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Utilizing the First Amendment since 1956

Volume 69 | Issue 8

www.TalonMarks.com

May 7, 2025

Cheers to the class of 2025

ANGIE CAMPOS

Couple prepares to take grad photos with their cap and growns to celerbrate their achievements during Gradpalooza on April 25th, 2025.

Angie Campos Staff Writer

Cerritos College didn’t let the cold gloomy weather mess with its first GradaPalooza, a vibrant and heartfelt celebration honoring the achievements of its graduating class on April 25 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For many students, this wasn’t just a recognition of academic accomplishments it was a longawaited moment to truly feel seen, celebrated and connected.

“I think it’s an amazing

thing. They’re making a grand celebration for all students who worked hard,” said Kevin Salas, a 23-year-old business administration major.

He continued, “It’s great to see everyone having fun and eating while celebrating their achievements.”

For Zulema Lopez, a 23-yearold communications major, GradaPalooza was especially meaningful, “I graduated high school in 2020, so I never got to experience anything like this before. It’s very nice knowing the

Polynesian dance celebration

college cares about its students.”

Lopez highlighted that the Culinary Arts Department served appetizers, which she described as “pretty bomb,” and everything from ticket pickup to receiving caps, gowns, sashes, and honor cords was smoothly organized.

GradaPalooza offered a range of engaging and sentimental activities. “They had a cap decorating station it was really cute. Everyone was there with their parents or kids decorating,” Lopez shared.

There were also professional

grad photos, a photo booth set up, and vendors like Jostens offering class rings.

EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services) hosted a special ceremony where students received a frame, certificates, a sash and had the opportunity to take photos with their classmates at the Student Center.

Behind the scenes, dedicated staff worked for months to ensure the celebration was unforgettable.

Lisa Blod, a CalWorks counseling faculty member, reflected on the planning process, “We’ve been

preparing for quite a while, the whole year,”\ “We track which students are graduating, invite them, and organize everything to give them a meaningful celebration,” Blod said.

Blod emphasized the purpose of GradaPalooza, “Our goal is to honor our students’ achievements and create an amazing experience, especially for students in our special programs. I’m so proud of them. We want this to be a memory they cherish for a lifetime.”

Cerritos College held its second annual Lotus Laureate Celebration on April 30 transforming the Conference Center into a vibrant tribute to Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) heritage, resilience, and academic

achievement.

The event honored graduates while showcasing Polynesian dance, cultural pride, and community solidarity.

Held in the college’s Conference Center, the ceremony blended academic recognition with cultural performances, headlined by Glory of Paradise – Polynesian Entertainment.

Dancers adorned in traditional attire captivated attendees with dynamic storytelling, which symbolized unity and ancestral pride.

It was such a great performance by Glory of Paradise, it was powerful, fun and emotional as well and the group was family-focused and excited to showcase their heritage.

Ranielle Gomez, a graduating student, reflected, “The Polynesian dance was very touching. It called back to people’s culture and brought the whole ceremony together, It’s something I’ll remember.”

For students, you can say that the event marked a rare opportunity to celebrate their identities at Cerritos College.

Liza Mangapit, a graduating student shared, “I’ve seen cultural events at universities, but never at a community college. This was very nice.”

The celebration was spearheaded by APIDA Task Force, a dedicated group working to amplify cultural awareness across campus.

Sports

Arts

Opinion

Karina Soriano Staff Writer

full story on page 7

Falcons softball sweep Owls in the first round

full story on page 4

A night of celebrating student artist

full story on page 6

It’s weird to assume it’s for money

2 - NEWS

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Ceramics students shine big at CCACA conference exhibition

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CERAMICS DEPARTMENT

Cerritos College ceramic students posing with their finished exhibition.

Angie Campos Staff Writer

Cerritos College’s ceramics program recently participated in the prestigious California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Art (CCACA), an event that provided students with an exceptional opportunity to showcase their work, learn from renowned artists, and gain a deeper understanding of the ceramics world.

The conference was held in Davis, California, the 38th annual conference brought together ceramicists and art enthusiasts for a weekend of demonstrations, lectures, and exhibitions.

For Cerritos College, being invited to exhibit at the conference

was a major achievement.

The college was one of just 40 institutions selected to display student work.

“This is the first time Cerritos College has participated in the conference, and it’s a huge deal for our students. They got to see their work displayed alongside professional artists, and it was a truly rewarding experience for them,” Donna Robinson, a faculty member in the Fine Arts Department at Cerritos College stated.

Robinson shared the significance of this event, “The conference, organized by John Natsoulas, is a cornerstone for ceramic artists, and it focuses on inviting nationally renowned artists, mostly based in sculptural

work, to present their work and techniques.”

She continued, “It was an exciting opportunity for our students to not only attend the conference but also exhibit their work in a shared gallery space.”

