Spring 2011, Edition 2

VC fights breast cancer

Ventura

OC club fundraises for trip

Oxnard

MC talks bacteria

Moorpark

Student Voice Feb. 16 - Mar. 2

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Vol. 8 , No. 9

OC exhibits diversity at Multicultural Day

Rafael Ochoa

Contributing writing Oxnard College welcomed thousands of students, community members, vendors, and local-area high school students to their annual Multicultural Day last Thursday to celebrate the diversity present in their community.

Diva Ward, Multicultural Day coordinator, worked vigorously to make sure this was a successful event. The festivities united the surrounding community with the student body and offered visitors a glimpse into the different cultures from around the world “Our goal this year was to share the culture of the community with attendees and provide high school students with information about Oxnard College,” said Ward. “Attendance was fantastic—we had great vendor presence and incredible student participation.”

Live performances, food samplings, workshops, presentations and various activities, made for plenty of opportunities for students and visitors to participate in.

Flags from nations around the world adorned the campus and flanked the various vendor, club and business booths. The Shen Chun Do club garnered steady crowds throughout the day with their enticing music and various martial arts routines.

Kiara Hodges,

Photo by Chad Jones

Weaver - Ivan Bautista demonstrates how he weaves a blanket for preschoolers at OC during the Spring 2011 Multicultural Day.

Photo by Chad Jones

Photo by Chad Jones

Beat down - Israel Vasquez and Mario Cesar Cardona from the OC Shen Chu Do Club perform a demostration of Jujitsu.

Shake it - Alexandra King leads students from both OC and several local high schools in the art of belly dancing.

20-year-old psychology major, enjoyed the martial arts performances the most.

“Martial arts is the best,” said Hodges. “[The performances] really show a lot of the cultural backgrounds of the students.”

dona. “Our routines are not choreographed.”

High school students also enjoyed the atmosphere at the college. Senior students from the seven local area high schools were in attendance to learn more about the college and

Out of breath and pausing to catch some air, Shen Chun Do club president, Mario Cesar Cardona enjoyed the attention his club received.

“It is physically draining as we have to respond to random angles of attack,” said Car-

Egypt: The beginning of a new democracy?

Leah Grullon Staff writer

News Analysis

Egyptians are facing a new political, social and economic phase in history since President Hosni Mubarak resigned after a 30-year-term, relinquishing control of the nation to its military.

In Mubarak’s last speech, delivered on Feb. 8, he emphasized his responsibility in ensuring peaceful power transference in that Middle-East country.

“My primary responsibility now is security and independence of the nation,” said the ex-Egyptian president on Aljazeera’s website. “To ensure a peaceful transfer of power and allow handing over responsibility to whomever the people choose in the coming presidential election.”

For almost 60 years, Egypt has been one the most powerful allies of the U.S. in the Middle East. This relationship improved with the deceased Egyptian president Anwar Al-Sadat, who played a crucial role by signing the Camp David Accords and the Peace Treaty in 1978 and 1979.

Egypt has also followed the American policy on regional issues and has benefited from American aid packages that involve military and economic cooperation.

Now that economic cooperation is at an annual foreign assistance deficit of $1.5 billion, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton could be cut off if any future Egyptian government did not respect human

Photo courtesy of Lilia Cancel

Egypt - Cairo’s street markets seems to still attract customers.

rights and committed to democracy.

“There has to be a commitment by whoever is in the government that they will engage in a national dialogue with people of Egypt,” said Clinton on “Meet the Press.” “With the aim at taking actions that will meet the legitimate grievances of the Egyptian people.”

Political analysts say that some crucial elements made the army consider not to support Mubarak anymore. Some of those elements are that Mubarak remained in power for a long period of time, in addition to his age and illnesses. Those elements pressured the top of the military to consider placing a new general before Mubarak died to keep the transitional power stability of the nation after his death.

However, the Egyptian ex-president had other plans. Handing over the succession to his son Gamal started the anti-Mubarak sentiment.

Although some people compare this situation to Iran’s in 1979, Founder and CEO of Stratfor George Friedman does not think so. In accordance to Friedman, three elements make the difference as the Egyptian business class is not supporting the Muslim Brotherhood (this organization split after Sadat’s assassination in 1981) and Mubarak did not allow it to grow up during his regime.

“You cannot look at what’s going on in Egypt as an Islamist revolution,” said the CEO of Stratfor to Jonathan R. Laing in an interview for Barron’s Magazine. “Not with the military and the liberal democratic crowd also playing key roles.”

The Muslim Brotherhood is an Islamist transitional movement and the world’s oldest and largest Islamic political group. The Muslim Brotherhood’s website explains that it was founded in 1928 in Egypt

by Hassan Al-Banna, with it’s slogan being “Islam is the solution.” Ironically, this organization is the weakest power group in Egypt.

Instead, the Egyptian army is the strongest and most respected institution in Egypt, so it has brought some concerns about what would happen if the extremists took over in Egypt and might remilitarize the Sinai Peninsula, even though its army is not yet a force able to take on the U.S. or Israel.

According to Steven Pfeffer, a political science professor at Moorpark College, the Egyptian military has to be careful about the transition to democracy.

“We are hoping they will arrange and guarantee free and fair elections,” said Pfeffer. “In my opinion, the choices made by the Egyptian military will be the most significant factor.”

For full story, go to studentvoiceonline.com.

participate in workshops to increase their awareness about the community college experience.

Terry Redmond, transfer counselor at OC, enjoyed the presence of the high school population.

“With high school

students present, we can market our college now for them to consider later,” said Redmond. “We give these students the proper advice and guide them with the enrollment process.”

Students filled the student services walkway as they stopped to glance at items for sale at vendor tables that included traditional Mexican zarapes, Indian handcrafted jewelry and other knickknacks from cultures around the globe.

Attendees also sampled diverse food ranging from Mexican to Brazilian cuisine, many of whom stopped to indulge in the rich-smelling Mexican cuisine offerings of the campus club, MEChA. At the MEChA food stand, club volunteers shared their success in selling out of tamales and nachos. The profit earned from the food sale will fund a trip for four of their members to a National MEChA Conference in Wisconsin later this year.

Competing high school bands filled the airwaves with familiar melodies as they performed their practice routines. Marjorie Price, dean of Liberal Studies, listened in admiration.

“There’s a lot going on, a lot of excitement,” said Price. “A little something for everyone.”

For the complete read on this story, please visit us at www.studentvoiceonline.com/Oxnard.

VC’s Mock Wedding

Photo by Chad Jones

You may kiss the bride - Jennifer Brumit and Cody Kupfer kiss after getting hitched at Ventura College’s ‘Mock Wedidng’ on Valentine’s Day. See page 3 for the full story.

