The Chaparral, Vol 67, Issue 5

THE CHAPARRAL

STUDENT VOICE OF COLLEGE OF THE DESERT SINCE 1962 Volume 67 Issue 5 @the_chaparral

thechaparral.net

@TheChaparralCOD

May 20, 2019 TheChaparral.net

TheChaparralNews

Commencement held at Tennis Gardens for the first time in history

BY ERIN HALBEISEN STAFF REPORTER

Commencement for College of the Desert's graduating Class of 2019 will be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens on May 24 at 7:30 p.m.

This year holds a number of history-making moments for the college. Commencements were previously held the COD football field, but due to the increasing size of the graduation classes over the years, the Class of 2019 will be the first graduating class at COD to walk on the same tennis courts, as world-class tennis professionals such as Andre Agassi, Robert Federer and Serena Williams have played, to receive their diploma. This year's class is also the largest graduating class the school has ever seen with record-breaking 1,566 students.

Over 750 students will be participating in commencement as opposed to 581 students that walked last year in 2018.

Graduating classes have only grown in the past years: 2018: 1,486 credentials 2017: 1,220 credentials 2016: 1,137 credentials 2015: 1,067 credentials Dr. Oscar EspinozaParra, the dean of Enrollment Services and Student Success, said, "In the last 60 years, a ma-

Last year's graduating class posing on the football fields.

PHOTO COURTESY OF COLLEGE OF THE DESERT

Graduates are encouraged to read the commencement packet for detailed instructions on the precessional, receiving their diploma on stage and recessional by going to the admissions section of the COD website.

Tickets are required for all guests over the age of two and those without a ticket will not be allowed to enter the venue. Extra tickets are available at the Admissions and Records department. Parking is free and will be given on a firstcome, first serve basis. Students need to pick up a red graduate parking pass that will allow special parking in the North Gate. All other cars must park in the South Miles entrance.

Guests can sit in the stadium seating and will be given on a first-come, first serve basis. Accommodations are available for people with disabilities. Please contact the Disabled Students Programs and Services Office at 760-7732534 or dspsinfo@collegeofthedesert.edu. Also, note that graduates will not be divided by last name or major so they are free to sit with their friends during the ceremony.

Contact enrolls@collegeofthedesert.edu or visit the Admissions and Records on the second floor of the Cravens building at the Palm Desert campus for any further questions or concerns.

Congratulations to the Class of 2019!

jority of commencements took place at the football fields.

Now, we have outgrown the football fields and are very proud to be holding the ceremony at the Tennis Gardens."

Dr. Espinoza-Parra revealed that the choice to move commencement from the COD football field was partially decided from a student survey.

The results of the survey showed that the Tennis Gardens were the students top choice, but the main force behind the move was because of size. "Last year we had to order an additional four bleachers for the football fields to accommodate our 6,000 guests. Now with the Tennis Gardens, we have room for the over 10,000 people attending including graduates. We are renting out the entire stadium for the event, both floors. It is most important to us for the students to enjoy their experience and we

think having commencement in this world-class venue will elevate the excitement. We want to honor the students, their hard work and achievements to the utmost level," said Dr. Espinoza-Parra.

The graduation ceremony is expected to last about 2 hours and will be followed by a reception hosted by the COD Alumni Association outside the stadium. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and guests are recommended to arrive as early as possible.

Note for graduates: Rehearsal will take place at 8 a.m. at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens on May 24. All graduates are expected to attend. It is highly recommended that students attended the rehearsal so that they can be prepared for the actual ceremony: where to park, how long the walk from the parking lot will be, line-up instructions, etc. Graduates,

and benefactor of the opera house, Raoul, the Phantom is willing to commit sinister acts to keep Christine for himself.

Romano directed the first musical performed at the McCallum over 40 years ago.

She said, “These performances will be concert versions of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, which [encompasses] the entire show with minimal staging and the cast in formal wear rather than costumes. There will be lots of eye candy: fog, lighting, video projections, masks and the crashing chandelier from Phantom’s national tour, but some visual aspects will be left to the imagination."

"As for ticket sales, a total of 3200 folks attended the four performances. The Sunday matinee was completely sold out," said Romano.

The staging was creatively portrayed by an everchanging screen at the back of the stage. The video projections on the screen effectively replaced the need for a set. For example, when the Phantom took Christine into his lair below the opera house, the picture on the

screen shifted downward to show them descending into the catacombs below.

"Minimal staging," the words used by Romano, might make one curious or even prevent one from going to see the play, however, the clever use of the video projections succeeded beyond expectations. The screen had the ability to change sets in seconds without the need for expensive set design.

Also, a number of objects were lowered onto the PHOTO COURTESY OF JACK HARTIN stage from the scaffolding The "Phantom of the Opera" cast taking their final bow at the end of the above to quickly bring in and performance. remove set pieces. The chandeElizabeth Combs stood in for ing danger. The cast and the orlier was one example. It rose to Natalie Mann for the role of chestra were well-integrated the top of the stage at the beginChristine Daae.

Other important with one another on the stage. ning of the play in a dramatic roles were played by Michelle The actors preformed in front of moment of disorienting lights Fiore as Carlotta Giudicelli, Katand behind the orchestra withand music. rina Dixon as Madame Giry, out any flaws.

As Romano has menand Marianne Capetz as Meg The songs were opertioned, all the cast wore black Giry. atic, relating to or a characterisformal attire aside from ChrisAn impressive 28-piece tic of opera, so they might not tine who wore a white gown. orchestra sat on stage behind have been keen to every ear.

