Express Volume 99 Issue 9

STUDENT GOVERNMENT PREPARES FOR ELECTIONS PG. 4

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT HALL OF FAME AND ACADEMIC AWARDS PG. 11

BACKSTAGE PASS AT CITY THEATRE PG 7

SACRAMENTO CITY COLLEGE S STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1922

VOLUME 99 ISSUE 9

MARCH 10, 2015

EDITORIAL

Look out for each other

Editor In Chief Meg Masterson News Editor Will Dunne-Phillips Features Editor Kay Barnes Sports Editor Kristopher Hooks Photo Editor Emma Foley, Gabrielle Smith Social Media Editor MJ Ongoy Multimedia Editor Elizabeth Ramirez Photographers Crissy Dawson, Vhonn Ryan Encarnacion, Luisa Morco, Jessie Rooker, Christopher Williams

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Express · March 10, 2015

Every day, four academic counselors are available for crisis counseling.

Students can go to the Counseling Office (RHN 147) or call 558-2289 on weekdays. And, because this number should be available to everyone and might even save a life: the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1 (800) 273-8255.

City College has an email blast that is sent to every faculty and staff member at least once a semester, outlining what to be on the lookout for when interacting with stressed and struggling students, according to Wendy Gomez, one of City College’s nurses.

While it’s important for faculty and staff to be alert, it’s also important that we students know what to watch for. Sometimes, we see things that our professors can’t — a classmate’s anxious cry for help. Or we might hear something that a faculty or staff member doesn’t — someone in emotional distress. So it never hurts to be vigilant.

Emily Foley

Position · emmajfoley@gmail.com What are the major stresses in your life?

How do you deal with them?

Ian Hill · anthropology

“First off money; and being a student. A lot of free time I could to devote to a job, I choose to devote to a school, so I have to find a job that can both accommodate school, and live a comfortable life-style. And with school, making sure I take certain classes at the right time.”

Josh Paz · sociology

“Balancing work and school. I’m taking five classes and 16 units with a 25-+ hour job. Definitely a struggle, but I cope with it by singing and playing video games.”

Katarina Nienhuis · liberal arts

“The biggest stress is homework, and I deal with it by managing my time so I don’t get stressed about it. I always turn in everything on time. I force myself to do it. Just gotta do it.”

Writers Zachary FR Anderson, Ma Eliza Caliolio, Rosaura de la Cruz, Crissy Dawson, Robin Fritz, Tyler Heberle, Jordan Jones, Vienna J. Montague, Luisa Morco, Vanessa S. Nelson, Paris NunnChavez, Jonathan Plon, Jessie Rooker, Nazia Shah, Pav Singh, Lawrence Vossler, Nate Vazquez, Nique Williams, Garrick Wong Design Editor Martin Gomez, Michele Lee Page Designers Alexander Buell, Pia Lomboy, Ethan Powell, Jon M. Knight, Justin Roth, Luisa Morco, Madeline Holven, Melynda Blanchard, Natalie Rios, Trevon Norton Cover Design Ethan Powell

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City Talk

According to City College’s Crisis Intervention email, possible behaviors to be on the lookout for include: • Nervousness or anxiousness • Sadness, crying or depression • Inability to concentrate • Spaced-out or disheveled appearance • Angry behavior • Being under the influence • Excessive demand for reassurance or support • Expressing suicidal thoughts Let’s look out for each other, City College folks. Be kind and helpful — to yourself and others. Life is hard, but there’s support out there for you if you need it.

And good luck out there. 

Illustration by Alexander Buell · abcrewinc@gmail.

According to “The American Freshman: National Norms Fall 2014 Survey,” 9.5 percent of incoming college students frequently felt depressed during the past year. This figure has increased 6.1 percent over the past five years. Of the students surveyed, 34.6 percent felt overwhelmed.

That is almost one in every three students feeling stressed out and overwhelmed.

College can make or break students when it comes to stress management. This skill isn’t listed on syllabi — it’s a consequence of the condition of the educational system and the way the world works.

When you’re at school, professors will say, “There is nothing more important than your education.”

At work, you’ll hear about how the job experience you are currently getting will be the foundation for the rest of your life, and how success in your career is equivalent to success in life itself.

And, at home, you’ll hear that family comes first, no matter what.

Balancing school, work and life is something that students try to cope with every day on campuses across the country.

And some students are better at it than others.

Feeling depressed and overwhelmed can happen to anybody. Sometimes it’s the class clown who is struggling to cope and gets by using humor. Or it could be the stereotypical “brainiac,” who appears so well put together on the surface. Or it might be that student sitting beside you.

Or it could be — and likely is — you.

If that’s the case, remember this: 1. Life is hard for all of us — school, work, and outside social obligations can add up fast — so…

2. …We should all look out for each other, and…

3. …When we are feeling overwhelmed, we should never be afraid to seek help.

We can hope that nothing reaches critical mass when it comes to these feelings of depression and of being overwhelmed. But, when things get out of hand, students have options.

SACCITYEXPRESS.COM

Ad Manager Stephen Ruderman Advisers Randy Allen, Jan Haag, Dianne Heimer, Rachel Leibrock, Kate Murphy EDITORIAL POLICIES Views published in the Express do not reflect those of the Los Rios Community College District Board of Trustees, the Associate Student Government, City College, Journalism department, administration, student body, or faculty; unless otherwise stated.

MEMBERSHIPS Journalism Association of Community Colleges California Newspaper Publishers Association

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Enit Madriz · civil engineering “Work is a major stress; I resort to working out.

I am a math tutor, and you kind of have to adapt to the students personality and that could be a problem. You have to be very patient.”

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SACCITYEXPRESS

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NEWS

How City College stacks up

Event Calendar

Annual scorecard highlights enrollment and degree completion Vienna J. Montague

Staff Writer · viennajmontagueexpress@gmail.com

of certificates and degrees earned has increased.

