place where apparently “old people” go on now, Facebook, I say this with a semi-educated perspective.

Social media is dumb.

I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s a wonderful tool and connects many people who are miles apart. But I forgot that as much as I love humanity, I also hate it. It’s really annoying.

People are annoying. Don’t read this and lie to yourself that you do not follow people that really, really, really, really annoy you.

I know you have some people muted. I know that you’re too nice to unfollow or block them even though they are arguing with some shmuck on Twitter, or they keep posting about how great their life is and how wonderful it all is, and it makes your life seem so bland.

Or they keep posting selfies, even though, yes they are probably the most beautiful people, but at the same time, you are perpetually comparing yourself to them so you post your own selfie and hope yours gets more likes and retweets than theirs!

I get it. I’ve been there.

Our generation is so defensive about social media, it astonishes me even though it’s terrible.

Let’s take Twitter for example, if Twitter were a person, he would be that person who seems to get invited to every-

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

thing and know everything about everyone.

“OH they didn’t invite you to this thing? Oh, I’m sorry,” he would say, or “Oh haha sorry, they didn’t tell you about that; haha they told me.” Snapchat is even worse. “LOOK AT THIS THING I’M DOING THAT YOU WERE NOT INVITED TO; HAHA I’M SORRY, BUT HERE’S A 200-SECOND SUMMARY OF ALL THE THINGS YOU MISSED!” People these day seem to be obsessed with recording something that happened to them because if it wasn’t on Instagram or Snapchat, it didn’t happen. Yes, I really want to see this your crappy video of Drake at Coachella because I couldn’t see the 100 other videos on YouTube. The “WISH YOU WERE HERE [SAD EMOJI]” really translates to “HAHA MY LIFE IS FUCKING BETTER THAN YOURS [SUNGLASS EMOJI]” Please, stop snapping everything about your life. One, I know why you’re doing it.

Two, you are literally missing the performance and watching it through a 5-inch screen.

And three, you’re still on your phone Instagramming this while you tweet about snapping about it.

I’m not saying get off social media.

Actually, that is what I’m saying. Just be present in this moment. It’ll do you good.

But you’re probably already tweeting or snapchatting about how social media isn’t bad and trying to justify your opinion through favorites and retweets.

That’s for the birds, bruh.

BY CHARLOTTE MACKAY

Opinion Editor cmackay@therampageonline.com

It was 100 degrees Fahrenheit and sweat streamed down my face as I frantically ran from a neighborhood hidden behind Fresno City College to the OAB. It was my first day of college, and I was already 15 minutes late.

Breathing heavily, I burst into class to find a group of students writing in silence.

Forty pairs of eyes met mine as I tried to sneak into class -- my clothes were drenched and my face was flushed from both the August heat and sprinting across campus.

I hurried to the back of the room and quietly took a seat on the floor. Not only was I late to my first college class, but my professor had to excuse himself to bring me a chair. I felt embarrassed.

Completely mortified, I kept to myself for the remaining hour.

My first day at FCC was a living hell to say the least, but as I reminisce on that horrific morning, I can’t help but fall into a state of nostalgia.

While all good things must eventually end, I refuse to abandon that memory; the nerves, my knotted stomach and the sweat that poured down my face -- all comfort me as I prepare to say goodbye to FCC and hello to the next chapter of my life.

I didn’t want to go to community college, or so I had convinced myself. At 18

years old, I had glamorized the freshman experience of cramped dorms and rushing sororities, prioritizing my social life over my future.

In the midst of college application deadlines, I felt obligated to leave; I had succumbed to peer pressure.

To be honest, I had very little idea of what I really wanted. I was determined to leave just as my fellow classmates were planning to do because it appeared to be the “thing” to do.

I applied to four colleges blindly -- as though I had picked them out of a hat -- all completely obscure and holding very little significance in my life. While my parents had always made college a priority, they never emphasised the importance of going to a specific school.

