Volume 67 Issue 8
thechaparral.net
November 18, 2019
Wildfires continue to devastate California
PHOTO COURTESY OF AP IMAGES
The ongoing destruction caused by a fire in Santa Ana, California, that took place only a few weeks ago.
BY NANCY MAZMANIAN FRONT PAGE EDITOR
A recent outburst of devastating wildfires in California has caused thousands to be removed from their homes, billions of dollars worth of property damage and destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of land. A recent outburst of devastating wildfires in California has caused thousands to be removed from their homes, billions of dollars worth of property damage and destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of land. Over the past few years, the wildfires in California have gotten more significant, more destructive and common. California has been known to have a frequent number of fire outbreaks, especially in the last few years. Recent fires like the Getty, San Francisco, and our very own San
Bernadino Valley fire, have been maintained. However, with temperatures reaching an all-time high, these fire outbreaks are inevitable. According to the Fourth National Climate Assessment, climate change has doubled the area of forest burned in the western United States between 1984 to 2015. In some cases, these fires can become so intense that they burn 10,000 acres worth of land in as little as an hour. Storms of such high intensity are practically impossible for firefighters to put out. Leaving them with no option but to let the fire ride out its course and focus on moving people, who are at risk, to a safer area. “These are not really best described as wildfires. Most people describe them as firestorms,” said Jon Keeley in a recent interview with CNBC, “It is not
something that firefighters have much chance of putting out until the wind dies down.”Keeley is a research scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey. A growing population also contributes to wildfires’ concerns. People who are moving towards forested areas, which were not inhabited before, are put at risk. California, as a single state, has a population of 39 million people. Every 1 in 8 Americans lives in California. 95% of California’s wildfires are caused by humans, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. They don’t have to be started intentionally, but from small objects, like a cigarette butt, a spark from a car, or a leftover brush from a campfire. It’s small oblivious actions like these that can cause such massive devastation.
As mass areas of vegetation continue to dry out, fires will only continue to get more intense. Eventually, becoming too vast and devastating for us to be able to contain. The amount of land that has burned in California over the summer is roughly eight times higher than in the 1970s, according to National Geographic. Fire scientists have started implementing multiple fire preventative measures. They have tried to lessen the risks that wildfires pose with small controlled ground fires designed to eliminate the fuels that contribute to devastating wildfires. Communities are also being built with lessflammable materials and designed with evacuation rights in case of a fire. “It’s not going to happen overnight, it’s going to happen over several years, and it’s going to take
constant maintenance from here on out,” said Scott McLean, chief information officer at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, on the same CNBC interview. Communities can implement many preventative techniques as they have. However, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, believes real change will not happen until we address the real situation at hand, and that is the consistently rising global temperatures. The panel has released a scientific report stating governments must take “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society.”
Veterans Resource Center home to our troops Previews
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL Kerry Duncan, Jenna Belt,Donni Prince, Craig Doussett, John Mejia attend the Veteran’s Day Parade 2019.
BY ESTEFANIA MOREIRA STAFF REPORTER
College of the Desert’s Veterans Resource Center understands how challenging it is to transition from military life to student life. The Center exists to provide veterans and military-affiliated personnel, helpful services so they can learn how to navigate the California Community College system. Its services are designed to support the success, educational needs and to provide a welcoming environment for student veterans. The staff help veterans with information on benefits and resources including: The Veterans’ Access, Choice and Accountability Act (VACA)
or Choice Act, of 2014, which seeks to increase the availability of care outside of the VA (Veteran Affairs) healthcare system for veterans who are eligible (CCK-Law). Students must qualify for VACA Act in order to be covered. Student can apply online. The form can be found on the COD website under the student services section. The Center also provides information on applying for the GI Bill form. The GI Bill refers to any Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit earned by members of Active Duty, Selected Reserve and National Guard Armed Forces and their families. This bill has several programs and each
is administrated differently depending on a person’s eligibility and duty status. Veteran students with disabilities can also benefit from assistance, they learn who would qualify under the COD Disabled Students Programs and Services. The Veterans Resource Center provides valuable information about the Americans with Disabilities Act for student veterans to understand their civil rights. Another service for veteran students is the Trio Veteran Student Services on the Palm Desert campus located on the South Annex 10 across the Cravens parking lot. Trio helps students with educational goals, such as transferring to a four-year university and earning a college degree/
certificate. Those who qualify for Trio will have the same educational benefit services as non-veteran Trio Campus Pg.2 students. Spothlight On Prof. Lisa The Trio Veteran Student Capozzi: Service team strives to offer Capozzi is very active an educational, academic and has a life full of unique support and friendly experience and shares her environment for eligible wisdom. She wishes to pass veterans to reach their down her knowledge to the goals. The staff include: younger generation, and Director Craig Doussett; currently, she is doing so by Jorge Villalta, instructional teaching at College of the support specialist who Desert. is a U.S. Army veteran; Skye Gomez, the program Local Pg.4 secretary and the counselor, PS Veterans Day Parade: Victoria Jimenez. On Nov. 11, the Palm Doussett helps with FASA, Springs Veterans Day Parade grants, loans and applying honored those who have served for colleges. He also our country and thanked all takes his students to visit military personnel who served campuses such as Cal-State the United States in all wars on San Bernardino, Cal-State this memorable day. Fullerton and many cultural events. Doussett and his team A&E Pg. 5 recently attended the Mr. Rogers’ movie review: Morongo Pow Pow. “My job Watching ‘It’s a Beautiful description in a sense is to Day in the Neighborhood’ is give them experiences that like watching an adult episode they may not otherwise get, of Mister Rogers gently maybe they are working two influencing our aging hearts. jobs, maybe they cannot do some of these things, and Opinion Pg. 7 if I can plan it, I can help Fears of living as a them have these enjoyable woman: experiences. The Veterans As a women, I walk around Center and Trio truly care for feeling unsafe every single them,” said Doussett. day of my life. There is an The Veterans’ Resource underlying anxiety that comes Center and Trio Veterans with living as a woman in a Services is located on the male-dominated world. first floor of the Cravens building in room 125. Their Sports Pg. 8 office hours are are Monday Women’s golf wins OCE – Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 championship: p.m. and on Fridays from 8 On Oct. 30, the Roadrunners a.m. to 12 p.m. Students can won the Orange Empire receive academic assistance Conference (OEC) at Trio Monday – Thursday championship, and on Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and they took third place on the counseling hours are from 9 SoCal Finals. a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. For more information visit collegeofthedesert.edu.