Photo by Chad Jones

Crossing the threshold - Eric Apodaca and Alma Reyes celebrate one year and three months of love on Valentine’s Day during the ‘Mock Wedding’. See page 3 for the full story.

Oxnard COLLEGE Page 2

Student Voice • www.StudentVoiceOnline.com

Feb. 16, 2011

Sociology Club sends love for funds Crystal Gonzalez

Contributing writer Oxnard College’s Sociology Club delivered candy grams to students, faculty and administrators on campus for Valentine’s Day to fundraise for their up-

coming trips to the Museum of Tolerance and Anacapa Island.

Renee Osuna, Sociology Club Vice President, spearheaded this event with the rest of the club members and expanded on the importance of solidarity.

“It’s very important to be part of a team and we always work really hard to achieve our goals,” said Osuna.

“This semester, we have a busy agenda and great members, so none of this would be possible without the collaboration of

everyone.”

According to club members, the OC Sociology Club strives to spend most of their time serving their community and volunteering their time to those in need. They are a newly appointed club with just one com-

plete semester under their belt, but have been well accomplished by donating their skills to organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Food Share and the Camarillo Healthcare Center.

Dr. Marie Butler, sociology professor and

Photo by Monica Valencia

Love in the air - Sociology Club members Mayra Pacheco, Israel Celis, Hector Rivas, Clara Mendez, and David Hernandez take a break from romancing the campus to pose for a picture

club adviser, couldn’t be more proud of her students.

“They work so hard to help their community and they are lead by a great executive team,” said Butler. “Their chemistry is remarkable and I am amazed at their ideas and hunger for knowledge. This fundraiser will help them reach that knowledge.”

Sure enough, the club sold just about every Valentine’s Day gram that they had and met their projected quota to fund their fieldtrips.

Jennifer Quintana, a 20-year-old psychology major, enjoyed the festive treats.

“I think it’s cool that clubs celebrate holidays like this and benefit from it,” said Quintana.

“I bought a few candy grams for my son, my husband and my mom of course.”

Mayra Pacheco, Sociology Club Treasurer, was glad that the members were able to have fun and keep the event light.

“We had a great turnout and we were able to socialize and engage other students on campus,” said Pacheco.

“I am glad that students and faculty supported our cause.”

Students discuss law Monica Valencia Editor-In-Chief

musical oud-yssey

Photo by Chad Jones

- Bilezikijian performing traditional persian music at Oxnard College with

Oud comes to his signature Oud.

Monica Valencia Editor-In-Chief

The sounds of the ancient Oud performed by a virtuoso of Armenian folklore cascaded into the Oxnard College lecture hall for a distinct mini concert that mesmerized the audience.

John Bilezikijan, classical violinist and oud master, opened his performance with a majestic improvisation that he called “Taksim”. His wife, Helen Bilezikijan, accompanied him by singing songs in Armenian.

“The definition of the word ‘oud’ means wood actually,” said Bilezikijan.

“We Armenians that play this instrument play it in this unique style that’s indigenous to Armenians or Armenians whose ancestors come from Central Turkey.”

Bilezikijan gave a brief history lesson on Armenians and the evolution of the Oud. He stated that the Oud is about 2,500 years old and it derives from Ancient Persia, where the structure was much more primitive then.

He also touched on the styles of music that can be played by the Oud and the preferences that some may have in terms of significance, in part by the Arabic community.

“Due to the genocide of our people, between 1895 and 1915, our people dispersed the world,” said Bilezikijan. “Depending on where they ended up in, they played folk music based on what they brought to that country and they were influenced by that country and instruments. So it’s very, very unique.”

Still, the difference between the Armenian style and the Arabic style was very apparent and the audience seemed to notice.

Maria Fernandez, a 23-year-old communications major, seemed to be taken by the performance as she wiped a couple tears from her eyes.

“This music is so intense,” said Fernandez. “I don’t know why, but I felt the music, especially when his wife was singing.”

As Bilezikijan played for his audience, the mood was kept light as spectators responded with questions and comments about his playing methods.

Elisa Sanchez, Near Eastern Multicultural Association president, was ecstatic to see Bilezikijan perform for the third time.

“You get to really feel the musician’s vibes, experience, and passion and you can’t really get that from a CD,” said Sanchez. “Each time I hear him, he sounds more and more beautiful.”

As the most well known oudist of his generation, Bilezikijan continues to be passionate about his music and his oud. This has also taught him to be a very disciplined person and he hopes to continue to play for a long time.

Shelley Savren, English professor and coordinator for this event, believes Bilezikijan is a talented performer who is well rounded in the cultural playing of the oud.

“He engaged the audience in teaching us about the instrument and entertaining us with his songs,” said Savren. “His wife added a special touch with her beautiful voice, singing their Armenian songs.”

Oxnard College students attended a public forum held at the CLU Oxnard Campus, sponsored by the Gold Coast Chapter of the Federalist Society. Several significant judicial topics were discussed amongst the panelists and the audience.

Natalie Panossian, GCCFS President and attorney, coordinated the forum in order to educate the public about constitutional issues. The guest panelists included Joerg Knipprath, professor at Southwestern University School of Law, Adam Winkler, professor at UCLA School of Law and Barry McDonald, professor at Pepperdine University.

“I think it’s a great learning experience for students and it inspires them to learn more about government,” said Panossian.

“It’s also a great venue for students to network with elected officials who come to events like these.”

The forum titled, “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!

– Significant U.S. Supreme Court Trends and Decisions,” explored cases and issues like Proposition 8, 1st and 2nd Amendment issues, the immigration laws of Arizona, recusals by Supreme Court Justices, the Obama Care Program, and many others.

This was a free event that welcomed the public with a reception of hors d’oeuvres.

While guests mingled, those interested had a

chance to learn about the benefits of being part of The Federalist Society.

According to their membership booklet, The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order.

The most prominent issue that the panelists were posed with was that of Proposition 8. Although other questions were posed, this particular topic kept circling back more than any other.

“My personal belief is that the ban of gay marriage is a violation of the due process clause,” said Winkler. “Unfortunately, for proponents of Proposition 8, the Supreme Court has made clear in case after case, that animist towards a class of people is not a basis for denying them rights.”

Knipprath also commented on the issues of gay rights by stating that this is major a shift, it affects fundamental morals and these kinds of cases always raise controversy.

“It affects people in a very emotional way on both sides of the issue,” said Knipprath. “Courts don’t want to get involved and they prefer that the political process sort them out. I believe it is unconstitutional simply because there is nothing in the constitution that protects samesex marriage.”

