101525 by Cerritos College Talon Marks

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with La Feria Latina

effect with clubs coming together to enjoy the event.

Ángel Sánchez Sports Editor

Cerritos College students celebrated Hispanic Heritage month and showcased their resilience at the annual Feria Latina on Oct. 1, transforming concerns on ICE raids and the current political climate into vibrant displays of pride and solidarity.

“Our mission is to support anybody on campus that is impacted by our immigration system. That includes undocumented students,”

Iveth Romo Diaz who works for the UndocuFalcon Scholars Program said, “We do a lot of cross collaborations on campus to ensure we approach students in a holistic manner.”

La Feria Latina drew attendees who filled Falcon’s Square with music by Luis Conte & Super Bien and food provided by Taco Nazo.

The celebration comes as immigrant communities across the region face heightened anxiety over increased immigration enforcement.

Yet they said that La Feria Latina served as a reminder that cultural pride remains stronger

than fear, with students using the event to reclaim their space and celebrate their identities openly.

“Speak up for your community, represent yourself. Don’t fall into the idea of not belonging. They want you to fall into that idea, so, infiltrate these spaces. They weren’t made for us. So, it’s about time that we’re in these spaces,”

Caroline Romero, professor of Chicano studies at Cerritos College, stated.

Antonio “Nio” Lavermon, the college’s LGTBQ+ Program Facilitator and Liaison, said, “Our program is primarily designed to meet every single student where

they’re at.”

Lavermon added, “Respected with where they’re at in their journey and to give them the tools that will allow them to be actualized and to feel supported in and out of the classroom.”

Student clubs displayed their cultura and provided a wide variety of resources ranging from information for LGBTQ+, undocumented and Chicano students.

For Cerritos students Chicano studies offers a deeper level of meaning and understanding into identity.

Romero provided clarification

by saying, “The relationship that we have to identity here in the United States that has to do with immigration, belonging, legislation, citizenship. All these different things make up who we are.”

As the Feria Latina,came to a close the spirit of community and resilience shine brightly among the attendees. This celebration served as a powerful reminder that in the face of adversity, unity and pride can prevail.

By embracing their identities and advocating for their rights, these students are not just reclaiming their space they are reinforcing the belief that

Leveling the Playing Field: Proposition 50

Kassandra Lopez News Editor

There is a partisan battle that can affect the balance of power in the House of Representatives.

The Democratic Party challenges the Trump administration and the Republican Party with Proposition 50, making sure there are no unfair advantages in the House of Representatives.

Proposition 50 is also known as “The Election Rigging Response Act,” in hopes of stopping this power grab on the

upcoming 2026 election before it happens.

The Trump Administration and the Republican Party want to gain seats in the House before the election season, according to Democrats.

California Governor Gavin Newsom introduced the ballot proposition after the Trump administration’s gerrymandering of Texas to divide congressional districts for five more Republican seats to favor them in the upcoming 2026 midterm election.

Democratic representatives found it necessary to challenge Republicans temporarily until 2030 to avoid rigged elections in favor of Republicans.

California residents can mail in ballots from Oct. 6 to the day of the special election, Nov. 4, voting on newly drawn congressional district maps to help Democrats against Texas’ recent partisan redistricting.

One party’s goal is to make sure that neither party has more power than the other.

A newly drawn congressional district map would bring in five new Democratic-supported districts in California.

Native Plant Sanctuary brings history to campus

accidentally bulldozed.

Tucked quietly in between the Aquatics Center and Kincaid Baseball Field at Cerritos College, the California Native Plant Sanctuary is now open three times a week and volunteers, students and faculty are embracing the space as a means for community, connection and curriculum.

The sanctuary is home to various native plants and does its part to honor the Tongva and Acjachemen people and their land and bring together both the local and Indigenous communities.

The inaugural planting of the sanctuary was on Jan. 19, 2024 after the first garden near the Health Science building was

Since then, the garden has flourished and is open to Cerritos College students and faculty, the community and native descendants.

Visitors are free to enjoy the scenery and use the space as a working area and are invited to volunteer and enjoy the benefits of gardening.

Jocelyn Chavira, sociology major, 23, has been a regular volunteer for over a year after being introduced to the garden through one of her classes, and said she has built many friendships among the other volunteers.

“It’s such a break from my busy schedule. I feel like I get to ground myself and just enjoy watering the plants and pruning

Creative journaling meetup encourages students to unwind

Cerritos College’s Student Health Services hosted a creative journaling meetup at the Success Center on Sept. 24, giving attendees the opportunity to de-stress and learn about the benefits of journaling.

Attendees received free blank journals and a wide selection of supplies, including colorful markers, pens and decorative items to personalize the journals and begin their first entry.