Last year 2,145 degrees or certificates were awarded, while in 2013 the college issued 2,015, and in 2012 some 1,905 were given. In 2009–2010, only 1,598 degrees or certificates were awarded.

City College issued more awards for degrees than for certificates, which have fluctuated throughout the year, according to Marybeth Buechner, dean of Planning, Research and Institutional Effectiveness.

Buechner said the number of students completing certificates is likely based on the job market.

“Our real estate majors dropped from the depression. Surprise, surprise,” Buechner said. “The real estate market tanked. So I think it’s a job market influence on some of this. Of course, I’m not an expert.”

According the scorecard, the community college system has plans in the works to increase graduation rates. It set a goal in August to increase the number of students earning certificates, degrees or transferring to four-year institutions by 227,247 students over the next 10 incoming freshman classes.

The steps to achieve this goal will include creating new partnerships between community colleges and area law schools, UCs and CSUs, the scorecard indicated.

Michael Poindexter, City College vice president for student affairs, said the school has started implementing new partnerships to help reach these goals.

“We have new recruitment materials going out into the high schools and the community,” Poindexter said. “We’re working with the elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. We’re

California community college enrollment rates are rising for the first time since the recession, according to the 2013–2014 Student Success Scorecard, but while City College is reporting lower enrollment rates, the college has a higher rate of completion for degrees.

The Student Success Scorecard, released annually by the California Community College Chancellor’s office, measures student success through enrollment rates, graduation rates and the availability of student resources at community colleges in the state.

City College President Kathryn E. Jeffery said enrollment rates at City College have actually wavered, partly because the school had to reduce the number of sections available during the recession because of limited funding. But she said that serving fewer students is actually more helpful for those who attend.

“The funding resources for the college enabled us to offer classes at a certain level,” Jeffery said. “Traditionally at City we’ve offered classes above that level, which means for the students we were being paid to serve we were serving well over that [number], which then meant that our resources were being really stretched.”

Total enrollment at all California community colleges increased this year to record levels after four years of what state community college Chancellor Brice W. Harris described in a statement as “stunning declines.”

According to the scorecard, the number of students statewide dropped from 2,667,733 in the 2008–2009 school year to 2,079,559 in 2012–2013. The 2013–2014 school year saw a small increase in students, up to 2,094,910 students.

Community colleges 2014yr across the state also awarded 40 percent more certificates and degrees compared to four years ago, according to the scorecard, and although completion rates for community colleges have declined slightly to 70 percent, the report describes this as a relatively steady figure.

According to the president’s office, despite having fewer students, City College is actually issuing more awards than in previous years. Each year since 2009 the number

working to keep them in the educational pipeline.”

Poindexter said that elementary schools are actually a high priority for recruitment.

“We lose the majority of students that would go to college in third grade,” Poindexter said, “We lose hundreds of students at that grade who’ve been in the education system and say it’s not for them.”

Buechner said that City College has many other programs available to help college students, from the 2+2+3 program, which gives students a streamlined education from community college to a UC and on to law school, to general transfer degrees.

Jeffery said another way City College intends to keep its student body numbers high is through a strong online presence.

According to Jeffery, some of the college’s resources include access to an online education plan, priority registration, and reminders for students through 411 for Success, an online prompt that lets students know when crucial dates are approaching and how to get help for certain problems.

“A lot of times students just don’t know these things,” Jeffery said. “This 411 for Success online support service was developed and is monitored by one of our counselors.”

According to Jeffery, the college has made progress in student success, support and equity, although it is not perfect.

“We’re really trying to look at searvices and support that help every student,” Jeffery said. “We’re on the right track.” 

For more information contact City College chapter spokesperson Ricardo Avel Lemus at (530) 574-3806

The Cradle Will Rock Through March 22

Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

Performing Arts Center Main Auditorium Tickets: General $15–18.

Student discounts available.

The Theatre Arts department presents Marc Blitzstein’s 1937 musical about unions and corruption during the 1930s. Tickets available at citytheatre.net

Jazz band concert Thurs, March 12, 8‒9 p.m.

PAC 106

Come listen to city college’s jazz band in the Preforming Art’s Center

Abundant Possibilities exhibit Kondos Gallery, 916-558-2559 This exhibit features the works of six ceramic sculptors: Gary Carlos, Evan Hobart, Oliverio Quezada, Charlene Doiron Reinhart, Tiffany Schmierer and Shannon Sullivan. The exhibit is organized by guest curator City College art Professor Mark Boguski.

2012yr

2,015

Friday, March 13 8:30 a.m.

Student Center

Through March 27

2013yr

2,145

Brown Issues conference

1,905

2010yr

2009yr

1,598

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SACCITYEXPRESS.COM

Sac State admissions workshop Thurs, March 19, noon‒1 p.m.

LRC 141

Students will learn about CSUS admission requirements, the application process, impacted majors and more.

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Express · March 10, 2015

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NEWS

Student Associated Council tackles important student issues

SAC election dates

Student government works while planning April election

Candidate orientation

Will Dunne-Phillips

News Editor.willdunnephillips@yahoo.com

March 10 LRC 105, noon‒1 p.m.

The Student Associated Council last semester set goals, made resolutions and planned for changes at City College.

The same council members, now in their second semesters in office, are implementing their plans while assessing remaining issues that have carried into 2015.

Student Leadership & Development March 24 SOG 226

School is a place for all students. Every student deserves to have a comfort zone.

All candidate forms and petitions due to Kim Beyrer

Campaign period April 7-15

Pia Lomboy

Candidate forums

SAC secretary of public relations

April 7 & 9, , noon‒12:50 p.m.

