EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASC . FORT BLISS . MISSION DEL PASO . NORTHWEST . RIO GRANDE . TRANSMOUNTAIN . VALLE VERDE
October 2, 2019
College wins prestigious diversity award
Bryan Ponce Tejano Tribune
EPCC’s award winning commitment to diversity is inspiring positive change INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, proudly honors EPCC with it’s prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award. EPCC along with 92 other recipients of the award will be featured in INSIGHT Into Diversity magazines, November 2019 issue. The HEED Award is a unique national recognition that distinguishes higher education institutions committed to creating diverse and inclusive learning environments. This award is an incredibly important victory for EPCC because it commemorates the college’s bold efforts to promote cultural awareness, diversity and inclusivity. However, the college is no stranger to this distinct honor. EPCC has been a recipient of the HEED Award for the past 7 years. Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, explains that winning a HEED Award is no easy feat. “The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application
relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees,” said Pearlstein. “Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across campus,” she added. Diversity needs to be an important topic of conversation because of the political turmoil dividing the country. It is a conversation that needs to happen now, due to the lack of respect, tolerance and acceptance of others. People’s sense of civility and common curtesy is quickly dissipating, and this toxic environment brings about fatal consequences. The growing intolerance, lack of acceptance and blatant racism has encouraged individuals to commit heinous acts of extreme violence towards everyday people trying to live peacefully. “Diversity is not an easy thing to talk about but because of recent tragic events like the shooting that happened at the Walmart in Cielo Vista. We can no longer go blind to it,” said Olga Chavez, Director of Diversity Programs at EPCC. EPCC is doing its part in sparking positive change, by creating a place where people from all walks of life can
PHOTO COURTESY EPCC MARKETING
EPCC was one of the winners of the national HEED award for its efforts in promoting diversity.
feel comfortable. The college’s mission of diversity, cultural awareness and inclusivity not only targets students and staff. It attempts to spread its positive message to the strong and loving community of El Paso. According to Dr. William Serrata, EPCC President. “El Paso Community College is proud of our efforts to always be at the forefront of diversity and inclusion.” “The HEED Award validates the college’s hard work to champion diversity and equity,” said Serrata.
EPCC is making a positive impact on the people of El Paso. Great change starts by something as simple as, being courteous towards others. It starts by looking past differences like race gender and sexual orientation. The HEED Award does not only praise EPCC. It speaks volumes about the college’s staff, students and the community of El Paso. “There is one thing I want to stress,” added Olga Chavez. “Diversity is about more than just race, gender, sexual orientation and religion.”
fajita cook-off and a margarita shake-off. The Foundation for EPCC is a department whose sole purpose is to raise The Foundation for El Paso funds for EPCC student scholarships. Community College raised over $40,000 Every year financial aid uses these funds for scholarships to award scholarships to students all The Foundation for EPCC hosted the across El Paso. “This the pinnacle of their events for the year, all the proceeds will be helping to go to scholarships,” explained EPCC president William Serrata. “Each that is given out will be helping students reach their dreams. Scholarships are one key tool to helping local students graduate and make them well PHOTO COURTESY EPCC MARKETING EPCC Culinary students preparing the fajitas for the Fajitas and Margaritas scholarship event at the ASC. prepared for jobs in
the future,” added Serrata. Four teams of students each led by a faculty head chef competed against one another for the coveted “Golden Skillet Award” and the “Margarita Glass Award.” Each team was tasked with creating their own unique fajita taco and margarita. Attendees of the event got a chance to vote and choose the winners. News Operations Manager at ABC7, Stephanie Valle, returned to MC for Fajitas and Margaritas for Scholarships for fourth year in a row. “College access and completion raises the educational level of our community and creates opportunities for all,” said Valle. The Foundation for EPCC also took a moment to recognize some of the scholarship recipients at the event. Recipients such as Culinary Arts student Mahala Johnson who competed on Chef Guillermo Trejo’s team. “The fact that you had students before
Foundrasing event with Fajitas and Margaritas
Claudia Silva Tejano Tribune