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November 18, 2019
Campus
Journalism instructor shares her real-life experience BY OMAR ROMERO STAFF REPORTER
An entertainer, author, journalist and business owner, these are just a few things Lisa Capozzi has done in her life. Capozzi is very active and has a life full of unique experience and shares her wisdom. She wishes to pass down her knowledge to the younger generation, and currently, she is doing so by teaching at College of the Desert. As a child, Capozzi grew up with six siblings and they loved to sell tickets and put on shows for everyone in the neighborhood in their backyard. Capozzi was also enrolled in dance classes as a child, and that only increased her love to entertain. When Capozzi went to college to major in music, she thought, “I’d better do something that’s not just that, because who knows if I’ll become successful that way.” So, Capozzi decided to go into journalism and television broadcasting because, in her words, “That’s a little bit of entertainment mixed with something serious that I can go make a living doing.” Capozzi found herself
PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA CAPOZZI Names left to right: Jasmine Wynn, Eddy Alvarado, Russell Ryan, Lisa Capozzi, Diana Mosqueda, Louis Sarzona. working for a television She then worked for the LA called ‘Salon Centric’ and station as a reporter where Opera as a supernumerary, worked as a reporter on the she had to dedicate seven and has stood in for Kathy island of Kauai, Hawaii as a days a week and be on call on Bates, Melissa McCarthy, newspaper reporter. a moment’s notice to go out Rebel Wilson and Louie Capozzi also loves to teach. and cover stories. Anderson. She is currently “Oh I’ve been teaching... Capozzi’s career began doing a TV sitcom called, depends on what type of in Minnesota, working as a “Mark’s Place” and she plays teaching over the last 20 or TV news anchor for an NBC the role of Dottie a waitress so years because I’ve taught station, and then worked as that works in a bar. “I did drama to inner-city kids, a reporter in Rochester for an some directing and always playwriting to children in NBC affiliate. knew I wanted to go back fifth and six grade in the Eventually, she moved into entertainment because inner-city. I’ve taught prefrom Minnesota to Los that’s where my heart laid,” marriage classes to adults Angeles to pursue a career in Capozzi said. that are about to get married the entertainment business. In truth, Capozzi has and the secrets of having Capozzi has worked as a worked multiple careers. a happy marriage and talent agent, played the Fairy She has owned a production I’ve taught children from Godmother and Mrs. Claus at company that produced China and Japan that are in Disneyland for one season. commercials and sales high school and living in Capozzi also wrote a marketing videos, worked as Pasadena, Calif. I taught at show that was performed managing editor for several community colleges so I’ve in Hollywood called “Yard magazines companies, ran the full gamut the last 20 Sale.” launched a national magazine plus years.”
This fall semester at COD Capozzi is teaching RTV005 Broadcasting Writing at COD. She has taught English courses in the past and is scheduled to teach MC001 Intro. to Mass Media and JO10 Magazine Writing and Production in spring 2020. Her book Marilyn Returns was published in June 2018. With everything Capozzi has done throughout her life, it’s obvious that she still loves the entertainment world, ”I think seeing the reaction people have to whatever it is you’ve written, that is so fulfilling to see that you’re actually either enriching their lives, making their lives lighter, they laugh at what you do, but mostly enriching people’s lives. I’ve always had little side businesses like right now I have a jewelry business where I make jewelry and I sell them at craft fairs, and my sister always ask me, ‘When do you have time to sleep? You’re always busy doing this thing this project or that project,’ but I like being busy and creative because I enjoy that.” Capozzi will be at the Palm Desert Barnes and Noble’s located at the Westfield mall on Nov. 23 doing a book signing from 1p.m. to 3 p.m.
‘Death and Dying’ students tour a mortuary in PS BY HECTOR LEYVA
STUDENT CONTRIBUTOR College of the Desert students in Professor James Waddell’s Perspectives of Death and Dying class visited Wiefels Funeral Home in Palm Springs last month. The philosophy course at COD focuses on analyzing the concept of mortality through many different mediums such as religion, psychology, philosophy and medicine. Furthermore, the visit to the mortuary gives students a firsthand look at the practices related to death that usually go unperceived. The visits occurred during the final week of October. Students had multiple time slots where they visited the mortuary in smaller groups. They were made possible thanks to a collaboration between professor Waddell, and Wiefels Funeral Home advisor John Caranci. According to professor Waddell, “We’ve been doing the visits for about four years, and around 90% of my students attend.” He also pointed out that transportation and class schedules can make it difficult for a student to attend, but Caranci is good at working with their schedules. If this is the case, the student must contact Caranci to arrange an individual tour.
COD student David Vargas said, “Being there lets you realize how things are actually done, it got rid of my previous ignorance and made the whole experience calming.” Students were shown the freezer where the bodies are kept before cremation, but students could decline to look inside. COD student Cindy Montoya said, “I find it odd that the body is just an empty vessel in the end, and it is just left for the loved ones to remember.” The bodies were inside boxes, and about two dozen were visible, but Caranci said
there were many more below other boxes. The whole area had an overpowering smell because of the formaldehyde present in the area. It had a bubblegum smell. Caranci also showed students the cremation oven. Cremations at Wiefels usually start with the heaviest person, and end with the lightest person because the heavier a person is, the longer it takes for them to cremate. “Sometimes people worry that we have more than one body in that oven at one time, but we don’t because I want to make sure that the ashes that you’re getting are the ashes of
PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES your loved one,” said Caranci. When the cremation is over, there is nothing left in the oven except for skeletal remains. The ash could then be turned into jewelry, put into an urn provided by Wiefels, or the family can bring one of their own. The tour of the funeral home only last as long as a class session. Students were shown the prices for Wiefels’ services. Caranci explained that when meeting with a grieving family, it is his job, to be honest, and to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Students learned that burial is more expensive
than cremation because not only does a family have to pay Wiefels for the funeral services, but they also have to pay the cemetery for a burial site. The students also went into the embalming room. Embalming is the process of preserving a corpse from decays by injecting it with fluids. This is helpful for an open casket funeral service, or when remains have to travel to a different country. Embalmers also have to cover up the fatal injuries of the deceased before the funeral. Students found out that to be a professional embalmer, they only need an embalmer license. Students enrolled in the Perspectives of Death, and Dying course also have to visit a cemetery to analyze and write about the headstones of the deceased. Professor Waddell explained that students would also like to visit the Coroner’s office in Indio, but transportation is tough. “Some of the students tell me it’s one of the most valuable educational experiences they’ve ever had.” If obtaining and understanding concepts of death is interesting to you, speak to a counselor about taking the course in the spring.
Public speaking students showcase speeches at COD
BY AMBER JUAREZ STAFF REPORTER
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Communication Studies department is holding a speech showcase. This event will take place at the Pollock Theater at 6:30 p.m. No RSVP is required to attend. Communications professor Dr. Alejandro Jazan will host this event. This will not be the first showcase the communications department has put together. “This is the second time we are putting on a speech showcase. The first time was about nine years ago,” said Dr. Jazan. Jazan hopes to have seven or eight students
participating in this showcase. Students participating are from different public speaking classes. Earlier this semester, public speaking students were required to give informative and persuasive speeches in class. “Students are presenting the same speeches at the showcase that were presented in class. At this time, we have informative, persuasive and special occasion speeches,” said Dr. Jazan. Speakers will need to prepare for the showcase. For example, an informative speech requires wellresearch information
because these speeches are meant to inform the audience on a specific topic. On the other hand, students doing persuasive speeches need to persuade the audience to feel a certain way about a topic. These speeches are similar to informative speeches because they are also well researched. The showcase can help students who are interested in public speaking as well as students who find it difficult. Public speaking can be very difficult for many people but it is a requirement if you want to transfer. This event will be
very beneficial for students because it will show them that public speaking is nothing to be afraid of. Jazan hopes that this showcase will inspire students to conquer their fear of public speaking. “My hopes are that people take away inspiration and motivation to conquer their public speaking fears. Regardless if students are English language learners or English is their first language, this event is for everyone to see public speaking in action.” The speech showcase is open for everyone to attend, all ages are welcome, “Anyone can
attend the speech showcase. Students, family and friends can attend. There is no age limit,” said Jazan, “People attending the speech showcase can expect a demonstration of exemplary student speeches. The showcase is ideal for students who are interested in taking public speaking or find public speaking to be incredibly difficult.” For more information about the speech showcase or the communication studies program, contact www.collegeofthedesert. edu.