City College Quad

According to Pia Lomboy, SAC secretary of public relations, some of the resolutions that passed in the fall semester and are in progress include; installation of water-saving drinking fountains with water bottle filling stations, more representation and advocacy for the City College outreach center at Davis, and Empowerment Grants to fund campus clubs.

“Grants have been approved for three clubs at this point, including the

Candidate meet and greet.

Election barbecue April 14, 11:30 a.m., City College Quad

Election days Vote through eservices

Election results posted April 16-17

Student Leadership ceremony

May 13, 11 a.m.‒1 p.m., Student Center induction of new officers

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Gabby Smith · Gsmith.Express@gmail.com

7:30 a.m.‒11:30 p.m.

Brown Issues Club, MECHS, the Mechanical Engineering Club, and Veterans Club, and are in the processing stage,” said Lomboy.

According to Lincoln Scott, student at large for SAC and the former PR secretary, and Miguel Guerrero, secretary of the Student Senate, SAC reached out to students at the Davis Center last semester, too.

“We talked to the students at the Davis outreach center and told them about leadership,” said Scott. “Our goal was to find out if students felt they were being properly represented and to tell them [that] if not, they have the right to create their own senate.”

According to Guerrero, a student survey taken at the Davis Center proved informative for both SAC and students at the center.

“The survey informed students that they could seek their own representation or have a student from City College represent them,” said Guerrero.

Lomboy said current council members are preparing to welcome new student government officers at the end of this semester, while they work to implement resolutions and resolve issues before the end of the current SAC term in May. The Student Associated Council campaigns and holds elections every April, according to Lomboy, and students at City College have the opportunity to run for

any seat, including presidential and senatorial positions. Any currently enrolled City College student planning to attend during the 2015-2016 year can run for office. The torch will be passed from old to new council members May 13, and new SAC members come into office July 1.

According to Lomboy, students can cast their votes electronically April 14–15 using eservices to decide who will represent them this fall .

We talked to the students at the Davis outreach center and told them about leadership. Our goal was to find out if students felt they were being properly represented and to tell them [that] if not, they have the right to create their own senate.

Lincoln Scott

SAC student at large

In the coming year, Lomboy said, “New issues and old are discussed by SAC, and goals are set for the upcoming year. Issues that were not solved by the previous SAC will continue to be worked on as well as new goals that have been brought to the attention of the council.”

Issues that have already surfaced this semester, Lomboy said, are a lack of participation by students in the bi-yearly March in March protest at the Capitol and student services issues in higher education.

The yearly education reform rally, March in March, consists of students and administrators from the UC, CSU and community college systems who march through California Students march for better policy practices and more equality for those who need either financial assistance or a safe Sacramento, meetplace to learn in downtown Sacramento. ing at the Capitol SACCITYEXPRESS.COM

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NEWS

to protest fee increases and the cost of education in the state.

According to Lincoln Scott, the March in March is usually a very large protest consisting of thousands of students from all over the state, but this year saw a much smaller attendance than in the past.

“The march is put on by the SSCCC, or the Student Senate for Community Colleges California,” said Scott.

“This year the focus was Prop. 13 and the 1.5 percent tax on big business that is put into higher education. Over the past five years the march was about higher tuition, but over the past year there has been an influx of money going into education, even though tuition is still high, so it’s not the same cause anymore. ” According to Lomboy and Guerre-

ro, the availability of financial aid and the BOG fee waiver for students in 2014 may be the reason the numbers from City College were low, despite SAC’s efforts to promote the March in March.

“We sent emails, I talked to students personally, and we posted a lot of flyers all over the main City College campus,” said Lomboy. “City College still had a very low attendance. I have a feeling that students didn’t consider the issues as important because of the focus of the event this year.”

According to Scott, the march is still important, but a lot of students who received grants or financial aid that they hadn’t gotten are less likely to pay attention to the protest when it involves issues other than money for education.

“The availability of the BOG fee waiver [at City College] has definitely

been a big help to me,” said Guerrero.

“When I lived in Los Angeles three years ago, I had to pay way more and in full for my classes. I think this is a relief to me and other students.”

Despite low attendance, City College was still represented at the march

by Lincoln Scott and other students, and SAC members remain positive about the event.

“I spoke to assemblymen about Prop. 13 reform, more funding for higher education and defending programs for veterans and disabled students, including adding mental health facilities to community college campuses,” said Scott.

Scott said he met with state officials, including Assembly members Kevin McCarty and Susan Eggman about issues in education ranging from

tuition to mental health and veterans services.

“We received positive feedback on the issues we brought up,” said Scott.

“The representatives didn’t realize we had so many issues with mental health and veterans services on campus, and they took an interest.”

According to Lomboy, SAC looks forward to working with the newly appointed Student Associated Council in the coming year. Resolutions for 2015 include obtaining summer bus passes for students, requesting a mental health worker on campus, and more gender-neutral bathrooms that serve the LGBTQIA community.

“School is a place for all students,” said Lomboy. “Every student deserves to have a comfort zone.” 

Use of Student Center for gaming debated Students resolve issue with limited mediation from SAC

The groups came to an agreement themselves, agreeing on days to limit projector use and the two sides are now working it out together without taking the issue any further.

Miguel Guerrero, SAC secretary of the Student Senate.

Miguel Guerrero,

SAC secretary of the Student Senate

“There was a group of students who got together and made a petition to restrict the hours of usage for projectors in the Student Center,” said Miguel Guerrero, SAC secretary of the Student Senate.

“They wanted to make an agreement to limit the usage to two days a week.”

According to Pia Lomboy, SAC public representation senator, the two groups

of students had opposing viewpoints over sides are now working it out together resolved most of the time if they are how the Student Center should be used. without taking the issue any further,” brought to the attention of SAC, and “Students who use the Student said Guerrero. students can use the council as a resource Center for studying complained about According to Guerrero, these are to solve problems. the projectors being too distracting,” the kinds of issues that can be easily -W.D.P. said Lomboy. “The students felt they were being denied their academic privileges.”