The meetups began as a way for the college to provide students with an accessible and engaging activity to support their mental well-being and connect with one

the white sage or planting other plants. Nursery work is really fun and potting especially is one of my favorite things to do here,” Chavira continued.

Another regular volunteer is the Environmental Club Vice President Destiny Encinas, biology and sociology major, 24, who began volunteering during the early stages of the garden.

She also hosts her tutoring hours along with club meetings at the Native Plant Sanctuary.

Encinas said she enjoys lending a hand at the garden, but also appreciates the beautiful scenery the sanctuary provides.

Her favorite native plant is the Wild Lupin, which blooms beautiful vibrant purple pea-like flowers in a tall, spiky

another.

Angela Williams, the event organizer and manager of mental health services at Cerritos College, explained that journaling is a great way for anyone to manage their emotions and daily life in a healthy manner and can be practiced anytime and anywhere.

“It doesn’t have to be a long session. I mean, there is even a lot of different kinds of journaling. You can do bullet journaling or even answer onequestion prompts. It can also be very centered on something that you’re trying to work through, and you jot down something small every day,” she said.

Serenity Porras, 25, a first-year medical

shape.

“It makes me feel happy seeing the process of like the growth, especially when everything starts blooming. It’s just so peaceful,” Encinas said. “And also, the garden brings a lot of nature which makes me happy.”

Among the faculty volunteers is economics professor Solomon Namala, 63. He has been volunteering since April 2024 and holds his office hours out in the garden.

He believes that volunteering at the garden is not only beneficial for the environment and mental wellness, but also learning about the indigenous people that once resided on the land.

“The garden is more meaningful than just printing the land acknowledgement on my syllabus,” Namala said. “Native people are not only from the past, they are also living now. And the nice thing is that students also learn about that.”

Namala encourages others to visit the sanctuary, seeing it as an opportunity for students and community members who don’t have access to their own home garden to get in touch with nature and learn about native plants.

Co-founder of the Native Plant Sanctuary and biology professor at Cerritos College Anna Valcarcel, 48, said that she hopes for more people to use the space, not only as a place to relax and host events, but as an educational place for instructors and students.

“You can use it just to relax, to study, to meditate. But also, bring your classes out. It can be tied into any kind of visual art, it can be tied into history and obviously biology,” she said. “We’re trying to make an effort so that everybody feels like they can use the space.”

assistant student, was a first time attendee but commented that she has journaled since middle school, which she saw as an outlet to express her emotions.

Porras mentioned “I don’t like to tell my business to other people. I’m not comfortable with it, so when I journal, it’s just me personally. I don’t have to worry about if I’m spelling wrong, if I’m saying things wrong or if something makes sense. It makes sense to me because these are my feelings, and it has helped me understand myself more.”

She would definitely recommend other students try journaling as an outlet and a way to focus on themselves.

In Memoriam: Erin Miles, Beloved Community Member, Passes Away

With heavy hearts we share the passing of Erin Miles, Director of Compliance, Diversity, and Title IX Coordinator. Erin passed away on the evening of Friday, Oct. 10. If you wish to contribute to the family during these difficult times please use the QR code below.

ABIGAIL LUNA/TM

Front View of the Cerritos College California Native Plant Sanctuary welcomes visitors with educational signs and its seasonal volunteer hours.

Abigail Luna Staff Writer

ABIGAIL LUNA/TM

Angela Williams and Serenity Porras immersed in the art of creative journaling on Sept. 24, 2025.

Fans meet metal legend Vinny Appice

In the music world there are many icons and legends. One man has crossed paths and worked with many throughout his life.

At the UFCW Union Local 324 building in Buena Park, heavy metal fans lined up to see legendary drummer Vinny Appice.

Appice was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. During his time at home, Appice’s brother Carmine Appice would bring his band to practice.

“My brother Carmine played drums before me. He’s 11 years older than I, and there were always bands rehearsing in the house when I was a kid, and I was around that all the time. I said, I want to do this,” Vinny Appice stated.

Growing up, Appice listened to Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Blue Cheer, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.

When Appice was in high school, he was with a band called the nine-piece band.

Appice’s band got a call from Jimmy Lveen, a producer from Record Plant Studios. There they performed some demo tapes for them.

After the demo rehearsal, Appice said, “They signed us through a management deal and gave us a room in the Record

Plant Studios in Manhattan to rehearse for free. It was like a dream come true and we used to hang out there all the time.”

During his time at Record Plant Studios, he ran into an up-and-coming band named Aerosmith.