November 18, 2019
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thechaparral.net
Campus
DHS campus remains vital to COD and the community BY JACOB SCHULTE
STAFF REPORTER While the main College of the Desert campus in Palm Desert renovates and the one in Palm Springs dives into further stages of development, Director of West Valley Education Centers Scott Adkins assures the community that the Desert Hot Springs campus too is a vital part of both the school and the local community. “We’ve had classes here since the fall of 2016, so it’s now going on its 4th year,” Adkins said. “This campus was started of a need to have more classes up in this area. It happened at a time when we were supposed to be starting the Palm Springs campus, but it was delayed, so we decided to offer classes here.” The DHS campus is far from limited, with a tutoring and academic center to assist students open four days a week. There is a food pantry, student services and other available services. “Students can do just about
everything here that they can on the main campus except fill out their financial aid paperwork, but we do have workshops that help teach that process,” Adkins said. “There’s a ton of help available here, some students that may take mostly online-only courses can come here for tutoring and support. It’s a great place for our students to work.” COD is also finding ways to impact the local youth and instill academic confidence in the young community. “Out here, we also work with the federally funded TRiO Educational Talent Search program,” Adkins said. “They reach out to DHS high school and local middle schools and promote COD, as well as taking kids to field trips to four-year universities in places like Los Angeles and San Diego so that they can have an experience of college early, maybe shake some personal fears off. We want DHS students to know there is a path to a four-year
university if that’s what they want to do.” Carolyn Sue Johnson, an instructional support assistant at the DHS center, talks about her most rewarding aspects of the job as an on-site tutor. “For me, the best part about helping the students is when I see they start to understand the concepts they struggle with,” Carolyn said. “Watching them complete a class with a good grade, to finish and graduate, that process is rewarding to see. I live in this community, so it’s great to see students from my local community of Desert Hot Springs take their education seriously and moving on to do good things, then coming back to help the community,” said Johnson. As for the future of the Desert Hot Springs campus, including which or if more classes should be offered, Adkins said he wants to make more researchbased decisions based on things like what local schools are already teaching, and what fits
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL Carolyn Sue Johnson, Instructional Support Assistant at the DHS center, works at her desk. students needs most. “We’re trying to be more thoughtful with what we’re offering, we meet with the Palm Springs Unified School District every quarter, researching as much as possible about how we can best impact our current and future students,” Adkins said.
“If we’re more strategic about what we’re doing or what we offer, our students will be more successful,” said Adkins. The DHS campus is located at 11625 West Drive, Desert Hot Springs, Calif. For more information, call 760-776-7370 or 760-776-7370.
Dia de los Muertos displays art, music and bright colors BY ALEXANDRO ZATARAIN STAFF REPORTER
The College of the Desert main campus in Palm Desert was treated to colorful papel picado, a mariachi and some sweet cookies on Oct. 30, thanks to the Spanish Department and Office of Student Life. With the guidance of Spanish professors Pilar Agudelo and Teresa Moulin, students showcased various altares (Spanish for altars), during Dia de los Muertos, a day where you pay homage to those who have passed. This event has typically taken place around Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, the days in which the Mexican holiday occurs.“ It began with a few of the students clubs working with the Foreign Language department. It was later taken up by the Dept. of Spanish. It was already happening when Professor Agudelo and myself started working for the college,” Moulin stated. She contintued, “We talk about this celebration in class throughout the course of various weeks for them to obtain a clear idea and sense of
College of the Desert Spanish students next to their Dia de los Muertos altar. what this celebration is about,” Moulin explained. The COD student body is made up primarily of Hispanic and Hispanic-American students, 73.77%, according
to College of the Desert’s Institutional Research, which is a large reason as to why the event is put together. Moulin added, “It is significant because it allows
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL us to appreciate the value and importance Mexican and Mexican-Americans place on their ancestors.” Students Emiliano Villalobos and Russell Ryan worked
on the project together for Moulin’s class. Their alter paid homage to Roberto Gómez Bolaños, otherwise known as Chespirito. The Mexican actor was widely known to Hispanic audiences for his roles as El Chavo del Ocho and El Chapulin Colorado. In addition to the nearly two dozen student-made altares on display, there was an appearance by local group Mariachi Serenata Mexicana that garnered the attention of students walking around campus with classic hits like Vicente Fernandez’s Volver, Volver and Rocio Durcal’s Amor Eterno. Other student groups took part in the event, with culinary students providing themed cookies and KCOD playing music. The support from the college is what makes the event a success according to Agudelo and Moulin.”We are very grateful for the support the college and the students give us in putting together this event. Especially the students, without them, this event cannot happen,” said Moulin.
New sports media class led by well-known broadcaster
BY ALEXANDRO ZATARAIN STAFF REPORTER
“If you don’t kill the job you have - you’ll never get the job you want.” That is lesson number one. At least it was when meeting Ralph Strangis for the first time in what he explained as a Ralphism. Strangis is the former seven-time Lone Star Emmy award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Dallas Stars. In 2015, after 25 years with the Stars, he left the fulltime booth to pursue new opportunities. A few years after leaving what many would describe as a dream job, he has landed at College of the Desert, where he will teach a new course RTV 003 Sports Media scheduled for Spring 2020. The is a sports writing and broadcasting course that will offer sports enthusiasts opportunities to learn, research, write and produce both print, broadcast, pre-taped and live sporting events throughout campus. As a new addition to COD, Strangis plans
to bring his real-world experience to students and show them how to apply skills to live. “I want to teach students life skills,” Strangis began. ‘I want to focus on life skills and storytelling.” “I think so often we don’t get into things like how to manage your time, manage a deadline, how to hit a deadline, how to prepare, how to research, how to do homework, how to take information and then spit it back out into something meaningful,” Strangis said. The Voice of the Stars is a testament to that. Strangis obtained his degree in applied technology and performance improvement from the University of North Texas in 2016, decades after he began his career in broadcast. As a kid, Strangis would take his tape recorder to local Minnesota high school football, basketball and hockey games to practice. It was at 16 where he locked up his first paid job, which led to a fruitful career in sports. Since leaving the Stars four years ago, Strangis has
still gotten behind the mic to call games, working for Westwood One and NHL International, calling the NHL’s 2019 Global Series Challenge in Europe, the 2018 Olympic Men’s and Women’s Hockey, the NHL Centennial Classic, Winter Classics and Stadium Series games and Stanley Cup playoff games. “You can get in. You can get experience. You can get daily experience doing what it is you want to do out there, and you can hear from people like me, and I’m going to bring in other industry experts to talk to the class about what it is they’re looking for out there.” Even before his first day teaching community college students, Strangis has kept his promise in bringing experts in house in introducing Howard Deneroff, Executive Producer of Westwood One, to radio production students. “In the third period of my life, I want to help the next group get ready for life and what’s ahead.” To know more about Ralph Strangis, check
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL Ralph Strangis sits in the broadcast booth at the American Airlines Center. out his website www. senselessproductions. com. If you are interested in enrolling in the RTV 003 Sports Media class. Schedules are out this week. The course is offered on
Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. - 3:05 p.m. in the KCOD building on Park View. You can register at www.collegeofthedesert. edu.