In other significant topics, 1st Amendment issues seemed to tail Proposition 8, for much of the forum.

“It’s very important for students to learn both their rights and the limitation of free speech,” said Knipprath.

“Free speech is a key component of republican government, so it’s important for students to get involved and remain involved as they go through adulthood.”

Knipprath also stated that one of the things that distinguish the U.S. from so many other cultures is the very vibrant, political involvement of freedom of speech that is not recognized in Canada or the United Kingdom, in the same way as it is in the U.S. John Garcia, Associated Student Government Senator, thought the discussion was very informational and enlightening.

“This event made me think of what an exceptional job our Founding Fathers did when they gathered in Philadelphia to create the laws that govern us,” said Garcia. “We live by these laws and we are able to discuss these issues freely in a public forum such as this.”

Winkler also stressed the importance for students to learn about court trends and decisions, citing that the Supreme Court deals with all our most controversial, hot-button issues and often has the last word.

“And if students want to understand what’s going on in politics and the legal regulation that controls their lives,” said Winkler.

“They have to know what’s going on in the Supreme Court.”

Photo by Oscar Machuca

Oyez! - From left, Joerg Knipprath, Adam Winkler and Barry McDonald hosted the forum at Cal Lutheran Oxnard’s campus

Ventura COLLEGE Feb. 16, 2011

Student Voice • www.StudentVoiceOnline.com

Page 3

In the Pink Zone, fighting cancer

Elena Ruvalcaba Staff writer

Photo by Chad Jones

Students get hitched at VC Love is in the air- EOPSSA hosted the Mock Wedding outside the Student Activities Center, by the campus quad.

Amanda Hovik

Contributing writer Love was in the air on Valentine’s Day as the words “I do” were affectionately expressed towards one another at Ventura College.

No matter at what age, many VC students gathered together on the quad to participate in a 24-hour mock wedding, raising funds for clubs on campus.

As an event dating back from 1999, students celebrated last Monday and donated $5 towards the Extended Opportunities Programs & Services Student Association Club along with AGS Honor Society. The profits give EOPS members the opportunity of campus tours to universities like UCLA and UCSB to name a few.

“We can tell students when they see an actual visual of a university they feel more wanted to

N A T I O N A L

go to a higher level of education,” said EOPS President Edgar Barton.

This cause helps students become more invested in their future and makes them focus on the paths they choose in life for their education and to whom and when they decide to get married.

For the money, students paid they receive a package deal of rings, a mock ceremony including certificates and a picture of their significant other. The option of upgrading was ideal, with candy ring pops and a bouquet of flowers for a little something extra.

Students who took part in the event had a good time and for those who were single this Valentine’s Day made this activity worthwhile with their friends.

Two EOPS members Abeer Aldaoud and Khaeja Nafi got married and joined in on the fun “We’re best friends so I thought why not?” said Aladoud and Nafi. “We get ring pops and

flowers; it’s just for a good cause. I think it’s a great experience. Anybody can do it and we don’t have boyfriends so why not.”

Barton, being a part of the club for a couple semesters commented, “I’ve made a lot of new friends... everybody’s become friends in the club... it’s been a very good atmosphere.”

Brittany Remnet and her boyfriend of nine months Tim White, who attend VC, had a reason to partake in the mock wedding being that it was their anniversary.

“My mom was there and couple of our other friends was there and they were witnesses we all just had a great time, I was blushing the whole time because I was imagining he gave me a promise ring for Christmas so I was just imagining what it would actually be like to take that final step not that we’re ready to but in a few years when we’re done with our education and everything,” said Remnet.

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The zone- The pink zone activites rose money for breast cancer.

Police HQ’s new home Jarred Kiel

Transferring?

Hundreds of people joined together this Wednesday, February 9, 2011, to celebrate VC’s 3rd annual Pink Zone event hosted by the WBCA to contribute, support and raise money for Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation.

The event included many activities associated with breast cancer awareness along with a basketball game played

by Ventura College Men’s team.

Former VC student and breast cancer survivor founded Ventura College’s Breast Cancer Education & Advocacy Group back in spring 2002 when she was diagnosed with DCIS cancer at age 42 in her second semester at VC and became what is now known as Ribbons of Life in 2007.

Lissa Barreto and husband Bob started this foundation nine years ago and have been devoted in outreaching to families and victims affected by cancer helping them with emotional support and education throughout the entire process. “The advice I give women is to see a doctor if anything is suspicious” said Barreto, “the earliest is detected the better it can be treated.”

All the money raised at the event is donated to this nonprofitable corporation. Due to the great success Pink Zone has had in previous years they have decided to make it an annual event at VC. The event began with several activities a silent auction, along with resource tables and a bake sale.

The silent auction was carried throughout the entire event auctioning porcelain dolls to pies and everything in between with bids starting from $5, $10 and $25. VC’s Psychology Club was also present contributing to the event. The club gets involved every year creating special hearts for people diagnosed or family members who have lost someone with cancer.

Resource tables included Altheas Corset Shop whom dedicated in custom fittings for breast Prosthesis, Mastectomy.

lytic converters stolen and VC having a recent car theft.

Lieutenant Greg Beckley from Oxnard College has stated that these have been happening around Oxnard as well.

“There were only two break-ins on campus but only one succeeded,” says

Police Capt. Richard DeLaO has recently moved into a new office at Ventura College to help make use of the district law enforcement and help bring the community on board.

There may be other motives for the move to the VC campus but the biggest concern is the budget cuts. Even with the budget, DeLaO is very concerned with trying to reorganize the safety and security while having the limited budget.

“District and campus have been impacted by the budget, or lack of,” said DeLaO. “Police still need to issue safety and the raise the level of organizing the safety on campus.”

The move brings a more personal level of security to VC, since the office is now located on campus. VC President Dr. Robin Colate is thrilled to have DeLaO. “We’re glad to have him on the campus,” said Colate. “Gives the college a chance to interPhoto by Doug Vassar act with him on a more Head of HQ- Capt. Richard DeLaO is now stationed at Venfrequent basis.” tura College.

With a combined total of 200 cameras on all the three cam- Beckley. “A few others have occurred puses and with an 100 more being put in Oxnard, including two break-ins at together, safety shouldn’t be ques- St. Johns Hospital.”

A witness has stated that a white tioned for quite a while.

Due to the recent retirement of Lt. Suburban van was seen leaving the Kegley, DeLaO has been searching for white Toyota truck after being broken others that can help out with campus into.

DeLaO has issued a warning to all security but trying to keep it under the truck owners to go ask around to melow budget.

An option that he expressed in- chanics or even the dealerships to see terest in the idea of bringing more if there is some kind of device that can sergeants and officers for lower pay, hold together the bolts even tighter instead of taking on a limited number to protect the catalytic converter. The price of safety is less than the price of of sergeants for a higher pay.