My colleges of choice were based solely on location rather than any expertise in my field of study because I was certain that staying home for two years was a detriment to my growth as an individual.

In addition to those universities though, I applied to Fresno City’s Leon S. Peters Honors Program. I was adamant about not staying home, but I applied as a backup, for reassurance and security.

While I feared resenting both myself and my family if I chose to stay home, I accepted my admission into the Honors Program here at FCC. Come next week, I will have bid farewell to FCC. While I am extremely fortunate to have as many opportunities in my near future as I do, I am much more saddened by leaving than I could have imagined.

Had I not attended FCC, I am certain I would not be as successful as I am today.

Not only did the Honors Program transform my perspective about community college and instill confidence in me as a student, but it also forced me to challenge and discipline myself.

In addition to being a member of the Honors Program, I insinuated myself into the college newspaper. I attended workshops, joined the production team on nights preceding the distribution of the paper and forced myself out of my comfort zone.

While I was extremely uncomfortable with putting myself out there, our adviser saw my potential for success and inspired me as a writer.

I was asked to write one story for the paper last semester; today I am the opinions editor for the Rampage. Of all my accomplishments within these last two years, being designated editor is the feat of which I am most proud.

Come next fall, I will be a San Francisco State Gator. I am incredibly nervous to venture into an unfamiliar city on my own, but I am confident in myself as both a student and a writer.

I am disappointed to leave the friends who have forged into my second family, but I know it is time to say my goodbyes. Although occasionally uncomfortable throughout my four semesters here, I couldn’t have asked for a better college experience.

I don’t know what I am going to do when I grow up. While I would like to say I have a plan, I don’t, but I’m not ashamed.

Whether it was through the Honors Program or writing for the Rampage, I found myself and I couldn’t be happier for making the decision to stay home.

To those students who feel lost or fear that community college is a mistake just as I once did, I assure everyone that going to Fresno City College is the best decision one can make.

I bid farewell, but my experience here will forever hold a special place in my heart.

“Had I not attended FCC, I am certain I would not be as succssful as I am today.”

-Charlotte MacKay Opinion Editor

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

5.13.2015

OPINION

11

Black Women -- Loving Ourselves, Curves, CurlyHaired and Rich Brown

BY TYLISHA RILEY

Reporter triley@therampageonline.com

Black women deal with many perceptions -- ranging from our hair texture, being thick, how light our skin is to our attitudes.

Many of us struggle with our beauty and let media define what is beautiful and what isn’t. Beginning with the whole Light-skin VS. Dark-skin, although the debate has died down a bit, we are the only race who divides ourselves into this idiotic category. I ask myself all the time what is wrong with us?

Then I think back to our history and how light skinned blacks were allowed

in the house while darker skinned worked outside. That was a long time ago. We have to let that slave mentality go. We should be the only ones defining what beauty means and must be aware of how media tries to brainwash us on beauty. They want us to hate ourselves. We shouldn’t let them.

This causes many issues within the black race. We have become brainwashed to believe that being lighter is better, and it does not help that people of our own race, especially celebrities, put down our darker skinned women by saying “Light skin is the right skin.”

Some rappers glorify women who are as light as a paper bag or lighter .It’s more likely that a black man would choose a lighter skinned woman because to him, she is less ethnic. Of course as a black woman, this makes us angry and adds to other trials we have to deal with.

Those who are a darker shade of brown must deal with,”The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice” pickup line. Can we please let go of that 300-year-old saying from the movie “Friday” or my favorite, “Oh, for a dark skinned girl, you’re really pretty.”

What is that supposed to mean? For

the last time, that is not a compliment.

It’s actually offensive, and if you say that to me, you will get told where to go and how to get there. It is an insult to suggest that darker skin is anything but pretty. We come in many different shades of beautiful brown.

We do not realize that we have allowed the media to not only tell us that having light skin is better, but that straight long silky hair is better, and that being pencil thin is sexy. We swallow all that and do not speak up on how the ideal woman should be.