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November 18, 2019
Local
Palm Springs parade honors local veterans ESTEFANIA MOREIRA LOCAL EDITOR
Honor, respect and appreciation are what Veterans Day is all about. On Nov. 11, the 23rd Annual Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade honored those who have served our country and thanked all military personnel who served the United States in all wars on this memorable day. The City of Palm Spring is designated as a regional site for the observance of Veterans Day by the Veterans Day National Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Every year, the Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade is one of approximately 60 events selected nationwide to receive this honor. This parade is one of the largest in Southern California and is supported by military units, marching bands, veterans organizations and much more. The parade is a tribute to all of our veterans for their service in the Armed Forces as we “Honor All Who Served.” Parade coordinator, Michele Circone-Collier said, “This particular parade was created from a group of local leaders who wanted to make sure our Veterans were recognized and thanked. The freedoms
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL ROTC marching in the 23rd Annual Veterans Parade 2019. we enjoy in this country were borne on the backs of those who served and the City of Palm Springs wants our veterans to know they are respected, honored and appreciated for their service to our country.” The Veterans Parade had a new feature this year. A special musical piece was performed at the opening ceremony at the Main Review Stand, located at Amado Road and Palm Springs. The piece, “Here’s to the Heroes” and it was sung by the Sweethots, who are Ambassadors of the California Desert Chorale. Circone-Collier said, “This piece of music is dedicated to
thanking our veterans for their service.”The Palm Springs High School marching band performed in the parade. Every year, the high school band performs playing songs honoring our veterans. PSHS marching band student Ronald Moreira said, “The power of music that we perform brings everyone together to lift our spirits in Veterans Day.”PSHS marching band performed, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “Zacatecas.” College of the Desert Trio Veterans and Veterans Resource Center staff participated in the parade. Craig Doussett, the director of Trio veterans, drove in his patriotic vehicle as
the rest of the team, including veterans specialist Donni Prince and professor Courtney Doussett, walked waving flags and cheering to the crowd while holding the COD Veterans Resource Center sign. Also in the parade was Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon smiling and wearing his Navy uniform, he rode next to former mayor Will Kleindienst in a classic car waving to the crowd. Palm Springs City Council member Lisa Middleton, also rode in a classic car and World War II veteran Dorothee Irwin waved while wearing her original uniform when she served.
There was time dedicated to remembering our troops, U.S. Army veteran Suresh Abayasekara Krause of Cathedral City High School, class 2001, who was killed in action in Afghanistan, as well as other veteran troops that passed away. ROTC, Military and Navy personnel marched the streets in uniform while chanting their army cadence. MRAP’s (armored military vehicle) took part in the Veterans Parade as military personnel would wave and cheer to the crowd. The parade ended at 5 p.m. with a beautiful, colorful and exciting fireworks display.To volunteer or sponsor for the Veterans Parade next year, contact Parade Coordinator Circone-Collier.”One can become more involved in our community by reaching out to our veteran organizations like the American Legion, the VFW’s, the Disabled American Veterans and the USO. Donate your time, your talent, money, whatever you can. Maybe visit an assisted living facility, a nursing home, a VA Hospital through their chaplaincy or community activities department to spend time with veterans who are residents and may not have many visitors,” said Circone-Collier.
Local women honored at Broken Glass Awards
BY GAIL PISCHAK
STUDENT CONTRIBUTOR On Nov. 4, The Palm Springs Women in Film and Television (PSWIFT) proudly hosted its 11th annual Broken Glass Awards at the Agua Caliente Resort & Spa. A capacity crowd came to honor the five outstanding women who have broken through the proverbial glass ceiling through their achievements in the arts, entertainment and philanthropic communities. For the past 11 years PWIFT have honored more than 40 women who have been shining role models in empowering and paving the way for others to achieve their highest potential. This year, deserving honorees included actress Sierra McCormick, who received the Rising Star Award and Lilli Rodriguez, artistic director of the International Film Festival Society, who received the Desert Diva Award. Philanthropist, Melissa Neiderman, received the Humanitarian Award, talent manager to the stars, Dolores Robinson, received the Broken Glass Award and the final
award, the Gena Award, went to Virginia G. Madsen.Each recipient shared their stories about how, through the love and support of their families, they were individually able to find the courage and strength to stand up to a system that promotes unhealthy competition and staying silent to keep jobs. There were many emotional moments as each of them remembered their respective journeys and thanked the people who supported them, often through difficult times. Actress Sierra McCormick, 21, grew up in Palm Springs and shared her story of how she grew up in front of the camera. McCormick is best known for her role as Olive Doyle in Disney’s ‘A.N.T. Farm’ and as participant in the game show, ‘Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?’ She has also appeared in ‘Criminal Minds,’ ‘Monk,’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm.’ She thanked PSWIFT for the honor. “It’s wonderful to see this organization support and uplift women.” Rodriguez’s best friend, Avisinia Rodriguez, introduced her friend with, “Lilli is not a diva, she’s down
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs Women in Film & Television. Left Lilli Rodriguez, Sierra McCormick, Melissa Neiderman, Dolores Robinson and Virginia G. Madsen. the glass ceiling, “It didn’t past president of PSWIFT. to earth. But she’s really good happen to me until I was Women in Film is a notat breaking things, especially help to important It’s 50. for-profit organization that is glass ceilings.”The Artistic are that people younger the dedicated to helping women Director spoke about how a them give and up coming and men achieve their highest foreign it feels to receive the you yes them tell and hand potential with the film and Diva Award. “I give awards, awards, the can.”Besides television industry. Student not receive them” as she the PSWIFT presented the filmmakers are encouraged to thanked everyone, “it feels DuBarry Denise inaugural join. It’s a great way to begin good to be acknowledged for deserving three to Scholarship developing a professional championing ideas.” high school students who network. The annual Actress, Virginia Madsen, have achieved a high membership fee is $25. talked about how her mom academic standing and plan to The next event for the left a career to follow her and arts the in career a pursue PWIFT is a holiday mixer on passion to write and make Denis industry. entertainment Dec. 10 at the Aqua California films. “She told me to always DuBarry was a fixture in the Bistro at The River in Rancho follow my own passion and and community Springs Palm Mirage. I did just that.” On breaking
Little Bar offers customers a unique experience BY RAMON RAMIREZ STAFF REPORTER
There are many bars in the Coachella Valley, but Little Bar, in Palm Desert, stands out because of its size and appeal. Located on Highway 111, Little Bar is small in size, but it has big things to offer once you step foot inside. The welcoming environment and employees are some of the many reasons people enjoy the experience. Little Bar has only been open a few months, but it is already on the right track for long-term success. Little Bar owner, Skip Paige, officially opened for business on September 5, 2019. “I found the location first. Randy McWilliams was the previous owner and had operated his café, Randy’s Cafe, here for 32 years. Once I made a deal with Randy, it was just a matter of time to get all of the licensing
and permits done. It took about nine months to build.” Inside, the setting feels relaxing, and a place people can go to socialize with friends. Casual, fun, comfortable and communal is how Paige describes the environment of the bar. “I really wanted a place for all of my friends to hang out at. I didn’t want it to be too big, just big enough to be comfortable.” One big draw is the decor on the walls. There are tickets from concerts and events covering the walls inside the restaurant and restrooms. “The ticket stubs are all the tickets I had collected as a music fan throughout the years. A friend of mine had the idea to make custom wallpaper out of the tickets,” said Paige. “The ticket stubs in the restroom are similar. Some are the same, but I added some others that I had plus some album covers
from albums I think are cool.” The setting of Little Bar also is another significant point of interest. A lot of bars in the Coachella Valley are big and have loud music that prevents you from engaging in a conversation with friends. In Little Bar, you get a different feeling, something you would not find anywhere else. “It’s small and not corporate. The menu and vibe were all created by me,” said Paige. Rock, classic rock, alternative rock, and indie are examples of some of the music the bar plays. The employees choose the music at Little Bar, “It depends on the day and time. The bartenders have leeway in setting the tone,” said Paige. Little Bar offers a variety of food options. Some favorites include the chicken or steak nachos with Cheeto crumbs. This is a great option for an
appetizer. The cheeseburger is also a favorite and comes with a special sauce, lettuce, pickles, onions, and is served with a pickle spear. “All items that I have cooked at my house for my friends,” Paige said, “It’s comfort food. Good but not necessarily good for you.” The food options are more than affordable. The drinks at Little Bar are a mix of what you would expect to see at other bars, including wine, beer and any other typical mix drink of choice. One specialty drink is called Tamarindo Margarita that includes Milagro Silver tequila, PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS MILLER passion fruit, tamarind, lime, One of Little Bar’s drink options. agave and house-made sumac about the bar from its interior chile salt. design, food, drink and music Whether you settle for wine, is pretty cool. “Just making sure beer or a mixed drink, Little Bar that people have a good time, has something for everyone. and they have a place they can Little Bar provides a very depend on to make them feel comforting place. Everything comfortable,” said Paige.