A total of 10 Cerritos College students attended the conference and a total of 14 students participated in the student exhibition, representing a mix of experience levels, from introductory students to those in advanced ceramics courses.

Sarah Hinton, a returning student, described her experience of presenting her work at the conference. “I wanted to create something that represented a modern vessel,” Hinton explained “For me, reusable bags,

especially Trader Joe’s bags, are part of everyday life, so I used one as my model. I measured, sketched, and then created it with guidance from my professors.

Being able to see my piece in an exhibition at the conference was amazing.”

Whitney Bartlett, a relatively new student to ceramics, also found the experience transformative. “This was my first ceramics class, and to have my work featured in an exhibition like this was so validating.

“I never thought I’d be showing my work alongside professional artists, and seeing the response from visitors was amazing,” Bartlett shared, “The whole experience was a bit nervewracking, but it was such a great learning opportunity.”

As Robinson mentioned, “The most significant part of the conference was having our students meet and learn from these professional ceramic artists. They were able to hear firsthand from artists who have been practicing for over 60 years, something they could never get from a textbook or museum visit.”

The conference’s schedule included presentations by leading artists, as well as a panel discussion and hands-on demonstrations, which allowed students to witness the creative process in real time.

The opportunity to interact with these artists was something students like Bartlett and Hinton found inspiring, “It was so interesting to see these ceramic artists talk about their work and their history. I learned a lot about their creative processes, and it inspired me to think about my work in new ways,” said Hinton.

For the students, the conference was more than just a chance to display their work; it was an opportunity to build connections.

Falcons Nest host soaring into finals Angie Campos Staff Writer

With finals season creeping up, the Falcon’s Nest launched Soar Into Finals in collaboration with Student Health Services and CalFresh to help students manage stress and build confidence as they approach the end of the semester on April 23.

The campus became a welcoming hub of support, wellness, and encouragement, with various departments and programs tabling to connect students with resources and a sense of calm during a typically overwhelming time.

The event offered everything from fresh snacks and calming ANGIE CAMPOS activities to prayer booths and The Falcons Nest hands out flowers to suppport students during Soar into Finals mental health resources, creating held on April 23, 2025. a soothing approach to helping students tackle finals with drawing, doodling, or using a “As a current student with confidence. worry stone, we want to help them ADHD, I’ve found that coloring “We’re here to help students relax and step out of the academic helps me calm down,” said Jazmine destress and develop coping mindset, even for a little while.”

Ornelas. “It’s also comforting strategies,” said Angie Beck The Teacher TRAC program to know the staff supports us it from the Child Development had a strong presence, with staff makes a huge difference.”

Department. and students sharing personal Angie Oliva, another Teacher She continued, “Whether it’s experiences and advice.

TRAC representative, emphasized

the importance of rest, “It’s okay not to think about class 24/7.

Come in before you need help, so when things get tough, you already know where to turn.”

“Having snacks available before finals helps with energy and focus,” said Patricia Cardiff, a physical therapist assistant major in her second year.

“It’s one less thing to worry about, so I can focus on studying,” Cardiff stated.

Bernadette Ferrel, a licensed therapist from Student Health Services, explained their goal, “We’re teaching students techniques to manage stress.

“We offer therapy, case management, and workshops— and students can access the You App for free mental health tools tailored just for them.”

She also advised students for finals, “Breathe. Make a plan. Break your tasks into the smallest steps you can. You’ve got this.” Soar Into Finals wasn’t just an event—it was a reminder that students at Cerritos College are never alone.

Campus life Get involved in upcoming events on campus

Commencement Tickets Guest ticekts for commencement are available at the student affairs office until May 16.

Tickets are available to be picked up by graduates during office hours and a photo ID is required.

Little Red The theater department is hosting the musical in the performing arts center’s black box theatre.

For tickets, dates and times, scan here:

Pawsitive Vibes: Calm Cafe Enjoy cute puppies, coffee, cookies and ways to cope with finals week.

May 13 10:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m

Native Plant Sancturary Open house and ceramics sale hosted by the ceremaics department. Food, gardening workshop, children’s activities and more. All are welcome.

May 17 10 a.m - 12 p.m

Commencement Ceremony The 67th annual Commencement ceremony will be held in the Falcon Stadium.

May 23 6 p.m - 10 p.m

For a list of calendar events Scan QR Code

COMMUNITY - 3

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Journey with Endometriosis: Kimberly Cuthbert Isaac Cordon Editor in Chief

“I recall going to see Chris Angel in Las Vegas and I was excited the following day I was at the airport and I said ‘2018 is going to be the very best year of my life,’ Boy, was I wrong,” Kimberly Cuthbert who has been diagnosed with endometriosis said.

Cuthbert is a student at Cerritos College majoring in administration of justice was diagnosed with the disease in 2018 and continues to live with it to this day.

According to the World Health Organization, Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant.

Cuthbert started having symptoms of endometriosis in January 2018 and was unaware of the disease before having it.