We also deal with the criticism of our hair texture and the myth that black women’s hair doesn’t grow. I’m here to let some ignorant people know that our hair can and does grow, and it’s gorgeous. We don’t need to spend $200 plus on weaves to fit in with what society sees as the norm. There are so many products at Sally’s and many other beauty supply stores with products that promise black woman the “ideal” silky hair or perms to straighten the black woman hair.

As a black woman, it is your choice whether you want relaxed hair or natural hair, but don’t straighten your hair based on what media depicts as beauti-

Illustrator/Ceasia Green

ful. Yes our texture is different but gorgeous, whether it is coarse,kinky,curly or happy nappy.

There is always a perception that black women are always mugging, rolling their necks, making finger gestures, loud mouthed, and back talking.

In movies and television shows, we are depicted as “ghetto”. In many movie plots, the black woman is always struggling, has numerous kids without fathers, is on drugs, is illiterate and a loud mouth.

According to an article in the Washington Post, black women’s graduation from high school has tripled since the 1960s and the dropout rate has declined, but they are still over-represented in in the penal system. While black women’s incarceration has decreased by 30 percent since 2000, we are still 2.8 times more likely to be incarcerated than our other counterparts.

That is why we seem to have an attitude. That is why we are loud and expressive. Wouldn’t you be if you have to deal with as much as this society throws at us?

We have come a long way and are proud of what we have accomplished.

12

OPINION

5.13.2015

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WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT/MEMORY THIS SEMESTER? Tajhi Moore, Physical Education

Jeovanna Yanez, Psychology

“Winning the State Center Bowl Championship.”

“Making a friend while studying for a test.”

Robert Eckert, Physical Therapy

Terren Richardson, Undecided

“I saw a lady and her kid walking by the [main] fountain, and the kid started sipping from it.”

“When I found out that I had to read my favorite book for my English class.”

WHAT COMES NEXT FOR YOU?

Lauren Stava, Social Work

Angel Montalvo, Architecture

Ruben Gonzalez, Human Services

“I’m going to [take] summer courses and then, next semester, start my internship for drugs and alcohol.”

“Come back and hopefully transfer to the New School of Architecture in San Diego.”

“Try and take fewer classes not be so exhausted.”

Photo/ Ram Reyes

SUMMER SCHOOL IS TOUGH BUT WELL WORTH IT

BY CHUEYEE YANG

Reporter cyang@therampageonline.com

Summer school never sounded appealing; the idea of spending half of my day at school while the rest of the day would be taken over by assignments, studying, and no free time was not my ideal summer vacation.

During the summer of 2013, I watched my sister suffer through

summer school classes at Fresno City College. She was stressed, started classes as early as 7 a.m. while trying to balance homework with all the other things she had to do.

I swore to myself then that I would never put myself through that. My summers would be mine and mine alone to spend as I saw fit.

However, as the spring 2014 semester was coming to a close and registration for summer courses were starting, I began to think about attending summer school. I realized that summer school would allow me to focus on only one course which would reduce my load in the the fall or spring.

I decided to take statistics [Math 11] and found that my initial thoughts, based on my observation of my sister’s experience was correct; the workload was overwhelming and I found even attending my cousin’s graduation difficult.

That summer, for four weeks

straight, I started class at 7 a.m. and got home at 11 a.m., but spent a huge portion of the rest of my day working on homework and studying.

I didn’t have time for relaxing, nor did I have free time, but by the end of the session, I came to the realization that spending the countless hours at school and on homework was worth it.

Summer school is an amazing tool that students should take advantage of. It gave me the opportunity to focus on one class rather than the normal four to five classes that I would typically be enrolled in.

The course was for four weeks, which meant that the class was more intense and pushed me to the limit, but I also felt challenged to do my best.

Because I had the urge to relax during the day, it was difficult to maintain my focus on school, but it was not impossible to adjust to it.

I have to admit how hard it was. I started the class with a strong grade,

but it quickly dropped to a C. We took two exams every week and with my grade on the line, my focus reached a new level.