“Sergeants would do the day-to- a catalytic converter.

This move should be able to stop day duties and are allowed to hold certain positions within this organiza- these criminals from breaking into tion,” said DeLaO. “Putting an officer these automobiles and the school seand a sergeant together on certain curity will be heading into a whole tasks would still be cheaper than hir- new direction. DeLaO has been praising one lieutenant. This will help cost ing the community for their help with savings and help provide safety and the school safety issue.

“The surrounding community the long term budget.”

As of late, the campuses have and the police department have joined been experiencing criminal acts in together to reorganize and utilize safethe parking lots with Oxnard College ly on and around the campus,” said dealing with trucks getting their cata- DeLaO.

Moorpark COLLEGE Page 4

Student Voice • www.StudentVoiceOnline.com

Feb. 16, 2011

Associations and clubs seek potential members

Photos by James Harding

Frisbee & Merge - President of the Ultimate Frisbee Club, left, and the Vice President of the Moorpark Environmental Responsible Group Effort, right.

James Harding Online editor

Enthusiastic students gathered outside the Campus Center at Moorpark College to learn about various clubs and their activities and possibly join one or more of them.

Club Rush was a great success with club

members reporting that they exceeded their goals for interesting potential members after the two hour event that started at 11 a.m. on Feb. 9.

The Moorpark College Business Students Association was one of the many clubs that participated in Club Rush this year. Michelle Sanguinet, a 19-year-old

Business - Business Students Association members.

Nursing - Members of the Student Nurses Association.

business finance major, and several other BSA members enticed students to join their club by handing out flyers and talking with students about what goes on at their meetings and how their club benefits its members.

Sanguinet was “very excited” to have “exceeded their goal for signing up students.”

The BSA meets every other Wednesday at the

Technology building in room 109. Their next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 23 at 3 p.m.

The Student Nurses Association used Club Rush to both find potential and to fund raise to buy equipment and help pay for graduation and conferences. Isabel Jimenez, a 27-year-old nursing major, said that Club Rush met her expectations.

Connor Weidle, a

19-year-old chemistry major and president of the Ultimate Frisbee club, was also at Club Rush to raise student awareness of his club.

“We were a new club last semester,” said Weidle. “I think we got a good response today.”

The Ultimate Frisbee Club meets every Monday at 3:30 p.m. on the soccer field.

The Moorpark Environmentally Responsible

Group Effort was also involved in Club Rush this year. Their Vice-President, 32-year-old environmental engineering major Jonathan Foote, was at Club Rush not to hand out paper wasting flyers to students but instead give them a healthy fruit snack.

MERGE meets every Monday at 3:30 p.m. and Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in room 222 of the Physical Science building.

James Harding

Memorial Lecture held at Moorpark College’s Performing Arts Center.

Alfano, one of Ogden’s former students, was inspired to become a biology professor because of Ogden’s influence on him.

“I became a professor because of Gary,” said Alfano, “I really do credit him for my career.

It’s been a great career.”

Students gathered in the Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 to listen and learn

from Alfano’s lecture which was titled, “Green Revolution: The covert takeover of the plant immune system by bacterial virulence proteins.”

Before and during his lecture which gave a detailed summary of his recent research, Alfano spent time relaying the experiences he had with Gary Ogden throughout his academic career.

Dr. Jana Johnson, a biology professor at MC, was the organizer of the lecture but could not at-

tend due to illness. In her stead, another professor of biology at MC, Marie Panec, spoke at the beginning and the close of the lecture.

“I think Gary Ogden would be very proud of his student,” said Panec after Alfano had concluded the lecture.

Ben Green, a 20-yearold computer science major, said, “I thought it was really interesting... he was definately on top of his subject matter.”

Future biologists inspired by researcher Online editor

Photo by Kim Kohlieber

Memorial - Dr. Jim Alfano, the guest speaker of the seventh annual Gary Ogden Memorial Lecture.

Bacterial proteins are extremely tiny, but hold the key to solving some of humanity’s most pressing global problems, such as growing enough food and creating enough energy to sustain expanding populations.

Dr. Jim Alfano, professor at the University of Nebraska, was the guest speaker at the seventh annual Gary Ogden

Panel answers questions on choosing career paths Hannah Endres Staff writer

With every seat filled and standing room only in the Forum, it would seem that at first glance, class must be in session at Moorpark College.

As the first of the five ‘Year of the Economy’ lectures set for this Spring, Moderator and anthropology professor Rachel Messinger, set the stage with questions that the students might like to know about when choosing a major.

A panel of five di-

gree, receiving it shows competency.”

Next to Theodorou sat Moorpark Alumni and photography major Becky Savell. Her experience as a photographer helped her to develop her people skills, which proved to aid her with her new career as a financial advisor.

Julia Strong, Wetland Biologist and business owner, sat in between and discussed beginning her college career at MC admitted to changing her major several times and her career

ing texts that he enjoys.

Although it would be pleasant to say that students were waiting eagerly for the lecture to begin, most were not.

The audience consisted mainly of students whose teachers either made it mandatory or extra credit to attend.

Sam Hucker, kinesiology major, attended the lecture because her professor made it mandatory.

“I think it was kind of pointless listening to people’s lives,” said Hucker.

“Everyone’s

“How do you find a major for the career you want?”

- Rachel Messinger verse participants, each choice even more. For lives end up differently.” of whom were formerly her, the most important However, by the end associated with Moor- factor was getting her of the hour-long lecture, park College, were degree. many students kept the brought together to dis“Having a degree panel quite busy during cuss various college-to- filters out people,” said the open question sescareer pathways. The Strong. “It tells whether sion.

Forum stage was simply or not you can get the The next event in the set with five seats for the task done.”

Year of the Economy leclecturers and a final seat Next to Strong sat ture series is scheduled for Messinger. bio archaeology major for Feb. 16, 12-12:50 in “How do you choose and UCLA student, Am- the TV studio located in a major and does your ber Madrid. Contrarily communications buildmajor matter?” asked to the other participants, ing.

Messinger. she explained that her Student Tax Returns Each participant an- major choice was vital. swered questions based This allowed her to ob$50.00 * on their own personal tain the experience necGet your refund fast! experience and perspec- essary for a career in her Whitewood & Associates tive. field of interest.

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Sports Feb. 16, 2011

Student Voice • www.StudentVoiceOnline.com

Page 5

VC women capture 21 straight VC Women’s basketball takes control from some clutch shooting.

Capturing an astounding 21 straight WSC North titles.