“The pro-video game group said the Student Center should be used for recreation, and the other group of students didn’t want to be restricted to the LRC for studying,” said Lomboy.

According to Lomboy, both groups had valid arguments and resolved the disagreement after SAC monitored a debate between both sides.

“The groups came to an agreement themselves, agreeing on days to limit projector The Student Senate holds a public relations commitee meeting every Thursday, and discusses upcoming projects at City use and the two

Emily Foley · emmajfoley@gmail.com

A heated debate between students who use the Student Center on campus recently came to a head when a group of students brought a petition to the Student Associated Council seeking to limit the number of hours that students could play projected video games in the Student Center.

College.

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SACCITYEXPRESS.COM

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March 10, 2015

· Express

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FEATURE

Adaptation, artistry and ardor

Photography professor Paul Estabrook s enthusiasm for his craft inspires students Photo Editor · emmajfoley@gmail.com

The positive learning environment he creates for his students is awesome because he encourages everyone to interact and learn from each other.

Penelope Kahn

Photography student

He says he left cycling because he could not get to where he wanted in the sport, so he came back to the states and went to City College to find a job. While working on his photography degree and shooting for the campus newspaper, Estabrook got hired at The Sacramento Bee and fell in love with photojournalism.

Collaboration and teamwork were important to Estabrook, and one project that remains with him was creating The Sacramento Bee welder cover.

“We had to create these really elaborate type of Sacramento folks, who had to create their own experiences,” Estabrook says.

The image portrays a welder welding on a 4-foot wide Sacramento Bee oval, with sparks flying everywhere around a workshop.

“Finding someone to create the prop, finding the location and creating the

Emily Foley · emmajfoley@gmail.com

One dictionary definition of teaching reads as follows: “Teaching is an act to impart knowledge or skill.”

Professional photographer and City College photography professor Paul Estabrook would agree. For the 48-yearold, he believes teaching is more than just enlightening a student’s mind.

In photography, Estabrook gets the chance to continue his career and help others build and achieve their success.

He believes sharing ideas spreads ideas around and allows others to learn from them. Collaboration is a way to effectively teach skills.

Estabrook’s passion in helping students find their artistic career side has made a difference in many people’s lives.

“Paul Estabrook is my teacher from the very beginning and through my educational journey,” photography student Penelope Kahn says. “The positive learning environment he creates for his students is awesome because he encourages everyone to interact and learn from each other.”

Estabrook is always changing and adapting each year, and still learning as a teacher himself.

“Every semester, every student, it’s a little bit different because everyone brings something else to the classroom,” he says.

“Watching students develop with getting better and growing into their creative selves, that’s what keeps me going.”

Estabrook has been teaching since 2002.

“I do things backwards, and that’s just me,” he says. “If I did it any other way, it wouldn’t be what I wanted. I sought out my future, which is constantly changing.”

While racing in New Zealand for a professional cycling team, Estabrook says

he was blown away by the landscape and became obsessive about getting the perfect shot. When he returned to print the image, the lighting was always overexposed. So began a hint of Estabrook’s eventual connection to photography.

City College photo professor Paul Estabrook, standing far left, teaches his beginning digital photography class on how to adjust the proper settings on DSLR cameras.

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Emily Foley · emmajfoley@gmail.com

Emma Foley

SACCITYEXPRESS.COM

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Ctiy College photography professor Paul Estabrook inspires artistry in his students.

picture,” he says, “putting all the elements together made this project memorable.”

With commercial work, it’s not all about having an artistic side, says Estrabrook. You are creating someone else’s ideas and you have to find a way to capture it.

“That’s where the challenge is,” he says.

Though his experience at The Bee was good, Estabrook says he could not turn his internship into a staff position, so he decided to head down the path of freelance photography and independent filmmaking.

One day, Estabrook was asked if he wanted to do commercial photography work.

“Absolutely had no interest in commercial photography whatsoever,” Estabrook says. “But I love taking pictures, collaboration and team work.”

Seeing the art director and people working together to create a digital vision, Estabrook says he fell face-first into commercial photography.

“It found me. That was it; this was my career,” he says. “I make a living with photographing, but I like sharing. I always had one assistant around to share ideas with.”

The Bee would eventually become one of Estrabrook’s main clients in commercial photography.

Estabrook soon realized what his true calling was: teaching.

“With teaching you end up having 20 plus people you get to share with, and then you get to see where they go.”

It’s now much more interesting to Estabrook to help someone create an image than going out and doing it.

Watching students develop with getting better and growing into their creative selves, that s what keeps me going.

Paul Estabrook

Photography professor

“I’ve known Paul for about 25 years,” City College photography Professor Gordon Lazzarone says. “He’s a great teacher and is always very well-prepared. His enthusiasm for photography is evident.”

Estabrook wouldn’t argue with his colleague’s assessment.

“I have a fun job, if I ever really complain about it, someone should hit me over the head,” Estabrook says.

FEATURES

City Theatres backstage pass

City College students, staff spotlight inner workings of the theater department Rosaura de la Cruz

Guest Photographer · Mike Nicholson

production is “safety first,” one’s perspective. It opens the door for so according to Weinshienk. much opportunity in the show business.”

Alongside teaching stage Actor Oshiro describes how being in A new year brings new talent to City lighting and stage crafting, the Theatre Arts department has affected College’s theatre arts department with a Weinshienk also teaches him. “Every teacher I’ve taken in the themain stage production of “The Cradle will the class how to make their ater department has had a huge impact on Rock,” playing in the Main Auditorium of sets “actor proof” with a me. They’re extraordinary and love what the Performing Arts Center through Mar. five-hour lab and hands-on they do.”

