March 2019 VVC Newsletter

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F E B R U A2019 RY 2019 | VOLUM MARCH VOLUME IIE 1

VICTOR VALLEY COLLEGE NEWSLETTER Brought to you by the Associated Student Body

Four VVC student leaders, Christopher Elizondo, Kimberly Aguilar, Summer Robinson and Nicole Fox, presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C. on March 8, 2019. (Fabian Guillen)

Student leaders make their voices heard in D.C.

By Nicole Fox WASHINGTON D.C. — Sixteen Victor Valley College students spent six days attending a national leadership conference and discussing critical community college issues with public officials in the nation’s capital earlier this month.

During the American Student Association for Community Colleges (ASACC) conference, held March 9 to 12, the students heard from speakers David Baime, senior vice president for government relations and research for the American Association of Community Colleges; Jee Hang Lee, vice president for public policy and external relations for the Association of Community College Trustees; and Ralph Nader, an American political activist, author, and attorney.

The students also participated in professional advancement workshops, including one created and taught by VVC Associated Student Body (ASB) Public Relations Senator Amber Scott.

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Scott presented “You Can Do It All: Dreams vs. Reality = Balance,” which discussed the difficulties student leaders face and how their goals can be achieved through careful planning and dedication. It was one of the most well-attended at the conference, with more than 75 seats filled and more students standing in the back to hear Scott speak on what she’s learned about balancing responsibilities with mental and physical health.

“It was exuberating for me to get to help make sure that all students feel empowered,” Scott said. “I know that if I can do it, everyone else can too, so I’m all about building people up.”

VVC student leaders met with a legislative aide from Senator Feinstein's office, discussing issues relevant to community colleges.

In addition to the ASACC workshops, the students met with public officials, including a legislative aide from Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office and an educational aide from Senator Kamala Harris’s, Legislative Fellow Dr. Kendrick Davis.

Davis listened to the students talk about the importance of the Pell Grant and the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which involves the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, and funding for Federal Work-Study programs.

ASB Secretary Kimberly Aguilar said that they “connected really well” with Davis during the meeting, noting that both Davis and the majority of the students were in tears while sharing their personal stories.

“There was so much raw emotion, so much honesty — it touched with him personally,” Aguilar said. “(I talked about how) going to college meant a lot to me because of what my mom went through immigrating to the U.S. (from Mexico) … She worked so hard for me and my brother to get an education.”

The group also had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Paul Cook and several of his staff members for dinner.

“As a former college professor, I really enjoyed getting to spend time with these bright students who had so much to share,” Cook said. “I was able to share and discuss with them how things currently stand for many of the issues that they care about. I was also intrigued listening to their desired career trajectories and feel very enthusiastic about their futures.”

ASB Sciences Senator Alize Young said meeting with Cook, who he said was “very relatable,” was his favorite part of the entire trip.

“He made it clear that they care and that they’re willing to make changes if we fight for it,” Young said. “He told us, ‘leadership chooses you; you don’t choose it.’ That stuck with me.”

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The tenacity exhibited by the students while meeting with elected officials was balanced by their humble service demonstrated during a volunteer activity cleaning up litter addressing the area between the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial.

Additionally, the group participated in a somber wreath-laying ceremony for VVC at Arlington Cemetery, during which four ASB council members presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where all those who are “known but to God” are ceremoniously grieved for and honored as members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Nicole Fox, ASB’s Foundation representative and one of the four ceremony presenters, said the honor was one that she will never forget.

Students from VVC and other community colleges pose in front of the Lincoln Memorial after completing a service project cleaning up litter around the monument. (Photo: Fabian Guillen)

“I now understand more than ever why the soldiers that patrol before the Tomb of the Unknown will march through hurricanes for their unknown brethren. It is out of a respect and loyalty that I can never hope to know the depth of,” Fox said. “Though it was for only a fraction of the time that these soldiers stand for, the weight of the responsibility sat heavy upon my heart.”