One day Appice’s band was asked to help someone in the

Vibrant Latino Carnaval: A Celebration of Culture

The Latino Carnaval took place on Oct. 11 in Los Angeles, offering a much needed celebration for the Hispanic community amid ongoing immigration challenges faced by Latino families throughout California.

Surprisingly, this vibrant event took place not in a grand theater or concert hall, but in one of the humblest areas of South Central Los Angeles.

To accommodate the festivities, several streets surrounding the park were closed.

The carnaval featured a diverse array of vendors selling everything from ranchero hats and jewelry to an abundance of food carts offering hot dogs, tacos, and burritos.

The air was filled with enticing aromas, particularly the sweet scent of churros wafting from nearby stands, creating a festive atmosphere.

The family-friendly environment welcomed attendees of all ages, from mothers with strollers to young men dressed to impress, vying for attention. The scene evoked nostalgia for many, reminding attendees of their own youth.

Featuring over 200 vendors and performances from more than 20 artists, including La Original Banda El Limon, Banda Maguey, Baby Bash, Frankie J, Nina Sky, Amanda Perez, Paula de Anda, Los Cadetes de Linares, Los Morros del Norte,

studio. The person was Beatles member John Lennon.

When Appice saw John Lennon in the studio, he said, “John Lennon, oh my god, John Lennon. And then we put the headphones on, John starts talking to us, like oh my god, and he wanted us to do hand claps on a song called ‘Whatever Gets You

RAFAEL FRIAS/TM

The carnaval in full swing with attendees gathering to enjoy the rides on Oct. 11, 2025

Mellow Man Ace, Los Dinamicos, and El As de la Sierra.

Araceli Vera, an attendee, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “Everything has been great. I’m here because of the live bands; I love it. I know I’ll be here for sure early next year.”

In addition to the musical performances, the carnaval offered numerous activities for children, including games, a Ferris wheel, and a bounce house.

Thanks to the organizers, vendors, entertainers, and the community, this wellplanned celebration of Latino pride uplifted the spirits of everyone in attendance.

The live bands provided a nostalgic reminder of the importance of social gatherings, especially in the wake of the pandemic. As communities come together, let us continue to celebrate with love, positivity, and a shared commitment to growth.

Through the Night.’ So we did that and we met him and we were really cool with him. He wrote some lyrics for us, so he used to hang out with us a lot.”

When Appice was in Los Angeles, he received a call from England asking to meet with him.

“I was in Los Angeles and first I got a call from Sharon Osbourne

Smorgasburg

Smorgasburg LA, the weekly Sunday food market in Downtown Los Angeles, continues to draw crowds with its wide range of cuisines, lively atmosphere and family-run businesses that make it a staple in the city’s food scene.

On Sept. 28, vendors filled the bustling market with the scent of freshly made tacos, sizzling bulgogi and sweet cinnamon treats.

The event offered something for every palate, from fusion dishes to classic favorites.

Smorgasburg LA is held every Sunday at ROW DTLA and features dozens of food vendors, artisans and specialty product makers. Inspired by the original Smorgasburg in Brooklyn, N.Y., the LA version launched in 2016 and quickly became one of the largest weekly openair food markets in the country.

Its mission is to provide a space where small businesses and independent chefs can showcase their creativity and where visitors can explore a variety of flavors from across the area.

Each week, the market

saying we’re going to put a band together with Ozzy and we heard about you, we’ll fly you to England, go hang out with them. So I didn’t really want to go to England and I was young, really young, and so I didn’t do it. About a month later I get a call, Black Sabbath’s in town and they’re looking for a drummer, they heard about you, same thing. You want to come meet Tony Iommi at the hotel in Hollywood? Yes. OK. That was easy. Just get in the car and I was in Hollywood and I lived there. And I met Tony and we hit it off and the next day I was rehearsing with him,” Appice said.

Appice joined Black Sabbath and was in “Mob Rules,” “Live Evil,” “Dehumanizer,” “Black Sabbath: The Dio Years” and “Live at Hammersmith Odeon.”

With the recent illness of Ozzy Osbourne, Appice recalls the time he had with him.

“So I’m fortunate I got to play with him with Sabbath, got to know him, got Christmas cards from him and you know I’m so sorry he was that sick. It’s terrible,”

After working with Black Sabbath and Dio, today Appice is the drummer for a band called Sabbath Nights. They will be performing at Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood on Dec. 18.

LA sizzles with bold flavors

features more than 80 vendors serving everything from traditional street food to innovative fusion dishes, reflecting the city’s reputation as a culinary melting pot.

Over time, it has also become a launchpad for small businesses hoping to build their following in Los Angeles. The event is free to attend and has become a weekend tradition for both locals and tourists.