I was on guard every minute of every day, and the class challenged me on every level, but I fought back and managed to raise my grade.

Taking a course over summer also allowed me to further my graduation process as well as finish the required course quicker.

Without the option of summer school, I wouldn’t have the opportunity complete courses in a quicker pace.

Because of this experience, I was able to have one less class to stress about during the fall and spring semester as well as completing a challenging and stressful academic subject.

Although the workload was stressful, I am proud to say that I succeeded in summer school and gained knowledge along the journey.

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

5.13.2015

OPINION

13

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Cresencio Rodriguez Degado/Editor-in-Chief

Daisy Rodriguez/Photo Editor

Photos/Ram Reyes

Great memories come in the form of people questioning why we do what we do.

Come next week, another spring semester will have passed; 18 weeks and seven issues of the Rampage will have disappeared.

It is hard to remember what we did in the beginning. Four months of pressing stories and sleepless nights have consumed the Rampage staff and while we are eager to return to normal sleeping routines, we are saddened that another semester has faded into the past.

We have brought you, our readers, our hard work and long nights in hopes to inspire you, the FCC community to express yourselves, uncover stories that sit right under your nose and make a name for yourself both on and off campus.

While this is not goodbye for everyone, as an editorial board, we bid you farewell. To those of you graduating, congratulations.

We

Jasmine Yoro Bowles/ A&E Editor, Copy Chief

applaud your hard work and devotion to your education and future career.

If you are transferring, like many of the Rampage staff, we wish you well as you venture onto another journey, and if you are returning to FCC in the fall, we look forward to following your stories and providing you with the best, and worst of FCC.

We wish all of you well and thank you for your support. Whether you sent us hate mail, called our office or stopped us on campus, we appreciate those of you who took the time to read our paper and are fortunate for all of the feedback we have received; you continue to strengthen us as writers.

There is no greater feeling than to have our work in the hands of over 2,000 students and to have people wonder who we are and why we do what we do.

We write for you.

We write because we can.

Cheers.

Patrick Forrest/ News Editor, Production Manager

Charlotte MacKay/ Opinion Editor

Keaundrey Clark/ Sports Editor

Ramuel “Ram” Reyes/ Photo Editor

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14

SPORTS

5.13.2015

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CHEERLEADING TEAM INSIST THAT THEY ARE EQUAL TO OTHERS ON CAMPUS The Fresno City Rams cheerleading team are fighting a commonly held misconception that cheerleading is not a sport. The girls are confident in their assertion that they are equal to other sports teams on the FCC campus.

The girls on the team have been cheering for more than a couple of years and say they love the training and giving support to the sport teams

“ It’s a sport like every other sport, and we practice just as much; we travel and get hurt,”

-Sarina Flores

BY KAGEANNA GARZA

FCC Cheerleader

Reporter kgarza@therampageonline.com

who play for the college, but that at times, things can get overwhelming “It’s pretty challenging,” freshman Sydney Robinson. “I’m sore and it’s only tryouts.” But sophomore Sarina Flores disagrees, “It’s not difficult; you just have to put a lot of effort into it.”

What the girls on the team agree on is that all the negativity that gets thrown at them is demeaning. People would make the statement without hesitation that “cheer isn’t a sport” or that “a sport can’t cheer for another sport.”

Flores insists, “It’s a sport like every other sport, and we practice just as much; we travel and get hurt.”

Robinson said cheer is “most definitely a sport; we have to keep our GPA over a 2.5 and why would you not consider it a sport?”

People do not consider it a sport be-

cause of the hours and hard conditions that other sport teams have which the cheer team doesn’t. Some would argue that the FCC football or baseball team runs more and has more physical requirements than cheer does.

“I feel discouraged because we do more than half the other sport teams,” said Sarina Flores.

“I feel offended, show some respect, we have just as many altercations as football or softball or baseball,” Robinson said.