Jarred Kiel Staff writer

Ventura College Women’s Basketball (21-6, 10-0) came out on top with a 68-52 victory against a very physical Santa Barbara City College (17-10, 4-5).

This was a special game for both the players and the community since the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and the team put together activities to help support breast cancer awareness.

The game started off a bit slow offensively with both teams showing impeccable defense.

VC’s starting center Destinee LaFountain had some early blocks to lead the way and helped spark an offensive rally

in the early goings.

The teams started to trade baskets throughout the first half with some highlight plays from point guard Rebecca Griffin and shooting guard Carlotta Kloppenburg taking center stage with the scoring.

The game was neck and neck with VC leading 26-22 going into halftime.

Things started to get interesting around the middle of the second half when Stephanie Ramirez was hit while shooting a three pointer.

This was just a small spark to bring life back in the gym, but then Kloppenburg hit three consecutive threes in a row to liven up the crowd.

“Kloppenburg was the spark in the second half,” said Assistant Coach Robin Hester.

“Everyone knows she can hit the shot, she had the hot hand tonight.”

Ventura took a late lead going into the final ten minutes with Santa Barbara trying to slim the lead but never got close.

Ventura couldn’t miss late in the game with Kloppenburg and LaFountain hitting some clutch baskets.

Both teams started to get a little scruffy towards the end when emotions started to get in the way of game.

This was Kloppenburg’s night to shine with her leading the Pirates with 18 points on 6-7 shooting from 3-point range.

LaFountain led the defensive game with four blocked shots and Griffin leading the passing attack with nine assists and 17 points to go along with her great passing.

Ramirez also had a good game getting 13 points of some fantastic shooting.

The Pirates won this game by overcoming this very physical team by matching their toughness and also raising their mental awareness on the court.

There was never a sign of giving up when someone was not hitting her shot or whether the ref had the wrong call.

“Even though they played physical, we overcame it both physically and mentally,” said back up forward Janessa Martinez.

This is VC’s 21st straight WSC north championship.

They are the defending state champions and hope to continue their winning ways into the upcoming playoffs.

Back-to-back state championships would mean the world to this squad that consists of mainly freshman.

Photo by Chad Jones

Straight elevation-Forward Destinee Lafountain goes up on the elbow jumper for two points.

Fountain had key defens for Ventura’s 68-52 victory February 9.

OC clinches men’s WSC North title Channing Chea Ventura editor

Photo by Channing Chea

Free throws-Moorpark’s Alex Romero shots a pair of free throws in MC’s 82-79 loss to OC February 9

Oxnard College (15-8, 7-2) slipped by Moorpark College (8-16,3-7) 82-79 on the shoulders of reserve point guard Malcolm Popes’ stellar performance.

Pope had 25 points in the game. Down the stretch he came through with clutch free throws to put OC up 76-74. Pope and OC never looked back from their extending lead even with the efforts of MC. MC hit a key late three to make it 77-80 with 1:06 left. OC drew a foul on the next play; Gary Johnson hit 1of 2 from the line and MC hopes jumped up when guard Coltrane Powdrill drew a three-point foul.

Powdrill only hit 2 of the 3 from the three-point foul. Things were bleak as MC was forced to foul and OC went up 82-79.

With 5.5 seconds left MC had one more chance, but the lock down defense by OC kept MC from bringing the ball down and was forced to take an erratic shot that reamed out.

C A L I F O R N I A

L U T H E R A N

MC met a good team that came together in the clutch minutes.

“I don’t think weakness played a part in (this loss), I just think we lost to a good team,” said MC head coach Remy McCarthy.

The Raiders shot 58% from the field and had 29 rebounds in total, MC had a complete game just couldn’t pull through in the final seconds when push came to shove.

Forward Alex Romero had a double-double for MC with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Coltrane Powdrill had 25 points to answer OC’s Malcolm Pope 25 points drubbing.

“Getting the ball to the high post was key,” said Forward Codye Hatcher of OC. OC’s Steven Powell had a season high 17 points and Pope came of the bench for his 25 points.

Ventura College’s (21-7, 9-2) ineligibility means Saturday’s win for OC against Santa Barbara College 105-67 clinches WSC north supremacy at 16-8, 8-2 in WSC north play.

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Opinion Page 6

Student Voice • www.StudentVoiceOnline.com

Feb. 16, 2011

Kicking the butts out of our schools Smoking:

Non-Smoking: Channing Chea

VC campus editor With the non-smoking camplus policies being enforced throughout the Ventura County Community College District, nonsmokers will no longer be in the same danger as smokers put themselves in.

This policy forces students that choose to smoke out into the parking lots of their respective campuses if they wish to have a cigarette.

This move by the district may have been the only smart thing they’ve done in years.

It has always been district policy that smoking was not permitted “during any instructional, programmatic, or official district or college function, in all District vehicles, in all District buildings, and within twenty feet of the exit or entrance of any building,” As stated in each of the VCCCD college catalogues.

The individual colleges were allowed to be much more restrictive if they wished. Though the district follows state law, in 2005 Moorpark adopted a non-smoking campus policy stating that any tobacco smoking was to be done off campus in the parking lots. Oxnard then followed suit in 2007, with Ventura shortly thereafter in 2010.

All three campuses now enforce a policy that says all smoking must be done in the parking lots.

Nowhere else on campuses is this permitted.

With such a policy, students who do not smoke will have a new campus experience. It is needless to say that nonsmokers feel discomfort around tobacco smoke.

If they enjoyed it then they would probably be

smokers too.

However, there are other serious reasons for needing a policy this strict for smoking than to just allow students to feel more comfortable.

There are clear health reasons involved in the manner. After all, the policies are there “in the interest of the health and welfare of students, employees, and the public…” as explicitly stated in the college catalogue.

For the first and most

out inhaling side stream smoke.

As stated by the Division of Periodontology from the University of Minnesota, “Secondhand smoke contains over 4000 chemicals including more than 40 cancer causing agents and 200 known poisons.”

With this information, one can see how even those who are in the vicinity of a smoker are put in the same dangers as him or her.

J.D. Zelman

Opinion editor I get it. Smoking is bad for you. I don’t have to say what kinds of health problems tobacco smoke causes. So for those of us who do it, it becomes much more of a hassle when we are being told where we can and cannot smoke.

We smoke because of an addiction to nico-

you in the long run. But for those of us already hooked, we enjoy it.

Don’t ask why.

Even as a smoker, I can understand why Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura Colleges all have a no-smoking-oncampus policy. While the District has no stance on smoking, the individual colleges can create policies saying whether or not students and staff should be permitted to smoke on campus.