fourth annual Fajitas and Margaritas for Scholarships fundraising event, raising over $40,000 in one night. The event aimed to raise money while giving students in the Culinary Arts program experience by competing in a
See Fajitas and Margaritas page 2
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FRIVOLOUS FACTs
SENIORS GOING DIGITAL PAGE 2
TRUMP IMPEACHMENT PAGE 3
77 YEAR-OLD NUDE MODEL PAGE 7
GOM RAMEN PAGE 8
Since 1997, Autumn has been one of the top 100 names for girls in the US
CAMPUS NEWS Seniors learn the secrets of technology 2
Evan Hughes Tejano Tribune The Valle Verde campus library of El Paso Community College began offering digital literacy education to senior citizens in the El Paso area. “The goal of the project is to introduce senior citizens to everyday computing, tablet and smartphone use. This will help them communicate with their family members, friends and other members of the community and enhance the overall quality of their lives,” explained Sam Ruiz the public services supervisor at Valle Verde library. Thursday, Sept. 26, was the first of many events aimed at training the elderly to navigate and interact with the digital world. Caty Valtierra-Pinon, librarian and assistant professor at Valle Verde, welcomed the attendees after everyone grabbed a slice of delicious pizza. “We’re excited to start off this series. If everyone has a smart phone,
regardless of operating system you will be able to set up access to a Gmail account. Don’t have a Gmail account? Then you’re in the right place,” Valtierra-Pinon stated. The program, Seniors Going Digital, is made possible by a grant the library was awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services(IMLS) to prepare adults over 50 to become more technologically fluent. “Accelerating Promising Practices for Small Libraries (APP) is a special initiative of the National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program. The goal of this initiative is to support projects that strengthen the ability of small and rural libraries and archives to serve their communities,” explains the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ website. Sitting at the front of the group Enrique Hank Arrietta puts on his glasses to see his phone’s screen, he’d rather not say his age.“I’m old enough to be here, I don’t know how to use half of the stuff on here,” Hank says as he shakes his phone in the air.
“In two hours you’re going to know a lot more,” Valtierra-Pinon promised. The seminars are held the last Thursday of every month, from 6p.m. to 8p.m. and are scheduled to continue until August of 2020. The first class covered email on various platforms and devices. Also planned are classes on cyber security, library resources, texting emojis, online shopping and dating; all of which are offered in English and Spanish. In 2016, the Pew Research Center found half of senior citizens didn’t have access to broadband internet and a third had no presence online at all. Programs like this at public libraries are meant to turn those figures around as communicating online becomes more prominent. If you or anyone you know is over 50 years old and they are interested in learning about all the secrets technology has, stop by EPCC VV campus library during one of the classes and expand your virtual horizons.
October 2, 2019 Tejano Tribune
TEJANO TRIBUNE Fall 2019 Claudia Silva STS student Editor Rebeca Alvidrez STS student Layout Editor Douglas Carr Faculty Adviser Steve Escajeda Advertising Sal Armas Photo Editor Jimena Fernandez Website
Staff Cesar Salas Evan Hughes Tomas Murga Bryan Ponce Kevin Robles Aileen Morales
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The teacher Caty Valtierra-Pinon explaining at the Valle Verde Library the importance of having an email account, and teaching the Seniors how to create one.
Fajitas and Margaritas me, that paved the way for me to be able to receive it,” said Johnson. “I think it’s an honor just to be able to be here, to do it for the next person, you know, that’s in my shoes.” In the end the winners of the Golden Skillet were Chef Daniel Guerra’s team with their Surf & Turf tacos. These tacos included grilled sirloin steak with shrimp de la plancha, topped with micro cilantro, spiced aioli and fried onions. Chef Ezequiel Gutierrez’s team took home the Margarita Glass Award with their Jalapeno infused tropical margarita. Throughout the night attendees enjoyed a variety of tasty tacos, drinks and music by the mariachi trio Los Aventureros. Guests were also treated to traditional Latin dances performed by members of EPCC’s faculty. Economics professor Cynthia Gamez partnered with math professor Ubaldo Armenta for a dance off style tango performance with dancers Rachel Nathanson and Armando Saenz. Dance instructor Cristina Segovia also gave a solo flamenco performance wowing
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from page 1 the crowd with her twirling scarf. Guests were also invited to take part in a silent auction, where they could bid for items donated by the events sponsors.