“I went to the doctor and they told me that they felt tenderness on my right lower side. I decided to go on Google and I read all the symptoms and saw it could’ve have something to do with my ovaries or with my fallopian tubes,” she said.

Her primary care physician told her to take her issues to a gynecologist which didn’t help.

“I was seen by a nurse practitioner that I didn’t like…I told her, about the symptoms and she said that it was completely normal,” Cuthbert said.

However, the pain was not normal as Cuthbert went to a hospital and got two CT scans with one showing she had a ruptured ovarian cyst and was told to go back to the gynecologist.

“When I went to the gynecologist, he said that I wasn’t feeling pain, and that it was normal.

“Even though I was telling

ISAAC CORDON

Kimberly Cuthbert, a administration of justice major sitting at a bench at Cerritos College on March 28, 2025.

him, I had so much pain and asked for surgery to find out what’s going on. And he said, ‘I’m not going to do a surgery.’

“So I contact my insurance, filed a grievance and I asked for a second opinion,” Cuthbert stated.

She met with two other gynecologists who also didn’t provide her care and told her she was faking her pain.

“I go to my car, I start crying and I’m like, ‘why is this happening to me?’ I went back home and I asked God for like a little bit of a sign that I wasn’t going nuts.

“I felt like I was going crazy

Vietnamese community remembers Saigon

DURAN VENTURA

Vietnam War Memorial in Westminster, California on May 2, 2025.

and I felt like, oh my God, what if these gynecologists are right?

What if the pain is actually in my head? What if I don’t feel anything? Until I start limping. So I know that it’s not in my head,” Cuthbert shared.

It was then that found out about endometriosis on social media.

“I started looking at these Facebook posts and I started I saw this post that said ‘what people see, what people don’t see,’ And all of them said the same thing endometriosis,” she said.

Cuthbert seeing these posts made her change her primary care Duran Ventura Community Editor

Orange County commemorated the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon in April with floral wreaths and stories of perseverance at the Vietnam War Memorial in Westminster.

Wreaths from all cities across Southern California were sent to pay respect to those who were lost during the war.

In the county of Vietnam, they celebrate the anniversary as Liberation Day while in the U.S. it is known as Black April. After the fall of Saigon, the city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City.

Korean American Justin Yun who’s a local photographer in Westminster came to the memorial.

“This is a big part of not only Westminster but also Southern California culture. I mean, we have one of the biggest Vietnamese communities outside of Vietnam, and I think this is a big deal because our country is intrinsically tied with Vietnam

physician who then confirmed that she had endometriosis based on her symptoms.

“The only way for me to get fully diagnosed is to have laparoscopic surgery. The surgery was set for October 5th and come October 4, I was not doing well,” Cuthbert shared.

“I went to lunch with my mom, but I wasn’t focused because it was the day before my surgery and she told me, ‘You have two options.

You can either go through with the surgery and finally confirm what it is or you can just back out of the surgery and keep suffering for the rest of your life.’” because of the war over there,” Yun said.

In Orange County over 189,000 Vietnamese Americans reside in the cities of Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley, and Santa Ana. Linh Vo who was born in Banh Mi Tho, Vietnam, remembers the day that she and her family had to leave the war-torn country.

Vo’s dad, Canh Van Vo, was a two-star general in the war for the South Vietnamese. He eventually took his family, friends and neighbors to the docks to get on the boats to escape.

“It was late at night when my dad came home from work and that’s when he decided this is it we are not going to win this war we are leaving,” Vo said Vo and her family were on the boat for several days before they made it to Guam.

“We were there for three months before we got sponsored and came to the United States,” Vo said.

She was 13 years old when she and her family came to the U.S., and arrived in Minnesota in 1975

The day of the surgery came and she reflected on how she felt when she got to the hospital, “I was like, ‘Oh God, this is it. This is finally like the moment of truth.’

“They took me in and I was already under the anesthesia because I was starting a feel dizzy and the anesthesiologist was talking to me and we started talking about Chris Angel and then I just knocked out.

“When I woke up the doctor confirmed that I had stage two Endometriosis. So basically my suspicions of 10 months, were right and I was ignored by all of these gynecologists who were telling me, ‘Oh, the pain is in your head, you don’t have anything. It’s normal for you to be feeling this pain.’

“And everything was great, you know, like, for the like after those couple of years, life was great. until it wasn’t,” Cuthbert expressed.

“I started getting the pain again in 2022 and then I get an endobelly which is when a woman looks as if she’s pregnant when she’s not pregnant. Her belly is inflated because of the endo.

“I ended up going to a variety of gynecologists again who once again ignored me even though I showed them the pathology report,” Cuthbert stated.

This brings her to 2025 where she still hasn’t been able to get any care for her disease, “I feel like it’s getting worse and I can’t do anything about it because I know that it’s always going to be the same thing,” she said.