Among the crowd was Maria Ruiz Sanchez, owner of Whole and Oats Coffee, a family-owned business known for its colorful and flavorful drinks.

She explained that her children play an active role in supporting and promoting her business. One of her sons focuses

on photography, another is studying film, and her daughter has a background in marketing. Together, they help shape the brand and bring her vision to life. She expressed how thankful she is to have their support. Her ube latte, a vibrant purple drink that’s both visually striking and delicious, stood out as a highlight. The drink’s delicate sweetness and smooth texture made it a memorable stop.

OC records show owners and staff pose with Vinny Appice on Sept, 28, 2025

DURAN VENTURA/TM

Delicious bulgogi fries with pickled red onions

Jasmin Hernandez Multimedia Editor

Rafael Frias Staff Writer

Duran Ventura Opinion Editor

Presents Laughter delivers

Laughter and Chaos , Cerritos College Theater Arts Department has showcased its memorable talents through production.

Jane Guadalupe Cisneros Staff Writer

Cerritos College Department of Theater Arts and The ASCC Presents Laughter, a comedic drama showcasing the chaotic life of a self obsessed actor, directed by Brandt Reiter.

Whether you enjoy comedy theater or don’t this play was definitely one to watch.

From someone who isn’t a big fan of comedy, I found myself laughing and being fully engaged because it was so entertaining and chaotic.

All the actors did a fantastic job of keeping the audience intrigued.

Each individual did a great job of executing and convincing the audience of their roles but worked as a team to sell the story.

It takes more than memorizing lines and good acting to make a play enjoyable.

The actors in the theater arts department as a whole did an amazing job of pronouncing their lines clearly, exhibiting great comedic timing and even utilizing the stage effectively, down to the spacing, conveying emotion.

Reactions from the audience were definitely present on Thursday night.

From gasps to loud laughs heard all over the theater, the play tells the story of Garry Essendine, played by Sam Melgoza, a self-obsessed spoiled Hollywood actor in his early 40s and his chaotic lifestyle.

The production paints a picture of the last couple of days before Gary has to leave for his travels.

Each day demonstrates how overstimulating his life can be from parties, to sex, to business meetings, to love scandals, the life of an ego maniac

Hollywood actor isn’t always as it seems.

A production is bland without the efforts of the people behind the scenes.

Wardrobe, set design, lighting, makeup, hair, audio, ushers, director, and everyone behind the scenes deserve applause as well for their help in creating and producing the play.

The stage was taken up by a perfect replica of a modern style home filled with textures, colors, and elements of the 1970s.

Although the same set was used all throughout the play, the production did a good job of displaying the different times

that were taking place by using different props and lighting to picture the scenes.

As a lover of the 1970s era, the costumes, hair, and makeup were indeed a favorite of mine.

The costumes were beautifully designed and fit each actor and their characters perfectly.

Hair and makeup were all vibrant and matched the theme of the play and scenery excellently.

The Cerritos College Department of Theater Arts has proved to be a departs also worth of being supported by the

The Smashing Machine

community.

Their teamwork shows that theater is a collaborative effort from every single person involved in the production.

From behind the scenes to the actors taking up the stage, they all did a beautiful job showcasing Cerritos College Theater Arts productions are a definite watch. Bring a family member, go on a date, or even go alone, but go and support your community. They are worth it!

Jhovani Rojas Staff Writer

The A24 film “The Smashing Machine” is produced by and stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. It tells the early life of former UFC legend Mark Kerr. The film digs into his personal struggles with opioid addiction, trauma and relationship problems.

Former co-star Emily Blunt plays Kerr’s partner, Dawn Staples. Both actors do a phenomenal job portraying the real-life scenes.

They really make you feel the emotion of them. Johnson’s raw emotion and vulnerability stand out compared to his other roles in past films. He also undergoes a visible transformation with prosthetics that makes him look just how Kerr did in his early days.

Blunt does an amazing job holding down this challenging role as she portrays Kerr’s partner Dawn Staples. She’s an unsupportive wife who in some way can be looked at as the antagonist of the movie.

The relationship between these two people isn’t really the best. Dawn and Kerr are constantly at each other’s heads. They argue about his trust in her and his opioid addiction.

The movie takes place between 1997 and 2000. It showcases Kerr’s first loss against Igor Vovchachyn, played by professional boxer Oleksandr Usyk.

This impact on his career was a big part of his struggles with his inner battles.

The movie does a great job with music as one of the key tones. The camera shots also contribute to this. It makes the viewer really feel the emotions and feelings of these characters.

You sense what they are going through during Kerr’s recovery. The film did a great job showing the tones of the movie. Each scene makes you feel some sort of way emotionally.