22. demonstrations, especially However, what audiences see on with lighting. stage is only a small fraction of what hap“It’s the last element Theater isn t just for pens in the theater department. A whole to bring together, and actors. production team works behind the scenes it’s difficult because you Shawn Weinshienk on everything from lighting and costumes can’t touch it,” he said.

Theater arts and film professor to sets and sound to put a play onstage.

“The lighting needs to The production team has worked be artistic. I teach my in both the auditorium and in classstudents how to bring Weinshienk says his favorite part of it rooms to prepare for the show. Since abstract and realism to all is to see how much his students grow City College student Nitin Jethanandani designs and sews a “The Cradle Will Rock” is a musical, the set.” in each production. costume in the City College costume shop. the actors have worked extensively Weinsheink proves “I love seeing my students’ faces with voice and choral music profesthat all of the hard work as their groundwork comes to life. To On the other hand, Nicole Sivell, sor Daniel Paulson, who said he has he and his class provide has paid off. know they built these sets that [have] the theatre arts costumer, designer and enjoyed his first year working for City shopper, described one of her favorite According to Weinsheink, in the last audience clapping and cheering is the best College.

11 years and 66 college productions, there part,” he said. “I love what I do. I know costumes: a big, hairy outfit for a wooly “The students in the theater have been no stage errors, no mistaken all of us staffers in theatre do, too, and we mammoth. department have been a delight to floating pieces, no light bursts and no bro- hope we do have a huge impact on these “It was for the production of ‘The work with,” he said. “They are very ken microphones. Everything is carefully kid’s lives.”

Skin of our Teeth,” Sivell said. “It was committed, dedicated and hard workand safely prepared for success.

Oshiro says that the teamwork the huge and lots of fun to make.” ing. They have invested in my vocal “Every business has a side unseen department has is what makes the producSivell teaches students how to make pedagogy and are seeing huge results.” costumes for each main stage production and unknowing how much work goes into tions so special.

Paulson said he was delighted at it,” said Weinshienk. “Theater isn’t just “Being a part of a team is absolutely at City College. The costume shop is the opportunity to assist with the mu- cluttered with sewing machines, finished for actors. That’s why we strongly enthe best part of theater,” he says. “And sical, despite what the student actors courage our theater students to take both when it comes to an end, it’s sad, but great pieces and costumes in progress. Sivell said about the difficulty of learning to have met and worked with everysaid everyone has to be careful of the pins acting and production classes, so they can the music. gain a sense of everyone’s job from every- one.” that are everywhere.

“Our motto is ‘Pins are sharp; things are l love seeing my students sharp,’” Sivell said with when describing faces as their groundwork athelaugh countless fingerpricks comes to life. To know she and her students have acquired throughout the they built these sets semester. that [have] the audience Sivell also explained how long and difficult clapping and cheering is making a costume can the best part. be. She said every piece Shawn Weinshienk is made by students and Theater arts and film professor detailed to perfection, right down to the seams. The “Singing can be fun, but it’s not costumes that are provided my top tier of choices. But it’s a part to the actors can take anyof theater, like costumes,” said thewhere from one hour to six ater major and actor Connor Oshiro. weeks to make before being Oshiro described the character of seen on the stage. the two-person Pinto Horse he played While Paulson and in a production of “Cinderella” as Sivell work with actors and being particularly challenging. costumes, Professor Shawn “I spent most of the time in the Weinshienk and his class costume bent over and hot,” he said. put in extra hours to perfect “But it made for good laughs and the sound and lighting. a different experience in that work The stage craft defield.” partment’s ultimate rule of City College theater students Jonathan Suh and Julian DeTerra finalize costume designs.

Staff Writer · rosaexpress7@gmail.com

Guest Photographer · Mike Nicholson

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Express · March 10, 2015

7

FEATURES

New dean breathes life into West Sac Center

From humble beginnings, Art Pimentel rises to first run a city, now an outreach center

Staff Writer · vosslerlarry@gmail.com

Vhonn Ryan Encarnacion · Staff photographer

The 2014-2015 school year at City College’s West Sacramento Center started off with a new dean.

Art Pimentel’s long list of previous titles includes director of TRIO programs at Woodland City College, executive dean of the Yuba Community College District and even mayor of Woodland.

But Pimentel, who is still a resident of Woodland, says he enjoys working in higher education.

“I love my job,” says Pimentel. “I enjoy going to work and working with many committed staff, faculty members and students. And I’m not just saying that. I really love West Sacramento.”

Pimentel’s rich life had humble beginnings. “I was the first in my family to graduate from college,” he says.

His parents still work as seasonal farm workers.

“They work here in Woodland in agriculture,” says Pimentel. “My dad’s worked for the same company for 37 years.

And my mother works for the local tomato processing plant. She’s worked there for maybe 27 or 28 years.”

Pimentel and his three siblings — two older brothers and a younger sister — grew up taking frequent and lengthy trips to Mexico to visit their grandfather.

City College Dean, Art Pimentel, poses for a photo in his office at the West Sacramento Center, January 27, 2015.

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“The person who really instilled that political bug in me was my grandfather,” says Pimentel.

That political drive led Pimentel to serve as the mayor of Woodland from 2008-2012.

“Basically, in places like Woodland, it’s a smaller community, so it’s not like it’s a full-time position.

So you’re able to do two things — your career and serving on the City Council.

Is it a lot of work?

Absolutely. Is it something that I very much enjoyed?

Absolutely.”

While his grandfather was responsible for Pimentel’s political activism, Pimentel credits his parents for fluency in Spanish.