Even though Cuthbert struggles to get care she is still trying and continues to spread awareness on Endometriosis.

“To all those women with Endo, you’re not alone. Join on social media groups there is a lot of research out there and keep fighting, don’t give up and keep advocating for yourself and file grievances,” Cuthbert finished. and then moved to California a year later.

In Garden Grove, the Museum of the Republic of Vietnam honors the Vietnamese who fought in the war.

Anthony Doan, whose grandfather fought in the Vietnam War volunteers at the museum Doan said, “I like to volunteer here because I want to say thank you to all of the people who fought for South Vietnam like my grandfather because they are the reason why I get the opportunity to start a new life in the United States.”

In the museum, rows of display cases showcase the uniforms of officers who fought in the war.

One display case honors Minh Duc Hoai Trinh, a writer and a war correspondent during the war.

The exhibit shows her photo ID’s and the letters she wrote during the war.

Saigon fall to commuist forces to end the war in Vietnam on April 30 1975.

4 - ARTS

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Celebrating student artists Isaac Cordon Editor in Chief

The Cerritos College art gallery held an opening night to the Student Art Exhibition 2025 in the art gallery of the Fine Arts building, where student artists won financial awards and showed their art to family and friends on April 24 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

As soon as the exhibition opened the gallery was packed with people.

The gallery was open for about an hour until the ceremony started with Dr. Jose Fierro attending to give a speech about the exhibition and to the art students who attended.

“It’s a fantastic event, this represents what we are as a community college,” Fierro said.

After his speech, the awards were given out with some being judged by Sonia Romero, who is a local artist and is a first-time jurist for a college art gallery.

Romero spoke about what she saw from the students while she judged, “I just think the level of professionalism of the whole show stood out for me. I know how much work goes into just getting it to this level, so that was very impressive.”

Some faculty of fine arts also gave out awards and scholarships to students with Hagop Najarian sharing what this event means for students.

“It’s pivotal... most of the kids that are already at this level move to UCs or Cal states and the art programs and they’re already prepped for that because the same thing goes on at those institutions,” he stated.

Two of the students who won first-place awards were Yajaira Sequesida Lemus for photography and Benjamin Hermosilla III for life drawing.

Lemus shared that she struggled to pick only one photo but picked one that she felt drawn to.

Hermosilla III was shocked

to have won an award and only attended the event for his professor.

His piece hit close to himself which was about self-sabotage and wanted to make it known that people who are going through the same issues are not alone.

A key theme of the event was having the students show off their work to their families.

Fierro commented on what it means to have families of the artist there, “Having the families here encouraging the students to continue to embrace their work, particularly in art, I think is incredibly important,” “Coming up from Latin families...they want you to do something that is gonna provide an income.

“That’s the misconception of the arts that you’re not gonna be able to make a living, but the support changes a lot of things,” he stated.

Director and curator of the Art Gallery, James McDevitt, also shared his thoughts on seeing the students with their families at the exhibition.

“It’s lovely to see all of the family show up and celebrate their loved ones, but also to see the students want to share their work with their family.

“That moment where they drag them over to the work, and they take photos of themselves with their work, you can see the payoff for all of their time and effort,” McDevitt said.

Victoria Garcia, who is a part of the art history club, showed her mother, Arabella D Garcia, her piece with Arabella sharing how proud she was of them.

“It’s a very exciting and proud moment for us as their parents to see them excel in something that they’re passionate about,” Arabella expressed.

The student art exhibit will continue to show off the work of art students so make sure you check it out before it’s gone on May 16.

ISAAC CORDON

People looking at ceramics work during opening night of the student art exhibition on April 24, 2025.

ISAAC CORDON

Attendees of the student art exhibition looking at the pictures on the wall of the art gallery on April 24, 2025.

Sinners amplifies the vampire film genre Karina Soriano Staff Writer

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT

Movie poster for the 2025 film Sinners.

The vampire genre has long served as a mirror for societal fears and desires.

In Black cinema, it becomes a reimagining of power, resistance and cultural identity.

The film Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, joins that lineage.

Partly inspired by Ernie Barnes’ painting The Sugar Shack, and set in 1930s Mississippi.

Sinners doesn’t just join the list of reworked vampire films, it amplifies it.

Blending visual art, music and vampiric metaphor, the film shapes a narrative of ancestral memory fused with modern defiance.

Ryan Coogler, known for

Black Panther, Fruitvale Station and Creed, said in an interview with Variety: “I love anything supernatural. I’m in. I like stories about communities, about neighborhoods, about archetypes.

And I love period anything. So, when you layer those things together, that does it for me.”

Black vampire films have always offered more than fangs and folklore.

Sinners uses its dance hall setting as a direct homage to Barnes painting, exploring how black spaces become sites of survival and some could even say transformation.

Music has long been the lifeblood of Black cinema, and Sinners elevates this tradition.