Approximately 200 people attended the Fajitas and Margaritas for Scholarships event, while raising money for the future students of EPCC.
Valle Verde campus, Room A2710 P.O. Box 20500 El Paso, TX 79998 The El Paso County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
The Tejano Tribune is printed in El Paso by PDX Printing
FRONT PAGE BANNER: BEGINNING OF AUTUMN PHOTO CREDIT EPCC MARKETING
El Paso Community students from the Culinary Arts department won the Golden Skillet award.
OPINION
3 October 2, 2019 Tejano Tribune
Yeet Trump right out of presidency Donald Trump has led the most divisive presidency in American history. It is believed that he is unfit to hold office and considering the recent Ukraine scandal Trump may actually get impeached. Claudia Silva From his "Claudia Clapsback" bigoted rhetoric to his lack of political competences there are a variety of reasons Trump should be impeached. After Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced that there will be an impeachment inquiry the hearts of politically charged liberals nearly skipped when they found out that they might get this clown out of office. The unfortunate truth is that Donald Trump might get impeached, but it’s unlikely he will leave the office. This is mostly because of how impeachment works in America. Impeachment is the first of a two-step process of removing a president from office. When a president is impeached, they are basically being charged with a crime, similar to an indictment. Once impeachment has happened, the second step would be to convict the president in order to remove him from office. This happens when one of the legislative bodies puts the issue to a vote and requires a two thirds majority. Because the house has a democrat majority it is likely they will move forward with impeachment. This issue with removing Trump from office would be the Senate. Once Trump is impeached it would be up to the senate to remove him from office. Since the senate is currently controlled by Republicans it’s likely they won’t come up with the majority. There is still hope for a Trump-free presidency and it’s really going to depend on the Republicans in the Senate. At the moment, it seems like many Republicans are afraid to go against Trump. While some sources say that in private, some Republicans Senators disagree with Trump and would like him out of office. It seems few are open about this. It seems many of these Senators are afraid to lose their base, whom are firmly on the President’s side. If you are unaware of the recent scandal you may be asking yourself, “Why now?” What has the President done that suddenly changed Pelosi’s opinion? For most of Trumps Presidency she has held back on impeachment until now. Many people believed the Russia investigation would
get Trump impeached, but the reality there is that there was no proof Trump did anything wrong. His actions were certainly suspicious, but not enough to prove he was colluding. For this situation it seems the Democrats finally found the smoking gun needed for impeachment and it’s all thanks to a whistle blower. The facts of the situation are still unfolding but the whistleblower’s report states that Trump allegedly used his position of power to ask a foreign government to investigate a political opponent. The most comedic part of all of this is that it seems like Trump didn’t know he did anything wrong. When pressed on the matter, Trump actually insisted on releasing the phone call between him and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, against the advice of his staff. Trump truly had no idea that asking a foreign leader for a favor that would personally help him with the election, completely undermines the constitution. The evidence becomes even more damning after it was revealed that Trump’s administration withheld almost $40 million in foreign aid from Ukraine before making the call. During the call Trump makes sure to remind Zelensky that “the United States has been very, very good to Ukraine,” seeming to imply the aid the U.S. has provided in the past. This makes the whole conversation seem more like a bribe rather than a favor. At the moment Ukraine relies heavily on the U.S. for assistance with defense. Ever since Russia annexed the Ukrainian city of Crimea in 2014 the country has had to ramp up its defense. Ukraine often buys weapons from the U.S., making this a mutually beneficial relationship. But it’s clear the U.S. has the upper hand. In fact it is believed the aid Trump’s administration withheld was meant to purchase javelins from the U.S. to be used in the ongoing conflict. While many of his supporters are trying to downplay the situation and make it seem like it’s not a big deal, his opponents are not backing down. Things are happening quickly and just as senator Bernie Sanders thinks, it needs to happen faster. “He is really an embarrassment to our country, and let’s get moving on the impeachment,” said Sanders. The phrase ‘I miss Obama’ has transcended beyond just words and into a meme. As many of us young depressed liberals cry ourselves to sleep at night as we cope with the president that followed. President Trump has done some detestable things in the past, from boasting about sexual harassment to stoking the flames of racial discrimination. It is obvious he should not be where he is now and it’s about time we finally got something on him, and yeet him on out of here.