Illustration by Oscar Machuca

Smoking or Non Smoking? - Should students and staff be able to smoke on campus instead of being shunned to the parking lots?

obvious reason, secondhand smoke is always a possibility. Whenever one sees a smoker on campus he or she is usually approximately 20 ft. away from the entrance to a building or classroom.Since classrooms tend to have only one entrance, nonsmokers would have to walk around the smokers just to get to class.

Any fool knows that air travels. It would be nearly impossible for a nonsmoker to make it to their location with-

The second and equally important reason addresses the possible allergies of nonsmokers.

Those with allergies understand that coming into contact with the wrong food or substances can result in any number of deadly reactions. The more likely reaction from a side stream smoke would be airway constriction.

For full story on Campus smoking, or to voice your own comments, go to www.StudentVoiceOnline.com.

tine. According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse, we smoke “Because nicotine acts in the brain where it can stimulate feelings of pleasure.”

It makes you feel good, and for others, its helps them feel psychologically better in times of stress, but I’m not saying you should go out and buy a pack of Marlboros this second just because it feels good.

Along with those feelings of pleasure and ease, it still can kill

According to California statute, people are not allowed to smoke “within 20 feet of a main exit, entrance, or operable window of a public building.” This includes all campus buildings and public areas. And for a while, all three campuses adopted this policy.

Moorpark College was the first to change the rules of on-campus smoking; confining smokers to the parking lots and designated offcampus areas. Oxnard followed suit in Spring

of 2007, and Ventura in fall of 2010.

People don’t like cigarettes anymore! Things have changed, and now the social stance (or stigma) of a smoker is no longer sexy or sophisticated, but gross and shunned.

But there are a rebellious few out there who defy these rules. Some student smokers decide that this rule is wrong.

You may see them in the area near the Forum parking lots, or behind the Campus Centers, but these brave few are holding fast to the fact that they should not be sent all the way to the parking lots during class breaks to fulfill their habit.

Some students don’t like cigarette smoke, some students simply don’t care, and other students don’t think it’s fair that smokers be shunned to the parking lots only to have to rush back to class. So how do we find a happy medium?

The answer is designated areas. There should be a few designated smoking areas on all three campuses for people to be able to smoke within the campus parameters.

These areas can be designated smoking areas much like what theme parks and public areas utilize. The general non-smoking public can steer clear of these areas if they don’t like the smoke, while smokers are not shunned to offcampus areas to get their fix. It’s just not right!

Ostracizing students for their addictive and unhealthy but legal habit is wrong. It’s like taking a student with a mild cold and telling them they need to go to the parking lots because they arent healthy and might be contagious.

For the full story go to www.StudentVoiceOnline.com.

Student Viewpoint: Should students be allowed to smoke on campus?

Moorpark College

Oxnard College

“Yes, if they are responsible and put their butts in an ashtray.”

Ventura College

“I don’t understand why they (students) need to go to parking lots.They should have designated areas on campus.”

Andrea Haggar 18, Non-Smoker Undecided Major

“Parking lots are perfectly fine. For a couple people with bad habits, why punish everybody?”

Jose Luis Rodriguez 20, Former Smoker Culinary Arts Major

Samantha Bobb 18, Non-Smoker Theater Arts Major

The garbage problem: Disposing of trash properly Christina Steiner Staff writer

The cans stand in pairs outside every building at Moorpark College, one for garbage, and one for “go green” recycling. These garbage sentinels receive our daily waste. Their content’s disposal costs the colleges approximately $100,000.00 annually.

Photo by Amy Nelson Ventura County Getting Trashy - A student Community Colleges’ tosses away part of aproximately trash is part of the 60 per$100,000.00

cent of Ventura County’s daily trash, which ends up at Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. Their website, keepingventuraclean. com, claims “In a lifetime the average American will throw away 600 times the amount of his or her adult weight in garbage.”

This staggering amount doesn’t speak well for our society.

The “REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE,” motto

has been around since Earth day started in 1970 and provides the best solution for our growing waste production.

The responsibility lies with each and every one of us. Population growth and dwindling resources make trash reduction imperative.

Reusing containers is a commendable solution. Recycling is a partial answer to overflowing landfills and progress has been made

in the last four decades.

The enactment of AB 75 by the California legislature in 1995 made it mandatory for public agencies like our community colleges to reduce and divert the amount of waste.

A report needs to be filed each year to ensure compliance.

Recycling is part of this trash reduction plan. It is necessary that all of us use the recycling bins appropriately.

Waste Management can refuse entire recycling bins if contaminated with non-recyclable waste. These comingled containers will end up in the Simi Valley Landfill, defeating their purpose.

However, recycling doesn’t add to the coffers of our colleges, it only reduces the fees charged for hauled away trash.

For full story go to www.StudentVoiceOnline.com.

The Student Voice A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION

Editor-In-Chief Monica Valencia

MC Campus Editor James Harding

Sports Editor Cameron Heffernan

Online Editor James Harding

OC Campus Editor Monica Valencia

A&E Editor Michael Lemerand

Opinion Editor J.D. Zelman

VC Campus Editor Channing Chea

Photo Editor Chad Jones

7075 Campus Rd. Moorpark, Calif. 93021 Phone: (805) 378-1552

Multimedia Editor Channing Chea Student Life Editor Lucas Hinojosa Producers Oscar Machuca Kenny Redublo

Staff Writers C. Alex Biersch Linda Corrigan Hannah Endres Leah Grullon Jarred Kiel Elena Ruvalcaba Christina Steiner

Fax: (805) 378-1438 Email: StudentVoice@vcccd.edu

Arts & Entertainment

Feb. 16, 2011

Student Voice • www.StudentVoiceOnline.com

Bieber-fever hits the theaters

Page 7

Michael Lemerand A&E editor

“Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” was simply confusing. It was footage from his performance at Madison Square Garden, a documentary chronicling his “rags-to-riches” story, and an anticipation-ridden countdown of his aforementioned performance all at once.

I wish that movie would have just made its mind up because it was demanding as hell for me, as a viewer, to be taken into so many disjointed directions. I don’t get it, am I supposed to be worried that Justin may have lost his voice before his Madison Square Garden performance, that you’ve been showing me footage of for the past hour and a half? You’re playing the dramatic music, Justin looks disparaged, but I know that come the evening of his show, Bieber totally puts on the greatest performance of his career, so what am I supposed to do? Pretend that there is some level of uncertainty?

Then there is the arbitrary “countdown” utility, which really seems like an afterthought in retrospect.

Punctuated in between scenes, you will see a sprawling shot representative of Bieber’s big night with gigantic purple text at the bottom indicating how many days are left until his performance at MSG. At first it seems like, “Ok, I get it, this movie is weaving between a narration of Justin’s ‘story’ by his relatives and friends,” but then they start forgetting to let us know when days pass, and we go from Day 8 to Day 4 and then you’re wondering if there is any significance at all to these big purple indicators that seem to appear when they feel like it.