The cheer team is adamant that they are just as equal as the other sports on campus. They are compassionate about what they do and love to give support to the sport teams on game day.

Robinson said, “There’s a lot of similarities when you actually get down to the nitty-gritty part of it.”

Two Honored at 2015 Torch of Excellence Awards

Alyssa Jones, 2015 Fresno City College Torch of Excellence Female Athlete of the year. Photo/ Ram Reyes

BY KEAUNDREY CLARK Sports Editor

kclark@therampageonline.com

Sophomore volleyball player Alyssa Jones was named Fresno City College Female Athlete of the Year for her excellence on the court and in the classroom at the 2015 Torch of Excel-

lence Awards.

“It’s crazy; I do things not because of the awards,” Jones said. “I do it because I want to, and to recieve this from my coach and fellow peers at Fresno City College is an honor.

Jones helped lead her team to a 22-6 finish last season. She ended her two-year career at FCC with a 45 - 11

Main Gym to Undergo Massive Upgrade This Summer

Sophomore golfer PJ Chan was named Fresno City College Male Athlete of the Year for her excellence on the court and in the classroom at the 2015 Torch of Excellence Awards.

“It means a lot to win this award; I know there are many individuals that are really hard workers and are just as deserving of this award, Chan said. “To be given this award was a real honor.”

Chan helped the Fresno City College Men’s Golf team finish third in the Central Valley Conference

Track Team Wins CVC Championship Sports Editor kclark@therampageonline.com

Sports Editor kclark@therampageonline.com

This update of the gym resulted from three years of careful planning by former President Tony Cantu FCC’s, said Cheryl Sullivan, v.p. for Administrative services.

“The reconstruction will include ADA showers, lockers and an adaptive

record. She had a 330 career kills and 568 career digs. She helped the Rams win two conference titles and 28 conference games in a row.

BY KEAUNDREY CLARK

BY KEAUNDREY CLARK

Physical education classes will not be held in the main gymnasium of Fresno City College this summer because of extensive construction that will start on Friday.

The reconstruction will include safer bleachers and handicap accessible accommodations to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

“I hope the new upgrades will allow for everyone to come and enjoy our games as comfortably as possible,” said Brian Tessler, women’s basketball coach.

PJ Chan, 2015 Fresno City College Torch of Excellence Male Athlete of the year. Photo/ Ram Reyes

“ I hope the new upgrades will allow for everyone to come and enjoy our games as comfortably as possible,”

-Brian Tessler

Women’s Basketball Coach physical education room,” said she also said.

The project will start on May 15 and work will be continued throughout the summer and is expected to cost $1.2 million.

“With a really strong group of freshman and a strong sophomore group, everything went according to plan this season,” said Jesus Reyes, head coach of the track and field team which outran College of the Sequoias and Merced College to win the Central Valley Conference Championship on May 9.

The men’s team finished with a team score of 94, and the women’s team finished with 92. Freshman 100-meter sprinter Moesha Davidson finished first in the women’s 100-meter run with a time of 11.50.

“A former gymnast and all - around athlete, to see her growth in the 100-meter was a pleasant surprise this season,” Reyes said.

Davidson has the fastest 100- meter time in FCC history. She is ranked the No.1 100-meter sprinter in the nation this year.

“It means a lot, I knew I was good,” Davidson said. “I never thought I would be that good at the college level.”

Sophomore Rianna Chavez finished second in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 63.85. Freshman Kevin Chavira finished fourth in the 800 meters with a time of 1:54:11. Freshman Dejah Darcuiel finished second in the Women’s 400-meter with a time of 57.44.

“A lot of coaches get into community college coaching because that level chose them, I chose to coach at Fresno City College,” Reyes said. “These athletes best represent who I was at age.”

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

5.13.2015

SPORTS

15

SPRING SPORTS IN REVIEW

BY KEAUNDREY CLARK

The team was terrific at home, going 19-4 and hoping to use that advantage as they host the CCCAA Championships at Euless Park.