The choice to put Christina in the actors. The orchestra, comThe singing was very impreswhite as opposed to black made prised of some COD professors, sive for those who can appreciher stand out as the lead female was an amazing addition that ate it. and portrayed her innocence. brought the play to life. The orCheck out the PerformThe cast was played by chestra added drama and sucing Arts next musical, The AdJason Livesay as The Phantom, ceeding in giving the audience a dams Family, in Fall 2019.

John Helms as Raoul, and Sarah feeling of tension and impend-

please read your commencement packet and be prepared for warm weather.

Graduates must arrive at 6 p.m. for commencement wearing their cap and gown.

Organizers encourage graduates to leave personal belongings in the car or with guests before coming to the line-up area. Graduates are not permitted to carry anything during the ceremony and not required to bring photo ID with them to rehearsal or commencement.

This includes cell phones, flower leis, or gifts of any kind.

According to the Tennis Gardens, wrapped gifts or gift bags, balloons, confetti, flower vases, noisemakers or banners, strollers or baby carriers or outside food and drink will be not be allowed into the gates. All bags will be checked at the entrance. An empty standard (16.9 oz.) water bottle is allowed.

"Phantom of the Opera" breaks modern day set design norms

BY ERIN HALBEISEN

STAFF REPORTER

COD's Performing Arts presented their spring musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera," on May 3-5 at the McCallum Theater.

In the musical, "The Phantom of the Opera," directed by professor of music, Dr. Darlene Romano, opera singer Christine Daae is caught in between wanting the help of a talented and alluring but disturbed man called the Phantom, and being free to be with the man she loves.

The Phantom is a disfigured man living below the opera house and requires the owners of the house to follow his rules or else. When new owners take over and refuse to follow his rules, the Phantom makes it clear that he is not to be messed with when he starts attempting to kill the cast.

Throughout the play, he tutors Christina to help her get leading roles in the play, but when she falls in love with an old friend

CAMPUS-PG 2 Intramural Speech Tournament

LOCAL-PG 3 Concerts In The Park Launches

A&E-PG 4 Alumna Starts Own Business

OPINION-PG 5 Letter From The Editor-InChief

SPORTS-PG 6 Men’s Tennis Wins Triple Crown

THE CHAPARRAL

Pg. 2

MAY 20, 2019

Campus

Communication students compete in speech tournament

BY CHRISTYANNE SAN JUAN

thority figure who did not have faith

STAFF REPORTER

in him. "When I doubted myself, I just kept repeating the words that she said to me over and over. I wanted to prove

The Communication Stud-

her wrong."

ies department hosted its 26th intra-

Both Vidal and Sanchez feel

mural speech tournament on May 10,

that their passion for their topics was

with over fifty students competing

the main reason why they succeeded

against each other in two speech cate-

in the tournament, and advise future

gories: Persuasive and Informational.

competitors in the speech tournament

The Communication Stud-

to choose a topic that they truly care

ies department has held the event

about.

twice a year during the spring and fall

"My topic had to do with

semesters since 2006. The tournament is open to all students that are enrolled in communication studies courses. The

Competition winners hold their individual awards.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CYNTHIA SERNA

space, and I've always found space very fascinating," Sanchez said. "It made it a lot easier to be invested in the

tournament has seen many students

rated into two groups based off of the

to participate in the final rounds of the

Ahwan each received a congratulatory

topic as well as connect the informa-

participate with a variety of different

type of speech that they were present-

event.

prize of $25.

tion together into a cohesive speech."

Persuasive Speaking

topics, and it is not uncommon for en-

ing. From there, students were sepa-

Each of the finalists received

First place - Lecia Breen,

Vidal agreed, "Look where

trants to spend weeks leading up to

rated into rooms for two rounds of the

a monetary prize for their wins, with

won the Tournament Champion title

[being passionate] got me, you know?

the date practicing public speaking

competition, where they each pre-

the amounts increasing with a higher

and received $100

I got second place. " He added, "Don't

skills that they have learned in their

sented an original speech with a max-

classes.

imum

length

of

ten

minutes.

level of achievement. The winners were:Informative Speaking

"I generally knew the topic I

Notecards were permitted to be used

First place - Michael Armantrout

wanted to speak about, so I just started

when giving presentations, though

won the Tournament Champion title and received $100.

going over it constantly and looking at

memorization of speeches by competi-

the three points that I had written

tors was also welcomed. Students also

down," said Omar Sanchez, the third

used visual aids to help amplify their

Second place - Kevin Vidal received $75.

Second place - Savannah Newey received $75 Third place - Logan Mills received$75.

capabilities, and you can do anything as long as you believe in yourself."

The COD Alumni Founda-

Sheehy, Francine De Anda and Johnny

tion provided the cash prizes for the

Vong each presented with a congratu-

winners.

place winner in the informative cate-

message. Following the conclusion of the first half of the tournament, six fi-

wanted to say and kept practicing it."

nalists from each category were an-

Informative finalists - Bryon Bur-

main motivator to perform well in the

Competitors were sepa-

nounced and those students went on

kett, Bradley Morales and Jonathan

tournament were the words of an au-

cess, Jeff Baker and President Joel Kinnaman shared a message for the students.

"Not only does your investment in your education benefit you but your family, friends and our communities.

You like the 125,000 College of the Desert alumni who came before you are role models. You, like they, will become our elected officials, our doctors, our engineers, our entrepreneurs, our city managers, our community leaders, our teachers and counselors," said Kinnaman.

Transfer students were then given the opportunity to share their accomplishments and their journey with their fellow classmates. First up, was Eric Antonio Aguilera, who will be transferring to UC Berkeley as a political science major in pursuit of becoming a congressman. He began by expressing his gratitude towards his professors who inspired him to reach his potential and who taught him.