On that note, the fighting scenes weren’t the best. The boxing scene between Kerr and Vovchachyn wasn’t the greatest boxing scene in boxing movies.

The scene was very boring. It didn’t really showcase much to point out other than Kerr getting beat up. It isn’t like a “Creed” movie where the boxing scenes portray what the character is going through during the fight.

Johnson and Blunt’s scenes together are pure magic. Their argument scenes are really raw and realistic. This is especially true in the apartment scene when Dawn notices his drug abuse is getting heavier.

One of the key things in this scene was Dawn pleading for her husband to come back. She doesn’t care about his fighting or fame. She just wanted him as Kerr again.

The best half of the movie would be past the first hour since that’s when the drama starts picking up.

The movie dives deeper into their complex relationship. It explores how they are with each other. Dawn isn’t the best support for Kerr, especially during his rehab. She’s out getting drunk with friends and throwing it in his face. In this scene I really did feel the disappointment and anger Johnson portrayed on screen.

The way the scene plays out and the way the camera pans from character to character makes it feel like you’re almost a part of the argument.

This includes everything from Dawn Staples breaking Kerr’s souvenir from Japan to her wanting to take her own life.

Overall, “The Smashing Machine” was a really great movie to watch. I would say it’s more of a drama movie with lots of sadness. It doesn’t showcase what a typical sports movie would.

This one dives into the struggles of mental health and drug abuse in professionals.

TALON MARKS REVIEWS

COURTESY OF A24

COURTESY OF THEATER DEPARTMENT/SARAH PIRTLE

The cast of Present Laughter directed by Brandt Reiter takes final bows during its performance.

A Boyfriend of a Swiftie

Taylor Swift performs as her record-breaking The Eras Tour comes to an end with the first of her three concerts in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada December 6, 2024. REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

Ángel Sánchez Sports Editor

Who else can relate and has a significant other that has followed every moment, every album and every aspect of Taylor Swift’s life?

Before I got with my partner, the fandom felt culty and I truly just didn’t get it.

For God’s sake, these people were posting videos of themselves crying when she announced her and Travis Kelce got engaged and you could not scroll past your Instagram stories without seeing it.

Swift fans, Swifties, have a reputation for either being crazy, obsessive or parasocial. But it took a substantial amount of reflection to figure out where that type of thing is rooted.

My partner, who for the purposes of this article goes by Stephanie, added that Swift fans are “very dedicated, smart, crazy and loyal.”

“You want to know everything about your best friend. People honestly believe Taylor Swift is their best friend, they need to know everything about her and feel even closer and more connected to her,” she said.

Stephanie agreed with my claims that it is a parasocial relationship but said that it’s rooted in the music Swift has released and how it connects with her fans.

“She’s just like me,” she said while referencing that connection.

Stephanie added to the idea of how she thinks people perceive Swift and her relationships and

how gender norms play a role.

For Swift it’s “she needs to just settle down or whatever,” and for a man who might be writing about his relationships it’s “poor guy can’t find the right girl.”

Swift for the longest time has been a representation for all of those girls. They found comfort and a safe space in her music.

“She vocalizes things that some girls are too afraid to admit for themselves,” Stephanie said.

With the release of her newest album “The Life of a Showgirl”, Swift has finally found that love and her fans are happy that she’s found her happiness and are celebrating her.

In spending more time with Stephanie, I think I’ve fully grasped it.

Interestingly enough, my partner and I made a connection through Swift on our very first date. She spoke about her favorite songs on her favorite Swift album and the connection between songs like “August”, “Betty” and “Cardigan” on “Folklore”.

It was something dear to her and she spoke about it with such excitement and joy for something that truly a lot of people lack in my experience. I wasn’t turned off by the topic and I wasn’t turned off by her.

The first instinct was not to judge someone for the things they enjoy but it was to listen and allow someone, who clearly I was interested in of course, to convey what those feelings give them.

I wasn’t afraid to admit that I just don’t understand it, but what

good partners do is be supportive and allow our partners to fully express themselves and never hold back as we all deserve that type of unconditional love.

In my perspective It is no diffrent than the moment you first fell in love with your favorite sport?

We would also all be lying that in this day and age of sports gambling we haven’t also created this sort of parasocial relationship with athletes. You know the nasty things you have said and even the most supportive things.

So, perhaps, we are maybe all a little crazy and should hold a mirror up to ourselves.

It’s all rooted in a deep connection with a person who through their music vocalizes feelings and evokes emotions that you could never express yourself. That person gets you.

“There’s tons of other Swifties that might relate to the same song that you do and there’s community in that,” Stephanie said.

If there was one thing you take away from the Swifties to understand their fandom, Stephanie suggested you just read the lyrics.