Photo courtesy of Titantrononline.com

Biebermania- Securing Bieber is a smart move for the WWE as it would appeal to their large adolescent demographic.

Bieber scheduled for Wrestlemania XXVII Michael Lemerand A&E editor

Photo courtesy of Paramount

Bieberfeber - Fans can expect to see a very personal recount of Bieber’s rapid ascension from normality to pop super-stardom narrated by close family and friends.

The “countdown” makes the picture even more muddled by the random, spastic moments where the camera suddenly appears at MSG, with Justin performing one of his hit singles successfully in front of thousands of maniacs in craft store Bieber regalia.

Are we counting down the days to the show or are we there?

What do you want me to feel during your film, Mr. Chu? There are shortlived moments where you genuinely feel touched by Bieber’s

“team” going outside of the arenas during his “My World” tour and giving floor tickets to individuals who weren’t fortunate enough to afford admittance to the pricey experience.

This affected me more than the moments where they choose a random girl from the audience to come on stage during “One Less Lonely Girl” to get serenaded by Bieber with flowers and occasional caressing, because that just got mad awkward after the first 20 seconds because the girl is just sitting there crying and

laughing hysterically in front of an audience of thousands of little girls, while Bieber shifts between shuffling his little legs around and paying his dues to the girl sitting on the stool in the middle of the stage with the flowers in her lap.

It was nice, I guess.

In short, this movie was a confusing mess glossed and packaged like a traditional MTV production with high definition and sexy editing that wasn’t able to distract me from the incoherence at the root of the film.

Oh yeah, 3D.

Joining the ranks of Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Motorhead and Ozzie Osbourne, Justin Bieber was confirmed by celebrity website glamorousones.com to perform at World Wrestling Entertainment’s super bowl: “Wrestlemania XXVII”.

The global phenomenon that is “Wrestlemania XXVII” has been a staple in entertainment since it’s debut in 1985 at Madison Square Garden. Hosted annually across the country to sold-out audiences, the event is viewed, attended and adored by people from across the world.

The event is no stranger to celebrity appearances, from Kim Kardashian to Muhammad Ali; there is certainly a level of excitement in the celebrity spectrum each year at WWE’s magnum opus.

“Wrestlemania XXVII” is to be held at the Georgia Dome, in Atlanta, on April 3.

Photo courtesy of whyfame.com

Egg-stremely stupid - Lady Gaga was carried through the awards ceremony in an egg shaped vessel by scantily clad models.

Gaga continues Moorpark to host an evening of originals her theatrics at the Grammy’s

C. Alex Biersch Writer

Moorpark College Theater Arts kicks off the spring season with a new type of variety show, displaying an array of students’ talents and abilities.

Katherine Lewis, Professor of Theater Arts and Director of the production entitled “Voices In My Head,” is thrilled to start the spring season with a variety show for the students.

“We want to challenge the audience, surprise them; show them something they haven’t seen before,” said Lewis.

The production is scheduled to showcase students’ artwork; as well as entertaining miming acts, talented singers, original poems, charismatic monologues, and creative comedy sketches.

The nature of the works ranges across a broad spectrum of diverse topics, from the light-hearted, like issues when communication with the opposite sex to more serious, pressing issues, like the presence of bigotry in our culture.

Lewis is hoping that students who come and see the show will be introduced to so many different talents that Moorpark College has, but Illustration by Carlos Kessler aren’t often showcased. It’s an opM oorpark ’ s voice “Voices in my head” is composed of student submissions portunity for students and faculty including short-stories, dance and spoken word performances. alike to see Moorpark’s varied talents in action.

“Everybody is creative in there own way,” Lewis said. “We all have the potential to be some type of artist.”

Since she started working at MC in 1975, she used the stage to expose students to new forms of art with her introduction of variety shows. It has been an evolving process that is culminating it’s current incarnation with the production of “Voices in my head.”

“I started with one act plays, then I added monologues, and as the years went on I had ideas of adding poems and singers and now it gives everyone a chance to showcase their artistic abilities,” said Lewis.

The show is $10 at the box-office but is available for a discounted price of $8 when purchased online.

The matinee performance, however, is offering free attendance. It will be held in the Performing Arts Center from Feb. 23-26 at 7:30 p.m., and the free matinee performance is to be held at 1:30 p.m. on the 23rd as well.

The production is intended for mature audiences and ranges to roughly two hours.

If you have any further questions about this event, contact Katherine Lewis at 805-529-0865, or email at klewis@vcccd.edu.

A Grammy analysis

Michael Lemerand A&E editor

Lady Gaga showed up to the Grammy’s in an egg and the world collectively rolled it’s eyes and went about business as usual because there isn’t anything shocking about someone dressing like a complete idiot. Do you really raise your eyebrows if you let your child dress itself for the first time and they come out of their room wearing shoes on their hands with their pants inside-out?

The only difference is the child doesn’t know any better.

Nobody is impressed by how many things you can turn into a dress and it’s certainly isn’t distracting enough to make your music any more acceptable so give it up, you clown. You are the person that forgets about Halloween and puts a gigantic, banana slip-on over his clothes to get let into a party. You pissed away your chance at being “controversial” when you made a song called “Just Dance.” You are the tacky flagship to a desperate industry that succeeds through damning ingenuity and heralding tripe for the sake of cash. You represent the typical and no amount of pepperonis stapled to velour is going to change that fact.

Her increasingly “bizarre” fashion statements

have become so redundant that at this point the only thing that would come as a surprise is if she didn’t behave like an attention-starved lunatic every time she walks into the public spectrum.

Lady Gaga has become a personification of the desperation existing in the music industry today.

In a way, I actually feel sympathy for her; with her face cramped inside an uncomfortable and impractical outfit, drowning in her stupid creations she has established a necessity just to get her moment in the spotlight. Her juvenile pursuit of being noticed is palpable even through the impersonal shell of the television screen, which is largely the relationship the public has with the pop-superstar.

To her fans, Lady Gaga is a fashion icon and a constantly evolving artist, but to this reporter, a member of the general public, she is a cartoonish woman so abhorrently afraid of being swept aside that she creates a substanceless circus in any situation she thrusts herself into, and the grammy’s is a prime example of this.

As a lover of the “arts”, and as a decent human being, I am grossly and severely offended by the occupation and presence of Lady Gaga in the realm of creative ambitions.