“My parents really valued that we didn’t forget where we came Dean Art Pimentel speaking at the five-year celebration of the Sacramento City College West Sacramento Campus January 29. from,” said Pimentel. “And out to high schools, making sure staff and Pimentel says he also wants to that we didn’t forget the language. In counselors understand and know the center’s connect with and reach out to the hindsight, it was wonderful because course schedule so they can encourage West Sacramento community about we’re all fully bilingual. We were able students take classes. the diverse services, curriculum and to retain the language, and you don’t programs the West Sacramento Center see that very often.” has to offer and increase the number of I was struck by [Pimental s] students at the center.

When it comes to Pimentel’s new job duties at the West “I love the community colleges,” students first attitude, Sacramento Center, the faculty and said Pimentel. “I see a lot of myself in which is a reminder that staff have positive reviews. students here at the West Sacramento “Dean Pimentel has made Center. And we have such a positive our No. 1 priority is to several improvements in services to impact on our students who have to go help students reach their our students in his first seven months through some difficult personal situations. educational goals. at the center,” says West Sacramento We can make such a difference as Center Supervisor Janet Lake.

Kel Munger educators, certainly in West Sacramento adjunct professor of journalism and all my other community colleges.

“He has increased tutoring, dedicated space for centralizing our It’s a wonderful position to be in to make Learning Resources materials, and Pimentel’s expansions and additions these positive impacts.”  is working with the West Sacramento have struck a chord with many people in community to match services and courses the center. to the needs of the West Sacramento “I was struck by his ‘students population,” says Lake. first’ attitude, which is a reminder that Pimentel says they’ve opened a our No. 1 priority is to help students student service space on the third floor reach their educational goals,” says of the West Sacramento Center, added Kel Munger, an adjunct professor of classes to the class schedule, and reached journalism at American River College.

Additional reporting by Meg Masterson.

Luisa Morco · luisamorco.express@gmail.com

Lawrence B Vossler

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Keeping cultures alive through language

FEATURES

City College students, instructors explain the benefits of learning foreign languages Tyler Heberle

Staff Writer · theb1927@live.com

A recent British Broadcasting Company study confirmed there may be up to 7,000 languages currently spoken around the globe. This monumental number brings to mind the Tower of Babel story — in which God created languages to prevent humankind from helping each other to reach his heights.

Whether one believes the Old Testament Bible story or not, language barriers can provide hurdles for those trying to get any messages across to each other.

City College provides students the opportunity to study and learn foreign languages, including, but not limited to, those offered at many high schools.

One such language is French. Melissa Stem, French professor, says her class “takes a communicative approach to language” with a primary goal of reaching out to people new to the language.

To Stem, learning a foreign language is “beneficial to every student.” Regardless of the language one practices, there is a good chance it will provide insight into what makes a culture unique, she believes.

[Students] shouldn t pick a language because someone else says it has value. I think a language that appeals to [a student] would be the one to study initially.

Chris Iwata

Humanities and Fine Arts dean

“As students learn vocabulary and study grammatical structures, they come to a better understanding of language as a system and how the parts function together,” Stem says. “Moreover, learning a language opens a window onto the cultures of the people who speak that language.”

Stem says she also believes that if people speak in a newly shared language, both parties can benefit and enjoy each other’s company.

“In addition to learning about contemporary culture, studying a language involves you in the study of history,

philosophy, art history, literature, art, music, architecture, sociology, anthropology, food and sports,” Stem says. “It is a gateway to the humanities.”

A new language can be a gateway to many things besides humanities: new acquaintances, cultural awareness, and more well-rounded communication abilities, to name a few.

City College student Chris Wan took Cantonese 402 with Melody Mo, professor of Cantonese.

“I would recommend people to take this class if they wanted to learn [about] a different lifestyle,” Wan says. “It is always fun to learn about someone else’s culture.”

Wan says that since he is of Chinese descent, learning to improve his Cantonese has been especially helpful. Since speaking, reading and writing a language are inherently connected to a culture, Wan says he believes that “all aspects” of the language-learning process are equally important.

“I’m starting to see our culture die out every year,” Wan says. “I believe it is because we are in America, and we don’t know our own tradition, so it is important to learn it so we can pass it down to future generations.”

City College’s language selection helps provide sustenance to multiple cultures, according to college staff.

Chris Iwata, dean of Humanities and Fine Arts, says the college offers many languages, including Spanish, French, Mandarin and Russian.

“The most recent languages that we’ve had have been Greek, Arabic, Persian, Punjabi and Korean,” Iwata says.

Most of these languages are taught on the main City College campus during the fall and spring semesters, and Spanish is even offered over the summer. In addition, City College’s satellite campuses, West Sacramento Center and Davis Center, offer some language classes each semester.

Students aren’t short on options, and like Stem and Wan, Iwata says he believes students should study at least one language that is new to them. “[Students] shouldn’t pick a language because someone else says it has value,” Iwata says. “I think a language that appeals to [a student] would be the one to study initially.”

Language courses offered at City College Arabic Cantonese/ Chinese French German Greek Italian Japanese Korean Mandarin/ Chinese Persian Punjabi Russian Spanish Tagalog Vietnamese

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SPORTS

City College athletics to receive CCCAA academic awards 2014 Panthers athletes excel on the field and in the classroom with a total GPA of 3.0 or higher. The team should have demonstrated better than average accomplishments in intercollegiate The California Community College Athletic athletic competition.”

In 2014, the team’s members Association recently released its annual maintained a collective 3.10 GPA list of academic awards, and several City throughout the year and finished its season College players were among the recipients 31-14 and advanced to the Northern of the 2014 honors.

California Super Regional Playoffs where The Panthers’ softball team was they eventually lost in the second round. awarded the Scholar Team Award, and Sophomores Aaliyah Oliver and Erikka players Brian Ingram, Alex Muzzi, Austin Burke were on the 2014 roster and said Spainhour and Michael Terry were named to the Academic All-State team for baseball. they felt the urgency of having good grades throughout the year.