Its score merges gospel and blues with a modern sound that

creates a sonic bridge between past and present.

Ryan Coogler, in a thank you letter, stated that Sinners was “A film inspired by my family, friends and ancestry.”

You can see that in the film and how it touches on the character’s spiritual beliefs, rooted in formal religious doctrine and ancestral tradition, as acts of resistance.

Hybrid practices, such as Santería rituals woven into Catholicism, mirror the film’s broader exploration of identity as both inherited and reinvented.

This metaphor resonates in the vampire genre, which has often sidelined Black narratives.

The film’s climax features a scene where those enjoying the music in Club Juke dance in a frenzy of liberation, their

movements echoing Barnes painted figures.

It stands out as one of the most powerful cinematic moments to witness on screen.

The film is a metaphor for the afro-disaporic experience with the films fusion of rhythm.

The dance floor becomes both a battleground and a sanctuary reminiscent of the iconic nightclub scene in Blade.

This duality of joy as resistance and rhythm as survival reflects the struggle to exist in spaces where Black lives are neither fully seen nor entirely erased.

In an era where vampire movies often drown in being romanticized, Sinners reminds us that the genre’s sharpest fangs have always belonged to the marginalized.

AMPED - 5

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

the

UNDER RATED

the best of what you have(n’t) heard

..

ing. c u d intro

Yung Lean Jonatan Returning from a three year musical hiatus, Yung Lean evolves from his cloud rap roots to raw and stripped down instrumentals with brutally honest lyrics.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BILLBOARD

The 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music ceremony was a masterclass in Latina power.

on

ge... r e v the Latin Mafia Todos Los Dias Todo El Dia It is a genre-blending debut album that is a mix of reggaeton, R&B, trap and house with emotional themes and lush style.

Billboard celebrates trailblazers Karina Soriano Staff Writer

It was a great night for Latin women in music with powerhouse talent under one roof.

The 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music ceremony kicked off with an electrifying opening act by Puerto Rican icon Olga Tañón, who also became the night’s first honoree.

Tañón set the tone for the evening with her greatest hits, blending merengue and Latin pop.

Her performance was described as “fiery” by Billboard, included a full orchestra, and immediately energized the audience.

Following her performance, Tañón was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the ceremony’s most prestigious accolades. With an empowering speech.

“This award isn’t just about my journey, it’s a torch I pass to every woman fighting for her voice to be heard.”

Belinda then delivered a performance that embodied her Corridos Coquette era.

Her ‘Corridos Coquette’ era is something that works very well for her, it’s soft and edgy.

She opened with the ballad “Cursi de Más.” Her vocals sounded serene and like she was in a healing phase in her life.

Mid-performance, she transformed into a fringe look, which I had to look up right away, it was so well put together and she started performing her song “300 Noches,” blending norteño with electronic beats.

She received the Evolution Award presented by Lele Pons, who really worked her green twopiece outfit, showing her baby bump.

Up next was Natti Natasha, who embodied maternal strength at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music, where she accepted the Unstoppable Artist Award with this raw emotional power.

The Dominican star took the stage in a sleek white silk suit, delivering a rendition of her bachata-pop ballad “Vendaje” a track from her album En Amargue.

While dedicating the moment to lives lost in her homeland’s recent tragedy, in tears, she said, “This is for souls who were simply celebrating life.”

As a mother balancing global fame with parenthood, she turned her acceptance speech into a manifesto for women everywhere: “Being unstoppable is getting back up a thousand times, being a woman, a mother, a proud Latina.”

For moms who are navigating their own battles, trying to break into this music industry, Natasha’s journey from overcoming “every tear, every sacrifice” to tropical music royalty stands as proof that motherhood fuels purpose, not limits it.

Chiquis also received a big honor at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music ceremony, and seeing her accept the Impact Award was deeply emotional, not just because she embodies her late mother Jenni Rivera’s unapologetic spirit, but because she’s blossomed into a powerhouse artist on her own terms.

She delivered a tear jerking medley of Rivera’s “Qué Me Vas a Dar” and her own anthem “Por Qué Soy Abeja Reina,” backed by a banda.

Selena Gomez, honored as Woman of the Year at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music, missed the ceremony due to filming commitments but did deliver a heartfelt video message.

While her absence might spark debate about prioritizing commitments over major accolades, her sincere speech highlighted the cultural significance of celebrating Latina voices even if some argue such moments lose impact without inperson acceptance..

LOCAL COLOR shows • concerts • exhibits • performances • etc.