He also thanked his grandpar-

ents who spent days working in fields and who brought him to the US in hopes of a better life.

"Many of us come from different backgrounds and cultures. Many of us have different political, religious, cultural and moral beliefs, but there is one thing that makes us the same and that is at the end of the day that we're proud Roadrunners. So wherever you may be headed please do not forget where you came from, while you're there and where you're going," said Aguilera.

The second student speaker was a theatre arts major, Rebecca Rodriguez who will be heading to UC Irvine. She said, "We have the capability to create the world for ourselves when we transfer." She started taking classes back in 2010, and now by 2019, she is graduating with two associates degrees in music and theatre. Despite financial struggles she and her family faced, she completed it

Third place - Omar Sanchez re-

no matter who they are. You have the

Persuasive finalists - Paula

gory. " I just kept focusing on what I

ceived $75

let anyone tell you that you can't do it,

latory prize of $25.

Kevin Vidal, felt that his

Transfer students recognized at annual ceremony

BY NANCY MAZMANIAN

STAFF REPORTER

The annual College of the Desert Transfer Recognition Ceremony took place May 6 at the McCallum Theatre. Over 382 students registered for the event which is 108 more than last years class, making this the biggest graduating and transferring class at College of the Desert.

Prior to the commencement ceremony, COD holds their annual Transfer Recognition Ceremony every year to recognize those students who will be continuing their education at a four-year university.

The grand hall of the McCallum was filled with proud families and friends, and most importantly anxious transfer students who await their final days at COD. The ceremony was initiated by a few words from the Interim Vice President of Student Suc-

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL Head transfer counselor, Scott Cooper, initiates the Transfer Ceremony. and now is continuing her education in hopes to get her name in lights by performing in musicals.

For many College of the Desert students, the idea of transferring seems difficult and unrealistic. After hearing the many inspiring stories from different students it just goes to show that everyone's path may differ, whether that be in time or hurdles you

have to face but seeing the vast amount of students who are moving forward it can only inspire many more community college students in hopes to continue their education.

THE CHAPARRAL

May 20, 2019

Pg.3

Local

The city of Palm Desert launches "Concerts in the Park"

BY MELISSA ESPINOZA

res to keep everything kinda universal, we have tons of stuff on

STAFF REPORTER

our repertoire, but for these con-

On May 2 the City of Palm

certs, we pull the best of the best

Desert launched their concert se-

we do and something that kind of

ries, "Concerts in the Park," with

represents all genres, to make

80's hit band Berlin. Five concerts

everybody happy," said Tucker.

Desert Civic Center Park.

touchables played for them; peo-

were scheduled for the month of

attendees enjoyed the variety

May, all taking place at the Palm

of music that The Mighty Un-

"This is the opening night of

ple sang and danced throughout

our 'Spring's Concerts in the Park'

their performance. The band

series, every Thursday night in May we have a free concert in the

park, starts at 7:30 and for our

opening night we have the band

Berlin. The city has a long tradi-

tion of doing concerts in the park

and each year the event just grows and grows, we do them in October

and May. This year we wanted to

do something bigger so we de-

cided to bring out Berlin. We are

always looking for new bands to

80’s band Berlin performing at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park. marketing manager for the City of Palm Desert.

The band Berlin, which is cel-

ebrating its 40th anniversary, fired

up the local crowd by singing

their greatest hits. Songs like their

academy award and Golden

Globe award-winning track for

the film Top Gun, "Take My Breath

bring in, a lot of the bands we

away" and others like "Dancing in

Thomas Soule, the tourism and

bers, singer Terrin Nunn, guitarist

bring are cover bands, but we are

trying to increase the profile," said

Berlin," No More Words" and "you Don't Know." Original band mem-

David Diamond and founder and

bass player John Crawford, sang,

danced and entertained the locals

for more than an hour and a half.

"This is wonderful, and I

enjoy it. I think is a good idea, I'd

recommended to my friends and

neighbors," said Indio resident

we are in the Southern California

area, so we work out this way in

Palm Springs, Palm Desert, a lot,

Bruno Mars, The Jackson Five and

Lady Gaga."The dance music was

much fun for me. I enjoyed it. I en-

joyed when the Latin music and the girls next to us started dancing

Orange County and Los angeles.

and I'm like 'show us how to do

came back from a week-stay in

On May 16 the third concert

We just kinda started this year doing more national stuff, we just

Tucson, but we're still mostly

it'," said Mureen Boyle, San Diego resident.

of the series was held featuring

and first-time goer andrew al-

local," said Daniel Tucker, one of

May 9 brought The Mighty Un-

The band, that has been host-

conditions were not perfect dur-

played for the valley locals for

ditions, but that did not stop locals

dama

The second concert held on

touchables. They are a cover band

based in San Diego, Calif., and has been together since January 2009.

The group has traveled throughout the state doing local and private events. Last year the wedding

planning company, The Knot,

named the band as "The Best-and most-Rated Wedding Profession-

als" chosen by couples and guests.

"We have been together for

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL The Mighty Untouchables performing on May 9.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL

played hit songs from artists like

ten years now and I started originally with the group. Primarily,

the three lead singers for The Mighty Untouchables.

ing summer concerts in San Diego

every year since being founded,

over an hour. "This Group has great chemistry on stage together,

we're very family orientated so we

the yachty by Nature. The six

member band played soft rock

hits from the 70s and 80s. Weather

ing the concert, strong winds made for difficult performing con-

and the band from having a good

time.