Voices around campus Kevin Robles Tejano Tribune
Are you planning on seeing the Joker movie? I’m probably going to go watch it, probably not the day of, but I probably will go watch it, if I can. I think people are just hyping it up like crazy. I think that’s the main concern; people are hyping it up and since it’s such a big hype.
Cesar Carrillo Education
Dhamar Delgado Sonography
I think I might wait, because I don’t really believe any of the shooting stuff but just to take precautions. I think I’d rather wait a little bit with the movie and the premieres. It gets crowded.
No, I’m going to avoid going there for the first week due to the fact that I have friends that are still currently in the military and CID, which is the Criminal Investigation Department for the military, issued a warning about the opening weekend of the Joker.
Sol Saenz Biology
Blane O'Brien Communications
I didn’t even know that there was a controversy. I haven’t even seen the previews for it but it’s something that I’d end up probably watching because I usually like the action movies and the superhero movies and all that kind of stuff.
Are you going to watch the Joker?
agree? disagree? send a "Letter to the editor" to:
leadeditor@tejanotribune.com
4
SPORTS
October 2, 2019 Tejano Tribune
EPCC baseball field gets a facelift The 2020 EPCC baseball season will bring with it a new baseball coach, a new attitude, and a brand new field. Hellas Construction Inc. is currently finalizing the installation of the synthetic turf field at the stadium on the Valle Verde campus. The Tejanos start regular season action in January.
ON THE SCENE
5 October 2, 2019 Tejano Tribune
W I N N E R FAJITAS & MARGARITAS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
W I N N E R
October 2 - 10 EPCC Alumna
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CAMPUS LIFE
October 2, 2019 Tejano Tribune
Changing lifes, one book at a time Tomas Murga Tejano Tribune Books are GEMS a non-profit organization that has provided over 1.5 million books to children and educators across El Paso is looking for volunteers. Their motto is “changing children’s lives, one book at a time.” Books are GEMS has multiple programs that have attributed to this feat such as the Six Free Books program, which gives any child five used books and one brand new book. That’s why Books Are GEMS is looking for anybody to help with their volunteer Program on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The volunteer program also allows high school and college students to earn some of the required service learning hours they may need. Some of the other programs Books are GEMS organizes include the Teacher Program which allows teachers to take up to 50 free books per year for their classrooms. The Mass Distribution Program, in which Books are GEMS partners with schools and community groups to distribute books throughout different
venues or events and the RX to Read program, where the organization partners with pediatricians to provide new children’s books to observe child development Books Are GEMS was created after the passing of 16-year-old Gracie Elizabeth Madriles in 2002. The following year her mother Paula Madriles began this organization in Gracie’s memory; even naming it after her daughter’s initials, G.E.M. It is noted in the introductory video for the organization that “During her mourning, she chose to honor her daughter’s spirit of love and generosity by enriching the lives of others through books.” If that sounds like an appealing option there’s more information at the Books Are GEMS website www.booksaregems. org. An application from the website must be submitted along with passing a background check. There is a $3 background check fee in order to apply, once the check is complete training for the volunteer program can begin. “To see a book in the hand of every child in our community,” is the vision of Books Are GEMS, “By doing that we are changing lives one book at a time.”