•MUSIC• KENDRICK AND SZA @ SOFI STADIUM MAY 21 - 24

•EXHIBITS• UNEARTHED @ OCMA JAN. 31 - MAY 25

STRAY KIDS @ SOFI STADIUM MAY 31

ORIDANARY EXTRAORDINARY @ OCMA NOV. 22 - MAY 25

BLACKPINK @ SOFI STADIUM JULY 12

AMY ADLER: NICE GIRL @ OCMA APRIL 26 - SEP. 7

•ART• THE PANCAKES @ DON QUIXOTE MAY 24

•THEATER• HADESTOWN @ PANTAGES OCT. 21 - NOV. 2

Calling all Cerritos College artists, actors, musicians, photographers, performers, etc.

Do you have an upcoming exhibit?

Show? Concert? Album release party?

aMPeD

Get listed on:

You can contact us by e-mailing us at editor@talonmarks.com by calling us at (562) 860-2451 x2618 or by visiting us at Talon Marks Newsroom in the Fine Arts building FA245 (2nd floor)

Paris Texas They Left Me With the Sword The album is a bold, punk-rap EP by Paris Texas, full of raw energy and genre-mixing chaos.

...

ous m a f ost

alm

MIKE Showbiz!

Showbiz! is a soulful, introspective rap album by MIKE, blending emotional lyrics with experimental production.

ice... o h c ssic

cla

Marvin Gaye What’s Going On Marvin Gaye’s 1971 album that blended soul and social commentary on issues like war on poverty.

Lauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill The 1998 debut album with introspective lyrics about love, identity and social issues. It was widely acclaimed for its emotional depth and genre-defying sound.

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nd eye ca

Sinners starring Micahel B. Jordan A 2025 horror film set in 1930s Mississippi, where twin brothers face supernatural evil tied to racism and vampire lore.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off starring Matthew Broderick A classic teen comedy about a high schooler who ditches school to enjoy one carefree, adventure-filled day in Chicago with his friends.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

6 - OPINION •Editorial•

Talon Marks is a First Amendment publication.

Editorials express the views of the Editorial Board.

Other opinions express the view of the author & are not to be considered opinions of the publication’s staff, the Editorial Board, the advisers, the Cerritos College Associated Students, the college administration or the Board of Trustees.

Production & printing of Talon Marks is funded by the Associated Students of Cerritos College (ASCC).

The Talon Marks Newsroom and journalism offices are located in the Fine Arts & Communications Building, Second Floor Room FA245.

Cerritos College is located at 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650 Newsroom Telephone number: (562) 860-2451, ext. 2618 Talon Marks Advertising Telephone number: (562) 860-2451, ext. 2617 Vol. 69 © 2025 Talon Marks Spring 2025 Editors Editor in Chief Isaac Cordon News Editor Natalie Gonzalez Community Editor Duran Ventura Arts & Entertainment Editor Melanie Salguero Sports Editor Jonathan Diaz Staff Writers Claudia Arias Angie Campos Brenden Gonzales Ivan Llata Felix Palencia Karina Soriano Faculty Adviser Christian Brown Instructional Lab Tech I Alicia Edquist Cerritos College Talon Marks are collegiate and professional members of Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) California College Media Association (CCMA) California News Publishers Association (CNPA) College Media Association (CMA)

It’s weird to assume it’s for money Let’s be real it’s weird to assume that sexual assault accusations are for the money and it’s time to call it out.

People on the internet are fucking weird. Users on social media like to have horrible opinions when it comes to celebrities getting accusations of sexual assault and immediately assume the victim is in it for the money.

In today’s world everybody can see everything and have an opinion on it which is fine as that’s exactly what I’m doing but for people to say disgusting things about a serious topic like sexual assault is plain out wrong.

The most recent case of this is the Shannon Sharpe lawsuit and how people online, mainly men, were quick to say the woman suing him was in it for the money.

Sharpe who’s an NFL Hall of Famer was accused of rape in a $50 million civil lawsuit which got him to step way from ESPN for the moment according to CBS news.

The moment this news broke people were quick to jump on the fact that Sharpe

was expected to sign a $100 million deal for his podcast, “Club Shay Shay” in April and that’s why the woman is suing.

This is the best way this woman can get justice for the alleged assault because most perpetrators won’t go to jail or prison.

According to rainn. org (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) out of

1,000 sexual assaults 975 of perpetrators walk away.

Sense these social media users are so smart what else is the woman to do? Staying silent doesn’t help at all because a lot of victims of sexual assault already do so.

Only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police. That means more than 2 out of 3 go unreported according to

Stop the sexualization of women in sports media Karina Soriano Staff Writer

In the world of sports media, where you can say that analysis and aesthetics collide, women tend to be celebrated for their sports knowledge and reduced to objects of visual consumption as well.

A recent lawsuit filed by Taylor’s former hairstylist alleges that her entire career is essentially founded on being “arm candy” and utilizing connections rather than talent.

It’s not merely some cheap shot. It indicates a reflection of systemic misogyny that is embedded in the industry.

There is also the claim that Taylor’s hairstyles were “strategic tools” to manipulate executives, which shows the double standard faced by women of color in particular.