November 18, 2019
thechaparral.net
Arts & Entertainment
Page 5
‘It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood’ is beautiful
least three categories: best (supporting) actor, best film, best screenplay. Long shot nominations could include best director and best musical score. This movie deserves a 4.5 out of 5 stars. See it because you remember how much you loved Mister Rogers. Watch it because it’s a movie with a positive message. See it because there is no swearing, no violence or sexual content. Watch it because you love Tom Hanks. Oh heck, just see it…. period.
BY GAIL PISCHAK
STUDENT CONTRIBUTER Watching ‘It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ is like watching an adult episode of Mister Rogers gently influencing our aging hearts and minds with heart-warming messages to help us deal with things we still don’t know how to deal with in life. Part biography, part therapy session, part formula for living a happy life, this movie is in a word…outstanding. In a season where films are making poignant statements about the disintegration of society today, this one makes a statement about the importance of acceptance and forgiveness. You leave feeling uplifted, hopeful and perhaps just a tad emotional since it’s a storyline we can all connect to. It’s the right movie at precisely the right time…it’s a much-needed dose of love and hope. The movie centers around two main characters: Fred Rogers, the iconic star of the children’s program, ‘Mister Rogers Neighborhood.’ The character is perfectly played by a calm, heart-centered Tom Hanks. The other main character is Lloyd Vogel, played by Matthew Rhys. He is a cynical, emotionally wounded, investigative journalist who is
Tom Hanks (left) and Fred Rogers (right). assigned to do a ‘fluff piece’ is and begins his reconciliation about Mister Rogers. He is with his estranged father. There offended at being assigned is plenty of sweet, innocent such a low brow assignment humor and a beautiful musical and arrives on set to interview score that helps expand the Mr. Rogers with a chip on his tone and mood of the movie. shoulders. What he discovers The semi-biographical is beyond belief. How can drama is loosely based on the anyone man be so good, so 1998 article, “Can You Say… kind, so decent? It takes the Hero?” by Esquire investigative balance of the movie to see that journalist Tom Junod. There is a everything about Mister Rogers scene in the movie where Vogel is absolutely true…and lifeasks Rogers if he is a hero. changing. His response so moves Vogel The plot reveals the that for the first time in his deepening friendship these life, he believes that goodness two men develop as Vogel sees and decency still exist in the the goodness within Mister hardened world he grew up in. Rogers. Over time and with the Marielle Heller deserves help of Mister Rogers folksy kudos for the inventive, clever down to earth style, Vogel way she re-imagined, telling recognizes how wounded he
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AP IMAGES Mister Rogers squeaky clean back story. She incorporates quirky touches like toy cityscapes, which could have been hokey, but instead, helps expand the story of the Mister Rogers mythology. It was charming and believable when it shouldn’t have been. This is her third movie. It had a $40 million budget. Her first two, the teenage drama, ‘The Diary of a Teenage Girl,’ and the universally acclaimed, ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ prove that she is not a one-hit wonder. Expect even more creative storytelling in the future. Mark Nov. 22, 2019, on your calendar. It’s the date the movies goes into wide release. It’s an Oscar contender in at
Cast: Tom Hanks, Matthew, Susan Kelechi Watson, Chris Cooper, Wendy Makkena, Enrico Colantoni, Tammy Blanchard, Maryann Plunkett, Carmen Cusack, Maddie Corman, Sakina Jaffrey Director: Marielle Heller Written by: Micah Fitzerman and Noah Harpster Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing Running Time: 107 minutes Gail Pischak is a secondsemester film student who hopes to make short documentaries one day. Her hobby is movies, movies, movies.
Benjamin and Lacey to partner up in new band
BY ADRIAN SALCEDO
STAFF WRITER Since the 1940s, a music genre has been rolling its way through generations, rock. Artists like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Queen, Guns N Roses, The Cure and many others have inspired the current rock musicians. The genre has been evolving and branched off to genres that are similar. Old school bands have inspired the birth of bands like Linkin Park, Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Flyleaf and Breaking Benjamin. It is common for artists from different bands to gather to perform together, and this possible collaboration has fan excited. Aliah Silva, who has been a fan of both singers, said, “I’ve been a fan of both Breaking Benjamin and Flyleaf them since I was in 6th grade, I listen to them because you can hear the emotion in their voices, it’s very powerful and I look for musicians like that because it helps me feel what the song is about. The influence is
Benjamin Burnley (left) and Lacey Sturm (right). The band's 2004 album, that because of them, I like "We Are Not Alone," was screaming." certified platinum by Breaking Benjamin was the Recording Industry formed back in 1998 and Association of America played their music with a softer tone and played covers (RIAA) for their more of 48,000 sold copies. of songs that belong to However, in 2011 when Weezer and the Beatles until the band released their fifth they came out with their album, Shallow Bay: The first album called Saturate in best of Breaking Benjamin, August 27, 2002. The album problems broke out when had a raw and harder tone in vocalist Benjamin Burnley their cover songs. said that the band made the album without his consent and had their single, "Blow Me Away," remade featuring vocalist Syd Duran of Valora. This caused Burnley to have to go through the courts and demanded payment for this and got two members fired, with one quitting causing the band to break up and go for a long period of not making music. After a long hiatus and new members, Breaking Benjamin was together again and released their new album "Dark Before Dawn," in 2015. Since then, Breaking Benjamin has been creating more music and performing still being loved by fans. In the other hand, Lacey Sturm was the original vocalist to the band Flyleaf, which was formed in 2002. Flyleaf is a Christian pop/ rock band with soft yet somewhat of a hard sound to their music. The band performed around America they released their first debut album self-titled ‘Flyleaf’ in 2005. The album deals with
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AP IMAGES the topics of Christianity, love and death, which gave mixed reviews to critics. Still, the album debuted on the Billboard 200 selling more than 13,000 copies within its first week, making Flyleaf’s fame grew and more recognized by music lovers. It became the ninth best selling Christian album of the 2000's and certified platinum by the RIAA. Flyleaf would release a few more albums until October 22, 2012, when the band announced Lacey Sturm would step down as the bands Vocalist before releasing their New Horizons album in October 30 of the same year. Sturm started on a clip for Baker Publishing Group, "For two years, I toured with my husband and it was really amazing, and then after those two years. We ended up getting pregnant with my son. And I recognized that my priorities were gonna change even more and that message of "Memento Mori" and remembering how short your life is was really weighing on my heart.” But after stepping down, Sturm continues making music and performing in some concerts and collaborating with other bands like Skillet and Apocalyptica, and later released her album called Life Screams. Both Buney and Sturm are
well known and beloved, and it is safe to say that fans will not stop listening to these musicians, especially when both of them announced that they have been in talks about forming a new band together. In an interview with the online magazine, Loudwire, Burnley teased about possibly starting the band collaboration with Sturm back in August. “I don’t know if she’d be mad at me for anything about it, but me and Lacey have been talking about doing another band, putting a band together. It’d just be something different, I think that’d be cool. I was blown away by her inflection and her style. If you think I’m unique, she is the unique one hundred percent, but in a good way.” Burnley admires the kind of person Lacey Sturm is and also stated, "She’s a really positive person and she does put off a positive vibe, which is really refreshing especially for me since I can be a negative person.” Sturm also made her point about doing a band collaboration and how she feels closer to Burnley on online CCM Magazine, "There’s definitely things were thinking about to be honest, like starting a new album and starting a new band with Benjamin which is exciting. We’ve been doing this study about love reflect back, and every time we do a study, which we’re doing once a month, and he loves it. He even talked to me about singing for on ‘Dear Agony’ for his acoustic album. When I listened to the lyrics, I was like, ‘This is Jesus in the Garden,’ and I just started crying. That’s how I know we should do it.” It will be an interesting experience to have these two musicians starting in something new. Burnley, with his somewhat aggressive yet passive voice and Sturm's stern yet peaceful tone, many are ready to hear the combined unique sound of these musicians.