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FEATURE El Paso Community College oldest nude model 7
October 2, 2019 Tejano Tribune
artists at EPCC hone their skills as a nude model for the Life Drawing class taught by Raul Hernandez, a 77-year- professor Frank Rimbach. “At one time I wanted to be old man with a passion for art does what he can to help the an artist I wanted to paint and do beautiful things,” Hernandez artists of the future. Hernandez helps young explained “I love art, but when I started painting I knew I was not going to be able to make a living out of painting because I’m not good. So therefor I said maybe I can help someone get better.” Hernandez has been a nude model for over 21 years now and has no intention of stopping any time soon. His modeling career started when he taught dance at UTEP and eventually moved on to modeling at EPCC to stay closer to his home. He learned about the opportunity “through conversation with other people,” Hernandez explained, “he said well you can earn some more money if you model in the nude for the art department CLAUDIA SILVA / TEJANO TRIBUNE and I said ok.”Hernandez Raul Hernandez is standing on the stage emphasized that he enjoys where he does modeling for art classes. Claudia Silva Tejano Tribune
the experience because of how welcoming it is to people of all shapes and sizes. He explained that anyone can be a nude model “whether your old, whether you’re young, whether CLAUDIA SILVA / TEJANO TRIBUNE your using a cane Jose Alejandrez an EPCC student at the Valle Verde campus drew Raul Hernandez during one or disabled.” of the art classes as an assignment. for dancing, he reached “gold very young, middle aged, young While his modeling career at EPCC status” at Arthur Murray Dance people, and of course with dead has lasted many years his studios where he was certified to bodies you have to dress them. I see nude people, so I said relationship with the college has teach ballroom dancing. While he is certainly to myself why not when I’m lasted even longer. Hernandez has worked for passionate about the arts alive?” Professor Rimbach would EPCC since the college opened Hernandez has worn many almost 50 years ago, he started hats throughout his life from like to invite art students at off as a Spanish teacher when teaching college Spanish and EPCC to register for the Life the school was at Logan Heights dance classes, to coaching, Drawing class, he explains they teaching high school biology often have trouble filling the Fort Bliss. “I have been working for and even working at a funeral class but hope more students El Paso Community College home.Hernandez explained he will take the opportunity to use since before it was El Paso has a fascination for the human this to learn about art and the Community college, with Dr. De body and its anatomy, and this human anatomy. is what allowed him to work so For now, you can see Los Santos,” he stated. some of the work done by the As the college grew closely with death. “You know people are Life Drawing class hung on Hernandez moved on to start afraid; I think the body is a the hallway walls of the art teaching ballroom and country beautiful thing and there you department and get a chance dance classes at Valle Verde and see a whole bunch of bodies,” to see the growth of artists in Transmountain. He has also always had a love stated Hernandez, “very old, progress.
Valle Verde 919 Hunter Dr. 831-2887
CLASSES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS There are four main classes of fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers labels indicate the type of fire the fire extinguisher is suitable for. Class A—are used to put out fires with materials like wood, plastics, cloth, and trash. Class B—are used to put out things like gasoline, oil, and other flammable liquids. Class C—are used for fires that resulted from items that have electrical current going through them. Class D—are used to put out chemicals that catch on fire such as flammable metals. It would be best if you did not use a different class of fire extinguisher on a different type of fire being that it can do more harm than good.
The El Paso County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
ENTERTAINMENT Spice up your ramen game at 'Gom Ramen' 8
October 2, 2019 Tejano Tribune
Aileen Morales Tejano Tribune
As someone who eats Maruchan’s every day, Gom Ramen was a major upgrade. Gom Ramen is a brand new small Korean style restaurant located on 1821 Hunter Drive, only a few minutes away from the EPCC Valle Verde campus. When you first walk in the outgoing staff and warm atmosphere instantly welcome you. They have a simple environment with an open floorplan that allows you to smell
PHOTO COURTESY GOOGLE.COM
Gom Ramen's presentation matches with the flavors that characterize the restaurant.