ESPN’s Elle Duncan, who endured criticism for her natural hair early in her career, notes: “When we straighten it, we’re ‘assimilating.’ When we embrace our texture, we’re ‘distracting.’”

Taylor’s choice to wear her locs in an updo, a style later dubbed, “The Crown” by fans, became weaponized as “proof ” of calculated seduction rather than cultural pride.

The sexualization of women in sports media dates back to the ‘70s when networks began hiring female sideline reporters simply to attract the attention of male viewers.

Phyllis George, the first female co-host of The NFL Today, received a lot of criticism about her appearance rather than her opinions. You could say that not a lot has changed since that time.

It’s great that women are now hosting large

MOSES LOPEZ

rainn.org.

People also use the fact that they were in a consensual relationship to call the woman out stating that it can’t be rape if the relationship was consensual which is completely wrong.

According to rainn.org, a person is allowed to withdraw consent at any point they feel uncomfortable.

She and every other man

shows and operating podcasts, it’s something to be celebrated.

It’s disappointing that the whole objectifying aspect is still hanging on, even worse in today’s era.

A 2024 Knight Foundation study found that 58% of social media discourse about female analysts focuses on attire or physique, compared to 6% for men.

Joy Taylor is backed by her knowledge and resume, you’ll find she has 15 years of sports journalism and that she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast communications in 2009.

Yet the lawsuit reduces her achievements to bedroom politics, mirroring how ESPN’s Maria Taylor (no relation) was accused of “sleeping her way up” during her 2021 contract dispute, despite her segments consistently outperforming male colleagues in ratings.

You can’t exactly say the same for guys like Skip Bayless, though, because nobody gives him grief about marrying someone within the industry; his wife is a producer at Fox Sports.

It’s as though women’s professional relationships are treated as these sexual arrangements, and the male friendships are perceived as clever alliances.

We need to understand that sports media has nothing to do with gender, and a woman certainly deserves to dissect a touchdown pass, not based on her appearance, who she’s dating, or her physique.

The actual game is not with critics or courts, it’s with those viewers who are all about supporting true talent rather than stereotypes.

and woman is allowed to say they felt uncomfortable even if they originally consented to a sexual acts.

Pointing out that they were in a relationship doesn’t help their point either as a high percentage of sexual assaults happen in relationships.

According to the National Institution of Health 62% of the forcible rapes that occurred since age 18 were committed by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, boyfriend, or date.

Users on social media also just ignored the fact that the woman was about 20 years old when she states the rape happened which really should be the issue as Sharpe is more than 30 years older but to social media users it’s not because she’s of age.

That’s such a weird take to have because just because she’s of legal age it doesn’t come across their minds that it’s morally questionable and is the law the only thing that’s stopping these people from going after a younger age?

Look if the point isn’t clear already just stop being weird and if you see this type of behavior on social media you should call it out.

How has community college helped your educational journey?

Compiled by: Angie Campos “ I think it saved me a lot of money because a lot of my professors are also professors at colleges like Long Beach.

So it’s the same education.”

Isabella Alfaro Nursing major

“After a couple of semesters, I am realizing there are more ways to pursue your goal, and it’s okay to take longer than most people.”

Khamahi Kenny Computer science major

“I feel the purpose of community college is to transmit knowledge and to find truth.

Its what I need and what I want.”

Rudolfo Pina Mathematics major

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS are welcome. They may be submitted both onlin and in person. In all cases, letters must be signed with real names before they will be considered for publication, either online or in print. Campus related issues are given priority. Talon Marks attempts to publish every letter it receives except those judged to be an invasion of privacy, libelous, obscene, or plagarized. Letters may be edited due to space and clarity. You may deliver letters to Fine Arts & Communications Building - second floor - room FA245 Talon Marks newsroom or contact the editor by email at editor@talonmarks.com

SPORTS - 7

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Fastest Falcon: Joshua Melendez Felix Palencia Staff Writer

It’s just past noon, sunlight pours through a high window, warming his skin, while the only other light comes from a monitor blinking quietly.

Three chairs, two microphones, and one recorder wait as track and field athlete Joshua Melendez, who also majors in a computer science major. Walks into the room five minutes early.

The top-ranked community college athlete in the 1500 meters, Melendez doesn’t fit the typical mold of an elite competitor. At 5-foot-6, he carries himself with quiet humility rather than showy confidence. He moves lightly, more ready to listen than to talk.

He enters the room, sits down, and glances up. “You a journalism major?” he asks, his gaze steady. “That’s cool.” Though he’s the guest, Melendez starts the conversation—curious, humble, present.

Melendez, a sophomore and one of Cerritos College’s top athletes, offers insight into his success.

“Talent can only take you so far. I mean, you still have to work. Like in high school, I was nowhere near as fast as I am now,” said Melendez.

His story illustrates that greatness is a process, and hard

work is what truly defines success.