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thechaparral.net
Student Life
November 18, 2019
A family that recruits together stays together BY CHLOE STRICLAND STUDENT CONTRIBUTOR
Enlisting into the military is not for everyone, but for Landen Martinez, 23, Mikayla Edlund, 20, Milo Camaddo, 20, and Madison Roberts, 18, it seems to run in the family. These four cousins have all enlisted into the United States military. The first of the four to enlist was Martinez, who went through Military Entrance Processing Station, or MEPS. He was 17-years-old and officially joined the Navy at 18. “I joined because of the movie Lone Survivor, and the story of the man, Marcus Lutrell, himself,” said Martinez, “Now I would say I’m here for the money, the job and the benefits to come after I get out.” Martinez, whose wife is also serving in the Navy, says the hardest part has been finding time for his relationship, “There was a time where I hadn’t seen my wife for a year and a half. It’s hard; all we can do
Milo Camaddo at his boot camp graduation of the Marine Corps. is cherish our time together before we go onto our next assignments.” Edlund was next to enlist at 19-years old, “I guess I just don’t see myself working a regular job.” Edlund did three semesters at College of the Desert before joining the Army. “It was always the plan. I knew eventually I was gonna join, it was just a matter of time and at that time I was taking classes I
didn’t have any interest in.” Camaddo joined the Marine Corps shortly after Edlund at 19-years old. Roberts enlisted in the Navy fresh out of high school at 18, and said she looked to her older cousins for advice, “Mikayla helped me figure out what branch I wanted to go into because I was between the Army and the Navy. Milo gave me incite on the physical
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHAYNA MARTINEZ testing.” Serving in the U.S. Military in this family does not begin with these four. Many other family members served in the military, including their great uncles Charles Armondo and Ceasar Nava. They served in the Marine Corps and Army during the Korean War. A third-cousin, Rudy Saucedo, also served as a medic during the Korean War. Roberts, Comaddo, Edlund
and Martinez were all influenced by their family’s patriotism in some way or another. “Having family members who had prior service had a huge impact on me joining,” said Edlund, “especially the ones who served in World War II and Vietnam. My nana always told me stories about them; I guess it just stuck with me.” Comaddo mentioned he chose the Marine Corps because his great-uncle served at his age. Roberts’ grandfather also served in the Navy and it gave her the drive to enlist, “Seeing what he did and where he went motivated me; it feels like I’m making him proud.” “Having other family members in the military makes me very happy,” said Edlund, “although some of us are in different branches, I feel like we’re one team and that makes me proud! Especially because of our family history of prior service.”
International program supports foreign students
BY GAIL PISCHAK
STUDENT CONTRIBUTOR For an international student studying in a school abroad is both exciting, and daunting. In some cases, there is a new language to learn and anxiety about leaving friends and family behind. Once the student arrives, they must adapt to the new environment, new people and new expectations. Perhaps the most significant concerns are about not making friends and being alone in a foreign country. College of the Desert’s International Education Program (IEP) assists these international students with achieving their educational goals by providing comprehensive support services to help them adjust, and ultimately succeed. IEP is a full-service support program that helps international students navigate the complexities of obtaining their F-1 student visas. This includes providing immigration information, assisting students to maintain their F-1 student status and providing information about travel options. Upon arrival, students are supported several ways through an orientation, accommodation lists and social programs to help students meet others and make new friends. IEP also has a dedicated counselor that assists with student’s ongoing course selections and helping them check all the boxes to satisfy
International students Yuya Suzuki of Japan and Iris Leng of Vietnam. the requirements towards successful program completion. Approximately 100 full-time international students are enrolled in associate degrees, certificates and intensive English academy programming when necessary. For the fall 2019 semester, IEP had 46 international students begin new programs at COD. Business and science degrees are the most popular among international students. The program has students from 24 countries. The majority of students (31) come from Japan. IEP has an active recruitment program using online recruitment resources and international recruiting partners like agents, high school counselors and higher education colleagues. In addition to providing support services, each year,
between 30 and 50 students from Japanese partner universities come to COD for a three-week English language and cultural immersion program. One of the attractive benefits of coming to COD as an international student is tuition fees are generally lower here than other colleges in the U.S. Resident students who do not receive financial aid pay $46 per unit. International enrollment fees total $306 per unit. They are also responsible for paying $130 month for international health insurance coverage. International students must also maintain a minimum of 12 credits each semester to keep their F-1 student status. COD students are offered guaranteed transfer admission to many California State and University of California
PHOTO COURTESY OF GAIL PISCHAK campuses and a majority of international students use COD’s great transfer opportunities to continue into a bachelor’s degree program. Cody McCabe, the program’s director, is no stranger to the world of international education. He came to COD four years ago after serving similar roles with the University of New York for seven years. Before that, Cody taught English for three years in New York and two years in Japan. “As a former international student myself, I can say that studying abroad is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, and it will impact the rest of your life. I’d say the most important benefit of studying abroad is that it helps you learn more about who you are, what you like, what you’re
good at and what motivates you,” McCabe said. Iris Leng from Vietnam agrees with McCabe. Leng is currently on her second semester at COD and working towards a pharmacy major. She lives with a host family that helps her with her English. “COD is a great place to study and learn about yourself. Everyone makes me feels so comfortable and safe and I’ve made lots of friends.” Leng plans on transferring to either Washington or Texas State when she completes her associate degree. Yuya Suzuki, a student from Japan, is a third-semester culinary arts student. He found his way to Palm Desert through friends who previously attended COD. “People are very kind to me here. I play soccer and have made a lot of friends there.” Many travel miles and there is a lot of planning to come to COD. But the IEP does its best to welcome and help international students with their journey. “International students are absolutely inspiring,” said McCabe, “I am so proud of their hard work, determination, grit and bravery. I love to watch them achieve their dreams and just be part of their journey.” To learn more about the international program visit www.collegeofthedesert.edu or call (760) 776-7205. The center is located at Craven’s Student Services Center, 2nd floor.
Thanksgiving is coming soon. What are students thankful for this year?
Kelton Johnson II
Jellyanne Ramos
Brandon Arce
“I am thankful for life in general and I just want to appreciate life.”
“For the life I’ve been given. I moved here from the Philippines. It is hard to be in college...I still manage to get through.”