Sophomore Daniel Gardner was outstanding this year and was named conference MVP; he hit for a .363 batting average, recorded 58 hits with 30 RBIs, stealing 21 bases. Sophomore pitcher Connor Brogdon was named pitcher of the year, after going 10-0 with a 1.79 ERA; he pitched 85 innings and had 82 strikeouts. The Rams will face Feather River College in the Section Regionals.

Coach Ron Scott said sophomore shortstop Zak Taylor helped the team maintain a high level of execution. “Several players have stepped up, but I think Zak Taylor has been just fantastic,” Scott said. “He’s been outstanding at shortstop and has been the same as a No. 2 hitter. He is one of the most unselfish players I’ve ever coached.”

In his 27th season and a career record of 926 -326, Scott had the challenge of getting everyone to play as a group and to

Sports Editor kclark@therampageonline.com

FCC Baseball FCC baseball had another excellent season, going 33 - 9. The team won the Central Valley Conference Title going 21-3 in conference play and finished the season ranked third in the state and second in NorCal.

realize that they are all equal and all needed to pull their own weight.

The Rams will play Feather River College May 23-25 for a chance at the Final Four.

Daniel Gardner - CVC MVP Connor Brogden - Pitcher of the Year Shane Desmond - Reliever of the Year Ron Scott - CVC Coach of the Year All-Conference 1st Team- Zak Taylor Scott Silva Christian Funk Joe Garabedian Golden Glove MVP - Zak Taylor All-Conference 2nd Team Jorge Alvarado Tucker Salles Nate Navarette

(Top) Shortstop Zak Taylor slides home in Game 3 of Soper Regionals against Ohlone College. Photo/ Keaundrey Clark (Bottom) Basketball Coach Ed Madec after a tough loss in the 2nd round of the CCCAA playoffs to Foothill College. Photo/ Ram Reyes

Women’s Basketball The Rams finished the season 22 – 10 overall and 9-3 in the Central Valley Conference. The team finished second in the CVC, and, for the first time in seven seasons, failed to capture the league title.

They finished ranked No. 16 in the state and No. 9 in NorCal, the 7th straight year they’ve finishing in the top 25 in the state and top 10 in NorCal. Coming into the season, FCC women’s basketball team had big shoes to fill. With the loss of Keyora Wharry and its whole sophomore class, the Rams had to play with 12 freshmen. With 9 of the 12 averaging over 6 points a game, Brian Tessler, coach of the team, said this was as balanced as any team he has ever coached.

Jasmine Black, Sara Vasquez and Jordan Whitfield all averaged over 9 points per game to lead the Rams.

Track and Field Fresno City College track and field team outran College of the Sequoias and Merced College to win the Central Valley Conference Championship.

The men’s team finished with a team score of 94, and the women’s team finished with 92. Freshman 100-meter sprinter Moesha Davidson finished first in the women’s 100-meter run with a time of 11.50. Davidson was ranked the No.1 100-meter sprinter in the nation.

Sophomore Rianna Chavez finished second in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 63.85. Freshman Kevin Chavira finished fourth in the 800 meters with a time of 1:54:11. Freshman Dejah Darcuiel finished second in the Women’s 400-meter with a time of 57.44.

Men’s Tennis The FCC Rams faced an uphill battle as they only had two players with more than one year of experience at the junior college level. Playing with two sophomores and two new coaches, the Rams entered new territory.

Still, the team finished the the season at 7 - 1 in Big 8 play to secure the league title. With a record of (9-5), they opened the season 6 - 1 and extended its winning streak to 61 straight matches before losing to Foothill College. They also finished No.6 in the

state. Robinson Audiber, Wyatt Kershaw, and Andy Vang finished the season ranked 10th, 12th and 19th in the state respectively

Women’s Tennis FCC women’s tennis had another excellent season. They finished the season 13-4, going 6-2 in the CVC conference. FCC finished second in the conference, two games out of first place.