There are only two concerts

have that kind of tightened bond

left for this spring; the first will be

ness of the music and the integrity

feature the Beatles tribute band,

and we are the same core band

that's played together so the tight-

of the music is always the top pri-

ority for the band. Plus we like to

do a really broad spectrum of gen-

on May 23 featuring The Fancies and the last show on May 30 will

Britain's Finest.

Sixth Street Coffee brings a new aroma to the eastern valley

BY CARLOS GARCIA

around the coffee shop, you be-

STAFF REPORTER

In the heart of Coachella, a

block away from City Hall lurks a

light that seems to be shining for

come refreshed by more modern interior design, different than any

other coffee house in the valley.

Steven Garcia, the owner of

should be done." The experience

thing. "One morning I took a drink

Sixth Street Coffee opened on

this; than just being a normal cup

siasts.

april 6. The new establishment

has a very minimalist menu, mak-

ing it simple to choose what to order. This simplicity makes it

easy for the employees to make

every beverage as precise and tasty 100% of the time. Sixth Street

Coffee sells bakery items that in-

clude sweetbreads and offers

vegan options.

Upon entering, customers are

definitely bound to be greeted

dream, that would soon become

cup of joe that changed every-

authentic coffee, unique roasts

and knowledge to all coffee enthu-

"It was the beginning of a

true. after my one week course, I

ipating this business for a long

side the new city library. It offers

coffee is, and how it should be

handled.

Sixth Street Coffee, has been antic-

many in the area. Sixth Street Coffee is a new coffee shop located in-

opened up his mind to know what

time. It all started with a morning

of

my

morning

coffee

and

thought, 'there has to be more than

of coffee." He then began checking

had a hard time finding a barista job that prepares coffee the way it

left Garcia with a will to fulfill

what he wants for coffee.

Garcia proceeded to scout for

an opportunity to open his own

coffee shop. He met up with the

out local coffee spots, social media

mayor of Coachella and proposed

the globe.

Garcia about an open spot. Garcia

and soon found a new wave of

different coffee shops all around "an interest in coffee is now a

cultural phenomenon," said Gar-

cia. He knew people had ques-

tions for coffee, and wanted to

expand knowledge to anyone who

was curious for the caffeine-filled

phenom.

He

took

a barista

the idea of his establishment. The

mayor loved the idea and told

left a bid on the spot that soon became his. The rest was history.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL Menu inside the Sixth Street Coffee in Coachella.

of everything or even fuel, coffee

mond and oat milk.

"Coffee is part of our every-

day lives. Usually at the beginning is always behind it," said Garcia.

The coffee shop offers alterna-

gies or preferences including alSixth Street Coffee is open

Mon. - Sat. 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. and

follow the coffee shop on Insta-

gram @Sixth_StreetCoffee.

Westfield JCPenney holds Kids Zone event in Palm Desert

happily by a barista. If you gaze

course in San Diego, and that

tives for anyone regarding aller-

Sun. 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. you can also

BY MELISSA ESPINOZA

STAFF REPORTER On

Saturday,

families

May

shoot little Nerf guns, there's al-

event at the Westfield mall in

ways something different that

Palm Desert.

we do once a month," said

During the event, children

Green.

were able to make Mother's Day

The Kids Zone events are

cards. They were provided with

held once a month and is free for

cards and given colors, stamps

all families. "It was fun, we did

and stickers to decorate them to

one before for Halloween. We

their liking. Kids are also given

come here and if there is an

an ID badge and collector's pins

they earn a project master

Families that participated

were also given a one day ten

percent JCPenney coupon, as

well as a coupon for the special merchandise of the day, for this

event they had 25 percent Jojo

children.

dart activities, where they got to

JCPenney held their Kids Zone

medallion.

their

coloring, to, we've done beads,

11,

and if they collect all six pins,

and

"They can expect anything from

event then we do it... I think is

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL Parents and their children making Mother’s Day cards at the Kids Zone event.

Siwa's coupon.

"We always have a one-day

special coupon that can be com-

bined with our other coupon at

the store, so that's an additional

benefit for them [parents], is

usually ten percent, plus we

25 percent off," said ann Green,

usually have a coupon base on

a recovery employee at JCPen-

Mother's days cards and all of

been taking place for two years

whatever the theme is that we

are doing. Today we are doing

our Jojo merchandise is an extra

ney.

The Kids Zone event has

and has offered fun activities for

fun, my kids like it," said Indio

resident, Cece Grabdahl.

The next Kids Zone will be

held on June 8 from 11 a.m to

noon. The theme will be Father's

Day and children will get to decorate a photo frame.

Arts & Entertainment

Pg. 4

The Chaparral

May 20, 2019

Alumna combines her creativity, knowledge and diversity to start her own business

BY ESTEFANIA MOREIRA

STUDENT CONTRIBUTOR

Alumna Saija Cleary considers herself creative and has always wanted to be her own boss. Cleary graduated from COD in 2012 with an associates degree in business administration and started her own fashion business. Cleary has combined her degree, creativity and diverse experiences to help her create a new unique artistic fashion trend. Her business is called House of Taru.

Cleary always wanted to become her own boss “My vision is bringing wearable art to life! I like to incorporate art and fashion together; not using your typical canvas but instead having art on clothes. A way to bring beauty on how we express ourselves,” she says. Starting a creative fashion business was not easy, it was a challenge. After Saija graduated she was trying to find the best way to design the leggings that are bright in color, artistic and culturally diverse.

She says her diversity stems from living in many places around the world including Tokyo, Tanzania and Finland.

In years past designers did not have access to the subli-

Cleary models her leggings. mation printing technology the way they do today. The material that she uses is high quality; it’s a soft yet high-end polyester fabric that is stretchy for any female to wear and thanks to the unique printing method the colors will never wash out or fade. Her size scale ranges from “XS” to “XXL” with a retail price starting at $115. The leggings are not just active wear, they can be worn for any occasion.