Melendez began running in fifth grade, with his parents as his coaches, but it wasn’t until middle school that he began competing seriously.

“When I got to compete, it was there that I kind of saw, 'I'm pretty good at this.' And then, it wasn’t until recently where I was like, ‘I’m way better than I thought I was,’ or at least better than what I thought I was in high school.”

He puts in the work early— long before most students are awake. “At our peak, we do something like average, maybe eight to nine, and peak 10 [miles],” Melendez said.

Melendez’s rise in track and field has been impressive. He holds the 3000-meter record at Cerritos College with a time of 8:32.67, breaking a 10-yearold record previously held by Anthony Lozano.

He’s also second in school history for the 1500 meters, with a time of 3:51—just shy of the top spot. These achievements reflect not only his talent but his relentless dedication to pushing his limits.

Melendez has committed to Benedictine College, a Catholic university, where he plans to pursue a theology degree with a focus on secondary education.

A Catholic himself, he chose

the school for its academic goals and the added benefit of receiving scholarships for both academics and athletics.

His focus is on succeeding academically and achieving his long-term goal of teaching theology at the high school level.

Beyond his confidence and athletic focus, Melendez is refreshingly down-to-earth. He lights up when talking about his favorite post-workout meal: a breakfast burrito from a local spot called Douglas, stacked with eggs, hash browns, sausage, and salsa.

“I’d probably play soccer. Yeah, because I played soccer for about 12 years,” Melendez said. “I was just better at running, honestly.

I saw it as a way to have better opportunities, so I decided to stick with it instead of continuing with soccer.”

Although his impressive list of accolades—including being a three-time MVP and two-time All-Del Rey League selection at St. Paul’s High School, as well as making Cerritos College’s Superstars list—are remarkable, Melendez’s journey highlights growth through training.

Tomorrow, he may be a Catholic high school teacher. But today, Joshua Melendez is the topranked community college athlete in the 1500 meters in the state and a student at Cerritos College.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRYAN RAMOS

Joshua Melendez getting first at the podium after a track meet at Long Beach City College on April 26, 2025.

Falcons sweep Owls in the first round Jonathan Diaz Sports Editor

The Cerritos College Falcons softball team moves on to the next round of the playoffs over the weekend against Citrus College Owls.

The 6th seed Falcons host the 11th seed Citrus at home with the first game being won by winning a defensive battle for five innings.

The Owls took an early lead thanks to 1st baseman Madelyn Hajj hitting a single down right field leading to outfielder Alivia Martinez scoring, helping the Owls take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

The Falcons wasted no time responding by scoring three quick runs with 2nd baseman Ayiana Cardenas getting a sacrifice fly resulting in Vicky Najera Scoring tying the game 1-1.

On the next play freshman shortstop Savannah Gonzalez steps up to the plate and hits a triple down right field resulting in 2 RBIs helping The Falcons take the lead by a score of 3-1.

In the second inning, Citrus managed to score one run by freshman catcher Breanna Aguilar hitting a single leading to sophomore Utility Ava Camarena scoring, closing the gap to 3-2.

Falcons softball head coach, Kodee Murray gave praise to Citrus' performance, “That Citrus team is a very good team and a worthy opponent. We scored

those three runs into the first inning and just hit it at them today.”

The rest of the game was a consistent defensive back and forth with each team having their chances to score however the Falcons still kept the lead through the rest of the game.

“We put yourself in the position to score in three in those innings the pitcher gotten a little tougher in those innings," Murray said, “There was no lack of fight that we had we just didn't have the right hitters up at the time we needed."

The Falcons hosted the Owls again on Saturday in an elimination game for the Owls.

After two scoreless innings, the Falcons took a big lead in the third going up 3-0 after Ayiana Cardenas hit a double to left center resulting in two RBIs for the Falcons.

Ayiana Cardenas helped the Falcons score two more runs with 2 RBI’s in the fifth and the seventh inning helping the Falcons win with a dominant score of 5-0 sweeping the Owls in the first round of playoffs.

The Falcons continue their journey in the playoffs this upcoming weekend away against 3rd seed Palomar College Comet.

The Comets are coming off dominant back-to-back wins in the first round of playoffs against College of the Canyons winning with a combined score of 15-3 across both games.

JONATHAN DIAZ

Falcons second baseman, Ayiana Cardenas, running towards first base against Citrus College during the first game of the Southern California Regional Playoffs on May 2, 2025.

JONATHAN DIAZ

Freshman outfielder Carissa Amaya up at bat against the Citrus College owls In the first game of Southern California Regional Playoffs on May 2, 2025.

8 - GRADS

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Congratulations, Grads! Class of 2025 Isaac Cordon

Natalie Gonzalez

Laura Bernal

Alejandra Guerra

Andrew Pilani

Roman Acosta

Shaniah Campbell

David Jenkins Jr.

Adrienne Fajardo

Matthew Ramirez