“Yes, some of it is very pop and cheesy, correct. But there is a lot of stuff in there that’s really real and raw human emotion. They just literally have to listen, be more open minded if they want to understand,” Stephanie said.

It’s not the most popular stance, but give the people in your life a little bit of grace. We all need it.

Phony ppl

Why iii Love The Moon

A musical group based in Brooklyn,NY coming in with a fresh sound rooted in R&b and HipHop. They are ones to watch performing with Erykah Badu and the Roots.

The Midnight Syndicate

The Midnight is a band made up of the members Tyler Lyle and Tim Mc Ewan. Their new album, Syndicate has a electronic and synthwave sounds reminding us of those 80’s movie-like feels.

Jay Worthy Once upon A Time

Compton native Jay Worthy pulled out all the stops for his Debut Hip-hop album Once Upon A Time, with collaborations from artists such as Leven Kali, Wiz Khalifa & west coast natives.

The Two Lips Still Love You

The Two Lips are a Latina/Filipina indie pop duo made up of two besties, Andrea and Jewlz with a mixture of Spanish and English lyrics . Their dreamy girly indie pop sound has gained enough popularity to earn them a spot in Coachella.

Michael Jackson Thriller

There is no Halloween season without the iconic album, Thriller. It gives us the classic 80s sound blended with different genres. Jackson’s legendary voice keeps us coming back to this album not just every fall season but all year round.

Ozzy Osbourne No More Tears

The 1991 album incorporated different elements of heavy metal that mixed in elements of hard rock and melodic rock. Filled with heavy emotional lyrics Osbourne’s approach to this album let us see a more creative version of himself.

Vice Is Broke

A Documentary film directed by and starring chef and media personality Eddie Huang that investigates the rise and fall of Vice Media. It is a great watch for those who followed Vice and the rise of the oublicayion as well as media.

REUTERS/JENNIFER GAUTHIER

We are allowing the First Amendment to fade

When the founders drafted the First Amendment, they did so with a radical conviction. That the people, not kings or presidents, should be the ultimate check on power.

They guaranteed not only a free press but also the rights to speak, protest and petition.

Today, that safeguard matters more than ever. These freedoms were designed to ensure that citizens could challenge authority openly and hold leaders accountable.

Freedom of the press has always been essential to democracy.

It keeps citizens informed, holds leaders accountable and exposes truths that those in power may want to hide.

Today that freedom faces one of its greatest tests in modern American history.

President Donald Trump and his allies have worked to weaken one of America’s most important rights.

Through rhetoric and influence, he continues a campaign to discredit journalists by calling them “the enemy of the people.” Echoing language used by authoritarian regimes. Words like those matter.

When a leader undermines the press, one of democracy’s most vital institutions begins to weaken. This strategy is not new.

In Hungary and Poland, leaders consolidated power by labeling journalists as dishonest and restricting access to accurate information. What followed was state-controlled media, silenced dissent and a culture of fear.

The parallels in the U.S. are hard to ignore.

Reporters who challenge official narratives risk losing press credentials. Independent journalists face personal attacks and public ridicule.

Media outlets seen as loyal to the former president, such as Fox News during his administration, were rewarded for repeating talking points rather than questioning them.

Favoring friendly outlets erodes transparency and fosters propaganda, creating a feedback loop that serves power

The effects of fasting

Fasting is not just an antiquated religious routine. Fasting is a way you can clean your body of unwanted excessive water and fat.

In Greek medicine fasting was believed to promote a natural method to help the body heal from infections, inflammation, and other ailments.

Today modern scientific validation provides evidence for fasting’s role in cellular repair, fat burning and water retention loss.

Casi Creativo has tthreeminute YouTube animated video on 36-hour fasting, in which he explains the step-by-step process of our body’s journey to achieving ketosis. What exactly is ketosis?

In short, ketosis is a metabolic shift from carbohydrate burning to fat oxidation for energy.

The brain initiates a chain of reactions that will ultimately trigger your body to a state of ketosis in which your system begins to clean house at a cellular level.

Your brain will begin to primarily use ketones as an energy source instead of glucose.

Your liver will shift from storing glycogen to producing

ketone bodies from fat to fuel the body and brain.

Increased ketone production can lead to a rise in mental health clarity and suppression of appetite.

Fun fact, the liver will reduce the production of insulin-like growth factor which can be associated with anti-cancer and anti-aging, saving you a trip to a plastic surgeon office at least for a few more years.

Jose Mero, Architecture Department Chair here on campus said, “I’ve fasted for three months using the 16:8 method and lost 30 pounds.”

When asked how intense is fasting having to go though 16 hours straight without food Mero said, “After the first few days I felt just fine.”