Cleary hopes her leggings will help a female feel confident in their bodies. By wearing high-quality material that propounds a woman’s body shape, Cleary's leggings

PHOTO COURTESY OF NATE CLEARLY

are fierce with a dramatic artistic spark. With the help of her husband Nate Cleary, he is her professional fashion photographer that contributes tremendously in her business.

All the designs, the idea, prototyping, packaging and shipping are all done by Clearly. She is in charge of design development and with the help of JLD studios, legging manufacture located in Portland Or, the team sews her leggings and makes her clothes.

JLD studios are separate from her company and they are a group of women who help make fashion entrepreneurs products become a reality.

Cleary says her fashion company is starting off on the right path. With great contributors in Oregon and support from her husband who is also her business partner, Saija has great faith that her dream will become bigger than it is now.

Having great sales since her start in January 2019, her company is being recognized. She was invited to show her product in Palm Springs Fashion Week that occurred in Aprill 1113. Cleary will be expanding her product in other fashion events that she’s been invited too.

House of Taru donates 11% of profits to various causes. Cleary says, “a lot of times, each design or series will support something unique. It was something that I had wanted to do when starting my own company, even though I am small right now, I wanted to make sure I did things the right way and be the company I wished to see. My first design “The Queen Bee Print” inspired that. I always wanted to help support the disappearing bees through my art. Once that design was done, I realized I wanted to make that for all my designs. There is a story to be told with each pair.” Saija is passionate and states it’s been a lot of work but worth everything. She is doing what she is

meant to do and by donating to various causes its important for her to give back and support others. “I think it's important to be able to use those skills to still contribute to good. It’s something that I envision for the future, and yes I am a small designer brand now, but I have the potential to make a bigger impact as I grow.”

Her earliest attempts at blending her artistic talent and fashion were published and featured in the book "Customize Your Clothes" in 2012.

You can find her story in this book. It may not have been pursued in earnest until years later, but the idea of wearable art has been seething at the back of her mind since then. As a COD alumna, Cleary has created a special discount for students who are interested in purchasing their own fashion artistic leggings.

For more information visit her website https://houseoftaru.co m/ and search for contact, or email her directly via hello@houseoftaru.com. Follow her through Instagram: houseoftaru for updates of new products released. Her leggings are available now locally in Palm Springs, at La Mar Boutique on 146 N. Palm Canyon Dr.

Student art exhibit gleams with talent & powerful themes

BY JACOB SCHULTE

STAFF REPORTER

There was a strong sense of camaraderie and accomplishment between the art students and teachers at the Marks Art Center who were observing the art on display at this year's annual COD Student Art Scholarship Exhibition. Individually, each of the 12 scholarship recipients assembled different styled artwork including penciled drawings, watercolors, replica models and abstract art. Each piece with meanings and inspiration unique to the artist, but easily seen as something beautiful, interesting or captivating by the curious eye.

Students majoring in art, architecture, digital design and production were eligible for scholarships made possible by the Dumont Foundation, Nancy H. Bacon, Ruth Stark

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAPARRAL

Dean’s Purchase award winning pieces and artist, James Berns and piece by Travis O. McCarty. and Joyce Norton.

“We have the 12 scholarship student recipients who were selected to showcase their work here, and for the first time the Department of Arts and Sciences Dean, Dr. Kelly Hall, came out and personally gave special recognition to two pieces of work." Interim Faculty Director of Marks Art Center and Art Instructor Anna-Marie Veloz said. Having an opportunity to converse with the

artists, the passion and drive for creating meaningful art was appreciable.

One of the artists who was recognized by Dr. Hall had penciled drawings of nude women in a softly realistic style. When asked how long he’d been an artist, James Burns responded just “Two or three years.” When inquired about who his favorite artists have he spouted a multitude of names including Peter Paul Ruebens,

Diego Velazáquez and "For renaissance era Michelangelo, but I enjoy classical era the most."

Burns also spoke about what his recognized art meant to him.

“It’s really just an expression of the beauty of the female form," he said. "I think there isn’t a lot of female representation in the art that isn’t objectified or treating women as like a background object. I wanted to explore the natural

beauty of the female form.”

Several modernism-era inspired architectural pieces were spread throughout the gallery, ranging from miniature replica models of works from modernism pioneers like Paul Rudolph to simple lamps shining with creativity.

Travis O. McCarty's dangling lightbulb was surrounded by flat, square panels reminiscent of modernism architecture around Palm Springs. "Originally this was going to stand up like a regular lamp," McCarty said. "But midway through creating it I decided to invert and (suspend) it like you see." Many of the sculptures and art pieces were made with recyclable material.

If you want to catch a glimpse for yourself, the Student Art Scholarship Exhibition is being held through May 23 at the Marks Arts Center located on the Palm Desert campus.

Alumna Cat Chiu Philips showcases new innovative art

BY CARLOS GARICA

A&E EDITOR

Inside the lobby of Mark Arts Center, are four beautiful exhibitions in place for the public to view. The pieces include trees, made up of entire e-waste, which is just a short term for electronic junk. The exhibitions are titled "Power Plants." But that is nothing compared to the artist's portfolio, just a mere taste of what's to come from this new form of art.