Former football player Corey Nelson, who “I feel like it’s really important,” said is now studying at UC Davis, was named Oliver. “We’re student to the 2014 Scholar Athlete athletes, so we come here Men’s Honor Roll.

We re not looking for school first. You’ve The accomplishments for students with got to get your stuff done, mark the sixth consecutive even if it’s hard.” year that a City College bad grades; we re “I don’t think you’re team or athlete has been going to get anywhere looking for good awarded either the Scholar if you don’t have your Team or the Scholar Athlete student athletes. academics,” said Burke. award.

“So that’s the main Tim Kiernan According to head Head Coach purpose to even be at coach Tim Kiernan, winning the Scholar school and to even be Team Award is similar to winning the state able to play.

If you don’t have the grades, championship in that it’s always an objective you’re not going to play. Period.” going into to each season for softball.

According to Kiernan, he and his “We try to do that every year,” said coaching staff recruit players who are Kiernan. “That’s a goal like winning not just athletes, but also good students, conference or going to playoffs, so I thought something that many people do not it was really nice.” typically associate with community college It’s not the first time a team coached by athletics.

Kiernan has won the award. City College’s “We’re not looking for students with women’s golf team has won the award three bad grades; we’re looking for good student times in 2001, 2010 and 2012. athletes,” said Kiernan. “A lot of people’s The award is presented to one team of perception of community college is that each sport throughout California. According you’ve got to have bad grades to go to to the CCCAA’s website, “All team community college, which is not true at all.” members must have excelled academically

Dianne Rose · dianne.rose.express@gmail.com

Kristopher Hooks

Sports Editor · khooksexpress@gmail.com

City College sophomores Brain Ingram, Alex Muzzi, Austin Spainhour, Michael Terry and head coach Derek Sullivan at Union Stadium.

Baseball head coach Derek Sullivan shares a similar philosophy on the perception of community college athletics.

However, instead of recruiting players who are good in academics and sports, he focuses on the athlete.

Once an athlete gets into the program, Sullivan said he pushes him to do well in school and on the field. It’s a philosophy that he feels works well for him and his players, and the outcome is rewarding.

“That’s what you do the job for, to see a guy… do fantastic on the field but then exceeds what he does on the field by what he does in the classroom,” said Sullivan.

“The sky’s the limit for those type of guys.”

The award will be presented to a City College athletics department representative at the Celebration of Scholar Athletes Luncheon during the 18th annual CCCAA Convention on April 1 in Ontario, California.

“The accomplishments, to me, just go right to the heart of why we exist,” said City College Athletic Director Mitch Campbell.

“We are a vehicle for student success and for students to transfer and to continue their education. We know that in the long run, the value for athletics is just that — a vehicle for academic achievement.” 

Dianne Rose · dianne.rose.express@gmail.com

City College softball team saluted the flag during the playing of the national anthem before the Northern Regional playoffs against Reedley College on May 4th, 2014.

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Top basketball player recognized

SPORTS

Brandon Rowden named All Big 8 Conference for 2014-2015 season Dianne Rose · dianne.rose@gmaill.com

Kristopher Hooks

Sports Editor · Khooksexpress@gmail.com

Brandon Rowden, City College freshman forward, reacts to being fouled with only seconds to go in the game against American River College on Jan. 6th.

The California Community College Athletic Association recently announced basketball’s all-conference teams for each conference in the state. Brandon Rowden, City College forward, was on the list of those named to the All Big 8 Conference team.

Although the team finished the year 8-19, Rowden had been called a “bright spot” earlier this season by head coach Andrew Jones. He averaged a team-leading 14.5 points and five rebounds per game during the 2014-2015 season, including 17.6 points per game in Big 8 Conference games.

Rowden had two double-doubles this season, but his best statistical game came in an overtime loss to Sierra College where he had 23 points and 10 rebounds. He also scored a season high 25 points twice against Diablo Valley College and Delta College.

Rowden played at Valley High

School from 2007-2010. He went to Consumnes River College for a year, where he red shirted his freshman season. Rowden later dislocated his shoulder, which required surgery.

He took some time off after the surgery before coming to City College.

According to Rowden, his goal was to lead his team to a successful season and up great statistics.

“I wanted to become one of the best players in the league,” said Rowden, “but after we started doing bad, I wasn’t focused on it anymore. It’s just a blessing really.”

City College releases Hall of Fame names Nine former Panthers athletes to be inducted in April Kristopher Hooks

Sports Editor · Khooksexpress@gmail.com

City College’s athletic department recently released the names of the 2015 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, a list that was diverse in sport and gender.

The new class of inductees contains four women and five men who will join 86 other former Panthers athletes and three former Panthers teams in the ranks of the City College Athletics Hall of Fame. The past inductees date as far back as 1921 — the first year of City College athletics.

“We’re coming up on 95 years that we’ve offered athletics,” said City College Athletic Director Mitch Campbell. “There’s a ton of athletes that have participated for us and it’s a big honor, and people are really humble and appreciative when they get the phone call.”

The City College athletics department has been inducting people into its Hall of Fame since 1996. The former players, coaches and administrators are selected by both the public and the Hall of Fame committee.

According to the athletics department website, a nominee must adhere to certain criteria to be considered. Some of the criteria include success at City

College, at the four-year level and professionally, championships and service to school and the community.

The Hall of Fame committee — which comprises six City College coaches and Campbell — is headed by co-chairs Andrew Jones, head basketball coach, and Laurie Nash, head volleyball coach.

There s a ton of athletes that have participated for us and it s a big honor, and people are really humble and appreciative when they get the phone call.