VVC hosts high school construction competition

By Sophia Mancillas VICTORVILLE — On Wednesday, March 6th, the Victor Valley College Construction Technology department hosted its third annual building competition between local high school teams.

The Construction and Manufacturing Technology program prepares students for various positions in the construction field, including the opportunity to become self-employed.

High school students from across the High Desert built dog houses during a building competition at VVC on March 6, 2019.

The goals of the high school-level building competition were to spread awareness of the opportunities available at VVC and to show how much fun it can be for students who are striving to work in the field of construction, according to Construction Technology Department Chair Anthony Bonato.

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“We included some of the alternative schools this year as well, (such as Alta Vista Innovation and Chaparral high schools). A lot of kids in the area are not aware of the programs we offer,” Bonato said. “The goal for us is to be a launching pad between high school and career.”

About 65 students participated from high schools across the High Desert for a total of 18 teams.

All were enrolled in Career Technical Education (CTE) courses in their high schools. The competition required each team to be creative and work together to build a sturdy dog house.

During the competition, held in the Construction Technology building, the sounds of nails being hammered and power tools cutting through wood took over VVC’s lower campus. The students wore clear safety glasses and tool belts, displaying determination as they worked to build with both speed and accuracy.

The students demonstrated teamwork throughout the competition. For instance, one team member would hold a piece of plywood down while another would hammer it into place. After several busy hours filled with sawdust, the teams had created 20 dog houses.

“They’re applying what they have been learning in class,” said Barstow Unified School District CTE Coordinator Carrie O’Neil. “They’re practicing great career skills that they can take with them.”

Sultana High School came out on top, winning first place for their exemplar dog house.

Two teams from Apple Valley High School took second and third place. The prizes given to the winning schools included tools, a nailing apron, tape measures, and more.

“It’s about getting the kids exposure to the construction side of things and making that link between high school and college,” Sultana CTE teacher Kurt Chapman said. “They get to see how they teach at the college level.”

In the Performing Arts Center

Despite the pouring rain that Wednesday, a barbeque was held after the competition to commemorate the coming together of local high schools and VVC for the third annual year.

VVC trustees discuss plans for new stadium and conference center

By Charity Lindsey VICTORVILLE — The Victor Valley College Board of Trustees discussed a proposal to renovate the college’s football field and build an adjacent multi-purpose conference center during their meeting on March 12.

Director of Facilities, Construction, and Contracts Steve Garcia presented trustees with conceptual plans and renderings of the project, which is estimated to cost $20 million.

According to the plans, new stadium seating would fit 5,000 people — 3,500 on the home side and 1,500 on the visiting side. Plans also include the re-crowning of the field and the installation of a synthetic track, new sod turf, stadium lighting, and a sound system.

The conference center would be built overlooking the field and could be used to hold 500 to 600 people for various college and community events.

Trustees Brandon Wood and Joseph W. Brady both commented that they’d like to “go big” and plan everything carefully to best meet the needs of the local community.

“If we’re going to do it, let’s do it in a way that is lasting, that is going to be functional for many, many years, and that is bigger than what we need it to be today,” Wood said. “I think it would be nice to see a full parking lot and have sold out football games and half the people in the stands are High Desert residents who're just coming to have a good time.”

Brady said the addition of a new conference center “would bring the whole valley together.”

“Let’s be sure we really take everything into account — that there are enough bathrooms and things like that — because we will have enough events here that we want to be sure it’s user-friendly and people want to come back,” Brady said. “I think we have a duty to our students … we want to keep them here and we want to have events here.”

Wood also pointed out that he previously stated he would not support the construction of a new stadium and conference center until the college moved forward with a “One Stop” building, which VVC broke ground on in June 2018. The “One Stop,” which will consolidate student services (including admissions, counseling, and financial aid) in one building, is scheduled to open in Fall.

Garcia said construction of the stadium and conference center could begin within three years. He also noted that the stadium is not only for athletic events, calling it “an outdoor classroom.”

“It will be used continuously, and it’s all about student success,” Garcia said. “It’s about the image of the college. It’s a complete campus component.”