Cat Chiu Philips, the mastermind of this new form of art takes pride in what she calls it as "convert spaces." Philips has received awards from California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Philips was always interested in the art world, even from being an adolescent. But it wasn't until she graduated from grad school in San Francisco when she knew and decided what medium she wanted to work with. " Grad School was kind of like permission, that I can go beyond the traditional means of art making, and that is when I started to experiment more," said Philips talking about her expan-

Cat Chiu Philips posing in front of her piece “Plastic Float” and close-up picture of “Plastic Float.” sion for art. "It doesn't matter what medium you are using, it just matters what you're talking about. Being in grad school just gave me more freedom to experiment, and [it] just really broadened my idea of what art making is. It doesn't have to be traditional."

With the acceptance of this new art being on the tough side, Philips wants to make sure it is recognized. "I think this medium is still in the process of being accepted. It's like when I explain what kind of art I make, and I explain it, and people would be like 'whats that?', so I just convert spaces basically, and

it's the best way to explain installation art." Said, Philips.

"Vulnerable," Philips jokingly said as she described what it's like when she has her work showcased to the public or even at exhibits. "I just have to muster up the courage to stand behind [my] work. You know I want to say excitement, but I still have to find the courage until now and say yeah this is the work I do. All that matters is that I enjoy what I do."

Philips opened up on how she takes it when her work is displayed for the public. "I want people to gain inspiration,

and awe from my work. Also respect, because I feel like the work is taboo you know because it's made out of "trash" but I hope to elevate that because the work can be beautiful. It can be made into something beautiful. It doesn't have to be looked at as trash. It's just elevating this medium and giving it as much prestige as a painting or a sculpture. Just because the medium isn't as expensive or free, shouldn't be seen like that," said Philips.

Phillps hopes to inspire young artists, "Just keep on keeping on, you need to be resilient.

You know for all these projects that have been successfully com-

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAT CHIU PHILIPS missioned, they don't know all the rejections I was confronted with. You just have to pick yourself up. But basically you just have to really be headstrong, and keep yourself motivated. It will come. Slowly but surely," Philips said.

Philips' installation will be available to view to the public until the middle of August at the Marks Arts Center lobby. For more information on Philips, you can visit her website catchiuphilips.com.

Opinion

May 20, 2019

Pg.5

THE CHAPARRAL

Students tell The Chaparral their plans after graduation

BY AMBER JUAREZ

STAFF REPORTER

The semester is winding

down and graduation is around

the corner. Some students plan on

transferring to a four-year college

while others plan on staying in the

Coachella Valley. Here's what

some are planning after gradua-

tion.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIA GARCIA English major PHOTO COURTESY OF ELIZABETH PIMENTAL Criminal Justice major

"After graduation, I'm going

to wait a whole year to go to

school. I plan on working and

saving money for when I transfer.

I want to transfer to Cal State San Bernadino"

"I'm taking this summer

just to work and then I will attend

UCR in the fall, I'll hopefully

graduate with a B.A. in English

and have my teaching creden-

tials." Maria is planning on be-

coming an English teacher in the near future.

PHOTO COURTESY OF XITLALY RUIZ Communication major I'll

“After I graduate from COD be

attending

Cal

State

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSA GARCIA Journalism major PHOTO COURTESY OF ABRAHAM CERVANTES Psychology major

“I'm planning on to attend

"I'm taking a year off of school

to work as a caregiver. By the

spring of 2020, I will apply to

Domingez Hills so that I can get

Dominguez Hills in the fall to re-

Cal State San Bernadino in the fall,

my B.A. in journalism but in the

job as a reporter or host in the Los

balance that along while trying to

I'm currently applying to different

ceive my B.A. in broadcast jour-

nalism while hopefully landing a

Angeles industry since I have al-

ready previously worked as a re-

porter for Univision here in the

valley and have some experience.

where I will work to get my B.A .in psychology. I'm going to try to get a full-time job with one of the districts.

meantime, I plan on staying in the

valley to save money for school.

internships at local news stations

and stations in Los Angeles." Rosa

has already applied to intern for

the Dodgers as a social media re-

porter.

A farewell letter from Editor-in-Chief Alexandria Rosales

BY ALEXANDRIA ROSALES

live out my passion strongly. I

put in to make this newspaper

shine bright in main parts of

tic Press Association Contest.

want to thank Laurilie for giv-

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ing me every opportunity to

the field by connecting me

As I think about what to

say in this letter, I can't help

with Palm Springs Life Maga-

enced at this wonderful col-

apply to intern this summer.

zine where I intern and The

but feel joy and happiness

Desert Sun which I plan to

about everything I've experi-

I want to thank Toni Bakal

lege, most especially in the

media department.

for being an extraordinary

editor-in-chief for The Chapar-

ing and editing radio shows

mentor and adviser when it

If someone would have

comes to interviewing, record-

told me that I would serve as

ral for a year, I would have

thought they were crazy. But I

did it, and I want to thank not

only my team of writers that I

worked with over the 2018-

2019 fall and spring semesters

but every single person who

has

shown

me

direction,

PHOTO COURTESY OF KCOD

Alexandria Rosales says her final farewell to the student-body as

Editor-in-Chief.

one, I was able to travel to the

create truth-telling news.

for the annual Intercollegiate

newspaper class. I committed

New York City with the KCOD

staff and amazing instructors

The following semester, I

enrolled

in

The

Chaparral

to being the paper's on beat

friendship and most impor-

Broadcasting System Confer-

To tell you the truth, COD

And in recent events, I was in-

Entertainment

interviewed artists and aired

work on writing my own sto-

tantly an astounding college

experience.

was not my initial plan. After

graduating from Patriot High

School in 2015, I attended Biola

University where I was pursu-

ing a bachelors degree in jour-

nalism while freelancing for

their newspaper, The Chimes.

ence (IBS) where KCOD was

nominated for several awards.

vited to cover this year's Stage-

coach

Festival

them on KCOD.

where

we

Coming to COD was an

adventure that consisted of me

staying with my grandmother

sports reporter and also wrote

for Campus, Local and Arts & and

always

found that this class was my

favorite one to attend and to ries as well as taking my own photos.