Mitch Campbell

Athletic Director

This year, in efforts to make the ceremony more personal, the committee put together video montages for each former athlete, according to Nash. The montages will be filled with pictures and videos from old games, as well as personalized messages from former coaches and teammates.

“We will give out programs that

will have the small biographies of them,” said Nash, “but I think the videos will give a glimmer of not just their athletic career, but also their personal life.

So that’s what we’re trying to do this year for the very first time.”

This year’s list of inductees include John Ming, a former wrestler who last competed for the Panthers in 1970 where he finished third at the state championships and set a record 28 falls in a year — a record that held for 44 years.

Lyndsey Klein, a former Panthers’ softball star, will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame Klein. Klein played for City College in 1997 and 1998 and earned All-American honors both seasons before transferring to UCLA. She holds three softball records at City College, won the 1999 NCAA Championship with UCLA and won the World Championship with Team USA in 2002.

Panthers’ softball head coach Tim Kiernan coached Klein in her years at City College and said he knew the athlete would be a great player once they met.

“I knew right away how good she was,” said Kiernan. “[After her years at City College] I only called two schools for her, UCLA and Arizona, and she chose UCLA where she became an All-American.” · · ·

SACCITYEXPRESS.COM

The induction ceremony is open to the public and will be held April 17 at 6 p.m. at the Dante Club in Sacramento.

2015 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Percy Green (football) Joe Kemp (basketball) John Ming (wrestling) Ed Deizer (baseball) Rich Hanna (cross country) Tina Green (basketball) Lyndsey Klein (softball) Jackie Dalton (track) Jaquilia Lewis (track)

1963‒1964 1967‒1969 1969‒1970 1981 1983‒1984 1989‒1981 1997‒1998 1998‒1999 1998‒1999

For more information about the athletes or the ceremony, contact Laura Love in the City College athletics department at (916) 558-2420 or lovel@scc.lsrios.edu.

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City College loses doubleheader against ARC Panthers errors and injured player costly in weekend s losses

Kristopher Hooks · khooksexpress@gmail.com

Kristopher Hooks

Sports Editor · khooksexpress@gmail.com

The City College center fielder Aaliyah Oliver hitting a double to center field in Game 1 of the March 7 doubleheader against American River College.

Kiernan said he was perplexed after the game about his team’s mistake on the last play that resulted in the 7-4 loss.

“Why would you stay at second base?

If it was a line drive, you stay at second base. If it was a pop fly, you stay at second base. Ground ball, you run. We didn’t run,” said Kiernan. “Then we decide to run, and it turned into a double play.

That’s just mental. The whole day was mental. Just not very good.”

The Panthers seemed to bounce back from the loss in Game 1 and came out

Kristopher Hooks · khooksexpress@gmail.com

City College softball started its Big 8 Conference play with two losses, 7-4 and 9-7, in a March 7 doubleheader against the American River College Beavers in what the coach deemed “mental” errors.

The Panthers hit well during the doubleheader — 17 combined hits — but according to head coach Tim Kiernan, the defense wavered in its decisions, which cost them both games.

“There was a lot of indecision today — we don’t practice indecision,” said Kiernan. “They made that judgment. I can’t play for them. They’re out there playing, and they’re playing hard, but a lot of times, mentally, they’re not playing hard.”

In Game 1 of the doubleheader, the Panthers fell behind fast and went down 6-1 after three innings. Starting pitcher Morgan Welch allowed six runs in the two and two-thirds innings she pitched before she was pulled for Jostyn Bebout.

Bebout was more sound in her performance in the circle and allowed only one run in the rest of the game.

“In the first game, we gave them 12 base runners between five walks, six errors and one hit batter,” said Kiernan.

“So that’s 12 base runners we gave them.

That’s like giving them 12 extra hits. You can’t win ball games doing that.”

The Panthers began to rally late in the game and cut the lead to 7-4 in the seventh, but they couldn’t complete the comeback.

On the last play of the game, with two runners on base, the Panthers had another mental error that resulted in a double play.

City College shortstop Abi Lund picked off an American River College runner at second base.

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swinging in Game 2. Bebout’s strong performance in Game 1 carried over, and the offense connected on hits early. They took a 7-2 lead after the first four innings.

However, things started to go downhill for them in the sixth inning, and the Beavers began to rally. Bebout seemed to have been fatigued, and more mental errors began to plague the defense. The Beavers scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth to take an 8-7 lead.

Welch replaced Bebout in the circle with two outs and the bases loaded in the sixth inning. The Beavers went on to score one more run in the inning, and the Panthers couldn’t respond.

“With [Game 2], we’ve had a hard time closing, and once we get a lead, we sit too much on it,” said Kiernan. “We probably will have to make some changes in the lineup, but I don’t know. We’ll see.”

Panthers’ redshirt freshman Erikka Burke led the team on the day with three hits and five RBIs, including a two-run home run in Game 2. Aaliyah Oliver had two RBIs, and Kaitlyn Leffle and Riley Ammaturo — who hit a home run in Game 2 — each had one RBI on the day.

City College, though, lost more than just the two games. Sophomore Noelani Kakalia — who hit a home run in Game 1 — left Game 2 with back spasms. Kakalia had been suffering from back spasms

since the 2014 season and even missed sometime in the beginning of the 2015 season.

Kakalia is a powerful hitter for the Panthers, Kieman said, and was second on the team with eight home runs in 2014.

In the six games she played this season, she had two home runs, 11 RBIs and .615 batting average.

We probably will have to make some changes in the lineup, but I don t know.

We ll see.

Tim Kiernan Head Coach

“She can hit, but I don’t know how much we’re going to have her here this year,” said Kiernan. “I probably need to just think that we’re not going to have her and have somebody else in that position.”

The Panthers will look to bounce back from their weekend losses when they continue their Big 8 Conference play March 10 at home against Diablo Valley College.