The Rams were ranked second in the state this season.

Marifer Ochoa, and Marian Bogajo finished the season ranked 4th and 14th in the state respectively, and sophomore Macy Elliot wand Sam Tiscareno finished the season ranked 19th and 23th in the state respectively.

Golf FCC golf team had an outstanding season finishing third in the Central Valley Conference. The young group of freshman and one sophomore showed dedication this year, working together, winning tournaments, shooting very low scores both individually and as a team, for a successful season, “If we could just improve with each round of golf, each practice and each tournament,” said assistant coach, Danny Paniccia, “I think that is the ultimate goal to a great season.”

Men’s Basketball FCC men’s basketball team its dominance this season,finishing with a 28-4 overall record.

The team was 12-0 in the CVC, going on a 19-game winning streak during the season and winning the 14th straight CVC title.

They were led by sophomore guard James O’neal who averaged for each game -- 11.4 points, 5.6 assists per game and 1.4 steals -- and was named Central Valley Conference player of the year.

Sophomore Guard Dejon Burdeaux was named All-Conference; he averaged 10.3 points and 2.4 steals per game. The Rams finished the season ranked No.1 in NorCal and No. 1 overall in the state, but they were upset 72-64 by Foothill College in the second round of the CCCAA playoffs.

Head coach Ed Madec was named coach of the year by the CCCAA.

16 PORTS 5.13.2015 FCC ADVANCES TO SECTIONAL REGIONALS

Sophomores Scott Silva (Left) and Jorge Alvarado (Right) helped Fresno City College dominated Oholone College in a 7-2 victory on May 10, 2015 Photos/Keaundrey Clark

BY DAVID CHAVEZ

Reporter dchavez@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College baseball team is advancing to the next round of the Norcal Sectional playoffs after defeating Ohlone College two games to one over the weekend.

Sophomore Jorge Alvarado was the winning pitcher of the game and delivered six strikeouts in seven innings.

Logan Poisall went 2 for 4 and had 3 RBIs which helped secure a 7-2 victory on May 10.

After losing 4-3 on May 9 in extra

innings, the Rams knew they had to bring a strong performance if they wanted to see their journey to the championship continue.

“We battled. We had our backs against the wall yet again, but we didn’t quit,” sophomore outfielder and CVC MVP Daniel Gardner said. “We’ve been there before, facing an elimination game, but we just came out Sunday battling.”

In the third inning against Ohlone, the Rams were able to score five runs.

“It takes a spark,” Gardner said. “Hitting is contagious.”

Sophomore infielder Zak Taylor

was named the Golden Glove MVP of the conference and credits the team’s victory this weekend to a relentless spirit and great pitching.

“I’ve always taken pride in my defense,” Taylor said. “An award is just an award. I’m a big team guy.”

Head Coach Ron Scott was awarded with being named Coach of the Year.

“It’s a nice honor that I don’t take for granted. When your team plays like we did, dominating our league, a lot of awards are bestowed on the players and coach,” Scott said. “This year we swept the board on all honors, so it was a nice reward. What we all want is

to win the State championship on our field in front of our fans.”

The Rams will play home this weekend against No. 3 seeded Feather River in a three game series. The winner will advance to the state championship which will be hosted by Fresno City College May 23 through 25. Feather River has a 32-10 record.

“I’m sure it will be harder to keep them focused, because we are so close to getting to the state championships, ‘ Scott said. “We will approach this series exactly like the last two. We want to win every time we get on the field.

We will be prepared and ready to go.”

“WE SUPPORT

EECU,

BECAUSE THEY SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY.” – Derek & David Carr “One of the things we’ve always loved about the Central Valley is the way we help each other. The spirit of teamwork flows through the entire region, and no one embodies that spirit like EECU. Because for EECU, working together to support the community isn’t just a nice thing to do, it’s who they are. So thanks, EECU members, for joining together and supporting the community that has always supported us!”

EECU is a proud supporter of Bulldog Athletics.