Little did I realize that my

passion and hard work and

Unfortunately, I could not stay

in Rancho Mirage, who took

commitment to learning and

learn and gain experience in

as a coffee clerk and juice bar

management staff as well as

at Biola, but surely found a

way to continue my desire to

journalism at COD.

While here, I was able to

earn an internship with Cali-

me with open arms. While

working a job at Bristol Farms clerk, I was completing some

courses with one that consisted

of Professor Laurilie Jackson's

growing in this class would

the Fall of 2018. The rest is his-

the assignments both refresh-

made it feasible for me to work

RTV intro course in the fall of

2018. And with radio and jour-

nalism together in my heart as

class. Although I found myself

to be shy in this class, I found

ing and fun to be back in the

groove on what is required to

Alexandro

Zatarain for making the news-

room an enjoyable place to be

working with your witticism,

and also on the way you men-

I want to thank first and

foremost my grandmother who

and go to school while guiding

me through this crazy thing we

call life and allowing me to

Keep up the great work. I have

much belief that all of you will

do amazing things that is if you keep the fire in your spirit

ongoing about what is you

want to accomplish.

Coming faster than I could

handle, on the 24th of May at

the Indian Wells Tennis Gar-

dens, I will hold in my hands

an associates degree in Jour-

nalism and then on to the next

part of my story. This is just

the beginning and I am ab-

solutely ecstatic to see what

the future holds, but no matter

what I will always be moti-

vated to be successful in the

tor us young writers on ways

things I am passionate about.

thank you to Steve Kelly for

for you.

to be successful in the long run. I would like to also say

continuously giving me one

opportunity after the other to

put forth the skill set that I

And I hope that all of you coming to COD will do the same

And without further delay,

I would like to introduce your

Editor-in-Chief for Fall 2019,

hold as a young journalist.

Melissa Espinoza. I have so

with local news.

also a sure example of what it

And I look forward to working

with you more this summer

And finally, I'd like to give

a shout out to my management

thony Mendolia and Carlos

I took Instructor Toni Bakal's

Palm Springs Life, gain experi-

to

Ferrell to take over for her in

the Editor at the time, Brianna

tory.

ence in radio that began when

you

staff and writers. Thank you

News Reporting and Writing

prestige

would like to give a delightful

thank

earn me the favor of the entire

magazine:

fornia's

and on how to be successful in

the public relations business. I

what it is, that is earning 2nd

place in the American Scholas-

Colin

Chapdelaine,

Christyanne San Juan, An-

much faith in her that she will

be a stupendous leader that is

takes to make it in this busi-

ness. Melissa has never disap-

pointed me when it came to

her writing, meeting deadlines and she is known to always go

the extra mile. This is what it

Garcia for coming back this se-

takes to be an outstanding

because I don't know how I

Continue to shine bright like

mester to support me through

my final semester as Editor,

could have done it without

you guys. And most impor-

tantly thank you to my re-

porters for all the work you

leader and that is why I trust

her to take over The Chaparral.

the diamond you are, Melissa.

THE CHAPARRAL

Pg.6

May 20, 2019

Sports

Boyd wins singles state title and team wins 'Triple Crown'

BY ANTHONY MENDOLIA

with a 4-1 lead in the first set,

and although Kuperstein ral-

SPORTS EDITOR

lied to within a game at 5-4, the sophomore was able to hold him off. In the second set, Ku-

Not

too

long

after

perstein got to a 3-1 lead, but

COD men's tennis won the

Boyd was the one who rallied

team state championship, their

this time and ultimately won

two best players did their part

the match and the title.

in making this perhaps the

"It was a lot of fun

most historic season in the pro-

playing against Kalman and we

gram's

Sophomore

had a lot of energy," Kuperstein

Kalman Boyd (Solano Beach

said. "Unfortunately today he

Fusion Academy) and freshman

got the best of me but hopefully

Alex Kuperstein (Palm Desert

this won't be the last time we

HS) not only won the doubles

play. He started off on fire. If I

history.

to-

had a better start, I may have

gether, but they squared off

been able to take the first set. In

against each other in the sin-

the second set, I was up a break

CCCAA

championship

and I had momentum going but

gle's state title match.

I just couldn't pull it together."

The No. 1 seed Boyd came out victorious against his opponent and teammate, who was the second seed, by a score

PHOTO COURTESY OF COD ATHLETICS

Kalman Boyd and Alex Kuperstein completed a historic season for the Roadrunners.

for

will

be

his

sophomore

season,

while Boyd still does not know

of 6-4, 6-4. Whether either man won, the result gave the Road-

Kuperstein

coming back to COD next year

emotions facing his teammate

we're

competitors

and

I'm

their previous bout on April 13,

at this point where he will con-

"Triple

and doubles partner. "It's tough

going to be mean and be a jerk.'

the PCAC singles title in which

tinue his collegiate tennis ca-

Crown," where the program

to play against your friend and

If you don't have the killer in-

Kuperstein won 6-2, 2-6, 10-6. It

reer. No matter what that

won the team state title, the sin-

doubles partner," said Boyd.

stinct, you're going to lose."

seemed that the measure of re-

school will be, his legacy at

gles title and the doubles title.