every amazing scent coming from the kitchen. I went at around 4 p.m. It was mildly busy but people normally leave within an hour of getting there. We ordered our food and drinks within five minutes of getting there. While waiting for them to prepare our food, they brought us some chocolate treats in order to keep the wait from feeling too long. I ordered their most popular dish the Gom Ramen, a Korean noodle dish that can have four AILEEN MORALES / TEJANO TRIBUNE different spice levels "Gom Ramen", is the most popular dish the restaurant had, with a level 3 of spyciness, which is a Koeran noodle dish. from zero to three. I The noodles were soft, the broth was Gom Ramen is the perfect lunch and ordered the dish with a flavorful and the sauce had quite a kick. dinner spot for all kinds of people. spice level of three, the highest one. As someone who douses everything If you are ever in the mood to try The ramen exceeded every single one with Valentina, Sriracha or buffalo sauce, something different than your more of my expectations. The presentation actually matched I was surprised that the ramen actually traditional food spots, I highly recommend the new restaurant Gom Ramen. what they promised and the taste was got me to tear up a bit. If you are not much of a spice fan, Overall, I would give the Gom Ramen even better than I imagined. The ramen included scallions, egg, then I recommend a level of one or two. with a perfect rating of 5 out of 5 stars spicy sauce, noodles, and their simmered However, if you would like to test how due to their cozy environment, amazing much you can handle, I recommend the hospitality, and most importantly their broth. delicious food. Would choose this over a Each ingredient had an it's own level of number three. Do not let the small business fool you. cup of noodles anyday. especific purpose on the dish.
Local brewery takes root offering blazing beer owner, Muniz plans to grow their walls sometime in the next couple of months. Tejano Tribune Even though they have limited space their locally The name the Blazing Tree Brewery came from an brewed beers and customer satisfaction more than make old story the owner told of a family member who threw up for it. For people not familiar with craft beers the a flaming bottle at a tree causing it to burst into flames. Blazing Tree is an excellent place to get a taste of the Their moto is simple “great service,” which is wonders that breweries have to offer. definitely apparent from the moment you walk in the Their beer selections ranges from light, crisp and door. Everyone greets you as soon as you step in, from refreshing such as the Bitchin’ Blonde; to dark, bold and the staff to the manager and even the owner. complex such as the Pecan Porter. The Blazing Tree Brewery opened its doors on July One of their more popular beers the Dogstar IPA is 21, 2017, and started with only four beers. constantly running out leaving customers waiting to the The owner, UTEP graduate Fernie Muniz, has been next batch. brewing beer since the 1990s. I’m not exaggerating when I say the place is popular The bar inside the brewery is quite small but the among beer connoisseurs. People from out of state and even other parts of the world such as Germany, Finland, and Australia come just to get some of El Paso’s finest beer. Some of the brews I tried included the Honey Hefeweizen, a smooth German style honey beer; War Boots, a golden ale with a piney finish and the Medusa Hazy, an Indian pale ale with hints of cantaloupe and other spices. I would have loved to try more but due to their popularity and smaller batch sizes most were sold out when I arrived. Other beers the Blazing Tree Brewery normally offers include the Peanut Butter Brown Ale, Strawberry Kölsch and many more. The music is appropriately PHOTO COURTESY BLAZING TREE FACEBOOK PAGE Blazing Tree Brewery's owner Fernie Muniz, has been in the brewing industry since the 1990s. loud and encourages Cesar Salas
conversation. The bartender and strangers often make friendly conversation while enjoying a good beer. Conveniently located near I-10 the Blazing Tree is closer to the El Paso International Airport than other breweries in the city. The location has adequate lighting unlike some of the other more obscure bars in the area. Perhaps in the near future after they expand their business they could install some fun games like darts or a foosball table. The atmosphere is laid back at the Blazing Tree Brewery and that’s exactly what makes this place the perfect spot for a cold beer after a hard day’s work.
PHOTO COURTESY BLAZING TREE FACEBOOK PAGE
Their beer selections ranges from light to crisp and refreshing, bold and complex such as the Pecan Porter.