He took a pause and then stated, “I did get lightheaded during my first workouts, but I was fine after a momentary system adjustment.”

Fasting is a life altering decision that takes conviction, dedication, and persistence long terms effects will make you healthier physically.

instead of the public.

Even presidents who clashed with reporters from Thomas Jefferson to Barack Obama, ultimately recognized that criticism from the press is a sign of a healthy republic, not a hostile act.

As former President George W. Bush once said, “I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy. That we need the media to hold people like me to account.”

But the pressure does not stop with the press. The freedom of speech and the right to protest are also being tested.

Peaceful demonstrators have been met with aggressive law enforcement tactics, and laws in several states now limit where and how citizens can gather.

The First Amendment does not protect itself. It relies on citizens willing to use it.

As Americans head into another election season, we must remember what is at stake.

If the nation loses its freedoms, it loses its voice. And when the voice of the people goes quiet, democracy itself will follow.

Getting a breast cancer screening might be your life saver

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst women.

It does not matter where one is from, how much they make, their race or ethnicity; many may be affected by breast cancer.

Women may be the majority who are diagnosed with breast cancer, but there are men out there with it as well.

The diagnoses in men may go unnoticed due to the gender norms that come with breast cancer.

Almost every person is affected by breast cancer: themselves, loved ones or friends.

There are many diagnosed with breast cancer, but every story is unique.

All have their own story, but all deserve support and compassion.

Getting diagnosed with breast cancer is both a physical and mental journey in fighting for more years of their lives. Researchers believe that over 246,000 women will be living with breast cancer by 2030.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is every October, encouraging people to get tested early, provide those struggling with support, raise funds and raise awareness.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also known as “Pink October,” symbolized by a pink ribbon, meaning hope and action.

The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913 to raise public awareness, and it started Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985 to raise awareness

Health

and educate the public about the disease.

In recent years, there has been an increase in diagnoses in younger women, supporting the benefits of early screenings.

There are a couple of ways to get tested, and it is on a case-by-case basis, including mammograms, clinical breast exams and sometimes even breast MRIs.

The goal is to minimize treatment with the best possible outcome, causing the least amount of harm.

Dr. Shari B. Goldfarb commented on a breast cancer diagnosis as, “a short, aggressive period of treatments and care to ensure the best long-term outcome.”

DRAWING BY ARIFUR RAHMAN

RHODA BAER

Woman Receives Mammogram image provided by National Institutes of

Celebrating 70 years of utilizing the First Amendment

Rafael Frias Staff Writer

Kassandra Lopez News Editor

Fists fly as Falcons upset Fullerton

The Cerritos College Falcons women’s soccer team rallied to beat bitter rival, the Fullerton College Hornets 2-1 on Sept. 19 which ended with punches thrown and multiple players ejected.

“We knew it was going to be a dog fight, and we had to fight, and I think that’s what happened and we stood our ground at the end of the day,” Cerritos captain Jenna Santos said about the chaos in the 90th minute.

In the 90th minute mayhem broke out as Falcons midfielder Samara Gonzalez and Hornets defender Gicela De La Rosa started fighting.

Players and coaches tried to regain order forcing the referee to end the game.

The game saw eight yellow cards and three red cards issued. Santos and Gonzalez were both ejected and could face suspension from the South Coast Conference.

This tension between the Falcons and the Hornets dates back to the 2024 season in a game that saw the Cerritos women score two game-tying goals before the final whistles in each half.

When asked on the fight at the end of the game Falcons forward Aiden Ochoa said, “I mean from the beginning of the game they weren’t being too aggressive and I think the second half is where they really kind of got aggressive. I feel like the ref could have better controlled the game.”

Falcons forward Ariana Rivera added, “I think it was the referee. He didn’t control any of the game. He should have stopped it from when Jessica and the girl got into it, At the end of the day, it was the referee’s fault. We can’t do much about it.”

The Hornets struck first early in the first half as defender Daisy Bautista beat Falcons goalkeeper Paulina Prescott to make it 1-0.

The Falcons responded late in the first half as Sariah Sanchez found Jessica Arroyo in the box

Cerritos claims conference opener

Familiar faces in new positions, everyday starters and depth pieces forced to step up into new roles pushed the Cerritos College Falcon’s volleyball team past the El Camino College Warriors in a dramatic 3-0 victory and gave Cerritos its first conference win of the season.

“This is a huge win for us,” Cerritos head coach Ashleigh Atsaros said. “It’s a security for hopefully getting first or second in conference.”

Atsaros noted the injuries her team has sustained earlier in the season resulting in some players playing out of position and utilizing others that haven’t played much at all.