"It's tough for me to mix friend-

There was already an

venge was just enough for the

COD will be remembered for a

ship and competition. Right

incentive for Boyd going into

sophomore to get back at his

long time.

when I got out here, I was

the match, as Kuperstein actu-

freshman teammate.

runners

a

historic

Before the match, it could definitely be said that Boyd, in particular, had mixed

BY COLIN CHAPDELAINE

Men's golf finishes 2nd in PCAC finals thinking 'No, we're not friends,

Boyd started the match

ally got the better of him in

finals which made play interest-

STAFF REPORTER

ing," Lumgair said. "[I am] really

happy for Clem on our team who tied 2nd for individual low."

Roadrunners

The 2019 season got off to a

capped off another strong season

turbulent start, as many of the sea-

with a 2nd place finish in the Pa-

son's early tournaments were

The

2019

cific Coast Athletic Conference

postponed due to the heavy rains

(PCAC) finals on Monday, April

that swept through the Coachella

29. Held at El Camino Country

Valley earlier this year. The incon-

Club in Oceanside, the tourna-

sistent schedule had the Roadrun-

ment featured two rounds of golf

ners off to a slow start but as the

to ultimately decide a team and in-

weather cleared up, their play on

dividual conference champion.

the greens did as well. They began

Despite entering play as the reign-

to see more tournament finishes in

ing conference champions, the

the top 3 rather than in the bottom

lead held by Palomar proved to be

of the pack, putting them in posi-

insurmountable as COD would have to settle for a 2nd place finish.

In the individual tournament, sophomore

Clement

Huertin

opened with his worst round of the season, shooting a nine over

PHOTO COURTESY OF COD ATHLETICS

(Left to right) Sophomore Maxime Faure, Sophomore Michael Choma, Freshman Bailey Spivak,

tion to make a run at the conference title.

Sophomore Clement Huertin and Freshman Josh Lumgair.

"Overall I am happy with

dividual conference title by just 0.3

wards the end of our season lead-

reckoned with for the Roadrun-

how our team performed this

strokes and securing the 2nd place

ing up to the conference final we

ners in 2019. His four over 76 in

year," said Lumgair. "We went

finish.

started to play a lot more consis-

the 2nd round of the PCAC finals

though some ups and downs but

Freshman Josh Lumgair con-

tent as a team. We had some great

was his fifth such score this season

still maintained good play. I had a

81. With no where to go but up,

tinued his strong season by shoot-

scores leading up to the finals

which secured his first All-Confer-

great time with the players and

Huertin fired back in the second

ing a second round four over 76,

which was a nice confidence

ence selection alongside sopho-

wish the boys moving onto other

round by shooting his best round

his second best round of the sea-

boost."

more

schools the absolute best!”

of the season, an impressive four

son. When asked about his team's

under 68. This dominant round

performance down the stretch of

dent

Alberta

"We had to deal with some

left him just short, missing the in-

the season, Lumgair said, "I felt to-

Canada, emerged as a force to be

pretty severe conditions in PCAC

Lumgair, an international stufrom

Calgary,

Michael

Choma

and

Clement Huertin's 2nd selection.

Athletic teams boasts a successful spring season

BY MELISSA ESPINOZA

stop Ryan Rodriguez were named

SPORTS REPORTER

First-team All-PCAC. Also, desig-

nated hitter Mario Ramirez and

left fielder Anthony Gutierrez The spring semester is ending

were both given Honorable Men-

as well as the 2019 spring sports

tions.

season. This year COD's athletic

Women's basketball finished

department experienced a great

with an overall of 1-23. The team

season, full of accomplishments by

welcomed new head coach Dr.

the Roadrunners sports teams and

Timi Brown and guard Vanessa

their athletes.

Madera was named Second-team

This spring the newly opened

All-PCAC for the 2018-2019 sea-

women's beach volleyball, sent

son. Dr. Brown together with the

five teams to the Pacific Coast Ath-

letic Conference (PCAC) finals in

PHOTO COURTESY OF COD ATHLETICS

COD Athletics teams. (top left) Beach Volleyball, (top rght) Men’s Basketball, (bottom left) Men’s

San Diego. The Roadrunners

Baseball and (bottom right) Women’s Softball.

team tried hard to have a success-

ful season, however, more work still has to be done.

began 2019 by winning four of

consolation title at the Grossmont

amazing season was women's

(CCCAA) quarterfinals. Sopho-

The end of the season brought

their matches in Huntington

Invite and a consolation champi-

softball. They ended their best sea-

more Claudia Stepien won the

a lot of success and learning expe-

Beach, three for doubles and one

onship at Santa Barbara. There

son since 2015. An overall of 19-16

PCAC singles title.

riences for the athletics teams this

exhibition match. Through the

was also individual accomplish-

for their regular season and 9-7

On the other hand, both

year and many of the athletes

season the Roadrunners worked

ments, for this 2018-2019 season,

overall in conference play. Also,

women's basketball and men's

were able to accomplish individ-

hard and one of their player's,

as guard Sam Skipper was First

freshman Lauren Robinson was

baseball had a rough season. The

ual goals. The new season is ap-

Baylie Dashner, got a full-ride to

team All-PCAC, also forward

PCAC player of the year as well as

men ended with an overall of 6-34

proaching and the COD teams are

Dickson State University.

Nicholas Pete was Second-team

First team All-PCAC.

during the regular season and

getting ready for new challenges.

The men's basketball team

All-PCAC and guard Gunnar

Women's tennis finished with

overall of 4-20 in their conference.

They hope the fall teams will ex-

had a fresh start with new head

Mogolis was the Honorable Men-

an overall 9-3 and were able to

The Roadrunners worked hard

perience the same success as the

coach Trent Skinner, a COD alum-

tion All-PCAC.

make it to the California Commu-

through the season and center

spring season teams.

nity College Athletic Association

fielder Izayah Alvarez and short-

nus. The team managed to win a

Another team that finished an