“I’m thankful for my family and that I get to spend time with them every single day.”
Business major
Nursing major
Business major
Mariana Villarroel Film, television and electronic media major
“Coming together with friends and family and sharing memories that will last a lifetime.”
Fares Alzayat
Business management major
“I am thankful for all those hard-working people, shout out to you and secure that bag.”
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thechaparral.net
November 18, 2019
Opinion
The underlying fears of living as a woman BY NANCY MAZMANIAN STAFF REPORTER
As a woman, I walk around feeling unsafe every single day of my life. There is an underlying anxiety that comes with living as a woman in a maledominated world. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), at some point in their lives, one in four girls will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old. In the workplace, at school, at home, the reality of being assaulted and the accompanied fear of it happening to you follows you wherever you go. In eight out of ten cases of rape, the victim knew the perpetrator, according to NSVRC. So, where are we supposed to feel safe? As of 1998, an estimated 17.7 million American women had been victims of attempted or completed rape NSRVC. I do not mean to undermine men’s fears or challenges. And of course, the vast majority of men — honorable men — do not hurt women, and women are not the only victims of violence. But the fact is, women are physically more vulnerable. We learn from an early age that we must take extra precautions to protect ourselves. For women who live on college campuses, the risk of sexual assault is much higher. Women ages 18-24 who are college students are three times more likely than women in general to experience sexual violence, according to NSRVC. The frequency of sexual assault on college campuses remains very high. A majority of sexual assaults involving college students also include drugs or alcohol. Researchers say this is one reason the prevalence rate of assaults continues to be high, and also partly why so few are ever successfully prosecuted. More than 90%
PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES of sexual assault victims on college campuses do not report the assault, according to the NSRVC. Rape is the most underreported crime but also continues to happen at alarming rates. A 2002 study revealed that 63% of men at one university who self-report acts qualifying as rape or attempted rape admitted to committing repeat rapes. According to NSRVC. There are many reasons why sexual assaults go underreported. One being, shock of the incident and not knowing what course of action to take. But one of the main reasons why assaults go unreported and remain at a high frequency is the attitude that campuses continue to have towards victims or perpetrators of sexual assault. More often than not, when women come forward with accusations of sexual assault, they are asked insensitive questions towards THEIR actions that may have caused the attack. Bringing in the fact that their clothing or makeup were invitations for sexual intercourse. Back in 2006, a rapist in Manitoba, Canada, was given no jail time because, according to the judge, the 26-year-old woman, who was forced into intercourse in the woods along a highway, met the rapist under “inviting circumstances.” He noted that she and her friend were wearing, according to the
Winnipeg Free Press, “tube tops with no bra, high heels and plenty of makeup.” Not only are the victims blamed, but the perpetrators are given little to no consequences. In the infamous case of Brock Turner’s assault, he will not have to register as a sex offender or serve any jail time. Such light sentencing for such a heinous crime plays a significant effect on what kind of perception society has on cases of sexual assault. Sexual assault has become a large epidemic in the United States that cannot continue. Millions of women, who very quickly could be someone very close to you, are being violated every year. Our world must start taking accountability for violators’ actions and take the proper action against them that they deserve. There is an underlying anxiety that comes with living as a woman in a maledominated world. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), at some point in their lives one in four girls will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old. In the workplace, at school, at home, the reality of being assaulted and the accompanied fear of it happening to you follows you wherever you go. In eight out of ten cases of rape, the victim knew the perpetrator, according to NSVRC. So where are we supposed
to feel safe? As of 1998, an estimated 17.7 million American women had been victims of attempted or completed rape NSRVC. I do not mean to undermine men’s fears or challenges. And of course, the vast majority of men — honorable men — do not hurt women, and women are not the only victims of violence. But the fact is, women are physically more vulnerable. We learn from an early age that we must take extra precautions to protect ourselves. For women who live on college campuses, the risk of sexual assault is much higher. Women ages 18-24 who are college students are three times more likely than women in general to experience sexual violence according to NSRVC. The frequency of sexual assault on college campuses remains very high. A majority of sexual assaults involving college students also involve drugs or alcohol. Researchers say this is one reason the prevalence rate of assaults continues to be high, and also partly why so few are ever successfully prosecuted. More than 90% of sexual assault victims on college campuses do not report the assault, according to the NSRVC. Rape is the most underreported crime but also continues to happen at alarming rates. A 2002 study by revealed that 63% of men at one university who self-report acts
qualifying as rape or attempted rape admitted to committing repeated rapes. according to NSRVC. There are many reasons why sexual assaults go underreported. One being, shock of the incident and not knowing what course of action to take. But one of the main reasons why assaults go unreported and still remain at a high frequency is the attitude that campuses continue to have towards victims or perpetrators of sexual assault. More often than not, when women come forward with accusations of sexual assault they are asked insensitive questions towards THEIR actions that may have caused the assault. Bringing in the fact that their clothing or makeup were invitations for sexual intercourse. Back in 2006, a rapist in Manitoba, Canada, was given no jail time because, according to the judge the 26-year-old woman, who was forced into intercourse in the woods along a highway, met the rapist under “inviting circumstances.” He noted that she and her friend were wearing, according to the Winnipeg Free Press, “tube tops with no bra, high heels and plenty of makeup.” Not only are the victims blamed, but the perpetrators are given little to no consequences. In the infamous case of Brock Turner’s assault, he was will not have to register as a sex offender or serve any jail time. Such light sentencing for such a heinous crime plays a large effect on what kind of perception society has on cases of sexual assault. Sexual assault has become a large epidemic in the United States that cannot continue. Millions of women, who very easily could be someone very close to you, are being violated every year. Our world must start taking accountability for violators’ actions and take the proper action against them that they deserve.
Adopting a pet from a shelter provides many benefits
BY AMBER JUAREZ COPY EDITOR
Adopt, don’t shop. Is what many people are living by these days. One of the main reasons why people choose to adopt a pet is because when you adopt an animal from the animal shelter, you save a life. By adopting a pet from a shelter, you help lower the number of pet overpopulation. According to Helping Hands Humane Society Inc., every year, 8 to 12 million animals are euthanized because they never found their forever home. If the animals in shelters are not adopted within a certain amount of time they must be euthanized in order to prevent overpopulation in the shelter. Alex Zatarain, The Chaparral’s media lab technician, recently adopted a kitten from a shelter and said, “For one, there are many loving pets at shelters that need a forever home. There’s limited space at shelters, and it’s important to give pets a
life outside of that. Second, it’s fairly inexpensive to adopt and it’s all for a great cause.” Another reason why many are choosing to adopt is it helps stop mass breeding facilities. Mass breeding facilities are also known as puppy mills or kitty mills. These facilities make a profit off of animals in a cruel way. These facilities treat female animals very cruel, they lock them up in cages all their life and they do not know what human companionship is. Animals are not meant to be treated this way. These mass breeding facilities are still active because people are choosing to buy from them instead of adopting from a shelter. By buying animals from these facilities, you are supporting the cruel ways they are treated. Animals should not have to suffer for people to get a certain type of animal they want; there are plenty of animals at shelters that need of a home. College of the Desert student
Ariana Calderon said, “Buying a pet can cost about a thousand dollars while adoption can cost less than that depending where you go. Also, you save a beautiful pup from being euthanized because too many pets come in the shelter, and it might get full, and not many people consider adoption when it comes to looking for a pet.” Another COD student, Isabel Reyes said, “Finding a forever home can allow a pet to find comfort and solace in knowing they will be cherished and loved, adopting prevents pets from being subjected to being over-bred in puppy mills and euthanized. You save a life.” Cats and dogs are not the only animals that can be adopted. Many organizations have different types of animals. Some organizations have rabbits, hamsters, birds, reptiles and many more animals up for adoption. Most of the animals at these organizations are were rescued from unsafe environments.