She added, “They’ve been doing a great job. As you can tell we’ve been working our butts off in practice, adapting to the change and accepting the change. It’s only up from here.”

Sophomore Evelyn SotoCastro who started playing a new position this year at setter has seen more time at her natural outside hitter position since the lineup changes have been implemented and finished the match against El Camino College with a matchhigh 14 kills.

“At first it was really hard to adjust to a new position,” SotoCastro said.

“Now that I’m outside I feel like we’re still the same. It doesn’t matter who goes where, I feel like we all can play anywhere and as long as we have confidence, we’ll be fine,” she added.

The final set was a back-andforth affair with 24 errors on both sides of the ball between the two teams. Cerritos lost its early lead but rallied back as Jordin Lewis, who scored the first point in the set with a kill, secured the match for the Falcons with a service ace.

Cerritos have finished its stretch of conference games with a 3-1 before resuming on Oct. 29.

and she beat Hornets goalkeeper Kyra Mangini on the right side to tie the game 1-1.

When asked on her game tying goal Arroyo said, “It felt amazing, haven’t gotten a goal since the first game, so I felt good to get another goal in for my stats.”

The Falcons grabbed the lead when Santos passed a long ball into the box. Rivera scored on the rebound for the game-winning goal.

Rivera said ,”It feels great. I was struggling a little to get the goals in but after I scored that, I feel like I’m gonna get more goals to produce.”

This tension between the Falcons and the Hornets dates back to the 2024 season.

Despite the mayhem, Falcons head coach Yvette Vascones was relieved to see her team secure its first win since its home opener.

“We spent more chances, but it was good to have the win finally,” Vascones said.

The Falcons began its longest road trip of the season Sept. 23

and followed up with consecutive 4-0 losses against Santiago Canyon College and Orange Coast College in nonconference matches.

The start of conference play on Oct. 7 against Mt. San Antonio College saw the Falcons drop its eighth game of the season as it continued to work through its struggles to begin the 2025 campaign.

Cerritos found itself back in the win column as it took a 3-0 victory against Compton College on Oct. 10 as freshman Melissa Martinez led the charge with two goals.

Martinez now is tied for the team lead with 3 goals on the season.

The Falcons record now stands at 3-8-1 with a 1-1 record in conference.

The Falcons will play one more game on the road on Oct. 17 against East Los Angeles College before returning home to face El Camino College on Oct. 21 as 3C2A conference play picks up

Wrestlemania in Saudi Arabia is a bad idea

Wrestlemania was known for great matches and moments for wrestling fans around the world. Last week it was announced that Wrestlemania 43 in 2027 will take place in Saudi Arabia. This announcement received severe fan backlash on social media.

WWE fans in the U.S. will not spend additional money to travel to the Middle East even if it is WWE's biggest event of the year.

WWE fans are having a difficult time affording tickets to attend any event as it is. Prices for Summerslam, one of its biggest pay-per-view events, ranged as high as $40,000 while tickets to attend its weekly television shows Raw or Smackdown can cost up to $500.

WWE already have an event scheduled in Saudi Arabia at the start of 2026. The Royal Rumble. However, fans are still not going to want to travel for this show either.

The relationship between the two countries is not the best. Doesn’t someone need special permission from the United States or literally be invited to travel to that region? Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias had to receive a military escort to do a stand-up show there.

With this announcement, wrestling fans might boycott and rebel against WWE and choose to follow more affordable promotions such as All Elite Wrestling.

The type of wrestling they do is more risky and exciting. Although, the storytelling aspect of the show can be improved.

WWE is more focused on how to make the most profits than the concern of its fans.

Several months ago it was announced that the very same Wrestlemania 43 event was scheduled for New Orleans. WWE went back on its word. This sets a horrible precedent. That something can be sold up until the last minute to the highest bidder is cruel business.

If the reports are true with the request of officials of Saudi Arabia, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and The Undertaker are scheduled to appear at the event. These individuals are well into their 50s and 60s. One horrific botched move and they can get seriously injured.

Wrestling fans are tense and unforgiving people.

Based on this writers opinion, just because I’m a WWE fan doesn’t mean I agree with everything they do. I strongly disagree with them having the show in Saudi Arabia especially given the country's controversial history. Personally, I have decided to not watch the show and you shouldn't either.

Ángel Sánchez Sports Editor

Duran Ventura Opinion Editor

Ivan Llata Staff Writer

DURAN VENTURA/TM

Chaos breaks out as the Cerritos College Falcons and Fullerton Hornets players start to fight at Cerritos College on Sept. 19 2025.

ANGEL SANCHEZ/TM

Tiffany Teats attempts an attack on ECC at Cerritos College on Oct. 1.