Student Life

Page 8

Student Voice • www.StudentVoiceOnline.com

Feb. 16, 2011

Year of the Rabbit hops into action Lucas Hinojosa

Student Life editor

To celebrate the official 4,708th Chinese Lunar New Year, the Conejo Chinese Cultural Association will illuminate Ventura County by hosting a community event celebrating the year of the rabbit.

“The most exciting part is that the Chinese culture is being reached out to all the local schools in the area,” said Carol Woo, general manager for the Chinese New Years event. “This is a pretty epic milestone for a lot of the surrounding Chinese students.”

This year, the CCCA is planning on having students from the Thousand Oaks Chinese School choir, Thousand Oaks Chinese Folk Ensemble and other students from the Chinese classes in Ventura County to come out to perform. The students will put on a show mainly composed of traditional

Photo by Monica Valencia

Silly rabbit - Celebrations commence in Los Angeles on Feb. 5 with a parade kicking off the Chinese New Year.

Chinese dances, singing, and poem recitals.

“The message that we are trying to send out is for all of the Chi-

nese community to come out and celebrate,” said Woo. “Even though we are in the United States, we still have that tradi-

On the rubber band wagon

Hannah Endres Staff writer

“Boobies,” “Balance” and “Bandz” are just a few of the trendy bracelets covering the wrists of not only college students, but athletes, parents and kids of all ages.

Since 2004, it was not out of the ordinary to see at least five people a day wearing the famous “Livestrong” bracelet. A simple wristband made out of a silicone gel type material created to help a cause. Today, similar bracelets have also caught the attention of the public.

The Keep a Breast Foundation is a non-profit organization that has created a clever way to raise money and awareness about breast cancer. The not-so-subtle phrase “I heart boobies” is embedded into a rubber band, which can be seen on the wrists of many students.

Zumiez store manager, Johnny Pearson, explained that at first they did not have enough “I heart boobies” bracelets in stock.

“Every age wears them and it’s for a good cause,” said Pearson. “Kids like them because it is a popular trend even if they don’t know what it means.”

At first glance, the bands seem inappropriate, but once the negative connotation is cleared, most people want to learn exactly what this cause is about and then participate. Watching any professional sports games today, it is common to see athletes wearing similar bands on their wrists varying in different colors.

This trend has made its way outside of professional sports and into the

lives of everyday people whether they play sports or not.

Sales associate Stephanie Rodriguez from Finish Line knows how quickly these bracelets sell out at this athletics store.

“A lot of athletes buy them,” said Rodriquez. “But they get sold because it’s really about what’s in.”

Power Balance bracelets are silicone wristbands that raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research. Not only do they raise money and awareness, but they also are thought to improve the overall balance of the body. The bracelets continue to gain popularity, although controversy has recently developed on whether or not the bracelets actually enhance strength, flexibility or balance. Even though the phenomenon of Silly Bandz started in elementary schools, the trend of this silicone bracelet has spread through out high schools and now colleges. The colored bands are thin and look like ordinary rubber bands when placed on the wrist, however when pulled off the wrist they configure into various shapes.

The shapes can be as complex as Snow White, Spiderman or even a Saint’s logo.

This simple idea has transformed into a million dollar company because they can fit to an individual’s specific liking. Fads come in and out of popularity every season it seems. Patrick Sayer, a kinesiology major at Moorpark College, remembers trends that were popular throughout his life.

“Its like Pokemon and pogs, those used to be the fad,” said Sayer. “Now it’s wrist bands, Vans and flannel shirts.”

tion and culture that we celebrate.”

Karen Han, a renowned erhu virtuoso, will be just one of the

special guest performers at the Chinese New Years celebration. The erhu is a two-string violin and is known as the official

Chinese violin. She said that playing the erhu is difficult, compared to a typical four-string violin because the erhu does not have a fingerboard.

“Music comes from life and being a musician, I can say that I am more sensitive to feeling [emotions],” said Han. Han is widely known for contributing to the soundtracks of major films including, “The Passion of the Christ,” “The Last Emperor,” “Mulan II,” and “Memoirs of a Geisha.”

“The rabbit is considered to be a very gentle animal and can always be symbolic as a good, peaceful year,” said Woo. The Chinese New Years celebration event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Fred Kavli Theatre in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Discount $15 tickets are available for college students. For more information on the event, visit www.ccca-tocs.org.

Photos by Hannah Endres

Wrist worthy - Fashionably forward but still socially considerate, these bands benefit breast cancer research.

International students living with educational hardships Hannah Endres Staff writer

Photos by Lucas Hinojosa

Foreign struggles - Majed Kaseen (above), 18, and Johnny Leiba (below), 20, pay nearly $200 more per unit than native students.

International student Johnny Leiba arrived at Moorpark College two years ago from Jamaica. He was facing tuitionzzzz w www costs of more than $2000, had no source of income and feeling somewhat isolated in a new country.Leiba said the transition was tough, however it was something that he knew was worth it.

“Initially I felt like an outcast,” said Leiba.

“I learned to fit in. It was easy to adapt and change.”

Leiba is one of 121 international students at Moorpark College. International students pay $229 per-unit compared to the $26 per-unit that other students are paying. To add to the high cost, there is also a limited amount of time that the tuition must be paid, which is 7-days beginning at the time of registration. Matriculation Specialist of the Office of Outreach and Admissions, Maureen Rauchfuss, explains that the stress for international students is tremendous.

“It’s hard on them,” said Rauchfuss. “The students know that their families are putting everything on the line for their education.”

This semester, the international students’ office has 121 full-time students coming from 48 different countries. Students must be enrolled in school full-time in order to continue their education here. Without citizenship students can only work on campus when positions are available. Majed Kaseeh, an 18-year-old, bioengineering major at Moorpark College, explained his situation with a law that was passed recently.

“I got lucky,” said Kaseeh.

“This past November a law was passed, so I just have to prove I have been living here for more than three years to pay regular tuition.”

Kaseeh and his family are Palestinian. He was born and raised in Saudi Arabia and moved here when he turned nine. Moving to the United States at an early age made it easy for him to adjust to American customs. Liv-

ing here for nine years already it was fortunate that the law was passed to lower his tuition to the ordinary amount.

His family works hard to put him through school and he works hard by being a diligent student.

For Leiba, a 20-year-old engineering major, the economic struggle is still a good value.

“In my eyes I see it as a positive,” said Leiba. “I’m still saving money compared to a 4-year university.”

Leiba is originally from Jamaica, his family moved here in order to give him a better chance to make something of his life. Coming from a third-world-country allows him to view life here optimistically.

“For the time I have been here I’ve been able to give American teenagers a view of what it’s like to come from somewhere with a new culture,” said Leiba.

For more information on tuition or international students visit http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/services_ for_students/international_students/index. shtml