If you are considering adopting a pet, visit our local animal shelters, Animal Samaritans, Loving all Animals, Pet Rescue Center, Palms n Paws animal shelter and Kittyland Cat & Kitten Rescue. Adopting a pet can be very beneficial to everyone because you gain a new family member. It is also a very beautiful experience because you are saving a life. If more people adopt animals from shelters, there will be fewer animals
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL being euthanized, and it will decrease the number of animals in the shelters. If you are not able to adopt a pet, you can donate some of your time to the animals in need, of a home. Animal Samaritans are always open to volunteers. By taking your time to volunteer with animals in need you teach the animals about companionship, love and how to trust again. To volunteer, you can apply online www.animalsamaritans.org
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thechaparral.net
November 18, 2019
Sports
Women’s golf wins conference championship
BY JULIO CAMACHO STAFF REPORTER
Head Coach Erin Lind and her team are celebrating. The COD women’s golf team has accomplished two incredible victories. On Oct. 30, the Roadrunners won the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) championship, and on Nov. 11, they took third place on the SoCal Finals. Having almost a perfect season, the Roadrunners lost only two Conference matches all year long and ended up dominating the competition. With the team taking the lead the first day of the finals at the OEC, the Roadrunners were confident that the championship was theirs. Sophomore Lilyanna Rodriguez, freshman Twins Morgan and Raegan Preece were awarded All-Conference First Team, while freshman Maddie Jones was awarded All-Conference Second Team. Raegan Preece was always confident in her team’s performance, She said, “I was
PHOTO COURTESY OF COD ATHLETICS COD women’s golf Head Coach Erin Lind, Lilyanna Rodriguez, Maddie Jones, Isabelle Smith, then Raegan and Morgan Preece. excited, but I already knew we willpower and motivation each With a busy schedule had a good chance of winning player had is what led to this in September, there was because we were leading the victory and their spot in SoCal speculation that they were first day.” Regional. going to slow down, even Begging at 329 points the Coach Lind, did not have the team having their doubts, first day, with a 24 stroke lead, any doubt of the potential but by staying focused and it was almost a sure thing that her team had to win in the motivated, they succeeded the Roadrunners were going to conference, “I knew I had a and are now ready for the next leave with the championship. good group from the get-go, chapter. Competing against the best they worked hard all year to Rodriguez had a sense of teams in the OEC was no keep improving as individuals relief when she realized that easy task for the team, but the and as a team.” the conference championship
was all theirs, describing it as a proud moment. ”Every game we gave it our all, I was excited we never gave up, and that was going to show in our results,” said Rodriguez. During the Socal Finals in San Dimas, the Roadrunners ended the two-day competition with 682 points and 37 stokes, landing them on the thirdplace position. But they also have individual accomplishments, having Raegan Preece placing fifth individually on the competition and freshman Maddie Jones finishing with 173 points making her third on the COD team.A team that this season showed everyone that they were going to win no matter what. The Roadrunners certainty proved that they could win and do it while being on an undefeated streak and hold a championship title and placing on the top three against strong teams. For more on women’s golf visit www.codathletics.com.
Defying the odds: men’s soccer all star Lucas Rosales
BY MELISSA ESPINOZA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Soccer season is over, and for one player, this has been a time to keep growing and enjoying the game he loves. Sophomore midfielder Lucas Rosales knows very well how to overcome a difficult situation and prove to others that he has what it takes to succeed. Born without the lower part of his left arm due to a rare condition called amniotic band syndrome, which occurs when bands from the amniotic sack peel away from it and attach around limbs and/or other parts of the fetus, Rosales has never let this be an obstacle to do what he loves. Rosales started playing soccer at a young age, and since then, he showed to be a natural athlete. “Lucas is special, we were fortunate to get him last year, it was really early on the summer, and he came and just made an immediate impact for us,” said head coach Enrique Cardenas
BY JULIO CAMACHO
when speaking of Rosales. Rosales, who has been playing for the Roadrunners since the summer of 2018, has proved that he plays with passion and is ready to take the team to new heights. “Personally, I think it’s good, but I’m always looking to improve on my game and help my teammates,” said Rosales. With the team ending the season strong, averaging an overall 11-7-2, with 34 goals scored so far, and this season defeating the Taft Cougars for the first time since 1999. It seems that Rosales has been a big part of this excellent season for the team. “This season he’s done extraordinary, he just lifted his game to a whole new level, and he’s been playing with an injury in the last few games, but he still managed to fight through it and played with a brace on and find a way to make an impact,” said coach Cardenas. Rosales, who has been a top scorer for the team, as well
Lucas Rosales during team practice, Nov. 13, 2019. as a defender, has left many impressed on how versatile he is as a player. “Teams have been so keen on him, every time we play, teams, they’re always like ‘hey, make sure you’re aware of number 17’ and fans come up to me and they’re like ‘that guy, he’s legit,’” said Cardenas, “I’m just
super proud of him as a coach, I couldn’t ask for much more.” During the off-season, Rosales will keep working on polishing his skills and plans to transfer to a four-year university. “Mostly, just doing all the things that I can control to be prepared for the challenges
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL that I would face personally or as a team. It’s just a matter of aiming to get better every day and be a good teammate, training hard, eating healthy and recovering are the things that I practice regularly to make sure my game is on point and prepared,” said Rosales.
COD’s basketball season has arrived
STAFF REPORTER
Basketball season is upon us, and the Roadrunners for both the men and women's teams had their first opening games of the year on Nov. 1. The men took their first victory in their home game against Grossmont (102-79), while the women's team suffered a loss against Glendale (95-60). Women's basketball is having a tough beginning of the season with four losses and one victory so far. The Roadrunner's first three games were in San Bernardino, playing against Glendale, Porterville and LA Southwest. Although these games did not go in the favor of the Roadrunners, freshman center Anastasia Reagins started the Porterville game with 14 points and four rebounds and on the match against LA Southwest finished with 19 points, 19 rebounds and one assist, proving that the Roadrunner players are hungry for victory. Reagins believes this season the team has a lot to show, "We all have a lot of heart and love for the game. With all our different skills, I'm excited to bring them all together for this season," said Reagins. As for the men, the team is starting strong with three victories and only one loss
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL LEON PHOTOGRAPHY 2018-2019 season ending for (top) women’s basketball and (bottom) men’s basketball.
against West LA 1(05-77). Sophomore forward Kavonte Kinney knows what the issue was against the West LA's Wildcats, "We got out-hustled and out-rebounded. We gave up 28 offensive rebounds, but we began practicing box out drills and our rebounds to prevent this from happening again. Bad shooting and giving up 21 - 4 runs never works out in your favor," said Kinney. The Roadrunners plan to improve and eliminate the mistakes that were made to be a dominant team this season. The men's team will be on the road for a majority of the season with their next game scheduled for Nov. 21 against the San Diego Mesa Olympians and a home game on Dec. 29 against the Cypress Chargers. As for the women's team, they will have their next game on Nov. 21 against Santa Ana Dons and their next home game on Dec. 5 against the Compton Tartars. The season opener has been a roller-coaster for both teams, but the Roadrunners are on their way to improve their game, and with only a few games so far, expect to see more excitement this basketball season. For more on men’s and women’s basketball visit www. codathletics.com.